On the Saturday we went gorge walking, which was fantastic fun - I impressed myself by jumping of several ledges I thought I wouldn't. Our reward was a pizza night and a top up of booze.
[full slideshow]
A great weekend had. Now roll on the wedding!
Showing posts with label Images. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Images. Show all posts
Monday, 23 May 2011
Nick's stag do....
....The weekend was spent at Far Moor End cottage, near Ennerdale in the Lake District with twelve guys and Nick, the stag. The rolling hills provided a stunning backdrop to our accommodation, as we dined al fresco on the Friday evening with a BBQ.
On the Saturday we went gorge walking, which was fantastic fun - I impressed myself by jumping of several ledges I thought I wouldn't. Our reward was a pizza night and a top up of booze.
[full slideshow]
A great weekend had. Now roll on the wedding!
On the Saturday we went gorge walking, which was fantastic fun - I impressed myself by jumping of several ledges I thought I wouldn't. Our reward was a pizza night and a top up of booze.
[full slideshow]
A great weekend had. Now roll on the wedding!
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Matt Elliott Memorial Cup....
....This annual tournament is yet another telling tribute to the late Matt Elliott, (in whose memory, you'll remember, Kelly & I were afforded our South American adventure earlier in the year).
Rugger buggers
The day celebrates Matt's memory and in turn raises money for the charities, Kids Company and Skye Mountain Rescue. It is organised and hosted by Hackney RFC, the afternoon kicked off with an all ladies curtain raiser, before a round robin tournament ended with victory for Richie's team.
Richie's post-accidental-elbow wound
An all day BBQ, drinks and raffle preceded post match drinks and buffet in the Marina Bar, tranquilly located on the edge of the canal. A hugely successful, fitting and emotional day.
Rick Elliott, (Matt's dad), addresses the crowd
[full reel]
Rugger buggers
The day celebrates Matt's memory and in turn raises money for the charities, Kids Company and Skye Mountain Rescue. It is organised and hosted by Hackney RFC, the afternoon kicked off with an all ladies curtain raiser, before a round robin tournament ended with victory for Richie's team.
Richie's post-accidental-elbow wound
An all day BBQ, drinks and raffle preceded post match drinks and buffet in the Marina Bar, tranquilly located on the edge of the canal. A hugely successful, fitting and emotional day.
Rick Elliott, (Matt's dad), addresses the crowd
[full reel]
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
iPad Nana....
....Nana, as ever, is well up on modern technology. Here she is with her new iPad2, you know, just (silver) surfing.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Andrew hits 30....
....A weekend in Newcastle for a surprise celebration of Andrew's, (commonly known as Tuck), thirtieth birthday.
The day began with a few games of pool at Whitley Lodge Snooker Club, before friends gathered at Zonzo's restaurant in Jesmond.
Nick, Andrew & Tom find my cue action funny
The dinner saw 30 of us seated and very well fed, before Andrew was presented with a cake and a fairly woeful rendition of Happy Birthday.
Alice helps Andrew celebrate with sparklers
After dinner, we went on to As You Like It and foolishly, Aspers Casino after that. A late, but great night.
The following day, Robin, Hannah and I all went to visit Tom, Sarah and little Evie in North Shields.
Sarah watches Tom give Evie a lift
Some colouring, cookie eating and general shyness was done, before getting a piggy-backed farewell.
[Full reel]
The day began with a few games of pool at Whitley Lodge Snooker Club, before friends gathered at Zonzo's restaurant in Jesmond.
Nick, Andrew & Tom find my cue action funny
The dinner saw 30 of us seated and very well fed, before Andrew was presented with a cake and a fairly woeful rendition of Happy Birthday.
Alice helps Andrew celebrate with sparklers
After dinner, we went on to As You Like It and foolishly, Aspers Casino after that. A late, but great night.
The following day, Robin, Hannah and I all went to visit Tom, Sarah and little Evie in North Shields.
Sarah watches Tom give Evie a lift
Some colouring, cookie eating and general shyness was done, before getting a piggy-backed farewell.
[Full reel]
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Morag & Julie Civil Partnership....
....Day three of the long weekend, and a third wedding. This time the Civil Partnership of our cousin Morag, to Julie.
