ICHF Chilterns Craft and Design Show 2013

We are half way through the ICHF Chilterns Craft and Design Show at Stonor Park near Henley on Thames.

I was unable to do a post sooner as my bad back is really painful right now and has been since last Thursday.

It's our 3rd time at this popular show and we have lots of new photos and show offers. Our stand is C19. Open 9.30am to 5.30pm.

My back has been most painful first thing in the morning and improves through the day. Having treatment Tuesday. Hoping for a miracle cure!

Craft and Design Show Henley on Thames

It was the first day of the Craft and Design Show at Henley on Thames. Still 2 days to go if you are thinking about coming, our stand is B21. www.craftexperience.co.uk

I remembered to photograph the stand this morning on our little Panasonic Lumix camera.

Now we are in The Bear in Maidenhead, the other Wetherspoons pub in the town. Fish and chips tonight washed down with a pint of Meerkat Mild, so I will be comparing the Meerkat a bit later!

Craft and Design Show at Henley on Thames Friday to Sunday

Jan drove us down to set up our stand at the Craft and Design Show at the Henley Showground near Henley on Thames (just north of Henley on the road to Marlow). Our stand is B21. Jolly nice clear span marquees with no poles in the middle of the tent, they usually put a pole in the middle of your stand and you have to work around it! Solid floor and carpet too, luxury! About 200 exhibitors so lots to see apart from visiting us. The show is run by Craft in Focus, who always make sure the quality is kept high and the show will be really well organised.

I forgot to photograph the stand so will try and remember to do that tomorrow. I now have an SD card reader for my phone and tablet computer so can take pictures on our little Panasonic Linux camera for much better quality than my Samsung Galaxy S2, which has a rubbish camera.

We have dozens of new prints, including 10 prints at 100 x 50 cm, just right for a big space. There are also 8 posters, a good way to buy a big print for a low price. Special price for all books too.

In The Greyhound pub in Maidenhead now. Just round the corner from our Travelodge. It's a Wetherspoons pub so cheap food and beer. Curry night tonight, just waiting for my second pint. Oh, it's just arrived, must dash.

Health and Photo Course

Thursday I had to visit the dentist in Knutsford to have a broken filling replaced. It needed a jab, so no pain at all. Called in at Booth's supermarket before coming home, they have an amazing selection of bottled beers and Jan thought they would help numb the pain. I didn't like to say there wasn't any! Stocked up with Dent T'Owd Tup, one of my favourites, and another 6 different beers.

Today I had acupuncture and massage on my bad back to keep me going for another few weeks. Walked up Eccles Pike this evening, fourth time this week, just 3 miles and 600 feet of ascent, so good exercise for the end of the day. I also walked 12 miles on Wednesday to Buxton and back, for a day in Gallery in the Gardens. 

Trying to build up the miles ready for finishing the Coast to Coast walk in August with good friend Al. Then in September walking the first part of the Alpine Pass Route, with Jan, Rob, Annie and Phil (we all did part 2 from Grindelwald to Montreux in 2006) from just south of Zurich to Grindelwald in Switzerland. 

Just booked a trip to Berlin for next month, lots to photograph there and 3 full days will give us a good chance of covering the most important views. The locations are spread out so I'm sure we'll do lots of walking there too. It will be our first overseas trip this year.

We have quite a few courses to run in the next few weeks as well as 3 shows, the first in Henley starting on Friday, and 2 in Buxton. This used to be a quieter time of year, not any more!

Heard at the start of the month that the Focus on Imaging show has been cancelled. This years was the last one. That's the end of an era. I guess it means we can go skiing later in the winter, rather than always going in January so that I have time to prepare darkroom prints for the stand display in February. We will miss not seeing everyone once a year too. We have made so many friends over the years at this show I think that's what I will miss the most.

Craft and Design Experience, Henley on Thames - Advanced Tickets

We are exhibiting at the Craft and Design Experience near Henley on Thames from 21st to 23rd June, 10am to 5pm each day, stand B21. Both Jan and I will be there, unlike Wisley and Crowthorne later in the year when Jan will be there on her own to save my bad back.

