Contador and the cat

Mr A Contador still in his pomp but rather brought down to earth by the attention of cats claws to the neg. Probably 2017 the last year he raced.

Oooof, and the race is on. That day anyway.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, on the island anyway there's a lot going off on Dec 14th trust me. As my pal Barbara Ziehm said "You could make a day of it; go to the Christmas market organised by Lewis & Harris Horticultural Producers in town first for some lovely Christmassy treats in the morning, then island darkroom and hulabhaig and finish it off with the Stornoway Singers concert in the Nicolson at night. Who says that there is nothing to do here?"

Tour of Spain

Twas a few years ago that we last visited the Tour of Spain to watch the racing and see some people we know. Now, having trolled through a bag-load of scratchy negs here at home I find another snap I like. Ooof, not another sky-rider.

The downside of all this is I'm feeling more and more ambidextrous about such events. They are, even discounting all the people who go to the event to watch a most un eco-friendly event. You'd have thought cycling was green - and I suppose it would be if the event was an unsupported event  Not unsupported by the public but by all the event 'caravan' and the like that goes with the big Tours - particularly the Tour de France, Spain and Italy.

Sit on the side of the road at one of these big races and first the publicity vehicles pass by, then there's maybe fifty police motorbikes and more marshals on motorbikes then the riders on pedal-bikes followed by judges cars, two team cars - each of the 22 teams [plus teams have rider-coaches- vans and lorries with their kitchens for their chefs], ambulances, Dr's car, and countless vehicles for the press. Then there's the TV motorbikes plus the accompanying helicopters and planes that follow the races around. And the broom wagon - rarely used for the purpose it was meant for these days but kept for historical purposes.

Then there's huge set-ups at the stage starts and finishes with the trucks that haul them around. And sometimes flights between different areas of France and other countries - for example like Israel, Denmark and Uk where the race have visited. As far i can see, none of these vehicles are electric or hydrogen powered and I do believe it must change soon.

oooh, i found colour film

No, Poland.


Went down to Uig yesterday to deliver some snaps for Andy Laffan's exhibition space - open on Dec 14th for the day. looks just fab.

mining the settee

When I say 'settee' I refer to the metaphorical settee since the old one has gone. I am bereft of proper neg storing facilities so I have resorted to old carrier bags and, neg sleeves for goodness sakes

Horse

From a year or two back on a lovely part of the island.

A river runs through it

Been soaking up the tones of Hannah Peel of BBC radio 3's Night Tracks. It really is sounds for the soul.

This day

Now yesterday [ that's yesterday as of yesterday]was a fine day that finished with a lovely artists gatheration in an Lanntair. Ooof what a bunch a of talented and interesting personages we have here on the island. Talks about sculpture, photographising, writing and life drawing. I loved them all.

tomorrow

Patently, this was not in fact tomorrow but the day before yesterday eg. today.
Only then would you have two, yes two ragamuffins strolling the street of Stormoway.

There was another yesterday here. Only it might have been a different one. Keith liked that yesterday. I didn't even know he had access to a computer then. I shall ask him when I clear out his dirt box .

today

Obviously not today but yesterday. it is today now though.
Or was the day before?
Either way, it is.

It is that time of year again although by the looks of 2011 it started earlier.
I made some the other only, they have all gone :-(

yesterday

Autumn sunshine

BTW for any of you that read this and in a cat's meow of the island, there's a fine exhibition of local artists work on in An Lanntair at the moment - including two small pieces from me.

Some days one just needs to be out on the village tracks

And this day - whenever it was - was one of those days. With my leaky boots on my feet and a hatted head the stroll was just lovely out over here up to some peat banks and a gaggle or rusted, decrepit vehicle remains.

I've been distracted.

Life and everything has got in the way.
I had people to see and places to go. This was one of those places. I went here to clear my mind.
It is clearish now.
Empty in fact.
Perhaps I went too far.

The cat is sat on the mat BTW.
Keith AkaBilly and everything. I might show you a snap one day - only he is less than keen to have his visage on here at this time.

The snap from Cheshireshire is not much to look at but this is well worth listening to.

Wee Urbanscape

Yes, we passed through Glasgow on our recent travels. We survived.

We didn't go down here.

The bag man

Looks like this fella paid an extra 5p all because he forgot to take his own bag with him. Oh well, at least he almost posed for me as he left the shoppe.

The road to Achmore Pier

With apologies to George Orwell.
This brought to mind the comments made when the Western isles Conservative election candidate declared her hand. Since she is not an islander [and a Tory] the comments on social media were suggesting a few topics for her to focus on. For example to; upgrade the railway line from Castlebay [Barra] to Stornoway [Lewis] and also to sort the pier in Achmore. Thankfully she won't get a look in up here - although neither will the Greens who are my primary choice - on account of there being no candidate.

Doki

Oki Doki? No, Doki Doki - apparently.
No, I didn't either :-)

Yes, I spoke to the young ladies in the outfits but since it was a Saturday at the time I didn't snap them up visage-wise.

The station

Whoa! Looks it's the 19th or whatever already. Soon it will be the festival of over-consumption and I shall hide under the stairs - if I could in fact get under the stairs. I mean, I could get under the stairs I suppose but I'd have to take the bath out first and that's not going to happen is it?

The trip recently doon sooth revealed this image to me. Obviously I was still in Scotland - one can tell, but some hundreds of miles, British miles that is, south of here.

Love this sort of revolationary image. It speaks to me. I think it was in a station. Rails and all that sort of thing - and pasty stalls. there always seems to be a pasty stall now.

Leaves

Cheshire leaves. The leaves fall from the trees at this of year so the locals can see more of the sky in the short days. I captured this with my trusty XA and some fujicolor film i found in the back of the fridge.

