25% discount – canvas print sale

Brighten your indoor spaces with a large, beautifully printed canvas print.

A selection of large canvas prints from my recent exhibition The River Within - London

Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK

Coronavirus - photography paused but 25% off canvas prints

Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, photography of wild places and urban spaces has been paused. 

But I do have some awesome canvas prints available - do check out The Shop

So until I can get back to work with a camera, please take a look around this website to remind yourself how beautiful and intriguing ou wild and urban spaces are 🙂 

Blackwater River, Swallowfield, near ReadingBlackwater River, Swallowfield, near Reading Blackwater River, Swallowfield, near ReadingBlackwater River, Swallowfield, near Reading Blackwater River, Swallowfield, near ReadingBlackwater River, Swallowfield, near Reading Blackwater River, Swallowfield, near ReadingBlackwater River, Swallowfield, near Reading  

I will be one of several speakers at the November Yes Stories event and will be talking about my photographic exploration of disused and abandoned Welsh mines "Hollow Mountain".

Filled with the twisted, rusting remnants of our rich, mining past, these dark, vast underground spaces are a glimpse into an important part of our heritage. They are now very different from their mining days, silent, gradually collapsing, rusting and sometimes changed by bacteria. My photography explores a number of these mines as they are today, including slate, copper, sulphur and silica.

The event takes place in the evening at The Glassblower, 40 to 42 Glasshouse Street, Piccadilly, London, W1B 5JY.

Tickets can be bought from Eventbrite - see the Facebook link below for details....

https://www.facebook.com

Dinas Rock Silica Mine. the beginning of the flooded section. South Wales, UK

Dinas Rock Silica Mine

For the past few months, I have not posted here but I have been very busy photographing the Thames from the source in Kemble, in January heading downriver towards the sea. The photography is being done from a kayak and I have now reached London.

I have been posting updates of the project on my facebook page www.facebook.com/ThamesSourceToSea so why not visit the page and 'like' to see new posts and follow the projects as it develops. 

Also, check out the website www.thames.photography

The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble. New plant growth underwater, one mile from the start of the River Thames, Kemble, January 2017

The sky turned thunderous and threatening as we got into our kayaks at Cheese Wharf, a short distance down river from Lechlade. On the opposite river bank was a 'British Hardened Field Defence of WWII'. Better known as pillboxes, because of their shape, these small fortified structures were built on the banks of the River Thames with an interval of 1/3 of a mile, all the way from London to Lechlade. They were built in case the German army succeeded in invading Britain and was making its way up the Thames.

We paddled away from the Cheese Wharf pillbox and within a few minutes had reached Buscot Lock. We stopped to look at the weir below the lock and continued down river past more pillboxes, one wrapped and cradled by the trunk of a large tree and another completely buried in dense bracken, the sky lightened as we reached Grafton Lock. Here we stopped for a quick break before continuing to Radcot Bridge and finally Tadpole Bridge, bathed in warm evening sun.  

WW2 Pillbox at Cheese Wharf. River Thames.    

In the evening I revisited the Source of the Thames hoping to find water pumping out of the stone-lined hole, where water does occasionally emerge from underground, but no, it's still dry and filled with autumn's leaves. However, the river is starting to flow from Thames Head, flowing down the ditch that had been previously dry when I last visited it.  Underground water was surging up from Lyd Well. 

See map below

Mouse over the images to see captions.  

At 2pm I met up with David Wood at Cricklade. David is a local fly fisherman who has been fishing in the Thames for the past seven years.  Today he was course fishing  - which I believe means no salmon or trout. David waded into the river and constantly re-cast the line with a 'fly' for bate.  The river here was much higher than it had been a couple of weeks ago and the river banks are now three feet underwater.

Thank you David for letting me photograph you :-)

Fly Fisherman - David Wood 7   Fly Fisherman - David Wood 9 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 3 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 8 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 13 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 15 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 16 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 25 Fly Fisherman - David Wood 27     Fly Fisherman - David Wood 28

It had been an early start and I parked in the car park at the Neigh Bridge Country Park before heading up river. The clarity of the water and tightly twisting path of the river reminded more of a mountain stream than the Thames. It was only a foot deep in most places. The river disappeared into the grounds of a private house before re-emerging and continuing towards Poole Keynes.  I spent most of my time wading in the river with my cameras and so didn't get very far up river. By late morning I headed back to the car as I was meeting with David Wood at 2pm for a spot of fly-fishing.....

Poole Keynes, The River Thames                 

"Photographer tells the Thames' intriguing story".

You can see it online here 

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/15075905.Photographer_tells_the_Thames__39__intriguing_story/

It was chilli as we got onto the water at Castle Eaton. The staff at the Red Lion pub had kindly agreed to let us get on the water from their grassy back garden.  Paddler Neil Montgomery had joined me for this trip, helping with the car shuttle. It had been raining recently and the water had risen by at least a foot in the last few days, it moved swiftly, carrying our boats effortlessly along the river.

I was using my new underwater housing with a Fuji X-T10 mirrorless camera, the combination was working well. I will put a review of the Meikon housing that I am using on here soon.

Mouse over the pictures to see the captions

St Mary the Virgin, Castle Eaton Hannington Bridge, near Kempsford.

Weir, River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK Junk underwater. River Thames, near Ashton Keynes village, UK

This is the first significant piece of junk that has been thrown in the river that I have so far found while photographing the Thames between the Source and Lechlade. This stretch of river does appear to be very clean. 

River Thames, up river from Ashton Keynes village, UK River Thames, Lower Mill Estate, UK

Lower Mill Estate River Thames, Lower Mill Estate, UK

Lower Mill Estate River Thames, Lower Mill Estate, UK

Lower Mill Estate

 Ashton Keynes is about six and a half miles from the official source of the River Thames and is the first village that the Thames flows through (as opposed to flowing past).  Here the river splits into several channels, the main channel flowing through the village High Street where the houses on the West side each have their own bridge crossing the Thames.  

According to Wikipedia, the village was known as Aesctun in 800 AD and appeared in the Domesday Book, but its name has changed a number of times since then.

Yesterday I went to visit Ashton Keynes and in the village shop I met Tina, a lovely lady who has lived in the village all her life. I knew that flooding had been a constant problem for Ashton Keynes over it's long history, but Tina explained that the Thames has actually been diverted to reduce the risk of flooding.

Below are photographs of Ashton Keynes......

Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Pony and trap. Ashton Keynes village, River Thames, UK Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes. Most houses on the west side of the High Street have their own bridge over Thames. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes village. This is the first village which the River Thames flows through. Ashton Keynes. Most houses on the west side of the High Street have their own bridge over Thames. Ashton Keynes. Most houses on the west side of the High Street have their own bridge over Thames. Ashton Keynes. Most houses on the west side of the High Street have their own bridge over Thames.

Saturday afternoon - Cricklade.

Saturday morning began very early as I photographed one mile downriver of the official source of the Thames, the point where spring water is currently rising from underground to form the beginning of the River Thames. Later in the morning I explored a little further down river taking a look at the Thames from underwater.

