Victor Keech's Photo Weblog

Newark Priory at Dawn

2011-10-13T19:34:00.001Z

Newark Priory at Dawn
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Newark Priory at Dawn

Mark Cavendish

2011-09-15T22:43:00.001Z

Mark Cavendish sat on the shoulder of the leading pack, near Shere, prior to his victorious return to the Mall.

Albury Pigeon House

2011-09-15T22:32:00.001Z

The Pigeon House in Albury is the village's oldest building, with the strange purpose of harvesting pigeon droppings for inclusion in the manufacture of gunpowder, a short distance down the road in Chilworth.

Old School House

2010-07-04T06:37:00.001Z

The Old School, Albury

2010-07-03T07:52:00.001Z

The steps of the old school in Albury, now the village hall, from which our house takes its name.

Roaring Railings

2010-05-30T23:35:00.002Z

Roaring Railings
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

A finely cast lion, found on a railing panel in a French Alpine hill village.

Pushkin in a Box

2010-02-14T18:59:00.001Z

Pushkin
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Cats are well known for finding creative and sometimes curious places to take a rest from a hard day being adored. When the box with new window and door fittings arrived, its seems Pushkin decided this was one such place.

Jet Reflection

2010-01-24T22:28:00.001Z

Jet Reflection
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Duxford is the IWMs air museum at airfield base of the Spitfires in WWII. It presents a broad history of flight and airborne munitions. This exhibit is one of the many jet turbines. Delicacy and power.

Bon Feu

2009-10-19T14:07:00.001Z

Th Bonfire Lit
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

The fallen branches from back field soaked generously with a cannister of petrol and ignited from a distance. Whoosh!

Electric Orchids

2009-10-11T08:48:00.001Z

Electric Orchids
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

The 2009 Hampton Court Flower Show had many colourful suprises. This display of multi-coloured orchids, thoughtfully placed against a black background for artistic contrast, was a a highlight for me.

The Tunnel at Albury Park

2009-10-11T08:36:00.001Z

The Tunnel, Albury Park, Surrey
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Albury Park mansion has a tunnel at the back of a water feature, cut through sandstone, which emerges near the village of Shere. Usually locked and gated, on this day you could tred its sandy path in the pitch dark, in this case, guided only by the stobing flash of my camera's autofocus.

The Chapel, Maritime Museum, Greenwich

2009-06-05T15:50:00.001Z

The Chapel, Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Bald Eagle in Flight

2008-06-15T16:38:00.001Z

Bald Eagle in Flight
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Bald Eagle in Flight at Abinger Common Fete. A powerful and impressive bird of prey indeed. The species was on the brink of extirpation in the continental United States (while flourishing in much of Alaska and Canada) late in the 20th century, but now has a stable population and has been officially removed from the U.S. federal government's list of endangered species.

Short Knights

2008-06-15T06:21:00.001Z

Knights
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Abinger Common is a small village in the Surrey Hills. Each year they hold a village fete as a medieval re-enactment with the whole community dressed for effect. A small piece of enchanting English tradition.

Duckling

2008-06-08T21:46:00.001Z

Duckling
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

W have ducklings in the garden! There is a family of ducks living in our garden, a mother mallard and 11 ducklings. There is one of the bravest duckling, I call him Custard, who wanders off quite a bit . Posted by Georgia Keech aged 9

Leila Cat

2008-04-20T08:09:00.001Z

Leila Cat
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Lelia is one of of two black cats in the family. One boy and one girl. Brother and sister, owned respectively by twin girls, Georgia and Ellie. This cat, Leila, is the bright one of the two. Its funny you can see it in here eyes but can't define what it is.

You Lookin' at Me

2008-04-04T20:37:00.001Z

Cat
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

This fearsome fur ball was sat on the edge of a high chalet balcony at an equestrian center in Morzine. Despite its precarious position it seemed quite content to catch some rays watch the world going by.

