My life and times

Winter wonderland

2012-02-13T12:17:00.000Z

Saturday was so beautiful, I just had to go out with the camera. It was so cold, -9 but the snow just glistened :-)

Autumn mist

2011-11-24T17:09:00.000Z

Autumn

2011-11-15T17:22:00.000Z

Autumn...

2011-10-16T14:35:00.000+01:00

Summer seems to have given way to Autumn, what beautiful weather we have had, I just love this time of year. The colours and the light are just so beautiful.
Yesterday was one on those days, a day to go out and capture the colours and light.
So I ventured out with the leica and got a few autumn shots..

Summer 2011

2011-08-17T09:45:00.001+01:00

This summer seems to be flying past, 6 weeks sounded like a long holiday but we are now half way through :-(
Anyway, Jess and I had a great time in Turkey, it was just so hot, 40 degrees C most days, took Jess 3 days to get used to it.
The scenery is very beautiful, we were about 2K from a place called Kemer, Jess spend 3 hours each day horse riding in the mountains with a Turkish guide called Metin. We had beachdays, pool days and a jeep safari up the mountains which was really cool and that is where most of my images were taken. I also had a Turkish bath, what an experience that was lol.. cooked, steamed, scrubbed and pounded lol..oh and then a massage that was the best bit lol.
I have a new job to look forward to in September, but still only a small step in the right direction, need to keep moving really.. so much still to deal with.
Ben had a fab time in Bangladesh and is now off on a field trip to the Norfolk broads before Uni starts again in October. Jess is waiting for AS results tomorrow..fingers crossed for her.

Enough rambling, here are some of the images from Turkey :-)

Exciting times for Ben..

2011-07-06T19:34:00.000+01:00

Well, Ben has left for Bangladesh on a research programme studying Tiger behaviour for a month. Its a little worrying as these tigers are man eating tigers :-( He will hate the heat and the food but other than that should have an amazing time.. what an experience..so happy for him, will miss him terribly and worry like mad but I hope he has a great time.

Another Birthday...

2011-04-20T12:00:00.000+01:00

Well another year older, wiser may be :-)
I do wonder where the time goes, it does seem to fly past..
So what to do on my birthday, well out forlunch with friends then out to dinner with the children :-) not a bad way to spend a birthday!

Thought I'd post a photo from yesterday one of me and one of Jess who is now looking so very grown up :-)

Time...

2011-02-02T23:04:00.000Z

Wow how time just passes by so fast, 3 years since losing Dad. Can't really believe its been so long, some times it seems like ages ago and other times just like yesterday.
Miss your company Dad, love you always xx

Seals

2011-01-01T15:19:00.000Z

Here are a couple of the photos from my trip to Donna Nook last November, a little late but here never the less.

The first day of a New Year !

2011-01-01T14:50:00.002Z

Happy 2011 to anyone that might trip over this blog. I hope that the New Year brings you much happiness.
Who knows what it will bring but looking forward is a good way to be I think, I often look back for too long but not this year.
So here is hoping that 2011 is a great year for everyone xx

Life never stops surprising you does it?

2010-11-26T19:17:00.000Z

Well what a strange week... it really is true that you never know what is around the corner. I sometimes think that its just as well you don't. Not necessarily bad just strange..unexpected... and a little difficult to get your head around, but hey I will once the shock wears off.

Well the seals at Donna Nook were amazing as always, will get some photos up may be over the weekend, just to record the fact that I was there :-)

Can it really be the 1st December next week? where has this year gone? Not nearly ready for Christmas, will have to get sorted out.... eventually but I guess eventually has almost arrived LOL

Time goes by..

2010-11-10T17:31:00.001Z

(Taken at Bradgate Park)

Time flies by doesn't it..winter seems to have arrived and life is as ever hectic, things don't always go the way you hoped or the way you wanted or sometimes the timing of events doesn't work out. It would be nice if things worked out just a little for once . Guess somethings simply aren't meant to work out.
Still, a new chapter, a new page.. won't be too long before its a new year.. my baby will be 20 in 2011 .. how did that happen? So many great memories and lots to look forward to.
Well I'll post new photos soon, thought I'd just post some ramblings since I haven't posted in a while. If you're reading this its not very interesting I'm afraid, just a place to to dump life and somewhere to post photos through life..so I don't really know why you're reading it LOL .

