I can't help but be drawn to the sky in your photos. All those glorious clouds, so beautifully rendered in black and white. Here in this season of Wind I am in. Of course I'm drawn to the sky.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the oak tree. That is sad news -- it is a STUNNING tree!! XO
Thanks so much Danielle - yes it is sad about the oak but good that new life is coming from it. As for Salisbury Plain, it's all about big skies, nothing like the Great Plains in US but it's something that can be a rarity in the south east of England thanks to the density of population, so for me it feels like being there is setting me free to fly, metaphorically of course - I leave the broomstick at home!😉
Cheers Ian - yes I feel like I've got a bit of headspace now so hopefully I can get back to my images. As for planning - apparently it's a rarity so that makes it an even better victory!
Dear Lin - your post brought back memories of walking among the stones in the 1970s, touching them and writing poetry as they spoke to me. Your photography is stunning in capturing the starkness and wonder of Stonehenge. And kudos on the success of preserving the environment behind your community. Thank you for bringing forth my own mystical moments from Stonehenge. 🙏💖
Thank you so much Cathleen - I'm so happy that this evoked those memories for you. Despite the crowds, it still carries that remote, mystical atmosphere even now, in those quiet moments walking the surrounding landscape...that's something that will never leave it. And thank you for your comment on our small win - just doing one of two small things for the environment all adds up.
Thank you Martin - it's so important that these sacred places remain intact as they remind us of the old ways where nature was revered and seen as powerful rather than something to be exploited and destroyed as is so often the case today.
Congratulations on your hard-won and very important victory, Lin. You (and others) have made a difference and that is something worth reflection. Thank you for your words and photos. As always, your shape an entire experience for us - and it was as if I could hear and feel and see the wind moving the grass in some of your photos. Thank you and be well.
Thank you so much Tom, it was a challenge but these small wins do add up and hopefully encourage others to do the same in their local area. As for Stonehenge it's a magical place, even with the many visitors, especially that surrounding landscape - I'm glad you joined me on my wander around it.
Dear Lin, thank you for these glorious photos of Stonehenge! I also remember visiting this sacred site back in the days when it was still open and free to access. We've never felt drawn to entering it when it became a 'tourist attraction'
And thank you for giving your precious time and energy to campaigning for the survival of a precious piece of nature in your neighbourhood 💚 🙏 🌱 along with many congratulations to winning the campaign and achieving the withdrawal of the application 🎶🥂 long may it last!
Thank you so much Veronika - the campaign has been quite a challenge for the past 8 months, but getting these small wins for the sake of keeping areas of nature untouched is so important as they all add up, encouraging people to fight more for our environment.
Stonehenge is magnificent and I agree with your stance on it now it's so controlled - I'm an NT member so get in free, but this is a site that like Avebury, should be free to wander and open to all, because after all it's sacred to so many.
Lin, I always love your beautiful images of these sacred sites. Someday I just need to make it a priority and come to visit Stonehenge. In the meantime, I will have to live vicariously through your beautiful photography. The tones in your black-and-white images are lovely, and the clouds were spectacular as well. I have no qualms about you removing people from the photos, especially when your final images are so peaceful.
I was so happy to hear about your successful campaign to stop the development - that is wonderful news! I confess that I have missed your regular post, so I am looking forward to receiving more in the 2nd half of the year!
Thank you Todd - I'm pleased you joined me for the journey. If you ever do come over to see the stones do visit the Avebury sacred landscape as well, it's beautiful.
As for the development, it's been quite a rollercoaster and winning has only just sunk in. Now I've got a lot of catching up to do on the images I've made this year, as well as writing so hopefully there'll be no more distractions and I can get back to enjoying the process on a regular basis.
I'm so happy that you are writing again. And happy solstice!
I totally understand how your creativity was interrupted by the issue going on with the planning committee wanting to develop a wonderful natural area. I am so glad that the planning application was withdrawn. But as you indicate, fighting this plan took much of your creative energy. But because you won, thanks to your and others' efforts, the ecosystem is better off.
