National Trust Committee Meeting - Morrisons

This erysium - bowles mauve
has had flowers on for almost a full year.

I'm not sure now whether it is 'early' or 'late' but, brave thing that it is, as you can see it looks fit and well and there are flowerbuds waiting to open.

Even that hard hoar frost, as you can see, failed to disturb its 'cool'. If you think some flowers are missing in the picture on the left, they aren't, it's just a different bush. The one on the right showed the frost better.

Picture 3 appealed because I was taken with the stripes. All were from different sources. The document box was Ikea, the book-chair was Lakeland, and the mug, was Aldi's mug department. It always reminds me of the picture one gets when one decides to 'defragment' a hard disc.

This morning was Mansfield Nat. Trust Committee meeting at Connie's. Although I wasn't involved - I sat and read in another room, I could hear peals of laughter so I knew it was going well.

The weather was atrocious again. Extremely windy, with driving rain, and unseasonally mild at 13/14c all over the country. What a state we are in. I know you can't blame the government for the weather but I can't remember a time when we have been so badly governed. So many things are in such a mess ! The latest today is that people have been convicted of Murders, Rapes, and Paedophile offences abroad. The countries concerned have sent the appropriate files and no-one at the Home Office has done anything about them. Not placed them on sex-offenders registers and things and the Home Office minister admitted that she had no idea if they were working in Schools, where they were living et al. She said there would be an 'enquiry' which she couldn't prejudge ! The only thing you can be certain of is that no-one will resign. Ho hum.

Anyway, I should be keeping a low profile because I made a right pig's ear of parking at Connie's. I tried to back into a space so as to leave Peter room to park next to me. Result was I was so close to the edge of the garden Y couldn't get out and I had to drive forward again. I then succeeded in occupying two spaces instead of one.

When we left we decided to do our shopping at Mansfield Morrisons. Much nicer then the Eastwood version and we decided to have lunch there. Good decision because it was lovely - and such a big shop.

On a lighter but no less serious note now. Can anyone, perhaps our ergonomics correspondent, explain the following. You are wearing heavy shoes and sit down so your body weight is supported by the chair. Your feet are supported by the floor. Why then do your shoes still feel heavy?.........

See you tomorrow.............

Y returns - Weather atrocious - Bull on the line

Another Brinsley sunrise and I thought I would build on the success Ha Ha! of my Power Station Panorama, and do another panorama. It isn't a pain, and it is like being equipped with a very wide-angle lens, without the distortion they produce.

Went for my blood-test and it was a debacle. It was a new phlebotomist and she tried 5 times to draw blood and failed. I suppose she has to learn and she wasn't doing it on purpose. In the end she had to fetch Helen (who has now reached the dizzy heights of Nurse Practitioner and wears civvies). It took Helen just 20 seconds to get a phial full! I'll need to wear a long-sleeved shirt for a day or two until the bruising fades. I await the inevitable call from the clinic to find out if it's stable or not.

Picture 2 is the same power-station as yesterday, but shot from Eastwood with the benefit of my 70-300mm Tamron at full tilt. I think it is only the little bit on the sky-line behind the tree at extreme right. The tall chimney I suspect, is closer. You wouldn't believe it is 14miles away though.

I then went to Aldi because, from their e-mail, they have some odour-fixing candles, at 99p rather Lakeland's £3 plus. I just picked 4 pretty coloured ones, not realising till I got home that they are colour-coded. By sheer luck I had brought one for cooking smells and one for what they coyly call bathroom smells. I have an anti-nicotine, and an anti-dog spare . As no-one in the family either smokes or keep dogs I thought I was stuck with them. But Bungus has stepped into the breach and will take both.

Y returned to Phoenix Park spot on the suggested time. This was surprising because there had been a major hold up on the main line. I've heard of snow & ice, and leaves on the rails but this was a 'Bull on the Line'. ounds like a Johnny Cash record doesn't it?

It is nice to have her home. I'm cooking sausage & mash wth brussells, leeks and carrots - one of her favourites. And as another nice surprise Janice (the village tote-lady) arrived to tell us we had won - yet again! £3.25. It is almost becoming embarassing because we have only just had our £5 each Xmas vouchers.

.....Time to start the meal. Catch you tomorrow.

11C - Long Eaton - Power Station

After ringing David this morning it was decided that I nip over to Long Eaton to see them all. And to take the posters Y had obtained from the Telegraph and their copy of Our Island Story. Lovely posters they are too. Seafish, shells, trees and things. It was good to share coffee and see Sky and Brooke, and Helen and David of course. Brooke has a school-project about toys of yesteryear and I remembered a little wooden figure which used to have a cork on the bottom and my Dad used as a beerbottle stopper. Then the cork broke off and I was given the little wooden chap to play with. After the 'project' I've told her she can keep it.

