The birthday boy

Thank you to everyone who followed my trip to Dorset and awarded stars and hearts. You may wonder why I put myself through such a punishing schedule that happens on photography workshops like this one, and why I do them at all. I know not everyone likes workshops as they think there is no room to be creative or 'do your own thing', but I value workshops as what you are paying for is the local knowledge of an area and being taken to the right location at the right time by someone who has researched best times of the day and season to know the best areas in what conditions. Of course not all workshop leaders are this competent, I will only go with those that are, and who do through research of an area. You may also learn some photography skills along the way, be it camera craft, composition and editing but not all workshop leaders provide that (even though they say they do). To me, being taken to the right location is of prime importance because if I go somewhere new on my own I could never be as productive in such a short space of time. And hopefully enjoy the company of like minded photographers, meet new people and have some laughs along the way. 

I did get home pretty exhausted last night, by the time I had unpacked and unwound from the drive I was really very tired. This morning it has been all go again - I was up early, did laundry and packed away the camera stuff, then I walked Xena while Gavin went and got some groceries because we we then going up to London to meet Luke. 

As it was Luke's birthday yesterday, and very early tomorrow morning he and Meriel fly to Malaysia for a holiday, we decided to visit him during his lunch hour today to give him his present. He was working from home today so we had a quick lunch during his lunch break at a local restaurant in Pimlico in his street where he lives. Pimlico in London is looking so pretty with all the blossoms on the trees. The lunch was excellent and then he went back to work and we drove home again. 

The fire at Heathrow has caused all flights to be cancelled today as Heathrow Airport was shut. Luke and Meriel were due to go to Malaysia last November but the holiday had to get cancelled for various reasons, and so this is now the much awaited holiday that they never had last year - and now they are not sure if it will go ahead with all flights cancelled. I did see that some flights have now resumed so fingers crossed they get away.

This afternoon I had a physio session again, my back is much improved and I think I just have to be patient with my wrist. Now I am about to dial in for a zoom meeting for an image review of a workshop I did with Justin Minns in January. It has been a very busy day and I still need to catch up with Blip journals.