Favourite Picture of the Year - 1

Well, it had to be another cat –or rather a kitten– and once again it’s from Greece. This beautiful feline was one of two identical siblings who delighted us every lunchtime at the outdoor restaurant we visited each day on the island Samos. They were playful, cheeky, adorable, sleepy, inquisitive, lithe at times gauche at others, sweet and affectionate –most of the time; sometimes all at the same time! Like all cats they could occasionally be stand-offish or disdainful, but as they were kittens this never lasted more than a moment. In their own minds they were tigers or jaguars or mountain lions and loved to climb. I took a series of pictures of them, but this is my favourite, despite the light being a little fuzzy (the sunlight was very strong beyond the shade). I think it captures everything I like about cats –the nobleness, the curiosity, the grace and the determination. So much of the Internet is devoted to pictures of cats dressed up, being grumpy or doing bizarre, crazy things that I thought it about time they were given some respect! Thank you for visiting my blog and please return again –next year is going to see some incredible pictures, right here! Location: Samos, Greece

Favourite Picture of the Year – 2

Earlier this year there was a celebration all along the waterfront in Oslo to celebrate the completion of a walking route that effectively takes you from one side of the city to the other. This ”fjord path” takes in quaysides, harbours and piers with lots of attractions, old and new, along the way. It is one of my favourite places for walking and cycling all year round. On the day of the opening there was much activity and extra hullabaloo along the whole route, and at the quayside below the castle where several historic boats are permanently moored some equally vintage vehicles were lined up. I’m a sucker for anything nostalgic, so I felt right at home. The picture is a memory of a pleasant day, but also an affectionate nod to the past. And I liked the pairing of the old truck and boat Location: Oslo, Norway

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 3

Sometimes the simplest things can trigger off a whole series of thoughts, and photographs do not have to be rich in detail or technically perfect to capture exactly a particular atmosphere or mood or moment. The reason I took this picture of a lowly biro lying on a window sill was that apart from a work-light this was the only object in a set of empty rooms I visited in the autumn. And the pen seemed so perfectly apt because these rooms were once a former apartment of Henrik Ibsen and this was his workroom. It was here that he wrote The Master Builder back in the 1890s, for instance. The vast building that housed these elegant apartments was later taken over by the Norwegian foreign ministry and was then the headquarters of the Gestapo during the German occupation of the Second World War. A building with a history, in other words. Now being totally renovated it was open to the public for one day and I did not want to miss this rare chance to see where Ibsen had once lived. His last home, just up the street, is of course more well-known and grandiose as that houses the Ibsen musuem, but here there was a strange sense of immediacy, as if Ibsen had only just left –there was something in the air; empty rooms are often so much more evocative than filled one, as if the walls themselves are finally able to speak. Maybe it’s just my imagination! The pen was, of course, left there by accident -no doubt by an architect or planner, but I like to think of it representing the great writer himself. Perhaps he too once placed a pen here while ruminating over the next words to write, looking out of this very window...Location: Oslo, Norway

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 4

Earlier this year I had to misfortune to get stuck in the middle of Germany’s biggest ever rail strike, which started one day after I arrived in that country precisely to travel about by rail for a few weeks. Needless to say it was a highly frustrating time; but there was something rather fascinating about seeing normally busy stations deadly quiet all day –everything was open, tickets could be bought etc. but there were no people about –and of course no trains (apart very occasionally). I was struck by the emptiness of the stations, the unsettling views of bare platforms and unoccupied tracks, yet at the same time fascinated too. Such places have a strange allure when they are empty and still and I tried to capture some of it here, and took numerous pictures this and other empty stations. It certainly helped me pass the time while I was stuck. Location: Lübeck, Germany

Favourite Pictures of the Year - 5

With Christmas and the end of the year drawing near I thought I'd round off 2015 by posting my 5 favourite pictures taken this year. I have been photographing steadily all year but there have been numerous technical issues that have prevented me from posting as much as I would like (ideally every day); these seem now to be resolved however and I look forward to sharing lots more photographs and thoughts in 2016. Today's picture was taken on the island of Samos in September and seems to me to capture the essence of a peaceful late afternoon when the sun is no longer fierce and a satisfying nap is the best thing in the world. I love cats for their poise, independence and ability to always find the best spot and never care about what anyone thinks. This chair was usually occupied by a salty boat owner who sat by the quayside of an evening. The cat may have been his, or belonged to the boat. But here, in total relaxedness, the afternoon belongs to the cat! Location: Samos, Greece

Globes!

