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This is my travel blog for my adventures in the UK and Belgium this summer. Please check out the travel galleries as well.
7 June, Day 12: Sunday -- Beersel Castle
Today I fought my acrophobia . . . and then promptly forgot it when shooting a series of spiral staircase shots . . .
Today I fought my acrophobia . . . and then promptly forgot it when shooting a series of spiral staircase shots . . .
8 June 2009, Day 13: Monday -- Return from Belgium
Today Jennifer and I traveled back from Brussels to Oxford. We had quite a long bus ride from our B&B in Meise to Brussels. Unfortunately Jennifer sprained her ankle getting out of the bus! But she was brave. We had one quick train trip to Brussels Midi where we had to catch Eurostar. This was on the platform waiting for that local train.
The skies in Belgium are incredible. The light is extremely different from that in Durham, NC, and from that in Oxford. The skies seem somehow more expansive and open -- but I think it's to do with the light more than anything. Even in an urban setting, the light was clear. I tried to capture this in the photograph, but no photograph will do it justice.
Our trip on Eurostar was uneventful. We had rushed to get to the train and then had to wait quite a while. We had a snack and read in the station. On the train, the man in front of us seemed to be writing modules of some sort about photography or film (or both). I couldn't help but read a bit of what he was doing in the reflection in the window. . .
Our trip across London, with Jennifer hopping valiantly, went as well as it could, and we made it back too Oxford in good time.
Once there, Jennifer and I deposited our bags and went out shopping. She got a pen at Pens Plus, and various other odds and ends around town. Then we headed back for a nice dinner with Jeremy, and a session on computers beginning to sort out photographs. At last I had indoor, relatively fast internet!!!
Off to bed a bit too late . . .
Today Jennifer and I traveled back from Brussels to Oxford. We had quite a long bus ride from our B&B in Meise to Brussels. Unfortunately Jennifer sprained her ankle getting out of the bus! But she was brave. We had one quick train trip to Brussels Midi where we had to catch Eurostar. This was on the platform waiting for that local train.
The skies in Belgium are incredible. The light is extremely different from that in Durham, NC, and from that in Oxford. The skies seem somehow more expansive and open -- but I think it's to do with the light more than anything. Even in an urban setting, the light was clear. I tried to capture this in the photograph, but no photograph will do it justice.
Our trip on Eurostar was uneventful. We had rushed to get to the train and then had to wait quite a while. We had a snack and read in the station. On the train, the man in front of us seemed to be writing modules of some sort about photography or film (or both). I couldn't help but read a bit of what he was doing in the reflection in the window. . .
Our trip across London, with Jennifer hopping valiantly, went as well as it could, and we made it back too Oxford in good time.
Once there, Jennifer and I deposited our bags and went out shopping. She got a pen at Pens Plus, and various other odds and ends around town. Then we headed back for a nice dinner with Jeremy, and a session on computers beginning to sort out photographs. At last I had indoor, relatively fast internet!!!
Off to bed a bit too late . . .
9 June 2009, Day 14: Tuesday -- Jennifer flies home
. . . and I collapse in a heap!
It was wonderful having Jennifer here in Oxford and in Belgium. She did a wonderful job, we had some great times together, and it was a valuable experience for both of us -- but wow! I'm exhausted now!
And so . . . I warned Jeremy that I probably would not get down to serious work until tomorrow . . . and after getting off at 6AM to get Jennifer to the airport on time, I came back to Jeremy's and took a much needed extended nap.
It was sad to see Jennifer go, but we had a brief visit at the airport before I had to leave her at security. Then I phoned Murray and had a nice chat -- first time in YEARS. Then a chat with Jennifer's mother when she called me.
And . . . by the end of the day I realized I'd not taken a single photo! And really, in the UK it was after midnight, but . . . I'd not gone to bed yet. And so I took this snap of one of my favorite works of art on Jeremy's walls -- a cat drawn (essentially) from one long brush stroke. This one and its matching cat companion picture are lovely. There is a horse in a different style that is quite nice as well. This one is curled on the wall by my bed. I will try to get a better photo of it before I leave.
. . . and I collapse in a heap!
