Tag: England

Travel Theme: Fragant

Posted on Posted in England, Nature, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , , , 18 Comments

One of the joys of the autumn is to find fragrance in a garden. I’ve known this wonderful tree for a long time, but it still catches me by surprise, and I smell it before I remember and find it. katsura

It has dainty leaves that are a very pretty shape, and fresh shade of green in spring and summer, but then once they start to fall the divine aroma bursts out.  It’s a Katsura tree, Cercidiphyllum Japonica, commonly known as a toffee apple tree. And that’s exactly what it smells like, especially if you  walk on the leaves or crush them in your hands. Heavenly!

toffee apple

There will be another Katsura photo tomorrow for my Daily Post haiku challenge, but meanwhile this is my Ailsa’s Travel Theme, http://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/11/22/travel-theme-fragrant/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unexpected

Posted on Posted in Art and Design, Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTagged , , , , , , , , 37 Comments

‘The world is an interesting place: we stumble upon unexpected things each day’ says Cheri Lucas Rowland.

Of course we should expect the unexpected in an art gallery, but this is my offering for the challenge. Oki Naganode by Julia Lohmann was an installation at the V & A back in September, made from Naga Kombu, a type of Japanese Seaweed. It has been stretched by hand over a framework of cane. Lohmann uses a variety of natural materials including bone and cow and sheep stomach. Oki Naganode was created to show the design potential of seaweed, and is around eight feet high.

Can you find the unexpected? Then share it at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/photo-challenge-unexpected/

Red Bricks and Funky Windows, the charm of A La Ronde

Posted on Posted in England, History, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , , 21 Comments

I popped down to A La Ronde, a little National Trust property that overlooks the Exe estuary, a few weeks ago. It was one of those beautiful autumn days that I add to my memory store, to help me throught the winter. A La Ronde was built in the 18th century and isn’t actually round – it has sixteen sides! Those of you who love windows would fall for it, they are a delight. I hope this photo is legible, read a little of its history.
2013 Oct 19_7863_edited-1

And here is some of the exterior, click on any photo for a better view.

The Old Laundry

I’ll be back sometime with some inside shots, the Parminter ladies had some bizarre design ideas and quirky collections. Meanwhile here is the outside of the house, just before the painting was finished.

A la Ronde

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers

Posted on Posted in England, Photography, Uncategorized, Weekly Photo ChallengeTagged , , , , , 32 Comments

Dartmoor in Devon is a National Parkthat has lots of exposed granite hilltops or Tors. The rock dates back to the carboniferous period and thrust through the surface around 280 million years ago. a variety of mineral ores have been extracted for centuries. Now we can see how it cooled into layers all those millennia ago.

Share your layers at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/weekly-photo-challenge-layers/

Good Use of a Photo?

Posted on Posted in Craft, PhotographyTagged , , , , 18 Comments

Back in March I walked along the Tiverton canal here in Devon. As usual I took many photos, a fair few of them were dull, out of focus, poor compositions, maybe that includes this one? Tivvy tree before

Sometimes an image can be redeemed, do you think that applies here?

tivvy tree

And even put to good use, like this.

Tivvy coptic

Tivvy packed

A beautiful coptic stitched notebook with a cover created from an indifferent image. Be careful what you delete!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Habit

Posted on Posted in England, Exeter, Uncategorized, Weekly Photo ChallengeTagged , , , , , 37 Comments

One of my frequent habits is my lunchtime stroll at work, I just have to leave the office and get some fresh air and peace. I always have my mobile with me and often make calls because I can’t at my desk. Having it with me is useful, it has a great little camera and there’s lots to see all year round.

So here is my habit, snapping everything from flowers, leaves and nature, to firemen and my own sunbathing legs one day when it was too hot to move!

Does your habit include taking photos of robots and bagpipe players at lunch? Whatever ahbit you have share it at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/weekly-photo-challenge-habit/

 

South West Academy at Gloss

Posted on Posted in Art and Design, England, ExeterTagged , , , , 18 Comments

It’s autumn again and that means a visit to Exeter’s Gloss gallery for the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts exhibition. As last year these shots are taken with my phone camera – one day I’ll go prepared, I wonder if I would get away with taking pictures!It’s difficult to avoid reflection and also getting a clear background seems impossible, but I hope you enjoy this little peep at the best of the regions art.

sw arts1This piece is called Graal Glass 2 and it’s by Gregory Ford. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, the picture doesn’t do it justice at all.

sw arts 8

Two Circles, Tokushige by Philip Booth

A few that caught my attention

The next two were extra special,

sw arts2

sw arts 9What do you think? Do you love or hate any of them? None of them will be going home with me I’m afraid, they are out of my price range right now, but I love checking what’s on offer at Gloss and will go back for the Christmas show in a few weeks time.