New paintings and regular art updates.
No, it’s a twig from a tree projecting from the side of a photo. When I duplicated it and mirrored it I got two birdlike objects, some stunted tree shapes, and the silhouette of the fence we were walking past. The sky had a wonderful glow, purples shading to red and then glowing golden orange. It was so clear, like crystal glass. So many ways to play with photos and come up with something new.
I have no idea where Shardlow or Preston Brook are, except they were 54 miles and 38 miles respectively from this mile post. Shardlow is South, Preston Brook is North. There is another one of these on the road where I live. Why? because a branch of the canal used to run from the town of Stoke-upon-Trent by the Spode factory, alongside London Road and think it went through Newcastle-under-Lyme. In fact a man called Timothy Trow jumped into the canal to save a child from drowning, but got into difficulties and drowned. There is a stone memorial about it on London Road.
History is strange and interesting. I must find out about Shardlow and Preston Brook and what parts they played in history.
Tree or trees? One limb broken. The grey path reflects the grey sky. Water rushes down the river, brown and muddy. In speight, almost overcoming the banks. The rain is trapped on the pathways, the grass sodden and squelchy. I walked along there this afternoon as part of a long walk. I can feel the wet mud between my toes overtopping my shoes, pulling at their soles. Water is like glue. Stronger than gravity. My feet lift out of the shoes as they lift from the ground. My feet still feel cold and are aching hours afterwards. Perhaps I need a bowl of hot water to soak them in. I wish I’d got some bathsalts! Time to rest.
It was a filthy, wet day, rain, wind, cold, puddles! Of course I could have said no. But I need exercise. So off we trudged along the canal down on a flat route to a main road, then right and down hill to a large retail village. Only problem? I’d forgotten to bring a mask or some cash (I had thought I could catch the bus back), that was the five mile mark. We got a bit dry in the ladies loos, then my friend popped into a couple of shops while I stood outside. Then. Back along a dual carriageway. More wet steps. When we got to the roundabout that would take us back via the main road or along the river, yes you guessed we chose the river path. Cold, wet, rushing river, the paths were inches deep in water so I waded through the grass that was muddy mush. I’m glad I’d taken a big brolly. It made a good walking pole. Finally the path ended and we were back in the city…. I havent walked that far in twenty years!
Don’t know what these berries are on but they are beautiful, they were along a track downhill from the canal. There were also pieces of old wood that had bracket fungus growing on them. Autumn is a lovely time of year when strong colours can ping out. Looking at the tangle of branches on the left hand side I might play with it and duplicate the pattern.
On my walk yesterday I saw two lots of snapdragon still flowering the and some pale pink ones next to them. These are summer flowers, usually gone by now. Thus was up a high hill, at the side of the pavement next to the road. Impressive survival skills.
My hanging baskets are still surviving and if they haven’t flopped after the cold tonight I will take some more photos of them. They can’t last much longer. Soon the leaves will be gone and the flowers will be dead. Let’s hope they last a while longer.
X
A bit of a dismal perch, above an old shop front. A derelict building with space for feral pigeons. I suppose it was just keeping away from the traffic and the car fumes, there has been a lot more road traffic over the last few days.
This was taken during my walk this afternoon. The sky was overcast and just about warm enough not to get chilled. Urban walking isn’t much fun but at least it is exercise.
Tonights walk. Up and down hill again. Called in a shop so carried four or five kilos home in bags. A few weeks ago I wasn’t doing much at all. Today I did over 7000 steps. I don’t know how far that is in miles, probably only two or three. It suddenly doesn’t seem as difficult as it did!
Yes it’s tiring, but after visiting the doctors yesterday I know they think I’m doing well. Fingers crossed that I can keep it up!
Up hill
Steep, hard to breathe
Step by step we struggle.
Into the sunset
Over the ground
Crawling up.
Now we turn around a corner,
Along a street
Looking at stars and planets.
Meander for a while,
Then up again
To the plateau.
Now home
Down hill
Short steps
Teetering down the hill
Steeper to start
Then slowly levelling
Home.
Up the hill,
Legs stretched
Lungs, stretched
Looking back,
Catching my breath.
More to do,
Further to walk,
Down, then up.
Further each time.
Stopping less than before
Keeping going,
Surprised I can do it!
Exercised.
Mallaband-Brown