Spending Saturday on the Thames...

... and what a day it was!

It was about 18/19 degrees and clear blue sky. Totally stunning for landscape photography. I was only given this course this week - Im very fortunate of the management team giving me work when it is available. Very lucky girl.

The area we were in was fantastic. The areas we were going to were all tiny back alley places, but ideal for location work.

The group was really big today and we all had a fantastic morning in the first location, where we were all gelling and getting a lot from the course.

I had to get everyone to pack up and go onto the next location. From the car park to the location was a 20 minute walk. I had one elderly gent on the course who had had two hip replacements. He was a bit unsteady on his feet and I did pre warn him a few times. Long story short, he managed to get half way across the field and coming over to the Lochs area. Steve and another gent on the course was keeping him company on the walk when he took a stumble. He managed to keep himself upright. Off the grass and onto the gravel and he fell, head first, new camera around his neck. Fortunately he was ok, just shaken up. Thank the Lord for lens caps otherwise lens would have been a right off. So his head was bleeding, I had first aid kit so could administer what was in the kit.

I was slightly on edge after wards as just wanted the best for my whole group. I was too busy worrying about everyone and how they were getting on. Then another location that we had to get to, but I lost 5 people on the way there. When they got there - I had taken half the people to the loch and waiting on everyone else to arrive, felt pretty disjointed. Then they couldn't get parking ARGH!

By the time we finished, we sat down on the benches and had a review where the students have to complete feedback forms. They were really kind, very supportive of me and put some lovely feedback, but they were all worried about the chap and a bit cross about the parking/moving on to different locations thing. Everyone made their way back to their cars or motorbikes and came up to me and shook my hand and thanked me. The gent that fell came up and gave me a kiss on the cheek and thanked me for my help; he also shouted to Steve and thanked him for his friendship today. I love my husband.

I don't like to see people get hurt, I was really upset as I felt "in charge" and responsible for what happened, even though it wasn't my fault as I did explain it. I was cross, as he should have had further support when registering for the course.

Steve and I went to the pub for a drink afterwards and had a chat. Im totally wiped today. I think it was going through everything, the heat -(Im burnt all over!) and starting the new job this week. It has all taking its toll on me.

After having a chat with Steve in the pub and with Mum on the phone, had a little cry and all is good with the world again.

(PS - the blip is of the few photos I took today, after the course had finished and I had some time with my camera. This was a rape seed field that we passed near Henley.

PPS - Sorry for the long blip - and thanks for sticking with it!)