A walk before work.

 I always carry the camera with me even on the shortest of walks. Today was no exception and as it was a day in the gallery for me and the dogs we took a short walk to the east of the town. As we left the outskirts of Barnard Castle the sun was just rising.

Sunrise over snow.

It looked as if any sun this morning would be limited judging by the higher cloud but I took the chance and walked towards Egglestone Abbey, about a mile downstream from the town.

 

Dawn at Egglestone Abbey.

I had timed it just about right as the warm sun was just hitting the walls of the ruin as I approached. I already have a good shot such as this in my portfolio but its still a great sight to see. Now heading back towards the town we followed the banks fo the River Tees and in some places it was almost completely frozen over.

First light on the frozen river.

For a period of time the early sun faded and we walked back towards Barnard Castle and it was only after we crossed back over the County Bridge did we get a last glimmer of early light on the warm stonework.

County Bridge in early sun.