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

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

The difference being that the shed is in England. Built from collected pieces of wood and pallets by the chap from Eastern Europe who has this plot. Built on the lines that are familiar to him, no simple stuff here and the colours match too. Great shed. Fine plotter. Continue reading Fine Eastern European Shed

The Man who runs our plots: Brian. This is not a typical pose as he’s usually busy digging. I’ve rarely seen a plot quite like his and he is the beacon of excellence, growing what seem to be vegetables that are all the same size, or appear to be. He was a champion indoor rower in his younger days which might explain why he digs quite like he does. He even grows a load of grapes. Continue reading Chief Plotter Brian

An old foundry in Yorkshire in an area that used to sustain coal mines and heavy industry. I’m not sure what sort of employment there is in the area now but this sort of archeological remnant is now typical of the area. In the sunshine it has the quality off a fine painting to my eyes, with subtle colouring and a great feeling of contrast and light. It does not have these qualities on a gloomy wet day. Perhaps they should light it with floodlights and call it public art. Someone suggested that I have an exhibition of my work … Continue reading Fine art in a broken Yorkshire window.

From June 2020 this shot of the sheep in the fields just below Paradise in Gloucestershire. There used to be a pub nearby called the Adam and Eve, sadly gone now. The building still stands but the pub has long since ceased to be. Looking at early photographs of this area what strikes you is the lack of trees. There are some but nowhere near as we have now. Anyone thinking of walking this area then I’d recommend the walk from Paradise just outside Painswick, down the valley to the Painswick stream that flows down to Stroud. Choose a fine … Continue reading Cotswold Walk through Paradise