It is amazing what your genes carry. Brooke came into the conservatory with a little green hessian-type bag over her shoulder. I admired it and Helen said "Oh she loves bags". They have been a lifetime love of mine too. I said "and little notebooks" producing two from different pockets. Apparently Brooke also is very keen on little notebooks !

On the way to Long Eaton I had noticed the power-station doing its stuff and fancied a picture so David directed me a mile or so towards Sawley where a good view is available. I actually found Picture 1 down a lane leading to the Marina. Unfortunately by the time I got there the clouds of steam had been much dissipated by the wind. Ah well - such is life.

Picture 2 is of Sawley Church, a very pleasing looking structure. On neither occasion was the weather as nice as it looks. In fact it was quite dismal and spotting with rain. So, I have 'brightened' and 'improved' a little. In neither case so as to spoil the 'feel' of either.

Neither looks very sharp. Which is a much bigger problem and I have'nt yet sussed out why.

I was on the Amateur Photography forums a while ago and was able to give a chap a list of instructions as to how to produce a JPEG of a Print Screen. He had sorted me out with a Capture NX problem so it was a pleasure to offer a little back in return.

... Helen is a bit under the weather and Brooke had recently had a high temperature due to tonsilitis. Genes again. David was a chronic sufferer plus adenoids. Lets hope everyone soon feels better.

"Busy doin' nuthin" - experiments

Just the one picture today, an interior panorama. For filing purposes I've labelled it 'Kitchen-Pan'. I had wondered about such a project and it is possible, although not easy. It was difficult to get the exposures to match because the Panorama programme rejected several efforts saying it couldn't find 'matching features' in the shots I wanted to stitch. Ha! the advantages of the 'delete' button in digital cameras. But there we are, the kitchen 'as is'. Had Y been at home I would have had to tidy up and clear the sink of dirty pots first. But I am a creature of impulse.

While supermarket shopping this morning there was this grumpy old man (about my age !) behind me at the checkout and being rude to his sweet and gentle wife. He made no effort to help her move things from the trolley to the conveyor belt and offered nothing but sarcasm. He finally stumped off, past me, with the words "I'm going to get a paper". After I had paid and was loading my bags, he came back, with The Sun. Should I attach any significance to this?

Nice text from Tracy checking on my welfare. So thoughtful she is. Also, a pleasant 'welcome letter' from the Regional Organiser of the RPS together with their recent newsletters. And exchanged lovely phone calls with Y who is having a great time grannying.

Last night I slept really well - 10pm-ish to 6.40am. And I've had a nap this afternoon. I know from experience that you can't store sleep, but a couple of bad nights now won't concern me. Ankles still swollen and I start my blood-testing saga again on Monday. My INR level will be interesting! Just so long as I don't have to be admitted again.

.....Do you ever feel locked into things?

The Weekend approacheth - Y grannying

A couple of days ago I wondered if anyone collected old 'coat-hangers' (I put that in quotes because I didn't want pedantry about 'something on which to hang an old coat). Bungus suggested a quick google. This chap turned up together with his website. Please click.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a readily available group-term for collectors. Perhaps a 'rail' or a 'suspension' of coat-hanger collectors would do. I leave it to imaginations more fertile than mine.

My interest had been sparked because, in my wardrobe, I have several of great age, i.e. I grew up with them. And one of them at least did its National Service (early fifties) in Germany and returned safely without being stolen.

And the strangest thing is, the one he is holding is almost identical to one of mine. His says "Equal to a Fine Liqueur" . Mine says, more verbosely (of course) "The Equivalent of a Fine Liqueur".

But obviously out of the same stable. Ha Ha!

As one gets older, one can become preoccupied with trivia like this, without worrying about time being wasted.

To return to more mundane matters. Y caught the train to London OK and later rang to say she had arrived safely at Palmers Green. She had discovered she could travel first class for £3 more, and did so. She had apprehensions though that it would be full of noisy business men on mobiles and laptops, as against her normal seat in the mobile free carriage. The entire train of course is now 'non-smoking' and has been for some years which suits her fine.

I've done my usual messing-about but managed time to call in and see Brian. He agreed with me that the lecturer at EPS last night was excellent fun but that his 'skies' were too 'loud'. People don't seem to realise that really jazzed-up skies result in very two-dimensional pictures. Due to the absence of any tonal recession to give depth. Still it is very much a matter of personal choice and my comments shouldn't give the impression that I didn't thoroughly enjoy his pictures and his super sense of humour. Because I did, and so did Brian.

