Kodak E100 goes Winterborne

The Film and Camera:

Having purchased a roll of Kodaks “new” Ektachrome E100, it sat in my film cupboard waiting for use. A month or so ago it finally got used up. It took much longer to get processed in the E6 chemistry than it normally takes the lab to dev my C41. It has a very clear base, and very low grain. Unfortunately, it also seems to have quite a cold colour rendition. This is evident in many scans from various people I have seen, even the labs web site! The photo’s in this post have been “warmed” considerably. There was also quite a lot of light scratching that needed to be spotted out. The film is more expensive than regular C41, even Ektar, and processing costs more. I can’t see that I’ll be using any more based on this experience! I used my Canon EOS30, mostly with the 40mm STM lens.

The Name:

I decided I’d have a day out tracing the course of the little River Winterborne. You might notice that the sign above adds in a U, to the Winterbournes, while Wimborne is without a U. I have two old guide books of the county of Dorset, both spell it without the U, as does google maps, so I’m going U-less. The river/stream is so named as it only flows in a meaningful way during the winter. During summer from about June onwards, it largely dries up. The stream ends by flowing into the River Stour. Just downstream is the National Trust’s White Mill.

Sturminster Marshall

Sturminster Marshall is the village at the point where the Winterborne flows into the River Stour. Tucked away just behind St Mary’s Church. Opposite the church is the Red Lion, where I had a very nice lunch and a pint a week or so later – highly recommended. The actual point of the “joining” is not accessible, I got as close as I could. About 390 meters downstream!

Winterborne Zelston

Heading upstream the Winterborne flows under the A350, main road to Blandford, across a field, under the A31, main road west, almost un-noticed. Only near Almer does it show itself, right by the “Worlds End” pub! I visited Almer before, so didn’t on this occasion, but you can read about that visit here. I did pull off the main road to photograph the pub, I’ve driven past it thousands of times but never pulled over – today was the day! Technically the pub is in Almer. Winterborne Zelston itself, drops down from the main road (that runs through it), to the north. Again I drive past it nearly every day. This was to be the day I turned off. A charming country village, with it’s lovely small church dedicated to St Mary (we’ll see quite a few of those on this trip!) and quaint cottages, one with the Winterborne right in front!

Winterborne Tomson

I’ve never been anywhere like it! There was once a village, now, just a couple of random houses and a farm yard. There is however a lovely chapel from a bygone age. St Andrew’s Church. Long abandoned and used to house pigs. It was found in a lamentable state by one A.R.Powys, once, secretary of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Amongst his papers he found some early designs by Thomas Hardy from his architect apprentice years, these were sold off, the proceeds paid for it’s restoration of the chapel. The church stands because of him and indeed he is buried in the churchyard where there is a plaque.

Winterborne Anderson

… seems even smaller than “Tomson” there is a “private chapel” -St Michael’s Church, from where, over the back fence, one can just glimpse a manor house. The little Winterborne trickles right by the church!

Winterborne Muston

.. is gone! In fact there are about 4 private dwellings, a farm and a lodge. No public buildings or amenities, in other words, nothing to see! A track (ohh my tyres!) takes us diagonally across a field, and a tiny bridge, spanning the Winterborne.

Will we ever reach civilization? Tune in next week for the thrilling conclusion!!!