Ladies Cycling Happily

A woman waves at me as she and her friends cycle through the streets

The women on their group bicycle thingy pass by a parked bus

In what seems like an eternity now, I photographed these ladies cycling along Eastcheap in London in June 2021. Hey, guess it gets you out in the fresh(ish) air and doing exercise before maybe going for a drink, or a lie down (zzzzz, too much exercise), later on.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length126mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/500s

The Captain likes Diet Coke

Wearing a cap that says “Capitan”, and dressed as he is in shorts and then in a warm jumper, I had to photograph him as he stood outside McDonald’s on Daunt Square.

I’m not sure what his name is, but I’ve seen him around Cork a few times since taking this photo last year.


Apertureƒ/2.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2000s

No Trolley Problem

Ah, so, what’s the craic with the shopping trolleys in Cork supermarkets, you ask? Well, let me tell ya, they’re as much a part of the shopping experience as the Barry’s Tea in your basket.

In Cork, like elsewhere, shopping trolleys are a staple in supermarkets, making the whole shopping experience a bit more manageable. However, there’s been some chatter about the deposit return scheme, where folks have been having a bit of a mare with the reverse vending machines. These machines sometimes refuse to take back bottles and cans bought from different stores, which has left a few shoppers scratching their heads and making extra trips.

When it comes to the trolleys themselves, they’re generally well-equipped for the job. You can find a variety of them, from the standard metal ones to the more modern plastic versions that are lighter and easier to handle. These plastic trolleys are a bit of a godsend, being rust-proof and made from recyclable materials, which is grand for the environment.

There’s also been the odd sighting of someone pushing multiple trolleys down the road, which is a bit of a head-scratcher and has raised a few eyebrows around town. But sure, that’s just part of the charm of living in Cork, where there’s always something to keep you entertained while you’re out doing the messages.

Sometimes the AI can talk like a Corkonian. Things are looking up.

(The photo above is of a supermarket in Valencia, but I’m sure they have similar problems with shopping trolleys. Hopefully, no ethical dilemmas, though.)


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length35mm
ISO5000
Shutter speed1/500s

Flamenco Flair in the Heart of Valencia

Ladies in dramatic and colourful Flamenco dresses, caught in a moment on the street. The men in black are smartly dressed, but they don’t compare to the red, black and white of the dresses!


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO8000
Shutter speed1/500s

Chihuahuas with lights

A man walks his two chihuahuas through the centre of Valencia. The two dogs had flashing lights on them, attracting lots of attention from people walking past.

I thought it was risky having two chihuahuas off the lead in a busy city centre, but the two dogs were calm and enjoying the walk.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length35mm
ISO5000
Shutter speed1/500s

The Santa Barbara Courthouse Mural Room

The windows of the mural room look on to the benches of the room. 100 year old curtains line the windows and the walls are covered in murals.

Visiting the Mural Room in the Courthouse of Santa Barbara was a treat I was not expecting. The murals depict the history of the region, sometimes inaccurately, as they include Peter Pan, Robin Hood and Errol Flynn!


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length2.2mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/30s