Both the service and reception were held at Our Dynamic Earth in Holyrood Park, with a ceilidh rounding off the proceedings. It was a really fantastic day - a unique one for many of us, as it was our first Civil Partnership - with Morag & Julie beaming throughout.
Both the service and reception were held at Our Dynamic Earth in Holyrood Park, with a ceilidh rounding off the proceedings. It was a really fantastic day - a unique one for many of us, as it was our first Civil Partnership - with Morag & Julie beaming throughout.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Polly & Craig wedding....
....Hot on the heels of the Royal Wedding, the next biggest event of the holiday weekend, was the marriage of friends Polly to Craig, at Islington Town Hall.
The service was simple, informal and if you ask Natalie, a bit of a tear jerker! After photo sessions in the beaming sun outside, we walked around to the Marquess Tavern, which was all ours for the reception.
Brief speeches were made, a hearty, tasty roast dinner served, then dancing in to the late evening. Brilliant. Congratulations to you both.
The service was simple, informal and if you ask Natalie, a bit of a tear jerker! After photo sessions in the beaming sun outside, we walked around to the Marquess Tavern, which was all ours for the reception.
Brief speeches were made, a hearty, tasty roast dinner served, then dancing in to the late evening. Brilliant. Congratulations to you both.
Friday, 29 April 2011
The Royal Wedding....
....I tried not to get in to it. In fact I watched very little of it. But still, I managed to actually enjoy and appreciate it.
At the altar
Today Prince William married long time girlfirend Kate Middleton, to become the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate wore a stunning dress, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, coming over all Grace Kelly in the process.
Grace Kelly
And whilst I was dreading the balcony kiss, it was a pretty special, warming scene.
Eeewwww!
And what Royal Wedding would be complete without the Beckhams'? Get in there David & Victoria!
Congratulations.
At the altar
Today Prince William married long time girlfirend Kate Middleton, to become the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate wore a stunning dress, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, coming over all Grace Kelly in the process.
Grace Kelly
And whilst I was dreading the balcony kiss, it was a pretty special, warming scene.
Eeewwww!
And what Royal Wedding would be complete without the Beckhams'? Get in there David & Victoria!
Congratulations.
Monday, 25 April 2011
List my photo: Update 7....
....Probably my biggest update yet, with a mix of arty pics that me, myself and I have taken. Look here.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
A Modern and post modern Easter Sunday....
....Happy Easter. This morning we decided to go to some more galleries, after I curated a rather long list of things I would like to see. So, after Paul Graham yesterday, today was the turn of, first, Tate Modern. Then the National Portrait Galley.
'Miro' is the first retrospective of his work in the UK for nearly 50 years. I was excited to see his full oeuvre, up close for the first time.
The show was extensive, as you would expect and threw up some real treats.
Still Life With Old Shoe, 1937
Miro's use of colour, at times, was quite extraordinary - how else could the mundane subject of the above painting, become so appealing? And his use of almost graphic-like representations of objects, in particular animals, that are borne out of his surrealist ideals, are magnificent. Seeming still so contemporary.
Dog Barking At The Moon, 1926
Yet even without colour, Miro could produce striking imagery, at first glance humorous, but in fact often depicting the brutality of Fascist regimes and dictatorships of that time. Such success is shown emphatically in his Barcelona Series, where 50 lithographs sprawl along one wall.
Undoubtedly my favourite paintings of Miro's, (not that I knew it on arrival), are from his series, 'Constellations' undertaken in 1940. Here the subject matter is stretched to it's surreal extreme, but the colour and graphic symbols remain. As a group of images, they are incredible.
The second half of the show, (and indeed Miro's career), did not appeal to me as much. Imagery became sparse, with single lines or objects. Canvases were burned to bring in to question the orthodox nature of painting. But what that second half did do, is serve to highlight just how prolific and varied Miro's work was in his career. No stone had been left unturned, but it is his detail, colour and graphic representations that will stay with me above all. Great stuff.
Afterwards, Kelly and I had a hot crossed bun pit-stop, in the members room, (and balcony), which was a lovely, serene reprieve.
We picked up again, with the Gabriel Orozco show. A Mexican artist, whom I hadn't heard of, but left absolutely loving his work.
