http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/images/viglogo.png I got lost in the tiny roads in Wales one yesterday and found this lovely spot. I do live in a beautiful land there is no doubt. I took four photos and stiched them to make this http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4251-welsh-hills.html I found this lovely reservoir near Swansea in Wales. You really have to look to find this lovely spot. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4250-reservoir.html We live in a very modern society, but perhaps now and again should be reminded about our past. This is near a reservoir as a reminder of the mines that were there years ago http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4249-industrial-past.html I had this planned to take in B&W but in the end just shot it off. It came out very well I think with the sillouette look http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4248-tide-out.html With all the high tech toys the kids have today, they still enjoy playing in the sand http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4247-simple-pleasure.html While on a day out at the local beach I spotted this Mum playing with her little one. I thought it made a very natural photo. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4246-playing-chase.html And the final photo in this small selection of course has to be the birth place of the great writer. (It has to be said that I have never 'got' his works). He was born here in 1564 so this building is getting on for 500 years old. To see the full album click on the link. http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dragonman263/StratfordUponAvon# http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4238-shakespeares-birthplace.html While in Stratford we came across this team of Morris Dancers. This form of dance goes back many hundreds of years. To see the full album and more photos like this click on the link. http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dragonman263/StratfordUponAvon# http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4237-morris-dancers.html This crooked house called Masons court in Stratford is hundreds of years old. It is now used as an art gallery http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4236-masons-court.html This thatched cottage that belonged to Anne Hathaway, is one of the loveliest examples I have seen http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4235-anne-hathaways-cottage.html on a recent outing to Stratford-upon-Avon the first thing I noticed was this Pizza hut. It struck me as a sign on the times that this 400 year old building would be used for this http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4234-17th-century-pizza-hut.html Well here they all are together. Quite how Katie manages the three of them I cannot think! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4088-a-bundle-of-trouble.html This is Cory, at just over two years old, although they are all handsome kids, this one is a real beauty. His blond hair goes back to the roots of the Burns family as we are(or were) all fair haired. My own son looked very like him at his age. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4087-cory-burns.html The middle boy Lewis. He is about three and a half years old, and missing his Dad now he is not there. A lovely lad but noisy! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4086-lewis-burns.html My niece Katie's eldest boy Jake taken a few days ago. He is now over seven years old and like all of them a great kid http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4085-jake-burns.html Taken in my back yard this lovely scented Pink. Did you know that Pinks get there name from the edge of the flower that looks like it was cut with pinking shears? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4084-white-and-pink-pink.html I have not been putting in a lot lately as my wife is still in hospital, but I took this one of my niece Hellen and her boyfriend Luke. I have put several of Hellen over the years, but she really is growing into a lovely young lady. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-4056-hellen-and-luke.html Well this photo was taken at the top of the Keep and shows just part of the land that the lords would have looked at. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3955-a-view-from-the-keep.html If you ever wanted to know what a castle keep is, here is the explanation.(and who would not want to know?) http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3954-so-what-is-a-keep.html The Keep in the castle grounds. The oldest and best preserved in the UK. And yes I did climb those steps! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3953-cardiff-castle-keep.html As if to prove that my new camera has a good zoom, the three pictures were taken from roughly the same place. This shows the stained glass windows.(they need a good clean, but who would do it?) http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3952-octagonal-tower-full-zoom.html A closer view of the unusual tower at the top of the palace in Cardiff Castle http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3951-octagonal-tower-closer-view.html A view of the 'palace' with the octaganonal tower at the top. This was added to the original castle to make a 'summer retreat' and used for about six weeks a year http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3950-cardiff-castle-palace-built-1871.html In Victoria park Cardiff there is this paddling pool for the children and I could not resist snapping away http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3903-the-childrens-paddling-pool.html Well what do you do when the tree has died? Some local artist has carved a face on this one in Thompsons park Cardiff http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3902-face-on-a-tree.html I noticed this cheeky little squirrel while out today. Trying to catch him still was like knitting fog! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3901-cheeky-squirrel.html Still standing proud, this archway that was built by the Romans at about 1150. This place is one of the oldest religious site in the UK and has had a church here since the 6th century. It was virtually destroyed in 1941 during the war, but rebuilt again, such is the importance to the Welsh church. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3900-roman-archway.html This wonderful alter with the superb stained glass behind it and the incredible gold art under the window http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3899-llandaff-cathederal-alter.html The front view of this magnificent piece of architecture. Simply brilliant, that is all you can say of it. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3898-jacob-epsteins-christ-in-majesty-1957-front-view.html Taken in the awe inspiring Llandaff Cathederal in Cardiff. Like a lot of people, it is just there, but go inside and the place is fantastic http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3897-jacob-epsteins-christ-in-majesty-1957.html It seems to be the week for swans as I have noticed that mrtom has uploaded some. Well this is mine taken in Cardiff's Roath park http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3861-preening-swan.html Just a picture of the boats in Roath Park Cardiff waiting to be put in the lake http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3860-boathouse.html Some large ducks just waiting for the kiddies. Are they friendly or sinister? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3859-waiting-for-the-children.html This lovely huge Acer in the parc grounds http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3822-beautiful-acer.html This brilliant red flower was untouched in my photo package. This really is as it came out of the camera. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3821-brilliant-red-rhody.html Parc Cefn Onn really is the undiscovered Jewel in Cardiff. Rarely full and with quiet peaceful walks that you can explore for hours. Dogs are welcome as long as you clean up after them! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3820-a-quiet-walk.html I simple walk around Cefn Onn parc in Cardiff and this close up of this glorious Rhodedendrum http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3819-rhodedendrum.html That is what this piece of art was called from the very moment it went up. Not perhaps what the architect wanted, but what we all call it. Roundabout type junction are very common in Europe, not so much perhaps in the USA. But art work like this is extremly unusual. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3807-the-magic-roundabout.html The huge water tower in the bay area. This is just outside the new Wales Milennium arts centre http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3806-water-tower.html This piece of art is to celebrate the miners that brought the coal from the ground in Wales and the seamen the transported it around the world. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3805-from-pit-to-boat.html One of several hundred pieces of scuplture in the bay area. If you look around they are all over the place. Many like this are seats as well. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3804-the-fish-statue.html This is the fairly new council building in the Bay area. It was designed to have a fairly 'oriental' style about it. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3803-cardiff-council-building.html The City hall in Cardiff with the fountains at the front. The building was finished in 1904 50 years before Cardiff became a city. It is just part of what if arguably one of the finest city centres in Europe http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3802-cardiff-city-hall.html The side view of Cardiff castle. The old bricks at the bottom of the picture are the ones that the Romans put there about 1100 years ago. It was rebuilt by Lord Bute back in the 19th century http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3801-cardiff-castle-side-view.html This is the debating chamber of the city hall. Not much debating lately, more lectures. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3800-the-debating-chamber.html Another photo from inside this magnificent hall. This one is one of the fuction rooms upstairs. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3799-city-hall-2.html It was time to get out and about so I took the camera to Cardiff on a walk around. This was taken in the lovely city hall that is now well underused. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3798-inside-cardiff-city-hall.html Out today in town taking a few photos, and spotted this camera man setting up for a shoot. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3797-photographing-the-camera-man.html This was the next photo taken at the same place but with full zoom. What a difference! As someone who likes close up photos, I am going to enjoy this camera. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3781-close-up-across-the-lake.html Playing with the new camera today, I took this photo at a nearby park. Not much, but I was really trying out the zoom in the next photo. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3780-across-the-lake.html The same picture taken at the full zoom with my new camera. Quite a difference! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3779-cardiff-clock-tower-full-zoom.html A very unremarkable photo of the clock tower at Cardiff castle. Just playing with the new camera. Look out for the next one though at full zoom http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3778-cardiff-clock-tower.html The last photo of the latest in the fleet. All these were taken in the depot which is why the lighting was so bad. These were bought to transport schoolchildren and are all fitted with seat belts as per the law. Unfortunately after the order was put in we lost a load of the contracts! However they have been put to good use on busy routes and are getting used on the schools we do run. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3689-scania-double-deck-bus.html This is the 'bendy bus' or as the firm prefers the Artic bus. It is 60 meters long and will hold over 100 passengers. If you meet two on the road at the same stop, to get past is impossible! They have the same fittings as all the rest. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3688-scania-bendy-bus.html This is one of the latest in the fleet. I may have posted similar before, but these are all the latest buses. All have TV's on board with BBC24 news showing, all have 'kneeling' platforms so that they lower to get wheelchairs on board, and they were all designed with the driver in mind. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3687-scania-metrorider-bus.html Cardiff Bus, the firm that I have worked for, for over 30 years has recently completed a pound25 million($50 USD) refit of buses. The one here was used for over 20 years and has now been given to the council and refitted for winter use by the homeless. It goes around in very bad weather as a soup kitchen at night. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3686-old-volvo-bus.html The last one using dumpr today, this time the refection effect taken outside the WMC our new arts center. This is just for fun , and I have had quite a bit over the last few days http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3565-wales-milennium-center.html Another go with dumpr. this time using a photo of a church that I took some time ago. Once again using the 'museum' effect. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3564-ghostly-church.html Taken on my great nephew Jake's seventh birthday, and used with the dumpr 'museum effect' http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3563-jakes-birthday.html I might have put this in before, but once again I have been playing withg the dumpr effects, and changed it into a jigsaw. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3562-fishing-boats.html A rubrics cube made out of a photo of a volleyball match with dumpr http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3560-volleyball-cube.html I have posted this photo of Kenny before, but this time I have changed it with dumpr into a pencil sketch http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3559-kenny-rogers.html This was taken in Cardiff and the effects added with dumpr. (www.dumpr.net) I have been played with this today, and will add a couple more from this fun program http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3558-the-bay-boat.html Another photo changed dramatically with dumpr. This was a gentle stream running through the lovely lakeside district in the UK. Now it looks dark and forbidding. This used the Lornography method. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3556-the-dark-stream.html Made and saved with the Dumpr software just for fun, this is a photo of two dancers at a ballet we went to http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3555-ballet-dancers.html The barrages at Cardiff Bay. These were installed at huge cost, and work as lock gates letting the water in and out and the ships and yaughts in and out if the bay area http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3324-barrage-opening.html In Cardiff Bay last April. These are the bridges that will open to let the ships back and fore from the bay to the open sea. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3323-bay-bridges.html Taken once again at waterford, this wonderful trophy to the 'Nasdac open' what ever that is. They make about four or five of these individual trophies and the best is sold to the firm that ordered it.(at many thousands of pounds). Then others are put on display and the mold smashed. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3322-waterford-crystal-trophy.html Taken at the Waterford Crystal factory last year this magnificent crystal clock. What do you think its value must be? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3321-crystal-clock.html Another pair of unusual ducks trying to see what they could find. With all the visitors throwing bird feed at them they were never going to starve! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3320-more-double-ducks.html Taken at Slimbridge wildfowl centre a while ago, these two unusual ducks trying to get a little snack http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3319-double-feeders.html Well this will be the last for today, and this one brings back a lot of memories. I have been told by my Mother that I used to hate this as a young child, but I do remember going on many of these years ago. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3162-calennig-5.html The Ice rink at its quietest. This is when the ice rink outside the city hall was being resurfaced. Behind the scenes are hundreds of impatient skaters just getting ready to go out on the ice. I tried to take some photos of them, but the lousy light and movement made it impossible http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3161-calennig-4.html This one, I was experimenting with. I took it on 'S' mode at 1 sec. hand held. I know it should have been on a tripod, but with thousands of people milling around, it would have been impossible. Not the best maybe, but I liked the effect of movement. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3159-calennig-3.html Another photo of one of those rides you would have to pay me a great deal to go on. They seemed to be doing good business though. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3158-calennig-2.html 'Calenning' is the Welsh term for a New Years celebration. Cardiff seems to have taken it for its own, and every year we have a big fun fair near the city hall on New Years Eve. It was quite mild last night so we dragged ourselves out for an hour to join in the fun. We did not stay until New Year, as there was just to many people http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3157-calennig-1.html Our Staff cross, Buster. I had my camera in my hand last night and as I pointed to him and called his name, I got this,' and now what are you doing' look that he has. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3109-buster.html I never did find out the name of this lovely young lady, by she was a brilliant singer, and could really get you on your feet. Wales is know as the 'Land of Song' and by the end the whole audience was singing along http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3099-on-her-own.html Well after the song he decided to take her for a dance! The Orchestra just got on with. As they were the excellent Welsh National Orchestra I guess they knew what they were doing! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3098-dancing-on-stage.html She is still singing love songs to him, and his expression is getting if possible slightly dopier. Mind you so would mine! Out of over 100 shots last night less than 20 came out even with my new camera. The lighting was very poor for photography. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3097-singing-to-the-conductor-2.html If the conductor of the orchestra has a rather dopey expression on his face, who can blame him? He was being sung to by this lovely girl in the Christmas show we went to last night. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3096-singing-to-the-conductor.html This house has had this huge display of lights for years now. This is probably not the best photo, but I only had a few seconds as it is on a very busy road. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3095-christmas-lights.html The last of the uploads for today. I liked this as he was caught just as he came of the fence, and was trying,(successfully) to retain his balance. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3091-horse-show-3.html Another one from the show in Ireland. The Irish as we all know take there horse work very seriously, and there is rarely any type of show or race over here at least where an Irish horse is not somewhere in contention http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-3090-horse-show-2.html Another one I took a couple of weeks ago in Slimbridge. This crazy Flamingo was just trying to get somewhere. (I am not quite sure where!) http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2999-mad-flamingo.html Well this is the last of my uploads for today and to end with I have put something different in. These narrow boats were originally built to tow barges up the narrow canals of the UK, but are now all pleasure boats. If you would like to see the rest of the photos taken on that day then click on http://picasaweb.google.com/dragonman263/SlimbridgeNov07 http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2887-narrow-boats-on-the-canal.html And why do you think they are called that? These are bu far the bigger of the Flamingo's at Slimbridge and are very noisy birds. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2886-greater-flamingos.html Well I assume it is a Blackbird, but if you know better then please let me know so I can correct it. Perhaps not the most exciting photo, but I like it. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2885-blackbird-in-a-tree.html These screamers were very quiet yesterday. The name comes from the call that can be heard up to a mile away. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2884-screamers.html Will someone name this lovely duck? It comes from the USA that I do know. I id wonder if Bev would know it as she is the expert on anything that flies or has fleas! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2883-duck-with-no-name.html These Chilean Flamingo's really are the funniest birds. I took dozens of photos of them in the http://www.wwt.org.uk/centre/122/visit/slimbridge/.html Centre http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2882-look-out-flamingo-coming-through.html I tried to emulate our Bev with this picture of the Swan overhead, but I am just not in her class. Taken at Slimbridge http://www.wwt.org.uk/centre/122/visit/slimbridge/.html on a day out yesterday http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2881-flying-swan.html To end this small upload I have taken a photo of the sky above Cardiff City center. I put in a silhouette of the statue just to add interest a bit. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2862-the-morning-sky.html A slightly different view of Cardiff City hall and the clock tower early in the morning http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2861-cardif-city-hall.html I could not go away for a while without posting something, so this was taken today at 0700 on a very cold morning in a nearby park. I liked the sky and the swans feeding http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2860-early-morning-park.html Once again I had been browsing, and found this one taken in Somerset last June. These kids on the Water Slide were having a blast! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2769-the-water-slide-at-brean-leisure-park.html I know this photo was taken in Scotland and probable in the South West as that was where we spent most of our time, but that is it I am afraid. But there is no doubt that Scotland is a lovely country. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2768-scottish-scenery.html I was browsing through some photos today, and came across this photo of the imposing Edinburgh Castle that overlooks the main shopping street, Princess Street in the city. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2767-edinburgh-castle.html This is my youngest niece Hellen. She will be 16 next February, and is it just a Uncle's pride, or is she growing into a beauty? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2705-hellen-burns.html This is Lewis and at three is a real handful, As with all Katie's children, they really are great kids, but three year olds are trouble anywhere! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2704-lewis-at-3-years-old.html This is little Cory Katie's youngest at 20 months old. A really handsome young man who loves having his photo taken. He laughed out loud whenever the flash went off, but of course never when I wanted to take his photo. And of course never stopped eating which is why he has that mucky face! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2703-young-mucky-cory.html A photo of my niece Katie's eldest boy on his 7th Birthday this week. He wears glasses normally, and looks a lot like Harry Potter! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2702-birthday-boy.html I took this on our recent visit to Westonbirt, and when I was taking it, I was thinking of how I could use PhotoFX with it. It has transformed a very pleasant quiet woodland into somewhere you just would not want to walk. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2692-into-the-dark-woods.html Westonbirt has some lovely walking areas, and we could only negotiate a small part of it with the wheelchair. When I say a small part it was a couple of miles of wood land. But others were walking huge distances
http://picasaweb.google.com/dragonman263/WestonbirtAboretum http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2687-a-walk-at-westonbirt.html A close up of those incredible red leaves. Believe me there were a lot of people with a lot of expensive camera doing the same http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2686-acer-close-up.html Well, I hope you can pronounce it better than me. Another glorious shrub at Westonbirt. The full album if trees are for you can be found here http://picasaweb.google.com/dragonman263/WestonbirtAboretum http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2685-acer-shirasawanum.html We had a day out yesterday in Westonbirt Arboretum. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Part of the forestry commission land and at this time of year the colours are glorious. There is no doubt that we do live in a lovely country. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2684-acer-in-autumn-colours.html Flat and Steep holme in the Bristol channel and at the maximum reach of my zoom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steep_Holm If you are interested that is the link. They are now mainly nature reserves for seabirds http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2683-flat-holme-and-steep-holme.html The picture here is of a disappearing structure. This is the pier in nearby Penarth. These used to to seen all over the seaside towns of the UK, and were built by the Victorians. There are now just 55 surviving piers in the UK. This one has pleasure boats docked to it during the summer http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2682-penarth-pier.html I am not sure if these flowers are the same the world over, but Impatiens are nicknamed 'busy lizzy's' over here. This was taken in my garden this year after the very wet summer we had. Busy's just love water and we had plenty of it! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2674-busy-lizzy.html I took this photo months ago, and I believe have already submitted it in colour. However, I have had another look at with FX and after a photo mask and a B&W look, the animal that sits on the wall at Cardiff Castle has a different altogether. Would you want to be on the wrong side of it? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2663-the-animal-on-the-wall.html This is the drivers view from the cab of the vehicle. They are although they may not look it not that difficult to operate. Just as a matter of passing interest, I took and passed my test in 1970 and still have the license today. It entitles me to drive any bus type that has been made. Although of course I am desk bound these days, I occasionally take a bus to town to keep my hand in. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2657-scania-omnibus-single-deck-vehicle-drivers-view.html I sometimes wonder if you all must think I am a bit of a 'saddo' putting in bus pictures, but I do think that some might find them interesting. If you get fed up with them let me know. This is the latest in the fleet with all the mod cons, such as air con and CCTV as well as on bus TV showing BBC news to the passengers http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2656-scania-omnibus-single-deck-vehicle.html That of course is an old insult that probably dates me as much as anything. But this nice looking lady literally does have her face on the back of a bus! Our firm ran a competition in the local paper to promote our new style buses and about six passengers with be put up large just like this on the bus. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2655-a-face-like-the-back-of-a-bus.html Cardiff Bus occasionally invites small groups of children to a tour of our depot. These after all are the future passengers, and with any luck we can persuade them to behave when they are a bit older. Once again not taken by me, but put in out of interest, http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2654-children-in-the-depot.html This photo was not taken by me, but by a colleague at a bus show. It is the first of 13 of these buses that Cardiff Bus has purchased. We are a bit behind with delivery but as I was uploading other stuff today, I though that I would put this in. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2653-new-double-decker-bus.html Once again I have been playing with a photo and FX. I have the feeling that I may have 'over cooked the goose' with a bit to much fixing. What do you think? It was a perfectly normal very ordinary picture, and now I do like what has been done, but would appreciate some more input http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2644-rhodedendrums-fx-style.html This next photo is the same one, but I have been playing around with Photo FX. This makes for a much more dramatic sky and picture. This is just a quick try, and I will have another go when I have more time. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2636-fleetwood-harbour-with-fx.html Just a picture of the yaughts that I took in the harbour at Fleetwood near Blackpool. The reason for the upload is that the next one is the same picture with FX http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2635-fleetwood-harbour.html The rear view of this incredible boat. Built in New eland they can be immensely proud of the shear beauty of the shape. Do others find it as I do, a art form on water? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2634-earthrace-rear.html This incredible speedboat is in Cardiff Bay this weekend, and is the reason that I was out in a cold sunny morning at 07.00. Check out http://www.cld.co.nz/earthrace.htm if you are interested. Powered by bio fuel it hopes to break the circumnavigation record next year. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2633-earthrace.html Seen in Cardiff Bay today, Oct 5th early in the morning. After a quick search on Google, it appears to be a French Naval ship http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2632-cephee.html While we were in Scotland we bought a fridge magnet of the clan. The Burns name is well known in Scotland with 'Robbie Burns' the poet. I just thought you might be interested in seeing what our clan badge looked like http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2621-the-burns-clan.html We were on a day out and I spotted this lovely car and just had to photograph it. My wife of 38 years came closer to divorce than she ever has when she said,'it's only a car'! I told her I wanted to marry it and have its babies.... That went down well... Is it only a man thing? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2579-jaguar-e-type.html I was taking some photos on the River Clyde, and this old fishing boat was tied up along side the small dock. Somehow it just seemed appropriate to put in B&W. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2578-old-fishing-boat.html Have you ever wondered how the name Tweed came into being? This of course is the tough material from Scotland. Well this is the River Tweed and next door is the small village of Tweedsmuir where it was started off. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2566-the-river-tweed.html Taken at Gretna Green this is the Blacksmiths shop where they used to marry the lovers that rushed across the border. The still marry people here today http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2565-the-old-blacksmiths-shop-at-gretna-green.html Another view of the wheel. More photos from links in the forums http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2564-the-falkirk-wheel-2.html If you are ever in Scotland a visit here is a must. This fantastic engineering project was designed to take the place of six locks and is powered by just a couple of kilowatts of electricity http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2563-the-falkirk-wheel.html This is the set that was designed by Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen. Not heard of across the pond maybe, but well know over her as a INTERIOR designer. Garish maybe, but so is Blackpool http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2562-blackpool-illuminations-2.html The start of the illuminations at Blackpool. There are many more in the album that I will link to in the forums but I wanted to put a couple in to start it off. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2561-blackpool-illuminations.html While waiting for the illuminations to start I spotted the sun going down behind the clouds and thought that it would make a good picture http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2560-blackpool-sunset.html While in Blackpool we drove to nearby Fleetwood and found this harbour. How the other half lives! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2559-yaughts-at-fleetwod-harbour.html Perhaps the vehicles that Blackpool is best known for, these trams service up and down the front and have done for many years http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2558-blackpool-trams.html There are plenty more photos and I will link to them through the forum, but this one I had to put in. This engine room is how it always looked all the time. It has powered the yaught over one million miles and it still pristine http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2557-the-engine-room-on-the-britannia.html On board the Britannia still and this really blew me away. To think of the powerful men and women that have eaten in here. From Churchill to Bill Clinton they have all been here. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2556-the-state-dinning-room.html Taken behind glass but I was so shocked at the sight of this Rolls Royce on board the Britannia that I just had to put it in. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2555-the-royal-rolls.html On holiday in Scotland we visited the Royal Yaught Britannia which is now a tourist spot. The attached photo is of the bedroom that the Queen used to sleep in. Just a single bed as the queen and Duke have always had separate rooms. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2554-the-queens-bedroom.html This glorious Jag was at the museum at Bourton and is the stuff of dreams for me many years ago. Mind you if I could get my backside behind the wheel it would be now as well! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2486-jaguar-x-type.html This old BMW was taken at Bourton on the water museum. Did you know that the first BMW's were built in the UK? They were old and slow and soon moved to Germany where as we all know they are now new and fast! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2485-bmw.html This was taken at the car museum at Bourton. It is a Austin taxi cab of the 1930's vintage. It is only a small museum but there are some lovely cars there. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2484-austin-taxi.html A day out at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds area of the UK. A lovely little place only spoiled by me. The tourist. But of course they make a lot of money from us so it is all relative I guess. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2483-bourton-on-the-water.html The things you see when you leave your cannon at home! Of course with my Nikon I could not blow it out of the water! Seen at Cardiff Bay on a dull damp evening when we went to a concert. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2453-the-galleon.html I just wanted to upload this one. It is not a brilliant picture, but Dad passed away today and I guess I am still coming to terms with it. This is a quite unusual photo as I am usually behind the lens. Mum managed to take this one with my old camera. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2406-me-and-dad.html I took this some time ago with the old camera in a churchyard nearby. I have been messing around with B&W and some of the other settings and came up with this. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2367-churchyard-scene.html The name means 'Red Castle; in Welsh and it is situated a few miles from Cardiff. See below from the Castle Wales web site This building is chiefly known as a romantic folly supposedly reproducing a small medieval Welsh chieftain's stronghold, built in the 1870s, for the 3rd Marquess of Bute to a design by William Burges, and possessing the most remarkable interior decoration. However, it was built upon the remains of a genuine 13th century castle built in two stages. Evidence was found of the building having been deliberately slighted by mining. The castle was probably founded by a Welsh lord in c1240-65 and had a round tower keep at the SW corner of a tiny D-shaped courtyard with a hall on the south side, all built of rough rubble sandstone from which the building took the name Castell Coch, or "Red Castle." It stands upon a platform commanding the gorge of the Taff and was protected towards the higher ground by a deep dry moat from the bottom of which the walls rise with a very b http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2329-castell-coch.html I have to say that a lot of these were fairly lucky. I set the camera to speed photos and for quite a few I used the 2.5fps speed of the camera. But I did like this one as he came into view. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2328-racing-into-the-camera.html The expression on the face is just of determination to win. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2327-aberdare-park-4.html More from the races and this time they really are starting to race. This is the Welsh open http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2326-aberdare-park-3.html I don't know the names of these guys as I just went for the photos, but they certainly were having a good time. I got muddy and walked for miles and was tired out. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2325-aberdare-park-2.html I went to the small welsh valley town of Aberdare today to watch the road racing. This takes place in a park in the middle of the town and they stop the bikes every race to let in the public! By the way this guy I was told later was only having a practice! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2324-aberdare-park-road-race.html Here are pieces waiting to go to the finishing process. They are put in some sort of acid bath to get the marks from them before the final polish and cut http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2322-on-to-the-finishing-room.html Paraman suggested that I might show a finished glass piece after the last upload. Well this is not quite finished, but this guy was a bit of a showman, and got on very well with the visitors showing the bowl he was working on. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2321-showing-the-glass.html In the Waterford crystal factory where this guy was showing how the cut glass crystal was made. This was taken on a bank holiday, but normally the factory would be at full pelt. Turning out souvenirs for the Americans to take home.... http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2312-concentrate-on-the-glass-cut.html I was wandering around some gardens in Ireland, and came across this huge fern. I never did find its name. It seemed to be a good subject to try out the DoF on the new camera at the time. Isn't it funny how things are always a good idea at the time...... http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2311-fern-in-dof.html Another one from the trip to Ireland in May. I wanted to see a stud farm, but they are locked against casual visitors. These two were standing in the grounds just looking at me. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2310-just-horses.html Why would I put in this photo of this huge building? It is actually the University Hospital of Wales about 3 miles from me and my wife is now a in-mate. I had this daft idea of going to the highest spot to Photograph this factory of a hospital. And this is just one small part of the grounds. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2309-the-sick-factory.html This is the latest bus in our fleet at the moment the Scania Articulated bus. They are state of the art with TV's front and rear for the passengers and 12 CCTV cameras both inside and out. Price? Nearly pound200,000 each and we bought 16 of them. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2306-scania-bendy-bus.html This is one of the last Volvo Ailsia's that Cardiff Bus own. It has been with us now for over twenty years and has had its day. They will be replaced soon with a new fleet of double deck buses. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2305-the-last-volvo.html Not all photos have to be beautiful birds or scenery much as I like seeing them. This was the result of a young man driving at speed showing off. I am afraid he did not make it. The bus driver is still on the sick and a family has lost a son. What a waste! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2304-bus-crash.html Buses are tougher than they look as the driver of the car that was using his mobile while driving on the wrong side of the road on a bend found out. He got away with hospitalization and was very lucky to get that. The police might have another view though......... http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2303-never-use-your-mobile-while-driving.html Cardiff like most large cities keeps on getting built on. Across the road will be another huge shopping center which is why maybe the huge block of apartments are not selling well. (Like we need more shops of course) http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2280-more-concrete.html I was in town today, and this view took my eye for some reason. The huge building in the background are new flats,(and are not selling well by the way) and next door was a fairly new building that is now being rebuilt. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2279-the-concrete-jungle.html Another one from the Rock 'n Roll night this lady was named after the great rocker. She is damn good as well but she screamed into the mike as I was taking this and cleaned the wax from my ears! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2210-jean-vincent.html No you almost certainly have never heard of him, but he is very good and you will in the future I think. We saw this guy at a Rock'n Roll night last night. He is very much a young 'Shakin Stevens http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2209-rick-aron.html This was taken of all the birds trying get get at the food the visitors were throwing for them. Greedy lot! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2205-swan-ducks-and-gulls.html What with al the brilliant photos lately from Bev I thought that I would try something. Well this cannot match hers but this wasp was feeding from the rose and I took it before it fed from me! http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2204-warm-wishes-with-wasp.html There are some extensive rose gardens in Roath Park, and of course they have been quite damaged with the recent heavy rain. Not all though and this was a beauty. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2203-mme-alfred-carrier.html I was just going to take a photo of our dog Buster asleep and tired because he had been chasing his toy and of course he decided to get up. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2202-buster.html Gliding serenely on the lake was this lovely black swan http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2201-black-swan.html I was in our local park yesterday, and they have put this dragon in some flower beds. They have done a good job of it as well, http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2200-flowery-dragon.html This will be the last from this for now, but you might remember the B&W I put in called 'Jazz Man' recently. This guy was from the same band and is just quietly sittiing there playing and enjoying himself. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2059-the-confederation-jazz-band.html I just though that I would put a few new ones in from the Bath and West show, and this one I loved. It is just a absolute mix of colour. I think the flowers are fresia's but that really does not matter does it? http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2058-a-riot-of-colour.html This 1939 fire engine was at the Bath and West show. It served during WW11 and was scrapped in 1964. It was found 15 years later and restored to this incredible condition. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2057-leyland-cub-fire-engine-1939.html While in Somerset for the weekend, we drove to Minehead and this steam train was in the station waiting to be hooked up to take enthusiasts on a trip. This goes back to just before I joined British Rail as a apprentice. I joined the year after Steam was changed to Diesel. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2008-steam-train.html At the Bath and West show, this beautiful new Fushia was one show in the flower tent. What wonderful colours on display http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2007-royal-velvet.html I have a bit of a thing about traction engines, they are just purely mechanical and this one made in 1898 is still working as well as when it first started up. Taken at the Bath and West Show in Somerset. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2006-steam-traction-engine.html It seems a long time ago that I said in one of the forums that I would love to get a good shot of someone playing the horn in a smoky jazz club. Well there is no smoke and no club, but this guy and his band were playing at the Bath and West show. B&W for effect. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-2005-the-jazz-man.html I thought since I was uploading, then I would put in one of myself and my wife. This was taken at a function while we were in Ireland by someone at our table. One rare photo as I am always behind the lens http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1977-me-and-mary.html If you ever go to Dublin, NEVER drive in there! The place is great, but a madhouse for traffic. Instead park on the outside, and get the Luas tram in. This is a brand new state of the art system and as someone who has worked for public transport for most of my life, this fasinated me. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1976-the-luas-line.html We had to go to the Waterford crystal factory and have the tour. It is very interesting as well. I took about 50 photos here and this is just one of them using DOF.(I hope) http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1975-waterford-crystal.html This was taken with several others at a restored gardens near Tullow in County Carlow. A lovely peaceful place but very awkward with a wheelchair http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1974-altiment-gardens.html A week in this lovely country, and you might be surprised to know that I did not take many 'scenery' photos. But what would be the point? They would all look alike. Simply stunning scenery all day long http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1973-lovely-ireland.html I took over 70 photos of these, and I am not going to put any more in. I will make up a album from the trip soon. However, I just wanted to put a couple in from that afternoon. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1972-show-jumping-2.html After a week in Ireland, what was the first thing I looked at? Show jumping. This was a show at Thomastown in Kilkenny. There was no fee to go in, and it was 'just go and enjoy yourself'. What a lovely country. This and many more that I took that day, I believe are ten times better than the last lot I put in with the old camera. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1971-irish-jumping.html This is my niece Hellen who is now 15 years old. She usually likes to pose for me, and I took this against a window very close up. It has not been cropped at all, and I hope shows a lovely young girl on the way to being a lovely lady http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1968-moving-into-a-woman.html I was just about to take a quick shot of niece Katie with her youngest son Cory, when this massive toothy grin came out. I love this photo. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1967-im-with-mum.html I went to see my niece yesterday as Lewis is three years old. (He is the one in the middle). I managed to get them all to sit still for about a minute to take this one of the three brothers. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1966-three-scamps.html There are few singers that can put there heart and soul into a song like Roy Orbison could. This guy was as good as the real thing and his voice made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. All these were taken with the new camera, and compared with the picture I put in of 'Elvis' a few weeks ago, I think are much better. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1959-the-big-o.html As well as the Everleys we had Buddy Holly and more. This guy was brilliant and really bought the house down. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1958-buddy-holly.html Well maybe not, but these two were in a show called 'In Dreams' that we watched last night. They may not have been the originals, but they were very, very good indeed http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1957-the-everley-brothers.html Well not maybe with the sound of music, but certainly with beauty. We went out for the day yesterday to the Brecon Becon National Park, and I took this view there. The day was quite hazy as you can see. I tried a few 'fixes' but they just made the picture worse. So what you see is what you get. http://www.freeimagebrowser.com/today/p-1956-the-hills-are-alive.html