Blackpool 6. The End of the Day

Final images from our day in Blackpool. I last visited in 2010 and have very few images from that visit as that was the year that I lost all my images due to a lightning strike on the house and backup disk failure. I do remember they were very busy rebuilding the promenade and that the starlings that time roosted on the Big Wheel but it was December so the Fair was not operating.

Blackpool 5. Afternoon Light: Textures and Colours

The afternoon light was as good as it gets and I enjoyed the colours and textures of Blackpool renovated promenade and sands. The reflections on the steps alternated between deep blue and golden depending whether they were in sun or shade. The two boys were enjoying the experience of standing on slightly sinking sand!!

Blackpool 4. South Pier and Pleasure Beach

We completed our 3 miles walk along the beach at the South Pier and Pleasure Gardens in time for a late lunch at the pier cafe that serves everything from All-day Breakfasts to Hot Roasts (glad not cold). By the time we had lunched and had a stroll round the entrance to the Pleaure Gardens - unfortunately now Ticket only, the afternoon light was great and time for the walk back.

The first image from the 1990s when the Pleasure Gardens were free. From scanned film, I had just purchased a scanner and was experimenting with  Photoshop2.

Blackpool 3. Central Pier

The area between the North and Central Piers was full of Blackpool life including a very cold wedding party, rather disgruntled donkeys and active Lifeboat crew. Central Pier definitely hosts all the fun of the fair.

View of Cambridge from Castle Hill by James Ward, 1840 in Musem of Cambridge

The Museum of Cambridge (formerly the Folk Museum) have recently acquired (with help of the Art Fund) a painting of Cambridge by the Victorian artist James Ward. It proved very difficult to photograph as requested by the Museum because it has glass on front of the oil painting surface and windows directly opposite. You will see a view I took from the top of Castle Hill trying to line Kings and Trinity with the painting. I also located on the internet a sketch done for the painting.

The painting was officially 'unveiled' at an 80th Anniversary reception for the Museum on Thursday. Image shows Sarah Ingram, Chair of the Trustees of the Museum and Lorna O'Brien the Museum Manager with the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Jeremy Benstead

Some details from the painting