Green Hills of England

by

“It is the soul that sees; the outward eyes
Present the object, but the Mind descries.
We see nothing till we truly understand it.”
― John Constable

Hanne Siebers, The Lake District, EnglandDSC_0084 2

Mick recommanded a wonderful book by David Kennard, “A Shepherd’s Watch” (“Auf Englands grünen Hügeln”). In his review, Mick refers to my photos and points out,
they are not typical English. They are a product of my way of thinking and seeing and therefore international, not merely English although it’s an English landscape.
What do you think?  Anyway, here are my green impressions of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Siri, Selma and myself are now off to England.
 We’re very much looking forward to 2 weeks in Norfolk with our beloved Master, byeeee for now! 🙂 🙂 🙂

The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0149The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0073The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0380The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0379The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0131The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0059Hanne Siebers, Lake District, EnglandDSC_0080Hanne Siebers, The Dales, YorkshireDSC_0145The Lake District, Foto: Hanne Siebers_2013DSC_0026

© Hanne Siebers, 2013

257 thoughts

  1. Beautiful photos, Dina! Green is my favorite color so these draw me right in! Perhaps you show an expansiveness in your photos that an English person wouldn’t? These landscapes seem very expansive to me…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Sue,
      for me, the broad views and the expansion of the land- and seascapes is part of the magic of England. Thank your for calling in! 🙂
      Enjoy your weekend,
      Big hug
      Dina

      Like

    • I’m really very happy that you like the new theme, dear Stefano. Thanks a lot for looking into it! 🙂
      Enjoy your weekend.
      Lots of love from the four of us
      Dina

      Like

  13. I have to say well done Dina, but especially for the second shot down. The greens, the division of the fields, it all comes together so well.
    I wouldn’t necessarily agree that your photos have an ‘International’ feel, as I have seen similar photos taken by British photographers. It is an interesting thought though.
    Regards and best wishes as always, Pete and Ollie. x

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    Reply

  18. Love seeing all the green, now that autumn has taken away our color here! I especially like the one with the hedge rows and the rusty-colored tree in the foreground–it’s the composition but I don’t have the terms to explain it!

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    Reply

    • Wie schön, darüber habe ich mich jetzt sehr gefreut, lieber Martin! Nachträglich, ganz, ganz herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!
      Liebe Grüße nach Horrem, wir sitzen vorm Kamin und denken an euch
      Dina

      Like

    • So nice of you Dina, thanks very much indeed . I had a splendid time working alongside Adrian trying out the new techniques he showed me and learning more about his own photography style as well.

      Like

  27. Wunderbare Bilder und ein herrliches Zitat. Definitely: “It is the soul that sees; …” Verbeugung 🙂
    Liebe Grüße und habt eine gute Zeit am Meer, mick.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Dear Dina,
    what an amazing post. I think I stopped breathing for a couple of seconds, the colors and composition are divine. You are sealed with such an eye for the beauty in nature. And your new theme is really good.
    Kind regards from the north of germany
    Stefan

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    Reply

  31. They are such wonderful photos Dina – I don’t know what “typical English” is, but you have certainly captured the feel of the greenness. They make me feel I’m there, breathing in the clear air! Enjoy your days in Norfolk. 😀

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  36. These are a captivating set of images that pull me into their individual stories. I suppose an English viewpoint is based on the romantic old-school style of painting. While you are freezing the English landscape, your framing is uniquely you. Your vision is built on the influences that layer within as well as your experience through the camera’s eye. Well done.

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    Reply

    • There’re lots of similarities in the landscape, parts of it could well be in Ireland. In Norfolk we don’t have the rocks, only hedges as walls.
      I love your 5 dogs, they’re beyond beautiful. It’s a pity you don’t live next door!
      Have a lovely weekend. Lots of pats to your gang.
      Dina

      Like

    • What a beautiful place to grow up, Valerie! We didn’t make it to Wensleydale this time, although t was high up on my list. The next time we’ll surely see the place where great cheese is produced.
      Have a lovely weekend!
      Dina

      Like

  39. Well looking at them I would say they are typically English – but obviously the composition is all yours. Undeniably beautiful landscapes (but then I am biased as I am from Yorkshire and grew up visiting the Dales). Love this theme Dina, really shows off your images a treat.
    Jude xx

    PS Enjoy Norfolk – I hope you have some lovely clear days with sunshine and blue skies so you and Siri and Selma can take some more awesome pictures for us 🙂

