A Long Weekend in Marrakech

Our last photographic trip of the year was a long weekend in Marrakech.  It was photographically challenging and I was well out of my comfort zone most of the time.  However we were with a fun group of people, had good accommodation and the food was good so can't complain.

Skippool Creek

Just a few days after seeing Brian Beaney's lectures we were taken to Skippool Creek, near Fleetwood, to photograph the boats.  I couldn't resist trying some of Brian's techniques on these.

Glenridding and the North West Coast

Shortly after getting home from Connah's Quay we were off to the Glenridding in the Lake District for the RPS Northern Region autumn weekend.  It is much more about seeing the lectures than practical photography so I never worry if the weather isn't perfect.  This year's excellent lectures were by Henrietta Byrne, Brian Beaney and Colin Southgate.

I did take just one picture of the well known tree and seat on the side of Ullswater.

Immediately after that we did a lecture tour starting in Southport followed by Wigan, Leyland and Lytham St Annes.  On the Monday I did manage a few snaps at Crosby of the Antony Gormley installation 'Another Place' and there were some good sand patterns but I had to give up when I was almost absorbed by the quick sand! 

We also went to Formby in the hope of finding some red squirrels but I think it was too cold for them to come out of their cosy dreys.

Chester Zoo

On the day after the Print Championships we went to Chester Zoo.  The weather was grey and drizzly most of the time.  The only creatures that seemed to be enjoying themselves were the otters.  However it was good to see the animals and find out how easy it could be to get some decent shots.  The monkey and the baby giraffe were cute.
It's amazing how a little use of Photoshop can make it look as if the weather was better than it actually was!

The Wirral

Last weekend we travelled to Connah's Quay in North Wales for the PAGB Print Championship.  On the way we spent some time on the Wirral in Birkenhead Park where there was plenty of colour.  Very low light so high ISO was needed.

Gold Rush International

I entered 2 sections in the Gold Rush International getting 2 out of the 8 images accepted.  I was pleased be awarded an HM for Orange Dome in the Creative Section.

Pickering 1940's Weekend

We went over to Pickering last Saturday while the 1940's weekend was on.  The event is becoming more popular both with re-enacters and photographers.  The railway station is a good spot for getting pictures looking towards one platform from the other.  It was very dark, despite being a bright sunny day, and at times the ISO was up to 1600.

I was amused to see one lady dressed in wartime uniform taking photographs with her iPad.

A few hours in Derry (or Londonderry)

On our way to Donegal we stopped off to take a look at Derry.  Neither of us realised how small the walled city is.  It is a short walk from one side to the other.  What we wanted to see were the murals.  We started in an obvious loyalist area as the kerb stones and lamp posts were painted red, white and blue.  However we didn't find any murals.  Then we went to Bogside, which is the nationalist area, and found lots of murals including the most recent peace mural depicting a dove and an oak leaf as symbols of hope for the future.  The dove is the name of St Columba, the city's founder, who is said to have build his monastery in an oak grove.  The colours of the spectrum expresses what the Artists mean by peace.  The colours of the mural say that peace without freedom is no peace at all.

There is a new pedestrian bridge across the River Foyle, called the Peace Bridge, and a sculpture showing two people with hands almost touching which is called Across the Divide.  In 2013 Londonderry will be a European City of Culture.

 

A Visit to Ireland

We were invited to give a talk in Northern Ireland which may have extended to four talks.  That fell through but as we had booked the ferry we decided to see if we could arrange anything else.  Thanks to some help from friends we managed to book a further two talks, one in the Republic and one in Northern Ireland.  As they are not until the end of the week we are visiting Donegal.  We arrived in Belfast on the overnight ferry from Liverpool and drove to Portrush via Cushendun, Carrick-a-Rede and the Giant's Causeway.

Edinburgh and The Fringe

We had a day out in Edinburgh on Monday, leaving home at 6.15 am to catch the train and not getting back until after 10 pm.  Did a lot of walking from the Royal Mile up to Great King Street to see the Edinburgh PS Annual Exhibition.  Worth the effort but my legs are now aching!

We found the usual characters from the Fringe in the Royal Mile.  Walked from one end to the other finishing at the Scottish Parliament building.