Tag Archives: West Yorkshire

21st October picture of the day…

21 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, poland, Railways, Travel, West Yorkshire

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Today’s been another one where I’ve hardly left Bigland Towers due to work and the weather. Work because I’m still wading through 1000s of pictures from my recent travels as well as slowly getting used to a new laptop and software. To be honest, it’s lovely to have a new machine that doesn’t throw the odd spanner in the works just when I need to rely on it. But then my old machine was battle-weary. It’s been to dozens of countries and covered hundreds of thousands of miles whilst seeing almost daily use in all climates and conditions, so I can forgive it. Hopefully, my new machine will prove to be just as reliable and capable then my old one can be put out to pasture as a backup once it’s had some TLC.

Most of my day’s been spent picture editing whilst acting as Butler to Dawn whilst she’s been slaving away in her little office. Part of my job’s been to keep her supplied with coffee, lunch and the odd treat. Tonight was something a little more exotic as I batch cooked a fiery Thai green curry with chicken whilst Dee wrapped up her day and headed for a bath.

I had hoped to get more than my basic 12.5k (5 mile) steps in but the weather really wasn’t encouraging and I didn’t fancy getting soaked – or blown away! Gales are forecast for the weekend but the weather decided to get some practice in this afternoon, when it got really rather blowy, which can be ‘fun’ when you’re walking through old woodland. You’re always keeping eyes and ears open just in case a branch comes crashing down on the unwary. It’s why I never go out wearing headphones.

Now it’s evening time. We’re fed and watered (and in Dawn’s case – bathed) so it’s time to relax with a film before another busy day tomorrow. I’ll leave you with one of today’s edited images from Poland.

An ex-Polish railways TY51 class 2-10-0 steam engine plinthed at Rzepin station. 242 of these engines were built by H. Cegielski in Poznan between 1953-58. They were withdrawn from PKP regular service in the 1980s but were included in the strategic reserve (intended to haul military trains) and many were kept operational until 1990.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

13th October picture of the day…

13 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by in Calder Valley, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Travel

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Tuesday dawned a wet and windy day here in the Calder valley, with heavy skies and high winds that sent clouds of autumn leaves skittering along the road before they got stuck to the wet tarmac. It was a good morning to be working from home as heavy rain showers kept lashing the windows. That said, it’s still incredibly mild, with temperatures in the mid-teens, so I shouldn’t really complain.

Whilst Dawn worked in the office I set up my laptop upstairs in the bedroom so that I could enjoy the view across the Calder valley, well – when the rain cleared! We’re still in the process of redecorating the living room so it’s cosier upstairs and it’s easier for Dawn to pop in for a chat when she needs a break.

Most of my day was spent picture editing. I’d started working on shots from Sweden yesterday afternoon and a concerted few hours work allowed me to get most of them edited and captioned. After that it was time to take a break and shift some paperwork, just for a bit of variety! By early afternoon the weather had broken, bringing mostly blue skies, so I nipped out for my daily constitutional and wander through our local woods ahead of the next shower. Leaves are really starting to fall now, soon there’ll be a thick carpet blanketing the paths, but at the moment the trails are still pretty clear – and not too slippy, or with hidden surprises thanks to lazy dog owners.

Later, Dawn had to nip out to a couple of appointments, so I had the cottage to myself which allowed me to really plow on with the pictures and finish the fourth of the twelve countries I visited. Sweden is now all loaded onto my Zenfolio website. You can find the railway images here and the travel images here. Next in the queue is…Tallinn, in Estonia. So, here’s a teaser from Tallinn…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

9th October picture (s) of the day…

09 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

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After the 1000s of miles I’ve travelled over the past month and finally getting home after working in Swindon I was looking forward to a restful night at home. Only that didn’t quite work out that way. I woke up in the early hours of the morning feeling very itchy, a quick feel of my legs and backside confirmed my worst fears. I was having an allergic reaction to an insect bite – something I’d not had on that scale for over 20 years. I had to wake Dawn up to check that it wasn’t my imagination. Dee was shocked at what she saw as it’s never happened to me in all the time we’ve been together. On further investigation we found it had also spread to my torso and arms. Bugger! Fortunately, ever since it first happened to me in India in 1991 I’ve always ensured that I have anti-histamine tablets to hand – just in case. These worked a treat and the rash, swelling and itching disappeared within a couple of hours, allowing me to get some sleep.

