perthshire

e Life

Posted on by vince1970

If you’re looking for something different to enhance the quality of your mind body and spirit then e Biking may just be for you.

Triumph Trekker GT

I’m still a relatively newbie when it comes to e bikes but in this article I’m going to explain why I decided to join this global community and why I chose a particular brand.

I’ve had bicycles and motorcycles my whole life and have always had a passion for two wheels.  I had been out of motorcycling for a few years and after watching many youtube motorcycle reviews, could feel myself being pulled back in.  The problem being that I don’t have a garage and in Scotland, you really need to keep a motorcycle garaged to protect it from the winter elements.  I wanted to experience the joy of motorized two wheeled transport again but I needed a bike I could physically pick up and keep indoors.

The solution was an e bike.  I started to realise how many advantages an e bike has over a conventional motorbike.  Because of the weight factor, I would be able to take the e bike on a train or tram and really adventure much further a field.  From the social aspect I could join the Cycle Touring Club and meet other cyclists and join up for cycling holidays.  I would also have the motivation to explore places I had never been to before, locally and in the central belt areas.

As a form of exercise, an e bike would help me burn off much needed calories and enable me to go on much longer rides as e bikes are designed to help eat up any hills on a road trip.

I wanted to combine e biking with my passion for vlogging and photography and I would be able to start producing e bike tour vlogs on youtube, encouraging others to take up biking and visit new places of interest in central Scotland.

I also felt it was time that I join the 21st century and invest in my first electric vehicle, which would help save the planet and help me cut down on my car fuel prices which are just rocketing.

Once I had made the firm decision to commit to purchasing an e bike I had to spend many hours researching for the right brand as I knew nothing much about electric bikes.  I narrowed the search down to a road runner style bike rather than a mountain off roading bike or an electric Tricycle.

Being an x motorcyclist I at once was attracted to the new Triumph Trekker GT which had just come out this year.  I wanted to do something to support the motorcycle industry and as I had never owned  a Triumph motorcycle, I wanted to join the Triumph community.  I was attracted to the bike’s slim design and beautiful color scheme – it is most definitely a lovely looking machine!  I had to commute through to the branch in Edinburgh to collect the bike, and then started teaching myself how to make the thing go.   

An e bike is quite simple to operate,  some have a twist grip that allows you to just go on electric power and many just give you power assist when you pedal.  One advantage an e bike has over a conventional motorcycle is that if you do run out of power on the road, you can at least cycle your way to your destination and charge up the battery.

After adding all the accessories, my maiden test voyage was going up the hills of Milnathort and you can imagine my amazement of cycling up steep hills effortlessly – the torque of an  e bike is insane.

As I write this, I am one of Scotland’s first owners of the Trekker GT and I soon went about shooting a couple of vlogs on youtube to explain how to operate the bike and my first impressions.  I then tried doing my first weekly shop on the Trekker which was a return trip to Cowdenbeath.  I did work out that I was saving approximately £5 a week on fuel costs by making most of my shorter trips on two wheels.  Out of all the bicycles and motorcycles I’ve owned, I can say the Trekker GT is the best bike I’ve ever experienced.

My future plans are to produce an e bike tour vlog on Loch Leven to highlight some of the cafes, farm shops and places of historical and ornithological interest that e bikers and cyclists can make pit stops at.  I’d also like to experience taking the e bike on the train into Edinburgh to see if this could be a viable alternative to commuting by car.  And I’d like to do a cycling holiday in Harris, Outer Hebrides,  as it’s the perfect destination for e bikes with those terrific hills and breath taking scenery.

I’ll finish by saying what e bikers said to me before I caught the bug – If you haven’t tried it, you’ve got to try it!!

UFO Debriefing

Posted on by vince1970

The UFO Show Scotland last weekend was a great success.  Put together at the last minute, I wanted to do some kind of media project to commemorate 25 years of the famous Falkland Incident which occurred in 1995, Fife, Scotland.  I also wanted to get the broadcast out on Saturday 6th June 2020 as this was to be the weekend of the Scottish Ufo and Paranormal Conference, sadly cancelled due to lock down.

