Pollinators
A Tree Bumblebee and a Social Wasp grazing on pollen from flowers on apple trees in my garden in Hammersmith, West London. Fruit trees rely on the good work of pollinating insects. My Mason Bees are not yet active, presumed still hibernating.
Ouse Valley, Sussex High Weald
My spring bimble from Balcombe to Haywards Heath via the valley of the Sussex Ouse, with its famous railway viaduct on the London to Brighton mainline.
Green bike in red: Zero SR/F
Chance meet in Fulham, West London, with a demonstration Zero SR/F electric motorcycle, which is quick enough to out-accelerate a Porsche 911, allegedly.
Just sitting on it, taking care of the charging cable plugged between the rider’s legs, gave an impression of the low centre of gravity and the long wheelbase.
Range from a full charge said to be about the same as a sportsbike for comparable performance.
Said to be silent, I wonder what the Harley E-bike will sound like on the street: the Moto-E track bikes have just an eerie whine of the drive train.
Saint-Raphaël, Côte d'Azur
Sunshine on the French Riviera: a selection of my photos of Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus.
“Wish Me Luck” France shoot - 1988
Photos from the location shoot for the London Weekend Television drama “Wish Me Luck” in September and October 1988.
Them/Us - BalletBoyz at Sadlers Wells
The medium of abstract dance communicates emotions and ideas but without words, along with the grace and power of the human body working to its maximum. There’s a parallel with idea-based art: as a non-verbal language, dance has the capacity to communicate with us directly at a lower level than our verbal skills. It sometimes takes time for the full realisation to sink in, and the language of dance is the more powerful and direct because of this.
GPN London at The Camera Club
GPN London’s meeting tonight at the Camera Club, Kennington, London; a well-attended meeting of this diverse and welcoming group. Camera-stitched panoramic photo of the discussion about contributions on tonight’s subject, “Fashion faux-pas”. Some of the contributed images can be seen on the netting and the screen.
Tasting “Animus” Douro 2017 and “Gloria” Reserve Douro 2015
Comparing two strong red wines from the valley of the river Douro in Portugal and then with a port wine from the same area
“animus” Douro 2017 - Vincente Faria, Vila do Conde
Tinta Roriz, Touriga National and Touriga Franca
“gloria” Reserve Douro 2015 - Vincente Faria, Vila do Conde
Aged in oak
These wines are DOC only for the region; both wines are based on Portugal’s main red grape varietal, Touriga National. They appear to be production in excess of the quota for a more specific DOC classification. Touriga National is famous both as a table wine and the main grape varietal for port wine. Both are available in UK supermarkets at an excellent price/quality point with matching labels but neither label gives much further information: we set out to taste what is the difference.
Read more: Tasting “Animus” Douro 2017 and “Gloria” Reserve Douro 2015
