It's been quite a few weeks since furlough began for me and as we can now start to venture a little bit I wanted to capture this view.
Since the world ground to a halt, planes have been grounded and Glasgow airport has a fair share of them. Hopefully we won't get to see this too often but for now its quite a sight to behold.
Stay safe and stay local.
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It was with some trepidation that we headed off on our summer holiday this year. The growing unrest in Hong Kong was of a concern however the holiday was booked, there was no backing out. We stopped short of packing hard hats and gas masks but did make sure we had plans for data for the mobile phones.
Hong Kong is an amazing place, with contrasting sights and sounds. The hustle and bustle of the shopping areas to the calmness of the temples. The sights and smells of the markets to the flavours and ambience of the restaurants and diners. It really is an awesome place.
The fantastic thing was that the disruption didn't stop us doing anything we wanted to, not without a constant eye on social media and the news to see what was happening, however finding spots like the Chi Lin Nunnery was awesome. What a place. An oasis of calm in this bustling city of millions.
The city is renowned for neon but they are disappearing fast and with the ever greater need for energy efficiency, LEDs are replacing the old fashioned neon signs at a rate of knots.
In addition though there appears to have been a growth in the numbers of murals, since we last visited, particularly in the Central area.
There were so many stunning murals and with a lot of fab places to get a cold beer it was great to hangout here.
Four examples from the area.
With other amazing experiences, from visiting the Giant Buddha to finding a cheeky instagram spot, from haggling in the jade market to enjoying some of the worlds cheapest Michelin Star food at Tim Ho Wan's, from the experience of seeing wild monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park to the Pandas of Ocean Park, thank you Hong Kong for an amazing experience. It was sad that there was always that edge, that need to keep your wits about you. I hope that this amazing city can get back on its feet. That it can overcome the trouble and heartache that it is feeling at this time and regardless of what the politics are that Hong Kong will find peace once more.
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It was dark and rather chilly as a good friend and photographer, Andrew Noble - https://www.andrewnoblephotography.co.uk - and I set off to capture the first light falling on Kilchurn Castle.
What would we get? Mist, fog, frost? The weather was showing it should be clear, however you never really know in Scotland. What was for sure was you had to wrap up warm! It was very chilly.
As it was we were not the first to turn up, nor the last either. Kilchurn Castle, set on the banks of Loch Awe, is certainly a draw to locals and tourists alike as the lay-by was well filled by our arrival.
We headed across the stile, round the footpath and dropped down towards the bank, to be met by a dozen photographers already scouting the angles they wanted to capture when the sun rose.
It happened that amongst the small throng there were some Glasgow based and some French photographers, who were clearly on a tour. There was space for all and with a very occasional and polite, "Sorry, could you move right" everyone got their shots.
As for me, well the proof is in the pudding as they say and I was delighted and mesmerised. The colours changed by the minute and as the sun crept down the slopes towards Kilchurn castle, the Autumnal golds and oranges burst to life, moving from cool tones to vibrant vivid warmth.
The pleasure of watching the landscape transform made the early start all the more worthwhile. The cold chill air was forgotten, well almost - the toes were a bit chilled after a couple of hours - but the recovery with a coffee and breakfast was amazing!
That recovery happened in Brambles in Inverary, a fine establishment and with a hearty breakfast and good coffee it recharged our batteries and prompted an idea. A short detour on the way home to somewhere I had photographed before, and Andrew hadn't come across.
Bowling Harbour sits on the River Clyde, on the north bank, and is the west coast starting point for the Forth and Clyde canal. Many years ago I capture Harbour Graveyard
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It was clear the ravages of time had continued to impact the wrecks littering the harbour.
As the snap to the left shows. With hulls looking increasingly like skeletons and the cabin collapsing off the centre wreck, it was sad to see the relics of yesteryear quite literally wasting away.
There was however still something in the beauty of this area and always something to capture from a visit.
Thanks Andrew for a fab day out and let's not leave it so long next time!
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It feels like yesterday that I was embarking on a new mini adventure and yet next week my 6 month Golden Jubilee secondment comes to an end.
It has been an increasingly frenetic end with deadlines and the need to ensure what I hand over is in good order, ensuring the loose ends are tied up.
Last week saw the culmination of the 2nd project I have worked on. A funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. There has been a huge amount of work gone in from stakeholders across the RZSS organisation to develop the final submission and my role was to project manage the development of the full application, using the process that I had compiled in phase 1 of my secondment.
What did it consist of, I hear you ask? Well, a lot! A 9000 word online application was supported with a further eight documents. These covered content such as financial accounts; interpretation and activity plans; design work for the proposed centre and letters of support from various bodies and MSPs. The documents presented included over 31,000 further words to support the application plus images bringing elements of the plan to life.
