Wet Saturday - Brilliant Olympics

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Another pretty seaside picture at Freshwater Bay, on a good day - the weather here today has not been good. Re the above - the recessions to Sandown nearly on the sky-line appealed, as did the surf and the subtly different colours in the water.

Picture 2 is from the local bus from Sandown to Freshwater Bay. Where the bus was, the rain was heavy but we could see the cliff at our destination in bright sunlight. I had no option really than to whip out my trusty Casio and click. Good job we were sitting at the front.

Sure enough, when we got there, it was sunny and remained so all day - lucky us.

Picture 3 continues the watery theme and is a further shot of the Ford at Oxton.

The reflections and the dappled shade (as ever) attracted me - so it was 'out with the Casio' again.

My PcMover cable arrived - but I'm thinking about it. The programme caused me much grief before, I am reluctant to use it and may transfer things manually and slowly with discs and memory-sticks etc.

Also in the post arrived 4 x 2GB SD cards from Amazon. I actually wanted 4 x 2GB Memory sticks but, when I checked the order, it was my fault not theirs. I had simply ordered the wrong thing. No matter, I can find a use - or give them away as Xmas presents. I aim to see tomorrow if I can use an SD card to transfer data with - there doesn't seem to me to be any reason why not. Both the laptop and the PC have SD card slots. I will report back.

An earlier e-mail from Amazon had the curious sentence "Your order has shipped". I knew what they meant and I suppose that's what matters.

Comments

anonymous ...... I am pleased to hear that your escort-duty to Colchester resulted in keeping you on the straight and narrow thereafter.

Jill ...... Thank you for 'Little Polly Flinders'. Honestly, I had never heard it or read it before. I now fully understand Ernest John Flinders's nickname. He was an unusual and charismatic man who impressed me very much as a young policeman. In those days we used to do 'name checks' as they were called. If somebody looked a little suspicious, or was around in the early hours, we used to find out who they were and what they were doing. I understand today's policemen have stopped doing it because of the amount of paper-work it now generates.

Anyway, back to 'Polly'. He would approach the person and say "I am Ernest John Flinders, Superintendent of Police. Who are you ?" I never remember anyone having the audacity not to tell him.

Y feels exactly as you do about 'The Tudors' and doesn't watch it (the link is live to this week's episode). As you probably know The Tudors is one of Yvonne's top periods and she is very knowledgeable about it. Hardwick Hall is probably her favourite National Trust site and just on the doorstep too.

I think a female 'git' must be a 'gittesse' which sounds OK, - but you aren't one anyway.

Reg ..... Thanks re nicknames. And, as to Jill above - I should have know the Polly one. The best police nickname I ever came across was shouldered by a chap named Dyer. As he always answered the phone "Dyer 'ere" he became know as 'shitty Dyer'.

Bungus ..... You are right about Reg's Swaledale path. As the Olympics remind me daily, my idea of a physical challenge these days is walking across the kitchen floor unaided by devices.

I accept what you say about me and computers and probably I do tend to experiment too much.

Poor 'Polly Flinders'. Didn't people used to live in violent times.

Carrying on with the 'old sayings' thread. A popular Ashbourne one was... "It's cold enough for a walking stick".

anonymousRob ..... Glad to hear you are enjoying another weeked at the caravan but sorry about the weather.

Obviously you have your dongle. I found on holiday that the broadband from my Vodafone dongle was good for the internet mostly, but too slow really to stream radio or to download anything. However, since discovering that the BBC's 'Listen Again' service performs better on IE7 than Firefox I must try again.

The Olympics have been so good, and exciting, that even I have been watching the Television. We recently had a new one and the picture is great.

Quotation time .......

"Procrastination isn't the problem, it's the solution. So procrastinate now, don't put it off."

Ellen DeGeneres

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Weekend Off - Good Weather

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Reg points out that, in the website under the link to The Yorkshire Waterfalls yesterday, the path was described as giving easy access.

To quote Reg ....

" It doesn't say that most of the path is only a foot wide , rocky and approx. 70 feet above the river"

His picture above shows the nature of the problem. Definitely a No No! for me and my wheels.

Picture 2 is the Ford on Beanford Lane at Oxton which I cross on my way to Burton Joyce. The water level is low for the time of year. Always a nice snap though.

Twice a year the road is closed to allow the toads to migrate, first one way and then the other.

The variety of toad is the Common toad bufo bufo I don't know if that is an attempt to imitate their call.

Picture 3 is yet another attempt to capture a bee in flight and probably this is my best yet. The flower is Echinacea (the purple cone flower) and is a well know herbal remedy. I don't know if one should chew it, sniff it, or brew a tisane with it ?

At this stage in their development they seem to glow almost.

Since Alex and Emma worked so hard in the rear garden it is a pleasure to walk in. You can actually circumnavigate things now.

Comments

Bungus ..... We will indeed preserve a 'Wildlife corner' in the rear garden and it may well be extensive.

I haven't actually been 'boggering about' with my new PC unless efforts to install it and have it running to my satisfaction qualify for that description.

I could as well say that your problem with the 'Land Registry document' is a sign that, to quote you "Obviously you have been boggering about with your PC". I am not fortunate enough to have a Danny to offload all PC problems to.

Also I haven't been 'skipreading again' and I didn't miss your word play with AA. It is just too difficult to respond individually to each and every word in your lengthy 'comments' and there are pressures of space.

Reg ........ Goody goody me never had the misfortune to spend time in either Colchester or even a Guardhouse but I do remember the charge form reference, a 252 I believe.

Strange how people acquire nicknames. We had a Superintendent Flinders who everyone called Polly - but I never worked out why. He was a great bloke.

Jill ...... We stayed on Sky a few years ago and all the drinking water was that colour. The explanation was the peat. It was we were told an essential adjunct to the Whisky.

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I've been listening to an excellent series on the radio called A Dollar a Day which investigates the lives of people living in poverty world wide and trying to support themselves and their families on next to no money.

