Steve Cram

I would like to start this blog with a little rant about my bt internet! I had planned on blogging more regularly, but having recently moved house and finding out that my maximum internet speed was 0.27mb (it has taken many phone calls, some lasting over an hour, for them to finally admit that this is all I'm likely to get), I'm finding that doing anything on the internet is turned into a massive chore as it takes about a minute for a page to load. This is actually the second time I've typed this post (or variation of), but after clicking the save button and closing the page, I later found out that I hadn't allowed my browser the necessary minute or so to actually complete the task.

Anyway...It was my birthday on the 1st of September, so my plan was to keep my diary free for that day. My plan was all going to, er, plan until I received a phone call a couple of days beforehand asking if I could drive down to St Albans to photograph Steve Cram at a couple of events. It wasn't a difficult decision; I'll have another birthday next year and, at my age, I don't mind missing a few!

It was fascinating to hear Steve talking about achieving the best from yourself and giving a bit of insight into the mind of a successful sportsperson. I'm no runner, but still found the talks motivating and full of positive energy.

HypnoBros, Glasgow

Just got back from a quick jaunt to Glasgow and back to record a Rapid Induction Hypnosis course with Rory & Ash aka The HypnoBros, which was pretty fun.

We left on Friday afternoon and narrowly made the flight due to a broken clutch on the drive to Stansted. On arrival shortly after 8pm, we checked into our hotel, got changed and went for a delicious Thai meal at the Chaophraya restaurant (I thoroughly recommend the Grilled Pork Skewers and Chicken Pad Thai!) washed down with a couple of bottles of Chang beer. Managed to get to bed before midnight, which is a first, I think, for my visits to Glasgow.

The course itself was well run on the Saturday, managing to be light-hearted, yet still educational, and the lads managed to cram plenty of material (and colourful language!) into the day.

It was a pretty hectic day, and I spent most of it on my feet, but we did manage a Wild Boar and Chorizo burger for lunch, which my taste buds much appreciated, then another mad rush to catch the flight home. More car trouble on the way home, thanks to Rory leaving his sidelights on, but fortunately we managed to get a jump-start from an AA chap, and finally arrived home around midnight.

I love Glasgow, it's such a vibrant and photogenic city and the architecture is amazing. I should really organise a trip just to wander around and take some photos!

An Ex-Wild Boar & Chorizo Burger: Homeward bound!

I was privileged to photograph Georgina & Pete's wedding last month (exactly one month ago tomorrow) at Shouldham church and the reception just up the road from me in Middleton.

The weather forecast for the day was a bit iffy and, as promised, started miserable and grey. As the guests began arriving, so did the rain but, fortunately, by the time the bride arrived at the church, the weather was already brightening up. By the time the ceremony finished it had got pretty hot and sticky outside and we were besieged by thunderflies (I still have one stuck in the viewfinder of my 7D).

I had never photographed a wedding at Shouldham church before, and it turns out it is a great spot for weddings, and the undulating fields made a lovely backdrop.

After the ceremony the newlyweds headed back to Middleton in a fantastic-looking vintage white Jaguar (which may well have smelled delightful too if the one or two people leaning in to sniff the interior are anything to go by!)

Back at the reception, there was a coconut shy, props for photos, a jazz trio followed by a rock/pop band, croquet, hula hoops...plenty for everyone to do, and most impressively, they had Hobgoblin on tap :)

I have to say, the bride and bridesmaids were all great, and put up with me taking loads of photos of them first thing in the morning without complaint, and I was well looked after by Georgina's parents, who also catered for the event (and made a delicious job of it, I must say!)

Congratulations Georgina and Pete, I hope you have many happy years together, and thanks for allowing me to be a part of your big day!