The UFO Show Scotland

There is currently one web page still on line regarding the Falkland incident and I wanted to produce something more, to act as a kind of time capsule, a resource for future researchers and truth seekers.

I decided to do a Live Stream show concentrating on 3 of Scotland’s most interesting Close Encounters of the 3rdKind – namely the Bob Taylor Dechmont Classic case, the Falkland incident and the Blairgowrie incident.

My chosen formula was to do a virtual tour of each location and complimented with a more detailed report from Ron Halliday, a renowned Scottish Paranormal Investigator and Author of several books on the subject.

Ron Halliday

I was blessed with good weather during the 4 day shoot and on one visit to Falkland, had to do a hill walking trek just to get one shot of a landing location.  I had 6 days to shoot and edit enough content for a one hour live broadcast.

The show ended up being one hour and thirty eight minutes in duration.  There were many ‘raconteurs’ as I coin our online contributors.  The beauty of live stream is that it’s interactive.  The viewers can comment and ask questions to each other and the presenter using the comments box.

Ron Halliday was able to join us during the broadcast and did a sterling job answering the viewer’s questions and comments.

I started off by giving my own opinions about the UFO / Alien question.  I have been interested in this subject for over 40 years.  During the 90’s I enjoyed travelling down to Sheffield and Leeds in England to attend the big UFO conventions with some of my Scottish colleagues.  I did work on some video productions which were used by Scottish researchers as part of their presentation materials.

I enjoyed listening to headline speakers such as Budd Hopkins – the alien abduction guru.  During the 90’s it was a golden era of ufo abduction books, documentaries and movies.  It was also a golden era (pre digital) of the ufo channellers.  These were psychic mediums who were able to be the voice of extra terrestrials from other worlds such as the Ashtar Command.  On Sundays, my friends used to meet in a house and after enjoying a fantastic vegetarian meal, would sit and listen to audio tapes of the ufo channellers.

Although I’ve never personally witnessed a flying saucer or aliens, my conclusions about the phenomenon were:

  1. Weird Shit happens
  2. UFOs are real, they have been captured on photographic plates, video, radar and have been reported by credible witnesses such as pilots and police officers
  3. The phenomenon is temporary, much in the way Taoism describes reality – we are manifest on this world and then we are unmanifest
  4. As science now accepts the holographic theory of reality, I mentioned a scene in the Matrix Reloaded movie where the Oracle describes UFOs and Ghosts as ‘software errors’ in the Matrix which shouldn’t really be here. This may be why the phenomenon is temporary and then simply disappears. This may also explain why in 70 years since the classic Rosewell Crash story of 1947, there has never been any physical evidence / proof of a craft from outer space in a museum for us to examine.
  5. And finally I made reference to the Children’s 80’s TV series Chocky, which was based on the book by John Wyndham. This is the story of an extra terrestrial who contacts a young boy and is able to project it’s mind as a hologram that the boy can see and hear. Chocky’s mission is to advance the boy’s knowledge of science and the arts. It was developed into 3 TV series, continuing with Chocky’s Children and Chocky’s Challenge. Many of these shows are available on Youtube to watch. To me the idea of telepathic communication is the most likely form of contact between humans and extra terrestrials as the distances to cross space in a metal ship are just too huge. Again these are my own opinions, and during the show I welcomed any of the viewers to voice their opinions of what they thought.
Chocky TV series

So this was my first Ufological media project in over 25 years, and I was very much enjoying the whole process of gathering content then sewing it together into 8 short videos for the live stream.

The Falkland incident involved a family encountering the typical Grey entities who were standing by a black triangular shaped Ufo.  One of the main researchers of this case was Malcolm Robinson of Strange Phenomena Investigations and he has written about his research into the Falkland Incident in his books available from Amazon.

