Nordic Walk with Shepherds Walks

I was absolutely pleased as punch when Jon emailed me to ask if I could do some promotional photos for their Nordic Walking program. The day of the walk from Bolam Lake to Shaftoe Crags had arrived and so it was an early start to get Welly walked before going to the start point. Unfortunately I couldn't take him with me as I didn't want to be watching where he was whilst trying to take pictures.

It was a beautiful drive up to Bolam. Heavy frost on the trees and glorious blue skies had me very excited for some really great landscape shots. However on arriving in the car park it was just plain foggy and cold. Jane was already instructing some new walkers in how to get the most out of the Nordic technique and had them squashing imaginary lemons underfoot and striding around the parking area.

Once the rest of the group arrived there was a proper warm up and a reminder about how to use the Nordic poles to enhance posture and walking. There was various comments about who had the silliest hat too and despite the cold everyone was keen to get walking. 

 

There was a short walk through the woods before going out onto the road to make our way to the track that would take us up to Shaftoe Crags.

I had to do a lot of running to get in front of the walkers who were able to stride at quite a pace on the easy road surface. I used a 55-200 lens so I could photograph them at a distance; I did not want anyone to feel uncomfortable about me sticking a camera in front of them!

We quickly managed to get off the road and onto the public bridle path that would take us through some fields and onto the moors. Jane stopped the group just to chat about the route in a little more detail and help with any technique issues that she had spotted on the easy stretch of the road. It allowed anyone who was feeling at all uncomfortable to ask questions. A change of terrain also meant removing the paws from the poles. 

The fog really came down in the fields but I think it made for nice atmospheric shots of the walkers coming through the mist!

  I loved these massive trees. They must be hundreds of years old. 

                           

Jane is a very encouraging and enthusiastic about Nordic walking. This is perfect posture and technique below, leaning forward and driving the poles though with the shoulders to drive you forward. Its a great cross body work out so strengthens the core and back!

Across the field and then onto a track.

Then we came to a farmyard!

Once we were through the farmyard slurry (no pictures allowed as it would put you off) we stared to climb up onto Shaftoe Moor.

It was a very easy incline and again I did alot of uphill running to keep ahead for the pole users! They were quick. Jane suggested to everyone to lift their poles briefly the feel the difference in pace without the poles. Using them definitely helped with walking on an slope. 

The reason this location was picked for a walk is because it is like a big walk in a little walk. The terrain was easy but mixed and the view from the top of the crags helped all the walkers realise why walking is so valuable, not only just for health but also because it gives us greater access to the landscape that you would not capture from the road. 

Just as we climbed, the mist began to lift and we ermerged on the "summit" to this stunning view of Northumberland below!

There was still mist in the low ground ahead of use but we could see the wind turbines in the "wannies" rising out of the cloud.

Everyone on the walk was really impressed with the view and a long time was spent up there in the sunshine picking out what we could see. For some of the group this was their first every "summit" and they were suitably impressed. It was a remarkably easy walk for such a scene.

Unfortunately during a "reccy" of the walk earlier in the week Jane had found that the planned circular route back down the crags was inaccessible due to the bog like conditions, so we had to return the same way. However this time it was warm and sunny so the landscape felt new all the same.

What a difference 45minutes make, from going from fairly freezing temperatures to having to take a layer off! (Even removed my hat!)

On return to the starting point, Jane ensured that everyone stretched and cooled down properly to ensure that any muscular aches were eliminated! The group definitely felt as though they had a good work out and were all in high spirits!

The great thing about this Nordic Walking course is not just enthusing the participants to walk for health but definitely increased their desire to get out into Northumberland and walk more often, and in whatever weather conditions. 

(Nordic Walking courses and 5 mile walks can be booked with www.shepherdswalks.co.uk)

An Invitation Part 1 - The Reccy

It was some time ago that I meet Jon and Jane Monks of Shepherds Walks. I knew about their walking holiday venture before I even knew I would be living in Northumberland, through research for diversifying what I could offer alongside my French accommodation. I have been lucky to get to know them since moving here as a "consumer" of their walks and their lovely Capricorn Socks!

I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to take some photographs for them to help with the promotion of the initially the challenge walks and then the Nordic Walking Courses that Jane runs. Being a keen Nordic Walker myself I thought this was a great opportunity to be outside and learn some new routes used by Shepherds Walks for their walks and courses.

The first shoot was to start at Bolam Lake near Belsay. So I thought I head up there and go for a pootle with Welly and work out some good points for making pictures. Jane rang while I was at Bolam and let me know the exact route which was out of the country park and up a bridle way to Shaftoe Crags. I made a mental note of the route, but decided a walk with the dog around the lake first in case I needed to put him on a lead up to the Crags (thinking there might be livestock up there).

