Lake District..Mountain Man

Kilimanjaro....To the Summit !!

Andreas and Qasim... savouring a cuppa on Mount Killi...simple pleasures !!



Jimmy took this picture of me on top of a rock overhang.. you can see Kilimanjaro in the background .. it seems so majestic



Indy.. he developed flu which ultimately led to him being unable to reach the summit..I felt for him.. all the way he paced himself correctly.. but on the night of the asscent his flue got the better of him...



It always touched me to see our porters carrying such huge loads, it made our achievements seem whimpy..they never moaned, argued, delayed, they just got on with it.. it was a way of life in a $1 a day economy..basic clothing for them..high tec clothing and luxuries for us.. who were the real achievers..?



Day 3 on Kilimanjaro...resting above the clouds ...Met this group of Irish volunteers climbing Kili for charity..our paths would keep crossing.....and they were a great laugh..there was this deep respect and comraderie that we build up with people we met on the trail..

Here we all are having breakfast on Kilimanjaro..simple, nutritious, and great company

Dolomites, North Lake Garda, Italy

Summer 2010; Family Holiday At Lake Garda.

I took an excursion to visit Maso Roviera , a Vineyard in the Dolomites , it was a fabulous sunny day. We toured the vinyard, savoured the wines, enjoyed the stimulating company of the owner and sat drinking fine wine whilst taking in the amazing scenery and inhaling the clean mountain air..I was in heaven .. and tipsy..

Venice, Italy, Summer 2010

We Three Kings

Marrakesh ..Jonathan, Nadim ... I loved this day, I had never been on a camel before so when we had a chance I jumped at it... I found the ride in the mid day Sun so calming and comfortable...Nadim seemd a bit nervous and complained that my camel was spitting at him !!!

We looked so regal ...

I loved the vibrant colours of the costumes of the camel drivers

Friends ...

Outside our hotel in Malta... In life there are people that define moments and help shape your life.... here are some of mine

Kill Hannah in Birmingham

I had to chaperone my daughter to this last concert of the UK tour of Kill Hannah in Birmingham

She won tickets for two from Karrang Radio after winning a competition live on radio..

The place - The Bar Fly in Digbeth was full of screaming teenagers, and parents all hiding out the way at the back of the bar so as not to embarrass their kids...I was relived to see they were serving free water and soft drinks only...

But I must admit I enjoyed the music ..and this picture summed up the atmosphere... My daughter had a great day with her old man !!

The Whirling Dervishes

For over a decade I wanted to see the Whirling Dervishes perform live, I was in Marrakesh with friends and I saw a flier for their performace live at the Orient Express Station.. I had to go... I had to tick this off my bucket list... I dragged along Nadim and Jonathan..

The dance and the music was mesmerising....I took this picture...everytime I look at it...It stirs an emotion in me...

She knows how to pack a pair of jeans !!

I was at Artsfest - Birmingham, I saw this lady walking past me... and I thought wow !! she looks hot in those jeans....Hey what can I say I'm a man !!

Beautiful Engineering...And deadly

Some things just strike a cord with me... When I saw the curves on this plane ..I was moved...I have always been facinated by planes...I went to RIAT with Mark Elliot..we had a great day..saw some amazing displays...a great day, great atmosphere..

PINK!!!

I went to see PINK live at the NIA, Birmingham..she was awesome...while I was waiting in line to get in.. it suddenly struck me how many dykes were there ...

But the music was fantastic.. and the show brilliant... I took this picture from the stand using my mobile.. edited it on my PC and quite happy with the result and the memory

Majorelle Gardens, Marrakesh

Weekend away with friends John and Nadim, Nadim died - age 37 last year..

We had lunch at the restaurant at the gardens... good memories

I saw this chap and the simplicity of his style, the relaxed demeanour just struck me as awesome..


Jardin Majorelle was created by the French artist, Jacques Majorelle. It is now looked after by Yves Saint Laurent.

Lake Annecy......

Prague...

A Tranquil Moment..Lake Annecy France