TPF Winter get together

Well I'd say I'm more of a flabby boilerhouse myself. The brick ***house indicates I'm a bit of a hard nut....lol

I've tried to pimp a couple of members privately who have said they're interested. Not sure if they're OK to commit thought.
 
I'm not 100% sure if its a YES as of yet, i hope i'll be able to, but i have my GCSE Mock exams the day after, so im not sure.
 
Barring some domestic crisis I'm on for the 4th.
 
I have just been up near Donna Nook, my parents live in Spalding in Lincs, and we have been out for the afternoon, its only 90 minutes roughly from their house, so i guess they will have a lodger for the weekend :)
 
Sonsey said:
I would absolutely love to go to this!!

Unfortunately it's a bit of a journey for me.

Well, in a complete turnaround I am now able to go :woot:

I mentioned the trip to my g/f (who loves seals :D ) and she was really up for going, so I booked a flight over to hers and we're going to drive up... about a 4hr drive, but it'll be worth it... wont it??? :nunu: ;)

See you all there on the 4th... I'll be the big fat guy with the funny accent :coat:
 
Excellent, it should be a good day, I just hope we get the weather.

I'll be there this Sunday, to see what is about.
I'll post some piccies on my return.
 
I am planning to make the trip, domestic disasters and reasonable weather permitting.

Sonsey said:
See you all there on the 4th... I'll be the big fat guy with the funny accent
And i'll be the big fat guy without a funny accent :)
 
Im a big fat guy with an accent too. :thumb:
 
Remember to get yourself a clear polythene bag large enough to cover your camera and lens.
Then using insulation tape, seal the open end around the end section of the lens.
This should protect your investment from the elements (sand, water, salt).:thumb:

How will I be able to tell the difference between you lot and the seals.:whistling
 
Matt said:
How will I be able to tell the difference between you lot and the seals.:whistling

How dare you!!... It is an unwritten rule that only fello fat blokes are allowed to make fun of other heftyly challenged people, keep your "I'm a skinny bloke and your not haha" comments to yourself!! :D ;)
 
Sonsey said:
And your not helping the matter :LOL:
We'll see who's laughing at the end of the day when those with the extra blubber don't have hypothermia :woot:
 
Something tells me that Matt "the skinny bloke" will not be the one who turned up the least prepared and by the end of the day there will be others there that wished they had brought different footwear, coats and better protection for their camera gear.

I can't wait to read about this after the event. In fact I am very tempted to fly over to watch the fun ;)
 
Steve said:
Something tells me that Matt "the skinny bloke" will not be the one who turned up the least prepared and by the end of the day there will be others there that wished they had brought different footwear, coats and better protection for their camera gear.

I can't wait to read about this after the event. In fact I am very tempted to fly over to watch the fun ;)

Hehehehe im going with Matt this Sunday to scope out the scene, i may remember my jacket this time ;) ROFL
 
Steve said:
Something tells me that Matt "the skinny bloke" will not be the one who turned up the least prepared and by the end of the day there will be others there that wished they had brought different footwear, coats and better protection for their camera gear.

I can't wait to read about this after the event. In fact I am very tempted to fly over to watch the fun ;)

lol... I think your right there!!!

Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting a great day's photographs, I'm just hopeing the g/f (using my little Olympus) will enjoy it as much as me.

Matt, feel free to offer up any more hints and tips as I'd be very gratefull, I've allready been looking round the house for a clear plastic bag :)

Steve, might be worth checking EasyJet on the chance that you might get a cheap flight, even if it is just for the day, it'd be great to meet you along with everyone else.
 
Sonsey said:
lol... I think your right there!!!

Steve, might be worth checking EasyJet on the chance that you might get a cheap flight, even if it is just for the day, it'd be great to meet you along with everyone else.

It's not so much the cost as the time and family implications. I have so much going on here that needs my attention while I am still motivated that taking a day or two out from that would just knock it so far back that I can't currently spare the time. Then if I did fly over I would be duty bound to drop in and visit my folks and as they live in different parts of the country that again makes the quick trip into a mini break, if I missed any of them out I would never hear the last of it.

Seriously I would love to attend and meet some old friends and say hello to some new but realistically there is absolutely no chance. Maybe next time.
 
Does anyone own a Nikon that's going? If not, I won't bring the 2nd 600mm (M/F).
 
