Photo-A-Day 2006

March 27th

2006-03-31T00:37:00.000+01:00

Gothic Goodbye

I was so taken with the gargoyles at Notre Dame that I couldn't bear to leave Paris without another look! Terence and I climbed the hundreds of stairs AGAIN to take a last look out over the city.

Au Revoir, Paris!

March 26th

2006-03-31T00:31:00.000+01:00

The Red Windmill

During the daytime, this striking signage really is simply a red windmill.

Moulin Rouge

At night, however, it takes on a wholly different persona...!

March 25th

2006-03-31T00:10:00.000+01:00

The Louvre

Winged Victory

Venus de Milo

The Louvre is simply huge so we decided to begin with the 'must-see' masterpieces and then see what else took our fancy. Here are the 3 'headliners' from the day!

<-- Mona Lisa

March 24th

2006-03-31T00:04:00.000+01:00

It's all in the details...

One wonderful thing about not having a timetable is that you can enjoy the lovely surprises you find. One such lovely surprise was happening upon a gorgeous little open-air market selling flowers and garden craft-items. It was just outside this building, which I think is part of the law courts.

March 23rd

2006-03-30T23:50:00.000+01:00

Arc de Triomphe

A triumphal arch indeed! Terence was really struck by the sheer scale of this famous arch. I think approaching it from almost directly below it (from the subway) helped to emphasise its enormity.

One tip I would give to anyone planning to visit Paris would be - always look up! As in this second photo, the workmanship in some of the ceilings (particularly in the Louvre) is amazing and if you don't look for it, you'll miss out.

March 22nd

2006-03-30T23:45:00.000+01:00

Early morning lamps

On holiday, Terence and I can't bear to waste precious time by sleeping in. As we came out of the underground station this morning and began to potter along the banks of The Seine, I saw these lovely lamps all lined up - posing for their photograph to be taken.

To the left of this photograph a local artist was just laying out her work for us to admire (and peruse for souvenirs).

March 21st

2006-03-30T23:40:00.000+01:00

Notre Dame by Floodlight

I had seen postcards of Notre Dame in the evening, but always believed the gorgeous colouring to be a series of post-processing steps... well, it isn't! This photograph is straight out of my camera (and I'm really pleased with it). We happened to walk back this way on our way home from dinner - I'm really glad we did.

March 20th

2006-03-30T23:37:00.000+01:00

Riding the crest of a wave...

I knew I'd manage to get a French flag into at least one of my photographs... and here it it!

March 19th

2006-03-30T23:17:00.000+01:00

Tour Eiffel

Paris just wouldn't be Paris without this iron icon! I couldn't wait to take this shot =;-)

Wheels in motion

My Grandad would be proud of me that I was just as fascinated by the wheels and wires of the lifts as I was with the Eiffel Tower itself!

Views from the Tower

The view from the top was amazing... if rather blustery! A very kind woman took this photograph of Terence and myself stood at the top (just to prove we were there). The black and white photograph is the view from the 2nd level looking down at the radial streets surrounding the Arch de Triomphe.

March 18th

2006-03-30T23:08:00.000+01:00

Regal Pillars

This stallion stands proud on top of a pillar at the shore-side of the Alexandra III Bridge.

March 17th

2006-03-30T22:47:00.000+01:00

Looking down on the world!


Details from Notre Dame

Such an impressive piece of architecture! I was really overawed by the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Every part I looked at, I saw a new level of detail... stunning! The views from its gargoyle-guarded rooftops are also spectacular.

March 16th

2006-03-30T22:42:00.000+01:00

The evening sun on The Seine

My husband and I love to wander together. Many of the loveliest views on our trip have been ones we have stumbled across whilst aimlessly meandering between the many artists along the streets of Paris.

March 15th

2006-03-30T22:02:00.000+01:00

La Statue de la Liberté

On the 23rd June 1986, this (smaller) Statue of Liberty was gifted to the people of Paris by The United States of America. It is on a little island that runs down the middle of The Seine. The walk up to it (in today's second photograph) is lovely (and seems to be a popular route for keep-fit-runners!).