They are not some sort of sub-species but often intelligent and articulate people. A lady from Ghana made the wonderful point that, if you educate a woman you, by implication, educate a family and future generations. On the other hand, if you educate a man you tend only to educate one individual.

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Quotation time ......................

"Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings"

Evan Esar

Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow.

Good day - Clanger with Buzzard - PC fixed

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The Panorama is of the Play Day organised for the village children, over on the football field. An excellent idea which seemed very popular. Lots for the kids to do, a climbing wall, a bouncy castle a cycle track with ramps to go up and over etc., etc., It must have taken much work - but people do things don't they ?

Good news first thing, my INR blood level has reduced to an acceptable 2.7 - still need to have another test next Monday but if it is stable then, I may go first to fortnightly and then a month. Fingers crossed.

Alex and Emma came while I was delivering Y to the tram and did 6 solid hours graft in the rear garden. Many trailer-loads to the 'tip', conifers and tall shrubs and trees cut back and shaped, weeds cleared etc., etc. I'm afraid our 'turn it into a Wildlife Reserve' idea will have to be shelved.

While they were beavering away I had a final despairing 'go' at my new PC and by dint of thinking the unthinkable I seem to have fixed it. I reduced the screen resolution and reduced the colours from 32bit to 16bit (I won't go on because I don't want to send the IT-phobes to sleep). The screen is now sharp, the colours are accurate, there is no glare, the icons look right etc.

Intuition would be that the higher those settings the better - but not so apparently.

Reg has said he will pop in, again, to fix photoshop. But now it is working fine on my laptop there is no uirgency.

When I arrived at Burton Joyce to collect Y, Miles, Lisa and Hannah, the bird-identification experts, left me in no doubt that my Buzzard (see blog Sunday 10th August) was a Sparrow Hawk. Miles actually produced documentary evidence (see Picture on right).

All a question of size apparently and down to the lack of the customary 50p piece. To me, the pictures of the birds looked remarkably similar.

Apparently, had it actually been a Buzzard, it would have been enormous compared to the Sparrow Hawk.

So, humble apologies all round folks. I suspect that had Roy been around he would have spotted my error straight away.

Also, while at BJ, Hannah (just 11) gave me a quick lesson in using bluetooth on my mobile phone. She can do it quickly and effortlessly but whether or not I shall remember what I have been taught is a moot point. However, she has kindly offered a further tutorial when we next meet. And I think she will be able to show us both how to straightforwardly send pictures from phone to phone.

Comments

Bungus ..... I've always trusted the AA as a serious organisation who can be relied upon in these matters. Nationally they are in a better position than most to make such an assesment. Incidentally, they said 'down 20%' before the School Holidays started.

Mostly I agree with your TV camera-crew criticisms - but I obviously have a lower threshold than you on the 'cringe-scale'.

Glad you enjoyed Reg's 'cataract' picture as much as I did. He is a very good photographer.

Don't know what went wrong with your 'prepare comment in Word' then 'copy/paste' system. Your comment was all over the place - quotes from the blog, repetition etc.,. However, benefit of the doubt, and we will assume a hardware/software glitch.

Whatever - we look forward to a suitable 'clip from your drip-trip without a slip'.

David ..... You make a good point about the similarities between the 10 commandments and Mao's instructions to his troops. You are also right about common-sense rules for a civilised society. But the USA is supposed to be a civilised society ! I rest my case !

AnonymousRob ......... You are quite right of course about Mao's points, and the timing thereof. They are nevertheless admirable orders and, as Bungus says, it's a pity other armies have not gone down that path.

I also agree that the Cultural Revolution was foul, and an awful period for the Chinese people to live through. Marxist-Leninists in the 1960s and early 70s were led into a cosy misunderstanding of the situation due to the pretty posters and literature which emanated from China. Obviously I don't support it at all.

My point really is that he started off with some brilliant ideas which sadly went badly wrong.

The occasional J. C. Balls lorry is always a joy - pity there aren't more of them.

The link yesterday to Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage is live (I just checked) so, if you wanted to watch the prog. it's there for you and clickable.

Interestingly I find that BBC iPlayer performs better in Internet Explorer than in Firefox. Dunno why !

The cake sounds great !

Quotation time ........ Just one more Mao - then I'll start on Vasari .....

"In waking a tiger, use a long stick"

Mao Tse Tung

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No reason not to finish with the view sitting on my bed around 8.35pm. For camera people, it hasn't been photoshopped - just under-exposed by 2.3 stops.

Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow
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Bromley House - Skateboarding

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Picture 1 is from Reg's holidays and is of Kisdon Upper Force. Great photo Reg - great depth of field under the circumstances.

He knows that, in pictures, I prefer water to look like water, rather than the popular camera-club candy floss. This water really looks the part, even if a rather distressing colour.

If you open the link and scroll down to Kisdon you will see this seems to be the customary colour of the water. To save you from having to scroll down I had saved the particular entry via my 'Clipmarks' but can't get it to work properly. One can copy part of a webpage and 'blog' it directly.

Another learning curve to scale !

After a leisurely breakfast and a start on the papers we nipped down Nottingham to do Bromley House and collect a few bits from my favourite Tesco. I was fortunate as usual in finding a disabled parking spot, on Angel Row just outside.

While waiting for Y and under a threatening sky I was taken by the light on this building just up Chapel Bar, if indeed it is still so called. There used to be a Gents Outfitters there, who specialised in hats, ties and cravats and things.

The town seemed quite normally busy and while I was taking this picture a lad skate-boarded all the way down Angel Row. on the road surface, not the pavement and there was a chorus of harumphing from motorists and some pedestrians, as if he was committing some unspeakable crime.

I thought ....

"Where is the legislation making the Queen's Highway the sole perquisite of motorists?"

He was doing no harm at all and the incline and road-surface of Angel Row must be delightful.

