Well, it’s the 10th of March, so let’s get going! Yes, I know, a couple of months of 2025 have gone by already, but they’ve not been wasted.

Unfortunately, and painfully, the year started with fixing my back after a surf injury in late December.

Now, I’m not saying it’s easy, far from it. But I learnt last year, after another back incident, that it can be turned into a positive. Of course no one wants to be writhing around in agony, swigging gin from the bottle to numb the pain, before being prescribed uber strong painkillers that invite all their own disruptive drawbacks.

No, after the initial few days, and acceptance that it’s potentially a long road back to being tip-top, a measured pace high in patience must be found. The positive is having to slow down, learning to move the goal posts, and paying attention to what a good day looks like. Rejigging the timetable and adding physio, exercise, rest and very importantly, treating yourself well into ones schedule.

I’m now well on the mend and continue with the necessary activities. The residue from the healing process (much like last years episode) has altered my approach to each day, now making sure there is a slice of time to just be still, breath and be calm. That’s not to say a cluster fuck isn’t heading your way, but the breathing and calm are good in themselves, before or after a wrecking ball makes its way to you. I guess ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ applies.

So, a bit like the last post titled ‘Cut & Shut’, this bulletin will be an assembly of a few photos taken so far this year. It is evident that I haven’t gone out with my camera as much as usual. For now there are some shots from a train window, plus some shots from the coast. There have been several periods where the surf has been outstanding, occasionally with very big swells lighting up the whole of Europe.

Choo-Choo

SURF IN BLACK & WHITE

As a bit of a winter project I’ve been shooting in black & white.

BLOG POST FEBRUARY 13th

JUST AN IDEA

I can't remember when I made the decision to shoot black & white for winter, which suggests it was just a passing idea. No particular reason.

However passing, it looks like it stuck.

Now coupled with the 1:1 aspect ratio that I've been shooting in for just over a year, it could be that my admiration for Vivian Maier and Jane Bown has unintentionally made its way into my approach...well, for winter anyway.