Craig's random ramblings

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

2009-11-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

Long Time Passing........

Lest We Forget.

CM2009

Golden Age

2009-11-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has been reading for more than a day or so will realise I have a head stuck in the past.

Mostly it's the 40's but I just like old stuff in general. I like to rescue things, fix them, restore them and of course photograph them. Perhaps it's my age making things worse? In a few short weeks I shall be 40, life has whizzed by so far so fast that perhaps I am looking at "the good old days" with ever more rose tinted spectacles?

I was going to say that maybe I'll have a mid life crisis soon but I've had a look around and the evidence of cupboards full of model kits, balsa wood gliders, a 1980's BMX and all sorts of other retro junk here in my office tell me that I haven't actually grown up yet so I'm at no risk whatsoever ;O) Phew!!

The above image sparked this off, I think this old train is suited well to the textures treatment but I have chucked in an extra twist on this one.

Let me know your thoughts as ever.

CM2009

I'd Rather Be Beside

2009-11-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

Work has been unrelenting lately and shows no signs of slowing down.

Don't get me wrong folks, I know this is a good thing especially in the current climate but a whole day off would be nice and I haven't had one for quite a while. So I'd rather be here (or there, in the image) eating a bag of hot fish n chips and watching the sun go down ;O)

CM2009

Ghost Train

2009-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was hoping for a better day and it started out pretty well..........

I was doing a job I have done literally thousands of times over the last twenty odd years. I won't go into detail but it involves a large kitchen knife and rolling an item to trim off the excess. I slipped and put the knife into my middle finger of my left hand with all the pressure of my right arm. Stupid! Now a million jobs are far more difficult or impossible.

Don't get me wrong, I know it'll heal up but it did make me think about the disabilities that people cope with on a permanent basis. It's amazed me just how much I use that digit, even typing this is difficult. I remember my brother losing his big toe through an infection and telling me how it affected your balance greatly. He eventually lost his leg below the knee and had a terrible time trying to adjust, never really did. Sometimes when we're having a bad day and moaning about it (just as I was yesterday) we should really stop and think for a moment.....

The image then. We were lucky enough to take a steam train ride whilst away this year, it was fantastic, I felt like a five year old. I shot quite a few frames and this was one. It was suggested to me a while back that textured images are sometimes used as an excuse to cover up a bad image, I don't agree, this frame was just fine. I just happen to like to use textures now and again, with Halloween coming up this weekend I thought this had an appropriately ghostly feel ;)

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

After The Rain

2009-10-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, what more can I say?

I'm not one to moan (hold on, yes I am) but something today really ticked me off. I can't go on without mentioning names etc so I won't, here's hoping tomorrow is a better day!

The image then; the only day we had any rain whilst away this year was our last day there. It wasn't much but sent everyone dashing for cover which cleared the crowded pier in an instant. Just after it stopped I took the opportunity to click a couple of frames, I would have preferred it to be devoid of people altogether but I guess you have to get up early for that!

CM2009

Steady As

2009-10-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

A bit of a washout weekend really.

A silly reoccurring dream saw me awake at stupid o'clock on Saturday morning and at work at just gone 6am. Then home to my ill wife and felt a bit rough myself (thanks Jo for sharing with us ;). Had lots planned for today but with one thing or another I seemed to accomplish very little!

Another shot from along the Norfolk coast then, just walking along the beach and came across these. Not much more to say about it really.

CM2009

In The Frame

2009-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

So I said that I would be processing some images on my last post.

Well I did but then some twerp managed to cut through the telephone line and the lines were down for two days for the whole village!!

I shot several frames at this scene whilst I still had a little light and was able to hand hold (left the tripod back at the house). Then all these folks turned up so I shot some more and was glad I did so. I had a further dilemma in as much as I couldn't decide between this version and B&W, they have a completely different feel to each other, if you're interested you can see the B&W version here.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

In Pursuit of Perfection

2009-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

I knew I hadn't blogged for a while , maybe a few days, a week perhaps. Well it came as a shock to me that it had in fact been 18 days!!

I've just been busy at home and definitely work too, it's gone crazy and being a very small place we're struggling to keep up at the moment!

So onto the image then, nothing remarkable about it in photography terms I know. I was asked not such a short time ago (in fact it was quite a long time ago) if I thought I could make an artist's watercolour box. Based on an antique design but with an extra drawer so it could hold tubes of colour as well as pans of colour in the top section. It will be on display in Ace Arts shop towards the end of this of this week. Oh yes and I did make the brushes too!

