That first ever entry was a simple one:
Welcome to the West Midlands Exploration blogspot. This is where I shall post any ideas, news, comments and other trivial nonsense that I can think of with regard to the West Midlands Exploration galleries at http://wme.fotopic.net - or at least thats the plan.
Hopefully this will turn into a useful running commentary on gallery updates and recent outings, as well as providing me with another place to reflect upon the many outings I have already done. So, part diary, part personal planner, part memory bank, part discussion board. Enjoy the blog!
Paul
The focus then - as indeed it still is now but to a lesser extent - was on building my archive of local photographs and having a place to discuss my plans. Those original Fotopic galleries have long gone but I've been settled on Flickr since 2011 and continue to issue photostream updates there on a regular basis, hence my monthly 'Flickr Focus' summaries of new arrivals. I'll never be the best photographer in the world and some of my interests are niche to put it mildly (a certain street sign obsession being a case in point), but having my camera with me simply gives me a great excuse to be out and about getting to know places. It's a wonderful hobby, and it's true to say that the 8,000+ images I currently have published on Flickr are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amount of pictures I've actually taken down the years!
Back in the beginning, one fundamental thing was clear - that the blog was essentially for me as an outlet for my thoughts, a personal indulgence if you will. I didn't really care then whether anybody else reads it - and still don't - although of course it is nice to receive the occasional comment when one of my posts strikes a chord with someone else. Through endurance or longevity (perhaps sheer persistence), I've amassed a record of a region undergoing change from the point of view of one observer. More importantly though, the blog charts my various friendships and has come to capture so many lovely memories made with people who mean a lot to me. The cast of characters will change over time but special thanks go to Mr D9, Nick, Stephen, Mr B Senior, Rog, Woody, Jane, Emily and my family for all your support.
Back in May 2006, Tony Blair was the Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne and 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley was top of the charts. Now we have Keir Starmer, King Charles III (otherwise known as Nick), and whichever pop darling is the current flavour of the month. Aside from photography, I still retain my initial fascination in public transport - as my recent outings sampling new West Midlands railway stations prove - and canals, while pubs and cask ales are another recurring thread. I've lost count of the amount of personal favourite hostelries I've declared now but it's a list that seemingly keeps growing despite a litany of sad closures. The West Midlands as a region remains close to my heart with a special affection reserved for the Black Country, although technically I now live in South Staffordshire.
So what of the future? I plan to keep on exploring, taking my pictures and compiling my trip reports much as I do now. Whether I'll always write at least five new posts per month remains to be seen, likewise whether I'll run out of material for the Lost Pubs series - I haven't yet! There are still so many places I'd like to see, people to meet and Warwickshire matches to attend, plus lovely ales to drink. Maybe I'll still be hacking away at my keyboard in another twenty years, reflecting on lord knows what! As long as I stay healthy and keep having fun, anything seems possible so thanks for reading and onwards we go to the next adventure...
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