Geograph Britain and IrelandLatest Images by David Purchase
https://www.geograph.org.uk/
2024-03-28T10:30:28+00:00text/html2024-03-14T18:48:48+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw52.947820 -3.046360SJ2939 : Chirk Airstrip
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728404
This airstrip is situated in a 'corner' of the A5 where, at a roundabout, it changes from going north to going west (towards Llangollen and Holyhead).
If it is still in use, which seems unlikely, it feels the sort of place where the flier would have to 'buzz' the runway first to ensure that it was clear!text/html2024-03-14T16:49:25+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw52.212865 -3.671401SN8558 : Drygarn Fawr from Drum yr Eira
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728367
Drygarn Fawr is a 641m hill in mid-Wales, about 6km south of the Claerwen Reservoir. Its approach from any direction is across rough moorland like this: there are few tracks, and those are of poor quality.
Drum yr Eira is a very modest hill with a large, almost flat summit at 600m above sea level. The spot from which this photo was taken is deemed to be the highest point, but with this sort of rough terrain no-one can really be sure.text/html2024-03-14T16:36:14+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw52.067596 -3.706821SN8342 : The view from Sugar Loaf
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728356
Sugar Loaf is a conspicuous lump in the valley between Llanwrtyd Wells and Llandovery: here we are looking south-west towards the latter. The A483 connects these two towns and has to follow three sides of a rectangle to pass it: one of the sharp bends is well seen here. There is a car park here (and another behind the camera) and the 326m summit is a short climb of perhaps 60m or so. Well worth it, as the views are spectacular.text/html2024-03-14T16:12:09+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw56.034372 -3.136982NT2982 : The island of Inchkeith
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728340
Apart from the Isle of May, Inchkeith is the largest (about 1.1 km long) and most easterly of the islands in the Firth of Forth. And like most such islands, it played a significant role in the defence of the firth in both World Wars, evidence of which can be seen in this photo. It was taken from near the highest point on the island (occupied by a lighthouse), and is looking NNW towards the Fife coast. Burntisland and Kinghorn can be seen.text/html2024-03-14T12:42:32+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw56.010933 -3.273590NT2080 : Inchmickery, in the Firth of Forth
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728245
Inchmickery is a small (about 200 metres long) island about 2km NNE of Cramond Island. As with most islands in the Firth of Forth, it was heavily fortified in both World Wars, and the remains comprise most of what is seen here. We are looking towards Edinburgh, and the profile of the castle is visible just to the right of the concrete tower.text/html2024-03-14T12:11:01+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw56.214096 -4.265438NN5904 : Ben Ledi and Loch Lubnaig
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728235
Seen from near the summit of Ben Gullipen, 414m. In the foreground is the eastern end of the reservoir Loch Venachar, and Loch Lubnaig nestles between the more distant hills.
Ben Ledi, 879m, is a very popular climb from the east (right), the usual path coming up through the forest to gain the ridge ascending from Loch Venachar.text/html2024-03-14T11:50:36+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416?a=Michael+EarnshawMichael Earnshaw56.285544 -4.190493NN6412 : Gleann a' Chroin from Tom Dubh summit
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7728229
The Allt a' Chroin flows below the snow-covered hills towards the centre of the picture, and then turns south (passing Tom Dubh to the left on this photo) to form the Keltie Water. This joins the River Teith near Callander and then the River Forth near Stirling.
The hills are the "Loch Earn Munros", Stuc a' Chroin (left) and Ben Vorlich (centre).text/html2024-02-17T20:18:29+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase51.246715 -1.090042SU6350 : The M3 - as you've never seen it before! (3)
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710376
This footbridge under construction will connect Pensdell Farm to a small industrial estate at Viables. I imagine that the central span was lifted into position by crane.
It is interesting to note several pedestrians, including a dog-walker, crossing the carriageway. There was a well used Right of Way here, and with no obvious diversion the bridge was built. Later photos show a higher embankment on the right: I imagine this was raised deliberately to reduce noise pollution.
Work further away probably relates to the crossing of the A339 in [[SU6450]]. Junction 6 itself is in a dip and cannot be seen.
