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paulphoto.bsky.social
Paul
@paulphoto.bsky.social
58 followers 20 following 37 posts
Photographer & enjoy photography too: people, places & street. I do love to have a bimble about the place - North Yorkshire, Northumberland & Cumbria mostly.
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paulphoto.bsky.social
Plan was to do Blencathra, however it just didn't clear up, low cloud all day & in particular the higher peaks, both Blencathra & Skiddaw were covered all the time I was there.
I ended up doing a bimble up Catbells & around Derwent Water - about 5h & 26k steps.
#Catbells #lakedistrict #hike
A very misty Derwent Water today from Catbells.
October 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
A few days in #Keswick #Cumbria up & around the town then up #Helvellyn #hiking #photography #DerwentWater #CatBells

First day was a flat wander for about 24km & then up Helvellyn the next day. Lots of flat walking available & #FitzPark is a nice place to sit watching the world go by too.
the view of several mountains & fells on the far side over Derwent Water from castlehead wood summit only 162m up & on a nicely warm early summer day midweek it was deserted & I had the view all to myself - two benches to sit & take it all in & I would certainly recommend it if you're in the area. The walk up through the wood was nice & cool - dappled sunlight through the green canopy of the leafy trees made a change from the, rarely witnessed, hot orange ball that filled an expansive, lightly clouded, mostly blue sky. From left to right - Castlerigg Fell, Grange Fell at the head of Derwent Water, High Spy, Maiden Moor, High Crags, Cat Bells, Brandelhow, with Causey Pike, Barrow & possibly far back Grisedale Pike onto Broom Fell - if I'm reading my OS Map correctly. Red Tarn nestled in between Swirral Edge left & Striding Edge right from the summit of Helvellyn @950m & the 3rd highest peak in the Lake District. Perfect weather for a hike up there on my second day in the area; warm with a gentle refreshing cooling breeze in many areas though it was windy up top with a decided chill, so sat in a bothy / shelter at the top before heading off back down via Birk Side to the car park. Treelined old railway line in Keswick - the old station is now a hotel & the platform remains as does the glassed platform roofing. A nice flat walk in the cool of the trees, apparently 10km / 6m from Keswick to Threlkeld which sits under Blencathra https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws37 A tree lined River Derwent looking back towards Keswick & the looming prominence of Griesdale Pike at 791m. There was an orange traffic cone in the river - I edited that out - as it shouldn't have been there.
May 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
Little jaunt up to #Northumberland yesterday #Alnwick & #Craster get my steps in & take some #streeptphotography images.

The two doorways are in Alnwick & I particularly liked the MI building & entrance.

In Craster I used the concrete gap in the sea wall to frame #DunstanburghCastle
Mechanics Institute on Percy Street in Alnwick - https://alnwickcivicsociety.org.uk/2020/08/27/mechanics-institute/ - The building, as many are in the town, is an impressive build in sandstone though the sloping door columns are what really caught my eye. The plaque by the door reads: Mechanics Institute, Erected 1831 by public subscription for 'diffusing knowledge among artisans' Could I have moved the green wheelie bin? yes, though that is how I found it & in my urbexing I like to leave nothing but footprints & take nothing but photos - so authenticity is the rule & I'd have had to wheel it back. I just liked the weather worn red paint & the triple terraced stone steps leading to the Corn Exchange building itself. There were many little alleys leading off a main street between buildings. The little bushel insignia above the clock gives a clue to the building if the gold title at the foot of the façade didn't give it away: Corn Exchange Lane. Dunstanburgh Castle ruin framed by the rectangular hole in the south pier sea wall. https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/craster-harbour/ Apparently the structure was part of a rope apparatus for transporting stone from the quarry - now a car park - about 500m away. Craster harbour looking north towards Dunstanburgh Castle - current population is 305 ( last census ) & a little memorial in the village near the slipway remembers the 21 local people who dies in WW1 & WW2 - a very significant number for such a sparsely populated region. Caster is on the Castle Route - a road I like to drive - and passes through & along some fine sandy beaches & high dunes. It's the North East so even in summer in unsheltered spots the wind can chill you, sheltered it can be epic & one of my favourite places. https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/destinations/castles
April 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
Bimble about North Yorks yesterday #streetphotography #photography #pickering #york & spotted a couple of things, in Pickering esp that I liked.

