Out and About With My Good Mate Glenn

Well what can I say !! Yesterday was an interesting and bloomin funny day out with a great mate of mine Glenn Johnstone http://kotz68.blogspot.co.uk. When I am able to, Glenn, Ern (his Dad), my oldest son and damned decent bloke Simon head out to get some photos of Glenn riding, using his Bartlett universal knee system www.leftsideinc.com .
Glenn had asked me one night if we could shoot a Calendar for Charity and I immediately said yes (as you do). THEN he said that it might include some 'naked' shots. Having shot Glenn previously doing some extreme ironing, I shouldn't have been suprised . . but I was ! Not at the idea of the shoot, at least with the extreme ironing shoot we could a) Hide his modesty behind the ironing board and b) he wore boxer shorts and I was shooting from the bottom of a large hill while he was at the top.

The problem you see, was the logistics of being able to cover up the 'region' while he was cycling. Obviously while riding, the old tallywackle gets thrown around a bit so we needed to find a way of shooting quickly (so his bits didn't freeze off), and still get the shot that covers his decency as the old man could make an appearance. Anyhow, Glenn made an effective and very amusing safeguard. He should really be the one to describe his invention though as it was a classic.

The day just got funnier as it went on, with people walking their dogs near by (we had tried to find a secluded spot but this is getting more difficult in our crowded country), having to do re-shoots and generally Glenn's mucking about. We all had a great time and hopefully got a couple of decent shots that can be used for his Calendar...

One Happy Fella

Today is Fathers Day :) A day to reflect on what good old Dad means to us.
For ME, it's a chance to take stock of the good times I have spent with my Dad over the years. Everything from car mechanics (my earliest venture into this was 3. Mam has a picture of me taking the nuts off a car wheel),







allotments (chasing horses for 'fresh' manure), building everything from yards to walls, fences to greenhouses and more. Time later in life where we've shared the our interest in local history, creating DVD's to publish in schools and libraries, watching our beloved Newcastle United and putting the world to rights with our knowledge of politics and the rights and wrongs of diffierent parties.
It's also a chance to celebrate being so incredibly lucky to have 3 handsome, intelligent, down to earth, ever  loving Sons. I have been truly blessed !
So lets remember, it's often Dads that are the glue that holds families together and the cement in our foundations from which we can grow. I raise a glass to you all. HAPPY FATHERS DAY :)

Olympic Rings on the Tyne Bridge

Me and the family went to see the Olympic Rings that are on the Tyne Bridge today. It was a great sight to see. I'm looking forward to the Torch being zip lined down from the bridge this weekend, although I can imagine how packed it will be (not my fave idea) so I might not get any shots :(

Downpour at the Blaydon Races

Well I never .
Me and the family decided to go to see the Blaydon Races for the first time yesterday. It's been on my list of 'things to see or do' for ages so we planned the day out in great detail.



 We looked around for locations and my oh my how hard was that.  Most of the run is done along Scotswood Road and they close the road off so you can't park up. If you do, you have to wait til after 8pm to get back out. Anyway we eventually found a place to park up and it turned out to be a brilliant place. I was sooooo pleased. Camera's sorted (3 canon's )check.  various lenses from 10mm to 400mm, check. tripods, check.  monopod, check. Watered and fed, check. So everything was going do well.  THEN IT RAINED :( Yeah, you Plonker Ade !! I had thought of everything other than water. By the time we finished watching and photographing all the runners we were soaked to the bone. I feel so sorry for those that ran all the way to the finish in that weather. But, it shows the true spirit of the Blaydon Races though because every one seemed to be enjoying themselves (OK so there were some grimmaces too lol). They were loving it !! Running through rain that was that heavy it was creating streams that covered my feet at times. I take my proverbial Hat Off to them for their true Spirit !

 

HERE COME THE MASSES

A shoot with Glenn Johnstone

Glenn is an AKA or above knee amputee. He's also a life long close friend.  He is sponsored by Brian Bartlett at LeftSide Inc. He also does voluntary work on research and development for Pace Rehabilitation and is an Ambassador for Sandman Bikes.

Here we are doing a publicity shoot to send back to the guys mentioned above.

The Debarcle that is the Diamond Jubilee Concert

What the F**k !! We have has beens, weirdo's and dumb eejits that think they should sing "Happy Birthday" to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee. Did they just not get the brief for the concert " Hello dear performer, thankyou for attending the Queen's Jubilee. A time for celebrating her reign as Head of State" Not a birthday, ye dopey bastards. FFS

The Story So Far !

Hi there and welcome to my blog.

What do I say about lil old me? Well I was born when I was young and grew for around 20 years before nature decided to halt proceedings.