Category: Family

Family related posts; generally only of interest to fellow members of the Brown Clan and relations by Marriage into this mad house.

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Presents for the Birthday Boy

It was my Birthday recently and I asked for a few unusual presents.

Now me and Chris have an interest in coffee as well as cameras and a few weeks ago Chris emailed me a link to a blog from a guy mad about Leica’s and Coffee; just like me.

The site was CoffeeGeek.

It was while reading this site I spotted an interesting post about shaving. As you may be able to tell in the photograph above, I usually have a few days of stubble showing. Shaving has always irritated my neck and whether I use one of the latest multiblade cartridge shavers or an electric razor, I still get a sore neck.

The post linked to a few shaving forums, and these guys are real shaving geeks. Very knowledgable and trying to put a bit of fun and ritual back into what most consider a chore.

So after a bit of reading up and learning how bad for your skin modern canned saving cream and multi-blade shavers are, I had family members buy me a new shaving kit.

It consisted of a Badger Hair Shaving Brush, a Merkur 34C DE Razor, Traditional Saving Soap, Bowl, Stand and a multipack of different blades ranging from Derby Blades from Turkey right up to Japanese Feathers, some of the most fearsome and sharp razor blades money can buy. While the products are a little more expensive then the standard, the soap is very concentrated and will last a long time. The blades can be found for as little as £11 for 100 blades which means after a year you are saving money.

Though its not the money saving I am interested in. It is whether this stops my sore neck and makes shaving a pleasure instead of a chore. If it succeeds then it will be one of the best birthday presents yet.  If I get on well with the DE razor I might take up Caroline’s offer to buy me a straight (ie a cut throat) razor; maybe for my next birthday.

If you are interested in finding out more then you ever wanted to know about shaving, check out www.badgerandblade.com and sharpologist.com.

Oh and thanks for The Shaving Book Andrew, an interesting but also very funny read.

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Whitby in Winter – Day Two Part A

Post date Blog Post Day 2 Sunday 2nd December.

The plan for today was a trip to the harbour and the Abbey, I had three shots in my head for the Harbour, but knew that I would likely be only able to get the one.  After that we would be heading up to the Abbey, I had three shots in mind here but it was likely I would only be able to get two of the shots.

We were stopping at Hillcrest Bed & Breakfast, and over a breakfast of Whitby Smoked Kippers I checked the iPad to confirm the tide times and also using ‘The Photographer’s Ephemeris’, checked the sun position. Unfortunately it looked like unless i could be in two places at once I would have to give up on one of the shots. To get the Sun and tide in the right spot for one of the harbour shots I would not be able to get across the harbour and up to the Abbey to get another shot I wanted.

Still we would try and get at least a couple of shots.

As a bit of an experiment I had borrowed Caroline’s Crumpler Bag and packed the Ebony Camera, two lens and some dark slides. It’s a lot smaller bag then the ruck sack i usually keep it in. I also had the Nikon V1 with me.  While the kit all fitted in the bag, the weight could be telling.

First off we walked into town and across to the other side of the harbour using the swing bridge.  Once down onto the beach to the area where I thought the first shot was, I was unsupprised to see that the sun was unable at this time of year to rise to the point where it would illumiate the main focus of my photograph.  So it was 0/1 for the first attempts.

In fact it you could say it was 0 for 2 as there was another shot I wanted but it meant being on the other side of the harbour and it just would not have been possible to get across and capture both shots before the sun had moved.

Next I climbed onto the Harbour wall to shoot the stone seabed.  There are some interesting features visible at low tide that I wanted to capture.

As you can see in the quick snap I took with the Nikon V1, the sun was not high enough to illuminate what I wanted to photograph.  I will just have to go back in the Spring.

It was now time to head up and take a shot of the harbour from part way up the cliff face. The ramp up was somewhat icy and it made the climb up a little tricky, but we managed.

I’ll blog about the next shot which I took with the Ebony 45S later once I have the film developed in Day 2 part B.