As for the title; Perfection it is not and that's the point. I strive for perfection in almost everything I do usually to my detriment, especially when making something. I never meet that goal, the perfectionists curse! Perhaps one day I shall achieve that aim but I doubt it, there will always be something I will wish I had done better, whether that be making something, taking and processing photographs or washing the car! I'm still trying to work out if this is a good or bad frame of mind to be in?

I'm going to try and process some more stuff tonight so hopefully it won't be too long before I post some real photography ;)

CM2009

Felbrigg

2009-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

A quick post tonight as I've been dashing around all over the place and I'm beat!

This is Felbrigg Hall which is a National Trust property just outside of Cromer. A fascinating place with wonderful gardens and woodland walks too, well worth a visit.

Let me know your thoughts as ever, they're much appreciated.

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High n Dry

2009-09-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

So the government propose to remove hospital parking charges within three years?

Wow, well done Gordy, they'll be back to what they used to be which is free! Honestly having just spent an unscheduled trip to the hospital A&E this evening and having to park outside some distance away because I had no cash on me it can't come soon enough. I do hate the way they talk as if they're doing us a big favour by giving us back what we had in the first place!!

Back on Blakeney Marsh today and another boat. Not left abandoned this time though, this one appeared to be someone's home and despite being high and dry when I was there I guess that all the ropes and chains mean the tide gets up here at some point.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Last Bus To Vectis

2009-09-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm still thinking about yesterday's rant so I don't have a new one for today.

Despite the fact that I still have lots on I'm trying to make an effort to post on a more regular basis. I've a lot of images backed up that I really would like to get posted. In fact I have a small problem, I've mentioned before that I hold on to far too many RAW files and now the camera has clicked passed 9999 images and started counting again!! Duplication is going to become a problem!!

I attracted some curious stares on Sunday as I lay down on the floor quite a bit looking for a different angle. One chap actually stopped me saying he'd never thought of getting down that low and asked to have a look at the frame, which was in fact this frame. He liked it and I did too so here it is :)

CM2009

Brushing Up

2009-09-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I heard of a new council scheme today, at the moment in Exeter but it's sure to spread rapidly if it's implemented.

What is this scheme? Well all of those out of town supermarkets that were opposed at the time but the council allowed anyway, now they wish to tax the free car parking spaces provided at these places.

The reason? To save the environment and to encourage us back to the high street. Now the last time I looked at a bus timetable (some time ago I admit) where I live I could either get the one bus a week that goes to the town I wish to visit (I'd have to take a day off of work to do so because it's in the week) or I could get another bus and change three times to make what is a five minute journey by car. In other words I'm unlikely to take public transport. Now shopping in local or high street stores is something that I try to do often, especially independent shops but let's face facts high council business rates have forced most of them out of business already!

Perhaps I do not explain myself very well but the bottom line as I see it is that this is just another tax on us and I'm sick of being taxed to death! They know full well that nothing will change and most people will still go to the supermarkets, either the shop will charge for parking or they'll put goods up and pay for it that way. I pay road tax, tax on my petrol, tax on my insurance premium, an MOT charge, VAT on service and spares-you get the picture!

Talking of pictures :) we went out for the day to Duxford and the bus show yesterday so in a break from the Norfolk images here's one from there. No problem catching a bus here ;O)

CM2009

Day & Night

2009-09-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to apologise again. You know where I've been and yes I am the slowest decorator in the world!

It stems from the fact that I decide to change everything even those fixtures I was sure were permanent last time and I would never have to change them again ;) Also the perfectionist in me comes to the fore as it does quite often and I spend a silly amount of time trying to get the little things just right, ho hum.

Underneath Cromer pier then in this shot. Many happy times spent here with friends, searching for shells etc on scavenger hunts by day and some evenings too making sure the girls didn't get scared in the dark ;O)

CM2009

No Turning Back

2009-09-15T14:58:00.001-07:00

A little later than planned here's the street shot I promised last time out.

I've really not had the time for posting and indeed comments so apologies to you if I haven't got around to your blog the last few days. I have far too much on the brain so I must confess I just took an evening off, perhaps that's not the right approach, who knows, I just needed to switch off for a while.

I realise that street stuff isn't everyone's cup of tea but I saw it, shot it and liked it. Let me know what you think, good or bad.

