Ain't No Love

Richmond Park, Richmond, UK.

2006.

Expired medium format film.

On winter trees the fruit of rain

Is hanging trembling in the branches

Like a thousand diamond buds

And waiting there in every pause

That old familiar fear that claws you

Tells you nothing ain't no good

Then pulling back you see it all

Down here so laughable and small

Hardly a quiver in the dirt

This ain't no love that's guiding me

This ain't no love that's guiding me

No it ain't no love guiding me

No it ain't no love guiding me

(David Gray - Ain't No Love)

These pictures mean more to me than they did back then. By the time I got that film developed, it had already been expired for a few years. Like the landscapes in the photographs, memories become blurry. Some events might not have happened as we think they did. We forget facts, so our brain or imagination makes up false facts to fill in the blanks.

Solsbury Hill

Richmond Hill, Richmond upon Thames, UK.

June 2011.

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill

I could see the city light

Wind was blowing, time stood still

Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe

Came in close, I heard a voice

Standing stretching every nerve

Had to listen, had no choice

I did not believe the information

I just had to trust imagination

My heart going boom, boom, boom

"Son", he said, "Grab your things,

I've come to take you home"

(Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill)

This is my 300th blog post since I started "Running To The Light" in the late summer of 2009. I'm not planning to get cheesy now, so let me just say this much: Thank you so much for following my blog and for all the wonderful comments! I really appreciate it.

Back to business as usual now... It's been a busy twelve days since my last blog post, so here's a rather lengthy list of links I like. 

Architecture

Tusen Ramundberget restaurant

Bicycles and motorcycles

Deus Triumph Bonneville; Honda CB550 Cafe Racer (this is one of the most beautiful custom motorcycles I've ever seen); Interview with Charley Boorman; Paul Brodie.

Design

"Dutch Tap Water" carafes; Israeli stool designs by David Keller; "Manifold Clock"; "Skog" lamps.

Music

Bruce Springsteen's new single has been released this week!

Outdoor

A funny article about goats.

Photography:

Aernout Overbeeke; Andreas Ohlund; Arthur Elgort; Jason Travis' amazing "Persona" - series; Jennifer Greenburg; Joakim Eskildsen; vintage photos from a Vespa trip around Europe.

New photos coming soon, weather permitting.

Have a nice weekend!

- Dom

I Can Never Be What You Want Me To Be

Rye, East Sussex, UK.

June 2011.

You know I love you but I am shaking inside

I know I'm not going to leave here alive

I have sailed this impossible ocean

I have sailed this crazy sea

I can never be what you want,

whatever you want me to be

There is a spirit rising against
what I have become

I have to come out and choose to stay
or make my run

(Johnny Clegg)

I love England. Rye has always been one of my favourite places in the country. We often went there and I have fond memories of walking my dog on Winchelsea Beach.

One of the best things about the European Union is the right to free movement and residence. I'd love to live and work in other European countries (Denmark and Sweden, that is). Canada and Iceland as well as Israel are countries outside the EU that I would love to live in. Ultimately, however, I may end up living somewhere in Cornwall or Devon. It might not happen before I'm retired, but it sure sounds like a nice thing to me.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that England is awesome, and those of you who haven't been there yet should forget about the negative things you've been hearing about in the news or reading about elsewhere, such as the recent riots, the teenage pregnancy rates (do you remember little Alfie and his scrubber girlfriend?), the knife attacks, the chavs, the pikeys, the scousers, and an awful lot more. Instead, visit the country and be free of prejudice, for there is so much beauty to be found everywhere.

Have a great day.

- Dom

When The System Has Fallen

Polaroid taken in the churchyard

opposite Petersham Nurseries.

Richmond, UK. 2007.

I know that you are tired and weary

Seen too much to believe any more

But we have to keep moving down that long road

If we want to reach that far shore

We're on our way home to find our freedom

And I'm on my way home to find you my friend

Where we can stand in the light of the people

And breathe life into the land again

(Johnny Clegg - When The System Has Fallen)

I've been interested in politics since my teens, especially when it comes to topics such as conflicts and wars, environmental issues and the problems of third world countries. 

I've been following the Arab Uprising since the first day. I'm conservative and I believe in all that we (the western world) stand for - values such as democracy, equal rights and freedom of speech. Freedom is the most important thing... freedom to do and talk about and think just what you please. 

Everyone should get a fair chance in life... if they fuck it up, it's their own fault... but if they never get one, that's just not right. 

This is the reason why I've been happy to see the people of many Arab countries rise against their regimes. The children of those people who have fought for liberty now have a brighter future ahead of them than their parents did.

On the 20nd of October, 2011, the former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi met his demise after 42 years in charge of the country. Libya, like Egypt and Tunisia, now has a chance at democracy, and I really hope they won't end up like just another banana republic with a military government. 

Goodnight.


- Dom

Quelqun'un m'a dit

Friars Lane, Richmond, UK.

Medium format. 2007.

