Cerne Abbas - then and now

The Royal Oak, Cerne Abbas - John Piper

The Royal Oak, Cerne Abbas - John Piper

The Royal Oak, Cerne Abbas - 2017

West Bay then and now

West Bay - John Piper

It pleases me to report that not a lot has changed at West Bay, the Briport Harbour where our beloved River Brit flows into the sea, since John Piper took the above picture. It's hard to pin a date on it, but I would think it was around the time he was photographing for the Shell Guide series of books - circa 1950's perhaps?

West Bay - Today

Winter Head

John Piper - Foliate Head: Winter (1986)

Whimsical and fantastic creations

I am not sure how I found the ceramics of Prue Piper, but I think it may have been on my journey researching the photographs of her husband Edward and father in law John. Both of whom I have always had a liking, especially their images of carvings associated with churches.

I chanced upon this small selling exhibition (until January 2017) at the delightful Bruton Museum - worth a visit in its own right, but look at these delights which I must say I found most appealing.

I especially liked the mermaid jugs and two faced millennium mug looking forward and back and was not surprised to see that each of the superb Green Man plates had already sold - these are quite wonderful and oh how I would love one!

The centrepiece being a most wonderful bowl the like of which I have never seen before - quite stunning and full of folklore, charm and humour. I enjoyed it enormously.

Autumn Head

John Piper - Foliate Head: Autumn (1986)

Summer Head

Sorry folks, there has been a major technical breakdown here at Straker Towers which means I will not be posting over the next few weeks. I'll leave you with summer head and look forward to being back with you when the barbel are biting. Enjoy the holiday season! 

John Piper - Foliate Head: Summer (1986)

Friday Face

A Painter's Camera - John Piper

Spring Head

John Piper - Foliate Head: Spring (1986)

The weather has been schizoid of late. The beginning of the trout fishing season has seen the local rivers up and down like a yo-yo with freezing cold winds to boot. The opening day proved to be the best day to actually cast a line - I didn't. Then we have had days of glorious warming sunshine and days of heavy rain. 

The plum blossom in the family orchard, which is up in Gloucestershire, is just peeping through. The pear will be next and maybe the cherry might have a spurt and beat them all - no sign of it yet. The joy that is the early days of spring blossom - you just don't know how each season will begin.

The ramsons are out and the swallows have arrived. A few have been darting about in Dorset and my diary tells me around now is the norm unlike last years amazing sighting on the last day of the coarse fishing season (March 14th). Very welcome they are too. Is it me, or do the seasons seem to arrive quicker each year? Maybe it's just me getting old.