Money tree...

For years people have been hammering coins into a fallen tree near Aira Force in Cumbria. God knows why...

Blencowe Hall...

Just finishing an article about Blencowe Hall, two fortified pele towers linked by a medieval hall, which was "one of the castles that Cromwell knocked about a bit". When the building was renovated, the huge gash in the south tower was kept as a reminder of the hall's turbulent past. The result, in my inexpert opinion: stunning!

Hen harrier at Eycott Hill...

Eycott Hill, soon to be a nature reserve run by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, is difficult to photograph, but at least the light was good... and Blencathra, in the distance, was topped with cloud.

I saw a silvery-grey bird, with black wing-tips, flying low over the pasture. I had my monocular in my pocket, thankfully, so could tell it was a male hen harrier. It was spectacular! For a few seconds, time stood still...

Castlerigg...

An interesting assortment of people visit the stones at Castlerigg. Families, couples, other bearded photographers... and those who have a particular interest in standing stores and their place in folklore. They like to believe that the stones have special powers... imagining that they crackle with neolithic energy. I've seen coins left at the base of the stones; I'm not sure why. Some people have firm convictions about stone circles, and why they were built, but I'm happy in my unknowing, just enjoying the location and the changing light. The truth may be quite prosaic...

Castlerigg stone circle...

Spent a productive hour or two at the Castlerigg stone circle, near Penrith. OK, it's no Stonehenge, but the location is stunning. The light was very changeable, and clouds clung to the top of Blencathra. I now have 200 shots to delete, whittling them down to the best 20...

Skipton Castle...

This is the courtyard of Skipton Castle in North Yorkshire. What a wonderful space for a theatrical performance 'in the round'. The yew tree was planted in 1659 by Lady Anne Clifford...

Window-painting in Haworth...

A brief visit to Haworth, on a foggy November day, hoping to take some atmospheric shots in the churchyard. They turned out to be gloomy, rather than atmospheric; then I saw this lass painting a shop window with a festive design...