Radio Netherlands Africa 10 Years

  Radio Netherlands African Bureau is ten years old since it was (re-)established in Cotonou. Benin makes a lot of sense as a production centre - the country is a laboratory for democracy. 

Off on Safari again

  This time the destination is Cotonou Benin. 

Washisname?

  Great flower, but can't remember what its called. 

Macro Test

  Windy day...yet these are sharp. Canon 30D tests 

Garden Orange

  just playing... 

Clogland News

  Doing quite a bit of writing and editing to finish projects that are due at the end of the month. Luckily it has cooled down a bit....it's difficult to remain sane when its 34 degrees in a edit suite - and machines never work as fast as you want them to do. Still pleased with the way the Canon 30D is performing. 

Red Roses

  Actually quite pleased with the way the Canon 30D works. Practising for some safaris coming up later in the month. Don't want to have to fumble with the instruction manual. 

New Gossip Released

 








It has taken a little longer than expected, but the warm sun in the garden this morning inspired me to finish off the latest Critical Gossip Magazine. Download is free, no strings attached. 

Testing the Canon 30D

  I am testing the new Canon 30D with various lenses. So far, I'm impressed by what this digital camera can do. I am using the EF-S17-85 mm lens.  

Working in the Garden

 
Great to be able to work outside at the moment. Not too hot or wet. 

Crash at Schiphol (2)

  Close up. Some start up files went wrong 

Crash at Schiphol

 
Always get concerned when displays at airports have such obvious faults. Not life-threatening, but reduces your confidence in other systems. Spotted at the luggage collection section of Amsterdam, Schiphol airport this morning. 

Luggage Belts at Schiphol

  I travel a lot and the luggage belts at Schiphol are definitely slowing down. Takes anything from 20 to 30 minutes after landing to get your stuff. 

Sale at Changi?

 
Passing through Changi airport in Singapore this evening, I see a promotion for a wind-up radio. But the price is very high compared to other parts of Asia. Likewise, the price of cameras on e-bay and internet shops was hundreds of euros cheaper than the cheapest price at the malls along Orchard Road. Singapore is no longer the gadgets paradise it once was. Clothes are cheaper than in Europe, but US is still the cheapest by a long mark. 

Lunch at the Club

  This is Singapore Golf Club, a very pleasant spot to have a (Chinese) meal. Seems there are time limits on the greens though. If you go round too slowly, you'll get a warning letter from the President to speed up your game. 

Holland Promotion in Singapore

 
Nice bit of Holland promotion as you check in at the British Airways counter at Changi airport, Singapore. 

Traditional Technology in Singapore Sun

 
The towers of Radio Singapore International and BBC's relay station are next to each other on one of the few bits of "rural" Singapore that haven't been developed. In fact, the land between them and a military wireless site has been developed into a golf course. I guess they could light the golf course 24 hours a day with flourescent tubes from the RF energy coming out of those antennas. 

Way home....

 
Lights in the Rijkmuseum garden to guide you back to the car. 

Well worth seeing. Greenaway has done a fascinating light and video show projected onto the real Nightwatch painting. The painting has been moved while the museum is being restored...so you can only see part of the collection at the moment. 

Rijksmuseum on the hottest night of the year

 

Woah...its 33 degrees at 6 pm in the evening. Inside its cooler.