By mid-day I was back at my car for a quick change into dry kayaking kit before driving to Lechlade to meet Neil. We set up a car shuttle and got on the water at Cricklade, heading down stream. The winter sunlight was creating a very picture postcard Thames, with six-foot tall straw grasses glowing orange in the sunlight, contrasting with the blue sky and water.  The river was narrow and twisty, we were paddling through the Cotswolds with very little sign of humans, just the occasional farmhouse. 

Many trees have broken and fallen across the river, most are huge and look as though they may have collapsed under their own weight, or maybe through bank erosion. Some blocked the route completely, meaning we had to pull ourselves over fallen trees, limbo under others. Most of the trees were still growing and had rooted themselves in the river.  A few fallen trees formed grand arches - the tree growing both sides of the arch. 

Tangled straw dangled from tree branches and tree trunks like large straw wigs, they showed that previous river levels had been much higher.

There was one tree we couldn't get passed and had to portage. The banks were vertical walls of slippery mud and the water deeper than it looked. I was trying to help Neil get back on the water and slipped down the mud and up to my chin in water :-) 

Our get out was the bridge on Nell Hill, a road crossing the Thames shortly after the village of Kempsford, by that time it was virtually dark.  

River Thames below Cricklade Broken, fallen tree forming an arch over the River Thames. Below Cricklade.

A tree arch

Fallen tree forming an arch over the River Thames. Below Cricklade. Fallen tree forming an arch over the River Thames. Below Cricklade. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. Dead leaves tangled in branches indicate the previous height of the River Thames. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. Broken tree, River Thames. Below Cricklade. Dusk on the River Thames near Kempsford. Broken tree, River Thames. Below Cricklade.

Brocken tree - like so many others

Dead leaves dangle from a fallen tree indicating the previous height of the River Thames. Straw dangling from a tree gives an indication of the height of previous river levels

The River Thames between Cricklade and Castle Eaton. St Mary the Virgin, Castle Eaton, UK Mary the Virgin, Castle Eaton

Night descends, we get off the river at the bridge on Nell Hill. Our kayaks are in a nearby field.

Our boats in a field near Kempsford, where we got off the water.

Underwater near Kemble

After photographing the sun rising over the water, where it first emerges from underground, I headed back to my car, which was parked on the A429 bridge. Feeling cold as I had got very wet, I stopped for a quick hot drink and a sandwich before putting my camera into an underwater housing and heading downstream to take underwater pictures of the River Thames.  

A local who saw me in the river with a camera called out "you won't see any fish in there, this part of the Thames dries out completely during the summer".  And he was right.  Over the course of the day, I spent several hours wading in the river and didn't see a single fish, despite the extreme clarity of the water.

Split level photograph of the River Thames, just south of the A429, near Kemble.   Plant life underwater, just south of the A429, near Kemble. Plant life underwater, just south of the A429, near Kemble. Looking up from underwater through 'Snell's Window' River Thames near Kemble. Split level photograph of the River Thames, just south of the A429, near Kemble. Plant life underwater, just south of the A429, near Kemble. Plant life underwater, just south of the A429, near Kemble. Split level photograph of the River Thames, just south of the A429, near Kemble.

Misty Dawn One Mile from the Source.

For the past week and a half, I had been waiting patiently for the light to change, as forecasts had been showing grey skies over Kemble for days. But Saturday was looking promising, cold with a clear sky.

So Saturday morning I got up at silly o clock and drove to Kemble, parking on the bridge that crosses the Thames on the A429 and walked up river for a few hundred meters, as daylight started to appear and the mist began to rise over the water. This is currently where the Thames starts, where water begins rising from beneath the ground and is one mile from the official Source, which is dry at the moment.  Wearing my wellies and my not very waterproof trousers I carefully picked my way along the river, being careful not to trample the small green plants that are growing on the river bed, to get pictures from the river itself and not just from the bank.

Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames The course of the River Thames, 1.5 miles from the official Source of the river. Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn near Lyd Well. The second bridge over the Thames is in the background. Near Kemble. Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames Dawn at Lyd Well. Water is currently emerging from underground forming the start of the River Thames

The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble.

The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. Lyd Well Lyd Well, near Kemble. River Thames. Lyd Well

The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. Course of the River Thames near the A429 bridge, near Kemble.

The River Thames near Lyd Well, Kemble. River Thames. Course of the River Thames near the A429 bridge, near Kemble. The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble. The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble. The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble. The River Thames, south of the A429, near Kemble.

Spiders webs dangle from the roof of a tunnel beneath the A429 Bridge, River Thames, near Kemble.

Spiders webs dangling from the roof, inside the river tunnel beneath the A429, near Kemble, one mile from the Source of the Thames.

Spiders webs dangle from the roof of a tunnel beneath the A429 Bridge, River Thames, near Kemble.

Spiders webs dangling from the roof, inside the river tunnel beneath the A429, near Kemble, one mile from the Source of the Thames.

Today Neil joined me for a recce paddle upriver from Lechlade.

We got into our kayaks and turned upriver paddling against the flow and immediately discovered the Riverside Lechlade Marina.  A series of passages that viewed on a map look like an old fashioned TV ariel, with a central spine and many arms branching off.  The marina is home to around a hundred houseboats and looks very much like a well-established community - I will be back another time to meet the residents and find out about their lives on the Thames. But today, we continue upstream for a few miles, exploring a couple of the narrow tributaries en-route. The river winds through low fields and flood planes before becoming narrower and more tree-lined with high banks.  Running out of light we headed back to Lechlade.

And there we met the zany and very friendly Martin from Swindon Watersports, who has a shop in Lechlade next to the bridge. Martin is a hardcore paddler who took glee in showing me his paddling scars from shooting waterfalls and other wild water adventures. His shop is small but well-stocked and filled with goodies for kayaking, sailing and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) - or at least according to Neil it is well stocked - I never actually got to look around his shop as I was too busy drinking the coffee he'd given me and watching wild YouTube videos of his paddling adventures.  

Tributary immediately up-river from Lechlade. River Thames, up-river from Lechlade, UK. River Thames, up-river from Lechlade, UK. Bridge across a tributary . River Thames, up-river from Lechlade, UK. River Thames, up-river from Lechlade, UK. Bridge up-river from Lechlade. River Thames. UK. River bank suffering from erosion. Lechlade. River Thames. UK. Entrance to Lechlade Marina. River Thames, UK. Lechlade Marina. River Thames, UK. Neil Montgomery in Lechlade Marina. River Thames, UK.

Today is a recci, the light is poor, flat grey sky, drizzling rain and dull.  I have come here to check out river access points etc and have driven to Cricklade, a small village in the Cotswold. It's approximately 9 miles from the Source of the Thames.  I didn't know if the water upstream of Cricklade would be deep enough to paddle so I brought with me both a kayak and wellies for wading.  The plan is to see how far I can follow the river towards the Source, the Thames path does not follow this section of the river closely.  I am pleased to find quickly flowing water at least 2 feet deep and a concrete slipway providing easy access.  As I climb into my boat the river banks are frozen and crispy. Paddling upstream against the flow, the river becomes narrow and twisting. Trees dangling their bare, wintry branches into the water are mixed with thorn-covered brambles creating prickly curtains across the water, which I have to carefully pick my way through, then duck under fallen tree trunks that partly block the river.

