Thursday 14 March 2013

On the Wandle Trail part 2

We seem to have another blast of winter over the last few days so I thought I would continue today with our walks on the Wandle Trail. If you have missed my first post  about the Wandle Trail do have a look here. This second installment covers the beginning of the walk towards Wandle Ponds and started out from nearby Butter Hill, at the top of which are one of several very pretty ponds.
When we first moved to the area this particular pond was empty but a fund started by a local conservation group not only cleared the sources to the pond but also reinstated the fountain. After walking past this pond you cross the main road to enter Beddington Park.The park was originally land owned by the weathy Carew family and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. Nicholas Carew was a favourite of Henry V111 and Henry stayed at the manor in 1528.  Carew Manor still stands and is now owned by the London Borough of Sutton. It is used by a school for disabled children now and on occasions is open to the public as the original Great Hall remains in all its glory.
In the 1950s  this lovely lake was a boating lake with a cafe. In the 1990s I used to go to a mother and toddler group which was then housed in the building. We had this as a view...it was such a wonderful setting. Both my children had very happy times there. I think the building is now used for an after school club.








After skirting alongside the lake the trail takes a route across the bridge and into the main park






















We crossed the bridge and made our way toward the next landmark which is the terracotta bridge.
Originally Beddington Park was a deer park attached to Carew Manor, a wealthy house in Tudor time. In 1859 the land was acquired, by the not so poor rector,Canon Alexander Bridges. He commissioned  a bridge built by the Weatcombe Pottery in Torquay. It still bears his initials in the centre of the key stone is and is now known as Canon Bridges's Bridge.
There is a second, less pretty but still very interesting flint bridge which the rector had built around the same time.








As we stood by the bridge I noticed a flash of iridescent blue darting down the river. My first thought was a dragon fly but that would not be possible in spring. There was another flash and I realized that it was in fact a kingfisher. I have never seen one in real life. He was so beautiful... I tried to take a photo but he was hardly still for a moment but I did capture a couple.


















You can see that flash of blue down his back.














and here he is again at another spot we saw him resting further down the river. I was so glad I had taken my camera with me. Just seeing him was such a bonus on our walk.





We also saw lots of signs of spring as we walked by the river Wandle.


We continued out of the park, past Carew Manor (I will stop there another time and take some photos) and took that pathway which took us towards Waddon Ponds. I shall come back and share those photos soon.

I am afraid that winter has reared it's head for the last few days and it has been bitterly cold. The heavy snow  which was forecast thankfully never materialized here in the south east. We even lit another fire at the weekend. 
For today's card I thought I would go for something bright and cheerful as there are lots of spring challenges on at the moment I would enter this card which is one of my Easter makes.

This is a new stamp for me which I picked up on Ebay last year make by Bildmalarna called Little winged friends, my garden. She is a real cutie.

I coloured her with my Promarkers. and also added some fine glitter to her wings and flowers. I also used my new Whimsy stamps Vintage seed packs and also their brilliant scrabble pieces which I embossed with black embossing powder. I will let you into a secret that all the Kraft paper I used is actually from a roll of Christmas paper. It had been used to protect the paper, I just flattened it out and cut it into sizable sheets. I used my Marianne watering can and wheelbarrow dies (LR0260) and also open leaves from the Marianne leaf set (LRO227). The photo corner is a Quickutz die. 
I added some spring mulberry flowers and some Bakers' twine to give a real garden theme to my spring card.
I would like to enter my card into the  following challenges.

                                                           Ladybug Crafts Ink Spring 
Pan Pastel Girlie theme
Cupcake Inspirations Flowers/Spring I was inspired by the bright spring colours and the green butter icing!
Bearly Mine #77 Spring
My Mum's Craft shop card challenge Spring #3
Bunny Zoe Girlie
Allsorts Springtime #197
Forever Friends Lots of flowers
Crafting for all seasons spring #47
Papertake weekly 1-2-3 I have one image, 2 die cut leaves and 3 navy blue mulberry roses
A and T Emerald Faeries Bling #41
Cute card Thursday anything goes #260
Stamping Sensations The great outdoors

It is Thursday already and we really are rapidly approaching the first day of spring on 20th March, which is my darling daughter's birthday. Yes she was a spring baby. I am meeting her for a Ladies Lunch on Monday as she is out for the day with her husband on her actual birthday. We will be also visiting next weekend when she is holding a little post birthday tea party. She always loves to spread out her birthday celebrations ..don't we all. I am off to see my parents today and tomorrow my dear Mum is treating me to another visit to the Royal Opera House where we are seeing the Royal Ballet perform Alice's Adventures in Wonderland...I am so excited   I hope that everyone is keeping well? Thanks as always for your visits and kind comments and it's good to see my newest followers, you are so welcome. Enjoy the weekend when we get there,

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x




29 comments:

  1. More great photos Jane, especially the one of the Kingfisher as they are such beautiful birds. We had one in residence here but he seems to have moved on to pastures new lately.

    A lovely fresh springlike card, thanks so much for joining us at Allsorts challenge this week.

    B x

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  2. Gorgeous card love your image and your card design. Thanks for joining us at Bearlymine, good luck with the challenge. hugs Shirleyxxx

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  3. What an adventure reading your blog. Your card is lovely too, thanks for joining us at Allsorts. xxx

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  4. Lovely walk and very picturesque little bridges!
    I only once saw a kingfisher many years ago and I have never forgotten it, they are such pretty little birds. You did a great job getting his photo!!
    Love the springtime card, my favourite colours. :)
    Happy birthday to Millie, enjoy your day out with her and the ballet too!
    Happy weekend Jane,
    V xxx

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  5. Such a pretty Easter card! Love those colors!

