Sailing at last

Had a very enjoyable sail in "Nellie", my gaff-rigged Dorado 12.  Not a lot of breeze but enough to beat the increasing tide.  I launched about 1 hour after LW springs and was out for the best part of 2 hours, so by the time I came in the stream had built up somewhat.  A few jobs to do - replace the tiller extension joint and dry out/revarnish the oars.

The 50mm Challenge

Went to Heligan Gardens yesterday and, as expected, there were lots of things in bloom.  I set myself a challenge and took the Pentax K-7 and a 50mm f1.7 prime - one of my favourite lenses.  But 50mm on a 1.6 crop factor body is quite long (90mm equivalent) so it's a bit limiting for scenery shots.  I spent most of my time taking close ups of blossom etc, like these "wall daisies" (not sure of the proper name)

Job done!  Left eye cataract now removed and plastic lens inserted.  Sure it will be a huge improvement once it all settles down.  Can't praise the team at the West of England Eye Unit highly enough - a very slick operation but they all find the time to treat patients as people.  Three cheers for the NHS!

Cataract op tomorrow.  The vision in my left eye (the one I use for the viewfinder) got a lot worse last year, with two changes of glasses prescription, and the optometrist eventually concluded it was a cataract.  Not looking forward to the op but I am looking forward to the results!

Spotted this chap lurking in an oak tree on the edge of our garden.  Little birds beware!  Apparently the buzzard is the most common bird of prey in the UK now, but that doesn't make it any less impressive.

It's gone!  The Photoshelter site is no more.  No doubt I will get the final reckoning from them very soon.  I think they offer a good service, with lots of easy-to-use website designs and very straightforward procedures for uploading images, organising galleries and everything else you need to run a photo business website.  So thanks, Photoshelter.

Apparently the Photoshelter site will live until 28 Jan, when it will self-destruct.  I have therefore restated the redirect in case there are any more last minute orders.  I have had one enquiry already.