Favourite Picture of the Year

Once again, it's time to post my favourite picture of the last year. And once again, it's a picture of a cat! Now, there is no feline nepotism going on here, for this year I have also photographed dogs and many other animals, plus people, buildings, sunsets, trees, views, boats, and a thousand other things; yet sifting through all the pictures I have taken, I somehow always come back to this one from late summer - of the cat I was babysitter to (or was it the other way round !?). Villem. His look is one of superior reproach, saying (patiently but firmly): "No, you're not going to use the computer now, nor look at those books, not while I'm here; you can just forget about anything else and pay attention to me, do you understand?" I love the way he fills the frame, blocking the view of those other things in my life that clearly are of less importance. He was only with me for a short time, left so much of a mark that my flat seemed empty for weeks afterwards. The photograph makes me smile every time I see it. Happy New Year to you all, cats and humans! Location: Oslo, Norway

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

Merry Christmas !

A couple of years ago, close to Christmas, the famous statue of Eros on Piccadilly Circus was encased in this magical transparent globe, which, at regular intervals dispersed "snow" like one of those fascinating table-top trinkets that used to be so popular (perhaps they still are, somewhere?). Now this effect was both delightful and seasonal, and proved to be very popular with tourists and anyone else who passed by; it was an iconic landmark given a cheerful little makeover to mark the season of goodwill in a city that doesn't experience snow all that often. What it does experience, however, is wind, and hereby hangs a tale. For, shortly after this picture was taken, this globe was no more. A very troublesome little storm brewed in the West End, and a vicious gust of wind ripped a tear in the fabric of the globe, thus causing it to collapse like a deflated balloon. But not, however, before the thousands of plastic snowflakes swirling inside had been dispersed gleefully over much of Piccadilly Circus, and got into all sorts of places for days afterwards. But perhaps such is Christmas itself -a bubble that is there for a short time only; beautiful while it lasts but gone all too quickly. May I wish you a Happy Christmas, free of strife, worry and bursting globes. Location: London, England

View of a City

I shall shortly be traveling to one of my favourite cities – that grand metropolis, dear old London. And, as always, I am looking forward to it immensely as its fascination is endless, and I never tire of it. And I tend to use my camera a lot there, for there is something of interest at every corner, and every cobblestone seems to exude masses of history. And it's a modern city too, of course, with a skyline that changes a little every time I get up high to observe what's new. One of the best views of London (and the City of London as opposed to the City of Westminster) is from St.Paul's Cathedral where this picture was taken, here looking up the Thames toward Westminster. Unlike some of the other popular high-up observation spots in London, here you are actually outside, on a rather narrow balcony that encircles the tower on the top of the famous dome. You're exposed to the wind and cold, and it's a long climb up inside the dome to get there, but what a thrill when you step out and see the magnificent city sprawled all around you, the majesty of the cathedral itself directly below, and the busy silver river beside you. Breathtaking. And no single picture really does it justice; you have to be up there to experience it for real. However,this didn't stop me from shooting away like mad in all directions as I recognised landmarks and buildings and saw the busy city going about its business. For though you are high up, you are still essentially part of the city, and its sounds waft up towards you; so the experience is much more visceral and immediate than for instance seeing a city from a plane window, or an enclosed observation deck. And when you get back down on the ground again, you will always look up at St. Paul's with greater familiarity, proudly saying to yourself every time you see it "I've been up there!" Location: London, England

Simply a Police Box, or possibly...?

