I must thank the Guernsey Power Boat Association and specifically Robin Ashworth, MD of Vapormatt, who allowed me to photograph from his boat during Race-2 of the 2012 Championship. It was very pleasant out on the Little Russell today.
This race was held in conditions that I can only call 'glorious'! Maybe I have been waiting for a day like this for too long (after all that rain) and the perception was exagegerated? I don't think so!
I did managed to remember that I was on the water to do a job and not to just 'chill out' and I made my cameras earn their keep ;-)
Shooting from an unstable platform, even in good conditions like this, is one of the hardest challenges for a photographer when using long lenses. I was using between 400mm and 600mm most of the time. But there is a sense of satisfaction when you get a few shots that record the best of the action that are pin sharp in focus and well composed.
I think I captured a few. Please take a look and see what you think:
RACE-2 OF THE 2012 POWER BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

Anyone who follows this blog will know that too many of the recent Motor Sport events that I have photographed have 'featured' more than a drop of water!
In fact, even photographing the live music at the Albert Pier on Liberation Day had too much of the wet stuff.
Well, today there was even more water - I was surrounded by it! But this time the sun shone and the water was very well behaved and quite at home. It made the setting for the first round of the Guernsey Power Boat Association's 2012 Championship.
The first race was held over the Havelet Course which brought the field of thirteen boats close inshore and spectators enjoyed some good racing. There has been a fair bit of 'splashing the cash' over the winter break and there was some very flash new kit on show. This season should be the best Championship for years.
Make sure you try and catch a few of the races.
I have added a new Gallery featuring the racing:
VIEW ROUND-1 OF THE GUERNSEY POWER BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2012 Liberation Day celebrations in Guernsey came to an end with contrasting styles of music being performed in St Peter Port.
May the 9th sees the town front in St Peter Port being closed to traffic and a variety of entertainment is presented during the day.
Tradition has it that the day will end with music.
This year produced quite a contrast! 'Lib Rock' - as the name suggests is aimed at the 'rockier punters'. I was suprised how many people stayed late into the evening on the Albert Pier as the weather was wet and miserable. But, the music seemed to do the trick and there was a good, friendly atmosphere.
However it was much warmer and dryer in St James! Festiva performed to a lively crowd who enjoyed a Guernsey version of a mini Proms. I could have stayed all evening.... well it was warm and dry ;-)
In the end I jumped between the two events.
I photographed Sons of the Desert & The States at Lib Rock and Festiva at St James.
I have added a few pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE LIBERATION DAY 2012 MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

I don't think I have to explain any further!
How long do we have to wait before we are given perfect racing conditions?
The latest Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Hill Climb at Le Val des Terres was another one spoilt by the wet and changable track conditions.
Frustratingly, there were only short periods when the road dried enough for some outstanding performances - but the 'wet stuff' soon returned and took the edge off all the competitors efforts.
Darren Warwick has to be congratulated for making the best of one of his timed runs when he lowered his own Class record in the Racing Cars 1601cc to 2000cc Class. This was a superb result which I witnessed in the 'esses' and was achieved when the road was in less than perfect condition. Well done that man..... awesome!
I have added pics of the Hill Climb to a new Gallery. Check it out here:
VIEW THE GMC&CC HILL CLIMB AT LES VAL DES TERRES

Yuk, yuk, yuk.
Got that off my chest then! One more for luck, yuk.
I was very wet on Vazon beach for Round-3 of the GMC&CC Sand Racing Championship. I can't say much more about it - other than the early weather forecast for Monday's Hill Climb is for more rain!
Yuk!
Pics of the Sand Racing are here:
A RAINY DAY ON VAZON BEACH

Today saw Round-2 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Summer Kart Championship at The Track... and it poured down. After the wet first Hill Climb of 2012 I don't get good vibes from this!
But, the year is long and surely the tarmac racers can hope for some dry racing... soon?
All is not wasted for a photographer, though. The wet conditions add a different element to a picture and getting a bit damp usually pays off with some good pics.
The conditions also lead to some challenging racing for the young Karters and they use the slippery track to hone their skills.
So you could say that it is a win, win!
I've dried off the kit and clothes, the discomfort is already forgotten. I'm ready for the next events... bring 'em on :-)
PICS OF THE WET KART RACING

I have often joked to people when I'm asked why I spend so much time photographing the things I do - 'well it beats gardening' I say!
It is probably 'the norm' in most marriages that if the husband loiters around the home for too long then a paint brush or spade will be placed in your hand and you won't get parole until after dark!
This is always a good motivation to get me out shooting more pics - 'gotta go to work love, bills to pay'! Try it, it might work for a while ;-)
So once again I found myself on the sands at Vazon shooting Round-2 of the GMC&CC Sand Racing Championship.
If you want to view the results of my lawn mowing avoidance click here:
SAND RACING 2012_ROUND-2

Saturday saw the Vale Earth Fair hold a fundraiser at The Fermain Tavern.
Four bands featured in a night of live music that did Guernsey proud.
OK, the headliners were Toupe (they are based in Southampton) - but these guys have spent so much time on our little isle that we can now consider them 'one of us'!
The night was one of the best in recent times as far as I'm concerned... and you missed it? Shame.
First on stage was a new band - Of Empires. This is a rock band I will eagerly look-out for again.
Next it was Falenizza Horsepower from Jersey (they're good enough for us to allow them Guernsey status!) This band enthralls every time I see them. So much sound - so few people!
Then it was Black Capsule - a band of established local musicians with a set of crafted originals.
Headlining were the afore-mentioned Toupe.
The combination of all the above made a fantastic night of music. LIVE MUSIC - how it should be taken ;-)
I've added pics of all the Bands to the Gallery. Follow these links:
VIEW OF EMPIRES GALLERY
VIEW FALENIZZA HORSEPOWER GALLERY
VIEW BLACK CAPSULE GALLERY
VIEW TOUPE GALLERY

After watching any performance by the gifted singer/guitarist Joe Corbin you are left in no doubt that this young performer feels the Blues.
Joe has been making a short return visit to Guernsey and he joined up with some of the guys from Spoonful, a band he played in before leaving the island, for a relaxed night at The Fermain Tavern. There was a good turn-out.
Now I admit that I never need any convertion to liking the Blues. But, it is a style that requires the artist to live and feel it to add the final ingredient to the mix. Some people have 'got it', some haven't!
Joe has buckets full. His guitar play is magical, he shows his emotions and he looks the part.
The complete package? You make your own mind up next time there is any opportunity to see him.
For now, you can take a look at a few pics in a new Gallery
TAKE A LOOK AT PICS OF JOE CORBIN

Man , did I feel old at Rock of Ages-16!
With just three more birthday cakes to go before my 60th I guess that makes me at least two generations away from the guys in The Doomsday Project!
I have loved and supported live music since I was their age but never found the talent to play.
Oh yes, I've tried. I seem to remember owning a guitar, a keyboard.... oh, and there is still a harmonica in a draw somewhere. In the end I decided that the best part I could play was to be ''the audience''.
This pursuit has given me lots of memories from many, many gigs and festivals.
I say 'thank you' to all the real talent who take to the stages.
And this is why I enjoyed watching, listening and photographing the ''so young'' The Doomsday Project.
With new young, keen talent always waiting in the wings... LIVE MUSIC is in good hands :-)
A new Gallery of pics is now on-line.
UPDATE: New pics of Breaking the Silence have now been added to the RoA-16 Gallery.
VIEW THE ROCK OF AGES-16 GALLERY