Osprey Nationals - how to order image files

It's a bit clunkier than in the old Fotoboat days but this is what to do:

1. Browse through the three albums of images accessible via the Photo Galleries page;
2. Make a note of the file numbers of the ones you would like;
3. email me at mike@fotoboat.com with the filenumbers.

I will send you a link for downloading the files, which will be high resolution (3600 x 2400 pixels), good for printing at 12x8 inches and bigger.  I will also send you a PayPal invoice.  The pricing:

1. Single high res file:  £10
2. Five high res files:  £20
3. Twenty high res files:  £40

Osprey Nationals Day 1

I had a good day at Highcliffe SC yesterday (23 July), Day 1 of the Osprey Nationals.  Many thanks to Ian and Dave for driving me around the course in the launch Edna May.  I have posted a big selection of pictures which can be seen via the photo galleries page.  When I have worked out how to do it I will post a note explaining how you may order copies of the files.

Fotoboat sails on

Fotoboat sails on!  After much (well, not that much) arm-twisting by ex-Fotoboat colleague Alan Henderson, I will be doing a day at the Osprey nationals at Highcliffe SC this Thursday (23 Jul).  Very much looking forward to it and hope the weather is favourable.  Watch this space...

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!