DAY TWO - RAIN STOPPED PLAY

The Road up to Sarahan in between the torrential rain and fog we had a bright moment. Another day in paradise, high up the mountains, we had a change of plan. Today we should have been on our way to our tented accomodation but due to a landslide the road is now closed and looking likely to remain so, hence we have stayed an extra night here. A really beautiful little village with an ancient temple complex dating back hundreds of years and an important pilgrimage site. Sarahan is small town in Himachal Pradesh of India. It is the site of famous Bhimakali temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. The temple is situated about 180 kilometers from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethas. The town is known as the gateway of Kinnaur. Seven kilometers below Sarahan is the river Satluj. Sarahan is identified with the Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas. Its very typically Indian but with a Nepali/Tibetan feel to it and plenty of momo and chai stops to keep me occupied on the rest day.

UP TO SLOW DOWN

Day 1 on an Enfield My new Mantra for the day...... Slowly geting used to the feel of my Royal Enfield Bullit. I have been reciting the word in my head over and over during the first days ride..."up to slow down, down to speed up" I've only ever rode an Enfield once in India and that was many moons ago and trying to remember that, not only are the gears on the wrong side, they are back to front as well (i.e, one up and 4 down) as opposed to the standard UK/Jap/German configuration, also, the brakes are on the opposite side as well. Confused? Yes, I was. Hence my mantra to self. After an early start from Shimla and a pre-bike briefing on the complexities of the Enfield and how to kick the bike up sucessfully (just about mastered this after about 10 goes)!! we set off on the road of many hazards. There were pot holes, cows, and landslides a plenty, not to mention the kamikaze truck drivers who overtake on blind bends and a heard of horses and that was all in the first hour!! Gradually after a few hours riding it all started to come together and I could begin to relax(sic) and enjoy the hour after of hour of twisty turns. Enfield V BMW The Enfield is a great ride and perfectly suited to these roads, and, I hate to say it, handles far better than my newer, more modern BMW F650 that I ride at home. Cornering is a piece of cake and you are not constantly up and down the gears (are you listening BMW sat at home in Hebden Bridge??). No, I'm not writing a review on the Enfield Vs the BMW for Bike Magazine but, if I was the Enfield wins hands down, no contest!!!

Eric and Vicky, my two biking mates from Todmorden, if you are reading this, do you remember our last ride out over the tops? Well, thats a pretty accurate description of the conditions of yesterdays ride out (only consolation is lots of brew stop for steaming hot chai), exactly like being at home although not quite. As they say, onwards and upwards and its pretty high up here in Sarahan (not sure of the spelling) and hopefully tomorrow I won't need my MANTRA.

The Road to Recovery

Its been a while since I last posted on here and quite a lots been happening. I am now over two years into my recovery from cancer and to help me along my own road to recovery I have a little trip planned for August. I’m off to ride a Royal Enfield Bullit 500cc motorbike over the highest mountain passes in the world up in the Himalayas in the Spiti Valley and what a trip its going to be!! I’ve been preparing for a year or, for anyone who knows me, I have been procrastinating for a year and panicking starting ermmm... NOW!! The very kind people at challenge cancer have offered to fund my trip of a lifetime and on the 2nd of August I set off for Shimla in India. check out their website at: www.challengecancer.org.uk When I received my diagnosis at Christmas 2010, yeh, I know great Christmas present especially since I’ve always been a little “ bah humbug” anyway, I made a choice to sell my Guzzi Breva motorbike and honestly never thought I would indulge my passion of bikes ever again. But fate stepped in, I went to the gym, got fit, worked through the pain barrier and purchased myself a BMW F650 ***. Long story but it was more off the road than on and had major carb/electrical/brakes etc etc problems. But, to cut a long story short I got it back on the road a few weeks ago and took it on its maiden voyaage with two new lovely biker mates Eric and Vicky from Todmorden. We hit the Hills and started off in Pendle and over to the Trough of Bowland and onto a major 10 mile twisty, the like of which I have never seen. It was an amazing confidence inspiring day with the essential many brew stops thanks to Eric’s kettle and Vicky’s boiling stone and my homemade Vegan flapjack and perfect riding conditions, you can’t go wrong. Check out the photo’s below and if you have never been to Pendle and the Forest of Bowland I would thoroughly recommend it as an undiscovered biking gem, great roads and even greater tea and cake shops and Lancashire hospitality, no, I don’t work for the North West tourist Board!!

Yesterday I photographed Chris and Andrea in the lovely village of Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire. Chris and Andrea run the very popular shoulder of Mutton Pub in the village with Chris being the chef. They make a great couple and despite the baking hot day and extremely challenging lighting conditions a great time was had by all!!! More pics to follow.........

Christina & Michael's Wedding

This Sunday I photographed Christina and Michael's wedding at The Barns, Cannock, Staffs. Christina had organised a suprise campervan for her husband and what a great surprise it was too...I want one...NOW!! The wedding took place at 5.15pm and in late October the light was fading fast. I managed to use a bit of fill in flash and achieved some great results which I'm really pleased with. Christina was great despite the fact she was freezing in a beautiful off the shoulder dress. Check out some of the images below and here is a ps....if santa really does exist this photographer would love an elinchrom ranger portable lighting system for her next batch of winter weddings...pretty please with a cherry on the top!

BRADFORD MELA

I went to Bradford Mela the other week, basically a huge Asian festival of culture, song, dance and yummy Indian food. Its a perfect photo opportunity and a chance for me indulge my other passion of Indian food in particular masala dosa, a huge pancakey thing made with rice batter and filled with a spicy potato curry and a side order of coconut chutney and samba....ahhhh bliss...it does not get any better....check out my images, as always they will be uploaded to my agency Social Stock.... Cant wait for the next Mela or maybe I shall be at the big one, the one and only Kumbh, India....the ultimate biggest single gathering of people on the planet and not for the faint hearted thats for sure!!!!

Anne Scargill

I have recently been working with Anne Scargill (Arthur Scargill's) ex wife. Anne is a lovely lady to work with and tells a great tale. She is a true Yorkshire lass full of grit and determination. If you ever get the chance to meet her or hear her give a talk I would highly recommend you go. I have been working alongside RedLead Media on the production of a book on Anne's life (and trust me it will make complulory bedtime reading). The book is hopefully due out this Christmas, watch this space for more details and how to purchase a copy.

Anne will be at the Orgreave rally and the Durham Miners Day in July. I shall be there with my trusty Nikon to capture the action and with Anne involved I expect I shall have plenty of chance to capture some great shots.l