July 28, 2025

Three days at an abandoned railway line

I went to an abandoned railway line with a pocket camera and no particular plan. Most of the morning went into watching wild flowers; I took fewer frames than usual, but each one felt deliberate.

The café near an abandoned railway line still serves the same cinnamon buns; I had two and pretended it was research. On the way home the train was nearly empty, so I reviewed the day's notes and planned the next trip.

Locals barely noticed me. A man feeding gulls told me the place looks completely different in spring. The path was muddy and longer than the map suggested, but the view at the end made up for it.

I kept a paper notebook this time, writing down the time and the light for every roll. An elderly couple asked me to take their picture. I used their phone, then made one frame of them on mine.

I underexposed most of the frames on purpose, to keep the mood cold and clear rather than bright. A light drizzle started around ten. I sheltered under a bus stop roof and photographed people hurrying past.

If you go, bring warm socks and a thermos — the café closes early.