Friday, 16 May 2014

Oh my goodness.....

....where did that time go? I cannot believe it is four weeks since I posted here. If I say my feet haven't touched the ground since the Hubster retired, believe it. I think we've been through a kind of  "honeymoon period" where we were initially making the most of the good weather - days out, picnics, camper-vanning etc - you get the picture don't you. To say I've not had any time to myself is an understatement. However, enough is definitely enough. Love him as I do, I'm really in the need of some "me time" every week. I have so many things I want to do - craft, photography, writing, visits or even simply sitting down to read a book. Don't get me wrong we're really enjoying this time together but I want to get back to my old routine again.

That being so, I'm aware that I've definitely neglected my blogging of late and keeping in touch with you all. In fact I've really got out of the habit of writing altogether - in fact when I do plan to write, I think to myself "I'll do it tomorrow" and of course tomorrow never comes.

So, this is just a short post to say that yes I am still around blogosphere and raring to get going again.

Before I go, I went on a one day photography workshop last week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I went to a class once before but it didn't really sink in.  This time it was more or less on a one to one basis (just two students) in the morning, learning camera skills and then out on location (his words not mine) in the afternoon to put into practice what we'd learnt.

Our 'location' was at Maldon a pretty town on the Essex coastline


Home of many Thames Sailing Barges





So many shots to take - surprising what a rusty piece of metal can look like through the eyes of the camera !


We then went off to another popular place called Heybridge Basin - where the River Chelmer flows out into the North Sea.


What was going to be a quick short post to say Hi to you all, has now turned out to be a tad longer. Writing for me is either all or nothing -  watch this space.

We're off in our campervan this weekend. Have a good weekend and I'll see you soon.

35 comments:

  1. Nice photographs! I know what you mean about the first heady days of retirement. It will sort itself out but you are right, you do need 'your' time.

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    1. Thanks DC I'll take that on board (no pun intended) x

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  2. Hello Patricia - glad to hear you have been out and about enjoying yourself but you have been missed here in blog land - come back, all is forgiven. Great photos in a great location. Enjoy your weekend.

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  3. Thanks Elaine, nice of you to say x

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  4. Your pictures are terrific! I especially like the close-up of the rusted piece of metal. I can totally relate to needing some time and space to yourself. My husband is home all day too, and sometimes, well...there are just too many of us in the house! :-)

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    1. Ah thank you Kristie. I enjoyed my camera shoot. I just hope I remember it all x

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  5. I see you had and still having nice time, camping and taking photos. I love them especially one of sailing Barges.
    Wish you have happy time Patricia!

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  6. Thank you Nadezda. I'm sorry if I've missed some of your posts. I'm hoping to catch up this weekend x

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  7. Hello Patricia,

    How wonderful that you have been caught up in a whirlwind of enjoyment and activity. That sounds a perfect way to spend time.

    Your photographs are delightful. The compositions are interesting and you have really captured all the colours and detail. Whatever happened at the workshop, it clearly paid off.

    Happy weekend!

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    1. That's very kind if you Jane and Lance, thank you x

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  8. It looks as though you got a lot from your photography class as your photos are wonderful, I hope that you enjoyed it lots. Hope too that you can work out the balance between hubby and you time and get things sorted to how you want them to be. It will all settle in time! xx

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  9. Thanks Amy. I've always enjoyed my photography and this takes it a step further x

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  10. It is lovely that you have been having such a happy time together - Maldon - I think that must be where the salt comes from?
    I love those old Thames barges with their rusty coloured sails, the perfect objects to capture on your lovely photos.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary. Yes Maldon is where the salt comes from x

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  11. I'm interested to hear more about your photography course Pat. I love Maldon and Heybridge - so many photo opportunities.

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    1. They were pretty places to photograph. I'll let you know my tutor's name etc x

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  12. Welcome Back Patricia! What a lovely blog. We have all been there, in that place where we love our man to death, but need to get away from him for a day. A day to enjoy our passions and I must say that your passion for photography is blooming. Your photos are wonderful! That seaside village reminded me of "Doc Martin", one of my favorite TV shows.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Your blogging sis, Connie :)

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    1. Thank you Connie. I love Doc Martin too x

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  13. It's amazing how time flies isnt it? Still, you're back now Patricia.You will soon get your normal routine back I'm sure.

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    1. It doesn't take long to fall behind that's for sure x

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  14. Good to see you back, Patricia. Yes, getting the right balance takes time; we do enjoy each other's company but we also like to do stuff on our own, so retirement hasn't made a LOT of difference to us, though I do REALLY enjoy coming back from the shops knowing Jim has gone fishing, knowing the house is mine alone for a few hours! But then, I'm equally pleased to see him when he gets back. Even more so if he brings troy with him!! xx

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    1. Thanks Lynne. Yes it's all about balance, but we're getting there x

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  15. Lovely post Patricia, and I can see that you are being kept busy in HBs retirement! I have never been to Maldon, but now I wish I had as it looks most attractive, and your new photography skills are shining; love the sailing barges with the sails and rigging, and the last shot of the Thames estuary - always reminds me of Great Expectations... Make sure you find some 'me' time - you don't want to lose yourself and all your crafty skills :-) xx

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    1. Thank you Patricia. I must admit that we're seeing a lot more of our county of Essex than we ever did before x

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  16. Hope you had a good weekend, Patricia! Good to hear all your news and see the results of your photography tuition day.
    I would love to be near enough to the sea to take photos of it and boats, old and new, as a subject. Great shots!

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    1. Thank you Linda. I've always lived by the sea and tend to take it for granted.enjoy your weekend x

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  17. Was it really four weeks since Easter? Your first photo is especially nice as it takes the eye round the bay. Happy travels in your van - wish we had one of those so we could just take off.

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    1. It took many years of nagging hubby to buy one I can tell you ! x

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  18. I can imagine there will be adjustments to be made in this new stage of your life. I'm sure it will all fall into place soon.
    Your photos are very good. A great selection! Enjoy travels in your camper van while the sun shines:)
    Happy days.
    Betty ox

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    1. Thank you Betty - we are enjoying this new found interest in life together, even more so when the sun shines :-))

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  19. Hope you had a good weekend away. Your photography course sounds really good and your photographs are wonderful. Maldon looks so pretty. Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah. I'm busy practicing now before my next day workshop x

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  20. I hope the weekend in your campervan was a good one. The photos are gorgeous, such a pretty place

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    1. Thank you Jay, I enjoyed it very much x

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  21. I love maldon, you have some fab photos and I'm glad you enjoyed your course. I took me and my hubby sometime to settle into a routine when he had to take early retirement I'm sure things will get to a more even keel soon x

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