All this, I hasten to add, was perfectly legal and above board. As must be clear, this was taken about 7 months before the motorway was opened on 28 May 1971. I was being shown round by a good friend who was one of the engineers for the project. (He then went on to an excellent career working on the Hong Kong Mass Transit System and Lantau Airport.)
See also:
[[7710330]]
[[7710345]]text/html2024-02-17T19:52:49+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase51.242995 -1.097421SU6349 : The M3 - as you've never seen it before! (2)
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710345
Driving towards London on a stretch between Junction 7 and Junction 6, my aunt seems to be enjoying the lack of traffic. Actually, I am sure that she never, ever drove on an open motorway. To me, the photo just reflects the optimism of the era - small car, lots of room, what could go wrong when these roads covered the country? Of course, we know now!
All this, I hasten to add, was perfectly legal and above board. As must be clear, this was taken about 7 months before the motorway was opened on 28 May 1971. I was being shown round by a good friend who was one of the engineers for the project: he is sitting in the passenger seat. (He then went on to an excellent career working on the Hong Kong Mass Transit System and Lantau Airport.)
See also:
[[7710330]]
[[7710376]]text/html2024-02-17T19:31:23+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase51.237689 -1.108985SU6249 : The M3 - as you've never seen it before! (1)
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710330
This is the London-bound carriageway of the M3 between Junction 7 and Junction 6, and fairly close to the former Kempshott House (demolished in the 1960s).
Just right of centre is a curved cutting which contains a minor road. This is Cliddesden Hill, which connects the village of Cliddesden to Brighton Hill south-west of Basingstoke. The minor road passes under the motorway to a roundabout which is out of sight on the left.
All this, I hasten to add, was perfectly legal and above board. As must be clear, this was taken about 7 months before the motorway was opened on 28 May 1971. I was being shown round by a good friend who was one of the engineers for the project. (He then went on to an excellent career working on the Hong Kong Mass Transit System and Lantau Airport.)
See also:
[[7710345]]
[[7710376]]text/html2024-02-17T16:26:36+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase54.773066 -1.572490NZ2742 : Kingsgate Bridge, Durham
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710231
Kingsgate Bridge, a footbridge over the River Wear, was opened in 1963. It connects the old part of Durham (containing the Castle, Cathedral, and older parts of the university) with the south-east of the city. In particular it provides a link to Dunelm House, seen here, the Durham Students' Union (see also [[7710190]]).
Apparently the bridge was built in two sections parallel to the river banks, and then each was rotated by 90° to meet in the middle. The engineers must have prayed that they had measured the distance across the river correctly!text/html2024-02-17T15:53:31+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase54.773154 -1.572023NZ2742 : Dunelm House, University of Durham
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710190
Dunelm House opened in 1966 (the year before this photo was taken) and houses the Durham Students' Union. It must then have been one of the largest students' union buildings in the country. Opinions tended to be Marmite-like: you either loved it or hated it. (My own view, for what it is worth, is that it is hardly a thing of beauty, but as brutalist buildings go it is one of the best-designed and interesting of them.)
Access from the cathedral and older parts of the university is by the splendid Kingsgate footbridge, seen here high above the River Wear (see also [[7710231]]).
Fifty years later the University sought permission to demolish it, partly because it was too small(!). The debate rumbled on for five years, but in 2021 Dunelm House was listed Grade II and so saved.text/html2024-02-17T15:20:15+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase54.773883 -1.574813NZ2742 : North Bailey, Durham
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710149
Despite its width or lack of it, North Bailey (and its continuation behind the camera, South Bailey) is the main north / south thoroughfare on the central part of Durham containing the Castle and Cathedral. This is almost an island, and everything is quite compact. Here the photographer is standing just east of the cathedral, looking north. On the left is the even narrower Dun Cow Lane.text/html2024-02-17T14:43:42+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase54.774877 -1.576358NZ2742 : Durham Cathedral Close
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710119
The north side of the close.text/html2024-02-17T14:30:53+00:00https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43416David Purchase54.771373 -1.576550NZ2741 : South Bailey, Durham
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7710113
This very narrow street, in places little more than a track, leads from the Prebend's Bridge (footpath only) to Durham Cathedral.