Framedlight

Late April we spent the weekend in the south of the Peak District and walked in Dovedale the first day. It was quite busy as the weather was fine, but because we had started out late, most people eventually went home for their tea. The sky was very dramatic although it never rained.

We were lucky enough to be given tickets to see the start of the Cheshunt stage of the Ladies Tour. The event was staged in an open space in front of the council offices and started with interviews of the teams on a stage. Then children came past us on their bikes. When they had gone the whole space filled with the contestants waiting for the off. I thought they would look nervous, and a few did, but mostly they were relaxed and friendly. Laura Trott, who had just come from naming a leisure centre in Cheshunt after herself, cycled through the crowd to lead the start of the race. Then the countdown started and they were gone. We could not get to actually see them ride in race mode as the roads had all been sealed off, so we had to content ourselves with some fairly static shots.

I promised more bluebells - and here they are, taken at the peak of their flowering in my local wood which was full of their gentle scent. I did take another set a week later, but by that time they were going over and I could not find a good composition without repeating myself. The last few are taken with ICM and multiple exposure.

When we go to Cumbria we stay with Alan's mum in Milnthorpe, a large village on the A6 south of Windermere. There is a large house called Dallam Towers within walking distance, which has footpaths over a deer park where we can exercise the dog. There are views from the park over the Lake District hills and Morecambe Bay. A stream runs through the bottom of the estate, heavily overhung by trees as it enters the park. The first 3 pictures have ICM and multiple exposures of the stream and reflections, then the trees and then one of the knoll in colour and monochrome. The last 2 pictures are taken in Leighton Moss which is a short distance away.

We had a trip up to Cumbria at the end of April to take Alan's mum to a doctors appointment. Over the weekend we made a visit to Malham and walked a little way into Goredale. Coming back we passed the Whinskill rocks and I photographed one of the trees growing out from the limestone pavement - cliche´ I know. The first 3 pictures are taken using ICM and multiple exposure.