I have no idea what the damned thing that bit me is, but the reaction isn’t much fun. Thank the Gods for anti-histamine tablets…

Friday began wet and miserable so I was content to have a duvet morning, working from a horizontal position whilst sipping coffee and editing pictures – content in the knowledge there was nowhere I needed to be other than home! There were no hotel deadlines to check out to, no trains to catch and no sights to see. I could kick back and listen to the rain bouncing off the bedroom window.

Admittedly, I did start to get restless by late-afternoon, but by then I was sufficiently rested and recovered to potter around the house and consider nipping out for a pint in my local, where I’ve not set foot for over a month. Besides, it was Friday and there was free pork pie to be had!

The Big 6 in Halifax always has a fantastic selection of real ales – and free pork pie on the bar on a Friday

Now I’m gradually making inroads into the 1000s of pictures from my travels which are in the queue for editing and having captions added. Here’s links to the first two galleries – both from France. First up are the travel pictures, next are the railways gallery. Time permitting, I’m planning to clear the Belgian galleries over the weekend.

The day ended with Dawn making a cracking supper – spicy prawns with her superb home made focaccia bread.

Dawn’s excelled herself with her focaccia making skills. The dough has to prove in a warm space. Dee improvised. Rather than turn the heating on she used a baking tray, cooling rack and a hot water bottle!
One of our favourite dishes. Spicy prawns (with lots of chilies). Just make sure you’ve put a toilet roll in the fridge ready for the next morning!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

7th September picture of the day…

07 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in Food and drink, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, Travel, West Yorkshire

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I’ve been back in Halifax since Saturday but tonight’s my last night for a while. Tomorrow morning I start my ‘grand tour’ of Europe (North and South) so I’ve been busy catching up on various activities back home whilst I can. Sadly, the rainy weather put the kibosh on some of the outdoor DIY jobs I’d planned. Let’s face it, repointing and wet weather don’t really mix! Still, we managed to get a few indoor jobs done to begin getting the cottage ready for the winter. Winter – God, what a thought. Admittedly, the nights are already drawing in but I’m not in the mindset to contemplate those long cold winter nights just yet!

Instead I got into cooking mode, something I’m not going to be doing for a while. Whilst Dawn was busy with her parents and various appointments I nipped out to get my daily steps in and pick up various items of shopping. Back home I first prepared a dish that will go straight into the freezer for Dee to enjoy whilst I away. Cucumber curry! Yes, I know it sounds weird, but it’s actually a simple but stunning dish. Here’s the ingredients prepped ready for cooking.

Having that one under my belt I moved on to tonight’s evening meal. Seabass in a Lemon, Basil and Vermouth sauce, served with peas and spinach. The vermouth adds a wonderful flavour to the fish without overpowering it whilst the spinach and peas add an ideal veggie accompaniment.

Now it’s time for a quiet night her at Bigland Towers as I prep for an early start. Tomorrow will see me travelling down to Dover by train before getting a ferry from Dover to Calais. Hopefully the black-clad, balaclava-wearing morons pretending to be ‘patriots’ will be bothering someone else and not buggering up ordinary people’s travel plans. I’ll be ending the day by catching a train from Calais to Lille where I’ll be spending the night. Whilst I’ve passed through many times recently I’ve not spent any time in Lille for 20 odd years, when I was working their for a company supplying train simulators, so I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted.

After that – wait and see. I’ll be doing a daily rolling blog (internet permitting) which means the next few weeks blogs will have plenty of variety (and countries) on offer!

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

17th August picture of the day…

17 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Climate Change, Photography, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

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We’ve kicked off another week with something everyone’s been desperate to see – rain. Only there’s been nowhere near enough of the stuff. It hasn’t even matched the forecast predictions. Some hours of the day delivered little more than a smattering. Just enough to dampen the dust and little else. Even so, it’s welcome. The landscape here in West Yorkshire’s as dry as a bone – and we’re nowhere near as bad as the South of England.

