misty morning

All week rain had been forecast for today, but as is often the case the reports changed and it was dry this morning. As I left the house it was a bit misty, so lights were needed for the first time in many months.

We met as usual at the green, it was a little later than normal and the mist had thickened to dense fog. The extra traffic and poor visibility meant the best option was the slow way to the bus stop. We were passed by a few other cyclists, surprisingly a lot of them had no lights. Worse; a lot of cars either had no lights or just the parking lights illuminated. They loomed out of the fog and disappeared very quickly as they drove away.

We watched them from the bus stop and discussed the apparent dumbing down of the general population. When we were younger, it was rare to see someone without their lights on in poor weather, adult cyclists were mostly road based and always stopped at red lights.

Away from cycling, no-one is to blame for what happens to them, they would much rather abdicate responsibility to others; the government mostly. People are overweight so we get the sugar tax, NHS funded weight loss surgery and all the other schemes that mean people can say, it's not my fault. If you are taking responsibility, and making changes yourself, I salute you. People weren't forced to start smoking. What is the world coming to?

Not much much else was said, the rest of the day had to start. Just the picture to take for the blog. Always a creative challenge when we are at one of our regular locations.

As we prepared to leave a cyclist arrived and sat down beside us. This doesn't happen very often, a guy on a recumbent once stopped for a chat, and Dawes Galaxy as we called him was a semi regular visitor. Most Saturdays he cycles from Biggin Hill to his mum's in Walligham, often stopping at our bus stop. It's weird to think, just after we leave, someone else is there. An new member of NVL?

He left and shortly after so did we. Hopefully tomorrow will be clearer, maybe we can cycle further.

Misty morning, a less well known Bob Marley song. Why do radio stations only play two or three of his records, over and over again?

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The big buzz

I get a buzz from cycling, overcoming the challenges of steep hills is part of it.

Unfortunately it was a solo ride this morning, and as is usual when this happens, I couldn't decide if I wanted to go. Much easier to stay in bed a little longer. But get up I did; so now I had to think where to go, and on which bike. Yes dear reader, I have a road and mountain bike. I knew I didn't fancy off road but that didn't rule out the MTB, the poor state of local roads means it more comfortable than the light but stiff road bike. Oxted was to be my destination; along a route Matt and I have, I think only done once. The reason is a steep hill. I didn't remember it exactly but I knew it was one of the steepest we had climbed. As I descended it became clear that it was steeper and longer than I remembered. No stopping now though, Oxted was beckoning. I kept the speed down, it was narrow and twisting. I'm no adrenaline junky, it hurts too much if I fall off.

I rarely attain super speed

The pics on this post are of a funfair I passed on Oxted green. They look a little like they are sleeping without the lights and the noise, resting before the next night of excitement.

The problem with going down a hill is that you have to come go back up. As I left the green on my way home the sign at the bottom of the hill said 20%. This is definitely the steepest I have climbed. This is where the extra gears of the MTB make the climb easier. I think I may have struggled on the road bike.

What I do find weird about the steepness signs is that they don't always seem right. I am sure other hills are similar to this one, but their percentages aren't as high. Maybe they should rate the climb and use a face that gets redder the worse the hill is. This would not only take into account how steep, but how long the climb is. Also if there were flatter bits where you could get your breath back the rating would be less severe.

Here is the cyclemeter log of the ride.

Not the longest ride, but a hilly one.

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graffiti

The outfit chosen for the first location emphasised Xandria's stature with big heels and tall hair. The fluorescent top looked good against the busy graffiti background of Leeke St. It was a challenge to photograph in this dimly lit area. There were spotlights in the roof to pick out areas of the wall, which although not bright helped. I was glad to see them as I planned where we would shoot.

The second outfit, a colourful jumper, needed a clearer background so we went outside to a park. The tunnel had required the use of a flash with a 24-70mm f2.8 zoom lens. With more room I changed to an 80-200mm f2.8. This is a great portrait lens if you can step back a bit. I know in a previous post I mentioned the 85mm f1.8; the consensus being that this and the 50mm are default portrait lenses. But the way the telephoto zoom gives separation from the background is brilliant. It helped to make Xandria standout. I use it as much as I can.