It was wonderful having Jennifer here in Oxford and in Belgium. She did a wonderful job, we had some great times together, and it was a valuable experience for both of us -- but wow! I'm exhausted now!
And so . . . I warned Jeremy that I probably would not get down to serious work until tomorrow . . . and after getting off at 6AM to get Jennifer to the airport on time, I came back to Jeremy's and took a much needed extended nap.
It was sad to see Jennifer go, but we had a brief visit at the airport before I had to leave her at security. Then I phoned Murray and had a nice chat -- first time in YEARS. Then a chat with Jennifer's mother when she called me.
And . . . by the end of the day I realized I'd not taken a single photo! And really, in the UK it was after midnight, but . . . I'd not gone to bed yet. And so I took this snap of one of my favorite works of art on Jeremy's walls -- a cat drawn (essentially) from one long brush stroke. This one and its matching cat companion picture are lovely. There is a horse in a different style that is quite nice as well. This one is curled on the wall by my bed. I will try to get a better photo of it before I leave.
10 June 2009, Day 15: Wednesday -- Dinner with Pam and Maureen!
Pam and Maureen, thank you for the lovely, lovely evening! The dinner was fabulous and the company even better!!!
Today I finally got down to work on my shooting projects with Jeremy . . . and determined that I need a light tent or something to help with the glare on the instruments. We are starting with the Conch Trumpet book, and so I had a wonderful time working with instruments of this type from around the world. The book is organized geographically -- and seeing the instruments, I see why.
At lunchtime I had my first fencing lesson with Tomek since 2006! I really miss fencing very much. I was able to see some old friends at the gym as well. Winsome and Jo -- that was wonderful. If you ever need a cake decorated, ask Winsome -- she's amazing! AND it was great to be back at the gym for some long overdue sit-ups and push-ups. Folks back home . . . if you were here, you'd understand, trust me on this one. So I've got lots of catch-up work to do.
So with shooting, a fencing lesson, and a wonderful dinner -- today was a wonderful day!
Pam and Maureen, thank you for the lovely, lovely evening! The dinner was fabulous and the company even better!!!
Today I finally got down to work on my shooting projects with Jeremy . . . and determined that I need a light tent or something to help with the glare on the instruments. We are starting with the Conch Trumpet book, and so I had a wonderful time working with instruments of this type from around the world. The book is organized geographically -- and seeing the instruments, I see why.
At lunchtime I had my first fencing lesson with Tomek since 2006! I really miss fencing very much. I was able to see some old friends at the gym as well. Winsome and Jo -- that was wonderful. If you ever need a cake decorated, ask Winsome -- she's amazing! AND it was great to be back at the gym for some long overdue sit-ups and push-ups. Folks back home . . . if you were here, you'd understand, trust me on this one. So I've got lots of catch-up work to do.
So with shooting, a fencing lesson, and a wonderful dinner -- today was a wonderful day!
11 June 2009, Day 16: Thursday
Today was market day! Jeremy and I went to the antique market at Gloucester Green to look for musical instruments. I bought a tin whistle, quite rare -- an old Generation one, made in Britain. The new ones have plastic mouthpieces, but this has a beautiful metal one. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or leave it for Jeremy who seemed to really like it. There was also a boys' bugle, but I wasn't sure how I'd get it back home.
I also found a nice purse, something I found I was needing. I only had the camera bag here -- and it isn't suitable for everyday trips to the market. And so I got a nice leather bag -- originally a map case, I think. There were French army leather belts at the same stand, but I'm not sure whether or not this was related. Anyway, I love it!
Then we did some grocery shopping at the Covered Market and split ways -- I needed some supplies and Jeremy needed to do some banking. I went all over the place but finally found what I wanted. (I'll send them to NC soon, Mom & Dad) And then back to Jeremy's for more shooting.
In addition to doing the straight shots for the books, I've been playing with flashlights inside the instruments, macro, strange angles -- anything that strikes me when working with the instruments. Here is one example from today. I'm so glad I got those little flashlights from the auto parts store back home . . .
