Photo Post: WRC Subaru Impreza

Another car from the Flitwick Classic Car Show 2014. A rather tasty looking Subaru Impreza. Don't know much about it as I just took the photos and had to move on. HDR, 3 exposures shot with my Canon 600D. There were people in the photo which I removed (badly, PS is not my strong point).

Photo Post: HDR Eye

Something I always wanted to try, a close up HDR image of an eye. In this case, my 6 y.o.'s, so I got him to sit still for 2 seconds to take the photo(s). Turned out alright, but to many reflections though. Love his blue eyes though.

Photo Post: Ford Mustang Engine Bay

The same blue Ford Mustang at Flitwick Classic Car Show, but a bit of a wider angle.

HDR, 3 exposures, Canon 600D.

Photo Post: Sunrise over Fuengirola Beach

During our holiday to Fuengirola in Spain, I decided I had to get up early one day to see what the sunrise over the sea was like. Turned out quite nice. To be honest I don't think I have ever witnessed a complete sunrise. It was great. I got there about 20 mins before the sun was due to come up so just sat down on the beach and awaited. When it comes up, it comes up fast, surprisingly fast. Was well worth getting up early for. Although it wasn't too early. Sunrise was about 0720 local time. This is no HDR, just a straight shot out the camera.

Photo Post: Sunrise over a Field

Early one morning on the way to work I stopped the car as I noticed a nice looking sunrise and I had my camera with me. I just walked off into a field to see what I could find. Not a lot, but a sunrise can make any scene look good... kinda like snow. HDR, 3 exposures shot with my Canon 600D.

Photo Post: Ford Mustang V8 Engine

A lovely blue Ford Mustang's shiny V8 engine from the Flitwick Classic Car Show 2014.

Photo Post: Reliant Scimitar Interior

Gorgeous interior of a Reliant Scimitar at the Flitwick Classic Car Show 2014 (Flitwick, Bedfordshire, UK).

HDR created from 3 exposures, then some further post processing including one of +Trey Ratcliff 's LR presets.

Barry Eisler + John Rain + Ben Treven = Awesome!

Barry Eisler

Been working my way, in order, through +Barry Eisler books, starting with the amazing John Rain series and then it had a break to follow a new character, Ben Treven.

I have been listening to them all on audio books, using +Audible, read by the man himself, +Barry Eisler, who does a cracking job, putting lots of character and drama into the readings. Some audio books are dull and monotone but Barry's are amazing. Check out Barry's books on Audible. 

Other formats are obviously available, I just find Audible really easy to use on my phone. Now I have a 4G connected phone, I can just download a new book when I am on the move, which I did the other day as I finished one book and was only half way through a long drive and couldn't wait! 

If you like your secret agent/ex special forces/assassin/martial arts/clandestine/violent/political/deniable ops/gritty/tense/action filled/passionate dramas then I highly recommend you give them a try.

I would say start at the beginning of the John Rain series, although not essential, but there are many references to previous storylines.

I just finished Inside Out which is Ben Treven book 2 and was so excited at the end when Dox and Rain were mentioned and Ben is to go find them in the next book, The Detachment! Cannot wait (until Monday)!

Check out Barry's website and blog.

Europa Report and National Space Centre

Bit of a space filled weekend. Watched Europa Report on Friday night, which I really enjoyed and went to the National Space Centre

Europa Report

My sort of film and I thought it was a pretty good portrayal of how a trip to some place far away might pan out in the early days. Briefly, its about a space mission to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, which is a top candidate at the moment for being a potential host to life. It is a moon completely covered in ice with a suspected ocean underneath all the ice. This liquid water environment could be a host to life and has led to Europa being one of the Solar System's most interesting body in terms of the search for extra-terrestrial life. Here is a great infographic about the structure of Europa from space.com.

This movie is about a mission to Europa to search for life. I think, sending people rather than just robotic missions was justified by the need to boost human space travel...to put something (or someone) out there and just do it! Just doing it would pave the way and encourage others to do it (compete?). Plus having people on site is always going to be more productive in terms of science accomplished, as humans can change the plan, make on the spot decisions which robots may not be able to do.

Pirate Cakes!

My wife (Lisa) enjoys making cakes (much to my pleasure as chief taster) and has done it again! She has been asked a few times to do cakes for kids parties and she has spent most of yesterday pretty much preparing these lovely little cakes.

Its obviously a pirate themed party and I think the kids (and the adults) are going to love them! Brilliant stuff!

Some more from a previous occasion:

Trip to Portland, Dorset, UK

This last weekend (03 January 2014), my wife and I managed to get away for a small 2 night break in a hotel she found on Wowcher. The hotel was the Venue Hotel which is located high up on top of Portland, which is situated on a small piece of land that juts out from the mainland, connected to Weymouth by a very thin strip of land (literally just a road).

We were set to go just when bad storms were hitting the south coast of England (great timing), but we had rearranged the date several times already so did not want to put it off again. We didn't have the kids with us so we wouldn't have to worry about entertaining them in the rain. Being on our own we could just do something to suit ourselves...for a change! I think it was the first time we had both been away from the kids (currently 3 and 5) for two nights.