Achieving this end result has come through discussion and meetings with the architect to take an outline brief through to a Concept Design. I have worked with stakeholders to gain their insight and opinion into what we need to get in place. Spent time with leaders from Cairngorm National Park, Highland and Islands Enterprise and Highlife Highland. We have engaged with MSPs and local charitable organisations and have ensured that employees are up to speed with the project to help, all managed and recorded using the process I collated in phase one of my secondment.
It is all really exciting!
However the biggest challenge will be waiting to see if we have been successful in this first phase of the application. It is a hugely contested process with no guarantees and we can but keep our fingers crossed now that it is all submitted.
On top of the big project for Highland Wildlife Park, I was asked to carry out an independent review into another project, completed earlier this year, at Edinburgh Zoo. It was a great opportunity to use the review element of the project management process with leaders and to be able to bring to life where the project was challenged and saw successes.
This report was presented back to the Leadership team today and so a couple more of those loose ends were tied up.
The final few days will involve work supporting leaders to apply the process to projects, Time spent to bring their managers up to speed and support the launch of the first projects without my input and to start to say a few goodbyes as holiday season continues.
I am also making time to reflect on my experience as I look to getting myself back into the branch full time.
First off I have to say a big, "Thank you" to my colleagues who have supported my time away from the shop. You will all have to get used to me being back full time very soon.
They say change is as good as a rest, and I can safely say that this opportunity has been AMAZING and very invigorating! There team at RZSS have been brilliant and so very welcoming and it is brilliant that Partners can have the chance to do this sort of thing.
It was amazing to see how different things are whilst being very much the same. Business challenges of driving service and sales whilst managing costs and productivity don't change regardless of whether you are a world leading conservation charity or a leading UK department store.
However, being able to throw myself into a different organisation is a challenge that I have relished. I have learned new skills and had the opportunity to see how the skills I have, as well as those that I have been able to grow, can positively impact the zoo and the day job. In a changing retail environment, when you can never really know what is around the corner, it has given me the opportunity to remove a bit of fear as to what the outside world is like. For the record, I am not proposing to go anywhere, I had my 27 year anniversary last week so JL is firmly in the blood. However, it is good to be able to see the value you bring, the fact that there is most definitely life out side the Partnership and that the skills I have are valued.
If you are a Partner reading this and have never considered a GJT application, go on, try it. It is an awesome opportunity and something not to be passed up on! What have you got to lose?
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It has been a good few weeks since my last blog post and I thought it was about time to share an update.
What have I been up to you might ask? Well, as much as some colleagues think it is all about looking after Pandas and Tigers, the reality is that I have been head down ploughing into research and learning new skills, to help influence my Golden Jubilee Trust Secondment. I have been away training and gained a qualification and spent time investigating what good project management looks like. The great news is that my first draft output has been delivered to the Executive here at the zoo and phase two is in progress.
So, what have I delivered so far? Put simply, a process, a series of documents has been generated and what has been great to see is some of this is being road tested already! This first draft is helping to challenge the thinking of what needs to happen with projects and, with feedback, this will help shape the final set of documents later this year.
There has been more though that I have learned, and I thought I would share some thoughts on what it is like immersing yourself into another organisation as that has been a fab experience.
For 26 years all I have known is John Lewis. There is a danger with this that you lose touch with the "outside" world. Whilst I work hard to keep myself abreast of what is happening in the outside world, I can safely say nothing is as good as grasping an opportunity such as this. It has been refreshing and invigorating to get involved with something outside John Lewis. It has also been fascinating to see the similarities in the challenges faced by both organisations. Whether it is how to drive footfall or striving to increase service, whether it is managing our costs or increasing productivity, the reality is we all must work smarter to make our business' a success. I have seen first-hand that, it doesn't matter if you are a charity or a retailer. We face very similar hurdles.
Whilst it is not a surprise that an unrelenting focus on your customer, coupled with the delivery of a great experience is vitally important, it must be supported by continuously driving your business forward to work more efficiently. Something which is both challenging and rewarding.
Looking to the next phase of my secondment, I hope to be able to drive forward the efficient working piece and I am excited to see how the draft documents I have created develop following feedback. I will need to support colleagues in using them on live projects, as it will feel different, but I am confident that the process can make a difference.
I am of course still needing to ensure my juggling of the day job stays consistent. It goes without saying that I have fabulous, supportive colleagues through which this secondment is made more straight forward. Thank you.
As for next steps, I am leading a session at the Highland Wildlife Park next week for a group of RZSS leaders, delivering a session to look at driving service and experience for the visitors to the Park. I can't wait and look forward to the challenge and opportunity to see how I can use my new-found Project Management knowledge to positively influence the organisation.
