I carry the power

Week 52 Drax Power Station

My last week and the final day of 2014 saw me visit the Vale of York and the Drax Power Station circular walk. This five mile walk around the perimeter of the station and through Drax village was interesting, if not frustrating. I thought I would be able to get some nice industrial shots being so close to the power plant, but probably as a result of historical protests, a huge wire fence now surrounds the site preventing any close photography - sad!
I have enjoyed the challenge of the 52 week programme, only missing one week. I have now set myself a challenge of an image a day for 2015.

Santa Special

Week 51 North York Moors Railway, Pickering

Whilst waiting on the platform for our Christmas decorated 'Santa Special' to arrive, I became aware of the strong low sunlight on the engine. Part of the locomotive was in deep shade under the station canopy providing a nice contrast. The fireman got down to change the points, I waited for him to walk alongside the front of the engine, so that he would be silhouetted against the steam that was rising.... Well I like it!

Decaying wooden barge

Week 50 River Hull

The River Hull commences near Driffield and via Beverley flows into the Humber at Hull. It is navigable from the Humber to within a few miles of Driffield, where the Driffield canal took over to bring vessels to Riverhead and the warehouses on the south side of the town. The canal has been overgrown and unused for a number of years, but there is a movement to re-open the canal. I heard that there were big moves to remove obstructions and dredge parts of the river Hull to allow pleasure crafts to get to Driffield. Whilst out walking at the side of the river Hull near Beverley, I came across this rotting wooden hulk, semi sunk and wondered if they had been unable to move it, on the grounds that it was probably by now home to a multitude of special flora and fauna.

River Nidd & Knaresborugh Viaduct

Week 49 Knaresborough

Decided to visit Knaresborough. A beautiful town clinging to the Nidd gorge in North Yorkshire. I first visited in 1974 and stayed for a few years. I have very fond memories of Knaresborough, including getting married there. Time never stands still and I found myself saying, "It has changed, but not for the better", that was with reference to the main street and Market Place, this view doesn't alter much apart from the train liveries!

South Bay, Scarborough

Week 48 Scarborough under a cloud!

Lunch in Scarborough and a walk across the Spa to walk-off the meal and to blow out the cobwebs on what was a cold, overcast November day. Walking back towards the Spa bridge, I could see low cloud drifting in from the sea on the easterly wind. I then saw on the beach, silhouetted against the wet sand 'Lowry like' figures, and in the foreground the man running with the dog, I just had to capture the 'matchstick man and dog moment'.

Leaves

Week 47 The last of the autumn leaves

On a rather dull and wet Sunday, I managed a circular walk from Hackness, via Broxa and Silpho. Whilst trudging up the long climb out of Lowdales, I found myself walking on a carpet of fallen leaves and worked out that no one had been along this path for a very long time. I liked the way that the colours changed from greens to orange and yellow through browns to grey and black, eventually to become leaf mould for the path!

Red Deer Stag

Week 46 Sledmere

An autumn walk around the deer park at Sledmere revealed this red deer stag. Deer are bred on the Sledmere Estate which is owned by the Sykes family.

The Shambles at night

Week 45 The Shambles, York

An evening spent taking night shots in York. I couldn't resist this classic view of the Shambles, taken at 8.15pm with a long exposure. What no people? Not quite, see if you can spot one of the many ghosts that wander the ancient streets of the City!

Different shades of autumn

Week 44  The Yorkshire Aboretum

A late visit to the nearby Yorkshire Aboretum (collection of trees) at Castle Howard to see the autumn colours. We arrived in thick fog, which cleared a bit towards lunch time. Many of the trees had shed their leaves, but there was enough colour to make it feel like autumn. A fantastic place to visit, set in 120 acres, it was started by Lord Howard in 1968 with his plantsman James Russell. It is now a Trust between Castle Howard Estates and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and is regarded by Defra as housing a back-up collection for Kew.

Good labeling on the trees, varied landscape, quietness and the freedom to walk anywhere, plus a good cafe make it a good day out.  

Rievaulx Abbey

Week 43 Rievaulx - The battle of the tearooms!

Joining the National Trust (again) this year, we decided to visit the NT Rievaulx Terraces (which is the bit of land at the top of the picture that overlooks the Abbey). The 18th C Gardens, Terrace and Temples were interesting enough, but we wanted to go and have a look at the Abbey (English Heritage) as well. No nice meandering path between the two, instead we had to drop down a 'permissive muddy path' on a very steep gradient (so only the fit would attempt it) through the woods, keeping to the boundary of NT property to emerge on the narrow road over 600 metres from the Abbey!

