Merry Christmas from Tavicinity

Merry Christmas everyone!  Happy seasonal festive time that dates back eons!

Snowy Lane near "Iron Railings', Brentor

River Tavy in Spate - Flood water at Christmas 2013

The River Tavy - the second fastest river in England - has been in spate of flood and has been mesmerising to watch.  The storm wasn't yet over when I took this video (on iPhone), so everyone wondered just how high it would go....

Tavistock at Night at Christmas (in the Rain)

Snapped a couple of shots whilst on taxi duty last night (teenage kids), of Tavistock looking Christmassy in the rain.  ("Christmassy" is a proper adjective don't you know, I checked..)
Raining in Tavi, now there's a surprise!

Tavistock West Street at night near Christmas

Tavistock Christmas lights

Sunrise at Coryton, Tavistock this morning

Beautiful sunrise this morning, had to share it.

This is the view from our window this morning.  Not bad as views go I suppose.

Nelson Mandela has died

Sad news that one of the world's greatest leaders ever to have lived has shaken off his mortal coil.

He is free from death now.  What an incredible individual.  I remember seeing him 'walk to freedom' on his release from prison thinking, "this really is history before my eyes".

Just glad that my kids know who he is and have been alive when he was alive.

Price of a Pallet These Days ...

Meandering around B&Q and saw this.

Ooh ooh, don't tell me what it is, let me guess ....

A Tate Modern piece worth £70,000?  

No?  Ok, I knew that....


Let's have a closer look.

Nope.  That's no help.

Jeez, the price of pallets these days.

Autumn Leaves in the Devon Sunshine

Autumn here has been late to arrive, but colourful nevertheless (love that word).  I've been working in a beautiful open garden that had some outrageously colourful Acers:

Colours now have changed with the frosts; gone cold, feel cold, had a cold.  Still, almost Christmas!

Bonfire Night at Coryton - Flames and Fireworks

I do love how we celebrate subversion in this country (ie Guy Fawkes, revolution, Parliament etc).

At the Coryton Fireworks Party (with many thanks to the O'Neils) we enjoyed "oohhs" and "aahhs" aplenty and a truly fabulous bonfire.

Pictures to prove it:

I loved the bonfire though; the embers filled the night sky.

Embers copying quarks

Embers dancing around trees.

Cosmic Bonfire

Pefectly timed Photos of the dog

Last weekend, as those of you who live on this soggy isle know, was rather windy.  It was our last day at Trethias, near St Merryn in Cornwall, and we we walking with the dogs.  We managed to get two brilliantly times shots of Cosmo looking, well, not his best it must be said.

He is actually playing with his pal Crombie here, both having a great time:

And then, on the cliffs when the wind was particularly strong, we suddenly realised Cosmo was having problems keeping his lips under control:

Ahh Bless.

I'll put up some more coasty pics soon, for those of you who aren't completely bored of them.  Really? No-one?

Tough.

Black labs having fun on the beach

Our Cosmo found a couple of friends at Treyarnon Bay.

Do you think they're having fun yet?

More storm waves and rocks around Constantine & Trevose

I rather like this one; another shot of the Trevose lighthouse in stormy waves, but with a black and white friendly sky..

And, another view of the cliffs:

Can you tell I'm a little obsessed with monochrome?  I'm actually finding joy in taking photographs again after 16 years of commercial photography.

A dear school friend once implied that I only take photographs of rocks and water.  Hmm.  I'm beginning to think she may be right.  Although I do like trees too.

Storm clouds at Treyarnon Bay

After a stormy day, the clouds put on a show at Treyarnon Bay.

Got absolutely soaked for the second time today, photographing the impending hailstorm.  The "I think we should get back now" was a little too late.  My pom pom hat will never be the same again.

Trevose and Constantine after the storm

The big storm passed through last night.  I didn't see it from under my duvet, but I heard it!

Walked around Dinas Head at Trevose again.  More fabulous waves but with better visibility.  The clouds everywhere were great - brooding and brewing up a downpour.

Breaks in the clouds gave some spectacular natural lighting effects:

Walking back towards Booby's Bay, the waves were amazing and beautiful.  Stormy skies and seas with a splash of sun..

I love this one.  The waves were probably nearly 20 foot high.  You can just see our cottage in the distance.

Huge Swell at Trevose Head

Near to Treyarnon, the lighthouse at Trevose head gives some idea of scale for the massive waves coming ashore.

This is me and Cosmo watching the swell, waiting for the best shot:

One of the waves..

And then a fiddle with a new ND filter, just to try something different:

Lastly, the view towards Booby's Bay (yes, really), from Trevose Head.

The water was absolutely mesmerising. The wind, however, was relentless and strong.  Feel luffed beyond imagination.


Storm passes through tonight.  Let's see what's left in the morning.

Until then, goodnight.

Treyarnon Bay - before the storm

Staying at Treyarnon Bay as usual for the October half term.  One of my favourite places on the planet. Only this time, there's a really big storm coming and truth be told, I'm very excited about it!  Waves are forecast to be up to 26 foot!!  I mean, "shut up!"  That really is, well, awesome.

The waves and wind are starting to pick up already, but this morning was lovely and calm:

But you can tell the storm is coming...

I'm off out now, with some rope to tie myself to a cliff top bench so I can get some more wave shots....  There's also a foam shower that looks like weird snow.

Watch this space....

Tavistock Goose Fair 2013 - funfair time again...

October brings the Goose Fair to Tavistock, along with the funfair.  Always good for a few shots of bright colourful things, I went along and tried not to look too nerdy with my tripod.  I failed.

Anyway, some photographs of the fair on Friday night.

Looks like a scary desk fan to me.

New York at Night Time - a City that Never Sleeps

Here are a few more shots from my trip to the Big Apple.  Night time in New York is spectacular and scary simultaneously.

I must add though, that although all the normal precautions were taken, I did not feel threatened at all; the subways and streets were clean and the NYPD and other uniforms were everywhere, but not in an intimidating way.  Better than London, I'm afraid.

Anyway, for the magpies amongst you:

New York at Night - the lights of Times Square illuminate the skyscrapers

New York at Night - Bird's eye view towards the East River

Times Square at Night

US flag illumination in Times Square

"New York, New York. It's a Wonderful Town"

The song was in my head (from one of my favourite musicals) as I tramped the streets of New York.  My eyes were wide and my neck was aching taking in the sheer scale of the place.  Thrilling, with a sensory overload that left you wanting more.

I absolutely loved New York.  We were there for a week and it was, well, awesome. (Sorry, I know the work is overused, but I think I'm allowed it here.)

Some photos to illustrate:

New York cityscape from the Rockerfeller Centre

New York Broadway

A view from the New York High Line showing a mural of the famous photo from Times Square on VJ Day

The Beloved Chrysler Building - still one of the best

View of Manhatten from the Staten Island Ferry