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

Wedding Day

My son David was Best Man for his Fiancee Lisa's brother Will at his wedding to Debbie this week.

Here are a few family images.

Fuji X20

Let's start with the lovely couple!!

David tending to his duties as Best Man - making Will neat and tidy!!

Here comes Lisa leading Debbie and her dad.

Final words of encouragement, and a reassuring hand!!

The newly married couple!

David signing the Register, making it all official.

Mother and son looking very glamorous.

Learning New Techniques

I've just received a great gift from my sister that, once again, is pushing my techniques and skills to new limits!

It's a Canon SX210is camera that has been converted to take Infrared images in the 590nm range, often called the 'Goldie' because it's in the orange range of colours of the visible spectrum of light.

As if taking decent normal colour images wasn't enough!

Here are a few examples then, some unprocessed except for a few levels adjustments, and some converted to Black and White.

Three Days In London

My lovely sister invited me to stay recently. When I visit London, I walk everywhere because there is always something to see! As usual, I covered miles and miles, so here are a few images of my travels.

All shot with my new Fuji X20.

View From The Millenium Bridge

Bankside sign on the side of the Thames. The letters are 5ft tall!

Covent Garden 8am. Never seen it so quiet!

Sketch artist in Borough Market. Not everyone has a camera!

London Eye reflection. What a surprise, rain in June!

Filming in the lift. All squeeze in! I know the faces, can't place the names!

Southbank graffiti.

Low-level view of St. Paul's under Millenium Bridge.

Coffee break at Monmouth's Coffee Shop, Covent Garden. Quirky place, but marvellous coffee (and little cakes!)

Young Australian artist leaving his Tag at Southbank. He'd arrived from Sydney two days ago!

Passing trains at London Bridge Station under the Shard, crossing over Borough Market next to Southwark Cathedral.

More high rise buildings surrounding the 'Gherkin'. One has already been nicknamed the 'Cheesegrater'

This group of drinkers managed to form a circle round a square table!

Panorama from the Shard looking North.

Tip of the Shard. The red strip lights are to warn aircraft!

Rooftop view from the apartment, featuring Shard, St.Paul's, Smithfield, Old Bailey and St. Sepulchre.

Tourist with City Of London Police Officer. The passing bloke looks intrigued!

Tilt-Shift view of London Bridge from the Shard.

An Umbrella canopy at Brewer's Wharf, Borough Market.

Wallart by Grems, on the side of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank. Using Hilary for scale!

Wembley Stadium in sunlight, North of London.