View allAll Photos Tagged Weather-Forecast
The weather forecast for the next days was not good. So we went on our first evening in NY to Brooklyn Heights to see the sunset. The sun sets on Battery Maritime Building. This panorama was made with my brand new Zeiss Makro Planar 2.0/50 and stiched with PS. This lens is really incredibile sharp! If you like you must take a look at all the details on my homepage (go to original):
www.oberhauserphotography.com/Holidays/New-York/26008022_...
The weather forecast was cloudy with scattered showers so rather than climb to a summit in the clouds we opted for a relatively long walk to a remote loch on the western coast of the Isle of Lewis. The walk is down a valley between two ridges of hills, probably quite scenic in sunshine, that ends at a the Hamanavay Estate, a private 50,000-acre estate on the shore of Loch Tamnabhaig after passing Loch Cheann Chuisil.
We began our walk at Carnish with hints of sunshine, but a couple hours into the walk the "scattered showers" began. Unfortunately, that term was slightly inaccurate as it was a wind driven rain for the next two hours! The one good point . . . the wind was at our backs :-) The walk was just over six hours, much of it in rain.
The walk is also described as relatively straight with very little elevation change. So much for straight and level in this image. I used the OS app and the net elevation climbed during the walk was 3441 feet over 13.8 miles.
This view is of the final rise before the descent to Loch Tamnabhaigh. We did not meet another walker during the entire walk . . . apparently everyone else wanted to stay dry :-)
Best viewed Large (L)
The weather forecast said mostly cloudy, but I woke up early anyway and headed out to see what I could discover. I didn't really have a plan, other than a walk along the Lakefront Pathway by the Shedd and Planetarium. As I neared the shore I saw crazy clouds drifting quickly overhead the myriad of skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. The clouds were moving Northeast, and I noticed the Sears Tower was slicing them like a knife. The separation created a large band of gray clouds that seemed to float directly above the skyscrapers, and outlined the city nicely. It was unusually warm today, and reminded me of spring, and it looked as if the grass was beginning to grow again. I started working with the Spring theme (although way too early for Chicagoans!) and tried composing a photo with the melting snow, leaf less trees, and yellow grass. The clouds above reminded me of an impending storm and combined with the warm weather it really felt like Spring was blooming! I started working within the frame to find the most pleasing composition and thought the interplay of lines and direction made this a winner. I would love to hear your comments! Please let me know how I did.
Check out my portfolios for more of my work. Thanks for stopping by!
Had been watching the weather forecast about week ago (due the potential Weather event). In the last couple days, the snow totals they were forecasting kept going up an inch each day.
It was Sunday and I had checked the forecast and they were expecting 6 inches of snow (That kind of snowfall in one weather event is an absolute rarity here). It started flurrying just before 8pm. And accumulated overnight.
This morning it started to pick up in intensity right around 8am. Around 10am I went outside and swept our sidewalk and driveway with a broom. And also cleared off the car.
Sometime around 2pm my wife took the tape measure outside and measured almost 6 inches of snow. We still have several hours left of snowfall before it ends. We could easily end up with 8 or more inches!
Chili ingredients:
- 2 lb. Ground Beef
- 2 packets of Chili seasoning
- One Onion (Diced)
- 2 Cans of Kidney Beans
- 1 Can of Black Beans
- Two Cans of Diced Tomatoes
Our house
Knoxville, Tennessee
Monday, January 15th, 2024
Like / Follow / Subscribe:
This evening, I have just added 12 more photos from my visit to the Saskatoon Farm, on 18 July 2019. I will not be posting any images tomorrow. Having noticed that my Cover photo/banner has disappeared, I did wonder if I would be able to upload any photos. A few problems, but all uploaded eventually.
A few days ago, after seven or so long, brutal months of winter (coldest on record?) and now endless weeks of rain and cloud, I finally decided, enough is enough. I have become a fair-weather photographer, and we don't get that much fair weather, especially this year. So, on 18 July 2019, despite the weather forecast for a thunderstorm, I decided to drive SE of the city mid-afternoon. My plan had been to go to the Farm first and have a meal, and then continue on to Frank Lake. Seeing the beautiful storm clouds on my drive south, I was torn as to whether to go to Frank Lake first and catch a few photos. Then it occurred to me that I could also get a few sky shots once I had turned off the main highway and on to the country road leading to the Farm.
