New Pop-Up Tent

 

So Bank Holiday Monday saw me opening up the new pop-up tent that Julia and James bought me for Christmas.

This one poppers together at the side rather than Velcro, the big one I already have has the most awful cheap Velcro along the edges which is like running your fingers over a wire brush 😮 So this one should prove easier to put together and take down when I need it whereas the other one stays put because it's so much of a faff.

Both have four colour backdrops, black, white, grey and blue. This is the blue one with Tedster posing for me as a test buddy! Finding it hard to lose the line at the back and create a true infinity curve, suspect it might be easier with just the white backdrop?

This image is of my two tin boxes, bought containing gold chocolate coins, and the black backdrop. Again there's the "strip" through the middle, this image was front lit using just a torch.

The backdrops are PVC which means they are somewhat shiny, the tent has two rows of LEDs, alternate warm and bright white which gives a selection of different colour temperatures and various light levels. All I had to find myself was a USB to mains adapter but it also means the tent could be powered from a laptop/PC or a power bank should you find yourself with no access to a mains supply. Could be handy if/when camera club at work ever starts up again ;-)

Christmas Day @ Chez Bailey

 

So Christmas Day saw us all congregate at Chez Bailey for a festive dinner :-)

In spite of all the last minute DIY and general chaos, Julia & James threw everything into clearing away the power tools and setting up the most amazing dining table whereby James's Mum Annie had helped decorate it with table runners and floral arrangements.

It was awesome, after the Tier 4 restrictions last year, to be finally able to meet up and spend the day together as a somewhat extended family now. There was me and Dad, James's parents, sister and her partner, his other brother (Dom was poorly at home) and Julia's Dad and Step-Mum, eleven of us in all.

Julia & James cooked a lush traditional roast turkey dinner and we each took along items for tea & drinks throughout the day.

Lots of fun, presents and laughter, a real joy to spend some quality time together after yet another difficult year 💕🎄

Christmas Lights!

 

So Tuesday evening saw Dad and me pop out for a walk around the estate taking some photos of the very festive lights.

A chilly, frosty evening but we got some good ones I think. Hard sometimes when they are so widely spread and most of the image is dark. This little sleigh was perched atop a motorhome, love these inflatable characters, there are a few around the estate. They seem to need constant blowing up though as without it they tend to start drooping ;-)

Took the M50 out on a monopod but not too sure how much that actually helped! I'm not a tripod kind of girl, preferring to handhold and crank up the ISO.

Here's an accidental "arty" one, after having to change out the battery with my camera fixed in a chunky L bracket the lens seemed, for a brief moment, to be fussy about actually focusing. I must have pressed the shutter anyway and boom this is what it captured! Really like this bokeh effect.

And this final one is yet another arty take, shot through the front wall bushes of the gorgeous warm white lights which adorned this house.

Santa Run!

 

Finally got to see this year's Santa Run on the proper day it was due around our roads, compared to last year when they had to make a rush visit to all the roads because BoJo had cancelled Christmas for some of us.

Another crappy day weather wise, it always seems that way whenever they come round. But it was awesome to see the usual crowd walking around with Santa and it always marks the start of the festive season for us "Estate'ers".

Gathering For Christmas!

 

So Saturday saw my brother, Jo and the boys come down for a visit before Christmas. Dad cooked a lush roast dinner and Julia, James and Annie came over too and we had a good family day. Especially given last year was a total write-off as far as Christmas went.

These are Dad's lights, really pretty :-)

Foggy

 So this morning, my first day of the Chrimbo break, saw me wake up to thick fog. Having taken a few quick phone snaps from the windows I grabbed the 77D and took this. Focused on the fields outside whilst the LED light net and bonsai tree blurred in the foreground.

Really like this effect, it doesn't always appeal to me, think it depends on the subject matter. But it felt good to pick up the big camera for a change. I do miss it given most outings I'm using the M50 mirrorless or even the TZ90 like on Sunday for Leeds Castle because the weather wasn't supposed to be all that.

