A tale of Bink

Rainforest

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:45:09 GMT

Date : 24th Sept 2009
Location : Katoomba

I'm still suffering from jetlag but I don't mind. I took my mid off it by first calling my Dad, England time 07.40 and then my Mum at 08.10 in Lanzarote. Some how waking them up with a 'Well you told me to keep in touch' made my tiredness feel alot better! I didn't do much last night. I wound up in bed at 21.30 and waking up around 01.30. I couldn't get bak to sleep but it did mean I got to watch the sun rise. The winds kept up all night and I was worried about the weather today but it's hot! The skies are totally clear and blue.

I wandered down to the front bar at 07.00 and was suprised to see locals in there drinking already. Sat around with pints and glasses of neat liquer. From what I can gather Katoomba is filled with hippies and gypsies. Most people visited here and then wound up moving here. They either work very hard or not at all and are looking for work. Both are very relaxed. I ordered a coffee and wasn't charged - again. Then I realized I had no cigarettes left and after asking what brand I rathered a local went out and brought me some. He wouldn't accept any money but he did let me buy him a pint. To look at most people here they are a little scruffy, a little rough around the edges like the town itself but they're a nice bunch. Once you've got past the 'are you local' looks and the swearing. It's nice to be in a place where other people sit on the floor ; in the street, in the pub or at the station stop.

Location : Leura Cascades

I just finished walking down the rhidiculous number of steps to the rock pool. Wow! Skipping down the steps to take pictures I couldn't be any happier. The weather is fantastic, the sky is so clear and blue. Most of the walkway is boarded with a rail to help you up and down. But on some of the glat bits theres a break in the rail and I can stand on the edge of the Cascades. I can't resist stepping into the water. I even took off my shoes and socks to enjoy the water rushing around my ankles. The walk to the rock pool is an easy one as long as you don't have an issue with steps!
I continued along a different path, that could take me to Echo point should I have continued, and it tooke me to a view point on the cliff edge. All around were white birds, it was amazing seeing 'Sulpher Crested Cokatoos flying around in their natural environment. I've seen them a dozen times in zoos and as pets but this is so different. They call to each other, the noise reaching out over the valley. I'm sure you must be able to hear them over on the mountains in the distance. It's an endless view of green and blue. Looking over the canopy, of the birds flying around with the mountains in the background. I've never seen anything like it. I found a rock to sit on, on the cliff edge just sit. Just enjoy. It's so beautiful and it's not even the main attraction of the area.

As I sit and wait for the trolly bus to pick me up a private tour arrives. It's a small group of over 60's and they settle down in the picnic area to enjoy some breakfast. Before I know it I'm enjoying breakfast with them. Turns out there is normally more of them so there is plenty of coffee and bannana cake to go spare. In exchange I take some quick snapshots for them before I hop back on the bus.

Location : Tallawarra Lookout, Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

I stayed on the bus for a few minutes and got off at Honeymoon Lookout to walk to EchoPoint. The view from here looks back onto the cascades and viewpoint I was at a short while ago. The view of the canopy is much clearer here and all I can hear are the birds and the rustle of the tree branches. It's quiet of human traffic. No planes or cars to be seen or heard. I'm just sitting again, watching the Cokatoos fly around below me.

Location : Echo point

The walk rund to Echo point was fantastic. The beautiful parrrots were taunting me, still too far away to take a decent photo of them. I was nealy on the main path to the Three Sisters and the Giant Steps when i heard an Australian King Parrot. It was just a clicking to start off but then the call of the bird itself. The parrot was sat in a tree having a feast on the seeds. Close enough to take some pictures and make me very happy indeed.

Location : Trolly Bus pick up point for Skyway, Scenic World

Echo Point to Scenic World via Giants Steps & Federal Pass. Totalling around 3kms. I got lied to big time. I was told the walkway was boarded. Evidently the lady in one of the many 'Buy your tickets from us PLEASE' shop in Katoomba has not done this walk. Only the walks round the base of Scenic World, once you have reached this destination, are boarded. But what a walk! My first ever in a rainforest. I did the walk in a little over 1hr 30mins which makes me a slightly above average walker apprantly. Most of the path was rugid and rough cut out the side of the mountain. No rails here to stop you falling into the canopy! It all seemed rather easy compared to the Giants Steps thoiugh. A very long, very narrow stairway carved out the rock. I can barely believe it's open the the public - despite the numerous signs letting you know that 'if you fall it's your own stupid fault as this sign has warned you it may happen'.

