Northern Ireland - Part 1

Since October last year I have now been to Northern Ireland 3 times in order to visit the stunning coastline of Country Antrim and the world heritage UNESCO site The Giant's Causeway.  I am truly in love with the place and wish I could be there everyday!  It's a fantastic place, the people are great and the pace of life is so much SLOWER that you feel you really have been on a break from normality.  I believe that visiting the Republic of Ireland is even slower!  The pictures below are from my 2nd trip at Easter as the weather and scenery were really stunning.... The Giant's Causeway is a photographers' dream and I certainly indulged:-

View from the Giant's Causeway visitor centre west 
along the coast.

Aerial view of the Giant's Causeway from 
the Coastal Path - the Causeway was formed 
millions of year ago during a volcanic eruption 
and the unusual form of basalt columns was 
created due the slow cooling of the lava.

A closer look from above.  Apart from the scientific explantion for the Causeway the legend is that Finn McCool the Irish Giant challenged his Scottish adversary Bennandonar to a fight to see who was the strongest.  In order that Bennandonar could get across the sea Finn built the causeway.  When Bennandonar did cross over the Causeway to meet Finn, Finn saw him and took off in a hurry when he saw just how big Bennandonar was!  He fled to his wife Oonagh - quickly Oonagh disguised Finn as a baby and when Bennandonar came looking for Finn he found only Oonagh and "the baby" - upon seeing the size of the baby he took fright, because if the baby was that big then how big was his father?!!  So Bennandonar fled back to Scotland tearing up the Causeway as he went!

The huge basalt columns have a gap in them 
to the left where you see the 
path = "The Giant's Gate"

This is "The Chimney"!

This is the middle Causeway known as 
"The Honeycomb".

At Easter it was good wave weather here 
I captured the back spray - it became 
a mini obsession to try to catch this on camera!  
What you cannot appreciate here though is the 
noise from the waves, it was deafening at times!

The basalt rocks that you walk on atop the 
Causeway - it is easy to navigate The Causeway 
as it is like a series of steps - which all make 
a convenient seat too!  Some have 5 or 6 edges 
others 4 or more and I believe there is one 
with only 3 - find it if you can they say!

Looking back up the Causeway from the far end
low down near the Atlantic Ocean.

Some of the columns near the 
Middle Causeway.

Patience at sunset is rewarded with 
some lovely photos.

Here looking out to sea with a bit of The Honeycomb on the right

And this was taken from atop 
the main Causeway.  The 
pinky glow was lovely!

Royal baby for Monaco!

TSH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene today announced that they are expecting a baby at the end of the year - congratulations to them!

Photo via Daily Mail

OMG I Saw The Queen!

I was in London last week for a talk at the V&A and the ballet, but as I knew that Her Majesty would be at Westminster Abbey for the Bath Service as I arrived in London, I chanced a trek over to the Abbey on foot in the vague hope I may see the Queen leave the Abbey....thankfully I walked instead of taking the bus as the traffic was horrendous.....anyway I got there just in time to see the Queen depart - sadly not walking from the Abbey to her car but from a side entrance actually in her big car.  Had I gone further over on a side road I would have had a better view but I think you can make her out - the fist photo is my original photo and the second is that photo zoomed in/blown up so you can see.....

Spring Ducklings 2014

 True to form, this year is no exception at my sister's home - she has had 3 lots of new arrivals this spring!  Here is the first family of mallard ducklings to arrive a few weeks ago - there were 8 ducklings but only 6 have so far made it.  How cute are these little fellas?!

My Venice Souvenir

In Venice I found exactly what I was looking for:-

Yes a Maxi Twilly

Brides de Gala

Top side pink

Under side black

The pink side has a less intense pattern

Whereas the black is a lot more busy.  
A great combo I think you will agree and very good value!

Now my modelling shots were taken in a hurry 
so please forgive the slightly untidy look!  First up a bow.

Simply wrapped around the neck and ends 
secured with scarf ring

A bow using the black side

A Maxi Twilly Triple Knot in the black (how to here)

And in pink.

Here I gave the scarf a twist at the 
back to get one side in each colour.

Bow as before using both colours

Here I folded the scarf in half 
length ways and then used a 
shawl ring to secure for a shorter 
look.

Just a wrap around and single 
knot to tie.

The Hermes window in Venice with a 
beautiful scarf I VERY much covet!!

The Carnival Doggies!

I couldn't not post some pics of the cute dogs that were at the Venice Carnival - the theme was nature and animals this year and plenty of little dogs took part!  Most of the little dogs were dressed to match their owners!

A lovely lace edged jacket.

A simple cape and hat will do me!

Meet Bruno the chiuahuah!

Bruno coordinated with his mama!

Vary smart in ones jacket!

A lovely bit of tinsel finishes off the look!

These fake owls were nice!

A fairy look for this little doggy.

Having a rest - it's hard being dressed up all day.

This little pooch had a mask on the back
of his/her jacket!

It's Bruno again in black with a dash of red 
this time - cute!

Carnevale de Venise

As promised some photos of the carnival people in Venice - the majority are French and German rather than Italian!  I think some of the costumes are just amazing and so many are hand made - very clever people!!  Hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do!  (If you click on the photos you can view the photos a bit bigger if you want to see the detail.)

This is one of my favourite couples and photos

Lady in red.

These people made their costumes
themselves - truly a work of art!

This guy wore a Peacock outfit last 
year but this year he was a Phoenix or
Firebird and his costume was HUGE 
and very heavy!

I loved this colourful costume 

and it was so simple too!

Awww I love this guy I have seen him 

many times over the years he plays 

classical music on his radio and

always charms the ladies with his

red rose!

The very grumpy "Marie Antoinette"
I don't know why she bothers if 
it makes her so grumpy!  
This year in green.

My most favourite couple of all - 
they go every year and always 
look amazing.

This cheeky jester is there every 
year too - always climbing up on 
walls which makes for a good photo!

This lady was beautiful in her costume.

A frilly pair!  Simple but very effective.

This headdress was lovely with 
its dolls.

A closer look at the clock couple! 
Note the glitter filled egg timer 
on the doll's head to the right!

A foxy lady - this year's theme 
was nature/animals.

The costumes were huge 
and no doubt heavy!

Beautiful blues and golds.

A cheeky jester.

And another - I really liked this colourful costume.

Parasols and mirrors make for interesting photos.

A very elegant lady in pink.

A wistful look in purples.

Some German chaps donning 
uniform very smart they were too!

And one more lovely hat and mask.

I hope you likey....the carnival dogs are next!