Way out West

Last week we drove over to see Ro and Pete in Kendal. Had a great time walking around Kendal and enjoying a meal together. On the way over we stopped off at Kirkby Lonsdale and walked through the town and along the river Lune. It is a really nice place. Shame they shut the railway to it in 1954.

The river Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale

Bee News

We feared that we had lost all our hives of bees during the winter, and had assumed no honey this year. When Danielle investigated there was a little honey to extract but no bees around. However a mini proto-hive seems to be congregating on bits of the old bee-hives, so we maybe will get a new colony emerging from the ether. Here's hoping.

... has a Silver Lining

Another pair of before and after photos of the removal of the ash tree. The skill of the blokes doing the work was amazing.

 

Every Cloud ...

Subsidence problems meant we had to have an ash tree felled by the insurers. A shame to see it go but it did give us an amazing new view across the moor.

 

Canal Traffic

The Pocklington Canal is not navigable for its whole length, so it is a real surprise to come across any boats. This lot were having a good and noisy time.

Pocklington Canal

We walked down the beautiful Pocklington Canal. Full spring in effect, meadows full of flowers, curlews calling, marsh harriers cruising. Danielle and Layla on a bridge over the canal.

No holiday

We were to have been on holiday for these two weeks, but foot-gate led to us cancelling stays in the Lakes and Galloway. Instead we have been exploring the area together and sorting the garden out. Enjoyable. The dog seems pretty happy too.

We had friends over for our Quaker whisky group (no comment necessary) then Helen and Robert came round yesterday; so it has been a good break.

Bog Garden

We have changed the small pond at the back of the garden to a small bog garden. This is much more practical for us, and looks pretty good so far. The newts from the pond have been moved to the pond in the front.

The House

Here is the spare room, with our portraits on the wall, and the evening sun streaming in.

High School Reunion

A photo from Rowans 6 year reunion high school weekend in Pennsylvania. She had a great time catching up with her school friends.

Photo Group 2

Another of the photos mentioned yesterday. They are all taken on phones, cameras are unknown to the young folk of today. Not a problem.
 

Plants

At the photography group I run at the school, I am consistently amazed at how great the girls are. This week was looking at photographing plants; I sent them out to the grounds to find some good shots, and one girl came back with this. Fantastic!

Archives

Someone sitting on a bench on Hob Moor. Storm either just been, or on the way. I think it was the latter.
 

Family visit

Rowan met up with her Great Great Aunt Maxine in the States last week when she went to her school reunion. Well into her 90s she is doing fine, still living at home and (unbelievably) driving her daughter to work!
 

Ghost Walker

Taken on the South Bank in London. I like the angles, the layers and the opaque glass turning a tourist into a ghost.
 

Steps

The band were back playing last week, it is always so good to play together. Nothing quite like collective music making.

Another shot from the archive. This is in Edinburgh in the gardens beneath Princes Street. 

2013

The great cataloging project continues. This shot is from 2013, and shows Rowan walking the mean streets of Berwick upon Tweed. Water and cobbles is often an irresistible combination.

 

University Dinner

Thursday evening Danielle was invited to a University Dinner at the Merchant's Adventurers Hall in York. I was the plus one. It was the usual chance to meet some really interesting people and get wined and dined. 

This photograph popped us during my archiving, and I had forgotten it. So here it is again. Taken on the descent of Buttertubs Pass into Swaledale; it was used as part of the route when the Tour de France came to Yorkshire 8 long years ago.

Foot Update

Cataloging my photos has thrown up a few from the past that had slipped my mind. This is Hemingbrough Minster near Howden. 

I saw the consultant about my foot again today, and the situation is as follows. The broken bones are healing ok, the ligaments are going to take longer. I can walk without the boot now (but must wear walking boots etc when I am out) and I can even try cycling a bit. I see him again in another 6 weeks. So I have to be careful and hope it all heals ok.

Raised Bed pt5

So the bed is finished, the new edging of the soft fruit section is visible to the left. Next phase is to put all the compost, horse muck etc at my disposal into the bed, then eventually get planting. Then it will look less like a Tate Modern exhibit.

A Gift

I had a long chat with someone from Hong Kong at Open Studios, about the use of light and water in photography. He bought one of my books, then presented me with this sketch he had done of the sky and water reflecting. This scan does it no favours, but the actual pencil drawing is a thing of delicate beauty. I was touched and grateful for the gift.

Raised Beds pt 4

Another day and the beds are pretty much finished. Over to us to get compost etc into the soil and raise the level before planting. Very pleased with how it is going so far. 

May Morning arrived exactly as I remember it. Cold and wet. Getting up early in Oxford to listen to the choristers on Magdalen Tower then wonder round with everyone for a couple of hours was fun but always cold.