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    Reply

    • Thanks a lot for your kind words, Jude. I’m slowly getting used to the new theme, now I’m quite excited about the new possibilities to present my photos. It still needs a lot of adjustments.
      Today we had a beautiful day and the weather looks quite promising for the coming week so I assume we’ll be out and about quite a lot. The fairies always bring their cameras, I heard Selma saying something about going to Warham Camp. 🙂

      Enjoy your weekend!
      Dina

      Like

  40. I`m fascinated by the photos, because they show such an unbelievable expanse. And I guess that the density of population isn`t so much lower than in Germany. Even in rual Germany you can see constructions everywhere e.g. power poles,

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  41. Just like Heyjude I perceive your photos as typically English. The enclosures, the dry stone walls, the crofts or farmhouses… they just don’t look ‘international’, but very specific. I really wonder what Mick actually meant by that.

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  45. Liebe Dina,
    ich wünsche dir viel Spaß und Freude in den grünen Hügeln… obwohl du ja mehr am Meer bist.
    Schöne Fotos, die zum Träumen einladen.
    Liebe Grüße sendet euch vier Susanne aus dem kalt werdenden Berlin

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    • Liebe Susanne,
      hier am Meer ist es auch sehr grün. Erstaunlich, die Rosen und der Calendula blühen immer noch.
      Heute war ein richtig schöner Tag der mit Neben anfing und mit strahlend blauer Himmel aufhörte. Jetzt sitzen wir vorm Kamin mit Selma’s selbstgemachten Scones und nein, kein The, sondern Kaffee. 🙂
      Ganz viele liebe Grüße von uns vier
      Dina

      Like

    • Thank you so much for your kind comment, Laurence.
      All the best for your wonderful book, “Walking in Norfolk”. We’re so pleased to see that one of your favourite walks is the North Norfolk Coast! 🙂
      Best regards
      Dina

      Like

  55. Liebe Dina, das sind wunderbare Fotos. Mir geht es wie Dir, solche Landschaften bringe ich immer mit England oder Neuseeland in Verbindung. Ich komme zwar aus der sehr laendlichen Uckermark, aber dort ist es nicht so gruen und schon gar nicht so bergig. Die paar Schafe, die es gibt, wandern auf den platten Polderwiesen. Liebe Gruesse und viel Erholung in Norfolk wuenscht Dir Peggy

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    • Danke schön, liebe Peggy.
      Ich geniesse die Zeit in Norfolk. Vorgestern sahen wir eine ältere Episode von “Midsomer Murders”. 🙂 Ich denke, die große Beliebtheit dieser Serie hängt auch mit der wunderbaren, ganz typischen Landschaft und dem englischen Dorfleben zusammen. Kein Wunder, dass es so viele Anglophile gibt.
      Ein schönes Wochenende nach Greenwich von uns vier in Cley,
      Dina

      Like

  56. A superb collection Dina and yes, very, very English! As an Englishman there is a ‘diviner’ within me that would be strongly attracted by any one of these photos. The landscape is beautifully observed and presented.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Wow, what a great comment and compliment! Thanks a lot, dear Louis, you put a BIG smile on my face. 🙂
      Enjoy your weekend. Greetings from North Norfolk
      Dina

      Like

    • Thank you so much, dear Francesca! I’m now in Cley and we’re having a great time. 🙂 I hope you are enjoing your weekend as well. Did you find your pot? 🙂
      My love and a big hug to all of you,
      Dina ♥

      Like

  63. “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” Gary Snyder

    Ah….you have given me a Zen moment. Thank you!!

    I did not have internet connection for 19 hours today – something went wrong, somewhere. I felt disconnected from the world, but a very nice person stopped by to help, which reaffirmed my belief that we need each other.
    How wonderful to come back and find your post! Hugs from Vancouver….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • You’re welcome, Dina. I have visited England on different occasions. I did not go this year even I was thinking about it due to the nice place I found at the Rhine 🙂
      Enjoy your Sunday,
      love to all,
      Francina

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  67. Schon interessant. Die “Insulaner” haben immer schon eine eigene Sicht auf die Welt bewiesen, und haben wie die Franzosen einen gewissen Hang zur Nabelschau 🙂 … Sicher unterscheidet sich unser Blick von aussen auf ihre Welt, und dadurch können die “Betriebsblinden” noch etwas über ihr Land lernen – wenn sie wollen. 🙂 Tolle Bilder! LG Andreas

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    • Ja, ganz sicher. Die Briten zelebrieren “We are British, we are different!” Hab ganz herzlichen Dank für den tollen Kommentar, Andreas. Ich finde es auch immer sehr interessant zu sehen wie Ausländer Norwegen erfassen und Aufnehmen.
      Ein schönes Wochenende wünscht dir aus North Norfolk
      Dina

