Insomnia Mountain Bike Race

Last weekend we packed up a van full of mountain bikes and equipment and headed over to Bedgbury Forest for the anule 12hr Insomnia mountain bike race. Two teams of 3 riders were to ride as many relay style laps as they could around the forest trail from 8pm-8am.

It was a beautiful warm and barmy evening so I came along to help set up camp and of course, to take some pictures...

Family Portrait Session

Happy Summer Solstice!

I've just finished working on a portrait session for a lovely family. Here are a few shots from the day......

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, what with the dark, wet weather and due to that fact that I am getting married this August and my life has been taken over with 'wedmin' tasks, I haven't been out much with my new camera lately. I've recently upgraded and purchased a Canon 6D which has been sitting in my office, patiently waiting for me to take it out snapping!
So today I thought that I  would have a play with it today indoors as its Valentine's day today and i've been given some beautiful red roses. I'm planning on taking a series of 'bride cam' pictures of some of the planning stages of the wedding so what better place to start than with the engagement ring!

Morocco

Happy New Year!

I am typing this whilst looking out of the window at the falling snow and enjoying looking back at some colourful images I took of Morocco last November.

I had a great trip to Marrakesh with my Mum, we spent a few days exploring the city and the nearby Atlas Mountains. We ate well and meet some wonderful people. It's a vibrant, chaotic place full of interesting and friendly people. Here are some highlights.

Jadins de Majorelle 

These beautiful and colourful gardens were created in the 1920's and 1930's by French painter Jacques Majorelle, and subsequently owen by Yves Saint Laurent. 

                                            


                             


                                         


                                         

Riad Kniza

Riads are guest houses situated within the Medina (old town). Our Riad was owned by a top antique dealer and had had many famous guests in his time. The rooms, courtyard and roof terrace are all beautifully styled with classic Moroccan decor.

                                         

                                             

                            

Jemaa el Fna

This is the atmospheric main square in Marrakesh. Its where story tellers, musicians and snake charmers all congregate and the place to go for a great supper at one of the many food stalls. There are some real characters here!

                           

Atlas Mountains

We took a day trip drive up into the Atlas Mountains and stopped off at a berber family home to have a mint tea. 

                                             

The Streets of the Medina

All you have to do to experience the hustle and bustle of the old town is to walk outside the door of your medina. Once you leave the quite, tranquil courtyard you are hit (almost quite literally) by motorbikes, donkey carts, chickens and street sellers. You don't have to look hard to find ornate beauty in the tiles, doors and windows.

Ben Youssef Medersa

This stunning building used to be a religious school where students learned the Koran by rote.

The Souks

Great for souvenir shopping, the souks are a maze of stalls selling anything from apothecary to leather goods and hand crafted metal work. Haggle your way to a bargain or watch workmen display their craft. It's very easy to get lost!

The Kasbah

The Medina is surrounded by a wall and we entered the Kasbah via the wall's most ornate gate or 'Babs' as they are called - Bab Agnaou.