Happy New Year

Hi folks.

One from the spring this year.

Just to remind you that in a few of months will shall be into springtime and the warm weather. For me 2011 has been a strange year with me not doing all the things that I should have been done due to various reasons.

Still on the bright side was the trip to Florida with Sue, Gloria and Tony, also a trip to Wales to see the Austen family which was great.

As you have probably noticed our Granddaughter Daisy is growing up fast and will be off to school next September.

New years resolutions are to get back into Kite flying, and get back to America.

I hope you all keep well and have all the things that you hold dear.

Have a good evening.

Thanks for looking, Happy New Year to you all.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Over to Yalding and the Weir

Hi folks,

Today we had a trip to Goudhurst and a look around before the rain came, did a tour of St Mary's church but will leave that for another day as we showed a church yesterday. As it rained we headed for Tunbridge Wells but there were still hordes of shoppers about spending money that they are not supposed to have. Anyway we left them to it and came back via Yalding where I used to have a Garage many moons ago.

We parked up after the rain had stopped to look around the weir.

We arrived to find two canoeists playing about on the river between the weir and the bridge so I set up to watch the activity from the weir with my tripod as the light was fading fast.

As I turned around the lights were already on in the Anchor and it was only 3pm, still onwards and upwards I was not going to miss any action.

Sure enough one of them came up to the weir where I was set up with the camera paddleling across with all his might.  He actually looked at me as I took the shot.

Than it happened, he upended the Canoe and out he went!

I did not need to get a ND filter out of my bag, the light was fading so fast I didn't need one. I managed to get this creamy water shot that some folks rave about without a lot of effort.

Here's another one of the of the sluice gates with water cascading through it.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Yalding as it started to get quite dark.

That's the end of another eventful day.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Sad but Happy day.

Hi folks,

Not too much to report today only that we had to go to a Thanksgiving service for our dear friend Roy who passed away just before Christmas. Roy was a member of our local Loins Club and a very dear friend and companion.

The service was held in a very beautiful part of the country a place called Kings Walden in Hertfordshire in a lovely church, St Mary's. We travelled up with another couple Roy and Brenda and went to the Red Lion, a local pup afterwards.

As we arrived the sun actually came out.

It was nice to meet friends and family and pay our respects.

Sorry about the circumstances but I hope you liked the images of this lovely old Church

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Late trip to the Riverside

Ho folks,

Hope you all had a nice Christmas, we did but as usual ate too much so this afternoon we decided to go shopping for some bits for the Loo to finish it off,. Bits like Toilet Brush and Soap Dishes, you know the sought of thing. We popped into PC world and I would not believe there was a recession on, loads of electrical stuff was walking out the door and the shop was packed. Enough I said lets go to the Marina and take some pictures.  After a trip to the Range and a cup of coffee we went for a walk along the riverside.

It was about 3.15pm when we arrived so here is Upnor Castle with very little light, still we had a bit of daylight left so on we trotted along the path.

Here is the Pier Pub from across the water, it looked rather inviting and warm inside.

As we walked along we found this lonely Swan obviously wanting some food but was unlucky. He then continued upstream towards Chatham.

The light was fading fast as we walked past the end on the flood defence wall which petered out to this rather nice end Sculpture of Rope in stone.

The lights were coming on at Eileen's favourite Power Station in the distance.

We then turned around as it was starting to get gold and windy to head back to the car.

On our way back I took this of the Yacht Club across the river with the water as still as a Mill pond.

Anyway, I had my photo fix for the day and as Sue commented the nights are now getting shorter so it will soon be Spring, now there's a thought to end on.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Boxing day with the Family

Hi folks ,

Well it was our turn to entertain today so we had little Daisy, her Mum and Dad and also the Grandparents down from Nottingham.

The star of the event turned up in her new outfit and very pretty she looked  Her hair had been specially done by Grand-mama . When it was time to cut the Christmas cake Daisy had a candle to blow out arranged by Nanny Sue. ( see the proud dad in the background)

Guess what she had for Christmas? her sister bought her a Ballerina Outfit which she loved and kept doing pirouettes in it and gorgeous she looked too.

As the evening wore on she started to get tired and Granddad Terry settled her down for a bedtime story.

Then she was  up again with a new lease of life.

I thought this was the best, her dressed in her Ballerina outfit playing with her new Chuggington Train Set.

Well at 7.30 it was time to go as she was getting very tired, so off she went taking all her toys with her back to her own little bed to dream about her day.