....Catch you tomorrow.

Burton Joyce - Camera Club

Two pictures, not really faked, but in No.1 the moon was hopelessly over-exposed, to get any detail at all into the sky.

Then I took another and deliberately under-exposed by 2 stops in order to get some detail in the moon.

Picture 2 is a result of merging the two together and a little smudging of cloud over the rim so it doesn't look too artificial.

It will be a matter of opinion as to whether or not it works but there is a night-shot competition coming up at t'club and I don't want to be without an picture to enter.

Just to return very briefly to the 'execution'and Bungus's point about the lynching of Mussolini and some works of art. Surely the point is that Mussolini hanging from a lampost (an image I remember well from the time) was actually a lynching and didn't pretend to be the outcome of 'due process of law'.

I think I veer Madeline's way because there have been, and still are, many evil men who we do nothing about. Pinochet was a prime example. But he didn't have much oil.

Nikon Capture NX is a brilliant programme and I can see it replacing PhotoShop as the industry standard. You don't have to bother with 'selections' and 'layers' etc., and it does a super job with its 'control points'. I won't bore you with details because I realise it is a 'minority sport'.

With the additional memory (1.5GB) my laptop positively speeds through things. "Rats up drainpipes" and "s**t off a shovel" spring to mind.

Y was delivered to Phoenix Park tram this morning and I've tried to spend a few hours lying down. Not due to idleness but because my ankles look like moon-boots again. It reduced them a little. I just can't miss out on my Camera Club. In between everything else, I went shopping after dropping Y off, and this afternoon I've cooked a spag-bol for this evening. A tasting was satisfactory, even though I have no fresh herbs except a little basil. Seed-sowing seems to be called for again.

Although the internet tells me it's 11C in Nottingham, Brinsley feels much colder than that. There's still a very strong breeze so I guess it is wind-chill.

...Keep smiling. Catch you tomorrow....

Nat.Trust - Rainworth - Mansfield

In chronological order - roughly. As you will see from Picture 1 (see bottom left) my 'December Sunrise' made it to the Gallery in Brian's Shop. A high honour indeed when you see the quality of the others. He asked if it would be OK ? and, of course, I was delighted. Some passing customer might offer him a couple of quid for it !

Yesterday evening was Mansfield National Trust and the lecture on Nottingham Castle was very interesting and it has given us a lot of things to look out for next time we go to Nottingham. One fascinating fact is that The Bell Hotel in the town centre is older than The Trip to Jerusalem which always claims to be the oldest Inn in the country. And this isn't someone's unfounded allegation, it comes from dating the timbers. He had some amazing slides of old pictures. Apparently the Trent has changed course several times and Trent Bridge has been in different locations. But there are some v. old parts remaining where it is now. All-in-all a throughly enjoyable evening even though the lecture hall was abit chilly. I gallantly offered Y my coat to wrap round her legs (quite Raleigh-ish I thought) but she declined. It was nice to see everyone and Gordon had done the Newsletter with details of all the Outings and The Weekend away so we promptly filled in the application forms. I posted it to Jean first thing this a.m. We don't want to be missing out on any trips, now do we?

I set off for Mansfield quite early and left Y to enjoy a busy day at home, sorting out her photos and journal etc., and generally pleasing herself.

My trip to Mansfield included an assortment of little jobs. 'Lappy' to Rainworth, 2 hours in the Libray (always a pleasure) - and I sussed out how to access my Blog from one of The Library's computer-terminals. So I left two 'comments' on yesterday's 'comments' mainly to check it out. A trawl through shelves which interest me yielded 2 uptodate books - one never issued and one issued just once.

Then to The Widow Frost for lunch. Picture 2 shows a wobbly Bungus approaching with drinks. Not wanting to use the flash in public; I stood the camera unobtrusively on the table and used the self-timer. The camera produced quite a lengthy exposure hence the sharp surroundings and the figure blurred by movement. And Bob's legs are not as short as they seem - he is down a step !

After a good meal and excellent coffee we went in search of slippers and a ferule for my monopod. Both ventures were successful and, knowing how to shop upmarket, I got the slippers in Jonathon James. They were 'top bracket' at £4.99p. The ferule came from the key-cutting shop because I knew they sold them. Bob brought us some exquisite ripe Stilton which I later had for tea.

Then it was a matter of collecting my laptop and travelling home - couldn't resist stopping on the way to try it out. And Nikon Capture NX seemed a lot faster and everything else was fine and speedy. I'm getting through my 30day free trial of the programme rather too quickly. I've only got 14 days left.

I've probably forgotten something. Not to worry. There's always tomorrow..........