Polo at Kirtlington

2010-10-04T22:06:00.000+01:00

Well life has moved on some what as it does.... haven't posted for some time, been so busy .
I took these a few weeks ago, polo is a lot of fun and I'm beginning to get some of the rules at last LOL.
Anyway shooting these was fun, they really move fast and are full of action, the riders have amazing control of the horses.

Promise to post more stuff soon....

The Farne Islands

2010-06-08T11:45:00.002+01:00

Its been ages since I last posted... life has been a bit hectic and takes different turns.. but thought I'd post a few photos from my trip with fab friends to the Farne Islands last weekend.
Puffins on Staple Island and Inner Farne and sunset over Bamburgh castle.
Here's a link to my flickr page with more images http://www.flickr.com/photos/pivotalphotography/

April

2010-04-21T11:22:00.000+01:00

Where does time fly? I haven't up dated this for a while, its been a bit hectic. Life takes you all over the place doesn't it?
Good thing is the spring has sprung ... the sun is out... (please stay) and lots to look forward to :-)
I'll post again soon with some photos...

London 2010

2010-02-21T16:09:00.001Z

I had a trip to London with a few friends yesterday, we had a lot of fun :-)

Just a few images from the day/evening !

2010

2010-01-01T11:45:00.002Z

A new year and a new decade, wishing everyone that knows me a very happy and healthy 2010, I hope it brings much happiness to everyone :-)

Autumn in Cambridge

2009-11-04T13:55:00.003Z

Cambridge is such a beautiful place and on Monday the autumn colours were just amazing set against a beautiful blue sky! I took these photos from the punt on the river Cam, it backs on to the Universities. Can't believe we're in November already, where does the time fly?

Volcanoes and sunshine

2009-09-04T16:54:00.003+01:00

Spent a week away somewhere warm with Jess, the weather was lovely and we had a great time so I thought I'd add a few photos as always :-)

U2 Wembley 14th August 2009

2009-08-16T13:01:00.004+01:00

U2 were AMAZING..

they really rocked, the whole stadium were on their feet.. a fantastic concert.

Castle Ashby in the spring

2009-05-09T18:24:00.005+01:00

Its been a while since I updated the blog, sorry.... if anyone out there ever actually reads it LOL.

Here are some photos from last weekend, taken at Castle Ashby...taken using Leica m8.2 and a 28mm lens. The spring sunshine and flowers were beautiful.

Just got back from a couple of days away with friends in Stratford Upon Avon, a lovely relaxing break :-)

Waddesdon Manor

2009-03-15T13:34:00.002Z

I went to Waddesdon Manor with friends yesterday, took the M8 for its first outing, the 50mm lens isn't quiet enough but it is so sharp. The M8 takes a bit of getting used to but on the whole we had a good day! :-)

Here are a couple of shots from Waddesdon, the garden stautes were still all wrapped up but the flowers were just starting to burst into life... a trip back in a few week is in order i think.

A snowy day .....

2009-02-06T13:19:00.003Z

Well, its been snowing here pretty much all week, and this morning we got loads more. So I took the camera out with the dogs, despite the fact that it was still actually snowing and my camera was going to get wet!
Here are a few shots of the dogs having fun in the snow!

Ben's 18th Birthday!

2009-02-01T16:17:00.002Z

Today is Ben's 18th birthday! My baby is 18! Can't believe he's 18 already, those years of growing up have past so quickly, I'm so proud of everything he has achieved already and excited to think what he will achieve in the years to come. Such an exciting time for him, an offer from Cambridge University, the world really is his oyster. Happy Birthday Ben xx

Cornwall

2008-12-30T13:25:00.004Z

We went to Cornwall for Christmas this year, it was lovely, the cottage was really pretty and the country side was great. Walked and walked, the poor dogs were pleased to come home LOL.
Here are a few shots from our visit, hope you like them. Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and wishing you all a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year for 2009.

