The Akropolis, Athens w/c 29/12/08

The riots had subsided, the replacement Christmas tree twinkled in Syntagma Square and the media kept showing the same picture of a burning car.  All water off a duck's back to the Akropolis where the Parthenon had seen it all before ... so many times.

This shot was taken from Philippapou Hill, a short, traffic-free stroll from Thisieo metro station.

Snowy Livigno w/c 22/1208

Definitely a white Christmas in Livigno...

Snowshoe okey cokey? w/c15/12/08

There was so much snow in Livigno that London Region Nordic Ski Club tried snowshoe-ing one morning in Livigno.

XC ski-ing Livigno w/c 8/12/08

London Region Nordic Ski Club found fantastic snow and well prepared tracks on their early season training week to Livigno, Italy. 

Frosted leaves w/c 1/12/08

Winter has arrived ... with real frost!

Richmond Park w/c 24/11/08

A view without houses is rare in London but Richmond Park has several.  It's the largest of London's royal parks, home to a noah's ark of wildlife and a great place to nordic walk, roller ski, run and cycle.

Peacock plumage w/c 17/11/08

Peacocks have beautiful plumage - usually we just think about their tails, but these feathers are on the bird's back.  Several of these fabulous creatures wander free at Brent Lodge Animal Centre in Hanwell.  It's on section 8 of London's Capital Ring walk.

Bouzouki players from the SOAS Rebetiko Band w/c 10/11/08

Members of the SOAS Rebetiko Band pictured at their post concert session last Friday. Great music from this ad hoc band of of fifteen professional, semi-professional and amateur Greek, Turkish, Cypriot, and British musicians. Their repertoire includes music from the Greek, Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic and Jewish musical traditions.

Find out more and hear what they sound like.  It's not to everyone's taste but I love the rhythms and energy of these talented singers and players.

Cute and cunning

The squirrel population of England is estimated at 2 million which seems a bit low, unless most of them live in London...  Cute and cunning, they pose for photos, beg for food, dig up gardens and break into roof spaces.  Richmond Council has a useful guide whilst this Times article provides an update on relevant legislation.

Autumn still life w/c 27/10/08

Leaves and sweet chestnut shells crunch underfoot in Richmond Park.  The tiny chestnuts are an essential element in the Park deers' diet so notices urge walkers not to pick them.

Deep water? w/c 20/10/08

Or high and dry ... Photographed by the Thames in Brentford.

Smell the apples w/c 13/10/08

A kaleidoscope of English apples was displayed at the RHS Autumn show but sadly there were none to taste.   The sweet aroma enticed you through the doors, mouth watering in anticipation, where you marvelled at the autumn treasure, mentally holding back the hand that itched to choose a perfect fruit ...

Northamptonshire coutryside w/c 29/9/08

Sunshine and billowing clouds transformed this rather ordinary East Midlands countryside into something worth stopping and photographing. 

Pines, Koskarakas Gorge w/c 29/09/08

Messinian Gulf, southern Greece w/c 22/09/08

Olive oil storage jars

Butterfly - a silver studded blue female? w/c 08/09/08

Wandering along a beachside track in southern Greece I saw a blackberry bush covered in tiny butterflies.  At first glance they looked insignificant compared to the big swallowtails that dodged around but a closer look revealed they had a delicacy and beauty all of their own.

What is it?  After consulting a guide, my vote goes to a sliver-studded blue female [only the males are blue] which is one of the commonest blues in the wild.  But if you know differet, do tell me.

Kalamata sunset w/c 01/09/08

The first rain for over 2 months arrived yesterday afternoon.  The parched countryside gulped it up then infused the air with herbal aromas as the sunset illuminated the receeding clouds over Kalamata.   

Swallows w/c 25/08/08

One minute swooping high above the Koskaras Gorge, the next perched on telegraph wires chatting to neighbours, barn swallows are part of the scenery in the village of Megali Mandinia in the southern Peloponnese.  Want to know more about birds in Greece?  The Hellenic Ornithological Society is a good starting point.

Self portrait 1 w/c 18/08/08

Taken en route nordic walking to Sadova beach from Megali Mandinia, near Kalamata, southern Greece.

Rollerski racing west London 11/08/08

The blue corner w/c 04/08/08

Riding the waves w/c 28/07/08

If you enjoy the sea, check out the beaches and coves in the Outer Mani along the Gulf of Messenia in southern Greece near the Olive Press. 

Hibiscus w/c 21/07/08

Hibiscus create small explosions of colour in many Greek summer gardens but it's actually a tropical plant and the national flower of Malaysia ... Wikipedia has lots more information.  And if you want to grow them in the UK, the BBC has some useful pointers.

Grasshopper w/c 14/07/08

Avia cove, southern Peloponnese w/c 07/07/08

Tamarisk trees and low cliffs shade this lovely cove in the morning and fish swim in the dazzingly clear water.

Messenian Gulf, southern Peloponnese w/c 30/06/07

Olive trees fringe the bays and coves along the Messenian Gulf.  From Kalamata to the southernmost tip of Greece the sea is crystal clear and there are beaches to suit every taste. 

Flying the Greek flag w/c 23/06/08

Flying the Greek flag at one of Megali Mandinia's many churches. 

