Sunday 24 February 2013

Bank Hall, Bretherton, Snowdrop Sunday

Josie and I braved the cold again today to visit Bank Hall, Bretherton, near Preston.
Every year they have four 'Snowdrop Sundays' when the grounds are opened to the public to view the glorious snowdrop displays in the gardens.

You can read about Bank Hall here;

Bank Hall, Bretherton

They have a facebook page here;

http://www.facebook.com/bankhall?ref=ts&fref=ts

I used my Canon 60D with Canon 50mm and Tamron 10-24mm lenses for the images.


Snowdrops and Hall

Clocktower Repairs

Chimneys and Empty Windows
Snowdrops closeup
Giant Redwood Trees

Derelict Hall



Snowdrops and Fungi
Snowdrop Bokeh
History Talk

Early Daffodils
Josie resting among the Snowdrops
Cedar of Lebanon



Front entrance with Coat-of-Arms


Carpet of Snowdrops



Snowdrop bunch

Tree stump fungus


Wednesday 20 February 2013

Southport Pier

We made the most of another gloriously Spring-like day to visit the seaside, and the Victorian splendour that is Southport Pier. The sky was blue and the sea was over near Ireland!
My Flickr 52 project this week is 'low-angle POV' which is why so many of these images are down on the deck or under the Pier!!
All the images  were taken with my Canon 60D and a Tamron 10-24mm wide-angle lens.

Chatting On The Pier

Admiring The Empty View

Back Seat Boys

Distant Figures
Pier Shadow

Under The Boardwalk
Mind The Tram!

Watching The World Go By


Shades Of Red

Dog-Eye View



Sunday 17 February 2013

Crosby Beach

On Sunday, Josie and I went to Crosby beach, north of Liverpool, to see the Gormley installation, Another Place.
It consists of 100 cast-iron, life-size figures spread out along three kilometres of the foreshore, stretching almost one kilometre out to sea.
It was a crisp, early Spring-like day, and we were surprised at how many people were out and about!

Barnacled Beard


Beach Bikes Birds


Guarding The Channel

Circles And Lines
Four Figures

Crosby Silhouettes



Lonely Line
Holding Gormleys Hand


Matching Hats
1 Buoy 2 Men 3 Wind Turbines
Looking Too

Queue for a Brew

X Marks The Spot

Weathered By The Sea



HMS Illustrious

David and I went to Liverpool to see our country's last remaining Aircraft Carrier on its final visit.

HMS Illustrious bow view

HMS Illustrious stern view

Flypast (bloody pigeon!)


David looking cool

John blocking the view

Nameplate amidships
John zooming in to get the shot. Look closely and you can see the dignitaries on the ramp having a group photo too!
White Ensign amongst the radar antennae and masts.
Captain being piped aboard and saluted.

The Liver Building

The Museum of Liverpool

Old and New. The church is St. Nicholas, the white curved building is Atlantic Tower.

Ticket To Ride. Waiting for the tourists to board!