Family, Photography and other misc news
Very little has happened this month compared to the excitement of the last few months. We have been getting back into the swing of work, Caroline has been horse riding but due to the weather Richard has not managed to go flying this month.
We did manage a quick day trip to Whitby and a couple of days at Southwold at the very end of last month but nothing this month except a few photo opportunities around town in our lunch hour and enjoying the last of the good weather.
The Nikon D200.
Well today I made my first digital SLR purchase. A Nikon D200.
After many months of research and with the price of the D200 dropping, it was the logical choice.
I moved from Canon to the Nikon system back in the 1990’s and a Nikon was my first choice. The feel of a camera is very important and I find that Nikon bodies always feel better in my hand then other makes. As an existing Nikon film user with an extensive investment in Nikor glass, it made sense to choose a Nikon that would work with my old lens and the D200 would do that.
For a good review of the camera see DPReview site for more information.
It feels good in the hand, very well built and has the combination of features that I need in an SLR. I intend putting it through its paces over the next few months with a studio shoot also planned.
Caroline’s horse riding is progressing well, as is Richard’s flying but the main event for this month was a holiday to Slovenia.
Alan’s dropped us off at the airport and we caught the little Embraer ERJ-145 a small regional jet. We took off from East Midlands and landed a little later at Llubjana the capital of Slovenia. From here we took the coach which went via lake Bled to our hotel on the shore of lake Bohinj in the middle of the national park.
We were booked into the lovely hotel Zkatorog. One week of rest and relaxation, nothing to do but enjoy the scenery, go for walks round the lake and enjoy the local food and wine. We arrived just in time for the evening meal, and after that it was time for an early night in preparation for our first full day.
Breakfast was great, I skipped the fresh pancakes but did have the cooked meats and fresh breads and fruit. We certainly would not be needing lunch anytime soon! After breakfast we had a meeting with the local holiday rep and they showed us what was in the area and the trips that were available. We decided to book there and then on the wine trip and also the cave and boat trip.
After booking our trips we decided we would take a trip to the source of the lake, the waterfall Slap Sabica. We started with a gentle walk round the east of the lake until we came to the small wooden bridge, which took us over the small river which was fed from the waterfall, then we followed the river up to the base of the mountain. After a short while we came to another bridge and to a road and small car park. The road ended here. One road into the area, where it finished here at the foot of the mountain. What followed was a steep climb, until we came to a small observation hut. From here we could view the waterfall, tumbling down the mountain to fill a small pool which then became the river we had followed up from the lake.
We had been continually surprised at the river and the lake. The water was so clear and you could see very large fish, wherever we went in the week, we found clear rivers and no litter. A gentle walk back and we retired back to the hotel to rest and laze around for the rest of the day.
The next day we decided we would walk the north shore of the lake to the village. Breakfast was the same varied selection and this time I did indulge and had the chef make me some fresh crepes. Fully fueled up we started our walk.
The views round the lake were spectacular, but one view we had not expected as we rounded the first corner of lake was a couple of large naked german men, swimming in the lake! They and there party on the shore looked like they were having fun. For us it looked far to cold in the water to swim, though we did indulge later in the heated pool of the hotel.
Along this part of the lake they were the only people we met. At least we had not met the bears, snakes or wolfs that still live in Slovenia! Once we had reached the 3/4 mark we joined a proper footpath and started to meet more people on the route, but no litter which was pleasing.
As we reached the far end of the lake we spotted some brave souls jumping off the top of the ridge above us, luckly they had parachutes. As we approached the village we spotted the landing area. We stopped for a while and watched brave or foolish men jump from the top of the ridge and parachute down to the spot before us. We then wondered into the village and had a bite to eat and drink.
After a fine lunch and cold beer we decided to catch the boat back to the other side of the lake. We were surprised to discover that the boat was electric. Only electric or hand rowed boats are allowed on the lake.
On the remaining days were walked the south lake route, visited the top of mount Vogel, visited the wine region and went into some caves. All in all a wonderful holiday.
For more pictures check out our Slovenia Gallery
On the Mountain Top
Nikon S3 Compact
Processed in Adobe Lightroom Beta
On a Mac Powerbook, OS-X 10.4.7
This month was birthdays, holidays, flying and horse riding. First was Hannah’s Birthday.
