Embankment Views

Some more handheld shots on way home after the Fascinating Aida gig.

Fascinating Aida

I couldn't resist taking some shots of the Christmas decorations outside the Royal Festival Hall on our way to watching the magnificent 'Fascinating Aida'.   

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg0lUYHHFc ).  No tripod to hand so I had to ramp-up the ISO, hence the 'noise' but still worth taking the shots.

Ice Spy

Yesterday morning, while walking in Clayhall Park, I noticed the first signs of ice.  Unfortunately by the time I had returned home to pick-up my camera it had started to melt and so the shot was not as good as I had hoped.  I had forgotten the basic lesson of photography….always take your camera with you !

Seasons Greetings

Good to see the bright Christmas decorations lighting up the December evenings.

Stratford City shapes

Spent this afternoon watching a very good film ('Nebraska') at the Picture House in Stratford.  On leaving the cinema I  was glad that I had my camera in my shoulder bag so as to photograph this surreal art installation and part of the bus station roof….not easy given the crowds leaving Westfield shopping centre and coming my way.

Another wonderful sunrise on a clear December day.

Cutty Sark

A trip to Greenwich reminded me of the fabulous intricate rigging on the now restored Cutty Sark.  A very overcast day so I decided to shoot in B&W.

Pink Mannequin

I spotted this shop window on a cold, windy day in Loughton.  It seems a strange idea to use a naked mannequin in a shop that sells clothes…..still it is eye-catching.

Hanukiah in Loughton

Hanukah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights.  It dates back to two centuries before the beginning of Christianity.  

The word Hanukah means rededication and celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history.

The festival reminds Jews of a time over 2500 years ago when Antiochus tried to make the Jewish people worship Greek gods. A statue of Antiochus was erected in the Jewish temple and the Jews were ordered to bow down before him. The Ten Commandments forbid Jews to worship statues or idols and so they refused.

A small group of Jews called Maccabees rebelled, and after a three year war they recaptured Jerusalem. But the temple was all but destroyed.

The Jews had to clean and repair the Temple, and when they were finished they rededicated it to God. They did this by lighting the lamp (Menorah) - which was a symbol of God's presence. Only one small jar of oil was found, enough for one day, but miraculously the lamp stayed alight for eight days.

Hanukah is celebrated by lighting one additional candle on the Hanukiah (an eight-stemmed candelabrum) each day.

Wanstead Park (with Monet's garden at Giverny in mind)

Wanstead Park still retain part of its layout as the former grounds of Wanstead House.  Apart from the lake system there is the Temple and the Grotto, both built in about 1760 (now listed buildings).

Happy Hanukah

Traditional doughnuts baked to perfection at Shalom Bagel Bakery in Gants Hill.  They also make some delicious custard-filled doughnuts.