Partial Bicycle Reflection

Reflection shots are part of the armoury of images snapped by the photographer-about-town with his dinky little digital gadget. Actually I'm sure I took the above with my D70 which is definitely not the least bit dinky or a particularly subtle piece of apparatus. I had a contretemps with a very rude and ill-bred woman in Cirencester earlier this year after her daughter managed to walk into it as it hung from my shoulder - hopefully it taught the child to look where it was going.

Today's image, which was shot in Aigues-Mortes, features a bicycle, possibly one of the most photogenic of man's inventions, way ahead of the motor car and only slightly behind the steam engine (why anyone would want a car in a photograph is beyond me, other than as a reflective surface for some more interesting subject).

If I could be bothered I might succumb to the urge to photoshop out the brightly lit leaves on the right; since I can't be, I won't.

Retail Park

There is very little positive that you can say about the Maybird Retail Park in Stratford-on- Avon. It combines hideous architecture with a nondescript and depressing array of shops. If you keep your back to it, however, it is possible to find something verging on the photogenic. Looking out across the car park just after sundown, the blight is obscured and nature holds sway.

Coffee

I've already written about my coffee addiction. I'm pleasantly surprised by how much better the British are getting at producing a decent brew. Even some of the big chains like Costa can come up with something presentable, to my taste buds, at least. The restaurants in John Lewis and Waitrose stores are consistently superior to more run-of-the mill establishments. However small independents can usually better them - locally that would be the 'Pastry Case' in Pershore, 'Pepper & Oz' in Malvern and an unpretentious little cafe in Ludlow that I can't remember the name of (I was PDA-less that day).

The standard is still set abroad. I began my quest in the 1980s after a visit to a small patisserie in Chateau Gontier in France. The peak so far has been achieved by Cafe Creme in Woollahra, Sydney which uses Toby's Estate Coffee. At home I'm into Taylor's of Harrogate's Christmas Blend, purchased from Capers in Pershore.


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Pretzels

I have a reputation as a human dustbin with an abhorrence of wasted food. It appears that others do not always follow my example. Still it's probably for the good - these snacks are pretty revolting, full of salt and artificial flavourings. Best not made at all.

Civic Sculpture

In many towns and villages the only sculptured objects outside the church are the war memorials, most of which were erected after the Great War. They take many forms from simple tablets to large set-pieces. Early examples often used war paraphernalia such as cannon captured from the enemy.

I'm always taken with the elegance of those employing a winged figure representing 'Immortality'. In January I published an image of an example in Pershore Abbey in my yearly journal. Today's was taken a few days ago in Skipton in Yorkshire.

Birthday Boy

December 1st

It is about now that those of us who celebrate Christmas should be thinking of giving it some consideration - nothing too hasty, just some thought to the festive opportunities ahead. Unfortunately the supermarkets, department stores, DIY sheds, garden centres and the like have been pushing it down our throats since as early as September; I can single out Notcutts as a particular offender.

Commercial greed and stupidity will always overcome tradition if we allow it to. The last day for posting to the farthest corners of the earth (other than perhaps Antartica) is in the second week of December - plenty of time to buy that pair of socks with animated reindeer that you're sure Uncle Darren in Tuvalu will appreciate. Don't buy anything before today. Don't do it, you know it makes sense! Make Christmas special again!