This is my last drawing for a moly_x_international sketchbook exchange that I've participated in for over two years with three other artists. My entry completes Katie's sketchbook whose theme was Winter Remembering Spring. My drawing follows Masha Kirikova's entry that includes the double window, checkered floor and inscription.

To read the words that are part of the drawing, please look at our blog

moleskinex24.blogspot.com/2013/06/only-stump-for-katies-b...

Public art is successful if it makes people stop, look and think and on that basis this work by Rowan Gillespie is a huge success.

Today when I visited there was a large number of young American tourists there and their guide was telling them about the "Irish Potato Famine". Americans refer to it as the "Irish Potato Famine" while we in Ireland to it as the "Famine" or the "Great famine"

Rowan Fergus Meredith Gillespie (born 1953) is an Irish bronze casting sculptor of international renown. Born in Dublin to Irish parents, Gillespie spent his formative years in Cyprus.

The Irish Famine and subsequent catastrophic migration has motivated two major works by Gillespie, and so it must be said that the portrayal of Famine, is a major theme of the artist's work. In several of his site specific pieces, such as Famine (1997) on the Custom House Quay in Dublin, his life-sized human figures are emaciated and haunting.

In June 2007, a series of statues by Gillespie was unveiled by President Mary McAleese on the quayside in Toronto's Ireland Park.

In Ireland, the Great Famine was a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration between 1845 and 1852.

During the Famine approximately 1 million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the country's population to fall by between 20% and 25%. The cause of famine was a potato disease commonly known as potato blight. Although blight ravaged potato crops throughout Europe during the 1840s, the impact and human cost in Ireland — where one-third of the population was entirely dependent on the potato for food—was exacerbated by a host of political, social and economic factors which remain the subject of historical debate.

The famine was a watershed in the history of Ireland. Its effects permanently changed the island's demographic, political and cultural landscape. For both the native Irish and those in the resulting diaspora, the famine entered folk memoryand became a rallying point for various nationalist movements. Modern historians regard it as a dividing line in the Irish historical narrative, referring to the preceding period of Irish history as "pre-Famine".

This is the after picture. Two objects in the sky falling quickly enough to be captured as a blur. I had this setting on quick exposure, so not sure what this is about.

This is what buses on the 16 route look like today. This picture also appears on my other Flickr account “Willesden Lane and surrounds GALLERIES” :- www.flickr.com/photos/willesdenandthelanes/ , which is more dedicated to local history, reminiscence of early times in my life and looking for photos taken in Kilburn in the 1940 – 1970s.

Operation AVRO is a forcewide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

This month saw the operation return to Salford.

The operation targets crimes that members of the public in that district have told us give them the most concern.

Members of the press and key partners, including local representatives, are invited to attend Operation AVRO deployments to see results first-hand and conduct important multi-agency work, such as welfare visits.

More details on AVRO can be found by visiting gmp.police.uk and following us on social media.

You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk

Fatehpur Sikri (Hindi: फ़तेहपुर सीकरी, Urdu: فتحپور سیکری‎) is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The city was founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. After his military victories over Chittor and Ranthambore, Akbar decided to shift his capital from Agra to a new location 37 km WSW on the Sikri ridge, to honor the Sufi saint Salim Chishti. Here he commenced the construction of a planned walled city which took the next fifteen years in planning and construction of a series of royal palaces, harem, courts, a mosque, private quarters and other utility buildings. He named the city, Fatehabad, with Fateh, a word of Arabic origin in Persian, meaning "victorious." it was later called Fatehpur Sikri. It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India.

According to contemporary historians, Akbar took a great interest in the building of Fatehpur Sikri and probably also dictated its architectural style. Seeking to revive the splendours of Persian court ceremonial made famous by his ancestor Timur, Akbar planned the complex on Persian principles. But the influences of his adopted land came through in the typically Indian embellishments. The easy availability of sandstone in the neighbouring areas of Fatehpur Sikri, also meant that all the buildings here were made of the red stone. The imperial Palace complex consists of a number of independent pavilions arranged in formal geometry on a piece of level ground, a pattern derived from Arab and central Asian tent encampments. In its entirety, the monuments at Fatehpur Sikri thus reflect the genius of Akbar in assimilating diverse regional architectural influences within a holistic style that was uniquely his own.

The Imperial complex was abandoned in 1585, shortly after its completion, due to paucity of water and its proximity with the Rajputana areas in the North-West, which were increasingly in turmoil. Thus the capital was shifted to Lahore so that Akbar could have a base in the less stable part of the empire, before moving back to Agra in 1598, where he had begun his reign as he shifted his focus to Deccan. In fact, he never returned to the city except for a brief period in 1601. In later Mughal history it was occupied for a short while by Mughal emperor, Muhammad Shah (r. 1719 -1748), and his regent, Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha, one of the Syed Brothers, was murdered here in 1720. Today much of the imperial complex which spread over nearly two mile long and one mile wide area is largely intact and resembles a ghost town. It is still surrounded by a five mile long wall built during its original construction, on three sides. However apart from the imperial buildings complex few other buildings stand in the area, which is mostly barren, except of ruins of the bazaars of the old city near the Naubat Khana, the 'drum-house' entrance at Agra Road. The modern town lies at the western end of the complex, which was a municipality from 1865 to 1904, and later made a "notified area", and in 1901 had a population of 7,147. For a long time it was still known for its masons and stone carvers, though in Akbar time it was known and 'fabrics of hair' and 'silk-spinning'. The village of Sikri still exists nearby.

ARCHITECTURE OF FATEHPUR SIKRI

Fatehpur Sikri sits on rocky ridge, 3 kilometres in length and 1 km wide, and palace city is surrounded by a 6 km wall on three side with the fourth being a lake at the time. Its architect was Tuhir Das and Dhruv Chawla and was constructed using Indian principles. The buildings of Fatehpur Sikri show a synthesis of various regional schools of architectural craftsmanship such as Gujarat and Bengal. This was because indigenous craftsmen were used for the construction of the buildings. Influences from Hindu and Jain architecture are seen hand in hand with Islamic elements. The building material used in all the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri, palace-city complex, is the locally quarried red sandstone, known as 'Sikri sandstone'. It is accessed through gates along the five-mile long fort wall, namely, Delhi Gate, the Lal Gate, the Agra Gate, Birbal's Gate, Chandanpal Gate, The Gwalior Gate, the Tehra Gate, the Chor Gate and the Ajmere Gate.

Some of the important buildings in this city, both religious and secular are:

Buland Darwaza: Set into the south wall of congregational mosque, the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, this stupendous piece of architecture is 55 metre high, from the outside, gradually making a transition to a human scale in the inside. The gate was added some five years later after the completion of the mosque ca. 1576-1577 as an 'victory arch', to commemorate the Akbar's successful Gujarat campaign. It carries two inscriptions in the archway, one of which reads: "Isa, Son of Mariam said: The world is a bridge, pass over it, but build no houses on it. He who hopes for an hour may hope for eternity. The world endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer, for the rest is unseen".

The central portico comprises three arched entrances, with the largest one, in the centre, is known locally as the Horseshoe Gate, after the custom of nailing horseshoes to its large wooden doors for luck. Outside the giant steps of the Buland Darwaza to left is deep well.

Jama Masjid: It is a Jama Mosque meaning the congregational mosque, and was perhaps one of the first buildings to come up in the complex, as its epigraph gives AH 979 (AD 1571-72) as the date of its completion, with a massive entrance to the courtyard, the Buland-Darwaza added some five years later. It was built in the manner of Indian mosques, with iwans around a central courtyard. A distinguishing feature is the row of chhatri over the sanctuary. There are three mihrabs in each of the seven bays, while the large central mihrab is covered by a dome, it is decorated with white marble inlay, in geometric patterns.

Tomb of Salim Chishti: A white marble encased tomb of the Sufi saint, Salim Chisti (1478–1572), within the Jama Masjid's sahn, courtyard. The single-storey structure is built around a central square chamber, within which is the grave of the saint, under an ornate wooden canopy encrusted with mother-of-pearl mosaic. Surrounding it is a covered passageway for circumambulation, with carved Jalis, stone pierced screens all around with intricate geometric design, and an entrance to the south. The tomb is influenced by earlier mausolea of the early 15th century Gujarat Sultanate period. Other striking features of the tomb are white marble serpentine brackets, which support sloping eaves around the parapet.

On the left of the tomb, to the east, stands a red sandstone tomb of Islam Khan I, son of Shaikh Badruddin Chisti and grandson of Shaikh Salim Chishti, who became a general in the Mughal army in the reign of Jahangir. The tomb is topped by a dome and thirty-six small domed chattris, and contains a number of graves, some unnamed, all male descendants of Shaikh Salim Chisti.

Diwan-i-Aam : Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience, is a building typology found in many cities where the ruler meets the general public. In this case, it is a pavilion-like multi-bayed rectangular structure fronting a large open space. South west of the Diwan-i-Am and next to the Turkic Sultana's House stand Turkic Baths.

Diwan-i-Khas: the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience, is a plain square building with four chhatris on the roof. However it is famous for its central pillar, which has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved with bands of geometric and floral designs, further its thirty-six serpentine brackets support a circular platform for Akbar, which is connected to each corner of the building on the first floor, by four stone walkways. It is here that Akbar had representatives of different religions discuss their faiths and gave private audience.

Ibadat Khana: (House of Worship) was a meeting house built in 1575 CE by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, where the foundations of a new Syncretistic faith, Din-e-Ilahi were laid by Akbar.

Anup Talao: A ornamental pool with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it. Some of the important buildings of the royal enclave are surround by it including, Khwabgah (House of Dreams) Akbar's residence, Panch Mahal, a five-storey palace, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Ankh Michauli and the Astrologer's Seat, in the south-west corner of the Pachisi Court.

Hujra-i-Anup Talao: Said to be the residence of Akbar's Muslim wife, although this is disputed due to its small size.

Mariam-uz-Zamani's Palace: The building of Akbar's Rajput wives, including Mariam-uz-Zamani, shows Gujarati influence and is built around a courtyard, with special care being taken to ensure privacy.

Naubat Khana: Also known as Naqqar Khana meaning a drum house, where musician used drums to announce the arrival of the Emperor. It is situated ahead of the Hathi Pol Gate or the Elephant Gate, the south entrance to the complex, suggesting that it was the imperial entrance.

Pachisi Court: A square marked out as a large board game, the precursor to modern day Ludo game where people served as the playing pieces.

Panch Mahal: A five-storied palatial structure, with the tiers gradually diminishing in size, till the final one, which is a single large-domed chhatri. Originally pierced stone screens faced the façade, and probably sub-divided the interior as well, suggesting it was built for the ladies of the court. The floors are supported by intricately carved columns on each level, totalling to 176 columns in all.

Birbal's House: The house of Akbar's favorite minister, who was a Hindu. Notable features of the building are the horizontal sloping sunshades or chajjas and the brackets which support them.

Recent excavation done by ASI in 2000 led to unearthing of an ancient jain city very near to the fort complex.

