Travels With My Camera

Waunfaur Park

2023-08-26T15:06:00.002+01:00

Today is the first time since Jennifer was born that I have really taken my camera out to take photos, I have used it for filming videos and I have taken photos on other cameras, mainly film ones that I have been testing, but not my digital SLr to take photos.

Today we went to Waunfaur park for a walk so I tool it with me, it's been so long I think I need to refresh myaelf on how it works properly and the processing software as well, but all in all we had a lovely time even if it did rain on us or a little while.

A lovely walk passed the bandstand and o the the play park so Jennifer could have some fun.

And then a quick walk across the bridge and to the other side of the river to see what wa there (not a lot)

They are not the bet photos I've ever taken but it was nice to get out and take a few, and hopefully soonn I will be out taking more, because to be honest I have really missed it.

It's been a long time

2023-08-11T10:23:00.000+01:00

Since I posted on this platform, I haven't been taking many photos in the last few years, hopefully that will change soon.

I have been shooting a bit of film as I have missed the tangibility of holding a negative in my hands after developing it myself.

I have also been buying and selling film cameras, after I have tested them of course which means it takes a long time for me to actual list them for sale - here are a few I have developed and scanned.

Not the greatest I will admit, but I will be back to digital soon and do have a lot of photos that I can share with you from various places over the years

The Peace of St Woolos Pt 2

2014-10-04T14:27:00.000+01:00

At Rest - The Peace of St Woolos pt 1

2014-10-03T19:47:00.001+01:00

A recent revisit to St Woolos on a beautiful day, resulted in these lovely photos

SS Great Britain Pt 2

2014-10-03T11:45:00.000+01:00

2014-10-02T21:07:00.000+01:00

And finally we made it to the SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and built in Bristol at the dry dock where it is now permanently docked, the Great Britain revolutionised ocean travel - she was the first Iron steamship to cross the Atlantic, and after a varied career, which eventually saw her abandoned on the Falkland Islands she was eventually transported home in 1970 - where she now is one of Bristol's most popular tourist attractions.

Here are some of the things you can see aboard this magnificent vessell

Please visit the official website to learn more about Brunel's masterpiece and of course, plan your own voyage of discover aboard the SS Great Britain

Bristol Pt 2

2014-10-01T22:26:00.000+01:00

After feeding the squirrels we walked along the river to the SS Great Britain passing these sights on the way.

Bristol Pt 1 A Hill, a tower and a squirrel

2014-09-30T21:34:00.001+01:00

Took a recent trip to Bristol for a wander around the old home town, fist stop - up to Brandon Hill to climb Cabot Tower, last time I came it was closed for maintenance.

The tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot's famous voyage from Bristol to North America in 1497.

John Cabot was actually born in Italy in around 1450 and allegedly he traveled to Bristol to find backers for his expedition, Bristol being the only English City to have a history of such expeditions (Can't you tell I'm proud of my home) Today a replica of the ship that Cabot sailed on, the Matthew is moored in Bristol and you can visit it.

Cabot Tower

One of Brandon Hill's friendly squirrels

Vie wof the University buildings from the top of the tower

The squirrels on Brandon Hill are so used to people that they will come take take the food straight from your hand, and in fact if they see a person walking along they will run up to them

Canal Walk

2014-09-26T20:31:00.002+01:00

You never know what you are going to see when you take a walk along the canal, this time I was lucky to catch the heron

Llandovery Castle

2014-09-25T20:04:00.001+01:00

Recently went on a drive and ended up in Llandovery where we had a quick look around the castle (really quick, there's not much of it left)

It was a lovely wander and I enjoyed taking photos of the statue of Llywelyn Ap Gruffydd Fuchan - see below, a very interesting scultpure

Twmbarlwm continued

2014-09-24T21:23:00.000+01:00

View to Brecon

Trig Point

Twmbarlwm

2014-09-24T11:14:00.000+01:00

Always a great place for a walk, Twmbarlwm also known as Twm Barlwm, Twyn Barlwm, or locally known as "The twmp" or the Pimple because of the mound that lies at its summit, is a mountain situated 2 km to the northeast of Risca in South Wales.

