Rome Photo Trip Day 2

We were busy today, walked miles, as the weather was good from mid-morning until the evening.

We started in the Popolo area with some fountains before moving on to the Umberto bridge; one of the best viewpoints for the Vatican St Peters. Great clouds here made for some good shots.

Next came the Castel Sant Angelo beside the next bridge along the river. From here we headed south to the busy Piazza Navona and impressive fountains. Then on to the Isolo Tiberan island, surrounded by some pretty wild water as the river was in full spate.

The Circo Massimo was next then the busy Colosseum as the sky clouded over.

My back was painful so we returned to the hotel to rest it for an hour or so before heading back to the Umberto Bridge for some dusk shots of the Vatican.

We followed the river, adding a few shots along the way until we reached the Vatican. Lots of building work going on here so not as good as I'd hoped for. Surprised to find a fun fair in St Peters Square.

From here it was back to Popolo and on to the Spanish Steps. These were overrun with people so no chance of taking the shots I wanted so we went for a meal instead.

By the time we came out heavy rain had cleared the streets and we returned for the Steps shot.

Last stop of the day was the Trevi Fountain. I managed a few shots then the heavens opened with heavy rain. I waited several minutes hoping it would clear but just got heavier. We called it a day!

Tomorrow the forecast is for good weather all day. Fingers crossed that's right!

Leeds Photo Trip

We returned from visiting our friends in Leeds late Tuesday. I ran off 7 rolls of Ilford FP4 120 film but processing will have to wait a couple of weeks.

The arcades were the main event really and I took photos of 5 of them, including County, Cross, Queens, Thorntons and Grand. Didn't see any security to curtail my photography which made a pleasant change to London. Tuesday it was raining all day so only took photos on Monday.

We have 2 shows on the next 2 weekends, in fact a total of 7 days of shows, as well as a lecture.

Today we are packing up for an art and craft show at Penshurst Place near Tonbridge Wells run by ICHF. It is on for 3 days starting Saturday 5th to Monday 7th May, 9.30am to 5.30pm. We set up our stand tomorrow. For more details click this link.

Next week we set up a show at Hatfield House run by Living Crafts. I used to live in Hatfield just at the foot of the road up to Hatfield House so am looking forward to seeing some of my old haunts again. The show days are Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th May, 10am to 5pm. I am also giving a lecture on the Thursday night in Birmingham so Jan will have to run our stand alone for part of the afternoon and following morning as it's a 2 hour drive each way.

Wet London, Dry Peak District

Yesterday, our last day in London, was wet all day. No photos but walked about 10 miles so at least we had some exercise. Also visited the Gloucester Arms in Kensington and Mabels Tavern near Euston Station. Pints of Youngs London Gold, Fullers London Pride, Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Bishops Finger. All on good form.

Train slightly late. Home a bit before 11pm, to bed by 1pm.

Today I'm walking to Buxton to run Gallery in the Gardens and it's a lovely day in the Peak District. If you can get out to the hills today take your camera, could be a good one!

April Showers in August and New Newsletter

We are having heavy showers and sunshine here in the Peak District so it is more like April than August! It's a bit chilly too when the sun isn't shining, with quite a cool breeze.

The builders have made a good mess at the side of the house. The old leaking roof is off the side part (so it leaks properly now!), walls are down and they have started putting in steel beams and brick pillars to hold everything up as well as a few new roof trusses. We should see the new roof going on this week.

I sent out a newsletter yesterday. It will be on my web site sometime next week hopefully. If you are not on the distribution and would like to see it here is the link to the archive for all my newsletters.

Just putting finishing touches to my new lecture Lake Light; 73 prints done, just a handful to go.

Buxton Gallery Wednesday 25th November

I'm in the Gallery in the Gardens tomorrow, in Buxton Pavilion Gardens, from 9.30am to 5pm. Judging by the weather I will probably take the car. The last 3 trips I have walked and had heavy rain both ways. It's getting a bit trying! Would just like to walk in the dry for once.

Warrington Lecture

Back from lecturing in Warrington. Jolly wet return trip. Lots of standing water and rivers running across road. Difficult to see in the dark. Seems to have eased a bit in last few minutes.

Edinburgh Photo Trip

Off to Edinburgh on Friday. Meeting best friends Mike and Kay from Kirkhill, north of Inverness. I need photos of Edinburgh for a show that we are doing there at the end of November and our local guides will be able to show us the key sites much better than any guide book, as well as the best pubs of course! Be good to catch up with them as it's been a year since we last saw them, in the Yorkshire Dales. We will also be seeing our good friend Paul from Boulder who is over for a couple of weeks travelling around.

Fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us rather than the tropical storms that we have been having here in the Peak District recently. Such heavy rain in short periods, we're more used to lighter rain for hours than this! Hope to drop some new pics here next week. Dave Butcher