Learning in the u3a movement

I spotted a rather ordinary dilapidated wooden building whilst out on one of my walks, but saw the potential for a more interesting photographic artwork. I also want to peer through that window to discover what lies within.

I love the smooth, tactile warmth and distinctive grain of the yew-wood bowl in which the old cat nestles in the sunshine. The supporting cast from the kitchen were arranged so that the play of light would reveal contrasting forms and signs of wear.

I've been taking the current lockdown more seriously than the previous ones, because of the more infectious Covid variant, so I tried to find a suitable subject in my flat. This is what I came up with.

Wood carving in progress is a piece of work by my 90 year old father in law, his workshop is full of equipment he requires to produce his art in wood, all his carvings are in Lime wood using any of his bespoke wood chisels. The scene is of a Cornish bay with traditional fishing boat sat on the beach.

I found this textured piece of driftwood on a Norfolk beach many years ago. It's probably a sea-worn root but also looks vaguely animal and had to come home with me. (photo taken 17/2/21)

These were my father's. I had the bowls turned down & this brought out the lovely grain & colouration, caused by the uneven seasoning of the wood many years ago. The jack (now non-standard) was part of the original set.

Caen Hill Locks, Devizes on the Kennet and Avon canal is a favourite place of mine and very local to me. It has a flight of 29 locks, all wooden lock gates and I have included a view of just 3 in this image. It has a rise of 237 feet over 2 miles, a 1 in 4 gradient. Alongside the balancing ponds are a haven for wildlife.

Weather-beaten wooden posts on the beach at Sandsend, North Yorkshire. Taken from a low view point practising leading lines with my Sony dschx400v bridge camera. I kept the image monochrome to bring out the detail in the wood.

A beautiful walkway along the banks of the Clyde. It’s very pretty in all seasons and I like how it winds it’s way along and makes you wonder where it might lead- a wee bit like life just now.

My aim was to capture the patterns of real wood on the surface of the apple and on the "burr" pear. The wooden dining table was just a bonus.

Cold winter's night with snow on the ground. I had just gone out to get more logs and pile them by the fireside. It made me feel warm and cosy during the lockdown.

A section of the woodpile in our garden, which will probably make it to the log burner either next winter or the one after, depending on how cold it is!

This is a tiny part of a more than life-size wooden sculpture carved from a tree trunk. It depicts a mother and daughter hugging as they wait for fishermen to return from the sea. I love the way the texture in the tree trunk shows in both the body and the hand.

Some of my wife’s wooden lace-making bobbins.

I spotted this colourful beach hut in a local garden centre, a long way from the sea.