Second Place!

I'm very pleased to say I got a second place at the Thames 21 Photographic competition this year. This was a great bit of news especially as the other entrants were all of a very high standard. My entry is called Autumnal Fantasy and here it is.

The scene was shot at Kew Bridge (you can see it in the background) about 2 years ago and is one of my favourites.. So I'm really glad it's got some recognition.

China 2012

At the start of June 2012, I travelled around China for 3 weeks. Not a lot of time in such a big country. Visits had to be picked carefully and time used wisely while I was there. So the main attractions had to be covered - this meant remaining on the Eastern side moving from city to city using various forms of transportation.

Trip to Corfe Castle in Dorset, England.

Looking up at the castle from south west..

I've often seen and admired images from Dorset but one place in the county nearly always comes up first in a search; Corfe Castle. This sleepy little English village lays on the A351 halfway between Wareham and Swanage.

The Games Maker...

So as a few of you already know I'm going to be helping out at the Olympics when it comes to town this summer. I got a volunteer role as a 'Games Maker', which means I'll be helping London to deliver the best that we can offer to the world.

Light-Stream Photography

Long exposure photography can be a bit hit and miss so to speak. However, I've been capturing lightstreams for years now and have learned a few tips along the way, so I thought I might share a few with you..

Break the Myth

I've been involved in the Meningitis Trust now for a few years and I was pleased when they got in touch asking me to get creative with their latest project. The trust actually turned 25 this year - so happy birthday to them! What better way to celebrate than to smash a glass... now, we are not talking about after a drink - no. We are talking about smashing the rash myth.. I'll let the guys from the trust explain what we mean..
It is a common misconception that a meningitis rash appears in every case of meningitis. This is not true. If someone has meningitis but not septicaemia, they will not have a rash that does not fade, but they can still be seriously unwell. Never wait for a rash!

So smashing the glass here is like smashing the myth - "Remember, the glass test is not a myth! It's just not the ONLY symptom of meningitis." Don't wait or it maybe too late.



The above photo was taken at 1/800 of a second - freezing the glass as is smashed throwing the blue liquid into the air. My idea is to make the frame STOP to make your mind STOP and think about what we are saying here. Maybe take the time to read a page on the subject to help save lives and realise the danger signs.. View the Meningitis Trust page HERE

For those of you interested I've also compiled a video of me making the picture you see above.. you only get one shot - you have to make it count and that's true about the signs and symptoms on meningitis.. STOP and act now.



I'm running the London Marathon 2012 for the Trust - you can sponsor me HERE

thanks for your time x

Moving away from HDR..

HDR or High Dynamic range is using for many different things in post processing. Usually it helps with blown out skies and improve details on textures like wood.. However, when the shot is blown up and looked at closely, blotchy pixels can be seen - especially in the sky.

Competition Winner

I recently entered a photographic competition run by The Independent Hostel Guide and Berghaus. I'm very pleased to say that they have chosen my shot as their winner! Details on IHG website... http://www.independenthostelguide.com/blog/photo_competition_winner .

Here's a view of the winning shot...

Thames 21 Photo Competition 2011

It was nice to be selected as a finalist for this years Thames 21 photo competition again - sadly I did not win but I did not expect to and seeing the other entries I was not surprised - very high standard and some great original shots... Here's me with my image.

Climbing

Being scared of heights and also getting the odd spell of vertigo - climbing is not the first thing you might have thought I'd be trying out.. But that's exactly why I wanted to.
The last time I was climbing was up a tree as a kid and back then the height factor wasn't an issue. The fact is, I do a lot of walking up mountains and a bit of scrambling so I wanted to know about climbing and the ropes to become more confident.

Landscape photography for novices

"living life on the edge"

Landscape photography is a thing that at any one time in our lives, most of us will attempt. Whether its a job or just a memory for the holiday snap collection. If you are serious about it like myself, you will already know it's not as easy as it looks: early starts, patient planning and bad weather are just a few of the important things that go into the making of a good landscape shot.

