Long Eaton - 49F but 10mph W.wind - Pictures

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I went to Long Eaton as planned and had a lovely time with David and Helen. I was sad not to see the girls but they were having a pre-planned sleep-over at Helen's Mum and Dad's. Lots of lovely news though and both of them are doing SO well at School and elsewhere. Not only are they avid readers but both like writing things too. I read some outstandingly good poetry by Sky (which I haven't got clearance to publish yet) and one of Brooke's recent certificates is at the centre bottom row of the collage.

One day recently, over a meal, David said he was no good at drawing faces. They always finished looking like miserable men. Brooke disappeared to her room and wrote him an illustrated manual - with suggested curves for eyebrows and things. His efforts should improve now.

This collage shows a 'new' extension to the dolls house and also a table made by Helen's Dad who is brilliant at making things. There are some pastries manufactured by David for the bread shop (please note the convincing cornish pasties, a skill David learned when working as a manager for Northern Foods) the £1 coin was for scale.

On arrival home I decided to take a nap and arose to the afternoon sun.

Appearing on the wardrobe door, my lay figure is making it up with the crocodile.

I must admit to a little stage-management with this one. What I really wanted was a clear bit of sky where hand approaches snout for a Michelangelo Cistine Chapel Roof moment. But I got fed up with waiting.

Another task was opening a bag of Maris Piper potatoes and putting them in storage boxes. When I lifted the one illustrated out of the bag I really took heart.

A few days ago I had put a £1 in a British Heart Foundation collection box and here was my reward.

Yet another picture I'm afraid. Reg told me yesterday he had been party to a conversation at EPS where it was suggested that my pictures might be sharper if I moved the pinhole further away from the picture-plane.

So, this afternoon I tried it mounted on the front of about 1½ inches of Kenko ext.rings.

Here is the result - and I do believe it is sharper. Nowhere near as good as Tim's results on film. But an improvement.

My responses to your previous comments

David .... Indeed Yes ! Reminiscent of Mitchells who, when I drove past yesterday, are still trading, with their usual selection of wares laid out on the pavement.

Wasn't it great when you asked for something and a Mitchell disappeared (as you say somewhere, under the castle rock) and then returned with exactly what you needed - those were the days.

Jill ..... We find, re Les Dennis, that most prominent entertainers are possessed of greater depth than their stage persona indicates.

You would certainly be welcome for breakfast. Re the 'ten months'. I'm afraid it is just one of my silly literary affectations. Like 'idea 6,324'. I consider non-specific qualifiers like several, many, few etc. are boring.

Yvonne .... You are quite right to be furious with Decathlon. If it is their anti-shoplifting policy to only display empty boxes they should have told you so. And potentially so disappointing to a little girl.

I can just see you vaulting the barrier at Kings Cross. Perhaps if you took a run at it !

Bob ..... Funny thing about colour rendition in cameras. And blue is so much affected by light. But do agree that some look in keeping with some structures and out of place on others.

Glad you recall The Reverend David Jones.

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Quotation time .......

"If the King's English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me !"

Ma Ferguson

Governor of Texas circa 1920

I had a go at some flower pictures earlier today but the strong gusty wind and intermittent cloud formed less than ideal conditions. Better luck tomorrow perhaps. Plus of course, some more messing-about.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

Wells Fargo is specially for Y. Its one of her favourites.

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