“How can I describe it? A monstrous tripod, higher than many houses, striding over the young pine trees, and smashing them aside in its career; a walking engine of glittering metal, striding now across the heather; articulate ropes of steel dangling from under it, and the clattering tumult of its passage mingling with the riot of thunder.” H.G. Wells. The War of the Worlds.

I was out taking photos at White Edge in the Peak District the weekend before last. There was a thin skim of snow on the ground and the conditions were damp and foggy. From the footpath I noticed some interesting trees poking out of the mist across the heather so I made my way over to get a clearer shot. After firing off a couple of exposures with the Yashica Mat 124 G, I decided to get some 35mm pictures with my F80 (on it’s first outing – with me, at least), so left the TLR on the tripod while I found a nice composition for the SLR, When I finished and turned aound, the tripod made for a striking image and the first thing that popped into my head was “Horsell Common!”, the place where the first Martian invader strikes earth in Wells’ novel.

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF & Fomapan 400.

Taken on 20 January 2019