Iron curtain

Gates outside Catherine Palace, or Pushkin as the locals call it. One of the Summer Palaces built by the Tsars in the 17th Century, it was destroyed during the Second World War and took over 60 years to restore to its current glory. St Petersburg, Russia.

Bleak House

View of Blea Moor railway station on an overcast day in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

“Smiley”

Whilst wandering into Bridgetown, Barbados to walk off my Chefette pizza, I met this guy “Smiley” and ended up having an unexpected personal tour of the town from a local’s perspective, ending with sharing a cup of our own homemade rum punch. He lives in a ghetto and earns money as a beach cleaner. A fascinating, fun, eye-opening and humbling experience. Made me smile 

Just the one bottle?

Bordeaux, France, taken in September 2017.

This rather large bottle of wine caught my eye… I can’t imagine why. It seemed very apt to photograph a wine shop in Bordeaux, given Bordeaux is the major wine industry capital of the world.  Of course, I had to partake of a glass or two while I was there… it would be rude not to! Sadly my little carafe wasn’t as big as that bottle!

No trespassing

Hamilton, Bermuda, taken in October 2017

I spotted this homeless guy sleeping on a little wander around Bermuda’s capital, Hamilton.  I wonder if he noticed the sign above him?

 

Looking to Heaven

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as Seville Cathedral, taken October 2017

I like this upwards angle, framed by the lampost and tree.  I went inside and around the cathedral, and from wherever you stand you seem to always find yourself looking up.  Maybe that’s something to do with this being the third largest church in the world – and technically the world’s largest cathedral, as the other two (Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil and  St. Peter’s Basilica in London) aren’t the seat of bishops.

In fact, it was inside this cathedral that I broke my sunglasses: they fell off the top of my head when I looked up at the huge golden altar inside.  The fall didn’t break them, but me stepping back to find them and subsequently standing on them did!

Sleep like a baby

In memory of my best friend Anya, who passed away on 12 April 2018. This is a little figure from her garden. May you sleep well my darling girl ❤️

Lording it

Close quarters

This is my first foray in my friend Anya’s garden with my new toy, a Nikon D750 with 24-120mm f4 lens.  I’m quite pleased with the results so far, given it was actually quite a windy day and I was experimenting with using manual focus to catch the insects.

Serenity in the city

Hong Kong skyline at night