Here we go, welcome to 2023, and let us wish for a good year not only health wise but also financially. Looking back over the year we left behind I am sure that there are a number of you like myself who are somewhat confused and disappointed. Whilst we basically lost Covid a war started, whilst it did not really have an effect on us in the southern hemisphere, I believe that as I write this a lot of people in Europe are experiencing a very cold winter. The other main topic is of course the rise in the cost of living. Food prices throughout the world have as we say, ‘gone through the roof’. On the positive side I had a couple of great trips, one to the Kruger Park. We had great accommodation and managed to see a variety of wild animals and birds. It was great to get back into the bush and brought back some happy memories thanks to Judith, Margaret and Robert, for the trip I was known as Bob. Check out some of the images. Another weekend was organised by our photographic club, where we spent a weekend at Paternoster on the west coast, this offered some different photographic challenges I have included some images in this month’s portfolio. Another really great time was catching up with a friend I had not seen for 10 years. The last time we meet was in Krakow Poland. We both had a lot of catching up to do and managed to make our breakfast last 3 hours. Looking forward to the next meeting, hopefully not in 10 years’ time. As most of you know I managed to get to 4 score years along with a number of others who are commonly known as the 42 er’s. Well done to everyone and here’s to the next few years, the only sad bit was that whilst I was celebrating with some close friends, we received the news that Queen Elizabeth 2 had passed away, she was as far as I am concerned a great monarch and will be sorry missed. So what’s in store for the future, basically nobody really knows, so I am sure that there are a large number of you that will be doing what I am endeavouring to do and that is to enjoy our retirement, stay well and have a bit of fun. On that note I would mention that I treated myself to a Christmas present a new camera the Canon R7 which is mirrorless. I have only had it a couple of weeks so I am still learning and finding out what is achievable, as we say “so far so good” Watch out for the new images. I know that on a serious note times are changing some for the better and some for the worse, but let us remember the good times we have experienced and try and adapted to the future whatever it brings.
Best wishes to you all wherever in the world you are,