Kirkharle is about eighteen miles northeast of Hexham and an ideal distance for a Sunday afternoon drive in the country, particularly when my points tally is in deficit – the consequence of playing golf on both Saturday and Sunday – “oh and by the way I am playing on Monday night as well”.
Kirkharle was the birth place of Capability Brown and to honour this connection there is a lakeside walk along a track that he would have used as a boy to walk to school in nearby Cambo. It is short and on the flat, perfect for the over-exercised golfer. On Sunday storm clouds were gathering to the west, another good reason for keeping the amble short. Pointing my camera at the country house I managed to capture a dramatic flare – this is either lucky or incompetent depending on your opinion of the outcome:
The house looks quite grand but is nothing in comparison to the original Hall. When the Loraine family fell on hard times in the 19th century it was sold to a local farmer who demolished all but one wing which was rebuilt as a farmhouse – a quite imposing construction nevertheless.
Around the lake the light was a little less dramatic:
(click on the images to enlarge)
northumbrian : light 
The flare gives the shot a sacral touch. Special!
Thanks Harrie – in truth, just dumb luck 🙂
Great shots. The light in the first shot looks like white lava pouring down from the sky!
Thanks Cate – it is certainly a surprising effect, not at all evident in the viewfinder (actually, I couldn’t see much at all 🙂 )
The famous religious light. 🙂
I like your images, Robin. As always…
But not shining on the righteous in this case 🙂
Many thanks for your consistently kind words ❤
My pleasure, Robin. ❤
Is the original hall the one they have in wikipedia?
It is – there is more here: http://www.kirkharlecourtyard.co.uk/
There are shops too which scores me extra points 🙂
wow thanks :o) but it’s a little sad that the neighbor broke the house down except one wing…
That flare is very “star-of-Bethelem”. I vote for lucky rather than incompetent.
Thanks Julie 🙂
Wonderful…I love lucky/intuitive shots like this 🙂
Many thanks – just shoot and hope, much like my golf 🙂
Lovely images both Robin-the top shot with the light breaking through is fabulous-luck shot or not, it’s a keeper for sure!
Many thanks, definitely a luck shot – I need more of those 🙂
How have I missed this little stroll? 🙂
A pleasant stroll but a long distance walker like yourself might find it a bit tame. I think they sell vino in the cafe though 😉
Now yer talking! 🙂 I’m tired tonight, anyway.
It’s wine o’clock. I can open a bottle.
Wow. just stunning.
Many thanks Jo, just down to dumb luck 🙂