Bird Table

Comings and goings, at the New Years Eve bird table.

Take a Mobile Phone to the Grave.

It’s for you!

My favourite bad Taste picture of the year.

A survey asked people what they wanted to take
to the grave with them, 17% opted to take the phone.
But my picture was rejected by the newspaper as bad taste!

I hope you paid your road tax!

I Spotted the DVLA vehicle clamping vehicle in Bath today, it drives around the area (spending most of the time in Bristol).
When the four number plate recognition cameras mounted on the roof spot an untaxed car they stop and clamp it.
It costs £80 and the production of a current tax disc to get it released, if it’s not claimed in 24 hours the release fee goes to £160 plus £15 a day storage.
If it’s still unclaimed after 14 days it goes to the car crusher and you’re still in line for a £1000 fine plus back tax.
Between August 1997 and November 2004, the scheme encouraged over 909,000 motorists to voluntarily retax their vehicles, bringing in £116m in additional revenue. Over 259,000 vehicles have been wheel clamped and about half of these have been crushed. This action has had a direct impact on road safety, as the vehicles that have been disposed of were unroadworthy.

Lands End

Here’s a golden oldie, Wendy at Lands End in the late 60s.

Paddy

We tried to get paddy into the Christmas spirit today,
but he preferred the mugger’s woolly hat!

Oldest Female Father Xmas

Mrs Joan Long who at 88 must be one of the oldest female Father Christmas’s in England.
Has been standing outside United Reform Church in Argyle Street at Christmas collecting for Christian aid with the choir for several years.

Nicolas Cage’s new neighbours.

Nicolas Cage’s new neighbours enjoy a little
winter sun below Midford Castle.

Midsomer Norton Today!

Just Waiting!

St Bernard at the water fountain.

St Bernard at the water fountain only £189.99.

Ideal present for Christmas!

Bristol City Museum Bristol Boxkite

This is one of the three replicas made for the comedy film “Those magnificent men in their Flying Machines” made in 1963.

It was The Bristol Biplane (Boxkite was a nickname) and 76 of the originals were built in Bristol between 1910 and 1914.

Village Party

Nicky and Lottie at the Village Party.
Click the picture for more!

Bert’s Back!

Soon after Wendy’s Dad Died a robin appeared in our garden.
So we decided that Bert had returned as a Robin, and always refer to any robin we see as Bert!

Cold Morning

The early morning mist over our water feature
makes a picture of frozen loveliness.
Picture Copyright Sam Farr

Terry Pratchett and Alzheimer's.

It was with some surprise I learned that old friend and former work colleague Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with a very rare form of early onset Alzheimer's.
I phoned him this evening and found him in his usual happy but slightly crazy self.
Unfortunately our conversation was cut short when a tabloid photographer turned up at his front door unannounced.

This is one of my unpublished pictures of Terry in his study.
Here are the facts in today’s announcement.
More of my Rare Terry Pratchett pictures here, scroll down the page to April 5th 2006

Why does it always happen to me!

Why does it always happen to me, we were shopping in Park Street Bristol today?
I was accosted by a large chicken, with a sign asking to be asked a question.
It was worth a snap and I asked it why it wasn’t in an oven with its legs stuck behind its head!
The BBC were shooting a new programme going out next year, I can’t see me making it to air but they still wanted me to sign a release.

Stolen Fairy

Hardly the Christmas spirit!

Swimming at Bath University

Swimming at Bath University, one of my
favourite pictures that didn’t make the paper!

Count the magpies!

Monkton Combe sheep today, count the magpies!
Copyright Sam Farr

A.S.Ashby Sign in Frome

I wonder if they thought about digital photography
when they put this sign up in Frome!

Load of Bull

I went to Arthur Duckett's farm near
West Huntspill today, to photograph
Field Marshall a well upholstered
Charolais Bull.

He didn't have a very high opinion,
of my photographic ability.
Pictures Copyright Sam Farr/Apex

A better class of roadworks in Corsham!

Looks like they have a better class
of roadworks in Corsham!

Strange Christmas Present

Strange Christmas Present of the year.
A CSI Forensic Facial reconstruction kit.
Enough for one victim?

Textile Recycling Bank

Another notice from the
Department of the Bleeding Obvious!

What next for Tesco

The sight of passers-by rummaging in rubbish skips is a regular site these days.
But this is the first time that I’ve spotted a till; perhaps the clue is the Tesco bag. Maybe Tesco has spotted a gap in the market and to follow Tesco insurance, Tesco credit cards and Tesco estate agents they are starting Tesco Skips!

Exeter

Is It?

I spotted one in the wild!

Well it’s the sort of thing people send you on e-mails.
But today was the first time I spotted one in the wild.
This urinal is in a high-class country house hotel near Cheltenham!

Expectant Duck MSN today.

When are going to feed me!

18 to 200mm Nikkor is Superb

A few months ago I bought a 18 to 200mm Nikon lens.
After substantial use I can say it’s the best £500 I have spent in a long-time.
This picture of a young bugler and miners at Combe Down Remembrance parade was taken at 18 and 200mm.

Sheep

Sheep

Copyright Sam Farr

Autumn Morning in the Circus Bath.

Autumn Morning in the Circus Bath.

Taken today

Now available on a mug

see our shop

Keira Knightley in Bath

Why do film companies always make life difficult for news photographers?
Keira Knightly has been filming "The Duchess" in Bath over the last couple of days
Today she appeared outside first the first time.
The film company did everything possible to obstruct the view.
As you can see from the first frame I was a long way from the action, Miss Knightley as in the centre of the frame behind the lights.
But it’s amazing what you can do with a 600mm lens.

More of my pictures here

Blackpool illuminations

Wendy views Blackpool illuminations
from our old Lotus Europa, taken in 1974.

Wolf ready to pounce!

Wolf ready to pounce!
Only joking, very friendly dog waiting for it’s owner at hockey.

Filming in Bath

This week Bath sees the arrival of Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes to shoot a period epic The Duchess.
Today the second unit have been at the Holburne Museum and Royal Crescent, but no sign of the stars.
It’s thought that they are only shooting interior ballroom scenes in the Assembly Rooms on a closed set, so unless you catch they out shopping or eating you’re unlikely to see them.

Camera crew board the coach to film the windows above car level through the coach window.

Maggie Ainley the Bath Film Commissioner checks her own pictures.

Crocs

Only in Glastonbury would you find a specialist CROC shop!
That keeps 20,000 pairs of CROCS in it’s warehouse.

Number plate of note!

Number plate of note spotted in Painswick today.

Holburne Museum

Meeting at the Holburne Museum
about the new planned extension.

Copyright Sam Farr for The Bath Chronicle

Carefree Cycling Tours

I spotted this parked in Weston last week, a trailer full of cycles.
Carefree Cycling Tours arrange trips like the Bath Spa Pedal and Pamper.
You leave Bristol at 10am take the Bath Bristol Cycle Path stopping at intermediate points for refreshments.
Lunch in Kingsmead square and leave your bike, walk to the Thermae Spa for two hours pampering, and then get driven back to Bristol with your bike.
The Special offer price is £79 for two with only 15 miles to cycle.

Combe Hay Bonfire Party