Little bit of a breeze. Again

Been blowing a minor hoolie these last few days. The wind howled all last night, the tiles on the roof rattled, stayed in place and at least I was at home. My work trip to South Uist was off as the ferries were too disrupted. Snow, hail and high winds over The Clisham made the journey I undertook before the trip was called off a tad dreary. Sadly the cafe at the Heb Gallery was closed too so I visited the Hebrides Hotel for a welcome pot of green tea and carrot soup.

Of course I took a camera! What a daft question. But the weather was horrible and getting out the car was unpleasant. But I did get out into the rain and horribleness and took a  snap or two with the Bronica. This is one. Any idea where?

I know, rubbish snap.
I have lost my touch.

A Waste

I don't like it either. But it was there in front of me, the camera had film in it and I was holding the camera.

Oh the delight

That's there Rose and the bus shelter. She is not always there having a housey to live in just up the road but, the bus to town stops here - and anywhere really - but here in particular and affords a break from the snow that was blowing in yesterday.

I was shooting with a Pentax P30 and Polypan-f  because I can. O'd just come back from Toots' place and was off to The Crofters.

A morning with Toots

Mr Toots was wasting film with abandon yesterday. He doesn't shoot for weeks then when he gets going he can't stop. Toots even had to raid the fridge for some more film - and there's some on order. Fair took my breath away I can tell you.

Of course i took a camera along as well. But the light was so low and I couldn't be bothered with a tripod - mainly on account of Mr Toots' own studio monstrosity that required a crane to move it - I made do as they say. Hence the snap is a little soft to put it kindly.

I rather like it though.

Toots has already developed his film I'm informed [just picking myself off the floor] and will be printing soon!

It's not like this either

But it could be like this. Seems like there's a cold blow coming in. The snow may appear again. This is the village - the other end if you like. We live over there, off to the right a bit. Quite a bit.

Hopefully our wee boatee will be ok as we have a few 'issues' of late. Can't wait to find enough bodies to get the thing on the trailer if I'm honest.

I shall miss this lovely man

The village said goodbye to this lovely man this morning. The sun shone in between the snow showers as the funeral took place and Donald was carried to the graveyard by the sea. A fitting place to end his days perhaps as this was a seafaring man on the fishing and the cargo boats round the world.

Donald had some fine stories too and took delight in their telling - possibly enhancing them a bit as he went. But I loved to listen, he made me laugh and I enjoyed his company. Thanks Donald.

I will miss him and I know his lovely family will miss him too.

Is this what you'd like?

I mean, is this what you imagine? Island life and everything. Road narrow and everything. Moor and the flippin windmill. Eh? I mean, is it? I know there's no sheeps here but the coows are just behind. Mooing, that sort of thing.

Well, some of it looks like this on a wet day in Stornoway.

Sorry and all that.

Venice. Italy that is

Near Venice anyway. A cheap caravan park where we stayed within commuting distance of Venice itself with an outdoor cycle racing track next door!

Taken with the Ilford Sporti 'camera' and printed on Ilford FB - as you do.

Pig Dyke

A Pig Dyke Mollyist caught in all their glory - in Mossely, Lancs.

Caught with the old Voigtlander Bessa 6x9 RF and printed yesterday on Ilford Fb. Like you do.

Mossely seems to attract beings like these - and a jolly good thing too.

Please don't berate me!

No, not a new image. I have been living and all that! Working too as it happens and preparing some prints. Re-printing dodgy prints as well.

For a week or so I haven't really done any snapping. I think that must be the firs time in ages I have done that. Sure to make me see clearly again soon!

Why I don't photograph music

The first point I must make is that it is nigh on impossible to photograph music. Trust me.
Except musical notation perhaps or, someone making music - or something that passes for music. Talking of which, I went to a lovely little musical soiree recently. It wasn't really my cup of spanners to honest although one of two of the beat combos on stage did tickle my fancy.

I went well equipped for the occasion all the same - an Olympus XA2 loaded with Agfa 400s @ 200. Since we sat in the back row with the intention of forestalling the onset of tinnitus, I was rather restricted.

This above was Wee Calum and BoDodley with The Drummer Boy. Brilliant, Wee Calum sorts my broccoli on Monday mornings and he does that with the aplomb of the excellent rhythm bassist he is here. Fantastic footwork by Wee Calum too and BoDodley sang wonderfully with a touch of Elvis Costello. Recommended.  

This was "Turn it up to eleven". It might not have been that as it happens but should have been. The young lady chanteuse was very good, plenty of arm movements [although often repeated] and a little bit of shuffle in between. Oh yes, The Drummer Boy was there too.

