JANUARY DAFF..

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

A couple of weeks ago I found a solitary rose to show you. This morning as I left home for the Gallery I found this daffodil in bloom in a front garden all alone. I don't have much knowledge of gardening but flowers blooming in January, can this be right ?

A SIMPLE ORCHID

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This orchid is in our gallery 'eightyfour' in Nightingale Lane, bought by our friends as a present. Through the rain, snow and cold it never fails to draw comments and brighten our day.

AMAZING CLOUDS

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Where do these cloud formations and colours come from ? I have seen several in the last fews months, they make amazing photographs and the colours of this one make it look like it's on fire inside. I wonder what it would look like from the aeroplane heading into it.

AMAZING SKY WITH NEON

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

I was near Hollow Pond, Whipps Cross Road when the setting sun briefly lit up the clouds overhead . The Log Cabin cafe was close by and I spotted that the neon sign on the cafe was roughly the same colour as the illuminated part of the clouds. This for me made the picture.

ONE LAST SNOW PICTURE..

                 World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Although the snow has gone I couldn't resist showing you this one of Wellington Road. I really like the warmth from the street lights showing up in the dusk with the snow. The steeple of Christ Church at the end of the road completes the picture for me.

ALMOST A FULL MOON

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Driving home tonight the moon looked full, although according to the internet full moon is tomorrow night. There were no clouds and it was very bright and I could not help but notice how the rooftops and aerials stood out.

SHARING THE WARMTH.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Saw all these seagulls cosying up together to keep warm on this streetlamp on the Aldersbrook. The amazing thing is, each time I drive past they are only on this one lamp. Shush don't tell the electricity company.

WINTER GARDEN

   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Snow capped trees and shrubs surrounding a garden shed

I think this picture depicts a truly picturesque winter garden. 

PAW PRINTS IN THE SNOW.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I saw these little paw prints in the snow and initially thought they were those of a cat.  However, turning round I spied the culprit, it was foxy. He/she seemed quite young and in good condition.  Unafraid, it looked at me, I took the shot and then it walked with me up the road for about 20 yards, crossed the road and then disappeared without a backward glance.

ARRIVING HOME...

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Thick snow, freezing cold, a long day but the light shining through the window and the open garden gate was a welcoming site.

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

                                                World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Whether you like it or not I think these two snow sculptures are really cute.  The snowman was photographed near the Aldersbrook Estate and I did it in close up because for some reason it reminded me of the cartoon character 'Popeye' The other one in Cambridge Road Wanstead is to me an alternative variation of an igloo. Well done whoever did them.

PICKING UP COLOURS

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved 

On my way to the Aldersbrook Estate to check out the snow situation, I saw this wonderful life size snowman by the side of the road and I just couldn't resist.  The snowman is lit by flash and the colours on the trees is reflected light off the street lamps.  

PANNING THROUGH THE SNOW

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This city car was making its way home last night through the snow along Wanstead Place. It was being driven really carefully but I like the impression of speed that I managed to convey by using a slow shutter speed.

SNOW HYPE

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

As seen from the Gallery overlooking Nightingale Green, very disappointing.  After all the hype of blizzards and inches of snow, this is what we got. A far cry from my Russian trips. Never mind still time for a proper downfall to make it truly pictorial.

TENNIS BY MOONLIGHT

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved  

Surprised to see these people on the tennis courts of Aldersbrook   Lawn Tennis Club on the Lake House Estate at this time of the year but I admire their enthusiasm. Power to them, its good to see.                                

REFLECTIONS

                             World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This highly polished bonnet on a car has picked up the reflections of nearby trees. This car must be the owner's pride and joy, he obviously spends a lot of time keeping it clean especially when the weather is constantly inclement.

POST TILES

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I found these tiled posts on the Edwardian Aldersbrook Estate.  It struck me how innovative someone had been in days gone by to add such an unusual feature, especially as they are only posts to a garden side entrance.

SNOW WHITE.

                   World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

The weatherman was right, opening the shutters this morning I saw that there had been a flurry of snow. This light dusting looked more like icing sugar so I just snapped it quickly before it disappeared.

LACING THE HYDRANGEA BUSH.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

This Hydrangea head after blooming in the Summer was taken in my own garden in Wanstead.  Although it has turned into this delicate lace affect I think it still has something beautiful about it.  

PEACE GARDEN

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Wandering around Snaresbrook pond I stumbled across this little gated peace garden.  The writing on the plaque says "In remembrance to the victims of war".  Unfortunately, the gate was locked but I thought what a wonderful place for people to sit and reflect.

CHURCH PATH

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Adjacent to Church School is this little path that links the Church to the High Street. It runs behind the War Memorial and has trees on either side. At dusk it makes an atmospheric photograph, and the figure in the distance bought to mind the generations of people who must have walked this route.

HISTORICAL INFO NEEDED

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

This building in Woodbine Close, which I have always admired is a children's nursery.  It was however, Wanstead Technical School opened by Essex County Council in 1912 and closed in 1930.  I haven't been able to discover anymore information on the net so if anybody has more historical knowledge about this building I would be interested to know. 

THE EAGLE PUB AT SNARESBROOK

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Across the road from the Crown Court is the Eagle Pub. This 18th Century building is reputed to have been a coaching inn  since the 17th Century. 

A MENACING SKY.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

While I was at the Nature Pond on Wanstead Flats the light changed quite dramatically and the sky was quickly filled with these menacing clouds.  I liked the way the sky seemed to stretch down to meet the water and reflect similar colour.

HERON IN FLIGHT.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

I was on Wanstead Flats by the nature pond when I saw this beautiful heron in flight. This used to be the old Victorian Model Boat Pond and was converted a few years ago to encourage wildlife. Be wary of your garden fish ponds, it has been my experience in the past to lose all my fish.

LONE ROSE.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

It's January, the first month of the year and for the passionate gardener, a question is asked -  is this the last rose of 2012 or the first of 2013?

OOPS .. MISSED ONE YESTERDAY.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

If you are a football fan you may understand why I missed posting yesterday's picture.  The excitement of a West Ham v Manchester United game caused me to forget (apologies).  However, I did take this picture on Wanstead flats yesterday  and it raised the question which goalpost should one aim for...

WANSTEAD PUMPING STATION.

     World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

This Thames Water Pumping Station next to the River Roding in Wanstead is to me a fine example of Victorian architecture.  This was the best time of the year to photograph the building as normally in the Summer leaves on the trees obscure the view.

WALKING TALL.

                  World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Spotted this footwear hanging from a tree on the edge of Brushwood. Don't know why they are there but they do make an interesting picture.  

CREEPING UP

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.


Walking past the River Roding, the muddy appearance of the water and the speed at which it was flowing gave me the impression that the river is still inching up. I wish I had shot some video to show how fast it was moving. Another time.

FLYING INTO 2013.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

I love seeing these jet contrails against a blue sky and I caught this one a few days ago flying over Wanstead. Much of my working life has been spent flying around the world on assignment and the thrill of travel still continues.

As we go into the New Year may I wish everyone a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2013.