Photoclub Alpha

EAST ANGLIA
New Quest Destination!
9-12 June 2009 (Tuesday to Friday)
East Anglia is full of historical and picturesque villages and the landscape has a special character of its own, with ‘big skies’, tidal creeks, estuaries, and beaches. We will explore these at a leisurely pace over the four days, visiting such places as Dedham and Flatford (‘Constable Country’), Southwold, Aldeburgh, Lavenham, and others. We will be based at West Mersea, with its fascinating frontage on the Blackwater estuary, where houseboats and occasional wrecks are subjects for the camera. A minibus will be used for travelling out each day.
Accommodation and meals are not included in the week, but Quest will be pleased to arrange B&B locally where this is required. There will be the option to take communal evening meals locally in the evenings. Seafood and oysters are specialities!
Price £245 (deposit £75) 7 places.

THAMES BARGE CRUISE
from Mistley, nr. Manningtree, Essex.
15-16 July 2009 (Wednesday evening and all day Thursday)
Enjoy a relaxing day with this unique opportunity to sail in a genuine Thames barge! Seeing these beautiful vessels at close quarters, under full sail, is a never to be forgotten sight. Quest has chartered Reminder, a steel hulled barge, built in 1929. The barge offers a very special viewpoint with good opportunities for photography, including activities on deck, the barge skipper and crew, local boats at anchor and under sail, and there may even be other barges in the vicinity.
We will embark on Wednesday evening, sail with the tide early Thursday morning and return late afternoon. Arrival evening seafood platter, breakfast and lunch are catered on board. You are welcome to help the crewing if you so desire.
Price £145 (deposit £40) Meals included. 10 places (strict limit)
Price is based on double or sharing a twin or triple berth. Singles are not normally available due to the nature of the accommodation. Price includes B&B and midday meal. In the event of severe weather conditions it may be necessary to change or curtail the planned itinerary – this will be the decision of the skipper. In the extremely unlikely event that it is unsafe to sail, no refund can, regretfully, be given, but the barge, her crew and all food will remain at the disposal of the group.

CAIRNGORMS and the GLENS New Quest Destination!
12-18 October 2009
(Monday to Sunday) 6 nights
Discount available if combined with the Skye/Applecross trip – see below.
Our base will be at Beauly, which will be convenient for both locations. The photographic opportunities will include Loch Morlich and Glenmore Forest Park near Aviemore, and the wild Cairngorm mountains, plus the renowned north eastern Glens, including Affric and Cannich, where there should be a good display of autumn colour for us to enjoy An additional optional feature of this trip will be a ride on the funicular railway, which travels to just below the summit of Cairngorm itself. Travel arrangements will be by air to Inverness and minibus thereafter.
*Turn this holiday into a fantastic 15-night trip and combine it with the Skye/Applecross trip and take a £110 discount – see below.
Price £745 (deposit £100) single supplement £90 (8 places). May be booked with the Skye/Applecross trip (see below), for a combined price of £1590, thereby saving over £100 (excluding supplements)
Price includes dinner, B&B and minibus travel but not lunch and is based on a shared twin room. A supplement is payable for single occupation.

ISLE OF SKYE and THE APPLECROSS PENINSULA
18-27 October 2009
(Saturday to Tuesday week).
9 nights – 6 Skye and 3 Lochcarron.
Guest House and Hotel based
Discount available if combined with Cairngorms & Glens trip – see below.
Year after year, this is one of our most popular destinations and it is not difficult to understand why, as the “Misty Isle” is surely one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, full of mood and mountains, rivers, bays and lochs. There is all that the landscape photographer could want – but Skye does not give it up that easily, as it is well known for the fickleness of its weather. But the weather makes the mood, and magic moments are never far away – if only the photographer is in the right place at the right time! Following the success of last year’s extension to the dramatic Applecross peninsula, this has again been included in the schedule.
On Skye, we will, as usual, be based at The Skye Picture House, near Broadford, which is run by photographers Steve & Gill Terry. It is situated in a stunning location, at the edge of a loch, with superb views, especially for the morning sunrise. Otters and seals are often seen. A talk by photographer Ken Bryan, who lives on Skye, will be arranged if he is available. Our second location will be at Lochcarron, situated right by the Loch, with good access to Applecross. .
*Turn this holiday into a fantastic 15-night trip and combine it with the Cairngorm and Glens trip above, and take a £110 discount – see below.
Price £955 (deposit £200). Single supplement £125. Cost includes full board accommodation, with packed lunch on Skye, and half board at Lochcarron. The price is based on a shared twin room and. a supplement is payable for single occupation. It also includes minibus travel on Skye and Applecross but not the cost of flights. May be booked with the Skye/Applecross trip (see below), for a combined price of £ 1590, thereby saving over £100 (excluding supplements).

NORTH YORKSHIRE, with JOE CORNISH
1-6 November 2009
(Sunday to Friday) 5 nights.
Joe Cornish is arguably Britain’s finest contemporary landscape photographer and his use of light and composition, in conjunction with his total commitment, has resulted in a series of magnificent pictures of the landscape of the British Isles and elsewhere. His work is widely known and appears regularly in calendars and on cards and he is the author of several superb books on landscape photography.
The workshop will be based at the Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, the highest inn on the North Yorkshire Moors. This remote and spectacular setting is an ideal location, and the open fires are something to enjoy in the evenings!
Daily field trips will be a feature of the workshop and thus some walking will be involved. You will need to be reasonably mobile for this. We will also be viewing and discussing Joe’s pictures and an essential part of the workshop will include a constructive appraisal of pictures from participants. This really is a workshop not to be missed, as it represents a very rare opportunity to work with this top professional landscape artist in his own area.
Joe regularly leads workshops in the UK and his enthusiasm and experience will guarantee an inspiring four days. Not to be missed, but book early, as places will be quickly filled.
Price £775 (deposit £100). Single supplement £75. 10 places
Price includes B&B accommodation on a shared room basis, plus minibus travel to Yorkshire if required. It does not include evening and midday meals. A supplement is payable for single occupation.

THE ARDECHE, FRANCE
New Quest destination!
in conjunction with Experience Ardeche
15-22 November 2009
(Sunday to Sunday) 7 nights.
The Ardeche region is rich with photographic opportunities, with dramatic landscapes, large rivers, ancient forest and historical towns and villages. The variety of subject matter in the area will ensure a full and interesting week and of course we will enjoy the local ambience and French cuisine! We will be staying at the Belvedere Hotel, close by the famous Pont d’Arc, at the head of the Ardeche Gorge. Situated only 6km from the town of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc along the gorge road, Le Belvedere is a popular destination for the French tourists who prefer the tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle. A great opportunity to really enjoy this magical and welcoming part of France nestled right on the edge of the Réserve Naturelle. Quest has teamed up with Experience Ardeche for this event, a company specialising in activity holidays. Their knowledge of the area will guarantee us a full and interesting week.
The most convenient travel option is by Ryanair from Luton to Nimes, where free transfer to the hotel will be provided. Other possibilities are by train (Eurostar and TGV). Please enquire if you would like more information.
Price £825 (deposit £200). Single supplement £100. Maximum 10 places. Price includes Dinner B&B, and travel in France during the week. It is based on a shared en suite room, and a supplement is payable for a single occupancy. Cost of flights or other transportation to France is not included.
Colin Westgate’s QUEST workshops, sponsored by Photoworld, are now based at Stable House, 2 Carriers Close, West Mersea, Mersea Island, Essex CO5 8NY. Tel 01206 384584. Mobile 07887 887101. See website: http://www.questphoto.co.uk/ or email questphoto@btinternet.com