Today was market day! Jeremy and I went to the antique market at Gloucester Green to look for musical instruments. I bought a tin whistle, quite rare -- an old Generation one, made in Britain. The new ones have plastic mouthpieces, but this has a beautiful metal one. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or leave it for Jeremy who seemed to really like it. There was also a boys' bugle, but I wasn't sure how I'd get it back home.
I also found a nice purse, something I found I was needing. I only had the camera bag here -- and it isn't suitable for everyday trips to the market. And so I got a nice leather bag -- originally a map case, I think. There were French army leather belts at the same stand, but I'm not sure whether or not this was related. Anyway, I love it!
Then we did some grocery shopping at the Covered Market and split ways -- I needed some supplies and Jeremy needed to do some banking. I went all over the place but finally found what I wanted. (I'll send them to NC soon, Mom & Dad) And then back to Jeremy's for more shooting.
In addition to doing the straight shots for the books, I've been playing with flashlights inside the instruments, macro, strange angles -- anything that strikes me when working with the instruments. Here is one example from today. I'm so glad I got those little flashlights from the auto parts store back home . . .
12 June 2009, Day 17: Friday
Today was an excellent day! I actually had a bit of time off work -- some of my first time off (even on weekends!) that I've had for the whole trip.
My old (emphasis on this word) friend Murray came for a visit from London. Jeremy kindly showed us both his oldest instruments, M and J talked archaeology, we ate lunch (J's amazing homemade rolls) and talked more, then M and I walked into town to get him some lovely cheese from the Oxford Cheese Company in the Covered Market. (M bought me a cute bunny mug on the way, too!)
Next back to J's for me to change for my fencing lesson, and then . . . off to see Tomek! Here we had a reunion of "old-timers" from the early to mid-90s. It was wonderful. Tomek gave me a lesson, M made faces on the side (some things never change -- but please note who was actually doing something and who was sitting on the sideline!), and then I took photos.
Next back to J's for me to get cleaned up and then we went out for a delicious meal at an Indian place on Cowley Road. It was fabulous! Thanks for dinner Murray.
Finally, we walked into town for a brief stop in Borders, and then M headed back to London, and I headed back to Iffley Road for an evening of shooting.
A wonderful day! :)
Today was an excellent day! I actually had a bit of time off work -- some of my first time off (even on weekends!) that I've had for the whole trip.
My old (emphasis on this word) friend Murray came for a visit from London. Jeremy kindly showed us both his oldest instruments, M and J talked archaeology, we ate lunch (J's amazing homemade rolls) and talked more, then M and I walked into town to get him some lovely cheese from the Oxford Cheese Company in the Covered Market. (M bought me a cute bunny mug on the way, too!)
Next back to J's for me to change for my fencing lesson, and then . . . off to see Tomek! Here we had a reunion of "old-timers" from the early to mid-90s. It was wonderful. Tomek gave me a lesson, M made faces on the side (some things never change -- but please note who was actually doing something and who was sitting on the sideline!), and then I took photos.
Next back to J's for me to get cleaned up and then we went out for a delicious meal at an Indian place on Cowley Road. It was fabulous! Thanks for dinner Murray.
Finally, we walked into town for a brief stop in Borders, and then M headed back to London, and I headed back to Iffley Road for an evening of shooting.
A wonderful day! :)
13 June 2009, Day 18: Saturday
Not much to report today other than cramps. I spent most of the day curled up in bed, waking up at regular intervals to take pain killers. I read a bit as well, finishing The Exodus Quest by Will Adams.
In the evening I managed to drink some Coke and eat a few chocolate biscuits.
Then I did as much work as possible. Here is a close up of a reed I took for our Conch Trumpet book. I can't wait to get the light tent to reduce some glare. But I was pleased at how clear this reed is.
Not much to report today other than cramps. I spent most of the day curled up in bed, waking up at regular intervals to take pain killers. I read a bit as well, finishing The Exodus Quest by Will Adams.
In the evening I managed to drink some Coke and eat a few chocolate biscuits.
Then I did as much work as possible. Here is a close up of a reed I took for our Conch Trumpet book. I can't wait to get the light tent to reduce some glare. But I was pleased at how clear this reed is.
in this box:All photos are property of Brenda Neece. Please contact me with questions or for more information. Thanks!
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