Welcome to My World

Yes, I live in my own little world - it is much nicer than the real one.

I read a lot, that way I can visit other peoples' worlds. They are usually inhabited by elves, dwarfs, trolls, goblins, fae, dragons and even a few humans. Mostly just a few of the races inhabit each world, or perhaps more correctly the current tale. Magic is practiced and while not everyone lives happily ever after, good always triumphs over evil.

When I am not following one of these adventures, I keep myself busy with hobbies. I was once told - and given a certificate stating that - my hobby is having hobbies. I am currently occupied by walking, photography and building websites.

I love to share my knowledge with others and am involved in home educating my grandson. We do workshop (woodwork, metalwork, bicycle maintenance and anything else that is hands on) and IT.

Carrickfergus Men's Shed

On 7th November 2016 I met for the first time with East Antrim Rambling Club. I got into conversation with one of the few men on the walk and explained that I was interested in companionship as much as - or maybe more so - than walking. I can, after all walk on my own. He introduced me to Carrickfergus Men's Shed. It is, he said, in the very early stages of being set up and is looking for new members. The very next day I went on a quest to discover which of the three possible venues was the right one. As it happened they were meeting in the very first place I looked and at the very time I was looking.

A "Men's Shed" is just a larger version of the typical man's shed in the garden, a place to feel at home and pursue practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. A Men's Shed offers this to its members where they can share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue.

Men's Sheds are places of skill, sharing and informal learning; of individual pursuits and community projects; of purpose, achievement and social interaction. A Men's Shed is a place of leisure where men come together to work on individual or joint projects, or simply to chat over a hot drink and biscuits.

At the moment we meet in very comfortable premises in Carrickfergus Community Forum. Our activites are quite restricted but the craic is excellent, the hot drinks and biscuits are well received. Some men even enjoy a game of chess, draughts or dominoes or just a good yarn. I have become deeply involved, found great companionship and even tried out some new arts and crafts projects. This is a great place to share knowledge with and receive knowledge from others. We really are a friendly bunch and I invite you to join us.

We are in the process of getting the use of premises where we can enjoy arts and crafts and eventually wood work and even gardening.

For much more information and lots of pictures please visit the CMS website

Walking - for Leisure and Health

After being dependent on a mobility scooter for over two years, and growing to a rather excessive 124.7Kg (19.6Sts), I decided that I was literally eating myself to death. On 1st September 2016, I went on a strict diet and started walking again. My first stroll was just 100 meters and it left me exhausted!

I quickly progressed over the next three months and by the 5th December 2016 my weight was down by 32.9Kg (5.2Sts). On 14th December 2016 I managed to do the 8Km Bashfordsland Wood walk (Carrickfergus Parks).

Now that walking has became more pleasurable, it is an almost daily activity. I hope you will be encouraged to get out and about, walking for both Leisure and health.

Go to my List of Walks

As I See It

Jan 2017. I have been away from photography for quite a few years because of failing eyesight. At one point I was registered as Partially Sighted but due to the wonders of modern medicine my sight has been mostly restored. I have resurrected my participation in this hobby.

I do not claim that I am particularly knowledgeable, artistic, inovative or that my photographs have exceptional techincal merit. I just like photography. If I see something I think will make a nice picture, I photohgraph it. I share what little knowledge I have in the hope of helping others in some small measure.

I am in the process of migrating my old photography site to here, adding to it and bring it up to date.

Go to my Picture Galleries and How To Pages.