I didn't manage to 'capture' him in action but Picture 3 is the lad 'resting' outside Tesco. He didn't skateboard down the pavement surface - perhaps that would have been unhelpful to pedestrians - but surely the road is OK ?

This evening we watched the last part of Francesco de Mosta's Mediterranean Voyage and the series has really appealed to us. Charming chap, lovely pictures.

One day last week I e-mailed the Julia Margaret Cameron Museum at Freshwater Bay thanking them for permission to take pictures therein and sending a link to the relevant blog-post. Today I received a super reply from the Administrator of The Trust thanking me for the coverage I had given in the blog. That's nice !

Comments

Bungus ...... I suppose I am lucky with my bedroom window view. Where the sun sets at this time of year there are no unsightly wires etc., - further round they appear though.

Whether or not the reduced traffic is due to school holidays the AA says it is down 20%

The full title of my blood place is the 'anticoagulation clinic'. I was trying to be brief.

I saw the news report about the Garden Gnome story (see also Rob's comment later) but my dislike of TV was further embedded when they faked the scene where the woman opens her front door and sees the gnome on her front step. This was clearly sometime later, when the necessary Camera crew had arrived. Why do they have to do this sort of thing ? I am unable to 'suspend my disbelief' to this extent. Fortunately the practice is unknown on radio. They simply tell you the story.

Jill ..... I am absolutely sure that the Crossword is an easier project when jointly tackled. Some clues we both find straightforward. Those which are more obscure usually fall to either one or the other. Y is good at the 'build up words' sort and I was the better at 'anagrams' (but Y is catching up fast). We are about equal at 'phrases'.

We are lucky with our views. But your access to Theatres, Art Galleries, Museums etc., we envy muchly.

anonymousrob ...... Your M1 experience is quite believable. This morning we came back from Nottingham the Watnall way and, as we crossed over the M1, Y remarked it was jammed solid in both directions. Often the A610 is too - due to the motorway roadworks.

The 'garden gnome' people had obviously remembered the idea from the source you encountered previously. As the idea was 'plagiarised' one feels some object other than a gnome would have been better.

Jill's 'teddy' idea is not a runner because you don't often see them in people's front gardens.

We missed the Longford programme on Channel 4 it got marvellous reviews. And, if Jim Broadbent is a natural for the Bungus part in 'Clinical Tales' I must do my best to catch up.

Quotation time ..... I promised, on finding lost books, some quotes from unusual sources .... here goes ...............

"The Eight Points for Attention are as follows:

(1) Speak politely.
(2) Pay fairly for what you buy.
(3) Return everything you borrow.
(4) Pay for anything you damage.
(5) Do not hit or swear at people.
(6) Do not damage crops.
(7) Do not take liberties with women.
(8) Do not ill-treat captives."

You've guessed it. They are from Chairman Mao's little red book, and were some of his instructions to his Army, during the Long March of some 8,000 miles.

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Kip calls. Catch you tomorrow.

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Brief Blog - Nat Trst - Lost books found

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It's approaching the time of the year when the Sun sets directly outsisde my bedroom window. The weather forecast for tomorrow is dreadful so it is probably just as well I had decided against WoW-ing. I was really looking forward to going, even if for only an hour, but I am simply tired.

The National Trust Committee meeting wet well but was demanding, and we have domestic things to sort out tomorrow morning anyway. Sue and Gordon gave us a load of secretarial stuff after the meeting and when we got home I decided to clear a place for it in the garage.

In doing so I unearthed a small cardboard-box of books. They were books I haven't seen for years and which I thought had gone for ever.

Here is a selection. A veritable Treasure-Trove !

I can start boring you again with real quotes from unusual sources !

It was very nice to see our Mansfield chums and we had some good laughs at Jean's. There really does seem to be a lightening of traffic on the A608 and the AA estimate that nationally traffic flow is down 20% which has to be good news for our 'carbon footprint'.

Comments

Jill ..... I'm glad you've sorted out your presenters and we can always use a little sang-froid.
. Like Bungus your 'goldfinch' clue confused me. The reason I don't like 'quick' crosswords is that one needs to know the answer. Not possible to work it out and 'prove' it.

The proper Xword in The Telegraph seems to both of us, particularly good at the moment with some cunning clues. A joy - and we have just about assimilated the approach of the new compilers.

We haven't de-frosted our freezer for years ! Perhaps it's the sort that defrosts itself, and we didn't know.

Re the hospital. Having reached Tuesday evening without panic calls from the coagulation clinic I can assume that the next thing will be that my routine dosage-information letter will arrived through the post.

Bungus ..... I think you will find that Chinamen were the original 'googliers'.

Slightly fearful of causing offence to our lady readers I feel I must ask - "Is 'dogging' anything to do with 'doggy-fashion' ?"

The only use of the word 'redcap' I knew was to identify a Military Policeman. I wasn't one by the way.

mannanan ..... Promise I won't move you again !

anonymousKevin ..... You added your 'comment' about the Buzzard to one of my blog-posts back in April about our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Not to worry - it turned up in my inbox asnyway. You are probably right that the young Buzzard is working his way down Church Lane. If he turns the corner at the bottom he will probably pay Helen a visit.

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Carrying on the thread about old or local expressions. My mother used to accuse people of "making meagrims" by which she meant pulling a face. Was this usage common elsewhere ?

Quotation time ............

"Start every day off with a smile and get it over with".

W.C.Fields

Hope I'm a little livelier tomorrow. Sleep tight. See you soon.


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Blood test - Long Eaton - National Trust

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After a blood test (my blood taker lady was prompt) it was straight over to Long Eaton where we had a lovely time. The girls had so much to show us, plus the holiday snaps on the laptop. Sky played the flute to us, and she is rather good - semi-accompanied by Brooke on Keyboards. We also had the pleasure of reading first-class school reports and clearly they are doing extremely well.

On the left is a working carousel which Brooke has made. Aren't kids clever these days.

About my blood test - it is now 9.45pm and the clinic haven't rung. This is good news because were my INR level to be dramatically askew there would be an immediate dosage change and/or hospital admission had it gone up even higher.

