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Back Home Again

Sorry for the week of radio silence: I got back last Friday but have been busy picking up the reins of my life and getting over jetlag and a cold.

Although Australia was fantastic and I had an amazing time, I’m glad to be home. I missed my family and while I loved the sunshine and sea, I do quite like this damp little island that I call home.

Happy Face
Kirsty Hall: Happy Face Graffiti, Bristol, Feb 2008

Getting off the plane I was struck both by the cold (it was snowing when I got back) and the gorgeous softness of the light we have here. Australia was so bright that I needed my sunglasses most of the time and the glaring light created strong shadows that gave everything a stark quality.

Australian Bush, Blue Mountains
Kirsty Hall: Australian Bush, The Blue Mountains, March 2008

I found myself very aware of the relentless fierceness of the heat: there’s no doubt that Australia is a harsh environment and many of the objects that I saw were weathered and bleached by the sun.

Worn fence posts
Kirsty Hall: Worn fence posts, Australia, March 2008

The light in Britain can occasionally be that strong but usually there’s a subtle quality to the light and colour here that I very much enjoy. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t enjoy a bit more warmth and sunshine but I like our rain-washed colour spectrum. I find that living with grey skies and muted colours so much of the year gives me a heightened appreciation of splashes of bright colour when I finally do see them.

Purple sky
Kirsty Hall: Purple Sunset, Bristol, Jan 2008

Unfurling
Kirsty Hall: New Leaves Unfurling, Bristol, Feb 2008

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Posted on March 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm  |  Tags:

  • Gorgeous photos! And welcome back.

    I know what you mean about the light here. I was talking to an Italian in Italy last summer and he said he'd never seen a sky so blue as a British sky in summertime.
  • Welcome back
    I'm in agreement about the softness of our light, it's beautiful isn't it,, though yes, more warmth and brightness would be nice, if only to get the washing dry with certainty... oh how i hate the "RAIN!!!!" dash to the washing line.

    I love your images here, they do feel like home. I was very torn though, because for me California is also home, so going back reminded me of the pleasures of not being cold (the sun was bright but not glaring, no need for sunglasses, and a constant breeze kept the air fresh). I hate to be cold, but rather too cold than too hot as a long term choice.

    Today has been beautifully sunny... snow due on saturday. Ha, British climate eh.
  • Your photography is just gorgeous, Kirsty. The 'new leaves' one is wonderful. I guess it is because of the light here that I like drawing things with dramatic shadows.
  • Nice to have this sort of reminder at this time of the year. Thanks :-)
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