Lloyds of London

2008-02-03T10:52:00.001Z

Lloyds of London
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Finance is the art of passing currency from hand to hand until it finally disappears - Robert W. Sarnoff

City Stairs in Silhouette

2008-02-03T10:49:00.001Z

City in Silhouette
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

History is only the pattern of silken slippers descending the stairs to the thunder of hobnailed boots climbing upward from below - Voltaire

Painted Head, Portmeirion

2008-01-30T12:17:00.001Z

Painted Head, Portmeirion
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Portmerion is the setting for the sometimes incomprehensible TV series "The Prisoner". Portmeirion was built by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1973 to demonstrate that development of a naturally beautiful site need not result in its defilement. He wanted to practice what he preached as a conservationist and capmaigner for the protection of the environment.

Blood Brothers

2008-01-14T21:29:00.001Z

Blood Brothers
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

The final emotive scene from the local 'Am Dram' society's medley from Blood Brothers. Dom Bridgewater playing dead.

Calm a Llama Down

2007-12-27T12:26:00.001Z

Calm a Llama Down
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

"It's one of the few ways to calm a lama down…"
Calm a llama down
Calm a llama deep down in the ocean blue
Like a barnacle
Sitting in the tight place
Laughing like a monkey arm
Pulling like a china boy
Caraway, caraway, caraway noise
Boing, chika masala
Boing, chika masala
Ooooooo tooth tooth

Mighty Boosh

Fire Burning Bright

2007-12-25T10:47:00.001Z

Fire Burning Bright
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

These beautiful dancing flames of many colours were the result of a number of pyrotechnic coated pine cones which burn with every elemental colour possible. Better than most of the television at Christmas

Christmas Cookie Treats

2007-12-17T14:20:00.001Z

Christmas Cookie Treats
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

These festive treats were enthusiastically made by my two girls for their classmates. Chocolate cookies with festive icing decorations. Not all of them got eaten in the process of making them this time.

Albury Park Gardens

2007-11-14T21:41:00.001Z

Alnbury Park Gardens
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Although only open to the public on two days a year as part of the open gardens scheme, the gardens of Albury Park House are quite lovely. Here is a path collonaded by trees.

Hawk at Escot

2007-08-10T13:41:00.001Z

Hawk at Escot
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

A real hawk eye. If you look closely you can see the silhouettes of four people reflected in the eye of this beautiful bird of prey.

Formation Flying

2007-06-23T22:29:00.001Z

Formation Flying
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

A fortieth birthday treat provided the opportunity to fly wing to wing in a pair of aerobatic bi-planes. With loop the loops, barrel rolls and a dog fight often at no more than 6ft from wing tips, this really is something to behold. All Ably captained by ex-pilots from the 'Red Arrows', there's even a Piper Pacer that flies alongside and in formation for the wife and kids to see the action first hand and of course provide a fabulous photography platform. (I left Lisa in charge of the SLR for this one)

Cruciform Figure

2007-06-03T22:13:00.001Z

Cruciform Figure
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

I'm not sure if it's a peculiarity of me or if abstract objects really do contain resemblances of other things. I was drawn to this because of the texture of the wood, but as I framed the picture I could not help but feel a figure with outspread arms was hiding in the crook. I'm not one for religious symbolism but find this disquieting.

Peregrine Falcon

2007-05-17T21:25:00.001Z

Bird of Prey
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Able to dive at almost 200 miles per hour, the peregrine falcon is not only the fastest flying bird in the world, but the fastest animal on earth. The one pictured is one of the fine birds of prey to be found at the Thorpe Perrow Arboretum in North Yorkshire.

The Ultimate Experience

2007-05-09T19:23:00.001Z

The Ultimate Experience
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Fairgrounds are no strangers to hyperbole, however this is a brave call for even the most ardent of fairground thrill-seekers. This sign is a feature of a steam powered swing, part of the fabulous Carters vintage fun fair. Whilst this undoubtedly impressive piece of engineering has been eclipsed by larger theme park cousins, it is without doubt a real gem possibly even worthy of its bold claims.

