The Grapes.

Another black and white photograph I took whilst I was recently on holiday. The Grapes - a pub made famous by four lads from Liverpool who frequented it between gigs at The Cavern Club, located just across the street.

I began going to the Grapes, at first with my brother Thud then later with friends, when I was 15 years old. No stuffy Beatles tunes were played in the pub's smoky bar and lounge at that time. A new musical generation had taken over Liverpool and now The Grapes just happened to be the nearest pub, a mere 20 yards down the street, to another historically important music venue, Eric's - the very centre of the teenage Vinogirl's world. A couple of glasses of Guinness, a bevy of local celebrities, the last bus home: life was good.

Who knew that grapes, of another sort, would feature so prominently later in my life?

VE Day.

I very well may be a certified vine-nerd, but I don't think I'll ever be a fully fledged photography-geek. I did however enjoy taking pictures of Liverpool on my recent holiday.

Raise a glass of bubbly, preferably Pol Roger, and toast the countless men and women who sacrificed their lives for us.

Remember, freedom isn't free.

St. Luke's, Liverpool. Bombed 5th May 1941.

Kept in the dark.

Somewhere, in between working, pruning, cleaning, cooking, dog-walking and sleeping, I have to find time for school.
I am really enjoying the darkroom class that I am taking. I have found that developing prints is addictive, and coaxing my brain to think in black & white (with the emphasis on tone and texture rather than colour) has been quite an exercise. However, I am a little frustrated that my chosen subject matters are somewhat limited, hence the picture above of my pruning shears and gloves. I really should get out more. Ho hum!