Walkway up to the Statue

March 14th

2006-03-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

Sacre Coeur

This is the site I most wanted to see during our stay in Paris - hence choosing a hotel close by. The only other time I have visited the French capital, Sacre Couer (which simply means 'Sacred Heart') was covered in scaffolding! So here it is in all its beauty... =;-)

March 13th

2006-03-30T21:44:00.000+01:00

Comfort Hotel Sacre Coeur, Paris

Puff, pant, 1st, ...puff, phew... 2nd, god, wheez, pant,... 3rd, groan, whinge, pant,... 4th, puff, argh, pain, aches,... 5th, At last! We've reached our room... but we've left the key all the way down there at reception!!!!!

March 12th

2006-03-12T23:29:00.000Z

Lovely Lily

Having been jealously eyeing up some beautiful flower shots over the last few days from Kekiinani, James_so and others, today was my turn to play. I got out my macro lens (which I have never used before this weekend) and snapped away at this beautiful Lily. I have always loved yellow flowers - there is something so celebratory about them! =;-)

P.S. Terence and I are off to Paris this week. (It was my birthday present back in January.) So, apologies now if I can't get internet access to upload my photos each day - I'll catch up as soon as I get back. Hopefully with some Eiffel Tower photos!

March 11th

2006-03-12T23:19:00.000Z

Fibonacci's Sequence

Again, showing my geekish side... The number of seeds in this flower's centre will be a member of Fibonacci's sequence. In case you're wondering (and you know you are!), the sequence starts 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,...(you add the previous two numbers together to get the next). Fascinating, eh?! Maths and nature make a powerful partnership! =;-)

The non-geekish comment to go with this photograph is that it is a flower from a gorgeous bouquet my friend Jonathan brought us when he came to visit for the weekend - thanks Jonathan x

March 10th

2006-03-10T23:33:00.000Z

I want the orange one...!

I really do want the orange one, they're the only ones I like!

March 9th

2006-03-09T22:37:00.000Z

Buy It Now!

My husband and I spent today preparing some of his canal 'Roses & Castles' artwork for sale on eBay. As new eBayers, it probably took us longer than most - photographing each item, writing a description, estimating postage costs... This 'coffee pot' is my favourite. As a shameless promotion, if you are curious, just search ebay.co.uk for "canal ware" and you'll see our items =;-)

Edit: For those who sent kind comments about my husband's artwork, I will feature another piece in the future and will be sure to put a little bit of the history behind this traditional style with it. In the mean time, if you would like to see more photographs, please log on to my husband's CanalArts website.

March 8th

2006-03-09T22:31:00.000Z

Butter wouldn't melt...

Don't you just love cats?! This is Pepsi. She is about 10 years old but I still call her "kitten". She is very much a 'Daddy's girl'. She was in Terence's life before me and doesn't want me to forget it! At times, she gets very territorial with me. As soon as Terence comes into the room, though, she acts as if butter wouldn't melt... =;-) (I love her very much all the same.)

March 7th

2006-03-07T23:26:00.000Z

!!?? Ctrl = Control ??!!

You have to admire the comedic brilliance of the person who put a button on all computer keyboards called "CONTROL"!! Enough said... =;-)

March 6th

2006-03-06T22:39:00.000Z

Painter's portrait

I haven't included a photo of Terence for a while on my Photo-A-Day, so here he is. In fact, today wasn't going to feature him either - just his hand (painting)! This was the last of a handful of shots that I took while he was painting some shelves and I just thought it was great so I scrapped my original idea and went with the portrait. Enjoy! =;-)

March 5th

2006-03-05T22:55:00.000Z

Every cloud has a 'golden' lining

I wish I had some particular story to go with this photograph. One where things that seemed bad have turned out good for me today... but the truth is, I just saw the sun lighting up the edges of this stormy cloud and thought it was beautiful. In fact, today has been a great day - Terence and I are in the midst of re-decorating and spent the day painting together, which was great fun!

I will say, though, my Gran always says that "everything happens for a reason" - I think that's a more useful spin on the "silver lining" philosophy.

March 4th

2006-03-05T01:02:00.000Z

Thirsty?

