I finally tracked down and fixed an annoying problem I’ve been having with my Sony Vaio notebook. The pagefile would continue growing until it was full and then no other applications could run. The problem was being caused by a piece of wireless networking software that was writing to the pagefile but not releasing the memory it had written.

David called in to use my computer, he still hasn’t finished re-installing software on his.

Received a parcel from Claire today with photos and other interesting things. 🙂

Welsh class this evening, it’s really difficult getting back into it after the long break.

I thought I’d post a few pictures from my Fuji F11 point and shoot camera showing how I prepare photographs for mounting in a Jorgensen E series album (the glare on the gloss images is from my worklight).

The first stage is to unroll some of the 3M pressure mount film and gently press down the photograph to hold it in place. This photograph shows two 10×8 prints (for parent albums) having the mounting film applied.

The roll of mounting film is then trimmed from the top of the print, next using the straight edge as a guide the mounting film is trimmed flush with all the edges of the print using a sharp scalpel. The mounting film will stick aggresively to anything that comes in contact with it!

The individual prints are then placed face down on the release paper and squeeged on the back using the blue squeege blade shown in the photograph to make the pressure bond to the back of the photograph.

The final stage is to remove the backing, align the print on the album page and then applying the release paper to the face of the print squeege over the top of the print to make the bond to the album page permanent.

A relaxing breakfast and chat with Mary and Bob who run the hotel. Here are a few more photographs, the hotel is situated on the side of the river.

Here’s a photograph of the river form the bridge next to the Cross Keys.

And here’s a photograph of the hotel from the bridge.

And here’s a photograph of the fireplace in the dining room.

Then after breakfast the drive back home, luckily there were no problems and we made excellent progress.

Now I just have to get through all the emails and messages!

An early breakfast this morning and then Claire called over to escort us to RAF Marham.

We were welcomed by Sqn Ldr ‘Rem’ Merrick the CRO at RAF Marham who after coffee introduced us to his assistant Denise and then gave as an audio visual presentation on the history and current role and structure of RAF Marham, together with the background to the station crest.

We were then very privileged to be allowed to visit the section within the Tornado Components Squadron where James worked and gain a fascinating insight into his role and meet with and chat to a number of his colleagues.

It was then off to the Officers Mess for lunch and here’s a photograph of us chilling out in the mess after lunch.

It was then off to IX Squadron for an up close look at the Tornado GR4. I spent rather a lot of time sitting in the cockpit, well I haven’t flown for a while and never anything quite as high tech as a Tornado. 🙂 The RAF photographer took lots of photographs of our visit – unfortunately I couldn’t persuade him to swap his D2X for my Fuji F11 point and shoot. 🙁

Then to the basketball final which coincidentally was between two teams “The ECM Jammers” and “Jonesy’s Boys” made up of players from the two shifts from James’ section. It was a very close and fiercely fought game with Jonesy’s Boys winning by one point, final score being 27-28.

We then returned to the hotel to change into something more casual for the evening at the music club at RAF Marham.

The basketball competition and music club plan to donate the proceeds to James’ favourite charity The Kidney Wales Foundation.

We had a most enjoyable and interesting day and extend our very grateful thanks to RAF Marham and Jame’s colleagues for their kind invitation and welcome.

Travelling to Norfolk today for an official visit to RAF Marham. James played basketball for the RAF and they’ve commissioned a cup in his name which will be presented for the first time tomorrow to the winning team at a Basketball competition that they plan to run annually.

Stopped for lunch here just after Monmouth and before the M50, the food was very good.

Tried out the new satellite navigation system and it worked without problems and directed us straight to the Cross Keys House at Hilgay (near Downham Market) where we’ll be staying for the next couple of nights. a lovely large room complete with a four poster bed. The whole place is decorated with china dolls and an assortment of doll’s house items.

Here’s a photograph of the room.

Here’s a photograph of the doll that ‘lives’ on the bed.

and here’s a photograph of the minature tea set from the dressing table.

Claire came over from RAF Marham and we went to the Bell Inn at Denver for a few drinks and a nice meal. Here’s Claire demonstrating how to use two phones at once!

It’s been a very mixed year!

Business has been very good, lovely couples and weddings and bookings for next year are higher than at the same time last year.

Personally it’s been a mixed year, David passed his driving test and has been consuming significant amounts of petrol from my spare can ever since, Paul is much better organised and apart from a few breakdowns caused by a failing battery hasn’t needed to ‘call me out’.

However it has been a very difficult year since the tragic death of our eldest son James in a motor bike accident in Norwich in July. The support from our family, many friends and photographers both in this country and across the world has been tremendous. I was very fortunate to have such great support both from the local members of the Master Photographers Association and the international group of wedding photographers that I’m a member of. I had numerous offers of business help but fortunately I was able to carry out all the scheduled work without external help but it is very comforting to know that such great and generous help is there if needed.

We’re hoping that personally 2006 is going to be a much better year!

Seven of us around the table for lunch today in addition to Chris and Laura we were joined by my mum and my sons Paul and David. Here’s a photo I grabbed of Paul taken with the Fuji F11 digital point and shoot.

and here’s one taken by Paul of David trying to find a cheaper on-line car insurance quote.

Chris and Laura left after lunch to drive back to Norwich.

Took the girls to the Hollybush for Sunday lunch, everyone had roast beef but with a mix of desserts, Claire had just custard, Gill had cheescake and I had the apple pie and custard.

We then strolled around the corner to visit my mum, here’s a photo of Claire, Mum and Gill.

Claire and Gill left at around 4:30 for the long drive back to RAF Marham.

A late lunch at Harry Ramsdens and then a leisurely stroll around, visiting the Millennium Centre, passing the new Assembly building which is still under construction and taking in the changes since we were there last.

A snap of Gill with statues, Gill is a F1 fan, in case you can’t tell from the jacket!

A few more snaps of Cardiff Bay at dusk.

A relaxing evening watching old British comedy on the television.