ABBAtastic ..

I clearly remember watching ABBA win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, and it's true to say their music's been a constant in my life. I even took a girl to see 'Abba The Movie' on my first ever date. (It featured a photo-call with the group on the steps of Sydney Opera House and was the first time I'd ever seen a group of press photographers 'at work'. I was so into it that I took my poor date to see the film again the next night!)

Anyway, I'm as excited as anyone to hear they're releasing new music later this year, and look forward to hearing it. Having the group back in the news reminded me of one of my favourite jokes.

Which is my favourite from Abba? The blond, but I wish he'd shave his beard off!!

I thank you ..

Everything's vine ..

I was once bought a pair of vines as a 'Thank You' gift by a young couple whose Wedding I'd photographed. Little did I know that, within a few years, I'd be tying those vines into those we've 'inherited' at our house in France. So it was that, yesterday evening, I spent time training a red and a white variety of grape into the established hedge at the back of the garden. The sun was setting, a kestrel hovered in the air above and the latest residents in our gîte tell us they are "astonished" at how good it is. Yes, I'm delighted to say that everything's going vine ..

Saint George ..

It's St. George's day today - he being the patron saint of Belfast, as any fule kno. I was lucky enough to photograph the great George Best on two occasions, and am pleased to say I asked him for his autograph. It says a lot that I neglected to ask Ryan Giggs for his! Such a shame that Best's life went the way it did but hey, the man enjoyed himself and you can't say more than that.

Despite my claim to be uninterested in football, I'm delighted that Man U are back in the FA Cup Final and I look forward to watching them beat Chelsea in a few weeks time. It'll be the second time I've watched the Cup Final from 'abroad' .. I remember getting up at about 2am to watch the 1991 final from New Zealand .. a few of us 'Brits' huddled around a tiny TV set in the reception area of a backpackers' hostel in Auckland. Great memories. They're the best!

Over to you, La Galerie ..

I thought I'd hand today's blog over to La Galerie, our gîte in Loubillé, France .. and it can let you know how it's getting on. (What do you mean, a gîte can't write? I'll have you know our gaff does its own 'Gîte Tweets'! ..

'Hi Martin, and thanks for letting me take over your blog today. It's a great opportunity for me to tell you how busy I've been lately. At the moment I have an English family staying with me - they've been here for quite a few weeks now as they're in the middle of buying their own house in France. It's been lovely to give them somewhere to call 'home' whilst they get everything organised, and such fun to host their pets, as dogs are always welcome here. Next week I have a French family staying with me. A couple from Normandy are staying for a week with their parents from La Rochelle. Really looking forward to meeting them, and I'll soon be buying wine, bread and other goodies to make up their Welcome Basket.

I've had a bit of 'tarting up' done in my front garden, and now have a lovely private gravel drive for my guests to park on. A new set of garden furniture and a lick of paint on my walls and shutters is on the cards too, now that the weather's perking up. (It's going to be 26 degrees later this week. Good job I have a cooling ceiling fan in my spacious lounge!)

Yes, spring is making itself known all around me. At the moment I'm surrounded by gorgoeus fields of yellow rape-seed, and buds, blossom and fresh lime green leaves are appearing everywhere. It won't be long until I'm back to my full summer loveliness. Lots of wildlife is reappearing, too. Hundreds of cranes flew over my head on their way back north, and a hoopoe called in yesterday. I have goldfinches, skylarks, black redstarts and long-tailed tits twittering above my head and birds of prey hovering in the fields around me. The swifts and house martins are back and, for the last two mornings, I've heard a cuckoo calling from the nearby woods.  I often spot deer and hares in the fields, and lots of butterflies are starting to enjoy my garden.
 
My friend 'Entre-Pote', the local bar in the village, has thrown some great party nights recently, to which my guests are always welcome. They do a great line in lunchtime meals, too. I'm so lucky to have this lively place just around the corner.

My owner (Yes you, Martin) had a busy day recently when he staged a 'Photo-Walk' around the village, teaching keen amateur photographers how to use their cameras. The photographs here are some that my owner took yesterday. Don't forget he offers One-Day camera workshops for anyone that stays with me. What a great way to spend a day of your holiday.

I'm lucky to be surrounded by some gorgeous chateaux, and they're all busy dusting down and opening up after their winter breaks. The cycling's getting good too, now that the weather's improving. If you don't want to bring over your bikes, don't forget I can organise 'wheels' for you when you're here. 

My bookings are looking good for the summer, although I still have some dates available. Check out my web-site for availability.

Thanks again, Martin. Maybe I can give you another update in the summer? Ciao for now. La Galerie x'

Brilliant. Thanks for the update and yes, catch you in the summer. Have a great Spring!

A boy named Mo ..

A lot of my friends know me as 'Mo'. It's a nickname I've had for almost forty years, from when my old photographic manager used to mark up the office diary - to allocate jobs to each of his photographers - and wrote what he thought were my initials next to the jobs he wanted me to do. So how lovely to see 'my name' in lights - or at least in old metal framing and a blossom-covered bush - when we went for a walk yesterday. Yo Mo, how's it hanging?..

Take another road ..

Another Monday morning, another day to do whatever the hell I like. I'm really getting the hang of this retirement mullarkey. I say 'retirement' because - despite my trying to dress it up - it seems I really have retired from work. I've come to accept that there's no realistic chance of me shooting weddings or PR over here and, to that extent, I've stopped promoting myself as a photographer. The frenzy of 'real-life' is over, and now I'm quite content to potter in our garden, or to see new friends for beer or a meal, or to simply sit and watch as our first French Spring unrolls in front of us. I've had time to re-edit my book, 'The Boy who missed Next Year', and have even started to write two new stories. Yep, as much as I loved the rush and the adrenaline of photography, I'm now quite happy to sit back and let the world wash over me. I've taken another road. It's bliss!