On the eve of England’s World Cup campaign in Russia, I went with friends for a behind the scenes tout of St George’e Park which is the flagship training facility for the England football teams. It is an impressive facility situated in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside. The tour starts in the Hilton Hotel which is full of footballing memories in the form of pictures and trophies. The training facility is a short walk next door and has numerous indoor pitches. There is a state of the art Hydrotherapy suite and other gymnasiums. There are also changing rooms named after England captains. We were not able to enter the Billy Wright one as there was a football competition taking place but we were allowed to see the Bryan Robson changing room which was prepared for the England team match of Futsal. They were playing an international match against Poland. The tour finished with a hot and cold buffet at the Hilton Hotel.
For the photographers reading this. The photographs were taken with my Sony RX100v5 and processed with Photoshop. I set the Sony on Program for general shooting so as to be ready for impromptu pictures. I shoot in RAW and the processing will include sharpening via an unsharp mask and tweaking of the exposure, highlight, colours and saturation.
The entrance to the ParkThe car park space for Gareth Southgate (with Andy and Jim my son-in-laws)The centre is set in beautiful surroundingsAbstract of the front entranceTour briefing of the lecture room at the HiltonThe scene of many England Team briefingsThe inner courtyard of the Hilton Hotel on siteExterior view of the Hilton HotelA footballer sculpture in the reception areaFootballer sculpture with black and white pictures (reception area)State of the art training facilitiesAll those weightsCycling machines all lined upCounting up all those exercise bikesI know who is in that pictureAn amazing underwater treadmillThe autograph wall with many famous signatures on it including the Duke of CambridgeSet in beautiful countrysideThe Bryan Robson changing roomAll ready to be worn for the gameThe impressive indoor training pitchIt says it allThe end of the tour
A few views of St Paul’s Church, Gas Street Basin, the Library and the Cube. The sunlight always gives the local landmarks an added boost.
Light, leaves and windows.St Paul’s Spire in the treesSun flare over the long boatsEarly commuters with the reflections in the waterThe Library reflected in the International Convention Centre’s windowsA favourite picture of mine with the Cube in the background and the boats arrange in an arrowhead point to the distance.Early worker getting his long boat ready for the day
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Austy Wood opened its doors . The wood is privately owned and is normally not accessible to the public. There is a footpath that navigates the edge of the wood and it is possible to look into the wood and imagine what it is like. Three charities came together to make it possible to visit the inside of the wood. Volunteers from Cure Leukaemia, Rotary Club and the Firefighter’s Charity helped organise and arrange for the woods to be open. It was not only the charities that benefited as there was also a donation to Wootton Warren primary school.
Austy wood boasts the best Bluebell display in Warwickshire and is located on the Stratford Road just past Wooton Warren. The route is approximately 1 ½ miles long. The walk starts at Yew Tree Farm and initially you pass over the Stratford-upon-Avon canal and then move onto the farm houses where representatives from the charities take your fee. A gentle uphill walk leads to the wood. Look back and you see a magnificent view of the Warwickshire countryside. Don’t worry about a picture as you revisit that view at the end of the walk. Entering the woods, I was excited by the sporadic displays of bluebells but this was just a taster to the real show waiting. Meeting volunteer firemen, the path moves through a meadow and skirts some beautiful carpets of blue flowers. Yet again this is just the prelude to the main event. As the path moves deeper into the wood, the carpet becomes thicker and with the sun relatively low in the morning sky, there are lovely shadows to be photographed.
The path then doubles back and drops down into varied parts of the wood. By this time, you are able to take in the bluebell vista and there are a few surprises such as badger paths and old upturned tree trunks. Then finally the path leads out of the woods and it is back to that wonderful vista of the Warwickshire countryside.
There was so much to photograph and the colours of the bluebells was intense. The light and shadows was exhilarating and needless to say many photographs were taken.
Thank you to the three charities who helped organise the event. Dave of the Rotary Club asked if the pictures could be used to advertise the event for next year. I know that I will be looking out for the dates when the wood is open next year.
The pictures include those of the different volunteers that I met on my walk through the woods.
