Towards the end of July 1847, Commander James Wolfe, R.N., informed the Ballast Board that he had recently completed a survey of Baltimore Harbour and noticed the destruction of the Beacon on the eastern point of the southern entrance to the harbour.

 

George Halpin, the Board's inspector was ordered to report the matter which he did the following month, stating that the original, locally built Beacon was two small, poorly built and had been vandalised. He recommended a large and properly constructed Beacon with which the Board concurred.

 

Almost a year passed, 6th July 1848, before the Board requested the secretary to seek permission from Lord Carbery for a piece of ground thirty feet in diameter, on which to build the Beacon. By the end of July a reply had been received from Mr. Arthur Perry-Aylmer informing the Board that Lady Carbery of Castle Freke near Rosscarbery had given her full permission to either rebuild or re-construct the existing Beacon and granted free access as the Beacon was a matter of such vast importance to fishermen and others.

 

By February 1849 inspector George Halpin reported that the masonry work of the Beacon was complete but the iron staff and vane still had to be placed on top.

 

The conspicuous conical white painted Baltimore Beacon, sometimes called the 'pillar of salt' or 'Lott's wife' is approximately fifty feet (15.2m) high and fifteen feet (4.6m) in diameter at the base. The vent, mentioned by Halpin in 1849 was obviously vulnerable and at a later date was replaced by a sphere.

 

In addition to enjoying the wonder of the Baltimore Beacon and enjoying the spectacular views from its location, there are many other areas of interest, activities and things to in West Cork

Photography and Post-production: Joseph Mayuga

Place: Festival della Creatività Florence, Italy.

 

Today, as you - being an ardent Flickrite (!!!)and well informed - surely know, is the International Women's Day and I thought I (finally) upload the Ultimate Lady of Paris, ONE (Iron) Lady who every day has Her Personal Woman's Day...

 

This photo comes with a 'clin d'oeil'; I used it as an icon for one of my online accounts. Once I shall no longer live nearby Paris, this icon surely will be discarded for another one and I thought it appropriate to share it with all of you NOW.

In the comments section I gather a group of 'friends of the Eiffel Tower' in some of the shots I took of 'her'. It's a funny thing with names anyway, isn't it? In French it's LA Tour Eiffel, as it is in English (same with ships etc), in German it's DER Eiffel-Turm (and therefore this 'joke' won't work with my German spoken friends). The French language is full of traps and 'faux amis' when you speak other languages but here, I think, we all agree: SHE IS THE LADY OF PARIS & FRANCE and even tougher than the other Iron Lady we all know and knew... (Memorable quote: If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman!)

 

Whatever you do today, have a Great Women's Day - and a Great Men's Day - although Every Day seems to be a Men's Day anyway....

 

To my male friends:

Here's what you want to say to YOUR Woman today:

 

If I were a girl, I'd despair. The supply of good women far exceeds that of the men who deserve them. quote by Sacha Guitry

 

© All rights reserved

Kindly visit my Flickr DNA for more information on me and my work. Thanks!

PLEASE do NOT just add an icon - I delete those - I want your opinions, views, your participation! If you THEN wish to invite or fave, I am all the happier... ;-)

 

 

Chronicles of lifting Light :

Tales from The Poet and the Peasant

 

There is a certain daring “edge” in acting out a role playing game on a partner(s) in public, especially if (in our case) one favors pickpocketing.

It’s a certain adrenaline thrill, both addictive and desirable, that increases up until the “mark” is relived of one or more of her dangling valuables. Whether its carried out with a simple bump, a lift conveyed while, say dancing, or a squeeze play maneuvered with a second player, it all creates and holds a level of excitement most thrilling in its nature, quite erotic within its scope.

 

This Chronicle contains short essays on pickpocketing games played solely within our group over the past few years.

 

These were games only, done with full knowledge and consent of all the players ( with a couple of exceptions where the parties involved were not informed of the actual happenings until sometime after the fact.)

Any articles of jewelry lifted were returned to their original owners, albeit sometimes those owners at first thought the jewelry being returned had just simply fallen away.

The actual facts have been stretched, padded and enhanced, due primarily to the significant detail that I rather like those in my immediate circle, and in order to keep them liking me, have agreed to “put meat on the bone” so to speak, when putting pen to paper.

This journal is far from complete, and additional stories will be added as they are played out.

  

The “Poet and the Peasant” Is a little backwater pub owned and run by Brian’s Aunt and Uncle. It’s a laid back place, music (Mostly live, some dead, as our saying goes) .Beyond its ornate doorway one finds the usual caste of regulars ,Including us, consuming a generous selection of ales and other “demon” drink.

The pub is housed in an ancient old building with all sorts of old Victorian era objects, found and given a home in the pub’s numerous nooks and crannies. Including the yellowed skull of poor Erik.

Erik was a 14th century welsh poet and balladeer who supposedly was beheaded for making several torrid lyrics about a certain Saxon king. The lyrics are long forgotten, but Erik’s remains still reign. His grinning skull sits high up in a shelf along a balustrade, usually with a cigar clamped in his jaws. Couldn’t tell how many times some bloke with more’in his fill of drink has tried to light it for the poor blighter.

The pub is a regular howl around Halloween, thanks to Erik, who has obtained quite a degree of notability, despite being dead and silent for all these long years. Costume and poetry contests abound around this time of the year.

Basically, Erik aside, the “Poet and the Peasant” is a great place to hang out and make plans with a pint in hand.

  

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Opening Act

Atonement

We were heading to a small resort that we once had stayed at for a wedding and reception. It was Just “Ginny” and I on a 4 day escape from reality. We were passing through one of the small towns on the way, when Ginny spotted a dress shoppe, with several mannequins wearing evening frocks. She had to stop, we had a function the next month and she had “nothing to wear”( Liar I thought grinning).

 

We went inside and on a “gently worn” rack she pulled out this long string sleeved satin number and tried it on. The young clerk said it was patterned after the one in the movie atonement ( which neither of us had seen) but its rich deep green( Irish green the clerk called it, which I really had no idea was a colour) really set off Ginny’s long copper hair, and I liked the way her hair laid down her bare backside.

 

We arrived at the resort in early afternoon and claimed our suite( paid for by an anniversary gift) and set out to explore the place. The resort was packed, and we found out that there were 2 evening wedding receptions taking place on Saturday. An Idea began to take seed and as we walked I found a way to bring it into conversation.

 

Ginny had brought her rhinestones ( see Album Chronicles of lifting Light, B) for a bit of date roleplay in our suite some chosen evening of our stay. I suggested that she should give her gown and the rhinestones a try in public. Where she asked? I than laid out my game plan and a smile crept across her face, lit up by the sun poking through the trees on the wooded path we had been walking. Ginny liked to dress up, and I used that trump card to my advantage.

 

At around 5pm I slipped into the larger of the two receptions (crashed if you like) and wondering over to the bar I got a drink and waited, nursing it. I was reasonably presentable in a suit jacket, slacks, silk shirt and satin tie. As I waited I found myself pretty much unnoticed, which was a far cry from what Ginny encountered when she cautiously entered about fifteen minutes later, green gown swirling, rhinestones all a glitter. It didn’t take long for the sharks to start circling. One lad started a conversation, and I watched her squirm a little, before putting my drink down and coming to my damsel’s rescue. I had to literally peel the bloke away from her. We went onto the dance floor, pretending like we had never met. As we danced through several songs I could tell by the look in Ginny’s eyes that she was feeling the same fire within that I was. Ready for part 2 ? I asked, she got a surprised look in her eyes, and began to check herself, uh uh I said, not till we leave. We went out together; I spied the bloke watching us from a table, and smirked to meself over his look of frustration.

 

Outside we started to walk along the promenade, joining along with several other ladies, charming in their in gowns and frills, with their tuxedoed escorts, escapees all of us from the receptions. Ginny felt exceptionally good as, with my arm around her, she cuddled into my side while we walked some distance. But our bliss was not long, when Ginny , looking back, said there was a hotel security cop heading our way. Damn I thought, pinched for crashing the reception.

 

The rent-a-cop came up to us, and placing a firm grip upon my shoulder(or tried, I was a good foot taller, where do they find these blokes?) talked directly to Ginny. Everything alright then Miss, he questioned Ginny, trying to sound professional, and he almost pulled it off, except he squeaked on the word Miss.

 

Why yes, officer Ginny said, pouring on the charm( which is a quite frightful weapon in her capable hands), thank you for your lovely concern, but why do you ask? I received a report that this man may have been bothering you, Ma’am he said , no squeaks this time. He looked at me, I just grinned back at him, waiting for Ginny to belt it out of the park. She smiled, her green eyes brite, and laying a hand on the “officers” chin, told him how adorable his concern was for her safety, but her husband and she made sure he saw her ring, is really not that much of a bother most of the time. Husband he started, than stopped, caught his embarrassment nicely, then tried to save it, but Miss, I heard you had lost a necklace.

Whatever reaction he had hoped by saying this, it was not the one he got. Oh that, she said, the clasp broke, so my husband took it for safe keeping, really, where would I have put it, and she stepped back and let him look her over for evidence of supporting her statement. Game, Set and Match, I smirked to myself!

With the way she looked in that satin gown, and her charm at full output, no mere mortal male would have been able to stand a chance. Well, he choked out, all’s good then isit, and releasing my shoulder; he turned heel, and walked off hurriedly, like a scolded puppy with its tail between its legs. Ginny giggled, well played I told her, well played. And, again with my arm around her and Ginny cuddling in, we continued our stroll, with Ginny letting out the occasional chortal of laughter over the whole incident.

  

We reached an overlook over the lake, where a pair of swans was meandering about. A young lady in a long white dress with a glittering bracelet around one wrist, was walking along the path that edged along the lake. The swans were near her, reminding me of a tele commercial I had seen long ago ( If anyone else remembers it please leave a comment).

 

Ginny caught me looking, wanna do the path luv, she whispered with in a most beguiling manner. We did so, and eventually found a rather isolated little nook behind a hedge grow. Here I will have to leave to the readers imagination what transpired there, for the only witnesses were the two of us, and a rather surprised chippy who crawled out of his hole for a gander…

 

On our way back we once again stopped at the overlook. Time to tally up I said. Ginny smiled and opening her purse pulled out a scrap of paper. She showed it to me, on it was written the word necklace. Lucky guess, did you feel me take it I asked. Of course she lied; I could have done it better. Wanna bet I teased. Maybe someday we’ll see she responded. Now the way the game worked was that I pretended to be a light fingered jewel thief, with my eyes on the lady in green’s jewels. It was my objective to lift a piece of Ginny’s jewellery some point in the evening..

 

Ginny agreed to it on the condition that beforehand she would write down a piece of jewellery on a piece of paper, if it matched the piece I had lifted, than I could decide what we would do the next evening, if not, she would decide. So later, as we had a few drinks in a nearby pub ( still dressed in “costume”) I (the winner) outlined the plans for the next evening.

 

So the following evening, after a rather nice feast by the fireplace in the resorts great room, we found ourselves once again in a bar ( this time the resorts lounge). I was wearing the same suit, and had Ginny’s purloined necklace in my jacket pocket. Ginny was wearing a black satin blouse, ¾ sleeved, with long white and blacked stripped skirt. She wore her gold jewellery, and her long hair was up, held by rhinestone clips. At one point she excused herself to the loo, and when she returned took the chair next to me, and started to come on to me. I played along and after a few drinks, and dances, she led me out to the lobby.

 

Making way outside to the long wooden walkaway of the promenade, we began our way along it. Finding an isolated bench, we began to make out, as if we were strangers who had just met. After a long (glorious) while, we stood( wobbly) and made our way down to the lake, and continued our light petting.

 

At one point Ginny stopped, and looking me in the eye, said, well sir, its been fun, but id better go. Immediately I patted my pocket, the necklace was gone. Naughty I said, distracting me on the bench hussy, I teased. Her eyes got a gleam, follow me she said. We retraced our steps, hand in hand, and she led me to the the bench, and then surprisingly passed it. We regained the lobby, and she stopped by a corner, where a larger fern like plant sat in a rather big ceramic pot. Reaching in, she pulled out the necklace. Very good I said, never felt you take it.

 

So, I win then, she smirked. Yes I agreed, I had guessed wrong by thinking she had picked my pocket on the bench. So let’s go an collect me winnings then, sir, she ordered me, her eyes large and hungry. As we made our way I tried to get her to tell me when she had lifted the necklace, but she just placed a secret little smile on her lips, and remained silent on the subject….

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Act 2

Squeeze Play

 

Anyone who has taken the bother to riffle through my earlier Chronicles of Lifting Light, knows I have a twin sister who at times past has been my foil to practice upon. Well, I will leave it up to you to decide who the foil was in this tale.

  

We were all hanging out at the pub (“Poet and the Peasant” of course) one evening, the four of us, being the silly selves that mid- twenties youth are prone to being, especially when alcohol is involved.

 

We were trying to drink away the memories of what our previous week of work had given us, and were well on our way to meeting that objective, when a song from the band Cold Play come on. Ginny had asked my sister who it was, and instead of answering right away, she gave something a bit of thought, then my sister started smirking. Cold Play, like squeeze Play , remember “Ginny?”

 

Both Girls just started giggling, “Brian” just got a sullen look at the memory, and I, I just reflected…..

 

In our University years, my sister worked part time for a company that raised funds for charities, like OXFAM, etc. Among the various types of events were a couple of “Black Tie” affairs that I enjoyed because it gave Brian and I the chance to escort my Sister and Ginny ( the girls ever beautiful in fancy dress) to attend them.

 

Now, my sister had this co-worker,”Shiela”, who was absolute vinegar to my sister’s honey, hell, she was vinegar to any pretty female’s honey! She was a squawker, a squealer, and a backstabbing slag, in other words, not a very nice girl atoll. She was also was twice divorced from wealthy young scions who could not spot a gold digger for the life of them until they had been broadsided along the head with her gilded shovel.

 

During one warm late Autumn we were attending one of the Charity Dances being held in the big city proper. They had a pair of bands lined up, one kind of a Disco’ish throwback, and for later, a proper one that played a more romantic beat, one that called for slow dancing. The Girls were more into the Disco then we males were( a feeling that affected most of us in attendance) and the floor was flooded with a gaggle of swishing dresses and gowns dancing and swirling around to the frantic beat of the music, all performed with swirling lights in the darkened, smog filled dance floor, while the guys just sat around enjoying the show being put on.

 

As Brian and I watched the provocative females on the floor dancing, we noticed that our girls were slowly moving out amongst the throng of pretty dancers, rather than maintaining one area. Soon they had moved next to “Shiela”, who was dancing with this cousin of hers. Now I found this surprising, because Sis and Ginny had been throwing daggers with their eyes at “Shiela” all evening. She had been sitting with her wealthy new boyfriend, who was always bending to her demands, as evidenced by the expensive new finery she was sporting, which really had gotten a certain Twins goat. So it was with some puzzlement that when her cousin took a breather, Ginny and my twin slipped in to take her place, moving in rhythm with the now quite intoxicated “Shiela”.

 

Sis was facing “Shiela” and Ginny was behind her, all three of them gyrating their arms, hands and most of their other body parts in motion, up down and all around each other , so close at times that you would have had an effort at squeezing a hand between them.

 

What’s that pair up to now? Brain questioned me, as if I had a hand in it, I just shook my head, knowing only that I wanted to be in the middle of that sandwich instead of “Shiela”, but as it turned out, good thing I wasn’t.

 

We watched as the long song went on, with its deep bass beat that almost sounded like it had been lifted from some horror flick. Ginny and Sis continued to revolve, twist and swirl around the guileless “Shiela” as their colourfully brite (slinky) dresses shimmered in a most provocative fashion, bathed as they were caught by the dimly lit, smoke filled, dance floors blue strobes. A few times “Shiela” seemed to lose her footing, and fell against my Sister, who I thought took it surprisingly well as she gently steadied her foe.

 

Then the song ended, and all three girls laughed and giggled, actually hugged one another. I heard Brian letting out an chiding snort, I , well I was still just mesmerized by the whole act. Ginny and My Sister than walked the slightly dizzy “Shiela” back to her table, even going so far as to help her set down, before turning and heading back to our table. Both of them wearing chuff grins like the kittens that had eaten the canary.

 

Wotcher?, said Brian questioning their look. Oh God I thought, knowing the answer, for I had been watching “Shiela” as the girls had left and approached. My sister, looking around, held out her hand and opened her fist. There, all balled up and glittering, was the expensive diamond pendent of the set of matching diamonds that “Shiela” had been flaunting about to everyone all evening.

 

Brian Jumped all over the two, giving them quite the bollocking, “games we played on each other was one thing, but what you pair had done was wade into some very dangerous waters indeed”! So what’s next I chimed in, and by the looks on their heavily made-up faces realized the silly twits hadn’t thought of that end. We hastily discussed the matter, knowing that time was anything but on our sides. Finally Brian took it from my admonished(seemingly) twin, and marching it up to the disc jockey, had him make an announcement describing what his “sister” had found in the loo.

 

“Shiela”, whom we all had been watching, let out a shriek as her hands flew groping to her chest in fruitless examination, jumped up and immediately claimed it, or tried to as the Jocky had a little bit of fun with it first. “Shiela” and her haplessly star struck Beau, were so hopping mad at the Jocky, they pretty much gave no thought as to how the pretty thing actually had been lost in the first place. This was a lucky break for a couple of girls, who still sat their smugly smiling, as Brian tried in vain to continue scolding them. Me, I just looked at the twittering pair, wondering, pondering thoughts of me own.

 

Now it wasn’t until a couple of years later on the night my sister made the remark about the cold play song that the girls felt comfortable talking a bit more about the incident .And before Brian could listen without tabooing the subject. And it was then that I learnt how the pair of them had managed to take the diamonds from “Shiela”

 

It turned out the two had had no real plan, just that they had been discussing “Shiela” between themselves and had been debating over how fun it would be to knock her down a peg or so. One of the scenarios presented was to have her be given the shock of losing a piece of her expensive jewelry, and they even discussed bringing me into the fold, but thought better of it.