The Farm was pretty busy. So much wonderful colour everywhere that I almost forgot about the weather. That is, until I was eating outside under the open shelter. It was so cold, I had goosebumps, and the wind increased, sending a huge picnic table umbrella flying fast like an arrow through the air. Just a short bit of rain and all returned to 'normal'.
As usual, I wandered around the grounds, shooting flowers, rabbits, landscape, clouds, and old tractors. One barn stood out to me and had me puzzled. I have visited the farm many times before, but I don't remember seeing one particular barn/shed before. It looked so pretty, with its colourful flower border, so maybe that is why it caught my eye.
Eventually, I continued my drive to Frank Lake. The storm clouds stayed with me. One side road has a small wetland on either side of the road and I pulled over to check what birds might be there. I was about to turn off my car when a loud buzzer sounded and a tornado alert was announced - to take shelter and if there was no shelter nearby, to get into a ditch or ravine. Then I heard that the area covered was further SE - in fact, where I had been a week earlier.
"Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) confirmed a weak EF0 tornado touched down two kilometres northeast of Crossfield at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, 14 July 2019, marking the 12th confirmed twister of the season." (This was roughly 50 km north of Calgary.)
According to the weather agency, Alberta typically sees an average of 15 tornadoes per year with the peak season starting mid-to-late June and ending early-to-mid August.
So far in 2019, there have been 12 confirmed tornadoes in Alberta and three probable ones. There have also been many reports of funnel clouds." From Global News.
While I was standing by this wetland, a White-faced Ibis flew in. I believe this was the first one I had really seen and photographed this year. Further on, when I was at the blind, there were so many Ruddy Ducks. The Barn Swallow pair flew back and forth to their nest that is just out of sight. I had checked to see if I could spot the Red Knot (bird), but without binoculars, it was pretty much impossible to check the very distant water birds.
A very enjoyable afternoon/evening. Mid-evening, the main highway wasn't very busy, and the rain only started when I arrived home and had to get out of the car.
The weather forecast was not for rain, but drizzle greeted us as we started our walk into Chester Lake to see the larches.
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
A fine weather forecast was predicted for Wednesday morning so I chose to come straight out of work to this location. On arrival I could hear this thundering away when I parked up. I really did think I wouldn't make it in time but it clearly was more audible due to being in the cutting at the time.
It was pleasing for me because I have done many shots over the years looking this way and never before have I had a Class 70 here.
our weather forecast said we should batten down the hatches a blizzard from the Antartic would sweep over NZ till Wed ..when I felt its quite nice outside I jumped in the car to walk on the Beach, in case I would be confined in the house for days
the gulls showed no worries
Sunday morning`s weather forecast was for bright and sunny weather and i wanted to have another go at the waders as they come up the estuary on the high tide so i arrived at the estuary as the sun was riseing and walked a couple of miles to where i had spotted the birds the other day,and because the various waders arrive in quite large flocks they are easily spooked so i kept a low profile and managed to capture these images.
More images below this one!
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Weather forecast for a weather pattern approaching the Wimmera late today, some great clouds over Police Paddocks in the late afternoon.
With weather forecasts showing southwesternly winds I positioned myself for som jaeger migration shots trying out the new Nikkor 200-500mm lens - with a D90, of course stuck with f5,6 due to the different aperture systems (mechanical/electric)
The weather forecast say it suppose to "snow" today, which happen about 35 years ago. As you can see there's no snow today, a little disappoint. But you can see the SF bay & bay bridge and oakland airport in the picture (very tiny)
Views better on Black
Weather forecast said that the it would be sunny in the morning but it was cloudy instead when I arrived. I waited for roughly an hour to see some beams of sun ray peeked in the forest. It only lasted a few seconds and disappeared.
In November 2005 weather forecast was fine for the eastern alps so I decided to go to the beautiful mountains of Hohe Tauern over a weekend. At this time of the year, you must not be afraid of crowded mountains. Quite the opposite, I never met another person when I was hiking there.
