Monday, May 4, 2009
More Bluebells
Late this afternoon I went for a bluebell walk with five other people from my church who enjoy photography. We've had wind and rain off and on all day so we weren't sure if taking photos would work out, but thankfully the weather cleared by the time we arrived at the park. Although the afternoon was quite chilly, once I started taking photos I forgot about my cold hands.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Walking in Bluebells
On my laptop I've created a list titled, My Quirky Dreams - it's a list of the random things I want to do during my time living in England. Some of the dreams can come true relatively easily, some will require travel into Europe, but they can all reasonably be fulfilled. At the top of my list is photographing fields of bluebells.
When I first started researching this trip in January last year, I stumbled upon a photo of a sea of bluebells. I dropped my "how to live in England" research for a few minutes to figure out when the bluebells would be blooming so I could make sure I was around for it. A couple from my church organized a bluebell walk that was held this afternoon so I was finally able to photograph the incredible sea of blossoms. (There are a few people at the church who enjoy photography so we're planning to do a walk early next week so we can go as slow as we want.)
A few members of my church family.
The bluebells are truly an awesome sight. I could have spent hours photographing them or just sitting in one spot admiring them. I love the way God has given seasons for different plants or animals to really shine in their full glory. Not long ago there were carpets of snowdrops (I was out of the country and missed them), and now it's bluebells. When you stand back and look over the masses of plants, the sight is certainly incredible, but the view is just as amazing when you get on your knees and look at one plant, one stalk, or one blossom. The fluted edges and variety of shades of colour that make up each blossom. The little insects crawling along or spiders spinning webs from one plant to the next. God didn't have to make the world so beautiful and intricate, but He did. I don't know why, because I certainly don't deserve it, but I'm glad He did.
If you're wondering how I get shots like the one above, the next photo should give you an idea.
Another dream fulfilled!
When I first started researching this trip in January last year, I stumbled upon a photo of a sea of bluebells. I dropped my "how to live in England" research for a few minutes to figure out when the bluebells would be blooming so I could make sure I was around for it. A couple from my church organized a bluebell walk that was held this afternoon so I was finally able to photograph the incredible sea of blossoms. (There are a few people at the church who enjoy photography so we're planning to do a walk early next week so we can go as slow as we want.)
A few members of my church family.
The bluebells are truly an awesome sight. I could have spent hours photographing them or just sitting in one spot admiring them. I love the way God has given seasons for different plants or animals to really shine in their full glory. Not long ago there were carpets of snowdrops (I was out of the country and missed them), and now it's bluebells. When you stand back and look over the masses of plants, the sight is certainly incredible, but the view is just as amazing when you get on your knees and look at one plant, one stalk, or one blossom. The fluted edges and variety of shades of colour that make up each blossom. The little insects crawling along or spiders spinning webs from one plant to the next. God didn't have to make the world so beautiful and intricate, but He did. I don't know why, because I certainly don't deserve it, but I'm glad He did.
If you're wondering how I get shots like the one above, the next photo should give you an idea.
Another dream fulfilled!Shopping for My List
I generally don't buy souvenirs - I just take photos (pictures are free, weightless, and personal), but before I leave England I want to purchase a few things that will always remind me of my time living here. Although I may end up living here for another year, I don't want to wait until my final days to start looking for things to purchase. Earlier this week I told Ann that I've figured out two items for my list and this morning she took me to a market and a large antiques shop to look for the items.
The antiques shop used to be a mill - the building has multiple levels with sloping floors and tiny rooms around every corner. Every alcove and stairway lined with items for sale.
"Please mind your head"
My list so far:
#1 - cake forks
During my first week or two in England, Ann was surprised to discover I'd never heard of cake forks. She pulled out some forks to show me what they look like and I'll never forget my first lesson in the fabulous quirks of British etiquette. Cake forks intrigue me. They're tiny and cute and you can't help feeling prim and proper when you use them. This morning I found a set of six for a good price and I want to find six more, preferably in random patterns rather than a matched set. The reason they're on my list is because they will always remind me that although the British are proper, they're also a lot of fun, and quirky in fabulous ways.
My cake forks.