Return to the Vale Pt 4

2014-09-23T20:20:00.001+01:00

Return to the Vale pt 3

2014-09-21T10:32:00.000+01:00

When you have a cup pf tea in the cafe, if you need to use the rest rooms, just tucked around the corner is this magnificent relic one of the cremation chambers that was once in use at the Vale

Return to the Vale Pt 2

2014-09-20T22:20:00.000+01:00

It takes a lot of hard work to maintain the Vale in it's heyday there were more than 35 full time gardeners

Return to the Vale pt 1

2014-09-20T15:21:00.000+01:00

My Dad and I recently took another trip to Arnos Vale to tidy up the family graves, of course lots of photos were taken and a cup of tea in the cafe was enjoyrf.

Soon I will have enough photos to publish a book on the Vale if I keep going!

St James's Church, Mangotsfield Bristol

2014-09-20T11:06:00.001+01:00

On a recent visit to Bristol we stopped at Mangotsfield, it was here in the 1970s that my Dad had his Butchers shop. So a quick stop to have s look, the shop building is there but it hasb't been a butchers in a long time and then a walk around the grounds of St James's church. The church was built in the 13th century but was extensively remodeled in 1812 by James Foster and then again in 1851 by Pop, Bindon and Clarke

St James' Church is very special to me as it was here that I, and then my brother were christened back in the 70's

Along the Canal

2014-09-11T19:10:00.002+01:00

Swansong

2014-09-10T20:21:00.000+01:00

I love swans they are such beautiful and regal birds.

Cardiff day out

2014-09-09T19:24:00.000+01:00

A lovely Sunday and off to Cardiff to visit the Vintage Fair at City Hall - only bought I picture of MM and didn't take any photos in the hall itself but outside - that's another matter, as behind City Hall is Alexandra Gardens. part of Cathays Park. In Alexandra Gardens is the magnificent Welsh National War Memorial and in this year the 100th anniversary of the 1st World War it seems fitting to post images and remember those who died to keep the rest of us free from tyranny.

The Welsh National War Memorial is located in Cathays Park, in the centre of Cardiff, South Wales. The memorial was designed by J. Ninian Cooper and unveiled in June 1928 by the Prince of Wales. The memorial commemorates the servicemen who died during the First World War and a plaque for those who died during the Second World War was added in 1949. The circular colonnade envelops bronze figures of a soldier, sailor and an airman, each raising a wreath to a central elevated figure of a winged messenger of victory who holds a sword aloft.

Birds of Prey

2014-09-08T19:43:00.001+01:00

Every year at Risca Fair they have the virds of prey, every year I give a donation and snap away - so much so that one of the ladies who works with birds recognises me - here are this years

Sirhowy Valley Country Park Pt 2

2014-09-08T13:08:00.000+01:00

Well, because you know - trees are meant to be climbed - right?

Sirhowy Valley Country Park

2014-09-07T21:11:00.000+01:00

Is a massive 1000 acres of woodland, meadows, cycle paths and walk ways - there is always something to see and photograph, and many different walks to take. It used to be free to park there, but unfortunately the council started charging for parking here this passed August - because yes that is a good way to encourage tourism in the area, though locals will know of other places to park in the area.

We visited when the council - among other were on strike so the car park and toilets were closed, however all that meant was we had a longer walk to reach the park, but that in itself was a good thing as we took a route we don't normally take - so it was all the more interesting

For more information please visit the Your Caerphilly website by clicking HERE

Around the Pond

2014-09-07T15:03:00.000+01:00

I often spend my lunch break (in the summer anyway) sitting next to the pond near the office, it's nice and peaceful and attracts some Ducks and Swans. Sometimes I take my camera sometimes I don't it really depends on how I am feeling.

Here are some photos from around the pond

This friendly fellow came over and shared my lunch!

I was very excited to see the green pine cones - I swear I had never seen them when they were green before - amazing

Garden Images

2014-09-07T10:52:00.000+01:00

So as summer nears it's end (sad but exciting to see what kind of Autumn and Winter we have this year) here are some more shots from the gardens

Lily

Rowan Berries

Cox's pippin apples