Photo Challenge – Page 178

Abandoned Architecture

Dawn of “The Day After” runs a monthly architecture challenge as well as her windows, I haven’t joined in for a while, but thought it would be a good opportunity to share some photos of Tintern Abbey. Long since abandoned.

the Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, lord of Chepstow.

In the 1500s monastic life in England and Wales was brought to an abrupt end by the political actions of King Henry VIII. The Dissolution of the Monasteries was part of the king’s policy to establish total control over the church in his realm.

Tintern Abbey was surrendered to the king’s visitors on 3 September 1536. With the roofs gone and windows smashed it was destined to fall into decay, but was rediscovered in the late 18th century and became a fashionable place to visit by many people wanting to discover a wild and romantic place including the artist JMW Turner and the poet William Wordsworth.

north transept

monk’s refectory windows

ornate windows – sexfoil tracery

Since the early twentieth century the abandoned ruin has been cared for and restored so that it will remain the perfect ruined abbey for many years to come. If you would like to read more about the abbey then please visit Castle Wales.

Travel Theme: Environment

nature 2 - wind farm wales — A wind farm in Wales

Compared to the environmental impact of traditional energy sources, the environmental impact of wind power is relatively minor. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources. The energy consumed to manufacture and transport the materials used to build a wind power plant is equal to the new energy produced by the plant within a few months. While a wind farm may cover a large area of land, many land uses such as agriculture are compatible, with only small areas of turbine foundations and infrastructure made unavailable for use. Wikipedia

What are your thoughts about wind turbines? Do you think they spoil the environment?

Bench series #9

For the month of March I’m looking for Wooden benches

If you would like to join in with the Bench photo challenge then please take a look at my Bench Series page. No complicated rules, just a bench and a camera required 🙂

Create your own post and title it Bench Series: March
Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
Add the tag ‘bench series’ so everyone can find the benches easily in the WP Reader
Get your post in by the end of the month, as the new bench theme comes out on the first Sunday in April

My Picks of the Week:

Cathy has a selection in Victoria, I quite fancy sitting in the rotunda
or perhaps on this small bench (made for skinny people?) under the shade of the tree found by Aletta.
Klara has got an interesting perspective of a bench this week.
Pauline has discovered a bench she had forgotten about, whilst Sylvia takes us to the beach in Sanibel
and Debbie is on Broadway.

Thanks all for joining in with the black and white theme.

Black and White 5 Day Challenge: #5

My final entry for this 5 day challenge is yet another from the plant world. I’m not keen on flowers processed in black and white as I believe the colour is an integral part of the attraction of a flower. But some plants, especially cacti and succulents, have a very strong structure and this can be highlighted in black and white. Today I have used a lithograph technique on this very spiky “agave flexispina” (Mexico).

(Compare with the colour version)

Pauline of Gypsy Life and Memories are made of this has invited me to join in with this challenge. If you don’t know Pauline (Pommepal) then you are missing a treat. Living in Australia Pauline is always on the move with her lovely Jack by her side.

There are only two rules for this challenge:

On 5 consecutive days, create a post using either a past or recent photo in B&W.
Each day invite another blog friend to join in the fun.

Today I would like to nominate Schelley to join in. Of course this is only if you have the time and want to.

Schelley Cassidy Photography ran a fabulous challenge last year called “What is it” where she stumped her followers week after week with unusual shots of ordinary objects. She now posts a variety of images including beautiful macro photography. I haven’t seen her do much black and white processing so here’s a challenge I hope she’ll take up.

Black and White 5 Day Challenge: #4

isla (b&w) — Welcome to Isla – two weeks old (Stars and Dreams and Snuggles)

I don’t usually post family photos and don’t worry I won’t be making a habit of it, but I thought I’d use this challenge to introduce you to my latest grandchild, Isla, who now brings the score to Granddaughters: 4 Grandsons: 2

There are only two rules for this challenge:

On 5 consecutive days, create a post using either a past or recent photo in B&W.
Each day invite another blog friend to join in the fun.

Today I would like to nominate Beth Walsh to join in. Of course this is only if you have the time and want to.

Beth is a photographer living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Her photography is mostly nature and wildlife, but occasionally she steps out of her comfort zone. I’d like to see what she can come up with for this challenge. If she has time.