Heady Lime-Time

Over the past couple of weeks I have been so busy, (just like this fella) that my blog has been devoid of regular posts. Forget the fast-paced Olympic torch relay or my relentless plugging (do apologise!) for a certain 'event' taking place at home this weekend and next, this is a catch-up of some of the simple things in life that are here to be enjoyed too.

One of the pleasures I'm looking forward to now that this 'event' (not going to mention the name) is under way, is getting out for my regular walks with mutt. Sure, I've been out with her but she has had her exercise cut short due to my activities and the locations have not been the most interesting for her. We both love those walks out in our beautiful surrounding countryside where I can enjoy the space, listen to the sounds and observe the progress of nature.

However, a little bit of very local nature has been unavoidable in that time. On my way to almost anywhere in town, I have to walk past a mass of Lime (Tilia) trees. Some may know these trees as Linden but whichever, the fact is the same for both. Late June / early July is flowering time.

The first indication of the arrival of the sticky flowers on the bracts that the lime trees produce, is the almost intoxicating aroma that wafts on the air. However, it is upon arrival under this heady canopy that it is most striking... it buzzes!
Why? The first image explains exactly why.
Bees.
Those that have managed to rid their wings of excess raindrops, have made that bee-line for this seasonal Apidae picnic, just as we have determinedly shaken off our brollies this summer in an attempt to enjoy a barbecue.
The flowers have all but gone over now but there are still some other little critters that are dependent on the lime tree for its life-source.

Red protrusions from the upper surface of the leaves, denote the presence of Eriophytes tiliae or the Lime nail gall mite. Chemicals are produced by these sap-sucking mites, which cause the galls to grow throughout the summer. By Autumn, the mature mite emerges, finding a suitable crack in the bark of the tree where it overwinters, before emerging again in the Spring for the cycle to start all over again.

There is a whole world sustained by this, and indeed, by almost every tree, which so often we walk by without even a thought.

So, take a look, smell and a listen next time you are beneath one of our precious trees- you never know what you might find.

Cambridge Open Studios 2012

With only a few days to go before I open my doors again for Cambridge Open Studios the panic is starting to set in. (Eeeek!) Not only about how my gallery/studio space appears but whether I have selected the right work to showcase. It has been so difficult to choose what to include when I have several years of images I that I can go back through and that also qualify for the 'Local' title. Needless to say I won't be able to please all of the people all of the time.

So how have I decided? Well, for my 'Local' theme this year I am presenting an eclectic dip into all things local that have influenced my work over the past few years. This won't be a collection of 'postcard-style' images of landmarks, although there are some familiar places featured (as the image above). This will be a showcase of images captured during pivotal moments whilst out and about with my camera, special moments, purposely photographed moments and, happy accident moments. Indeed, as a photographer, I carry a camera of some form with me pretty much all the time, so, I am always looking for pictures and I can often catch those moments when others might have said "If only I'd had my camera with me" Some of the images took hours of patience to capture, others, just a split second but all are local (within 30 miles or less) and all have a significant place in the catalogue.

I will be happy to chat about the background to the images with anyone who visits my Open Studio but hope that the work will speak for itself as to the breadth of subject I cover. I will be delighted to discuss any projects that you might have, both photographically and also book arts. With a couple of book art commissions currently in progress, I hope to have some work in action on show too, although this depends on how many visitors come funnelling through my door.

It just remains for me to invite you to my Open Studios as part of Cambridge Open Studios 2012.

on

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd July

11am – 6pm

Click here for more details

Look forward to seeing you!

Olympic Torch, Saffron Walden. 7.7.12

If there is just one word that sums up the landmark event of the Olympic Torch Relay passing through Saffron Walden yesterday, then it is WET!

No amount of torrential rain dampened the spirits of the thousands of spectators who lined the route along Newport Road, London Road, down the High Street and ending along Bridge Street.

Spectators began putting their chairs out for prime road-side positions as early as 9am when the weather was looking promising. Even at 11am it was still playing at being a beautiful summer morning but oh how things can change in the space of an hour.

Having dressed for the weather at the time of departure, the crowds were starting to gather along Bridge Street by 11.30, oblivious to what was in store from the heavens.

By midday, the first umbrellas were starting to pop up as the drops of rain marked the beginning of over an hour unremitting rain and just at the time the torch convoy was due to pass through the town.

Rain bounced off the roads around the spectators as they waited for the torch to pass by, although a brief respite did come when umbrellas were wound up hopefully...

...and some celebratory high-fives were forthcoming.

However, it was brief, as it all started again just as the convoy rolled through town.

Somehow though, certain big corporate sponsors appeared a little out of place in the surroundings of this traditional market town.

Then came the cheer as the fourth and last of the Saffron Walden torch bearers came into view - just!
With the whole circus that accompanies the torch bearers, it was near impossible to gain a clear view for photographs until the second they actually passed in front of you.

However, I gave it a good try...

Still raining, but just not quite as hard, or own Clare Thompson did the town proud.

A member of the Walden Tri Club, Saffron Striders, a coach to the Ladies' Running Group (well recognised by the towns dog-walkers who often share the paths in the park with her ladies) and an inspirational runner, who prior to the London Marathon 2012, completed the 'Trolley Trot' - 45 miles to London in 7hrs 58 with 'Holdroyd', a specially adapted supermarket trolley that she wore all the way.

"No wind was really important, as Holroyd swings badly like a sail. Again the crowds were fantastic even though I had to correct someone that called out 'go on Sainsburys' to excuse me but I’m Waitrose!"

Going on to complete the marathon in 5hrs 04 raising money for The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, a charity with personal connections as her sister had been diagnosed with the condition.

Clare fully deserved her selection as torch bearer for Saffron Walden although she didn't make it onto the local evening TV news despite the array of photographers and camera crews who complete the torch route in reverse.

As Clare extinguished her torch and climbed aboard the Olympic Torch Relay Bus, the rain eased and the sun reappeared above the drenched spectators milling through the town streets on their way home to dry out and reflect on the fleeting and historical moment of the Olympic Torch passing through Saffron Walden

"Fantastic photos again. Thank you kindly."

Uttlesford District Council

(via Twitter)

"Lovely photos on your blog of the torch going though town :)"

HW

(via Twitter)

 "Great photos but what weather you had."

RE

(via Twitter)

"Fantastic photographs......really captured the spirit of the event...and the rain!"

S

(via Twitter)

Olympic Torch is Coming to Saffron Walden!

When strolling through town on my way to the park with mutt this morning, I was greeted by the first flutter of Olympic bunting to appear in town ahead of the visit of the Torch on Saturday.

The war memorial, now positively glowing after a recent clean, was already wrapped with the first metres of the colourful London 2012 flags whilst the other side of the High Street was still in the process of 'being dressed'

 

Now let's hope for fine weather when the show rolls into town at lunchtime on Saturday, where I will be out and about with my camera, of course.

I leave you with a thought- Wonder how many miles of the Olympic bunting will have been draped on the torch route by the time it reaches London?