Hi. It's been awhile since I last updated my journal. I have swapped jobs, luckily my new job is something I feel I'm going to really enjoy. I haven't really been getting out taking photo's much, mostly because the weather this summer has been the wettest on record here in Britain. It's not really been the sort of weather to tempt you outside, though the last couple of months have been not too bad and I have managed to get a few good climbing days in the Lake District in. With the autumn approaching, I am hoping to be getting up to scotland and enjoying myself, and taking my camera of course.

Take Care

Mark.

Hello everyone

I just realised that it has been awhile since I updated my journal. Well since summers here I hope to be getting some more climbing done, and, of course, I will be taking my camera with me. Summer is such a more friendly time for the photographer. I have to say, taking your camera up a mountain in the snow and driving wind is not only a risk to your camera, as I once found out to my cost, but your fingers don't half get cold faffing around with the settings. I think trips to scotland will have to wait awhile since the midge season is now in full bloom, though I hope to get some nice climbing shots this year, if I can get motivated enough to get out on the crags. I did last monday but forgot to recharge my batteries for my camera. How stupid of me, there was a glorious sunset from the top of the crag aswell. I suppose the lesson is to be prepared. I have posted a few photo's from last summer, which I revisted tonight. There are quite a few more which I should get round to posting aswell, but I hope to get some brand new ones later this week.

All the best

Mark.

Hello everyone.

This weekend I have been up to the scottish highlands again visiting Glencoe with the idea of doing some winter mountaineering, unfortunately the weather had other idea's. A low level walk turned into a bit of an epic, especially running across a km long dam with walls of water threatening to wash you over the side. Never mind, despite the foul weather, I still managed to take a few photo's of Glencoe 'the valley of the weeping' as it is sometimes known, which relates to the infamous Glencoe massacre which occurred here centuries ago. Glencoe however is probably more renowned for it's magnificent mountain scenery.

Hope you are all well

Take care

Mark.

Hi. Just got back from a weeks holiday visiting my folks over on the other side of the Country in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Great to just relax and not worry about work for a change. Also thought I might escape the late nights, beer and bad diet which have plagued my existence here in Lancaster, but no, my folks and their friends are just as much into their beer as my friends are over here, except they drink fine ales and expensive scotch whisky instead of fosters and carlsberg. Went for some fine excursions along the coast and took some shots there! Went fossil hunting on the beach and spent some time with my dog Tippy. Poor old tippy, she's getting on a bit and has only little legs. She was dragged onto a bus with a load of strange people, forced to walk about 12 miles up and down hills along the cliff tops, then was set upon by a local fisherman's dog in the pub at staithes. But she forgave me when I bought her a new bone and a yellow bouncy ball. I wonder how long it will take before she loses that one?!!! Back to work tomorrow, back to the world of sales targets, personal development and I bet we're short staffed as usual. Will have to check the holiday chart to see when my next one is, pleaaaassseee be next week!

Hope you are all well and had a great christmas and new year.

Take Care

Mark.

Well, as i sit here I can see families decorating their christmas trees through the windows on the opposite side of the street. 2006 is drawing to a close, I can't believe how quickly it has gone, I can't decide whether I have done alot this year, or haven't achieved anything! I've had some truely wonderful trips with a variety of friends both old and new. A new years trip to Skye, with some winter mountaineering, a wonderful time in Bridge of Orchy bagging a classic winter line [link] Getting stuck in the snow in Aviemore, having to walk 30km on my own in a blizzard back to our bunkhouse to avoid hypothermia. Having 12 of my friends kip at my parents house for Whitby Folk Festival over the summer. Of course the annual trip to Glencoe this Autumn. Possibly the highlight of the year was walking with my childhood hero and a true great of world mountaineering Sir Chris Bonington just a few weeks ago. My friend rob took this potrait of him that day, which I regard as being one of the finest I have seen of him [link] Most people never get to meet their heroes let alone climb a hill with them! A great finish to the year. What a wonderful invention the camera is, that we can capture these moments and freeze them forever. It'll be in my rucksack next year for sure.

Merry Christmas everyone! And a happy new year.

Mark.