First and second shots is Port Isaac where Doc Martin was filmed, the next 2 are at St Ives beach, Jess and then the dog who was having a great time LOL.

Lastly was the cottage we stayed in...

More Seals at Donna Nook

2008-11-17T09:42:00.003Z

Here are a few more shots from Donna Nook, there were a lot of seal pups this time and they are just so sweet, very cute! The light wasn't so good this time and the beach was water logged all the way which made it harder work (on top of having the flu it wasn't good LOL) .

So here they are...

Donna Nook Seals October 2008

2008-10-27T14:06:00.003Z

Went to Sutton-on Sea with a friend at the weekend, we went to Donna Nook to see the wild seals that come in land to breed at this time of year. It was freezing, the wind was so cold and it whips up the sand in to a sand storm. But the seals are fantastic, its amazing to get so close to them a really great experience.

Here some of my favourite shots, shot with 100-400mm lens, quiet tricky as the wind is so strong, keeping the lens still is really hard as it gets buffited about, really needed a tripod and sand bag...but next time I'll take them LOL.

Autumn....

2008-10-05T13:53:00.002+01:00

Well Autumn seems to have arrived already, I love the chilled air and changing colours of Autumn but not the rain LOL. Looking forward to going to places to photograph the changing colours in the coming weeks. Here are a couple of still life shots of some fruit, the colours are amazing.

Just for Stuart !

2008-08-08T11:19:00.003+01:00

I did, here he is by special request, the bouncer LOL LOL LOL

The Feeling

2008-08-03T14:54:00.004+01:00

Went to Newmarket on Friday night to see The Feeling after the racing, they are really good live..and you can get really close to the stage, so here are some shots from the night.

I almost didn't get any, the bouncer told me I couldn't take any pictures and if I did he'd have me removed if I took and shots at all, I told him he couldn't as photography is permitted on racecourse grounds. Anyway after much heated discussion we got hold of a race course official who told the goon to leave me alone I could take photos for personal use!

Anyway here are a few of the shots, all taken with no flash as its not allowed ....enjoy.

Animals....

2008-06-30T20:30:00.003+01:00

Here are few of my favourite shots from the Cotswold Wildlife park....I think the Otters are my real favs.....just so cute and the Meercats too...

Enjoy and check out my new website www.Pivotalphotography.co.uk

Busy time of year

2008-06-13T19:03:00.003+01:00

Its been a while since I last up dated my blog, sorry! Its been hectic, Kids and exams, course work to finish and exhibition work to get ready.

The summer hasn't really got going here....fingers crossed that it will.

Here's a photo from last night at Lyveden New Bield, an Elizabethan house built by Sir Thomas Tresham, sadly it was never finished, it would have been magnificient if had been, its in such a beautiful location.

Red Arrows fly over London..

2008-04-05T18:04:00.003+01:00

Last week the Red Arrows flew in formation with 4 typhoons up the Thames for the 90th Anniversay of the RAF.

It was really cool, didn't last long but was quiet a sight. Oh and if you saw a photo in the newspapers of them flying behind Big Ben......they didn't Big Ben was behind me ....that was Photoshopped in LOL....

Afterwards a walk round London.....think this one of the sphinx is probably my favourite one.

Life is still hectic, so much still to be sorted out, so many things to be dealt with...... :-( but hey ho.....

Not the 2008 I had hoped.....

2008-02-14T16:30:00.003Z

Life has a habit of doing the unexpected, 2008 won't be a happy year for me after all....
Sad things happen, I guess you learn to accept them and carry on...but 2008 can't be the same for me now....

Happy 2008 !

2008-01-04T12:49:00.000Z

Well its here, a new year...another one gone...lets hope that 2008 brings happiness and good health.

We had a quiet Christmas but its all over too fast, now we have the new year to look forward to. Don't really know what to hope for.....more photo opportunities...new places to visit.....seeing old friends...