#2 - an amazing door knocker
Not just any door knocker will do; I need to hunt around and when I find the right one, I'll just know when I see it. Long-time blog readers know that I love quirky door knockers. Everywhere I've travelled, door knockers and door handles have caught my eye. Some call it my obsession, but I just call it... yeah, okay, I call it my obsession.
The antiques shop used to be a mill - the building has multiple levels with sloping floors and tiny rooms around every corner. Every alcove and stairway lined with items for sale.
"Please mind your head"My list so far:
#1 - cake forks
During my first week or two in England, Ann was surprised to discover I'd never heard of cake forks. She pulled out some forks to show me what they look like and I'll never forget my first lesson in the fabulous quirks of British etiquette. Cake forks intrigue me. They're tiny and cute and you can't help feeling prim and proper when you use them. This morning I found a set of six for a good price and I want to find six more, preferably in random patterns rather than a matched set. The reason they're on my list is because they will always remind me that although the British are proper, they're also a lot of fun, and quirky in fabulous ways.
My cake forks.#2 - an amazing door knocker
Not just any door knocker will do; I need to hunt around and when I find the right one, I'll just know when I see it. Long-time blog readers know that I love quirky door knockers. Everywhere I've travelled, door knockers and door handles have caught my eye. Some call it my obsession, but I just call it... yeah, okay, I call it my obsession.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Three Canadians in London
Avril, a friend from back home, is spending four weeks travelling in Europe with her boyfriend, Tim. This morning I met them in London to spend the day exploring together.
We met up at Westminster Abbey and were disappointed to discover that photos aren't permitted inside. We saw a man in a long, black robe run over and hop over a rope barricade to demand that a man put away his camera. Later we saw another man get in trouble - the demand was made that he delete the photo he had just shot, along with any other photos shot inside the abbey. Never before seen the rules so stringently enforced at a historic site! Darwin's grave marker seemed to be a hot spot for people getting into trouble.
After we finished at the abbey we stopped for lunch and then walked through Soho (shopping, restaurants, theatres - not as exciting as I thought it would be) to Covent Garden (it's not a garden - it's a marketplace). I still managed to snag some photos along the way.
The sign above the door:
Palace Theatre - Stage Entrance
The World's Greatest Artistes
Have Passed and Will Pass
Through These Doors
Jersey Boys - the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Oliver - starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) as Fagan.
Hairspray - "The most happy, funny, and sunny show in town!"
Avril stylin' a little bling.
Smokin' hot and she knows it.
A massive Apple store.
Wearing bobby hats is serious business.
Not so serious... hey, we're tourists - frowns don't last long when you're wearing plastic bobby hats.
We walked through a shopping district, checked out a free photography exhibition (how are those out of focus, boring shots worth over £1,000?), and I relaxed and listened to tunes on my iPod while Avril and Tim went on the London Eye.
Parliament at sunset.
The London Eye is near Waterloo Station, the place where I would be catching my train back to Hook. There was also a tube stop there for Avril and Tim to go back to their hostel so we found a pub in the train station to grab some food for dinner before parting ways. Little did we realize the show we would enjoy over our meal.
After a few minutes at our table, we realized that the girl sitting on the couch beside us was what I like to call, "right hammered". Her eyes blinked slower than normal, her neck and arms seemed rather floppy, she occasionally threw out a word extra loudly, and she seemed to enjoy singing off-key in her date's ear. (It just made me grin to realize that she was behaving a little like me when I'm ridiculously over-tired.) We were mildly amused by this drunk girl, and then she and her date started snogging. I don't mean the occasional kiss. I'm talking about serious snogging - tongues, ear nibbling, pawing each other. I had to get a shot to illustrate this story so I snagged a couple of pics (I'm sharing the tamest one). Avril and Tim thought this was hilarious so they took some photos as well, but the couple was completely oblivious to the flashes and the cameras casting red beams of light as they tried to focus in the dim lighting.
On the left, a drunk couple snogging.
On the right, a very amused Avril and Tim.
But that's not all.
