SRABBLING AROUND FOR A BLIP?

No, actually, just practising stacking focus using Zerene. It seems a simple shot, but without multiple focussed shots stacked together, it would be almost impossible to get all the tiles sharp as they are here. Just missed focussing on the Aye Pad cover though.

I want to develop focus stacking skill for plants, rocks, insects etc., but I'm getting in some practice on easier objects first. I did manage a reasonable result with a tiny spider and my 10x macro lens- two of the creature's eight legs were out of focus, while everything else was sharp, translucent and hairy - however, some of my dearest blip colleagues are arachnophobes and even I, spider lover as I am, was a bit creeped out by the magnified beastie. Go on, look, you know you want to.

I had a class cancelled this afternoon, so enjoyed an unexpected rest day, once a morning conference call was over. I need more of these days with little structure and space to potter. I don't tend to sit about - in fact I planted the main crop tatties between showers, pruned the summer flowering clematis, did 20 mins aerobic on the exercise bike (it was pissing down outside) had a long telephone chat with my Canadian son and heir and generally enjoyed hanging out with my best friend the Professor. I don't crave inactivity, but I do need more unstructured time. Working on it.

Al dente fusilli, steamed zucchini ribbons and chestnut mushrooms, all tossed in a light pomodoro and caper sauce and spiked with finely flaked Parmigiano-Reggiano for dinner. How many posh ways can you think of saying pasta with tomato sauce?