Leisurely Present Opening - Quiet Day

Just two more pictures from my 'Slow sync, rear curtain' file. The quality of the results seems to owe much to chance. The method needs pratice though, because, with the necessarily long shutter opening, it is a matter of some precision to judge where in the frame you want the sharp bit to be - when the flash fires.

Thank goodness no film is wasted in the process and I can practice away for ages until I manage a decent picture. A good striking picture in the genre should do well in competitions because they seem few and far between. Perhaps other photographers lack the patience - or simply have more sense!

Picture 1 was at Moor Bridge and Picture 2 was outside the front gate. It was interesting that while I was there with my camera set up on a tripod, with the flash firing occasionally, the traffic slowed down to 30mph ! Maybe they thought I was a policeman. Ha Ha !

We have had a leisurely day, opening presents with Tracy, after which she went over to Burton Joyce leaving us to enjoy The Queen at 3pm, followed by a nap, and then messing about.

I had some lovely presents - all of which I need or can see a role for. It would be boring if I listed them all, but everyone has been so thoughtful. For lunch we had the remainder of yesterday's braising steak, reheated and followed by Xmas pudding and custard. You can't have a more understated Christmas Day meal than that and tomorrow, Boxing Day, at Tracy's request we are having our customary Sausage, Egg and Chips. Everybody's favourite and TJ says her 'street cred' rockets when she replies truthfully to enquiries as to what she had for Xmas food. To us it doesn't seem right that one or other person spends worried hours imprisoned in a kitchen while everybody else is having fun. So we abandoned it in favour of our present arrangements. Each to their own anyway - if people want to do a more traditional Xmas, good luck to them. The above isn't intended as a criticism of the practices in other households.

We watched a lovely art programme about Van Eyck's "Annunciation". A thoughtful piece of programming for Xmas afternoon for people who aren't that keen on films. There had also been a lovely programme about the nation's favourite gardens presented by Jenny Agutter. Kew won and Chatsworth was well placed as was Hampton Court Palace. All deserved their places. Jenny has aged very gracefully - I remember having a crush on her all those years ago. Who can forget her in The Railway Children which was a favourite book of mine before they made a film of it.

Another Xmas art programme about Breughel (the elder) and his "Census at Bethlehem". Not a picture that I have ever seen or know anything about. So, I learnt a lot. Had a quick sandwich and then we shall be ready for the Strictly Come Dancing Xmas special. I hope it isn't a disappointment. Tracy back early tomorrow morning - and I'm hoping we can buy milk somewhere. We've totally misjudged it.

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Catch you tomorrow..................