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Her permission form will be saved here but locked so can only be used for legal purposes and not viewed generally. We will not identify what zone camp she is in, only that she is in Cox's Bazar camps. All identifying remarks in her transcript will be removed. You can use her full story which will be saved in this folder too. Do not identify which local humanitarian aid partner is supporting her either.2019-11-27T08:31:36+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2019/11/24/16-days-against-gender-based-violence/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_0573-1.jpgimg_0573-1*Selma GBV case - Selma is a pseudonym and her real name will not be given in transcripts. Her permission form will be saved here but locked so can only be used for legal purposes and not viewed generally. We will not identify what zone camp she is in, only that she is in Cox's Bazar camps. All identifying remarks in her transcript will be removed. You can use her full story which will be saved in this folder too. Do not identify which local humanitarian aid partner is supporting her either.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_0573.jpgimg_0573*Selma GBV case - Selma is a pseudonym and her real name will not be given in transcripts. Her permission form will be saved here but locked so can only be used for legal purposes and not viewed generally. We will not identify what zone camp she is in, only that she is in Cox's Bazar camps. All identifying remarks in her transcript will be removed. You can use her full story which will be saved in this folder too. Do not identify which local humanitarian aid partner is supporting her either.2019-11-24T15:35:31+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/12/31/word-for-2019-released/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/4e60df1c-7d5c-419d-8181-3ab4e94e0a81.jpg4e60df1c-7d5c-419d-8181-3ab4e94e0a81https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/bb6c79b7-656d-497b-a6d3-aee44be23f56-5.jpgbb6c79b7-656d-497b-a6d3-aee44be23f56https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/3176c9b0-e9f8-4e17-9ecc-4677fd7f8521.jpg3176c9b0-e9f8-4e17-9ecc-4677fd7f8521https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/img_2869.jpgimg_28692019-01-03T23:21:25+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/12/28/2018-in-review-learning-to-see-with-new-eyes/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/R54A7442.jpgR54A7442A mural outside Za'atari refugee camp in Jordanhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screenshot-222.pngScreenshot (222)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_0907.jpgIMG_0907https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/blackboardlow.jpgblackboardlowhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_1218.jpgIMG_1218https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1editf.jpg1editfhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1editd.jpg1editdhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/123.jpg123https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1.-Charmarkul-refugee-camp-2.jpg1. Charmarkul refugee camp 2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/namaste.jpgnamaste2018-12-28T10:55:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/08/07/people-called-rohingya/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/img_29803.jpgimg_2980https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image-2.jpgimage-2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image.jpgimagehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image-3.jpgimage-3https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image-1.jpgimage-12018-10-27T06:45:40+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/08/07/the-less-tangible-stuff/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/img_2974.jpgimg_2974https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/img_0595.jpgimg_0595https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/img_2978.jpgimg_29782018-08-07T11:23:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/06/03/hands/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_4179.jpgimg_4179https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_4183.jpgimg_4183https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_9537.jpgimg_9537https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_4182.jpgimg_4182https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_4184.jpgimg_4184https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/allwecan_46982939216.jpgallwecan_46982939216https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/allwecan_47039278213.jpgallwecan_470392782132018-06-03T18:39:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/05/31/owning-white-privilege/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/img_39792.jpgimg_39792018-05-31T09:14:39+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/03/25/food-tour-and-some-iphoneography-in-venice/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7823-1.jpgimg_7823-1https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7766.jpgimg_7766https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8027-1.jpgimg_8027-1https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7745.jpgimg_7745https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8024.jpgimg_8024https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7710.jpgimg_7710https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7822.jpgimg_7822https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7817.jpgimg_78172018-03-25T16:33:23+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2018/03/10/postcards-from-venice/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7812.jpgimg_7812https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7823.jpgimg_7823https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7860.jpgimg_7860https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8020.jpgimg_8020https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7859.jpgimg_7859https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8004.jpgimg_8004https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8026.jpgimg_8026https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8027.jpgimg_8027https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_7983.jpgimg_7983https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_8023.jpgimg_80232018-03-19T08:56:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2017/12/30/word-for-2018-embrace/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3610.jpgimg_3610https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_1624.jpgimg_16242018-01-01T16:09:08+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2017/12/27/2017-in-review-southern-africa-images-and-an-award/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_1672.jpgIMG_1672https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_1607.jpgIMG_1607https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1-chicka.jpg1.chickahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/angelalr-1-of-1.jpgAngelalr 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(1 of 1)2016-06-03T23:17:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/06/02/postcard-from-madeira/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/madeira-man-1-of-1-2.jpgmadeira man (1 of 1)-22016-06-03T01:00:30+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/04/15/shola-market-addis-ababa/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-1-of-1.jpgtempslaura (1 of 1)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-9-of-17.jpgtempslaura (9 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-10-of-17.jpgtempslaura (10 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-11-of-17.jpgtempslaura (11 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-12-of-17.jpgtempslaura (12 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-13-of-17.jpgtempslaura (13 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-14-of-17.jpgtempslaura (14 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-15-of-17.jpgtempslaura (15 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-16-of-17.jpgtempslaura (16 of 17)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/tempslaura-1-of-1-2.jpgtempslaura (1 of 1)-22016-08-10T03:17:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/04/02/postcards-from-ethiopia-shiro/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/addiseats-1-of-1.jpgAddiseats (1 of 1)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/addiseats-1-of-2.jpgAddiseats (1 of 2)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/addiseats-2-of-2.jpgAddiseats (2 of 2)2016-04-03T09:07:13+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/03/26/sometimes-i-write-holy-saturday/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/death-valley-1248297_1920.jpgdeath-valley-1248297_1920https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/love-699480_1920.jpglove-699480_19202017-12-08T13:55:57+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/03/10/food-the-great-force-of-unification/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-1-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (1 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-2-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (2 of 7)Spicy dishes being prepared in Sukawati, Bali, Indonesia as part of a temple ceremony.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-3-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (3 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-4-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (4 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-5-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (5 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-6-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (6 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-7-of-7.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (7 of 7)Rice is an important part of ceremonies in Bali and holds great symbolic value. This image was taken in 2015 in Sukawati during the Air Jeruk Temple’s annual anniversary ceremony.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-1-of-4.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (1 of 4)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-2-of-4.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (2 of 4)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/foodphoto2015sm-3-of-4.jpgfoodphoto2015sm (3 of 4)Candi-Kuning, a marketplace in Bedugal, Bali, Indonesia.2016-03-10T22:46:22+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/02/28/postcard-from-sierra-leone-education/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/tokehschoolpicslowres-16-of-32.jpgTokehSchoolpicslowres (16 of 32)2017-05-01T23:36:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/02/14/sometimes-i-write-love/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sun-622740_1920.jpgsun-622740_19202016-02-16T23:52:14+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2016/01/02/inspirational-woman-inspirational-women/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-2-of-7.jpgRita (2 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-3-of-7.jpgRita (3 of 7)Rita and her daughter wash the disheshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-4-of-7.jpgRita (4 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-5-of-7.jpgRita (5 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-6-of-7.jpgRita (6 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rita-1-of-7.jpgRita (1 of 7)Rita Devi, a totally inspirational woman2016-01-29T21:05:41+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/12/31/word-for-2016-strong/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brick-wall-strong.jpgbrick wall strong2016-02-14T12:38:38+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/12/30/20-for-2015-my-year-of-travel-in-photographs/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015.jpg2015https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/coffeeshot-1-of-1.jpgcoffeeshot (1 of 1)Ethiopian coffee ceremony while visiting one of All We Can's partner organisations in Debre Birhan.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/instagramcapture_bb1a57e8-d146-4383-9ca3-53e287fe4401.jpgInstagramCapture_bb1a57e8-d146-4383-9ca3-53e287fe4401Sierra Leone still operated under the cloud of Ebola when I visited in April 2015 but I had a beautiful day with one of my best friends at River No.2. This country is stunning and remains so. Such tranquil beaches.2016-01-01T15:51:08+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/12/19/five-things-i-learnt-in-2015/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/iamwoman.pngiamwomanhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/allw7948.jpgALLW7948Thanks Purple Flame Media for the image: Me working in India with All We Canhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/marathoncam-6-of-61.jpgmarathoncam (6 of 6)12016-01-10T17:52:44+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/11/21/coal/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-5-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (5 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-2-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (2 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-4-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (4 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-3-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (3 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-1-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (1 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaurab-7-of-7.jpgIndiaLaurab (7 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-7-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (7 of 8)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indialaura-6-of-8.jpgIndiaLaura (6 of 8)2015-11-25T21:07:38+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/11/19/purple-another-postcard-from-india/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/smallinstapics-9-of-17-2.jpgsmallinstapics (9 of 17)-22015-11-20T15:21:51+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/11/15/waving-our-flags/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/laura.pnglaurahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/valentine-603764_1920.jpgvalentine-603764_19202015-11-25T21:07:21+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/11/14/camera-girls-in-india/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/smallinstapics-13-of-17-2.jpgsmallinstapics (13 of 17)-2Two little girls pretend to be photographers in Jharkhand, India.2015-11-14T22:42:23+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/11/12/postcards-from-india/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/coalmining-1-of-1.jpgcoalmining (1 of 1)There is nothing romantic about coal mining, just lots of hard work, sweat and toil.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/doorway-1-of-1.jpgdoorway (1 of 1)Girls giggling together - universal truth!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hospitality-1-of-1.jpghospitality (1 of 1)Namaste! Another gracious greeting in India.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/indiacolours-1-of-1.jpgindiacolours (1 of 1)The women I met in Kuju, Jharkhand, India in November had such a warm and generous spirit, the welcomes I received going into their homes was beautiful and very touching.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/door-of-the-world-1-of-1.jpgdoor of the world (1 of 1)Anyone who follows this blog on a regular basis will know that I love a door! This door belongs to a special woman who I will introduce you to in 2016.2015-11-20T07:53:19+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/10/24/postcards-from-ethiopia/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/welcomeethiopia-1-of-1.jpgWelcomeEthiopia (1 of 1)A warm welcome by the community working with ADHENO. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/coffeeshot-1-of-1.jpgcoffeeshot (1 of 1)The classic Ethiopian coffee ceremony - and the coffee was lovely! https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ethiopiapersonal-7-of-7.jpgethiopiapersonal (7 of 7)Shepherd boys watches me watching him.