Anyone with half a brain can see that the climate’s changing before their eyes. We’re breaking record after record, but there’s always a few who refuse to believe what they see and take refuge in conspiracy theories and fossil fuel lobbyist propaganda. Their problem is none of it will stop what’s actually happening.

I’m hoping that the new Labour leadership will step up to the plate and start tackling the issues that face us. There’s a few encouraging signs but not that much of a sense of urgency – despite the fact the country’s already started burning. One wonders what sort of event will need to occur before there’s that ‘oh, shit!’ moment when things become very real indeed?

Still, there’s more rain supposed to be on the way for us, which is a blessing. Well, apart from the fact I’ll be off on my travels again later this week. On Wednesday I’ll be down in Birmingham on an HS2 site visit, then I’ll be back in Southport for the weekend. The rail network has been very fragile of late due to the long dry spell and heat so travel could get ‘interesting’. Our Victorian network simply wasn’t built with these conditions in mind – and it’s starting to show. Climate change coupled with a cutback on investment is causing havoc across several routes, and there’s little sign of the powers that be grasping the implications.

On the bright side, expect more blogs from the week as I start to stretch my wings again.

In the meantime, here’s today’s picture. You may remember that last year I did a series of ‘reservoir blogs’. I’ve not the time to do it again this year but Dawn and I did visit one location recently that featured heavily. Baitings reservoir has a sunken bridge that appears when levels get very low. This time last year it was almost fully exposed. It’s not as bad as that (yet) but levels are dropping rapidly.

Peek a boo! The old bridge in the foreground is gradually being exposed. Normally, the water levels are just below the new bridge in the background. This used to be a rare event. Now it’s becoming almost yearly. This picture was taken a week ago. Water levels have dropped a lot more since.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

TRU update. Deighton, Bradley and Huddersfield.

12 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Huddersfield, Photography, Rail Investment, Railways, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, Travel, TRU

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Yesterday I took advantage of the weather to take a look at TRU work at the locations mentioned above. Here’s a selection of shots from my travels.

A Liverpool – Hull TPE class 802 sweeps through Deighton. The new station is being built on the site of the old behind the bridge (itself being replaced) in the background. The new Fast lines will be laid to the left of the picture.
Here’s the new Leeds Rd bridge the previous picture was taken from. When fully open it will contain two lanes for vehicles, cycle lanes and footpaths. The old bridge is behind the barriers to the right of the picture.
Bradley Junction, where the single line chord to/from Brighouse joins the Trans-Pennine route. The junction and all other lines have been renewed in recent blockades. Preparations for laying the new Fast lines to the left have reached the stage where the original formation has been dug down ready for membrane to be laid before ballasting up to the required level to allow sleepers to be laid.
I’ve zoomed in to show the new single span steel Colliery footbridge which replaced the old double arch stone bridge which can be seen in the next picture which was taken last year. The new bridge isn’t open to the public yet, but it’ll make a fine vantage point when it is.
Looking in the opposite direction at Bradley Junction. Yet another new bridge can be seen in the background.
The same view as 802211 working 9E09, the 0953 Manchester Piccadilly to Newcastle speeds past some of the new OLE masts which have been installed during previous possessions.
Here’s a view from the West side of Deighton where four-tracks have been installed. The tracks to the right (which will be the Fast lines) were the original lines. The 802 is running on the newly laid track. In the background the platforms and footbridge lift tower of the new Deighton station are taking shape.
Welcome to the UKs newest four-track main line! Here’s a view looking towards Huddersfield as 185147 working 2U47, the 1101 Manchester Piccadilly to York traverses the new tracks.

A view from the new footbridge at Huddersfield looking along the viaduct to the East of the station. The new Fast lines will be laid across the right of the viaduct whilst the new through platforms are taking shape behind the camera to the left.
A wider shot to the last showing the new platform canopies and extended platforms at Huddersfield.
Work continues to build the new island platform. The walls are partially in place, now they’re being filled in to platform level.
Looking across the site of the new island platform. This area was once the stabling sidings.
Work continues on refurbishing the main trainshed roof. Worthy of note are the counterweights in the foreground. These were used on one of the stations water columns used for topping up steam engines!

