Wednesday 9th November 2016, 8.05am (day 1,903)
The first snow comes to Hebden Bridge only 194 days, or 6 months and 10 days, after the last snow (29th April).
Winter is coming… In more ways than one, I fear.
The first snow
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Category Archives: Urban scene
Weeping willow
Tuesday 8th November 2016, 10.45pm (day 1,902)
This weeping willow stands at one end of the 16th century bridge over the Hebden Water after which my home town is named (viz, Hebden Bridge). It has featured in the background or periphery of several photos before, but today I make it the prime subject, thanks to the late night street lighting and the sleet which was barrelling out of a damp grey sky on the way home (see tomorrow’s picture…).
To prove I occasionally still — but only occasionally — have nights out, this is the latest shot in any given night out since my 3am aberration on 9th Jan 2016, and the latest shot in a calendar day since, embarrassingly perhaps, 15th November 2014.
Old Gate at night
Sunday 6th November 2016, 6.10pm (day 1,900)
Of course, it’s around this time of year that it becomes not only easier, but more obligatory, to take photos in the hours of darkness — because there’s just that much more darkness around. On top of that today was a day spent mostly working at home (yes, I know it’s Sunday, but I’m busy)… so not much opportunity for anything exciting. I like this shot because it’s sharp, not always easy without using a flash, and the general gold-and-black colour scheme.
Crossing Oxford Road
Wednesday 2nd November 2016, 9.25am (day 1,896)
Sometimes things can improve. When I first started work at the University of Manchester in 2005 the campus was split in half by this traffic-choked urban throughway, one of the main A-roads of the whole country. It was really rather dismal. Slowly, by incremental steps, it has markedly improved, with most traffic now directed around the sides of the campus. The latest round of roadworks have now mostly gone and it is so much better than it was 11 years ago.
And another thing — there have been many reasons to be unhappy with 2016 in a global sense — but the UK’s autumn weather has not been one of them. Since mid-August it has mostly been tremendous. Same again today, for sure, a glorious autumn day.
The Soil, Brick & Rubble skip
Tuesday 1st November 2016, 2.50pm (day 1,895)
After the collapse, the clean-up continues…. I pick this shot also because I like the subtle burst of light. It was another beautiful day today, much like last year’s 1st November: but after that, came the Great Wet of late 2015. Can’t see it happening this year however; but maybe after yesterday that’s just wishful thinking.
Rainy evening, Trafalgar Point
Saturday 29th October 2016, 5.50pm (day 1,892)
Trafalgar Point sticks out into Morecambe Bay, as that is where I reside this weekend for the final hurrah of the wife’s 40th birthday celebrations — this time round, with her family. The good weather has definitely receded, at least for now, and this shot could have been discarded because of the rain on the lens but in the end I decided it was all atmosphere. With tonight being the last day of British Summer Time, this will be the last evening it is remotely light at this hour until March.
Balcony, Hotel Pelirocco
Saturday 22nd October 2016, 11.45am (day 1,885)
On a gloriously sunny Saturday, there are many worse places to be than by the seaside in Brighton, believe me.
Circle Square rises
Tuesday 18th October 2016, 9.40am (day 1,881)
Point one’s camera in almost any direction in Manchester these days and one will hit a building site. This particular one — to be known, once complete, as ‘Circle Square’ (you have to cringe just a little bit) — is on the site of the old BBC building. Creative destruction….? Something to record, at least.
Another beautiful morning
Monday 17th October 2016, 8.40am (day 1,880)
It really has been a fine run of weather over the last two months and still shows no real signs of becoming unpleasant. My train to Manchester this morning was 15 minutes late and I cared not at all, just 15 minutes longer to hang out in the sunshine and take pictures.
Nutclough castle
Friday 14th October 2016, 4.50pm (day 1,877)
This shot is taken not twenty yards from my house, but I think it sustains a suitably Eastern European feeling. Particularly with the bats — or whatever — circling ominously above.
