tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69669520085598367622024-03-13T15:50:57.802+00:00through nicky's lenscapturing moments, preserving memoriesNicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.comBlogger394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-32627844752972022152019-01-17T21:29:00.000+00:002019-01-17T21:29:43.374+00:00Jodie and Blue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6xND1PYdEERvWm5wvEMQYl8utsGD8NmFAVnCCTIr-1jRfS_nVqbxSC1jk8xYI9JJO3G4Cj9OewBiDsw_l31jp10oauQRCjw3VHWX5fo1ubcD4-CM9HihjV1KBqsquyj9ZHhEVjAT-ENd/s1600/P2220038+Jodie+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6xND1PYdEERvWm5wvEMQYl8utsGD8NmFAVnCCTIr-1jRfS_nVqbxSC1jk8xYI9JJO3G4Cj9OewBiDsw_l31jp10oauQRCjw3VHWX5fo1ubcD4-CM9HihjV1KBqsquyj9ZHhEVjAT-ENd/s320/P2220038+Jodie+Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Jodie has been riding since she was 7, over half her life. Just. Ownership is costly, but she's learning life skills and life lessons from the responsibility.<br />
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#horse #rider #horseriding #daughter #jodie #blackandwhite</div>
Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-42368911514083558152014-03-18T18:07:00.000+00:002014-03-18T18:09:35.675+00:00The Lowry, Salford Docks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSm2_5fxv7puLu1TosvrdVU2IPwWXZ4mb3VGkSOnqcCdTe0C76mGwzZz9fNwwvtCnBTQiCTGJG8PBHUs9rfPYI0SPPhqBFbahqGngmrsjcR-UgYCD6aSZxaLNOtmnvRhSp0ePDpU_kpmC/s1600/Lowry2014_0107.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>The Lowry building has I'm sure, been photographed</b> millions of times, but only once by me. Accompanying a school visit isn't the best way to get to spend quality photographic time at a venue, but it was still an opportunity. </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbai7hcUjuEOjLJwLmrDmdyA1iwPSLZNg00qXKu14gpUankA8cmKkJhVYDDCNeB5m8zOl-JiQWIP_jP7gMWw3n-ZjPOinu9gBkdCmf7PWm6fKkdw1aDbCa0FIIqqxaD2QiGtvahHj1X5_5/s1600/Lowry2014_0158.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Ever changing reflections in the water of Salford Docks.</span><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZqveD_pOCtCpHk32ch570KHTKr4Kr7ln0oASTFsYuLJ6V79T8bGTqnAvKg2hPQtyl0v5QS6fCTKMsYG2VV058b87kjFCcBRE0xSzW7-hGENmHPGFWNsWVGCF37Ny3jXUN3wAXa7ypDGG/s1600/Lowry2014_0159.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLh-G83F-aUQ_jf8Kas6pUdH9jgiV1QYW24FEy4m0MENiuh5CGBBqqakhT_S56aKOG-iqaRSTwB815JLPZiJx4J8G7Fw3mvGcRtwq7hBcxnKAMVMpebYLHbPPT88MZu5CwQ2O01Dvg3TM/s1600/Lowry2014_0168.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you look closely you can see folk at work in their offices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will definitely come back, but I hope for a quieter visit (no school party!) and for brighter weather - hey at least it didn't rain.</span></div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-14229586897004241972013-02-11T20:29:00.002+00:002013-02-11T20:32:39.037+00:00Photowalk, 7th July 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K9j4kzDu10y2yGQdoGliqBIupgwy6MyBFZ2VfiRdBOmW0RYrqAXfp6G6be9knslCcPI7_4nT6tsQbj5eqVFZ8axDcPmgdJdlPFOyXhnIKtNC6JpAaC05U8GPwp7zY-Ni7RJ7-4uqBk9j/s640/NSH_17591.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>The theme</b> was Details.</div>
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I invariably capture images which are not related to the theme ;0)</div>
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The weather was mixed, sunny spells and scattered showers.</div>
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he full set appears <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickyheppenstall/sets/72157631480782004/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-57213378974322691092013-02-11T14:53:00.000+00:002013-02-11T20:34:12.567+00:00Photowalk, 6th June 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Jodie sometimes comes along</b> with me on a photowalk. The theme on this one was Light into Dark, which might have been easier to pursue had the sun shone, but it was dull overcast and we ended up popping into the degree show - the light in this corridor was great!</div>
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On the way back into the centre of Derby along Markeaton Brook.</div>
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The fountain/water feature in the Market Place.<br />
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The full set appears <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickyheppenstall/sets/72157630017242022/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-16584121878744344732013-02-11T14:31:00.000+00:002013-02-11T14:31:02.934+00:00Red gate, and cats 28th June 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-Dg0F44glv0fCeR12me0luxG1UV0MtFH7JuYgQmuThX6SkbqOF1ZSvt-WC0CgN9aZ8k8FQylND9qJGYpQRIbv_hKUW9CMQc0Ot97sy24uOGC0301Te5Y6ttBv4xSIe_TI4idYjC1-X_D/s640/NSH_16869.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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<b>Torrential rain fell,</b> so great was the force the whole gate was wet. We live on a hill, so I don't worry about the house being flooded, but the garden is often waterlogged and sometimes we have some ingress over the front doorstep under the front door.</div>
