Back to the Smoke.

Hi folks,

I just thought I would share an image with you  that I took on my last trip to London.

This was taken after a long and extensive search of my belongings. I was then allowed on the second floor of the Mayors office which has a wonderful view across the water. I had a lot of trouble as the glass had a coating on it which meant a lot of processing to get it looking natural. this is the only way you can get the tower straight on without the street furniture on this side of the river. hope you like it.

On Monday I shall return to London Bridge but alas no cameras as I will be staying in over night at Guys.

Sorry for the short blog but after next week I will get out and about a lot more.

Thanks for looking.

Have a good weekend, luv Mike xx

Ramsgate as the sun goes down.

Hi folks,

Well as you are probably aware, the weather hasn't been much fun this week and I have had to finish off my work so that I can relax and prepare for Monday.

Looking back through my many shots I found a set that might interest you.

Last month after our Pegwell Bay excursion Daisy said, " we have not been to the Seaside" so we went on to Ramsgate for a quick look around before we made tracks for home.

Daisy is posing mode but only for a short time.

Here we are with Nanny playing with the shells.

It was late in the evening well 5.30pm and the sun was starting to go down.

This is the famous paddling pool on the beach which filled up as the tide came in.

This caught my eye of the patterns in the sand caused by the water running away down the beach.

Finally another pose from a very tired Daisy, still she had a sleep on the way home in the car.

Well I hope that bought some sunshine into your life after our very dry April.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Masterchef !

Hi Folks,

Today was wet for most of the time so Sue and Daisy went baking again.

This is the one thing Daisy enjoys the most at her Nanny's and loves to get stuck in and really does most of the work herself.

Good old Mickey keeps an eye on her as well.

I am gradually getting her to pose and look at the camera.

Right mixture done, now into the baking tin, I think Mickey approved.

I got her to stand really still and shake the brown sugar on the surface of the mixture.

Well what about that Granddad? A lovely bread pudding.

Cooks perks is licking your fingers after the baking is done before Nanny puts it in the oven.

Hope you enjoyed Daisy's cooking.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

View from Sutton Valence.

Hi folks,

just a few from the area.

Finding the viewing area was a job in itself.

We parked the car and had lunch before we set off.  Sutton Valence has the ruins of a Norman Keep with panoramic views over the Weald, overseen by English heritage, we never found it.  Not a signpost to be seen, some walkers directed us in the direction of a viewing area and after walking for a while along a footpath we arrived.

Down beside a school playing field we were finally at the spot overlooking the downs.

Quite a spectacular view but as usual with these places shrouded in trees.

Here's one for Trev including a con trail.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Gone to Pot!

Hi folks,

Had to work today, so looked back through some teapots I took Wednesday to complete the event.

Good old Mr Blair and the hunting saga

The one with the green labels are newly acquired

Well that's the last of the teapots, go and have a look yourself it's a fun place to go to.

I must say I enjoyed taking the teapots, the lighting and the plastic sheeting were a challenge to say the least.

Just over a week to go before my operation, after that I hope to get more active in my other hobbies and get away for a break.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite , luv Mike XX

Wildlife on the river at Yalding.

Hi folks,

I thought I would share a few of these taken after our visit to Teapot Island. The area around the shop was a wonderful array of wildlife up and down the river.

view from the tow path across the river.

Hope you enjoyed these.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Teapot Island Revisited.

Hi folks,

Being as they say in the UK "changeable" we thought that we would play safe and go back to this lovely place in Yalding  nr Maidstone, Kent to see what else has been added to this fine assortment of teapots.

We were greeted by the proprietors with open arms, they had found the blog and were really pleased with it. So much so that we were ushered in to have another look as they had added a load more.

To finish off I thought that this one was quite appropriate at this time.

Hope you enjoyed  the trip as much as we did.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, love Mike XX

2012 Calender Part 2

Hi folks,

Second part of the calender in the kitchen, pictures taken in monthly order.

Daisy in the play area at Folkestone, July 2011

Leeds Castle Jousting Tournament August 2011

Daisy on the pipe bending floor, Chatham Dockyard September 2011

Well this is no longer there, Richborough Power Station October 2011. See link http://michaelgoodes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/richborough-cooling-towers-down.html

The Power Station was blown up March 2012., the sculpture was erected by the Pfizer Company to celebrate the Millennium.  The sculpture is still there but Pfizer Chemical Company has since closed. Check back in my blog to Sunday 11th March and you can see the power station come down. The Pfizer building is now empty.

Daisy and a bedtime story, November 2011

Sun setting at the top of Bluebell hill, December 2011, that completes the 2012 calender

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX