For whom the bell doth toll

The golf course at Breedon on the Hill is neatly bisected by a public footpath. Of course, it's not uncommon to have footpaths running through, round or alongside golf courses (I can think of three more examples without even trying), but it's always struck me as a rather dicey business; walking in the vicinity of small, hard balls, generally travelling at high velocity. Those actually playing the game, have the distinct advantage of knowing the whereabouts of the other players before and behind them on the course; whereas the unsuspecting walker drops into the middle of the playing field without warning.

And that, we think, is where this comes in:

You certainly wouldn't describe it as pretty or ornate - functional might be the more appropriate adjective - but this bell hangs alongside the end of the line of trees, just where the footpath emerges to run downhill across the course. It seems a very sensible precaution to have a warning bell for the emerging walker as, at this point, the tee is out of sight over the brow of the hill and the path heads straight across the fairway.

Just one problem; we weren't walking downhill!

It seemed a bit late to bother ringing the warning bell after we'd risked life and limb to reach the sanctuary of the tree line.

Light on water

I love water and I love sunlight. Put the two together and the effects can be amazing, so here are a couple of light on water photos; the first close after Breedon Garden Centre and the second on Melbourne Pool.

Here, I particularly enjoyed the way the light emphasised the curve of the brook as it wound its way between the banks; dark with bare trees, dead wood and the slowly decomposing leaves from last year.

 Out of picture, the mood was lightened somewhat by a showing of pure white snowdrops.

And, with the day turning towards late afternoon and the sun beginning to lower in the sky (yes, I do know it's us moving really, not the sun) the path of light traced across the Pool left the far bank beautifully silhouetted.

The tops of the trees remind me a little of fragments of torn spider webs against the sky; but also of something else which I can't quite put my finger on...

But, rats!, I was just too quick to catch the duck in the reflected light. Should have looked more carefully!

Seasons in the sun

We walked down here last Friday. This is the path that runs through the top section of Breedon Golf Course. As you can see, it's quite a tree tunnel and it has a lovely feel, especially with the birds singing or a bit of a breeze sighing through the branches. But isn't it interesting, to see a place at different times of the day or in different seasons. The same location can have a whole new feel or atmosphere. I imagine that this footpath could be quite creepy in the pitch black, early hours of the morning.

In winter, the bare branches of the trees trace a skeletal pattern against the pale blue sky. All of the joints and forks are clearly visible, and bristle; almost like a giant upturned yard brush. The predominant colours are the silvery browns, greys and greens of the wood, with the contrast of the reddish brown castings from autumn strewn along the side of the footpath.

Contrast this one...

My immediate rection is that I prefer this photo, taken last October, with the richness of the colours of the turning leaves; but when I look more closely, I'm not so sure. What do you think?

Beacon

Breedon Hill is south of Derby, just over the border into Leicestershire. It can be seen from miles around; including the M1, various high points in Derby and parts of my house. On top of Breedon Hill is a beacon, obviously positioned here because of its visibility.

Traditionally, beacons were used as a means of warning a populace about times of war or impending danger, but even in history, they have also been used in celebration. Breedon is part of the National Chain of Beacons which are lit to celebrate events considered to be significant to us as a nation. The next beacon to the south is atop the appropriately named Beacon Hill, while to the north it is on Crich Hill, where there is also a famous war memorial; Crich Stand. Both of these beacons can be seen from Breedon on a clear night. The last lighting of the chain was on October 21st 2005, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

This was a great sea battle fought off Cape Trafalgar on the southern Spanish coast. Britain and France had been at war with each other for some time. In 1802 a truce was signed. It didn't last and in 1804 Napoleon set out to invade Britain. The French-Spanish Armada comprising 33 ships was led by Vice-Admiral Villeneuve, under the authority of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was met by the English fleet of 27 ships commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson. The outcome of the battle was a resounding victory for Britain with most of the Armada being captured or destroyed, but it came at the cost of Nelson's life, as a French marksman spotted and shot him.

Nelson's death sparked a period of national mourning (shades of Princess Diana). He was given a state funeral, buried in a tomb in St Paul's Cathedral and the famous 171' column was erected in 1843. The statue of Nelson atop that column is 18' tall, so I guess that he could still be considered to be a figure somewhat larger than life.

I'm sorry to say that I have not seen the Breedon beacon lit, but the concept of a chain of beacons has always been one to bring goose pimples; whether of fear or excitement, I am never quite sure. And so, a few literary references to close:

From Clee to heaven the beacon burns,

The shires have seen it plain,

From north and south the sign returns
And beacons burn again.

Look left, look right, the hills are bright,
The dales are light between,
Because 'tis fifty years to-night
That God has saved the Queen.

1887 A. E. Housman from A Shropshire Lad.
 
"What is that?" cried Pippin suddenly, clutching at Gandalf's cloak. "Look! Fire, red fire! Are there dragons in this land? Look, there is another!"
For answer Gandalf cried aloud to his horse, "On Shadowfax! We must hasten. Time is short. See! The beacons of Gondor are alight, calling for aid. War is kindled. See, there is fire on Amon Din, and flame on Eilenach; and there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan."

From The Lord Of the Rings: J.R.R. Tolkein Vol 3 The Return of the King - ch. Minas Tirith

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 1 v 5 The Bible: New Living Translation 2007

Tangled branches, semi-silhouetted

No work today! Woohoo! Instead, I went for a lovely walk with a couple of friends.We had a great time enjoying the sunshine and the scenery and putting the world to rights.

Part of our walk took us through Breedon golf course. Now it's quite exposed up there, so the whole of the course is edged with ruler-straight lines of poplar trees. There used to be a line of poplars across the road from my house when I was growing up, so they have always been a tree with good associations. Plus, I love the height and shape, especially when they are planted in such neat rows. They take on a certain orderly splendour all of their own. And so, I took a photo.

But then, my friend, being a creative-cookie, suggested I stand at the foot of one of the trees and take a photo looking upward; so I did! And I'm really pleased with the result! I love the tangle of branches, semi-silhouetted against the brightness of the morning sky. Good call! :)

Breedon on the Hill

Breedon Hill is not enormously high but, because it is surrounded by relatively flat countryside, it can be spotted for miles around and is a well known local landmark. The name Breedon on the Hill derives from the Celtic word bre (meaning hill) and the Anglo Saxon word dun (also meaning hill), so I guess you could say it is named 'Hill Hill on the Hill'.

Sad person that I am, I had a low hanging branch of my sycamore tree lopped in order to be able to see this church from my bedroom window. And this is only the last in a long line. There has been a place of worship here since the founding of a monastery in about 676, and before that it was a hermitage! The present church of St Mary and St Hardulph dates back to the Middle Ages and has original Saxon carvings built into its internal walls.

Last October, I walked around the area with a friend and we were delighted to find the church door unlocked. It is beautiful inside and has a tangible air of the sacred.

Definitely worth a return visit.