Winter Sun

So last week the Sun made an appearance in our little corner of Hertfordshire, and with a gentle kick I was inspired enough to get out of the office (downing tools on the BadJupiter US Launch Reception Planning - sorry Sam), and out into the countryside.

By the time I started wandering through the muddy fields in my new dog walking boots, the sun was gently melting into the horizon and I was able to grab a few shots.

Where is it?

originally uploaded by ScottCapture.

Thought I'd share this with you, it's one of my current favourites in a series I'm doing of blurry pics.

It was a really cold night and I'd been taking some long exposure shots over the river, and without really thinking about I turned and started taking some downstream.

A little something warmer on BlueMonday

So today is Blue Monday (not sure if it is everywhere, but certainly is here), Blue Monday is supposed to be the statistically down day in the UK, Christmas is well and truly over, everyone is back to work, the summer is months and months away, lots of people got paid early for Christmas and so have no money left now and to top it all the credit card statements arrive.

So for all those feeling a little blue, here is a little colour, it may not help in any way at all, but it makes me feel a bit brighter.

Icing Sugar

like a bowl of icing sugar

Fairy Lights

Pretty lights

A walk in the wintry woods

December 2010, the coldest in the UK since the MET office started collating the weather in 1910 (I think), the average temperature was -1c across the country, and although it caused havoc for the trains, plains and automobiles, it did provide a stunning cover to my local area.

Gobians is the woodland and open space adjacent to my home village (well adopted home village in Hertfordshire rather than my true home village in the midst of Northumberland), it's a place I love to walk round with open views, woodland walks and lakes. It looks great in the spring, summer and autumn, but in the winter it turns into Narnia.

Narnia

Narnia 2

The snow fall we had just before Christmas give Brookmans Park and Gobians it's thickest covering since I've been here, and for many a year more than that.  But with the right footware and camera in hand I ventured out.

Starting at the bottom of the village I wandered through the woods which had taken on a magical appearance.

This way

From the woods up towards the lakes., meeting many of the people and dogs that frequent the open space.

woof!

Including those on their sledges heading home after a morning on the hill.

Sledging the way home

The lakes were completely frozen, a pretty regular occurrence back in the North East, but not quite so 15 miles from the centre of London.  Reminded me of the stories of the Thames freezing in the old days and the people ice-skating between the bridges.

Freeze

Fallen Tree

As I walked round the lake the sun started to shine, and created this wonderful effect of almost molten gold on the ice.

Molten Gold

Shimmer

Glow

The path round the lake gives lots of opportunity to take some pictures with the Sun high in the winter sky, and also a chance to meet some more of the local wildlife.

Little Robin Red Breast

It was nice to see that even with all the snow, many had taken leave on their walks to sit and admire the views.

Take the weight off

So that was my last walk through the woods with the snow.  It never lasts long down here, mostly causes chaos when it comes, but to me it really makes for a great opportunity to get out with the camera.

No Day Tickets