Church of St Mary at Mundon

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St Mary's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Mundon, Essex. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.

Entrance to this medieval church

Squelching marshes, open skies and cockleshell spits make up the Dengie Peninsula in Essex. On it, you’ll find St Mary’s church with its curious double-storied Tudor tower wrapped in a timber-framed skirt.

Inside restoration has begun by the charity friends of friendless churches

The church closed in 1970 and has been owned by the charity since 1975.

Wonderful medieval church with a timber-framed skirt, in a desolate landscape that inspired The War of the Worlds.

Behind the church are the 'Ghost Trees of Mundon

It could almost pass as a spaceship. And in fact, Mundon’s apocalyptic landscape peppered with petrified oaks inspired the Martian landing scene in H.G. Wells’s, The War of the Worlds.

Here, it feels like time has ended…

But St Mary’s is just an hour from central London.

Rainham Riverside

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Spent some time along the seawall at Rainham beside the nature reserve and over the landfill site. Managed to see or hear a few returning summer migrants including Sand Martin, Wheatear (2 males), Sedge Warbler 3, Whitethroat lots, Lesser Whitethroat one possibly two and a few Common Terns over the River Thames fishing. A variety of waders which included the usual but also six Bar-tailed Godwits some of which were in their stunning brick red summer plumage. Single Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. Also, a Common Seal had pulled itself out along the north bank so much closer than where they all normally lay up on the opposite side of the rive. But, my highlight was a brief but good view of a Weasel.

Avocet

3 of six Bar-tailed Godwits present 2 of which are in summer plumage

Common Seal

House Sparrow male

2 female and a drake Teal coming in to land

Weasel

Wheatear male

Whitethroat

Riverside Walk

 I had a walk from the visitor centre to up and over the landfill site and back to the centre. Wasn't a huge amount of note, a pair of Marsh Harriers and a single Raven which went was calling 'honking' as it past by. Red dead-nettle added a bit of colour to the foreshore and a speeding police boat was entertaining.

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Hyacinths gave a colourful welcome as you entered the visitor centre

Police boat speeding past

Good show of Red dead-nettles along the back of the foreshore

Skylarks singing and showing well on the landfill site

ARMADOR II (IMO: 8790259) is a Bunkering Tanker that was built in 1972 (51 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of United Kingdom.

Gorsebrook Park birds in flight

 Here are a few images (mainly gulls) that I have taken at Gorsebrook Park this year. If I have named any wrongly please let me know.

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Black-headed Gull in near full summer plumage 8th March

Black-headed Gull in winter plumage 8th January

2 Chiffchaffs that over wintered in the park maily staying close to the brook's vegetation

Common Gull adult 8th March

Common Gull adult 8th February

Common Gull they are not as common as their name suggests

Common Gull 8th February

Common Gull taking off 8th January

Black-headed Gull immature 8th March

immature possibly Herring Gull 2nd March

Little Egret 12th February

Little Egret 16th January

immature possibly Herring Gull 8th January

Red Kite flew over very high 9th January

Kensington Gardens

March 1st today I had a walk for the first time around Kensington Gardens and the first thing I noticed is it's not a garden but a park! Once part of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is one of London's eight Royal Parks covering an area of 265 acres.

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The Albert Memorial

I entered the park via the Albert Memorial, with its ornate spire looking almost like a church. Inside the monument sits the golden figure of Prince Albert who died aged only 42, leaving Queen Victoria grief stricken and in mourning for the rest of her life.

Plenty of tree lined pathways and many people using them

Black-headed Gull being fedat the round pond

Black-headed Gull

Also well used by dog walkers

Playing catch

A Grey Heron lands beside one of the fountains

The superb Italian Gardens with it's symetrical fountains

Signs of spring as I left the gardens

Had to grab a shot of the Pelican as I passed St James Park

Didcot Railway Centre

 I was given a 'Red Letter Day' gift by my lovely partner last March for two people to have a 'Steam Day Experience'. I went with a friend from my camera club. The expereince included ulimited trips on a steam train '2409 King George' and an old diesel train . Plus a very tasty slice of cake and a cuppa tea and with ideal weather we had a great day.

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