If you want to browse other pictures of upgrade work I have a gallery dedicated to the TRU on my Zenfolio website, just follow this link. You’ll find photographs going back as far as the start of the project in 2021.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

TRU update. Batley and Dewsbury stations.

10 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Photography, Rail Investment, Railways, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, TRU, West Yorkshire

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A few days ago I took time out to visit the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) work at Batley and Dewsbury stations. Both have seen a serious amount of work carried out during recent blockades. Here’s a look at what’s been going on recently, with a few old shots added to compare.

Looking towards Leeds from platform 1. The extent of the rebuilding is obvious in this shot. The new footbridge is open, although the lifts aren’t working yet. The subway has been filled in and all the platform shelters have been replaced whilst the platforms themselves have been lengthened and resurfaced.

Here’s a comparison shot from 2021 looking across to platform 2.

Looking down onto the platforms from the new footbridge
The origianal station building remains intact although most of it is disused. Only the right hand side is occupied. Here, the former cafe is used by the station friends group.
The building is a memorial to Jo Cox MP, who was murdered by a far-right activist on the 16th June 2016. Jo was a member of the station friends.
Looking along platform 2 towards Dewsbury. The first OLE masts have started to appear.
New station signage bears the inscription and logo for the ‘Weaver Network’
A TPE Class 185 approaches the station from Leeds, past some of the new OLE masts that have been installed.
Looking towards Dewsbury. All the track through the station has been renewed as part of the recent blockade.

Meanwhile, over at Dewsbury…

The old station canopies are being extended with new steelwork which incorporate copies of the spandrels used in the originals.
New steelwork on the end of the Leeds bound platform.
The Leeds bound platform is being extended to take longer trains.

I’m planning to get out again in the next couple of days in order to have a look at TRU work at Huddersfield and Deighton.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

4th August picture of the day…

04 Tuesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, Railways, Travel, West Yorkshire

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After yesterday’s trip into Liverpool I’m on the move again, this time to head back to West Yorkshire for a while. The weather’s finally broken on both sides of the Pennines. Early this morning we had a loud thunderstorm with flashes of lightning which heralded heavy showers in Southport. It didn’t last long but the rain it brought was welcome. I nipped out to quickly check on the trees I’d been nursing through the drought. They all seem to have survived, although a couple are looking iffy. I’m hoping that the bouts of heavy rain we’ve had will help revive them.

By early afternoon my cat-sitting duties were at an end, allowing me to catch a train from Meols Cop station to head East. Whilst there were some moody skies and dramatic looking clouds around I saw more sun than showers along the way to Manchester. The old Class 769 which carried me isn’t fitted with air-conditioning so it was rather a noisy journey as nearly all the windows had been opened by travellers trying to keep cool as the sun beat through the windows, turning the train into a greenhouse.

I made a brief stop in Manchester in order to visit the excellent fresh fish market in the Arndale Centre. I’d suggested to Dawn that I could pick up a couple of tuna steaks for tea tonight. Fortunately, one of the stalls had plenty of freshly prepared ones. Whilst pricy (nearly £12 for 2) they were huge. If you’ve never tried fresh tuna I’d highly recommend it. It’s a world apart from the stuff you get in tins!

As I had a while to wait for my train to Todmorden I nipped into the station’s Victoria Tap for a quick pint, dodging heavy showers in the process. Manchester was getting a soaking but with the weather being so hot the streets dried up in next to no time with only a few puddles left as evidence.

It was the same story on the other side of the Pennines. Todmorden was surrounded by huge, threatening clouds and the sound of the occasional thunderclap in the distance but little sign of immediate rain, which was a blessing as I’d a way to walk after leaving the station. Once again I was lucky and made it in unscathed. Now the pair of us are stuffed full of tuna and relaxing as we watch the rain beating on the window, illuminated by the golden glow of the sunset. West Yorkshire’s seen little of the rain that we’ve had on the coast, so it’s doubly welcome here. Here’s how it looked through the living room window.