Your photos, as always, are divine. It's a shame that Stonehenge is so crowded with people, which must disturb the sense of peace one has while visiting this sacred space.
I'm also sorry to hear about the tree known for Robin Hood's time. I took a look, and it was so beautiful.
Thanks so much Beth, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the essay - and a happy Solstice to you too!
I think sometimes these events that get put in the way of our creativity are a positive as well. For me, once the win started to sink in, I could kick back and reflect, it reminded me how much I need to be creative in any small way...it wasn't just my writing and photography that suffered but my garden too! So if I get faced with something like this again, hopefully I'll remember this and make sure, no matter what's going on, to spend a little bit of time nurturing my creative needs.
Like many of these places, thanks to the internet Stonehenge is an even bigger tourist attraction then ever so timing is the key and well I've learned to tune the people out - it works most of the time! As for the oak - I'm just pleased that it'll continue to live through the saplings that have been propagated from it as well as give life back to the other trees of the forest as it breaks back down into the soil. 😊🌳
Blessed Solstice to you, Lin. Your powerful photos and reflections bring me a taste of Stonehenge which I've never seen in person. It reminds me a little of the sacred site of the Grand Canyon in the American southwest where Nature rules along with other canyons and Native American sites in that area. Vic and I tried to get there very late or early to feel the power of the sites.
The Earth still has these beautiful places and thank you for working so hard to preserve the area near you. Now we're struggling in western New York State to protect our beauiful lakes from various kinds of destructive development. Because of my poor health, I can't do as much as I used to, but financial donations are always helpful. Thanks again for all you've done and for sharing the beauty you witness. I'm glad you're back. With love from across the turbulent sea.
Thank you so much Elaine - I'm so pleased you joined me on this walk in wonder at our most famous sacred site. The Grand Canyon is so much greater a scale, words defy describing its beauty and magnificence, how amazing that you shared those experiences with Vic.
Oh no not around the Finger Lakes, I've seen so many images of the area and its beauty - I really don't understand what governments are thinking right now...the evidence of climate change thanks to the destruction of nature is all around and clear to see. We're in yet another heatwave with temperatures set to hit 39 or possibly 40 degrees this week...it's not normal, its down to climate but do they stop the destruction...it is so upsetting. I'm so pleased you're still able to get involved and do what you can.
I hope you managed to get out and enjoy a little of the Solstice on your land - do take very good care of yourself. Sending much love and light 😊💚☀️
I've visited several times but there's always been too many people there to get the sort of shots I'd like to have. What I find amazing is, during the Victorian era (maybe before and a little after) you could actually hire a hammer and chisel and knock a lump or two off the stones to take home as souvenirs!!
I also like Avebury; not too far away from Stonehenge in the big scheme of things, and I've found it to be a lot quieter for most of the year.
Yes it's hard to avoid the people at Stonehenge, but if you wander the wider landscape where there's so much ancient history, I find I can really connect there. When I was looking at the graffiti on the stones it doesn't surprise me at all, especially when you think that many of the Avebury stoned were broken up in the in the 1700's and 1800's to help build walls and homes around the village.
Avebury is my favourite site and I've written about different aspects of it in an ongoing series on Substack, which I'm hoping to continue. I used to live not too far from it so I had many a dawn visit - and a Solstice or two at the stones which was wonderful! 😊 Now I just go once a year at different times, although this year it's proved to be a bit elusive.
Firstly can I say that I am happy to read that you won the fight despite the downsides. Perhaps there are times when we have to go all out to get the win. I hope in time you can feel a deep sense of pride in that victory. From tiny acorns.
The essay is delightful, as are the images, and I am sure that as the wheel turns you will find your mojo walking along the road towards you (I think it might be closer than you think!) Spending time curating this piece will have brought you into a deep resonance I am sure with the sacred place that is Stonehenge and its surrounding countryside. Thank you for taking the time to share this and blessings on this Solstice to you.