Warmer - Nottingham - Tram

Quick 'blog' called for due to going down Nottingham this morning and then Mansfield National Trust due this evening. And we've got to eat sometime!

Just one more Elvaston Country Park picture for your opinions? It looks completely 'pseud' to me as if some gentry person decided to simulate a ruin. Although you can see the edge of the lake through it, it doesn't actually lead from or to anything.

There might be an Elvaston Country Park expert lurking somewhere.

You different views of Saddam, his execution, and Riverbend's Blog are very interesting. One thing in his favour of course was that he kept a very wary eye on Iran. But I won't go on. I don't consider that Riverbend ever rants, and I don't blame her at all for carrying a knife. Of course we don't know if her account is always accurate - but to me all her writing carries a strong whiff of authenticity. And I've read a lot of witness statements in my time.

My lappy goes in tomorrow for even more memory and by the evening I shall have 1.5GB which should make my photo-processing a whizz. Bungus and I plan to meet for lunch while it is being done, and Y can't decide whether to accompany me or meet Joan.

.. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do. Catch you tomorrow.

Happy New Year to Everyone

The evening at Derek and Betty's was enjoyable even though everyone banged-on a bit about holidays and cruises. Maybe we suffered through not drinking alcohol and the fact that in the near future we have only planned our Llandudno trip.

But don't let me knock it because the food was gorgeous and it is nice to be among friends who really do not want us to move house. We saw the new year in and then walked the 30 yards home, made a pot of tea and then bed.

As I hope Picture 1 shows, it was a wild and stormy night and I practised my low-light photography - through the bedroom window I hasten to say. Y slept well but I didn't. It must have been too much excitement.

Picture 2. I don't know how I managed to miss this great Matt cartoon over Xmas but I did. Fortunately Brian e-mailed it to me and I decided to use it even though it is a few days old.

On a much darker note, Riverbend posted her blog on 31st December please click and she is well worth reading about Saddam's actual execution. She actually called it a 'lynching' and I can't fault her. Her coverage of what was and what wasn't said is of course most valuable in view of her laguage skills. And what CNN and BBC seem to have omitted.

To use a cliché (and why not?) - more power to her elbow. Blogs like her's are very important. Mine is just a light daily journal of no real significance but 'Baghdad Burning' is an important 21st century document and requires great courage. It is rewarding for me, and Madeline, that 'radiogandy' had the humble pleasure of mentioning it and 'posting' a link.

Re the blog comments about children and TV - David is right to point out that his 8yrs and 6yrs children are nowhere near being TV addicts and don't have bedroon TVs. And they happily do loads and loads of constructive, creative things. But Jill and Bungus are probably quite correct with regard to many households where it is an easy way to occupy the little blighters.

Mansfield National Trust tomorrow evening. The subject of the lecture is Nottingham Castle so we are looking forward.

p.s. The Telegraph has been satisfactorily restrained in its 'execution' coverage. No grisly pictures, front page or elsewhere. Even in The Daily Mail, Max Hastings (who I always consider still to be a Telegraph person) says "far from being the dignified conduct of justice, this sordid display of mob vengeance..........." Ho Hum as Ray would say.

......Not to worry. The sun will shine and Spring will come.

Wet, Windy and Mild - New Year's Eve

About the last of the Elvaston day that I intend to use and this is completely 'as is' not even cropped.

It demonstrates how much the ducks were enjoying the weather and I quite like the effect the rain drops make when falling on water. It is nearly as good as when the rain is so heavy the drops bounce off the pavement. My Dad used to say it was 'raining florins'. For our younger readers - a florin was 2 shillings and roughly the same size as a 50p piece but circular.

Picture 2 is our Henry, bless him. We had to operate him this morning because Karen is still on her holidays and the place was beginning to look a bit untidy. Y did most of it; tree down, cards down; holly off pictures; dusting etc., while I nipped round with Henry. I love his cheerful face and apart from that he is so efficient. Not that we have a dog, but he is excellent with dog-hairs and often, when we have been in hotels, he seems to be the vacuum-cleaner of choice. There are several in the family and everyone speaks highly.

It was nice to have a 'comment' from Madeline again and she, Jill, David and Bungus seem in broad agreement over the distastefulness of the news coverage of Saddam's execution. Apparently it got worse today because one of the 'executioners' had a mobile phone and you can hear them taunting their victim. As soon as the broadcasts began I simply switched off. Madeline says it was just as bad on the radio! And, as has been previously pointed out, the pictures one sees when listening to the radio can be even more vivid than the TV. Bungus says they issued a warning, as they do when bad language is forthcoming. But I don't think they did on BBC News 24. David says they often switch the TV News off to shield the children from a diet, of rape, murder and violence which seems much more likely to disturb a child than to accidentally hear the "f'" word. As he says, one wouldn't dream of reading a child a fictional story with such content just before bedtime. Or at any other time come to that. And, as Jill says, when during the day are children not watching television?