The NT tearoom was a tea/coffee machine in a hut, the EH tearoom at the Abbey was serving full meals. How about cross ticketing for NT & EH members, not much chance according to the NT website: 'Rievaulx Terrace's close proximity to Nunnington Hall makes it an ideal double visit in one day'. No mention of course of Rievaulx Abbey (the next door neighbour), Helmsley Castle or Byland Abbey - all EH and nearer.

Come on NT work with the neighbours.

Last orders

Week 43 Bridlington Fair

Another trip to the fair! I felt out of place at Hull Fair, I enjoyed it but was lost in the atmosphere and found it hard to concentrate on my photography. Brid Fair was different, yes a lot smaller, but that meant more time to think about shots. Met with members of Focus Photography Group from Brid, so there were tripods everywhere! As things quietened down and the fair was closing for the night, I saw a nice picture of the 'burger van' and fairground people.

The 'Jumpin Frog' ride

Week 42 Hull Fair

Never been to Hull Fair before. The Fair used to visit Scarborough every year on William Street coach park and we used to go down. Never one for the 'big rides' I fancied myself as a sharp shooter on the rifle ranges and always left with a coconut and Wrights Brandy Snap!

My mother used to talk about Hull Fair and how big it was, her father worked in Hull for a time and she had been. I always wanted to go, but it never happened, until two of us from Driffield Photographic Society decided to have a go at timed exposures to get the light trails from the rides. What an experience, you could fit ten Scarborough Fairs into the space. I was in awe of the lights, the sounds and the smells and had a great evening, even took home some Wrights Brandy Snap. I am sure the stall had never altered in fifty years, but that is a sign of good fairground tradition.

Water Skiing at The Mere, Scarborough

Week 41 Water Skiing

Years since I have taken a walk around The Mere at Scarborough and what a joy. As kids we used to go to The Mere only now and again as there was always trouble with some of the Edgehill and Newcoln Road kids, who saw us as invading their area. All that appears to have changed, new housing has replaced the run-down council houses, plenty of people of all ages fishing on the lake, and even a Council employee litter picking on a Saturday! Families walking around the lake, a nice cafe and much to my surprise, Scarborough Water Skiing Club were still performing on the second lake. Transformed into a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle and with a backdrop of mature trees a colourful experience in the autumn.

Tintern Abbey

Week 40 Tintern Abbey and the Wye Valley

Visited the beautiful remains of Tintern Abbey on the Welsh side of the River Wye in Monmouthshire. It was founded in 1131 and was home to Cistercian monks until 1536 and the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry Vlll. A fantastic peaceful setting.

Toddington Station

Week 39 Toddington

On a visit to Wales, called into the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in the heart of the Cotswolds. The heritage line runs from Cheltenham Racecourse to Toddington with a proposed extension to the popular Cotswold village of Broadway. Had a nice lunch on Toddington station, but didn't have enough time to wait for the steam train (a pannier tank), so settled for a shot of the Cheltenham bound Pressed Steel class 117 DMU.

Waterfall Lownorth Camp

Week 38 Lownorth Camp

Found myself doing a Voluntary Ranger duty for North York Moors National Park in the Langdale End area. Having set off from Langdale End, I walked to Langdale Rigg before dropping down to Lownorth Camp which was an army training ground until the 60's. The infant River Derwent flows on the southern boundary of the camp, which is now owned by the Scarborough & District Motor Club and is used for Trials riding.

I took the picture of the waterfall which was in a peaceful setting and making a beautiful sound, between the constant crescendos and decrescendos of the trials bikes only yards away negotiating the courses! 

Newgate Farm

Week 37 High Dales & Low Dales

Having passed a signpost many times at Hackness, leading to High Dales and Low Dales, I decided it was time to find out what was there. I followed the road to Low Dales farm, then branched off up Whisper Dale and eventually via forest paths to the site of High Dales Farm (on the O.S. map), only to find a name change and a plaque on the side of the building indicating 'Newgate Farm'. I was somewhat dismayed. Sadly, this once isolated farmhouse and buildings are in a state of advanced decay with major structural damage to the house.

Spurn Lightship

Week 36 Hull Marina

The lightship was built in 1927, had no engine so was towed into its position in the Humber estuary, where it stayed for over thirty years! It had a crew of four and provided a light and fog horn to warn shipping of the dangerous sand banks. It was retired in 1975 and is now a floating museum in the Hull Marina. I must take a look around it next time I am in Hull.