I think one really gets a feel for the world as a cosmic entity from looking at a globe. I mean, maps are great and useful and practical, but they don’t really convey a feeling of distance, proportion or wholeness in the way that a globe does. A globe shows that which is common to us all –our planet; our world, and I for one always have a sense of wonder when I look at one. So imagine my awe at seeing 19 of them! This is the window of a travel shop quite close to where I live; it has other windows too and doesn’t just sell globes, but this is the window I always have to stop at. I found the globes looked like beads on an abacus, and the lines of the wall add to this effect –a kind of ”reckoning up” of the Earth if you like. I also thought it would be a fun picture to share. Location: Oslo, Norway

Railway Platform

I never cease to be captivated by railways stations and trains –any train, and I have probably photographed them more than is good for me. This is a sleek carriage of the Danish Railways fleet, rearing to go. I wanted to capture the speed and excitement of the train, even though it was waiting at the station. The bright sun shone a sharp white shaft of light along the platform that echoes the white line along the side of the train. And all the lines draw us to a distant focal point. I was also pleased with the contrast and cleanliness of the picture –the colour is muted, and aside from the blue of the sky and its reflection in the windows the image is more or less monochrome. All aboard! Location: Odense, Denmark

Streetscape

Cobblestoned streets are always a treat for photographs; they seldom disappoint, and frequently come out far more beautiful and even than they actually appear in real life. They also tend to give pictures a timeless look. Take away the cars in the distance here and this could be a hundred years ago, or two hundred or even five hundred. But it’s not just the cobblestones that attracted me here; The brick arches that cross from one side of the street to the other create the effect of an open tunnel. I don’t quite know what their function is or was, or whether they are the remnants of some former structure, but they create an interesting effect. The lines and various odd-looking windows also intrigue me, and the way the left side of the picture looks rather foreboding while the right side is somehow more friendly and accomodating. Location: Lübeck, Germany

Mountain Lake, Late Autumn

Winter is rapidly approaching and this lake will soon be frozen over and the surrounding shore and trees covered with snow that grows ever deeper as the year draws to a close. But autumn still clings on for a while –a more mysterious autumn now that the golden colours have faded a little and mists creep in over the water for longer and longer. I find it rather beautiful and serene, baleful and quiet. The silence is alluring. The day may be gloomy but it is not without its charm. Location: Valdres, Norway

On Deck

There’s something theatrical about this shot; it could be the cast of a play placed on the deck for a poster, or group of musicians posing for an album cover. It seems staged, but it is quite accidental, just a snapshot I took while taking the ferry between Denmark and Germany, but I was quite struck by the result. It’s windy and the sea and sky is grey, but the blue of the deck compensates for this. However, it is the bright splashes of colour and the stances of the people that make this picture for me. They are all heading somewhere, with various expectations and I feel it is almost as if one can read their thoughts. Location: Near Puttgarden, Germany

Early Morning in Greece

Morning sunlight is very special and unique. I also find it very exciting –every moment is filled with transformation and there is something renewing and expectant about the gradual brightening and warming of a cool landscape. Soon after the heat will be intense, but at such an early hour it is very gentle. Og course, part of the magic of very early morning is that it is so quiet –people have not yet got up, there are no noisy motorbikes or loudspeakers, just the occasional cry of a bird and the gentle lapping of the water at the quayside. The air is fresh and vibrant and Greece, at such a moment, is calm. Location: Pythagorian -Samos, Greece

Autumn in Oslo

Due to some computer and network problems it's been some time since I posted, and in the interim autumn has descended and is creating glorious colours all around. This is from the park behind the royal palace in Oslo. Fortunately the pond has not been drained yet, so I was able to capture the reflection of the golden tree in the water. Some of the trees remain stubbornly "summery" and the grass is still green, but soon all this will change again, and who knows - my next picture from here may be of snow. In the meantime, let's enjoy the mellow beauty of autumn. Location: Oslo, Norway

