Fit to Jump

My heart was in my boots as I sat in the doctor's waiting room this evening. (Well it would have been in my boots if I hadn't have been wearing sandals because of the heat!) Why was I so worried? With only 36 hours to go before my eagerly awaited tandem skydive, I had left it late to find out if I was actually fit. (Over a certain, ahem age, a certifiacte is needed) Not only would it be a disaster if I didn't get the stamp from my GP but it would be a let down to all those who have already generously donated funds to the RNLI for me to take part in this charity event. As I write, my total stands at £466.43, with every bit of that going to the RNLI as I will be paying the jump fees myself. (It was an agreement for all taking part that this fee would be allowable out of the funds raised)

As I sat and waited, I also wondered if the hoped for record breaking attempt to do the most charity skydives in one day was on course. I have since learnt that Skyline, the overall organisers of the event have announced that they are on target to exceed the 187 jumps achieved last year. So not only will I be jumping out of a plane for the first time, I might also be part of a record breaking team - How exciting!

So, the question was, would I be on my way to a Cambridgeshire airfield on Saturday morning or would I be wondering how to word a 'so sorry' announcement to all you kind folk out there who have helped me exceed my initial £400 target...

Answer.
"Well. I have to say I think you are mad but I think you fill all the criteria to be fit to jump"

Whoopeee!!! Thanks doc!



There is still plenty of time to support me if you wish through the charity donations website

http://www.justgiving.com/Celia-Bartlett


Thank you EVERYONE for your support :-D

Stage 3 Tour De France Starts Here...

One month today!

The spectacle known as the Tour de France is coming to our area.

Starting in Cambridge on the 7th July, stage 3 will wind its way through the South Cambridgeshire countryside, before dropping into the 'desireable' district of Uttlesford and the Town of Saffron Walden where I will be 'on duty' as the peloton sweep past my virtual door. Although it will only take a matter of minutes for all but the stragglers (and hopefully there won't be many of those) to cover the couple of miles through the town, the whole place will be in lock-down for the all of the day. There will be no crossing over between the two sides of the course route and certainly no traversing by car. This means all arranging of movement has to be planned well before the day itself. I intend to stay on the south side of the town, which will give me access to shoot off after they have passed and on to cover another section of the race in South Essex. After that, it makes its way into London and the end of the stage, where the will no doubt be far more fuss and coverage than on our bits in between. But hey, someone has to cover it!

Here's hoping they will have a nice dry day, such as it was when I dropped by the start place beside Parker's Piece in Cambridge last week. I suspect there may be more than just the one bicycle in July too.

Tiananmen Square 1989

Twenty-five years ago today, an event was unfolding which would change so many things.

Tiananmen Square Massacre

Not least did it change the course of history but for a young me and himself, it was an incredible blow to what was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, for which we had been saving for months and months. We had been watching with interest, along with the rest of the world, as the '89 Democracy Protest was taking place in China. A country which until that time, very few people had visited and in the March of 1989 we were fortunate enough to have booked a tour of the country, to commence in the beginning of December 1989. Initially we thought everything would be fine, and then came the news from the Foreign Office that all travel would be suspended. We could be accommodated on an alternative tour elsewhere in the world - Africa, India maybe but no, it was China where we had always dreamed to go and we were determined to sit tight and see what would happen.

To cut a long waiting story short, we hung on and eventually our patience was rewarded and the tour went ahead as planned, although the three-tour-bus-worth of previous Kuoni tours was down to just 19 travellers. The small group size suited us and it was said that we were one of the first UK tours to travel into China following the lifting of restrictions. However, BA had opted not to re-establish flights into Beijing and we were transferred to Air China. I could tell you about our flight into China but that would warrant a whole blog post of its own but lets just say it was an experience (as were all the modes of travel which we took whilst we were there!)

We arrived later than scheduled into a crisp, dry-cold Beijing. On that December afternoon, the air was heavy with the pollution from the coal fires needed for cooking and heating. We were, however, carefully escorted at all times by our Chinese tour guide and were deposited at a five-star hotel where the rooms were brightly lit and far too over-heated for comfort. Outside our hotel window, we could see the odd single dim bulb lighting the confined rooms of large, shoddily built blocks, apparently with no glazing at the window. We had arrived in a place of contrasts.