Bark like Pirelli Tred

2007-04-23T13:07:00.001Z

Bark like Pirelli Tred
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

A decaying tree in the grounds of Hatchlands House. The cracked and decaying bark begins to resemble the rubber tracks of a car tyre. A strange kind of beauty in decay.

A Cross to Protect

2007-03-18T18:39:00.001Z

Cross to Protect
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

The people who live in the Alps, and in my experience, mountains everywhere, are spiritual people if not superstitious. Cruciforms dot the landscape, like this one in the heart of Morzine. I think this is born out of the dangers and hardship brought by the landscape.

Winter Wonderland

2007-03-12T20:59:00.001Z

Winter Wonderland
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Skiing in the Alps each year can diminish the awe of the dramatic verticals and the natural beauty of this roof of the world, until a view like this catches you and reminds you just how amazing it all is. Snowy Christmas trees, draftsman like ski lines, a child's eye cabin, wispy clouds and the Mont Blanc Massive in the distance.

Frosty Morning Lawn Ballet

2007-02-05T06:52:00.001Z

Frosty Morning Stretching
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Despite the hard frost and biting cold of this fine winter morning, Leila still insisted on rolling on the cold floor and indulging in stretching contortions, best described as lawn ballet.

Making a Break for It

2007-02-04T18:06:00.001Z

Making a Break for It
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

My lovely little Elle Belle enjoying the freedom of wide open urban landscape in Docklands in the kind of way only an eight year old can enjoy.

Spillers Millennium Warehouse

2007-01-14T22:59:00.001Z

Spillers Millennium Warehouse
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

The now derelict Spiller Millennium Warehouse, a product of the last millennium quite clearly, was one of the largest mill complexes ever to be built in London

Docklands begun to decline during the 1980's and with their final closure, the mills were also forced to close. The Spillers building was a victim of this economic vacuum.

Faces in the Stone, Whitby Abbey

2007-01-11T21:45:00.001Z

Faces in the Stone, Whitby Abbey
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

I looked at these weathered columns of Whitby Abbey and could not help but feel that there were faces in the random weathered shapes. Petrified gargoyles of tortured souls of ages or just the minds predisposition to seeing faces in anything?

Yankee Camp Life

2007-01-11T21:43:00.001Z

Yankee Camp Life
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

This was one of the re-actment groups who setup camp, quite literally, at an event at Cliveden in late 2006. The variety of groups was quite astonishing ranging from the ancient greeks, The romans, The American Civil War, WWI & II through to Vietnam.

Broken Train

2007-01-11T21:41:00.001Z

Broken Train
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Literally the end of the line for this old chuffer. Taken at a scrapyard in the North of England.

Christmas Pudding Inferno

2007-01-01T00:48:00.000Z

Happy New Year for 2007. The traditional lighting of the Christmas pudding almost became an inferno this year. This shot was taken just after the initial enveloping flames had worryingly spilled off the table and onto the floor. All well in the end.

Surrey Hill Markers

2006-12-28T09:38:00.000Z

The Surrey Hills are dotted with Boundary Markers and Sculptures similar to the one photographed in close crop here.

Elle Belle

2006-12-26T22:52:00.000Z

Waiting to start the skating. In the coffee bar at Somerset House's Christmas skating ring.

Albury Saxon Church

2006-12-25T18:09:00.000Z

The not so often seen ceiling of the Saxon Church on the Albury estate, taken after the annual carol service by candle light on Christmas Eve. Followed by minced pies and mulled wine served in the graveyard in the lovely twilight of lanterns.

Durham Cathedral

2006-12-20T08:49:00.000Z

The shadowy silhouettes of Durham Cathedral as the last rays of the day ebb away. Durham is a beautiful and historic city which can be equally enjoyed on balmy summer days or chilly winter ones, like this.

