logologo
Nicola Ann Art
  • Home
  • About
  • Commercial Photography
    • Architectural
    • Dental
    • Commissioned
  • Art
    • Abstract Art
    • Original Art Prints
    • Digital Art
    • Fine Art Photography
  • Photo-Journal
  • Instagram
  • Contact
May 17
by Nicola in Beach, The United Kingdom 0 comments tags: beach, English seaside, Essex, Leigh-on-Sea, Nicola Ann Art, Nicola Beykirch, Southend-on-Sea

Out of lockdown straight to Leigh-on-Sea

The moment the lockdown guidelines eased, we emerged from the North London suburbs and headed straight for Leigh-on-Sea. The sea! Someone said, “Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, is a town full of unique character and charm and is a must-see when visiting Southend-on-Sea.”  The sea. Having grown up with the Indian Ocean at my toes, being near the sea is like home to me. I can’t quite put my finger or should that be toes? on it, but there’s something peculiarly different about the seaside along the coast from Bell Wharf Beach to Southend-On-Sea when compared to other English seaside towns. Could it be the… mmm… dense, sinking-mud? ALL ALONG THE SOUTH COASTAll along the south coast the sea is sort of there. The sun is sort of shining through a sort of salt-sea air. There’s a sort of “shall we” or “shan’t we”, a sort of “yes” or “no”, A sort of rolling up of trouser legs and a dipping of the toe. All along the south coast the day is sort of bright. At least it’s sort of brighter than it sort of is at night, A sort of “should we” or “could we”, a sort of “yes” or “no”. It […]
Read More
Feb 24
by Nicola in Adventure, Beach, Cities, Sailing, Travel 2 comments tags: Adventure, beach, BeanOn Photography, Gelato sandwich, Published Work, Sailing, Sailing Today Magazine, Sicily, The Med

Sailing Today Magazine Hot Off The Press

A Med-Time Story Majorca To Malta: Island Hopping On A Grand Scale By Nicola Beykirch Published  By Sailing Today Almost a year had passed before stepping back on the deck of Bella Rose, our year old Oyster 545. Berthed at Palma, Majorca for the winter, we couldn’t wait to throw off the bowlines, once again crisscrossing the Mediterranean…
Read More
Jan 10
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Beach, Travel 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, beach, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Indian Ocean, Malongane, Mozambique, Off-road, Ponta, Ponta do Ouro, Ponta Malongane, Rugged Terrain, South Africa, Zululand

Offroad adventure of a Lifetime around South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland

A total of two thousand and five hundred kilometres turned into an off-road adventure of a lifetime around South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. Completed in a speedy nineteen days.   From 20th December 2018 to 7th January 2019 we spent three-quarters of the time off road than on road in my 4×4, deliberately seeking off the beaten tracks, tracks invisible on Garmin GPS. Forget Google Maps and Waze! Unless you have endless time to get back on track. If only…   Naturally, I expected to be excited by the trip. New places to explore, different cultures to experience; so much of the unknown to delve into. My expectations were dull in comparison to the constant stream of stimulation engulfed at every turn, wishing every moment would last so much longer.   Three countries: two out of the three I hadn’t set foot in | Two provinces, almost opposite ends of South Africa | Exploration of surf and turf | Beaches | Surfing | Luxury | Rustic | Gourmet | Basic | Braaied fish | R&Rs | Peri-peri | Unforgiving heat | Dripping humidity | Rural | City | Welcoming natives | Friendly foreigners | Electric thunderstorms | Blinding rain | […]
Read More
From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney
Jun 14
by Nicola in Adventure, Beach, Nature, Sunset, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Adventure, Australia, beach, BeanOn Photography, Byron Bay, Early morning, Evans Head, Exploring, Hat Head National Park, Nambucca Heads, nature, New South Wales, Seal Rocks, Sunset, Sydney, Wildlife

