Waiting for a Train...

Like everyone else, I'm longing for things to return to normal in these strange, unprecedented times. I long to get out and about travelling again, socialising, visiting interesting places and discovering the odd and wonderful and taking photographs. I've taken all sorts of pictures right through this pandemic, more close to home, but I've been very lax in posting any here. So I thought it was about time I offered at least one picture, if only to demonstrate that I am still alive and kicking... unlike (perhaps) these boots –which moonlight as novel flowerpots next to a stretch of the mid-Norfolk Railway. Standing as if in anticipation of an arriving train (you can almost see one of the toes tapping impatiently) they at least put a smile on my face when I spotted them last year.

Location: Wymondham, England

Flowers in the Park

It's time for some colour. Spring, though late arriving, has rapidly blossomed all over in recent weeks and it's always an exciting time to photograph the new life that appears in flowerbeds throughout the city. Here, we're down low, almost at ground level to appreciate these blooms in Oslo's magnificent Frogner Park.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Going to Seed

Spring has yet to appear in Norway; there's probably a good month or two of winter left here, but that's no reason not to start thinking ahead, to when all the seeds one planted last year may (or may) not appear as buds in the garden. Or to think about what quick-growing vegetables to sew when the snow melts. All this is purely academic as I do not even have a garden, just a little balcony, but I am nevertheless fascinated by seeds and anything that grows. And I loved the sight of this display in a local florist's backroom. The order and colour and excitement of such a confrontation is infectious, inspiring, and unlike similar displays of –for instance– sweets, everything here looks gorgeously healthy! I felt it was an interesting image (or series of images) to capture, and I particularly liked it that there are four empty slots in the shelves –breaking the perfection just a little.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Summer

This summer seems to go on and on like those summers of childhood that stretched into infinity. The heat has taken its toll, but as I write there is finally a little rain –which is more than refreshing. In the countryside much of what is usually green at this time of the year is pale and yellow, the vegetation dried out by weeks of sun. However, in the lakes and ponds that are dotted around in the forests surrounding Oslo, there is verdant life. These water plants seem impossibly green, almost as if they have been artificially fabricated. Against the dark blue of the water they form an attractive pattern and may be welcome rafts for insects in need of a rest. The water is probably delightful to bathe in, though on this occasion I was happy just to photograph.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Gloves and Mittens Gone AWOL -No 10

Though few, if any, people continue to use gloves or mitten now that summer has taken hold that does not mean these intrepid items of hand-wear have disappeared entirely from view. They continue to pop up in the oddest places. Here no less a figure than Minnie Mouse decorates a mitten that has found a new home in the sun, with a colourful display of flowers behind. Once again, I am intrigued how such a distinctive mitten could have gone missing.

Location: Oslo, Norway

Going Dutch

Time for some flowers, it's spring, after all and they're popping up all over the place to everyone's great delight. When I was in Amsterdam I felt it was almost obligatory for me to get a picture of some tulips and I spent half an afternoon trying to find some without falling deeply into the cliche trap of souvenir shops. This place seemed more genuine, and bright and colorful, and though there will later be many, many more flowers on sight both here and elsewhere, these tulips made me very happy for a while! And lest one should forget where one was, the name at the top says it all.

Location: Amsterdam, Holland

Jawas Hanging Around..?

I had to look twice when I passed this sight the other day. And had it been dark I would probably have gotten quite a shock too. These are shrubs that have been protected for the winter by being wrapped up with sackcloth, but it can't just be me that sees a line of Jawas.. can it? (Jawas, by the way, are the cute busybody little creatures introduced in the first Star Wars film, you know, the ones in the desert on Tatooine who salvage droids). Well, if there were any droids passing here I'm pretty sure they'd be quite safe as these particular Jawas seem more drunk than busy. I just thought it was an amusing sight, worthy of sharing here. If you're not a fan of Star Wars, feel free to move along –these may not be the Jawas you are looking for! (Sorry)

Location: Oslo, Norway

People in the Park

To contrast a little the last post, here is a different park, in another country, in a different season and with people as its main subject this time rather than trees (though the observant visitor will notice a number of these too!). The point is really that contrasting two images, however slightly related, often works as a rewarding form of presentation, an interesting access point to seeing and appreciating similarities and difference, yet with a common foundation –in this case the concept of "the park" and what that means for different people. Here we have a warm summer afternoon, evening really, but the sun is still up, and you can almost feel the pleasant lazy warmth and smell the grass. Everyone is in their own little blissful world, some dozing, some having a picnic, others reading, greeting a friend, sharing a special moment. They are dotted about like little islands in an ocean of greenn; there is a communal atmosphere but privacy is respected and cherished. The elegant building in the background and the neatly trimmed bushes and beds give a sense of peace and order to the scene, but not too much; the mood is mellow and summer is glorious... ahhhh, may it come again soon. Location: Vienna, Austria

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

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

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

Water Flower

There's a little lake in the forest beyond Oslo that I like to visit when I am out hiking. Few people know about it or visit it, being so out of the way, and it has a magical, timeless quality, especially in deep summer when the buzz of insects fire the atmosphere with gentle chatter and every tree and plant competes to be greenest, biggest, boldest... I am not a botanist, so I can't tell you the name of this particular plant, but it's totally fascinating because each leaf has a stem that descends into the water. It has the best spot in the forest, and the best of two worlds –both the air and the water, and then there are occasional vivid flowers, like this one, peeping up with beautiful curiosity. A splash of yellow amidst the blue and green. A little beacon in the lake... Location: Nordmarka, Oslo, Norway

E.T. Cactus

I love cacti, but mine are pretty tiny compared to this one that I came across in California. In the evening sun it cast a shadow against the wall that looks rather like the head of a praying mantis ...or E.T.

Location: San Diego, USA

Grecian Urn

A glorious summer's day on the heights the sleepy Greek island of Meganisi, with the larger island of Lefkada in the distance, boats on the water and urns with plants atop a romantic terrace. A very peaceful picture, and comforting amidst all the rainy days of summer in Northern Europe this year.

Location: Spartochori, Meganisi, Greece

The Tourist Who Got Cut Off from Her Group

With so much to see in so short a space of time it is inevitable that not everybody can keep up with the group. This image captures the moment of indecision in which the tourist debates with herself whether to cross the lawn (not permitted) or go the long way round.I'll leave it tiy you to guess the outcome.

Location: Potsdam, Germany