WANSTEAD DAILY PHOTO

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

ON THE BANK..

I discovered this lovely vine covered tree on my river Roding walk. It was high on the bank and it was easy to walk past without really noticing, I'm glad I spotted it.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014

This is another photograph from my river Roding walk. It's a simple picture but I really like the way the river just winds between the reeds. It's taken from a bridge and that little bit height made all the difference.

Monday, 18 August 2014

RIVER RODING..

We are so lucky, looking at this picture it's difficult to believe that we are only a few miles from central London. I took a little time at the weekend to walk part of the river Roding, the same stretch that we are having a photo walk along on Sunday Sept 7th. It was the first time I had walked this stretch and it was great, so many picture opportunities and you are going to see a few of the pictures this week. I do hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

If you enjoy a walk and fancy an amble along a stretch of the river Roding check out our Wanstead Fringe page for full details.

Sunday, 17 August 2014

JUST SITTING..

No particular reason for using this picture except I really like seats that go around trees. This one on Christ Church Green I have noticed is very popular at weekends. Sometimes it's people sitting with their dogs, other times it's couples just passing the time of day. I just like to sit there and observe.

Saturday, 16 August 2014

OUT FOR THE DAY..

I saw this car in Wanstead a few days ago, great collection of soft toys in the rear window, I wonder where they were off to. Teddy bears picnic perhaps.

Friday, 15 August 2014

MOONLIGHT 2

Sorry that the blog has been a bit haphazard this week, September is going to be a very busy month and we have been preparing for it. Both the Wanstead Fringe and the Wanstead Art Trail start on the 6th of the month and if you click on our pages you can see we have lots going on.

Todays picture, you may think that you saw it a few days ago but this one is different. I was undecided when I took them which one to publish. As I looked through them again last night I really liked this one as well, I think its because the flowers are more prominent. You don't see a lot of flower pictures taken at night. Let me know which one you prefer.

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

MARKET..

Great market in the High Street the other weekend, lot's of stalls, sunshine and most importantly loads of people out and about. There were stalls selling many different things, food, olives and of course beer from our own Wanstead Tap, so cheers lets hope there's more sunshine to come.

NEW LOCAL PHOTO WALKS..

I have just put a series of local photo walks plus a mid week photography Q & A for the first week of the Wanstead Fringe and the Wanstead Art Trail. Full details can be seen on The Fringe and Art Trail pages of Wanstead Daily Photo. Do take a look there's some really good stuff.

Monday, 11 August 2014

MOONLIGHT..

A super moon last night I believe. It was great, so bright, unfortunately I didn't have lens to get just a close up of the moon. However I really like this picture of it nestled between the house and the trees, having the picket fence in the foreground was a bonus.

Sunday, 10 August 2014

INTRIGUE..

I came across this shop window that intrigued me, it's on Aldersbrook Road. As I have mentioned quite a few of the shops appear to have closed down in this row, this one however had this pile of broomsticks in the window. Unfortunately the shop was closed for the night but I will go back and try to find out if there is a broom maker there. I just loved the soft evening light falling on on the wood and the old fashioned window, glad to see perhaps another cottage industry locally.

Saturday, 9 August 2014

GATHERING DUST..

If you read yesterdays post you will know that I paid a visit to Alexandra Lake on Wanstead Flats recently. Opposite the lake there is a small parade of shops, sadly many of them look as if they are permanently closed together with the hotel above. There is however a fish and chip shop, newsagent and office license that seem to be thriving. The last shop in the row appears to be a monumental mason and a few reminders of the trade are still in the window. To see them lying there covered in dust seemed very sad indeed.

Friday, 8 August 2014

ALEXANDRA LAKE

The other evening I popped over to Alexandra Lake on Wanstead Flats, I haven't been there for some time. It was a bit of a surprise to see a great deal of it covered in a floating 'growth' of some sort. This poor lake does seem to suffer what with the flooding last year. Now that Jubilee pond has been regenerated and looks great perhaps Alexandra Lake could be next on the list when funds allow?

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

RAYMOND BLANC..

I know there are quite a few 'foodies' who read this blog and also the number of French readers is growing. It seemed only fair to give both groups a look at this smashing article by my mate Holly Brooke-Smith, it's in the September issue of the excellent Good Food magazine. It's about chef Raymond Blanc and his organic vegetable garden at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, his restaurant and hotel in Oxfordshire. On page 127 is a great simple recipe for tomato salad 'Maman Blanc', enjoy! If you are wondering what this has got to do with Wanstead, well I took the pictures for the article and no I didn't stay for lunch...

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

IN MEMORY

Families were asked last night to burn a candle for those who fell in the First World War. I took these pictures at the War Memorial in Wanstead High Street, I'll leave it at that I think..

Monday, 4 August 2014

WANSTEAD PARROT..

