2003-2005

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Some more pages from November 2003 to spring 2005

	Newquay, is in mid Wales in what was once Cardiganshire. It is on the coast with a small harbour and steep streets that once enjoyed Dylan Thomas's presence as he lived here with his wife for a time after leaving Laugharne. It has fish and chip shops, lots of holiday cottages and a large caravan site just to the north of the town. We were there for just a day and a half to sample some of its attractions.
	Barcelona is one of those 'must see' European cities. I'm lucky to have been twice and still haven't seen it all. That flag bearer for the late 19th century Modernista movement, Antoni Gaudi is the cities most famous architect and examples of his amazing architecture are all over the city. You might not learn much of the history of the city on these web pages but I hope to capture some of the visual feast that the city just 'is'. There are six pages of pics of this city.
	Pendoylan, a small village in the Vale of Glamorgan has on various occasions been awarded the 'Best kept village in South Wales' award. It's just a few miles from Cowbridge amidst lush, verdant countryside. July 14th, 2005 was a special day for the village as Prince Charles and Camilla spent almost two hours sampling village life. I was there...
	Each year, the small town of Llantwit Major has a Victorian day when the town turns the clock back a hundred years or so. I went along in 2005 for a quick sampler of what it's all about.

	Middle of May saw me in a once in a lifetime trip in a hot air balloon in the Welsh Borders. If you ever get the chance, go for it!
	Charles and Camilla tied the proverbial knot of marriage on April 9th 2005 in Windsor, England. I was fortunate to be working on the TV coverage and I took a few pictures of the build up to the main event. There are no pictures of the happy couple or any other Royals, just of ordinary people apart from a few famous guests to our little studio.
	The biggest set of web pages yet on this site, of that most diverse country: Chile. In November 2004, Jean and I went on a Bales holiday: Chile, Land of Contrasts. Oh boy, the title tells all! There are a few info gaps on birds flora and fauna that I intend to fill in the near future. My Canon EOS 20D worked overtime for 16 days, approximately 1400 pics (photos) taken. Edited down to a more manageable 370 or so, I hope they will give you a background to this amazing country.
	Mid October 2004and we took a short look at the delightful 'lost' gardens of Aberglasney in South Wales. It was a wet, cloudy day, but...
	Autumn 2004 found me in London town once more for a bit of gentle 'flying' courtsey of British Airways on London's worst kept secret: The London Eye. By night... More 'recent' pages can be found by clicking here

	Concorde is a fairly recent addition. Well, October 2003. I am an enthusiast of this historic piece of Aviation technology and recently had the opportunity to take some close shots of her flying into history. There are some short movie clips here. If you would like to buy a genuine high quality Concorde print, click here.
	This is the house in Cottontree, Lancs., where I spent much of my childhood. Taken in 1937, this is part of an updated page on the village. I am always happy to include more information and pictures that are relevant.
	As well as everything else, I managed to do a little bike ride, for 'fun' this time. My son Richard and I cycled back from North Wales to South; coast to coast in three days. Read all about it!
	2004 has been a good year for me. I attained the age of 60 without too many problems, and a lot of good things have happened to me too. September 3rd was memorable because I was able to take up one of my birthday presents: a flying lesson! Yes, a lesson at my age! How excited I was , (yes it's possible to be excited even in your 7th decade) Here am I about to climb into a Warrior II four seater aeroplane. Read on...
	On a beautiful day in August 2004, The South Wales Hardy Plant Society had a trip to England to Home Covert and Hill Farm Barn.
	End of June 2004 was the start of our holiday trip around Northern France to catch up with some of our friends who now live in mainland Europe. The weather was variable, but the friendships and welcomes were strong. Tony Escott on the left, moi on the right somewhere deep in the Vallée du Lot. Click here to check out our little tour de France.
	There is a sea cave on a beach near Llantwit Major on the Heritage Coast of South Wales. It is in Tresilian Bay.
	Ed Cloutman, a multi skilled friend and photographer, setting up his telescope to track the image of Venus passing across the sun on June 8th 2004.
	Great Dixter, Rye and Winchelsea, Petworth, Sissinghurst and Bodium Castle were the subjects of a few days away in Kent and east Sussex for Jean and I in early May 2004. The weather was grey and rainy but the charm and colour of those quintessentially English places shone through. Take a peek at a corner of England previously relatively unknown to me through the eyes of my camera.
	The Yorkshire Dales beckoned, and I obeyed. It has been a long time since I last visited Malham, Grassington, Kettlewell, Hawes and Aysgarth. 30 years actually, and I readily took the opportunity to re visit the countryside that I had explored with the knowledge and enthusiasm of my then In-laws. It was super, and I drove around with a fixed smile on my face as the names of my youth re appeared on signposts: Brimham Rocks, Burnsall, Skipton and many more.
	Bodnant Gardens at Easter time are a riot of Spring colour
	Slade House, near Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan was open to the public for an afternoon in early April as part of the National Gardens scheme. Jean and I went along to take a look.
	March 13th was the exact date that 750 years ago, Cowbridge was given its charter by Richard de Clare. Here is my record of some of the many happenings of that day.
	March 1st 2004 was much more special than usual for Cowbridge and South Wales. Prince Charles came to a special St. David's day Civil Service in Holy Cross Church, Cowbridge. Along with a thousand or more other people, I was there. All the pictures displayed will be on sale shortly.
	A short photographic trip into the Brecon Beacons on a snowy February day.
	Some pictures taken with a Macro lens (Canon F2.8 100 mm) around the garden
	Cardiff Bay keeps on changing, and that's what keeps Cardiff such an interesting city. Some pics I took this in mid January of HMS Monmouth's visit and some shots of the almost complete Millennium Centre which is to be an international arts centre presenting all forms of music theatre - musicals, opera, ballet and dance. Click here for more info.
	November 26th 2003 saw Concorde's last flight, ever, from Heathrow via the Bay of Biscay into Filton, Bristol, her birthplace and to her final resting place where she is to appear as a museum piece. Sad. You can order limited edition pictures of that day by clicking here.