After taking a hike at night to catch first sunlight on the mountains (see corresponding pictures), I returned to the valley that was still frosty and showed very nice structures of ice crystals and on this photo a frozen creek. So I had the opportunity to take some shots with the Mamiya 7 on Fuji Velvia, at this light naturally on a tripod.
The slide was scanned with Imacon Flextight 848.
A few weeks ago now, Judy tagged me to represent myself via an image of six books. You wouldn't believe how difficult that is! It took me ages to decide on which books, and then I had to find the darned things (we have bookcases all over this house!) Anyway, this selection is what I ended up with:
(1) Shakey - Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough. I actually tried to find Eric Clapton's Autobiography, but couldn't locate it, so chose this one instead. It's there to represent the fact that music is so important to me. And that the 'real' lives of people is something about which I am always fascinated. This particular biography took me ages to read, but by the end of it, I had even more respect for Neil Young than I did before I read it. There's no doubt he has had an 'interesting' life, and I admire his tenacity and integrity almost as much as I admire his music. But my abiding memory from reading this book is 'wow ... how are so many of these guys still alive after ingesting THAT amount of drugs?!!
(2) The Bad Mother's Handbook by Kate Long. This book is here to show that sometimes I need to read 'light' fiction; as well as the fact that I think all mothers struggle with trying to overcome the feeling that they are - at least at times - a bad mother. I know I do. Mothering is a difficult, underrated job!
(3) The Luminaries by Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas. A book about the symbolism of the Sun and Moon, and their placements in an astrological context. Liz Greene is a much admired intellect, and I think the world is a lesser place for the death of Howard Sasportas - I admired him and his knowledge enormously. It might surprise some of my contacts here at Flickr to know that I am a 'fully qualified' astrologer. I studied for five years with The Faculty of Astrological Studies in London, and achieved both their Certificate and Diploma. It was a lot of hard work, and involved studying history, astronomy, psychology and and mythology, along with the astrology. I know there are many who feel the subject to be a load of rubbish, and that's fine. I never seek to persuade anyone to either accept or adopt my views. All I can say is that I am an inherently practical person, and for me it is very much a 'weather forecast' for Life (as well as a richly symbolic language which interests me). The weather will never stop you (or any of us) going for that picnic you/we have planned, but it's good to know if it might persist down, and you/we might need an umbrella. ;-)
(4) A Simples Life by Aleksandr Orlov. This book is here to represent the importance of humour in my life. I have loved Aleksandr from the very first advert in which he appeared for 'Compare the Meerkat' ;-) I also particularly like meerkats - the ones we saw at the Durrell Wildlife place last summer were just gorgeous. This book provides many giggles - I recommend it. Aleksandr also has a Facebook page for those of you who inhabit the weird world of Facebook (as I do).
(5) The Complete Photographer by Tom Ang. This book is here for very obvious reasons - my love and passion for photography, and my journey as I learn more and more about the subject and how to use it to make the kind of creative images I most enjoy. This book was a gift last Christmas, and I have yet to read it all.
(6) Culpeper's Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper. This book is here to represent both my interest in herbal medicine, and my love for the natural world and plants in particular. Anyone who looks at my stream knows that plant life features prominently: I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of flowers and plants. I have been using herbs in a medicinal way for a long time, and as with astrology, view it as a personal choice. I do not prefer it to so-called 'conventional' medicine, but rather see it as an added 'tool' in trying to address any problems, and maintain good health.
I won't 'tag' anyone else in particular, but would be really interested to see which six books my friends here at Flickr, would use to represent themselves.
My entry for No.62 - Books, in 111 in 2011.
Sorry for not getting round to comment on everyone's streams this week - I have a rather poorly daughter so have been in full-time nurse mode. I hope normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!
weather forecast : 12-15 inches of snow this weekend.
remnants of my past captured in silence forever...i was born of the ocean with a flowing consciousness and crashing waves by my side for the first 18 years of my life...though i no longer reside there, it will always reside within me.
they tore down the amusement palace from 1888 a few months ago and i am overcome with sadness and longing upon this discovery...asbury park was my favorite place to photograph and i spent hours there walking and thinking and breathing salty air and feeling more alive than some people do in a lifetime..my ghost town of beautiful decay is being torn down piece by piece and rebuilt...it was one of the few remaining parts of new jersey untouched by strip malls and rapid suburban development is finally reaching it and covering a rich history that you could feel in the air. at first it felt like my entire past had been wrenched from me but now i am just glad that i have personal documentation of its beauty to couple with my memories and emotions and when i look at them i am home again.
