PROJECT Walking Connemara

2018 was a fantastic year for my photographic development, a real stepping stone. Where I go from here is all up to me.

It was during last summer that my new project was born. What is my project about? It is about love. My love for Connemara, my love for my dogs which I walk every day. My never dying love for photography that keeps me going every single day. And when you mix all that together all those images came out that I have been posting with the hashtag #WalkingConnemara and this is how this project was born.

Walking is the best thing a person can do. It's free, it's therapeutic, it clears the mind and cleanses the soul. When I walk I get my best ideas and inspirations. 

I am also extremely lucky that I live in such an amazingly beautiful part of the world where mind-blowing scenery is literally a few minutes walking distance from any village or city. 

I walk Connemara every day and I never tire of the views, rough winding bog roads, country cottages and magnificent mountains. I try to catch the amazing colours and beautiful ever-changing light of Connemara to bring happiness and joy to anyone who sees my images. 

I want to make people feel better and inspired after seeing my captures of Connemara, I want them to say Wow, this is amazing, and I want to go there! And the best part is you don't have to travel far because you can just walk there with me.

Let's walk Connemara together..  

Here is the rest of  WALKING CONNEMARA

The Essence of Summer

I wonder, what is the image in your mind that reminds you of summer the most?

For me,  it's the summer grass, dancing gently in the breeze. 

I can look at it forever and never get enough. Sometimes it makes me wonder if it has hypnotizing powers because I definitely have problems taking my eyes off all the dancing grasses every time I am out walking, in the car or just looking out of the window.

The Essence of Summer, images of wild Connemara grass dancing in the breeze by Annie Japaud - photographer, blogger, baker and cake maker 

Searching for a Good View

My New Friend

The First day I saw him, 

he was in the middle of the field, about 15- 20 meters away and he didn't even look at me, even though I paused and said hi. 

On my way back, nine hours later, he was still there. I said hi, he just glanced at me and continued grazing.

Second day, he saw me coming along the road, looked at me sideways and pretended he didn't care. I stopped, talked to him for a while and moved on.

Third day, he was by the gate, as if he just happened to be there on his way to somewhere else. I stopped and talked to him, introducing myself finally close and personal.
He didn't come near me and stayed just out of reach. 

Day four, he was at the gate obviously waiting for me, since I always pass at the same time and horses have such a great sense of time keeping. He knew when to expect me.
We greeted each other, I patted him on the neck and he eyed me suspiciously but did not move away.

In the afternoon I had a chance to pass by him again, he was in the field but came across all the way to greet me and was very curious for some reason. I was quite happy.

 

Day five, he was waiting for me with his rump stuck to the gate, batting his eyes at me so I had to stop and scratch his gorgeous behind.
After that  I said "Bye" and continued on my way.

I think, I definitely have a new friend. 

 

Here is another HORSE STORY 

After Storm Hector

I wonder what's going on this year?!

We were having it so good the last few weeks and then overnight, 

sudden and abrupt end to our gorgeous premature summer.  

We had quite and eventful winter, a good selection of hurricanes, frozen pipes, no water and so on..  

Yesterday was lovely and sunny today trampolines are flying away from gardens, 

trees are blocking roads, garden furniture is spread all over the villages.

I normally wake up quite early to go to work and today it was quite eventful on the way there. 

To be honest I had no idea all this racket during the night was called Hector, he sure kept me awake most of the time,
it felt as if everything in the garden was attempting to lift off. 

Being out in a storm is quite an amazing feeling. The way the trees move, the leaves madly flattering in all directions at once,
the way the air howls in the wires along the road...so spooky and unnerving. 

I just feel sad about the fallen and broken trees. Because I love trees. 

  I took a few shots, a few videos and couple of fallen trees blocking the road. 

This is how it was after Storm Hector

 

As if a giant just rolled all over the forest 

I hope someone takes care of this poor little tree

Do you remember the big rains a few years ago? I went to the waterfall in Oughterard and took photos and a videos of the huge river jumping OVER the bridge 

Here is my full album of images I took that MORNING

July Mornings in Connemara

There is no better time to walk Connemara than during the beautiful July mornings. 

Grab your best friend, your dogs, a few sandwiches and a bottle of water and hit the roads. 

Quite often you don't really need to walk far for a good view especially if you are staying in Oughterard, Co Galway. Believe me, just in about 10-15 minutes you can be out of town, overlooking the area from an amazing high spot and thinking, WHY DIDN'T I DO THAT EARLIER?!

Cross  the bridge at the church, turn right and continue up by the school and then continue on... 

In about 40 minutes (very slow walk) you will be admiring the best view over Lough Corrib and the surrounding woods and bogs. You would be walking the High road or as the locals call it Newvillage area. 

This is a lovely little road but beware, it can get pretty busy at times like mid morning and late afternoon when people commute to work.

 Right now I will show you the best time when no one is watching ;-)

 

Thanks for walking with me