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I'm a fan of more places opening their doors to live music performances.

It's great to see the word (well music) getting out to a wider audience. There's even a chance that a few punters will see the light and fit occasional gigs into their diary's.

But for me, as a photographer, the less familiar venues rarely offer optimum conditions for photography.

This was certainly the case for the recent Album launch gig that Thee Jenerators played at my old haunt (from over 40 years ago!) - The Jamaica Inn.

'The Devil's Chords' harked back to the old days too. It was issued on vinyl. The historical theme continued with the level of light that I had to work with which was not far off candlelight in strength!

However nothing got in the way of me thoroughly enjoying the night... apart from me being robbed of the chance to continue my tradition of driving home with the newly launched album blasting from the CD player. Maybe I will have to think about fitting a record deck on the dashboard ;-)

My pics from the night now feature in Thee Jenerators gallery which, incidentally, seems to go back about five years!
VIEW PICS OF THEE JENERATORS ALBUM LAUNCH GIG AT THE JAMAICA INN

Variety is the spice of photography... just as it is in life itself.

I am able to mix many genres of image taking into most of my working weeks and this keeps me interested and motivated... although maybe I should find a better way to describe what I do as the term 'working' doesn't really portray how I feel about my avocation.

My Blog often states how much I enjoy what I do and after more than a decade of life spent exclusively looking through a lens my luck, good fortune and opportunity to pursue photography full-time still feels as special as the first step I took on this amazing journey.

It is also rather special that so many people have joined me along the way by occasionally popping along to this web-site to see the latest updates.

Today I'm amazed to see that the total views on this web-site have reach another Milestone with ELEVEN MILLION VIEWS being logged!

May I say a BIG THANK YOU to you all.

As it has become traditional to mark these Milestones you might like to view a few previous Blogs:
CLICK TO VIEW A FEW PREVIOUS MILLION MILESTONE BLOGS

It was a case of deja vu when I walked into St Pierre Park Hotel on Saturday.

I was there to present a slide-show of my pics featuring the racing of the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club together with a display to support the Trophy winners as they came forward to collect their silverware at the Annual Dinner Dance.

The feeling of having been there before came from the fact that a week previous I'd been in the same room... that time I was taking pics of the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club's night of eleven Bouts.

I've now completed the Gallery updates of the bouts I was able to capture.

The pics are now online here:
VIEW PICS OF THE DINNER BOXING AT ST PIERRE PARK HOTEL

The day after the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club's Annual Dinner Dance can be quite a fragile place to be. Motorsport guys know how to party!

I guess that after a bacon roll for breakfast the next thing you need to effect a full recovery is a dose of fresh air.

As it happened, the fresh air was supplied in over-dose levels by gale-force winds. Maybe this was the amount of medication the doctor had ordered?

Anyway, the remedy was having affect on the Trials boys who were down at Petit Bot for the latest GMC&CC meeting!

All the sections were quite close together meaning that things were wrapped up nice and early... now that's what I call good planning. I reckon a few competitors were heading back to bed to complete their recovery ;-)

Pics are now online:
VIEW THE LATEST TRIALS PICS

We all know our alphabet.... A comes before B, of course!

This is how it was at The Fermain Tavern when Asylum Seekas took to the stage before Blackalicious.

The visiting headliners didn't disappoint but they were also ably supported by one of Guernsey's best... Asylum Seekas.

I've photographed the 'Seekas' quite a few times before and they still sound fresh and motivated.

My galleries have been updated with a few more pics of the Asylum Seekas... click here:
VIEW PICS OF ASYLUM SEEKAS

My pics really don't tell the whole story.

I photographed the GIAAC Lucksall Motors Cross Country at L'Ancesse on Saturday. My pics seem to suggest quite a nice day.

However there's a clue about the true conditions... if you look carefully!

The clue is seen in the rolling waves in the background of some of the pics.

The reality was that it was blowing a serious hooley!

The runners had to contend with a full-on head-wind for part of each of the two laps.

But this didn't put off a good sized entry. It didn't even put off this photog who dashed around with his cameras to capture a few moments of action.

The gallery is now online:
VIEW PICS OF THE GIAAC LUCKSALL CROSS COUNTRY

The Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club seemed to have a sell-out on their hands for the latest evening at St Pierre Park Hotel.

The line-up featured Guernsey v Wales Select.

I went along to photograph the bouts for the Guernsey Press.

I've added a Gallery featuring my 'Press edit' that was submitted overnight for the report. More extensive coverage will follow:
VIEW THE DINNER BOXING PRESS EDIT

It was very much a 'quick dash and click' when I photographed a Basketball game at Beau Sejour for the Guernsey Press.

