Phoenix

thanks for the tip Nanny, which I will certainly remember. I actually got it going again. I'd tried every micro USB cord I had to recharge it (one had changed the screen and then the light went out) today in frustration I just put it into the computer and ..... the rest is history. It is now charged and I am searching for few new books as we go away on Wednesday and will be gone for nearly 4 weeks. The Kobo is fabulous for travelling. Thanks for all the tips, I'll be browsing this thread later tonight for some new titles. I'll let you know what I download. I also have a 'secret' facebook group called BOOKSPEAK. If any avid book readers are out there, just send me a message and I'll join you up. There is a great list of books with simple reviews from my friends.

My KOBO has just died (sob sob) Just finished 2 great books: Orpheus Lost by Janet Turner Hospital and Cuckoo's calling by Robert Galbraith (AKA JK Rowling)

Congratulations Ryewolf, it's a lovely image and it got my vote. In fact I liked all the images this week so it was a hard choice for me. Ryewolf: Loved the lighting, how it moved from white to black across the image. The blueberries were sharp (and delicious) and the choice of bowl was perfect. Phil: Terrific image of the textures of the cobbles and the door/ building but the scooter is too small to make an impact. Also the building needs to be straightened. James; that's a very impressive PS skill and I'd love to see some more of your work Chris: almost got my vote, a clever images and unusual to have blue on B&W, but it would be hard to get all those feathers just right and the edges of the boa were a funny color. Loved the idea and the collection of items was great. Pearl: another that was deserving of a vote, loved the blue flower on the blurred windmill background. Unfortunately the sky was too bright and has let you down. Great range of images this week. congratulations everyone

No i don't agree either, I enjoy the weekly challenge, and it really is just for fun (as we would say, it's not for sheep stations'). Voting should be on the image you think is the best (whatever your interpretation) not on who took the image. If it's the same person 3 weeks in a row, so be it... we are all friends (aren't we?) Some weeks we might not have enough in the competition if we took away the setter. Even when it's hard (ie a summer image and you live in the southern hemisphere where it's winter) it allows you to be a bit 'creative'.

Southern Cross Station Overpass (taken 01.10.2015)

that Mrs Patel was clutching a skinny, homeless kitten.

it's great to see that the voting lines are blue too!

a picture of the half starved kitten, so that the RSPCA would............

so off to the shop he went.....

Car Wash (taken 28.09.2015)

one day while pondering which task to complete..........

congratulations Terry, it's a beautiful photo, love the contrast in colors

Here's how it works. The story always starts with "Once upon a time" Each entry adds just one line/ sentence to the story. You can take the story in any direction you like (keep it nice...) You must wait until another person adds a story line before you come back to the story. So lets see where the story goes... Once upon a time.... A long time ago, there was a big boss named Phil...........

EVERYONE

I'm off on a shoot with some friends tomorrow, hopefully I can find something along the way...

I hope you will come and visit me when you come to Australia, I live near to Victoria's high country

I'm getting a bit worried about you Chris, you might start some rumours! Off to the optometrist you go....

lucky you to be actually getting in. Where we live is zoned for 'satellite NBN' and we are probably last on the list - they estimated about 10 years! Until then we deal with ADSL which is slow at the best of times

OK, i'm seeing some trends, what a fabulous bunch we are... most of us are traditionalists (marriage, babies, longevity) some of us have (and love) cats some of us ride bikes most of us think that other people take better pictures than we do some of us have 'odd' hobbies/ friends/ habits some of us have partners that think we are a bit 'weird' Hoping a couple more might join in.... and a message for Paul, all us Aussies used to (I say loudly- USED TO) love Rolf Harris... creepy how things change)

Happy to increase the voucher to 500 pounds for you UK members!

OK, we do well to welcome new members, but there is no opportunity for new members to know anything about us. So to all of you: Firstly tell us where you live (if you don't want to be specific give the area) Secondly give us 10 things about you that we don't know..... My name is Jen (not Phoenix), and I live in North East Victoria, in Australia, near a little place called Swanpool I shoot with a Canon 7D I like to shoot street/ photojournalism/ some macro/ and travel I particularly like monochrome work I have just retired from 35 years of nursing I recently completed my pool lifeguard course so that I can get some summer casual work I am still trying to make friends with Lightroom I have 2 mad cats and have just lost my beautiful border collie () I am going to our APS (Australian Photographic Society) conference in Tweed Heads in October I did an 'Ansel Adams' workshop in Yosemite in April - it was AMAZING I bought hubby a camera so that he can now share this hobby, and he is now a better photographer than me Your Turn............

If you had $1000 to spend on camera equipment (this is a voucher so no spending on bills, petrol, holidays, clothing or putting in the bank!) WHAT WOULD YOU BUY?

Fabulous work Paul, you should be proud of this - great achievement

I have a super wide (Sigma 10-20) and I love it, but yet to really make friends with it. It feels so intrusive to be so close to people (great for objects and landscape). Have fun with it fuji

welcome James, seems you are well known here. I'd be interested in what you see that has 'changed' in photography since you last picked up a camera?