Whilst driving through the contryside in Derbyshire, along the back roads that see very little daily traffic, I caught a glimps out of the corner of my eye of this beautiful farm and the long road leading up to it. I had to stop and back up the car to have a better look. It was an idealic, picturesque scene. I parked at the top of their road as no other cars were in sight. I took out my camera to get some shots of the lovely road and Hall as well as the autumnal cloloured farm courtyard with the lovely arched entry to the field behind. As I set about to photograph this place, the farmer came out of the house and started shouting to me… I thought I was in deep trouble, though I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Ever brave, I walked up to meet him and assure him that I was only photographing for my benefit and nothing commercial. As I got closer, I was able to make out his generous hospitality as he beckoned me to come in and enjoy, and to take as many photos as I wished. He began to list out to me where I might go to get the best shots and with warmth in his voice welcomed me to the Hall, sharing with me the history of it. As he realised that I was an American, we discussed how I came to live here in England. The gentleman, now known to me as Mr. Haddon, said how he had just entertained some Americans at the Hall not long back. He continued to share that they were there to film a movie and some of the stars of that movie had stayed there enjoying their hospitality, one of which included Jean-Claude Van Damme and that they were filming a movie called UFO, some scenes of which were filmed in the feilds behind the Hall with the UFO itself. I really want to see the movie when it is realeased this year (2012). Iwas impressed, though he seem to take it all in his stride. He welcomed me inside to give me a bit more information and offered me a cup of tea and to meet his wife who was just as lovely as he was. Oh, how I want to go back to visit and take my wife for a weekend away from the kids sometime this year. I look forward to enjoying a few more days of that wonderful Derbyshire hospitality.

This is a HDR image crated from a single RAW image using Photomatix Pro 4 for Mac.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark ll
28-300mm IS zoom lens (@ 160mm)
1/320
f/5.7
ISO 50