spring springs

31st March 2020, at home, 8am

So we leave March in a very different world than we entered it.

But spring is springing all around if you keep your head up and look around.

And spring will come again
Quickly followed by summer
Just as they always have.
As time rolls on
As surely as the stars
And tomorrow’s sunrise
Until all that is now
Is just a memory

31st March 2020, at home, 10am

For my one session of exercise (which has to be from the house) I cycled down to Warkworth then across to Alnmouth via the beach and the bumpy road.  It was nice to be back on the beach, even on a grey day, but it was sad not to have Daisy with me.

beach closed

27th March 2020, Shilbottle, 7am

Lockdown Day 4

A wander round the fields with Daisy.  I'm grateful I've got these fields on my doorstep.  There are plenty of people around on these walks though  There's not much feeling of isolation.  Everyone is avoiding each other but most people still say hello.

27th March 2020, Alnmouth, 9:30am

The rule seems to be* that your one session of daily exercise must be from your doorstep.  Well I can cycle to Alnmouth via the new cycle track from Alnwick so that's all fine.  I did feel a sense of "what's he up to?" emanating from some people but I'm satisfied that I was cycling on my own, never talked to anyone or touched anything.  I even opened the one gate with a stick.

Down at Alnmouth it looks like they're preparing for another influx of misguided visitors to the beach at the weekend.  I'll be keeping away.

*there are contradictions in the advice I've seen.  It seems to me that it's sensible to drive to a quieter area.  I do understand what this place could be like at the weekend though.

Lockdown

24th March 2020, Alnmouth, 7am

Corona Virus lockdown began today.

Everyone in UK has to stay in their homes for the foreseeable future but we are allowed out for shopping and exercise.

I intend to make full use of the exercise allowance.

There were a few dog walkers down on the beach but I felt the social isolation very strongly.

straight away

21st March 2020, Embleton Bay, 7am

As ever, when I first arrive at The Skaith I straight away want to get the camera out...

Three different views from this later on this morning's wander.

Different horizons tell a different story.
 One of the shoreline
  One of the sky and clouds
   And one deliberately in the middle with as much of each as the other.

Daisy got loads of attention from a boy dog this morning and she was standing very proud of herself!

no risk

20th March 2020, Alnmouth, 7am/11am

Equinox today and it was a classic spring morning with blue skies, bright flowers but very chilly.

I returned later in the morning on the bike.  I'm glad this isn't a banned activity - Absolutely zero risk to my health or others and in fact keeping my respiratory system a bit healthier!

tine to spare

16th March 2020, Howick, 7:30am

With time to spare, we were out for a couple of hours wandering along the shore.

persuasion

15th March 2020, at home, 7:30am

Daisy was quite happy to stay on her bed enjoying a lazy Sunday

15th March 2020, Hauxley, 8am

We persuaded Daisy to come to the beach though...

A morning of beautiful waves and ever-changing light. 

Driven by a stiff breeze, the clouds scudded across the sky letting the sun through here and there to illuminate the landscape in patches of light. 

It was so bright I could barely see the viewfinder. 

It was so windy it was hard to concentrate on the composition. 

In both of these photographs I pretty much shot a few frames and hoped for the best. They came out OK after a bit of cropping and straightening of the horizon...

A view out to Coquet Island from the 10,000 year old petrified forest on the shore.

not going out

13th March 2020, Embleton Bay, 8am

Before we left the house, Daisy didn't like the look of the rain outside the window..

But down on the beach it was chilly but OK and by the time of my guided walk it was warm sun and blue skies

sun trap

11th March 2020, Howick, 7:30am

On our way to the sea...

That rare but perfect mix of a chilly wind from the NW and the sun warm in the SE meant we could find a wee spot too shelter for a few minutes...


Sun-trap.

I find a place beneath the cliffs
That the chilly wind can’t reach
And here we sit
The morning sun
Warm across the beach

Above our heads wind lies in wait
Up in the trees it roars
But here we’ll stay
For a little while
In our sun-trap on the shore

here and there

9th March 2020, Alnmouth, 7am

A quick walk with Daisy just after sunrise at Alnmouth

9th March 2020, Embelton Bay, 9am

Three different compositions from this morning's sunny PhotoTrail

furry family

8th March 2020, Hauxley, 9am

Up the beach with the family...

an hour too late?

6th March 2020, Embleton Bay, 8am

Over an hour after sunrise but still pretty nice!

Three different ways of looking at the sea...

not too late

4th March 2020, Alnmouth, 7am

Just a bit late for the actual moment of sunrise but plenty of colour around.

no wind at last

3rd March 2020, Bamburgh, 10am

A bit of blue sky and very little wind which is a pleasant change after so many stormy weekends recently.

We were out with a couple from HPB for a walking tour