So - fingers crossed !

When we got home we tackled the National Trust stuff needed for tomorrow morning's Committee Meeting in Mansfield. It is also a Karen day so we won't be under her feet.

While we were at Long Eaton, during coffee, Sky drew our double-portrait and we love it. My picture wall is getting so crowded I've had to start an extension as I hope you can see.

What a nice young lady she is. The portraits are so flattering and happy. And we are both so slim - she's taken years off us.

This evening we watched part 2 of the Richard Dawkins programme about The Genius of Charles Darwin and thought it extremely good. Several points left 'hanging' last week were explained.

Even so, he had to point out that the title of his 1970s book The Selfish Gene was something of a misnomer. I thought ""Well, you chose the title Dawkins, no-one else was responsible". Anyway, we are both looking forward to Part 3 next week.

Comments

Jill ..... Re Buzzards in the locality. Sometimes we drive down a very narrow and completely wild lane at the back of the Horse and Groom at Moorgreen. A Buzzard has been reported there, but we have never seen it. Were Roy around he would know. Still, he will be back soon.

Our Buzzard didn't 'mew' or say anything at all. He just sat there, scaring the sparrows to death. I do really hope that he pays us another visit. Can always find a vacant post for a Buzzard don't you know?

Strange about your comment on the unpublished blog. Blogger.com is, as you all are aware, apt to occasionally act in odd ways. Still a good programme though. Typical of Google in general I guess.

See as below to Helen, re 'fish-eating veggies'.

Helen .... Y and I both envy your Hamlet visit. David Tennant has earned glowing reviews. People tend to forget that many actors, who achieve fame for a particular role, often have RADA and RSC history behind them. And, apparently, he was ably assisted by Captain Jean Luc Picard.

As Oliver Pritchett (Matt's Dad) says this morning in The Telegraph, perhaps a Dalek as Macbeth ?

I suppose 'fish-eating vegetarian' is OK - like a 'whisky drinking teetotaller' ?

Bungus ...... Sorry about the terminology. As you know, I frequent WebUser forums (a very friendly and helpful place to loiter) and they use the shorthand of IE7 (Internet Explorer 7) to distinguish it from Internet Explorer 6.

Firefox really is the better browser - honest.

Re - Saturday isn't Sunday ! You e-mailed me to point out that my clock seemed to be running a little fast. So, I went into the relevant blog post and edited it.

I see from you and Rob that The Sports Desk is back.

AnonymousRob ...... Can't agree with you about lenses. Like Andy does, I find them interesting in themselves. I realise it is just the same as kids with toys. Bogger the results ! I just like looking at them and playing with them.

Very witty about barber queues ! And the Serif of Nottingham. I hadn't realised the phonetic connection before.

Please see above re the reason for IE7. Just habit really, from lurking in another place (see above).

You are right to point out that an explanation is needed for the VR description of the Nikon lens.

So - for the benefit of other readers - The letters stand for Vibration Reduction. Other makers use different words to mean the same thing. Canon talks of Image Stabiisation for instance. They all mean 'anti- camera shake' and allow the user to take pictures with less problems due to shaky hands..

We really must sort out a date (as previously discussed) for you and Elaine to come and eat. Would it be a good idea if I did something simple like Sausage and Mash and invited Reg and Maureen on the same occasion ? I'm sure we could find something to talk about. (Sorry Reg and Mo for just dropping that on your toes)

On the subject of food. We have discovered a new Farm Shop, called the Watnall Farm Shop a hundred yards or so down Narrow Lane at the Watnall end.

I can't publish a link to it because their information is a PDF page rather than a website. Personally speaking I dislike PDF pages - they seem inflexible.

And before anybody asks - Portable Document Format.

Anyway their produce seems good, so here is a snap of the blurb.

Best I can do I'm afraid.

Reg ... good to have you back on board. And thanks for your help on the phone, to deal with the Photoshop glitch.

I'm sure you are right about the blonde-presenters. They all look the same to me -ha ha!

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Quotation time .............. I've always a keen Santayana fan. Very astute fella !

"Advertising is the modern substitute for argument; its function is to make the worse appear the better"

George Santayana

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Sleep tight everybody. Not really looking forward to the Committee Meeting tomorrow. They can be a pain. Still, lets hope for the best. And it will be nice to see our chums.

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It really is Sunday today !!

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The above picture was taken with the intention of producing a 'judge-botherer' for the upcoming EPS season. I shall enjoy being told there is "far too much in it" and "there are actually 3 pictures here". This time I'm not asking the Chocolate Box manufacturers to form a queue, but the Jig Saw makers.

Almost at the beginning of this post I must thank Bungus for pointing out that yesterday wasn't Sunday but Saturday. I understand an Alzheimer's test is to know which day it is, along with the name of the Prime Minister. So easy that one - it's Mrs Thatcher !

Quiet a big garden-bird event this morning. Around 6.30am we had a visit from a young Buzzard.

Help with identification isn't really necessary with this one because my Collins Wildlife book was quite clear on the matter. Although,modestly, I think my picture is better than theirs.

It looks quite a young one but even so, his/her? presence was quite intimidating for the other birds who are usually at this time breakfasting boisterously at the feeders. There wasn't one in sight and they kept quiet. Collins say they 'perch for a long time on posts and dead brances'. This is true - he was there a good ¾ of an hour.

As David said, when we spoke, 'Buzzard' sounds a very proper old English name for a bird. My Etymology Dictionary yields the following -

buzzard

c.1300, from O.Fr. buisart "inferior hawk," from buson, buison, from L. buteonem, acc. of buteo a kind of hawk, perhaps with -art suffix for one that carries on some action or possesses some quality, with derogatory connotation.

I disapprove of "inferior hawk" - to me he seemed quite a superior type of bird, but I know nothing of falconery.

Picture 3 is another of Majorca from David's mobile phone and sent via text and the internet.