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/monkeyforestandbatik-2-of-13.jpgmonkeyforestandbatik (2 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/monkeyforestandbatik-3-of-13.jpgmonkeyforestandbatik (3 of 13)The art of using wax to mark fabric - batik processhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/monkeyforestandbatik-5-of-13.jpgmonkeyforestandbatik (5 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/monkeyforestandbatik-6-of-13.jpgmonkeyforestandbatik (6 of 13)The magic moment when the coloured natural dyes are revealed in their true shades.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-8-of-15.jpgbalibali (8 of 15)Intricate wood carvings depicting the gods and life in Bali.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-9-of-15.jpgbalibali (9 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-10-of-15.jpgbalibali (10 of 15)2015-10-29T20:16:33+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/29/temple-ceremony-in-bali-part-two/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-53-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (53 of 55)People wait to come in and pray and offer their rice, flowers and fruits to the gods as other sit and receive blessings of water and rice from the priests. At first it seemed chaotic but after a while it became obvious that there was a real sense of order. Nobody pushed anyone else. People seemed to flow from one space to the next with ease.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-51-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (51 of 55)Rice and water is offered to the worshippers.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-50-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (50 of 55)The priest blesses attendees and offers rice and water. I saw children as young as a year old accepting the water and rice.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-43-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (43 of 55)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-26-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (26 of 55)I loved the way the ceremony engaged with every one of the senses. So often in Western society ceremony and ritual is all about watching and listening but not smelling, tasting and touching. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-25-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (25 of 55)Rice, water and incense were used throughout the ceremony.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-21-of-551.jpgBalitempleday (21 of 55)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-48-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (48 of 55)Young and old gathered to pray together. All crowded in and yet all finding their own space.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-35-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (35 of 55)Watching, and photographing, people in prayer was intimate, personal and peaceful. On the beautiful island of Bali in Indonesia.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balitempleday-32-of-55.jpgBalitempleday (32 of 55)As you might imagine prayer does form a central part of the ceremony and as the the week went on hundreds and hundreds of worshippers gave offerings and prayed. 2015-10-23T15:45:50+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/26/muntigunung-social-enterprise-in-bali/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-1-of-13.jpgbalicharity (1 of 13)Muntigunung is a beautiful, and not so well known, area north of Kintamani in Karangassem. Most of the poorest families of Bali come from this region.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-2-of-13.jpgbalicharity (2 of 13)Nidi, one of the women from Muntigunung, led us on the two hour long trek to her village.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-3-of-13.jpgbalicharity (3 of 13)Women like Ketut Soka weave to make money to support their families. Previously in this area many women and children went to the tourist areas of Bali for begging: "Now we can make an income and there is work here to do. It is good because we are busy now".https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-4-of-13.jpgbalicharity (4 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-5-of-13.jpgbalicharity (5 of 13)We met around twenty women and teenage girls weaving. They make small boxes that are sold as Christmas gifts and to hotels in Bali.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-6-of-13.jpgbalicharity (6 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-7-of-13.jpgbalicharity (7 of 13)Women are also involved in lots of other enterprises including the creation of beautiful hammocks.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-8-of-13.jpgbalicharity (8 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-9-of-13.jpgbalicharity (9 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balicharity-10-of-13.jpgbalicharity (10 of 13)We tried cashews flavoured with curry, garlic and herbs.2016-06-04T16:22:19+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/24/temple-ceremony-in-bali-part-one/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-1-of-1.jpglauracookbali (1 of 1)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-1-of-15.jpglauracookbali (1 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-2-of-15.jpglauracookbali (2 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-3-of-15.jpglauracookbali (3 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-5-of-15.jpglauracookbali (5 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-6-of-15.jpglauracookbali (6 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-7-of-15.jpglauracookbali (7 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-8-of-15.jpglauracookbali (8 of 15)During the days before the ceremony offerings of fruit, rice and flowers are prepared by the women.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-9-of-15.jpglauracookbali (9 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lauracookbali-10-of-15.jpglauracookbali (10 of 15)2015-09-27T10:41:49+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/21/markets-in-bali/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-7-of-15.jpgbalibali (7 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-4-of-15.jpgbalibali (4 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-3-of-15.jpgbalibali (3 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balibali-1-of-15.jpgbalibali (1 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bedugalmarket-4-of-15.jpgBedugalmarket (4 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bedugalmarket-5-of-15.jpgBedugalmarket (5 of 15)Bedugal Market in Balihttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bedugalmarket-8-of-15.jpgBedugalmarket (8 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bedugalmarket-12-of-15.jpgBedugalmarket (12 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bedugalmarket-3-of-15.jpgBedugalmarket (3 of 15)2015-08-24T18:28:32+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/20/postcards-from-bali-part-three/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balismile-1-of-1.jpgbalismile (1 of 1)The main aim of the project is to provide local employment so that in the future children do not leave education to beg in tourist areas. 2015-08-22T21:33:45+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/17/postcards-from-bali-part-two-monkey-forest/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/editedmonkeyforest-1-of-1.jpgeditedmonkeyforest (1 of 1)Young priest sits in the Pura Beji temple as the light seeks a pathway through the trees hanging overhead.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/editedmonkeyforest2-1-of-1.jpgeditedmonkeyforest2 (1 of 1)Priest preparing the Pura Beji Temple within the Monkey Forest in Ubud.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/editedmonkeyforest3-1-of-1.jpgeditedmonkeyforest3 (1 of 1)Portrait of a priest in the Pura Beji.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/editedmonkeyforest4-1-of-1.jpgeditedmonkeyforest4 (1 of 1)A Sacred Forest worker takes a short rest outside the Main Temple in the Monkey Forest.2015-09-14T20:52:43+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/16/postcard-from-bali-1/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-1-of-6.jpgblog1 (1 of 6)Ulun Danu Temple (also known as the Lake Temple) is one of the most photographed sites in Bali. We arrived just ahead of the crowds and without the selfie-snapping masses there was a very peaceful feel to the temple grounds.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-3-of-6.jpgblog1 (3 of 6)If I tried to pile potatoes so artistically it would not end well! Also taken in Bedugal.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-4-of-6.jpgblog1 (4 of 6)Women create the hundreds of offerings to prepared ahead of the Air Jeruk Temple ceremony.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-5-of-6.jpgblog1 (5 of 6)Am absolute joy today was to attend the preparations for a ceremony at the local Air Jeruk Temple in Sukawati. I will be posting a lot more about this in the future but the real joy was in seeing the energy and dedication of the people to preparing for their ceremony. Beautiful.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-6-of-6.jpgblog1 (6 of 6)Young women weave decorations to form part of the equistite offerings for the upcoming Air Jeruk Temple ceremony.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/blog1-2-of-6.jpgblog1 (2 of 6)I am a big fan of markets for photography. They tend to have lovely light, interesting characters and lots of colour. The Candkuning Market in Bedugal is a traditional market that has now also become a tourist draw. I loved the fruit and vegetable stalls.2015-08-29T16:50:46+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/08/15/postcards-from-hong-kong/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong5-13-of-15.jpghongkong5 (13 of 15)Hong Kong traffic moves under the shadow of the city's many skyscrapers.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong2-3-of-12.jpghongkong2 (3 of 12)Tourists make the somewhat sweaty trek to visit the copper Buddha.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong2-6-of-12.jpghongkong2 (6 of 12)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong2-12-of-12.jpghongkong2 (12 of 12)A tranquil tourist experience visiting the world's largest copper Buddha on Lantau Island with my husband.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong3-6-of-16.jpghongkong3 (6 of 16)As regular followers of my blog will know.... I do love a door!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong5-3-of-15.jpghongkong5 (3 of 15)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/hongkong5-8-of-15.jpghongkong5 (8 of 15)A classic Chinese junk carries tourists across the water as the daily light show adds colour to the cityscape.2015-10-05T21:45:25+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/07/14/3-great-ted-talks-exploring-the-art-of-storytelling/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/ted.jpgted2015-07-14T19:44:13+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/07/01/postcard-from-the-philippines-part-three/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/medair2-7-of-32.jpgmedair2 (7 of 32)Image: Laura Cook/All We Can2015-08-02T10:31:29+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/28/through-the-window/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/boyinwindow-1-of-1.jpgboyinwindow (1 of 1)Always have the camera ready for an impromptu photograph.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/amg-1-of-5.jpgAMG (1 of 5)Fish supper - The Philippines2015-06-09T12:39:36+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/25/postcard-from-the-philippines-part-two/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/amg2-86-of-105.jpgAMG2 (86 of 105)I have a lovely little nephew called Thomas who, when he was younger, was not a fan of having his hair cut. Seeing this young lad's expression as he had his hair cropped made me smile - some things are the same the world over: Cheerful hairdresser and grumpy child client! 2015-05-31T10:20:07+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/24/postcard-from-the-philippines/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/amg2-89-of-105.jpgAMG2 (89 of 105)5pm in Giporlos, The Philippines. Golden Hour creates an almost 3D feel to images and shadows are long. Beautiful!2015-05-31T10:15:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/23/being-human/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/amg2-104-of-105.jpgAMG2 (104 of 105)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/worldrenew2-33-of-94.jpgworldrenew2 (33 of 94)Getting to share in someone else's story is a privilege. Getting to live a bit of that story with them is an honour. Travelling with crab fishermen in Guiuan, The Philippines for All We Can.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/worldrenew2-83-of-94.jpgworldrenew2 (83 of 94)Getting the chance to share in someone else's story is an honour. Fam2015-05-31T10:12:15+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/20/play/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play-1-of-3.jpgplay (1 of 3)A very innocent version of Spin the Bottle - if it lands on you three times then you are out the game. Being played in Parina Barangay, Giporlos, The Philippines.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play-2-of-3.jpgplay (2 of 3)I was given the unexpected challenge of embracing play in The Philippines and only hope that when I have children they get to hold on to their imagination for as long as possible. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play-3-of-3.jpgplay (3 of 3)Play can come without the need for anything apart from the natural world around you as these boys demonstrate in Giporlos.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play2-1-of-3.jpgplay2 (1 of 3)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play2-2-of-3.jpgplay2 (2 of 3)Who remembers the game 'Pogs'? Here is the version where you make your own Pogs......https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play2-3-of-3.jpgplay2 (3 of 3)....... and then very seriously trade them with your friends.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/play3-1-of-1.jpgplay3 (1 of 1)Children playing in Dulag, The Philippines. Racing hoops!2015-11-15T17:00:34+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/05/05/saffiatus-story/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dstcasestudy-3-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (3 of 13)"This is my daughter, she is now two years old. Sometimes people don't believe I am hearing impaired. They do not see a disability. Also because I can lip read and sign people sometimes discriminate and make judgements on me. For example if they see me lip reading they think I cannot be deaf. Sometimes I have struggled to get public transport as people have not believed in my disability. Now they have made a special place for us to stand."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dstcasestudy-4-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (4 of 13)"I live here with my grandmother and daughter. Starting my course at the Dorothy Springer Trust has really helped me. For the first time I have learnt about things like computer systems, microsoft packages, leadership and team work. I have even written a business plan. I come home and tell people what I have learnt!"https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dstcasestudy-5-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (5 of 13)"This is me signing. I am glad to have learnt the things I have with DST. In the future I want to share my ICT skills with others with disability, I could also sign to be able to teach others with hearing impairment. I want to thank people who have supported DST and us students. They are wonderful to encourage women in their hopes for a future - especially disabled women."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dstcasestudy-6-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (6 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/daytwo2015sl-7-of-46.jpgdaytwo2015sl (7 of 46)"I was eight years old and was at primary school when I became deaf. I do have some hearing but only when people are stood in front of me. I used to be interested in nursing but that was difficult with my disability."2015-06-16T02:08:15+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/04/30/see-the-person-first/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dayone2015sl-10-of-10.jpgdayone2015sl (10 of 10)Osman, a DST graduate and volunteer.