Mars

Mars photographed from my backyard

This image shows the clouds more clearly

The difficulties in photographing Mars are three-fold:  first Mars is not very big; second it varies in distance,  is a long way away and currently is not as close as it can be; and third it is often near the horizon although currently  reasonably high in the sky. The fourth and un-mentioned component is that my astro-photography skills and equipment are currently not good enough to achieve the better results I am striving for. Anyway for now and bearing in mind there was high level cloud on the night I took this photo, I am not unhappy with the result.

The polar ice-cap is clearly visible (at 1.00 o clock) and high level white clouds (three o clock and seven o clock)  Isn't it great to look at an alien world?

Loeb Boathouse Central Park

The Loeb Boathouse, Central Park

 Its been a mixed sort of day. Started off quite well although the weather was a little overcast. I spent most of the day finishing a water colour painting of the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park New York. Anita was busy finalising some of the details of our family tree so I enjoyed a little art. Anita cooked a fine evening meal and all seemed well with the world. With the washing up done Anita and I settled down in the living-room to watch a DVD. Suddenly there was an almighty crash! Two of the kitchen cabinets had fallen from the wall. The fixings had pulled out from the wall.  The resulting mess is cataclysmic, Anita has sent me to sit down as my back is not up to the bending and she is now up to her neck in olive oil, salt cristals, broken glass, mops tea-towels and cleaning materials.  When we visit the supermarket, I am the man that always has to buy the extra tin of this that and other.  I can't help but feel responsible for; overloading the cabinets, the crash and the associated mess. I feel my own fall from grace is imminent and rightly deserved. The cabinets are completely ruined although the hardwood doors survived. The kitchen flooring has now another hole and it remains to  be seen as to whether this new one can be mended. Trips to IKEA and B&Q are now urgently required along with a big bunch of flowers for Anita!