Product Review: Aquapac Waterproof SLR case

This is our second Aquapac product on review and our very first underwater camera case. As you know we love the Aquapac product range; we love their philosophy and their attention to detail and when the need arose for an underwater camera shoot, they were the first people I thought of contacting.

We did a small underwater photographic piece in the Galapagos Islands. The main shoot was carried out with some pretty expensive professional equipment, stuff that really is outside most casual user’s budget. Somewhere in the vicinity I wanted to take an average person’s perspective, one that would eventually lead to me purchasing the Aquapac SLR waterproof case. Let me tell you how it all came about… I wanted to bring my Canon 50D to the shoot and use it for some background stuff. The camera produces some excellent shots and does not weigh or cost the earth. However, that reasonable cost is still a little too much to risk when shooting close to the sea. The result was the need for an underwater case, a need that was quickly abated by the large investment one of these things inevitably entails.



Other choices could’ve been a throwaway camera, which produces some pretty average results and has a fairly high failure rate (normally not detected until print); or a purposely bought underwater digital camera which can be expensive and is probably not the way to go for the very casual user, although there are some great ones out there now.

Having decided to opt for the inexpensive waterproof ‘bag’ case I opted for the Aquapac version as they produce a perfectly sized one for my SLR camera. You can look on their site to get the exact dimensions and see if your SLR and lens combination fits.

Once you receive it you will wonder whether it will safely keep your camera dry. No matter how well it is put together, this product will still give you the plastic bag feel and you will likely wonder if you’re doing the right thing. Fear not, you are. I tested the ‘bag’ on a number of occasions at home to check for leaks and to see if there would be any chance for any of the components to fails. By the end of it, I was happy that I could trust it with the camera.



One thing you immediately notice is that you will have to remove the camera straps as they get in the way, once in the bag. Thankfully the case comes with its own strap. On the beach and by the water this is a very nice way to keep your camera safe and dry, also protected from sand and dust. With my feet in the water, this is where the case seriously excelled, I felt safe that the camera would stay dry.

Underwater it does not do so well. Firstly it should be pointed out that it is not a professional camera case, it cannot replace one of those very expensive units that professional photographers drag around on special Discovery Channel type expeditions. It will however provide some nice shots from the surface, for snorkeling you will get some great shots in shallow water where lighting is not an issue and where the camera is only being held a metre or so under water. Any deeper and we noticed a tightening of the bag (due to the surrounding pressure) that was making the mechanical operation of our lens fail, it also made it a little harder to push buttons and change settings. In any case it is guaranteed submersible to 15 feet (5 metres) so it is unlikely to be taken out diving. Our pro photographer took it out for a spin and liked the general concept, he had some trouble getting the shots he wanted at depth due to the aforementioned issue, but he did get some interesting photos from the surface. At that stage you also have a lack of lighting issue.



All in all this is a very good product for a very specific job, it is an admirable way to protect your camera in and around water, a pretty great accessory for taking snorkeling photos but not so great when you are a few feet under water, at least not for this trip. The overall build quality is great, we thought the hotshoe mount would eventually damage it, but the plastic seems very durable so all in all, no problems there.

Test results at a glance

Pros: Fantastic waterproof system, perfect for keeping your SLR camera safe in and around water, durable, well-priced and well-designed

Cons: Difficult to use at depth, care must be taken when choosing the case to ensure your camera will fit correctly.

Product details:
Details:
- It'll float with your camera in it.
- It's guaranteed submersible to 15 feet (5 metres).
- The UV-stabilized TPU material won't be broken down or discoloured by sunlight.
- It keeps out dust and sand too.

See www.aquapac.net for more details

A bio-dynamic winery

The Domaine Chandon de Briailles has been owned and managed by the same family for 7 generations and now it is François de Nicolay’s turn, assisted by his sister Claude. The vineyard is located amidst three different villages in the heart of the Cote de Beaune: Savigny les Beaune, Pernand Vergelesses and Aloxe Corton. It has a total of 13 hectares, almost all Premier crus and Grands crus.