Right; ZZ quo > Ha! Brilliant. The shuffle wasn't there though. The seemingly 12 year old guitarist did a natty bit of footwork mind as he soloed away. Or whatever one calls it these days. Drummer Boy was here as well. He flailed away brilliantly all evening and I was rather disappointed we didn't get a 10 min drum solo as we used to. Like here . Drummer Boy surely could have given a run for his money!  He was well warmed up at this stage being on his second of three bands for the evening. Wonderful staying power as well as being a fine batteryist with all the attendant movements and flayling.

The only thing with this bandette was that I wanted a lyric sheet. To sing along and all that. " How did my chicken cross the road" sort of thing. "oh my sheeps is glorious in the evening sunshine of my love" or something similar. I might not have heard it right mind you - hence the need for lyric sheets.

Last in the evening was the Broken . Sorry, Broken Ravens. Great movement by the bass playing man\boy who obviously liked the new, exclusive drummer as he kept going to look at him - to ensure he was still grimacing properly I suppose. The singer fella looked to firmly nailed to the ground as he crooned though the fog  while Thrush - another banjoist - was swaying. Occasionally. Good though.

Perhaps I might 'do' some more musical photographising - while you are on a roll etc.....

Am I barking up the wrong tree; or just Barking?

Eh?

Yes old image new Lith print in my new mounting. What does one think?

Her Highness Henrietta Cartier-Bresson wishes it be to known that her paw is better thank you

This is HHHCB checking out the glass-house destruction next door after the wee-breeze we had the other day. This is where the deed was done probably. The deed being the glass cut to the paw.

She is now fully recovered. In that she is well not got a new coat of fur or anything like that!

That'll be me then

I tried something new today - photographically wise.

I used the last three frames on a film of foma400 rated at 800 in a canon eos to make some autoportraits. This is one of them and I must say it depicts me rather well - although it is back to front. You probably were going to mention so I have done it for you.

It is in fact a lith-print onto Slavich Bromoportrait paper from the 35mm neg. Did it just after the neg was dry. Took the snap at 3pm and dried the print at 5pm. How's that for a work-rate? Eh?

The thing is Mr Leon Taylor mentioned this book thing he was reading and I got a copy too. The book is "Why it does have to be in focus" by Jackie Higgins. It's not rocket science or brain surgery but it does have some ideas that led to a flash of inspiration. This the first glow of the flash that might, just might lead to a longer journey.

I'll get to you

The leci and the tinternet is back on. The house is nearly all there, the car is bashed up and the boat, and Eve are all fine. HHHCB has an injured paw. She is sleeping.
All quiet after 100mph + winds last night. More winds to come.

waiting

We are on tenterhooks here. The weather people tell us there is a big blow coming in. Hurricane force and everything. Seemed fine today though with the sun shining.

I've tied everything down all the same. The buses are cancelled on Friday and the schools shut but the good tub Freyja is out on her hopefully sheltered mooring!

Duck! [s]

There's a blow coming in we are told. The ducks are rushing around doing nothing much.

Deli

I like this place. It feels right, has lots of nice things in it, has lovely staff and the customers are of good breed :-)

Not sure who face it  is bottom left. Looks a bit eerie to me. Is it the previous inhabitant of the shoppe? Who knows?
They sell the most delicious cheeses - including the very lovely goats hard cheese from Isle of Lewis Cheesery - or whatever it's called. And that's run by the equally lovely David and Jane.And they have some lovely goats too. As one might expect.

I might be visiting again in the near future.

I might find there is three tomorrow

two

I am over-plussed

No, I don't know what it is either - apart from a potential masterpiece. I might have to shine a light through it in the darkroom in the morn!

So there you were

It's Oscar - and one his boy co-workers. They were just finishing the wrapping of the housey - all sort of cosy it is now and looks smart too these days. Thanks to Oscar and the boys - oh, and Taighe Blath who sorted the funding and everything.

New Years Day paddle

Yes it was a tad damp, but mild. The sea was out there somewhere and the seals were lurking. About eighteen of them. But it didn't deter the Alzheimers Scotland lot dipping for Dementia. Dorothy our erstwhile postmistress was among them too. You can see her at the front falling face down in the coolish water after tripping over. Oh how I laughed!

That's them, them dippers in the calm cool sea.

You don't have to like this but it would lovely if you did.

What did we, that's Eve & I do on Christmas Day then? Go for a sail, that's what we did. Lovely day too - although not much wind and what wind there was disappeared as soon as we got outside the outer harbour. But we had fun, green tea and mince pies. What's not to like. Oh, and I took the XA2 loaded with Polypan-f.

Ms Dunstan, Frejya and Langton Lady 

Langton Lady 

my right boot and Eve

Ok, ok. Happy 2015 and everything

See, we are ready to welcome in 2015. I mean, 2014 wasn't bad but 2015 is hopefully even better.

And, I have here a lovely snap all done up in Lith on old very old Polymax. Whoever it is; sorry and all that!.

Thanks for visiting from time to time. We wish everyone all the very best for a wonderful 2015.