Just back from this exhibition at the Ashmolean in Oxford. Many great pieces on show but one of my favourite is this enlarged fascimile of a page torn by Francis Bacon from C. D. Noblecourt's book 'The Sculpture of Ancient Egypt'. It's a great photograph of an extraordinary sculpture of King Akhenaten - with paint marks by Bacon.

Staying at The Four Seasons in Amman and every Friday lunchtime they open up the kitchens and serve lunch from there. I headed straight for the pastries/puddings department!

Waking up in Amman.

Just arrived Amman. Looking out from the new airport to the old.

Happy to see my photographs of Daniel Bruhl in The Telegraph Magazine's Men's Style Supplement. I saw the film 'Rush' and he is very very good as Nikki Lauda. 

Back on the island of Inishmaan and walking around Dún Chonchúir, the pre-Christian oval stone fort. 

A great airport to travel through. No X-ray machines, no hassle. And great photos on the walls.

Very sad to hear the news of Seamus Heaney's death. I was fortunate to photograph him on several occassions. Will never forget the day I went to his house in Dublin to photograph him for the Whoseday Book. We recited Patrick Kavanagh's poem 'Epic': "I have lived in important places, times when great events were decided, who owned that half a rood of rock, a no-man's land surrounded by our pitchfork armed claims...." and some of 'The Great Hunger'. As well as being a wonderful poet he was a remarkably kind, generous and modest man. I was always struck by his willingness to give so freely of his time. And when it came to Northern Ireland, many tried to claim him for their own cause, but he always remained his own man. 

On the Gowla in Connemara fishing with my dad and Mr Colm Redmond of The Zetland Hotel. I think there must be a guy in a wetsuit just below the surface following us around because everytime my dad puts his line in the water he catches a fish!

This is worth two entries because it's such an amazing house in a truly beautiful setting. Also, because in 2009 an Eileen Gray 'dragon' chair sold at auction for $28.3 million! Can't wait to see the film.