243/365 Weathered fence

The fence between our house and the neighbour above has weathered over time. I like to find patterns and textures in nature and would rather see the texture in wood than have it painted.

242/365 Carousel horse

There was a traditional galloping carousel at the Sheffield Fayre today, at Norfolk Park, Sheffield. The event is an annual one and part of it is funfair, the rest is living history and re-enactment - which is why we were there, for Oliver to be a Russian. The historical side is multi-period, so we saws Vikings & Romans as well as groups from both world war eras and the American Civil War. The battle by the latter group was fantastic, the best I've seen so far, wish I'd taken the video camera as well as the 40D. We spent the whole day, the weather was very promising until the low cloud moved in, and then light drizzle. But Oliver's spirits were not dampened - he took part is a re-enactment on the battlefield with the 13th (or was it the 2nd Guards...? I get mixed up!), so he's gone to bed tired but happy.

241/365 We are Family...

We had a family picnic today with my brother Roland (far right, obviously) his daughter Nathalie (centre) and step-daughter Lauren, left, along with my SIL Suzanne, Nathalie's 3 brothers (Louis, Benny & Sebby), Lauren's sister Kelsey, Lauren's boyfriend Alex, Mark, Oliver, Jodie, me, Uncle Tom Cobley & all! We went to Sutton Park, the boys played some football, we ate loads of food and I took a few pictures. The cousins are over from France for le weekend.

240/365 Wacom

I spent all day today editing/processing images, improving my skills with PhotoShop and my Wacom Bamboo. Oliver played with a friend on the PS2 in the loft room while Mark took Jodie to visit Grandma in Sheffield all day, and they were back really late because of the holiday weekend traffic. So I had only an interruption for lunch - bliss! (Only next week to go and we'll back to the school routine, new school for Oliver, Y1 for Jodie, then the builders will start, and we'll be in a big mess, but the worst'll be over before Chiristmas, and it'll be lovely when its finished!)

239/365 Flatten it some more

Jodie got out the Play-Doh this afternoon. Haven't played with that for ages.

238/365 Marble run

We built a marble run this afternoon. Some of the marbles escaped, When you send them all down together it makes the whole tower wobble. I had the camera on a tripod ready and said "1-2-3-go!" for Jodie to release the marbles. This made her giggle!

237/365 Casserole Kitchen

My old kitchen reflected in my casserole. Why? Well, I'm having a new kitchen very soon and I've often looked at my fabulously shiny casserole lid and thought how cool the reflections are. But the reflection of the new kitchen will be even more cool - I might do Casserole Kitchen II when the new one's finished. Meanwhile, the casserole gets one more stew cooked in it before it gets packed away safe from corrosive brick dust for the duration!

236/365 The White Swan

A beautiful swan glides across the lake at Melbourne Hall. I met up with around 30 other club members in Melbourne this evening for a guided tour with a local historian around part of the village, ending up at The White Swan for refreshments. I shall definitely return on a fine day for a closer look at this picturesque village.

235/365 Unic-orn-ament

We went to Paint-A-Pot today in Markeaton Park. Jodie chose this rather lovely unicorn ornament and concentrated very hard while painting it. I chose a very small unicornament so mine was done quite quickly, leaving me free to take pics of course. They'll be fired and glazed and ready to pick up on Wednesday. After all that hard work, Jodie said she needed an ice cream.

234/365 Giddy-up horsey!

We had a mess of kids on the trampoline this evening and here, Oliver's friend MB is giving Jodie a horsey ride! Jodie loves playing with big kids and Oliver's friends are all really good with her.

233/365 Alien Invasion VI

Regeneration?

232/365 Verbena

Managed to catch these verbena blooms despite the wind blowing strongly today.

231/365 Hello horse

We met some lovely horses at Stonehurst Farm today. There was a Shetland called Yorkie, a Shire, a donkey called Dink, a pony called Squeaker - as well as lots of cows, sheep, goats, pigs, hens, ducks and at least one goose, bunnies, guines pigs - you get the idea! The kids fed a lot of the animals, Jodie had a pony ride (twice!), there were several play areas, we had a picnic, and a lovely cuppa in the tea room - I (foolishly) bet Oliver yesterday's pocket money that he wouldn't be able to finish a slice of very rich chocolate cake...! I took a few photos. Collage necessary. :0)

230/365 Illuminated grapes

Had to grab a quick image quite late this evening, busy and stressful day, news about a good friend who is very ill. She's in hospital - perhaps I'll take her some grapes?

These are lit by a tiny LED torch I have on my keyring, 1/30, f2.8, ISO1600.

229/365 Rear window twilight

Twilight reflected in the rear window of my car, but not just that, the exceptionally clean rear window of my car! The kids helped me clean the car this evening, and they both did a great job! Jodie always helps out to the best of her ability and is brilliant at following and even anticipating instructions. Oliver needs Step 1; Step 2; Step 3... and no more than 3 instructions in a row to be able to have a chance at carrying them out correctly. I think this is a boy thing. ;0)

228/365 Ripening Blackberries

Every year we reclaim some of our garden from the brambles that grow there, but we never manage to remove them all.

227/365 "Great War Weekend"

A member of the 7th Dragoon Guards demonstrates charging at the enemy (in this case, a melon) with sword extended as part of a fabulous display at The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey. (The melon bought it!) Oliver joined his re-enactment group, The Russians, for his second event while I took far too many photos, as usual ;0) Collage necessary.

226/365 Quiet please: catnap in progress

Sweetie and I both napped today. I was (and still am!) tired after 2 days intense photography! Tomorrow, a long drive to a re-enactment event at Waltham Abbey for Oliver to do his thang, I'll spend the day doing my thang, then a long drive back - no prizes for guessing tomorrow's theme for the 365, :0)

225/365 A good day's work

Today was my second day working with Rob Bird at Playtastic. I asked Mark to bring Jodie along for a play and for a quick photocall! (She was smilier in some of the others, but this was a nice one with her Dad!) Rob, & Nadine (of Lots for Tots) will be judging competition entries for the Tot of the Year Competition next week, I don't envy them that task!

224/365 Upgrade :0)

I am thrilled to announce that I have upgraded to a Canon 40D camera body! It's not as exciting as announcing a birth, but I'm pretty excited! It came last Friday and I spent all weekend getting to know it as intimately as possible in readiness for the wedding on Monday. I was pleased to be able to remember where all the right buttons and dials were on the day. Today we (my 40D and I) worked extra hard as I helped out at the Tot of the Year competition at Playtastic in Derby. I spent almost 7 hours shooting babies, crawlers and toddlers with lots of mums, big siblings, aunts, nans and the odd dad making all kinds of silly noises and faces in an effort to get their little one to smile and giggle. Great fun, but hard on the left elbow! (I have to lie on the floor!)

223/365 Alien Invasion V

Mother ship...

222/365 Window-sill wedding flowers

The roses were her bouquet and the other flowers were a posy handed to her by a child from school outside the church after the ceremony. After a lovely service in the church across the road where they live, family, friends and colleagues attended an informal reception in their home. The new Mrs S placed her flowers on the sill in the kitchen and later...

... put the kettle on!