IMAGE-CROSSINGS

^{_{French Alps ©Ash James}}

“In life and landscape crossings don`t just happen;they have to be worked on.”
^{All images ©Ash James}

We all face crossings; from youth to eternity, from the me to the many, between certainty and doubt.

Landscapes provide a physical incarnation of this; their crossings have always demanded a human response.

In life and landscape crossings don`t just happen; they have to be worked on.

The greatest enemy is indifference.

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}} Mount Etna, Sicily, viewed from Taormina.

Etna stands some 50km to the south-east in this shot, taken from a hill-top balcony in Taormina. Cloud and smoke roll above its top, snow rests upon the early spring flanks, the blue hue`s of the image portending a moody omnipotence. Yet for millennia, humans have learnt to exist with its demands, wonder at its dominion, and for the most part, forge a respectful co-existence.

The same may be said for the images that follow, and for the challenge and inspiration landscapes have provide for human thought, expression and endeavour.

_{^{Photo ©Ash James}} Askham Fell, Cumbria, England.

The climb is more than justified by the magnificence of the view beyond the brow, across to Ullswater Lake and the Hellvellyn range. To our earliest predecessors, this was an obstacle to be crossed as efficiently and safely as possible. Stone circles nearby suggest that even they paused hereabouts, for thought, ceremony, ritual and gathering.

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}} Lindisfarne, Northumbria, England.

Walkers make landfall on Holy Island, Lindisfarne, having crossed the 2km of tidal flats in bare feet. Its isolation has encouraged religious settlement from at least the 6^th century, and the incoming waters confirm the healthy element of trepidation and planning, demanded by the crossing

^{Photo ©Ash James}

Waiho River Bridge, Franz Joseph, South Island New Zealand.

An alternative way to cross into an awe inspiring environment: the bridge had recently been rebuilt at the time of the shot (and in just 18 days), following devastating floods.

^{Photo ©Ash James}

Franz Josef Valley and Glacier, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.

The scale is almost beyond comprehension An overwhelming experience for the minute human figures on the flat valley bottom trail-a lesson in self-perspective and humility. Yet still the glacier retreats.

^{Photo ©Ash James}

Lake Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand.

At sunset. At peace.

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}} Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand.

The Steamship TSS Earnshaw crossing Lake Wakatipu and arriving at Queenstown as it has done since 1912

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}} Picton, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand.

The sea crossing of Cook Strait, from North to South Island and the amazing green landscapes familiar to hobbits everywhere.

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}}

Haddon Hill, Long Mynd, Church Stretton, Shropshire, England.

Half a world away from New Zealand and Cook Strait, but similarly sculpted vistas of the borderlands with Wales. For so long it demarcated the , “over there you, over here us“, brigades. Even today it`s a place where a snow storm whiteout can catch out the unwary. Not to be underestimated.

^{_{Photo ©Ash James}}Blea Water Tarn, Cumbria, England.

Sitting high above Haweswater Lake, and, on this day, a beautiful place in which to reflect. It lies just below an ancient route junction; the path from the left, used by Bronze Age groups (4,000 years ago), continues its arc right and upward to the gap in the crest, to be joined at the ridge by the much more recent (2,000 years ago) High Street, the highest Roman Road (828m) in England

Mist lying in the unseen valley from a vantage point from the now denuded ramparts of Kinver Hill Fort. A silent dawn to inspire the imagination, though 2,500 years previously a place used to signal human commitment to territory. “This is us. This is ours“. Today-“this is” National Trust land.

Loch Snizort Beag, Kensaleyre, Isle of Skye, Scotland

A western sunset across remote waters; food for the soul.

The 14th century Venetian harbour at sunset, welcoming the travelling economy as it has always done – many notable military invasions aside.

And mention of Venetians- since the mid 5th century its communities have provided a blueprint for how to create an existence alongside an apparently impenetrable terrain. It seems impossible to imagine a world without such uplifting examples of architectural splendour and human ingenuity. But is the dream sinking under the weight of visitors?

And a further nod to ingenuity; or a blurring of the vision? The amazing use of natural lines for human activity. But in crossing the divide, how far do we go?

“In life as in landscape crossings don`t just happen;they have to be worked on.”

But how far should we travel?

IMAGE-CROSSINGS

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