1000/380: 06 March 2011: Another Solway Sunset

A bit of an odd sunset today. Bank of haze over the Solway, and the sun dropped below the cloud for no more than about 10 minutes, during which time it looked like this. The sky was a delightful magenta to go with it – difficult to beat really.

1000/373: 27 February 2011: Stormbringer

Probably an overstated title for a shot of a lone woolly-back on a hill, but it is quite dramatic. Quite pleased with this shot, because I took it with this treatment in mind, and it delivered the goods. I rather like the effect produced by Mike Lao’s ‘300’ Lightroom preset – doesn’t work with everything, but when it does it’s special. In this one I tweaked the contrast in the sky to enhance the storminess as well.

365/347: 01 February 2011: Winter Storm Over Arran

365/347: 01 February 2011: Winter Storm Over Arran
Originally uploaded by nmonckton

Trip to Hunterston today - typically the nicest weather was while I was travelling up to a deadline or indoors. Very dramatic light over Arran on the way back though. The views across the water south from Largs are always stupendous.

365/289: 05 December 2010: Solway Snow and Sunset

Ok – gonna try a panorama – this is quite a big picture so you’ll need to open it by clicking on it to see it at all well. Taken this evening in rather ‘fresh’ conditions. the original file came in at 178 megs after I stitched together the nine shots I used to make this. Rest assured this one is considerably smaller.
If you want to see a much bigger version follow this link
to my Flickr pages

365/118: 17 June 2010: Crosscanonby Saltpans

3Now here’s a conundrum. The best view of Crosscanonby saltpans is from the top of the small hill opposite, which by chance also hosts an old Roman fort – Milefortlet 21.  For reasons which I think are to do with preventing petty vandalism and probably saving money the steps from the car park to the top of this hill have been removed. This means that access to the fort is available only to those who know it’s there and are prepared to take a risk. Such is life – i guess it’s the price we pay for morons.
But what I struggle to understand is why – given that they’ve made access impossible – the Council have now erected a ruddy great road sign announcing ‘Milefortlet 21’. I realise there have been a couple of tragic deaths in the area in recent years, so I would fully understand a warning sign – but why advertise an obviously interesting feature that no-one can get to? Anyone?

And I can’t leave this post without mentioning that the sunset was excellent this evening even by Solway standards – here’s a couple more shots - ‘cos I’m feeling generous :0)

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.

365/94: 24 May 2010: Cow Parsley

A less traditional sign of early summer for today’s post. Given that Cow Parsley is never going to win any beauty competitions – other than ‘Best Tall Straggly Plant with Small White Flowers and a Slightly Iffy Smell’ – I though I’d try something a little more experimental. It looks OK on my screen – I hope it does on yours.

365/82: 12 May 2010: And another night at Daresbury

There’s a rather pretty church at Stretton, less than a hundred yards from the hotel which I’d never visited before. Light was excellent – low sun through broken dark clouds – just loved the way it was playing on the leaves in this scene in the churchyard.

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 Day 49 – 09 April 2010 – A Solway Sundown

Can’t really call it a sunset as the sun was behind the clouds out of shot.  Still decent views available from Silloth, in spite of the best efforts of the wind farm down the Solway.

Didn’t look quite like this when I took it, but it’s amazing what a little tweak in the contrast can do. Have left the watermark off this one because it spoiled it completely.

365 Challenge – Day 21 – 12 March 2010 – Sunset over Allerby Community Gardens

The sunset looked interesting from the back window this evening, but when I got to my chosen viewpoint I realised I had been duped – it was just boring. So had a look around and came up with this alternative take – through a polytunnel in the garden centre next door.