Play well

This weekend has been set aside for just being a family together, so today we headed off to Basingstoke to the Milestones museum. Its a recreation of some old buildings and streets from the towns industrial past. Lined with cobbles and a liberal scattering of old trucks and buses around the place its a true step back in time. There has been an exhibition running for a while now called LEGO Mania. A crazy chap is building a replica of Basing House from 150000 bricks, he has all but finished and it looks amazing. Laid out around the whole site are lots of LEGO displays as well, Star Wars and other modern sets but the stuff that took me back to my childhood was the three cabinets of old Technic LEGO. Its a good 20 years since I owned some but I still remember the first starter kits I had as a kid.

Rubbish week turned out good

Crap. Thats probably the easiest way to describe my week. I've been commuting a 100 mile roundtrip each day to a training course on a product that left me so far out of my depth. James Cameron's trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench looked like he stepped in a puddle! The drive home is across the Hogs Back and as it was friday I decided that a treat was in order so stopped off in the nearby brewery for a slab of the Tea. Cold beer, good food and a chance to catch up with Kim and Lily after missing them most of the week. Perfect.

Awarding winning

Quite chuffed today. I picked up an award at the Hants & Berks Motorclub AGM this evening. For the last couple of years they have decided to reuse so of the old silverware that was originally handed out for events organised by the club. These events have long since passed so some new categories have been created. One of these is "photographer of the year" Since I joined the club I've tried to get along to a few events, but diary clashes with shows and camping have meant that the classic car night in May is the only one I make. In 2011 I rocked up in the Camper, had a pint and chatted cars with the other members whilst snapping away, the chairmans Jaguar decided to melt its electrics so it was all hands to the pump for tools, spares and know how to get it running. Whilst offering some advice and tools I also snapped away for a couple of hours as the crowds worked away. Sadly it never did start and needed a lift home but the clubs committee liked the human angle of my photos and awarded the snapper prize for 2011 to me. I got to hold (albeit briefly as they get stowed away by the club) a pewter tankard from the early 1980s that was used as a scatter rally trophy. They did however make keepsakes of the club badge and a clock with an engraved plaque beneath. Its nice to be noticed.

Up, up and away

On my way out to the training this morning I spied the perfect photo opportunity. In fields outside Guildford several people were hanging on to a hot air balloon as it was inflated. The basket and its crew waiting for the off on a clear sunny morning. Sadly the traffic wasn't playing ball and I had to carry on past. Heading home 12 hours later I spied the same balloon over Reading, again there was no where to stop. But as I parked up at home what should drift overhead once more. The sky was brilliant blue, the balloon fantastic red. Its the sort of photograph that should be stuck on a birthday card!

Classic Jaguars

Desperate to see something interesting to snap each day whilst I'm commuting to this training, I was pleased to spot a Jaguar specialist on route. On the way home I dived onto the forecourt to be faced with a brace of E-types, several XJ-S and a Mark II. Not a complete loss then.

Out in the sticks

I've been sent on a very dull training course for a week on a new product. Looking at a map it was only 50 miles from home so it seemed daft to stay away, especially as Kim and Lily were off to the Isle of Wight for a few days mid week and I needed to be at a meeting on thursday. Sod it I thought I'll commute each day. Big mistake, its a good 2.5hrs each way if the traffic is bad, which it is and to top it all there is nothing in Coolham of interest. There is a sign towards a D-Day airfield, which turned out to be nothing but a field as it was turned back to farming after the war. This dilapidated barn on next to the office I'm in is the best I could do!

Flat six engine donor

We had a visit from our friend Mr Slater today, despite repeatedly stating he was being sensible and sticking with his Skoda he finally crumbled and bought himself a Porsche 911 Carrera 2. Its a 996, the first of the water cooled 911s, it ended 34 years of air-cooled power. Its often joked in Volkswagen circles that 911s make ideal engine donors for Beetles and Campers as the engine just drops in. What little I could see of the 3.6 litre 320hp engine showed that it would be a mammoth task to fit it into either. Which is probably for the best as its a really nice car as it is, we took it for a spin on a private test track near us and saw three figures. I wholly approve of his purchase. GT3 next?

The Volksworld Show

Today was the first day of the season opener at Sandown race course. I had a last minute call up to the club stand so went along on my own in the Beetle. As ever there were some amazing show cars and vans in the halls and club cars and vans outside. I never made it to the carparks like I normally do but there was still plenty to see. Top of my wanted list were the VW38 and streamliner. But photo of the day goes to this heavily patina'd Split Beetle.

