Wishing everyone all the best for the New Year to come – hopefully you have fun celebrating its arrival and every success as it starts.

This is a quick black and white tree picture from my day trip to the Lake District on Boxing Day. I saw it winding up to the rugged little Blea Tarn car park, and wandering back down to shoot a couple of frames before setting up at the tarn proper. It’s maybe a little dark, but I thought I’d keep the stormier, gloomier edge that made me take the picture, rather than pushing things to a more measured presentation.

I’d recommend this corner of the Lakes especially to day trippers with cameras – it’s easy enough to access, but feels authentically remote.

For those that like tree shots, I’d recommend JAT2012 aka Judith Taylor for a whole body of work in that regard – with trees of endless varied characters in urban settings.

Catching up now after a week away from proper internet.