Last year a BBC weather watcher picture caught my eye. The featured photograph showed multi coloured beach huts lined up in rows. The caption gave the name of the place as Walton-on-the-Naze. The picture was fascinating and I said to myself “I must visit this place one day”. When the opportunity arose to speak at a conference in Colchester, I planned a visit to the seaside towns in Essex before arriving at the conference. The idea was to take pictures of these colourful beach huts starting at Walton-on-the-Naze.
Taking time out in the sun.
Arriving in the town, I went to the viewpoint on the cliff that overlooked the pier. Behind me was the Victorian architecture of the town and in front the rooftops of the Beach huts lined up along the promenade. Walton-on-the-Naze is a picturesque seaside resort. In early October, the holiday season was at an end, and the doors of the beach huts were shut. I went down to the promenade walked past the pier and immediately came face to face with the colourful fronts of the numerous beach huts.
Rows and rows of Beach huts at Walton-on-the-NazeLooking back from the promenade at the beach huts.Walking the promenade.
As a photographer, I just self-indulged in taking pictures with all those vibrant pastel colours. I walked around them and even climbed up the cliff steps taking in all the different rows. As well as their colourful designs, people had called their beach huts various names. I walked for a good half a mile along the promenade admiring the various huts. The tide was in and the sea was splashing upwards and I had to take care of the camera. The sun was shining and there were countless opportunities to take pictures of the people who were out and about walking up and down the promenade.
The design of the huts changed as I moved towards Frinton-on-sea and some of the beach houses were on struts with walkways leading up to the door. Looking at my pictures you can see the different varieties.
The changing style of beach hut.Pastel colours
Next stop was Frinton-by-the-sea and here the cliff wall was higher but I went down and once again came across a long row of the beach huts facing the sea. I even found one couple had opened the doors of their hut. They were enjoying the sun and catching up with what looked like work.
Beach Huts along the Essex coast, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004Enjoying the sun in October.The beach is in easy reach.Frinton-on-sea.
Following my visit to Frinton-on-sea, my next stop was Clacton-on-sea or simply Clacton. The town was busier and whilst there are only a few beach huts, there was a very grand pier which was open to the public. The pier was quiet and none of the amusements were working but there were some good views of the coast. I walked along the promenade and visited the area where Butlins used to be situated. The area is now a new housing estate and the information boards gave details of what the place would have looked like in post war times.
Clacton pier was quiet.Roller coaster against a clear blue sky.A few of the beach huts at Clacton.The wall of the Martello Tower in the foreground and in the background the housing estate built on the former Butlins holiday camp.Where to find your beach toys.
The tide was going out and so I was able to get on the beach and take in the sea air. This visit has satisfied my desire to see beach huts. I did enjoy the colours in each town and all the different characters of these charming seaside resorts. There was the cleanliness and gentility of Frenton-on-Sea to the brash busy streets of Clacton. Walton on the Naze enjoys a beautiful coastal location with the added attraction of the Neze Tower. A lovely day out at the Seaside.
I was attending a conference in Colchester and whilst it is a long drive from Birmingham to Colchester, I planned a visit to the seaside. My aim was to complete a circular route starting at Walton-on-the-Naze, onto Frinton-on-Sea and then finally Clacton-on-Sea before heading back to Colchester. My visit to the beach huts and the sea fronts of these towns forms the basis of another post.
A beautiful dayView towards Walton on the Naze
My drive from Birmingham was long and tiring and my first port of call was Walton upon Naze. I drove through the town looking for a place to park and carried on until I found myself at the Naze tower. Here there was ample parking and a place to have lunch. Stretching my legs after the long drive, I began to investigate the Naze tower. The architecture is in the form of a pillar and the tower is a prominent structure on the headland overlooking the container terminal of Harwich. I took several pictures and then went inside the tower climbing up to the observation platform.
