My Bucket List

Lightnings are so fascinating to capture on camera require precise camera settings, perfect timing and a lot of luck.

I've worn glasses all my life, at least as far back as I can remember which is around 5-6 years old. Although glasses give me the ability to see they do get in the way, they are always dirty, prone to scratches, lenses fall out, frames get bent, driving at night is more hazardous due to headlight glare, they mist up coming in from the cold, they get covered in rain. I've tried contact lenses but they have their own set of problems. They can be tricky to put in, especially first thing in the morning, expensive, they make my eyes sting after a few hours, they irritate my eyes, risk of infections, scratches, and injuries to the cornea, dry eye and cost - upwards of £300 per year, plus annual eye examinations and I need glasses, as well as contacts, are not a complete alternative. So I'm going to look into laser eye surgery as a permanent solution and have my vision corrected once and for all.

• Speak with my optician
• Research
• Book appointment

• Huge phobia of anything coming into contact with my eyes

I like hot food, but it never tastes hot any more. Even the "three chilli" hot foods aren't that hot, so I want to eat a whole chilli just to see what hot really is.

Way, way, way back in 1992 I was participating in a charity abseil down the Avon Gorge. I was standing on the edge of the cliff kitted up ready to go, but nerves got the better of me and I couldn't do it. But I will someday.

• Just a fear of heights...

The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help with a wide range of conditions. The lagoon is a man-made lagoon which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every two days.

The art of glass blowing is an old one, and one of the trades that helped make Bristol great. I'd love to learn the art and give it a go, maybe make my own glass or tankard!

Or implode as the case may be. I think it would be a great experience to be involved in a controlled demolition and blow something up!

Craft my own home brewed beer

Have a traditional Burns Night Supper in Scotlands capital, Edinburgh.

Attempt and complete a stomach expanding man vs food challenge.

With thousands of miles of snowmobiling opportunities around the world, find a perfect location to hop on and whiz around the snow-filled, rolling hills.

Hehehe! Drive a big armoured tank around in the mud, possibly firing the main cannon. Boys and their toys!

Meet up with leaders of the main religions to discuss their faith, to learn more about religion and its role in life.

Walking across hot coals, or fire walking, is all about finding the courage to do something that seems small, but does involve a lot of courage. I'm not looking to do this one alone!

Not sure how I am going to sort this one out, but I've always wanted experience supersonic flight and high speed aerobatics in a fighter jet and push the physical limits of my body. Thinking something along the lines of a Tornado.

• Not sure how an untrained civilian can fly in a military jet, or even if its at all possible.

Find a nice girl, marry her. Easy as that.

Technically I have already done this, two photos in Japanese Performance magazine reader's rides section, however this item is aimed at "professional" level photography.

Go out armed only with a 35mm film camera and 36 exposures, limit myself to only 36 exposures and develop the film myself.

Explore the usually unseen cave sections of Cheddar and Wookey, hopefully photographing them in the process.

Investigate some paranormal locations and come face to face with a real-life ghost.

Having just seen a large group of people make their way to a party in 5 stretch limos (yes 5!) I thought it would be pretty cool to do something like this for a party (Christmas?) or night out.

Zorbing is the sport of putting yourself in a giant inflatable hamster ball and being pushed down a big grass hill.

A lucid dream is any dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming.

(a REAL one!)

To play pool on, obviously!

In all my time observing the nights sky and photographing constellations, nebulas, the Moon and planets I've seen a few UFO's but never captured one on film. I intend to do just that.

What is it about these novels that causes so much commotion? Only one way to find out...

In school it was always forced on us, and because of that we all took a dislike to it. I would however just like to read some of his plays at my own leisure and make my own mind up without the cross examination of the classroom.

Sounds like a lot of fun. How long can I last??

Zipping down a wire high above the trees taking in amazing scenery as I fly through the air.

• Overcome vertigo

Something I want to do but always thought it was out of reach. One of those "I'll do it next year" type events. Well, I'm running out of time...

Currently at 13 minutes per mile, so lots of work to be done!

Go scuba diving and explore a ship wreck or discover marine life. Only problem is that I can't swim, so I have to tackle that first.

What better way to conquer a (mild) fear of heights than to jump out of a plane at 12,000 ft.

• A fear of heights and possibly flying!

As it says above really.

Doesn't everyone? Actually there are experience days just like this, a survival training camp where you are pitted against a swarm of hungry zombies. Much fun!

Propping up the tower of piza, pointing to the top of the pyramid, pinching the Eiffel tower. Doesn't matter which, and the cheesier the better!

Absinthe is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic beverage. It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Sounds interesting.

Looks fun as a precursor to an actual skydive.

Something I have wanted to do for a long time now, but an unfortunate car accident got in the way a few years ago. Now I am fitter, I'm feeling I would like to give this a go again.

