Shadow Shot Sunday 218 - Saatchi Gallery, London

Strong sunlight in February hits the facade of the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea where currently a fascinating exhibiton "Pop Art : East meets West" is currently displayed. Don't miss it if you are in town!

Back blogging after a broken wrist - head over to Shadow Shot Sunday for more shadow pix. Enjoy!

Shadow Shot Sunday 213 - London

Late afternoon shadows lengthen across the lawns of Marble Hill House in London - along the river between Richmond and Twickenham. For more shadow shots visit Shadow Shot Sunday - Enjoy!

Walking the Thames Path - Tower Bridge to Thames Barrier

The Thames Path is the only walking trail that follows a river from its source to the sea and this summer, I walked the final twelve mile section from Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier where the path officially finishes....

It is a fascinating section which traces London's riverside history and industry through Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford, and Greenwich passing by famous London landmarks such as the Dome, Cutty Sark and Emirates cablecar, as well as churches, statues, and classic vistas across the Thames to London Docklands.

Some sights discovered along the way are much more unusual and unexpected such as the beautifully tranquil and serene Ecology Park situated on the Greenwich Peninsula....

and the delightful Surrey Docks farm which is right on the riverside with crops, gardens and allotments as well as pigs, chickens, horses, ducks and goats.....

We were hoping for a full farm breakfast here but unfortunately the cafe is closed on Mondays, but Deptford  stepped in and provided a wonderful pitstop to fuel up on a full English big, big breakfast to keep us going the rest of the way...

After this stop, we had no trouble reaching the Thames Barrier!! and another mile walk brings you to Charlton Mainline Railway Station with fast links back to London. So now I have done one third of the Thames Path (180 miles in total) - the source to Oxford and this final section - now we only need to do the middle 120 miles!!

Check the official Thames Path website for more details. Enjoy!! 

Shadow Shot Sunday 203 - London

Whenever I am home in London, I always find the opportunity to head straight to my favourite place - Osterley Park. A walk here always clears the cobwebs and puts the world to rights - at least for a while!!

On my recent trip over Christmas, there was only one day when it didn't rain and the blustery gale force winds subsided for a few hours....The sun shone, the shadows lengthened, and the sky burst out strong and blue in all its glorious winter light...

Who would think that this scenic place is in the middle of a seething metropolis only a stone's throw from Heathrow airport and the M4?? For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Weekend Reflections 40 - London

Late afternoon winter light on the Richmond tow path creates this beautiful mirror surface. Now all we need are the reflections.........here they come...

and here they go...

For more reflection shots this week, click HERE for Weekend Reflections...Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 192 - London

Some recent geometric shadow shots from London this summer where the sun shone brilliantly - many of you will recognise that these are taken from the South Bank looking across the pedestrian bridge towards Charing Cross....and for the more famous view from this bridge......see below...

For more shadow shots this week click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!

Weekend Reflections 32 - The Thames Path

The Thames Path is a 184 mile national hiking trail which traces the journey of the Thames from the source to the sea - the only walking path which actually follows the full course of any river. Last week my sister and I walked the first 54 miles from the source at Kemble to Oxford staying at some of the most delightful riverside inns, and here are a few reflection shots showing different moods of the Thames from that first section. I am planning to complete the rest of the path when I can.....For more reflection shots visit WEEKEND REFLECTIONS - Enjoy!

A final farewell to the Olympics.....

Today sees the final day of the Paralympics which draws to a close London's wonderful summer of sport, whereby the capital delivered an amazing Olympics and Paralympics, and against all the advance cynicism, became a city of smiles and success. The Paralympics has been a sellout for the first time with full media coverage, and crowds of full capacity 80,000 cheering on the athletes in the stadium. These crowds have defined the Olympics as well as the 72,000 volunteer Gamesmakers who preempted the need for any heavyhanded secuirty with their sunny smiles. In addition to the sporting excellence, supportive crowds, and superb organisation, other distinctive features include the quirky  spectacle of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the beautifully designed cauldron and architecture of the venues, and the spectacular landscaping of the Olympic Park itself. As we say farewell to the Olympics today, here are some of my favourite, more unusual shots of the Olympic Park...