    Thanks for joining us at A & T Emerald Faeries! Hope to see your lovely works soon again!

    Hugs, Sande DT xx

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  6. Beautiful card. We have had snow here in chilly Scotland. Thanks for sharing with us at CCT.x

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  7. Lucky you seeing a kingfisher, they are gorgeous birds. Enjoy your trip to the ballet.

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  8. it's always so nice to look at your lovely pictures Jane. And your card is a lovely project! Thank you for sharing with us at Allsorts and good luck in the challenge.

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  9. Such a beautiful walk again, Jane! I loved all the pictures, and that kingfisher is a real beauty, lucky you to spot one!

    I wish you a lovely weekend (withOUT any snow), and happy celebrations with Milly! And oh yes, one needs to spread the b-days for more than one day, definitely :)

    Warmest wishes,
    Mia

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  10. That was a stunning walk and so enjoyable. Thank you Jane for all the history, it is so interesting and so beautiful. That truly would have been some fond memories for your children. Happy Birthday to Milly! I hope you have lovely celebrations with your mum and daughter. What fun to go once again to the Opera House, such a fun event with your mum.
    Love the new little girl stamp, you have a real collection now!!!
    Enjoy and keep warm, xoRobin❤

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  11. Hello Jane, walking in such beautiful surroundings must be so fun and inspiring. How fortunate you are to catch a glimpse of the brilliant blue feathers of the kingfisher- nature often offers these gifts when we make the time to accept them! Loving your newest cards- Congrats on your guest designer opportunity! That was a real winner- And Happy Mother's Day, even a little bit late...it's always "our" day, anyway, huh? ;o)

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  12. Jane,
    Thanks for joining us again at Cupcake Inspirations! This is another fabulous card! Love your ability to layer all those elements and make it look superb!
    {hugs}
    Debbie

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  13. Thank you for taking us along to places I will never see in person.. that bird is so pretty and the bridges amazing! Lovely card you made. Wish your daughter *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* from Oregon!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. stunning photo's again the start of Spring and love your card, so many lovely layers to look at and great use of the twine
    Hugs Kate xx

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  15. oh Jane... your landscape photos are beautiful.. but why did you put your beautiful cards last???

    you should put it up first it is sooo pretty. i love the colors you went with. Really special

    Thanks for sharing
    Claudia

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  16. Such a lovely walk to share Jane...gorgeous pics too...Well done capturing the kingfisher so beautifully! Happy Birthday wishes to your daughter. I'm sure you will have a wonderful 'Ladies Lunch'!
    Love your latest card. It's making me wish for spring's arrival even more with those pretty colours and how exciting to see 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'!!
    Happy Weekend,
    Susan x
    P.S I was taught to crochet when I was at school Jane and I can't remember anything about it either...it's the last thing on my crafty 'to-do' list!

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  17. Dear Jane, what a lovely walk! Happy Birthday already to your daughter! I guess you have been now in the ballet! Wow, that must have been amazing experience to see live! Have a wonderful weekend! x Teje

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  18. Happy Birthday to you, Millie!!
    Enjoyed all of your pre-spring photos, Jane. What luck to see a kingfisher!!

    Have fun with your mother at "Alice in Wonderland".

    With all best wishes,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22 Studio

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  19. Oh wow! What wonderful pictures how lucky you are to get photo's of the beautiful kingfisher too, I have seen them a few times but they have not settled and they are so quick in the air I have never managed to get a piccie. Gorgeous card too, love the sweet image and the spring colours. Thank you for joining in with the PanPastel challenge
    Lindsay xx

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  20. I got buried in more snow today, so it's nice to think that spring has sprung somewhere. You give me hope :) Beautiful photos!

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  21. What a beautiful walk, Jane, and how marvellous that you saw a kingfisher (and were able to photograph it successfully too!) Love the blue sky reflections in the water, and the catkins. And your sweet little Easter card echoes the natural theme so well. Wishing you a happy week!
    Helen x

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  22. Oh Jane! Happy belated Mother's Day to you! And a happy pre-birthday to your dear daughter. Goodness, I've missed a lot..but I just simply love catching up viewing your wonderful posts. What a beautiful walk you have..the bridges are gorgeous! And to spy that beautiful kingfisher must've been amazing. I have not seen one in person and can only imagine how gorgeous it must've been. Happy pre-Easter too..your card is lovely! I can't believe it is almost here. Wishing you warmth and a very happy Spring ahead dear Jane.

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  23. You sure can take great photos Jane, love these and your card is a wee stunner. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
    Pinky

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  24. Gorgeous card Jane and beautiful photos. Thanks for joining us at CFAS this time. Carol DT x

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  25. So beautiful - so enjoyed your pictures and all the info! What a darling Easter card!

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  26. Your photos are just fab Jane...you've got a great eye! Winter is back with a vengeance...snow, snow and more snow but still a pathetic attempt lol. At least your card has warmed me up...it's so bright and cheery. I love the stamped seed packets (at least that's what I think they are!) and the beautifully colored image. Thanks so much for joining in our Spring Challenge at LCI this fortnight xx

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  27. Wonderful photos Jane and lucky you getting a photo of a Kingfisher! Such a sweet card! Thanks for joining in our 'Great Outdoors' challenge at Stamping sensations and good luck!

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  28. Gorgeous little Easter card Jane, love all your flowers. Thank you for joining in the Forever Friends Monthly Challenge. Donna x

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Jane x