An Early Start

Sunrise is about 7.15am so I set my alarm for 6am so I could be up and ready at the car park to attempt a sunrise photo at a location not far from there. Upon peering out of the van window at 6.03, it didn't look hopeful for good light but I decided to give it a go in any case. Photos 1 and 2 give you the idea of how it turned out and photo 3 is the view from where I parked.

A good chunk of the day, until just after lunch, was exploring the area from the car park and revisiting the sycamore tree to try to get that fresh take on the standard photo. The last photo in this footprint is another typical shot of the lonely tree, but not really what I was after. I bet every angle and composition has been done to death so it was never going to be easy, especially when most of the time the light was dull and flat.

Having spent a relaxing time around this section of Hadrian's Wall, I got back to the van just as the rain started, so my next stop was the Visitor Centre cafe for a snack. I then began my journey northward again and to the Kielder Forest dark sky reserve.

Within minutes of starting my journey I could see Sycamore Gap from the main road so I stopped for one last photo. Good job too, because the one I took here, that's still on the camera card, may well be my favourite of that perfectly placed tree.Read more