tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203137052011-12-15T10:34:10.725-03:00The world's a funny place, although I'm sure only a few might think so. These are my observations of this funny place, which probably tells you more about me than the world, either way hope it provokes a thought and brings a smile...Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.comBlogger2271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-42360569415162097692011-12-15T10:33:00.000-03:002011-12-15T10:34:10.747-03:00

A geek first, this comes to you via wi-fi... My hotspot that is weaving along the highway at 100 km/h.Wi-fi in a taxi, go figure.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-32054014286709486082011-12-15T07:11:00.000-03:002011-12-15T07:11:47.256-03:00

From the top of the Marina Bay Sands... Singapore, quite a spot, spotless and organised! 

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-58906640951676746662011-11-19T06:26:00.001-03:002011-11-24T18:00:58.537-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-60450873309747902932011-10-05T21:39:00.000-03:002011-10-05T21:40:12.087-03:00

C'est ça Bresil, et je l'aime.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-46665942431469198332011-09-07T11:25:00.001-03:002011-09-07T11:32:25.971-03:00

A windy day to take the ferry to Delos, the sacred, uninhabited island at the centre of the Cyclades.Looking back as we leave the calm of Mykonos.View from Mount Kinthos.Apparently one of the oldest Greek inscriptions.Here kitty kitty.... One of Naxian's gifts.Wishing you salt spray drenching on the way back from wherever you've been today.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-44150638277457308722011-09-06T15:04:00.001-03:002011-09-08T16:56:59.894-03:00

First evening in Mykonos...Dinner at Ornos beach.Pelican filakia

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-33946556952446843312011-09-03T12:19:00.001-03:002011-09-05T16:34:46.306-03:00

Somehow not feeling blue, despite the blue sea, blue skies, blue doors and blue domes.The port at Naoussa, where octopus hangs out.If all that blue is too much and you don't feel like braving the world, one could just hang out by the pool.One of the picturesque little chapels in Parikia.Despite all the blue, Paros is known for things white. The marble used by many of the sculptors dating back to

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-34688292427675264522011-09-01T12:40:00.000-03:002011-09-01T12:41:54.265-03:00

This about sums it up!

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-85104666605622898002011-09-01T03:25:00.000-03:002011-09-01T13:09:45.532-03:00

I can understand the skiing part... And quite frankly I don't care much about grass growing on my summer holiday ;) what a lovely day!

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-77990181176894180952011-08-30T12:26:00.000-03:002011-08-30T12:25:47.549-03:00

will travel... Ok maybe more like a piglet.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-16690458400986637432011-08-29T10:51:00.001-03:002011-09-01T02:46:14.535-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-33283068315903784952011-08-28T13:00:00.001-03:002011-08-28T13:00:08.494-03:00

Finally... Summer! First day and first sunburn, now that's summer holiday.Athens is a real surprise, a lot more happening than I expected. Anywhere, where one can have a cocktail on a rooftop bar at midnight in short sleeves can't be bad. Ok, so they haven't mastered the mojito... You can't have everything.Tomorrow the islands. Sending you sunshine wishes.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-49936565513593120602011-08-12T16:28:00.002-04:002011-08-17T14:28:04.053-04:00

more to come...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-41978981120097374682011-07-15T14:03:00.000-04:002011-07-15T14:03:27.578-04:00

Popped sort of into Switzerland today, and met... a future Lindt employee, who was hanging out at almost 1700 m, near the... great wall of Switzerland. Up there there is also a large white ball, making up the Dole weather station. Beautiful view over lac Leman with the Mont Blanc. Not often you can stand in one country, look straight across another one and then over the one you're in and

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-25257865249059307622011-07-07T07:37:00.000-04:002011-07-07T07:37:05.334-04:00

Just because one has to wonder at how amazing these little things are... Hope summer is being good to you.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-17894263779638459002011-06-26T16:02:00.002-04:002011-06-26T16:02:42.781-04:00

What a sparkly day. A day for the parc...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-91911884520309558792011-06-16T19:57:00.000-04:002011-06-16T19:57:03.034-04:00

And it's served very cold!

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-9549891977600168952011-06-15T00:56:00.001-04:002011-06-15T10:40:16.831-04:00

The A13 isn't too bad, especially if you're not coming into Paris, but I kinda preferred this view on the way to work this morning. So where's that? When you bump into someone in the hotel car park. They offer you a lift, make you at home on there exhibition stand, drive you back, and then invite you out to dinner with the bunch of their colleagues... you can only be in Brazil. All the better

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-7929408313495272252011-06-11T19:14:00.002-04:002011-06-11T21:00:29.403-04:00

The best sushi to be found without a doubt, and still as good 5 years later! www.ichiban.cl you can't go to Santiago without Ichibaning...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-18783407855523354432011-06-11T09:17:00.001-04:002011-06-24T03:37:36.451-04:00

I especially took a window seat to soak up one of things that I miss about Chile, the cordillera. The sunset didn't disappoint. Hasta leugo.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-74270809166841059712011-06-05T17:32:00.001-04:002011-06-05T17:32:13.232-04:00

A nice little storm in Paris to break the humidity...Could think i was in Johannesburg...nah, it doesn't smell highveld ;)

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-62240535424674258622011-06-01T10:40:00.000-04:002011-06-01T10:40:03.656-04:00

Oh so very Roma...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-61576466243395395972011-05-30T06:08:00.000-04:002011-05-30T06:08:34.614-04:00

A day as a Roman, no one waving palm fronds, but with the good food and killer granita life is quite decadent.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-7809679998693033642011-04-26T15:08:00.001-03:002011-04-26T15:10:10.810-03:00

I still haven't worked out why bunnies have chocolate eggs... the good thing is that I no longer have to worry, because in France it isn't the bunny that brings them, it's the bell. Go figure, so much simpler... Either way, unleash the kids! There's chocolate to be eaten.  There are also goodies for the more observant, we had our own hunting to do. Morilles, the easter egg hunt, Jura style ;)

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-89598873754201878902011-04-17T16:29:00.000-03:002011-04-17T16:29:58.493-03:00

One forgets that there is a beach not so far from the sandstone jungle that is Paris. If one believes in evolution, then it must be a very young beach, the sand is still forming, right now the grains are still 5 centimetres. I guess it eliminates the problem of getting sand in your jocks. The cliffs around Etretat are pretty cool though, looks like a fun place to go kayaking. Strolling on top

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-58914634528385592012011-04-04T15:17:00.000-03:002011-04-04T15:17:15.083-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-17218681864168670352011-03-31T17:37:00.002-03:002011-03-31T17:39:48.444-03:00

Last time I said mostly right. I'm upgrading it. About the only thing to get used to in the Giulietta is the big B column, but then most new cars need to hide their airbags somewhere, as if one no longer needs to check one's blind spot in this modern age of safety. Then there's Blue&Me. Its voice recognition has dialed Brazil, Chile, Singapore and the UK, all in an effort to dial down the road.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-1511658450346999802011-03-27T04:40:00.000-03:002011-03-27T04:40:43.128-03:00

She came into our world on Friday 25 March at 18h35, weighing 1320 kg and is 4,35 m tall. We're already quite fond of little Giulietta. Up until now, there are quite a few rants about Paris traffic and drivers in this blog. I suspect nothing will change in Paris, but at least I will be happier to just sit there. The new Alfa Giulietta achieves, what I think is the essence of Alfas; it is just

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-37295403801097491122011-03-10T16:55:00.002-03:002011-03-10T16:55:58.228-03:00

Just because it is feeling springish.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-80312265860089656422011-03-09T15:45:00.000-03:002011-03-09T18:31:07.394-03:00

Just been to London. Isn't it amazing what we take for granted. Amazing what man has done. We can travel at 300 km/h, through a tunnel, under the ocean. All whilst being in touch with friends, family and colleagues with a little gadget in the palm of our hand (well not in the tunnel, but you get the idea). Amazing! The, you get to England, and one sees this: Isn't it amazing what man has

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-33026995552873195212011-02-16T18:41:00.002-03:002011-02-17T05:45:32.870-03:00

I was in Morocco last weekend, and witnessed something big. There was a gathering, something is going  down. To the casual eye they blended in quite well, but it can't be coincidence. Then it came to me... Ouarzazate - film studios - desert... I think they're doing Star Wars VII. Either that, or Luke Skywalker is really Moroccan, and I discovered the real home of the Jedi. I kept my eyes open

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-54488475191934875312011-02-15T11:28:00.000-03:002011-02-15T11:28:44.822-03:00

The delightful chaos that is Marrakech.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-75109654837142817532011-02-12T17:06:00.001-03:002011-02-12T17:06:23.826-03:00

The rare Atlas Jedi was spotted looking for his Wookie on the dry side of the atlas mountains...I now understand where they bought their costumes. Stacks of Jedii lurking in Morocco.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-4421844496936515282011-02-12T16:45:00.002-03:002011-06-24T03:41:53.629-04:00

Question of the day; if a revolution can be organized with the help of twitter, can't it be used at 5 am instead of the loudspeaker on the minaret??? Beautiful scenery on the way to Morocco's little Hollywood, where parts of Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and prince of Persia were filmed. On the way back we were even 'treated' to snow crossing over the Atlas mountains. Talk

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-13144383767074707892011-01-19T16:33:00.001-03:002011-01-19T16:36:27.136-03:00

Last weekend I went to France, and then returned to Lagos. I say Lagos, but it could be Mombassa, even Lima, throw in Delhi. Pick any spot where traffic is chaos and it is a general uncivilised free-for-all, the kind of mess you associate with developing infrastructure and general lawlessness on the road, throw in some overpopulation for good measure and a couple of broken down trucks... well

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-25422703607592277002010-12-28T04:47:00.001-03:002010-12-28T04:51:17.615-03:00

Lovely to take in some sunshine, and of course family at the end of the year. Some lovely nectar in the making... Shiraz apparently. Dornier wines nestled in the Hottentots Holland mountain - it was hot! Yum! All the best for 2011!

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-13955761085459676482010-12-23T10:41:00.001-03:002010-12-28T04:50:49.964-03:00

Hluhluwe reserve was amazing, and the birds were a treat; owls, bee-eaters, eagles, rollers and many a Hoopoe. Spare a thought for the Turkey at this time of year... Hluhluwe is great, not only for the little things, but even if elephants are you favourites...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-85148565310401174522010-12-17T15:50:00.001-03:002010-12-17T16:00:47.324-03:00

A night out, out of town, down in the Drakensburg. Ah the fresh air.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-75604993173066140502010-12-13T15:04:00.001-03:002010-12-13T15:04:12.983-03:00

A night out on the town...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-24811954447167892752010-12-04T14:58:00.003-03:002010-12-05T08:08:51.959-03:00

Not much fun when in the city, but out in the hills, it's another story.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-31409528630206602382010-11-05T05:17:00.000-03:002010-11-05T05:17:30.855-03:00

So, we officially entered depression last weekend with the shift in the clocks. No more afternoon, straight into the night. At least with all the trees around we have an upside.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-70861418997462595852010-10-30T12:31:00.001-03:002010-10-30T12:56:44.898-03:00

The weekend is normally time for the menage... for a change it's been turned upside down, this one has seen some manège.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-77420665234886821512010-10-26T17:24:00.000-03:002010-10-26T17:24:36.624-03:00

As Europe slides into its season of depression, lead in by the cold and the dark, it is nice to think of those sunnier places in our memories. So, instead of grey from Paris, here's a more pleasant thought; sea spray in Cape Point Nature Reserve, near the tip of the Cape peninsula. I'm surprised the Portuguese didn't stay when they first saw this, but they planted their cross and moved on.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-84710558887010423412010-10-11T15:11:00.002-03:002010-10-12T04:16:58.491-03:00

OK, so it's about as far from a Claude Monet as one can get, and it's not even evening. I didn't really realise, until last weekend, that Monet did many series, like his haystacks, the cathedral and even the famous bridge over the lily pond. What I did know, is that he lived nearish Bougival, where this photo was taken of the Seine. Unlike fiddling with Aperture 3 settings, his interest in the

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-37634399205416398002010-10-01T02:57:00.000-04:002010-10-01T02:57:15.575-04:00

Albeit grey, it was quite a pleasant day to stroll in the park.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-19348744223859699932010-09-26T12:53:00.000-04:002010-09-26T12:53:02.096-04:00

It's fig season.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-37366040579224480882010-09-22T08:21:00.000-04:002010-09-22T08:21:15.596-04:00