The Oracle with Neo – Matrix Reloaded Movie

The Blairgowrie incident involved a family witnessing strange unmarked black helicopters over their house and seeing men in black walking up their neighbours path, complete with the gate opening ‘magically’ by itself.

The Dechmont Incident with Bob Taylor is Scotland’s Classic Ufo story, where by Bob was attacked by two strange spherical entities that emerged from a semi translucent saucer type craft in the Dechmont Woods area of Livingston, West Lothian.  Malcolm Robinson’s book on this particular case is also available.

After the show I received many positive comments from the viewers on the show’s content and it was very gratifying indeed!  I look forward to doing another Ufo Live Stream show next year, perhaps an outside broadcast from the 2020 Scottish Ufo Conference would be an exciting project to work on.

To watch the show you can find it on my Youtube Channel:  Vincent Anthony Media.  If you would like to find out more about the Scottish UFO scene then you can contact the following organisations / researchers here:

Ron Halliday –  Facebook search for: Ron Halliday

Malcolm Robinson:  malckyspi@yahoo.com

The Unexplained group on Meetup.com – organisers Linda & Duncan

Time Traveller

Posted on by vince1970

illuminatusLast night’s live stream show was an overwhelming success, plenty of comments coming in from the viewers enjoying the show.  We had some practical gentle movement exercises and some theory from the mini module on Conflict Management Studies.

Our special guest was Graeme Harvey who is a clinical hypnotherapist and also know as ‘The Time Lord.’  With hypnotherapy Graeme helps all clients with many types of mental and physical conditions.  He has worked with victims of domestic abuse and has helped youngsters with exam stress and all sorts of phobias.

However, one of the most interesting aspects of Graeme’s life is that he offers clients past and future life regression therapy to help them solve problems in the present.  Graeme also has the ability to time travel – with no need of a Tardis.

As I said on the show I can testify to Graeme’s Time Travelling ability as back in 2013 I had been filming Graeme for another video project and he let us in on a little secret – the results of the Scottish Independence Referendum Results – in Advance!!

Sure enough, when I had just graduated from college, I heard the results and Graeme was the first person that came to mind.

Graeme runs CenScot Therapies and if you want to contact him, his details are in the show on Youtube channel:  Vincent Anthony Media

I allocated Graeme a special extra extended interview of over 40 minutes on last night’s show as he is a very unique and special individual – after all, how many time travellers do you know apart from the fictional Dr Who?

Lock down is still on – Mindfulness vs CONrona is still on – so Game ON!!

 

Got any I.D on you?

Posted on by vince1970

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The Prey Specimen Red Cast

Here’s the debriefing from last night’s show (Round #4) which went splendidly.  I welcomed guests Peter Hitchens of the Mail on Sunday and Graeme Campbell of Glass Bullet Media who runs with his partner Laura Binnie, one of Scotland’s leading Video Production Companies in the corporate and broadcast sectors.

We had a mix of Philosophy and Mindfulness exercises to try.  Our Philosophy focused on the Conflict Management mini module I run in the course, and in particular we look at Taoist philosophy which is ideal for using as a template when being attacked by others.

I used an example scene from my childhood favourite TV series Kung Fu starring David Carradine.  In the scene, Master Po says:

“The wild boar runs from the Tiger, knowing that each well armed by nature, with deadly strength may kill the other, running.  It saves its own life and that of the Tiger.  This is not cowardice, it is the love of life.”

During the show my expectation was that this would be the end of studying conflict in the live stream.

Next morning, 9am the negativity I’ve mentioned previously, raised its ugly head – this time with internet trolling, pest phone calls and emails.

Some people just don’t know when to stop!!  Some people will dig and dig at you until they end up digging a hole so large, they’ve dug their own early grave.

In last night’s show I specifically drew attention to the lesson from Master Jason Chan who says:

“Every moment you are choosing between life and death.”  – Which I may add created with your thoughts, words and actions.

Confucius says:

“If unsure what to do, do nothing.”

Wise words, however in this cyber world we live in, if you do nothing the trolls will attack.

HOW TO DEAL WITH TROLLS

The answer is very simple – don’t feed the trolls.

You can also do the following things which I learned from a Sandwich Mentor some years ago:

Block them on Social Media

Ignore their pest phone calls or lift the receiver but don’t answer

Ignore their pest emails

Get in touch with the Police to make a statement

And as master Po advises:  be prepared to defend if they threaten your life.

Wise words indeed!

Sometimes the Universe itself will deal with trolls for you, ‘something unexpected came up’ and they are side tracked onto an alternate timeline.

We now live in a time when people are going absolutely loopy and may be capable of doing things which you could say are irrational even if it means committing a criminal offence.  I value rationale and my Live Stream Shows convey this.

The problem here is not over my CONrona theme, it wouldn’t actually matter what the content of my Live Stream was about – the same trolls would attack anyway.  You see, a Troll needs to be IDentified with something as a troll has no meaning to their life.  Give a troll an IDentity and they are ready to attack!!

So trolls IDentify with CONrona as their raison d’être.  A few months back if my live stream had been about say Brexit, those same trolls would have been attacking for or against,  just the same, or let’s choose Scottish Independence and so on – you get the picture don’t you?

This is Zen.  Zen means you can’t have the ups with out the downs in life.

Ending on a positive note, nothing but positive comments came in during last night’s broadcast.   So I now start to collate content for next week’s show.  Onwards and Upwards!!

 

 

 

Drama Queens

Posted on by vince1970

loch levenari3
Loch Leven

It’s the morning after last night’s live stream show affectionately called ‘Round #3.’  Last night had a change to the planned schedule.  I was going to start off by giving an explanation of Neuroplasticity of the Brain.

Minutes before the show went live, I received an email which was so full of negativity it was quite clearly a form of attack.  The person who sent me this email hit me with the element of ‘surprise’ coming from someone I would least expect.  It had also been sent it at a time when it would have most impact.

The person was in actual fact, trying to manipulate.  The email brought up feelings of anger, anxiety and self doubt.

However, I made an executive decision, rather than fall into this drama that the Drama Queen had set me up for, I decided to use this on the show ‘live’ as an example of how to use Mindfulness in every day situations – it was perfect!!  I even thanked the Queen on the show for giving me an spontaneous opportunity to demonstrate Mindfulness!!

The message of our course is “Don’t be a Drama Llama.”   That is, use your Mindfulness skills to watch out and identify Drama Queens who will try their best, consciously or unconsciously to bring you down.  Then you can neutralise these people quickly before they have the chance to manipulate you to their own advantage.

Very often this will happen in the work place or even in your own home.  For me this also happens in the supermarket car park:

I’m reversing my wee Micra out of a space and this has caused a flustered driver to have the indignity of having to wait a minute extra while I get out my space.  That driver then will provoke by racing past me and. cutting me off.  If I let them drag me into their drama I will react and the whole situation ends up as a police matter, and it’s a lose lose scenario for me and the Drama Queen.

Drama Queens will always pull you into their drama “just when life is going so well.”  They have an innate ability to smell your happiness which leads me to explain why they do this in the first place.

The answer is very simple, they are not in a good place and don’t wish to be alone in that place, thus they drag you in so that you’ll feel the same way they do.

That is why the arcane message is still of value to this day – “Don’t react to people!!”

Let them put on their Dramas for all of us to watch – after all, the Drama Queens can’t touch you if you’re just observing their performance can they??!!

Anyway, many of the viewers of the show gave me some positive comments and feedback during and after the broadcast and this helped quash the efforts of the Drama Queen, it back fired, you could say.

So, there is much to do, much content to produce for next week’s show!!  Stay tuned!!….

 

Licence to Thrill – live stream aftermath

Posted on by vince1970

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Featuring Media Poodle ‘Dog Boy’

Another Live Stream has been completed.  After many hours of content gathering and editing, I achieved my 2nd ever Live Stream Broadcast.  My nerves were with me to the end as I tried to Multi Task for the entire hour.  Well actually, not the entire hour, I got a little bit of a break while running the exercise video.

