First Snow

I know we all dream of a white Christmas, but here in the UK we no longer really expect to get one. And this year was no exception. 

Boxing Day however .... SNOW!!!!

Its been almost 2 years since we've had a proper covering as last year was a bit of a wash out. Therefore it was the first time Toby and Sybbie got to experience the white cold fluffy stuff. 

Toby was not impressed.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! and to celebrate here's a photo of Christmas Toby!

And lead you through the streets of London.

Let me take you by the hand....

If I'm ever short for words looking to the lyrics of the Beatles is never the worst thing I could do!

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Last week we Brits took part in my favourite public celebration. Bonfire Night! It's a pyromaniacs dream, where we burn bonfires preferably with a suitable political effigy and and set off as many fireworks as we can get our hands on. As the 5th of November was on Wednesday this year there was a variety of celebrations ranging over the whole week, and I managed to work my way to 3 of them! The first was a short display at the end of the Tigers v Barbarians rugby match, the second was the free public display at the Nottingham Forest Recreation ground, and the final was a home display at my Uncle's house. Below are the best results from the first two displays. (I was too busy setting the fireworks off at my Uncle's to take photos.)

Poppies at the Tower

The art installation currently found at the Tower of London, has been on my to see list since it was first announced, so last weekend the primary aim of my sojourn to London was to fight the crowds and see them for myself. Even my Boss thought it was impressive, although he did complain about how the Tower gift shop was missing a trick by not selling postcards with the installation in place. (That said the final poppy won't be added until Armistice day.)
I took a variety of shots on many different settings, whilst I was down there, and although I normally don't like photographs which have all the colour subdued, except that of a single object (I feel its too often used, and can even be distracting) I made an exception for this series. After all pure black and white loses the "blood river" effect created by the 888,000ish poppies, and the full colour shots just didn't look right.

Battle of Britain Monument

On Saturday my Dad and I took a trip to London, primarily to view the poppies at the tower, photos of which will no doubt follow in the near future. During our time down in the big smoke, we mostly took a walking tour along the north bank of the Thames. The riverside walk has some excellent views of the City, but also many monuments and statues along its path. One of the most striking can be found at Victoria Embankment, commemorating the Battle of Britain.