Ice breaker by judithg

Ice breaker

OK a blatant cheat. When I was loading up photos for my Blurb book the other night I loaded this one that I realised had never made the cut. Taken on 5th February last year it isn't quite appropriate for today - the river isn't frozen - but the wind chill is making it feel like it should be. I don't know why I didn't post it - possibly because it was a weird crop which I've adjusted. There are fewer 'extreme punters' on the river this year because the council finally won a legal battle to ban unlicensed punt hire operators. It's a very good things because apart from the lack of insurance they also come with an army of 'touts' who hassle tourists and locals all day long, go for a hard sell and undercut the licensed operators who pay rates, insurance, taxes etc.
Three good things:
1. Successful birthday present shopping for Nigel's dad this morning (shame his birthday was in February).
2. Several chores I've been putting off actually achieved.
3. Having Rachel home to chuck hoops for Monty - would have had a better conversation if I hadn't had my hood up!
Great capture
March 25th, 2013  
It is lovely, they are very brave to go out on the river like that.
March 25th, 2013  
Wow. These colors are matching for the scene. Very nice.
March 25th, 2013  
its interesting. it must have actually been colder last year because i dont think the rivers have been frozen this year. Nice vintage looking shot.
March 25th, 2013  
Great shot of frozen river. The one posted 5th Feb last year must have been a very good one:-)
March 25th, 2013  
@fueast I think you're right - it must have got to -6 ish for the rivers to freeze - this year it's just been incessant 'dismal'.
March 25th, 2013  
I'm glad that wasn't taken today!
Love the reflection in the wake. :)
March 25th, 2013  
That's a gosh from me. Looks great fun assuming they're strong enough and I wonder if they're insured for ice breaking.
Yeah, winter hoods = sensory deprecation + snugness
March 25th, 2013  
You nearly got me there. The wind is freezing here, too. I really, really hope for some warm weather soon!
March 25th, 2013  
Fabulous shot! That's indicative of how things "feel" around here today. Cold, cold, cold. The punter in the blue shirt seems rather extreme due to the fact he doesn't appear to be wearing a coat or jacket...I'm thinking he must have been a bit chilly.
March 25th, 2013  
@fueast @humphreyhippo @sleepdozer57 Having said it's not today (or even this year) my neighbour just told me her son and husband went on a canoe race at the weekend (S West somewhere??) and they had to send a barge down the river to break the ice first.....
March 25th, 2013  
I know this is Camebridge but I am reminded of Paris for some obscure reason!! I think I must have seen a picture of the Seine with people on the bridge like this, the sepia suits it so well too....far too good a photo not to show us!!! Fave!
Hoods are no good for conversation or seeing sideways!!!
March 25th, 2013  
Lovely shot. I like the path created by the boat through the ice. Glad you shared it now.
March 25th, 2013  
@peggysirk Quite dangerous if he fell in. Mind you I saw them telling somebody water-phobic that it was 100% safe on a REALLY windy day with a high/fast-flowing river when it absolutely wasn't 100% safe though it's generally the punter who's at risk.
March 25th, 2013  
This is a perfect picture for interest, balance, colour - love those golden willows - apart from being totally unbelievable - ice punters - must be mad - so are the passengers!
March 25th, 2013  
@happypat No - I am going to get run over - and of course a total disaster for cycling because you look over your shoulder and only see the back of your hood!
March 25th, 2013  
@maggiemae Well yes and the passengers pay for the pleasure!
March 25th, 2013  
Dreamy and golden, just beautiful. Glad you posted it.
March 25th, 2013  
Well, I'm still giving a blatant fav even though you say this is a blatant cheat! (No 365 police on here though, so no worries!) Love the bygone era feel and the interested onlookers on the bridge.... wonderful!
March 25th, 2013  
Jo
I can't believe people would want to go punting on a day like that or this!! So glad I'm not the only one who posted a filler, only difference is you've earnt the right!
March 25th, 2013  
@mejbronant Actually I looked it up (!) and it was the other direction which weirdly wasn't frozen!
March 25th, 2013  
@jackie8 A blatant thank you!
March 25th, 2013  
BRRRR. love this. The color coming back into the willow? tree adds beautifully.
March 25th, 2013  
Tim
Lovely shot. Love the line being cut through the ice by the punt. It looks freezing. Great shot.
March 25th, 2013  
That's lovely, I bet that made a satisfying crack as it went through the ice.
March 25th, 2013  
great shot Max nearly home other than his announced his vegan so ive told him to stay at his dads and VISIT me cant be doing with that Vegatarian yes VEGAN no feel like ive been stripped of my motherhood tho its the only means i have to spoil him :(
March 25th, 2013  
Lovely shot.
March 25th, 2013  
this is brilliant judith, the post processing gives it a timeless feel.