First, I must apologise for not having posted anything here for a few months - massive technical problems, travel, illness in the family and simply not having enough time have sadly kept me away from my computer and blogging activities. However, all issues have now been happily resolved, and not only have I replaced my temperamental computer with a sassy new Mac, but I have invested in a brand new camera (my first DSLR) and some lenses, and look forward to sharing some great new photographs taken with it once I get to know it a little better. However, I have as always by my side my trusty small camera (a Canon Ixus 135 if you're interested), and though I have not been blogging of late, I certainly have been taking pictures. Lots of them! Here's one I took in Glasgow a few weeks ago, posted in celebration of my favourite television programme which celebrated its 53rd birthday today (if you can't guess what it is then just enjoy the iconic solidness of the Police Box!). It was a chilly evening, people were scurrying home after work, and only I seemed to be captivated by the bright blue box - my imagination was already working overtime, hoping that it would transport me somewhere across the universe... What I particularly liked was the way the Police Box stands so unapologetically in the middle of a pedestrianised thoroughfare; seemingly unobtrusive and captivating at the same time. The glare from the lights behind give it that magical edge, and I was particularly happy with the way the blue, red, green and yellow colours layer the image. The lack of sharpness is due to my old camera's reluctance to do pictures at night and my own hands probably trembling a little when faced with a TARDIS! Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Bicycle Time

I thought a picture of a bicycle would be appropriate seeing as this year's Tour de France is just about to begin. Of course, this particular bicycle has nothing to do with the race (other than that the yellow wheels may presume to desire a yellow-jerseyed rider), and this is Denmark not France. But I liked the colours, the casual way the bike is parked against the wall, and the potential for adventure it holds... Who wouldn't want to jump on and take a ride. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Coloured Bowls

I am a sucker for anything colourful and circular (was I in a former life mesmerized by shiny beads?) so it was inevitable that these bowls caught my attention when I came across them at a local flea market. They seem to evoke opened pots of paint, or perhaps planets; they are certainly inviting, and their brightness has an irrepressively uplifting effect, at least on me! Location: Oslo, Norway

Street Library

Being a book fanatic, I wish there was a little library like this on every street in every town in every country –a place where books can be left and picked up at random and you never know what you may find. Happily, there are more and more of these joyful communal repositories popping up, some in parks, or old telephone kiosks. I even saw one at a tram stop a couple of weeks ago. Hotels, guesthouses, hospitals and cafés have had them for ages, but wouldn’t it be great if airports or train stations had such pocket libraries scattered about. They won’t of course, because there’s no profit to be made from it and they’d prefer to have you spending money than quenching your thirst for literature, be it romantic, educational or enlightening. Here, I liked the fact that someone has stopped to peruse the books even though it’s raining. I felt an immediate sense of identity of solidarity –that person could be me! And often when we take pictures we are actually taking pictures of ourselves –not selfie-style, but expressed through what appeals and reaches out to us. Keep reading folks, and support these schemes by leaving a book or two when you come across such places. Location: Heidelberg, Germany.

Through the Wardrobe

One of my favourite childhood books was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and the whole series of Narnia tales. Being one of the first novels I ever read, it made a huge impression on me, and I still return to it quite regularly and find myself magically enchanted by the same sense of wonder and delight that first got me "hooked". Who of those who have read these books has not on some occasion opened their wardrobe and longed to find a different world behind the coats? And dreamed of being beckoned by a shining lamppost, oddly located in the middle of a wood? The lamppost in the book seemed so ordinary, yet also so bizarre –out of place, yet strangely seductive and comforting. The moment I saw this lamp while out walking in the Malvern Hills recently I cried "Narnia!", and it was only later I learned that it is indeed here C.S. Lewis got the idea for the lamppost in his books. These lampposts were set out decades ago as a source of illumination, to aid people taking their daily constitutional in dim light. They seem somehow out of place –like they should rather belong in a city street– and yet at the same time they seem perfectly in place! Such an anomaly is truly in the spirit of Narnia. Of course, the picture should have been taken in the dark and with snow on the ground, and ideally there should be a Mr. Tumnus lurking about in the trees, or perhaps a witch? Who knows; perhaps they are there in the shadows... Location: Malvern, England

Duelling Benches

Winter is coming to an end, even in Norway, and what little snow may have been left when this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago is now surely gone, for spring is in the air and the park will soon be teeming with life and filled with colour. My crazy imagination saw these benches as some street furniture kind of ”Jets” and ”Sharks” having a ”stand off” (or perhaps that should be a bench off?) to determine who’s going to be top bench in the park this summer. I liked the colours and the space between the benches, and the symmetry they form –a symmetry of different styles, and with the lamppost as a form of referee Perhaps the two types of bench attract different types of ”sitters”? I must make sure to check once the weather brings out the crowds. Location: Oslo, Norway

