Favourites from 2025 #1

 

It's that time of year when we look back over the past twelve months and choose our 'best' or 'favourite' photos. I don't think, for me, 2025 was a particularly outstanding year photographically. I haven't travelled widely and I seem to have been too busy simply enjoying myself and taking photos along the way, rather than putting photography front and foremost. Another day and I would probably choose an entirely different selection but here are some that stuck out as among my favourites from the first half of the year. 

Blue sky and bare, sunlit branches = welcome light in the depths of winter. 

A trio of black and white studies in Saltaire.

The welcome sight of snowdrops.

A mono square from a memorable walk in Calderdale. 

New buds on colourful stems.

A moody and textural shot in attractive light inside Heptonstall's museum.

Bluebells in Calderdale.

The hazy, fresh greens of Spring.

Two most enjoyable events from Bradford's City of Culture 2025 feast: 'The Bradford Progress' - music on the canal, and beguiling wool cloaks from Ann Hamilton's 'We Will Sing' installation in Salts Mill. 

A re-enactor from 'The Sealed Knot Society' bringing the English Civil War history to life.

My favourite border at Harlow Carr Gardens. 

Wolf moon

Clear skies and cold nights... I woke in the night and I thought the lights were on outside as it was so bright but, when I looked out, it was luminous moonlight. When I woke again as daylight dawned, the full moon was right between the houses and the church tower. It was the Wolf Moon, a 'supermoon', which occurs when the moon is at its closest point to earth in its elliptical orbit. 

Splendid to see, though I really don't have the right camera equipment to do it full justice in a photo. 

Frigid

Over the New Year it was very cold here though also quite bright, with a few bursts of weak sunshine that lit things up quite nicely. The whole of the UK is in the grip of Arctic air, though we've not yet had any snow in Yorkshire. 

I managed to hurt my back on NY Day (doing exercises that are supposed to help strengthen my back!) so I was pretty stiff and sore. By the next day it was still sore but I was a bit more mobile, so I went for a three mile walk. My back is always a bit stiff, just some days hurts more than others, and I find regular walking seems to help on the whole. 

I was well wrapped up but the wind was icy. I haven't ever really found a satisfactory way of stopping my mouth and nose getting cold, so that when I get back in the warm, my teeth hurt! I've tried scarves and a stretchy buff, but then it's hard to breathe and they get all wet, urgh. Despite the discomfort I enjoyed the walk. 

(I'm a bit short of 'blog fodder' and not getting out anywhere very exciting at the moment, so don't worry if I'm missing for a few days here and there.)

River - again

I met a friend at Bolton Abbey just before Christmas. It was yet another very dismal, damp day, though mercifully not actually raining. We spent most of our time drinking coffee and chatting, though we did have a short walk along the riverbank. A view downstream here is always quite attractive. We went as far as the ford where a lane crosses a small stream that runs down to the river. It wasn't really a day for photography but I enjoyed the peaty colours of the water running over the stones. Some tiny children were splashing in the shallow water, with delighted squeals; it looked fun. I might have joined them if I'd had my wellies on! 

Joy

Between Christmas and New Year the weather was 'quiet': mostly dry, little wind, chilly but not freezing and, on the whole, cloudy with grey skies. That meant it was fairly conducive to walking and I tried to go out most days, albeit for relatively short, local walks. It wasn't very thrilling though, with little really to lift my spirits. I was plodding up the steep hill to Northcliffe when I spotted this bright cascade of winter jasmine, one of the few shrubs that flowers here at this time of year. That did lift my spirits, a quick burst of happiness to see the cheerful colour and the exuberant life in it... and each quick burst of happiness stokes in me an underlying joy, a contentment with life. 

It left me pondering the nature of 'joy', what brings it, how to capture it when it seems elusive (especially in these long winter months, so devoid of light). I was thinking how the older people I know whom I most enjoy being with and who seem most attractive are those who have hung on to their curiosity, their sense of wonder, enthusiasm, gratitude and joy; lifted even by the smallest things and thereby having the capacity to lift others too. It's infectious. 

The last couple of months, as I've said before, had some tough moments for me (as well as many good things) and my own sense of joy and ease have been somewhat diminished. It's important for me to try and recapture some of that zest for life again in the coming year. 

I shall reread 'The Book of Joy', a conversation between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. (If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.)

I shall continue to get out and about: walking, visiting interesting places, trying new experiences when I can. I shall be counting my blessings - first and foremost that I can get out and about. I shall spend time with friends and family. I shall continue my hobbies: my photography, my blog and especially my new-found enjoyment of knitting. 

One of the areas I think I can improve is my enjoyment of food. I'm reading, at the moment, a book by the food writer Nigel Slater - 'A Thousand Feasts' - which has short essays each describing small moments of pleasure, mostly linked to food. He's a beguiling writer and it is proving to be a great pleasure to dip into, though making me realise how food for me has become simply a matter of survival and a chore, rather than something I truly enjoy. I sometimes read, for example, Vicki's occasional blog posts about food, or 'Librarian's' and wish they'd come and cook for me, their simple but wholesome and tasty meals always sound wonderful. 

So, more joy for me this coming year...  How about you? And how do you intend to find it? 

Wishing you all a very happy New Year, with much to be joyful about. 

River

'Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.'           Marcus Aurelius

'We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.'        

