Nick & I divided the work up between us. I did most of the ‘painting in progress’ shots while Nick did the studio end. Working the lights off generators proved to be quite interesting as they kept having problems. But we got there in the end – and I’m sure the pictures are worth it. Nick has already done some work on the earlier images from the week, and I’ll tag some of them on.

A correction on Nicks web link… http://www.nickparry.co.uk/ – hope that I have this right this time.

Anyway her are a couple of pictures from today – and a few of Nick’s images…

I don’t know why Nick’s images are so small. Log into his site to get the full images…

These are Nick’s studio images. I’ll try and add some more when I get back from Cheltenham

Well, not unlike the worst of Glastonbury, the British Summer has done its best to drown us all today. The weather has been hideous – but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of our body-painters. Just a random few shots today as I am strapped for time.

Our Seb gets involve and gets painted ! He was in the “Glitter” competition – but please don’t call him Gary…

This young lady won her group, and collected her prize of a big box of paints. Her, and her two sisters have ‘adopted’ Gwen – so Gwen has been walked off her feet in the last two days. But not today – Gwen doesn’t like swimming.

Not for the faint hearted – the “Special Effects ” section…

Since Merthyr Mawr is some miles from a shop, this lady took orders, and went to Tesco’s like this. i would hav loved to have seen peoples’ faces !

And finally, Gwen was tied underneath a table most of the day. This young lady was next to us. Her face scared Gwen, who barked at her until I took her away. My brave dog !

These are all “work in progress”. I’ll check out with Nick if I can use some of his magically Photoshopped images in order to show how effective the end result is.

More tomorrow, then a welcome break in Cheltenham.

Here are a few images. Can I remind anyone who picks this page up that the images are copyright, and I will take great delight in suing you if you pinch them. Visit the Festival site for your own (purchased) copy. Go ahead, I need the money !

More tomorrow

Tea break….

Same model- two sides….

Off course, we did have a few model’s of our own – for example this one…

But NOT this one – the imfamous “Doc Dick”

And finally, this miserable bugger passed us in the bus, driving a beautiful Bugatti. Why didn’t that make him happy?

The first wound, which looked the worst, turned out to be the one that healed most quickly. The swelling on his leg speaks for itself…

The second was sustained while out with Harvey, and eventually required more than nine hours hanging around (the very inefficient) Morriston Hospital. Believe me, the photographs do not do justice to the injuries. I think that I might have to ground him?!

Let me add that he is good company

Of course, one big disadvantage is that it is populated by other strange photographers…

The Wedding Party was something else. I missed the service at the church, but the reception, despite the absence of other tourists – went ahead with speeches, toasts (with real sherry!), a full meal and a wedding cake.

The Father of the Bride…

The pub in which the reception was held also had some interesting hairy footed chickens…

It was almost impossible to get a shot of the street without tourists. I had to wait until immediately after a shower.

Rob & Ellen – the best of company…

Morriston Camera Club’s outing this year was to Telford – Ironbridge & Blists Hill Victorian Town. It was a whistlestop tour through Ironbridge, which merited several hours rather than the two we spent there. The quirky shops deserved further exploration, although the bridge could not be seen at it’s best due to the inclement weather. Built in 1779 by Abraham Darby 111, it is the worlds first cast-iron bridge.

Ironbridge

It’s always worth looking back sometimes to get the shot others miss !

It’s probably worth putting in our next port of call, Blists Hill Victorian Town as an entity in it’s own right…

Clair & Scotts wedding proved to be a truly great day which went off really well -no hitches! How Clair was standing the next day I will not understand as she danced ALL night. Blisters the next morning, but it was worth it. They both thoroughly enjoyed themselves. These are just a few taster photographs. My thanks to Matt & Nick from eventographers.co.uk for their photographic skills. And also Aiden, our fourth photographer. The album will be something else !!! The guys will get the photos on the website as soon as possible. They have a mountain of work to deal with at the moment.

Aiden, we look forward to seeing your images.

Clair, you have made me the proudest Dad in the world!

A man had just settled into his seat next to the window on the plane when another man sits down in the aisle seat and puts his black Labrador in the middle seat next to the man. The first man looks very quizzically at the dog and asks why the dog is allowed on the plane ?

The second man explains that he is a Drug Enforcement Agency officer and the dog is a ‘Sniffer dog’. ‘His name is Smithy and he’s the best there is. I’ll show you once we get airborne, when I put him to work.’

The plane takes off, and once it has leveled out, the agent says: Watch this.’ He tells Smithy to ‘search’.

Smithy jumps down, walks along the aisle, and finally sits very purposefully next to a woman for several seconds.
Smithy then returns to his seat and puts one paw on the agent’s arm.

