Friday, December 29, 2017

Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain.


The Ribeira Sacra translates as the "Sacred Shore". This related to the vineyards which are planted on the steep slopes of the valleys and canyons of the rivers Miño and Sil. It is some of the most beautiful, heart breaking, densely forested, precipitous areas I have seen, and nothing like anyone would expect coming from Spain. Dense forests of chestnut, oak, with rocks and vineyards scattered throughout. 

The authorised white varieties are: Albariño, Godello, Treixadura, Loureira, Torrontés and Dona Branca, though the first three are the most predominant. The authorised red varieties are: Mencía, Grand noir, Brancellao and Merenzao.

The roads are narrow, windy and beautiful, but probably a little scary in bad weather.

The houses are mostly made of stone, some from centuries old, many remain in tact.

We drove and then walked to a nearly dead village to a beautiful view point. The river is dark and moody here.


This hasn't been photoshopped it just has these amazing shadows and shades.




In winter you could imagine it is quite wet and cool here, the moss and lichens suggest it too.

The path from the lookout back to the village


Galicia is home of many dying villages, the most dead villages in all of the Spanish states. This village was just like the rest. You would find buildings in many states of death.

Left by families when older relatives died, there still remains morsels of their past.

Without maintenance the roofs often cave in.

As there are so many monasteries we landed upon this one. Santa Cristina De Ribas De Sil.









Monday, December 11, 2017

2017 The Best Black and White Photographs.

It is that time of the year again! The best black and white photos of the past year (by me).

The concept is easy: 
Just write in the comments which of the photos you like (refer to the name).Vote for as many as you like and feel free to say what you think about them.

I have run this competition for the past eight years. Should you want to check out the previous editions:
2016,    2015,    2014,    2013,      2012,      2011,     2010,     2009

This year, it was really hard to narrow it down to the final selection.
The original selection for colour was over 70 photos - from the huge volume of approximately 1,500 I have taken during the year, but sometimes you have to make hard decisions. 

If you have friends you want to share this with, just give them the link. There is a black & white photo section as well, and don't forget a random voter will be selected for a prize as well.


Bendy Bridge. Warsaw, Poland.

Dry Town, High Town. Puente Ingeniero Carlos Fernandez Casado, Sena De Luna, Castile y Leon.
Mall of shadows. Ourense, Galicia, Spain.
Foggy morn. Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.

Sweet Granny. Oviedo Museum, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
The Long Walk. Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
Bruny Lighthouse. Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.
Archeryboy. MOMA, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Toothed Neck. MOMA, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Kids In Bags. La Playa, Warsaw, Poland.
Sparkle Sparkle Little Courtyard. Łódż, Poland.
Much I Do About Mullet. Praga, Warsaw, Poland.
Window To The East. Sokółka, Podlasie, Poland.

Nuts & Knobs. Sokółka, Podlasie, Poland.
I've Sinew Jump. Agrykola, Warsaw, Poland.
Power Training. Agrykola, Warsaw, Poland.
Figurines. La Coruna, Galicia, Spain.
Mysterious Way. Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain. 
Moody Waters. Rio Sil, Galicia, Spain.
Sparkling Water. Rio Sil, Castilla y Leon, Spain.
Crabby Lady. Las Catedrales, Galicia, Spain.
Path To Sky. Las Catedrales, Galicia, Spain.
Old Border. Watchet, Somerset, England.
Pebbles Bar. Watchet, Somerset, England.

The Standard. Bath, Somerset, England
Jurassic Find. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, UK.

2017 The Best Colour Photographs


It is that time of the year again! The best colour photos of the past year (by me).
The concept is easy: I have run this competition for the past eight years. Should you want to check out the previous editions:This year, it was really hard to narrow it down to the final 27.

Just write in the comments which of the photos you like (refer to name). Vote for as many as you like and feel free to say what you think about them.

2016,    2015,     2014,     2013,      2012,     2011,     2010,     2009

The original selection for colour was over 60 photos - from the huge volume of approximately 1,500 I have taken during the year, but sometimes you have to make hard decisions. If you have friends you want to share this with, just give them the link. There is a black & white photo section as well, and don't forget a random voter will be selected for a prize as well.
Living Narew. Tykocin, Podlasie, Poland.

Trail Complete. Finisterra, Galicia, Spain.
Tiled Nature. Muros, Galicia, Spain.
World On My Shoulders. Santiago, Galicia, Spain.
The Low Light Party. Santiago, Galicia, Spain.
Big Bubble Wrap. Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
Grape Growth. Sokółka, Podlasie, Poland.
Not Depressed. Bath, Somerset, England.
Arching Beach. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England.
Coastal Blooms. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England.
Loving Geology. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England.
You Are Barred. Łódź, Mazowieckie, Poland.
Long City Beach. La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
Pintsized Picasso. Picasso House Museum, La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
Lonely Bend. Rio Sil, Galicia, Spain.
Cracking Me Up. Playa De Las Catedrales (Praia das Catedrais), Galicia, Spain
Crack Of the Day. Playa De Las Catedrales (Praia das Catedrais), Galicia, Spain
Reflections Of Perfections. Playa De Las Catedrales (Praia das Catedrais), Galicia, Spain
Holdfast Little Friend. Playa De Las Catedrales (Praia das Catedrais), Galicia, Spain
Foggin' Brilliant. Watchet, Somerset, England.
Barn It. Lacock, Somerset, England.
Red & Pointed. Las Medulas, Castilla Leon, Spain.
Agave Lover. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Tumbledown Beach. The Neck, Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.
Old Man Sand. Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.
Daze End At Land's End. Daniel's Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia.
Hermie The Love Crab. Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia.