2018 has been a whirlwind year for me. Between finally deciding to commit to the project that is Carpediemeire and all of the trials and travels that come with it, it’s been a journey that’s sure.
I’ve made mistakes along the way and I’ll be the first to admit that I really didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into. I had no idea how to grow a blog, how to attain readers, or how best to go about building relationships with other bloggers. That took some months and trial and error. But now as the year ends I’m getting my head around it. Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram provide me good sources of clicks through to my webpage. I can’t say I’ve mastered any but I’ve gotten a firm footing in all three. My blogs also finally have the structure they sorely lacked in those early days of 2018. However the discussion of my blogging journey is one for another day.
Writing aside my blogs have always had another focus. That focus is on photography. Photography has been a love of mine for many years now, and goes hand in hand with my love of travel. I’ve never been one to blow my own trumpet, but a consistent appraisal from my blogging peers has been that my photos stand out. It’s something I’ve worked on throughout the year, and I feel I’ve seen a marked progress in my technique.
For my final entry to Carpediemeire for 2018, I want to share my year’s journey through the photos that helped bring my blogs to life. I’m delighted that my memories will now be preserved in both word and pictures, long after my own start to fade. I’ve provided a contextual precursor to the different locations and their photos.
My year began with a misadventurous trip to Mayo in Ireland’s West. Our hotel’s location provided some breathtaking views over the River Moy.
London
My travels then took me on a solo trip to London. The galleries of St Paul’s Cathedral are such an ideal place to view the gargantuan city.
Holland
April saw my birthday and an opportuinity to do one of my bucket list items. We travelled to Amsterdam and strolling the canals was a delight.
The best windmills are probably found outside the city and Haarlem and Zaanse Schans were some of my favourite places to visit.
But we were there for my bucket list item. Spring sees tulips in full bloom, and after the delightful gardens of Keukenhof, we took to the back roads of the country, in search of some of the worlds most colourful fields. We weren’t to be disappointed, as a sea of colour unfolded before us.
Tuscany
As we entered late spring, good fortune found me on a work trip to Tuscany. Three days of food, wine, vineyards, and medieval towns was tough on the soul. The narrow streets, towers and churches of Lucca were delightful.
Pisa for the tourist trap was not without its pleasures, its trio of duomo, baptistery and tower, were extremely photogenic.
United Kingdom
May also brought with a return to the UK. The cities of Bath, Bristol and Wells and the gorgeous town of Castle Coombe were our targets. Wells was simply wonderful, Britain’s smallest city punching above its weight.
Our rushed visit to Bristol mostly only give us time to seek out Banksy and the Clifton Bridge.
Castle Coombe was one of my highlights of the year, a Cotswolds village that seemed to be stuck in the year 1718. The whole town was built in a honey coloured stone and ranks as one of the more beautiful villages I’ve ever passed through.
The last leg of our tour took us to the Roman city of Bath. At its centre the Roman Baths with their verdant green water are both the main draw culturally and historically. The River Avon which dissects the town finds its most aesthetic location in Pulteney Weir and Bridge.
Ireland
Staycations brought their own reward, with a summer trip to the coastal town of Carlingford in Ireland.
Even closer to home we made a visit to Dublin’s Trinity College.
Hungary
Our summer destination would be Hungary, and we spent a day in the blistering heat of Budapest. The Buda castle provides great views of the city below, and inspiration for any aspiring photographer.
We travelled through much of Eastern Hungary, visiting Debrecen, Tokaj, Eger, Nyiregyhaza, as well as the Great Plain of Hungary. The castles of Boldogko and Sirok were amongst the most breathtaking places in the country. This is a random scattering of photos from our day trips.
Reformed Church, Debrecen or the Lego church as I called it
The sunset view from the castle of Eger
Cork
September happened, and we spent our anniversary in Cork in Ireland. The trip took us to the stunning Swiss Cottage in Tipperary, the gorgeous grounds of Fota Wildlife Park, and the coastal towns of Cobh and Kinsale, possibly two of Ireland’s finest.
Our final trip of the year, saw us in Marrakesh. The city was an architectural delight, from our Riad, the palaces to the many ornamental doors. An excursion saw us riding camels on the palm grove of the city’s outskirts, and I fulfilled my ambition to be photographed with the snake charmers of Jemaa el-Fna.
