Hi all John here; Shad has let me loose on his blog page. As most of you know I regularly visit Goring Gap and the Sea Lane cafe to take pictures of the Kite and Wind Surfers.
Several of you have approached me about the pics I take and where they can be found.
If you find yourself on any of my pages please feel free to contact me and I will forward a copy of the picture. If you would like a print then go over to my website where I use Loxely Colour for all my printing.
As I opened my eyes from my snooze in the car I was astonished to see the silhouette of a sofa with tree-trunk legs trudging awkwardly towards me. I thought I was dreaming about The Incredible Hulk or some kind of giant from Harry Potter but as my eyes got used to the light I realised that it was an ice-flyer as they like to call themselves. An ice hockey player fully clad in a helmet and face cage, toughened shoulder pads, thick chest protector, padded shorts, hard plastic shin pads and reinforced gloves. If you’ve ever been to an ice hockey match, you’ll understand that the armour is not for show, it’s for protection against the multitude of safety hazards that put the players at risk of serious injury such as the solid puck that shoots across the ice at 90 miles per hour.
John and I were sat on the front row behind a floor to ceiling window of fortified shatterproof plastic and witnessed another safety hazard that seemed to befall many a player. I lost count of how many faces were squashed up against that barrier because after the third one I winced and shut my eyes every time there was a skirmish. One of the bravest guys on the ice had to be the referee whose only safety equipment was a helmet and who was regularly slammed into the sides of the rink during play. But fear not, no cats were hurt during the game and only a few sprains and bruises were sustained by the players who were all willing participants in the match. In fact, judging by the wonky smiles and animated man-hugs, they quite enjoyed it.
The same could be said for the crowd who hollered and cheered at the slightest hint of a clash on the ice and were enthralled whenever the puck was shot through their opponents’ goal. Even more baffling than the blood-thirstiness of the onlookers was the bizarre off-the-rink contest that appeared to be going on to see who could tolerate wearing the least amount of clothes. Considering we were in Kitzbuhel (Austria) at the time and the weather outside was snow and -4°c, the urge for the men to take their tops off could only be explained by some hormonal imbalance or the human desire to compete. Luckily John did not succumb to this urge otherwise I would have been most embarrassed (because of the hair on his chest, not the size of his tummy!).
The X-games is a high energy annual sporting event that brings together some of the fittest and most daring athletes from the across the world to compete for medals and prize money by flying horizontally into the air on a wooden plank or hurtling down an icy tube known as the superpipe. The superpipe looked like an enormous trench covered in thick smooth ice that started way up high in the sky and as you look up to the top, a small figure stands alone getting ready for the ride of their life. A horn blows and the small figure tips over the edge and begins their descent, faster and faster they loom towards you and the anticipation builds. The figure swoops across the pipe from side to side, soaring into the air and flicking their body into loops and turns as the crowds cheer them on. They glide into a jump and it feels as though they are hovering over your head almost pausing for effect before landing effortlessly back on to the ice ready for the next jump.
There were many events taking place during the contest including BMX riding, skateboarding and snowmobiling, all featuring challenges or obstacles designed to test the athletes’ agility and get the adrenaline pumping. The skiers and snowboarders are judged on who can perform the best trick or get the most height off a jump. John held on to me to keep me warm while we admired the performance put on by the athletes at this amazing Alpine snow park, 20 minutes from central Oslo. It is 1700 feet above sea level (that’s 530 metres for the metric amongst you) and offers snow-slopes and chair-lifts for winter sports enthusiasts and a cosy café for fussy felines who need to warm their cockles.
Although we were only there for the weekend we managed a brief visit to the city opera house, an unusual white building formed of glassed facades and horizontal and sloping surfaces. The productions of opera, ballet, theatre and music held within reflect the cultured nature of this artistic place. The tramway system carries 130,000 people a day to their various destinations while peace reigns over the dramatic peaks and rustic forest trails surrounding the fjord close by . While I was on the plane going home I imagined myself hiking through those rugged mountains like a black panther, roaring at the lynx that tries to chase me, climbing up rocky ledges behind a bleating mountain goat and discovering the long lost city of the Incas. Oh no wait, that’s a different mountain range, the Andes in South America. Still Indiana Jones doesn’t have a patch on me!