I got a bit distracted from the walk by the lake wildlife! 

I did not know there were so many swans at Bolam Country Park! I took the chance while I was by myself to take a few pictures of them. My favourite ones were when the swans were against the dark backdrop of vegetation. The swans were very obliging in the most but the opportunity didn't last long at this spot as they were agitated by Welly barking at them. To him swans are very, very scary. 

It was also minus temperatures and lying on my belly taking pictures of these majestic birds was getting nippy. So Welly and I made our way on the two mile walk up to Shaftoe Crags.

The first part of the trail was easy enough. The farmyard was a disgusting mess of slurry. But the onward walk gently uphill rewarded Welly and I with a marvellous Northumbrian View (despite the fog) for very little effort.

The highest point was marked by the triangulation marker, but the interest was really the sandstone rock formations that created this relatively small hill.

I am sure the pathway must be an ancient track; there are lots of rock shelters here and I understand archeological digs have found bronze age flint weapon heads, from when hunter gatherers moved through the area.

I was on the look out for interesting curves in the path or places which would make my pictures for the Nordic walk the following day have a little bit of flare. I hoped to capture the walkers in the landscape, not just the walkers.

We headed back down the hill, through the slurry, and back to the car. The forecast for the walk day was to be sunnier than this day so I hoped for some good images!

Of course isn't possible to go home easily when the blasted dog refuses to get in the car. He had thoroughly enjoyed scrambling over the rocks and the open space of the moors, which were surprisingly sheep free

A classic Welly refusal to admit the care is the next move.

Part 2 - The Nordic Walk to Shaftoe Crags Next.

Some days are good.Some days aren't so good.

Blyth a blowin'

I booked a photography course sometime ago in my optimism that I was working and could afford such treats. I love trying to improve my photography techniques and the coast is wonderful up here in Northumberland so what could be better: A crisp clear February day on the beach with my Canon and a tutor who comes with a bag of filter accessories and long exposure expertise! I have always wanted to capture a milky sea against St Mary's Lighthouse!

I didn't know then the situation I would be in now. Unemployed and a bit a sea. Emotionally adrift and mentally exhausted.

As the day approached I got more and more anxious about it. The weather has been bitter and just miserable. The forecast was for more snow and freezing winds. I tweeted my fears and wondered whether the course would go ahead in a blizzard. 

Then I started thinking of excuses not to go: I'll cry if someone is nice to me. My camera battery isn't holding its charge. My head isn't holding information. Can I drive that far and maintain my concentration? The children need to do their homework. What if it snows... will I be sleeping in the car? And who am I kidding, I am hopeless at taking pictures. 

Anyhow the day came there was no snow in Hexham. A tweet came in that the extreme weather would hold off until 3pm on the coast. So I made my way downstairs, made a flask up, buttered some cheese scones and packed the car up with spare clothes, camera gear and a sleeping bag. Surely the weather would be OK.

Oh my god. I had never experienced anything as cold as that North East Wind and a wild sea. 

There were four of us booked on a course. A young chappie from toon and a lovely couple who had driven all the way up from Reading the night before who had not anticipated just how far away Northumberland was. They were from South Africa too... I think they found it all a bit bleak!

After a bit of a prep talk from Jason, our tutor, about filters and f-stops and what bit of kit we all had we headed to some groynes that would provide the anchor for our milky seas!

I quickly found the spot I wanted to shoot from... but had to step back quickly as the spray and tide were heading inwards!

This was my basic composition... but without slowing the speed down too much. Conditions at this point were probably the best in the day (10.30am) although it was bitterly cold.

Had to step back quickly as the tide was rushing in, but beginning to experiment with slowing the shutter speed down (0.8sec) having a ND0.6stop filter. (ISO100). I can assure you the sea was not flat!

The wind and spray was beginning to get out of hand, and my hands were beginning to have that out of body experience where actually you'd rather not have hands because they hurt so much.

Decreasing the speed a little more. Its clear to see that the wind was beginning to hamper the clarity over a long exposure (now 3.2 sec exposure compensation+1). The white patches on the wooden posts show what level the sea was crashing through at.

That image became this converting to BW and adding a post production polarizing filter. I am happy with the composition but cursing the wind and my flimsy tripod.

I wanted to time the exposure right to get the waves retreating to catch the reflection in the wet sand of the groynes. Cross that I  cropped the full reflection of the post. I can only blame it on haste caused by the extreme cold!

Battling the wind.

We moved down the beach a bit and Jason started  getting his Canon MkII ready for us to try with the 10stop filter. Unfortunately he dropped the filter in the water so drying time was needed. The wind however was increasing and we, I think were all suffering from exposure on the beach.   

We beat a hasty retreat to the beach hut and fish and chips to warm us up. Using the 10stop would have to wait until after the the sleet storm had passed.