To my eye the quality is incredible. All the detail on the distant shore-line, foreground
sharpness and good colours.

We are going over for coffee in the morning, after my blood test, and I must ask him how to send picture by phone. Both phone to phone, and phone to e-mail, because I've never succeeded with either.

Nice e-mail from Reg announcing their return from holiday. They had a good time with reasonable weather and interesting things to do, like buying a Nikon 70-300 VR lens. I'm so envious and eagerly await his views thereon before taking the plunge. All the reviews are full of praise. I also need Reg to sort me out with Photoshop again since I seem to have buzzarded it up with Serif's PCMover.

Comments

anonymousKevin ..... Thank you very much for tracking down the Alvis TA14. Armed with the model details I 'google-imaged' and am absolutely sure you are right.

Bungus ..... Talking about Scunthorpe United ....... About 50 years ago, the chap who owned our paper-shop was a retired professional footballer who played for them. Now there's a rivetingly interesting bit of information for you !

You are quite correct - the word should be 'barbecue'. But I never remember them at all in my youth, however spelt. Auberon Waugh once pointed out that we used to eat inside and go outside to the lavatory. Now we have the loo inside and eat outside. So much for hygiene.

I'm afraid I can't claim the manufacture of the anti-starling feeders. I bought both in a Charity Shop. IE7 is Internet Explorer. If you've never heard of that, and don't use Firefox, what on earth browser do you use?

The activity you describe as 'piking' was know in Police circles as 'chiking'. In my experience 'clarty' wouldn't be used to describe mutton fat, but scones can be 'clarty' and I quite like them like that.

Jill ..... I think the blonde presenter who isn't Sue Barker may be Gabby Logan (she started off well in Strictly Come Dancing and was unlucky to be knocked out).

We all seem in agreement about barbecques (back it each way, I say). At least our age group. Like you (and Bungus) our meat eating has reduced quite sharply. Often one normal sized portion is enough for us to share. Worries about meat-production, and quantity, often persuade Y to go for vegetarian options. And we have a friend who regularly orders a child's portion, or two starters and no main course.

I've no idea how you have managed to put a comment about the Buzzard on this post because I hadn't yet published it. As most of it was done I used the 'save a draft' button and that's how it shows up on my 'dashboard'.

Quotation time ......

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow -

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Soggy Saturday - Restful Day

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Picture 1 is to show one of my starling-proof bird feeders and, as you can see, the tits can manage the entrance quite easily. As can robins, finches, sparrows and although not for a week or two, bullfinches.

I feel guilty of discrimination - a starlingphobe in fact. It is anthropomorphism at its worst but they are vexatious creatures who selfishly grab all the food and fight among themselves.

Picture 2 is an Icelandic 'Puffin' by Helen and, as I said previously, long serving members of EPS will have a wry smile to see one again.

Nicely handled environment with quite a long lens. A camera-club judge though would probably advise cropping some off the left, so as to have the bird slightly less central. Smashing colours and foreground detail.

Picture 3 was from the Isle of Wight and another Classic Car we chanced upon. There was no-one with this one though, so I couldn't ask.

I know we are probably not alone but neither of us can work up mch enthusiasm for the Olympics. There seems to be so much hype and if 'spectacle' is overdone it becomes kitsch.

There's a place in the Art World for kitsch and Jeff Koons and Co. occupy it splendidly.

Comments

Bungus ..... Thanks for the picture comments. I had said 'Turner-esque' because of a famous art history anecdote of an occasion when he and Constable were both young, and their paintings were hung side by side in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. On hanging day Turner glowered at the pictures (his included a beach). Two hours later he returned with paints and a brush and inserted a bright red ball on his beach. The effect was to wreck the Constable next door. The story goes that an attendant said to a colleague "He's not supposed to do that, is he?". The colleague replied "Are you going to tell him then? 'cos I'm not".

He had a reputation for liking a flash of red somewhere strategic in a picture anyway.

Re Serif. I am beginning to feel that Serif software leaves much to be desired. The blurbs are persuasive but the goods fall short. It would have been straightforward to burn onto DVDs what I needed to transfer, and to find the original discs for the programmes.

I hope your Firefox returns home. In my opinion it is better than IE7.

My locating of Pete, Manxislander, on the Isle of Wight was a straightforward typo having mentioned I of W so frequently of late.

Thanks for the Litheram stuff. I had forgotten we had previously discussed it.

AnonymousRob ...... So pleased to have your comment. I guess we had all assumed it was either work or DIY or something else which was occupying you. The sooner you have done with that awful work stuff the better !

The left-handed material is interesting. In the 1940s there was still pressure to conform to a right-handed norm and in slang terms left-handed people were called 'cack-handed'. I don't know if this was common everywhere ?

Another expression I grew up with, was being asked "What are you gawping at?" If you were caught studying something closely.

I can't help further with the identity of the car. I should have made a note. Perhaps now Reg has returned from holiday he will identify it.

anonymous ..... As acknowledged above. A mental slip, putting Manxislander on the Isle of Wight. Sorry !

Jill ..... I shall be speaking to David in the morning and I shall make enquiries about the orange towel.

How interesting - your mini-saga about the wedding. Y loved reading about the bride's outfit and flowers.

How outrageous - the catering ! With it being RC and lengthy someone should have arrived with a few loaves and fishes etc., and there would have been plenty to go round - plus left-overs ! Especially as the lusty singing (even if only you) had acted as an appetite stimulant.

I remember talking to Jenny at your GW and my guess is that she would have been embarrassed, even though it hadn't been her responsibility.

Whenever I do a barbeque I pre-cook sausages, chicken legs, beefburgers etc, indoors before taking them out to the barbeque for a final touch of the charcoal taste on the actual barbeque. A blackened chicken drumstick which oozes blood when you bite it, is a surefire recipe for food-poisoning.

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Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow.

..... I thought the 'sheep-dog?' was due for an outing.