Other buildings included Taksal (mint), 'Daftar Khana (Records Office), Karkhanas (royal workshop), Khazana (treasury), Turkic styled Baths, Darogha's Quarters, stables, Caravan sarai, Hakim's quarters etc.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Fatehpur Sikri has a population of 28,757. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Fatehpur Sikri has an average literacy rate of 46%, lower than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 57%, and female literacy is 34%. In Fatehpur Sikri, 59% of the population is under 6 years of age.

ADMINISTRATIVE ESTABLISHMENT

Fatehpur Sikri is one of the fifteen Block headquarters in the Agra district it has 52 Gram panchayats (Village Panchayat) under it.

The Fatehpur Sikri, is a constituency of the Lok Sabha, Lower house of the Indian Parliament, and further comprises five Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments:

Agra Rural

Fatehpur Sikri

Kheragarh

Fatehabad

Bah

In all there are 12 villages of Sisodia Rajputs near Fatehpur Sikri fort in Agra district. These are Daultabad, Nayavas, Satha, korai, Behrawati, Byara, Undera, Kachora, Singarpur, Vidyapur, Onera, Arrua.

TRANSPORT

Fatehpur Sikri is about 39 km. from Agra. The nearest Airport is the Agra Airport (also known as Kheria Airport), 40 km from Fatehpur Sikri. The nearest railway station is the Fatehpur Sikri Railway Station, about one km. from the city centre . It is suitably connected to Agra and neighbouring centres by road, where regular bus services of UPSRTC ply, apart from Tourist buses and taxies.

WIKIPEDIA

Nine million in Lima, rush hour is not the time to figure out a way back to the airport. Fortunately, We found a young college student who spoke English. She quickly called us an Uber which pulled up on the crowded sidewalk. No account was necessary as a predetermined cash payment was quoted in advance. Next time we will pay the limo driver to wait for our return trip to the airport hotel. We did not have any other problems in the city, but it was real apparent that we were no longer in Kansas, if you know what I mean.

Celebrating the completion of the tunnel boring work is a great milestone for the project and for the communities this line will serve. The Evergreen Line project is more than 75% complete, and the work to finish the line, including the tunnel, is well underway. Once Evergreen is complete, BC will have the longest, fully automated rapid transit network in the world.

Learn more: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015TRAN0165-001980

This is the view looking into the building seen in the previous three photos. I shot this from the doorway--I definitely did not feel like stepping inside, as in real life this looked a lot darker. Unquestionably the creepiest location I've ever photographed. View large on black.

Yashica-Mat LM with Yashinon lens, f/16, 1 sec. Kodak Portra 400NC, developed with Arista C-41 kit.

[Title taken from here.]

The rabbit is a key animal for a lot of mammals and birds in the Mediterranean Iberia. They are at the bottom of the food chain for most of the Iberian carnivores. Birds of prey, linxs, wild cats, wolves, foxes, they all hunt and eat rabbits. Man introduction of pests like myxomatosis or haemorrhagic pneumonia have decimated its populations with the consecuent reduction of carnivore numbers. The two jewels of the Iberian fauna, the imperial eagle and the lynx have suffered the most. After years of declining, both species are seeing their numbers increased. And with them, rabbit numbers grow as well. Long life to our dear rabbit.

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CONEJO CAZADO

El conejo es un animal clave para muchos mamíferos y aves de la Iberia mediterránea. Están en la base de la cadena alimenticia para la mayor parte de los carnívoros ibéricos. Aves de presa, linces, gatos monteses, lobos, zorros, todos cazan y comen conejos. La introducción por el hombre de plagas como la mixomatosis y la neumonía hemorrágica han reducido mucho sus números con la consecuente bajada en el número de carnívoros. Las dos joyas de la fauna Ibérica, el águila imperial y el lince han sido los que más lo han sufrido. Después de años de reducción, por fin ambas especies han visto incrementarse sus números. Y con ellos ha aumentado también el número de conejos. Larga vida al conejo.

Darts

'Darts' is a looped video in which I am composing music through playing a game of darts. On the back of the dartboard is a Piezo microphone, a contact microphone consisting of a piece of crystal glued to a piece of brass connected to speaker wire which collects the vibrations of an object distinguishing only tonality and velocity. The microphone picks up the vibrations of the dartboard as it is struck by a dart and through audio software is then translated in to MIDI; a musical language which separates the noises or vibrations into their respective musical notes by recognising their pitches. The distinguished notes are then being reinterpreted as the sounds of an electric piano and so the game of darts that I play becomes an improvised musical performance.

tomcampbellwoods@gmail.com

cargocollective.com/thomascampbellwoods

Here is a Karrier CK3 64A Tower Wagon from Bradford Corporation recovering trolleybus No 743.

Fleet number 034, reg.number EKY 594. New on 22/9/1947, Withdrawn 1/3/1969.

the trolleybus is No 743 a BUT 9611T, new in 1949 and withdrawn in 1968 it had a Roe H33/25R body.

Photo taken 30/8/1962

Copyright J Copeland

This vehicle is now preseved and at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum

The back end of an Austin Champ can be seen at the right edge of the photo,

This is a very rough sketch done with fine-line marker on a small piece of paper. I made this sketch a few days ago to help me make a color choice for the wooden codfish cutout that I am decorating for the Marblehead Arts Festival. For this project, I created a pattern inspired by Portuguese blue and white tiles (azulejos) and gave my fish a Portuguese name, Bela Bacalhau (beautiful codfish). By Friday, I had drawn in the whole design onto the wooden fish with fine-line marker. (See post for May 6, 2016). But I was still trying to decide about the color for the little "wave" patterns inside each square. Should I leave them as is color them in with dark blue, or color them in with a lighter blue? I decided to do a little rough sketch so I could ask innocent bystanders what they thought. (See post for May 9.) I asked family members and friends which square they preferred. What I heard: the two-tone idea is good, but do I want people to perceive the outline or the pattern? That was an interesting question, which led me to a better solution. I wanted a blue that was close to the outline color, but perceptibly different. That way, I would create a two-tone effect, the pattern would pop out, and the outline would still show. So I grabbed another Sharpie and filled in the waves in the white square with a bright blue. (See upper right square.) That color seemed right, but I wasn't ready to actually change the pattern on the wooden fish until I did tried one more thing. . . To be continued.

This is the locomotive used in the film ' Holiday Camp'.. BR No 69881 and was shown at the start of the film arriving at Sandsend station with passengers...the engine was specially cleaned up for its starring role in the movie and went on to be quite a celebrity on this coastal route....the view is above the cliffs at Sandsend....Photo. W. Hudson.

This is a picture of my S-M-C Macro-Takumar f4 using a new (to me) Petri lens that I'm working on adapting to be used on my R7. The Petri mount is super weird and not very popular or common. This is my 3rd Petri lens.

I'm 3D printing the mount. So far, so good. But for this image I just held the lens up to the M42 to Canon RF adapter and shot it.

The lens itself looks interesting. I need to get this mount figured out first and then do some testing.

Shot using a Petri 55mm f2 @f2.8

This site isn’t so much for travel narrative as it is for looking at pictures, so I’ll cut out a full day’s narrative, save for this:

Thursday was close to an eleven hour day of travel to get from Yangshuo to Detian. I spent less than 90 minutes shooting at the falls. From Detian (western part of the province on the Vietnamese border), I had to make my way to Beihai (southern, coastal city on the Gulf of Tonkin). It was, in distance, much shorter than Yangshuo-Detian. However, it turned into a reasonably miserable travel day and took about twelve hours (with about five of those hours spent in a bus station waiting room in Nanning). I got to my hotel in Beihai around 9:30 p.m. on Friday night. (I would stay in the same hotel Sunday night as well.)

The only positive to come from Friday’s travel was on the bus from Detian to Daxin (and on to Nanning). There was a very nice girl traveling with her parents who wanted to practice her English who happened to have visited Beihai. I think she said she was from Guangdong, too. Anyway, what I wanted to do most in Beihai was go to Weizhou Island (Weizhou Dao). She suggested (almost implied it was required) that I needed to book tickets on the ferry to Weizhou Dao in advance, so she helped me and called someone she knew in Beihai to reserve a ticket for me at 8:30 on Saturday morning.

I really didn’t know too much about Weizhou Dao, except that it was listed in Lonely Planet as a place to go. I did try to research it online, too, but couldn’t find too many pictures of the island. I found a few, though, and it was enough to convince me that it was worth going. Besides, Beihai honestly didn’t have too many places I was interested in seeing for two days.

So, I decided before the trip that I would come out and spend the night here on Weizhou Island. That turned out to be about the best decision I made for this trip, as it was much better than I was expecting from the lack of information I could find about the place.

I fell in love with this island. The ride across the Gulf of Tonkin takes a little over an hour on a high-speed boat. The cost is 150 RMB, which also includes admission to the island. The island is the remnants of a volcano, I believe, and is a reasonably circular island with a total area of 25-30 square kilometers. So…it’s small.

The port at Weizhou Dao is on the northwest corner of the island. The main city (that is to say the one place where there’s a main street running along the water for about 1 km) is called Nanwan (South Bay). To get around the island, you can either walk, rent a bike, or take a san lun che (tuk tuk). San lun che is the easiest. Depending on where you want to go on the island, it costs between 20 and 40 RMB to go from place to place. There are cars on the island, and people (though not many) do live here year-round, but for public transportation, those are your options, and they’re more than enough.

I think I paid 30 RMB to a guy to get me down to Nanwan. I hadn’t booked anything in advance (though I tried), so went to the first place that Lonely Planet mentioned: Piggybar. This was a very cheap place and as close to a dive as any place I’ve stayed in China.

This was the tropics in June, so the weather was sweltering. It turns out that I wouldn’t be alone in my room. I stopped counting how many cockroaches I killed somewhere after five or so. Big-sized suckers, too. But, that would be later in the day. At night, the electricity constantly cut out. This was only a slight annoyance because it would turn the air conditioner off. Sleeping wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. I also stopped counting how many times the power would go off. (It was never for more than 5 minutes, though.) I certainly don’t fault the Piggybar for this. The power apparently just goes out around Nanwan like that.

I did enjoy the main drag in Nanwan. There are a lot of neat little bars and restaurants (and what seemed like a much nicer hotel about midway along the road). I don’t remember the name of the place, but if I make it back there, I’d definitely stay at that place instead.

After I checked into my room in the morning, I took stock of things, thought the view in the south bay was pretty nice, and headed out for a walk towards the rest of the main drag. As this is an island, almost all restaurants have fresh seafood (which, for anyone who knows me, isn’t appealing…but seafood lovers would be in heaven here). I stopped at a restaurant and grabbed an early lunch of generic non-seafood Chinese food. It was so generic that it was forgettable. Maybe it was huntun, which is like a small dumpling soup. I really don’t remember.

While sitting there in the open-air shade enjoying the view of the sea, three college girls came along on bikes they rented and joined me. They, too, were from Guangdong if I remember correctly. I was beginning to think everyone was from Guangdong, but I know better than that. At any rate, they were friendly and we were talking about what to do around the island.

