Fairy Glen

 One of the most picturesque woodlands in the Borough, the small clough valley of Fairy Glen can be found near Appley Bridge, Wigan.
The secluded atmosphere of the Glen provides an ideal home for a variety of wildlife.

Designated as a Biological Heritage Site for its ancient woodland of oak, birch, ash and alder, the woodland floor may be covered with bluebells, wild garlic, ferns, and red campion.

The waters of Sprodley Brook have, over time, cut down through the underlying sandstone to create the steep Fairy Glen valley, which has spectacular waterfalls and cliff faces.

Panasonic Lumix G1, 14mm lens.

Scotman's Flash

We went for a walk in the warm October sunshine today to the Flashes area off Poolstock outside Wigan. These areas of former pit workings have subsided to create large lakes or 'flashes' as they are locally known. They have become a haven for wildlife, especially migratory birds, and are a very popular local recreation destination for walkers, cyclists, sailors and fishermen. The Leeds/Liverpool Canal runs straight through the middle of the area, bringing visitors from even further afield.

Dappled Sun path leading to the Flashes

One of the most iconic and distinctive of British fungi, Fly Agaric, with its red cap and white spots, is renowned for its toxicity and hallucinogenic properties.

Hazy Sun over Scotman's Flash. Wigan Sailing Club are based here.

A Speckled Wood butterfly blending in.

Swan Reflection

Cygnet on the Canal

Male Swan Preening on the Canal

A Cygnet being carefully watched by its parents

Salford Quays Architecture

The architectural developments at Salford Quays in Trafford, Manchester are great for photography.
The buildings compete with one another for attention around the whole site, with glass and steel reaching for the sky and reflecting in the surrounding dock waters.

Among the many new structures are the Lowry Centre and Theatre, The Imperial War Museum North, MediaCity UK which houses the BBC and ITV Northern Studios, the Millenium Bridge and Quay West office building.

All taken using my Fuji X20 camera.

These images do not include any of the new MediaCity site. I have heard that photography is forbidden on its site, but I'm going to give it a try and see what happens......

Let's start with a panorama.

Left to Right, Imperial War Museum North, MediaCity Footbridge,  MediaCity UK, Lowry Theatre, Lowry Centre, Millenium Bridge.

Reflections in the bronze glass windows of Quay West

Millenium Bridge in B/W

More Quay West reflections

Steel walls interior of the Lowry Theatre

Steel and glass interior

Steel and glass exterior geometric shapes of the Lowry Theatre

Steel and purple tiles

Billinge Sunset

I dashed up to the previously photographed harvest fields to capture this colourful sunset.
Canon 60D, Tamron 10-24mm lens, AV Priority.

Summer Harvest

The fields at the top of Winstanley are owned by farmer John Alker. 

It's a busy time for him now as he harvests his Wheat crops.

We went for a walk through the fields just before and just after he cut and baled his crops.

Some have been square baled and others round wrapped.

Canon 60D, Tamron 10-24mm lens.

Whalley Abbey, Lancashire

As a 'recce' for my new driving job, Josie and I visited the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire and stumbled on this glorious Abbey ruin just outside the small town of Whalley near Clitheroe.
The Cistercian Abbey of Stanlow, in Cheshire, moved to Whalley in 1296. The Church was built between 1330 and 1380, but the Abbot's lodging and Infirmary were not completed until c. 1440
After the dissolution of the Monastery in 1537, the property passed into private hands, and Ralph Assheton adapted it to make an Elizabethan Manor House. It remained a private residence until 1923, when the Church of England acquired possession.

Photos taken with a Canon 60D and a Tamron 10-24mm lens.

Altar and Gatehouse

Transept from North looking towards South Range

Monks Day Rooms in South Range

Monks Day Rooms in South Range from Abbey

Two Storey Dormitory at West end

Refectory and Kitchen in South East

View from North Parapet across Transept to the Elizabethan House

West End looking towards the Choir and beyond

Refectory and Kitchens in South Range

Transept Pillars looking South

South Range  Monks Day Rooms and Rere-dorter