Pickering is at one end of the #NYMR steam train railway line - Whitby at the other, lots of character in the old station.
An advert on the side of a house in York - Bile Beans - I thought it may be a joke, however: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bile_Beans it seems they were a thing. Really like the roof tops & chimney pots, the advert clinched it. Pickering station & the old advertising plus red telephone box set off against the very nice slate & sandstone terrace houses, lots of little alleys to investigate & a castle to explore also. Picketing Station - I saw some other red fire buckets on the platform however the contrast red v green plus symmetry here just won it for me: 3 red fire buckets v two green doors marked private, love it. #23 - available to rent as a holiday let -& right behind the station, spotting the sign on the gate I just had to capture this one: NOTICE penalty for omission to shut and fasten the gates forty shillings.
April 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
I visited MIT the other day - Middleton in Teesdale - had a wander up the far side of the river Tees to #HighForce Waterfall after #LowForce waterfall & then to Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle - also had a quick visit to Summerhill Force another little waterfall all walking distance.
Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle [ excellent ophthalmologists I understand ;-) ] its an impressive building in the style of a French Chateau & as an art gallery, opened in 1892 & a view of endless countryside looking south. Low Force, my preferred waterfall section on the river Tees a 1 second exposure at f/16 125iso to achieve some smoothing of the water. The word Force to describe a waterfall is derived from the Old Norse word "foss," which means "waterfall" and is commonly used in northern English dialects. River levels were fairly low when I visited even High Force about 1.5km up from here was just a single cascade. Apparently the first bridge over the Tees was about 100m away from here & built in 1741 - foot bridge - and the earliest known suspension bridge in Europe. The current foot bridge - one person at a time - was built in 1830. These rocks - Whin Sill - were formed 295m years ago by volcanic action: molten rock rose up between limestone & sandstone, cooled & hardened underground to for a vast sheet: a sill, millions of years of erosion have now exposed it. I've shot here many times & a few days after heavy rain & with trees in full leaf or autumn colours makes for the best photos, imho. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Force Low Force & just over the foot bridge, trees have taken root in the rock cracks. Even with a fairly low water volume the noise of the river is loud & constant bouncing off the hard rocks. My first visit to Summerhill Force, a nice little stream at the moment & little waterfall in the distance on the right of the photo. A lip has formed at the waterfall - Limestone on top & sandstone plus shale underneath, the recess under a curtain of water falling over the limestone was where, 16th century tradition tells, Barnard Gibson hid while on the run from constables ( police ) of Barnard Castle - a lovable rogue - it is said ( maybe by those he's not causing problems too )
April 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
A bright & sunny, warm sun & fresh sea breeze, bimble along the beach Marske to Saltburn to get my 10k in today.

New camera lens combo gives opportunity for new views of a well known landmark: Saltburn Pier

#SaltburnPier #streetphotography #photography #Saltburn
A warm late March sun in a near clear blue sky over Saltburn Pier & near deserted beach with the arcade & Saltburn Cliff Tramway - funicular railway - up to the top of the cliffs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltburn_Cliff_Lift Cable supports & cables under Saltburn Pier, surface rust & limpet covered with the view to Marske & Redcar in the background. Close up of a ring anchor point attached by 4 cables with substantial nuts & bolts that bear the tension between the pier legs. Underside of Saltburn Pier wooden beams & decking also shown. Saltburn Pier looking back towards the beach & cliffs from the far end - 681ft / 208m - originally 1500ft & 460m when opened in 1869. Very unusual to find it deserted, even mid morning on a Thursday, I guess I was lucky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltburn_Pier
March 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
Carlisle & Whitehaven

A visit to Carlisle & then back via Whitehaven. Carlisle castle apparently the most besieged in the UK, first built in 1092.

Some fabulous old buildings with ginnels & alleys to explore then a little trip to Whitehaven a port & former mining town.

