August 2010

6th July
Evening at Shoreham, Kent

As planned some eight members met in the car park at Shoreham on a glorious summer evening. After some chat, the party moved of down to the bridge over the River Darent where a number of photographs were taken. We then followed the path alongside the River to Mill House, again several photos being taken along with some tuition for our newer members. On the East side of the path was the relatively new vineyard and, in the distance, some Llamas were seen in a field. We then took an easterly footpath towards the railway and then turning right we passed along the edge of a field back to the Churchyard. Whilst some members cut through the Churchyard to The Olde George pub, others lingered and took some more shots. A few were able to look round the Church. At the George we found four more members already sampling the brews. Members joined in a lively chat lubricated by the various fluids on sale.


13th July
Evening around Croydon

Some four members met by the Alms Houses on a rather dull evening. After an initial chat, the group moved off down Crown Hill, diverting to pass down Bell Lane where some of the oldest buildings in central Croydon are to be found. Moving up Surrey Street, the market being all cleared away, we viewed the old Victorian Pumping Station nicely preserved down a side alley. We then made our way round to the old Town Hall and the sunken garden there, where it started to rain. The tour of Croydon was terminated in Fairfield Hall Bar where after further chatting and some liquid refreshment, we made our way home.


Saturday 17th July
Vineyard Outing

Ten of us gathered in the courtyard restaurant at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking for coffee as preparation for a couple of tours of the Estate covering the wine business there. The “indoor” tour included an entertaining film (a slightly dizzying 360degree surround affair) which covered the origins of the wine estate that came about because someone noticed the significant geological, topographical and climatic similarities with the champagne region of France though there is evidence of vine growing and wine making the area right back to Roman times. Modern vine cultivation started in the mid 1980s and there are now some 300,000 vines of many varieties on about 250 acres of the estate yielding mostly white wines. The film covered the growing cycle of the vines – all have to be pruned in winter by hand by a staff of 14! – and the picking, which is done some by machine and some by hand, in September to get as much benefit from the late summer sun as possible.
We then had a quick ride through the pressing and bottling plants, out of season and so idle at the moment, which were really a large number of stainless steel tanks and paraphernalia, so no “treading”,was of mild interest but at least gave us a sit down before the arduous business of tasting some wines, well three actually, or was it five? – and an opportunity for questions. They produce mostly whites and sparkling wine made by the champagne method but also some rosé and one red – the location is not conducive to red production. It appears they are dedicated to the cork “cork” and are not moving to screw tops – except for one label – which have practical and economic benefits but not the “style” associated with the traditional cork.
After that, we staggered upstairs – it would actually have been nice to have had the ride through the production plant after the tasting! – for lunch in the courtyard restaurant. And then on to the outside tour through the vineyards in a little train (of trailers behind a Land Rover) which trundled up to the highest point of the Estate for views over it and its surroundings including Dorking, and (in Duke of York style) back down again. This included more of the history and origins of the Estate and gave us a feel of its size and topography and of the reality of what 300,000 vines looks like!
Back to the central building and a quick tour round the garden shop and the gift/wine shop and then a quick tea, not in the courtyard restaurant as it was being set up for a wedding reception, but in the penthouse restaurant with panoramic views around the Estate.
Altogether an unstressful and pleasing visit to appreciate the business and product of wine-making. The Estate is criss-crossed by a number of public footpaths so the views and ambience of the vineyards can be accessed at any time. A winter walk could be good, or maybe during springtime when they sometimes have to light up some 800 space heaters around the vineyards to keep frost off the emerging new growth!





Thanks to Andrew Herbert for this report.


20th July
Evening at Crystal Palace Cycle Racing

After a not very promising day weather wise the evening was a little brighter for the seven members who turned up to watch the cyclists race. We arrived whist the warm up laps were still in progress so there was plenty of time to sort out exposure and to practice those panning shots. The race proper got underway around 19:30 with about one hundred riders, starting in batches of thirty or so. So there was very little time when then was not something to photograph. It was also quite exciting to stand right by the edge of the track as thirty or so riders in a tight pack came whizzing by at around 30 mph. The race lasted for 32 laps and ended around 20:30.


20th July
Evening at Dulwich Park

Ten members met up at 7.00 pm at the entrance of the park. Although there were showers in the West Wickham area in the late afternoon it appeared that Dulwich had missed them. The evening was a little overcast but did not deter members from taking pictures. Shots taken were varied, ranging from an old tree trunk, weird flower decorations by the café, lakeside views, ducks and a heron, pictures of a shelter and pictures from the boardwalk on the lake. By about 8:30 it really became too dark for any more photography so we decided to make our way home the end of an enjoyable evening.

Thanks to Norman Bernard for this report.