Back2Blighty Archives - Nicola Ann Art

Oct 20

by Nicola in Architecture, Back2Blighty, Cities, London, The United Kingdom 2 comments tags: Architecture, Back2Blighty, Battersea, Battersea Power Station, BeanOn Photography, Chelsea Bridge, England, The United Kingdom

Iconic Battersea Power Station

Feeling inspired after relishing other people’s art at the Affordable Art Show in Battersea, I ventured along the Thames and happily explored the in-progress renovations of Battersea Power Station. I lived in Battersea many years ago and walked over Battersea Bridge to work, ran around the Battersea Park most days and dined weekly at a cheap and cheerful Thai place where I was known by name. What a delightful surprise to return and find an elegance of eclectic architecture, sonorous and arousing; the beauty of lines. Captured by the reflections, I wanted to include only them in the post; however, all the rest of my images are as charming. A completely different space to when I last visited fourteen years ago. I vow to return to sample Mother, oh please feed me mother, all artisan products sourced directly from Italy and apparently their pizzas are to die for!

Babeny Farm Stables, Dartmoor National Park

Apr 16

by Nicola in Back2Blighty, Hiking, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Babeny Farm Stables, Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England, Hiking, horse riding, The United Kingdom

Nature Calls Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Thick, ancient wooded valleys, deep rivers with dense mosses in luminous greens and yellows are scattered throughout the wild moorlands of Dartmoor National Park. The largest open moor in southern England protects Dartmoor’s ‘little five’: blue ground beetle, marsh fritillary butterfly, cuckoo and ash black slug. There are two reasons I’d merrily return to dramatic Devon. First, horse riding through the moorland. We chose Babeny Farm Stables’ pub ride that gave us three hours in the saddle. A pity the weather limited our cantering through the boggy open moors. At least it limited the amount of people out and about too and provided a rather imtimate experience Second, Bovey Castle surrounded by 275 acres of Dartmoor National Park with deer and ponies amidst the rolling hills.

Mar 20

by Nicola in Back2Blighty, Black & White, Hiking, London, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, blizzard, England, Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Village, ice, nature, snow, Sunset

Let it snow London

Let it snow London; blizzards of heavy snow hit London three times this past winter, from December 2017 until end of March 2018, almost springtime. The last time I experienced snow settling in London was during January / February 2011. What a pleasure trudging through Hampstead Heath, up towards Kenwood House and around the ponds and the village during all three snow-dumps.

Feb 14

by Nicola in Adventure, Architecture, Back2Blighty, Beach, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Llandudno, nature, North Wales, Rugged Terrain, seaside resort, The United Kingdom, Wales

Llandudno, seaside resort, North Wales

Based at Llandudno North Wales, it really wasn’t such a good idea trying to climb Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales at an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, middle of February and especially when it’s snowing. Taking heed of the warning: “Ice axe and crampons are essential! Wind gusts 80mph! Feels like -15℃” Ouch! No thank you. If only I’d brought my crampons! Sometimes resistance is fruitful. Out of the snow and icy cold, Llandudno, a beautiful Victorian seaside resort at the foot of Great Orme, North Wales, proved a delight to explore. Affectionately known as the Queen of the Welsh Resorts, it boasts some of the most elegant seafront architecture in Britain.

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: Kirkstone Pass, Lake District

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: Whaligoe Haven

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: John O'Groates

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: Dunnet Head

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: Cairngorms National Park

Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head: Yorkshire Dales

Impromptu Road Trip from London to Dunnet Head

With a change of plans over the festive period, we bravely set off on an impromptu road trip from London to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain, Scotland. Heading to Scotland we travelled through the Lake District, exploring Kirkstone Pass; Lybster; Whaligoe Haven where the famous Billy Connolly filmed part of his television series titled The World Tour of Scotland; John O’ Groats; Dunnet Head; North West Highlands, Inverness; Cairngorms National Park with the snow-capped CairnGorm mountain range where disappointed skiers turned to sledging. Such serene vistas almost all looked fake, too perfect. Lost in its beauty, I experienced another side to Scotland (Fort William and Ben Nevis previously posted) that appealed to all of my senses in dramatic force. Forcefully dramatic; dramatically forceful. Four days later, the journey back to London took us through the Yorkshire Dales with miles of moors, valleys, waterfalls, hills and stone-built villages. Remote, rugged and rejuvenating, travelling the UK during the Christmas holidays proved to be an adventure that has to be repeated. With only Indian or Chinese restaurants open or rather still with availability at the last minute, I didn’t mind eating Indian food two nights in a row. […]

Wood statue in front of Glenfinnan Viaduct

Nov 09

by Nicola in Architecture, Back2Blighty, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Adventure, Architecture, Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Glenfinnan, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Harry Potter, nature, Scotland, Scottish Highlands, The United Kingdom

