Thursday 23 October 2008

Up the Downs...

This morning I was out walking with some of our students, in an area called Wye Downs - Wye is a large village/small town, and Downs is a name used for lines of smallish hills.


This valley is called The Devil's Kneadingtrough. I love names like that, don't you?










We also found Eeyore's House!
It was a great way to spend a morning - we must do more of that sort of thing...



20 comments:

Jen said...

Beautiful! I love Eeyore's house! What do you think it is? Something some kids built? Or you think someone uses it as as their "shelter"?

I also wonder where the names came from? Back in the day, didn't they name places to "keep people out" or to "scare" them from saying away?

Oh boy, here I go on my history kick. . .

Princess of the Universe said...

Ooh, those are lovely photos!!

Rock Chef said...

Jen - I think Eeyore's house was built by the guys who look after the woods - they seem to have used wood that they have trimmed form the trees anyway. I like the idea that it was named that way to scare people away!

Princess - Thanks!

Um Naief said...

this looks fun. i always loved nature walks when i was young. i can remember going on some in school and always really enjoyed it. good that you guys enjoyed this, and, i agree, something you guys should do often. i think it's so important for kids.

terri said...

What a beautiful place. You got some great photos too. And that last one truly does look like Eeyores house. I wonder if I could build one of those for myself. Looks like a great little place to escape!

kenady said...

How far did you walk? There seems to be varying landscapes...

Your photos are amazing and yes, I love names like the Devil's Kneadingtrough. Cheers!

Rock Chef said...

Um Naief - Well our "kids" were all at least 18 years old, but it is still important for them. And great fun for us all.

Terri - Ah, I can just see you sitting in there on bad days - "Nobody knows,nobody cares". But WE care, Terri!

Kenady - we didn't walk that far at all, really, things just look rather different on each side of the ridge line.

Ali said...

Gorgeous photos Rock Chef! And yes, names like that are fantastic - I would love to be responsible for coming up with names for things like that!!!

Rock Chef said...

Ali - it is a shame that just about everything is already named - imagine being able to rename Niagara Falls or something like that!

Chris said...

I want to move there.

Rock Chef said...

Chris - Really? People tend to flee Britain and go to Canada, not the other way around! I think you are better off where you are.

Um Naief said...

eeyore??? you mean from winnie the pooh??? :) i just saw that piece of it...

i think 18 is a good age... they're old enough to appreciate the nature that's in front of them... and hopefully take something away from it all.

James said...

Hey John really nice scenery. Here in the Midlands everything is flat no hills really after St Albans till you hit Derbyshire.

You mentioned a ridgeline, does the ancient Ridgeway path pass near you then?

Sitting In Silence said...

Wow....Does that hut looked lived in ?....That's amazing !

Kiki said...

Really, a walk and you just came upon that little lean to???So awesome, I swear I think England is full of some of the most amazing treasures, just anywhere you look!!!

In the USA you kind of have to look for all that kind of fun stuff!

Rock Chef said...

Um Naief - Yes, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. I thought the hut looked just like his house in the old films.

James - Ridgeway is further west, but The Pilgrim's Way/North Downs Way runs through this area. Flatness is quite good for cycling!

Sitting in Silence - It certainly looked used. I think it is used by the guys who maintain the woods/fences/etc in the area use it.

Kiki - Maybe it is the size difference that does this? In the UK, everything is squashed together...

tz said...

I love names like that! We were going to buy a house (backe dout of the deal) a long time ago on a road called gold dust lane....I think i wanted to live there just because of the name

beautiful pictures, great way to spend the day!

Teresa said...

Those pictures are awesome! I think Terri's photography skills are rubbing off onto YOU! :)

Claire said...

Everytime I see photos like these I want to go to England - there is just something about your countryside - and I just came back from Pennsylvania which has beautiful country - my sister and I are getting our passports just so we're ready to travel!!!
I love Winnie-the-Pooh so I loved the little house!

Jenelle said...

Amazing views and it just makes me wonder about all the stories that came from those places.