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I love the light just after the sun has gone down.

Three days into my health drive I discovered that we were being taken to the appropriately named Fatso's for dinner by Me-mum and Norman. Being a Burger and Chips kinda place I was dreading the diet going down the pan before it had really started. However, having checked through the menu, I decided that the Fajitas were probably the least lardy and ,check this, washed them down with soda and lime rather than a beer which I was gagging for!! Go me!!!





This is the result of eating your own body weight in Curly Fries and Nuggets - the small bloke couldn't even manage to eat the dessert which was included in the price of his meal!!

I was due to deliver a wedding album out to Cromer [ Crewmere - as it's pronounced in Norfolk] today. As the weather was good we decided to all go and make a day of it. Had a relaxing carefree day with Rachel & Daniel.




We walked round the town centre window shopping in shops that seem stuck in a time warp.





I didn't know you could still buy these in todays PC environment.




Also checked out the ultimate in cheesey tat. A birthday present for my friend Mark Fitch maybe!!!




Had a browse round the Cromer Museum Daniel got a bit freaked out by the waxwork fisherman that was staring unnervingly from one of the rooms




After the museum we walked along the cliff top roads to the fantastic Rocket House Cafe which is run by Robbie & Genevieve whose book I was delivering.








After a delicious Greek Salad for me, Crab salad for Rachel and Sausage baguette for Daniel we walked back into town and bought a cake for dessert which we ate on the Pier in what was fast becoming a bit of a gale.




After the cakes we wandered down to the end of the Pier and had a look round the new life boat which is stationed there. Leaving teh building just as the first of the months April Showers visited us. Took refuge at the end of the Pier.



It truly was a shower as it was possible to see the blue sky just beyond the rain cloud and we were able to watch the blue skies travel to where we were standing in the space of about five minute.





Bought some freshly prepared Cromer crab to take back with us and headed for home. A cracking day out!!!

I received an e-mail today with the attached picture of myself. This was taken by one of the guests at Emma & Paul's wedding on Saturday. The picture had rather charmingly been titled "Extra Pleasant Photographer" and was sent by " Sandra the Croat"



Picture : Sandra Forsdyke

I'm not sure what had been said to create such a flattering photograph and I'm still not sure why Sandra has added all those extra chins to the picture Even further incentive to do something about the layer of lard that has mysteriously engulfed my body.

I had spent quite a lot of time with the delightful Sandra on Saturday whilst her boyfriend Matt was playing - he was guitarist/singer in the band. Sandra had explained during the conversation that she was from Croatia and had therefore signed her e-mail Sandra the Croat so I could remember who she was.!!! I think after two days even my small brain would remember Sandra. So here is my picture of Sandra & Matt by "Rob the Brit"

Had my shoot for Sandra Reynolds Agency put back until this afternoon so spent the morning taking the dog out with Rachel and Daniel. the weather was fantastic and it seems almost impossible that only 7 days ago the place was covered in snow.










It was such a beautiful morning enjoying nature doing it's thing. A real "glad to be alive" day. It's times like this when I can just walk out of the office that I remember why I work for myself.

The feel good factor has spread - I've now decided that I am officially a Fat Bastard and am about to do something about it. I bought a bike to get some exercise and get out of the studio for a while last year but didn't get much use out of it before winter set in. Now I'm back on track time to reclaim some of my time and look after myself a bit. I'm not going to disclose the actual numbers but reckon I have about 28 lbs to lose. So there will be a public announcement of progress each Monday. The risk of public humiliation should keep me on track... Watch this space.


Had a call from Chris "The Chrissistant" this morning . He's back from London so was available to help out at Sandra Reynolds shoot. Had a really good shoot out in the sunshine. Top day all round!!!

Drove out to Barnham Broom Country Club to photograph guests at a Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration. Debbie had been a bridesmaid at a wedding I had photographed a couple of years back and wanted me to make a record of the celebrations for her parents.


It was a special occasion to be part of as all the bridesmaids from the original wedding were present. It was such a good testament to marriage that people still do stay together so long.

Photographed the wedding of Paul & Emma today. It was really good to be part of this day - I had met Emma & Paul a couple of years back when I shot the wedding of their friends Ross & Suzy and they were such a great couple it was an honor to be asked to shoot their wedding.

Emma got ready at the lovely St Giles House Hotel in Norwich








Whilst Paul and the boys enjoyed a quick drink at the Adam & Eve PH











Rather than the usual type wedding car, Emma & Paul had booked a "fleet" of rather splendid Morris Minors from Minor Perfections. The cars were all beautifully restored and really added to the sense of fun which was evident throughout the day.