I have treated myself to a Thinktank cover for the camera and whilst it does fit the M50, it kind of swamps it. In fact it's plenty big enough, with room to spare, for the 77D. It's supposed to be useful for both handheld shooting and tripod, many are usually designed to be fitted over the camera when it's mounted on a tripod and so are hard to use if you are simply walking around. But thought it would be a step-up from the large sandwich bags which I usually use to keep the camera dry. Don't get me wrong, the sandwich bags are a perfect, cheap solution, if you can wedge them in place with the lens hood, in fact in 2019 when I went on a coach trip to Kew Gardens for their Christmas lights it rained most of the evening and my M5 stayed perfectly dry inside it's plastic bag. Had trouble actually seeing through the viewfinder but trusted the autofocus and tried not to listen to the rain drops hitting the plastic whilst videoing 🤣 

Maybe what I need is a waterproof compact and having got a free booklet with the latest Photography News I think, I've certainly been eyeing one little model up. But unsure if I can justify the cost? Maybe keep it in my back pocket for a birthday pressie, if I don't keep buying more handbags 😉

Leeds Castle - 12 Days of Christmas

 

So Sunday saw me and my girl head off around Leeds Castle for their 12 Days of Christmas celebrations. Given Covid-19 is still very much with us, once again the market was abandoned, and this year saw various scenes set up around the grounds, some interactive, to make the song 12 Days of Christmas.

It was really well done and we enjoyed the walk around in the fresh air and then a roast chicken dinner in the restaurant followed by a mooch around the castle itself to see the Christmas trees.

Tedster came along too, here he is in front of the Two Turtle Doves archway.

Little Glass Bauble Tree

 

So bought this little tree from the Dogs Trust Christmas catalogue - uber pretty and it's been handy as an "office desk" tree whilst I have been WFH, although the big tree is literally just alongside me anyway.

This has been processed in the phone app, a pencil sketch filter applied with 55% colour left in it. The baubles are a set of 2 each of yellow, turquoise, red and pink. It stands about 5.5" tall. 

Really pleased with the purchase and it wasn't that expensive either :-)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

 

So this year's decs went up early again, normally I try and wait until around 12 days before Christmas to put the decs up but the last two years, what with Covid-19 and all have been depressing and so once again some early Christmas cheer was in order.

Bit of a collage of my tree, and some other ornaments around the lounge. I've settled on pretty much putting the same decs up each year and in the same place, far easier considering how long it takes me anyway. Up and down the steps, "is that straight?" moments, and then the packing away of empty bags and boxes.

Still am happy with the overall effect and on my long weekend's Monday off, having purchased another photo bauble whilst in town to get my booster, I produced this bauble collection of the other two Guide Dog boarders that Julia and James looked after, and obviously one of them is Annie who happily came back to live with them in December 2019.

Super pleased with how this one came out and it now completes the set with Willow & Grace in the star bauble.

Boosters...

 

So this is my little card confirming my Covid-19 booster, which I had Sunday 5th December exactly 6m from the 2nd jab. Obviously the rules have radically changed again in the wake of the Omicron variant and so people are being encouraged to get their boosters after only 3m instead.

Had Pfizer, a different beast to the AstraZeneca ones I had for the first two jabs but hey ho, still not too much in the way of side effects to write home about. Bit of the usual sore arm and sniffy and that's about it.

Not too sure just how many jabs we're still going to have to have before Covid-19 becomes less of a thing, if it ever does as this rate. It certainly feels never ending 😭 Think the government have bought enough for either the next 2 years or possibly the next two lots of 6m 😱 Beginning to feel like a human pin cushion given I had my flu jab too. Still I guess we've just got to suck it up and crack on.

Advent Calendars

 

So these are two of this year's advent calendars, along with a Dairy Milk version 😋

The more traditional one came from Dobbies and I had high hopes for this, I love a traditional advent calendar with really nice pictures in it... Unfortunately this wasn't one of those and at £4.99 seemed to end up being a bad purchase.

This is Day 1 as you can see, the image BEHIND the window is an almost duplicate of the front image with minor changes. That's not very exciting at all. In fact most mornings I end up playing spot the difference between the front of the window and underneath.

Not in the same class as last year's calendar which was a lovely street scene with the Salvation Army playing in the square and lots of really lovely, traditional images behind each window. Last year's calendar came from Clinton Cards and quite possibly cost a similar amount. I am definitely not buying one of these from Dobbies next year and hopefully next year's shopping trips might be easier than the last two years of Covid-19 "wear a mask, get in, get out" types of shopping trips.