Lets just hope its a good year ......not just for me but for everyone.....

HAPPY 2008.

Happy Christmas !

2007-12-16T10:53:00.001Z

Its nearly here...Christmas 2007, where did this year go?

This is Zarla wearing her Santa hat...she is just so cute....but not that happy to have a Santa hat on really..bless.

If your reading this...Happy Christmas and a happy New year to you and yours...I hope 2008 will be a good year for everyone.

I haven't posted for a while I've been so busy....no time for a lot of my normal things....but I'm not complaining...things are going in the right dierection for me and I'm enjoying it!

Anyway, thought I'd post now before Christmas comes and take over....I'll post again after Christmas...

Have a good one......if there's anyone out there...LOL LOL

Italy!

2007-10-30T10:53:00.000Z

Here's a few shots from Italy, Jess and I spent a great week in Sorrento, we even managed a day trip to Rome ! Rome is so beautiful...the phots from Rome are of St Peteres Square, the basilicaand of course the Colosseum, but I think I need a week there LOL.
Sorrento is such a charming place, full of little streets, restaurants and shops andf stunning views of Mount Vesuvius.
We went to the top of the Volcano, its an incredible place, all quiet except steam rising from the crater....and the views are great too.
Pompeii is incredible...its so well preserved despite being wiped out by Vesuvius 2000 years ago...loved Italy, its a mad place but loved it all...
anyway here are few shots...

Stowe Gardens

2007-09-16T15:21:00.000+01:00

I went to Stowe Gardens yesterday, if you've never been (not that any reads this much) go...its really beautiful and such a great walk. Yesterday the weather was great, sunshine, blue skies and fluffy white clouds....perfect!

Here's a few of my favorite shots.....

Northumberland Coast

2007-09-06T13:49:00.000+01:00

Well now that my eyes are a bit better and I can actually see what I'm typing I thought I'd share a few photos from my trip (with Jess) to the north east of England. Its such a long time since I've been there, it was great visiting places I knew well as a child.....I used to love to go to Marsden grotto, (a pub built into caves) when I was a child, the beach was always so nice and the rock was always amazing....anyway enough of me...here's some photos.

The castle is Alnwick Castle, its very beautiful, its about ab hour North of Durham, the gardens are full of amazing fountains that the kids can actually play in.

My new Jeep!

2007-09-04T16:48:00.000+01:00

Here it is, all nice and clean and glistening in the sun ......my nice new jeep...this is the newest car I've had in this country...I love it already...

Sorry, I've taken the reg number off....as a security precaution....(sad world we live in huh?)

Dancing in the rain!

2007-07-27T14:51:00.000+01:00

went to Stratford Upon Avon last weekend after all the heavy rain, the flooding was terrible, such a lot of damage.

This couple however seemed to be making the most of what was a bit of a disaster for the town......think I'd have liked a glass of what ever they had... LOL...

Here are a couple more from Stratford on the same day...

More again from Oslo

2007-07-13T20:14:00.000+01:00

Ok, Ok I guess I'm boring anyone who's dared to look, but I loved Oslo and these statues are just perfect so no more apologies for adding more photos.

The bottom two photos are from the palace or near to the palace...hold on there's more...

Some of these shots are taken down by the harbour. The silver flower is an eternal flame of peace. Its very beautiful.

More from Oslo

2007-07-13T20:07:00.000+01:00

More photos.....hope your not all bored with these LOL...

These statues are just perfect, beautiful...love them all.

There's more !

Oslo

2007-07-13T13:21:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd share some photos from a weekend in Oslo! Here's me!
This was taken in the very famous statue park which was very beautiful and totally fascinating.

Ok, here's some photos this time not of me LOL...

Here are some shots of the "tunnel of light" which lead down into the tube station, its such a cool tunnel.
I had the best time in Oslo, its a great city.
The last photo for now is of a bronze fountain down by the harbour, the flower was just floating there in the most perfect place as if it had been put there.

Concert for Diana - Wembley

2007-07-04T11:51:00.000+01:00

Here are some photos from the Diana concert, it was along day but well worth it. The bands were great, great atmosphere and thanks to Elton almost missed the train home LOL.

The new Wembley is pretty good too, great views, the security was a bit tough, took a long time ot get in but at least we knew we were safe. What a sad world we live in !

My favourites were, The Feeling, P Diddy, Rod Stewart and the crowd liked Status Quo....didn't like Kanye West.

2007-06-21T12:40:00.001+01:00

Another one of me, hatless this time LOL.....ok thats it for another year no more photos of me....

Royal Ascot 2007

2007-06-21T11:53:00.000+01:00

Royal Ascot 2007, it stayed mainly dry although I thought the picnic was going to be ruined, a really heavy show arrived just at the wrong moment!

Ascot again!

2007-06-19T11:38:00.000+01:00

Well, its been a while since I up dated my blog, but as its Royal Ascot season again I thought I'd add a photo of me, yes I know, I don't do photos of me but here goes. This is a photo of me from Royal Ascot last year.....I so love this hat...

This year its black and white.....so may be I'll add a photo of me later in the week....

Life is hectic as normal, lots of things happening, some good some not so good....but that's life I guess....expect the unexpected and you won't be disappointed LOL....

Wolves ! !

2007-03-01T09:46:00.000Z

Last Saturday Jess and I went to the Uk wolf conservation trust for the day. We had a really great day, we got to go into the enclosure with three juvenille wolves, they came right over to us....it was magical. Then we met Duma and Dakota who were adult female North American wolves, we went out for a walk with them and got to meet them close up too. Although these are wild animals they are socialised to a degree but you did have to be very careful.

They also have European wolves which we saw but couldn't meet as it was breeding season for them and they were very stressed so it wasn't safe to be in their enclosure. But they were gorgeous....I'd like to go back next winter and meet them.

The wolves are just so beautiful, we had a fantastic day....here's some of the photos from the day.

Snow!

2007-03-01T09:40:00.000Z

Well since the last time I updated we've had proper snow....lots of it and it was great! The kids had the day off as the schools were shut and we all went out to the country park with the dogs.

The park looked magical in the snow, and the dogs just had THE most wonderful time. They rolled in the snow, chased snow balls, ate the snow and ran around full of life.

This is the most snow we've had for years and boy did the kids and dogs make the most of it...it didn't last long though, but it was fun whilst it was here.

Happy 2007!

2007-01-01T10:15:00.000Z

Its here a brand new year...lets hope its a happy and healthy one for everyone.

We had our New Year's Day dinner yesterday as Dad was over for the day...more crakers....and food...good job we're back to normal tomorrow LOL...

The sun is shining for the first day of the year....so that's a good start.

Here's a couple a of photos taken at the weekend .........Happy New Year!

Its Christmas !

2006-12-22T14:36:00.000Z

Well seems like ages since I last up dated...sorry.

Happy Christmas to all.....

Wondering what your Christmas was like...and hoping your having fun and that Santa has been kind to you all LOL....hoping that 2007 will a happy year for everyone.

Our Christmas was lovely, Dad came round for the day and we had too many pressies and too much food LOL...it was a lovely day. Boxing day was more relaxing Jess and I went to Moulton to get some photos of the Morris men as you can see !

The photo of the dog is Zarla waiting patiently for the kids to get up so that she could have her present! The other photo is Dad playing with his new toy.......

Then some chilling and of course more eating....but the dogs did get their 2 walks as normal so at least we had some exercise LOL....

This is probably my last post for 2006....so I'll be back to wish everyone (well any one that might read this) a happy 2007.

Almost October

2006-09-29T14:09:00.000+01:00

Well here we are its very nearly October and autumn will shortly be in full swing! Love this time of year the colours and the fact the sunrises at a reasonable time which makes for nice photo's.

Talking of which I've started my college course City and Guilds level 2, really enjoying it, lots of work to do for it but I'm learning a lot........

