First of all SORRY!! I'm behind on commenting again. I went out for dinner last night and as one of my friends arrived very late I didn't get home till 11.30. Normally that wouldn't matter but I wanted to get up at 4am to see Rachel and Nigel off on their trip to the World Karate Champs in North Carolina, especially as Rachel turns 18 while they're away. Needless to say, when waiting for an alarm, I didn't sleep much at all before it was time for them to get up. At 5am I had had a cup of tea, read my book and JUST switched the light off when my mobile started to buzz....Nigel on the hard-shoulder of the M11 in a broken down taxi. Luckily I had had a very sober evening (still recovering from Saturday night!) so I was up and out and on a mercy dash to the airport by 5.10am, arriving back just after 9am thanks in large part to the first cup of caffeinated coffee I've bought in years!! Quick shower, dog walk, lunch with my friend and babies to celebrate a first birthday and flaked out by 3pm.....
Thanks for all of the lovely comments you've made recently - this is another play with my macro gadget I was hoping that these flowers would turn into the lovely cone flowers we see on here but this is pretty much what they do - nice but not exactly a dramatic display.
Stunning macro shot! Sounds like your day got off with a bang and kept on coming. :) Hope Nigel and your soon-to-be-18 year old Rachel have a wonderful trip to the great state of North Carolina, USA!! Is one of them participating in the Karate Championship???
@peggysirk Thanks Peggy! They have arrived safely, as have the oversize weapons, and the Charlotte coach company was ready and waiting so I think they are relaxing a bit now! Both are competing but only Rachel is famous for it ;0) http://365project.org/judithg/365/2012-06-23
Beautiful detail, I'm loving your new lens thinga-ma-jig! I thought the flower was an echinacia flower (a bit like a cone flower) But it seems a bit petally challenged!!
Sounds like a hectic time for you! I really like the pastel stripes of colour in the background and think the flower has a certain architectural appeal with the spiky centre xx
Such a story & you had quite a night & morning, just as well you were able to rescue them in time to catch their flight...you won't use that taxi firm again! What an exciting trip though & lots of good luck to both! You will be waiting with bated breath for the results.
This macro gadget is looks a very useful tool to have in your box, must be very good to use these new things & loads more interesting than a boring P&S even a more advanced model!! This flower is very pretty & such beautiful soft colours.
Well after reading what a hectic time you had Judith I am not surprised you haven't had time to make comments ! it amazes me yo have got round to putting this beautiful photo on . Hope the rest of their trip goes well
I checked out your June post that I somehow missed. WooHoo! Rachel looks like a total pro ~ wow!! I wish her the best in the upcoming competition! And of course, Nigel too! Are they in Charlotte? For some reason I thought they were going to be in Greensboro??? If they're in CLT I'll have to go hunt them down and say hello. :)
@peggysirk Sadly it is in Greensboro - Charlotte would have been fun and I would definitely have suggested the photo op!! They flew into Charlotte this time instead of Raleigh - flights fit better.
@fueast I heard the trailer very early this morning - gets very interesting! I'm recording it for Rachel cos of all the psychology - she's very honest.
@fueast Great timing from that team leader guy - nothing like wrecking her moment of glory. Very intense - that's why I've turned them down - I'll stick to carrying my shopping!!
sounds liek a JP type of day, dashing here there and everywhere on an early start! feet up tonight then! the colours in this are great - will have to get the details of your gaget off you when we catch up in a couple of weeks - looks a good investment!
well that was one busy day Judith, this is a beautifully crafted shot and one to be proud of.
Actually, if Nigel was in a taxi, couldn't the taxi man ring base and get another taxi to come out ......or is that too simplistic ....or was that not an option !
@phil_howcroft Well we use an 'executive' taxi company that is extremely reliable but we had a very long over-sized piece of luggage (for carrying weapons!) so he referred us on to Bob from Barrington with his big Volvo. He ended up setting off late from the house because he couldn't work out how to drop his back seat to fit the luggage in - 'I should have done it last night..' - yes you should. Then he managed to pull over metres after the turn off for Stansted which would have been an ideal place to find a big taxi. And then he kept saying he didn't know what to do and suggesting his wife but her car was too small..... You get the picture. Nigel cut his losses and called Wonder Woman instead!! If they'd missed the plane they could have got another but the team would have had to travel without weapons and that would have gone down very badly! And then when we opened the armrest 'hatch' to slide the 'tube' through Bob said, 'Oh I've got one of those'. Grrrrrr.
This macro gadget is looks a very useful tool to have in your box, must be very good to use these new things & loads more interesting than a boring P&S even a more advanced model!! This flower is very pretty & such beautiful soft colours.
Now go and get some rest!
Actually, if Nigel was in a taxi, couldn't the taxi man ring base and get another taxi to come out ......or is that too simplistic ....or was that not an option !
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah1sAaOB0wc/T_DbcvPNBwI/AAAAAAAAA_g/PWFp3Qc3_RI/s640/wonder-woman.jpg