One And The Same
I thought it was you Arthur
As I am as sure of the past
And of the ever evolving future
They are one and the same
You always knew where to find me
Your old advisor who taught you
All about playing the game
Time and distance has not changed us
We just come around again
What do you need from me this time?
The trees told me of your coming
But then I knew before you did
That Old Albion needs our service
To rally all the knights together
Called out from under the hill
To ride out once more
To bring alive that shining belief
Which resides in every longing heart
That good will always prevail over evil
Even if death tears us apart
*****
I have decided to include this second work in my new venture of sharing my archive film work, as it would not leave me alone. I had been looking at the image off and on for the past few days and perhaps it started to work on my subconscious because one night I woke up and wrote the poem down straight away.
The image is from Cadbury Castle in Somerset, this time from below the ramparts, near the South West Gate, also known as the King’s Gate. Archaeological excavations at Cadbury Hill Fort in the 1966 to1970 seasons revealed in the long history of occupation of this Hill Fort that this site was refortified in the Arthurian period of the sixth century, however it remains a matter of conjecture if a warlord such as Arthur occupied this Hill Fort. But somebody did, with an impressive feasting hall to go along with it in the main strategic part of the Hill Fort itself.
Myth and legend has placed Arthur there, and for a Warlord such as he, this commanding site would have been perfect. It is not difficult to imagine this when you visit this wonderful historic site and experience the surrounding views of the countryside.
Over time the trees and woods have grown up and around Cadbury Hill Fort, softening the landscape, yet it loses none of its power or majesty. This particular area below the ramparts was a wonderful quiet spot, the trees creating a series of glades, with views through the foliage of the beautiful landscape of Somerset. Many times we found ourselves here in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and I loved to take photographs on film with my camera of the light filtering through the trees. I thought that if Merlin ever paid Arthur a visit, he would have preferred to be down here, surrounded by nature.
Time has probably changed this lovely area since I took these photographs, but nature has a way of reclaiming her own. For me it brings back the sense of peace I felt here, and the understanding that Englands myths are often about a golden time that we fervently wish for again.
This work will be added to my Film Archive Album ‘Return To Camelot’ here on Flickr.
And this work will also appear on my website, and I will add links to the new pages as they go up over time and you can also find an extended introduction to the works on here as well.
Return To Camelot:
www.shelleyturnerpoetpix.com/returntocamelot
Ps. This time I worked out how to remove the incorrect camera info as I was using a modern camera to create a new file for this film image..its a case of removing the metadata [or some of it] within your own computer filing system if you can. It converts it but still keeps it as a jpeg so you can still load it up on Flickr.
Things like that annoy me..as it's misleading if you are trying to show previous film archive work. It has taken me ages to find a way of preserving that quality of my film images, and I like the information to be as accurate as possible.
Perfectionist? Probably, but thats me! Shell, aka, crazy person.
Love to all!
UPDATE 4th August 2026..
First of all can I thank everyone who has faved, commented & viewed my latest uploads. I really was not sure how the Film Archive work was going to be received, but it looks as though you like it! So more to come as I sort that out, so stand by for more of that soon I hope.
The other thing is that for the past few days I had to do a sort of rescue mission on my photo archive, especially relating to my current camera. I have got this backed up on external hard drives as its not stuck up in some 'cloud' mentioning no names; so although the situation was not dire I had in fact, for ease of access, had all this work on another device to the one I mainly work on. It was useful to cross-reference and riffle through tons of images when I needed to quickly. Visually, I find it easier that way. But, because now the 'airdrop system' has been reduced on that device unless I hook it up to the cloud and pay goodness knows what, I cannot move stuff out of it in bulk.
Right! Well, I'm not having that, so I had to move it all over to my main device I work on with its much bigger storage for visual ease of use. This has taken me 3 days and quite frankly my temper was not great by the end of it. Now perhaps in the future I am staring down the barrel of having to have two powerful computers side by side.
I like to work retrospectively - by that I mean I am constantly going over my past images to find what I need to illustrate my work. I don't just use the recent stuff as the projects I work on are not always about that. I go backwards and forwards in time not only in my work but also in real-life!
It has really struck me lately how everything these days is always so immediate. I refuse to give in though, and I know lots of photographers on here who like to share their previous work. We are in danger of losing the past..locations are becoming just tourist sites - places to tick off your bucket list. But as a lot of sensitive folks know, it is the quiet corners, the unsung locations, the quirks in life that provide the most meaningful works of art, images and writing.
