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Today continued according to the script... with more dense fog!
One of many disrupted events this weekend was the gig featuring Jonny Lives! with The Inevitable Pinhole Burns at The Fermain Tavern.
Of course this was in my diary to photograph.
But with the cancellation I decided to put the gift of a few spare hours into a bit of Photoshop play-time.
My style of photography and development of pictures is quite restrained. I rarely follow the current trend - led by the many iPhone apps - of using filters and associated grungy treatments. Call me old fashioned if you like ;-)
The truth is that I don't often have the time to indulge.
However it is fun to occasionally add a bit more interest to an image.
The results of todays efforts have been added to the Galleries. Take a look here:
TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW MORE PHOTOSHOP POSTERS

Maintaining it's position as the venue which promotes the best original live music in the Channel Islands the Fermain Tavern promoted a double header last weekend.
I popped along on both nights - once again I had packed a couple of cameras ;-)
On Friday I actually managed to see Lifejacket play. Each previous attempt had failed as I tuned up too late. I enjoyed their set. They are now on the list for future gigs! They were followed by Dead Wing and The Crave.
Saturday I saw She Haunts the Roads and Jersey based Stan Smith.
The turnout wasn't great on either night which is a great shame when this venue is working so hard to 'keep music live'.
This weekend sees another great lineup with JONNY LIVES! from New York and THE INEVITABLE PINHOLE BURNS from London. With support from Guernseys best rock bands LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE and TANTALE live at the Fermain Tav.
You get all this for £10 on the door... see you there?
The recent updates can be viewed here:
VIEW LIFEJACKET GALLERY
VIEW DEAD WING GALLERY
VIEW THE CRAVE GALLERY
VIEW SHE HAUNTS THE ROADS GALLERY
VIEW STAN SMITH GALLERY

I have just been watching the national news and one of the headline stories was highlighting the lack of rainfall in some areas of the UK.
This got me thinking about Guernsey and how long ago it is that I had to endure working with my camera kit in heavy rain. It was a good while ago!
The odd thing is that, whilst it can be pretty miserable standing out all day in torrential rain trying to protect delicate and expensive camera equipment, when I get back to the studio and edit the pics it is often that the resulting pictures feature high up my list of favourites!
Quite why this is can be argued. Perhaps the pics really are more dynamic and special... or maybe it is just that I recall the 'suffering' that went into their capture?
But I have digressed. The last weekends Motor Sport was - once again - held in unseasonalbly nice weather and standing on Guernsey's south coast cliffs taking pictures of the Motocross and Trials was a nice experience.
Of course, the alternative was to 'tick-off' one of the 'things to do around the house' that my missus has pinned to the fridge door!
I think you have worked it out why I love photography so much ;-)
The Gallery has now been updated with some new Moto-X pics. Click here if you are interested:
ANOTHER 'FAIR WEATHER' MOTOCROSS RACE

The GMC&CC held the latest round of their Bike Trials Championship over a number of sections at Petit Bot today.
I was able to pop along in the morning to the Junior section which was set-out in a small copse on the south coast cliffs. The sections used all the gradients and water features and really challenged the young competitors. Mud, mud, mud was the order of the day!
The afternoon saw the seniors out to play. Once again the water sections proved to be the most entertaining. I managed to get a bit too close to the action and got both the photo kit and my clothes splashed with the brown goo. I was definitely a lot cleaner than the riders though!
The fruits of my labour are now online... check-out the new Gallery here:
PICTURES OF THE MUDDY TRIALS AT PETIT BOT

Photo Montages continue to be popular - both as a gift or as your own unique and individual record of a seasons racing or perhaps a live performance of your band.
I received a number of requests for Montages over the Christmas period. Off course they couldn't be added to the Gallery at the time as this would have spoilt the suprises!
So I have now uploaded a few more to the Montage Gallery for you to take a look... it might even tempt you into asking for your very own version!
The way this works is that you can select your favourite pictures - either from this web site or I can meet up with you and you can select the pics from my laptop database. The second option is the recommended one as I will probably have many more pics of you than the web site can display.
Once your choice is made I go ahead and make a design. This is then e-mailed to you for comment and approval before the final print is made using Professional quality pigment inks.
Sounds easy doesn't it... why not give it a try?
VIEW THE PHOTO MONTAGE GALLERY

