Day 365 LAST DAY !!!!!!!

SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER


AM I SHOUTING? YOU BET!


Ok I'll quieten down now.  I really can't believe a whole year has gone by since I started this blog and that I've managed a daily post and photo.  As New Years Eve is a traditional time to reflect on the past year here are my thoughts and  a resume of events.


On a personal note it has been quite an emotional time.  The year started quietly with the first notable event being an enjoyable few days in our touring caravan, Rosie, at Kingsbury Water Park near Birmingham. A few weeks later in mid February Mother in law had the first of several falls and ended up in hospital until early April with a couple of broken/dislocated bones.  She was home less than a fortnight before we set off to Mexico with the boys for Huw and Mels wedding.  That was a wonderful occasion but the second week away was marred by the news that MiL had fallen and was in hospital again.  She came home shortly after we did and was able to attend the wedding reception a week later. About this time Ian & I also bought ourselves some pushbikes which have been great for helping us keep fit.


In June we spent a very cold and wet time at Silverstone. Despite the weather we had a great few days with splendid company although we were grateful to have Rosie and her heating! Later in the month MiL fell and was readmitted to hospital for 9 days causing us to cancel our planned week in Stratford on Avon.  We managed to go up on our wedding anniversary to see The Merchant of Venice at the RSC and stayed overnight in a B&B. In July we had a lovely 10 days in the Norfolk Broads, although the onset was delayed by MiL needing an emergency opthalmic opinion!  Our biking improved no end on all the flat terrain there, it's so much easier than in Wales!

Also around this time we had the great news that Mel was pregnant and we should be grandparents next March.

At the end of July we were at Broad Haven with Gaz and Vicky trying to be cheerful before they moved out to Australia.  In August our last night at home with Gaz and Huw was one of the most difficult times ever.  It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.  It turns out we probably speak to Gaz more now than when he was in Cardiff!  We have become great fans of Skype.  


A weekend near Chippenham with A&A, immediately after taking Gaz & Vicky to the airport, was a highlight and great cheerer upper.  Our drunken attempts at pool on the Friday night will live long in the memory! The rest of the summer was spent in Broadhaven and then we returned to Stratford to A Midsummer Nights Dream en route to the Peak District for another week in Rosie.  This time we had A&B for company. After a quiet October the big event of the second half of the year was our trip to Australia.  It was reassuring to see Gaz and Vicky happy there and Vicky had organised some wonderful trips for us.   Fraser Island undoubtedly being the best.  A weekend with my cousin John resurrected family ties.  We were particularly pleased to introduce him to the iPad2 and pass on the Skype bug. December has been a bit of a social whirl with visitors and nights out.


As you see I chose an eventful year to record!  As far as my photographic year goes things are harder to summarise.  I'm sure my images have improved although there are quite a few duds amongst them. Although I've taken a photo a day far too many have been taken at the end of the day purely so I could say I had  done that days photo.  Even so some of my eveing ones on the dining table have turned out well.  I feel my composition has improved, in particular I'm learning to keep things simple and have acquired a liking for negative space.  I'm getting to grips with artificial lighting although I have a long way to go on that score but find I can see light in a scene better than ever.  I have had some fun with Photoshop, particularly in shrinking myself and I have learnt the basics of using textures.  I've discovered I like black and white and am aware when taking a photo if that will be the best processing method.  There are probably other things that will come to me over time.  The downside of a daily photo, other than actually having to take one is the incessant pressure to move on.  There were days when I took several reasonable photos but would only have time & space to process a couple so the other languish on the hard disc while I move on to the next day's efforts.


Although this is the last day of my year I think I will do a further post with some of my favourite photos and thought to the future. Perhaps in a weeks time when I've had time to think about things.


Anyway New Years Eve - we had a super time in a bar/restaurant in Porth with Huw and Mel & Mels parents.....and guess what? No idea of a special photo!!  So all I have is a little remnder that time is nearly up, for 2011 and this blog.  A Happy New Year to you all!