SteveTanham – writing, mysticism, photography, poetry, friends

Category: Lake District

October 11, 2020 + #Silenti, Lake District, landscapes, Mystery Schools, myths and spirituality, nature, Photographic techniques, Photography

Mellow moods for Autumn (2) The Secret Path

by Steve Tanham

There are three ways back from the centre of Kirkby Lonsdale to Devil’s Bridge, where most visitors park their cars, if they’re just there for the views and, possibly, a coffee. There’s the river path, itself, with the steep descent down Mill Brow to the Lune Valley; there’s the main street out of the town to the south; and there’s this – the tree-lined … Read More Mellow moods for Autumn (2) The Secret Path

October 4, 2020 + #Silenti, Consciousness, Lake District, landscapes, Photographic techniques, Photography, Seasons of the year

Mellow Moods for Autumn (1)

by Steve Tanham

A series of seasonal shots for Sunday, in either monochrome or with the colour reduced to give that mellow mood… The mists and the lane. The first mists gently fill the spaces between the trees at the end of the lane. So ‘soft and special’ you want to run out and take the shot before the shafts of sunlight disappear… ©Stephen Tanham, 2020. Stephen … Read More Mellow Moods for Autumn (1)

September 8, 2020 + #Collie dogs, #Silenti, humour, Lake District, landscapes

#ShortWrytz : PotFest – it’s a hoot!

by Steve Tanham

It’s a short post this morning… I’m awash to the gunnels with prep for this coming weekend’s ‘On the Pictish Trail’ weekend, based in Inverness and a few points north; eventually, (with a whittled-down group) ending up in Orkney, one of the most naturally spiritual landscapes I’ve even visited. All those will be reported on here, and at the Silent Eye in due course. … Read More #ShortWrytz : PotFest – it’s a hoot!

August 23, 2020 + #ShortWrytz, #Silenti, Ancient Landscapes, Collie dogs, Consciousness, Lake District, nature, Photography

#ShortWrytz : The house by the river

by Steve Tanham

We’re often in Kirkby Lonsdale. It’s the perfect dog-walk for Tess, our collie, who loves to chase the ball in its riverside park, then sniff her way along the riverbank as we enter the town by the steep steps that lead to one of the best views in the county – Ruskin’s View. This part of the Lune Valley was a favourite haunt of … Read More #ShortWrytz : The house by the river

August 2, 2020 + #Cats, #Collie dogs, #FurryFives, #RagDollCats, Cats, Collie dogs, humour, Lake District

#FurryFives – thin red line

by Steve Tanham

Misti! Yes, Tess? Let’s have a nose race and see who can cross this red line first! But your nose is already there… Sometimes you’re cleverer than Mum says… ©Stephen Tanham, 2020

July 9, 2020 + #Silenti, Child of Light, Consciousness, esoteric psychology, Lake District, Photography, Silent Eye School, Soul, Spirituality, The Beloved

The Summer Within

by Steve Tanham

When I was a young boy, a favourite uncle, who was quite old, said to me, “You always feel young, inside, you know…” It’s a sentiment I’ve heard many times. I knew it to be true – from the look in the eyes of those who said it, despite the lines of time on their faces. But now, to experience it in my sixties, … Read More The Summer Within

April 23, 2020 + #Silenti, Consciousness, Druids, English Lake District, Lake District, Silent Eye School

Marking the Horizon

by Steve Tanham

Our garden is south-facing, which is lovely when the sun shines, as we benefit from its rays through most of the day. I’ve begun to write about the history of our ‘gunpowder’ village of Sedgwick in other posts. The old (drained) canal bed that runs through our garden has been a challenge to incorporate into a coherent design, but, a decade on, we seem … Read More Marking the Horizon

April 16, 2020 + #Collie dogs, #Silenti, Consciousness, Family memories, Lake District, landscapes

The Joyous Photograph

by Steve Tanham

From a photographic perspective, we live in a wonderful age. Even the most humble of today’s mobile phones boasts a decent camera. Used within their limitations, we can achieve an amazing record of our days – even locally to our homes – with the use of a few simple techniques. My wife and I, plus our cat and dog, are lucky to live in … Read More The Joyous Photograph

April 7, 2020 + #Poetry, Alchemical Poetry, Lake District, nature, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Light on Black

by Steve Tanham

I will not tread upon your words Whose worth is in these hills and lakes Where golden flowers charmed the breeze That carried you to greatness ➰ But armed with eyes of fingered glass Which sense and frame intensity I reach into the now of gold To capture black’s propensity ➰ To frame in light what lies beyond And host a soul that only … Read More Light on Black

March 31, 2020 + #Silenti, Collie dogs, Dementia, humour, Lake District, landscapes, Photography, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Circles around Sedgwick (1)

by Steve Tanham

It’s a Viking word, Sedgwick. It dates from the time when the Lake District was part of the Danelaw, the half of England under the rule of the Norsemen, and means ‘place by the river’. The river in question is the Kent, which flows from Kentmere lake through Kendal on its way to the estuary at nearby Arnside, then out as a major channel … Read More Circles around Sedgwick (1)

March 10, 2020 + #Poetry, #Silenti, Lake District, nature, Photography, Poetry, Seasons of the year, Spirituality

Unfolding Lilac

by Steve Tanham

And then one day there will unfold Before delighted gaze A purple ring where thickest mud Had tempered walks on winter days ⦿ Where sliding boots had struggled To cross the sodden land Our eyes now look with wonder To gaze on colour’s gentle hand ⦿ Time and tide’s persistence Their essence of ascent From sodden bulb to flower’s joy A hidden rite of … Read More Unfolding Lilac

March 3, 2020 + #ShortWrytz, #Silenti, Lake District, landscapes, Photographic techniques, Photography, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

#ShortWrytz : Hope in the Sky

by Steve Tanham

I have always looked for the key ‘moments’ as the turn of the year progresses. My favourite is the first day when you feel like ‘spring is in the air’. But, prior to that, there are certain nights in March when you feel that there is ‘hope’ in the sky – and sometimes that comes in the darkness rather than in the day. Here … Read More #ShortWrytz : Hope in the Sky