Wow! After such a long spell of absolutely perishing weather we’ve actually had a day where the temperature made it into double figures at the right end of the thermometer! Being able to walk without being swaddled in scarves, hats and gloves made an extremely pleasant change – as did the fact the heavy rain we’d had the other day had washed almost all of the snow away and the day stayed dry. One was almost tempted to believe Spring may be on the way but it’s going to take more than one day of mild weather to convince me of that. Even so, I’m beginning to think it might be time to fettle the front garden and clear up the garden bench in the hope that we can spend less time cooped up indoors…
Still, whilst we are, I have plenty to keep me occupied. I’ve a stack of articles to write and pictures to scan. One of the latest batch forms today’s picture. I took this shot of the Albert Bridge in London on the 14th January 2001 which was a crisp clear winter’s day with some glorious low winter sunshine. The Albert Bridge is of a rather unique design, although it’s been modified a couple of times since it opened in 1873. Along with Tower Bridge to the East it shares the distinction of being one of only two Thames road bridges that have never been replaced.
Seen here from the North Bank of the Thames, the slender Albert Bridge is an attractive and graceful structure.
When I’ve finished editing the newest scans from London later this week you’ll be able to find them in this gallery on my Zenfolio picture library website.
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Well, what can I say about today that doesn’t read like a teenagers diary (got up, had breakfast etc)? It’s been bloody cold, there’s still snow on the ground and I’ve performed many of the same actions that I’ve performed most days for the past few months. Yep, it’s just another lockdown ‘Groundhog Day’. The only difference being the other members of our bubble (Dawn’s parents) popped over as John wanted to replace an element in our cooker. Like many ‘simple’ jobs, it proved to be anything but – especially as John’s 86 and was doing the sort of job a lot of far younger (and less fit) guys would struggle with! Aided and abetted by his wife Norah they go the job done but we did feel guilty for letting them choosing this way to repay us for the help we’ve been happy to give them.
Meanwhile, Dee and I cracked on with day jobs. Part of mine has provided the picture of the day. I took this shot in Beaumaris, Anglesey on the 26th October 2000. I was touring parts of North Wales at the time ticking off pictures from a shot-list for a forthcoming Lonely Planet guide to Wales. Many of the shots I took were used although this one wasn’t but it still remains a favourite. Partially because I have family connections with the town, but also because I love the light.
Looking down the pier at Beaumaris across the Menai strait to Snowdonia.
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I had a day off (of sorts) yesterday. Well, from blogging anyway. The pair of us were up early as the both of us had work to do in Huddersfield. Dee was at the Community Rail Network office whilst I had a fascinating couple of hours with a charity (Platform 1) who’re also based at the railway station. I won’t go into too much detail now as my article will be appearing in a future edition of RAIL magazine – but it won’t be about trains. Charities like Platform 1 have really stepped up to the plate to provide services to some of the most vulnerable in society during the pandemic. Their work’s invaluable at the best of times, but these are the worst of times.
Back at home in the warm (remember, I’m not used to spending January/February in the UK) I spent the afternoon writing up my notes and continuing to scan old slides – a process I’ve continued today as I’m back in the bosom of the Calder Valley with nowhere else to go! Well, in the real world anyway. Picture-wise I’ve been to Merseyside, Denmark, Essex, Sussex, back in London – then Greece – in my own personal time-machine which has transported me back to the year 2000.
This has given me a huge range of images to choose from for the picture of the day, which has been a difficult choice. In the end, I plumped for this. Of all the places, I’ve gone back to the town I grew up in, but that’s because the picture’s worthwhile. I took this shot on the 15th April 2000 whilst visiting my family. This is the old Southport pier being demolished.
But, fear not. It was being demolished in order to be rebuilt. The original 1860 iron structure was rotten after 140 years of being exposed to the elements – and the sea. Yes, I know the old jokes about the sea never coming in at Southport, but it does – honest! Once upon a time you could catch steamships from the end of the 1000m long structure (the 2nd longest pier in the UK) to resorts on the North Wales coast. Nowadays it’s a lot quieter, but it still provides some wonderful views along the coast. If you want to see some more pictures of the pier during and after rebuilding, you can find them here.
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We’re well and truly back in ‘Groundhog Day’ mode this week with freezing weather, icy winds and snow showers throughout the day that just make you want to stay indoors, keep warm and wait for the world to reopen – which (apart from a foray to get some shopping and a bit of exercise) was pretty much what I did. Most of my time’s been spent scanning dozens more old pictures whilst catching up on other work projects for the future. My office was cozy and the pictures I was dealing with took me to all sorts of exotic locations, which made up for some of the stir-craziness. I’ve not had chance to edit them yet, that’ll be done over the next few days, but I have selected one as the picture of the day, just to remind you that there is a wider world out there and winter’s just a season.
