I’ve been following — and promoting — Ben’s walk through Spain this summer. Ben has given up work to concentrate on becoming a professional photographer. On his website now are a selection of photographs and the beginnings of a photo essay on the trip.

Well worth looking at these. I’m sure you’ll agree that Ben’s doing OK at matching up to his ambitions!

Ben Collins — Spain Adventures 2010

Wolverhampton today.

The old and the new

Discarded but still here.

Water, reeds and waste.

Wulfrun Coal Yard

Natural reclamation

Cygnets

“What are you catching?”

“Not a lot!”

In the heart of the Black Country.

 

Coseley Tunnel

Bridge cottages

Coseley ‘Oses’

Watery ramble.

Remnants of a great past.

Rural Tipton

To Stourbridge

Ducklings

Modes of travel.

I love the odd connections that you experience with the internet. I received an email from Marco this morning. The two young men in this photograph (taken at the St Charter Festival a month ago) are his sons Eneas and Roberto. Could I send him the photo? Of course. A pleasure.

Just mussing on how often black and white is better …

 

Thanks for all the kind emails about these photos — I thought them a bit boring! Anyhow, for all of you ‘down the smoke’ here are some more!

Strand on the Green House

Gustav Holtz Woz Here

Barnes Cow — on Balcony!

Barnes Spaceman — on Balcony (it must be all of those music industry people …)

Country Path?

Towards Hammersmith

Hammersmith on the river

Hammersmith Bridge: I love a bit of industrial design

Mark Hughes’ new Gaff!

Reading by the river

Putney creek

Putney Geese

Putney: perfect lunch

Hidden City Spaces

Arty hole in the wall …

Backside of Powerstation

Fine old pumping station

Unwanted architectural gem

 

 

As I always say

 

Bring back memories Phil?

 

It does take a long time to write trail journals and to process photographs. Be patient, the Journal is on the way. Meanwhile, here are some photos that got away.

 

I didn’t see many sunsets on this year’s walk. I suspect when there were sunsets I had campsites with bloody big mountains in the way. Anyhow, this was taken at the camping field in Tarfside as the moon rose above us.

 

Here we see Phil Turner liberating Glen Mazaran Lodge. The full story will be told in the journal!

 

The snow melts in the Cairngorms this year were very dramatic. I could have sat and photographed these all day.

 

This year I walked into Tarfside via. Mount Keen for the first time. this was very much of an unexpected bonus day. As ever, viewing this glen from up high — well I just wanted to go and explore!

 

Just another shot of a wonderful area.

 

It can be flat in the Monadliath, high but flat!

 

There were some fascinating patterns in the hills as I began to stroll down Glen Mazaran.

 

It is always a weird feeling walking to the coast with the drama of the mountains and your memories behind you. But there’s still a lot to look at. I’m beginning to think the local tourist board is encouraging farmers to become more artistic in their planning.

Funny how these things happen. Ted and Jen Spiller live just around the corner from me. There are not that many Birmingham based people who regularly walk the Challenge. Ted and Jen do not walk the event every year but I did notice they were on the list this year. I kept my out for them but missed them. I thought maybe they had finished on the Friday, but they were at the same meal as me in Montrose. Must clean my specs some time!

Anyhow, I always like Ted’s photos and this year’s TGO shots can be seen on Flickr. Look around and you’ll see lots of other good stuff here as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedandjen/sets/72157624244748358/

I don’t know why I’ve missed Alastair’s site before but ti really is well worth looking at. I’m particularly fond of the winter walk across Scotland with a packraft!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alastairhumphreys/

Alastair also has some great video on Vimeo:

http://vimeo.com/alhumphreys