The Cotswolds - Burford

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Burford is a small town on the River Windrush in the Cotswold hills. The name derives from the Old English words burh meaning fortified town or hilltown and ford, the crossing of a river. 

With its medieval bridge, old stone houses and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages, Burford is justifiably called one of the most picturesque towns in England. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, the town was originally a fortified Anglo-Saxon ford, which continued in use until just after the Norman conquest of England, when the town of Burford was built on its current site.

The Cotswolds on a sunny morning

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It was high time to get some sunrise images of my local area, as I hadn't been out for a while, mainly because sunrise is about 5 am at this time of year, and frankly I just couldn't drag myself out of bed in time. It's one thing to be on location and know that you only have a few days to get the shots you want, but quite another when you're at home and you know there will always be tomorrow...

So after some determined effort to get up and about, I found myself down on the banks of the River Windrush at 4.30 in the morning, I followed its path as it languidly snakes its way from Burford towards Swinbrook on the look out for a suitable spot to watch the sun appear.

A spot on the River Windrush

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While I was over at my favourite place on the River Windrush for a sunset shoot not so long ago, and it occurred to me it might be interesting to see a collection of my images taken over the past year or so, gathered together in one place, to see how the seasonal tides shape the landscape around this small river.

So that is what I did, and here are selection of my favourites, mainly taken at sunrise or sunset, when the best light is to be had. Even though they were captured within a couple of hundred yards of each other, along the same stretch of peaceful water, the diverse qualities of the light, and the time of year they were taken, makes each image different.

Storm Clouds

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We had quite an eventful couple of days last weekend with the weather. Surprisingly enough I wasn't out with my camera much at the time, but I did spot a particularly rambunctious weather system develop over where I live, and it would have been a crime not to get any pictures.

So, at great risk to my own personal safety, I braved the savage elements and got a few pictures of some lovely old Cotswold houses under an infernal assault of meteorological viciousness.

Luckily I managed to get back inside before it started drizzling, my person intact.

Exhibitionist clouds over Burford

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Those pesky clouds have been up their old tricks, namely showing off and generally acting up again.

I happened to look out my window the other day and wouldn't you know it, they were swaggering across the sky with such pompous bravado you'd have thought they owned the place.

Well, I'm not one to sit back and let such pretentious affectations go undocumented, so I immediately grabbed my camera and took to recording this unfettered tribute to garishness, with a view to shaming them into behaving with a bit more respectability next time.

So once you have fortified yourself, with a strong drink in one hand, and a sternly disapproving look in the other, I would bid you to peruse the following images with caution.

I would also suggest you carry out this investigation whilst seated, I cannot be responsible for any injuries you sustain as a result of swooning at the outrageous dandyism displayed before you.

Evening Light over a Cotswold Town

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I happened to look out my window the other day and what did I observe? Well the usual things, as you would imagine, seeing as my window is in the same place it’s always been, and the things outside, such as trees and walls etc, are well known for their inclinations to stay put. 

So it would come as no surprise to you if the answer to my question about what I observed was ‘I saw exactly the same things in exactly the same places as I always see when I look out of that exact window’. And your lack of bewilderment would be well founded, because that is what I did see.