Angel of the North

2006-12-20T08:46:00.000Z

This controversial sculpture is undoubtedly unmissable, positioned as it is on a prominent hill alongside the A1 motorway. I think the real value of this sculpture is in the civic pride it has created.

...and Well Known by Doctors and Nurses

2006-12-08T22:26:00.000Z

I did find this sign for 'World Famous Romany Rose' entertaining. The suggestion that 'Famous' people make the predictive powers any more potent is a window on an era past. I couldn't help but think the doctor and nurse comment was perhaps related to the teller's convalescence after failing to accurately tell the future of some highly strung and insecure 'famous' people.

Squirrel Skirmish

2006-10-16T18:48:00.000Z

A friendly squirrel in Kew Gardens poised and ready to steal some nuts

Bournville Sunset

2006-10-08T21:12:00.000Z

The last embers of the sun over Bournville one September day.

Birmingham Wheel

2006-10-08T21:01:00.000Z

Birmingham's answer to the London Eye. Seemingly now gone in the blink of an eye.

Routemaster

2006-09-09T21:31:00.000Z

An iconic image of London, now sadly being replaced by bendy buses. Times must change to avoid London's transport becoming like a museum exhibit, but I believe these workhorses will be missed.

Ski Bonnet

2006-09-09T19:04:00.000Z

An unusual car radiator mascot of a man skiing found at the Thorp Perrow Car Show in North Yorshire

Bournville Social Club

2006-08-26T13:16:00.000Z

Elaborate brickwork at the Social Club in Bournville for the employees of Cadburys

The Book Depository

2006-08-01T19:19:00.000Z

The 6th Floor right hand window just below 'the ledge' was the so called Sniper's Nest from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the fatal shots that ended JFK's life and presidency. So why did he wait until the car turned onto Elm St. rather than take the easier shot as the car approached on Houston St?

Picket fence at the Grassy Knoll

2006-07-29T21:18:00.000Z

Poignant scribblings on the picket fence on the Grassy Knoll. Whether you see the events in Dealey Plaza as a lost opportunity or political expediency, the drama of this event is still thick in the air of this tainted corner of Dallas. Interesting to see even Nancy Regan was driven to get her pen out when here?

Nature's Collonade

2006-06-26T19:28:00.000Z

This lovely line of converging trees leads to the fabulous Palace of Hampton Court, just visible in the bottom right of the photo.

Textured Leaves

2006-06-24T20:10:00.000Z

Fantastic Crinkly leaves nestling in the herbaceous borders at Hampton Court. Savouring my last visits before moving to I hope equally leafy Surrey.

Polanica

2006-06-10T06:23:00.000Z

A chance picture as I took a drive round the area I was staying. In a country not blessed with enormous architectural beauty, the scenery can be captivating

Silence of the Lambs

2006-06-06T22:22:00.000Z

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In this case the windows are just soulful eyes. Taken at a small church in Southern Poland.

Doomsday Donkey

2006-05-15T21:40:00.000Z

Its a strange site to see a donkey roaming among the tombstones of an old church like St Hildas in Whitby, but I suppose the grass needs keeping down some way.

Keep Smiling

2006-05-14T08:09:00.000Z

When so many English building inscriptions are pompously inscribed in Latin, this up beat simple statement, ironically found in Edinburgh, seems to have it right.

Ties of Many Colours

2006-05-08T21:33:00.000Z

A simple but striking window display in a Mayfair shop window.

Have Elephant Will Travel

2006-05-07T18:51:00.000Z

This mamouth marioette was the centre piece of a street arts show in London called The Sultan's Elephant. Quita a spectacle

Carts at Dyrham

2006-04-25T09:28:00.000Z

A collection of old, horse drawn carts at Dyrham Park near Bath

Disguised Mobile Mast

2006-04-25T08:55:00.000Z

This disguised yet conspicuous tree, near Newbury on the M4 (the home of Vodafone) is in fact a metal hulk with artificial branches intened to disguise the mobile phone transmitters it carrys near its crown.

