Last weekend, Masham, the town up the road had its wildly popular Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally. With heavy rain forecast, this year we didn’t go to the out-of-town fields (doubtless muddy) where it’s held. Anyway, we had an exhibition to get to – Masham Photographic Club always has a display in town during the Fair, and invites members of the public to vote for their favourite four images, out of – this year – a field of 57.
By Monday, the votes were counted and the winners announced. Astonishingly, I took first place. And second. Probably because they’re local views. The winning shot is my header photo, and below is the runner-up.

The header photo was just sheer serendipity. Walking down the lane early one morning I saw the scene you see now. I jut happened to have my phone with me, and captured the moment.
For Debbie’s Six Word Saturday.
Superb shots; well done 👏 I remember going to the steam fair at Masham as a kid 😃
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Well, as mobile phone shots both, they weren’t bad. I’ll get to the Steam Fair one day, Not really my thing, but the photo opportunities will abound.
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It’s incredible what we can do with phone cameras nowadays. I always remember the balloon race we used to launch at the fair; hundreds of sponsored balloons being released at once was quite a sight 😃
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Oh wow. I’d love to have seen that.
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Although, hang on. You mean ACTUAL balloons, don’t you, not hot air balloon which is what I was picturing in my head? Ah. Definitely an idea which no longer seems so great, especially in the countryside.
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Wow! I’m impressed. Blow that horn, girl!
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I’ll send you my autograph, Jo 😉
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Please do! 🤣💚
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Blow blow blow! Fantastic shots, well done!
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Thanks. You’d enjoy walking near Eavestone Lake, as I do.
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It looks magical, skill of the photographer and all that!
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Kind of you to say so, but yes, it’s a rather magical place, and luckily not over-visited.
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The best camera you have is the one ou have with you, but most of all seeing the possibilities. Very well done, you!
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Thanks Sue. Unfortunately no large cheque or winners cup comes my way!
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Ah well, can’t have it all!
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😦
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😄😄😂
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Well done, Margaret. They are lovely shots. Both have great light and are beautifully composed. A great achievement. x
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Thanks Debbie. And the best of it is they were both ‘snapshots’ in the true sense of the word! x
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Of course they should have won, fabulous for phone photos too 🙂
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Thanks Brian, My bottom-of-the-range phone does me quite proud, I think.
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Mine does OK as well. I am dreading the day it dies
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😦
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Well, I’m not astonished! Your photographs are a delight, Margaret. I’m always pleased to see a post from you in the Reader.
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Aw, thanks! You’ve made my morning!
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Well done indeed Margaret, and that trumpet sounds just fine!
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Shoulda played pipes?
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Well, I’m not surprised you were awarded first prize, Margaret – this is stunning! (as is your runner up entry!)
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Ah, thanks Sue. I’m glad you’ve solved the technical issues.
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Fantastic! Great shots and a well-deserved first and second place. Blow that trumpet loud!
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Thanks! Don’t want to wake the neighbours though.
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Well done you – maybe now you’ll stop being so apologetic about your photography skills? Yes, you were in the right place at the right time, but you still had to see the possibilities for an image and compose it well. The header is especially good – beautiful light!
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Thanks so much, I have a sneaking fondness for that first one.
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And so you should have!
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Congratulations! Superb photos! Fabulous light on the header, and magical colors on the other shot.
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They’re a decent enough advert for my home area, I hope!
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Definitely!
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Congratulations! These are gorgeous photographs. It does not matter how they came about, you saw the opportunity and snapped the shutter. That makes you the one who deserves the credit and the praise. Hurray!
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Thanks so much Ludwig.
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Delightful photos! Hearty congratulations for the recognition.
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Who knows what the next step will be 😉 ?
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What would you like it to be?
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To go back on learning I guess. For instance a very talented club member has offered to take me on a day’s 1-1 tuition later next month and has already set me homework!
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Sounds like a fantastic opportunity!
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I think so. Lucky me.
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😁
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Brilliant! Well done. First AND second is quite a coup. The only thing I know in Masham is the Black Sheep Brewery where we once spent a very enjoyable hour or two.
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… and which has just been saved from going into administration by being bought out. That would have been a piece of Masham history and a lot of local jobs gone, so thank goodness for the reprieve.
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Indeed!
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Congratulations! Both great pictures so a well-deserved victory, I’d say! I must admit I actually prefer the runner-up picture to the winner – such great colours.
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I know what you mean. And it was an unpromising November day when it was taken.
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Blow that trumpet hard! Your photos are wonderful. The Crepuscular rays in the first one are absolutely beautiful. You most definitely have the eye for a great composition. Congratulations on the wins 🍾🥂
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Oh, thanks Jude. It was quite a big shock, as I voted for some photos that I’d definitely have hung on our wall.
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Stunning!
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Ah, thank you!
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They are beautiful photos. Please blow another fanfare for me
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Woo-hoo! It’s getting noisy round here!
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🙂
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Congratulations! They are both very very beautiful images, I can see why you won! We have a similar thing here where the library hosts a photo contest for people to submit photos from our township. I never win but one year I did get an honorable mention. Some years I agree with the winning photo, some years I don’t…but it’s always fun!
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Indeed. And when I voted, I found it really difficult. There were so many images vying for my attention.
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Hurray! Well done you. Both are glorious shots, so your wins were very well deserved.
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Thank you! Fame at last.
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Well done Margaret!
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Thank you!
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Congratulations! And well deserved. At first, I only connected that first shot with the title: it works. That could be the visualisation of a HUGE trumpet blast through the trees.
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Haha! Excellent idea! That’ll wake the neighbours up.
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Beautiful photos, congrats on scooping the pool.
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Thanks so much. It was a shock!
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They are stunning images! Congratulations!
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Ah, thanks so much.
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