Roger Bennion's photos

HAPPY FENCE FRIDAY, ALL One of the entrances into Waddesdon Manor.

This is part of a structure at Dunstable Downs. There is an explanation nearby saying - "Is it a sculpture? A crashed spaceship? Something the builders left behind? No. It's a wind-catcher, part of the ventilation system that enters the Visitor Centre. Fresh air goes in through the long vertical vents on each side and travels through an underground pipe into the Visitor Centre. In the summer this cools the air so that the building doesn't need electric fans or air conditioning. In winter it warms the air slightly so that the boiler doesn't have to work so hard to heat the building.". I have taken lots and lots of photos here and have always tried to look for an original angle without too much success. I had recently seen a photo of this structure in the Visitor Centre where the photographer had selected a small part of the structure. The sky was a rich deep blue and there were no clouds. It inspired me to try something similar. On World Photography Day the weather looked promising so I decided to head out to Dunstable Downs. There were a few clouds about and the sky was quite light but still blue :-) This is my attempt at a close view and a PiP is attached showing a general view taken way back in October 2021. I thought my photo was a little bit relevant with energy costs going up almost daily! And, I was thinking that I could, perhaps, get one installed in our front garden to save on our energy bills :-)

HAPPY FENCE FRIDAY, ALL This is the Aviary in the grounds of Waddesdon Manor. In the 1890's guests of Baron Ferdinand De Rothschild were told that if they did a tour of the garden it was essential to visit this 'must see' Aviary. The Aviary was beautifully restored and it now houses endangered species and there is ongoing conservation work to save these from extinction. Around one third of the species in the Aviary are at risk of extinction to some degree. Many are from Indonesia, where the wild birds are threatened by the rapid rate of deforestation and the illegal trade in cage-birds. Waddesdon participates in captive breeding programmes with the aim of reintroducing birds into their native habitat. Aviaries house 'Birds' which could be spelt as 'Byrds' and this, of course, makes it easy for me to choose a Byrds connection for 'Sight and Sound :-) Gene Clark was a founding member of the Byrds. "She Don't Care About Time" was written by Gene and released on October 29, 1965 as the B-side of Turn! Turn! Turn! Gene was the Byrds' main songwriter between 1964 and early 1966. It was astonishing that "She Don't Care About Time" was not included on the original issue of the Turn! Turn! Turn! album. My personal favourite version of this classic song is Gene's live version on the album "Silhouetted by Light", the album recorded with Carla Olson barely a year before Gene's tragic passing. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ She Don't Care About Time - Gene Clark

Happy Fence Friday, All. Part of the grounds adjacent to Ascott House in the hamlet of Ascott near Wing in Buckinghamshire, England. I've been trying to work out what is on the hills in the far distance :-) I think it could be Whipsnade Zoo. To be sure I guess I could visit the zoo and then look to see if I can see this fence in my photo :-)

Curtains on the inside and a reflection of a finial that is on the roof. Maybe view on black, please. There don't seem to be that many songs about curtains so for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen "The Curtain Falls" by Bobby Darin. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ The Curtain Falls - Bobby Darin

Happy Fence Friday, All Waddesdon Manor For 'Sight and Sound', "Gold" by John Stewart came to mind. It was written and recorded by John in 1979. It was the lead single released from his LP, "Bombs Away Dream Babies". Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac is featured on backing vocals. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Gold - John Stewart

Spotted this reflection in a window at Waddesdon Manor and thought I should be able to find a musical link for 'Sight and Sound'. This is not 'my' window but have chosen "At My Window" by Townes Van Zandt featuring Kathy Mattea :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ At My Window - Townes Van Zandt featuring Kathy Mattea

HAPPY FENCE FRIDAY, ALL. This was part of a much longer fence at Dunstable Downs. Not sure if it was the correct thing to do. BUT, decided to add a little bit of soft focus :-)

