Beachcombing at Westward Ho!

Or things to do on a dull grey Devon December day. 

Post Christmas day, I always like to get out with the camera for some fresh air, exercise and maybe get a few images of the fabulous North Devon coast.  Sadly the weather this year was not helpful, with several very grey days.  So on Boxing Day I spent a few hours at Westward Ho! 

Westward Ho! is famous for being the only place in the UK that has an exclamation mark as part of its name (and the only town I can think of that is named after a novel).  It is also a place I know well, having spent many summer Sundays there as a child.  I knew I could find some potential pictures along the huge pebble ridge that is a major feature of the beach.  Sure enough, I was able to find enough interesting bits in the strand-line to keep me occupied for a couple of hours.

A Christmas Tree

An appropriate image for my last post before Christmas, and one I have been waiting a year to show.  I took this shot on Boxing Day last year on the edge of Exmoor.  Before anyone accuses me of decorating the tree myself, let me assure you, it was like that when I found it.  Besides it was far too cold to get creative. 

I have seen, and photographed, this tree on a previous Christmas and it was decorated then too.  So it must be something of a local tradition.  I have no idea why.  There are no houses in the vicinity.  Just a minor road, the moor and a tree with tinsel on it. Still, that's Devon for you.

Cambridge Christmas Lights

This is a busy time of year, so I am behind on the blog.  About 10 days ago, the Abbey Horizons group had one of our regular outings to take pictures.  The subject was the Christmas lights in Cambridge.  We spent 3 hours or so circuiting the centre of town followed by a warm-up, pint and bite to eat in the Eagle.  Discussing our pictures, we came to the conclusion that Cambridge's lights are just too tasteful.  Lots of subtle white lights and no gaudy riots of colour. I tried a few zooms to add interest and also shot the occasion shop window.

Hill Testing The Pen

Some shots from the second day of my recent trip North.  We did a fairly gentle trip around 4 fells in rather grey weather.  I wasn't expecting much photographically, and thought this would be a good opportunity to put the Olympus Pen through it's paces in hill conditions.  I didn't come away with any great shots, but exploring the details of a dry stone wall gave me an possible idea for a panel for next year's portfolio competitions.

Ingleton Waterfalls

Last weekend I visited my friend Vic for another couple of days of hillwalking, photography and beers.  The weather forecast on the Friday wasn't too promising.  The best of the weather was to be had in the east and not too high.  So we opted to head for the Yorkshire Dales and do a gentle walk around some waterfalls at Ingleton. 

Fungi Foray in Thetford

Last Sunday I spent a lovely sunny day in Thetford Forest with other members of the club shooting the late Autumn colours and searching for fungi.  Despite the fact that many of the beech trees still had their leaves, I didn't end up with any pictures of the colours that I liked.  But I did come away with some fungi shots I liked. 

All The Fun Of The Fair

Three from the funfair on Midsummer Common that accompanied last week's fireworks.  As much as I love watching the fireworks, photographically I always find a trip around the fair afterwards more rewarding.  It was only the deadline of the last park and ride bus that dragged me away.