Cows Troutsdale

Week 35 Troutsdale

Whilst doing my Voluntary Ranger patrol in Troutsdale, I came across these lively bullocks. The pose for the camera and the pastoral scene behind leading onto forestry and Troutsdale Moor, gives it a quintessential English appearance. Well, I think so!

Heather Moorland

Week 34 Rosedale West Moor

The end of August and the heather 'is out'. There is very little time to photograph heather at it's best, it comes into flower, is very vivid, but soon starts to die to a pale brown colour. I had very little time this year, but just managed a drive up the Blakey Ridge road over the North York Moors.

The Waltzers

Week 33  Bridlington

Not a night time shot, just close to the action on the seafront at Brid. I never have been a 'big ride' person, I don't have the stomach for it. However, I have always been fascinated by the type of people who ride on the 'Waltzers' and the 'Speedway' at fairgrounds, probably as much to do with the loud rock type music that accompanies these rides, the background smell of fried onions and the ride operator bellowing, "Do ya wanna go faster?" - "Yeah".

'Goddards', York

Week 32 Home of Noel Terry - Terry's chocolate

Visited this hidden gem off Tadcaster road in York. Now owned by the National Trust, it was the home of Noel Terry of the famous York chocolate manufacturer. It is a beautiful home, built in the arts and crafts style in the 1920's. This view is the back of the house, which has four acres of gardens and a gate which opens onto York Racecourse, so that Noel could walk from his home to the factory on the other side of the racecourse.

Humber Bridge at night

Week 31 Humber Bridge

The iconic Humber Bridge. Built during the 70's and opened in June 1981 linking Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. I love this bridge. The first time I saw it was on a driving course just after the bridge opened and we made a bee line for the viewing area. I remember standing there in awe of a fantastic feat of engineering. Later whilst visiting north Lincolnshire on a number of occasions, I was more than happy to stump up the high costs of the toll and feel privileged to cross the bridge. This view from the south bank i.e. Lincolnshire.

Chalk Barn, East Lutton

Week 30 Traditional Wolds Barn

This beautiful barn at East Lutton in the Great Wolds Valley is built of chalk and strengthened with brick, as chalk crumbles and weathers easily. At the bottom left, the vegetation marks the dried up 'Gypsey Race' chalk stream that appears at irregular intervals along the valley.

Hayburn Wyke Railway Station

Week 29  Hayburn Wyke

Hayburn Wyke station is/was on the Scarborough to Whitby railway line, which was built in 1885. The line closed in 1965 and has since become a very popular cycle route. The station is beautifully preserved as a house, it retains a working clock, platform accessories and a modern day 'cat flap'!

The double borders garden

Week 28 Breezy Knees Garden, Warthill, York

A chance visit to this 15 acre garden set in arable farmland between Stamford Bridge and York. Well stocked themed gardens, not cramped so allowing the plants to spread. The garden was started from scratch in 1999.

The Athletic Ground, Seamer Road

Week 27 Scarborough Football Club

My home town team. The Athletic Ground (since 1988 the McCain Stadium) has stood derelict since 2007, the stands and infrastructure all removed, but the main entrance still stands! I always wanted to take a photograph of this but a local garage parks lots of cars there. Early Sunday morning the opportunity arose with no cars and a leaden sky to add atmosphere. I was taken back to the early sixties going to the football with my Dad, standing in the queue (yes, queue) waiting to go through the children's entrance (far right) with my season ticket to watch teams in the Midland League such as Heanor, Alfreton or Grantham. They did get to Wembley (three times) in the F.A. Trophy in the 70's and beat Wigan Athletic 1-0 (I was there), they managed to get into the fourth division, but then financial troubles took over. Wigan went onto bigger things, Scarborough F.C. was wound up and under a new name (Scarborough Athletic) they play their home matches at Bridlington! This coming season in the Northern Premier League Division One North - Happy Days.

Poppies near Welton, East Riding

Week 26 Poppies on 'The Wolds Way'

Completed another section of the Wolds Way from Hessle to South Cave. A pleasant 13 miles in good weather and great views. The two fields of poppies were a fantastic sight.

Bamburgh Castle and Farne Islands

Week 25 Bamburgh

A return visit to Northumberland tinged with sadness. I just had to go to Bamburgh and see what I am missing!

Goole Docks

Week 24 Goole Docks

A Sunday morning visit to Goole and Goole Docks, visited the Waterways museum and discovered that Goole was created because of a strategic position serving the rivers Humber, Ouse, Trent and the canal network. The largest inland port in the country, but shades of its former self. Some of the barge traffic lost to road transport recently, the future of the port looks grim.

