Tunisia: Island architecture

My trip to Tunisia’s Djerba island was intended as a relaxing sunshine break after the long, chilly British winter.

Instead of lying on the beach I decided to hire a bicycle and see some of Djerba’s sights using pedal power alone.

Riding my trusty two-wheeled companion from Djerba Cyclo, I visited a wealth of mosques, saw some of the island’s abandoned buildings and appreciated the architecture of my hotel.

The gleaming combination of whitewash against blue sky was the biggest takeaway from my Tunisian island travels.

Read about my top finds below.


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Fadhloun mosque. Built in the 14th century, this mosque had the colour of Saharan sand when I visited. It’s a little eroded with the passage of time and remains a place of worship to this day. Very different to the loftier, more modern mosques of Djerba. Worth the cycle ride!

Tunisian windows. This became my obsession in Djerba. They’re typically shielded with ornate metal grilles, often painted blue. Instagrammable? You bet they are.

Abandoned architecture. The curious tower along Mehari Beach which may have been a restaurant terrace. And the landmark buildings on the island’s Ras Rmel peninsula, fittingly a nature reserve and home to unspoilt beaches.

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Little bits of Manchester

Living in a big city centre like Manchester during lockdown wasn’t always easy. I craved countryside and coast, even growing tired of the usual urban views here.

So on a series of walks with my camera, I stopped looking upwards and searched for details that you might take for granted.

Enjoy the fragments and if you know their locations and recognise them, that’s a little bonus!


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Gozo: Big little island

I recently went to the southern Mediterranean to capture some much-needed sunshine.

The small island of Gozo is part of Malta and packs in rugged coastline, undulating countryside and delightful old towns.

I stayed by the sea at Xlendi and cycled around the island with my camera on my back. Here’s just some of my journey…


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Summer skylights

This is a taste of summer life living in a roof space. A sky of solid blue is captured in the tilted windows, and in a variety of hues. Metal and wooden layers encase its cloudlessness. This collection of layered captures have something pure and exhilarating in their abstract neatness.

And there’s also another favourite view from the other side of the roof space, where summer sundowns impress on many an evening. I won’t be in this place for much longer, while summer will inevitably slide into autumn. Best enjoy it while it lasts…


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aftersun

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Windows of Sweden

My camera and I developed a fetish on a recent trip to Sweden. Windows. I wanted to photograph them here, there and everywhere. Why? They come in all shapes and designs in that country, framed in mustard yellow and burgundy on the outside, decorated with a luxurious drape or a simple net curtain on the inside. It was hard to resist their allure.

Favoured spots for window-spotting were at the City Hall in Stockholm, the fairytale royal castle of Gripsholm and the charming town of Mariefred nearby. Enjoy peering in and looking out…


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