Herb Riddle's photos

A view from the old moat of this impressive ruin. It would be a brave or foolish invader that tries to scale these walls. ‘White Castle is the best preserved and most imposing of the trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes Grosmont and Skenfrith – built to control the border. Originally constructed from wood and earth, a series of renovations transformed it into the significant defensive structure we see today. Its medieval name might derive from the white rendering used on its masonry. The large outer ward is as big as a football pitch, while the pear-shaped inner ward sits behind a deep, steep-sided, water-filled moat. Many of these features are thought to be the work of the Lord Edward (later King Edward I) who took possession of the Three Castles in 1254. The modifications at White Castle, his first Welsh castle, can be seen as a forerunner of the mighty fortresses he would go on to build in north Wales.’ (https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/white-castle) See PiP for alternative view Enjoy full screen and have a great day.

Enjoy with me this view towards Graig Syfyrddin as seen from near the White Castle on Offas Dyke, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is a 423m high hill with the summit knoll known as Edmund's Tump. Of course it was the lighting that attracted me in this direction. Best full screen.

A pleasant scene along this canal at the small village of Govlion, our home for a week’s holiday. This caught between rain showers and is the scene depicted on the carved bench shown in the last photo. Enjoy full size.

A week spent in a cottage on the banks of this ‘Monmouthshire & Brecon’ canal in Wales gives me ample opportunities for waterside captures. Here is a bench situated just a few metres away from our abode giving you some idea of the layout. The carved title is the Welsh language name of the same canal. The next photo shows the real scene. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.

A look at this popular little village on Loch Long where we stayed overnight in 16 on our way to the north west coast town of Mallaig. On the left you can see the old ruined pier photographed in 2022 on our way to the Mull of Kintyre. See Pip Enjoy full screen

Another of my local winter walk shots, taken just some days back. I do like the way that this tree has managed to hang on to its autumn plumage. The snow, of course makes the scene. Enjoy the weekend.

Taken near St Agnes, Cornwall, Autumn 2021 Enjoy full screen

A view from the top of Strinesdale reservoir towards the hamlet of Austerlands. As can be seen, much of our ancient drystone walls still exist up here. This is horse and sheep country. Enjoy full screen and have a great day

In the tiny Scottish seaside village of Talmine lies an old wreck. It was the 'Reaper'. Beached here in 1976 after being destroyed by fire in nearby Loch Erribol. A fine skeleton here but since I took this in 2014 I believe it has deteriorated somewhat. She was originally a fishing boast that was built in 1948 and based in Scrabster. As I was photographing this, a local wag, informed me that it was fabled to be escaping with a chest of gold bars that was lost in the sands. Since then treasure hunters have sought in vain to find it. -:) Enjoy full screen

A snowy walk to our closest reservoir brings me onto what we call the high path. Here we have a few seats but as you see, not really serviceable after heavy snow and winds. Enjoy the day.

Another capture from our show day just 48 hours ago. A different look to this as the snow was still falling and the skies very grey. ~ Today all the snow is almost gone as the temperature rises to a balmy 8c. Enjoy full size.

A band of cold air brings new snow to our area. This is the most I have seen here this year - so far and so it allows me to go for a local walk with the camera. The trees looked good to me even without the added sunshine. Twenty four hours later and most of this has already gone. The Pip shows a shot from just around the corner. See adjacent photo for full size. Enjoy the weekend.

A band of cold air brings new snow to our area. This is the most I have seen here this year so far and so it allows me to go for a local walk. The trees looked good to me even without the added sunshine. Twenty four hours later and most of this has already gone.

The canals of Amsterdam are quite beautiful as well as practical in this watery city. Such bikes on these bridges have been photographed, painted and drawn many times by artist and tourist alike. Here is my attempt at being artistic with this subject too. Taken after a canal boat trip along this very same stretch of water. Enjoy this snowy weekend.

A view from the St Leonard's church yard in the village of Downham. This view looking down the main road towards Pendle. A miserable day but having just had a hot coffee we are ready for the world. Enjoy this snowy day.

Some weeks ago I posted a photo here of one of our Queen Elizabeth post boxes. After that I spotted some earlier ones whilst away from home near Downham. Here is one with the simple GR initials that mark it as a king George V (1910-36) type. The PiP taken the day before is a slightly different type but this time it is a George VI (1936-1952). Since seeing these I have noticed quite a few GR VI boxes nearer to my home. Enjoy full screen and have a great day.

May, 2021. A look at the ‘Split Rocks’ which as you can see is a place of interest as well as a nice rock to climb. We did not do that though but I did take this photo as the wind buffeted my camera. The weather was iffy with heavy rain in the offing. Out to sea and across the bay it has already started. When the sea is out, the scene below is of a most beautiful white sandy bay. Enjoy full screen

Our last hours taken on this little trip to deepest Lancashire was in the village of Downham. A very old village noted for not having overhead-lines nor Satellite dishes as these were prohibited by the 2nd Lord Clitheroe. This made it a popular choice for period drama and location filming. It has also one of the most interesting public WC’s in England having won many awards for its period design features. Enough said! Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.