I took this shot of Rosthwaite and the Borrowdale fells in the Lake District on the 16th June 2000. A group of us had driven up from London for a long weekend in the lakes and our timing couldn’t have been better as the weather was superb.
I’ve a mixture of pictures from India, Denmark and the UK to add to my website this week, but when the English ones are done you’ll be able to find them in this gallery.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
We’ve had another perishing day here in West Yorkshire, with temperatures that never got above freezing, coupled with biting winds and snow flurries throughout the day. Fortunately, the worst snow fell on the hilltops above us, so we’ve remained pretty much unscathed.
The week’s not started off in great fashion as we had to take Jet, our cat back to the vets for a check-up and found he needed antibiotics for a mouth infection. The boy old boy’s been through the mill over the past week, so we could have done without that – but hey ho…
On our return we both decided ‘sod it’ and took time out for a drive out in the snow for a change of routine and scenery, anything the break up the monotony of yet another ‘Groundhog Day’. Venturing up to Mount Tabor we caught the full force of a snowstorm blowing in, which was quite spectacular as the road started disappearing in minutes. Fortunately is soon blew itself out so we ventured further afield to the opposite side of the Calder valley up above Rishworth to areas we hadn’t explored before, then joined the A58 Rochdale road to venture across the border into Lancashire at Littleborough before swinging East to come home. We didn’t leave the car at any point so we didn’t feel bad about bending the lockdown rules slightly. Besides, it was great for our sanity to be able to see something and somewhere outside of the everyday routine.
The weather forecast is predicting more snow over the next few days. We’ll have to see how that goes as we’re both meant to be working in Huddersfield on Wednesday. Time (and the weather) will tell…
Back at the ranch we we grateful to be in the warm and I continued with sorting through old slides, which has provided me with the picture of the day – one of the latest batch from India. It’s also a reminder that – despite whatever problems we’re experiencing, others have life harder. I took this shot in Ahmedabad, the capital of the Indian state of Gujarat on the 21st February 2000. Ahmedabad was an Indian version of Manchester 60 years ago with the city skyline dominated by factory chimneys. At one time I counted almost 50 of them from the roof of my hotel, although by 2000 this number was in decline. The cotton trade and other heavy industries meant that there was a lot of demand for goods to be carted around the city and human muscle-power moved a lot of it as men, women and children pulled hand-carts like this through the traffic-clogged and polluted streets.
You’ll be able to find the full selection of Indian pictures in this gallery on my website. The latest batch include an Indian wedding as well as more shots from Ahmedabad. I’ve only a few dozen more to add, then we move on to a selection from somewhere very different to India. Denmark!
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Well, today’s been a bit of a washout – literally! The rain has been unceasing, morning noon and night. So much so that this is the only day so far this year where my exercise level is well below par. I did venture out in the late afternoon when it became obvious the rain wasn’t going to give up as I had some food shopping to do, but conditions were so bad I ended up getting soaked despite being bedecked in waterproofs. Today was definitely one for curling up in front of a fire with a drink and a good book.
Instead, I’ve spent most of it scanning old slides in an effort to feel that I’ve at least achieved something, although it’s quite frustrating being trapped (in more ways than one) whilst looking through a collection of photographs from exotic, warm and sunny climes!
Still, it’s provided me with an new picture of the day. In fact, it’s been hard to choose which one to use as there’s plenty that would make the cut, but I’ve finally plumped for this shot. I took this shot in from the Nehru bridge over the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, in the Gujarat, India on the 15th February 2000. For me, the contrast summed up much of India.
Whilst a new Holiday Inn dominates the skyline, slums line the bank of the river where an enterprising chap has built a simple Ferris wheel for children as a way of eking out a living. I wonder what the guests at the hotel though when they gazed out of the window of their plush hotel only to find the vista wasn’t quite what was suggested in the brochure?
The scene’s changed since 2000 of course. The hotel’s still there, only it’s no longer a Holiday Inn but a ‘Lemon Tree’. The slums have been swept away and who knows what’s happened to the people. Now a new road (Riverfront Rd) and a walkway line the Sabermati’s banks.
If you want to see more picture from India I’m adding them to this gallery. I’ve still a hundred plus to add over the next week or two…
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Well, that wasn’t the day I was expecting! Much of the morning (from the early hours) was taken up with looking after a poorly Moggie. ‘Jet’ is 19 going on 20. I’d say he’s getting long in the tooth if it wasn’t for the fact he’s only got two left! For the past few days we’ve been aware that there’s been something wrong with the old boy so he’s already had one trip to the vets for what we thought was an ear infection, only it turns out the problem is likely to lie with his mouth, which explains why he’s refused to take his tablets, despite hiding them in food – which normally works a treat. So back to the vet he went and he’s been there all day and remains overnight tonight as they rehydrate him and top up his meds. We thought we might lose him but – despite his age – he’s not ready to go yet and still has life left in him.
