Board Among the Rocks

Though I intensely disapprove of littering and irresponsible discarding of rubbish, some objects of waste can be surprsingly captivating -such as this unwanted piece of wooden boarding lodged among rocks on a Greek shore. Perhaps it washed up from the sea, who knows, but there must be a story behind it –the broken board with its flaking paint, at least three colours, gives the effect of a map or a piece of modern art, and somehow blends in with the naturally created patterns and colours of the rocks and the swirling water. It is an example of how the seemingly mundane can appear dramatic; how everyday objects can take on a strange beauty.

Location: Samos, Greece

Samosian Sunrise

Everyone loves a good sunset and there are thousands or probably millions of photographs that have captured them in some way –I've taken a few hundred myself. But sunrises are a little different, a little rarer. This is because whilst everyone is up and around to enjoy the sight of the sun going down, relatively few are up early enough to see it rise –except at certain times of year up here in the north when it doesn't seem to rise until the afternoon, if at all. But sunrises have a double beauty to them. There is the uplifting sight of unfolding light illuminating and warming the shadows of the night, and then there is the tranquility of the atmosphere –the lack of people, noise, activity. Somehow this makes it easier to really appreciate a good sunrise than a good sunset; and its glory is a sort of special prize give to you for getting up so early. I can no longer remember why I was up so early in this particular instance, but there may have been no reason at all –other than just being out and about before the world has woken up. The picture is from the Greek island of Samos and the sun has just risen above the hills behind the trees. The trees block off much of the light but the sun, even at this early hour, is too strong and pushes its golden rays through the branches and onto the clean cobblestones by the harbour, creating a yellow-brick road that has a magical quality to it. Ten minutes later, five minutes, the scene had changed, so I was happy to have captured this moment of gleaming splendour before the hot Greek sun washed everything into harsh whiteness.

Location: Pythagoreio -Samos, Greece

Boats For Hire

The harsh sun has dipped towards the sea but sends its last rays of warm gold across the water to reflect against the equally gold hulls of these boats, berthed close to a beach on the northern coast of Corfu. Fishing boats are berthed behind them, and out on the water a single little ferry is heading out into the sunset. These boats would have been busy taking tourists along the coastline earlier in the day but now they can rest gently until tomorrow. I like the calm of the picture; though there is a lack of people there is no sense of isolation. Also the picture has a nice temperature about it; the lingering warmth of a hot day giving way to a milder but sweetly tempting Greek evening...

Location: Corfu, Greece

Summer Longing

With Christmas all but over, and yet the winter barely begun, we are about to enter what I find the darkest time of the year - the long, (usually) cold month of January. At this time, I find myself often turning to thoughts and dreams of summer -both those of the past and those to come, and somehow just thinking of sunshine, beaches, warm seas and lazy evenings helps to get through weeks where, if I could, I would preferably hibernate. But, if awake we must be, it's a great time to go through all those summer photographs. Here's one that exemplifies for me a peaceful summer idyll: a perfectly quiet café by a calm blue sea, with chairs that are calling out "come on over, sit down, relax..." I like the cleanness of the image, the feeling of space, and the warm colours, with all the white surfaces reaching out to match the true pale yellows. I also like the tree a lot. Now, excuse me, while I go and sit down, I have a large, cool beer waiting over there... Location: Corfu, Greece

Bench in Greece

This is another one I took last autumn while on the island of Samos. Just an ordinary row of benches down by the small harbour. But I liked the unusual colour, and found it quite a nice parallel to the water alongside. The lights in the water also make a nice contrast. Often these benches are used by romantic couples at this time, but here they are empty, waiting... Location: Samos, Greece

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 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

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

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

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

Dreaming of Summer

It's that time of year when the winter weather is starting to get tiresome and one finds one's thoughts turning longingly to warm summer evenings, beaches, lazy holidays and a place in the sun. And plans for the summer may happily be made while outside the wind blows and snow turns to sleet. It's a good time for looking through pictures of summers past too – sometimes the lapping of waves on an empty beach seems almost audible, and beckoning with a whisper of warmth and the prospect of a table by the sea for an evening meal... ah, well, we must be allowed our dreams. And summer will come again; I promise. Location: Corfu, Greece

Sleeping Dog

A hot summer day in Greece. Scorchingly hot. Too hot for chasing cats, or hunting for treats. Too hot for anything, really. Far better to find some shade on cool marble and just... doze; and dream of cooler days. Location: Corfu Town, Greece

Boat on the Beach

Back at last - I have been having severe network problems over the last few weeks, so this is my first post in a while. However, I have been photographing a lot and one of the things I discovered by not being online for a while was that I had far more time available! And this has given me the opportunity to sort out pictures and have a general spring cleaning and organizing session of my archive. And I have also been learning more about light – which is what it is really all about. I will soon be out on the road again, and am looking forward to some exciting new photography projects in the coming few months. Meanwhile here is a boat I came across on a beach on the eastern coast of Corfu last summer. I was a perfect day and the boat was perfectly cute –like a toy boat really, although it is actually a little fishing vessel. I like the colours and the brightness of the sea and sky. Hopeful this summer will be equally bright and equally colourful. Location: Corfu, Greece

The Small Print!

