North Yorkshire in February

Well another trip to one of our favourite places, North Yorkshire. We stayed in Aysgarth again and a wonderful B&B. I received my first digital SLR for Christmas, so some of these pictures are my attempts at new techniques. The first picture is from the bridge at Aysgarth Falls. Simon has shown me how to focus on different areas. Here I am focusing on the empty branches.

One of our favourite techniques is the rushing water. With a compact camera, the water would be bubbly, but with slower shutter speeds, a running, smooth flow of water can be achieved.

I love the shelves of the middle falls at Aysgarth, something we havent really seen as we always go after a big rainfall.

Here again, I was focusing on the branches rather than the water, which is flowing smoothly.

Again, these lower falls are usually flooded, good to see them more calm.

The road from Hawes just before the buttertubs, looking west. From the B&B I could snow on the hilltops, so we had to head up high!! Its was noticeably a lot colder!

West Burton Falls or Cauldron Falls. Love the sun and the sunbubble.

Again, the lovely soft flowing water. Love the camera!

On the way to the falls, I stumbled across a log, blackened with bright green moss. The log was covered in holes and it fascinated me. I couldnt quite get the colours right, so this is the raw photo, no tweaking, which I will inevitably do later!

Second day on a lovely scenic route home. Little Fell maybe?

Travelling the road from Hawes to Nateby I suddenly said 'Stop!!!!' to Simon as we passed this icy waterfall. Took some getting to, the ground was absolutely sodden.

Top of the waterfall, slow shutter speed for the flowing water.

Think this is Fair Hill. Quite a few parked cars and walkers.

Some doggy paws from the walkers and cars parked beneath Fair Hill.

Xmas Post 2009!

Well Im sure we will come back this coming year with more posts than in the last few months!! It's been a difficult time, but now Hannah has a new Digital SLR (thanks Si!) and Simon is still developing his well honed skills, we should have lots of new photos. Below are Hannahs first photo efforts with the new camera (lets hope we dont drop this one between us!!)

We have had more snow than I can ever remember this christmas in the UK - usually we have a day in February, but we have had snow on and off for a few weeks now - I love it! So when the snow was on the ground over christmas, we headed off to the peak district with our cameras. The first few pictures were pointing south towards Chapel-en-le-Frith. The sky was a little more pink at the side of the road. Have to work on that.

We headed to the road that runs beside Mam Tor and towards one of the caverns that you can visit and go underground, although this is closed at christmas. I spied two blackbirds and attempted to get some pics!

This is the view west from Mam Tor - it is possible to follow the path to the left of where Im standing and walk roughly where the dark line of trees are in the picture, but the path was a little slippy - I did see one person making this walk though.

This is Mam Tor - it is possible to walk up to the top fairly easy but it was far to cold!!!

Plus the sky was starting to go dark with snowy clouds, so we decided to start the drive home.

Beamish and some early festive fun!

The village school in the collery village.
A festive treat if ever there was one!




aMost of us take for granted being able to get Figs and oranges all year round, but back in 1913 they were a christmas treat.
Window display from the Co op.
Nice and simple outside decorations.
Anyone for some soap?
I wonder who this may be?

Ah you cant o wrong with an old fashioned pub!


Beamish is a great living museum in the north east of England between Newcastle and Durham, A lot of it is built from reclaimed houses, banks and Masonic halls all from the surrounding areas, that have been moved from there original places and rebuilt brick by brick.
This year we were esp lucky as the christmas season there has started for a full month instead of the weekends only its been in previous years, that used to sell out well in advance.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

A Supermarine SPitfire as Flown in the Battle of Britain.
A spitfire under restoration, hopefully to be ready for the 2011 season.
The Avro Lancaster.
The rear gunners torret, the most vunerable part of the aircraft.

Some Daffy Duck nose art.








Ive spent many a happy day at airshows when I was growing up, and one of the highlights for me was the BBMF flying overhead in of of only 2 flying Lancaster's in the world, as well and being accompanied by a spitfire and Hurricane.
Thew flight exists to remind everyone of the sacrifices made in WW" made by so many people to ensure we have the rights to live our lives as we see fit today.
On the day we Visited the planes were all being worked on as it is the off season and the planes all get a through servicing over the winter months to ensure there in tip to;p condition for the demanding season ahead.