Before this though I went to the viewpoint and looked out over the Three Sisters Properly - very pretty.

The 3 sisters

Still OK....half way down Giant Steps...

Nice bit of path on the Federal Pass

By the time I got on the cable car I was starting to feel a little tired. I've done around 5.5kms today which has taken a harsher toll then I thought with the lack of sleeping thats been going on. The cable car and skyway are well worth the money ($10 each, each way...I got a single on each) for the views, although I can't say it did much for my fear of heights! I'm waiting for the trolly bus again, to head back up to my hostel style hotel. It seems a good time to end, the winds picking up a lot and thers clouds gathering.

Walking through Rainforest Mission Complete.

Cable car Ride TURN VOLUME DOWN

SkyWay Ride TURN VOLUME DOWN

Katoomba : Day 1

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:15 GMT

Date : 23rd Sept

Location : Hotel Gearin, Katoomba

Heading up from Sydney this morning was interesting. Just waking up this morning was interesting. The world had turned a funny colour, bright orange skies that have now slowly faded. There was a big storm last night and the gale force winds carried in a load of dust. No one has ever seen such a thing in Sydney before so I partly feel lucky for seeing such a weird, natural event but part of me is waiting for those blue skies to return.

Orange skies from Phil's front door

The journey up to Katoomba was uneventful. The orange clouds were so low I couldn't see much out the windows and with no cancellations or delays there was no drama. I can't complain at all. A decidedly on time, orange, dull journey. Here now though. The skies are white with cloud and rain, definately less apocalyptical then the burning orange a few hours ago.

I'm here for 2 nights, so tomorrow will be my main sightseeing time. I have every intention of doing a lot of walking whilst I'm here. Hopeing the clouds will part a wee bit and the breeze continues. Come rain or shine I will be out and about more tomorrow though!

I'm finding Hotel Gearin very pleasant. Despite being a little rough around the edges it's really rather nice in it's own way. It's still being renovated but it's art deco style is very pretty! I've settled myself in at the back bar for some lunch, all the walls are clad in reddish wooden panels and theres beautiful brass pipes and taps. It's all very cosy and welcoming. When i enquire about the rum situation I am offered a free glass of Bundaberg Red to decide if I like it. It's very nice. this place is very welcoming. Now I'm finding myself testing coctails for the barman....yum!

Upstairs, my rooms the door on the right...

Ceiling

Back Bar

So earlier I decided to play around with my little point and click camera, just for the fun of it. I'm not having any one else here to take my picture so I'm doing it by myself - just not as well as others can do it ;)

Enroute to Australia

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:53:00 GMT

I'm going to post updates of my holiday here. It may run a day or so behind 'real time' due to internet access but heyho :)

Date: 21st Sept
Location : Bangkok Airport

Bangkok airport seems to be a huge tent made from glass, metal and decorative floor times. It's so hot compared to on the plane. It was nice at first, the air seems fresh compared to the recycled stuff I was breathing before but now it just feels sticky and hot. Apparently it's 33C which is a rather large jump from the temperature at Heathrow when I left at 22.00 yesterday.

I was very pleased to find a smoking room & have sat and smoked during my brief stay here. Ornate statues line all the walkways, God's with bright blue and red faces. Stood on top of the decorative floor. Theres been an almighty thunderstorm, lightening flashes so clear and bright in the sky. It's bright outside, it's only around 17.00 hrs, but the bolts of lightening shoot down so clearly. They seem to fall from the sky forever working their way down to the ground.

big Blue Face!

big Red Face!

Date : 22nd Sept
Location : Sydney

I made my way through the airport with ease, I wasn't carrying any soil or seeds so they weren't interested in me at all. I strolled through and spotted the doors to the outside and started picking up my pace. Finally excited about my first properly holiday in years. I recognised a voice, mocking me - it was Phil! He'd suprised me and had come to pick me up at 6am :) Was a lovely suprise.

