Leaf

I've seen some stunning shots of single leaves against contrasting backgrounds, so I thought I'll have a go at that. This is my first attempt. Not a very contrasting background but I actually like the patterns it brings to the photograph. Pretty pleased but I'll keep trying.

A brilliant day today, super sunshine and crisp. We went walking around Mote Park first thing then went to visit friends, the husband of whom is in the final stages of cancer. We've known them for years, back to the 1980s and it is such a shame to see him now. He was, and to all intents and purposes still is, a larger than life person and is tackling this final challenge with positivity and courage and considerable dignity. His wife and family are, of course, bearing the brunt and our hearts go out to them all. Reinforces, yet again, how tenuous life is and how vital it is to make the best of every day.

We took Doreen out in the afternoon down to Hythe on the Kent Coast for a pootle around the shops, ending up in the Pilot Inn at Dungeness for fish and chips. Excellent fish, but the chips let them down somewhat.

In the evening I went to a referee training evening where we had a presentation by former All Black Hike Reed who is coaching at a local private school. A very entertaining talk, more suited to an after-dinner speech rather than training as there was not much to learn about refereeing.