📷 Google Pixel 8 Pro - Main Sensor (50MP) - Throwback July 2025 - Cannock Chase

Displaced stonework along the canal bridge.

For the wicked, or the good.

Unexpectedly, this ceiling light was hanging in the library. Reminded me of time spent in Vienna.

Feeling somewhat crushed.

Breathe. Everything will be alright.

A report has been published this week by the Meteorological Office whose records began in 1884. The UK climate is different now from just a few decades ago. England is now hotter and wetter than before.

Being mid July I was hoping to dispense with my sou'wester and oilskins for a few weeks more. Seems not.

Time to enjoy some Chopin played by Daniil Trifunov:

youtu.be/68Ab7anN_GI?si=scZPhMWaJhCumWH7

Cut through into quarters but only part way through. Pack with sea or Himalayan salt. Table salt is no good die to the anti caking agents added.

from my back garden

It's a slow morning. I thought I would cycle some shirts to change over in spring. They all look alike. It must be a hidden obsession. Something on which to reflect.

living in an apartment need not exclude gardening from ones routine. I've planted hyacinth and frittilaries for next year. and potted up the specimen that I rescued from the trash. it's been recovering over summer and has put on some strong growth.

As you walk into the station cafe, you are presented with this super example of encaustic tiling. I'm amazed to find it still in place.

Another introduced species from the Victorian era. Used in Cantonese cooking and some medicinal use though results are questionable. Big stone in the fruits so I'll leave these for the birds. Pretty to look at though.

I really considered making beans on toast today.

I'm glad I didn't.

Chicken from Ukraine. Vegetables from Lancashire and Suffolk.

Wine from Veneto.

Parsley, basil, celery, lemon and garlic stuffing made by me.

Candle holder from Germany.

Card from my friends.

I hope you all had a lovely day.

I think this tenacious specimen is campanula. Comment if you know.

looking suave!

Now, doesn't that sound altogether posher than 'fish fingers'?

Minted peas, crushed potato with garlic and cayenne pepper, and Polish-made tomato sauce (from the 'World Foods' section in the supermarket) because it is way cheaper than the others, and tastes better, too.

Linux-users may see the logo for Manjaro (well, it's close). I used to run Manjaro on an old Thinkpad, and it worked very well with that hardware.

In other news, walking is a bit of a problem at the moment, so I haven't been able to get outdoors for today's shot.

An odd little window to interrupt the curved wall.

But pretty all the same.

These jeans just have to be someone's art project.

The Lancashire rose, and a beehive showing cooperative industry.

"Boris Bonk" as written on a hoarding protecting a building site.

'Boris' reminds me of a politician, but I will get over it.

I just really like the script here!

Despite the apparent repetition each one is a subtle variation on a theme. Knocks and scrapes differentiate each one.

Chances are these railings became a warship in WW2.

Lancaster used to generate its own electricity, having built a generating station at Caton Road, adjacent to the National Projectile Factory (using the River Lune to cool the turbines). The National Electricity Grid was completed in 1935, and the Local Government Act of 1974caused the corporation to restructure. So - when was this inspection cover installed? A moot point, but an interesting piece of street furniture for all that. This is just opposite the baptist church, near Bulk Road.

You can see a picture of the power station and factory, here:

war-work.com/national-projectile-factory-lancaster/

A simple downpipe need not look purely functional.

If you like cheese with flavor you will like this.

We adopted 6 month old Dotty in November

Today's fortifying breakfast, before I head off on the bus.

In the blender:

Apple

Parsley

Cinnamon

Almonds

Water

Oh, alright then - I followed this up with several long blacks ... it's how I roll =]

Today's moment of joy was seeing this alnus glutinosa making a framework in the sky.

This tree supports many insects, especially moths.

It was a lovely walk today.