Blue Over Yellow – Ukraine – peace
Peace and photography
rp
A First Outing
We have recently upgraded our car to a much newer one and we’ve just taken it for its first real outing. It’s a car that we have wanted for a long, long time and it will facilitate us exploring more of the East Anglian countryside (as well as other places). This will mean more photography and a new interest but more of that another time.
We went to visit Orford and Aldeburgh in Suffolk and weren’t disappointed. The first stop; Orford was an exploratory visit. It is somewhere I have wanted to go for many years; specifically Orford Ness. The ‘Ness’ wasn’t on the cards this time but we could hopefully find out about the trip out there, as it’s by boat for next time.
From Ely in East Cambridgeshire to the Suffolk coast is a reasonably horizontal run across the country for us. It was a beautiful day and it all being new places to discover, made the journey enjoyable. Ideal for a first outing…
Orford
Before reaching our first destination, we stopped off in the woodlands off Orford Road and tried out our Trangia kettle for the first time. We’re using a Camping Gaz burner (as we’re not backpacking, so weight & size are less of an issue.
Orford is a village on the bank of the River Ore, by the Suffolk coast. The National Trust site of Orford Ness has a wealth of history which I’d like to explore at a later date. We sat out at a Cafe, overlooking the River Ore before walking around the river.
We didn’t make it to the castle but got details of how to get to the Ness for next time. Looking forward to the boat trip.
We drove on to Aldeburgh.
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh was a short drive from Orford. After what seemed like a lifetime, I managed to get the parking payed for but not until a few sanity points were lost (I’ve now got the app installed on my phone so won’t have to get trapped in a perpetual loop on the phone, trying to state my type of car, which came out as every type but the one it was!).
A walk along the coast, starting out on the shingle and then quite quickly thinking better of it (it’s like hauling bags of cement up hill), led to ice cream. I can quickly sum up if a place is great or not by the quality of its ice cream. This was a good place. We wandered back along the High Street (much more sensible, no shingle) to the car. We made tea in the back of the zuke. The car park was perfect for this, running longways, alongside the beach and large enough to be kind of private.
Anyway, the photos peppered throughout this short blog were all taken on that day. All in all, it was a great first outing, the car performed admirably and we can make a damn fine cup of tea out of the back of it.
Peace and photography
rp
Suzuki Jimny First Gen
I recently got the opportunity to view and photograph a Suzuki Jimny First gen. It was at at the Suzuki dealership; Hilton Suzuki in Bishop Stortford.
I was there, as mu and I were purchasing a Suzuki Jimny but Fourth Gen – JB74. It is the best car we have ever owned. It was the best experience of buying a car, ever. Thanks to the salesperson Martin. Second to none. We drove away with a dream (more of that to follow) but not until after capturing the following
This 1981 LJ is effectively a new car – ultra, ultra low mileage (less than 400!) and, it is for sale!
If you want a Suzuki then we can highly recommend Hilton Suzuki, Bishop Stortford. Ask for Martin.
This is only the second car I’ve photographed (the first was a Morris Minor) but I’m pleased with the results. Go to murpworkschrome to see all the photos…
Peace and photography
rp
Another Misty Morning
Following on from seeing the marina in the mist, another misty morning presented itself. This time, the mist was thick, as thick as fog in places. There is a distinct difference between the two as discussed here, but I will go with mist.
I love the indistinctness the mist brings. Images can be conjured out of the air. Objects loom or recede with a delicate fall-off that is difficult to replicate without it. There is mystery. I used both the Fujifilm X100V and the Fujifilm XPRO1 (with the 50mm f2 lens) and was very pleased with the images from both.
On my walk, I limited myself to the marina and the river Great Ouse around Waterside and along to the railway bridge, in Ely. The subjects of structures, trees and boats made great images. I was particularly pleased with several.
Here are some of the images taken for another misty morning, with the Fujifilm X100V. Find more at larger size, at murpwokschrome
Structures in the Mist
Trees from a Misty Morning
Boats in the Mist
Peace and photography
rp
A Flock of Swans
Since moving to what can be considered the side of the river Great Ouse (I’m in a marina, just off the river), I’ve seen swans. Every day, a flock of swans appear by the slipway at Waterside (though in truth, there are only a handful). They are there, waiting for tourists to feed them. The feeders are rewarded with waddling hulks of bird within arms length. Occasionally, a glide by in the river itself.
So, I’ve bee trying to capture the essence of a swan in a photograph. It’s early days yet but some of my attempts are up on murpworkschrome.
I initially started photographing in colour but I feel my best effort so far has been in B+W. See what you think, I’m posting the best image from several separate attempts here.
I’ll keep on the look out for a flock of swans in future, whilst trying to capture the essence of these magnificent birds.
Peace and photography
rp
Marina in the Mist
A first real treat of the experiencing the marina in the mist here in Ely. It took me straight back to A Misty Morning used in the Contact Card post. There was an ethereal feel, just like before. I find I really like the indistinct. I think it’s the idea that a thing has the possibility be something else. There is mystery.
From a photographic perspective, it provides great opportunities for mood. The autofocus hunts at times, depending upon the thickness of the mist or fog but it worked in most cases. Manually focussing is always a solution.
I was using my newly obtained, old Fujifilm XPRO1 with its new 50mm lens. It captured the images in black and white just how I wanted them to be.
Here’s one of four photographs I took
See the marina in the mist photo’s at murpworkschrome.
Peace and photography
rp
In the Flat Field
In the flat field in Cambridgeshire. I now live in a remarkably flat area of the country. This image was taken looking out toward Queen Adelaide. Looking out across the land, it made me think of Bauhaus
“I do get bored, I get bored…” (Bauhaus)
Head over to murpworkschrome to see an ever so slightly different take in Field II
Peace and photography
rp
The Colour of Construction
Living on a marina, I find there is always some form of work happening. It is usually heavy work. Things are being lifted, replaced or implemented all the time and one thing that strikes me is the colour of construction.
The various machines that rumble around are usually of striking colours. They demark their corporate lineage. The newer the machine, the brighter the colour, usually a bold, single one. Older items of machinery show the wear of time and the muting of colour. Paint has been scraped away sometimes revealing previous paints schemes. Other times, exposed metal has rusted. It is colour that dominates but shape comes a close second. The various shapes formed by arms of diggers are a bold example.
I also find the typography used in the logos a further point of interest.
My first look at construction started over on murpworkschrome.
I find this an interesting topic and the opportunity to be up close, when this subject matter is normally ‘behind bars’, literally, on a building site is too good to miss.
What follows is a start, with more to follow later…
The Colour of Construction – I posted my personal favourite images over on murpworkschrome.
Peace and photography
rp
Morning Coffee
I love tea but each morning, I climb the hill from Waterside to Market Square for coffee. On each day of the week, come rain or shine, the large black trailer from Silver Oak Coffee is stationed in the square. All except Monday’s that is. However, there is a solution to Mondays…
The Bagel Bar is open and selling Silver Oak Coffee coffee.
It’s the start to my day…
Peace and photography
rp
Cawdle Fen
A short walk to Cawdle Fen on the 4th March 2022.
Cawdle Fen is situated just outside of the city of Ely. It is a drainage board for the surrounding area, taking rainwater from the higher area, into the river Great Ouse.
This was a first walk I took, in which to photograph. It had been raining slightly and this provided a doomy, moody feel.
I’ve added the best images of this day to murpworkschrome here and here.
Peace and photography
rp