Herb Riddle's photos

We think we know where we live and then suddenly we discover an area of beauty that we had no idea existed until a day or so back. That is the case for today’s winter walk in an area called ‘Crompton Moor’. Only a 20 minute drive from my door, it incorporates an old coal and sandstone quarry, wonderful paths though wooded and moorland scenery and a pleasant small reservoir. Here is the Pingot Quarry scene. I believe this is most spectacular after heavy rains but at the moment I am enjoying the iced grass cascades. Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

Take in the sea air here on Porlock hill, overlooking Lynton and Lynmouth. Another from my recent Somerset trip, that I just had to share. See below for another shared bench with the same view a little lower down the hill. Enjoy full screen.

It’s Sunday and so I thought a church may be in order today. I did like the sense of geometric shape here along with the colours. Unfortunately I never got to see the wider side front nor the inside. Peggys Cove has just one church, but it's quite pretty and interesting. It was built in 1893-1894 in a style called Carpenter Gothic. It has a steep red roof and creamy white vertical board and batten exterior walls punctured by typically Gothic lancet windows. It was designated a Heritage Site in 1993. Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

I never tire of seeing the faces of sheep as I pass nearby. They look upon me with wide eyes as if they want to say something like “do we know you –are you the farmer?” These seen near the Piethorne reservoir in Rochdale (the next town to my home town). Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

Dec 21 2010 As Winter took hold of this spot just to the north of Pendle Hill one can see and understand the real beauty of snow and light. Taken thirteen years ago whilst visiting a nearby hostelry for a birthday celebration. It was one of our coldest days for many years at -8C in the middle of the day but this short walk to what to us was a familiar spot was well worth the frosty fingers. Enjoy full screen Have a good weekend

Another golden oldie from my collection. Taken from the A498 just above Beddgelert and below the Pen-Y-Pass to Mount Snowdon Wales. Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

Walking around some of my local reservoirs brings me to this, the outlet overflow from the Norman Hill reservoir. More water in here than usual after many weeks of continues rains. Enjoy the day

Seen on our local walk on a very frost morning.

We are in Halifax, Nova Scotia looking out towards Georges Lighthouse on Georges Island.

A fitting start to my photo outings of 2024 and a rare touch of sunshine along with a cold frosty morning brings us back to this local reservoir. I have been here many times but not in this weather. I like the soft tones here and even the power-lines look exactly right, almost touching the roof of that building. The PiP shows another view taken just over three years ago. Enjoy full screen

A past look at conditions in an ideal winter. Here we see one of my favourite trees, the silver birch, bedecked with hoarfrost. Enjoy the day

Boston, Massachusetts and we are doing a walking tour around the city. One of the first places we see is the magnificent State House of which this gate here is a mere glimpse. Enjoy full screen Have a good weekend.

The rocks are gritty and rounded here as I compose this carefully using my DSLR camera. I am looking south and so against the sun and shadows can be problematic. However I like the mood here and almost managed to get the lighthouse without any tourist too. See last photo for alternative view . While no doubt the most well-known lighthouse in Canada and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, the history of the light at Peggy's Cove is little known. It was built and lit in 1868 and stands at 26ft high. It is 65ft above the water level. More info here: www.nslps.com/about-ns-lighthouses/lighthouse-lists?c=peggys-point-lighthouse Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

A pleasing quick shot with my phone to send to friends and relations still in England. This is quite different from my other photo of the same lighthouse and demonstrates the power of sunlight on the foreground and subject. The rocks too are different here having a sandstone appearance and looking like Thor has taken his hammer to it all. Is one better than the other? It is in eye-of-the beholder I guess. See next photo for real comparison. While no doubt the most well-known lighthouse in Canada and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, the history of the light at Peggy's Cove is little known. It was built and lit in 1868 and stands at 26ft high. It is 65ft above the water level. More info here: www.nslps.com/about-ns-lighthouses/lighthouse-lists?c=peggys-point-lighthouse Best full screen. Enjoy the day.

Walking around Minehead nowadays must be quite different fro what it was some years back. This harbour has been here since 1380. Privateers based at Minehead were involved in the war with Spain and France during 1625–1630 and again during the War of the Spanish Succession from 1702–1713. In the background here we see the white roof of the Butlin’s Holiday resort. HWW, have a great day.

At 26 miles from Halifax this little community boast a little harbour, a wonderful red painted church and an outstanding outlook. We see here the core of the fishing village with the church in the background. The name is likely named after St Margaret’s Bay, in which this lies - Peggy being the nickname for Margaret. Today it is still an active fishing village and a favourite tourist destination. On our trip here we saw few signs of the normal tourist trappings as the provincial government have strict land-use regulations in the vicinity of Peggy's Cove, with most property development being prohibited. Similarly there are restrictions on who can live in the community to prevent inflation of property values for year-round residents. Try full screen.

Not quite a bench but a great place to sit nevertheless. The seats overlook the rocky coastline and lighthouse. p.s. The chairs were bolted to the rock. Enjoy full screen. Thanks to all, for your many visits and comments throughout 2023. May the New Year be for you as peaceful and happy as it would be sat here in Nova Scotia.

All is calm here on this little island just of the shore of Baddeck in NovaScotia. If only it was so in the rest of the world. The red windowed cabin is where many of us would like to stay a while. Nice full screen. Enjoy this last day of the year.