Travels in Ireland Early 2014

Two recent trips to Ireland produced a selection of images:

These amazing lenticular clouds in a pile d'assiettes stack of plates formation had formed over the Wicklow Mountains, south of Dublin and were captured whilst driving down towards Kilkenny,

March 2014.

I love the starkness of this tree, caught by a patch of daylight filtering down through thick pine forest.

Sunlight, rainbow and storm over a fast flowing River Suir near Cahir in late January

Beautiful soft green woodland captured in the Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary, January 2014

January also brought storms and strong winds as a series of lows swept across Britain and Ireland

the next three images capture one of the stormy days seen across Dublin Bay.

Sunlight and Storm, Dublin Bay

March saw calmer weather but still rapid changes of light on the coast, this is Howth Harbour, north of Dublin on a late March afternoon.

The waters of Dublin Bay seen from Sandycove Point near the Forty Foot, a well known bathing place, and the James Joyce Martello Tower.

Black and Gold Autumn Days in Dublin

A recent visit to Dublin during beautiful cold crisp autumn days

and a long overdue visit to the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most

popular tourist attractions in Ireland.

Amazing architecture inside the old brewery which has been converted to this tourist attraction,

seven storeys of glass and iron inside a huge pint glass.

The "Made of More" sculpture which features much of the Guinness advertising used over the years.

 A welcome sight inside the Gravity bar on the seventh floor,

the perfect pint of Guinness awaits its final top up.

 You can enjoy your pint whilst viewing the city of Dublin from one of its tallest buildings.

   "The Power and The Glory".

A lovely sky to end the day, the view across Dublin Bay towards the old power station at sunset.

A lonely cloud high in the sky as the sun sets below the Wicklow Hills.

Local Travels in North Wales

 Recent stunning clear air and warm sunshine during a walk in North Wales in the

Clwydian Forests around Moel Famau inspired these autumnal images.

 Crystal clear air reveals this view across Ruthin towards Cader Idris on the horizon.

A simple bramble leaf becomes a fiery furnace as yellow flames creep along the leaf veins.

Villa Gamberaia, Florence, Italy

The gardens of the Villa Gamberaia at Settignano, in the hills above Florence, are a truly wonderful experience. Below are some of my images and words on the visit.

Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking magnificence of the scene. You have climbed the hill to Settignano, continued upwards to the Villa Gamberaia, entered the gardens, walked down the drive and arrived at the terrace.

The garden appears to float over the valley of the Arno, to the right is a stunning view containing the jewel that is Florence, city of the Renaissance, the dome of the Duomo is unmistakable. Brunelleschi's famed architecture forever a symbol of the city, which is perfectly framed by a stone pine and a low wall interspersed with sculptures of urns and dogs, constantly on watch.

                 

The design of house and garden in this hilltop setting is a sublime meeting of art, architecture and nature. One feels truly awed at the wonders and perfection before you.

Its beauty is  great enough to absorb one almost completely, the terraces, the ponds, the great apse of cut cypresses, the bowling green as you look at it from the grotto toward the south like a great boat sailing through space, the view over the quiet landscape of the Chianti hills and further over domes and towers to the snow-capped Apennines and the Arno glimmering in the plain. For years Gamberaia remained one of the haunts of my life ….

Bernard Berenson, Sunset and Twilight. From the Diaries of 1947-1958, 4-5 March, 1948. 

Nerja and Málaga, Andalucía

 The town of Zahara de la Sierra, travelling through the Sierra de Grazalema.

  Nerja

 Torrox - Costa. On the beach, if you have the stomach for it! 

 Beautiful paella, cooked by a friend.

 Málaga