Oslo from Oslo

Oslo's name has a somewhat confusing history. The city was originally situated close to where this picture was taken, and remained there until 1624 when it burned down. A brand new city was built across the bay, and named Christiania after the Danish king who made the decision to move. The area where the remains of the old city stood was still called Oslo, but there was nothing there and the inhabitants were required to move to the new city (they initially wished to rebuild it where it had been but were lured by tax relief). The new city grew and gradually started to expand in all directions. In the 19th Century the ”Ch” gave way to the more Norwegian ”K” – thus it became Kristiania –which it remained until 1925, when it was decided that the city should be called ”Oslo”. The only trouble was that ”Oslo” still existed as the old part of the city, now swallowed up by the ever-expanding Kristiania. Thus, on the same day that the whole of the city of Kristiania was renamed Oslo, old ”Oslo” (the location of our picture) was renamed ”the old city” (Gamlebyen) –which it remains to this day. Norwegians have a way of changing names! I first visited this original part of the city this summer, and was struck by the new buildings that have only recently popped up along the area between ”Kristiania” and ”Oslo” – the striking ”barcode” buildings seen here in the background. In fact, a whole new part of the city is being formed, partly on reclaimed ground in the fjord. The links between the old and the new are thus becoming closer. One wonders whether perhaps the whole city will be renamed again some time as a consequence... New Oslo? Location: Oslo, Norway

Log Buildings

Travels and computer problems have kept me away from here over the last couple of weeks, but I am eager to post again, and here is a shot I took a week ago at the wonderful Folk Museum in Oslo, where buildings from all over Norway have been relocated, region by region, in a vast outdoor complex. I was lucky enough to have most of the place to myself and be there just as the sun was going down. These farm buildings are typical of the Norwegian style found in the countryside and looked rather beautiful in the early evening light.. Location: Oslo, Norway

If You Stay Too Long Out in the Sun...

From a distance this was quite alarming –no doubt that was part of its intention. I was walking along the beach at sunset and had it almost to myself. Was someone still sunbathing? And so close to the water? Had somebody died? Was it an alien from outer space? (my imagination is admittedly a little on the wild side).I laughed when I came closer and saw it was just a very realistic sand sculpture. The eyes made of grapes were a nice touch –perhaps that's why I thought of creatures from outer space. The low evening sun also gave a sort of washed-out alien light – just before the cherished "golden time" when the sun dips. Location: Corfu, Greece

Pulling Up The Infant Jesus

The fishing boats came in through irksome waves one by one when the sun was already climbing high. They were pulled and pushed and shoved and drawn by whole families and anyone else who happened to be on the beach at the time, slowly -inch by inch- heaving up from the water's edge and up onto the sand where the boats would perch boldly and proudly until it was time to push them out to sea again in the evening or night. I watched this timeless ritual every morning when I walked along the beach at Goa –once or twice I joined in, and I was always captivated and exhilerated by the zeal and activity involved. For me it was a holiday -the beach stretched far and beckoned with its powdery sand: for these people it is their livelihood. The "Infant Jesus" is typical of the biblical names given to these vessels. Location: Goa, India

Canine Patisserie

Well, I'm tempted to say "only in America" but I am sure I will be proven wrong. Everything on display here –every delicious-looking snack, cookie and cake is purely for our four-footed friends. And for the somewhat exclusive upper-market ones, at that. This is only one part of an entire store for such pampered pooches –elsewhere on display one could find designer baskets, food bowls and outfits and any number of luxurious (and expensive) playthings. And not only for the discerning dog customer,the shop also caters for the most choosy of cats. Such is Florida where pets frequently deserve –and get– the very best. Were I a dog the pastry "fun bones" at $2.99 a piece would be right up my street. Perhaps in the next life? Location: Miami, USA

Beach huts

I'm going through a bit of a "bright"colour" stage at the moment –maybe because the weather has been so grey and dull recently. At a very basic level we are all attracted to colour and brightness – as something uplifting and cheering. Besides; I like colour. Well, here we are on the beach in front of a long line of huts (only a few of which are pictured) –but out of season. These little "cells" are part shed, part storeroom, part changing room for modest bathers and –because this is England– part shelter when the heavens open! Location: Lowestoft, England

