It is nearly four years since I joined Flickr ..... what a strange and wonderful place this is .. I have made new friends, my family call you my 'imaginaries'. I know you are not, because I have met a number of you, and enjoyed much fun and laughter.

I am enjoying my hobby more than ever before, encouraged by the comments, critiques and warmth of my Flickr friends. I have learnt so much from some of the truely inspiring photographers that are part of this community, and who are so generous with their time and expertise.

Mostly, I photograph what I like to look at, sometimes I photograph what is not nice to look at. The images I like best are the ones that have captured something of the essence of a place or event I was witnessing when I pressed the shutter ... these often go unnoticed on my stream ... but that is not the point.

I am a middle-aged, left-wing, education consultant and mother of 3 expensive grown-up children ... but that is not the point either! Now [2011] I am also an elected local Councillor for Labour. I take less photographs, but the time I have left for my hobby is even more precious.

Images I am happy to have taken: