Holidays Revealed

Shell And Pier

2012-02-02T09:11:00.000Z

We took Our son and girlfriend, grandson and Tyler our dog to the beach for a run today, Tyler loves chasing his ball, grandson loved playing in the sand he ate quite a lot of it too, I took this shot of the pier and a shell

Short Eared Owls

2012-01-23T20:31:00.003Z

Hi

Went to see the SEOs today met up with Mike (killy) and Brian Rafferty and a few other photographers I know where there, Id never seen SEOs in the flesh before, fabulous to watch them heres a couple of shots, they were quite a way off, so not the best shots but a first so Im happy, Pleased you manage to find them Mike from my directions :thumbs: Ive not picked up my long lens for about 8 months, all hand held, tripod and gimbal next time

Dave

Peir St Annes Last One I Promise :) PPd and Original Shot

2012-01-14T17:28:00.002Z

Hi

Last one of the pier at St Annes with Matt and Darrell, a closer view of the pier, 15 mins before sunset, I did quite a lot of PP, to recover it, shot in raw.

Ive never done this before, Im posting both my finished image and the original shot,

Scared now for the feed back, did I go overboard :lol: be honest I can take it,

Finished shot with lots of PP ;)

Original shot no PP

Thanks for looking

Sentinel Silhouette

2012-01-09T20:16:00.005Z

We had a trip out to Lytham ST Annes for some sunset shots Matt and Darrell came up from Warwickshire to meet me, we had a fab day rounded off with fish and chips yummy, also this shot was on TV tonight

Sentinel Silhouette, a photo by Just Daves Photos on Flickr.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T15:03:00.002Z

Just thought Id say Happy New Year everyone :)

Merry Christmas everyone

2011-12-25T11:17:00.001Z

Merry Christmas everyone

A Celebration Of Fungi 2011

2011-12-19T09:57:00.001Z

I made a video of 50 species of fungi, I found this past year, hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I did finding and photographing them. adjust your sound and enjoy:)

Giant Pandas, Chiang Mai, Zoo Thailand

2011-12-06T09:20:00.001Z

Giant Pandas, not Yuang Guang Tian Tian in Edinburgh I shot this in Thailand :) Chiang Mai, Zoo whilst on Holiday

Christmas A House Full Of Colourful Lights Chorley Lancashire

2011-12-02T22:00:00.003Z

I had a ride out with the grandchildren to see peoples Christmas Make Overs heres a Christmas A House Full Of Colourful Lights Chorley Lancashire

Christmas A House Full Of Colourful Lights Chorley Lancashire, a photo by Just Daves Photos on Flickr.

Mow Cop Folly Stoke On Trent Staffordshire

2011-11-28T21:49:00.002Z

We went to Mow Cop Folly Stoke On Trent Staffordshire with our Grandchildren it was very windy up at the top and a bit to dangerous for our grandchildren aged 2yrs, 3yrs and 7yrs didnt want them blown off, so we had a picnic at the bottom

Mow Cop Folly Stoke On Trent Staffordshire, a photo by Just Daves Photos on Flickr.

Big Day 2moz

2011-11-24T20:17:00.000Z

Tomorrow is the opening of the Museum Lancashire in Preston, Clicky, its only open to the public on Sat the 26th,

I have an official invite to the opening of the refurbished Museum, press and officials, as a contributor, as I have an image (see below) going on permanent display there, so Ive asked Gary to accompany me as my guest, the staff will be dressed in period costumes so should be a great day and good few shots, really looking forward to it

Simple Autumn Sycamore Leaf

2011-11-22T21:00:00.004Z

Just a simple, but beautiful Autumn Sycamore Leaf In water, for the set up I used a black plate with water just covering the base, natural light from the window, I used a white reflector as shade above and behind and a white reflector to up-light the leaf to get the detail in the reflection, exifs on the border, shot on a tripod and cable release, what do you think?

Bubble Tank Fun

2011-11-16T21:14:00.005Z

Bubble Tank Fun

Fallow Doe Dunham Massey Cheshire

2011-11-11T19:37:00.002Z

Fallow Doe Dunham Massey Cheshire, a photo by Just Daves Photos on Flickr.