I like horses and I know they like me because I was once kissed by a horse on a fence. I was on the fence, not the horse, and it was moist and bristly but nonetheless enjoyable. The beautiful white lippizan horses you see in these pictures live at the Stanglwirt Riding School in Kitzbuhel, Austria and they did not seem like the type of horse to go around kissing unknown cats on fences. As John and I arrived by car to the Riding School as part of our Austria weekend, the lippizan horses pranced and skipped in perfect motion from their warm dry stables out on to the snow covered field before them. I watched their tails swish charmingly from side to side and their manes flow almost magically as they broke into a canter in front of us.
I decided there and then that they weren’t the only ones who could waltz around looking all willowy and elegant. So when John opened the car door I lifted my nose high into the air and puffed out my chest just as one of the horses looked towards me. Perfect timing! With one nimble action I leapt from the seat but unfortunately landed awkwardly on a patch of ice resulting in a minor skid and slight stumble. Thankfully I recovered my poise quickly at which point I swiftly turned around to hop straight back in the car. Boy that snow was cold and my knees were wet where I’d hit the deck!
After a marathon licking session my fur was back in place and I was a snug as a bug in a rug, having wrapped myself up in my favourite blanket on the back seat. I looked through the window and couldn’t help feel a sense of admiration at the stunning lippizaners so impressive with their smooth tresses of hair and muscular frames. This noble breed is renowned for graceful movements and magnificent physiques, as well as liveliness and good natures. They are born dark brown, black or grey until the white coat appears between the ages of 6 and 10. Apparently there are less than 3000 in the whole world so they are highly prized in equine circles. The horses at the Stanglwirt Riding School were clearly cherished by the humans who cared for them and I could tell by their well-groomed coats, clean hooves and happy temperaments that all their needs were met. After performing some of their stylish dressage moves, they played in the snow, flicking it around with their powerful legs and chasing after each other. They reminded me of the lambs I’ve seen frolicking around in the fields at home and I smiled to myself as it occurred to me that I’m not the only dignified animal who likes to fool around for amusement. I miss teddy!
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There is no creature as curious as a cat. And I have always been curious about what lies beyond the adoption pens at the National Cat Centre in Chelwood Gate. The NCC is headquarters for Cats Protection and boasts the largest cat rehoming centre in the UK looking after anything up to 200 cats and kittens at any one time and rehoming over 1000 little cherubs every year. John and I walked into the reception area excited to meet Danielle the Centre Manger for our exclusive behind the scenes tour. John had brushed my coat before we left so I looked extra silky and I puffed out my chest fur as we were greeted by a smiling Danielle who started by introducing us to Poppy. Poppy is a friendly black and white that has been in care for many months and now spends her days helping reception staff answer the phones and checking the corners for mice in the hopes of getting noticed by prospective owners as they wander through. Just off reception is a meeting room specially designated for potential owners to sit and spend time with the cat they like before deciding if things could work between them. It’s full of comfy chairs, ping pong balls and a window that lets you watch the birds land on the swaying branches of the trees outside. Danielle told us about a cat called Marmite who lived at the Centre for a long time because he had FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and I smiled to myself as I imagined him in the meeting room greeting the lady that would later adopt him.
Reception
NCC Reception – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
Poppy
Poppy
As we moved through the double-doors into the adoption pen wing, Danielle showed us the Enrichment Room which we could not enter as 6 year old Tabitha was in there undertaking a desensitisation programme. This involves carefully exposing the cat to various situations in a controlled manner such as the sound of a vacuum cleaner, meeting a stranger or hearing a doorbell to determine which triggers cause the cat to have behavioural issues. Tabitha has been rehomed and returned 3 times because she becomes aggressive so the desensitisation programme will help her become accustomed to normal household noises in the hope that she will soon find her forever home. I had a quick word with her through the door while the humans were talking and she said she gets angry when she is rehomed because she doesn’t know anyone there and it makes her feel scared.
