Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The route should be easily identifiable from the photographs by those familiar with the area. It went along Brook Way to the Aldi roundabout, detoured to Tesco Extra before passing through the nature reserve down to the duck ponds and then under the road bridge before rejoining Brook Way at the Sherbourne’s Brake roundabout. It\u2019s about 5km and so isn\u2019t a major undertaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, with camera in-hand and set to black and white mode I set off around my local area with only a mid-range zoom deciding to leave camera bag and tripod at home. In mind was the idea of a warts and all<\/em>, slightly grungy feel to any images, something that should work well in a Film noir style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve walked the route countless times over the years but on this occasion, for some reason, I was greatly amused by the sheer number of signposts many of which lean slightly one way or another. With their text, arrows or coloured symbols they stand atop short grey rusting poles littering the landscape with no apparent regard to their aesthetic or visual impact. Along Brook Way they seem to outnumber the trees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m glad to write that some signage, specifically that for the \u2018Three Brooks local nature reserve\u2019 has clearly been given greater thought with its lettering elegantly carved into large timbers. But, disappointingly, planted alongside these nice signs are ugly, plastic footpath\/cycle-path signage and yet more of the ubiquitous grey poles. Yes, I\u2019m having a moan but is all this ugly signage really necessary?<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the top of the route near the Aldi roundabout are some shops and a telephone box. The box is of a generation prior to deregulation when British Telecom managed the UK telephone system as opposed to the more well known, red coloured, traditional Post Office telephone boxes. Again I found myself having a giggle as it, together with adjacent signage and fencing, was so off-level that it was a struggle to know just what was level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walking through the nature reserve the scenery changed from urban clutter to something more natural and pleasing to the eye. Alongside the main track running through the reserve are three wooden benches hewn from the trunks of trees presumably cut when, or soon after, the reserve was created. Wood ages beautifully and these benches are no exception. Although their once fresh, elaborate carvings have softened with age they are still great features adding character to the reserve. It\u2019s also great to see that new carvings are still being created. During 2023 in woodland behind the sports centre an Owl was carved by artist Andy O\u2019Neil. This beautiful creation sits at eye level atop its wooden stump and looks incredibly realistic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes when walking through the reserve small groups from the Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group are encountered. If you see them, stop and say \u2018hello\u2019 as they are all volunteers and doing a wonderful job at looking after the reserve for us all. On a different but recent walk I stopped and had a most enjoyable chat with Sara who was incredibly knowledgeable and keen to talk about the flora, fauna and the work of volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back in the office the images were uploaded, developed and Film noir styled using Capture One and Silver Effects from DxO. Looking at them now, as a collection, I quite like the Film noir styling; it\u2019s helped add a little drama to what could otherwise be some quite mundane images. I especially like the resulting detail on the Three Brooks signage, fence and dead tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The full collection of images from the walk are below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n My previous posts regarding Bradley Stoke and the Three Brooks nature reserve are available to read at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Autumn in Savages Wood<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWonky<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Three Brooks Nature Reserve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Wrap-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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