Rock of Ages-15 introduced a new format with a Friday night devoted to 'unplugged' performances.
It was a 'step into the unknown' for Mark Guillou but the line-up worked really well. The whole thing was relaxed and laid back with plenty of friendly banter.
I'm sure Andy Duchemin could make a career as a stand-up comic if he tire's of the music! He certainly handled the hecklers better than Bill Connolly did ;-)
Once again Mark showcased a number of Guernsey's young musical talent - something this small Island seems to have in 'speakers full'!
Appearing on stage for the first (of many, I guess) unplugged Rock of Ages were Silas the Assassin aka. Andy Duchemin, Peter Mitchell, The Phantom Cosmonaut aka. Tom Girard, Key of G aka. Mark Smith-Jones, Elliott Crossan, Jack Heywood and From Bedrooms to Backseats.
Check-out a few pics here:
VIEW ROCK OF AGES-15 UNPLUGGED

The latest updates featuring Guernsey Motor Sport have been added to my picture galleries.
I popped along to two events on Sunday and captured a bit of the action.
The local petrol heads don't all retire to the garage just because it is a bit chilly!
Both of the Guernsey Clubs were in action over the weekend.
The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held Round-1 of the 2012 Motocross Championship on Saturday (already added to the Galleries) then it was the Winter Karting Championship on Sunday morning.
The Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club held another round of their Trials Bike Championship which I photographed on the windy coast near Lihou Island.
My Galleries have now been updted and you can take a peek using these links...
GK&MC KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP
GMC&CC TRIALS BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Well it might have been a bit chilly... but it was dry! That'll do me.
I can't remember the last really wet Moto-X race on the Guernsey cliffs at Rue de la Trigale, it certainly was a while ago.
So the scene was set for the first round of the 2012 Championship and the action began.
Due to other photographic duties I was only at the track for a couple of hours but things were running smoothly with no serious 'offs' so my pics represent action from all of the Classes raced.
A new Gallery of pictures has been added. Check 'em out here...
MOTO-X CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND-1 2012

Last weekend saw two farewell gigs by Chris Dean as he has decided to retire from the Guernsey music scene. Chris played with three of his old bands.
Since the early 70's Chris has been involved with more bands than I have room to list here! The one single 'theme' of all these bands was that they all commanded a large fan base of loyal followers.
Chris is a natural, versatile and charismatic front man and will be missed from the local scene... if he manages to stay away?
Whilst I'm sure he fully intends to hang up the guitars, I can't help but feel that he will miss the performing and we will see him on stage again sometime in the not too distant future.
Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part? Time will tell.
So it is a big 'thank you' to Chris for the many great nights of music we have enjoyed.
I have added a couple of new picture Galleries featuring the farewell gigs...
VIEW THE TEMPUS GALLERY HERE
VIEW THE PULSE GALLERY HERE
VIEW THE DEVOTEES GALLERY HERE

It was 'blowing a hooley' down at Chouet beach yesterday! I can't recall seeing so few spectators along the side of the beach. But who can blame them as the wind was blowing straight into their faces!
However, the Autocross action went ahead - although even the number of competitors was lower than recent meetings. Surely a bit of wind wouldn't put off these resilient guys and gals?
This photographer braved the elements though I'm not sure what was better wrapped up - me or my cameras!
In the sort of conditions on the beach yesterday I make every effort to protect my expensive kit from the sand and sea spray. Both of these 'contaminents' can wreck lenses and cameras alike. The problem is that the protective covers make the manual control of cameras a lot harder - it becomes the work of memory, familiarity and touch - a bit like love-making ;-) NO, I don't take the cameras to bed... Well OK, maybe when I get a new bit of kit!!
The results of the morning spent on the beach are now online.
ROUND 7 OF THE AUTOCROSS WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP

For those guys 'n gals who attended Rock of Ages-14 it was simple.
Turn up, pay a couple of quid (a real bargain by the way), enjoy two great nights of music with a pint or two if you're old enough. Indeed, a fantastic way to spend a weekend!
So where do I go wrong? Well of course I always take my camera and 'shoot away'. Whilst I take very few pictures of each Band - once you multiply this by eight I end up with nearly a week of processing!
But, if you stick with it the job does get done and I'm really pleased to say that the Rock of Ages-14 Gallery is complete.
The final Bands added are Breaking the Silence, Inertia, Distant Shores and 2 Minutes 2 Late.
VIEW THE ROCK OF AGES-14 GALLERIES

The Rock of Ages series continues as number 14 is 'done and dusted'. Once again nobody can complain about lack of choice as Mark Guillou presented no less than eight Bands over two evenings.
Following the successful formula it was new and young Bands that were showcased and supported by a number of more established names.
As you can imagine, shooting eight Bands produces a lot of development work for a photog and I have only just completed the first edit.
These first pics have been added to a new Rock of Ages-14 Gallery and feature So Cold the River, Destria, Dealer's Left & The Deadbeats.
Check-out the Galleries here:
VIEW THE LATEST ROCK OF AGES-14 GALLERY

Last weekend one of several Sports I photographed was the E H Trophy Hockey at Footes Lane. The match was held under floodlights - always a challenge to a photographer.
As a Guernseyman it was a great result with the Island team beating the visiting side from Truro by 4 goals to 1.
There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Hockey Club with three or four hundred enthusiastic supporters lining the Club house balcony.
I have added a small gallery of pictures featuring some of the nights action.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE E H TROPHY HOCKEY GALLERY

There was the usual action on the sand at Chouet for Round 6 of the Guernsey Autocross Winter Championship.
Whilst several of the Class wins were taken by the 'usual' drivers it was also interesting to see the classic Motor Sport quote 'To finish first, first you've got to finish' play a part in some of the races.
Lucy Smale took advantage of the engine failure of Marilyn Robilliard in the ladies races and Nev Browning took a deserved win when Derek Brown suffered a puncture in one of the Veterans races.
Remember, it's never over till it's over.
The GMC&CC Bike Trials Championship also continues. I was on the St Germain sections and have now added some pics to a new Gallery.
Follow these links to view the pictures:
ROUND 6 OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
GMC&CC BIKE TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP

I'm beginning to wish that things were not returning to normal ;-)
Having moaned about having very little to do whilst my missus was poorly (apart from cooking, cleaning, shopping, nursing, ironing etc.... I've been out and about with the cameras again.
The weekend has been incredibly busy and lined up something like this...
Friday night I photographed four Bands at Rock of Ages 14.
Saturday was Motocross practice then on to the Guernsey v Elthamians Rugby at Footes Lane. This was followed by the Guernsey v Truro Hockey match. Well done to both local teams for good wins.
Saturday night it was four more Bands at Rock of Ages 14.
No rest for the wicked as on Sunday it was Round 1 of the GK&MC Winter Karting Championship at The Track followed by the Autocross Club's Banger Racing at Chouet beach.
A quick bite to eat and I was off to Vazon to cover the GMC&CC Bike Trials. Total count:
8 x Bands
3 x Motor Sport events
1 x Football
1 x Rugby
1 x Hockey.... Phew!
So I now have a lot of updates to do to the Galleries. First up has been the Karting. Keep a check during the week for all the other updates...
WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 1