Sunrise was pretty albeit brief this morning. We live 600 feet above the City of Ithaca, NY. in the "Town" of Ithaca, NY. Today, down in the City, they will have 88'F, but up here on the hill, our temperatures are always slightly cooler at 84'F. It's always a blessing on really hot days.
Weekend weather forecast calls for snow in the mountains and near-freeze in the valleys. Enjoy the nectar while you can.
Anna's Hummingbird at Baja Fairy Duster.
11-4-12
Tucson, Arizona
We are still in an ongoing deep freeze! Fed up of this very cold weather, but thankful that there is nowhere that I have to go.
"A brutal, long-duration cold snap struck Calgary, Alta., just as we turned the page into February, creating the coldest start to the month in 50 years.
The average temperature fell below -20°C for the first eight days of the month, the coldest start to February since 1975.
This cold snap is extra stubborn, and there’s no clear end in sight. Over the next week, temperatures will average 10-15 degrees below seasonal across central and southern Alberta." From the Weather Network.
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
The weather forecast changed, taking the rain out until later in the evening, so I was able to concentrate on the 'finish line'--the lilac tree area in the other corner. I ran into some 'problems' as two bricks that were placed last summer had shifted, so I had to relevel them. Then, I had issues with roots that would cause the bricks to be higher than intended, so some pruning was required to get the level right. So, today's bricks numbered 8, bringing the total number to 90. Yes, I counted! That leaves about 15 more bricks to go.
The weather forecast announced 6 cm, but we ended up with almost 30 (a feet.)
We had a rally in school for kids around the school planned, it took place even with this crazy unexpected snow. Kids came back with the cutest rosy cheeks and the usual snifs of a good time spent outside.
I also noticed on my walk back from the post office, how people are talking to each other in the winter. Helping pushing cars, snowplowing for others, helping older people clean their stairs. I think its just another reason to love winter.
Now time to cozy up with some banana chocolate chips muffins I made yesterday and some tea. (And play Damien Jurado's Gas Station on loop.)
I will make a warm and loving lentils soup for dinner, wishing to have a fresh baguette to go with it. (I don't want to go outside anymore.)
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
.....partly cloudy!
Please don't use this image on any websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© All rights reserved
Five more photos taken on 2 July 2024, at the Peony Farm.
25 July 2024: cooler today (high of 22C), but wildfire smoke continues. Air quality is at Very High Risk, so I will again be staying home.
Jasper: "it was said crews will be fighting the fire for weeks before it's under control, and even longer before it will be extinguished."
www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/severe/building...
Jasper wildfire (NW of Calgary):
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildfire-that-roared-into...
24 July 2024: wildfires are burning in Alberta. There is also an Alberta Emergency Alert today : "This is an Alberta Emergency Alert. Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch alert. This alert is in effect for all communities between Wetaskiwin and Calgary, that are west of Veteran's Memorial Highway 36 and east of the foothills."
24 July 2024, Jasper: "The largest fire, referred to as the south wildfire, is estimated to be among the largest in Jasper National Park’s history at 10,800 hectares in size and as of 6:40 p.m. Wednesday had reached the town, according to a Parks Canada post on social media." From Edmonton Journal. So sad! Maligne Lodge has been completely burned.
23 July 2024: 33°C (feels like 36°C). Intense heat and wildfire smoke pose health risk. So hot inside without any air-conditioning!
22 July 2024: "Temperatures will continue to break records in Alberta this week, smoky skies linger. Temperature is 31°C (feels like 34°C)." The Weather Network.
In the morning, on 2July 2024, my daughter and I made our first ever visit to the Parkland Peony Farm. People had to buy tickets in order to be able access the glorious display of 850 varieties of Peony. I only heard about this place a year ago, when a friend posted photos, and it was too late to get tickets. So, this year, I was determined to take my daughter there. I was concerned about how much walking there could be. As it turned out, I was unable to see the furthest rows of these amazing blooms, but so thankful that I had at least seen many of the flowers. Too much pain, as well as the heat, and I just had to give up. 'Walking' was of course just a very slow stroll, taking photos. Fresh air and a teeny bit of exercise no doubt did me good, though I felt absolutely tired out by the end.
