A few weeks ago, I took the bold step of booking an RPS trip. Bold because I always feel like I am pretending, if I put myself out there as a 'photographer', bold because I'm not someone who easily volunteers to drive somewhere unknown, and bold because I don't really like the thought of doing photography in a group. Still, I want to improve, and so these hurdles need to be overcome.
As the day approached, there were two medical emergencies in my family and it looked as though I might need to be 300 miles in the opposite direction to accompany my father to an appointment. But, as it happened, my brother stepped in, keeping the date available to me.
Alongside that distraction, I was also getting increasingly concerned about my mobility which has taken a big knock these last few weeks as pain in my knees has been cranking up. However, I wasn't going to give in to that and just resolved to take it as carefully as possible. Disappointing though - becasue I do like to crouch down to take a shot. Impossible for me right now - the lowest I can get being through the taking of a giraffe style stance.
With highest ever temperatures in the UK being reached on Thursday, came the email and risk assessment carrying phrases such as sun stroke, and dehydration. But come the day before, it became apparant that there would be an about turn in the weather with rain forcast all day.
And so it was, that me and my compact, departed on Sunday morning, to the unknown territory of Sharpenhoe Clappers, accompanied by rain, and a walking pole and opting to leave the tripod behind.
Imagine my dismay when despite the event having been FULLY BOOKED the only three other people in the car park where the two photographers running the trip - one to lead the wild life and butterflies group, the other for more general photogaphy, plus one spouse.
It rained all day, my compact zoom lens didn't want to play and spent a large proportion of the time telling me about its system error. Never the less, with a fully absorbent cleaning cloth loaned to me by one of the leaders, I stuck at it and by lunch time was starting to look forward to the remaining few hours, to have been spent in fields of wild flowers. I was even beginning to work out which shots I wanted to take. My knee was beginning to feel a little more stable and anxious to catch up the others who had gone ahead to the car park I took one bold step in a bid to increase my steady and cautious pace. Snap. The knee momentarily collapsed beneath me, and I had to make an excrutiating journey back to the car, smiling sweetly and excusing myself from the rest of the day.
So, with that sorry tale, I introduce my next series which will be from a morning in Sharpenhoe Clappers.
If you are anywhere near, I recommend a visit. I hear the butterflies are abundant at this time of year!
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sharpenhoe