We strolled through the pen wing admiring the cats along the way until we reached another double-door and Danielle asked us to dip our feet in a tub of wet sponge. I was mortified, as a cat who is fastidious about keeping his paws clean, soft and dry, but it was necessary as part of the infection control procedures. So I dutifully placed each of my paws in the disinfectant goo and looked up at John who knew exactly what I wanted and fetched a paper towel to dab my tootsies dry. The next section contained the Admissions Wing where cats first arrive and the Cat Care room where newcomers get their vet checks, vaccinations and flea treatments. I shuddered at the thought and we moved on to the Isolation Wing for cats who have unfortunately been diagnosed with infectious diseases such as flu, FIV and ringworm. We were not allowed into the isolation wing for obvious reasons not least of all that we would have had to dress up in multiple layers of unattractive plastic aprons and pull-up boots which you can see being modelled by Boris. My heart went out to the cats in isolation who often spend weeks receiving veterinary treatment and wearing the cone of shame before their symptoms improve and they are well enough to be put up for adoption. We didn’t go into the maternity wing either out of respect for the feeding mums and mums-to-be who need peace and quiet while they care for their babies. We did take a look at the operating theatres and were impressed with the great facilities, especially when Danielle said that Tuesdays to Thursdays the onsite vet team perform 6 to 8 surgical procedures a day.
No trip to the NCC would be complete without talking to one of the many dedicated volunteers who give up their time to support the Centre and have essential roles to play including collecting cats, cleaning pens, making enrichment objects and raising funds. I got talking to a nice young lady who had just been sitting quietly with a nervous cat called Anya. Anya had been found in a bin and needed a dedicated volunteer to spend time with, bonding and slowly building her confidence, learning to trust humans again. I am so full of respect for this wonderful work that I gave the volunteer an extra firm head butt behind her knee and she rubbed my back in return. Marvellous!
We came to the end of our tour and Danielle walked us back out to reception as we discussed some of the key welfare issues facing cats today. The importance of early neutering is fundamental to controlling unwanted cat populations and Danielle said that Cats Protection vaccinate kittens against disease at 8 weeks and neuter at 9 weeks to ensure healthy moggies all round. The other big concern is the lack of microchipping in cats and Danielle looked sad as she told us about the many cats who become separated from their owners and brought in to care but end up being rehomed because their owners cannot be traced. I told Danielle how worried I am about the cats and kittens that are sold cheaply or given away through online auction and sales websites. Sadly many of these animals are destined for terrible fates. But I was encouraged to hear that the Cats Protection advocacy team are working with some of the main online marketing sites to raise awareness of the plight of these animals so that improvements can be made. I saw Tabitha on my way out and told her to be brave when she goes to her next home because there are some very nice humans out there who love animals and will understand her needs if she just gave them a chance.
I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2016. Some people see in the New Year with a bang (noisy little blighters), others prefer to see the New Year in with decorum. This year I saw it in with cystitis! Not something I would recommend! Sorry if that’s a little too much information for some people but all of us have bodily functions and I, even with my physical prowess, am no exception. Don’t laugh at the physical prowess bit, I’m naturally optimistic!
It all started when John took me to my auntie’s house for a few days while he went to Tenerife to stay with some friends. My auntie’s house consists of John’s daughter and her family. She is a lovely lady who looks after me well and I have been to stay there a number of times before without any problems. But this time I got stressed which I think was a consequence of being around the energetic miniature human that appeared a few months ago and missing my best bud and partner in crime John. I’ll spare you the details of my clinical symptoms but anyone who’s had a kidney infection will know exactly how I felt. I kept going in and out of the litter tray, yowling and desperately trying to spend a penny, and I had a few accidents which is most embarrassing.
