Rutland Water to Wakefield

A couple of days sightseeing in the UK with my friend Susan.  My initial target was to visit the Yinka Shonibare MBE exhibition - FABRIC-ATION at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.  However, a friend mentioned Rutland Water and I decided to add on a day.

We arrived at Rutland Water in the afternoon and spent about 3 hours at both visitor centres.  We were lucky to see one of a few pairs of Ospreys on the site.  The 3 juveniles had just fledged so we saw all 5 in the family.  The next day, after a night in the YHA hostel at Thurlby, we returned to the ospreys at 7 am.  Very lucky to see the female osprey bring a fish in.  Apparently this was the first time she had returned to fishing since the juveniles had arrived.

View from a hide at Manton

There is an osprey on the post left of the nest

Artic tern, little egret and two great crested grebes

Mother coming in with large fish

If you click on the photo for a large size, you can just see another osprey sitting in the tree at the back.  There are two juveniles in the nest.  I don't know if the one in the tree is the father or the other juvenile.

Left the fish in the nest and flew to the post to rest

Egyptian goose

 Off to nearby Oakham for an excellent breakfast and on our way to Yorkshire at 10 ish.

Wind sculpture 1 by Yinka Shonibare MBE

Wind sculpture 2 by Yinka Shonibare MBE

Lots of natural life to photograph in the park

Bee library.  All the covers are books about bees.  A lovely trail to walk and spot the books.

There were thunderstorms but we managed to shelter in the bird hide during one deluge, just before taking this sculpture

Sheltering in the Camellia lodge before making our way back to the car.

We were at the Sculpture Park for 5 hours and had only done a fraction of it.  Definitely one to return to.  Susan suggested we visit the Barbara Hepworth museum which opened in 2011.  A fabulous end to our trip.  This is one gallery you don't want to miss.  The cafe was great too.

On the way from the car park

View from the window by the toilets

View from first floor windows

A girl looking at installation by Haroon Mirza

View from one of the windows

Another installation by Haroon Mirza.  Key works from the gallery's collection surrounded by bright auras of light.  I just had fun with the reflections.

View from the window with a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth

One of the staff having a stretch in the Haroon Mirza gallery

Part of a Haroon Mirza work

I took a walk around the outside for some images

A few fans to remember our hot summer.

Left Wakefield at 2.30 pm to return to Taunton, arriving at 6.30 pm.  A great couple of days and there is lots to do at both places so will have to go back for a week or so.

We stayed at the Woolpack country inn, about 15 mins away from the Sculpture Park and not far out from Wakefield.  I can recommend the inn - comfortable beds and good food.