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