I've spent the day sleeping for the most part. Lack of sleep on the plane due to the passengers on either side of me brought that on. But I'm looking forward to getting back into bed any moment. I'm keen to keep my blog up to date on this trip so here I am typing away.

I was meant to head straight off into the Blue Mountains today but have decided to head off in the morning when Phil goes to work. The Blue Mountains will be the real start to my adventures, I'm excited to start doing some walking and lots of picture taking!

A few days in Rotherham

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:31:43 GMT

And how wonderful it was. Only 12 minutes on the train from Sheffield! That was a nice start, I'm so used to long commutes to and fro for shoots so that made a lovely suprise.

After a days shooting Paul and I went out for some nom noms and I ate far too much in my usual way and slept very well all night in the local hotel. Which also made a lovely suprise from my usual hostels/sofa beds etc!

It was a very sucessful few days at the studio, every one was lovely and had ideas of what they wanted to do. Time flew by and I'm really happy with the images I have seen from it so far - and hopefully every one else is too!

Here are a few images....

Images supplied by Paul at Rowe Photographic http://studio-rotherham.mysite.orange.co.uk/

oi oi

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:26:25 GMT

So....

I have been about a bit again....

Scotland
London
Sheffield
Ireland
Newcastle
Cardiff
Preston

all in the past 3 odd weeks....

YAY

here's a new image - I like it. Mildly similar to previous image called climbing the walls...but not. Taken by Gsphoto in Newcastle. Very good fun it was too!

also.....if you haven't joined my facebook page....why not?

>>CLICK ME<<

Finding myself

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:22:57 GMT

Beena weird old, mad old month. Lots of things occuring that were not to be expected. All for the good however - I am a happy Binky.

One of the oddest things being me flown to Italy for a shoot. A shoot wearing clothes. Unusual.

Heres one of the results...others on my modelmayhem :)

Times like these

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:37:55 GMT

Every cloud has a silver lining. The glass is always half full.

I've lost a bit of weight - it's made me appreciate the weight I had gained.
I lost some one - it's brought me closer to others.
My bank fined me - I got an extra job offer unexpectedly.
Tried to help a new model, failed - Reinforced friendship between myself & a model more experienced then me.

My flight to Milan is booked, I got the ticket through - all in foreign speak but I'm sure it'll get me to where I am going. The photographer rang today to tell me about a location in Tuscany he wants to take me to on day 2 of our shoot. I love location work, and I've never been to Tuscany = WIN.

I'm half way through my Lincolnshire Tours right now, had a good time of it so far despite less than perfect weather. So far every one seems happy though. Apart from Mwag whos car broke down and didn't actually make it to the shoot. Woopsie. I'll post images up from my tours as I get them through, really like a few - very summery looking!

Exciting news from IvoryFlame today, she has added gallery 'Harmony of Two' to her super dreamy website. A gallery featuring our work together. View it at www.ivoryflame.co.uk >galleries > Harmony of Two. Check it out, it's a fabulous website and it's so lovely having our work put some where properly, especially on such a great site!!

But for now, here's an image I call 'Bejeweled'

more new images at www.modelmayhem.com/madamebink

To finish, my fave image right now - from a wonderful American art nude model Ida Mae. Soon as I saw this, I fell in love with it. It's the look on Ida's face that really sets this image apart from other pregnancy pictures I have seen. She looks so happy, so content and it is conveyed so very very well. No eye contact, just pure emotion radiating from it. It's a stunning capture of a beautiful moment. Best wishes to Ida & bump!

(c)2009 Tony Thompson

Ida's MM

:)

Travel Plans :
London 27th - 30th June
Milano 1st - 4th July
Westbury
Reading
Scotland 10th - 24th
Preston - studio days
Cheltenham - studio days with IvoryFlame
London

Happy day!

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:09:22 GMT

In the past 24 hours these amazing things have happened :

If all goes well I am being flown to HongKong for work.
Got a Daily Deviation
Looking into going to Singapore due to another all expense paid work offer.
Got an amazing photographer wanting to fly me out to Milano for a shoot - still in shock that he contacted me!

