My trip to Reykjavik

I had a company trip to Iceland and specifically Reykjavik last weekend.

Apart from almost falling off a cliff I had a really good time. It has been a while since I last drank until 3am so it took a few days to recover from the week. I also had to get up at 8:30am for a 12 hour bus trip the next morning.

I was in Iceland for 4 days in total including travelling days but the conditions were not great except for Saturday so I didn't take many photos.



My one and only HDR attempt during the weekend.

A view from the Blue Lagoon where hot mineral rich water is pumped up from underground into pools surrounded by lava fields.

This is the location where I nearly fell off the cliff. We travelled in 3 buses and on one bus the tour guide said no one was allowed to use the path towards the waterfall. The tour guide on my bus said it would be dependent upon weather conditions and then didn't mention it again. I walked along the path holding the top rope the entire time and I was wearing hiking boots but unfortunately my boots work well in all conditions except for compact snow where the hard soles have no contact on slippery hard surfaces. I slipped on my backside (bruising it) and my legs went underneath the rope fence. Luckily my top half stayed the right side of the fence and my camera (which was round my neck) remained intact. When I eventually got back to my feet I turned around and went back to the bus because I didn't want to push my luck anymore. I've had twinges in my neck all week but it seems to be getting much better now.

A stream full of freezing water and ice.

Another picturesque view.

More snow and steam.

Light painting - first attempt

I have been reading about the technique of light painting and Charlotte & Lewis were enjoying running round the house in the dark so I thought I would combine the 2 and try some shots.



Charlotte first

And then Lewis

I'll try some more with coloured lights and outside shots this weekend.

Face painting

Diane and the kids enjoyed face painting over the weekend.

And before you ask I am never getting my face painted, ever!

Leuchars Airshow 2008

Lewis and I went to Leuchars Airshow this year and met Ken and Malcolm there.

Here is a selection of shots from a very flat grey day weather wise.

Lots of the displays were cancelled as well but we did see the red arrows.

Ephiphany moment

We were all watching "Simpsons The Movie" on Sunday evening and part of the movie happened in the Springfield church.

As they zoom towards the church during Simpsons episodes they always show what is on the church message board outside. In the movie the board had a message about switching off your mobile phone.

I turned to Diane and asked "Do mobile phones ever go off in church? They must go off all the time" and it was at this point that I realised that I haven't been to church since the advent of the mobile phone.

I don't think there is a causal link between mobile phone technology and my lapse in church attendance but you must admit it is a bit of a coincidence :-)

Sunday - panoramas & people

The kids and I went to the top of a local multistorey car park so I could take some panorama shots of Aberdeen and amazingly the kids enjoyed themselves by watching 2 guys skateboarding whilst I failed to get a decent shot in the bright sunshine.

I have been having problems uploading the panoramas I did take but the sky was blown out anyway. What I will attach are 2 photos of the kids taken later near Aberdeen harbour.

Summer 2008 - East Links Family Park

On our way back to Aberdeen we spent some time at the East Links Family Park which quite literally had something for everyone - rides and animals for the kids, go karts for Ken, animals for Diane and photo opportunities for me.

Summer 2008 - Day two continued

After Mother Shipton's cave we went to the gardens at Harlaw Carr. We spent some time in a bird hide within the grounds at Harlaw Carr and I only had my 18-55mm lens which was another instance of great situation, wrong equipment.

The first of several closeups without using my new macro lens.

More model village shots from ground level

Summer 2008 - Day two

On our second day with went to Mother Shipton's cave which had some lovely views. Here is a selection of shots from the day.

The petrfying well, the two lumps near the top of the image are hats from the 1800's left by visitors.

The distinctive black and white building which we have driven past dozens of times and never visited until today.

With all of the riverside shots like this one I was trying to capture the steep gradient of the bank with the houses & church rising up from the river but I don't think any of them capture what I saw with my eyes.

Summer 2008 - Day one

A few pictures from our first full day in Yorkshire. We went to the Yorvik centre in York and then went for a wander in York.

Charlotte looking as beautiful as she always does.

York Minister - this was the first of several occasions when I had the wrong lens with me. I must invest in a camera bag so I can take both my 18-55mm and my new 70-300mm.

Diane, Mum, Lewis and Charlotte outside the shop off of Mary Queen of shops.

Trying shots with my new lens, I liked the ability to combine old and new architecture in a closeup.



And finally a shot of all the cousins together

I dedicate this post to John Mitchell

Legal Disclaimer : This posting is my attempt at humour and any offence caused by the content of this posting is unintentional. If you continue to read beyond this point you are agreeing to release the author from any liability should you be subsequently offended by anything herein.

I feel John Mitchell is an inspiration to all us down trodden family men who try and fail to juggle work and family life. So as a tribute to his sterling efforts over the years I thought I would try one of his tried and tested techniques. I have recently been promoted at work to office manager and thought I would try the 'now I am an office manager I need to drive around in an office manager's car'.

This ploy worked a treat and I went out and bought myself a brand new S Type Jaguar.

Obviously the previous statement is a complete lie but I have exchanged the old T reg jalopy for something a bit more executive and within a sensible budget.

I had planned to do a Top Gear style photo to show of my new car with some HDR processing to bring out the moody atmosphere but I just don't have any time these days and Diane took a really good shot with her P&S so I am going with it until I can find a window in my diary...
















... and so now the moment you have all been waiting for (well James at least):

My new 3-series BMW

The only way I can describe how it feels to drive compared with my old banger is the feeling I had the other day when I went jogging with my first ever pair of running shoes. After running for 5 months in a pair of squash shoes the difference was staggering. It felt like I was running on air with my new shoes. Driving the new car is a similar quantum leap in enjoyment.

Diane is now looking for an office manager's house so I think she has had the last laugh.

Strange but true

On Wednesday 28th May Diane and I went to see Girls Aloud at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre. When we made our way to the arena I started to wonder whether I would be the oldest male in the place but there were other older dads with their daughters in the audience.

We were only 3 rows from the front so we got the full force of the pyrotechnics and speakers. You can just make out Diane in the third row with lots of empty seats next to her and a blue jumper.

Some of the girls performing.

Me looking strange, and that is Girls Aloud in the background honest!

It was a brilliant night out, really really loud, pyrotechnics that made me go blind for several seconds but a really good night.