White car and Yewbarrow, Wasdale

Glorious Wastwater under a cloud-streaked sky

Little Hell Gate on Great Gable, from afar and up close. One of the hardest walks I've ever done.

Sheep and Scafells from Yewbarrow

A pair of industrial objects seen from Frodsham marsh

Long-exposure shot under the M56 motorway, Frodsham

Weston Point chemical works from Frodsham marsh

The view from the Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn - not a place for those who suffer from vertigo

This year's reading, moving from the Peak District to hauntings via a smidgen of quantum physics

My new, and last, painting of the year: 'Henge'

Quite possibly the creepiest Christmas window display I've ever seen: Boyes in Scarborough

Scarborough reflections

Sleeping seal near Ravenscar

When Scarborough's Grand Hotel was opened in 1867, it was the largest of its kind in Europe. It's still a magnificent building, testament to Victorian confidence in the future, but people I met told me it's no longer a great place to stay.

A glorious morning on Scarborough beach before the haar rolled in

A really special couple of days exploring Scarborough. This is the impossibly picturesque village of Robin Hood's Bay, which shows that high density living can be achieved with something other than skyscrapers.

Who needs fireworks when you have light and water: Merchants Quay, Salford

Blade Runner vibes, Bridgewater Canal, Manchester

The former pigeon tower at the top of Rivington Terraced Gardens, looking very gothic in the darkness

Nightfall on Rivington Pike

A stunning photograph of the installation of the ironwork of London's Abbey Mills Pumping Station in 1867. Found in the archives in Bolton.

Manchester's winter rain and gloom produces its own distinctive kind of beauty

Stairwell, Barbican

Traffic lights reflected on chrome pillars, Bishopsgate

Sheffield surfaces

Lunar sun between the ramparts of the Iron-Age fort on Mam Tor

Exceptional contrasts on the Great Ridge today: first the view east towards Back Tor, then west to Mam Tor

Apparition created by reflected sunlight, Kelham Island, Sheffield

Demolition of the former Cannon Brewery, Kelham Island, Sheffield

Kinder Scout yesterday afternoon

Spotlight, Salford

Colourfield shutters, Band on the Wall, Manchester

Car park op art, Manchester

Manchester's primary colours on the Rochdale canal

Transfiguration in Salford

Low sun on buildings fronting the River Irwell, including a half-demolished tower

Some beautiful water/light melds yesterday in Manchester

Greengate, Salford

Walking the shadow, Fairfield Street, Manchester

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for! But you were gorgeous today

My day so far

Four views on the Bridgewater canal heading into Manchester

A final blast of sunlight on Manchester's increasingly crowded skyline, from the Bridgewater Canal

An hour of magical light this afternoon on the River Irwell, Salford

A new painting: pigeon towers of Cairo

Four views of the Hope Cement Works, Peak District

Stunning autumnal colours of the ancient beeches in Padley Gorge, Peak District

Five hikers on Houndkirk Moor, Peak District

White horse against a dark sky near Rinninglow, Peak District

Mind-boggling vista from Clapham Junction station