David G Johnson's photos

A bit of black and white treatment - of a side street while strolling around the most lovely old fishing village of 'Ferragudo'.... District of 'Portimao'... Hundreds of tourists were spoiling the shot... so I yelled... ''Free beer in the next street''.... and they all ran off.

'Queen square..' in the city of Leeds - UK.. a quiet corner close to the city centre and as yet consist of mainly undeveloped properties - although now mainly used as offices and University lettings. This square is one of the hidden treasures of Leeds surrounded by Georgian houses and a small central park.

Thomas Wentworth,.. 1st Earl of Strafford planted avenues of trees in great quantity around the park and the 'Sham castle folly' seen here was built from 1726 , it is said that after Wentworth had built this structure - it had no real purpose other than to simply impress his neighbours.

Wentworth castle - an extensive park and gardens - and open to visitors via the UK National trust network. Seen to the left is the 'South front' finished in 1764. The building is in use as a college at present date. Following renovations the gardens and parkland were reopened on Saturday 8th. June 2019 and is open year-round except for Christmas Day.

''The old Manse'' A Grade II Listed Building in Great Hucklow, Derbyshire steeped in history and no doubt has seen many changes over the years. Many disused mines are close by the village 'Old Grove Mine' to the north was worked for lead ore from the early 18th century. Records show that Silence Mine (and no one seems to know how it got its name) opened around 1714 and was worked to a depth of 526 feet (160m) to reach the limestone in which the precious 'Hucklow Edge' lead vein ran.

A scene of the sunken gardens - a small part of the most splendid walks around Brodsworth hall.. The last resident of the house [see pip.] was Sylvia Grant-Dalton (wife of Captain Grant-Dalton), who fought a losing battle for 57 years against leaking roofs on the mansion and land subsidence from nearby coal mining. After her death in 1988, It was decided to conserve the interiors "as found" rather than replacing or restoring them and one gets a 'lived in' feeling while looking around the house which is open to visitors as part of the 'English Heritage' network.

The gate - fence and pathway which runs 2 Km. to 'Higger Tor' seen on the horizon - a dominant landmark, in the north of the Peak District National Park. It is a 'Gritstone Tor' overlooking the Burbage Valley and the iron age hill fort of 'Carl Wark' to the southwest of Sheffield, and just within the city boundary.

No one could even make a guess as to how many persons and horse's over many years have crossed this old packhorse bridge straddling Burbage Brook near Hathersage. The path heads up between an old hill fort of 'Carl Wark' and the gritstone mound of 'Higger Tor'.

A well known feature 'rock' and locality known as 'Toads mouth' in the North Peak District - this area has hundreds of grindstones in all phases of completion. In the 17th to 19th centuries these stones would have been transported, by horse and cart, about 9 miles to Sheffield, some carried a further 15 miles to the inland port at Bawtry then shipped down the River Idle and then via a canal dug by the Romans to the River Trent for shipment to the rest of the country and even as far as the Netherlands. Many grindstones lay around on the ground - why so many were never finished is not known. Unseen in the photo is an 'eye' carved into the 'toads' face.. no one knows when - or who did the carving.

A scene in 'Ferragudo' Portugal... a most interesting Portuguese old fishing village but given over mainly to tourism with cafe's bars and quaint old streets with craft shops and well worth a visit to get away from the busier resorts. The town lies just across the 'Arade' river from its much larger neighbour - the city of Portimão;

Is it a lion ?... or could be a bear... but anyway - both species go ''Grrrrrr'' Only at certain times during the day - can this rocky feature be clearly picked out - obviously due to the position of the sun at the time of capture. With a crate of beer and a bottle of wine.. I waited 4 hours -. took the snap.. then fell into the sea.

Pictured from the stunning cliff top walks of 'Praia De Vale Centiances' .. here the "Pirate ship".. 'Santa Bernarda'.. out of 'Portimao' and full with sightseers.. makes its way along performing coast cruises and cave visits.

An inside shot..of the longest of 8 tunnels of the popular 'Monsal trail' along the 'Wye valley' - Derbyshire. During the days of regular use - twin rail tracks ran here and the shallow openings within each side - are refuges where any workers could take shelter from the rumbling fire breathing iron monsters as they hurtled along. A varied assortment of brickwork lines the tunnels and it is fascinating to think back to the times of the 1860s and the skills of the tunnellers when this rail line was constructed through this beautiful valley.

Here we are on the 'Monsal trail' popular with walkers - cyclists and once a rail route. / May 1863 saw the opening of a section of railway, eventually forming part of a main line between London and Manchester. It cut a route through the beautiful Wye Valley in Derbyshire and needing eight tunnels - two major viaducts and a number of smaller ones in the space of just 11 miles. All the tunnels are lit - and seen ahead here is the longest - Headstone - at 533 yards. This approach cutting has near-vertical sides and some outcrops have been supported with masonry or brick pillars.

Tree leaf cover now obscures most of Chesterfield Parish Church - here is a limited view of the famous 'crooked spire'. It is an Anglican church located in the town of Chesterfield - Derbyshire. Dating back to the 14th century, is widely known for its twisted and leaning spire, but hardly noticed by us locals. It is now believed that the twisting action was caused by the lead that covers the spire. The heat from the sun on the south side of the tower causes the lead there to expand at a greater rate than that of the north side of the tower, resulting in unequal expansion and contraction.

Another view of the famous crooked spire...St.Mary and all Saints Anglican church... Chesterfield Derbyshire - UK. It is an amazing fact that the spire is not fixed onto the stone square tower.. and remains standing purely by it's own weight.