James' PAD Blog

New Address For This Blog

2010-01-09T23:53:00.001Z

This blog is now somewhere else...

http://jso.me.uk/

2009-11-19T00:18:00.001Z

http://counsellor.name

Guinea Pigs With Skull

2007-04-20T00:02:00.000Z

Peacock

2007-04-19T22:54:00.001Z

Pelican

2007-04-18T22:53:00.000Z

Intense Red Flower

2007-04-17T22:52:00.000Z

Tiger, Tiger

2007-04-16T22:51:00.000Z

Strange Turtle Thing

2007-04-15T22:50:00.000Z

Zebra

2007-04-14T22:50:00.000Z

Monkey

2007-04-13T22:49:00.000Z

Lizard #02

2007-04-12T22:48:00.000Z

Lizard #01

2007-04-11T22:48:00.000Z

Frog

2007-04-10T22:47:00.000Z

African Elephant

2007-04-09T22:46:00.000Z

Leaf Cutter Ant

2007-04-08T22:45:00.000Z

Passing Time

2007-04-07T00:19:00.000Z

Tree

2007-04-06T00:18:00.000Z

Cuckoo Pint

2007-04-05T00:17:00.000Z

Trees

2007-04-04T00:16:00.000Z

Butterfly

2007-04-03T16:34:00.001Z

Duck

2007-04-02T16:33:00.000Z

Dandylion

2007-04-01T14:32:00.000Z

Great Crested Grebe

2007-03-31T12:59:00.000Z

Pylon

2007-03-30T07:02:00.000Z

Broom Flower

2007-03-29T02:17:00.000Z

Holly Leaf

2007-03-28T22:33:00.000Z

Bird Watching

2007-03-27T17:12:00.000Z

Climbing Rose

2007-03-26T00:09:00.000Z

Blackthorn Flowers

2007-03-25T22:36:00.000Z

Roots

2007-03-24T00:00:00.000Z

Roller

2007-03-23T00:00:00.000Z

Bursting Bud

2007-03-22T00:00:00.000Z

Flowers, Freeman Patterson Style

2007-03-21T00:00:00.000Z

Fingers

2007-03-20T00:00:00.000Z

Sticky Bud

2007-03-19T00:00:00.000Z

Big Bud

2007-03-18T00:00:00.000Z

Bird Bath

2007-03-17T00:00:00.000Z

Railway Curves

2007-03-16T17:02:00.000Z

Blue

2007-03-15T21:27:00.000Z

Erik The Reds Stone

2007-03-14T23:59:00.000Z

Dartmoor View

2007-03-13T20:11:00.001Z

Daffodil

2007-03-12T23:09:00.000Z

Little Doorway #2

2007-03-11T23:11:00.000Z

Another little doorway, this time though rather than being short it is very narrow :-)

Primrose

2007-03-10T22:25:00.000Z

Schumaker Tree Flower

2007-03-09T23:59:00.000Z

Missed my first day of this PAD :-( This post has been tampered with ;)

Pickled Onion

2007-03-08T22:56:00.000Z

Jane & I pickled some onions last autumn, this gave me an excuse to try them ;-) Yummy.

Spiral

2007-03-07T22:56:00.000Z

It's a springy thingie, (it holds my soldering iron when it's too hot to put down).

Prestige

2007-03-06T23:55:00.000Z

Just joining in with the March macro madness ;-)

Ich Dien

2007-03-05T20:31:00.000Z

I Serve

Lunar Eclipse

2007-03-04T02:31:00.000Z

How many times have you seen this today ;-)

Paignton (31/30)

2007-03-03T20:00:00.000Z

Day 31 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Not being too pleased at having to end the 30 days where I live with a photo from last year I went out today (between showers) and took some shots of Paignton from a good vantage point. This is a pano of six portrait orientation shots, you may have to open the full sized version to see the following details. It starts with Preston on the left (Preston is part of Paignton), and goes through Paignton, Goodrington (also part of Paignton), Broadsands (part of Paignton), Churston and finally Brixham, ending with Berry Head. About a third of the way across from the right is Paignton Pier just above that is Roundham Head. I have to say that I am glad it is over, the weather has not been good for doing this, I may revisit the idea later in the summer (then again I may not ;-P)

Haytor and Saddle Tor (30/30)

2007-03-02T23:15:00.000Z

Day 30 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

As it hasn't stopped raining all day I have had to resort to a shot from last year, not really the way I wanted to end the 30 days where I live challenge but unfortunately out of my control.

