Showing posts with label Snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snow. Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Reducing the Workload

Shot of the Day
Buccleuch Park

There was a thick layer of snow on the ground when I looked out this morning and according to the weather forecasters it was to snow heavily into the afternoon then turn to rain which it did. After a light breakfast of tea and toast I wrapped up and headed for Wauchope Cottage for coffee with Tootlepedal, Arthur and Dropscone. Dropscone has just returned from a holiday in France with his family and was bearing gifts of world renowned prunes for Tootlepedal .

After coffee, crumpets and a light hearted discussion about what ingredients should or shouldn't go into pies Arthur and Dropscone departed. 

Tootlepedal and I decided to go for a short walk round the new path on the Castleholm. Mr T kindly loaned me a pair of waterproof trousers for the duration. This on hindsight probably wasn't such a good idea because taking photos holding an umbrella in windy, snowy  conditions proved rather difficult. Tootlepedal had sandycam and I made do with the camera on my phone.







This is the scene looking up the river Wauchope from the park bridge.







As I wanted a photograph of the War Memorial we made a detour into the park where we met local historian and Paper Shop proprietor Billy Young walking his dog. Billy and Tootlepedal are both members of the local amateur choir and discussed whether it might be sensible to cancel this evenings practice due to the weather. The decided to leave it until mid afternoon before making a decision.  






The Angel on the memorial looking rather graceful in spite of the atrociousness weather 

Tootlepedal waited patiently as I took a couple of photos of the Church



The rest of the walk didn't provide many opportunities for taking any decent shots as can be seen by the following pictures.

The Meeting of the Waters

With red hats and red umbrellas Tootlepedal is always easy to follow

A deserted play park

A miniature snowman enjoys the view from the Sawmill Bridge. 

Looking rather wintry on the Castleholm 


.....and on the Esk

Work continues on the new Primary School

 We made our way back to Wauchope Cottage where I had been invited to stay for lunch which was very much appreciated.
After lunch I headed home to start working on a collection of 8mm films the Archive Centre had been given. These had been scanned and put on to a hard drive ready to be edited, but to my dismay my computer announced it didn't have the appropriate video card installed. This was all topped by my central heating system breaking down. Fortunately I have a gas fire in the living room and I'm well wrapped up, hopefully the heating engineer will get back to me soon but at this time of year I would imagine he'll be rather busy. Just as I write this he has just phoned and will be here first thing in the morning. 

I also got a phone call earlier from Alan Weatherstone informing me that a large box of glass negatives had been found at Latimers shop and that the Archive Centre were welcome to them. This adds to the large collection of photographs we were given last week and to the 8mm films that need to be worked upon. There are plenty of volunteers working on indexing the E&L, but at the moment I'm the only one working on the photography side of things so anyone willing to give me some assistance to reduce the workload would be more than welcome.

Shortly after having a nice unhealthy fry up for my tea which included some delicious haggis from the farmers market I got a phone call from Kenny Bell to remind me that we were going out for a meal with two of his friends from Beverley along with Norman Allen.  After a bit of a mad rush to get ready I met Kenny & friends at the Douglas Hotel and had we had very delightful meal even though I could only manage the main course. Kenny's friends were first class company and it is nice to know I'll meet up with them in May when Kenny's niece  gets married in Beverly Minster. 

Saturday, 26 January 2013

Snow Snow and more Snow

Shot of the day
 When we woke the town was covered in a thick blanket of snow


Tootlepedal rang this morning to see if I wanted to go for a walk and take advantage of the snow that had fell over most of yesterday and on until the early I hours of the morning. I was glad to accept as I had to cancel a trip to Newcastle because of the weather this was to attend a lecture by landscape photographer David Ward. 

But before any walk the birds in the garden were struggling to get seeds from the feeders and they needed to be filled and cleared.

A blackbird does an ungainly launch.

The scene I was greeted with, this morning

Tootlepedal was ready to go when I arrived. We went off with no real plan of a route. We went down Caroline Street past the Buccleuch Park and Parish Kirk.

I liked the reflections in the water

When we came to the suspension bridge Tootlepedal walked on one side of the river and I on the other up to the Langholm Bridge. If you want to see Tootlepedals view of our walk click here.

George Street

Elizabeth Street and Langholm Bridge



We continued on up Drove Road on a definite route now heading in the direction of the golf course. Passing friends on the way. 

                               One of my Facebook Scrabble opponents Bobby Morrison

Local Postman Gordon Young

When we got to the top of thr Kirk Wynd there was a crowd of sledgers gathered and having a whale of a time.





We decided to walk up the track by the side of the golf course to Whita Well. This proved to be quite strenuous and took a bit of effort on my part and made me aware of how unfit I have become.  
Tibby Lugs Entry




 Our destination, Whita Well

The descent was uneventful until I went ungraciously head first into snowdrift. I was grateful Tootlepedal was there to haul me out. He didn't embarrass me by taking my photo for his blog. I would have. He did find it rather amusing.






There was still plenty of action when we got back to the Kirk Wynd



Tootlepedal suggested I join him for a toasted cheese sandwich when we got back to Wauchope Cottage. There was still time for some photos on the way.  

Local council groundsmen Robin and Stuart busy clearing the Health Centre car park


A very cheery pair

After all that effort I was rather peckish and I was very grateful for the toasted sandwich, which, by the way was delicious. It was time to head for home for a lie down followed by a hot bath.

A snow covered chicken

Humpty Dumpty sat on a snow wall

I apologise if my post is picture heavy and word light but at this moment I am to tired to write any more.