Sunday evening, somewhere in the middle of August, summer in the Northeast of England is always a special time for me, I love all of the challenges and joys of being self employed, my favourite part is that I get to spend lots of time with my children and friends during the long summer days, it might not have been the brightest, hottest summer we've ever seen but it's on the whole been pretty good so far I think, I haven't had to wear a coat and that's something.

Since I bought my every day in my handbag camera, my Fuji X70 I thought I'd just take more time to share the general stuff I've been up to, I'm literally never without a camera now, in fact I'm sitting on my super comfy bed with my camera right next to me!

Summer in the Northeast of England is fleeting and you have to remember to record each memory, even if it's only in your mind, the passing sunshine and scattered showers can be as momentary as each new and special memory.  On Friday I was walking along Alnmouth beach with Holly and KT, our friends dog and it was so breezy that the winds were whipping up the sand grains and scattering them in the air, almost sandblasting my calfs,  Holly's ears were stood up at 180 degrees blowing in the freak gusts of what felt like almost storm force winds, at least against my ankles anyway.

Saturday started bright and then became cloud covered only for the sunshine to recover later in the day leading to the most beautiful of evenings, an evening spent walking to the quayside with Iain and Looby, they were hot on the case of Dratini's, I just wanted to take photographs but I can't even begin to tell you of my joy that Pokemon Go has brought us all together for the first time in years, it's got Iain out of his bedroom and it's introduced the concept of evening family walks, a chance to take in our surroundings, enjoy the company of each other, some time to catch up and chat about our days, as I sat there on the Baltic Quays with my dog, my children and I enjoying a Starbucks hot chocolate each I felt  joyous contentment and was at one with my life just for a while.  In as much as I adore and love all of my friends I am at my happiest when I am simply with my children for I know that they will grow up and go their own ways, I embrace each moment of their young lives, a celebration of the now, of the ordinary because it is often the most ordinary of moments which is the loveliest and the most extraordinary.  These are the moments of my life, the moments I live for and the moments I will always remember and cherish for ever.

Dog friendly accommodation in Northumberland - Waterside Cottage, Alnmouth

On a dark, cold windy night just before my birthday, Holly Bobbins, Looby and I set off with our lovely friend Li and her daughter for a luxurious weekend getaway in beautiful Alnmouth on the rugged Northumberland Coastline.  I've always loved Alnmouth, it's my regular place to escape, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it may only be 45 minutes away from Newcastle but it feels like stepping into a different, calmer prettier world, even in winter.

Waterside Cottage is part of a trio of cottages, nestled on the banks of the estuary in Alnmouth, on a clear night it feels like you can see forever.  The dark skies play host to millions of stars light years away, the twinkling eyes looking down at you from the heavens in their masses, it's a stargazers paradise.  When we arrived and got out of the car I stopped, breathless at the sight of them all in the skies up above me.  

When you lead as busy a life as I do, escaping to the countryside as often as you possibly can is an absolute must to keep yourself sane!  I've said this before but single parenting, running a business and a menagerie is not at all for the faint hearted!

Now I may have made our trip sound like a tranquil haven from the madness of daily life but that's not to say that you can't be connected at waterside cottage because you can, all of your needs are catered for, Dishwasher, super fast wifi, huge digital tv, pretty much guaranteed to keep even the most monosyllabic youtube craving teenager happy.  Well that's if you choose to use all of the comforts you have surrounding, you could always ban tv and delve into the pile of games, a round of Monopoly anyone?  You could even tell your children you must go out because you haven't a clue what the wifi password is, just don't tell them I told you to do that ok?!

So that's the kids and you catered for but what about your four pawed friends?  I have to say that no one had more fun than my four pawed travel expert beagle Holly Bobbins, I think twice in the whole of the weekends she went on the lead because you're so safe and secluded there's just no need and of course, you all know Holly Bobbins likes the luxury life, well that's pretty much what she got at Waterside Cottage!

Big windows to watch the world out of, seagulls to try to sneak up on, long sandy beaches to run around, great dog friendly pubs like the Red Lion to have "scwumptious swossidges" and a big luxurious cottage to have the best naps in ever, yes that's one very happy travelling beagle, in fact, she gave the weekend 10 barks out of 10.

It was so lovely of Simone, the owner of the cottages to invite Holly and I to test out the cottages for her and even more lovely that I got to take along one of my very best friends, we had the most relaxing, restful weekends with way too much sticky toffee pudding, Prosecco and other foodie treats you only have on your birthday, suffice to say, even walking 7 miles every day and the waistline on my trousers felt just a little tighter on the journey home. 

If you'd like to book yourself a stay in one of Simones fabulous properties you can visit her owners direct page here, with accommodation starting at just over £100 per night you might just secure yourself the best value luxury cottages in the whole of Northumberland

Here's a few photographs from our wonderful weekend...

Holly Bobbins and I are always looking for more wonderful brands to collaborate with so if you fit the criteria please do get in touch.

The lull in the seasons and the promise of summer

After the noise, fun and chaos of Nethermined last weekend, this weekend has been a whole different story, it's been the first weekend in ages where I haven't worked and it took me about 30 minutes yesterday to have that feeling of thumb twiddling and boredom that I get.

