WANSTEAD DAILY PHOTO: October 2013

Thursday, 31 October 2013

GREY MORNING...

I spotted these wet rooftops complete with low grey cloud early this morning. It wasn't particularly cold, just oppressive. What a change from yesterday, brisk, bright sunny and blue skies. I guess variety is the spice of life or not.

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If you enjoy photographs and photography don't forget to check out my photography blog at www.geoffwilkinsonphotography.co.uk . Pictures, stories and tips.

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

SAD AND FORLORN.

After I photographed the trees yesterday, I just had to take a final picture of the once Wanstead Police Station. The decision to close it was on and off for such a long time, one did wonder whether it would truly come about. Seeing it yesterday with all the windows boarded the iconic Blue Lamp gone it is obviously finally over. The last emotion felt was that I have captured it in all forms for future historical interest. The pictures are all safely in my archive.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013

FALLEN TREES.

After the high winds and rain yesterday, I followed a tip from Wanstead Weather about fallen trees in Wanstead and decided to head toward Christchurch Green. On the way, at the top of Redbridge Lane West I discovered this mass of branches that had fallen along the pavement and partially into the road.

Moving on toward Christchurch Green, lo and behold there was a number of uprooted fallen trees. When you think how long it has taken for them to grow and reach this maturity only to be bowled over in minutes it is a very sad sight indeed.

Sunday, 27 October 2013

HIGH WINDS...

I thought this photograph of the sky was an appropriate picture for today as we wait for the promised high winds and gales tonight. This was taken earlier this week. I think clouds are always fascinating. It was the three layers in the sky that drew my attention, the warm colours at the bottom, then the grey clouds in the centre and finally a little blue sky on top. Let's see what tonight brings.

Saturday, 26 October 2013

WET WEATHER..

It was pouring with rain as I passed Nutter Field earlier this week. I couldn't help but feel sorry for this guy driving a ride on mower. He had the whole field to cut, he must have been soaked by the end of it but he kept going.

Friday, 25 October 2013

COLOURFUL WANSTEAD..

I was in the High Street the other day and saw this lorry in the picture above unloading. I was struck by the enormous photograph on it's side, the bright colours really leapt out, I just waited for a red bus to pass to complete the colour palette.

Thursday, 24 October 2013

AUTUMN LEAVES

A friend asked me some time ago if I would take a photograph in Stratford to go on the blog. I couldn't at the time as I was only photographing Wanstead, however now that the blog had been running for over a year I am expanding the area slightly.

So here's a picture that I took in Stratford this week. These sculptured leaves are opposite Stratford station, in the late afternoon the sun catches them and they just glow. It's a great sight as you leave Stratford Station.

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY...

World © Geoff Wilkinson

I seem to have been doing a lot of cloud spotting recently. I took this picture at 4.30pm the other day, it was raining and getting dark, I changed it to black and white and I think it makes it looks even more dramatic. If you are wondering why the lamp post looks a bit wobbly it's because I photographed through the car windscreen with the rain running down it.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

SIR ALFRED HITCHCOCK...

You are probably wondering what this photograph has to do with film maker Sir Alfred Hitchcock. Well he was the master of the dramatic moment and when I saw these clouds over this service station in Leytonstone High Road I thought they looked full of drama as well. Still not sure of the connection? Well Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13th 1899 in a house more or less on this spot. Next time you stop for petrol here check out the plaque on the wall.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

JOLLIFFE

I must have had a psychic moment the other day walking down the High Street, I felt compelled to take a photograph of Jolliffe's. Lo and behold I understand planning permission has gone in for flats and a mini shopping mall, whoa spooky! Not really I just realised I had never taken a close up of the building.

Friday, 18 October 2013

FULL MOON ?

Not quite sure if it was a full moon or not last night, it certainly looked like one. Anyway full or not it looked glorious over St Mary the Virgin Church last night.

Thursday, 17 October 2013

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN .

Although the Wanstead Police Station which I have photographed many time from different angles has gone, the signpost indicating it's whereabouts remains. Will this also go or will it be re-directed the other way toward Wanstead House?

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

SHADOWS..

One of the things that I like about the coming of Winter is that the sun stays low in the sky. It throws wonderful long shadows of the trees. I photographed this one on Christ Church Green the other day, I particularly like the small group of people in the background relaxing on the grass.

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

YESTERDAY'S RAINBOW...

Lovely surprise as I arrived home from food shopping yesterday, as you can see there was a fantastic rainbow over the rain drenched roofs of Wanstead. If only the story of the pot of gold at the end of it were true, it would really have taken the sting out of the shopping bill.