A mist of gently falling rain acts as a filter for the light from the sun as it disappears behind the hills on the opposite side of the vallley.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

From coast to hills…

05 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Photography, Railways, Southport, Travel, West Yorkshire

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Friday saw me travel back from Southport to West Yorkshire, swapping the coast for the hills and sunshine for cloudy weather – along with a significant drop in temperature!

I was in no rush to get back as Dawn was busy working all day so I had plenty of time to soak up the sun, stretch my legs and get in some exercise before catching the train. I’ve really enjoyed staying at my sisters and reacquainting myself with the town I grew up in (but left so long ago). Splitting my time between between Southport and Halifax gives me the best of both worlds. I’ve lots of stories in the bank to blog about when I have time. But for now I’ve other things in mind.

Dragging my suitcase and camera kit to Meols Cop station I caught a type of train from another chapter of my life – my 25 years living in London, when the Thameslink Class 319s often carried me around the capital. Now, most have gone for scrap, but a few have been converted to bi-mode (diesel and electric) Class 769s which are a staple on Northern services from Southport to Stalybridge and Manchester Oxford Rd.

Once, these 100mph electric trains carried passengers from Bedford, though central London to Brighton. Now they’re seeing out their retirement as bi-mode units, but still working from city to coast – just a very different city and very different coast! Here’s 769434 arriving at Meols Cop, a station in Southport which is well looked after by local station friends.

They’re a definite improvement in quality compared to the old 1980s built Class 150s which are also regulars on the route. Especially as they still have the former 1st Class area with its roomy 2+1 seating, making them ideal to sit back and relax in as the rich farmland of the West Lancashire plain trundles past the window before we call at Parbold where the landscape becomes more hilly. By Wigan the landscape changes again, as the route onwards to Bolton was dominated by the mines and cotton mills of the industrial revolution. Nowadays all the pits have disappeared, as have many of the mills, and the scars on the landscape they left behind are gradually healing.

On arrival at Manchester Victoria I swapped the comfort of my 4-car Class 769 for a rammed 2-car Class 195 which was working a Chester-Leeds service. This was totally inadequate for the numbers travelling but Northern seem to have problems with short-formed services at the moment. I’m glad that I don’t have to do this part of the trip every day as I ended up standing all the way back to Sowerby Bridge. Fortunately, Dawn was available to pick me up as pulling a suitcase a mile uphill whilst wearing a 12kg camera bag is a bit of a minority sport!

Now I have a full day back at Bigland Towers before we’re on the move again – but not by train this time. The pair of us are driving down to Devon where we’ll be staying with friends for a week. Hopefully, I’ll find time to blog. They may not be wordy, but they’ll certainly contain some different pictures of a part of the UK I’ve not visited for many years.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

11th May picture(s) of the day…

13 Wednesday May 2026

Posted by in Calder Valley, Photography, Travel, West Yorkshire

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I’ll be busy catching up with blogging over the next few days so don’t be surprised when things appear out of kilter. Like today! I’m splitting my time between Halifax and Southport at the moment which is adding to the confusion. I was back in West Yorkshire over the weekend, helping Dawn with decorating the living room at Bigland Towers. To be honest, Dee didn’t really need my help for more than giving her advice on not rushing things and not to get impatient when things don’t quite go to plan. Dawn’s proved to be a dab hand at wallpapering, transforming the living room from what was quite drab into something with real sparkle.

The pair of us spent a lot of the weekend working but by Monday it was time to take a break as Dee’s taken the rest of the week off. This gave us chance to relax, then get out to explore. Monday’s not the most exciting of days in the Calder valley as many places are closed. Even so, we decided to head out to do some exploring by driving over to Todmorden with the hope of doing a bit of shopping first. Bad move. All the butchers we wanted to visit were shuttered, but the day wasn’t wasted as we decided to head out into the top of the valley in a directions we’ve not explored before. This took us to a place called Bridestones, which is a fantastic collection of rocky outcrops high above the town. I can see we’re going to revisit as there’s some stunning views to be had from the footpaths around the area – all within striking distance of the town centre – if you don’t mind walking uphill!

As our day was unplanned I’d left the camera at home for once, so you’ll have to excuse a couple of pictures taken on my phone. Rest assures, I’ll be back with the Z9 soon.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul