Sky Watch Friday

Pastel Sky

As I said a few weeks ago the winter months seem to have some of the best coloured skies, from bright oranges to delicate violets. This is a view across the fields towards Chosen Hill, you can just make out St Bartholomews Church on top of the hill.

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I hope you have a great weekend!

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Hill Top Church

On top of Chosen Hill (the one with the bluebells I showed yesterday) sits St Bartholomew's Church. This is the original Parish church of Churchdown and dates from the Norman era, thought to have been built in 1175. It's believed that the origins of the site date back much earlier than this, with the hill top site being used as a military camp in the Bronze Age. Recently the area around the church has undergone some transformation, with a new retaining wall built to stop the church slipping down the steep side of the hill and the over grown Fir trees removed to reveal the church to the villages below. The church has a cross on top of it that is lit at night and can be seen for miles around. Although a new Parish church (St Andrew's) was built in the village in the early 1900's (due to St Bart's not being easily accessible) the ancient building is still used for Sunday services, weddings, funerals and bell ringing! The church is a Grade 1 listed building and must hold open days throughout the year. When the next one comes I'm going to take a visit to check out the inside of this lovely little church.

Bluebell Wood

These beautiful bluebells are in the woods on Chosen Hill. The hill is in the village of Churchdown, situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester. At this time of year the whole of the woodland floor is a carpet of blue, and looks amazing. The scent is intoxicating. These photos really don't do the impressive scene justice, but I hope you get a sense of the natural beauty.