Megali Mandinia, near Kalamata in the province of Messenia, is sometimes written as Megali Mantinia but is not to be confused with the place of the same name north of Tripolis in Arkadia province.

Little owl w/c 16/06/08

Little owls emerge emerge in the late afternoon around the village of Megali Mandinia where they're easily spotted perched on roof, ledge or telegraph pole.  They're quite common in throughout Mani which is a popular spot for birwatching, given its range of habitats and location on migratory routes.

Bug breakfast w/c 09/06/08

This seemed like a run-of-the-mill bug but then I saw it was munching on a fellow insect - Greek wildlife is always worth a second look.

Verbascum w/c 02/06/08

Verbascum pictured above the Rindomo gorge near Vorio in the Outer Mani, southern Peloponnese, Greece.

Chelsea Flower Show w/c 26/05/08

For some visitors to the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show it's business as usual ... with more choice.  This bee negotiated the crowds to find a perfect allium.

Poppy bud w/c 19/05/08

It looks as spiky as a cactus but this beautifully engineered poppy bud feels soft and whiskery.

Garden tulip w/c 12/05/08

Tulips are one of my favourite spring flowers and the range of colours deep within this flowerhead is amazing.  I also liked the contrast of the dewdrop on the petal.

Bluebell wood w/c 05/05/08

Bluebell wood near Osterley, west London - it's a great time for nordic walking.

De Panne beach, Belgium w/c 28/04/08

Big skies, the North sea and a seemingly endless beach, that's De Panne.  At low tide it's an ideal spot for exercise - leap, walk, run, ride, sand yacht ...

Urbino backstreets w/c 21/04/08

Want to visit a classic Italian hilltop town?  Try Urbino in the Marche region of Italy.  Beautifully preserved and full of atmosphere, its Renaissance centre is a Unesco World Heritage site and a photographers' delight.

London Marathon 2008 w/c 14/04/08

Well done to everyone who ran the London Marathon, got thoroghly drenched and squelched their way to the finish.  The spectators were out in force despite the weather, supportive and noisy - the woman in the picture blew an ear-splitting whistle ... I moved on quickly.

SW from Kamben, Central Norway w/c 07/04/08

Golsfjellet, Central Norway w/c 31/3/03

This area has an excellent network of trails up on the plateau as well as through the surrounding birch and fir forests.  Ski-ing with a wilderness feeling within easy reach of traditional, welcoming hotels like Kamben Hoyfjellshotel, an Exodus destination.

Kvitavatn Norway w/c 24/03/08

Fantastic snow for late season ski-ing in Norway.

Wild crown anemone w/c17/03/08

The Outer Mani olive groves are now studded with these pollen-dusted jewels.  And a myriad of other wild flowers all of which are described locally as 'hortaria' or weeds ...

Kite flying - Sandava beach w/c 10.03.08

Clean Monday [Καθαρά Δευτέρα] marks the beginning of Lent in Greece where it's traditionally celebrated with kite flying and fasting food picnics.

Cruising the Adriatic w/c 03.03.08

The Adriatic is not all sunshine in March ... this storm hit the Italian coast on Thursday and stayed with us for 24 hours as we crossed from Ancona to Patras, but our voyage was smooth.  Superfast Ferries  are a world apart from the pitching and yawing Channel ferries that I remember from my younger days.

Racing for the finish w/c 25/02/08

Ski racers approaching the finish line in Mora, Sweden at the end of the 90 km Oppet Spar, one of the annual Vasaloppet competitions.

Sunset - Kvitavatn w/c 18.02.08

Ski trails radiate out from Kvitavatn Fjellstuge taking you round the frozen lake, and up onto the surrounding fells, where off track ski-ing opportunities are endless.  Mount Gausta, the highest mountain in southern Norway, provides an ever-changing backdrop and landmark.

Sunrise on Gausta, Norway w/c 11/02/08

This is the view that greets breakfasters at Kvitavatn Fjellstuge in southern Norway, used by Exodus for cross country ski-ing holidays.   Mount Gausta at 1883m is the highest mountain in southern Norway.

Konig Ludwig Lauf w/c 04/02/08

Half an hour before the start of the race and competitors test their skis and get ready for the off at the start area in Ettal near Oberammergau in Germany.  The Konig Ludwig Lauf long distance cross country ski races are part of the Worldloppet series and take place annually on the first weekend in February.  They are run in both free technique and classic style over 50 and 25 kms. 

Wild anemones w/c 28/01/08

Delicate wild anemones spring up in the olive groves in southern Greece in winter.  They range in colour from white, through mauve to deepest pink.  The name comes from the Greek for wind, anemos.   

Messinian Gulf w/c 21/01/08

A view from the Olive Press, Megali Mandinia - looking out over the Messinian Gulf with Kitries Head on the left and the old Venetian town of Koroni in the far distance.

Winter olive grove w/c 07/01/08

What's it like in Greece at New Year?  Flowers carpet the olive groves, it can be mild and sunny, or cool and wet.  Not sunbathing weather but good for walking, exploring ancient sites or cities decked in seasonal lights. 

Kalamata cat w/c14/01/08

Cats have often have a hard lives in Greece but this fellow seems to have found his own piece of heaven - Kalamata fish market.  He looks well fed but bears scars that must come from defending such an enviable territory.