This year the autumn weekend away was held between 2nd - 4th October in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Overall the weekend was "huge success" even if the weather wasn't at its best. But the only time that was rained off was Saturday afternoon. The only one thing to do...find a pub (for a hot drink of course).
Although the weekend was scheduled to start on the Friday the intrepid amongst the group made their way to Surprise View, above Hathersage on Thursday - obviously to catch a lead on the rest! Bolehill Quarry was explored - with birch trees, mill stones and fungi kept everyone quiet for hours.
"Time flies by so fast when you are totally absorbed in photography. Eating is often forgotten until the stomach grumbles. Experience has taught me to be well stocked in sandwiches, fruit and of course cake! No trip is without a few boxes of easy to eat cakes. I took sticky ginger cake (note for next time, not that easy to stay clean so take wipes!) and apricot and orange slices. Beryl provided carrot cake muffins. Recipes are usually swopped at no charge. Whilst we had trusty thermos flasks of hot water, Jezz, of course, has a new gadget that boiled water in a couple of minutes. It was impressive" as Helen puts it.
A promising sunset looked likely in the evening but it helps to get to your intended location with your gear set up BEFORE the sun goes down ... ! Isn't that what every eminent landscape photographer tells us? "Waiting for the Light" is one expression that springs to mind. Oh well there's always Friday night!
It was planned to be out to catch the sunrise on Friday morning but thick clouds had descended and only Jezz made it out the door - does he ever sleep? The rest just pulled their blankets over themselves and thought of warmer times!
Wyming Brook beckoned after breakfast to capture waterfalls and some experimentation with long exposure shots. Coffee and cake followed (a bit of a theme is developing here !). A Highland cattle hunt ensued for some strange reason but non were found but some views of Baslow Edge and Curbar Edge were captured even if it was a bit grey. With this weather not looking at all promising for any sunset shots it was time for some warmth and an evening meal.
No sunrise again on Saturday but wispy windswept birch trees in the early morning mist were on offer. Monks Dale and Deep Dale were explored but as the weather was deteriorating the afternoon shoot was called off in favour of a drier and warmer location.
Another early start on Sunday took in the ever present birch trees and also a revisit to Curbar Edge - well, the sky was showing signs of colour so why not! After breakfast (??) it was time to head off to Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs where we could choose between the aqueduct in one direction and the dam and towers in the other. "Let's do both ..." The final 'official' destination was Cutthroat Bridge, a rather macabre title that links back to a grim day in 1635 when a traveller was found with his throat slashed from ear to ear. Hopefully history was not about repeat itself here but "... where we were treated to gorgeous light and a rainbow".
From here it was off home but one or two had not quite had enough and a stop was made at Owler Tor - you just can't have too much of a good time. Perhaps other locations were visited but we will have to see what turns in our forthcoming competition rounds!
"Such an enjoyable weekend with wonderful company. Jezz, Beryl, Heather and myself were there the whole time. Helen joined us for a couple of days then Trish and Graham joined us after she had left so we were never more than 6. Most of us have done many of these “weekenders” so it was good to have Heather along as a first-timer. Photography felt like an ideal safe hobby with everyone out in the fresh air and well spaced out. So good to get the tripod out, take time and experiment. The hotel was an ideal base with all safety measures in place and plenty to do within easy reach. The home made cake and biscuits, which were up to usual standards, sustained us throughout. And fingers crossed we may even have some half decent shots!" as Chris reflects.
My thanks to Helen and Chris for providing some words and images for this post
10 October 2020
Stopping for a break
Spotlight on the Gate
"Can we have some straws please?"
Was it really flowing that fast?