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/daytwo2015sl-3-of-46.jpgdaytwo2015sl (3 of 46)"I am happy as I have made a change in my own life! (Marie, a 2015 DST student)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/daytwo2015sl-8-of-46.jpgdaytwo2015sl (8 of 46)"I have gained knowledge in ICT and that means I am now empowered" (Mariatu, a 2015 DST student)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dayone2015sl-5-of-10.jpgdayone2015sl (5 of 10)"The DST course served as a stepping stone to where I am today. I am using my ICT skills daily in my job" (PC 15285 Sheka, DST graduate)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dstcasestudy2-31-of-38.jpgdstcasestudy2 (31 of 38)"If I have the opportunity in the future I would like to do my PHd" (Henry, DST graduate)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dstcasestudy2-26-of-38.jpgdstcasestudy2 (26 of 38)"I am independent and self-reliant" (Eleanor, a 2015 DST student)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dstcasestudy2-22-of-38.jpgdstcasestudy2 (22 of 38)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dstcasestudy-3-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (3 of 13)"I had never learnt about computers before but now I can have equal opportunities with the able-bodied" (Saffiatu, 2015 DST student)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dstcasestudy-8-of-13.jpgdstcasestudy (8 of 13)"In the future I want to read journalism at university. I am not disabled everywhere! I have talent!" (Kadiatu, a 2015 DST student)2015-05-05T17:18:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/04/22/a-disease-by-any-other-name/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nature-702893_1280.jpgnature-702893_1280Image sourced at Pixabay.com2015-04-22T17:06:37+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/04/20/stories-from-kailahun/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/allwecanenews2.jpgAllWeCanENews2Copyright: All We Can/Laura Cook Photography Methodist Church of Sierra Leone project staff work with EVD survivors in Kailahun, Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/allwecanebolasurvivors.jpgAllWeCanEbolasurvivors2015-04-30T21:14:51+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/04/11/ebola-l%c9%9bf-wi/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blog-2-of-2.jpgblog (2 of 2)Colourful walls that once advertised washing soap now promote Ebola health messages in Freetownhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blog-1-of-3.jpgblog (1 of 3)Regents Road Baptist Church in Freetown; worship continued in April 2015 but the ubiquitous bucket of water had become par for the course as part of the Sunday routine. Oo Ebola, we are gladi u lef we!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blog-2-of-3.jpgblog (2 of 3)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blog-3-of-3.jpgblog (3 of 3)A lone patient at the Nixon Memorial Hospital in Segbwema, Kaliahun.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/blog-1-of-2.jpgblog (1 of 2)2015-04-19T13:51:20+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/03/28/a-small-bite-of-the-big-apple-5-reflections-on-new-york/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day1nyc2015-19-of-211.jpgday1nyc2015 (19 of 21)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day3nyc2015a-9-of-14.jpgday3nyc2015a (9 of 14)A lovely anniversary trip to New York and a city I hope to return to!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day3nyc2015a-5-of-14.jpgday3nyc2015a (5 of 14)The iconic Pepsi sign in Queenshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day3nyc2015a-4-of-14.jpgday3nyc2015a (4 of 14)Queens; residential buildings grow out of the industrial landscape.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day3nyc2015-2-of-5.jpgday3nyc2015 (2 of 5)Running in central park - photo taken by my husband Stephen Cookhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day2nyc2015-12-of-13.jpgday2nyc2015 (12 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day2nyc2015-10-of-13.jpgday2nyc2015 (10 of 13)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day2nyc2015-2-of-13.jpgday2nyc2015 (2 of 13)Freedom Towerhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day2nyc2015-1-of-13.jpgday2nyc2015 (1 of 13)The new World Trade Center building - called the Freedom Tower.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/day1nyc2015-19-of-21.jpgday1nyc2015 (19 of 21)New York really does not sleep!2015-09-07T16:26:49+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/02/14/love-sometimes-i-write-part-2/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/heart-283146_1920.jpgheart-283146_19202015-05-02T08:57:34+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/01/30/bonfire-nights-sometimes-i-write/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/beach-bonfire.jpgbeach-bonfire2015-02-14T21:10:54+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/02/08/i-am-woman-are-you/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/iamwoman.pngiamwomanhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/i-am-woman_empowerwomen_high_res.jpgI-am-woman_EmpowerWomen_high_reshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/iamwlaunch.jpgiamwlaunchhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/usaidsmfile.jpgUSAIDsmfile2015-10-16T04:06:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/01/28/women-of-the-world-you-are-inspiring/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lauracookimages-7-of-12.jpglauracookimages (7 of 12)The most important thing about women's empowerment today is it opens up doors for the girls of tomorrow. Image taken in Sierra Leone in 2014.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lauracookimages-5-of-12.jpglauracookimages (5 of 12)The most important people to us are those we know anhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lauracookimages-12-of-12.jpglauracookimages (12 of 12)Bonfire nights in Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lauracookimages-8-of-12.jpglauracookimages (8 of 12)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lauracookimages-6-of-12.jpglauracookimages (6 of 12)2015-04-30T21:14:34+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/01/12/truth-vulnerability-and-life-online/2015-02-20T20:28:35+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/01/10/model-sense-in-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/1-salonedance.jpg1.salonedanceBonfire nights in Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/fashion1.jpgfashion1Clothing design by Kadiatu Kamara. Image taken on Tokeh Beach, Sierra Leone (2014)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/fashion2.jpgfashion2Clothing design by Kadiatu Kamara Shot on location at The Place resort, Tokeh Beach, Sierra Leone2015-04-19T13:58:55+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2015/01/05/snapping-street-scenes-in-barcelona/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona4-1-of-11.jpgbarcelona4 (1 of 11)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-8-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (8 of 9)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-7-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (7 of 9)I love all the details - people's laundry hanging out of windows, small plants and flowers on window ledges.... beautiful.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-6-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (6 of 9)I love the little hidden doorways dotted around the Old City of Barcelona.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-5-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (5 of 9)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-3-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (3 of 9)Sunlit streets in December, Barcelona, Spain.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/barcelona3b-2-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (2 of 9)2015-04-19T13:21:58+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/12/30/word-for-2015-be/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/fotolia_73942986_s.jpgNew year 2015copyright: Lily/Fotoliahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/fotolia_62467826_xs.jpgJust be written on sand on beach2015-05-02T08:58:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/12/27/20-for-2014-my-year-of-travel-in-photographs/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014.jpgColourful 2014 in fiery sparklershttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona2a-25-of-25.jpgbarcelona2a (25 of 25)So another year ends and in December we watched the coloured lights of the Barcelona fountain display and said goodbye to a challenging year but one full of wonderful travel opportunities. I wish all my blog followers a joyful, peaceful 2015 full of love and life. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona3b-3-of-9.jpgbarcelona3b (3 of 9)Narrow streets of central Barcelona city.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/berlin20142lauralg-3-of-4.jpgberlin20142lauralg (3 of 4)Anyone that follows my blog regularly will know that I have a real thing about doorways - I love taking photos of doors. Berlin is an excellent place for doorways.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/berlin2014lauralg-14-of-40.jpgberlin2014lauralg (14 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lauracookportfolio-1-of-5.jpglauracookportfolio (1 of 5)Man takes selfie by the iconic Berlin wall. This is the second time I have been to Berlin in Germany and it is a fantastic city for photography and people watching.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1-bridge.jpg1.bridgeGorgeous Tokeh Beach in Sierra Leone - I miss this place.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1-beach.jpg1.beachAnother shot from Tokeh taken on a morning strollhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1-sleetskye.jpg1.sleetskyeOur earth is covered in water and A view from the coast of Sleet on the Isle of Skyehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/1-sierraleone2.jpg1.sierraleone2WATER The ocean acts as a backdrop to so many lives. It provides livelihoods to these women as they carry the daily catch home to dry and sell. The beauty and peacefulness of the ocean is a stark contrast against the toil and labour of their lives. The ocean provides and the ocean takes away. Over 70% of our Earth is water and so our lives as humans are bound to its provision.2015-04-30T21:16:32+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/12/22/tapas-and-cava-some-catalan-food-photography/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-10-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (10 of 14)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-9-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (9 of 14)Our latest journey was to Barcelona. This was purely a holiday and so we enjoyed the cava and the tapas a lot! Cava fizzes and bubbles in the popular Cava House in Barcelona.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-8-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (8 of 14)Pouring out the Cava - yes please!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-5-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (5 of 14)Tapas can take many forms and I love eating these beautifully prepared snackshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-4-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (4 of 14)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/barcelona1a-3-of-14.jpgbarcelona1a (3 of 14)2015-03-14T15:04:11+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/12/22/five-things-i-learnt-in-2014/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/lauracook-7-of-19.jpglauracook (7 of 19)2015-05-28T19:26:20+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/10/09/natur-park-schoneberger-sudgelande/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-12-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (12 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-13-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (13 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-14-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (14 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-15-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (15 of 40)I took this image for the World AIMS Project, it shows the graffiti wall in the Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände, Berlinhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-16-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (16 of 40)The Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände, Berlin, Germany Copyright: Laura Cook Photography. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-17-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (17 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-18-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (18 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlin2014laurasm-19-of-40.jpgberlin2014laurasm (19 of 40)2015-05-02T08:58:27+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/10/08/chocolate-at-ritters-sport-in-berlin/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/chocolateritterssm2-1-of-2.jpgchocolateritterssm2 (1 of 2)Kay checks the quality of the chocolatehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-16-of-521.jpgberlinday2edits (16 of 52)Ritters Sport in Berlinhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/1412795800541-1.jpg1412795800541 (1)Finally. Eating the chocolate with a nice cup of English tea in the Ritters Sport cafe.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-16-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (16 of 52)Ritters Sport in Berlin.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-1-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (1 of 52)Checking the chocolate (1)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-2-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (2 of 52)Mixing ingredients with warm dark chocolate.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-3-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (3 of 52)Checking the chocolate (2)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-5-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (5 of 52)Into the sqaure to set.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-6-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (6 of 52)Kay was our helpful chocolatier for the morning making our creations.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-8-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (8 of 52)This travel photographer totally recommends a trip to Ritters Sport in Berlin. She is also going back for more chocolate.2014-12-29T02:26:08+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/10/08/berlin-wall-alternative-take/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-41-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (41 of 52)Any truth captured with a camera or with a pen comes only from our unique perspective during that very moment in time. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-42-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (42 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-43-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (43 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-44-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (44 of 52)Image 4: Berlin Wall, blurring the lines. (Copyright: Laura Cook - please do not reproduce without permission)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-45-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (45 of 52)Image 5: Berlin Wall, blurring the lines. (Copyright: Laura Cook - please do not reproduce without permission)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/berlinday2edits-46-of-52.jpgberlinday2edits (46 of 52)2014-11-22T00:02:08+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/09/25/westscotlandinfocus/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/collsnorkle-5-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROBeautiful turquoise blue waters off the Isle of Collhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/collsnorkle-6-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/kerreraetc-19-of-21.jpgkerreraetc (19 of 21)Peaceful and serene Kerrara in Scotland.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mull2-11-of-11.jpgmull2 (11 of 11)Highland Cows stand guard on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1-twitscot-5-of-9.jpg1.twitscot (5 of 9)Exploring Kerrera with the husbandhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/mullday3wm-4-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (4 of 52)Isle of Mull... Highland cows idly graze.