On the outside Shobdon Church is a little nondescript,
grey and rectangular with a medieval castellated tower.
It is only when you open the door
that you fall in love.
Inside you find a confection of pastel colours
and a riotous assemblage of Gothick fantasy.
It was built by the Bateman family in 1756
in the fashionable Strawberry Hill Gothic style
inspired by Horace Walpole and the 'Committee of Taste'
and care was lavished on every detail.
The technical descriptions hint at the frivolous:
Rococo, ogee pendant arches,
lozenge shaped window panes,
oriental bamboo fretwork,
pineapple mouldings.
The Bateman family sat in the South aisle
on these elegant chairs
warmed by a substantial fireplace.
The servants sat on the other side,
below the pulpit, with no fire,
under the watchful eye of the priest.
The pulpit appears to be suspended in the air
under the extravagant canopy.
Look up the nave to the altar
and admire the barrel vaulting
and fantastical chancel arch.
Look back towards the door
and admire the carved pew ends
and elegant balcony.
What's not to love?
*****
What happens when your camera battery dies...
just before you visit Shobdon Church?
You have to use the camera on your mobile phone.
The photos above are not edited in any way
and are an example of what can be achieved.
The trick is to hold your hand very steady
because the shutter speed is slower.
The main problems are that the colour balance is poor
and composition can be clumsy
especially without a zoom function.
I used to take a lot of photos with my mobile
and so the memory is completely full.
I had to delete five photos to make room for these images
and that made me very careful about the composition.
for Lynn, who has waited impatiently for this post.
grey and rectangular with a medieval castellated tower.
It is only when you open the door
that you fall in love.
Inside you find a confection of pastel coloursand a riotous assemblage of Gothick fantasy.
It was built by the Bateman family in 1756
in the fashionable Strawberry Hill Gothic style
inspired by Horace Walpole and the 'Committee of Taste'
and care was lavished on every detail.
The technical descriptions hint at the frivolous:Rococo, ogee pendant arches,
lozenge shaped window panes,
oriental bamboo fretwork,
pineapple mouldings.
The Bateman family sat in the South aisleon these elegant chairs
warmed by a substantial fireplace.
The servants sat on the other side,below the pulpit, with no fire,
under the watchful eye of the priest.
The pulpit appears to be suspended in the air
under the extravagant canopy.
Look up the nave to the altarand admire the barrel vaulting
and fantastical chancel arch.
Look back towards the door
and admire the carved pew ends
and elegant balcony.
What's not to love?
*****
What happens when your camera battery dies...
just before you visit Shobdon Church?
You have to use the camera on your mobile phone.
The photos above are not edited in any way
and are an example of what can be achieved.
The trick is to hold your hand very steady
because the shutter speed is slower.
The main problems are that the colour balance is poor
and composition can be clumsy
especially without a zoom function.
I used to take a lot of photos with my mobile
and so the memory is completely full.
I had to delete five photos to make room for these images
and that made me very careful about the composition.
for Lynn, who has waited impatiently for this post.
beside a slow stream,
is a house
where the Sleeping Beauty
Sheltered location
Room for extension
Off street parking
Monesties
Carpentras
Bonnieux
Suzette
Les Barroux
Tarascon
MasterM would love the gym
MissM could roller blade on the prom
MrM could sing without anyone hearing
Stylish and Spacious
Great seaside views; easy access to water
