Unusual Surroundings for Travelodge

Staying at Travelodges for next nights while lecturing in the Midlands. Impressed by the Lakeside setting for the Stafford M6 Travelodge. Still practising with the Fuji XT camera - this time on small insects. My 18-35 mm zoom has done a reasonable job on Macro subjects especially if used on Manual focus with the focus assist on.

CRUFC Beat Top-of-the Table Taunton

Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club played very well to secure an impressive win 32-19 against Taunton to go joint top with them in the table. I was trying to concentrate on situations where the ball was being passed or very evident in the image - the first image sums it up - 'it's my ball'

Bath -Testing Fuji Stablisation

I took a few shots during a short evening stroll around Bath on Wednesday (after a long day at the ARPS Assessments). I wanted to test out the minimum shutterspeeds that I could reliably handhold the Fuji XT1 and 18-135mm lens. Although some images from as low as 1/4 sec were acceptably sharp, generally the cut off is 1/8 second - still very good for a largish zoom lens.  

Laycock Abbey

I called in at Laycock Abbey yesterday on my way to Bath for the RPS distinctions. I hadn't visited before and only had a short while to look round but here are a few images reminding me of its various roles in history first as a nunnery, then as a family home after the Reformation, the home of William Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative and, finally, as a Harry Potter film location. The autumn trees looked wonderful in the glimpses of sunlight (tree images straight from Fuji with no adjustment!)

Goodbye to Our Canine Friend

We had to say goodbye to Millie today - she has been our companion for 14 years and seen the addition of playmates Sadie and Meredith to the extended family circle. Blind and deaf in her last year or so she managed life with the same general happiness as long as food was on the scene. If you are reading this Derek and Ling - it was all very peaceful - she damaged a leg falling on the step but was not in pain and Simon was very gentle with her.

Anglesey Abbey Cyclamens and More

The cyclamens at Anglesey Abbey (NT) this year are probably the best I have seen them., while the autumn colours still have a little way to go. Lovely soft October light made the walk round the grounds a delight.