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27th May 11, Newton links, 8am

This will be my last blog entry before our week's holiday on Orkney

So here are some lines from a song (which I performed at The Ship on Monday night) on being away from Northumberland:

I wish I was in Northumberland the sand beneath my feet
In the early light of dawn, there's a chance I'd never meet
Another living soul to share the beauty that I'd see
I wish I was in Northumberland looking out to sea

I wish I was in Northumberland looking out to sea
The seabirds crying all around, they seem to speak to me
Like a siren's call they keep me here, I am at their command
I wish I was in Northumberland, Walking on the sand...

Back soon... :-)

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Lonely Dog

24th May 11, Low Newton, 8am

Paul joined me for today's training course and we had a fine morning despite a dodgy forecast last night...

24th May11, Newton Links, 4pm

Daisy looked disappointed to find a big empty beach this afternoon as she does like to meet doggy friends. We had a good run about and then met 3 pointers and 2 setters so Daisy was very pleased indeed.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

woodland walk

21st May 11, Embleton Bay, 11am

A good long walk for a Saturday from Newton Links to Dunstanburgh Castle and back. Daisy looks a bit tired...

23rd May11, Fallodon Woods, 8am

A less than sunny day for Kim's training course this morning but the conditions were fine for a walk through the woods.

Nice gentle light and the wind lent movement to the vegetation.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

colourful?

18th May 11, Newton Links, 8am

At very low tides this bit of sand appears at the very south end of Beadnell bay. I've walked on it no more than about 3 times ever.

Just to show it was bright and colourful out and about in the early sun.

19th May11, Embleton Bay, 9am

A training course with Kim and Kate this morning. We had a great day for it and the hours seemed to pass very quickly - nice to meet you both!

Strong, interesting foregrounds were what we hunted for this morning...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

a quiet moment

16th May 11, Football Hole, 6pm

A very quiet evening walk and as we sat on a driftwood log contemplating the view even Daisy was at peace for a wee while.

Sometimes she looks quite grown up...

...sometimes she still looks very puppy-like

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

summertime blues

12th May 11, Beadnell Bay, 8am

We're getting into the summertime season when the sun is up very early and sets very late. Photographs of great character are hard work to come by. Even by 8am the light is starting to get a bit flat and uninteresting. Still beautiful but not that exciting for a photographer.

12th May 11, Newton Links, 6pm

Still there's always Daisy to add interest to any view...

13th May 11, Embleton Bay, 8am

The view south from the top of the Big Dune.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

pretty views

10th May 11, Football Hole, 8am

A fine, pretty view north over Football Hole with Cowslips in the foreground

11th May 11, Newton Links, 3pm

A fine, pretty view north over Beadnell Bay with Thrift in the foreground

A fine, pretty view over the sea with Daisy in the foreground

The short grass seems to be just the thing for a roll around. A dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do...

These clouds make a great black and white shot too..

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Mood swings

9th May 11, Embleton Bay, 8am

Yesterday's storms have passed but they left behind an angry, churned up sea. It seemed inappropriate for the sea to be smashing wave after wave onto the beach on such a bright morning. Storms, like an argument between the sea and sky, leave a moody legacy that lingers for a day or two...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

technological walking aids

8th May 11, Beadnell, 3pm

Thanks to www.raintoday.co.uk I sat and watched the showers coming in by radar and we timed our walk on the beach for a gap. For the camera buffs, this is a rare (for me) picture employing a polariser filter handheld in front of the lens.

8th May 11, Christon Bank to Craster 5:30pm

Lovely and sunny again so I headed off for a cycle before the next shower. Very bright and warm...

I got to 1 mile from Craster and this thunder was getting too close for comfort so I sprinted for home! As I write it's rumbling away overhead - made it in time though ;-)

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

towers

6th May 11, Embleton Bay, 5pm

Lovely night along the bay and we passed this interesting little tower of stones. There was also a naked woman a-frolicking in the waves but I left the camera in my pocket and we'll move on...

7th May 11, Dunstanburgh, 7am

Lovely light this morning near Saddle Rock

7th May 11, Howick shore, 6pm

Having been up on this rock earlier in the week, it's now Daisy's favourite place. She likes to tower over us and gets a good view.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

crossing the line

6th May 11, Christon Bank, 8am

No-one would call me an anarchist but when someone puts up a sign telling me what I can and can't do it pushes a button inside me somewhere.

So we went for a bit of (harmless) trespassing this morning to 'Stick It To The Man' in my own quiet way!

This is a way under the main East Coast Line but it requires wellies!

I couldn't help but think of Andy Goldsworthy when I came across these receding brick structures hidden in the woods. These have at one time carried a pipe towards a brick reservoir.

Happy 1st birthday to our favourite scruffy mutt for yesterday. We had very nice steak to celebrate (and of course she got some)

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

All Quiet

4th May 11, Howick Coast, 8am

The wind has died down and it was a peaceful low tide morning along the Howick coast.

Unfurling ferns backlit by the morning sun

In the calm, warm air the coconut aroma of the gorse fills the air as we meandered past

South across Howick bay. It's all quiet again with the holidays being over...

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

uplands

3rd May 11, Ingram Valley, 9am

A very interesting and beautiful walk above Ingram valley around the hillforts.

Before we even got going, near the visitor's centre are these lovely stitchwort in the woodland...

...and the River Ingram still has some water in it despite the dry weather of late.

Andesite lava makes up a good part of the Cheviots apart from Cheviot itself which is a granite batholith, The andesite is older, nearly 400 million years old, and here it's displaying its classic pink colouration.

Different shades of green in the freshly leafed trees. There aren't many trees up on the moors so this isn't a typical view.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

breathe

1st May 11, Christon Bank, 9pm

After a weekend in Bristol we're home and can breathe the fresh Northumbrian air once again. I do like a city for a quick break but that's all I can stand...

2nd May 11, Newton Links, 7;30am

With an Easterly wind blowing fresh air straight off the sea it just felt so clean walking around while Daisy ran after her ball like a looney. I thinks she was glad to see us back.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life