This is part of the Italienate Gardens at Trentham, near Stone. It has been a country estate since the 11th century, and although the fine country house that once stood here has been largely demolished over the years, the gardens, originally designed by Capability Brown, have been lovingly restored as a country park. Well worth a visit…
I’ve been thinking for some time that I might slim down my camera equipment – it’s kind of grown somewhat over the last year or so, and there are times when I figure I could just manage with a decent compact camera. However, I’ve always hankered for a good telephoto zoom, and this nearly new Sony 70-200mm f4 lens was too good a deal to miss. Yet to test it out, but I’m sure it will be great!
This spot, Meols, on the Wirral Peninsula, is the closest sea to us. It’s about 75 miles away, or an hour and a quarter by car. I’d seen photos of the boats stranded there at low tide, but hadn’t realized that what looks like a sandy beach is actually rather nasty black sludge, definitely not for walking on! So the only photo I could take was from the concrete slipway, but at least the sunset was good…
Our granddaughter asked me today if I would take a photo for her school ID card. She starts senior school in September – how can that be already? I got my phone out ready to take the photo, only to be told she didn’t want a ‘phone photo’, she wanted a ‘proper’ photo! So out came the SonyA7iii and we had a mini portrait session… 
This is my Olympus OM2n 35mm film camera. I had one ‘in the day’ (around 1979-1980) but it was a bit battered and I sold it long ago. I picked this beautiful example up a couple of years ago and reckon I will never part with it – it’s in pretty much mint condition, came with 28mm and 135mm lenses as well as the 50mm, and even has the original box! Must get out and use it more…
Olympus OM2n (c. 1979) – SonyA7iii & 85mm
As the weather forecast was good when we got here, we had an early supper, and headed to the Giants Causeway – just in time for a massive rainstorm. We sat it out for half an hour and it cleared just as quickly, leaving this fantastic sky.
Near Cleggan, in Connemara, Ireland, this beautiful beach takes its name from an ancient anchor buried in the sand… It is believed to be from the 1000 ton 3 mast barque ‘Verity’, from Nova Scotia, that was wrecked in a storm in 1890. 
My wife has suggested more than once that I have as many camera bags as she has handbags. I can honestly say this not true, although my collection has grown today with the addition of a beautiful Billingham bag. There is of course always an excellent reason for each new bag – today’s purchase is so I can (theoretically) travel light when we head off on holiday next. Just saying…
Rather windy tonight here in Cornwall so didn’t venture out to take photos, but then this awesome sunset appeared… A grab shot with my trusty Sony camera captured it perfectly. 
So, a quick long exposure sunset shot, down by the harbour wall in Porthleven. An opportunity to try out my ‘lightweight’ kit of Sony A6300 and 16-70mm lens. Seems pretty decent. 
One Day At A Time... 