Lisbon, June 13, 2017

Wedensday.

 

And still on the Island.

 

Through the night, yet more rain fell, and into the morning so I woke to the sound of yet another cloudburst. But it should be clearing soon.

 

So, I leap out of bed, do 50 press-ups, have a cold shower and am ready for the rigours of the day ahead, and in this I would be helped by a pot of black coffee and the finest sausage and bacon sandwich known to man.

 

And a man in the kitchen makes it for me, so all I have to do is eat it.

 

Non nom nom.

 

I drink the last dregs off the coffee, and I'm away to work.

 

It was supposed to be a slow and easy start, but I was summoned to an emergency department meeting, and needed to be at the factory to get internet access.

 

Our soon-to-be-ex-boss is now officially our ex-boss, and we have a new interim manager.

 

That's it.

 

So on with the audit.

 

Outside, the clouds did clear and the sun did shine, and did shine into the meeting room where even in November was so warm the air conditioning could not cope and we got very warm indeed.

 

We broke for lunch, and talked about the struggles we face, and how jolly nice the Island is.

 

Well, it is.

 

We were done by half three, so I drove back to the hotel, but saw the sign I had passed dozens of times, pointing to the 11th century church of St John the Baptist. Today would be the day to visit.

 

Light was fading fast, but with a warm light, and only with my compact camera, my shots won't win many prizes, but the best camera is the one you have.

 

From the outside, it seems to be a very Victorian church, but there is a Norman arch in the porch, and many more details inside, among the Victorian fixtures and fittings.

 

Inside there is a very tall and narrow Jacobian pulpit, some fine monuments from before the 19th century work, and some what I think is medieval glass, or at least fragements reset.

 

Back at the hotel I wrote a little then decided I really should go an exercise my fat little legs, so should walk into Cowes for a pint at the Ale House, where there was a fine firkin of porter on.

 

But, before then, as I walked along the promenade, over the other side of the Solent, the just past full moon rose over the Pompy skyline. It was pretty breath-taking, I leaned on railings to watch it rise and get brighter and its yellow colour fade to pure white.

 

Dozens of other people were doing the same thing too.

 

And it was a free show.

 

My favourite price.

 

I walk into town and up the Ale House, a group of sailing types were talking over pints of fizzy Eurolager, so I order porter just because I can.

 

There was a wide range of places to eat, most with lots of free tables.

 

I wasn't in a seafood mood, curry perhaps, but then at a restaurant I saw they had a dish called "sambal chicken". Sambal is a spicy chili sauce from Indonesia, that I sued to eat lots of when I was on the survey boats.

 

I asked, do you make your own sambal?

 

They did.

 

And cocktails were two for £15.

 

I order the sambal chicken and a marshmallow martini.

 

Very fuckin sophisticated.

 

The sambal was hot, just about bearable, but not not leave any doubt, it came with sliced fresh chilli, as did the Thai spiced cheesy chips.

 

I eat most of it all, then finish up with a "rhubarb and custard cocktail, which did mix quite poorly with the sambal on the walk back to the hotel.

 

Back to the hotel, I settle the bill and so all ready to leave in the morning, as I have to catch the six o'clock ferry.

 

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

 

The Church of St. John the Baptist is a parish church located in Northwood, Isle of Wight. The church dates from the 12th century. The mid-19th century saw extensive restoration work carried out on the church. In 1864 the wooden tower and dormer window were both swept away. The restoration was completed in 1874. Despite this restoration work, the church still retains many of its original features including a Norman arch over the south doorway and a Jacobean pulpit.

 

www.spottinghistory.com/view/12080/church-of-st-john-the-...

 

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NORTHWOOD

Northewode (xiii cent.).