Stratford-upon-Avon CanalSetting offVolunteers at the startLong shadows in the morningMade in Oz?Onwards and upwardsBluebells at the start of the walkFirefighter volunteerThe beautiful blue carpetGreen paths through the blueThe blue carpet thickensWide angled viewPine “fruit”Light and shadows on the BluebellsClose up and bokehThe morning sun breaks through the treesMore blue viewsThe views go on and onMore happy volunteersWho made this path?Coming to the end of the woodland walkThe arrow shows the way outNot a bad place to volunteer.Thank you to our sponsoring charitiesThe beautiful Warwickshire countrysideMore visitors arrivingIt is busy at the startThe car park is filling upA great family day outA friendly face at the car park. I will be back next year.
A long weekend break in Dublin with beautiful weather could only mean one thing, great opportunities for photographs. We stayed in a hotel near to Grafton Street which allowed lots of opportunities for street photography. The place that I particularly enjoyed visiting was Bewley’s coffee house. The last time I was in Bewley’s was as a young 19 year old student ready to hitchhike around Ireland. Trinity College Dublin is also very photogenic and the good weather brought out the people as the photographs show. Another favourite spot is Dublin Castle and the gardens behind provide great spots for not only soaking in the sun but also taking photographs. There are a few night shots thrown in and even though Sunday morning was dull in comparison to the rest of the weekend, several of the buildings still lent themselves to being photographed. A memorable weekend and once again the fair city of Dublin is the winner.
Stained glass window in Bewley’sEnsuring all is correct in Bewley’sStreet performer in Grafton StreetTrinity College DublinSphere within a sphereSelfie in a sphereA beautiful day at TrinityCommanding Cherry BlossomAn Aaron Island jumperThe ha’penny BridgeA lone figure in Temple BarThe Temple Bar in Temple BarDublin CastleColours of Dublin CastleView from the Hop off – Hop on BusSo many tourists with the GPO Building, O’Connell street in the backgroundThe figures of the Irish Famine always send a shiver down my spineDublin at night with the reflections in the river LiffeyAmazing mural of a red squirrel done as a series of “Trash Animals” by the artist Bordalo IIOne of my all time favourite Rock stars
The sun came back after a really dull week and so I jumped into the car down to one of my favourite locations for photographs. Kingswood Junction is near to Lapworth and is where the Stratford-upon-Avon canal meets the Grand Union canal via a small connection under the railway bridge. I played around with long exposure, long focal length lens and an old fish eye lens that I have. All good fun and long may the sun shine.
A small boat in the marinaWhich way?Via the Grand UnionThe connection between the two major waterwaysLong exposureLong exposure with black and white treatmentThe Fish eye viewA pleasant sunny day
Oozells Square is just off Brindley Place. It is a relatively new square and has a faceless RSB bank on the south side with the elegant IKON gallery on the North side. Either side are a couple of restaurants which have their charms and are enjoyable places to dine the night away. The square is pleasant and whilst not unique does showcase the IKON gallery rather well. For a few weeks in April, the square comes into its own with Cherry Blossom. The trees erupt in bright pink and it is an attractive sight. The flowering attracts most photographers in the area and I happen to one of those photographers that waits for this moment. This year I wanted to be different by experimenting with a range of in camera methods. I used several techniques including Intentional Camera Movement, Zooming and Double Exposure. As an added bonus my iPhone picture was featured in the BBC weather bulletin that evening.
The cherry blossom in Oozells Square. The only downside was the dull skies.This was using a Zooming technique on a 200mm lensA double exposure using the original photograph and a larger picture of the IKON towerThis is using an upward Intentional Camera MovementPicture taken on my iPhone for BBC weatherwatchersAnd it made the 6.30pm BBC weather bulletin as well.
I work in town on a Wednesday morning so I take the opportunity of pacing around the streets with my camera. The Custard Factory proves to be a happy hunting ground for pictures. The graffiti is very colourful and there are several interesting nooks and crannies that provide interesting views. Here are a selection taken from one of my Wednesday walks.
