Almost full moon

I took this picture near my parents' home in Greece a few days before the August full moon. I was going on an errand with my dad and didn't have my camera with me, but when I saw those clouds and the moon shining bright, I just had to go pick it up and snap this shot.

Royal gardens

Last week I visited Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II. What we saw of the palace was very impressive, but unfortunately photography isn't allowed. Once outside in the gardens, you can take as many pictures are you like, so here is one of mine. Makes a difference from the blue waters and strong light of Greece and Cyprus, doesn't it?

Chilling out in the pool

Another way to enjoy water, this time by the pool bar. I took this photo at our hotel in Cyprus and I have no doubt that every single person standing in that pool is British (probably the baby too). Who needs waves when they can have beer?

Jump!

When the sea is too rough for swimming, you can always play "catch a wave". Not horizontally, like a surfer might, but vertically, simply for the pleasure of the temporary lift.

Getting drowned isn't my idea of fun, so instead of fighting with the waves in Agios Gordios beach in Corfu, I just sat at a seaside cafe and took photos. This is one of my favourites.

Santa and the souvenirs

Another souvenir shop shot, this time coming from Cyprus. Amongst the usual bibelots, jewellery and kitchen notepads, sits a lonely Santa clutching a Christmas tree with one hand and ringing a bell with the other. Ho ho ho.

I took this photo earlier this month in a souvenir shop in Pafos, Cyprus. This was the only Santa in the shop.

It's sales time

Sales aren't just for locals, they're also for tourists. I love those expressions of amazement and delight on the two girls' faces. Snapped at a souvenir shop in Oxford Street, London's retail centre.

Harry Potter weather

This summer has been unusually warm and dry. The effect can be seen all over our parks and open spaces which have turned a crisp yellow instead of their usual bright green. I took this photo just before a summer storm last week (our first in a long time), literally minutes before the skies opened. It reminded me of the opening scene from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.