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild wanted an estate where he could escape London in the summer months to entertain family and friends for weekend house parties. In 1874 he came into an inheritance and purchased a bare agricultural estate in Buckinghamshire. The foundation stone for the house was laid in 1877 and six years later, in 1883, the house was completed surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Running water for the house was provided from the start and electricity was provided in 1889. In 1957 James de Rothschild bequeathed Waddesdon to the National Trust and in 1959 it was opened to the public. It is managed by the Rothschild Foundation on behalf of the National Trust. Waddesdon Manor is some 8 miles from home and it normally takes me roughly 20 minutes to get there. However, there are extensive HS2 works (high speed rail link initially from London to Birmingham) taking place on the approach to Waddesdon so I am always expecting to be held up by traffic lights :-) The first stage between London and Birmingham is due to be competed by December 2026 so there may, at some point in the distant future, be an opportunity to photograph some trains :-)

HFF, Everyone. This was last Autumn in the Ashridge Estate. The Estate is a 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) area of the Chiltern Hills with beech and oak woodlands, commons and chalk downlands.

HAPPY FENCE FRIDAY I had to look at my photo a few times to make sure there is fence here. And, there is one.....honest :-) Another photo taken at Dunstable Downs.

HAPPY (Rope) FENCE FRIDAY BRIDGEWATER MONUMENT This monument is close to the Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre in Hertfordshire. It was built in 1832 in memory of the third Duke of Bridgewater who once lived in Ashridge house. The Duke was 'the father of inland navigation' because he became famous for building canals during the Industrial Revolution. There are 172 steps to the top and you are rewarded with beautiful views of Ashridge, the rolling Chilterns countryside, Waddesdon Manor and Wendover Woods in the distance. On sunny days it can be possible to see Canary Wharf in central London, over 30 miles away. I took this shot in November 2021 but visitors were not allowed to climb the stairs due to Covid restrictions. Before Covid I did, on one occasion, climb to the top. It was tough going but okay if you took things steady. The only problem was when meeting peoples going in the opposite direction! Passing each other was quite a challenge :-) Maybe view on black, please :-)

Was trying to sort/file old photos and came across this one. As there is fencing here thought I should add to HFF :-) Cannot believe it was taken way back on 30 October 2011 and I'm not entirely sure of the location. I guess it might be halfway between Aylesbury (Home) and Milton Keynes.

One from the Archives and as the sky looked a bit stormy I have chosen "Storms" by Nanci Griffith for 'Sight & Sound'. "Storms" is from Nanci's album of the same name released in 1989. Still can't believe that Nanci passed away on 13 August 2021. Rest in Peace, Nanci. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Storms - Nanci Griffith

This is the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal. It terminates 50 yards or so from where I took this shot. This is a 20 minute walk from home and I often pass here on the way to do some food shopping at M & S :-) Don't normally take my camera but always have my phone. The weather was good on this day so thought it was worth taking a photo :-) The Aylesbury Arm was opened in 1814 and the canal rises 94 feet 8 inches from Marsworth to Aylesbury. There are 16 narrow locks that only allow one narrowboat at a time. This was necessary to save precious water. As there is a bridge in my photo I have, for "Sight & Sound", chosen "Love Can Build A Bridge by The Judds. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Love Can Build A Bridge - The Judds Rest in Peace, Naomi.

Dunstable Downs is the highest point in the county of Bedfordshire at 243metres (797 feet) and for 'Sight & Sound' I have chosen "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder

Pitstone Windmill stands in a large field near the parish boundary of Ivinghoe and Pitstone in Buckinghamshire. It is now owned by the National Trust. It is thought to have been first built circa 1627 as this date is carved on part of the framework of the windmill. This is the earliest date to be found on any windmill in the British Isles. Such a structure would have had to have frequent repairs made to it, so it is quite possible the mill predates 1627. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Muppet Songs: Screaming Thing - The Windmills of Your Mind I wasn't expecting the ending to the video :-)

Over the years must have gone past this scene several hundred times and always thought the lonely tree would make a good photo opportunity. It is only some 8 miles from home. In fact many moons ago I did take the occasional photo here. On 20 April this year I was taken with the yellow foreground and the cloud formation. Nearby there is a parking space for two or three cars and it was empty! I stopped and took several dozen photos.....as you would! Also, made me think of "Only the Lonely" by Roy Orbison. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Only the Lonely ~ Roy Orbison