For me, the most interesting place to photograph was going to be the Catholic church. There are two churches on the island – one Catholic (founded by the French), one protestant (founded by Germans, I believe), both around 100 years old, if not a little older. Of the two, the Catholic church is the much more photogenic of the two, so that was what I was most looking forward to shooting, and that was the first place I was going to head via san lun che. It cost 40 RMB to get there. The girls had bikes, so I told them to try to get there – it was on the opposite side of the island…somewhere in the northeast part, but not on the water. They didn’t quite make it, but no worries. I saw them later, and they told me they did eventually get to it.

I wandered around the church and church grounds, and also the streets in front of it for an hour or so in the early afternoon. The church itself was quiet and peaceful and the street in front of it was lively with lots of vendors.

Besides the church, there are a lot of places with natural beauty on this island. As it’s created from a volcano, there are a lot of fascinating rock formations, but those tend to shoot best in lower light closer to sunrise or sunset. There’s even another small island nearby that you can apparently get boat rides to. While near the church, I was enjoying a map of the island with its scenic spots and their flowery names. I decided to go to one that they called Drippy Red Screen. (After all, who doesn’t want to see a screen that drips like blood?)

Really, it’s called that because it’s a dark-colored rock that, close to sunset, apparently turns a vibrant red. I figured, if this is a good place to see a sunset over the sea, I’m there. I left the church around 3:00, and paid a guy another 40 RMB to wheel me back across to the southwest corner of the island.

Though it was far from sunset, I was all too happy to go rent an umbrella and wooden beach chair for 30 RMB with a “front row view” of the sunset. This was vacation, after all, and what better way to spend it than relaxing next to a beach, people watching. At first, there weren’t too many people around. Just a few groups of entrepreneurs like these who took a little area of the beach and rented the umbrellas/chairs. There were also people who you could pay to take you around on jet skis and things like that. Other than that, just sit back, enjoy a drink, and watch boats drift by in seemingly slow motion. This was a good afternoon.

After a few hours, as it got closer to sunset, the tide started to roll out, though, and my front row view began to take more and more of a back seat. Not to umbrellas, but just to people crowding the view. During the 4 or so hours that I was at the beach here, I did manage to take a walk down the way to the Drippy (Not So) Red Screen closer to sunset to see that it wasn’t quite what they hyped it up to be. (That’s a shock…) I didn’t wander more because, as a lone traveler, I was worried they might sell my spot to someone else, even though I said I’d be back. They didn’t, though, and I returned to my umbrella for a few minutes more. There came a tipping point, though – before sunset – when I made the decision that the sunset wasn’t shaping up to be so spectacular that it would warrant being in this crowded an area, so I eventually abandoned hopes of getting jaw-dropping sunset pictures and made my way back to Nanwan before the rest of the crowd did the same. At least this san lun che would only cost 20 RMB, since Nanwan was barely a 10-15 minute ride away.

Back on Nanwan’s main drag, I had the driver drop me in front of the hotel, but I wasn’t ready to go in. I just wanted to walk along the main road there, and eventually discovered all of these unique indoor-outdoor bars. I stopped and had dinner (fried rice, if I remember) and a mango smoothie that was so good that I had a second one in this neat little restaurant where tourists write their memories on the walls.

After that, I continued down the road – all this as the sunset was turning the sky to a deep blue (and I was, after all, quite pleased with what I was able to see here) – and stopped at another bar for a drink. I had a mojito that was honestly forgettable. It tasted more like carbonated soda water than anything. Not seeing much to do besides drink myself into oblivion (which I don’t care to do), I went back out and enjoyed the last of the day’s light before walking back towards the Piggybar. On the way back, I bumped into my college friends from earlier, who told me they’d enjoyed the island, and they did get to the church after all. On the way back is when the first of the power “flickers” happened with electricity dropping on the island.

Without much to do in my hotel room, I tried to stay as comfortable as possible with the air conditioning that continued to go off. It wasn’t as hard to fall asleep as I imagined, and I fell asleep early, which also gave me an early start the next morning for sunrise over the bay.

After checking out of the hotel, still very early (around 8:00), I set off with my backpack and bag and started the walk uphill. My only goal for Sunday morning on the island was to go to the protestant church and photograph there before heading to the dock and making my way back to Beihai.

It was a nice little walk as the road away from Nanwan does a zigzag straight uphill to give a nice view of the town and bay. Also, like western Guangxi, Weizhou Dao’s “countryside” is nothing but banana farms, which was quite nice to see. I shot there a little bit and, when I tired of walking after an hour or so, flagged down a san lun che and paid 30 RMB for him to take me to the protestant church, then to the dock.

The protestant church, unlike the Catholic one, had a 10 RMB admission, and wasn’t nearly as interesting (for me, at least) as the more famous Catholic church. It was nice, however, and I was glad to see it as my “farewell” to the island. From there, I went to the dock and got a ticket for the first available boat back to Beihai.

I really enjoyed my day and night here on Weizhou Dao and was looking forward to one last, relaxing evening in Beihai before getting back to the daily tedium of Chengdu. But first, one more night to go…

Haspengouw

©ElienKemland All Rights Reserved. This image is not available for use on websites, blogs or other media without explicit written permission .

Fonte Official FB page

Sodom is a German thrash metal band formed in 1981. Original line-up were Tom Angelripper, Chris Witchhunter and Aggressor. Receiving inspiration by bands such as Motörhead and Venom, they released two demos which led to a record deal with Steamhammer. Aggressor left the band shortly before releasing the In the Sign of Evil EP, and was replaced by Grave Violator, who did not last long himself. On the debut album Obsessed by Cruelty he was replaced by Destructor. However, after the release Destructor left the band to join Kreator.

Thereafter their break-through album Persecution Mania was released with yet another guitarist, Frank Blackfire. A live album Mortal Way of Live followed. The next album made Sodom famous; Agent Orange was released in 1989. Since then, Sodom is one of the three big names of German Thrash metal; the others are Kreator and Destruction. Again a new guitarist was to be found as Blackfire also left the band to join Kreator. The replacement was found in Michael Hoffman.

In this line-up the Better Off Dead album was released in 1990. During the South American tour however, Hoffman decided to stay in Brazil and therefore was forced to quit. His replacement was found in Andy Brings and a new album was recorded, titled Tapping the Vein, which was more death metal influenced than before. This proved to be the last album with the drummer Witchhunter who quit because of lack of interest in metal music. Atomic Steif found his way behind the drumkit.

This line-up now, recorded the next album, Get What You Deserve. Out were the death metal influence, in came the hardcore influences. At this time Angelripper also started a solo carreer doing metal impressions of drinking songs, German schlagers and even Xmassy Carols. Another live album was recorded of the tour in support of this album called Marooned - Live.

In the same vein as the previous album, Masquerade in Blood was released in 1995. Again another guitarist was to be found. The new axeman was Sthrahli, but he did not stay very long with the band either; he was fired due to drugs problems. Also Atomic Steif left and again Angelripper needed to search for new members. These were found in the person of Bernemann on guitars and Bobby Schottkowski on drums.

The new album 'Til Death Do Us Unite featured a controversial album cover, depicting the belly a pregnant woman and a beer gut of a man pressing a human skull together. Apparently this line-up has stabilised the band significantly as this still the current line-up. In 1999 Code Red was released and formed a return to the sound of the 1980s thrash metal. A limited edition featured a bonus CD containing a tribute to Sodom album called Homage to the Gods. In the same vein, M-16 was released displaying Sodoms interest in the Vietnam War. The title of course refers to the automatic rifle M16). A tour followed with the other two big German thrash metal bands Kreator and Destruction.

In 2003, a double live album was recorded in Bangkok, titled One Night in Bangkok. In 2006 Sodom released their Album "Sodom" and after the release the band played a lot of shows all over the world.

In 2007 comes "The final Sign of Evil". On this record the original Line up with Chris Witchhunter, Grave Violator and Tom Angelripper acting very old school. In Wacken the band played a really special Set at the Wacken Open Air with Old Members like Andy Brings, Atomic Steif, Grave Violator and a lot of more. This show will be a part of the long waited second Part of the Lords of Depravity DVD.

Drummer Legend Chris Witchhunter died at age of 42 in September 2008. We still miss him!

Is that a class 47 behind?

This is a brand new City of Brooksville, Florida, Department Public Works, Solid Waste Division, recycling truck. The cab/chassis is a Ford F-750 Superduty and it was converted by Monroe Modifications into a dual drive configuration (standing drive on the right hand side). The body is a Kann Up and Over (an improved version of the Dempster Recycle-One body). This truck also has a Kann Side Dump Plastics Compactor.

If you would like to know specifics about this vehicle you will need to contact Waste Equipment and Parts LLC at 866-288-2411 or visit their website: www.waste-equip.com

If you would like to see a "detailed tour" of this truck, please watch my video on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPhRSyrU-E8

If you want to use this image, ask permission PRIOR to use. Don't be a thief - under most circumstances, I'm quite reasonable.

Copyright 2012 - Alan B.

The prehistoric fish part is a Lightling; the background is an undetermined part of a Rainting. I'm posting 2 versions of this. Which one, if either one, do you like the best? If you don't like either version; that is OK. I have over 36,000 other pictures you can look at.

This is Version 2.

ABOUT RAINTINGS

Rainting is a word I coined describing a painterly effect, achieved by photographing the subject through glass that is being rained on, like a windshield or other. It achieves an oftentimes pretty or soft flowing effect, and sometimes other-worldly. It is usually creative, fun, and fluid, seldom harsh in my opinion. I have an album of them on Flickr. Rainting is already in "The Urban Dictionary" but I would like it to also be in a more sophisticated/educational type of dictionary. I started a public Flickr group of Raintings on New Year's Day 2020.

The more collegiate type of dictionaries say that the word has to actually be used by people before they're likely to publish it. So if you like the word and my idea, say it loud and say it clear and take a few Raintings and post them to my new group. Using my word and trying my new group are not inclusive of one another.

******************************************************************

This particular image has what I call a Faux Rainting effect. It wasn't actually raining; just a spray bottle of water on my truck window. I'll put it in my new Raintings group, but eventually I'll try to label the ones that didn't actually use *real* rain. The majority will be real rain, as that is what I used to take my beginning "Raintings" when hadn't yet thought of a name for what I described above. And that is why I rhymed my word of Rainting with Painting. My State of Oregon USA is known for lots of rain; so I shouldn't have to resort to Faux Rainting too often (grin).

******************************************************************

ABOUT LIGHTLINGS

Lightling is an even newer word I coined to name the odd little sort of anthropomorphic characters that sometimes appear in my images when doing a Rainting. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors and often times have what appear to be various facial expressions. In school we may have learned that a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square. Well Raintings can exist without Lightlings in the scene, but Lightlings cannot exist without a Rainting.

"DSCN8293LightlingPrehistoricFishConfoundingbackgroundiflickr100320"

Viola the Raven is up for bids!

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300903736578

This is Viola the white raven! She is a quiet but curious bird, always exploring and observing. Sometimes she feels a little funny because she doesnt look like the other ravens so she needs more love at those times. Other times she's a little glad she looks so unusual! Viola's favorite food is baked cod. She is also very ticklish.