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David's Villa - My damned Computer !

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Picture 1 is from David's mobile phone and is the villa they have been using in Majorca. It looks like a very pleasant spot and I love the (strategically placed?) bright orange towel. The picture becomes quite Turner-esque in consequence.

Sending pictures by mobile phone is something I would like to master. David sent me a text with a URL to the picture which I then openned on the internet. The cameras on mobiles are becoming so sophisticated and high quality output.

Picture 2 is one of my holiday snaps and these people picnicking with their Classic Car made a pleasant scene. Somewhere between The Impressionists and Henri Cartier-Bresson I thought, but I'm sure he would have produced a much better picture than mine.

I sought their permission and, such is digital photography, I showed them the result on my LCD screen.

The second part of today's title is understandable. Serif emphasized the simplicity of PcMover. Well, it wasn't. They didn't tell me that I actually need a cable to go with the programme, at twice the price. I had installed the programme on both new PC and old Laptop before I discovered this. In the end it has been necessary to 'uninstall' from both because, whether connected or not I can't be sure, but I have completely lost photoshop on the PC and on the laptop it was performing strangely. Even after uninstalling the programme I've had to do a 'system restore' on the laptop to get things running normally. So be it. Perhap's Bungus's policy of 'minimum/nil intervention' is best.

All this led to discombobulation and me needing yet another lie down.

Comments

Jill ..... Glad you enjoyed the pictures and Y says she is willing to settle for either The Queen or Brigitte Bardot (in her early days, not now) as a look-alike. And it was coffee in the glass mug.

The Woodcraft Folk - as you say, there were political overtones. As is explained in the Wikipedia link (under the title) they began because the founders were unhappy with the militaristic and right wing nature of The Scout movement. A comment just in from Helen makes the same point. I personally feel that both organisations are fairly innocuous these days and get youngsters together to do fun things.

Sorry you weren't able to have your usual freshly-knitted sandwiches and had to go all ethnic. Like you, I always used to feel chicken dishes were a safe option. But one hears such horrific things these days about the rearing of the birds. Perhaps the Japanese Restaurant only uses free-range chicken - but I doubt it !

Best of luck with your RC wedding ! The trouble is they take it very seriously and the service lasts so long. The last one Y and I went to was Shaun Moseley's (one of Sir Oswald's grandsons - different branch than Max who was recently in the news) and it seemed interminable. Contrary to what you might expect Shaun and Teresa are not remotely right-wing. Shall be interested to learn if it was 'white' or not.

Bungus ..... You certainly remain very even-tempered about your Hospital visits and the transport. Congratulations.

Re Helen's 'Bay' - I suppose many coastlines look similar. Unless of course you include Slartibartfasts coastline of Norway which he was so proud of having designed in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

So glad you are enjoying Pete's Mannanans Cloak and he will be delighted for you to share the URL with others. As you know, but for the benefit of others, Pete Brady (or Manxislander on WebUser forums) is a lifeboat man on the Isle of Wight.

Thanks for the photo (by e-mail) of your Norwegian girlfriend (1951) and Y will be flattered.

Helen ...... Please see above re the 'bay' picture and thanks also for the Puffin (e-mail) which I will publish soon. AnonymousRob, Reg, Roy, Brian and Mike will have a wry smile because many years ago at Eastwood Photographic Society, Puffins with beaks full of sand eels were so popular I once suggested they should form part of the club logo.

You are bang on about the Woodcraft Folk - see comment to Jill above.

I agree that 'bone idle' is corrrect, rather than 'born idle'. I s'pose we could put them together and use 'born bone-idle'. Your Mum's "skinny Lizzie from the boneyard" is delightful and completely new to me.

A similar Ashbourne expression was "as idle as Litheram's dog". I never discovered who Litheram was, perhaps readers can help ?

The posh mug is definitely for daily use. And is a delight ! I shall drink more tea than ever.

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Quotation time ........... for the benefit of aspiring writers .........

"A good many young writers make the mistake of enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope, big enough for the manuscript to come back in. This is too much of a temptation to the editor"

Ring Lardner

Sleep tight. See you tomorrow.

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Up at 6.30am, in bath - sorted jobs

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Picture 1 is a Helen 'Bay' photograph from their recent visit to Iceland. The rock strata looks interesting though I know nothing at all about geology. No doubt when I see her she will tell me more about the holiday.

Having risen and bathed early I managed half an hour in the garden looking for pictures, but the light was hopeless. Needless to say, as soon as my legs etc., told me I'd stood up too long and I'd gone in, the sun came out. The bird feeders needed attention but I was pleased to note that the goldfinches had paced themselves and their feeder was not empty. Likewise the anti-starling feeders. Now that Robin has returned it took him less than a day to master the new entrance to the square feeders.

Picture 2 is a lovely, fine bone china mug quite like my charity-shop 'hunting scene' one which I broke.

Y spotted it in the shop at the Roman Villa and treated me to it. The quality is so fine as to be translucent if held up to the light.

As I didn't have the customary 50p piece for scale, I had to use two 20ps and two 5ps. I hope Bungus won't mind.

Tracy called at tea-time and accepted a cup of tea and a salmon and cucumber sandwich which she said was delicious. The tinned salmon comes from Lidl and, on the tin, it says Wild Salmon from Alaska - we love it.

Comments

Mannanan .... Thanks for your kind words about the Isle of Wight photos. As you know from your guestbook I popped in to your site yesterday and your pictures are very good indeed. You must put alot of work into Mannanans Cloak and the Isle of Man authorities owe you a drink or two I would have thought.

Bungus ...... I like the idea of jaunty lolly sticks. The mind races.

I think the 'futtav are stairs' is widespread.

The convoluted process from Benchley to 'lock-jaw' was not really convoluted at all. It occured to me that, with 'lock-jaw', speech would not be possible.

Another local exression I've just remembered is "put'th wud in th'ole" Meaning, for you southern lot, "Please shut the door as you go out".

