Thursday 17th September 2026, 4.25pm (day 5,502)
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.
The rain sweeps through
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Tag Archives: trees
Football and big mountain combo
Sunday 21st June 2026, 4.05pm (day 5,414)
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.
Heading up-valley
Monday 20th April 2026, 5.10pm (day 5,352)
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.
Out on a walk
Saturday 14th February 2026, 10.50am (day 5,287)
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).
Approaching the Temperate House, Kew
Tuesday 27th January 2026, 12 noon (day 5,269)
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 treetops
Friday 16th January 2026, 9.40am (day 5,258)
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.
Sunset, way too early
Thursday 11th December 2025, 3.40pm (day 5,222)
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.
On the roof
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 10.45am (day 5,193)
This is not a time of the year when much seems to happen. Four years ago I was on St Helena in November but even then, 12/11/2021 was being spent in quarantine (and battling ants). There have been a couple of late November trips. But right now I’m just happy not to have been in Manchester today. Meanwhile, shot n+1 of ‘bloke(s) working on a roof’. With autumn leaves.
Fishing in the canal
Monday 18th August 2025, 3.25pm (day 5,107)
Not the Rochdale canal, as is usually depicted on here — today it is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which follows its previous appearance (22/3/2015) with a shot that may be equally pleasing to traditionalists. In the depths of August, a small boy (well, OK, about 12-13) casts his line for sport. Get it while it lasts, kid, in a couple of weeks you’ll be back at school. Then again, so will I. (Actually the HNC has been on three times now: the other was 21/9/19.)
Avenue, Savile Park
Thursday 7th August 2025, 8.30am (day 5,096)
Back to work, so technically this was the first day of my 25-26 academic year. It will be a year of transition, if things pan out: but all that is to come. See this as a possibly symbolic shot, perhaps. Taken in Savile Park, Halifax, after I’d taken the car back to the hire depot. Not symmetrical, but that’s too much to ask.
