A beautiful start to 2026 with clear, crisp days but a slightly cloudy night on the 4th, so no pics of a full moon.
No tripod with me either for the night shots. So plain hand held i-phone and cold fingers.
Over the field 2 – stars
Misty morning – had to stop off to go take in the view
Special star guest Madame Fi Fi La Fou-Fou.
The village were out in force tonight to enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate with Baileys. What a treat.
Perfect weather, cold with clear skies, so wrapped up warm and cosy.
A few words by Handa Bray and a countdown with Madame Fi Fi La Fou Fou accompanied by a loud and joyous crowd.
Shops open late, and with 2 pubs on the doorstep what’s not to like.
Delicious mince pie – thank you Christine Gorsuch of Crumbs. Pastry was amazing.
Second year great tits have nested in the chimney pot planter
Clocks went back this morning and instead of lying in, I got up and out for a trail run around Shere, Surrey, by about 7:15am.
I am so glad I did, as I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and low lying mists, clearing to a sunny day.
The tracks, woodland and views across the Surrey Hills National Landscape full of colour, making it difficult not to stop frequently for another photograph.
Few words on this post, just photographs.
From Shere to the outskirts of Farley Green and back.
I love taking photographs of fire. No two pictures will ever be the same as the flames rise and fall; you also get so many contrasts with embers that glow a magical red or the firewood and dead branches providing a stark contrast to the bright orange flames around them.
Anyone visiting the beer festival at the Surrey Oaks pub in Newdigate last weekend enjoyed more than just a great selection of beers, ciders and live music.
As the sun went down, the heat was turned up and those attending were transfixed by The Tikis’ Torches – a talented trio of fire spinners.
In an age where technology plays such a big part in ou
r past times, it was a refreshing change to see some pure entertainment that entranced, excited and engaged an audience of all ages.
The photographs cannot do justice to seeing them live but give you a taste of this mesmerising fire spinning display.
To find out more about The Tikis’ Torches, take a look at their Facebook page.
Mist and Fog descends as we all prepare for Christmas
Fog and mist has disended on the surrounding hills through November and December, giving spectacular landscapes from Newlands Corner, whilst prompting us all to use fog lights for safer driving.
As Christmas lights and decorations go up, the village looks so welcoming, with the annual get together as the villages of Peaslake, Chilworth and Gomshall join Shere for Carols in the Square on Christmas Eve.
Hopefully the following pictures capture the festive season in this lovely part of the country.
Late autumn colours of November followed by bonfire night celebrations and the art of writing your name in reverse, to capture on camera set on long exposure.
The winter mists descend on Newlands Corner.
Christmas festivities begin with Carols in the Square
Creating a festive mood at home
So what has summer 2016 been like in Shere?
12 June 2016: Shere Street Party
The whole community came together to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. The rain in the morning did not deter villagers from setting up their tables and, by the afternoon, it brightened up for all to enjoy.
Bunting draped from the eaves; tables (and many villagers) adorned with Unian Jacks and anything else red, white and blue.
Whatever your tipple, it could be found, from a cooling Pimms or Champagne, to a locally brewed ale from Tillingbourne Brewery or local organic wine from Albury Vineyard.
Familiar events during the day included morris dancing, a duck race, bbq, tug of war and, of course, the tombola. Someone who did particularly well in the tombola was Maureen Brown, of Church Hill, no wonder she has a smile on her face with that haul!
It was an opportunity for many different generations to get together to eat, drink and be merry.
Shere Village Swimming Pool open for the season
If you are lucky enough to be a member, you would have been enjoying the village swimming pool and, if you’re even luckier, and awake early enough, you can sometimes enjoy having the pool to yourself.
A real asset to the village, the pool caters for all ages and helps keep many of us fitter and healthier than we might otherwise be. Even the local ducks make use of it.
It will certainly be missed when it closes at the end of the season.
Gomshall station is getting a bridge
The local train station at Gomshall has had ongoing work to install a bridge across the track. The steps and ramps will take the place of the existing swing gates where you just walk across the track, completely changing the look and feel of the station but making it safer for all of us.
Make sure you allow extra time if you need to cross the bridge to catch your train!
Spring brings with it signs of new life, whether in the fields, woodland or gardens. From the sight of lambs that never fails to bring a warm smile to the vibrant colours of bluebells and the bowing heads of elegant snow drops.
On the weather front, this year, spring has served a delicious mix of four seasons in one, with rain, sunshine, frost and even a few flakes of snow in April. This is the joy of being in England, you never really know what you are going to wake up to.
A walk in the rain (or not)
One of my goals this year was to go for a walk in the rain. As I was enjoying a break from work in April, this seemed the best opportunity to try and achieve this simple goal. It proved more difficult than expected due to the ever changing weather. A short shower did not count and there were plenty of those.
One attempt (9 April) the rain was pouring when I Left the house and within five minutes had stopped, i decided to enjoy the walk anyway and try and capture the effects of the earlier rain.
At last some rain…..
I finally got the chance to don my wellies on 15 April and out I trod with my camera.
Eight miles
On 12 April I set off with a map, rucksack with water, light snacks, camera and mono pod (admittedly used more to aid walking through uneven tourrain than for photography) for an eight mile walk.
I headed towards the village stream and followed it until the last ford and turned left, eventually finding my way out towards Albury Heath, Shophouse Lane in Farley Green and and back. It was a challenge to just walk straight past the William IV on the way back.
It was so nice to get out and about, this was the longest walk I had completed four a couple of years since having long thoracic nerve problems impacting my shoulder and suffering labrynthitis last year.
I just love the fluffy clouds
Spring 2016 has been a real joy.
In and Around Shere 