Splash of Colour

A wet, grey, dull day –much like today. The view from the castle was not particularly great due to the clouds so my pictures were sadly disappointing; but I found the splash of colour provided by these umbrellas to be irresistible - brightening things up considerably. Why aren't all umbrellas like this! Location: Heidelberg, Germany

Boat at Sunset

A peaceful image – the water is calm, the sky is kind, and the rays of dipping sun catch the side of this boat in the canal that surrounds the Altstadt of Lübeck. I was so captivated by the boat that I failed to notice the man standing next to it, but his face glows with the same benign light as that on the boat, and rather makes the picture for me, making up for a slight lack of focus. A few minutes later the sun went down and the magical effect of the "golden time" was gone. Location: Lübeck, Germany

The Opera House in Oslo

Many visitors to Oslo are delighted to be able to climb up the sloped roof of Oslo's magnificent opera house and it is a very popular spot to take pictures, with the fjord in the background, and fun views of the city. Much of the front view is a bit of an eyesore due to extensive construction work, but on the other side –where this picture was taken– there is more peace. The opera itself probably looks best when seen at an angle, but here I wanted particularly to capture the small boats in the foreground, and was particularly struck by the flashes of colour here. I also liked the moody clouds over the building – fitting perhaps for opera! Location: Oslo, Norway

Remembering July 22nd 2011

Four years ago today a huge bomb went off outside the Norwegian government's cluster of buildings in central Oslo, killing several people – just part of a horrific day that culminated with the shooting of dozens of young people on an island not far from the capital. It was a day that shocked Norway and left deep scars on all of Norwegian life, affecting everyone in some way. Tragic as the island massacre was, it was the bomb in the centre of town that affected me personally the most, because I used to live only a couple of hundred yards from where the explosion occured, and from my kitchen window I could see over to the building that was targeted. I walked past there almost daily. Fortunately, I was not there that fateful day; but I so easily could have been. I saw the damage afterwards. It was enormous – In the street where I used to live and the surrounding area, there was glass from hundreds of shattered windows, and there was a sense of numbed shock hanging in the air the morning after. It lasted a long time. I have visited the area many times afterwards; it affects me profoundly each time. Now, four years have passed, and though much damage has been repaired, the whole government area is undergoing a very long-winded process of rejuvenation, with dramatic reconstruction work transforming buildings – in some cases rebuilding them completely. I took this picture some months ago, looking up at the main government building after it had been completely gutted and hung with a provisional covering (the current covering creates an illusion of windows similar to the original facade). I took the photograph from approximately the spot where the van filled with explosives was parked. It is a expression of feelings and thoughts that seems to demand a simple but striking image. The determined trace-line of the plane high above expresses (for me at least) moving forward, away from painful memories. Location: Oslo, Norway

If You Have a Sweet Tooth...

There's something about candy, lollipops, sweets – especially if they are just out of reach, or behind firmly closed windows. I don't think one has to be a child to be drawn into the hypnotizing world of such treats – we are all attracted to colour and patterns, and temptation is easily awakened. For me the temptation was more to photograph than to indulge - except in my imagination. But had this window been open... Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Close Up

I fancied a bit of colour today, to brighten up a rather grey afternoon. These could be wires or pipes, but they're actually a tin of coloured pencils that have somehow survived into my adulthood – pencils seem to last forever, anyway. I didn't include the points, but if I had one would see which pencils had been most used. After taking this picture I set about taking close-up photographs of all sorts of other colourful things I found lying about in my art drawer – I'll post some of them in the future, a need for brightness and colour is called for!

