Shoreham, November

A field of grape vines near Shoreham. 2 November 2013.

I'm tidying up my folders of photos, and these are a few from a walk round the neighbourhood of Shoreham with the Orpington Field Club in November.  I thought these plants, seen on the walk down from the station car park,  were hops, but a close look at the leaves reveals them to be grape vines.  Two really wet winters in a row .. I wonder how well they are doing?

Shoreham is a small town on the small river Darent.  Some of the houses are right by the river.

Riverside houses in Shoreham. 2 November 2013.

I expect the inhabitants are glad that the houses are noticeably above the water level.  I see two concrete cats on the decking.  I wonder how actual cats would like it there?  There had better be some good spots for them to come ashore if they fall in.

Water House, Shoreham, where Samuel Palmer lived 1828-1835.   2 November 2013.

This is Water House, occupied by Samuel Palmer for seven years from 1828.  You can't see it well from farther back because of that high hedging.  The occupants of Shoreham seem to be very aware of this bit of history.

Stinking Iris, Iris foetidissima, by the roadside in Shoreham.   2 November 2013.

The vivid seeds of the Stinking Iris.  Sometimes called the Roast Beef Plant.  If you crush the leaves you get a strong smell that might be compared to roast beef, so I suppose how much of a stink you think it is is up to you.  I find it unpleasant, much more so than actual roast beef.

Lych gate at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Shoreham.  2 November 2013.

This lych gate and walkway give a very gloomy introduction to the local church.  It's very well cared for, but that dark avenue with fastigiate yew trees on both sides is artificial and overpowering.

Photos were taken with my Ixus 100 (Water House and the iris) and my iPhone 5S (the other three).  Even though they are jpegs, I put them all through Adobe Camera Raw, which is brilliant at adjusting brightness levels.