pedal

there you are

Despite a whole day of the new years having already passed, the beach is still there. So I am told. I might get out of bed and have a look myself soon.

Had a lovely stroll yesterday with Eve and the Toots'. It was rather wind blown but I can confirm my hat of choice for the day stayed in place - in my bag.

Hope the year  is going well for you so far.

walling

I like walls.

Our abode is surrounded by a less than impressive concrete block wall. I wish it was a dry stone wall.

Have a fine and creative 2020. Stay safe, healthy and do call in for a cup of tea if you are passing xxx

I have two hands

I mean, I always had two hands but recently one was a little disabled because of a dupytrens contracture on a couple of fingers. then, the good NHS came to my rescue and the fine surgeon put the finger back in the right place. Only I was in a stookie for a week. Now, that's gone and I'm free !

I've not long developed a film but in the meantime here's a snap from a year or two back.

Do have a fine and healthy New Year

I was there

I might go again.

yep, that's it for me. [for this week]

sports

I might have to become a sports photographist.
I may have found my niche.
At least I found this old neg lurking - and that's a start, surely?

Just William

My good friend William quickly devouring the lovely curry at Bridge Centre cafe in Stornoway.

\if you feel like this,,,,,,

You might want to get some fresh air !

XXXXXXX

Thank you darling Eve for another wonderful year.
you make me so very happy.
xxxxx

Wishing you up

Here is me - in a respectful island dustbin-scape with added human and photo-bombing bird.Wishing everyone - friends, future friends, past friends, acquaintances, anyone who reads this, family and of course my dear wife Eve [who snapped the snap] a very happy and contentful Festival of Over-Consumption and a wonderful and creative 2020.
i might add, i am currently holed up with an arm in plaster having had a Christmas treat - a little op on my finger.

Thank you so much for visiting here. I look forward to a cup of tea with you should you be passing.

I'm being got at

You can gaze at this snap of a road here on the island down Uig way while I endure a minor getting at in hospital to make my little finger work again. It seems I have a family heirloom in my Dupuytens  Contracture. I previously had a op on my right hand but now my left has fallen victim to this thing. I'm having it straightened. Not much of an op and I grateful I can have it done here on the island. The wonderful NHS.
I shall be back to full straight fingers soon.

WARNING; Cute Cat picture

To honest, it's Keith.
Keith akaBilly to give him his full Sunday name.
He is sat there sitting in the warming room - otherwise known as the kitchen, wondering what I'm doing flashing a thing at him. He even stopped playing with string to sit there sitting and wondering.
In fact I was using flash with 400 asa film pushed to 1600 to try pick out a grey cat on a grey floor on a grey day.

then

Giacomelli

A while back I used to frequent this space on Fridays with others work I rather liked. I might just do that again. starting now.
Have I told you about Mario Giacomelli ?

I love Giacomelli's images. I love they are distinctly his. Contrasty and almost abstract - all taken with a simple 6x9 press camera.  Try looking his obituary here as it gives a great review of his life.

Mustard and Miller

I told the Thorpes why

If Eve and I are walking down here, the cemetry road in North Tolsta you can be sure it's going to rain. I told this lovely couple as we walked back,  and they walked back, soaked.

Hulabhaig

Whoa!

I used to play Happy Families you know. That's how so very sophisticated I am. Or was. Many or at least some memories of sitting in a vw van with fellow track cyclists in the car-park at Meadowbank velodrome waiting for the rain to stop playing this terrific game. It went on for years via texts. Never did find out where Mrs Bun went.

All this is irrelevant really since there was no Mustard in Happy Phamilies I'm reliably informed. However, I seem to recall - having been prompted somewhat - that Cluedo did have a Colonel Mustard.

We wuz at this old lovely church down Uig Sands way the other day when I came across The Mustards  at a fine exhibition of contemporary art don't you know. Mr Mustard [Stephan Maria Aust], the photographer, artist and web designer had some fine images on display while Mrs Mustard played her hang. TBH, I thought it was a BBQ but not so luckily. Heike, for that is her given name was contemporising wonderfully with the harp player Carole Miller.

Was a great day curated by sculpterist Andy Laffan and included work by himself, Stephan, painter Geoff Stear and rather flatteringly, myself.

we all look out on something

 And this view is the Crofter's lot as he carves teeth out of rock - or whatever he does.

them 'orses.

 We are so lucky to have a thriving horsey business in the village at the moment. I love sound of hooves as they stroll by on the road. I love seeing them on the beaches too - as here on Traigh Mhor.

The snap yesterday was of this group too.