Slowly Making Progress!

Aiming to come last by entering the #slowrace #Guastalla #Italy  Sept 2021 with 100% of ALL proceeds given to disabled charities;  Fairplay  in #chesterfield  and  Anffas Onlus Nazionale in #Guastalla  You can donate here  *please!* https://gofund.me/1741d768

Christmas Lights at Hall Lees Park, Matlock

Christmas Lights at Hall Lees Park, Matlock

Again this year I've stood in Hall Lees Park until I can't feel my fingers, to try and grab a shot of the lights!  This was a 3 second exposure. Every year the lights are set out in the park although there were less to see in 2020, no doubt to restrictions

The Haw Lees (as the area was then called) was originally two fields on the east bank of the River Derwent lying between Matlock Bridge and Matlock Green. 

Occupying an enviable spot in the centre of the town, Hall Leys Park has always been one of Matlock’s visitor attractions, as well as an attractive place for residents to enjoy a restful or activity-packed hour or so

Bridge at Cawood

Bridge at Cawood, Yorks, in the days when we could roam! Cawood is a large village and civil parish in Selby, North Yorkshire. 

Notable as the finding-place of the Cawood sword, and finding-a-place to park the camper van behind a pub. It's the former home of Cardinal Wolsey, and all that stuff that went off with Henry, in what remains of a castle. On-trial Nikon mirrorless Z6, 1/250 sec. @ f/8 33 mm & ISO 100 

Overlooking Chatsworth

Another Chatsworth House black and white  shot overlooking Chatsworth from beside the water

Not with my usual D7000. Taken with an on-trial Nikon Z6 towards the end of 2019 (for anyone not interested 1/320 sec. f/6.3 43 mm ISO 100)

Chatsworth House

Another Chatsworth House black and white  shot overlooking Chatsworth from beside the water

Not with my usual D7000. Taken with an on-trial Nikon Z6 towards the end of 2019 (for anyone not interested 1/320 sec. f/6.3 43 mm ISO 100)

Winter Tree

Winter Tree. taken in the grounds of Chatsworth House in winter 2019. A leafless tree sitting atop the hill,  making a dark contrast against a winter sky

Taken without  a tripod while trialling a Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, albeit I have stuck with my DSLR Nikon D7000 since that time!

I'm aiming for Last Place in 2021!

I’m aiming for "Last Place" in the  7th Edition  of Guastalla’s Charity 'Slow Rally' in 2021!

Guastalla is located  in the RE (Emilia-Romagna) region of Northern Italy with only 7,500 inhabitants. One of them  is my good friend  Ginetto Tosi, better known as Gino - a semi-retired industrial/trade translator, representative, and mediator

Gino is a dedicated charity fundraiser and supporter, particularly for the disabled in Guastalla. Next year I intend to support the event and travel to Italy in my own car to enter the race, dedicating any and all proceeds to both the Italian and an equivalent cause here in the UK

As always, Gino was very well prepared for the start of the annual Slow Rally 2020 and he’s already planning the next event in 2021. Basically the winner is the car to come in last!

The annual  event (which  this year was held on the 18th September)  sees amazing entries such as Ferraris, Jaguar’s, and of course  Gino’s olive green Fiat 500. I can’t say that my own car is in the same league, but in this event they  all compete to come last! Gino was ready again this time, the 6th event, with his green Fiat, working alongside the Mayor of Gustalla (Camilla) and his Grandson (Sammy)

Many people gathered in Guastalla (in masks) in the main square of Piazza Mazzini to watch or participate in the 6th Edition Annual “Slow Rally” and eleven amazing cars competed in total - all competing to go over the line in last place

The  prize was awarded to Matteo Artoni and Giorgia – who simply came in last

Gino said: “The smile of Giorgia when she received the prize was the victory of all of us”!

At the end of the rally, the award ceremony took place at the Caffè Mazzini located in Piazza Mazzini, which has always collaborated for the success of the initiative.

I’m delighted to have been invited to take part in the 7^th Edition of the Slow Rally, 2021. More info to follow and my plan is to set up a funding platform and maybe sponsorship. Any feedback, input or entries are all welcome!