Little Amal

Little Amal has arrived in the UK and visited Sheffield

She started her 5,000km (3,100 mile) journey on 27 July in Turkey, and has walked, with the help of eleven puppeteers, across Europe to reach the shores of Kent in the south of England.

Little Amal has been created to represent the story of young refugees travelling from war-torn Syria, highlighting the difficulties refugees may face in attempting to reach a safe place.

She was then the guest of honour at a welcoming party outside the Crucible, where she danced with performers lit up with fairy lights and was led to the Peace Gardens by lanterns in the form of woodland animals.

Curbar Edge

There are lots of ‘Edges’ around here but quite often they require a scramble up a rock face or a strenuous walk to the top. Pleasantly for me Curbar Edge is different. Last week John and myself explored the area and discovered a very convenient car park and after a few minutes walk found ourselves on top of Curbar Edge.

I very quickly realised that this was a brilliant photo opportunity and just a few days later I took myself up there and spent a very lovely few hours capturing the stunning scenery.

Studio Shoot

One of the advantages of lockdown has been the opportunity to explore other genres of photography…as well as creating my own handmade books and experimenting with cyanotype printing.

I have never had the opportunity to try my hand at studio work but, as a result of the lockdown period some studios began to offer remote shoots. I found a studio based in Leicester where they offered the chance to control all aspects of the shoot…camera settings, lighting and giving instructions to the models. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot about studio work. This is just a sample of some of my images…others can be found in the Portfolio section of my website.

Surprise View

Last year I moved into Sheffield just after the heather had lost its colour and died down. This year I was determined to capture its beauty, however other circumstances…house move…meant that I only caught the end of the season. So, on 3rd September, I visited Surprise View on a foggy morning and caught the last few days of its splendour.

Whirlow Grange...a walk with my family

One of the joys of moving to this area has been the ease with which I can meet with family and be part of my granddaughter’s lives as they grow and explore the world around them

These images were taken on the day after a very sad day for our family and it was such a joy to be able to walk and play with them in such a beautiful place.

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet

The museum forms part of a former steel working site on the River Sheaf, with a history going back to at least the 13th century. It consists of a number of dwellings and workshops that were formerly the Abbeydale Works—a scythe-making plant that was in operation until the 1930s—and is a remarkably complete example of a 19th-century works. The works are atypical in that much of the production process was completed on the same site (in a similar manner to a modern factory). A more typical example of water-powered works in the area can be found at Shepherd Wheel.

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet - Wikipedia

In May I visited this site, which is very close to where I live in Dore. Due to covid restrictions it was necessary to book, although it is free of charge to enter. I had a wonderful few hours watching the blacksmith at work and wondering in and out of the various dwellings on the site and of course partaking of the coffee and cake in the cafe.

A Walk in The Snow

Last week we had a few days of wonderful crisp snow. Of course I couldn’t resist a trip out with my camera and another little video of the beautiful Dore Village and Ecclesall Woods.

Dore Village and Ecclesall Woods in the snow.

Chatsworth Lights

Just a few months ago we were allowed to travel a few miles for recreation and we managed a visit to the wonderful Chatsworth House to see the lights in the grounds. The house itself was closed but a socially distanced visit to see the trees, fountain, steps and the house all lit up was a real treat. We did try to visit again but the tiers arrived and we were not allowed to travel into Derbyshire.

I decided to put some of my most favourite images into a video, I hope you enjoy.

Wyming Brook

We are now in tier 3, meaning we should not travel outside South Yorkshire and that the wealth of photographic opportunities in the Peak District are temporarily unavailable to me. So now to explore even closer to home. First trip in lockdown is to Wyming Brook, still in Sheffield and therefore accessible at this time.

An early morning start meant that the small car park was still relatively empty…just a few other cars containing walkers and other photographers. I took the footpath down to the stream and considered using the stepping stones across the water, then I thought again and decided not to risk a woman of a certain age ending up in the brook with her camera equipment attached to her back!

This meant that I had to walk along the VERY muddy bank, I was very glad that I had my wellingtons rather than my walking boots as the mud covered my foot and up to my ankle on several occasions!! On the picture it looks like there are stepping stones…that’s what I thought…however they are wobbly and stop just to the left of this image!!

Once I reached the wooden bridge I stopped and started to shoot the area…there I stayed within a hundred yards of this spot for the next three hours. In just a small area I found larger vistas, small details, texture and woodland details. I felt a bit guilty that I didn’t explore further…I understand there are bigger waterfalls and beautiful landscapes just round the corner…but then I was enjoying myself and there is a lot to be said for exploring a small area in detail. So here are few of the images I captured, all within a few hundred yards of the wooden bridge. I will return and walk further down the gorge, but I may wait until its a bit less muddy!!

I finish with a few of my very close up images, trying to capture the movement of the water and the autumn leaves collecting in the stream.

Dore Village

About six weeks ago I moved to Dore, a small and beautiful village on the western edge of Sheffield. The location of my little flat is such that I can walk into the village, have a coffee, buy some fruit and veg, have my hair cut etc. Yesterday I went to a local café for a coffee and walked back via the church to take a few photographs of the village in its autumn splendour. I feel very fortunate.

Monsal Trail

On the 7th October we went on a short walk along the Monsal trail.

The Monsal Trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District's most spectacular limestone dales.The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell.