Perhaps there are even interesting pictures in the port of Rotterdam. One often finds a couple of giraffe standing around while another drinks.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-21767774022841672972010-09-15T05:04:00.003-04:002010-09-16T08:24:15.797-04:00

I was alone, strolling down Copacabana beach. Late afternoon, wet from a quick swim. The sun was setting over the city, but one could still feel its warmth. The seasoned beach goers had mostly left, it was the now the runners and strollers’ shift. I thought to myself, ‘this is paradise, what a perfect evening, what a perfect place’. Far from it. I had a safe key tied inside my pocket. The young

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-11960907616971678472010-09-14T06:47:00.000-04:002010-09-14T06:47:25.053-04:00

When in Rio you could go to the touristy restaurants, where it's expensive, you hang out with tourists and the food is mediocre, or, you can find a little bar on the street where the locals are entertaining and the food is mediocre... Mais um chopp por favor.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-5415598080781536742010-09-12T17:45:00.002-04:002010-09-12T18:41:41.763-04:00

The day started off with me feeling very sorry for myself. Long haul flights are OK, you can stroll around, hang out in the galley or choose your film. Well you can if it's in one of the big planes. Last night, was 7,5 hours in a 737, with a back bulkhead seat that didn't recline, spaced for the legs of a little Panama girl. So, I had some guys head up my nose (consolation was my knees were in

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-11401021856099422432010-09-04T13:19:00.000-04:002010-09-04T13:19:47.061-04:00

Top of Sicily at 3340 m Steaming crater at about 2940 m, the Etna eruption of 2002. View from Taormina towards the mainland.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-44539245443890959092010-09-03T14:28:00.001-04:002010-09-04T13:23:20.004-04:00

The Romans invent the bikini? One of the girls from the mosaics to be seen at Casa Romana del Casale. After dinner in Piazza Armerina Getting the chop in Siracusa Ahoy the mainland... looking from Taormina towards Calabria Almond wine with roasted almonds

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-10058223175273282192010-08-30T16:34:00.001-04:002010-08-30T16:39:02.267-04:00

Palermo, just before the Mercato Vucciria gets going. The cat (Wally the cat) drew me to this picture. The view from Erice castle is worth the motion sickness from the hairpins. Marsala, yes, where the wine comes from.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-39828690120350791532010-08-24T07:52:00.002-04:002010-08-24T08:10:13.505-04:00

Ahh holidays are good, a little stroll in the undergrowth to look for some cépe mushrooms. A little garlic, some parsley.... yum! Not this one, he stayed in the forest for the slugs. These little guys came home with us... mmmmm

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-84304897873407957362010-08-23T15:41:00.002-04:002010-08-24T08:39:16.320-04:00

It was a beautiful weather Sunday, and holidays season. So needless to say, every man and his dog had the same idea as us... lets stroll up to Lac Blanc. The best part about 'walking' to Lac Blanc is getting a fair bit of the ascent taken care of by the téléphérique de la Flégère. The fresh air is also so much more welcoming after cuddling up to someone's armpit in the cable car cabin. From the

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-73933688794159693502010-08-18T14:33:00.000-04:002010-08-18T14:33:11.968-04:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-3737329466565754972010-08-17T14:37:00.002-04:002010-08-17T14:37:45.538-04:00

on a mission

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-3483635073544315822010-08-13T13:29:00.001-04:002010-08-14T13:41:08.628-04:00

Just because you have to like Elephants... Bon weekend

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-92065529403445305672010-08-11T13:04:00.001-04:002010-08-11T13:04:34.296-04:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-28818118630609960702010-08-01T13:17:00.002-04:002010-08-02T07:20:00.661-04:00

He who hesitates is lost. No truer expression for taking on l'étoile by car. Simple rule; he who is coming from the right is king, even if 'he' is just a piddly Smart. Above all, don't hesitate, just gooi! Speaking of étoile, I like the 15 odd little étoiles surrounding the Arc de Triomphe in the photo below (click for a larger view). All starry thanks to the small aperture used to get the long

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-41378343043020486922010-07-31T04:28:00.002-04:002010-08-03T16:49:19.355-04:00

