The topic of sheep seems to stray into our lives frequently. Friends of Carol have bought her sheep (not live ones!) in all sorts of forms for some years. And it is the case that sheep seem to behave in a bizarre way around her. Take for example the previous photo of a “traffic jam”, which just happened as we were exloring the local hills. This one was taken on a weekend in the Llyn Peninsula. I have never seen anything like it before – and they simply ignored us while I was taking the shots. By the way, it is true, Welsh Lamb IS the best in the world!  Are sheep the most stupid animals on the planet? What purpose do they serve – other than making delicious eating? Are there any farmers out there that can answer this?

Traffic Jam, Black Mountain road 

Music plays a big part in my life. My real regret is that I am one of these people who hangs around musicians – commonly known as a bad drummer! My taste in music is eclectic to say the least, Vivaldi to ZZTop!

Just adding a few images of some of the artists we have been to see this year (couldn’t get my Nikon into the Rolling Stones concert in the Milennium Stadium in Cardiff – that was the highlight of music this year. How the hell does Jagger do it ?! He should be on a zimmer ! Side effects of LSD?

First a group that we were VERY impressed with – and to make it even more rewarding, a local Swansea band – The Storys (Korova Records,KODE1002: www.korovarecords.com ). If you get a chance, listen in. Amazing combination of sounds when playing live, and their first album is brilliant.

If she will forgive me for saying so, a hardy perennial, Barbara Dickson.

Her latest album of Beatles songs is truly beautiful. Mix with a good bottle of wine, even better company, and the sound of her – nirvana!

Special thanks to Radio Wales for putting on a free concert. Pity about the small number – but great for those of us who were there. You need to sort out your pre-concert publicity though. Don’t rely on Swansea City to do this for you – they have no idea how to run an event ! Just look at the non-maritime “Maritime Festival” !

To someone local again, Padraig Lalol of Henry Marten’s Ghost. Take a look at the reviews in the music press. That says it all. We still get to see him for free locally – but that won’t last for long. Seen here playing with Pietr, probably the most intuitive fiddle player I have ever heard…

Check out Henry Martens Ghost

Listen in on http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Label-Review-HenryMartensGhost.htm

Just thought I’d drop in a few images of Wales – a country that sometimes seems to be as misunderstood as Kazakhstan! Main difference being that our version of Borat comes in large crowds described as “Rugby supporters”.

Anyway, back to a few images.

Traffic jam -  Harlech Castle –  

Towyn Morning - 

Boat House, Black Mountains - 

Sex Shop, Barmouth 

Some interesting comments from three different friends over the weekend – quite independently, and all women, – about nudity on my blog, after they had visited it. One seemed to feel “uncomfortable” about it. She is not a prude, but because it was me including nudity on the blog this did not seem right to her. I have been a keen photographer since I was 14 years old – I’m way beyond that now. I nervously photographed my first nude at 20, in a world that still was hypochritical about the naked image. Even with the so called sexual revolution of the sixties, in reality British attitudes were still incredibly prudish. I have never understood why the painted image is supposed to be more legitimised than the photo image? Remnants of that attitude still remain – incomprehensibly in a world that is clearly more libertine. I have not stepped over the boundary into the world of pornography, and never will do. I recognise that erotic images are increasing blurring this perceived watershed. To me, the photographic image should have something beautiful – or erotic -but with a sensitivity for the model. The very explicitness of pornography is devoid of beauty, and demeans the subject.

I hope to emulate some of the starker images of photographers like Bill Brandt, using only black & white and minimal lighting, which produces an anonymous image, but retains the real beauty of the human body. Watch this space.

By the way, the other two women were really cool about the images, which was not the reaction I expected from them.

Just in case this is becoming too much like “The Archers” – and I was in danger of losing the attention of my red-blooded male readers (and the odd lesbian of course!), I thought I would drop in a photo of the new bathroom…

I’m glad to report that lucy’s modelling career is taking off. Any would be photographer wishing to contact her let me know.

..my fault, Clydach Nature Reserve is actually known as Cwm Clydach – just in case you want to check it our elsewhere on the web.