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The Phoenix Flames had a final practice session at Beau Sejour before they left for the International Roller Skating competition in China.

The team was made up by Kirsty Bell, Emilia Bianco, Chloe Dyke and Monica Dekker. I popped along to capture a few images of their last training session.

The pics can be viewed by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE PHOENIX FLAMES TRAINING SESSION

I've covered three motorsport events over the weekend together with Cross Country running and a gig.

The mucky part of the weekend was definitively the Trials event!

I'll be honest with you here, I found myself hovering around a rather slippery muddy pit filled with water (make that sticky wet mud). My hope - sorry guys - was that one unfortunate rider would drop into the pit and struggle to get out... I'd capture the picture. Job done. A guaranteed back page shot!

In the end the drama didn't unfold... however that doesn't mean the riders avoided getting wet and dirty and I did get some dramatic pics.

I've now added the first pics to my picture galleries. Take a look here at the Trials, Autocross and Karting pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MUDDY TRIALS PICS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE KARTING PICS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AUTOCROSS PICS

It's become a tradition... and one that grows each year.

Daz and his mates organize a Halloween Party at The Fermain Tavern where no amount of effort is spared to decorate the stage to make a spectacular setting for the bands.

Inevitably this encourages them to raise their game and this then rubs off on the gig-goers. You get the idea. Bring out the fake blood and costumes. Let the fun begin!

The 2017 edition of the Halloween Party saw all the old props come out of the shed (it must be a big one!). These were supplemented by new scary additions.

This gig is a 'must do' each year and 2017 was a vintage one.

The line-up included Dolmens... a very promising new band made up of several old faces that we all know from past bands. They were followed by something heavy... that'll be Byzanthian Neckbeard's slot.

One of Guernsey's regular headliners completed the gig in style and fancy dress. Static Alice topped the memorable night.

View my pics by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 HALLOWEEN GIG

Today I enjoyed the crisp but windy afternoon down at L'Ancresse as I photographed some of the 2017 FNB Stonecrusher Cross Country.

There was a great turnout of competitors - no doubt encouraged by what one of the the course marshals described as perfect XC weather!

I've completed a quick Press edit and I've now added a new picture gallery featuring some extra pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE STONECRUSHER CROSS COUNTRY

At this time of year I normally have time to catch up with some of the system administration and organization... but not this year!

Somehow the work keeps coming in this year. This is great but it has left me with a pile of editing and digital asset management to complete!

But first I need to catch up with some gallery updates that have been waiting for my attention.

I've just finished one of the years larger and interesting picture edits. This update is of all the action from the recent 'OKTOBER SLUGFEST' that was organized by the Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club at Beau Sejour.

These latest updates can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST OKTOBER SLUGFEST PICTURES

I've updated the Motorsport Gallery with the latest event pics.

Follow this link to view action from Saturdays Motocross racing, Round-7.

The track looked to be in great condition so it was a bit disappointing to see the A-Group MX 2 Class with so few riders. I reckon that the day offered just about perfect racing... it was dry and the wind-chill was easily sorted by an extra layer of clothing!

Let's hope the turnout improves for the next race.

The pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND-7 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

A new Blog as short as I can make it... I've got lots more editing to do!

Pics of the weekends Creasey's Open Junior Badminton held at the Badminton Halls in the Rohais are now online.

Follow this link to view the pictures:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 CREASEYS JUNIOR OPEN BADMINTON

International Basketball arrived at St Sampsons High at the weekend when the Sierra Leone champions Cannon Royals visited to play the Guernsey men's team.

The home side managed an impressive win with the final result being 64-59. I went along to take pics of this historic event and they can now be viewed in a new picture gallery.

Follow this link to see the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GALLERY OF BASKETBALL PICS

I'm sorry to say that occasionally I am reminded that I'm only a couple of years away from my theoretical retirement. I call it theoretical as at the moment I don't think for a minute that I could possibly give up on a working day!

Maybe I'll mellow and slow down as time passes by for now I seem to be working as hard as any other time in my life.

But... there's always a but! I can't deny that after a prolonged period of work my body simply doesn't recover from the effort as well as it used to. Sad but true.

I'm currently in that 'zone' after a very busy weekend which included a sixteen hour day on Saturday!

The workload has included coverage of:
Creasey's Junior Open Badminton Championship at the Rohais
St Martins v St Pauls football at Blanche Piere Lane
Columbians v Indies Hockey at Footes Lane
Guernsey v Cannon Royals Basketball at St Sampsons High
Twelve bouts of Boxing Guernsey ABC v England UNI at Beau Sejour
Round 8 of the GK&MC Summer Kart Series at The Track
Round 3 of the Autocross Club Winter Championship at Chouet
and GMC&CC Trials at Corbiere.

All these assignments are only 'half done' once the pics are taken as they then need to be sorted, edited, tagged and sent off to the particular clients. And I haven't even mentioned the updates needed on this website and the processing of the orders for prints and files as they come in!

Phew, no wonder I'm knackered!

