Chilling out

Just two days to go before I go home. It`s going to be unbearably hot today as it`s 88 degrees and very humid at 8.30 am. Too hot to sit outside for any length of time, so we are just CHILLING OUT. Thank god for air conditioning and the tele.  




Here`s one I took before I left the UK. It was taken at the Eynsham cricket ground just before or after it rained and then it stopped and rained again and again.
Oh my god am I looking forward to coming home to this. Mmmmm. At the moment with this heat and humidity it does look very inviting. We`re a funny lot us Brits aren`t we.
The good news was that Eynsham WON. The cricket game, remember.

102.2 in the shade at midday, that`s about 110-115 outside in the sun. The door handles are even hot to handle. Not going out today. I mean do you blame me!!!

Last minute shopping

Well only 4 days before I come home, so as usual I start to worry about things. I`ve already started packing would you believe. Did a bit of shopping for some little ones back home as I`ve already been asked if I think I might be bringing some presents back with me. ha ha.

Here`s a couple of pictures I`ve taken at Simons and Leighs.

This one is a bit of a photo lesson. Now that I`m approaching semi pro status I thought I had better have a sophisticated marking system between different locations. Now I really shouldn`t do this as I`m giving away secrets of the trade, but that`s just me generous to the end.
As you can see I have very cleverly and accurately focused on my little finger to denote that one photo sequence has ended and another will start, clever innit. This did of course involve shooting and focusing single handed. I have been thinking of developing this " COOKS ACTUAL PHOTO SEQUENCE INDEXING METHODOLOGY ( CAPSIM)" further by using the left hand for the end and the right hand for the start of a sequence but I haven`t carried out any field trials yet. Any suggestions on simplifying this system would be appreciated.




The next one is of that very famous Ed Davison residing with Simon and Leigh as he tries to hide from the Paparazzi (that`s me actually).

I got him, there`s no hiding from me. Ha ha its really Kelly and Meghans other  Grandfather.







This final one today is a picture of a sculpture of an old camera which can be found in the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ, USA and is a taster for when I finish my blog for these grounds in a short while.

Last minute shopping

Well only 4 days before I come home, so as usual I start to worry about things. I`ve already started packing would you believe. Did a bit of shopping for some little ones back home as I`ve already been asked if I think I might be bringing some presents back with me. ha ha.

Further adventures at the Delaware Water Gap

Ok, so having walked at least 3 miles of the 2500 approx. miles of the Appalachian Trail I decided to explore the Water Gap and take some more pictures of the Delaware river and surrounding landscape. I got back in the car and found my way onto the River Road, which, believe it or not, ran along the river not that you could see it, which would have been too much to ask.

It was a quite narrow, winding and quite hilly road, just like being in Wales really except it wasn`t raining. Then something happened which really made me feel at home, " A DIVERSION". Well I followed it for some considerable time and eventually got back on the right road and then it happened. I drove round this bend and I couldn`t believe what I saw, I slammed on the brakes, nearly causing the car following to crash into my rear end,  and after another friendly chat with the driver, I backed my car into this little opening on the side of the road.

Here`s a great photo opportunity I thought, not really on my theme for day, but I got my camera gear out of the car and got ready to take some pictures. Can`t wait to tell you about the last one. Ha ha.

If you were looking for a great location to buy a holiday home, I thought, this is it. The first property, situated near the road and surrounded by trees would be a snip and all it needed was a little work on the roof.

The second home was next to the above one and in similarly excellent condition but this time needed no work on the roof. I must say that I was overjoyed at my find.

I know what you`re saying why do I always have this kind of luck. But it gets better and this next one really put me in a situation where I found it impossible to choose as it was absolutely unique.

Go on then, I challenge you to tell me where you would find a "detached Chimney" in its own grounds.

Ok, I was just joking and I bought this one instead. Yerrrrrrrrrr I wish.

Frogs and snake

It was a beautiful day outside as we sat on the deck watching the squirrels play in the trees in the forest behind Simon and Leigh's house. The birds were singing, the branches of the trees were swinging in the gentle breeze, so although it was quite humid it was also quite pleasant as we chatted amongst each other.

