Burrell

 

Not to bee missed. The collection nearish to Glasgow.

So much to see, never had time for a string of photographs. There is this one though.

there

 

We passed by on the other side.

As one does.

Dad crofter

 

David, the crofters dad with his cockatoo lurking. 

My dad used to keep those birds I seem to recall. No idea why.

Anyway, David is bouncing a back to fine heath after some eye issues lately. 

My eyes are not so good either these days - especially my right eye and, despite using an autofocus camera I can't always take sharp photos when I want to. Perhaps I shall back to no focus camera and blur.

artist, potter and friend.

 

Oof here's Gwyneth outside her house in Drongan, Scotland. 

Not the best snap I have ever taken but there you are, it's still Gwyneth.

cat in the haar

 

No idea what this cat was called but it posed nicely down on a croft in the haar.

and the ride...

 

Oh look theres Eve and Mr Windy about to set off at the Veloretro ride in Ulverston. Third year of taking part and everything. 

It's Friday again

 

I think we walked down here on a Friday. The sun was shining - but not too hot. We met peeps with dogs, lots of them. Eve has the list if the dogs names

Harrogate

 

I quite like Harrogate. The art gallery is fine even if the museum space is a tad dim.  The cafes are ok too if you avoid the over hyped dainty affair. We did and hit the greasy spoon. For some reason the whole town was stinky as. Stinky as a stinky thing. I think the nearby farmers must hav ebeen fertilising their fields with organic fertiliser. despite that my nephew and his lovely family chose to live there - and very nice it too.  Aptly described in the snap above.

lanes

 

We took a route up o'er  North Yorkshire Dales. It was a mistake. I missed a turning so up we went. narrow roads, walls, moors, coows and sheeps. Twas lovely. Eve didn't like the drive.I loved it.

I think it was near Pately Bridge - where we came across a crown green bowls place which I'd love to have a go at and probably be even worse than I am with the usual bowls on the flat greens.

+2s

 

Quite the latest attire for the discerning bicycle rider in England don't you know. Or should be. I was told they were 'plus twos' not plus fours - along with a comprehensive explanation that obviously went in one ear and out the other. Looks spiffing with the brogues and warm socks.

Oh how lovely

 

A bucolic scene in Northern England. Sheeps safely grazing and everything. 

It wasn't all like this. we went to towns as well don't you know.

biking

 

No not the bike race we saw but a rather lovely and sedate Retro Velo ride in and around Ulverston in the District of Lakes in England. Whilst most of the riders posed on their classic racing bikes dressed in sponsor adorned race-wear, this couple on what I was led to believe to be Rudge bicycles wore period non-sports clothing. And they did the full albeit 30miles course. I snapped them here as they finished the ride. I was sat outside a pub with my friend Deanne and tested the local IPA.

somewhere

 This is somewhere we visited in Yorkshire. Nice place called Richmond I'd told by Eve. We been here a few times. A long time ago to ride cycle grass track racing [around the cricket pitch] , another time to enjoy the delights of the World Cycle road race championships which passed through on here way back to Harrogate. And we revisited the cosy cafe we took tea in back then too.

Cycle race

 I saw this race last year whilst down this way. The course is were few minutes walk from Eve's sisters current house in Yorkshire. This is a typical local race scene. We sat on tother side of the road and there were a few more peeps down the road. Every eight minutes or so you'd hear the lead motorbike then the bunch of cyclists would roar through followed by a few stragglers. Oh the excitement.

Burrell

 Of course we went to the Burrell Collection, again. It's a wonderful cafe and the collection and the building it is housed in just sings. 

I was so moved I took a snap of a shadow. Not sure what of but there it is.

If you have not been please go it's so lovely. We were on our way home from where we had been had some time in hand and an empty stomach.

I had with me a little Olympus XA and Kentmere 200 which was not the ideal combination for the occasion situation but it used it all the same.

we have been off island

 Did you realise?

We are back now and the first of very few films exposed while away have been developed. In time I shall tell you about the RetroRide, the siege with armed policepersons, the family I had not met and the something else I may remember.

meanwhile, phone image:

salvage

 

An amazing place near Wells, Somerset where you can buy statues or ex-soviet tanks.

just one of those things

 

bad rep.

