Tuesday 29 December 2009

Blackbird, bye, bye

Had to take my Mother to the doc's today for an appointment, while I was waiting for everyone to get into the Landrover, I noticed this blackbird sitting in the Cotoneaster on the driveway.  A bit of a departure for me but I am quite pleased with the shot.


Pleased we used the Landrover as by the time I took Mother home, the roads were covered in a fresh fall of un-forecast snow.

All the animals seen to and I can now sit down with a modest glass of Springbank.

Oops!  I wasn't going to mention that!!

Blackbird, bye, bye

Had to take my Mother to the doc's today for an appointment, while I was waiting for everyone to get into the Landrover, I noticed this blackbird sitting in the Cotoneaster on the driveway.  A bit of a departure for me but I am quite pleased with the shot.


Pleased we used the Landrover as by the time I took Mother home, the roads were covered in a fresh fall of un-forecast snow.

All the animals seen to and I can now sit down with a modest glass of Springbank.

Oops!  I wasn't going to mention that!!

Monday 28 December 2009

Snowy Kielder Forest

It was a glorious morning here in Darkest Northumberland, No1 daughter was spending the day beating so we decided that as the youngest was going to her father's house we would take the opportunity to get out for a short walk somewhere.

Kielder Forest it was!

It was a cold drive in the Landrover as it was below freezing all the way there. I can never understand why, considering that they were designed to survive all that nature could throw at them, Landrover didn't see fit to install a proper heater!


It has been a while since we have been for a walk but it seemed that The Children's Mother had forgotten how to wear her wellies!

Eventually she got the hang of them and off we went.


The reason that I wanted to go was to see this view of Kielder Reservoir, spectacular!  The shot is taken from beside the Skyspace Artwork.


The Skyspace artwork is designed to view the night sky from within, through a large hole in the roof.




We are planning a flanking manoeuvre to get the girls up here one night to see the stars.



Inside the Skyscape, The Children's Mother was starting to rebel, mind you, it was very cold up there and it hadn't been the short walk with the terriers that we had planned.  Even the dogs were staring to look miserable. (Mind you the snow was deep and they only have little legs!)


Only time for another quick shot or two and I had to admit defeat, it was turning dusk and time to go and get the horses in.

It was freezing hard by now.

By gum, this Springbank is good...!

Snowy Kielder Forest

It was a glorious morning here in Darkest Northumberland, No1 daughter was spending the day beating so we decided that as the youngest was going to her father's house we would take the opportunity to get out for a short walk somewhere.

Kielder Forest it was!

It was a cold drive in the Landrover as it was below freezing all the way there. I can never understand why, considering that they were designed to survive all that nature could throw at them, Landrover didn't see fit to install a proper heater!


It has been a while since we have been for a walk but it seemed that The Children's Mother had forgotten how to wear her wellies!

Eventually she got the hang of them and off we went.


The reason that I wanted to go was to see this view of Kielder Reservoir, spectacular!  The shot is taken from beside the Skyspace Artwork.


The Skyspace artwork is designed to view the night sky from within, through a large hole in the roof.




We are planning a flanking manoeuvre to get the girls up here one night to see the stars.



Inside the Skyscape, The Children's Mother was starting to rebel, mind you, it was very cold up there and it hadn't been the short walk with the terriers that we had planned.  Even the dogs were staring to look miserable. (Mind you the snow was deep and they only have little legs!)


Only time for another quick shot or two and I had to admit defeat, it was turning dusk and time to go and get the horses in.

It was freezing hard by now.

By gum, this Springbank is good...!

Saturday 26 December 2009

Boxing Day

After feeling lousy all day yesterday,  just too tired I think and didn't even get to see my Ice Age DVD!  I was determined to get out in the fresh air today.  I had to go and see to the donkeys late this afternoon so I took the opportunity to go for a short walk up on the moors with the dogs.


On the edge of Slaley Forest, at the top of a steep hill where I parked the Landrover, (diff-locks required today!)  the moors looked just too tempting despite the lateness of day.  A quick shot of this frozen pond then on to the moor.


Up on the the high point between the forest and Blanchland Village, I can see the lights of Consett, where I was born.  A famous steel town until 25 years ago, it was once the highest industrial town in Britain at just less than one thousand feet above sea level.  Today?  Well......

I didn't hang around long, it was a bit chilly and I still had the the animals to do.

Sorry folks but the Springbank is mine, HANDS OFF!!

Hope you all had a relaxing day!

Boxing Day

After feeling lousy all day yesterday,  just too tired I think and didn't even get to see my Ice Age DVD!  I was determined to get out in the fresh air today.  I had to go and see to the donkeys late this afternoon so I took the opportunity to go for a short walk up on the moors with the dogs.


On the edge of Slaley Forest, at the top of a steep hill where I parked the Landrover, (diff-locks required today!)  the moors looked just too tempting despite the lateness of day.  A quick shot of this frozen pond then on to the moor.


Up on the the high point between the forest and Blanchland Village, I can see the lights of Consett, where I was born.  A famous steel town until 25 years ago, it was once the highest industrial town in Britain at just less than one thousand feet above sea level.  Today?  Well......

I didn't hang around long, it was a bit chilly and I still had the the animals to do.

Sorry folks but the Springbank is mine, HANDS OFF!!

Hope you all had a relaxing day!

Friday 25 December 2009

Christmas Day

It must be Christmas Day, we were woken at some very un-godly hour by a small girl wielding a christmas stocking to be emptied.   Bless her...!


Her elder sister was more than blessing her as she was dragged out of bed to join in the 'fun'.  A quick breakfast and off to the horses, it never ends!  A quick walk with the dogs.


Back home and the serious present opening before a small girl does herself a mischief!!


Well thank you kids!

That's me sorted.  See you in a couple of days....!

