Theme is: A photo says a 1000 words
'Teddy bear' by Carol Andrews of Haywards Heath u3a
A much-travelled bear which I have owned since I was 2 or 3 years old. He came out to Africa (Northern Rhodesia/Zambia) with me when I was six and travelled back to the UK in 1965. Most other toys have long since been abandoned but this one is special.
'Steam train' by Janet Rutter of Devizes & District u3a
This is no ordinary train in the Bath landscape, this is the Belmond British Pullman Train. A luxury steam train operating from London Victoria. 1920s opulence, fully restored brown and cream livery carriages. Champagne reception onboarding followed by silver service 4-course dinner. You are transported back to the age of luxury steam travel for only those who could afford it! A dream to aspire to for the working man.
'Scrabble' by Rob Johnson of Warsash u3a
1000 words and a picture! Time to put the thinking cap on, oh! and the coffee. After a bit of thought, a kernel of an idea emerged. I never thought that combining scrabble with photography would work? An assortment of shots followed, Not happy with the results I decided to include the photographic technique of 'Depth of Field" to achieve 'Bokeh' this is quite evident with the top of the frame slowly going out of focus.
'Bellinter House' by Brian Moore of Belfast u3a
This is Bellinter House in Co. Meath which is one of the foremost wedding venues in Ireland. This picture means a lot to me and my family and the struggle taken during Covid to hold our daughter's wedding here. The wedding was scheduled to take place on 5th June 2020 but had to be postponed due to the regulations in force at the time. It was rescheduled then for the 8th October but over that period, the regulations kept changing in terms of numbers etc nearly on a weekly basis. At the start of October, the Irish Goverment published new regulations but we escaped them by one day. On the 10th October, the hotel had to close down due to the new laws. Our wedding was the last one to be held. We count ourselves as being very fortunate.
'Staying put' by Barbara Lansdell of Todmorden u3a
This horse usually comes charging down to the fence just in case you have any food. Even he wasn't going to venture out of his shelter in this freezing cold weather....
'Urban wetlands' by Martin Goldman of North London u3a
The urban wetlands at Woodberry Down in North London organised a photography exhibition and this was one of my entries. Taken in December, it conveys the feeling of an afternoon late in the year.
'If trees could talk' by Liz Whittaker of Caterham District u3a
I am fascinated by old trees. These are on an old path on the North Downs Way. I wonder what stories they could tell.
'Leeds United' by Ian Coldicott of Sutton Coldfield u3a
This shows a mural that appeared last November in The Calls, a street near the centre of Leeds. It is one of several artworks that appeared on buildings in Leeds in recognition of the promotion of Leeds United to the Premier League. It shows the city's pride in the club's achievement - a united Leeds(?) - it is appropriate to its inner-urban setting, and in my mind conveys much more than words - maybe even a thousand words......
'Little library' by Linda Morris of Morpeth & District u3a
A little library of books to share - take one, leave one. Spotted attached to a fence, on a walk near Embleton, Northumberland.
'The quay' by John Guiver of Blackwater Maldon u3a
Although there is no activity in this photo there is a lot to observe, building up a picture of a working quay and river.
'Gate post' by Shirley Jefferies of Mull & Iona u3a
I wonder where the other gate post went?
'Tangled up' by Helen Stiles of Eastbourne Central u3a
A washed-up fishing net on Pevensey Bay Beach with dogfish and sea bass tangled within it. This sad bundle of plastic and fish made me sad. It certainly spoke a 1000 words.
'Poppies' by Eric Meek of High Wycombe u3a
Because there was no Remembrance Parade this year, the ladies of the Marlow WI knitted individual poppies and fixed them to the boundaries of the All Saints Church.
'Real deal' by Sandra Linger of Bromley u3a
Why have a toy when I can have the real deal?
'On top of the world' by Bob Douglas of Edinburgh u3a
Gnomes skiing on top of the world. We might not get skiing in the next few months, but with the Pentland Hills on my doorstep, I thought these little chaps would appreciate an outing in this winter wonderland.