And. Me and Ross are talking like normal people. Be it friendship or otherwise, it's nice.

yeeeehaaaa

Madame Bink : A Tower of feminine power & a destroyer of men

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:23:41 GMT

I'm back from the land of Lanzarote. It was good to see my Mum again, and her partner Karl. What was nicer was being in the same place for so long for a change. Whilst travel is and will always remain important to me;I have decided that next year I will base myself some where and travel at least a little less. With money going towards some where to call home rather then yet more travel.

I'm sad to report that I am single once more, albeit my decision - it's still sad when things come to an end. Whether you know us as Ross & Amy or Scotland and Brussels, it's been an emotional year full of highs but a few too many lows. I won't dwell on it in this post, but it is something I felt should be said.

On my return to Lincolnshire I discovered a CD waiting for me from Karl Grim and I am more then slightly delighted with the images on it. They are from a studio day with myself and IvoryFlame. It's been a while since we had some new images of our duo work and I am super pleased with so many of these I am not sure which to post!! I'm not entirely sure why they show up so little when the files are so huge, but any bigger and they go lovely and pixelly - but here they are :

Thoughts are always appreciated :)

Also, just incase any one here is interested, I'm currently open to TF* offers - I have some time free I wish to fill with creativity!

Am I happy :) Yes I am!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:08:06 GMT

Taken By MWag

I think you can see why I'm happy.
Woop.

HAAAAAPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYY

Following on

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:46:55 GMT

from my previous post. I'm very lucky to know lots of models who don't have this attitude.

I'm lucky to be staying with SpitfirePunk who is caring for me whilst I come down with a rather horrid cold. *sniffles* My head feels heavy but long as I don't get a red nose for work it's ok ;)

Off to Ivoryflame's on Friday 17th ready for worksies with her over the weekend and Monday too. will be really good to work with her and spend some time with her again. Not seen her since my birthday and I'd like a hug!

Fed up

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:39:34 GMT

Today my Dad told me I haven't had a good rant in ages. So now I am. My target MODELS.

Recently I have encountered several models who are some of the unfriendliest people I have ever met. Rude and snobby. In this line of work I truely think getting on with as many people as possible HELPS you.

- It keeps you safer
- It can help get you work

etc. I don't understand why people think being nasty to people, or rude or taking advantage of others would make them think they are gaining anything. They aren't. It makes them look like nasty bitching little school kids that are just looking for attentionand to be the favourite.

I'm fed up cause I don't understand why people are like this. No one has been mean to me, it's just an observation from various events I have attended over the past 6 months. It makes me sad and feel sorry for them but also annoys me that they are upsetting people in the process.

I can't be bothered to rant any more.

Heights : Bink Bridge

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:57:14 GMT

For those that know me, they will know that I am not the fondest of heights. So the following story may be of interest.

Today Alex suggested a railway bridge. We have done 'Bink Bothy' 'Bink Broch' and 'Bink Boat' so 'Bink Bridge' could be next.

The bridge was very interesting and had girders along the outside of it. Standing on the first one I felt ok despite being above the ground on a narrow piece of metal. Alex took a test shot and having looked at it I decided it would be better if I was further along. So I tiptoed my way across to the next girder along the side of the bridge.

We took around 9 shots, before Alex shouted over saying to make my way back onto the bridge. Reviewing the images we were both happy that we needed to do no more. Walking back to the car we stopped by the river to look back at the bridge, looks like I was around 20 ft above the water.

I'm proud of myself for doing it and I am happy with the images. Below are my 3 favourites. I was hoping you would suggest which out the 3 you prefer.

NB: No model was harmed during the making of these images, despite the photographer having a mini panic attack out of concern for my idea.

Bink at Broch

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:11:40 GMT

So there it is. Straight from the wet and cold of Western Scotland today and onto your screens tonight.

This image makes me happy in a time where I'm not happy all the time. So much needed! I like the straight line formed in it, against all the different angles and shapes of the rock.

Bink's back soon.

