Life Observed

We live close to a gravity stabilised unshielded nuclear fusion reactor . So close to it, that you can make out its disk in the sky. Surely this is clearly a risky strategy for a planet with a paper thin atmosphere* but I guess that's how its been for a few billion years. Midsummer Sunrise (a favourite subject of mine) at Hampstead Marshall, west of Newbury near the river Kennet. This giant and potentially lethal reactor rises above the horizon. Sunset, Spring Equinox. I once lived in a house where my view to the horizon between the houses was due west. Every year the Sun would set in the gap at the right time. How does it know it should do that, eh? Here is one from just last night. A January sunset from the end window at the office over North Hampshire. Our neighbourhood fusion reactor gives the clouds a golden lining, while the rooks perch in the tops of the trees to survey the scene. I confess have some previous form with nuclear fusion. My first...

Here's a post in praise of Nice Places . Those towns or nooks and crannies you visit and say "we must come back here one day". First off I offer you Southwold, Suffolk with its perfectly formed sea front and lovely little pier. Make time to visit the pier, its rather stylish and not cheap and tacky at all, and contains some of Tim Hunkin's rather remarkable inventions. Footnote: Fans of Real Ale will know this is Adnams country, and I would point out the Sole Bay pub is directly opposite the brewery, together with the oddy located lighthouse... From the ridiculous to the sublime. Here we have the Akemas Peninsular on Cyprus, and the little town of Polis. This is slowly being developed but remains off the Cyprus tourist trail and has very little night life. Excellent, just how I like it! Another unexpected gem is the indoor Borough Market in Halifax, West Yorkshire. This fantastic cast iron Victorian emporium remains very little changed ...

Here's an antidote for these dull Winter days. A glimpse of summer and the English at their maddest. Yes, its the Morris Dancing displays at Guildford. Multiple Morris sides are out on the green under the castle all armed with beards, sticks, handkerchiefs and pewter tankards of Real Ale. A nice tight focus shot , taken from a distance. One wouldn't want to get bitten. I would like to think this is a tradition we foster mainly to confuse the French.. Long may it continue. As to the wooden Zebra, don't ask. Beards and tankards, and is that a cod piece? ... Excellent :-) Medieval royalty turn out to oversee the event. These are kings Uthur and Arthur with their medicinal ale to hand. Who says that beer and swords don't mix... So, next time you see something like this, be thankful that we English are still mad, despite the rest of the world.

Wood. Here are several examples of this noble material  in various forms... Here is a nice example of some seventeenth century wood. A rather fine carved wooden chair. This, and the item in the next image are to be found in Shibden Hall, West Yorkshire. Years of use and careful polishing have made a lovely sheen to the surface. Also at Shibden, there is this lovely carved statuette at the bottom of the stairs. This also shows that fine smooth surface that the years can bring. But wait. What's this. The footpath sign shown here is a great deal younger and yet is has not fared so well. Shame on the good folks of Hampshire for letting your woodwork decay like this. Get the polish out and look after your woodwork! This poor log didn't even make it to the woodworker before it fell foul of the bonfire. Yet it still shows some silken black dignity amongst the ashes. Finally here is some very young wood. This splendid mixture of fresh growth and last ...

Water can add a great deal to a picture. The perfect reflections of a pond or still stream, the violence of a winter sea storm, or a spectacular waterfall can all contribute to the feeling of place conveyed in an image. This first picture (rescued from tobacco excess) features a land drain on the Kennet flood plain at Hampstead Marshall. This was taken just before dawn at about 5 am on a lovely still day. Continuing the dawn and still water theme. This is the ford over the river Pang at Bucklebury in West Berkshire. These days the Pang is generally dry in the summer but I was fortunate to find the ford full and undisturbed. This classic small waterfall picture shows the river Swale below the bridge at Richmond, North Yorkshire. I used the conventional tripod and long exposure method to create the smooth look to the brackish water that drains the Dales above. Higher up into the dales we have the Old Gang Lead Mine in Swaledale. Here the remains of our industria...

On the subject of looking up. . Here are some nice details from our church, St Nicolas in Newbury. This is a large town centre 16th century "wool church" built on the site of an earlier building. Looking up on a perfect Winter's day, I was taken by these Grotesques that the stonemasons love adding. Apparently, if they spout water, you can call them Gargoyles.. The lovely low afternoon sunlight catches the stone at an unusual angle. Later in the year this fellow will be in shadow in the afternoons. This more exposed animal at the East end of the church has suffered from erosion, but still glares down at the passing shoppers with a somewhat toothless threat. Late winter sunshine can add character to otherwise ordinary pictures, and this small detail of the West window benefits from the low and unusual lighting.

Piglet famously said "I'm looking down " when threatened by Jagulars up in the trees. Well, I'm not afraid to look up when it comes to pictures. Aiming the camera skywards can produce a new perspective on a familiar scene. In this case the image needs very little explanation, apart from the information that the woodland is at Basildon Park. Here is another uplifting picture: This time the magnificent fan vaulting is to be found in Bath Abbey.  Its a shame that so much artistry goes unseen. However,  I have noticed large mirrors are now placed in historic buildings these days so those interested in ceilings can see the workmanship without all the tedious falling over or debilitating neck pains. Some times the view upwards gives very little away, although it can be just as rewarding. This is in fact a side alley in a Yorkshire Dales town. The narrow lane was flanked by high stone walls hiding the private gardens of shops and large town houses. T...