Within a Paris setting, La Défense is fairly weird, and even more so when viewed through a fisheye. It's great fun seeing what can be done, a really photogenic spot. Star trek meets the EDF tower Not often you see all of la grande arche from within the arch.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-9872215708555560902010-07-27T13:55:00.003-04:002010-07-27T14:11:45.688-04:00

Imagine being able to see on both sides of your head... With a fish-eye, one can, almost. The world doesn't look altogether what one is used to. The new addition to the family is a Samyang 8mm f/3.5 lens (here's a review). So, using a DX sensor, this gives a 180° field of view on the diagonal with its stereographic projection. Or, in normal speak, a very wide angle with lots of distortion.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-44099825421681251762010-07-26T12:39:00.002-04:002010-07-27T01:47:26.321-04:00

It is impressive to be at the side of the road when the riders of the Tour de France come by. It has been a long hot tour, and yet even on the last day their strength is remarkable. Positioned at the quayside, next to the Jardins de Tuileries, it was fun to try capture some of the action. Yes one could up the ISO, or open up the aperture to freeze the cyclists, who must be doing 50 - 60 km/h.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-10110944098200395912010-07-14T11:37:00.002-04:002010-07-14T11:42:25.606-04:00

Music by DJ Omatic

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-90669057543091145722010-07-14T10:29:00.001-04:002010-07-14T10:31:33.410-04:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-82001500518931494602010-07-13T18:07:00.003-04:002010-07-14T03:50:00.832-04:00

The 14th of July is nearly upon us in France, which means fireworks in front of the Eiffel Tower. Outside of Paris however, fireworks night is the 13th. Here are a few shots from the Pont de Sèvres, looking down the Seine at l'île Seguin. Elsewhere most people seem to refer to the 14 July as Bastille Day. In France, I'm not sure I've ever heard it called that, here it goes by "La fête

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-68292063974908488082010-07-04T08:05:00.000-04:002010-07-04T08:05:52.690-04:00

It is hot in the South! Summer is here, even at 11pm in Montpellier.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-22916860416534449112010-07-04T03:30:00.001-04:002010-07-04T03:35:41.836-04:00

Very cooperative models by the seaside, although sitting still isn't their thing. Wishing you sun and salt water.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-43181782395547711722010-06-28T16:52:00.000-04:002010-06-28T16:52:54.507-04:00

Photos for now, write-up will come.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-69271479385534292562010-06-27T15:18:00.001-04:002010-06-27T15:24:03.276-04:00

It all started off with a typical Air France lounge breakfast, it could have been the 10h30 to Houston, but it wasn't, this was a special weekend jol to London. What's so special about waking up early on Saturday to fly to London? The special part, was that there were 516 of us, and we weighed 360 tonnes.   Air France is busy running some short hauls with their new Airbus A380. They sell it as a

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-12138466121829066732010-06-20T16:24:00.002-04:002010-06-21T03:34:12.839-04:00

The home of Pilsner, so naturally a trip to Prague must include a Urquell or two.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-6087213299887653472010-06-12T06:19:00.000-04:002010-06-12T06:19:29.479-04:00

I can only imagine what a party it must be back in South Africa. However, when talking to people overseas, inevitable the subject of violence and security comes up. Having watched the France, Uruguay game, I can now understand their concerns. If you attend this world cup, you probably won't get mugged, but you will return deaf. So, forget the journalists and their quest for sensationalism. Your

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-10592802740910698392010-06-06T15:31:00.002-04:002010-06-20T16:39:12.378-04:00

It's not called the Delta for nothing.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-84217980716910971292010-06-03T17:39:00.002-04:002010-06-06T15:41:21.972-04:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-72032223034635172002010-05-19T17:39:00.000-04:002010-05-19T17:39:27.963-04:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-79589326992447574412010-05-16T01:55:00.020-04:002010-05-16T12:20:29.243-04:00

A long weekend in Prague, a city I could live in, although a beer gut would be inevitable. Royal palace for 30" as seen from Charles Bridge Domes and towers of the old city, from the Old City Tower of Charles Bridge Muzeum metro station Café Louvre - killer hot chocolate, lousy carrot cake