After a feeble attempt at eating a massive box of fish'n'chips (enough for 3), we headed back into the wind to use Jason's Canon MkII with the 10stop filter. I haded straight for the jetty but wanted to bring more to the concrete that jutted into the sea.

I grabbed a few large pebbles from the beach and placed them in the middle of the jetty. I like the way it is possible to change the landscape with just a tweek of creativity. 

And that is the shot I wanted to learn to take. 150sec ND10stop. The sea is lying to our eyes as it was wild, but I love this milky smooth effect!

The final shot of the day. I wanted a do another shot of the jetty but with a visual full stop at the end of it. I tried in vain to heave some old lobster pots out of the sand, the weren't budging. So I though a deckchair would add a point of interest and a contrasting delicacy to the quite strong lines of the concrete jetty and the horizon. I suggested it but thought it impossible in the wind.... unless it was anchored with a person. Unsurprisingly no-one was prepared to sit in a deckchair at the end of the jetty with the waves now crashing over it. If I wanted this image, I was going to have to get very wet. Just trying to erect the deckchair in the wind was a challenge but I got there eventually and sat slightly anxiously as the waves washed around my feet. Jason the tutor set up the camera and started the exposure.It was a very long 90 secs, with the waves actually breeching my knees. I tried so hard to keep still but the shock of the cold north sea going through my clothes and down my shoes made me flinch. I wondered whether the exposure finished, but Jason signalled that there was still 30 seconds to go!

So there you are. Poots loves to be by the seaside, even in wind chill factor baltic. 

We all returned to the beach hut to defrost again and look at using lightroom for adjusting out images (much easier than photoshop!) Everyone had created an image that they were really happy with and certainly would be proud to print and frame.

Jason Friend is running more tutorials, I'd like to do some more, but will have to see what happens work wise. He has a lovely manner in the way he guides us and we all learnt so much not just about long exposures, but about our cameras too.

Gathering up my stuff and wet shoes I left in a much more positive frame of mind than I had started my day. But crikey I don't think I have ever been as cold.

When I look at Jason's picture above it make me smile about just how amazingly metaphorical it represents my life at the moment. Everything is crashing around me, wild and uncontrollable. But no-one but me can see it or feel it. All I want is some calm, and I'll stick my neck out for it. I will probably get criticised, or hospitalised, or classed a manic or something. 

The Art of Zen - I seek a balance, calmness in calamity. I can't control the sea, but I must get control of my mind.



(Long exposure workshops can be booked with www.jasonfriend.co.uk)

A Walk with Welly, 7th February

I was determined to make carrot cake today. Thinking it would do me good to try a something new I went online to find a recipe, hopefully with ingredients that I would already have in. Walnuts, carrots, cream cheese, self raising flour are all in my cupboard just waiting to be in a carrot cake. I found a recipe and I had the ingredients... but the measures were in cups (for goodness sake USA the rest of us went imperial donkeys ago). Well thinking how silly, cup measures are for women's under- garments (and forever perplexing for me). That was it, I suddenly panicked that I would have to think about converting the measures. So the carrot cake project for today was shelved for a day when my head wants to think. 

So I diverted to my needed, "I don't need to think about this" routine, (ideal when ones head is in crisis) and decided to get Welly up and out for our normal walk in the woods by the river. He'd had his breakfast, so surely would be raring to go.

On the contrary, he had other ideas for his morning.....

refusing to believe its actually morning... a classic Welly pose.

 Still in denial

Anyway I managed to persuade him that good things lay in store in the woods. He wasn't impressed by this young field spaniel.... a newbie on the block and with a weapon. So frightening, his heckles went up! And then he ran away.

Unusually he got his feet wet. He isn't one for puddles, or rivers or the sea!

This is his look when he wants a biscuit out of my pocket at the halfway mark. Sit dead in front of me and doesn't budge until post snack time. He is very predictable.

And this is the look when the biscuit is on top of the camera.

I usually find it very hard to photograph Wellington as he is always ahead of me. I normally only see his little bum on a walk!

 Welly with something disgusting. Probably a rabbit skin. "Don't even try and take it off me.... you'll have to catch me first"

"And when I do this puppy look you really don't mind if I eat it"

Now this was most unusual. A trick. Standing still on a mossy tree trunk. The problem was capturing the moment. Every time I stood back to snap him he jumped off. Even more bizarrely he was happy to keep getting back on.  Eventually he got the hang of staying still (biscuit on top of camera again)

Dog ahead alert... on my path! Another newbie (she was a lovely old girl)

And then she wandered off. 

Getting the hang of posing for the camera.

This is what you want in a dog... perfect poise

(Now he is just showing off his standing still skills learnt today)

Tired now, but on the home straight.

One last picture, again an unusual thing for him to do!

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