Bean Me Up

If London was in one hand and coffee was in another, and I had to choose; my response would be that of Joey's (from Friends): 'Put your hands togeher' I would say, and would probably nod and smile in the same way too.  I'm here for a week and Sunday was the only day I was to be completely free.  My initial plan was street photography using my latest toy, the Fujifilm X10, but the rain has been constant all week, and the forecast was the same for the Sunday.  The met office have confirmed this April as the wettest since 1910. Luckily, I was getting a coffee last week when I came across the London Coffee Festival magazine.  I booked my ticket the same night and created a dream cocktail: London, photography and coffee. 

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London

London is one of those cities that invites you to carry your camera whenever you're out.  The other day, I wanted to take photos of the tube: stations, passengers and trains.  I imagined how it would look in black-and-white and was looking forward to playing with light and movement - and hopefully some interesting faces for portraits.  I walked to my nearest underground station, and jumped on a replacement bus service.  Don't you just love it?

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Under My Umbrella

As we move from autumn into winter, Kuwait got a much-needed wash yesterday. Yes we had some rain since early November, but it was more falling-mud than water droplets.  Yesterday was different... it cleaned everything including the air.   The horizon at sea was razor sharp.

Driving around last night, Kuwait was glistening.  Our streets, buildings, trees and lamps, all washed off last year's settled dust.

I've been planning these shots for quite some time now.  In fact, I'm embarrassed to admit that I bought the clear umbrella - for this very purpose - back in 2006!  I had one thing in mind  after taking this photograph of Tower Bridge London:  I need to have an image that says: Rainy Kuwait.

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Wild Countryside

It's hard to imagine that somewhere behind the tidy countryside below, lies a place where all these animals are to be found.  I was too lazy to walk around a zoo today, so we decided to drive around one instead.  I believe lazy zoos, aka Safari Parks, have been designed for parents.  All our food, drinks, toys and jackets are in the car with us as we drive around.  Nothing to carry in our hands but cameras - and nothing is too far to get to.  We spent the afternoon looking at animals and following a silly map with cartoons on it.

It was funny seeing camels in all that lush green.  Overall, we were happy with what we got to see.  This is England, it's summer, so it was raining! But as I hear about the lingering dust in Kuwait, I'm not complaining!

I hope you enjoy my favourite photographs taken today at Wipsnade Zoo.  Larger versions are opened by clicking each image.

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Break Time

With the unrelenting summer heat, I thought it's time to cool down the pages.  I found this photograph I took of the gardenia last spring in the rain.

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Sunny Side Up

In my numerous trials/errors, this Gardenia was and is a success. The flowers are many, the look and scent are amazing and the plant is green year-round.

Almost too good to be true for this part of the world.

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Tower Bridge

All those who know me will know how much London means to me.This photo summarises many of the things I love about my favourite city in the world.

..... even (especially) when it's raining.

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Boxing Day

It was raining heavily for about two hours.  Whilst looking out of our living room window, I saw this couple arrive at the parking.  They paid the entrance fee (Egaila Beach Resort) got out of their car and walked to the end of the pier and back. They had made all this effort to enjoy being out in the rain. Lovely.

We moved back from London a few months ago.  To me, his looks like nothing further from crazy... but I am certain I will be the same by next winter.

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