Waves Warmly from South West UK :)

[Dave B]

An ex pat Scot (Kingdom of Fife) here, now living in deepest darkest Somerset. The sign up process suggested popping in here to say hello so ….. “Hello”

For as long as I’ve known of CiC I didn’t realise there was a forum. No idea how I missed that but hey, better late than never.

I’ve been into photography since the mid 70s when, at the tender age of 20, I treated myself to a Zenith EM. Moved on to (mostly) Minolta gear, went through the ‘darkroom in a cupboard under the stairs’ phase and dipped in and out of photography as family, job & finances allowed over the following 20 or so years. Late into the 90s I picked up again far more seriously and in 2002 traded all my film gear to go digital. The rest, as they say, is history (and common enough story really).

I’ve spent the last couple of years dipping my toe into the ‘art’ photography side of things via the early stages of a BA course. However I’ve recently decided that that route is not for me so here I am trying to work my way back from the wilderness.

Best news is that, at the age of 56, I’ve finally managed to persuade my employer (I’m a marine engineer as the day job) that I’m exactly the sort of person that they no longer want to employ (woohoo!). So early retirement as of the end of June and I will be foot loose and fancy free. Although I will not be well off neither will I starve and it will allow me to spend a lot more time on my photography.

Well that’s me, no doubt I will get to know y’all better as time goes on. Looking forward to it. Just off for a look around and to populate the old profile with some boring stuff.

Cheers, Dave B (Dave Beveridge)

[rtbaum]

Welcome to the mayhem, I look forward to seeing your shots

[Donald]

Hello Dave.

There are a couple of Fifers on here already ....... but we try and keep them locked up and out of the way!

Great to have on board. If you haved any questions, please do just call out. Someone will come running.

[IanCD]

Hello Dave... and welcome to CinC, from a relative newcomer

It struck me that we have a few things in common: I live in Bath & North East Somerset, so I wouldn't be surprised if we share some photography spots - I love the Somerset coast around Kilve / St. Audries and have posted a few shots here taken there.
I also took early retirement in February (from the NHS), though have very little free time at the moment as I'm getting my house ready to sell (and it's taking far longer than I'd planned / anticipated..! Partly because of the time I spend here..! )

Enjoy CinC... looking forward to seeing some of your photos
Ian

[Dave B]

TVM for the warm welcome. 3 Fifers in one place at any one time is just way too risky, I'd screw everything down if I were you Donald

Ian .... I must be 'up north' from you then (I'm approx half way between Bath & Wells). Don't know St. Audries but have been through Kilve quite a few times en route to Exmoor. The current Mrs Dave and I try to get there a couple or three times each summer on a camping & walking break usually camping at Sparkheys in Porlock (just before 'The Hill'). We tend to take most of our hols as short breaks in and around the South West. I'll post a few pics once I find how to. I'm with the MOD in Filton / Bristol and I must say I'm looking forward to not making the daily commute. I'm not sure how it's going to pan out in practice but I think (if I can be so bold to one who is already there) the key to retirement is to get up early, get stuck in and get a few jobs under your belt early in the day ...... how else can you justify going to the pub at lunch time then falling asleep on the couch in the afternoons

Cheers, Dave B.

[IanCD]

Hi Dave,
Half-way between Bath & Wells pretty much describes where I am... we could be neighbours..!

I'm not sure how it's going to pan out in practice but I think (if I can be so bold to one who is already there) the key to retirement is to get up early, get stuck in and get a few jobs under your belt early in the day ...... how else can you justify going to the pub at lunch time then falling asleep on the couch in the afternoons

Well, you could be right but I certainly haven't managed to establish a routine that includes all those elements...!
Best wishes for yours... Enjoy..!!
Ian

[Dave B]

Err, I was talking about the metropolis otherwise known as Midsomer Norton. A small market town mostly destroyed by the Romans and in which state it can still be seen today. For some reason (and I've no idea why, when you did ay BANES) I thought you were perhaps more down Taunton way.

Dave B.

[IanCD]

Ha ha! MSN it is..! How about that..?
Likewise, from your 'deepest, darkest Somerset' I assumed you were south of me...! MSN used to be in Somerset - and many folk still insist on using it in their addresses - but it's now in this contrived administrative area called "Bath & North East Somerset"... apart from which, I'll admit to being largely ignorant about MSN's pre- coal-mining history..! [sorry 'bout this, folks, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible... ]
Ian

[Dave B]

Ian, tried PM'ing you but nothing seems to have been sent. Perhaps I need a minimum number of posts (likely) before I can do that. I'll get back to you. BTW I'm on Charlton Park.

Dave B.

[Donald]

Ian, tried PM'ing you but nothing seems to have been sent. Perhaps I need a minimum number of posts (likely) before I can do that. I'll get back to you. BTW I'm on Charlton Park.

Dave B.

Dave - It probably has been sent, but the default setting on the forum is for it not to save a copy of any sent PM's. You have to go into it and change the setting to 'Save copy of sent items', or something like that (Can anyone remember where it you go to change this?).

[Dave B]

Cheers Donald, I'll have a delve around

p.s. it's in 'General Setting' as the last item under 'Private Messaging'

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

Warm welcome from me too (very warm at the moment it is too - although you're due to be cloudy, even wet, tomorrow I fear).

Regarding posting pictures to assist with your 'return from the post BA wilderness', these threads may be useful.

HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?
How to Get Effective Feedback for your Posted Images

Best regards,

[Dave B]

Cheers Dave for both the welcome & the help

Dave B.

[arith]

Err, I was talking about the metropolis otherwise known as Midsomer Norton. A small market town mostly destroyed by the Romans and in which state it can still be seen today. For some reason (and I've no idea why, when you did ay BANES) I thought you were perhaps more down Taunton way.

Dave B.

Do you know DCI Barnes from Causton I would keep away from Midsomer. Welcome to CiC(waves back from the North, well deepest Staffordshire where the Pagans come out after dark to eat unsuspecting innocent photographers).