My Interests
Perhaps the most important things to me are the planet we live on and nature. It doesn't get any easier or more complicated than that. I enjoy the tranquillity of what remains of the countryside in this country, and never tire of visiting new places and travelling the many country lanes. Whether it be a quiet church, in a peaceful location, or a view of relatively unspoilt countryside, with as few buildings as possible, I am interested.
I also enjoy some of the many parks and woods that Kent, in particular, has to offer, and watching and listening to the wildlife is something that inspires and comforts me. However, these are not necessarily the best places for interesting photographs.
My next real passion is photography. My interest began as a child, when I bought my first film camera from a jumble sale, alongside various items of a more "technical nature": a developing tank, a box enlarger and some paper (yes, I even found a box of new Kodak photographic paper at a jumble sale). I soon bought the necessary other objects and converted my small bedroom into a make-shift darkroom. I was frequently chastised by my mother, who had an OCD which prevented her from seeing the fun or interest in anything that made her house dirty or untidy. I persisted, though and achieved some modest results, even with the very crude equipment I had.
With the advent of digital photography, this has allowed me to develop my interest into a business and I am hopeful that I will be able to grow it to the point where I may derive a suitable income, in my "latter" years (if I have any).
I began writing at school, although it was never taken seriously and certainly not encouraged. Neither of my parents are particularly well educated (which was not their fault; the War being responsible for their difficulties in this respect). They, too, didn't encourage my writing, which I found strange and difficult. However, I persisted and, over the years, I have refined my style and, at last, had some recognition, with a number of articles being published online.
Coupled with my love of photography, is my enjoyment of classic, British films. I am a collector of films from the '30s through to the '70s. I have in the region of 800, so far and am always interested in rare titles. However, I do not only collect, I also watch and enjoy the films.
Lastly, I almost regret to say that I have an unhealthy interest in my Jaguar sports car. I don't use it very often (nowadays, it is far more expensive than it should be - as is almost everything). However, I derive much pleasure from routine maintenance and as many repairs as possible, after which a drive into the country is most relaxing. Its upkeep takes me back to the days of my youth, when I used to repair cars for a living.
Of course, though, this journey into my leisure pursuits would not be complete, without a mention of the best - and probably truest - friend I have ever had: my cat. He was born in the garden of my house, alongside five others. After having most of the others rehomed (which was not easy, as they were practically feral), one just disappeared and the remaining furry friend decided he wanted to stay behind. Since I was not averse to having a companion with fur, a tail and an affectionate nature, I invited him to join me (or was it the other way around?) Thus began the enjoyment, love and affection that I have had from Posh Paws. I couldn't really name him "Tiddles" or something like that, so I chose a name that I felt more befitting to both of us. He has never complained, and I must have been doing something right, because we have both benefited from our companionship for the past seventeen years. He is the most precious thing in my life. I do not own him and he has always been free to leave, if he feels it is time to move on. However, I am glad to say he has shown no interest in parting company, and he knows there will always be a place for him in my home and in my life.