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Simonsbath Walk to Cow Castle

Some great news!

I shall be paralleling this new blog for a wee while until Loveuktravel starts to take over....meanwhile, enjoy a shot of my old friend, the late Tarka (German Shepherd) sniffing her way up the Barle...

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Romantic Landscapes To View

Herewith a bevy of landscapes to walk to, and to be moved by the views and atmosphere. A small token of our beautiful countryside.

1. Mam Tor, Derbyshire Peak District: As you climb towards the summit look down to your left and wonder as the road snakes its way into the distance....reminiscent of the Mille Miglia?

2. Seven Sisters in Sussex: An easy walk from Cuckmere Haven will bring you to these iconic cliffs. Imagine Spitfires and Hurricanes streaming across them at dawn in search of foe.

3. Broadway Tower, Worcestershire: A view of 13 counties can be had on a clear day. If its misty just taken in the William Morris ambience.

4. The Groynes, Crow Point, North Devon: A favourite of mine, for you could be on a desert island in the South Seas. Always something to interest the photographer.

5. Barmouth Panorama, Snowdonia: On first sight, it is quite magnificent. The ever-changing colours and swirls of the currents and sand banks.

6. Wastwater, Cumbria: An iconic image, always changing in mood and tempo. This lake always intrigues me although to many it makes them uncomfortable....you choose..

Romantic Walks for Valentine's Day

I have been asked to suggest a selection of romantic walks for Valentines Day. So, herewith a few:

Kent - Leeds Castle. Yes, Leeds Castle is in Kent! A magnificent castle surrounded by a lake and woodland walks, filled with daffodils in spring. Goldeneye Cycling Country Lanes Guides to Kent will help you find the best route to this historic site.

Sussex - Hever Castle. Cycle down country lanes with the Goldeneye Cycling Country Lanes map to Sussex on your handlebars to discover the castle where Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn. Cross the drawbridge to read his love letter to Anne and see the wax tableaux of the Boleyn family.

Cheshire - Lyme Park. For mountain biking romantics - take out your Goldeneye Peak District Cycling Country Lanes map and head for magnificent Lyme Park, setting for the famous image of Darcy in his wet shirt coming face to face with Elizabeth Bennett in the TV version of Pride and Prejudice. Acres of sweeping moorland are grazed by ancient herds of red deer around the elegant country house.

Bath. The streets and Assembly Rooms feature in several of Jane Austen's novels, particularly the budding romance between Catherine Morley and Henry Tilney in Northanger Abbey. Wander in their footsteps down Milsom Street, revel in the sense of history from the famous Roman thermal springs to golden Georgian terraces. Find out more in the Goldeneye Cotswold Guidebook....

Cockermouth - Wordsworth's House. Discover the house where one of the most famous romantic poets lived in Cumbria. The Goldeneye Guide to the Lake District will help you track down the Georgian townhouse and the beautiful garden which inspired many of his poems, especially The Prelude.

Cornwall. Almost any stretch of the Cornish coast will inspire romance, but don't forget the winding Helford River, setting for Daphne du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek, and the lush gardens of Trebah which flank it. The Goldeneye Cornwall Guidebook will also help you along the Cornish coastal path - stop off at the Barefoot Kitchen cafe for a hot chocolate or bowl of soup, perched on the clifftops near the tiny village of Gunwalloe on the Lizard.

Slad Valley, Gloucestershire. Cotswold Classic Walks by Goldeneye includes a circular walk through the beautiful Slad Valley, immortalised in Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee. Unbeaten for rural romance among spectacular scenery.

Woolacombe, North Devon. Park on Marine Drive and follow the waymarked signs up Cooper's Hill and glory in the site of Putsborough Beach and Baggy Point. If you look back to your right, the growling tidal flows of Morte Race, off Morte Point, another spectacular and easy circular walk. Details to discovered in Goldeneye's Devon Guidebook, now reduced to £4.99 from £12.99 - see: www.goldeneyeguides.co.uk for details.

