tarboat's photos

Awaiting demolition are the remains of the Gerard's Soap Works in Nottingham. Whilst operated by Cussons this factory produced Imperial Leather soap but production was transferred to other sites and countries (including Thailand) in 2005.

Coal stocks in front of the generating hall on a murky June day.

It may have been pouring with rain but the departure of Churnet Valley Railway USA No.5197 from Froghall was still fairly spectacular.

Derelict copper foundry

Out in the hills above Macclesfield Forest. Dusty heads for home.

Making for the summit of Shutlingsloe on the flagged path from Macclesfield Forest. Dusty is a Whippet/Manchester Terrier Cross (we believe).

Chartley Moss National Nature Reserve is one of those magic places which are as near to wild and natural as you can still find in Britain. It is the largest example of a floating bog or "Schwingmoor" to be found in Britain. The site is a delicate habitat and also extremely dangerous due to the great depth of water just under the surface and access is strictly controlled.

Male White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) at Chartley Moss.

Teneral female White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) at Chartley Moss.

It proved extremely difficult to get a photograph of the quarry processing plant at Crich. In trhe end I had to resort to shooting over the fencing near the Sherwood Foresters monument. The passing tram is on the line operated by the National Tramways Museum.

The Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) is Britain's largest dragonfly and you might expect it to be conspicuous at all times. This view of a young female demonstrates the wonderful camouflage that they have to enable them to become almost invisible when they land. I was only able to take this photograph because I observed the insect feeding and was able to watch as it flew down into the grass.

Locomotive working the furnace line at the works of Fushun Special Steel in Liaoning Province, North-East China.

The electric coal railway at Fushun uses a fascinating array of locomotives. This is a Japanese (Mitsubishi) built example dating from 1937.

Electric locomotive brings a coal train into the mine complex at Fuli on the Hegang mining railway. The coal is probably heading for the China National Railways exchange sidings several miles further on. These interesting electric locomotives can be seen at a number of mining systems in China. Many are Chinese built although examples from Eastern Europe are still to be seen and at Fushun there are even a few surviving Japanese locomotives from the time of the occupation of Manchuria in the 1930s and 40s.

On a cold and dull late November afternoon the light is already fading as SY 1498 arrives at Fuli Mine with the local passenger train to Hegang.

A view of the Harrington Arms when it was still in 'grumpy' mode before the present tenants arrived and tidied the place up. As a lover of Robbies' Mild I am in heaven whilst sitting at the Friday night traditional music session.

Male Downy Emerald dragonfly showing the brilliant green eyes that are diagnostic of this mature adults of this species.

Near Talke, Staffordshire.