Mmmm, fresh coffee...

You may be aware I've developed an appreciation for a really good cup of coffee.
I've got my Rancilio Silva at home which, with its new PID kit, is giving me a "God shot" virtually every time I turn it on.
At the other end of the scale I've had some truly awful coffees as I've travelled throughout Australia and south-east Asia.Like the time in Rockhampton a local donut shop poured instant coffee into their espresso machine portafilter, then heated the milk to sub-nuclear temperatures.
A quick plug: a colleague of mine is selling gourmet coffee, roasted fresh daily.They Express Post and have a money back guarantee. At the moment, if you sign up for their newsletter, you get a bonus sample of their coffee with your first purchase, whether that's 500g, 1kg or more. They've got some interesting coffee articles as well. Plus, if you click on the link below, and sign up, I'll get some free coffee when I buy my next order.
You don't want to deprive me of free coffee do you?
Visit http://www.roastandpost.com.au/offers/CameronLairdblog.htm to take up the offer.

Cowboys too tough for Bulldog pups

Two wins in a row against the Bulldogs puts the Cowboys in a Sunday semi-final clash with the Warriors at home. Jason Smith was SUPER and really showed his years of experience when it came down to the final minutes. Combined with Thurston, Bowman and Matt Bowen their experience helped the Cowboys hold the Bulldogs off 20-18, something that would never have happened in seasons past.

See my pics from the match at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467/37/193427802#193428334

Sexiest Man In League shoot

Just finished a commission for Adidas/Sunday Telegraph for the "Sexiest Man In League" competition. Wouldn't have minded swapping places with JT as he looped around Cleveland Bay in a beautiful Tiger Moth (from http://www.flyscenic.com.au/). Anyway, you can see a selection of my pics here (http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467/113/192872513#P-8-15) or on the official site at http://www.sexiestmaninleague.com.au/week5_1.php

Two try Ty

After jumping out to an 18-0 lead against the Sharks, that post origin collapse that seems to happen every season happened again. The Sharks quickly closed in and with only 2 minutes left in the clash Cronulla were up by four. I'm not sure what I saw in that last play but by the look in the eyes of the backline players I KNEW something was on. Sure enough Ty Williams scored right under the posts to give the Cowboys a stunning 2 point win 26-24. Awesome!

See my pics of the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#158647289

Hugh hits Horseshoe

MOVIE heart-throb Hugh Jackman took to the waves of Horseshoe Bay with children Oscar, 7, and Ava, 22 months, yesterday.The outing helped blow out the cobwebs following the massive party he and co-star Nicole Kidman hosted on Saturday night.
The two stars of the Baz Luhrmann epic Australia threw a thank you party for the 500-strong cast and crew at Bowen's Grand View Hotel.
It included a surprise performance by Kidman's husband Keith Urban, who was joined on stage at the hotel by a mix of local musicians that the singer dubbed the Bowen Carney Boys after the Carney cattle company featured in the film.
Urban played from 8.45pm until just before midnight. "It was an amazing performance," Grand View's assistant manager Mike Burgess said.
After a day off yesterday, the third week of filming will resume today.
Source: Amy Harris/The Courier-Mail

See my "Australia" pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Bowen's 'Running of the Bulls'

Ok, maybe I used a bit of creative licence with my headline but the stampede of cows down George St and Herbert St Bowen may as well have been in Pamplona. There were some pretty scary horns amongst the herd and as they swarmed past me I hoped like crazy that they didn't break through the barriers. Nic and Hugh kept their distance, playing it safe, and will undoubtably be edited in for the final release.
Speculation is still running through town about a possible concert by Nic's hubby Keith Urban at the Grand View Hotel tonight but to be honest, I doubt it. My feeling is that it would be somewhere where all the cast and crew could attend and the beer garden of the Grand View would be WAY too small. Anyway, let's see what happens!

See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Nic and Hugh together on horseback.....at last!

Today just seemed to drag on and on and on. After a few too many ales celebrating Queensland's win in the State of Origin I wasn't really in the mood for a long day. However it was a bit of a treat to win a 'battle of the wits' with publicists and security for long enough to come up with some quality images! Action centred around Carneys Cattle Co. with Bryan Brown yelling from the balcony and Hugh and Nicole doing their best imitations of seasoned horse riders. They sure looked the part and didn't fail to impress with their riding talents!
From what I hear shooting is falling behind schedule however I'm sure they will make that up over the coming weeks.
And while I have the chance, if you are ever in Bowen MAKE SURE you stop in at Jochheim's Bakery for a pie or a coffee. Jayne & Paddy run what must easily be the busiest pie shop in Australia and it is a Bowen landmark. And thanks to Erin for my 17 latte's in 4 days! (A free Hunky Hugh pie for that plug wouldn't go astray!)

See my "Australia" gallery at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Bryan Brown surfaces in Bowen

Looking like Larry "J.R" Hagman Bryan Brown made his first appearance on the balcony of the Carney Cattle Company headquarters today. The scene allowed Brown to have quite a number of slugs of whatever Baz Luhrmann had put in his bottle of Kanga Bitter. Cheers Bryan!

See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Groundhog day in Bowen

Seems like groundhog day each day now, scenes are filmed over and over and over and ....... But I guess that is how it goes in the movie business. Conner Cruise cruised the streets of Bowen on horseback for the second day in a row - no doubt he will give him Mum a run for her money when they get together for a race. Now that is one horserace I would LOVE to photograph! Hugh Jackman spent a few hours shooting a dusty scene on horseback outside the Territory Hotel and gave me the opportunity to shoot something TOTALLY DIFFERENT to what I have been doing (but I still did something saleable!)


See my "Australia" pictures at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

Don't Nic and I make a nice couple?

Today was a pretty good day around the set - Nicole and Hugh took 20 minutes out of their day to sign autographs and pose for pictures with Bowen volunteers and locals. No, I'm not from Bowen and can't afford to volunteer but no stopping me getting a pic with Nic!

See some of my pics from Bowenwood at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2849094

On the set of "Australia" the movie

Was given a nice treat today, a special look at the set of the new Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" currently in production in Bowen, Australia. Had the opportunity to photograph Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in costume and get a general overview of what is a stunning set creation. Can't wait to see the final product!! Had to take the opportunity to have a pic with Bowen's No.1 celebrity and all-round nice guy, mayor Mike Brunker.

See the story at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21726759-2,00.html

Shocking start for a debutant!

What a terrible way to kick off your debut period with the Cowboys. Unlucky Ben Farrar suffered a Jones fracture of the right foot (injury to the fifth metatarsel) at training on Friday. After playing a super debut game against top-of-the-table Manly, he is now out for approximately six weeks. Best of luck with the recovery Ben!!

See my pics of Ben at http://www.cameronlaird.com/search/index.mg?searchWords=ben+farrar&searchType=InUser&NickName=camlaird

Cowboys topple the league leaders

An abolutely stunning performance by fullback Matt Bowen saw the Cowboys knock over league leaders Manly 30-26 at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight. Matt scored two tries and foiled a few Manly attempts in a man-of-the-match performance. Debutants Ben Farrar and Scott Minto put in solid performances which should see them hold their positions for their away clash with the Titans Monday week. Well done boys!

See my pics from the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467/4/147206723#147547659

Minto to debut Saturday night

Scott Minto will debut Saturday night against the Sea-Eagles after playing a patient waiting game with the Guns. The lanky centre has been in excellent form over the early part of the season and I'm hoping it will continue for this genuinely nice guy of the game.

See pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#147206723

Farrar ready for first grade debut

Exciting centre Ben Farrar will make his first grade debut on Saturday night against league leaders Manly following a hamstring injury to Ashley Graham. Scott Minto and Rob Jensen have also been included in the new look line up. Let's hope for a better show than the Monday night drubbing by the Rabbitohs!

See my pics of Farrar at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#146924553

The plot thickens...

The catamaran at the centre of a major search off the North Queensland coast was towed into Townsville port overnight and was searched by forensic police officers during the day today. Still no sign of the missing three men from Perth who were sailing their newly purchased yacht from Airlie Beach to Perth counter-clockwise.

See todays pics at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2737238#145461536

Ghost ship mystery off North Qld

I flew out yesterday to photograph a 'ghost ship', a 9.8m catamaran "Kaz II" that was found drifting 80 nautical miles off the coast, minus its three crew.
Emergency Management Queensland spokesman Jon Hall said rescuers were puzzled. "They got on board and said the engine was running, the computers were running, there was a laptop set up on the table which was running, the radio was working, the GPS was working and there was food and utensils set on the table ready to eat, but no sign of the crew," he said.
I was very lucky to find the yacht as the co-ordinates the pilot and I had were very vague, and could have varied by up to 30 nautical miles. Thankfully I spotted it about 10 miles off the left wing of our 172RG and it made a good set of pictures. The pics ran today in The Courier-Mail, The Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph and The Townsville Bulletin.

See my pics of the yacht at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2737238

Towering Tronc signs 'til 09

Today the NQ Toyota Cowboys announced that front rower Shane Tronc had extended his agreement with the club until the end of season 2009.
The rampaging 25 year old commenced his time at the club at the start of season 2004 and has steadily put his mark on the National Rugby League competition, providing good go forward mixed with quality offloads.
Toyota Cowboys CEO Peter Parr is pleased to have retained the props services, “Shane has been a great contributor to the club over the last few years. There is no doubt that his best football is in front of him and we are delighted that he has extended his contract with us.” Peter Parr said.
With 71 first grade appearances for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys in his career Tronc is now one of the seniors in the playing ranks, representative player of the future and will feature heavily in the further success of the Cowboys.

See my pics relating to this announcement at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#144660223

O'Donnell out for the season

Luke O'Donnell has just been ruled out for the entire 2007 NRL season after having his hamstring muscle torn from his pelvis on Saturday night. It occurred during this 'wishbone' tackle which I witnessed and photographed first-hand. I saw it happening in a 'pseudo' slow-motion and I knew instantly that it was VERY bad. To be honest I was truly surprised that Tigers forward Bronson Harrison wasn't placed on report at the time. The Cowboys, NSW Blues and Kangaroos teams will miss Luke immensely. This back page of The Courier-Mail (with my 2006 photo of Luke) describes his opinion of the tackle.

See my pics of the aftermath of the tackle at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#142592609

Heart stopper at home but Matt had a point to prove

What a finish to a great game in Townsville tonight. An act of rugby league brilliance saw Matt Bowen score under the posts in the 75th minute and then land a field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the match to give the Cowboys a 25-24 comeback win. Sheer brilliance by Bowen, Thurston, Smith and the boys!

See my pics from the game at http://www.cameronlaird.com/gallery/2572467#142593426