For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 The Race of Champions http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c1430815.html The first edition of the Race of Champions, held in Paris in 1988, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the World Championship for Rally Drivers gathering all the official World Rally Champions in a competition on identical cars. The event was held in memory of the late Henri Toivonen, who died at the Corsica rally while leading the world championship in 1986. The Henri Toivonen Memorial trophy is still awarded to the winner of the individual Race of Champions. The Race of Champions was originally conceived as the ultimate shoot-out between the best international rally stars. But experts from other disciplines have given the rally drivers a run for their money over the years. They include MotoGP's Valentino Rossi, seven-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen, four-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon, seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, Renault F1’s Heikki Kovalainen and Audi’s Swedish DTM Champion Mattias Ekstrom. At Wembley in 2007, Ekström beat the ever-dominant Michael Schumacher in The Race of Champions final to claim the Champion of Champions title for the second succesive year. However, the fun was interrupted for a touching tribute to the late Colin McRae. Event Organiser Fredrik Johnsson gave a short speech and the crowd stood in silence for a lone piper but were then lifted as brother Alister entered the stadium in the unmistakeable 555 Subaru Impreza 'N1 WRC' from 1996, Colin's 'champion year'. Friday 28 December 2007: The first edition of the Race of Champions, held in Paris in 1988, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the World Championship for Rally Drivers gathering all the official World Rally Champions in a competition on identical cars. The event was held in memory of the late Henri Toivonen, who died at the Corsica rally while leading the world championship in 1986. The Henri Toivonen Memorial trophy is still awarded to the winner of the individual Race of Champions. The Race of Champions was originally conceived as the ultimate shoot-out between the best international rally stars. But experts from other disciplines have given the rally drivers a run for their money over the years. They include MotoGP's Valentino Rossi, seven-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen, four-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon, seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, Renault F1_s Heikki Kovalainen and Audi_s Swedish DTM Champion Mattias Ekstrom. At Wembley in 2007, Ekstr_m beat the ever-dominant Michael Schumacher in The Race of Champions final to claim the Champion of Champions title for the second succesive year. However, the fun was interrupted for a touching tribute to the late Colin McRae. Event Organiser Fredrik Johnsson gave a short speech and the crowd stood in silence for a lone piper but were then lifted as brother Alister entered the stadium in the unmistakeable 555 Subaru Impreza 'N1 WRC' from 1996, Colin's 'champion year'.

The Champions Marcus Gronholm Jenson Button Travis Pastrana The REAL Stig (Blomqvist). Petter Solberg - ever the showman! Michael Schumacher Hekki Kovalanen - tries to lap Herr Schumacher! The Red Bull display team No caption necessary... Henning Solberg Alister McRae Petter Solberg recovers from a spin. And across the line... RoC winner Mattius Ekstrom.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Fri Dec 28 2007 Summer Saturdays in the West http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c1241258.html This year's West Somerset Railway Spring Gala was themed 'Summer Saturdays in the West'. Between about the mid 1950s and early 1960s the railways in the west country were worked to their absolute limit to provide enough capacity for the ever increasing holiday traffic. Although, by now, the average person had a paid holiday, relatively few owned cars and so travelled to the west country resorts by rail. Somehow the railways coped but conditions for the travellers could be very poor and lateness was often measured in hours, not minutes. Trains were often hauled by goods engines and some of the carriages had been sitting in the sidings since the previous summer. It was the railway's very ability to cope that worked against them and the travelling conditions must have convinced many to save up for a car - and join the queue on the Honiton by-pass! The Gala brought together locomotives that would once have had a hand in the holiday traffic. Unlike the period being recreated however, the West Somerset trains were on time and clean! No doubt the Gala brought back a few memories but hopefully caused a few people to think of the effort put in by the railwaymen of the 1950/60s to keep the trains moving. Thanks to the West Somerset folks for organising the gala and to Don Bishop, Russ Hillier and Geoff Silcock for running appropriate photo charters. Tuesday 27 March 2007: This year's West Somerset Railway Spring Gala was themed 'Summer Saturdays in the West'. Between about the mid 1950s and early 1960s the railways in the west country were worked to their absolute limit to provide enough capacity for the ever increasing holiday traffic. Although, by now, the average person had a paid holiday, relatively few owned cars and so travelled to the west country resorts by rail. Somehow the railways coped but conditions for the travellers could be very poor and lateness was often measured in hours, not minutes. Trains were often hauled by goods engines and some of the carriages had been sitting in the sidings since the previous summer. It was the railway's very ability to cope that worked against them and the travelling conditions must have convinced many to save up for a car - and join the queue on the Honiton by-pass! The Gala brought together locomotives that would once have had a hand in the holiday traffic. Unlike the period being recreated however, the West Somerset trains were on time and clean! No doubt the Gala brought back a few memories but hopefully caused a few people to think of the effort put in by the railwaymen of the 1950/60s to keep the trains moving. Thanks to the West Somerset folks for organising the gala and to Don Bishop, Russ Hillier and Geoff Silcock for running appropriate photo charters.