To add to the fun the weather’s been crap all day. The snow’s turned to slush as persistent rain’s arrived to make conditions underfoot unpleasant and treacherous, so my usual walks have been curtailed to the bare minimum, which has chafed a bit.
On the bright side, today’s day 31 of my ‘dry’ January as I didn’t start until January 3rd. I thought with the arrival of the Brexitshambles trying to cut out alcohol on January 1st might have been a bridge too far! Despite these testing times I’ve made it through the whole 31 days without once reaching for the bottle, which I consider a bit of an achievement! I’ve not wanted to mention it before as I’m not a great one for ‘virtue signalling’ so I’ve just got on with it without fanfare, although I have to acknowledge the support of Dawn – and also Adnams alcohol-free ‘Ghost Ship’ and Erdinger’s Wiessbier, without whom the journey would have been a lot less fun! Oh, I’ve also lost 8 pounds in weight! Not that I needed to as my BMI is fine, but I feel more comfortable at the lower end of my band than the higher. This wasn’t just due to sobriety, I’ve upped my exercise by 50% and also adjusted my diet to ingest less carbohydrates. Now the challenge is to keep up the adjustments to my lifestyle, although I am looking forward to savoring a ‘proper’ beer tomorrow!
Right, on to the picture of the day. The slide scanning marathon’s taken a bit of a backseat recently as I’ve had other work to do. However, I have started a new selection of travel shots taken in India in 2000. So, here’s a real contrast to all those snow scenes I’ve been publishing recently…
I took this shot of the little beach and freshwater lake in Arambol, North Goa on the 31st January 2000.
I first got to know this place in December 1985 during my first trip to India. As a penniless backpacker in those days I ended up living on this beach for six weeks. I made some local friends in the village who looked after my passport and valuables whilst day to day stuff I kept buried in a huge old biscuit tin under some rocks at the back of the beach. My bed was a pit in the sand which I’d dig each night before lining it with a mat and covering myself with a sarong. In those days the beach was largely a nudist beach, so in the morning you’d just rise out of your pit (literally) and walk straight into the sea for a play in the waves before washing the salt off in the freshwater lagoon at the back of the beach. Happy days! Sadly, those days are long gone and the beach has changed dramatically because of the growth of tourism, new roads making travel easier and also the expansion of business as both Goans and Indians from other states cash in on opportunities.
I’ve not been back since 2004. Part of me really wants to as I had many friends their in both the local and expat communities, but part of me wants to remember it as it was – like this – and doesn’t want those memories tarnished. One thing’s for certain, until this pandemic is resolved, I can’t see me being in a position to have to angst about making the decision…
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After enjoying some glorious sunshine yesterday I was rather surprised when Dawn said to me yesterday evening ‘oh, there’s heavy snow forecast for tonight’. I poo-poohed the idea and thought we’d probably get a smattering that would disappear within a few hours. Ha – that’ll teach me! This was the sight that greeted me when I opened the bedroom blinds this morning!
I love fresh snow like like this – especially when there’s no wind so it clings to trees and telephone wires. We’ had a good 5-6 inches overnight so I changed my plans and decided to make the best of the weather whilst I could. Here’s a few images to illustrate conditions here in the Calder Valley.
The trees look beautiful, but beware! Walking down our road was very much like running the gauntlet as you never knew when a branch would release a snow-bomb and score a direct hit on you!Looking across the Calder Valley. Norland is up there somewhere, lost in the low cloud that added to the freezing conditions. It was also excellent at muffling sound, so the world really felt rather eerie.The wonderful snowy shapes to be found in Long Wood, a short walk from home.
What the snow wasn’t so good for was travelling. Many side roads and steep hills were impassable and the railways were suffering too. From early morning until early afternoon there were no train services through the Calder valley towards either Manchester or Burnley. I hiked through Halifax to Dryclough Junction in the hope of getting a few shots of trains in the snow and I was fortunate enough to get this unusual shot.
Class 195115 working ‘bang road’ (wrong line) as 1G71, the 10.10 from Sowerby Bridge to Leeds. The set should have been working through to Manchester but it was turned around at Sowerby Bridge due to the line being blocked by the snow. Most services from Leeds were being turned back at Halifax, although the hourly service to Huddersfield (which uses the lines to the right) was running most of the time. A later 195 did run as empty stock as far as Todmorden before returning, presumably to see if it was possible to get through to Manchester, Services didn’t restart until early afternoon, although many trains were still cancelled.
