Tales of 2023

It’s been 2 years since I wrote about my Tales of 2022 and one of the last thing I posted on here before I took a break, so in the spirt of picking up where I left things, here’s my Tales of 2023!

January

I took a trip to London with my mum and sister to see Cirque Du Soleil’s Kurios at the Royal Albert Hall which, as a venue, is simply stunning. The show was thrilling with crazy acrobatics and contortionists, great costumes and fabulous music. I could have sat and watched it all over again.

February

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with some gorgeous flowers. I love the different variety and colours – I often buy myself a bunch so I can enjoy them. When I walk passed and smell their fragrance it makes me smile.

March

In March, the snow came. Never underestimate the British weather! It always gets colder before it gets warmer.

April

I took the Eurostar to Rotterdam to spend a few days with my best friend, Chris, to celebrate my birthday. We always have so much fun together, but I had to get this money shot (if only) of the signs at the train station!

May

I’m always on the look out for flowers to photograph, but this was an added bonus because I spotted a bee as well and I managed to capture it without it flying off!

June

I finished this colourful painting by numbers of a Spanish Dancer. I can’t get enough of doing these kind of paintings. For me, I find it very relaxing and it’s a great way to take care of mental wellbeing.

July

A trip to Nottingham to meet up with a couple of friends who I used to teach with in Bangkok. We found a fantastic Thai street-food restaurant called Zaap. The food is delicious and it brought back some good memories. We loved it so much, we have since gone there again.

August

I tried open water swimming for the second time in the lake at Castle Ashby. The water temperature was 19 degrees which sounds warm, but it isn’t. The cold water took my breath away and once my body had calmed down, I managed to swim round twice. It is such a great feeling and really blows the cobwebs away!

September

My friend and I had a day out at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings – a fabulous outdoor space with beautiful buildings, re-enactments, and a cute coffee shop. If you like history and architecture and learning about the past, it’s worth a visit. We had a great time exploring the grounds.

October

I love spending Saturday afternoon’s crafting with my friend – we do it a lot. In October, we carved pumpkins for Halloween.

November

When the Christmas lights go up in our town centre, it looks almost magical (almost!) They make Northampton look pretty!

December

All suited and booted for Christmas Day with my family. If Northampton looks magical with its Christmas lights (see November), the day spent with my nearest and dearest is even more magical.

I can’t believe this was 3 years ago. A lot has happened since then, but more on that later.

Peace and Love, Gill

New Zealand Painting on Canvas

This is a painting I did from a photograph when I was travelling around New Zealand. A bit messy, but I like the colours and the impression of the lake and hills.

A painting of a lake in New Zealand (from a photo)

My art is available on different products, check out my shop on Redbubble:

morrisgee Shop | Redbubble

By The Seaside

A few images from my travels. I love the sea and always make a beeline for it when I can.

I can just hear the waves and smell the sea air!

Autumn in Northampton

My photography project – Autumn in Northampton – is available as posters, prints, canvas or cards. Enjoy the beauty of this time of year every day!

Head over to my shop to get more details:

morrisgee Shop | Redbubble

And Just Like That!

Having just arrived in New Zealand after spending 7 months in Thailand, I hated it! It was cold, I knew no one and I just couldn’t muster even the smallest smile! I remember feeling a little lost and lonely.

I booked onto the Magic Bus, a tour company that transports you wherever you want to go. I chose to travel around the whole of the north and south islands. It was the best thing I could have done, I made friends quickly, had a lot of fun, and had some fantastic experiences!

It was only about 6.00am when we left Auckland. The bus driver made a pit-stop, so we could take a photograph to mark the start of our adventures! It was cold and misty, but the views of the city and the low-lying clouds on the far side were fabulous!

Places to go in New Zealand — A morning view over Auckland

And just like that, I was happy and excited once more!

Images of Australia

Today, I’d like to share my ‘Images of Australia’ from morrisophotography!

Images of Australia

February 4, 2024

I love Australia and these images bring a smile to my face as I fondly remember my trips to visit my family in Queensland and South Australia, exploring Noosa National Park alone, and visiting Lake Hart as part of a 6-day tour. Fabulous Memories!

Places to go in Australia — Brighton Beach, Adelaide

Art Exhibition in Bangkok

When I lived in Bangkok, one of my favourites things to do was to visit an art exhibition or two.

This photo was from an exhibition called “Illusion of the Human Body”. Large painted canvases showing parts of the body stitched together. It was meant to represent how people turn to plastic surgery to achieve beauty when there is natural beauty in everyone.

I love art and whether I understand the subject or not, I appreciate the artist’s talent and creativeness.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is a striking example of European design located in Dusit Park in Bangkok. It was commissioned by King Rama V in 1906 and built by royal architects Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti in the Neo-Classical style.

This dome of the roof is typical of European structures at the time. Even the beautiful white marble was imported from Carrara in Italy.

Exert taken from my book – On the Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage.

For more photographs of this beautiful building:

Bangkok Districts; Dusit – morrisophotography

Akaroa, New Zealand

I can’t believe it’s been 16 years since I spent a glorious 7 weeks in New Zealand.

I travelled around the north and south islands where I experienced so much, not least the lovely little village town of Akaroa.

The countryside, as you drive towards Akaroa, are gorgeous.

I walked to the lighthouse on the harbour.

Akaroa is small, so you don’t need a lot of time there, but it’s a lovely place to wander around and enjoy the peaceful environment.

I loved my time in New Zealand. The scenery is just stunning and I had an amazing time there.

Tales of 2022

Something that has turned into an annual thing, my tales serve as reminders of my life through the years. Here is my 2022!

January

I started the new year with healthy habits, cooking good food, getting back into regular exercise and going out for walks. I discovered a marina which I’d never seen before in all the years I have lived in my hometown!

February

It’s always such a joy when you come across wildlife, and so close to home too!

March

The lovely All Saints Church on Church Lane, Little Billing has a Saxon front and built around 1100 – I just had to take a photograph.

April

I love taking photos of animals in all their shapes and forms, but photographing smaller creatures has its challenges. For once, these beauties stayed long enough for me to capture them.

May

I love taking photos of flowers. So many varieties and colours, they really do brighten up your day!

June

In June, I travelled to Leicester to meet up with some of the guys I used to work with in Bangkok. It was a really fabulous afternoon – we chatted over food and drinks and it was like I only saw them yesterday.

Places to go in the UK — Bangkok Reunion

Also in June, capturing the sunrise one morning at 5 am. Just look at those colours!

July

The Washlands in Northampton is always good for photo opportunities.

I also took a stroll around Abington Park.

I published my first calendar ‘Out in the Countryside’ – an 18 month calendar (July 22 – Dec 23) featuring images from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Getting out in the countryside is a great way to get some fresh air, to feel healthy, and to feel alive.

August

What a wonderful August I had. I got to spend two glorious weeks on holiday with my friends. And where better to go with them, than to one of my favourite places on earth – my old home of Thailand! Plus, we spent three days in Singapore – a new destination for me.

Things to see in Singapore — Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore

Soon enough our time in Singapore was over and we headed to Phuket in Thailand. In all my time living there, I had never been to Phuket, so it was nice to see somewhere new. The views were epic!

Places to go in Phuket — Mai Khao, Phuket

We took a trip to Koh Phi Phi. I had been there in 2008, so it was nice to see it again.

Back in Mai Khao, we were right next to the airport and every day – many times a day – we watched planes take off over the water – what a thrill!

September

I was unhappy in my previous job and I have always said that if I am not happy, I will do something about it. So when I was offered a new job on the spot, I could not have been happier!

Inspirational Quotes — Take action. Find a new path and follow it until you can see the wood from the trees – Gill Morris

Sometimes, the paths we follow are not the right ones for us, but I came to realise that we will eventually reach a place of joy once more!

My mantra has always been that everything works out in the end and it usually does!

October

I can’t resist taking photos of the vivid colours of nature while out walking.

November

This Pink Fuschia is from my parent’s garden, always blooming in the summer. When I go to see them, I always spend a few minutes taking photos of their beautiful flowers.

When I go to see my best friend, Chris, we always make time to have drinks at Cafe Steijn -one of our favourite haunts in Rotterdam

Places to go in Rotterdam — Cafe Steijn, Rotterdam

December

The weather changed for the worse in December and we had snow on the ground.

But, whatever the weather, I am grateful for all the special moments and experiences I had during 2022.

Sending love and good wishes to you all!