The river appears to split. Tall yellow grasses and dead bullrushes from last summer form a wall on the opposite bank.  The Thames has become very narrow and overgrown so I paddle up the tributary on the right to see where it takes me.  There is little sign of new life above water but below water new plants are growing vigorously, bright green leaves mixing with darker green mosses.  As I turn yet another tight bend  I am suddenly met by a thick barrier of bracken, brambles and a fallen tree that completely block the way.  Driving the boat up onto a mud bank I step into deep gloopy mud, it's the sort of mud that likes to suck the boots off your feet. Scrambling up the bank I find a large field lined with a wall of brambles between me and the river.

So I paddle back to the car and drive to the Source at Kemble.   

On the 30th of December, I had done a recce to the official Source and found a muddy field filled with cows and a dry ditch leading to a tombstone-shaped stone marking the beginning of the Thames - and the Thames path.  A ring of smaller stones has been placed on the ground forming a circle around the spring from which water occasionally surges up from underground before flowing down the ditch.  But there's no water today - so I head south-east - downstream.

In wellies and waterproofs, with the grey sky still drizzling, I cross a field to follow the empty ditch. After a few hundred meters it leads me to a bridge and the first signs of water.  About four inches deep and looking more like a puddle I can see that the water is actually tricking downstream through the grass and small water plants.  I cross to the other side of the bridge and am amazed at what lies before me.   A river of clear spring water peppered with a bright carpet of green plants.  Water is coming up out of the ground all around me and little strings of bubbles appear and disappear.  I find the old stone Roman well; Lyd Well, from which water is quietly surging up from underground and am on the edge of a forest, except it looks more like a mangrove swamp than a UK forest.  Many of the trees are very old. A low crumbling bridge with several holes for the water to flow through crosses the river, linking the swamped forest on the north bank with fields on the south bank.  I'm really looking forward to returning when the light is more interesting and with a camera in an underwater housing....

Cricklade - River Thames My kayak on the slipway at Cricklade, River Thames.

Cricklade - River Thames

The River Thames upstream from Cricklade

Thames Head. River Thames, Kemble.

This is the spot marked on Google maps as "Thames Head"

Dry river bed, near the Source of the River Thames, Kemble.

The River Thames - just a ditch. 

First water visible in the River Thames, January 2017. 1 mile from the Source at Kemble. This is the first water in the Thames at the moment. It's coming from underground.

First water visible in the River Thames, January 2017. 1 mile from the Source at Kemble.

The second bridge over the River Thames. 1 mile from the source at Kemble.

Upstream of the second bridge over the Thames.  The water seen in the above pictures is trickling through the two tubes. 

Lyd Well. River Thames

Lyd Well - just downstream from the bridge.

Spring water rising from underground near the source of the River Thames. Kemble.

Spring water from underground is forming the beginning of the River Thames

The third bridge over the River Thames. Appr 1 mile from the source of the Thames. Near Kemble.

The third bridge over the Thames.

My car with kayak parked on the A433 near the Source of the River Thames. My car and kayak parked alongside the A433, near the Source of the Thames

So where do I start? Where is the Source?

The source of the River Thames is at Kemble near Cirencester, it starts in a field called Trewsbury Mead, just north-east of the A433.

or does it....

Although this is the official start point according to the Environment Agency and Ordnance Survey it is not universally accepted. Some historians believe that a Roman well called Lyd Well, which is one mile south-east of the official source, is the true start point of the Thames - more on that later...

Water in the first few miles of the Thames is seasonal and for most of the year it is dry. The Parish of Coberley in the Cotswolds claim the Thames really starts at Severn Springs, which is 4 miles south of Cheltenham - and they might be right.  Severn Springs is the beginning of the River Churn which joins the Thames at Cricklade, providing a constant, unbroken flow of water all year round, unlike the official Source at Kemble.  If Severn Springs is the true beginning then it adds 14 miles to the length of the River Thames making the Thames the longest river in the UK.

For this project I am going to treat the start of the Thames as being the official Source at Kemble, but I will be visiting Severn Springs and the River Churn too.

The Source of the River Thames in Trewsbury Mead field, Kemble.  After heavy rain, water emerges from an underground spring inside the ring of stones. 

For 2017 I have decided to photograph the River Thames from Source to Sea from a kayak.  

My aim is to get intimate images of the river by being very close to it, on it - maybe even at times - in it.   To show how it changes in character as it grows, flowing towards the sea and how it changes through the seasons.  I will begin photographing the Source of the Thames in January and will have reached the sea by December.

By using a kayak, I can get into little nooks and crannies that can't be accessed any other way and will photograph the Thames when it's raining, during the day, night, fog, mist, sun - and hopefully snow - and I can't wait to get started.....

I have been paddling kayaks on the central London River Thames between Richmond and the Thames Barrier for over twenty years and have often explored other areas of the river too, sometimes photographing it. It is a fascinating, meandering waterway that starts as a ditch in the Cotswolds, becomes tidal at Teddington and ends by flowing into to the sea at Shoeburyness on the north bank and Sheerness on the south bank. 

Below is a map showing how I have divided the river into twelve sections, each will form a mini-project which, together, will tell the story of a one-year journey from Source to Sea.  The map is interactive, click on the numbers to see where each point is.

Here are a few images of the Thames shot from a kayak....

The Lots Road Power Station, River Thames, London  

The Lots Road Power Station

Albert Bridge, River Thames, London

Albert Bridge 

Wandsworth Bridge, River Thames, London

Wandsworth Bridge 

The London Eye, River Thames, London.

The London Eye

  Kayaking on the River Thames, approaching Hammersmith Bridge. London

Hammersmith Bridge

Southwark Bridge and the Shard. River Thames, London

Southwark Bridge and the Shard. 

  Southwark Bridge. River Thames, London

Southwark Bridge

The City, River Thames, London

The City, River Thames,  London

  Tower Bridge, River Thames. London

Tower Bridge

To get the next two pictures, I did get out of my boat.  These two paddlers were playing on Shepperton Weir - probably not what most people would expect to find on the Thames....

Kayaking on Shepperton Weir, River Thames, UK Kayaking on Shepperton Weir, River Thames, UK

Day Seven.

This photo I took recently while paddling the "Loop section" of the River Dart in Dartmoor. For those of you who have paddled and know this river this picture was taken just above Triple Falls.

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and am posting those pictures here too....

River Dart, UK

Day Six.

Bee sitting on a dahlia in an English urban garden. 

An interesting article appeared in the Guardian recently explaining how research shows that neonicotinoid pesticide reduces the ability of bees to learn and remember.  This is preventing them to learning how to 'shake' pollen out of certain plants and therefore not pollinating them correctly.  To learn more read the article here

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and am posting those pictures here too....

Day Five.

Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn.  Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn is one of four spectacular waterfalls near the village of Ystradfellte on the River Mellte.    If you are ever in the Brecon Beacons - the Four Waterfalls walk is a must do...

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and am posting those pictures here too....

Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK

Day Three.

