a special time

We had such a fantastic time on Sunday.  Lucy and Mandy came round with their daughter, Martha. Guinea pigs were stroked, a puppy played endlessly on the lawn with a lovely young lady, cheese, bread and cake were consumed and conversation flowed effortlessly.

Have you ever met people you feel instinctively you've known all your life?  This was one such occasion and thank you for such wonderful, wonderful company!!

dog-sitting

We've been dog-sitting this week for our eldest daughter.  Ellie (the cross) is now seventeen and Murphy (the whippet) is thirteen. Despite their years they still enjoyed their daily walk with Roscoe.

 

roscoe's return

Roscoe was back at church earlier this week to meet for a second time the ladies who run our Toddler Group. He's grown just a bit meanwhile as you will see from the final photo below, taken during his first visit three weeks ago.

 

And here's Roscoe three weeks ago on his first visit ...

 

photographing roscoe

I first came across Mandy Burton's work earlier this year during a classroom session run by my MAC photography tutor, Kate Green. Kate showed us an amazing series of pictures shot by Mandy, many close to where we live.

Two months ago I had the pleasure of hearing Mandy speak at a seminar about her explorations in photography and the creation of her book, 'One Hundred Strangers and Their Dogs'.  It was an absolute delight to hear her talk candidly of her life experiences. Mandy positively sparkled with energy, enthusiasm and a joy for living which was truly inspirational.

So we were thrilled when Mandy kindly agreed to call round last week to take some photos of Roscoe, our new puppy. Refreshed with coffee and chocolate biscuits she duly set to work and here are the lovely photographs she shot. 

What a brilliant person and what a brilliant set of photographs!!
 

mandy visits

Earlier this week legendary dog photographer and musician Mandy Burton visits. She's come to take some photographs of Roscoe, our flat-coated retriever puppy. Conversation, chocolate biscuits, coffee and tea flow endlessly in the morning sun and now it's time to take some pictures.

Never work with children or animals! Here are my photos - Mandy's will follow next.