I'm Chris Barker.  I am grateful to schorschi for introducing me to this group.  We knew each other over 50 years ago at school, when both our parents were abroad and we were boarding.

I was a pIlot, a photographer and a newly-minted  dormant company owner.  I also hav Read more...

I'm Chris Barker.  I am grateful to schorschi for introducing me to this group.  We knew each other over 50 years ago at school, when both our parents were abroad and we were boarding.

I was a pIlot, a photographer and a newly-minted  dormant company owner.  I also have a small camera drone, a DJI Mini 3 Pro, that I'm learning to use – for both still and video.

I left the RAF in 2014 after nearly 40 years' flying, starting with Jaguars (then Tornado and F16) and finishing with the Tutor, instructing university students as part of the University Air Squadron network.  I continued as a part-time instructor, but a year off for a medical snag meant that to continue I'd have to undergo refresher training – not convenient.  So I've given my body a rest from the stresses of flying, probably permanently. 

I like taking photos, even if they're not much good.  I really enjoy it if I find a decent one and it's finding interesting subjects that is the greatest challenge.

I already have a photo blog elsewhere, but I have not entered a post for a good while; I'm still pondering the way forward.  Bliping might remind me to remedy that situation.

All my images are viewable in an album with Flickr.

cbimages <at> proton.me

Update in June 2019: an eye problem might mean the end of flying. I’ve certainly flown my last solo flight – in February 2019. I’ll concentrate instead on improving those activities that I’m still able to perform.

Update in October 2019: the eye problem (a CSR) is slowly getting better, but I will probably give up flying anyway.  It has taken a toll on my body, in various ways, and I might as well enjoy more years of decent body movement which the flying (the G and the posture) jeopardises.

Update in July 2020; I think I'll enjoy retirement and family and friends and photography (in flexible order).  There are talented people on Blip, although I have to work at ignoring the divisive politics of the age, damned as many countries are with their leaders and political (and financial) elites.

July 2021 and we've moved to Dorset, connections with family and looking for a new adventure.  The scenery is gorgeous, the locals very friendly and the house delightful, if a little smaller than our last.

I had a Twitter account, but I've moved to Mastodon (@cbimages) and Spoutible (@cmacdb) Let's see how it goes, but it seems to be a far friendlier place than Twitter – even without considering Musk's ill-advised pronouncements and sackings.

September 2023 and I haven't reached 2,000 blips yet.  I'm managing to  get one done most days, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  My latest plan is to have a project or two on the go; I'll start with people at the coast, singletons or couples rather than crowds.