WALK REPORT A big thank you to Sumeet, Priya, Anne, Aleks, Russell, and Zac for helping me test out English Country Walks’ first overnight trip, to Somerset in the west of England. On our walk, we encountered lots of apples, mushrooms, wild garlic and snails, rode a steam train, visited Dunster Castle, spent the night in a cozy bed and breakfast, drank local ales and ciders, and feasted in country pubs. 40 shots in this set. Click on the montage below to see the complete photo stream. Comments welcome!
Dunster Castle, 3D view
Date 15 Oct 2007
This is kind of cool. In amongst the photos I took during last weekend’s trip to West Somerset (walk report here), I found two shots which show a piece of Dunster Castle. Quite by chance they form a stereo pair, which means you ought to be able to view this image in 3D. [read comments]
To make the 3D effect work, start with your head about 15 inches from the screen. Slowly begin to cross your eyes so that the pair of Xs in the foreground line up and overlap. Then freeze; after a few seconds your brain should recalibrate to this new way of seeing. Don’t worry if you see 3 images – ignore the outer two and just concentrate on the middle one. It helps if you shield your peripheral vision by cupping your hands around your eyes.
Once you’ve lined up the first X, the second should appear further back up the hill. Now can you see the castle in 3D? You’ll know you’ve got it when the bottom X appears to sink back into the shrubbery. The top X should float somewhere above the bushes.
With a little bit of patience and practice, and as long as you’re not wearing glasses, it should work. When it does, it’s pretty nifty! The individual leaves and tree branches jump out of the picture, giving you a sense of the image’s true depth. Hint: relax your eyes and don’t try to focus too hard. Also try varying your distance from the screen a bit.
If you want more help on how to view a stereo pair, try this page for more thorough instructions. Or watch this 3D animation I made here.
More pics from this trip here.
– DW
ps please leave a comment letting me know if you can see it or not – I’d be interested to hear what proportion of readers it’s working for
Westward Ho!
Date 12 Oct 2007
At 8am tomorrow, we’re off to Somerset for the trial run of our West Somerset Steam Railway walk. A couple of preview shots for you, courtesy of Geograph:
Steam train at Bishops Lydeard.
© Copyright Martin Bodman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
A view of the railway from the village of Old Cleeve.
© Copyright Steve Edge and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
More photos when we get back on Monday.
– DW
An Autumn Day in Essex
Date 1 Oct 2007
WALK REPORT Here are some photos from my test walk to Tiptree and Maldon yesterday. This time I went alone, and it was just as well, as I spent a lot of the day lying on the ground in attempts to get good photos of berries and mushrooms! 24 pics in this set – scroll down to see the full-size images.
New Forest Foray #1
Date 25 Sep 2007
WALK REPORT This was meant to be a test of my New Forest mushroom hunting walk. Sadly, we only found one mushroom. It was up a tree, and not very photogenic, so you won’t see it featured in the pictures below. I expect to have more luck in October and November, when the growing conditions will be better.
Our route today starts in Brockenhurst, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and follows the Lymington River valley down to the sea. 23 pics in this set. Thanks for coming, Nadine!
Stonehenge & Salisbury Walk
Date 21 Sep 2007
WALK REPORT Last Sunday I organized a trial walk to a new destination for ECW – Stonehenge! My flatmates Aleks and Mai came with me. The day before, I posted ads on the online classified boards Gumtree and Craigslist, inviting others along to help test the route … and hey presto, bright and early Sunday morning at Waterloo station we were joined by Lucas (from Australia) and Thuan, who was over in London on business from San Francisco and had the day off from her crazy work schedule.
Winkworth Arboretum
Date 12 Aug 2007
WALK REPORT Just a couple of shots from a test walk to Winkworth Arboretum, near Guildford in Surrey. Trying it out as a possible autumn destination. Photos by Adam Pushkin.
Trial Walk at Tring
Date 30 Jul 2007
WALK REPORT These photos are from a test run of a walk I did on Sunday with Lizzie, Katie, and Jonny to Tring and the Ivinghoe Beacon. The Beacon is an outcrop of the Chiltern Hills that lie to the northwest of London; from it you get some amazing views out over the surrounding English countryside. Thanks to my St Albans friend Graham Williams for suggesting the route. I may incorporate it into the schedule as one of my autumn walks. Scroll down for the full-size images, with captions.
White Cliffs, May 21st
Date 26 May 2007
WALK REPORT Here are a few photos from the walk I did last Monday near the Seven Sisters – a line of white chalk cliffs on the south coast of England, where the hills of the South Downs meet the English Channel. It was a dreary day, not a great one for photography – hope to have some better shots next time around!
Route: Exceat – Westdean – Friston Forest – East Dean (Tiger Inn) – Crowlink – Seven Sisters – Cuckmere Haven – Exceat [walk profile]
The flintstone facing on this cottage in Westdean village is characteristic of this region of Southeast England.
All Saints chapel in Westdean, completely deserted on a wet Monday afternoon.
Inside All Saints chapel. What is the proper name of the cloth hanging behind the carved wooden eagle lectern?