shccuk's PhotoBlog

Settled Snow Study

2013-01-25T15:26:02Z

Eventually the snow settled- those tiny icy flakes which drifted from the sky soon rested on every exposed surface and made for an amazing sight. When you think about it, it is just like rain- it falls onto any unprotected space but in it's frozen state collects, and stays there until it is met with a warm enough temperature or someone with a broom or scraper to remove it. I loved capruting the way it settles on foliage and natural surfaces- organic textures highlighted furthermore. S

Landscapes Represented

2013-01-23T20:07:52Z

The one thing that I enjoy the most about the snow fall is how difference it makes the appearance of places I see regularly. The thick white sometimes sparkling carpet alters everything greatly. I love the picture of the sheep- out just like normal, at a safe enough distance to gaze at me without trotting off scared. S

Annual Snow Shower

2013-01-22T21:03:52Z

So after so much speculation from customers, the weather man and the guy that makes my coffee- finally the snow days came. It took me a while to decide if I should stay rugged up drinking soup inside or if I should go for a bit of a wander in the white stuff. I ended up choosing the latter, and thinking the sight wouldn't be much different to winter last year, I was plesantly surprised. These pics were the sights I saw in Datchet S

My Village, Circa Christmas

2013-01-07T16:47:16Z

I am thinking I probably said this last year- the English do know how to do Christmas. It feels like I was seeing seasonal styled ads on TV (thinking it was too early) one minute; then making my first attempt at a roast turkey the next. The whole thing came and sped by, with me still discovering traditions and other odities I Although I did miss spending Christmas at home, cheesy and not-so-cheesy music, the pleasant festive vibe and the anticipation of some snowfall were the things that kept me going. As did my preparations for a Nigellissima style Italian twist to the big day. My favourite Christmassy song, English Classic Stop The Cavalry by Jona Lewie was a great comfort with it's uncanny similarities to my situation. S

Sub Zero

2012-12-27T08:43:18Z

I can't remember what day it was (just another day going to work really;) but it was reaaaalllllly cold. There was frost on the grass and fog in the air, enough to cloud my direction as I trampled a normally familiar pathway. I noticed the white spider webs hanging from a hedge in a garden on the way and initially thought they were someones idea of a left-over Halloween decoration, but as I went on I realised they were actual webs which were covered in an icy coating- beautiful ! The Datchet park looked almost spooky with it's opaque haze seperating it from normal view. As I crossed the river to Windsor, the Thames was as full as ever, flowing at a ferocious speed. S

The UnBritish Museum

2012-12-22T20:35:25Z

By the time I replied to Kesh's email about meeting up to do something touristy on her way back through London, she had already been to the British Museum- but reckoned she hadn't seen enough of it to warrant a second visit. I would say that the day after my birthday was the start of freezing temperatures in London- I was wearing a jacket, hat and scarf. And after she met me with a little noodle box containing a birthday cup cake, we climbed the steps and in we went. In contrast to the stately "museum looking" exterior, you enter into a bright white space with gridded glass roof (in first photo) and gallerys spanning off in all directions. We bought a map at the space-aged looking counter and soon realised the British Museum exhibits all sorts of treasures- except British ! S

The Eden Project Part 4: The Art

2012-09-01T20:20:44Z

When I try to explain The Eden Project, I always default to the easiest way I can- it is a cross beween a botanical garden and an art gallery. Beauty and creativity can be seen in what is being grown as well as what has been created and constructed. Some of the objects are just too wacky (like a giant cement leaning pixie in the forest garden,) while some are taken from tribal art (like the African skeletons). The giant robot constructed with recycled appliances was mesmirasing- it was hard to get a photo without a crowd of kids encircling it- and you can see how alot of exhibits here have social and environmental messages to put across. The drift- wood horse is created by a local artist and is the very first and very last thing you see, and also the most ingenious. S

The Eden Project Part 3: The Plants

2012-08-30T01:17:55Z

So, of course the Eden Project is about the plants and the fact they have contrasting environments that house them neighbouring eachother on the same sight. Inside the biomes are the rainforest and Mediterannean zones; while outside inbetween the ultra modern buildings and wacky art works are cottage gardens, vegie patches and woody forests- as well as vast plantings of what ever they want to display at that time- similar to the vast plantings you see in the streets or botanical gardens. Even though of course seeing it en-masse is fantastic when you are there, I think leaning in and taking close up shots were the best way to experience the sights- in detail.I of course don't know all the fancy latin names- so I will just describe them how I see them ! S

The Eden Project Part 2: The Rainforest

2012-08-27T18:16:56Z

The two giant globe- like greenhouses at the Eden Project, called biomes, are self contained, man made ecosystems both totally different in appearance and climate. The first one I explored was the rainforest one, which contained all things tropical as well as a noticably humid atmosphere. It was like being in the hugest greenhouse, and as I walked the winding paths and bamboo constructed bridges, the one thing I loved the most was the way the palms and swinging vines looked against the frame of the sectioned dome above. All tropical elements were exhibited here- both asian and african, and was home to plantations of banana, herbs and spices, coffee and cocao; as well as tropical flowers and even rubber trees. Unfortunately the viewing canopy in the photo clinging onto the top of the dome was closed on the day we were there- too warm. But I still don't know if I would have braved that height anyway ! S

The Eden Project Part 1: The Structures

2012-08-24T17:35:24Z

Whatever vantage point you took at the Eden Project was something amazing to look at. I felt like I spent the whole time taking pictures on my ipad, but not detrementally- it made me more attentive to the myriad of interesting, quirky things there was to see. After hearing about this world famous garden, I was adiment in paying a visit while in the area; and I am glad to say it didn't disappoint. It is known probably by the huge bubble like domes which act like giant greenhouses, but interstingly because it is hidden in a valley incased by mountains, you don't acually see any of it until the moment you step through the entrance door. The "view" photo is what you first see; and as you trek through the site it is easy to see you are not just there to see a garden- it is an intertwined mix of botanics, art and architecture. S