Stroll 51c

 

Heading towards the Tees, I am not sure what the scrap in the foreground is, but the white towers behind are part of the flourishing wind turbine manufacturing in the area.

Stroll 51b

 

Next I walked through Seaton Carew, where the obligatory information board told of how it had developed as a 19th century seaside resort for wealthy Quakers. Not so much now. A lot of effort has gone into making it an attractive place to spend time. These beach huts were all in use, and looking all the better for it.

Stroll 51 Hartlepool to Middlesborough

 

Walking from Hartlepool to Middlesborough is probably to visit the most industrialised bit of the whole coastline. From the now derelict (pits, iron works etc) to the more recent (chemicals, chemicals) to the just about hanging on (shipping, nuclear power station) to the future (wind turbine manufacture) there is a lot of stuff being made and going on.

First off I followed the coast south where coal dust still appears on the beaches, with offshore turbines adding drama.

Cliffords Tower

I nipped into York on the bike to get a few things yesterday. Walking past Cliffords Tower, in full daffodil bloom I just had to stop, look, photograph and admire. It is a good place to live.

 

York Open Studios 2026

                                                         YORK OPEN STUDIOS APRIL 2026

Friday April 17th 18.00 to 21.00

Saturday April 18th 10.00 - 17.00

Sunday April 19th 10.00 - 17.00

Saturday April 25th 10.00 - 17.00

Sunday April 26th 10.00 - 17.00

I am exhibiting at York Open Studios (yorkopenstudios.co.uk) in April 2026 

in my studio at 60 Hob Moor Drive York, YO24 4JZ. 

Please join me to see my new work, my best work and details of my third photo essay. Cards and books for sale. A Prize Competition. A Sale rack.

I am pleased this year to welcome Shona Leslie, who will be showing her unique, handmade, nature inspired silver jewellery with me in my studio. See her work at www.mckinleyandmoth.com 

You are invited to the preview evening (Friday April 17th) from 6pm to 9pm where there will be wine and nibbles and a first chance to see our show.

I shall be putting new photos on my website (www.palmour.eu) Facebook (simon.palmour), Blue Sky (@palmour.bsky.social) and Instagram (lenoirlenoir) through March to give you a taster of the show.

Plan a Visit - Spread the Word

A rare visitor. Mr Sun

Saturday was the first beautiful day for a long long time. We made the most of it and took Alfie (friend Emilie's dog who we are fostering for a few days) and Layla (who you can see in the far distance) to Escrick for a good walk. 

In the evening we watched Laura, a 1944 film noir directed by Otto Preminger, which I had not seen for nine years or so. Never my favourite I had it down as 3 stars, which I would confirm after this latest viewing. Danielle had heard about it on Radio 3 so we decided to watch it. I generally have splurges of interest in film noir every few years, and then enjoy them all over again.
 

Stroll 50 g

The train back was packed: standing room only. Except that is for the exhausted dog. No way was she standing up. Very understanding humans.

Stroll 50 f

And this tunnel under a road bridge, adjacent to a flight of locks at Marple is another example. 

I found out on Marple station that Agatha Christie (whose sister had moved to the area) named Miss Marple after the town. 

 

Stroll 50 d

Started the walk at Macclesfield in Cheshire, where I was glad to get this shot. The lights in the foreground were just there, seemingly projected from above. No idea why of how, but I liked them. To keep the lights in I could not have it in black and white which I otherwise would have chosen.

 

Stroll 50 e

Walking along canals built in the 18th Century at times feels like being on a linear sculpture park. This snake bridge, designed to allow towing-horses to cross the canal without unhitching their tow rope, is a beautiful example. 
 

Stroll 50 c

Next up in our space, was Fes Batista, who was a very interesting and friendly professional boxer and anti-bullying activist on his way to Manchester. A pleasure to have his company.

 

Stroll 50 b

Layla welcomes others to our space, here she is being spoiled by a typically besotted fellow traveller, on her way to Huddersfield.

 

Stroll 50 a

The 50th day of my Stroll was this week. I took the Trans Pennine Express train across to Manchester. Layla loves the train, and as we set off she has a special smile for the occasion. There is a secret section, known only to those who value the space, beyond the First Class part of the train.

 

Guest

Bit of a delay between posts. Busy time. Rowan came up for the weekend, always a pleasure. We all took the dog to Escrick where we can let her run free. Much running, chasing deer, rolling around: pure joy.

I believe Rowan was quite pleased to see Layla as well as us.

Another New Shot

And here is another shot that I am thinking of showing this year at York Open Studios. Not so sure about it.

 

New Shots

More cold mist meant I got another trip to Thorne Moors in, ahead of the spring curfew for dogs that begins on March 1st.

No sunshine, but the light was good. This shot I think I may show at York Open Studios. I shall get it, and others printed as small prints, then look at them all together and decide on which to go with. It is an exciting time of the year for me.

 

Surveying her Kingdom

Taken last week at the new forest, on a damp and misty day here in York.

After the Flood

A lot of rain these last few weeks; here is the resulting flood of the river Ouse as it runs through York. That is the medieval Hosptium building on the other side of the resultant lake.