A window and the spiral staircase.Art in the Tower
The structure has had many uses throughout the years and one of them was the installation of a radar dish during the Second World War. The tower was first used to guide ships into the area acting as a landmark to the ports and river estuary. There is a circular steel staircase that climbs through several floors. Some of the floors are part of the tea room whilst others house museum items and then the upper floors act as an art gallery. Each room is small and circular with a window overlooking the area. Each floor contains curious museum objects or fascinating works of art as my pictures show. Some of the objects are very random but also fun to view. Once I had reached the observation platform, there were views out towards the sea and the surrounding landscape. The weather was glorious and there was not a cloud in the sky. This was remarkable considering the rain that we have had in recent weeks. Then it was back down the steel staircase and another chance to admire those items that I had seen on my way up. I had a good lunch at the visitor centre after the climb. I was glad that I had stumbled upon the Naze tower. The future of the structure is a worrying one. Once the tower was a quarter of a mile inland, but now they estimate that it only has a lifespan possibly of 20 years until the sea claims the tower. This would be a great shame and work is being done to stop the loss of the tower.
Art work of the local churchA ship passing a lighthouse.Artwork details in the room.Map showing the area around the Naze Tou made itWindow details
Orelle restaurant is 24 floors up on the top floor of 103 Colmore Rd. As part of the IgersbirminghamUK team, we were invited to take photographs in 2022 just before the restaurant was open to the public. The views from the restaurant were outstanding. At the time, I remember saying one day “I will be back for a meal”. Fast forward to our 40th wedding anniversary and our three daughters gave us money as a gift to use for a meal out. Reading the reviews, I noted that Orelle was voted the best restaurant in Birmingham in 2024. Furthermore, the reviews for the Sunday lunch menu have been consistently rated as good. Therefore, we booked and looked forward to our day at Orelle.
Sandy and Damien celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary
Leaving the lift on the 24th floor, the view of Birmingham takes your breath away. The view of the city is spectacular and I immediately spotted the Rotunda and Moor Street. The restaurant has a convivial ambiance and the staff are polite and courteous. We were shown to our table by the north window which gave us an uninterrupted view over St Phillip’s Cathedral and Snow Hill . Our waiter was very attentive to our needs, and we ordered our drinks and then reviewed the menu. Sandy is allergic to shellfish and the waiter explained that he would alert the kitchen and as a check we would notice a pink sticker on our order. This indicated that the kitchen were aware of the allergy and ensured that no utensils or plates were mixed.
The view over St Philip’s cathedral.
Sandy chose the warmed sourdough bread with salted French butter. The bread roll was generous and there was plenty for both of us. This was useful as I selected the Ham hock terrine with pickled vegetables, pineapple and toasted sourdough. I used the remaining bread with my starter. The food was well presented and the terrine had a pleasing flavour.
Our lunch prior to adding the vegetables.
For our Sunday lunch main course, we both selected the Surlonge rôtie which was 35 day aged Cumbrian sirloin. There was a generous sized Yorkshire pudding and the vegetables came in small pans placed in the centre of the table. If I had one criticism then it must be the gravy. There could have been a more generous serving. Luckily the amount of gravy was just sufficient for both us and we did not have to ask for more. The meat was cooked to our preference of medium with little fat and we tucked into a good lunch.
For drinks, I chose a beer and selected the excellent 21 Pale Ale Citra made by Brew by numbers. I saw that there was an excellent range of wines. Sandy chose a non-alcoholic cocktail which was not to her taste. She persevered with it but then reverted to water. We should have exchanged the cocktail for a more pleasing one.
Following on from the main course there was space for dessert. Sandy and I parted ways. Sandy chose the Chocolat et Yuzu which was a milk chocolate mousse, walnut brownie, yuzu caramel and vanilla ice cream. I went for the Crème brûlée consisting of spiced orange, macerated berries and vanilla sable. Both were nicely presented and were lovely end to the lunch.
Chocolat et YuzuCrème brûlée
Throughout the meal, we admired the view and watched the clouds move through the landscape. We saw the trams and trains pass through Snow Hill. When we started, the restaurant was relatively quiet but when we finished by late afternoon, the place was full and there were one or two parties waiting to sit down. Not once did we feel rushed or interrupted by the activities of a busy restaurant.
Looking up to the top of 103 Colmore Row
Overall impressions
Sunday lunch at Orelle is all about the experience. The view from the top floor is unparalleled and provides a super backdrop whilst you are enjoying your food. The meal was very good. Service was of a high standard and we both enjoyed our Sunday lunch menu. One may say that the place is expensive but this was a special occasion. The expense was worth it as we had a marvellous time. We reflected over coffee that whilst we would not be making Sunday lunch a regular pursuit at Orelle, we would come back again. I would recommend a visit and you will understand why the restaurant is voted as the best in Birmingham.
I have to whisper this and hope that no-one hears but I do enjoy a visit to Glasgow over Edinburgh. You may be amazed when I say this, as I do love Edinburgh. I have spent many happy days in the Scottish Capital City and taken some memorable photographs. Glasgow may not have the same immediate sights as Edinburgh. However if you allow yourself to be part of the energy of the city then there is a rich range of places to see. My conference was at the University of Glasgow and I stayed in the Grosvenor hotel in the West End near to the Botanical Gardens. My walk to the University buildings took me along Bryers Road past University Avenue. I took the detour down Ashton Lane several times to sample the quirky neighbourhoods and also sample the delicious food in the restaurants of the area.
The early morning sunrise along the Great Western RoadA figure crosses the Great Western road
My pictures are a selection of shop fronts and restaurants. There was a visit to the Kelvingrove museum. A walk along the river Kelvin in the early morning captured the shadows and light of the beautiful weather we had whilst we were in Glasgow. Visiting the Botanical Gardens during the golden hour captured the glass and the ironwork of the Victorian buildings. My particular favourite was a sunrise along the Western Avenue. For a few moments the sky radiated a warm orange colour as the sun rose over the rush hour traffic.
Golden hour over Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church.Sunrise catches the houses on Alfred Terrace, Great Western Avenue.Sun on Alfred TerraceGates outside the University of GlasgowA couple enjoying the Botanical Gardens in the late afternoon.Glasgow Train Station and the Beacon of Hope.Walking along the Kelvin River.Shapes of the Scottish Exhibition Centre.Graffiti where Cecil street meets the Great Western Road.The rising hill of Hillhead StreetGrosvenor Terrace and a skateboarder.Walking down Ashton LaneThe cinema on Ashton LaneJust Eat passing Subway 🙂New ideas for Dr WhoSomewhere in the Matrix
More information on Glasgow’s Westend plus pictures may be found on the Visit Glasgow Website.
This is my second blog on Glasgow after my Photographing Glasgow in 2019. Since then, I noticed the Glasgow graffiti has changed.
And just in case Edinburgh feels left out, here is some street photography on the streets of the Scottish Capital. The Edinburgh street photography is a popular page on my blog.
The golden ticket on a beautiful September evening was a 155 metres journey to the top of the Octagon skyscraper. The invite from Core-marketing on behalf of Paradise Birmingham brought out the great and the good of the photographic fraternity in Birmingham. There were many people disappointed that they were not there to celebrate the “topping out” of this iconic skyscraper. Over 60 photographers gathered at the base of the Octagon waiting to be taken up the 49 floors to the very top of the building. Our “lift” was a hoist which was a platform cage that pointed away from the building. This took up the first 25 photographers. Then there was an anxious wait as the hoist came back down for the rest of us. We did not want to miss the sunset. The cage of the hoist was bordered by a metal grill and as we climbed the outside of the building to the very top , our mobile phones recorded the journey.
Our “hoist” to the top.
We were greeted with a beautiful golden sun that was setting in the West over Edgbaston reservoir. The 360 degrees view was spectacular and with time the familiar landmarks around Birmingham came into focus. There was Broad Street, the Rotunda, the Cube and the BT Tower. Further away the Aston Expressway together with various mosques and churches scattered around the horizon could be seen. The serious photographers were very active. Cameras were pointed at the view and many pictures were taken. There were two levels at the crown of the Octagon, the main level with a metal barrier around the periphery and then a central raised column accessed by a metal staircase, provided a clearer view. There were various cameras on display ranging from super zoom telescopic lenses right down to the humble mobile phone. The social media channels were going to be saturated with views of Birmingham. Nicky Warwickshire, James never Jim and myself (dammodammo) were there representing the IgersbirminghamUK team!
The crown of the Octagon.The view of the sunset over Edgbaston Reservoir.Capturing the sunset.