 

Although I am not sure if I would have taken them up on it, but since then I have thought out different ways I would have approached the problem, both by myself, and with the girls help. Although I wouldn’t have tried for the necklace, I figured her ring or bracelet would not have been beyond my scope of achievement. Although, with the girls help…….

 

Anyway they finally decided to try it themselves, after all how hard could it be to take, say a cocktail ring from “Shiela’s” sweaty finger as she was dancing away on the crowded floor?

 

They decided to join in the dance and get close to “Shiela” and if an opportunity arose, my sister was to signal Ginny by rubbing a finger alongside her nose to bump against “Shiela”, pushing the hapless B… into me devious twin. It was Ginny who came up with the name “squeeze play”, because I once had grasped and squeezed her from behind, removing her ring in the process.

 

Now “Shiela” was wearing what I guess is called an A-line gown, where her front was totally covered by the gowns shiny material, no gloves, just sweat glistened skin. As they moved in on “Shiela” Ginny took position behind, while Sis took the front, and at one point laid a hand upon “Shiela’s” shoulder, “Shiela” did likewise as they swayed to the deep rhythmic beats. Sis tried to grasp “Shiela’s” free hand, the one where she was wearing a diamond cocktail ring, but she kept missing. In the process she realized that the hand she had placed on her victims shoulder was almost touching the thick gold chain of her nemesis’s necklace, which held the diamond pendent that was bouncing about.

 

Looking “Shiela” directly in the eyes she began to work the necklace along as they danced, until her fingers felt the clasp. It was lobster clasp, similar to one my sister had on the emerald necklace Brian had given her. Sis gave it an exploratory push, and it surprisingly opened under her fingers. Startled at what had happened, she forgot the signal, and nodded to Ginny, who plowed into the hapless “Shiela’s” backside, as my sister felt “Shiela” fall against her. She whisked off the necklace with one hand, while steading the giggling “Shiela” with her other. Backing away she placed both hands behind her back as “Shiela” turned to receive Ginny’s apologies. Sis balled up the chain in one hand, holding it tightly closed for the remainder of the dance. They helped “Shiela” back to her table, my Sister placing the fist holding the necklace alongside her victims back as they helped guide the still giggling “Shiela” to a seat.

 

Walking away, my Sister thought that it had been almost scary how easily it had been to open the clasp and pluck off the necklace. It shouldn’t have been, she kept telling herself, but she knew it was, for she had the evidence in her hand, and she was not even close to ever being a professional about such things. My twin has said that afterwards that it had given her a lot of perturbed thoughts when wearing any good jewelry of hers in public, (particularly her emeralds with the Lobster clasp) and finds herself on occasion still doing spot checks whenever she has been brushed by someone. But then, I think we all do on occasion, knowing the kind of games we like to play.

 

So as one can see, overall ,this is a rather touchy subject to tackle. But there was no denying that Sis (and Ginny I suspect) were proud of their accomplishment at the time. It was almost like my twin was trying to impress upon me that I was not the only one with light fingers. A subject that, trust me, has been, and will continue to be explored down a sometimes crooked “garden” path.

  

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Anyone who has read Chronicles B knows that Ginny and Brian both received the upcommence for the manner in which they had gotten my sisters jewelry at the wedding reception. But as for me, she waited a bit, biding her time, for like the proverbial elephant( which she has a bit of a collection) my twin does not forget.

Upcoming :

 

And revenge is a dish best served cold.

She had pleaded with me to lend her £80! Her beguiling eyes were opened wide as she begged; “It’s perfect” she had said, “I will pay you back, with interest” she coyly added, looking into my eyes with that certain look that has served her purposes so very well.

^^^^^^

 

A bit of background:

We had all had been invited to my sister’s boyfriend “ Brian’s” parents renewal of their wedding vows the following month and , I knew she wanted to make an impression at the fancy dress. Sis and my better half, “Ginny” had gone dress shopping, and apparently Sis had found a gown that they both liked quite a bit, but it cost a bit more than she could afford the moment and Ginny, having just bought a new dress herself that day, was temporarily out of lending cash. So Sis had had them hold it, then tracked me down to ask a favor( nothing new there), and was now begging me to lend her £80, to help pay it off.

^^^^^^

 

She knew I was a sucker for a good plead, especially when I received the puppy eye look that my sister, and Ginny , had down pat ( not to mention my golden retriever Sam).

  

As it happened, I owed her a small favor, so I gave her the needed notes without making her bargain her life away, and she skipped off happily. I figured that would be the last of it until her payday, but being a mere man in a lady’s world, I was yet once more wrong on that account.

  

Later that week sis rang me up. She had a formal reunion she just received the invitation to. It was at a large, multipurpose hall about an hour away, and was going on the weekend before Brian’s parents do. It was being put on for her old coworkers at the Barristers office she had interned at while at Oxford. Brian was busy that weekend getting ready for his parents party, and would not be able to be her escort. So she called to see if I would be his backup. As incentive, said she would wear the gown I had lent her the money for if I agreed to be her chaperone. Seeing how smashing my sister looks when she dresses up (like my Ginny also), It was impossible to say no to her pleads. Unfortunately Ginny had switched weekends with a co-worker so she could make Brian’s do the next weekend, so she was out of the picture also. Which was a shame, escorting a pair of well-dressed young ladies is always something I always looked forward to doing. But one is also quite nice.

  

I arrived at my twin’s apartment that appointed evening and waited while she put on the finishing touches. Ready? she had called out sweetly, yes I said, and out she came strolling, a wide big smile on her dolled up face. I figured my eyes did a bugger, for she started to giggle in the way she does when overly pleased with herself (which actually happens quite a bit frequently).

  

She was totally stunning, a living “Galatea”, and I told her as much. Her long silvery gown was hanging from her figure like someone had poured it over her. And that is just what it looked like someone had done! I have heard the term liquid satin, but this was just incredible the way it delightfully flowed and swished as she moved about. Brian was going to go nuts when her saw her, and she definitely would be turning some heads as she strolled in with him. She twirled around in a circle for full effect, and I just stood there mesmerized by the women before me that was my kid sister( by all of 4 minutes), the same sister that had only days before been wearing stained shirt and jean jumper, tramping through the barn in the horses stalls, while hauling shovelfuls of …… well I’m sure you get the gist of it..

  

As I said it was a long thin gown, of a colour that seemed to change between silver and cream as it moved slinking along her youthful figure, with wide straps that went over her shoulders ending in four thin spaghetti straps along her back. The bodice was all decorated with swirls of rhinestones, going down and around her gowns waistline. She was also wearing her sliver open toed heels, the ones with the rhinestone straps (with pointed toes that rightfully hurt when kicked….. another day, another story). She had also put on her rhinestone jewelry, a set consisting of earrings, necklace and wide dangling bracelet. The total package presented was quite a vision to behold, and I told her as much.

  

That, my girl, I said with enthusiasm, is one rightful picture of eye-catching loveliness you have gone and managed to make of yourself! She gushed, your sweet, and gave me an all-enveloping hug. As she broke away, sis looked up at me smiling and curtsied, why thank you kind sir, and once you have picked your jaw off the floor, can we please be going. Certainly I said, and opened the door for her. As she rustled past, sis asked if I thought Brian would like it? Lass, I said with all due modesty, He would be a daft bugger if he didn’t. I added, It was certainly money well lent, and she looked at me teasingly, okay mood breaker, for that you won’t get the first dance. Likely I will be the only one wishing to dance with you anyway I retorted, what will you be doing then? She just squished her eyes at me, turned and closed and locked her apartment door.

  

Suddenly I stopped, Oi! , wait a minute, I felt my suit coat pocket, okay luv, give it back I said as she grinned back at me, producing my thin, special occasion only, wallet. Getting better, aren’t I? She stated happily, it wasn’t a question. A bit I admitted, you’ve been practicing then? Only on you and Ginny she stated, but you two are getting too easy she smirked. I playfully tapped her on the back, what’s all this about easy I asked, producing her bracelet from me pocket, dangling it shimmering in front of her mascara lined eyes, you may want to put this back on I said.

  

Turd, she exclaimed taking it back, no more hugs for you mister, she stated, taking my arm and pulling me out to my car. All tricks out of the way now?, Good we can enjoy the evening with no more worries. I just nodded as I led her to me car, a bullet grey 1954 Circa Mercedes that Brien’s Uncle had helped me restore. As I opened the door, my sister slipped herself in, while under her breath she said playfully ( and not for the first time) “how I ever survived those first nine months I spent with you in such close proximity without going bonkers, I will never know!”

  

It took us almost 90 minutes to find the joint, arriving with the do in full swing. I was amazed at the number of vehicles in the over filled lot. When we got inside the poshly decorated “palace” We discovered that there were a total of 3 formal functions going on, ours, and a wedding reception on the second floor, and a formal dance for some private girls only academy occupying the entire first floor.

  

We went upstairs and found the chamber where the Barrister’s office reunion was being held. Now I will admit that I had harbored some thoughts that Sis may have been quite a bit overdressed for the event, but my fears were unfounded. What greeted my eyes was quite a “snob fest” of overdressed and fairly pompous looking guests. I had only ever met a couple of my sister’s former coworkers, and they had been interns her own age. But the majority here were the snooty , older husband and wives, of , of course, a group of stuck up Barristers. We were unable to spy any of Sis’s old friends, but while looking we were immediately scooped up by one of her old bosses co-workers ( whom sis had found insufferable) and led around like some prize colts, being introduced to a bunch of older coots who forgot our names as fast as they were given( we were nobodies) , although I satisfactorily noticed more than a few leering and jealous eyes looking over me sister. But, alas, nothing from the female end found me even remotely interesting (ouch in the ego department there)

  

We finally found an empty table, and I went off for drinks. As I watched over my sister while waiting for the barkeep to mix the drinks, I saw a rather posh looking tux boy zero in on our table and swoop in for the kill.

  

He was a rather tall chap with devilish good looks, thin moustache, small ponytail, monkey suit, the works! Looking like he was a model Fortunes mag rag, he loomed over me sister, and I knew what the cheeky devil was asking. Sure enough, sis cutely offered him her hand and he helped her up and led her to the dance floor. The barkeep handed me our drinks, and as I turned , Sis shot a look back at me as they were passing, a rather chiding look that I took meant “ told you, no first dance, mate” my suspicions were confirmed when added insult to injury as she stuck her tongue out at me over his shoulder.. I raised my glass in cheers, and headed back to our table.

  

I watched the two swirling around, feelin a bit jealous, but then this was me sister, not Ginny. I knew Brian would be seething, so I felt jealous for him I told meself. Then my mind went on to fantasize “what if he was after something, like say her jewels, and my mind went into a jewel thief mode, with him as the main character. ” I almost wish he had been, than he would be just no realizing that this little charmer had nothing to offer, and would soon be leaving her for greener pastures ( of which there was acres of at that place) and so dump his pretty partner after the one dance.

  

I tried to lose my envious nature, but at one point he held her close, too close I reckoned. I felt like shouting out to them “Aye mate, make room for Jesus”! This bit came from couple of elderly nuns who had been chaperoning one of my old seminarian academy dances, would walk up to couples dancing a wee bit too close in their eyes, and place their hands between them, separating them a bit, while spouting off, “make room for Jesus children”- Ginny and I had been amongst the chastised ourselves!

  

When sis got back I rose and greeted the pair, shaking his hand as sis introduced us. She did not say I was her brother, so I knew that she wasn’t eager for any repeat performances. The Git had hands that didn’t know where to stop, in my opinion anyhows. But all that didn’t change the fact that my sister was still a bit smitten with the gigoloish bloke. All in all though, he was quit the polite bugger, shooting me a self-confident look like, ‘no worries old chap’, as I shook a firm hand, I nodded, and off he went to those greener pastures.

  

I turned to my now still fawning sister, Remember Brian I said, and she just gave me a simpering smile. I held out my hand, care to, Mademoiselle? Sorry luv, She apologized, I need to freshen up a bit first and she darted off like a swallow taking wing. She started to head off to the exit stairs, whoa I called out after her, powder room is the opposite way luv! No doing, she said as she coyly looked back at me over her shoulder, whispering her words, not sharing with any of those old crows, I will be using the one downstairs in the main lobby! And she scurried away on her mission, long gown fluttering merrily about her high heels.

  

I waited, bored, not one pretty female came up to my side and asked me to have a go on the dance floor, like “fingers” romeo had done with me sister. I looked around carefully, but I just did not see any female of the same ilk sitting alone and bored as I was at her own table, waiting for someone to rescue her pretty self. So I waited, and waited as the minutes went by, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 26,27,28,29..I had just decided to take a meander down to make sure there was nothing serious going on the first floor that might have been keeping her, like say, a sudden breakout of kittens, when I finally saw her smirking face popping up from the stairwell.

  

As she sat down I tried to playfully admonish her behavior, failing miserably. About time I said, since when does it take 30 minutes to have a P.. she cut me off by placing a finger to my lips, Sorry luv, You wouldn’t believe the twit I just ran into she said and leaned closer to me, for my ears only it seemed.

  

She started talking in a low voice, though no one else was in ear shot. Apparently that private girls Academy dance that is going on downstairs,.. well I , I just ran into one of em, a snobbish princess, a real talker and spinner of tales her about her pretty own self, a young girl named Rose. Sounds like Micke, I said, and sis suddenly exploded into giggles. She finally controlled herself, placing her hand on my shoulder, yes, exactly like our cousin Michele, they almost even look alike, though Micke’s hair is longer, and blonder

  

Our cousin Micke was one who could never tell the truth about anything, even when she was tattling on some poor soul. Apparently born with an overactive imagination ( Kinda runs in the family I suppose) her stories were always overly embellished with tall tales, stretched out wild examples, and added characterizations, all centered around herself being the Heroine. Someone like that would have made a great children’s story book writer, or gossip columnist, but not our Micke, she turned around and became, of all things, involved in politics….God save the Queen!

  

The upshot is that we all started to treat anything coming out of Micke’s mouth ( horrid pun that, I do apologize) as mostly fabrication, which would rile her to now end, especially if she was tellin the God’s honest truth! So I knew exactly what this cheeky creature named Rose was all about, as I looked at my giggling sister.

  

One she caught her breath, Sis started in on Rose. Just as she did, a song started up from the band and rising, I took her hand, lifted her up from her seat, her gown falling swishing down to her feet. But through all that she never stopped talking about the annoyance she had encountered downstairs whom had obviously stricken a nerve! I led my twin to the dance floor, taking the talkative imp into my arms as she continued to fill me in on the quite over imaginative young lady named Rose.

  

“My Lord” sis exclaimed, as we danced, “within the first ten minutes I learned more about this girl than even her own parents probably know. Talk about stuck up on herself. And did you know there is a rose garden by the entrance, just like her name!”, My sister did an imitation of a twittering nasally voice at the end of her statement, rolling her eyes in disbelief of it all. Of course we had noticed the rose garden, bit difficult not too since it was lining both sides of the concourse into the main way into the building. It had short paths branching off along the way with benches and fountains. But This Rose apparently had acted like she was the only one who had noticed, the rest of us apparently being blind as a colony of bats, Sis spitted out the words.

  

Sis went on, building up steam, her figure becoming rigid… “She first noticed me dress and come up to compliment me on it, but before I could thank her, she went off on a tirade about her own gown.” OOH, I hate people who ask you a question only because they want to tell cut in about their lives rather than give a listen to anything you may actually have to say… “he thought I was one of the chaperones at her party, apparently because I looked too old to be one of the guests! That stuck a nerve I tell you. I wasn’t able to get word in too let the little tripe know I didn’t belong with her elitist crew atoll!”

  

She took a breath, and now it was my turn to shush her with a finger placed to her lips. She actually bit it( well more of a playful nip, actually)! Better now I asked. She sighed, and I felt her figure go from tense to a bit more lithe. She leaned against me, yes she said, than pulled away and went off again! One more thing, she asked if my jewels were real, than before I could set the girl straight, Rose cut me off and spouted off about how she had won the pearls she was wearing at the Arthurian Carnival, and had decided to wear them rather than her own better diamonds. I mean, come’on, talk about rude, her pearls weren’t any more real than this, and she flipped her necklace in my face, then sis caught the look in me eyes, and went quiet, concentrating on her dancing, with a wicked little grin creeping across her face. Finally we were able to enjoy the music as we danced to the rest of the song.

  

Now after the song ended, sis spied, and dragged me over, to introduce me to her old chief, a pretty lady called Sarah. A lady not much older than ourselves. She had her long hair down, wearing a sequined red gown with long red satin gloves. Her green emeralds were real, a dainty set that set off her figure rather nicely. She was a rather pleasant lady, with a mischievous gleam to her green eyes. It had been a pleasant conversation, which ended abruptly as her husband called her away. As Sarah moved off, Sis explained that Sarah had been the “class clown” always telling jokes and playing tricks. But being the boss, no one who fell victim to her pranks ever dared to try and repay her back in kind!

  

The rest of the evening (shortened because the band was stopped at 9:30 – Barristers are such Scrooges!) followed pretty much to same formula; light mingling with people who only seemed able to talk a few minutes before being called away, snacking on a rather fancy display of hors d'oeuvres , and drinking ( the bar was the best attraction in my humble opinion).

  

I spotted Romeo a few times, but he never did a second approach on Sis, and I couldn’t really tell if she was relived, or not. As for myself, I was starting to feel fairly pleased that I had resisted the temptation to play any of my tricks on my Twin’s jewelry, so I had been a man of my word, so far. So, it was with mixed feelings from both of us, when the last dance was announced. The whole “congregation” seemed to flock swishing out on the floor, crowding it. It was a slow dance ( Mr. Rod Stewart, as I recall) and quite a pleasant way to end the evening.

  

Well, it was after the last dance, as we had collected our things to leave, when Sarah caught sight of us and called us over to the bar ( located off the main chambre, it was a small 3 sided room open to the dance floor with no seating) , where she was now holding a lonely court, apparently all alone! Sara was by now also pretty well toshed…..