It is fair to say that the last month has been a bit different from normal. If you have visited this web site or read my news items on Facebook you will know that my missus has been a bit poorly... if that is what you call having open heart surgery!
But things are now looking much more positive for Carol as she takes 'time out' whilst recuperating - and enjoys being waited upon just a bit too much for my liking. Oh well, I suppose I can spoil her for a few weeks (only).
All this means that my work is now returning to normal and I am supplying orders on time again.
I am also planning the coverage that I will give to the many varied events that are planned for 2012. The new year should be one of my busiest.
May I once again thank everyone who has been kind enough to wish Carol and myself 'all the best' during her illness. The support has been wonderful.
See ya round soon I hope.
Andrew & Carol

I'm sorry but it is unlikely that I will be able to fulfill any more orders for prints, canvases, montages or digital files before Christmas.
My wife has been diagnosed with heart failure and was transported to Southampton by Air Ambulance today. I will be with her for the duration of her stay.
If you should place an order without seeing this information I will, of course, give a full refund to you.
Thanks for your understanding.
It is a shame that all this has happened in these circumstances as the trip over was quite an experience.
The Air Ambulance comes with its own Doctor and Nurse, a private plane with two pilots who really were only there to provide a personal service. No duty free's or a loo though!
The Ambulance trip was at commuter time so the Doctor decided that we would use the 'lights'.
This would definitely be the way to travel in different circumstances. I had a front seat in the ambulance as we 'blues & twos' through Southampton - at one point with a police bike escort and police cars on the main junctions holding up the traffic! Like the Queen!
As it turned out there had been what we think was a bad traffic accident on our route so we were waved though right up to the incident which had totally blocked the road. They clearly thought that we were attending that incident!
A quick U-turn later and we were making a detour.
Having seen how 'the waves part' when you have a siren and blue flashing lights I told the driver that I now know what I want for Christmas!
May I thank all of you who have already sent your 'best wishes' to Carol and me. We remain very positive that now the problem has been identified that a successful treament will be made.
Thanks again
Andrew

The weekend saw another Motocross meeting in dry and bright conditions on the south coast cliffs of Guernsey. Somehow it doesn't seem right - but it certainly is more comfortable standing out on these exposed outcrops when the weather is so glorious.
The extra benefit for photographers is that the good light makes the pics much more vibrant - and I save a lot of time when cataloguing the pics because I can actually see your race numbers!
So the tip is to enjoy things when they are good because it wont last - will it?
A new Gallery featuring the days racing has now been added. Check it out here:
VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS GALLERY

Anyone with half an interest in the Guernsey music scene will be well aware of the X-Factor prefabricated band that stole the name from the long established and authentic local band 'The Risk'.
I understand that the fight to retain the exclusive rights to use the name continues - but as is so often the case - money and muscle matters and Simon Cowell will probably crush 'the little' guy. Shame on him!
This problem hasn't stopped the REAL Risk from taking to the stage and they gave a demonstration in the art of live performance at the Fermain Tavern on Friday night.
There is no subsitute for experience and when this is combined with the energy that Mark Le Gallez, Colin Leach, Stewart Austin, Andy Coleman and Garrick Jones can still muster (no small feat given their ages!) this latest performance was a lesson how live music should be presented. High octane and dynamic.
Mark added another 'trophy scar' when he cut his ear whilst rolling around the stage... yes it was all there!
Support was from Last of the Light Brigade. One of my favourite young bands.
I have updated the Gallery with pics of this latest outing by The Risk. Check it out here:
THE 'REAL' RISK AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

That was a busy weekend of Motor Sport photography. First it was Motocross on Saturday followed by Autocross racing and bike Trials on Sunday.
I have mentioned before on this blog that I am amazed at the amount of Motor Sport that happens in Guernsey. It certainly keeps me busy!
Of all the various classes that are run the slowest has to be bike Trials. Of course the sport isn't about speed (other than completing all the sections in the allocated time).
No, this sport is all about bike control... and it is astonishing what the Expert riders can do on their machines. Many of the sections are impassable on foot... no problem for two wheels though. How do they do it?
The last of the Gallery updates is now on-line. Click on the following link to view the bike Trials.
CHECK-OUT THE LATEST TRIALS GALLERY