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My Old Oak

Old oak near Branton

Everyone’s got a favourite place, right? A favourite place to be? A favourite place to just look and see what you can see?

As I enjoy photography as a hobby, I have a favourite location that I like to keep returning to and to keep taking the same photograph. Yes, over and over…and over. It’s an old oak tree in a field opposite the Branton Lakes Nature Reserve, just before the Branton footbridge. I love the solidity of it, the way it stands out from the Cheviots in the background, the wide expanse of the field in front, the coming and going of sheep and people. I say the ‘same’ image but, of course, that’s the point – it never is the same image. The world changes, conditions change. More sun yesterday, more cloud today. More calm yesterday, more blustery today.

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Empty Valley

First exercise in empty valley

The Government’s current response to the coronavirus pandemic is quite clear that we should stay at home except for one of four reasons:

  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
  • one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
  • any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
  • travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
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Grey day walk: Branton Lakes

Grey day walk

Winter can be muggy, dark and grey. But it’s still great to get outside and enjoy our open spaces. We’re lucky in the Breamish Valley to have the Branton Lakes Nature Reserve accessible all year round. There’s a growing amount of evidence that just being out in nature improves our sense of well-being. And, for me, today was no exception – I thoroughly enjoyed my grey day walk…

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Looking north

Looking north over the Cheviots

First…HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you and yours had an enjoyable time over the recent holiday season.

I spent a lot of time in Durham with my family and just returned to Powburn and the beautiful Breamish Valley a couple of days ago. So, at the first opportunity, I was out on my bike yesterday and cycling along the valley. What a glorious day it was: cold and crisp but with an enduring sun that cast long shadows throughout the day.

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