The River Usk reservoir in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

It was three or four years ago and we had travelled to the Brecon Beacons for a weekend of caving photography, but spent the first day walking over the mountains and around the Usk reservoir, when I spotted this landscape. I was drawn to the moss coated branches, arching into the water, forming semi-circles and reflecting in the calm water. 

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and am posting those pictures here too....

Usk Reservoir, Brecon, Wales, UK

Day Three.

Straw formation in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

Straw formations are created by water dripping from the same spot for thousands of years. Each time a drop of water falls off, it leaves a tiny trace of minerals, mostly calcite, that were dissolved into the water as it trickled through the cave. These calcite deposits gradually build up until a hollow straw is formed. Straws can grow to be several meters long and are incredibly fragile. On average, they take approximately 150 years per centimetre to grow - but that does depend on drip speed and how much mineral is contained in those drips. 

This photograph was taken for DSLR User magazine, as part of a feature on cave photography.

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and am posting those pictures here too.... A 'Straw' cave formation in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, Wales, UK

#cave #straw #formation, #Wales. #BreconBeacons

Day Two. Maen Llia Standing Stone.

It was around midnight, during the summer, that I headed off into the Welsh mountains to photograph the Maen Llia Standing Stone. This stone is believed to have been carried here 20,000 years ago by a glacier and erected by our ancestors 4,000 years ago. I also made an eight-second stop-frame video of the stars and clouds that night which can be seen herehttp://www.h2ophotography.com/blog/2016/6/maen-llia-video

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and will post those pictures here too.
 

Maen Llia Standing Stone

#Standingstone #breconbeacons #MaenLlia #Wales #history #archaeology

Day One.

Ituni, Berbice River, Guyana.

I took this picture while working as the photographer on a three-month expedition in South America.

It was early in the morning and the mist was starting to lift from this beautiful river.  Ituni is a very small Amerindian village in the South American jungle and the only opportunity the locals had to trade the rice, plantain and other goods they had grown, was onboard a boat - a floating market - that travelled down the river once every two weeks.  The pontoon in Ituni had fallen into disrepair and the locals had to use dugout canoes to get to and from the boat, making trade difficult.  As part of the expedition, we helped to repair the pontoon.

On Facebook I have been challenged to post one photograph per day of 'Nature' and will post those pictures here too.

Ituni, Berbice River, Guyana, South Ameica

#Guyana #southamerica #america #jungle #expedition #photographer #berbiceriver #river

See my full article and more pictures here 

25 canoeists kicked off the Christmas season with a splash by kayaking the Oxford to Cambridge Boat Race course for Christmas dinner.

Wearing Santa outfits, the Putney Bridge Canoe Club members paddled the four-mile course from Barn Elms to The Ship pub in Mortlake, on Sunday 27^th of November. It was a choppy start but the river became calmer as the wind dropped beneath Barns Bridge.

The Ship pub, built in 1781, is best known for being the pub at the end of the Boat Race.

Upon arrival, the kayaks were stacked in the beer garden, while the canoeists enjoyed a three-course meal in the warmth of the pub.

Once the sun had gone down and the tide had turned, the canoeists returned to Barn Elms, paddling on the inky black Thames; a flotilla of little boats, each lit with white lights and some wrapped in strings of colourful Christmas lights, reflecting on the water.

Chairman of PBCC, Geoffrey Onyett, organised the event several months ago, planning it to coincide with the tides.

Mr Onyett said ”We needed an incoming tide to help us reach The Ship by 1pm for the Christmas dinner and an outgoing tide for the return journey after dark. The Ship is a good location, distance wise, from the club's base at Barn Elms for a kayaking trip suitable for all abilities. It has very good food at a good price, professional staff, nobody was given the wrong dinner and everyone enjoyed it.”

Putney Bridge Canoe Club has eighty-five members and is based at Barn Elms.

This was the second of two days of photographing the Loop section of the River Dart, in Dartmoor. 

The water level was a little higher than yesterday, so was slightly bouncier.  We were a larger group today as more friends from the two canoe clubs, Putney Bridge Canoe Club and Cherwell Canoe Club, had joined us. Like yesterday, most of the photography was done from a kayak, although I did get out a couple of times to get a different viewpoint. 

More pictures can be seen in the Gallery - Kayaking

Information for paddlers http://riverdart.co.uk/kayakers

The Dart Fisheries Association and the British Canoe Union have an agreement which permits paddlers to paddle the River Dart

From Newbridge between the 1st of October 2016 and the 13th of March 2017

and 

From Dartmeet between the 15th October 2016 and the 13th of March 2017

Putney Bridge Canoe Club 

Cherwell Canoe Club

River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK

This was the first of two days photographing the Loop section of the River Dart, in Dartmoor. 

The water level was low, so it was an easy paddle, scrappy in places, grade two with a small number of grade three features. For non-paddlers, this means mostly small waves and obstacles such as rocks, which are reasonably easy to avoid, with the occasional larger rapid, for which more attention is needed.  The autumnal river banks were stunning with the trees and ground covered in warm coloured leaves.  We were a group of 11 paddlers, friends from two canoe clubs, Putney Bridge Canoe Club and Cherwell Canoe Club.  Most of the photography was done from a kayak, although I did get out a couple of times to get a higher viewpoint. My aim was to show non-paddlers why white water paddling is such a wonderful experience. 

More pictures from this weekend can be seen in the Gallery - Kayaking

Information for paddlers http://riverdart.co.uk/kayakers

The Dart Fisheries Association and the British Canoe Union have an agreement which permits paddlers to paddle the River Dart

From Newbridge between the 1st of October 2016 and the 13th of March 2017

and 

From Dartmeet between the 15th October 2016 and the 13th of March 2017

Putney Bridge Canoe Club 

Cherwell Canoe Club

River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK River Dart, UK

More pohotographs of the Ystradfellte waterfalls can be seen here http://www.h2ophotography.com/river-mellte

River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Trees along the River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Trees along the River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Trees along the River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Trees along the River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK Trees along the River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK River Mellte, Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons, Wales,UK  

A larger selection of pictures can be seen here http://www.h2ophotography.com/london-by-kayak

This is where our journey begins - Putney Bridge Canoe Club, (right-hand brown container) Barn Elms Carrying the kayaks to the water. River Thames, Barn Elms, London Hail stones landing on the River Thames, Putney, London. Paddler Rick Stanton at Putney, River Thames, London Putney Railway Bridge, River Thames, London New flats on the south side of the River near Wandsworth. River Thames, London House boats on the south side of the River near Wandsworth. River Thames, London Wandsworth Transfer Station, River Thames, London Wandsworth Bridge, River Thames, London The Lots Road Power Station, River Thames, London Albert Bridge, River Thames, London Houseboats on the south side of the river, near Vauxhall, River Thames, London St George Wharf Tower, Vauxhall, River Thames, London Vauxhall Bridge, River Thames, London Kayaks approaching Lambeth Bridge. River Thames, London. The London Eye, River Thames, London. Hungerford Bridge, River Thames, London. Blackfriars Bridge, River Thames, London. Pillars that formed part of the original railway bridge at Blackfriars. River Thames, London The Millennium Bridge. River Thames, London. Southwark Bridge and the Shard. River Thames, London Southwark Bridge. River Thames, London Southwark Bridge and the Shard. River Thames, London Tower Bridge, River Thames. London

Thanks to my caving friends from Croydon Caving Club http://www.croydoncavingclub.org.uk who have been kind enough to put up with me and my camera, when I've needed to set up a shot and they have just wanted to get on with the caving trip.

