My photos this week follow my current Ickworth theme. I've already shared photos from our visit to the gardens - see The park and gardens at Ickworth House - and in a few days I'll share more from our trip around the house. But I couldn't resist sharing these two ahead of that.

The first picture was one I planned for a black and white image and I'm pleased it's worked out so well. So perhaps I'm starting to see shots in black and white as well as colour.

I like the way the circular "window" frames the view of the landing above.

I did spend a fair bit of time faffing about to get the shot I wanted though which involved trying it from several different steps and angles, thankfully the staircase wasn't busy or I'd've been one of those annoying arty-farty people...

My second photo is the staircase that I spent some time faffing about on, which is beautiful in its own right. What I like here are the patterns the light casts onto the ceiling.

I'd like to claim I planned this in black and white too, but I can't! It just turned out that way when I was editing my photos, but it's still one I'm happy with.

I've linked this post to Charly's Black and White photo project over on PODCast, so pop over there then for more black and white shots.