• I hear it is very tough on the knees, so it's something I need to be careful of.

It would be fun to watch a controlled demolotion of a tower block or something, to feel the weight of such a large building coming crashing down.

3 epic films, over 9 hours long in one marathon sitting! Can I endure it?

I'd like to write a game for the internet like those on MindJolt and MiniClip. Maybe it will go viral and make me a millionaire, or maybe it will just amuse a couple of people. Who knows?

Everyone has a song inside them; I just need to find a way of letting my creative musical talent flow.

There are loads of things I can write a book about, fiction and non-fiction. I just need to sit down and start typing.

Take a boat trip out observing and photographing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

The Dead Sea is a salt lake over 1,300 feet below sea level, making it the lowest elevation on Earth. The unusually high salt concentration (8.6 times saltier than the ocean) causes a natural buoyancy that makes you float like a rubber duck.

Growing up I always wanted to be an astronaut, but some things are just not meant to be. The closest I can get to outer space is to fly right up to the edge of the atmosphere in a jet. Having seen James May recently doing just that in a U2 I really, really, want to do this now. I was looking at flying a MiG-31 Foxhound out of Russia to the edge of space! This one costs quite a bit, so I will start saving now!

• Save some money. Ok, a LOT of money
• Travel to Russia
• Complete high altitude training

Take a boat trip out observing and photographing dolphins in their natural habitat.

Sometime in the near future, I want to go hot tubing in the winter as it's my favourite season and because it just sounds fun, especially if it's somewhere cold! Brrrr!

Go behind the scenes on a tour of one of Scotland's iconic whiskey distilleries, my favourite of which is Strathisla, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland.

Go exploring on an African safari and photograph Lions and everything else. Don't know if I can take the heat, but I'll give it a go.

I love thunder storms, the electric atmosphere and the noise. But the English thunder storms are quite tame compared to those in the States, so storm chasing through tornado valley with thunder, lightning, tornadoes, a guide and my camera.

Coming back from my last holiday, I looked at the departures board at the airport and wondered what it would be like to jet off to a random destination. I guess as long as I have money, passport and an all-purposes bag packed, I can do it!

Travel to some of the sunny vineyards of Italy or Australia and go wine tasting for the day.

Have a few drinks in a cold and chilly Ice Bar. No danger of the beer getting warm :)

With my camera!

With my camera!

'Tis there's the stone that whoever kisses
He never misses to grow eloquent;
'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber,
Or become a member of Parliament.
"A noble spouter he'll sure turn out, or
An out and outer to be let alone;
Don't try to hinder him, or to bewilder him,
For he is a pilgrim from the Blarney stone."
- Francis Sylvester Mahony

I've already been inside a dormant volcano whilst i Iceland, and ate traditional lamb soup in the magma chamber. I'd also love to photograph an active volcanic eruption, molten lava flows and fire.

Due to the unique location of the runway, you can watch as huge jet aircraft take-off and land over the beach a mere 30ft above.

The Mach Loop is a set of valleys in Wales, between Dolgellau in the north, and Machynlleth in the south, which are regularly used for low level training by the RAF and USAF for fast jet aircraft, attack helicopters and transporters.

Another of my photographic holidays, I've been told about the beautiful scenery in New Zealand and that I must go there to see it for myself, so one day...

Bag camera trophies of elephant, lion, rhino, cheetah, giraffe and whale; all in the wild.

Everybody does this one don't they??! Why not me?

See Easter Island and visit the Moai statues.

The Horsetail Fall, or firefall, phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun sets the waterfall ablaze with reds and oranges, like a fire was falling down the cliffs on the shoulder of El Capitan. The stunning visual display happens every February when the light hits a waterfall tumbling down El Capitan.

The longest cable car ride in the world, is China's Tianmen Shan. It runs from Zhangjiajie to the famous Heaven's Gate Mountain, through towering cliffs and sub-tropical forests. Just think of the views!

Explore our underwater world and see the Great Barrier Reef. Quite a big item as I'll need to learn to swim first!

Experience things that go bump in the night by staying in a haunted house overnight. Preferably on Halloween!

The Ice Hotel is a hotel built each year with snow and ice in the village of Jukkasjarvi, in northern Sweden. I think this would be a really unique experience to share with someone special.

Out in the open sea, their natural habitat.

• Need to learn to swim

Wouldn't that be awesome, to swim with Sharks (in a cage obviously) and get some fantastic photos of these creates in their natural habitat.

London, UK

I've always been interested in Japanese cars, but more recently I have become interested in the language, culture and history. I would love to travel and explore Japan one day; see the ice sculptures in the festival of snow and sample fugu - the deadly puffer fish - from a top sushi chef.

The only eclipses I have seen were from the UK and mostly shrouded in cloud. I'd like to travel abroad and see one in perfectly clear skies.

