152/365 Barn fire, Shottlegate

I photographed this huge plume of black smoke this morning from Mandy's garden. She, Rosie and I were having a meeting about handing over our committee roles in the not too distant future, when the smoke began drifting across the countryside, and after a while we heard sirens. Searching the Derby Evening Telegraph website this evening I found mention of the cause, a barn fire at Shottlegate - near my favourite pub, The Hanging Gate (116/365). Hope the pub's ok. :0}

116/365 The Hanging Gate

After a hard weekend's work in the garden, what better reward than a lovely meal at our favourite country pub? This is The Hanging Gate - they have a new sign since our last visit, its a hanging gate, perfect. Its at Shottlegate on the A517 Ashbourne to Belper Road (put Shottlegate, Derbyshire into Google Earth, its east of the crossroads) and we should go more often.

When we order we have a painted wooden spoon with a number on (47 this evening) and that's what the waitress looks for when she brings the food, you have to place it in the pewter tankard with the cutlery so she can see it easily. Oliver brought along a magazine to look at. Jodie brought some colouring to do. Dad brought his wallet. I brought my camera.

115/365 Near Vicarwood Farm 2

The fields are turning yellow again near where we live. Oliver and I took a walk this evening up that curving track again (60/365; 34/365) and I got a few good shots. I had been a bit torn really and I compromised - I wanted to get to this point but didn't really want to walk all the way there, so we parked at the start of the track. After a week where we walked 7 of the 10 school runs, I felt I'd walked far enough thank you!

Rapeseed (Brassica napus)

60/365 Near Vicarwood Farm

I did something rare today. I went for a long walk! (Long for me that is!) I had an unexpected window of opportunity in some glorious weather (apart from a chill wind) to walk over the hill featured in a previous blog photo, 34/365 Snow on the landscape. I walked along the curved track and beyond the trees listening to Beautiful South and then Elton John on my ipod and trying out my new filter holder, polariser and nd grad filter. Bliss, apart from that chill wind. (Did I just type 'bliss' in the same paragraph as 'long walk'?? Blimey... I'm in danger of getting fit 'ere!)

I encountered lots of dog walkers and a couple of students who were on bikes, one of whom is also a photographer. Maybe I'll go again another day, next year perhaps! ;0)