Orozco spans all mediums, but sculpture is his most prolific. Witty, clever, funny, intriguing are all words I would associate with his work. For example in, Horses Running Endlessly (1995), a chess board is created at four times it's intended size, with only Knights populating it, creating the possibility of an, 'infinite circular dance of pieces'.
La DS (1993)
Or, La DS (1993), where Citroen's iconic car has it's middle section removed and put back together again, creating a, 'static object, perfectly shaped for velocity'. In his photography too, Orozco charms - I had seen his project, Until You Find Another Yellow Schwalbe (1995), somewhere before and liked it. But never linked it back the artist.
In it, during a residency in Berlin, Orozco took his yellow 'Swallow' bike around the City, parking it next to and taking a photograph with any other same bike. Here, the photographs encircle you from each of the four walls in the main space, repeatedly making their presence felt. I love being 'introduced' to an artist, and this exhibition was certainly that - I enjoyed every minute and it was a great antidote to the grandeur and epic nature of the Miro show across the hall.
Not done with gallery-going just yet, Kel and I made our way to the National Portrait Gallery - where there were two shows of interest, Ida Kar and E.O Hoppe. Both were prolific and successful portrait photographers of their time, whilst Hoppe also used a point and shoot style of photo documentary, that has been copied ever since.
Bridget Riley, by Ida Kar (1963)
Tilly Losch, by E.O. Hoppe (1928)
Kar's portraiture, to me, seemed to be reputable for the often publicly known subject, above any real distinction in her image making. Hoppe, meanwhile, sees a Modernist feel run through his portraits and an elegant curation to his studio shots. Whilst I can appreciate the beauty of this work, it is not something I immediately love. However that is not the case with his more photo-journalistic work.
The Pearlies: Master Dennis Simmons, London (1922)
Borne out of a fascination of life in the decades in which the photos were taken, they hold an immediate interest, but also the nature in which Hoppe took so many of them - a Kodak Brownie, wrapped in a bag, with a ripped hole for the lens. This allowed him to capture a subject naturally, and unaware.
This is a much replicated style, particularly with the popularity of the Lomo camera in the last decade. Both were enjoyable shows and felt important in the history of photography as a genre.
With still only half the day gone, Kel and I popped our heads back out in to the sunlight and cycled across to West London for a BBQ with Chris & Karin and friends.
Robin, Tim & Kel prepping the plates
In a blisteringly warm afternoon sun, we ate and drank and the hosts even indulged us in a little Easter egg hunt in their garden.
Served
Hannah had baked and brought along a fantastic plum tart, that we all demolished for dessert.
We left about 7pm, cycled back across to East London, dropped off the bikes and met friends at the Talbot pub, in Dalston, (after a quick arrangement made earlier). Here we carried on the late Sunday drinking.
Gathered
We were even presented with left over Yorkshire puddings, which were gratefully received!
All in all an incredible and jam-packed day. What an Easter Sunday!!
'Miro' is the first retrospective of his work in the UK for nearly 50 years. I was excited to see his full oeuvre, up close for the first time.
The show was extensive, as you would expect and threw up some real treats.
Still Life With Old Shoe, 1937
Miro's use of colour, at times, was quite extraordinary - how else could the mundane subject of the above painting, become so appealing? And his use of almost graphic-like representations of objects, in particular animals, that are borne out of his surrealist ideals, are magnificent. Seeming still so contemporary.
Dog Barking At The Moon, 1926
Yet even without colour, Miro could produce striking imagery, at first glance humorous, but in fact often depicting the brutality of Fascist regimes and dictatorships of that time. Such success is shown emphatically in his Barcelona Series, where 50 lithographs sprawl along one wall.
Undoubtedly my favourite paintings of Miro's, (not that I knew it on arrival), are from his series, 'Constellations' undertaken in 1940. Here the subject matter is stretched to it's surreal extreme, but the colour and graphic symbols remain. As a group of images, they are incredible.
The second half of the show, (and indeed Miro's career), did not appeal to me as much. Imagery became sparse, with single lines or objects. Canvases were burned to bring in to question the orthodox nature of painting. But what that second half did do, is serve to highlight just how prolific and varied Miro's work was in his career. No stone had been left unturned, but it is his detail, colour and graphic representations that will stay with me above all. Great stuff.
