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This not often captured view of the Sassi di Matera shows the Gravina di Matera, a deep ravine that follows the edge of the Sassi separating the old city from the monastic hermitages and rock churches that form the outwards view from the core. This area is now protected as Parco della Murgia Materana a regional park that was recently established during the 90’s it contains over 150 rock churches and the remains of early civilization dating back to the Paleolithic period.
As you can see from the small stream running through the gorge this would not have been enough water to supply the needs of the people living here so they constructed an ingenious water collection system that harvested the rainfall and collected it into subterranean cisterns. Besides storing the water long term in cisterns there were many channels cut and water canals diverted to supply immediate needs for livestock and hanging gardens that kept the population fed.
Under Piazza Vittorio Veneto lies the largest cistern found so far in the Sassi, built in 1832 carved out of solid rock it stands 15m in height with floor to ceiling pillars hewn out of the bed rock and can be explored by boat. Besides this massive water cathedral there are scores of smaller cisterns scattered everywhere throughout the old city with most of those having been turned into homes with the advent of modern plumbing reaching the Sassi they were utilized to service the growing population.
I took this on Oct 9th, 2018 with my D750 and Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 Lens at 32mm 1/30s f`16 ISO 100 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. In usually make these baubles for others as gifts, but on occasion I make one or two baubles for myself. This is one such bauble.
The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 19th of December is "part of a Christmas ball", so I thought I would show you this special bauble I chose to make for myself. If you would like to see the other baubles I have made as gifts for friends over the years, you can find them in this album: www.flickr.com/photos/40262251@N03/albums/72157649901152375/. It was a lovely and fine day the other day, so rather than photograph the bauble in situ on the tree, I took it outside and photographed it against the clear azure coloured sky. I hope you like my choice of subject for this week's theme, and that it makes you smile!
As this is the last "Looking Close on Friday" before Christmas, I should just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the group a very happy Festive Season. May it be filled with happiness and joy for you all.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the butterflies which are 10mm, and the small stars which are 3mm and very fiddly. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the butterflies and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, and because it is a simple pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except for the small stars which are 3mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the hearts and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
What you're looking at is NGC 2081 and surroundings, an emission nebula in the Dorado constellation, around 160000 light years from earth.
As is common for these types of regions, we see a lot of hydrogen gas and interstellar dust. But what is this dust exactly and where does it come from?
While the exact properties of said dust clouds are a bit difficult to describe in a few words; the short version is that they're made up from various heavier elements (carbon, silicon, iron,...). As the stars within our universe age (and generations of them come and go); the nuclear furnace in their cores will start fusing heavier and heavier elements to keep the star stable (until it can't and the star dies). Some of these elements remain present within the star until the end of its life; quite a bit of them get ejected out into space by stellar winds (in essence the nuclear pressure pushing outwards partially overwhelming the stars own gravity). In heavily populated areas of space (meaning lots of active stars in relative close proximity); these ejected elements will clump together and form these dense clouds.
Image acquisition details:
18x1800" HA
18x1800" OIII
18x1800" SII
Pixie was trying to get in through the bedroom window but it opens outwards so Phill was trying to nudge her away but understanding windows she remained steadfast and outside
I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year: a season of kindness and generosity, friendship, laughter and love. It is also the time of the year when we get to deck the halls with beautiful decorations.
I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. Each of these baubles is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in these baubles are 5mm in diameter, but there are others that are slightly bigger like the butterflies whcih are 8mm and some which are smaller, like the small flowers which are 3mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because they are complex patterns which start from the outside and are worked outwards in ever decreasing circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 5th of December is "behind glass". I usually photograph my hand made Christmas baubles in situ on the tree, which I did do, but this year before I packed them up to give away, I also photographed a selection of them for this week's theme in a small round vase, which I placed against a crushed red velvet background. I hope that you like my choice for this week's theme, and that it makes you smile!
We don't speak the same language. Plenty of times we misunderstand each other. But one thing has been perfectly clear to both of us from the start: We're better off together.
In the flow of daily life, each of us is slowly softening toward the other and opening up to more compromise.
I have to dig deep to find the amount of patience required for my traumatized companion. I can't just be a responder. I have to be an active agent for good.
When the dissonant melodies of her past catch up with Tidda and lower her tail and her head, I have to be the one to initiate a key change and sing the sunshine back into her heart. I've never been very good at that. I've always wanted others to bring sunshine into my own darkness. But it's one of those eerie synchronous things that for the past year I've been studying the wisdom of the mystics and I may just be starting to understand that light is the essence of everything and it is our job to let it shine outwards. I've discovered that when I'm in this spirit of mind, a tone of happy confidence from me can have an amazing effect on Tidda and can even release her from an apprehensive freeze on the street.
We both have our issues, but we're better together.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the small stars which are 3mm and very fiddly. This bauble is very special as it contains small round metallic green antique sequins from the 1920s. They are the ones placed against the silver background. The metallic sequins are French. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the flowers and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
A creative close-up framing of several green palm fronds radiating and fanning outwards from a central point similar to the palm of a hand.
The fronds are brightly lit as sunlight is shining through them reflecting off their surface. The texture of the frond, including some fine fibrous strands, is visible upon closer inspection.
