Nice shots Azy, the only thing I can suggest for the third is a graduated filter - can't speak from experience though, coz I've never used them yet, but been reading a bit lately. As for access, well, it depends on how bad you want those photos, what you're gonna do with them and the circumstances of your 'being asked to leave' - if this was just because you had professional looking gear, a lot of places over here are getting touchy now about people making money from pictures coz they don't find out about it and don't make a cut. Buy a cheap 2nd hand slr that's old and basic, and stick to a standard lens, without a tripod if possible. That usually sends the signal your an amateur, especially if you seem like you're just snapping away at anything and everything. As you know they can't do sweet Fanny Adams if you're on publically accessible land, so tought titty there, but you do lose out on any shots inside the grounds. Finally, depending on your morals and how easy it is to get in, these early mornings are great for getting out for some fresh air.......real early. A few months back I had a similar dilemma with a castle. I wanted dawn shots of it, but you were supposed to pay a fee to go in the grounds. I jumped the gate, merely because there was no-one around to take the money, which of course I had available. Generally in that situation if anyone does catch you and you can't worm your way out of it, the police will just advise you that what you're doing isn't quite right and let you go on your way - the only time they bother is if you're causing damage. (That's if they can be bothered to attend at that time in the morning!) If your morals cause you to lose sleep at night over being "naughty", why not use your library to find the owners of the land (not just their little guard servant) and ask their permission, maybe offering a few pictures? Most people are proud of what they own, and are pleased to know someone is so interested in it. (",)