On Madeline's other point - I have been a Riverbend reader for almost a year now. She is a legend in the Blog world. This is the address please click if anyone needs it. Unfortunately her last update was 29th December when the execution was still pending. So what her views about the actual act are, we don't yet know. But there will be 'hundreds of thousands' keen to learn.

By the way. I have worked it out with David's video. In the small window I was getting there was a tiny box to tick to "always open with Windows Media etc" I ticked it and tried again and now it opens immediately.


........ Derek and Betty's tonight to see the New Year in. Don't know if we shall still be 'partying' at midnight though.

Another Wet Day - Saddam Hussein Executed

A panorama of our damp day at Elvaston Castle. At least this one isn't too bright and colourful. I seem to have mastered my PanoramaPlus 2 programme now and can churn them out at will. Mostly I hope they will be more interesting than the above. But as I said, everyone who went had a fun time. People are so nice. Necessarily I lagged behind and told everyone to go ahead and I would meet them later. I made steady progress, and after about 10 minutes, Reg came back to see if I was OK. And then he walked with me because it was slippy underfoot.

Picture 2 is some fungi, the identity of which I have no doubt will be forthcoming. There also seems to be some lichen too. We pronouce it "litchen" but Joan says it should be "liken" and she has been on a WEA course "Mosses, lichens, and liverworts" so she should know.

If I seem a little preoccupied today it is because I was deeply disturbed by the BBC News coverage of the execution of Saddam Hussein. They showed him being led into this small cell equipped with a scaffold, everyone except him in masks. I had to leave the room but Y watched it while they actually put the noose round his neck. The only one who came out of it with any dignity was Saddam himself. I was amazed that the BBC showed it during the day when children could well be watching. In fact I was amazed at their appalling lack of taste in showing it at all. Maybe they would secretly like us to return to public hangings so they could bid for the rights to show them. And there was me thinking we were a civilised country.

Please click here for David's video. I think I've worked out how to do it. And I didn't have to ask an expert.

..... Catch you tomorrow.....................

Refreshed - Elvaston Castle - Mild and Wet

After a really good night's sleep I woke at 6.40am and turned over till the 7am News. I have the gift of listening to "Farming Today" and promptly forgetting everything I've just heard. It's the same with weather forecasts. I decide to listen to the weather and next thing, it's finished and I've been 'miles away'.

Yesterday was quite tiring with needing to be in one place, and then another, and to enjoy a day's grandchildren activity - too much food and then driving home in the dark. Mind you I'm not complaining because the kids were great; hardly any tears. Isn't the sense-of-humour of 4/5/6/7yr olds unchanging. We had great fun with an atificial pool of 'sick', 'dog-poo' and a 'bottle of tipped over red nail varnish' However I also managed lots of chats with grown ups. Discussed Art with Andy (he showed me a digital picture on his camera of a portrait of Debra in charcoal and oils - it has a definite Klimt look), then Computers with Steven, Holistic Health with Debra - I still know how to dog-paddle furiously when out of my depth and it was a relief to discuss family matters and things like cooking and multiple sclerosis and driving with Lisa. We also discussed Attenborough Nature Reserve which David spoke so highly of yesterday and which Lisa knows well. She is very good on birds. Apparently, at Attenborough there is a newly opened Visitor Centre with Restaurant which David says looks good even though they haven't tried it yet. Maybe one day next week? Y is keen.

The weather is mild, 11C, but very wet and the omens were not good for our Camera Club trip to Elvaston Castle. But, as always, pictures can be found, and you don't need a bright sunny day! Artists have known that for yonks. There is a beautiful Pissaro of an avenue of trees in the rain, but I can't remember the name of it.

Picture 1 is a dis-used boat-house opening onto the lake. The built-in flash on the Nikon carries quite a punch; the trees needed a touch of fill-in flash and the camera got it just right, illuminating the trees from a good 20feet away.

Picture 2 is "two large ducks with sleeping offspring" and although I used fill-in flash again I under-exposed by one stop because otherwise you always loose all detail from the swan's plumage. It's because it's so white.

I am concerned that the decision to execute Saddam Hussein is the wrong one. As Churchill said so presciently in 1916 after the IRA 'Easter Uprising' - "Grass will quickly grow over a battlefield; it will never grow over a scaffold." And, as Andy astutely said yesterday "and Churchill no doubt wrote that himself; different from today's lot".