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-87136211636218517882010-05-09T07:36:00.001-04:002010-05-09T09:58:32.288-04:00

everyone else must pay cash. Doesn't it strike you as odd, that one finds a statement like this on the American quarter?  Equally intriguing, it is quite amazing the crud and scratches on the surface when seen up close. This is obtained by placing an inverted 35 mm lens on the end of a 105 mm macro, so that gives about a 1:3 magnification. Now I just need to find some bugs to sit still and pose.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-57830691586187200732010-04-27T17:19:00.001-04:002010-04-27T17:21:02.808-04:00

Only a month ago it was quite chillos, and now it is still light at 9pm. This is downtown Stavanger in the evening, after dinner, taken with a lousy Blackberry camera. I'm not sure why they bother with a camera like that on the phone, but then I guess that's just it... it's a phone after all. A nice evening in a cool little town.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-54300957697121364292010-04-24T14:35:00.003-04:002010-04-26T17:21:27.538-04:00

A long time ago, my folks bought a barometer during a trip to France. It had nice words on it like 'beau' and 'variable'. After living in France for a while I'm not sure I understand how this barometer would have worked locally during winter, since I don't seem to remember a 'temps de merde' range. It was destined for export. That weather is behind us now, and today is magic. How do I know that?

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-35375374767729422962010-04-24T13:41:00.002-04:002010-04-24T13:43:28.751-04:00

It has been a long drought... but today I found that the IPL cricket is broadcast live on youtube yaaayyeeeeeeeeee. So I gave up a few hours of a stunningly beautiful spring afternoon to be glued to my computer screen. It is as American as you can get, ads every over, and sometimes between balls, even pom pom girls. It was worth it to see a few South Africans give cricket lessons.  Vive la

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-22498382085299024222010-04-21T07:14:00.000-04:002010-04-21T07:14:56.713-04:00

It doesn't give one much faith that sophisticated planes and pilots can't avoid a dust cloud. Ah well, Europe is flying again, for now...

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-85278318145497225392010-04-13T17:18:00.001-04:002010-04-15T03:26:24.385-04:00

France is a 'civilised' place. The public transport works, most the time. The TGV is amazing, albeit expensive. The cheese is great. The wines are super. The healthcare system is apparently the envy of most states. The roads aren't too schabby. The ski stations are well equipped. The national airline is up there (although the Boeing 777-200s on the Houston leg could do with replacement). The

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-34354937739059371152010-03-31T17:00:00.001-03:002010-04-03T06:31:21.940-03:00

I was on my way home in a KLM plane. I looked down, and I caught myself dipping my stroopkoekje into my coffee... Does that mean that I have been in France too long? It has been long enough, that I now write my phone number in pairs of numbers, and I don't feel the urged to have a plate beneath my bread. I even answer the phone with just an 'allo', in a suspicious way, just in case it's someone

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-33407123544306630682010-03-05T18:00:00.000-03:002010-03-05T18:00:02.206-03:00

South Africa, and France, two places that are very different, but both are part of my reality, and now they share some space at an exhibition of photos. Below are some of the pictures on display. Yes, I know SA is more than just animals, and France is not just black and whites of Paris, but hey there is only so much wall space. If you're in Paris, drop me a line in the comments, and I'll

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-67265250518371906902010-02-23T15:28:00.000-03:002010-02-23T15:28:09.265-03:00

Pont des Arts (oh come back summer) Gay Paree, I've decided I like this city. There is a lot to like, but it's the odd stuff that ticks one's clock. I like the surreal feeling of driving around Place d'Etoile and Place de la Concorde on the cobbles. I like the butchers with their one-strap aprons that get ready in the early mornings. I like the way one falls out of the narrow lanes of the 16th

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-90094034159896158812010-01-31T15:30:00.001-03:002010-01-31T15:37:36.696-03:00

Avery orange Sunday

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-5361742066570008432010-01-29T04:07:00.000-03:002010-01-29T04:07:12.896-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-41862317986358826692010-01-24T18:25:00.001-03:002010-01-25T16:35:22.126-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-43637662144774473762010-01-08T19:26:00.002-03:002010-01-09T04:47:13.821-03:00

Global warming... not convinced. Where it was supposed to be cold and white, it wasn't, and yet it was snowing in the north of France. Go figure! So it was a green Christmas in the forests in the Jura hills. Luckily, Santa's reindeer still had a thin layer of white stuff to use; so spoilt as usual. No it isn't some expired film or magic mushrooms, it is a foggy lens. It was cold out

