Bodnant in August 1

Typically, right at the end of our holiday, the weather remembered it was meant to be summer.  It might have been nice to go to the beach, but as we were driving home to collect Elder Child that wasn't an option.  We did however make a pit-stop at Bodnant Garden, our second or third visit of the year, so over the next couple of posts there's a selectio nof our images.

 

Waterfalls in the Twilight

With the new SLR having a very good long-exposure setting, that I (Ben) haven't had much opportunity to make use of yet, I thought I'd give it a go whilst we were in Wales.  Where we were staying has a large number of streams and waterfalls, and a few days of heavy rain left them carrying a lot of water.

I only had a very basic tripod, but it would do.

I was very happy with how these came out- definitely scope for doing more of these in the future now I've tried the different settings.

 

At the Ffestiniog Railway, at the end of August

I (Ben) really haven't managed much photography on the Ffestiniog Railway this year.  August was no exception; basically just the usual pics during visits to Spooners cafe at Harbour Station, and the excellent cafe at Tanybwlch.

"Linda" shunting.

The new Double Fairlie, "James Spooner", which looks pretty magnificent (though the usual problem with Habour, shooting into the sun for much of the day).

A bit of greyscale (which did to be fair seem a waste, given this was a rare occasion where the sun bothered to come out).

A bit later in the week, and we were up at Tanybwlch for a brew and a slice of cake.

Shame the weather had closed in (we'd just had a very wet morning in Barmouth, and hoped it would be a bit better up here, but no).

Taking on water, in the gloom of the afternoon.

Really ought to make more of an effort to shoot pics here next year...

 

Penrhyn Castle August 2024

Another place we returned to after a break away was Penrhyn Castle, on the outskirts of Bangor.  We'd kind of done this to death in the past, but this was more about the day out than the opportunities for photography.

That said, we thought we'd do some slightly abstract shots focussing on the impressive architectural details.

And outside into the gardens, though by now the sun was if anything too hot (for once this summer), so we bailed out without taking many pictures outside.

 

Portmeirion August 2024

Welcome to... The Village.

Summer saw a trip to Portmeirion in  Wales, the first time we'd been there in over a decade.  It's a suitably eccentric sort of a place, and we were looking forward to the chance of a stroll around with the cameras.

The weather was less than impressive (story of the summer), with odd lighting.

The blue sky did at least put in an appearance.

Lots of lovely arches, giving some natural framing.

All in all a very nice place to spend a day wandering around.