Category: Blog

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Camera Quest: The Best of Both Worlds

After plenty of umming and loads of ahh-ing, I finally found the ideal all-round compromise camera… I think.

I was constrained by budget (aren’t we all?) and wanted

  • point and shoot (it’s not for me… that’s for a close female relative)
  • under £100
  • 5x Optical (or more) and a trusted lens
  • a decent CCD

Plus… on my ‘really would love’ list was

  • full manual Aperture control
  • Aperture priority control, and Shuuter Speed priority control (I was brought up on a Pentax ME super and will always be a user at heart).

MoiI started out looking at loads of things and almost fell into the trap of getting allured by brand, or by unbelievable price reductions, but in the end I stayed my course and ordered a Kodak C875. It arrived today and seems an absolute joy to use. I never thought I’d have ended up with a Kodak… I must say, but looking at the features and the way it performs on first exploration, I think we’re going to get on really well.

Plus, equally importantly, a certain un-named associate of mine might just enjoy its point and shoot simplicity. I said ‘might’.

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Half term day out: Crosby and Knowsley

Sands of TimeTaking advantage of the pretty much unprecedented February clear spell, I took full advantage of a day’s leave booked to spend with Lily. Katie’s half term doesn’t coincide with Lily’s which is a bit crap, but we had such a stonking day together – was really good fun.

We set off bright and early to head over to look at the Anthony Gormley installation on Crosby Sands, between Southport and Liverpool. The vista was so impressive in these clear, crisp conditions; it was inspirational. We returned to the car with one sandy, knackered dog, and had our butties (along with some cheeky scrounging avians, see right)Scrounger, then were due to head to the museum in Manchester for the afternoon, when we passed Knowsley Safari Park. The sun was out, it was relatively quiet, and the opportunity just begged us. Some photos here (a mix of proper camera and phone stuff). Ace times.

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In fairness to the weather

Rossendale Sunshine - a rare thingI thought I’d better say how flipping lovely it’s been here for the last five days. I had a good moan last year when summer really got me (and most people) down, so in the interest of fairness and balance, what a fantastic spell we’re having.

Winter sunshine is one of those treats that really makes you feel you’re winning. When it’s so still like it is outside at the moment, it also makes bloody fantastic cycling weather – and luckily I’m in the type of work that allows me to head out this lunchtime for an hour for a spin!

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M-Head




M-Head

Originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth

I was starting to look a bit bedraggled with my slightly longer than regulation hair, and decided it was time for a change on Saturday night. It’s amazing to see that despite the clear shape of a letter M spelling itself out on my very generous forehead, I have had the same balding hairline for 21 years without very much subsequent recede. Still hanging on by a thread.

From a ‘charming looks’ point of view, I sincerely regret the move, as I now look like an urban-four-wheel-drive numb-skull aggressive tit. I’m adding fertilizer to it as I type.


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The ups and downs of a 5 year old

Poor old Lily – she went to school this morning for her special Reception Class assembly – parents could attend and the whole year proudly performed their assembly themed on ‘food’. Katie and I came home feeling typically proud, as would be expected.

Later on, she came home having fallen in the playground at lunchtime looking like this. The cheek of it

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Gentlemen’s Sojourn: Luckley old us.

Silly SpectaclesFor the first time in ages, I enjoyed a Gentlemen’s weekend away with a group of ten extremely personable and fascinating people. Dippy, an old school friend and an extended network of his friends do this type of thing once or twice per year; it’s a chance to chat, play gentle sport, stroll, eat, watch films, drink, and eat again, in an informal and matey atmosphere. Sort of like a polite stag do for the middle aged.

On top of that, and a lovely innovative touch suggested by mummy of the group, David Bramwell, we all (or most) gave short talks / presentations / led activities, ranging from Chris’s country walk with his guide to identifying native trees, to Pete‘s demonstration of a styptic pencil. Dave B’s Damanhur talk was possibly the one that sticks with me, in that it was a subject I knew absolutely nothing about before.

I also learned at the tender age of 38 to play poker, which now feels like a bit of a life skill and I can’t wait to play again.

I managed to come out of the weekend calorie-neutral by riding to the Manchester train and riding some 62 miles on the Sunday in what clearly felt like spring (even with a mild hangover).

Wally’s cartoon strip of the Saturday meal fallout…
The Gentlemens Sojourn went well

Google Earth file of the walk here from the wonderful Garmin 305 (or see the Google Map below)

Google Earth file of the slightly uninspiring A-Road ride up to Birmingham New Street on Sunday.

Images here (I only had my phone camera – wish I’d taken the proper one as the weather and settings deserved better)


View Larger Map

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Bonus family moment: Phil pops in.

PhilMy brother Phil called by today on his way between Lancaster and York on business. His arrival at about 6pm, completely unannounced, six months to the day since I last saw him, filled me with a boyish excitement that I’d almost forgotten existed. Absolutley flipping ace to see you Phil – what a treat.

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Weapon Of Choice – Fatboy Slim

I was just listening to the radio, humming away to myself for a few minutes whilst the phone stopped ringing for the first time today (!) and this tune came on… which reminded me to look at what I feel is the finest pop video in many, many years.

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Four year old drummer to Sammy Davis Jr in about ten minutes

Lily and I do things a bit differently every Friday… we have a break from ‘story’ before bedtime, and it quite often involves surfing things on Youtube. To have all those amazing things from my childhood (and since) at my fingertips never ceases to amaze me; it won’t amaze Lily and her generation. For that, she’ll never be grateful – she never should be – this is what so much of the media should be – on demand entertainment, not pipe-fed scheduled programming, but a parent-supervised themed trip round amazing things.

We searched for a “drummer” – Lily’s quite set on getting some drums for Christmas …

First, we watched Igor, a four year old from Poland

… and from him, I was prompted to search for Buddy Rich’s epic battle with Animal fromt he Muppets

A natural progression, was to seek out another televised Buddy Rich drum battle, one that I’d heard talked about, but never seen (until Youtube!) – he and Gene Krupa going at it together on the Sammy Davis Jr show.

To calm down from the drums a bit, we finished off with a bit of Sammy Davis Jr himself, this time tap dancing to Singin in the Rain with some remarkable collars….

Friday night… a good night in.