Whilst I think I'm much better at having a work/life balance than I used to be I have to admit that I'm not a fan of not working.  I think maybe it has something to do with the fact that to me photography and writing are so much more than just a job to me.  

I was thrilled this week to find out I'd been nominated in the photography category of the Mad Blog Awards 2015, think the Oscars but related to blogging and you're somewhere near to what winning one would mean to me.  I've blogged now for nearing 10 years and to be rewarded for something I just adore doing would mean the world.  The first stage is about getting as many nominations as possible with a view to making the shortlist so if you're reading this and could spare a moment to nominate me that would make my day/month/year.  I've won awards but this one is the one I want to win, I get nervous just thinking about it, it seems those butterflies that live deep within the tummy surface and flutter around my tummy every time I think of the possibilities.

Speaking of blogging and writing, I've had an idea, I don't want to say too much at the moment because I haven't fully worked out the details yet but I think I might have found away to combine my photography and telling stories with the way that I write, I adore photos but I love the stories that go along with them, that's pretty much the way we can accurately preserve history, I guess I've always done that on a personal level with Scrapbooking but if this idea comes to fruition I could see couples not only going away with photographs from the most special day of their lives so far but also some beautiful words which would preserve history forever.

In the photography sense of the word this week has been a welcomed lull before the madness of summer commences, I've always found that April and the beginning of May heralded a quiet time, possibly due to the bank holidays and unpredictable weather we always get but before long we'll be experiencing long summer days with photography moving to mornings or evenings and late afternoon to avoid the harsh midday sun and take advantage of the yummy soft sunshine you get when you shoot earlier or later in the day.

I think sometimes it's always easy to see when spring starts to dawn but spring into summer is a much less noticeable seasonal change, sometimes it sneaks in so softly you barely notice it and then one day you wake up and there it is, summer is waiting for you, long days, bare feet and shoulders, the switching off of the central heating, the de-cloaking of the winter woolens and overcoats and for me at least the longing to be beside the sea every day.  I adore the beach but in summer being near to the water as often as possible is almost an inner calling.  I guess I'm lucky to live so near to the beautiful Northumbrian coastline and I try to get there as often as possible for away days, weekends and holidays.  There's simply nowhere else like Alnmouth beach in the summer, the warm breezes and sheltered coves make it the destination everyone seems to rush to but it bustles with such a gentle pace, charming children and happy puppies make it my favourite place on earth.  Let me also tell you that I went there for my Birthday day out in February when it was still the most beautiful place on earth but colder than the actual North Pole with a keen wind that cut right through us!  I recommend Alnmouth in spring, summer and early autumn and then I want to hide by the fire during winter!

Almouth Beach in summer, there's nowhere I would rather be.

If you are holding events during summer or you would like to speak to me about travel photography please get in touch via my Website/Facebook or Email

A Tuesday Cornucopia

I sat down to write this post yesterday in the kitchen in the afternoon while I was cooking a chicken dinner (my sons favourite) and doing 43 things at once dear reader, well it's now Tuesday morning, bit late but we got here eventually.

So todays post is a real cornucopia really, lots of things to tell you about!

Firstly on Sunday I celebrated my birthday by spending the morning in beautiful Alnmouth on the beach with Looby, Holly and Petunia.  Holly was also celebrating, she's a whole 8 months old now and she's just the best dog in the whole world, I might have mentioned that once or twice in the past ;)

She's pretty much off lead all the time now in safe places, I do have to say that her beagle deafness was pretty bad on the beach though and I had to go and fetch her from the middle of the golf course at one point, she's a bit spaniel obsessed and easily led once she finds them!

Whilst I wouldn't want a birthday portrait, I think it's essential to have one when you're as cute as Holly the beagle

Have you noticed that Petunia who perpetually has a silly smile on her face actually makes Holly look very serious and a bit grumpy?

In the afternoon we enjoyed the last light of the day in the park at Morpeth, it's one of my favourite Northumbrian places and I love a walk along the river.

The moon had just popped it's head out as I walked over the bridge and caught this with the reflections of the trees in the river, very pretty I thought and a lovely way to spend a birthday!

Business News

due to a cancellation I have availability this weekend for a kids/family/couples photo shoot anywhere in the north east, please do get in touch, it's only £25 for a photo shoot in Jesmond Dene, Saltwell Park or Tynemouth Longsands or at other locations from £40 and you get a complimentary print, web gallery for 30 days, 15% off for the first 7 days your gallery is live and further prints start at £10 for a 7x5, £13 for a 10x8 and £15 for a 12x8, the light is lovely in February and as print and session prices are due to rise at the end of February it's a great time to take advantage of the availability.  Also if you would like to have a photo shoot over the half term holidays could you please book your session quickly so then I can plan my diary around them!  I'll be available on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat or Sunday depending on when bookings come in so pick your place first and then you get the choice!

Mothers Day Sessions

I announced these late last week and there are only 6 sessions still available, for all of the details about this day of very special sessions on Saturday 14th March at Tynemouth Longsands please see this lovely gallery and post all about them but be quick, I don't think there'll be many sessions still available by the end of the week! 

Right then, bit of a jumble but back tomorrow as usual with hopefully some quite exciting news about the future.