I'm not sure whether this shot was exactly what I was after but still, I think I like it. I was playing with trying to capture liquid (orange squash) flowing. I have managed it with streams and waterfalls before but I wanted to try creating the effect to order!

March 3rd

2006-03-03T13:43:00.000Z

A job well done!

Due to the harsh Manchester weather, Terence and I have finally conceded and had windows fitted!!! Today they arrived. So, I thought I'd feature Darren and Clive working hard fitting them.

March 2nd

2006-03-03T00:09:00.000Z

Footsteps in the snow!

As if to emphasise the contrast between Californian and Mancunian weather, today it snowed! It was only for a few minutes just after midnight but it was long enough for me to rush outside, plant my slippered foot in it, and snap a quick shot. I still felt that same child-like rush of excitement from being the first to trample in freshly lain snow! =;-)

March 1st

2006-03-03T00:05:00.000Z

Sunset from the sky

I will admit that I am not a good flyer! I get nervous and wonder exactly what I am doing so high up in the sky. (It can't be natural!) But then, I see something as gorgeous as a sunset amongst the clouds and all my fretting just melts away...

February 28th

2006-03-02T23:59:00.000Z

The Bay Bridge, San Francisco

This will be my last photograph of San Francisco (for this visit, at least). I'm flying back home to Manchester today (although I won't arrive until tomorrow due to the time difference). This is the Bay Bridge, which connects the East and West shores of the San Francisco Bay. Not as colourful as the Golden Gate Bridge (hence choosing black and white) but, I think, still a truly beautiful structure.

February 27th

2006-02-28T08:05:00.000Z

Souvenirs

For my last full day in San Francisco, a true tourist's snapshot! This is my colleague, Kim. It was her first visit to the Bay Area and one of her friends (in England) had asked her to pick up a "typical American newspaper". So, to record this momentus occasion, I took a photograph of her buying the paper =;-)

February 26th

2006-02-27T08:14:00.000Z

'The Rock'

I had chance to go into San Francisco itself today to show my colleague a glimpse of the city she will be moving to in just a few months. Surely one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in San Francisco (apart from the two bridges, which were shrouded in rainy mist today) has to be Alcatraz. So here is it, in appropriately gloomy weather =;-)

February 25th

2006-02-26T05:47:00.000Z

'The Dish'

Walking to the lake (actually more of a puddle due to the lovely weather at the moment) on the edge of the campus today afforded us a great view of 'The Dish'. It is a radio telescope that is still in use for observing the universe around us. More popularly, its surrounding foothills are a popular destination for hikers and runners. We were happy to admire it from a distance, though, and save ourselves the exhaustion!

February 24th

2006-02-25T07:52:00.000Z

Arches, arches,...

Today's photo is again taken on the campus of Stanford University. I have always loved the patterns that arches and entrance-ways make; especially along long corridors like these. They look really impressive!

February 23rd

2006-02-24T08:01:00.000Z

The BaBar Detector

Today was the first time I have ever seen the BaBar detector "in the flesh" (or maybe "in the metal" would be more appropriate!) It is simply huge! Usually it is hidden away behind huge red concrete doors (you can see one of them on the left-hand edge of the photo).

The basic idea is that particles are smashed together along the beam pipe (which is heading into the centre of the photo). The layered circular apparatus made from wires and metal (the BaBar detector) then records all the interesting features of the debris from each collision. As for working out what all of it means... now that's particle physics =;-)

February 22nd

2006-02-23T01:55:00.000Z

What an entrance!

I nearly got run over in the process of taking this photograph - serves me right for standing in the middle of the road - but it was worth it! All the time Terence and I were living in the area, I wanted to get this shot - there is a real grandeur about looking down an avenue of Palm trees to the University entrance.

February 21st

2006-02-22T05:02:00.000Z

Stop!

I have always enjoyed the road names in America - they are so logical. Here, for example, is the cross street for Palm Drive (a drive lined with palm trees) and Museum Way (where the art museum stands). What could be more sensible than that?!

