Shaun, Linda, Tom(!), Elaine and I decided that summer had come and it was time to get out and about so we looked for a National Trust property that would give something for everyon (especially Tom). Wimpole Hall Gardens and the Farm proved to be a big success and was definitely worth a revisit from my point of view.

It snowed again. After a lazy morning we both decided to go for a walk through town, down by the river and to see if the Botanical Gardens were open. They weren't, so instead we went to a placed called Browns and had some delicious food before walking home again. There was snow and ice and ducks and stuff.

Popped out to the local park to play off the two Canon 50mm lenses (f/1.4 and f/1.8) against each other. Just a few shots out of the few dozen I took which I liked the look of. And no, I haven't decided which one is the best lens for me. At least, not yet.

A couple of sunset/silhouette pictures apropos of Elaine ringing me and telling me to look out of the window. Which I did. Luckily I had my camera with me. Unfortunately I only had the 50mm lens I keep banging on about so the results are somewhat... odd. Nevertheless I like the dreamy quality (read: blurred, unfocused) to some of the shots. You're perfectly entitled not to if you wish.

Walking in Wales.

Took a wander with Cormac and Steph around Wandlebury, then went back the next day on my bike to try out my new lens having a go at bird spotting. Didn't see anything other than a robin all day. In the end I came back through town and spotted a duckling zipping about at about 40 knots on the water. I managed to get at least one reasonable shot of it. I fully intend to go somewhere with more wildfowl in the very near future and put this kit to better use.

Went for a wander around town. plenty of things happening (Rag Week fun, busking). I also went down to the river and attempted to get some shots with the new zoom lens. I'm not sure how good they are, but I thought I'd put them up anway.

Finally, a chance to try out the new lens on something worth of its full telephoto ability. Of course with me behind the viewfinder and controlling the settings of the camera the resulting shots aren't all that good, but for a first attempt I'm fairly pleased. Maybe a lower ISO might have helped. Anyway, herein displayed my first trip to Welney Wildfowl & Wetland Trust, and boy was it cold.

Decided to take a walk, so walked to Ely. Seems to be about nineteen miles. Lovely day. Caught the leading edge of a hail storm, otherwise bright and sunny.

"Ah, Boston in the Fall..." Well with Jenny out there for the next year or so I thought now would be the time to take advantage of a friendly face to show me around. It also being Thanksgiving we took a very short trip to Cape Cod to see what the place was like out of season. The answer: brilliant, cold, windy, deserted, wonderful. Also, this collection contains penguins, autumnal colours, climbing, a squirrel and vague attempts at being vaguely arty, vaguely.

Kris was spending some time in China, researching her Ph.D, teaching to get free accommodation and generally using her time usefully. Given she speaks/reads/writes Mandarin and knows an awful lot about China we figured it'd be the very best time for me to come and visit her and China. Especially as we both needed a holiday.

Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Yangshuo and back to Beijing again. Some fabulous hotels, amazing archeological and historical sites, lots of people (LOTS of people) and some truly astounding scenery. Not to mention some lovely company.

Cormac and Steph turned 30. This seemed like a good idea for a party. 16 of us (and one small child) descended on a large white house in Salcombe, Devon for a week. There was cooking, drinking, running, kayaking, golf (apparently) and lots of wandering around and looking at things in wonderful weather.

Kris and I took off on the train and bikes to Scotland, just a few dozen miles south of Edinburgh, for the week. We stayed in a fantastic place called Barns Tower just outside of the town of Peebles. Cue a large amount of excellent cycling, wonderful walking and even some time to just relax and read without interruptions from phones and computers. Bliss! It only rained a few times too, and we never got soaked. Much kudos to Kris for carrying two heavy panniers on a much heavier bike than mine!