Here at the Domaine there has always been a great respect for the environment, especially within the two last generations. François’s mother, Nadine de Nicolay - who trained the vineyard from 1984 to 2001 - had decided to stop the weed-killers in the 1990’s and re-start ploughing the soil. Since 1995, the wish to use more and more organic products and techniques against diseases has become an integral part of their philosophy.

The big decision was taken in 2005 to work all 13 hectares in the bio-dynamic method and even some horse ploughing was introduced. “Life has come back in our subsoil and we don’t fight against the diseases anymore, we cope with them…” Every year, new experiments are carried out, knowing that it will take 10 years to completely establish the method.

Today, the Domaine is in process of certification for both Ecocert and Demeter and, in 2011, they’ll be able to say it on their back label!

For more information contact :

Mme de NICOLAY Claude
Domaine Chandon de Briailles
1 rue Sœur Goby
21420 Savigny les Beaune
Tel: +33 380 21 52 31
Fax: +33 380 21 59 15
contact@chandondebriailles.com
www.chandondebriailles.com

Contemporary Garden Accessories in the UK Allow You to Create Your Very Own Green Wall.

By Felicity Waters, Director and Landscape Architect, Garden Beet



Garden accessories have been quietly evolving over the last couple of years. Many gardening products are now addressing people’s desire to grow their own plants in cramped urban spaces with super eco- chic style. Move over terracotta pots space age planting is here.

You may have stumbled across a green wall on one of your travels around London. The Athenaeum Hotel has one and so does Anthropologie on Regent Street. Or maybe you saw one in Paris, Tokyo or Melbourne?

Green Walls are the new black and uber architecture requires plants to almost morph with the building (green walls are also referred to as living walls or vertical gardens). Plants are being applied to interior and exterior facades like living wallpaper however the application is a tad more complicated.




Large scale green walls are very expensive to install and also require specialist knowledge to ensure their success. Corporations wanting to project a green ethos are certainly willing to shell out the costs to install these dazzling rock ‘n’ roll gardening installations. Many big businesses have engaged, Patric Blanc the French botanist and artist. He is the founder of the vertical gardening movement and he is certainly pushing the traditional gardening envelope with his amazing designs.
Thanks to artist Miguel Nelson and his Woolly Wally Pockets it is now possible for most people to create their very own green wall with only the most basic gardening skills.

Nelson has created a clever wall planter (a Woolly Pocket) that can be used on its own or in groups to cover most walls. They can also be used indoors and outdoors. They promote healthy plants whilst conserving water and are easy to install.
Each pocket is made from recycled plastics and holds approximately 10 litres of soil. The material is like a felted fabric and is made to military standards. The concept is simple, beautiful and it works.



Garden Beet in London, UK stocks the Woolly Pockets and many other contemporary garden accessories made from recycled materials.
Garden Beet is 100% on-line and ships worldwide. They can be found at http://www.gardenbeet.com.

Be sure to check out their range of hand crafted recycled planters made from old tyres and their garden clocks made from recycled coffee cups.

Product Review: TrekPod Go! PRO

Trekpod in use

From time to time a new product is launched with the aim of ‘converging’ two or more devices into one in the hope that it will make our life a little easier. More often than not these efforts result in disappointment as, in the style of the classic ‘jack of all trades’, the product will end up being ‘master of none’. This is not one of those cases. An inventive new company, Trek Technologies LLC, has taken two crucial products for the outdoor aficionado – the walking/hiking staff and the photographic tripod - and turned them into the TrekPod. Wow, they certainly knew what they were doing!

We planned a photo trip to test the Trekpod and we made it as complex as possible, we introduced long hikes, varied and difficult terrain, a difficult travel component and tricky photographs in which a sturdy tripod would be essential. We packed it in our suitcase, we carried it, we walked with it, we used every feature and possible adjustment on it and we were never disappointed.

The day it arrived we noticed immediately the incredible attention to detail put-in at the design stages. The TrekPod Go! PRO was presented in a clever carry case where each piece had a small sleeve that protected the product in transit and ensured it would not scratch. The strap made the travel case very easy to carry and the whole thing was small enough to fit in our hand-luggage. We inspected each item, put it together half a dozen times and, once familiar with the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the TrekPod we then packed it for its long journey to the Pacific Ocean.