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/skye3a-3-of-40.jpgskye3a (3 of 40)Stunning Skye!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/scotlandbestbeachfirstcoast-7-of-20-2.jpgscotlandbestbeach!firstcoast (7 of 20)-2First Coast beach on the northern coast of Scotland. Now my favourite beach in the world!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ullapooletc-4-of-16.jpgullapooletc (4 of 16)Gorgeous views on the way from Ullapool to Lands End.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ullapooletc-12-of-16.jpgullapooletc (12 of 16)2015-04-08T07:57:25+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/09/15/tragedy-does-not-define-us/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/image8.jpgImage8Children on their walk to school near Morcambe in Sierra Leone2015-02-25T13:04:49+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/08/25/buckets/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/img_20140825_193948.jpgIMG_20140825_1939482014-09-01T09:18:40+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/08/14/patterns-and-textures-of-west-scotland/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mullday3watermarked-23-of-52.jpgmullday3watermarked (23 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mullday3wm-25-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (25 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/iona-3-of-23-2.jpgiona (3 of 23)-2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/iona-23-of-23.jpgiona (23 of 23)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skyegamesandskyns-6-of-34.jpgskyegamesandskyns (6 of 34)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skyegamesandskyns-13-of-34.jpgskyegamesandskyns (13 of 34)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skyegamesandskyns-14-of-34.jpgskyegamesandskyns (14 of 34)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/scotlandbestbeachfirstcoast-15-of-20-2.jpgscotlandbestbeach!firstcoast (15 of 20)-2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/scotlandbestbeachfirstcoast-19-of-20-2.jpgscotlandbestbeach!firstcoast (19 of 20)-22015-04-08T07:47:28+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/08/04/the-oyster-man-on-the-isle-of-skye/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skye3a-24-of-40.jpgskye3a (24 of 40)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skye3a-19-of-40.jpgskye3a (19 of 40)Oyster seller on Skye - I love my seafood and Scotland was dream!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skye3a-25-of-40.jpgskye3a (25 of 40)Fresh oysters - I enjoyed mine as they were! You can add lemon or tabasco sauce.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/skye3a-29-of-40.jpgskye3a (29 of 40)Paul McGlynn, a Skye oyster farmer2014-08-05T08:14:39+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/31/visual-storytelling-tips-from-photographer-laura-cook/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo10.jpgphoto10https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo8.pngphoto8https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo9sierraleone.jpgphoto9SierraLeonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo7wilddog.jpgphoto7wilddoghttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo6mozambique.jpgphoto6Mozambiquehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo5india.jpgphoto5indiahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo3crosses1.jpgphoto3crosseshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo4gambia.jpgphoto4Gambiahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo2sierraleone.jpgphoto2SierraLeonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo1.jpgphoto12014-10-30T00:01:27+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/29/iona/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-3-of-23-2.jpgiona (3 of 23)-2Pebbles on an Iona beach - amazing colours, shapes and textures. Nature is amazing!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-6-of-23-2.jpgiona (6 of 23)-2Pebble beach at the southern end of the islandhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-8-of-23.jpgiona (8 of 23)A cloudy and windy day with pretty flathttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-10-of-23.jpgiona (10 of 23)Iona Abbey. A place of pilgrimage and prayerhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-13-of-23.jpgiona (13 of 23)Iona Abbeyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-16-of-23.jpgiona (16 of 23)A lone sheep looks out over the Atlantic to Mull.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-21-of-23.jpgiona (21 of 23)Beach next to the ferry port on Iona. Children bravely play in the cold Atlantic water. It looks beautifully blue but is very cold!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iona-23-of-23.jpgiona (23 of 23)Colourful lobster pots by the Iona ferry port on the Isle of Mull2014-07-30T10:54:40+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/28/ardalanish-farm-weavers-mull-scotland/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-22-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (22 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-21-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (21 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-23-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (23 of 52)Carefully crafted to a high standard. Look at the gorgeous colours!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-24-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (24 of 52)The mill is full of looms ready to use the sheep's wool to create Scottish tweedhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-25-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (25 of 52)Of course some wool is dyed....https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-26-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (26 of 52)Beautiful textures and natural colours - wool on the loom. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-28-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (28 of 52)Weaving is noisy work so ear guards are wornhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-27-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (27 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-29-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (29 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-30-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (30 of 52)2014-12-06T23:43:04+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/28/isle-of-mull/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-4-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (4 of 52)Highland cows plod slowly about without a care in the world (coastal road on the Isle of Mul). Wonderful three week trip around Scotlandhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-18-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (18 of 52)Our own journey and truth is an ever-changing landscape. We need to embrace that and then offer ourselves a little grace and a little space.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-44-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (44 of 52)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mullday3wm-48-of-52.jpgmullday3wm (48 of 52)2015-01-01T19:08:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/23/not-seeing-a-basking-shark/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorkle-1-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROHeading out for the dayhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorkle-3-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROIsle of Coll - stunning!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorkle-2-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorkle-4-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorklemore-1-of-91.jpgcollsnorklemore (1 of 9)Shane from Basking Shark Scotland explains the route for the dayhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorkle-5-of-6.jpgDCIM100GOPROThe Isle of Coll in Scotland is fringed by white sandy beaches and clear water.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorklemore-1-of-9.jpgcollsnorklemore (1 of 9)Shane Wasik from Basking Shark Scotland shows us the route for the dayhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorklemore-6-of-9.jpgcollsnorklemore (6 of 9)In Tobermory ready to begin the day's adventures.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorklemore-8-of-9.jpgcollsnorklemore (8 of 9)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/collsnorklemore-9-of-9.jpgcollsnorklemore (9 of 9)Shane checks the water. Looking for the Basking Shark's food source helps you find where the shark are most likely to be.2014-09-26T03:20:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/18/beach-life-in-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-lauracook-3-of-24.jpg1.lauracook (3 of 24)Fishing is very important to the people of Sierra Leone's Western Peninsular.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-lauracook-10-of-24.jpg1.lauracook (10 of 24)Seeing in sunset in style at River No.2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-lauracook-20-of-24.jpg1.lauracook (20 of 24)The golden sand of Sussex, Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-lauracook-18-of-24.jpg1.lauracook (18 of 24)How we love you Sierra Leone!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-lauracook-23-of-24.jpg1.lauracook (23 of 24)Glorious scenery along the coast and not a soul in sighthttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-25-of-48.jpgplace (25 of 48)Palm-tree stereotyped paradise - but I do not mind this kind of stereotype!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1.png1.The sun sets over the lagoon at River No 2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1-opensocietysllc.jpg1.opensocietySLLCTokeh Beach in Sierra Leone - keep walking this way and you can make it to the equally stunning River No.2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2-opensocietysllc.jpg2.opensocietySLLCPineapple sellers take the early morning walk to work - River No.2 in Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20-opensocietysllc.jpg20.opensocietySLLCSo much of our earth is covered in water and it provides a backdrop to our lives. Here two women walk towards River No 2 resort in Sierra Leone along the lagoon that goes by the same name. With water up to their knees the pineapples are a heavy load.2014-09-26T03:21:35+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/18/photographing-our-travels-tips-from-infinite-satori/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc6220-copy.jpg_DSC6220 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc1428-copy.jpg_DSC1428 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc3587-copy.jpg_DSC3587 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc5495-copy.jpg_DSC5495 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc5468-copy.jpg_DSC5468 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc5537-copy.jpg_DSC5537 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc3225-copy.jpg_DSC3225 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc1348.jpg_DSC1348https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc7572-copy.jpg_DSC7572 copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dsc8873-copy.jpg2014-07-22T20:00:53+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/15/into-print-west-african-style/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_20140715_150708515.jpgIMG_20140715_150708515https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1405437481840.jpg1405437481840https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_20140715_170143.jpgIMG_20140715_170143All tied together with patterned Sierra Leonean cloth.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/img_20140715_170123.jpgIMG_20140715_1701232014-07-16T02:19:46+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/14/using-my-phone-for-photography/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1405338709647.jpg1405338709647Tokeh, Sierra Leone.2014-10-24T22:23:47+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/10/everyone-seems-to-think-they-are-a-photographer/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bydon1-e1405025431974.jpgBydon1https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bydon-035.jpgBydon 035'Pregnant women queueing for the clinic. It is important for women to seek medical support in pregnancy' https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bydon-105.jpgBydon 105'Girl taking her ARV medicine' Image taken by Bydon as part of the Tearfund participatory photography project in Thoza, Malawi in 2011.2015-01-10T21:46:36+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/07/food-photography-at-the-place-resort-in-tokeh-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-38-of-48.jpgplace (38 of 48)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-37-of-48.jpgplace (37 of 48)A Passion Split - an non-alcoholic cocktail designed to be sipped as the sun goes down..... another please barman!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-40-of-48.jpgplace (40 of 48)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-41-of-48.jpgplace (41 of 48)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-43-of-48.jpgplace (43 of 48)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/place-44-of-48.jpgplace (44 of 48)2014-11-07T06:49:02+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/07/04/a-visit-to-the-national-school-for-the-deaf-freetown/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/deafschool4.pngdeafschool4Helping each other learn. An older student sits down with some younger pupils helping them read.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/deafschool3.pngdeafschool3Girls together in their classroom.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/deafschool2.pngdeafschool2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/deafschool1.pngdeafschool1Freetown School for The Deaf, Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/deafschool6.pngdeafschool62014-10-08T20:22:53+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/06/22/gopro-black-3-review/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/me-on-bike.jpgme on bikeShot with the GoPRO camera as I filmed the streets of Freetown! Two selfies in under a month. Not like me at all!2014-06-22T14:50:51+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/06/20/photo-friday-timetorest/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1-lauracook-1-of-7.jpg1.lauracook (1 of 7)Resting his head in between lessons in Freetown, Sierra Leone.2014-10-28T17:43:02+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/06/06/grasplifebytheballs/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-6-of-7.jpglauracook (6 of 7)A super rare photo, and a 'selfie' at that, of me (regular followers of this blog will know I do not post these!) Go in the sea, dance in the rain, make a fool of yourself, love unconditionally and shed tears. Live. Happy Photo Friday - Laura xhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-3-of-7.jpglauracook (3 of 7)In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous. (Aristotle) Image taken in Mozambique (2013)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-2-of-71.jpglauracook (2 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-4-of-7.jpglauracook (4 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-2-of-7.jpglauracook (2 of 7)Jhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-7-of-7.jpglauracook (7 of 7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lauracook-5-of-7.jpglauracook (5 of 7)In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. (Albert Camus) Image taken in Mozambique (2013) 2014-07-31T23:35:58+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/06/02/a-beautiful-anarchy-book-review/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/fill-your-canvas-aba.jpgFill-Your-Canvas-ABAhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/anarchy-paperbackpdf-292x311.pngAnarchy-Paperback+PDF-292x3112014-11-04T19:14:20+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/30/photo-friday-swagger/2014-10-02T21:30:39+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/29/thank-you-for-keeping-the-peace/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/copyrightlauracookphotography-11-of-25.jpgcopyrightLauraCookPhotography (11 of 25)With peace comes hope for the future.