Christmas eve

Jump forward a few weeks.


It is Christmas eve in the Cotswolds.
It snows.
I woke early and left our cottage.
I made my way through the snow to the main strip of shops.
The shops were closed.
I waited until the butcher's shop opened.
I bought the first local pheasant for the day.
The butcher told me how to cook it.
I waited until the New England Coffee shop opened.
I got a coffee.
I sit in the coffee shop waiting for my family to pick up my call on Skype.
It's ten to eight at night at home.
They must be sitting around the Christmas tree.
Eating, drinking, cooking, singing.
I miss them.

There is a real buzz in the air.
Children dance in the street.
I dance in the street.
It's my first white Christmas.
I am so lucky.
Lucky to have my friends and my family at home.
Lucky to be here.
There is nothing else I want for Christmas.
I have everything.


Below is a collection of photos of some of my special people at home (besides Elly, she's with me, she's the one drinking on her hostel bed).

The Cliffs of Moher

In my opinion the most beautiful times of the day are sunrise and sunset. We set off on a race to make the Cliffs of Moher before sunset. Taking twice as long as expected we thankfully arrived just in time.

The day was blessed with perfection. All but my toes were merry. I stupidly left the hostel wearing only two pairs of socks, instead of the usual five pairs. We were standing 214 meters higher than the Atlantic ocean on the west coast of Ireland. I was quite concerned when a severe pain replaced all movement and feeling in my toes. On our way home I pondered that even if I lost one or a couple of toes on our race to the Cliffs of Moher at least their absence would trigger a beautiful day and a thrilling journey: 'toe/s lost winning a race to make the Cliffs of Moher before sunset'.

Luckily after close examination they were just stunned, numb... completely stagnate -
not by the view but by the chill.

for mr. old roads

Galway to the Cliffs of Moher.
A long windy road.

back seat view

Squeeze and go.

Besides being responsible for preparing lunch for the front seat passengers, travelling in the back seat of the car means I have more time to ponder and play with my camera. Here are a series of photos I took on our bumpy road trip to the Cliffs of Moher.

onion memories

View from the top of Blarney Castle

Despite being ill for most of our stay in Cork – I managed to (all on the same day) break my umbrella after impatiently trying to put it up, forget my camera battery at our hostel and spread my germs to a stone famously known as ‘Blarney’.

The stone of course belongs to Blarney Castle, situated 7km from Cork City. The Castle is mainly famous for its stone, which has the power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. To kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk. To ensure our safety there were two men sitting by the edge to assist in lowering us to kiss the Stone. They had to hold our bodies as we leant backwards over the edge of the Castle - sounds slightly romantic; sadly it so wasn’t. Unfortunately (even with a congested nasal passage) I could smell the onion lunch leftovers on the bloke's breath - the one who was responsible for lowering me to the stone. In fact, I can still smell his reeking onion breath when I reminisce on my experience of kissing Blarney Stone.
Aside from that unpleasant encounter, it was such a lovely Castle.



Inside Blarney Castle

hostel happiness

You know you need to re-think your hygiene routine when… you find a hairball stuck inside your shirt. There is something more alarming when on closer inspection your little hairball surprise doesn’t match your own hair colour. I have red hair and the hair that I found was blonde.

Oh, The joy of hostels…

PS. I kindly navigated away from the ‘attach image’ option on this post.

simply sepia

Un petit collection of photographs taken on an occasion out in Cambridge with friends. We sat, we laughed, we drank and then we left - we had had enough.

To me, sepia setting captures and holds a feeling of warmth that the intrusive flash doesn't even notice.

My philosophy in searching for the simplicity continues.

'Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things'.
- Sir Isaac Newton.

Like the satisfaction of making a cake from scratch, taking a photograph on film and riding a bicycle... there are no lies.

Kilkenny to Cork

Hidden amongst our luggage in the back seat while Elly drives and Krissy helps 'Shaz' our sat nav, I decide to crack my moleskin sketch book. I find a lively photo I took of a strip of pubs in Kilkenny and try to illustrate it along our way to Cork. The roads were bumpy but I think if they were straight it wouldn't quite be an honest translation of Kilkenny. The town was full of suprises and unexpected sites full of colour and character.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle would have to be one of my favourite attractions so far. It is situated on River Nore and dominates the 'High Town' of Kilkenny City. The Castle has existed for over eight centuries and has had numerous add-ons and restorations over the years. I totally wasn't supposed to take any photos inside, however I couldn't resist just one. Each room has been restored to mimic its original state and purpose. The furnishing and interior replicas were so impressive. Chartreuse linen and silk wallpaper, gold leaf skirting boards, love sofas and intricate tapestries that were framed and designed to protect the women's/mistress' made-up faces from melting away when they were sitting by the fire. The Castle was particularly beautiful when I visited as the entire interior was decorated with Christmas in mind.

Dublin: inside and outside

Inside:
View from my window sill. An attempt to keep my space homey as I travel.


Outside:
The street stops as a baby is lifted by the sound of music and the joy of touch

oh elly

I love this photo. Elly looks so worried. All I had was a common cold but Elly wasn’t going to take any risks. She whips out her surgical mask to avoid catching any germs.

A walking tour

Day two of our stay in Dublin, Krissy and I decided to join a free walking tour. A young Irish boy and recent literature and history major graduate from Trinity University took us on a tour to visit Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar, Trinity University and numerous bridges. He was a very funny guy, extremely knowledgeable and he combined his knowledge and Irish jokes marvellously. We were in fits most of time as he continued to mock the landmarks and give the Irish a lot of flak for their inability to fight.

Trinity University

Elly and me, Grafton Street, Dublin

Dublin delight

It cost us 2 euros to use the shopping mall bathroom in Dublin. You would expect at least a free cake of soap for this cost or someone to personally dry your hands but you get nothing. My experience however was a delight. On the back of my cubicle door I found these words: 'Don't give up' written inside a heart - I had to take a photo. No matter how overused these words are I don't think they can ever get old and wrinkly. It is and will always be one of my favourite phrases. My experience seemed a worthwhile expense.

Hello Dublin

Elly and I hung out in the bathroom on the ferry ride from Holyhead over to Dublin. Dublin was a scream! The first Irish man we met was walking past us as we were attempting to reverse park into an awkward spot and offered to park it for us! Of course we said yes - it seemed almost impossible to refuse - his honesty and smile won us over. Naive travellers maybe, but he was a pure reflection of what the Irish are like in character. I was sure I had no family in Ireland but it almost felt like I did. Our local butcher gave us a free bottle of balsamic vinegar (which was a display product only) to marinate our chicken breast that we had bought from him on special! It was just story after story in Dublin.

The musicians in the group above were busking through Grafton Street (main shopping strip). We managed to understand where they were playing the next night and so on day two we went to this fantastic pub where 'Mutefish' were playing. They were amazing - everything I imagined to hear and see in Ireland. I danced as Irish as I could and drank Guinness until the morning. I woke up thinking I might pick up the flute. What fun we had in Dublin.

www.myspace.com/nonstopmutefishdance

Liverpool stories

Liverpool was intriguing.
Many words seemed unspoken there.
It was as if there was a big city secret that lay beneath the port.

I found a lot of answers hidden in the dark alley ways. Engravings,
markings and feelings were scattered all over walls.





We visited The Beatles Story Museum on Albert Dock - a short walk from our shoebox hotel. I have always appreciated The Beatles - they were one of my dad's favourites but now, having listened to their full story where they first started was really moving.