Taking the long view

Today is the third anniversary of my blog. I thought I'd commemorate it with a theme of taking the long view. In the first two instances, I'm referring to enjoying the view outside of the premises we live in, and incorporating them into the experience we have inside.

These first two images are from the second floor of the castle in Scotland, where we are lucky enough to stay when we want a change of lifestyle. The second two are from the flat we live in more than 30 floors up in Bangkok, of the view of the Chao Phraya river, as it snakes its way towards to Gulf of Siam.

Unfortunately the picture above is now partially obscured by a new condominium development - The Sukhothai Residences, which is nearing completion.

In due course some of the panoramic view to the right of the second photo will be obscured by another condominium development. These changes are the price of progress in a developing country. In a landscape so flat the new additions actually provide a little bit of interest, especially as the new buildings are not too close, and their design and landscaping is easy on the eye. The idea for these borrowed landscapes is not dissimilar to that which the late David Hicks created at his farm in Oxfordshire.*my uploaded YouTube sems to have some audio problems, in which case click on the highlighted link above to watch it instead.

Sometimes blogging provides unwelcome challenges, but the reason to go on, to take the long view, is very much based on the interest shown by so many, and the comments that keep this hobby alive for me. Thank you to those of you who qualify.

And finally it seems only appropriate that I should use the opportunity to remember the terrible natural disaster in Japan, with it's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosions. But for this I am also taking the long view. In time these terrible events will eventually heal, although with the bombardment of 24 hour news broadcasting, and repeated images of the horror unfolding, it is hard to imagine how any country, let alone one with such extraordinary wealth, can overcome the difficulties it faces today. The stories are heart-wrenching, but also show the finer side of human nature, and the dignity and stoicism of the Japanese people.