London 2. Kings Cross Area

On Friday evening, we walked along to St Pancras Station, first taking shotsof the traffic outside King's Cross and then in the station itself. The first image of the man on the stairs is a Zerene stacked image of four 2 sec. shots - luckily he stayed absolutely still for one exposure. We then walked to Granary Square with its quaint Christmas tree and yellow chairs. Finally one of the Canal that runs alongside the Square

London 1. Brutalist Architecture - British Library

We are spending 5 days over Christmas in London based at Euston , to give the family a bit more space and us a break. We spent time after we arrived yesterday afternoon at the British Library. As usual, I was attracted by the interaction of the many angles and colours of the interior with the many visitors. The exterior is often regarded as a Brutalist example and is referred to as the only major public building to be built in Great Britain in the twentieth century. "No other project, since the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral over 400 years ago, took so long to construct or was surrounded by so much controversy." Begun in 1962, completed in 1997, it was opened to the public in 1998. It was designed by Sir Colin St John Wilson in red brick to echo the Gilbert Scott Euston station beyond.

Ted is Growing Fast

Ted has learnt to sit when asked and does so spontaneously if food is anywhere near, putting on that 'Butter wouldn't Melt' face.

Season's Greetings from Phil and Ann

We are off  on Friday to spend a few days in London over Christmas - really pushing the boat out this year and staying in the Travelodge at Euston Station. We will no doubt visit a Christmas Market or two but looks like rain rather than snow forecast so nothing as atmospheric as Tallin taken 2 weeks ago. 

All best wishes for the Festive Season and for 2018. 

Family Portraits from PreChristmas Walk and Meal

Phil and I joined Bracken the dog, Peter and Holly for their morning walk  and then we treated ourselves to lunch at The Plough in Coton (in lieu of Xmas presents as none of us really want any more possessions)

Tallin 14. Narva and Soviet-bloc Architecture

On Saturday, my last day in Estonia, I went on a day trip to Narva  on the Russian border, visiting some of the Soviet towns en route. In 1940, Estonia was invaded by the Russians and became part of the Soviet Union. During the war they were invaded by Germany and then recaptured by the Russians - a time of great suffering to all the population. After the war, intensive industralisation took place in Estonia with the mining of oil rich shale and some uranium. In the late 1980s Communism began to unravel as Estonia fought for its independence. Russia recognized Estonian independence on 6 September 1991 and the last Russian troops left the country in 1994. In 2005, Estonia joined the EU.

It wasn't a photographic tour and the minibus had tinted and very dirty windows so I couldn't get any photos of the impressive factory complex and ash hills of Kohtla-Järve though we did stop to look at the 1952 Cultural centre (images 1 and 2). We had time to explore the amazing Stalinist architecture in Sillamäe (images 3,4,5,and 6) and a very brief visit to a nearby ghost town (images 7 and 8). We looked at the 19th century Kreenholm factory complex in Narva before exploring the Russian border and Narva Castle.

Wicken Fen Hen Harrier - Record of the Sighting

We enjoyed views of this male Hen Harrier and three Marsh Harriers on the Fen today but all too distant for Bird Photography. Here just an image for the records

Tallinn 13. Viru District and Back through Old Town

I got off the tram at Viru where the new town meets the Old Town - colourful in the crimson sunset and as the lights came on. Walked back through the Christmas Market where children from the town were on stage singing