Thursday 12th April
As we flew into Amsterdam airport, we caught a tantalising glimpse of coloured strips of tulips. Having to wait to see them close to until the next day was disappointing to say the least and then parking anywhere near became a real challenge. But, the rewards...all the colours and textures,... just heavenly, mesmerising, inspiring.
We didn't get long and, I suppose, one tulip field is very much like another. Roll on next year when I hope to be well enough to cycle round at a more leisurely pace.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Takes Your Breath Away...
I just had to take this photo, the colour of the field was so fantastic. What is missing is the scent. As I opened the car door in flooded the heady aroma of all those hyacinths...
Smile Please...
When we went to Rome in December, I happened to be in the right place at the right time when a newly married couple had their wedding photographs taken overlooking The Forum. Here, equally fortuitously, another couple pose just after tying the knot. The photo was taken as we drove past with the window down.
Wonder where they are now...
Wonder where they are now...
Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside...
Yes, these people are enjoying a paddle in the North Sea on 12th April 2007. While the others got their feet wet, I had a nice walk round the shops.
Well, it looks as though I joined in...
Well, it looks as though I joined in...
Not Spanish or Globe Trotting...
Haarlem is yet another example of all the towns in Holland... picturesque beyond words, canals at every corner, huge imposing church in a big square usually opposite a town hall - with bicycles everywhere.
After two days, I began to think I should have a bell attached so that cyclists could look out for me instead of the other way round!
After two days, I began to think I should have a bell attached so that cyclists could look out for me instead of the other way round!
Visit to Delft Pottery
Friday 13th April
A trip to Delft would not be complete without a look round "the only one of two" workshops where Delft pottery is still hand painted. It was very small, with only three people engaged in hand painting at the time. Most of the work is done using 'out-workers'. It is all very beautiful (and pricy), but we couldn't resist buying a tile to remember it by.
Surprisingly, their emblem is a peacock...
A trip to Delft would not be complete without a look round "the only one of two" workshops where Delft pottery is still hand painted. It was very small, with only three people engaged in hand painting at the time. Most of the work is done using 'out-workers'. It is all very beautiful (and pricy), but we couldn't resist buying a tile to remember it by.
Surprisingly, their emblem is a peacock...
Reaching Up To Heaven...
Delft church has an amazingly tall spire: " ...built between 1396 and 1496. The present spire dates from 1875" . It stands in a large square opposite the town hall and is flanked by gift shops and restaurents. Inside is the grand tomb of William of Orange. (I think there were four of them all together) The history of the Netherlands is very much on a parallel to ours and the point where it crosses over is when William of Orange (III) married Mary and became our king. The history was very interesting, but complicated and confusing. Perhaps best just to note that, as usual, it was all down to politics, he being a protestant...
Too much to take in all at once, perhaps, but provided a good excuse for a lovely meal sitting outside next to the canal watching the world go by.
Too much to take in all at once, perhaps, but provided a good excuse for a lovely meal sitting outside next to the canal watching the world go by.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Into, Out Of...
It was Robert's request that we visit the Escher Museum in Den Haag and I'm so glad that we did. Escher was a Dutch Graphic artist who captured everyone's imagination with the staircases that go back on themselves and bending lines that tease the brain. I took photos of perhaps his lesser known prints - there are lots more on my Flickr site.
Which Way Is Up?
This was the finished picture Robert painted for his Art 'A' Level in 2002. Not as detailed as Escher's real work, but still interesting and well composed.
Note Robert's hallmark of incorporating his favourite colour.
Note Robert's hallmark of incorporating his favourite colour.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I Saw A Mouse...
Our trip to Holland would not have been complete without a close up view of a real live windmill. Alas, we didn't visit Leiden, (which has a full size windmill in the centre of the town), until late Friday, so missed seeing inside.
Perhaps next time...
Perhaps next time...
End of our second day in Holland
Watched the sun going down on another glorious Spring day. Sat down by the side of a canal and had a wonderful meal. I had fish with asparagus, mange tout and roast potatoes. Robert, as usual had been adventurous with his choice and ended up with whole crabs (albiet miniature ones) complete with shells. He did his best to crunch though them, but eventually had to admit defeat...
Monday, April 16, 2007
Now You See It...
Robert came home with a new phone last weekend and as I've been thinking of upgrading mine (I'd managed to damage the screen) we went to the O2 shop and upgraded - all for free!!
