I’ve been down to west Wales to see Steve (Mallett). The weather was predictably poor and we spent time catching up, listening to his new audio system, talking and shooting photographs. My Fujis are always at the ready and his return to Olympus has been marked by an as yet untried Olympus E-M1 Mk iii
It was time to brave the winter weather.
Our photographs aren’t in sequence – see each for an initial.
•
•
Cold and wet
Drizzle
Mist
Mud everywhere
The forest’s trees bare of leaves
Waiting for Spring
A lone runner, ear pods blocking out the world
A wife with two sheepdogs
One dog quiet and interested
The other eating a sodden twig
Sad because no-one wants to throw it and play
•
Damp multi-storey car park
Winter clad residents
Made-up women, following eager husbands
Stout locals, working all
Builders building
Engineers repairing
Mariners preparing boats, staying moored
Bakers and piemen hoping for passing trade
Cafés selling lattes and cappuccinos
Visitors rueing closed pubs and bars
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Great images thanks for sharing PP & SM
The commentary sounds like a lament. But I like the photos. LOL
(OK – I shouldn’t have said that – but I couldn’t resist!)
North Wales is one of the few parts of the UK that I’d like to see. And yes I know the weather’s like Bretagne & Normandy – but they’re also worth visiting. I might be tempted to try summer though, rather than winter. Spring, even.
At the mention of Tenby, people leap onto the internet and ask questions – like “Where is Tenby in England?” (LOL – it isn’t – it’s in Wales!), “What is Tenby known for?” “How far is Tenby from Birmingham?” and “How far is Tenby from Liverpool?” Hmmm. I just wanted to know why the Plantagenets had a branch office there.
Well you’ve raised the bar – I suspect even Pascal will be jealous of the level of detail in your clouds.
Proof that the winter offers its own wonders for photography and certainly encourages us all to get outside. I especially liked the images of the details. Thanks so much for posting.
Had to let you know I LOVE the photos in this Dear Susan collection, they made me want to jump on a plane and head to West Wales for an extended break – sod the sunshine and warmth of Thailand, it isn’t winter until you’ve climbed to the top of Cairn Meini and filled your wellies with frozen bog water is it!
H, I fear you have an overly romanticised memory of Pembrokeshire winters! Too long in the sun? Nevertheless I’m pleased our pics evoke such a reaction.
Sod the sunshine? Actually I’m very fond of it – even if it does mean watering the garden every couple of days. I’ve tried living in colder places, and this place suits me just fine – the temperature has only every managed to go down as far as -0.5oC/31oF for a total of a couple of hours, once, in the past two centuries and right now it’s 31oC/87oF. It’s just “pleasantly warm” – a bit hot if you stand in direct sunshine.
I haven’t needed to wear things like slippers, in winter, since I left the icicles behind, over half a century ago! I’m perfectly happy to enjoy seeing someone else’s photos of it, instead!
Thank you for your evocative and lovely photos, Paul. They are wonderfully spare, which in my memories of northern Wales, is exactly accurate.
Robert, glad you like the pics but to ensure we don’t have a “regional incident” on our hands I have to point out this is West Wales not North!
Paul
These images remind me of being out in the Pacific Northwest, gray and wet.
They also brought another thought to mind.
To paraphrase a quote from John Muir, “The countryside is calling, and I must go (photograph it).”
PaulB
Paul, living here if you don’t embrace “wet and grey” life can be stressful!
Steve
The same applies here.
Get out while you have light.
It looks like you are making good use of the Olympus. What are your impressions after being away?
PaulB
Paul, short answer, like coming home! It’s all about the package; performance/size/weight. The long answer and my short sojourn into the world of the Z7 will probably end up as a piece for DS. Not before Christmas though.
Steve
I will look forward to reading your story.
I understand how you feel about the “package”. I have been hearing the siren’s song from the 45+ MP cameras, but the handling and the bulk have held me back. I am trying to resist, but I am also looking for angles to help justify the experiment.
We will see what the future holds.
PaulB
You mean you live in Pembrokeshire? Drowning in tourists from Birmingham & Liverpool?
No wonder you’re so adept at capturing the atmosphere of the place!
Currently we are just drowning…
Nice work, you two! The “lovely” weather actually worked for you, bringing interesting skies and moody lighting to your wonderful images. Makes me want to come back to Wales – it’s been way too long.