A field in the heart of Surrey.
Surrey poppies
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Tag Archives: Surrey
Royal Holloway
I thought I’d share some images of the college where I am currently studying. The Royal Holloway is a college of the University of London, but based a little outside London itself, in leafy Egham.
The main building, known as ‘Founders’, was designed by William Henry Crossland for Victorian entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Holloway as a women’s college. It became part of the University of London in 1900 and accepted its first male students in 1945.
The magnificent Victorian building seems a very fitting background for my particular degree, a Masters in Victorian Literature and Art. I am in the final stages now, with just my dissertation to go.
I have for some time now been promising a review of my latest acquisition, the Fuji X-E1, to follow up on my review in January of the Sony NEX-7. I hope to write it this weekend so if you are thinking of investing in a mirror-less camera, watch this space.
Signed limited editions
Arté Gallery, Weybridge
I am very excited because local gallery, Arté, in Weybridge, Surrey is currently featuring four signed limited edition prints of my local landscapes. The four images they have chosen are below.
A still morning on the Wey
Rowers on the Thames at Walton, Surrey.
Thames Lock on the Wey Navigation at Weybridge
Winter colour on the Wey Navigation, Weybridge
Arté is a lovely family-owned local gallery, and well worth a visit if you are in the neighbourhood. The owners, Mike and Sally, are sure to give you a warm welcome.
Back to Burano tomorrow!
Blazing reflections
I am honoured to have this photograph featured as image of the day at Photobotos, where I explain a little more about it.
Winter on the Wey
Winter on the Wey Navigation
Snow is forecast. We wait with bated breath. Services will grind to a halt, schools will close and we will make our annual pilgrimage to worship the fluffy white stuff before it melts.
Thames Lock, Weybridge
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas: It brings people together while time stands still. Cozy couples lazily meandered the streets and children trudged sleds and chased snowballs. No one seemed to be in a rush to experience anything other than the glory of the day, with each other, whenever and however it happened” ― Rachel Cohn, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
The seventh day of Christmas: New Year’s Eve
I thought my photograph of Hampton Court on New Year’s Day 2009 might be suitable for today’s blog, as 2012 draws to a close. It has been a difficult year for me personally but a tremendous year to be British. Tonight I am celebrating in another place rich in British history, Dartmouth in Devon (of which, more another day).
A very brief potted history of New Year’s celebrations: Julius Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year. January is named after Janus, the Roman god with two faces that looked into the past and into the future. Romans celebrated New Year by making sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts, decorating their homes and throwing parties. In medieval Europe, Pope Gregory XIII established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582. But the celebrations today retain much of their more pagan origins. One ancient tradition that still continues, particularly in Scotland, is ‘first footing’. At midnight, the Old Year is let out through the back door and the New Year let in through the front door. The first person at the New Year to pass over the threshold should bring coal or, more likely(!), whiskey for luck in the year ahead.
Wishing all my blogging friends a very happy New Year.
Blazing pathway
The Thames Path at Molesey.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
-Albert Camus
Still Autumn, just…
Today the leaves have begun to fall in earnest. Flurries billow under the wheels of passing vehicles and the windscreens of parked cars are patterned with a tapestry of gold and orange. Although the season is nearly over, I thought I might share some more Autumn shots, taken during my recent visit to Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey.
The Mausoleum
The Gothic Temple
Autumn foliage
Harvestman
Coot on golden pond
Painshill Lake
For an earlier post where I talk about some of the history of Painshill and share some more images, see here.
Autumn by the lake
I had to bring my week of Autumn themed posts to an end with this shot from Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey, a personal favourite location.
Autumn swan
I have posted this shot once before but I thought my Autumn series wouldn’t be complete without it. Taken at Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey.
Focused Moments 