Tuesday 15th December 2015, 4.15pm (day 1,573)
Very, very far from being a satisfactory photo but it does sum up a terribly dull, grey and dark day, in which very little happened of note. Thus, the turn of the year etc etc.
Being 42
Life, one day at a time
Outside Bush House
Monday 14th December 2015, 10.50am (day 1,572)
So many advantages to coming down last night instead of this morning — no 5.30am alarm call, and the chance just to amble through London streets and see what came into view. The monumental Bush House belongs to the London School of Economics, but I was just passing. I love the tableau made by these guys. Is the one on the right missing out?
On the train to London
Sunday 13th December 2015, 2.30pm (day 1,571)
I have a day’s work to do down south tomorrow, and it was easier (and cheaper) to travel down this afternoon rather than getting up at 6am tomorrow morning. Though as my single-serving companion reflects, it’s still a good opportunity to grab a kip, even if one is trying to do some work on the Mac, while drinking a glass of wine (note: wine not paid for by British taxpayer).
The aliens from the planet Kohl Rabi
Saturday 12th December 2015, 11.10am (day 1,570)
“Bzzzt. Frpppp. Bzzt. Calling Purple Leader. Calling Purple Leader. We seem to have been captured by the humans, after a disastrous miscalculation of scale.”
“This is Purple Leader. I think I can get my pseudopod in place, and flip the ship over. Then they’ll be sorry…… Ah, sod it. What does ‘£1.00 each’ mean anyway?”
On the escalator
Friday 11th December 2015, 12.05pm (day 1,569)
Specifically, the one connecting the vast conference space at the Celtic Manor with the equally vast lobby and vast spread of guest rooms. Did I mention it was a vast place?
I over-exposed this one when I took it, but then I just ran with it, there are some nice shapes and lines here. I like the way his legs have almost disappeared.
Celtic Manor hotel
Thursday 10th December 2015, 8.45am (day 1,568)
The view from my room this morning. That’s the Bristol Channel over there. Not the most exciting photo I know, but at least it captures a mood.
Golf course, December
Wednesday 9th December 2015, 2.00pm (day 1,567)
I would like to point out that except for — and perhaps because of — a brief flirtation between the ages of about 17 and 20, I have no interest in this game, pastime, sport, good walk spoiled, whatever. I just happened to pass this scene today. Although it’s quite a distinctive golf course — on these greens, the 2010 Ryder Cup was played out. There’s something kinda melancholy about it I think…. and I like the colours, the bright green contrasted against the grey of the woods, with the flag and magpie each being a part of the one in the other, like an (unequal) yin and yang. Which has nothing to do with golf, but hey.
Outside Victoria station
Tuesday 8th December 2015, 10.40am (day 1,566)
I wasn’t taking a photo of this guy, but just of the scene. He then stopped walking, turned straight into the shot and lit his cigarette. Sometimes it just works out.
Chinese arch
Monday 7th December 2015, 2.55pm (day 1,565)
Crap news about the floods in Cumbria which have left several places I am quite fond of under considerable amounts of water, including Carlisle (featured on this blog only just over two weeks ago), Lancaster and various chunks of the Lake District. Unbelievable amounts of rain fell, around twelve inches in 24 hours in some places.
Meanwhile, a little further south, it’s been a bit wet but that’s all. In fact today in Manchester was rather pleasant. The Chinese arch makes its third, and most golden, appearance on the blog.
The beginnings of pickle
Sunday 6th December 2015, 1.40pm (day 1,564)
Coming to the end of a long (for me) period of time spent entirely at home. Let’s enjoy the kitchen while I’m still around. This stuff takes an hour to make and costs about three pounds for a year’s supply — and is the best goddamn piccalilli I’ve ever had.