Fallow Doe Dunham Massey Cheshire

Mark and I went to Dunham Massey today, we didnt see very many deer really, heres a Doe, thanks for a great day out Mark :)

"Does My Bum Look Big In This" Young Fallow Deer Stag Dunham Massey Non tone mapped version

2011-11-07T07:46:00.004Z

Does My Bum Look Big In This" Young Fallow Deer Stag Dunham Massey Non tone mapped version

Frankenstein Pumpkin I carved for our grandchildren

2011-10-28T20:36:00.002+01:00

This is the Frankenstein Pumpkin I carved for our grandchildren, took me 4 hours in all drawing the scooping out then carving, they absolutely loved it, fab to see their faces, heres a shot I took during the day and one my daughter Sarah took on her phone

Hope you like them

"Does My Bum Look Big In This"

2011-10-27T16:46:00.000+01:00

Yesterday We went to Dunham Massey Altringham Cheshire and saw this Young Fallow Deer Stag, I was really close to it I could have touched it, it didnt care I was even there, we also visited The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas Lichfield .Staffordshire

Heres a Young Fallow Deer Stag "Does My Bum Look Big In This"

Beautiful Autumn Reflections Of Tarn Hows

2011-10-25T08:56:00.000+01:00

Another shot from Russell, John, Gary and I's tour of the lake district these are the beautiful Autumn reflections of Tarn Hows Cumbria

Tarn Hows is situated to the north east of Coniston. It is partly man made, as there are three tarns that were joined together in the 19th century. Most of the trees in the surrounding woodland are conifers. It has fabulous views across towards Wetherlam, the Helvellyn range and also Langdale Pikes. Beatrix Potter bought Tarn Hows in 1929 and left it to the National Trust in her will.

Thanks for looking

Millennium Stone Derwent Water Cumbia

2011-10-23T09:28:00.000+01:00

Another shot of our tour of the lakes this is the Millennium Stone, Derwent Water,

Millennium Stone, AKA Hundred Year Stone The Trust Centenary Stone,

A large split boulder of local Borrowdale volcanic lava placed on the boulder strewn shore to mark 100 years of the National Trust in the Lake District. Located by the lake at Broomhill Point, Please feel free to comment

Thanks for looking

Ashness Bridge Derwent Water From The Other Side

2011-10-20T19:45:00.000+01:00

Ashness Bridge Derwent Water From The Other Side, this side is better as the water flows towards you, but the sun was strong and I was shooting into it, so not so good but it seems to have turned out OK

Ashness Bridge Derwent Water Cumbria

2011-10-20T08:58:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Russell, John Gary and I went for a day togging in the lakes, we visited lots of places this is Ashness Bridge Derwent Water Cumbria With Skiddaw In The Distance, Ive always wanted to go there, so many thanks Russell for taking us, its the most photographed bridge in Cumbria,

There where lots of photographers there and it was hard to get a shot without any in, this was my first time using the cokin filters that Russell gave me, Im well happy with them, this is looking down stream, I will upload a looking up stream version later,what do you think it

This Was My Southport Scott Kelby Competition Entry 2011

2011-10-14T10:37:00.001+01:00

This Was My Southport Scott Kelby Competition Entry 2011, it didnt get anywhere, as the standards were high with some great competition entries Clicky linky, to see the other entries, it was great fun day out, we met loads of great people and the sun shone all day for us, looking forward to next years Well done to Terry Donnelly for organising it, and choosing the winning image

Congratulations go to Ian Hughes for his winning shot, Well done Ian :)

Southport Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk 4 Oct 1st

2011-10-04T09:03:00.002+01:00

We John, Gary, Russell, Mark and I went on the Southport Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk 4 Oct 1st,

We had a great day out, 27 photographers took part in the walk,I met lots of new people and had a good chat and chimped after the shoot in the pub, there were some cracking shots taken.

And to round the day off perfectly we went to Russell's were we had some fabulous cakes that Russell had bought from Lilybets of Paris shop in Southport, Lilybets website,they were scrumptious, not only that we got lots of lovely sweet apples from Russell's apple tree, yummy they are.

