Herb Riddle's photos

A different world for us here with this very American fire department vehicle. As in many of their cities, the fire department caters for medical emergencies too. Just count the number of lights on the back and sides here. Taken in the city of Portland Maine, which has quite a different feel to our European cities. Enjoy full screen.

After spending time in both Lynmouth and its upper Valley of the Rocks we head back to the village of Porlock over its famous hill. As we do, we take time on our way up to take a walk around here. As can be seen, a splendid place to rest a while too. In the distance we see Lynmouth at the water’s edge with its sister village of Lynton above and the Valley of The Rocks hidden behind the wooded bowl-shaped hill Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.

We are here at the West Somerset Railway station at Minehead looking at the GWR-inspired Mogul No 9351 which part of the WSR stock of locomotives. A 2-6-0 tender engine built in 1934. Its real colour is green but the wheels and front smokebox are black with a red front nameplate. Enjoy full screen.

As our ship glides out to sea from Portland Maine we pass this impressive lighthouse accompanied by this fine evening sun and cloudscape. PiP Enjoy full size.

Described as “A breathtaking walk, first through inspiring scenery from high above the coast, then dropping to a romantic ramble through picturesque Lorna Doone country to the church used in the filming of her eventful wedding day.” See PiP (last photo) Enjoy full screen and the weekend.

The medieval church of St Mary stands in a lovely rural setting in the Exmoor hamlet of Oare, Somerset , in the heart of what is now known as the Doone Valley, east of Lynton, Devon Oare Church draws visitors from across the world, drawn by its links to the popular 19th-century novel Lorna Doone, by RD Blackmore. It was here that the novel's heroine, the eponymous Lorna, was shot at the altar during her wedding to the novel's hero, John Ridd.

Very near the Portland Head Lighthouse (pip) in Portland, Maine, these two locals take a rest whilst the weather is mild and golden. Enjoy full screen

A walk on the beach at Minehead, especially with a child or dog must always be a pleasant experience. Today the walkers have a special treat with this lovely rainbow. Photographed from the top edge of the promenade wall and path. Enjoy full size.

A walk up the hills behind Tywyn to the Bearded Lake (Liyn Barfo) gives us this magnificent view. See PiP for alternative view.

A quick weekend in the Cumbrian town of Kendal gives us a surprise winter downfall of snow. This is one side of the hill up to Kendal Castle but the children have only one thing on their minds. The pip shows the same scene on the next day after more snow. Note my real HBM shot from almost the same place is on the adjacent page here. Enjoy the week.

A walk up to Kendal castle is always good but in this unexpected new snow its even better. See next photo for a view from the top.

We are in the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset. Famed for a few things including the holiday resort of Butlins and the West Somerset Railway but few people in our country would know it is the start point for one of our longest and most attractive long-distance footpaths. I have walked on quite a few stretches of that path during my life but never imagined to stand at this point. A fitting tribute here with this sculpture showing an open map of the route. The South West Coast Path is England's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. It stretches for 630 miles, running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. The PiP shows an example of the path route.

The second time I have put this overflow into our HFF group. The last time was in December four years ago. It is actually the overflow from the Yeoman Hey reservoir into Dovestones reservoir here in my local vicinity. See PiP. I have to admit though that I much prefer this later view with this magic lighting. I hope you do too. Enjoy the weekend.

Looking north across the Bristol Channel towards South Wales from Porlock, Somerset. We are looking towards Ursa Major just above the lit tree with Ursa Minor a little higher, the Milky Way is just about viewable from the bottom right towards the top. A 11mm, 15 sec exposure at F3.5, 1600 ISO. (The 11mm on my Nikon DX crop sensor delivers a Field of view 90°x70°) The PiP gives a better idea of what we are looking at, showing the constellations at the exact same coodinates, date and time. Thanks to stellarium.org Deserves full screen

Portland Head Light. A classic chocolate-box lighthouse capture here. Our third lighthouse on this tour only a mile or so from our ship docked in Portland harbour. A very popular tourist spot and it was nice to see blue skies and sun. In the distance we see ‘Ram Island Ledge Light Station too. Portland Head Light is a historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth. The light station sits on a headland at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into the Port of Portland. Completed in 1791, it is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The light station is automated, and the tower, beacon and foghorn are maintained by the US Coast Guard. The big house here is the former lighthouse keeper’s home and now a museum. Enjoy full screen

A favourite roost for these gulls here at my local park. There are still signs of autumnal trees but that is nearly behind us now. However it is still nice to catch the light as we see here on this wall. I am always amazed that there should be seagulls here as we are at least 47 miles from our nearest shoreline. HWW, have a great day.

The valley of the rocks near Lynton can keep a budding photographer busy for weeks. As I stand, the wind buffets me but this central tree stands proud. Enjoy full screen

A small picnic site that is very popular in good weather here on the edge of Dovestones reservoir in Saddleworth. This area was in fact the site of the old ‘Ashway Gap House’ known as the castle, built around 1850 and demolished circa 1980. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day. Ps more info on Ashway Gap House: www.doveheritage.com/ashway-gap-house (including one of my old photos.)