Mountain Water

I think I’ll let this photograph speak for itself – it’s from the mountain countryside of my favourite part of Norway, and makes me want to head straight up there. I will do soon, but in the meantime I’ll find peace in such a picture. Location: Valdres, Norway

Putney Bridge

Another entry in my series depicting bridges over the River Thames – one day I'll hopefully have photographed them all. This is Putney Bridge –perhaps not as well known as some of the other bridges further downstream, but rather a nice one – with its gentle slope, wide, graceful arches and ornate lamps. The picture was taken at low tide, and numerous birds are feasting on the rich, wet banks –but these birds are good at disguise, and only a few can be seen. If you are a careful observer of my pictures you will recognize the trademark double-decker bus that appears on most of my bridge pictures from London. In this case I had to wait a long time for a bus to come along, without it being blocked by other large vehicles on the bridge. Once I had taken the picture, however, a whole fleet of double-deckerss came along –which is typical. The sky is a bit moody and there's a brisk wind, but I find the image to be quite peaceful, and evocative of this charming part of the capital. Location: London, England

Letterboxes Sunning Themselves

Summer. A time for painting and sunbathing – or perhaps both; certainly the postboxes here seem to be lounging nonchalantly in the sun. It's probably just my imagination but I often see "things" as people - perhaps I've been in the sun too much myself! Several things intrigued me here, mostly just the somewhat unusual sight of abandoned handiwork. There were no people about but there is a lid from a yellow paint tin -why? And where is the accompanying tin? Had someone opened it and discovered they had got the wrong colour and gone off to complain? Or is the fence actually being replaced? The boards to the rear are untreated and appear to be new. I don't know; it doesn't really matter. I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for everything, and I was just passing by -and attracted by the colours, especially the yellow lid on the grass. Location: Oslo, Norway

Beached Fishing Boats

The beach at Hastings on the southern coast of England is famous for its fishing boats, its clinkers, and for the way the boats are dragged by wires onto the beach after they have come in and unloaded. For the rest of the day they stand about on the pebbles - dozens of them; it's an odd but fascinating scene - boats out of the water are somehow rather compelling. Here I wanted to photograph them against the blue of the sky – a substitute for the sea– so I shot this low, right from the water's edge quite late in the day when the light was not too harsh. All is quiet now, but one can hopefully imagine the sounds of the boats in action, and the smell of fish. In a few hours the boats will be out again... Location: Hastings, England

Railway Hut

A little hut (complete with curtains) at a sleepy Swedish station in the countryside – but it could be almost anywhere; and any time. I was trying to emulate a little the style of some of those magnificent 1940s and 1950s photographic travelogues in American magazines like Life or National Geograpic, and was quite pleased with the result. Black and white seemed most apt. The background is a little blurred, but I think this brings more focus to the hut itself, and I was particularly taken by the thin, vertical wooden planks that form the wall, which contrast nicely with the many horizontal lines crossing the picture. The window and the half-drawn curtain is also something that intrigues me; I want to if there is anyone inside, and what they are doing; it's obviously some kind of worker's hut, but for an avid railway lover like me, I could ask for no better view! Location: Kil, Sweden

Semester's End

What is this, you may ask? In some circles I am sure it would pass as modern art. But it's simply a noticeboard at my old university stripped at the end of a semester. I made a nostalgic trip to see the old place and take some pictures, remembering with fondness the many times I hung posters here myself for some play or revue, or learned of a concert or exciting party, or looked for notices with books for sale. Posters were (and clearly still are) pasted with such frequency that one was lucky if it hung for five minutes before being covered with another. Along with nostalgia, I was attracted by the fierceness with which the board has been cleaned – almost as if an animal had gone to work here, but those pesky staples hold back a little piece of every poster and notice that has been here –on display until a new bevy of students have shows to promote, books to sell and parties to tempt... Location: Oslo, Norway

Waiting in Wannsee

Wannsee, on the outskirts of Berlin, is perhaps best known historically for being the setting of the notorious Nazi conference that was to decide the details of the "Final Solution", and it was to visit the house in which this heinous event took place that brought me there. The house is now a deeply moving, but chilling, musuem. Wannsee is however more than this – the lake itself is a magnet for day-tripppers from bustling Berlin, with a fabulous variety of boating possibilities, beaches, wooded walks and shoreside cafés. I took this picture at the end of a very pleasant day there, waiting for the train back into the metropolis. Everything here is so perfectly German – from the lettering of the station sign, the symmetry of the benches and two waiting passengers, and the striking colours of the S-Bahn on the opposite platform. There is a kind of beauty in the connection between the man and the woman – they are both alone, both waiting, but they do not speak. They must be aware of each other, but sit politely in their own individual worlds. Wouldn't it be magical if one of them turned to the other with a romantic smile... Location: Wannsee - Berlin, Germany

