This was tweeted by my good friend Andrew, if you liked the modern Battlestar Galactica you will love this.
Heading Home
After a few days in Scotland it was time to head home, but we did not want the holiday to finish just yet. So we made a quick phone call to one of our favourite Bed & Breakfast establishments, Heather Cottage. They had room so that was going to be our next destination.
We made our way through Kilder Forest, then headed to Hawes in North Yorkshire for a cream tea before finally arriving at Heather Cottage in Aysgarth. A lovely village, well worth a visit and lots of photographic options around. I do recommend a tripod if you are visiting.
Tomorrow we are heading to Whitby for lunch and then home. Its been a great holiday and a great biking holiday.
Lincoln Lip Dub
Great video showing Lincoln at its best.
Visiting Melrose
After our day in Jedburgh, we decided to hit the road, but ever so briefly and visit Melrose. We made a quick stop first, just on the outskirts of Jedburgh to visit a quilt shop. Caroline was restrained and only bought one kit, well we had limited luggage space on the bike ;).
A quick ride out and we were soon at Melrose.
It was a hot day and we left the helmets and gloves with the bike when we parked up. We then quickly found a air conditioned tearoom to cool down and relax.
Sandwiches, Bannock Cake, and petit cakes, with Caroline having a pot of tea was lunch dealt with; it was now time to visit Melrose Abbey.
The lady at the till kindly offered to look after our jackets while we went round the Abbey.
After the Abbey we visited the local gardens.
The gardens were used to produce dried flowers. They still had a drying room and a lady there demonstrated some of the techniques they used.
Wondering round the gardens, taking in the views and taking photographs. As we were on the bike I just had the Nikon V1 with me. Walking round the gardens it proved to be an excellent choice.
With my biker jacket hung over one shoulder I only had one hand to operate the camera, but the V1 can easily be operated with one hand as long as you do not need to change modes.
One handed operation and being able to quickly change settings is something to consider in small cameras.
Melrose was a great day out, if a little warm. Heading back to Jedburgh we went via Kelso as that is another place we want to spend some time in the future. As we rode through the town, the bunting was out and crowds lined the streets. There was even groups of men and women on horse back. Like the recent event in Jedburgh the riders were going to ride the boundaries of the town. With its cobbled streets the town is definitely on our list for another longer visit.
Travelling up to Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands are some of the most beautiful islands in the British Isles. The easy way of getting there is to fly and to hire a car. We did it the hard way, a long drive up on day one, stopping at Kinross.
Day two was and easy drive to Aberdeen where we caught the over night ferry to Lerwick, the modern capital of the Shetlands.
Once on board we found some comfy recliner arm chairs and made ourselves at home.
The ferry was due to depart at 19.00 that night. Just before we set sail I headed up on deck with the Leica M8 and the 35mm Summicron.
I photographed a few structural items on deck and also took a few shots of Aberdeen with my iPhone which I tweeted (@r1chardbwrn).
As the ship started to sail we had quite a crowed join us on the top deck, as well as photographing the city, disappearing into the distance and setting sun, I photographed some of my fellow passengers as we watched the city disappear over the horizon.
I thought the people on board made more interesting subjects then the scenery.
When we took the ferry from the Isle of Skye to the Outer Hebrides I took the SLR, long lens and monopod, this time with it being an overnight ferry to the Shetlands, the big lens and SLR’s were safely tucked away in the boot (trunk to our American Friends) of the car. I spent the crossing trying to photograph the puffins. So this time my subjects were the ship, crew and passengers.
That evening I once again backed up my shots to my iPad and added keyword and metadata information to them using the PhotoSmith App. Time to sleep and rest ready for our arrival on the Island.
Enjoying Hay-on-Wye
Our first major trip out on our Photography tour of the South West saw us heading out to Hay-on-Wye. First stop was to the North East, English side of the River Wye. I was trying to find a clear view point towards Tintern Abbey. There was a road that according to the map had possibility. We eventually found it but the road quickly deteriorated to the point that only a four wheel drive vehicle could continue so we had too head back.
Once back on the main road we headed to Hay-on-Wye. A small town in Wales but quite a capital of books. We explored its streets where nearly every other shop sells books.
Books are quite a vice for the both of us and far to often indulge our passion. I managed to accomplish quite a coup and managed to purchase a first Edition 1935 Leica Manual. Not the typical manual but a hard back book nearly 500 pages detailing all aspects of the Leica system.
I also managed to find in one particular fine and beautiful book shop two books from a set of three I have been after for a long time.
The master of Black & White Ansel Adams wrote three books, one called ‘The Camera’, one called ‘The Negative’ and one called ‘The Print’. One of the shops had the first two. The staff in the shop were extremely knowledgable and one of them was also a Leica M user so we had a good talk about the Leica System. He had the M9 and was thinking about purchasing a M7.
Being the owner myself of a Leica M4 and a Leica M8 I find them quite complimentary. In fact I would love to add a film MP and. Leica Monochrom.
Walking the streets of Hay-on-Wye I enjoyed immensely exploring its shops and taking snaps of the scenes that emerged before me.
As a portable travel camera the Leica is ideal. If you like the range finder experience and manual focus the enjoyment if using such a precision instrument is truly a joy and makes photography a true artistic passion and pursuit.
Whisky – other brands
I love Whisky and I think there is a Whisky for everyone, from delicate drinks like Dalwhinnie to heavy peaty drinks like Lagavulin.
Last Monday I visited the Whisky Shop in Lincoln. I had a few questions about English spirits, particularly English vodka which is getting a quite a following.
I have to say the staff are extremely knowledgable and also very quick to offer samples if your interested in a particular drink.
If your into spirits and not just Whisky the I recommend you give them a try.
a ‘New’ Razor
I was having to work on Saturday so Caroline went shopping on her own. I was surprised and pleased to find she had bought me a present.
In its original case a DE Razor made in England. That evening I started my research to find out more about it.
The razor came in three parts, the head and open comb was soon identified as a Long Open Comb and Twin Pin. The bottom plate was soon identified as a Raised Flat Bottom.
The raised flat bottom was available from 1933 to 1945. The Twin Pin plate was dated to 1933 to 1939. The handle was a Ball end hollow end cap, which dates from 1930 to 1939, which means the kit can be dated from 1933 to 1939.
A little more research on the case that it all came in, finally identified it as a British Service issue set number 44 circa 1933 and the razor itself is a Gillette New Long Open Comb, Made in England.
Its amazing the quality of information available on some sites and the detail some collectors go to.
After switching last year from a ‘normal’ cartridge shaver to an old fashioned DE (Double Edged) Razor, I have found the condition of my skin improving and I am enjoying the ritual of old fashion shaving.
We are going on holiday soon and I did wonder whether or not to buy a small travel razor, well thanks to my lovely wife I now have a wonderful 1930’s DE razor perfect for travel.
Birthday Meal
April is Birthday month here for the Turner & Brown Clans.
This week while we have been all together as a family we have been celebrating various family birthdays.
It was also, despite our diet an excuse to have a meal out at the local Indian restaurant with our parents. The local Indian restaurant is a particularly good one and well worth a visit if you are in Lincoln.
So a good Easter holiday but now its back to work and back to the diet.
Lets also hope for some better spring weather in order to practice some flower photography.
Spring Rides
With Easter now over and the clocks having changed to British Summer Time, we now get an hour more daylight in the evenings.
Today was the first day back at work and with the late evening sun, it made the commute home a really enjoyable ride.
As the days get longer then often so does the commute home, as I find longer and more interesting routes home on the Motorcycle.
Lets hope for a great Spring and Glorious Summer.