The question has been asked "Is it possible for me to 'blog' a video"? The answer is "Probably - but I tried it and only succeeded in deleting half of this 'post'. The method I used was to obtain a URL for the video in question and then try to post a link to it. I guess someone will know the answer but until I'm talked through it by an expert I shall leave it alone. After the festivities have well and truly finished I'll go on WebUserforums with the query. It is right up the street of OurStanley, RichieP, Fusion or Greysts or TheFatController.

.. Batten down the hatches it's going to be a stormy night. Gusts of 70mph forecast.

Sorry - No Blog content today - Done For!

So tired - could not possibly 'blog' - serious kip called for. Will deal with e-mails, comments etc. tomorrow

Quiet Day - Shopping - Mild at 6C

We are having a competition at EPS to see what folks can do with 3 images provided for them. This corner-of-a-building is one of them. I don't know who took the original. maybe Reg. It's got a 'Reg-look' about it. With experience one acquires a sixth sense with photographs and identifying not only the authors but the equipment used.

In the old days I could recognise work produced on a Leica, at 20 paces. Maybe in these digital days I would lose more £1 notes than I would win.

I felt the image needed a bold approach and my first run-through has produced Picture 2. And I thought I would start the new year by being suitably patriotic in colour terms. Could I recommend that Bungus fetch a cool wet handkerchief before looking.

Yesterday's 'book chair' was popular. I e-mailed Santa and he replied that should anyone decide they would like one, one of his elves obtained it from Lakeland. But be prepared to be persistent because the staff are fairly rigidly programmed. When asked if they still had their egg-timers? "No" was the reply accompanied by a blank look. Providing the additional info. that the desired object went in the saucepan with the eggs and changed colour elicited the shocked response "Oh. You mean the egg-perfect !" So you are advised to say "book-chair" in a clear slow voice. "Book-rest" will get you nowhere.


Shopping at Lidl and Morrisons this morning and bought some lovely crusty brown Pain de Campagne which we had for lunch with smoked salmon and gravadlax sauce thereon. We both decided on a minimum food day today after the excesses of Xmas. Bungus's festive fare was impressive to say the least. There is no way I could have kept up. It all sounded delicious though and it was good to hear that Sandra is up and about.

Debra comes up tomorrow. But to Tracy's and then to Burton Joyce. Our reponsibilities just entail going to places and being entertained and fed.

"A host is like a general; it takes a mishap to reveal his genius."

...Horace..45bc

Boxing Day - Brief Blog

A shortish Blog today because we have been busy. Happy busy, but nevertheless time consumingly busy. To begin the day at around 8.30am we were nearly out of milk and all the local supermarkets were closed. Eventually I was lucky and found the Total Garage open, around 2 miles away. They had plenty of milk and the chap in front of me was also buying milk. When we saw John's Yvonne later in the day she said they too were low on milk, so it seems that in matters of milk-mismanagement we were'nt alone.

The sausage, egg and chips was a success and then after lunch John and Yvonne arrived with my big grand-daughters Laura and Alannah. They grow more beautiful and striking each month and it was good to hear all their news. As I think I've mentioned John can retire in 2 years and they plan a 6 month tour in their campervan prior to a decision as to where to settle down. France still seems to be favourite ! Good luck to them !

Later on we watched the last in the 3 part series about Christmas art. The subject today was Gauguin's "Gods Son" and it was really good to know more about this unusual and striking approach to the Nativity. It shocked most people at the time and it was interesting to see that it still has the power to shock modern audiences.

The Picture (only 1 today) is of one of my colourful Xmas presents. I had asked Santa for a book-rest which was smaller and lighter than the solid metal one I use in the kitchen. And this is what he brought me. What a captivating design concept; and aren't people clever? The book (one of Bungus's on loan) is included solely to give scale. I'm certainly not going to use my little book-chair as it is called, in the kitchen because it would get messed up.

We are certainly not back to normal tomorrow. Shopping is needed. Thursday Debra comes up and we are going over to Tracy's. Friday I am going on a photo-jaunt with EPS to Elvaston Castle and loads of other things coming up.

..... Better to be busy rather than have nothing to do though...........

Leisurely Present Opening - Quiet Day

Just two more pictures from my 'Slow sync, rear curtain' file. The quality of the results seems to owe much to chance. The method needs pratice though, because, with the necessarily long shutter opening, it is a matter of some precision to judge where in the frame you want the sharp bit to be - when the flash fires.

Thank goodness no film is wasted in the process and I can practice away for ages until I manage a decent picture. A good striking picture in the genre should do well in competitions because they seem few and far between. Perhaps other photographers lack the patience - or simply have more sense!