Afterwards, Kelly and I had a hot crossed bun pit-stop, in the members room, (and balcony), which was a lovely, serene reprieve.
We picked up again, with the Gabriel Orozco show. A Mexican artist, whom I hadn't heard of, but left absolutely loving his work.
Orozco spans all mediums, but sculpture is his most prolific. Witty, clever, funny, intriguing are all words I would associate with his work. For example in, Horses Running Endlessly (1995), a chess board is created at four times it's intended size, with only Knights populating it, creating the possibility of an, 'infinite circular dance of pieces'.
La DS (1993)
Or, La DS (1993), where Citroen's iconic car has it's middle section removed and put back together again, creating a, 'static object, perfectly shaped for velocity'. In his photography too, Orozco charms - I had seen his project, Until You Find Another Yellow Schwalbe (1995), somewhere before and liked it. But never linked it back the artist.
In it, during a residency in Berlin, Orozco took his yellow 'Swallow' bike around the City, parking it next to and taking a photograph with any other same bike. Here, the photographs encircle you from each of the four walls in the main space, repeatedly making their presence felt. I love being 'introduced' to an artist, and this exhibition was certainly that - I enjoyed every minute and it was a great antidote to the grandeur and epic nature of the Miro show across the hall.
Not done with gallery-going just yet, Kel and I made our way to the National Portrait Gallery - where there were two shows of interest, Ida Kar and E.O Hoppe. Both were prolific and successful portrait photographers of their time, whilst Hoppe also used a point and shoot style of photo documentary, that has been copied ever since.
Bridget Riley, by Ida Kar (1963)
Tilly Losch, by E.O. Hoppe (1928)
Kar's portraiture, to me, seemed to be reputable for the often publicly known subject, above any real distinction in her image making. Hoppe, meanwhile, sees a Modernist feel run through his portraits and an elegant curation to his studio shots. Whilst I can appreciate the beauty of this work, it is not something I immediately love. However that is not the case with his more photo-journalistic work.
The Pearlies: Master Dennis Simmons, London (1922)
Borne out of a fascination of life in the decades in which the photos were taken, they hold an immediate interest, but also the nature in which Hoppe took so many of them - a Kodak Brownie, wrapped in a bag, with a ripped hole for the lens. This allowed him to capture a subject naturally, and unaware.
This is a much replicated style, particularly with the popularity of the Lomo camera in the last decade. Both were enjoyable shows and felt important in the history of photography as a genre.
With still only half the day gone, Kel and I popped our heads back out in to the sunlight and cycled across to West London for a BBQ with Chris & Karin and friends.
Robin, Tim & Kel prepping the plates
In a blisteringly warm afternoon sun, we ate and drank and the hosts even indulged us in a little Easter egg hunt in their garden.
Served
Hannah had baked and brought along a fantastic plum tart, that we all demolished for dessert.
We left about 7pm, cycled back across to East London, dropped off the bikes and met friends at the Talbot pub, in Dalston, (after a quick arrangement made earlier). Here we carried on the late Sunday drinking.
Gathered
We were even presented with left over Yorkshire puddings, which were gratefully received!
All in all an incredible and jam-packed day. What an Easter Sunday!!
Friday, 22 April 2011
Whitstable on a whim....
...Kelly threw up the suggestion of a day trip a little while ago. Then suddenly the Bank Holiday weekend was here. And suddenly Whitstable was our choice. We got up and on a train from Victoria that got us there by 11.30am and as the sun beat down, we made our way straight to the beach front and harbour. Almost immediately we were tucking in to oysters from Wee Willy Winkles, which were superb. Fish and chips, eaten on the pebbled shore, promptly followed.
We couldn't believe the weather, so stayed where we were for a while, before getting the customary ice cream for our walk to Whitstable Castle. Recently regenerated, the grounds looked exceptional.
We then walked along to the Tankerton edge of the coast and back, finishing in Whitstable town centre, at The Cheese Box for some fantastic cheese & wine.
We finished back on the beach front, at a bar, as the sun lowered in the sky. It was a wonderful day and we really liked the town, a lot. The return train journey flew by, before meeting up with Nick for a couple of nightcaps. Very merry, but very happy.
