Colourful Exeter

It was wet and grey yesterday in Exeter so it was particularly rewarding to get a decent photographic image. This shot was taken outside Debenhams looking roughly towards the Apple shop.

The shutter speed is one second and it's handheld to encourage movement.

Post processing in Photoshop provided the colour.

The last blog photo of 2010 - Happy New Year.

Random photos from this morning

The mist across the valley viewed from the top of Windwhistle lane.

This looks like an ice sculpture hanging from the wisteria at this house on the Tiverton road out of Bampton.

I'd like to call this photo "Looking Sheepish". Taken at the entrance to the derelict farm at the top of Windwhistle lane.

Batherm Heron

The river Batherm has frozen overnight and this morning a heron had alighted on it's icy surface.

I haven't seen a Heron here before and certainly haven't seen the river frozen, so I've had a good morning of new experiences.

Christmas Lunch at Tongdam

It's Christmas Day and we've just returned from our lunch at Tongdam, the Thai restaurant, in Dulverton. A fantastic meal and a great event. The food was spectacular and the service second to none. I can't recommend it highly enough; this was our third Christmas Lunch at Tongdam.

Jo, pictured, was just brilliant as always and it was great to see old friends that we only meet at Tongdam at Christmas time. Nice to see you Andy and Angela. Also big thanks to Tino, Chris, and Robert - the owner.

Ray

I managed to get this portrait of Ray this morning just as he was waiting for the paperboy to deliver his morning reading materials. It's possible to make out Ray's breath hovering above his head, which is lit by the rim light of the early morning sun.

Icicles

I took these this morning around the town. Caroline (Seward) mentioned that she had measured the temperature at -9.5 just as I took these, indicating that the slight thaw we had yesterday was followed by a severe chill. The perfect method for the generation of long icicles.

So, this is Christmas...........

It's now only four sleeps until Christmas Day. Are you getting excited?

The gold bauble is on the town Christmas tree, the cross is in the churchyard and the santa shepherd is on our mantelpiece.

For the technically minded I took these photos in Bampton today with the Leica M9 and a very fast 75mm lens at maximum aperture (f1.4).

The depth of the snow

Little Izzy is less enthusiastic in the snow than her big sister but she gives it her best effort. Her tiny stumpies inhibit her progress in all but the slightest inch of snow. Mind you, she can still find any amount of animal droppings under the snow and roll around till she's covered in them..


Roxy is upto her eyeballs in the fields along Ford Rd.


The tables at the Quarrymans Rest provide some idea of the vast amount of snow we had overnight. I can't remember snow like this for quite some years.


Taken in the churchyard (obviously) looking back to the town. The snow at the bottom, and on the top, of the gravestones show the depth of the snow.

Ford Rd Snow

These were taken this morning on Ford Rd just before I fell over and dumped the camera into the snow. I couldn't take any more at the time but I have dried it out and it's working perfectly. Thanks for asking.

We had a bit of snow overnight and the town came to a standstill this morning. Only 4 x 4's were on the move early doors (and the odd tractor), but later on a few brave souls began to move their cars.

I had a wander about with the camera and there's plenty to see, however I'm becoming conscious now of being repetitive.

The views are stunning so I'll catch them whilst I can.

Coombelands Pheasant Shoot.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a shoot yesterday at Coombelands in Mid Devon. A great day out with the guns allowed me to take a complete record of a pheasant shoot, from start to finish.

The weather wasn't the best and it took a tremendous effort just to get to the venue. Thanks are due to David Wooff for some excellent driving.

Apparently it was hard work for the beaters, but it was really easy for me just snapping away merrily, pausing occasionally for a nip of the many hot, fiery, alcoholic blends carried by all of the guns. They really looked after me and me feel most welcome.

It was one of those memorable days out. Thanks David.

Interpol Alert

This dubious looking chap is believed to be moving around quite openly, and he may be found in one of his usual haunts, either in Bawdens or possibly, the Quarrymans Rest.

If you do happen across him, try and help him with the crossword or that thing with nine letters that makes a long word you've never heard of. Should you feel you need to get on his good side, buy him a cloudy, orangey-looking cider.

If you do get on his bad side he carries a large and easily wielded stick - just be careful!

A Christmas card photo (not the Roxy one)

My word, it was cold out this morning. The hoar frost made up for the cold though. It's a spectacular sight when it's as prominent as this morning.

Roxy didn't seem overly concerned and went about her food foraging business as normal. The constant desire for sheep, cow, rabbit, fox, or deer droppings encourages her no matter what the weather.

Bampton Community Christmas Evening

Tonight was a sort of open evening for the Bampton businesses and there seemed to be an increase in street activity as a result.

I didn't stay out for long as it was both very cold and snowing. My camera isn't waterproof so I baled out early. Coronation street is on TV in a minute so coming in now was the right decision.

Snowy Bampton

Although not forecast it snowed overnight.

Not particularly deep or problematic, it stills looks lovely.

These 2 photos, one large wide panorama and a normal photo, were taken this afternoon.