We all had a lovely day and it was nice to meet up with the rest of the family.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Well, rather that watch Telly....

....I thought I would put this up.

Taken on Tuesday at Leeds Castle , took a while to get it but...

I thought it was well worth the wait.

In the spring a pair of Crowned Cranes mated and produced one offspring. Whilst there on Tuesday I notices that the parents were getting a bit frisky so to speak. I hung around for quite a while before they started to get excited and flap there wings.

Well that's it for today, hope you all had a lovely and peaceful Christmas.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Merry Christmas to all my readers

Hi folks, well it's nearly that time for Santa to come down the chimney again.

Well I hope you have all had a good 2011 and I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

Here in the UK we have the Olympics to look forward to with all that goes with it and as I am only 30miles from the Capital I should get some photo opportunities whilst the event is on.

Meanwhile we have the rest of 2011 to enjoy with all the festive cheer that comes with Christmas. We should also pause and reflect on all those poor soles who are not as fortunate as us and also the lonely and ill around us.

Looking back on the year we spent a wonderful four weeks in Florida followed by a trip to Wales and a visit to the guest house that we nearly bought in 1984. It was called the Marlborough Hotel in those days and is on Barmouth sea front. Both holidays you can access on this blog.

I have enjoyed doing this blog since April this year and will continue to do so.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR to all.

Thanks for your support.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Light walk around the Neighbourhood.

Hi folks,

As It is a mild night I thought I would go for a walk with the camera.......

Well now back to getting ready for Christmas.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Leeds Castle at Christmas, conclusion

Hi folks,

Just a few more of our lovely day out with Daisy. As said yesterday it was a wonderful day with lovely sunshine as we entered the Castle.

As is was early we had the place to ourselves and they did not mind taking pictures to my surprise. I took loads but just picked out a couple more to show.

This bedroom had a Ballerina theme. A dress on the floor with the bodice stuffed so that it stood above its' skirt.  Under the tree were Ballet Pumps scattered on the floor.

On the other side of the room was the bed with Ballet Pumps scattered.

In the gift shop Daisy posed in front of the tree and was then asking " what's for lunch".

Off to the Avery we went and I was left on my own to play with the Ducks, and what a fun time I had.

Meet Bert the Acrobatic Duck, (I said Acrobatic NOT Aromatic), he kept me on my toes as he swam up and down the pool messing about.

Wahay he went, up and down doing all sorts of tricks to my delight and I had to be quick to get him in this position. Duck anyone?

That was good, shall I do it again? And he did.

Then off to the Maze, by this time the clouds were brewing up and after this shot, Daisy and Sue in the middle, it was time to make tracks for the car and home. What a difference the weather was from when we started but at least it stayed dry.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Leeds Castle at Christmas

Hi folks,

Well here we are again Tuesday, so that means Daisy comes to stay. We had already planned to go to the Castle to look at the Christmas Decorations in there so as Daisy slept over Monday night an early start was called for.

What a wonderful day greeted us and I nearly left the inside of the Castle to go around the grounds but I thought we has better get in the Castle before the crowds arrived. Wonderful spectacle greeted us and it was well worth the visit.

Leeds Castle is on the A20 to the east of Maidstone set in it's own grounds and well worth a visit.

Inside there are Christmas trees everywhere, this was on the 1st floor landing.

Some of the rooms had themes and this one was Fairy Princess she was looking towards................

What seems to be a wishing well.

There were loads more around the Castle but I will finish with the STAR if the show..............

Well it had to be Daisy.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite,luv Mike XX

Walk around outside Rochester Cathedral

Hi folks,

As I showed imaged from the Market yesterday I thought I would give you a tour of the grounds at the side of the Cathedral which are very pretty in the Summer but keep there charm in the winter.

Candle placed by the side gate at the entrance to the grounds.

Side door into the Cathedral.

Statue of Madonna and child.

From the Statue looking towards the Cathedral.

In amazement I find a single Red Rose that is still growing after 2 days of heavy frost so this is next years growth already in flower as the plant has already been pruned.

On exiting the garden I looked across at the magnificent Castle.

This wooden Sculpture of a Monk is in the Vines and is now a bit worst for wear. Carved from a felled tree in the 1987 storm.

As promised here is the hat as worn by my lovely wife Sue. (it fits like a drum on a pea)

Another sunset image from the top of Bluebell Hill.


Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX







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