This meant I was some way from Xandria, which can mean you lose connection. Pausing to show Xandria the pictures and discuss the next shot more often than normal ensured we stayed connected. It was a busy area but no-one walked into shot, everyone saw what we were doing and paused before walking between us.

We were near the river so I suggested we use that as a backdrop. To get there we passed a carousel, I couldn't resist using it.

As with the previous shoot, Xandria's mum set the style and Xandia and I worked well together to deliver her ideas. It is a joy to work as part of a good team.

Now that the weather is becoming colder and less predictable further shoots may have to wait until the spring. Which is a shame.

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Completed task list

It's not often I get to cycle during the week. Today I cycled to a pub I have been to a few times. Both on my own and with friends. It's also the destination known as the lake. Chipstead and back is around 30 miles so it's a good distance if I have some spare time, but not enough to get to Brighton and back.

I had the week off and thought about cycling every day, but bad weather at the start of the week and a lengthening task list meant it was not to be. This morning I completed the last item on the list and was free for the afternoon. As always when I'm on my own there was a moment where I could easily have stayed in the house, and as is also always the case, I was glad that I didn't.

The early morning rides mean the Bricklayers Arms at Chipstead is closed. Today I left the house at around 11 o'clock and arrived just before the lunchtime rush started. I got a seat outside and ordered a pint of Harveys Wild Hop blonde beer, not too heavy but very tasty. And a burger. It was a little pricier than I expected but worth it. So much so that I didn't stop to take a picture. I gave them a great Trip Advisor review after my last visit, and the quality was just as good this time.

Then on the way back the constant reminder that this glorious summer was coming to an end. Cloudy sky and bales of hay in the fields.

As if this wasn't bad enough, work on Monday.

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Lookbook shoot

It's been a while since Janayah and I had a photoshoot, not far off a year in fact. She emailed me about producing a modeling lookbook. The shoots always go well and produce better and better pictures so I said yes straight away.

It was planned a while ago while the weather was incredible, as the day drew closer though it became more unpredictable. As it turned out it was overcast without too strong a breeze; perfect. We meet late in the afternoon and the south bank of the Thames was very busy so we moved north, which was a good decision. The streets were nearly empty and we found two locations that worked well with the Janayahs' outfits. We quickly dropped into the easy rhythm that characterise our shoots, and make them so productive.

There was also no jobsworth quoting non-existent rules to stop us, unlike Saturday at the hill garden pergola on Hampstead Heath. Actually people were very helpful, the Pret a Manger near our first stop and Cafe Rouge near the second allowed Janayah to get changed in their facilities.

I used two lenses, a 35-70mm F2.8; a zoom and a 85mm F1.8; a prime. When I have the room the 85 is the one I prefer. It's not just the shallower depth of field, but the colour, sharpness and tone of the pictures it delivers, they are all more pleasing. I can make changes during processing, but the shots from the 35-70mm are still missing the polish of the 85mm. It's a good lens, until I compare it to the prime. I have a 50mm F1.8, I will maybe just use the two prime lenses for the next shoot.

The pink tracksuit were taken with the zoom lens, the orange top with the prime lens.

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Wandering

Cycling this morning and saw these two friends having a chat over breakfast. Much like Matt and I most weekends. But unfortunately not today. I was in the garage when I had a text about a change of plans. This always prompts an internal discussion, return to the house or go for a ride.

I decided to go out, but where to? Westerham had been our planned destination, but it just seemed too far now. I cycled aimlessly for a while; deciding at each junction, left or right? And found myself in Westerham. The tea room was closed, there were other places open. But I didn't fancy sitting alone in what you might call a formal breakfast establishment. I choose a bench and ate both lots of cereal bars. Then headed home.

When I had left the house the sky was dull and grey, and there was a chill in the air. Now as I retraced

my route the sun was out and there were patches of blue sky, but the view through gaps in the hedgerows confirmed summer is over. I don't think it will be too bad for a while yet, but I'll be digging out the extra layers that haven't been needed for six months. At least we have the cottage as a winter stop.

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