Thursday 27th March - Charlie Barnett

Hello to you all.

Although still not 100% I am now well enough to be back at work. The downside to being off work is coming back to see a mountain of paperwork awaiting me. By the time I get through it all and catch up I’ll be off for another two weeks booked holiday and then I’ll come back to another paper mountain to climb.

During the Easter weekend my secretary and I visited some more Somerset villages. This week’s update, Milborne Port, was one, along with Burrington, Cluckington, Horsington, Wincanton and the fantastically named Nempnett Thrubwell. You will see the results in due course.

Sad news this week in the passing of a dear friend, Charlie Barnett.

Charlie was a character. One of a kind. A bit eccentric sometimes but always friendly and would always have time for a chat and a drink. Unfortunately his lifestyle got the better of him. After being admitted to hospital for tests he never came home.

You were a good friend Charlie B. We will miss you.

Charlie Barnett 1960 - 2008

Thursday 20th March 2008

Hello again.

Another Thursday, another week off work. I do feel better than last week though. It’s been some time since I’ve had two weeks off sick. In fact, if my memory serves me, I think the last time was back in 1980 after the famous football/brick/nose incident. I stress to add that the whole thing was a complete accident with a large element of misfortune on my part. Still, at least it’s a better story than a virus.

Anyway, regular visitors to the Somerset3d website will (hopefully) have noticed a few changes to its look. As I’ve had some time to spare (you can only watch so much TV you know) I thought it was time to do a bit of spring-cleaning around the site. I haven’t done too much, just tidied things up a little. The navigation bar has been improved and the ‘Speakin Zumerzet’ feature now has it’s own page. This will make it easier to check how popular the feature is to help decide whether to continue it in the future.

This week’s update is Bleadon and I’ve added more pictures at Milton Clevedon. There’s not much at Milton Clevedon but the church is worth a visit.

There’s not much else to say, as I haven’t been anywhere to do anything. So I’ll bid you farewell for now as I must head to the kitchen for another lemon based medicinal hot drink (no product placements here you know).

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. Dutch Proverb.

Thursday 13th March 2008

Good day to you all.

Today's blog is being written, whilst heavily sedated, from my sick bed, hence the late posting. My 7 year old stepdaughter very kindly shared her virus with me at the weekend, and I've been off of work ever since. It's not the best of ways to spend a birthday is it? Yes, I'm yet another year older today. I now have 46 good years under my belt and now for number 47. Unfortunately my waist measurement is beginning to catch up with my age. I don't like the idea that the journey around my waist is longer than the journey down my inside leg. As soon as this virus clears it's back to the exercise regime.

As for the photography, well the virus has taken care of any trips out. Having said that, the weather here has hardly been photography weather. Extremely high winds combining with hailstones and rain means my camera stays in the bag.

So a short blog from me today. Too much computer work just amplifies my headache.

Just a quick mention that Loxton is this week’s update on the main site.

As far as my birthday is concerned, I’m going to do my best to ignore my virus and enjoy it the best I can.

I have no fear of getting old. After all, it’s much better than the alternative.

Thursday 6th March 2008

Good morning to you all,

This week’s update is of Curry Rivel. We visited the village last Saturday and also ventured on to Curry Mallet and Isle Abbotts.

I’ve lived in a quiet market town for most of my life, and since late 1996 in a cottage out in the country. One thing I enjoy about the country life is the friendliness people show for one another and also the trust they can give to total strangers. This was highlighted very clearly on Saturday whilst in Curry Rivel. We hadn’t been out of the car long and only just started taking photos when a voice called out to us. Initially I thought it was the owner of the cottage I was taking a photo of, unhappy that some non-villager was outside her house taking pictures. But no, all the lady wanted was some help in putting up some curtains. Of course we obliged, and the Lady, or Mrs B to give her some of her name, was more than happy to show us her fabulous house and wonderful gardens. It didn’t stop there. After wishing her well, and handing Mrs B a pair of 3d glasses, we went off to the nearby church and, after being greeted by the church cat, were made to feel very welcome by the church cleaner, ensuring we saw all the ancient artefacts on show around the building.

In some places in Somerset, and indeed in most counties, the villages are gradually being destroyed by a lack of support from the councils and the Government. At the moment there are a number of village Post Offices being threatened with closure and village pubs are closing down far too frequently. One day, I fear, the villages will be nothing more than commuter sanctuaries, where on week-days the streets are empty and at weekends everyone is busy mowing their lawns and cleaning their cars in readiness for next weeks work schedule. I hope I’m proved wrong.

My message to you is to go out there, visit these villages, support your community, and see proper village life before it’s too late.

In case you didn't spot it this week sees the start of a new feature on the Somerset3d website called ‘Speakin Zummerzet’. Basically it's a chance to understand the Somerset language so if you visit us you can make some sense of what we are saying. If you watched Hot Fuzz and had to use the subtitles then you know what I mean.

Thought for the day.

"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory" - Steven Wright.

That's all for now. More next week. Have a good one.

Thursday 28th February 2008

Hello All,

Another month nearly over, where does the time go?

No, seriously, where does it go?

I swear that, as soon as you look at anything on the internet, something moves the time on at more than four times normal time. It only took about five minutes (tops) to type this, yet my watch says it took me 22 minutes! Something is going on and I think it’s about time these computer companies came clean. There must be some sort of hypnotic device implanted in all computers so that, as soon as you stare at the screen it gives you the impression that you are working at normal speed, whereas the truth is that you are working in slow motion.

Anyway, this is meant to be a photography blog.

Last week I had plans to go out at the weekend photographing this wonderful county to create stock for the 3d website. The weather, unfortunately, wasn’t kind so I didn’t go anywhere. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this weekend to try again.

This week’s update is for Compton Bishop. This village was visited when on a tour of the area that covered Axbridge, Cross, Compton Bishop, Loxton, Bleadon and Uphill. I’m finding information on Loxton, Bleadon and Uphill hard to come by, so if any of you have some information you’d like to share on any or all of these locations please get in touch. You can either leave a comment (see below) or go to the Somerset3d site and email from there. Any information would be most welcome. There is also the second instalment for Tetbury in Gloucestershire now available to view.

I need to get stuck in to my pending assignments for my Freelance Photographers Course with the BFP. I’ve had so much to do lately that I’m a tad behind with sending in my course work. Memo to self: Must do better.

"Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so". Douglas Adams.

‘Till next week.

Thursday 21st February 2008

Good day to you all.

A day off for me today. It's half-term here for certain schools and I’m taking my step-daughter and her friend to Bristol Zoo for the day. I’m not sure if there will be any 3d’s as a result, I’ll let you know how I get on next week.

This weeks’ update is for East Woodlands. This tiny hamlet is famous locally for the excellent food available at the Horse & Groom public house. I’m unable to add my own endorsement as I’ve never been able to book a table, but many locals have told me that it is definitely worth the effort.

I’ve also placed online the first of three pages for Tetbury in the Cotswolds. Regular readers will know of my wife’s love of the area. These pictures were taken on the way to visit Bourton-on-the-Water.

This weekend should see me out and about getting some more stock for the Somerset 3d library. I’m not sure where to go at the moment but will make some plans on Friday.

The weather here has been really fresh with a good frost in the morning a beautiful blue skies, lovely cycling weather. Unfortunately 6 punctures in two days took the fun out of biking to work a little bit. I had to walk to work yesterday as I ran out of patches at work. Are hard/solid tyres still available? I’m thinking hard tyres on a full suspension bike should work out, shouldn’t it?

I hit my hand on a door frame yesterday and I think I may have broken a knuckle. I’ve broken one before and recognise the pain. Actually this knuckle is right next to the one I’d broken before. It was a while ago I did the first one and, if my memory serves me right, I don’t think there’s anything that can be done about it. No washing up for me for a while. Bah!

That’s it for this week.

May the wind up your back always be your own.

More next week.

Thursday 14th February 2008

Hello again,

This weeks update is of Cross, a quiet hamlet just west of Axbridge. Topiary lovers will find something of interest there.

As reported on the Somerset3d website there is now a slideshow of my 3d photos on the BBC Somerset website.

On Monday of this week I emailed them asking if they would be willing to put a link to my website on their photos page. They replied with a yes and asked if they could have some photos to create a slideshow presentation. It took most of Monday evening for me and my secretary to agree on the selection of pictures and most of Tuesday to email them to BBC Somerset.

On Wednesday Rebecca from BBC Somerset phoned me and asked me about the website and myself and by the afternoon the photos & information were online for all to see.

Big thanks to Rebecca for creating the slideshow in super quick time. You can go to the relevant page on BBC Somerset by clicking here.

Happy birthday to my Mum for yesterday, looking forward to seeing all the family and friends on Saturday to celebrate my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Finally, as it's Valentines Day, a quote from John Barrymore;

"Love is the delightful interval between meeting a beautiful girl and discovering that she looks like a haddock".

Have a good weekend.