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So after last weekends sports shoot featuring tennis racquets at the Inter-insular tennis championships there was a swap of racquets for this weeks shoot at the Guernsey Island Closed Badminton Finals!

Badminton offers similar challenges to photographing indoor tennis. Firstly the lighting is never bright enough to satisfy a photographer who is trying to freeze the action. Also there is quite a restriction on access. It is hard to achieve the angles of view that would be ideal and of course a photographer must not interfere with the play... that includes getting in the eye-line of the players.

But professional sports photographers will always enjoy that challenge!

The last time I photographed these finals was in 2018 (before the world changed) and it was great to see a mix of familiar faces and new ones contending the various titles.

I've now added a Gallery featuring my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2021 GUERNSEY CLOSED BADMINTON FINALS

I was a little limited on time to photograph the Tennis Inter-insular against Jersey but it was great to see some of the great performances by the local squad.

The resulting 9-3 win was pretty decisive and the reward was for the Guernsey squad to pick up the Bucktrout Trophy for the first time since 2007!

Well done Guernsey. We are proud of you.

I've now added a small Gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE TENNIS INTER-INSULAR GALLERY

It was a busy and varied weekend of work.... just how I like it!

This time most of it revolved around sport photography and it was a reminder of how broad the whole 'sports scene' is in Guernsey. Also it showcased how the Islands sports stars can hold their own against visitors from afar... and not so far!

I've already added Galleries featuring the latest GFC game against Chertsey Town. This high ranking side in the Isthmian South Central league had to work hard for their narrow win against our side.

Another enjoyable assignment was at the Velo Club MTB XC in a fantastic setting. Those pics are also already online. See the News item below.

The latest Gallery update features seven Bouts of boxing from the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night at St Pierre Park Hotel. This was another chance for local competitors to go head to head against a visiting team and they produced some impressive performances against the Stevenage ABC team.

And just to add to the variety I also covered the 2021 Tennis Inter-insular at the Indoor Tennis Courts where the Guernsey squad really showed their class by beating Jersey 9-3. What a great finish to the weekend.

What will next weekend bring?
CLICK TO VIEW THE GUERNSEY v STEVENAGE ABC BOXING GALLERIES

My backlog of pics keeps me busy whenever I have a few spare minutes.

Back in 2019 there was quite a bit going on around here. We were completely renovating our bungalow. My office was a monitor balanced on a small table in a corner amongst piles of boxes.

So whilst I still managed to get out to capture some pics the edits were often sidelined.

When I now look through those folders it only seems right that I make an effort to complete the edits. So today I've added a gallery of pics featuring T20 Cricket, Guernsey v Jersey at the College Field in May 2019!

It looked a beautiful day... perfect for cricket!
CLICK TO VIEW T20 CRICKET - GUERNSEY v JERSEY

The Vault in St Peter Port has become the mainstay of live music in town largely due to the tireless support and organization by Mark Guillou.

Mark's involvement in the local scene goes back so far it would be rude to start quoting figures. But I'm going to guess you would need all the digits on one hand to count the decades he has been playing in bands!

Recent years has seen him settle in The Vault organizing Open Mic nights and busy weekends of live music.

I'm aware that I don't give the coverage this live venue deserves. After all, as I've already said, this is where you can be sure to get your gig fix and photographing bands is what I do!

Sadly the popularity of the Vault is what makes it a difficult place to take pics. The area around the stage is very tight to work in. Also the lighting is a real challenge. Of course both those aspects make little impact on the audience as the packed nights prove. It's just us precious photographers who complain!!!

I do however make occasional visits and I've uploaded pics from a few weeks ago when Coastal Fire Dept. and Clameur De Haro made an appearance.

Click on these links to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF COASTAL FIRE DEPT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF CLAMEUR DE HARO

The 2021 Siam Trophy weekend offered a full days entertainment for Guernsey and Jersey Rugby supporters at Footes Lane.

Three games had been organized. First was the Veterans game playing for the Nash Cup. The Guernsey Vets set the standard by beating Jersey Vets 55 - 19. No doubt about the best team after a score like that.

So it was the Ladies turn next and Guernsey Raiders Ladies set off at a pace and they didn't take the foot off the gas until the final whistle. The result was a score of 46 - 7. A decisive Guernsey victory over the Jersey Reds Women.

I managed to cover the later part of the second half of the ladies game and I've added a Gallery featuring those pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 LADIES SIAM TROPHY

Saturday down at Footes Lane couldn't have packed more sport onto the pitches.

Once again supporters, players and officials proved how important sport is to the community in Guernsey. The value goes beyond the simple act of following your team. It is sports 'total package' of benefits that make an immeasurable impact on so many of us.

Friendships form around the mutual enjoyment of being part of a 'clan'. Peoples busy and stressful lives can be put aside for a few hours and troubles are forgotten in the moments of elation.