We joined at Hassop Station…a nice cafe and parking. As we had a newborn baby and a toddler with us we only walked a couple miles, however it took a while with a few detours to collect leaves for a mask making project back at home and lots stops to talk to dogs and let bike riders pass.

Although it was a bit grey and damp it was a lovely early Autumn walk.

Padley Gorge

Padley Gorge is a spot I was told about by a friend and I have always wanted to visit. So, after working my way down from Longshaw Estate on my first visit, I decided to go up from Grindleford Station. What a treat and well worth the trip. I arrived at about 8am with plenty of parking spots available…free… I then began the walk up. I am not as fit as I should be and I must admit the walk up took me longer than it should have done, but it was so worth it. Standing on one spot and turning around created so many photographic opportunities and I took many photographs. I then headed down towards the water and captured some images of the moving water, my lack of fitness got me again and although I was able to clamber down…getting back up was a bit more of a challenge. All I can say is thank goodness there are no CCTV cameras :) and thank goodness for my tripod which acted as a walking pole helping me to pull myself back up!!

So enough of all that the gorge was gorgeous and will provide many more hours of happy snapping in the woods.

I always enjoy small details. Here I spotted two small ferns hanging on next to a rock with water swirling all around…and below the bigger picture.

Finally three images captured as I stood on one spot and turning around…it was a bit misty in one direction and bright in the other…what a wonderful resource for photography.

A Birthday party

Events of the past year have shown me how important family is and the need to grasp every opportunity when it arises. One of our main reasons for making our partial move to Sheffield is be close to family and yesterday it was a real joy to be able to hold a party for our three year old granddaughter at our little flat. Of course current restrictions mean that only 6 people can be at the party so that was two very young children and 4 adults…its was a fun and very precious time.

Beauchief Abbey

This evening I met a lovely lady who offered to show me around Beauchief Abbey, this is minutes from my new little flat and I was astounded at the grounds and photographic opportunities on my doorstep. The grounds hold lovely ancient woodlands along with older cultivated areas. There were ponds, deer, footpaths and plenty …and a golf course and allotments, what a wonderfully diverse area this is.

I adore forests, they are my go to place when in need of a bit of calmness and tranquillity, I think Beauchief Abbey may become a favourite spot.

Longshaw Estate

Today I took a short ride to Longshaw Estate, this was my first photo trip and I was very excited to be out in the beautiful Peak District with my camera. I was surprised how busy the estate was given it was early on a midweek day, however I easily found a parking spot and headed out. I was in for a treat. I took the short walk and spent ages ambling and photographing anything that caught my attention. The light wasn’t dramatic and so I looked for shapes, patterns and reflections.

From the estate I passed over the road…by the ice cream vans… and passed into the top of Padley Gorge, an area I have long wanted to visit…it was gorgeous and I was totally smitten. Unfortunately I didn’t have my walking shoes on, just my trainers and the big boulders are slippy and potentially dangerous…no picture is worth putting oneself in danger. So I just took a few snaps at the top of the gorge and promised myself a longer visit at sunrise later in the year…perhaps for autumn colour.

Introduction

I decided to start my own regular blog. You may be asking why I have titled my blog with reference to a woman of a certain age…well, on meeting my new landlord at the flat we have just rented, he said “ We hoped for a woman of a certain age so we are happy” I laughed and decided to take it as a compliment…I suppose any age can be a ‘a certain age’!

So enough of that. This year has been a significant year for so many people, there have been new opportunities, sadness, heartache and adjustment as we all get used to what has become known as the ‘new normal’. For me and my family there has been a lot of adjustment, heartache, grief and heart searching, along with many happy, poignant and life changing moments. This has led to the decision to begin a search for a long term move to South Yorkshire, meaning we can be closer to our growing family. Hence the rental of a flat giving us a base as we search for our forever home and also allow us to be closer to family at this very special time.

So that is what this series of blog posts is all about..my thoughts and feeling as I settle in and explore our new home.

It is now 4 weeks since we took possession of the flat, since then we have settled in , furnished the property and set up all the boring stuff…utilities etc. The most important thing to have happened is the birth of our new granddaughter…what a blessing. Zoe Autumn joined us on 19th September and we all adore her.

Marmite Pictures!

I do enjoy editing my images to create a piece of art work. Over the years I have tried using textured layers to add another dimension to my work. Some have been less than successul but recently I have been using some seascape images, taken in Norfolk last summer, and I think these have come out rather well. I suspect there will be those who will hate them...a bit like marmite...but then there will be those who love them. Which side do you fall on?

Let it Snow...Let It Snow...Let it Snow!

I must admit I do rather like the snow...when I don't have to go to work of course :) This year I have seen some stunning images created by my landscape photographer friends, in particular Tony Higginson, Melvin Nicholson and Thomas Heaton. Each of them visit the Lake District or Scotland on a regular basis to add to their portfolio of image. I stayed rather more local, in and around Dunstable and at Ashridge Forest. Below are just a few of the images I created.

How Beautiful are Snowflakes

I have often heard about how each snowflake is individually shaped, but I had never seen it. I then learnt abouthow to photograph them and so recently I had a go. These are my very first attempts and I have much to learn, but for about an hour's work I was rather pleased with these.

It's All About The Printing

Whilst I enjoy taking the photograph and creating the image the pinnacle for me is to print the image and mount it to create a final, finished piece. Today I attended a workshop to learn how to get the very best out of my prints, run by Permajet and hosted by Daliah at 42 limited.

It was a very useful day with a few tips to make the printing process just a little more precise.