Filming at Hankley

We went for a wonderful (if very long) walk at Hankley this morning. Given the snow fall, we knew it would look lovely and we weren’t disappointed. The bits with snow looked spectacular, the bits without looked just as wonderful as they always do. A real win-win situation.

Above is the burnt bit, where all the heather was lost. While it’s still mostly black, there are some clumps of sprouting grass. Now, all white, it looks fabulous. Pity it won’t last.

We were in for a bit of a surprise on the top of the hill. Looking down the valley someone has started building what appears to be a film set.

Mirinda suggested we set off towards it for a closer look rather than just complete our usual circle. After the excitement of the thatched huts at Frensham, I couldn’t think of a reason why not. We set off down the hill, following the snowy paths, getting ever closer to the strange structure.

The closer we moved, the more obvious it became that it was an unfinished film set. Rather than proper building materials, the walls are just that. No unnecessary foundations or floors. Nothing like that. Just boards cut to shape with a big scaffolding to hold it all up.

My first guess was that it might become a church. Mirinda thinks probably a chateau. On closer examination, I think she’s right. We’ll have to go back the week after next to see how it’s going.

One of the reasons I thought it might be a church was the fact that the two window openings in the shot below – the ones on the first floor level – appear to have been made at different periods. This would explain why they are not in line.

However, on closer examination of the photograph, I think someone has just put one of the panels the wrong way round. It’s clear that the two openings are in the same position in each of the large panels but one has the smaller bit at the top. Anyway, I hope they notice before they start adding the fake bricks.

I’m hoping something will crop up in the local paper so I can find out what it is. It’s a question of staying tuned, I guess.

Having walked a few extra miles to get to the film set, we set off up what we call Carmen’s Hill, to take a short cut to the ridge. It was already getting on for well passed lunch time and Mirinda was starting to feel the strain. Carmen’s Hill, so named because she loves running all over it, normally from the top, is quite a steep slope. Having never attempted walking up it, this came as a surprise to us both. Here’s Mirinda almost at the top.

In the car, she said I should have taken a few photographs of her odd outfit. She’s probably right.

UPDATE: There has been a lot of interest from the James Bond community with regards this post (none that warrant a comment, I notice). It seems that the building is a mock up Scottish monastery for the new James Bond movie, Skyfall.

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I just want to add a photo I took yesterday but didn’t see until today. I’m quite happy with it. I’ve been trying for something like it for a while.