And to top it all off Russell gave me a Cokin P filter holder and filters listed below, the pic of them is the last one

A Cokin P Filter Holder and 77mm Ring
P164 Circular Polarizer
P231 UV Filter
P154 Neutral Grey ND8
P121 L Soft Grad
P121 M Soft Grad
P121 S Soft Grad

All in as new Mint condition

Anyway a few shots from the walk

And the Filter Holder and Filters That Russell gave me Free, well chuffed :)

Amethyst

2011-09-29T19:11:00.000+01:00

John Gary and I went to Anglezarke reservoir Rivington Chorley Lancashire and we found lots of fungi infected Amethyst Deceivers Laccaria amethystea

Today Fungi

2011-09-25T19:48:00.002+01:00

Hi

Had a walk with John and Gary, around Birkacre Yarrow Valley Chorley, we found these Orange Peel And jelly Babies fungus,

Dave

Colourful Beach Huts Llanbedrog Wales

2011-09-24T15:25:00.000+01:00

Another couple of shots from our holiday in Wales of the colourful Llanbedrog Beach Hut, it was a cold day raining on and off, but managed to get theses shots in between the showers

Togger At Work

2011-09-22T19:57:00.000+01:00

We went for a wander Gary was looking for shrooms, I went to get a shot of a waterail so had my long lens on I took this whilst wait for Gary to get his Fencepost shot, LOL only kidding he was shooting a shroom, Togger At Work "Nice Fence Post Gary" (slityg) LOL Birkacre Yarrow Valley Chorley Lancashire

We did see the waterail (bird) but it was a way off far even for 500mm, the light was horrible as well so not decent shot of it

After Hurricane Katia Morfa Nefyn Beach

2011-09-18T20:39:00.006+01:00

Weve just got back from holiday in Rhoshirwaun (NR Aberdaron) Wales in a cottage, we had a great time and found some amazing scenery

This was take After Hurricane Katia Morfa Nefyn Beach, just love the way the sunlight lights the patch of beach and house, 2 crops of the same shot, and two buoy shots, also one from Hells Mouth at Porth Neigwl and Criccieth Castle Gwynedd,

Hope you enjoy my images

Even More Fungi

2011-09-07T17:33:00.000+01:00

A few more species of fungi I found last week whilst out on a fungi hunt with John and Gary

Hope you enjoyed them

Lots More Fungi

2011-09-05T20:58:00.001+01:00

Quite a few more fungi were around at Birkacre, Yarrow Valley, Chorley Lancashire, heres a few

Hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoy finding and photographing

Helvella SP macropus

2011-09-02T21:14:00.000+01:00

Another couple of shot of Helvella SP or felt saddle, from John and Is day out at Helvella SP macropus, Meresands Woods Rufford Lancashire, these are hard to find

Hope you enjoy seeing them

Another Fungi From Tuesday

2011-09-01T18:45:00.001+01:00

Another shot from Tuesday of an Elfin Saddle AKA The Hooded False Morel (Gyromitra infula) taken in Meresands Woods Rufford Lancashire, this is only a young one about 1/2" high really hard to find due to their colour and leave cover, thnk they grow to about 2" high, Ive been out again still got loads of shots to process.

Meresands Wood Fungi Foray

2011-08-31T08:14:00.000+01:00

Yesterday John and I went to Meresands Woods Rufford, we had a fabulous day out, as always, we LOL I found loads of brilliant fungi, LOL John kept walking past them without seeing them which is very unusual here 4 shots of 3 species , A really funny thing happened as I was looking through my eyepiece at the Raspberry mould a massive hairy caterpillar walked into view I went woow whats that Ha Ha,

Really enjoyed our day there, Ive got quite a few more to process today

Fly Agaric Mushrooms Amanita Muscaria Ellerbeck Coppull Nr Chorley Lancashire

2011-08-28T16:51:00.003+01:00

Today John, Gary and I went to Ellerbeck and old coal mining area in Coppull Nr Chorley Lancashire, I've not been there for 40yrs, its changed quite a lot and we found lots of species, we found lots of fungi including the Fly Agaric Mushrooms Amanita Muscaria, they poisonous are also know as magic mushroom for their hallucinogenic properties , causing psychedelic effects, eating them would not kill you but give you a nasty stomach ache, when you've come down off your trip LOL

Rose Thorn And Water Droplet

2011-08-27T21:38:00.000+01:00

I was bored so had a ride to Johns and shot this Rose Thorn And Water Droplet in his garden, I think its sharp LOL

Todays Fungi Hunt

2011-08-24T17:33:00.001+01:00

Today John, Gary and I, went to Duxbury park Chorley Lancashire, on a fungi hunt, we managed to find some nice specimens including Glistening Ink caps and Sulphur Tuft mushrooms, on the way back to the car the heavens opened we didnt get that wet as we managed to shelter under some trees

Looking forward to getting more fungi tomorrow

A Few Macro From Yesterday

2011-08-23T10:40:00.001+01:00

A Few Macro From Yesterday forage at Birkacre Yarrow Valley Chorley Lancashire

Last ones a go at filling the frame

Not The Kind Of Processing I usually Do

2011-08-20T15:24:00.001+01:00

Heres a shot of Tyler Our Chocolate Labrador, that I processed as a sketch, its not something I normally do, but just thought it suited this shot, what do you think of it?