So far we've covered aperture, depth of field and shutter speed...I've learnt to freeze a subject and to blur an action...and all with the camera on manual....I'm no longer afraid of the camera! LOL....

The first image is at sun rise, the second image is actually the moon at 6am with a very long shutter speed......there is NO star filter..its just how it happened!

Robbie !

2006-09-19T12:25:00.000+01:00

Hubby and I went to see Robbie Williams at the MK Bowl on Saturday......he was brilliant as always! Orson were cool and the Basement Jaxxs were fun.....larger than life...LOL.....

We were some way back as the inner circle had the best view but some the photo's came out ok...I'd have gone back to see him again tonight but I can't as I start my City and Guilds Photography course tonight.

Robbie is gorgeous and talented not to mention his sense of humour.......I'd love to back and see him again, I would get inner circle tickets this time though.....may be next time he tours:-)

Really looking forward to my photgraphy course, I want to get to grips with the technical stuff so that I can improve my photography.

Its the crops 1st birthday on the 21st October, planning all sorts of fun for everyone.....can't believe how fast this year has flown by......

I was contacted by some one whom I'd been best friends with in Junior school, we met for lunch yesterday, it was very strange...good but strange after 27 years! But it has inspired us to see if we could organise a reunion, might be really fun...

Bye for now...

A Beautiful Country

2006-09-07T10:47:00.000+01:00

We're back ! Spent 10 days in the Trossachs, it is beautiful and quiet, thats something you really notice. There is always some back ground noise here but in the highlands its quiet!

We hired a cottage in Brig 'O' Turk about 5 miles from Callendar, it was a really nice place and the garden runs down to the river which you can walk along. The local pub and restaurant was only a ten minute walk along the river so we used it quite a lot ;-) beats cooking. Te cottage was very close the Glen Finglass and the views from the window were great.

The first day we walked up Glen Finglass, well not all the way as its an 8 hour walk but we walked a long way and all of it was all up hill :-) . The dogs loved it all the smells and freedom, the views all around are stunning. It was gloriously sunny when we started our walk but half way it poured with rain for about 10 minutes then it cleared up and the sun shone!

Then on Monday we went to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, the castle is nice but due to the fact that the military were allowed to use it until fairly modern times its not as well kept as I had expected. The Wallace Monument was cool....a lot of steps...I do mean a lot! But the view from the top was fantastic, well worth the walking.

Tuesday we went to Falkirk to take in the Falkirk Wheel.....it was very photogenic! It was interesting too....the boat gets on and is lifted in the air to the top so that it can sail on the other canal, it would have taken 12 locks to make it the 150 feet so its quite something.

Wednesday.....we went to St Andrews...totally loved the place, its so sweet and clean and has a great ruined castle and catherderal. The beach is gorgeous...we walked for a long way with the dogs.....the golf course in the middle is a really strange sight but really special...

Thursday was pony trekking in the hills of Inverary....3 of us went on the trek for 2 hours, I had Barrow, Jess had Casper and Ben had Ollie. We trekked way up into the hills saw buzzards, rabbits and salmon leaping in the lock, it was really good we all enjoyed it!

Friday we went to Balloch on Loch Lomond to do power kiting...I wasn't totally sure what to expect but I have to say we had a blast! The kites start at about 1m and go up to just over 3m...the big one is very powerful it can lift you off the ground ! The medium size one was great strong but not too strong......it really was fun.

On Saturday we were worn out had a day doing walks and local stuff like going into Callendar then out for dinner to the Byre Inn which was a 10 minute walk away.

Sunday was the BIG day Ben had organised white water rafting and canyoning up at Loch Tay. when we arrived the guide said that there had been too much rain fall in the canyons and it
wasn't safe to do that, boy was Nick relieved! Anyway the 3 of them did the white water rafting and I stayed and took the photo's (well some had to :-) )

Monday was our final day, we went walking then went to Loch Katrine, the kids hired cycles and we went on the steam ship round the loch, great views from the boat. Then we walked the dogs round some of the loch (its 12 miles long so no way we could go round it!)