Walking down Bordesley Street on the way to the Custard FactoryA few muddy puddles on the wayInteresting window stickersThe best of DigbethI do like the way they are staring at youBack Wednesday and the artist, Annatomix, came back the next day to finish it off.Cool GraffitiColours of the Custard FactoryHighway through the factoryColourReflectionsOne of our flamingoes is missing.No entry x2Searchlights and antenna
Next stop Singapore and it is 6 years since I have visited so I was interested to see what had changed. Looking out from the airplane window flying into the country, the success of Singapore’s trade is seen by the numerous ships waiting to enter the port. The flower lined drive from Changhi airport to the city brought back memories of previous times. For this visit, I was participating in a conference at Nanyang Technical University (NTU) which is to the west of the island. To the taxi drivers, it is the furthest distance from the airport taking 40 minutes and occasionally during my stay, there would be the occasional grumble that NTU was too far out for them. The University Campus is well planned and even in the heat and humidity, most of the places are easily accessible. There are some interesting buildings including the Hive (a student learning hub), and the School of Art, Design and Media with its curving double buildings. Other interesting NTU departments that I visited included the Medical School which had a mixture of old and new architecture. If you are interested, the conference that I attended was organised jointly by the University of Birmingham and Nanyang Technical University.
During the conference, there was also some downtime and I visited an old friend, Gareth Pearson, for a drink in the Marina Bay at night. He also arranged for me to visit Altitude which is the highest bar in Singapore with spectacular views over all the city and the Island. Following this I came down to Sea Level and caught a taxi from the Fullerton Hotel to an evening reception at the Tanglin Club which is one of Singapore’s oldest and prominent social clubs. The meal and company were great and the bar was well stocked as can be seen from the pictures.
In between my numerous meetings and the conference, there was also a chance to briefly visit Clarke Quay and the surrounding area of the Singapore Cricket club which not had not changed much since my last visit. The weather at midday is hot and humid so I took some photographs but did not linger very long.
On my last night in Singapore we had a reception at the National Art Gallery. The bar in the Gallery is called Smoke and Mirrors and has commanding views over the Cricket club and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Its central position allows for great photographic opportunities of the skyscrapers around the city both day and night.
Singapore is one of THE places to visit in the world and it does not disappoint. The place is always changing yet retains that British charm that made the place what it is today.
The coast of Singapore with the ships waiting to enter the docksFounders stone for Nanyang Technical UniversityChinese Heritage Centre (NTU)Inside the Hive (student learning centre – NTU)Inside the Hive (student learning centre – NTU)The Hive (student learning centre – NTU)NTU Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineSelfie at the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineNTU Lee Kong Chian School of MedicineThe media centre at NTU University. A curving structure that provided many different views.The media centre at NTU University. A curving structure that provided many different views.The media centre at NTU University. A curving structure that provided many different views.The media centre at NTU University. A curving structure that provided many different views.The Cosmo Restaurant next to my accommodation at NTUSingapore Cricket Club surrounded by SkyscrapersStatue of Raffles in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall at Empress PlaceBoat QuayBoat QuayBoat QuayBoat QuayBoat QuayBoat QuayBoat Quay from Altitude leading to Clarke QuayView from AltitudeMarina Bay from AltitudeColours of the Fullerton BuildingTanglin ClubTanglin ClubTanglin ClubA reflecting pool at the National Gallery, SingaporeAtmospheric view of Marina Bay Sands HotelBartender busy at workThe winner is the conversation or the view?How wide is that Hotel?National GalleryShapes and lines at the National GalleryThis is a viewDiscussions before dinnerSt Andrew’s Church at nightDramatic night vista of SingaporeNight on Marina BayMarina bay skyscrapersSunset – Heat and humidity after the rain
Visiting São Paulo is an experience. It is the third largest city in the world with 17 million inhabitants. As soon as you leave Guarulhos International Airport, you enter into wide multi lane (10 to 12 lanes each way) freeway which straddles both sides of the Tietê river. Slowly you do become aware of the smell from the polluted River as you drive into the city. The amount of traffic is incredible and they all drive as if they were Ayrton Senna. This was a business trip for the University of Birmingham and we had three dental schools to visit across the centre and outlying suburbs of São Paulo. We stayed in a small boutique hotel, Estanplaza Paulista on the Alameda Jaú near to Paulista Avenue. The hotel’s position gave us access to local restaurants and shops in the area. We arrived very tired on the Saturday night and woke up to sunshine in the morning.
