Farmland interloper

On a recent frosty day when the sky was clear blue we spent a few hours walking a section of the long disused Hereford to Gloucester canal near Oxenhall, Newent. The fields in the area were mainly pasture for cattle and sheep, though there were some devoted to fruit - what looked like blackcurrants. The canal was crammed full of reedmace and at the point where I took this photograph (with the canal behind me) it was spreading to the edges of an adjacent long pond. I took my shot to show how the interloper plant was adding interest to the close cropped field, and was a welcome area of detail against featureless fields and semi-frozen pond.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

A view from Llangatwg Quarries

click image to enlarge

A map can only hint at the view a location offers: the reality is invariably better. This thought came to mind as I zoomed my lens in and out looking across the landscape north from Llangatwg quarries. The view I settled on has Penallt farm with its surrounding pastures, sheep and lambs at the bottom of the frame, the line of conifers at what appears to be another farm called Fedw, and beyond, on the far side of the hidden Usk Valley, the lower slopes of the mountains at the western edge of the Brecon Beacons - also dotted with farms, houses and sheep a-plenty.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2