One pound from each calendar sold will be donated to Mid and South Wales Cave Rescue Team.   http://www.smwcrt.org

All the pages from the calendar can be seen  here http://www.h2ophotography.com/calendar-2017 where the calendar can also be purchased on-line.

I can't wait to receive the finished calendars from the printer.....

SUNDAY 18th September

Commission from the BCU Lifeguards

The British Canoe Union Lifeguards provide kayak support  for open water swimming events such as triathlons.  Hundreds of swimmers take part in these events and the kayak support teams must ensure their safety.

The BCU Lifeguards ran a training weekend for paddlers who need to be able to quickly spot a swimmer that is in trouble and rescue that person. They also need be able to recognise when someone is struggling - long before a serious condition develops - such as a swimmer that is too cold, showing signs of disorientation, cramp etc. and know how to help them.

I was commissioned to photograph the weekend's activities for the BCU Lifeguards to use in promotional material, instructional printed guides and create a visual record of the weekend.   This included classroom, field work and on the water. 

More pictures can be seen here http://www.h2ophotography.com/bcu-kayak-lifeguard-training

On-the-water. Training kayak paddlers to rescue swimmers

According to the Tower Bridge lift timetable, Tower Bridge was scheduled to lift for the cruise ship Silver Wind at 3:45 this afternoon. I arrived early to do a recce and find the best position to photograph it from.   London Bridge gave me a  high uncluttered view point. At 3:40 I could see the big white shape of the cruise ship looming behind Tower Bridge. Three minutes later I started taking photographs and had set my remote timer to take one photograph every two seconds. Four hundred photographs later, the Silver Wind had moored next to the battleship.

London's Tower Bridge lifts for the cruise ship "Silver Wind"

'Hollow Mountain' a photographic documentary.

Deep beneath the surface, disused and abandoned mines are visually inspiring, dangerous, often difficult to get into and filled with the twisted, rusting remnants of our rich, mining past. They are historically, politically and geographically important.

Due to past mining activity, mountains once solid are now filled with enormous empty spaces; big enough to fit a sky scraper inside; Rhosydd Slate Mine, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, is one of several mountains in north Wales, which are literally hollow, just a shell remains, littered inside with piles of broken slate from collapsed mine passages and room sized chunks of slate that have fallen from the roof. The remains of crumbling passages and tunnels, railway tracks and trucks used to remove the slate remain scattered through miles of broken passageways. This mine, like many others, is geologically unstable and constantly collapsing. 

The beautiful Cae Coch sulphur mine, also in north Wales, was dug on a steep incline, it has crumbling decaying rock surfaces glowing with multi coloured bacteria, peppered with orange and red pools of sulphur where bacteria feed on the chemicals and minerals adding to it's rainbow of colours. Wooden beams supporting the roof are decaying, being eaten by bacteria and rotting from damp. 

The Dinas Rock silica mines in south Wales have miles of passageways with large rock pillars supporting the roof and passages filled with water. Again there is much evidence of past mining activity with caverns and tunnels that sometimes disappear into a deep void, while others close down and go nowhere.

http://www.h2ophotography.com/hollow-mountain

"The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK ' "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver abseiling down "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK A caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK Caves outsde the top entrance to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK

Inside the Prater amusement park in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, is one of the earliest Ferris wheels ever built and at 64.75-metre (212 ft) tall it was the tallest in the world between 1920 and 1985.  It was featured in a 1949 British film noir, called "the Third Man" directed by Carol Reed and starred Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten,Trevor Howa and Alida Valli,  Constructed in 1897 by the English engineer Lieutenant Walter Bassett Bassett, it celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I.  

It was about mid-night when I began photographing Maen Llia, a standing stone in the Welsh mountains near Ystradfellte.  I had taken 81 exposure of the stars with the aim of combining them to make a star trail.  But I have also used the same images to create this short video

To learn more about Maen Llia see my earlier post here

Maen Llia Video

This enchanting garden is only open to the public two or three days a year.  The house with two acres of land was bought by a mid-wife nearly thirty years ago, at that time the land had been covered in trees and bracken and she decided she was going to change it. Gradually she cleared the land and built this beautiful garden in the hills overlooking Dolgellau with views to Cader Idris. The garden was designed around natural features including streams and ponds and is a haven for wildlife too.

Porth Yr Ogof cave, Brecon, Wales, UK

I'm really excited about these cards, they have been beautifully printed and look great. Kathy is opening a shop above her pub and asked me to provide her with postcards, mugs and other souvenirs.  I have only had one of each design printed, so  Kathy has thirty different cards to choose from and I guess we will probably print about ten of them :-)

#Postcards #print #Wales #waterfalls, #historical #mines #caves

Postcards

‪#‎adventure‬ ‪#‎mine‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎explore‬

Cwmorthin Slate Mine

Cathy from the New Inn pub in Ystradfellte, is opening a gift shop and had asked me to produce a number of postcards for her and other gifts featuring the local caves, mines and landscape. It was nearly mid-night when I headed out under a moonless and star lit sky, and I spent an hour and a half with this stone photographing star trails. Whisps of clouds raced across the sky, close to the horizon and were lit by light from distant towns and villages. Even here in the middle of the Brecon Beacons, upon a mountain, there is still light along the horizon in every direction.  

Maen Llia is a standing stone made of calcrete, an unusual form of old red sandstone formed on calcareous materials as a result of climatic fluctuations in arid and semiarid regions, it is not found in the Brecon Beacons where it stands and was possibly carried here by a glacier 20,000 years ago.  It is believed that our ancestors of 4,000 years ago erected this stone, it's purpose is unknown but it may have been to mark an important site, a boundary, a route or had religious meaning.

According to local folk law, during mid-summer's night Maen Llia walks to the near-by river to drink, it's shadow apparently does point towards the river at that time.

Maen Llia Standing Stone

A few nights ago, at mid-night I was standing on a bridge over the River Céou at Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in south west France.  My camera on a tripod and set up for time-lapse photography -  to take thirty, 1 minute exposures of the scene so that I could later combine the images into one picture to create star trails.  Eerily quite, I could hear the barking and howling of foxes, bats occasionally flitted over head and around the trees and the water gently bubbled beneath my feet.  Jupiter was very bright and caused the thick white line seen amongst the stars.  A few satellites and aeroplanes crossed the sky, creating lines that cut across the stars in different directions, their flashing lights forming a string of dashes.  The orange glow is not from the setting sun as the sun had gone down several hours before, it is light from the neighbouring villages - probably Cénac-et-Saint-Julien. The  River Céou is  34 miles long and flows into  the River Dordogne, just a short distance downriver from where I was standing.  