However there's no slacking yet as the main editing and updating has only just begun. You can check out the results so far in these new Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND 8 OF THE SUMMER KART SERIES

CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND 3 OF THE WINTER AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRIALS EVENT AT CORBIERE

I photographed three sports at the weekend.

Each one involved racing with the fastest movers taking the podium spots.

The difference was the how competitors got from start to finish.

On Saturday the first racers had the benefit of an engine... they were riding Motocross bikes and they literally flew!

I photographed the action until the lunch break and then I headed north to Delancey Park where competitors had to rely on their own 'horse power' as they ran around the Cross Country course in the first race of the 2017/18 FNB XC Series.

On Sunday there was more racing to photograph... again on two wheels but this time it was only man-power getting the riders to the finish line. A course had been set up in the Guet for round 3 of the Guernsey Velo Club's Mini Enduro Series.

Photographing the three events made up just a part of another busy weekend and they are the first galleries that are online. Follow these links to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MOTOCROSS RACING
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FNB XC RACE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MINI ENDURO RACING

Guernsey seemed an unlikely tour stop for a rock band that emanated from Switzerland, but somehow the guys had heard of our small island and found themselves at Guernsey's most famous venue for live music... The Fermain Tavern.

Once again 'The Tav' added to the local live gig history by offering a stage to bands from near and far. I've been able to photograph many of the varied performers and this website now stands as an historic record in its own right of the depth of talent to grace the small but famous stage.

I've added a new gallery of pics featuring Daxx & Roxane on stage at The Fermain Tavern. Take a look at the pictures here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF DAXX & ROXANE PLAYING AT THE TAV

In a twist of the norm I'm going to recommend to you that dialing 999 might get you more than just the emergency services.

I only found this out when I popped into The Doghouse in Guernsey to watch a band that had been recommended to me.

The band is called Ketones and the members are all Health Care professionals who find time between conflicting shifts to get together to enjoy their love of live music.

Of course I didn't go to the gig just to listen to the music, I took my cameras along too. That's what I do!

The lighting at The Doghouse is always challenging but I think I captured a few keepers.

Look out for the next Ketones gig. They will get you on your feet and dancing... that's got to be good for your health :-)
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF KETONES

The final hillclimb of the 2017 season took place at the tight and slippery when wet Petit Bot hill today.

Luckily the morning started dry which gave the chance to topple a couple of established records.

Any hillclimb that sees new low marks entered into the record book has to qualify as a success but, never the less, it was a disappointment that the racing finished early after persistent rain and drizzle meant that there was no chance of competitors beating their earlier times.

I've added a new picture gallery featuring the days racing at Petit Bot.

Take a look at the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 PETIT BOT HILLCLIMB

Saturday saw the first time that a hillclimb has been organised on the Rue des Villains/Rue des Portelettes in Torteval... the Imperial Hill.

Many competitors had this hill on their wish list and due to the huge amount of work put in by GK&MC President Karl Marshal and his team it all came together for the inaugural event. Even the weather had been sorted!

Unfortunately the bikers were missing as the hill hadn't been signed off by the ACU. Maybe they'll be there next time?

Also it was a disappointment that the karter's missed a days racing. After a rather nasty accident early in the day officials judged that the hill, which has granite walls either side of the road, was just too dangerous for 'exposed' karters.

But this still left a big turn-out of car drivers. The line-up included several competitors who dusted off their machinery so they could tick this new event off their 'bucket list'.

The day produced some fantastic competition together with a few classes not being won by the 'bookies favorite'. This was good for the sport as it keeps things interesting at the front.

As a photographer I enjoyed the challenge of making a new hill 'work' for me and I was pleased with the overall results. I ended up taking more pics than usual as I worked my way along the course.... leaving me with a bigger edit!

I've just added quite a big gallery of pics to this website. As always I've tried to represent everyone's racing but I also have a few more pics that can be viewed on my laptop computer database... contact me if you want to see more pics of your own personal seasons racing.

It would be fantastic if you could support my work by clicking the 'Buy Now' button (I know, this is a blatant plug!!)

This is a link to the Unite the Union Imperial Hillclimb:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE IMPRESSIVE IMPERIAL HILLCLIMB

The 2017 Guernsey 'Proms on the Pier' became, at short notice, 'Proms in Market Square' after the weather forecast predicted high winds.

The original location on Albert Pier was considered too exposed for the large marquee meaning the crew had to dismantle and move all their setup in an effort to save the traditional event.

The move was completed in time to allow a seamless switch and did nothing to dampen the party atmosphere.

Well done to the organizers.

I've added a few pics to a gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 GUERNSEY PROMS NIGHT

I hate to start a Blog on a negative note.

But I'm afraid that I have been left with a feeling of disappointment and concern after returning from the 2017 three-day Alderney motorsport weekend.

The mood has come over me, ironically, because I had such a great time over in our sister Island... it's always been the same.

I think I'm probably speaking for the vast majority of the competitors, family and friends who make the complicated and expensive effort to visit Alderney for the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club organized racing when I say that, after the initial hassle and niggles, we all settle into the pace of small Island life and combine the love of motorsport with spending time with friends... and socializing a bit too!

