A Weekend to Recharge
Sometimes a trip isn't about coming home with hundreds of photographs. Sometimes it's about slowing down, taking a breath, and simply enjoying being outdoors.
Our first stop was Stockton, and the weather couldn't have been much better. It was incredibly warm, which, as any wildlife photographer will tell you, isn't always ideal! The wildlife was sensibly keeping well out of the sunshine, so photography opportunities were a little limited. 😂
That didn't matter though. I spent most of my time sitting beside the lake on the nature reserve, watching the world go by. To be honest, it was exactly what I needed.
One of the highlights was watching a heron. They're fascinating birds, and seeing how patient and intelligent they are was a real eye-opener. There were dragonflies everywhere, and it was lovely to see so many of the water birds with their young.
The reserve also has a barn owl nest box, although I've never been lucky enough to see the owl myself. Local people have told me the box is occupied, which is fantastic news. It's mounted high on a factory wall backing onto the reserve, making it a safe and well-protected place to raise a family.
The reed beds are enormous too. You could quite easily get lost wandering through them in search of birds! Apparently there are otters on the reserve as well, although I've yet to see one. I did hear the unmistakable "pip" call of a kingfisher, but, true to form, it stayed well hidden. They're such clever little birds and masters at keeping out of sight.
The last time I visited Stockton I met another photographer who has since become a good friend. Alex, as he's known, managed to photograph the otters along the river—something I'm still hoping to do one day.
The funny thing is, Alex serves in the Royal Navy but grew up in Heckmondwike as a child, while I grew up just a couple of miles away in Batley. To make the world seem even smaller, one of his friends went to university with my nephew Lewis. It's amazing how often life throws up little connections like that. 🌍
From Stockton, my wife and I travelled north to Hawick in the Scottish Borders before heading on to Jedburgh. This part of the trip wasn't really about photography. We simply took our time, enjoyed a peaceful walk through the woods, and relaxed.
I didn't take a single photograph in either place.
Instead, I sat for nearly two hours overlooking Jedburgh Castle, taking in the surroundings and appreciating the moment. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is exactly what you need.
Next stop was Kendal. The drive there was beautiful, helped by the glorious weather.
As always, we stayed at a Premier Inn because they're usually reliable and you know exactly what you're getting. Unfortunately, this one was being refurbished, so the car park was closed, meaning we had to park elsewhere and carry all our bags. To make matters worse, the bar was also closed. After travelling in that heat, we could definitely have enjoyed a cold beer! 😂
Despite that, it was still a pleasant stay.
Before heading home we visited Lake Windermere. Strangely enough, I don't remember ever visiting before, so it was lovely to finally experience it for myself.
It wasn't quite what I expected—although I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting! It reminded me of somewhere else I'd visited years ago, but I just couldn't work out where.
True to form, I found a quiet spot by the lake and sat there for almost two hours. Thinking about it, sitting for a couple of hours before moving on seems to have become my thing. I love taking my time, soaking in the scenery, and simply being present.
It was wonderfully peaceful until the crowds began arriving.
Busy places have never really been for me. I much prefer those quiet corners where it's just me, nature, and the sounds of wildlife. That's where I feel most at home.
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend and exactly the recharge I needed.
Since getting home, life has been anything but quiet. The second batch of greeting cards arrived, and I've been busy adding them to the website. At the time of writing, I only have a handful left to upload before the full collection is available.
While I was doing that, I also gave the website a bit of a refresh. It's always evolving because there's always something that can be improved.
I'm also pleased to say that the Wish Upon a Jar collaboration is now live on the website. I'm sure there will be the odd tweak here and there, but it's exciting to finally have everything available.
Another milestone is the 2027 calendar. I've finally finished the new template, and now I just need to make the final decision on which photographs to include before opening pre-orders. This year's version has been upgraded too, with all the UK bank holidays included, making it even more practical.
So, I think that's everything for now. You're officially all caught up!
Thank you, as always, for taking a few minutes out of your day to read my blog. Your support genuinely means a great deal to me.
If you'd like to follow my photography journey, my wildlife adventures, and see what I'm working on next, you can find me across the usual social media platforms at @picturethisprint.
Until next time,
Bob