I was on my way to St Pierre Park Hotel for the Dinner Boxing and squeezed this photoshoot in on the way.

The match between Heritage and XTFL was very close when I left before the half-time break. This sport really is fast-action end-to-end stuff!

I would have enjoyed watching the whole game whilst trying to capture the best action... not an easy task when things move so fast and under fairly low lighting.

But the challenge is fun and I've added a small gallery featuring my pics:
VIEW PICS OF BASKETBALL - HERITAGE v XTFL

The Graveltones headlined The Fermain Tavern in November 2015 with their own loud and energetic Garage Blues. This band was one of my best 'finds' in 2014 at Jersey Live (where I caught two of their lively sets).

The acquaintance was renewed again at Jersey Live in 2015... confirming that they are a fantastic live band.

Then, recently, I managed to photograph The Graveltones on my home turf in Guernsey's Fermain Tavern on 14th November 2015.

Once again their energy levels were contagious!

I recommend you don't miss seeing this band if they're in your neighbourhood.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GRAVELTONES

Guernsey seems to be almost unique in allowing Trials bikes to ride around on its beaches. This helps to make the Guernsey 2-Day Trials Open events so popular with Jersey, UK and French riders.

Today I just managed to get to a section of the Trials meeting laid out on rocks in the pretty Bordeaux Harbour.

The rocky sections were a challenge as the Guernsey granite takes no prisoners. Its not a fair fight between Guernsey's finest 'hard stuff' and a bike frame... or worse, a riders bones!

However there were no mishaps whilst I was there :-)

That was not the case at the Autocross meeting at Chouet. We had roll-over after roll-over including a 'hospital run' for one unlucky passenger. All this drama meant the meeting had to be cut short and was also the reason I was late getting to the Trials.

But that's Motorsport, eh.

Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS
VIEW PICS OF THE TRIALS

The Fermain Tavern did it again... with the help of Andre 'oneofakind' De Carteret who promoted the event.

Last weekend we were treated to a performance by Blackalicious in the middle of their extensive European tour.

I had a look at their tour itinery and it is safe to say that this band gets around a bit!

Clearly they are very popular and our 'little 'ol Guernsey' should be grateful that promoters like Andre make the effort and take on the financial commitment to bring such great live music to our distant shores.

I encourage you to support these gigs.

Oh, and what were Blackalicious like? They were fantastic.

I took a few pics and they are now online:
VIEW PICS OF BLACKALICIOUS PLAYING AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

Sunday morning was mild and dry... what a great incentive to take a walk in a valley near the reservoir.

What about taking a camera along too? Don't mind if I do!

So off I went to take a few pics of the Guernsey Velo Club's Winter MTB XC Series, Round-1.

I have noted before that there is always a great atmosphere at GVC events. I think it must be because the competitors vary over a large range of ages and levels of fitness. There is also a lot of support offered by racers families.

The sportsmanship is also impressive with 'rival' competitors encouraging each other to achieve their best time... but not giving up on their own intention to take the win! Every sportsman wants to be victorious!

I ended up taking quite a few pics - even though I missed Race-1.

I did have a good excuse for being late as I had a very late night on Saturday night/Sunday morning after photographing Blackalicious at the Fermain Tavern. They were fantastic (and I'm not usually a great fan of their genre of music).

Those pics will follow.

For now, here are the MTB XC pics:
VIEW PICS OF THE GVC MTB XC - ROUND-1

Why do they do it?

What possible enjoyment can there be?

When the Motocross season arrives, so does the wet and windy weather!

The riders who enter the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Motocross events must know what's in store... but they still arrive, keen and eager to mix it in the mud.

Perhaps my question should have been... Why does a photographer turn up, get wet, get blown about by the cliff-top winds and get covered in mud?

Well, of course, I happen to think it is great fun also!

So that is the scene set for last weekends GK&MC Motocross race at Pleinmont.

I did my wet and windy duty and took a few pics :-)

Check 'em out here:
VIEW PICS OF THE MOTOCROSS RACING

It's always surprising how quickly we forget what the weather was like just days before.

I've been sat in my office today looking out at a very miserable and wet day. I was quite pleased to be tucked away in the dry.

But it is only a couple of days ago that we were revelling in the glorious Guernsey weekend weather. The sun was out and the very last place anyone wanted to be was indoors!

However I suppose today's nasty turn has encouraged me to catch up with some work!

The end of month accounts have all been sent and a couple of major assignments have received their final edit. And now the evening has arrived I've completed the edit of the weekend's Motorsport.

Two new Galleries are now on-line. One features the final Round of the GK&MC Summer Kart Championship. The other is of the GMC&CC Trials meeting at The Pines.