Messier 81 (left) and Messier 82 (right) are a pair of interacting galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major. They are relatively close - astronomically speaking! - to our own Milky Way Galaxy, since their distance is estimated to be about 12 million light years. The two galaxies are separated by about 150,000 light years. German astronomer Johann Bode discovered them in 1774, thus M81 is also referred as Bode's galaxy and sometimes both galaxies are called Bode's Nebulae, although M82 is more often referred as the Cigar galaxy.
M81 can be seen with binoculars and small telescopes and a few observers have reported seeing it with just their naked eye under exceptional seeing conditions. With large telescopes M81 presents an exceptional sight, the "grand design" spiral arms becoming visible extending outwards from the core. Its mass has been calculated to be around 250 billion suns, while the galactic nucleus harbors a supermassive black hole with a mass of about 70 million suns.
Astronomers studying the motions of the two galaxies believe that a few hundred million years ago, a close encounter took place between the two galaxies. As a result, tidal forces have deformed the shape of M82 and triggered massive star formation, so M82 is classified as a prototype starburst galaxy. Photographs of M82 taken with large telescopes reveal a bipolar outflow of material emanating from the core of the galaxy, where the rate of star formation has increased ten-fold compared to "normal" galaxies.
M81 and M82 are part of the Messier 81 galaxy group, one of the nearest galaxy groups to our Local Group. Up to now 34 galaxies have been identified as members of this group, including M81, M82 and NGC 3077, the small galaxy seen at upper left. Our Local Group of galaxies (with the Milky Way and Andromeda as the largest members) and the M81 group are in turn members of a larger group, called the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.
Thanks to all for looking - clear skies!
Image Details:
Telescope: Orion EON ED 80/500 refractor
Mount: Modified Vixen Sphinx (NexSXW)
Camera: Canon EOS 20Da
Light frames: 11 x 2 mins (total: 22 mins), ISO 1600, Daylight WB
Guiding: Skywatcher 80/400 refractor, Skywatcher Synguider autoguider
Date & Location: 2/5/2019 - Chalkidiki, Greece
Processing: DSS 4.1.1, Adobe Photoshop CS6 with Astronomy Tools Actions Set (spikes added to brightest stars)
As I gaze upon the watercolor painting before me, I am instantly captivated by the stunning view of Lisbon that unfolds. It's as if I am standing at Mirador Santa Luzia myself, immersed in the beauty of this magical city.
The vibrant hues of the watercolor dance across the canvas, bringing the scene to life. The sky above is a symphony of blues, from the palest cerulean near the horizon to the deeper cobalt shades above. Wisps of white clouds drift lazily, adding a touch of serenity to the composition.
From the Mirador, the view stretches outwards, unveiling a magnificent panorama. The city sprawls along the hills, a patchwork of terracotta rooftops interspersed with bursts of colorful buildings. The ochre tones blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
As my eyes follow the meandering streets, they lead me towards the mighty River Tagus. Its waters shimmer under the gentle sunlight, reflecting the brilliance of the sky above. Sailing boats and ferries gracefully glide along the river, adding a sense of movement and vitality to the painting.
The iconic landmarks of Lisbon rise proudly against the horizon. The graceful arc of the 25 de Abril Bridge connects the two banks, its bold red color contrasting beautifully with the blue backdrop. The Belem Tower stands stoically at the water's edge, a testament to the city's rich history and maritime heritage.
In the foreground, lush vegetation frames the scene, as if nature herself is applauding the beauty of Lisbon. Bougainvillea spills over the walls, its vibrant magenta petals creating a striking contrast against the cityscape. Palm trees sway gently in the breeze, casting delicate shadows upon the cobblestone streets.
As I continue to study the painting, I am transported to this enchanting place. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and hear the distant sounds of laughter and music floating through the air. The watercolor captures the essence of Lisbon's charm, its fusion of history, culture, and natural beauty.
This stunning view of Lisbon from Mirador Santa Luzia immortalized in watercolor is not just a mere representation; it is a portal to a world of wonder and wanderlust. It beckons me to explore the narrow streets, discover hidden gems, and immerse myself in the soul of this vibrant city.
20220512_RX_01189_LISBOA
The ground colour of the upper side of both males and females is white. The forewing has the cell crossed by five short black bands, of which the basal extends to the dorsum, the sub-basal into interspace 1, the medial and pre-apical up to the median vein, and the apical or fifth along the discocellulars; this last band extends broadly on both sides of the veinlets and terminates at the lower apex of the cell; beyond these are broad postdiscal and terminal black transverse bands from costa to tornal angle; the two bands coalesce below vein 4 and terminate in a point at the tornus; the white portions of the cell anteriorly overlaid with pale green; short broken glossy green bands between the black cellular apical band and the distal band and anteriorly between the latter and the terminal band.