John Wesley Powell

Profound thoughts as we move into the New Year...

Pauline

There were a number of boats moored by Hirst Lock when I walked that way just before Christmas. (One of them was selling attractive knitted craft items.) I've never seen this historic widebeam barge called 'Pauline' before. Its (her?) history was detailed on a plaque (my last photo) - really very interesting. There can't be that many boats left on the canal that are over 150 years old. Beautiful to see and she still looks very well maintained. 'Fly boats' were apparently fast cargo boats that worked around the clock, or to a set timetable, delivering perishable goods and urgent orders. 

Play Misty for Me

Does anyone else remember the film 'Play Misty for Me'? A psychological thriller, it was made in 1971, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. It was the scariest film I've ever seen! For some reason it came to my mind as I walked in Hirst Wood just before Christmas. It was misty, and everything does look spookier in those conditions but thankfully no ill befell me on my walk! 

The marcescent beech leaves brought a welcome touch of warmth, as did the 'wishing tree' at the entrance to the wood. 

And a partridge?

My two favourites trees in their winter plumage, playing host (though you probably can't spot them on a small photo) to:

Eight magpies - 

'One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told, Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten for a bird you must not miss.'

Four jackdaws and

Four wood pigeons.

(All on the ground.) 

 

I couldn't see a partridge and they're not pear trees, so there the similarity ends! But we can all have a wish...

York at Christmas

I met my family in York just before Christmas, for a posh afternoon tea at The Milner Hotel, which used to be The Royal Station Hotel, a grand place built in 1876 to serve the new railway station just outside the city walls. It was a lovely occasion, a real treat: dainty sandwiches, large scones with cream and jam, some delectable little cakes and copious cups of tea. And good company, of course. 

Before we met I had an hour or so to explore the city, so I took a quick walk round the centre, enjoying the lights and the Christmassy feel. I didn't venture as far as the Christmas market but I was pleasantly surprised that the streets weren't as rammed with crowds as I expected. It was dull grey weather (again) so I'm not pretending my photos are anything more than quick snaps, but they're a record of a happy day.  

You can walk along parts of the city walls, dating back originally to Roman times, though most of what's visible was built in the 13th/14th centuries. York has more miles of intact walls than any other city in England, and the view over the city from their vantage point is fascinating, with the famous Minster (cathedral) prominent on the skyline (above).

The walls are punctuated by four main gatehouses called Bars that controlled entry to the city, were defensive and could be used to extract tolls. You can see Bootham Bar at the end of the street in the picture below. 

Standing as far back as I could and being careful not to get mown down by cars, I just managed to get most of the Minster's west frontage in my photo. 

The old thoroughfare of Stonegate, originally a Roman road, leads down from the Minster environs, its old buildings now home to a multitude of shops and pubs.

Stonegate leads into St Helen's Square, with a big Christmas tree in front of the York Mansion House, built in 1732 as the Lord Mayor's residence. 

I was half-expecting the River Ouse to be in flood, as it often does come over its banks in this part of York (so often that they are used to it and mostly prepared for it). From Lendl Bridge at least, it didn't look too bad. 

Christmas Eve Tractor Run

Well, this was a lot of fun even if it did turn out to be a photographic disaster as far as I was concerned. Every Christmas Eve in Calderdale, local farmers and businesses put on a charity tractor run, this year raising funds for Candlelighters, a children's cancer charity, and Forget Me Not children's hospice. The cavalcade of tractors, trucks and vans travels a circular route through the Calder valley, passing right by the end of the road where my daughter lives. I've never been to see it before and didn't really know what to expect but it was long (about 150 vehicles) and very loud, with music and horns blasting. I had not expected them to move so fast and it proved impossible for me to get clear photos, in the dark, with all the bright headlights and the vehicles travelling at that speed. So I'm sorry for the blur but I did want to show a few pics, just to remember it by. I was cold too. Note to self to dress even more warmly next time... you get colder standing still, of course, and there was a long wait. I soon warmed up back at my family's home, with a cup of tea and a thoughtfully provided hot water bottle! (They look after dear old gran very well.) 

If I go again next year, I will hopefully be better prepared.

When I eventually drove home, I was followed by a tractor making its way back to its farm. It was like being chased by a Christmas tree!  😂 😂.   

Christmas Day 2025

 Nativity window, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh (Victorian, Ballantine) 

The last couple of months, for me, have been full of all sorts of upheaval, good and bad combined (though, thankfully, even the difficult things have turned out in the end to be solvable and ultimately positive). It's something of a relief to finally arrive at Christmas. Busy and chaotic though it may be, it is nevertheless a firm reminder of steadfast love and the power of good over evil. 

Wishing all who celebrate it a very happy, peaceful and hopeful Christmas - and to those who don't, a good time nevertheless. 

'Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and with every greeting.' 

Advent Windows #6

2025 Advent Windows #6

Three windows here that are very different from each other but all quite effective. 

Paddington Bear is currently having another 'trending' moment, now that the musical has opened in the West End. He even appeared at the Royal Variety Performance. 

Given the popularity of cats in Saltaire, it's no surprise that several of the windows feature them. This one appears to be leaping down from a Christmas tree. 

And lastly, a little house with a smoking chimney, on a hill... or is it a couple kissing? Whether it's meant to be or not, this appeared to me like one of those perception tests.