Sunset was upon us and we gathered to pay homage to the setting of the sun. I was reminded of the Bowie song “Memory of a Free Festival” and the lyrics of the song resonated with me. “The sun machine is going down and we are going to have a party”. This time there was no music just the quiet clicking of camera shutters. However, the fun wasn’t finished. The lights of the city came on and car headlights lights started streaking down the streets like small silver dots. Suddenly you could see into the illuminated offices hidden during the day by reflective glass. Trams and buses were gracefully moving along the streets. Particular views that I enjoyed included Moor Street station and the Birmingham canal navigations.
The view from the OctagonThe Cube103The BT TowerMosques on the skylineSnow Hill 1 to 3Moor St and the Rotunda
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Needless to say we all took so many pictures that saturation point was quickly reached and then the time came to descend back down the hoist and catch the train home. In my excitement, I forgot to get a picture of the moonrise but luckily many other photographers filled that void and I was able to see their views of the moon. One photographer Pete Davies was at Edgbaston reservoir and he captured the moonrise next to the Octagon. You can just make out the photographers on the top.
Tram passing through Victoria Square.Cars on the Expressway.
We were discussing the visit and how spectacular the tower construction was on the train home. One of the Octagon project leaders was on the same train home and he gave us a fascinating insight into how the structure had been built and what was involved in its construction. Our conversation took in previous buildings such as the Cube and what was in store for Birmingham in the future. This was a really enjoyable evening and I knew that there was still the morning sunrise to look forward to. However the weather forecast didn’t look too promising but then again we wait and see.
Final look at the sunset glow on our way home.
The sunrise shift.
Getting up at 4:00am was not easy but once I got moving, I was wide awake. After a quick breakfast and walking the dog, I drove into Birmingham and parked up in Brindley Place. Birmingham City Centre was very quiet with only a few people moving around. I walked briskly through Centenary square, past the library, into Chamberlain place and on to the Octagon for the morning session. There were far fewer photographers gathered at the base of the building. Getting up early appears to be a much more difficult activity for a photographer than the evening sunset. The weather was dull and the golden glow of yesterday evening was quickly forgotten as we checked in and made our way to the “hoist”. Soon we were back travelling on the outside of the building. This was now familiar territory and recording the journey up was much easier the second time around.
Going up the Octogen
When we arrived at the crown, the first thing I noticed was the wind and the cold. Night had not loosened its grip of the new day and the bright city lights were still shining. I got out my camera and started taking pictures. There were some opportunities to take some long exposures of the rush hour traffic that was starting to stream into the City. Reviewing other people’s photographs, I realized that I had missed some buildings and I made sure that I got St. Paul’s church and the Big Pen in the Jewellery Quarter. There were a few other places that I had forgotten all about from last night and this was the most exciting part of the visit, taking new views of the city.
The rush hour into the City along Suffolk Street Queensway.A Bus moving down Broad street.Centenary Square Cambrian Wharf.St Paul’s ChurchThe Big Pen and the JQ in the early morning mist.The mist rolls in.
Slowly the dawn crept forward and banished the dark of the night. The wind seemed to be increasing and I was glad that I had my jumper with me to add to the layers of clothers that I was wearing. A mist started rolling in and unsurprisingly, there was no sunrise but I knew the sun was out there somewhere. With my remaining time, I started looking for unusual shots around the building. BBC West Midlands radio were present, interviewing people who were getting ready for the topping out ceremony that was taking place later that day.
Interviews for BBC West Midlands Radio.
This visit was a quieter affair. Mindfulness is a wonderful feeling and I stood taking in the view which was much more rewarding than just wanting to use my camera. I had taken all the pictures that I needed and went back down the hoist for the final time. There was a touch of sadness as I had really enjoyed my two visits to the top of the Octagon. This 49 floor skyscraper is ready for future residential living and the plan is to rent out the apartments. The building will soon be completed and then the army of construction workers will move on to the next tall building. Birmingham is an exciting place and is changing all the time. I hope to go up the next building that gets finished, but in the meantime, I left with good thoughts as I wandered back through the city to my car. There were more workers out and about getting ready for the day, I had already completed a day on top of the Octagon and now I was getting ready for a second day. I looked forward to getting my pictures together and telling people how much I had enjoyed my visit to the Octagon.