Shoots with:

Ivory Flame www.ivoryflame.co.uk

Mick Waghorne

coming up soooooooooooon :)

Isle of Skye

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:14:55 GMT

I arrived at Alex's last night after travelling up from Kincardine. I met Alex at Inverness and we headed back over to his at Lochcarron. I haven't been here for a little while so it was nice to be back, seeing the familiar roads and landscapes again.

I first came to Alex's in Feb last here and was very lucky with the weather, bar one day it was clear skies and no wind in most places, despite the bitter cold. I always find modelling is much harder when theres a wind blowing. Even a cold breeze can make a big
difference.

Here's an example of the work we did on that first shoot:

I still really like this picture, I like the extreme arch shown in my shadow. You can see how strong the sun was, how clear the sky is, there was a tiny breeze as this was on the coast but I like it catching my hair.

But my all time fave shot by Alex is this one below, shot in an old Bothy near him. It's one of my all time fave pictures, where I look at it and still feel happy with it and not wanting to go back and mess around trying to get it better.

*dances*

Back to this trip! Today Alex took me over to the Isle of Skye as I had never been there. The weather was a bit naff, the wind incredibley strong and often raining quite heavily. But I throughly enjoyed exploring it as I have never been there. It's a shame we couldn't do a picture to immortalise my first trip in an image but I'm keen to return.

I still hope to do a trip next year of a few of the Islands, including Rum. Not all due to it's name, but because of it's reputation for great diverse wildlife and unspoilt viewpoints. I want to end up in Lewis but definately going via Skye. I want to island hop for around a month I guess.

I'm planning on renting a self catering place on Skye in order to run some location shoots from there. Skye is SO easy to get to from Scotland and the rest of the UK infact. It would mean I could stay in one place for a change but provide photographers with new locations & accomedation if needed. With the aim of perhaps getting a few family members up and spending some time with my boyfriend there also.

It's given me drive to get back to planning it and making it a reality. It was good to go also because it's been a while since I have just upped and gone some where. Last I did that was to Switzerland. Every where else since has been revisiting places I have already been on more then one occasion really. I don't mind this at all, it's nice to work with people repeatedly as you get to know them better and enhance your working relationship. Nice to see a familar face also. But I do love just going some where, cause I want to. There may be no other reason other then I fancy it, or like Switzerland I wanted to see snow ;) not that I wanted to work with anyone or anything :P So it was nice for Alex to just say 'Let's go to Skye' he knows I like to explore new places and it really is what I needed.

Feeling happy and refreshed. Yay.

March. It's cold.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:23:51 GMT

Been in Wales for a week at the artists event Retreat to the Shadows. I had a rather fabulous time and met some very interesting people. It was lovely to spend a week at such an amazing location. A great big Manor House in Wales. Absolutely fabulous. Still getting used to being in normal sized houses ;)

Above taken By http://www.modelmayhem.com/41412

Now in Scotland. Here till early April, but mid tour now. Not much to go before I settle down with my boyfriend for a while before head off down south again.

I really want to try more posing like in the first image. It's not often I have something solid for em to put my legs against like that but the corner of the room was ideal.

I don't normally like nude work shot with honeycomb lighting. It's rare that I do any way - of images I have seen of myself with this lighting generally I haven't been amazingly keen on but I love the second image. I really like the drama the lighting adds.

Yay.

Serious Update....

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:17:25 GMT

on

www.modelmayhem.com/madamebink

let me know your thoughts please - VIP at last!

Sheffield - A mission and a half!

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:54:56 GMT

It started off with me being skint and asking Lewis if I could come and stay. Nothing horrbely unusual, known him a very long time and being my best friend knew he wouldn't mind putting up with me for a little while.

Sunday 18th Feb :

Shoot with Catherine Day was wonderful - had a bloody good time :) travelling from Sutton to Cheltenham Spa was long but bliss compared to the return journey.

Sutton - Victoria - Paddington - Bristol - Cheltenham Spa = do-able, not a problem

Cheltenham Spa - CARDIFF - Bristol - London - Victoria Station - Victoria Coach Station - Sheffield = tired Bink come 3am when I got to Meadow Hall interchange!

I had a lovely time with Pewis Larry, despite Leadmill screaming out loud music and drunk people till at least 3.30am evry morning. Was good to see Lewy again and catch up. Hope to see him more this year.