Finally, the photos of the old oak are stunning. Thanks for opening the door to a new inspiring photographer. I feel like packing my camera away after looking at her work and I love it in equal measure.
Thank you so much Paul and yes, the win is still sinking in...but the more I think about it the more I realise how, although it's small scale compared to some of the atrocities against the environment, small wins add up. You're right, curating the images did bring me closer to the sacredness of the place and this time of year, I did feel a longing to go there today but sharing it with 25,000 others just wouldn't have felt right!😁
As for Beth Moon - her platinum palladium prints are quite something aren't they. Hopefully one day she'll exhibit over here so I can see them in real life, but in the meantime her book Portraits of Time is well worth a look.
Thank you so much Marcel - your comment on the toning means a great deal. And yes it was wonderful news, a small win for nature and the environment when so much is being destroyed.🙏🏻😊
Happy Solstice, Lin! Thank you for sharing these beautiful images of Stonehenge and walking me through them with your writing. It was the first thing I saw this morning— a lovely way to begin my day! So sad to hear about the oak tree and its demise. Beth Moon’s work is gorgeous. I’ve seen a series she did on Baobab trees. May you enjoy this season of longer days, Lin!
Thanks so much Stella - what better way to start Solstice than a virtual visit to a stone circle, so I'm pleased that you enjoyed them.😁I think there were 25,000 people at the stones themselves this morning - just a tad too busy for me!
I love Beth Moons work - her Portraits of Time book has pride of place on my bookshelf which does include some of those Baobabs - her work is so atmospheric...what a dream project, to travel the world to photograph such magnificent trees, I'd be in heaven! Solstice blessings to you. 😊
Stunning images, Lin. I ages 1 & 6 in particular are absolutely beautiful. Darin's not wrong when he says you've got your writing mojo back, too. Wonderful words.
Hearing skylarks is always a delight, but especially here, I imagine (if my experience at Thornborough is anything to go by).
Rather sad to hear of the Major Oak's demise, I guess we all have a finite time. At least those 60 trees and surroundings get to live on due to your stoic efforts.
I very much look forward to your future posts, too. Solstice blessings💚🙏
Thanks so much Ralph for your lovely comment! The view from the Heel Stone is the one that I'm drawn to each visit and those corvids can be so obliging sometimes!😁 The skylarks are the sign of summer for me when I'm walking, I just love watching them rise up singing. Thornborough...still not visited, that will be one to try one day but the landscape looks perfect for the skylarks.
As for writing, my mind is getting in the right zone now all the stress is over...I didn't realise how much it consumed my time - today when for the first time since last year I kicked back in the garden and spent the afternoon doing nothing but reading. I'd forgotten what relaxing is! The fact that we won still amazes me - it's such a rarity nowadays...did you find out any more about that tree cutting near you? I remember you mentioning it was happening on the local estate, I hope it's all resolved now. Bright Solstice blessing to you too 💚😊
Thanks, Lin🤍🙂. Regarding the trees up the back of us, we've heard nothing more since. Hopefully His Lordship will ket us know in advance (though i'm not holding my breath...😬).
Anyway, the bit where I walked this morning has changed little for quite some time, so was still lovely and wild. Maybe a few more pics from the Sunrise will make an appearance later🙂
Well hopefully no news is good news, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I've seen that you've posted so I'll hop over to your feed and take a look 😊
Dear Lin,
I can't help but be drawn to the sky in your photos. All those glorious clouds, so beautifully rendered in black and white. Here in this season of Wind I am in. Of course I'm drawn to the sky.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of the oak tree. That is sad news -- it is a STUNNING tree!! XO
Thanks so much Danielle - yes it is sad about the oak but good that new life is coming from it. As for Salisbury Plain, it's all about big skies, nothing like the Great Plains in US but it's something that can be a rarity in the south east of England thanks to the density of population, so for me it feels like being there is setting me free to fly, metaphorically of course - I leave the broomstick at home!😉
Us witches always have ready access to some type of flying - with or without our broomstick. 😉 XO
😂
Glad to see you posting again, and very good news about the planning application
Cheers Ian - yes I feel like I've got a bit of headspace now so hopefully I can get back to my images. As for planning - apparently it's a rarity so that makes it an even better victory!
