Cleveland 4

We both wanted to get out walking today. So we took the subway out to the University, then walked to the Museum of Modern Art which was OK. It had no cafe, which would be unheard of in the UK. The cafe and the shop are often the best parts of many a museum. Next we walked down a long valley to Lake Erie, there were community gardens from 29 countries all the way down. These included a seemingly random selection including Ethiopia, Albania and Estonia. Once on the shore we walked round the Gordon Park nature reserve then got a bus back to the city centre.

Here is a photo from the Hall of Fame of Jimi Hendrix and his cousin on bikes. Hendrix and bikes, two of the great things in life.

Cleveland 3

Monday was the day we got to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is in Cleveland because it was here that DJ Alan Freed first referred to the emerging music as rock and roll on his radio show. We entered the museum with some trepidation but we need not have worried. From the start it covers the blues, gospel, jazz and country roots of the music with due depth and reverence. The whole thing was great. Friend Derwood makes an appearance on a gig flyer in a section on London punk rock, and there is footage of a 1978 Rock Against Racism Clash gig in Victoria Park which I was at (together with 100,000 other people). We liked it so much that we stayed most of the day. Even the food was pretty good. In the evening we got the free bus (yes free) to an Indian cafe that was goodish.
I am pleased with this shot of downtown Cleveland; that is Danielle in the reflection.

Cleveland 2

Sunday we walked around the city, fascinating it was too. A definite post industrial feel, with downtown being spruced up quite a bit. This shot is of the Cuyahoga River which is crossed by a myriad of bridges - a bit like the Tyne at Newcastle. In the evening we went to see the world premiere of the new Chelsea Marcantel play Tiny Houses at the Cleveland Playhouse. It was great, really well paced play (not boring) and funny. We ate in a Lebanese restaurant just round the corner which was good too.

Cleveland 1

Danielle had another conference to go to for work. This time in Cleveland Ohio; not the most glamorous of locations but we find interest in everywhere so were glad of the opportunity. Flew via Toronto (the first time I have been on Canadian soil) and arrived late Saturday evening. It meant we missed the anti-Brexit march but plenty of friends were there (even Mark for his first ever demo aged 62).

This is our hotel which is pretty good; not as Stalinist as it looks.

A Change in the Light

Another shot from the same wood. On what had been a dank dark day the sun came out for a few minutes and transformed the place. The white stone path was illuminated, the fir red bark of the fir trees stood out; amazing change. Then it was back to clouds.

Another pool

I discovered a new wood last week, near Knaresborough. This pool was a highlight.

Infinity Pool

There is a taster exhibition for York Open Studios in York for a weekend. This is the photograph that I am showing in it. Never been exhibited before, but has got good feedback online. Now called Infinity Pool, it was taken in a New South Wales rainforest last year.

Rowan news

Rowan's term has finished, so she is in London with a friend from her school days in the US. They stayed in an AirB&B and had a look around. Here she is with new short haircut.

Preparation

Busy getting ready for Open Studios. I am not showing this shot of Brayton Barff [a bit too normal] but it will be going in the Elmet book due out next year.
A beautiful spring day today here in York.

Sheep

Sheep blocking the road was a pretty common occurrence living in the Lakes, less so nowadays in Yorkshire. So it was a flashback to come across this flock blocking not a road but a cycle path. The farmer apologised, I replied that any rest was welcome. The two sheepdogs doing the herding were a joy to behold; beautiful animals on a mission, nothing was going to distract them.

Selection 5

I only took this last month, but I do like it. I have a fascination with water, and in particular reflections and separation of water from itself. This is at the Barbican and it ticks all the boxes. I will be surprised if it is a seller but I still like to show it.

Teeth

I was diligently flossing my teeth, even though it was late and I was tired. My reward? A filling about the size of Wales comes flying out of my mouth and disappears straight down the plughole, leaving me with a cavity like a small quarry on the upper east side of my mouth. On the upside, it didn't hurt.

I got an emergency dentist appointment for the next day, and she was cracking on with the anaesthetic almost before I got through the door. Just at the peak of the drilling-experience Hurt by Johnny Cash came on the radio loud and clear:

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

Ok, he wasn't singing about going to the dentist but the lyrics spoke to me. It actually took my mind off the discomfort, I nearly started laughing, which would have been unfortunate as I had a drill and a vacuum cleaner in my mouth at the time.

Feels good now though.

Selection 4

This is a new shot, taken at North Cliffe Wood on the flatlands between the Wolds and the Humber. It will be interesting for me to see how this is received by people at Open Studios. I really love it, but I have no idea if anyone else will. Time will tell.

Selection 3

I was standing at the Sydney Opera House looked across at the Harbour Bridge and saw this group of tourists on the daily walk across the top of the bridge.

Selection 2

Another from Singapore. This is people gathered around a wishing well. Despite all the rampant materialism of the location people still kind-of believe in the power of throwing a coin and wishing.

Open Studios - Selection Time

I am choosing what new photographs to show at York Open Studios this year. A lot of the work on show will not be new; the series on The Wolds, on Elmet and on Ambiguity will feature some old work as well as new. But there will be some totally new. So, over the next few days some that are in the mix for selection are going to be here.
First up is this shot from Singapore. It is taken in one of the most affluent malls in the city, where all is polished, new and there is a sense of decadent indolence amongst people strolling there. But not for the cleaner who is in this shot, dragging a heavily laden cart along the walkway above the throng. Hard work.

Ancoats

Danielle had a meeting in Ancoats in Manchester and found this lovely old canal bridge there. Photographers all over the family now ...
Sunday we had two ladies from Quaker meeting over for lunch after meeting, and our neighbour Gwen came around too. I did a borscht to start, then Danielle did a courgette pie and salad. Then sugar free apple crumble (I have given up sugar for lent). All was good.

The Mount

I am still running a photography group at The Mount School, coming out from my session last week the weather and the light gave me this shot.

Fencing

A bit obviously symbolic, but I loved this image. Taken at Sprotbrough near Doncaster. If you look to the left of the fence you can see that there was no need to breach it like this.

Rainbow

Taking photos of rainbows is as attractive to me as taking sunsets. But when I saw this rainbow over Hob Moor this week, I made an exception.

Tunnel to where?

I love the tunnels and paths that surround old railways. I have no idea where this lead to, and although I am fairly fearless I decided not to explore in this case: there was no light at the end of this particular tunnel.

Barnburgh

Until I show this photo at Open Studios next month I'll not know whether it is just me that likes it or not; but I really like it. It is taken on Barnburgh Cliff which runs on a limestone ridge between Doncaster and Barnsley. I love the contrast between the modern wind turbines and the old ridgeway track and the hedgerow on the right. Could be it is just me.

Man & Dog part 2

Many miles we have driven together to go a-walking.
Thanks to Rowan for the shot

One Man & His Dog

Rowan took this shot in the Wolds last week. Man, dog, empty landscape.

Back in the Wolds

Rowan is back with us for the weekend, lovely to have her. Today she and I walked in the Wolds which was, as always, an uplifting experience.

Here is the regulation selfie

Coffee and the Lottery

Danielle has been appointed onto the board of the National Lottery Community Fund, here is the link  https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-27/the-national-lottery-community-fund-welcomes-new-board-members She is really well respected / thought of in her field.

Meantime this is how they drink coffee in Lem these days; reminds me of my old Kona Coffee machine from the flat in Cannonbury.