On the left is Haytor, on the right Saddle Tor.

Seaside Sunset (29/30)

2007-03-01T21:48:00.000Z

Day 29 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Making the most of a nice evening, though I'm not sure if I should have cloned out that ship on the horizon...

Brixham Harbour (28/30)

2007-02-28T21:55:00.000Z

Day 28 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Another shot from yesterdays visit to Brixham.

Brixham (27/30)

2007-02-27T23:25:00.000Z

Day 27 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

This is four hand held photos stitched together so it is a bit messy in places.

Stover In IR (26/30)

2007-02-26T23:10:00.000Z

Day 26 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Tomorrow I will go out and take a fresh photo! The last four days have not all been taken on the day as I have been very busy, weather permitting I will go out tomorrow and take a fresh bunch of photos.

Stover Lake (25/30)

2007-02-25T23:04:00.000Z

Day 25 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

We went out to stover today again for a walk. This is the view across the main lake.

Hound Tor #3 (24/30)

2007-02-24T21:13:00.000Z

Day 24 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Another from yesterday.

Hound Tor #2 (23/30)

2007-02-23T23:49:00.000Z

Day 23 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

20 days later and I'm back to Hound Tor, much closer this time though as we went up for a walk with some of the kids and the dogs. If you want some idea of how big Hound Tor is check this zoomed in flash Earth map, in the lower right corner is a car park with cars to compare.

Treeline (22/30)

2007-02-22T22:56:00.000Z

Day 20 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Busy day, here is another shot from Stover, not really a very "where I live" one though.

The Spanish Barn (21/30)

2007-02-21T17:37:00.000Z

Day 21 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

A rather flat and uninspiring shot of 'The Spanish Barn' built C.1196 by the monks at Torre Abbey and used in 1588 to hold 397 spanish prisoners of war from the Spanish armada, which is where the name comes from. In their somewhat questionable wisdom Torbay council decided to stick a pitch & put golf course in front of it and a rather tacky sign above the doors..

Pond (20/30)

2007-02-20T23:56:00.000Z

Day 20 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I was out looking for trees to photograph today at Stover Lake. The area is owned by the National Trust and is a 'nature park' with walks and information about the various flora and fauna that can be found there. This is a small stagnant insect pond which is joined to the lake.

Torquay Sea Front (19/30)

2007-02-19T17:52:00.000Z

Day 19 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Another shot from yesterday as today brought nothing but rain all day, again... This is the view of torquay sea front from the curly bridge, not a greatly inspiring view really but reality when you've lived here long enough to see past the summer veneer.

The Curly Bridge (18/30)

2007-02-18T23:24:00.000Z

Day 18 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Another dull day in Devon ;-)

If you zoom in on the flash earth map you can see the bridge. I have no idea when it was built or who by, but it is a local landmark. Often you will hear lost grockles being told "turn right at the curly bridge" as there are several large hotels and hundereds of guest houses up that way.

River Dart @ Hexworthy (17/30)

2007-02-17T16:51:00.000Z

Day 17 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Just a bit of the River Dart near Hexworthy, this is the same river that I shot HMS Westminster in, though this is much further up-river ;-)

Boat (16/30)

2007-02-16T22:47:00.000Z

Day 16 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I had to use a photo from a few days ago as I have had no chance to take anything today. This is a small charter boat, possibly a wreck fishing or diving charter, passing Thatchers Rock on its way back to Torquay from wherever it had been that day.

