JUST COULDN'T WALK BY..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I couldn't resist photographing this beautiful rhododendron in Leicester Road.  Despite the rain and probably because we are experiencing so much of it, the Wanstead streets are alive with colour.

FOLLOW MY LEADER...

       

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Having a look around Alexandra Lake on Wanstead Flats the other day I came across this charming family scene. These goslings following their mums across the lake heading for the shore. It was like seeing a group of well behaved school children on an outing, in line, teachers front and back, children looking around with interest and not wandering off. 

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

They all made it safely and seeing that look of determination on the mother's face, who would have doubted it.

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I have photographed this church before at night and it looked great lit up. As I was passing the other day it was bathed in sunlight, the sky was a perfect blue completing the picture.  All I had to do was press the shutter button.

WOODBINE PLACE.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

These little cottages nestling in Woodbine Place seem to have been here forever.  I cannot find any history about them so if anyone can enlighten please let me know.  They are really lovely and are so in keeping with The Green opposite.

GARDEN THEME 4

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

This viburnum bush (fast becoming a tree), overhanging a picket fence gives the feel of a country cottage garden.  I wait for this bush every year to bloom and this year after all the rain it has excelled.  The pom pom flowers are snow white and in abundance.

TRANQUILITY

    World © Geoff Wilkinson-All rights reserved.

I didn't get a chance to post a picture yesterday, so apologies for that, another busy day in the Gallery.  Up and early this morning  before anyone was about and I spotted this tranquil scene on the Aldersbrook Road. Really made me feel good to be alive.

THE CAT AND THE BANANA!

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson-All rights reserved.

This is stretching the boundaries a bit both of Wanstead and reality.  I was driving through Sidney Road off Wanstead Flats when I was confronted by this giant banana. I have heard of the cat and the canary but cat and banana is a whole new ball game. Although the cat's expression seems to be defying me taking a picture, I took it anyway. No standoff then.

HALSTEAD ROAD.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I took this picture of Halstead Road showing the natural curvature in the road and I really like the V shape that the cars make. Seeing it after on the Applemac I also realised that Wanstead is far from flat, there are a lot of little hills which add to the uniqueness and appeal of the area.

GARDEN THEME 3

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

On my way to the Gallery this morning I spotted this fabulous combination of colours in Leicester Road. The white of the Lilac tree really leapt out against the darker red of the Copper Beech tree. I framed the photograph so that each colour had half of the frame, what a lovely start to the day.
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GARDEN THEME 2

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

A corner of a garden left to go wild.  Brings back memories of a French garden that I photographed on a magazine assignment.  Hopefully, it will encourage bees and butterflies sorely missed to come back and visit.

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GARDEN THEME 1

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Looking around Wanstead at the moment there is an abundance of colour. The gardens and trees have come alive.  Seeing these dandelions I realised that they have three stages of beauty. The yellow flowers, the tell the time clocks and even the stalks have unique beauty of their own. Just had to catch this image on camera.  

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I owe a picture for yesterday. Apologies for that, still recovering from the Exhibition at the weekend. I will be putting another picture on today to compensate.

To purchase Greetings Card of any of these pictures please go to the Sales Page of our website: geoffwilkinsonphotography or pop into the Gallery.

THE SHRUBBERY

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

  

   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This complex of apartments 'The Shrubbery' is at the top of Grosvenor Road. Every time I pass I am reminded of a Hollywood film set in Los Angeles in the 'thirties', unfortunately the name of it escapes me, any suggestions welcome. Bathed in morning sunlight this Grade 2 listed 1935 building is a real Wanstead gem.

FRIENDS OF WANSTEAD PARKLANDS PHOTO COM...

Great day yesterday, it was prize giving day at our gallery 'eightyfour' for The Friends of Wanstead Parklands photography competition. The Mayor of Redbridge Councillor Felicity Banks did us the honour of presenting the prizes with great enthusiasm and wit. The weather was kind and  there was a good turnout from Friends of Wanstead Parklands members, photographers and friends. Really enjoyable afternoon in support of a really good cause.

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

    Our gallery at 'eightyfour' with the photographs on show before the guests arrived

Photograph © Darren Gatcum

Rebridge Mayor Councillor Felicity Banks at the exhibition.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION EXHIBITION 2....

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

We have been getting ready today at 'eighyfour' for The Friend's of Wanstead Parklands photographic exhibition this weekend. I was looking through the photographs again today and was very impressed by the overall standard, there's a lot of talent out there. The Redbridge Mayor  Councillor Felicity Banks will be opening the exhibition at 2pm today so if you are in the Wanstead area please stop by and and have a look at the pictures. The Gallery will look a lot tidier than in the picture above which I took during the hanging.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION EXHIBITION..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

It's been a busy week, lots going on including catching up on magazine assignments now that I am back on both legs ! As you can probably guess from the photograph above, this weekend we have a photographic exhibition opening at 'eightyfour'. It's for The Friend's of Wanstead Parklands and there are some great pictures of  Wanstead Park that are going to be on show. It will be opened at 2pm on Saturday by Redbridge Mayor Councillor Felicity Banks  and will run until Sunday May 25th,  if you have a chance please pop in and have a look.