February 20th

2006-02-21T02:19:00.000Z

Hoover Tower, Stanford University

My first full day back in California has been great (and it's only 6.30pm now)! I spent today showing a colleague around Stanford. I think the university campus is just gorgeous (look forward to more photos over the coming week). Today's photo features Hoover Tower, from the top of which you can see far across Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

So, a little sun-reddened and tired from all the walking, but I've had a lovely day. The hard work (the collaboration meeting) starts tomorrow... =;-)

February 19th

2006-02-20T16:06:00.000Z

Hotel miniatures

So, as you can tell, I finally reached my hotel! It was 11:47pm and pitch black outside (hence the indoor photo).

My first 8 hour flight was uneventful. The second flight (Philadelphia to San Francisco) was a bit more interesting - there were 100 mile-per-hour headwinds that meant we had to refuel in Kansas City. So this 6 hour flight became another 8 hour flight - arghhh! But then, the silver lining... I was upgraded to first class. This has only ever happened to me once before (on a very short flight) so I loved every minute of it =;-)

February 18th

2006-02-18T21:29:00.000Z

On the road again...

Well, in the air, actually (but that just doesn't have the same ring to it)! Tomorrow morning I am heading off to San Francisco for 11 days of meetings. I'm almost packed and ready to go - though I'm sure I'll check to see that I have my passport and tickets at least 100 more times before we go to the airport. =;-)

February 17th

2006-02-17T23:50:00.000Z

"Any more lip from you and you'll walk home"

Today's subject is simply... laughter! Here are just a few of my husband's cartoons. Enjoy! =;-)

February 16th

2006-02-17T00:09:00.000Z

Planning for the next day...

At the end of each day I sit at my desk, open my diary and plan out what I have to accomplish tomorrow... where I need to be and when and with whom. Now that my 'Photo-A-Day' is part of my daily routine too, I thought I combine the two!

February 15th

2006-02-15T20:01:00.000Z

The White Hand of Saruman

My husband's still decorating... he needs to be more careful where he wipes his hands!!

February 14th

2006-02-14T23:48:00.000Z

Passion Killers!

What the heck... I love him anyway! =;-)

Happy Valentines.

February 13th

2006-02-13T23:13:00.000Z

Contemplating the world

A profound picture for today - Rodin's 'thinker' deciding where to go on his holidays! He hee =;-)

February 12th

2006-02-12T23:37:00.000Z

You're going in the book!

Who's going in the book today...? Well, no-one actually! I would love to be able to tell you that this little black book is full of secrets and intrigue... but it is, in fact, full of addresses! I bought it for Terence a few Christmases ago as I thought it was just too clever for words =;-)

February 11th

2006-02-11T20:24:00.000Z

Ready... Steady... Go!

Terence and I (well, just Terence really) has been working really hard sorting through all our things in an attempt to have a clearout! One of the items that resurfaced was this lamp-where-multi-coloured-beads-spin-round-on-a-track! It actually belongs to Stacey but I've borrowed it for today's PaD. (Thanks, Stacey!)
The three photos are simply taken with different shutter speeds to give the progressively more flowing effect. A bit of retro-styling fun =;-)

February 10th

2006-02-10T20:33:00.000Z

Sunset in Stockport

When I showed my husband this photograph, he assumed that it was taken out in the countryside during one of our trips on the canals... but in fact, it is simply the view from our back window. South Reddish on a clear day! Isn't nature wonderful =;-)

February 9th

2006-02-10T00:31:00.000Z

Geek Alert!!!

This is one of the glass droplets inside my 'Galilean Thermometer', which was a 21st birthday present from my lovely friend Catrin. It now has pride of place on my new desk and I am remembering how much I love it all over again! I'm such a physics geek sometimes!!! =;-)

February 8th

2006-02-08T22:54:00.000Z

The School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Manchester

Perhaps this is a boring photograph... but not to me. I have always been very proud to be part of such a well-respected department with so many great people working and studying there. So, I have become very fond of this unusual copper-topped building. =;-)

February 7th

2006-02-07T23:13:00.000Z

Key to Contentment

Isn't it amazing how such a small thing can bring so much happiness!? This is the key to the top drawer of my new desk. I'm so pleased with it. I have been finding things to put in each drawer, just as an excuse to sit at it. Ahh, such simple pleasures!