Paulista Avenue
We wandered up to Paulista avenue and found that the whole road was closed to traffic and there was a large street party taking place. People were dancing and generally having a great time. We walked along the length of the avenue chilling out and enjoying the atmosphere. There were many good photographic opportunities.
São Paulo Museum of Art
We also took time to visit the unique São Paulo Museum of Art. There is a wide range of interesting paintings and the Museum Web site on provides a good source of information. There was an exhibition “Imagens do Aleijadinho” which displayed statues of the African-Portuguese influence on the development of Brazil. Some of the exhibits were disturbing although the photographic record of the area the statues were found was fascinating. The Museum is on several floors and the paintings were imaginatively exhibited in a large exhibition area. There were canvases by both well-known artists plus fun contemporary exhibits such as “the Table”, where the blackboard was under the table.
Jungle Park We spent time in the “Jungle Park “called Parque Trianon (officially Parque Tenente Siqueira Campos) which is only small in area but is key how the Atlantic Forrest would have been in São Paulo. The high tree canopy with the dense vegetation makes it dark and gives respite from the noise of the large city around it. Then it was back out to the street party and we returned later in the afternoon and it had become even more crowded. Bikes, dancing, skateboarding on normally busy roads and underpasses and lots of street stalls. When there is an excuse for a party then Brazilians know what is needed to make it a success.
Reflections on São Paulo
Take home memories from this time in Brazil. The food and the drinks especially the Ciprihania made with cachaça (sugarcane hard liquor), sugar and fruit. The traffic congestion around the city, the picturesque University Sao Paulo campus with Capybara roaming free (previously I had only seen them in zoos). The Brazilian friendliness and positive view on life is also refreshing.
Hope you enjoy all the pictures as well. I may have taken a few too many!!!
Spectacular buildings on Paulista AvenueDancing on the Avenue with the ProfessorSão Paulo Museum of ArtStreet shapesI just love Coconut JuiceSurfing the City – this would be a packed freeway during the weekBiking the avenueWalking the AvenueStreet GraffitiMore street graffiti artworkLots of fun on the avenueAny excuse to have a partyDancing in Brazil is a serious pastimeSelfie in the sunglassesHead above the clownsThe street party in full swing – taken behind the Museum of ArtMore Biking in the streetSelfie in the park (Picture by Phil Tomson) – wearing the clothes I travelled in as I lost my suitcase – I have a similar picture from 1997 on the same seats.Beautiful paths only a short distance away from the CityCity residents sit in the cool shade provided by the parkIt is a popular placeA glimpse to what the “Jungle” looked likeThe City surrounds the small park but the noise is cancelled out.
Image of the mix of Christianity and artSome disturbing imagesBooks and photographsBrowsing through the collectionThe blackboard under the tableThere were many striking imagesIntersting architecture and walkwaysThere was one big street party under the MuseumThe morning rush hour coming into São PauloThe USP campus with views over the river of São PauloCapybara roaming free but they are a nuisance to the University Boat ClubSunset over São PauloThe final word is a Glass of Ciprihania – a real knock out drink 🙂 This one was made with Passion Fruit.
A cold week for the UK in general. Personally, I picked up a bad cold which coincided with the onset of very cold weather. Keeping motivation at work was the main priority. Initially the week started with clear skies and cold nights. There were some lovely sunsets and exciting sunrises but then the cold and grey set in. The snow showers were insistent and the final part of the week was snow and cold weather. It is at this time that you also find that there are many other very good photographers. I enjoy watching the television or reading the papers and seeing some of the pictures that people have taken around the country.
It is the start of spring and it is difficult that we have such bitter cold weather to contend with. Hopefully in the coming weeks, the cold weather will be largely forgotten and we will be able to enjoy the start of spring. I did manage a few pictures that will serve as a reminder of the week for me.
The Beast is comingA lone figure in the Birmingham MarketsA cold entrance to SelfridgesSpring is trying to break through
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