It soon comes round, THE ANNUAL PAINTING HOLIDAY, at some farm or resort. It would cause a few gasps, if I said when we arrived, “Oh dear, I’ve forgotten to bring my CAMCORDER!” Or would they say “Thank God for that!” Anyway, there are always some events other than just a group of people sitting around with easels, pencils and brushes, creating serious works of art. So I have to be ready to record something, for future laughs.


Wobbly Shots.
A lady kept her ponies and trap at the farm. She came every day to groom and feed Dougall and Donna, and gave us rides in the trap. The first day she arrived, I rushed out to film her with the ponies. As it was on the spur of the moment, I didn’t have my tripod with me. Nothing unusual about that, “FIRST WOBBLES.” Then, after the business of getting Dougall harnessed to the trap, June said, “Now for a ride.’ I climbed up into the trap complete with camcorder. “Walk on!” she said as she slapped the whip on Dougall’s backside, and I preceded to make a movie of us moving. With a back view of Dougall, we proceeded along the lane in gorgeous countryside. It was not easy to hold the camera steady, there were a few jerks.
“Trot!” June cried and it was even more tricky. Someone said while watching the rushes, “000! that makes me feel tea sick! I was glad June didn’t say, ‘Gallop”
What a mess!

 We had a nice swimming pool, so I got my Camcorder poised for action, when the ladie5 decided to go 11r a swim. But while J waited for them to emerge from the changing room, a flotilla of happy mallards landed on the pool. With a chorus of quacks the! cavorted in the Solar Heated Pool, warmer than the River Avon, which was their normal habitat. The mallards fun spoilt my fun of filming the bathing beauties. Feathers and droppings made the pooi unusable for days.

Oh Owl!
Every evening, it was interesting to watch the wild life, all good subjects, though difficult at times; There was always an owl perched on a post, looking out tor some unsuspecting prey. I tried getting him from the kitchen window, but when I looked through the view finder, the black and white picture made i hard to find, when I took my eye from the camcorder, the bird had usually flown away. I tried creeping up to the garden wall, then with the camcorder at the ready, I raised myself up to rest it on the wall. but the owl always flew away. SO a Close Up was not possible. Oh for a powerful telephoto lens!

Be prepared!
The AGA cooker went wrong and an expert engineer was sent for. I was busy making a sketch of him working. Then Joan whispered to me, Why not get a shot of him.” I thought that was a good idea, so I rushed upstairs and brought down the camcorder. But the battery

was flat! So I rushed upstairs again to get another one. But as I came into the kitchen, the man was just saying, “OK, I’ve finished,” and he went off. So, always have your camera ready.

Ruined!
At some interesting ruins, I set the camera up to take a good picture. It was an idyllic quiet scene with just the sound of birds, but as I commenced filming two girls came round the corner of the old walls. As they passed by the camera, one said to the other, “What a cheek! “. Beware of corners!

On trying to retake this shot, a man approached me with overwhelming interest:
“Are you filming?” and “What a lovely day.” etc. Needless to say, I didn’t answer while my eye was in the view finder. But the sound was unusable!

OBVIOUS TIPS:
1. Have with you, Seasick Pills and an
image stabiliser.
2. Have a bird scarer at hand.
3. A telephoto lens at least two feet long.
4. Camera always attached to your person.
5. Have a sign: “DON’T WORRY, I’M
HARMLESS”.
6. Also, “QUIET PLEASE!”

Oh, and by the way, an uncomplaining Gofer (Wife), to carry those important items. “Whoops !“ Sorry ladies (Husband).