Christopher
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There have been exciting and hectic times recently as I started on a Golden Jubilee Trust (GJT) secondment with Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh zoo. What is the GJT you might ask, well there is much more information in the link below, but in short it is a way for Partners in the John Lewis Partnership to volunteer for charities and JLP supports by letting successful applicants spend up to 6 months working with their chosen charities.
Edinburgh zoo is something that I have had a connection with since living in Edinburgh as a child, and Gillian and I have been members for several years now, so when the opportunity arose to apply it was too good to pass up on.
My successful application is for 3 days a week for 6 months and I will be working with the team at RZSS to help review their project management processes with a view to recommending and helping set up improved processes for the future.
It is exciting to be able to work with the team at RZSS, and to bring the benefit of me not being encumbered by a day job, to help them develop for the future. It is also very different, when the "shopfloor" is inhabited by Pandas, Tigers and thousands of other rare and endangered species.
It won't all be plain sailing as I do still have the day job back in branch, and this is something that will be adding to the stretch to keep all those balls juggling in the air. Thankfully I have a great support in the form of my section manager team and also my steering group colleagues. Thanks guys!
My first couple of weeks here have been busy with lots of meeting the team and beginning the process of immersing myself into a different organisation. After 26 years with JL, this is very much new territory. There are, however, similarities. Both organisations are over 100 years old, both have a strong set of values and both are looking to set themselves up for the future. The team at RZSS have been very welcoming and supportive and the next 6 months look to be busy and rewarding.
I am looking forward to keeping everyone up to date with how the secondment is developing and to be able to share the odd photo from lunchtime walks. Here's to getting fitter by walking up the hill!
Christopher
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Good evening and hello. Thanks for popping past. It certainly has been a while since I last added a photo here.
It was about time to find some inspiration and the reality is that a motorway closure took us home in a different way and as fate should happen with the light fading I remembered the Kelpies were round the corner.
Poorly equipped, no tripod, no planning I managed to capture this and a couple of other shots. I had forgotten how much the pylons can impact photos here, however, seeing the Kelpies slowly change colour against the blue of the darkening sky was great. Chilly, but great.
Now to find some more inspiration.
]]>The forecast last night wasn't pretty and I wasn't getting my hopes to high on the weather front and would have to just act quickly and try my hand on the skill side of things! Nothing ventured as they say though so I was up with the lark and set off on my mission.
Glasgow was grey, with slashes in the clouds. "Maybe there is hope!" I thought. Cumbernauld was grey, with no breaks in cover! Stirling looked promising with big clear patches. However there was still 2-3 hours to go so would the cloud fill in? I could see the potential of a shot with the Wallace monument as an out of focus addition to the photo? Were my skills up to it?
No, I wanted clearer skies. Driving on Perth arrived and it was clear, with blue skies! Should I go on still further? The coast was forecast to be clear however this looked good. Perth it was to be then.
I sort of just landed at Perth's South Inches Park. I found a suitable car parking space and the park became my base for the coming extravaganza.
Where to set up, could I use the trees to frame a shot? A couple of tests showed that the sun would be tiny so my focus became how to get the sun as big and sharp as possible.
As the time rolled on I was joined my some locals. I met Sue and her daughter Tori with their 6 month old puppy Toby. Then there was, Joan who had been curious as to what I was up to and why I had moved further across the pitches. Nothing escaped Joans attention! It was lovely to meet them in all seriousness and they were loitering to take in the spectacle in too. We ended up with quite a gaggle around us. Toby was joined by one of his friends Baxter and a big greyhound with another guy. This gent had his pin hole projection kit...two bits of paper, but it worked a treat and gave us another view of the eclipse.
The light dimmed, the temperature dropped and as 0930 UTC came and went the eclipse passed though its maximum for our point in the world. Oh to be in the Faroes with the totality they would have been experiencing. Apparently America in 2017 is up for an eclipse, must go and look out where and when.
My result for the morning is my piece below, brought together with the aid of the app Diptych. It may not be earth shattering however it was thoroughly good fun and a spectacle to experience.
As for our next total solar eclipse in the UK, well that is not till 2090 so we either need to head to Asia in March next year or Tennessee on Aug 17 2017. Road trip anyone?
The weather had settled after the snowfall of last weekend, the forecast showed 0 degrees Celsius with little or no wind, and so the mission was on. A day trip up to the Highland Wildlife Park, an old favourite of mine. I love the Amur Tigers and still hark back to a previous favourite shot of a "Mother and Child", taken during a photography trip.
Once again the snow was on the ground for our visit and it was a lovely crisp day, which bode well.
The Snowy Monkeys were out in force cuddling their young braving the chill air. The Amur's were out, although separated as the park can't take the chance of Dominika mating with any of the boys and the Polar bears were almost sledging...almost!