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ceremony-low-res-2-2.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ceremony-low-res-44.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014A symbolic moment as Ban Ki-Moon hands over a blue peace keeping helmet to the people of Sierra Leone to represent the end of the post-conflict peace process in Sierra Leone. Image taken for UNIPSIL during the visit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014 Copyright: Laura Cook Photography/UNIPSIL2014-05-29T19:03:32+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/27/photodignity/2015-07-16T04:57:40+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/23/photo-friday-food-glorious-food/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/maize.jpgmaizeFood. A simple commodity and yet one I am really thankful for.2014-06-06T08:05:27+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/22/just-smile/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lightsandsaris-5.jpglightsandsaris-5The 'creating a thing of beauty and I know it smile' of a sari weaver (taken in India in 2012)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/horses-4.jpghorses-4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/artyzanschool-copy.jpgartyzanschool - CopyWhat is beauty? To me beauty is knowing your passions and your strengths and not being afraid to share them with the world. At the Artyzan training school in Pondicherry this girl focuses on her embroidary work knowing it will help her to a brighter future. She is proud and confident in her abilities but not afraid to improve.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/markets-5.jpgmarkets-5The nearly smiling smile! (Taken in India in 2012)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/img_5681.jpgIMG_5681The 'it feels so good to sit down after a long day at work smile' (taken in Mali in 2012 for All We Can - formally known as MRDF)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1-5.jpg1 (5)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/train-girl-cheeky-copy.jpgtrain girl cheeky - CopyThe 'shy smile' (Taken in Sri Lanka in 2010)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/111-12.jpg111-12A cheeky smile from Nepal (taken in 2012 for All We Can - formally known as MRDF)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mali-yanfolila-market-142-copy.jpgMali Yanfolila market 142 - Copyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/malawi-jd-mothers-of-light-107.jpgMalawi J&D Mothers of Light 107The 'age does not matter' smile (taken in Mali in 2012)2014-08-25T17:28:29+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/15/sharedoccupation/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/salonevarious-3-of-9.jpgsalonevarious (3 of 9)Tell God tenki - Fishing is a shared activity. One man alone cannot bring in the catch.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/salonevarious-4-of-9.jpgsalonevarious (4 of 9)Working together in silence the women sort the daily catch.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/salonevarious-5-of-9.jpgsalonevarious (5 of 9)Finally each woman has her precious cargo and is ready to carry it away from the group for smoking and sale. She will return tomorrow to rely once again on the men at sea and her fellow women when the catch comes in. 2014-06-01T02:57:26+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/12/new-beginnings-in-sierra-leone-freetown/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/10177500_10154142387105455_2080352159920181998_n.jpgFeatured Image -- 6692014-05-12T13:02:01+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/08/early-morning-catch-tokeh/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokehfising2014-5-of-6.jpgtokehfising2014 (5 of 6)Preparing for the second journey out to seahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokehfising2014-4-of-6.jpgtokehfising2014 (4 of 6)With every wave the boat is pulled in.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokehfising2014-2-of-6.jpgtokehfising2014 (2 of 6)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokehfising2014-1-of-6.jpgtokehfising2014 (1 of 6)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokehfising2014-6-of-6.jpgtokehfising2014 (6 of 6)Women wait to sort the fish as the men bring in the catch2014-05-08T13:03:56+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/07/sand-throw/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-10-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (10 of 10)I head into the sea to wash the sand out of my hair and leave the boys with their game on the shore. A fun end to the day! https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-9-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (9 of 10)Checking out their latest Sand Throw victim!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-8-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (8 of 10)Gathering up the sand on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-7-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (7 of 10).....and fire!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-6-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (6 of 10)Take your aim....https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tokeh2014-5-of-10.jpgtokeh2014 (5 of 10)An invite to play Mud Throw from Mohamed and Alusine. 2014-05-08T17:21:17+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/05/02/photo-friday-technology-for-change/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dst-april-2014-9-of-9.jpgDST April 2014 (9 of 9)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dst-april-2014-5-of-9.jpgDST April 2014 (5 of 9)2014-05-06T19:42:16+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/04/18/photo-friday-good-friday/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/light-in-the-dark.jpgLight in the DarkEaster; a time of renewal, faith, hope and a love that drives the darkness out with light.2014-04-21T16:45:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/04/11/photo-friday-breakfast-club/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/serrekunda-market-gambia-11.jpgserrekunda market gambia-11https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/serrekunda-market-gambia-2.jpgserrekunda market gambia-2Breakfast anyone?2014-04-11T23:47:42+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/04/09/alondra-stories-from-the-streets-part-one/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-being-interviewed-for-tv-2.jpgalondra being interviewed for tv (2)A key feature of the Street Child is the Street Child Conference when young people from across the world speak out on behalf of their peers. I asked Alondra what she would want to say at the conference to the world: "I would say that as street children we have the right to have fun, we have the right to make our own decisions and we have the right to say no. For the young women I want to let them know that we can do amazing things. Here in Nicaragua there is a big problem with machismo culture but it is something we are trying to overcome. We can stand up for our rights and do things in our own strength."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-15.jpgAlondra (15)Alondra's aunty was worried about her and the choices she was making and phoned the police. The police picked up Alondra who was drunk and took her to Casa Alianza (the project caring for and empowering children who have been living on the streets).https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-13.jpgAlondra (13)I want to leave the final words to Alondra, a fantastic young woman shown here with a Team Nicaraguan friend. I asked her what her hopes were for the future and her answer was moving and simple but powerful: "Work. Keep playing football if God permits that and keep going to the gym…….. and when I have a family I want to make sure my children do not have to go through what I went through."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-12.jpgAlondra (12)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-10.jpgalondra (10)"I really want to go to university and study phycology. I one day want to have a nice family, when I am 30 years old…. At the moment I am just 16 so I want to just enjoy my life at this point! I want to show people that what I have been able to do I have been able to do without the help of my family. I have been able to do it with my own will power and my own judgement. Being here has allowed me to trust myself and has taught me not to lie to myself. I now trust in the fact that I believe in myself and I can improve my own life."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-7.jpgAlondra (7)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-6.jpgAlondra (6)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-5.jpgAlondra (5)"When I first arrived here [Casa Alianza] I was one of the youngest and smallest girls here so sometimes I would start crying in the corner. I wanted to be away from people. I enrolled in courses and then I went to school and have slowly begun to improve my life. Now I am pushing forward and just keep trying to become a useful member of society.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/alondra-2.jpgalondra (2)When asked about how she came to join Team Nicaragua for the Street Child World Cup Alondra had this to say: "When I first saw the training sessions I did not really want to get involved. I was a bit apprehensive, but then I started training without knowing there was a cup. I was just training for myself. When I then found out about the cup and the chance to be in it I began to give training everything. As a team we are dedicated. We won’t give up. We will keep on going right until the last whistle. We have been that way from the start and that is the way we will always be."2014-04-09T11:21:34+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/03/31/street-child-world-cup-2014-team-nicaragua/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc3-6.jpgSCWC3-6https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc3-3.jpgSCWC3-3Children on the streets in Nicaragua are vulnerable to all sorts of risks. These children are looking for valuable things to sell and jump on and off rubbish trucks.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc3.jpgSCWC3Casa Alianza works to bring children off the street into safety and rehabilitation in their centre in Managua. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc2-22.jpgSCWC2-22https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc2-13.jpgSCWC2-13Sport is another key way of engaging and encouraging the young people. Here Alondra (a member of Team Nicaragua's female team) holds a football aloft.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc2-2.jpgSCWC2-2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/scwc1.jpgSCWC1https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nicaragua-scwc-9.jpgNicaragua-SCWC-9https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nicaragua-scwc-5.jpgNicaragua-SCWC-5Therapeutic opportunities are plenty. Here a group of girls use beads to make necklaces and bracelets.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nicaragua-scwc-4.jpgNicaragua-SCWC-4Casa Alianza has two centres where young people are brought to live and are supported through a number of programmes. Children are trained in important life and employment skills. Here a girl learns how to cook. 2014-06-28T00:06:18+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/03/28/around-the-world-in-10-moments/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/orlando_uy.jpgImage by Orlando Uy, A Walk With My Camerahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ithaka.jpgImage by Ithakahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/holi.jpgImage by Know-All's Boxhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sierra-leone.jpgImage by Laura Cook Photographyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/alyhazzaa.jpgImage by Aly Hazzaahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/globe1.jpgFeatured Image -- 6012014-03-28T09:38:38+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/03/06/peace-reigns-in-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ceremony-low-res-84.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ceremony-low-res-79.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014UNIPSIL Chief Toyberg-Frandzen, Ban Ki-Moon and H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma celebrate.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ceremony-low-res-67.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014Ban Ki-Moon raises a toast to Sierra Leone - to its resilient people and to its progress since 2002.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ceremony-low-res-55.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014President of Sierra Leone speaks to UN staff, press, members of civil society and political leaders and thanks them for their support in developing peace in Sierra Leone.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ceremony-low-res-44.jpgVisit of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone. 5th March 2014The symbolic blue peace-keeper helmet is handed by Ban Ki-Moon to the President of Sierra Leone. 2014-03-31T10:18:07+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/02/27/the-place-luxury-in-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2-2.jpg2 (2)Drink by the pool? Add some West African colour to your day with a yummy Place cocktail!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1-6.jpg1 (6)The sun sets on Tokehhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1-3.jpg1 (3)2014-05-24T03:41:30+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/02/27/education-in-sierra-leone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-42.jpgfilming2014-42I believe education is a pathway out of poverty for children and when I see children like Kallon engaged and keen to learn it is a real highlight in my working day.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-35.jpgfilming2014-35Kallon is a keen football player in Freetown but also understands the value of education: "Football is important to me. I love it. Education is more important though as one day I want to be a business man and then I will need my education."https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-18.jpgfilming2014-18A long day! Many students in Sierra Leone have to wake up early to get to school and many also help their parents with chores and money-making enterprises so school can be a tiring place to be.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-12.jpgfilming2014-12Santos is one of the CBF students I work with at the football academy in Tombo. We recently returned to his old school to visit and he spoke fondly of the time he spent there. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/varioussalone-4.jpgvarioussalone-4Portrait of Rabiatu.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/varioussalone-3.jpgvarioussalone-3Rabiatu sits in class learning about verbs (Makeni, Sierra Leone). Nearly just as many girls as boys start secondary school in Sierra Leone but many drop out before they reach Rabiatu's age. Staying in school gives young girls many more options though and as Rabiatu said, "with education I can be whoever I want to be."2014-02-27T18:32:58+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/02/14/the-sad-side-of-salone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-21.jpgfilming2014-21https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-30.jpgfilming2014-30I love this image of two girls dancing in a traditional style on Tokeh Beach in Sierra Leone. Both girls were totally absorbed in the moment as the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. Sierra Leone is alive with the modern; lots of fresh expressions of music, dance and fashion but people are also so proud of the beauty in their traditions. Women can show that beauty in so many different ways.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-25.jpgfilming2014-25I spent the first six months of 2014 living in Sierra Leone. This image was taken in Kingtom, Freetown (at the rubbish dump) and shows the tough side of life in the country.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/filming2014-24.jpgfilming2014-24Homes and businesses operate alongside the rubbish dump2014-02-27T01:42:33+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/02/08/football-crazy-working-for-the-craig-bellamy-foundation/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cbfpicsjan-21.jpgCBFpicsjan-21On the head!