Finally it was time to shoot the Abbey.  There was two shots I had in mind, but it was unlikely I would get the first one as by the time we got up there the sun would have moved round too far, but we should get the second, which I did.  Again I’ll blog about that shot later.

Once the Abbey shot was in the can, we headed back down for a Spicy Mocha Latte and a toasted chibatta.

Then a last walk round the shops and back to the Bed & Breakfast for a rest.  My back was by this time killing me.  The Crumpler bag while fine for a short while was not good for a full day of carrying the large format kit.  Still now I know.

Overall a pleasing day.

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Whitby in Winter – Day One

Post date Blog Post Day 1 Saturday 1st December

With a couple of days free in both our calendars, we decided a quick trip up North to one of our favourite holiday spots, Whitby.

We decided to go by car as there was a risk of Snow over the North Yorkshire Moors, so that gave me free rein over what camera equipment to take.

The day before we set off I fired up two useful iOS apps, one to predict tide times, as two of the shots I had in mind needed low tide; the other app shows where the sun and moon will be as we’ll as there height.  Things looked promising so I decided to pack the following.

  • Large Format Ebony 5 x 4
  • Small Format Leica M4 & M8
  • Micro Format Nikon Series One V1

We had a gentle start, not rushing, just taking our time heading North.  As the toll had been reduced and because of flooding around York we took the Humber Bridge over the river Humber and then headed over the Yorkshire Wolds to Scarborough.

The purpose of stopping at Scarborough was to visit a fabric shop so that Caroline could buy some silk for a project she has been working on for the last year.  Hopefully in the next few months i’ll be able to post some pictures.  It’s been quite an impressive project with lots of research and even the odd course to learn new skills.

Caroline managed to get the fabric she wanted and we then had a leisurely lunch in Scarborough. It was then time to head further north over the North York Moors.

It was here the weather took a wintery turn with snow and a cold wind. It was a little worrying as the snow started to settle on the roads but as we reached Whitby it started to clear.

We soon found the Bed & Breakfast and settled in. A walk into town followed and a fish supper all washed down with a couple of pint of fine Yorkshire Ale.

No Photography yet but a fine start to the trip.

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Kayaking Day in South Hykeham

After our adventures earlier in the week where Andrew took me climbing, it was time to return the favour. Instead of climbing we went Kayaking at Outdoor Activities who are based at a gravel pit in South Hykeham, just a few miles outside Lincoln.

I had been Kayaking for the first time just a few weeks ago, so everything was fairly fresh in my mind but Andrew had not done anything like this for many years.

We met up in the car park and walked over to the office, where we was introduced to our instructor for the day Katie. We had a quick briefing and then we where quickly issues with our wetsuits.

Once suitably dressed it was time get into our Buoyancy aids and select our boats and paddles.

One thing I found with the previous Kayaking day, is that getting in is the second hardest part of Kayaking. The hardest part is getting out again!

We were a little tentative at first, the boats were shorter and a little more white water biased then the kayak I had tried out in a few weeks again, so tracking in a straight line was a little tricker.

It was not before we started to really enjoy ourselves, our instructor kept giving us instructions and advice, and we quickly improved by leaps and bounds. It took Andrew a little longer to get the feel of it, so the instructor arranged a swop and Andrew took the instructors slightly large boat out. This was much better and more stable out on the water.

It was a great time and we really enjoyed ourselves. At the end of the session the instructor gave us the option of trying out a practice capsize. As we were in wetsuits it seemed an idea time to give it a try.

It all sounded fairly simple. Tip over, reach forward and bang on the bottom of the boat three times to attract attention, then exit the boat and swim to shore or wait holding onto your boat until help arrives.

Andrew went first, and then it was my turn. It seemed to take forever but it was just a few seconds in total. On exiting the boat I somehow managed to take in a mouthful of water which was most unpleasant. As you can see in the shots above, I don’t look to happy after swimming back to the surface, but it was not as bad as it looked, though the water was cold!