Yeahhh Fungi Seasons Here

2011-08-18T09:22:00.003+01:00

Yesterday John, Gary and I went out fungi hunting today in Darwen, we had a good day out, found a few nice species, I used natural light on all the shots with carefully placed white reflectors it took me about 30 mins to get the shot of #1 as the sun was in and out, and I was waiting for the right light after placing my reflectors, bet John and Gary where bored waiting, not really they were doing their own thing

Hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did taking the shots

Todays Macro A Pine Cone

2011-08-14T20:40:00.000+01:00

I went out with John and Gary today, I found this little pine cone approx 1/2" long, so I brought it home and did a couple of shots below,

Dave

Shooting Wheat Fields Standish

2011-08-09T18:22:00.000+01:00

Today John Andy and I went shooting wheat fields in Standish Nr Chorley Lancashire, the light was very dull and flat, also it was very cloudy, so didnt get so many good shots, I decided to turn my camera on John and Andy LOL

Thanks for looking

3 Shots From Todays Walk To Primrose Hill Birkacre

2011-08-05T21:18:00.003+01:00

3 shots from today's walk, with John and Andy, to primrose hill Birkacre, Straw Dot moths are about 1/2" long, we were lucky to see him pounce on it, the weather wasn't the best with intermittent showers, still we had good fun and got some good shots

hope you like them, please feel free to comment as they are much appreciated

2011-08-04T11:31:00.000+01:00

Another day crawling around on hands and knee for these Common Blue Butterfly Studies, John,Gary and I went to the dragonfly pond and Hic Bibi reserve, heres a shot of 2 common blue butterflies mating, we had loads of fun

Hope you enjoy seeing my images of them

Comparing The Meerkat Dot Com

2011-08-03T09:17:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we took our Daughter, Son in law and 5 grandchildren to Bowland Wild Boar Park Chipping Lancashire, we had a fun family day out, heres 3 shots of the Meerkats, Cuties arent they!!!

Thanks for Looking

Ladybird Just Before Take Off

2011-07-31T19:03:00.002+01:00

Today, I met up with Gary and John we went to Birkacre Yarrow Valley Chorley Lancashire, Gary had never been before and was overjoyed with the whole place, we only covered a small amount of the reserve, from the visitor centre to the weir then on to primrose hill, we had a fascinating time watching the ladybirds, I got this shot, I was trying to get an in flight shot, I managed to get this shot just before take off, and a very nice shot of a buttercup LOL

Gary loved the weir, where I gave him a masterclass in composition. Im looking forward to seeing his resulting shots, All in all a very pleasant afternoon out

Thanks for looking

MIF And Rose Sawfly Macros

2011-07-30T18:46:00.003+01:00

A couple of macros from todays walk, on a beautiful sunny day, A Marmalade (Hoverfly) In Flight (MIF) LOL, and a Rose Sawfly from today, the Large Rose sawfly was about 1/4", long how did I do?

Thanks for looking

Landscape Days Are Here Again

2011-07-29T20:11:00.002+01:00

John and I went to White Coppice Chorley Today, on the 3 shots below I used a a warm up filter and a ND grad in the sky area, and both filters and ND8 on the last 2, what do you think?

Thanks For Looking

Macro Mania

2011-07-22T20:22:00.004+01:00

Today my friend John and I went out into the meadow to do some macro, there were lots of insects around including a Stupid Aphid, "Don't think his mum told him, that ladybirds eat Aphids" :( here's a selection of shots,

I used my Canon 7d. Sigma 105mm macro which had a 25mm extension tube fitted, and my Canon Speedlite 430EX 11, flash unit, on-board,I used my normal flash sync settings, hope you like the shots

Dave

Primrose Hill Yarrow Valley Chorley Lancashire

2011-07-21T13:40:00.005+01:00

Hi

I went to Primrose Hill, Birkacre Yarrow Valley, this morning hundreds of gatekeepers, zillions of leafhoppers "1/8th long, and white moths not sure of their name ID needed please "1/2 long

