Wednesday 28th August 2024, 5.25pm (day 4,752)
As good a reflection of an afternoon in the Railway as any other shot I can think of. Happy Wednesdays. I should have been somewhere else, but that’s a different story.
The world in Steve’s eyes
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Tag Archives: gallery
Retro but necessary
Tuesday 27th August 2024, 6.05pm (day 4,751)
This unashamedly retro object was one of my birthday presents. Why is such an anachronistic piece of kit being described as ‘necessary’? Because I still happen to have plenty of very good quality information stored in this particular medium; a good stock of compilation tapes, like any good 80s/90s boy. And the last cassette player I had access to disappeared with the recent scrapping of the Skoda Fabia I could hire from the local car club. But I still want to listen to My Stuff. And now, once again — at home, for the first time in years — I can.
Cornfield, Emley Moor
Monday 26th August 2024, 1.05pm (day 4,750)
I know this is grainy. But it’s been a long time since I made a point of seeing that kind of thing as a marker of quality. This shot will do as well as any other to epitomise my day, or at least, the part of it I spent hiking up near the Emley Moor TV mast, which is as good a Yorkshire landmark as anything. I seem to still be continuing the blog so on we go with its 14th year, and happy birthday to me too: you can do the sums.
Cake, one day early (or, 13 full years)
Sunday 25th August 2024, 1.40pm (day 4,749)
Today brings up 13 full years of my doing this blog (13 x 365 = 4,745, then add four February 29ths). As Clare (whose hands make a dynamic appearance to top right) is working on the day itself, tomorrow, we did my local birthday celebrations 24 hours early. Only one candle, but I’m sure most of us are well past the point in life where any more than this is either ostentatious or just depressing. Anyway… more age-related introspection tomorrow, no doubt.
Mining memorial (slightly creepy)
Saturday 24th August 2024, 1.00pm (day 4,748)
The town of Doncaster has never seemed all that exciting a place to me, but it does have some decent public art: see this mural, for instance, which I pictured on a previous visit and nearly did again, today. Then there is this memorial, which is obviously for some aspect of the coal mining industry (the main statue is clearly a miner, and there are names of collieries on plaques around the base), is impressive, but, I think, also slightly creepy — there’s a ‘buried alive’ thing going on. Although maybe that’s exactly the point.
Outside the bus station
Friday 23rd August 2024, 4.40pm (day 4,747)
With a storm bringing down a number of trees across the north of England, I was obliged to sit on buses for some time today, instead of getting the train. But never mind. This is one of those shots that I like just because of the way the light has fallen, particularly on her face. The little signs dotted around the place — well, those are just the visual litter of the modern world.
Fresh food for sale…
Thursday 22nd August 2024, 11.45am (day 4,746)
The Thursday market is the place to come in Hebden Bridge for fish, vegetables, food of all kinds, and I certainly indulged today. Was it warm? No — autumn is in the post, I feel, but that’s why we stock up with food at this time of year.
The Pixies
Wednesday 21st August 2024, 9.10pm (day 4,745)
My 2023 Christmas present off Clare — the ticket for this gig — finally pays off. I guess you either know this band or you don’t: most likely it will be the track “Where Is My Mind” that rings bells, particularly if you’ve seen Fight Club. Having thought they were firmly on the “disbanded band” list, it turns out they reformed in 2004 and have been happily touring and releasing albums for the last 20 years without my noticing, but hey. Nice to finally make their live acquaintance. Here, the bassist seems to be consciously avoiding the limelight.
Making an effort
Tuesday 20th August 2024, 8.40am (day 4,744)
The title of this post can have multiple meanings today — for me, and, presumably, for him. Being on campus at all in August requires some kind of effort, but particularly at 8.40am: this is actually the earliest Manchester shot I have published in well over a year. But we were both there, and my day went well enough: I hope his did too.
The TV people are back
Monday 19th August 2024, 11.00am (day 4,743)
Following the success of Happy Valley and its evident impact on Hebden Bridge’s tourist trade/appeal to stag and hen parties the BBC have been persudaded to return, having taken over chunks of the town centre and at least two of its pubs over August. Although apparently, this time, HB might be pretending to be Todmorden. Whatever…
Being 42 