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The cats investigated, but soon came back in, shaking their wet paws.</div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-64202184707527102332013-02-10T19:10:00.003+00:002013-02-10T19:11:14.287+00:00Jodie, 26th June 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After a client earlier that day, I left the lights up for Jodie after school. She is growing up fast, too fast.</div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-54547819789370898672013-02-10T18:43:00.001+00:002013-02-10T18:53:17.076+00:00Hunsworth Event, June 23rd 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdrZMx7JxcGL6Zgut6qS3zORGxTYekhdGVRLvq3V3SARlK212AFe2iVDxEADcwC-O18nmaFIpHa1y_Nv1Qg4KrVHl-Fj5hBVT22fztg_j7N6KOiyKceO8Jv354H466xYjaPxTfPl40qqS/s640/NSH_16657.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>We drove all the way there</b> having not had a text message to let us know it was (largely) cancelled due to the wet weather. Some trade stands and static camps soldiered on, but there was to be no real re-enactments or demos in the flooded arena, so we chatted, grabbed a sandwich and a cuppa, and then drove all the way home. It was disappointing, but not a complete washout for two reasons: 1) I got a few good pictures, and 2) sliding about on the mud track getting on and off the car parking field was dead exciting! It wasn't quite festival mud ;0)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JbrUHNX9T33kQJia9pKxyepa10i0Jq5Q3Ovm0zQY_WMo1OloCH3vtEuXJzZqQlozLHtUhOYBidrYXF8ESpeqeUpqhsVF8uW-E_c7ZaQ4AOMDj8WtKRWybw1hP-356razcEQ1VuZ_G2ra/s640/NSH_16687.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul, John, Tracy, Brian (Comrade Stalin), Phil & Oliver</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWwk6Kx5GlKp9nl78aRTr1rFfoVvap9SFARqa9Owqr5-WffxTjiUQ7yme-pZcv7-ISRVF39bod35q3M2a04-h0b3oW0-RidiFb6FYP6ZD9aJaj-L7j9z3v8Tz-K_az06lx5wUwdSrztiX/s320/NSH_16669.jpg" width="297" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were on quite high ground, but still it was waterlogged.</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh839qaiMkox3WuK1p7earP97vWzcMM6rWee4nZCVqXpa46P_3k8KLM-b41cGyRJB_ZR9-8jSn3evt48sCdMtkSjXBuwACENaJATqyJGGsYdJC1boOCuDSwoIlFvrUEiMvMa9QqMJS_OEPa/s320/NSH_16677.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliver. The helmet and plasch palatka were from Moscow, the former we bought at Sparrow Hills near to Moscow State University, the latter a gift from our lovely hosts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The muddiest mud I've ever trod!</td></tr>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-44457437544025730822013-02-03T18:10:00.001+00:002013-02-03T18:22:55.581+00:00Wings & Wheels, Elvington, 26th May 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>New ammo pouches </b>getting their first airing at Elvington.</div>
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<b>There has been quite a break in blogging</b> through one thing and another, being insanely busy, being incredibly tired, but I have so missed it, and hope to get back into the habit over the next few weeks and months. I do love sharing images, and this is my favourite way to do so, a little more meat than simply a set on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickyheppenstall/" target="_blank">flickr</a>, or a few snaps on facebook. Not only that, but making time to work on personal images is very theraputic, all good stuff. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enamel mugs, standard issue.</td></tr>
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After our exciting Moscow trip, Elvington was a tad weird, but Oliver was soon back in the swing of sharing his boundless enthusiasm for all things military with others, any who would listen!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflecting the blue, times two.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two wheels ready and waiting.</td></tr>
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Had I thought ahead to blogging images of pairs, I might have removed a bucket ;0) ...but on balance, straightening the left bucket would have made a better image.</div>
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The shadow of the metal stairs up the side of the control building created a graphic image. Almost but not quite monochrome.</div>
