Category: Photography

An exciting adventure~I’ve written a book !

Since my last blog (it does seem true that the passing of time accelerates with age), I’ve continued to seek the uncomplicated. However, that which you can’t control will intervene to dictate that level of complication to remind you how much might be predestined and how much we bring on ourselves. Taking the line of least resistance is the preferred path of those of us who like to avoid difficulty, unpleasantness and confrontation. Arguably of course it is judged by […]

The season for sitting outside

“Sitting watching the world go by” is something I love doing. Especially if it’s in a pavement café where I can simultaneously indulge in another passion, namely enjoying a great coffee or a tasty treat. And, where better in my book, than the pavement cafes, bars and restaurants of Italy, where there’s the best chance of proper coffee, fabulous food and eye-catching scenery. Regular visitors to my blogs and people who know me will recognise some of the images in […]

The Camera in your pocket

Photos with your phone Maybe it’s an age thing; oh alright, it is, but there was a time when photographs were the preserve of cameras and (tele)phones were the apparatus of verbal communication. Well, that’s history, and with the advent of the smart phone and ever-updated “tech”, high quality images and videos are obtainable for anyone with a mobile phone in their pocket. Now this is not an earth-shattering, recent or unique realisation but it is an undeniable fact that […]

Tasteful photos & projects in the pipeline

I’m in the process of developing a couple of photo “projects”. The first involves reviewing some of my picture folders to develop a portfolio of images that lend themselves to black and white versions. Inherent in that exercise is experimenting and learning different techniques of conversion that create impressive, eye-catching and, let’s be honest, marketable images. The second project revolves around another extensive set of images that I’ve captured over the last few years, and is centred on a favourite […]

The Christmas message for 2021

Here we are in December* on the run up to another Christmas. Time to visit the loft for those decorations ( it doesn’t seem that long that they were consigned to their storage crates), time to prepare seasonal messages, acquire gifts, write Christmas cards and confirm plans and arrangements. So, here’s a start to the festive fun, frivolities and furore. (*People will know that we are of the view “the festive season” should not start any earlier than December.) Everyone […]

Musings from a hotel suite verandah in Italy

Musings from Italy We had the benefit and good fortune to be able to enjoy another trip to Tuscany at the beginning of September 2020, despite the problems and worries arising from the prevailing  Covid 19 pandemic. The experience was rewarding and “therapeutic” in terms of being something that we thought would have to be postponed this year and, as we soon discovered, much needed to enliven a feeling of well being. The trip also allowed me to take time […]

A few thoughts on time and its application in challenging times

I’ve had time to do some things. This note started life as an idea to write about something I’ve managed to do (and enjoy doing) by having the time to expand and apply some skills in creating another slideshow of my photographs. This note has expanded, with time. There is a feeling of contentment when you have time to do something that exercises your creativity. This is especially the case when it is something that you might not have progressed […]

A return trip to South Africa

It will come as no surprise to followers of this site and of my proclivities that a return to Kapama Private Game Reserve in South Africa was extremely likely. Well in February 2020, and in fact only 10 months after our 2019 visit, we were back to enjoy the sights, sounds and hospitality of this fabulous place. Inevitably there is a new set of photographs and a selection will be included in the website galleries very soon. It is also […]

Brochures and printed promotional material

In preparation for an event I set about preparing an updated tri-fold brochure. I enjoyed the process and, as you will be aware, I also enjoy making a Slideshow. So, with apparently shameless self-aggrandisement I created a double-whammy of a promotional slideshow promoting some printed promotional material 😊. It’s been a while since I had produced any printed promotional literature, as was evident when I went to my cupboard to find any of my old brochures and realised that it […]

Another visit to Chatsworth

It seems like a long time since I added anything to my Blog, and without searching for excuses (like blaming George) I thought I’d update my website with a few photos and a slideshow from this years’ visit to the fabulous Chatsworth Horse Trials. This return to one of our favourite places was an enjoyable excursion, particularly as we were now able to include George in our adventures. A fabulous and dog-friendly cottage in the Chatsworth Estate was our home […]

What’s in a name?

We are lucky enough to live in Chipping Campden, a Cotswold town with captivating architecture, charismatic locations, an engaging community and a rich history. It’s a town I’m proud to call home (even if we have lived here only 18 years) and a place that “lends” itself to being photographed, as so many welcome visitors will testify. To learn more about the history of this fascinating town, the best place to look is the Chipping Campden History Society  (CCHS)  http://www.chippingcampdenhistory.org.uk/, […]

A new adventure called George

Combining “uncomplicated” with new adventures and photographic opportunities My earlier posts, festive season verses and assorted messages to family and friends attest to the pursuit of the “uncomplicated”. A life enjoyed while we have the capacity to enjoy it. A life seeking the avoidance of challenges and uninvited stresses. A fulfilling life with some adventures and experiences, but without undue pressures or hassle. My wife and I pleased to report that, post careers, these ambitions are ongoing and being achieved. […]

A Christmas present to discover a Christmas past

Christmas is a time for traditions and for meeting friends and family. It’s also, traditionally, a time for eating and drinking more than you might normally consume at any other times of the year. Coupled with that, it’s a time for visiting, reacquainting and often learning (even if it is only a quiz or two whilst endulging!). So, this Christmas season we found the ideal way of combining all of these things this Christmas with a visit to Lanhydrock, near […]

The winning Morgan pedigree

Morgan Motor Company is a family-owned car manufacturer based in Pickersleigh Road Malvern that hand-builds iconic British sports cars, famous the world over for their unique blend of craftmanship and charisma married with innovation and cutting-edge technology. The Company was established in 1909 by H.F.S. Morgan with the design of the now iconic Morgan Three-Wheeler. This was followed in 1936 by the Morgan 4-4, which continues to be produced today, and is the longest running production car in the world. […]

Our love affair with Chatsworth continues

One of the special occasions that takes place every year at the fabulous Chatsworth Estate is the Country Fair. This year (2018) the 37th fair it was held on Friday 31st August, Saturday 1st September and Sunday 2nd September, and whilst we would have loved to have attended each day, we visited this year on the Saturday embellished with an enjoyable stay at one of the Devonshire Arms. I have prepared a slideshow using a selection of my photographs taken […]

Sites and sights in Le Marche Italy

Our annual (and sometimes biannual ) visit(s) to fabulous Tuscany continue, resulting in much pleasure, consumption of great food and wine and of course a plethora of photographs. Our stay in Tuscany this summer was preceded by a few days staying in the Le Marche region of Italy, the calf muscle (or “gastrocnemius” ) in the boot of Italy. We stayed in Ancona and also visited Senigallia to its north and Loreto to its south, before heading back westwards through […]

Postcards

We recently paid another visit to the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, and readers of my blogs will be aware that it’s a part of the world to which we frequently return. The Horse Trials in May is a common feature on our calendar and we are also drawn by the fabulous countryside and historic locations, such as Hardwick Hall. The link between Chatsworth and Hardwick is of course Bess of Hardwick, notably following her marriage (Bess’s third) to William Cavendish […]