Marathon des Sables: NUTRITION

Photo (C) Mark Gillett

I'm covering nutrition and drink here as both combine to give an important diet while in the desert. The MdS rules state you must have at least 2000 calories per day (7) which obviously totals 14,000 calories.. you can get stopped at any time during the race or at camp and spot checked - this means you ALWAYS have to have the minimum requirements for each day..

Having said this i'm going to cover fluids first.. you are given aprox 10-11 litres of water per day at various stages - this water is used for everything including washing, cleaning, soaking, hydrating foods, cooling and of course drinking. Because you sweat a lot you are actually given 120 salt tablets to take - thats about 18 a day and they are just swallowed whole - you can't taste the salt.. I also took with me my trusted Enduralites Powder as it is fairly taste free and mixes with water easy - I mixed one (tiny) scoop with 500ml of water at all check points.. on hot days (40+) I also took plenty of salt tabs and never suffered with cramp.

Nutrition in one tiny scoop (about a quarter of a teaspoon)

Sodium (as Sodium Chloride)	40 mg.
Chloride(as Sodium Chloride)	60 mg.
Calcium (Chelate)	50 mg
Magnesium (Chelate)	25 mg
Potassium (Chelate)	25 mg
Vitamin B-6 (Pyrodoxine HCL)	6.7 mg
Manganese (Chelate)	1.6 mg
L-Tyrosine	17 mg
Glycine	50 mg

I decided not to take any flavoured drinks as in testing i found the taste to get on my nerves after a while.. However, someone gave me one energy drink while out there and if going again I would take one for each day - but no more. A lot of people complain and wished they had not bought as many...

FOOD:
I went out to get my 2000 calories with just 2 products a day..

1) Expedition Breakfast - 2 portion (a whopping 1,300 calories)

carbohydrates	153 g
protein	30 g
fat	72 g

2) Pasta Bolognese - 2 portion (1,000 calories)
carbohydrates 150 g
protein 38 g
fat 25 g


One in the AM and one at night.. easy.. Ok so the breakfast was ok all week but as the week went on I couldn't eat the whole thing and was forced to cut it in half and lose the spare.. My stomach had obviously shrunk - however the food still tasted ok - even though I was having the same thing everyday! The pasta was perfect all week - I only lost one packet - the 7th day as when we got to the finish it was not needed.
To make either of these you just add boiling water and leave for about 6 minutes..


Snacks were important on the go also.. I took the following:

Trek Peanut & Oat energy bars (7) one for each day - each bar is 68g

Per 100g: Energy 1472kJ/352kcal, Protein 16g, Carbohydrate 49g, Fat 11g
M&M's Peanut flavour - 250 Cl per packet - and NO they didn't melt. even with temps over 50C
SIS Go Gel - Tropical flavour (4)
Cl 100 ; Carb 22g Protein 1g Sodium 10mg
ZipFit ZV7c energy gels (3)
Calories 200 , Carbs 51g per sachet!!
Super trail mix (3) 125g per packet
per 100g:
Energy 447 Cl, Protein 9g, Carbohydrate 41g, Fat 30g
all the above products went down very well apart from the ZipFit gels - they were too sticky and sweet.. very tough to digest on a hot day! I had to drink a lot of water with them - great for carbs but just too thick and sweet i'm afraid - however, that's just my opinion. Trail mix and M&M's complimented each other very well and I would change anything only have SIS gels only and maybe 2 per day or at least half as many more.

After the race I'd have two recovery products...

Peporami (7)
126 Cl Fat 11g Carbs 0.6g Protein 6.1g Sodium 40mg




Muscle & Size gainer by Precision - 1.5 scoops mixed with 350ml water
aprox 400 Cl, 65g Carb, 30g Protein



I wrapped the Precision powder in individual bags - 7 of them. Both these products were brilliant!.. The Peperami was especially good - eating when you have a dry mouth is not east but this is quite fatty and therefore easy to digest.. might think of taking more in similar circumstances..
In all my nutrition was very good - i'd change a couple of things - maybe take single portion breakfasts only OR mix my own and take that... leave out the ZipFit gels and I'm good to go.. Nutrition was never a problem for me - I believe it's a basic need to just stick to the rules of balance and the body adjusts as you go on... Salt and Water and imperative to having a good run - even more so in this climate - test your products first - know your body and stick to these rules like clockwork.

http://raywise.co.uk/

MDS: What worked and What didn't

When you take part in a challenge like the MdS you need to weigh up the pros and cons of taking certain items with you.. Remember, you have to carry EVERYTHING with you on route so you take what you need or might need only.. I've created two lists below of items I took - and underneath whether or not it was used and if it was worth taking etc... So first off the items you have to take with you as per MDS rules:


Compulsory Stuff!!

Backpack or equivalent (best suited to each participant)
I took the OMM 32l Classic with me and a Raidlight Front Pack.. I did find the front pack very useful but it didn't fit very well and gave me sore shoulders.. The OMM Backpack was excellent both for size and weight.. it was comfy too and what I had used most in training.. top marks!
Sleeping bag
Travelpak Lite - Snugpak Lightweight Sleeping Bag : Awesome.. light - cheap and with a base layer on was perfect for the night - it has a built in pocket and a net you can zip over your face to keep bugs out.
Torch with spare batteries
Petzl headlamp - had 3 settings, very bright, dim and flashing.. did well and used spare batteries also.
10 safety pins
don't get cheap ones as i did..
Compass with 1&degree; or 2&degree; precision
Easy enough - never used it though.
Lighter
Used plenty.. I would take the camping matches next time though as a lighter is no good in the wind.
Whistle
Attached to Rucksack, never used.
Knife with metal blade
Mtech Black Stainless Steel Blade Red Handle. Great knife - used plenty.
Tropical Disinfectant
Iodine.. used. worked.
Anti-Venom pump (insect poison remover)
Unused.
Signalling mirror
Unused,
One aluminium survival sheet
Unused.

The rest is my own choice of equipment.
My Stuff...

Camera
Lumix FX700... great for photos and video! Small & lightweight.
2 * Camera spare battery
used both
Camera spare memory
used but i don't think it was needed (16GB)
Watch
Took my Timex Ironman watch - it has a stopwatch and night light.. worked well and was used plenty too.
Iphone
Used to blog only - everything else was turned off.. lasted week without charging.
ZipLoc Bags
Very handy and good for sealing out the air.
Stickers & Pen for bags
Didn't use this or take with.
Socks
Took 2 x Inji's and 2 x Wrightsocks for daytime and a compression pair for nights.. After day two I only wore the Wrightsocks due to feet swelling up.
Pants
Nike compression 2 pairs. - I'm used to them - they work for me.
Vest
Nike compression - 2 one day one night.. again these work really well.
Shorts
2 pairs one for day one for night.. perfect.
Short sleeve t shirt
HH Dryfit..Day times just the one.
Long sleeve t shirt
HH Warm : For the evenings - slept in this - perfect!
Leggings
HH for cool evenings.. didn't use but would take again just in case - as they are so lightweight.
Hat
Trek Mates desert hat.. did the job well - has cooling crstals in rim - this helped too.
Gaitors
Silk - Sandbaggers.. they worked well as they could - need to be a good fit though and doen't kick rocks with them or they will get holes!
Trainers
INVO8 Roclites.. Great shoes for climbing and didn't let in sand - I might get something with more padding under foot though if i did it again - as they don't make good walking shoes.. 1 whole size larger worked for me.
Sunglasses
Poloroid with Strap..worked well on windy day but didn't wear them much as we faced away from sun most of the time.
Antiseptic wipes
Work well but then you do have a medical tent....
Riemann P20 Suncream
Blocks sun completely and only one application a day! Expensive stuff but worth every penny.
Toilet paper
I took 3 packets of Kleenex Handy tissues - 8 per packet - usually for blowing your nose.. they were perfect for the bum and other cleaning uses.
Gaffer tape
Essential! I didn't take much but i got away with it.. very handy!!
First Aid kit
I'd cut down on this next time completely.. Use Dr Trotter instead.
Lanacane
Brilliant anti chaffing gel!.. worked very well - one application a day!
Water purification tablets
Didn't use but good for an emergency.
Cooking tin & lid
Used the Blacks mess tin - fairly heavy but did the job well - ate from it too and its fairly easy to clean.
Spork
Yes.
Wind Buff
These are great as they have a few uses.. GET ONE!
Flip Flops
Took my Baffin slippers! BRILLIANT MOVE.. used as shoulder straps too..
Cable ties
Don't bother.
Large Needles and strong thread
Used on gaiters.. handy, light, so take it.
Toothpaste & Brush
Essential bit of kit.
Ground mat
I took a blue thin thing.. not again! Carpet is in tent but rocky underneath.. take something comfy for sure!
Ear plugs
Used one night but kept falling out due to sand in ear.. hmm.. take them they are light - you never know how is in your tent...
spray hand sanitizer
from the pound shop - Detol hand gel - alcohol based - does the job.
walking poles
I left these out and would do again.