Right at the start of our visit, arriving a bit early, we looked near the parking area, finding a Black Henbane plant that already had seedpods. I love these pods, though I know it is an invasive species.
Once inside the farm grounds, we heard and saw a KIlldeer. This behaviour told us that there had to be a nest somewhere. We saw both adults in among the Peonies, so my eyes kept checking the soil pathways for any sign. Maybe instead of a nest, they now had young ones to protect. I also saw a rabbit running through the bushes, too fast for me to get a photo.
After leaving the Farm, we called in briefly at the Saskatoon Farm. So many people there, enjoying themselves. My daughter needed to get home and also the weather forecast was for a storm and we wanted to avoid that. Instead, we watched the heavy rain and hail - thankfully, ony small hail! - about five hours later, at home. In no time at all, everywhere turned white. So glad I wasn't driving in such awful weather!
The weather forecast was for very high winds in the mountains, and so we settled on exploring Brown-Lowery Provincial Park once again. A lovely walk in the woods and out of the wind!
I rose very early to drive down south to the wildlife refuge—112 miles from home—in hopes of capturing the start of the sunrise. The weather forecast had predicted that it would be a fine day with a mixture of sun and clouds, and very little chance of any rain. Well, as I reached the final 30 miles or so while on the highway, a thick blanket of fog consumed the view ahead, making the conditions quite hazardous, and shortly afterward, the rain began to fall, although rather lightly, nonetheless, precipitation. So, upon arrival, it was damp and foggy. The fog was not as bad as it had been on the highway, but enough to minimize the distant scenery. Then the winds started to roll in, dropping the temperature to a very chilly state. I did not bring an extra layer to wear between the shirt and light jacket, so the chill was rough to manage.
Anyhow, the usual stop, before the circuit drive was the raised boardwalk overlook. Barn Swallows were struggling in their flight, for the strong winds and rain made it difficult. Along the railings, at just about every opening, one could appreciate some really nice spider web art. Realizing that there was no sunrise to capture in such conditions, I left the park for a bit so that I could get some local breakfast fare. When I returned, the visibility was improved somewhat, and more natural light was available, albeit, not that great. The rain continued between light drizzles to some downpours. Luckily, visitors can remain in their vehicles, but the dirt roads now become pretty messy.
The Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway Township, but commonly known as Brigantine, New Jersey, was originally established in 1939 with the Brigantine name, and again in 1967 as a combination with the Barnegat Division, in order to protect the natural wetlands for the regular wildlife inhabitants and the migratory birds that follow the Atlantic Flyway as they travel north and south throughout the year. Later in 1984, the two joined under the name of the current Edwin B Forsythe in honoring the late NJ Congressman and Conservationist.
The overwhelming majority of the area is wetlands and the within that, most of it is of a salt marsh nature. The roughly 47,000 acres of protective landscape is quite vast—wonderfully seen from the observation towers—and a well maintained 8-mile main drive, with several shorter extensions and songbird trails for hikers are available for more exploration. There are a number of raised platform nesting sites away from the drive for some of the raptors (eagles, ospreys, falcons, etc.) and a few observation towers along the driving route. These do offer better wide range vantage points; however, given the way the vegetative growth by the roadside is nicely trimmed back within reason, much of the wildlife can be appreciated right from the vehicles. And speaking of wildlife, there is a wealth of fascinating birds and other critters to admire.
One does not need to be a birder to enjoy the visit, for the overall landscape is so very beautiful and peaceful. The famous Atlantic City with its numerous casino resorts and attractive skyline sits mostly to the south and east, depending on where you are at the time, and, of course, just beyond that is the great Atlantic Ocean. When capturing AC or any of the vast landscape under the right lighting conditions, namely “Magic Hour” toward the end of the day or early morning, the overall scenery can be captivating.
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
Monday, 5 August 2024: our weather forecast for today is tornado chance with severe storms! Only 19C just after noon.