Visiting Mum

 

So this off-Friday saw me mooch up to the Crematorium for Mum's Anniversary, well that will be Tuesday 30th but as that's a working day and the Crem shuts at 4pm this time of year, even with a couple of hours off it would be a struggle to get there plus with the threat of snow this weekend I don't know what next week's weather will hold.

As it was it was blustery and there was a sharp shower on the way back, but it was a good visit, as I may have said before I tend to stand by her tree and natter away like you would on the phone. Tell her what's been going on and what life is currently like for us all.

This Tuesday coming marks 34 years - I've no idea where the time goes. Still miss her and wish she were still here. Wonder what she would make of the current pandemic and it's seemingly never-ending doom and gloom. What she would make of the run of vaccines and now follow-up boosters that will no doubt gradually get fed out to all the age groups.

Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be an end to it, a return to life pre-Covid-19 or whether this is it from now on? Always worrying about the next variant, the next vaccine/booster? 

Anyways the walk there and back boosted my steps count for today, 11000+ steps, although my feet ache now ;-) She would probably laugh if I said to her I'm not getting any younger! Thinking about those 34yrs makes me realise that I have lived longer without her than I did with her 😭 How utterly sad is that? She went too soon, too young, missed out on so many things that she should have had the chance to be here for. Her and my Dad put off too many things until their retirement and then she never made it there. The time for living is now, you never know whether or not tomorrow will belong to you. That's even more poignant at the moment with Covid-19 snapping at our collective heels. Hopefully, if nothing else, she's keeping a watch over us, keeping us all safe 💕

Frosty Morning!

 

Tuesday morning saw me back in the home office, but initially awoke to this bright but frosty view out of the window 🥶

Have spent the rest of the week with the heating on and trying to stay warm as it's turned rather cold rather quickly. Indeed I believe some snow may be forecast in the short term ❄ Let's hope it passes us by down here in the South, although I don't have to be out trekking in it to get to work I'd still rather not have any although equally it's quite photogenic and I do have a new pair of wellies ;-) 

Unexpected Find in the Woods!

 

So Monday being another day off, using up some leave before the end of the year, Dad and I had a quick afternoon wander over to Walderslade Woods for some Autumn colour photography.

Unexpectedly we came across this discarded Halloween Bat headband lying in amongst the bushes/brambles. Unable to reach it with my trekking pole it ended up falling further down into the prickles. Dad ever the game one not to be out done by anything, proceeded to climb into the patch of brambles and retrieve it!

Placed on a clear part of a fallen log it made for an unusual image - not something we had expected to find lurking in amongst the orange autumnal foliage. Am guessing it somehow got tossed during the recent Trick or Treat sessions?

Anyway we left it there on the log in case it's owner came by.

Visiting the Yard for the last time in 2021

 

So having booked Thursday and Monday off for a long weekend I wanted to make one last trip to the Yard before they close for the season. At least this year they are closing at their usual time towards the end of November, last year they were forced by yet another lockdown, to close early in October :-(

So Tedster and Dad accompanied me for what was a really nice, bright autumn day. Lots of leaves around for some colourful autumn piccies and generally not too cold, at least to start with.

Dad had a good natter with a chap onboard HMS Gannet learning how the cannons worked, moved and fired. Ever the mechanic he'd already been trying to figure it out for himself when the chap offered to explain the workings. He was very knowledgeable and happy to chat with Dad.

We enjoyed a light bite in The Mess Deck, save sitting outside munching on sandwiches, and had a good wander around with the cameras.

Missing Me 'Ol Mukka 💔

 

So today marks 19yrs since we lost Max 😭 Still miss his company and quiet ways, he would be a welcome companion right now.

Autumn Colours

 

Having spent some of the morning up at Julia and James's painting another proper coat of matt emulsion on the first wood panel section I came home to be ready to receive my Amazon parcel - why do they insist on delivering on a day I didn't choose??? Had lunch and then a quick play with a very large leaf that I'd picked up from just up the road. Google Lens tells me it could be maple, sycamore or a plane tree (whatever one of those is?). The trees in that area have those helicopter type seed pods so maybe plane tree is right or maybe a sycamore is of that family? Who knows? Anyhoo I'd seen a similar technique used on some recent online autumn pictures so thought if I could locate a large enough leaf I would have a go.

Harder than you think to hold the leaf in a tube shape fashion and shoot through it, and maybe the camera on a tripod and a deeper depth of field might help, but anyways, was pleased with these few snaps taken literally outside the front door.

Used PhotoScape X (the free version) to create the collage. Sometimes this is easier said than done but worked relatively easily this time thankfully.

Pudsey!

 

So Julia gave me this little knitted Pudsey brooch, made by a lady at work I believe (?). How sweet :-)

Managed to cannibalise a paperclip so he could hang onto my desk calendar!

Lest We Forget

 

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month,

When the guns fell silent,

We will remember them.

Ice-Cube Face...

 

So this was leftover from a quick photo session shooting some coloured ice-cubes on my lightbox. The overspill of the coloured water as they had started to melt. For some weird reason I thought it resembled a face and couldn't resist a final photo before clearing away!

Here was the entry for the I Spy with My Little Eye, Something Beginning with I challenge:

Painting & Leeds Castle Fireworks 2021

 

So Saturday saw me up at Julia and James's to help start painting the wood panelling that they recently fitted - well on one side of the fireplace at least anyway!

Two coats of a primer "wash" later and it was home for lunch and to get ready for James to drop us off at Leeds Castle for this year's firework extravaganza. Wow - so good to be back, fireworks were awesome, music somewhat less so but then as we have been going for quite a few years now we've become quite the critics when it comes to these annual shows. Space was this year's theme and the music selection was quite vague at times, any song with some sort of loose association to space, moon et al in either the titles or the lyrics obviously made it a contender to be played. And there was me thinking more along the lines of Holst - The Planets!

Still it was a good end to the day, the drop off and pick up at the local hotel made getting in and out very easy - parking is a nightmare on these evenings, as we walked down the driveway it was just a sea of red lights! We've also misplaced the car before now, totally unsure of where exactly it was parked ;-)

These were just a few pics snapped on the phone, we'd decided not to try and photograph it properly this year, too much faff given the current Covid-19 situation still and to be honest it gets uber chilly just sitting around for hours waiting for it to get dark. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!

The Yard - With My Girl!

 

So my off Friday this week saw me and my girl heading down to the Dockyard for a mosey around, enjoying some late winter sunshine.

Took the M50 and 22mm pancake lens along and took a few snaps as we walked and talked - mainly talked!

Was good to catch up with her and I suspect a good break from the constant DIY that she and James have embarked on in their new house.

That Time Again!

 

So once again it's come round to Christmas Card writing season! Where does the time go? The older I get the faster it turns ;-)

Anyways, there's less to write this year again as no Texas Moon CMC club to write for so my list was somewhat shorter than in normal years. That's likely to be the case now going forwards given the club has closed it's door for good due to the pandemic.

Most of the "to be posted" are addressed and stamped, bought my stamps online from the Royal Mail, much less faff than venturing into the little local shop for the Post Office.

Those to be hand delivered are ready to go too, by this time last year I had already posted the stamped ones off, keen to avoid the postal delays that may have been prevalent last year. Not quite sure if there's such urgency this year but won't be leaving it too late just in case!

Halloween!

 

A few decs in the porch again this year despite the fact that this year trick or treat was once again allowed to happen. Not an advocate of this Americanism, I think it sends mixed messages over accepting sweets from strangers, I still wanted to mark the occasion anyway and managed to fend off the door knockers by sitting in Dad's car a bit longer after being up at Julia's and him giving me a lift home!

Pain in the Rear!

 

So this Thursday saw me spitting feathers over the fact that someone walking past my house allowed their kid to not only bash into my wall with their bike but to then, subsequently damage the corner breeze block in their efforts to free the bike pedal 😡 The fact that they didn't even have the decency to knock on my door to apologise was the final straw.

Fortunately my Dad's a real DIY whizz and so called round to take a look and see how best to fix it. This has involved him getting a replacement block, removing the old one and reseating the new one in place.