The next day, we began with one of the highlights of the visit to Beijing - a visit to the now infamous Tiananmen Square and from there, on into the Forbidden City. It was clear that everything was still very raw and sensitive as we were given a pep-talk prior to being allowed out of the tour bus and which was memorably heavy with the aroma of garlic, exuding from both the driver and the tour guide. He instructed: No running, no hands in pockets, no sudden movements, no groups, no bartering with the locals, no photographing any military personnel, oh, and just 20 minutes.

The sense of enormity was the first thing that struck us. Not only the physical enormity of the square but also the enormity of the event which had taken place just 6 months earlier. As we walked deliberately and carefully along the almost deserted acres of the square, we could see evidence of the damage inflicted to the stonework of the steps. This sent an incredulous shudder through us all, knowing that the tanks which had left their mark on there, had also inflicted mortal damage. With these sombre thoughts, we looked around the square, noticing eyes carefully trained on all of us from the tops of the surrounding buildings. It left a huge impression on us all.

I have one physical impression of Tiananmen Square and yesterday, I went in search of that now faded photograph I had tucked  away with a handful of others in a Boots photo envelope marked China 1989. As I looked at it, I realised the opportunity to visit China today would not be too difficult but to see Tiananmen Square so eerily empty again would be an impossibility.

A chilling reminder of all those who stood for what they believed in 25 years ago.

Kjell Brattfors - Antonov An-2 - Sweden

(By clicking on the first image it is possible to view all images as a slideshow)

A few weeks ago, along with a group of aircraft buffs (I hope they won't mind me calling them that!) I took a mad day-trip to Sweden on what was a beautiful Spring day. My intention was to blog this visit as soon as I could upon my return but knowing I had a few matters going on at the same time, including the second week of my Open Studios event, it was going to be a bit of a tall order to complete it. Needless to say, the usual syndrome hit - if it isn't blogged straight away then it gets more and more difficult to get it done. New priorities usually take over and sadly, there have been posts such as this which have fallen by the wayside in this way in the past, not least my visits to Mildenhall and Lakenheath airbases which I made with the very same group. This time, I was determined not to let it pass by and here, a little later than planned, is my 'not such an aircraft buff' view of one aspect of our day. (My apologies to those who have been waiting for this post) The other part of the day may at some point, be afforded the same attention...
I hope!

What a welcome at Kattleberg Airfield. The beautiful weather...

...the inviting club house with a view to envy, quirky touches and..

...an amazing host - Kjell Brattfors (pronounced Shell)

I may not understand a whole lot about aeroplanes, even though I married into a family where the aircraft industry was an important part of life but what I did understand was that Kjell has a passion. A passion for his own aircraft - an Antonov An-2, and a passion for his own little Kattleberg Airfield, nestled in a spectacular swathe cut through an otherwise wooded area about 30 miles outside Gothenberg. This beautifully kept tarmac airstrip was not only home to Kjell, his house being at the eastern end with a view down the runway but it was also home to his colourful beast of a machine LY-ABK, a Russian-built An-2. The look of this single-engine bi plane was deceptive as it appeared more vintage than its actual years. Having had a production-run of 18,000+ over 45 years, some of the later produced aircraft, including this one, were not as old as could be expected.

Tucked away inside a large open-fronted hangar, Kjell proudly showed us his shiny yellow, red and blue An-2 and we couldn't fail to be impressed. Answering the raft of questions that everyone had, he was happy to point out the shiny silver exhaust pipe sweeping back and down from the right hand side. To me, this looked nothing unexpected but the others knew it was non standard. This was a modification that Kjell had made, and so successful it was in preventing the fuselage becoming spattered in engine oil as well as, more importantly, increasing the efficiency of the engine, he had put it into small batch production. Here was someone who clearly knew what he was doing.

As conversation became incomprehensibly technical, I happily went about acquainting myself with this impressive machine. Although appreciating the skill of those who have learnt to fly I just have to admit that everything but the sat-nav in the cockpit is double-dutch to me. As for the knobs and dials, well I had no chance of understanding, but then neither would anyone else who wasn't up to speed with Russian.

However, what I could appreciate were the beautiful shapes and forms, curves and rivet patterns. I happily absorbed the beauty of this beast, enjoying the odd smile of amusement along the way. The others were also being taken by this beast, judging by the strokes of admiration that were being sneaked.