CM2009

Helter Skelter

2009-09-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well I guess apologies are in order for my lack of posting. It's not like I don't have the shots to post either!!

Work has been crazy since returning and has shown no signs of relenting (which is a good thing) and the home stuff is just chaos frankly with not a lot of progress, hopefully that will move forward this weekend.

So with all that dashing around and feeling stressed I though I'd take a moment to post something calming. In terms of pp I've hardly changed anything on this. Next time I think it'll be some street stuff ;O)

CM2009

Worlds Apart

2009-09-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

We've just spent the evening at a hog roast works gathering in Highgate so big thanks to my boss for an enjoyable evening.

On another note I'd like to thank the little s*%t that stole from my car this week. Thinking, probably, that he/she had stolen a mobile phone and a measly £1 coin what you actually got was a £1 shaped token to use in a supermarket trolley and a remote control for a car stereo which is completely useless to you, well done, your parents must be so proud!!!!

This is another shot from my hols, the title may have different meanings for you depending on how you look at it.

CM2009

Sea Breeze

2009-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Back to work this week, it's strange how quickly you can become accustomed to doing your own thing every day. I can honestly say I didn't miss work!

Another from my hols then, just something I saw whilst walking along the beach in the blistering heat, yes I really did say that about an August holiday in England.

That's about all, I'm bushed for today, let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Documented Demise

2009-08-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Just one day of holidays left and it's back to work for me.

All the house stuff is on hold waiting for the plasterer to come and do his thing so we have to live with the devastation for now.

This is another, obviously, of the boat at Blakeney, just by chance I discovered that this boat has a Flickr group all to itself! You can watch its slow decline in a stream of many images. I knew it must have been photographed before but had no idea to this extent!

On another issue I'm entering a very small comp on Bank Holiday Monday and the theme is "A Water Scene" it's 1 o'clock in the morning as I write and I'm still undecided but this could well be in there. I only get to enter two prints and it's quite difficult knowing, with such a broad scope, just what the judges will consider fits the bill. If you've any ideas before I enter by 11.30 in the morning let me know!

CM2009

Rescue Me

2009-08-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

My lounge looks post apocalyptic and I'm sitting here covered in dust, if I get wet I'll set!

Yup it's decorating time although it looks more like devastation at the moment and I'm waiting for the plasterer to come and tell me the damage, IE how much smooth walls will cost me.

Meanwhile I found a few moments to process another image from Blakeney and it's the same boat as the last post. When I see something like this I don't think of the rotting hulk out there on the marsh (or the rusty car, scooter, falling down building etc) I see something that was once beautiful, lovingly crafted by hand and I have the irresistible urge to fix things-I don't suppose I'm the only one though!

Your thoughts are appreciated as always.

CM2009

All Aboard The Skylark

2009-08-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back from my hols then but still another week off of work :)

We had a great week, superb weather and far too much food and drink. My shutter went off an insane amount of times, so many I'm not sure I wish to type it for fear it may become more real!

So you'd have thought it would have been easy to find something to post but you'd be wrong. I have deliberated over various shots yesterday evening and most of today. Whenever I shoot and review stuff at home there's always something you wish you had done differently. I guess that in some ways it's a good thing, you keep pushing yourself to improve but it's frustrating all the same, especially when it's not easy to go back for another shoot.

This shot was taken at Blakeney, I spotted this wreck from some distance and knew I had to get over there, after walking quite some distance I realised the ground was far too marshy to cross and I had to double back, ho hum. I wanted to get lower really and did manage it a couple of times (I may post one or two more of this) but the ground was so boggy you have to be careful where you trod let alone lay down.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

Oh and the title, I think you have to have grown up in the 70's in the UK to know......

CM2009

Checklist!

2009-08-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Right so I'm off on my hols, we'll go to Smugglers Top or Kirren Island and solve a mystery or two-or perhaps I read too much Enid Blyton when I was small ;O)

Lenses cleaned and packed
Batteries charged
Charger packed
CF cards
Hard drive
Card reader
Lap top

I have a few clothes somewhere.......feel as though I've forgotten something..........oh wife n kids, CHECK!! :O) The mighty Tez is staying home with a house sitter but shhhhh we haven't told him yet.

I just couldn't resist another from Flying Legends, I have one one that's totally different that I may post when I return but being as I shall have a whole new bunch of shots who knows?

Catch up to you all soon.