Well. Fancy that. Benchley's nephew being the author of Jaws.

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No quotation to end with but a true little story from the Palmers Green branch. Debra, Ruby and Elli have just returned from the Woodcraft Folk summer camp. Much enjoyed by all and they wanted to stay longer. Apparently in Woodcraft Folk terminology the 3 to 4yrs are 'sawdust', the 5yrs are 'woodchip' and the 6yrs and over are 'sunshine sprites'. Ahhhh !

Y is involved tomorrow with Burton Joyce and I aim to tackle the transfer if stuff from the laptop to the new PC. Spotted by Bungus, I have bought a Serif programme which allows one to move data, and programmes, from the old to the new with a couple of clicks! Hope it proves as easy as it sounds. I doubt it but I'm game to have a go.

The Firefox add-on - 'Clipmarks' - works a treat ! The idea is to 'clip' whatever parts of a webpage you need, including pictures, and then you can save, e-mail or blog the results.

Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

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Computer day - e-mails - Pictures

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A picture of Sandown Bay in mixed weather which actually turned out quite nicely in the afternoon. I considered monochrome - well, it nearly is I think.

Even though still in bed (for ankle reasons only - I'm not ill) I've had a busy and productive day. I had a 'google/picasa glitch' which wouldn't let me access my Web Albums - it insisted on telling me I needed an internet connection which I self-evidently already had. Anyway - I fixed it and loaded up a slideshow of holiday snaps which can be found by clicking here. I recommend you use the slideshow option - they go quicker that way !

My ankles are subsiding steadily and I had hoped to manage a WoW tomorrow but Senior Management recommends a further day flat out.

Our 3 hour boat trip round the Solent was good. A knowledgeable captain who pointed out the important bits and knew the names and histories of all the naval warships etc and it was nice to see HMS Warrior again - she hadn't changed abit since our Southsea trip with the National Trust in early June.

This evening we watched a most interesting programme on Channel 5 about the Mary Rose with which we felt an association following our recent visits to the area. The good professor made some interesting points. And, as always, we enjoyed a 'lecture with pictures'.

Comments

Jill ..... I agree with you about Richard Dawkins's lack of TV presentational skills, but we enjoyed the lecture, for that is what it was.

You are right that the producers could have put up more some more doughty opponents than the school kids. I would like to have argued about 'how the eye evolved?' and 'why aren't there fossils of things in mid evolve?" sort of thing.

And of course the age-old problem of the absence of fossils of 'the missing link'.

We are looking forward to Part 2 however when some of these points may be met.

Y did indeed enjoy her break, and read your comment this morning.

Bungus ...... Thanks, as ever, for your witty and germane contribution. I'm sure your explanation of the 'cockhead' is more than adequate.

Although a comedy character in Dad's army, John Laurie certainly had the sort of face to scare you out of your cullottes. And I freely accept your point that I had my cullottes in a twist.... lapsus calumni

Xmas cards have certainly deteriorated over recent years and we often use cards not designed for Xmas and just write Xmas greetings therein.

Helen ...... Please send a copy of your 'bay picture' and I'm not at all surprised to hear that there is a 'rock' in it. Perhaps even a 'lolly stick'. If not please feel free to photoshop this one in.

As Bungus notes, I don't think that male suspenders/socks carry any sensuous charge whatsoever.

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Quotation time ....................

"Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing"

Robert Benchley

Which leads me, via a convoluted thought process to things our parents used to say. Was the expression 'lock-jaw' used in your time ? I think we now have anti-tetanus injections to prevent it. But what was it ? ?

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Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow. Sorry I shan't be WoW-ing but I am sure Y is right.

Quiet day - Lord Snowdon - INR level

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I haven't managed to complete my 'holiday snaps to Picasa Web Albums' project so here a couple of pictures to fill in. Above is part of the Lord Snowdon exhibition at the Dimbola Lodge Museum.

We had a great day there, and all keen photographers should make a visit.

The picture is a result of photomerging two, to create the effect of a panorama.

Picture 2 is from the Roman Villa at Brading and as I had mentioned the mosaic depiction of buildings I thought this detail might be of interest. Not only the building but a cock-headed man is shown.

The significance of this 'head' is obscure.

My blood test this morning was not good - INR still hovering around 5 (should be 2.5) and I have come back to bed to try and reduce the size of my ankles (working a bit) but I feel idle.

Last night we watched the Rene Zellweiger film about Beatrice Potter, but her portrayal was so annoying that I bailed out after 10 minutes. I have higher hopes about the Genius of Darwin programme this evening. Watched it - and although Richard Dawkins isn't a TV natural he made a tidy fist of it. We shall certainly watch the next part.

Comments

Mannaman ...... Nice to have you back. And thanks for the information about Jimi Hendrix and his guitar. Our readers really like these bits of detail.

Bungus ..... You know of old that, mostly, I share your view of how society and the world ought to be.

I'm not sure if the Robin is the harbinger of winter. I must google.

And I'm afraid I cannot allow you to claim authorship of “People who ask for advice usually want confirmation of their own opinion.” (me). The same point was made as long ago as Horace and as recently as Cardinal Heenan - but I can't easily track down the quotes. In the good Cardinal's case he substituted 'prejudices' for 'opinion', and the Horace was in Latin anyway, so who can tell?

Talking underwear - I think most red-blooded men remember the 'suspender-belt' with affection. Such a flattering garment I used to think. Not on me, I feel I must stress !

Jill ...... I do believe I agree about the pictures - "Lets hear it for chocolate boxes" shall become our motto.

Re the Lord Snowdon collection. Perhaps he subscribes to the fairly common view in these parts that "Not everything of significance needs to be in London".

We visited Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum many years ago but I feel we ought to go again. One always spots something new and interesting!

AnonymousRob...... As you all have said the word for ladies trousers was 'slacks' and I never ever saw my mother in shorts, not even the once popular 'sans culottes'. Apparently nowadays even blouses are called shirts. Calling a man 'a big girl's shirt' would totally lack conviction.