During this trip we used a Canon 50D with a 18-200 mm Canon lens. We knew it would be a heavy rig to mount and that only a sturdy tripod would cope. Once on location I went about preparing the camera with the enclosed mounts, the instructions were easy to follow and it was in doing this that I really started to appreciate one of the key features of this whole product, the MagMount PRO. This clever design feature will have you amazed; it will connect and disconnect the camera from the Trekpod quickly, efficiently and with the greatest of ease. After using it for 2 weeks I am still completely stunned at how well designed this is and at how sturdy a connection it makes. I would be comfortable connecting any size DSLR (up to 13.5 pounds in the literature) and it coped fantastically with our Canon. The whole operation can be done one-handed too.

Shot taken on Trekpod in tripod mode

Once on site we decided to test the capabilities of the TrekPod on the difficult Galapagos terrain. We organized a long hike with varied rocky paths; a walking staff was pretty much necessary, or at least advisable. The TrekPod was sturdy, it did not develop any annoying noises and did not wobble or bend, each connection was tight and the padded handle offered a good grip. I will say that as a trekking staff it does feel rather heavy but, with a little practice, you will easily get used to the extra weight. The rubber-tipped pole gripped well and continued to do so in shallow rock-pools as well as on dusty trails.

On our first photo opportunity I quickly released the tripod section at the bottom (kept together by a very fine Velcro system) and mounted the camera. I was up and running within 15 seconds. The camera felt safe and well positioned and I began taking a few landscape shots. With the wind increasing we decided to take a leap of faith and set up the TrekPod for a timed group shot, we trusted that it would hold well and it did. In essence it made a great tripod, sturdy and quickly adaptable, it beat the windy condition and, when positioned carefully, it gave a very agreeable shooting position. I also used it as a monopod support when in ‘staff mode’ which was great for quick wildlife photography using a large lens and no image stabilization.

Wildlife shot taken using Trekpod as Monopod

All in all the TrekPod Go! PRO gave a wonderful performance on the road; my only slight concern is the weight as a walking staff which takes some getting used to. The good news is that for those that find it too much to carry, the top designers at Tech-Trek have an XL version available made entirely of Carbon fiber and weighing-in at only 17 ounces (vs. the 30 ounces for our tested product). Genius!

We wish this product well and we feel that it is an essential item for those of you interested in the beauty of the outdoors; this is indispensable on your next eco holiday!

For more information see: www.trek-tech.com

Specifications for TrekPod Go! PRO:
Price - $229.99 US MSRP (including travel case)
Warranty – Limited Lifetime
Weight - 30 ounces / .794 kg
(including MagMount)
Height range in tripod mode - 39" to 57.5" / 99 to 146 cm
Height range in Hiking staff/
monopod mode - 42.5" to 62.5" / 106.7 cm to 158.8 cm
Materials - Various aircraft grade aluminum alloys, high strength polymers, stainless steel, nylon webbing (wrist strap), expanded foam (grip) and inject-molded polymer (palm rest).

Pros:
- An absolute triumph of convergence, excellent as a tripod and great as a walking staff
- Easy to pack
- Excellent use of high-quality materials, should last a lifetime
- Brilliant fast camera mount

Cons:
- A little pricey for occasional use
- A touch heavy as a walking staff

The ‘Green heart’ of Italy

Hiking holidays have to be, at the heart of things, just about the most pleasant holidays in the world.

Let me explain why. There is simply no other format out there that allows you to see so much of the countryside in such a gentle and thought-provoking way. Furthermore, it gives you time to enjoy the company of your fellow travellers, exercise semi-effortlessly and understand your destination in a way few other travel options would allow.

Had I been asked my opinion on this subject a few years ago, I would’ve instinctively thought of holiday hiking as the choice pursuit for the retired and yet around the hills of Italy all I see is people of all ages and walks of life (possible pun intended) with a genuine interest in nature and local history.

Umbria was not an accidental choice, it is most definitely one of the last bastions of unspoilt Italian countryside and every view is charming yet slightly wild and unkempt.