Seaside Café

This is another picture from a series I took one afternoon in Lowestoft on the eastern coast of England when the sky was dramatically magnificent and the light magical. It was long before the bright sunshine of summer causes this promenade to fill with life, but there's a vacant table. optimistically set up outside the café and a single guest – an equally optimistic seagull hoping for a treat. I took some shots here in black and white too, but I found the pale yellow light in the distance particularly beautiful and mellow. I am also constantly fascinated by and attracted to the wistful emptiness of places that at other times of the year teem with life. Location, Lowestoft, England

Danish Mail Trio

Letter boxes (or mail boxes if you prefer) are a bit like taxis at the weekend – you can never find one, but when you do there's always several of them. Actually letter boxes seem to be a bit of a dying species, along with telephone boxes, public scales and various other bits of street furniture. It's understandable, I suppose, since the number of letters being posted has dropped dramatically since email became part of our daily lives. But I am always cheered at the sight of one of these boxes, and three of them together... Well, I can only assume that since I took this picture in the picturesque town of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, there must be a whole lot of people still sending postcards – remember them? I liked the bright, cheerfulness of this little trio, taken after a rain shower that made them shine and appear as if brand-new. And huddling together they seem to cry out to the passer by, "We're here for you, use us, give us your letters ... please..." - a sentiment that Anderson himself could easily have expressed... Location: Odense, Denmark

My Window Sill

I was just sitting at the table fiddling about with my camera, taking some test shots, and happened to focus on some of the plants on the window sill nearby. I'm not someone with green fingers at all, but I like having plants about, and am delighted that these ones have enjoyed life in my flat for several seasons. The sun was shining and I was struck by the brightness of the light passing the red bottle and glass ornament – and by the cheerful optimism of all these colours. It wasn't a planned shot, just a moment captured – sometimes (just occasionally) these can be the most effective of all. Location: Oslo, Norway

A Bicycle in Berlin

I was struck by how relaxing an image this is – a bicycle parked nonchalantly by a potted flower-bush, people relaxing by a fountain, lush green grass, perfectly clean cobblestones, a great musuem to be discovered in the background. It is Berlin in the summer. It is also a trusting picture – the bicycle is not locked, but its owner is nowhere to be seen. And it’s also a picture about potential: ”Come and ride me,” the bicycle seems to be saying. ”Come and visit me” says the musuem. ”Come and step on to me” says the grass. ”Come and smell me” say the flowers... Location: Berlin, Germany

Birds on Deck

A couple of the numerous helicopters and other aircraft on display on the deck of USS Midway - the famous aircraft carrier that is now berthed at San Diego as part of its maritime collection and open to visitors. It's one of the most absorbing "museums" I have ever visited and fabulously exciting to explore, and there are few areas that cannot be accessed. It was also a great place for photography, especially outside on the vast deck. The usually blue skies of southern California were on this particular occasion somewhat moody, but I found this an advantage in capturing the silhouettes of the assembled aircraft; the clouds give the picture a sense of magnitude, reflecting what these vessels are actually meant for; yet there is sunshine too, reflecting hope and a patch of pale blue - an appropriate window for these helicopters to head for. It is the mood of the picture that I like most- Location, San Diego, USA

Greek Street

On dull days like today, with rain and cloud one's thoughts easily wander to sunnier climes, to possible locations for the next holiday, to places where one has found tranquility and peace and warmth in the past. Greece naturally comes to mind – the Greek islands in particular. I have visited many of them over the years and returned to several time and time again. Each has its distinct characteristics but all have Greek charm – which flourishes and continues despite the country's financial problems. I like to explore backstreets rather than busy tourist trails and am frequently struck by how organic the buildings and the streets themselves seem to be – and how pleasantly colourful. This picture captures all that. I love the plants, the blue table, the frayed chair, the coloured lights, the steps, the coziness of this little house. I want to go there right now, feel the warmth of a Greek sun and the atmosphere of this street. A dog is barking somewhere a little way off, but not very energetically.. otherwise, all is quiet... Location: Samos, Greece

Venice Story

Today I was supposed to be in Venice, spending the entire day taking photographs, and catching a night train to Munich in the evening. But sadly the German rail strike that is now on its fourth day disrupted all my travel plans earlier in the week, forcing me to retreat to Denmark instead of heading for Bavaria and Italy. I have been blessed with good fortunate in the past when travelling, so I am not too peeved by the disruption, but I am sad at missing out on Venice, and am therefore posting a picture from last time I was there – way back in 1984! It was taken with my nifty pocket-110 camera (long gone) and, though a little faded, captures much of what I am sure Venice is still like today – it seems to be a timeless place altogether. I will make it there again one day though. I must! Location: Venice, Italy

Passageway in Oslo

Several years ago I lived behind this building, but oddly never noticed this passage leading from the street to the inner courtyard until I passed through the old neighbourhood recently. There's no real reason why I should have noticed it before, but at this particular time the light was rather interesting and I was struck by the way the brightness of the courtyard contrasted with and reflected against the darkness of the passage with its many textures. The low wooden buildings that can be seen probably once housed outdoor toilets because these were common in this part of town; now they are more likely to be sheds or storerooms. I liked the way the arches created a sort of oval of light and made this the centre of the picture, drawing us in. I would have rendered it in black and white, but the effect of the thin band of gold on the innermost arch is rather nice. Location: Oslo, Norway

"He was not of an age, but for all time..."

It's William Shakespeare's 451st birthday today, so it is fitting that today's picture celebrates him. I took the picture around Christmas, when there was a fairground in Leicester Square where this statue stands. The coloured lights of the fair and on the trees seemed to my mind to frame the statue in a celebratory way. I am sure many who pass by on a daily basis never look up and read or think about the meaningful quote – "There is no darkness but ignorance" (from Act IV of Twelfth Night), but I think they should. Any number of other Shakespeare quotes could, of course, be placed here too; we all have our favourites. The one that forms the title of this entry though is not by Shakespeare, but about him – written by his friend Ben Jonson in the preface to the collected plays of the bard, published after his death. It is a fine tribute and, I think, a very true one. Certainly he lives on for me and continues to fascinate, inspire, uplift, express and surprise through his words, characters, poetry and creativity. Happy birthday, Sir!

Market Square in Germany

A church, pretty buildings, cobblestones, market stalls, blue sky spread with fairly friendly clouds. No real story here, I just liked the peacefulness and prettiness of the scene and particularly the way the church seems to look out over the square – looking out for the town. It's quiet because the market day is almost over. Time for some berries. Location: Trier, Germany

Rear Window

One of my all time favourite films – Alfred Hitchock's Rear Window – happens to be on TV tonight. It concerns a photographer, stuck in a wheelchair with a broken leg, who spends his days staring out of his window, idly observing the goings on of his neighbours (and discovering that a crime has been committed). The whole story is seen from the flat of the photographer and the film set bears some resemblance to this picture. However, this is London whereas the film is set in New York. But Hitchcock drew on something that was familiar to people everywhere – the curiosity about neighbours and the potential drama that is before us every time we look out of our window. This is the view from a hotel room I was occupying in London, and though there is little drama to be seen here the picture does hold a special significance, lending some inspiration perhaps to Rear Window itself: for one of the upper flats we see the windows of here is the former home of none other than... Alfred Hitchcock! Location: London, England

The Magic of Trains

Travel by train is – and always has been – for me the most exciting, uplifting, delightful, enjoyable, thrilling and rewarding means of getting from A to B, or from A to Z via K, R and W. Nothing relaxes me more than a long train journey, and just the sight of a train – any train, moving or stationary, long or short, old or new – sets off a whole set of excited thoughts and emotions. Very soon I shall set off again and to "warm up" I have been looking through some of the many pictures I have taken from, in or of trains. This one appealed to me both because of the locomotive and what I believe is a postal wagon of yesteryear. The clouds were moody, but resulted in some nice light effects which render well in sepia – which I think is also appropriate to the subject. Sadly, I don't think the trains I will be taking shortly will be drawn by steam engines like this, but one can dream of such things ... and there is no better place to dream than while on a train... Location: Nuremburg, Germany

