The Ultimate Power Station!

Hi Folks,

One to sweeten up Eileen as she likes Scotland

Well I enjoyed the banter between Eileen, Trev and myself, it was all good clean fun.

Anyway as some of you know I had to go to London today is see a specialist about my Sinus which has been giving me a bit of jip over the last few months giving me dull headaches most of the time. My first mistake is thet I went to St Thomas's instead of Guys, what a silly chump I am.

Anyway to make the most of it we went over Westminster Bridge with leddened sky's and the snow coming down and took a few shots of Daisy and Sue which to be fair were not too hot due to the expressions on their faces because of the cold weather.

We then took Daisy on her first Underground ride which we thought she would not like as she grumbled about the Tunnels on the way to London saying that she was scared of the dark but she enjoyed the trip from Westminster to London Bridge on the Tube without a care in the world.

Right I suppose I am really going to put my foot in it this time but what the heck, let's live dangerously.

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POWER STATION!

WELL WOT ABOUT THAT ONE THEN  plus a clock to boot.

Well I have a load more but I must pack up as my stamina has stumbled.

Daisy is fast asleep dreaming about Trains as she has been on three today.

She was Great and didn't complain at all, bless her.

Thanks for looking, more exciting things happened but that is for another day.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Power Stations at the ready!

Hi folks, just a quick one tonight as I am going to London tomorrow with Daisy and Sue.

Battersea Power Station

I looked on the map to go and take one but it was too far away from our appointment so here is one taken earlier.

That's it for tonight, thanks for looking.

nite nite, love Mike XX

Haysden Country Park and the Fly Past.

Hi folks,

This will be the last of our visit to the park this week but rest assured we will return. We had a lovely few hours in the sunshine.

Canada Goose, which should have orange legs. "When are we off then?"

Mallard in the sunshine, my they really have nice colours

 These two getting excited about the fly past.

 Wot you looking at? "I'm not joining in".

Young Coot, must be, no white feathers, "neither am I."

 Another Mallard, showing off his rear end for the camera. "Wots all the fuss about."

 Grey Lag, I hope, waiting for the action.

This was 1130am, still cold.

Show off getting ready for action.

Me a Swan? I'll just stay here and preen myself.

Ending with a flypast...

and

The inevitable splash down!

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Strange Bird Day

Hi folks,

We went back to Haysden Country Park again yesterday, what a wonderful place for wildlife, we spent the morning walking around Barden Lake enjoying the crisp morning air and the noise of the wildfowl on the lake. We then came across a couple of birds that I can't name, probably Ken, Mike, Trev or even that Stephen will know. I have checked my book but can't find it.

Well all you bird spotters, what's this ere bird then?

Strange picture of the two of them taking off together only two feet but if you look closely there are two bodies.

Coot? well yes but I never seen one with white on it's front perhaps it's a Granddad Coot like me. Sue has checked up on this ere bird and the saying "bald as a Coot". Bald is an old word for white as it has a white head. See I am learning and reading my books. BTW Coots dont like Scotland as it is to cold.

This will get you, it's a cross between a Canadian Goose and a Grey Lag
.
Now I am no expert on these things but a rather distinguished man with a pair of Olympus Binoculars and a large Canon camera like the one old Trev touts informed me of this fact. So who am I, a lowly walker and Amateur photographer to argue.

Beautiful spot this with nice surroundings as you can see not many people about,  just a wispy cloud on the horizon for Trevor.

When the ground dries up in the spring Sue and I are going to do the complete walk around the lake and over the Medway through the meadow and back to the car park

Maybe some more tomorrow if I can stay awake.


Thanks for looking,

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Doggy Day

Hi folks,

Well after a hard couple of days working we went to Tonbridge for a walk by the lake. It was glorious sunshine although it was a bit chilly but we made the most of it.

Sue was talking on Daisy's blog about the dogs we met today so I will introduce them to you

Max doing a Daisy and Holly swim.

Here he is again all dry, lovely and cuddly he had eyes like a Husky, the left one was white.

And this little terror is Asbo, guess what, his owner is a police man. He had a lot of trouble keeping his coat on properly but at least the thought was there.

I have a load more to put up tomorrow, so tune in then.

Thanks for looking, sorry it's short.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

A Baking Day for Daisy

Hi folks,

Well what a horrible day for being outside, but I suppose we need the rain.

Ian and Daisy arrived as usual and had a drink followed by Ian having to go to work, shame.

As he left I got a shot of them both.

Right, what do you do when you have a three and a half year old and it is not nice outside? Well Sue decided that they would make some Rock Cakes and some Gingerbread, so our little girl for the day had to dress up.

Out comes the stool for her to stand on followed by her outfit that Nanny bought her a few months back, don't she look the part?

