Usksider's Photo Blog

Clearwell; the iron workings and the caves are more than interesting, and the village is wonderful... Ever wondered about the history of the name?

Clearwell gets its name from the purity of its water of course and here's one of the old wells that gave Clearwell its name with its Vitorian frontage.

This is considered by some as a "jewel" among an historic village and was designed by John Middleton as requested by the Dowager Countess Dunraven of Clearwell Castle and was opened in 1866.

It is a fine example of mid 19th century "French Gothic" style as there is a mass of carving, coloured stone, brass and stained glass and a magnificent stencilled roof.

The interior consists of courses of blue and red sandstone whereas the outer walls are faced with local sandstone and dressings of white bathstone.

There is also a great deal of fine sculpture.

The Moravian Chapel @ Brockweir

There are things I seem to photograph time and time and time again; regular visitors to this blog already know that of course!

One of my fixations is trees...

Like this mighty oak with its wonderful canopy.

Just returning to my out of time post from this morning momentarily...

For the uninitiated, like me, his is Himalayan Balsam... apparently....

No time for a proper post this morning, but I did think I'd just share a liitle bit of beauty with you before I disappear...

I've no idea what the plant is, being a botanical ignoramus, but it grows beside rivers and has long hollow stalks. The flowers range from white, through pink to a sort of purple...