I'll cover food on another day as it gets quite intricate ;)

http://raywise.co.uk/

MDS 2011 my story

It's hard for me to explain why i entered the Marathon des Sables... Ever since i saw a Channel Four program on it i was hooked... This looked like the ultimate test for body and mind- something different, something unique.

Mds update

Sorry to not write after race day 5.. I had to go straight to medical as my right foot had inflamed twice the size on the ankle.. Basically i had to limp the whole day which took ages, i had a few tears at the end and went off to doc's. Aparantly i have an infection so iwas given pain killers and antibiotics..
Today was the last day and although it was short it was long and painful again.. Ive limped thrw the last two days remembering your messages which have really kept me motivated, so thanks:)
More tears today as i passed about 10k and although i was in a world of pain i knew then that i would finish , and finish i did! Everything was worth it in the end,
more to come when i return home...

As you can see i have a rather swollen right ankle!


Sent from my iPhone

great day 5 & 6 for Ray

As all of you that are following Ray will notice he has rocketed up the race positions to a staggering 374 out of the 900 runners. Day 6 is a rest day for the quick runners, a girl from Rays tent is still running yesterdays 51 mile race that started at 9am on day 5, he says yesterdays race was his toughest so far, he managed to push through non-stop in temperatures of 45C.
Ray said there were a couple of dark moments during the race but he managed to push through and finish in a great time. check out the website for his times its quite impressive & he was second to finish home out of his tent group!!!. Ray states one of his goals is to finish in the top 50% of all runners, its going to take determination and a lot of hard work but he knows we are all cheering him on. He loved the suggestion from Al who demanded he sprints for the finish line & says he will try. lol
No news on his blisters but he does say his feet and ankles have swollen up quite badly.   :O(
he really appreciates the emails he is getting as it helps him through some difficult times and cannot wait to see everyone on the 15th for a well deserved party.
Its a great idea to check up on how he is doing and video links at :-
http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php
on behalf of Ray i would like to thank everyone who has donated, if not there is still time on :-
http://www.justgiving.com/mds2011

thanks for your time. GO RAY GO !!!!

Day 3 of Ray's MDS Challenge

Ray sent me a short email today as the queue for the emails was very long but here are the details.
"today was my best day so far as i ran 75% of the route", he said it was very tough with at one point climbing  1.6km.
 Bad news was it was ridiculously painful on his feet, he had to see the doctor 30 minutes into the race as both his heels blew up and he had 4 blisters all on different toes!!!  ouch
The volcano one from yesterday was a mess (a bit too much details here ) but he is hopeful they will be fine for todays 50 mile run. there may be no email tomorrow as he says he may be too tired to queue up again, he is over the moon for all the notes and emails he has been receiving so keep it up guys and gals as i think it is really helping him. You can send messages on the website below, select write to a competitor..
http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php
and don't forget the charity website
http://www.justgiving.com/mds2011
Ray is doing something really special here, its obviously not a normal thing to do so lets get behind him. He is taking lots of photos and video for his adventure.