This is a one of a kind handmade art doll. The feet and head are cast urethane that is hand painted and clear coated to protect the color. The body is stuffed with soft polyfill. Felt wings and glass eyes. She stands well on her own but is just a little top heavy.

Violas necklace is made from a huge raw chunk of African amber with high quality polished amber beads...along with brass and wooden beads.

9.5" tall.

Please treat this artwork with care. She can be held and cuddled a bit but is not meant for small children. Please wipe any scuffs with a slightly damp cloth.

I am not open to commissions.

Here is a self portrait I made of myself one during a typhoon and there was no electricity. I was stuck in the house because of the typhoon. I also used to be a magician, therefore I had a "magic fire wallet" , or a wallet that shoots out flames when you open it. I thought it would be interesting in a photograph so since there was no electricity it was dark in my room anyway. I set a very slow shutter speed to make the flames look bigger, and used my radio transmitter to set off the shutter. This was the result. A floating flame over my heart.

... and chocolate is my weakness.

recipe blogged www.herz-allerliebst.de

Dubai is a city located off the Persian Gulf. The city is endowed with numerous waterways and exceptional attractions that you will enjoy. Arabia Horizons Tours therefore offers Dubai Dinner Cruise tours for you to experience the best of Dubai’s waters and its attractions. These range from traditional dhow cruises to a 5 star Bateaux Dubai cruise which will give you a unique night tour of Dubai’s water ways.

Dubai Dinner Cruise Routes

A dinner cruise with Arabia Horizons tours will take you on a sightseeing tour of the following Dubai waterways;

Dubai Marina

This is an artificial canal district built along the Persian Gulf. You will get to see the following sights on a Dubai Marina cruise;

●Dubai Marina Mall

●Palm Jumeirah

●Jumeirah Beach Residence

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a creek in Dubai which extends into the Persian Gulf. Among the sights you will be able to see on a Dubai Creek cruise include;

●Dubai Creek Tower

●Al Maktoum Ridge

●The Floating Bridge

Dubai Canal

The Dubai Canal is an artificial canal in Dubai. Among the sights you will get to see on a Dubai Canal Cruise includes;

●Palm Jumeirah

●Business Bay

Dubai Dinner Cruise Packages

You can book the following Dubai Dinner cruise packages with Arabia Horizon tours;

Dubai creek dhow Dinner Cruise (Direct Reporting)

This is a two hour cruise along the Dubai Creek in a traditional Arabic dhow. The boat is two tiered with a fully air conditioned lower deck and an open air upper deck. You will receive a red carpet welcome before embarking on the cruise that will take you on a grand tour of the Dubai Creek. An International buffet dinner with soft drinks and refreshments will be served during the cruise. The cruise also includes soothing Arabic, Hindu or English music as entertainment.

For more information about this cruise package.

Dhow Cruise with dinner

This is a romantic cruise along the Dubai Creek in a traditional wooden dhow. The cruise sets sail 8:30 pm and you will get to see the sparkling city lights and buildings glittering in the night.

A sumptuous buffet dinner with continental and oriental dishes will also be served with a selection of beverages during the cruise. You will also enjoy soothing Arabic music as entertainment .

For more information about this cruise package.

Dubai Canal dinner Cruise

This is a two hour cruise on the Dubai Canal in a glass enclosed dhow. You will start by boarding the dhow at the Waterfront Promenade. The cruise begins at 8:00 pm and you will get to enjoy the lovely sights and illuminated building along the Dubai Canal. For dinner, you will enjoy a lavish 5 star international buffet dinner with an excellent beverage selection.

A good blend of International and Arabic music will be used to set the mood during the cruise. You will also enjoy soft Taped music and a Tanoura dance performance as entertainment.

For more information about this cruise package.

Dubai Marina dhow dinner cruise

This is a Dubai Dinner Cruise along Dubai Marina in a traditional Arabian dhow. The cruise departs from the Dubai Marina Yacht Club at 8:30 and takes you to see the lovely sights in New Dubai. These include Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Marina residences, Dubai Marina Mall and Burj Al Arab.

During the two hour cruise, you will enjoy an International buffet dinner with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Soft music will also be played as entertainment.

For more information about this cruise package.

House Boat dinner Cruise

This is a two hour dinner cruise along Dubai Marina in an ultra-modern cruise boat. The house boat sails in an elegant manner giving you a chance to view the expressive sky scrapers along Dubai Marina. An International buffet dinner from a 4 star hotel will be served including refreshments such as soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea.

Soothing trendy music will also be played to create a romantic atmosphere during the cruise. This cruise makes for a memorable evening in Dubai and is one that every Dubai visitor should try.

For more information about this cruise package.

Luxury Marina Dhow dinner cruise

This is a two hour cruise along Dubai Marina in a traditional Arabic Dhow. Fresh dates and Arabic dates will be served on arrival on the boat. As the dhow sets sail, you will be able to view the landmarks and attractions lined along Dubai Marina.

A delicious supper with 5 star catering will be served with complimentary drinks during the cruise.

For more information about this cruise package.

Rustar Dubai dhow cruise dinner

This is a two hour Dubai dinner cruise along the Dubai canal in an elegant Rustar dhow. The Rustar is a floating restaurant guaranteed to give you an exceptional cruise experience. The restaurant has a spacious indoor area with a 5 star setting which includes teak decorations and modern facilities.

During the cruise, you will see the amazing sights along the Dubai Canal as you enjoy a splendid dinner with a full bar live service and on board entertainment by a live DJ.

Whether it’s a wedding reception, a birthday party or a romantic dinner for two, Rustar Dubai promises to give you an amazing cruise.

For information about this cruise package.

Bateaux Dubai Cruise

This is a two and a half hour cruise in a glass sided boat known as Bateaux Dubai. You will go on a romantic cruise and enjoy the lovely sights along the Dubai creek. You will also enjoy a freshly prepared gourmet cuisine from a la carte menu and an extensive selection of beverages. For entertainment, you will enjoy classic music by a live pianist.

For more information about this cruise.

An Arabia Horizons tour offers a wide variety of Dubai Dinner cruises for you to tour and enjoy the best sites along Dubai Marina, Dubai Canal and Dubai Creek. You can book a cruise package with us and get to enjoy a memorable evening in Dubai.

"It is not the world that needs peace; it is people. When people in the world are at peace within, the world will be at peace."

Prem Rawat

www.wordpaint.com

www.wopg.org

This is a large sculpture. the height is 44"

side to side is 32" and the sculpt is 22" deep. This lion head can be easily mounted to the wall. There are 5 discreet anchor points around the outside of the mane.

Check out www.liondrinkingfountain.com for more info on how to order your very own lion head.

You can also call me at 218-851-7965

St Andrew and St Mary, Grantchester, Cambridge

Grantchester is a pretty and famous village in an enclave of fields barely three miles from Cambridge city centre. It makes a Pac-man shape of Cambridge on the Ordnance Survey map, as if the wild-haired city was opening its mouth ready to eat the village. And what fields they are, for these are the famous Grantchester Meadows, sung about by Pink Floyd, written about by Sylvia Plath, and walked across by thousands of visitors every year. The pubs do good business in Grantchester. The walk takes you along the Cam, and just short of the village the city boundary cuts in to run along the river, leaving Grantchester stuck out in a peninsula of wealthy South Cambridgeshire.

But I didn't come across the Meadows. I came in the other direction from Trumpington, which lies along the busy road to London, within the city boundary. And within half a mile along the wide, winding back road I had reached the large houses of Grantchester. Even for South Cambridgeshire it is a wealthy place. It was hard in my mind to repopulate these ancestral villages of mine with the hundreds of agricultural labourers who I knew had scraped out their livings in them at the time of the 19th Century censuses.

I passed the Old Vicarage, made famous in a poem by Rupert Brooke and now home to Jeffrey and Mary Archer (are they still an item?). I considered popping in for a cup of tea, but I was eager to get on because the time was now a quarter to three, and I had the chance to photograph the church with the clock showing the time in the poem.

And laughs the immortal river still

Under the mill, under the mill?

Say, is there Beauty yet to find?

And Certainty? and Quiet kind?

Deep meadows yet, for to forget

The lies, and truths, and pain? . . . oh! yet

Stands the Church clock at ten to three?

And is there honey still for tea?

Rupert Brooke, from The Old Vicarage, Grantchester

Even without the setting in one of Cambridgeshire's most pleasing villages, this is a lovely and impressive church, and I was glad it was so for this is one of my direct ancestral churches. My great-great-great-grandfather William Anable was born in Grantchester in 1823, and baptised in this church on Christmas Day. His parents Samuel and Elizabeth had been married in the church on the first of May, his father recorded as a bricklayer. In 1826, William's mother, my great-great-great-great-grandmother Elizabeth died, and she was buried in Grantchester churchyard.

Henry moved the surviving members of the family a few miles further out of Cambridge to Dry Drayton to work as agricultural labourers, although Henry would try to continue his bricklaying business for a while before being declared bankrupt. He remarried in Dry Drayton to Mary Markham.

I had assumed that I might have to jostle for position in the churchyard as the hands of the clock reached their appointed hour, but nobody else turned up. Indeed, in the half hour I spent here there were only two other visitors, so I had it pretty much to myself.

Despite my delight an hour or so previously at Fulbourn's splendid exterior and obvious resonances, this was the church of the day for me. It really lifted my spirits, and while I had considered heading on to Barton, Coton and Madingley, moving clockwise around the suburbs, I decided to call it a day here. They could wait. I headed back into Cambridge, passing Eltisley Avenue where Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath lived when they were first married, onto Barton Road through Newnham into the city centre and the railway station, catching the 3.40 train home.

The ULTRA WIDE & SLIM camera is back!

This all mechanical / all plastic camera by RETO uses 35mm film and has no electronics or need for a battery to function! With a fixed f11 aperture and a w-i-d-e 22mm lens, the camera delivers gorgeous lo-fi pictures!

filmphotographystore.com/collections/ultra-wide-slim-camera

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing

$5,010,000 USD | Sold

From Sotheby's:

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Alan Kay (born 1940), Computer Scientist

In 1954, decades of incremental technological development, design, and success on the racetrack by Mercedes-Benz—inventor of the automobile and the dominant brand in automotive innovation—culminated with the launch of the most iconic car of all time, the 300 SL “Gullwing.” Instantly changing the game, it shifted the paradigm in automotive design and performance forever.

After names such as Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio, racing heroes indelibly etched into the automotive history books, had achieved unprecedented success in competition with the 300 SLR (W196S), Rudolf Uhlenhaut’s engineering brilliance saw these pure racecars take production form in the 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupe of 1954. The 300 SL was a fully road-legal production car, yes, but it was also so much more than that: Beneath its shapely skin was an Uhlenhaut-designed, racing-style tubular chassis, and its styling fundamentals would be closely mirrored in the gullwinged 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe,” which recently became the most valuable car in history after a $150 million RM Sotheby’s sale.

