A is for: Abney Park Trust in Stoke Newington, London.
Date: Sunday, April 8, 2007
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-W1
We went to Abney Park Cemetery on Easter Sunday, which is one of the "magnificent seven" London cemeteries laid out in the 19th century, currently maintained by the Abney Park Trust. The park had a wild kind of flavour to it, with many of the grave sites overtaken by ivy and all manner of leafy plants, although General Booth's was in pristine condition. (Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army and one of my ancestors, on my mother's side, so I made sure to take a photograph for her, seeing as she's never visited it.)
B is for: boats at Hartlepool Marina, Hartlepool, England.
Date: June 22, 2007
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-W1
I went to Hartlepool on the north-west coast with my father, who was visiting from Australia. We were staying with dad's cousin at the time -- she lives a short drive away. Walking around the marina on a balmy summer's day it was hard to believe we were in the industrial heartland of England -- it felt like France, or dare I say it, Melbourne!
C is for: costumes worn at parade of Sant'Alessandro, Ischia, Italy.
Date: August 26, 2007.
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ3.
We had just arrived in Ischia, a beautiful island in the Bay of
Naples, not quite knowing what to expect. Up until booking the holiday
I had never even heard of it before, so everything was exciting and
new. We checked into our hotel, dumped our bags and then took a stroll
into town. The first thing we came upon was the most amazing procession
of people wearing stunning, highly detailed costumes. At first I
thought it was a wedding ceremony, but it just seemed a bit
over-the-top for a marriage. There were horses, musicians, acrobats and
an endless stream of beautiful people wearing beautiful outfits. It was
only later that we discovered it was an annual event, broadcast on
Italian TV, which celebrates the island's history.
D is for: dome, of St Paul's Cathedral, London.
Date: October 5, 2007.
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ3.
No matter how many times I see the dome of St Paul's cathedral I
still appreciate its beauty and wonder. I see it every working day, as
my office is on the opposite side of the river. I took this photograph
as twilight descended, and all the colours of the sky were reflected on
its surface. It was all over in a matter of minutes.
E is for: eagle, at Festival of Falconry, near Reading, England.
Date: July 14, 2007.
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ3.
This was my first excursion to a falconry festival -- it was a work
trip -- and I was simply amazed at the birds on show -- all raptors --
and the relationship between them and their owners. There's a level of
understanding between a falconer and his charge that you generally only
see between man and dog. This chap was simply walking around with his
magnificent-looking eagle on his arm -- and I'm pretty sure I'm not the
only one who snapped his photograph.
F is for: flower, Queen Square, WC1
Date: Saturday July 28, 2007.
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-W1
There's nothing I like more than a healthy dose of macro photography. Give me a garden in bloom and I'll happily take 100 close-up pictures! I think this is some kind of hibiscus, one of just a handful in bloom in a pretty little square in Bloomsbury. We spent the day traipsing around the area in search of interesting sites -- namely pubs and bookshops -- to celebrate my birthday.
G is for: garden, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey.
Date: May 30, 2007.
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-W1
Visiting Hampton Court Palace in the pissing down rain doesn't come high on my list of priorities. But the gardens are so gorgeous you don't really mind getting too wet. I took this shot -- one of 60-odd pictures -- during a visit with my father. We caught the boat from Westminster and some three-hours later, after wending our way down the Thames in the rain but fortified by many hot cups of coffee, we alighted at Hampton Court for a scoot around the palace and gardens.