For the most romantic beautiful Valentines cards, check out www.carolinefrickercouture.com - and if your romantic walk or cycle leads to a proposal, the same site displays a stunning collection of wedding dresses by designer Caroline Fricker.

More Action-Packed Shots of Cycling...

Herewith, my son Harry, twisting and turning, and my old friend Al, my route man....

The Diversity of Our Publicatiions

In the next few weeks I shall demonstrate the variety, diversity and the difference of our publications in photographic essays. Starting with our Cycling and Mountain Bike Route Map-Guides...

North Devon Light

Herewith some images that will feature in my next publication, The Devon Guidebook, and also The North Devon Collection. Winter is often the best time for a certain type of photograph, and despite the desperate cold, in and outside my home, these images provide testament to my case. Enjoy. Soon you will be able to order them for your wall...The New Bridge, Barnstaple...Appledore from Instow Cricket Club...and The Groynes, Crow Point, Braunton.

Latest Review of The Cotswold Collection

This amazing review has recently appeared in the Gloucestershire Echo and the Western Daily Press....let's hope it generates sales...and sales!

Artistic Pretensions

My apologies for my absence....I have been working hard on a new North Devon photo book but have had to put it aside for now and to concentrate on the second edition of my Devon Guidebook. So, herewith, a number of my favourite images. I hope they'll encourage you to look at my new photo library website - still a "Work In Progress" with a launch date in a couple of months. Technical know-how not my strengths....

Great Love turns inevitably to Grief

I have just visited my old friend Keith (brilliant sculptor and potter) who has just lost his dear wife, Gina. The above phrase is his.....he has asked me to produce a Christmas card and his idea was to photograph the attached sculpture which shows him and Gina enjoying their Three-Wheeler!

So, in grief, you can still share some humour and great memories.

Cotswold Trip Update

Just been interviewed by BBC Radio Gloucester for broadcast on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. The experience was a little worrying. Not a regular occurrence in my daily life. Could I remember the key words, could I keep repeating the words "The Cotswold Collection".....and could my voice be clearly heard and understood? I was expecting a good half-hour interview but in fact it took about ten minutes, and there was no "Getting to Know You" before hand. Just straight in there with the first question. A little unnerving. Well, apparently all went well 'cos they are going with it!

I then carried on with my visit to various newspapers, and then put my sales hat on for the various top-ho hotels; Barnsley House, The Manor at Lower Slaughter etc...I had to visit the church at Bibury having heard so much about the table tombs from my proof-reader, Mike Taffinder, so herewith a couple of images.....surely a magical place?

Cotswold Trip Encouraging

Just back from visiting the Press in Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud. Let's hope we can look forward to some features, hitherto.....Herewith, some taster images soon to feature in Amazon....It was also great to meet up with some old friends at the Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Red Lion Bookshop Burford and the Rowleys at Dryhill Farm.

The Cotswold Collection in stock - At Last

The shipment arrives tomorrow morning. Wow! What excitement. I can now get on with the sales and distribution. The book wholesalers, Bertrams and Gardners have placed their initial orders (for supplying Waterstones and WH Smith)....and stock goes off to my Cotswold agent, Peter Smith, too. My next job is to visit all the regional newspapers and magazines who cover the Cotswold area. I am also hopeful of some publicity in Cotswold Life, the Daily Telegraph and possibly, The Express. Herewith some pages as a taster and a most generous missal from my good friend and proof-reader, Mike Taffinder who is a Cotswold man brought up in Bibury. And, not forgetting his darling wife Sarah, a Cotswold lass from Cirencester:-

"Sarah and I looked through your latest work in slow time last night, and we just wanted you to know that we thought the photographs were simply outstanding. As a coffee table book for someone living in the Cotswolds, or for someone who had visited them and who wanted a pictorial memory, we reckon your book is just about unbeatable. Many congratulations on a seriously beautiful collection of photos and we do so hope that it has the success it deserves." Mike Taffinder

Welcome Back

Apologies for my absence but I have no excuses...but, I am now in the groove and will continue, indefinetly, to amuse and interest you. Herewith, some lovely frosty images, so apposite to this week's early mornings.

