365/230: 07 October 2010: London today

Excellent CIPR course today, and the weather and light outside was even more awesome – sadly the light was gone (agan) by the time the course was over, and coupling that with the need to get to an underground station, I only had time for a couple of quick shots – like this one.

365/104: 03 June 2010: Another Solway Sunset

Went for a walk in Maryport this evening – or more accurately along the prom then back along the top. Nice warm evening and the light as the sun was setting was absolutely stunning – took about 50 pictures in an hour. Just love the golden hues you get at this time of the evening when there is a little bit of haze about.

365/81: 11 May 2010: A spring evening in Cockermouth

Marion out tonight doing a charity collection, so I wandered around Cockermouth looking for likely subjects. This isn’t the greatest photo I’ve ever taken but I liked the colours, and the backlight on the leaves and flags.

365/70: 30 April 2010: In a country churchyard

Popped into St Kentigern’s in the middle of Aspatria to photograph the sandstone tower at sunset, but was rather struck by the sunlight catching this memorial. Sometimes you just have to take what comes your way – I can always go back for another shot of the tower.
I love the way that the light has changed the colour of the stone so that it appears to be a different material to the base – which in this photo is closer to how my eyes saw it.

365/66: 26 April 2010: Sucking Up Water

When I was a kid my Mum used to tell me these rays were the clouds sucking up water – somehow that is more appealing than the truth.

365 Challenge Days 55-59: 15-19 April 2010: London Trip

Bit of a long break between posts this time because we’ve been away in London celebrating one of Marion’s significant birthdays. But first up a sunset shot from the 15th April. Can’t honestly say that it looked dramatically different from a lot of Solway sunsets – so much for volcanic ash.

On the 16th we spent quite a bit of time travelling to London to be met by our son – who made a very good job of being our unofficial guide to London for the weekend. In case you’re reading this – thanks Ashley

Saturday (17th) we did the sights before going to see Sister Act at the Palladium. It was an absolutely gorgeous day (got a sunburnt bald patch to prove it). Could have chosen any number of shots of London, but I preferred this one of all of us pretending it’s summer in Regents Park. Seems to catch the spirit of the day rather well:

Sunday morning (18th) we visited the rather fancy Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherds Bush. Sadly it didn’t open ‘til mid-day so we were restricted to window shopping and an excellent Mexican meal on the terrace. Lots of piccies to choose from, but thought this one of Charlie’s Angels fitted the bill:

Monday 19th and back home again – where has the warmth gone – it’s freezing. Took this view towards some of the local villages at sunset during our evening constitutional:

And that’s me back up-to-date again. Looking forward to getting into the two-hundreds – not long now.

365 Challenge Days 53&54 – 13/14 April 2010 – By way of contrast

The last few posts have been largely nature related so I thought I’d do something different for a couple of days. Have been toying with the village sewage treatment plant for a couple of weeks (not literally of course) and the light seemed right yesterday (13 April). So here it is, in all its glory:


And today’s photos were  more good luck than judgement. I discovered this steam train was going to be passing nearby from a casual lunch-time conversation with my neighbour. Apparently it’s the first new steam train to be built in the UK for 50 years or similar.

Of course, something this traditional almost cries out for sepia toning, so I had a quick play with the filters in Picasa, and lo and behold…  – …instant nostalgia!

365 Challenge – Day 3 – 22 Feb 2010

This is my first shot while staying way from home. I have a sneaking suspicion it is this aspect which is going to test my imagination/creativity the most – particularly when I get to the other end of the year and I’m faced with regular dark nights in hotels. There’s a limit to the creative potential of the average hotel room I think. Still, at the time of writing I’m not in an average hotel – I’m in the Park Royal at Daresbury, and it’s actually very nice – pleasant staff, decent food and usually someone I know to talk to. Here’s a shot at twilight. Quite a long exposure so I held the camera firmly against a lamp post to provide a bit of extra stability to help the IS along. Rather like the mix of natural and varied artificial light.

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