Great Love turns inevitably to Grief

I have just visited my old friend Keith (brilliant sculptor and potter) who has just lost his dear wife, Gina. The above phrase is his.....he has asked me to produce a Christmas card and his idea was to photograph the attached sculpture which shows him and Gina enjoying their Three-Wheeler!

So, in grief, you can still share some humour and great memories.

Cotswold Trip Update

Just been interviewed by BBC Radio Gloucester for broadcast on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. The experience was a little worrying. Not a regular occurrence in my daily life. Could I remember the key words, could I keep repeating the words "The Cotswold Collection".....and could my voice be clearly heard and understood? I was expecting a good half-hour interview but in fact it took about ten minutes, and there was no "Getting to Know You" before hand. Just straight in there with the first question. A little unnerving. Well, apparently all went well 'cos they are going with it!

I then carried on with my visit to various newspapers, and then put my sales hat on for the various top-ho hotels; Barnsley House, The Manor at Lower Slaughter etc...I had to visit the church at Bibury having heard so much about the table tombs from my proof-reader, Mike Taffinder, so herewith a couple of images.....surely a magical place?

Cotswold Trip Encouraging

Just back from visiting the Press in Oxford, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud. Let's hope we can look forward to some features, hitherto.....Herewith, some taster images soon to feature in Amazon....It was also great to meet up with some old friends at the Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Red Lion Bookshop Burford and the Rowleys at Dryhill Farm.

The Cotswold Collection in stock - At Last

The shipment arrives tomorrow morning. Wow! What excitement. I can now get on with the sales and distribution. The book wholesalers, Bertrams and Gardners have placed their initial orders (for supplying Waterstones and WH Smith)....and stock goes off to my Cotswold agent, Peter Smith, too. My next job is to visit all the regional newspapers and magazines who cover the Cotswold area. I am also hopeful of some publicity in Cotswold Life, the Daily Telegraph and possibly, The Express. Herewith some pages as a taster and a most generous missal from my good friend and proof-reader, Mike Taffinder who is a Cotswold man brought up in Bibury. And, not forgetting his darling wife Sarah, a Cotswold lass from Cirencester:-

"Sarah and I looked through your latest work in slow time last night, and we just wanted you to know that we thought the photographs were simply outstanding. As a coffee table book for someone living in the Cotswolds, or for someone who had visited them and who wanted a pictorial memory, we reckon your book is just about unbeatable. Many congratulations on a seriously beautiful collection of photos and we do so hope that it has the success it deserves." Mike Taffinder

Welcome Back

Apologies for my absence but I have no excuses...but, I am now in the groove and will continue, indefinetly, to amuse and interest you. Herewith, some lovely frosty images, so apposite to this week's early mornings.

In a couple of days I take delivery of "The Cotswold Collection" which will be in the shops soon after. Hatchards, Foyles and Stanfords, plus the big London Waterstones were all very excited and complimentary about this new book.And, I thank them, for their enthusiasm and support. Bravo! The images above are situated in and around Drewsteignton on the northern fringes of Dartmoor.

Cotswold Collection sales trip

Just got back from showing this new book to potential customers.....always a nervy start and with some trepidation I wizzed around the Cotswolds, from Bath to Cheltenham, and up the Fosse Way, and down again, then over to Oxford and to home via Swindon. I visited small book stores, the Waterstones stores and the three Waitrose, plus a variety of independents. The overall reaction was very positive. Some wanted a hardcover but most thought that idea, old hat...the stiff paperback cover allows for you to swish through the pages.....I enjoyed the unknown, the adventure and just being out there to show it off. Very exciting....next week it's London. Fingers crossed.

I am also gathering my images of England and Wales scenes for the next book. Its re-awakening old times, memories....thinking back to the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls and the early light in the Hole of Horcum. Magical times. And, further south the castles of Kent; Bodiam, Leeds.. just wait and you'll be surprised at the beauty of olde England. Herewith a taster....

Summer Turns to Autumn

With heavy heart the nights draw in and I look back to those long summer days when the foliage was so green and plentiful...(and cash flow was more fluid). So, my friends herewith a couple of images of the lanes that lead to our idyllic woodland home.

Today I received a little parcel - printed off pages of the new Cotswold Book. Not yet bound but wow, what excitement!

Today is also my dear sister, Julia's 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, sweet, kind Julia, and all our love!