 

Northwood is a parish and village midway between Newport and Cowes, and now includes Pallance Gate. In 1894 the parish was extended to include a part of the parish of St. Nicholas. (fn. 1) The soil is for the most part loam, while the subsoil is of clay and gravel. The parish contains 4,333 acres, of which 878 acres are arable, 2,612 acres are permanent grass and 419 acres woodlands. There are also 292 acres of foreshore, 2 of land covered by water and 78 by tidal water. Cowes contains 576 acres, of which 2 acres are arable and 166 permanent grass. There are also 35 acres of foreshore and 5 acres of land covered by water. (fn. 2) There is a station on the Isle of Wight Central railway at the cement works, available for Northwood, and the pumping station of the Cowes Waterworks is situated at Broadfields within the parish. The Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers have large works on the Medina at the West Medina Mills, and there are brickworks at Hillis belonging to Messrs. Pritchett. There existed a confraternity of Brothers and Sisters of St. John Baptist (fn. 3) in a building, later called the Church House, which was standing in 1690. It was founded c. 1500 and dissolved in 1536. An old glebe barn, with a date stone 'Restored 1742,' was pulled down in 1901. There is a Council school (mixed), built in 1855 and enlarged in 1906. The rectory-house lies to the east of the church and dates from the 18th century. (fn. 4)

 

The parish has a long seaboard as the north-west boundary, which includes the bays of Thorness and Gurnard, the latter the landing-place of Charles II in 1671. Gurnard (fn. 5) is a small village, mostly consisting of villas with a number of artisans' dwellings. There are a coastguard station here and a Council school, erected in 1863.

 

Northwood Park, the property of Mr. E. Granville Ward, was occupied from 1902 to 1906 by a community of Benedictine nuns, who have since moved to Appley, near Ryde (q.v.). The house, which is properly in Cowes, was built in 1837, on the site of a former residence called Belle View, by Mr. George H. Ward, uncle to the present owner, and is a somewhat stately stone building of classic detail, to which a wing has been since added.

 

At Hurstake on the Medina there was in the 18th century a flourishing shipyard, but by the end of the century it had fallen to decay. (fn. 6)

 

Cowes was taken out of Northwood and constituted a separate parish under the Local Government Act of 1894. (fn. 7) It is a thriving seaport town, daily increasing inland to the south, and is a terminus of the Isle of Wight Central railway and the main entrance to the Isle of Wight from Southampton. A steam ferry and launch service connect it with East Cowes. The town affairs are regulated under the Local Government Act of 1894 by an urban district council, who have acquired control of the water supply and gasworks. There is a steamboat pier and landingstage, and the Victoria Promenade Pier was built by the urban district council in 1901. There are wharves and storehouses along the Medina. The principal industries are the shipbuilding business of John Samuel White & Co., Ltd., the brass and iron foundry of Messrs. William White, the ropery of Messrs. Henry Bannister & Co. and the well-known sail-making establishment of Messrs. Ratsey & Lapthorn. A recreation ground of 9 acres was presented to the town by Mr. W. G. Ward in 1859.

 

The main or High Street of Cowes is a narrow, winding, old-fashioned road, widening as it approaches the shore at the north end, and finally terminating in the Parade, the principal sea-front of the town. At the end of the Parade is the Royal Yacht Squadron (fn. 8) Club House, converted to its present use in 1858, and beyond is the 'Green,' made over to the town authorities in 1864 by Mr. George R. Stephenson. The well-known annual regatta is held here the first week in August. (fn. 9) The oldest inn is the 'Fountain,' by the landing-pier, dating from the 18th century. The Gloucester Hotel, by the Parade, was the former home of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and probably owes its name to the visit of the Duke of Gloucester and his sister the Princess Sophia in 1811. The Royal Marine Hotel, also on the Parade, was certainly in existence at the beginning of the 19th century. (fn. 10) A public cemetery, about half a mile south of the town, was opened in 1855, and is under a joint burial board composed of members from Cowes and Northwood.

 

Besides Northwood Park, the principal residences are Egypt House, (fn. 11) the property of Mr. E. Granville Ward, and Nubia House, the home of Sir Godfrey Baring, late M.P. for the Island.

 

The name Cowes dates from the beginning of the 16th century, before which time the port—if port it could be called—was higher up the river at Shamblers. (fn. 12) In 1512 the fleet under Sir Edward Haward victualled at Cowes (the Cowe) on its way to Guienne, (fn. 13) so it is evident the place did not take its name from the defensive work, which was certainly not built before 1539. (fn. 14) Leland speaks of forts both at East and West Cowes, (fn. 15) but the former had become a ruin by the 17th century. (fn. 16) The latter, however, was kept up and added to, and had, in addition to the gun platform and magazine, apartments for the captain and gunners, and at the end of the 18th century mounted eleven nine-pounders. (fn. 17)

 

The inhabitants of this part of Northwood parish seem to have been seafarers and traders, or at any rate smugglers, as early as the 14th century. In July 1395 Thomas Shepherd received a 'pardon of the forfeitures and imprisonment incurred by him because he and two of the ferrymen sold two sacks of wool to men of a skiff from Harflete, carried the said wool as far as le Soland and there delivered the same, taking money.' (fn. 18) At another time he 'sold wool without custom . . . with the clerks of the chapel of the Earl of Salisbury, and at another time with a skiff from Harflete belonging to Janin Boset of Harflue.' (fn. 19)

 

The merchants' houses and stores were principally at East Cowes, where most of the business was transacted; but West Cowes in the 18th century became a shipbuilding centre, contributing many first-class battleships to the English navy. (fn. 20) By the year 1780 it was 'the place of greatest consideration in the parish of Northwood,' (fn. 21) and though the town was indifferently built, with very narrow streets, the inhabitants managed to be 'in general, genteel and polite although not troublesomely ceremonious.' (fn. 22)

 

In 1795 there were 2,000 inhabitants and the town had a good trade in provisions to the fleets riding in the roads waiting for a wind or a convoy. While the lower part of Cowes was crowded with seamen's cottages and business premises, the upper part on the hill slope was occupied by villas, chiefly of retired naval men. (fn. 23)

 

By the 19th century the tide of prosperity began to flow from East to West Cowe, which became a favourite bathing and boating resort, patronized by Royalty. The town now grew rapidly, and in 1816 an Act was passed for 'lighting, cleansing and otherwise improving the town of West Cowes . . . and for establishing a market within the said town.' (fn. 24)

 

The advent of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and the consequent popularity of racing, put a seal on West Cowes. It became fashionable and has remained so ever since—the hub of the yachting world.

 

There are two halls for entertainments—the Foresters' Hall in Sun Hill and another in Bridge Road, each capable of seating over 500 people.

 

There are Council schools in Cross Street (infants), and a mixed school has been lately erected in the same street; boys' and infants' in York Street; non-provided (boys and girls) in Cross Street.

 

MANORS

There is no mention of a manor of NORTHWOOD in Domesday Book, and it seems probable that then, as in the 13th century, the greater part of the land in the parish formed a member of the manor of Bowcombe in Carisbrooke (fn. 25) (q.v.). In the 17th century this land came to be regarded as a separate manor, but it continued to follow the descent of Bowcombe (fn. 26) until the latter half of the 18th century, when it was presumably sold to the Wards, whose representative, Mr. Edmund Granville Ward, is the present lord of the manor.

 

There was a small holding in Northwood possibly, as Mr. Stone suggests from research he has made, to be identified with Shamlord (q.v.). It was held, together with other property, under the manor of Bowcombe by a branch of the Trenchard family at least as early as 1338. (fn. 27) In 1560 Richard Trenchard, who seems to have been the grandson of John Trenchard of Chessell in Shalfleet, died seised of this property, which he had held 'in socage by fealty and rent of 25s. yearly, suit at court and finding one man and one woman yearly to mow the corn of the farmer of Bowcombe for one day.' He was succeeded by his son William. (fn. 28)

 

There were also lands in Northwood which formed a member of the manor of Alvington in Carisbrooke and were held in the reign of Henry III by William de St. Martin. (fn. 29) They afterwards belonged to Sir Stephen Popham (fn. 30) and descended to Sir Nicholas Wadham in the early part of the 16th century, at which time they were regarded as a separate manor; they continued, however, to follow the descent of Alvington (q.v.).

 

In the reign of Henry VIII there was in the parish much woodland which belonged before the Dissolution to the Prior and convent of Christchurch Twyneham, (fn. 31) who had perhaps bought it from the abbey of St. Mary, Romsey, to which it belonged in the 13th century. (fn. 32) In 1280 this abbey had received from Edward I a confirmation of a charter of Henry II granting them 'all their wood of Northwood, as King Edward gave it to them.' (fn. 33) There is, however, no mention of any property in Northwood among the possessions of Romsey Abbey at its dissolution. In 1544 the wood was granted to Thomas Hopson (fn. 34) and subsequently followed the descent of Ningwood in Shalfleet (q.v.). It was described as 'the manor of Northwood' in 1626, at which time it was in the possession of John Hopson. (fn. 35)

