andytree101

Sandown Zoo

At the very end of Sandown (IOW) seafront stands what was once Sandown Fort, a Victorian fort built to protect the bay around 1864. It also served in WW2 notably holding pumps for Operation Pluto. The zoo was established here in the 1950’s, and taken over by Jack Corney in 1976. I Visited before, inContinue reading “Sandown Zoo”

Single Photo: Beach Huts

Along the quiet shore they stand,Paint peeling soft as drifting sand,In early spring’s uncertain light,Half-waking from the winter’s night. The sea still hums a distant tune,Beneath a pale, reluctant sun,And shutters closed like drowsy eyesHold echoes of last summer’s skies. No laughter spills across the tide,No footsteps trace the turning glide,Yet in the salt andContinue reading “Single Photo: Beach Huts”

Sandown

There is a certain feel to visiting a British seaside town out of season. The lack of people leaves a void that the structure can’t live without and therefore shuts down. It’s like autumn for trees. Everything is retracted, off, closed, empty, lifeless. …. but summer will return.

Shanklin to Sandown

I enjoy a walk along a prom! I imagine that I’d like a beach hut, although around these parts they are so stupidly priced I think a cruise would be a better idea. Could be used as a darkroom in the winter months I guess! Anyway, the walk from Shanklin to Sandown is a shortishContinue reading “Shanklin to Sandown”

IOW Train Ride

Having torn myself away from the hovercrafts, found my accommodation for the week, and dealt with the sightly wonky key safe, it was time for a glass of wine. Next morning I was back at the hovercrafts again, and couldn’t help myself watch one come in and one go out again! I include the photoContinue reading “IOW Train Ride”

Hovercraft in B/W

This post features Hovertravel 12000TD’s – built by Griffon Hoverwork Ltd (now Griffon Marine) just across the water in Southampton and Portsmouth. The ride between Southsea and Ryde is the worlds longest running passenger service, and as far as I know, the last one left in Britain. I’ve both photographed and filmed them before, thisContinue reading “Hovercraft in B/W”

Church of the Holy Spirit, Newtown.

You may remember from the last post that Newtown, whilst now a quiet backwater, literally, was, during the medieval period, a bustling busy town. The Church of the Holy Spirit was built later in 1835, but on the site of the Medieval chapel. It’s architect was Augustus Frederick Livesay, who lived just over on theContinue reading “Church of the Holy Spirit, Newtown.”

Newtown, an old place!

Newton on the Ilse of Wight possibly dates from 1001, when it may have been attacked by the Danes. Certainly it was known as Niwetune from 1189. In medieval times it was a thriving village. A busy port, said to be the safest on the island, oyster beds, saltworks, and at the start of theContinue reading “Newtown, an old place!”

Leaving Lymington

Lymington is a smallish town on the south-coast of the UK, about half way along, close to Southampton. It’s also one of the departure points for a car ferry to the Isle of Wight, and the closest to where I live. I’ve recently spent a week on the Island, so prepare for a series ofContinue reading “Leaving Lymington”

Single Photo: The Energy Tree

The Energy Tree stands in Bristol’s Millennium Square. It was designed by John Packer, and built with help from recovering addicts from the Bristol Drugs Project. It offers free phone charging and WiFi, to anyone sat close enough! I found it rather striking. I made this image on Ilford HP5, with my Canon EOS 30Continue reading “Single Photo: The Energy Tree”