We both swam back to shore, towing the boats back with us. Hauling them back onto the bank we emptied the boats but as we were having such a good time, despite now being very wet we headed back out for another paddle. The wetsuits kept us warm despite the cold water.

Despite the wet, the cold water, we had a great time; we are luckly in having two places locally to try out Kayaking and Canoeing, Outdoor Activities and Lincoln Canoe Club. If your serious about paddling regularly then Lincoln Canoe Club is the best option but if you only want to go occasionally then Outdoor Activities are the better choice.

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Indoor Sport Climbing @climb_showroom

This week I got try something new, indoor climbing. The idea of roping up and climbing, taking the risk of having a fall; the physical challenge and the mental challenge was not something I had thought of trying.

A good friend wanted to give it a try and ideally you need a climbing partner for safety, so I volunteered to go with him for the two 90 minute training sessions.

Andrew booked us both on two sessions, Tuesday and Wednesday night this week at ‘The Show Room‘ on Tritton Road in Lincoln, the climbing centre there has the largest climbing wall in Lincolnshire.

Tuesday night was very safety focussed, learning the basic knots we would need, the figure of eight used to tie us in, and the stopper knot, but I am getting a head of myself.

Firstly we filled in the evaluation forms stating we had no health issues that would cause any problems, then it was time to get into our harnesses. The loan harness was not as sophisticated as most modern harnesses but while basic it would do the job. Next the safety helmet, and finally it was time to learn how to tie the first knot we would use.

If your interested there are some great videos on youtube but remember that watching a video is no subsitute for proper training.

The first knot we learnt was the figure eight, it was a quick and easy knot to learn but judging the length of the tail was the tricky part. With the figure eight tied, you then threaded the tail through the harness and then threaded the end again back thought the figure eight. The loose end is tied off with a stopper knot.

We both practiced this several times and then learnt to check each others knots.

The next part was the Belay. This is a simple device designed to add friction to the rope, thus if someone fell, then the person holding the end of the robe had a chance to stop your descent before you hit the ground. The belay device was attached to the climber staying on the ground via a screw locking carabiner.

Once we had practiced all of this it was time for the first proper climb. I went up first and I have to admit I found it fairly easy. Though the truth was I was using any handhold I could reach instead of following a particular colour coded route.

Coming back down again was more interesting, its certainly an exercise in trust. Checking that Andrew at the bottom was ready with both hands on the dead side of the rope it was time grab hold of the rope and lean back and as Andrew let out the rope I could simply walk down the wall.

It was then Andrews turn to climb. I found keeping the rope tight harder then the climbing, but I managed.

We practiced several times and the 90 minutes soon past.

Last night we had the second session, this time everything was done by us, while the instructor just watched. We put on our harnesses and safety hats, then tied in and I climbed first while Andrew handled the belaying. Then we swopped.

Our instructor happy with the way we were climbing then went on to explain about routes and we had a go at a class 4 then a class 5. It was then that climbing switched from being a physical challenge to a mental challenge, trying to figure out how to get up.

After 90 minutes we were both exhausted but satisfied, possibly a little high on adrenalin but feeling good about ourselves. The instructor announced himself happy and signed us off to climb together on our own, so it was two very tied beginner climbers who headed home.

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Coffee, Coffee, Everywhere

Today I had to pop down to London for some business meetings.  It was one mad rush from train station to train station and underground station to underground station.

I remember a time when it was difficult to find a good cup of coffee, now any major city has a Starbucks, Cafe Nero or Costa Coffee.  Even MacDonalds sells real coffee now, though I have yet to try one.

But when it comes to trains it seems we are still limited to instant.  Come on guys, the main train down there had a buffet car, serving wines and beers and a good selection of food but only instant coffee.

At least the train station at real coffee.

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Robert’s Birthday

Saturday was my oldest brother’s 60th Birthday, we all got together at my mothers house and had a small celebration.