The courses at Dimbola Lodge are still going strong, and there is a darkroom available should you get the urge while on holiday.

I mentioned pictures created by 'bullshit' only partly figuratively ----- Chris Ofili won the 1998 Turner Prize with 'Woman No Cry' which incorporated much elephant dung. Elephants, Bulls ? Whose counting?

Andy Goldsworthy is another 'user' and in 2007 had a major exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. If you open the link and click the 'previous' button you will see his 'Cow dung on glass'.

So when critics proclaim modern art to be "a load of bullshit" they are probably speaking from an unrealised authority !

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Sorry, no quote tonight - too tired.



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Dimbola Lodge Museum - Return home

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Our last full day on the Island was devoted to visiting Freshwater Bay and the Julia Margaret Cameron Museum at Dimbola Lodge. We went by service bus and used our free-passes again. Anyway, it was pleasant to travel along the coast road for a journey of just over an hour. Picture 1 is of the bay. Chocolate-box manufacturers please form an orderly queue !

The museum is a 'must' for anyone interested in photography and 'Julia' has been a firm favourite of mine for many years. The main subsidiary exhibition was a collection from Lord Snowdon and featured many strong images. The curator was happy for me to take general snaps, particularly when he learnt that some might be destined for my blog. He was keen on the publicity. Y enjoyed the museum - and the coffee was excellent !

Picture 2 is a bronze of Jimi Hendrix by John Swindells which stands in the garden as a tribute to his appearance at the 1970 Rock Festival.

Snaps of other people's Art are only acceptable as 'record shots' but I have dignified this one by a little work to subdue the background and a change to monochrome, which seems to suit the work.

And I haven't flipped the image - he was, if you remember, a left-handed guitarist.

The holiday was first-rate and the things we did competed to be 'favourite'. The Roman Villa at Brading (see last blog-post) was high on the list. The floor mosaics were unusual because of the roman buildings depicted - the only example in the UK apparently.

But the Botanical Gardens, the Classic Boat Museum (I was amazed to learn that the 'cockleshell heroes' boats were narrow enough to be launched through a torpedo-tube!)...... The boat trip round the Solent ........ too difficult !!

Our return journey was pleasantly glitch-free and it is good to be back. Thank you all for your 'comments' during my absence - they sort of kept the pot boiling !

Comments

AnonymousRob ..... What an interesting by-product of texting, - the autistic boy being willing and able to 'communicate' by that means.

'Adequate' would still be the appropriate term for the hotel. It needed 'decorating throughout'. The rooms were very small, but the food remained good and the proprietor and staff were helpful and efficient.

I 'google-imaged' the Harley Davidson Fat Boy and, although very similar, the bike I 'snapped' was slightly different. And Mike Harding is still around and hosts a folk show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday evenings.

Re the effect of modern technology on the sum of human happiness. I am sure you are right. And so long as people are fed, clothed, and have dry and warm accommodation there is indeed very little added by 'progress' - indeed, much seems to be lost.

You are not a dinosaur. You enjoy your darkroom work as an art-form, not because you sneer at digital imagery. Pictures are pictures are pictures, whether produced by mezzo tint, lenses and chemicals, or bullshit !

Bungus ..... You were right to point out that I had omitted the 'not' from 'I would not wish for things to be different'. I do so love modern technology. But that is different from feeling it is essential to well-being.

Speaking of West Bridgford. I was stationed there in the 50s when it was called 'bread and lard island' - because people had spent most of their income on expensive housing and couldn't afford butter.

Jill ...... Re Liberty bodices. I remember my mother felt unable to function without her 'corsets'. She was slim and I don't imagine she needed them. I think it was just what people wore. My Uncle Vince always wore spats !

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Colin Fletcher called in for lunch and it was great to see him. Unfortunately Lyn had an upset tummy (having been to a wedding-reception and eaten shellfish) and stayed in the caravan. He was as 'with-it' as ever, but is having trouble with one eye (following blood-clots, DVT, and all sorts of probs). It doesn't stop him being cheerful though and it was good to catch up on their family news.

Good news ! Having reported 'no robin' - this morning one has arrived.

Tomorrow I'll sort out some snaps to go on Picasa Web Albums - then when I do the blog I'll publish a link to them. Blood test in the morning - lets hope for the best !!

Quotation time .................................

"The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself."

Oscar Wilde

People are returning from holidays. Hannah rang to say they were back. I guess David will be back, if they aren't so already. Don't know about John. I think Reg is back.

'Sleep tight' ..... All being well I'll catch you tomorrow. Unless the anti-coagulant clinic send the lads round following my blood-test.

The end-line is for the sports desk and because I haven't published it for some time.

A brief 'comment catcher' from I of W

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As you will see from Picture 1, Bill's mother seems to have moved to the suburbs of Shanklin.

The weather looked threatening but didn't actually rain and we had another excellent day including a 3 hour boat-trip round the Solent.

Picture 2 is a close-up of a gorgeous Harley Davidson parked outside a food/drink hut. If you examine the reflections carefully you will see RG taking the photograph.

Today we made our way to Brading Roman Villa, by bus, and used our free-passes which were accepted without demur.

Comments

Bungus .... I've lost your thread with the poached-egg plant. That is it, as published in my last blog-post, honest.

The 'scrooge' headphones sound just the ticket. Would you acquire me a pair please?

Jill ...The hotel has grown on us since first arrival. The food is good and the service and helpfulness excellent.

AnonymousRob...... I know you only holidayed in Cuba but you knowledge is better than ours by 100%. Thanks for the continued 'old-sayings' and I'm sure people will keep remembering more. Due to discomfort following much painkiller medication I was pleased yesterday to be able to report a 'good clear out' after which I felt better.

My position is slightly different about modern technology. I love it and would wish for things to be different.

Quotation slot ........

"The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels"

H L Mencken

Sleep tight. Catch you properly at the beginning of next week.



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