Dave

Funny Sign Friendly Folk From Lancashire

2011-07-16T12:26:00.002+01:00

As we were driving home from a day out in the lakes we came across this sign,Welcome To Lancashire A Place Where Everyone Natters, Clicky Linky To google Map Location, We just had to turn around and go back for a photo, Oh how we laughed

500px and Fotomoto

2011-07-11T12:07:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I joined 500px Clicky linky mainly because of the theft of lots of my images from flickr, it looks good so far also, you can monetise your account by joining Fotomoto Clicky Linky and have a shop, which can also be used on your own website or blog

More Shots From Sheffield

2011-07-08T12:42:00.003+01:00

Hi

Mark (Whiteflyer) and I went to Sheffield yesterday, heres the HUBS building In Sheffield Hallam University,There were lots of modern buildings

Dave

We Had A Fab Day Togging In Sheffield

2011-07-07T21:29:00.003+01:00

We Had A Fab Day Togging In Sheffield today

Togging A Togger

Mark and I went to Sheffield today for a togging session, had a fab time, we went to Ladybower on the way, unfortunately it was dry, so I may post a few shots of Ladybower like youve never seen it LOL

Anyway one of my best shots from the day, it has a message. look at the sign, can you spot it *** clue at the bottom dont cheat, thanks for looking, look forward to your comments

Dave

***** Look at the sign M S ******

Dave

Its his Initials

I Have My Letter Sorted Now For Unauthorised Use Of My Images

2011-07-05T20:35:00.000+01:00

I Have My Letter Sorted Now For Unauthorised Use Of My Images, all I need do now is collate all my evidence and send it out to the offending websites, 2 friends helped me compile my letter one has a degree in Business Law and the other is a Business consultant, they are going to get the shock of their lives when they receive the letters and invoices for the use of said images

TalkPhotography™ Day 2011 Dilemma

2011-07-04T09:20:00.002+01:00

Hi

As you know if you have been reading my blog it was TalkPhotography™ Day 2011 on Saturday, Clicky linky to talkphotography.

Im in a dilemma of which image to post for my submission, they are completely different subject one a landscape and the other a macro, which would you choose from below? TIA

#1

Dave

More Stolen Images Found

2011-07-02T20:01:00.005+01:00

Ive found 37 of my images that have been stolen now, its beyond a joke, its a full time job finding out contact emails, many of the sites are Commercial travel, travel agents, sports, although I dont do sports so why they used my images I no ideas, newspapers, fruit merchants, and many more, I even found one that someone had used it for a diploma course in the USA, and now their website they are professional wedding and portrait photographers, all making money by using my images, thats just wrong, thats besides the multitude of blogs Ive found using my images,

Ive spent all afternoon and night yesterday, most of the morning and nearly all afternoon today and probably tonight as well, I think I'll need to take an assistant soon

How to search find the image you want to search for, in a new window, then from a separate window click google then Image, drag your image into the search bar and off google goes looking for images that match yours, see image below

Dave

Today Its TalkPhotography™ Day 2011

2011-07-02T06:51:00.003+01:00

If your not a member of TalkPhotography Please feel free to sign up Clicky Here

TalkPhotography™ Day 2011 - Morning, Noon and Night - TODAY

TP Menbers Add Your Images Here

The 2011 TalkPhotography day is set to rock!

Date: 2nd of July 2011

The membership of TP has continued to grow and hit amazing levels with people from all walks of life and favourite subject matter. With that in mind the challenge will be to take one picture on the 2nd July 2011 that represents your photographic passion with one image. The subject can be absolutely anything you like so long as it is taken at that specific date. Editing and PP is allowed – the competition has no content boundaries.

TP Day 2010 saw over 100 photographers take part - and this year we want even more! The date has been provided earlier this year so that you can get to planning your day.

Check out the 2010 TP Day Slideshow here! I (Just Dave) made the Intro Last year

If your chosen subject allows, it would be great if we could have some shots indicative of the time of day again so that we can have a transition and feeling of time passing through the TP Membership.