Picture 1 was at Moor Bridge and Picture 2 was outside the front gate. It was interesting that while I was there with my camera set up on a tripod, with the flash firing occasionally, the traffic slowed down to 30mph ! Maybe they thought I was a policeman. Ha Ha !

We have had a leisurely day, opening presents with Tracy, after which she went over to Burton Joyce leaving us to enjoy The Queen at 3pm, followed by a nap, and then messing about.

I had some lovely presents - all of which I need or can see a role for. It would be boring if I listed them all, but everyone has been so thoughtful. For lunch we had the remainder of yesterday's braising steak, reheated and followed by Xmas pudding and custard. You can't have a more understated Christmas Day meal than that and tomorrow, Boxing Day, at Tracy's request we are having our customary Sausage, Egg and Chips. Everybody's favourite and TJ says her 'street cred' rockets when she replies truthfully to enquiries as to what she had for Xmas food. To us it doesn't seem right that one or other person spends worried hours imprisoned in a kitchen while everybody else is having fun. So we abandoned it in favour of our present arrangements. Each to their own anyway - if people want to do a more traditional Xmas, good luck to them. The above isn't intended as a criticism of the practices in other households.

We watched a lovely art programme about Van Eyck's "Annunciation". A thoughtful piece of programming for Xmas afternoon for people who aren't that keen on films. There had also been a lovely programme about the nation's favourite gardens presented by Jenny Agutter. Kew won and Chatsworth was well placed as was Hampton Court Palace. All deserved their places. Jenny has aged very gracefully - I remember having a crush on her all those years ago. Who can forget her in The Railway Children which was a favourite book of mine before they made a film of it.

Another Xmas art programme about Breughel (the elder) and his "Census at Bethlehem". Not a picture that I have ever seen or know anything about. So, I learnt a lot. Had a quick sandwich and then we shall be ready for the Strictly Come Dancing Xmas special. I hope it isn't a disappointment. Tracy back early tomorrow morning - and I'm hoping we can buy milk somewhere. We've totally misjudged it.

Just a p.s. few new blog readers. If you click on a picture a screen filling enlargement appears. And don't forget that your 'comments' will be welcomed. Just click on the 'comments' words right at the bottom (usually orange) and a window will open on the left. Follow the instructions to leave a comment.

Catch you tomorrow..................

Merry Xmas - Braising Steak

Please accept delivery of our in-house Xmas card. Genuine hoar-frost on our own holly, and text (with drop-shadow) achieved in PhotoShop.

Picture 2 is the judges in Strictly Come Dancing giving Mark & Karen straight tens. They went on to win quite convincingly but Matt & Lilia did very well and Matt came across as a real English sportsman, dignified in defeat and speaking words of genuine praise for Mark and Karen. It has been a terrific show. Bruce and Tess have been excellent in the way they have dealt with the demands of a 'live' show. The band and singers also deserve a special mention. It must be very difficult to produce a Beatles classic such as 'Eleanor Rigby' live with a convincing sound and, of course, live and to a strict tempo for the benefit of the dancers.

Steve and Lisa and the children came for lunch and I did one of my 'signature dishes' - braising steak and onions. On this occasion though, the onions were replaced by the french-shallots which are perfect for the job. Needless to say I produced 'roast potatoes' (Desirée), brussells, brocolli, carrots and yorkshire puddings. And lashings of gravy. Followed by an assortment of pudding choices and finishing with a cheese board and Italian coffee. All went well. Afterwards we opened some presents, explaining that Santa's Brinsley Representative had called. This was greeted with some suspicion but fortunately, my blurry photo of the back of the sleigh put people's minds at rest.

With Tracy not 'doing' New Years Eve this year David and Helen decided to step into the breach. Unfortunately, in between their decision and now, Derek & Betty have invited us and we have accepted, and Tracy is already committed. Such a shame because we would much rather go to David's - but we aren't the sort of people who accept an invite and then renege on the commitment because we get a better offer. We've known several of those over the years. It is so rude.

Last night I didn't sleep very well and at a time I would normally be sound asleep (11pm-12md) I caught the Garrison Keiller show on BBC7 radio. He read one of his own stories about a Norwegian Spruce Xmas tree. Great stuff - he still writes like an angel. Later I had one of my damned 'lucid dreams'. A worry dream that I've had before. I am a young PC on the beat and I can't find my way back to the Police Station. In last night's version almost each time I turned a corner I was faced with a view of the sea. And I never worked in a coastal-town. I seemed to remember that the Police Station was up a hill somewhere but as soon as I reached a summit I was faced with yet another sea-view. I woke up around 4.50am and decided to get up, because I didn't want to get back into the dream. Yorkshire puddings were being mixed by 5.15am and by 6am the vegetables were prepared.

