Photos For Sale

At last I have started to prepare a portfolio of photographs to sell. I originally intended to to this via my own website but in the end decided concentrate on producing usable photos.

At the time of writing I've some initial photos uploaded, however having become accustomed to the Photo4me website I am now in a position to prepare and upload more. Of course to be a success I have to sell some photos, here's hoping!

Summer at last?

Lovely and warm down at Ashcroft Airfield, took the helicopter for a little spin.

So That's Why The Engine Stopped

The engine in my long serving Irvine Tutor 40 model aeroplane stopped abruptly the other day. Fortunately I was flying at a reasonable altitude and was easily able to make a deadstick landing on the airstrip.

Gently turning the engine by hand a little soon came up against very hard resistance so there was no more to be done at the field. I have more been able to strip the SC 46 engine down and it didn't look good. A small piece of metal on top of the piston was the first find and was another clear sign that the damage was likely to be significant. When I removed the back plate matters got worse as it revealed a mangled strip of metal and then I removed the piston liner which was scored, as was the piston. Next the crankshaft was removed and that was finely scored in the area between the bearings, ah yes the bearings, y these are two ball races, one at the front of the engine and one further back. The front bearing was fine but as soon as I started to remove the rear bearings the while lot just feel apart. Yes, the ball bearing retainers had disintegrated causing the previously mentioned damage. Well that's the end of that engine!

Up on the cloud

I have just been out for a fine afternoon on Bosley Cloud, suitabley wrapped up for the cold conditions I was able to enjoy flying the Fusion and Wicked Wing in a decent breeze. The lift was smooth and very good.

My friend Martyn came along too and some other L&MMGA members were already there, so there were plenty of models in the air.

Winter Colours

We ventured out for a walk today along the Trent and Mersey Canal. It was one of those days when the frost seems to have cleaned and cleared the air leaving clear blue sky with deep rich colours below.

The shadow areas were cold and the ground in these areas was frozen solid with frost on the top. There was very little wind so we didn't feel the cold too much at first and we enjoyed the glorious views.

All too soon the light started to fade as the lowering sun produced more shadows and the cold in the air felt sharper in our throats. We made our way to the River Dane and along the Croxton Trail back into Middlewich just in time for the last of the sun. Just the right time to head home, for tea and crumpets too.

Long Term Snappers

A few months ago I learned that some other ex-Expert Patient Tutors had kept in touch with each other and formed a small photo club, to which they invited me to join and I was really pleased to do so. They meet at a different venue each month, have a bite to eat and if the location and weather is suitable, nip out to take some photos.

They have been keen to organise a photo day out and in particular on a narrowboat, right up my street but not my canal! This time it was the Macclesfield Canal which I hadn't been on before. So last week we hired a day boat from Heritage Narrowboats at Scholar Green and headed off towards Bosley Locks. There was no intention to get as far as Bosley as they idea was to be able to stop and start at photo locations as and when anyone saw an opportunity, which is what we did. However we did get as far as the last but one winding hole (turning point) before Bosley locks, a distance of 6.25 miles from where we started. An occasional stop for a cup of tea and a picnic were also necessary parts of the trip after all we were out to enjoy ourselves.

Oh the weather, well dry, so that was good. Not cold for most of the day, though we were feeling the chill a bit towards the end and there were also some occasional sunny spells. With trees lining both sides of the canal most of the time the contrast between bright and shadow made getting some photos really quite tricky but we all snapped away and will be posting our efforts to our own private web site.

We all got along well sharing brewing, steering and keeping things tidy so thanks to my fellow crew members for that. Would we do it again, don't see why not!