Lots of food and chat.  It was great to see everyone again.  In case your wondering I am no where close to 60 yet!  Bob is the oldest while I am still a young whipper snapper in comparison and am the baby of the family.

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iPhone 5

Well after all the hype the new iPhone5 was released last Friday, rather then queue I placed an order on line, and it arrived last night.

What are my initial views?  Well first its very light and not much bigger then the old iPhone4 but the screen is much better, that half an inch really makes a difference.

The other thing is the speed, except for a slight pause opening iBooks, everything seems to happen instantly.

As a Photographer I have of course been testing out the camera.

I have been impressed with the results from the iPhone4, for a phone it was very good, but over the last two years the bar has definitely moved.  So far I have just been playing with the panoramic function.  It works like that in many Sony Cameras where you sweep the camera slowly across the scene.

For an indoor shot in bad light under mix source light, I thought it did a very commendable job.

Now to get my old iPhone4 unlocked so that Caroline can have it.

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Messing about on the River

Something I have been meaning to try for sometime is Kayaking.  The idea of Sea Kayaking around a remote Scottish Island, being able to get to views impossible any other way; pulling up into remote coves, its a bit of an exciting dream, as is getting some saltwater fishing lines and trying one’s luck in grabbing a quick bite.

Last year we fulfilled one of Caroline’s long held dreams of horse riding along a remote beach, playing in the surf on the Isle of Lewis.

Now I had no idea if I could kayak or if I would enjoy it, so I booked myself on a taster course held at Lincoln Canoe Club on the Brayford Pool.

It was a 10:00 am start at the Lincoln Canoe Club Boat house on a slightly overcast but not too cold Sunday morning.

We arrived early, and made our way up the stairs to the briefing room.  Graham would be our coach for the day and we started with a brief introduction about the club, then the safety briefing.

First the difference between a Life Jacket and a Buoyancy Aid.  A life jacket is designed to keep you afloat, even if your unconscious, a Buoyancy Aid will assist you to swim.  Why not a Life Jacket in a Kayak, well if you capsize it can trap you underneath the boat preventing you from escaping, thus leading to drowning.

We then covered capsizing and what to do if we were either tipped out of the boat or stuck in the boat underwater.

Lastly we covered water born diseases; especially Leptospirosis.

Graham then asked who wanted to give up the whole idea!  But he had not managed to put anyone off.  Then it was a quick head count, unlucky thirteen; and we headed down stairs to get fitted up with Buoyancy Aids, Paddles and our boats.

What most people call Canoes are in fact Kayaks, in the picture above it shows a Canoe being ably paddled by father and son.  Canoes are open and are paddled by an oar that has just one paddle on one end, while a Kayak can be sit on top or in, but your legs are stretched out in front of you, also there is a paddle on each end of the oar.

We carried down our Kayaks to the dock edge and learnt how to get in.  This was easier then I expected.  Sitting on dock with one hand on the centre back opening, you slowly slide your body in.  Then your away.

We slowly headed into the Brayford Pool, and once all assembled we started our lessons.

Our first stroke to learn, was the sweep stroke.  With this it enables you to turn the boat round, its quite easy and we all got the hang of it very quickly.

Next a back stroke, then we put them together to spin the boat round on the spot.

Of all the strokes the one I could not master was the general forward stroke, I kept veering off, either right or left, but we also learnt how to brake with the back stroke, so I would stop and start again.

After some practice round the pool we headed down one of the rivers that feed into the Brayford Pool.  These were tricky especially for me as there was a couple of very low bridges to negotiate, these had me practically laying across the boat to get through.

Some of the more experienced paddlers had marked out a slalom on the river so a few of us had a go.  There was much crashing and laughter, it was a lot fun and nobody capsized even though there was thirteen of us!

The time flew by and after an hour and a half of ‘Messing about on the River’, it was time head back to the dock and get out.

This was a little tricker then getting in, but I had help and managed, so Caroline’s hope of getting a shot of me falling in, was unfulfilled.  Maybe next time.