WANSTEAD DAILY PHOTO: April 2015

Thursday, 30 April 2015

BLUEBELLS..

I found these beauties in Grosvenor Road the other day. Despite it being a rainy and overcast day these bluebells really shone out in the gloom.

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

....never. That's me of course not the gentleman in the picture. I should have posted this picture yesterday the day after the marathon but never enough time for everything..

Anyway the gent in the picture is James Creed a Wanstead resident who finished in very respectable 3 hours and 29 minutes. James a member of East London Runners beat his last year time by 12 minutes...I must find my running shoes...

Monday, 27 April 2015

HIDDEN PEARLS..

The weather yesterday wasn't as bad as the forecast predicted. There was some light rain early in the morning which gave me the opportunity to grab this close up of a rose leaf. It was hidden under a larger leaf but the rain somehow managed to get to it, I really like the way the droplets have formed on the lower edge of it...

Sunday, 26 April 2015

PATHWAY...

Just a nice, peaceful simple picture for Sunday morning. Hopefully the sun will shine today as it did when I took this picture although the forecast is not great. Good luck to all those running in the London Marathon to raise money for charity..

Saturday, 25 April 2015

TO MOW OR NOT TO MOW..

I know many people who have a lawn in their garden like to keep it pristine, mowed regularly so that it has perfect lines and of course not a weed in sight. Well in part of my lawn these daisies and dandelions have sprung up, to be honest I don't have the heart to get rid of them, it looks like a lovely mini meadow...

Friday, 24 April 2015

SIMPLE...

I spotted this blossom on a walk last weekend, it was on the ground behind the rugby club. I know it's another blossom picture but I couldn't resist the simplicity of it, the white of the blossom against the blue sky with the green of the grass and bushes underneath..simple..

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

BLOOMING LOVELY..

Couldn't resist this one. These are the first tulips that I have seen this year growing in a garden that is. I spotted them in the garden of Wanstead's guerrilla gardener Marion Temple. Marion is the lady who keeps the garden of The Corner House and all those odd patches of earth around Wanstead looking wonderful.

Anyway the combination of red and yellow backlit tulips was just to much...

Monday, 20 April 2015

A SIGN OF.....

...former times. I discovered this sign almost hidden under a bush in Rutland Road, I believe it is to do with the Fire Brigade. I haven't seen one for years, if memory serves me right it's purpose it to indicate to firemen where the water supply is in the road so they can connect to it in an emergency. I just liked the colours and the sun light falling across it, the fact that it's a little rusty and battered helps as well.

...as summer approaches and thoughts turn to holidays check out my photography blog, Geoff Wilkinson Photography, to see the perils of putting your camera in a suitcase to go in the hold...

Sunday, 19 April 2015

ALL DRESSED UP..

I was traveling past Wanstead station yesterday in a car, passenger of course I hasten to add, when I spotted this Pearly Queen waiting to cross the road. It's only a quick shot I managed to grab, I wonder where she was off to? Doing excellent charitable works no doubt. I would love to do a proper picture of her, if anyone in Wanstead knows her please let me know..

Saturday, 18 April 2015

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...

While I was photographing the swans that I posted on yesterdays blog I noticed how lovely Jubilee Ponds was looking with the sun sparkling off the water. The first picture I took, see below, was alright but not really great, then I took a second with the water deliberately out of focus... I like it a lot better!

Friday, 17 April 2015

LOVE IS IN THE AIR..

All pictures World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

.....anyway I'm not a swan expert but I suspect that was what all the fuss was about. This pair of swans were all over Jubilee Pond sometimes chasing sometimes almost flying, they were so fast they seemed to blend into one. I expect as its spring, l'amour est dans l'air..

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

DOUBLE JOINTED...

I took this picture at Jubilee Pond during my recent Wanstead Flats visit. There was lots of activity going on, people were walking, jogging, picnicking on the bench, what really impressed me though was the collecting of litter organised by Lakehouse Lake Project. People giving up their Sunday morning for a good cause, more about them later in the week. The birds seemed quite lively as well, this goose must be double jointed to get it's neck into this S shape..

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

SPRING IN THEIR STEP..

....I took this picture last Sunday, as you can see it was another beautiful day. There were quite a few football teams playing on Wanstead Flats, lots of players rushing around in the sunshine. No leaves on the trees yet but plenty of buds..

