Creative Challenge 229 = Beginnings

William Rufus - William II of England - The Rufus Stone

William II (Old Norman: Williame II; c. 1056 – 2 August 1100), the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. 

He was less successful in extending control into Wales. William is commonly known as William Rufus, perhaps because of his red-faced appearance.

Although William was an effective soldier, he was a ruthless ruler and, it seems, was little liked by those he governed: according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he was "hateful to almost all his people and odious to God." 

However, chroniclers tended to take a dim view of William's reign, arguably on account of his long and difficult struggles with the Church: these chroniclers were themselves generally products of the Church, and so might be expected to report him somewhat negatively. 

His chief minister was Ranulf Flambard, whom he appointed Bishop of Durham in 1099: this was a political appointment, to a see that was also a great fiefdom. The particulars of the king's relationship with the people of England are not credibly documented. 

William was roundly denounced in his time and after his death for presiding over what was held to be a dissolute court, in terms which, in modern times, have raised questions over his sexuality. In keeping with Norman tradition, William scorned the English and their culture. 

 William seems to have been a flamboyant character, and his reign was marked by his bellicose temperament. He did not marry, nor did he produce any offspring, legitimate or otherwise. 

He died after being struck by an arrow while hunting in what is now called The New Forest, under circumstances that remain murky, and was succeeded by his younger brother Henry. 

The Rufus Stone 

A stone known as the Rufus Stone marks the spot where he supposedly fell, The claim that this is the location of King William II's death appears to date no earlier than a 17th century visit by Charles II to the forest. 



At the time the most popular account of William II's death involved the fatal arrow deflecting off a tree and during Charles II's visit to the forest he appears to have been shown a suitable tree. 



In letters in The Gentleman's Magazine it was reported that the tree was cut down and burned during the 18th century. 

Later in that century the rufus stone was set up. Originally it was around 5-foot 10 tall with a stone ball on top. In 1789 the stone was visited by King George III along with his queen and an inscription was added to the stone commemorate the visit. It was protected with a cast iron cover in 1841 after repeated vandalism. 




The inscription on the Rufus Stone reads: Here stood the oak tree, on which an arrow shot by Sir Walter Tyrrell at a stag, glanced and struck King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, on the breast, of which he instantly died, on the second day of August, anno 1100. 

King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, being slain, as before related, was laid in a cart, belonging to one Purkis[e] to take the king's body to Winchester Cathedral on his cart., and drawn from hence, to Winchester, and buried in the Cathedral Church, of that city.

River Stour in Full Flood November 2012

Hi all yesterday on the way back from the store I have to cross a bridge over the River Stour when I noticed it was in full flood so I pulled off the road and took a few quick shots with my ever handy point and shoot I hope you find them interesting have a great week;)

Images & Words - By the Seashore -186

Hi all sorry I am late with this one I am only just getting back into blogger after an 8 week bout of Acute Bronchitis, but I am up and running again now have  a great week;)

Flood Moors Lake

Hi all, the storms are Finally over here, but I know they only moved north a thought and prayer for people in Mitch's area who I know are still under threat of flood.

Mom and I ventured out for an hour yesterday as soon as the rain finally stopped. we headed up to the moors River and lake to see how things were.

When we arrived the river had just burst its banks and was flooding into the lake which in turn was over topping on to the flood plain. All the property in this area including the Rangers office is on higher ground so everyone was safe.

I took a few shots and we left as we could see the water rising as we walk and we had to back track as all the paths were under water, Its humbling to see the power of nature . here are a few shots from the day when the flood had just started. 

Have a wonderful day;)

Hi All

Hi, I hope you all had a good weekend, absolutely nothing to blog about here its been raining and very windy for days now and the week looks the same. 

The only good news at the moment I am fully recovered from an 8 week bout of Acute Bronchitis and the camera engineer was able to fix my 70 - 300 lens with out recourse to new parts.

Moms doing great and walking miles with me when the weathers dry.

Marci finally got everything sorted out at home and is coming to see me for 3 weeks on the 26 December.

I am heaqdin g off around your posts now while I drink my coffee have a great week;) 

Shadowlands

Yesterday afternoon  was a beautiful sunny window in the terrible weather we are having right now. 

Mom and I headed down to the Avon Valley and took some shots focusing on light and shadow in the late afternoon sunshine.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American buddies and a great week to everyone;)

Creative Challenge 228 - Brotherly love

He ain't heavy.................................................................!

The Long and Winding Road

Hi all I hope you have had a great weekend? Mum and I managed to get out again for a long walk, we both felt much better and walked for over two and a half hours at a trail at the Moors Valley Country Park we had not explored, I took some shots along the way and thought you might enjoy them.