ST MARY'S AVENUE...

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

 I was passing by St Mary's Avenue early this morning.  I have always liked the view from Redbridge Lane West looking directly between the line of trees. The sun was back lighting the scene, it was just right for a photograph. 

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This is the second picture from St Mary's Avenue, I was drawn by the straight line of trees and the way the sun was falling on the ground through the trees. For some reason it has a very Parisian feel to me.

ONE LAST BLUEBELL PHOTO...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I know I am a little bluebell fixated lately but I just couldn't resist this picture. As I have said, as soon as you enter the bluebell wood you feel you are surrounded. Where to start ? I thought I would try a panoramic photograph to get as much in as possible and I am really pleased with the result. I think it shows the expanse of the bluebells in conjunction with the forest really well. You can rarely do justice to a panoramic photograph showing it online so next week we will have a copy in the gallery at 'eightyfour'. If you would like to see it in it's full glory please pop in.

IN A WOODLAND GLADE...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

While I was walking in the bluebell woods in Wanstead Park I came across this structure.  Made of branches I imagine it's for children to play in, the shape reminded me of a teepee used by the American Indians. Whatever it's use it's a beautiful shape and really fits in well with the woodland.

BLUEBELLS..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Here's another photograph from the bluebell woods. Bit more of a traditional view this time but getting in close works well. I really like the way the colour of the blooms leap out from the background. 

AS REQUESTED..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

A follower suggested the Bluebell Wood in Wanstead Park would be worth a visit. Such a profusion it was difficult to know where to start, the pools of dappled light in the cool wood was perfect. I put the camera on the ground and shot upwards, I just really like the looming trees reaching for the sky. Watch out for another picture from the woods tomorrow. A thank you to my follower.

SMALL PONDS

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I really like looking for things to photograph after it rains. The colours seem much more vibrant and the foliage more lush, you can discover hidden gems. This is just a few drops of water left by the rain on this leaf but photograph it close up you could be in a distant rain forest.

CAUTIOUS MUM..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was at a friends house last night when this little scene appeared at the end of the garden. These two little fox cubs came out to play watched over though by their cautious mum, she apparently has four more hidden in her den. They only come out at dusk and play under the cover of trees. Shooting through double glazing and bad light is not great for photography but well worth a picture.  

WANSTEAD ?

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I really like all the combinations in this photograph. The cherry tree in blossom, the lavender growing through the woodwork, the white picket fence and of course the blue sky. It's Wanstead but it could be in the heart of the English countryside.

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A PROFUSION OF WHITE ...

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

This profusion of white incorporating blossom and picket fence caught my eye yesterday morning as I was leaving home. I had to take the picture, if only for my wife who is really passionate about white as anyone who has visited the Gallery will tell you.

18th CENTURY...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

These two lovely buildings have always interested me. They are Elm Hall and Reydon Hall on the Eastern Avenue just past The George pub, I have seen them in old photographs that we have dated around 1900. They must be two of the best preserved facades in Wanstead, they were originally built in the 18th century and converted to flats around 1970. Shame that some of the original houses in the High Street have not survived.

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'ALLO,'ALLO,'ALLO...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

'Allo, 'Allo, 'Allo those wonderful words from those old black and white movies sadly not to be heard from Wanstead Police Station for much longer. We are to lose it, after a long battle, it is to close, a sad loss. What will happen to the building ? On a more cheerful note I wanted to do another photograph of it and something a bit different. I have always liked the blue lamp so I thought I would give it pride of place in the foreground of the picture. 
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1/2....

                                    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

You may wonder why there is only half a picture of yours truly above. Well according to my calculations this will be post number 191 so I am just over half way through the 365 post's that I promised on this blog. When I look back at the photographs I am really quite pleased but I have lots more to come, if you have a particular piece of Wanstead that you would like me to try to photograph just let me know and I'll try to accommodate.
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LOVELY COLOURS...

                       World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was sitting in the car park at Wanstead Station waiting for my daughter a few nights ago. As it got darker the lights in these two underground signs came on and they began to stand out more and more. I really like the rich colours and the texture of the building the dark evening light produced.

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SAD LOSS

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Found this little fellow in the Gallery the other day. Like many, this bee I imagine had succumbed to the weather. I am no bee expert so I have no idea what type it is, but I certainly miss seeing them in the garden going about their business. Lets hope for a summer revival.
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SUMMER OUTFITS

                       World © Geoff Wilkinson -All rights reserved

Walking along the high street a few days ago I was struck by the display in Barnardo's window. These outfits reminded me of Ladies Day at Ascot, a taster of what we might expect next month ? Let's hope the sun shines.
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WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ?

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Driving along Addison Road the other day I did a double take when I saw this white van. There sitting affixed to the front of the van were this pair of Michelin men, I haven't seen these for years, where have they been hiding? Michelin man is the symbol of the Michelin tyre company and was introduced at the Lyon Exhibition in 1894. It is one of the worlds oldest trademarks and always smiling. Happy May Day.
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