Learn and Groove

If you're looking for somewhere for your young child to hang out, you've got to have a look at this activity centre. This is Charlie in his "learn and groove" chair / activity centre (by Leapfrog). He loves it! There's so much to see and do, from numbers and alphabet to dances and songs. It took me a couple of days to work out all the things that it does!

Charlie's first Christmas

Here are some images of Charlie enjoying his first Christmas. First things first ... Charlie checks out the tree and gives all presents a thorough inspection and a shake.



Then, you need to get ready for the big day ... This is Charlie, with his Xmas bib (from Jus) just before his Christmas breakfast ...


... and then on with the serious stuff. Getting the wrapping off (and the wrapping is as much fun as the presents and needs a thorough chewing before moving on).

Charlie & Fay surrounded by the spoils of Christmas ...


Having made it through the wrapping paper, it's time to sample all the presents with a good chew. Charlie checking out his present from Anthony & Celia.

Two Teeth...

Here's Charlie pointing out his latest aquisition, two teeth ... and then a cheeky little grin to show them off.

In the blink of an eye ...

... Charlie is nearly 5 months old. No sign of teeth (altho' given a chance he would gum most things to pieces) and definitely the first signs of an independent personality. Here's our little explorer checking his toes are all still there.

Fortunately, just about everything makes him laugh ... and here he is giggling away ...

IPMM Conference in Malawi

I've been away this week speaking at a conference in Malawi. The conference was at the Sun 'n' Sands Resort on Lake Malawi, an absolutely beautiful setting to meet some wonderful people ... and of course, it wasn't all work, work, work. There was plenty of opportunity to catch up over a few beers and relax.

There was an opportunity to take a speed boat out to Bird Island (where we saw a huge amount of cormorants and fish eagles - the national bird of Malawi). So a couple of images from Bird Island (above) and the "rondavel" where I stayed (below).

Life's a beach, you can imagine how tough it was waking up every morning to this amazing fresh water lake and a little sunshine...

... and an image of the "dug out" canoes that they use for fishing on the lake.

Charlie at just over 3 months

Fay and Charlie out in Maxwell Park

... Mum and Dad like a nice bottle of Red, but Charlie likes relaxing with his bottle of White

... and then a little lie down on the playmat.

... or a nice cuddle from Mum.

Gavin & Debra Brown

We had a fantastic day shooting Gavin and Debra's Wedding at Glencorse House (Milton Bridge), with it's own kirk set in beautiful grounds following a relaxed wedding preparation in the Glasshouse (Edinburgh). After the wedding, the weather held off long for some formal group shots outside the elegant house and into a huge marquee for the wedding breakfast. The day was relaxed and easy going (like the bride and groom) and we wish them every success in their future together.

Gavin and Debra at Glencourse House

Gavin, the best man and ushers

Debra and her bridesmaids

Mr and Mrs Brown

Gavin and Debra

Charlie at 2 months old

It's been a while since I last posted an update on Charlie, so I thought a few of photos of Charlie will give you an idea of how quickly he is growing (and he certainly seems to be developing his own little personality)

Jane Landles - Wedding Preparation

What a fantastic evening at Airth Castle celebrating with Jane and David Landles. It was a great evening where the very smallest of details had been planned and needless to say Jane looked absolutely stunning.

We were delighted to spend some time with Jane as she prepared for her big day at her parents house with champagne, strawberries and a full makeover for her and the bridesmaids. With a fantastic send off from (what seemed to be) the whole village. Below a few images of Jane as she prepared to leave for Airth Castle.

Wake Up Charlie

Insatiable Demand

Even more calls for some "up to date" images of Charlie ... although the last ones were less than 3 weeks ago. So I thought I'd publish a couple of B&W images for you, taken today.

"Party at my crib, 4 am, bring a bottle."

"Behold, the dreamer cometh"

Charlie Ball

OK, OK, ... another image of Charlie

Baby Ball Arrives

24th June 2008 ... 9:12pm ... 8lbs, 3oz ... a baby boy.

The first photo for his biography in years to come

Graeme and Lyn's Wedding - 14th June 2008

It was fantastic to be the Best Man for Graeme when he and Lyn were married in Brechin Cathedral. Graeme was getting ready in Inverbervie and as the wedding photographer wasn't going to be able to make it between the bride and groom ahead of the wedding, I took a few shots of the Groom for the wedding album.



Everyone had a fantastic weekend ... and the beer & whisky industries (if not the whole UK economy) should be lifted as a result.

Annie & Steve visit Glasgow

This weekend Annie and Steve came up to visit us. Great to have time to catch up on their recent roadtrip (Route 66)

and great for Annie and Fay to catch up on life, the universe and all things in between.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

This weekend, we were having a look for places that my nephew David might want to visit when he next comes to Scotland. We were recommended to try the Blair Drummond Safari Park which is up near Stirling. There were loads of animals to see and activities for all ages (and even an outdoor barbeque area). A couple of photos from the day out....

New Canon 1Ds Mk III

Got my new Canon 1Ds Mk III delivered this week ... It's sweet as ...!

The image quality is absolutely fantastic. Took a couple of shots this weekend, not sure if an image on the blog will do justice to the image quality but here's one just in case

Fay and Bump

Well ... a few people have been asking for images of Fay and the "Bump" so we had a quick portrait shoot, just for you ...

"Freedom!" The WIlliam Wallace Monument and Stirling

Still determined to see more of Scotland while we are up here; we were prompted to venture outside Glasgow when Jus and Paul came up to visit. We finally settled on visiting the William Wallace monument in Stirling ...

... and then over to Stirling Castle and a walk around Stirling. Walking across to a small hill next to the Castle we found two cannons and an old "beheading stone" which appears to have been out of service for some time. Fortunately it was caged, as Max (Jus & Paul's dog) had found something dead and festering to roll in ... but for the cage around the stone, the dog could well have been missing it's head! The stench was just too much, even in all that open air ... ! There is an hysterically funny follow on story about washing the smell off Max in Sainsbury's carpark (... but we'll leave Jus and Paul to tell you that one).

You can see some more images here, but not of Max. Just be glad there aren't 'scratch and sniff' blogs or I would have been tempted to share..