The agent says, ‘Good boy’, and he turns to the man and says: ‘That woman is in possession of marijuana, so I’m making a note of her seat number and the authorities will apprehend her when we land.’

‘Say, that’s pretty neat,’ replies the first man. Once again, the agent sends Smithy to search the aisles. The Lab sniffs about, sits down beside a man for a few seconds, returns to his seat and this time, he places TWO paws on the agent’s arm.

The agent says, ‘That man is carrying cocaine, so again, I’m making note of his seat number for the police.’

‘I like it!’ says his seat mate.

The agent then tells Smithy to ‘search’ again. Smithy walks up and down the aisles for a little while, sits down for a moment and then comes racing back to the agent, jumps into the middle seat and proceeds to shit all over the place.

The first man is really amazed by this behavior and can’t figure out how or why a well-trained dog would behave like this, so he asks the agent ‘What’s going on?’

The agent nervously replies, ‘He just found a bomb !’

Here we go again !! What does it take for the Woodentops to understand the law regarding photography in public. The police really are being totally absurd with photographers, and in this case a 16 year old. Now I am getting angry ! This is one very tuned in 16 year old. This is the most outrageous incident so far in my opinion.

Chris, any chance of you embedding the U-Tube clip?

Police & Photographers

The joys of parenthood eh? Anyway, here are a couple of shots of her, and her new brother – who she is not jealous of in any way (?!?!)

We had been invited to join them for food and drink, which is more up my line. Carol will be the first to tell you that I do not do gardening – unless of course I am press-ganged into it. Their garden is truly diversified, with lots of interesting nooks and crannies fillled with colour and points of interest. They are certainly now able to enjoy the fruits of their labours, watching for their garden hideaway with the odd glass of wine.

One very special feature’s of the garden is the regular visits by the local badger population, who know there is always a copious amount of food waiting for them. One particular pensioner, who is virtually blind and very deaf has certainly credited his longevity to Rob & Ellen’s generosity, ambled in among their guests.

Kodo

I’ve taken this explanation from the Tube.

Kod? (??, Kod??) is an elite taiko drumming troupe. Based on Sado Island, Japan, they have been a major force in the post-World War II revitalization of taiko drumming, both in Japan and abroad. They regularly tour Japan, Europe, and the United States.

Although the main focus of the performance is taiko drumming, other traditional Japanese musical instruments such as fue and shamisen make an appearance on stage as do traditional dance and vocal performance. Kodo’s performance include pieces based on the traditional rhythms of regional Japan, pieces composed for Kodo by contemporary songwriters, and pieces written by Kodo members themselves. The numbers that Kodo perform can change from concert to concert. Kodo’s performance normally lasts for about one hour and forty minutes.

In Japanese the word “Kodo” conveys two meanings: “heartbeat” the primal source of all rhythm and, read in a different way, the word can mean “children of the drum,” a reflection of Kodo’s desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child.

Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts. From worldwide tours and research trips, Kodo brings back to Sado world music and experiences which now exert a strong influence on the group’s performances and compositions. They also collaborate with other artists and composers.

Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo have given over 2800 performances on five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island.

These guys are supreme, and make it look so much fun !

Sado

Thanks to Chris for his detective work and knowledge (see his comment). It has, to a small degree, restored my faith in mankind!

Nikon D200, 18-200mm lens, 1250 ISO @ 1/125sec. Aperture varied at about f5.6

I’ve tried to link this in without success, sorry.

Storys

OK so here are the first pictures of my new grandson. Pushing the limits of the lens – grotty lighting. But, hey ho, it’s an image. The quality stuff comes next week…

Bryn Bach is genuinely a lovely site – without the finesse of caravan club facilities, but perfectly adequate. The downside was supplied by local youths – probably no more than fifteen years, on mini motorbikes, who tore down fenches, letting herds of cattle onto the site, and driving madly around the side at all hours of the day and night. Police were informed, but said they could do nothing because of ‘Health & Safety’. If they gave chase and the kids fell off their bikes the police could be liable. Sorry, that doesn’t wash with me. Something is radically wrong when parents allow their kids out literally all night on motorbikes. So Carol and I have decided that when we return with the caravan in August we will stay at the newly opened Clydach Gorge site. It has some advantages and disadvantages. We will see how it goes. At least it already has the personal touch, and the new toilet shower block is excellent. I’m hoping that the owner might instal some heating in ther before the Winter though!!!!

Anyway, I’m at home for the next two weeks, so catching up on the backlog of photos – and taking lots of photos for Anthony & Lisa – then heading for the sun.

I suppose that I’d better acknowledge this grandfather thing now. No avoiding it any longer!

Quick update – my grandson’s full name is Ellis Lloyd Kavanagh. Hmm? EL Kav!

http://en.tackfilm.se/?id=1276198734331RA75

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/04/birmingham-surveillance-cameras-muslim-community