The Lane

Lanes are always somehow quite fascinating things, above the level of being a means of getting from A to B. They are places for thought, pondering, conversation (if one has company) and have a much closer, comforting environment than a mere pavement. A lane may take you somewhere, or away from somewhere on more than a physical level. This is a lane I used a lot in my childhood, and visiting it again recently for the first time in ages I was delighted to see that it hadn’t changed one bit. The trees are no doubt bigger, but they didn’t seem to be, because when I last saw them I too was smaller. The flint wall is typical of East Anglia, and I was struck by the way the afternoon light reflected on its uneven surface. Indeed, it was the light that made me want to capture this image. There had been heavy, heavy rain earlier, but the clouds were swept away by a strong Norfolk wind, and the air had a freshness that was uplifting and resolute. I made the tree the centre of the picture rather than the more traditional approach of shooting down the centre of the lane; this allowed me to capture the slight bend in the distance, which is at once both optimistic and renewing. Location: East Dereham, England

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

Happy Bin!

I pass this rubbish bin almost every day, because it’s just down the street from where I live, and it always makes me smile! I don’t know whether it was the result of some campaign to humanize the lowly bins of Oslo by putting eyes on some of them, or whether it was just someone having a bit of fun, but the gaping mouth of this creature is always hungry for trash, and it seems positively delighted! It proves that street furniture does not have to be boring, and I wish there were more things like this around us to brighten up our days a little –it doesn’t take much! Location: Oslo, Norway

Sunset On My Street

Norway is well known as "the land of the midnight sun", and long summer days that somehow never end but merely mellow into warm, golden evenings are certainly one of the country's greatest attractions; but it is not only in summer that the sun creates beautiful effects in the sky. These past few weeks have seen some fabulous winter sunsets –perhaps nature's consolation for not providing Oslo with as much snow as some people would like. I took this shot just as I was returning home one afternoon recently. It's the street I live in, so I know it very well –a perfectly ordinary, humdrum street– but I was struck by how it was transformed into something quite magical and magnificent as the sun came down. Location: Oslo, Norway

Irresistible Sign

I came across this sign in the window of a cliff-top café overlooking the English Channel at the end of a long, bracing walk on the South coast. There was something very compelling about its message and the nostalgic gentleness of its fading paint. I remember such cups from my childhood, and cakes -well; how can one ever say no to that! I fancy the sign had been here for a long time, which added to its charm. Above all I love its Englishness. And of course, I indulged! Location: Hastings, England

Le Chateau Frontenac at Night

Although quite mild as I write the start of this year has seen some very cold weather, with temperatures dipping far below most people's comfort level. Wrapping up in many layers to stay warm is called for as such times, but as I do so I comfort myself with the thought that the temperature does not quite come close to the coldest I have ever felt, and that was in Canada a couple of years ago. Visiting the fine city of Quebec in February was probably not the best idea, but that winter was particularly icy, casting a chilled veil over the entire city and made even colder by a cutting wind that turned one's blood to ice –or so it felt. On my first evening there I took my camera out to take some pictures, but taking my gloves off to operate it turned out to be a very bad idea so I gave up fairly quickly. But not before taking some shots of the fabulous Chateau Frontenac hotel that looms high in the old city. I took many more pictures the day after when it was a little milder –clearer and brighter photographs, but this one for me captures the winter moment perfectly. I headed inside here afterwards, to soak in the Chateau's warmth –as magnificent as the building itself. Hope you too stay warm, folks! Location: Quebec, Canada