So I hear you ask... 'Why the disappointment and concern?'

Well, once again, the talk amongst the guys during the weekend often turned to the possibility that this year could be the last ever Alderney weekend. In fact I spoke to one person who said he had made a point of going this year as he felt it would actually be the last one.

So I refer to the title of this Blog. Let the campaign begin....

I want to encourage everyone who has ever visited Alderney for the racing, recently or way back, to start talking about running an event again next year. You need to make an effort to spread the word about how much fun it is.

I know that life changes and the availability of Track Days and the additions to the local Motorsport calendar have given people more options than years ago but none of those events have the 'special charm' that the Alderney events offer.

I think this is a classic case of 'Use it, or loose it'.

So, there you go, I've started the campaign. Now you have to help too!

This years three Alderney weekend picture galleries are now online. Check out the fun here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FORT CORBLETS SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE LE GRANDE VAL SPEED EVENT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FORT TOURGIS HILLCLIMB

A very brief Blog before I dash off to Alderney to cover the three days of Motorsport.

I've just added a picture gallery featuring the 2017 Sound Guernsey Summer Party that was held the day before the Vale Earth Fair within the historic walls of Vale Castle. Sound Guernsey made use of the stage, sound and lighting that was in place for Sundays VEF. This turned out to be a perfect partnership.

The Summer Party was well supported and featured a great line-up of bands. Let's hope it returns next year.

Check out the gallery here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SOUND GUERNSEY SUMMER PARTY

Sometimes I wake up with the very best of intentions.

This is quite a rare thing so I normally like to make good use of this infrequent phenomenon.

This morning I woke up surprisingly fresh after enjoying a night out with my missus and oldest son Steve and his missus Vicky. We always enjoy their company and last night involved a lovely meal together with ample red wine, gin & tonics and Guinness. Just the usual night out with the kids then!

Actually it was a great improvement on the last time we enjoyed their company. On that occasion, after a wonderful home-cooked meal together with ample G&T's, my missus had a little fall and ended up in A&E with a broken wrist! Needless I didn't let her move about unsupported this time!

But I've digressed so back to my original comment. I awoke this morning with genuine intention to tidy up my garden which is showing signs of neglect after the last two months of my busy schedule.

However the urge to get on top of the garden disarray was soon dampened after I looked out of the window. It was raining heavily!

So that sees me back here in the studio in front of the amazing SpectraView 4K screens completing more of the backlog in editing. The garden is going to have to wait another day.

The beneficiary of all this is the 2017 Vale Earth Fair picture gallery. Whilst it is still only half finished I thought I'd put up a link in this Blog.

So far the featured Bands include: SoPM, The Crowband, Sugar Slam, Le Quartarette, Hot Plastic, Robert J Hunter, Phantom Cosmonaut, and Tree House Fire.

Take a look at the first pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF THE 2017 VALE EARTH FAIR

I've already commented in a previous Blog that the August/September time seems to go into work overload!

It seems that the different 'compartments' of my life - both work/family/garden/cottage maintenance - and all the other things that keep our day-to-day survival running smoothly peak at the same time.

In a way this spoils the 'fun' which my life generally is. I'm a really lucky guy.

I'm able to just take the photo jobs that appeal to me and (most importantly) my missus allows me a long tether to do what I want. Of course having a long tether gives plenty opportunity to get it tangled around my neck if I step out of line. Not so good!

So I'm just back from photographing the Jersey Weekender Festival.

That qualifies as fun - even though one of the days was very wet. But hey, it's a festival so we just get on with it and a few beers, good music and the darkness of the night all come together to take your mind off of the discomfort.

But I'm now back in the studio facing the workload. I've got so much editing to do and now the only way through it is to put the hours in. During the next few days I hope to add many new Galleries. Keep a look at this Blog for the latest updates.

This is the latest update featuring the GK&MC 2-Day Motocross meeting:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2-DAY MOTOCROSS MEETING

August and September are 'crazy busy' months for me. There is always so much going on.

This inevitably leads to a back-log of edits waiting for my attention. I really hate having unfinished work but firstly I have to prioritize the Press edits which have tight deadlines.

So I now have a growing list of a variety of photoshoots... something to keep me out of mischief in the winter months - maybe?

One on the 'to-do' list is the 2017 Vale Earth Fair. This small and perfectly formed festival continued the good work of the previous forty-one years by suppoting good causes and doing all of this in an earth friendly way.

The Vale Earth Fair truly is a wonderful event where people of diverse backgrounds and interests find a communal karma enlightened by live music. The 2017 edition was enhanced by the warm day... perfect :-)

My fun isn't over yet as I'm about to photograph another Festival - the new Weekender Festival in Jersey. This is a re-invented and refreshed version of the old Jersey Live. It should be great.

But before getting on the boat to Jersey I've completed a quick Press edit of the VEF adding the pics to the VEF Gallery.

The Gallery offers you a taste of what the VEF is all about. The major updates featuring most of the bands and scene will follow as soon as I have more time:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST GALLERIES FEATURING THE 2017 VALE EARTH FAIR