Why

Olympics? What Olympics?

Reason No.1 It's 0610hrs, woke up early so checking my emails while still in bed. The "teas maid" is awake now so expect a cuppa very soon

Today I bought an iThingy and a netbook thingy, now I have to work out why

Just in case I miss or have missed one, Happy Birthday to everyone who has had or is having one this year.

Thought the cartoon was great Liz is posting the link to some of her friends.

Having an erection at 1030hrs in the garden so painting the fence in prearation for the new summer house

Vic, I'm in Newbiggin by the Sea but was born in North Shields. Emigrated to Lowestoft in 1978 and returned to the North East 2006 so just getting to know the area again.

I've only tried a monopod once (in Canterbury Cathedral) and found it awkward so can't advise. As regards a flash I would say yes if you are visiting the Velvet Cave in Valkenburg, not sure about the lighting in the Town Cave. Guide speaks Dutch but they will give you a sheet with notes in English which is great if you can see in the dark as the only light is from the guides tilley lamp so a small torch may be of use . I got some pics using iso 1600 without flash (got battery exhausted when I tried the pop up flash ) Liz got much better shots using the lumix and built it flash. Hope this helps

Think you will enjoy Keukenhof more than Floriade. Liz and I loved it even though the weather wasn't at its best. What I took with me was the K7 a Pentax 18-135mm WR which was used almost full time, a Tamron 10-24mm which I didn't use a lot and the 55-300mm which I can't recall using at all. I think for Floriade I'd consider the weight of kit because it is a lot of ground to cover. As I'm still pretty much at the start of the learning curve in photography I'm sure more proficient members of the forum will give you better advice regarding kit. Have a Great Time