Yay, in the evening of 3 August 2024, the wind picked up and we had thunder and rain, thank goodness. With the various wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia, along with so much hot, dry weather, we need not every drop of rain, but every bucketful! Unfortunately, the rain only lasted a very short time.
On 2 August 2024 (can't believe it is already August!), I did a long, exhausting day drive, covering NW, SW and SE of Calgary. My plans changed on the spur of the moment once I headed back to Calgary from the NW. Originally, I decided to go NW, as I haven't been out that way for quite a while.
Heading W from home, I couldn't resist stopping to check if the Common Loon I saw almost a week ago was there again. Scanning the large pond, I saw no sign of life. Then, suddenly, in the far distance, I saw a bird fly in and land on the water. 'Duck' was the first thing that went through my mind. Then, when I zoomed in on my camera, I couldn't believe my eyes - it was the Loon again! The weather was better than the awful weather/light the last time I saw it there so, fortunately, I was able to get better shots.
Feeling very thankful, I headed N, hoping I might just see a Turkey Vulture that a few people had been reporting. It had been seen in the same area as the rare Whooping Crane. No luck. I was curious to see if the Crane was in the wetland, as when I had seen it recently, it was far more distant than that. I pulled into the pull-off, glanced quickly and saw nothing, and was about to reverse, when I realized that a red truck that belonged to some ranch had pulled over on the road right behind me. A guy was taking photos with his cell phone and it looked like he was taking photos of my vehicle. Then I noticed a sign that said No Parking. Of course, I thought he was probably going to report me - though I was not parked, as I hadn't even turned off my engine, knowing I was only going to be there a matter of seconds. So annoying, and I couldn't get it out of my mind the rest of the day.
I couldn't wait to leave the whole area and head further N. Came to the town of Cochrane and ALL the construction going on. For someone with a driving phobia, trust me, it was a nightmare. Then all I could think about was knowing that I would have to go through it all again later on.
One thing I really wanted to see again was a beautiful old, pale grey barn, in great condition. Further on, I noticed a Kestrel perched on a high wire. I could only take three quick shots through my windscreen, which resulted in awful photos, but I was happy to see it. Such beautiful birds of prey.
It was good to see several old barns/homesteads along the way, even more so as I wasn't seeing any more birds. Also, the sky was so beautiful.
Once i was down SW and SE of Calgary, hawks and one Vesper Sparrow were my only sightings. Two were on their nest and two were on hay bales at different locations. One of the latter, standing on a very distant bale, looked almost like a Ferruginous Hawk. Google Lens's first ID said Red-tailed Hawk, 3rd ID Ferruginous, so I still don't know.
By the time I arrived home, after driving 393 km and 9 and a half hours, on a very hot day, I was dead beat. A great day, though, with the Loon being a highlight.
With sunny weather forecast, we made a snap decision, booked a day's leave and set off for the Doncaster area and hopefully some quality photographic conditions.
We left Pompey as the sun was just showing her face on the horizon and travelled north in wall-to-wall blue skies. Two shots at Doncaster were quickly followed by grey clouds that lasted the whole day! We tried Knottingley - same result, then on up to Milford. As can be seen, this shot of a Tug running her train of hoppers to Milford sidings before running round and heading back south, was also taken under grey skies. And that just about set the tone from that day to this. I seem to have an uncanny knack of arranging days out when the weather simply refuses to play ball. I must have used all my weather luck up in the 80/90s!
60097 can still be seen today albeit in a long line of other members of the class in Toton Yard. Bearing in mind she's been there since 2008, I can't help but think her days are numbered.
Our local newspaper is usually on top of all the issues and so is their cartoonist.
Let's hope the weather forecast is correct - we really have been having the warmest winter and spring on record. Does not augur well for summer.
Yesterday, unlike today, the weather forecast was correct and I once more went to this reserve to see marsh fritillaries and experiment with my photos. The area was again full of the fritillaries, though I only saw a single other butterfly there.
One of the few photos taken with my older camera which allowed me to use the close-up attachment. There was enough light not to need flash.
We listened to the weather forecast for frost and strong winds tomorrow and the rest for the week so we decided to drive up into that huge area of forest known as Thetford Chase and try and capture some of autumn’s glory before it falls to the forest floor.