[Full slideshow]:
We couldn't believe the weather, so stayed where we were for a while, before getting the customary ice cream for our walk to Whitstable Castle. Recently regenerated, the grounds looked exceptional.
We then walked along to the Tankerton edge of the coast and back, finishing in Whitstable town centre, at The Cheese Box for some fantastic cheese & wine.
We finished back on the beach front, at a bar, as the sun lowered in the sky. It was a wonderful day and we really liked the town, a lot. The return train journey flew by, before meeting up with Nick for a couple of nightcaps. Very merry, but very happy.
[Full slideshow]:
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Houses, friends, food & birthdays....
....Today was a jam-packed day. I met Kel and her sister Jodie for breakfast at Venetia's on Chatsworth Road.
We all went for the granola which as great. As was the coffee.
The cafe was conveniently located exactly where we had some house viewings set up, so we got on and did that. They weren't right, but worth the effort in order to get to grips with what is on the market and at what price. In between the final viewing, we dropped in to see Bugs & Joce, (& Winston the cat), where they were preparing a BBQ for colleagues.
Bugs' lights up.
Inquisitive Winston
After the final house viewing, (still not right), we cycled over to Lynn & Richie's, where Lynn's joint label, (with Danny), A Minute Silence, was having a pre- season-launch gathering.
AMS
A relaxed affair, saw Danny at the helm of the BBQ and no hard sales pitch. (Not that the beautiful knitwear requires pushing).
After a brief pit stop, Kel and I gathered our respective 'selves before heading out for Simone's surprise 30th.
Simone
The girls' had reserved upstairs at the Cat & Mutton for the do, which was suitably filled to the brim. A great time was had.
We all went for the granola which as great. As was the coffee.
The cafe was conveniently located exactly where we had some house viewings set up, so we got on and did that. They weren't right, but worth the effort in order to get to grips with what is on the market and at what price. In between the final viewing, we dropped in to see Bugs & Joce, (& Winston the cat), where they were preparing a BBQ for colleagues.
Bugs' lights up.
Inquisitive Winston
After the final house viewing, (still not right), we cycled over to Lynn & Richie's, where Lynn's joint label, (with Danny), A Minute Silence, was having a pre- season-launch gathering.
AMS
A relaxed affair, saw Danny at the helm of the BBQ and no hard sales pitch. (Not that the beautiful knitwear requires pushing).
After a brief pit stop, Kel and I gathered our respective 'selves before heading out for Simone's surprise 30th.
Simone
The girls' had reserved upstairs at the Cat & Mutton for the do, which was suitably filled to the brim. A great time was had.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Jude meets family & friends....
Kelly and I travelled to Leeds today to meet Jude for the first time.
Auntie Kelly gets winding!
After first hello's and cuddles, we went out for a walk at nearby Roundhay Park.
On returning, we relaxed and doted a bit more before Andy cooked up a storm. On Sunday, both mum & dad and James & Theresa arrived to add to the fanfare. Cue more holding and cuddling.
Theresa & James
The men popped to the pub for a gas and the ladies stayed at home to do the same, before we came back for a fantastic pork roast. (Thank you again Andy!)
Dad, Kel and I left on the evening train and mum has stayed on for the week. Nana arrived on Monday, (or should I say Great Nana?!) and so it has been quite a few days for Jude, mum & dad.
Great Nana & Jude
It was wonderful to meet him - a real little character, yet a very placid little boy.
I'm a pretty proud Uncle if I'm honest.
Full slideshow
Auntie Kelly gets winding!
After first hello's and cuddles, we went out for a walk at nearby Roundhay Park.
On returning, we relaxed and doted a bit more before Andy cooked up a storm. On Sunday, both mum & dad and James & Theresa arrived to add to the fanfare. Cue more holding and cuddling.
Theresa & James
The men popped to the pub for a gas and the ladies stayed at home to do the same, before we came back for a fantastic pork roast. (Thank you again Andy!)
Dad, Kel and I left on the evening train and mum has stayed on for the week. Nana arrived on Monday, (or should I say Great Nana?!) and so it has been quite a few days for Jude, mum & dad.
Great Nana & Jude
It was wonderful to meet him - a real little character, yet a very placid little boy.
I'm a pretty proud Uncle if I'm honest.
Full slideshow
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