Les couleurs

A few of my favourite photos from a wonderful way to document one of the most interesting cities in Europe; The Paris Color Project, by Little Brown Pen, where elements of life in Paris are grouped together according to the colours they share. I came across it months and months ago and have only just rediscovered it. I love so many of the photos and find the categorising by colour a really cool way of looking at surroundings, something I'm definitely going to try in the future, either on travels or just at home.

You can see the collection of photos here.

Has anyone ever done anything like this? Or do you have any other good ideas for photography projects?

day tripper

 A selection of disposables from a day trip to Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. 

Disposable cameras aren't really trendy or up to date, obviously, but I like them for a few reasons. Mainly because you can't see the photos until they're developed...the waiting and usually in my case, forgetting about what I've taken pictures of means that when they arrive it's a nice reminder of the occasion. The slightly grainy quality and unpredictability is also why I'm a fan. No display of photos also means no re-taking ten times; it is what it is, and most of the time means I put a little bit more effort into composing them. Not sure if that shows...

I set off driving on a beautiful morning, such nice weather on the way up. A crisp, cold start to the day is my favourite in autumn.

Driving across the Tyne Bridge is always nice, feels like a little bit of me is coming home, even though I don't even live in Newcastle any more.

A lovely photo of my sister outside my old university union, now her new university union!

Wonderful NefEsh Trio at King's Hall.

Charles Grey Monument in the sunshine.

Looking down Grey Street on our way to Blake's coffee house where I spent a lovely few hours with the band, and Paul, catching up and swapping stories and generally chatting. 

The way out of the city, looking towards the sunset, and on my way to see my old housemate Helen in her new pad. We went for dinner, along with Gabby in the photo above, at a great place near her house called Cafe Med. Delicious food and really good value.

"The longest gap year in history"

Patrick Leigh Fermor

A British man who died just last year, after travelling for most of his life. 

This morning I read a review of his biography by Artemis Cooper, in the guardian newspaper. He sounds like a fascinating, adventurous and exciting character, and I'm already on the lookout for his books, A Time of Gifts, and Between the Woods and the Water, which I've been advised are great material for those who want to read stories and learn about other people's travel experiences. 

Photo from the guardian website.

books and pens

I thought it would take much longer than it has done to get to this point, but after graduating from university only three and a half months ago, I'm feeling ready to get back into the books. At the moment, I'm craving sitting in a library on a crisp autumn day, surrounded by articles and journals and books, with a laptop, a notebook and a cup of tea or coffee for company.

Some of my fondest memories of university are those times when my housemates/friends and I would all sit in silence for ages, absorbed in our respective focus subjects, only pausing to ask questions about grammar or vocabulary in an essay, and then really deserving our fifteen minute tea breaks. Such intense stimulation and productivity is good for the mind and the soul, or for mine at least. 

Photo sources: 

first

second 

third

fourth is a collection of books belonging to a friend who studied classics

fifth is my revision for a musica analysis exam in Italy

Jessica and I

A week travelling round the lower half of Italy with my lovely friend Jess. We haven't seen each other since we parted ways at the end of that week, but hopefully that will change soon, I miss her. 

Streets of Salerno

Jess and Mount Vesuvius in the background

The two of us on the day we looked round Pompei, what an amazing place

Mount Vesuvius and some preserved ruins of the city

Lovely graffiti on a wall in Salerno...the other half of the lyrics were on the next block

A sign advertising drinks in Alberobello, one of the preserved villages of 'Trulli' houses

Wandering round the Trulli with our couchsurfing host

Old town in Taranto

Snapshots of Italy

I spent nine months studying in Italy a couple of years ago, and have been thinking about it so much lately, mainly because friends are embarking on their erasmus placements at the moment. I have a renewed interest in the country that I'd had quite enough of by the time I'd left. It's fast becoming my first port of call for future travels. Some picture memories of a few little trips...

Florence markets at Christmas time.

Venice at Carnival time; directions to Piazza San Marco; Steph, Emma and Jess outside the Basilica; Jess and I with our amazing facepaints.

Cinque Terre; the evening view from Portovenere; Vernazza from the hillside path towards Monterosso; enjoying a game of cards, some olives and a well deserved glass of Sangria after our trek.

Venice take two; the island of Burano with streets upon streets of brightly coloured houses.

Florence take two; Helen outside the Duomo when she came to visit from France; a view of the city.

Stained glass window in Siena; a view of the Campo; incredible food for dinner.

Good times. 

Hi.

 I've finally started to relax into life after university, stopped thinking in academic years and terms so much, and accepted that my life isn't going to be as hectic as it was for the last four years. Or I'd like to think I have at least. 

I haven't wandered very far yet since moving home, but hopefully this will change over the next year or so...plans change in my mind on a weekly basis, so who knows what will happen. 

For now, here are some wanderings close to home.

Harbour view.

Breakfast at the Marine one fine Sunday morning.

Evening walks out the pier.

NefEsh Trio at King's Hall, Newcastle University.