I was given an early Christmas present last week, when the editorial team of Vine Kensington and Chelsea magazine chose to feature one of my photographs as their December cover.
The digital edition of the magazine is now available online.
The image chosen was my photograph of the snow-dusted statue of William of Orange within the grounds of Kensington Palace.
William of Orange statue, Kensington Palace
As part of our Christmas wanderings, we made a day trip to the lovely village of Gruyeres when we were recently in Switzerland. Following are some of my favourite photos from the day.
Gruyeres village church and graveyard - sun-drenched and snow-dusted
View from the courtyard of the Chateau de Gruyeres
Through the window pane - Chateau de Gruyeres
The box hedges of the Chateau's formal garden, draped with snow
Swiss sunset, Gruyeres
Giger Museum, Gruyeres
As a post-script, I’m really not sure why there’s a Giger museum in the postcard-pretty hilltop medieval village of Gruyeres, but there is. So if you’re a mad-keen ‘Alien‘ or Giger fan, Gruyeres should be on your ‘to visit’ list. Me? I was more than happy just to explore the Chateau 
I have a feeling that there will be a number of future posts on a similar theme – depending on whether I manage to get to all the locales one my list with lovely Christmas lights. There’s something quite romantic about the dark afternoons and the fairylights brightening open spaces.
Well, that’s my take on it, and perhaps because I grew up knowing hot Christmases I will always feel that a cold Christmas is something akin to living in a Christmas card. So there you have it – I’ve outed myself. I am a Christmas tragic, and am proud of it
Swarovski snowflake at Scotch Corner, Knightsbridge
Swarovski crystal snowflake, Knightsbridge
Christmas Harrods
Bedecked Museum
The Christmas markets in Hyde Park are a fabulously almost-kitsch hybrid between temporary mini theme park and Anglecised Weihnachtsmarkt.
But having said that, the lights are lovely, and they make for a good photography subject. Here are some of the photos I took on the weekend:
London Eye-style wheel in Hyde Park
Whirligig - Winter Wonderland
Weihnachtsgeschaft
Dancing lights
Red fairy lit avenue pointing the way to the outdoor ice rink
Looking through my photos just now, I spotted a neat duo that I thought I’d share. Hope you like them
Statue of Freddie Mercury in Montreux
This first photo is of the statue that stands in tribute to the Queen frontman, who lived his final years in Montreux. The flowers are to celebrate what would have been his 60th birthday on September 2, 2006.
The next photo is outside the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End, where the musical We WIll Rock You has been playing for years.
Freddie Mercury dressed for Christmas
I like the birthday version …
Der Weihnachtsmarkt in Koeln – Christmas street lights; December 2006
Koeln Weihnachtsmarkt
Christmas prayers by candlelight in Koeln Cathedral, December 2006
Prayers by candlelight
