Parch Marks

For most of the summer, many of us have been suffering through a horrible drought (it broke here in Baltimore over the weekend with 6+ inches of rain since Saturday!), but it’s still going strong in the UK. This drought has uncovered a trove of information, much previously unknown. Appearing in the grass and on the lawns of many historic sites are what is known as parch marks. These marks are the remnants of what existed in the space in the past.

In this garden at the historic house, Hardwick Hall, you can make out the original garden design with the original design just below.

Here’s a general explanation of parch marks, or as they’re sometimes called, crop marks:

Crop marks appear due to the principle of differential growth. One of the factors controlling the growth of vegetation is the condition of the soil. A buried stone wall, for example, will affect crop growth above it, as its presence channels water away from its area and occupies the space of the more fertile soil. Conversely, a buried ditch, with a fill containing more organic matter than the natural earth, provides much more conducive conditions and water will naturally collect there, nourishing the plants growing above.

The differences in conditions will cause some plants to grow more strongly and therefore taller, and others less strongly and therefore shorter. Some species will also react through differential ripening of their fruits or their overall colour.

Here are some additional images that which have been discovered over the past few weeks in the UK. In the UK, the big drought in 1976 revealed many unknown sites,  but many of these parch marks are only being found now because of the availability of drone photography which provides the perspective needed to see the marks.

Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire

This house at Clumber Park was demolished in 1938, but the outline is now showing.

The outlines of a former circular garden at Knole.

WWI Trenches in Kent

Outlines on the lawn at Chatsworth (still peeved that I couldn’t visit)

A newly discovered henge in County Meath, Ireland

Remains of a former RAF airbase in Hampshire.

Parch marks of a large prehistoric enclosure in Wales' Vale of Glamorgan (where I used to live), with the faint footings of a probable Roman villa

The remains of a Roman town in Norfolk.

WWII air-raid shelters in Cambridge

Although the drought is not a good thing, it’s certainly fascinating what it has been revealing!

Ascot Opening Day + Ladies Day

One of my favourite scenes in “My Fair Lady” is the one at the Ascot Races. The costumes are by Cecil Beaton and they are entirely black and white.

This year’s Ascot races are taking place this week, and on the first day, new fashion icon, Meghan Markle channeled the classic movie in a black and white outfit.

There were also other elegant black and white outfits at the first few days of the races. All of these images have been collected on my Pinterest page: What to Wear to the Races… Or Not where you can see several seasons of races and what people wear.

It is always so much fun to Google “Ascot Hats” and see what amazing creations the guests are wearing!

Which hat do you like the most?

Vacation Snaps!

Well, it’s been a whirlwind past two weeks. I put more than 900 miles on the car, traveled from Lyme Regis to York, attended a wedding, went to the theatre, stayed in eight places over fourteen nights, took planes, trains and automobiles, drank more in the past two weeks than I have in the past five months, saw loads of friends and family, never used my umbrella, and overall had a ball! And so, I thought I’d share some of my favourite pictures from the trip with you.

The view from my room in Somerset. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of the house which was stone with a thatched roof!

The town of Lyme Regis on the south coast of England. A prime place for fossil hunting. The fog rolled in and I couldn’t capture a picture of the cliffs.

The Mini Cooper Clubman that I drove. This was after an accidental foray down what appeared to be a donkey cart track, via my GPS!

Incoming tide at Southerndown Beach in Wales. The tides have a 30-foot range!

One of my favourite churches – the Norman-era Sts. Mary & David in Herefordshire.

The corbels below the eaves are just charming.

This was about a 40 minute detour, but worth every minute!

The knights used to stop at this pub in Nottingham before the left for the Crusades.

Yorkminster. Simply amazing.

Absolutely enormous!

I love touring stately homes. This is Beningbrough Hall outside of York.

The family couldn’t afford plasterwork, so everything was carved in wood, and then painted. In the early 1900’s, the owner stripped all of the paint, and left the bare wood.

This is what it would have looked like. I love the two lamps on either side of the fireplace.

I love old country churches! This was in Sheriff Hutton, which is a great name for a village.

There was a LOT of drinking.

The Wedgwood Museum was gorgeous, but the layout was awful.

It’s always fun to see something you owned in a museum!

I spotted Barlaston Hall from a distance and then managed to find my way to see it up close. Look at those amazing windows!!

It was a disaster for many years, but is now used as an event space.

Twekesbury Abbey, circa 1200. It boggles my mind how these places were built.

We spent part of a summer in the town where this church is located, and I’ve been back a few times.

I couldn’t resist this country auction with my cousin, but had to sit on my hands so I wouldn’t bid.

The flat where I stayed in London had a massive private garden.

From the top of Parliament Hill, looking out over London.

I missed the Chelsea Flower Show by a few days, but many of the shops in Chelsea were still decorated.

Classic.

All in all, a great trip that went seamlessly!

But honestly, I was glad to get home!