MDS day 2

Ray completed his 38km race. First thingin the morning there was a huge sandstorm which made the going even more tough, it kept up all day. there is a video on the site to show how bad it was. Although he says he had a better day than yesterday and managed to finish quicker over a longer distance, his shoulder feels a lot better especially as he found a new way to use his Baffin slippers.... yep extra thick shoulder straps. lol
The not so good news is he now has a "volcano like blister under his toenail", he hasn't visited the doctor yet but it could be on the cards this morning if it hasn't gone down. (we all know ray, minor ailments are never gonna stop this guy from his goal.... madman).
He even talks about looking forward to the other 112 miles left to do. He says there are 2 girls in his tent who are also suffering really badly with blisters so he can soldier on if they can. Ray has now moved into position 500 of 860 people which is amazing.
remember you can check his times, the sandstorm and a brief update on:-
http://www.darbaroud.com/ entering his race number 880.
and if you feel inspired to donate do it on here:-
http://www.justgiving.com/mds2011  it would be great for him to come back and we have pushed the total to £8000

Day One of Ray's Challenge

Hi everyone, i'm Rob, a friend of Ray who right now is running the Sahara MDS for the Meningitis Trust.
He has asked me to update his blog with news of how he is doing so i will try to do him justice.  :OP
Day one went well having done 33km, through some rocky terrain and huge sand dunes up to 800m high.
Ray walked most of the way except for the first section, he says the temperatures were averaging about 33C so is drinking a lot of water. He is thankfully blister free but his shoulders are aching a bit from carrying the heavy rucksack, he calculates he will be losing about 800 grams a day with the food consumption and such.
He loved his first night under the stars and was looking forward to his 38km race today.

you can follow Ray by going onto:-
http://darbaroud.com/index_uk.php enter his number (880) on the Competitors list to check his times or click on roadbook to get a better understanding of what he is going through each day.

If after you have checked him out you would like to donate or help the charity please click on this link.
http://www.justgiving.com/mds2011 
Thanks for your time.  Go RAY GO !!!

Follow 880...

Ok - I'm just a little bit excited about the Marathon des Sables.. I leave from the UK tomorrow and today is sorting out day.. I have a medical to attend , I get an ECG there and need to take the results to the MdS officials... Haircut - blatantly!! ... Rucksack and luggage packing - must not forgot anything... the lists have been made! Tidy up flat a little and do these last online bits and pieces for you guys... all done in a careful, slow paced and organised way so I don't panic!! ;)

So - when I am away you will be able to 'follow' me online at http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php and my number is 880! This will be avaliable when the race starts and not before!.. The race starts Sunday 3rd April. Currently Morocco is 1 hour behind our clocks in the UK. There will also be video clips and photos on the site at the end of each day's session.

The race will also be televised although details at the moment are sketchy at best... Stations like TV5, Sky & Eurosport will be doing updates similar to the website... information about this can be found here: http://www.darbaroud.com/detail.php?pub=441&langue=en

I hope to get an email out every day which my good friend Rob will post on here and link to my various social networking sites... Otherwise I will be blogging every day and will upload that as soon as I POssibley can after the event - we actually finish on Saturday April 9th! And i'll be coming back to the UK on April 11th...

Party: For those of you who can get to it I'm have a fund-raising / homecoming party on April 15th.. It's at the Chapel Bar, 29a Penton St, London - nearest Tube, ANGEL. It's from 9pm til 3am and a fiver to get in ,,,, ALL proceeds are going to my charity - The Meningitis Trust! To raise the total a little more...

That's it!.. THANKS for all your support and generous donations - I'll be printing out ALL the comments from my photo on Facebook HERE and taking it with me to remind me how supportive you guys are so please add something on there... and see you on the other side X