During short spells of sunshine I managed a few shots and we just hope you can share what we saw and enjoyed.
Just think that in a few days weeks maybe the tress will be bare and all this beauty will lay on the forest floor decaying yet providing nutriments for the next seasons.
This years beauty will be forgotten but next year will see life renewed, meanwhile the trees are in countdown for the colder days that lie ahead.
Nature has a programme and it adheres to it .
We were out doing some macro photography at our favorite spot along Holbert Road in Proffitt when a severe thunderstorm approached. Because the weather forecast was for severe thunderstorms, hail, and a possible tornado, we got an early start, figuring that by doing so we could avoid running into bad weather. The day was extremely hot and humid, so we were running with the doors off the jeep. Unlike other outings, we took the precaution of putting them in the back, ready to put back on if necessary. It DID became necessary... only a few minutes after this photo was taken. We were reluctant to interrupt our bug and spider hunting, but finally had to stop as a sudden blast of ice cold wind warned us that heavy rain was almost upon us. Mounting the doors only took about 30 seconds for each side, but as we finished, a fine, cold wind-driven mist began, then paused, replaced by large drops the size of pigeon eggs. We were then subjected to the wildest display of lightning I had seen in many years. We drove as fast as the greasy clay mud of Holbert Road would allow, out to the main road, praying that we wouldn't run into hail. We didn't. This particular storm dropped a tornado that tore through open range land, causing no damage other than a few downed power transmission towers and a lot of ripped up fences. We didn't find out about the tornado until we saw it mentioned in a newspaper.
DSC-5487
First attempt at a silhouette shot for the Practical Photography Module 3 on silhouettes.
I metered for the sky, locked exposure then focused on one of the cats. I used F/16 as I wanted to try and get the raindrops on the window in focus as well as the cats. If I was to do this one again, I think the window should be cleaned first, then wait for the right weather conditions (yeah right).
ISO 200: F/16; SS 1/1000; Pattern metering: Focal Length 50mm.
A question, when I opened the file up in the RAW converter, the cats were completely under-exposed and I recovered by moving black slider to the left. Is this the way it's supposed to be with silhouettes, or for a correct exposure should the silhouettes be perfectly exposed as well, albeit that they are black?
We had a trip to Prague in January – for Jayne’s birthday - we don’t buy Christmas or birthday presents, we travel instead. We left snowy England for a very, very dull and grey Czech Republic. Yet again I was on a photographic downer looking at the weather forecast, grey is the colour that haunts me. Fortunately it was dull grey and not burnt highlight inducing bright grey.With the grey sky acting like a big diffuser I was going to have deep shadow and contrast to deal with. We had three very short spells of broken cloud which gave us a bit of sun and colour, which I managed to more or less anticipate so we managed to be in decent locations every time – generally somewhere high.
We had been upgraded to a five star hotel, apparently our original choice was flooded. We got compensation and five star hotel upgrade– a first for me. The Art Nouveau Palace has a beautiful interior, with beautiful rooms, the breakfast room was fantastic, as was the breakfast it has to be said. We were able to have an early breakfast so were out on foot just after eight. It was very cold – and dull! We spent the whole week well wrapped up. It drizzled for a day, but never really wet us, it snowed for a day, again we didn’t get wet and the snow didn’t settle. We walked 65 mile, spending plenty of time checking buildings and their interiors out – and coffee shop and bar interiors it has to be said. Although it was dull and sometimes wet I decided that the Camera was staying in my hands for the whole trip. Whenever I put it in my backpack for one reason or another I regret it.
Again, I didn’t look at any photographs of Prague before we got there, I like to just walk and discover, with the DK guidebook in my pocket (which is full of photos it has to be said). We like to get off the beaten track and see the grittier side of the places we visit – within reason! Prague has an incredible tram network, over 1000 trams – with many of them Tatra Eastern Bloc machines. The system seems chaotic but in reality it is incredible with one of the largest networks and highest usages in the world. The trams and cars frequently share the same road space with very little in the way of drama, none of the inexplicable and pathetic constant horn blowing one finds in many countries. Once it became apparent that buildings with a grey blanket as a background were going to be a bit un-inspirational I decided that the trams would be a good focal point instead. Where I have photographed one of the older trams against a background without clues it is easy to imagine that the photos were taken fifty years ago.