Dear Lin - your post brought back memories of walking among the stones in the 1970s, touching them and writing poetry as they spoke to me. Your photography is stunning in capturing the starkness and wonder of Stonehenge. And kudos on the success of preserving the environment behind your community. Thank you for bringing forth my own mystical moments from Stonehenge. 🙏💖
Thank you so much Cathleen - I'm so happy that this evoked those memories for you. Despite the crowds, it still carries that remote, mystical atmosphere even now, in those quiet moments walking the surrounding landscape...that's something that will never leave it. And thank you for your comment on our small win - just doing one of two small things for the environment all adds up.
Great images, well taken. I enjoyed the read and the wonders of Stonehenge. I'm thankful that there is ongoing traditional traditions such as this
Thank you Martin - it's so important that these sacred places remain intact as they remind us of the old ways where nature was revered and seen as powerful rather than something to be exploited and destroyed as is so often the case today.
My sentiments exactly it is important that there is a reconnection with the wilderness. I capture this through wildlife and conservation photography.
Congratulations on your hard-won and very important victory, Lin. You (and others) have made a difference and that is something worth reflection. Thank you for your words and photos. As always, your shape an entire experience for us - and it was as if I could hear and feel and see the wind moving the grass in some of your photos. Thank you and be well.
Thank you so much Tom, it was a challenge but these small wins do add up and hopefully encourage others to do the same in their local area. As for Stonehenge it's a magical place, even with the many visitors, especially that surrounding landscape - I'm glad you joined me on my wander around it.
Dear Lin, thank you for these glorious photos of Stonehenge! I also remember visiting this sacred site back in the days when it was still open and free to access. We've never felt drawn to entering it when it became a 'tourist attraction'
And thank you for giving your precious time and energy to campaigning for the survival of a precious piece of nature in your neighbourhood 💚 🙏 🌱 along with many congratulations to winning the campaign and achieving the withdrawal of the application 🎶🥂 long may it last!
Thank you so much Veronika - the campaign has been quite a challenge for the past 8 months, but getting these small wins for the sake of keeping areas of nature untouched is so important as they all add up, encouraging people to fight more for our environment.
Stonehenge is magnificent and I agree with your stance on it now it's so controlled - I'm an NT member so get in free, but this is a site that like Avebury, should be free to wander and open to all, because after all it's sacred to so many.
Lin, I always love your beautiful images of these sacred sites. Someday I just need to make it a priority and come to visit Stonehenge. In the meantime, I will have to live vicariously through your beautiful photography. The tones in your black-and-white images are lovely, and the clouds were spectacular as well. I have no qualms about you removing people from the photos, especially when your final images are so peaceful.
I was so happy to hear about your successful campaign to stop the development - that is wonderful news! I confess that I have missed your regular post, so I am looking forward to receiving more in the 2nd half of the year!
Thank you Todd - I'm pleased you joined me for the journey. If you ever do come over to see the stones do visit the Avebury sacred landscape as well, it's beautiful.
As for the development, it's been quite a rollercoaster and winning has only just sunk in. Now I've got a lot of catching up to do on the images I've made this year, as well as writing so hopefully there'll be no more distractions and I can get back to enjoying the process on a regular basis.
Hi Lin,
I'm so happy that you are writing again. And happy solstice!
I totally understand how your creativity was interrupted by the issue going on with the planning committee wanting to develop a wonderful natural area. I am so glad that the planning application was withdrawn. But as you indicate, fighting this plan took much of your creative energy. But because you won, thanks to your and others' efforts, the ecosystem is better off.