The upper side of the hindwing has the basal three-fourths uniformly white, with black markings on the underside that show through; the terminal fourth dark grey traversed by a curved irregular subterminal series of black crescent-shaped marks that ends in a black tornal spot and a terminal black band that follows the indentations of the wing; the emargination (notches in a margin) below the black tornal spot are edged with ochraceous; the tail blackish grey, edged and tipped with white
The underside of the forewing is similar to the upper side in markings but the green shading over the white portions in the basal half of the cell more decided; the discal and terminal transverse black bands are separate, and are not joined posteriorly, the former edged posteriorly on both sides by dark grey due to the black on the upper side that shows through by transparency. The underside of the hindwing is half green on the basal part while the outer half white; a large black tornal spot; a black line along the dorsum that curves above the tornal spot outwards to vein 2; a straight subbasal black band from costa across cell that terminates on vein 2, where it joins the dorsal black line; a broader black band from costa across apex of cell extended into base of interspace 3; an irregular discal series of black markings curved inwards posteriorly towards the tornal spot; a subterminal series of very small slender black lunules in pairs, the ground colour on the inner side of these darkened to rich ochreous yellow; lastly, a series of short terminal black bars in the interspaces so arranged as to follow indentations of the termen; tail dusky black edged with white. Antenna black; head and thorax anteriorly with a broad black medial band, rest of thorax bluish; abdomen white, marked beneath on each side by a black stripe
Polygaloides chamaebuxus (Polygalaceae) 095 23
Polygaloides chamaebuxus is a small shrub that grows mainly above ground, in rocky terrain and in forests. Its flowers are very distinctive: they have a kind of yellow or reddish protuberance protruding outwards, adorned at the top with white or bright pink petals.
What a nice topic for the week? Science and photography... two of my favorite things. :)
For the subject, I searched on directional freezing mentioned in the discussion to produce the clear ice. This was my third attempt as the previous two did not go well (good bye exploded cherry). Hahaha.
I built a DIY container with cut plastic bottle wrapped with aluminum foil to allow only one side to freeze. I used barbecue sticks and nylon string to hold the strawberry under water because it floats all over. The small piece left in the photo was supposed to be at the back part but the strawberry spun around while floating. Oh well.... :)
The explosion looking effect and the red streaks going upwards was not an intentional effect. I think the strawberry got squeezed while freezing and there are air inside being pushed outwards. I used a yellow background to emphasize this.
For the lighting I used a strobe from the front which actually reflected on the ice. I was chasing against the melting subject so did not have time to find the right angle to take away the reflection. Oh well again... :) hahaha.
I really enjoyed this weeks topic. I hope you guys like the pic as well. Thanks in advance for comments and faves. HMM!!!
Happy Christmas to all!
Happy Christmas means enjoying real happiness coming from within Christ consciousness. All experience of happiness comes from within, for the source of happiness lies in our self which is our divine self Atman or Christ consciousness being the source of happiness. So all the happiness every being enjoys and experiences comes from within.
Someone may say nice words to us or do nice things to us or give us presents and this activity of the others makes us happy ….. but this happiness comes from inside us for it opens our spiritual heart and lets the love or happiness inherent in it to flow outwards so our body senses can feel it.
This happiness did not came from any where else but from our divine self, for our divine self is the source of happiness and only from it, it can flow outwards.
Our self lies inside our spiritual heart, actually it is our spiritual heart and so love and happiness can flow only from our heart. That is why we say “heart to heart communion” for only between hearts we can have communion of love and joy or bliss.
If we feel sad and experience unhappiness the reason is that we have closed our spiritual heart and the inherent flow of joy that is our self cannot pass and flow through a closed heart. Our false ego being offended closes the door of our spiritual heart and we feel cold and abandoned. No one else has caused this distress we feel, we are the ones that caused this distress by closing the door of our heart so the bliss of Atma, of our self, can not reach our outer body senses. The cause of our unhappiness is not due to others but of our ego self that distance itself from the real self the Atman which sits in our spiritual heart. We feel distress and unhappiness only when we distance away from our divine self and identify with our false ego which is the creation of illusion and ignorance.
So the wise say we are the embodiments of supreme bliss and love, only if you are immersed in ignorance you experience unhappiness and distress. Ignorance is your real enemy for only ignorance is causing you unhappiness. The more the ignorance you have, the more the unhappiness you experience. A rich man is a man who experiences all the time joy, a poor man is the one who experiences distress, fear and agony most of the time with very few intervals of real happiness.
So celebrating the birth of Christ means we celebrate the birth of Christ consciousness inside us by letting the bliss of the Atman to pour to our body senses. To open our hearts and let the bliss of the self to saturate our being!
So we wish you a Happy Christmas means we wish you to open your heart by overcoming ego and ignorance and experience the unlimited joy that lies inside you, inside your Atman, inside your real self!
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. In this case they are for a friend, who likes yellow and gold as a colour scheme.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the black flowers which are 6mm, the gold stars which are 3mm and the gold flower centres which are 2mm and are very fiddly to work with. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the flowers and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
"Botanical Name: Orthosiphon aristatus
Cat’s Whiskers is a tall, slender evergreen perennial growing up to 1.5 meters including the flower stalks.
The flowers range from white through to light mauve or pink with the slender tube shaped corolla being 2.5 cm. It is almost 3 times the size of the bell shaped calyces. The ‘whiskers’ or stamens extend outwards up to twice as long as the flower itself, giving the impression of cat’s whiskers. Cat’s Whiskers flowers from late summer to autumn and is considered to be a bee, bird and butterfly attractant. Some gardeners have commented that the white flower is quite striking under moonlight. This uncommon plant is highly recommended and is very attractive planted in groups."
