Clematis

Clematis Rebecca

Clematis

Kingfisher clematis

The above clematis is from a collection of 3 patio clematis I ordered online.

I will post up the missing clematis named Chantilly as soon as it flowers.


The company I ordered from were Thompson & Morgan online. They arrived as tiny plug plants which quickly turned into the lovely plants as seen above.

Present to myself.

A photo of my new (secondhand) Canon EOS 400D camera.

The above photo was quickly taken using my Canon powershot A400.

Over the last couple of days I have been reading about shutter speed, depth of field and aperture.

At first I felt like crying I didn't understand a word of it.

The thoughts that were going through my head, were, have I done the wrong thing? why did I feel like I wanted a new camera? and have I wasted money.

My other camera was fine apart from the fact I dropped it on the floor leaving the battery cover slightly bent.

I joined the canon users forum where I can read till my hearts content.

I managed to read a couple of articles which have given me hope. I saved a few posts from there, those relevant to a total novice (me) I printed them off and have been reading and re-reading hoping it would sink in.

For me, shutter speed made the most sense. This will be my starting point, although in practise it could be a whole different ball game.

Obviously I will also be using automatic mode. I just love the feel and sound of this camera.

I am too stubborn to give up at the first hurdle and I love trying new things and this time next year I will hopefully understand and be using the above things that at this moment make me wanna cry.

Chris made me laugh he is tactless.

I had told him I had brought a note pad and pen specifically to write notes on how to use the manual mode of the camera.

Having had a day or two where I was overwhelmed and disheartened. Chris obviously having seen the pad laying where I left it, said to me. '' Tina you haven't written anything in your note pad''

It gave me the kick up the backside I needed. I know exactly what he is thinking, ''she'll never get the hang of that, what a waste of money''

''I'll show him''

Photo sizing 2

Digby

Thanks go to Uzi if this works. He recommended a download for resizing photos.

Photo resize magic 1.1

Fingers crossed I hope this works.

Edited to add:
HOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY finally after a couple of attempts I got it to work.

At first I did not remove the pre-set size in the box. Once I did that it worked.

Now I can use my new camera rather than the old camera.

Excellent what a star.

Digby

Digby

The above photo is to test out my new camera and see if the size uploads to blogspot ok. It is a Canon EOS 400

I treated myself with money Jerry gave me for tidying his garden. I didn't expect money but appreciated hugely as I have been looking to buy a new camera for ages.

Chris (hubby) contributed, he knew last Christmas and my birthday, that I was wanting a new camera. I had not told him which camera (expensive), we don't usually bother with Christmas birthday presents this was really a lot more than would be spent.

I was hoping I would spot something second hand as happened yesterday. It was perfect as the money from Jerry was burning a hole in my pocket and likely to be frittered away.

I spent all night reading manual and understanding zilch.

I've been taking photos this morning and playing with the settings. I think I should start off using automatic settings which I feel is the best way forward at this stage.

I want to get used to the feel of the camera and see if I can understand and progress to attempting and trying to understand some manual settings.

Edited to add:

With the above photo, although the picture size initially if fine, I don't like the fact when I click on it, the size is huge.
I have the photo size set to S (small)

(I don't like this) oh dear. help needed any advice please. What a great start.

Container garden

Container garden

A general update on some of the container veg in the garden

Tiny vegetable patch

Tiny vegetable patch

update on my vegetable patch. I would say this piece of ground is approx 5' x 9'

I have four sweetcorn growing to the right hand side of the photo.

three curly kale remain, I did have four.

The spinach has nearly gone I had four perpetual spinach and was able to supply two friends with this.

I have replanted lettuce and still have spring onions, a second lot of beetroot some rocket and tomatoes

In the pots I have some fig growing from seed.

Container aubergine

Container aubergine

I planted two types of aubergine.

Thompson & Morgan aubergine

calliope F1 Hybrid

Baby Rosanna F1 Hybrid

The seeds were started indoors before moving outside.

This aubergine has progressed a lot quicker than the others I have in pots. I am hoping the others catch up soon and cant wait to see how they turn out. Both varieties are small aubergine approx golf ball size.

Salad hanging basket

Salad hanging basket

Update on my hanging basket.

No tomatoes as yet, the basil is coming on nicely the rocket seems to have gone to seed.

Duo apple tree

Dwarf apple tree

Update apple tree.

Considering this is supposed to be a duo variety apple tree the both apples on seperate limbs appear the same to me.

I am watching this tree with interest. I suppose I could send the supplier a photo and complaint as I really wanted two varieties. But then again will I?

Container rhubarb

Container rhubarb

Update container rhubarb.

Use container rhubarb photo link to see earlier posts.

Container courgette

Update container courgettes

Photos showing container size





Container courgette
Use container courgette photo link for earlier posts.

Container strawberries

Container strawberries

Update container strawberries.

Since my earlier post I have inserted a mesh tube down the centre of the container and filled it with gravel.

I still have some vacant holes as I have been providing friends with plants I intended to fill this with.

Click on container strawberries photo link to see earlier photos

Round patio carrots

Container carrots.

This is the second lot of carrots we pulled. The earlier ones we pulled too early, I can see these are larger.

I suggested to my little helper, that she could take a couple to School in her lunch box. I wonder will she.?

In the basket she took home with her, were three for mum, three for dad and six for herself. They really are quite a tasty snack.

Digbys walk

Welcoming party at the reservoir.

I had to get out of my car to shoo them away and ended up clapping at them. The big white one stared at me before eventually wandering off.



Ducks at Queens valley

Digbys walk


I spotted the flower pictured below, growing from one of the trees at the waters edge.
It really was a beautiful red and appeared to have a woody texture.

Red flower

Footnote: Digital photograph Red flower 2009.