31/3/2012 – What a game that was…

I’m not a football fan…but I have never enjoyed watching a game more than watching Sx’s team play this morning. The opposition were a team they had a goaless (souless?) draw to last week away – this time it was on home turf (and a bigger pitch) and it was pure poetry. The passing was wonderful to watch – he has it, no, now he’s passed it, now its back to him, now its off the other side…the poor opposition didnt know where to start

Sx scored 2 of the 3 goals in their 3-0 victory. One was a free kick from about 30ft away which astounded everyone by going in!

Dx had been nominated team mascot a couple of weeks ago – and got to wear a “Team Mascot” shirt in yellow today (which I had found in a clear out of his clothes last weekend – still with the label on, bought totally coincidentally)

30/3/2012 – Dinton Pastures

Took my new lens for a walk around a) the garden b) Dinton Pastures and c)Maiden Erlegh lake today.

The sun shone after the walk round Dinton (hence why I detoured on the way home). Still astounded by the quality and clarity of photos with the new 70-200 lens – and I had high hopes before I even tried it!

I had only found flowers and blossom to photography  – and a couple of swans – and was a little disappointed not to find a bird or a squirrel to shoot. Then just as I was about to get back in the car, a robin hopped onto a tree and sang to me and I got a lovely photo.

Duncan:I dont need glasses
Me:Oh good – why?
Duncan: I can look through this piece of plastic and make everything look fuzzy – so I can use that instead of glasses.
Me: Glasses dont make everything look fuzzy – they make you able to see better
Duncan: But when I put Lara’s glasses on – everything looks fuzzy

😀

taken from 6m away!!

By Maiden Erlegh lake

by Dinton Pastures – who knew flowers could look so good in Black and white!

The best thing about this one is I took it sitting on my sofa!! We have a tree outside the front of the house with lots of bird feeders on and usually I creep to the window to take with my longer lens (which meant half the time the birds fly off when they see movement). This photo was taken with a shorter lens from 12ft further away (total distance of 7m according to the exif) and is SO much clearer than I ever managed before! I might never need to get up from my chair again!!

29/3/2012 – My new baby

Tried out my new lens today – its a whopper. Am a little in awe of it at present as its so enormous – and so heavy.

Such a big difference in the quality of photos it produces though!

The children have had a great time playing in  the garden in the sunshine this week – Sx actually said to me over tea “I’d forgotten how much fun I could have without playing on electronic games”. They weren’t pleased with me a week ago when I imposed a new ban on electronic games except for two nights a week. The time they were spending playing them had increased and they had got so dependant on them we had tears if ever they werent allowed. The nice weather couldnt have come at a better time for helping them see there is so much more to life than a PC/TV screen…

This sunshine has also been a chance for me practice the black art of shooting backlit portraits. Still a way to go before I feel confident with it – but can see the advanages…

Would just be useful to have a glamourous assistant with a reflector!

28/3/2012 – Political campaigning

This was the only photo I took today. Needed some serious attention to even get it to this point!

Now it looks like some kind of “Che Guevara” political poster – although I am not sure what his  slogan would be!

27/3/2012 – Hola and Ole!

Lx’s Spanish assembly today and she got to say a few words (in English). She was at the back so no good photo opportunities but as its the last time she will get to wear her Spanish dress she put it back on for some photos when she got home.

26/3/2012 – A Good Week

Gx has had a stunning week:

Thursday: Football training effort award
Friday: “Star of the week” class award for “focusing on his work”
Saturday: Man of the match award at football
Monday: Headteachers award for representing the school at the concert yesterday

25/3/2012 – Happy Birthday!

Ten years ago today this wonderful little boy came into my life and changed it forever.

Happy Birthday. I love you xx

He had a lovely day which included a very quick carvery meal and which culminated in him and Gx performing in the schools concert at the Hexagon. We only caught glimpses of them in the back row a couple of times – but the main thing was a) they took part and b) they loved it.

24/3/2012 – Man of the match

Gx now has the accolade of being the first person in his football team to win the training award AND mn of the match in the same week. A sterling performance – AND he was captain for todays match which they WON!!

(should I stop with the capitals now?!)

23/3/2012 – Misty Morning

Beautiful mist this morning which lingered over the lake at Dinton Pastures. A walk round the lake catching up on the news, taking photos and following it up with a cup of Earl Grey and a slice of lemon drizzle cake

Does it get any better?

Well yes – as I spent the afternoon photographing a little baby I had never met before who thought I was HILAROUS! I do like an appreciateve audience!!

22/3/2012 – All systems GO!!!

Busy day today – college this morning (black and white conversions) then an afternoon trying to fit in watching Scott and Gareth running in cross country relays – and Lara doing ballet. Why does everything always happen at the same time??!!

So lovely to see them all enjoying what they do (although a lot of Gareth’s enjoyment was due to “only needing to run for five minutes to get a whole afternoon off school”!!)