From Naughty Nimbin to Sydney, NSW, Australia

From Naughty Nimbin (to Sydney), we returned to Byron Bay for a swim in the calm sea, still not quite able to fathom why this place was again overcrowded with major traffic problems. Yes, it had beautiful beaches but so did most of Sydney’s north coast.   Evans Head At Evans Head, a one-horse town compared to Byron Bay, we spent the night on an island overlooking the quaint harbour, in between where the boats docked. The stunning sunset, silhouetting the moorings, added to the tranquil feel of the place.   Nambucca Heads Waking to heavy rain and wind that rocked the van, we set off early-ish the following morning and enjoyed a lunch over looking the river at Nambucca Heads, where the weather had cleared. Inspecting the 500 meters of rock gallery, we strolled along The Vee Wall to the pristine and uncrowded beaches beyond at Shelly Beach. Surprisingly, I spotted another two aboriginal people!   Hat Head National Park Our next night’s rest landed us at Hat Head National Park. With only three other cars around in the park, and a few wallabies, we almost had the place to ourselves. The heavens opened again which prevented us from […]
Read More
May 11
by Nicola in Cities, Hiking, Nature, Sunset 1 comments tags: Adventure, beach, BeanOn Photography, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Peninsula, Cape Point, Cape Town, Chapman's Peak, Exploring, Hout Bay, Indian Ocean, nature, Off-road, Sea Point, Simon's Town, South Africa, Sunset, Western Province

Would you live in Cape Town?

After my recent trip to Cape Town someone asked me, Would you live in Cape Town? I answered immediately. Without a second’s hesitation, I said, “No!”   Cape Town is unreservedly South Africa’s most beautiful city!   Wholeheartedly, I agree. Cape Town is clean, visually pleasing; the government go out of their way to attract tourists; the people of Cape Town, the locals respect their government; the taxis are well behaved, road users stop at red traffic lights and are polite. Okay, perhaps the reason for such a well run province – the Western Cape – is because the ANC (African National Congress) does not dominate. The majority of the Western Cape are not black and so the DA (Democratic Alliance) are in power, which apparently says it all.   However, when Cape Town experiences a cold front, it suddenly turns atrocious. The dreadful winters feel like they are as long lasting as the UK’s winters. And I would not know what to do with myself in a place that only offered cold oceans. Even a 20mm dry suit wouldn’t get me into such icy waters. And I don’t think I could survive without surfing, not again.   Did you […]
Read More
Jan 29
by Nicola in Beach, Durban, Sunrise 2 comments tags: beach, BeanOn Photography, Durban beach front, Early morning, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, Moyo Ushaka Pier, North Beach, sea, South Africa, Sunrise, uShaka Beach, uShaka Pier

Habanero-hot welcome back to Durban

What a warm, actually habanero-hot welcome back to Durban. And I’d left London the day after the snow had settled overnight. With Emirates, from London Gatwick to Dubai and then finally Durban, the flight path permitted me to take in kilometre after kilometre of the rich-blue Indian Ocean bubbling below. What a sight after eighteen hours of flying time and three-hours wait in Dubai. Never mind the nine months of being away. It felt as though I was away for much longer but from the moment I stepped off the plane it felt as if I had never left; the epitome of home.   I don’t know how but I resisted (resistance is usually futile) snapping the sunrise at uShaka Beach my first morning at home. Well, to be honest the need to catch-up on sleep triumphed and I ventured down to the beachfront for the sunrise the second morning after my arrival.   My brain failed me momentarily, but it was 5am after all. I forgot that during the summer months the wall of the harbour mouth blocked the sunrise and it didn’t rise directly in front of the pier. I’ve since discovered the incredible SunCal, informing me that on […]
Read More
Oct 11
by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Beach, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 4 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, Atlantic Ocean, beach, BeanOn Photography, Big 5, Big Daddy, Big Mamma, Damara Granites, Dune 7, Elephants, Etosha National Park, Exploring, Fish River Canyon, Moon Landscape, Namib Desert, Namibia, nature, Off-road, ostriches, Rugged Terrain, Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei, South Africa, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Wildlife, Windhoek, Zebra