Leucopogon verticillatus (Tassel flower) is a plant in the heather family in Western Australia. Its striking form and similarity to bamboo made it the first Western Australia export to Japan, where it is used in flower arrangement. The leaves form whorls around the stalk separated by gaps of 3–6 cm. The leaves are a light green to yellow-orange in colour and have clear veins. The Greek term “leucopogon” in the scientific genus name of these plants means “white beard” and refers to the small hairs on the flowers. The species name “verticillatus” indicates that the leaves are arranged in a whorl. The common name Tassel Flower comes from the flowers, which form on long spikes, radiating outwards from the stem. The flower spikes look rather similar to old fashioned tassels, such as you might find on curtains and blinds. It is an understory plant in forests of the south-west botanical province of Western Australia. The Australian ecosystem is adapted to and depends on wildfires. I used some fire-blackened tree stems as a background here.
It is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, mainly native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. Kalanchoe was one of the first plants to be sent into space, sent on a resupply to the Soviet Salyut 1 space station in 1971. Most are shrubs or perennial herbaceous plants, but a few are annual or biennial. The largest, Kalanchoe beharensis from Madagascar, can reach 6 m tall, but most species are less than 1 m tall. Kalanchoes are characterized by opening their flowers by growing new cells on the inner surface of the petals to force them outwards, and on the outside of the petals to close them. Kalanchoe flowers are divided into 4 sections with 8 stamens. The petals are fused into a tube, in a similar way to some related genera such as Cotyledon. 67360
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the stars which are 8mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
Bhagavan (Ramana Maharshi) spoke about turning inwards to face the Self. That is all that is needed. If we look outwards we become entangled with objects and loose awareness of the Self shining within us. But when, by repeated practice, we gain the strength to keep our focus on the Self within, we become one with it, and the darkness of Self ignorance vanishes.
from "Annamalai Swami; living by the words of Bhagavan" by David Godman
Die innere Würde behalten , nach außen hin strahlen und sich schön fühlen ....
egal was auch um einen herum passiert .
Blumen können das perfekt !
=====Orchidee im Umkehreffekt bearbeitet ===
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Keep your inner dignity, shine outwards and feel beautiful ... no matter what happens around you.
Flowers can do this perfectly!
===== Orchid worked in reverse effect. ===
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. All the sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, including the flowers. The flowers are vintage French metallic sequins from the 1930s in this bauble, so they are rare. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the flower sequins until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, and because it is a simple pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
After a crystal bright day, yesterday, I thought I would dash to Castle Tioram for an anticipated nice sunset. But I only made it to Dorlinn Cottage where there were shadowy figures trying to light a barbeque whilst drinking beer and wine and listening to some Stravinsky. And as the big man said to me, "How do you get to live in a place like this?" I told him how we came to be here. And then he asked me my name. "I know you", he said and then explained, we spoke several times when I booked some motorbikers to stay at your B&B. And then it dawned on us who we were each talking to. "Would you like a beer, or I've got some Jura in the car???" I never did get to photograph the castle, silhouetted against the sunset. All I got was this, stood in front of the barbeque in the gateway to Dorlinn Cottage, my clothes well infused with smoke, looking outwards the sea beyond Loch Moidart
I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year: a season of kindness and generosity, friendship, laughter and love. It is also the time of the year when we get to deck the halls with beautiful decorations.
I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. Each of these baubles is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in these baubles are 5mm in diameter, but there are others that are slightly bigger like the butterflies whcih are 8mm and some which are smaller, like the small flowers which are 3mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because they are complex patterns which start from the outside and are worked outwards in ever decreasing circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 15th of December is (a contrast between) "light and darkness". I usually photograph my hand made Christmas baubles in situ on the tree, which I did do, but this year for something different, I also photographed a selection of them on a mirror against a black background, little knowing that this would be perfect for the theme for this week! I hope that you like my choice for this week's theme, and that it makes you smile!
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the butterflies which are 10mm, and the small stars which are 3mm and very fiddly. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the butterflies and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, and because it is a simple pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the stars which are 8mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
This adult is in active wing moult, having replaced most of its primaries (from the inside of the wing outwards) except the outer two. Secondaries are also being replaced. they generally keep a low profile when going through this as flight ability must be compromised with all those feathers missing. Moulting is also heavy on the birds' resources so the disturbance of moulting flocks of seabirds and waders can be quite traumatic
The Gothic rib vault was one of the essential elements that made possible the great height and large windows of the Gothic style. It was made of diagonal crossing arched ribs. These ribs directed the thrust outwards to the corners of the vault, and downwards via slender colonettes and bundled columns, to the pillars and columns below.
“This is my morning face. When I am less than full of grace ...
No make-up, hair's a mess, shiny nose, gazing into outer space.
