St Peter's Metro Station - Sunderland

Seen this morning as I was walking to work.

Canon 5D ISO 800 24-70L

Step This Way - Weardale Railway

The Appalachian dance team "Step This Way" were invited to perform on the Weardale Railway on the occasion of the Santa Specials today. They danced on the platform at Stanhope and also rode a couple of the trains, dancing along the corridor.























Canon 5D 24-70L Vivitar 285 flash.

Durham Xmas Festival and Duck Race

The Durham festival has been in progress this weekend, with the Xmas market and Durham University students' famous charity duck race taking place this afternoon. The charities that were being supported by the duck race were Water Aid and a local hospice. This first shot shows a brave student ticket seller in appropriate garb.




The launching of the ducks into the river Wear from Elvet bridge.

The actual Xmas market takes place within a marquee erected on Palace Green just in front of the cathedral. I took some candid shots but for the most part asked people if they minded having their photos taken. Only one person refused, as I was not "The Official Photographer".











Many of the stall holders dress in traditional costume, and this lovely couple smiled very nicely for the camera.

Angel of the North

Despite living close to the Angel, I had not previously photographed Mr Gormley's sculpture. People either love or hate the angel in these parts, I rather like it!

The statue is made from Cor-Ten steel, which, in time, acquires an attractive protective coat of oxide that gives it the lovely colour. Unlike common or garden rust, this stuff clings on tight, preventing further corrosion.





Canon 5D 24-70L lens

Morning Light

The Alexandra bridge in Sunderland once carried a railway line on its top deck in addition to the road below. The railway has long gone, but this stub of masonry, a set of arches in red sandstone, stands isolated and out of use as a reminder of its former function. I see this view every day as I cycle to work, and, on occasion, the low sun picks out the detail very nicely.

This is a savage crop from a portrait format shot. I know that there is an attractive image there somewhere, but it's playing hard to get!

Canon 20D - Zeiss Flektogon 35mm lens.

Durham Festival of Light

The Durham Festival of Light was intended to boost that city's bid to be the UK City of Culture in 2013 and was presented over four evenings starting last Thursday night. I thought of going on Thursday but the weather was poor and Friday worse. Fortunately Saturday and Sunday were better and I spent a couple of hours on Sunday wandering around Durham. I have never seen so many people in the city, coming down from the cathedral square after the Son et Lumiere display, stewards were marshalling people onto the right side of the road, to allow new visitors to use the left. All motorised traffic was stopped.



The castle and cathedral



Prebends Bridge



The cathedral seen across the weir at the fulling mill.



The cathedral reflected in the river



Part of the Son et Lumiere display.

Canon 5D 24-70L

Last of the Autumn Colours

The builders planted this cherry tree before we moved into the house over 20 years ago. I think that the variety is called Hisakura. It has a rather stark upright aspect, nothing like as pleasing as the form of our weeping birch, but the colours in the spring and autumn are superb.