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Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com1Elvington, York YO41, UK53.922235 -0.9304650000000265228.4002005 -42.239059000000026 79.4442695 40.378128999999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-987752787663368942012-07-04T16:51:00.000+01:002012-07-04T16:57:40.778+01:00The Last Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Our last full day in Moscow</b> was spent at a much gentler pace, by this time we were all very tired. The main party returned to Poklonnoya Gora and Voenspec, but Oliver and I spent several leisurely hours at the Tretyakov Picture Gallery. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Oliver got from the gallery visit, art not really bring his thing, but many paintings depicted famous events and people in Russian history, and as I studied art history at college, I could add something to the mix as well. An excellent collection, worthy of a return visit if we ever get the chance.<br />
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We strolled towards Luzhkov Bridge where we saw these metal trees covered in Lovers' Locks.</div>
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There must be thousands of locks of all different shapes and sizes, mostly placed there by newly weds. There are similar locks in various locations around the world, but I had never seen them before.</div>
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We saw two newly-wed couples that afternoon, a stretch hummer brought some of the wedding party, along with two large 4x4s, all decked out is lilac and purple. The bride and her friends are dancing to loud music coming from a car parked out of shot. The tailgate is up and a buffet is spread out in the boot. Russians wear their wedding rings on their right hand, not their left.</div>
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A view of St Basil's Cathedral from Bol'shoy Moskvoretskiy Most, with the GUM department store beyond. A few days earlier we had been in Red Square opposite the store for the Dress Rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade and I had not photographed the cathedral at the time because of the harsh lighting condition - the sun shone from a cloudless sky at the wrong angle. What I would really love to do is photograph is at dusk! There are many overhead cables around Moscow , only one here, but some pictures are impossible to capture without a tangle of wires.</div>
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Gathered to celebrate on our last night, with our generous Russian hosts and friends: Oliver didn't know at the time this was taken, but he was soon to receive gifts, cards, a promotion and a Russian birthday cake! The next day he turned 14, and we travelled home very tired, but bursting with fantastic memories and new friendships.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-36230643268905634482012-07-02T22:32:00.002+01:002012-07-02T22:42:55.701+01:00Moscow Metro, Thursday 10th May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the more modern stations on the Moscow Metro, no less grand, but in a contemporary style. I love the reflective polished marble floor and the hallway that echoes the tunnels themselves.</div>
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A Soviet era train pulls alongside a sparklingly clean new station platform. I would love to spend an entire day just photographing the metro, I had to keep up with the group, this wasn't my trip, so I hope one day to go back! It can't happen soon enough, amazing place, wonderful people.</div>
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Design classic: mind the doors.</div>
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Lines as we descend the escalator. The older escalators travel noticeably faster then ones in the UK.</div>
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In the building we visited to purchase uniform items from a period supplier, the stairs are well worn.</div>
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Outside the Museum of Russian Imperial / Red/ Soviet Army.</div>
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Eugene, Sergei, Paul, Brian, Phil, Steve, Neil, John, and seated, Oliver & Scott.</div>
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In the garden of a monastery, an oasis of calm in the busy city. So much to photograph, so little time.</div>
<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-62269069260262128932012-06-12T19:29:00.000+01:002012-06-12T19:36:33.918+01:00Victory Day at Poklannoya Gora<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>On Wednesday 9th May, Victory Day,</b> we travelled in convoy to Poklannoya Gora, the site of Victory Park. In period uniform and vintage vehicles, members of the 13th Guards and of Club Divizion proved popular with visitors to the park, so much so that many of our party missed out on looking around the Museum of the "Great Patriotic War" [WW2]. There was a ceremony, flowers and wreaths were laid at the eternal flame, and there was international TV coverage including one of our party, Scott, being interviewed for Russain tv. Traditionally, red carnations are laid, but only in multiples of 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Victory Day the park becomes the centre of Moscow's celebrations, and as many of the remaining veterans and survivors as can do so make there way there, along with scores of the younger generations. In Russia the emphasis is on celebration rather than remembrance, and this is one of the most popular public holidays. We were honoured to be a part of this day with our new Russian friends.</span></span></div>