This evening the rain had set in and the pristine snow soon turned to slush so I was glad I got out when I did to grab some shots whilst the snow was at its best. Tomorrow the forecast is for the rain to continue so its looking like a good day for staying at home in the warm. I’ve had two very different days out with the camera, so I can’t really complain! You can find the full selection of today’s scenic snow shots in this gallery, and the railway related ones in this gallery.
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The first day of the month and the first day of the week arriving together along with some glorious sunshine gave me the impetus to break away from my usual routine today. Abandoning the computer I swapped it for the camera and enjoyed a long walk, just to blow the cobwebs away and do something different for a change.
For the first time this year I walked into Halifax itself, which was existing in that sort of strange half-life many towns and cities are enduring right now. The only things that were open were food outlets, banks and the odd shop selling the bare necessities of life. Still, it gave me time to look upwards to admire some of the fine buildings without worrying about walking into people as there were bugger-all people to walk into!
Despite the fact the low winter sun had already moved around and wasn’t in the best position for some pictures I began the trek from the town centre up the steep climb to the top of Beacon hill, which gives superb views across the town and out into the surrounding hills and valleys, so here’s the picture of the day, taken today from the top of the hill looking down into the town itself.
The square building at the bottom right of the picture behind the church spire is the superb Piece Hall. Above it in the centre of the picture you can see the Octagonal dome of Halifax Borough market which opened in 1896. Above the market to the right is a white fronted building with a dome. That’s the rather ostentatious Natwest bank, showing off in a town dominated by a building Society! I’m looking North-West here, so beyond the town you can see Mount Tabor and the moors around Ogden in the background.
I’ve added many other views of Halifax and surrounds taken today to this gallery. Enjoy!
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This keeping fit lark is getting dangerous! Having spent most of the morning slaving over a hot computer I took a break to get in my daily constitutional. Grateful for the fact that we’ve had hardly any rain for the rain for the past 48 hours so the woodland footpaths are drying out I was really enjoying my stroll. Not slipping and sliding through miles of mud rather lifts the spirits, even if the weather remains cold. The better footing means you can take time to look around rather than always looking for trip hazards. Sadly, that was my undoing. Having successfully negotiated a couple of miles of woodland I headed to to the promenade and along to Savile Park to complete a circuit of the grounds. After all, what could possibly go wrong on a simple tree lined grass park?
Bloody tree roots, that’s what! There was me, merrily strolling around the park when all of a sudden my right foot skidded on a hidden root and before I even had chance to react I’d landed flat on my back with an impressive thud! Thankfully I was wearing a thick coat so apart from my pride the only thing that was bruised (but not broken) was my right side. I had to laugh as a few moments before I’d been congratulating myself of upping my exercise this year and feeling fitter as I’d eschewed the booze for January and also lost a few pounds. Undaunted, I still finished my 5 miles, although I know I’ll suffer for it in the morning.
Plonking myself back in my chair in the home office I forswore heading out again, so spent the rest of the day catching up on work and sorting out a selection of pictures for a potential book cover for a client. Slide scanning’s going to be taking a back-seat again for a little while as I’ve other things to concentrate on – although the odd one or two will get done, such as tonight’s picture of the day, which was taken at sunset on the Island of Viti Levu, Fiji, on the 7th March 1999. It’s the view from the beach outside the backpackers where we were staying.
The setting sun had disappeared behind some clouds, which cast the most spectacular shadows and light effects with the added bonus of the reflections off a millpond sea.
Lynn and I only had a week in Fiji as a stopover on the way back to the UK via the Cook Islands and the USA. Getting to Fiji was fun as we had a great evening flight with Air New Zealand. When the Steward brought round the drinks we were very happy to see they were serving really good Kiwi wines. We stuck up a conversation where we explained that we’d not really drunk much Kiwi wine as we’d been travelling on a budget and – as much as we liked them – Aussie wine had been cheaper. The guy was very sympathetic and determined to showcase his country’s wines so kept plying us with different ones. It got to the stage where he was just leaving us the bottle! As the flight time to Suva was three and a half hours the pair of us managed to tuck away a fair bit of wine as airlines were rather more relaxed in those days. So much so that they almost had to pour us off the plane! Arriving pissed at 22.30 in the evening in a strange airport in a country you’ve never visited with little idea of where you’re heading is always an interesting experience, but we survived! I still have the details of the wines in the notebook I documented our travels in, which brings back a lot of happy memories as I browse it for caption details of pictures like this.
I’ll add the final pictures of our trip over the next week. Despite the fact we’d been away for 18 months and only arrived back in March 1999 by December we were back in India, so there’s a whole new section of travel pictures to come over February – watch this space…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 