After the ceremony we decided to make use of the Morris Minors and drove from the Assembly House to Elm Hill for some "couply" photos. As the City was busy and parking is limited we decided that I would travel with Paul & Emma in the "Moggie". We used the special limited edition Lilac car [ which very conveniently matched the bridesmaids dresses] and it was simply amazing how much of a stir it caused as we were driving through the busy Norwich streets. I don't think we would have had many more people turning and looking if we'd been naked!








In the evening I had the pleasure of watching the hugely talented "Replica". The band was made up of Paul's university friends wno very accurately covered songs from the likes of Razorlight, Arctic Monies, Kooks and many more. It's a shame they are based in Leicester as I would definitely seek them out again.

Into town today to shoot a teenage workshop for Sandra Reynolds Model Agency

Amongst the new faces were some existing models needing updates for their portfolios. Two of the girls I had photographed before and remember meeting them the first time. Whilst chatting to their mum I discovered that they were given a Christian name when Christened but were each allowed to choose their own middle name when they got to the age of three - which is just the coolest thing ever. Got me wondering what I would have chosen for myself when I got to three.........................

Drove into town today for a day of shooting juniors for Sandra Reynolds Model Agency These two guys were particularly good fun to shoot.

WOW........

Much fun had today.

The weather men got it completely right - hurrah for them. Spent the day eating Easter Egg, Me-mum's meals and making Snowmen. Chilled.

Didn't take a wedding booking this weekend as Rachel's brother and his family are over from Denmark. Had a most pleasant day doing nothing in particular round at Me-mums being excessively fed as usual.

Went for a trek after lunch to work off some of the food. Managed to find the best plaything ever for the children.....




You can't beat a muddy puddle!!!!

The weather started to get grim later starting to snow as promised. The weather men got it right!!

The day started really well. Rachel had excelled herself getting up and producing fresh home made Hot Cross Buns for breakfast. Big Love to her.





We then drove into town for eye tests at Vision Express which is when things went wrong:( I would consider myself a fairly laid back, easy going individual but I have never felt more like punching someone in my life. I had the misfortune of encountering the most creepy, condescending, rude, and obnoxious twat ever - the optician !!

The conversation went along the lines of:-

Opt. - Which is best... one or two?

Me. - Can I just query what I am seeing? [ One of the images was dull and fuzzy - the other was a darker black but had coloured fringing round everything]

Opt. - Can you just answer the question.

Me. - Well I'm not sure which to say is best. What I'm seeing is.....

Opt. [ interrupting] - This is going to take a long time if you are going to query every option.

Me. - Well if you can just resolve the issue with this one I will know how to deal with the next ones.

Opt. - It's not a hard question is it ... one or two!!

Me - Perhaps you had better define best because one is fuzzy but....

Opt [ interrupting again] You need to stop looking at everything like a photographer.

Me - Well that's hard because I am a photographer. They are my eyes being tested so it would help if I could explain to you what I am seeing but you're not interested.

Opt. - One or Two?!!!

Me - Neither you can stuff your test up your arse I'm leaving.


Major Blood boiling on my part which is a shame because the rest of the staff were lovely. This bloke really should be struck off if such a thing is available for opticians....

Should have gone to Specsavers...... Oh, I did. Had very pleasant[?] informative eye test within 30 mins of arriving,prescription sorted and glasses will be ready in a couple of days [ would have been later that day but they didn't have my lenses available. I've gone for the Gok Wan look. Tres trendy!! Full marks for service. I pride myself on providing a good service to my clients - it takes no effort to be helpful and approachable surely I am not wrong to expect this from others

A day of retouching and processing only punctuated by a trip to the dentist for our six monthly check up. The dentist declined the opportunity to get tonsillitis so Daniel stayed with Me-mum whilst Rachel and I went. Rachel has to go back for a filling - one of only a few she has ever had. I got a clean bill of health this time - Ha!

Now feeling the effects of being carer for Daniel for three days - sore throat well established. I don't have any tonsils these days but am sure I would have tonsillitis if I did.

Unfortunately had to contact the people whose shoot I was doing today - I had photographed their son a couple of years back whilst they were up in the area visiting family and they now have a small baby. Stated that I was happy to do the shoot but that we were all suffering from the lurgy thought I should give them the choice as I hate letting people down. Perhaps wisely the shoot was canceled.

In the evening, armed with paracetamol and throat sweets went to Sandra Reynolds to shoot a studio session.