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Inside the Museum, at the end of a long Hall of Remembrance where books of remembrance containing the 26,000,000 names of the war dead are housed in glass cases, stands a statue of a mother and her dead son in a circular room. Along the hall and in that room there hang from the ceiling fine chains, some with a crystal teardrop attached, one for every day of the war - 1,418. I was impressed by the ways in which the enormity of the war's duration and the extreme loss of life were represented.</div>
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The museum is vast. A number of our party returned a few days later to have a proper look around.</div>
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Many many Russians wanted to have their photograph taken with re-enactors.</div>
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There was a performance of traditional balalika playing.</div>
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A stranger smiles - he paused while I was taking a photograph and smiled back when I smiled to thank him. A smile is the same in any language.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-26298655072816738892012-06-10T00:19:00.000+01:002012-07-02T22:38:31.038+01:00A trip into Moscow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>I would have liked to spend an entire day</b> just on the Metro stations, they are something to behold, but as part of a group, with my photography nowhere near the top of the agenda, I had to grab the shots I could without getting separated from the group and lost with no Russian words apart from thank you and goodbye!</div>
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I became adept at changing lenses more swiftly. These are taken with a 10-20mm wide angle lens. In the black & white one, I am standing in front of a huge statue - the one in the picture below, above the mouth of the tunnel.</div>
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There was disappointment at the market because some stalls were closed due to anti-Putin protests (no evidence of which we saw) and a large number of militaria stalls were closed.</div>
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After the market, we experienced another extreme of shopping experiences on a street in a different part of the city. By this time, the sun had gone and it was raining quite heavily. </div>
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Brian does a quick rendition of Gene Kelly's most famous routine!</div>
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Architectural details.<br />
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<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-86013986724045385422012-06-08T12:56:00.000+01:002012-06-12T19:36:05.070+01:00Kubinka Tank Museum, Moscow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>The nicest bunch of Tank Anoraks</b> I have ever met - a day spent at Kubinka Tank Museum was a highlight of our visit to Moscow. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with a new toy in a puddle.</td></tr>
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I was interested to see this visitor recording video clips of tanks on his iPad. Note also the two youngsters with their phones, ignoring the tanks!</div>
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<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-61806245603368100642012-06-01T23:04:00.000+01:002012-06-01T23:04:09.065+01:00Red Square, Moscow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>This is one of my favourite shots</b> from Sunday morning's Dress Rehearsal of the Victory Day parade which would take place a few days later in the presence of Putin et al. Even without the main officials in attendance security was high, with numerous checking of passports and official tickets.</div>
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Troops had been standing in the heat for a long time before we arrived. The military band was 1,100 men, each block of troops was 400 we think, but we didn't keep count of how many of those marched by! I read later that 14,000 troops took part.</div>
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There was a silence of several minutes at the point where Putin would make a speech. I would not have understood it, I was thrilled to be there regardless - I never expected to be in Red Square in my lifetime, but we were there, my son and I.</div>
