Sunset Viewed From My Flat

Enough of the Trees Already

I guess the conclusion I've come to, is that trees are really beautiful
and make a city bearable. Today, rode my bike to Tooting Common,
where I found this tree. I spent the whole day, like a little
kid, lying around in the sunshine and taking photographs of
interesting things. London is beautiful...when the sun actually shines.

Blue Sky

This is what I woke up to this morning.

A Beautiful Girl on the Tube

I watch her deftly tucking a chocolate-brown curl behind her ear. Her fingers are graceful and long and I can see the slightest hint of green-blue veins beneath the pale skin of her wrists. Unaware that someone has noticed her, she returns to her book, trying to read in between the impossible jerky stops and starts of the train. With her arm clinging to the rail above her head, her body dangles and sways like a marionette. From the angle at which I'm standing, so close I have to crane my neck so as not to have my cheek brush hers, I can see the outline of her breasts and a sliver of milky skin, where her shirt is riding up over her jeans. The crush of communters, struggling frantically to squeeze themselves into the stuffed compartment, means that our bodies are forced into an intimate position, like forgotten dolls or angry lovers; our arms touching, heads turned at some unnatural angle. The train lurches forward, her lips touch my dress strap, leaving a smear of gloss, like the trails left by snails. I look down, amidst her apologies, and try to wipe it off, but my fingers become sugary, smelling of some synthetic fruit; I think it's supposed to be mango. At Pimlico, I prise myelf from the writhing crowd and she squeezes my hand in a final apology; a comfortable gesture, as if she knew me. I make my way down the avenue of trees towards the Tate...all I can smell are mangoes, heady and rich.

My Last Photo of Autumnal Trees

It seems I can't get enough of Autumnal trees.  These ones were right outside the Tate.

Winter Coming

The world is full of magic tonight, in the purple winter-half-light. Forgotten train stubs dance across the station platform, mocking the shadows for their stillness. Leaves follow in the wake of passing trains,like tired swimmers. A speckled feather pirouettes on the track, dangerously close to a blue, electric flame. My hands are cold and apple-pink. A flustered magpie struts impatiently, having eyed a sequin somewhere from the spotted yellow trees...

Brighton Pier on a Rainy Day

Taken by Ed Parkinson

Man Sleeping

Taken by Ed Parkinson

Litter Snagged

Taken by Ed Parkinson

Man Reading

Taken by Ed Parkinson

Solitary Walker on Brighton Beach

Taken by Ed Parkinson

War Memorial & White Paint

This photo was taken by one of my students, Ed Parkinson.   He takes the most soulful photographs.

The Red Cross

I don't know why I like this cross...but I do.

Shadows Falling at the Station Platfrom

I'm certainly no photographer and wish I could do justice to the myriad of colour and shadow I see while waiting for my train.

Autumn Sky

The Ivy House

I found this house, bedecked in ivy turning red.

Berries

Sandwiched between two buildings, I found this patch of blue sky and bright Autumnal berries.

Beauty in the Urban Sprawl

I wanted to start this blog - to capture all the beautiful things I'm lucky enough to notice from day to day, season to season. Despite living in a crowded city, I sometimes see the most beautiful things, tucked away in the urban sprawl.