Something from the Japanese Alps

Another little collection from my 2025 Japan travels - this time from high in the mountains behind the gorgeous alpine village of Nozawaonsen.

A little bit of temple and a lot of concrete wall

I spent over a week exploring Tokyo (barely scratched the surface) and of all of the areas I spent time in, I’m going to say Yanaka was my favourite. It’s part of Tokyo’s “Old Town” and known for the high concentration of temples (70 something in Yanaka.) This little collection of photos includes a small part of one of those temples but is about the gorgeous surrounding concrete wall..! I love it. If you’ve been following for a while or you scroll back a few years, you’ll know, or find, that it’s not the first time I’ve professed my love for a wall and a concrete one at that.

Fixations 5

Fixations 5. Still in Adelaide (not now, at the time of taking). If you’ve been following this series of me obsessing over fairly ordinary things, you can probably tell me what I love about this little scene… but in case you haven’t, here it is… colour, obviously. Strong lines and shadows - also obvious. Perhaps less obvious is the contrasting texture of those bricks sitting alongside the smooth concrete and bitumen. And of course there’s that ever present sense of isolation. It was also the way it revealed itself to me as I made my way down the lane. Those colourful little buildings sitting amongst the surrounding concrete giants were like a little oasis in the hot Adelaide sun. That’s all.

Khun by Yoo

During last year's trip to Thailand, I stayed in an up and coming area of Bangkok, Thonglor. It's a trendy little spot with great restaurants, cafes and shops. On one of my walks I stumbled across this sales office, yes, just a sales office. The Khun by Yoo sales office, along with the condos that will eventually stand there, were designed by Yoo in collaboration with Phillippe Starck. I see an elephant...

More Paris

Still no words for Paris. It was autumn, the shadows were looong.

Paris

I have no words for Paris. Needless to say, there will be more than one post from Paris. Let's start with the views from Le Tour Eiffel.

Oxford

Oxford. A famous university city full of elegant, honey coloured buildings and a wonderful place to wander. I was there for less than a day but I could have spent many, exploring the narrow cobbled lanes and charming, bike studded university grounds. Next time.

The salt flats of Trapani

I can't tell you much about Trapani, except that I had an amazing bombolone alla Nutella at a bustling pasticceria on the way through. Trapani for me was about one thing. The salt flats. And they did not disappoint. Think shallow coastal waters, canals, windmills and mounds of snow-like, freshly harvested salt.