A trip to Chesterfield in the new car, and we took the tent and camped in the back garden.
This was also the month when we both got to indulge in our hobbies, Caroline progressed with her horse riding and started jumping, memories of ‘Only fools on Horses’ come to mind. Richard got in more solo time and ventured away from the airport on his own for the first time.
Lastly we booked a holiday to Slovenia.
Oz in the Garden
Nikon S3 Compact
Processed in iPhoto
On a Mac Powerbook, OS-X 10.4.7
Work was very busy, but we still managed to fit in a few new things. First was a visit to Brandy Wharf. Not much to look at but a great little pub. Sells lots and lots of different types of cider and if you have a meal you must try the sausages, they’re very very good. With the weather being so hot we had a bike trip to the coast and made the most of the garden.
The main events of this month was that Caroline finally started horse riding. She had been saying for the last few years that she was going to start, hopefully there will be some news and pictures appearing soon.
Lastly we finally bought a new car. The old Polo 
that Caroline had from new was now 13 years old, so we finally said goodbye to it and bought a shiny two and half year old Skoda (no jokes), a nice little Fabia Estate.
Canaervon Maritime Museum
Nikon S3 Compact
Processed in iPhoto
On a Mac Powerbook, OS-X 10.4.7
I finally started to get over a series of colds this month. We had also booked a day off work. We went off for a Yoga course. The yoga course was based on animal forms and as before it was a great day.
Later in the month we started to get worried about nan. She had got a cold and had stopped eating. Nan was very much a lady who did what she wanted and she told the doctor in no uncertain terms that she was not going to hospital.
The Friday before we were due to go on holiday we got the news that she was very ill. The Saturday, and the first day of our holiday in Wales we got the sad news. Nan had been admitted to hospital and had died that morning. We headed back that Monday helped my mother sort out the details.
Thanks to all the family and friends who helped and came to the funeral.
The BMF show had seemed so far away and we had done no planning at all, but suddenly it was Friday and the start of the BMF camping weekend. We had booked for the whole weekend and so the morning was spent having a final sort and check, getting all the camping gear together and strapping it all to the bikes.
First off was the Deauville (Honda NT650V), top box and panniers for Caroline and the airbed, and the sleeping bags strapped to the pillion seat, not forgetting the camping stove and fuel also in the left hand pannier.
Then we loaded up the ‘S’ (BMW R1100S), panniers with Richard’s stuff and cooking pots, miscellaneous camping bits, and lastly the tent strapped to the pillion seat.
After a practice load, we then wrapped everything in carrier bags and bin liners and strapped it all down. All that was left was the tank bags which would hold waterproofs, spare gloves and of course the radios. We had bike to bike radios to help us out. Always nice to have a natter while you ride.
It was now time for the off, a gentle ride down the A15, stopping at a tea shop in Folkingham.
As we pulled into Folkingham it had just started to rain, so we were glad to stop for a very nice late lunch. While finishing our lunch the rain clouds blew away and we carried on to Peterborough in the dry, once there it was just a matter of following the signs to the BMF show. That at least was the theory, we missed the first turn but still managed to get there in the end.
We soon found a good spot on the campsite, unloaded the bikes and setup the tent. We were then ready for the evenings entertainment.
As usual there was stalls for food, a large marque for the bands and a bar. The bar was a bit disappointing, only your common beer and lager – nothing interesting. There used to be a large bar with loads of different beers, this was something they should re-introduce. Also there was no bonfire this year. The fair proved popular despite the showers of rain. After Beer, Bands and Pasties it was time for bed.
Come morning and a camp fire breakfast, its was time for the show proper. High on the list was the Honda, Moto-guzzi, and Triumph stands. The Pan European still did not fit Richard much better then the old one but the new Deauville was nice, but he feels that he has out grown it. Too much weight and not enough power.
Both of us have had soft spots for Moto-guzzi’s for many years and ever since Caroline saw the Moto-guzzi Breva 750 at the NEC show she has wanted one. Richard prefers the 1100cc Breva but both are good looking bikes.
The Triumph ST was also a good looking bike with the three under seat exhausts but the Rocket was simply stunning! They also had a Rocket trike!
The entertainment was great, but the highlights were the short track racing and the stunt team, see below!
