Changing Skyline

Just one picture today as I leave London and head back home, tired and with sore feet (I have walked miles).

This view was taken looking east from Waterloo Bridge and shows the changing skyline with the historic St Paul's cathedral and other more modern office blocks  and skyscrapers including 20 Fenchurch St, The Cheese grater or the Leadenhall Building and of course the Shard.

Just up he road from where I took this shot is the famous Lyceum Theatre where the Lion King musical is performed. I remember visiting the Lyceum back in 1982 with a group of friends from college when we went to see the Kinks perform. It was a great night.

The city has changed such a lot since then.

World Heritage Night

My third view of Liverpool at night. I love this panorama of Liverpool's illuminated waterfront. I have kept quite a lot of the river in the foreground because I like the reflected glow. 

I first came to Liverpool in 1990 and in the past 27 years the city has changed so much. There has been lots of investment and growth in the city centre and gradually the development is  moving outwards. The skyline has changed and the famous three graces (The Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building) have become surrounded by some amazing new buildings. 

On one side there are hotels and offices and on the other there is the fantastic Open Eye Gallery at Mann Island and on the waterfront there is the Museum of Liverpool. I love the city and I am proud to be here. I love this view and hope you enjoy it too.

World Heritage Site

A little while ago I was asked if I had any pictures of the Liverpool waterfront and I realised that I didn't so this weekend I went down to the riverside to practice getting some shots of the skyline. The sky was really overcast, it was very windy and it was bitterly cold so far from ideal conditions but I think the clouds make a dramatic backdrop.

The skyline along Liverpool's waterfront have changed dramatically over the past 20 yearsor so with the development of high rise hotels and apartments, the museum of Liverpool and the Open Eye Gallery, modern architecture contrasting with the elegance of the famous "three graces".

I will be going back to take more pictures another day, but hopefully when conditions are a bit brighter.

Disney Magic

Here's a little bit of magic and sparkle for a Monday to get your week off to a bright start.

This is my first attempt at photographing fireworks and I know they're not the best shots possible but they could be a lot worse. My problem was that I hadn't set the focus quite right or perhaps I had the shutter open a fraction too long and that allowed too much camera shake. But hey I shouldn't put myself down, for  first attempt I'm fairly pleased.

The Liverpool waterfront is a spectacular sight and for one night only the Disney Magic Cruise Liner was moored at the Pierhead and just before it's departure the crowds on both sides of the Mersey who had turned out to see were treated to a short firework display. 

You can see just how big the ship is in comparison to the three graces  (The Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port Of Liverpool Building) just ahead of its' bow in the first picture. 

The number of kids (and big kids) drawn to see this, because it's Disney was quite something and I am sure that the next time it comes in there will be more people to welcome it.

As for me, well I will be looking out for more firework displays so that I can get some more practice. I am sure that I can get some cracking shots if I try a bit harder next time.

Classical Florence

Florence is a really beautiful city with some classical architecture and today's pictures show some of the more recognisable sites.  Over the next few days I think I will post some shots of less well known spots and some images of the city at night, but for today you have il Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.  I think today  the fourth picture is my favourite as I like the narrow streets and the glimpse of the dome is quite special.

The Ponte Vecchio seemed to draw lots of visitors to the gold merchants and jewellers and it really is worth visiting.  My son and I re-enacted a scene from Assassin's Creed with me throwing a stone at him, and striking him on the face to enhance the experience.

Did you know that there is a "hidden" tunnel along the top of the bridge? It allowed the Medici access from one side of the river to the other without having to encounter the people of the city.  Originally the shops on the bridge housed butchers and other groceries but the Duke of Medici didn't like the smell so had them all evicted and insisted that the gold merchants move in and that is who is there today.