Wandering Camera – My Summer Days

Sunrise In Northern California Wine Counntry | Whims And Fancies

 

Preferring much cooler weather, summer is not my most favourite season, really. We don’t travel during summer and most of my time is spent indoors during this time. Therefore, over time, this has become my most productive time of the year. I do stretch my legs during very early summer mornings to avoid cabin fever, and I get to experience some of the most beautiful sunrises at our local park.

 

 

Misty Mornings In Northern California Wine Counntry | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The misty and cool mornings of spring have now…

 

 

Sunrise In Northern California Wine Counntry | Whims And Fancies

 

 

…been replaced by fields of gold.

 

 

Rainy Morning In Northern California Wine Counntry | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After years of drought and dry winters, we finally had a lot of rain last season, and my little flower garden is very content.

 

 

Tree Mallow Flower In Northern California Wine Counntry | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Wildflower season is gone, but I still have a few summer flowers blooming in the garden.  We planted a Tree Mallow when it was a no more than 2 feet tall, just a sapling.  It started flowering last year, and this year the tree is covered with tiny pink flowers.  I love seeing them swaying in the wind, backlit by the late afternoon sun.

 

 

Downton Abbey Stained Glass Flower Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Stained Glass Flowers patterns

 

Aside from tending the garden so my beloved green-children survive the hot summer, I also restarted working on a few fabric flowers.   I pulled out my stained glass flowers pattern set and started making blocks for the English Garden quilt again.  My August goal is to finish at least a few of the blocks.  I will be joining One Monthly Goal, hosted by Patty at Elm Street Quilts, a great way to stay on top of those goals.

 

 

Sketchbook page - GPS Error | Whims And Fancies

 

A little sketch from my musings sketchbook

 

I also use summer for travel planning.  As I was mapping a route, I thought of the time when we were following GPS instructions and a set of detour signs got us to a road-closed sign.  We were in tears from laughing so hard.  That only strengthened my hate for GPS, and I pulled out my trusty map.

 

 

Travel and Magic Watercolour Prints for Sale | Whims And Fancies

 

Prints Available In Shop

 

 

Lastly, Many Thanks for leaving such lovely comments on my last post, where I shared news about my new venture of selling prints from my paintings in my shop.  Much to my delight, this is the first set of sold paintings and they are now in their lovely new home in Scotland.

A Step Forward – If you missed the post and you are interested in seeing the available prints

 

How is your summer going?  Feel free share your summer-themed photos, or any photos that you have taken, on this month’s Wandering Camera.

 

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

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Wandering Camera is a monthly event that runs on the last Thursday of every month.  If you follow me via email, you will get a reminder.  All photography and creative themed posts are welcome.

Have fun!!

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I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.  

 

 

 

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Wandering Camera – Christ Church, Oxford, UK Part II

Tom Quad, Christ Church, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Thank you for sharing so many personal anecdotes about Oxford on the previous Wandering Camera.  Those stories give extra dimension to the places I visit and connects me a little more to the photos I take.   Today I will continue with our visit to Chirst Church.  Last time, I ended with exiting Bodley Tower and entering the Great Quadrangle.

 

 

Tom Quad, Christ Church, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The quad was started in the 16th century and left unfinished for a century.  This would have been a cloistered area but that was left unfinished.  The base structures for the cloisters are still visible.  You can get an idea of how big the quad is, both from the previous photo and this one.

 

 

Tom Quad, Christ Church, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I specially wanted to see Christopher Wren’s work in person, hence my wish to visit Christ Church.  He designed the clock tower over the St. Aldate’s gatehouse. The bell, Great Tom, gives the quad its informal name: Tom Quad.

 

 

Tom Quad, Christ Church, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Although this was supposed to be cloistered, I rather like the openness of the quad with the arches all around.

 

 

 

 

Inspired by all the gothic architecture there, I started working on a detailed painting. Here is a peek at the initial planning sketch.

 

 

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Before exiting Tom Quad, we entered the Christ Church cathedral.

 

 

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Following the arches, I love looking up to see the intricacy of cathedral ceilings.

 

 

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

This is the doorway of the chapter house – one of the oldest parts of the college – built in the 1200s.  Sadly, the inside has been turned into a gift shop. 

 

 

Peckwater, Christ Church, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

In contrast to the gothic Tom Quad, the Peckwater was built in the classical style of the Greek and Roman temple architecture.   The Peck Quad houses the library.   

 

 

Magpie Lane, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

From Christ Church, we perambulated toward Magdalen College.

 

 

Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We walked through some of the back paths.  I smiled when I noticed how nature took it upon herself to soften the abundance of stonework in Oxford.

 

 

Dead Man's Walk, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

This is Dead Man’s Walk.  The green plaque on the wall mentions James Sadler, who was the first English Aeronaut to successfully ascend in what is described as a “fire balloon” near this area.  I love finding these little “notes” in old cities and colleges.

 

 

England - Red Telephone Box Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box pattern

 

Inspired by the Oxford visit, I created this red telephone booth block to make a bag with it.  This month I am joining Patty at Elm Street for One Monthly Goal.  I hope to share more on that with you in the next couple of weeks.

 

Since I love to rummage through photos, I am linking up with monthly April Furtle @ Archie The Wonder Dog.

 

 

Posts On England Travel – 2016

Oxford – Christ Church Part I

 

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.  

 

 

 

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