Communion

Communion, Belgie, originally uploaded by - di.

In Belgium, children take their First Communion at 6 and there is a small celebration marking the moment.

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to photograph the daughter of friends in her Communion clothes while I was in Ieper and this was a particular favourite from that day.

Grote Markt and the Brabo Fountain, Antwerpen

Antwerpen, 19 April 2009, originally uploaded by - di.

The light, the clouds and the 17-40mm lens means I've been seeing the world in a new way. Today I discovered that I could see the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kathedraal behind the Brabo Fountain if I stood here.

The rain clouds and bright sunlight did the nicest things to the photograph.

Carolus Borromeuskerk, Antwerpen

Antwerpen II, 19 April 2009, originally uploaded by - di.

And this is my favourite church in my favourite square here in the city.

The Canon 5d series 11 shamed me into learning the technicalities of photography finally ... some of them anyway and so when the sun combined with some thundery-looking clouds, I could fiddle with bits and bobs and capture something close to what was in front of me.

I love my Canon EOS 5D Series 11, did you know.

Via Via Reis Cafe, Antwerpen

Antwerpen III, 19 April 2009, originally uploaded by - di.

This is one of my favourite cafes in the city and now that the sun has returned you can see why I think.

Add excellent music, good food, friendly staff and free wifi to the mix and voila ...

Franky Bostyn, The Belgians Have Not Forgotten Exhibition

Dave sent mail, letting me know that one of the lovely guys I know on Flanders Fields had given an interview on National Radio, New Zealand.

Click on this link when you reach the Radio New Zealand page: Franky Bostyn: Passchendaele: The Begians Have Not Forgotten. A new exhibition about World War 1 - 90 years on, the nightmare of Passchendaele continues. (duration: 8′26″)

Franky Bostyn is the curator of an exhibition - The Belgians Have Not Forgotten - soon to be touring New Zealand. He is also a published author and the curator of the The Passchendaele Memorial Museum.

At the beach ...

At the beach ..., originally uploaded by - di.

We left the workshop and headed out into the freezing cold thin wind on an exercise and 'this' was the quality of the light out there.

Unfortunately hypothermia was just a heartbeat away so I had to wander off not long after this shot.

a winter seat, Antwerpen

a winter seat, Antwerpen, originally uploaded by - di.

I loved this empty seat near the castle on the edge of the river Schelde ...

I rarely work on my photographs in photoshop, as I don't have the skill for it, so this was untouched - the light really was that fabulous.

A glimpse of life on the Schelde River

A glimpse of life on the Schelde River, originally uploaded by - di.

I-Spy

City view, Antwerpen, originally uploaded by - di.

The light, the light ...

Just before Sunset, Antwerpen view

Before Sunset, Antwerpen view, originally uploaded by - di.

Peter will tell me the name of the church - it escapes me for the moment but the moon ...

Hyperthermia was setting in and my hands were going numb but it was worth it just to work with that 10 minutes of light.

I was feeling a bit blah so went wandering ...

The pier, Schelde River, Antwerpen, originally uploaded by - di.

And as I reached the River Schelde, here in the city, the light went wild as the sun went down...

A winter's day in Antwerpen

A winter's day in Antwerpen, originally uploaded by - di.

That's me ... playing with street mirrors as the light disappears at the end of a session with light up on the edge of the River Schelde.

Missing home and Happy Birthday Dad

I miss beaches ...

I miss rivers and lakes and mountains and tonight I remember them so well that it hurts.

New Zealand is stunning.
It's almost 3 years since I was home and yet I still remember certain views, and then there's the smell of the air when I finally get off the plane that has taken me home.

My dad turned 71 today.
Happy Birthday Dad! Wish I was there ... sitting in the kitchen with you and Margaret, maybe having fresh eggs with you for breakfast, and tea ... always tea.

I can't phone him now, a throat full of tears don't make for happy birthday wishing I think.

And my beloved Auntie Coral, sister to my mum ...she's in her 70s too now.
They are the risks that I take even though we can lose anyone or be lost anytime.

I felt the compulsion to phone both of brothers recently ... thinking anyone can disappear forever and it's been such a long time since I saw anyone.

I have rested a little, loving how it feels to have my daughter and granddaughter living here ... revelling in having family around me again but one day I'll go home and I'll take all the photographs I never knew I needed to take.

Perhaps that's the reward for this long time away ... I'll see my country through new eyes and I'll know what I want to bring back with me this time.

And if anyone knows how to bottle the smell of a landscape, then please write to me ... I'm eager to know.