A GLIMPSE INSIDE...

             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I have photographed Wanstead United Reformed Church which is at the top of Nightingale Lane several times, you can see a picture of it bathed in late afternoon sunlight here. A few days ago I had the opportunity to have a look around inside, I have to say it is beautiful. When you enter most churches they appear oblong (apologies I don't know the  architectural term) this is more of a square and appears very homely. It is very light and airy inside like another of my favourites, St Mary the Virgin in Overton Drive. 

The United Reformed Church has had an interesting past .It was transported brick by brick by horse and cart from it's original location in St Pancras to Wanstead in 1865. In September 1940 it was hit by three bombs during an air raid and the crypt was used as an air raid shelter. 

If you are passing and the doors are open do pop in and have a look around,  like all of Wanstead's churches it is wonderful.

  World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

BLACK N' BLUE..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was just finishing locking up at the Gallery yesterday afternoon when I spotted this sky. The picture was taken from Nightingale Lane looking along Stanstead Road, I don't know exactly which part of London was under the darkest clouds but i'll bet it was wet. Rather than spots I seem to have dramatic skies appearing before my eyes lately...

A BABBLING BROOK..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Not quite the same as the song title above but I discovered a small weir on the river Roding while I was on my walk. I really like the way the water looks like foam as it bubbles over. I enlarged quite a small section of the original picture which is below, I just like the bubbles..

   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Sometimes for absolutely no reason something catches my eye. That was the case with this picture, there's no obvious reason for taking it, it's just a section of old wall with stains, peeling paint and ivy growing over it . It just appealed to me visually, can't really explain it..

WAITING FOR LUNCH..

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I came across this heron the other day as was walking by the river Roding. It was quite extraordinary how motionless it managed to stay as it waited for a fish.  I was hoping to witness the catch but I ran out of time before it's lunch came along. Never mind I'm sure our paths will cross again and in the meantime the fish got home safely...

RETURN TO SENDER...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I had a walk across Christchurch Green at the weekend, just a short  break from the computer screen. There were quite a lot of people around enjoying the weekend but I have to say this little guy was my favourite. He was rushing around returning sticks thrown by his owner. I'll bet he didn't have any trouble sleeping that night he must have been exhausted... 

...dont forget if you are interested in photography I am now posting regularly at Geoff Wilkinson Photography, when you have a moment click on the link and have a look...

BATTERED BUT STILL ATTRACTIVE...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

All of the dandelion seed heads that I have seen lately have been past their best, perhaps it's that time of year, I don't know. It doesn't really matter they still make for a good picture. I popped my camera on the ground to shoot this one, I like the effect of photographing through the grass. This particular plant is located next to quite a busy road but looking at the picture it could be in the middle of the country....

A WIDER VIEW..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Someone mentioned to me yesterday that they would like to see another picture of the Irises. So here you are, it's a wider shot so you can see more blooms. Personally I am a big fan of picket fences, there's just something about them that I can't quite put into words, anyway as you can see mine is in the background of the picture. Have a lovely Sunday everyone...

BLOOMING LOVELY...

                   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Sorry  for the lack of posts this week, it's just been one of those weeks, not in a bad way however. As I got home last night the sun was low and shining on these Irises in the front garden, they looked just lovely. It's one of the plants that I look forward to blooming every year...

WANSTEAD DRAMA...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Funny weather today, I was in Hackney this morning and got absolutely soaked and the weatherman on television is talking about storm clouds. As I write this its not a bad evening and I can see a little sunshine on the houses along the road. I took this picture this afternoon in Nightingale Lane as I dropped some pictures off at the Gallery, I really like the way the clock tower of the old hospital on Hermon Hill stands out against the clouds. I don't know what this type of cloud is called but it looks pretty dramatic to me...

SOLITARY...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

You may have seen the post I did the other day about all that rain that fell on Thursday. Well just before it started there was a sign, this solitary raindrop appeared on the gallery window. As I'm always saying the picture may not be to everyones taste but I like it...

RAIN, RAIN AND THEN...

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

...it rained. That just about describes Wanstead yesterday, I think it may have beeen my fault because I keep mentioning the summer. Anyway the forecast for today is better, let's keep our fingers crossed. As you may well know I don't let rain stop me clicking away taking pictures and I quite like this one I took yesterday evening...

ANOTHER PUZZLE..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Absolutely no idea regarding the name of this flower. Mrs W spotted it as we were driving, it was in a road just off Charnwood Drive. It looked spectacular in the late afternoon light, I just had to turn the car around and stop for a picture. Any clue anyone ?.. 

BLUE AND WHITE..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I have not had a chance to visit Wanstead Park this year to see the 'bluebell wood' . However I found this wonderful clump in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin on Overton Drive. I was surprised to see a small group of white blooms amongst the blue, any thoughts?

ART....

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Nice to see an art show in the High Street yesterday. A lovely and sunny day the Ilford Art Society put on a splendid display...

GREEN BELT...

     World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I though I would have a change today, instead of a photograph from London here's one of Wanstead. I was just passing through Hermon Hill to Chigwell Road when I spotted this wooden fence with these lovely flowers and greenery growing through it. Quite a change of pace from the buildings of old London town...

ANOTHER BIT OF OLD LONDON..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I took this photograph last Sunday on my photo walk. I'm a big fan of cobbles especially in photographs, these are in Gough Square just off Fleet Street and are perfect. The house at the far end in the centre of the picture was the home of the famous writer Dr Samuel Johnson in the 18th century, it was here that he wrote his great Dictionary of the English Language.

This is just one of the quite squares and alleyways that we discovered in the heart of London, as Dr Johnson said 'if a man is tired of London, he is tired of life'..

JUST LOVELY...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I just couldn't but help slipping this picture in, it's such a lovely positive image to me, hopefully it's a sign of the summer that is to come. I took it in the churchyard of St Brides Church, Fleet Street as I was leaving after visiting while on my photo walk. Just love sunlight coming through leaves, you can't beat it...

AN OLD LONDON STROLL...

  World © Geoff Wilkinson - All right reserved
Had a lovely walk around a very old part of London on Sunday during the photowalk workshop. The day started gloomy and overcast, exactly what we need for the first part of the walk in alleyways and courtyards, then summer sunshine in the afternoon.

I took today's photograph in St Brides Church, Fleet Street, its the spiritual home of the media, hence my love for it. It's a fabulous building and it always reminds me of our own St Mary the Virgin in Overton Drive, Wanstead. St Brides was designed by  Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 although much of the original was gutted by fire during the blitz in 1940. If you are in the Fleet Street area do try to pop in you won't be disappointed. 

I can't wait for next week's walk...

For technically minded photographers I used the HDR method to take this photograph. If you would like to know more about that you will be able to see an article on my photography blog at Geoff Wilkinson Photography shortly.

BANK HOLIDAY...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Bank holiday weekend, a smashing Sunday on George Green..

A WELCOME VISITOR...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

A few days ago I posted a picture of my lawn covered in dandelions, I was debating whether to mow it or not. The view of most people was 'don't cut it, leave it' so I did. Anyway this afternoon I found this fellow chomping away at the the flowers that had turned to seed heads, taking them away to line a nest perhaps , I don't know..

I am no ornithologist so if anyone knows what  variety it is please let me know...