Star trails over the River Ceou, France

‪#‎star‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎astro‬ ‪#‎nightsky‬ #bramshill #night

Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Moon and Stars over Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK

The Bramshill Lakes, near Wokingham, Reading, were created as a result of gravel extraction and are surrounded by forest.    A few nights ago the sky was clear and dark, the new moon having set, so I decided to photograph it.     It was a cold night, silent and still apart from the coots, I saw a number of shooting stars streaking across the sky.  If you would like to purchase prints, they are available through this website...

‪#‎star‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎astro‬ ‪#‎nightsky‬ #bramshill #night

Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Stars over Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK Jupiter and stars, Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK

Stars over Bramshill Lake, near Reading, UK

While inside the pub having lunch, the tide continued to rise and quickly flooded the road.  In the patio area across the road, a gas bottle and several wooden barrels started to float. A metal bin floated into the road and sank in front of a silver car, which had been parked in front of the pub. No one in the pub knew who owned the silver car.

Last Friday I photographed caver Neil Montgomery practicing SRT techniques on Dinas Rock in Brecon, South Wales. SRT is used for moving up and down ropes in vertical shafts in caves and Dinas Rock proved to be a useful place to practice abseiling, change-overs (changing direction part way up or down the rope and going the other way) passing a knot in the rope etc.  

"The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK

This spectacular formation is known as "the Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, a cave inside the mountains surrounding Penwyllt in the Upper Swansea Valley, South Wales.  I visited the formations with a few caving friends to photograph it.  To reach the formations, we had to use SRT equipment.  for non-cavers SRT (Single Rope Technique) allowed us to abseil down a series of vertical shafts to reach the formations, then return by climbing back up the ropes - again using SRT techniques.  

"The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver abseiling down "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK A caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKCaver Charlie Peacock in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK

"The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK

Peter Hamilton at the bottom  of the second pitch "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK"The Nave" is a set of spectacular cave formations in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UKA caver in "The Nave" in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK

Caver Charlie Peacock wearing SRT equipment Caves outsde the top entrance to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu cave, South Wales, UK Here are my four caving friends having just climbed out of the cave.   Left to right:

• Peter Hamilton
• Claire Peacock
• Neil Montgomery
• Charlie Peacock

Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK Klondyke Mill, north Wales, UK

It is an A4 booklet style calendar, which opens out to A3 and features a selection of images from disused mines in mid-west and north Wales.

Back cover Images include the fascinating 'car graveyard' in Gaewern Slate Mine and the largest underground water wheel in the UK, which is in Yastrad Einion copper mine. This is a very unusual calendar and includes information about the mines photographed. 

The Calendar has a gloss laminated cover, 28 pages, wirobind in the center and a drilled hanger hole

You can see the calendar pages here and purchase a calendar if you wish

"Car graveyard" Gaewern Slate Mine, Wales, UK "Car graveyard" Gaewern Slate Mine, Wales, UK "Car graveyard" Gaewern Slate Mine, Wales, UK

Exploring Cae Defaid Slate Mine

Cae Defaid Slate Mine  is South West of Bala, near Rhydymain and operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The upper part of the quarry was developed first, but it failed to prosper.  This section of mine is highly decorated with iron and other minerals, fungi and water drops create magical patterns in the mud - a photographer’s dream!  It has several shafts in the roof that open into small holes in the mountain.  Despite being fenced off, there are many bones of dead sheep that have fallen into the mine.  A different adit provides access to the lower half of the mine, it was worked as a slab mine by a Caernarfonshire company of slate masons and was much more profitable.  It is now  filled with neck-deep water. 

Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cae Defaid Slate Mine, north Wales, UK

At Abercwmeiddaw slate mine, just a short distance from the village of Corris, we scrambled over an expansive dug out bowl that had once been the site of quarrying and climbed up the far side to reach this bore hole.  It was one of several test bore holes drilled by the Victorians. The Abercwmeiddaw Slate Quarry Company was a Liverpool based company who registered the mine in 1876.  It operated as a middle size quarry  and by 1882 employed 188 men producing approx 4,000 tons of slate.  But as the Welsh slate trade declined it ceased trading in 1905. Another company reopened the quarry on a smaller scale in 1911 but closed in 1938.  The quarry itself is now a fern and tree lined bowl cut into the mountain side.

Caver in Victorian borehole. Abercwmeiddaw slate mineCaver Neil Montgomery inside a Victorian bore hole. Abercwmeiddaw Slate Mine, North Wales. UK. Victorian bore hole, Abercwmeiddaw slate mine, North Wales.

Caver David Roberts wearing SRT equipment (Single Rope Technique) which he used to descend a rope into the "Lost World"

Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK

Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UK Cwmorthin Slate Mine, north Wales, UKA rusting miners teapot in Cwmorthin Slate mine, sits on top of a slab of slate that had been in process of being cut into large slabs ready for transportation out of the mine.

Furnace Falls on the River Einion, Mid-West Wales, UKThe falls at the village of Furnace in mid-west Wales, UK Furnace Falls on the River Einion, Mid-West Wales, UKThe falls at the village of Furnace in mid-west Wales, UK

Last week I was in Wales photographing disused slate mines.

This huge pile of old classic cars was dumped into the disused Gaewern Slate Mine, Wales,  through a hole in the top of the mine, during the 1970’s. The bottom of the mine shaft is filled with deep water.  A few days ago I went into this mine to photograph the car graveyard.  Below are the photographs I went to get and a selection of others pictures that I took showing more of the mine and how we got to the cars.

Special thanks to Neil Montgomery, Peter Hamilton ad Siriol Richards.

"Car graveyard" Gaewern Slate Mine, Wales, UK This picture was taken during a recci the day before looking down through a small hole above the mine. The blue car is the same one that can be seen in the above pictures. The cars were dropped through this hole, which has since been partly filled over with old rusting cars – which I was standing on to get this picture…..

Caver Neil Montgemery in the tunnel entrance to Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK

The Entrance into Gaewern Slate Mine

Caver Siriol Richards climbing down the mine workings in Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK

Neil Montgomery on a short abseil to the bottom of the mine workings. Gaewern Slate Mine.

Neil Montgomery (left) prussiking in Gaewern Slate Mine. Peter Hamilton (right) Peter Hamilton paddles past floating wheels towards the car graveyard. Gaewern Slate Mine. "Car gravewyard" in Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK

Neil Montgomery paddling a small inflatable boat in Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK

Tea pot left behind by the miners in Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK A rusting kettle left behind by the miners. Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK Very old televisions dumped near the entrance to Gaewern Slate Mine. North Wales, UK

After the last swim of the season the staff at Droitwich Lido pulled the covers over the pool closing it for the winter.

;

Droitwich Lido was built in the 1930’s and was filled with brine water pumped from streams below ground and decorated in an art deco style. Chlorine was not needed as the salt was sufficient to kill off bugs.