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Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.</div>
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<br />After the parade we stood in the middle of Red Square in awe and wonder at what we had just witnessed. It would have been worth the exhausting travelling and the stress of getting our visas for <i>this morning alone!</i></div>
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There was more to come.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-45163794997756229822012-06-01T19:34:00.001+01:002012-06-01T19:34:48.298+01:00Early in the morning, at the airport...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>We got up at 3am</b> and left at 4 to drive to the airport. </div>
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The adventure began - a week in Moscow staying with real Russian re-enactors.</div>
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We didn't know what to expect, but we did know that Red Square would be Sunday's major event.</div>
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<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-25794767471692354062012-06-01T19:08:00.001+01:002012-06-01T19:10:00.653+01:00Overnight stay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Jodie was very keen</b> to take part in an overnight adventure with school at the end of April. I think she started packing about a week in advance!</div>
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<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-63710935374720358842012-05-31T23:39:00.001+01:002012-05-31T23:44:58.899+01:00Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lc8scXMRcRCK8TiYrHzyG4Cnpol0EqZu_dfFUrYJ9FZryCju3PYJ6CQjLg5qzpBSJWtufAfHmY7JyTc6SWEAJ5l2zMh92wtWXhyphenhyphenBdSYMPnBc6l4-S1EG7IQHqYE1ccZ1DSBYARKql-rs/s640/NSH_12941.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>I appreciate architecture</b> of a religious nature, I regularly feel awe and wonder at the magnificence of a church or cathedral, built by generations of stonemasons, maintained and repaired at huge expense, all to the glory of god. I can find plenty to photograph inside and out. I have no faith of my own, except faith in myself to navigate through what life throws at me with dignity and with care for others as well as for myself and those close to me.</div>
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<img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AqfvHXF4_E5K4ysUcFVCzIqV28sXcwOWprrMNjp8FdhsS_U2xw9mFNBda7m2iYn-8Lm7Fcpcb76aAvSkOZObrPMWRMzjs5mHORaYBuOloihJMxd7eVxgt0Yo34Smj3W8uzvlkzGl3FOw/s640/NSH_13004.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtb418Fa0hPA3tFiGf5j0Xsp018NtflC7eD8ur111v_9YzGzywOJUIBGGdHqya2bnApmr8q-wnldEWpaZ4FAK-Dtv5lQ0R7fZjcIe6JscQzPTD92I6ZNWuKH8-KlmNkAFr1LeTclB_DsMX/s400/NSH_12951.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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These images were taken at Derby Cathedral on a photo walk with the theme of Faith.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GQSX0mQNTE1IehE9sgaYvsAUdkBbWvM9ZAS3OfmwGLQi6bEuCoK7a4KD1-pJp_SmAiwhyCtrSeNJLtadGnQiY1_9RF_rA5YpP0K3NDtMLL6FTaj4mEfJJViGk0pjDCniSyfNHuuKpO7K/s320/NSH_12966.jpg" width="213" /></div>
<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-59923248449989119062012-05-29T23:25:00.003+01:002012-05-30T00:00:46.787+01:00Red Shoes at Carsington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUmbArUEDcL1QuoinP3TXbGB2u5o1ogIg5k4EtFQG3r3r8-Xr4q_FTcX3TNMvTKdTzgKKQZLXvS9baWY8tf-ouZI4wNVJ77c3TbhM5nDJ3PQr_7RFQIXENmZKgbFlOaIdVKDVfDFdlpuX/s640/NSH_12672.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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<b>After many weeks</b> without serious time spent with camera, a visit to Carsington brought some very welcome creativity in late March.</div>
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGJ0j9HmvHV_1Q0er_0ZgBfTG1CT7W50j1BscAifL2pohi0Jl8Inn_eRzp_VqccETh2zuT_faE3kO6oR5KzdfVETYYefkA6z0upRW_iCP5z1xUJKirh4cVrWhnNR4MqeYR8VGwkTeLc3s/s200/NSH_12582.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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I had made a conscious decision on New Year's Day <i>not</i> to blog daily. This was a way of taking the pressure off after a very busy autumn term and being rather ill over the Christmas break. I also decided not to continue entering every competition at my photographic club, having worked hard to do so during 2011 and placed high enough up to be pleased with my results by the end of the year.</div>
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One of the best ways to stretch and challenge yourself as a photographer is to have a project.</div>
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Shooting for competitions with a theme is also a way of taking yourself out of your comfort zone, making you try new techniques and such. Suddenly, I had no impetus to shoot, and spent most of January buried under accounts and taxes!</div>