Breakfast at Sandleigh

Well hi folks....sorry I have been too busy to blogg all my doings and goings these past few days. I managed to be up with the larks to photograph some North Devon fields but was a little disappointed with my results so ecided to drown my sorrows in some strong espresso at the Sandleigh. I am becoming fascinated with clouds. Herewith a simple offering.....next time I am on I'll show you some Snowdonia images Flora has been scanning for me. I forgot how stunning that landscape can be (if you rise at 4.00 am)....so enjoy...

Aches and Pains of Boffins Cricket Tour are past

Bowling quick is not easy at my age. When Oh when will I learn that I am no longer Michael Holding (careful Geoffrey....the corridor of uncertainty etc etc)....Sidmouth was as pretty as a picture, and a pleasure just to stand on the boundary or in the outfield and watch the play. I did manage one wicket off a beautiful late swinging delivery...and about thirty runs. The Boffins just fell short by 38 runs of the 338 required. No mean task. We had the usual run of Celebs turning up, and some who could not make it, or were injured. The Faulks lads came as one again. Sebastian sadly came alone without Edward who had an injured pelvis. Apparently he fell off the Woolsack and tripped up on his Ermin. Now that he's in the House of Lords must be more careful. Seb failed for the first time at Chardstock (usually scores a ton), and young Robson appeared in a blaze of glory from an enormous black machine with blond in tow and yappy dog.....muttering Mourinho's no longer his friend....blah blah....its all gone to his head (or bank account).....and not forgetting our budding new author, Monsignor Mathieu, whose splendid account of The Masters of Manton I see is out of stock on Amazon. Push harder Paul.

A Touch of Glamour

Yes. I thought it apposite to add a touch of glamour to my Blogg, and to introduce my darling wife, Caroline. She has just launched her website: www.carolinefricker.com which illustrates her stunning bridal wear collection. So, herewith a taster for all those aspiring brides.....I must confess some false modesty, too, for it was I that had the good fortune (and fun) to photograph the delightful Rachael, our Prima Ballerina friend from Croyde. And, of course, thanks must also go to Ben (pictured below admiring the model) and Sarah for providing the stunning location.

Sandleigh's Civilities

Tasty eats to be had in Croyde (at long last) just to the top right of the picture .... so bon appetit!

At last somewhere to eat in North Devon that combines wholesome, home-baked food with a difference. You either enter this charming cafe via their over populated vegetable garden, or directly off the road opposite the beach entrance. The cafe is cosy, a little cramped for space for some, for others, its intimate. Crusty chunks of bread accompanies the home-made soups, the sandwiches are cut from doorstops, the coffee is as strong as a Croyde surf break.....and service with a pretty smile....you can bet I'll be going back there.

We need more places to eat like this in North Devon....yum...yum....it has always amazed me that the eateries rarely match the landscape they feature in. Here Baggy Point may have met his match! Oh yes, when I visit Baggy and see the plaque commemorating Henry Williamson whose prose was inspired by this headland, I am always reminded that it was his book The Pathway that drew me first to Croyde, Crow Point and the Land of the Two Rivers....it was also my grandmother's tales of Henry who she knew as a neighbour in Kent that first drew me to this corner of Devon...Thanks Henry...

Family Fun on a Sunday

Should I surf or go for a family walk......walking's a lot easier....surfing, nigh almost impossible for my stiff body after a day in the garden...you may be able to recognise the girls but can you see me amidst all the foam?

Mermaids and Champagne on Baggy

The plan was to take advantage of the strong evening light. Unfortunately, the light soon disappeared and whilst waiting for the sunlight to appear I nodded off....it may have been the mushrooms for lunch, or the girl I spied on the cliff top but I was soon joined by an unlikely sight, a mermaid rising from the depths below holding a chilled bucket of champagne and two glasses. Who cares if the light disappears? Returning home the skies were just amazing....I hope you agree!

A New Day, A New Book off to be printed!

We have had a few hiccups with production (who doesn't?) but are now going to press.....so herewith some sample double-page spreads (just four out of 110) to whet your appetite...

The Cotswold Collection

This is our big project for Christmas. A Big Book of 224 pages to be published on the 1st November. A photographic book of landscapes, gardens, churches, rivers and valleys....a book that has taken me half-a-lifetime to compile and put together. So Bravo! Get your orders in now....