SteveTanham – writing, mysticism, photography, poetry, friends

Category: Ancient Landscapes

We thought we’d save it for the final day of our time in Co. Donegal but then – on the way back from visiting a nearby hilltop ring fort and surviving a gale that tried to hurl us off the elevated walkways – we felt in need of a gentler experience. Driving back to our rented cottage, we passed the Inch Banks causeway that … Read More A Donegal Journey (3) The Last Inch

September 19, 2023 + #Collie dogs, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, landscapes, nature

Tidal salt-marsh

by Steve Tanham

The tidal salt marshes at Bolton-le-Sands – between Morecambe and Carnforth, on the Lancashire coast – are both beautiful and treacherous… The sea races in and fills the narrow channels, sometimes overspilling onto what seemed safe walking paths only a short time before. It’s easy to work your way to the sea through the maze of possible paths, only to find the tide has … Read More Tidal salt-marsh

September 17, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, landscapes, Photography

The waters of early autumn

by Steve Tanham

As a child, I remember being conscious of a few autumn days that had a ‘special gold’ in them. Walking the collie by the River Kent, I realised we were experiencing another. I looked down at the surface of the water and knew I had a short time to record one of the special moments that characterise such mellowness. ©Stephen Tanham 2023 Stephen Tanham … Read More The waters of early autumn

August 20, 2023 + #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Photographic techniques, Photography, Travel

Edinburgh Fringe 2023

by Steve Tanham

Our first ‘Fringe’. Three days of hectic dashing from one side of the city to the other to find small or even tiny venues where the hopeful entertainers work their socks off. We loved it… but couldn’t have taken another day. Fabulous drama, incredible live music and acrobatic skills to make you gasp. Our favourite was a street juggler cum knife thrower cum reincarnated … Read More Edinburgh Fringe 2023

July 25, 2023 + #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Photography, Places and Prose

Never go back?

by Steve Tanham

Never go back! It’s a frequent admonition, reminding us that the world we find on our return may not have the magic it possessed at the time it was laid down, ‘shining’ in our memories. It’s often used in the context of a romantic involvement; the futility of attempting to recreate real emotion through place. But what if the going-back involved an early first-stage … Read More Never go back?

July 23, 2023 + #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Ancient Sacred Sites, landscapes, Photographic techniques, Photography

A Cross at Trearddur

by Steve Tanham

It wasn’t what I was expecting to see in the middle of the beautiful curve of Trearddur Bay, one of the jewels of the island of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast. But the more I looked at it, the more perfect its setting – like the ‘collector’ at the parabolic point of focus of a radio telescope’s dish. And how fitting that image … Read More A Cross at Trearddur

June 29, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Water-Circle+Cross (5-End) Gummer’s How

by Steve Tanham

There is always a poignancy about meeting up on the final day of one of the Silent Eye weekends. So much has been shared that it seems impossible that the beginning was only two days before. Everyone arrives ready to depart at the end of the morning, or – if they have the luxury of another hour or two – at the end of … Read More Water-Circle+Cross (5-End) Gummer’s How

June 22, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Water-Circle+Cross (5) The Wray home?

by Steve Tanham

Wray Castle is an imposing neo-gothic building on the north-western shores of Lake Windermere. It’s not a real castle, but looks very much like one, and was crafted according to authentic historical plans. It was built in 1840 for a retired surgeon from Liverpool, James Dawson, who also commissioned Wray Church on the same estate. He used his wealthy wife’s fortune to create it, … Read More Water-Circle+Cross (5) The Wray home?

June 15, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School

Water-Circle+Cross (4) in the realm of the sky-god

by Steve Tanham

There is a feeling – as Lake Windermere falls away below – that you are leaving behind one realm and entering another – one dominated by a sky-god. Within minutes we were climbing strongly, part way up the road that snakes over the hill and down to Hawkshead. Fed by the traffic from the chain-link ferry, it climbs steeply, twisting and turning its way … Read More Water-Circle+Cross (4) in the realm of the sky-god

June 13, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School

Water-Circle+Cross (3) Roof of the World

by Steve Tanham

**** Author’s note ***** For some obscure technical reason, this post failed to publish last week here on Sun in Gemini… and I’ve only just noticed. It did publish on the Silent Eye. For completeness, and ahead of the publication of the next part here on Thursday, I’m sending it to the printers, now! The Saturday morning of the Silent Eye’s 2023 ‘walking workshop’ … Read More Water-Circle+Cross (3) Roof of the World

June 1, 2023 + #Silent Eye, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Consciousness, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School

Water-Circle+Cross (2) “… a spell that changed my life.”

by Steve Tanham

In 1930, a 23 year old accountant from Blackburn arrived by train in the small town of Windermere, high above the lake that shares its name. He asked the way to the ancient path that climbed from the edge of the main road (what is now the busy A591) and, fastening his battered tweed jacket against the stiff breeze, strode up to the peak. … Read More Water-Circle+Cross (2) “… a spell that changed my life.”

May 30, 2023 + #Phoetry, #Poetry, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Collie dogs, Consciousness, English Lake District, guided mystical walks, landscapes, Mindfulness, Photography

Wander Wood #phoetry

by Steve Tanham

And is there time in wander wood Or slow, abiding, gentle ‘should’ Without resistance: touch and kiss A reaching for midsummer’s bliss So powerful this May surprise I need not leave my seat – just close my eyes To wander in the wonder wood ©Stephen Tanham 2023 Stephen Tanham is a Director of the Silent Eye, a journey through the forest of personality to … Read More Wander Wood #phoetry