February 6th

2006-02-06T22:29:00.000Z

Husband + DIY = DANGER!!!

Terence is currently replacing all the internal doors in our house. He performs DIY under one simple motto... 'If it doesn't fit first time, hit it harder!?!' =;-)

February 5th

2006-02-05T21:44:00.000Z

Eros - god of love

This statue is in Piccadilly Circus, London. I really liked the sign on the building behind pointing out where we were! For those intrigued by mythology, Eros was the god of love (son of Aphrodite) to the Greeks; the Romans called him Cupid.

February 4th

2006-02-05T21:23:00.000Z

Tower Bridge

It has to be one of England's most easily-identifiable landmarks... Tower Bridge in London. (I almost fell into that common trap of calling it London Bridge!)

(P.S. Sorry for the late posting - Blogger was down when I tried yesterday.)

February 3rd

2006-02-03T21:34:00.000Z

Defending his Territory

Still ill... So, I sent Terence out with the camera to take some snapshots. I hate him sometimes! He came back with this. I have to admit, I'm jealous!

February 2nd

2006-02-02T21:25:00.000Z

My Happy Clown!

I'm not very well at all today, I'm afraid =:-( I'd like to say that this photo was entirely the result of my husband trying to cheer me up... but Terence is always like this! It worked, though, I'm smiling now =;-)

February 1st

2006-02-01T21:40:00.000Z

Inspiring building...

For today's photo, I walked up to the building that now houses the administration elements of The University of Manchester. I have always loved this building - it is so easily recognisable! Or could that be because it was the inspiration for the (old) university logo?!

January 31st

2006-01-31T23:28:00.000Z

Sir Arthur Schuster (1851 - 1934)

This is the bust of Sir Arthur Schuster that stands in the foyer of the physics department at Manchester University. Our laboratories are actually named after him! As someone I have seen every day for the past 6 years, I thought it would be nice to feature him.

Edit: To achieve the clear black background I simply took advantage of a great tool in Paint Shop Pro - 'smart edge'. This allows you to select an area where the edge is automatically picked out. This enables you to isolate an object. (It takes patience more than skill!)

On a separate subject... Today signals 1 month completed on PaD. Congratulations to everyone who has made it this far! Looking forward to 11 more months of inspiring photography from everyone. A big thank you to all the people who have taken the time to comment over the last 30 days. =;-)

January 30th

2006-01-30T23:05:00.000Z

That time again...

Looking around for something to photograph, I kept glancing at my watch to see how much time I had left... That's when I thought, why not photograph that - my watch, that is. It was a present from my husband - the face lights up when you press the button!

Edit: As some people were kind enough to comment on this photograph (Thank you) and ask for the post-processing steps, here they are...

In "invert" adjustment layer: apply "dissolve" (at 100% opacity)

In saturation levels: set blue and cyan to -100; up red to +10

In curves: decrease the light levels slightly to bring out the texture in the background

Apply "gaussian blur"

And that's it! (I don't normally use filters but I thought I'd see what they could do.)

January 29th

2006-01-29T21:21:00.000Z

Congratulations Gina!

Today's photo is in honour of my big sister, Gina... On Friday, she had her PhD viva (a 3 hour interview about her work) and she passed! We are really proud of her - Congratulations Dr Harris!!!

January 28th

2006-01-28T21:57:00.000Z

Manchester Town Hall

Where the decisions are made?! The Town Hall is certainly an imposing building on the Manchester skyline. I liked the Union Jack flapping in the wind so (as it's a Saturday and I have a little more time to play) I decided to try my hand at a triptych.

January 27th

2006-01-27T23:09:00.000Z

Nous Allons A Paris!

I'm very excited... My husband is whisking me away for a break in Paris! After pouring over brochures, we booked it today. Now I've got just 6 weeks to make myself a long list of everything I want to see while we're there... and to brush up on my French!!

January 26th

2006-01-26T19:29:00.000Z

Wonderful to come home to...

I'm sure we can't be the only ones to love the smell of freshly baked bread? I just can't resist peeking through the little window (before it's ready) to watch the dough rising. I'm such a big kid sometimes! =;-)

January 25th

2006-01-26T00:42:00.000Z

What am I?