The new lesson I learned from the second attempt was just how quickly time flies by when your going out live.

I’ve decided that as our classes are about an hour in duration, that would be the best guide for how long to steam mindfulness.

Saying that I’m really enjoying producing content and on next week’s show, I must throw in the classic line “and here’s one I prepared earlier….”

I’m also looking out for fellow content co creators to join me in future shows whether that be film makers, life coaches, wellbeing practitioners, therapists and anyone connected with mind body spirit industries.

Watch this space!……..

The Mighty Micra

Posted on by vince1970

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The Nissan Micra is an iconic British brand of small car and has now evolved into its next metamorphosis.  I wish to state categorically that I am neither an employee or sponsored in any way by Nissan.  As Scotland’s no1 Micra fan boy I felt compelled to write this blog, especially as I have just taken advantage of a Micra lease deal only available during this September in the Uk.  I am now the proud owner of a new Stylish fourth generation Limited Edition Micra Ascenta!!

So why choose MIcra?  If you’re downsizing from your 4×4  or perhaps you’re looking for a second family car, the new Nissan Micra may just be the ticket.  So lets discover why this car is one of the best Japanese All Rounders currently on the market.  Some of the Pros of the new 2019 models:

Safety

The most important aspect you could consider in a new car is its safety features, after all, you can get a new car any time but you can’t get a new life.  So I’m going to describe some innovative safety features I have discovered on my new Micra journey. The novelty feature of the lane cross over warning system must be my favourite.  When you start to cross over the dividing lane, an audible alarm sounds and vibration is sent through the driving wheel, much like the silent warning of a mobile phone. Another cool feature is the anti glare rear view mirror which makes a huge difference when driving at night in congested traffic – you will appreciate no longer having your retinas burned out by other’s headlights.  On the AI front, if the car senses a toddler or person behind or in front of the car, an automatic halt action kicks in, however I hope never to experience this life saving feature.  The ABS on Nissan cars are second to none.  I had recently been travelling back from a business networking event when a dog broke free and ran out in front of me at short range – fortunately the ABS allowed me to do an emergency stop and no one got harmed.  The dog, oblivious to the car, continued racing across the road to its favourite play park.

Boot Space

For me priority of a new car is to have a boot large enough to put my dive equipment in.  The Ascenta’s boot is visibly larger than the previous Visia 3rd generation Micra.  As you can see from the photographs, I can easily fit all my Snorkel Dive bags with more space remaining.  There’s also a handy additional boot light which will make managing the boot at night convenient.

Another thing to consider is that the Micra is not only easy to manoeuvre  in the city, but can also handle motorways and countryside roads with ease as well.  Earlier this year I took my previous Visia to the Outer Hebrides to write a Magazine article about the North Harris Snorkel Trail.  In the car I was able to take a passenger, luggage for two, 3 dive bags and my camera kits.  The visia handled the steep and dangerous sheep ridden back roads without any problems what so ever which is why I feel that this small car is one of the best all rounders I’ve experienced.

Technology

The only tech I want from a car is to be able to answer important business client calls on the move – as a freelance photographer, some clients who have little time will not give you a second chance of a job if you don’t answer your phone the first time.  With the new Ascenta you also have a cool feature called Apple Car Play.  This means I can link my phone via USB cable and use my Map apps and watch them on the 7 inch touch display screen.  I no longer need to invest in phone holders and have the satisfying convenience of not needing to take my iPhone out its case every time I want to use the maps app.  You can also listen to the wireless while using your maps app.  I have yet to see what happens when I link my go pro action cam to the system, using the car screen as a giant viewfinder.

Style

For me this is the least important factor when choosing a new car, however the new Micra is noticeably more pleasing to the eye both with its exterior curves and sporty leather clad interiors.  I have noticed that heads have been turning in my direction and I’ve even had cars tailing me to get a closer look at this sporty new automobile.

