Our Photoclub meet

This about a trip I took to Northampton in UK some time last year, to meet my internet photoclub members. The group had only been interacting online but never met each other. So it was kind of exiting to meet the group to put a face to their online 'nick' names.

It was sometime in early April and the spring was just about in the air. I left Ireland on a early morning flight to Luton where Den, the organizer of the meeting picked me up and drove to Northampton. There I met Margaret, Den's partner and also a club member.

Den&Margaret

Northampton, Den and Margaret's town, is about half hour drive. When we arrived at the house, Margaret Stugeress, a small lady with big heart - was waiting for us. I got the feeling that household was an happy home with abundance of love and affection. And I knew I am going to have a very pleasant stay and so I did. Margaret looked after me and everyone else so well. She made everyone feel so welcome to the meet even though she was the only lady in the whole group.

Model Train - A masterpiece

Isle of man steamer model
Model Train - A masterpiece ! First thing I noticed as soon as entering the house was the model train, parked in the front room, on a table. It was such an impressive model of a train from the bygo... [more]

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First thing I noticed as soon as entering the house was the model train, parked in the front room, on a table. It was such an impressive model of a train from the bygone steam era. But at that stage Den did not tell me that he made it himself in his backyard. That was a shock to the system - how can someone be so talented to build such a lovely model in his backyard. Then he tells me that it is a fully WORKING STEAM TRAIN !!!! and it can pull 6 PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!. My jaw simply dropped and I had to pick it up from the floor !.


A working steam model with such perfection made in the backyard - Impossible. But you are with Den, these things are just a piece of cake !. He took me to the shed and showed me the lathe works - Yes folks, he has a fully functional miniature lathe in his shed. Den showed me how he actually carved out his metal outfits for the train. Fascinating and the next day, when I told everyone about it - the train became the instant attraction. We all went about clicking it from various angle for full half hour. Great photo opportunity.

Pheasants

I have only seen this lovely colorful birds in the photos. So I was delighted about the prospect of actually clicking one. So ventured into the woods - well, parked the car and stood behind the gates of private lands. These pheasants are beautiful alright but very very elusive and they knew their safe distance ! We spotted many of them, rather unusual to see so many, according to Den. As it was a cloudy and a dull day, the colors didn't brighten up on its feathers. Managed to get few clicks from a distance but disappointing.

But little did I know that I was going to be in 'pheasant's galore feast' the next day - What a lovely surprise.

Please click the images for details of the event.....

Thank you for visiting,

regards,
Ken.

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