Posts Tagged ‘slate quarry’

first breath of light

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Slate Quarry, Capel Curig

I keep going back to these old miners cottages in Snowdonia. I am not sure why, there is very little left standing now, but I think it’s the thrill of getting there and getting set up just before the sunrise briefly kisses the old ruins of the miners cottages with golden light. I wonder every time how many sunrises these cottages have seen. When did they last see men sleeping under their roofs? Which fierce winter was it that finally wrenched the roofs off? How long until there is nothing left here but a pile of rock.

Slate Mill

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

It was rather wonderful to visit this deserted slate mill, far up a track in a rarely visited area of Wales. I really wanted to find this mill so I could go back in better light. I think this shot is quite nice though, the light under the threatening dark clouds.

A Storm over Snowdon

Friday, January 23rd, 2009


This simple looking image is the result of lots of hard work – it’s crafted from a set of images stitched together. The original picture is now massive would fill a wall without looking at all pixely. I really like it a lot. This might be because of the effort involved in building it and the knowledge this has so much potential to print really big. I am hoping I just like it because its full of drama and reminds me of classical biblical paintings – only time and some expensive printing will tell…

Llanberis Slate Quarry

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

I had only walked through the slate quarry at Llanberis once a few years back. That was a purposeful group march to access the peaks above the quarry. I remember feeling then that the ghosts of the past seemed to linger in the abandoned workers buildings and made a point to get back there with more time. Years later, on the edge of a storm and alone, this visit felt like wandering through a wonderful and abandoned gothic film set.

12th April 2008

Saturday, April 12th, 2008


Slate pots, in progress.

Good slate is so enjoyable to work with. Making these pots today gave me a really sense of connection with the past. Maybe it’s because slate can’t be worked without slowing down and being patient. Slate is unforgiving to any modern-day rushing around; it won’t hesitate to break with one over-zealous impact.

9th March 2008

Sunday, March 9th, 2008


Hodge Close Quarry, Coniston

This disused slate quarry is now a mecca for rock climbers seeking E-graded sports routes. We had taken climbing kit with us, but alas slate is a slippery as ice when even slightly wet, and in this case, water was streaming down these the bolted climbing routes.

I did some research on this quarry when I got home and found [this] most amazing autumn panoramic shot of this quarry by Gary Waidson, which quite frankly made me want to give up photography, or perhaps try a lot harder!