I'm told that fate makes fun of us,

that it gives us nothing 

and promises everything

When happiness seems to be within our reach,

we reach out and find ourselves like fools.

Yet someone told me...

That you still loved me.

Someone told me

that you still loved me.

Well, could that be possible?

(Carla Bruni - Quelqun'un m'a dit)

Near the Marlborough, Richmond, UK.

Medium format. 2007.

The photographs were taken in England, but the title of this blog post is the title of a wonderful French song. Last month's trip around Southern France introduced me to some great music.

After beating both England and Wales (in the quarter final and semi final, respectively), the French national team will be facing the All Blacks in the final of this year's Rugby World Cup (23rd of October). 

Have a nice weekend.


- Dom

Down To The River

Richmond, London, UK.

June 2011.

One of my favourite 

places in my old hometown.

Take me down

Down to the river

Down to the river

Hold my hand

Down to the river

Down to the river, Lord

(Ray LaMontagne - Down To The River)

Going Home

Rye, East Sussex.

June 2011.

In the distance day was dawning

Comes to me the early morning

Something tells me that I'm going home

The brand new sun shines bright

From the darkness fields of light

Something tells me that I'm going home

Soft the rain is gently falling

Lightly 'cross the city morning

I get the feeling that I'm going home

(Runrig - Going Home)

This is the last picture from my recent trip to England that I'm going to post. I haven't taken many pictures, and no long exposures at all. The next time I visit England, I'll go by car so I can get more out of my stay. There's a great many places I haven't visited since I've got the 5D Mark II.

I'd love to spend a whole week camping in Dartmoor, going hiking in the daytime and taking long exposures at night. I might visit Dartmoor during this year's winter break.

If you would like to see amazing photographs taken in and around Dartmoor, click here and here.

Firth Of Fifth

Dungeness, Kent.

June 2011.

Click here for more pictures.

Looking out on all that's been

On all that is 

And all that's beyond time

Here's where the world was sown

All that's grown 

And all that's passed like ghosts

(Runrig - Empty Glens)

The sands of time were eroded by

The river of constant change

(Genesis - Firth of Fifth)

Long Tall Sally

Rye, East Sussex.

June 2011.

Fore more pictures

of Rye, click here.

I'm planning to head down south to Frankfurt next week - it's been too long since I've last had a beer with my buddy Phil (he's been studying there for a year now), and I'm also planning to visit Heidelberg and the Odenwald with my friend Kaitlyn, who'll be visiting Germany for the first time. 

Blog post title taken from the song by Little Richard.

Have a nice day.

- Dom

Bed Of Roses

Richmond.

June 2011.

This wonderful cottage with its perfectly kept garden is located opposite Ham Common. To the right of the house there's a footpath that leads to Ham House, which is another nice place you should visit if you're in the area. National Trust members don't need to pay an entrance fee.

I just got back from a date with Sophie, the girl I made apple pie with last month (making apple pie is my preffered activity for a first date - it's totally innocent, but the girl is at my place anyway, so I just have to go with the flow). We went to one of our favourite restaurants, and after dinner we drove down to the Elbe River to enjoy the sunset - there's a development site from which you've got a magnificent view of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Before I left to go on the date, I had put two beers in a cool bag and hidden them behind the passenger seat so we could drink them while watching the sunset... she told me it was a romantic thing to do. I've been wooing this girl for two months now and I love how she's not in any hurry.

Blog post title taken from the song by Bon Jovi.

Goodnight.


- Dom

Glide Gently

The River Thames.

Richmond. June 2011.

Glide gently, thus for ever glide,

O Thames! that other bards may see,

As lovely visions by thy side

As now, fair river! come to me.

Oh glide, fair stream! for ever so,

Thy quiet soul on all bestowing,

'Till all our minds for ever flow,

As thy deep waters now are flowing.

(William Wordsworth)

Who Says You Can't Go Home

I spent twenty years trying

to get out of this place

I was looking for something

I couldn't replace

I was running away from the only thing

I've ever known

(Bon Jovi)

The white church opposite Ham Common.

June 2011.

Click here for 

an older picture.

Richmond.

June 2011.

Again, click here for a 

picture taken in 2007.

Please take a look at my pictures taken in Dungeness and Rye, too.

Have a great week.

- Dom

Days

Dungeness, Kent.
Abandoned boats.

June 2011.

Days I'll remember all my life

Days when you can't see wrong from right

I bless the light

I bless the light that shines on you

(Ray Davies - Days)

We used to head down to Rye and Winchelsea Beach many times on weekends, but if it hadn't been for a fellow blogger, I wouldn't have known about Dungeness. It was a foggy Sunday morning - Dungeness wouldn't have looked half as good if it had been sunny. 

Have a nice day.

- Dom

All Day And All Of The Night

Rye, East Sussex.

June 2011.

Rye has always been one of my favourite places in South East England. I didn't need to be at the airport before six o'clock, so I decided to visit Dungeness, Rye, and the designer outlet in Ashford.