If printed, I think this could be the cover of the "Greenwoods Christmas Card"

March 25th, 2013  
@ditto44 Rachel is off chocolate and 'anything unhealthy' and that's really annoying me. There's delicious home made chocolate ice cream in the freezer and last term I got loads of brownie points for biscuits and cakes. If she said she'd gone vegan I'd have to make her live elsewhere with her dad (which would be quite extreme because he lives with me!)
March 25th, 2013  
...oh forgot to say +FAV Too
March 25th, 2013  
It's beautiful. Great capture.
March 25th, 2013  
Brr it looks sooo cold, we found a warm spot in the tropical plant section at the botanical gardens, Helen and Mac are back later tonight they will feel the cold after a week of hot weather, it must be nice for you having Rachel at home for a while, we are going to miss the boys
March 25th, 2013  
@judithg :) see his dad is vegan because of the new wife .. see judith my mum does an easter /mybirrhday meal every year which is why he was coming back for roast lamb and beef could have had pots coliflower cheese and ratatoille if he was just vegertarian but no so he can eat the ratatoille and thats it not even the dessert should be funny watching tho because he so love his food i give it 3 months just wish he had been more considerate and told us a month ago
March 25th, 2013  
@ditto44 If you put cheese on the ratatouille it may be over even quicker! I think the smell of lamb would be enough to make me crack.
March 25th, 2013  
I'm so glad it's not that bad today! Excellent photo with the golden tones contrasting with the cold ice and snow.
March 25th, 2013  
Love the vintage feel to this interesting composition. It feels colder to me this year but then again the old memory etc....
March 25th, 2013  
Wow - hadnt't realised it got that cold earlier on! No wonder we're all desperate for some greenery :)
March 26th, 2013  
While this is a lovely shot - truly it is - I think I prefer the flowers - even with their snowcaps they seem warmer than this!
March 26th, 2013  
I imagine everything looks pretty much the same this year -- it's a lovely shot.
March 26th, 2013  
Cheating works for me.
March 26th, 2013  
Love the ongoing conversation re vegans going through this!! a night mare to feed!! fabulous pic from last year, who in their right mind would enjoy this? I thought as I walked to the p.o yesterday in icy wind, why do people want to walk across the north pole? Beautifully edited and glad you found it ! and a fav too!!
March 26th, 2013  
@judithg Home made ice cream!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2013  
@happypat Mary Berry recipe. I needed to use up some eggs. I used a big bar of Bournville - it's absolutely gorgeous!!
March 26th, 2013  
Lovely tones xx
March 26th, 2013  
Oh what a great shot and would definitely make a most stylish Christmas card for next year!
March 26th, 2013  
Neat shot ....from your pre Canon days?
March 26th, 2013  
Beautiful shot and processing!
March 26th, 2013  
Brrr... Looks like our weather here in Virginia too.
March 26th, 2013  
Beautiful shot! nasty weather you are having!!! this could be the endless winter......
March 26th, 2013  
faved
the bloke punting does not have a jumper on! bbrrr
March 27th, 2013  
Has a real old fashioned look to this. Nice one
March 28th, 2013  
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