There were thousands of spectators spread around Footes Lane to watch three Rugby games including the Centenary of the Siam Cup. Whilst these were taking place there were hockey games played on their pitches. And Guernsey Football Club entertained Tooting & Mitcham in the Isthmian South-Central league!

We didn't manage to win every game but did that really matter when so much good comes out of these events?

If you ever ask that question to a sportsman/competitor you will probably get a funny look and the answer. Well of course it does....

I've added a new Gallery featuring pics of the Centenary Siam Cup here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE CENTENARY SIAM CUP

I photographed the launch event of the Goal50 charity aimed at raising money to support young children in South Africa.

The Sylvans Juniors were the first team to be invited to raise money by asking for donations of £1 coins which are then stuck to a collectors card. When a card is full it is swapped for a new one.

I think this is a great idea. As a boy I enjoyed collecting a variety of cards and I know my grandson also collects Football cards.

There are several different Goal50 cards to be collected. Lets hope the idea really takes off!

I've added a few pics to this Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GOAL50 PICS

There was a true 'Guernsey Together' buzz around Footes Lane when GFC returned to Isthmian South-Central league football after the extended break caused by the Covid situation.

The GFC Manager had been careful to manage the expectations of club supporters making it clear that after being laid up since February 2020 the players would be missing match fitness.

But once the crowd had welcomed the team back on to the Footes Lane turf GFC got off to an impressive and spirited start. They were fired up and eager to hit the ground running... literaly!

So just ten minutes in they were two up and continued on for a deserved 3-1 win. We all wait eagerly for their next local outing.

I've added a gallery of pics featuring the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GFC v SUTTON COMMON ROVERS PICS

I've enjoyed a busy weekend that included everything from an Apples exchange for Cider drop-off at the Rocquettes Cider Farm to the 2021 Christmas lights installation featuring a giant bauble!

Between those assignments there was time for a few pics of the Dogbreaker run... whoever came up with that name? There was Autocross racing at Chouet and a fantastic football game at Footes Lane, GFC v Sutton Common Rovers... well done to our boys for the 3-1 win.

I've just added a Gallery featuring the Autocross Round 2 of the Winter Championships here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS RACING

Who’d have thought that so many people would be into looking at pictures of hardcore action?

Those pictures are some the most recent ones that I’ve taken and they feature guys and gals in hardcore slippery action.

And before you get too worked up let me be clear. I’m talking about the weekends Petit Bot hill climb... the one raced in torrential rain!!

I’m commenting about this as my website has been taking a lot of hits in the last 24 hours... over 35,000 picture views!!

Not all visitors have been looking at the hardcore racers as there are thousands of other pics in the Galleries but thanks for the interest.

If you want to see what you have been missing follow this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE PETIT BOT HARDCORE RACING

I was asked to cover the annual HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne remembrance service again this year.

Four hundred and sixty-nine lives were lost when the Germans torpedoed the British ships during WWII. Some bodies were washed up on the Guernsey shoreline and Islanders paid their respects when they were buried by the occupying forces with full military honours.

It's a couple of years since I last photographed this service which is held in Le Foulon cemetery alongside the graves of the sailors. This year the service was attended by around five hundred people.

The format was familiar and formal - following established etiquette. Something that you would expect from an event organised by the military!

I've added a small gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE HMS CHARYBDIS & HMS LIMBOURNE GALLERY

I've had a gentle reminder that I hadn't uploaded my pics from the 30th August hill climb. That is now sorted!

But I did have a sort of excuse... carry on reading to be informed!

This is my sick note to the Clerk of the Course that tells the story.

Dear Chemy – Clerk of the Course.

I’ve written this sick note to you to explain that Andrew isn’t feeling very well today.

It seems that yesterday someone made Andrew drink a lot of beer at the Vale Earth Fair.

When I asked how much he’d drunk all he could remember was that it was lots and lots and lots! Poor thing.

This is also why he was late arriving at the hill today.

I hope you will show him some compassion and give him credit for making the courageous effort to get out of bed this morning.

I also ask that you make allowances if the standard of his work isn’t as good as normal.

I’m sure Andrew will be fine in a couple of days... or after having another beer.

Love, Carol

OH, and in case you are wondering. It was me who forged the sick note.... just like I used to do at school.

My wife is amazing but there is as much chance of her showing me any sympathy when I have a hangover as there is of me breaking the ‘Terres hill record!!

The picture above confirms that I wasn't functioning fully :-)
CLICK TO VIEW THE 30-08-2021 HILL CLIMB GALLERY

The Imperial Hill Climb holds its place in the Guernsey Motor Sport calendar as a special event... but only once every two or three years!

So there is always a sense of excited anticipation when the diary page is turned to September and 'Imperial Hill' is seen.

For the 2021 edition everything was near perfect with the dry and warm weather playing an important part and the relatively uninterrupted racing (no disruptive return to pits at this hill) giving all competitors a chance to push hard and chase records and PB's.

The total number of records were... well I actually lost count! There were that many!

