I need the garlic today to ward off evil spirits!

Actually, the truth is that I have been playing with my studio technique since my course a couple of weeks ago. I’d tried this shot – or at least one very like it – last week and with DM’s compositional guidance I decided on another try. I do like the results. When I proudly showed him my shot and told him how I’d got from the raw file to this (see, I’ve even been brave enough to try shooting in raw), he said ‘you’ll be shooting film next’! Er no, I doubt I’ll go that far but I am starting to try some new stuff.

The day has been grim – builders have had their worst day yet in terms of dust and mess. David’s asthma is absolutely awful – I can hear his chest from the other side of the room. I have been desperately busy at work, culminating in a late night (this shot was taken while waiting on a file loading).

Then I count my blessings – at least I wasn’t mown down outside the pub on Saturday night (we all wander round these lanes in pitch dark) like Champ. At least I’m not in a hospital bed. Champ has a broken neck, a punctured lung and other injuries. He’s described today as ‘stable’ so I suppose that’s something. What’s also a relief is that the Police have arrested two people for the hit and run – may they rot in hell.

Then I realise the date and count another blessing – if I’d not managed to summon up all my reserves of courage six years ago, it would have been my nineteenth wedding anniversary today – the very thought gives me the shudders…..now where is that garlic?

Last year, we were playing in the park!