Colors of My Heart

A particularly soothing village in the Cotswolds is Bourton-on-the-Water, located slightly north of the central Cotswolds, and known as Little Venice. Houses line the beautiful river, and the green grass and waterfowl swimming around are soothing. There are five small bridges over the river, entertaining tourists passing by. The village was once ruled by the ancient Roman Empire, and many old buildings from around the 17th century remain, giving you a glimpse of history.​​​ ​​Bourton-on-the-Water is a beautiful village with a clear stream, stone bridges, trees drooping over the water, and houses made of the pale honey-colored limestone that is unique to the region. The village name "Bourton" comes from the archaic words "Burgh" (fortress) and "ton" (village) and originated as a waterside village near a Saxon fortress.​​ ​​​The beautiful scenery has earned it the nickname "Little Venice," and you can see people relaxing on the grass along the rive...

​​The Cotswolds is said to be the most beautiful countryside in the UK. It is located in a hilly area 200km west of London. The name "Cotswolds" is said to be derived from "cot", which means a sheepfold, and "wold", which means a gently rolling field. It is one of the most beautiful places in the UK with its typical English countryside and is called the "Heart of England".​​ ​​The beauty of Cotswolds is characterized by the rows of stone houses made of honey-colored limestone. There is a layer of limestone underground in this area, which is a type of stone, and the honey color of this stone is the symbol of the Cotswolds.​​ St. Edward’s Church is located in Stow-on-the-Wold, in the Cotswolds, and is particularly renowned for its ancient north door. This door is said to resemble the hobbit doors featured in The Lord of the Rings films, creating an enchanting and almost magical atmosphere for visitors. ​​​Many tourists from all over the world visit...

Old and New in the UK  From the London Eye, you can see Big Ben, which is located on the north side of Westminster Palace. It is a clock tower approximately 96 meters tall. Its official name is the Elizabeth Tower, and it was completed in 1930. The building is designed in the Gothic Revival style.  On the other hand, to the right of the London Eye, you can see the Golden Jubilee Bridges. These pedestrian suspension bridges were completed in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, flanking the Hungerford railway bridge. The London Eye is a Ferris wheel about 135 meters high. On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of London's major sights, including Big Ben. From the observation capsules, you can see Westminster, Hyde Park, St. James's Park, and even the distant cityscape. Big Ben is positioned slightly to the left when viewed from the wheel. On fine days and during nighttime when the tower is lit up, you can appreciate t...

The London Transport Museum offers a comprehensive experience of the history and culture of transport in London, located in the lively district of Covent Garden. Opened in 1980, it combines the charm of a historic building with modern exhibition spaces. The museum’s displays are remarkably diverse. Visitors can see authentic vehicles up close, including horse-drawn trams, vintage double-decker buses, steam locomotives, and underground trains, with lifelike mannequins recreating the atmosphere of past journeys. Equally captivating are the collections of London Underground posters and Art Deco–style advertisements, highlighting the fusion of transport and art. The “Then and Now” photo exhibition allows guests to compare past and present cityscapes, while another section explores how underground stations served as air-raid shelters during World War II, showing the vital role transport played in everyday life. For children, interactive exhibits such as driving simulators and stamp trails b...

The Notre Dame du Sablon Church in Sablon, Brussels, was built as a small chapel by the archers' guild in 1304. Since then, many pilgrims have visited, and in 1436 it was rebuilt as a Gothic church. The beauty and quantity of the stained glass in this church is overwhelming. Especially on sunny days, the inside of the church is lit up with colorful lights and is very beautiful. Please sit on a chair in the church and slowly enjoy the atmosphere of the church.​​​ ​​​When I visited 15 years ago, I was still taking pictures with a film camera. I remember taking many pictures while admiring the beauty of the stained glass in the church. This time, it was digital and I feel the evolution of technology. With film photography, I don't know the result until it is developed, so I need to use my imagination when taking pictures. With digital, there are fewer mistakes, but it's a little disappointing that there is less imagination required for film photography. ​​​Nikon D850 / AF-S Ni...