People refer to this area as the ‘Green Heart of Italy’ and a few days walking around here will show you why that is. Here, you’re neither in the middle of the rugged Alpine mountains of the north nor in the midst of manicured Tuscan hills. The level of difficulty is somewhere between the two, leaning much more towards the latter of course.

The routes are fairly well marked; there are some decent maps of the area available as well as specialist books in most book shops and available online. Generally speaking, the best routes are those marked by red and white ‘CAI’ markers, these are the easiest to follow.

They are regularly maintained by the ‘Club Alpino Italiano’ and, in some cases, follow ancient paths to towns and special sites. In the hills around Assisi several of the paths intercept the pilgrim’s route to the sanctuary on Mount Subasio. Local history has it that St Francis lived in a cave in these very forests, and the atmosphere is both beautifully natural and deeply spiritual. The odd moving bush or wild boar print on the ground, adds to the excitement of the route.


A walker's paradise
A little further south, in the area of Terni, I found my base at La Casella (www.lacasella.it), one of the first properties in Italy to think of eco-holidays with an eye on comfort. They provide the perfect place to rest and recharge after a hard day in the hills.

For those of a more adventurous disposition, they also run some wonderful organised events from canoeing to climbing and even simulated fox hunting (no foxes of course, just their best horse rider to catch!). The nearby Marmore falls (Marmore Website) are an absolute must; they represent an incredible natural phenomenon as well as a moving testament to how wild this region can be.

Other must-visit towns include Spello, Assisi and the obligatory day in Perugia, they will really open your eyes to the charm of this region. The food is spectacular and the hilly hikes will make you feel like you deserve those long leisurely lunches.

In Assisi try La Stalla, a really interesting and completely different experience, simple, tasty and so much fun (www.fontemaggio.it) In the winter you eat in the former stable which in front of a huge fire where everything is cooked. If you are in Perugia for an evening along the chic town centre then try ‘Al mangiar bene’, one of Italy’s first bio restaurants – they even have bio-pizza! (www.almangiarbene.com) The owners ensure that all their supplies come from local farms and the food is really special.

So… great food, great wine, fabulous views and a region with plenty to discover, all worth a little mud on the boots!

Going by gulet

As a keen sporting sailor, the idea of taking to sea in a slow antique fishing vessel was not something that appealed.

I held the belief that it would be for older American travellers looking for something they would call an adventure but most people would just see as snobbish. How wrong I was!

While clunky and ungainly from the outside, the interior of the twin-mast gulet (pronounced gulay) is quite astounding. Space is used ultra-efficiently and everything screams luxury. As someone who spends a lot of his time enduring the cramped conditions of life at sea, this proved a complete shock.

There were communal areas where you could stand up completely unobstructed (even at my 6ft 2in!), cabins with king sized beds, fully-tiled bathrooms and air-conditioning throughout. Add in the fully-stocked bar, handcrafted mahogany detailing and an excellent, helpful crew, it just seemed too good to be true.

On deck, spacious sun-bathing platforms complete with a large dining table provided top-level luxury. And the array of water toys such as kayaks and windsurfs was the veritable icing on what was already an exceedingly good ‘cake’.

Enjoying complete freedom to sail anywhere along the fantastically clear waters of the Turkish coast and Greek Islands, the weather is really the only limiting factor, with the Captain steering to its whims.

When in full sailing mode the boat is quiet and fast and completely clean – very ecological indeed. The odd times when the engine has to be on are rare and generally quiet and unobtrusive.

The Captain loves having people help out or get to grips with the big ship, which is just excellent for big kids like me and for the smaller ones too.

We visited several Greek Islands such as Kos, Symi, Rhodes and Bodrum, Göcek and Marmaris in Turkey. This is a pretty typical route as the sailing times are relatively short with plenty to see at every stop and a whole array of quiet bays to use as lunch spots.

The Archaeology in Rhodes is unbelievable. There are a myriad of fascinating ancient sites but my favourite has to be Lindos with its picturesque village and towering acropolis above.

In Turkey the feeling totally changes, with little village tavernas giving way to more stylish establishments and the gentle sounds of the sea interrupted by the bellowing speakers of local mosques. The food is also completely different with spices replacing simple Greek salads. Arriving in Turkey is an assault to the senses, but definitely a good one.