As we were trying to eat while intermittently gagging over the snog-fest, our jaws dropped as a woman (I use the term loosely) walked in wearing a bright blue, second-skin dress (I use this term loosely as well) that barely covered her bottom or breasts. A heavy coating of eye shadow matched her dress perfectly. At first I wondered if it was some kind of joke or costume, but she strutted to the back of the pub and meet up with a similarly dressed (I use the term loosely) girl in a bright orange dress who was busy nuzzling and straddling a big guy in the corner. I'm not sure about the situation as the girl in orange was clearly with the guy and she didn't seem to be adverse to her friend (twin?) showing up. The girl in blue basically stood by and watched the other two, who occasionally chatted with her. It was very strange and fascinating in a really bizarre way. When they left, I ran out to the pub balcony and shot photos as they walked away on the main floor of the station.
I wonder what the guy in the white shirt was thinking.
Avril and Tim couldn't believe the entertainment and I couldn't possibly have arranged a more hilarious end to our day together in London.
We met up at Westminster Abbey and were disappointed to discover that photos aren't permitted inside. We saw a man in a long, black robe run over and hop over a rope barricade to demand that a man put away his camera. Later we saw another man get in trouble - the demand was made that he delete the photo he had just shot, along with any other photos shot inside the abbey. Never before seen the rules so stringently enforced at a historic site! Darwin's grave marker seemed to be a hot spot for people getting into trouble.
After we finished at the abbey we stopped for lunch and then walked through Soho (shopping, restaurants, theatres - not as exciting as I thought it would be) to Covent Garden (it's not a garden - it's a marketplace). I still managed to snag some photos along the way.
The sign above the door:Palace Theatre - Stage Entrance
The World's Greatest Artistes
Have Passed and Will Pass
Through These Doors
Jersey Boys - the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Oliver - starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) as Fagan.
Hairspray - "The most happy, funny, and sunny show in town!"
Avril stylin' a little bling.Smokin' hot and she knows it.
A massive Apple store.
Wearing bobby hats is serious business.
Not so serious... hey, we're tourists - frowns don't last long when you're wearing plastic bobby hats.We walked through a shopping district, checked out a free photography exhibition (how are those out of focus, boring shots worth over £1,000?), and I relaxed and listened to tunes on my iPod while Avril and Tim went on the London Eye.
Parliament at sunset.The London Eye is near Waterloo Station, the place where I would be catching my train back to Hook. There was also a tube stop there for Avril and Tim to go back to their hostel so we found a pub in the train station to grab some food for dinner before parting ways. Little did we realize the show we would enjoy over our meal.
After a few minutes at our table, we realized that the girl sitting on the couch beside us was what I like to call, "right hammered". Her eyes blinked slower than normal, her neck and arms seemed rather floppy, she occasionally threw out a word extra loudly, and she seemed to enjoy singing off-key in her date's ear. (It just made me grin to realize that she was behaving a little like me when I'm ridiculously over-tired.) We were mildly amused by this drunk girl, and then she and her date started snogging. I don't mean the occasional kiss. I'm talking about serious snogging - tongues, ear nibbling, pawing each other. I had to get a shot to illustrate this story so I snagged a couple of pics (I'm sharing the tamest one). Avril and Tim thought this was hilarious so they took some photos as well, but the couple was completely oblivious to the flashes and the cameras casting red beams of light as they tried to focus in the dim lighting.
On the left, a drunk couple snogging.On the right, a very amused Avril and Tim.
But that's not all.
As we were trying to eat while intermittently gagging over the snog-fest, our jaws dropped as a woman (I use the term loosely) walked in wearing a bright blue, second-skin dress (I use this term loosely as well) that barely covered her bottom or breasts. A heavy coating of eye shadow matched her dress perfectly. At first I wondered if it was some kind of joke or costume, but she strutted to the back of the pub and meet up with a similarly dressed (I use the term loosely) girl in a bright orange dress who was busy nuzzling and straddling a big guy in the corner. I'm not sure about the situation as the girl in orange was clearly with the guy and she didn't seem to be adverse to her friend (twin?) showing up. The girl in blue basically stood by and watched the other two, who occasionally chatted with her. It was very strange and fascinating in a really bizarre way. When they left, I ran out to the pub balcony and shot photos as they walked away on the main floor of the station.
I wonder what the guy in the white shirt was thinking.Avril and Tim couldn't believe the entertainment and I couldn't possibly have arranged a more hilarious end to our day together in London.
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