A guest writer this month:

"Life through a lens" - by Neil's digital Camera

            It must be my birthday, I’ve been cleaned. It’s about time. I can see what I’m doing now and there’s some sort of tribal thing going on in front of me. Quick Neil, point me in that direction. That’s a good boy, now click me. Keep on clicking, keep on clicking. It looks as if all those girls in strange costumes and head dresses are about to eat somebody, they’re all standing around a pot chanting.

            Ooh, ooh, I’ve just remembered my great, great uncle Box Brownie telling me what’s happening. It’s a yearly thing called ‘Koukoumas.’ Each year a group of unmarried girls have a sleep over around a lady’s house [who keeps a very careful eye on them] and they eat or drink a lot of salty things, and when they go to bed they dream who their husband is going to be. Today all the girls are in traditional costumes and sitting round a big plate where they sing, and in front of everyone they have to shout out who their future husband is going to be.*
           
Oh come on Neil, get with it. Can’t you see that group of girls trying to get your attention over there? I don’t know; I’m sure his head is up in the clouds some times. That’s better; he’s seen them at last. ‘Look at me and smile girls.’ Another good shot. I like it when every one smiles at me.

            Oh dear, it’s gone all dark now.
           
Ouch! Look where you’re going Neil. You’ve just banged my lens on something. Hey! It’s gone light again. I can see. Where are we going now?

            I’m being lent over a banister far up in a tower of the church this festival is being held in; I hope he’s got a tight hold of me. I like these kind of angles, looking down on everyone and getting a completely different shot than everyone else.
 
            Hurry, zoom in on that girl, back a bit, excellent. Blimey, were going back down stairs now. This isn’t an easy life being a camera you know.

            He’s lying flat on the ground now and I’m staring straight at an elderly gentleman playing the sax. I wish I had ears.
            Click.

That will be good in black and white later.
           
I’ve got my night cap on now and am being put back in my box. I wonder where I shall be tomorrow?
           

* Not a very accurate description of Koukoumas I'm afraid, but then he is only a camera - Ed.