The Changing Seasons – May to August 2023

More than half-way through the year and 4 months on since the last Changing Seasons post, it always amazes me how time flies. Here’s a quick snippet of the things I’ve gotten up to since May.

May

We’ll start with a splash of colour on my daily lunch-time walk with this lovely cherry blossom.

I went to the theatre with a work colleague to see Wuthering Heights at the Royal & Derngate theatre. This performance was in the original theatre – it’s beautiful! I loved it so much, I went again on my own to see another show on another Saturday afternoon in May.

We had a team celebration at work one weekend and it also happened to be my mum’s birthday, so we went together.

A shoot from my money tree fell off the main plant, so I just stuck it in the soil and it continued to grow (it still is).

June

A new recipe – Tahini and Citrus Kebabs – delicious!

I finished another painting – the colours are bright and fabulous.

July

My July was fairly busy, not the norm in my life, but what fun it was. I had a day out at a concert with my brothers and sisters.

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 with tuk tuks and Thai signs. We loved it and it brought back some good memories.

Teddy came to stay while my sister and niece went on holiday. He enjoyed his Pilates session a lot.

My mum and I enjoyed some more Hilton hospitality with dinner and drinks.

August

After months of feeling unwell and not feeling able to workout, I finally started a new exercise journey and it’s going well. I am enjoying being back in the gym.

The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboys World

About The Changing Seasons

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.

Sri Lankan Sunsets

A post from morrisophotography from 2018 featuring one of my favourite things – sunsets!

Sri Lankan Sunsets

February 16, 2018

I never get tired of seeing the sun setting. It’s one of nature’s wonders and I just love them 🙂

Guju Slang Kid – AFTER PARTY

This post is dedicated to Guju Slang Kid – a talented and creative artist who happens to be my friend.

He has recently released his first single – After Party – a feel good tune with uplifting beats which will have you moving to the music before you know it!

Guju Slang Kid - After Party — Guju Slang Kid – After Party

Guju Slang Kid brings his mother tongue Gujarati to the rap scene by combining it with a house/club beat which creates a blend of modern elements whilst rapping in his first language.

I caught up with Guju Slang Kid to ask him a few questions about his music journey.

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Nairobi, Kenya and I moved to Northampton at the age of 11. In terms of origin, my family is from Gujurat in India

What got you into rapping?

From an early age, I have had a passion for music and for writing my own lyrics and songs in various languages. My friends and I used to beat box and rap together at the basketball court and we hung around in the area where we lived. Rapping is a reminder of those great times and simple pleasures that makes us smile

What music did you grow up listening to?

I used to listen to mixtapes of UK and US artists such as Kano, Stormzy, So Solid Crew, Dizzy Rascal, and Skepta, Tupac, Dr Dre, 50 Cent, Eminem, Snoop Dog and so many more, but I also listened to Northampton artists who I went to school with

What inspired you most to release your first single?

I have been writing lyrics since a young age, and I wanted to put them into motion and make them a reality. My goal is to bring good vibes and inspire more people to make music. I find immense joy in knowing that my music can uplift and bring a smile to people’s faces

Do you think you can be any better as a musician and how would you like to achieve it?

Everybody can grow with experience and by having a can do attitude and learning from others, I believe that anybody can be a better musician

How do you feel now your 1st single has been released?

I feel happy that people can finally listen to my track. It feels like all the hard work has paid off

What is the song about?

The song celebrates great humour between friends and family along with coming together, dancing, letting loose and enjoying yourself

Why have you chosen to create this tune in a different language?

Growing up in Kenya whilst having an Indian origin allowed me to learn different languages. My grandmother’s influence helped me become fluent in Gujarati and I learned Hindi by watching Bollywood soaps and films. Also, listening to a diverse range of music has inspired me to integrate rapping in various languages with modern style beats in the hope of bringing a wide range of audiences to my music

What are your plans to make a difference?

By raising more awareness in the hope that more people can relate to what the words mean and bring that extra bit of joy into their life

Where do you see your career going?

I don’t see this as a career, I see this as a hobby and a passion for music and a way to get my vibes heard

I enjoyed finding out a bit more about Guju Slang Kid and his debut single. He says he is ‘determined to bring authentic and relatable music to the industry.’ I say we should celebrate anyone who is creative and is brave enough to put themselves out there – it’s an inspiration to all!

I, for one, will look forward to seeing his new journey unfold.

To get ‘After Party’ go to Guju Slang Kid’s website, but for those that can’t wait, listen below! Enjoy!

The Knife Angel

The Knife Angel sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change. Not only does the Angel act as a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, but it is also acts as a beautiful memorial designed to celebrate those lives who have been lost through these violent and thoughtless actions (taken from the website for the Knife Angel).

In January 2022, the Knife Angel came to Northampton, so I popped along to take a look.

I think this is a good way to bring people’s attention to some of the violent crimes that happen on our streets. What do you think?

A Visit to Warwick Castle

A couple of years ago, I went to Warwick Castle for the day.

I love visiting historical places and I can add Warwick Castle as one of the best places to visit.

You’ll find the Peacock Gardens with their beautifully manicured lawns and resident peacocks wandering around.

The Conservatory Tearoom overlooking the fountain.

Then, follow the path through the trees towards the river and the jousting area and Britain’s largest trebuchet. Check the times on your ticket for exciting shows and entertainment every day.

Cross over the river and explore all around the castle.

Enter the castle through its main entrance.

Inside the castle, you can sit on the grass, have a break with a refreshing drink, and take in the impressive architecture.

Make sure you climb the stairs and wander along the ramparts for fabulous views of Warwick and the surrounding countryside.

And, it would be a shame not to see inside some of the rooms where you can learn about some of the castle’s history.

For more photos of Warwick Castle, head to morrisphotography.

The Changing Seasons – March and April 2023

I don’t know where these months are going, but all we can do is enjoy every day.

March

At the beginning of the month, Spring was well underway.

March was my sister’s birthday, so we all went out to celebrate.

– the Turkish meat platter was so good.

A couple of friendly robins.

I won ‘Team Member of the Month’ for coping in a high-pressure environment.

My team found out I am a published author and they got me to sign the copy of my book that they had bought on World Book Day – honestly, it was such a lovely surprise and it really made me smile.

April

I had a couple of trips away in April. The first was to Weston-Super-Mare. I walked, ate, and took lots of photos and it was lovely to see a new place in the UK.

I also visited Cheddar Gorge and explored the caves.

And, for my birthday, I took the Eurostar to Rotterdam to spend a few days with my friend, Chris. It was, as always, great to see him and catch up over a few (many!) drinks.

The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboys World

About The Changing Seasons

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.

Van Gogh – Alive!

Two years after I went to see the Van Gogh and Britain exhibition, I ventured back to the capital to attend Van Gogh – Alive!

This was an exhibition like no other and certainly not one I have experienced in the past.

“Prepare to transcend time and space as you accompany Van Gogh on a journey through the Netherlands, Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, where he created many of his timeless masterpieces. Set to an evocative classical score, a thrilling display of over 3,000 inspirational images transforms every surface that surrounds you in what has been described as an “unforgettable multi-sensory experience“. At Van Gogh Alive you don’t just look at his paintings, you step inside them and feel their power.” – The website of Van Gogh Alive

The experience has been all over the world and the UK and I went to Kensington Gardens to see it.

So, let’s immerse ourselves in the world of Van Gogh.

A brief interlude in the immersive (and mirrored) sunflower room.

Immersion continues.

This exhibition was fabulous and a different and exciting way to bring art into your world!

Van Gogh Alive continues its tour of the UK in Brighton this month!

Van Gogh and Britain at Tate Britain

On the same day I walked from Millbank to Leicester Square, I attended the Van Gogh Exhibition at Tate Britain.

Taken from the leaflet that I picked up at the gallery – This exhibition is in two parts. The first looks at Van Gogh’s experience in London, the art and literature that caught his attention and its role in his journey as an artist. The second explores the impact of Van Gogh’s art and life on British artists up to the 1950s. The exhibition provides an opportunity to view artworks by Van Gogh afresh, to see British culture through his eyes and to see him through the eyes of British artists he inspired.

There were 9 rooms all dedicated to a specific part of Van Gogh’s life including living in London, his interest in black and white prints, moving to Paris, and continuing to paint throughout his mental illness. It was also interesting to see how his paintings inspired and influenced other painters after his death in 1890.

I hope you enjoy this exhibition as much as I did. (Click the photos to see the full image)

My favourites are Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Starry Night and one of his self-portaits.

And, of course, it’s also good to get sneaky pictures of other people doing the same as me.

What are your favourite Van Gogh paintings?

I think the final word goes to the man himself;

“Always continue walking a lot and loving nature for that’s the real way to learn to understand art better and better. Painters understand nature and love it, and teach us to see” – Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, London 1874.

Millbank to Leicester Square

Back in 2019, on a quest to have days out like I used to, I took a train to London to visit Tate Britain and the Van Gogh Exhibition.

I took a tube from Euston to Pimlico and made my way to Millbank for some river views.

On the opposite side of the road, stands Tate Britain which has shown its art collections to the public since 1897!

Outside the gallery, there are statues from Greek legends, like the ‘Rescue of Andromeda‘ and ‘The Death of Dirce.’

More on the actual Van Gogh exhibition in a future post, but for now, let’s just skip around the back of the gallery to find this statue of Sir John Everett Millais – a wellknown and successful Victorian painter.

I leave Millbank and walk along the streets until I reach Dean’s Yard and Westminster Abbey.

And find equally impressive buildings as I wander some more.

I reach St James Park – a welcome and beautiful green space.

I turn right towards Admiralty Arch.

And across Trafalgar Square.

Through the streets some more…

Until I pass the London Coliseum – a theatre on St Martin’s Lane.

I arrived at Leicester Square for food and drinks before heading back to Northampton. What a fabulous day out!

Finding Nature

Last year, I took another walk around Sywell Country Park, but this time it was all about nature and finding the birds, insects, and flowers.

It was June, so it was much greener than before and I could feel the warmth from the sun on my skin.

The first feathered friend I saw was this Coot with its white frontal shield. Fun fact: Back in the day, the featherless shield gave rise to the expression “as bald as a coot.” (Wikipedia)

This one has found something to balance on.

Whilst trying to photograph this delicate dragonfly, I got the plant in focus instead – I think it’s a Stinging Nettle.

There are lots of flowers dotted around – like this daisy.

Although Hogweed is pretty to look at, it’s best not to touch it as it can cause blisters and scars in humans! (Wikipedia)

This bee doesn’t seem bothered.

Another beauty, but also very toxic, is the lovely Foxglove. Fun fact: In the past, myths had it that foxes wore the flowers on their paws to silence their movements as they hunted – hence ‘fox’s glove!’ (Wikipedia)