Return to Namibia

Finally I get to visually return to Namibia… I thought I’d lost all my photographs from the first time I arrived in the UK, September 2000, until around 2012, just after I returned to South Africa. My external hard drive had crashed, devouring all my photos from every trip I’d been on while living in Europe: Thailand, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and the list goes on. Devastated was not the word…   The other day my friend mentioned he had a copy of every photo I’d taken while we travelled together. Of course! I’d sent him a copy of our memories after every trip, and he’d done the same for me.   Right now I couldn’t be more delighted. I’ve started going through our Namibia trip and the only problem is I want to return with my more professional camera kit – I, after all, upgraded from a Canon to a Nikon – and experience every moment again. Somebody twist my arm!   The first time I visited Namibia was for a friend’s wedding in 2006 and I promised myself I had to return.   Two years later, (I can’t believe it’s seven years ago) I […]
Read More
Jun 19
by Nicola in Beach, Dubai, Nature, Swimming 0 comments tags: beach, BeanOn Photography, Dubai, Dubai Sailing Club, Early morning, Exploring, free beach, Jumeirah open beach, nature, running track, Umm Suqeim

Dubai Diary: A Free Beach

My Dubai Diary: A Free Beach, a total of 4 days experiencing Dubai, that’s too hot to handle.   We explored Jumeirah open beach, the free stretch of sand running the length of Umm Suqeim (known as Kite Beach due to its popularity with the city’s kite-surfers) to Dubai Sailing Club.   At 8am, with the temperature a mere 35 degrees Celsius and stifling humidity, we walked for about 9kms along the wooden walk way and soft, spongy running track, awash with joggers. If I were even to attempt a run along the track I’d definitely start before the sun rises at 5:30am.   As the searing heat drained the last drop of moisture from my body, we caught an air-conditioned taxi back to where we’d started. I’ve never in all my life appreciated air-conditioning. Even during Durban’s summers I’d refrain from sleeping in air-conditioning and settle for a fan. But not here… Not even if one paid me. Should I ever visit again it shall be during their winter, which is around 25 degrees Celsius, a more comfortable temperature indeed!   The rules of the beach included no wearing of swimming gear beyond the sand; male and female changing huts […]
Read More
Mar 31
by Nicola in Nature, Sunset, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: Adventure, beach, BeanOn Photography, electric storm, Indian Ocean, running, sea, storm, Sunset, Umdloti beach, wild sky

Wild Sky at Umdloti Beach

As I start running along the beach after work, late afternoon, the sky suddenly darkened, turned wild, a wild sky, south of Umdloti while north had the light radiating from above.   A few strides later a thunderstorm rumbles and crackles, enveloping my senses. Never had I seen the sky so angry and stunning at the same time; the waves in rhythm to the storm’s roar.   I stood below it, taking in every colour, flash, sound and smell – feeling the heat, steaming humidity and rain drops sizzle against my skin – until my brain kicked in and moved aside the adrenaline.   What on Earth are you doing, nutter? Get back to shelter, get your phone and capture the moment – before being stuck by a lightning fork – as best as you can using a not so great camera-phone. Why did I leave my DSLR at home today? Why…   Any photos are better than nothing, right…?   To be amazed by nature; to allow nature to amaze; its power; its wildness – a wild power that commands respect!
Read More
Recent Posts
  • Voyage Unveiled: Sailing Dream from Gibraltar to Israel
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
Recent Comments
  • Percival on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Nicola on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Nicola on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
Archives
  • September 2023
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Categories
  • 4×4
  • Adventure
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Back2Blighty
  • Beach
  • Black & White
  • Cities
  • Custom furniture
  • Cycling
  • Dubai
  • Durban
  • Exhibition
  • Fashion
  • Hiking
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Lifestyle Portrait
  • London
  • Nature
  • Not-for-profit
  • Off-Road
  • on the Rock camera club
  • on the Rocks camera club
  • People
  • Photo shoot
  • Promotions
  • Rugby
  • Safari
  • Sailing
  • South Africa
  • Street Photography
  • Sugarcane
  • Sunrise
  • Sunset
  • Swimming
  • The United Kingdom
  • Travel
  • Umdloti beach
  • Uncategorized
  • Wildlife
Archives
  • September 2023
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Recent Posts
  • Voyage Unveiled: Sailing Dream from Gibraltar to Israel
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
Copyright © 2013 - 2023 Nicola Ann Art. All Rights Reserved.