This from some time ago now, an old van just beyond Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust area by the banks of the Severn. You can get to it by a little gate at the end of the grounds, and you’ll be away from the crowds. I heard a reed warbler down there, shy bird, so did not see him. Sounds a bit like an old Hewlett-Packard inkjet printer charging up after having an ink refill. And then this from just last week. A recently deceased exquisite tiny bird on a pavement in a huge shopping area near Barnsley in Yorkshire. … Continue reading Slimbridge old van and a tiny gem

This is a small detail in a window in Gloucester Cathedral and is about 3 inches square. Found on one of my frequent visits there. Not that I’m religious, I’m not. They were clients of mine when I worked at the print company, and very good clients too. Lovely people. If you are in this area go and visit, there’s lots to see and they have in recent years done a wonderful job on making what was a car park into a garden. There’s a permanent staff of masons there, constantly repairing and renewing. There are times, in what are … Continue reading Cathedral Window detail

As we come out of January, I’m sure we all look forward to warmer days and growth. This image was taken many years ago now on a holiday in Scotland. Loved it up there and found the Scots to be very welcoming. I have no idea what is growing from this tree, so feel free to tell me. Continue reading Scotland plant

Took this many years ago now when on a walk to the printers I worked for at the time. I’m keen on the odd ripped poster and this one was a real work of art….or at least I think so. Continue reading Ripping Yarn

Something to brighten the day, this taken on a trip to Orkney some years ago. Continue reading Orkney Orchid

When is say “ by the River” I mean by the Severn which runs through Gloucestershire. These two buildings have looked like this for years. The one at Leckhanpton Hill, from where on a clear day you can see the River. The other close by the River in Purton. Top photograph taken in 2008, bottom one around two years ago. What I like about these images and places is that they don’t seem to change much. The old farm buildings at the back of Leckhampton Hill have looked like that for years. The farmer uses them but has no need … Continue reading Leckhampton and by the River

Gloucester Cathedral gargoyle on a summer day. This is one of quite a few gargoyles that have been replaced over the last several years. The fine work of the modern masons. There objects look quite small when viewed from the ground but are really very large, and two thirds of the stone is the end balancing it on the roof. I think this one has perfect grace and charm. Perhaps even better viewed in the rain when she would be pouring fresh rainwater from her water vase. Continue reading Cathedral Gargoyle

Another little piece on the Cathedral in Gloucester. Some years ago they decided to give some space, both outside and in, to a modern sculpture exhibition. It took some organising on their part and the printers I worked for had the task of producing the catalogue. The idea was a great success in almost every respect and brought people into Gloucester who normally would not venture there. Dozens of sculptures arrived by heavy lorry and were strategically scattered around the grounds and the building. So successful was it they did it again a couple of years later. These two images … Continue reading Cathedral Sculpture

I’m going through a whole raft of images, deleting some and remembering others and why they come about.In a week when we are being constantly reminded that fossil fuels are no longer acceptable it seems sort of right to remember that some of us were brought up in that age. This is the site of an old coal mine in Yorkshire and like all these things these days has now become a heritage centre.The railway line is now maintained as best they can by a local train enthusiast’s group, but the local feeling is that it’s unlikely that trains will … Continue reading Back to the coalface…

I’ve got a plan. I’m keen on photography and anyone who goes on a walk with me will know that I tend to hang back and take lots of shots, if the weather is right. Discovery of old vehicles in the middle of nowhere are very much a bonus. A couple of them can be seen in the background of this image of me. On the wall a set of prints that I hope I may be able to exhibit one day, before too long. In the meantime I intend to exhibit them right here on my blog. Some will … Continue reading The Photo Corner

One of the portraits I’ve done in the past year. I’m quite pleased with this one of Robin at his normal cheerful self. It’s a real struggle to get him to look serious so I’ve gone with the flow here. This was on one of our favourite walks in the Cotswolds taken on a background of ash tree logs which we think were suffering from Ash Die Back. A dreadful disease that is affecting these lovely trees here in the UK. We try to keep cheerful. Continue reading “Can’t you look serious?”

A trip to Devon earlier in the year and here we have a view across the valley from Oare church where the fictional Lorna Doone got married. It is near Lynmouth.Worth a visit. Lorna Doone is an English Classic tale that I have yet to read. Perhaps I should read Lorna Doone soon. Or should I? Continue reading Lorna Doone