On went the weekend. The only bad thing about weekends at the moment is that they only last two days. The weather wasn’t great, though it was hardly a natural disaster, despite the hysteria which now accompanies any period of low pressure that the Met Office decide is worthy of a name. I can still go walking in the woods, right guys? Is that OK?
He’s not doing much, just posing. But I got the focus right, which is by no means always the case, and so I hope he’s happy with the portrait, not that he’ll ever see it. (Unless these birds have an internet life about which we are ignorant.)
This shot captures the drizzle but it doesn’t capture quite how dim and dismal it was at 10.25 this morning in Manchester. A thoroughly depressing day, and the clocks haven’t even gone back yet. Was work itself any better? Mmm, well, bits of it, I suppose. Mainly the bits done online, when I was somewhere else, at least in spirit.
Back hone. And here was the weather: a dozen of these seemed to sweep through the valley today. What the hell, I had to go back to work.
Seems like an adequate combination of two of my more favoured recreational pursuits. In the background, Tromsdalstinden, the summit of which stands at 4,055 feet (1,236m) above sea level and which I hauled myself up on 30/9/2017 — in weather that was a damn sight warmer than today’s ‘Midsummer’s Day’ incidentally, as the snow evidences. As seen from the ground of IF Fløya, the green-clad players of whom are defending here, but they needn’t have worried: they were already 2-0 up at this point just after half-time and went on to win 4-0.
Incidentally, I make this the 100th Norway shot to feature on this blog.
Off trundles the 17:10 to Wigan Wallgate — more-or-less on time today (in fact the trains have behaved remarkably well so far this year, at least by Northern’s standards). It’s a bit of a shame about the platform appearing in the corner but, believe me, this one was cropped as carefully as it could be without losing essential elements.
After dull weather for what seems like the whole year, at least in Yorkshire, the forecast relented and a Saturday walk in the sunshine duly transpired. I am pleased with this shot; the positioning seems just right and she does make quite a nice shape. The walk was quite good too (but more details are still to be posted on the County Tops blog — bear with me).
A first-ever visit to Kew, and yes, it counted as work — as the nation’s premier botanical gardens this was a crucial node in the networks of information, learning and capital which formed the basis of the British Empire from the 18th century on, and to which St Helena and Ascension Island were intimately linked. Ahead, one of the entrances to the Temperate House, which at one point was the largest glasshouse in the world, and is still the largest surviving Victorian one.
The ‘treetop’ houses on Heptonstall Road have featured before, I am sure, but forgive me if I don’t dig out the hyperlink right now. But once again, you were getting something that could be seen from my place. At least, after today, my marking duties are over for a while.
God, look at the time. If this looks like it is taken over some misty marshland somewhere, it’s an illusion — instead it was captured from the 3rd floor of the Ellen Wilkinson Building, as I made my leisurely way to my 4pm class, which doesn’t even manage to start before sunset at this time of year. And still ten days to go until the solstice.