John was very worried about me when he got the call from his daughter to say that I was not well and a trip to the vet ensued. £90 later I was given antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and the difference was amazing. Oh the joys of being able to perform one’s ablutions without discomfort! I am very grateful to my auntie for looking after me but I was pleased to get home to familiar surroundings where the dulcet tones of my brilliant dad helped sooth my troubles. Although his tones were not so dulcet when he got the vet’s bill!
I thought I’d cheer him up by sharing a few of his photos from Tenerife, Spain’s largest Canary Island situated 200 miles off the West coast of Africa. It is dominated by a volcano called Mount Teide and covered in a reddish-brown rocky landscape dotted with pale green bushes, like the backdrop to Clash of the Titans from 1981. While John visited a beautiful volcanic island with his pals surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean under a warm 20°c sun, I sat on the windowsill staring at the relentless pouring rain getting treats from my auntie while I nursed my hind-quarters! So whatever you do this New Year, stay hydrated, try not to get stressed and enjoy the simple pleasures in your life.
John is fond of all things aeronautical and used to work in the aviation industry where he spent a significant amount of time in airports. He most recently worked in airport automation (installing IT solutions for baggage handling and check-in systems) but started off his airport duties as a ramp technician, loading and unloading commercial airliners, refuelling, and waving around those little orange flags that guide the aircraft as they taxi on and off the runway. These days he tends to keep his hands clean and stick to admiring planes from a distance, although he can never resist pointing out an Airbus A380 or a Boeing 747, or telling me something about planes that have recently retired or become operational. So if John ever asks you if you’ve experienced a Garuda Indonesia, a Mexicana or a China Eastern, he is referring to airlines not restaurant dishes!
Our trip to the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset was a real delight for John as it combined 2 of his passions in life – photography and aviation. The journey in the car was long but I didn’t mind because an extended nap was called for to recharge my batteries in preparation for our tour of the halls that hold the assortment of aero engines, drawings, models and military and civilian aircraft on display. The Museum is Europe’s largest naval aviation collection and stores thousands of objects including examples of the first manned kites towed behind naval vessels, to helium filled airships and modern Sea Harriers.
As I stepped in to the hanger, I looked up to see an enormous fuselage of a modern jet plane hanging from the high ceiling and on the ground was a Hawker Sea Fury – a single seat fighter bomber used by the Royal Navy in the Korean War (1950-1953). It made me think about the sadness of war and the brave individuals who defend their country’s freedom and pay with their lives. May be one day there will be no more fighting and humans will be truly humane to each other and to animals. As the Dalai Lama once said, ‘my religion is simple, my religion is kindness’. I gave a little nod of respect to the memory of all those who have felt the devastating effects of conflict and continued my adventure through the museum.
There were helicopters taking off outside and staff working meticulously on restoring custom-built engines and the curved blades of a propeller. My favourite piece was the Concorde 002, the second prototype of the Anglo-French invention which first took off in April 1969 and achieved supersonic speed on 25th March 1970. Her test career lasted 7 years and she was placed on display at the Museum in July 1976. I sat under the delta-shaped wing while the museum guide explained how the aerodynamic centre of pressure moves rearwards during the change from subsonic to supersonic flight and the implications this has for the aircraft’s balance and handling. It was fascinating but a tad too technical for a feisty feline like me so I snuck off to explore the cockpit nearby while John listened to the physics lecture. I was having a lovely time playing with the knobs and buttons when it all got a bit embarrassing. The museum staff had to fetch John because I was allegedly misbehaving. He came to pick me up rather sheepishly and we beat a hasty retreat! It wasn’t my fault I got a bit over excited given all the interesting things there were to sniff, jump on and slide down!
Regular readers may remember that John and I had a great time in Eastbourne a couple of years ago at the air show. (You can click on the link just below if you want a reminder).
This year’s air show was extra special because it marked the last appearance of the Vulcan in Eastbourne before its retirement. During 2015, the awesome VulcanXH558 will be completing its Farewell to Flight season before leaving the skies to become the centrepiece of a new education initiative designed to encourage the development of aviation skills in Britain. John wanted to witness the last airworthy Vulcan bomber showing off at Eastbourne so he hopped on a train while I stayed home to practice my keyboard skills. My scales are coming along nicely but it’s difficult to remember the notes in the bass clef. I’m still working on my technique which involves running up and down the keys (leaving my back paws to play the bass while my front paws tackle the treble), or sometimes sitting in front of the keys in a more traditional position (which requires less energy but tends to restrict the range of notes I can play).
