Author Archives: Brian

Fen Landscape – Mitchell Hill Farm 2

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Brian

There is another gate opposite the entrance to the mineral workings.  It opens onto a concrete road that runs east across Chestnut Farm land to the Amey Waste Management Park, which is accessed from the A10.  This allows heavy vehicles … Continue reading →

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Fen Landscape – Mitchell Hill Farm, Cottenham 1

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Brian

I’ve been intrigued for several years by the embankment that has been thrown up along the east side of the Twenty Pence Road, Cottenham, as it approaches the bridge over the Great Ouse.  Signs on the top warn of deep … Continue reading →

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Fen Landscape – Cottenham

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Brian
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The Bather

Posted on April 20, 2024 by Brian

The Bather, Albert Toft, 1915, Victoria and Albert Museum. Toft (1862-1949) was an apprentice at the Wedgewood factory where his father was the principal modeller.  He studied at the National Art Training School (later the Royal College of Art).  A … Continue reading →

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U3AC Photo Forum 2023-24 – Week 21 Creative 2

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Brian

Today’s class was run as a practical workshop to try out creative in-camera techniques, such as double exposure, zoom burst, rotation burst, intentional camera movement and high dynamic range, introduced by Tim Ewbank at the end of last term.   We … Continue reading →

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White Tara (Sitatara)

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Brian

White Tara (Sitatara), Malla Period, 1300-1400, Victoria and Albert Museum. Tara was widely worshipped in Nepal and Tibet.  She is referred to as the Wisdom Goddess, the Embodiment of Perfected Wisdom, the Goddess of Universal Compassion and the Mother of all … Continue reading →

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Bardolph Monument

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Brian

In the south chapel of St Mary, Dennington, Suffolk, the Bardolph monument. Gilded and painted alabaster effigies of Lord Bardolph (d. 1441), who fought at Agincourt), and his wife, Joan (d. 1447).

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St Davids

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Brian

Mining the Diaries 102: Wales Arosfa, Goat Street, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, 20th June 2023. Jane went to Narberth to see friends, so I had a day to myself, a chance to explore St Davids. Despite this being my fourth visit, … Continue reading →

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Venice

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Brian

Mining the Diaries 101: Italy Casa Accademia, Fond. Bragadin 624, Venice, 20th May 2023 Awake early, I read for a bit (Where My Feet Fall, Duncan Minshull), though not really focusing.  A blackbird had called in the dawn.  Showered, out … Continue reading →

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Trieste

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Brian

Mining the Diaries 100: Italy Hotel Roma, Via Carlo Ghega, Trieste, 16th May 2023 A return to Trieste after twenty-one years. We landed at Ronchi dei Legionari mid-morning and, after a battle of wills with the ticket machine, boarded the … Continue reading →

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Durga as Mahisasuramardini

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Brian

Durga as Mahisasuramardini, Hoysala period, 1240-60, Victoria and Albert Museum. The goddess Durga represents the shakti or female energy of the god Shiva.  Here she is shown in her ferocious form as the slayer of the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura.  She … Continue reading →

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Margate

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Brian

Mining the Diaries 99: England Flat 2 57 Kingsgate Avenue, Margate 11th November 2022 We drove to Margate, parked in Westbrook, climbed down onto the Westbrook Promenade and walked east in the shadow of the former Royal Sea Bathing Hospital.  … Continue reading →

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Shutter Hub TEN

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Brian

I posted details of Shutter Hub’s call for submission around the number TEN on 21st January 2024.  Interpretations could be ‘literal, metaphorical or nostalgic’. A brief mind mapping exercise gave me 30 possible subjects from clocks to cars and green … Continue reading →

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Perfect Days

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Brian

Perfect Days is a 2023 film directed by Wim Wenders.  Hirayama works as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo’s smart Shibuya ward, across town from his modest home in an unimproved neighbourhood. He repeats his structured, ritualized life every day starting at dawn. He dedicates his … Continue reading →

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Reydon, Southwold

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Brian

Mining the Diaries 98: England Scholars Cottage, Old School Drive Reydon, 4th July 2022 A visit to Snape, a short drive south down the A12. One never knows quite what to expect at The Maltings, the temporary exhibitions of sculpture … Continue reading →

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