I was intrigue when I saw this sign on a door just off Cambridge Park the other afternoon. I know we have a population of parakeets in Wanstead Park, it occurred to me that perhaps this was their headquarters or club house? Of course not, its part of the Tree House Nursery School in Cambridge Park, it's a lovely idea though to brighten up the door.

*If you are interest in photography I have just posted an intermediate workshop on my workshop page, stop by and have a look. Just click on this link 'Intermediate Workshop'.

Saturday, 2 August 2014

STAND OUT IN THE CROWD..

A bit of a shock to my system this morning all that rain, I should have checked the weather forecast with Wanstead Meteo. However as I was walking to the Gallery I passed this fence on Eastway, on a dull, overcast morning it certainly brightened the start to my day.

Friday, 1 August 2014

I KNOW, I KNOW,

Yes, your right I have posted sunsets before. However how can I walk past such amazing colours and not show them to you.

Thursday, 31 July 2014

HIDDEN..

This is another photograph from my Wanstead Park walk. I really like the way these tree trunks have been laid to form paths, it helps to keep people from trampling over the bluebells when they are out. I deliberately shot this picture from very low down to include the fungus growing out of the side of the trunk. There's also a small frog or toad in the picture, I'm afraid I don't know the difference, it's well hidden and didn't seem to mind my presence.

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

BARK...

This tree is in the bluebell wood in Wanstead Park. I'm always on the lookout for strong designs within the bark of trees, having the ivy growing around the trunk of this one was a bonus for the picture.

Monday, 28 July 2014

DAPPLED SUNLIGHT...

This is the path in Wanstead Park that leads to the bluebell wood. As I arrived the sun broke through the canopy of leaves overhead, I thought it looked lovely in the dappled sunlight. We are so lucky to have such a great resource on our doorstep.

Sunday, 27 July 2014

AWAY FROM THE HEAT

I popped over to Wanstead Park yesterday to the area where the bluebells grow. Of course no bluebells at this time of the year but it was lovely under the canopy of the trees, very cool a nice escape from the heat. Not that I'm complaining...

Saturday, 26 July 2014

COULDN'T RESIST..

I took this picture on my visit to Jubilee Pond on Wanstead Flats the other evening. I couldn't resist taking this shot as the sun sank lower, a minute or so later it had disappeared. I have to say Wanstead Flats is a great place for sunset watching.

Thursday, 24 July 2014

AREA 51

You may remember this post from last week, it showed the mysterious markings on a Wanstead pavement. Well this week I discovered this white arrow and tracks on Wanstead Flats. If you are a conspiracy theorist or interested in extra terrestrials you will know all about Area 51. Perhaps Wanstead will become Area 51a.

SUNSET..

I don't think there is any more I need add here, it's Jubilee Pond on Wanstead Flats....

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

EVERYWHERE A PICTURE ...

For me around every corner there is a picture and walking down the alley between Woodbine Place to Cambridge Park I came across this electricity sub station. The varying colours around it, red wall, green leaves and the steel grey of the doors with a little graffiti thrown in shouted picture.
.

Tuesday, 22 July 2014

LAZY WEEKEND..

A good weekend weather wise, really hot and sunny on Saturday, a bit cooler on Sunday but still very nice. I came across these two ladies engrossed in their reading as I wandered across Christchurch Green. What could be better, relaxing in the sun with a good book, with the village green stretched out in front of you. Ah bliss..

Sunday, 20 July 2014

OLD HAVANA...

...well that's certainly what the temperature felt like on Thursday. When I saw the sun shining through the shutters of our classroom at the Gallery it took me back. Wanstead Meteo advised me it was 32.7C mid afternoon, that's 90.9F if you'r old fashioned like me. Havana was 33C yesterday afternoon, hardly any difference. Anyway Havana Club rum and large Montchristo cigars all round, I'm off to read a little Ernie H.

Saturday, 19 July 2014

LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES...

..twice in the same place, or so the saying goes. It certainly didn't last night, it was quite a distance away and never really reached Wanstead. The most extraordinary part of the evening was colours in the sky, just as it started to get dark the light turned almost yellow, an interesting evening even though the lightning stayed in the distance. Big thanks to Wanstead Meteo who provided really spot on information and times, for really local weather information check out their website here.

Friday, 18 July 2014

DEEP SLEEP..

An amazing storm over Wanstead last night, rain, tremendous thunder claps and lightning. I of course slept peacefully through it until Mrs W woke me up. I was tempted to go into the garden with my camera and tripod to try and capture a photograph of the lightning, then I thought lightning, metal tripod, probably not one of my better ideas. I managed a quick shot of this rose this morning, I love the way the petals catch the rain and form these pools of water.

Thursday, 17 July 2014

MIRRORED...