Love me or leave me or cast me gently into morning ...” - AP
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
- Willie Nelson
Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6pQcpFnXOI
ANSWER – SARAH MCLACHLAN
BENEDICTION
The gentle rain that melts away all doubts
all fears and judgements that are better to cast out
so that inside us we can rest our weary minds
allow our hearts to beat a rhythmic kind
of tune and dance until our heart's are quite content
allow in grace and benediction meant
to soothe our souls; allow our aching limbs to rest
acceptance is a blessing; let it do it's best
to heal us and to warm the chillness from our bones
so only light can enter and radiate outwards and atone
for all those times when we were not quite perfect
let slip away those things and start again
newborn; rejuvenated; without pain
focus clearly on the point of light and then refrain
from ever letting darkness overshadow what you know is true
that all things come to pass and so will I and so will you
right or wrong, so many petty little things
prevent us from being joyous; clip our fragile wings
soften; softer; soft and peaceful now
inhale; exhale a lighter pale of purest, white as snow
the smallest problems that we each allowed
focus on each breath; let passing thoughts float by
it's possible you know to let our troubles
slip away from us like clouds up in the sky
it's easy but you have to want to make it so
my mind was racing fast, but now it has no place to go
no place that it would rather be, you see
than resting in this moment's silence
it allows me to be me
it allows me to be free …
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year: a season of kindness and generosity, friendship, laughter and love. It is also the time of the year when we get to deck the halls with beautiful decorations.
I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. Each of these baubles is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in these baubles are 5mm in diameter, but there are others that are slightly bigger and some which are smaller, like the small stars which are 3mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because they are complex patterns which start from the outside and are worked outwards in ever decreasing circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
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Peace Symbol
The symbol now known internationally as the "peace symbol" or "peace sign", was created in 1958 as a symbol for Britain's campaign for nuclear disarmament. It went on to be widely adopted in the American anti-war movement in the 1960s and was re-interpreted as generically representing world peace. It was also used by activists opposing nuclear power in the 1980s,[citation needed] although the Smiling Sun image () ["Nuclear power? No thanks!]" predominated.
Origin
The symbol was designed by Gerald Holtom (1914–1985), who presented it to Direct Action Committee on 21 February 1958. It was "immediately accepted" as a symbol for the movement and used for a march from Trafalgar Square, London, to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire on 4 April. Holtom's design was adapted by Eric Austen (1922–1999) to ceramic lapel badges. The original design is in the Peace Museum in Bradford, England.
The symbol is a super-imposition of the flag semaphore for the characters "N" and "D", taken to stand for "nuclear disarmament". This observation was made as early as 5 April 1958 in the Manchester Guardian. In addition to this primary genesis, Holtom additionally cited as inspiration Francisco
Goya's painting The Third of May 1808 :
I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it.
Ken Kolsbun, a correspondent of Holtom's, says that the designer came to regret the symbolism of despair, as he felt that peace was something to be celebrated and wanted the symbol to be inverted. Eric Austen is said to have "discovered that the 'gesture of despair' motif had long been associated with 'the death of man', and the circle with 'the unborn child'".
The symbol became the badge of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and wearing it became a sign of support for the campaign that argued for British unilateral nuclear disarmament. An account of CND's early history described the image as "a visual adhesive to bind the [Aldermaston] March and later the whole Campaign together ... probably the most powerful, memorable and adaptable image ever designed for a secular cause".
Source: Peace symbols | Wikipedia
"Everything
Turns,
Rotates,
Spins,
Circles,
Loops,
Pulsates,
Resonates,
And
Repeats.
"Circles
Of life,
Born from
Pulses
Of light,
Vibrate
To
Breathe,
While
Spiraling
Outwards
For
Infinity
Through
The lens
Of time,
And into
A sea
Of stars
And
Lucid
Dreams."
- Suzy Kassem
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Thanks to all for 19,000.000+ views, visits and kind comments..!!
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It looks like these Balsam root flowers are all facing outwards from a central point, as if they are protecting the centre. It could be because it is evening and the sun has set.
Notre Dame de Paris from before the fire.
Gargoyles were added around the year 1240, about 80 years after construction started. I hope they escaped the fire of 2019. They were the rain spouts of the cathedral, designed to divide the torrent of water which poured from the roof after rain, and to project it outwards as far as possible from the buttresses and the walls and windows where it might erode the mortar binding the stone. To produce many thin streams rather than a torrent of water, a large number of gargoyles were used, so they were also designed to be a decorative element of the architecture. The rainwater ran from the roof into lead gutters, then down channels on the flying buttresses, then along a channel cut in the back of the gargoyle and out of the mouth away from the cathedral.
The île d'Or is a private island located at the east of the city of Saint-Raphaël in France, facing the Cap Dramont. This small island is composed of porphyry (russet rocks) and surmounted by a tower reminiscent of the Middle Ages said to have been the inspiration for The Black Island in Hergé's The Adventures of Tintin series. Viewed from the sea from the left side of the tower, a rock, commonly thought to resemble the profile of a gorilla, also recalls the comic books of Hergé.
The île d'Or is a "site classé" (a protected geographical formation), since the 17th march 1941.