It's not like I'd have expected whoever it was to have offered to pay for the damage, although that would have been nice, but it's the fact that having damaged my property they just sloped off without saying anything.

Maybe they should be paying a little more attention to what their kids are up to instead of almost certainly staring intently at their mobile phone - which is what most parents seem to spend their time doing these days. Talk about dragging one's kids up. Even little ones get minimal attention, their parents preferring to while away the time on their phone rather than actually interact with their kids - you know PARENT them properly.

Not that phones were part of Julia's upbringing and I didn't have the luxury of having my Mum to guide me to being a good Mum but rest assured that if she had of been around and caught me behaving like that there would have been words. And quite right too. Having a child is a gift, so why do some parents treat it as though it's a chore???

Trevor's Bench

 

While Dad was busy helping Julia and James in their new house, I took myself for a mooch up to the Crematorium for a chat with Mum followed by a quick wander along to Bluebell Hill Picnic Site to see my neighbour's bench, finally returned to it's rightful place after being removed for repair.

Never seen the bench in my few forays to the site so it was good to see it for the first time. The image above shows the bench looking through the walkway towards it.

It's pretty rustic and the supporting posts don't really do it justice, but it looks out onto the most amazing view across the Downs:

This is a place where Trevor and his family spent many idyllic hours and so after he suddenly passed away back in 1996 his wife had a bench put there in their favourite spot. Recent damage to the bench meant it was taken away to be restored by the crafters at Tyland Barn and eventually returned to it's usual place.

Bit of a trek from my house to the picnic site but it allowed me to clock up almost 16400 steps!

South East Bus Fest & Heritage Transport Show 2021

 

Sunday 10th October saw the South East Bus Fest & Heritage Transport Show finally take place after being cancelled last year and postponed earlier this year due to Covid-19.

Dad and I went along to have a mooch with the cameras - once again the weather could have been kinder, especially as the day before had been sunny, but it stayed mainly dry and I guess that's the main thing this time of year.

It was so good to be back at the show again, normally it runs around Easter time on a Saturday, even then there's no guarantee of decent weather but just glad that it managed to run successfully this year. 

It's very much a smaller, enthusiasts show, lots of "train spotter" types there with their notebooks writing down the bus numbers and it's good to see the vast array of different vehicles brought along either by private owners or the bus companies. Missed the old Dockyard bus this year, although there was one there albeit a different colour and a couple of the uber old buses were conspicuous by their absence. 

Classic cars and bikes were under cover as usual and this time a group of remote control enthusiasts showed off their talents setting up what looked like a giant "train set" layout inside one of the buildings. All manner of "rigs" being driven around by their respective owners.

Tea and scones from the NAAFI finished off the day.

Julia's 30th Birthday!

 

So Friday 1st October saw Dad, me, Julia & James head out to mooch around Leeds Castle for the Sculpture Exhibition as part of the weekend celebrations for Julia's 30th Birthday. Where did my little girl go?

Despite the crap weather we had a good walk around, managed to bag a table inside to eat our take-out food and saw a couple of rainbows as we walked in the rain back to the car!

Saturday saw us and some more of the famalam back at the Castle again for a private Afternoon Tea function. We had exclusive use of the Library and the Dining Room for 3hr from 12 noon until 3pm. Drinks were served in the Library when we arrived and we had a lush tea in this stunning room where Julia is standing beside her seating plan. Unfortunately the weather hadn't improved and post the tea we mooched around inside the Castle in order to stay drier for a bit longer.

A bit of a change in pace and venue on Sunday where we met my bro' and family again for Sunday lunch at Pizza Hut. Not been near a Hut in almost 18 months so it was good to spend the weekend doing normal stuff for a change! Shopping around Dockside, and The Range in particular, followed - William somewhat disappointed to learn that the Cadbury shop had already closed the doors on it's Dockside unit. Back home to mine for tea/coffee, biscuits and birthday cake 😋

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY JULIA 💕

What One Does For One's Craft!

 

So this week's family challenge, staying on the I Spy theme as we've still got a few letters to go, is "L".

My list of L words covered:

• Love
• Lion
• Light
• Letters
• Lighter
• Leather
• Language

And this one... 

• Litter 🤣 - An image shot of my kitchen bin. What one does to come up with an image, especially close to home! 

