Travel
I'm lucky enough to travel a lot but I also aim to understand a place in some depth. So I like to find out about the local history, sociology, wildlife and local arts. I prepare for a trip by looking up photos of the famous sights, they're usually a good guide both about the local visual interest and also a warning of what has already been done or over-done.
I try to use the tools of modern photojournalism and photography to communicate how I feel about a place. You’ll see that I have used Portrait, Street, Interior, Historical, Abstract, Landscape, Historical, Wildlife, Phone-camera and Selfie genres at different times for specific effects.
Journey from Euston railway station in London to Keswick railway station in Cumbria. A dawn departure from Euston with the first stop after crossing the Manchester Ship Canal at Warrington. A freight train (mostly containers from one supermarket) let the express pass at Penrith, where I changed. “Every little helps”.
Unfortunately the last passenger train to and from Keswick railway station departed on Saturday 4th March 1972, so I have missed it by nearly fifty years. It’s now only a bus service from the West Coast main line at Penrith to Keswick.
That’s a journey of about 315 miles, about 505 km; the train is faster and less tiring than driving, and less risky.
The early start meant I had a few hours of daylight to enjoy my garden and the lovely autumn colours.
You see great views from the train that you’ll never see any other way, but the windows have a softening effect on photography and the motion distorts, so I’ve made a montage in the style of postcard rather than feature individual images.
Mobility scooters parked on the Promenade at Eastbourne, East Sussex
High tide at Eastbourne, with the Victorian pier looking like a liner moored at a jetty
Roses and sub-tropical plants surrounding Eastbourne’s sea front promenade walk
Three views of Eastbourne in East Sussex, guess which one the tourist office would prefer!
Early evening drinks in Cours Julien, Marseille; the stonework glowing in the light of the setting sun.
Views from the window of BA0369 from Marseille to London, showing principally Mont Blanc (4,808 m.) but also Monte Rosa (4,634 m.) and the Bernese Oberland Alps (Finstaarhorn, 4274 m. etc).
Moments earlier in the flight, views of Barre des Écrins (4102 m.) and Mont Ventoux (1909 m.) immediately after take-off from Marseille Provence airport runway 31R.
Revisiting the Village Vacances « La Baume » at La Roque d’Anthéron which was the accommodation for the 1998 GLME Summercamp, organised by the French bike club AMA (Association Motocycliste Alternative).
Arriving here after the long ride down from London, the blocks had more than a whiff of a Stalag Luft prisoner of war camp. But the hosts and location, the company and the bike rides were all fantastic, the wine copious and included. The pool and the forest saw many games too.
That summercamp twisted my head; since then I've set up in Marseille. Finding « La Baume » again after so many years and finding it pretty much the same was great nostalgia, especially as I was able to share tales with a couple of the staff .
Rose-tinted nostalgia apart, La Roque d’Anthéron is a chic town in the Pays d’Aix between the Canal de Provence and the River Durance. I found no less than three boulangeries in operation and at least two fine restaurants. La Roque d’Anthéron is more widely known for its piano festival, which takes place in the park of one of the châteaux.
More photos: La Roque d’Anthéron revisited - GLME Summercamp 1998
