Map Pictures

Kara's Wave, 2009, 24 x 36 inches

Fiona's wave, 2006, 48 x 77 inches

I love maps and can get engrossed into an  atlas, studying the countries, oceans, islands and continents.   These map collages are incredible, created by the talented artist Matthew Cusick, from Dallas, Texas.  Source Materialicious.

Dubrovnik in the Autumn

My favourite season is autumn ... and look, right into November the weather has been fantastic (forget the interlude of the storm!). This was Sunday 14th Nov ... incredible calm sea all day and the sunset is to die for.

Dubrovnik from the top of Srd hill looks amazing.
The island of Lokrum at twilight.
The newly reopened cable car taking passengers up the hill in less than 3 minutes.
Would make fabulous wallpaper?
Sunset ... and the islands beyond Dubrovnik. Here we have the peninsula of Lapad, and the islands of Daksa, Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, Mljet and to the west - Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew).
You can see all the detailing of the fortress when located up on high!
November promises pink and purple sunsets. Hardly a ripple.
Fabulous! No trickery, no filters, just a great photo of nature

Streetlights on in Dubrovnik and on the peninsula of Lapad.
Showing Gruz harbour and the islands beyond.

The last flicker of sunset. Perhaps there was a green flash?

I am honoured to have been given these photos by my colleague Jela, who is a Croatian/Canadian, here from Toronto, a fabulous friend and a great photographer! I can imagine these images being excellent wallpaper one day ... I enjoyed the day on the terrace whereas Jela hiked up the hill to take these photos, right up until darkness! Thank you!

photos J. Begonja

Good Morning Croatia!

After our battering storms we have the calm ... a gorgeous Sunday morning, with only a few ripples. The Adriatic stayed like this all day today until sunset. Life is good!

Lillies so uplifting and standing proud in a tall vase! Gorgeous scent and great to see on a Sunday.

The Colours of the Adriatic

People say that the Adriatic Sea has a certain colour about it and stands out ... definitely it is clean and crystal clear (thanks to the current, which goes anti-clockwise and any "pollution" ends up on the east coast of Italy!).

Where I would like to be now

I took these images a couple of weeks ago ..... crystal clear waters of the swimming pool with the Adriatic and the islands behind ...... very tempting now to look at the photos, on this drizzly day.

Last week in Dubrovnik!

It's hard to believe that these summer-like photos were taken (by very talented Angeline Vincent!) only last week here in Dubrovnik. I say this as we endure strong north winds and rain now. Amazing how the weather can change. I firmly believe the weather will improve again ... it has to ... one of my colleagues insists she will go swimming again before the year is out ...

Am I mad to change?

From this .... to this! Here is the snowy scene sent by mobile from my friend in Brighton today, just where I am heading to on Sunday. Yes our Dubrovnik temperatures have dropped somewhat this week with the cold north wind, but to be experiencing snow soon is a shuddering feeling. At least British Airways are not on strike now, so air travel plans should be fine.

Sunrises and friendships

Sunrise Costa Blanca, 5th Oct 2009

Sunrise Costa Blanca, 5th Oct 2009

Sunrise Dubrovnik 5th Oct 2009

How many times do you think of someone from your past, and even talk of them, then within less than 48 hours they are in touch? Well Saturday I was talking about my former bank manager at Banco Santander in Mallorca and yesterday Lesley emailed me these beautiful sunrise photos. Lesley and Ron moved to mainland Spain in 2002 so it has been a full 7 years since I have seen them. Also coincidentally I took my own sunrise photo yesterday though from the seaside - all calm and tranquil at 0730am. Long may these 23c / 73f temps continue!

Can I live here please?

I visited a waterfront villa yesterday which is in the perfect position; with steps leading down to the sea, island and sunset views, peace and quiet .... I can just imagine morning dips here on my "private" beach. The house itself is not too large, with 3 bedrooms, and 3 guest/staff quarters, but location is everything and frontline in Dubrovnik is prime real estate! I can dream.