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cbfpicsjan-17.jpgCBFpicsjan-17CBF Academy Captain Umaru Samura powers through to take possession.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/saidu-kamara-u12-huracan-fc-st-francis-school-3.jpgSaidu Kamara U12 Huracan FC St Francis School (3)At the heart of the work of the Craig Bellamy Foundation is education. Here a Huracan FC League player studies hard in school. (Makeni,, Sierra Leone)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/makenileague2014-129.jpgMakeniLeague2014-129Football cannot change the world - but it is making a big difference here in Sierra Leone.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/makenileague2014-107.jpgMakeniLeague2014-107Ready for the game to begin in Makeni, Sierra Leone.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/makenileague2014-46.jpgMakeniLeague2014-46https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/makenileague2014-37.jpgMakeniLeague2014-37Football is thankfully no longer a 'man's world'. Girls train in Makeni ahead of their match.2016-11-23T18:51:03+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2014/01/02/word-for-the-2014-open/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014.jpg2014May this be a year where you are OPEN to all life has to offer you.2014-02-08T16:52:16+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/12/28/serekunda-market-the-gambia/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-18.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-18Two friends working together to make the sale.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-17.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-17A proud market seller sits in the middle of the crowded market place.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-14.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-14The bright colours of the fruit and vegetables matched only by the bright colours of the women's clothes.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-11.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-11Spices stacked up high in the market. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-10.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-10https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-9.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-9https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-8.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-8I never got the chance to chat to this woman in The Gambia but while I was taking photos of a market stall vendor she came and sat by me and readily posed for a portrait. She exuded confidence.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-7.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-7A women seeks shade and rest opposite the breakfast sellers.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_-4.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_-4The breakfast seller makes porridge for early morning shoppershttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sm-serrekunda-market-gambia_.jpgsm serrekunda market gambia_Fish, fish and more fish! 2014-02-26T20:20:44+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/12/26/20-for-2013-my-year-of-travel-in-photographs/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mozambique2013lrg-100.jpgMozambique2013lrg-100https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov-5.jpgnicaraguanov-5A highlight of the visit to Nicaragua was visiting a school funded by the Amos Trust and seeing the difference a good education can make.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov-4.jpgnicaraguanov-4In 2014, with awesome charity Street Child World Cup and with The Methodist Church, I got to know inspirational young people like Alondra in Nicaragua. She was fierce, opinionated, confident and a total inspiration!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov-3.jpgnicaraguanov-3... and we spent time in churches worshipping alongside the youth.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov-2-3.jpgnicaraguanov-2-3.... and Chacon!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov-2-2.jpgnicaraguanov-2-2Confidence can shine through at any age! I do not speak much Spanish and this Nicaraguan lady spoke no English but we were able to communicate and she was happy to pose for a photo. Still one of my favourite grabbed portraits as just love her attitude!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nicaraguanov.jpgnicaraguanovThe 'grateful for the simple things smile' (taken in Nicaragua in 2013 for The Methodist Church of Great Britain)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mozambiqueaug20131-5.jpgmozambiqueaug20131-5Women on Ibo Island applying the traditional muciro face mask.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mozambiqueaug20131-4.jpgmozambiqueaug20131-4Getting to and from the boat in style in Mozambique.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mozambiqueaug20131-3.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAA sand bank just half an hour from Ibo Island - a tourist's playground!2014-01-01T16:03:59+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/12/24/at-work-in-the-gambia-i-do-love-a-market/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo.jpgMarket photographyTrying to lean back as far as I can without falling over in Serrekunda market in the Market.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo-1.jpgphoto (1)2013-12-24T15:54:24+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/11/20/hidden-identities-changing-lives/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/nicaragua-scwc-9.jpgNicaragua-SCWC-9https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/scwc1.jpgscwc1Hope for a better life. The Street Child World Cup slogan is 'I am somebody'. This 17 year old girl had a real sense of that pride and identity in all she told us.2013-11-27T08:51:34+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/09/22/mozambique-musiro-face-masks/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/tpotymonocluracooklowreso-4.jpgtpotymonocluracooklowreso-4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lauracookfaces-2.jpglauracookfaces-2EARTH The earth provides us with a rich diversity of plants and ingredients that can be used in foods, medicines and even beauty treatments. We are from the earth and the earth is part of us through what it provides. In the northern coastal region and islands of Mozambique, it's common to come across women with faces covered with a natural white mask, called mussiro or n’siro. Here two members of staff from Ibo Island Lodge demonstrate how the paste is applied.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lauracookfaces.jpglauracookfaces2014-03-22T12:49:37+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/09/05/a-new-life-in-sweet-salone/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-20.jpggoalkeepedits-20https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-19.jpggoalkeepedits-19https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-9.jpggoalkeepedits-9John Fillie, , Brima Kamara, Ahmed Tailu Mannah and Alusine Barrie show off their Alert goalkeeping gloveshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-6.jpggoalkeepedits-6https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-4.jpggoalkeepedits-4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/goalkeepedits-2.jpg2013-09-05T20:54:16+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/08/27/into-the-blue-the-quirimbas-archipelago-in-mozambique/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambique2013sml-97.jpgMozambique2013sml-97https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/intothebluemozambiquelauracook.jpgintothebluemozambiquelauracookhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook-5.jpgmozambiqueLauraCook-5The sun glitters as it casts light on the sails of a small fishing boathttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook-4.jpgmozambiqueLauraCook-4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook-3.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Joyce Merle helped us seek deeper shades of blue around the reefs of Rolos Islandhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook-2.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook1.jpgmozambiqueLauraCookhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/mozambiquelauracook.jpgmozambiqueLauraCookThe Indian Ocean snakes around the islands as we are treated to one of nature's visual feasts.2013-08-29T23:15:24+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/08/26/postcard-from-mozambique/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/img_7599.jpgIMG_7599https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lauracookmozambiqueiboisland-3.jpglauracookmozambiqueiboisland-3ibo Island, The Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambiquehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lauracookmozambiqueiboisland-2.jpglauracookmozambiqueiboisland-2The 'natural smile'. The best kind of smile. This girl was just sat in her window smiling at the world going by (taken in Mozambique in 2013)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lauracookmozambiqueiboisland.jpglauracookmozambiqueiboislandFinally, 'the welcoming smile'. The kind of smile that greets strangers and lifts their day (taken in Mozambique in 2013)2013-08-27T21:02:20+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/07/30/things-i-learnt-at-travel-photographer-of-the-year-live-2013/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/school-eyes-up.jpgLearnThere is always more to learn! 2014-01-01T15:44:02+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/07/wild-weekly-photo-challenge-water/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/fmal_watsan_lc_10_002.jpgFMAL_WATSAN_LC_10_002https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wild-winner-hon-4.jpgwild-winner-hon-4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/salonecoast.jpgSalonecoastTo imagine Sierra Leone without water is to take away the very thing that makes the country beautiful. The ocean defines this place.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/saloneboat.jpgsaloneboatThe tide comes in ready to take the fishing boats out for the daily catch.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/lauracook12.jpgLauraCook12https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/lauracook14.jpgLauraCook14Water providing a living - the sea is the source of fish that keeps a country well fed.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pineapplesellerssalone.jpgpineapplesellerssaloneThe water cloaking 'Sweet Salone' is simply beautiful.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pineapples.jpgpineapplesThe water that cloaks 'Sweet Salone' is simply beautiful!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/pineapples-2.jpgpineapples 2The lagoon provides a short cut for these pineapple sellers. The weight of the baskets is crippling and after spend five minutes trying this job for myself I handed back the fruit grateful this was not my regular job!2013-07-31T16:18:37+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/18/why-it-is-always-good-to-learn-a-course-in-macro/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-085.jpgmacro day 085A very cute little harvest mouse. I am not sure I would have the patience for finding these moments in the wild but it was good fun learning to use lenses and filters I have not used before. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-035.jpgmacro day 035We also had a go at some macro wildlife photography. This is an Angle Shades Moth up close. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-145.jpgmacro day 145Creepy Skull Part 2! https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-133.jpgmacro day 133A very creepy crow skull! Actually only the size of my thumb but looks far more menacing in macro. Simply used a table lamp to light this one and Sam held a reflector to bounce back light to slightly reduce the shadows.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-013.jpgmacro day 013Final version of the leaf; this time purposely messing about with the exposure and over-exposing for a high-key style.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-004.jpgmacro day 004The same leaf but this time with a black card background made for a different feel.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/macro-day-018.jpgmacro day 018Sam and I spent a lot of time working with one leaf. This effect was gained by back-lighting the leaf with white card placed behind it. A tripod was required to keep the camera still enough to get a sharp well lit image.2013-07-31T16:16:29+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/12/09/peace-the-road-less-travelled-is-often-the-one-closest-to-home/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/poppies3.jpgpoppies3Childhood is a precious thing.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/poppies2.jpgpoppies2Henry absorbed in picking some wild flowers.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/poppies1.jpgpoppies1Morning light and poppies in Essex, UK2013-07-31T16:15:43+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/01/26/a-photo-tip-for-bad-weather-photography/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img_0999.jpgIMG_0999The snow can't get me! My friend Sam wrapped up warm with his Canon protected from the snow.2013-11-10T12:53:49+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/03/15/with-thanks-to-the-hat-seller-of-marrakech/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blog-2.jpgblog 2Thank you for my warm hat lovely hat seller. You couldn't speak English very well (and my Arabic was poor!) but it was great to meet you.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lightroomedsmwm2-5.jpglightroomedsmwm2-5I went for a black and white hat!2014-02-28T19:05:31+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/04/20/app-review-50-greatest-photographs-of-national-geographic/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dsc_2058.jpgDSC_20582014-02-26T17:25:54+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/06/16/a-journey-nowhere-and-everywhere/2013-07-31T16:11:45+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/06/16/a-school-on-top-of-a-mountain/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/nepal-1-448.jpgNepal 1 448Let us never put aside our love of learninghttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/nepal-1-256.jpgNepal 1 256We find our grace and courage in the grace given by others. Taken in Nepal in Lahachowk at Kent College Nepal.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/nepal-1-216.jpgNepal 1 216Lighting up the world with colour https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/5-looking-out.jpg5.Looking OutLooking out the window with a head full of dreamshttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/4-dancing-for-joy.jpg4.Dancing for JoyWe have lost the value of creativity in education in our UK based education system. At this small school dance was held as something to be treasured.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/3-follow-the-leader.jpg3.Follow the LeaderGreeting the day outside the classroom.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2-playtime.jpg2.PlaytimeAIR Long have humans dreamt of soaring into the sky. As grown men and women we board aircraft bound for new places but as children we embrace the wind with games and imagination: We lift our shirts and allow the air to carry us, we allow ribbons to blow in the breeze and we set paper planes into the skies on new adventures. Image shows XXXXXXX in Lahachowk, Nepal.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1-waiting-for-teacher.jpg1.Waiting for Teacher2015-03-28T20:02:10+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/04/27/elephant-valley-and-the-coffee-farming-process/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee10.jpgindiacoffee10Cherries are then processed. The freshly harvested cherries are passed through a pulping machine where the skin and pulp is separated from the bean.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee9.jpgindiacoffee9Cherries picked are put into a bag carried by the Elephant Valley farmers.