Love this 52: Compact external battery charger by Anker

It wasn't until 2012 that I became an Apple convert, until then I'd never used one of their products - not even an iPod. In 2012 after much research I bought my iPhone 4 and I was smitten. The following year I bought an iPad and now that usually means one or the other is in my hands, or not far away. Sadly as with any device that's shall we say no longer the newest model, the battery life is no longer so great. Yes there's tips for getting the most out of your battery - and I've tried lots of those, some more workable than others.

Even so I want to use my phone, apps and camera when I'm out and about, but I don't want to be left without any battery incase the unthinkable happens and I need it in an emergency. I also like to text MOH on my way home so he knows what train I'm on, what time I'll be home and to pre-order a nice cup of tea... Yes, I know I'm spoilt!

So anyway, that's where this Anker external battery charger comes in. Once again I'd done my research and this Anker device got good reviews. So I bought one, on Amazon UK - at £13.99 I thought it'd be worth a go. It's full name on Amazon is a bit of a mouthful it's: "Anker Astro Mini 3200mAh Ultra-Compact Lipstick-Sized Portable Power Bank Pack External Battery Charger with PowerIQ Technology.....blah, blah, blah "

When it arrived I quickly spotted that it wasn't lipstick sized. It's compact, but if it's lipstick sized then I've been buying miniature lipsticks... And I'm pretty sure I haven't! Infact I know I haven't. 

My lipstick is in the foreground

It does however do what it says and I can now charge my iPhone while I'm out and about. And while it's in my handbag. I was surprised at how quickly it charged it too, which is another bonus. So all in all I'd say this is a nifty little device which I regularly add to my handbag (along with my charging cable*) when I'm heading out for the day.  I think it'd make a great gift for someone who like me, more often than not has their mobile or tablet in their hands - and it comes in gold, black, blue and pink if silver isn't their thing.

 ...And in case you're wondering I still don't know how to work an iPod properly - I'm afraid I just don't understand them. Thank goodness my iPhone and iPod are more intuitive!

*It comes with a micro USB cable, a travel pouch (which is functional and dull, but could easily be replaced) and is packaged well. 

Black & White photo 21: The Paragon, Blackheath

I've had a late change of mind on which black and white photos to share today after my walk into Blackheath yesterday.  I needed to pop into the Village to collect a parcel and as it was a nice day, that wasn't such a bad thing - though I've still no idea how I managed to miss the postman when he called...

I posted the colour-version of this shot yesterday on Instagram and as I did I wondered how the sunlight would look in black and white.   I think it works well with the sun on the last two houses and those in the foreground darker and the columns highlight the curve of the building. Plus the "lacy" tree in the foreground, well I think you know my feelings on trees in black and white!

I've also realised I'm quite partial to a picturesque fence* - this one provides a boundary between The Paragon and the Heath.  In the distance there's the duck pond, and even though I hadn't promised them any bread I nipped off through the side streets to take the more direct route to the Post Office and my parcel. 

* For other recent examples of this obsession see (i) the heather and the railings shot in Greenwich Park at sunset and (ii) the multiple railing shots in A November update on "my" Pawlonia Tomentosa - I rest my case!

Black & White photo 20: Bircham windmill

This week my B&W photo is a look upwards from the bottom of Bircham windmill in Norfolk. I popped along for a visit in September and I'll share more photos from that visit during the week.

In this photo I like the textures of the tiles, the wood and the sails (if that's the correct terminology?) and yes, that blob is a bird also admiring the view! It's perhaps not the view you'd expect of a windmill, but it's one each of us would take if we were stood at its base...

To see more photos and to learn more about the windmill pop back on Tuesday - see you then!