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

Bluebells on the side of the Malvern Hills on a walk with two of my friends last year. Something I’m really looking forward to repeating next year. It seems that on a dull day approaching the end of October when looking through some pictures from earlier in the year one is reminded just how bright and beautiful the British countryside really is. This is a shortish drive from where I live so it was really good to get out on this bright lovely day No words of wisdom or otherwise follow from here, let the picture do the talking. Continue reading Something to really look forward to…

One careful energetic owner. This stunning house comes with fine views over the Cotswold countryside. From the original entrance the grand style of this place needs to be seen to be believed. Privacy is the watchword here with no passing traffic apart from the occasional walker. Surrounded by beautiful woodland that literally come through the house and adorned with wild flowers and bulbs, this retreat from modern living needs to be viewed to really be appreciated fully. There’s scope for improvement but the maxim “location, location, location” has never been better said. Requires some updating. Continue reading Requires some updating…

Perhaps it’s a sign of age or something that when workmen, or builders are in the house, I find it hard to concentrate. First of all I need to know if they are able to function without a cup of tea to sustain them till the next cup. “Milk and 3 sugars please mate”…no problem.What’s the point of tea which is essentially sugar solution? I think to myself. Why are they here? They come to make improvements to the kitchen including replacing the dishwasher with a new one, the old one is 27 years old and was, until a few … Continue reading Working Man’s Songs