Erdigg

 

During mid-August we made a short visit, on a very hot day, to Erdigg.

This is a preserved stately home near Wrexham- to be honest, we were looking for somewhere old, stone, and cool to lurk in during a VERY hot day.

Nice and dark in there, and atmospheric. Younger Child was shooting reference pictures for a project they've got on the go, we just took a few pics on the phones and let them get on with it.

Out into the grounds, lurking wherever possible in the shade.

Some lovely old glass-houses and cold frames in the walled garden.

And unusual plants- this razor-edged specimen caught the attention!

For a variety of reasons we didn't spend as much time there as it perhaps deserved, but we've family in the area so a return visit is a probability. 

Southport Botanic Gardens

A new venue for us; we have family out Southport-way, and Amy went along with some of them to one of their favourite haunts, the Southport Botanic Gardens.

Some lovely ferns and greenery in around the rock gardens.

As fern growers ourselves, there was a lot to envy here!

A very interesting and photogenic location- it'd be nice to return for another visit, maybe to try some creative photography with sunlight coming in through that glass roof.

 

A bit of railway photography on the Ffestiniog

We've only had a couple of trips to Wales this year, and our usual pilgrimages to the Ffestiniog haven't featured much photography (as we're generally herding our little Nephew around- he's train mad, and lovely, but it's hard to snap pics whilst he's belting around shouting "hello!" at the engines).

Porthmadog Harbour, and an appearance by "Prince" and "Palmerston". Sadly this is the only pic I managed of "Prince" in the new-old green livery, which is something I'd wanted to photograph. Maybe next year.

"Linda" in the sidings.

Up to Tanybwlch, sans-children but with lots and lots of lovely hot drinks from the excellent station cafe. "James Spooner"...

...and "David Lloyd George".

Final shot, "James Spooner" in the sunshine.

 

Barmouth Bridge

Whilst over in Wales for a holiday and some project work, we nipped down to Barmouth (Middle Child had just passed one of her exams, so we treated her with a trip to Fudgeridoo, the excellent sweet shop on the main street).

Of course it wouldn't be a trip out without some railway photography...

Trying to make the most of the 158s' in nice weather and scenery- these stalwarts are due to be phased out soon, so it seemed worth the bother of photographing them.

Over the bridge.

A photo angle to try at some point... maybe next holiday.

 

York Railway Museum

Looking for somewhere to go for a sit and a brew whilst on our York sojourn, we headed for the Railway Museum. Not much to say on here, it's somewhat underwhelming at the moment whilst they do some rebuilding, and we were only in the place for about an hour, so a few pics follow.

 

At York Station

We're train photographers; it wouldn't be a visit to a railway city like York without a post on the station.

Gorgeous old station roof.

There's definitely something about the contrast between the historical architecture and the modern trains rumbling through.

 

York Walls

Mini midweek post- some shots taken around the City Walls in York.

Love some ferns.