The train network also provided photo opportunities. The rolling stock ranges from old Eastern Bloc to very modern double decker’s and pendolinos. There are three stations although we visited the main station and Smichov. The main station interior is art deco and has been renovated by a private company. The exterior and the platforms are very rundown with a grim eastern bloc 1950’s feel –but it works! We discovered to our amusement that we could just walk across multiple lines, no health and safety, just keep your eyes open and don’t walk under a train – you’ll make a mess. Smichov station was grim, it didn’t help that it snowed all day and was grey and bitter. We felt like we were in a 50’s film set in Russia, broken concrete platforms and dereliction. With both stations there was another world underneath them. The underground Metro is running seamlessly and efficiently away beneath your feet. I didn’t have any problems taking photos anywhere but I was very open and obviously a tourist, I didn’t act covertly or suspiciously. There was only one occasion I was stopped and that was in a shopping centre – full of CCTV cameras filming everyone else!
We discovered old and beautiful- and very large- shopping centres hidden away in quite a few places. Brass framed windows and doors, shops thriving, there was a massive camera shop with thousands of second hand cameras, too much to look at. Many of the landmark buildings prevent photography, some make a small charge, some encourage it, the DK guide book gives a good indication regarding camera use. Nothing stops many people though, they just shoot away regardless, usually wanting a picture that includes their self. Prague is surrounded by low hills and has a fair few towers that you can pay a few pounds to go up, so viewpoints are plentiful. I think we visited most of them. I read about the Zizkov Tower, which looks like a Soviet rocket on the horizon and we headed straight for it - after crossing the rail lines! Set in a quiet residential area, there wasn’t a soul about. Two beautiful girls on reception and we parted with a few pounds, into the lift and were on the observation deck with no one else up there. There are fantastic views over the city, but! It is through two layers of not very clean glass so you go for the view rather than sharp panoramas. Still a fascinating place, with a nice café bar and very clean toilets – there are toilets everywhere, usually manned with a fee. Places are well staffed compared with home were three students are supposed to run a 20 screen multiplex cinema.
Graffiti was prominent, no matter how grand the monument, some moron would have daubed it. How do they get away with it in a 24 hour city centre with a strong police presence? The place is very clean, constantly being swept. What did surprise me, was that many buildings, that looked grand and built of stone, from a distance, were actually rendered with very low quality brickwork concealed. When restored the building look very impressive, others are missing the outer render from ground level to a fair height.
I need to cut this short really, I like to put a background story to the photos and although it would be better to individualise it to a specific photo or group of photos I don’t have the time to do that. I do try to give specific detail in the title bar after I have uploaded, this is time consuming enough although I’m pretty proficient at it by now. There are many things I would like to write that should be of interest to anyone thinking of going to Prague but I’ll have to let the pictures do the talking. As usual I am unlikely to be selective enough with my uploads, I’m not very good at leaving photos out so I just upload and be damned.
Today the weather forecast was good and so we rode up from Pickering to spend time at Goathland.
When we were ready to return to Pickering in mid-afternoon and finding that there was half an hour until the next southbound Yorkshire Coastliner bus was due, we decided to walk from the village centre out to the Mallyan Spout Hotel at the west end of the village and catch the bus there.
Coastliner's Volvo B5TL's are the longer version of the model. I reckon they are really stylish. Being longer than YCL's earlier Volvo B7TL's and B9TL's, they have to adopt a different tactic when turning at the west end of Goathland.
The shorter ones could approach and slowly make a u-turn with the steering on full lock, without running out of tarmac whilst so doing.
The B5TL's cannot do this - they have to do a three-point turn.
Not thought of in advance, I realised that I could make this view as the bus turned before retracing the road it had arrived on, and stopping to pick us up. The broadside view shows off its length to good effect.
BN68XPT had gone past us and approached the roundabout and turned to its right; it is now reversing into the other road as an arriving car waits for it to complete its manoeuvre; it will then come towards Sylvia and me (waiting at the stop with hand out!)