Can you guess what it is? All I will say is that the photo was taken while my husband had the item in pieces trying to fix it. The only problem is, it's still in pieces! I have a feeling I'm going to be buying a new one very soon =;-) Let the guessing begin...

January 24th

2006-01-24T22:19:00.000Z

Boing, boing, boing,...

I admit, today I cheated... My husband has been taking the mickey out of my last-minute panics for photos each day so today I gave him the camera and told him to try! This is the outcome. (I was actually rather impressed.) So what do you think?

January 23rd

2006-01-23T23:38:00.000Z

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles...

Another day, another object-from-around-the-house... Everything that can't run away from me is likely to be photographed during this year-long challenge! So be warned =;-)

January 22nd

2006-01-22T19:43:00.000Z

'A Very Merry UnBirthday'...

Today was the first time that Terence and I had been able to meet up with my sister and her boyfriend since my birthday. So, I had an extra birthday... cake, candle, prezzies and all! It was great. We managed to make dinner last 4 and a half hours...?!

So, go on, have a wish on this candle - I hope it comes true =;-)

January 21st

2006-01-21T18:16:00.000Z

By Royal Appointment!

Well, maybe not quite royal... by Christina & Terence's appointment, anyway! This is the wax seal that we used for our wedding invitations. There's something really special about dripping hot wax onto an envelope and pressing on your initials.

January 20th

2006-01-20T23:38:00.000Z

Ten bob

Inspired by DoctorNick's collection of coins in his PaD, I thought I'd give it a go... This is a new (2005) 50 pence piece that I got in my change today. As I've been in America for 18 months, I'd not seen this one before =;-)

January 19th

2006-01-19T22:06:00.000Z

Stockport Railway Viaduct

Another day for 'local flavour'... Opened in 1842, Stockport's railway viaduct is Western Europe's biggest brick structure. Eleven million bricks make up its 27 arches, which are featured in a number of L. S. Lowry's works!

January 18th

2006-01-18T23:46:00.000Z

When I grow up I want to be...

This was originally an idea for the 'camouflage' challenge a while back but I decided it was more fun with this photo to highlight the contrasts. Something colourful to brighten the day, anyway.

January 17th

2006-01-18T00:36:00.000Z

Irish Ditty

May your cares be all behind you!
May the luck of the Irish find you.

January 16th

2006-01-17T00:02:00.000Z

Schrodinger's Equation

As you'll notice from my profile, I am studying physics. So, today I thought I'd show you a flavour of what I stare at from day to day. There are days when I feel I have equations coming out of my ears...!

January 15th

2006-01-15T23:57:00.000Z

Along the Canalside

This isn't the best picture ever, but I liked the interest with the arch, steps and lock gates. This photo was taken on a stretch of the Llangollen Canal - our favourite place to escape from the world!

January 14th

2006-01-14T23:11:00.000Z

Romantic Memories

The romantic thoughts behind today's photograph were prompted by a phonecall earlier today - my husband's best friend is getting married! This gave me an excuse to seek out the little sentimental nothings that I have saved from our own wedding. Dried rose petals for confetti; golden candles from our table settings; our 'Order of Service' from the church.

Lovely memories of a perfect day...

January 13th

2006-01-13T23:16:00.000Z

Source of so much stress...

Press 1 if you would like to speak to someone who is ever so polite but of no use whatsoever;

Press 2 if you would like to be kept on hold for a considerable length of time;

Press 3 if you would like to enter the circle of being passed from department to department to get nowhere;

Press 4 if you would like to listen to endless hold music with no hope of your call ever being answered;

Press 5 if you would like to hear someone say "I'll call you back", but then they never do. (This is a favourable option as at least you don't have to stay on the phone and can go and do something else);

Press 9 if you would like to be plunged into a pit of oblivion...

You get the idea - I had a bad day!?#%!

January 12th

2006-01-12T19:03:00.000Z

St Mary's Church, Stockport

Today I tried for a 'local flavour' photograph. St Mary's Church stands at the top of a hill in Stockport. I must have walked past it hundreds of times and yet today is the first time I've photographed it. I played with some settings to try to replicate the look of a sketch - I hope it was successful?