...and if you are interested in photography please check out my photography blog with stories, tips and info by clicking here..

Monday, 13 April 2015

BLOSSOMING...

Another fabulous day in Wanstead yesterday and I'm told it is officially spring, so I thought I would make the most it and publish another blossom lined street. This is Woodlands Avenue on the Alderbrooks Estate, its a very nice road, why choose to publish this particular one? Well in one of the houses on the left hand side of the picture lived Mr Gardner my old geography teacher when I was at school, his inspiration was responsible for my life of travel, I thank him dearly..

...and if you are interested in photography please check out my photography blog with stories, tips and info by clicking here..

Sunday, 12 April 2015

SHINING BRIGHT..

Doesn't this tree look fabulous! I photographed it yesterday in Wellington Road, call me an old romantic but it just looked so gorgeous with the sun shining through the branches...

...and if you are interested in photography please check out my photography blog with stories, tips and info by clicking here..

Saturday, 11 April 2015

SPRING IS IN THE AIR..

Fabulous afternoon in Wanstead today, a real spring type day, I'm not sure if it is officially spring yet? Anyway there was blossom, sunshine and even a little warmth. Couldn't resist this shot as I passed the lower end of Cowley Road.

Friday, 10 April 2015

FADING BEAUTY..

At first glance this could be mistaken for the head of some prehistoric monster or space alien from a sci-fi film. It is in fact a fading Star Magnolia flower, you can see it here in all its glory in a previous post. It's a bit like beauty and the beast really, still they are both lovely and interesting in their own way.

Thursday, 9 April 2015

OLD LONDON..

I came across this tiny alleyway when I was in London checking for my next photo workshop, its called Cobbs Court. The wide angle lens I was using has exaggerated the actual width it really is small. I like the comparison between the very old building with its brickwork on the left and the more modern building at the end of the alley. I was lucky that there was a little rain which led to the reflection on the paving..

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

BEAR WITH ME...

Apologies for the headline but I just couldn't help myself. I spotted this fine fellow on my way to Canary Wharf, he was just standing by the side of the road. I am told that the gentleman who carves them uses a chainsaw, sounds painful, perhaps that's why he looks a little forlorn.

Tuesday, 7 April 2015

UP ON THE ROOF..

I was passing through St James Square in London the other day when I spotted these statues on a roof. There was no indication on the front of the building about who owned it or what they did but I assume it was something 'classic'. it certainly broke up the skyline...

Monday, 6 April 2015

TORN APART..

I came across this garage door on Overton Drive. The paint was peeling and someone had torn away the ivy that had been growing across it. I just really like the effect of the pieces of ivy that are left clinging to the peeling paint.

...and remember if you are interested in photography you can click on Geoff Wilkinson Photography and go to my photography website for tips, stories and information..

Sunday, 5 April 2015

EASTER SUNDAY..

For Easter Sunday I though I would post a picture of a church but I didn't want it to be to obvious. I took this picture in the churchyard of the wonderful St Mary the Virgin in Overton Drive, it is one of the most peaceful spots you can imagine, it really is special. I like the way these low hanging branches with their new shoots contrast with the background. Have a good Sunday....

Saturday, 4 April 2015

HAPPY EASTER..

This is not exactly a conventional display of Easter eggs but what a great idea. Hanging them on the tree outside means you can share with everyone, I doubt they are chocolate though.....big sigh...

Friday, 3 April 2015

EASTER..

Thursday, 2 April 2015

SQUARED AWAY..

I'm always drawn to right angles. Squares, oblongs, straight lines even vertical lines all are all ok, I am rarely attracted by circles, I guess we're all different. This is the side of a conservatory, I think it's Edwardian, near Christ Church, it's straight line heaven for me.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

MORE GUERRILLA PLANTING..

Our guerrilla gardener Marion Temple has been extremely busy of late, you may have seen the post a few days ago. I thought I would show you some more of her excellent work around Wanstead Station and the old horse trough opposite. Special thanks should go to Daisy the owner of Daisy, if that makes sense, the flower shop in the High Street for her generous donations of plants. Also you will notice there are now some very smart slate signs with Wanstead Community Garden written on, a nice finishing touch....