Work experience

Last week I was in the unusual position for me at least of having an assistant for the day, my son doing a 'go to work with dad day'. I have to say it was about time I had one, some 33 years after having been one myself with Norman Gold and before that at Vic Kettle Studios. It had also been a while since I had been the subject of a shoot, being photographed by my son for the report on his day out. As a matter of interest it was a very interesting shoot with a traditional boot manufacturer of some 200 years standing, watch out for the feature in the NFU's 'Countryside' magazine.

Gibraltar

As we were so close to Gibraltar while we were on holiday in Andalusia (sounds posher than the 'Costa Del Sol') we took the opportunity to pay it a visit. Needless to say we took in the main tourist sites and saw the barbary apes, being careful not to feed them or indeed do anything to encourage them to misbehave. Despite our caution though, no sooner had we stepped out of the minibus than my son was bitten on the hand by a monkey clearly disappointed not to find any food in it! At least he wasn't bitten on the same hand that suffered a jellyfish sting a day or two before!

Costa Del Sol

We recently returned from a family holiday at my aunts apartment on the 'Costa Del Sol' (thanks Lynda). Magnificent weather and fabulous views combined with a very nice pool mean't that this actually felt like a proper holiday with some actual rest and relaxation taking place and that hasn't happened in a while.

Losing my mind!

Having forgotten my tripod whilst in Nottingham on a shoot for Model Rail last week, today I went back via Melton Mowbray to retrieve it. As my mother lives in Melton I called in to see her and while I was there I went into the  garden shed briefly. Anyway having got home I went to unlock the garage and pulled out my keys only to find that they weren't my keys, they were my mothers keys for her shed, garage and gate. So now I have to go back to Melton shortly to return her keys. This could go on and on!

Natasha Baker

I did a shoot for 'Your Horse' yesterday with Natasha Baker the Para-Dressage rider and I have to say what a lovely person she is, I've seldom worked with someone for whom nothing was too much trouble, I'd love to put a picture or two up on the blog but as they won't be out in 'Your Horse' for a few weeks yet I'd probably better not! So for now here is a link to Natasha's website, from where there is a link to her blog which, it has to be said is even more out of date than mine, probably gets a lot more views though! Anyway, best of luck Natasha getting into the Paralympic team for the games this summer.

www.natasha-baker.com

Ducks crossing

While I was out on classic car shoot the other day we had to stop proceedings to guide a duck and her chicks off the road as she kept going backwards and forwards, seemingly transfixed by the traffic and was in serious danger of being run over. With a little guidance however the family were directed back through the hedge and we were able to resume our shoot (Triumph TR5, Classic Car Buyer, issue 123, page 22).

Mischief and Comet

We went over to Wisbech over easter to see a pony to consider getting for Sophie. I know we must be mad (everybody tells us so) but some friends of ours have offered Sophie the use of a stable and paddock at their farm about half a mile away from us, so she's never going to have a better and hopefully more cost effective opportunity than this. Mischief the pony with her foal, Comet is pictured right, Comet was born on Christmas day and when he has been fully weaned off his mother we should be able to take Mischief on trial, at about the end of May, so watch this space.