  

We ordered a round of drinks ( bar was open till eleven, but the music had ended, a total ballyhoo on someone’s part in the planning) Taking mine, I left the chatting ladies and wondered over ( not for the first time) to a rather fine set of J.M Cameron prints on display. Soon I was joined by the 2 ladies, and I started to explain to Sarah about the photographer’s history.

  

As we talked, my sister maneuvered herself around behind Sarah. By the look on my sister’s face, I knew she was up to something. She got close behind, and Sarah backed into her, Sarah turned, there you are she said, and smiled, then looked back at me. She appeared to be deeply interested I what I was telling her about the life and times of Julia Margaret, a shirttail cousin of ours! As I continued, I saw that sis had her fingers on the red silk clutch purse that Sarah was holding to her side in her left hand. Sis said, “oh Sara, show my brother your ring”! Sarah held it up and I looked at it, Sis reached put her free hand on Sarah’s left arm, jostling it a bit, as she made like she wanted to look also, ,but I could see the red clutch out of the corner of my eye, and as sis was doing her little performance, she was gently pulling the small purse form Sarah’s gloved fingers. Slippery Satin gloves holding an even slipperier silk clutch purse, made the maneuver much easier than it probably should have. I started feeling a bit uncomfortable as I watched my amused sister manage to slip away with it, and holding the purse behind her come to my side, her back to a wall. We chatted for about another couple of long minutes, before Sarah was called away, and she left us, never realizing her clutch purse was gone. We walked steadfastly away, I imitated Bogart, and how much do you think the dame has in her purse. Oh, my twin answered, a few pence, and a soiled lace handkerchief she joked, without opening the purse.

  

Fine I said, you get the handkerchief, Rather not she said, giggling, and we headed over to The now deserted table Sarah had been sitting at, and Sis unflappably placed the purse on Sarah’s’ chair, alongside her satin wrap.

So have I created a monster no? I asked her as I led her away, she looked up at me with those big eyes of hers wide open with satisfaction, no worries luv, Sarah was always playing tricks on someone another, I just never dared to pay her back when we worked together. Just how much work did you girls actually accomplish? I chided She just sqoze my arm, and hurried me our way, as we tried not to look like we were bolting for the exit stairway.

  

We gained the stairs without any further ado, and made it through the lobby, and had gained the outside concourse, when I saw something up ahead, and taking my sister’s arm , I held her up from going any further.

  

Ahead of us was a petite lady in a shimmering blue satin dress, chatting away to a bored looking young man in an ill-fitting tux. If the lass’s hair had been a bit more blonde, and longer she would have passed as Micke’s double. Is that your Rose then I asked, nodding in the couple’s direction?

  

Sis looked over, and then answered me by pulling me forcibly the rest of the way off the path and out of sight of the main concourse, into a small alcove surrounded by some hedges. What do we do she said , That is her! That’s that twit of a creature named Rose I was tellin you about! She looked back towards the building, I don’t want to go back in she said, Sara my see us. What do we do?

  

The pair were some distance off in the rose garden. But there was no way out other than walking past them. I thought about it for a minute. Looking at my sister, in her quite fetching gown, with its sparkling bodice, as well as the sparkling rhinestone she was wearing, made me recall the fantasizing I had been doing as she had danced with that posh bloke. Thinking of him being a Jewel thief, and watching the other female guests in their finery, had been putting beguiling visions in my head all the evening long. Let’s play a game I said, one that will give yonder Rose a story no one will believe ever happened.. My sister looked at me wryly,( I could see it in her eyes,’ no time for games now lad, this is serious’’ but she just stated inquisitively, what sort of game sir?

  

One where we get yonder Rose girl to believe you have met a jewel thief I said, I could feel myself warming up to the idea now that I had said it. If we pull it off, that will be a story she will try telling that everyone will believe she totally made up in her head.

  

My sister balked, no, she said, one bit of fun this evening has been enough for this girl.

  

Okay I said, but how would this girl feel about having a bit of fun if she wasn’t owing her brother £80?

  

I saw her mascaraed eye’s light up, and she again gave me that wicked grin. Let’s have it than you scoundrel, I will give into your chicanery for the debt you hold over my head sir , she said giggling, stealing a line from a play she had been involved with. Knowing I had her hooked, I could tell she was warming up to the idea rather nicely, and not just because she owed me a healthy bit of the realms’ currency.

  

First off, I said, you don’t know me from Adam.

But your name’s not Adam she said in all seriousness.

Attend pleas, I told her smiling.

You go up and fall into Roses clutches, I follow once the lad leaves after being freed from his bondage.

Hey, how did bondage get into this she said, giggling, I don’t owe you that much mister. I just looked at her, we have to do this seriously to pull it off.

Okay she said, placing a hand across her mouth, like she was zipping it shut.

I follow after the lad leaves ( and he soon will ). I come up on the two of you, and make your acquaintances. Your act will be to find me charming… that’s not going to be easy, sis said, then quickly went back to listening

Then you, I said ignoring her, and continuing on …..

  

Once Rose has me in her hooks, you Meander off, bend down to look at some flowers, remove your earrings, and place them into your purse. I will listen on for a bit, take my leave, let Rose come find you, and let her discover your earrings are gone. Then let her think they were stolen by you? She asked. Right, and she should, as bobs your uncle, fall right into your story, I said. Then added, just play along like they were real diamonds and astonished at how I had managed to get them. Send Rose off back inside to go upstairs find your mother Sarah,( sis like that bit of it), and say in the meanwhile you are going off to see if you can get me license number. I will be waitin by the car to make our getaway….

  

I finished mapping it out, and she told me she had the gist of it. I had her hand pull her sunglasses from her purse and I put them on. Then she asked before walking off, “ not bad for on the fly, or had you already been putting thought into this play earlier?” I just patted her on her derriere, get going lass, times a wastin.

  

Turning she headed out, and from a hole in the hedgerow I watched as she moved off, her gown definitely swished in a most pleasing fashion I admitted to myself again. I’ll have to have Ginny buy one like it, I thought to meself, wincing over how pretty the thing was with sis wearing it , imagining my Ginny wearing it, her long red hair flowing free. I would willing give Ginny the money also, I promised to meself, no lending, and hang the cost….

  

Sis rustled her way up to the couple, Rose spotted her immediately and pulled her over. The 3 of them started to chit chat together.

  

I now thought of myself as the smarmy bloke who had cheated me out of a dance earlier, making him a thief in my mind. And like said thief, looking over the situation before me. I remembered an old show where this bloke in a white suit was pointing out his female guests jewels to a male who fancied himself a pickpocket and had just minutes earlier relieved the white suited host of his gold watch. As the camera (representing the blokes eyes) moved around the room, focusing on various well-dressed ladies and their jewels( hanging around necks, dangling from ears, attached to well-shaped bosoms ,bracelets wrapped around gloved wrists and ,rings glittering on fingers) the viewer was led to imagine the wheels turning in his head as to how he was to acquire them, ala Arsène Lupin. I had to leave, so I never finished watching it, nor could I ever find it listed again. But it was this type of character that I now fancied meself portraying.

  

(In Character) I had ducked into the hedge, the pair near the bend had not seen me, so it gave me time to plan how best to approach them. One was wearing a pretty dress of blue, long black hair up in a bun. She was the younger, definitely not a relation, I could tell by the way her companion was listening. The girl was wearing a cheap set of pearls, paste, not worth more in a few farthings. It was her companion that had caught me eye, and not just the pretty gown she had quite nicely wrapped herself in. But it was her diamonds, a pretty glittering set, that with a minimal bit of effort, would be coming home with me. I had actually danced with her earlier, so I had been able to appraise em, and now providence had put her in me way. I remembered how that shimmery little necklace had been taunting me while we had danced, my fingers had ached for a go at them. Now, all I needed was for a brief diversion, to get both the girl’s attention focused elsewhere, by, say smelling a rose, and with a nimble flick of me fingers, the necklace would be off from around her sweet throat and in me pocket. Possibly those dangling earrings of hers instead, if it was a long time she was paying attention to her roses.

  

My brief fantasy ended abruptly, it was time. Sis said something to the lad, who had been growing more and more uncomfortable, he answered, and then, managing to interject into Roses story long enough to pay his leave, He walked off. He was now coming up the path towards me, but not seeing me as I had moved further into the hedgerow. He walked on past, staring straight ahead…

  

Mentally prepared, I waited till he was well past my hiding hole. I adjusted the sunglasses and left my shadowy corner. Between the electric lamps that run along the gardens path, and the waning moon, I was able to see quite clearly with them. I also saw happily that the sparkles from sis dress and jewelry were not at all too muted.

  

I silently approached, came up upon the two without notice. They both jumped( In a quite charming manner, actually) as I started to speak.

  

Excuse me, this is that way out I asked, sounding confused. Certainly both girls chirped, and Rose pointed to the way out. Sis asked me if I had been at the dance. What dance I answered.? Is that why the two of you are so beautifully dressed. . Rose ate it up. And showing off her gown to me( and unknowingly ,her pearls) happily took the lead, telling me of the academies dance. As Rose started to tell me about all her academy, I walked over to a bush of white roses just off one of the branching paths, at the end of this particular path was as a fountain from which merrily gurgling falling water could be faintly heard. I bent down to smell a white rose. I offered it up to my sister, who bent over to sniff, her necklace and earrings swaying to and fro in a quite nice exhibition of colorfully brite sparkles. Rose just stood behind us, kept on chatting with her story, as I winked at my sister and she winked back. We both stood back up.

  

Sis turned to Rose, and suggested she take a smell also. As Rose ( still chattering )bent down to smell, sis, who had had her hand on Rose shoulder let go and of it, and as I watched out of the corner of my eye I saw my sister move her hand to the back of her neck and subtly undo her own rhinestone necklace, slipping it off, then she moved behind me as Rose, in her tight fitting dress, managed to stand back up and faced us, still prattling on. I was half listening, wondering what my sister was up to, changing the game plan like that. From behind me I felt the subtlest touch of a hand, and realized something was being skillful placed into me pocket, a reverse pick I remembered thinking, when all of a sudden, from behind me, I heard sis exclaim, all too loudly enough , “me necklace, its gone! “

  

Rose looked and I turned, me twin was standing there, holding a hand to her bare throat, looking down at the front of her gown. It was here a minute ago she went on, and then looked me dead in the eye, absolutely in all seriousness, “You!, it was you me lad, took me necklace as I was smellin them roses didn’t he Rose!” She looked at Rose, who was now looking me over aghast, as she started to check her own jewels to see if any of em were missing, nodded in agreement.

  

I was totally taken aback by the accusation, and placing a hand in my pocket with out thinking, felt the necklace, which startled me no end, even though I knew that it was there. All the while uncomfortably wondering how this story would be ending up?

  

Rose glared at me, “not much of a jewel thief then are you?” My sister and I both just looked at the prig , our jaws dropping as Rose carried on with it. “ Anyone can plainly see me pearls are worth a lot more than her shiny baubles!” she stated quite matter of factly. Sis kicked in without missing a beat, saying to me, quite a bit too rudely I thought , “How could you make a mistake like that, especially since nicking her pearls would have been child’s play to someone of your ilk!”

  

Rose, totally missing the insult, lifted up her necklace and taunting me with it, as she asked me twin, “ what should we do with ‘em, get the police? As Rose turned her attention back to me, I saw me sisters face over the top of Rosie’s head, smiling all for the world like the cat catching the canary. My sister said to the back of Rose’s head” No, go back inside and find out how many others lost jewels, you will be a hero. Ill take care of this one! Rose’s smug face lit up at the thought, as she turned and looked back at my sister. Sis held out her arms, and Rose went and gave my twin a big hug. Then turning and giving me a glare as she passed and off she went. I didn’t think it important to tell her that her pearl necklace was now absent from around her throat.

As Rose traipsed happily back up the path, sis grabbed me arm, “come along thief, best we get going.

I watched for a second, as me sister dropped the pearl necklace on the grass, where it laid clearly visible, and with a swish of her gown scurried off. She looked back at me, get a move on then, and I broke me stance and went dutifully after her.

  

We scurried to the entrance, and crossed into the lot and made for the other side, skirting around towards my vehicle while making sure the coast was clear. We regained my Mercedes. I let my sister in, slamming the door and practically jumping over the hood to get to the drivers side. Peeling off my suit coat and tie, tossing them along with the glasses into the jump seat , I climbed in fired up the engine, and tried not to speed as I left the parking lot.

 

As I had pulled slowly away, a couple had walked out and were heading to their car, paying us no never mind other than a nosy glance by the gentleman at me car. But I figured it was time to make ourselves scarce, and put up a bit of speed.

  

So, I said, still facing forward as I turned from the lot, what was that all about?

Killin a pair of birds with me stone she replied in a quite self-satisfied tone of voice. Then she started to fill me in on what had been transpiring before I had made me entrance…

  

When that Rose creature and I were talking with that lad she had snared, She admired me diamonds, then said, not real ducky, are they. Well I thought that was pretty rude, but held me tongue, and avoiding a smart answer, I asked about her pearls. were they real? Pretty valuable she said, I only spent 6 shillings at the carnival, but he said they were worth a lot more! . Then she shad started repeating the same nonsense about how she had a real diamond necklace at home that was worth quite a bit, and she was angry her Mater had not wanted her to wear the them out this evening,

So, then when I saw you coming up to play, I thought of a new plan to humiliate Rose. Can you just imagin what is going on in the ball room now.

…. and she broke into that nasely twang she had use earlier in imitation of Rose..

 

Rose- “Everybody There’s a thief stealing everyone’s jewelry! ! Party Guest- “ I see( in a disbelieving tone) “Rose, no one is missing jewelry “ Except you, what did you do with your necklace?” Rose – He must of stole it, the thief!” Party Guest- “What thief Rose, were is he?” “Rose- “Outside with me friend, he nicked her imitation dimonds dint he!” Part Guest-“ Rose, why would a thief steal fake diamonds?, and what Friend would that be now?” Rose- “ The chaperone, you know, the one with the silvery gown and long black hair!” Party Guest –“ Ther wasn’t no chaperone wearing a silver dress , show us what you are on about!” ( On the path by the rose bush) “ there’s no one here, Rose, and there are your pearls, laying on the ground! you and your stories you balmy twi…..”

  

Sis could not finish her routine, starting to chortle so hard at the picture of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. But I still had questions, so after she was through patting herself on the back I said

 

I get that, and it was a brilliant piece of work, but why call me out on it, that wasn’t the plan, me dear.

I know luv, she said, again quite smugly, placing her hand on me shoulder…. Recall that time you had me jewels in your pocket after the wedding reception, I owed you one luv, and having you put on for stealing me necklace was payback.

 

Use shortcut below for the story:

flic.kr/p/xPv5iR

 

I had forgotten that you had said I would be paid back someday I admitted, and it was a really grand way of doing It I praised her, and saw her smile radiantly as I stole a look out of the corner of me eye.

  

Then she could contain herself no more, and starting to chortle so hard at the picture of all of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. I also was smirking, the whole affair, in my opinion, had all played out brilliantly!

  

All in all, twas a merry drive back to town for us, with me twin sister talking miles a minute over her successes that evening, including the obvious fact that she was quite pleased with herself for not only had she finally gotten her sweet revenge on the remaining member of the group who had swiped her diamonds on a dare so long ago, but her debt to me had been paid totally off in the process..

  

With interest paid darling, I thought to myself, as I stole a glance at my beautifully decked out passenger, with interest paid!

.

A bit of a side note:

Come to find out later the police were actually called to the place much later in the wee hours of the morning. Apparently some bloke in a tux waylaid two ladies he had met and been chatting with as they were all leaving an mugged them both good and proper. He was caught, but I still chuckle in wonder what Rose would have made of it all?

 

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In Appraisal

I do highly encourage anyone who has read my chronicles,( or looked at the clips below) and on the off-chance may actually have been entertained by them, and would like me to divulge more of our tomfooleries , to please leave behind a comment expressing that point.

Thank You

 

Food for thought:

Jewelry lifting Clips

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZdjhNVjxk&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls8rw2V1QCU&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RbLiI9ZFQ8&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZ8s-R9vl4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofodSjKQ_-8

 

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Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

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Bush was informed about the huge succes our militarys have had with there wooden shoes, and is having a celebration, and try out. He's dancing the night away with his dear friend Rice, and they are now shipping wooden shoes to Irak and Afganisthan, to let the people know, they all come in peace...

Update, I've just been informed by Frans Janssens that this is Isotomurus pseudopalustris a new species for the UK :o) Thanks Frans :o)

 

Another new capture for the list, now I've seen these lots of times, but for some reason I have never managed a decent shot, but now I have. I found this one on a fallen leaf in the sensory garden at Wollaton Hall, I'm pretty sure this is Isotomurus palustris, Isotomurus species belong to the Subfamily Isotominae, one characteristic that differs them from other Isotominae are the macrosetae that are found on the rear segments of the abdomen. I must say that these are rather pretty little guys, this one was about 1.5mm long and was photographed using the MP-E at full extension on 112mm of extension tubes.

 

More in comments....

 

VIEW ON BLACK

I was informed by the present owner that this site was founded by Chief Yellowstone, a Diné (Navajo) who was born in 1930 and passed on in 1999.

In 1960 he purchased the Old Miller Trading Post & changed the name to the Chief Yellowstone Trading Post.

So I was recently informed that this picture looks different on Macs -_________- the glare I added apparently doesn't look as nice as I thought it did! grrr. why?! It looks nice on my Windows laptop :(

 

This is my beautiful friend Sherryl! She is my biggest inspiration, pretty much everything I know about photography I've learned from her.

 

On another note, I'm pretty proud of this picture. I have this lovely patch for woods right next to my apartment! I will be visiting this place much more in the near future. Also, thank you all lovely nice Flickr friends for your positive comments. It is so rewarding to know people actually appreciate what I am very passionate about.

