Beales closed after 139 years
Today I went to have a look at Bournemouth town centre. My sole reason for going was because of the impact of coronavirus – to see how deserted it might be, not to go shopping. I also wanted to say ‘goodbye’ to department store chain Beales, who are closing down after 139 years of trading.
George Michael Memorial Garden, Highgate
In August 2017 I went to London to have a look around the now derelict Highgate railway station. Afterwards, whilst wandering around Highgate, I chanced upon a memorial garden outside George Michael's house that had been created by fans of the singer. They also look after the garden.
Tree Metamorphosis: New Forest Autumn 2019
Photos of a group of New Forest trees at Bolderwood, changing colour as the autumn 2019 season takes hold.
Hidden New Forest: how to find the perfect tree to photograph
How do you find a good tree to photograph?
Fallen Tree, Broadwater Avenue, Poole
After days and days of rain and wind, an old oak tree blew down this evening in Broadwater Avenue, Poole.
The photo, here, shows the fallen tree lying across Broadwater Avenue. Anyway, I thought the poor old thing was worthy of a mention on my website.
Great Dorset Steam Fair 2019
Thursday was the first day of the Great Dorset Steam Fair 2019. The weather was beautiful, the problems from the year appear to have been resolved and there’s plenty to see and do.
Wickham Festival 2019
Since Thursday, I've been at Wickham Festival, Hampshire. The weather has been beautiful and the large crowd, on the first day, was probably (mostly) there to see Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) performing a solo gig. Also Matthews Southern Comfort, Judi Collins and The Proclaimers were playing. It was a great line-up, especially if you're of an age where you remember these guys when they first made it big. Graham sang song after song and talked about things that had happened in his life, and of his good friend, Joni Mitchell. I have to say that I've never seen a...
Camp Bestival 2019
Today was the hottest day of the year. It also marked the start of Camp Bestival, at East Lulworth, Dorset.
Larmer Tree Festival 2019
Larmer Tree Festival 2019 was a great success, albeit after a rainy start on Friday. Here are a few photographs (and some video), taken over the four days the event was on.
Dorset pink poppy fields 2019 (Solstice poppies)
Anyone who follows my work might know that 2019 is my fifth year of photographing Dorset's pink poppy fields.
Red poppies at dawn, 2019
This morning I was up bright and very, very early, and in this Dorset red poppy field just after dawn. I was rewarded with the beautiful sight of mist rising above the red poppies just before the sun came out.
Dorset Red Poppy Field, 2019
Tonight I was recceing another photographic location, and chanced upon this gigantic red poppy field in Dorset. I haven't ever seen such a large field of red poppies, so this was a beautiful site, almost bringing a tear to my eye. Very 'late to the party' because of when I arrived, I was just one of several photographers jostling for position as the sun set over the delicate blooms. Luckily I had my camera with me, but I didn't have a tripod (because this was just a recce to another area and I hadn't expected to take any photos tonight!). As a result, the camera was hand held, and I have...
Dorset’s Red Poppy Fields, 2019
Dorset red poppy fields have been very scarce this year - even more so than usual. I found this lovely field of scarlet flowers tucked away in the north of the county.
The Pasqueflowers Of Therfield Heath
Rare and beautiful pasqueflowers on a hillside at Therfield Heath, HertfordshireIn March, 2019, I found just one solitary pasqueflower plant growing in the wild at Martin Down Nature Reserve, on the border of Wiltshire and Dorset. Delighted to finally see this rare and beautiful plant for myself, I was keen to find more. Unfortunately, the number of pasqueflowers at Martin Down has dwindled over the years and I only found that one specimen. [You can see a photo of the Martin Down pasqueflower here]. Undeterred, I knew there was supposed to be a whole hillside full of pasqueflowers at...
Pasqueflowers at Martin Down, Wiltshire
Yesterday, I took a recce trip out to Martin Down Nature Reserve looking for the beautiful and rare pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris). Also known as the 'anemone of Passiontide', the pasqueflower blooms around Easter, deriving its name from the word Paschal ("of Easter"). This striking purple flower, with its furry leaves and petals covered in long, silky hairs, has 'threatened' status and is now found growing on only a few chalk and limestone grasslands. Numerous reports on the Web say that a few pasqueflowers grow at Martin Down, one of the largest areas of chalk grassland in the...