      Like

  75. I am very pleased to offer you a Semper Fidelis Nomination/Award.
    The nomination is offered as token of appreciation. The award is earned by taking the time to show others the same appreciation and encouragement, by nominating and offering a specific dedication.
    For more information please see the post

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you ever so much, Jorge, you really honour me with this reward and I appreciate your kind consideration, but I blog award free. My reasons for going award free you can see on about.
      Thanks anyway and thanks a lot for looking into my work.
      Enjoy your Sunday.
      Best regards
      Dina

      Like

    • Danke sehr für deine liebe Grüße Ocean, Ich fühle mich hier pudelwohl. 🙂
      Ich hoffe, dir Woche hat gut angefangen für dich!
      Sei lieb gegrüßt
      Dina

      Like

    • Thank you so much, dear Laurie, for your lovely words.
      I wish you a good and healthy break, enjoy your gorgeous Little Man and life.
      BIG hug to Florida
      Dina x

      Like

    • That’s great!! Thank you so much for your lovely comment., Theresa.
      And if you can’t make it to England after all, please pay us another visit. 🙂
      Have a great time!
      Dina

      Like

    • Wie schön von dir zu lesen, liebe Marion!
      ich habe gerade an dich gedacht und überlegt wie es dir in der Schweiz nach dem Umbruch so geht. Und gleich meldet sich mein schlechtes Gewissen, ich war so lange nicht bei dir, Seufz, verzeih mir. Wie Ulli kann ich mittlerweile nur Zeitversetzt bloggen.
      Hab herzlichen Dank für deinen lieben Kommentar, ich freue mich immer deinen Gravatar zu sehen. Klausbernd, die Buchfeen und ich haben viele Gravatars in letzter Zeit betrachtet, das wirst du bald sehen … 🙂

      Sei lieb gegrüßt aus Norfolk
      Dina x

      Like

    • Hallo liebe Dina,
      mit dem “Umbruch” geht es mir relativ gut, der Umzug steht noch bevor.
      Ach, vergiss das schlechte Gewissen ganz ganz schnell, biittte. Es gibt doch keine Verpflichtung. Wenn es passt, dann passt es. Und daneben haben wir alle noch ein Leben, was? 😉 Und das soll auch bitte so bleiben.
      Geht mir in letzter Zeit auch öfter so, dass ich relativ zeitversetzt gucken und lesen komme. Aber man muss Prioritäten setzen, nicht wahr? 🙂
      Danke, es freut mich, dass du meinen Gravatar gerne siehst. Ich bin gespannt, was du da ansprichst, was ich bald sehen werde… 🙂
      Ganz liebe Grüße nach England
      Marion

      Like

  84. ich schließe mich an: ein Foto ist nicht einfach ein Foto, sondern zeigt auch immer wieder den Menschen dahinter, nenne ich es seine/ihre Seele, ihre/seine Sichtweise …
    liebe Dina, ich bin in letzter Zeit immer etwas spät dran, aber bei den vielen Kommentaren und likes, fällt es dir wahrscheinlich gar nicht auf … es sind wunderbare Fotos, danke dir
    von Herzen wünsche ich dir und den Feen eine wunderbare Zeit in Norfolk bei deinem Liebsten
    liebe Grüße Ulli

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Liebe Ulli,
      ich habe mich wirklich gefreut von dir zu lesen, sehr sogar! 🙂 Klar fällt mir auf wer da ist und kommentiert oder nicht und wenn du nicht da bist, fehlt eindeutig jemand. Ohne dich damit belasten zu wollen, es ist einfach besonders schön von dir zu lesen. Mir geht es gar nicht anders als du, ich kann auch nur Zeitversetzt bloggen. Heute wollten wir nur kurz … und jetzt ist es draußen bereits dunkel und mehrere Stunden sind vergangen, so ist das. 🙂
      Jetzt haben Siri und Selma ein ganz tolles Feuer gemacht und wir machen Feierabend. Zuerst lesen wir die Zeitung und trinken den Kaffe aus und dann wird gekocht.
      Ganz, ganz liebe Grüße zu dir von uns vier
      Hanne

      Like

  85. Interesting debate over the “Englishness” v. an International look about your photos! Funny how a landscape can take on another identity – i’ve just done a 3000km road trip Cape Town Johannesburg and back, and there along the way were remnants of mountains clad in pine forests looking very much like Switzerland; or my beloved Cape Point looking as rugged as some parts of Scotland. So, does it come down to ‘the eye of the beholder’? Fascinating too to think that the Rhine and the Thames rivers were once connected…. Doggerland…. nonetheless those verdant green rolling hills, stone walls and stone buildings speak scenic-English countryside!! Love your panoramic photos!