 

Have a great day everyone! :D

On 8-2-21, at 4:06 pm, I called the number listed for the Cheyenne, Wyoming FBI. This was after extreme harassment and retaliation from my last 2 post. I called 307-632-6224, followed the Prompts and selected prompt 2, for Domestic Terrorism. The man I spoke with asked for my full name. I spelled it out for him. I informed him that I was being Stalked, Mobbed, Harassed by large groups of people across state lines. He said “If you’re being Stalked, contact the Local Law Enforcement”. I repeated this is across state lines. He repeated telling me to contact Local Law Enforcement. I told him “I’m an Army Veteran and not to jump to Conspiracy Theories, I’m being Attacked By Electronic Weapons, as described by the “Havana Syndrome”. He repeated “If you’re being Stalked contact Local Law Enforcement”. Then, he abruptly hung up on me, as I continued to try and explain what was happening.

His reaction was expected. This is what happens to Americans that try to expose waste, fraud and corruption within our Government Agenesis (National Parks Service, Department of the Interior, VA, Law Enforcement). This is what happens when you try to Expose Government Contractors with Billion Dollar Contracts. I can serve my Country proudly, but I can’t expose the Truth to the FBI. I actually have proof of Domestic Terrorism, and the FBI doesn’t want it. This isn’t about me; this is about Truth, and what is really happening to American Citizens on American Soil; by Corporation, Government Agencies, Law enforcement, Hate Groups and Mobs.

 

Again, you still don’t believe me? Take a look at what is happening and has happened to the Steiners; by allegedly former ebay Executives. The extreme measure to destroy and discredit. Once again, people are stunned, but this is what is happening in America. Here are links to the coverage. One of the persons involved was a Retired Police Captain.

 

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&s...

 

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&s...

 

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&s...

 

There are many other outlets that have covered this too, so you can do your own search.

 

I would like to mention; a 4th Officer that responded to the Jan 6th Riots, Insurgence, committed Suicide. If you’ve listened to the message left on Officer Fanone’s voice mail, while he was testifying; it will give you a little in-site of the Mentality of those Involved in Gang Stalking, Community Mobbing. These men proudly served and protected our Capitol, once again our Nation turns its back on them.

 

Back to what prompted me calling the FBI. Koda and I have received extreme Retaliation from our recent Posts. I have been left sleep-deprived by Noise Campaigns, each time Koda and I step out of our Motorhome; we are mobbed by ATV, Motorcycles, 4 Wheelers and SUVs. Yesterday a man using a little girl. Seriously people; these Adults are using children to Mob, Bait and Harass Targets. Where the hell is Social Services? Or, anyone in Law Enforcement, for that matter. And, this is in the Wilderness of National Forest, in Wyoming.

We stepped out of the Motorhome to go to town and do a few other things, in the car. As soon as were out; a man and, I suppose, his wife show up on 4 wheel ATVs right in front of our Motorhome. He has a little girl setting in front of him, on the same seat. She’s waving like a lunatic, trying to get Koda’s attention. It was just like the man using a little boy, in my Post “Generations”. His wife was following on another ATV. He revved his ATV, making as more noise to draw attention. Koda was off leash, he knew he was going for a ride; takes a look at them and gives them his FU face. He’s an expressive dog. I take a few pics of the spectacle (you know, because Law Enforcement Pretends Not to Believe Me) and Koda jumps in the car. I start the car and get ready to pull out of camp; here come the Hate and Bate team again. They went down to a little patch of woods behind us, turn around and pull out in front of me on the road. They are driving in the middle of the road, at a decent speed, then they slow way down. I’m unable to pass them. Here is a man and woman, with a little girl on the front of an ATV, trying to anger a man in a passenger car. What the Hell isn’t Law Enforcement getting here? I have tons of evidence proving this, but no one will give me the time of day. They will do their diligence to discredit me.

Later, when we came back; they were waiting (with a little girl), at one of the cattle grates. Just like I mentioned others doing in a previous post. Then, as I’m on the phone with the FBI; the guy that had the little girl, drives back and forth, pass our Motorhome, standing up while driving on his ATV, while Koda was looking out the window. The standing is done by many, as they drive pass our Motorhome; to look as threatening as possible to Koda, in hopes he acts out. Like the many acts they preform to bait and try and get me to act out.

 

While we were in town, we stopped at Walmart. As I predicted; the harassment started before we even got out of the car. A young 20 something, backs his car the wrong way, down a row of parking spots, so he could back up to my door, as I get out, and fill the air with car exhaust. I’ve recorded this skit (act) over and over again, in Walmart parking lots. Cars, big trucks, diesel trucks; waiting for me to get out, or put items in my trunk, backing right up to me, then accelerating.

Once in the store, we get the same mobbing and bating as the last time. This time, Walmart employees kept their distance. Someone must have read one of my post. Anyway, perps set up in aisle after aisle. They were completely blocking items I purchase frequently. I would hear a fake cough from the next aisle over, then we get the creepy woman come around the corner, and stair into Koda’ eyes skit. Young teenagers swinging objects as we passed. As we headed to produce, I could see the perps setting up. The carrot section completely blocked. Koda love carrots and I give them as treats and for training. He actually likes many raw vegetables and fruits. So, we finally get some carrots and there are people set up by the apples, avocados, tomatoes and other bins. They weren’t selecting anything, just standing around blocking and waiting. I was able to grab a bell pepper, I looked at Koda and said “We need a sweet onion”. You should have seen the perps rush to the sweet onion bin! I was completely blocked.

Never feed your dog onions or anything with onions. They are poisonous to dogs, and the onion was for me.

A woman that had followed us through the store on previous occasions, approached and distracted me by asking questions about Koda. As she did; an older teen comes running at Koda, waving both arms in the air, the collar of his t-shirt pulled up between his teeth, yelling. Koda, at my side, barked loudly twice. That’s his danger alert, as he stood still at my side. His Medical Alert is; nudging me in my thigh. If I don’t respond to that; it’s sets and barks loudly twice. This dog saved my life in Arizona. I’ve requested he goes to another veteran if I pass. And, adult Americans are teaching children to harass him. The woman acted like she expected it and didn’t say a word. We finished getting our produce, while still being blocked and mobbed. We headed to checkout, to receive the same mobbing and baiting. As we leave the store, we are blocked again at the doors. As I try to pull out of my parking spot; I’m blocked by a big black truck. We pulled to the exit and there are six cars rushing ahead of us for a Stall Campaign. This all can be easily seen on Walmart's Cameras.

That evening after calling the FBI; we get ½ wits zooming by when we step out, or when I fire up a laptop, the Make-a Meal Idiots at dinner, and noise campaign as I get ready for bed. Koda and I are under 24/7, 365 surveillance; as are many Targeted Individuals in the United States of America. “Why is telling the Truth in America so Hard?”

 

So, the title fits the content; “Facing the Storm Alone” If a family member comes to you and tells you they are being Targeted. Mobbed, Harassed by Total Strangers, they are Receiving Electronic Attacks; please believe them. Many don’t have the training I’ve had, and will not survive.

 

Thanks for visiting our photostream and reading the Truth about America

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussana_Vecchia,_Liguria

Informed of a rare opportunity to see a Burrowing Owl from local birding website, made the trip to the location it had been reported, the farmer who owned the land actually took me to the owl's exact location, photographed him from afar

Woodcrest- Unincorporated Perris/Riverside, CA

9/1/17

 

It's back!

 

Let me start by saying wow, I never expected to see a Superlight Curotto Can again after this same truck was switched to Commercial collection Summer 2016. In 2016 WMmaster626 and I were informed by Dave, a Moreno Valley driver, that Paul (the Superlight driver) was now driving a ASL. There is also a picture from Moises Aguirre from Flickr that shows the Superlight on Commercial (www.flickr.com/photos/wmtrucks/34552959740/in/dateposted/). Both WMmaster626 and I were upset by the news and regretted not going back to get more footage of the Superlight.

 

The way WMmaster626 and I found out the Superlight was returning to residential is quite interesting. Both of us were getting a tour of the Waste Management Corona yard by the Fleet Manager Tom, who started out in Moreno Valley (the yard where the Superlight resides). We had conversations about the drivers and trucks in Moreno Valley, all of whom Tom knows. We never brought up the Superlight but eventually we brought up Paul (who drove the Superlight). Tom told us how Paul used to drive this one of a kind truck from Heil with a custom Curotto Can (the Superlight) and how several people from WM liked that truck and the custom Curotto Can. We told Tom how we found that truck on route once and how it was one of our favorite trucks. Tom then informed us how the Superlight had already or was going to return to residential services shortly. WMmaster626 and I were in shock and could not believe what we had just heard. After the great tour in Corona we immediately headed to Woodcrest and we found a Python driver in Woodcrest who informed us Paul was still driving a ASL. Two weeks later WMmaster626 heard from Tom that the Superlight was officially back on route in Woodcrest. In early 2017 the Woodcrest routes were altered so the next week while WMmaster626 was in Washington I headed to Woodcrest once again see the Superlight and find out which portion of Woodcrest it was servicing. I found Paul on route with the Superlight now collecting Green Waste, WMmaster626 was glad to hear the Superlight was back on route and was looking forward to seeing it in person. The next month in October 2017 WMmaster626 and I returned to Woodcrest and filmed more footage of the Superlight.

 

During my September trip, I found the Superlight Curotto Can collecting Green Waste in Woodcrest. There are many green carts out on the Friday route so I was able to see many carts collected. Paul is a great driver and knows how to operate the Superlight in fast, smooth cycles. Woodcrest is a great area and unique to SoCal, most of Woodcrest has a Country feel to it with huge properties, some residents even own horses. Woodcrest was also once services by NEWCO Waste Systems and there are multiple black and blue ex NEWCO carts in the area, there are even a few NEWCO dumpsters still in the area. This is the only Waste Management Curotto Can Heil in SoCal, the next closest is most likely Oakland California. This is most likely the only Superlight Curotto still in service. Republic Services Pacheco used to have a Superlight but I do not believe it is still around.

 

Thank you to the driver Paul and a big thank you to Tom for informing us the Superlight was back, you made our day. Thank you to everyone for watching and let me know what you think of the video.

 

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdCY-KkBArA

TARGET II: PLANET KALLER

 

A contact of mine informed me about ongoing turmoil on the planet Kaller. The Empire and CIS Remenant are fighting for control over the planet. The contact tipped me with the location of abandoned buildings and warehouses that might have items of great value stored in them. It would never hurt to take a look I guess... I might find something useful. Not to speak of the possible items I can get to fight the rising Galactic Empire!

  

When I arrived at the first location on Kaller it seemed clear to me that the locations waren't as abandoned as they ware thought to be. There were some Clone Troopers, now renamed Stormtroopers, guarding the place after a small gunfight took place between them and the CIS Remenant it seems. In the end my visit won't be as unnoticed as I hoped. I'll have to take the troopers out before I can investigate the possible loot box. Pity. I kinda liked the Clone Troopers before all this... My father spoke very highly of them, especially their loyalty but I guess you can't trust anyone these days. Look at what happened to my father...

 

----------------

 

Hi guys, this is my build for Target II of the Dark Times RPG Group. Enjoy!

This is my final image (for now) from a new project, with hodachrome (he is a genius with an LC-A so check him out!). This film swap was based around the "EBS" technique (exposed both sides): we shot a roll of film on the "normal" side, and when finished the film was then reversed and rewound, so that the second exposure was shot on the "wrong" side. When shooting on the reverse side, the image is "red-scaled" - all colours become shades of red. With this first roll, hodachrome shot his favorite view from Midland Square's observatory in Nagoya city, then I shot on the "redscale" side at Shoreham Harbour, just outside Brighton. I spoke with the guy on the boat, who informed me it was 120 years old. With this shot I like the patchwork mix of normal and red-scale colour.

LC-A+, Fuji 800, EBS Film Swap with Hodaka

And please say "hello" on my fotobes facebook page too if you'd like!

A well informed member of our spotting clan noticed that some diversions were taking place over the Woodhead route on Sundays not long before it was due to close.

 

So we drove up from Leamington Spa, visited a couple of depots near Sheffield and then took a splendid ride across the pennines.

 

A quick trip to the depot at Longsight, and we almost missed our train back.

 

Going east the snow had stopped and the sky was completely blue. In my excitement I'd used up all of my film on the journey west - doh......see the other eleven shots in my 'Woodhead Route' set.

 

Our train has just passed through Penistone, with the electrical control centre on the left.

I am reliably informed by the various Bionicle wikis that Toa of Lighting come in a blue and white colour scheme. This build is essentially entirely based on that being the case.

 

I decided to give her the Mask of Quick-Travel because 1) that kind of fits and 2) it's a damn cool looking mask, and that gave me the gold centre to the model, around which I build with blues that would be distinct from Gali's primary blue. I made a choice to work the white in at the extremities and I think the result works. I'm wondering now if the black connectors on the thighs were a mistake, but until they come in medium azure, I think I'm stuck with them.

 

The lantern is an aspect of the build I'm particularly pleased with, since it just looks great and poses nicely. I went with that because I've always liked the idea of Toa having tools rather than weapons (the big honking guns got old very fast for me). I've tried to follow that idea for most of my made-up Toa builds.

But sadly, it is no longer orange - yesterday was the final day of the Little Gem bus operation, with owner Wes Goodwin having informed TfGM on Friday afternoon that the company would be going into administration over the weekend. His efforts to engage with TfGM officialdom to try and resolve a number of issues were stonewalled every time, so once his patience and money had run out, this was his final option. The Go-Goodwins and Maynes coaching units will continue to trade (for now, but retirement looks ever more appealing), and the firm's Cheshire East contracts for the 391 and 392 routes between Stockport and Macclesfield will also stay in place.

 

So technically this was my final shot of a Little Gem bus on a Little Gem contract, on the day when quite a number of duties were being missed, as drivers decided to abandon the sinking ship. This was the only bus working the hourly 217 between Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne, with alternate trips being dropped. Dart 1956 (LIB 6437) was the most unusual bus in the fleet, having come from the Isle of Man fleet back in 2014, and it survived the sale of the original Little Gem fleet to Rotala in 2017. The body is best described as an East Lancs Spryte from the parts bin, having entered service in 2005, three years after the last normal Sprytes.

 

I have no idea what the future holds for this bus, but it would be a nice oddball vehicle to find a home in preservation.

 

Ashton Hill Lane, Droylsden, 22/4/23

 

Unless you had been informed you would never know that within this lagoon there is a cenote, 25 m wide and 82 m deep. Cenotes are natural sink holes leading to subterranean water sources. In the Yucatan Peninsula in Southern Mexico cenotes are found mostly within the forest or within the coastal mangroves. Many of the cenotes are linked by a network of underground rivers and caves. Much of this network has been mapped and marked. Some cenotes are perfectly safe for swimmers and amateur snorkelers, but other cenotes and the linking flooded passageways are the preserve of professional divers only..

This lagoon is within land administered by a local Mayan collective who allow public access for a small charge but have roped off what they consider a safe area for swimming. Only divers with special permits may enter the cenote area.

I'VE BEEN SCAMMED!!! My son informed me that the whole computer VIRUS thing was a SCAM! My Bank said the first step is to phone the company and cancel the 5-year Protection I paid for and to ask for a refund, which I have just done. Doubt that will happen. Also have to now take my computer in to be cleaned of all the malware, etc. they have installed on my hard drive. What a PAIN! I'm always very careful of scams, but I sure fell for this one.

 

A very early start for me today, (despite the forecast for rain all day) as I need to get away from my computer after yesterday's stress, thanks to a Virus that shut down my computer. It took me three hours to deal with it, while a technician went through my whole computer remotely, deleting every virus that has accumulated. I was told that I phoned them just in time, as I was not far away from losing everything on my computer. I always have Norton installed on my computer, but apparently the last three months I have not had Network Security working on my computer. Can you believe I had 5,614 viruses and if I had reached 6,000, everything on my computer would have been lost? Yikes! Funny, as the last few days, I have been backing up my photos to external hard drives and a flash drive. A very costly morning, but now my computer is fine and I have a five-year Security. Before all this, I was on Facebook and had clicked on a video link from a friend's Facebook page. Suddenly, my whole screen was filled with the Virus alert, which gave me a phone number to call. I don't know if that link was the actual cause of all this problem, or if it was 'the last straw'. Thankful for the clear help from the technician! Much appreciated.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This particular young American Kestrel resides at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta. This is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, including educating the public away from the Centre. Sometimes, a bird is used as a foster parent, too. I didn't see a Turkey Vulture or a Golden Eagle this time. This Kestrel was inside the Gift Store/entrance building, so I wasn't sure if any of my photos would come out (as I didn't want to use flash).

 

My actual destination on 21 August 2018 was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken.

 

On the spur of the moment the previous night, I decided that I might just try and get up early the next morning and go for a drive. The smoke from the British Columbia wildfires hasn't been hanging around the last few days, so I knew I really should make the most of a clear day.

 

It turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 8 or 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, making sure I don't lose confidence to get there. I left home at 9:00 am, just a bit later than I had hoped. Arrived back home somewhere around 8:30 pm.

 

Weather-wise, it was around 24C, so not too hot. Unfortunately, I discovered that it was still smokey from the British Columbia wildfires, making distant hills barely visible and deleting mountains from view, but it didn't have too much effect on closer photography.

 

It was a good day for Hawks, seeing three on the way south and a few on the way home. I almost missed two of the hawks, as the hay bale was way out in a large field. At first, I thought there were three hawks together, but when I stopped to take a few photos, I realized that there were only two - one looked almost like two hawks close together, but then I saw that it had its wings mantled. I guess it wanted to make sure that the second hawk behind it couldn't steal any of the food from it.

 

A lone Common Nighthawk also helped make my day. For several years, I had longed to see one of these unusual birds and, finally last year (2017), I managed to find four of them. That time was almost two months earlier than my recent find, so I wasn't expecting to see any in late August. I would still love to find one lying on a wooden railing rather than a metal railing. Last year, I got a photo of one on a fence post, but the angle was not the greatest. These birds are 9½ inches from the tip of bill to the tip of tail.

 

A Horned Lark, a Vesper Sparrow, a Mourning Dove, and a Western Meadowlark gave me the chance for a photo or two and, to my delight, a hawk I spotted way in the distance did turn out to be a Ferruginous Hawk. A happy sighting, as they tend to be few and far between.

