Photography

Leaning on a Lamp

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Leaning on a Lamp

I went through a period when it was difficult for me to get out of the house to take photographs, but I was not prepared to sit down and do nothing. So I started experimenting with interpreting phrases that came to mind.

One day, I heard the George Formby song, Leaning on a Lamp Post, the first line of which is, “I’m leaning on a lamp.” I had been trying out ideas with the mannequin, already, and was wondering how I could make use of it instead of live models who would want to be paid and get the credit. When I put the song and the modelling idea together, this was the result.

It may not be the best shot, technically. In fact, I had to edit out the cable from the lamp because I missed the fact that it was trailing across the table. But as winter approaches, in the Northern Hemisphere, maybe we will not be able to get out and enjoy taking photos.

But maybe we can challenge ourselves to interpret a favourite saying or song title. Go on. You know you want to.

All the Fun of the Fair

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Porthcawl Fair at Dusk

Red sky at night time
Tomorrow will be pleasant.
A beautiful day.

This is a photo of the fair at Coney Beach, Porthcawl, South Wales. Sometimes you just have to take advantage of the light. And it was, indeed, a beautiful day to follow.

By the way, you wouldn’t catch me on that ride!

We often think that the more we spend on an experience, the better value it is. Yet, with views like this so close to home, why spend money we don’t have on memories we won’t remember? I have often lamented that most people know far away places better than they know their own backyard.

So why not try a holiday at home? Look around your neighbourhood as if you were a tourist. You never know what you might find.

Llyn Llech Owain

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Llyn Llech Owain 1

This upland lake is the centrepiece of a Country Park near Cross Hands in South Wales.

The lake has many legends associated with it. One revolves around Sir Lancelot, of King Arthur’s Round Table fame. Another concerns the Twrch Trwyth or Wild Boar from the legend of Culhwch ac Olwen which appeared in the Welsh folk tales, The Mabinogion.

Being an upland lake, it is surrounded by peat bog and rests on limestone. This has created the circumstances where no fish can survive in the water.

Llyn Llech Owain 2

The lake has been known to freeze over during winter, although skating is not recommended as the ice is not very deep.

The Country Park itself includes gentle, secluded walks which provide a great opportunity for solitude and meditation, and the location allows reasonable views of the surrounding countryside. There is a visitor centre, which houses a display telling the story of the park. The upper floor is a hide for bird watchers. The park rangers often run activities for young people to learn about the park and the environment.

Last time I was there, the car park area included a café and a children’s play area.

As you can see, I enjoyed visiting all year round.

Nant Gwernol

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Strictly speaking, this is not Talyllyn Railway. But when you ride the steam train along the narrow gauge track up the valley to the end of the line, where the quarrymen disembarked for their day’s work, there are walks through the woods around Nant Gwernol.

The railway has been preserved and is run by volunteers. It is well worth a visit.