The day I was due to leave I met up with Spitfire, who I've been chatting away to online for a long old while but never had the chance to meet. Turns out he was only doing a Military dress Up Night in Sheff that Friday....I had to stay really didn't I....would of been rude not to!

I met up with olly the next day and spent a few nights at his before going back to meet Psi on Friday, we went and collected his girlfriend and then Seef before going back to get ready.

I had an awesome night, despite the intense pain coming from my feet being made to walk for HOURS in very pointy high 5" shoes. I got a lift some of the way though....

Spitfire, Panda, Seef, Bink

Panda

Seef

Geek bink

me &Seef

Panda & me

Navy Officor Seef carries Navy Officor Bink up the hill

Meow meow, Psi & me

I want to go back......soon!

4 weeks

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:00:25 GMT

since my last post. Bad Bink.

Lifes interesting at the moment. I'm skint. Very. It's interesting. Still managing to get about though thanks to me being paronoid and not making budgets that are blatent lies, and a severe lack of chocolate.

So whats happened.

I had an amazing time in Ireland. Mr Jason Tang accompanied me, we didn't get any time to shoot but heres a couple of images from Lorraine. It was great working with her and Ciaran again, this time with Lorraine behind the camera too. Last time when I met them with IvoryFlame, Lorraine didn't get the chance as Ciaran was doing a panal for the camera club.

I really like the blonde wig ones, I didn't know what to think when she first mentioned a blonde wig, but I think because the shots are so theatrical they work. I'm really pleased with them and Lorriane seems really happy with them too :) This makes for a happy Bink.

Here's a few from Mick Waghorne I haven't posted yet too. I'm going to upgrade my model mayhem account, sure this will please Miss IvoryFlame if no one else, and more of Mick's pictures will definately go up.

The first one is called 'Hourglass' and I do look decided curvy. I wasn't keen on it at first but it's grown on me a lot over the past few weeks.

Aside from that I went to visit my Mum in Lanzarote for 2 weeks, it was good. Not very warm, but it is only Feb and decidedly warmer than the snowy UK! Going back over for the whole of May with my fella, gonna help out with the bar and have some time together. Twill be good.

Since then I went to stay with my cousin Marie in London town for a few nights which was nice - good to catch up and see her without her having to dash off home from work. I also had a shoot with the marvelous Miss Catherine Day. She's a very lovely lady, I'm very excited about the pictures!

Now I'm at Lewis's in Sheffield, it's good to see him again. We used to spend so much time together but have struggled this past few years. It's always good to catch up. My darling Lewy-poo.

Exciting times

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:43:06 GMT

2009 is awesome :) It's treating me very nicely and I am a very happy little kitten right now.

I've had some awesome shoots so far, very pleased! But also some lovely things shaping up with Miss Day in Feb and a shoot with Tinkers and Miss Ulorin

Here are a few pictures from ym new portfolio on model mayhem

I'll be back soon - ish...travels a bit mad and internets gonna be bad!

24th - 27th Jan - Ireland

28th Jan - 13th Feb - Lanzarote, to see Mother Darling.

15th Feb - Cheltenham Spa! :)

?? - 20th March - N. Wales

21st - ?? March/April - Scotland :)

April : Germany/Holland

x

Snow :)

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:38:22 GMT

Yay!

Sillyness in the desert....

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:13:20 GMT

First three images, me and the lovely Stef - we had matching birthmarks on hour hips but the photies don't shwo it super well.....but anyhoo....she's lovely and I love the picutures!

Now Stef, me and Candice squishing Mick.....

Now some of all fo us together that day at part central...

IvoryFlame, Xaina, me, Stef, Candice...

featuring Mick and Ron ^^

featuring Mick and Dave A ^^

Snow pictures and more to come soon.....prob when I'm home after the 23rd :)

For now I am a happy Bink remembering friends and relaxing with IivoryFlame

x

The many faces of MadameBink

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:36:45 GMT

Sometimes, I just don't want to be serious.

Taken By Jason Tang and unedited.

Who knew any human could have such an array of expressions.