Came home Tuesday and the kids went back to school on Wednesday, I have almost finished the huge pile of washing and ironing that our holiday caused :-)

Summer holidays!

2006-08-15T17:44:00.000+01:00

Well we're now in week four of the summer holidays, they are flying past as usual. Ben had a fantastic time at summer school at York University and is now in Spain enjoying a water sports holiday with his school.

This has meant that Jessica and I have had loads of girlie time together. We have been down to London twice, the photo's here are from the Tate Modern. This is "modern art".....to be honest some of it is so funny...like the collection entitled "domestic incidents" the two pictures to the left ! I struggle to find the "art" in this but there was some really inspiring stuff too...strange but we enjoyed it.

We had lunch at Pizza Express over looking the Thames, its next door to the Globe. We wanted to see a performance but it had already started :-(

So we went over the Millenium bridge to see St Pauls Cathederal, its been a lot of years since I last visited it and it's still as beautiful as I remembered it. The photo above was taken from inside the Tate. I really like this one...its like a post card!

I have a crop on Saturday so I've been busy trying out the new Wizard die cutter, its fab....the ladies will love it! I have also sorted out a kit for Saturday so that everyone gets the same thing....I'm fascinated to see how they use it ! :-)

Well did I mention that I have a new laptop? No....well its fab except it doesn't have a wireless card in it like it should have ! :-( Dell are now sending out their engineer on Thursday to fit the part to my laptop which should have been fitted to start with and after 3 weeks of frustration I'm hoping that it will now work as it should do ! So watch this space............

Its not long till we go to Scotland on our family holiday, hope the weather is reasonable, don't mind if its not hot as we love to walk. The dogs don't like the heat, Zarla has blown her coat completely and looks quite bare really LOL...

I'll upload some more photo's from London tomorrow.....I have some of a beautiful flower shop in Islington..the flowers were just so gorgeous......

Bye for now

Royal Ascot

2006-06-23T13:16:00.000+01:00

Well Royal Ascot is here and we had a fantastic day on Tuesday, the opening of the new grandstand. What a brilliant job they have made of it, the view was great. Everyone makes such an effort to get drssed up. The colours and hats make it a special event. Seeing my cousin Jill and her husband Thomas was fantastic, we had a buffet lunch with champagne it was great.

We saw the Queen arriving in her carriage down the centre of the race track. The horses are magnificent. The atmosphere is electric, I'd recommend it ! Its so much fun and a good excuse for a new dress and hat!

Summer's here!

2006-06-06T10:42:00.000+01:00

Isn't the weather great, summer at last..here's hoping it lasts longer than a week!

This photo was taken by me at Towcester races on Friday night..it was a beautiful summers evening we met friends and had a lovely evening watching the racing and picnicing.

It will soon be Royal Ascot, I'm looking forward to going, hoping it will be a warm sunny day as I have a gorgeous hat and strappy dress.

The Celtic Tiger show was good, it got mixed reviews so we weren't sure we'd like it but it was fun...we all enjoyed it and the NIA was packed. Probably not as good as Lord of the dance but still a very enjoyable show.

Still looking forward to seeing Robbie in Milton Keynes in September....can't wait for that, its so exciting..

May half term

2006-05-28T10:21:00.000+01:00

Well its half term this week, the kids need some time to chill! We are going to see Celtic Tiger on Wednesday at the NEC and will probably go to Kenilworth Castle for the afternoon.....as long as its not raining again!

Yesterday was my crop here in Northampton....a few new ladies came along, its so nice meeting new people and share a great hobby. I love scrapping its a brilliant hobby only wish I could convince every one LOL.

On the 17th June we are holding a Strawberry Tea crop ! Its in aid of Breast Cancer care, we are dressing in something red, doing a red LO challenge, holding a raffle and of course there will be loads of strawberries! Should be really good fun and it will raise some money for the charity too.

So if you see anyone dressed as a strawberry in Northampton in the 17th June you know where they will be heading.

An Ordinary day!

