Typical Bank Holiday Weather for 12 hours on a Thames Barge!

I guess we were lucky to get a dry day for our trip on Thames Barge Hydrogen from Maldon, Essex, given the forecast a few days before but it was dull, cold and very windy. The crew from Topsail charters were excellent with good food and show of seamanship. The spinning Capstain was while we were anchored at lunch - very spooky. Other images include how best to survive the weather, winding up the anchor and the one minute break in the cloud during the day!! Map of the area - we sailed from Maldon to Brightlingsea and back.

 

Great Dunmow,Essex

We are staying at Great Dunmow for the night ready for an early sailing on a Thames Barge from Maldon in the morning. Typical Essex small town with lots of colourful buildings. 

 

Meredith's Passion for Bugs

My grandaughter Meredith loves all kinds of animals from horses down to the smallest bugs. She is very good at spotting flies and other insects in the foliage - she makes an excellent companion on a bug hunting trip. Here are a few images of how I imagine a 4-year old views the insect world. 

Kew Gardens 4. Kew Palace

 Kew Palace was built as a private house in 1631 and used by the royal family between 1729 and 1818. In happier times, George III, Queen Charlotte and their 15 children enjoyed a relatively simple domestic routine at Kew. In later years the atmosphere darkened as Kew became a retreat for the ailing King as his 'madness' took over. Great to be able to wander through the reconstructed Georgian rooms on the ground and first floor and then see the original state on the top floor. The two final images are each 6-part panoramas.

Kew Gardens 3. Infrared Buildings

The buildings at Kew are great for infrared photography. I am never sure whether I prefer the 'colour' image - i.e. using a custom made profile to bring the grey to neutral tone or using Silver Efex to do the conversion and tonal adjustments.. So here some pairs of images and some with just the profile where the subtle tones I feel help the image..