The blog post title was taken from the song by Ray Davies, who played at Hard Rock Calling this past Saturday. The weather was surprisingly good (it had rained the night before), the sunset was gorgeous, and both Davies and Bon Jovi had awesome setlists. I had a great time and I don't regret having slept only four hours in two days.

More pictures coming soon...

Goodnight, and have a great week!

- Dom

Rocket To The Moon

Lake District, 2005.

Golden Gate Bridge, 2009.

35mm film.

Here hangs an open landscape

A wild and huge frontier

From a harsh and barren wasteland

Through the grave to the promised field

You came, you trapped, you charted

You laid the railroads and the schemes

And you tamed this land by enterprise

And by the power of your dreams

But you made this clan great

And you made this nation bloom

And you rose with your people

Through the new world

Like a rocket to the moon

(Runrig - Rocket To The Moon)

Transmission

Ham Common, Richmond. UK.

2006 / 2007.

Well I could call out when the going gets tough

The things that we've learnt are no longer enough

No language, just sound, that's all we need to know

To synchronise love to the beat of the show

(Joy Division - Transmission)

As time goes by, you forget a lot of stuff while some memories will stay with you forever. The places you loved the best will always look a certain way to you, hidden in the depths of your memory... captured inside some part of your brain for the rest of your life, the way not even a picture could do. 

The place above was a common sight to me; I often passed by Ham Common, looking out of the 65 bus going from Richmond to Kingston and vice versa. Me and my mates met up on Ham Common on weekends to play football (for Americans: "Me and my buddies met up on Ham Common on weekends to play soccer"). I also passed by Ham Common on my way to Murray's barbershop. 

Have a nice day.

- Dom

Town Called Malice

Ham Christian Centre.

UK. 2007.

Medium format film.

This Is England

The Yarmouth Belle. 

Richmond upon Thames, UK. 

April 2007.

Medium format.

This is England

This knife of Sheffield steel

This is England

This is how we feel

This is England

What we're supposed to die for

This is England

And we're gonna cry no more

(The Clash)

I sit in and dwell on faces past

Like memories seem to fade

No colour left but black and white

And soon will all turn grey

But may these shadows rise to walk again

With lessons truly learnt

When the blossom flowers in each our hearts

Shall beat a new found flame

(Flogging Molly)

If You Want Blood

The Docklands.

Hamburg, Germany.

January 2011.

Click here and here to see my previous
pictures of this building.

The Docklands is one of the coolest office buildings I've ever seen, seconded only by the Gherkin. Contrary to London though, Hamburg doesn't have a stunning skyline. There's quite a few new high rises being built in the City of London at the moment, such as 122 Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate Tower, and Shard London Bridge.

I've always loved the view from the Tate Modern Restaurant. Along with the British Museum and the MoMA, the Tate has always been one of my three favourite museums. The turbine hall (the Tate used to be a power station) has been used to display the Unilever series for ten years now - the one that's amazed me the most was the Weather Project.


It's no secret I'm a huge fan of architecture and interior design, so for those of you who share this interest, here's a cool blog.

30 St Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin.

London, UK.

August 2007.

Growing up in the south-west London house of an overpaid top manager, there's only two things you're ever going to be in your life. You're going to be someone who will favour money over anything - his family, his friends, his spare time, and ultimately, none of them will be left - or your family, your friends and your spare time will be your life. It is without any regrets that I've chosen to become the latter man, and traded my old TW10 postcode for a small flat in 22049, Hamburg.

Funny how some of us live it up

While others just survive

I know you do what you can

But all you ever do is time

(Johnny Clegg)

It's the curse of the working man

Givin' more and gettin' less

Doing everything he can

Cleaning up the mess

(AC/DC)

Have a great week!


- Dom

London Calling

Richmond upon Thames. 2007 archive shot.

Yesterday evening as the sun set slowly in the west, I went out for a ride on the racing cycle. By accident, I had earlier stumbled upon a book full of photographs of the English coast published by the National Trust and as I rode along empty roads, I recalled how once I had planned to hike the full length of the  Cornish Coast Path. This must've been during my first visit to Cornwall in 2002. On another visit two or three years later, I changed my plans and decided I'd ride along the path on a mountain bike. Another couple years later, I changed this plan once again; I said that one day I'm gonna drive along all of southern England's coastline. Not just the Cornish coast, but also that of Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, Somerset, and the Sussexes.

Whenever I plan a trip, I pay attention to every detail; I do a lot of research to find out where the most beautiful locations and all the archaeological and historical sites are at, and I must admit I wouldn't want to drive the route I had planned for Denmark, Norway and Sweden all on my own. It's one hell of a long drive. 

So the new plan is to drive along England's southern coast and stop in all the beautiful little villages. There's a lot of places I'd like to see again. I'm planning to spend a day or two in London too. Gonna keep you updated on this.

Have a great week!

- Dom