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    Reply

    • Landscape and its perception – what an interesting topic!
      First of all, I suppose, we have to consider the two connotations (and some more) of the word “landscape”: From the16th c. onwards in the Germanic languages the word “landscape” has to do with home, where you belong to. That means landscape has a dimension of cultural history, of everything that has taken place there. This is one aspect of the landscape that coined its appearance (like sheep farming in the Lake Disrict, well, CULTURE) and the other aspect is NATURE – physical geograhical and geological structures. Those physical structures are a kind of general layer of the landscape. All places on earth which had ice ages show quite similar topographical forms. A morain looks like a morain in England the same as in Northern Germany, Southern Scandinavia and on other continents too. But history of a specific ladscape is non-recurring and what you see of a landscape is a product cultral history – at least at the first glance. Well, that means a English landscape is always English – but, of course, not every landscape is a typical one. For me as a German (partly grown up in Sweden and living in England for more than 30 years now) Dina`s pictures are typical English. Well you say, they conform with my concept “of typical English”. The object of perception is only one side of the coin, the other is the perceiver who perceives concerning his or her expectation. I think this expectation makes a landscape to a typical one. Expectations are produced by media and I would say: We see a landscape as typical English if it comes near to picture of England we formed by reading, film, TV etc.
      But the look at a landscape is also produced by the interest of the onlooker. You see that clearly on the commentaries here: One group is interested on the general (the international perspective) and the other on the individual (the English perspective). It`s a tendency of modern time to look at the general. Probably, sorry, dear Dina, it`s a sign of a culture-conservativism to look at the individual. If you analyse Dina`s pictures you will find the Romantic view of “Good Old England” – but nevertheless I share this view as well. Of course, I could immediately say (as an excuse?) the conservative view of the world is more ecological and serves the myth of the “good old times”.
      Anyway, I think you started here an interesting discussion. There is a German blog I follow which describes how places on our globe were seen in literature. Dina and me, for example, saw Dublin through the eyes of Joyce a year ago – we saw typical Dublin because what we saw confirmed what we had read and seen before. And if you would like to have a look at my blog you will find two articles “Reise ins Eis” about an expedition to NE Greenland. If you look at the pictures I am presenting there, they are liked because they confirm our picture of the high Arctic. And, of course, when I went there I saw it like I was conditioned to perceive that landscape (the cultural layer there is the history of expeditions).
      In short: I suppose what we call “typical” is dependent on a quite unconscious level of valuations. Or what do you think?
      Sorry, that I wrote soooo much but – as a non-native speaker – I couldn`t say it shorter …
      Greetings from the North Norfolk coast
      Klausbernd

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi KB, must mention at the start that i thoroughly enjoyed the two accounts of your journey to the Arctic which shapes the context to much of the discussion above. I agree that our subjective understanding of a ‘foreign’ landscape is often perceived through particular interests as well as an unconscious accumulation. It’s that complexity of layers that may add the depth to our perceptions – derived through whatever – literature, culture, history, the collective memory, and i very much like your descriptive term the ‘eccentricities’. Personally i like to look for the quirky aspects of place, a landscapes’ idiosyncrasies. Yes, i agree that the familiarity of a topic / portrayed notion will add to the viewers’ perception..

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear NOE,

      thanks for answering.
      I see it like you, what we use to call “landscape” is an interaction of many layers. Taking pictures you play with those layers.

      Have a happy evening
      Klausbernd

      Like

    • A huge THANK YOU to both of you, Liz and Klausbernd, for your absolutely great and very inspiring commentary. You have given me a new idea, just wait and see. 🙂
      Love and hugs
      Dina

      Like

  86. Returning to England is a must…Beautifully, breathtakingly captured, Dina! Green is my colour and so are your photos of this beautiful countryside. You are an expert on transmitting that warm feeling through your photos of this soft landscape. A Wonderful gift in this cold, foggy and wet November.