As the fastest production car in the world upon its debut, the 300 SL clearly had Silver Arrow dominance in its DNA. In sum, the Gullwing was an exquisite reflection of Mercedes-Benz’s position at the pinnacle of the automotive space in the mid-1950s, exceeding all that Ferrari, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, and Aston Martin could throw at them.

More than 60 years later, it is for good reason that “Gullwing”’ is a name that resonates with everyone, not simply car collectors. It transcends generations, connects old with new, and is both classic and sporty. It can be found in lyrics of hip-hop songs, Hollywood cinema, and even Andy Warhol pop-culture contemporary art. DeLorean’s futuristic car pulled the Gullwing doors in the 1980s—as did Tesla in the 2020s with their Model X. All serves as recognition of the incredible, outsized impact of the Gullwing, a car that was only ever owned by the fortunate few.

BRED FOR COMPETITION

In the 1950s, as in the modern era, Mercedes-Benz understood that its clients valued exclusivity, so they limited Gullwing production to 1,371 standard cars. For dedicated racers, as well as those sophisticated enthusiasts who wanted the almost unattainable, the factory minted an additional 29 competition-bred special-order cars with a lightweight alloy body, a more powerful engine, and other bespoke options. These were the 300 SL Alloy Gullwings: The 300 SL variants most directly linked to the world-beating 300 SLRs, and cars that—even in comparison to their already desirable steel-bodied counterparts—have long been the ultimate prizes for the world’s top collectors.

Distinctive in many ways from their standard steel-bodied brethren, these incredibly rare and historically significant Alloy coupes thrived at fulfilling the purpose for which they were built. All the most important race victories achieved by the 300 SL were, in fact, secured by one of these lightweight competition versions of the model (in addition to “secret” works entries and prototypes). Works-supported drivers secured no fewer than 50 important victories in sports car races across Europe and North America between 1954 and 1957. Notable triumphs include the Nürburgring 1000 KM, Tour d’Europe, Mille Miglia, Coppa d’Oro, Acropolis Rally, and Liège–Rome–Liège (as well as multiple SCCA and European Rally championships).

CHASSIS NUMBER 5500786

This rare 300 SL Alloy example was ordered new by Rene Wasserman, an industrialist and sports car enthusiast living in Basel, Switzerland. Research confirms that it is the 21st of those 24 alloy-bodied cars scheduled for production during the 1955 calendar year (although it was actually completed before car number 20). The car’s factory build sheet, a copy of which is on file, notes that Wasserman ordered his new alloy Gullwing with a plethora of special options, including special high-gloss white paint (DB 50), a red leather interior (1079), two-pieces of matching luggage, sports suspension, sealed-beam headlights with separate parking lights, 3.64 ratio rear axle, Rudge wheels and instruments in English, and the Sonderteile (“special parts”) engine with an impressive 215-horsepower output—surely making it one of the most well-specified Gullwings built.

The car was completed on 5 October 1955, and rather than having it delivered to Switzerland, Wasserman picked up the car himself in late November and drove his new 300 SL back home. While it is not known when Wasserman sold the car, by the early 1960s it had been exported to the United States, where its second owner was Jerome Seavey of Chicago, Illinois, followed by John K. Scattergood III, a principal at Blenheim Motors, located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

THE SENATOR’S GULLWING

This 300 SL remained in Pennsylvania with its next owner, Keystone State politician and enthusiast Senator Theodore Newell Wood. Along with representing the 20th District of Luzerne, Susquehanna, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in the Pennsylvania State Senate, Senator Wood enjoyed sports car racing in his spare time and served as the president of the Hill Climb Association. He also founded the Brynfan Tyddyn Road Races, which were held from 1952 to 1956, with the last year featuring Carroll Shelby as a driver. The SCCA even gave Senator Wood a free lifetime membership for his efforts in sponsorship and participation in racing in the Northeast.

After passing through the hands of Bill Kontes and Joe Marchetti, the 300 SL was acquired by Leslie Barth in 1983. Barth kept the car until 1989. In its next ownership, with Swedish businessman and collector Hans Thulin, it was consigned to Kienle Automobiltechnik in Stuttgart, Germany. One of the world’s foremost facilities, Kienle is known for their restorations of Mercedes-Benzes, and 300 SLs in particular. The car was sold to a German collector, who in turn commissioned Kienle to perform a full restoration. Notably, damage to alloy-bodied 300 SLs is remarkably common, as the aluminum is notoriously thin and can quite literally bend under the pressure of an ill-placed hand. Furthermore, the bodies are known to deteriorate at the mounting points, where aluminum meets steel. As a result, almost all lightweight examples have been reskinned or repaired at some point, and on this particular car, any parts of the body that were irreparable were replaced.

Upon completion, the car was repainted in traditional Mercedes-Benz Silver-Grey Metallic (DB 180) and retrimmed in its original interior color of red leather (1079). As is to be expected, the quality of the workmanship is absolutely superb, with the tremendous attention to mechanical detail and factory-correctness befitting a Kienle restoration.

After passing through a collector in Switzerland, the car was acquired by its current custodian. The Gullwing has been preserved in immaculate condition ever since, with its odometer displaying 2,607 kilometers (~1,620 miles) at time of cataloguing, presumably accrued since Kienle’s restoration. As a result of its limited road use, a recent inspection indicates that to bring the car back to its peak performance level, a light mechanical servicing would be in order. The inspection further revealed the car retains its numbers-matching chassis, engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front axles.

Undeniably exclusive, this spectacular 300 SL features all of the highly desirable options and accessories one would want on an Alloy Gullwing, including the more powerful Sonderteile engine, sports suspension, Rudge knock-off wheels, special-order upholstery, and a two-piece luggage set executed in matching red leather.

The 300 SLRs have long been regarded by the collector community as being the world’s most valuable cars. This was proved to be true in May 2022 when RM Sotheby’s sold the 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” for nearly $150 million. As a special production counterpart, the 300 SL Alloy Gullwing represents the “holy grail” of all Gullwings—and as one of only 29 cars built, this example will instantly become the centerpiece of any truly great collection.

---

Kristina and I headed over to RM Sotheby's at the Monterey Conference Center to view some glorious cars at their auction preview.

- - -

Had a blast with our auto-enthusiast friend and neighbor, Fred, at Monterey Car Week 2022.

This is a photograph from the Le Chéíle 'Leixlip 5KM' Road Race, Jog, and Fun Run was held in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, Ireland on Saturday May 4th 2013 at 11:00. This race has steadily grown in stature over the past number of years and now is a well known fixture in the racing calendar in May annually. This was a big aattendance at the race which finished with the last 700 meters on the beautiful new tartan track belonging to Le Cheile AC at the Leixlip Amenities center. As always This was a great race with a great atmosphere. The weather was reasonably good (except for a head wind at a few places on the course). Good race times were reported by many participants. Congratulations to Kevin Roche and all of Le Chéíle AC for their huge volunteer work that goes into making this race the growing success that it is. As always the post race refreshments were awesome with some fabulous treats available for everyone. This year Lidl and Applegreen were title sponsors with support for prizes from Runworx. There was great support from local Kildare clubs and club of the day must go to Sliabh Buidhe Rovers AC of Ferns in Wexford who brought over 30 athletes up on a club day out for the race. The race was supported by FIT Magazine. Junior races for children aged between 7 - 16 years old took place on the track at 10:30 before the main race at 11:00. The race was AAI Permit Approved with a certified course measurement.

Reading on a Smartphone or tablet? Don't forget to scroll down further to read more about this race and see important Internet links to other information about the race! You can also find out how to access and download these photographs.

Overall Race Summary

RESULTS: The chip timing was provided by Red Tag Timing and the results are available here [www.redtagtiming.com/results/LeCheile5km_2014.pdf]

Participants: Approximately 320 people took part in both events with runners, joggers, walkers, and families involved.

Weather: This was a nice bright mild morning with a headwind at the 1st and final KM of the race.

Course: The race starts on the road outside the amenities center. There is a signifcant climb up the motorway overpass at 1KM. The stretch from here to 4KM is reasonably flat. There is a final

long drag up to Louisia Bridge and the race finishes with almost 700M on the new athletics track built by the club.

Refreshments: The refreshments after the Le Cheile 5KM have now gained legendary status. Outstanding.

Location Map: Start/finish area on Google StreetView [goo.gl/maps/ykhbT]

Some Useful Links

The Internet Homepage of Le Cheile Athletic Club [www.lecheileac.com/]

The Le Cheile Leixlip 5KM Event Page on Facebook [www.facebook.com/groups/198725250155741/]

Google StreetView of the Race HeadQuarters: goo.gl/maps/ykhbT

A Youtube Video of the 5KM Route for 2013: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fFFem...

A GARMIN GPS Trace of the 5KM Route for 2013: connect.garmin.com/activity/305379628

Our Flickr set from the 2013 Le Cheile 5KM: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157633416311738/ (2013)

Our Flickr Set from the 2012 Le Cheile 5KM: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157629605644270/ (2012)

Our Flickr Set from the 2012 Le Cheile 5KM: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157626541539991/ (2011)

Our Flickr Set from the 2012 Le Cheile 5KM: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157624016827268/ (2010)

Can I use these photographs directly from Flickr on my social media account(s)?

Yes - of course you can! Flickr provides several ways to share this and other photographs in this Flickr set. You can share to: email, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, LiveJournal, and Wordpress and Blogger blog sites. Your mobile, tablet, or desktop device will also offer you several different options for sharing this photo page on your social media outlets.

We take these photographs as a hobby and as a contribution to the running community in Ireland. Our only "cost" is our request that if you are using these images: (1) on social media sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter,LinkedIn, Google+, etc or (2) other websites, blogs, web multimedia, commercial/promotional material that you must provide a link back to our Flickr page to attribute us.

This also extends the use of these images for Facebook profile pictures. In these cases please make a separate wall or blog post with a link to our Flickr page. If you do not know how this should be done for Facebook or other social media please email us and we will be happy to help suggest how to link to us.

I want to download these pictures to my computer or device?

You can download the photographic image here direct to your computer or device. This version is the low resolution web-quality image. How to download will vary slight from device to device and from browser to browser. However - look for a symbol with three dots 'ooo' or the link to 'View/Download' all sizes. When you click on either of these you will be presented with the option to download the image. Remember just doing a right-click and "save target as" will not work on Flickr.

I want get full resolution, print-quality, copies of these photographs?

If you just need these photographs for online usage then they can be used directly once you respect their Creative Commons license and provide a link back to our Flickr set if you use them. For offline usage and printing all of the photographs posted here on this Flickr set are available free, at no cost, at full image resolution.

Please email petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com with the links to the photographs you would like to obtain a full resolution copy of. We also ask race organisers, media, etc to ask for permission before use of our images for flyers, posters, etc. We reserve the right to refuse a request.

In summary please remember when requesting photographs from us - If you are using the photographs online all we ask is for you to provide a link back to our Flickr set or Flickr pages. You will find the link above clearly outlined in the description text which accompanies this photograph. Taking these photographs and preparing them for online posting does take a significant effort and time. We are not posting photographs to Flickr for commercial reasons. If you really like what we do please spread the link around your social media, send us an email, leave a comment beside the photographs, send us a Flickr email, etc. If you are using the photographs in newspapers or magazines we ask that you mention where the original photograph came from.

