Good bye old news!

As the year ends distorted journalistic accounts of past events are put to the torch  –  but at least the ashes  form an interesting pattern.

Early morning

I have to confess that I am not naturally a particularly early riser but occasionally, possibly in response to my guilt feeling,  I make a special effort, and the results can be very rewarding.   As can be seen below,  in those early hours the light is soft, surfaces glisten, the shadows are long and the air is silent.  It is a magical time.

At the rear of the house the early rays illuminated the tombstones in the neighbouring churchyard.

Three letter abstract

I think this pattern creates a pleasing abstract design.  But, since it’s the party season, can you spot the deliberate mistake?

The returning wise men?

I suppose they could be.  There are certainly three of them  –  and they’re empty handed, so possibly they’ve delivered their gifts.  And they’re setting off into the desert as if they’re from afar.

But just one moment.  I’m not sure they’re all men, and their clothes look remarkably modern.  You’d think they would at least each have a camel or a donkey and, perhaps, would be on speaking terms!  It seems there is also a cameraman with them.  Now that’s a surprise!

The truth is the photo was taken about four years ago on the dunes of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.  The positioning of the walkers was fortuitous and was not contrived.

‘All I want for Christmas …..’

Amid the chaos of his bedroom, the young teenager dreams of the gift he would really, really like  …….. a new guitar!

And to all viewers, a MERRY CHRISTMAS.  May your wishes be granted too, both at Christmas and throughout 2013.

Abstract 139 ‘Reflection’

I was intrigued by the abstract pattern of the reflections in my neighbours’ window.

Frost landscapes

We often think of frost patterns as being geometric, crystalline, in shape, but that is not always the case.  Sometimes cloud-like, landscape forms produce quite an ethereal effect.

Frosted roof

Another roof and another pattern, created this time by a sharp overnight frost on the tiles of a  garage roof opposite.

Barn roof

The repaired roof of this old barn creates a fascinating pattern of colours and texture.

They’re behind you!

I’m sure it’s not an experience peculiar to me, but it’s surprising how often, when I come across something that has not particularly attracted my attention previously, a similar situation seems to then recur on several occasions.  It can happen with all sorts of things  –  encountering a ‘new’ word when reading; suddenly noticing a friend’s mannerisms; accidentally meeting a new acquaintance in unexpected places etc.

I mention this because of incidents that occurred during a visit to Menorca last year.

We were enjoying a mid-morning coffee when I sensed that I was being watched.  I looked up and, sure enough, there was a face eyeing me from the trunk of a nearby olive tree.

Shortly after, while photographing poppies I became aware of a somewhat pained face to the right of the flowers.

From a nearby wall, two faces (one half masking the other) looked on disdainfully.  Was I becoming paranoid?

This sequence of incidents reminded me very much of an episode in Kenneth Graham’s children’s novel Wind in the Willows.  Mole ignores Ratty’s warning and  ventures into the Wild Wood:

‘Then the faces began.

It was over his shoulder, and indistinctly, that he first thought he saw a face; a little evil wedge-shaped face, looking out at him from a hole. When he turned and confronted it, the thing had vanished.

He quickened his pace, telling himself cheerfully not to begin imagining things, or there would be simply no end to it. He passed another hole, and another, and another; and then–yes!– no!–yes! certainly a little narrow face, with hard eyes, had flashed up for an instant from a hole, and was gone. He hesitated–braced himself up for an effort and strode on. Then suddenly, and as if it had been so all the time, every hole, far and near, and there were hundreds of them, seemed to possess its face, coming and going rapidly, all fixing on him glances of malice and hatred: all hard-eyed and evil and sharp.

If he could only get away from the holes in the banks, he thought, there would be no more faces. He swung off the path and plunged into the untrodden places of the wood.

Then the whistling began.’

‘On a cold and frosty morning’

The last few mornings have been cold  –  very cold!  Brief appearances by the sun have failed to burn away a  thin curtain of icy fog that has lingered throughout the day.  Thick layers of frost have transformed familiar objects.

Spiders have abandoned their webs in search of more hospitable accommodation.

The iron garden gate has acquired a spiky white coat.

Frost patterns and texture

On this occasion the title says all that needs to be said.

 

 

The Gate Part 2

Three more images celebrating our new relationship!

The Gate – my new friend.

‘We are not interested in the unusual, but in the usual seen unusually.’   Beaumont Newhall

I pass through my garden gate several times each day.  In fact, we’ve been passing acquaintances for many years!   But this morning I did something I had not done before.  I felt it was time I got to know my gate better and so I stopped and, I suppose, really looked at the gate for the first time.  Despite its age it is in excellent shape with attractive curves, even though its joints are rusty and its skin needs more than a touch of conditioner.  Clearly I have been neglectful and have not given the gate the tlc it deserves.

Nevertheless, to celebrate the occasion I took a series of photographs and will be sharing them with you today and tomorrow.

Jewel of Nature

At this time of the year, the morning after a night of dense fog is a good time to go in search of spiders’ webs laden with dew.  Droplets of moisture collect on the silken threads, each one forming a perfect sphere.  Larger drops are created where the threads meet, whilst diminutive spheres space themselves at regular intervals along the thinner strands.  Each glistens like an orb in a dance hall.  Collectively they resemble a hugely expensive necklace  –  Nature’s jewels.  Yes, there is an initial WOW! moment, but stay a little longer  –   really look and see.  It may well be an awe-inspiring experience.

Grasses bending in the breeze

I was attracted by the natural pattern of these grasses, their rhythm and movement.  But the more time I spent with the image the more lifelike/human they became.

Dreaming of Childhood

The sculpture in this picture is David Wynne’s Children of Tresco and the work stands in the Tresco Gardens in the Isles of Scilly.  It is a wonderfully expressive sculpture, full of the fun and vitality of childhood.  For those of us who are older it evokes memories and smiles and encourages us to dream and fantasize about the days when we too could play with not a care in the world.

Tree at Sutton Hoo

I came upon this tree as I was leaving the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo.  A degree of artistic licence has been exercised in the presentation.

Constructing a web site

From such simple beginnings elaborate webs are made.  This little chappie chose the inside of my recycling bin as a desirable location!

Shades of grey …. with a hint of blue

I had toyed with calling this post Fifty Shades of Grey, but the connotations of that title, following the notoriety of the best selling book, would defeat my purpose.

Grey is a much maligned colour, often referred to as dull and drab.  In truth it can be a colour of great subtlety and calm.  Even within the palest shades there can be a quiet, inner vitality.