Anyway, the time flew by (excuse the pun) and John returned home just as I was stretching after my late afternoon nap. He said that Eastbourne was heaving with thousands of people and the trains were apparently a ‘nightmare’. Nevertheless, he took some great pictures of the aircraft on display like the super manoeuvrable Chinook chopper and the amazing Red Arrows. He told me the series of flypasts performed by the Vulcan to mark its final year of flight were breath-taking. Apparently the turbojet Rolls Royce engines howled as the Vulcan’s nose soared through the air almost vertical during take-off before the beautiful delta style wings levelled off and the plane roared across the sky. It looked almost flat as it disappeared across the sky line which may have helped it evade capture during its operational missions.
Soon dark clouds moved across the sky and rain started to splash against the windows, while John began editing his photos and I enjoyed a high-protein dinner and an extra good licking. You don’t get a shiny fur coat like this without committing to a thorough cleansing regime! As I shut my eyes, I dreamt my coat had a camouflage pattern and I was flying through the atmosphere, diving towards the ground with a huge grin on my face and rising up above the clouds which became butterflies fluttering around me. My paw twitched in excitement as I experienced what it must be like as a bird flying free when I felt John’s gentle hand on my side which made me purr instantly and drift off into the most peaceful after dinner snooze.
John went up to Felbridge Showground in East Grinstead the other day for a commercial shoot of some brand new Equihunter horse boxes. Look how shiny! These luxury horseboxes are nothing short of the best in the field of horseboxes, and I should know having been to Felbridge to test them out. This involved some strenuous activities such as sitting and laying for prolonged periods in different positions in the splendid lounge/kitchenette area behind the driving cabin, as well as interviewing the horses for their opinions on comfort and safety levels. I was tempted to go back to Felbridge to see my horsey friend who nudged me with his soft bristly nose on my last visit, but I had other plans.
While John was in Felbridge earning his pennies, I went to a music shop to spend them! I’ve always had a musical ear which I’m sure John will confirm as he has heard me meow many a song while listening to the Saga-louts perform their rockin’ tunes. So he offered to buy me a special item for my new hobby, a keyboard which I can learn to play and hopefully one day entertain him with in appreciation of the gift. I came home with a great Roland V-Combo which has more buttons on it than the Kennedy Space Centre! So watch this space because all I need is a few weeks to practice my arpeggios and then I’ll learn to play a proper song. It will be so much fun. I remember playing as a little kitten, leaping across the keys from middle C, hitting a G major scale and finishing with a basic blues. So I’m hoping that this practice in my early years will help me have another go this time round. Wish me luck! I’ll keep you posted.
While Shad is away visiting one of his many cousins, I have been let loose on the blog, dangerous I know. Considering I don’t have the flare and wit of Shadow.
So I thought I would make it easy for myself and share with you a typical summer weekend. If I’m not shooting a wedding or event; then I will be talking to a couple about their up and coming day.
I have a simple process I like to work through with a couple once they have confirmed a date with me. They will receive a simple shot list which covers the formal photos and gives them ideas about other types of photos I can capture during the day. Weeks before the date I will plan the wedding interview where I get them to nominate a member of the wedding party who will know most of the attendees, they will help with rounding up the guests when I start taking the formal photographs. We also talk about specific requirements including the church / venue restrictions, family photos they must have etc.
If I’m shooting an event then as most of you blog readers will know it could be for a charity, like this weekend I was asked to photograph a local regatta for Fareham Sailing and Motor Boat Club who were playing host to their members and the local Sea Scouts. Who raced up and down Fareham Creek in dingy’s and gigs.
Looking forward to when the boy returns and he will bring you his unique take on the world… He certainly can do better job than me!!!!
shadthecat 