 

This is the nearest proper harbour to home in the next village past Bac and everything. Tis Brevig and by all accounts not well thought of due to its dodgy design. The entrance to the this harbour means one has to be extremely careful not to land ones boat or rocks on one side of the narrow entrance and concrete on the other. It's not well thought of either as boats can be seen crashing against the harbour walls inn certain conditions.

 I like to have a wander down there though looking and seeing, wondering and all. There is an active fishing scene over there.

And as it write we are just about to leave for dinner with friends in a house overlooking the harbour.

towards the moor

 

On one of my favourite tracks in the village looking out over the moors. Lovely - especially on the sunny days  before the midges arrive.

David

 

I may be over-using the reto plastic camera atm. It's light and in the right conditions it works well. in less than ideal conditions it works. This snap was caught inside An Lanntair  cafe/arts centre during a little conflab with ourselves and Mrs David.

yes, it floats

 

They both float as it happens. The old tub of a fishing boat still just about working and the visiting sail training ship from Denmark looking lovely in the unexpected sunshine that day. The young sailors from Denmark brightening up the town here in their smart uniforms and bright smiles.

Over that way

Not been past here for ages and everything. For some reason I have not had the urge and have not taken the Bronica out for a while either. It must be rectified soon. Tis over the other side of the island. Over there,, [pointing wildly and most probably inaccurately. but you get the idea].

sewing

 

And here's Mr Hickman in his studio creating another piece for an upcoming London exhibition. Oh I say, no doubt it will sell for a tidy sum to keep the wolf from the door.

I just love calling in for a natter and potential snappage although at the time of writing Tom has the flue or some such ghastly bug.

and this is Tom

 

Tom the artist of this parish dancing to his garden to help the growing process. Never know someone with such green fingers. His garden is wonderfully lush and productive despite overlooking the sea.

That's his lovely studio behind his wonderful "Scottish home of the year 2022" house. Visits to the studio can be arranged.

The snap was taken on Foma 200 pushed to 800 in Rodinal [a mistake!! ]

Glasgow

 

Ooof, wee shall be off island again later in the year for a spot of cycle-race watching this time in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. Really looking forward to it and maybe we'll get a visit to the Necropolis while we are briefly there.

Off island soonish

 

Our pilgrimage to the cycle event that is Retro Velo is happening soon with a stop at various places to see peoples various enroute. Hopefully it won't involve going to place like this which I really hate. 

Hoping to see nephew, partner and baybi somewhere in Yorkshire. 

Hoping for mild dry weather too.

Back in the day

 

back in the day  when I had the energy and drive to wet-print. A fine example of my ouvre - what ever that was.

Lamblets

 

From down on t'croft the other day. A selection of small bouncy beasts exploring an unfamiliar place.  Not sure what there were doing there to be honest but I snapped them up all the same.

South North Tolsta

 

There is such a place. There's also New Tolsta which is confusingly north of North Tolsta. Oh and Glen Tolsta which is south of north tolsta on the way in from Stornoway. Our "Man who does" lives there. The snap is of a part of the village I rarely visit but see often.

spring plumage

 

I caught The Crofter on his croft in his spring plumage. How lovely he looks in the early sunshine, grey hair glistening in the light.

There's order and calmness down there sometimes. The boy helper hadn't turned in, the childlings were at school and Mrs Crofter, a teacher was too.

horsey haar

 

Lovely haar all around the village and gone by the time you reach the  next village. Or else it's everywhere else but here. That's how it is.

two

 

There you are, Sam [right] and Tom. At the 'other' croft resting after planting trees and digging. 

We, that's when Eve and I came across them on a little bike ride so paused to pass the time of day.

There's Tom and Eve sat sitting and everything. I was snip snapping at this time and goodness knows what Sam was up to.

are you awake?

 

of course she does

 

Whilst I was strolling through the village listening to the cuckoo and assorted other flappy things, a lawn mower coughed into life and shattered the blissful sounds. 

