Findhorn 2

We arrived in the afternoon, learnt the rules, walked into the village pub for fish and chips and had a bit of an explore. It really was an amazing place, and those woods across the bay looked very enticing.

Findhorn 1

Last week we took the train up to Aberdeen which is always a treat. A beautiful day with a millpond flat North Sea all the way up. From Aberdeen (above) we took the train to Forres and were picked up and whisked to the Findhorn Foundation. This is an intentional community, eco-village, ex-hippie type place with a population of 700 or so. Danielle was part of an international seminar on systemic risk and the financial system. There were people from USA, Australia, France etc.

Crab Apples

The Crab Apples are ready to be made into Jelly. Only trouble is we are not ready for them just yet.

Rothwell Pit

The old pit at Rothwell has been transformed into a country park. Still a pretty bleak landscape to be honest. Professional dog walkers hold sway.

Friends

Saw friends Katie and David last week. They were staying in Rosedale in the North York Moors. We went to the local show where there was jam being judge, hound trails across the moors and sheep being weighed up (by Milo).

Off Road

I cycled on an off-road route up the Ouse and Swale valley. This is the church at Aldwark, a Victorian creation from 1851, which I like.

Train News

We are getting excited here in York about the new Azuma trains on the East Coast Main Line which have just come into service (Danielle has been on one). Meantime Trans Pennine Express (a somewhat ironic title for the franchise company) are about to launch their new trains too. Good times.

On Location

When someone buys one of my photographs I sometimes ask them to send me a picture of it in-situ. It is always interesting to see where they have been hung; this shot of Rainforest Reflection in someone's kitchen is particularly pleasing to me.

Flowers and Ale

Two Cardoon flowers from the garden, and two flagons of ale.

Flam

Rode to the coast at Flambrough Head with Robert last week. The wind on our backs, and Helen there to pick us up; perfect.

More Thorne

I walked on Thorne Moor for four hours, saw one other human (well, a botanist). It was looking great, and very different to spring time; the cotton grass is outshone by the heather, and everything has grown. It is hard to believe that come winter, it will all die back once more. I heard the Cranes calling, but did not see them this time. A Peregrine Falcon was the star performer.

First Tomato Day

North Lane Pastures, part of Hob Moor. Looking pretty good this summer.

I have instituted a new day, First Tomato Day, when I pick the first ripe tomato from the greenhouse. This year it was August 5th.

Left Home

Friends Robert and Helen gave me and 254 bags of Rowan's possessions down to Old Street at the weekend. Rowan had just got to her new flat hotfoot off the plane from JFK. The area is fantastic: a guitar shop, trendy bike cafe, sports centre, council Turkish Baths, everything all in walking distance (including Rowan's work which is 15 minutes walk away).
We went to Look Mum No Hands for lunch with Orla, Rowans flatmate who is another Yorkshire lass. Rowan and I then had a good walk around, and I got the train back.
Definitely a step up form the basement flat on St Pauls Road that I shared with Mark.

Milestones

I have always liked milestones and signposts (even before becoming a management consultant). This one is across Hob Moor from us, and nicely kept too.

Light

I walked through the churchyard at Bolton Percy last week, there was a strange light that highlighted the unusually non-native plants to produce this strange scene.

Church Rides

Robert and I did a church ride last week and visited Brandsby which has an impressive Georgian Church. As is often the way there were a couple of local people there who were happy to tell us all about it. This lovely font had just been repositioned.

Home Made

Blackcurrant Jam and Cordial - it has been a bumper crop this year.

CC2

More from Coldstone Cut: you walk up to the viewing platforms by way of two spiralling walkways through the rock blocks. It is very disorientating and impressive.

Coldstone Cut

Someone at meeting told me about Coldstone Cut, a frankly indescribable public art sculpture by Andrew Sabin near Pateley Bridge http://thecoldstonescut.org/
We went to see it at the weekend and liked it a lot. It overlooks a huge active limestone quarry which has interest of its own.
Hard to photograph well (I always consider photographing someone else's art a rather cheating process anyway), here is the family party inside the sculpture.

Pocklington Canal

The Pocklington Canal in high summer is a magical place. Peaceful but busy with buzzing life.

Forest Green

I walked up in Wykeham Forest in the North York Moors last week. A mystical feel to the forest, until the sun returned to move the moist mist away.

Street Life

My Nephew Tom and family live in Norwich. Edward is a graffiti artist; a good one I think.