The fishing village of Staithes

Week 23 Staithes

Another first. This is the first time I have been to Staithes to take photographs. I visited Tuesday morning when it was misty and sunny, then again at tea-time when I took this photograph. A delightful village, but like so many of these romantic villages, now with a lot of holiday cottages.

Jacksons Corner

Week 22  Jackson's Corner, Reading

Finding myself in Reading for the first time, I took a walk around the centre, which now comprises the huge 'Oracle' shopping centre. It was so sad to see what once was 'the department store' in Reading derelict. Jackson's was founded by Edward Jackson in 1875 and remained a family business until December 2013 when it finally succumbed to the new age of shopping.

Yellow Poppy

Week 21 Flowers

I did not get out and about this week to take a landscape of some description, so had to settle for a poppy in the garden.

Whitby West Pier Lighthouse

Week 20 Whitby West Pier

First time I have been to the end of the west pier in Whitby. Intrigued by the odd looking lighthouse I had to take a closer look. It is a 'Lighthouse' by definition and was erected on the spot in 1914. It shows a steady green light to guide ships into the mouth of the river Esk, the east pier light shows a steady red.

St. Patrick's Church, Patrington

Week 19 Patrington Church - "Queen of Holderness"

On a day tour of the flat Holderness area of East Yorkshire, I could see the spire of a church miles away. It turned out to be that of St. Patrick's Church, Patrington. Described by John Betjeman as one of the great buildings of England. The church was built in the 14th century and the spire is 189 feet high. It is known as the 'Queen of Holderness' - the 'King of Holderness' is the nearby church of St. Augustine at Hedon.

Bluebells at Northcliffe woods

Week 18 Northcliffe woods

Northcliffe woods just south of Market Weighton is owned and managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. I visited this wood last year, but at the very end of the Bluebell season and was disappointed. Not this year. The wood is full of Bluebells and attached to the woodland is a patch of heath, where we were told whilst visiting that there were grass snakes. There were people with long lenses on the heath looking for the snakes, but we did not see any.

'Willy Howe'

Week 17   'Willy Howe' Neolithic burial mound

This very large burial mound is situated between the East Yorkshire villages of Burton Fleming and Wold Newton. It's position is on a hillside in the 'Great Wold Valley' about 200 metres above the Gypsey Race, an intermittent stream that flows along the valley from near Duggleby to the sea at Bridlington. The mound is 15 metres high and stands out strongly in the otherwise gently rolling landscape. It was excavated in the 1800's when a central burial cist was discovered with flint chips and animal bones. A fantastic burial mound and when stood close, it is not hard to imagine why there are many legends attached to the place.

The Rudston Standing Stone

Week 16  The Rudston Megalith (Huge Stone)

Standing 25 feet high (7.6 metres) in Rudston churchyard five miles west of Bridlington is the Rudston standing stone. It dates back to somewhere around 1600 BC in the late neolithic age and is the largest standing stone in the UK, weighing in about 40 tons. Like Stonehenge, the stone is not obtained locally; in this case the nearest type of stone is nearly 10 miles away! The fact that it is in the churchyard suggests that this has been a place of some form of worship for a lot longer than the present Norman church has stood here.

The Shambles, York

Week 15  The Shambles, York

A long time since I visited York with a camera. Driffield Photographic Society have a 'Cuppa and Capture' day each month. We start with a cuppa and/or lunch and then take some photographs on a theme and so I found myself wandering the streets of York. Classic view of The Shambles I know, but I still get a buzz walking down the street.

Selby Abbey

Week 14 Selby Abbey

We decided to have a day out in Selby and although I had worked around the town, I had never been in the Abbey. The history tells us that between 1069 and 1539 the Abbey was ruled by 35 Abbots. It fell at the Dissolution but the Church was left standing. The last Abbot was Robert Rogers (could be a relation) who was a good friend of King Henry VIII (hmmm). I liked the position of Selby Abbey in the heart of the town. The interior has a very local feel.

St. Hilda's Church, Ellerburn

Week 13  St. Hilda's Church, Ellerburn

This the first time I had walked from Thornton le Dale to the Forestry Commission visitor centre at Low Dalby and back. I was quite surprised by the large number of mountain bikers, which did not make for a nice peaceful walk. It reminded me of the thousands (yes thousands) of mountain bikers from the Glasgow & Edinburgh catchment area that descend on the Glentress Forest every weekend and the constant sound of sirens as the ambulance service pick up the pieces. How long before Dalby echoes to the same?
We walked up one side of the Dalby beck and back down the other. One of the highlights was the Church at Ellerburn, founded in 1050, it has some traces of a Viking cross in-laid in the stonework to the right of the porch. A little gem, set in a beautiful steep wooded valley.

