Contrasts

The working week which comes to an end today has been an incredibly busy passage of time, we have quite literally been run off our feet, each day extending long into the evening. Its been a week full of contrasts: differing outlooks and differing environments. We've seen much of the current "tech world" up close & personal working alongside folk who have written "code" & edited "artwork". We've engaged closely with the "Corporate World" where much thought and negotiation has resulted in a very positive development. There have been times spent dealing with the old & better times building the new. Amidst all this there have been opportunities to do what we feel called to & spend time with folk in the outdoors. Two visits to the North Pennines added to the theme of contrasts as the content of each was very different, however, its the sense of place rather than the nature of the activity which lies at the heart of this post.

There has been much "waxing lyrical" on these pages on the virtues of the whole North Pennines AONB: underground; on the water; on foot; high lonely places & big skies to name a few. However, this weeks encounters with the area were old & familiar: Bowlees, Low Force, High Force are areas first visited well over 20 years ago & on a glorious day did not disappoint. The contrasts were bright with white clouds; blue skies; peaty water forming white torrents as it tumbled over high rocky ledges.

The second visit - to Ash Ghyll Beck - was one of what must now be over fifty visits to this location. On this occasion it was a warm but windy summer's evening and the beck was at a low level. What a contrast to the scene earlier in the week. The gorge was leafy green & shady with the accompanying soundtrack one of a gently flowing Ash Ghyll.

This really is a special part of the world that words alone cannot describe. Hopefully the photographs below can help to tell the tale.


Low Force

Ash Ghyll Beck

To add to the theme of contrasts the photos, all Marion's on this occasion, were taken by two quite different means - Low Force was captured on a Sony Alpha a230 whilst Ash Ghyll is all from the mobile phone.

There are more photos on our Flickr site.