The quest

What a summer we have had. I do not remember so many sunny and dry days in a long time. It feels as if an injection of energy and optimism arrived to the British Isles; or at least has visited me for much longer than I am used to from summer here.

And of course, when I went home for holidays, the feeling there was the same. Sunny, dry and a never-ending joy would fill every day throughout.

One did not have to do much searching for some photo gems...

This one was peeping out from our neighbour's garden.

Unfortunately, beginning last week, when we visited the St. James's Concours of Elegance Classic Car Show, it has not stopped raining.

When there, I captured rain drops on the bonnets of the cars, such as seen here in such contrast. And that was when the quest for rain drops started...

How exciting when you see something pretty, something amazing in everything, even rain. Quite frankly, one has no choice in this part of the world where rain becomes the norm.

In these pictures, when rain serves as a backdrop for what is perceived as style, an interesting scene is created...




As I mentioned already, it has been so and so with the weather here right now and so I took the camera with me today to continue with my quest...

The day has been wet, the day has been grey, the day has been overcast again.

And here I was, out there in search for some treasures...

What do you think about  the juxtaposition of natural elements, their colour and the tones? Don't they work well together?

Oh, how much I love discovering the beautiful in the mundane, don't you? K-)

St. James's Concours of Elegance Classic Car Show

Hello all those who have been tirelessly checking my blog for the past two months. Also please accept my apology for not keeping you up to date with what has been happening within my London cultural life. Having had such a wonderful summer here this year, I could not keep myself indoors but ran out every time a chance occurred. One has to enjoy the sun when it arrives to English shores...

In case you wonder what these pictures are all about, the clue is in the name. Yes, as the name suggests, I visited St. James's Palace (the garden that is, not the indoors) that hosted the Concours of Elegance Classic Car Show.

Now, I have to warn you, I do not know anything about cars but when the opportunity arouse, I could not let it go unnoticed. I had to go. And what a joy that was...

Of course, my intake on such occasion would not be at the entire car but its details. The attention to detail, the curves, the gloss on the bonnets of the cars, the crisp shiny colours. Indeed, the colours on those beauties worked for me. Yes, I am definitely one who would choose by the colour not the model...

If it was possible to choose my favourite, it would be the real oldies. Models from the turn of the 20 Century.

To see the use of wood where we are used to seeing metal alloy, wooden wheel and dashboard, the gear box.

What I really liked about this one was the way they stored the spare tires...

The real luxury and elegance came in the form of Darraco racing car. Just look at the soft leather seats. I certainly wanted to sit down. Or at least to touch it. The comfort shines at me even now when looking only at the pictures.

Again, a big smile and admiration came over me when observing the 'boot'. Such a style in itself; attach it to the car and you have a new meaning.

Just compare it to what we know nowadays. The form is probably more practical and definitely bigger but the style is gone...

Indeed travel and comfort seems to come in all forms and shapes throughout the ages.

Whether coming in a form of a cute suitcase matching the interior of this Mercedes Benz or this handy rail, the attention to detail is admirable.

When I saw such cosmetic finish on the bonnet here, I could not but think of some sort of a decoration for a jacket (the one that is still unfinished)...

Well inspiration can be found anywhere...

To sum up, I had a great time there. Additionally, this is an elegant and stylish return to my blog I would say. Going through all the photographs I took, I am sharing with you only a tiny little snipped. One thing I have to add though, when you get a chance to attend something like this, do not miss it. Go - rain or shine. K-)