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-81651496111741808442010-01-01T13:29:00.000-03:002010-01-01T13:29:25.591-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-23470830794162170602009-12-28T16:03:00.000-03:002009-12-28T16:03:13.767-03:00

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-85162745815996995282009-12-27T11:16:00.001-03:002009-12-27T11:22:25.001-03:00

So 2009 is almost up, hope it has been a good one for you. This year-end is again in the hills with the snow. White Christmas seems more christmassy... the stomach will need a holiday. There actually isn't that much snow around, nevertheless the little-in-laws put on their tights and took in some cross country skiing. So what does cross country look like? It could be graceful or fluid. It sure

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-6445334705133053052009-12-22T18:23:00.001-03:002009-12-23T12:40:13.124-03:00

Right now there is quite a nice exhibition on Bhutan at Musée Guimet. Lots of little Buddhas, in just about every incarnation, and painfully detailed thankas telling many a story. One thing is clear, I don't understand what I am looking at. The museum itself is quite interesting though. That, I don't need to understand, just shoot. And the avenue alongside. It looks sunny, but it's

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-11784212000485527182009-12-09T19:09:00.002-03:002009-12-12T06:27:07.055-03:00

I never did finish the South Arica trip. We had made it down to Cape Agulhas, from there it was on to  Cape Town and its surrounds. Stellenbosch, nestled in the Hottentot Holland mountains, with the Cape Dutch architecture. A university town, but also home to great wines, restaurants, golf courses, olives, strawberries... the list goes on. Just south of Stellenbosch, and along the

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-89644679702024831202009-12-01T20:08:00.002-03:002009-12-12T06:28:00.564-03:00

Sitting in a plane the other day, I decided that I believe in a supreme being. It has nothing to do with the awe that is still there for each take-off, nor the particularly nasty turbulence I wished we weren't going through. It was more of a negative argument that lead me to god. When one feels like killing the ambiance of the dinner party, you can always bring up evolution and creation type

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-21240011263299736382009-11-27T15:47:00.001-03:002009-11-27T15:47:27.722-03:00

I have proof that the Norwegians drink too much. One can find odd stuff in hotel rooms, but this has to be one of the more puzzling; a bottle opener (like those wall mounted bar ones) in the bathroom on the wall next to the toilet. Go figure? Does one really have to replenish that quickly? I prefer to have some good reading material.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-70315760936721890322009-11-27T13:00:00.000-03:002009-11-27T13:00:37.101-03:00

Been seeing a few airports of late, and each has its own little peculiarity, but yesterday made me laugh. Imagine having a nice big airport and the possibility to cruise around the place like a madman on a bicycle... now that sounds like fun. Hmmm, not according to the men with well kempt beards and straight postures that cruise the halls of Frankfurt airport on their little wheeled bicycles. I

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-87974366604382067992009-11-22T14:29:00.002-03:002009-12-12T06:28:33.242-03:00

I share home with starlings, daisies and a construction site. On the way home from Paris Photo the crane next door was packed with starlings on every possible surface, the noise made me think of Stephen King's Dark Half, although these weren't sparrows, and they were just sitting there. I rushed back outside armed with camera, but by then they had flown... so you will have to make do with a

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-18866032288086487972009-11-20T16:02:00.001-03:002009-12-12T06:28:48.474-03:00

So I mentioned new toys the other day. I am very spoilt. I am now the lucky owner of a Nikon D300s for which I opted to get the Tamron 17-50 mm F/2.8 VC. Last time around I chose the kit lens that gave the largest zoom range, and after a few years with that I decided it wiser to go for something faster and not the all rounder. I haven't done a huge amount of shooting with it, but so far I like

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20313705.post-68373812054101377652009-11-19T13:12:00.000-03:002009-11-19T13:12:09.356-03:00

Paris winter grey can get one down a bit, but then there are those sparkly winter days. Not the usual view of the Seine. Apparently, it is from around here where the water for Versailles' fountains are pumped. Not too schabby for a stroll during lunchtime. Wishing you a sparkly winter day.

Grobbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071691881632854928noreply@blogger.com0