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In early March I took part in a small informal photo walk in Derby with a theme, I took Jodie along too as she had a new camera for Christmas. Although we only spent about an hour and a half because it was unexpectedly cold, I thoroughly enjoyed being out with fellow enthusiasts putting my creativity to use again. Jodie got some great shots.</div>
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It is clear to me, even moreso now I have begun to post blog entries again after a long gap, that creating and sharing images is important in my life.</div>
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<img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfz08J2JP3pKZXuSZLHBJYLJEHIyWiCW4jDNHrdUtjO-A33e3JwIc5wVFne_Xyn4K4EeAa1Q5hd1VnaEt9M__l_diHNMUszO8KalgC4Xcrx0Wc-FN_8o2PDXm8-4QDG09t5vIl4DeDHwS/s200/NSH_12638.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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The following quote has been part of my email signature for some time.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>~ Richard Avedon</i></span></div>
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The blog is revived.</div>
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And so are my spirits.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-16057871182707140472012-05-29T22:32:00.000+01:002012-05-29T23:39:38.353+01:00Birthday Pony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mHnIICdzP1sY0DAmFyH7gtX1_-DIRTnlBeCrsQHgbXQemI1xiVZ7WdpF5EFznJ4DyOBMkvFdw1RF1vgVg58bAyg9R0afqwc-jZ80aRz0uKhu-2MdKJZRThT0coEGU0eRkLyF76_qhteu/s640/NSH_12064.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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The badge said "Birthday Girl" but as my girl thinks she is a pony, we stuck a plain white label over "Girl" so she could write "PONY" and colour the letters in... whatever makes her happy ;0)</div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC-ElXsPoGA3lUDiJqqjpM_WIUmIBG56N-6Inq5ygMB0PQ_cq4yv5vRAFsbXFC1_ovsL7q6OcGVCCoSv8Jze5AGfBITEI1jT-yKfpFhGceHXHGPMRF-b3wMH4-c9OKcgoF8Hr25Rp00eQ/s400/NSH_12067.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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A pony puppet was well received...<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_stNXRFqsJ2nKQ3k13A3EeUUyu8hzTAkp_1WnAPwZio4h61WMNs62Zv9Tl03mt8whA-_qMyPwRojWGh0RiLzsmOo5OxHNaf9pqIixZ_Bp4rfAml-NAVEoHhkbhvyLFC3NWXqSqrKm3BD/s400/NSH_12079.jpg" width="266" /></div>
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This was back in March - Jodie's birthday is 2 days before my own, so she was my best birthday best gift ever.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-26433667810991694862012-05-27T19:30:00.002+01:002012-05-27T19:33:23.075+01:00Old School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4RZO-cUxoNW7hF-EV6k61A2kn97rcWxqzMhmBDDDxsJF5s7U1lvmCjRrbSJT1cBKZeZfXsAS5VZSzAjX5z1CiXFN6El2Hn3rqfe3w0qoNudl3o-GH9ygD6K3-PcstziVM781frJF7dgr/s400/NSH_11749-396.jpg" width="291" /></div>
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<b>My daughter had asked me</b> more than once what was it like when I was at school, so I asked her would she like to visit my old school with me? I arranged for us to go on one of her INSET days when my old school was open as usual. We were welcomed by the lovely head teacher and shown around both infants and junior schools, now a single primary. The staff from my days are all long gone, but memories came flooding back as we walked around the school. I recognised some of my former classrooms. The old part of the school is Victorian and these glazed tiles are <span style="text-align: left;">protected against removal. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It was surprising to me that I actually became more emotional about the visit when I <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickyheppenstall/sets/72157629465663034/" target="_blank">edited images</a> a few weeks later. So much has happened in my life since I played in that playground, I had no idea what was in store for me, I had no idea how much grief I would face, losing relatives to cancer, not least my father when I was only 19, but also losing a stillborn daughter when I was 36.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">School days... the best days of your life?</span></div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-6827171377641916802012-05-27T11:04:00.001+01:002012-05-27T11:04:05.754+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_P7p83QYJBAlG5nYAKk7VhoXfYutL0kVtzvN6WEd6AWEJI79fMsDiUlrxXPjvLhCRfCfo57PzEroNeAZKuR87ZlckFPkPPk9kQuvlUeiajDzeuoWvtod_io4R_cWR4pd2oiq8uOchAZ_/s320/NSH_11925.jpg" width="213" /></div>
