WANSTEAD DAILY PHOTO

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

SPIKEY..

You probably know that the old hospital building on Herman Hill has for some time been really smart apartments. In a previous life it was built to house the orphan children of merchant seaman, The Merchant Seamans Orphan Asylum. I'm just not sure why they needed these spikes on the wall ?

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

UNSETTLING...

As you can see these trees in Nelson Road have had a bit of a 'haircut'. Although it give's a different view of The Clock Tower in the old hospital building the scene unsettled me a little. It was early evening, raining and the street was deserted when I took this picture. The solitary remaining branch reaching out into the overcast sky reminded me of an illustration in very scary childrens book. I can't remember which one, it was a very long time ago, but it definitely looks like an old witches claw..... note to self 'stay out of empty streets at night'...

Monday, 17 November 2014

JUST BECAUSE..

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was locking up at the Gallery the other evening when I came across this scene. Nothing remarkable, but I do really like the way the warm light spilling through the window meets the cold colour outside.

Sunday, 16 November 2014

HURRYING...

As I mentioned the other day I really don't mind taking pictures when it's raining. Combine that with evening light and you quite often have a recipe for success. So when it rained yesterday I grabbed my camera and shot out of the Gallery. I didn't have to go very far, coming along Nightingale Lane was this mother pushing her baby in a buggy, I thought it made a lovely rainy night picture.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

LIGHTS IN THE SKY...

Mysterious lights in the night sky... not really. It's just the lights on the wall around the garden of The Duke pub in Nightingale Lane. They do look very attractive at night, a nice touch as part of the refurbishment.

Friday, 14 November 2014

IT'S BEGINNING TO....

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

......look a lot like Christmas, as they say in the 1951 song written by Meredith Wilson. I spotted this glorious window as I passed through Wellesley Road the other night. The first Christmas lights I have seen this year. Our lovely daughter reminded me last weekend that it's only another six Saturdays and a few days away, a hint perhaps?

Thursday, 13 November 2014

SATURDAY MORNING..

I took this picture back in October as I was walking across Christchurch Green. It was a Saturday morning and the scene just appealed to me. The fallen leaves, the avenue of trees, a child on a tricycle and her mum carrying the shopping home. A very Wanstead scene I thought...

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

NICE SET OF WHEELS...

Anyone remember the television series 'The Prisoner' ? It started in 1967 and ran for two years I think, the star was actor Patrick McGoohan who played a former secret agent exiled to a strange coastal village. I was a big fan and eagerly awaited each weekly episode. Anyway the opening scene of each episode was Patrick driving a Lotus 7 sports car, when I saw this car parked near our gallery I was taken aback. It turned out it's not actually a Lotus but a kit car, who cares it stirred memories and I would love to have taken it for a spin...

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

SMOKE SIGNALS..

You probably know by now that I like to look up at the sky. I like to think of it as serious contemplation of world events on a higher level, that's all rubbish of course, really I'm just daydreaming. Anyway when I saw these dark clouds the other day against the rest of the sky I thought at first it was smoke from a fire. Remember those old black and white cowboy films where the Indians sent smoke signals well that what I was reminded of. Now back to world events....

Monday, 10 November 2014

RAINY NIGHTS....

What happened on Saturday evening, where did all that rain suddenly come from! It started just as I was leaving the gallery and by the time I got to the car it was torrential, very much like a tropical rain storm. Thankfully it didn't last too long. Not that I'm complaining it did make this interesting photograph that I took through the car windscreen.

Sunday, 9 November 2014

ARMISTICE DAY...

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

11th hour, 11th day, 11th month, nothing more to say really...

I know it's a little early but in view of all services being held today it seemed fitting, please read the story of the picture at the bottom of the page.

I took these photographs of the sandbag wall which rests in the front garden of Mike Edwards and Kathy Taylors house in Redbridge Lane West. The OTT installation was originally built as part of the Wanstead Art Trail where it was a great hit. Both Mike and Kathy's granddads served in the First World War and so they decided it would remain until armistice day, Wanstead folk are welcome to leave a poppy in this WW1 installation.

Saturday, 8 November 2014

BY THE LIGHT...

Fabulous moon the other evening as I came out of the Gallery. It was bonfire night, November 5th, and the moon had just risen and was hovering over the houses in Grosvenor Road, not often it looks that perfect. I just couldn't make up my mind which picture to show you so here are all three, you can choose which one you like.

Friday, 7 November 2014

FORK HANDLES...

One of the things I like about Marion Temple's approach to gardening is the way in which everyday objects appear in her landscapes. Marion,as you may know is Wanstead's guerrilla gardner. She is the lady who, with some help from Wanstead's other residents, takes care of all those odd spots of earth that would otherwise remain unloved. Remember the chair or the lavatory cistern in the Corner House garden? Well now it's the handles of old garden spades and forks supporting plants in a bed in the High Street. Brilliant..

I was going to use the Ronnie Barker/Ronnie Corbett joke about four candles, anyone remember that ?

Thursday, 6 November 2014

SAD...

Discarded... I found this carved pumpkin on a street bin the other day. I'm sure it did sterling work on the night of Halloween and the days leading up to it, I just thought it looked very sad when I came across it.

