An incredible cove on the Gaelic-speaking island

Going under the arch

Passing into some monastery remains in Killarney

An incredible shot in Ireland

This current batch of pictures of Ireland was done by my wife, Agnieszka, and I never knew that she had such an eye for detail, and juxtaposing different things together like this.

A wonderful Golden Retriever in Brandon Village

Heading towards the West Cork coastline

An interesting spot on the coastline near Thessalonika

The coastline where I found an incredible Orthodox church

A Small Orthodox Chapel on the Thessalonika Coastline

I found this beautiful, small Orthodox church while walking on the coastline near Thessalonika one day.  Unfortunately, it was locked up so I couldn't get inside to admire the iconography.

St. Demetrius Basilica/Church in Thessalonika

St. Demetrius is the patron saint of Thessalonika.

Remnants of the Ottoman Empire in Thessalonika

This statue may be of Icarus

This statue may be of Icarus, though I'm not sure. 

Possibly my best shot of the Spartan warrior

The 'old' modern Olympic stadium in Athens

Entering the Top of the Acropolis

Getting ready to enter the top of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The Theatre at the Foot of the Acropolis in Athens

A small boat heading for the Corinth Canal

An Ancient Shrine on the Corinth Canal

If you look hard enough, you'll see the shrine cut into a higher rock on the mid/left-hand side of the picture.

Another small ship getting ready to go through the Corinth Canal

A couple of the bridges above the Corinth Canal

Going through the Corinth Canal (Channel)

This canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea.  You can see that the canal (channel) is very narrow so large ships can't get through.  Still, it is an exciting experience going through on a boat or small ship.

A small ship heading for the Corinth Canal

St. Paul's Famous Sermon to the Corinthians

This is the text of St. Paul's famous sermon about love to the Corinthians.  The small monument stands in front of a modern Orthodox church, which you can see in the background of this picture.

Agamemnon's Mystical Tomb

Here is the mystical effect inside Agamemnon's Tomb.  I love the triangular opening above the door.  Alongside the Cyclopean Wall, Agamemnon's Tomb was one of the unexpected 'jewels' in Greece.

Inside Agamemnon's Tomb

Inside, the ancient tomb was kind of egg-shaped, and the triangle opening above the door created a mystical effect.  It reminded me of an old cave prison that I visited in Sicily a few years ago.  Agamemnon's tomb, like the Cyclopean Wall, surprised me, as, in my mind's eye, I'd always viewed these kinds of structures as 'Egyptian'.

The Cyclopean Wall

Details about the Cyclopean Wall

Eucalyptus Trees in Greece

I saw quite a few eucalyptus trees in Greece, but, unfortunately, no koalas. 

The remains of a craftsman's workshop in the Olympic complex

Złaty Bażanty

Let's have a break from Greece, shall we?  This is Złaty Bażanty, a really fine Slovakian brew.  Like many Slovakian beers, it has the texture of a lager, and the taste of a bitter (the perfect beer).  Perła and Lomża in Poland are similar, but whereas these are 6.2% and 5.8% respectively, Złaty Bażanty is a safer 5%.  It goes without saying that all three beers are well worth a try.

Ready for the Ancient Olympic Stadium

More columns inside the Ancient Olympic Site

A lower-level roof of St. Barbara's

An Orthodox Priest Blessing Icons

This was taken inside St. Demetrius' Basilica in Thessalonika, Greece.

A little livelier picture of the Corinth Canal

I think this picture, especially the water, captures more of the atmosphere of passing through the Corinth Canal.

Agamemnon's Tomb

One of the real highlights of Classical Greece, this place had its own 'presence'.  It was/seemed egg-shaped inside, and the triangular opening above the door gave it a mystical-type effect.

Agamemnon's Mask Replica

Christ with a Sword Icon

At last, the mobile caught something well

Iconography up in the mountains

The sworded symbol of Warsaw

Elder Christofferson

One of my other interests is (in the sociology of) religion.  I particularly like attending Old Latin ('Tridentine') Masses, and the Eastern Orthodox liturgy, for the quality of the music (Gregorian and Slavonic chant).  I tend to view prayer as music, and music as prayer,  However, here, there is something different.  It is a picture of Elder Christofferson from the LDS (Mormon) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Salt Lake City visiting Polish LDS at a Radisson hotel suite in Warsaw city centre in early March 2012.  This was an interesting event as the (mainly American) Polish Mission leadership arranged for Polish LDS to be brought in on coaches from cities all over Poland, to fill a large Radisson hotel suite in central Warsaw. 

The Charlatans at Warsaw Impact Festival 27-07-12

The nice surprise of the day, that had to be The Charlatans.  A real intimate performance in front of 200-300 people, the 'teenboppers' having vacated the small stage area in preparation for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.  Of course, the RHCP are great, and I was once a 'teenybopper', but it was a long time ago. 

I Blame Coco at the Warsaw Impact Festival 27-07-12

Despite being surrounded by 'teenyboppers', I genuinely enjoyed I Blame Coco.  Of course, Sting's daughter sounds and looks like Sting, but as a whole, the band have got something of their own, and for me, they were the second most interesting band of the day behind PIL.

Low Live at Cork Cypress Avenue July 27th 2012

PIL at the Warsaw Impact Festival on 27th July 2012

This was strange, as PIL played a great set with 'Warrior'; 'Albatross'; 'This Is Not A Love Song' etc., but John was quite rightly upset at the lack of atmosphere at the place.  This was caused by not many people being in the more expensive front part; and there being a huge number of 'teenyboppers' in the audience who didn't seem to be able to get their heads round such cerebral music.  John ironically quipped:  "Where have all the good Poles gone?  They're all in London".  Good to see that John hasn't lost his sense of humour.

Tindersticks Live at Warsaw Palladium May 9th 2012

No need to introduce this

Timoleague Monastery Remains

This place is well worth a visit driving up the coastal route from Bantry to Cork.  Like most monastic remains, the place has a presence, an atmosphere, a history.

Drombeg Stone Circle

Drombeg Stone Circle