The Chill Out Zone

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by coolcat

Morning Phil,

Glad Jessica and yourself had a good flight and navigated the terminal without too much fuss and delay.
How long are you staying in Belfast for ?

Hope your passport retrieval goes without a hitch and the Guinness hits the right spot.

Enjoy your stay

Morning Jeff, what fun to get back into macro photography, something which I have very limited experience of. Do you use a 12-30mm or 60mm or you have a lens with a very capable range? The main thing is your photos are close and nicely in focus.

We will be in Belfast for 2 nights. Hopefully the Easy Jet flight won't be cancelled.

I remember when I was in Belfast during the bad times, I had to fly out to Tenerife to bring back a N.I builder who had a mental breakdown whilst on holiday. The unfortunate man had been employing guys from both religions and when he stopped paying protection money, he received death threats, all triggers which led to his breakdown.

On the flight from Tenerife to Belfast, he shouted "there is a bomb on board and the IRA were out to get him". So I had to sedate him and use restraints.

On arrival in Belfast, arrangements had been made for him to be admitted into a mental hospital near Portadown but along the way we had to stop at his house. What a state we found it in. We don't know who, but whilst he was away on holiday, someone had gone into his house and painted abusive messages in every room of the house...Scum...Snitch...Your Dead, etc, I suspect gangsters running the protection scam.

His wife and children were staying at a 'safe' house elsewhere.

In follow up, he remained an in-patient at the hospital receiving psychiatric treatment. It was 3 months before he was well enough to go home.

Other visits to NI were work related, so it will make a nice change to go there as a tourist. We are looking forward to it.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Lancpudn

Morning all, Blue skies & sunshine here & already quite hot.


Morning Phil Glad you arrived safe & well, Today I have an appointment with my Doc (first one in over two years ) to have a prostate examination

Morning Ian, about 3 months ago, I saw a urologist who examined my prostate and bladder using an ultrasound scan and a special toilet collected the urine, measuring the amount passed and the pressure flow from the bladder into the pan. These tests are called 'Uro-Dynamics'.

No finger up the hole was needed....relief!

Checked for prostate cancer, scan and blood test - negative.

Diagnosis: an enlarged prostate gland 70g in size.

Treatment: on medication for 6 months to reduce the size and improve the flow.
Urologist said if I am still in distress, when he sees me next, I can have the Prostate cut out.

All the very best with yours and good luck for today.

[TheSoundCollector]

Originally Posted by coolcat

Haven't done any macro photography for ages so it was nice to have a dabble again.
Think I might have to see what small creatures I can find to photograph in the garden again today...

I can only wish my wildlife photographs were anywhere near as clear as yours. These are fantastic shots. Do please let us know if you manage to find any more creatures!

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Morning Jeff, what fun to get back into macro photography, something which I have very limited experience of. Do you use a 12-30mm or 60mm or you have a lens with a very capable range? The main thing is your photos are close and nicely in focus.

Hi Phil,

The lens used is a proper 1/1 ratio 100mm prime F2.8 macro lens.

I also have an extension ring for it which gets you in even closer, hard work with moving subjects to 'nail' focus at that sort of extreme close up.
Better put to use with still life and focus stacking.

The other bonus is it also works as a brilliant portrait lens

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by TheSoundCollector

I can only wish my wildlife photographs were anywhere near as clear as yours. These are fantastic shots. Do please let us know if you manage to find any more creatures!

Thanks,

I haven't had a chance to get out in the garden yet today, things conspired against me doh!!

I will at some point though, if not today then during the week we shall do some more 'bug' hunting

I'll probably post them up in Photography corner though as they will be easier to find on the forum. The Chill Out Zone is rather fluid and posts can quickly find their way a few pages back

[Lancpudn]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Morning Ian, about 3 months ago, I saw a urologist who examined my prostate and bladder using an ultrasound scan and a special toilet collected the urine, measuring the amount passed and the pressure flow from the bladder into the pan. These tests are called 'Uro-Dynamics'.

No finger up the hole was needed....relief!

Checked for prostate cancer, scan and blood test - negative.

Diagnosis: an enlarged prostate gland 70g in size.

Treatment: on medication for 6 months to reduce the size and improve the flow.
Urologist said if I am still in distress, when he sees me next, I can have the Prostate cut out.

All the very best with yours and good luck for today.

Afternoon Phil, Thanks for that information . No such ultrasound scanning has reached Bolton yet It was pants down, glove on & a lubed finger


He said it feels irregular, hard & lumpy instead of smooth but not enlarged Not what I wanted to hear so he's fast tracked me for PSA blood tests at Leigh infirmary tomorrow & an appointment with the urology dept at Bolton next week.





It's sizzling hot here at present & some of the plants are wilting under the heat, Me too

[coolcat]

Didn't get to do any bug photos today but did manage to cook the roast beef

Roast Beef by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr

Roast Beef by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr

[coolcat]

Morning all,

Another sunny day in store and it's already warming up nicely

[FLYING BANANA]

Morning Jeff and fellow early risers.

Another sunny start to the day.

Going shopping for my garden furniture this morning.

[roverbarmy]

A day off from painting the fences and garage. Bliss!