It wasn't all big wildlife, though, as the gorgeous little red squirrel spotted later in the day showed.
If you haven't ventured North to visit this spot then you really should. Further cats are due with the arrival of snow leopards in early 2015 and also a new female Polar bear, to really spice up the life of Walker and Arctos! I personally think it always looks better in the snow, they are animals usually found in the tundra, however I am also biased due to past experiences getting up close and personal with the Amurs.
Christopher
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It is a city that I love. You feel like you are in a film set constantly, and that crick in the neck due to constantly staring up at the vast monoliths of man made construction takes a good week to work out.
Iconic buildings are aplenty and with Chrysler, Flatiron and Empire state all just awe inspiring. I could wax on, but have more editing to do, and sleep to catch up on, so for now leave the new additions to the landscape set as a taster.
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Armed with prerequisite tripod and camera kit, a couple of soft drinks (due to driving) and a bag of Haribo Starmix (just 'cause you have to) we joined the masses in Princes St Gardens.
Little did I realise how underprepared we were. Vast picnic selections surrounded us by the time the concert neared. Coolboxes, rugs, blankets and chairs. Quiches, tapas, sandwiches and strawberries and of course wine, G&T's and much merriment.
It all added to the ambiance though and next time I intend to go back armed to the teeth with camping chairs and picnic in tow!
As for the show, amazing! The showers held off right until the end and although that meant my last few shots were spoiled I managed to catch some memories which will last far longer than the stars on the back of my eyeballs after the concert conclusion.
If you haven't been, go on...give it a go. Just remember the camping chairs, picnic rug and the smorgasbord of food!
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Summer Holiday this year saw us travelling around England. Sunshine abounded and an excellent time was had.
From staying in an English country house to a weekend in a castle on an island it was all very chilled and relaxing.
Whilst staying on Brownsea island we took the opportunity to visit the Dorset wildlife trust bird sanctuary.
Set on the Brownsea lagoon, there are hundreds of birds of dozens of species to be seen. These Common Terns were so graceful and captivating as they seemingly bickered, or courted each other. It was amazing to see. Interested in more then the link for the trust is below. http://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/brownsea_island_nature_reserve.html
]]>The Lake of Menteith, bound to the north by the Menteith Hills and to the south by farmland, woodlands and rare lowland raised bogs, is often called Scotland's only Lake. Its name probably comes from Laich of Menteith, meaning Lowland of Menteith. The change to "Lake" is put down to an innocent map-making error! Over the years it has been written down in many different ways - as Loch of Monteith, Loch of Inchmahome and Laicht of Monteith.
Sitting on the largest island on the Lake is Inchmahome Priory. A home to Augustinian monks for over 400 years. The priory was founded in 1238 by Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith, one of the country's most powerful noblemen, Robert the Bruce visited the island three times during the Scottish Wars of Independence and the young Mary Queen of Scots took refuge here with her mother in 1547.
Today you can visit by small boat, and Historic Scotland look after the ruins and the island. Osprey, otters and red squirrels do call it home. they didn't show today, however I will be back! Next time a picnic will be in order, some sunshine on demand and maybe see one of the elusive red squirrels.
It was impressive walking through the grounds of the university and nestled between the East and West quadrangles sits the Cloisters. A lovely space, quiet at the time of day I was there, with only the occasional passing student, official or workman.
As the rain started to fall, earlier than I had expected, I beat a retreat, happy with having had a good wander around and a venture into the University Chapel too.
I will be back, if only to catch this lovely piece of Glasgow in different lights, and I can thoroughly recommend heading here and adding some time to see the Hunterian Museum as well.
Bank Holiday Monday and not much in the way of sun! By not much, I mean none. Despite this I decided to take a trip over to see Scotland's newest visitor attraction, the Kelpies.
The Kelpies tower a colossal 30 metres above the Forth & Clyde canal and form a dramatic gateway to the canal entrance on the East Coast of Scotland. Sculpted by Andy Scott, The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Central Scotland.
They are truly a wonder to see and with some wonderful walks around the canal and surrounding countryside, will make for a fab day out. It would be even better with a drop of sunshine.
It was an early start today, and to my friend Andrew, even earlier as he was surviving on 4 hours sleep! We were off to see what we could find in the Trossachs. Destination not entirely known, it was an adventure.
First stop was this beauty, a cracking example of our Highland Cow, or rather the Heilan Coo! These guys have such character, and this lady was more than happy to pose.
After this we were off to Loch Katrine, the source of Glasgow's water supply and then onto Glen Finglas for a rugged walk, punctuated by lunch at the Brig o'Turk tearoom.
Waterfalls and filters gave for a few successful shots, however the weather closed in and time was called on our journey north.
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