A DIFFERENT VIEW - Mini-series Part 1 - AMSTERDAM

Whether I'm looking for subject matter for a travel article or a piece of fiction, I like to keep an eye open for fresh viewpoints. 

As well as writing notes, photos are a useful tool (and essential for travel features).

Take Amsterdam. 

We expect to see those iconic images... canals and bicycles perhaps?

Or how about a cheese shop?

Or an establishment in the famous Red Light District?


















The last thing you might expect to see is a heron.

Or a boat complete with its own private floating sun deck and garden.

Or one with a rooftop garden.














And yet I took all these photos in Amsterdam.

Okay, so this was on the edge of the city...














As was this bee on a flower, but these photos show Amsterdam from a different, fresh view that you may not have seen before.

I hope you've enjoyed this first post in my new mini-series: 'A Different View'.

I'm away in South America right now, hopefully gathering lots of material for my writing. 
In the meantime, do please leave a comment and I promise I'll respond on my return in March.

BEING LOST... IN VENICE - Part 2

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HERE'S HOPING 2017 LIVES UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS!


To continue with my Venice trip...

One of the joys of exploring this city was the constant surprises.

Who could have dreamt what was hidden at the end of this fairly dreary looking street?

And never mind the well worn tourist trail - I'm more interested in looking at normal Venetian life.










In the lead up to Christmas, these Venetians hadn't got around to decorating their Christmas Tree.

Walking the dog takes on a new meaning as I observed this owner clambering out of his boat while his dog patiently waited.

I loved this wonderfully 'untouristy', slightly beaten up looking cafe.

I did ask this Gondolier's permission, so I think his expression is due to the cold and not from me taking his photo.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and would love to hear your thoughts.

I'm going away on a fairly long trip to South America in a couple of weeks, so I'll leave a few scheduled posts to pop up during my absence. 

It's going to be a low-tech trip because I want to concentrate on being in the moment instead of obsessing over whether I can find a wifi signal! So I won't be responding to any comments or visiting any blogs until I return in March. I hope you understand.