Your photos, as always, are divine. It's a shame that Stonehenge is so crowded with people, which must disturb the sense of peace one has while visiting this sacred space.
I'm also sorry to hear about the tree known for Robin Hood's time. I took a look, and it was so beautiful.
Thank you for this essay. It is truly amazing.
Thanks so much Beth, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the essay - and a happy Solstice to you too!
I think sometimes these events that get put in the way of our creativity are a positive as well. For me, once the win started to sink in, I could kick back and reflect, it reminded me how much I need to be creative in any small way...it wasn't just my writing and photography that suffered but my garden too! So if I get faced with something like this again, hopefully I'll remember this and make sure, no matter what's going on, to spend a little bit of time nurturing my creative needs.
Like many of these places, thanks to the internet Stonehenge is an even bigger tourist attraction then ever so timing is the key and well I've learned to tune the people out - it works most of the time! As for the oak - I'm just pleased that it'll continue to live through the saplings that have been propagated from it as well as give life back to the other trees of the forest as it breaks back down into the soil. 😊🌳
Wonderful photos! And bravo to you those who fought so hard for your neighborhood!! Congratulations on the hard-earned success!!
Thank you so much - the win was worth all the hard work. It's certainly taught me a valuable lesson...that persistence pays!
Blessed Solstice to you, Lin. Your powerful photos and reflections bring me a taste of Stonehenge which I've never seen in person. It reminds me a little of the sacred site of the Grand Canyon in the American southwest where Nature rules along with other canyons and Native American sites in that area. Vic and I tried to get there very late or early to feel the power of the sites.
The Earth still has these beautiful places and thank you for working so hard to preserve the area near you. Now we're struggling in western New York State to protect our beauiful lakes from various kinds of destructive development. Because of my poor health, I can't do as much as I used to, but financial donations are always helpful. Thanks again for all you've done and for sharing the beauty you witness. I'm glad you're back. With love from across the turbulent sea.
Thank you so much Elaine - I'm so pleased you joined me on this walk in wonder at our most famous sacred site. The Grand Canyon is so much greater a scale, words defy describing its beauty and magnificence, how amazing that you shared those experiences with Vic.
Oh no not around the Finger Lakes, I've seen so many images of the area and its beauty - I really don't understand what governments are thinking right now...the evidence of climate change thanks to the destruction of nature is all around and clear to see. We're in yet another heatwave with temperatures set to hit 39 or possibly 40 degrees this week...it's not normal, its down to climate but do they stop the destruction...it is so upsetting. I'm so pleased you're still able to get involved and do what you can.
I hope you managed to get out and enjoy a little of the Solstice on your land - do take very good care of yourself. Sending much love and light 😊💚☀️
It's an impressive place. Lovely photos, Lin.
I've visited several times but there's always been too many people there to get the sort of shots I'd like to have. What I find amazing is, during the Victorian era (maybe before and a little after) you could actually hire a hammer and chisel and knock a lump or two off the stones to take home as souvenirs!!
I also like Avebury; not too far away from Stonehenge in the big scheme of things, and I've found it to be a lot quieter for most of the year.
Thank you so much Paul.
Yes it's hard to avoid the people at Stonehenge, but if you wander the wider landscape where there's so much ancient history, I find I can really connect there. When I was looking at the graffiti on the stones it doesn't surprise me at all, especially when you think that many of the Avebury stoned were broken up in the in the 1700's and 1800's to help build walls and homes around the village.
Avebury is my favourite site and I've written about different aspects of it in an ongoing series on Substack, which I'm hoping to continue. I used to live not too far from it so I had many a dawn visit - and a Solstice or two at the stones which was wonderful! 😊 Now I just go once a year at different times, although this year it's proved to be a bit elusive.
Firstly can I say that I am happy to read that you won the fight despite the downsides. Perhaps there are times when we have to go all out to get the win. I hope in time you can feel a deep sense of pride in that victory. From tiny acorns.