If your not a member of TalkPhotography Please feel free to sign up Clicky Here

Unauthorised Use Of My Images

2011-06-30T11:38:00.003+01:00

I have just found at least 20 of my images that are being used on commercial websites, I am now going to send out the invoices for the Unauthorised Use Of My Images and further invoices for continued use of said images

Lavender Fields Rainford

2011-06-28T09:45:00.004+01:00

We went to the Lavender Fields Rainford, Photobotanica.com

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenjulie/5874515618/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5152/5874515618_65b25da39f_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenjulie/5874515618/]Photobotanica Lavender Farm Rainford[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/davenjulie/]Just Daves Photos[/url], on Flickr

Paparazzi night 22nd June 2011 (Brian Sandham)

2011-06-25T22:00:00.005+01:00

Video from the night studio shoot

2011-06-25T16:26:00.003+01:00

Hi

The new Sigma 50-200mm f4-5.6 DC OS HSM, Test Shot , had a play with it today, looks and feels good, OS is great, fast AF, and its ultra silent , well happy, fab value for £100, should been £180,got it from Jacobs Clicky Linky when I saw it at that price and went for it, Heres some test shots all hand held ISO 400, OS switched on, various aperture, as a test for sharpness throughout the Focal sizes and apertures, In my opinion it passed with flying colours

F 5.6 @ 50mm

F 5.6 @ 200mm

F11 . @ 50mm

F11 . @ 200mm

F 16 . @ 50mm

F 16 . @ 200mm

Dave

New Lens Arrived

2011-06-22T16:13:00.002+01:00

My new lens has arrived it looks and feels great, AF is fast and the OS super silent, havnt took any test shots with it yet,

New Lens

2011-06-19T14:57:00.003+01:00

Just ordered a new lens a Sigma 50-200mm f4-5.6 DC OS HSM, half price £99-99p from Jacobsdigital Camera shop, Was £177-99p seems a great bargain, my friend John has one and is pleased with it :)

Kefalonia

2011-06-15T10:33:00.003+01:00

We had a fabulous holiday in Lassi Kefalonia a Greek Island, beautiful island, we hired a car so we could drive all over the island, which we did, finding many picturesque place

CreativeLive

2011-03-01T16:44:00.003Z

Just joined CreativeLive watched a few videos very interesting learned quite a lot looking forward to Vincent laforet programme http://creativelive.com/

2011-02-02T13:38:00.007Z

I took John on a secret magical mystery mission for these night shots, hope you enjoyed my magical mystery tour John :)

I was lucky as I was just finished setting up and focusing I saw head lights behind me from over the canal, so I waited till the cars came closer and opened the shutter

Night Model Shoot Liverpool Castle Chorley

2011-01-27T09:14:00.008Z

I did my first ever Night Model Shoot Liverpool Castle Chorley, last night, it was a fab experience, although freezing cold, here's one of my shots, we had 2 models and lots of lights, I learned quite alot from my experience

Happy New Year everyone

2011-01-01T13:06:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone

Sri Lanka October 2006

2007-05-26T11:25:00.003+01:00

Sri Lanka October 2006

We have always wanted to visit Sri Lanka (The Pearl of the Orient.) Before 1972 is was know as Ceylon. With it being our (Pearl) 30th wedding anniversary, where better to go than The Pearl of the Orient.
We booked our holiday with First Choice and up graded our flight to Star Class Premier we had never flown first class before it was worth the upgrade, with priority check in and boarding first. We boarded the plane and had strawberries and champagne, it was a comfortable flight.
We stayed at the Club Hotel Dolphin situated in Waikkal, a small fishing village, which has a beautiful palm fringed golden sandy beach, near Negombo on the Southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The Club Hotel Dolphin is 40 minutes drive from Katunayake Airport, the journey time that can easily be increased according to the chaotic traffic. The hotel’s location is quite remote, so there’s nowhere to go at night for evenings out apart from the restaurant over the road called canal garden. The evening entertainment in the hotel was different but entertaining, as the hotel animation team worked hard to put on shows at night although some of the humour was a little strange.
Our stay was for 2 weeks on an all inclusive basis, the hotel is extremely clean, all the staff, were very pleasant and helpful people, the hotel has 2 swimming pools the large pool is the largest swimming pool in Sri Lanka, with a bar and there’s a snack bar close by where there were burgers and chips, toasties and sandwiches, tea, coffee, and from 11am to 2pm afternoon tea/coffee and cake was served, the other pool is smaller, it’s known as the quite pool, here there is a small bar serving tea, coffee, beer and snacks, it’s also the location of the fine dinning restaurant.
The hotel has a large restaurant, which is very clean, there was always plenty of choice, something good on the menu, breakfast were very good with lots of choice, in the evenings dinner was usually a theme night i.e. Chinese, Mexican, international, barbeque, as well as lots of different curries rice’s, etc, and a good selection of sweets, including a delicious hot puddings.

Dave N Julie