I popped into Piccolo, the Italian restaurant on the High Street on Saturday evening for an early dinner. Good food and good company made for an enjoyable evening. As you can see from the picture our table was next to a mirror. I really liked the way the reflection caught the top of the bar with its bottles and the intricate woodwork of the ceiling above. As I am always saying it pays to look up.

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

CHAIR WITH A VIEW...

I do like to discover something a little unusual. So you can imagine how delighted I was to discover this old chair in the garden of The Corner House. It might not look a lot now but just wait until the plants grow over and through it.

Sunday, 13 July 2014

END OF THE DAY...

Pretty rubbish weather last week considering it was supposed to be summer. On Friday night I gave in and the heating went back on. During my photographic career I have spent a lot of time waiting on the weather, I must have spent weeks no make that months hanging around all day hoping that a little sunshine will break through the cloud cover. Quite often it does, the sun drops below the clouds and if you'r lucky you may get a minute or two of lovely warm light on your subject before the sun disappears below the horizon. Last week despite all the rain and grey skies we did have some spectacular sunsets. I managed to capture some from one of my favourite spots, the footbridge over the A12. I hope you like them.

Saturday, 12 July 2014

SHOW ME THE WAY...

If I remember correctly I took this picture on the same day the Tour de France passed through Redbridge. I was a little puzzled when I saw this sign on the pavement, was it marking the route for lost cyclists or the Wanstead equivalent of a crop circle indicating the direction flying saucers should take. Perhaps it was for the England Team returning from Brazil, an indication maybe where to place the ball for a penalty or to get foxes to use the footbridge to get over the A12. I have no idea, it remains a mystery.

Friday, 11 July 2014

DRIP, DRIP...

World Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

A young lady on the television last night was giving the weather forecast for today, she also mentioned briefly Thursday's weather saying how it had not been too bad a day. She obviously had not been in Wanstead where umbrellas were de rigueur. I stood outside the Gallery for a short time during the day with my camera and managed to catch this raindrop as it fell from our canopy. I also considered turning the central heating back on, I'm expecting a heat wave in December...

Thursday, 10 July 2014

DOUBLE TAKE..

I was in the High Street last Saturday morning quite early, not many shops open in fact most had their shutters down. As I walked past Keatings the Jewellers I noticed this really neat 'trompe l'oeil' that is painted on the lower half of their shutters. Very clever it still makes the shop look interesting even when it's closed.

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

FOR NO REASON..

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Sometimes for no reason at all, something just catches my eye. This photograph was taken just outside our Gallery in Nightingale Lane, it was the angle of the shop blinds against the dark sky that made it leap out to me. It's such a dark and brooding scene, hard to believe it's taken in summer!

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

SUBSTITUTION - Tried to get back in time for the Tour de France but couldn't so ..

AN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPH ...

..not really, it's just an inflatable fish stuck to the door of the new fishmongers in the High Street. As you can see from the background of the picture things are really moving along at a plaice.... sorry couldn't resist that one.

Monday, 7 July 2014

LONGHORN..

As I passed 'The George' end of the High Street the other evening there were a crowd of people in the new restaurant Longhorn, presumably it's now open for business. I have always admired the glass canopy that extends out over the front. Full marks to the new owners for restoring it. I do like standing underneath things and looking up, it often makes for a more interesting angle as is the case here. With the miserable weather on Saturday morning changing the picture to black and white helped as well.

Sunday, 6 July 2014

HOW OLD?

I know I have posted a picture of this building before, it's on the corner of the High Street and Woodbine Place, but I have never really looked at it before from the High Street side. It always fascinates me, I am sure some parts are really old and not just reproduction. If you take a close look at the size of the bricks used to build the chimney for example they seem so small, I'm sure that's a clue to its age. Anyway whatever the age it always transports me back in time when I am passing.

Saturday, 5 July 2014

I'M A LITTLE TEA POT..

I spied this row of teapots in a conservatory last weekend, they looked rather splendid I thought. A nice addition to the usual plants.

Friday, 4 July 2014

TRUMPETS..

I discovered this plant growing behind the Gallery in Nightingale Lane, although the flowers are quite interesting I believe it's a weed. I took the picture because it reminded me of my childhood growing up in Stratford, of course Stratford then was not what it is now. We played on a 'bomb site' opposite where I lived and this plant, which we called trumpet, grew everywhere, a little bit of nostalgia.

Wednesday, 2 July 2014

ICE CREAM..

I spotted this beauty as I passed Marion Temple's garden last week. I have no idea what it's called but it reminded me of one of my favourite Italian ice creams with those layers of colour.

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

SHOWERS..

As I mentioned yesterday, funny weather last weekend. I took this picture during a rain shower, it's the only time this summer I have seen the children's playground on Christ Church Green empty. I did feel a little sorry for Mr. Whippy however, the ice cream man was sitting in his van waiting for the rain to finish.

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