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<b>"He's behind me...isn't he?"</b></div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-55529047811485020902012-05-27T11:01:00.002+01:002012-05-27T11:02:02.372+01:00Tulip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VvXjjv8zAPJ0yW_lwsOQXPPSITOt0zjIsPgtuL44tuIKY4Fcy90vj7-KSg6bq5iFFK19kEdICILlzS8pGMOoGWDTpnTVie8UzEKz4z-68MiQXR-9g7ocQSRy4unG3P41WUODejO0XREO/s640/NSH_11962.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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Spring brings my favourite flowers which I love to photograph. Tulips and daffodils are on the list.</div>
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Window light, bright overcast, 105mm macro lens.</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwz6usV8SvrybXDwnLg2-cRBhSKehU-ToDU-ugwHcoRShdjZoryZQof5sKlTq-qu1QDWCJ23JyMTsJsbJQ2UtMvmfGbAmCDXaQ6uay-gFxtHoCO9KOST-fpK3C8zHbA3ox-1JYE9RcfkY/s640/NSH_11966.jpg" width="426" /></div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-61462432490328845642012-05-25T19:09:00.000+01:002012-05-25T19:09:28.221+01:00Obsolesence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIkud9_mNwhfd2f-ux_eGHCmF_Kd11_e74EUSBtpiUu9mLL08P_Kf7rVxkd-Ou0h2BDfoQNMCnhW7SptlVEjYpJhnv2NMIUucVitRsF2TLgIAA1pyRflIsBuBVWEXM6psoNQmyLqQWt69/s640/NSH_11793.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>What will disappear</b> as a result of the Internet age? There is a generation of people who have no experience of vinyl records, have no idea of the link between a pencil and a cassette tape, whose jaws drop when you point out that there were only 3 tv channels 30-odd years ago, and that children's tv was only an hour at lunchtime, and Blue Peter and Crackerjack after school.</div>
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My father loved to write with a fountain pen, he wrote copious notes in longhand, writing and re-writing drafts before they were recorded for audio-typists to type in the typing pool. He sometimes typed himself at work, on a golfball typewriter, or a daisy wheel typewriter. How would he have adapted to Word and Publisher? </div>
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Dad wrote so much that he wore nibs down on his fountain pens and had a stash of replacement nibs. These days my handwritten words are few in number, limited to a birthday card, or a To Do list for the morning, even my weekly shopping list is a spreadsheet with boxes for a tick. </div>
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I still have some of my Dad's pens and propelling pencils, and I have 3 fountain pens of my own, one was a gift from Dad when I was in senior school - I used it enough to wear the finish off the barrel in part, but the nib has plenty of miles left, if only it were still working. </div>
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When did I last handwrite a letter? Can't remember, these days I email or facebook, or text, though I still send Christmas cards out by snail mail. I have one letter from my Dad, written when I was visiting the USA on a four week exchange visit. He wrote it with a fountain pen.</div>
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<br /></div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-1376200350510438672012-05-24T22:52:00.002+01:002012-05-24T22:53:28.248+01:00Anemone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRZtLyvFrdGml5vNPKZSZHq6Tu3nHj2fR8RoRJSv0USjOZsPcXLqWxhoP1im-NfOur14rTsGnp2nE1TW9Pl1HoO1s6Twdor9UB-lv_Th6ENRLpuGNtxxNi5wuOayMJYbZadtSKtvDfE5Y/s640/NSH_11397.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>I love anemones</b> but don't see them very often in the florist's shop. I have a good friend whose favourite flower they are. It's not unusual for me to buy flowers and plants specifically for their photogenic qualities, and I often photograph them over several days, including when they are past what might be called their 'best'. They don't carry a "Photograph before:..." date ;0)</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6966952008559836762.post-51802374005035376562012-05-23T22:42:00.002+01:002012-05-23T22:43:28.012+01:00Patient<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJFnR00mjbo1sFrIyTnjUMZKOS6noS3k4H-j5v3UVDr2BuPunDxNzcn1zKUjzZ-rCjcJVddDHf625e2oxE4B750dywWqHyFfYPugf2vR9Ncz5FgEkvl1LT6KywZ9XJaD7OOc663Sw3fVw/s640/NSH_11711.jpg" width="426" /></div>
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<b>Our cat Biscuit </b>had a mishap and broke a leg. For 6 weeks following surgery to pin the break she was confined at first to a borrowed dog crate, and then to the house, staying mainly curled up on a fluffy throw she has adopted as her bed in the crate with the door open.</div>
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Here she lies on the conservatory floor, warmed by the sun, wanting to go outside, but being a very patient patient, even moving away from the sliding door when it is opened just enough to let senior cat Rosie in or out.</div>
</div>Nicky Heppenstallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014568085779150245noreply@blogger.com1