Christmas Day

It must be Christmas Day, we were woken at some very un-godly hour by a small girl wielding a christmas stocking to be emptied.   Bless her...!


Her elder sister was more than blessing her as she was dragged out of bed to join in the 'fun'.  A quick breakfast and off to the horses, it never ends!  A quick walk with the dogs.


Back home and the serious present opening before a small girl does herself a mischief!!


Well thank you kids!

That's me sorted.  See you in a couple of days....!

Thursday 24 December 2009

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve and it was snowing unexpectedly this morning.  The day started as always with a run up to the yard to do the horses, on the way home we passed a shooting party on Allendale Estate, the beaters looked nice and warm and the guns looked frozen.  Social order restored!!!





Every Christmas Eve, The Children's Mother and the children meet up with their cousins and go to this isolated church, St Oswalds at the appropriately named Heavenfields, where the children's paternal Grandfather was Vicar some years ago.  Both Grandparents are now buried here and the family get together and remember.  While I am not directly involved and have no religious persuasions, it's moving to witness this gathering.


Normally, the views to the north from the church are stunning but this afternoon, the snow was wet and the view foggy but non the less impressive.  Somewhere up there is Scotland.


Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,  and the children (even the twenty eight year-old!), built a snowman, and we all retired to the pub for a late lunch.

I hope that there is more snow next year...!


Happy Christmas everyone!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve and it was snowing unexpectedly this morning.  The day started as always with a run up to the yard to do the horses, on the way home we passed a shooting party on Allendale Estate, the beaters looked nice and warm and the guns looked frozen.  Social order restored!!!





Every Christmas Eve, The Children's Mother and the children meet up with their cousins and go to this isolated church, St Oswalds at the appropriately named Heavenfields, where the children's paternal Grandfather was Vicar some years ago.  Both Grandparents are now buried here and the family get together and remember.  While I am not directly involved and have no religious persuasions, it's moving to witness this gathering.


Normally, the views to the north from the church are stunning but this afternoon, the snow was wet and the view foggy but non the less impressive.  Somewhere up there is Scotland.


Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,  and the children (even the twenty eight year-old!), built a snowman, and we all retired to the pub for a late lunch.

I hope that there is more snow next year...!


Happy Christmas everyone!!

Wednesday 23 December 2009

B & W


The snow is slowly melting here. Tragedy!

Still, make the most of it and grab a another shot or two.

B & W


The snow is slowly melting here. Tragedy!

Still, make the most of it and grab a another shot or two.

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Tuesday, and still breathing!

Had to go and rub noses with the Doctor yesterday.  Apparently I am still alive, so that's a bonus with Christmas coming up!

Looking west up the Tyne Valley from near where we live, I love the soft light in the distance beyond Hexham.


It's that damn tree again!

I have discovered the cause of the flare in these shots, there is a tiny chip on the inside of the objective lens.  Looks terminal.

Tuesday, and still breathing!

Had to go and rub noses with the Doctor yesterday.  Apparently I am still alive, so that's a bonus with Christmas coming up!

Looking west up the Tyne Valley from near where we live, I love the soft light in the distance beyond Hexham.


It's that damn tree again!

I have discovered the cause of the flare in these shots, there is a tiny chip on the inside of the objective lens.  Looks terminal.

Sunday 20 December 2009

We woke to frosty morning after further snow overnight, not too much but enough to make life a little awkward for all the jobs that had to be done first thing.  Two lots of horses to do, in opposite directions from each other!

Ten minutes fighting my way into the Landrover and I could drop the girls and their mother off at one yard and get myself to the other.

When the jobs were done I had the reward of a walk with the dogs and the chance to take some pictures.



Similar to yesterday's 'Keepers Cottage'.


I noticed the brown in the hedge bottom and decided to leave a bit of colour in the finished image.


The same scene as the top picture but a different shot and the landscape format, transforms the end result.  I couldn't decide which shot I preferred, so you have got both!
We woke to frosty morning after further snow overnight, not too much but enough to make life a little awkward for all the jobs that had to be done first thing.  Two lots of horses to do, in opposite directions from each other!

Ten minutes fighting my way into the Landrover and I could drop the girls and their mother off at one yard and get myself to the other.

When the jobs were done I had the reward of a walk with the dogs and the chance to take some pictures.



Similar to yesterday's 'Keepers Cottage'.


I noticed the brown in the hedge bottom and decided to leave a bit of colour in the finished image.


The same scene as the top picture but a different shot and the landscape format, transforms the end result.  I couldn't decide which shot I preferred, so you have got both!

Saturday 19 December 2009

The Keeper's Cottage

Keepers Cottage.




No matter how many pictures I take, I still manage to miss the obvious.  I took this shot and completely failed to notice the telephone wires and the birds!

Fortunately it still works.


All on it's lonesome......

The Keeper's Cottage

Keepers Cottage.




No matter how many pictures I take, I still manage to miss the obvious.  I took this shot and completely failed to notice the telephone wires and the birds!

Fortunately it still works.


All on it's lonesome......

Friday 18 December 2009

More Snow!

More snow overnight but we have still got off lightly.  Lots of minor road accidents over the last 24hrs, when will people learn that snow and ice ARE SLIPPERY!!  I know that we are lucky to have a Landrover but they don't really like ice any more than other cars.

Anyway, that's my moan for today.  Some pictures!

This barn roof took a few shots to find what I was looking for but I quite liked this one.

On the other side of the valley from  the yard these people were enjoying the snow with their dogs and toddlers.


I have used shots of these trees before but they looked so different in the snow that had started to fall again on the drive home.  The falling snow has made the picture really grainy, unfortunately when viewed large you can also see that my telephoto has developed a 'flare'!

I wonder if Santa has a few quid spare this year?