Glenfinnan Viaduct Made Famous by Harry Potter

Made famous by Harry Potter, Genfinnan viaduct is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 380m, and crosses the River Finnan at a height of 30m. The Hogwarts Express calls at Glenfinnan in the second and third Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secret and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The impressive 21 semicicular spans of 15m mass concrete are built on a curve of 241m. An image speaks a thousands words and more…

Ben Nevis, Scottish Highlands

In Edinburgh, the day before my Ben Nevis adventure, a street photographer warned me about the hike. “It’s steep at the start, in the middle and at the end. And it’s mostly steps, steep slippery steps. It’s tough, tougher than you could imagine.” Nonsense, I said to myself. How bad could it be, really?! After all I’d whizzed up Sani Pass (starting at 1544m and rises 1332 vertical meters to summit at 2876m) and Table Mountain (1,086 metres above sea level). Ben Nevis stands at 1352m above sea level, not that much higher than Sani Pass. The gradient only being 15 percent steeper. What’s 15 percent in the grand scheme of things, right? Well… Only after reading the article discovered on Walkhighlands about the hike, I thought much better of it. Perhaps Steve, the street photographer, wasn’t exaggerating after all. And not training for the walk was perhaps a little unwise from my side. From Fort William, a town nestled along the shores of Lock Linnhe, in the western Scottish Highlands, we accessed Ben Nevis. The United Kingdom’s highest peak. With the ground wet, rocks glistening, and the mist lifting at the beginning of the hike, the two of […]

Oct 05

by Nicola in Architecture, Back2Blighty, Cities, London, The United Kingdom, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, England, Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, Great Britain, Millennium Wheel, South Bank, Sunset, The London Eye, The United Kingdom, world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel

Coco-Cola London Eye – Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel

United Kingdom’s most popular paid for visitor attraction happens to be the Coco-Cola London Eye. Offering an unrivalled experience while absorbing the stunning vistas of the city, what’s there to beat it? Actually… Recently the 244m The Shard with its The View from The Shard has surpassed the 135m London Eye, but The Shard, is after all, not Europe’s tallest building as the London Eye is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel. One can definitely boast with “Guess what I’ve just done? Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel!” Exactly! Without having to queue, being afforded a dedicated entrance with ninety percent fewer people, a Fast Track ticket was definitely worth its weight in gold. Especially during a balmy autumn afternoon below an unblemished sky an hour before sunset, how could it be resisted? Having experienced “the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel”, sometimes known as the Millennium Wheel, many years ago – twelve to be exact – I didn’t expect to feel as in awe of the trip this time round. Alas, with my expectations exceeded, I relished in appreciating every second of the rotating Coco-Cola London Eye, taking thirty minutes, while displaying the surrounding beauty that creates London. I feel […]

Sep 16

by Nicola in Back2Blighty, Hiking, Nature, Sunset 0 comments tags: Alton Barnes White Horse, Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, Chalk Countryside, Exploring, Pewsey Downs, Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve, Sunset, The United Kingdom, Wiltshire

The Pewsey Downs – Peace at its most tranquil

I relished half a day wandering up and down the luscious Pewsey Downs, discovering peace at its most tranquil. Deliciously hot and humid – mid September in Britain – a mild heat wave upon us, a day before the flash floods; encircled by sheep, a bleat here and there; a family hiking in the distance; invigorating pollution-free air and a helicopter flying low, its throbbing engine the only sound out of place. On the southern edge of the Marlborough Downs, the Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve delivers impressive views of the chalk countryside, famous for the Alton Barnes Whitehorse – learn more about the horse here. A sunset so vivid, its light changing the shape of the clouds at each blink of the eye: wispy, soft watercolour streaked clouds to the left of the setting sun, a sun resembling the sweetest, juiciest mango and strong clouds as though balls of paint are exploding through the darkening indigo sky to the right. Everything reflected below in puddles of water dotted around the recently ploughed fields. Its beauty left me mesmerised – a perfect way to end a flawless day. When the weather’s good, the English countryside is a […]

The Lady's Bridge, The Kennet & Avon Canal, Wiltshire

Aug 09

Kennet & Avon Canal, Wiltshire, The United Kingdom

Since my arrival in West Stowell, Marlborough of Wiltshire, a week ago, I discovered a pleasant walk to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Wilcot by avoiding all roads. Oh how I adore off-road! With the warm sun heating my bones and gilding everything in it’s path, beneath a bright blue sky, I set off on my journey of exploration: Over the fence at the end of the property; through the corner of the field with the heifers and a lone bull (must research how fast a cow or bull can run – anyone know?); a hop over the fence in to the next field, around the outskirt of lush grass; under a fence; another climb over a fence coated in barbs, in to a wheat field stretching for kilometres; along the bare meter-wide track through the middle of the wheat; over the final fence and on to the canal path. For at least an hour along the water’s edge, I hiked with many pauses in between to take photographs of all that caught my eye, hoping most of it’s the creative one. And we can all be the judges… Not long to go now… The row […]

Apr 30

by Nicola in Adventure, Architecture, Back2Blighty, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Architecture, Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, England, Exploring, haunted Stacklands Retreat House, Kent countryside, Sevenoaks Chronicle (UK), The United Kingdom, West Kingsdown

Sevenoaks Chronicle – Haunted Stacklands Retreat House

Towards the end of April a reporter from the Sevenoaks Chronicle (UK) approached me after discovering my blog piece on the haunted Stacklands Retreat House – original post here – requesting more information and permission to use my photography taken of the haunted derelict. The derelict is soon to be demolished. Read more of the article here or view it below.