This has been my photographic journey in 2018. It has been an enjoyable year of travel and I am full of anticipation for the one to come.
I would be delighted if you would like, comment or share.
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33 Responses
Happy New Year John. Congrats on a great 2018 and all the best to you and yours in 2019. Allan
Thank you Allan. Some fond memories putting this together. You made quite a few yourself. Wishing you all the best for 2019 also hopefully some day soon we come across each other in an Irish pub. Thanks for all the support this year.
Wow, you really went all over the place. I love seeing worn staircases like the ones at Chapter House. Just makes me think of all the history – all of the people that climbed those stairs in the past. I also really love the pictures from the Netherlands. Think I need to get myself there sooner rather than later.
It wasn’t a bad year. I’m currently working on making 2019 better so hopefully I can keep the photos flowing. I’m a history junkie too so many of the places here really made my year. I definitely recommend The Netherlands for spring time, the colours are really in bloom.
OMG this is epic! Love all your pics and diversity of destinations! Keep at it!
It would take some effort to stop me. I’m loving been able to share my photos and thoughts. Thank you so much. It’s great to hear motivational words from someone such as yourself
What an amazing year you’ve had! Absolutely love all your photos, especially those bird shots. Incredible! I look forward to reading more posts in 2019. Melis
Thank you Melis. It’s been a fun year, and I saw so much to point a camera at. Those bird shots wouldn’t usually be my forte but were some of my best. Looking forward to yours in 2019 too
What an amazing year you’ve had! Love all your pics especially those bird shots and the tulip fields in Amsterdam – WOW! Look forward to reading more posts in 2019. Melis
Howdy! Well, I agree, your photos are magnificent! I look forwarding to journeying with you through your photos and stories into 2019. Well done! Ps, loved the “lego” church.
Thank you Amber. I’m sorry to break it to you but it wasn’t made from Lego. I went in to check. Oh well. Delighted to have you follow along, looking forward to connecting more over 2019. All the best in the new year
Hi. A very happy new year to you and yours.
Neil Scheinin
And many happy returns to you.
Looking forward to keeping up with your meandering stories in 2019, they are always a joy to read.
John
Wonderful pictures! I love how you shoot scenes through arches and alleyways.
Thank you Marie. I do love to shoot streets and buildings, I guess it’s my style. Have a great 2019, and thank you for being supportive over the last year.
What an amazing set of photos, John! (What an amazing set of experiences you had in 2018!)
All the best for 2019 – we look forward to your posts over the next year!
Manuel & Roberto
Thanks guys. Delighted you enjoyed my snapshot of 2018. Maybe one year soon I can include Villa Paradiso in a round up of the year.
All the best for the new year for you too. You seem to have a great operation going there.
John
Some beautiful moments, colorful photos and memories for sure. Loving your adventures and that three April births (Jess/Bernie are both Aries) have the same drive to experience the amazing people and places in this world (and brews and food along the way). Happy New Year to the CDE fam.
Must be in the time of the year. I always speculate I was conceived during holidays, so there might be something to that. 2018 besides the travels has been great for the connections I have made. All the best for 2019 for both of you too.
Fantastic photos! You’ve inspired me to go to every single one of these places. What an incredible year. So glad to be able to follow along! I did hope you wouldn’t include the snakes, though 😉
Can’t tell the story without the snakes. I was delighted with this blog, it’s the only way I could show all my favourite photos and places together. It was so good to look back on the year. I can only hope 2019 is as fruitful
Absolutely incredible, John! The photography is stunning and I love the way it flows as if I’m taking a journey around the world with you. A truly magnificent post!
Thanks Matt. Delighted so many people like this
Congratulations on a terrific year. All the best for 2019. I look forward to more of your travel adventures and photos. 🙂
Thank you Lynette. It’s been great to look back on the year in this blog. I’ve certainly enjoyed it. You have been wonderful support for me as I set out on my blogging journey and I really appreciate it. Here’s to a great 2019.
John
Beautiful year! Wishing you a wonderful new year 🥳🤩
Thank you very much. The very same to you.
A year to be proud of! 🙂
Denise
Thank you Denise I appreciate it.
John
Done great pics!
Thank you so much.
*some great pics and places x
Now I get you. Damn typos ruin my life every day too. Thank you.