When I first met the man who was to become my husband, he was a founder member of a local camera club and a group within it called "Vision 70". One of my first encounters with Richard was when he had heard that I was very musical. He called me over to his part of the office in which I was at that time working, and asked me if I'd be willing to look through some of his slides and suggest some music to go with them.

Well this was the beginning of the rest of my life! I did as he asked, and immediately became interested in photography also - mainly so that I could take a pro-active part within the club.

Back then of course, we were doing analogue photography, mainly in slide format, and one of the things the Vision 70 group did was to put on slide shows using a duo-fade system (designed by Richard), of our local area, i.e. Hardy's Dorset. (Some may be aware that the infamous Thomas Hardy was born, lived his life, and wrote his many books, in this area).

The shows were so popular that they would be booked out every weekend, which was when enough club volunteers were free to manage the equipment and show them.

It was all great fun, and as time went on, I gradually began to develop my own photographic skills, right up to 1996, when I developed Myalgic Encephalopathy, became bedridden for many months, and have subsequently until very recently, had to put photography on the back-burner.

I'm thrilled to say that a few months ago, my husband bought me a Canon EOS 400D, and only this week after making do with the 17-55mm kit lens, I acquired a Canon 17-85mm zoom lens with image stabilisation - a necessity for me since I cannot take a tripod around with me because of its added weight (unless we're going inside a building just for the purpose of photographing its architecture).

I've been able to do some walking again, which is an intermittent thing according to my wellness at any time, but during those better days and subject to weather conditions, I've been able to accompany Richard on some shoots. OK, this has entailed him putting his hand against the small of my back and gently pushing me up any hills we encounter and the walks have not exceeded a mile overall either. But we've managed to find some suitable areas where there isn't too far to go in order to find some dramatic scenery.

With the introduction of Digital - a wonderful invention - I have needed to do a lot of re-learning, and of course there is an awful lot that I had also forgotten over the years of disability. (The same applied to art in general sad to say!)

We don't have beautiful ice and snow scenes here, and much of the drama to be found in places like the Grand Canyon are just not an option for us, but nevertheless, England, Ireland and Scotland have some amazing scenery, even from the lower heights that I'm able to achieve - or from anywhere higher up where we can take our car of course.

My aim is to improve my skills. I want constructive critique! Please, no slamming or destructive negativity, but I know anyone who knows Photography as a subject, will be gentle. I'm relying on this!


Some Random Interesting And Hilarious Facts

At the end of that initial meeting with Richard in our office, he gave me his card with his home telephone number on it as well as the camera club's address and phone number.

The very weekend following that discussion I was moved from that office to another one, as I was a key-worker and the job required flexibility. I was devastated as I was sure I would never see Richard again.

As I sat in another office just a little further along from Richard, I could see him through the glass partitions, and I was willing him to come and ask me out. He didn't, and at the end of the day, I reluctantly took the bus to the B&B where I was staying at the time.

Back at the guest house I became incredibly depressed and had nothing to do of any interest. Then I remembered that someone had told me Richard often used to go to London. I had all my belongings up in London, and wanted them brought down to where I was. I wondered... I got the card out and looked at Richard's phone number...

I took the plunge and phoned him, asking him when he was likely to go to London again, and would he be willing to take me with him to collect my stuff.

Twenty-five minutes later, Richard was ringing the guest house bell.

This was the beginning of a life-long relationship! I had to get a divorce from my first husband who had gone off with another girl who had had his twins. He saw me through everything; we bought a house together, and as they say, lived happily ever after - almost! (My illness has not been conducive to a life of happiness!)

We arranged for our wedding day to be 10th August 1974, after my divorce was through.

My Decree Absolute came through much earlier than anticipated so we actually married on 8th June 1974.

After the wedding we went and collected my wedding dress!!!!!!

We had been invited out to a meal with lots of our photographer friends that evening. While we were there, we announced our marriage, and everyone went into shock! It was SUCH fun!

The following day, the person who's house we'd had the dinner at, took our Wedding photos for us, with his beautiful gardens as our setting.

So as not to totally offend all Richard's relatives (mine didn't count), we held a Blessing Ceremony at the same church where we had married, followed by a meal at a local hotel, when I again donned my beautiful wedding dress, and treated it as though this were our actual wedding. (I hated every minute of it as it seemed like a complete façade!! )

So there you have it! I'm sure we've done many more things back to front since then, but that's how it all began...