Monk's Walk

I don't often take photos of Oxford architecture - generally I just run past it in a big hurry. Two days ago, though, I put my theatre hat on and went location-scouting for a dance performance next spring with a colleague. So, one of the sites we looked at was this:


It's called 'Monk's Walk' and I used to adore it - but now they've sandblasted it, and it looks better to me in b&w.

More monochromes at Aileni's Monochrome Monday.

Or (disclaimer: skip if you've read this before) if you have some time to spare and love the Andes or the rainforest please visit my picture book about my fieldwork in the Peruvian cloud forest:
http://www.blurb.com/photo-book-contest/view_book/914061
I've entered the blurb competition, and if you feel generous please vote for me.

A rose is ....

Theere are so many of them in the College garden...and they're always lovely, no matter what colour and shape:




Visit Today's Flowers hosted by Luiz, Denise, Laerte and Valkyrien and enjoy blossoms from all over the world.

Overgrown

I found these pretty Lilies in an overgrown meadow in College - a few days later the lawn was cut, and so were they :(



Visit Today's Flowers hosted by Luiz, Denise, Laerte and Valkyrien and enjoy blossoms from all over the world.

way back from work

When I don't work in the river every day I generally make my way home via lovely Holywell Street in Oxford. I hope I look a bit less tortured on my bike than this chap right when I took the photo:



Click back to the Monochrome Maniacs, brought together by Aileni for lots of b&w shots.

A room of ones own

These two were very set on their own private pools:



Very close to the puddles is an absolutely stunning pond - but perhaps the Mallards thought the water lilies are taking up far too much space:



And back to Watery Wednesdays, hosted by 2SweetnSaxy, for exciting water photos from all parts of the world.

blossom

For some reason the orchard blossom seems almost over, even though May has just begun. My favourite trees in the college orchard are the quince trees. They are somewhat forgotten and tucked away in one corner which is overshadowed by an evil big Leylandia (that got planted for which reason?).
They have beautiful big blossoms, and usually not very many of them. The one below was still closed a week and a half ago:



By now it is probably gone...but I hope some bumble bees came along in the meantime so that we have some quinces this autumn.

For gorgeous flower photos from everywhere visit Today's Flowers hosted by Luiz, Denise, Denise and Laerte.

Protection

I saw that on a walk some days ago. I wasn't aware that squirrels can read - but seeing that there are no squirrels anywhere near their nuts, squirrels probably can.

Protection is the theme of this Saturday's PhotoHunt. Enjoy.

Love Thursday - Dancing

I've been dancing Argentine Tango for roughly a decade now, and when I go out dancing the camera normally has to stay at home. That's because I want to spend time with friends rather than experience through the lens, because I don't want to intrude on people and because there are plenty others who are chasing what I find hard to express both in image and word. Some weeks ago, however, I got a new lens on my way to tango and I was too excited not to try it out - so here goes.
Most people who don't dance Argentine tango first think of a comedy moment in which someone has a rose in their mouth. The second thought is that it is a raunchy, furiously passionate, sexual dance of hot, latin folks. For most dancers it is an entirely different matter. To make this improvised dance work you have to be willing to tune in to your partner to a degree we are normally reserving for a loved one. To meet the person without preconception, without hiding, with attention, respect, with tenderness and forgiveness. If it works and both dance partners do just that the dance is bliss and love (and quite beyond any sexual feelings), even if you've just met and have never exchanged a word. It has taught me a lot about being with others in a peaceful and happy way, but it has also turned me into a dreadful person who is far too quick on meting out big bear hugs.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!

Radcliffe Square

Most of the time the weather here is either grey and dry, or grey and wet. The other day it was grey and wet. I stopped on my way home on Radcliffe Square - it was drizzling quite nastily but nobody (including me) had a brolly.



I was tempted to seek refuge in the Radcliff Camera, which is a Library -



it looked quite cosy, as you can see if you click on the pic, but then I remembered how dusty it is inside and so I scuttled off into the wet dusk.