Railway Bridges

2006-04-08T21:19:00.000Z

Railway Bridges over the Avon at Bath

Glass Blower

2006-04-08T16:25:00.000Z

The stylised sculpture of a Glass Blower hanging from a shop front in Bath.

Man at Window Tromp L'oeil

2006-04-08T16:24:00.000Z

Man at Window Tromp L'oeil. Not a real man but a good pretence. Is suspect this may be a hangover of the Window tax as it even has a window sill.

Morning Angel

2006-03-30T17:08:00.000Z

This delightful statue stands on the edge of the River Avon in Bath, near the Abbey.

Trees in Spring

2006-03-30T17:05:00.000Z

This was not a long observed and planned photo, just something I caught out of the corner or my eye as i drove by this urban golf course in Bath. I couldn't even chose how close or far away from the subject I stood as this shot was taken through the boundary railings. For all that I'm delighted with the result.

Horse Guard

2006-03-25T09:18:00.000Z

One of the very patient and unflappable guards at horse-guards parade. They do indded seem to be getting younger or is that a relative thing?

IMAX Reflection

2006-03-25T09:10:00.000Z

This reflected inmage is in the glass facade of the IMAX theatre that stands opposite Waterloo station. The main brick building reflected here is 'The Royal Childrens Hospital'although I don't think it operates as such these days.

Parakeets

2006-03-19T21:53:00.000Z

Parakeets are by no means indigenous to the parks of south west London but colonies of rapacious parakeets, broke out of captivity in the early 1990s, are now breeding along the southern Thames corridor. A very colourful and unexpected sight in Temperate southern England.

Knightsbridge Boutiques

2006-03-12T18:31:00.000Z

This row of shops is just off the Brompton Road near Harrods. The shop in the foreground has a sign in the window saying 'Meanwhile Backstage" with a fashion model drinking liquid chocolate from a modified water dispenser.

Streetlights

2006-03-11T08:29:00.000Z

Streetlights off Oxford Street against an emotional night sky. Three is a figure that has resonance with people, it's used in rhetoric and it also can have similar effect in visual communication

Vegetable Cocktail

2006-03-11T08:26:00.000Z

Just a collection of vegetables as a bit of a still life study

Gyrating Turtle

2006-03-10T12:33:00.000Z

This turtle can be seen slowly going in endless circles at the Plymouth Aqauarium

Statue, Albert Hall

2006-03-04T18:56:00.000Z

Statue at the Albert Hall, with the beautiful mosaic of the entrance behind.

Field of Bulbs

2006-03-03T22:22:00.000Z

A bizarre visual metaphor. This strange photo is of light bulbs laid out on the lawn before they are put up as Christmas lights in the trees at Wakehurst Place.

Big Leaf

2006-03-02T08:22:00.000Z

This semi-abstract picture may convey the appearance of a macro shot. In fact as the leaf is four foot across it is more conventional than it appears. 'Dinosaur Leaves' as the girls call them.

Car Ride at Carter's Vintage Fun Fair

2006-02-28T22:05:00.000Z

One of the collection of rides at Carters vintage steam fair. A Window on a different world and time.

Notre Dame, Rose Window

2006-02-26T12:17:00.000Z

The main window of Notre Dame, overlooking the Seine

View from Fruitiere, Tignes

2006-02-26T12:10:00.001Z

This is a view from the wonderful gastranomic delight, Frutiere between Tignes and Val D'Isere. A former dairy now one of the best restaurants on the slopes in the Alps.

Riding the Chair, Tignes

2006-02-26T12:10:00.000Z

This guy was checking and maintaining the lift pylons near the Epaule Percee in Tignes. His choice of position on the chair to get from pylon to pylon did seem a little cavalier.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

2006-02-20T17:01:00.000Z

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the novel upon which the 1982 film Blade Runner was based (directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford) The question that gives the book its name is in the realms of AI and what consciouness means...

