After enjoying days of great sunny weather we’ve been slapped round the face with more wet winds.  Determined to photograph the latest spring blooms I weathered the impending storm and it’s just as well as the next morning they were gone.  Blown off in the wild gales.

It was a slow start to this week when a long power cut reminded us of the potential pains of living without electricity.  Our water tanks may be overflowing but without power to pump there wasn’t much we could do.  At least I was able to scoop supplies to heat up on the gas hob – just in time for the power to be reconnected and for us to get back into business.  I think we may need to invest in a small generator for future emergency conditions.  The one thing we’ve learned from the recent earthquake in Canterbury is how long it can take to renew services to rural properties.  To be as self sufficient as you can be is definitely the way to go.

A little like the wind life seems to be passing at a rattling rate.  A few busy work days have kept me away from home but at last my weekend starts here with no more appointments and the possibilities of some more gentle domestic chores.  That and my photography.

For all the reading and practising on my own, I decided it was time I ventured out and started to work with other like minded people.  I started a short course in photography on Tuesday evening – session one was my favourite subjects – Maths and Physics.  The basics of how a camera works and the theory behind f-stops and shutter speeds.  I can tell you my head was most definitely in a spin after two hours of that.  Ratios and relationships, lenses and apertures.  All the important basic principles that I’m looking forward to putting into practice and step up my photography.  First practical session is Saturday.  Hope the weather is kind to us.