Zurich

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:12:17 GMT

Please excuse any typos in this post (there always are but I expect this one to be worse) this is not a qwerty keyboard, nor is one to be found in all of Zurich it would seem!

So, Zurich, very confining for those with tight pursestrings BUT the land of the free if you smoke! I went to the main train station today on tram and got myself lost in the Christmas Market which is held in the station itself. Stressed and blinded by the sunlight pouring in through the high windows it was a great relief and a near hysterical moment when I realised I could smoke in the building. Not only this but could sit and eat my sausage and bun and smoke afterwards. Very comforting. Bins every where simpley for fag ends. No mess on the floor, the places doesnt smell of smoke`- it`s how things should be!

The city is ver pretty I crossed over water twice today on the electric bus and the tram. BOth of which are very efficient, and quiet. Very regular, longest waiting time I have seen between the same tram is 6 minutes. Not particularly cheap. Anybody thinking the London underground is pushing it - pah! Ya got another thig coming if you ever come to Zurich.

The hostel is clean and nice. Not far from the tram which is nice but expensive. Very. I`m paying a small fortune here, £25 a night, which includes breakfast but sweet FA when it comes to anything else. Internet is 1CF per 10 minutes, even the wireless costs you per 10 minutes - that`s rhidiculous. Dinner is 17CHF so around £12 / £13 - not cheap considering there is only one option. I took a look at it last night when my room mates were eating....definately not worth the money, portions were small but they say it tasted ok. I think I`ll trust them on that and arry on eating sausage and bread rom down the road at £4.

Some interesting peolpe here. Bet some American guy called Chester. He does music healing at hsi grand age of 73, not looking a day over 40 and seems very passionate about his music. He todl me this mornign he is creating a piece of music jsut for me to ensure that I am sucessful in all I do, although he claims, being an aquarious means I am intelligent and headstong anyway which means I should pretty much find a way of getting what ever it is I want. I told him I didn`t know what that was and he saidI would find a creaitve way, he suggested modelling.

I don`t know if my shoot is happening tomorrow or not I will ring after lunch time which seems to last until 3pm here. I`m going to take a wander downt o the lake tomorrow or Wednesday, it^s only a street away and looks great with the mountains behind it and the sky so blue reflected in it.

I looked at doing a tour but the decent ones start at £60 - not this trip! Need to watch them pennies.

I`ll post pictures when I get back. This `thing`they call a computor doesn`t even have a CD drive let alon a USB port. I think I may wander to the coffe house and sit in there the rest of the day and enjoy oen cup of coffee, cold or not, and smoke to my hearts content.

Swissland

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:13:20 GMT

I'm here near Zurich. I'm alive and well which is more suprising after this past week. Stress. Stress. Stress. And more bloody stress. It's a relief to be here and fully removed from the situation. Banks. They are criminals.

So here are a couple of images from a recent shoot. I'm not naming the photographer at the moment, if you know who he is, please don't post his name. It's a little game we like to play and I don't want any of you lot spoiling it!

I think I prefer the colour one. So far thats how others have voted. Sent it out to my usual panel : IvoryFlame, Alex Ingram, Ron Skei, Zoe Wiseman. So far only one vote for colour. What do you think?

and this-a-one :)

There's more to come I'm sure. Will update when and as it's worth it but I'm going to be a busy busy bee between now and X-Mas. Had a minor dramatic moment with IvoryFlame when I realised I have little to no time for X-Mas shopping this year. Not that I'm getting much for any one but I still really love bumbling up and down Oxford Street with all the purrty lights looking at things I can only dream as buying for people for Xmas.

Only spent a little time in Switzerland but I am looking forward to a day to have a proper sight see! I'm hoping it gets a bit colder, it' been raining today, I want snow! Not seen really any this year, only little bits. Not snow I can roll around in, smiling like an idiot the whole time.

I've been invited to South Africa for Xmas and New Year last night. I'm not going - finances and arrangements made my mind up for me and I'd rather be at home any way.

I got some serious sleep last night - felt a bit grogy this morning mind. But first night in a while I've had over 4/5 hours sleep which is nice. I'm sure I'll feel much better for it later!