The Start of Christmas

As today is the first Sunday in Advent I thought I'd post a Christmas picture – this one being from Trafalgar Square in London with a view of the traditional Christmas tree that has been sent from the people of Oslo to the people of London every year since the end of the Second World War as in gratitude for the help provided to Norway during that conflict. This picture is actually from last year, but the tradition continues. This was a cold day and the air was very crisp, but the sky was rather beautiful. I deliberately took the shot in such a way that Lord Nelson appears to be on top of the tree. Of course, there should have been snow... but one can't have everything. Location: London, England

Flaking Facade

I don't quite know why but I found this facade of a closed-up small business rather beautiful – in a sad way. Maybe it was the unusul angle of the facade entrance itself, diagonally thrust almost out into the street; maybe it was the weeping wall and flaking paint revealing numerous coats and thus the passing of time; or perhaps it was the little splashes of red, blue and green on the glass door. Doors are always an interesting motive: they open to many possibilities of the imagination and I feel there are numerous stories here. Or maybe that's just me. Location: Trier, Germany

Now and Then: Berlin

I never got the chance to visit Berlin while it was a divided city, but I did make it there shortly after the wall came down and Germany was reunified. Since then I have returned many times, each time discovering more of the city and marveling at its regeneration. Yet some places stay the same, more or less; and we expect them to do so. The Brandenburg gate, for instance, has changed very little indeed over the years and stands as the very symbol of Berlin through the decades. Pariser Platz, the square in front, has changed far more over the years –I remember it being rather bleak and nondescript and empty back then, now it is lined by new important buildings and has been totally rejuvenated. The two pictures here are taken from the platz, from the very start of the 1990s and in 2014. Ironically it was only in 2014 that I was unable to pass from "east to west" through the gate – the whole area had been sealed off due to the football World Cup public screening on the other side of the gate –hence the temporary "wall" on the lower picture. But since Germany ultimately won that contest I think the temporary block was accepted by most! Location: Berlin, Germany

Thirsty Horse

Salzburg in the summer time: blue sky, pretty white-washed building, lush trees and a horse drinking (or perhaps spitting) water. It is, of course, part of one of the city’s magnificent fountains. I remember this being an extremely hot day, so the fountain’s coolness was welcome relief to tired hands, and the trinkling sound of the water had a calming effect while I rested in the shade. Now, with autumn becoming colder and duller as it moves towards winter, I rather yearn for such days again! Location: Salzburg, Austria