Not only is it the 40th anniversary of Mt. St. Helens, but it was also Victoria Day in Canada. This meant that our offices were closed today, and I had a much less demanding weekend than normal. I used this weekend to catch up on some long overdue photography projects. My Mac Pro is now... Continue Reading →
An Almost 50-year Old Bentley and the RROC Fall Tour
Driving 1,200 miles in a week in a British car that rolled off the production line ~49 years ago may seem like a crazy thing to do. But it's not considering the car - a 1966 Bentley T1 - and the event, which was the Fall Tour of the Rolls-Royce Owner's club - held throughout... Continue Reading →
Still a Jaguar Fan
I got my start in exotic cars with a Jaguar. A 1992 Vanden Plas, to be specific. I loved them for the formative years of my driving experience. But, for many years, I thought they lost their way. I couldn't see much worth owning beyond a late 1990s performance-oriented XJ - which I bought with... Continue Reading →
Audi S8 – 2-year update
It has been about 2 years since I have been driving the S8 every-day as my Ottawa daily driver. The short-take: There is not much to dislike! Power and performance is amazing - in any weather (caveat: must have right tires). Absolutely comfortable for 4 adults + luggage. Fuel economy is abysmal in town -... Continue Reading →
DB9
The DB9 is here. The photo above was taken on delivery in Seattle. It is AWESOME. A full review comes later when I have lived with it for a while. But the short take: Nothing sounds like an Aston V12 - it rocks! Great balance of comfort - without sacrificing handling or performance Seemingly limitless... Continue Reading →
V8 Vantage – the Farewell Review
Ottawa Fall Colors '09 #78, a photo by rdonovan on Flickr. I admit it. Jeremy Clarkson was right. Those who bought the V8 Vantage would probably just end up wishing they buying a DB9. I can now count myself in that boat, having worked a trade of my V8 Vantage for a DB9. There are... Continue Reading →
Saying Goodbye is Hard (or Not)
V8 Vantage #15 Originally uploaded by rdonovan Moving to the Northeast and Ottawa has been quite an adjustment from an automotive pursuit. In Seattle you are spoiled with weather that permits driving any car that can withstand rain all year long - on salt free roads. And parking is plentiful. So is the ability to... Continue Reading →
The Ill-Fated Voyage East
Ill Fated Eastern Journey #4Originally uploaded by rdonovanI decided that it would be a good idea to drive the Bentley Arnage from Seattle to Ottawa. I set out on a beautiful morning in Seattle in early October. I made it through to Missoula, Montana without incident - and saw some extremely beautiful sights along the... Continue Reading →
Ottawa British Car Day 2008
British Car Day '08 #20 Originally uploaded by rdonovan I admit it. I love car shows; I can combine both my automotive and photographic pursuits into a single outing. This July's Ottawa British Car day was no exception - beautiful weather at Britannia Park and some magnificent cars made for an enjoyable afternoon. There were... Continue Reading →
Aston Martin meets Canon EOS-5D
I have been keeping my eye on the Canon EOS-5D camera for some time. My first "serious" digital camera was the Canon EOS-350D (also known as the Rebel XT). I liked it, but have this year outgrown the lack of custom shooting options and longed for the flexibility of a full-frame 35MM camera.I loaned my... Continue Reading →