Brussels, Bruge

Bruges, Belgium

This year's European Adventure begins and ends in Belgium. The starting point of the 2,300 kilometer journey to historical and significant sites in both World Wars begins when we land in Brussels and drive to spend the first night in Bruges.

Bruges is an unspoiled medieval town. The centre of the city is amazingly well preserved with winding streets that pass by picturesque canals with well preserved medieval buildings.
There are no high rises, no billboards, no heavy industry in the center of the city. Bruges also escaped major damage during both World Wars. The movie "In Bruges", a cult classic, captures the essence
of Bruges - minus all the comical hit men antics!

There are small bridges that span the canals and a number of boats tied up in front of the fine buildings that line the water's edge.

Storefront, Bruges

Though there are the usual stores that one finds in most major cities, there are also shops selling Belgian chocolate, souvenirs from their beloved Tintin comic strips and of course antique and art shops.

Iceland, Jokulsarlon Glacier

Blue Ice, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland 

'Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees'......Paul Strand

Scotland, Rainbow

Just back from a rather long trip shooting in France, Belgium, Iceland and Scotland. Covered a good deal of ground and ended up with over 4,500 new images - I see a good deal of computer screen time in the near future.

Today's image is from Scotland. I was with a few friends making images at Dunstaffnage Castle which overlooks the Firth of Lorn just north of Glasgow when it started to rain. I decided not to stay out in the wet and started to head back to the car when suddenly the sky broke and the sun popped out...I stopped for a few images of the Castle and when I turned around was greeted by the scene in this image.....

Rainbows come and go rather quickly but I was able to make a few images before it was gone - i never quite got past what shows in the image - I was hoping for a major rainbow, but.......maybe next time...It is not often you are in the perfect position for a full rainbow....

The image using my Olympus OM-D with the 12-50 kit lens...can not say enough good things about this camera....I will post more images over the next week or so from the entire trip, some of which are on my Facebook Artist Page, Harry Sandler Productions.

Happy New Year.......

France, more Images...

Sunrise, Moon setting, Marcay, France

I am sitting in the Brussels airport processing images while waiting for a flight to Glasgow- only 90 more minutes.....

Church Ceiling, Notre Dame

Here are a few more images from the last 10 days in France.

Falaise d'Amont, France

France

Chateau de Chinon, Chinon, France

This has been quite the trip...Left New York on Dec 27th and have been to Brugge in  Belgium and then on to France. Lots of driving but note that the steering wheel is on the left side and one drives on the US side of the road.....I guess it is really the French side of the road as they are much older then we are. At any rate it is nice to be able to not think about making turns etc.....

Shop Window, Brugges

Not much posting going on as the internet has been fairly non-existent or so slow one can hardly read emails. So here are a few of my favorites from the past week or so....

Chateau De Marcay, France

 In the end I thoroughly enjoyed France - much more then I thought. Specifically the food was off the charts - basically we ate our way through the country. There are officially no more croissants or foie gras left in the country. All kidding aside this is one beautiful country and the locals have been quite accommodating. Today is Versailles.......

Happy New Year and all the best for 2013.