Fresh Beginnings & Toasty Winter Warmers

Here are a few photos of the Christmas period when I went back home. We ended up making in down to Cornwall (just escaping all the snow and black ice) and were held captive for 5 days by bright blue skies, sunshine and snow. It was truly beautiful. As was our unconventional Christmas tree - a large branch of an oak tree that had been cut down due to it being covered in a mound of ivy. Not a problem if you add fairy lights. Instant Christmas!

I have just purchased off my Marverlous Mate Max, his Nikon D40, complete with fisheye lens! I have said farewell to my trusty Canon SX120, an am going to venture out to photograph as much as I can with this new digital SLR! Exciting times ahead!

The Frosty Tundra

As it is that Festive time of year, I thought it only right to post some rather festive looking photos. Ok, not really 'festive', more snow-filled and wintery. These were taken a couple of weeks ago up in Aberdeenshire. Frosty trees, white outs, blizzards and knee-deep snow to push the cars out of. The largest snowman (and woman) you've ever seen. Beautiful gates covered in a dusting of snow.

I am currently in the darkest (it was however exceptionally sunny today) depths of Cornwall busting out some rather fetching winter jumpers (pictures up soon), sitting by roaring log fires, going on bracing wintery walks in the fresh air and gaining gloriously rosy cheeks, and generally eating, sleeping and drinking!

I hope that everyone has a wonderfully Merry Yuletide, and is looking forward to a bright new start in 2011!

New and Exciting Things for the Autumn

A Restless Autumn of Protesting

Been a busy bee recently. And a highly pro-active political protester!

Firstly - the above song, Hope There's Someone by Anthony and the Johnsons was a gem of a tune that I heard on Radio 2 , that rather eclectic mix that has something for everyone. The song is wonderfully haunting and melancholy - perfect for the encroaching darker evenings that are now upon us.

Secondly, as those - especially in the UK - may know, on Wednesday there was a (to start with at least) peaceful protest outside No. 10 Downing Street and was supposed to continue on past the iconic structure of the House of Parliament in London. This was my first protest, and although it was an early set off from North Wales (had to get up at 3:30!!) it was most definitely worth it! The feeling of so many people being in the same place to try and change the way we learn was amazing.

However, as ever there are always a few who decide to ruin things, and so our largely peaceful protest became over shadowed by people crashing into the Conservative Head Quarters and setting fire to the protest plaques that shortly before had been for something so positive.

The press loved it.

It showed students (even though many of those who were doing the smashing were in fact not students - merely people who wanted a fight) in a tainted light.

I hope however, that the main message gets across to those who we have unfortunately entrusted power to.

Cutting the Arts is UNacceptable. It is our culture, a way of expressing ourselves, it is as important as know how to walk or talk.

Thirdly in my relaxed Sunday catch-up, is the find of the film called Restless. It stars Mia Wasikowska, the star in Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland. Yes - she has cut hair hair. Those gorgeous golden locks that made the character of Alice what it was are no more. What remains is a cute pixie hair cut that she can really pull off! I can entirely empathise with doing this; a few years ago I had over a foot of hair cut off all in one go. Liberating beyond words!

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the look of this film as much as I do. I especially am liking her rust coloured tartan jacket with broaches attached - may have to go and scour out some charity shops....

Freezing Moustaches

Freezing Moustaches

Freeze, Facial Hair and some Tunes

My wonderful sister told me about the above artist - Benjamin Francis Leftwich. After watching this video, which I personally think is how every childhood should be remembered - in that disjointed, rose tinted way. It has also totally inspired me to make the most of my week off (ok fine, 'Reading Week').

After my birthday on Wednesday - the facial hair was most certainly a grand idea I must say - D and I went to London for the Freeze festival (my birthday present to him). It was - in the words of the highly annoying commentator - 'GNARLY', 'EPIC', 'RAD' - pretty much any stereotype word that you can possibly think of with the skiing world - insert here! It was grand though. Plenty of wonderfully retro ski outfits and shell suits - trust me - neon is ALWAYS good on the slopes!

In a free magazine Cooler I found a rather interesting and wonderful opportunity. The SKETCH BOOK PROJECT! I am trying to figure out if I have the funds to pay $25 to take part. BUT...I am thinking how fantastic it would be to have my sketch book, in a gallery, with other people looking at it and inspiring them (maybe selling it?!) all in another country! I will keep you updated.

Also - thanks to people doing what they say (plus a smidge of birthday money!) I am now in a position to buy a new camera. I adore my Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, but feel that I have reached my limits of what I can do with it. Plus, to be fair, it was going back from what I previously had (the Canon G9 - how I miss it!) So - any advice that you Bloggers out there may have - I would appreciate.

Summer Sights

Full Bloom till Spring

Here are a few (very brief) snaps from the summer. I suddenly realised that I had been horrendously slack. As They say; Life happens whilst you're making plans! Anyway, I shall shortly do a very quick summary of the summer, then head on to (in my opinion) more exciting stuff...like the autumn!

It's great for a number of reasons.

Crunchy leaves.

Red, orange and yellow rain from above.

Pumpkins! (I will see a pumpkin patch at some point!)

My birthday! (although the number 23 doesn't seem quite as young any more...)

Frosty mornings.

The air of change.

The joy of being able to dress up in cosy (or 'gemutlich' - clearly my German is coming in handy!) clothes and not feel silly in big warm knitted things and hats and scarves.

In my up-and-coming posts I will be asking for advice. As it is the season of change (in my view anyway) my trimmer waistline (yay!) and the anticipation of my belated grant coming through, a much needed trip to the Realm of Shops and Culture is needed. A few choice pieces are to be bought...but what to get?! Any ideas??? Also...hairstyles - my hair now resembles a mop even more than usual, and feel a need to do something, ANYTHING to it! Fringe? Yay? Nay? Help!

After a few months of travelling and what not....Wee Bonnie Scotland

Wee Bonnie Scotland

After a few frenetic months of being super busy, I am finally able to upload some pictures! These first ones are of my first trip to Scotland this year (others will soon be up).

(These pictures are actually digital pictures of the originals which are from a Kodak throw-away point and shoot)

I have decided that Scotland dislikes me taking a digital camera. Last time I was up (in Fort William last summer) my camera broke half way through the weekend whilst watching the downhill bike trials. This time, 20 minutes into the train journey from North Wales, I realised that I hadn't even packed my camera! I was luckily able to buy a couple of disposables.

I forgot how much I adore the anticipation of waiting for my film to be developed (second only to developing it myself in the dark room), and the techni-colour grainy feel of these pictures makes me glad that I forgot my digital camera. Plus it made me really think about what I wanted to take a picture of. I found that I've got into a habit of just taking photos for the sake of it, rather than actually thinking what I'm trying to take a picture of. Anyone else the same??

From Inverness, we travelled the long way around Loch Ness, across the Isle of Skye, caught the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and drove all the way up and along the single tracks that inhabit the island, trying to dodge the sheep.

Deserted beaches, sun (speckled with rain, but barely) and I even went into the sea...3 times! Granted, it was a short, sharp blast of icy water, but it was so worth it, and a true beach BBQ solves any shivers you may have!

OK - so this is the first in my updates - we have Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Scotland again, and probably a few more to be sprinkled up here. I hope that you will be patient - I'm trying to revise for my looming German retake on Friday...!