Desire is the starting point of all achievement

The weekend before last Linda decided that things had been far too serious and heavy since we returned from our summer vacation and that my head was starting to go 'down'. She was right of course, it's a girl thing.., and her intuition had picked up on the fact that demands were taking over, frustrations mounting, challenges challenging, and that a breath of fresh air was needed. So on returning home from working in the South on the Friday I was 'told' not to bother unpacking my bag, just to refresh the essential contents, grab my camera bag, because we were going for a short break. Just the two of us...

Linda had booked a hotel in the pretty village of Coniston just for the Saturday night and no sooner had we done the weekly chores, been horse riding with Katie and then dropped off the girls at their Mum's house, than we were heading north up the M6. I do like heading north, it somehow always manages to lift my spirits when I see the hills and then turn off at junction 36.

We had dinner and drinkies in the hotel (which was a little bit, well actually, a lot like something from out of Royston Vasey (you'll either understand that reference or you won't, sorry), but hey... it was last minute and all!) whilst we decided what to do the following morning.
So these two shots above are from the beautiful morning that greeted us on Sunday, right behind the hotel on Coniston. So peaceful and so relaxing...

Now, ever since Linda and I met she's told me about a boat in the Lake District that she would "so LOVE to go and see and take a trip on it!"

The Steam Yacht Gondola.

Originally built and used as a passenger 'train' in the 1850's it was scuppered and lay derelict for many many years in the depths of Coniston Water. Until that is in the early 1970's when The National Trust decided that Gondola should be saved for the benefit of the nation. She was faithfully rescued, repaired and fully restored and then in aroud 1980, she was re-born.

Linda remembers seeing the news stories of the boats' plight on TV and in the local news at the time but had never realised her desire to actually go and see it. Well it was far too good an opportunity to miss out on so we did the decent thing and made this little girl's wish come true.

It was quite a nostalgic journey. To sit there and think that the Victorians had ridden along on this very same vessel, all turned out in their bowler hats, bonnets and petticoats was truly thought provoking and the grace of the boat was really surprising and uplifting. I expected a rough ride with smoke, steam, chugging and chuffing. Nothing like it! The ride was unbelievably quiet and so smooth, it was such a joy. What a genuinely stunning piece of our national history and so unexpected that we'd get to enjoy in on that day.

After the sailing we headed east and further north to Muncaster Castle on the River Esk. Home to the Pennington family for over 800 years and also home to the World Owl Centre. So now it was my turn for realising ambitions...

One day I hope to take 'that' picture... the 'one' that everybody recognises, admires, copies, talks about... one day! This Robin though, would be the one and only true wildlife shot of the day.

I love the thought that one day I could have a piece of my work published for other people to share and enjoy. A piece of music that I've written, some words that I've penned, a theory that my industry recognises or a photograph that makes people go 'wow!'. I think it's so good to have those desires... it keeps the spirit alive and keeps one aiming at something. It has to be just like the feeling one gets when somebody genuinely appreciates a gift from us, or getting clean plates from a meal that we've worked hard to prepare. Only this evening I've been chatting to Sarah, so ebullient about which university she would like to attend and how she is going to share a flat with her friend Jenny. They've agreed between themselves today that they need to save up so much each month so that they have a backup fund and that they'll go and research certain towns during the next year or so and that they'll both have to work really hard for their A-levels to get there.... You see.. Ambitions and desires are so healthy!

As much as I hope to take that one shot in the wild I realise that first of all I need to learn how to do so. An ideal opportunity for me to do some of that learning was the Birds Of Prey demonstration at Muncaster by the World Owl Trust; the world’s premier owl conservation organisation which promotes scientific research, habitat creation and restoration, a UK national nest-box scheme, together with breeding programmes for these wonderful creatures.

The day was really enjoyable, the birds are very regal and beautiful and the house and gardens very interesting with audio commentary, narrated by Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, the present owner, describing what can be seen (and felt!) in the Great Hall, the Library, the Dining Room, the Drawing Room and the Bedrooms.

This is Rollo, a European Eagle Owl. The Common Buzzard earlier is Mortimer.

I learned a great lesson one this day... even in captivity and under controlled conditions, one has to have the patience of a saint to photograph living creatures. Photographing wildlife is something for which you need patience, steady breathing, perseverance.... I took around 200 shots during the afternoon, you are looking at the only ones that I think are worth sharing!

This is Sparky, a rescued Barn owl. It was such a privilege to hold this bird. He was so trusting and unassuming of these two lunatics that were SO overwhelmed by his presence.


This time next year Rodney... this time next year...