Ridgeway I, Uffington White Horse
Ridgeway II, Wiltshire
Ridgeway III, Oxfordshire
Ridgeway IV, The Manger, Vale of White Horse
Ridgeway V, Buckinghamshire
Ridgeway VI. Chilterns
Ridgeway VII
Wiltshire
Ridgeway VIII
Wiltshire
Ridgeway IX
Wiltshire
Ridgeway X, Wiltshire
Ridgeway XI, Wiltshire
Ridgeway XII, Chilterns
Ridgeway XIII, Oxfordshire
Ridgeway XIV, Oxfordshire
Ridgeway XV, Oxfordshire
Ridgeway XVI, Wiltshire
Ridgeway XVII, Buckinghamshire
Ridgeway XVIII, Chilterns
Ridgeway XIX, Chilterns
Ridgeway XX, Chilterns
“Momently clinging to the things we knew — Friends , footpaths, hedges, house and animals. Till bourne along like twigs and bits of straw we sink below the sliding stream of time.”
John Betjeman, On leaving Wantage, 1972
A photo series made along the Ridgeway, England’s oldest road, during a 6 day walk in September 2013 backpacking and wild camping where possible along the 87 miles from Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon. Most of the photos were taken with a 400mm telephoto lens more commonly used for sports and wildlife photography in order to isolate graphic elements in the distant landscape.
For at least 5000 years travellers have used the Ridgeway. Originally connected to the Dorset coast, the Ridgeway provided a reliable trading route to The Wash in Norfolk. The high dry ground made travel easy and provided a measure of protection by giving traders a commanding view, warning against potential attacks.
This photo series was conceived of as a follow-on project from my walk along the Thames last year Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song.
Geometry & Silence 
I’m so glad you offered the information at the end. I was enjoying the photos, very much, but was questioning the origin. Love this series!!
Glad you like the text – I try and say something to orientate the viewer as the work is very abstract
Quintin,
I feel like we look at the world through the same eyes. I love to travel, am interested in the same things as you, & have always loved taking photos. For me though, I am not inclined or interested at learning technique. All my photos are taken with my iPhone now. Using a ‘formal’ camera & anticipating photo shoots would probably take the fun out of it for me. I am so glad that you are not that way & that I can live vicariously through your travels & photos. In this particular series, I also really enjoyed your write up. Your photos speak for themselves artistically & emotionally, but having the history enriches it all the more. Thank you & keep following your passion!
Maggie Begley (aka the Spirited Soul)
Thanks for stopping by Maggie. I can see the wisdom of using an iPhone – it stops the gear getting in the way of the experience. I know I miss many things by always thinking about “the image”
p.s. I’m at least happy we are living in the digital age (although I miss the ‘old-fashioned’ ways), & now I feel a little thrill just having my Flickr account. Lol.
These are so great too. Those sky shots – I just want to dive into them! Love the one ‘Ridgeway IX’ too. Marvellous.
Thanks James – glad you like the sky shots – it was the moment before dusk so a lot of rushing about to get the tripod out in time
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