York

A city break in York for a couple of days.

It's a beautiful city and the pedestrianised old streets are a joy to wander around.

A snowy start to the journey. Very glad we were travelling by train as the winter landscape whizzed by the windows.

Pictures are taken using the Hipstamatic camera on the iPhone

Lunch in a great Italian cafe.

While Su went shopping I went off to the National Railway Museum. It's a great place to waste a couple of hours.

The shopping streets and the famous York Minster both nicely lit for the Season

Back home and faced with having to dig the car out for the last 10 miles home from the station...

Karen & Jonathan - Guyzance Hall 9th October 2010

Guyzance Hall is a beautiful country house which has started offering weddings relatively recently. They limit the number of weddings per year which gives a very exclusive feel to the day. Karen & Jonathan and their families and friends had taken over the Hall for the weekend which gave the whole wedding a really friendly, relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Upstairs in a very grand bedroom the girls were putting the finishing touches to the details: Karen's buttons and Jessica's silk flower.

The boys and guests are ready downstairs...

...and Karen arrives on time with her Dad

It was a really nice ceremony in a lovely room filled with close family and friends from as far as Luxembourg, Netherlands and Newcastle!

Instead of confetti we had bubbles. Bottles of bubbles and bubble guns. Loads of bubbles!

Karen and Jonathan were game for some fun pictures on the tennis court.

Jonathan - justifiably proud of his cake of cheese.

Jessica and Karen have been friends since childhood. Who'll be next down the aisle Jessica? (I hope I'm allowed to say these things as Jessica happens to be my gorgeous cousin)

Karen's dad gave a fine speech before dinner which praised and humiliated in equal measure as all good speeches should.

Karen and Jonathan - What a great day. I was really glad to be there with you and I hope the evening went well - I got the impression it was going to be a very glamourous and fun night!

I'll be in touch soon when the rest of the pictures are ready.

Best wishes
Andy xx

A few days away

I've been visiting Gairloch in Wester Ross for many years. We first went as a family and photos would suggest this was 1975 or thereabouts. I know the area from my camping, hillwalking and climbing days and more recently it's been posh hotels.

This was a quick stop at the side of the road on the way up. Near Achnasheen with showery clouds giving beautiful light.

Rain is not uncommon this far West and North and the rivers were full of movement.

An arboretum with over 200 species of tree. This one a Wellingtonia or Giant sequoia.

The first autumn leaves add a bit of colour to the river's flow. This was at The Stepping Stones Gallery near Dundonnel.

The road from Gairloch to Ullapool looking East back towards the hills

Stones on the beach at Mellon Udrigal.

Jackie & Mike, The Alnwick Garden, 4th Sept 10

As soon as I walked into the room at Alnwick garden I knew this was going to a beautiful wedding and a joy to photograph. Mike had proposed to Jackie at the Treehouse restaurant which is part of the Garden and they had then seen a wedding going on at the pavilion. It turned out I was the photographer at that wedding (Antonia & Chris 31st July2009).

Every detail was well thought out, coordinated, tasteful and, in some cases, tasty!

Over at Blackmore's, preparations were underway in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Hermione the flower girl's dress

Downstairs, in the bar, the boys were preparing themselves too. Jackie's brother Mark had made the boys' suits and they looked amazing. Mark himself took responsibility for the final touches.

Jackie's "I do" shoes were a fun touch.

Young Harry looked good in his suit and made Mum very proud.

Hermione didn't look too bad either in her fantastic dress.

An open top bus trip to the garden for the wedding party. Look at the weather! Excellent for September.

Harry and Hermione led the way towards the aisle, at their own pace. So Cute.

A lovely couple and a lovely ceremony.

Jackie, Mike and I went up to the gardens for a few quiet photographs. By this time most of the crowds had dispersed and it was so peaceful.

Harry's wellies came in useful for the water features around the Alnwick Gardens.

A double-act Best Men speech which was enjoyed by all ( possibly except the groom as is traditional)

Harry joined in the backing vocals and a bit of jazzy piano.

After dinner the fountains were lit up for a spectacular show.

The first dance started as a bit of a shuffle but as the music went on the moves became more coordinated and by the end it turned out to be a brilliantly rehearsed routine. A superb effort!

Last thing for me, The Curious Collective took the stage. All the way from London, the band were the tightest, most skilled musicians I've seen in a long time. Their funky, soul sound had the dance floor jammed with dancers grooving to the best music I've ever heard at a wedding.

What an amazing day. A long stint for me but thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. It is such an honour to be allowed to share in a day like this. This is the most photos I've ever posted on my blog from one wedding and with good reason!

Jackie & Mike - Thanks for laying on such a brilliant celebration of your wedding. Best wishes to you both and I'll be in touch soon with the rest of the photos.