Churchlands East Combe East Combe Nethercott Nethercott Near Water Bridge Old Cleeve Near Water Bridge Kentsford Kerr Moor Kerr Moor East Combe East Combe Kentsford Kerr Moor Kerr Moor Water Bridge Roebuck Crossing (With Ivo Peter's Bentley).

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Tue Mar 27 2007 Walking With Wolves http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c1162525.html This selection of photographs are the result of my first attempt at wildlife photography. The were taken at a special photgraphers day organised by 'Wild Arena' at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. The wolves in the care of the Trust are used to inform and educate people about this much misunderstood animal. Funds raised by the Trust are used to support projects across Europe, aimed at helping ensure the survival of wolves in the wild. These activities include education programmes and assistance to farmers in areas across eastern Europe and Russia where wolves are being reintroduced to the wild. The wolf is a family orientated animal and one of the few species where an adult may care for the young of another. Although they are extremely strong, with a bite power in excess of 1/2 ton per square inch, wolves should command the utmost respect but not fear. In fact the normal instinct of a wolf would be to run away from humans, or at the most keep a cautious watch. For more information from expert sources see the links section of this website. Sunday 17 December 2006: This selection of photographs are the result of my first attempt at wildlife photography. The were taken at a special photgraphers day organised by 'Wild Arena' at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. The wolves in the care of the Trust are used to inform and educate people about this much misunderstood animal. Funds raised by the Trust are used to support projects across Europe, aimed at helping ensure the survival of wolves in the wild. These activities include education programmes and assistance to farmers in areas across eastern Europe and Russia where wolves are being reintroduced to the wild. The wolf is a family orientated animal and one of the few species where an adult may care for the young of another. Although they are extremely strong, with a bite power in excess of 1/2 ton per square inch, wolves should command the utmost respect but not fear. In fact the normal instinct of a wolf would be to run away from humans, or at the most keep a cautious watch. For more information from expert sources see the links section of this website.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Sun Dec 17 2006 Digitally Modified Photos http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c1117576.html Normally I restrict any digital modification to the removal of an orange vest or some other clashing item. However, now and again it is fun go just a bit farther... The picture of Nunney Castle and the Voyager was taken on film and then scanned. When I first created the fake I showed it to a friend who is railway proffesional. For a few moments he was taken in... The shot of the 4F on the West Somerset was the result of a suggestion. The blood and custard livery of the coaches is the obvious change, less so is the removal of the white edges on the coach stepboards and electrification related markings on the engine. Monday 23 October 2006: Normally I restrict any digital modification to the removal of an orange vest or some other clashing item. However, now and again it is fun go just a bit farther... The picture of Nunney Castle and the Voyager was taken on film and then scanned. When I first created the fake I showed it to a friend who is railway proffesional. For a few moments he was taken in... The shot of the 4F on the West Somerset was the result of a suggestion. The blood and custard livery of the coaches is the obvious change, less so is the removal of the white edges on the coach stepboards and electrification related markings on the engine.

West Somerset Cockwood Harbour

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Mon Oct 23 2006 Somerset & Dorset Railway 40th Anniversary of Closure http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c908508.html During March 2006 the West Somerset Railway commemerated the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. Engines representing types that ran on the railway were brought to the railway from all over the country. The main gala was held from the 17th to the 26th of March. The event was a great sucess in spite of the weather doing it's utmost to spoil the proceedings. There was little sign of the sun during the actual gala, making black and white photography the order of the day. Thanks are due to the volunteers and proffesionals involved for the tremendous amount of work needed to make the event happen. Friday 31 March 2006: During March 2006 the West Somerset Railway commemerated the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. Engines representing types that ran on the railway were brought to the railway from all over the country. The main gala was held from the 17th to the 26th of March. The event was a great sucess in spite of the weather doing it's utmost to spoil the proceedings. There was little sign of the sun during the actual gala, making black and white photography the order of the day. Thanks are due to the volunteers and proffesionals involved for the tremendous amount of work needed to make the event happen.

Trebles Holford Kentsford Watersmeet Whiskey Trail Crossing Kentsford Nethercott Kentsford Nethercott Watersmeet Blue Anchor Nethercott Nornvis Bridge Blue Anchor Doniford Nethercott Williton!

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Fri Mar 31 2006 Catching the Sun http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c734526.html 'Golden Light', early and late. Friday 21 October 2005: 'Golden Light', early and late.

'Tangmere' pounds up Gomshall bank. '257 Squadron' runs through Harmans Cross on the Swanage Railway. Taken at the age of 12 on a Kodak Coronet snapshot camera 'Wincanton' waits for the 'right away' at Southampton with a Bournemouth train. I believe this was taken in October 1966. 'Canadian Pacific' rolls through Medstead and Four Marks on it's way back to the shed after a day's work. The 'Milk' approaches Horsted Keynes. The first train of the day heads for Leicester GCR. This amazing light was produced when the setting sun broke through a mass of dark cloud. Totnes November 2005. Glint at Medstead The settingsun slips behind a bank of cloud as a train leaves Ropley for Medstead.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Fri Oct 21 2005 West Country Steam http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c714901.html Childhood holiday country - now 'Happy Hunting Ground' for steam photography. Tuesday 4 October 2005: Childhood holiday country - now 'Happy Hunting Ground' for steam photography.

