Welcome to Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma

Welcome to Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma which is my new diary style blog. After a few months of not really having much to talk about due to the fact we've both been absorbed in house type stuff life once again looks more interesting. In the past when I've not had much to talk about I verged into the realms of opinion and have started spouting-off pub bore fashion about things I'm probably not qualified to talk about. Presently I'm busy with loads of different thing so it's probably safe to say this will stay fairly uncontroversial.

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is the name of the shortest street in York. It used to be the site of the former public pillory and the name consequently evolved from "Whitnourwhatnourgate" to it's present name. All the 'gates' we get in York derive from the Old Norse, 'gata' meaning street. I hope to include loads about this beautiful old city I'm lucky enough to live in and the surrounding area, so naming the blog after a local street seemed fitting.

The photography work has been going better than I could have expected. It's always satisfying to get nice comments from people who have bought my work. I get loads of satisfaction from knowing that my photos are framed and on peoples walls. In fact it gives me loads more pleasure than my writing has done over the past couple of years so increasingly I'm thinking in terms of images rather than words when I try and work out where I'm heading. Writing has been something I've done for as long as I've been able to so I doubt there'll ever be a time when it's not part of my life, but variety is good. Most of the time I just feel pretty privileged to be able to do what I do. It's hardly ever likely to make me my fortune, but it does allow me almost complete self-determination. Reading the blogs of people who seem to really despise their job I'm always reminded that enjoying what you do with your working day is not necessarily par for the course.

Finally got round to updating the photography blog with a few shots from over the past few weeks since we returned from our week in Wales. The weather is lovely and the light is perfect at present so I'm trying to make the most of it. I hope to get a whole load of new York shots tommorow whilst the cold clear weather continues.

This is one of my favourite times of year. Early spring as well is always nice, but late October/early November take some beating in my book. The smell of leaf rot and bonfires, crisp cold weather and thin piercing light. I spend loads of time out of doors at this time of year, before the nights really start drawing in and the Christmas onslaught really gathers pace.

Anyway, thanks for popping by and enjoy the blog.