Close one

Shave that is.

I can heartily recommend the full shave and haircut service at the Moonstar Barbers in Hisaronu.

I especially enjoyed having my eyebrows plucked with what looked like dental floss, (I could be mistaken here, because the tears streaming down my face made it hard to see), and the use of a burning swab with meths on it which was utilised to burn away the hairs from inside and outside my ears. Lush.

The Barber and his mate were chuckling away in Turkish the whole time. I guess that some of the treatments are reserved just for tourists. I know I looked a complete twat some of the time, because although I couldn't see them through the salty mist, I could hear my wife, daughter and son laughing and dragging people from across the street to come and watch.

However, after the full service, including a neck and shoulder massage, I felt as smooth as a baby's bum, and I smelt like a whole grove of Lemon's.
All for less than six quid !

Oh, and by the way, I don't know why he has put shaving foam on my forehead either......................I think I better be on my own at the next full moon.

Back

In truth, we returned a week ago. It has taken a week to get the admin done and return to home mode.

So, Turkey; Fantastic weather, so hot in the middle of the day that you have to scuttle from one shady patch to the next, like a beetle,or that bloke in the Fosters advert. Scenery, rugged and majestic, ocean so clear you can see the sea bed thirty feet below you. People happy, friendly, helpful and tolerant of mono-linguistic Brits.

Market traders, hilarious....."Cheap Shop, Cheap Shite, Cheaper than Asda, Cheaper than Shoplifting", yelled repeatedly at the top of the lungs in 45+ heat, all day.
Or another guy shouting "Only looking Mate", over and over. When I went to have a word with him it transpired that was all the English he could speak. His Boss told me that he employed the guy to make fun of the Brit tourists ! Brilliant.

One tiny irritation though, I was offered 500 camels for my wife and daughter.
I wasn't offended, but I thought they were worth at least 650.

The photo is Olu Deniz beach at sunset, I'd go back tomorrow.

On a break

Here's an image of someone leading a horse to water at Holkham beach.

I don't know if she made it drink...........

big silver bird fly across sky...................

Everyone here is a bit excited today, 'cos on Thursday morning we fly off to Turkey on holiday.

I see from the hit map that some of you visitors are from that part of the world, any tips for first time visitors to Turkey ?

We are staying near Olu Deniz........and you know how I like a good beach.

out and about

Lots of photographic work over the last couple of days, including shooting some seascapes down in Suffolk for a magazine.
The image above was taken at a relatively early hour today, on Dunwich beach. Well worth the 6.00am alarm to get down there and use the light.

Now, those East Anglians amongst you will know of some minor rivalry between the county I hope will one day adopt me (Norfolk), and the place where my wife and daughter were born (Suffolk).
I know parts of both counties well, and try to remain as impartial as I can given the possibilities for domestic mutiny. (Even more likely when you consider that my large strawberry blonde son is Norfolk bred and born).
However, it would appear that Norfolk has won.

WHY ? you ask, CAN'T HAVE ! say you Suffolk folk.

I answer with the unbelievable, scarcely comprehensible fact, that you can't buy Fish and Chips in Southwold at lunchtime.

I don't mean giant chips and Monkfish tails in a balsamic reduction, I don't mean fillet of Sea Bass on a potato rosti, I MEAN COD AND FUCKING CHIPS.

Lets try laying out the facts; Seaside town, Britain, August, many hankies on heads, loads of sand coated kids, legions of panama hatted retired Colonels and Lieutenant Commanders, Labradors, Seagulls and Shore-Crabs, coaches full of ladies purple rinsed to within an inch of their lives..............but no fish and chips.

Seared Tuna and Red Onion Marmalade Panini anyone ?

Dirty work, but someone has to do it...........

Despite being frantically busy with loads of admin tasks, I have had a little run of creativity.
Three of these were done last night at the Life drawing class I run. The second one down was the week before. (Different model).

The wonderful Miss Smack, in the unmissables to your right; "Smack Dab in the Middle", made the inspired suggestion that I should accompany these sketches with some of the conversation between Herself and me during the process.
As the class is usually only punctuated with the scratching of pencil, pastel charcoal, and the odd groan, grunt or sigh from the artists, there isn't much to repeat here. However, I often can't concentrate on my drawing for thinking how fortunate I am.

Today's nude

Another quick sketch on black sugar paper. I really enjoyed doing this one.

Cromer tomorrow................

It's Lifeboat day tomorrow in Cromer.

We will be launching both boats (Mersey and D Class Inshore boat), at around 10.30/11.00.

If you are coming best to be early to get parked.

It is also likely that an R.A.F. Sea King helicopter will be joining us, but that will depend on if they are needed for real emergencies elsewhere.

I will probably be driving the inshore boat...........see you there !

Reclining nude

Is it me, or is reclining a really hard word to spell ?

In my head it has an e in it.

Anyway, the pastel experiments on cheap black sugar paper continue.

been a while........

Modern life, it's a bit busy innit ?

I have been remiss, it has been FAR too long since I posted. There are loads of reasons, none of which were interesting enough to write about.
One of my blogging rules of thumb is to not say anything if I have nothing to say.

Actually, I have been provoked into writing this post by another website. The cloud in the picture is how black I feel.

Ever tried to buy car insurance on line ? Infuriating isn't it ?

Same shite forms over and over again, only to find that the registration number of your car apparently belongs to an aircraft carrier currently rotting in Murmansk, so no, you cannot have comprehensive cover on your vehicle Mr Robbins.

Bollocks, I thought, and then I made a naive error. I saw an advert for a comparison site. One set of details, price comparison, Bob's your mothers brother.

Then, just when victory was in site, after twelve pages of details, the list of quotes appears........only to vanish and be replaced by an error message informing me that their system is down and I can try again later.

Confused.com ?..................I should fucking say so.