CM2009

Big Beautiful Doll

2009-08-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic week so I apologise for the lack of posts. I have only one week of work left until holidays and as usual it's crazy busy trying to get everything done before we close.

Should I apologise for posting another image from Flying Legends? I feel as though I should but I must admit that the process has been a pleasant one and the images have certainly captured imaginations everywhere judging by the responses.

So I'm off to finish off that bottle of white that's calling me, let me know what you think, good, bad & ugly.

Oh and the title is the name of the Mustang, not the big fellow giving me the stare!

CM2009

Ship Shape

2009-08-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

We've just arrived back from a HAG BBQ. For those of you who don't know what that is it's a combined Hen and Stag do. So I would just like to say thanks to Hilary and Jeff for inviting us, it was great to see you and meet everyone. Good luck for monday, good job the best man has a couple of days to recover!! :)

On another serious note I've just read some terrible news, fellow blogger/twitter/facebook friend Tammy Warren has had a fall from her horse and as I write is being flown to hospital. Those of you that know her either personally or, as I do, through her blogs A Cricket In The Garden or Standing Still please hold her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. My thanks to Marcel for letting us all know and keeping us informed too.

The image is again from Flying Legends but I guees the title has a double meaning today and I hope Tammy is ok and ship shape again very soon.

You can see the original version here by the way.

CM2009

School Time

2009-07-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

I can tell that my holidays are nearly here because work is busy, beyond flat out! Always seems to be the way, a mad rush to get everything done in time. I'm not complaining mind, with the current economic climate we're pretty lucky.

I resisted the urge to go back to the Duxford images today......just!

This is an image shot back in June during the village's Gardens Open day and is our local school which had opened it's own gardens too. It's an interesting place, not only is it an excellent school but it's also a listed building.

The original school was hit by a V1 flying bomb in 1944 just a few yards from my house and this school was built further down the road post war. Being one of the first to be constructed to an experimental design it became listed in 1993.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Paella; Weekend indulgence......

2009-07-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would post something completely and utterly different today. I joked with a pal of mine that I would post the recipe after he called me a show off, after I thought it might make a change.

My wife looked at me like I had lost the plot when I changed lenses and popped the nifty fifty on whilst I was cooking but what the hey eh?

A disclaimer first; this recipe is in no way authentic, has been cobbled together from all sorts of ideas so I apologise in advance to any Spanish readers! Also if it makes you ill, it was your own fault because I'm still standing ;) This will feed 4-6 people.

You Will Need

60ml Olive Oil

1 large red pepper, 1large yellow pepper (cut in strips)

1 onion & 1 red onion (roughly chopped)

4 chicken breasts (cut into smallish cubes)

200g Chorizo sausage (cut into slices or as you like it)
One pack of back or streaky bacon (roughly chopped)

200g mushrooms (sliced)

Garlic cloves, crushed (I started with three, I now use five :)

1 tablespoon of lemon zest

700g of tomatoes (roughly chopped)

1 tablespoon of rosemary

2 tablesoons of italian parsley

1/4 teaspoon of saffrom threads (in reality I use more to get that yellow colour) dissolved in 60ml of boiling water.

500g rissotto rice

500ml chicken stock (use a good liquid stock)

White wine (1/4 to 1/2 of a bottle)

Now I use a large wok to cook this in because I haven't found a paella dish anywhere big enough!

Heat the oil and pop in the onions & peppers, cook until soft and remove. Whilst they're cooking I usually start the chicken off in another pan to save time (once cooked switch off and leave until needed)

Now cook the chorizo until golden and remove, then do the same with the bacon.

Cook the mushrooms, garlic and lemon for about five minutes then add the onions/peppers and the tomatoes, cook until the tomatoes have softened.

Now add the chicken/chorizo/bacon/parsley/rosemary and the rice, pour in a good glass and a half of white wine and stir.

Once the wine has been absorbed start add the stock a ladle full at a time. Traditionally paella is not stirred but I continue to stir mine throughout. Keep simmering and adding stock until all the liquid is absorbed. The rice should be creamy but still have a slight bite, if you find it needs more liquid add some more wine ;)

Now serve onto plates or bring the dish to the table and let everyone help themselves. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

I don't think I'll be doing this often because 1, it's a photo blog 2, it took me ages to write ;-) (now double the time because blogger decided to ask me to sign in after pressing publish and lost most of what I had written).

CM2009