New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

'no, I definitely don't know this tune'

'oh yes, I know this one....it's The Birdie Song'!

As I stepped into our conservatory I found this blackbird sitting on our radio!  Well definitely couldn't let this go without a photograph or two!  Camera always at the ready for opportune moments....but wasn't expecting this! :)

New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset Photography

About to to take a few days off to visit family whilst my other half was sailing in Cork week and I went down with an eye virus....consequently was unable to visit my beautiful grandchildren for fear of them getting it!  So, feeling very sorry for myself I booked myself into the Sandbanks Hotel for some 'me' time (ensuring I kept a good distance from anyone) and a night of luxury!  I wasn't disappointed!  I got an extremely good one night deal for one person in a single room with a balcony overlooking the front of the Hotel and the windsurfers and kitesurfers (probably lucky school holidays hadn't begun as the Hotel would probably have been fully booked)!

I arrived on the Saturday disguised in dark glasses!  Booked myself in and was thrilled with my room...just perfect for a person who wanted to be shut away yet still see the world at play!

I ventured down on to the terrace and sat at the very end overlooking the beach and had a fabulous ploughman's lunch!  Without wine unfortunately as I was on antibiotics!  Of course, I always had one friend with me (my tried and trusted friend....my camera!)  

It was just like being abroad on holiday, sandy beach and people enjoying their free time.  This picture just about captures the essence....just so much going on and ice cream too delivered to the beach!

I then walked along the sandy beach to the Beach Polo....quite a long walk and I had forgotten how difficult it is to walk in deep sand!  Whew! 

When I got to the polo, the poor commentator was hoarse (pardon the pun!!) could hardly understand what the poor man was saying!  Quite exciting but just a pity you couldn't get closer. Fortunately I had carried my tried and trusted friend with me and its telephoto lens, which allowed me to get some quite good shots through the several layers of fencing that had been put up to keep us all at a safe distance!

Anyway back to my room for a lovely shower and down to dinner in the fab restaurant.  There was a wedding going on at the Sandbanks Hotel too (by the way, a fabulous venue for a wedding), but that didn't in any way affect the excellent service in the restaurant.  The only fault I could find was that I couldn't have a jug of water as there was a shortage of jugs!  However, my glass was refilled constantly!

The following morning I sat on my balcony overlooking the kite surfers all up bright and early to catch the tide and the wind!

After an absolutely fabulous breakfast of wonderful fresh fruit and, of course, egg and bacon (would have been rude not to!) I checked out not feeling guilty at all for having some 'me' time and it was just what the Dr ordered (well he didn't, of course, just prescribed pills and eye drops!)  Thank you The Sandbanks Hotel for giving me a well earned break!

New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

I got a little distracted in the garden this afternoon when I found the water lilies coming into bloom in the pond!  I think Malcolm had kept these from me so that I wouldn't get sidetracked (he knows how easy it is for me when I see something that requires a photograph!).   Anyway I only took one photograph and downloaded it straight away, gave it a pastel colour enhancement in photoshop and 'hey presto' made a greeting card with it!

Just thought I would share the image with you anyway!

Will definitely be keeping an eye open now for the full bloom!

Better get back to my wedding photography now!

New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

Always Remember

Always remember to forget
the things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
the things that made you glad
Always remember to forget
the friends that proved untrue
But don't forget to remember
those that have stuck by you
Always remember to forget
the troubles that have passed away
But never forget to remember
the blessings that come each day
Author Unknown
Today, for a change, I thought I would share some of the personal things I like to remember, things that cheer me up when, as the song goes 'When the Going Gets Tough'.This year has been so busy with wedding photography and portrait photography, I have rarely had the chance to spend time with family, so my photographs always come to my aid and cheer me up!

Me and my little grandson, Harry.

and my grand-daughter, Harry's twin sister, Jess.

My son and his nephew, (my grandson) Charles

And a photograph of my grand-daughter on holiday in Spain, that I was privileged to share and had a wonderful week having some quality time with my grandchildren, Ella, Jess and Harry.

Me and my two grand-daughters and their trunkis.  I bought the three small grand-daughters trunkis for Christmas and we were all a little concerned as to whether they would like them or know what to do with them.  No need to worry they were a resounding success!

and Charlotte and Harriet, my older grand-daughters who avoid me like the plague when I have a camera in hand!  




I gave Charlotte's pic a moody look in photoshop!

Lovely photographic memories to keep me going until some free time later in the year:)  Not too much later hopefully!

New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel'

Maya Angelou

There is absolutely no doubt at all as to how this man makes this woman feel!

Photography to keep your memories alive.

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New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

"God Almighty first planted a garden, and indeed it is the purest of human pleasures.  

It is the greatest refreshment to the spirits of man."

Francis Bacon ‘Of Gardens’

The lovely wisteria in white and purple.  Whatever the colour, as you walk past these beautiful blooms you can't help but notice the wonderful perfume.

New Forest and Hampshire Photographers

Just a little distraction yesterday when I sat in this garden with a cuppa, just had to take a picture of the lavender just getting ready to burst into flower! 
I will definitely be visiting this garden again when the lavender is in full bloom.  I can just imagine sitting here with a glass of wine and the aroma of wonderful lavender.   Aaah.....heaven!  And then I started to wonder how you could keep the reminder of that perfume and searched the web for Pot Pourri.  I found this on a lovely website by a lady called Elaine, the page is called Elaines Lavender Page and has all kinds of quotes and facts about lavender.  Many thanks Elaine!

LAVENDER POT POURRI.

Ingredients

1 cup English Lavender flowers

1/2 cup Marjoram leaves

1 tablespoon Thyme leaves

1 tablespoon Mint leaves

1 tablespoon Orris Root powder

2 teaspoons ground Coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground Cloves

a few drops Lavender Oil

Directions

Mix the flowers and leaves together.

Blend Orris powder, coriander and cloves separately,

then stir in the lavender oil and add to the dried material.

This mixture can go into sachets or into bowls.

Oh well no harm in a little day dreaming sometimes and switching off allows you to recharge the batteries!