During the Second World War the pool was closed and it’s buildings were used as army offices. It remained an empty, derelict shell until locals formed a campaign group and fought for the lido to be re-opened. In the summer of 2007 it’s doors were once again open to the public. Droitwich is a spar town and the lido is the only amenity that currently utilises the spa water. It is heated and the water is always very clear. A group called “The Friends of Droitwich Lido” are constantly fundraising to support the pool and campaign to raise awareness during the summer months. I was in the area over much of the summer and often went for an early morning swim in the mornings, before meeting up with my swimming friends in the poolside cafe. Whatever the weather swimming is always wonderful in this pool. When sunny, light streams through the surrounding trees to create a dappled chiaroscuro pattern in the pool, if it rains then it’s lovely to swim underwater and look up at the raindrops landing on the surface. The regular swimmers care passionately about their pool, which is surrounded with flowers, hanging baskets and trees and has a play area for children.  Each year that the Lido closes, its swimmers never know whether it will re-open the following year or whether the local council will decide to pull the plug due to it often running at a financial loss.

These pictures were taken to help “The Friends of Droitwich Lido” raise awareness of Droitwich’s only spa water amenity.

Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK Droitwich Lido, UK

Ystrad Einion copper mine is at Cwm Einion (artists valley) near the village of Furnace, not far from Aberystwyth, mid-west Wales. Mining began here on a small scale in the early 1800's, but the main mining activity took place towards the later part of that century.

The waterwheel was installed by Adam Mason, a Lancastrian businessman who invested £3,000 on modern state-of-the-art equipment (equivalent to 1/4 million in today's money) into developing the mine for metal extraction, including lead, silver and zinc, but primarily copper. Several previous companies had mined here earlier but the mine was officially re-opened on the 21st September 1877 with a sumptuous dinner for Adam Mason, the workmen and others involved in its creation. Adam Mason had big plans and ambitions for the mine, but it was not a financial success.

Miners drilled long, slender holes in the rock, packed it with gunpowder and blew holes in the mine, then shovelled the resulting rocks into wheel barrows. Water was the main source of power and came via a leat running from the river Einion 2 kilometres up stream.

The Underground water wheel, which is nearly five meters in diameter and the largest underground water wheel in the UK, powered a winding drum for bringing ore to a higher level in the mine before its removal to the surface and operated drainage pumps. The wheel turned anti-clockwise and was fed with water from above.  Below ground there were 4 working levels, access was via adits cut into the hillsides.

The blue formation seen in one of the pictures below is copper sulphate.

The water wheel has a cast iron rim, the wooden spokes and buckets are rotting away. What remains of the winding drum stands in front of the wheel. Water still trickles over the wheel in an otherwise now silent and dark mine.

Ystrad Einion Copper MineThe blue formation seen in the foreground is copper sulphate. Water wheel, Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, Mid-West Wales, UKThe largest underground water wheel in the UK. Almost five meter diameter. Water wheel, Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, Mid-West Wales, UKThe largest underground water wheel in the UK. Almost five meter diameter. Ystrad Einion Copper Mine. The exit from an adit. Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, Mid-West Wales, UK Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, Mid-West Wales, UK Ystrad Einion Copper Mine, Mid-West Wales, UK

The classic waterfall walk at Ystradfellte twists a narrow, rough route through wooded mountain sides to spectacular waterfalls along the rivers Mellte and Hepste.  I photographed four waterfalls along this route including Sgŵd yr Eira on the Afon Hepste, here the footpath passes behind the waterfall.  

Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn..Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Sgwd Yr Eira. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Sgwˆd Isaf Clun-Gwyn. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Sgwˆdy Pannwr. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK Sgwˆdy Pannwr. Ystradfellte waterfalls, south Wales, UK

Although I have lived in London for many years I still love to see Tower Bridge opening. 

Tower bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by The Prince of Wales, who was later to become King Edward VII.  In the early years Tower Bridge's high level walkways were used for prostitution and fell into disrepute, they were soon closed to the public. 

Before Tower Bridge had been built, the Tower Subway tunnel, which was approx 400 meters away was the quickest way to get across the river. It had been opened in 1870 and was among the world's first underground railways.  It closed only three months later but was re-opened as a pedestrian foot tunnel. In 1898 it closed again though as once Tower Bridge was open, the tunnel was used very little.    A Tower Bridge "Lift", River Thames, London, UK

As I live near the Natural History Museum in London, I decided to take a look at skaters having fun on the large ice rink next to the museum, where young and old skate around a decorated Christmas tree, some more proficiently than others. This ice rink is set up next to the Natural History Museum for several weeks at Christmas time and 2014 marks the ice rink's tenth year.  This year it's open from the 30th of  October 2014 to the 4th of January 2015.   I was interested in the  movement, colour and atmosphere of the event and the people who were enjoying it.  It was a cold evening and I really appreciated my gloves....

You can learn more about skating on London's best ice rinks here Natural History Museum in London Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January. Ice skating in central LondonEach year, a temporary ice rink is set up on the lawn in front of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. Families and friends have fun skating here between the end of October and January.

In the Isabella Plantation a pile of exotic leaves had been left to rot down over the winter....

The Isabella Plantation, in Richmond Park, was planted in the 1830's and is a woodland garden covering 40 acres.  It's best known for its evergreen Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias, but it also has many unusual and rare trees, shrubs and plants that line the ponds and streams providing a home for invertebrates, insects and small mammals.  

Richmond Park is the largest of London's eight Royal Parks and is a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

AutumnalA pile of exotic leaves had been left to rot down over the winter. Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London, UK.

Wokingham woodlands near Reading was the location I used to test a new camera – the FujiFilm X-E1, a mirrorless SLR style camera with an electronic view finder.  Overall I was very impressed with this little  camera, it gave great image quality and felt lovely to work with.  I will put a more detailed review of this camera on here when I have spent more time working with it.

..

..

..

..

..

It was late afternoon when I arrived the Sgwd Isaf Clwn-Gwyn falls on the River Mellte in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, overcast with frequent rain showers.  The light was very soft and the recent heavy rain had caused a massive amount of water to be tumbling over the waterfall. After taking a few photographs and as the light failed and turned to darkness, I began picking my way back through the woodland and along the river bank to Yestradfellte, the small village in a near-by valley.

..

....

....

Mellte is the Welsh word for ‘Lightning’, and the river is believed to have got it’s name because of the speed at which the water rises and falls in response to rainfall.

The River Mellte is formed by the confluence of the rivers Afon Dringarth and the Afon Llia, it winds its way through a wooded, deep valley gorge before plunging underground for a quarter of a mile through Porth-yr-Ogof cave,  re-emerging at the Blue pool.  From here it continues to Pontneddfechan where it joins the river Nedd Fechan becoming the River Neath.

I am planning to re-visit this amazing river in the next few days, here are a few pictures I made a couple of years ago, when I took my DSLR camera in it’s Ikelite  underwater housing to photograph the river.  I’m so looking forward to taking another look at it….

,   , .

,   , .

,   , .

My New Welsh Calendar for 2015 is available to buy now at www.h2ophotography.photoshelter.com £11 +p+p

A rusting, broken truck that had once hauled state out of Cwmorthin Slate Mine now lies derelict, jammed on its side between the roof and the track it once ran on, waiting to fall down the shaft. This is another page from the calendar….

Here’s a page from my new Calendar for 2015 showing Rhosydd Slate Mine in North Wales.  I took this photograph in  May this year when spending a week in North Wales, with caving friends, to explore the local mines.   This was a day trip and involved a lot of  scrambling up steep shafts to get from one level to another, often following the old railway tracks that would have been used to transport trucks filled with slate out of the mines.  The one seen here once bridged this gap.

