THE BIG MOVE

So, as Christmas dashes towards us like a turbo-powered sleigh, and 2011 is only a heartbeat away, things are hotting up down here in France. Not the weather...no, the weather has been terrible - 3 weeks of rain - and although I love storm clouds better than practically anyone, I find myself longing for a glimpse of what used to be called 'the sun'. Not really a good time then to be making a huge move - house and office premises.....

Over the last 4 years since its conception Ocean Capture Photography Workshops has gone from strength to strength, starting as a few dates here in France and now stretching to 9 countries with over 30 dates annually. During 2010 Donna Bond joined the company, bringing with her her skills as a PA and organising all new enquiries and logistics and putting into place a much needed system to cope with the rising demand - this system is now practically up and running and will certainly improve client contact and make it easier to book trips and receive all-important information. Donna is based in the UK and can be reached at info@oceancapture.com.

I am also adding 'guest' photographers to the Ocean Capture stable - trusted, talented individuals who will work with me to open up new water based destinations in the UK and worldwide. The first of these is Kathy White, a wonderful seascape photographer based in the south of England. Kathy and I have worked together on many occasions and I know she will do a great job for Ocean Capture. For 2011 Kathy is leading trips to Snowdonia (April) and Ireland (TBC). You can see her work at www.kathywhitephotography.com.

Lastly, the first part of a two part plan to open Ocean capture bases in France and the UK takes place in December this year.I am opening an office base in the legendary surfing town of Hossegor, 30km north of Biarritz in south west France. The premises, nestled amongst the European HQs of all the top surf brands, will house the studio/editing facilities for all Biarritz based workshops, with the addition of more printers, wide screen TVs for slideshows and much more. The second phase will take place at the end of 2011 with a similar base close to Lyme Regis in Dorset, UK - right next to the wonderfully dramatic Jurassic Coast.

Exciting times ahead. And on top of all that - we're moving house too, back to Les Landes, land of lakes, forests and Atlantic beaches, and next to my favoutite place for shooting down here in France, the very atmospheric Soustons Lake (jetties, mist, mmmm...) - we're in the process of completely renovating a 19th century fisherman's cottage just a few metres from the lake itself and 5 minutes from the beach. We're due to be moving in on the 17th of December.

Wish us luck.....