On the last day of the trip I slowly made my way across the walkway and took a long last look at the gulet. I knew I would eventually come back. It felt like I was leaving not just a boat, but my home on the sea.

Provence, a green (and purple) land

Not for the faint-hearted, the beauty of Provence has often reduced even the most passive visitor to tears.

Few regions in France have been blessed with as many wonderful sights, aromas and sounds as Provence.

As soon as you set foot in the region you’re enveloped in a swirl of sensations that will leave you breathless. Rich purple fields of lavender vie for your attention under immaculate sapphire skies, and a rhythmic choir of crickets leads a pastoral symphony.

Provence, like the whole of France, is blessed by a very fast and efficient train service. Plan ahead and you can load a bike to use as the principle mode of transport at your destination.

With so many villages huddled close to each other, biking to lunch is a fun and rewarding way to see the landscape whilst keeping your carbon footprint under control. It’s also worth remembering that after a couple of glasses of wine you can’t drive anywhere, biking on the other hand…

I based myself in St Rémy-de-Provence, a beautiful small hamlet with little more than a handful of shops, restaurants and cafes and where the weekend market is something of a major institution. St Remy has a whole array of great produce for sale from the wonderfully tasty olive oil to local wines and ‘must-have’ arts and crafts.

As well as its local products, St. Rémy-de-Provence is also renowned for its famous residents – including Nostradamus, Van Gogh and the poet Frédéric Mistral – and also for its lively Provencal festivals and traditions.

During my visit I happened to stumble upon the lâcher de taureaux, a localised ‘running of the bulls’, where a small bull is left to run wild in the streets whilst the local boys taunt and try to outrun him. It’s not a spectacle that will please everyone, but it is a part of the local culture nevertheless. The lâcher de taureaux runs from July 14 to the 25.

If being chased by a bull is not your idea of relaxation, there are more chilled out things to do here. The beautiful architecture and the preserved tight streets provide an enchanting stroll discovering the assortment of pavement cafes where you can sit, read and relax.

If you can drag yourself away from the hamlet, there are plenty of sights to see in the surrounding area. Check out the wonderful Roman ruins of Glanum or pay a visit to Van Gogh’s asylum.

For the green traveller, there are a multitude of attractions. In the nearby village of Le Baux de Provence you can visit an incredible winery with a fantastic organic and biodynamic reputation.

The tiny, family-owned Mas de Gourgonnier has set the standards in ecological land management and wine production. Don’t forget to visit the shop to buy some delicious biodynamic wine, prize-winning olive oil and homemade jams and sauces.

In the same village (voted one of the prettiest villages in France) you’ll find the Cathedrale d’Images, an astounding art concept with something of a cult following. A disused quarry is used as a giant ‘canvass’ onto which works of art are projected. The spectacle is mind-blowing.

Not far from St Rémy, another quarry has been turned into a unique troglodyte house. Family photos, wonderful furniture and gloriously preserved farm equipment paint a vivid picture of farm life from bygone days. Contact Mas de la Pyramide on 04 90 920 081 and ask Lolo to show you around.

Of course Provence also incorporates the sea, so it would be ignorant not to make a detour to the coast. A great eco hotel is rapidly gaining popularity in the area just a stone’s throw from the beach. Facilities at the Ferme d’Augustin include a pool, spa and wonderful home cooking.

France happens to have some incredible islands in the Mediterranean and, whilst we all know Corsica, very few people know about Porquerolles and Port Cros. These two gems have been described as the ‘European Caribbean’ and in terms of green travel visiting them is an absolute must.

Port Cros was designated a national park in 1963. With well-maintained hiking trails, glorious beaches and crystal clear waters vibrant with colourful marine life, it’s a true natural paradise for those wanting a wild escape on the fringe of civilisation. Regular ferries operate from Hyeres.

Provence certainly provides a treasure chest of sensory experiences with wonderful food and wine and mesmerising scenery. And although tourism is definitely big business in the region, it’s never too hard to find your own private patch of paradise amidst the lavender-freckled landscapes.

For more information on visiting Provence, see www.visitprovence.com