But we need to be able to access this library and archive easily..not just for ourselves but for future generations. Our memories are what make us - and even what builds civilisations.
'Old School Shell', might end up being my moniker, but actually, I am fine with that. Meanwhile..forgive me for any late catching up, which hopefully I can now get back to!
Love to all, Shell.
UPDATE 17th August 2026.
Well, I'm even later with my 'catching-up' than I expected. The past week or so has been very odd and demanding, and my brain has been like mush in this awful, frightful heat over here in the UK. I have been trying to at least keep my trees alive in my garden with a watering can...but the edges of despair crept in as even with a hose, [which is banned where I am] I am not sure it would make any difference to some of my garden. However, trees can be resilient and although the leaves are dropping off as if its Autumn they do this to protect themselves...I hope.
The other thing is that I have a confession to make and the other reason I am so behind with catching up is that weirdly, even though I have found it difficult to even think straight in 30 degree heat, I have been on a massive creative muse. I have been working on some intensive projects, this is true, for a while, but lately that has taken off and started to coalesce into something workable. You know when things start to click together creatively? It has been like that but at such a fast rate I could hardly keep up. This film archive work is part of that, but there are some other much loved topics I want to pursue that have fascinated me for most of my life. The challenge has been in finding a way to present it in a way that it takes on a new life, that is absorbing and doesn't just come across as if it is a factual text book.
I think, I hope, I have found a way to go forwards with it now and you might be wondering what this might all be about, but let's just say it explores heaven on earth. Little way to go with it yet, but meanwhile I will continue to post up my usual fare of spiritual works that I hope you continue to enjoy.
Ok, back to catching up with you all! Lots of love, Shell x
UPDATE 26th August 2026.
Thinking of Dolly Parton, a beautiful soul in a tiny person. I was always inspired by Dolly; being a very small lady myself, I admired the way that she didn't let her small stature, being female, or her humble beginnings stop her.
She was a powerhouse of music, song writing, compassion and a force of nature. Thank you Dolly, for the gifts you gave us all with such joy.
And this day..I am thinking of all those in Tibet and Nepal's floods and my heart goes out to you and all those you have lost.
Let us look after each other - our time can be so short on this earth. Let us leave it when it is our time with love in our hearts.
Blessings to all. Shelley x
One And The Same
I thought it was you Arthur
As I am as sure of the past
And of the ever evolving future
They are one and the same
You always knew where to find me
Your old advisor who taught you
All about playing the game
Time and distance has not changed us
We just come around again
What do you need from me this time?
The trees told me of your coming
But then I knew before you did
That Old Albion needs our service
To rally all the knights together
Called out from under the hill
To ride out once more
To bring alive that shining belief
Which resides in every longing heart
That good will always prevail over evil
Even if death tears us apart
*****
I have decided to include this second work in my new venture of sharing my archive film work, as it would not leave me alone. I had been looking at the image off and on for the past few days and perhaps it started to work on my subconscious because one night I woke up and wrote the poem down straight away.
The image is from Cadbury Castle in Somerset, this time from below the ramparts, near the South West Gate, also known as the King’s Gate. Archaeological excavations at Cadbury Hill Fort in the 1966 to1970 seasons revealed in the long history of occupation of this Hill Fort that this site was refortified in the Arthurian period of the sixth century, however it remains a matter of conjecture if a warlord such as Arthur occupied this Hill Fort. But somebody did, with an impressive feasting hall to go along with it in the main strategic part of the Hill Fort itself.
Myth and legend has placed Arthur there, and for a Warlord such as he, this commanding site would have been perfect. It is not difficult to imagine this when you visit this wonderful historic site and experience the surrounding views of the countryside.
Over time the trees and woods have grown up and around Cadbury Hill Fort, softening the landscape, yet it loses none of its power or majesty. This particular area below the ramparts was a wonderful quiet spot, the trees creating a series of glades, with views through the foliage of the beautiful landscape of Somerset. Many times we found ourselves here in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and I loved to take photographs on film with my camera of the light filtering through the trees. I thought that if Merlin ever paid Arthur a visit, he would have preferred to be down here, surrounded by nature.
Time has probably changed this lovely area since I took these photographs, but nature has a way of reclaiming her own. For me it brings back the sense of peace I felt here, and the understanding that Englands myths are often about a golden time that we fervently wish for again.
This work will be added to my Film Archive Album ‘Return To Camelot’ here on Flickr.
And this work will also appear on my website, and I will add links to the new pages as they go up over time and you can also find an extended introduction to the works on here as well.
