Let's Go Fly a Kite {Photography}

Yesterday we headed up to the White Horse at Westbury, Wiltshire with kites and camera packed.
This is a popular spot locally but one we don't visit that often. I'm not sure why as it is perfect for blowing away the cobwebs.
I set the camera up, or so I thought, but for a while every snap was pure white - not sure what was going on there - but then I sussed it out. Kind of.
I'm gaining in confidence just to play around with settings and see what happens, such is the joy of digital photography.
Does anyone else have memories of their Dad only letting you have one go with the camera due to processing costs?!
What I need to do now is actually make a note of the what I have done with the camera for each shot so I can compare one image to another and at least try to begin to understand what is working and what is not.
Here are some of the snaps I took using my Canon 1200d on a variety of settings - I even braved the manual switch.

 

The weather gave me some great backdrops with the afternoon starting with bright sunshine before the dark clouds rolled in from the town.
At times the sky was split down the middle not really knowing what to do with itself.
The children, and the husband, had a great time with their kites waiting patiently for the wind to pick up before hoisting it up into the sky.
What a simple joy it is just to run across green grass with a colourful kite on the end of its string.
Then the inevitable rain came so another simple pleasure; we grabbed an ice lolly from the ever present ice cream van and headed for cover in the car.

Project 365 #41 {A good week}

I am trying to get this post published via limited internet service - an on-going problem with our provider.

I feel quite sad about how much this has annoyed me.
Anyway, I won't let it spoil a good week...

Project 365 #41



Day 278
We finally made it to Great Chalfield Manor, a local National Trust property that we have only just visited. There's more about it here.
Day 279
A lazy day at home messing about with the macro setting on my 'proper' camera in the garden.
Day 280
Workout and Yoga were top of the things to do today. Always worth the effort.
Day 281
Some missed snail mail post - I can't quite believe the charges for a few pence missed on a postage stamp.
Day 282
The in laws are back in the country and have left some pots in the front garden. Clearly I will kill the contents.
Day 283
Stock controlling the eggs.
Day 284
An hour on top of a hill flying the kites to blow away any cobwebs. The skies changed from blue to black and we ended up with ice lollies in the car to dodge the rain. Happy days!

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

x x x

Great Chalfield Manor {National Trust}

 

Having had membership to the National Trust pretty much all my life, and having lived in the same area of Wiltshire for over ten years, I'm not sure why it had taken us this long to explore Great Chalfield Manor. I am so glad we headed over there on the weekend when the weather was, although not sunny, still dry.
We didn't do the tour of the house on this visit but instead spent a pleasant hour or so wandering around the gardens.
I took my new camera and am fast realising I need some basic lessons to find the answer to some questions - for example, how do I get the sky to show its sky colour and not just come out a blank white space?!
Anyway, I photographed loads and played around with settings as best I could.
The borders were crammed full of colours and I always love the hidden doors in National Trust gardens.

 

Now we have finally made it through the gates we will definitely be returning!

 

Very close to Great Chalfield is The Courts which we explored here.

 

x x x

 

Disclaimer: This is not a promoted post. We just enjoy the National Trust and all it offers for us as a family.

Project 365 #40 {A grumpy one}

It has been a pretty non descript week with the usual school runs and work filling the days.
I've been feeling a bit sluggish so need to get back on the exercise and healthy eating wagon - my new found love of gin is not helping!

Project 365 #40

Day 271
Sunday is becoming homework day with a noticeable increase in the stuff since the new National Curriculum. I feel very, very, mixed about this as a teacher and a mum. In fact it makes me grumpy in my old age.
Day 272
A nice wander around a local garden centre following a mediocre coffee at a nearby farm shop - I am definitely getting grumpy in my old age.
Day 273
This is as gritty as it gets in these parts with some half hearted graffiti on the boarded up gate to the old school. There is a threat of new housing going up with hundreds planned which will spoil the countryside feel of where we are. I am hoping the latest flooding issues will halt it. Again - grumpiness in my old age.
Day 274
Back to work day so this is the resulting snap of the day - a rather delicious tofu and vegetable curry.
Day 275
I played around with the macro setting on the new camera tonight and liked this image of my fading rose from last Saturday's Indian.
Day 276
More macro play - tonight a good slug of gin was called for.
Day 277
Today started wet so after the swimming lessons I blitzed upstairs with the children. I say blitzed - 3 hours later we had two tidy rooms and a bin bag full of crap. I took a snap to remind the girl what her floor should look like.

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

x x x