At least I take mine at a reasonable time of the day, not at bedtime or at the 11th hour like my 'bro ;-) How many times has Joanne said to us, oh yeah I was in bed when he was taking his photos, because he's up late snapping away!

Still it's kept the old grey matter ticking over during these difficult times and I'm amazed at how many images we all seem to find, rarely do we see much cross-over in ideas.

Hurstwood Woods

 

Friday saw me and Dad mooch along to Hurstwood Woods as we'd not been there for a while. Took the cameras as usual but ended up being more natter and less photography!

Dad found these chestnut pods and managed to prise one open, most seemed quite empty, and so we each took a shot. I've used my usual Lightroom profiles also adding a hint of blue to the shadows.

I used to collect the chestnuts whilst waiting for the bus home in my school days many moons ago. There are sweet chestnut trees at St Stephens Church where I used to wait. These nuts would line the pockets of my winter coat and provide a healthy snack 😋

Also something to do whilst waiting because there always seems to be more buses going where you aren't 🤔 In this case the buses to Walderslade were prolific compared to my humble Maidstone bus. In fact they still are :-(

That Time Of Year Again!

So Thursday saw the tractor rock up for the annual cut of the fields opposite my house. Last year we had a weird van with a cutter attached to the front to do the job, but this year normal service has been resumed 🚜

Watched as this youngish looking guy poodled around the fields, he didn't look old enough to drive a car let alone a tractor! Sitting there lotus style on the seat in just his shorts and trainers. I'm guessing there's little in the way of foot controls in a tractor???

Anyhoo he's cut everything but not yet baled it up - so there's a raft of long cut grass and wild flowers to wade through if one ventures a walk over there. Poor Anne is likely to bring most of it home stuck to her fur if she's let loose over there!

Even the bottom field past the Scouts Hut has been trimmed so that's out of bounds for her too!

It marks the end of the summer though and is a yearly tradition, like the Santa Run, so it was good to see the tractor back rather than last year's makeshift attempt to trim it.

 

Still Feel A Bit Like This

 

Saved this image from Facebook last year some time, posted by a lady I used to know at work.

At the time I thought it summed up the mental anguish caused by Covid-19 and I still feel that way now.

Anxious but not altogether sure what of.

Just wish I had a Bear...

Riverside Country Park

 

Saturday saw Dad and me take another trip over to Riverside Country Park to walk around with the cameras. Took the river side path this time and scrambled over rocks - well Dad rather than me, keep running out of beach left to walk on.

Even saw a keen lady go walking in the mud left behind by the tide, yuck, by the time she'd finished it looked like she was wearing wellies ;-) A bit dangerous too as you've no idea just how deep it is and you have a tendency to sink into it.

Anyways it was a good afternoon and it's nice to see some late summer sunshine after a rather wet August!

Kent Classic Car Show - Aylesford Priory

 

So today saw me and Dad at the Kent Classic Car Show @ Aylesford Priory. It felt strange being there after all this time, 5yrs ago Julia and James's wedding reception was held in the North Barn.

Anyhoo we went in and waited for Julia and James to rock up with Annie (dog) in tow. We had a good mooch around the cars and motor jumble, Julia bought a little toy Police Mini car for their collection. 

We found a grassy spot in some shade for lunch, time for Annie to have a lie down in the shade bless her. We were joined by James's sister Beth and her other half Ionel and then James's best mate Dima rocked up briefly.

Another mooch around the cars and we found the Mustang we rented for Julia and James's wedding day along with its owners Barbara and her other half. Didn't get chance to say hello as they were deep in conversation but the above image is part of the inside of the car. It still looks uber awesome and it was an amazing car to ride in for their big day!

Last on the list before heading home was ice-creams all round including a little pot for Annie which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Back home around 4pm for some LR editing...

Weyhey Our New Lamp Post - Finally!

 

So here it is, at last, the new replacement lamp post :-)

I can't tell you how pleased I am that it has finally arrived and been installed. Although it has very much been "how many departments does it take to install a lamp post"?