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    Reply

    • This Novemberday was certainly wet and foggy in England. Your lovely comment brighten up my evening and warms me like a log on the roaring fire right now. Thank you so much!
      Have a happy evening in Sweden, my dear.
      Love, Dina

      Like

  87. I love how Klaus can’t say it short, and I’ve quite forgotten what I was going to say now, Dina! I think that your view of anywhere is quite your own, be it an English view or elsewhere. I’m not qualified to know anything more than what I like- and these are lovely. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • OMG, I jump with you reading your kind words, James! 🙂
      We keep our fingers, toes and wings crossed for you.
      Best wishes from all of us
      Dina

      Like

    • Well, thank you very much!! 🙂 We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary … 😉
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four

      Like

    • Uffameien Hans, jeg har oversett dette innlegget, beklager! Takk for den hyggelige kommentaren. Har du selv sluttet ä blogge,eller er det en utstrakt pause? 😉

      Like

  94. Wonderful shots of rolling green hills, beautifully framed by you. I love the way you captured layers in the landscape, and my favourites ate the last two and the fifth from the end….but they are all gorgeous. I love living in such a green country where the hills look like velvet 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, dear Seonaid! We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary … 😉
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four

      Like

    • Thank you so much, dear Madhu! We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary …
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

    • Thank you so much for looking into our work and commenting! We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary …
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for this lovely comment, Ken. Oh dear, what happened? We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary! 🙂
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for looking into our work and commenting! Oh dear, what happened? We are very, very sorry that it took us soooo long to answer your commentary!
      Warm greetings from England,
      The Fab Four

      Like

    • Wide and inviting is typical for the landscape in beautiful England, that’s a nice description, Vallertina. Thank you so much for your kind words, so highly appreciated! Enjoy your weekend.
      Dina

      Like

  103. We are finally in a place where the internet connection allowed me to view this post. I am dazzled; by the sweeping repetition of the fences, fields and trees, by the almost overwhelming, sensuous greenness, and by your photographic vision. So glad you “liked” the CuriosityCafe posts and I finally was able to visit your site. I look forward to viewing more of your photography and visiting your blog (and maybe visiting England sometime).

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    Reply

    • Tank you so much for your kind words! Please feeel welcome to see us again soon.
      Have a lovely weekend.
      Greetings from the Rhine Valley,
      Dina

      Like

  107. Dina. Your photos are truly beautiful and enveloping. Thank you for bringing the countryside of my birthplace back to me after so long. It’s just as I will always remember. And thank you for liking my post. James

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  108. Stunning and completely charming. Everytime I step into your world, I feel such a warm welcome because of the love that you have put into creating this space. Looking at the number of folks here, I kinda guess they feel the same way too Dina! 😀 Hugs, Sharon

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Sharon,
      sorry, that we answered so late!
      Thank you very much fo your kind commentary 🙂 that made our day 🙂
      All the best wishing you from sunny North Norfolk
      the Fab Four

      Like

  109. I’ve just discovered your blog, Dina and your pictures are breathtaking! I needed some inspiration to complete a project and I think I’ve found it. Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Alan,
      thanks for your kind commentary and sorry that we answered that late (but better than nothing 😉 )
      We are happy that we could give you a picture of Merry Old England where your ancestors came from.
      All the best
      the Fab Four

      Liked by 1 person

  115. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your photos – I can almost feel the land. That’s interesting about how our photos are a product of our individual way of thinking. It seems obvious, and yet I had not thought of it in terms of an ‘English’ or an ‘International’ way of seeing landscape. Very interesting 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Sorry that we didn’t answer before, shame on us!
      The perception of landscape is dependant on the culture you live in. It matters which pictures you have seen before and you know about that landscape. The same landscape can be quite different for folks from different cultures.
      Thanks for commenting and have a happy week
      the Fab Four

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks for your kind commentary 🙂
      Rural England is beautiful, very much so. We keep our fingers crossed that one day you can come to Merry Old England.
      All the best
      the Fab Four

      Liked by 1 person

  117. Hi Dina!

    Your photos are so beautiful!! they made me want to go to England! And I’m living there! I’ll have to agree with the person that commented on your photos and said they were of England but not quite english. In a way, when looking at your photos, my first impression was that I was looking at something I hadn’t seen before, something lovely, somewhere to go on holidays to. Then I realized, they were images I’d seen many times before, but they struck me, as different. Then, I came across this post, and read the comment you cited and I think that’s it: you have your own point of view and your photos reflect that. I’m not into photography, but I can appreciate how good your photos must be to create such an effect on someone. I’m now following your blog, I’m looking forward to seeing more photos and reading more quotes of some of my favourite writers of all times.
    Thanks for sharing!!! Paula.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  120. Pingback: Green Deserts of Norfolk | The World according to Dina

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