A Heritage Day event saw me heading to Gilbert White's House and Gardens today. It was far busier than I expected as the schools have gone back, but the free entry probably drew people in.

After a coffee I took a wander round the always interesting house. It is based around three people: Gilbert White. (1720-793) a writer, naturalist and clergyman whose book "The Natural History of Selborne" (1789) has never been out of print since it was published; Frank Oates (1840-1875), a naturalist and explorer who on his final trip to unknown territories north of the River Zambesi was probably the first European to see the Victoria Falls since David Livingstone; and finally Oates's nephew Captain Lawrence Oates (1880-1912) best remembered as the brave Antarctic hero chosen to be part of Captain Robert Scott’s team to undertake the epic journey of discovery to the South Pole (1911-12) and who died after leaving camp a few days before his fellows with the immortal words “I am just going outside and may be some time.”


It was then time for a gentle stroll round the gardens and meadows, this time in search of subjects for Ingeborg's Abstract Thursday theme of Natural Abstract. The kitchen garden had a number of beds containing squash, and to me this Turks Head Squash met the challenge nicely.