Leckhampton and by the River

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

Cathedral Gargoyle

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

Cathedral Sculpture

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

Back to the coalface…

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…

The Photo Corner

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

“Can’t you look serious?”

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?”

Trabant and foundry

This is an old East German car: a Trabant. It’s not done many miles recently. Followers of my missives will recall perhaps that I featured one of these taken on a holiday in Puglia, Italy a couple of years ago. That one was in the middle of some sunny olive groves. This one overlooks an old broken down foundry in Yorkshire. I like taking pictures of abandoned cars and detritus. My feeling about this one and the others is : “What’s the story?” How did an East German car come to be in Yorkshire? Continue reading Trabant and foundry