Jan 22

by Nicola in Architecture, Back2Blighty, Cities, London, The United Kingdom, Uncategorized 2 comments tags: Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, Canary Wharf, London, Piccadilly Circus, The Shard, The United Kingdom, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square

London Calling

The entire day spent photographing around London (two days before I left for South Africa) and I didn’t manage to shoot all on my list. I’d run out of time. Perhaps it’s a sign for me to return, use that return ticket of mine and enjoy the UK’s summer. But only the summer… At Canary Wharf my friend asked a security guard, one of many security guards spotted strolling around the wharf, about photographing the shopping centre. Apparently, all in the name of terrorism, we needed a permit to take photos inside and outside of the mall. Obtained from the management of the shopping centre, we had to apply online – advised in order to avoid a hefty fine up to £100k, depending if they could prove we were using the shots for promotional purposes. “You have pro equipment and look like pros,” he said. Out in the open, I spotted a security guard standing outside a building I wanted to photograph, and so I asked him if it was okay; as long as I wasn’t going to be filming, and we were not hanging around taking millions of photos. Just as I’d finished setting up and leaned forward […]

Chichester Marina & Cathedral

“Where shall we explore today?’ “Umm… How about lunch at the nearest marina? In desperate need to see the sea.” I grabbed my laptop, clicked on Google, searched ‘nearest marina to Guildford’ and one of them happened to be Chichester Marina set in the beauty of a natural harbour. “And then we can visit Chichester Cathedral too!” Apparently Chichester Marina is “…the most desirable marina on the South Coast.” Who am I to argue? Actually, it impressed us all; however, I haven’t seen many others along the south coast of England to compare against. The highly recommended The Boat House Café on Trip Advisor fulfilled all expectations. A beautiful setting overlooking the hundreds of boats moored at the marina. We enjoyed a pleasant walk, admiring the catamarans, yachts, sailboats and dinghies while working up an appetite before devouring platefulls of fresh, mouthwatering seafood. With sated stomaches, we ventured in to town to view the impressive Chichester Cathedral. A warm welcome greeted us, and we were encouraged to join the tour that had just begun; instead, we decided to take in the awe-inspiring 20th-century paintings, sculptures and stained-glass below the tall arches on our own. The […]

Jan 09

by Nicola in Back2Blighty, Hiking, Nature, Sunset, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: Back2Blighty, BeanOn Photography, cattle, England, Exploring, fox, Guildford, Hiking, nature, semi-rural village, Sunset, Surrey, The United Kingdom, woods

A few moments worthy of photographing

As I was about to put on my trainers for a run through the woods, the heavens, yet again, released its floodgates. Over the past couple of weeks, during a rather damp festive season that’s crept in to the New Year, I’d managed to steal a few moments worthy of photographing. With five days left, my time here in this quaint, semi-rural village in Guildford is soon to end. If only it would stop raining until after the day I leave so that I may enjoy one, just one, mud-free run through the woods. I suppose I should carry on dreaming… But soon, so soon I can feel the heat already, I’ll be back in Durban with humidity warmer than an incinerator – the type of weather I’ve never found fault with. Having an ocean less than a kilometre away, solves many issues accompanying overheating.

Dec 25

by Nicola in Back2Blighty, Hiking, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments

Merry… A Saffa’s UK Christmas

A Saffa’s UK Christmas went a little something like this. Before I begin, Merry Christmas to all those whom celebrate and a Merry Festive Season for all those who’d rather hide their faces until all this malarkey’s done with. Last Wednesday a friend visited me here in a semi-rural village outside Guildford town, and upon departing handed me a box wrapped in Father Christmas and reindeer paper. “You’re to wait until Christmas day!” Yes, Sir! I did. I made it. Excitement gripped me while I began shredding the paper. As soon as I realised what it was I couldn’t stop laughing. My friend had bought me the same present, for Christmas, exactly 10 years ago. He’s recently commenced ‘early’ retirement so I should perhaps consider forgiving him this round. All the free time has clearly knocked out a few memory cells… Ever since my arrival in Guildford, 26th November to be precise, I’ve been cooking meals in the form of Master-Chef-Winner-Michelin-Star variety on a daily basis. No exaggeration. I couldn’t recall when last I’d prepared dead animal flesh (being a vegetarian, vegan and pescetarian most of my life this may come as a surprise to most) and now […]