Then we saw it, a small grass snake was attacking one of our pond frogs and had one of its legs in his open jaw. Simon and I ran down to where they were, took some pictures and then proceeded to shake the snake with a small stick until it released the frog. The frog immediately jumped into the pond and the snake wriggled back into the forest.

So, feeling quite pleased with ourselves, we did what all men would do after having a great battle to save our frog, we decided to have a quick drink before going to bed. As you can see we threw our empty cans or bottles in the outside bin.

A satisfying day after all !!!!!!

Visit to the Delaware Water Gap

Today I`ve been planning my forthcoming trip to the Delaware water Gap. I booked the hotel for my overnight stay which was a bit awkward with my British debit card and address but with my sons help we got there eventually.
So, we have the hotel, now we need to plan my trip. Thank god for Google.

One of the first facts that I found was that the Appalachian Trail passes close the Delaware Water Gap. It will be great to take some pictures of this world famous trail.

So, here we are and ready to go at 8.00 am and its a beautiful morning, sun shining and 80 degrees f in the shade. I`m sat in the car setting up the GPS and checking that I have packed everything. Re-adjusted the mirrors and ready to start the car, hang on where`s the steering wheel gone???  Oops. get out of the passenger seat and get into the left hand side of the car where of course the steering wheel is  in the USA,

On my way now, and remembering to drive on the right hand side of the road make it to the Expressway without any problems and expecting a journey of about two hours all being well. Ha ha I didn`t take account of the wrong turn I made after the tolls which led me onto the NJ Turnpike, which I shouldn`t have been on. It was of course the GPS`s fault. It told me to turn right didn`t it but there were two sort of rights and I got the wrong one didn`t I!!! I saw the right one as I was passing it and all these NY drivers were chatting to me as I slowed down to check my way. It was really nice of them. " hey waddare you doing A...hole" so I waved two fingers at them mainly because they don`t know what it means. Anyway for the next half an hour I had a lovely trip round the outskirts of NY, and eventually, with the help of my friendly GPS I got back on the right road.

I eventually arrived at my destination after 3 hours which included a half an  hour delay at roadworks just 4 miles from the Delaware Water Gap turn off.

I was absolutely starving so I called in the local diner a couple of hundred yards from my hotel for a very well earned lunch.

Although I had done some limited research I thought it would be a good idea to check in with local Tourist Information Centre, which incidently was next to my hotel. As I approached the desk this lady asked my if I needed some help and proceeded to give me mounds of information and directions. Isn`t it true though, wherever you go, these attendants at these centres are the friendliest people you could wish to meet. What a lovely lady. So laden with all this information and new found knowledge I set on my way.

I decided to look for the Appalachian trail as it passed the town quite close to where I was. Back in the car and a short ride past the Dear Head Inn, which I duly noticed for tonight`s dinner, I took a turn into the visitors car park, not before I had got lost again and was very tempted by this beautiful golf course I had entered by mistake. Quite excitedly I got my camera gear out of the car and proceeded to my first look at this most famous trail.

DDaaaaa, well it may not look that impressive to you but I`ve just traveled 3500 + 200 miles to show you this. Anyway this is the continuation point for the trail as it goes through Water Gap Township and at this point it follows the Delaware river and I was told by some lovely hikers that if I had followed the trail for only another hour or so I would have got some great pictures of the gap. So seeing that was why I was there I decided to ---- wait and find it by car later. Ha ha you thought I was going to walk the extra hour or so didn`t you, Wrong.  It`s quite interesting actually because I thought the trail would be quite well laid out and although very long would be quite wide and manageable. As, myself and my two new friends the hikers found out, it took some following as it wound through the woods with only the trees with small white markings showing the way. The next few pictures show the diversity in the trail as it passes through the woods. 

More to follow.

A bit of nature in New York

Trip to Sculpture Gardens in Hamilton New Jersey

Lady in Poppys

Spent time in the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton New Jersey which is really worth a visit as there are lots of wonderful sculptures on show.
This one took my fancy as I was walking past in the sweltering heat. Loved the flowers and although they were artificial they looked lovely.

More pictures to follow.