Escrick

Escrick is an unassuming village south of York. The path we walk with the dog is nothing special, but it leads to these beautiful woods. As well as that there are deer (which Layla loves to chase), foxes, egrets, kingfishers, kites and buzzards. Not bad. 

Maps

 

Rowan is a good gifter. Her presents often hit the spot. This Father's day was no different, with this map. She and I both love exploring London on foot, and some of the alleys on this one are new to me, so I look forward to investigating soon.

Summertime

It is hard to capture on film the beautiful serenity of the meadows around the Pocklington Canal, so this will have to do. Fill in your own skylark and curlew sound effects.
 

Owls

The light fell nicely on these stuffed owls hanging in the kitchen. When we got them Rowan was the small one on the right. Not so sure now.

Return of the Native

It was good to have Rowan with us for the weekend. Walking on a favoured route near Escrick.

Sleepover

While we were in London our neighbours looked after Layla. They really understand dogs, so it was great that they helped us out. As you can see Layla was very relaxed about it.

In the Smoke

We were in London, for the Charity Awards that Danielle used to judge. Nice to be away together.

Caught in the Net

Rediscovering a few more abstract shots. This is from Budapest, taken in a cafe in a semi-derelict arcade where netting kept the pigeons out.
 

Park Walker

I continue through the back catalogue. This shot is from a city centre park in Sydney. I never really thought much of it before: now I really like it.
 

Selfie

Taken on my bike ride, a sloping selfie.

Moving On

Nephew Liam has graduated from junior school and goes to high school next term.

New Tracks

I still manage to find tracks around the city that are new to me. This gem through woodland is on top of a moraine close to the new university campus. I can cycle with my broken foot but it gets tiring pretty quickly, so short rides it is for now.
 

Running mates

Layla and Rufus. Both these dogs have golden retriever genes, and it seems to help them play forever together. Most compatible.
 

Culture

In bookgroup last week we discussed Out Stealing Horses by Norwegian writer Per Petterson. It got almost universal approval which is very rare for us.

Then last night as part of our Film Club with Sue and Eddy we saw Louder Than Bombs directed by Joachim Trier a Norwegian director. It gave us a lot to think and talk about, so that was good too.

Sunday I saw Eric Gales down the road at the crescent. A really good blues rock guitarist from Memphis Tennessee. Good songs, and classy guitar with a great band too. Pretty amazing that he should be playing here in an ex-working mens club, but there you go.

Then Tuesday Patrick, Adrian and I saw Jeff Beck at the Barbican in York. He was brilliant, peerless. The only downside was when he inexplicably asked Johnny Depp on stage to play some numbers. Here was a fantastic young Jazz Rock band with some old bloke murdering classic songs (What's Going On?) It was excruciating, but didn't take away from a great gig from Jeff.

Jeff Beck and band before the intruder got on stage.

Forestry

Taken on the moors at the weekend. When a dense coniferous forest is felled in swathes it allows you to see how little of each tree has foliage. Quite a sight.

New York News

Rowan sent this photo of her with some George School friends taken at the weekend in New York. Not a bad bunch.

 

Street Party

 

We had a street party today, it had all the ingredients of a British occasion, including rain and much good humour. Good to live in a street of such pleasant folk.

Walking

Went a walk on Rievaulx Moor. It was the longest I had been since foot-gate, and it felt like it. Great to out again though.

Meantime Rowan is in New York City again, this time for work, a couple of conferences with a weekend off in the middle. Sounds like it is all good.
 

Catalogue News

The photography cataloguing project continues, throwing up some surprises that i had forgotten about. I like this silhouette shot.

Tree Surgery

One last shot from the great Tree removal day, taken by neighbour Ken. Hanging from a crane with a chainsaw on your hip - they earned their money.