This just made me smile a bit –obviously it's not a brilliantly beautiful picture, but taking snapshots of amusing things is also part of the joy of photography. It's also very down-to-earth, which I particularly like as I quickly get frustrated with vast menus with tiny writing and a strange, dandified language that bears little resemblance to anything used in normal life. The huge writing that fills each page is daringly charming, as are the inevitable mistakes that one finds in almost any translated menu. I was hungry, so it was an easy choice –and the food was of course delicious -and I didn't need reading glasses to order the meal! Location: Corfu, Greece

A Christmas Greeting

Back in the summer, while walking down a beach on the north coast of Corfu at sunset, I came across numerous messages that people had written in the sand earlier in the day –things like "Peace and Love", "I Love..." etc. There were also completed games of noughts-and-crosses, intricate but crumbling sand-castles and sculptures and inevitably a few rauchy drawings. Clearly people had been having lots of fun, but now the beach was deserted, which was a shame because it was at its most beautiful, with the sun dipping down towards the lazy waves and warm, golden colours filling the sky, stretching across the sea and sand. It was very beautiful. I decided to write my own message in the sand, with a pebble, and bizarrely could only come up with "Happy Christmas". After taking the picture and wandering off I was amused by the thought of other people coming across it and wondering whether they had stepped into a time-eddy, but of course the message would have been washed over by the next morning. The sentiment is true though, and at this time I'd like to wish any and all of you reading this a very happy and peaceful Christmas, be your surroundings beach, snow, forest or town. Location: Corfu, Greece

Autumn from the Olive Grove

I'm highlighting autumn all this week, and celebrating nature's transformation to warm colours. It's a season I always look forward to, though in Norway it is usually rather short. It started in Greece a little earlier, as can be seen in this picture I took a few weeks ago. Though there is still plenty of green, the golden browns are already making themselves known. I just liked the layered effect of the different colours as they catch the evening light. Location: Corfu, Greece

Drying Out

Sometimes you have to look up to get the best perspective on something -for life as for photographs. So often we go through life looking straight ahead, missing the beauty just above our heads, or to one side, or down a side-alley. Goals are fine and necessary, but so is marvelling, feasting on the magic of the ordinary, and finding extraordinary rewards there. Like (for me) the one red piece of washing out to dry on this line. I found myself wondering whether it had found its way into the laundry by mistake, or by design. It certainly gave this rather cluttered but charming view of a Greek back street a focus. I also liked the lines and the way they cross, and the light. But the sky is really what does it for me –its blue vastness forming the perfect contrasting the cluttered conditions below. Location: Corfu, Greece

Near the Beach Just After Sunset

The "magic" times for photography are very early in the morning and especially that golden spell around sunset and just after, when the light is mellow and warm and inviting. Add some sea, a quiet restaurant by a beach and some unconcerned goats for good measure, and you end up with a picture like this. It sort of says "Thank you" to the beach for a good day spent there, and at the same time lets you know that you are welcome back again tomorrow. For me it instantly conjours up the gentle evening sounds, smells and atmosphere of a long, lazy holiday. Nothing particularly spectacular, but special all the same. Location: Crete, Greece

Greek Balcony

I have a little balcony at home, and now that summer is almost here I am trying hard to create a little oasis of colour and life there with flowers and plants. Sadly however I do not have green fingers, so my balcony will never look as pretty and "unforced" as this one which I passed by while on holiday on a Greek island It's so simple, but I love the colours and textures and feeling that this has been here for ever. One day, when my own balcony efforts have improved, I will post a picture of that. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this picture as much as I do. Location: Levkada, Greece

Cats That Look Like Hitler

One of the many bizarre but hilarious websites out there is one called "Cats That Look Like Hitler" (check it out here). Unlike many other websites this one is exactly what it says, plain and simple. I have contributed one picture to this vitally important database, taken while on holiday in Greece, though to the cat's defence I should say he had a very sweet nature. However, I am sure that there would also be more than enough candidates if anyone were ever to start a website called Cats That Behave Like Hitler! Location: Crete, Greece