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

JUST A REMINDER...

Wanstead artist Wendy D' Souza Daniels ran a very successful drawing workshop during the The Wanstead Fringe at our gallery. As they say in show business 'back by popular demand' Wendy is running another on Sunday November 9th 12 till 2.30pm. It doesn't matter whether you are just starting out or you are more advanced come along for two and a half hours of stimulating and interesting tuition. Pencils, paper, tea and cake will be provided so please ring the gallery on 0208 530 1244 to book your place, it's just £15 per person and places are limited.

IS THERE...

....anyone out there ? Have you ever sat quietly at night, perhaps in your garden or while on holiday and just stared at the night sky? If so do you ever wonder if there is anyone out there looking at us? Who knows. Anyway I really like the way the moon lines up with this collection of aerials and satellite dishes just off Nightingale Lane. Is Wanstead being observed......

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

ANOTHER SUCCESS

I can't quite remember who came up with the idea of planting at the base of trees in Wanstead. I think it started last year, as you go around its easy to see what a success it has been. Sometimes it's flowering plants, sometimes its a little more unusual like these grasses in Grove Park. It's another little thing that makes Wanstead so great.

Monday, 3 November 2014

EARLY FIREWORKS..

Great display of fireworks by Eaton Manor Rugby Club last night. A little early for November the 5th but well worth seeing. It was a mild evening so I ventured to one of my favourite spots, the footbridge over the A12 where I took this picture.

Saturday, 1 November 2014

WATER FEATURE...

I know that I have published pictures of leaves with dew on before but I couldn't walk past this one. I spotted it yesterday morning as I was leaving home and just couldn't resist it, enjoy the weekend.

Newsflash - Mrs W has just pointed out that this leaf bears uncanny resemblance to a swimming fish! See the 'eye' about a third of the way along the leaf..

Friday, 31 October 2014

SHATTERED...

.... and I'm not saying that just because I have started going to the gym! My friend Marion Temple, Wansteads guerrilla gardner, tipped me off about this shattered car wing mirror lying in Grove Park. Just my sort of subject really, I just love the reflection of the sky in the pieces.

Thursday, 30 October 2014

DRAWN IN..

I can't claim any talent when it comes to drawing. However I do know someone who can and as you can see from the artwork above she is very good. Wanstead artist Wendy D' Souza Daniels ran a very successful drawing workshop during the The Wanstead Fringe at our gallery. As they say in show business 'back by popular demand' Wendy is running another on Sunday November 9th 12 till 2.30pm. It doesn't matter whether you are just starting out or you are more advanced come along for two and a half hours of stimulating and interesting tuition. Pencils, paper, tea and cake will be provided so please ring the gallery on 0208 530 1244 to book your place, it's just £15 per person and places are limited.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

FRAMED..

There is so much building work going on in Wanstead at the moment, on a short walk the other day I passed at least ten projects underway. Not that I'm complaining there are some really smart looking houses on the streets now. The house in the picture is covered in scaffolding but I really like this view looking over the garden gate, the ivy makes a great frame for the front door.

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

VIN, CHATEAU WANSTEAD..

I'm always surprised what I find on my wanderings around Wanstead. These grapes for instance, I discovered them in Stanstead Road growing on a vine threading it's way through the garden fence. Sadly not enough for the owners of the house to start bottling there own wine but a nice little discovery for me.

Monday, 27 October 2014

A WHITER SHADE OF PALE..

I pass this garden shed on Eastway on the way to the Gallery quite often. I'm not quite sure what appeals to me about it, I thinks it's the peeling paint and 'vintage' look. It always makes me think of seaside beach huts, one of my favourite things.

Sunday, 26 October 2014

EVENING TIME..

Sorry Wanstead Daily Photo has been a little hit and miss this week, its been very busy. A big photoshoot on location and several in the gallery, so apologies, anyway I'm back on track now. I saw this a fabulous sky as I left the Gallery in Nightingale Lane on Saturday night, I love the dark cloud cutting the sky in half.

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

ANOTHER LONELY LEAF...

I seem to be finding a lot of these lonely leaves lately. You might have seen the one I discover on a car bonnet the other day. This one appeared on my door mat, I rather like the way it seems have have landed in the oblong, which is part of the mat's design. Very artistic...

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

THE SKY AT NIGHT...

Great sky on Saturday evening. The broken clouds were moving slowly when I spotted the lights on in the front room of this Wanstead house. For some reason the dark sky with house lights shining out made me think of the film 'Psycho'. You remember the house on the hill with the dark sky behind..... be careful in the shower....

Monday, 20 October 2014

AMAZING DOUBLE RAINBOW..

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Fantastic double rainbow over Wanstead this afternoon, truly amazing. I've never seen this before, I wasn't in the best position to capture it but I thought this was pretty impressive.

Friday, 17 October 2014

STUMPED!

Stumped.... but nothing to do with cricket. I found this tree stump on a Christ Church Green walk, I though it looked very sad. Judging by the decay that appears to be on the exposed interior I assume it was very poorly tree. Hopefully another has been planted to replace it.