Eve on the other hand has cycled down to the community polycrub to throw water about and sing a song to the peas about growing big and fat. It's a lovely song and I'll get Eve to record it and I'll post it here [in your dreams].

The snap was taken THEN not now. It's on film from a little plastic camera.

Oh and don't forget the Giro D'Italia is happening now. As you might imagine, they are in Bulgaaria atm.

bowls

 

When I was young and lived in Bath, Somerset I remember going along to Victoria park and seeing these old people playing bowls. Now aged 70, here I am.

The only trouble here is that it still has a biting cold breeze despite the sun. However, Eve and I played o'er on another island yesterday - and indoors.

racey

 

We may have booked a trip to Glasgow later in the year. There's a big cyclo-cross being held there and I am hoping to sample the bier and frite they usually have on sale at such events. Hopefully there will be a great atmosphere as there is at events over the water in that there foreign.

Here's a snap from a road race in Englandshire some years back. It was cold I recall.

ooof

 

For some reason the sun has been shining. I managed a short game of bowls and two [albeit short]bike  rides since we last spoke and I feel quite good for a change. I might even "push the boat" out and play a game of bowls next week on an adjacent isle where there is a cafe next door. 

The tourists are around the island now, campervans and all. As it happens the main ferry to Lewis is less than perfect atm restricting it's carrying capacity. [saddish face 😆].

another month

 

It must be time for another cuppa since the sun has been shing yet the breeze cool.

Give me a moment while I search for my mojo which I seem to have lost down the back of the settee.

beach

 

We had been to a community cafe, met some people we knew and talked a bit. A lot actually then passed the unfinished house on the hill, past the houses by the waters edge then up a steep narrow road to the beach. That's the sort of thing we do these days. 

The weather was nice. The beach was really quiet with the waves behaving themselves and the bell in the water unrung. We were there at the opening  too but as yet have not heard the bell ring.

cafe

 

A nice looking cafe in Edinburgh we came across by chance. we didn't go in but were told it is rather lovely. Reminded me of the old Floyds Bistro in Bristol.

buds of april

Not sure what Eve is growing here but the buds on sticks are doing well.
 

sisters

From a few weeks back in Edinburgh, my sisters are off down the waters of leith. I wasn't since I had no energy left. If recall correctly, a visit to a cafe was imminently in order.

I was toting a Olympus XA at the time with gifted Tri-x installed.

I think me looking at HCB pictures has me influenced somehow.

A Hickman

 

Here's artist Tom Hickman in his lair awaiting coffee while posing by one of his dolls houses.

while we are talking people

 

Had a fine surprise the other day when Steve Pulford contacted me saying he and his lovely wife wer eon the island and would Eve and I like to meet up for a cuppa. Didn't need to be  asked twice so we can relive my days in and around the Velodrome at Manchester - where i worked for some years. Steve was one of those who flew around the boards at speed winning medals and all that. Lovely chap too. We met at the Ness Historical centre on the other side of the island only to find out that they stayed in a hotel just a few miles from home here !

Donald 4 tractors

 

I may not be up to much at the moment but I did have the recent pleasure of bumping into Donald 4 tractors on his croft as he prepared his second best tractor for a bit of light ploughing. Potatoes this year - and last as it happens. He likes potatoes especially shetland blacks which he is intending rom somewhere else I'm told.

not always deserted.

Keith has to share this road with David amongst others. This is David Rowlston father of the crofter down the road. Lovely chap too.

The old Minolta 505si got an outing for this snap with Foma200@400. Eh!

As you might realise I have not been far from home of late. Perhaps my darkroom requires a visit.

Tourists

 

Lovely.

Bicycles and everything .  A pleasure to see instead of the camper vans that plague the islands. Having said that, the weather has been a tad breezy of later making cycling a one-way pleasure.

Sam

 

Recent incomer to the Village and nearby neighbour Sam on his other plot of land at tother end on the village planting some of the hundreds of trees going in. Helping was another villager Kate her of the 'emu' / chicken cage and community polycrubber.

By the time you read this I will have square eyes on account of watching the wonderful Paris - Roubaix cycle race on the pooter.

Edit; the races were just wonderful, exciting and if you have a chance go and watch them