To learn and to keep informed about Night Photography, please check in with the #1 Night Photography resource site: Tim Baskerville's www.thenocturnes.com. It is a repository of what is happening and also delves into the history of Night Photography.

 

Please check out: www.darknessdarkness.com if you have not already. After closing at Harvard University, the show opened at the Boston Convention Center May 28th and will run through 31 August. New artists have been added including my friend, Michael Kenna.

Dedicated to my wife, who flew out Saturday with other citizens of Nebraska to Washington DC to join 40,000 other protesters from 30 states in the largest climate rally in the US history on Sunday. Their goal was to make congress and the President have sensible progressive discussions on the path our country needs to take to keep our climate under control for our kids and grandkids and generations to come.

 

Their first goal is to stop the XL oil sands Pipeline from being built and traveling across our state where one of the largest reservoirs of water in the world sits in some places only inches below the soil. The production of this environmentally dirty and damaging oil also has the potential to raise carbon levels in our atmosphere to levels that will warm the Earth another 2 to 4 degrees, severely changing our weather patterns for lifetimes to come.

 

Check out 350.org, on the Internet and become concerned and well informed citizens. You may or may not agree, but it is time for us to take our heads out of the sand (in this instance TAR sand) and learn what is about to happen to our world!!!

 

Texture by Langers86@Devientart.

 

Norio informed me that I needed to pet him in addition to Yuba, so I followed his direction and paid attention to him.

====Falcone Yacht Club====

 

Alfred- Master Bruce?

 

Batman- Penny One?

 

Alfred- You wanted me to be keep you informed about Sionis' meeting.

 

Batman- Yes, of course. What happened?

 

Alfred- Someone tried to kill him. A sniper. They failed, but from the sounds of it, they did kill the Monarch.

 

*The Monarch of Menace. The first supervillain to have successfully escaped from me. Coming back to Gotham was his one mistake- it landed him in Blackgate and later Arkham City. And now it's cost him his life*

 

Batman- Any one of them could be in on it. Once I've dealt with the drug trafficking, I'll try and re-enter Arkham, see if I can identify the sniper. Alfred, I'm putting through an image of a man in a white mask, haven't seen him before.

 

*There's the sound of tapping on a computer, then Alfred answers*

 

Alfred- Ah, that's the aptly named White Mask sir, real name David Franco, an old lieutenant of Richard Sionis.

 

Batman- Roman's father. Makes sense he'd want to keep him around.

 

Alfred- Not just that sir, it appears he's an old aquaintence of Ms Kyle. They were partners, thieves... It's how he got into the False Face Society.

 

*Selina...*

 

Franco- Yeah, it's White Mask. No I haven't heard anything... Tell White... No, Warren White. The Shark. No... the Great White Shark... I'll tell him myself then, the shipment's late.

 

===Five Minutes Later===

 

*For months, almost every present or former Gotham based Supervillain has been taken down by the Arkham City Strike Force, and tossed into a hellscape of gang violence, death and destruction. But some have escaped, these are the ones Gotham has forgotten about. And, as proven with Julian Day, it's often those who are forgotten that cause the most pain. Men like David Franco, or Lloyd Ventrix, or The Terrible Trio- Shark, Fox and Vulture. Together, with Ventrix' cloaking tech, the Trio's smuggling expertise, and The White Mask's warehouses, they have been distributing all the worst drugs across Gotham, on the orders of Black Mask.*

 

Vulture- It's Batman-!

 

Fox- Hardwick! Put your helmet back on!

 

Shark- But-

 

Fox- Put it on you idiot, do you want to ruin-

 

*When the smoke clears the Trio are gone, they've reactivated their suits. I'll have to rely on my other senses to find them, I'll have to- Uhn. Vulture. Must be airborne somehow. Firefly gear maybe? I throw a batarang, and as I hoped, it hits the invisible wings, causing black smoke to erupt from an otherwise unseen figure. Now I've got them.*

 

Vulture- Oh get off you bothersome Bat! Fox, he's got me!

 

*I fire the Claw, mooring Vulture to the ground, who consequently slams against the wall, breaking her suit. Another figure strikes, this must be Shark. He fires a harpoon, which I catch and pull on. Throwing a glue grenade covers him in resin, and that's all I need to take him down, now for-*

 

Batman- Argh-!

 

*I pull a knife out of my leg*

 

Fox- You're not the only predator Batman. You may have made short work of them, but I assure you- What?

 

*Fox yelps as I send a stream of water at him, creating a soggy outline around him. And finally, I punch him, hard, in the face. With them dispatched, I look around. Explosive gel will make short work of the narcotics, but I also need to look at the suits. Strange. The shipping manifest specifically mentions five suits. If one's for Ventrix, then where's-*

 

Ventrix- You're a dead man!

 

*He's been practising. This might be more difficult than I thought*

 

Batman- Five suits. You made five suits. For the Trio, for yourself. Where's the fifth? Who has it Ventrix?

 

*Blam. Blam. He's also armed*

 

Ventrix- I'm not telling you anything- you took my Kimberly!

 

Batman- It's just you and me. Give yourself up. Talk.

 

Ventrix- Not after what you did! You see Batman, Mr Sionis has means, ways of reaching people... Of course he payed me, but he's giving me something better, giving me-

 

Batman- Your daughter.

 

Ventrix- My Kimberly. They moved her into Witness Protection! Her and her damn mother! Changed her name to Ruth! Ruth! Where's the music in Ruth?!

 

Batman- Your daughter is much safer without you in her life. If you were any kind of a father, you'd know that.

 

Ventrix- Safe?! You took her away from me! She lost her mojo... But Mr Sionis is going to get it back for her

 

*Ventrix may have practice, but he's as unstable as always. He tears off his mask in anger, and I throw an electrified batarang, shocking him*

 

Batman- Not so long as I'm around.

 

====Sionis Industries===

 

Sionis- Wake up Freeker. I've had a very long day, maybe you could help me out... Stoned out of his mind... This is the day that keeps on giving, huh Li?

 

Li- I could gather some men to-

 

Sionis- Don't bother, the Bat's probably beaten them by now. Urgh. Now, White Mask isn't a loss... My old man was grooming the guy to be his successor way back when... I ever talk about pops Li?

 

Li- I couldn't possibly comment sir.

 

Sionis- Heh. So he got White Mask... You know what? I can get over that. The drugs? Not so much. Right now though, we've got bigger things to worry about. Show me.

 

*Li opens a case, and takes out several photos. Joker. Calendar Man. Deadshot. Among others*

 

Li- Now, sir?

 

Sionis- We find that sniper.

  

My wife informed me that I had crashed my Phantom 4 drone for the last time in October. so I took alittle drone break til DJI came out with this cheaper Mavic Mini in December. So I got one and today was the 1st day out to see if this drone was going to be "you get what you pay for!"

 

Guss and I headed out for a trip to Dubuque following a loaded grain train on the CN. With a new crew on board the grain train departs out of Dubuque bound for Hawthorne, the next crew change point. As the train leaves Dubuque it crosses the partially frozen Mississippi River and from Iowa to Illinois.

Chronicles of lifting Light :

Tales from The Poet and the Peasant

 

There is a certain daring “edge” in acting out a role playing game on a partner(s) in public, especially if (in our case) one favors pickpocketing.

It’s a certain adrenaline thrill, both addictive and desirable, that increases up until the “mark” is relived of one or more of her dangling valuables. Whether its carried out with a simple bump, a lift conveyed while, say dancing, or a squeeze play maneuvered with a second player, it all creates and holds a level of excitement most thrilling in its nature, quite erotic within its scope.

 

This Chronicle contains short essays on pickpocketing games played solely within our group over the past few years.

 

These were games only, done with full knowledge and consent of all the players ( with a couple of exceptions where the parties involved were not informed of the actual happenings until sometime after the fact.)

Any articles of jewelry lifted were returned to their original owners, albeit sometimes those owners at first thought the jewelry being returned had just simply fallen away.

The actual facts have been stretched, padded and enhanced, due primarily to the significant detail that I rather like those in my immediate circle, and in order to keep them liking me, have agreed to “put meat on the bone” so to speak, when putting pen to paper.

This journal is far from complete, and additional stories will be added as they are played out.

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The “Poet and the Peasant” Is a little backwater pub owned by Brian’s Aunt and Uncle. It’s a laid back place, music (mostly canned) , the usual caste of regulars ,Including us, and a generous section of ales and other “demon” drink.

The pub is housed in an ancient old building with all sorts of old Victorian era objects, found and given a home in the pub’s numerous nooks and crannies. Including the skull of poor Erik. Erik was a 17th century poet and balladeer who supposedly was beheaded for making several torrid lyrics about a certain Saxon king. His grinning skull sits high up in a shelf along a balustrade, usually with a cigar clamped in his jaws. Couldn’t tell how many times someone who had more than his fill of drink has tried to light it for the poor blighter. The pub is a regular howl around Halloween, thanks to Erik, who has obtained quite a degree of notability, despite being dead for all these long years.

Basically, Erik aside, the “Poet and the Peasant” is a great place to hang out and make plans with a pint in hand.

 

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Opening Act

Atonement

We were heading to a small resort that we once had stayed at for a wedding and reception. It was Just “Ginny” and I on a 4 day escape from reality. We were passing through one of the small towns on the way, when Ginny spotted a dress shoppe, with several mannequins wearing evening frocks. She had to stop, we had a function the next month and she had “nothing to wear”( Liar I thought grinning).

 

We went inside and on a “gently worn” rack she pulled out this long string sleeved satin number and tried it on. The young clerk said it was patterned after the one in the movie atonement ( which neither of us had seen) but its rich deep green( Irish green the clerk called it, which I really had no idea was a colour) really set off Ginny’s long copper hair, and I liked the way her hair laid down her bare backside.

 

We arrived at the resort in early afternoon and claimed our suite( paid for by an anniversary gift) and set out to explore the place. The resort was packed, and we found out that there were 2 evening wedding receptions taking place on Saturday. An Idea began to take seed and as we walked I found a way to bring it into conversation.

 

Ginny had brought her rhinestones ( see Album Chronicles of lifting Light, B) for a bit of date roleplay in our suite some chosen evening of our stay. I suggested that she should give her gown and the rhinestones a try in public. Where she asked? I than laid out my game plan and a smile crept across her face, lit up by the sun poking through the trees on the wooded path we had been walking. Ginny liked to dress up, and I used that trump card to my advantage.

 

At around 5pm I slipped into the larger of the two receptions (crashed if you like) and wondering over to the bar I got a drink and waited, nursing it. I was reasonably presentable in a suit jacket, slacks, silk shirt and satin tie. As I waited I found myself pretty much unnoticed, which was a far cry from what Ginny encountered when she cautiously entered about fifteen minutes later, green gown swirling, rhinestones all a glitter. It didn’t take long for the sharks to start circling. One lad started a conversation, and I watched her squirm a little, before putting my drink down and coming to my damsel’s rescue. I had to literally peel the bloke away from her. We went onto the dance floor, pretending like we had never met. As we danced through several songs I could tell by the look in Ginny’s eyes that she was feeling the same fire within that I was. Ready for part 2 ? I asked, she got a surprised look in her eyes, and began to check herself, uh uh I said, not till we leave. We went out together; I spied the bloke watching us from a table, and smirked to meself over his look of frustration.

 

Outside we started to walk along the promenade, joining along with several other ladies, charming in their in gowns and frills, with their tuxedoed escorts, escapees all of us from the receptions. Ginny felt exceptionally good as, with my arm around her, she cuddled into my side while we walked some distance. But our bliss was not long, when Ginny , looking back, said there was a hotel security cop heading our way. Damn I thought, pinched for crashing the reception.

 

The rent-a-cop came up to us, and placing a firm grip upon my shoulder(or tried, I was a good foot taller, where do they find these blokes?) talked directly to Ginny. Everything alright then Miss, he questioned Ginny, trying to sound professional, and he almost pulled it off, except he squeaked on the word Miss.

 

Why yes, officer Ginny said, pouring on the charm( which is a quite frightful weapon in her capable hands), thank you for your lovely concern, but why do you ask? I received a report that this man may have been bothering you, Ma’am he said , no squeaks this time. He looked at me, I just grinned back at him, waiting for Ginny to belt it out of the park. She smiled, her green eyes brite, and laying a hand on the “officers” chin, told him how adorable his concern was for her safety, but her husband and she made sure he saw her ring, is really not that much of a bother most of the time. Husband he started, than stopped, caught his embarrassment nicely, then tried to save it, but Miss, I heard you had lost a necklace.

Whatever reaction he had hoped by saying this, it was not the one he got. Oh that, she said, the clasp broke, so my husband took it for safe keeping, really, where would I have put it, and she stepped back and let him look her over for evidence of supporting her statement. Game, Set and Match, I smirked to myself!

With the way she looked in that satin gown, and her charm at full output, no mere mortal male would have been able to stand a chance. Well, he choked out, all’s good then isit, and releasing my shoulder; he turned heel, and walked off hurriedly, like a scolded puppy with its tail between its legs. Ginny giggled, well played I told her, well played. And, again with my arm around her and Ginny cuddling in, we continued our stroll, with Ginny letting out the occasional chortal of laughter over the whole incident.

  

We reached an overlook over the lake, where a pair of swans was meandering about. A young lady in a long white dress with a glittering bracelet around one wrist, was walking along the path that edged along the lake. The swans were near her, reminding me of a tele commercial I had seen long ago ( If anyone else remembers it please leave a comment).

 

Ginny caught me looking, wanna do the path luv, she whispered with in a most beguiling manner. We did so, and eventually found a rather isolated little nook behind a hedge grow. Here I will have to leave to the readers imagination what transpired there, for the only witnesses were the two of us, and a rather surprised chippy who crawled out of his hole for a gander…

 

On our way back we once again stopped at the overlook. Time to tally up I said. Ginny smiled and opening her purse pulled out a scrap of paper. She showed it to me, on it was written the word necklace. Lucky guess, did you feel me take it I asked. Of course she lied; I could have done it better. Wanna bet I teased. Maybe someday we’ll see she responded. Now the way the game worked was that I pretended to be a light fingered jewel thief, with my eyes on the lady in green’s jewels. It was my objective to lift a piece of Ginny’s jewellery some point in the evening..

 

Ginny agreed to it on the condition that beforehand she would write down a piece of jewellery on a piece of paper, if it matched the piece I had lifted, than I could decide what we would do the next evening, if not, she would decide. So later, as we had a few drinks in a nearby pub ( still dressed in “costume”) I (the winner) outlined the plans for the next evening.

 

So the following evening, after a rather nice feast by the fireplace in the resorts great room, we found ourselves once again in a bar ( this time the resorts lounge). I was wearing the same suit, and had Ginny’s purloined necklace in my jacket pocket. Ginny was wearing a black satin blouse, ¾ sleeved, with long white and blacked stripped skirt. She wore her gold jewellery, and her long hair was up, held by rhinestone clips. At one point she excused herself to the loo, and when she returned took the chair next to me, and started to come on to me. I played along and after a few drinks, and dances, she led me out to the lobby.

 

Making way outside to the long wooden walkaway of the promenade, we began our way along it. Finding an isolated bench, we began to make out, as if we were strangers who had just met. After a long (glorious) while, we stood( wobbly) and made our way down to the lake, and continued our light petting.

 

At one point Ginny stopped, and looking me in the eye, said, well sir, its been fun, but id better go. Immediately I patted my pocket, the necklace was gone. Naughty I said, distracting me on the bench hussy, I teased. Her eyes got a gleam, follow me she said. We retraced our steps, hand in hand, and she led me to the the bench, and then surprisingly passed it. We regained the lobby, and she stopped by a corner, where a larger fern like plant sat in a rather big ceramic pot. Reaching in, she pulled out the necklace. Very good I said, never felt you take it.

 

So, I win then, she smirked. Yes I agreed, I had guessed wrong by thinking she had picked my pocket on the bench. So let’s go an collect me winnings then, sir, she ordered me, her eyes large and hungry. As we made our way I tried to get her to tell me when she had lifted the necklace, but she just placed a secret little smile on her lips, and remained silent on the subject….

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Act 2

Squeeze Play

 

Anyone who has taken the bother to riffle through my earlier Chronicles of Lifting Light, knows I have a twin sister who at times past has been my foil to practice upon. Well, I will leave it up to you to decide who the foil was in this tale.

  

We were all hanging out at the pub (“Poet and the Peasant” of course) one evening, the four of us, being the silly selves that mid- twenties youth are prone to being, especially when alcohol is involved.

 

We were trying to drink away the memories of what our previous week of work had given us, and were well on our way to meeting that objective, when a song from the band Cold Play come on. Ginny had asked my sister who it was, and instead of answering right away, she gave something a bit of thought, then my sister started smirking. Cold Play, like squeeze Play , remember “Ginny?”

 

Both Girls just started giggling, “Brian” just got a sullen look at the memory, and I, I just reflected…..

 

In our University years, my sister worked part time for a company that raised funds for charities, like OXFAM, etc. Among the various types of events were a couple of “Black Tie” affairs that I enjoyed because it gave Brian and I the chance to escort my Sister and Ginny ( the girls ever beautiful in fancy dress) to attend them.

 

Now, my sister had this co-worker,”Shiela”, who was absolute vinegar to my sister’s honey, hell, she was vinegar to any pretty female’s honey! She was a squawker, a squealer, and a backstabbing slag, in other words, not a very nice girl atoll. She was also was twice divorced from wealthy young scions who could not spot a gold digger for the life of them until they had been broadsided along the head with her gilded shovel.

 

During one warm late Autumn we were attending one of the Charity Dances being held in the big city proper. They had a pair of bands lined up, one kind of a Disco’ish throwback, and for later, a proper one that played a more romantic beat, one that called for slow dancing. The Girls were more into the Disco then we males were( a feeling that affected most of us in attendance) and the floor was flooded with a gaggle of swishing dresses and gowns dancing and swirling around to the frantic beat of the music, all performed with swirling lights in the darkened, smog filled dance floor, while the guys just sat around enjoying the show being put on.

 

As Brian and I watched the provocative females on the floor dancing, we noticed that our girls were slowly moving out amongst the throng of pretty dancers, rather than maintaining one area. Soon they had moved next to “Shiela”, who was dancing with this cousin of hers. Now I found this surprising, because Sis and Ginny had been throwing daggers with their eyes at “Shiela” all evening. She had been sitting with her wealthy new boyfriend, who was always bending to her demands, as evidenced by the expensive new finery she was sporting, which really had gotten a certain Twins goat. So it was with some puzzlement that when her cousin took a breather, Ginny and my twin slipped in to take her place, moving in rhythm with the now quite intoxicated “Shiela”.

 

Sis was facing “Shiela” and Ginny was behind her, all three of them gyrating their arms, hands and most of their other body parts in motion, up down and all around each other , so close at times that you would have had an effort at squeezing a hand between them.

 

What’s that pair up to now? Brain questioned me, as if I had a hand in it, I just shook my head, knowing only that I wanted to be in the middle of that sandwich instead of “Shiela”, but as it turned out, good thing I wasn’t.

 

We watched as the long song went on, with its deep bass beat that almost sounded like it had been lifted from some horror flick. Ginny and Sis continued to revolve, twist and swirl around the guileless “Shiela” as their colourfully brite (slinky) dresses shimmered in a most provocative fashion, bathed as they were caught by the dimly lit, smoke filled, dance floors blue strobes. A few times “Shiela” seemed to lose her footing, and fell against my Sister, who I thought took it surprisingly well as she gently steadied her foe.

 

Then the song ended, and all three girls laughed and giggled, actually hugged one another. I heard Brian letting out an chiding snort, I , well I was still just mesmerized by the whole act. Ginny and My Sister than walked the slightly dizzy “Shiela” back to her table, even going so far as to help her set down, before turning and heading back to our table. Both of them wearing chuff grins like the kittens that had eaten the canary.

 

Wotcher?, said Brian questioning their look. Oh God I thought, knowing the answer, for I had been watching “Shiela” as the girls had left and approached. My sister, looking around, held out her hand and opened her fist. There, all balled up and glittering, was the expensive diamond pendent of the set of matching diamonds that “Shiela” had been flaunting about to everyone all evening.

 

Brian Jumped all over the two, giving them quite the bollocking, “games we played on each other was one thing, but what you pair had done was wade into some very dangerous waters indeed”! So what’s next I chimed in, and by the looks on their heavily made-up faces realized the silly twits hadn’t thought of that end. We hastily discussed the matter, knowing that time was anything but on our sides. Finally Brian took it from my admonished(seemingly) twin, and marching it up to the disc jockey, had him make an announcement describing what his “sister” had found in the loo.

 

“Shiela”, whom we all had been watching, let out a shriek as her hands flew groping to her chest in fruitless examination, jumped up and immediately claimed it, or tried to as the Jocky had a little bit of fun with it first. “Shiela” and her haplessly star struck Beau, were so hopping mad at the Jocky, they pretty much gave no thought as to how the pretty thing actually had been lost in the first place. This was a lucky break for a couple of girls, who still sat their smugly smiling, as Brian tried in vain to continue scolding them. Me, I just looked at the twittering pair, wondering, pondering thoughts of me own.

 

Now it wasn’t until a couple of years later on the night my sister made the remark about the cold play song that the girls felt comfortable talking a bit more about the incident .And before Brian could listen without tabooing the subject. And it was then that I learnt how the pair of them had managed to take the diamonds from “Shiela”

 

It turned out the two had had no real plan, just that they had been discussing “Shiela” between themselves and had been debating over how fun it would be to knock her down a peg or so. One of the scenarios presented was to have her be given the shock of losing a piece of her expensive jewelry, and they even discussed bringing me into the fold, but thought better of it.

 

Although I am not sure if I would have taken them up on it, but since then I have thought out different ways I would have approached the problem, both by myself, and with the girls help. Although I wouldn’t have tried for the necklace, I figured her ring or bracelet would not have been beyond my scope of achievement. Although, with the girls help…….

 

Anyway they finally decided to try it themselves, after all how hard could it be to take, say a cocktail ring from “Shiela’s” sweaty finger as she was dancing away on the crowded floor?

 

They decided to join in the dance and get close to “Shiela” and if an opportunity arose, my sister was to signal Ginny by rubbing a finger alongside her nose to bump against “Shiela”, pushing the hapless B… into me devious twin. It was Ginny who came up with the name “squeeze play”, because I once had grasped and squeezed her from behind, removing her ring in the process.

 

Now “Shiela” was wearing what I guess is called an A-line gown, where her front was totally covered by the gowns shiny material, no gloves, just sweat glistened skin. As they moved in on “Shiela” Ginny took position behind, while Sis took the front, and at one point laid a hand upon “Shiela’s” shoulder, “Shiela” did likewise as they swayed to the deep rhythmic beats. Sis tried to grasp “Shiela’s” free hand, the one where she was wearing a diamond cocktail ring, but she kept missing. In the process she realized that the hand she had placed on her victims shoulder was almost touching the thick gold chain of her nemesis’s necklace, which held the diamond pendent that was bouncing about.

 

Looking “Shiela” directly in the eyes she began to work the necklace along as they danced, until her fingers felt the clasp. It was lobster clasp, similar to one my sister had on the emerald necklace Brian had given her. Sis gave it an exploratory push, and it surprisingly opened under her fingers. Startled at what had happened, she forgot the signal, and nodded to Ginny, who plowed into the hapless “Shiela’s” backside, as my sister felt “Shiela” fall against her. She whisked off the necklace with one hand, while steading the giggling “Shiela” with her other. Backing away she placed both hands behind her back as “Shiela” turned to receive Ginny’s apologies. Sis balled up the chain in one hand, holding it tightly closed for the remainder of the dance. They helped “Shiela” back to her table, my Sister placing the fist holding the necklace alongside her victims back as they helped guide the still giggling “Shiela” to a seat.

 

Walking away, my Sister thought that it had been almost scary how easily it had been to open the clasp and pluck off the necklace. It shouldn’t have been, she kept telling herself, but she knew it was, for she had the evidence in her hand, and she was not even close to ever being a professional about such things. My twin has said that afterwards that it had given her a lot of perturbed thoughts when wearing any good jewelry of hers in public, (particularly her emeralds with the Lobster clasp) and finds herself on occasion still doing spot checks whenever she has been brushed by someone. But then, I think we all do on occasion, knowing the kind of games we like to play.

 

So as one can see, overall ,this is a rather touchy subject to tackle. But there was no denying that Sis (and Ginny I suspect) were proud of their accomplishment at the time. It was almost like my twin was trying to impress upon me that I was not the only one with light fingers. A subject that, trust me, has been, and will continue to be explored down a sometimes crooked “garden” path.

  

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Anyone who has read Chronicles B knows that Ginny and Brian both received the upcommence for the manner in which they had gotten my sisters got at the wedding reception. But as for me, she waited a bit, biding her time, for like the proverbial elephant( which she has a bit of a collection) my twin does not forget.

Upcoming :

 

And revenge is a dish best served cold.

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In Appraisal

I do highly encourage anyone who has read my chronicles,( or looked at the clips below) and on the off-chance may actually have been entertained by them, and would like me to divulge more of our tomfooleries , to please leave behind a comment expressing that point.

Thank You

 

Food for thought:

Jewelry lifting Clips

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZdjhNVjxk&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls8rw2V1QCU&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RbLiI9ZFQ8&authuser=0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZ8s-R9vl4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofodSjKQ_-8

 

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Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

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DISCLAIMER

All rights and copyrights observed by Chatwick University, Its contributors, associates and Agents

 

The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.

 

No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.

 

These photos and stories are works of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment and/or educational purposes only, and should never be attempted in real life.

We accept no responsibility for any events occurring outside this website.

 

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inspired by the amazing artist of Simón Pais-Thomas. He is truly amazing in his frame series.

 

School was little rough today. Too bad there were no secret portals to climb through like the one above :] I always end up with the funny teachers. Which I love most. Monotone ones will literally lull me to sleep. It was a zoo. I felt like I was in high-school again, which I try to avoid constantly. Besides that, I think I will have a good semester. Portraiture tomorrow! Can't wait for that :]

 

Don't forget you can purchase prints here. Flickr message me if you have any questions.

 

Also, I was just informed I was in a contest here on flickr. Vote if you wish :]

 

Excited for tomorrow for a collab with a secret and very loved flickr friend. It will not dissapoint :] AND I know i'm throwing a lot at you all at once, but I'm starting a new set on wednesday, that i hope you will all enjoy!

 

Ok...now swallow all that good news :]

Mateo Hernandez, Navigation Systems Technician, Jupiter Yards

Personal Log:

 

My short trip to Mars-Orbit is over and I am once again on transport to Jupiter Yards. This time, however, I am accompanied by several nav systems, tested and ready for installation. I had a wonderful time on the construction platform watching the automated arms piece together my engineering jigsaw puzzle.

 

Our Captain for this planet-hop is interested in my photography. We talked about some of the shots I took on the trip to Mars and she informed me that there would be two cargo barges unloading on the summit platform as we were passing. She helped me line up the shot and I don\'t think I could have asked for better lighting...

  

This has to be my favorite render so far. The lighting is clearly inspired by the wonderful digital artist Paul Pepera at www.artstation.com/paulpepera . A big thank you goes to mecabricks for the tips for fog and dispersion! Somehow, everything worked out with this build. I wasn't really sure how to make an obviously heavier platform than the previous one while still maintaining the shape and structure but I think this works. I\'ve been holding off on uploading another shot of just the little accompanying ships but now I think I have enough new ones to warrant it.

After the dispatcher informed them of an impromptu pick-up at Booth Siding ("You have got to be kidding me"), UP 9091 now has an extra locomotive and 15 cars on the head-end of its train as it crosses Brays Bayou shortly before the waterway joins the Houston Ship Channel.

 

MEWSRB 24 (Manifest- Englewood Yard [Houston] to Strang Yard [La Porte, TX], Second Train)

UP SD70AH #9091

UP C44ACCTE #5907

 

Houston, TX

December 24th, 2020

Informed by Bing Image Creator (DALL-E)

Designs of 'ornithopters' (aircraft that fly by flapping wings), inspired by insects.

Il Festino di Santa Rosalia (u fistinu in siciliano) si svolge nel mese di luglio a Palermo. È una delle celebrazioni religiose siciliane ad essere ufficialmente riconosciuta come patrimonio immateriale d'Italia dall'Istituto centrale per la demoetnoantropologia (IDEA),[1] ente istituito con decreto del presidente della Repubblica del 26 novembre 2007 n. 233

 

(La Festa liturgica invece si svolge il 4 di settembre e si festeggia al Santuario di Santa Rosalia sul Monte Pellegrino a Palermo, dove la Santa morì nel 1170 all'interno della grotta). Nell'anno 1624 il viceré di Sicilia, Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, residente a Palermo, fece entrare nel porto cittadino un vascello proveniente da Tunisi e guidato da Maometto Calavà, moro tunisino, sospetto di peste, contenente innumerevoli doni, ricchi e preziosi, e schiavi cristiani liberati. Il morbo si diffuse così tra i topi, nei mercati, nelle aree periferiche ed infine nel centro cittadino. La popolazione, martoriata dalla peste, continuava ad ammalarsi e a morire e si affidava invano alle sante protettrici della città e dei quattro mandamenti cittadini: sant'Agata, santa Cristina, sant'Oliva e santa Ninfa. (Anche santa Lucia era patrona della città, ma non aveva assegnato nessun mandamento). Non si ottenne però nessun miracolo.

 

Girolama La Gattuta, donna ciminnese di 47 anni, ricamatrice, era inferma di forte febbre maligna all'Ospedale Grande di Palermo. Il 15 di ottobre del 1623, mentre era sofferente, "vide" una monaca vestita di bianco che attirava dei fulmini dietro di se. Le toccò la bocca e subito si sentì "riempita d'acqua". Era santa Rosalia,[2] che disse alla donna di andare sul Monte Pellegrino ad adempiere ad un voto.

 

Girolama guarì miracolosamente dopo tre giorni, ma non andò sul Monte Pellegrino e non fece il suo voto; così si ammalò nuovamente di malaria. Il 26 di maggio del 1624, giorno di Pentecoste, Girolama, inferma, salì sul Monte Pellegrino insieme al marito Benedetto Lo Gattuto, all'amico Vito Amodeo, marinaio trapanese di 37 anni, e alla di lui moglie. La donna bevve dell'acqua limpida che gocciolava dalle pareti rocciose di una grotta ricoperta all'esterno da vegetazione e che si trovava accanto dell'antica chiesa di Santa Rosalia, e guarì miracolosamente. In quel momento andò in dormizione e sognò la Madonna vestita di bianco, con il Bambin Gesù in braccio e con al collo una collana di coralli che le indicava di scavare all'interno della grotta dove avrebbe trovato "una santa, un tesoro". In fondo alla grotta vide una giovane vestita con una lunga tunica di arbraxo (stoffa di sacco vecchio) che, in ginocchio, pregava con la corona in mano.

 

Vide quindi una grande pietra, e con grande insistenza, nei primi giorni del mese di giugno fece iniziare gli scavi. Li condusse lei stessa, insieme al marito, ai contadini dei dintorni e ai monaci francescani del vicino convento. Nel frattempo il Senato, dopo la morte del viceré Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia avvenuta a causa della peste il 3 di agosto del 1624, vietò ai cittadini di lasciare le proprie dimore e soprattutto la città senza il proprio "bollettino", rilasciato dal maestro notaio. Il 15 luglio del 1624, nel punto precedentemente indicato da Girolama La Gattuta, terminarono gli scavi e sotto a una grande lastra di marmo e calcarenite molto piatta, vennero ritrovate delle ossa umane bianchissime (inserite in concrezioni calcaree). (All'inizio degli scavi in grotta avevano trovato altre ossa di colore scuro, probabilmente appartenenti ad un frate secolare e ad un novizio, oltre a delle ossa di capra). Le ossa bianche, per via del loro candido colore e delle delicate dimensioni del cranio, vennero assolutamente definite ossa di donna, ed emanavano un fortissimo e gradevolissimo profumo di fiori; inoltre, secondo le testimonianze, scritte peraltro, fu sufficiente soltanto un uomo a sollevare la cassa con dentro le ossa poiché "erano leggerissime". Le ossa vennero ripulite e portate nella cappella del Palazzo Arcivescovile, dove risiedeva il cardinale e arcivescovo di Palermo, Giannettino Doria, che dopo una vista delle ossa da parte dei Padri medici anatomici Gesuiti, guidati da Padre Giordano Cascini, che scrisse inoltre la prima biografia di santa Rosalia raccogliendo prove storiche e tradizioni orali tramandate nel tempo, che dicevano che le ossa erano di giovane donna, si convinse e decise di far portare in processione per le vie della città di Palermo le ossa, tramite il giovane Vincenzo Bonello. Ecco la storia.

 

Il 13 di febbraio del 1625 santa Rosalia apparve sul Monte Pellegrino ad un saponaio di nome Vincenzo Bonello (o Bonelli), che abitava nel mandamento Monte di Pietà, in via Pannaria, che voleva suicidarsi per via della morte per peste della giovane moglie quindicenne. La santa lo fermò dal suicidio e gli disse che solo se i propri resti fossero stati portati in processione e si fosse cantato il "Te Deum Laudamus", la peste sarebbe terminata, così come le aveva detto e promesso la Madonna. Vincenzo chiamò il suo confessore (parroco della chiesa di Sant'Ippolito Martire al Capo), come gli aveva detto santa Rosalia, e gli raccontò tutto quello che aveva visto. Dopo tre giorni, Vincenzo si ammalò di peste e morì, poiché aveva già ricevuto il suo miracolo. Il vescovo, facendo ben esaminare le ossa a dei medici anatomini venne informato che erano "di donna" e quindi, di Rosalia, l'unica donna vissuta sul Montepellegrino. Il 9 giugno 1625 l'arcivescovo di Palermo, Giannettino Doria, seguito da tutto il clero, dal senato palermitano e da alcuni cittadini eminenti fece una solenne processione attraverso le strade della città con le reliquie della santa. Al passaggio delle reliquie, al momento del Canto del "Te Deum Laudamus" , si bloccò il contagio della peste (da quel momento non furono più registrati nuovi casi di peste) e le persone guarivano dal morbo. Inoltre santa Rosalia protegge la città di Palermo da terremoti, tempeste e temporali, da cui ha difeso la città stessa anche in tempi recenti. it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festa_di_santa_Rosalia

 

The Festino di Santa Rosalia (u fistinu in Sicilian) takes place in the month of July in Palermo. It is one of the Sicilian religious celebrations to be officially recognized as an intangible heritage of Italy by the Central Institute for demo-ethno-anthropology (IDEA), [1] instituted by decree of the President of the Republic of 26 November 2007 n. 233

 

(The liturgical feast takes place on September 4th and is celebrated at the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia on Monte Pellegrino in Palermo, where the Saint died in 1170 inside the cave). In the year 1624 the viceroy of Sicily, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, resident in Palermo, brought a vessel from Tunis into the city port and was led by Mohammed Calavà, a Tunisian Moor, suspected of plague, containing innumerable gifts, rich and precious, and freed Christian slaves. Thus the disease spread among mice, in markets, in peripheral areas and finally in the city center. The population, tormented by the plague, continued to get sick and die and relied in vain on the holy protectors of the city and the four city districts: Saint Agatha, Saint Cristina, Saint Oliva and Saint Ninfa. (Saint Lucy was also the patron of the city, but she had not assigned any mandate). However, no miracle was obtained. Girolama La Gattuta, a Ciminnese woman 47 years old, an embroiderer, was ill with a strong malignant fever at the Great Hospital of Palermo. On October 15, 1623, while he was suffering, he "saw" a nun dressed in white who attracted lightning behind her. He touched her mouth and immediately felt "filled with water". It was Saint Rosalia, [2] who told the woman to go to Monte Pellegrino to fulfill a vow.

