Sometimes Local works

Following on from last weekend`s walk around the Chasewater Country Park, I purchased some fancy hiking trousers, the water repellent fleece line jobs that people seem willing to pay big money for, personally, I`ve always found canvas cargo trousers to do a good job, but whatever. So to Amazon I went and searched for Softshell Trousers, and I gave myself a budget of £25. They arrived yesterday, so today I put them through a gruelling photography hike of 2 miles... yes... two!!! Firstly, the fit really nice, they are comfortable, and they kept my legs warm. Pockets have zips so that was good, but the leg pockets are slightly too small for a smartphone in a crash case (protective cover for the not so accident prone) also, they pockets are quite snug so good enough for car keys and change. Overall the Voqeen trousers surpassed my expectations for £23.99.... couldn`t say how they compare to a £100+ pair but for someone who is only going to the wilds occasionally they work well enough.

Todays misadventure took place at Hagley Country Park at Clent, West Midlands. Entrance to the park costs £10 for an adult, which is a bit steep but then it is privately owned, the park does a 12 month season ticket which is £42 so that would make sense if you lived nearby and was going to make use of it as it gives you access all year round. There is a cafe at the entrance where you pay your admission so refreshments can be bought, don`t expect a Full English though as they aren`t equipped for that. The Park Perimeter walk is 1.9miles and well marked paths are easy to follow and doesn`t have any major hills but there are enough uphill/downhill parts and if my activity log is to be believed you have a 103m incline difference. Now being a Lazy Photographer, and being rather proud of the accolade, doing 2 miles up and down the side of a big hill nearly killed me, 3/4 of the way round I sat on a bench contemplating phoning the cafe and requesting a ranger come pick me up on a 4wheeler, but I gave my head a wobble and continued. To make matters interesting I had taken my full camera bag along and my tripod, so I felt like I was packed for a trip across the Gobi Plains.

Photography wise, you have a few options as there are follies dotted around the park to add some character, one of which would make for a really good year long project

Roman Bath House Follie

For Wildlife you are spoilt for choice really, obviously loads of birds, including a buzzard and there are Fallow Deer on the grounds and then closer to the Hall, a captive herd that don`t get worried by dog-walkers so photographing the wildlife is definitely an exercise in patience.

Wild Fallow hiding from the dogs

My deer fallow, would you mind awfully not pointing that lens in my direction, jolly good

Now before any readers think I`m against dogs in the park, I am not, but it is frustrating when you find deer, get your framing and composition 90% sorted and "Woof Woof Woof" and you just watch the deer vanish, so patience is key here, in winter the times are 10am-4pm so visitors with cameras and visitors with dogs are crammed into a 6hr window.

the Tower

This time round I made sure my camera was recording files in both Jpeg and RAW, unlike last weekends fiasco and the more I shoot with it, the more besotted I become... it really is a joy to use even though I still have a ways to go getting to grips with it. The Fujifilm X-T5 is fast becoming my favouritist camera ever... hardly suprising as i only own 3 cameras.

In conclusion, cheap hiking trousers do the job, a 2 mile walk can give you a beating, and Hagley Country Park is a pleasant place for a 2hr sojourn but £10 is a bit steep in my opinion, although if you decide to take the 12 month pass they deduct it from the price so then it`s very reasonable indeed.

I was on my own today so apologies for the lack of funny incidents starring Fekawee, but the moment he heard I was going he came out with a long list of excuses to not join me on this.

Take Care & Stay Safe Folks