Keppel 's Column: Acquitted

Mr M came home from night shift asking me if I was ready, for what? I asked. For the 3rd Folly. Haha! Would have loved to set off that early - nothing sets up your day as good as an early blip; but then again the skies were as bland as yesterday, told him we'll do it after lunch, hopefully the skies would be better by then. And it was, albeit still cloudy, but with some breaks. So you get --

KEPPEL'S COLUMN

The 3rd of the Follies. If you've missed the other two, the 1st being Hoober Stand, and the 2nd The Needle's Eye.

This column is a 115 ft (35m) tower between Wentworth and Kimberworth in Rotherham. Built in the late 18th cetury, approx between 1778-1782. Begun by Charles Wentworth, 2nd Marquis of Rockingham and finished by his nephew the 1st Earl of Fitzwilliam. Built to commemorate the acquittal of Admiral Keppel, a friend and a Whig supporter of Rockingham, who had been court-martialled for cowardice against the French in the Battle of Ushant, 1778. It was supposed to have been built taller but the Earl apparently run out of funds. It visibly bulges in the middle downwards (hence the metal support) due to an entasis correction, which was rendered inappropriate when funding problems ensued. The hill on which this column is erected stands 480 ft above mean sea level, 2nd in height to the one on which Hoober Stand is located. Unfortunately, because of disrepair, it is now closed to the public.

I had hoped to be able to give you guys all four Folllies, however, the 4th one, Rockingham Mausoleum, doesn't open until 2nd of June, only on Sundays 2-5pm until Aug Bank Holiday.. And, although I'm not counting, it's now only 2 days til Take-Off.. Perhaps when I return..

I was looking thru my camera at the previous shots I've taken.. And came across this Swan Princess about to transform, taken on the 5th.. Nearly forgot about this so please have a look if you're not pressed for time. Thank you!

Nearly midweek now, hope everyone's having a fantastic one!