I only really had 20 minutes at the location, so I had to work fast and surely didn't get the most from the location. The RAW file responded really well to post processing actually, so apart from some fiddly local editing, the whole image wasn't actually hard work. Boosted shadows, pulled down the sky using a colour range mask, added a very, very subtle split-tone to the highlights only not the shadows. Plus, the location itself did much of the work anyway! I was cursing the time of day I was there and the fact that I only had a CPL with me, but choosing to shoot outwards from the shadows gave the image a strong diagonal border of contrast, and preserved the saturated colours of the rocks. Geometrically there were better compositions available, but it would sacrifice a great deal as I didn't have the equipment to cope with the conditions.
Adoxa moschatellina (Adoxaceae) 136 21
Adoxa moschatellina is a species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae. This herbaceous perennial has a boreal, circumpolar distribution in Europe, Asia, and North America.
It grows in humid brown soils under shade on the banks of rivers and streams, deciduous woodlands, and hedgerows.
Adoxa moschatellina is a rhizomatous plant growing in mats with a delicate appearance. It has thin, erect unbranched stems which end in clusters of five green flowers which are 6 to 8 millimeters across. These flowers give the species one of its common names, "Town Hall clock", as they face outwards in four directions at 90 degrees to each other, resembling the four faces of a town clock. When it is not in flower it can be hard to tell Adoxa moschatellina from other plants with similar foliage. The plant and its flowers have a musk-like scent, which it emits towards evening when the dew falls. If the plant is bruised this scent disappears.
From Wikipedia.
I am fascinated by some of the Tree roots I come across on my walks. Especially when you can see them above the surface like these. They are the veins that provide all the nutrients and water the tree requires, but much more.
There are five types of Tree roots, each of them developing at different stages of the Tree’s life:
1.Tap roots: Every tree starts with a tap root that provides stability and absorption. Over time, other roots outgrow the taproot. Most taproots don’t continue to grow ever more deeply because deep soils lack the oxygen and nutrients that roots need to survive.
2.Lateral roots: Lateral roots grow outwards right under the soil surface. They absorb a lot of water and nutrients as well as anchoring the tree.
3.Oblique/heart roots: Oblique roots, also known as heart roots, grow at a diagonal and have the same function as lateral roots.
4.Sinker roots: Sinker roots grow downwards from the lateral roots to a depth of several feet. There, lateral roots take advantage of any water and nutrients deeper in the soil in addition to increasing tree stability.
5.Fine roots: All the root types aforesaid can give rise to fine roots, which is where water and nutrients are directly absorbed. They also house mycorrhizae, which are fungal partnerships that increase root absorption capacity.
An interesting tale came to me some time ago that I am sure many of us can take a life lesson from. It tells of how trees push their roots down deeper when located in stormy areas. Their deeper roots helps them to withstand the elements. And there’s good advice for us all. Whatever your belief, put your roots down deep so when you face whatever life throws at you, you'll still be standing firm!
For more information for any Dendrophiles (Tree Lovers) out there: aplustree.com/3-types-of-tree-root-systems/
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. In this case they are for a friend, who like me, elects blue as her favourite colour.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the large flowers which are 8mm and the small flowers which are 3mm and very fiddly. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the flowers and stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the larger gold stars which are 8mm and the tiny gold stars which are 3mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in. Star sequins are notorious for getting caught on clothes, which then bend the points.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, and because it is a simple pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
‘Life’s a Balancing Act’. Female Kingfisher perched on its 'stunning' branch, adjusting her grip on the stunned ten spined Stickleback before swallowing it whole. West Yorkshire.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Eight Kingfisher Notes:
Kingfishers eat mainly fish, chiefly minnows and sticklebacks, but they also take aquatic insects, freshwater shrimps and tadpoles.
They close their eyes as they dive into the water, so they are fishing blind! They bob their heads before diving to accurately judge the depth of the fish.
Kingfisher courtship occurs in spring. The male will approach the female with a fish in his beak. He will hold it so that the head of the fish is facing outwards and attempt to feed it to the female. If he is unsuccessful he will simply eat the fish himself. He may have to repeat this feeding behaviour for some time before mating occurs.
A kingfisher pair dig a nest tunnel in vertical, sandy river banks. The nest chamber at the end has a slight depression to prevent eggs rolling out, but no material is brought into the nest.
The first clutch of 6-7 eggs is laid in late March or in early April. Each chick can eat 12-18 fish a day meaning the adults may catch over 120 fish each day for their brood.
Chicks are fed in rotation. Once a chick is fed, it moves to the back of the nest to digest its meal, causing the others to move forward.
Once out of the nest, the young are fed for only four days before the adults drive them out of the territory and start the next brood. 2-3 broods are often raised in a breeding season.
The design of a kingfisher’s beak is aerodynamically efficient, allowing it to dive from its perch, towards its prey, with maximum speed and minimum splash. In fact, the beak design is so clever that the front of many Japanese bullet trains are modelled to mimic it. Scottish Wildlife Trust Notes.
