Birthday day out

Not mine, W's. He'd wanted us to go to a photography workshop in honour of the occasion and with amazing serendipity I'd found that one was running at Wisley with garden photographer Clive Nichols actually on the day. With only 2 places left available it seemed that it was meant to be so the booking had been made.

So, off we set for what turned out to be a brilliant day with a master of the art who let us into the secrets of how he captured his most stunning shots. (Step one: get up at 3am!). I already know I am very much a rooky beginner but the day really expanded my knowledge of how much I still didn't know. We did learn techniques it would have taken me years to discover on my own though which'll certainly help in making my future attempts a bit less random. I also learned that I REALLY need a tripod. And a bigger zoom. Oh dear. 

Back at home Son 2 had been beavering away on birthday cake duty (which also would conveniently allow him to notch up another kitchen creation for DofE) and, well, the general conclusion after the candles had been blown out was that he scored a 10 for Effort and considerably more for Robustness of Construction. We weren't sure what he'd done but you wouldn't have wanted to drop it on your toe. It tasted good though.

A Bat and Ball celebratory meal in the evening with all three children and Son 1's girlfriend rounded off a really rather splendid day.