theme thursday - mineral

These photos were taken on the beach at Findhorn in north east Scotland. They're part of some old coastal defences which were put in place during WW2.



I guess that the iron rings and hoops were set there to enable the huge concrete blocks to be put in place. But I have a fantasy that they're part of a giant game...

Croquet, anyone?

doors

Doors. Open or closed. Entrance. Exit.



"When one door closes, another opens."



"Nothing there!" said Peter, and they all trooped out again - all except Lucy. She stayed behind because she thought it would be worth while trying the door of the wardrobe, even though she felt almost sure that it would be locked.



Eccles: I remember you!
Bluebottle: Yes, why do you not open the door?
Eccles: Okay, I'll- How do you open a door?
Bluebottle: You turn the knob on your side.
Eccles: I haven't got a knob on my side!

a garden is a lovesome thing ...

through the wire, community garden, nyc


Inspired by tut-tut's post on vegetables and the positive comments from so many bloggers, I started thinking about gardens.
Now, I am no gardener. My Mum was. It was her refuge, her peaceful place. Her space to work off the frustrations of life. I have friends who feel the same way (waves hello to Lettuce.)

I can see my garden from where I'm sitting right now. The crocuses have finished and the daffodils are still hidden in tight green buds, but the thyme and bay have survived the winter and my neighbour's cherry tree is a mass of delicate swathes of white against a pale blue sky.



cherry blossom, botanical gardens, brooklyn



red stems of cornus alba in my garden in february




formal gardens in ravello, italy

A garden can be anything you want it to be: acres of manicured lawns with exotic trees & statues, a reclaimed patch of land between tall city buildings, a box of herbs on your window sill.



walled garden, polesden lacey, surrey



tree art, community garden, new york city



community garden, new york city

There's an interesting article here about the rise in popularity of kitchen gardens in the US. Perhaps we will see vegetables on the White House lawns? (There's a joke in there somewhere.)


flowering onion, geffrye museum, london

I think this year I should follow the example of people like my Mum and Lettuce (and my cats!) and spend more time in the garden.

theme thursday - vegetable

Very late to the party here and thought I wouldn't be able to come up with a photo at all. But, on searching through the archives, I came across the following.



Taken on a visit to Gent, in Belgium, a couple of years ago, it's a record of a very interesting lunch. And also, a salutary lesson.

Lesson: Don't be a smartass.

I like languages and flatter myself that when visiting a country where the first language is not English, I will, at least, 'have a go.' I have some schoolgirl French and a bit of Italian, so when I had mastered enough Dutch to say Hi and Goodbye and order a coffee, I thought I could manage a lunch menu without help.

Which is how I ended up with a plate of radishes atop a pile of soggy bread covered in curdled milk. (There are more radishes hiding under the salad leaves.) My husband was grinning and making mmmm noises into his fish soup. I was trying to work out how many more radishes I could conceal under the cutlery.

In 5 weeks and 2 days we'll be embarking on a trip to the US. I'm resolved that I will make no assumption regarding what's on the menu and will ask if I'm not sure.

And I'm rather hoping there won't be too many radishes!

theme thursday - animal

Hmmm. 'Animal.'

Well, I have quite a few nice shots of my cats, which I could post.
Then, of course, there are the pictures I took last year of the cows in 'Cow Parade.'

I have a cute one of a little hedgehog in Scotland, too ...

Ah, here it is.



But when I read the word animal all I can think of is the Muppets.

Enjoy!

theme thursday - glass

Streetlamp with icicles, London


Seeing through a glass darkly?
I love taking photographs through glass, or of reflections in glass. Sometimes the glass fuzzes up the image or distorts it. Other times the image in the glass seems clearer and the colours brighter and more vivid.

Houses of Parliament refected in an office window.



Through a window in Gent, Belgium



Reflection in Stresa, Italy



Reflection in Stresa, Italy

winter sun

A couple of weeks ago, Other Half™ and I took a short break in Piemonte in northern Italy. We left behind us a city desperately clinging on to the vestiges of winter - the snow gone, leaving piles of frozen grey debris skulking in corners, hiding from the weak sunshine.


In the Alps there were several feet of snow, azure skies and brilliant sunshine.


I think these skiers had gone for a hot chocolate!


This sheep looked rather surprised - whether at us, or the cat, I'm not sure.


This little church had beautiful frescoes painted on the outside.