2006-05-17T13:22:00.000+01:00

Today is a very ordinary day, its not raining yet but probably will, I've spent all morning shuffling paperwork around, walked the dogs, cleared up the mess left behind by everyone else.....

I saw a small deer on my walk this morning, he didn't stick around for long, he could smell the dogs. There are 4 nesting pairs of swans on the lake, I can't wait to see how many signets they produce and how many will survive. I'm going back with the camera at the weekend to get some photo's.

I've added a new slide show (well actually I think I did it twice LOL) it contains some of my scrapbook pages.

We are going to Celtic Tiger at the end of the month, looking forward to it although it has had mixed reviews. I'm sure it will be cool!

Still can't believe I'm going to See Robbie in September......oh it seems such a long way off!

Bonanza Fun !

2006-05-14T09:40:00.000+01:00

I have just about recovered from my Friday out at the NEC, I went to the Discover Bonanza show. I met up with two friends and we had a great time, the classes we did were fun and we all learnt some new things, so all in all a good day out.

We also met some people from UKS whom we chat to often, it was really nice to meet them in real life!

When it came to leaving though, the rain was really lashing down and we got soaked running back to the car! Then had to drive back down the M6 in a terrible thunder storm.....don't want to do that again!

We did the Heidi Swapp class, and the photo is of the finished project, it was a really fun class and the finished item is really lovely. Thanks Heidi!!

The other classes we did were the Paperartsy Masterclass which was so much fun as it was just so messy, we had gesso and ink every where ! Also did the Smart and Sassasy with SEI class, nice finished mini album but not really a class more a follow the instructions sort of thing but still ended up with a nice album, just have to find some photo's to go in it!

A spring day!

2006-05-08T13:48:00.000+01:00

I went walking yesterday (I often do) but today I wanted to take some photo's of the bluebells, they are so lovely and their scent fills the air. At the country park the woods are full of bluebells and fresh ferns. This is one of the photo's I took during my walk.

On the way back I stopped at the bird hide, not a bird insight but as it was raining I wasn't that surprised, I sat and watched for a while, some baby rabbits came out just in front of the hide, it was lovely watching them and taking photo's.

I walked back in the rain, and found the family of geese on the concrete bank of the dam being fed by some children who were fascinated by the fluffy chicks...they were gorgeous .

This week its Discover Bonanza, can't wait it will be great to do the classes and meet up with scrapping friends from all over the country!

The other exciting thing that happend today is that I have bought 2 tickets to see Robbie Williams.....I am actually going to see him live at Milton Keynes Bowl!

Sunday Morning

2006-04-30T09:37:00.000+01:00

I love spring its one of my favorite times of the year, the Canadian geese who live on the lake where I walk the dogs have had chicks. They were on their first trip out this morning all fluffy and yellow. I'm going to get some photo's of them over the next few days and weeks.. the swans have made a nest and I'm waiting for their grey fluffy signet to appear.

The squirrels are out and about and the rabbits were playing in the hedgerows this morning...I love spring!

I've added a slide show to my blog...you can view at the bottom of the page.
Some photo's from Scotland and a few of the dogs and the lake where we walk.

I took my new tripod out yesterday and spent more time playing with it than taking photo's its really cool hoping to take it out again if the weather holds up.

Today I have some scrapping projects that need to be finished so thats what I'm going to do.

Wishing anyone reading this a happy spring day..

My Blog

2006-04-26T21:32:00.000+01:00

Today is the first day of my blog!

I have been thinking of having a blog for quite some time and today I finally plucked up the courage to do it! So here it is....

The beginning...

2006-04-26T14:51:00.000+01:00

This is a scrapbbok page of my Leonberger Zarla, she is 4 years old and my companion.

She is the funniest dog I have ever known, she loves mud and water in equal quantities and lives to eat.....anything!

This Lay out is Cassie, she is my ever steady protector...she's 7 years old. She loves water but doesn't that ALL dogs can swim!

Life is Good a LO with a rare photo of me!

2006-04-26T14:42:00.000+01:00