The Abbey

Founded in 1121, Reading Abbey is tucked away behind the towns library and some shops, hidden from view. In 1538 it was mostly destroyed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. It survived on and off as a town hall until that too fell into ruin. Up until 2009 you were able to walk around the ruins and open air theatre was held inside, but due to further weakening of the remains its been fenced off during a restoration process. This is going to cost well over £1M and so its been put on hold until at least 2013. Its a massive shame that we can build a huge building like The Blade but can't find the funds to retain one of Readings most important sites.

Dumbphone

The pictures I post in this blog are the things I see and photograph each day or a little project shoot i've set up specially for the blog. Today I have done very little apart from trying to get my new work phone set up. Its a pig, the battery life is poor and it freezes with pretty much every push of a button. Luckily it gets turned off each evening and I don't have to actually use it as a smartphone should be!

Sunny St Pauls

Todays install turned sour and we found ourselves needing a different cable to complete it. Being in Central London it was going to be tricky but thanks to a bit of smartphone use a Maplins was located. A few miles of walking around the City in the sunshine, past the Cathedral and back across the Millennium Bridge provided some exercise and some stunning views.

Something for the weekend sir?

When I was very small my mum stopped taking me to the lady across the road who permed her hair, for my trims and took me to a proper barbers. It had a red and white stripped pole out the front and everything. Up at the Three Tuns opposite the fire station it was a big adventure for me, sitting on the booster seat in front of the mirror the man use to joke he would cut an ear off or shave me bald! Following a couple of years elsewhere until they closed I ventured back in and have been ever since. It shocked me as I was walking in today that John has been in business there since the late 1960s. The conversation usually falls to F1, fast cars or his many trips to Cyprus and I get change fro a tenner.

Sticker up

As she gets older, Lily is starting to get into arts and crafts. She is already helping Kim with cards, happy to slap stickers on anything put in front of her and herself at the same time!

Mothers Day

Its Mothers Day today, Lily (with a little help from me) managed to treat Kim to some flowers, chocolates and a Cath Kidston tin. As it was sunny in the afternoon we picked up Kims parents and we all headed to Rushalls Farm near Newbury for the lambing day. Meeting sheep, pigs and cows. Cuddling lambs and having a tractor ride were all very exciting for Lily and she was dragging us round all afternoon long!

Daddy & Daughter day

Kim was off to London for the day with an old friend of ours. It was Kims late birthday present, a trip to London to the V&A museum for a silk exhibition and lunch in Fortnum & Masons. That meant that Lily and I had a day together, being just before mothers day it was the perfect chance to go present shopping and write some cards before a trip to see my mum for a bit. Getting home at lunchtime I thought we'd get some food in before we rested on the sofa with the F1 qualifying. But she was pooped and fell asleep for a couple of hours on her own without food. I got lunch in peace and the F1 without a Waybuloo interruption.

Retro chick

Another evening, another test with the DianaF+. If it works then Kim will be smiling back looking all funky and retro. She was dressed for the occasion and it seemed rude not to take advantage of that fact! I'll post up when they come back from proccessing.

Edit: Well the film has been processed, bit more successful than the first roll. Some reasonable Lomo shots including my gorgeous retro chick

Retro look

I loaded the second roll of 35mm into my DianaF+ at the weekend and have been snapping away when I get the chance. Fingers crossed the development of these shots will be better as they will by processed at the LomoLab in London. Sprocket holes, vivid colours and plenty of flare. I'll post them up when they come back.

Edit: One of the first shots on the roll. The park round the corner from us has some very traditional things to play on. 2012 or 1972?

Me and my shadow

Another day in London on the same roof, another early start and late finish and yet more sunshine. It was quite late in the day when I took this.

My biggest fan

Pretty slim pickings on the photography front today. I left home just before 6am and rolled in at almost 9pm. It was a long and pretty crap day struggling to get a link working in central London. The plus side was the sun was shining and I was on a rooftop with a great view of the City and some air-con units.

Spring has sprung

For the last few days the sunshine has been beaming down, the temperature has increased and now the daffodils are bursting into life. Winter is pretty much over, spring has begun.

Pedal power

Having hibernated over the winter I decided it was time to get my mountainbike out of the garage again for a ride. Over the weekend I managed to cover about 15 miles, which is not too shabby considering its been a few months out of the saddle. I took a trip down memory lane as well with a ride into the University grounds and found the old stone circle I use to hang out at with some mates in the early 1990s. Those were the days.

Getting the knee down

After a disappointing trip to town to get my lomo film developed we made the most of the afternoon by going to the park with a friend for playtime and ice creams. I took the lomo along again and hopefully have learnt a few lessons from the first attempt. While snapping away at Lily our friend decided he wanted to play too and as a good biker should, got his knee all the way down!

