fanks

Fanks everso for following me into the abyss that is the end of the year - nearly.

I promise to do better next year, shoot some interesting stuff and show it here. Now, that's a promise.

Back to the goodness

I'm finding nice images from time to time. They leap out at me so to speak.
This one did anyway.

I'm just out of the darkroom - sloshing chems around on paper that has seen the light - some light anyway.

I've decided 2017 will be a good year. The sort of year one remembers for the nice things that happened. Just remember to put that in your diary.

Big

Of course it didn''t look like this.

A Carr

Here

Don't forget

I won't. I'll remember.

I have a little talkette thing happening about my little blurry snaps.
An Lanntair Feb 22nd I think. Do come along. Please.

I would have thought about what to say by then. Something that sounds like I know what I'm doing and that this sort of thing doesn't happen by accident when I trip the shutter by chance. I can make up a story - it's the sort of thing one does at this sort of thing.
I might even do a bit of mime. Why not? Just as likely to make some sense.

And no, there will be no colour

Talking and everything

Look at that!

My very own talk thing. No idea what I shall say - perhaps we'll have a mass sing in. Eh?

Be nice to see you there.

Yep, one day.

Yep, one day I'll be round there again on a bike - an E 'dup bike courtesy of Bespoke Cycle Repairs. And when I do I shall let you know - probably endlessly.

Happy whatever

So, it is that time of year again - the Festival of over-consumption. Not my fav time of year but others like it for whatever reason so there we are.

My snapping is still continuing and will do so while I can afford film.

I'm so grateful for everyone who visits here throughout the year despite the drivel I sometimes write. Many many thanks.

Here's hoping you have a fine time at this time of year whatever it means to you and yours. Best wishes to all - whatever your age, colour, gender or camera orientation - for a healthy, happy and peaceful, kind, giving 2017.

Can I hide in here ?

Yes, yes in there quick!

Our chestnuts are coming to the end of their being when we crush them up, pop them in brioche pastry for our lunch. Turk won't be ending it's days for me.

Wee breeze

First wee breeze of the winter the other day and there was chaos in Stormoway harbour. One boat aground and all the others getting a right old bobbing around. Twas horrible here in Brevig harbour too. Not much shelter here at the best of times but with the wind coming from the south - it was not good at all.

The little Pentax Espio Mini camera I had with me didn't like the wind and rain at all. Neither was the Polypan-f film a good choice but, the camera seems to be still working and we have some images.
After the spell of warm, calm weather we always were going to have a  blow soon.

Wake me when it gets warmer

There's a wee breeze coming.

Have you seen this one?

Italy

Italy.
Does it look like it?

North Tolsta; Little wind. All the electricity is being used to the power the coloured lights on the houses - some sort of winter celebration - and there's little left to power the windmill to get the air moving.

The sheeps

The sheeps, I and Evelyn.

One day.

oioH !

If you nothing else to do, go and see Pig Dyke Molly in all their glory.

She is quite the young lady these days

Shot here in 2012. It's amazing how quick they grow up!

Bad weather

There's not any forecast soon but hey, it's the Outer Hebrides so who knows? Having said that we are more likely to have sheeps flying by in hurricane winds  !
This was from a few years back when the ice stayed around for ever - almost.

I've been raiding the archives

Nothing extraordinary but pleasant all the same and a place i rather like. Tis down the road a wee bit and left a tad.

10 years

This weekend my dear Eve & I were celebrating 10 years of wonderfulness as proper legal civil partners and 15 years together. How lovely is that?

Been a lovely 15 years, ten of which we have been up here in the frozen north. Only on Saturday, Stormoway was the place with the most sun in the UK - and, it is rather mild here at the moment.

Hebrides, Faeroes

Force 7-8 gusting 9 at times.

There was a wee breeze the other day. It accompanied the rain. You know, just a normal day. As it happens I wasn't feeling at my best so just had a small stroll to brush the cobwebs away. And they did get blown away along with the dustbins and the little P&S camera in my hands on this dull dull, wet and breezy day.

The sea was a tad rough too. I was going to snap up the sea but I couldn't see much through the rain - even on the beach. Trust me, it wasn't very happy and I was glad not to be out in it in our little boat Freyja. Or on the ferry !

It must be...

Glasgow.

Birmingham of the north[ish] or something.

Tis a nice place if you are passing through and don't have to fight through the crowds, dodge the traffic and breathe the 'air' for too long.

This is Glasgow.

Can you tell? Seen through the 'lens' of the Pentax Espio 170sl.

Almost looks like a nice place in this snap.

Vibrant. Yes, vibrant.

Loving this

Ooh, I'm just loving these snaps. Not entirely sure what the subject is but surely that makes them all the more intriguing.

Might have

Might have been suffering from a lurgy these last few days. Woke up one day head spinning like a top - or that's what it felt like. I hadn't been drinking alcohol either!

Not sure what's going on but perhaps it's a virus or some such thing. Hope it goes away soon before I topple over onto the stove or something :-(

Cats all over the place

I had the great pleasure of chatting to this lovely lady the other day. The sun was shining, there was no wind and I dragged Toots out of his stupor to accompany me on this little expedition down Crossbost way. I've been down there before for a little stagger along the 'peninsula' - rabbits all over the place. Only this time with Toots in tow I lingered enjoying the warmth of the December sun on the little beach. Twas lovely. The sun glistened on the glassy water as an occasional fishing boat coughed by and seabirds flapped unconcernedly around.

Then I noticed the cats. And another finding its way back to the little croft house by the sea as the occupant emptied the car of her shopping and a potential feeding arose.

I know it's unlike me but I sidled up, passed the time of day mentioning the glorious weather quickly answering the usual question of 'are you on holiday'? "No I live here in North Tolsta" I said. She smiled and the little cat jumped on her shoulder. such a charming creature and there were seven more around the place. And countless chickens too.

Anyway, I asked permission and with her approval shot this quick snap with the Baldi 6x6 I had with me. I might even print a copy for the subject!

Not

But, now I come to think about it, it maybe.

Italian

Italian ship, resting.
German camera, snapping

Tree

The Menagerie

Yorkshire if you must. Snapped up the old place on a stroll round Nostell Priory. Used a little point and shoot with Foma 320 doused in Rodinal. Seems to like it.

I liked the place too. Proper lovely to stroll among the tress.

I have half an exhibition here

From one roll of cheap as chips film. Must have been the quality of the light, or the proximity to the city. Maybe.
I might get round to developing the other roll of film soon.

I'll tell you the snap to like

You can like this one.
A masterpiece if ever I saw one.
Not printed yet but soon will be.
Printed at least 5x7 so you have to look at it - not just sidle by on the other side of room in that disinterested way one does when you hang a multi brightened up coloured depiction of a beach with fluffy clouds. You know the sort. Or should do.

This was taken with an old rangefinder camera, guessing the exposure and the like. It wasn't on this island. We don't have mechanical horses on rails. Not yet anyway.