Drive Experience

The Limited Addition Ascenta has a one litre engine which is extremely economical as a super mini should be, with an average of 47.1 mpg, emitting 118g per km of CO2.  However despite the compact engine, the car feels like you are driving a much larger German brand.  The words ‘smooth’ come to mind whether you are driving the manual or CVT transmission Micra, both of which I have enjoyed testing.  Another word I think of is ‘solid.’  You immediately feel this when you close the car door as compared to my previous 3rd generation Visia.  The Visia in comparison felt more like a toy car with basic yet functional features.  Albeit the Visia still has all the essential safety features to help keep you and the car in one piece.

Dino Leone, Senior Sales Executive at the Halbeath Dunfermline Nissan Showroom explained that Micra customers like myself keep returning.  He had even sold a Micra to his sister and mother.  Dino told me that Nissan only make cars to order, unlike other brands who have surplus vehicles sitting in fields.  Due to public demand, the showroom are finding it hard to source automatic Micras, so as yet, it’s mainly manual cars that are available on the special lease deal.  However CVT transmission Micras are currently available as a Mobility Option.

And the Cons?

The new Micra is noticeably larger than the previous incarnations.  I found the new micra a little harder to park in between cars as I couldn’t judge the distances very easily.  Perhaps in future Micras, Nissan will include the Aerial 360 degrees parking camera which would solve this problem for more petite drivers such as myself.

In Conclusion

Apart from this I have found nothing else I would want to change as the new Micra has totally evolved beyond the pattern of previous generations.  As long as a car can get me from A to B – dry and in comfort without breaking down or breaking the bank on the never ending rising petrol prices, the new Micra ticks all the boxes!

So if I’ve now got you ‘Micra Curious’ and would be interested in test driving the new Micra, contact Dino today at Nissan Dunfermline, Tel 01383 321 000  email: dleone@westernnissan.co.uk

Feel the Fear and go out Clubbing

Posted on by vince1970

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Club outing to St Monans, Fife Scotland

In a time where communities are becoming further reduced and in a world where often we don’t talk to or even know the name of our neighbours, loneliness is a mental disease that is starting to spread – especially amongst the older generation.

One solution to combat this insular life style is to create Cafe Coffee Corners where people can meet others to have a coffee and simply start talking.  Some corner organisers bring chat cards with a subject for people to discuss, in order to help break the ice.  People may feel they have nothing interesting to tell others about, but in reality every one has a book in them they could write about.

I myself am single and live with my feline soul mate Mr Darcy – if it wasn’t for him my life would be totally empty.  He fills a void that only a cat could.

However I have always been a member of a club since primary school age when I joined a Judo club and cross country running club for most of my schooling years.  These clubs gave me discipline and a focus with goals to achieve.  Judo and Running were hard work and I would train every week year in year out.

I could never foresee that I would give up my beloved Judo and cross country running when I would reach middle age.

I am now a member of 2 Scottish Sub Aqua clubs and have recently joined my local camera club.  These clubs provide me with plenty of social contact and support if needed.  I have learned knowledge and gained qualifications and  experiences that have enriched my quality of life.  It’s great to make new friends and exchange experiences.

I have always been mad about cameras and in a camera club you’ll find plenty of passionate camera enthusiasts who will quite happily talk tech the night away.  I have found myself often enjoying speaking to fellow club members who use the same camera format as myself, chatting about body and lens gadgetry.

After only a few months of being in my camera club I’ve made new friends, visited different parts of Scotland on photographic location shoots that I have never been to before, and now as autumn approaches, enjoy listening to Master Photographers at the club house evenings, gaining handy photographic tips from their presentations.

At college, our tutors explained that Photography is all about experimentation – you never stop trying new things or learning more about The Craft.

You don’t even have to know anything about photography to join in a club, all you need is the willingness to learn and enjoy taking pictures with others.  During our presentation meetings there’s time for a coffee break  and then after the meeting, there’s the further opportunity to socialise with members at our favourite local pub.