Monday, 14 October 2013

HUBCAP.

I have no idea what this car hubcap was doing lying amongst the leaves in Wanstead Place, it looked so out of place which made it an interesting photograph for me. I am always on the lookout, every day a new find.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

WANSTEAD SHOPS.

I know we have a few chain shops in Wanstead but as I walked down the High Street the other day it was good to see how many truly independent shops we still have. This all helps to give Wanstead it's unique village feel, to keep them they need our support.

Saturday, 12 October 2013

MIGHTY OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW.

There have been masses of conkers and chestnuts all around Wanstead and I have posted them on the blog. Not to be outdone, these little acorns on a young oak tree on Christ Church Green also needed to be featured and so here they are.

Friday, 11 October 2013

IN THE NEWS ...

The blog is in the news. As published in the excellent Wanstead Village Directory, it is exactly one year today that I started the Wanstead Daily Photo blog.

The challenge I set to produce a photo of Wanstead every day for a year has been one that I have enjoyed immensely. So much so that I will be continuing to produce photos of Wanstead and in addition photos from the surrounding areas on this blog. The feedback that I have received has come from all over the world and I would like to thank all those people both in Wanstead and around the world for their interest and support.

Thursday, 10 October 2013

BOX OF TRICKS.

I noticed this very stylish "saddlebag" on the back of a bicycle parked outside Wanstead tube station. In stark contrast to the basket on the front, this wooden box originally contained 1980 vintage Port. What a great idea, cycle recycling!

Wednesday, 9 October 2013

PAMPAS GRASS.

A great specimen of Pampas Grass on Church Path. This elegant and soft South American grass looks completely at home in Wanstead.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

'THE FRINGE' PHOTO WALK COMPETITION WINNER

As part of the Fringe I organised a series of photo walks around Wanstead. I was delighted by the standard of the pictures that were taken, they were all excellent. All were well composed and thoughtful and we had some fun as well.

To be completely impartial and fair I asked Wansteadium to be the judge, he did an excellent job and here is his comment on the wining photograph:-

'Geraldine's is my favourite, simply because it made my eye work - I had to find my way right from the wood, through the hole to the chimney and then ending up on the top of the old hospital. Wanstead doesn't have that many landmarks but that is one and it's a pleasing familiar sight at the end of the journey'

Above is the winner by Geraldine with the other entries below.

On a final Fringe note for this year, I would like to thank Wansteadium for coming up with the original idea and Wanstead estate agent John Wagstaff of Petty Son and Prestwich for his financial support which made the whole thing possible. Please enjoy the pictures below.

Yasmin

Trevor

Sarie

Sam B

Lyn

Lorna

Jan

Bruce

Andrea

Sue

Monday, 7 October 2013

BURNING BRIGHT.

I took this picture from Wanstead on Saturday night. There were no lights on in the building, it was the sun reflecting off the windows. Can you guess where it is?

Sunday, 6 October 2013

POOLS OF WATER.

I'm always attracted to these little pools of water that form on leaves. This was taken early in the morning after the rain and I caught them just before they evaporated when the sun came out.

Saturday, 5 October 2013

ART OR NOT.

It is not everyones cup of tea or in this case a squashed can of a famous soft drink that makes a good picture. When I saw it this morning as I pulled up outside the Gallery, the can set against the wet road implanted with coloured stones to me was art. That is not to say that I think disposing of litter on the public highway is to be applauded, the right place should be in the public bin or maybe an art gallery.

Friday, 4 October 2013

AUTUMN IS UPON US.

It is a sure sign that Autumn is upon us when the leaves of the Virginia Creeper start to change. This wonderful plant covers a brick wall in my garden. Green in the Summer, red in the Autumn and bare in the winter. Autumn is my favourite, the colours are magnificent.

Thursday, 3 October 2013

TURNSTILE...

This simple turnstile gate leading into St. Mary The Virgin Churchyard has often got me wondering why such a gate was necessary going into a churchyard. Judging by the look of it I would imagine it is an old one. Any ideas?

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

NUTTER LANE..

These chains are in front of a house in Nutter Lane, I believe they mark a right of way. I have always found them of interest but not easy to make look interesting in a photograph. Last night I photographed them illuminated by car headlights and and I think it works.

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

POOLS OF LIGHT..

Our gallery is opposite Nightingale Green, it's a great position for us, we are lucky to be able to look out over it every day at work. I don't often see it in the evening but I was passing last night and saw these pools of light cast by the lamps. I just thought it looked lovely.

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