Preston Beach (15/30)

2007-02-15T23:56:00.000Z

Day 15 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Halfway through the 30 days where I live project ;-) This is Preston beach with an easterly breeze blowing.

Osbourne Park, Newton Abbot (14/30)

2007-02-14T19:01:00.000Z

Day 14 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

On Wednesdays I do voluntary work at Newton Abbot Youth Advice Centre, this is the view from the doorway. Not fantastically exciting I know, but it would have been dark by the time I was home so I wouldn't have got anything better by waiting...

Edited to add : Yes, I took this with my phone ;-) Please don't appologise, constructive critisism is always welcomed..

Torbay Road (13/30)

2007-02-13T16:29:00.000Z

Day 13 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Torbay Road, known locally as grockle alley because every shop is either a gift shop or amusement arcade. During the winter months most of the shops along Torbay Road do not open.

Exeter Cathedral (12/30)

2007-02-12T23:59:00.000Z

Day 12 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I have been in Exeter all day today without my camera so this was taken on my phone (which is why the quality is so low...)

Goodrington Beach (11/30)

2007-02-11T23:08:00.000Z

Day 11 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Wooo, another beach under a grey sky :-\ Living in a bay less than 4 miles across makes for lots and lots of beaches. Just right of center the light green 'things' are waterslides, behind that and across a road is Clennon Valley and if you were looking in the opposite direction you would see Roundham Head.

Thatchers Rock (10/30)

2007-02-10T19:46:00.000Z

Day 10 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Not a greatly inspiring sky unfortunately, but I thought that as I had mentioned it a few times we should visit Thatchers Rock.

Edited to add : I have no idea how it came to be called Thatchers Rock and cannot find any reference to why. I do know that it is not named after Maggie, it has had its name for many more years than she has been around. This didn't stop the local conservatives spending loads of money errecting a massive sign on the island congratulating her first victory, it prompty blew away ;-)

Roundham Head (9/30)

2007-02-09T19:24:00.000Z

Day 9 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

This is the view over the bay from Roundham Head. In the distance is Torquay, just out of sight on the left would be the harbour and pier.

Laura Grove (8/30)

2007-02-08T19:15:00.000Z

Day 8 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I caught a break in the clouds to capture this shot of the street I live on, my house is further down just out of sight around the bend. The Town on the headland in the distance is Brixham.

Edited to add : It is a 'Torbay Palm' they have been grown here and associated with the area for many years (the real name is cabbage palm)..

Challenger Woods (7/30)

2007-02-07T23:13:00.000Z

Day 7 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I have been way too busy today, this is a shot I took a few days ago. The dots and lines across the fields further down the valley are what will one day be Challenger Woods.

The Beach (6/30)

2007-02-06T16:29:00.000Z

Day 6 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

This is the shingle at the top of Paignton beach which will eventually be worn down to make our deep red sand. The bokeh in the distance is Torquay, on the far right of which is (you guessed it) Thatchers Rock, The pier is behind and to the right of where this was taken.

The View From Here (5/30)

2007-02-05T19:04:00.000Z

Day 5 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

The view from an upstairs window. We live in a bungalow which has had a loft conversion, this is the view from my daughters bedroom window. In the distance (just left of the centre of the image) you may just about be able to make out Thatchers Rock through the haze.

Paignton Pier (4/30)

2007-02-04T22:55:00.000Z

Day 4 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

Paignton Pier is probably one of the towns main landmarks, it was first opened to the public in June 1879. On the full size edit (click the picture) just past the end of the pier in the distance you can see Thatchers Rock, another of the areas landmarks.