If it wasn't enough to have one of these Russian work-horses-of-a-plane, Kjell had a second one tucked away at the far end of the runway, with this one certainly not hiding its Russian heritage. From what I understand, this second An-2 was to be used for parts, although in some ways it would be a shame to do anything to it as the fading sign writing and the original interior had a charm and character all of its own.

As we all ambled back along the runway, carrying out an impromptu FOD patrol and enjoying the clear Swedish Spring skies, I thought about what I had gleaned (as a non-buff) from my visit. I admire the passion and drive which people such as Kjell possess. I am always amazed by the mine of information that this group of friends have on board. I have learnt a little about Antonov An-2s. I enjoy new and different opportunities and experiences such as these. I like Sweden, even after such a small taster. I would be quite happy to return to and stay in Kattleberg to appreciate the tranquillity of the place (and perhaps have a chance to enjoy the sauna I spied tucked away in the corner of the club house!)

I think that is reason enough to feel that mad days out such as these are exciting and worthwhile, and hope that my blog, an observational view rather than a technical spec piece does justice to it all.
I must thank all those who organised everything both at the UK end and in Sweden and also the one who cared to invite both myself and himself along. Most of all here, I would like to thank Kjell.

Escape to West Cork

It is the time for our annual May break in West Cork and I can't say how much I have been waiting to get back out here for an escape, after the many things that have been happening during recent weeks.
Our regular, if today, rather bracing walk around the Head blew away the cobwebs and we were once again able to sit and take in the beautiful views, the wonderful colours and the delights of watching gannets diving for fish, just off the rocks ahead of us.

I had simply gone out, armed only with my 24-105 lens and no filters, so the stunning colours are purely as seen.
Could it be any better? Well yes, if the wind would just calm down a bit, there might be the possibility of spotting a minke whale or two off the coast, or maybe even a basking shark, which are currently known to be in the area.
We can but hope.

As well as the stunning scenery, the fresh new growth is taking shape along the verges - the majestic gunnera, the wild garlic, and best of all, the first jewel-like glimpses of the flower of West Cork, the fuchsia.

Ahhhh! I can breathe again.

______________________________

If you too would like to escape and enjoy the delights of West Cork whilst learning the basics of photography, I am announcing that I hope to be running exclusive short breaks in the Autumn.
Details are to be finalised, but if this appeals to you, please do register your interest and I can forward the information as it becomes available.

International Dawn Chorus Day 2014

'Grainy' screen-grab start to the day for the dawn chorus!

It was 4.30am and my iPhone was gently playing 'slow rise' from underneath my pillow. As I came to, I remembered why I had set my alarm so early. Today is International Dawn Chorus Day when everyone is encouraged to 'celebrate nature's daily miracle'.

Whilst there were dawn chorus walks planned all over the country I opted for the lazy way to enjoy the wonderful birdsong, by staying on my home patch, which also meant I could stay in my PJs. Living in a town, it could be thought that birds won't perform with as much gusto as they might out in the countryside but I had no worries this morning. The birds were already well into their performance by the time I had stepped over the perplexed mutt and visiting friend, sleeping in the kitchen. Out into the back garden, the light was just increasing in the east whilst in the west, the sky was still the wonderful deep blue. I set up my camera on the wall and recorded several short burst of birdsong, in the end choosing just a 45 second recording to post here.

For those who weren't up early enough this morning to enjoy their local performance, here is what I enjoyed at 4.40 this morning, in our sleepy north Essex town. So sit back, turn up the volume, click on the link below and enjoy!

Dawn Chorus 4th May 2014 

As I said, I opted for the lazy way to take part in the International Dawn Chorus Day - which meant creeping back to bed for a few more hours, just as the morning light was streaming in through the curtains and the unmelodious, wood pigeon late-comers began their coo-coooo-cooing.
Was it worth the early start? Absolutely!

Open Studio - Weekend 2

The second weekend of the Saffron Walden Open Studios is almost upon us so I am dusting off the tables, adjusting the flowers and stocking up on greeting cards in the rack. I'm pleased to say there has been a lot of interest in the print of the image above and it is still for sale, as well as the now well recognised print of the Golden Hour over Saffron Walden but who is to say they won't be snapped up in the opening hours.

Please don't be afraid to drop in on Saturday or Sunday, when my door will be open again from 11am to 6pm. All the location details are available via this link

Look forward to seeing you all.