Wheat fields - or is it barley?

Last night the talk by the wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein was excellent - we managed to chat before his talk as he remembered me from when we met 8 years ago. His photography is exceptional, he sets himself very high standards and says he doesn't believe he has ever achieved a 7/10 for any of his own images. He strives for something different and would never take a standard record shot of any animal, but then he has been going to the far corners of the world for over 25 years and can afford to take risky shots because if they don't work he knows he will be back the next year to try again. He shows them and then critiques them, so I learnt so much from his images. He also speaks with such passion and emotion about the causes he believes in and has raised money for, like FMG in Kenya, saving the tigers, and he gets angry about how the WWF are a sham and do not help to protect vulnerable species. It was very inspirational and enlightening.

This morning I met a friend at Newlands Corner for a walk. He had planned a route that took us uphill to St Martha's Church which is a landmark on the North Downs looking over the valley below. It was very blustery and although rain was forecast, it luckily remained dry. After our walk we had coffees at the cafe at the top of Newlands Corner and caught up on each other's news. In the valley there were wheat/barley fields (I never can tell the difference) and I liked the patterns they made.

I also had domestic things to do today, laundry ironing, changing bedding so it has been a busy day. I am now about to go up to London for Gavin's work summer party - well not really a party, just drinks and substantial canapes on the terrace of the Oxo Tower, the views from there over London are fabulous. It's probably the last one I will ever attend.

I will catch up with Blip tomorrow.