Anyone for ice cream?

July 17, 2022 fishyfisharcadeLeave a comment

Here in the UK (and a large portion of western Europe) we’re encountering a heat-wave. It’s been making its way north over the past few days and is scheduled to reach the UK proper tomorrow and through into Tuesday. Current forecasts are that there’s an 80% chance of the previous high temperature record being breached, with a 50/50 likelihood of the mercuryy topping 40 degrees. Here in Sheffield where I live, the forecast if for the heat to raise to the high thirties. By way of comparison, the average July temperature in Sheffield is 21 degrees C.

I’m not a big fan of hot weather. Warm summer days are ok, but I really don’t want the local temperatures to be hotter than those in the Mediteranean or North Africa thank you very much. The UK is not equipped for such temperatures – buildings are designed for temperate conditions and few are equipped with air-conditioning. UK homes are also build predominatly to retain heat because, let’s face it, it’s chilly quite a lot between autumn and spring, so they do not fare particularly well when it comes to keeping their occupants cool.

We curently have four fans blowing in various rooms in the house. The living room is actually still quite comfortable – a benefit of it’s north-facing window at the front, and the fact that I’ve kepy the blinds shut at the back – but I suggest that even this room will become uncomfortable as the temperature rises. Upstairs will be worse, and I expect at least a couple of uncomfortable night’s sleep until the weather breaks on Wednesday.

I normally work from home but, by sheer bad luck, I have to travel to Birmingham tomorrow for a work meeting – only the second time I’ve travelled for business since before the pandemic. There is likely to be trvel disruption caused by the heat, especially when I’m coming home, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is at a minimum – I really don’t want to be trapped on an un-air-conditioned train carriage!

I might schedule a quickie blog post in advance for tomorrow in the even that I’m delayed!

Wish me luck (and cool weather)!

The photograph today seems apt – an ice cream shop in Harrogate, albeit one that was closed when I visited.

Olympus 35 RC & Ilford FP4+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°.

Taken on 11 May 2022

Film photography · Medium Format · Photography

Bandstand low-down

May 12, 2022 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

I suffered a wet knee for the sake of getting today’s blog picture, but think it was worth the discomfort and the soft focus on the forground grass along with the faint glimmer of dew give a nice sense of depth to the image. I had some expectation that the photo might be marred by camera shake as I had to hold it slightly off the ground to get the composition I wanted and felt like I wasn’t holding it completely steady, but it turned out nice and sharp. TLR’s – the flippy screens of their day!

Yashicamat 124G & Lomography Color Negative 100. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.

Taken on 16 April 2022

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Pandemic scenes #4

April 22, 2020April 24, 2020 fishyfisharcade1 Comment

One of the things I’ve heard mentioned on more than one occasion since this whole thing started – and particularly since the lock-down began – is that this feels like something from an apocalyptic movie.

In many regards though, things are much the same as normal – especially for someone like myself, who worked from home before this started anyway – the spring weather is nice, the air is clear and, if you venture outside, every day feels like you’ve gotten up early before anyone else is out and about, such is the reduction in traffic and pedestrains. It’s quite pleasant really.

And then you see the signs.

Affixed to cemetery gates, and on the noticeboard at the local park.

“STAY AT HOME” they proclaim. Adherence is a requirement to “protect the NHS and save lives”.

And the seriousness of the situation is re-cemented in the forefront of your mind.

Stay safe and keep well everyone.

Canon Sure Shot Telemax & Ilford Delta 400 – Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins

Taken on 11 & 12 April 2020

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Pandemic scenes #2

April 18, 2020 fishyfisharcade2 Comments

The local park is quite small and is essentially an open space in the middle of the housing estate where we live. Nonetheless it still contains a 5-a-side football / basketball court and sets of swings, climbing frames and a slide for children to play on. In normal times, the park would be populated by children of various ages, from older kids hanging out and playing football, right down to toddlers having fun on the infant swings or climbing on the frames while their parents watch them from one of the benches – something I used to do regularly when my boys were younger.

It’s a different story at present, and the park is largely deserted apart from the occasional person walking their dog, taking some exercise, or just passing through on their way to somewhere else.

The swings have been tied up and, on the day I took these photos, the equipment had been cordoned off with hazard tape (although someone has since removed it). No-one plays there at present.