There were:

1. The folks who sprayed paint on the road, kind of X marks the spot!
2. The folks who came out to dig the hole and put up the barriers.
3. The folks who actually erect the lamp post.
4. Some other folks whose job was hidden behind their van...
5. Later some other dude to take a photo on his iPad.
6. Even later some more folks to fill in the hole and take the barrier away.

All this over the course of several weeks and for the installation and hole digging/filling back in, a couple of days.

Wow no wonder my Council Tax is so high 🤣

And here it is in all it's night time glory !!!

New Lamp Post???

 

So saw a street lighting contractor rock up this morning and place these barriers around where the old, damaged lamp post got removed from. Given how long it's been MIA I'm really hopeful that this signifies that it will be replaced sooner rather than later.

It's like the black hole of Calcutta outside of an evening and the remaining lights fail abysmally to light the area outside of my house to any useful degree. Mainly because they are now the new LED variety which illuminate downwards and in very little other directions.

Tried to ring the Council to try and ascertain when exactly they would be looking to replace it. I appreciate that it's possibly the subject of an insurance claim given that it was a car that took it out back in June, but even so with winter not that far away and the clocks changing next month I was keen to find out how much longer we'd have to wait. In the end I abandoned the call, fed up with pressing numbers all the time to wend my way through the myriad of options - how come no one ever just answers the phone anymore?? Interestingly I found no email address on their Contact Us page, just the phone number and postal address. Wasn't sure I wanted to waste a stamp just yet so decided to wait a bit longer. Hopefully now I won't have to put pen to paper and ask when are you fixing the light?

The fencing was fixed some time ago now and then I thought weyhey they will do the lamp too, but sadly not. Just two wooden posts, no real substitute for the old concrete ones they replaced, were unceremoniously cemented into the holes and the wire fence reattached.

Let's hope the local drivers are a little more careful when they drive down the road in allowing time to meet oncoming traffic. The fact that there is a mahousive SLOW sign painted across the road exactly where this lamp seems to keep being hit is somewhat ironic.

Webs In The Fog!

 

So Monday morning I woke up for work to see wall to wall fog outside my bedroom window. I spotted these wet spider webs clinging to the telephone pole outside and thought do I have time to grab the camera as I get ready for work...

Given that these things, once noticed, either don't last for long or never seem to be repeated I thought yeah I'll grab the 77D and fit the Sigma 18-250mm lens and get a few shots before the fog starts to burn off.

The dark foliage behind the pole helped to accentuate the threads of the webs and obviously the moisture from the fog had made them glisten in places like mini jewels.

Glad I took the time to snap these, have never noticed them before even on other foggy days and I've learnt over the years of snapping that one must seize the opportunity to take a photo when it presents itself otherwise there's a good chance it will never come again. Or at least not in the same vein as before.

Each photo represents a small moment in time that can rarely be repeated, work will still be there, the webs less likely to be...

Sunny Sunday @ Leybourne Lakes

 

So Sunday saw me, Dad & Tedster pop out to Leybourne Lakes for a mooch around with the cameras on a sunny afternoon.

This is quite a nice, circular walk around the lake where people come to swim, paddle board and generally do some outdoorsey water sports!

As it was quite a hot afternoon, the sun having popped back for a late summer heatwave the lakes were uber busy with all manner of water sports going on. 

Time for a coffee and cake/biscuits at the end of our route made for a peaceful Sunday afternoon...

"Uni" Blanket Complete!!

 

So this is sections of the crochet blanket I started back when Julia was off to Uni as something to have from home...

Sadly my interest in this waned over the next 12 years - shocking I know, and I've only recently picked it up again and decided to finally complete it. Not as a blanket for her bed, it's a bit old fashioned for that, but maybe something to keep for any little Baileys that might come along.

Having done another few rows of the treble crochets I used YouTube to figure out the best way to edge it knowing that ultimately I wanted a fan edge. Found a good, clear video which showed me what to do, so a couple of rows of white, plain half trebles I think they were called (yarn through all three loops at the same time) I then switched to a baby blue wool for the fan edge.

I'm so proud that I've finally completed it, it's only the second blanket I've made, the first being one I made for my own bed when my Nan Alice decided to help me learn crochet as knitting was waayy too difficult.

Popped it round to Julia and James who were pleased to have it for any potential little ones. Other than that it'll make a bit of a lap warmer or something ;-)