Ancient Sights

The Ankewycke Yew is over 2,500 years old. It is popularly thought that Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn beneath its branches, and there are even arguments that the Magna Carta was sealed here, rather than across the River Thames at Runnymede.  Today it is in part of a lesser known National Trust maintained site, along with the remains of a Benedictine Nunnery, St Mary's Priory (extra).

The circular walk across fields and along a path next to the Thames to the tree proved to be a very muddy experience. I'm glad I took the decision to wear wellies, as at one point I sunk almost up to the top of them. I also almost lost my bank cards in a pond while trying to remove some of the aforementioned  mud - but fortunately managed to retrieve them with no harm (phew!).

Once at the tree, history was one of the last things on my mind as I was fascinated by the markings and textures of the ancient bark and trunk.  I really liked this shot for the numerous images hidden in its depths - a different one each time you look.  My overriding image is of an owl peeking round the trunk ... but what do you see?