The Vomit Comet a NASA program that introduces astronauts to the feeling of zero-gravity spaceflight. Recruits climb aboard a specially fitted aircraft that dips and climbs through the air to simulate the feeling of weightlessness in 20- to 25-second intervals.

My need for peace and the realization that we are only here for a short period of time makes me want to explore Buddhism and practice meditation to calm my overactive mind.

Explore and photograph an old abandoned town, or ghost town, and capture some unique photographs of a place lost in time.

Visit a planetarium and experience the stars, planets and solar system in a virtual tour in Glasgow's brand new 4k HD 3D experience.

I've already done London and Paris but there are many, many more to go...

I love reading about the Ancient World and the ancient city of Machu Picchu set in the beautiful mountains looks so stunning, I'd love to visit.

Visit the Space Centre in Florida and see the shuttle, museums, and maybe even catch a launch as well!

Experience the sheer power and beauty of Niagara Falls. Hear the roar of the waterfall, and take a boat trip into the spray.

Chichen Itza which means "at the mouth of the well of Itza", is the 2nd most visited archaeological site of Mexico today.

India

Universal Studios is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use. Take a tour of the studios and spend some time in the Universal Studios Theme Park.

Built over 2000 years ago, the Great Wall is still the only man made structure that can be seen from space. At just under 9,000km (~4,100 miles) long I doubt I will walk the entire length, but even a small section I will be happy with.

Travel to see the Space Shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral or Kennedy. Apparently you can feel the rockets in your chest from a great distance.

• NASA to re-commission the shuttle
• Travel to Kazakhstan to see the Ariane 5 take off
• Wait for NASA's Space Launch System to be introduced

Just want to go on a winter ski holiday to the Alps, Canada, Switzerland (or similar) with the girlfriend/wife. Need to get one of those first!

In today's frantic world, happiness is something that everyone craves. Career happiness is a ballance between work/life, responsbility, reward, social and enjoyment. To achieve career happiness by finding the right balance.

I missed out on going to university as my grades weren't quite high enough, and when I did my software engineering course I carried on in my placement job rather than going back for the final year. Now I'm looking to finally get that elusive degree. Progress: I'm currently enrolled on Astronomy Bcs degree with the University of Central Lancashire.

• ✔ Enrol in University
• • Complete required learning
• • Graduate

Learning a language other than English would make travelling much easier, but which one? Icelandic? Spanish? Chinese?

Learn the lost art of calligraphy and in the process reconnect pen with paper.

Take a cocktail making class and learn to make some of the most popular cocktails.

Incorporate yoga techniques and breathing exercises for relaxation, exercise and the social aspect.

Eating Chinese food with a fork is great, but it would be better using traditional chopsticks without getting cramps and dropping everything. At least it's one way of slowing down my eating.

Learn a few magic tricks to entertain and captivate a small audience.

I love Indian food and I'd love to be able to cook some of my favourite dishes from scratch and learn how the spices come together and interact.

Dancing tango means lifting your heart toward other people, so it's a chance to let go of what you have been hiding in the curve of your shoulder.

Just because...

When I first picked up a guitar to start learning, I tried to play Purple Haze. Probably not the best song for an absolute beginner. I'd love to return to it once I've actually learned to play the guitar.

Apparently, anybody can play the harmonica because it is the easiest musical instrument to learn. You can also play many different styles of music on one simple harmonica. Jazz, Blues, Country, Reggae, World music can all be played on the 10 hole diatonic harmonica.

Learn to ride a horse and explore the countryside on horseback

Having spent about 7 years trying to learn how to swim I gave up. I need to learn how to swim before I go scuba diving, so this is quite an important item to do.

A useful skill to have

Learn more about how cars work and how to perform routine service and inspection tasks in order to save money performing self services and perform my own repairs when things go wrong.

I want to take up a martial art; however my wrist and knee injuries give me a slight cause for concern. I'm particularly interested in the Japanese samurai and katana's, so Iaido and Aikido are of primary interest, however Krav Maga is also of great interest as it teaches reality based self-defence.

I've got a few good telescopes, but I want to make my own custom telescope, to get the best understanding of how they work and the principals of optics.

Well, not actually build it myself, but design and have it constructed for me. This is a tricky one because I have lots and lots of ideas, most of them conflicting.

Trying out blacksmithing with the aim to make a useful tool.

I would love to forge my own Katana using traditional techniques. From forging and folding the steel, polishing through to casting and carving the furniture, saya and tsuka. Start to finish.

There's nothing like the right piece of jewellery to finish an outfit. Sometimes, however, that right piece can be difficult to find. I intend to solve that problem by designing my own piece of show-stopping jewellery.

• Create a unique design
• Learn metallurgy
• Get some experience casting metals