You can also see in the background of the picture the children's playground on Christ Church Green. The good people of Wanstead having raised money for the Christmas tree on George Green may now have to raise more money for the repair of the playground. Check out Wansteadium for more information on this project.

Thursday, 16 October 2014

A SELFIE...

As I was locking up at the Gallery this evening I came across these leaves that had landed on a car bonnet. I thought it would make an interesting picture with the sky behind and the buildings around it. I hadn't planned on being in the picture myself but hey that's just the way it worked out using my iPhones camera.

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

ANTICIPATION...

Next to our gallery, 'eightyfour' in Nightigale Lane there is a newsagents, Annes News. Of course it doesn't just sell newspapers it's more of a convenience store with groceries, sweets etc. Anyway drivers pull up outside and pop in for whatever they need, quite often there seems to be a dog in the car or van. The thing that really amuses me is that the dogs must be able to smell or sense the 'goodies' in shop, so they are always peering out for the owners return, hopefully with a treat I assume.

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

REAR WINDOW...

World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Yes I know it's the title of a famous film by former, almost, local boy Alfred Hitchcock. It just sprang into mind yesterday as I stared out of the kitchen widow at the garden watching the rain run down the glass. Well I expect I shouldn't be surprised as it's Autumn, I did however cook a really nice 'Sunday' lunch even though it was Monday which made up for the weather.

Monday, 13 October 2014

WALL FLOWER...

I think I have probably mention this before, how does a plant manage to grow in what to me seems such an inhospitable place? I have no idea but I think they add a lot to a road or street or in this case Nightingale Lane.

Sunday, 12 October 2014

CHEQUERS..

...no not the Prime Ministers country home. I came across this rather smart car at the top of Nightingale Lane yesterday. It was parked opposite the United Reformed Church, as you can see it had this two toned chequered roof, very sporty.

Saturday, 11 October 2014

SIDEWAYS..

I seem to have baffled everyone with my post last month about the location of Grove Mansions. Well it's is at the top of Grosvenor Road immediately behind Barclays Bank . As I passed there the other day I spotted this door on the pavement outside, building work in progress no doubt.

Friday, 10 October 2014

ON DISPLAY..

The Wanstead Art Trail is long over, this piece of work however is still on display on the fence of Wanstead Church School on the High Street. It was done by pupils attending the after school Art-works class, do look out for it as you pass by.

Thursday, 9 October 2014

FUNGUS...

At first when I spotted this colourful lump attached to the tree I assumed it was a plastic bag carried there by the wind. On closer inspection however it turned out to be a type of fungus. It struck me as unusual because I am accustomed to seeing fungus growing on fallen trees in Wanstead Park, this tree is growing in Redbridge Lane. Having just watched the television news reporting how even more British trees are now under threat from disease I hope this is not an omen for this one.

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

FRONT GARDEN..

I always enjoy peeking into front gardens as I wander around Wanstead. I discovered this garden in Wellesley Rd, I really like the combination of the stones and the mosaic tiled path which I think must be original. Simple to keep tidy as well I suspect.

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

THE EARLY BIRD...

What a rubbish day yesterday, weatherwise that is. Rain, then more rain, overcast and to my mind a little chilly, it really did feel as if winter was on the way. However, first thing in the morning at sunrise there were these fantastic colours in the sky. I took these two pictures at 7.06am, I'm certainly glad I caught the light before the weather changed.

Monday, 6 October 2014

AUTUMN..

Ah well here we are in Autumn. It seemed only right to walk across Christchurch Green to look at fallen leaves. The colours are of course great and at the moment I am loving these pictures taken from ground level across the carpets of leaves.

Saturday, 4 October 2014

EARLY LIGHT..

We are lucky enough to get really interesting early morning light in our garden. As the sun comes up it throws a shaft of light between our shed and the house next door. It's quite a narrow beam, maybe just a couple of foot wide. This morning, in it's path, it caught this dandelion bowed over by the weight of the early morning dew, it's amazing what you see from the kitchen window as you make tea.

Don't forget we have in stock at the Gallery the 2015 Wanstead Society Calendar, it's full of my Wanstead Daily Photo pictures. At only £6 it's a great buy either for yourself or as a Christmas gift, it never too early!

Friday, 3 October 2014

SAME OLD QUANDRY..

I know I have mentioned this before, it comes up every year. Conkers, horse chestnuts I just never know the difference but I know there is someone out there who will explain. Looking at this picture it reminded me of a rolled up hedgehog or porcupine. Not of course that there are any porcupines in Wanstead but there is the occasional hedgehog.

A ROSE..

I seem to be coming across flowers that look past their best at the moment, it's that time if the year I expect. I posted a picture of one the other day that I found by the river Roding. I took this picture of a rose in my garden, I walk past every day and admire it, it doesn't seem to have any sense of the time of year. There always seems to be a bloom on it whatever the season or weather. When I saw it against this dramatic sky the other evening I thought it was definitely worth a picture.

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

COMING TO THE END..

I can't quite remember where I found this flower, I have a feeling that it was on the banks if the river Roding during a walk. I know its past its best but I think that's what appealed to me, the way parts of the petals are slightly off colour.

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