Bolt and BokehHoist CallHook and crane
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to all at the Octagon who allowed these amazing visits to take place. I do hope you enjoyed reading about my visit to the Octagon. Thank you to Paradise Birmingham and Core-Marketing for the opportunity.
Sunset memories.
I have given a link to some of my other visits to skyscrapers and hope you continue to read my photographic journey.
This cathedral is a Birmingham hidden gem. I have walked past the building several times and always wondered what the place was like inside. Located on Summer Hill Terrace, the cathedral sits on the edge of the Jewellery quarter. Summer Hill is an elevated part of Birmingham and when you stand by the cathedral you are overlooking a busy dual carriageway that leads into Birmingham. From here you look over the National Indoor Arena with a good view of the new shiny skyscrapers that are being built in the city centre. The streets around the Cathedral are very narrow with a one-way system. The church has access to parking and leaving my car I made my way to the entrance. On this Saturday night, the service of Vespers was taking place. Vespers is a liturgy of evening prayer. Sunset is when the liturgical day starts. The hymns that are sung introduce the day’s themes. This opportunity of visiting the Cathedral to partake in the Vesper’s service was made possible through the Birmingham Heritage Week and invitation of the Church Committee of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and St. Andrew.
The beautiful symmetry of the Cathedral.
The rain was coming down and walking through the entrance, there was a warm light flowing outwards welcoming you to the Church. The elders of the cathedral had taken over the church in 1957 and the original stonework with repeating arches is impressive. Overlaying this architecture was an abundance of riches with extensive chandeliers and religious icons both on the walls and at various entrances. The alter was the focus of a large collection of paintings and icons. The Greek Orthodox congregation were very friendly and the singing was beautiful.
An upward view of the large ChandelierThe beautiful arches and stonework.
Before I knew it the beautiful rendition of the Vespers service was over. One of the Church committee then explained the history of the cathedral and pointed out particular features of interest. Then we were invited to look around the cathedral and then to join everyone for refreshments in the Cathedral hall. The cathedral was full and it was difficult to get good pictures with people moving around. I went for refreshments and then made my way out. To my delight the church happened to be quiet and peaceful and I was able to move around and take pictures with my iPhone. The symmetry of the church caught my imagination and the iPhone is good at working in low light. I particularly enjoyed viewing the icons and the many pictures around the Cathedral. The evening was very memorable and this blog is my attempt to convey the evening through text and pictures.
A stunning icon of the Madonna and child.CandlesGuiding light
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Details of the alter.The dome of the CathedralChandelierSide alterAlter and domeCrossIcons
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The outside of the cathedral from Summer Hill Road
Sixteen-acre ward has been a project that I started in March 2021, and I have visited the area at regular intervals since. The wood was in the news, when the initial plans for the HS2 line revealed that it would cut into the wood. Therefore, trees were felled, and an old ancient pond was duplicated in a new location nearby. This new pond has signage and chains to protect this nature venture. Over the years, the landscape around the wood has changed drastically. This is my fourth visit to the wood. As with the previous ones, I was interested to see if anything had changed since my visit last year.
The new pond is covered with vegetation. No entry to the pond.A crane rears its headOvergrown
Fortunately, my drive to Berkswell village was not difficult as the HS2 works will close access to various roads around the area at a moment’s notice. I parked my car near to St Mary’s Church, Berkswell, and walked along the boardwalk. There is a footpath that runs up the hill over a farmer’s field. This footpath meets up and follows the HS2 route I reached the part of the HS2 track which passes by Sixteen-acre wood and goes onto meet Kenilworth Rd.
The landscape has really changed.Drainage and fencesNot a place for swimming.
A year on and I noticed that the vegetation is starting to reclaim much of the area. The new pond is thriving although it could do with some trees around the parameter. Meanwhile the old pond has not given up and there is still life around an old tree has collapsed into the water. Walking down the designated footpath there is a sharp contrast. On the left side beyond the steel fence the large land moving vehicles were resting as it was a Sunday, a day of rest. The earth had been moved into heaps of brown soil and there were lines of plastic pipes lined up for draining the water. On the right-hand side, the wood looked in a sorry state. Some of the vegetation is recovering but there are still scars around the knocked down trees. Some of the trees looked like scarecrows contrasting against the bleak sky. What did catch my eye was the number of butterflies and dragonflies that were present. Nature is slowly attempting to get back to its feet after being interrupted by the HS2 works.
