A few snaps
Atlanta about to make a wish
I have disappeared off the blogging radar in recent times. This has been largely due to a combination of being very busy and a lack of inspiration when windows of opportunity do arise.
I took the neglected Nikon out yesterday for my niece Savannah’s Communion celebrations and some of those photos are below.
I have also included a few snaps I took on a couple of the other rare occasions I have briefly taken the camera out lately.
Hopefully, this post will kickstart more regular photo taking and posting.
Savannah puts her shoes back on to restore the full Communion outfit after a spin on the bouncy castle
One of the many colourful flowers in my mother’s garden
If you look closely into Savannah’s eye you’ll see the photographer
This tree at Johnstown Castle definitely has a story to tell
Laura’s smile. My leg
Strawberries
Laura and Savannah draw in the sand oblivious to the fact that Shauna has let a rock go behind them…
The Aftermath!
A pretty impressive rhododendron, as seen from across the lake at Johnstown Castle
A rhododendron casualty floating on the lake
Savannah and Shauna at the former’s Communion celebrations
Laura skims a stone at Cullenstown Beach
Atlanta navigates a rocky path across the water
Laura drying her hair
Rusty and I relaxing in the car boot before heading for a walk
Gianna
Savannah takes off
Neglected fountain at Johnstown Castle
Johnstown Castle
Atlanta makes her way…
To make her mark
Skerries
We took a quick spin to Skerries yesterday afternoon as it’s where the owner of the ear pictured above will be spending her working week.
And what’s a reconnaissance mission without a few photos?
A Good Good Friday
Flying a kite at Bull Island
So, with city centre cabin fever setting in, Laura and I travelled the very short distance to one of Dublin’s gems, Bull Island, yesterday, Good Friday.
It was very cold, as it has been lately, with a biting wind, but the sun was shining and the fresh, sea air was heaven-sent.
Afterwards, we stopped in across the road (almost literally) to the beautiful and somewhat underrated St Anne’s Park for a short while.
The photos aren’t great, but it was nice to get the camera back in my hands again, it has been all-too-rare lately.
But, we get an extra hour this weekend and – even though it doesn’t feel like it in this unseasonably cold weather – summer is coming.
I feel a photo-revival coming on!
The smokestacks seen from one of the bathing shelters on Bull Island
Bull Island’s Realt na Mara (Star of the Sea) statue
Laura at the end of the North Bull Wall
The Telegraph Car post on Bull Island…
… and a close up
One of the bathing shelters on Bull Island. There actually was a lady using this! She was suffering the icy waters in the hope it would help with a persistent running injury. However, while the “Gents” and “Ladies” shelters remain, the segregation doesn’t!
Laura, with Dollymount Strand in the background
Watch your step! Looking out into Dublin Bay from the top of the North Bull Wall
A dog chasing after a stone at Bull Island
St Anne’s Park
St Anne’s Park
Laura checking out the trees at St Anne’s Park
St Anne’s Park
Enjoying a walk at St Anne’s Park
Laura
And, we’re back in the city centre!
Rogue Wave!
This image was captured the split second before I got an unexpected (and very cold!) shower while taking some photos in Dun Laoghaire today.
Dublin Street Art
These two pieces of street art are located less than 100 yards from each other on North Anne Street in Dublin.
The first is really striking and, in my opinion, a really impressive and effective piece.
The second is, well, pure Dublin in many ways. The plaster fell off the brick wall in a particular way and someone saw an opportunity to bring a bit of character to it.
It makes me smile.
Prague Photo
Oops, I only went and left probably my favourite Prague photo out of my post of photos from our visit there last weekend.
This narrow and short street was tucked in behind our apartment and, apart from a lot of graffiti, it contained a photo gallery. Above the gallery door sat a lady, with a bright red heart shining out from beneath her white breast.
It’s visible in the photo, if you click through to the big version and have a closer look.
Alcohol-related websites
So I haven’t been getting out much with the camera lately unless I manage to clear out of Dodge completely for a few days, as I have been very busy, especially in work.
One of the main reasons for this has been due to managing a project to redevelop Alcohol Action Ireland’s website and to develop a new website, DrinkHelp.ie, as well as establishing a social media presence for both sites.
It’s been a very interesting project and it it at all went “live” earlier today, which is great! The usual teething problems need to be sorted, but they will be. I hope people find the new sites useful and engaging.
As many of you kindly helped me out back at the planning stages by filling in a survey I put up here, I said I would let you see how it all turned out, but I am keeping this post brief as the sites should speak for themselves – if they don’t I’m in trouble!
Feedback, as ever, is welcome! Oh and normal photographic programming will resume shortly!
Alcohol Action Ireland and its Facebook page
DrinkHelp and its Facebook page
Weekend in Prague
Images from last weekend in Prague, with Laura.
Click on any of the images for the larger versions. I have uploaded fairly big files as I feel the details in some of the buildings and landscapes are worth it.
Prague is a beautiful city.
The Crucifix and Calvary, one of the 30 impressive statues on Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge at night
I had a lot of time to appreciate Petrin Hill as it took me a long time to get down it (with bones intact) in the most innapropriate footwear for icy Prague hills!
St Vitus Cathedral
Laura enjoying a snowy Saturday morning
View from inside the Astronomical Clock Tower
Looking back towards the Old Town and our apartment for the weekend
Tram passes between the entrance to Charles Bridge (reflected in the tram door) and the Old Town
The Astronomical Clock
Charles Bridge
“Take my photo”. A view through the bridge tower to the rather unfortunately (and unfairly!) named Malá Strana, or “Lesser Town”
A night time view towards Petrin Observation Tower (a small version of the Eiffel Tower) from Prague Castle
Laura looking…
And laughing.
On the bank of the river Vltava
A view from Petrin Observation Tower
The Statue of Harmony (Sri Chinmoy). “If you can create harmony in your life this harmony will enter into vast world”
Smoke billows on the west bank of the river Vltava
Prague has some pretty great doors
Over the door decorations are common too
View towards a water mill from Charles Bridge
Looking out from the Dailborka Tower at Prague Castle
St Wenceslas
St Vitus Cathedral
The first Czech president, Vaclav Havel
Faces on their way to Charles Bridge
Old Town Square
View down the steps up to Prague Castle
St Vitus Cathedral
Snow melting on the base of a lamp post on Charles Bridge
A fountain, dating from 1560
Old Town
The Dancing House: Photo by Laura
David Černý sculpture outside the Kampa museum, which houses the permanent collection of work by the abstract artist František Kupka
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
Just another Prague building!
And another…
Okay, last one!
Another shot of my favourite statue on Charles Bridge, The Crucifix and Calvary, this time at night
Looking down from Petrin Observation Tower
Old Town
Laura jumping on Petrin Hill
The Vltava flowing under Charles Bridge
