We were very pleased to have dinner with Alyson of That’s Not My Age our last evening in London (yes, she’s every bit as understatedly stylish, bright, and funny as you would guess from reading her– our 3 hours together passed easily, too quickly). Googling (as one does now!) directions to the restaurant Alyson suggested, we were happy to see that our walk there would take us through and into areas we hadn’t visited. And that we’d get very close to The Shard, a building that’s new to the London Skyline since we were here just three years ago.
Let me say straight away that while I love the old, I very much admire the energy of London and the way that its skyline changes to embrace all manner of architectural shapes in a variety of materials. The Gherkin. the Shard. the Cheese Grater.
I was even quite pleased by the geometric repetition of the squares here, especially as illuminated by an early evening sun, and approached over a very busy bridge. .
I thought of that repetition against the sky when I was sorting through photos later and saw that I’d also taken this photo, somewhere between King’s Cross and the Canal….
And again, I’d taken photos of buildings against the sky in the Primrose Hill Neighbourhood.
Across the Channel and several TGV hours’ south, I realized my tendency to admire architecture against a blue sky was persistent. Below, Muses on Bordeaux’s Opera Building
And a jumble of angled lines made fascinating to me by their play with sunlight and a cerulean sky…
I have so many, so very many photos and posts to share. Who knows whether those will ever make it to the blog?! For now, we’ve settled in very happily to our Bordeaux home, but summer calls us insistently outside to play. Actually, today’s market day on the Promenade Fluviale, so we’re heading out soon with our basket. Meanwhile, do you similarly notice themes in your photos when you sort through them later?
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Yes, doors, door knockers and windows, all are abundant in my photos. Then I'll take a picture of the building and the street but it's usually detail that first prompts me to pull out my camera. I also love glimpses of what's beyond the doorway, but those are mostly in my memory as it's feels too intrusive to take a photo, although gardens are fair game.
Perhaps a psychologist would like to see a deeper meaning, but maybe it's just the patterns we find visually pleasing.
Glad the weather in Bordeaux is warm for you.
Lilibet
I love those views as well, the elements at the border between inside and outside, those thresholds of intimacy. When a gate to an interior courtyard is opened, it's tough to mind my manners and not stare. The change from urban, busy, sidewalk to gracious interior space, often much softened and decorated by plantings, is so seductive….
Lovely to meet you both too – and I agree, it's always good to visit new parts of a city, next time you'll have to go up the Shard, the views are fantastic. Can't believe how quickly the time whizzed by! Have fun in France.
We will definitely have to explore this area further next visit, and perhaps get to the top of the Shard for the view. thanks again for introducing it to us!
That's an interesting idea! I had never given it any attention, but come to think of it, there are some themes in my photos:
1. Water (rivers, lakes, the sea)
2. Colours, combinations of, like flowers in a garden, vegetables on a market stall, doors and window frames…
3. Cats. In many cases they give me a glimpse of everyday life in small squares, lanes, backyards etc. without intruding on the human inhabitants.
I especially like your 3rd item, particularly the reason you give for focusing on cats. If I look back, actually, I realize that I have a number of photos with cats in them as well.
Doors and flower boxes draw my attention as I wonder who lives in a building. It looks as though you are having a lot of blue skies. Enjoy the market.
Ah yes, flower boxes are another one, There are some filled with beautiful pink geraniums just a few houses down that I keep meaning to get out and capture.
My husband is the photographer in our family and in the photos from our visits to Rome there is definitely a theme – water fountains!
How wonderful that you could meet up with Alyson – I do enjoy her blog.
I can't quit to check out the fountains in Rome, and I can imagine they'd make very good us subjects for the camera. We really enjoyed meeting Alyson; she's every bit as great as you'd imagine from her blog!
The new London skyline is controversial, but I love the new buildings – each one is so interesting and adds its own flavour to my favourite capital city. The Shard is particularly stunning I think and some of the views of it driving into the City are sensational.
And now Bordeaux – what a lovely contrast!
Me too! I can see why some are less convinced about the rapid change to that skyline, but I love the energy, and I very much the Shard, finding it takes on such different aspects depending on perspective and time of day.
And yes, Bordeaux makes such a pleasant contrast.
Blue skies, market, a basket – I'm stuck right there. I just know you're enjoying every, single, beautiful moment!
I really am, as is my husband,and I'm glad to think I'm spreading the enjoyment a bit. Hope the house-selling is going okay, not too stressful . . .