hellocloud photography by Ken Lönnström

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/25

F Number

10

ISO

200

Focal Length

33mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Yesterday, the last day of the weekend, I went on a road trip together with my Jenny and two of our friends. Cramped together in our little V-dub Herman the German were also Matt, the awesome Australian and Masako, our cute Japanese friend.

We have all worked together a few months ago so it felt a little bit like a reunion to go somewhere in our orange suntanned Beetle. Straight after lunch we jumped in the car, put on some Swedish country music and just enjoyed a relaxed and fun day.

First we went to see this old bridge called “One Tree Bridge.” You guessed it, it was made out of a huge tree, in fact it was a Karri tree, which can grow and become quite huge. Other places we visited was “The Four Aces”, “King Jarrah Heritage Trail”, “Fonty’s Pool” and at sunset we went to “The Diamond Tree” just outside of Manjimup.

It is a 51 meter high Karri tree which is still used as a fire lookout. There’s a “ladder” that enables anyone to climb up to the top and watch in awe, the forest surrounding the area. This is also where I took the above picture and a few others. It is undoubtedly the most intense sunset I have ever seen. I took pictures for probably 25 minutes because everything changed the whole time.

The others climbed down 20 minutes before me because they did not want to climb when it was dark, but hey I did not mind. Not the slightest. Being alone 51 meters up in a tree gazing around as the world burns and becomes ashes is an incredible experience/memory. Serenity.

Oh, how I’m gonna miss Australia.

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Aperture Priority

Exposure Time

1/125

F Number

7.1

ISO

200

Focal Length

85mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Yeah what can I really tell you? We left around lunchtime today to go for a spin with our orange beetle Herman the German and came a bit further than we’d expected! We drove first to Torquay which is famous for its surfing locations. After a walk and chillout on the beach we continued on the Great Ocean Road. It’s a beautiful road with lots of curves and twists which inspires the Colin McRae in me, shouting out “Easy right, hard left, S-bend!” Well, maybe not shouting but you get the drift.

A lot of bends and turns later we arrived in Lorne which seemed like a pretty relaxed place with its beaches, backpackerpeople and nice restaurants. We had the best burgers ever and relaxed, taking in the atmosphere and tasted the salty air.

Being able to drive an old suntanned beetle to the beach, with the windows down and Beach Boys pumping high in the summer, is a pretty good feeling… Must admit that it’s a bit tempting to buy two surfboards and then mount on the roof of Herman to finalize the surflook. What do you think?

And oh by the way, did I mention that summer is finally here?

Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Aperture Priority

Exposure Time

1/60

F Number

10

ISO

200

Focal Length

44mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/500

F Number

2.2

ISO

200

Focal Length

50mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

That’s the name of two wonderful human beings. We have been lucky enough to have spent the day with them on a road trip with Herman. Herman also likes them, he said so on our way home. They made him smile! And blush, when I showed him the pictures I had taken. To be honest, it looked quite funny since he is already orange.

We have been to Beechworth, an old gold miners town which is quite famous in this area and is also filled with tourists. They have a highly recommended ghost tour in an abandoned mental hospital, a big candy store with lots of “black” dolls and with a no-camera-policy, an awesome brewery with real german pretzels and good bear. For those who enjoy that. And Jenny also notes that they have a great bakery.

After Beechworth we went to Woolshed Falls which is not far away, even with European standard. Jenny tried, as always, to fall down in a river. But this time a slightly larger one. I finally got the opportunity to adventure into an undiscovered area… Couple portraits! The hard drive is bursting with great pictures, although next time I’ll take even better ones.

For each time I pick up my camera, I learn something new. Either it is a new technique about my camera, another way of using my eyes or practising skills in making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. No matter what, it’s a great feeling of learning!

Have a wonderful night and thanks for today!