Have a great day and enjoy the rest of your weekend;)

Afternoon Delight

Hi all, still getting back on my feet but feeling 100% better than I was, I managed to get out for a walk yesterday afternoon and caught the last of the autumn colour in the last of the afternoon light, it was beautiful. Here are a few of the shots I took I hope you enjoy them. 

 I am planning on catching up on your posts tomorrow with my morning coffee, until then have a great day;)

Good Morning All

Just a quick note to let you know I am back to full health and to thank you all for the kind words while I was sick. I have to admit 5 weeks is the longest I have ever been unwell in my adult life and I do not recommend it LOL;) 

But now I have a huge back log of work to do around the house to get ready for winter particularly in the garden. So I am still not going to be around much for the next couple of weeks.

Here in Britain we have something called the "Heart Club" and they organize health walks for people who are recovering from heart problems or have been advised by their doctor to reduce weight and get more exercise  I have volunteered as a health walk leader and was on a course at the end of this past week and am waiting to be advised when I lead my first walk I am excited about this as I can be doing something I love doing and also giving something back at the same time.


They also do health cycle rides for people who have progressed through the health walks to a point where they need more vigorous exercise. I am joining one of the rides tomorrow morning to see if I would be interested in leading some rides as well, group riding is something I have never participated in so I am undecided if I want to get involved, but the ride tomorrow should help me decide,


I hope you are all well and I hope I can get back into catching up on your posts over the next couple of weeks. Have a great week and msy your God be with you;)

Lest We Forget

Hi all, feeling much better today

I think I will have shaken off this Bronchitis by the weekend. 

I took a short walk at the Lake yesterday and took a few Autumn Reflections. I hope you enjoy them.

I cant wait to get my energy back and be outside again everyday, enjoy the rest of your week;)

Happy Sunday

Hi all, Thanks for all the Kind words yesterday. it is a slow process getting over Bronchitis, I felt exhausted again yesterday evening after just a short trip to the store for groceries, I guess its gona take its time ;) 

 Its very frustrating when your an active outside person like me being restricted, but I guess I have to accept that's how its going to be for the next few weeks. 

 I will have to get out for some air now and then but I just have to accept I will feel worse for a while afterwards, but that's what I need to do. 

 I will get around you blogs as I can I have started to feel more like sitting at the computer for a while. Have a great Sunday, Baz;)

Have a great weekend

Hi all still not feeling great but improving each day, I found a few shots I took when I went out for a breath of fresh air the other day.



I managed to get out yesterday for a short walk as well, felt tired afterwards but enjoyed the fresh air and managed to get some shots of the wonderful Heathland Autumn Colours





Have a great weekend;)

Just got bad from the Doctor

Hi all, 
Just got bad from the Doctor, the good news is I am already on the mend, the bad news I have Acute Bronchitis and it has a  6 - 8 week  duration so it could take another 4 weeks to clear up, its a virus and there is no treatment other than reducing the symptoms and rest. So its continuing with the cold and flu drinks with decongestant  and rest and keep warm for the next few weeks.

It looks like mom just had a bad cold so that's good news as well.

Doc said I am lucky because of my underlying good health and fitness, and it could have been much worse than than it is. 

He said that not re-hydrating enough after exercise could have left me vulnerable to the infection as 10% de-hydration can suppress the immune system by 25%!!!!

Sorry not to get around to your posts but to be honest I do not have the energy to sit here and type.

I hope all is well in your worlds thanks for the kind words, thoughts and prayers to those friends who have endured one of the worst storms in living memory, I hope the road back to normality is a quick one;)

Be safe and may your God be with you;)

Hi All

First off thoughts and prayers to all my friends in the Eastern States may you all be safe and your property undamaged as this huge storm subsides.

As its been going, this bug eased over the weekend and came back with a vengeance on Monday. I called the doc and so many  people are sick I cant see him until tomorrow morning, its frustrating, because I am not really ill and not well either its like constantly having a head cold and cough and no energy.

Mom seems to have it as well she stayed in bed yesterday and feels better if my doctor gives be antibiotics tomorrow we will call her doctor and tell him what treatment my Doc has put me on.

Be safe wherever you are have a great week again thoughts and prayers for those enduring the storm  

Hi all

This bug is driving me nuts if I sit around and rest I am fine but as soon as I make an effort to do anything even light exercise the cold type symptoms come back, I did 30 mins on the bike yesterday and have the sniffs and am congested again today. If its not clear by Monday I guess I need to see the Doc and see if I need antibiotics.

Anyways the good news is its the weekend have a great one and I will get around some of your posts in the morning with my coffee;)

To Everything There is a Season

January to June 2012

A Two Year Tale

Marci and I first met in October 2010 in Washington DC, its been an amazing time. I made a video to celebrate the adventures we had along the way and in anticipation of many more to come ;)