This family are doing the sensible thing, as was I this morning. Our overall physical and mental health is vital and needs care. No social distancing guidelines have been violated in the creation of this photograph. And yes, it’d probably be nicer if the shrub wasn’t there, but you can’t have everything.
Somewhat shamefully this is the earliest picture in a given day since late November. But it’s only now that the light is starting to return to the sky at a civilised hour in the morning. I said there would be some Oxfordshire countryside today, so here it is — the grounds of Heythrop Park, once the home of the Earl of Shrewsbury, then a Jesuit college, now a hotel of the sort where conferences are held, like the one I am attending.
Things have been happening in the outside world of course, but on a purely personal level it’s been an uneventful period: 12 of the last 16 pictures taken in Hebden Bridge. Went on a walk today mainly to give myself something to photograph; the buttercups helped it work out. I’m off on my travels again tomorrow however.
And so, the journey home — deliberately done away from motorways, and rest stops, and all that crap. It took a couple of hours longer than it did on Thursday, but it was infinitely more relaxing, and hey, here is the English countryside, in all its rape-flower-coloured spring plumage. Taken just outside the village of Heckington, somewhere in the wilds of Lincolnshire.
And as I said I would do 11 different places in 11 days, here they were: Manchester, Wolverhampton, Lancaster, Morecambe, the Solway Firth, Haworth, Hebden Bridge, Markham Moor, Cambridge, King’s Lynn, Heckington. These things keep me happy.
Another beautiful day — as have been many over the last four months, it cannot be denied. A very sharp frost, which lasted all day, across the entire country (I saw enough of it today — I know this); but once more, cloudless blue skies. I spent it entirely either on a train or working at home, so did not manage to capture it that adequately, but here’s my best effort from early this morning, as the train out of Cambridge whisked me through some rural county or other.
Far too lovely a morning to stay in. Fortunately we have these great pieces of countryside short walks from my house. Sping has not yet fully sprung, but it’s getting there.
Passed on a walk through the countryside, on a muggy day. I dislike this kind of agricultural mess (why should someone feel free to litter the place just because they farm it?) while at the same time liking it as a subject for a picture.
I think number 5 did it. She’s trying to look inconspicuous, but I’m telling you, she’s the one.
A night out last night, stayed over in a motel (because you shouldn’t drink and drive — so given the choice I don’t drive). This was the scene outside our room this morning.
Paid a visit to my family today who live over the other side of the Pennines. I am lucky that all my family members basically live in quite good-looking parts of the planet.
Being 42 