The old pond looks out at the new landscape.The trees look bare.Crows fly above the trees.We are still here.DragonfliesNew places to restButterflies
These pictures show the amount of construction that is happening as the pace of building is now moving quickly. In the midst of this construction, there were some beautiful butterflies and I must have seen around 10 different types of insects. There was a hoard of dragonflies that are living in the stagnant water created around the HS2 trenches. Someone once told me not to worry about HS2 as everything will grow back once the viaducts that are planned are completed. I wait to see if this will be true as the scars in the land look very deep. I now have my 4th entry into my 16 acre wood project and I will return next year to see what progress has happened and whether nature is coping with the changes forced on the landscape.
HS2 construction is gathering pace.Earth moving equipment waiting for Monday morning.The stagnant water has encouraged the growth of the dragonfly population. The wood is to the left of the picture.
The University of Birmingham campus is very picturesque. Whenever there is a feature about the status of UK universities, the major news channels will film on the campus at Birmingham. The popular views are when a summer graduation is taking place in the Great Hall. This will be followed up with views of Chancellor’s Court and the Green Heart. The later lies in the centre of the university campus and showcases the stylish buildings that surround the area.
The platform with the University Crest in the foreground with the organ and stained glass window in the background.
Therefore, I was very excited to be involved in the organisation of an IgersbirminghamUK on the University campus. The Instameet plan was to visit two buildings, the Great Hall and the University library. We gathered for a briefing in Chancellor’s Court and then the University security team kindly opened up the Great Hall. The building was being prepared for a conference, hence the poster boards in the centre of the hall. We were given time to wander around and take photographs. The Grade II-listed red-brick hall was built in 1900 and the impressive architecture includes beautiful ceiling lights and a magnificent 32ft organ.
The stained glass window with the different subjects taught at the University.
The large stained glass window that overlooks the hall depicts all the different subjects that are taught at the University. Some of the subjects have changed over time. Having been given full access to the hall, we were able to view the windows and the organ close up. I was pleased that I could take pictures from where the academic staff normally sit. Early in my academic career I sat on the seats high at the back and as I became more senior, I progressed towards the front where the Vice Chancellor stands as he congratulates the graduands. The degree ceremony is when they receive their certificate and become graduates of the University. Following our visit to the Great Hall, we went out into the marble rotunda foyer and up to the first floor. This allowed us a closer view of the ceiling and a look down to the foyer. There was an exhibition “A History Through Objects” which highlighted research and innovation at the University. Many of the photographers took close up pictures of the items on display.
Looking down to the Foyer.The entrance to the Library.
Our next place to visit was the University library. This modern building was opened in 2016 and sits in a prominent position overlooking the Green Heart. The building has a distinctive exterior design with vertical yellow lines interspersed by windows. We were given access to training rooms 1 and 2 which are on the top floor of the building. These rooms have panoramic views of the campus. Picture taking through the windows is tricky due to reflections on the glass and I should have brought my polarising filters to reduce the glare. I was fascinated by the design of the ceiling which provided interesting shapes and the lighting added different contrasts against the walls. I have been in the library many times and I took the opportunity of getting some extra pictures of the large spaces, careful not to interrupt the University users.
Views of the Green Heart and Muirhead Tower.View of Old Joe.Views of Chancellor’s court and Old Joe.
Finally there were some pictures of the Green Heart and the picture of the coats of arms that were taken from the old library. Several of the IgersbriminghamUK group met for coffee at Costa Sports. Sitting in the sunshine we were able to discuss both our good and bad pictures. The University is such a great venue for a photography meeting and we hope to return at a later date.
Looking up to the roof of the Library.One of the many interesting views in the Library.
Thank you to both Campus security and Library services for allowing us to visit and a special mention to Tony Moran, International Communications Manager at the University of Birmingham for enabling this visit to take place.
