A look at the more artistic elements of Pensthorpe Natural Park.
Welcome to the third post in my mini-series about the West Norfolk Autism Group’s trip to Pensthorpe on Saturday (see here and here). Today I focus on one particular aspect of the site – the artistic element thereof.
ART AT PENSTHORPE
Art is clearly highly appreciated by the people who run Pensthorpe Natural Park, with a number of nature inspired sculptures dotted around the site, at least one very artistic gate (I did actually use it for its intended purpose, as well as photographing it) and a bridge inspired by a great artist of the past. I do not know if Claude Monet ever visited Norfolk (I suspect not) but he would certainly recognize the bridge modelled on his own at Giverny. The artistic element undoubtedly enhances the overall experience.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Here are my photographs of the artistic elements of Pensthorpe (those that I managed to capture anyway).
A look at Pensthorpe in general before I move on to the more specialized posts that will make up the rest of this series.
Welcome to the second post in my mini-series about the WNAG day out at Pensthorpe Natural Park on Saturday. In this post I cover the stuff that does not fit in any of the more specialized posts that will follow. Here is a map of the site:
EXPLORING THE SITE
My general explorations occurred in three phases: before my first visit to the flamingo and crane areas, between that and my first visit to the waders area and between the trailer ride and my second visits to those two areas. On the last occasion I saw some of the stretch of the Wensum which winds through Pensthorpe (incidentally ‘Wensum’ derives from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘winding river’ and it certainly does follow a winding course – Pensthorpe to Norwich is 23 miles by road – and 30 by river). Unfortunately none of the really exotic stuff (otters and voles in one stretch, and the eponymous birds that give Kingfisher Reach its name, while it is too early in the year for dragonflies to be present) was in evidence. The main sights were a huge variety of water birds.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I start with a couple of standalone pictures to help you with identifying the birds I photographed.
Now for the full gallery…
A harvest mouse habitat – these are very tiny creatures and the glass makes photographing one an extra challenge……but I managed one usable picture of it.
Part one of a three part account of the West Norfolk Autism Group’s inaugural activity, a visit to Penshtorpe Natural Park. The photograph section comes with a question/challenge.
The West Norfolk Autism Group was established in an effort to secure more local funding for activities for autistic people and also because a degree of disillusionment with the conduct of the National Autistic Society’s head office. More details about the new group can be found on its website to which I have already linked, and also in this article published by Your Local Paper.
GETTING TO PENSTHORPE
Pensthorpe is located just off the the road from Fakenham to Norwich (the X29, the bus between Fakenham and Norwich could easily include it in their route if they wanted to, and the route of the 36 between Fakenham and Wells could be adjusted to include without massive upheaval) but I did not have to worry about working out how to get there because a coach had been hired, with a pick up point at Gaywood Tesco, within comfortable walking distance of my home in North Lynn. Those using the bus were supposed to be there for 9:30AM yesterday for a 9:45AM departure. Thus at 9AM yesterday morning I set off, with a bag containing food, water and a book and made my way to the appointed place. The ride took about 45 minutes (a law abiding driver cannot do it any quicker even in light traffic, which we benefitted from). A few minutes after arrival we were good to start our exploration. Before lunch we were going to be walking around those parts of the site that can be seen on foot, and then after that some of us were booked on the Pensthorpe Explorer to experience the rest. The rest of this post covers the first part of the exploration I did on foot.
STARTING TO EXPLORE
Once one gets past the entrance, the shop and the courtyard cafe one is confronted by an expanse of water and a range of splendid water birds which set the stage for the wonders to come. I started by heading in the direction of the cranes and flamingoes, and then headed on beyond them, eventually reaching a sign pointing to the Monet inspired bridge (Claude Monet, the great French impressionist painter, had an ornamental bridge in his garden at Giverny, which his painting made famous). The bridge is quite impressive, and it does indeed resemble the structure that inspired it.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I end this with the photographs from the section of the visit up to and including the bridge, and a question/challenge. Should I go back to creating calendars as I used to do? Please comment with answers to this question, if possible fleshed out with details of photos you would like to see featured in said calendar. To view a photo at full size click on it.
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