I would like to contribute something for your photograph(s)?

Many people offer payment for our photographs. As stated above we do not charge for these photographs. We take these photographs as our contribution to the running community in Ireland. If you feel that the photograph(s) you request are good enough that you would consider paying for their purchase from other photographic providers or in other circumstances we would suggest that you can provide a donation to any of the great charities in Ireland who do work for Cancer Care or Cancer Research in Ireland.

We use Creative Commons Licensing for these photographs

We use the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License for all our photographs here in this photograph set. What does this mean in reality?

The explaination is very simple.

Attribution- anyone using our photographs gives us an appropriate credit for it. This ensures that people aren't taking our photographs and passing them off as their own. This usually just mean putting a link to our photographs somewhere on your website, blog, or Facebook where other people can see it.

ShareAlike – anyone can use these photographs, and make changes if they like, or incorporate them into a bigger project, but they must make those changes available back to the community under the same terms.

Creative Commons aims to encourage creative sharing. See some examples of Creative Commons photographs on Flickr: www.flickr.com/creativecommons/

I ran in the race - but my photograph doesn't appear here in your Flickr set! What gives?

As mentioned above we take these photographs as a hobby and as a voluntary contribution to the running community in Ireland. Very often we have actually ran in the same race and then switched to photographer mode after we finished the race. Consequently, we feel that we have no obligations to capture a photograph of every participant in the race. However, we do try our very best to capture as many participants as possible. But this is sometimes not possible for a variety of reasons:

     ►You were hidden behind another participant as you passed our camera

     ►Weather or lighting conditions meant that we had some photographs with blurry content which we did not upload to our Flickr set

     ►There were too many people - some races attract thousands of participants and as amateur photographs we cannot hope to capture photographs of everyone

     ►We simply missed you - sorry about that - we did our best!

You can email us petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com to enquire if we have a photograph of you which didn't make the final Flickr selection for the race. But we cannot promise that there will be photograph there. As alternatives we advise you to contact the race organisers to enquire if there were (1) other photographs taking photographs at the race event or if (2) there were professional commercial sports photographers taking photographs which might have some photographs of you available for purchase. You might find some links for further information above.

Don't like your photograph here?

That's OK! We understand!

If, for any reason, you are not happy or comfortable with your picture appearing here in this photoset on Flickr then please email us at petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com and we will remove it as soon as possible. We give careful consideration to each photograph before uploading.

I want to tell people about these great photographs!

Great! Thank you! The best link to spread the word around is probably http://www.flickr.com/peterm7/sets

It is said that love is the sugar and salt of life and I could't agree more!

Whose life being truly loved and having love to offer is not filled with happiness, pleasure and interest?

Love is candy sweet and spicy at the same time.

It can move virtual mountains and transform personalities and lives.

So, dear all, good morning on a Tuesday :)

Today I've made some time for blogging and posting as there's much going on and so little of it shared actually!

So, taking one thing at a time, starting by posting this week's theme collaboration diptych between lovely Kee and me.

Our project is already a month old and we are celebrating!

This week's theme has been "the senses". Kee submitted beautiful pictures - as always - on all 5 of them, still I couldn't get my eyes of these heart shaped cookies photographed in the sunlight. I found them to pair nicely with the snack I had photographed months ago*, which had been bitten shaping a heart.

Here it is and we both hope that you enjoy :)

There'll be a summary post on all we've done together so far over at Domestic stories tonight.

I'll let you know when it's aired and we'd both love that you left a thought or two for us!

Kee will be back with us tomorrow and I'm sure it'll be a nice welcome for her to find the post along with your comments.

* www.flickr.com/photos/ivy_style33/4364751985/in/set-72157...

The village of Hurstbourne Priors is situated in the valley of the River Bourne, a tributary of the River Test. The settlement lies two miles west of Whitchurch, and two miles south-east of St Mary Bourne. The B3048 runs north and south through the Conservation Area, which is about a mile long. It encompasses much of the lower flood plain of the River Bourne, with the village of Hurstbourne Priors to the south and the railway to the north. The River Bourne takes a south-easterly course through the village, eventually joining the River Test, which marks the south-east boundary of the village.

The population of the Hurstbourne Priors Conservation Area in 1998 was approximately 165 (projection based on the Hampshire County Council Planning Department Small Area Population Forecasts 1995).

The pavillion is used by Hurstbourne Priors Cricket Club who play in the Hampshire League.

The ancient church of St Andrew the Apostle is probably the oldest existing church in the Diocese of Winchester. It was originally the 'manorial church' of the even more ancient manor of Hurstbourne Priors.

The charter of Denewulf, Saxon Bishop of Winchester, dated AD 820, refers to its consecration in that year and the present church is believed to stand on the remains of the original Saxon building.

The present church was built by the Normans in the 12th century and a north chapel added in the 16th century. In the 18th century, a south transept was built for the use of the Portsmouth family (the Portsmouth Aisle), with the nave being rebuilt and the old wooden balcony replaced by a tower in AD1870. The chancel was also heavily restored but does retain some medieval details, including the chancel arch and the outline of the blocked priests door in the south wall.

www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/317C53EE-27A5-4402-A2...

Underground Industries is proud to team up with some new and very talented artists to bring you UNDERGROUND SOUND!

This night will give you a mouthful of awesomesauce & a dancefloor of energy!

BENNY VENOM (California)

Electro | Dubstep | Trap | Moombahton

Benny Venom has been spinning the hardest tracks EDM has had to offer for the past 5 years. He is well known in his hometown for his high energy performances, dirty tracks, and superb mixing ability. Hailing from northern California, he has performed in cities all around his hometown and the bay area including San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Oakland. Though he enjoys spinning tech house and trance, he has earned his name through consistently dropping the freshest in electro, dubstep, and trap for the underground rave scene.

soundcloud.com/bennyvenom

www.facebook.com/pages/Benny-Venom/309715166662

DIGITAL MIZCHIEF (Virginia) BoP Promo

Psytrance

(B.A.R.S., DMSS, LOB, Bop, Skitz.)

DIGITAL MIZCHIEF (Robert Delano) has been a underground staple for the last decade or better. With hundreds of gigs under his belt, he is a master showman, recording engineer, producer, and talented DJ, his sets come strong with a agressive, nothing held back, insane style.

Flavors to a tasty set can include Psycotic Psy to Screaming Americian Hardstylz, Filthy Electro to Disco, and everything inbetween.

Robert is also owner and chief recording engineer of Blue Aura Recording Studio, and owner of DIGITAL MIZCHIEF Stage Systems.

CHARLIE BROWN SUPERSTAR

Charlie Brown Superstar (aka Brett Fuller) has been spinning records in Huntington's most popular nightclubs since

1994, covering a wide range of musical genres. He currently holds residency at the V Club, where he DJ's the area's most popular and longest-running dance night, New Moon on Mondays, mixing the best new wave, rock and pop that the 80's had to offer. He has had the honor of performing with such nationally recognized recording artists as Arrested Development and Electric Six.

Charlie Brown Superstar is also one of the first House music dj's in the area and was the resident at the legendary local venue Gyrationz (the first club to feature an all EDM format) He is known for his marathon sets of Deep House and Electro.

In addition, Charlie Brown Superstar is an LBA Records recording artist and has been composing original electronic music since 1999. He did sampling for and toured with the popular local rock band, Chum, during the mid-90's and is currently a member of the critically acclaimed drone/doom metal band, Hyatari. His influences include everything from Mercury Rev, Gary Numan, Curtis Mayfield, H.G. Lewis, robots and even B-movies.

www.facebook.com/charliebrownsuperstar

soundcloud.com/#charlie-brown-supersta

WE ENCOURAGE PEACE, LOVE, UNITY & RESPECT! PLEASE BRING THE ATTITUDE WITH YOU! ♥

LED'S ENCOURAGED!

Photo/Video by Tophu Photo. www.facebook.com/TophuPhoto?fref=ts

Brought to you by the always dedicated Underground Industries. www.facebook.com/undergroundind

Maasi Magam is a Tamil festival that occurs during the Tamil month of Maasi (February - March ) when the Pournami (full moon ) aligns with Magha star. The essence of the ritual is holy dip and worship on this day. Maasi Magam is celebrated in all temples, particularly in Tamil Nadu India. The deities of the temples are taken on a colourful procession accompanied by music to shores of the sea or holy rivers. In Chennai Maasi Magam was celebrated with deities from the temples across the city converged on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The devotees gathered also took a holy dip along with the deities. Presenting the pictures taken today

5Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Inc. is an outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City, New York, considered to be the world’s premiere “graffiti Mecca,” where aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building.

The name 5Pointz signifies the five boroughs coming together as one but, because of its reputation as an epicenter of the graffiti scene, the industrial complex has actually united aerosol artists from across the world. Legendary writers from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, and all over the United States have painted on the building walls, including Stay High 149, Tracy 168, Cope2, Part, and Tats Cru.

Over the past decade, the striking, graffiti-covered warehouse has attracted several hip-hop and R&B stars, including Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Kaz, Mobb Deep, Rahzel, DJ JS-1, Boot Camp Clik, Joan Jett, and Joss Stone.

On any given day, 5Pointz visitors can expect to find prominent artists, musicians, deejays, Emcees (rappers), and B-boys (break dancers) on site, in addition to filmmakers, photographers, and entire tour buses full of admirers soaking in the more than 350 Technicolor murals.

The gallery curator is graffiti veteran Jonathan Cohen, best known by his signature tag, “Meres One.” His goal is to convert the five-story, block-long industrial complex at Jackson Avenue and Davis Street, formerly the Phun Phactory, into a graffiti art museum.

Mission Statement

5Pointz gallery curator, Meres, plans to convert the five-story, block-long industrial complex at Jackson Avenue and Davis Street into a graffiti museum. He is currently seeking a 501(c)3 certification for 5Pointz to confer tax-exempt status and allow tax-deductible donations.

In addition, he plans to open a school for aspiring aerosol artists, complete with a formalized curriculum that imparts lessons in teamwork, art history, and entrepreneurship in addition to technique.

Curator

The founder of 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Inc. and curator of its outdoor gallery is graffiti veteran Jonathan Cohen, best known by his signature tag, “Meres One.” The Flushing native adopted his tag in his teenage years after determining that M, R, and E were his best calligraphic letters.

Meres took an interest in graffiti at the young age of 13 after seeing an aerosol-based painted Smurf on a wall and flipping through a few graffiti books, and started the The Deadly4Mula (TD4) crew five years later. By the mid-‘90s, Meres had studied art at the Fashion Institute of Technology, sold a few paintings, and was transitioning his craft from tagging and throw-ups to piecing. He produced hundreds of aerosol art murals throughout all five New York boroughs, along the East Coast, and even in Holland.