Parked Cycle Taxisi

A group of cycle taxis (if that is what they are called) parked in an Oslo street. I have only ever taken one of these things in India – an invigorating but somewhat alarming experience due to the wildly creative interpretation of traffic rules there – but they have become a fairly common feature of many cities in Europe over recent years. They are a lot greener than regular taxis and certainly a lot more fun, though perhaps not always for the driver if he has a full load and has an uphill slope to deal with. What appealed to me here especially was the variety of models and colours – uniqueness and lack of uniformity in a group is alway fascinating. Location: Oslo, Norway

Bathtub on holiday

Things out of place have a curious fascination. How did they get there? Who put them there? And why there exactly? One can only speculate as to what chain of events led to this bathtub being placed next to a telephone box on the Hastings promenade. Did someone suddenly no longer need the tub, preferring to shower instead? Was it stolen? Was it the remnants of some artistic installation? A student prank? Or – my guess: did someone cross over from France in it and placed it next to the phone box in order to call home and then forgot about it ?! Your guess is as good as mine. I thought it was bizarre enough to take a picture. The battered remains of the pier, prior to rejuvenation, are seen to the right – but I somehow can't believe the bathtub came from there... Location: Hastings, England

Flea Market in Amsterdam

Spring is the time of the year when flea markets start up again all over Europe and few things are more pleasurable than spending a lazy weekend browsing, never knowing what one may find, and even if one comes home empty handed the experience has not been wasted. For such occasions are opportunities to step into the past, rummage through the nostalgia of yesteryear – sometimes with a smile of delight at recognizing a familiar item; at other times aghast at tastes of the past – and perhaps come across something special. I am attracted to such places wherever I happen to be and can spend hours there. This particular market was typical of many others, but its location on a square in Amsterdam was pretty. Business is well underway and the two sides – sellers and buyers – are happily involved. I like the varied but typical poses adopted by those wondering whether to buy – the man crouched over some object, the woman with her hand over her mouth looking slightly doubtful, and the people examining the merits of the painting. Location: Amsterdam, Holland

A Dour Train

This splendid train in the German State Railway Museum seems to be staring rather glumly at us. Or is a look of suspicion or sophistication? Someone said they thought it resembled Groucho Marx, complete with cigar; another mentioned Omar Sharif... certainly some kind of face is more than apparent. As any photographer of portraits knows, it's all in the eyes, and I particularly like these ones, formed by the headlamps, with the bulbs creating the effect of pupils. Location: Nuremburg, Germany

Wiener Riesenrad

One of Vienna's many attractions is the iconic giant ferris wheel in the Prater Park. I first became acquainted with it through the film The Third Man, in which it plays a notable part – so, eager to follow in the footsteps of Orson Welles, I took a spin, though it was a very slow spin, giving ample time to photograph the increasingly magnificent views of Vienna. I was there just as it was getting dark, which seemed an ideal time. In some of the other "cabins" couples were enjoying a romantic, candlelit meal – one of these can just be seen in the picture. It was a giddy and gently thrilling experience, but somehow quite stately too, like sailing on an old liner. The Riesenrad has been there for so long –and been lovingly cherished and cared for – that it is a "must" on any visit to Vienna. Here we are at the start of the ascent, while it is still fairly light. Location: Vienna, Austria

When Mountains Look Unreal

Sometimes landscapes play curious tricks, like these mountains in the middle of Norway. They look decidedly unreal – like half-completed background "flats" in a theatre. Maybe it was the light, or the fact that I took this picture through the window of a bus, or perhaps it's the unusual marked outline of the mountains, giving them the appearance of a crudely drawn picture. If this was the background in a film there would surely be cries of "how fake!", but no, these are real. I thought it made for an interesting picture with the green in the foreground and the uncertain clouds behind. Mountains are curious things though, they seldom look the same twice and change according to mood and light and season. Perhaps here they were just feeling a bit flat! Location: Jotunheimen, Norway

Retired Merry-go-round Horses

These horses, that once carried children of all ages on countless revolving journeys on a merry-go-round or carousel, appear now to have now been "retired" and stuck up on display but are certainly no less prominent, energetic or delightful. Indeed, they seem to be cantering still, dancing and leaping in the air and beckoning new generations of visitors to partake of the pleasures of one of the world's finest and most beautiful fairs: the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen. I love it when things get a second lease of life like this - the horses, I feel, do too! Location: Copenhagen, Denmark