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!
A morning view over Auckland
And just like that, I was happy and excited once more!
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!
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.
Art Exhibition, Bangkok
I love art and whether I understand the subject or not, I appreciate the artist’s talent and creativeness.
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.
Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Bangkok
This dome of the roof is typical of European structures at the time. Even the beautiful white marble was imported from Carrara in Italy.
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!
Marina
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.
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.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
Marina Bay, 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!
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.
Maya Beach, Koh Phi Phi
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!
Sunset over Mai Khao
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!
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!
“Every experience makes you grow.” Anonymous
My mantra has always been that everything works out in the end and it usually does!
Everything works out in the end
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.
Pink Fuschia
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
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.
If you need somewhere to store all your important dates, here is my calendar for 2024 featuring photographs in Abington Park, Northampton. Every year has its seasons and one of the most beautiful is Autumn. Nature at its best as the trees shed their leaves and produce a stunning array of colours. Every month, enjoy these park views during Autumn in Northampton! This 2024 calendar will make the perfect gift for anyone who loves nature and the changing seasons.
One of the advantages of living in the town centre is that I get to watch firework displays from the comfort of my flat.
The town was aglow with Christmas lights. They make Northampton look pretty!
My Christmas tree was up at the end of November.
The mornings were rather frosty, but there was beauty in the coldness.
My December
More Christmas trees in the town centre.
The beautiful All Saints Church. Had to stop and photograph it.
A fun night out with my sister. We went for tapas and a few drinks in places we had never been before. We also went to the panto a couple of weeks later which was fun with the niece and nephew in tow! He’s behind you!!
Another night out and one for the road!
That takes us up to today – 31st December. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!! I hope that 2024 is good to you and all your dreams and wishes come true. Much love 🙂
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
With Christmas just around the corner, you may be starting to think about the new year and what it has in store for you. Why not start 2024 with goals in mind?
What do you want to achieve next year and in your life as a whole?
Do you have dreams? Is there something you want to achieve?
Here is my planner for 2024 to set goals and tasks throughout the year. Think about what you want from life, no dream is too small and nothing is out of your reach. My 2024 planner will help you to keep focused and motivated as you work towards your goals. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Start with one step in front of the other, follow your own path and keep moving towards your dreams and desires.
My 2024 Planner
This 2024 planner will make the perfect gift for anyone who wants to set their goals and dreams into motion!
I finally published my photographic book – A Book Of Photographic Images. A collection of my photos with matching quotes. I matched the photo with the quote.
Book of Photographic Images
February
I left one job for another. I was not happy, so I found myself working for Mencap. I was so relieved and was looking forward to it. Little did I know then, that this new job would be more stressful than the one I’d left. It was all part of my journey.
March
I finished another painting – a colourful African Savannah.
African Savannah
April
I added a new cookbook to my collection. Dishoom is a beautiful Indian cookbook with lots of delicious recipes, stories of how the restaurants came to be and a map of traditional cafes and restaurants in Bombay. The Chicken Ruby has to be the most delicious curry I’ve EVER had!
Dishoom
I also took a trip to the stunning Everdon Stubbs to see the forest carpeted with bluebells and views across the countryside.
Everdon Stubbs
May
I treated myself to a lovely lavender plant – one of my favourite plants for it’s luscious smell and beautiful colour.
Lavender
June
Couldn’t resist this photo over the rooftops of the interesting cloud formation..
The skies over the rooftops
July
The best things in life are free, so they say, and July proved that because my BFF, Chris, came to stay. We had been talking about getting together as soon as we could, but COVID stopped us. Then, things started to open up and Chris wanted to visit his family in Looe, Cornwall, but he still had to self-isolate for 10 days. We came up with the idea that he could self-isolate with me and then travel down to see his family. So, that’s what we did. We literally did nothing because we couldn’t! The only thing we did was to take a walk to the post box to deliver his COVID test. Although we couldn’t go out for dinner or drinks, it was just lovely to spend some time with him.
Chris and I
August
I love visiting historical places and I can add Warwick Castle as one of the best places to visit. It was great exploring the castle and its grounds.
Warwick Castle
September
I went to Birmingham for my sister-in-law’s hen do. We had bottomless brunch, played bubble football and crazy golf and drank a lot over the weekend, but it was a fabulous and fun time together.
My sister and I
October
My brother and sister-in-law got married and we had a brilliant day celebrating.
Trev & Julie
November
I managed to get to Rotterdam to see Chris in November. Despite having to pay extra for COVID tests to go there and upon my return to the UK, I was desperate to have a change of location and to spend time with my best friend. It was just what the doctor ordered! And the views weren’t too bad either!
Windmill on Voorhaven
December
My December was full of family, food and getting out into nature.
I always get excited when I see beautiful sunrises like this one.
Frosty views across the Racecourse.
I love real Christmas trees and mine was up at the end of November!
A 7.5 mile jaunt around Pitsford to blow the Christmas cobwebs (and overindulgence of alcohol) away.
The time goes so fast, but my 2021 was full of happy memories.