Right Nanny, lets get started.

Hard work mixing this up and yes I did wash my hands.

It's easy this cooking lark. ( note the pink Centipede not far away.)

There, all done, see my results on the tray behind.


After a rest and a sample of the cooking we had lunch with Brian and Kay some friends / customers we had a nice afternoon playing games. Daisy had her favourite food for tea, Fish Fingers and of course a gingerbread, then it was time to get ready for bed.  C B B's for a while first.

Then there was a surprise, our friend Adrianne arrived to see Daisy and go with Nanny to Ladies Guild

Now she bought Daisy a present, "a lovely tiara for her Princess" she said as Daisy unwrapped it with a beam on her face. It lights up too and Adrianne switched the lights of the tiara on and there she was. Pink Pyjamas and a pink flashing tiara to match. Daisy then went nicely to bed with her present beside her. Adrianne then read Daisy a bedtime story before they went out and I tucked Daisy up in her Secret Bed and kissed her goodnight.

It was a lovely end to a perfect Daisy Day.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv mike XXX

A few more kites

Hi folks,

As I have been working today I did not go out with the camera so I thought that as a lot of you came to our 40 Wedding Anniversary I would put up some shots taken at Portsmouth the next day at the kite festival. in 2006.

It was a wonderful day, I hope you enjoyed the snapshot of the event.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Kites in the Sun

Hi folks,

Well I had a bit of a fix today and did what I should have done a while ago and met up with my kiteing buddys at Mote Park. Most of the familiar faces were there to greet me, so I duly paid my yearly subs and got flying.

The weather was bright but the wind was all over the place and gusting quite a bit. Due to the strength of the wind a few of them opted for the Delta which has 3 spars, 1 centre and 1 each side with long tails helping to staberlize it in strong winds.

This is a Rokkaku, it is quite small and this one is hand made by Mike the club secretary, the image is of his daughter, it also lends itself to blustery conditions. The image is applied by stitching the image on and cutting out the reverse.

Looking across the flying field with members setting up their kites. If you look closely you can see my Revolution, a 4 line kite also good for high winds.

This is Len a club committee member getting up close and personal.

Next is a Power Kite, these are very powerful and have been on the News with some people being dragged along and even one going over Beachey Head. We were ok as Mote Park is fairly flat. Ideal if you want to lengthen ones arms.

Next is Janet who is in charge of the clubs clothing, notice her nice Kent Kite Flyers Jacket also the gloves on the ground essential when holding the line as it can pull through your fingers leaving a nasty burn. (Health and safety tip)

Finally another very patriotic Delta to end with.

Thanks for looking

nite nite, luv Mike XX

All work and no play makes Mike a dull boy.

Hi folks,

Well this working lark is taking it's toll on me.  Got to get out to take some pics and get a fix.

This is one taken the other day at Rochester Cathedral. At this angle it can only be taken in the winter due to that very old Oak tree in the front which when in full leaf virtually blocks it out.

Hoping to get some tomorrow,

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Day Off

Hi folks,

I am quite exhausted after a day out with Trev and having to work today so having a chill out so no pictures tonight. Hope I am forgiven.

 Trev has put up pictures that both of us have taken so no point in duplicating them. So a night off and a catch up on the TV and the Computer.

 Thanks for looking. nite nite, love Mike xx

Canine capers at St Mary's Island

Hi folks,

We it's Tuesday again and as I did a piece on the Mariners yesterday I was bugged by not getting a close up of the sailors face due to the suns position just behind him. So back we went today with little legs to have another go.

As he was a grey/black, this was the best I could do using fill flash.

I missed this one from yesterday of the Finsborough Slipway looking at you know what.

We climbed up on top of Finsborough Down ant took this of the very brightly coloured houses on the shore line.

Down the bank we went to Basin 2 with not a boat in sight although the calm water made a great reflection.

Along the Floating Boardwalk we trotted, it was all very quiet except for Daisy saying " I want to go to Boomers for lunch"

Now I don't know if you knew, Daisy is terrified of dogs until she met Barney the Boardwalk dog and after a while gave him a stroke on his back, " Bye bye Daisy shouted down the ramp and he looked around to say bye bye.

The sun was still shining as we left the basin.

Daisy was really happy at this point and was looking forward to the swings on the way back to the car.

Getting over her inhibitions she trotted along talking to Oscar who wanted her to play with his ball.

Feeling very pleased with herself she ran for the swings.

On the final leg back to the car she was as free and easy with dogs and she gave Louis a quick stroke  and skipped along all the way back to the car.

Look said Daisy, " there's my Potty". this was laying on the beach full of wood, so we all had a laugh as we arrived back at the car.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX