Submerging myself in the Blue Lagoon was like stepping into a vast bathtub. A sign informed me that the water temperature, where I entered, was 38°C. I could feel the temperature rise and fall as I moved slowly around the pool.
Continue reading
At Spannum, a few kilometres south-west of Húns, you can find the Farm of the World studio. Students from around the globe compete for prestigious apprenticeships. The property has a compact garden and a medicinal-smelling workshop in which plants are dried and treated to create dyes. Wool is carded and brushed to straighten wool fibres that will be utilised in artworks. Coloured wool is strewn on tables in the workshop across the yard where works are painstakingly created. Hues and textures are central to Jongstra’s artworks.
Continue reading
“I know for sure that in my world I have been a pioneer. I see the number of young people who have taken me as an example, not only for the changes in what you could do with the material, but also how you could run a career in the contemporary art world. To say I always show in a contemporary art context — that has been very important as an example for young artists. There was subject matter that was not talked about. Whether it’s justified, history will tell,” suggests Creten frankly.
Continue reading
I hope that many more generations of humans will be able to experience the sense of awe and joy that I have felt while watching elephants in the wild, in both Africa and Asia. Hopefully initiatives such as World Elephant Day will play a role in encouraging regulation of encroachment into their habitat and action against poaching.
Continue reading
Northern Bootcamp was founded by Dan and Caroline Smith, a husband and wife team who ran their first boot camp, for friends and family, in Weardale during 2010. Caroline gained experience of working in the outdoors business in New Zealand while Dan spent 13 years as British Army physical training instructor.
The camps run by Northern Bootcamp are non-military, so there’s not shouting to drive participants on. “I think it’s not for everyone…even when I was in the army that wasn’t always a good thing to do. You can encourage people hard without shouting and screaming every five minutes. People want to feel like they’re being cared for. At the same time, we do push people,” explained Dan.
Continue reading
The 30th Sunderland International Airshow took place from 27 to 29 July in the north-east of England. It’s an event I enjoy attending for outstanding opportunities to photograph aerobatic displays by the likes of The Blades and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows. Over the past three decades the annual event has become established as
...Continue reading
There’s a Greggs pasty among the icons. The wildcard section of the mural allowed people to suggest inclusions. Surprised by that inclusion? I certainly am. I thought it would have been a sausage roll that made the mural.
Continue reading
Sunderland, in the north-east of England, is the starting point for the 2018 Tall Ships Race. Fifty-five tall ships will be docked in the Port of Sunderland until Saturday 14 July when the vessels set sail to Ebsjerg, in Denmark, during the first leg of the race.
Continue reading
“Who’s Douglas Bader?” asked my girlfriend upon realising I was planning a trip to St Omer, in northern France, that would include a guided tour of the new Douglas Bader Trail. The tours show where the Royal Air Force’s Spitfire pilot was shot down plus locations associated with his subsequent escape and recapture. Disclosure: Stuart
...Continue reading
The Great Exhibition of the North 2018 started with a spectacular opening event by the River Tyne, between Newcastle and Gateshead, in north-east England. The festival is billed as a celebration of northern arts, design and innovation, and runs for 80 days — until 9 September. I attended the opening event with my camera and
...Continue reading