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee8.jpgindiacoffee8Coffee beans are then carefully sorted for size and quality before being laid out in the hot Indian sun to dry.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee7.jpgindiacoffee7Coffee starts life as these ripe, red coffee cherries. It takes approximately three or four years for the newly planted coffee trees to begin to bear fruit. The fruit, called the coffee cherry, turns a bright, deep red when it is ripe and ready to be harvested. Only the ripe cherries are harvested and they are picked individually by hand.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee6.jpgindiacoffee6https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee5.jpgindiacoffee5The rest of the husk is then removed before the beans are put into a roasting machine like this one.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee4.jpgindiacoffee4Roasting transforms green coffee into the aromatic brown beans that we purchase. The temperature has to be just right as does the length of time the coffee is roasted for. Some of the coffee is then taken to another machine to be ground. The objective of a proper grind is to get the most flavour in a cup of coffee. How coarse or fine the coffee is ground depends on the method by which the coffee is to be brewed. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee3.jpgindiacoffee3The finished product! Elephant Valley offered a few different grinds of coffee. I am still working through my coffee I bought at Elephant Valley and every time we have a cup I think of all the people who were part of the process of bringing it to me roasted and ready for brewing!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee2.jpgindiacoffee2The beans are laid out in the sun until try enough to collect. This usually takes a few days.In order to prevent them from spoiling, they are raked and turned throughout the day, then covered at night. This image shows the beans, dry and ready, being bagged for the next stage of the process.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/indiacoffee1.jpgindiacoffee12014-11-01T22:07:22+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/04/21/food-markets-in-thanjavur-in-india/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-6.jpgTanjoreHi-6https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-8.jpgTanjoreHi-8https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-5.jpgTanjoreHi-5https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-9.jpgTanjoreHi-9https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-7.jpgTanjoreHi-7https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi-4.jpgTanjoreHi-4Tomatoes anyone?https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lauracookindiamarket-3.jpgLauraCookIndiaMarket (3)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tanjorehi.jpgTanjoreHi2014-05-02T09:00:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/08/why-i-am-a-visual-storyteller-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-f-stops/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lauracook-21.jpgLauraCook-2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/laura-cook-photos-8.jpgLaura Cook Photos (8)One of the first images I took four years ago that stirred my interest in becoming a visual storyteller. This has already been a great journey!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/adult-ed.jpgadult edSierra Leone captured a little piece of my heart as a visual storyteller because it has so many more stories to tell than just those of horror, war and blood diamonds. These women are part of an adult literacy class in Kamakwie. They are beneficaries of the Sella Community Project. I took this photo back in 2011 but the expression of joy on the woman's face still touches my heart.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/amapef_201111_lc_harvestpack-case-study-c-8.jpgAMAPEF_201111_LC_HARVESTPACK CASE STUDY C (8)I met Baro and Natina in Mali in 2012 while managing filming for a great NGO called All We Can. They were a fantastic example of a mother and daughter who were empowered and eager for a more hopeful future. The love between them was also evident to all around them.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lauracook-2.jpgLauraCook-2One of my favourite portraits of a young teenager in Nepal. I love it because it shows the strength in her eyes; life is tough but is still a life that is met head on by women in the remote Syanja District in Nepal. I took this photograph for INGO the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/adult-lit-print-v.jpgadult lit print vSolitiude: My winning shot for the Guardian competition in 20112015-10-23T23:05:16+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/02/21/street-servings-food-in-marrakech/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-15.jpglightroomedsmwm2-15Many locals stop to chat at the various stalls and food shops around the souks.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-10.jpglightroomedsmwm2-10Butcher working by the light of some brightly strung bulbs.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-9.jpglightroomedsmwm2-9A serious butcher cuts meat ready for the constant stream of customers in the souk.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-26.jpglightroomedsmallwm-26Tangine is a historically Berber dish from North Africahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-24.jpglightroomedsmallwm-24Tangine ready for sale in a mountainside town just thirty minutes outside of Marrakech.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-15.jpglightroomedsmallwm-15https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-7.jpglightroomedsmallwm-7https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-4.jpglightroomedsmallwm-4Jamaa el Fna is full of orange juice sellers at night.2014-03-31T10:17:25+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/04/06/marrakech-photo-essay-the-dyers-souk/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marrakech1-253.jpgmarrakech1 253One hundred shades of blue curtain our exit.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marrakech1-249.jpgmarrakech1 249We left the souk with empty hands but camera cards bursting with colour. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marrakech1-234.jpgmarrakech1 234If the medina of Marrakech was to be summed up in three words they would be 'sell,sell,sell'!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marrakech1-229.jpgmarrakech1 229The colour of the dye may be deceiving! The gold dye creates a deep purple hue.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marrakech1-223.jpgmarrakech1 223A bright and cheerful sign points the way in the heart of the traditional bazaar of Marrakechhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lightroomedsmwm2-28.jpglightroomedsmwm2-28The sun is blocked out by the blue yarn hanging from the ceiling of the souk. Sellers scurry back and forth trying to tempt tourists in for a sale.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lightroomedsmwm2-26.jpglightroomedsmwm2-26The dyers use both natural and synthetic dye to colour the cloth.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lightroomedsmwm2-24.jpglightroomedsmwm2-242014-08-01T22:30:23+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/03/10/shared-humanity-photographing-the-things-that-unite-us/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/img_4801.jpgIMG_4801Mum and daughter in Mali, West Africa. Taken for the Iota Course.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/img_6681.jpgIMG_6681https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lor1.jpglor1Girls learn with enthusiasm in Kamkwie, Sierra Leonehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ev-8-2.jpgEV-8-2Coffee pickers in Elephant Valley, Tamil Nadu, India.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/artyzanschoolanddune-4-copy.jpgartyzanschoolanddune-4 - CopyTaken at the Dune Eco Village and Spahttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lightroomedsmwm2-12.jpglightroomedsmwm2-12Boys hang out and chat next to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, what was an an Islamic college in Marrakech, Morocco.2015-02-19T13:12:04+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/01/05/photo-gallery-scenes-from-the-sahara-and-chott-el-jerid-in-tunisia/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-45.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-45Kicking up dust in the desert under beautiful sunset light.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-44.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-44Desert dwellers are accomplished horsemen.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-43.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-43Not something I would try but made for a good Sahara portait!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-42.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-42https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-40.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-40My transport in the desert was a little more sedate than a camel. When I had my back turned I saw my horse and cart trundling off!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-38.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-38My husband travels in style in the desert!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-35.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-35A faster way of getting about in the desert that backs onto the town of Douz.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-34.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-34The salt flats provide a blank canvas as the sun begins to warm up the sky.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-32.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-32My husband leaps for the sky as the sun rises the next day over the salt flats of Chott El Jeridhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauralightroomedsmwm-28.jpglauralightroomedsmwm-282013-11-12T04:30:20+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/01/05/looking-forward-in-2013-because-sometimes-gods-plan-is-an-unexpected-one/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/istock_000021048921_small.jpghappy new year 2013. young man jumping and drawing 2013 by flashlight in the air on the beach before sunrisehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/istock_000022585970_extrasmall.jpgiStock_000022585970_ExtraSmallHappy New Year everyone!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/boat-flag.jpgboat flagFlying the flag for Sierra Leone at River No.2 (2011)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pineapples-2.jpgpineapples 2Pineapple sellers at River No 2 in Sierra Leone (2011)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/img_0455.jpgIMG_0455My husband and I in 2011 on the Sussex Beach in Sierra Leone2014-06-10T18:53:19+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/21/weekly-photo-challenge-silhouette/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sunset-blue-children.jpgsunset blue childrenChildren play on the beach in Bentota in Sri Lanka. A sunset image is probably seen as the classic use silhouette.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_2302.jpgIMG_2302Man stands looking over Cape Point in South Africa. Breaking all the rules to shoot into the sun!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/light-in-the-dark.jpgLight in the DarkCrosses cut a silhouette in a shopkeepers window in Blantyre, Malawi.2017-10-30T21:39:16+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/01/19/wild-weekly-photo-challenge-people-in-nature/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauracookindia5.jpglauracookindia5https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauracookindia4.jpglauracookindia4https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauracookindia3.jpglauracookindia3https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauracookindia2.jpglauracookindia2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lauracookindia1.jpglauracookindia1An Indian fisherman looking for flat-fish in the sand on the beach beside the Dune Eco Resort and Spa in Puducherry. Dune works with the local people to find ways to co-exist harmonously.2013-03-10T20:32:35+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/02/19/tea-with-fatima-a-shared-cuppa-in-morocco/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-14.jpgmintteaA refreshing cup of mint tea cools you down and quenches your thirst. A wonderful drink.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-23.jpgFatimasplashmoroccoThe 'confident and proud smile' (taken in Tunisia in 2013)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-21.jpghennaWhile the tea comes to the boil one of Fatima's family members creates a beautiful henna design.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-19.jpgMoroccanteaWater boils ready for the preparation of the traditional mint tea.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-16.jpgpouringteamoroccoPouring the tea into the small glass beakers for the guests. Fatima has polished hostess skills!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmallwm-12.jpgBakingbreadIn the kitchen at the back of the house the flour and water is moulded into small circles and then pummeled ready for baking.2014-03-04T01:31:33+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/18/wild-weekly-photo-challenge-sunsets-in-sri-lanka/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-purple.jpgsunset purplehttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-stone.jpgsunset stonePossibly my favourite sunset colours in Sri Lanka were the moody purples that closed in just as the sun reached its lowest point in the sky. Ten minutes later I was left stood on the beach in the dark holding my husband's hand.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-runner.jpgsunset runnerA lone runner enjoys the sunset and the cool sea breeze.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-bottle-throw.jpgsunset bottle throwI cannot condone throwing litter in the sea but nevertheless I loved the dramatic sky that swept the shore.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-blue-children.jpgsunset blue childrenNot every sunset is golden! Three children share a blue sunset; a bruised looking sky washes over the Indian Ocean.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sunset-warm-child.jpgsunset warm childSunsets are sometimes soft and blanket the day with warmth.2014-04-22T12:56:47+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2013/02/18/metal-worker-in-marrakech/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-21.jpglightroomedsmwm2-21The lanterns come in many designs. Some are simple, but others like this one, take a long time and a lot of effort to create.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-20.jpgmetalmarrakechThe tools used for chipping away and punching out intricate designs in the metal are heated.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-19.jpglightroomedsmwm2-19In his small workshop this craftsman works away despite the noise and hustle-bustle from the street.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedsmwm2-17.jpglanternmakermarrakechIn the middle of the souks of Marrakech are a a few small streets where the metal workers toil. This young man is one of the many individuals creating the lanterns that line the shelves of the tourist stalls.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/lightroomedbig2-17.jpglightroomedbig2-172013-02-19T21:07:00+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/25/shooting-poverty-a-reflection-on-the-language-of-photography/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/me1.jpgMe1https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/me4.jpgme4In the field 'shooting' for an assignment. This was lots of fun because I had time to chat and get to know the kids first (who were more than happy to pose away!!) https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shop-print-v.jpgshop print vhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2011lcmali-jd-school-6.jpg2011LCMali JD school (6)Photos can change the way people think about things. Positive images of countries stigmatised by negative stereotypes have greater impact than just words. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/me6.jpgme6Taking time to chat to people, to greet people, to get to know those you are taking photos of is vital. Don't just 'snap' away, treat people with dignity.2014-05-30T20:05:05+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/12/tea-and-coffee-from-around-the-world-revisiting-the-archives-ethiopia/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-32.jpgWebsite 1B-32https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-34.jpgWebsite 1B-34A weary photography enjoying her morning cup of coffee! Thanks Fantya!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-20-2.jpgWebsite 1B-20-2Sharing coffee with friends: A universal truth!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-30.jpgWebsite 1B-30'The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.' ~Oliver Wendall Holmes, Sr.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-24-2.jpgWebsite 1B-24-2Fantya is a local expert at coffee making the traditional way. Here she takes the beans and grinds them.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-282.jpgWebsite 1B-28'Black coffee must be strong and very hot; if strong coffee does not agree with you, do not drink black coffee. And if you do not drink black coffee, do not drink any coffee at all.' ~Andre Simonhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-26-2.jpgWebsite 1B-26-2I am travelling back to Ethiopia in 2013 with Woodhouse Grove School and look forward to many more hot drinks!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-17-2.jpgWebsite 1B-17-2'Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.' ~ Anne Morrow Lindberghhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-18-2.jpgWebsite 1B-18-2'Good coffee may come from Arabia or India, from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, or via France with an admixture of chicory; but its flavor and excellence will be derived from daily careful roasting and grinding, a truism universally admitted and habitually disregarded.' ~Lady Jekyll, D.B.E.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/making-coffee-in-ethiopia.jpgMaking coffee in Ethiopia'Only one thing is certian about coffee.... Wherever it is grown, sold, brewed, and consumed, there will be lively controversy, strong opinions, and good conversation.' ~Mark Pendergrast2013-01-05T21:23:54+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/12/19/exploration-wild-weekly-photo-challenge/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lauracooklight5.jpglauracooklight5Fireworks are lit and children then quickly scurry backwards to avoid being burnt as the sparks shoot out in all directions.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lauracooklight4.jpglauracooklight4Every family in Thanjavur (formally known as Tanjore) had lamps outside their home for Karthikai Deepam, those with modest budgets used small tea light holders to carry the flames.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lauracooklight3.jpglauracooklight3Families sat in front of their homes smile easily at passers-by and offer them good fortune on this auspicious day. The soft glow cast by the metal ghee lamps creates a warm and inviting tone to the streets of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lauracooklight2.jpglauracooklight2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lauracooklight1.jpglauracooklight1This image shows a kolam decked out with tiny lamps. Women all over Tamil Nadu create kolams outside their homes every morning, they are thought to bestow prosperity to homes. Drawn on the ground with white rice powder or chalk powder the drawings usually get walked on, rained out, or blown away by the wind but during Karthikai Deepam they were preserved and then embellished.2013-01-05T21:22:58+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/12/24/my-little-list-of-thanks-a-year-of-travel-challenge-and-photography-2012/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/mrdf-pp.jpgmrdf ppMy images being used for this year's MRDF Harvest Appeal (images taken in Mali in Nov 2011)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/stevebouldersbay.jpgstevebouldersbayMy husband scans Boulders Bay in S.Africa for penguins.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/indialauracook.jpgIndiaLauraCookI expected India to be a shock to the senses. It was. It was also a place where you could stop and relax and allow life to seep over you. It is somewhere I never wanted to go to (it was not on a travel list). I now want to go back!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/istock_000021206944_extrasmall.jpgiStock_000021206944_ExtraSmall©manifeesto2013-10-04T15:06:58+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/28/i-am-thankful-for-the-work-of-mrdfs-partners-in-nepal-with-women-in-crisis/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/3.jpg3Girls greeting me with the traditional 'Namaste'.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mrdf-nepal.jpgmrdf nepalThank you MRDF and thank you KOPILA but most of all thank you beautiful women who I spent time with. https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/nepal-1-566.jpgNepal 1 566Even our 4-by-4 did not like the roads much! I am always a sceptic of NGOs having these cars but KOPILA really need one - Nepal brought my experience of scary roads to a new level!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/nepal3-120.jpgnepal3 120Being welcomed with tikka paste and flower garlands in Orestee village of the Syangja District of western Nepal. Even the welcomes were a blessing to me. Such love and care for strangers.2013-01-05T21:20:51+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/03/i-am-thankful-for-the-small-things/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/elphant-7.jpgelphant-7https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shells-2.jpgshells-2Photo by my husband Stephen Cook, I normally hate photos of me but I like this one because it shows me enjoying one of my favourite simple moments - chilling out on the beach! (Chintsa, S.Africa)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/simons-town-south-africa.jpgsimons town South AfricaThe scenery in South Africa. Just stunning. Standing still on a cold day holding hands with my husband looking at Boulders Bay in Simon's Town before the rain set in is a simple but beautiful memory.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mrdf33.jpgmrdf33Getting to know new people and making friends. I like this photo because it sums up two simple joys from this year; getting to know colleagues like Richard better so that I now consider them friends, and getting to meet amazing people like these cheeky boys all over the world (this is another image from Ethiopia)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/website-1b-28.jpgWebsite 1B-28Tea and coffee. Pretty much my favourite 'simple blessings' anywhere in the world. Tea and coffee unite us as human beings, they give warmth on cold day and they refresh on a hot day! Ethiopia is known for its coffee, and its tea is pretty good too!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/lauracooknepal4.jpgLauraCookNepal4The school run. Happens everywhere - including remote Nepalese villages. This little girl fidgeted and grumbled as her mum tried to get her ready for school. I sipped tea and smiled!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/trees-3.jpgTrees (3)A wonderful tree loved by a wonderful woman in South Africa. This is Jill's tree, it is a large Blue Gum. It is nothing special - except that it is! It is loved and it stands proud and tall overlooking a vineyard. Trees are great.2013-01-05T21:20:06+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/25/first-impressions-of-india-puducherry/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/puducherrychurch21.jpgPuducherrychurch2https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oldandnewpuducherry.jpgoldandnewpuducherryOld and New This photo sums up what is happening across Puducherry, old French style buildings being taken down to make way for new flats and smaller houses.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/puducherrycheekychildren.jpgPuducherrycheekychildrenSome cheeky chaps in Puducherry! Children very keen to have their photo taken in this town. Love the tough guy on the left!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/offeringsindia.jpgofferingsindiaFlower seller outside Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple. This temple sometimes receives more than 5000 visitors in day, there were at least 200 when I was there.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/puducherrychurch1.jpgPuducherrychurch1Beautiful colours light up The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (The Church of Our Lady of Angels). https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/puducherrychurch2.jpgPuducherrychurch2The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (The Church of Our Lady of Angels). One of my favourite churches because it still looked distinctly Indian in many ways.2013-01-05T21:19:31+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/10/mrdf-harvest-pack-project-from-mali-to-the-uk-with-love/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/laura-cook-entry-1.jpgLaura Cook entry 1Smiles all round as Baro and Korika collect their peanuts from the field they share.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/amapef_201111_lc_harvestpack-case-study-c-21.jpgAMAPEF_201111_LC_HARVESTPACK CASE STUDY C (21)https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mrdf-pp.jpgmrdf ppMRDF created a CD ROM that includes selection of resources to help churches respond to global need during the Harvest period. This image comes from one of the PowerPoints and bears the title of the 2012 campaign: 'Securing a Brighter Future'https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mrdf-poster.jpgmrdf posterOne of the posters created for MRDF's 2012 Harvest campaign.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2-10.jpg2 (10)Baro and Korika belong to a women's group that discuss the allocation of the small loans and take responsibility for repayment.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_5069.jpgIMG_5069Korika and Baro enjoy running their small business together in the market knowing that working with one another increases their profit and their chances of bettering their children's lives.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/groundnuts-roasted.jpgGroundnuts roastedPeanuts (known as groundnuts in Mali) are wonderful things! They grow easily in even harsh conditions and if planted at the right time can yield two or even three crops during just one seasons of growth.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/me9.jpgme9Interviewing people in Kolflo, Mali about their maize and peanut harvest2012-11-18T23:53:03+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/10/international-day-of-the-girl-take-that-pink-ribbon-off-your-eyes/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/a11.jpgA11Another photo from Nepal, this time taken for All We Can. I love the strength in this image. So many girls lack that self-confidence.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/a9.jpgA9Sima (age 7) is NOT just a girl. She is a shy, creative, curious girl who likes climbing and playing with her friends. She is a girl who deserves a future. Taken for www.mrdf.org.ukhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/a8.jpgA8Ishori (age 5) is NOT just a girl - she is a beautiful, unique, precious, bold and playful girl who deserves the best future she can have. Taken for www.mrdf.org.uk2012-11-12T13:10:14+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/11/07/weekly-photo-challenge-geometry/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/img_2693.jpgIMG_2693Accentuating the shapes in their neighbourhood – the Bo Kaap residents have painted their buildings in many different colours and the white paint on this staircase really helps the geometry of the building stand out.2012-11-09T17:35:25+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/08/giving-wildlife-photography-a-go-in-south-africa-my-favourite-images-from-the-assignment/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/chee51.jpgchee5https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/chee5.jpgchee5https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lion2.jpglion2It is a tough life being a lion - this female mother yawns as she stretches out beside her male cub.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/wildlife-again.jpgwildlife againTwo male lion brothers stalk their prey.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hyena2.jpghyena2I find it amusing how grumpy hyenas look most of the time, each and every one we saw in Ngala had its own character.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/19-hyena-at-ngala-laura-cook.jpg19. Hyena at Ngala Laura CookI love his wrinkled forehead! https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/9-elephant.jpg9.elephantAn awesome animal up close. The African elephant is huge and this female was about three meters from our car!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/6-cheetah-ngala-laura-cook.jpg6. Cheetah Ngala Laura CookI wish the cheetah had turned round (not to be) but I still love the light in this image.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/18-rare-african-wild-dog-in-ngala.jpg18. Rare African Wild Dog in NgalaPortrait of a female African wild dog roaming the boundary of Kruger National Parkhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/7-wild-dog-ngala-laura-cook.jpg7. Wild dog Ngala Laura CookA wild dog at Wild Dog Crossing 2012-11-07T09:05:09+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/08/my-guardian-newspaper-competition-win-in-photographs/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20-guests-at-ngala-get-up-close-to-a-cheetah.jpg20. Guests at Ngala get up close to a cheetahOne photography adventure over.... I hope for many more!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/guardian-double-page-spread.jpgguardian double page spreadDouble page spread in The Guardian, October 2012https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/chee6.jpgchee6One of the photos I took in Ngala, South Africa. A cheetah protects its kill from other lurking dusk time predators.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lightroomedits-2.jpgLightroomedits-2On safari in South Africa with The Guardian and &Beyond. A bit nervous as I had never tried wildlife photography before.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/laura-guardian.jpgLaura GuardianMy winning photo in print alongside some of the other stunning images - I was so chuffed to have been chosen out of such a strong group of photos. When I found out I had won the big prize my eyes teared up because I just felt so blessed!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/guardian-photo-comp.jpgGuardian photo compThe winning image was taken in Sierra Leone and won the Guardian November heat with the theme of solitude and then won the main prize in December when put up against nine other images.2013-12-28T19:10:37+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/29/wild-weekly-photo-challenge-escape/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/wild-winner-1st-3.jpgwild-winner-1st-3https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/7-wild-dog-ngala-laura-cook1.jpg7. Wild dog Ngala Laura CookNo dinner today!https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/zebrarunning.jpgzebrarunningSome escape for freedom, others simply escape to survive.https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/animals.jpganimalsSometimes escape is something we choose, sometimes it is a matter of survival.2012-11-03T21:15:37+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/27/weekly-photo-challenge-foreign/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lauracook16-2.jpgLauraCook16 (2)Sussex, Sierra Leone. The foreigner is behind the camera! And yes... the beach really is that colour!2012-11-07T16:43:52+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/2012/10/20/so-when-are-you-going-to-grow-out-of-travelling/https://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121020-184959.jpg20121020-184959.jpghttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121020-184448.jpg20121020-184448.jpghttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121020-184309.jpg20121020-184309.jpg2012-10-20T17:51:40+00:00monthlyhttps://thethingwithfeathers.net/projects/2016-08-27T06:43:21+00:00weekly0.6https://thethingwithfeathers.netdaily1.02025-01-01T17:49:12+00:00