In a couple of days I take delivery of "The Cotswold Collection" which will be in the shops soon after. Hatchards, Foyles and Stanfords, plus the big London Waterstones were all very excited and complimentary about this new book.And, I thank them, for their enthusiasm and support. Bravo! The images above are situated in and around Drewsteignton on the northern fringes of Dartmoor.

Cotswold Collection sales trip

Just got back from showing this new book to potential customers.....always a nervy start and with some trepidation I wizzed around the Cotswolds, from Bath to Cheltenham, and up the Fosse Way, and down again, then over to Oxford and to home via Swindon. I visited small book stores, the Waterstones stores and the three Waitrose, plus a variety of independents. The overall reaction was very positive. Some wanted a hardcover but most thought that idea, old hat...the stiff paperback cover allows for you to swish through the pages.....I enjoyed the unknown, the adventure and just being out there to show it off. Very exciting....next week it's London. Fingers crossed.

I am also gathering my images of England and Wales scenes for the next book. Its re-awakening old times, memories....thinking back to the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls and the early light in the Hole of Horcum. Magical times. And, further south the castles of Kent; Bodiam, Leeds.. just wait and you'll be surprised at the beauty of olde England. Herewith a taster....

Summer Turns to Autumn

With heavy heart the nights draw in and I look back to those long summer days when the foliage was so green and plentiful...(and cash flow was more fluid). So, my friends herewith a couple of images of the lanes that lead to our idyllic woodland home.

Today I received a little parcel - printed off pages of the new Cotswold Book. Not yet bound but wow, what excitement!

Today is also my dear sister, Julia's 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, sweet, kind Julia, and all our love!

Breakfast at Sandleigh

Well hi folks....sorry I have been too busy to blogg all my doings and goings these past few days. I managed to be up with the larks to photograph some North Devon fields but was a little disappointed with my results so ecided to drown my sorrows in some strong espresso at the Sandleigh. I am becoming fascinated with clouds. Herewith a simple offering.....next time I am on I'll show you some Snowdonia images Flora has been scanning for me. I forgot how stunning that landscape can be (if you rise at 4.00 am)....so enjoy...

Aches and Pains of Boffins Cricket Tour are past

Bowling quick is not easy at my age. When Oh when will I learn that I am no longer Michael Holding (careful Geoffrey....the corridor of uncertainty etc etc)....Sidmouth was as pretty as a picture, and a pleasure just to stand on the boundary or in the outfield and watch the play. I did manage one wicket off a beautiful late swinging delivery...and about thirty runs. The Boffins just fell short by 38 runs of the 338 required. No mean task. We had the usual run of Celebs turning up, and some who could not make it, or were injured. The Faulks lads came as one again. Sebastian sadly came alone without Edward who had an injured pelvis. Apparently he fell off the Woolsack and tripped up on his Ermin. Now that he's in the House of Lords must be more careful. Seb failed for the first time at Chardstock (usually scores a ton), and young Robson appeared in a blaze of glory from an enormous black machine with blond in tow and yappy dog.....muttering Mourinho's no longer his friend....blah blah....its all gone to his head (or bank account).....and not forgetting our budding new author, Monsignor Mathieu, whose splendid account of The Masters of Manton I see is out of stock on Amazon. Push harder Paul.

A Touch of Glamour

Yes. I thought it apposite to add a touch of glamour to my Blogg, and to introduce my darling wife, Caroline. She has just launched her website: www.carolinefricker.com which illustrates her stunning bridal wear collection. So, herewith a taster for all those aspiring brides.....I must confess some false modesty, too, for it was I that had the good fortune (and fun) to photograph the delightful Rachael, our Prima Ballerina friend from Croyde. And, of course, thanks must also go to Ben (pictured below admiring the model) and Sarah for providing the stunning location.