Second Choice Location

I spent quite some time looking at Google Earth and the Ordnance Survey map to investigate a potential lake that might have public access with possibilities of varied wildlife, so I found somewhere nearby to park and investigate whether there was an available entry. There was a building nearing completion at the corner of the road, and I spotted two men chatting outside the front entrance of what looks like becoming a new hotel or restaurant. I enquired whether I might park the car for a while. The man to whom I spoke was happy for me to park in the front by the boundary.

I grabbed the camera and took a wander by the boundary of the lake area, but soon spotted signage denoting that the area was private, with no public access, which was disappointing, I did also look elsewhere, but there were no other entries, so that location was ruled out. I had not wasted the time however, and as I walked around the boundaries, I had captured some attractive shots of some dog roses and leaves. On my return to the car, I met up with the man who appeared to be the most senior man on site, so I did chat to him about the possibilities of progress photographs for his project. I offered my backup business card for him to capture my details in case to his phone; there was a possibility I might be able to offer him my services.

My original plans scuppered, I headed back to Stewartby, where I parked back by the roadwork gas pipe laying, and chatted with the builder who was just considering finishing for the day, and for the second time that day offered my details in case there was a future possibility of some photographic opportunities. I then took a chance of further images to capture, and was rewarded by a rabbit, more dog roses, and a a poor shot of a lone butterfly,due to the scarcity of blooms for its supply of nectar. I did not stay long as the wind and the overall lack of variety of blooms meant there were fewer photo opportunities, but I had not spotted earlier that the ruins of Houghton House were also visible from this spot, so I took a shot of that as well.