And so the legacy of the Olympic Park kicks in tomorrow, as initially the Park will close to set a 292 million pound project into place, which will see the park extended to include a new 35km network of footpaths, bridges, and cycle lanes, the venues converted to public use, and the athletes village turned over to residential use. The first part named North Park will reopen in July 2013, and the second South Park will reopen in the Spring of 2014. The Park's first major sporting event will be the London Cycling Festival in August 2013, followed by the 2015 European Hockey Championship. It has been a once in a lifetime experience to have been part of all this.....

Shadow Shot Sunday 160 - London

When I wasn't at the Olympics this summer, I spent a lot of my time at another of my favourite places in London, notably the National Theatre on the South Bank. Under the superb direction of Nicholas Hytner it is possible to buy a ticket for only twelve pounds, and see high quality productions such as "The Last of the Haussmans" with Julie Walters, "Timon of Athens"with Simon Russell-Beale, and "London Road" a truly unique theatrical piece. This shot above was taken on the cafe terrace with this sublime view of London's skyline...

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday - Enjoy!!

Weekend Reflections 19 - London

All the reflections this week come from the Olympic Park in Stratford, London, the location, of course, of London 2012 that has enthralled us all for the past two weeks with gold medals galore and the high drama of sport....

Strolling around the park sees some superb venues and their reflections, as well as the Gloriana recently seen as part of the Thames Pageant for the Queen's Jubilee...

The BP mirror screen reflections give a good impression of the crowds thronging the Olympic Park, whilst the beautiful gardens and pool below reinforce why the Park has been so highly praised for its landscaping....

And of course at night the venues take on a whole new aura led by Anil Kapoor's Orbit and the stadium itself...

If you didn't manage to get to the Olympic Park in the last two weeks, then make sure you get tickets for the Paralympics which open here on August 29th. More posts on the Olympic Park this week, and more reflections over at Weekend Reflections. Enjoy!!

Bored of the Rings??

No!! We are definitely not bored of the rings here in London as the Olympic Games gathers more and more momentum with each day, and the increasing success of Team GB with their amazing medal haul doesn't seem to want to put the brakes on....

Like everyone else, I have been glued to the tv coverage, but as London is my home town, I have been lucky enough to actually go to the Games and see all the action live,,,,,

The volleyball competition is taking place at Earls Court and here are some of the early preliminary matches....

I played volleyball myself competitively for 24 years as well as coaching many school teams, so what an absolute treat it is to see womens' volleyball played at the very highest of levels......

Next it was out to Eton Dorney, in the shadow of Windsor Castle, to watch all of the rowers in competition........

We were in the cheap seats sitting on the river bank entitled "Lakeview Lawns" but we were still able to see all the action close up....

Along with so many other supporters with enthusiasm undampened by the drizzle and rain!!...

All the British athletes have played tribute to the home crowd and how they have been boosted by the deafening cheers - It has been so much fun to be part of all this....

This week I am off to the Olympic Stadium for an evening of athletics on Wednesday 8th, and then back to Earls Court for the women's bronze medal match and the men's final - Can't wait!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 158 - London

Strolling along the South Bank in London is one of my favourite things to do, especially in this festive Olympic atmosphere, and when the sun is shining the shadows come out to play....Start at the Festival Hall with the London Eye in the background and the cafe tables creating a polka dot shadow pattern,,,,,

Progress along in front of the British Film Theatre and find these lovely dappled patterns from the shady horse chestnut trees....

Get along as far as the Oxo Tower and Tate Modern where these geometric shadow patterns are awaiting you....

...If you are tired you can relax on the beach at Gabriel's Wharf with the view of the Gherkin and St Paul's behind you....

...Or stretch out on the very popular giant green sofas and armchairs in front of the National Theatre where there is always some great free summer entertainment..

Olympic London is looking and feeling just fabulous right now in sun or shadow....but of course I am biased because it is my home town, and wherever else I may live temporarily, London is always home. For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!