Went to see the Stanley Spencer greatest work, the first world war murals near Newbury. The Sandham Memorial chapel at Burghclere was built specially for Spencer to paint. It matches exactly the size of the Giotto chapel in Padova and he also used the same fresco technique. The murals were inspired by Spencer's first world war experience as a medical soldier and show the aftermath as soldiers help each other recover. There are strong Renaissance themes, the main mural being a Resurrection, but in fact it's a weird blend of Englishness and Christianity - the main piece is The Resurrection of the Soldiers and shows the men emerging from their tomb carrying crosses, almost saying hello to Christ as they pass by. I've wanted to see it for years and it was wonderful.

While writing my comments about Stanley Spencer, I came across this collection of art of the First World War. I particularly like the Futurists and there are two or three by Gino Severini including this “Armoured Train in Action”.

Went to Somerset House recently and was blown away by its permanent Gilbert collection. Gilbert was a wealthy LA-based Brit who collected silverware, gold objects and pietre dure (pictures made from precious stone and minerals) and left it all to the country 2-3 years ago. I had heard it was world class but I’m not really into this type of thing and only saw it when I went to the chess. But it is stupendous. Definitely set some time aside!

Three of my photos are in a “Landscapes - Camera Craft” by William Cheung, the editor of the Practical Photography. Click this link for the web site of other photographers in the book.

The book was published in August 2002 and my mother was able to see it, something that will always be a good memory. Also, at the time I had no idea that this would lead to actually writing a book myself, but it's funny how things sometimes happen. A spread from the Landscapes book, this was also used in their publicity handout:

The US magazine Life Imitating Art has also recently published another of my pictures.

In March at Lakeland Photographic Holidays I saw other guests’ pictures of an old truck at Threlkeld Mining Museum. I particularly liked the look of its radiator fan and tried photographing it close up, spinning it round or doing multiple exposures, moving it a little for each shot. It’s a great feeling when you know instantly that you’ll be chuffed with the pictures.

This is a multiple exposure with, I think, 8 or 16 shots:

My website won Outdoor Photography's June 2003 web site of the month. Nice publicity and a new tripod too. It was especially handy that I already use a Manfrotto tripod and had enough quick release fittings for my cameras and heavier lenses. But it's the three way head I really like - much better than my previous ball and socket one.