The University crests at the centre of the Green Heart.
The pictures featured were taken by myself and if you wish to view the series of pictures that were taken by the other participants at the Instameet then follow this Instagram link #igbUK_meet_UoB.
Our family holiday was in Anglesey staying at Gwelfor barn near to Llangoed on the east of the island. This location was near to Trwyn Du lighthouse. The weather was changeable but my Clear Outside app showed that there was a good chance of a sunrise taking place on our first days on holiday.
View at sunrise.
The day was set and I got up very early careful not to disturb the family and drove down to Trwyn Penman point. Although I had done my research, I did not realize that this area was privately owned. Driving in the darkness, I came across a burning fire and a gatekeeper standing next to it. This was 5:00 am in the morning and the sun was a long way from rising. There was a payment of £3.50 and I had no cash with me but as luck would have it, he took out a SumUp device and I was able to pay contactless with my phone. The cones were moved, allowing me to continue my drive up to Trwyn Penmon Point. The scene that greeted me was surreal with numerous camper vans parked up for the night. Some people were asleep in their cars. No one was stirring.
A long exposure of the sea around the lighthouse. This view is looking North and away from the sunrise.
I quickly got all my equipment out and went down to the shoreline. The tide was going out so I scouted around looking for a good vantage point. The rocks were covered with seaweed so I was very careful with my own personal safety. The rock pools provided good opportunities for reflective photography with my iPhone. My many photographs of the of the area revealed which was the best vantage point and I set up my Cannon 5DmkVI camera on a tripod. I placed a graduated filter onto the lens. This would allow me to get a good exposure of the darker lower half of the picture and reduce the overexposure that would occur when the sun rose. I also looked for interesting foreground features to complement the composition. The background of Puffin island and the outline of the Great Orme near Llandudno was dark and therefore some compensation was required. The steps leading upto the lighthouse were starting to be uncovered by the outgoing tide. I used the steps as a leading line. I almost missed the sunrise and when you see the initial part of the sun rising, then you have about 5-10 minutes where the sun is a yellow disk as soon the the rays start to overpower your exposure. The sunrise is a very exciting experience and several pictures were taken.
This shows the difficulty of keeping everything in balance although I do like the bright sun attempting to shine on the dark seashore.
I started to vary the position of the tripod although one of the problems I encountered was a large seagull that was taking interest in my camera backpack. Therefore I had to take the bag around with me! The golden hour light was falling on the old lifeboat houses and the camper vans. The North Wales coast was starting to stand put and all the time the sun was getting stronger. I remembered to take a few pictures with my Fujifilm x100vi camera. Then I stopped taking pictures and stood back to enjoy the scene. In such moments, the experience of appreciating the present and exercising mindfulness is a refreshing exercise. There were no photographs for about 5-10 minutes and I found myself sinking in and enjoying the sound of the sea against the rocks and the sun on my face.
The golden hour as the sun’s rays cast a golden hue over the lighthouse cottages and the overnight camper vans.Seaweed on the rocks.Colours on the rocks.
Then I knew it was time to go. There were a few more pictures. I had my iPhone out and took a few interesting pictures of the stacks of stones that people had set up on the rocks. They mirrored the lighthouse nicely. Back at the holiday home, there was processing to be done before releasing the pictures on my social media. As a postscript, one of my iPhone pictures received many likes on Instagram, although my large Canon pictures were fun to set up. I enjoyed my time at Trwyn Du lighthouse. Unfortunately I did not get to the other lighthouses mainly through family commitments and also due to other events. Even so a magical sunrise at Trwyn Penman point was one I would not forget.
A view of the lighthouse and the shore from the boat trip around Puffin Island.Panorama of the scene that opened up before me.
The newest and tallest building in Birmingham is the Octagon which is 155 m (509 ft) tall. The skyscraper will have 49 floors and is dominating the Birmingham skyline. The picture shows how dominant this building will be across the City. The platforms at Snow Hill Station are uneven and puddles form after the rain. I took this one in a large puddle to show the dominating structure. I am looking forward to taking more pictures of the completed skyscraper. Watch this space.
Different styles between the Library and the neighbouring Octagon.
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The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