On the downside, it's loads more complicated than my last one, which is disappointing as I thought Nokia made 'simple to use' phones. But it does have a radio and camera and best of all you can play with the loud speaker and not have to hold it to your ear.
Robert is getting a little tired of my: "How do you do this?" calls...
On the downside, it's loads more complicated than my last one, which is disappointing as I thought Nokia made 'simple to use' phones. But it does have a radio and camera and best of all you can play with the loud speaker and not have to hold it to your ear.
Robert is getting a little tired of my: "How do you do this?" calls...
Now You Don't...
Having tried to be a bit more imaginative with my photography, I have also been attempting to master a few of the tricks of Photoshop, (thanks for the coaching, Robert!) Here are the results...
Vodaphone had a double page spread in the Sunday Telegraph Stella magazine this weekend. I've managed to remove their logo and the pen I propped my phone on its side with. Hope you're impressed!
Vodaphone had a double page spread in the Sunday Telegraph Stella magazine this weekend. I've managed to remove their logo and the pen I propped my phone on its side with. Hope you're impressed!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Read The Notice!
Sunday 8th
Middleton Top Engine House, watching the wheels go round. Not a lot to see and the engine is now run on compressed air. Thought I'd re-create its heyday by taking a photo or two in sepia...(others on Flickr)
Middleton Top Engine House, watching the wheels go round. Not a lot to see and the engine is now run on compressed air. Thought I'd re-create its heyday by taking a photo or two in sepia...(others on Flickr)
Swans at Straw Bridge...
If you have the time on a warm spring day, a walk around Straw's Bridge is a very pleasurable experience...
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Published Again...
Thrilled to see my fourth photo in The Derby Evening Telegraph today.
Nearly didn't get this photograph as it was alternately blowing a gale and hailing. It was so windy Graham had to hang on to my coat for fear of me blowing away on the way down. (ha, ha!)
Think "Winnie The Pooh and The Blustery Day"...
Nearly didn't get this photograph as it was alternately blowing a gale and hailing. It was so windy Graham had to hang on to my coat for fear of me blowing away on the way down. (ha, ha!)
Think "Winnie The Pooh and The Blustery Day"...
IN BRIEF
Monday 2nd
Took Lucy to station to catch 9.57 train to Cheltenham to spend the day with my parents. Just think, this time next year I'll be able to jump on a train and go any place, any where, any time (I hope).
Rang my consultant's secretary, but as results of the herniogram may take up to two weeks to get back to the City Hospital, I have absolutely no chance of finding out what sort of time scale will be involved waiting for an operation. Was very close to getting upset. Felt like saying: "Hermione and I..." (Have decided to name my hernia as we may be together for sometime yet)
Did lots to website and in the afternoon made a necklace using knitted wire. (Will post an image soon) First time I have made anything for such a long time.
Collected Lucy just after 8.00pm, accompanied by think black clouds in the shy. - Some bright spark has decided to illuminate the Derby sky by setting light to £500,000 worth of astro turf. Just what we need...a bit more arsenic in the air! Went on to Sainburys for some provisions. The shop is open until 11.00pm and at 8.00pm there was hardly more than a handful of people there - must have been all outside watching the smoke.
Tuesday 3rd
Morning's excitement was putting a load of washing on with Lucy's help. Steven came to show Lucy his 'new' car and stayed 2 hours helping her with her Biology cousework (he typed while she dictated - don't you love a woman in authority). Afternoon proved a little more exciting, drove to Nottingham and bought beads from the Bead shop and stocked up with lots of pretty lacy vests from Primark. (When is Primark coming back to Derby?) Decided to travel back via Ilkeston. Had sudden urge for chocolate so stopped off at Tescos, have you tried their Tarte au Citron...wundabar! (The chocolate was good too)
Wednesday 4th
Staggered out of bed 'early' to let Graham in the house, only to discover later that his plane had landed an hour late. He was home by 9.30am, had a bath and left for work before 10.30pm.
Had nice surprise as my fourth picture was printed in the local paper. Need something to cheer me up!
Took Lucy to Ben's for 12.00pm, did some work , then went to town to buy some things Lucy needs for her textiles project. Found myself lurking near doors waiting to catch other people opening then as I just can't managed them any more.
