The White Cliffs of Dover

Loved, loved, loved our trip out to the White Cliffs of Dover.  It's less than a two hour drive so we set out knowing we had clear weather ahead.  I was pretty proud of myself as I drove the whole way there with little anxiety that usually accompanies my UK driving experiences!

We found the parking and made our way along the coastal trails which butt up pretty close to the cliff edges.  I was really impressed with the views and could have laid there all day listening to the subtle rhythm of the ocean waves crashing along the base of the cliffs.  Our views were beautiful and the skies were so pretty above making for some pretty awesome shots.  From the cliffs, you can also see the Dover Castle off in the distance.  We will have to go back and tour the castle at another time.

There were some horses down there if you zoom in.  Just click on the photo for slideshow view.

All the photos of Dover can be found over here...http://aimeecunninghamphotography.zenfolio.com/doverengland.

We made our way out to South Foreland Lighthouse which is an active lighthouse.  We enjoyed an English tea at the tea room and took a tour of the lighthouse.

Our final treat was getting shots of Dover Castle as the sun was beginning to set.  I was excited with these captures!

The water was the prettiest shades of blue.  

These are 4 and 5 photo panoramic merges.  I took up to 5 vertical photos and using Lightroom, seamed them together.  The program did an amazing job.  I love taking pans as you can print them larger because they contain more pixels to work with.

Find Joy Photography

Here's a little reminder to remember to find JOY in the little things.  Life is full of stress and anxiety that can weigh us down, steal our JOY.  Sometimes it helps if we focus on the ordinary...the simple pleasures.  I went through a time when I found it hard to be joyful.  I turned to writing it down, writing down each little thing that brought me happiness, a smile.  I don't need that journal anymore, but it's a habit, I guess as a photographer, to look for the little things.  So now it's a part of me, all I have to do is look around and see and hear lots of things that bring me JOY.  Sometimes it's a big thing like a life event, but more often than not it's the ordinary...

          a bird whistling in our trees,
          a daffodil blooming as the first signs of Spring,
          a baby's smile,

          or a ride on a ferris wheel!

♥ Aimee

Visit to Amsterdam

I have to say I developed a love/hate relationship with Amsterdam. We took an overnight ferry across the channel which was a first for me. I was worried about getting seasick, but did fine going.  Coming back the waters were a bit choppy and I kept waking up feeling a little woozy.  We woke up in the morning on the banks of Amsterdam, took two trains into the city from there. It was cold and rainy all but the last day, which seems to be our luck lately. 

I loved the canals and all the pretty buildings, but have to say that I hated the smell of marijuana floating throughout the streets. I also didn't like looking up at the occasional X-rated shops scattered throughout the city. During the day the "Red Light" district wasn't as bad as I had envisioned. The area it was located was actually very pretty. I loved our tour of the Anne Frank House museum.  Several times, my heart wrenched.  Visiting places like this sure brings history to life. 

And if I thought the bikers were an issue in Cambridge, it was madness in Amsterdam. Pedestrians it seems do not have the right away. 

The Royal Palace

Anne Frank's House

St. Nicholas Church

Central Station

Views from atop the Doubletree Hotel

Rijksmuseum and the I amsterdam sign