Yellow Lady's Slipper, is found across virtually all of the United States and Canada, from Alaska to Georgia. It is a widely variable species, with four varieties and multiple hybrids, making identification and delimitation difficult. It produces a large flower with a pale to dark yellow (and very rarely white) pouch-like labellum, which sometimes has reddish spots on the interior. Green or yellowish sepals and petals twist outwards in spirals. It produces up to five stem leaves; both the stem and leaves are covered in thin hairs. It grows in dry to mesic forests, woodlands, fens, prairies, and meadows. (Wikipedia)
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While it is considered "least concern" in Ontario, it is considered from vulnerable to endangered in other areas of its range.
Morris Island Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. June 2009.
Stropharia caerulea is one of very few blue-green fungi. (In most instances the caps are much nearer to green than to blue, but when young and fresh they are very beautiful and quite startling.) The caps, initially bell-shaped, flatten and turn paler from the centre. White scales near the cap rim help to identify this unusual fungus.
Blue Roundhead mushrooms are an occasional find and very localised in Britain and Ireland, occurring mainly in alkaline areas of humus-rich Beech woodland. These striking mushrooms are found throughout mainland Europe - Sweden, France, Portugal and Slovenia - and they are also recorded in parts of North America.
Although this blue mushroom has been known to science for more than two centuries, its separation from Stropharia aeruginosa had not been clearly defined until, in 1979, the German mycologist Hanns Kreisel (b. 1931) published a paper in Sydowia (an international Mycological journal produced in Austria), which established its currently-accepted scientific name Stropharia caerulea.
Stropharia, the genus name, comes from the Greek word strophos meaning a belt, and it is a reference to the stem rings of fungi in this generic grouping. The specific epithet caerulea means blue, and often it refers to a deep blue rather than the blue-green colouring of the cap
Young caps are bell-shaped, blue-green and slimy, peppered with small white veil fragments. Older specimens, like the one illustrated here, are paler and scaly mainly near the rim of the cap, which expands but does not completely flatten out. In sunlight the slime dries up on older caps, which gradually turn pale tan from the centre outwards. The cap diameter at maturity usually ranges between 2 and 8cm.
At first pale grey, the crowded sinuate (notched near to the stem) gills become purple-brown as the spores mature. (The gills of the rarer Verdigris Roundhead, Stropharia aeruginosa are adnate or only slightly notched, and the gill edges of that species remain white as the gill faces mature and turn brown.)
Whitish above the ring, which is transient and soon discoloured brown by falling spores; slightly more obvious pale blue-green below the ring zone and peppered with small white scales. 5 to 12 mm in diameter and 2 to 6cm tall.
In the picture on the left, which shows of the stem and ring zone of a mature fruitbody, the stem ring has almost vanished apart from a slight annular bulge highlighted by brown spore stain.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the stars which are 4mm. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the stars until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
Florida is the land of invasive species. Because of our status as a center for the importing of exotic pets and houseplants from overseas, and our neo-tropical climate, we have been invaded by everything from kudzu plants to Burmese pythons. And one of our invaders–the European Starling–is all William Shakespeare’s fault.
In 1854, the prominent French biologist Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire helped organize a group in Paris that called itself the “Society for Acclimatisation”, which had as its stated goal the introduction and establishment of plants and animals into France from around the world, “such as may be useful or desirable”. Within a few years, similar societies appeared around the world. They were particularly popular in colonial regions, where homesick Europeans embraced the idea of bringing in familiar plants and animals to make them feel more at home. While the idea of deliberately bringing in non-native wildlife may strike us today as odd or even dangerous, the Europeans knew nothing of the hazards of introduced species, and the practice reflected the political and social ideas of their time, that European culture (in all its aspects) was superior to the wild savagery of the rest of the world, and that it was a service to humanity to bring “Europe” everywhere. “Acclimatisation Societies” appeared across the world, from England to Australia, and in 1871 the American Acclimimatisation Society was founded in New York City by the wealthy medical-drug manufacturer Eugene Schieffelin.
Previous efforts had already been made to bring a little bit of Europe to the Americas. In the 1860’s, the commissioners of Central Park had already imported and released English Sparrows, Chinese Pheasants, Skylarks and European Robins, with the aim of “improving the beauty” of the park. (The Sparrows and the Pheasants were spectacularly successful, and now inhabit most of the US.)
Schieffelin, an enthusiastic student of English literature, brought an odd twist to the story, however, when he convinced the Acclimatisation Society to introduce every species of bird that was mentioned in the complete plays of William Shakespeare. In the Bard’s historical play Henry IV, the character Hotspur proclaims of the King, “I will have a starling shall be taught to speak nothing but ‘Mortimer,’ and give it him, to keep his anger still in motion.” In 1890 and 1891, the Society released approximately 100 European Starlings into Central Park . . .
The Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a common bird in Europe. About the size of a robin, it is a strikingly handsome bird–dark blue or black with white feather tips that give it the appearance of a starry sky, hence its name. Starlings travel and feed in large raucous flocks. They are accomplished mimics and captives have been taught to talk–which is why it appears in Shakespeare’s play.