January 11th

2006-01-11T23:47:00.000Z

Hiding behind the camera!

Looking through other PaD bloggers today, I was rather inspired to try to take myself a better portfolio picture (rather than the bit-of-a-snapshot that I have at the moment). This is the best I could come up with today - not perfect, I know. I'm not a huge fan of having my picture taken - even though I love taking and framing photographs of everyone else - so I tried to take some casual shots as opposed to posing!

January 10th

2006-01-10T22:55:00.000Z

The Pied-Piper of Footwear

Everybody has their weakness - mine is shoes. I can't help it, I'm a shoe-shop-a-holic! This photo was fun to set up trying to make the shoes look like they were escaping. Hope you enjoy it =;-)

January 9th

2006-01-09T22:13:00.000Z

Roses & Castles

Searching for inspiration for today's photo, I turned to my husband's artwork. So here is an example of traditional folk art as seen on the canals of Great Britain (aka 'Roses & Castles'). When I first saw him painting in this style, I decided that it couldn't be that difficult... boy, was I wrong! I couldn't even make one rose - it looked like a limp cabbage. Oh well, I'll stick to my day job =;-)

(If you'd like to see more of his artwork, please click on 'Canalarts' in my Links section.)

January 8th

2006-01-08T18:32:00.000Z

25 Today! Wife, Sister, Grandaughter, Niece, Daughter, Cousin...

In case you haven't guessed from the photo, today is my birthday! I was looking at my cards and realised just how many different things one person can be to so many different people - amazing really!

January 7th

2006-01-07T23:39:00.000Z

Come on you Blues...!

I'll apologise now for anyone who gets upset by my choice of subject today - Manchester City Football Club. After 18 months of rather limited access to 'soccer', my husband and I are enjoying 'Match of the Day' as we speak. It also helps that today's result was Manchester City 3 - 1 Scunthorpe in the 3rd round of the FA Cup... Woo hoo! The shirt was a birthday present from my husband last year. (The 24 was for my 24th birthday.)

January 6th

2006-01-06T22:50:00.000Z

Funky Laptop

It's day 6 and I was looking around for something to photograph when I realised, it was sitting right in front of me. I know I'd be lost without my laptop so here is my homage to it! I decided to play with the colours a little - it was fun to do and I hope you like the finished product.

January 5th

2006-01-05T23:07:00.000Z

Pepsi

This is our cat, Pepsi. We have missed her very much while we have been in America, so I chose her as my subject for my first-day-back-in-the-UK's photo. Between my own (jet-lagged) cat-naps, I have been following her around the house. She just wouldn't stay still. Then a few minutes ago she just sat and posed for a second - this is the resulting photo (unaltered and just in time for today).

January 4th

2006-01-05T20:58:00.000Z

Ready for Takeoff

Sorry for the late posting. I did take this picture on the right day but I didn't have any internet connection... I was in the air! BUT I refuse to be beaten so early on in the game =;-) Today's photo was taken from the comfort of the 'Admirals Club' lounge when we changed planes in Boston (a lovely gift from our friends).

January 3rd

2006-01-04T00:12:00.000Z

Time On Our Hands

We are all packed and ready to leave (far too early) tomorrow morning, so I decided to have some fun with setting up a quirky shot. Today's photograph was inspired by the recent DPChallenge website's topic of 'Visual Puns'. (I couldn't enter that topic as I am not a member.) So here is what I would have entered...

January 2nd

2006-01-03T01:35:00.000Z

Farewell California

With only one more day left in California, we are running around getting organised for our move back to England. This photo is of my husband in the pouring rain outside the cottage. We will be really sad to leave the Bay Area (though, of course, it is always nice to go home). I hope you enjoy this one - I have been meaning to try this desaturation technique for a while. Farewell California...

January 1st

2006-01-02T00:21:00.000Z

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Here is the first photograph in my Photo-A-Day 2006. It is of the bridge over the stream that runs past the cottage where we are staying in Woodside, CA. There has been non-stop rain for a few days so what was a trickling stream is now a raging torrent.