Yawning Cat

2006-02-19T22:22:00.000Z

Yawning Cat
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

From this photograph you would not believe how gentle this little cat is. It serves to remind how even the domestic moggy has some big cat ancestory.

Merry Go Round

2006-02-12T16:21:00.000Z

Merry Go Round
Originally uploaded by Victor Keech.

This Merry Go Round appeared at Hampton Court over the Christmas Period 2005. It is photographed here as a long exposure but only seemed to go marginally slower.

Chinese New Year

2006-01-30T07:57:00.000Z

The Chinese New Year parade in London this year, ushering in the year of the Dog, was indeed a colourful affair, blessed by winter sun. One of the dance troops is pictured here, posing for the press pack, on the St Martin's in the Field side of Trafalgar Square.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

2006-01-30T07:55:00.000Z

Chinese Dragon

2006-01-30T07:53:00.000Z

Pictured here is one of the many vibrantly coloured and endlessly gyrating dragons which emerged from their lairs this weekend, to welcome in the Chinese New Year in London.

Ring My Bell

2006-01-22T16:57:00.000Z

In a strange reversal of the Pavalovian Conditioned reflex, the Astors of Cliveden, would salavate first, ring a bell and then with all the swiftness that the serving staff could muster, food or indeed what ever else may be required, would be delivered. Of course we have all moved on a long way from this; As technoogy has progressed we have now ALL become slaves to ringing bells or ringtones.

Cliveden Comet

2006-01-21T18:45:00.000Z

Oakley Doakley

2006-01-16T19:11:00.000Z

From the Boathouse of the Oakley Court, a new day dawns, almost unnoticed by the Next Generation Networkers locked in their riverside lair. Even if St Trinians were playing Lacrosse in the gardens overseen by Transalvanian travellers, none would have stirred.

Trafalgar Square Christmas

2006-01-02T19:22:00.000Z

The annual joyous gift from the Norwegian people to the UK stands majestically in the square as it has done since the end of WWII.

Frosty the Cobweb

2005-11-30T09:51:00.000Z

The frost has made this typically stealthy trap less than hidden. If you look closely, the centre resembles an advertisment for the 'Ministry of Sound', resembling the trademark, curved port cullis.

Cricket Nets

2005-11-30T09:42:00.000Z

These frosty cricket nets made an irresistable abstract picture with layer upon layer of netting, covered in frost, and the graduated greens of the playing surface.

Frosty Leaves

2005-11-30T09:38:00.000Z

These Frosty leaves trimmed most of the trees in Bushy Park on this fine November morning.

Waking Lisbon

2005-10-18T19:28:00.000Z

Greeting the world as the sun rises can require some will power, but invariably it is rewarded. This picture was taken just before sunrise on a beautiful morning in Lisbon.

Defiant Deer

2005-10-02T20:50:00.000Z

At this time of year, the stags in our local Bushy Park make their presence audibly known by braying in a deeply guttural way at anything and everything that encroaches on its territory. This defiance knows no bounds and even stretches to loathsome internal combustion engine.

Autumn Stays

2005-09-24T16:27:00.000Z

'It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.' P.D. James. However, today really was one such day. Even the fallen leaves had a picture book quality. This was Georgia's favourite, and was cherished all the way home, until a particularly shiny conker found greater favour.

Decaying Shrine

2005-09-20T08:55:00.000Z

As if the Virgin Mary does not have enough to feel woeful about, the state of decoration at her resting place at Snowshill Manor must be a source of real consternation. I do like the make up of this picture as the inner grief of the figure suggests that the neglect of the surroundings is unimportant. I also gives me the feeling that time while grieving slows down, to the exaggerated point where the fabric of surroundings start to deteriorate. Snowshill, where this shrine can be found, is a remarkable and unusual place, and well worth a visit if you are in the Cotswolds.