Queen at the Ballet

Queen at the Ballet is a ballet accompanied by the music of Queen. It features an on-stage orchestra, and two charismatic vocalists sing and act as ringmasters for the action on stage. It played for the last two weeks in the Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland, but it’s moving on now. If the show comes to your city make sure you go!

I’m a big fan of Queen music, so seeing this show was an emotional and amazing experience for me. Jacinta loved it too, soaking up the music and the visuals with me as we were awestruck by the performance! Easily the best show I’ve seen!

Thanks to the generosity of Ken Guest and Aisling and Proinnsias and Sinead we were able to go see the show. We’re still fairly broke so soon after our wedding and I really must thank them sincerely for making this happen!
It was remiss of me to forget another three important people who helped us greatly! Donal and Celine took care of Oscar for the weekend. My sister Mairead helped too, bringing him for a walk in the lovely sunshine! Thank you all!

Photos were taken with my Panasonic FZ5 from about 20m away so please excuse the poor image quality! Besides which, I didn’t feel like using the camera much because I was enjoying the show so much.

Surprisingly, “God Save The Queen”, was part of the show. A performer appeared on-stage waving two tiny Union Jack flags as the orchestra played the anthem of the United Kingdom.

He looked sheepishly out at the audience, put the flags back in his pocket and unfurled the Irish tri-colour waving it about to cheers and applause before wrapping it about himself as the lights went down and the music faded.

Aperture ƒ/3.3
Camera DMC-FZ5
Focal length 24.6mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/30s

Strange on the street

A woman caught in an awkward step by my camera on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/200s

Surreal in the market

A woman walking in the English Market is the perfect subject for a bit of surreal experimentation with the GIMP!

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 1600
Shutter speed 1/125s

The Grand Parade Construction Site

Another view down the Grand Parade and a look at the construction site that takes up most of the street! Well known shop fronts such as the Singer Sewing Centre are visible in the background. In sharp contrast, the new Soho bar and restaurant is right next to it. It’s all modern steel beams and plate glass.

Since this photo was taken they’ve taken down the fountain in the centre of the street. I presume it’ll be put back again?

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/200s

Running Child

Shortly after my previous shot a little girl ran past me. She had a lovely smile and was obviously enjoying the sun! Her mother brought up the rear at a more sedate pace.

Aperture ƒ/11
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/250s

Begging

Children pass a Romanian woman begging in Cork. She is part of a growing group of gypsies who have come to Ireland as refugees. Unfortunately many of them have realised that Ireland is a land of rich pickings while their application for asylum is processed.

New laws have changed matters but Ireland is still an attractive destination. Statistics available from the Irish Refugee Council show a marked decline since 2002 however.

Ireland is or has been described as the, “land of a thousand welcomes” but you won’t be quite so welcome if you don’t have money to spend. Racism is as rife and widespread as elsewhere.

Aperture ƒ/9
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/160s

Beer kegs on the quay

Beer kegs on Union Quay. The Lobby is open again isn’t it?

Yum, I like Erdinger!

This was taken only moments after this one which probably explains why a keg is sitting at the base of a life ring pole. It’s not some weird “save him and feed him beer” thing we do!

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/200s

The Puppy, the cat and the calf

The Puppy and the calf

Sasha took quite an interest in a field of calves across the road from her home last night, and they in her! This particular calf was braver than the rest and sniffed at Sasha, Oscar, me and whoever was at the gate!
Ali, the cat, didn’t think much of the bovine crowd gathered around and soon settled in the ditch to sleep!

Photos of the day: Italian fans celebrate.

Aperture ƒ/4
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 1600
Shutter speed 1/80s

Run for the bus!

A bit of an experiment this one. As I walked along Merchant’s Quay this woman and her husband barrelled past. The picture of her husband is simply a blur but I like what I got of her.
The streaky lines are caused by an excessive dodge/burn tool but I like the effect so I left it in. What d’you think?

Photos of the day: Annaweb, NoWords

Aperture ƒ/8
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/125s

Swan and Young

A mother swan and her young offspring. There was a lovely sunset causing a deep red reflection in the water. The mother swan was very protective and aggressive and reared up and spat at me a moment after I took this shot!

Edit: This photo is hosted on Zoomr! Thomas Hawk is appealing to the greed and curiousity of bloggers and giving out pro accounts to those who host a photo on their site and blog it. Hey! What can I say? I bit!

Assumpta, 03/12/1950 – 30/12/2002

While walking along the path in Drake’s Pool and enjoying the sunset we came across this plaque in the ground next to a bench.

“You are the wind upon my face.
You inspired me with your grace.
You are the wind upon my back.
You keep telling me do not look back.
As I walk among the trees.
I can feel your gentle breeze.
Your loving smile and tender care.
I cherish and take with me everywhere
Assumpta
3rd Dec 1950 – 30th Dec. 2002”

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 20mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/25s

Chain Link

A huge link in a mostly submerged chain. If you looks carefully you’ll notice the trapped bottle of mineral water visible between the rusted metal!

This was shot only a few feet from the boats in the previous shot.

Aperture ƒ/6.3
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 10mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/80s