countryside

On the edge of Manchester

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Manchester carries on far beyond its big, handsome heart. In 1974, the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester was created, giving the city a suburban and rural hinterland.

I took a short train journey to its very edges, to the mill town of Stalybridge which used to be in Cheshire. And then the little rural town of Greenfield which sits in the shadow of mighty Saddleworth Moor and still has Lancashire in its postal addresses.

With tranquil canals, post-industrial grit, hill views and stone cottages, this was a long way from Manchester’s bright lights.

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The joy of landscape

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

This is what lies at the end of the Zone 9 express. Well, you arrive at the Buckinghamshire town of Chesham and walk through its streets around the church, lined with beautiful old houses. And then clamber uphill, past the church and onto the fields above the rooftops.

It was mid-afternoon and the sparse winter light was fading. A light mist cloaked the edges of the Chiltern Hills, softening the photographs. Some delicate editing was needed to respect their muted qualities.

Back in London, the landscape is made of stone. To take a Tube ride and enjoy countryside views was a pleasure – and a rare departure for my camera lens.

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Winter walk

/ mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

To escape from soggy June I’ve decided to go back to January and a beautiful day – frosty with a chill in the air and a touch of mist, but flooded with bright sunshine.

Dermot and I travelled outside of London to Windsor, a royal town with an imposing castle which is said to be the Queen’s favourite abode. A long pathway stretches from the castle deep into Windsor Great Park, an avenue of trees, verdant countryside and a place where deer roam.

The Long Walk lives up to its name if you travel both ways. This day was superb for photography – plenty of light, figures to feature in the frame and beautiful colours. Some of the shots were perfect for indulging in my joy for monochrome and sepia.  It was a day well spent and with memories to show for it.

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