126 Panorama Road

I have passed this wall numerous times over the years, but it's only recently that I noticed the sign at the entrance to the above address. Of course, the locals knew its significance at the time, as it was of the bungalow that John Lennon bought for his Aunt Mimi (Smith) in 1965.

After her death the house, then known as Harbour's Edge, was sold and later demolished in 1994 to make way for a new property on the site. It's nice to see the current owners are keeping the spirit alive.

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No relation

I hadn't planned to do a hill walk today (no, really), but it was the spontaneous boarding of a passing bus and the lure of an interesting sky that led me to the top of Ballard Down by early afternoon.

I had already made the decision to shoot in black and white before I arrived, choosing to photograph my subjects in their own right, rather than how they relate with their surroundings in the landscape. That way I could make the most of those skies.

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Hard to resist

No more climbing in the hills until autumn? Did I recently say that? Well, yes, I did, but when the skies are like this it would be churlish to ignore such activities.

Mid-day light at this time of year can be brutal - especially when it's clear - but the constantly moving clouds produce shadows that give shape to the landscape.

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Later that same day...

Not content with photographing the solstice dawn, I take a morning trip to the Purbeck hills, primarily because the sky looks so interesting and I might get something good.

This lone tree on Nine Barrow Down is echoed by the cloud formation above it. I use a polarising filter to increase the contrast, knowing full well I will convert the image to black and white when I get home.

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Solstice dawn: 4:46 a.m.

The alarm on my phone wakes me up at 3:30 a.m. and I'm up shortly afterwards, peering out of the window at the approaching dawn. Having made a swift appraisal of the weather conditions - there's some high-level cloud to the east, but otherwise clear - I grab my Lowepro and travel no further than my local park to photograph the solstice sunrise.

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White Cliffs Country

Looking west towards Port of Dover

South Foreland Lighthouse.

This morning should have featured a hot air balloon flight, but for the umpteenth time since the start of the Covid pandemic it has been cancelled; this time due to poor weather. 

Intent on not wasting what are still decent conditions, Nic and I visit the South Foreland Lighthouse - situated near St Margaret's Bay - and walk the cliff path to Fan Bay Deep Shelter.*

The route provides panoramic views of the English Channel - and on a clear day to France - as well as the famous White Cliffs.

*Tunnels constructed 23 metres below the chalk cliffs to provide shelter and accommodation for the artillery battery during World War II.

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