 

Girolama miraculously recovered after three days, but did not go to Monte Pellegrino and did not make his vow; thus he fell ill again with malaria. On 26 May 1624, Pentecost day, Girolama, an invalid, went up Monte Pellegrino together with her husband Benedetto Lo Gattuto, to his friend Vito Amodeo, a 37-year-old Trapani sailor, and his wife. The woman drank clear water that dripped from the rocky walls of a cave covered on the outside by vegetation and that was next to the ancient church of Santa Rosalia, and miraculously healed. At that moment she went to sleep and dreamed of the Madonna dressed in white, with the Baby Jesus in her arms and with a necklace of corals around her neck that told her to dig inside the cave where she would find "a saint, a treasure". At the bottom of the cave he saw a young woman dressed in a long tunic of arbraxo (old sack cloth) who, on her knees, prayed with the crown in her hand. Then he saw a large stone, and with great insistence, in the first days of June he began excavations. She led them, together with her husband, to the peasants of the surroundings and to the Franciscan monks of the nearby convent. Meanwhile the Senate, after the death of the viceroy Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy due to the plague on 3 August 1624, forbade the citizens to leave their homes and above all the city without their "bulletin", issued by the master notary. On 15 July 1624, at the point previously indicated by Girolama La Gattuta, the excavations ended and under a large slab of marble and very flat calcarenite, very white human bones were found (inserted in calcareous concretions). (At the beginning of the excavations in the cave they had found other dark colored bones, probably belonging to a secular friar and a novice, as well as goat bones). The white bones, due to their white color and the delicate dimensions of the skull, were absolutely defined as female bones, and emitted a very strong and pleasant perfume of flowers; moreover, according to the testimonies, written moreover, only one man was enough to lift the box with the bones inside because "they were very light". The bones were cleaned and taken to the chapel of the Archbishop's Palace, where the cardinal and archbishop of Palermo, Giannettino Doria resided, who after a view of the bones by the Jesuit medical anatomical Fathers, led by Father Giordano Cascini, who also wrote the first biography of Saint Rosalia collecting historical evidence and oral traditions handed down over time, which said that the bones belonged to a young woman, was convinced and decided to have the bones carried in procession through the streets of the city of Palermo, through the young Vincenzo Bonello. Here is the story. On February 13, 1625, Saint Rosalia appeared on Monte Pellegrino to a soap maker named Vincenzo Bonello (or Bonelli), who lived in the Monte di Pietà district, in Via Pannaria, who wanted to commit suicide due to the death of the young 15-year-old wife by plague. The saint stopped him from suicide and told him that only if his own remains had been carried in procession and the "Te Deum Laudamus" had been sung, would the plague be ended, as the Madonna had told her and promised. Vincenzo called his confessor (parish priest of the church of Sant'Ippolito Martire al Capo), as Saint Rosalia had told him, and told him everything he had seen. After three days, Vincenzo fell ill with the plague and died, since he had already received his miracle. The bishop, having well examined the bones of anatomini doctors, was informed that they were "women" and therefore, of Rosalia, the only woman living on Montepellegrino. On June 9, 1625 the archbishop of Palermo, Giannettino Doria, followed by all the clergy, the Palermo senate and some eminent citizens made a solemn procession through the streets of the city with the relics of the saint. At the passage of the relics, at the time of the Canto of the "Te Deum Laudamus", the contagion of the plague stopped (from that moment no new cases of plague were recorded) and people recovered from the disease. In addition, Saint Rosalia protects the city of Palermo from earthquakes, storms and storms, from which it has defended the city itself even in recent times.

. . I've just been informed that the weather we had over the weekend was part of the same system of the cyclone, Nargis, that hit Myanmar (Burma) killing over 10,000 (as currently reported).

 

My heart bleeds for this country.

 

It is highly impoverished, for decades it has been under a brutal military regime, it suffered in the Asian tsunami and the death-toll has still not been accurately revealed, last year the military cracked down heavily on peaceful protesters and monks, and now this!

 

"And we shall overcome . . ." Lyndon B Johnson, to Congress, 1965. Let's hope the Burmese people will, too.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

After waiting around for a bit, on my way back after getting 202, Steve Bauer informed me 202 had met 201 at Island Ford, so I doubled back to Dooms but couldn't make it to the signal. 7263 is one of the rebuilt ex UP SD90's.

Was informed that a Mangrove Pitta, an endangered species of bird in Singapore, was spotted at Singapore Botanic Garden. This particular bird is so friendly and unafraid of human that it walked just inches from us. We could literally use our cellphone camera to take pics of it.

 

In Explore on Jan 20, 2015.

 

*Note: More pics of Birds in my Wild Avian Friends Album.

A heads up from a friend informed me that the Grafton and Upton would be making their third revenue run over the Milford Industrial Track with two loads for Bluelinx in Bellingham. So instead of doing the responsible thing and having breakfast and then going to bed so I'd be rested for work that night I did the opposite and headed to Milford!

 

The one shot I wanted above all else was them swinging through Bellingham Junction, but when I got there I found the fresh snow u undisturbed so continued on up the line. I found them just as they were departing from the junction in Milford where their historic owned property meets this former New Haven branch line.

 

On a brilliantly cold clear winter day it was worthy of a little chase and I got them at three spots before they got to Bellingham Jct. where unfortunately they derailed ending my chase for the day as seen in this photo posted earlier: flic.kr/p/2kANeRg

 

This was the second spot on the chase as the pair of pair of patched ex CSXT nee SCL MP15ACs (EMD blt. Feb. 1978) numbers 1191 & 1160 approach Hartford Ave. at MP 33.8 rolling through the fresh snow.

 

Bellingham, Massachusetts

Thursday February 11, 2021

While enroute to LaCrosse for the weekend, we were informed of a BNSF SD70MAC in the executive paint leading CP 484 eastbound. After thinking I would miss it due to it being 45 minutes away when I still had 3 hours of work left in my shift, my hopes quickly dwindled. However, there was some light at the end of the tunnel as the trailing NS C44-9W had some sort of electrical fire causing the train to stop in Cooney siding, just west of Oconomowoc,WI. With the heavy train unable to keep speed under one locomotive, CP sent a rescue in the form of an AC4400CW that was in Muskego Yard. Due to numerous freights, as well as an already late passenger train having higher priority it wasn't until well after nightfall the train was ready to depart Cooney siding. We soon came to the consensus we would wait it out and delay our ETA into LaCrosse in order to shoot the train. Finally, after a re-crew and a wait for one more eastbound freight, BNSF SD70MAC No.9666 got the signal to proceed east on the CP Watertown Subdivision seen here departing from the east end of Cooney

 

02/09/2018

Kitchen help staying informed while taking a break at the back. © All rights reserved.

 

Website: www.ajkpix.com

 

Best viewed on black.

  

View On Black

What I am informed is an Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula). at Botley Wood.

UPDATE: I was just informed that is a Juvenile Bald Eagle. I just assumed it was a hawk from its color. So now not only am I challenging myself to learn to take photos of moving objects...I am going to challenge myself to learn what it is that I am shooting! lol Thanks for the information QC52!!!

 

I have challenged myself to get better at shooting animals and people. And what a perfect time to do that as I have discovered so far this year, a Kingfisher, an Eagle and two days ago there was this Hawk. I like that I got a natural vignette from the lake behind him.

I worked close to Warrington Arpley for many years and would always have a look over to the stabling point when I arrived in the morning. Monday February 19th 1996 had a surprise in store with three European Passenger Services (EPS) 37's lined up. Suffice it to say at lunchtime they got recorded.

* Update 30/07/22 friend Harry Needle has just informed me he now owns all three!

* Here is 37609 in DRS passenger duty: www.flickr.com/photos/45021513@N08/18310834120/in/photoli...

** They were once a fleet of twelve locomotives involved in what transpired to be a rather unfortunate chapter in Channel Tunnel passenger service history. In November 1990, "European Passenger Services Ltd" (EPS) was set-up as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Rail Board to manage the proposed daytime international passenger services between London, British provincial cities, Paris, and Brussels. These were to be procured as a joint effort between EPS, SNCF, and SNCB, and the wheels were set in motion on 18th December 1989 when a contract was signed with GEC-Alsthom for the construction of thirty Trans Manche Super Trains.

In addition to the daytime services, a series of overnight sleeper trains were also planned to run through the Chunnel. These were promoted under the "Nightstar" brand and to manage this project, "European Night Services Ltd" (ENS) was established in 1992. ENS was a collaboration between EPS, SNCF, Deutsch-Bahn (DB), and Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Netherlands Railways). London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Plymouth, Swansea, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Dortmund, and Frankfurt were all outlined as potential recipients of the sleeper trains, these of which are looked at in greater detail in the Nightstar section of the website. However, to set the scene, a £120,000,000 order was placed with a reluctant GEC Alsthom at Washwood Heath, Birmingham, for the construction of 139 passenger vehicles for the sleeper operation.

"Nightstar" services from Glasgow and Edinburgh would head south via West Coast and East Coast Main Lines respectively, and remarshalling of the trains would take place at Kensington Olympia before onward travel to the Chunnel. To haul the sleepers along these electrified routes and for passage through the Chunnel, seven Class 92 locomotives were ordered from Brush Traction Ltd at Loughborough in July 1990, each costing £3,000,000. However, those "Nighstar" trains emanating from Plymouth and Swansea, which used the Great Western Main Line to reach London, required diesel power as far as Kensington Olympia. The option of procuring a brand new diesel locomotive for this purpose was initially considered, but subsequently dropped. This was because the cost of building a relatively small number of diesel locomotives equipped with Electric Train Supply (ETS) to form a dedicated "Nightstar" fleet would be very expensive. As a result, ENS turned to the existing British Rail pool of diesels and in 1994, twelve Class 37 locomotives were selected from the TrainLoad freight sector to form a dedicated fleet for the Nightstar operation.

British Rail Maintenance Limited (BRML) Doncaster was awarded the contract to overhaul and modify the selected Class 37 locomotives. This included a complete overhaul of mechanical components, separation of the crank shaft from the engine, and bodywork restoration; known in the trade as a "G" exam. The bogie sets on all twelve were replaced by those salvaged from withdrawn Class 50 diesels and re-gearing increased the top speed from 80 MPH to 90 MPH. Fitted with vacuum braking when first introduced, all Class 37s were later converted to dual braking (i.e. vacuum and air); however, the vacuum equipment was removed from the "Nightstar" locomotives during overhaul and UIC (Union International des Chemin de fer) air brake pipes incorporated. ENS 61-way through train jumper connections were installed to make the locomotives and "Nightstar" carriages compatible with each other, Railway Clearing House (RCH) communication jumpers fitted, and standard coupling gear was retained.

 

In addition to those modifications already mentioned, the selected Class 37s were also wired for Electric Train Supply. However, the power for this would not come from the locomotives themselves, but rather a pool of generator vans dedicated to the "Nightstar" service. Five BR Mk 3 ex-sleeper cars were selected for conversion to this role. Originally, 120 of these vehicles had been ordered for construction at Derby from 1981 to 1984 for a market which was already in steady decline. Faster InterCity daytime services, combined with competing air travel, had eaten into the railway sleeper train business and the provision of Mk 3 vehicles for the latter, capable of 100 MPH running, was an attempt to regain some ground. Sadly, the demand never reached a level to justify such a large carriage fleet, which saw many of the Mk 3 sleeping cars become surplus to requirements early on.

For their new role on the Nightstar services, the ex-sleeper Mk 3 vehicles were to be equipped with a pair of diesel generators and associated fuel tank, and be re-wired for ETS operation. Technical details aside, the most interesting aspect of these carriages was how they would work in conjunction with the Class 37/6 fleet. To ensure the schedules of the Swansea and Plymouth sleepers ran to time, the plan was to have two diesel locomotives fronting each "Nightstar" formation, the latter of which would comprise seven passenger vehicles. The customary arrangement would then have been to sandwich the Mk 3 generator car in-between the sleeper stock and locomotives on all workings. However, from an operational viewpoint, this would result in a complex shunting arrangement at the end of each journey: not only would the Class 37s have to run round the coaching stock, but they would also have to switch to the opposite end of the generator car in a separate movement and re-attach it to the front of the train. The solution devised was novel and the final proposal was to have the generator car sandwiched in-between the locomotives, as per the below formation:

Therefore, this "top-and-tailing" of the generator car ensured that simple runaround manoeuvres at the end of each journey ultimately had a locomotive leading.

 

The Class 37/6 fleet would also not necessarily be limited to the "Great Western" lines. Engineering works on the ECML/WCML which required traversing non-electrified sections of route would call for diesel haulage on Scottish sleepers. On the daytime side of the operation, the locomotives could also be used, too: should the usual West London Line course between North Pole Depot and Waterloo International be blocked, Class 37/6s were intended to front TMSTs on a diversionary route from Kensington Olympia to Clapham Junction, via Willesden, Acton Central, and Barnes Bridge. The diesels could also be used to haul any failed "Eurostar" units. Given that the locomotives kept standard coupling gear, "barrier" wagons were procured to enable the fleet to be coupled to the TMSTs.

 

On 31st January 1995 the first of the overhauled "Nightstar" Class 37s, No. 37601, was formally handed over to EPS at Doncaster Works. The upper third of the bodyside was painted in "Executive Grey", the lower bodyside in light grey, and the roof in dark blue. Cast Channel Tunnel roundels were carried on both sides, and at one end the locomotive number and "EPS" branding was applied below the cab window. Snowploughs were fitted, but by May 1995 these had been removed, and by October of the same year the "Executive Grey" of the upper bodyside had been replaced by a lighter "Flint Grey" shade.

 

Official allocation of the type from the outset was to St Philips Marsh Depot (Bristol), which was geographically suitable to cover Plymouth and Swansea sleepers from a single base. Whilst the fleet could also be stabled at North Pole Depot for any Class 373 drags, maintenance work on them here was prohibited, because the site did not have the required environmental protection in the event of a diesel spillage. Therefore, some members were stationed at nearby Old Oak Common.

 

For the electric side of the operation, the first Class 92 was formally handed over to EPS at Waterloo International on 1st February 1995. On 29th February of the following year, the British Rail portions of EPS and ENS entities became part of the private consortium "London & Continental Railways", which had been announced as the preferred bidder to build and operate the proposed Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Whilst daytime London to Paris/Brussels services had been running since 14th November 1994, the "Regional Eurostar" and "Nightstar" operations were still distant.

 

L&CR made known that the existing "Eurostar" services were carrying much lower passenger numbers than originally forecast and soon after construction of the CTRL got underway, the company found itself in financial difficulties. This resulted in the Government stepping in to assist in February 1999, taking a large share of the firm at this time. Cost-cutting was the order of the day and in 1997, both "Nightstar" and "Regional Eurostar" schemes were put on hold. Their fate was sealed on 9th July 1999, when the two were formally cancelled.

 

What now for the stock procured for the "Nightstar" operation? The sleeper vehicles were placed into secure storage at MOD Kineton, Warwickshire, and the Class 92s offered for sale. No buyer could be found for the latter and the seven-strong fleet went into storage at Crewe Electric Depot. The Class 37/6 fleet had started to disband as early as 1997, when the "Nightstar" scheme was initially put on hold. In that year, Nos. 37607 to 37612 were taken on by "Direct Rail Services" (DRS), a freight operator established in 1995 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of "British Nuclear Fuels" for the movement of nuclear material. The rest were retained by EPS for TMST drags, although the pool was further reduced in size in 2002 when another three class members, Nos. 37602, 37605, and 37606, became part of the DRS fleet.

Nos. 37601, 37603, and 37604 remained at North Pole Depot as "Thunderbird" locomotives. On 7th October 2007, maintenance of the Class 373 formations was transferred to Temple Mills Depot prior to Section 2 of the CTRL from St Pancras to Southfleet Junction opening to scheduled passenger traffic. That saw No. 37604 being cast off to DRS in the previous week. Section 2 of the CTRL opened on 14th November 2007, which resulted in the last two EPS Class 37/6s, Nos. 37601 and 37603, being taken off L&CR's books. They became part of the DRS fleet early the following year.

** With thanks to Kent Rail for information.

I've Been Informed By Those In The Know That Some Dancers Will Not Wear Their Carnival Costumes Until The Actual Parade Itself !

 

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Copyright ©

 

All My Photographic Images Are Subject To Copyright ! Each Of My Photographs Remain My Intellectual Property ! All Rights Are Reserved And As Such, Do Not Use, Modify, Copy, Edit, Distribute Or Publish Any Of My Photographs ! If You Wish To Use Any Of My Photographs For Any Reproductive Purposes, Or Other Uses, My Written Permission Is Specifically Required, Contact Me Via Flickr Mail !

I was just informed that this photo of the Photographer's Son received the MERIT OF EXCELLENCE Award (i.e. placed 2nd) in the Amateur Portrait category in the Master's Cup Photo contest:

www.thecolorawards.com/6thphotoshow/winners.php?x=a&c...

Across from me on the subway last night.

On Black

Merry Christmas to you all.

Many thanks to all those who have commented, informed, educated and amused over the past year. All the best for 2013.

 

English - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Afrikaans - Geseënde Kersfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar! Geseënde Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwe jaar!

Akeanon - Maayad-ayad nga Paskwa! Mahigugmaon nga Bag-ong Dag-on kinyo tanan!

Albanian - Gëzuar Krishtlindjet e Vitin e Ri!

Aleut - Kamgan Ukudigaa!

Alsatian - E güeti Wïnâchte un e gleckichs Nej Johr!

Amharic - Melkam Gena! Melkam Addis Amet!

Apache (Western) - Gozhqq Keshmish!

