BBC Class Drama

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01y47f7/from-there-to-here-episode-1

Excellent drama ..

Wonderful Cast http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01y47f7/credits

Oh Dear ...

My blogging entries have been a little haphazard these past few months. I should really get back into writing regularly. I have been working such long hours that writing my blog has taken a non priority role ... but I used to so enjoy writing when I was at Uni ... I should get motivated and write, research, do more of my art ... my boss has said that she promises that I will be getting less hours. I'm only meant to work 16 - 18 hours a week, this part time strategy was to enable me to concentrate more on my art and photography. I don't mind working the extra hours because I do enjoy my work as a Community Carer, but less would be good. Caring is an industry that sadly is understaffed and underpaid, relying on people who enjoy being committed to the well being of elderly people, and who find it hard to say no to extra hours!! When the time is right ... I'm sure I will have more free time ... it will happen.

That time could be soon.

I met up with an artist friend yesterday afternoon to discuss the possibility of setting up a community art space .. somewhere where artists of all disciplines could gather to work, to exhibit, to do anything they wanted to do ... its a great idea that has been successfully implemented in Swansea and in Bristol. Our first port of call should really be to talk to people who have done this before.We need a better idea of how to start a project like this. It may not be feasible to do here in Pembrokeshire but succeed of fail, its better to have at least given it a go. I'll write more of this when I know more myself.

Now for a picture or two... (Digital pics on Bank Holiday Monday)

A Corner of My Garden

Growing Potatoes

The Postbox 

Sunday Walk in Peggy Wood 

Walking on Water 

Wild Flowers behind a fence 

A Pretty Cottage in my Village 

Bluebells

Its a Windy Day ...

Digital Image shot at Saundersfoot Beach

Manorbier in March

Film Exposed to Light while Rewinding

I hadn't used my Contax 35mm film camera for quite a while and I must admit I do for some reason find it quite tricky to use. I don't seem to be able to get the focus right in all the images, and when the aperture flashes at me on the info screen, I don't know what it means. (I have looked it up in the booklet and it says that the speed is too high/low. But the thing is, how am I meant to change the speed when all I can do is change the aperture and changing that does not solve the problem!

But this particular film was exposed twice while I was rewinding it. It has stopped making its "burry" noise so I opened the back, only to find that the film had not completed its rewind and so hey ho disaster. Not that the images were much good anyway! I'll put this one down to practise and experience! 

Since developing this film, I have sent two black and white films that I shot with the Contax to be processed. When I get them back in the post, I do hope that they will be better.

Rain on the Lens

Some mobile shots of my walk along Saundersfoot beach, and the old Ironworks in  Step-A-Side this morning. Its a little infuriating to wake up every morning to the howling winds and the crashing rain, but as I have a couple of days off, I'm not going to spend every minute of my time staying indoors. 

I don't mind being out in any kind of weather, but I tend to stay close to home when the weather is so atrocious, as I don't know where I may come across some flooding, and I don't want to be stranded. 

I was so cross with myself when, after taking a few shots with my 35mm Contax camera, the battery ran out. So I had to revert to my mobile. I always forget to take a spare battery with me. 

I've sent a couple of Black and White films to the thefilmprocessors.co.uk to develop.They will probably arrive towards the end of the week. They're a really good company if your looking for somewhere to send your films. They're service is quick, and there is always someone on the end of a phone if you need some help or advice.

Lately my 35mm colour films have been a bit of a disappointment, but I think its partly because I'm taking random shots of anything instead of having a specific idea to work with. I have started thinking about a project to shoot with my 120mm cameras. But I have been concentrating on learning and training for my new job. Its going to take a little time to get used to early mornings, and working again, having spent 4 years as a mature student. But I'm really enjoying the work as a community carer and feel that I may have found a new vocation at this juncture in my life. Having work that I enjoy is really important to me; as I'm working on a part time basis, I will be able to continue with my art photography.

I contacted a local Samba group this morning and I'm waiting for them to get back to me. I've always thought that I would enjoy drumming and would really like to be involved in some musical activity. It does depend on if they have a workshop where I can go and learn to craft, and also when that might be. But I'm hoping that it will work out that I can join the group and participate sometimes.