home from home

31st July 2019, Embleton Bay, 7am

Great to be back on the old favourite beach after being away for a few months.

31st July 2019, Holy Island, 9pm

Not much chance of the hoped-for sunset but I had a cup of tea, a biscuit and a dog for company.

We ran about on the sand and listened to the wind, the faraway waves and hundreds of birds spread over hundreds of acres.

Just before sunset there was a brief hint of colour in the sky.

not for profit

30th July 2019, Holy Island, 7am

Colours of sunrise are yet to fade
And clouds are lit from below by a sun 
as yet hidden from view
The mirror surface of the peaceful haven
Begins to ripple as the breeze awakens
With the coming of a new day.

The national Trust have taken to parking a white van in front of the castle as an advert and membership recruitment location.

It really spoils this classic view of the iconic landmark of Lindisfarne castle.

I had to resort to photoshop which I don't normally do for my blog photos.

The Gertrude Jekyll garden is utterly beautiful at the moment.

This is one of many hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies that are wafting onto our shores right now.  I have never seen them in vast numbers like this.

This is a small tortoiseshell enjoying breakfast.

close to home

29th July 2019, Belford, 5pm

Sometimes the photos are close to home.

Belford also has a fine view across to Ross sands and Holy Island

moving the sun

28th July 2019, Hauxley, 6:30am

I've been meaning to get over to Hauxley for some nice early morning light but this morning I was too late for sunrise (again!).

The sun was well south of Coquet island so I got some shots with the soft light...

I knew that if I walked North I could make the sunlight move towards the island but there was time for some fun with the dogs as we walked...

I had to walk a kilometre or so but eventually the sunny water was in front of the island.

across the water

27th July 2019, Holy Island, 7:30am

Nice and early to Holy Island and it was very quiet as the causeway was due to shut at 9:20

Me and Daisy wandered around for over an hour in grey drizzly weather and it was cool and beautiful.

27th July 2019, Ross Sands, 5pm

Patterns in the sea spaghetti

This old shipwreck has beautiful timbers and you can see the wooden pegs that held it all together.

on a hot day

26th July 2019, Budle bay, 6:30am

Even by 6:30 it was starting to warm up.  After a few hot days. Daisy is happy to just stand in the sea.

silver and blue

23rd July 2019, Budle Bay, 7am

Surrounded by a silvery light on the sea there's a proper warm sun today but the water is deliciously cold.

runaround

22nd July 2019, Budle Bay, 5pm

warm and sunny but a fire wind whipping across the sand.

It's the first Monday of the English school holidays so there were pals for Daisy to play with but enough space for a runabout...

within castle walls

20th July 2019, Bamburgh Castle, 9pm

I was photographing a wedding at Bamburgh Castle and this gives very privileged access to some views of sunset that the public can't see.

cooling perfection

19th July 2019, Budle Bay, 6am

The sea was like a lake
Perfect for the cooling of paws