The south side of Filey Brigg

Week 12  Filey Brigg

Took a walk along Filey Brigg and returned via the shoreline path, just visible in the picture (the tide was going out). I was taken by the beauty of the coastal erosion on the south side, how it has scared the landscape and in doing so created wonderful crevices. It did make me wonder how long it would be before this landmark 'melted' to the hard rock just above the water line.

Ayton Castle

Week 11  Forge Valley walk

Walked from West Ayton along the top of the Derwent gorge then dropped down over the fields to Wrench Green, then walked back along the infant river Derwent along the 2 mile board walk! through Forge Valley, passing the magnificent ruins of the late 14th Century castle/pele/fortified house that is Ayton Castle.

 Mother Nature or Synthetic Nature?

Week 10  Chemical plants, bad smells, horses and the River Hull

Decided to take a walk along the Stoneferry district of the River Hull. It looked very industrial and yet there was a footpath both sides of the river, I was interested. Parking the car at the nearby B&Q I walked from the Stoneferry bridge along the eastern bank to the Sutton road brdige, then back along the western side. As the industry abutting the river gave way to wide meanders with flood banks, found a number of 'gypsy horses' on long chains keeping the grass down. They were quite used to people, looked healthy enough to me, but .... they were adjacent to large chemical works. The different smells sometimes caught my breath, so I wondered how the horses felt eating and drinking in the shadows of a large Croda chemical factory, not healthy? "Got any horse pills for me, mate"!

Missed a week

Week 9  Look what happens when you forget?

I can't believe that I forgot to take a photograph this week. My intentions were to go to various places, but weather, family commitments etc. the week disappeared and so did the picture. I must do better.

The last six A4 steam locomotives at Shildon

Week 8  National Railway Museum, Shildon

I was fortunate in that a friend of mine invited me along to a 'private viewing' of the last remaining A4 streamlined locomotives in the world. Three were in light steam and were floodlit. Private - being us and over 100 others, so it was difficult to take a reasonable picture of all six! This was the best I could do without other people in shot.

For those interested, they are from left to right; 'Union of South Africa'; 'Dwight D. Eisenhower' (on loan from America); 'Bittern'; 'Dominion of Canada' (on loan from Canada); 'Mallard' (worlds fastest steam locomotive); and 'Sir Nigel Gresley'.

The Keep, Scarborough Castle

Week 7 Scarborough Castle

Taken on the last day of week 7 (must do better). It must be nearly 30 years since I last visited Scarborough Castle! Being born in the town and leaving aged 16, it is the iconic image that I remember almost daily, growing up. The western side (the crumbling side facing) is the image I carry with me when anyone mentions the castle (albeit only the top half sticks up above the curtain wall). What I had forgotten was the near perfect and beautiful architecture of the southern face (visible in image). A fantastic castle with great 360 degree views on a clear day.

Aconites & snowdrops at Great Givendale Church

Week 6 Great Givendale Church

Great Givendale Church is dedicated to St. Ethelburga. She was married to Edwin King of Northumbria. Part of the church is 12th Century, but it was re-built in 1849 and is now a grade 2 listed building and still used for services. In spring there is a fine display of snowdrops and aconites, so my intention this week was to take full advantage of spring and a bright sunny day when they were in bloom. The church is on the 50 mile route of The Minster Way, which links the Minster at Beverley with York Minster.

Howden Minster

Week 5 Howden Minster

Howden Minster has been around since Saxon times, but was rebuilt into what is seen today in the 1300's. The roof of the chancel collapsed in the late 17th century, but the rest of the church is complete. The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul and is one of the largest churches in the East Riding. Taken on a freezing cold, overcast day, my image is looking through what would have been the east Window along the ruined chancel to the central tower. Howden is a town with many historic buildings featured in a town trail, the Minster is a hidden gem. I will certainly return and have a good look around the town on a good day.

Boats at Grovehill Lock on Beverley Beck

Week 4 Beverley Beck

Still sticking with the canal theme! I love this part of Beverley. It is on the eastern side of the town and on a spur of canal called the Beverley Beck. The 'canal' is only about three quarters of a mile long and was built to enable boats to bring produce to and from the town. Grovehill Lock is where the canal meets with the river Hull (tidal at this point), which is on a lower level and flows into the Humber at Hull. Produce is no longer transported on the canal, it is now given over to leisure craft. Rain was in the air when I took this shot, just before the sun disappeared.