West Somerset goods 5051 and 5029 cross the Tiddy Viaduct near St. Germains. 3205 crosses the recently refurbished Nursery Pool Bridge on 1st June. Near Afflington, Swanage Railway. On it's way to Plymouth,'Earl Bathurst' heads through Horse Cove, Dawlish. March 26 2005. 6024 at Dawlish An early morning walker watches the passage of the West Somerset Railway's 'auto train' near Bilbrook. Pannier tank 9466 crosses the A358 road bridge near Sampford Brett, West Somerset Railway. Near Kentsford, West Somerset Railway. 'Union of South Africa' on the Dawlish - Teignmouth sea wall with the 'Torbay Express'. 'Earl Bathurst' on Dainton bank. 'Earl Bathurst' crosses Cornwood Viaduct on the edge of Dartmoor. 'Tangmere' heads for Plymouth and Penzance near Cockwood Harbour. 'Super D' and autumn colours near Bicknoller, West Somerset Railway.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Tue Oct 4 2005 Campione Del Mondo! http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c337985.html Some historical and more recent images of Lancia's masterpiece. Those in colour were taken at the 2004 Goodwood Festival while the rest come from the time when the Stratos was used in anger. They have been 'saved' from deteriorating HP5 negatives, but the grain seems to give a flavour of a damp and cold RAC rally! The only thing missing is the terrific bark of the 24 valve Ferrari V6 - a sound that truly was 'Champion of the World'... Wednesday 10 November 2004: Some historical and more recent images of Lancia's masterpiece. Those in colour were taken at the 2004 Goodwood Festival while the rest come from the time when the Stratos was used in anger. They have been 'saved' from deteriorating HP5 negatives, but the grain seems to give a flavour of a damp and cold RAC rally! The only thing missing is the terrific bark of the 24 valve Ferrari V6 - a sound that truly was 'Champion of the World'...

Andy Dawson in the Chequerd Flag car on the 1979 BP Rallysprint. More Rallysprint. 'Four Counties Corner' Esgair Daffyd. Markku 'Maximum Attack' Alen on the 1978 RAC. Waiting to leave the Moffat time control on the 1977 RAC. The man in the flat 'at is Sandro Munari. Damp and muddy Dyfnant. Freezing cold Cropton. Heading towards Injebreck on the Isle of Man. Andy Dawson flies at Abbeylands Isle of Man. Rounding the 'Five Mile Corner' near Douglas.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Wed Nov 10 2004 Landscapes http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c337972.html My efforts at emulating Joe Cornish and Charlie Waite! Wednesday 10 November 2004: My efforts at emulating Joe Cornish and Charlie Waite!

The summit rocks of Stowe's Hill on Bodmin Moor. Shades of black at Kimmeridge Bay. Autumn trees and dramatic sky are highlighted by the setting sun near Gundleton, Hampshire. On the beach near Weybourne in Norfolk. A popular view at Kimmeridge Bay, but none the less dramatic for that.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Wed Nov 10 2004 Steam in the Night http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c258162.html Steam in the Night Friday 13 August 2004: Steam in the Night

A pair of Great Western saddletanks in front of Didcot shed. 5575 on a night freight. Autotrain at Washford, West Somerset Railway. Evening goods at Horsted keynes. South Devon milk train Waiting to leave with the milk.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Fri Aug 13 2004 Historic Aircraft http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c238328.html Historic Aircraft Thursday 22 July 2004: Historic Aircraft

'Sally B' star of the film 'Memphis Belle' Hurricane 'Pilots'. My Hurricane is quicker than your Mustang any day! Discussing the last mission. More flightline chat. Mustang Duo 96 litres of Rolls Royce power. A Mustang catches the eveing light at Goodwood.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Thu Jul 22 2004 Rallye des Alpes http://FortheLoveoftheOutdoors.fotopic.net/c162248.html The 'Rallye des Alpes', a 6 day historic rally taking in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. These photographs are snapshots taken whilst competing in the 1998 & 1999 events. Friday 23 April 2004: The 'Rallye des Alpes', a 6 day historic rally taking in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. These photographs are snapshots taken whilst competing in the 1998 & 1999 events.

Healey and TR at the top of the Susten Pass. Pit boxes at Rheims The Rhombo Pass Italy/Austria Stelvio TR and Glacier, Susten Pass, Switzerland. With the Ghosts of Legends at Rheims. 6.30am at the Top of Europe.

Published in For the Love of the Outdoors. Photograpy by Trevor Page

]]> Fri Apr 23 2004