Take a look at the pics here:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND 9 OF THE SUMMER KART CHAMPIONSHIP
VIEW PICS OF THE TRIALS AT THE PINES

The Get Down gave local gig goers a second chance to catch The Mouse Outfit on a Guernsey stage... the first outing was at the 2014 Vale Earth Fair.

Once again this band showcased their energetic set together with their talent to quickly connect with a crowd. It was another high-energy night leaving people hot and sweaty... and satisfied!

Support was strong in the form of Chrome & Illinspired.

Big thanks to The Get Down for organizing another great event.

Pics can be seen here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE MOUSE OUTFIT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF CHROME & ILLINSPIRED

When Ozzy Ozanne is beaten in a straight fight on the sands of Chouet beach it is the stuff that makes headlines!

Ozzy is a multiple champion and seems to be almost unbeatable.

The multi-champ combines his talent for beach racing with a knack of selecting and preparing fast, competitive and reliable cars.

There is no doubt that Ozzy has earnt his championships and it is not for him to slow down but for his competitors to raise their own game to his level.

Well, just maybe, we have the first signs that there is a driver and car combination that can challenge Ozzy?

Tony Le Prevost has found himself a four-wheel-drive Subaru that is clearly fast enough as he took the top spot in Sunday's Race of Firsts - well ahead of Ozzy.

As a spectator this is great news. I think we will see some great racing for the rest of the season. I recommend that you make a diary date for 15th November when the fight continues.

My pics are now on-line:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

The conditions were near perfect for Round-6 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's 2015 Motocross Championship at the Pleinmont track.

The racing was close in most of the Classes making sure the spectators were kept entertained :-)

The conditions also allowed the more confident riders to get a bit of air... I guess the theory is that there is less resistance to slow you down when your head is in the clouds!

Or maybe it's just a bit more fun?

This pic shows just how close some of the racing was!

Check the full Gallery here:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND-6 OF THE GK&MC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Some things are universal. You don't need to understand their language to appreciate what excites another person.

Body language, mood, a smile and vibe offer all you need to understand where another person 'is at'.

Music is a great example of communication that we all understand without needing to actually talk the lingo of others.

Friday night at the Fermain Tavern the whole room was understanding the dialect being spoken by the visiting band... The Uptown Monotones.

This Austrian experimental/fusion band that formed in Graz in 1993 could have connected with their audience by their fun and enthusiasm alone. The three guys actually spoke english well enough to have a laugh with us but one guesses that they could have managed on personality alone... oh, and their own lively brand of Acoustic, Rock, Reggae, Jazz fusion and Experimental Beat-Box completed the performance.

Need I say more? They went down a storm!
CLICK TO VIEW THE UPTOWN MONOTONES COMMUNICATING WITH THE FERMAIN TAVERN

On Sunday I decided to have a change... it's as good as a rest they say :-)

It's been a while since I have managed to get along to the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club's Sunday morning Trials.

Normally I photograph the Senior riders in the afternoon but the mornings are saved for the Youth, Sportsman and Pre 65 riders. So it was off to the Dos D'Ane on Sunday morning for me.

The atmosphere was great... busy and friendly.

The sections were close together as everything has to be fitted within the steep slope at Dos D'Ane as the junior riders aren't licensed to ride on the road. I had to have eyes in the back of my head to make sure I didn't wander into the tight sections. The juniors really enjoy the riding and I think many more youngsters would love the chance to take up the sport.

Then, in the afternoon, I made another rare visit to a Motorsport event.

The GMC&CC Autotests are very low-key. They 'pop up' in various car parks around the island. This time it was at Ronez quarry.

An Autotest meeting takes the form of a few mates driving near-wrecks of cars around tight circuits marked simply by traffic cones. The layout is changed several times and involves lots of tight turns, reversing, hard stops in the 'gates'... and lots of tyre smoking.

This is Motorspor fun on a budget. Yeah, it's a boys thing!

I've updated the Galleries here:
VIEW PICS OF THE JUNIOR TRIALS
VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOTEST

Every season comes to an end.

In the case of summertime the final days are marked by the colours of Autumn taking charge.

When a Motorsport season ends it happens in the only way that racers know.... with smoke, burn-outs, speed and noise!

That was exactly how the Guernsey Kart and Motor Club said adieu to the 2015 Hillclimb and Sprint seasons... until they return again in 2016.

It has been a busy year of Motorsport in Guernsey. Maybe the additional new events have satisfied some of the racers 'need for speed' as the entry was quite small for the Vazon Sprint?

But every cloud has a silver lining. In this case it allowed loads of runs for those who had signed in.

That should keep 'em satisfied until the racing starts again in 2016!

I've updated the Gallery with todays racing:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FINAL SPRINT OF 2015