I'LL HUFF AND I'LL PUFF..

So once again into I stepped into the breach as I journeyed Northward to continue what is now 'The Bi Coastal Project'. Windswept, cold and damp I fought my way along the cliff tops of the Northumbria coast in search of a masterpiece whilst trying not to think about my soggy long Jones and there constant chaffing. I have mentioned on here many times before my constant battling with the elements as soon as I get my camera out along with my total transformation into the Photographic Beast in a woolly hat. Well today was no different and my fist shaking and choice language began early on as I discovered the tide was going out instead of coming in. Then came the usual coastal downpours which are frequent and a part of the territory along with gusts of wind so strong I managed to break my wind proof brolly. It was not a good time to be at one with the landscape, but determined as always I carried on the search. As my new dark cloth (you may remember the death of the last one as it drifted out to sea) with its weighted corners slapped in my face driving me to the point of murder, the rain stopped and the clouds gave way to heavenly shafts of gold light. A broken fence, some nice grass, a cliff edge and a bit of sea and it was all I needed to save the day and make it all worth while. Two minutes worth of counting in Elephants I had my shot and headed back to the car which I had parked what seemed like thirty miles away. As I walked I thought of the joys of using film and how great I was at pulling off the impossible (as only Doyle can do), I suddenly had that sinking feeling not dissimilar to drinking six blue party cocktails and knowing your going to blow mouthwash coloured chunks. In all my greatness of trying to get that shot, holding down the tripod, counting to one hundred and twenty and imaging the image in a nice big frame, I had forgotten to pull the dark slide.
And then there was thunder.....