Bottom of the class!

Recently I've discovered a new way to channel my thirst for photography, through the local Camera Club. Hopefully I'll pick up some new skills and ideas as well as some feedback on some of my favourite photos. The club meets in neighbouring Darwen each week, but it's only a mile or so from where I live, so it's virtually on my doorstep.

I was a little apprehensive at first but everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. On my first week the club had arranged for a slideshow from an experienced photographer from a nearby club, and the theme was landscapes of Snowdonia, which is where I'd been just the month before.

This week was my third visit, and the meeting would be devoted to the club's monthly competition. There's no prizes or medals, but even so it is competitive and I was eager to hear how my three entries had fared. The pictures, presented anonymously, were being judged by one of the club's most experienced photographers, and my first effort, of our Welsh holiday cottage (shown here) was soon on the screen for critiquing. The earlier pictures had all scored a healthy 8 or 8.5 out of 10, and I thought mine was in with a shout. However although the judge liked several elements of the picture, he felt the sunlight through the leaves 'killed it' and I earned just 6 marks! If this wasn't disappointing enough, one of the next pictures up, despite being clearly out of focus, beat it with a score of 7!

After this setback, things improved with the two other pictures I had in the competition, both taken during the photo session with Ian's girls Alice and Grace the other week (see 'studio portraits' from my other blog). These did fare much better, with some very positive comments and respectable scores of an 8 for one and a very impressive 9.5 for the other.

Despite being close to perfection it wasn't enough as half a dozen pictures had been shortlisted for the top spots, but joint 7th wasn't bad for a first effort.

Happy birthday Jean

For Jean's birthday we visited Smithills in Bolton for a very pleasant meal and the usual photo. Happy birthday Jean!

A soggy short break

With me only having one day's leave left to book for this year, Carole (who somehow still has a couple more days left besides - how has she managed that?) suggested we should book into a B&B in the Lakes for the weekend to do a little Christmas shopping and, if the weather played fair, perhaps a walk too.

We'd picked out a pleasant guest house in Ambleside but taking the Friday off work was perhaps not our best move as the rain set in almost as soon as we'd arrived. Not to be disheartened, we scurried between shops in Ambleside's attractive town centre, umbrellas at the ready. Feeling brave, we even walked down to the garden centre on the outskirts of town, learning along the way that whilst umbrellas can usually keep your top half dry, your legs still get a soaking.

Back in the centre in the evening we enjoyed a very nice meal at the Priest Hole, one of Ambleside's oldest buildings and a fine restaurant too.

Next day the weather wasn't set to be any better, and after a visit to Kendal we popped over to Lightwood to say hello to Ann and Barry and drop off an anniversary card for Julie and Stewart (is it really 12 months since the wedding?). The rain still fell outside, but Ann made us feel very comfortable with tea and plenty of cake!

In the evening, our host in the B&B recommended Dodds, close to the bridge house in Ambleside centre. Although the name doesn't give a clue, it's actually an Italian and a mighty fine one too. Despite gorging on Ann's cakes all afternoon, we still polished off a hearty meal. The diet will have to wait another week!






Sunday morning, and it's dry! So before heading home, we drove over too Rydal and had a stroll through the trees and up to Grasmere lake. The river Rothay was frothing and raging for the eager canoeists that had parked up ahead of us, but for us it simply acted as an energetic companion alongside the path to the lake. With our senses restored by fresh air and beautiful scenery, the journey back became less of a chore especially after stocking up with fresh food at Lower Sizergh on the way.