Fire Hydrant

When I was a child and had just arrived in Norway from England, I used to go for walks of discovery close to where our we first stayed. As I was young and in a new country, everything was an adventure, and even the most mundane things took on an exotic hue simply because they looked different to what I had known before. Once I came across an old fire-hydrant that very oddly was placed in the middle of a lawn, almost as if had grown there like some metal toadstool. I remembered it as being colourful too, and rather handsomely designed. This was 35 years ago. A short while ago, being in the vicinity of where I had stayed then, sheer curiosity led me to follow the old path from my childhood to see if it was still there –and to my delight, it was! Very little had changed in the area; there were still the same old farm buildings and greenhouses, and the landscape was just as I remembered it. The paint on the fire-hydrant had perhaps faded a little, flaked off here and there, but it still seemed to grow out of the ground and be both out of place and perfectly placed. It’s surprisingly uplifting to re-discover such odd icons from one’s childhood; of course this time I had to photograph it. Location: Valler, Norway

Underpass 5.25pm

One day last year the band of my wristwatch broke suddenly. It could, I’m sure, be fixed and one day I shall get round to it, but since that day I have not worn a watch at all but relied on other means of learning the time. And it is amazing how accomodating the world is to the "watchless" among us! Everywhere I look now I seem to spot a clock of some kind, whereas before (when I had my own watch) I hardly gave them a second glance. We observe only what we need to so much of the time, or rather: when we need something we start to see it all around us, as if our brain is actively seeking it out. With photography it is the right or appealing motive that we seek. Here, I think it was the clock that initially attracted me, but I then became fascinated by the light and shadows and the reflections and lines I also was intrigued with the position of the clock –at the end of an underpass; a sort of goal for those walking towards it, or a last, quick reminder of the time for those entering from the opposite direction; perhaps an incentive to hurry up? I also found the urban orderliness pictured here rather pleasing. Location: Nuremberg, Germany

Empty Car-Park

Places that are empty hold a strange fascination for me. I would never dream of taking a photograph of a car-park when it is full, and I try to avoid them as much as possible because I really don't like cars much, but over Christmas while out walking in my old home town in Norfolk I found the emptiness here to be rather magical. It had rained the night before (if course it had, this is England, after all!) so there were lots of puddles about, and because the surface of the car-park wasn't entirely flat there was something interesting going on, the water and reflected light on the large open area creating an almost alien surface that was at odds with the mundanity of the perfectly ordinary car-park. I thought it interesting enough to photograph, rendering it black and white to add to the mysterious quality. Location: Norfolk, England

ShakesYear!

Today I have launched a new blog to chronicle a year-long project I have long wanted to do, but which seems especially apt this year; namely revisiting the comlete works of William Shakespeare and reading through each play chronologically. There's a link to this new blog on the sidebar here, and plenty more about the project in my first post there. That will be a more text-based blog, but with appropriate pictures too, and needing a good photograph to launch the new blog I chose this one –a fine bust of the bard, taken in the Shakespeare room of Birmingham Central Library –home of the magnificent Shakespeare collection. I took it a little from below because I wanted to capture more of the books in the glass case behind, and the angle reflects Shakespeare's position as someone to look up to while at the same time not being so lofty and grand as to lose eye-contact with! I've always wanted one of these busts myself, but they're strangely difficult to get hold of –at least compared to busts of other notables like Beethoven, Socrates or Darth Vador. They're also extremely heavy so there was no chance I was going to steal this one! I was quite pleased with the picture though, so that's something at least. Do check out the new blog if you're interested, and don't worry, I won't be neglecting this blog just because I have another one! Location: Birmingham, England

Goal for the Year

I'm kicking off the new year with a picture that expresses my wish for the new year. I was walking about in London one afternoon in a rather gloomy sort of mood, thinking about this and that with my eyes cast a little more down than usual, when I suddenly came across this –"A sign!" I said to myself, dramatically (being an actor) and I was immediately put in a better frame of mind. Sometimes it is the most mundane things that may be the most profound. A simple instruction painted on the street, but with the arrow and direction there is an emphasis that I find uplifting -there is forever a road before us stretching out, and on it bravely we fare! Have a great year, everybody. Location: London, England

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