Amazingly beautiful warm sunny day - had to resist temptation to go and photograph anything, did take a few of the sunset
Thursday 5th
Graham back at work, as were the rest of us until half past four when Lucy and I skived off and went to The Designer Outlet at Junction 25 (M1). Made a couple of purchases...you can never have too many tops!
Friday 6th
A Bank Holiday with a difference, beautiful weather. Graham spent the day tidying the garden. I did manage some pruning as the fruit trees out the back were crying out for it. Went for a walk at Straw's Bridge near Ilkeston, where lots of swans hang out. (See photo above)
Monday 2nd
Took Lucy to station to catch 9.57 train to Cheltenham to spend the day with my parents. Just think, this time next year I'll be able to jump on a train and go any place, any where, any time (I hope).
Rang my consultant's secretary, but as results of the herniogram may take up to two weeks to get back to the City Hospital, I have absolutely no chance of finding out what sort of time scale will be involved waiting for an operation. Was very close to getting upset. Felt like saying: "Hermione and I..." (Have decided to name my hernia as we may be together for sometime yet)
Did lots to website and in the afternoon made a necklace using knitted wire. (Will post an image soon) First time I have made anything for such a long time.
Collected Lucy just after 8.00pm, accompanied by think black clouds in the shy. - Some bright spark has decided to illuminate the Derby sky by setting light to £500,000 worth of astro turf. Just what we need...a bit more arsenic in the air! Went on to Sainburys for some provisions. The shop is open until 11.00pm and at 8.00pm there was hardly more than a handful of people there - must have been all outside watching the smoke.
Tuesday 3rd
Morning's excitement was putting a load of washing on with Lucy's help. Steven came to show Lucy his 'new' car and stayed 2 hours helping her with her Biology cousework (he typed while she dictated - don't you love a woman in authority). Afternoon proved a little more exciting, drove to Nottingham and bought beads from the Bead shop and stocked up with lots of pretty lacy vests from Primark. (When is Primark coming back to Derby?) Decided to travel back via Ilkeston. Had sudden urge for chocolate so stopped off at Tescos, have you tried their Tarte au Citron...wundabar! (The chocolate was good too)
Wednesday 4th
Staggered out of bed 'early' to let Graham in the house, only to discover later that his plane had landed an hour late. He was home by 9.30am, had a bath and left for work before 10.30pm.
Had nice surprise as my fourth picture was printed in the local paper. Need something to cheer me up!
Took Lucy to Ben's for 12.00pm, did some work , then went to town to buy some things Lucy needs for her textiles project. Found myself lurking near doors waiting to catch other people opening then as I just can't managed them any more.
Amazingly beautiful warm sunny day - had to resist temptation to go and photograph anything, did take a few of the sunset
Thursday 5th
Graham back at work, as were the rest of us until half past four when Lucy and I skived off and went to The Designer Outlet at Junction 25 (M1). Made a couple of purchases...you can never have too many tops!
Friday 6th
A Bank Holiday with a difference, beautiful weather. Graham spent the day tidying the garden. I did manage some pruning as the fruit trees out the back were crying out for it. Went for a walk at Straw's Bridge near Ilkeston, where lots of swans hang out. (See photo above)
Monday, April 02, 2007
Competition Time, Shepshed Dance Festival.
Saturday 31st March
This is the advanced group complete with 'mascot'. The next time we all compete is at The Derby Arts Festival. If you'd like to come and support us, the event takes place at The Guildhall in Derby on Friday 27th April (evening).
This is the advanced group complete with 'mascot'. The next time we all compete is at The Derby Arts Festival. If you'd like to come and support us, the event takes place at The Guildhall in Derby on Friday 27th April (evening).
Competition Time, Shepshed Dance Festival.
Saturday 31st March
This is our group waiting nervously to go on stage. (I took the photo)
When it came out in conversation on Friday at the hospital that I was intending to take part in a tap competition the next evening, the doctor advised against it. When I conveyed this information to the tap dance teacher, I had an email back which said: : "I think it would be disasterous if you couldn't compete."
Obviously; "The show must go on"!...
This is our group waiting nervously to go on stage. (I took the photo)
When it came out in conversation on Friday at the hospital that I was intending to take part in a tap competition the next evening, the doctor advised against it. When I conveyed this information to the tap dance teacher, I had an email back which said: : "I think it would be disasterous if you couldn't compete."
Obviously; "The show must go on"!...
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