One of the galleries helps you to appreciate what a fantastic setting the Imperial Hill Climb enjoys. The backdrop of Fort Grey in the bay, the pub at the start line and a chance for the competitors to return to pits using a back lane so allowing uninterrupted racing!

The Imperial Hill Climb ticks a lot of boxes!
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 IMPERIAL HILL CLIMB

The weather may have been near perfect for the 2021 Butterfield Half Marathon but nothing will ever make finishing this race any easy job.

Marathon running in all its formats requires competitors to dig deep into their reserves of stamina and mental strength.

However that fact wasn't enough to put off a full entry of runners for this years event.

Indeed a Marathon challenge is one of the 'boxes' to be ticked for many people it seems. Well done to all those who took part. All of you proved you have the willpower and determination to train and commit yourself to achieve a goal.

As for me... well I did what I do, take pictures!

Click the link to view my Butterfield Half Marathon gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BUTTERFIELD HALF MARATHON PICS

It was all about roads and racing for my first two assignments this morning.

The problem was it was a very early start. I had to be on 'track' for a 6:45 race start for the GVC 25 Mile TT over a new circuit starting at Cobo.

As I drove down to the coast it was still dark and I questioned whether I was wasting my time. All photographers need light to capture an image... at least a little!

But by race start I could make out the riders and with a bit of help from some flash I was able to start working.

There is a new gallery featuring my pics. Click on the link below to view them.

But this job was just the start of a busy morning and once the TT had finished I had to head south for another form of road racing... this time it was the Butterfield Half Marathon.

The edit of those pics is underway. Check back tomorrow to take a look.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GVC 25 MILE TT

It’s OK, I’m fine.

But that was a shockingly close encounter for me.

Whilst photographing the start of the Graniteman Triathlon I found myself (nearly) taking a landscape picture!! Strictly speaking it was probably more like a seascape really!

This has left me quite unsettled as I haven’t ventured near that genre for nearly twenty years. In fact not since I started taking pics professionally!

Somehow the types of photography that gave me so much pleasure during my Royal Photographic Society and Camera Club days don’t seem to have space and time in my current working week.

Whilst editing the photoshoot of the 2021 Guernsey Graniteman Triathlon I realised that maybe I need to re-awaken some of that old passion. However I also have to concede that there are many truly talented landscape photographers in Guernsey who produce outstanding work.... and also don’t mind getting out of bed for the early morning atmospheric light.

I’m definitely more of a night person. So upon further reflection I think I’m going to stick with what I do.

I’ll leave the scenic pics to those who know what they are doing... and can get out of bed!

Oh, and if you are wondering what made me start thinking about all this, the photo at the top of this Blog will help you understand.

My full Gallery of Graniteman Triathlon pics can be viewed by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 GUERNSEY GRANITEMAN TRIATHLON

If any events are going to confirm that we are emerging from the Covid 19 restrictions and getting back to 'near normal' the two evenings I have spent in Beau Sejour theatre photographing the School of Popular Music Battle of the Bands are the ones to do it.

For 2021 there was a 'double header' with the addition of an Under 18's battle on the first night followed by the Corporate Bands battle on the next eve. THIS GALLERY FEATURES THE CORPORATE BANDS

As we now expect, the standard of talent in the young bands was very impressive. The tuition, the practicing and the notable live performance experience already amassed by these guys was clearly on show in some amazing performances.

The audience in Beausie was really supportive raising the confidence of the bands resulting in a difficult choice for the four judges. Ultimately is was Sonic Bomb who took the trophy home.

Take a look through the galleries featuring each band and some of the atmosphere...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2021 U18 BATTLE OF THE BANDS

The 2021 edition of the School of Popular Music Corporate Battle of the Bands was performed in front of a sellout audience in the theatre at Beau Sejour.

This was also the venue for the previous nights Under 18's Battle of the Bands... a full gallery of pics will follow.

The atmosphere in the theatre was fantastic, full of anticipation and no doubt quite a few nerves, but once the bands took to the stage they were supported by the large and vocal crowd. There was a mix of seasoned performers together with 'first-timers' but the bottom line is that everyone did brilliantly.

This gallery features all the bands, the atmosphere in the theatre and the opening band, Sonic Bomb, fresh from winning the Under 18's Battle the previous night.

Follow this link to view all the pics....
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2021 SoPM CORPORATE BATTLE OF THE BANDS

On Saturday the 'King of the Ring' returned to KGV for 17 bouts of White Collar Boxing offering a full late afternoon and evening of entertainment.

The huge gathering was reported to be around 2000 for Round 4 of the King of the Ring.

The warm summers evening relaxed the supporters who needed little encouragement to drink and party from late afternoon and through the evening. The Breda can count on some of the tables would have needed a calculator to tally!!

Revelers clearly enjoyed the entertainment with many of the fighters ticking the 'try boxing' box.

This gallery showcases some of the atmosphere and all seventeen bouts....
CLICK TO VIEW THE KING OF THE RING ROUND 4 PICS