Now for the first time in history, Digital Photography can provide consumers with an abundant choice of cameras at affordable prices – the difficulty for some people is trying to decide which equipment to invest in.  At the moment I’m trying to help a club member to try the camera system I have enjoyed using for a couple of years and it gives me great satisfaction when I can help provide someone with a solution to making important technical decisions.

Most enjoy taking photos and camera enthusiasts experience satisfaction from being able to use a variety of lenses to achieve a creative effect.  Taking photographs brings joy and creativity into your life in such a simple way and with modern smart phones, we can edit and share these images across the world in minutes.

If you’d be interested in joining your local Photographic Society, or any local group for that matter, don’t procrastinate – feel the fear and go out Clubbing!  

Olympus Pen

Posted on by vince1970

Water Droplet Macro Shot

After recently attending an open day sale at Edinburgh’s Wex branch I came away with a new camera!!  I had had no intention of buying any more camera gear but I thought I’d have a look anyway.  I arrived at the store and the event was well attended.  I weaved my way around the crowds looking at the different stalls selling Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Canon and Nikon.

I was on the lookout for the Micro Four Thirds sellers.  There was a rep from Olympus but I was drawn to the used table with an array of lenses and camera bodies.

I did notice an Olympus Pen body and it was the cheapest item on the table at only £179.  In comparison, I noticed a Sony A7 full frame body at £700.  It suddenly occured to me – I needed a back up body for shooting weddings!!  Every wedding photographer should have two bodies for the big day and I realised I had an opportunity.

The camera body came with not much else – the box, a power lead, manual and disc were all that were on offer.  I had never owned an Olympus before and was excited at getting my first Pen – and – supporting the Micro Four Thirds industry – and – helping to save the planet by recycling camera gear rather than buying new.

I took the new camera body home and excitedly attached my Leica 12 to 60mm lens to see what would happen.  To my delight the camera was functioning fine with this lens.  Then I tried my Panasonic Macro lens and that too provided excellent shots.  I was experiencing the same joy as I did when I opened the box of my first new micro camera in 2018.

I sourced two spare batteries and charger from Amazon so cheaply I couldn’t believe it!!

I tested the Pen out by shooting some macro round the Loch Leven area and got some amazing water dropet shots – I was really enjoying myself with this new body.  It is so light compared to my other ‘big brother’ micro camera.  I was also astounded at how long the battery was lasting.  I had 7 separate macro shoots before the battery was empty!!

Not only now do I have a back up body for weddings but I can also enjoy macro photography too.  I then decided that I would quite like to try some street photography as this is what the Pen was deisgned for – being compact and discreet.  My Leica zoom is a little too front heavy for the Pen body.  After getting a copy of Amateur Photography I discovered Park Cameras and sourced a used Olympus 14 to 24 zoom lens which is exactly the lens that should have come in the box!!  I got this lens for only £59 – how about that!

So I await my lens and during the summer months I will enjoy doing some street photography in ‘Auld Reekie’ and new town of Edinburgh City.  I will experiment with the monochrome mode against some of Edinburgh’s most amazing architecture.  Students from all over the world come to study Edinburgh New Town’s architecture.  When you walk along George Street you notice that each house has its own unique stone design and motiffs.

I have now ordered a handy camera case to protect the camera while travelling and will keep you updated on my adventures!!

Aid for Africa

Posted on by vince1970

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It’s 2019 and the Easter Weekend has arrived with glorious weather here in Kinross, Scotland.  We’ve spent the weekend at Tullibole Castle near Crook of Devon, Kinross at the wedding fair.  We enjoyed meeting some couples and demonstrating some aerial photography.  We also enjoyed feeding the Peacocks some of our lunch and in return they put on amazing feather displays for us and some singing skills too.  So am looking forward to doing some more work with Tullibole Castle in Future.

I also will be working with Jo Middlemiss of Kinross who runs the Ethiopia Medical Project which is carrying out aid work in Africa so am feeling blessed for the tools I can use to help Jo with her mission.

More updates to follow!!   Watch this space…..