The essay is delightful, as are the images, and I am sure that as the wheel turns you will find your mojo walking along the road towards you (I think it might be closer than you think!) Spending time curating this piece will have brought you into a deep resonance I am sure with the sacred place that is Stonehenge and its surrounding countryside. Thank you for taking the time to share this and blessings on this Solstice to you.
Finally, the photos of the old oak are stunning. Thanks for opening the door to a new inspiring photographer. I feel like packing my camera away after looking at her work and I love it in equal measure.
Thank you so much Paul and yes, the win is still sinking in...but the more I think about it the more I realise how, although it's small scale compared to some of the atrocities against the environment, small wins add up. You're right, curating the images did bring me closer to the sacredness of the place and this time of year, I did feel a longing to go there today but sharing it with 25,000 others just wouldn't have felt right!😁
As for Beth Moon - her platinum palladium prints are quite something aren't they. Hopefully one day she'll exhibit over here so I can see them in real life, but in the meantime her book Portraits of Time is well worth a look.
Great to hear the campaign succeeded. I love these photos. The toning is excellent.
Thank you so much Marcel - your comment on the toning means a great deal. And yes it was wonderful news, a small win for nature and the environment when so much is being destroyed.🙏🏻😊
Happy Solstice, Lin! Thank you for sharing these beautiful images of Stonehenge and walking me through them with your writing. It was the first thing I saw this morning— a lovely way to begin my day! So sad to hear about the oak tree and its demise. Beth Moon’s work is gorgeous. I’ve seen a series she did on Baobab trees. May you enjoy this season of longer days, Lin!
Thanks so much Stella - what better way to start Solstice than a virtual visit to a stone circle, so I'm pleased that you enjoyed them.😁I think there were 25,000 people at the stones themselves this morning - just a tad too busy for me!
I love Beth Moons work - her Portraits of Time book has pride of place on my bookshelf which does include some of those Baobabs - her work is so atmospheric...what a dream project, to travel the world to photograph such magnificent trees, I'd be in heaven! Solstice blessings to you. 😊
Stunning images, Lin. I ages 1 & 6 in particular are absolutely beautiful. Darin's not wrong when he says you've got your writing mojo back, too. Wonderful words.
Hearing skylarks is always a delight, but especially here, I imagine (if my experience at Thornborough is anything to go by).
Rather sad to hear of the Major Oak's demise, I guess we all have a finite time. At least those 60 trees and surroundings get to live on due to your stoic efforts.
I very much look forward to your future posts, too. Solstice blessings💚🙏
Thanks so much Ralph for your lovely comment! The view from the Heel Stone is the one that I'm drawn to each visit and those corvids can be so obliging sometimes!😁 The skylarks are the sign of summer for me when I'm walking, I just love watching them rise up singing. Thornborough...still not visited, that will be one to try one day but the landscape looks perfect for the skylarks.
As for writing, my mind is getting in the right zone now all the stress is over...I didn't realise how much it consumed my time - today when for the first time since last year I kicked back in the garden and spent the afternoon doing nothing but reading. I'd forgotten what relaxing is! The fact that we won still amazes me - it's such a rarity nowadays...did you find out any more about that tree cutting near you? I remember you mentioning it was happening on the local estate, I hope it's all resolved now. Bright Solstice blessing to you too 💚😊
Thanks, Lin🤍🙂. Regarding the trees up the back of us, we've heard nothing more since. Hopefully His Lordship will ket us know in advance (though i'm not holding my breath...😬).
Anyway, the bit where I walked this morning has changed little for quite some time, so was still lovely and wild. Maybe a few more pics from the Sunrise will make an appearance later🙂
Well hopefully no news is good news, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I've seen that you've posted so I'll hop over to your feed and take a look 😊
Damn, Lin, this is beautiful! It might have been a challenging year, to date, but I would say that you got your writing mojo back.
Thanks so much Darin, I'm glad you like it - yep, I feel like a weight has been lifted and now I have the headspace to get back to word and image.