Newcastle Arcades

Recently I was in Newcastle for a friend's wedding. The wedding had a late afternoon start, giving me most of Saturday to look around the city. Sadly the weather was lousy. Dull grey skies and rain all day. A plan to shoot the Tyne bridges at dawn was quickly abandoned. Instead (after a lie in) I spent, some time exploring the various shopping arcades and a covered market.

It's All Been Done Before

Just to prove that I have no originality, or shame, here are 3 of the most photographed views in Scotland. Classic or cliché, you decide.


Black Rock cottage


Glenfinnan Viaduct


And of course, the Rannoch Moor Tree

Scotland - A Few Images

A selection of images from my recent holiday in Scotland.

Scotland - A Timely Reminder

I am just back from a week's hillwalking holiday in Scotland, based in Fort William. The weather wasn't the best and we only managed 3 days in the hills. But at least that was an improvement on the previous week, which apparently had been a complete washout.

Just as I was arriving in Fort William, I happened to see the RAF Lossiemouth Rescue Sea King had landed in the car park that they use to rendezvous with ambulances from Belford Hospital. I pulled into the car park and managed to get a few frames before it took off again. It was a timely reminder that walking and climbing in the hills, especially in winter, is not without some risk.

Early Light - Windemere

I love the Lake District and go there often. But for me, the true beauty and drama of the Lake District is the fells, and all my visits tend to revolve around climbing them. In fact, I don't believe you can truly claim to have experienced the Lake District unless you have climbed at least one. I am not suggesting everyone should take on a winter traverse of Striding Edge or attempt to break the record for completing the Bob Graham Round. But you should at least struggle up Catbells on a sunny summers afternoon.

Having said that, it is sometimes good spend a little time in the places with which most people associate the area, namely the lakes* themselves. The second day of my recent trip, saw us passing Windemere early on a Saturday on the way to Coniston. The light on the water and the frost on the ground were beautiful. So despite a full day's business in the hills ahead of us, we opted to stop for an hour to take advantage of the conditions.















































* Pedant's point: There is, of course, technically only one Lake in the Lake District, Bassenthwaite. The rest are Meres, Waters and Tarns.