Wells, Caen Hill Locks and Avebury - A busy day!

A day out with John and friend Martin. A 2 hour drive to Wells started the day. The plan......

Wells Cathedral. Lunch. Caen Hill Locks. Dinner. Avebury Circle at Sunset.... we will see!

Fabulous Architecture

ISO was struggling,  so not happy with results, but a nice memory

Vicars Close, just around the corner from the Cathedral. Said to be the oldest residential street surviving in EUROPE!
From mid 14th century.

A look inside one of the gardens in Vicars Close.

The start of a long series of locks at Caen Hill. In there somewhere are two boats.

Here comes the lock keeper ...... on his quad bike

The boys at work. These locks are tricky to photograph to capture the scale.

Heave!  Not for the faint hearted.

His Missus having a laugh with John

On the up, as the water starts to come through the lock gate

And off they go...... to repeat the exercise a few  more times. This couple will have gone through 144 locks on this trip!

Next boat coming UP the way.

Dad at work, while teenage daughter relaxes up front.

Her brother's turn to open the lock gates

An elevated Martin, at the top... the Cafe.... which closed half an hour ago! Oh no!!

Time to head back downhill..... sky looking ominous.

..... where the couple we met earlier were finally at the bottom. The boys lend a hand... just one hand in Martin's case.

Dinner stop. The Red Lion at Avebury, whilst waiting for the sunset.... look at that sky!!
This was NOT the plan. 

A practice run for my sunset spot. Shortly after this any trace of light just disappeared. Was hoping for an amazing sky and shadows from the ancient stones. 

The rock hugging lady, who was happy to model

Apparently she is a regular visitor

Another possible shooting point for another time. Just squint and imagine what these undulations COULD look like with the light from
a sunset.   A great day out, with lots of challenges for photography. Not all successful, but it all helps with experience.  

Aldworth Sunday afternoon walk

A 2 hour walk from Alworth Church where we started with a picnic lunch. The first half of the walk was disappointing, enclosed by hedges and trees. Then at last it opened up to some wonderful views.

Alworth Church Entrance

Pretty Alworth Church

Finally back to the village 

Henley Boat trip July 2014 with WEBCC

A delightful day out with members and partners of Wokingham & East Berkshire Camera Club. The forecast a bit iffy, but it held off providing some fabulous clouds for our photos.A lovely way to spend a Monday!

All aboard! And we're off heading upstream from Henley towards Wargrave

Hang on, Rodney's not quite ready.

First lock, Marsh Lock

A very helpful lock keeper takes the ropes

Whilst Tony hangs on to the other end

The other Tony enjoying a joke

Pretty quiet today on the river, but the Willows are gorgeous

Tony didn't bring his camera....... was he regretting it?

Look at the camera! Look at the camera!!OK then don't . See if I care!

Perhaps the forecast was right after all. Looking a bit threatening now. 

One man and his dog

A particularly stylish garden on the bank at Wargrave.

Blueish skies again. Phew!

Skipper Alan know the river well, so takes a detour around the back waters at Wargrave

Some of those pretty Egyptian Geese

Rodney happy to smile for me.....

Martin not to sure!!

John on rope duties at Shiplake Lock

Abandon ship. Everyone off to stretch our legs.

And a photo opportunity and a change for me to appear too!

Never work with children, animals or ...... the over 60's? Why are half of them not looking at the camera?

Liz and Tony relaxing

David and Alice

OMG...... who's steering?  Captain Alan is in the photo!

Back a bit. Back a bit more.  Great clouds ahead!

What a relief. Alan back in charge as we pass back through Henley towards Hambledon.

The regatta lanes still set out

We are maxing out at 4mph..........

And this guy glides straight passed us!

Handing over the rope at Hambledon Lock......

Where Liz takes us Safely through the lock (honest.... she did!)

Liz in charge allows Alan a chance for some more photography

"What time do you call this?  That beer had my name on it half an hour ago!"

At last our lunch stop, with clouds threatening once more

But no fear of rain. Delightfully warm as we enjoyed a brilliant lunch 

And safely back to Henley.