Lifeguards in the Making

Hi again folks,

today we went with a group of friends to Whitstable for lunch with mutual friends who had moved there some time ago.  Very nice it was and a good time was had by all.  As it was before 5pm and a lovely sunny afternoon/evening Sue and I went to the beach with our friend Adrianne for a bit of exercise.

We weren't alone as the Royal National Lifeboat Institutes' Lifeguards were also doing exercises of a different sort.

There were about 20 trainees and six instructors in the water.

They had a very nice hut on the seafront.

They were towing each other onto the shore with lines simulating a rescue.

The instructor on the surf board  was keeping an eye on them.

They had numerous exercises to attempt and were kept very busy in and out of the water several times whilst we were there.

Instructor going out to set up a new task.

Being towed to the beach after attaching buoyancy hoop.

Instructors keeping eye on the rescue. 

This chap seemed to be running the event.

They used hoops to give them buoyancy.

Once at the beach they checked for breathing before carrying survivor onto the beach.

Then they laid out "the victim" to check over before the rescue was complete.

The exercises were very enlightening and there training was very hard. They spent a lot of time running up the beach with bare feet on the pebbles which must have been uncomfortable to say the least. It was very reassuring to see this team and nice to know that the are keeping us safe on our beaches.

Makes you think what they do and to support them when we can.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Back to London

Hi folks,

owing to the state of the weather I thought I would continue with my London theme as the sun is shining in these pictures and it could make you smile a bit.

This was taken in the week leading up to the Jubilee River Pageant, a very different picture to what was about to unfold!  We were walking along the river path leading to the Tower of London, you can walk all the way along until just before the Tower when you have to do a detour because they have demolished a building and are in the process of rebuilding.
A little note on this, I think they have pulled down the shipping companies office block where my father worked until he retired in the late 1970's.

Under the Bridge.

Decoration.

Now for something completely different...................

Sue as a young girl.  As you can see this was taken in 1951 and is special, if you pull the tag under the word  "Brighton" the picture can be removed revealing the negative, which is in quite good condition given it's age.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Clematis and Coronation Image

Hi folks,

Well we were out yesterday celebrating the Jubilee at friends which was lively so the blog went out the window. Today we had Daisy, a day later than usual due to the extra holiday and the fact she had Chicken Pops as she calls it. She is staying over night and her mum is picking her up tomorrow. Due to the healing we kept her in all day and watched the TV and a couple of films, Toy Story and Happy Feet. As it was the weather was not up to much anyway.

As the weather brightened in the afternoon I took a picture of our new Clematis climbing the outside wall.

I have started to sort out the family's photos into some sort of order and came across an assortment of images which I copied to disc.

As this was 59 years ago I thought you would like to see me as a young boy at the Coronation, Street Party, I kid you not, this is me.

Well that probably gave you all a laugh. I also have a very risqué picture of Eileen taken a long time ago but not sure if you really want to see it Trevor and Jean have already seen it. Also one of Sue 61 years ago.

Stop chuckling, speak soon.

Thanks for dropping by.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Riverside, Sneaky Look!

Hi folks,

Went out with some friends today in between the rain and look where we ended up.

As the sun came out this chap started pollinating.

Young Duck, answers on a postcard please?? Still learning.

Wot you looking at!

Now look ere, this is Trevs patch, clear off.

I think this bloke is trying to cadge a lift, he followed the ship along the shore.

My first Oyster catcher with the help of Gary my mate who spotted him. We only saw one.

What's this then??

View out across the Estuary as the tide went out.

Up the pole

Hope I don't get told off.

We were only there a short time till the rain came down.

Thanks for dropping by.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Medway River Festival

Hi folks,

Well stayed in my local area yesterday and visited the local River Festival.

The only thing that marred the event is that most of the boats where in London for the Queens Pageant tomorrow (today now). The rain held off although it was overcast for most of the day.

This chap greeted us, welcome aboard he said......

and the lady ready for the weather to change!

Canoeists giving a demonstration below us, a couple went in the river.

Morning Star, one on the vessels not in London.

Our old favourite, the Kingswear Castle, chugging towards Rochester.

One of the many attractions.

Off he went with her on his bike which got around the corner and the chain came off.

Action on the river as the race got under way.

Racing Yacht with outriggers.

Lots of rides and things to do for the children, this lot seemed to be enjoying playing with the gun.

Yacht race fully under way.

All in all a good day out and the bonus is that it was free.

Thanks for dropping by, looking forward to next year.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Last Lap of the Lakes at Tonbridge

Hi folks,

Blog 2 of Haysden Country Park and Mr Mallard takes centre stage, these are now loosing the bright colour of their heads as the season goes forward. ( see Im learning)

Canada Geese eyeing up the Greylag on the shore, love the fact that the adults are protecting their young who getting bigger by the day.

I think these Swans have had enough of the Greylag Goslings

Caught this on the path by my feet.

We all love the antics of the Coot, the way it does 100mile dash across the lake. You can tell him by the white of his head which is where the saying as "bald as a Coot" comes from. Now don't all scream at once, look at the young with orange bald heads, close up below.

They looked as though they had been in the oven at 200 degrees, YUCK!

Back at the Fishing Lake for the last time and we spotted the Great Crested Grebe again but a different colour from last time his colours where more subdued. There were a pair on the lake but I don't think if we stayed there all day we would get both in the same shot, they were too fast.

 Lastly a Jay sitting on a seat, on Spring Watch on TV the other night I was amazed to see that they stole chicks from other birds nests.

Hope you enjoyed our visit to the country park and thanks for dropping by.

nite nite, luv Mike XX 

Back to the Countryside

Hi folks,

Well London was nice but time for some wildlife.

As Daisy our 3 vear old granddaughter has what she calls it "Chicken Pops" I took Trevor and Sue to Haysden Lake in Tonbridge for a look at some wild fowl. We were blessed with some really nice weather and had a lovely day in the sunshine.

Swans on the private fishing lake, where's the family?

Signet pecking the Lily's

Family together with Dad keeping guard.

Two of a kind, incoming Greylags

More Greylag's coming in to land.

Water Lily just starting to flower, all the above were taken at the private fishing lake which is for Anglers. There is plenty to see from the path.

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Greylag on Barden Lake.

Barden, Haysden Water Lake and the Private Fishing lakes. The area is split into these three lakes and the River Medway running along the back of Barden and Haysden Water Lake.

Barden Lake is teeming with wildlife with lots of Birds, Squirrels and Rabbits. Haysden Water Lake is primary for Sailing and has a Main Road the A28 across it which makes it noisy for wildlife. Between the lakes the is a variety of walks through woodland.

 At the weekends there is a food wagon for bacon rolls and alike. This place is well worth a visit and does Tonbridge and West Malling Borough Council proud. Parking is reasonable as well which makes a change.

Mrs Mallard having a sunbathe and..........

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Trev (not having a sunbathe) having a rest in the shade after a lot of walking.

Part two to follow.

Thanks for dropping by.

nite nite, luv Mike XX