Family unit

Another bit or practice with my new DianaF+. Tomorrow is D-Day as the film is nearly finished its time to wind it all back in and get it processed. Hopefully I can add an extra comment here about how great the shots look and load the next roll in and start all over again.


Edit: Following tuesdays poor offering from my new lomo camera. Todays effort, indoors, but with the flash clearly doing its job is a bit better. I still feel there isn't enough of the quirky look of lomo in it, but I ma hoping to get them redone complete with the sprockets which should improve them.

Changing a tyre

I have a little army of LEGO figures sat on my desk from the last time I was mucking about and looking for inspiration I spied my LEGO Camper on the shelf beside me. I got it as a Christmas present. Six hours of building over three days saw it transformed from 1300 pieces to a really detailed if slightly pixelated version of the famous VW van. Putting two and two together I was quiet pleased with the outcome. I may have to fashion some sort of miniature studio to shoot these photos in though.

St Pancras

Built in 1866, the very impressive front of the station is a major landmark as you head down the A40 towards The City. I pass it several times a month and it never fails to move me.

Walk in the park

I had an early finish from work today which meant I could collect Lily from the childminders. As it was a sunny afternoon I decided we should walk home with Lily on her reins. Along for the walk was my new DianaF+. I rattled off about 25 photos. The joys of film mean I have no idea how its going to work out yet so the photo for today will have to wait until I've finished the 36 roll of film and got it processed. Exciting times!

Edit: Well I got the roll processed. A tiny bit disappointed if I'm honest. Firstly nobody seemed to be able to develop the photos with the sprocket holes in place. Boots claimed they could be failed and I got a set of photos stretched to fit the 6x4 paper. I have a set of negatives that have the image all the way to the edge so I'm going to try and get them redone somewhere. But secondly they haven't come out as I was expecting, the colours on the ones that worked (it really doesn't like low light at all, even in what I thought was bright sunlight is dark and grainy. Some setting adjustment is required I feel!) and there is none of the crazy lomo effects I've seen elsewhere. I'm not deterred and have rattled off most of a second roll today in better light, standing further back and will get it developed at a lomolab.

Anyway, this was one of the better shots from the roll. Taken on our walk home.

Formula one spy shots

I was passing Blackbushe airport on the way home from London and decided to try and find the film set for the new Niki Lauda film, Rush. Its on the far side of the complex on an old runway and has a complete pitlane, grid and grandstand replicating 1976 Fuji Grand Prix. I snuck across the common and got fairly close where I could see the set and hear the cars being fired up so I got a sneaky photo of the McLaren race transporter that James Hunts M23 was unloaded from.



*somebody has been far less sneaky and a lot more brazen than me and seemingly walked straight on the set to take photos

Cheeky Monkey

We popped out to see some friends at the local VW meet, despite the snow and rain there were a few people there but all hidden in the cafe. Lily found herself a comfy chair to rest in and make silly faces at people!

Back to basics

I'm quite happy pottering around with my Canon 400D, I'd like a 550D at some point when the funds allow as its a massive step up from mine, but for the time being I'll make do. With ever advancing technology in digital photography its nice to go back to the simple life which is what I've done courtesy of a birthday present from Kim & Lily. A DianaF+, its an uber budget medium format camera. A replica of the plastic bodied cameras of the 1960s. The pictures are characterised by the slightly out of focus, vivid colours and dark borders. All of which are due to the very basic design and poor fit of the parts. Its meant as a toy camera and is popular with art students but I've fancied one for ages and its a chance to enjoy just snapping and then waiting for Boots to see what develops. I fully expect to get a lot of rubbish but who knows where it will lead. I am cheating a bit and running a 35mm conversion backplate as the 120 film it runs can be tricky to find and develop.

Splish splash

Due to work I rarely get to watch Lily during her weekly Waterbabies lessons. Each friday I get a debrief over dinner as to what they've been up to and how it all went. With a few days off for my birthday I was able to get poolside again. She is now in the toddler classes and the progress is amazing, she is happy splashing around, chasing the toys and diving under and kicking along.

St Davids Day

1st of March, St Davids Day and my birthday. My 35th birthday to be precise. As a treat we all went to Beaulieu today. Home of the National Motor Museum and some fantastic grounds to walk through. During the day I rattled off 300+ photos of cars inside. The new Bond in Motion exhibition was brilliant and the collection as good as ever with several new cars and lots of reshuffling. I could have picked one of dozens of car photos I took or even one of the many photos of Lily and Kim wandering round. But instead I chose this. Its from the grounds near the house, the sun was out, it was almost 20°c and t-shirt weather and as a family we wandered round relaxed and enjoying ourselves. This sums up my day.