Photos from walk on 15th February from Scutchamers Knob to Farnborough

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We crossed from Old Street to Farnborough over a very wide and somewhat muddy field. Top left you can see (especially if you click on the image to enlarge it) the two trees at Bury Down.

 

Approaching Farnborough, the path has become a furrow for the water

 

The Old Rectory, Farnborough, is a Georgian house built in 1749 of grey brick with red brick dressings. From 1945 to 1951 it was the home of John Betjeman, Poet Laureate. Once voted ‘the most beautiful Old Rectory in England’ by Country Life magazine.

 

In 2020 Caroline Todhunter and her husband Michael celebrated 50 consecutive years of opening their garden for the National Garden Scheme, a feat few other people have ever achieved. Open in 2024.

 

Next door is All Saints Church, Farnborough. Situated in the highest village in Berkshire (did you know that?), the church has a marvellous view from the south door.

 

“On the South side you can see the “blister” for the stair case leading to the bell loft”

 

One window has stained glass designed by John Piper and made by Joseph Nuttgens in 1986, in memory of the poet John Betjeman, who lived at the Old Rectory from 1945 to 1951. Piper and Betjeman were friends who worked together on the Shell Guides. The window shows a tree of life flanked by fish on one side and butterflies on the other, intended to symbolise the resurrection.

 

Also in the church, Ken spotted a numbered chair (#20), with the ER crest: The chair was used by Lord Glyn, a local resident, at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.

 

At the east end is another window, of which I can find nothing. But look at the green dress, lower right.

 

From the inside it’s hard to work out the detail, but it’s clearer from the outside (image reversed) where you can see birds and seals, I think

 

On the north side of the churchyard was a Cedar tree, maybe The Deodar Cedar Cedrus deodara. When the cones fall off they leave a spike ready for the candles at Christmas.

 

On the way back up to the Ridgeway we saw two herds of deer

 

And a wonderful oak tree at Yew Down

 

The second herd of deer, trying to hide behind Lord Wantage

 

The third herd?

 

Tea break? By Penelope Betjman’s memorial stone

 

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There’s fungus, tree buds and a benchmark in the gallery

 

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But first, thoughts on this “big post” sat in the middle of the field, too far away for a decent shot. When it took off it was clearly a raptor, with very pale wings. We thought it too big for a buzzard, and wrong colour for a kite. I guessed a hen harrier, but looking closely, the hen harrier may be pale but it doesn’t have the white head of this bird. Google matches it to a picture of a very pale buzzard, so for now that’s the best guess. Any ideas, please leave a comment, or email me.

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