DM chimps, Mike laughs at him, Rosie gives them both a withering look!

We’re in Cornwall on something of an urgent visit though the urgency is tempered by pre-arranged social events. David drove his bike down and I was left with the support wagon of the trusty Vectra estate, piled up with our stuff and the two beasties. We travelled more-or-less in convoy, having met up at the half-way point by accident of fate. Archie was beside himself for the first thirty or so miles when we set off without DM. He (Archie) looked really worried and didn’t settle until we were well into the journey. Our meeting was fortuitous because it meant we could rendezvous for lunch at the fine if extortionately expensive Exeter services on the M5. Good coffee, OK sandwiches but OUCH – the price! Archie got his reassurance that all would be OK when we pulled into a parking space adjacent to a biker who took off his helmet to reveal that he was, in fact, that man that all three of us (dogs and me) adore.

My sis and her brood are with Alan and Dee, Mike and West are with us and all eleven humans (dogs got left behind on the basis that they would have done nothing more than complicate matters) had a supper date to celebrate. It’s Alan’s birthday and celebrating such is a very important event. Last year he got a motorbike (my old one) for his birthday – dunno how Dee beat that this year – I didn’t notice a troop of belly dancers hiding around anywhere.

So, a trip to the Plough in Duloe for supper was planned. I took my camera but as I’m banned from using a photo with kids in for my potd I didn’t even take it out of my bag as there was no opportunity for a pic without.

Duloe is famous round these parts for its eccentric shop-keeper (a middle-aged man) who served his customers stark naked apart from an apron. The joke has always been not to ask for anything from the shelf behind!!! Apparently he sold up a year or so ago so the good residents of the village are now able to buy their groceries without risk of getting more than they paid for!

We arrived home relatively early and decided to crack open a bottle of the red stuff. DM and I both then grabbed our cameras and panicked for a shot. Mike and West were staying here and were, I think, a bit shocked at the urgency to grab a shot before bed time, even though Mike had sampled a bit of the PotD madness least year.

I though, am exhausted. I am close to the point at which my body wants to give up. I took a whole eight pics and then turned in to bed first. There are not that many occasions when I’m the one leading the charge for bed when we have a houseful of guests. I’ve looked at what I got today (29th) and this is the best. Even though it’s not quite sharp, it’s quite lively so I’m satisfied.

Two years ago, I was photographing difficult subjects in difficult conditions and last year, Johnnie Jackson was my subject.