Thanks to everyone who entered. There are now 27 pictures and still nearly an hour to go. I've studied all those in already and have a pretty good idea about a winner and top positions. If an even better one comes in in the next hour I'll just pop it onto the top of the pile and move the others down one place.
I'll start on the final selection and comments early morning Monday - I have to be in Chester, via Manchester, in the afternoon.
I won't see any abusive comments on my choices or be able answer any questions arising until Wednesday.
nightie night, david.

Prieni: The mail from Germany to the UK is obviously not getting through. Still waiting for the hampers and bottles.
Hyram: I'm not influenced if people comment on pictures I'm judging, I just select the images I like best. I know from long experience in camera club competitions that different judges and different photographers all have their own views and often they don't match each other.
david
PS On reflection, Hyram is quite right. Best to comment on the entries after the competition is judged. It doesn't worry me but some judges might be fazed by it.
david

I'm getting a bit concerned, its Sunday morning and so far only 13 entries in the Storm Brewing competition. Many of the usual suspects are missing. By this time in the previous competitions I have set and judged the entries were in the upper 30s. Have I picked a bummer this time, if so sorry.
david

Welcome ale-K200, we have members from all parts of the world, not just the UK and Europe and that's great. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures.
I've not submitted any pictures to the Forum because its so much simpler and straightforward to send them to the Gallery and weekly competitions directly from my computer. I'm a simple soul and if there's an easy way to do it I don't bother with the complicated system.
best wishes, david

No Daniel, you didn't pick me as winner last time. Bob and his Pentax gave me the poison chalice that time.
david.

Just got in and read the result. Thanks Daniel, I honestly didn't expect to win because I thought some of the entries were real good, but this seems to be how it works now. I pick you as winner, then you pick me and then I pick you.... We've got this sown up!!!
As for the drinks... sorry, can't encourage drink driving but if anyone's in Durham any time get in touch.
As for now, a new subject will be posted very soon.
david.

It seems a very sad but correct decision to make right now. I see you say the trip is postponed, not cancelled so I hope you get to India before long.
best wishes, David.

If this had been in the contre jour competition I judged I'm not saying it would have won, Daniel's pic would take some beating, but it would have been very high up. Looks as if the snail is levitating. You say you put it on a wall but you've disguised the wall very well.
david

The winner always gets the drinks in.
david

Forgive my ignorance but what do the little gold and silver medals signify when they appear against your name and the number of times you have posted? Do you have to reach a certain number of posts to be promoted from silver to gold?
David (silver medalist)