In 2001, Meres reopened the Phun Phactory in Long Island City, New York, which had been closed for about a year and nearly destroyed by vandals and, over the next five years, transformed the industrial, 5-story, block-long complex into an outdoor art exhibit space he called 5Pointz: “The Institute of Higher Burnin’.”

Stokesay Castle is a fabulous 13th century stone manor house with a stunning yellow and black half-timbered 17th century gatehouse. It was built by a very wealthy wool merchant, Laurence of Ludlow, between 1285 and 1291 after Edward I’s conquest of Wales in 1284. Laurence was wealthy enough to lend money to Edward I, as well as many of the great lords of the Welsh borderlands. He drowned when his ship transporting wool to Flanders sank in a storm in 1294 but his descendants remained lords of the manor at Stokesay until 1498.

The Great Hall is the earliest part of the castle, with its oak roof and staircase dating to its original construction in the 1280s, making it one of the oldest such structures surviving in Britain. The fabulous gatehouse was added in 1640-41 just before the Civil War when it was in the ownership of William Craven, a Royalist. The castle surrendered peacefully in 1645 and was left largely intact except for the curtain wall which was demolished.

William Craven recovered all his estates after Charles II’s restoration in 1660 but he did not return to Stokesay. It was occupied by tenant farmers, the Baldwyn family, who remodelled the Solar (living room) in the 1660s with wood panelling and the elaborately carved wooden fireplace overmantle which was originally brightly painted. The Baldwyns left in the early 18th century and subsequent tenants let the buildings deteriorate, the Solar, for example, being used as a granary. In 1869 John Derby Allcroft, a successful London glove manufacturer, bought the estate, and began an extensive and unusually sympathetic programme of repairs which restored the main structure of the castle to its original state.

is on Main Street, U.S. Route 221-A, in Forest City, North Carolina in Rutherford County.

Today is a cold blustery day, gusty winds and snow flurries. Found this fence up the road by the creek, I loved the reflections of the trees in the water.

(still trying to figure out this new camera, I see it has the date/time wrong so I'll have to check into that)

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Market Hall is an impressive red sandstone building in the centre of Ross, dating to 1660-74. The ground floor - still used for markets - is open, while the rooms above contain the Ross Visitor Centre, which has a small museum, displays explaining the history of the town, and visitor information. The Visitor Centre is accessed by the 17th century wooden staircase or, for less mobile visitors, by the modern lift tucked discreetly alongside.

The Market Hall is said to have been built by Frances, the wife of William, second Duke of Somerset. At the east end of the building is a medallion of Charles II (1660-1685). In the 17th century, the upper floor was used for Manor Courts, which were held three times a year. Other uses of the Market Hall have included a boys school, a ballroom, the town library, a Magistrates' Court, and the Council Chamber.

The hall is in the middle of the medieval market area of the town. Early evidence suggests that the market area originally stretched westwards along High Street as far as St Mary's Street and northwards along Broad Street as far as New Street. By the 14th century the temporary market stalls had become permanent shops.

Gwalior is a historical and major city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is located to 319 kilometres south of Delhi the capital city of India, Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the Gird region of India, and the city and its fortress has been ruled under several historic northern Indian kingdoms. From the Tomars in the 13th century, it passed to the Mughals, then the Marathas under the Scindias (1754).

Besides being the administrative headquarters of Gwalior district and Gwalior division, Gwalior situates many administrative offices of Chambal Division of northern Madhya Pradesh. Several administrative and judicial organizations, commissions and boards have their state as well as national headquarters situated in the city. Gwalior was the winter capital of the estwhile state Madhya Bharat which later became a part of the larger state Madhya Pradesh. Before Independence Gwalior remained a princely state of British Raj with Scindias as the local ruler. The high rocky hills surrounds the city from all sides, on the north it just forms the border of the Ganga- Yamuna Drainage Basin.the city however is situated on the valley between the hills of Plateau. Gwalior's metropolitan area includes Lashkar, Morar, Thatipur and the City center.

Gwalior is especially known for it rich contribution to the history of India. Strategic events and times; from vedic ages to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 to the British Raj, Gwalior has emerged as a prominent place making it an important archaeological as well as historical site. The rich heritage of art and culture and especially contribution of Gwalior to the classical music is worth mentioning.

Post independence, Gwalior has emerged as an important tourist attraction in central India as well as many industries and administrative offices came up within the city. Before the end of the 20th century it became a million plus agglomeration and now it is a metropolitan city in the central India.Gwalior is surrounded by industrial and commercial zones of neighbouring districts (Malanpur – Bhind, Banmor – Morena) on all three main directions. Gwalior is one of the largest cities of Central India and is often referred to as the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh; the state being called as The Heart of Incredible India.

A recent report of World Health Organization found Gwalior to be the third-most polluted city in the world.

ORIGIN OF NAME

According to local tradition, Gwalior owes its name to a sage of former times. Suraj Sen, a prince of the Sikarwar Rajput clan of the eighth century, is said to have lost his way in the forest. On a secluded hill, he met an old man, the sage Gwalipa, whose influence almost took him by surprise. Upon asking the sage for some drinking water, he was led to a pond, where the waters not only quenched his thirst but cured him of leprosy. Out of gratitude, the prince wished to offer the sage something in return, and the sage asked him to build a wall on the hill to protect the other sages from wild animals which often disturbed their yajnas (or pujas). Suraj Sen later built a palace inside the fort, which was named "Gwalior" after the sage, and eventually the city that grew around the fort took the same name.

HISTORY

After being founded by Maharaj Suraj Sen, Gwalior Fort saw many many different rulers capturing it and ruling the city around it.Gwalior became a prominent place for religious practices, cultures and other disciplines coming up during that time in the country. .During 6th century BC Gwalior was ruled by the Naad dynasty of Pataliputra. During the first century AD Gwalior came under Naag Dynasty. From the carving found at Pavaya it has been discovered that the kushanas ruled the city till the 3rd century AD. After that it came under the Guptas till 467 AD. During the 5th century, The Kannauj of Pratihara Dynasty ruled Gwalior and played a prominent role in shaping its history. From 700–740 AD Gwalior (fondly called then as Gopal Giri) became the capital of Kannauj. A Magnificent Sun Temple was created at the fort hill during that period which later was destroyed.

Later Kachwaha became the rulers of Gwalior. The Padavali Group of Monuments near Morena, Sahastrabahu Temple at the Fort, Kankadmad, were built under their rule.

During 1195–96 Mahhamed Gauri invaded Gwalior and created a mass destruction with attempts to capture Gwalior. But he failed as the fort of Gwalior was unconquerable under the brave efforts of Parihars. In 1231 Itutmish captured Gwalior after an 11-month-long effort and from then till the 13th century it remained under Muslim Rule. In 1375, Raja Veer Singh was made the ruler of Gwalior and he founded the rule of the tomars in Gwalior. During those years, Gwalior saw its golden period.

The Jain Sculptures at Gwalior Fort were built during Tomar's rule Raja Man Singh made his dream palace the Maan Mandir Palace which is now the centre of attraction of Gwalior Fort. Babur described this Palace as a pearl in the necklace of forts in India and said that not even the winds could touch its masts.The daily Light and Sound Show tells about the beautiful history of the Gwalior Fort and Man Mandir Palace. Later during the 1730s the Scindia Captured Gwalior and it remain a princely state during the British Rule.

Ganesh temple at Gwalior Fort has the very first occurrence of zero as a written number in the world. By the 15th century, the city had a noted singing school which was attended by Tansen. Gwalior was ruled by the Mughals and then the Marathas.

REVOLT OF 1857

Gwalior is also known for its participation in the 1857 revolt, mainly due to Rani Lakshmibai's involvement. After Kalpi (Jhansi) fell into the hands of the British on 24 May 1858, Lakshmibai sought shelter at Gwalior Fort. The Maharaja of Gwalior was not willing to give up his fort without a fight as he was a nominal ally of the British, but after negotiations, his troops capitulated and the rebels took possession of the fort. The British wasted no time in attacking Gercest, the bloodiest battle ever fought on Indian soil. Indian forces numbered around 20,000, and British forces around 1600. Lakshmibai's example is remembered to this day by Indian nationalists. She died fighting, and Gwalior was captured. Tatya Tope and Rao Sahib escaped. Tatya Tope was later captured and hanged in April 1859.

SCINDIA STATE OF GWALIOR

Scindia is a Maratha clan in India. This clan included rulers of the Gwalior State in the 18th and 19th centuries, collaborators of the colonial British government during the 19th and the 20th centuries until India became independent, and politicians in independent India.

The Scindia state of Gwalior became a major regional power in the second half of the 18th century and figured prominently in the three Anglo-Maratha Wars. (Gwalior first fell to the British in 1780.) The Scindias held significant power over many of the Rajput states, and conquered the state of Ajmer. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857 the city was briefly held by rebel forces in 1858 until they were defeated by the British. The Scindia family ruled Gwalior until India's independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, when the Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia acceded to the Government of India. Gwalior was merged with a number of other princely states to become the new Indian state of Madhya Bharat. Jivajirao Scindia served as the state's rajpramukh, or appointed governor, from 28 May 1948 to 31 October 1956, when Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh.

In 1962, Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia, the widow of Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia, was elected to the Lok Sabha, beginning the family's career in electoral politics. She was first a member of the Congress Party, and later became an influential member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Her son, Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 representing the Congress Party, and served until his death in 2001. His son, Jyotiraditya Scindia, also in the Congress Party, was elected to the seat formerly held by his father in 2004.

OLD TOWN

The old town of Gwalior, commonly called is kila gate and then about 1 km away is hazira largest area in old town, which is of considerable size but irregularly built, lies at the eastern base of the rock. It contains the tomb of the Sufi saints, Khwaja Khanoon and Muhammad Ghaus, erected during the early part of Mughal emperor Akbar’s reign, and the tomb of Mian Tansen, a great singer and one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Akbar's court. A town called by his name Ghauspura situated near the tomb of Mohaommed Ghaus.reold town consisted of some streets and mohallas which are presumed to be 700 to 800 yrs old areas in gwalior which are still backward areas in gwalior due to improper management of new town. these old areas are as follows.

1)koteshwar temple- this temple is 700 yrs old temple of lord shiva whose shivling was on gwalior fort but when mughals conquered the fort they ordered to threw out the shivaling fort when his troophs done that,shivaling was automatically established in a field below fort without any harm then Muslim qazi told emperor not to do harm to shivaling then in late 18th century scindians build a temple for that shivaling now popularly known as koteshwar mahadev.

2) Ghas mandi- this area is presumed to be 700 years old it was established around the 15th century this place was used by local population for business by selling grass for feeding animals for king and other rich persons.

3) Baba Kapoor- this place is 500 meters away from ghas mandi actually this place was given name baba kapoor because of a famous saint shah abdul gafoor his mazar is there in this area that's why this place is called as baba kapoor and this area consist of 90% Muslims in whole gwalior.