The locals must be busy kicking a ball about or some such other meaningless but well remunerated distraction as there were still leaves on trees despite the to and froing of countless Mercedes, Porches and Ferraris in the vicinity.

Cheshire garden

Yes, they have sunshine in Cheshire.
Sometimes.
And gardens.
In places

see that?

I saw it.
snapped it.
several times in fact.
sorry.

Is this what you have been waiting to see?

I know it is good. It is good isn't it?
Tell me it's good otherwise I might sulk.
Again.

That's what you take when you are strolling through Glasgee with a XA loaded with polypan-f.

Ouses Ouses Ouses

Ouses, Ouses, Ouses everywhere - or so it seems. Most new houses have been uninspiring boxes all made out of ticky tacky. But there are a few builds which do inspire. I love the Stuart Bagshaw designed ones - but they are not for everyone. But I do love this house going up for the Artist formerly known as Jon over on the west side. lovely spot and nice interesting looking building. can't wait for the house warming :-)

Back from a little trip

Been away to Engerland to see off my lovely mother-in-law who passed away a few weeks ago.  We celebrated her long life,  shared a few tales and made a toast or two. It was actually, quite lovely and I feel privileged to have known her.

Then we popped over to deepest Cheshire on the train to see some lovely cycling pals. Oh I say, but not quite the Cheshire set. Had a lovely time there too - but so pleased to be back home here on the rock.

I took a few snaps like this here Cheshire dustbinscape. couldn't resist it. I shall seek treatment.

I might have to explore walls more.

Imagine that. More walls. Wall to wall walls in fact. Lovely. There are plenty of those here.

whatdiditellyou

Don't tell me I can't do landscape snaps - without dustbins.

We took time off our busy schedule of life events - getting up, washing teeth, eating etc - to take a stroll between beaches in the village. Eve and I strode from here to there, the other one round this side of the village.

That's almost acceptable isn't it?

I might to give this genre up now. I've done all I need to and there's nowhere to go.

back to 2019

Have or am I becoming a landscapist? Just surmising and all that. The light was so lovely the other afternoon out over the west side of the island. I couldn't help myself. sorry about that and everything.

Was playing with Foma 100 in a Bronica.

2014

Taken here on the island in 2014 though it's the same now - maybe the boat may have moved.

2013

Ooof, just found this one. Looks like cats have been using the neg to sharpen their claws. However, I do think it's rather wonderful.

Keith AkaBilly, the cat who has adopted us is fine. He snuggles when you need a snuggle, bumps nose to nose when required then races back and forward across the bed in the middle of the night!!!

2012

They were smiling then but it rained all day during this Highland fondo.

Had a most agreeable evening at the FACLAN talk / film show about Margaret Fay Shaw the other night. I don't think I heard or seen a better presentation on such a subject this one by Fiona Mackenzie of the NTS. I hoping the fairies might bring the book soonish :-)

a hot day in Tuscany

Plastic fantastic UW&S snap from some years back in a very hot Italy. My friend Deanne awaiting her husband Ian and Eve to cycle by.

Yes, I didn't post yesterday. I had things to do and I thought we all needed a rest.

Feels like a lifetime ago

In 2011 we were in Sienna, Tuscany for the Eroica bike ride. Actually were in Gaiole but spent a little time in Sienna - as you do. It was warm and the sun shone.

cameras

I seem to have acquired a collection of less then fabulous cameras and I going to get rid of a  few one way or another. They clutter the place up and I don't use them like I should. The ones I do use I don't use very well either.

This is a nice exhibition

This a bad snap of the moment i at the Fishing the Minch exhibition currently at the Museum in Stornoway. Nice images by David Gordon I must say.

I took this with the Minolta A3 rangefinder camera - which I don't want to keep. If you fancy it - for a small exchange of roubles, please contact me.

Portugal bound

Eve and Caroline enjoy the unexpected sun in Stornoway a few days before Mrs Hudson took off to be in Portugal with her Paul. Don't blame her either, it's been raining ever since here

Castle

We went here. Somewhere on mainland I seem to recall but for the life of me I can't remember where. there were men still building or doing something to the thing anyway. They may be some time.

In the meantime I came across a Belgian/Scottish film crew down on the beach. I wonder if they are doing a remake of Man Bites Dog?  Anyway, like I do, I had to have aa conversation with two bods standing around trying to keep warm on the periphery of the affair and one turned out to be Scottish photographist Brian Sweeney. I think he was surprised I knew who he was!

I like a curve

I know, I have been saying little. Not much to say really only that I am breathing and taking snaps still. this one taken with the Minolta A3.

No good

I quite like the snap but it's all uneven. Not sure at this point  whether it's the camera, the developing or the scanning.

Bronica out and about

I don't shoot so much 120 these days, it's more expensive and my developing of it seems to leave a little to desire. I did take the Bronnie out the other day on a wee trip o'er to Great Bernray and their cafe. The sun shone too so we strolled down the lovely road that goes to Hacklete.

Ooof, what a day and this snap on HP5+ in Hydrofen resulted.

dipping

It rained at the dipping fank this year. [They dip the sheeps not the people]. the rain didn't stop the folks putting the world to right.

Pole.

Out there when I'm passing by a likely looking pole, i'm always tempted to snap it up.

fanking 2

A good time to catch up with villagers and pass the time of day. In the rain.

Fanking

Sheeps dipping at the fank in Tolsta

friends

We have known them a good while so it was lovely to meet up with David and Anne again, this time at the Hepworth gallery in Wakefield.

Friends eh? Makes life worth living.

progress?