Just Practice

Just getting some practice in before my next photo shoot.  HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Even in the middle of winter England never lacks for vibrant color.

When it gets to the point when their noses and toes are chilled, I say "RUN" and that makes the end of a Photo Shoot even better.

Rochester Cathedral & Castle 2011

Rochester Cathedral is an ancient building with stones over 900 years old.  Just think of its history.

Bewitching Brugge, Belgium

We enjoyed some window shopping....

Beautiful views....

Belgium waffles and chocolates.....

...and some Murray family history (the founder of Clan Murray was a Flemish Knight who came from this area).

Dynamic Dover, December 2011

Words can't describe the many layers of Dover, here are my favorite photos of an amazing city!
The White Cliffs: 
"Why do the British cherish the White Cliffs of Dover so greatly?  A lot of the affection for these tall chalk ramparts was crystallized during WWII.  They resembled strong teeth bared defiantly at the enemy; they delineated the boundary of home with a decisive white slash; they sheltered fugitives from German bombing in deep tunnels.  In peacetime, seen from across-Channel steamer, their advancing shape, a porcelain wall in the sea, assured every Englishman that he was returning to his country and his comfort zone.  As Shakespeare put it in King Lear, 'There is a cliff whose high bending head/Looks fearfully in the confined deep.'  It doesn't get more iconic than that."  Christopher Somerville

The Marina:

The English Channel:

The view of Calais:

The Dover Ferry Boats chugging along the English Channel to France.

Operation Dynamo:  27 May-4 June, 338,226 Allied troops were rescued from Dunkirk and the beaches of France, safely back to British soil.  What an amazing demonstration, it deterred the Nazi Germans away from invading this Island.

A Christmas at Leeds Castle, Kent England

A Wee Christmas Nativity

A Chilly English December Day with the D. Family

You might not be able to see just how chilly this December day was, but if you look closely you can see the windows on the phone booth are iced over. 

The D. Family were great sports, with a baby not feeling too well and it being a tad bit chilly with only one layer, this 15 minute photo shoot was short but sweet!

I think this one was one of my favorites.

We did have a little audience of dog walkers and curious English neighbors.

Merry Christmas from the D. family in England!