Arabic (Modern Standard)أجمل التهاني بمناسبة الميلاد و حلول السنة الجديدة

(ajmil at-tihānī bimunāsabah al-mīlād wa ḥilūl as-sanah al-jadīdah)

Armenian (Eastern) - Շնորհավոր Ամանոր և Սուրբ Ծնունդ (Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund)

Armenian (Western) - Շնորհաւոր Նոր Տարի եւ Սուրբ Ծնունդ: (Shnorhavor Nor Daree yev Soorp Dzuhnoont) Բարի կաղանդ և ամանոր (Paree gaghant yev amanor)

Aromanian - Cãrciun hãrios (Hristolu s-aflà! Dealihea cà s-afla!)

shi ti multsã-anji Anlu Nàù!

Asturian - Bones Navidaes y Gayoleru añu nuevu!

Aymara - Sooma Nawira-ra!

Azerbaijani - Yeni Iliniz Mübarək / Təzə iliniz yaxşı olsun!

Basque - Zorionak eta urte berri on!

Belarusian - З Божым нараджэннем! (Z Bozym naradzenniem!) Шчаслівых Калядау! (Szczaslivych Kaliadau!) З Новым годам i Калядамi! (Z Novym godam i Kaliadami!)

Bengali - শুভ বড়দিন (shubho bôṛodin) শুভ নববর্ষ (shubho nôbobôrsho)

Bikol - Maogmang Pasko! Mamura-way na Ba-gong Taon sa indo gabos!

Blackfoot - I'taamomahkatoyiiksistsikomi!

Bosnian - Sretan Bozic i sretna nova godina!

Breton - Nedeleg laouen ha bloavezh mat!

Bulgarian - Честита Коледа! (Čestita Koleda!) Щастлива Нова Година! (Štastliva Nova Godina!)

Catalan - Bon Nadal i feliç any nou!

Cebuano - Maayong Pasko! Mabungahong Bag-ong Tuig kaninyong tanan!

Chamorro - Felis Nåbidåt yan Magof na Åñu Nuebu! Felis Påsgua yan Magof na Åñu Nuebu!

Cherokee - Danistayohihv & Aliheli'sdi Itse Udetiyvasadisv!

Cheyenne - Hoesenestotse & Aa'eEmona'e!

Chinese (Cantonese) - 聖誕節同新年快樂 (singdaanjit tùnhg sànnìhn faailohk)

Chinese (Hakka) - 聖誕節快樂, 新年快樂 (shin5-tan5-ziet7 kwai5-lok8, sin1-ngien2 kwai5-lok8)

Chinese (Mandarin) - 聖誕快樂 新年快樂 [圣诞快乐 新年快乐] (shèngdàn kuàilè xīnnián kuàilè)

Chinese (Shanghainese) - 圣诞节快乐 (sendaijiq kualoq) 新年快乐 (sinni kualoq)

Chinese (Taiwanese) - Sèng-tàn-chiat Khòai-lo̍k (聖誕節快樂)

Sin-nî Chhut-thâu-thiⁿ (新年出頭天)

Chinese (Teochew) - 圣诞快乐 (siandang kuailak) 新年快乐 (singnin kuailak)

Choctaw - Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito!

Comanche - Tsaa Nu̶u̶sukatu̶̲ Waa Himaru̶!

Cornish - Nadelik Lowen ha Blydhen Nowydh Da! Nadelik Looan ha Looan Blethen Noweth! Nadelack looan ha looan blethan noueth!

Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi!

Creek - Afvcke Nettvcakorakko!

Croatian - Sretan Božić! Sretna Nova godina!

Czech - Veselé vánoce a šťastný nový rok!

Danish - Glædelig jul og godt nytår!

Dutch - Prettige kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Zalig kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

East Inuktitut - Quviasummi Quviasugitsi/Quviasuvvisiutsiarit ammalu Qitinngumarik!

Esperanto - Ĝojan/Bonan Kristnaskon kaj feliĉan novan jaron!

Estonian - Rõõmsaid Jõule ja Head Uut Aastat! Häid Jõule ja Head Uut Aastat!

Faroese - Gleðilig Jól og eydnuríkt nýggjár! Gleðilig Jól og gott nýggjár! Gleiðilig jól og eitt av harranum signað nýggjár!

Fijian - Me Nomuni na marau ni siga ni sucu dei na yabaki vou!

Finnish - Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!

Flemish - Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar!

Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en folle lok en seine!

French - Joyeux Noël et bonne année!

Friulian - Bon Nadâl e Biel An Gnûv!

Galician - Bo Nadal e próspero aninovo!

Georgian - გილოცავთ შობა-ახალ წელს (gilocavth shoba-akhal c’els) გილოცავ შობა-ახალ წელს (gilocav shoba-akhal c’els)

German - Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!

German (Bavarian) - Froue Weihnåcht'n, und a guad's nei's Joah!

German (Hessian) - Frohe Weihnachte unn ein gudes neus Jahr!

German (Swiss) - Schöni Wienachte und e guets neus Jahr! Schöni Wiehnachte und es guets Neus! Schöni Wiänachtä, äs guets Nöis!

German (Pennsylvania) - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!

Greek - Καλά Χριστούγεννα! (kalá hristúyenna) Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος! (eftyhisméno to Néo Étos!) Καλή χρονιά! (kalí hroñá)

Greenlandic - Juullimi ukiortaasamilu pilluaritsi!

Hausa - Barka da Kirsimatikuma barka da sabuwar shekara!

Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

Hebrew - חג מולד שמח ושנה טובה Chag Molad Sameach v'Shanah Tovah

Hiligaynon - Malipayon nga Paskwa!

Mahamungayaon - Nga Bag-ong Tuig sa inyong tanan!

Hindi - शुभ क्रिसमस (Śubh krisamas) नये साल की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें (Naye sāl kī hārdik śubhkāmnayeṅ)

Hungarian - Kellemes karácsonyt és boldog új évet!

Icelandic - Gleðileg jól og farsælt komandi ár! Gleðileg jól og farsælt nýtt ár!

Ilokano - Naragsak a Paskua! Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen kadakayo amin!

Indonesian - Selamat hari natal dan tahun baru!

Inonhan - Malipayon nga Paskwa kag Masadya nga Bag-ong Tuig sa inyo tanan!

Inuktitut - Kuvianak Inovia! IñupiaqQuvianagli Anaiyyuniqpaliqsi suli Nakuuluni Ukiutqiutiqsi! InupiatunAnnaurri Aniruq-lu Paglaun Ukiutchiaq! Quvianaq Agaayuniqpak-lu Paglaun Ukiutchiaq! Nayaangmik Piqagiñ-lu Paglaun Ukiutchiaq!

Irish (Gaelic) - Nollaig shona duit! Beannachtaí na Nollag! Beannachtaí an tSéasúir! Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit! Bliain úr faoi shéan is faoi mhaise duit!

Italian - Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo!

Japanese - メリークリスマス (merī kurisumasu) 新年おめでとうございます (shinnen omedetō gozaimasu) 明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu) 旧年中大変お世話になりました (kyūnenjū taihen osewa ni narimashita) 本年もよろしくお願いいたします (honnen mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)

Jèrriais - Bouan Noué / Jouaiyeux Noué et Bouonne année! Un Bouan Noué et lé Nouvel An!

Judeo-Spanish / Ladino - Noel alegre i felis anyo muevo!

Kapampangan - Masayang Pasku! Masaplalang Bayung Banwa keko ngan!

Kazakh - Жаңа жыл құтты болсын! (Jaña jıl quttı bolsın!) Жаңа жылыңыз құтты болсын! (Jaña jılıñız quttı bolsın!)

Kinyarwanda - Noheri nziza n'umwaka mushya muhire!

Kirghiz - Жаны Жылыныздар куттуу болсун!

Korean - 즐거운 성탄절 보내세요 및 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaeseyo mich saehae bok manhi bateusaeyo) 메리 크리스마스 잘 지내고 새해 복 많이 받으세요

(meri keuriseumaseu mich saehae bok manhi bateusaeyo)

Kurdish (Kurmanji) - Kirîsmes u ser sala we pîroz be!

Kurdish (Sorani) - Kirîsmes u salî nwêtan lê pîroz bê!

Lao - Souksan van Christmas! Sabai dee pee mai!

Latin - Natale hilare et annum faustum!

Latvian - Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus un laimīgu Jauno gadu!

Lithuanian - Linksmų Kalėdų ir laimingų Naujųjų Metų!

Luganda - Mbagaliza Christmass Enungi Nomwaka Omugya Gubaberere Gwamirembe!

Luxembourgish - E schéine Chrëschtdag an e glécklecht neit Joer!

Schéi Feierdeeg an e glécklecht neit Joer! Schéi Chrëschtdeeg an e gudde Rutsch an d'neit Joer!

Macedonian - Христос се роди! (Hristoc se rodi!) Среќен Божик и среќна Нова година! (Sreken Božik i srekna Nova godina)

Malagasy - Mirary noely sambatra! Arahabaina tratrin'ny taona vaovao!

Malay - Selamat Hari Natal! Selamat Tahun Baru!

Malayalam - പുഥുവല്സര ആശംസകല് (puthuvalsara aashamsakal) ക്രിസ്തുമസ് ആശംസകല് (kariistumasu aashamsakal) നവവല്സര ആശംസകല് (nava-valsara aashamsakal)

MalteseI - l-Milied Ħieni u s-Sena t-Tajba! Awguri għas-sena l-ġdid!

Manx - Nollick Ghennal as Blein Vie Noa!

Māori - Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa!

Marathi - शुभ नाताळ (Śubh Nātāḷ) नवीन वर्षच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा (Navīn varṣacyā hārdik śubhecchā)

Mongolian - Танд зул сарын баярын болон шинэ жилийн мэндийг хүргэе (Tand zul sariin bayriin bolon shine jiliin mendiig hurgey)

Navajo - Ya'at'eeh Keshmish!

Nepali - क्रस्मसको शुभकामना तथा नयाँ वर्षको शुभकामना

(krismas ko subhakamana tatha nayabarsha ko subhakamana)

Norwegian - God jul og godt nytt år! God jol og godt nyttår!

Occitan - Polit Nadal e bona annada!

Ogoni - Eenyie Mea Krist Ne Eenyie Aagbaa!

Old English - Glæd Geol and Gesælig Niw Gear!

Pangasinan - Maabig ya Pasko! Maaligwas ya Balon Taon ed sikayon amin!

Papiamentu - Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo!

Persian - (kerismas mobārak) كریسمس مبارک

(sale no mobārak) سال نو مبارک

Polish - Wesołych świąt i szczęśliwego nowego roku!

Portuguese - Feliz Natal e próspero ano novo! Feliz Ano Novo!

Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo! Um Santo e Feliz Natal!

Punjab - iਕਰਿਸਮ ਤੇ ਨਵਾੰ ਸਾਲ ਖੁਸ਼ਿਯਾੰਵਾਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ (karisama te nawāṃ sāla khušayāṃwālā hewe)

Quenya - Alassëa Hristomerendë! Alassëa Vinyarië!

Rarotongan - Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou!

Romansh (Sursilvan dialect) - Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal ed in bien niev onn!

Romanian - Crăciun fericit şi un An Nou Fericit!

Russian - С наступающим Новым Годом! (S nastupayuščim Novym Godom) С Рождеством Христовым! (S Roždestvom Khristovym)

Samoan - Manuia le Kerisimasi, ma le Tausaga Fou!

Scots - A Blythe Yule an a Guid Hogmanay! Merry Christmas an a Guid Hogmanay!

Scottish - GaelicNollaig chridheil agus bliadhna mhath ùr!

Serbian (Orthodox) Христос се роди и срећна Нова година!

Serbian (Non-Orthodox) Срећан Божић и срећна Нова година!

Sesotho - Keresemese e monate le mahlohonolo a selemo se setjha!

Sicilian - Bon Natali e filici annu novu!

Sindarin - Mereth Veren e-Doled Eruion! Garo Idhrinn Eden Veren!

Slovak - Veselé vianoce a Štastný nový rok!

Slovenian - Vesel božič in Srečno novo leto!

Somali - Ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican!

Spanish - ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!

Swahili - Krismasi Njema! Heri ya krismas! Heri ya mwaka mpya!

Swedish - God jul och gott nytt år!

Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko, Manigong bagong taon!

Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal

Tahitian - Ia orana no te noere! Ia orana i te matahiti api!

Telugu - సంతోషకరమైన క్రిస్ఠ్మస్ ! (saṅthoashakaramaina kristmas) మరియు నూతన సంవత్సర శుభాకాంక్షలు (mariyu noothana saṅvathsara shubhaakaaṅkshalu)

Thai - สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส และสวัสดีปีใหม (souksaan wan Christmas sawatdii pimaï)

Tibetan - Iosalazashidele

Tigrinya - rHus beˋal ldet (ygberelka) rHus əwed ˋamet (ygberelka)

Tongan - Kilisimasi fiefia mo ha ta'u fo'ou monū'ia!

Tsotsil - Xmuyubajuk ti avo'one ti ta k'ine xchu'uk ti ta ach' jabile!

Turkish - İyi Noeller ve Mutlu Yıllar! İyi seneler / Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun! Yeni yılınızı kutlar, sağlık ve başarılar dileriz!

Ukrainian - Веселого Різдва і з Новим Роком!

Urdu - کرسمَس مبارک

نايا سال مبارک هو

بڑدا دنمبارک هو

Uzbek - Yangi yilingiz bilan!

Vietnamese - Chúc Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ và Chúc Năm Mới Tốt Lành!

Volapük - Lemotöfazäli yofik e nulayeli läbik!

Võro - Hüvvä joulu ja õnnõlikku vahtsõt aastakka!

Waray-Waray - Maupay nga Pasko! Mainuswagon nga Bag-ong Tuig ha iyo ngatanan!

Welsh - Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda!

West Inuktitun - Quvianaq Qitchirvik/Quviahugitsi Quviahugvingmi amma Quvianaq Ukiuaq Nutaaq Tikingmivuq!

Xhosa - Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi Emnandi Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo!

Yorùbá - Ẹ ku Ayọ Keresimesi ati Ọdun Tuntun!

Zulu - Sinifesela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha oNempumelelo!

Bahasa Malaysia - Selamat Hari Natal!

Bengali - Shuvo Baro Din - Shuvo Nabo Barsho!

Corsican - Bon Natale e Bon capu d' annu!

Crazanian - Rot Yikji Dol La Roo!

Duri - Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak!

Eskimo - Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!

Indonesian -Selamat Hari Natal!

Karelian - Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun!

Lappic - Buorit Juovllat ja Buorre Oddajahki!

Lausitzian - Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto!

Livian - Riiemlizi Talspividi ja pagin vonno udaigastos!

Low Saxon - Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar!

Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh!

Maori - Meri Kirihimete!

Monogasque - Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva!

Oriya -Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa!

Papua New Guinea - Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu!

Philippines Maligayang - Pasco at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Pashto - De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha!

Punjabi - Nave sal di mubaraka!

Pushto - Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha!

Raeto-Ramance - Bella Festas da zNadal ed in Ventiravel Onn Nov!

Rhetian - Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn!

Romanche - Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!

Romani (GYPSY) - Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers!

Sami - Buorrit Juovllat!

Samoan - Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou!

Sardian - Felize Nadale e Bonu Cabuannu!

Sardinian -Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou!

Surinamese (SRANANTONGO) - Wan Santa Bedaki!

Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa!

Sorbian - Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto!

Somali - Ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican!

Sudanese - Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal!

Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal!

Tok Pisin - Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia!

Tongan - Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta'u fo'ou monu ia!

Tswana - Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha!

Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho!

Vanina - Bon Natale a Tutti!

Vepsi - Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke!

Yayeya - Krisema!

Afrikander - Een Plesierige Kerfees!

Tigrinja - Rehus-Beal-Ledeats!

Assyrian - Eidokhon Avee Brikha!

Azari - Bayramez Mobarak Olsen!

Bicolano - Maugmang Capascuhan asin Masaganang Ba-gong Taon!

Iban - Selamat Ari Krismas enggau Taun Baru!

Kadazan -Kotobian Tadau Do Krimas om Toun Vagu!

Trukeese - Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!

Sobota - Dobro dedek!

Udmurt - Shuldyr Ymuśton!

Iroquois - Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay!

  

This is a perfect example of why it pays to keep others informed. After grabbing a few shots of K444 since it was sitting in the hole at SE Tucker waiting for a crew, I decided to head north towards the Etowah Sub to see if I could find out where W024 with an SD50-3 leading a SD40-2 was. Upon arriving at Emerson, one of the younger railfans I helped informed where K444 was had posted that the crew had shown up out of nowhere & was waiting for Q583 to clear up the single track before heading south. I quickly got off at that exit & quickly started heading back over 30 miles south, not knowing if Q583 was near them. Upon getting to East Switch just before Howell Yard, I get word that K444 just cleared the signal at SE Tucker. So I parked where I was & waited for them to come to me, not wanting to give Howell any chance of slapping another engine or wying the power to put the 2431 in a trailing position. Less than 15 minutes later, they come into view & I set myself up, hoping that the break in the clouds would hold. Here, we see K444 knocking down the East Switch signal as it's about to go under I-75. As it would turn out, I ended up getting the only sunny shot of this train that day, as it would end up sitting at Gilstrap the rest of the day waiting for a crew to take it to Etowah. 1-2-21

Keeping the head end informed, last eastbound Canadian at rest in Winnipeg. We've recently completed the last passenger run from Calgary to Winnipeg: Calgary is now without intercity rail service heading east: the last westbound has met us here and is on the other track. Tomorrow it will be the last passenger train to call at Calgary. Bizarre for a major city in a G20 country.

 

On other matters...Head-End (electrical) Power to warm trains is more efficient, more reliable, and makes more sense in the age of electric and diesel-electric locomotives, but still in my mind passenger cars should steam in the winter...! Since this shot VIA's strealiner fleet has been rebuilt to use HEP instead of steam: more reliable as the power lines can't freeze in winter, unlike steam lines.

 

Original image 4x4-inch print from a 120 negative, shot on a Yashicamat 124. I finally found and scanned the negative: big improvement! More detail both on the car outside in daylight and the conductor in the shade of the train shed. Agfa APX 100 was the film used (A film in retrospect was quite nice!) and the exposure was augmented with another classic, a Vivitar 283 flash with a LumiQuest Pocket Bounce -- analog HDR, if you will! I use flash more in daylight than in the dark.