Hound Tor (3/30)

2007-02-03T21:04:00.000Z

Day 3 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

This is Hound Tor, one of the better known tors on Dartmoor. I didn't get very close as we were busy going elsewhere. I also think I may have overprocessed it a bit :-\

HMS Westminster (F237) @ Dartmouth (2/30)

2007-02-02T21:08:00.000Z

Day 2 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

This is the HMS Westminster (F237) visiting Dartmouth. Not a particularly artistic shot, rather more editorial in nature, but the idea is to show where I live and what it is like right now.

Clennon Valley (1/30)

2007-02-01T19:26:00.000Z

Day 1 of 30 days of "Where I Live". This shot was taken standing here, I have rotated the map so that it shows the orientation of the image (pointing up).

I hope the weather improves over the next few weeks as today was very overcast and not at all good for photograhy.

Macro Chrome

2007-01-31T23:54:00.000Z

I didn't enter the shallow DOF challenge in the end.

Tomorrow I will be starting the 30 Day "Where I Live" Challenge so expect a good few photos of Paignton and surrounding areas over the next month as I will probably post them here as my blog entries.

Holes

2007-01-30T23:57:00.000Z

Roundabout

2007-01-29T23:36:00.000Z

Ethan on a roundabout, not the greatest or most artistic of shots but I'm late today and very tired..

Little Doorway

2007-01-28T22:34:00.000Z

I'm sure this was never intended for people to use as it is only about 4 foot high so maybe fairies or pixies?

Teabag Squeezer

2007-01-27T22:23:00.000Z

I thought of making this mystery object #03 but decided it was too obscure..

Harbour Lights

2007-01-26T20:35:00.000Z

Another shot of Paignton harbour, this time from a different angle and in better weather ;-)

In The Sky

2007-01-25T22:33:00.000Z

I saw a plane flying overhead past the moon and took a quick snap. It's a shot I have been trying to pull off for ages but have always found my camera lacking (or myself...). Lots of PP later I have this, still not satisfied but I think it looks interesting.

AT49F1024-45VC-0043

2007-01-24T22:50:00.000Z

I'm brainstorming for Shallow DOF III as it will be the first repeat challenge I have entered, I really want to better my Shallow DOF II entry but it is my second highest score... Guess I had better keep on trying to think of something good as I don't think this is original enough ;-)

Paignton Sands

2007-01-23T20:41:00.000Z

Hopefully they will clean up the mess from the MSC Napoli, which has been beached at Branscombe 26 miles away, properly and we won't get any extra pollution here.

Chocolate Chip Ninja Snaps

2007-01-22T23:58:00.000Z

I was so busy making these chocolate chip ninja snaps that I almost forgot to take a picture today!

Electric Flowers

2007-01-21T18:21:00.000Z

I knew I would eventually work out a PAD shot with these, it just took some time thinking how to make it a bit interesting, I hope I managed.

Mystery Object #002

2007-01-20T03:55:00.000Z

As I'm going to dinner with the in-laws tonight I shot today early so I won't have to worry about it later ;-)

Macro Metal

2007-01-19T23:51:00.000Z

This is the nut on top of our coffee grinder. I would have prefered the focus to be on the closest part of the nut but didn't have time to re-shoot it tonight.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

2007-01-18T11:18:00.000Z

Or buy a decent lens cloth...

Matches

2007-01-17T23:33:00.000Z

This is not, nor is it similar to my challenge entry...

I just got the idea from the challenge and shot some of my own today ;-)

Garlic

2007-01-16T23:32:00.000Z

I bought loads of garlic in the autumn to plant out and grow this year, I still haven't planted any...

Cornflower

2007-01-15T11:57:00.000Z

Not a fresh bloom today ;-)

Rose

2007-01-14T11:48:00.000Z

I guess it must be the warm weather thats making roses bloom already...

Paintbrush

2007-01-13T22:01:00.000Z

I caught my wife painting some walls today, shame she wasnt doing it when the Light on White challenge was running...

I have spent most of today recreating my blog template in XML, hopefully you should notice little difference from the old blog, but if you find anything is broken please let me know ;-)

Edited to add: Thanks rennie for pointing out that problem, it should be fixed now.