I do like stretching the legs and going for a good walk – rain or shine. So on a Sunday afternoon, despite the questionable weather. Thom, Laura and I decided to do the ‘Flask to Flask’ walk across Hampstead Heath. It’s simple – start at the Flask pub in Highgate Village (which is adorable – leafy streets, hills) and amble across the heath until you reach the Hampstead-side Flask. (The creation of your very own Brontë-style name as you wander up and down dale is optional – I went for Emilie Constance Beaumont, Laura went for Elizabeth Ann Kensington Darby.)
At the start, enjoy a beer or two, in the middle admire the nesting swans, say hi to the dogs, and at the end, if you end up on Flask Walk – there is a sweet little gelateria. I rewarded myself with a scoop of peanut and one of salted caramel gelato for £2.60 – yum. Luckily for us the sun did come out, and we celebrated by having an impromptu picnic next to the Hampstead ponds.
The Flask
77 Highgate West Hill, London N6 6BU
The Flask
14 Flask Walk, London NW3 1HE
by Amber on April 6, 2013
Impressions of the medina – this lot was taken on some very nice Lomography film, called Lady Grey. Marrakech, Morocco. October, 2013.
by Amber on April 2, 2013
by Amber on March 23, 2013
Non linear posting ahoy… My trip notes are starting to blur together, and I’m coming and going faster than I can post. Last week I was in Brussels for work. It was snowing heavily, and when we woke up on Tuesday we were snowed into the hotel, then ultimately, every Eurostar train was cancelled, meaning lots of hurried calls and a flight home. I had a really short but sweet time though!
My favourite Belgian things:
1. Trains – being able to catch a train from my house, under-the-sea then to Belgium in just two hours is mind-blowing.
2. Speculoos – ginger cookies in spreadable form? Yes, please.
3. Beer – cheap Kwak and Kriek in every bar, what more could you want?
4. Friendly people – Brussels sometimes feels like a cute, sweeter version of Paris.
5. Wildlife – the snow was too much for the taxi to take us further, so we walked back to the hotel past some fields… And were treated to the sight of more bunnies that one could count, frolicking in the snow.
by Amber on March 20, 2013
Upturned swappa crates, bone handled knives, flaky mushroom & mozzarella galettes, strong coffee and a fire-engine red hippo. Little and Friday is a breath of fresh air in the form of a cafe for Auckland’s sleepy Belmont neighbourhood.
I ended up here with Mon when we were on an op-shopping mission – it turns out it’s a mere eight houses away from where I grew up on Eversleigh Road. I would have never expected to find such a cool place nearby, but times/me, they are a changing. If you can, get your hands on the Little & Friday cookbook - it’s sumptuous and inspiring.
by Amber on February 28, 2013
One breathtakingly beautiful Sunday; Mon, Hank (her adorable Brussels Griffon) and I took a ferry to Waiheke Island.Only 35 minutes away from the city, Waiheke is a micro-paradise with a climate all of its own – making it perfect for vineyards and other grape related pursuits. That day, however, we were there to walk the Headland for Sculpture on the Gulf, a 2.5km walk over rolling hills and some of the most gorgeous scenery on the planet. Here are some photos I took:
Temporary; a work by Delicia Sampero.
Wildfire, by Sarah Brill.
Sheep Track, by Gina Ferguson. I loved the physical experience of this one; walking over a raw, knitted pathway, carefully considering the shape (and smell) of the new terrain.
Christian Nicolson’s Look Darling it’s Tom and Nancy - this was one of my favourites, and one of the most humorous. Nothing says sculpture has to be serious!
Sometimes I wonder why I’m going back to film (particularly while trudging up the hill to Angel in the bitter cold to get my rolls developed) . It doesn’t seem to enhance my photography skills at all. I suppose I like it for a different reason, the fact it lets me slow down, and luxuriate in the moment rather than snap-snap-snapping. Being forced to stop and think about what I’m looking at is definitely a pleasure, and I’m starting to savour the surprise of getting my photos back – all the control is long out of my hands.
by Amber on February 20, 2013
by Amber on February 11, 2013
I’ve been back in New Zealand for the last week and a half, and quite simply, it is stunning. The streets are absurdly wide and clean, the tarseal pavements are melting in the heat, and the sound of cicadas constantly throbs in the air.
I went to Omaha, and dug my toes in the white sandy beach. I visited the village market too, stocking up on my favourite olive oil soap from the Matakana Valley. Then I headed north, to the Hokianga, with my sister and my mum, to spend a few nights with my beloved Gran. This is the view from her front yard, and her astounding spoon collection:
Other than that I’ve been cruising around Auckland, catching up with dear friends and basking in the sun. There is slight change in the current cast, with a few new faces and a couple missing. But for the most part everything is the same. This is a sweet relief.
Other than catching up, it’s been a whirl of op shops, art galleries, ferry rides, cold drinks at old haunts, and double lunches. A lot of 35mm has been shot too. 6 sleeps left, don’t make me leave the sunshine (Thom, please teleport here).
by Amber on January 27, 2013
by Amber on January 26, 2013