#streetphotography
Carlisle Castle, apparently the most besieged castle in the UK & once was home / refuge & finally prison to Mary Queen of Scots 1568. The castle here is within the walls of the city & are not the outer walls of the castle proper as it used to be. The castle is still in use today & is also a military museum to the Border Regiment. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carlisle-castle/ Dixon's Chimney @ 290 feet / 88m built in 1836 once 8th tallest in the world ( originally 305ft & 93m ) removed the smoke from Shaddon Mill, the building next to it, was used for both cotton & then wool production. I just really liked this terrace of old Victorian houses on - Victoria Road in Carlisle - from about the 1870's both sides of the road are lined & about 40 houses in all. Grade 2 listed & it looks like all are being renovated & they'll be required to keep their period features, big sandstone blocks. entrance columns & sash windows. They just look epic, imho. Whitehaven harbour, two buildings on an inner pier. The far building has a, painted red, wooden door with - Board of Trade, a crown emblem, Rocket Brigade, Life Saving Apparatus - painted on the door. Info in the link below: https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/17112925.honour-for-rocket-brigade-and-sea-cadets-on-old-new-quay/
March 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#streetphotography #richmond #northyorkshire a little 10k steps bimble about Richmond North Yorks today, loved the chaotic rooftops, castle was built 1071, some nice old buildings & a huge market space, lots of interesting sites & info boards about well worth a visit.
January 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#streetphotography #teesside #bridges #photography out getting my 10k steps in the other day along the river Tees Stockton to Middlesbrough. The red Newport Bridge center section used to lift to allow ships up river by filling the grey tanks with water, A19 road & Infinity bridges also.
January 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#streetphotography #newcastle #photography #black&white #Gateshead A few photos from Newcastle, around the Quayside & some from the Gateshead side of the Tyne river, I like it the look in B&W. Newcastle is a very old city, 2k+ years & has some fine architecture & distinctive accent.
January 10, 2025 at 6:47 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#urbex #photography #industrial #hartlepool #magnasite the old Magnasite works at Hartlepool - long gone & now houses. My most favourite urbex find & spent a couple of visits here. Even the huge pier was, mysteriously, sliced in two to stop people exploring it.
Ruin of a building at the old Magnasite works at Hartlepool - a concrete building stands amongst bricks & rubble with a huge tall chimney in the background. Some kind industrial sized mixing bowl like structure with corroding mixed ruined in the centre Rusting industrial sized mixing apparatus in a dilapidated concrete walled mixing bowl. concrete steps lead down to a concrete 'bunker like' structure with open floors to the sky & sea. Flotsam of discarded junk floats in the sea below the open floor space.
December 10, 2024 at 4:04 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#Temenos #Teesside #Statue #Middlesbrough #StreetPhotography Temenos is an art installation by Anish Kapoor at the old Tees Dock, I like to see it in abstract & sometimes visit with a fixed lens just to make me see it differently. The lamp post image, a little 'Brick in the Wall' to my mind.
Temenos statue framed with the old clock tower & Transporter bridge in the background. The thin wire mesh between the two circular structures supports their weight & the tall girder like structure at the far end of the statue braces against the weight. Tees Dock clock tower & Transporter bridge, framed by the large circular structure of the Temenos statue. A lamp post framed against an imposing looking - to my mind - Temenos statue - it reminded me of the Pink Floyd video to 'another brick in the wall' - the strong contrast of the scene I also liked. Temenos statue highlighting the mesh net between the two circular end structures. Only a small section of each circular end section is shown to create a more abstract look to the statue. Part of a bush in the foreground is framed to suggest size.
December 1, 2024 at 7:18 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#CoathamSands #Redcar #Seaside #Beach #NorthEastEngland a warm sunny May stroll on Coatham Sands towards Redcar & just visible Huntcliffe at Saltburn in the hazy distance its about 16km / 10m each way - a fabulous way to relax your brain for a day.
long golden sandy beach stretching for 16 km / 10 miles from river Tees entrance to Huntcliffe at Saltburn, low tide two dog walkers on a sandy split with a cooling sea breeze coming in of the North Sea in an early glimpse of summer on a May day.
November 27, 2024 at 4:28 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#RiverTees #Photography #Waterfall #LowForce #HighForce #Tees - High & Low Force waterfalls, river Tees 85 miles long starts in North Pennines & reaches the North Sea at industrial Teesside.
River Tees - Low Force waterfall near Middleton-in-Teesdale - a fast moving river dropping over a series of rocky drops. High Force - river Tees cascades over 70ft rocky drop - backlit by a cold wintery sunset. Low Force river Tees rounds a bend, fast flowing river drops repeatedly over rocky steps in a tree lined rocky riverbank Low Force, river Tees, drops over a 12ft / 3m step of rocks, tree lined rocky riverbanks.
November 23, 2024 at 10:33 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
#SaltburnPier #NorthEast #Photography #seaside #B&W Rising tide under Saltburn Pier North Yorkshire, slow shutter used to smooth the sea, I liked it in B&W.
Saltburn pier stands in a rising tide, use of a slow shutter to smooth the swell to a ghostly calm swirl.
November 22, 2024 at 12:10 PM
paulphoto.bsky.social
Another old fave of mine, a gem I discovered randomly in passing, Tanfield Rail museum near Beamish in Co Durham.
I do like a little ubexing - leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos.
rusting goods wagon at Tanfield Rail in Co Durham dilapidating rail carriage left to the seasons at Tanfield Rail in Co Durham now somewhat ironic sign in amongst the rusting old rail pieces old goods wagon at Tanfield Rail in Co Durham
November 21, 2024 at 7:03 AM
paulphoto.bsky.social
so first post & it's some old photos of Whitby 20th Jan 2014 - a chilly & atmospheric day. I do like photos back lit by the sun & esp when the ground is damp.
#NorthYorkshire #Whitby #photography
November 20, 2024 at 4:32 PM