None in my bag... I wish there was just so I could get to have a go with that baby.

p.s. Your a top man for offering to bring it up for other's to use :thumb:
 
Right, after our recce today i have a few hints and tips !

1) Be prepared for a walk if you want to get up close and personal
2) Do not take too much stuff with you, i had all my kit and it was way too much lol (a suggestion for what you may need, rucksack, drink, snack, camera, flash maybe if shadows like today, tripod, and a zoom lens, maybe a wide angle but doubt you would need it)
3) Parking is a pound in a field.
4) Be prepared to get wet, wellies or decent boots a must, waterproof trousers or something you dont mind getting wet while laying on the sand.

I am sure Matt will correct me if i missed something.

Will post a couple of pics once i have processed em :)

Was a great day with Matt and his family
 
Maybe stating the obvious here but how about taking a pair of gloves as well. Once your hands become cold it takes all the fun out of photography.
 
Steve said:
Maybe stating the obvious here but how about taking a pair of gloves as well. Once your hands become cold it takes all the fun out of photography.

Good point Steve, i didnt have any today and didnt feel i needed them, but thats not to say next time will be warmer, a hat is pretty essential though !

Oh and also a clear plastic bag big enough to get your camera and lens in, to keep the elements off, remember sand and salt water do not mix well with either unless you have a 1D !
 
I met up with Ian this weekend to see what was about.
The first wave of seals are on the beach, with only a few pups being around.
Still plenty of subjects to shoot though.

The weather wasn't that bad, so we didn't need to cover the kit with bags.
You do get the odd bit of sand on the gear though, so it might be an idea to cover your kit.

Travel light, it was hard work walking back with a bag full of kit on your back.

The roast pork bap was excellent from the sandwich bar, along with a hot cup of tea.

Some samples.

MEP-XC7E4166.jpg


MEP-XC7E4096.jpg


MEP-XC7E4070.jpg
 
Lovely shots Matt. Is that last one seal porn? :D

I wish I could make this trip - too much to do though. :(
 
Thanks CT

I think it might be, they chased each other about quite a bit.

Its a pity you can't make it.
 
I will be travelling over to Donna Nook with planned arrival time between 09:00 - 09:30.

Directions
You should enter North Somercotes on the A1031.
Not long after you enter the Village, keep your eye out for the white signs for Donna Nook.
You'll be led down the road through a right/left dog leg, from there it is straight down to the car park.
If you arrive early enough you may get a space in the main carpark (which isn't very big).
If no spaces are available you'll have to park in the farmers field, charge £1 per car.
I will try to take as much room up as possible with my car (if i get in the main carpark), to allow for others to be able to slip in when they arrive.:whistling


If all who are attending can please send me a PM, I will forward you my mobile number so you can get in touch on the day.:thumb:

Don't forget to wrap up.
 
Does anyone have advice on the best route to Donna Nook from the midlands? Options for me are:
  • M69, M1 J21A, then A46 past Lincoln, etc
  • M69, M1 , M18, M180 etc around 35 miles longer but mainly motorway
Thanks
Mark
 
M1
M18
M180
A180
A16 @ Grimsby
Turn left onto High St/Station Rd @ North Thorsbury
Turn right onto the A1031 to North Somercotes.

See my post above for more info.
 
Ok, well I've done the route finder thingy and the journey will take about 3hrs 45mins... so we'll probably be arriving around 10ish.

I've got the warm weather clothes (+ I think I'll bring a change just in case), got a couple of clear plastic bags to put round the camera and kit bag (great tip Matt), 2 extra batteries arrived in the post yesterday... I think I'm good to go :)

Anymore last minute hints or tips before I fly over?

See you all there :thumb:
 
After the last couple of flights your probably right... You don't half know that we're into the winter weather when your coming into land on a plane :smoking: :nut: :eyesup:
 
Sonsey said:
After the last couple of flights your probably right... You don't half know that we're into the winter weather when your coming into land on a plane :smoking: :nut: :eyesup:

Try landing in -37 degrees in finland ;) Mind you they do know how to cope with the weather there ! lol

We have a guest joining us for the day on Sunday :) maybe 2 !

Guy i met at the Wolf place is interested in coming to see the seals, his name is Peter Cousins, his site is here will see if we can get him to join our ranks :)
 
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