When I rang David I wished Sky 'happy birthday' and she told me all about her presents. When they came over I forgot to give them their 'posters' about trees and things, and their copy of 'Our Island Story' which has had to be republished. We shall see them soon though.

Hope you all have a super day. Tomorrow's issue - or not - will depend on commitments. Should be OK though............

Early Start - Much Warmer

Made an early start, to beat the crowds, and everybody had the same idea. Picture 1 is of Morrisons Car Park at 8.10am. I only had my old Casio and no tripod but my PanoramaPlus 2 programme seems to have made quite a respectable job. One of the chaps who collects the shopping-trolleys told me that at the 7.30am opening time there was a 50 yard queue. It was busy inside but plenty of staff and, as I only needed a handbasket of things we forgot yesterday, I was through the system like lightning.

We thoroughly enjoyed 'Rick Stein cooks for the Japanese Ambassador'. He had previously visited Tokyo to get a feel for the subject and sampled loads of excellent fish dishes. It pleased me to learn that the green-paste, a small match-head sized bit of once nearly blew my head off with Sushi is called Wasabi and manufactured from wild green horseradish root. And it's supposed to be that hot, so if you are ever served a bright green paste with a Japanese fish dish beware!! To cut slender slivers of raw fish with a single smooth slice there is a specially designed knife. At the Japanese Embassy Rick's menu looked superb and he had, wisely, enlisted the services of two expert Japanese chefs. He freely acknowledged their contribution and, at the end, when he was accepting praise he duly introduced them. The meal was obviously a triumph and the Ambassador and his guests were trenchermen of the first rank. Rick Stein is popular with us because he knows his stuff and is a real gent. And no bosom-waving or pouting at all !

Before leaving yesterday's hoar frost pictures this team-effort by the spiders demanded publication.

Their must be an logical explanation as to why spiders construct their webs in such unpromising places in 'catching fly' terms. I fully accept Sky's 'because they are beautiful' concept but perhaps some passing zoological-correspondent could add to it?

I exchanged very pleasant e-mails and cards with Rob and feel sure that, when he has the time (he is still working poor soul) he will fill the slot of photographic-correspondent more ably than I can. It is very nice to be back in touch.

Bungus and I will just have to disagree abolut Nigella's charms - at least it means that we shan't come to blows over the distribution of her favours. It is grande finale night for the Strictly Come Dancing contestants tonight - starting I believe at 5.45pm so we must have all jobs done and out of the way by then.

...."I'm sure I have forgotten something"

Hoar Frost - another Misty Morning

Just another misty morning. But I could nearly discern the trees over the footie-field. And I was real lucky with this exposure which kept the disc of the sun quite sharp. They usually go all wass-its-name? Also, until I saw the picture on the computer screen, I didn't realise I had that cute twig traversing the sun. Serendipity. It reminds me of the "cycling across the face of the moon" scene in ET.

And what a Hoar frost? I haven't seen its like for many years. In the rear garden, which gets less sun, nothing thawed all day. Poor Jill, driving back from the 'yee-hah' concert in that dangerous patchy fog. Good job they decided not to fly off somewhere though. Spending Xmas in a tent at Heathrow isn't a fun idea, in this weather. Bungus enjoyed his morning walk though and sent me some pictures. It was nice to see Ralph leading the way so firmly. And on the subject of Nigella and her turkey - I couldn't give a hoot what she does with it. I agree with Jill - if you want a water-filled bird, they are available quite cheaply in the downmarket supermarkets. Can't stand the woman myself (that's Nigella -not Jill). I don't believe she is a real cook and, to me, she isn't at all sexy - as reputed. I've known several people who can do bosom-waving and pouting much better anyway. And on the subject of diaries - even I draw the line at a handbag!

We went supermarket shopping this morning. Wow - so busy! But it had to be done. We had decided on fish, chips and peas for lunch but returned home sans frozen oven-chips. Not being able to face the mob again I decided to actually cut some real potatoes into chips and deep-fry them. I had almost forgotten that this was possible. Need I say it - they were delicious and much praised by Y.

It's the "It takes two" bit of Strictly Come.... tonight. And a whole hour! Tomorrow night the 3 remaining couples each have to do 5 dances. Very difficult for amateurs. It is so difficult to decide who one wants to win. I guess Y will vote for Mark, but I intend to take the honourable aproach and vote for the couple who, in my opinion, have done best on the night.

Catch you tomorrow.......................