We will have lots of photographs and all 4 of my books at reduced prices.

Click the link below to buy advanced tickets at less than you will pay on the day. There will be around 200 exhibitors, so lots to see, all high quality as the show is organised by Craft in Focus who are pretty strict on who can exhibit with them. Come and say hello if you come along.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Craft---Design-Experience---Book-Tickets-Now-.html?soid=1107521351179&aid=CWyi7g-APlU

Chilterns Craft Show at Stonor Park

We are halfway through the ICHF Chilterns Craft Show at Stonor Park. 2 days gone, 2 to go. The show is just 5 miles from Henley upon Thames, 9.30am to 5.30pm. About 200 exhibitors, so lots to see.

Apart from a couple of hours at the end of today it has been dry and firm underfoot. Forecast is good for tomorrow too. Good weather for a craft fair held under canvas!

We have lots of new photos and some show offers. Our stand number is C19.

The photo shows a small part of the show ground situated in very picturesque countryside.

For a bit of light relief we met up with our good friends Andy and Val. Had a very nice meal and catch up at the Golden Ball pub near Henley.

Stonor Park show and Trip to Alps

Stonor was a good show for us. Friday was quiet but the other 3 days were busy. Heavy rain on Friday probably didn't help. Expect we will do again next year. We were home by 11pm Monday.

Been very busy last couple of weeks pulling calendar together for American company (Cities of the World), preparing for shows, sent order to Ilford for prints sold at Stonor as well as some others, 17 new prints and some reprints. Included a couple of 1m x 0.5m prints to show what we can offer. Was also talking to agent in America and have an agreement now. Fingers crossed it works well for both of us.

We are now on route to the Alps via Frankfurt where we have a meeting with a possible agent. Should be some good city shots there. Then down to Bavaria for a few days, followed by a night in Innsbruck. Then 4 nights in the Dolomites, several nights around lakes Yards and Como (and a side trip to Verona). Then its time to head home via Villars in Swiss Alps and Strasbourg. Hope the weather helps me out for the photos.

We left a few hours late and will not reach hotel before 1.30am. After about 3 hours sleep we get up to catch the Eurotunnel before 6am. Not the best way to start a trip but I'm sure it will calm down in a day or so.

Stonor Park - Day 3

A busier day than previous 2 days. Lots of interest and lots of sales. The good weather seemed to help too.

A pint of Bombardier at the end of the day rounded it all off. Then it was down the pub, the Kings Head at Bourne End, for something to eat. I decided to try the local beer; Rebellion Smugglers. It was a good pint so I had a second just to make sure.

Last day tomorrow. Fingers crossed we sell out so we have little to pack down! Expect to be home about midnight.

Stonor Park - Day 2

Quite a steady day at Stonor Park. More sales than yesterday. More sun than rain. Spoke to lots of nice people.

London Pride in beer tent at show reasonable but found Grouse & Ale pub in Lane End with a local bitter whose name I have forgotten and Adnams Broadside in good nick. Food was good too.

Show open between 9.30am and 5.30pm tomorrow, Sunday.

Stonor Park - day 1

It was a wet first day at the show at Stonor Park near Henley on Thames. Heavy rain showers through the day. Good turnout though and reasonable sales.

Open from 9.30am to 5.30pm if you are thinking of coming. We are stand G3 (turn right from main entrance, 2nd marquee on right).

Managing to try the odd new pub here and there. Last night was the Queens Head in Little Marlow and Fullers London Pride. Tonight was the Hare & Hounds in Marlow and Rebellion Mutiny, a local beer in fine form. Also managed a Yates Undercliff at the show. I didn't know there were 2 Yates breweries until today. This was from the Isle of Wight but the Yates beers I know are from Cumbria.

Stonor Park show - travel & setup

Just travelling down south to setup for a 4 day show near Henley on Thames. The venue is Stonor Park and it's one we haven't done before; they only let photography in for first time last year.

Quite a warm day, hope it stays dry for the weekend as we are in a marquee. Satnav says another hour and 40 minutes to go. Fingers crossed it's a good one.