If you would like a copy of the Calendar you can get it  here   http://goo.gl/dauo5h  for £11 +p+p  (one pound of each sale will be donated to the South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team www.smwcrt.org)

Welsh Mines Calendar
2015

This calendar is the result of my photographic exploration of disused mines in Wales over the past couple of years. These mines are beautiful, dramatic, crumbling, historical remnants of our rich mining history.

A maze of dark spaces where shadows cast dance in the light of a caver’s lamp. There are miles of underground passageways, steep shafts and narrow tunnels with broken railway tracks, winding mechanisms and rusting trucks.

Get a copy of this calendar and get an insight into the fascinating underground world of disused mines.

A full colour 26 page calendar. A4 (29.7cm x 21cm) – Opens to A3 (42cm x 29.7cm)

Printed on 170gsm silk coated paper with a gloss laminated cover and wiro binding.

For every calendar sold, £1 will be donated to the South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team www.smwcrt.org

On October the 18th I attended the Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club’s 50th Anniversary – and it was Party Time – in a mine….

160 people turned up to a candle lit meal with a live band and pig roast

Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean are natural caves that have been mined for iron ore for over 4,500 years.  The mine is currently a museum and venue for underground parties and filming and this is where the Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club were holding there fiftieth anniversary – underground.    A few of us from Croydon Caving Club had been invited to join in the fun, we arrived at lunch time to find a group of cavers, above ground – roasting a giant pig.  In the evening we made our way into the mine, the party chamber was lit by candles creating a dark, glowing atmosphere.  The roasted pig was carried into the mine and the feasting began while a  live band provided the music – an awesome evening – thank you Royal Forest of Dean CC.

Yesterday evening I visited Bramshill Lake near Reading.  I went there to do a recci to see if the lake was suitable for some split level and underwater photography that I am planning to do.  The evening light was gorgeous so I made these images and I love the really stark look of black and white.

.   .

.   .

.   .

.

.   .

.   .

.   .

. .

.   .

.   .

For one week only – get a fifteen percent discount on beautiful archival art prints and canvas prints of this underwater Land Rover. The Land Rover was photographed at a depth of 22 meters at the Stoney Cove Dive Center in Leicestershire. I put my camera, which was in an underwater housing, on a tripod and used slow shutter speeds and available light, as I wanted to preserve the atmosphere created by the green colour of the water and the vehicle. These are very unusual photographs of the much loved series 3 Land Rover.

Old Doors of Tarassac

Back to the recent French trip – It had been a long day’s walk over mountains taking us through several small French villages, the last one of which was Terassac, Vallée de l’Orb (Hérault, France).

.   . .

...   . .

...   . .

...   . .

...   . .

...   . .

Yesterday morning the weather forecast was for a clear sky from 5pm onwards in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK.  So in the evening I headed up the hills looking forward to a wonderful sunset.  Unfortunately the skies had other ideas and clouds covered much of the sky creating a flat dull light.   It was cold and blustery, it rained, then the clouds briefly cleared from in front of the sun, backlighting this wonderful forest and making the wet leaves glisten.  Moments later the clouds returned and the light was lost.   I love the calmness and warmth of this picture – especially as it had been such a cold, windy evening.

Looking towards south Wales from the Malvern Hills and in the distance shafts of light radiate from beneath a cloud covered sun.  I love it when clouds cover the sun like this and allow shafts of light to beam towards the ground.

The river Tarn valley, in the south of France, was carved during the last ice age.  It created a steep gorge of pale rock mountains now covered in forest.  Here you can see the village of Les Vignes, we were based in the ‘Camping Le Terrados’ campsite, hidden in the trees on the right in the picture below.   I wanted pictures that showed kayaks in the location that we were paddling, the valley and the village of Les Vignes so I stood on the bridge crossing the Tarn to get most of these photographs.

(Above) Paddlers – John Worth (left) and Geoff Onyett (right).

Capsize!

John was still playing at the bottom of the step weir in his inflatable kayak. As he reversed his boat into the stopper the inevitable happened.

Les Vignes, on the river Tarn, south of France.

The ‘Camping Le Terrados’ campsite at Les Vignes, on the River Tarn, over looked this weir, which contained about seven steps.  Fun was to be had shooting it…

Paddlers – Neil Montgomery, Geoff Onyett and John Worth.

This was a beautiful river to paddle with stretches of gentle whitewater, ideal for the inflatable kayaks that Geoff and John, seen here, were paddling.  I wanted to capture the beauty and scale of the mountains that make up this valley and show the two paddlers having fun on the moving water.  My DSLR was inside a couple of drybags and stuffed inside my boat to keep them protected from knocks and water.  I got out of the boat at different spots to get these photographs.

The River Tarn, south of France.

A New Look

Following a period of ‘under construction’ my website has been redesigned and has a fresh, new look with more content and Social interaction.

Take a look around and click the Facebook Like button below to follow posts and stay Social…..

The original website

Geoffrey Onyett paddling his inflatable kayak on the river Tarn in the south of France.   I was photographing split level shots  (photographs that show both underwater and above water in the same scene) of two paddlers when I saw Geoff attempting to stand up in his boat and quickly captured this sequence as his introduction to Stand Up Paddle Boarding was fairly brief….

Here are a few split-level photographs of Geoff and John paddling inflatable kayaks on the River Tarn

– More pictures will be posted here over the next few days….

On Wednesday evening I returned to the Godstone Mine dig for some underground photography.   About six cavers turned up to do some digging, there are usually more than this but it was a lovely warm summers evening, so I wasn’t surprised that only a few turned up.     I had intended doing portraits of the cavers, but there weren’t any hairdressers there this time so I decided to look at landscapes instead – Only the Godstone cavers will understand the reference to the missing hairdresser    Special thanks to Ross who stood patiently by while I waved by torch around and pushed the shutter button for me when needed.

Firestone mine

Mining began here during the 17th century for stone that was used by the building trade.  It was often used in furnaces because it had great heat resistant properties and was therefore known as ‘Firestone’.   In 1939 – long after mining had ceased, the Home Office was considering using the mine as an evacuation camp for thousands of Londoners during the First World War.  It was believed that no bombs available at that time would be able to damage  the mine.  The mine was used during the Second World War to store precious works of art.

You’ll need to click on the images below to see them properly.

While not out photographing kayaking or caves, it’s really relaxing to spend time photographing my boyfriend’s garden. Both front and back gardens were a real mess when he moved in a few years ago. The back garden, built on a steep hill was just a square patch of grass surrounded by a weed filled flower bed. It was scruffy and had been neglected for years. The front garden was a small patch of grass surrounded by a large bush – but that’s all changed. Neil has transformed his garden space into a place of tranquility filled with dahlias, roses, fragrant lilies and sweet peas, solitary and bumble bees – magical…..  

Neil Montgomery is a scientist who has a passion for plants and spends many hours each week working on his garden – for most of the year.  His garden is gorgeous and teaming with life during the lovely warm summer days we are getting at the moment.

Here is a small selection of photos from Neil’s garden – more will follow soon…