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/125

F Number

1.8

ISO

200

Focal Length

50mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

Lucky for us we had the day off today and spent the morning in bed, watching a movie called “Run fat boy run” and after a long lunch we took Herman out for a spin. We tracked down and visited that place with the beautiful river and the evidence of the bushfire, only because we wanted to take some pictures. Or we and we, I wanted to take the pictures, and Jenny… well she fell in the river. On purpose or not, I do not know. All I know is that I heard a big splash and before that I had seen her in the corner of my eye, climbing on top of a fallen tree that laid across the river. The tree was ten centimeters wide and I don’t know, she felt it was a good idea to play circus.

That did not stop us from taking lots of pictures and in a few days I will upload a big bunch of them but here I give you a sneak peak.

Lots of love

Edit. Jennys comment to me when I uploaded this entry was “Wow, you had a nice blog before but now it is even alot better. Because there’s a picture of me!” which was followed by her crazy laughter.

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Normal Program

Exposure Time

1/25

F Number

5.6

ISO

200

Focal Length

66mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

After five years waiting I have finally taken the step combining the future with my past. What before felt so hard, just now feels so right. What is it that sometimes scares us so that we hide parts of ourselves? Working with Beetles will always remind me of the time me and my father spent together all these sunny days and dark rainy nights in the garage. Dreaming. Fantasizing. Discussing. Drawing. Spending time.

Why have I lost so much time not working with Beetles since I have so many wonderful memories linked together with them? They give me so many flashbacks from a time long ago, that during certain periods lay forgotten in the pool of memories. Probably because I know I will never ever experience and gain more mental pictures together with my dad.

But I can get many more special memories that will remind me of my father. And honestly, what is life worth if you don’t have any good memories to pull forth from the back of your head? Isn’t that really what life is about? Any day you want, just sit down and be able to go through everything that have made you smile, laugh or just given you that good feeling inside of your chest.

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/1

F Number

11

ISO

800

Focal Length

17mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

His name is Herman. He’s an awesome, totally relaxed dude who really enjoys a luxurious massage containing valve adjustment and some poking on the carburetor. The three of us (me, my better half and Jenny) will in a few months travel around Australia. If you want to join for a road trip, just write. We’ll pick you up!

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Manufacturer

Canon

Model Name

Canon EOS 40D

Exposure Program

Manual

Exposure Time

1/160

F Number

6.3

ISO

100

Focal Length

17mm

Metering Mode

Pattern

It is my niece’s second birthday today so anyone who reads this can use the comments field to say happy birthday to her. The picture above is also a tribute to Nellie. Look at the license plate. She loves to scare people, especially me and Jenny. Walks up to us, hides her face behind her hands and pulls them quickly away screaming “boooh”. Another funny thing with the picture is the beautiful awesome Swedish Volvo.

Life is grand here in Australia. Today I sat at a café for four hours writing on several blog entries which I have not (obviously) posted but they ought to be finished in a few days with pictures and everything. However there are some recent news. Me and Jenny are leaving Melbourne tomorrow and we’re going to a place called Kancoona Valley, which is in the north eastern part of the state Victoria, same as Melbourne. We are to moving in with an Italian family to help them with their vineyard and some building extensions.

It is called wwoofing and it’s when you work approximately twenty hours a week at a farm or similar and in return you get free accommodation and food. This is a great way of experiencing life and find new interesting people, you can do it all across the world. Have a look at their vineyard and restaurant on www.kancoonavalleywines.com.au. Don’t know yet if they have Internet but we will know tomorrow. In that case I’ll write something dull or funny.

Some of you (aunt Vexy) will probably find it funny but in Kancoona… it is quite cold. One hour away from the vineyard lies a ski resort called Falls Creek Resort. We probably have to buy some warm clothes to wear in the following days.

Other news is that we are looking for a car. First plan was to buy a Beetle but they are quite expensive and a bit rare down under. Found a VW Type 3 which looked quite nice, so who knows? Also we have been looking on VW Campervans (Type 2 in Sweden or Bully in Germany) but they are also expensive. There might be an so called Holden Commodore that will end up as our possession. In Sweden, the brand is called Opel instead of Holden.

We are doing some laundry and I have to pack now but until next time, stay happy and enjoy life. And do not forget to write something to my niece in the comments field!

Lots of love
Ken

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