4) kashi naresh ki gali- this a 600 yrs old residential street in gwalior it was given name as kashi naresh ki gali because in the 14th century when the emperor of kashi was defeated in war he was sent to exile by oppositions at that time gwalior emperor and kashi's emperor were good friends when kashi's emperor told gwalior's emperor whole story, emperor gave him an entire street for living at that time which is now known as kashi naresh ki gali. their family is even now resides there in kashi naresh ki gali in RAJAJI KA BADA. meanings- naresh =king = rajaji. gali =street in Hindi language. bada= big area.

5) Loha Mandi- this place is also 600yrs old in gwalior. this place was used for buying iron materials.

6) Hazira- it was the main market place of gwalior that time nowadays this place is too much congested because of its irregular and unplanned structure which was made by old merchants in the 15th century.

All these areas are very considered to be very important areas in historical point of view even now many times many historical coins, jwellery, arms etc. founded in houses when a person try to reniewate the house and these areas also many unpredictable secrets. The town has a museum situated in the Gujari Mahal.

WIKIPEDIA

The house party is just loaded with them!

GWR 78xx Class 7812 Erlestoke Manor is a steam locomotive that serviced the Great Western Railway. It was built at Swindon in January 1939. First shed allocation Bristol, Bath Road. August 1950 shed allocation Newton Abbot. March 1959 shed allocation Plymouth Laira. Transferred to Oswestry May 1960 and finally to her last shed allocation, Shrewsbury, in February 1963. Withdrawn from British Railways service in November 1965, it was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales, along with fellow manor class, Bradley Manor. It was confirmed fit for traffic just in time for the Severn Valley Railway's reopening train. Source-Wikipedia

checking to be sure mom is not far behind

Crown Fountain is an interactive work of public art and video sculpture featured in Chicago's Millennium Park, which is located in the Loop community area. Designed by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and executed by Krueck and Sexton Architects, it opened in July 2004. The fountain is composed of a black granite reflecting pool placed between a pair of glass brick towers. The towers are 50 feet (15.2 m) tall, and they use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to display digital videos on their inward faces. Construction and design of the Crown Fountain cost $17 million. Weather permitting, the water operates from May to October, intermittently cascading down the two towers and spouting through a nozzle on each tower's front face.

Residents and critics have praised the fountain for its artistic and entertainment features. It highlights Plensa's themes of dualism, light, and water, extending the use of video technology from his prior works. Its use of water is unique among Chicago's many fountains, in that it promotes physical interaction between the public and the water. Both the fountain and Millennium Park are highly accessible because of their universal design.

Crown Fountain has been one of the most controversial of all the Millennium Park features. Before it was even built, some were concerned that the sculpture's height violated the aesthetic tradition of the park. After construction, surveillance cameras were installed atop the fountain, which led to a public outcry (and their quick removal).

However, the fountain has survived its somewhat contentious beginnings to find its way into Chicago pop culture. It is a popular subject for photographers and a common gathering place. While some of the videos displayed are of scenery, most attention has focused on its video clips of local residents; hundreds of Chicagoans visit the fountain hoping to see themselves appearing on one of the fountain's two screens. The fountain is a public play area and offers people an escape from summer heat, allowing children to frolic in the fountain's water.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Fountain

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_...

This is a photograph is from a set of photographs from the Castlepollard 5KM Road Race and Fun Run 2017, also known as the Tullynally Challenge, which was held in Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath, Ireland on Wednesday 16th August 2017 at 20:00. The race is hosted by North Westmeath Athletic Club. The weather was reasonably good for road racing. The participants had a very stiff breeze in their faces on the outward stretch and all the way to the 2KM mark within Tullynally. This then became a helpful tailwail for the final KM of the race.

Starting off many years ago the race was very much a local affair drawing runners from the sounding areas of Mullingar, North East Meath, Cavan, and Longford. However, the race has grown in stature and popularity over the years and is now one of the most well attended road races in the midlands and sees participants from all over Ireland. The race offers prizes in all categories. The Castlepollard 5KM Road Race attempts to support young runners and walkers by organising a range of underage races around the town square before the adult race at 20:00. Profits from the race go towards grassroots athletics in the region - North Westmeath Athletics, Schools Cross Country, and local community games. As summer moves into autumn the Castlepollard 5KM can be considered as the unofficial ending of summer evening road racing in the midlands as with the fading light of the late summer evenings comes less opportunities to hold races in the evening time. Castlepollard is a small town located in North County Westmeath amongst the lakes of Lough Lene and Lough Derravagh. One of the show pieces of the race landscape is Tullynally Castle which provides almost 2.5KM of the race route. The name Tullynally is an adaption of 'Tulaigh an Eallaigh' – the Hill of the Swan. The hill overlooks the mythical Lough Derravaragh. Irish folklore legend names the lake as where the Children of Lir, who were turned into swans, were destined to live for 300 years. Tullynally Castle is still a family home to this day.

One of the enduring symbols of the Castlepollard 5KM is the tireless work of Andy MacEoin of North Westmeath AC who has been a visitor to almost every road race in the Midlands and beyond over the past number of months to publicize the event. Many of the participants tonight will have seen Andy's strategically placed advertising signs around other road race routes. Certainly this work, and that of many other members of North Westmeath AC, has paid off well.

The race begins near the center of the town square and proceeds directly out the R395 towards Coole and Edgeworthstown. The first KM is flat and quick allowing the field to spread out. The race then enters the Tullynally Castle estate and proceeds up the tree-lined avenue. The gardens, like the castle are on a grand scale, taking in nearly 12 acres. This allows the race to make a big loop of the gardens with a quick downhill stretch followed by a sharp climb before the race rejoins it's outgoing path for the final 1.5KM of the race. The final 1100M from the gate of the Castle grounds to the finish is as the first - fast and flat and allows for a great finish passing the GAA grounds with finish line just outside the local Fire Station.

This year almost 400 took part in the race. It goes without saying that the Castlepollard 5KM has become one of the "must do" road race events in the midlands. Everything that is good about club road racing in Ireland can be found here.

Electronic Timing and Event Management are provided by MyRunResults and their website is www.myrunresults.com.

We have a full set of photographs from tonight's race which is available on our Flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157684179507162

We have photographs from six of the previous Castlepollard 5KM road races - 2012 was missed. They are available here on Flickr:

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2016: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157672157788196

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2015: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157656750245820

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2014: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157646408272725

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2013: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157635070120285

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157627404031092

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2010: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157624655001130

Our Flickr Photographs from Castlepollard 5KM 2009: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157622023529006

Can I use these photographs directly from Flickr on my social media account(s)?

Yes - of course you can! Flickr provides several ways to share this and other photographs in this Flickr set. You can share directly to: email, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, LiveJournal, and Wordpress and Blogger blog sites. Your mobile, tablet, or desktop device will also offer you several different options for sharing this photo page on your social media outlets.

BUT..... Wait there a minute....

We take these photographs as a hobby and as a contribution to the running community in Ireland. We do not charge for our photographs. Our only "cost" is that we request that if you are using these images: (1) on social media sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter,LinkedIn, Google+, VK.com, Vine, Meetup, Tagged, Ask.fm,etc or (2) other websites, blogs, web multimedia, commercial/promotional material that you must provide a link back to our Flickr page to attribute us or acknowledge us as the original photographers.

This also extends to the use of these images for Facebook profile pictures. In these cases please make a separate wall or blog post with a link to our Flickr page. If you do not know how this should be done for Facebook or other social media please email us and we will be happy to help suggest how to link to us.

I want to download these pictures to my computer or device?

You can download this photographic image here directly to your computer or device. This version is the low resolution web-quality image. How to download will vary slight from device to device and from browser to browser. Have a look for a down-arrow symbol or the link to 'View/Download' all sizes. When you click on either of these you will be presented with the option to download the image. Remember just doing a right-click and "save target as" will not work on Flickr.

I want get full resolution, print-quality, copies of these photographs?

If you just need these photographs for online usage then they can be used directly once you respect their Creative Commons license and provide a link back to our Flickr set if you use them. For offline usage and printing all of the photographs posted here on this Flickr set are available free, at no cost, at full image resolution.

Please email petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com with the links to the photographs you would like to obtain a full resolution copy of. We also ask race organisers, media, etc to ask for permission before use of our images for flyers, posters, etc. We reserve the right to refuse a request.

In summary please remember when requesting photographs from us - If you are using the photographs online all we ask is for you to provide a link back to our Flickr set or Flickr pages. You will find the link above clearly outlined in the description text which accompanies this photograph. Taking these photographs and preparing them for online posting takes a significant effort and time. We are not posting photographs to Flickr for commercial reasons. If you really like what we do please spread the link around your social media, send us an email, leave a comment beside the photographs, send us a Flickr email, etc. If you are using the photographs in newspapers or magazines we ask that you mention where the original photograph came from.

I would like to contribute something for your photograph(s)?

Many people offer payment for our photographs. As stated above we do not charge for these photographs. We take these photographs as our contribution to the running community in Ireland. If you feel that the photograph(s) you request are good enough that you would consider paying for their purchase from other photographic providers or in other circumstances we would suggest that you can provide a donation to any of the great charities in Ireland who do work for Cancer Care or Cancer Research in Ireland.

Let's get a bit technical: We use Creative Commons Licensing for these photographs

We use the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License for all our photographs here in this photograph set. What does this mean in reality?

The explaination is very simple.

Attribution- anyone using our photographs gives us an appropriate credit for it. This ensures that people aren't taking our photographs and passing them off as their own. This usually just mean putting a link to our photographs somewhere on your website, blog, or Facebook where other people can see it.

ShareAlike – anyone can use these photographs, and make changes if they like, or incorporate them into a bigger project, but they must make those changes available back to the community under the same terms.

Above all what Creative Commons aims to do is to encourage creative sharing. See some examples of Creative Commons photographs on Flickr: www.flickr.com/creativecommons/

I ran in the race - but my photograph doesn't appear here in your Flickr set! What gives?

As mentioned above we take these photographs as a hobby and as a voluntary contribution to the running community in Ireland. Very often we have actually ran in the same race and then switched to photographer mode after we finished the race. Consequently, we feel that we have no obligations to capture a photograph of every participant in the race. However, we do try our very best to capture as many participants as possible. But this is sometimes not possible for a variety of reasons:

     ►You were hidden behind another participant as you passed our camera

     ►Weather or lighting conditions meant that we had some photographs with blurry content which we did not upload to our Flickr set

     ►There were too many people - some races attract thousands of participants and as amateur photographs we cannot hope to capture photographs of everyone

     ►We simply missed you - sorry about that - we did our best!

You can email us petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com to enquire if we have a photograph of you which didn't make the final Flickr selection for the race. But we cannot promise that there will be photograph there. As alternatives we advise you to contact the race organisers to enquire if there were (1) other photographs taking photographs at the race event or if (2) there were professional commercial sports photographers taking photographs which might have some photographs of you available for purchase. You might find some links for further information above.

Don't like your photograph here?

That's OK! We understand!

If, for any reason, you are not happy or comfortable with your picture appearing here in this photoset on Flickr then please email us at petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com and we will remove it as soon as possible. We give careful consideration to each photograph before uploading.

I want to tell people about these great photographs!

Great! Thank you! The best link to spread the word around is probably http://www.flickr.com/peterm7/sets