The birds need trees with cavities for nesting and grassy open areas to forage for insects and seeds, and therefore suburban lawns and city parks suit them perfectly. Within a few decades, the Starlings released in Central Park had spread outwards, and soon covered the entire country. The first record in Florida is a Starling captured in Jacksonville in 1918; they had reached southern Florida by 1950. Today there is an estimated 200 million Starlings in the US. The species has also been deliberately introduced into Australia, South Africa, Jamaica, and New Zealand–usually as a way to control agricultural insect pests. The Starlings compete with native birds for food supplies. They also monopolize many of the suitable locations for nest cavities. In areas with large flocks, the blanket of highly-acidic bird droppings can kill trees, damage buildings, and wreck the paint on parked cars. Flocks that gather in the open areas of airports are one of the leading causes of bird strikes. Starlings are now on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature list of “The 100 Worst Invasive Species”.
If Shakespeare had known of the ecological damage he inadvertently caused, perhaps Hotspur would have given King Henry a parrot instead.
Found this one along Joe Overstreet Road back in 2015
Osceola County Florida.
An unfortunate name for the title of a much photographed image but if you can be bothered to read on then hopefully all will become clear.
I came here to photograph this tree as many others do. If it's your first visit, as it was mine then I don't think you are prepared for this location offering much more than just this one image. If you have the conditions I guarantee you will have a months worth of keepers. It's a horseshoe shaped bay, with a small island in the distance, reeds on the shoreline, treelined on both sides and an oasis of tranquility.
I've followed a springer spaniel on Facebook for over 5 years, called Max. The FB page is called 'Max Out in the Lake District' and across platforms his following extended to 60k+. Over the last year you can see he had been going downhill. He was 14 after all and for a pedigree springer that's quite an old age. He had a couple of seizures about 3 weeks ago and it was obvious his time was coming to an end.
Kerry, his owner had done live feeds every morning during lockdown of his morning walks/permitted exercise. Just seeing them out in the lakes, which I was missing like crazy was the highlight of my day.
These continued when we were allowed out to play, with many meetups to raise money for Keswick Mountain Rescue and the PDSA. Throw in how Max became Kerry's, how he was the reason that Kerry overcame depression after an awful accident, and some marvellous photography by his wife and it was a potent mix for any dog lover. Over the years Max was joined by Paddy and Harry, his two adoring younger brothers. Both springers.
For any dog lover you couldn't fail to be touched by the three of them and by the story of Max. It led to a number one best selling book called 'Max the Miracle Dog,' which I can highly recommend. It will have you in tears, but in a good way.
Max was put to sleep in his beloved Manesty Woods at the southern end of Derwentwater about a week ago. It was heartbreaking reading about it but I have nothing but admiration for how Kerry has handled it. There is a lot to be said for having such stoicism in the face of adversity, and Kerry has shown it in spades.
After I left here and with it still early, I visited the statue dedicated to Max and his brothers that is a permanent fixture in Hope Park to pay my respects. The work and amount of money they have raised for the PDSA is nothing short of remarkable and there is a donation box next to the plinth and statue.
Anyway, the image. You either need to be 7'ft 4"or make the short climb and have a right leg like Chris Hoy.
It's only about 4ft up some rocks that stick out with an overhanging tree that's in the shot unless you lean outwards. All sounds relatively simple so far until you realise a tripod is out of the question and you have to adjust your settings accordingly to hand hold.
There is one rock that sticks out slightly, but it is as slippy as anything and to make matters worse to ensure the branch remains above the top of Blencathra and to get Otterbield Island in the right place aesthetically you are dangling out on this slippy rock, hand holding and also slightly crouching with all your weight on your right thigh, hence the Chris Hoy reference! It's not easy and nigh on impossible to focus stack, unless of course you happen to play for the LA Lakers.!
I was listening to Black whilst driving here. It's a song about loss and dark clouds, fear and the hopelessness of the unknown, and whilst feeling fitting at the loss of a dog that has touched thousands of people worldwide, my mind was in photoshop selection mode and decided that if I clicked the 'Invert' box then instead of sadness, I'd have happiness:) So in my mind I clicked the invert box and after the short walk down to Otterbield Bay, that is exactly what I felt.
This Christmas bauble was hand beaded with sequins and pins by me. I have a Christmas tradition. I bead Christmas baubles for a select group of friends every year. In this case they are for a friend, who likes red and gold as a colour scheme.
Each bauble is 15 centimetres in diameter and contain hundreds of sequins, varying in number depending upon the complexity of the pattern and the type of sequins I use. Most sequins in this bauble are 5mm in diameter, except the snowflakes which are 12mm in diameter. Depending upon the colour of the sequin, I will use either a gold or a silver pin to attach it to the bauble. I always leave the snowflakes until last, allowing a gap in the sequin chain to pin them in.
These baubles are smaller than some others I do, however because it is a complex pattern which starts from the inside and is worked outwards in ever larger circles, each bauble takes approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours per side.
It is however, a labour of love which I do to pass the time throughout the year.
Going to the beach in Cartagena, Colombia.
Blessed with an average temperature of 27.7ºC and 2,500 hours of brilliant Caribbean sunshine a year, pretty much every day is a good day to go to the beach in Cartagena.
Let’s be honest, the beach isn’t the best but that doesn’t stop it being the busiest during high season and at weekends.
Facing outwards from the bay of Cartagena towards the Caribbean, Bocagrande is a convenient spot to grab some rays if you don’t feel like venturing beyond the touristic heartland.