Grills in Greece
Let’s go to Athens this week! Here are just some of the many hundreds of different patterns on windows, doors and balconies. I was in photographer’s heaven!
Driving South from Paris
Some of our most enjoyable holidays have been when we hire a car and just drive wherever the whim takes us! On this occasion we had a booking in Sarlat in the Dordogne so we headed south from Paris, going through Lyon where we walked around for a while then kept driving until we arrived at a pretty medieval town called Beaugency, situated on the Loire River. We found an old Abbey converted to a hotel and stayed there in the monk’s cells . It was full of atmosphere and only a few minutes from the legendary Heritage listed bridge, and the old town full of alley ways and 10th century buildings.
Statue of Joan of Arc in Lyon.
The Cathedral in Lyon on a brisk November day.
I love a French carousel.
Wild ibix by the side of the road.
Le Grand Hôtel L’Abbaye in Beaugency.
The ceiling in the Hôtel.
It was obviously autumn.
The old medieval city of Beaugency.
Men playing boules on the bank of the Loire River.
The UNESCO Heritage Beaugency bridge spanning the Loire River.
Split Croatia
Split is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Croatia. Situated on the Adriatic and close to Italy , it’s a haven for tourists and boat cruises. We were on a Sea Dream cruise for a week from Venice to Dubrovnik, and called in for a day.There’s a huge Roman influence and the most popular place was the expansive Diocletian’s Palace and ruins. It whetted my appetite and I hope to return some day. Here are some of the photos.
Gregorius of Nin.
Mediterranean Square and Palace.
Door Handles And Knockers In Lucca
Lucca in Tuscany Italy is a very popular town dating back to Etruscan times. With its fortress walls surrounding the old city, and its car free streets, you can wander from historical monument to churches of great beauty, and on the way, admire the walls and door of the old buildings.Here are just some of the door knobs and knockers that took my eye.
Bussing Around Rajasthan
A few years ago I went on a private trip to Rajasthan organised by a friend who has spent a lot of time in India. There were only about 25 of us, all friends and a smattering of doctors amongst us who were needed from time to time! We spent three weeks travelling on two buses which enabled us all to spread out and have window seats for photography. Of course we stopped all the time and stayed in amazing accommodation, often palaces and forts. Here are just a few of my favourite photos! It was one of the best trips of my life.
A Visit To Chaozhou In China
When we were in business we’d often go to China for buying trips, and one time our friends from Washington DC invited us to visit them in Chaozhou where they had a ceramic factory. We sold their pots and bowls so it was doubly interesting to go there to see how the ceramics were made. I’ll do this as a separate blog. Our friends were amongst the first westerners to live there and so when we visited, a simple trip to the supermarket had a trail of followers and admirers who wanted to talk to us! This must be how it feels to be a celebrity! Chaozhou is in the eastern province of Guangdong on the Han River and some of the oldest buildings are in this town.Here are some photos.
Very old huatong roofs.
Street food – I can’t tell you what it is, but you might be able to guess! We saw it before and after cooking.
We went to a deserted warehouse and bought some antiques.
Doing the business!
Pink Nassau In The Bahamas
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas on the island of New Providence. It’s a stepping stone to the Caribbean, and a wonderfully interesting place to walk around. The British, Spanish and French have all occupied the island at some time,and it once was a haven for pirates. What I love are the pink buildings.They make you feel happy and instantly in holiday mode!
Antigua In The Caribbean
Antigua is another wonderful place to visit in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. I took literally thousands of photographs and here are just a few. Colour is the key!
This man was selling fresh herbs to the boats.
Guadeloupe In The Caribbean
We arrived by boat on the French owned Guadeloupe, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. As are all the islands, it is incredibly colourful and the perfect place to take photographs.
New Year In St Barths In The Caribbean
One year we were invited to cruise the Caribbean and spent about ten days at the magical island of St Barths at Christmas and New Year. It was the best time to be there as the whole island was in holiday mode and rockstars and celebrities were flying in hourly on their private jets. We had an incredible time, going to Roman Abramovich’s private party at Eden Roc and being invited onboard P Diddy’s yacht that was moored two along from ours being two highlights of this truly unforgettable holiday.
Entertainment on the dock on New Year’s Eve in St Barths.
Macy Gray doing a sound check on the dock.
Everyone was taking photos on board P Diddy’s boat.
Every day was party time at Nikki Beach where we saw many famous faces.
Ashton Kutcher.
Bon Jovi just after an Australian tour.
Apparently this is called the St Barths pour.
Mary Dickinson 