Return To Camelot:
www.shelleyturnerpoetpix.com/returntocamelot
Ps. This time I worked out how to remove the incorrect camera info as I was using a modern camera to create a new file for this film image..its a case of removing the metadata [or some of it] within your own computer filing system if you can. It converts it but still keeps it as a jpeg so you can still load it up on Flickr.
Things like that annoy me..as it's misleading if you are trying to show previous film archive work. It has taken me ages to find a way of preserving that quality of my film images, and I like the information to be as accurate as possible.
Perfectionist? Probably, but thats me! Shell, aka, crazy person.
Love to all!
UPDATE 4th August 2026..
First of all can I thank everyone who has faved, commented & viewed my latest uploads. I really was not sure how the Film Archive work was going to be received, but it looks as though you like it! So more to come as I sort that out, so stand by for more of that soon I hope.
The other thing is that for the past few days I had to do a sort of rescue mission on my photo archive, especially relating to my current camera. I have got this backed up on external hard drives as its not stuck up in some 'cloud' mentioning no names; so although the situation was not dire I had in fact, for ease of access, had all this work on another device to the one I mainly work on. It was useful to cross-reference and riffle through tons of images when I needed to quickly. Visually, I find it easier that way. But, because now the 'airdrop system' has been reduced on that device unless I hook it up to the cloud and pay goodness knows what, I cannot move stuff out of it in bulk.
Right! Well, I'm not having that, so I had to move it all over to my main device I work on with its much bigger storage for visual ease of use. This has taken me 3 days and quite frankly my temper was not great by the end of it. Now perhaps in the future I am staring down the barrel of having to have two powerful computers side by side.
I like to work retrospectively - by that I mean I am constantly going over my past images to find what I need to illustrate my work. I don't just use the recent stuff as the projects I work on are not always about that. I go backwards and forwards in time not only in my work but also in real-life!
It has really struck me lately how everything these days is always so immediate. I refuse to give in though, and I know lots of photographers on here who like to share their previous work. We are in danger of losing the past..locations are becoming just tourist sites - places to tick off your bucket list. But as a lot of sensitive folks know, it is the quiet corners, the unsung locations, the quirks in life that provide the most meaningful works of art, images and writing.
But we need to be able to access this library and archive easily..not just for ourselves but for future generations. Our memories are what make us - and even what builds civilisations.
'Old School Shell', might end up being my moniker, but actually, I am fine with that. Meanwhile..forgive me for any late catching up, which hopefully I can now get back to!
Love to all, Shell.
UPDATE 17th August 2026.
Well, I'm even later with my 'catching-up' than I expected. The past week or so has been very odd and demanding, and my brain has been like mush in this awful, frightful heat over here in the UK. I have been trying to at least keep my trees alive in my garden with a watering can...but the edges of despair crept in as even with a hose, [which is banned where I am] I am not sure it would make any difference to some of my garden. However, trees can be resilient and although the leaves are dropping off as if its Autumn they do this to protect themselves...I hope.
The other thing is that I have a confession to make and the other reason I am so behind with catching up is that weirdly, even though I have found it difficult to even think straight in 30 degree heat, I have been on a massive creative muse. I have been working on some intensive projects, this is true, for a while, but lately that has taken off and started to coalesce into something workable. You know when things start to click together creatively? It has been like that but at such a fast rate I could hardly keep up. This film archive work is part of that, but there are some other much loved topics I want to pursue that have fascinated me for most of my life. The challenge has been in finding a way to present it in a way that it takes on a new life, that is absorbing and doesn't just come across as if it is a factual text book.
I think, I hope, I have found a way to go forwards with it now and you might be wondering what this might all be about, but let's just say it explores heaven on earth. Little way to go with it yet, but meanwhile I will continue to post up my usual fare of spiritual works that I hope you continue to enjoy.
Ok, back to catching up with you all! Lots of love, Shell x
UPDATE 26th August 2026.
Thinking of Dolly Parton, a beautiful soul in a tiny person. I was always inspired by Dolly; being a very small lady myself, I admired the way that she didn't let her small stature, being female, or her humble beginnings stop her.
She was a powerhouse of music, song writing, compassion and a force of nature. Thank you Dolly, for the gifts you gave us all with such joy.
And this day..I am thinking of all those in Tibet and Nepal's floods and my heart goes out to you and all those you have lost.
Let us look after each other - our time can be so short on this earth. Let us leave it when it is our time with love in our hearts.
Blessings to all. Shelley x