 

The manor of WERROR (Werore, xii cent.; Werole, xiii cent.; Warror, xvi cent.) was granted to God's House, Southampton, immediately after its foundation about 1197, for it was confirmed to the hospital by Richard I in 1199. (fn. 36) It had been given to the hospital by a certain Mark, and his gift was confirmed in 1209 by his son Roger, of whom the manor was to be held at a yearly rent of 6d. (fn. 37) William de Redvers Earl of Devon (1184–1216) granted to the hospital rights of pasturage and fuel, except for six weeks each year, over the whole land of Werror which belonged to his fee, and which is described as lying within Parkhurst, Northwood, Carisbrooke and the Medina. (fn. 38)

 

The estate remained in the hands of successive priors until the Dissolution (fn. 39) and passed with God's House to Queen's College, Oxford, (fn. 40) by whom the manor is still owned. (fn. 41)

 

CHURCHES

The church of ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST lies to the east of the road from Newport to Cowes. It was built as a chapel for the northern portion of the parish of Carisbrooke in the middle of the 12th century, and consists of a chancel, a nave with north and south aisles and a modern tower with spire added at the west end in 1864. The south door is a good specimen of 12th-century work, to be classed with those of Yaverland and Wootton. Both aisles are very narrow and are of four bays, with columns having the characteristic splay-cornered capitals found elsewhere in the Isle of Wight, (fn. 42) and must have been added towards the end of the century, the south being the later. (fn. 43) There are curious flying arches across these, evidently inserted later, to withstand the thrust of the roof and carry the flat above. In the 15th century windows of the period were inserted in the walls and the chancel reroofed, (fn. 44) if not rebuilt, and a small door inserted in the north wall of the nave. There is a good canopied Jacobean pulpit, somewhat similar in detail to that at Wootton. The chancel arch is a plain splay springing direct from the wall without an impost, and looks as though the earlier one had been destroyed and the opening widened in the 15th century. The memorials of interest are a painted wooden tablet to the children of Samuel and Grace Smith, who died in 1668 and 1670, and a curious memorial to Thomas Smith, rector, who died in 1681. (fn. 45)

 

The one bell, founded by Mears, was hung in 1875.

 

The plate consists of a chalice inscribed 'T.H. E.L.'; a paten inscribed 'Thomas Troughear, D.D. istius Ecclĩae Rector,' dated 1732; a flagon (plated) inscribed 'Northwood Church, 1831'; an oval paten inscribed '1813.'

 

The registers date from 1539, and are in seven books (fn. 46) : (i) 1539 to 1593; (ii) 1594 to 1598; (iii) 1599 to 1605; (iv) 1606 to 1618; (v) 1621 to 1660; (vi) 1653 to 1759; (vii) 1743 to 1812.

 

There is a mission church in Pallance Road with a Sunday school attached.

 

The church of ST. MARY, WEST COWES, built in 1867 on the site of an earlier church erected in 1657, is a stone structure consisting of chancel, nave of four bays and aisles, with a tower containing one bell and a clock. It has a handsome reredos and a fine organ. There is a brass memorial tablet to Dr. Arnold of Rugby. The living is a vicarage in the gift of the vicar of Carisbrooke. The register dates from 1679.

 

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, built of brick in 1832 at the sole expense of the late Mrs. S. Goodwin, was enlarged by the addition of a chancel in 1862. It has a western tower with embattled cornice and angle pinnacles. The register dates from 1833. The living is in the gift of Mr. Ll. Loyd.

 

The Roman Catholic church of St. Thomas of Canterbury in Terminus Road is a white brick building erected in 1796. There is a large altar-piece by Cau representing the Descent from the Cross, and another of the Death of the Virgin, on the north wall.

 

At Gurnard is the church of ALL SAINTS, attached to Holy Trinity, Cowes. It is of brick with Bath stone dressings, and has nave, chancel, north and south transepts and a turret with one bell.

 

ADVOWSONS

The church of Northwood was a chapel of ease to Carisbrooke, and belonged in early times to the priory there, (fn. 47) to which it had been granted by William de Redvers Earl of Devon. When the prior and convent obtained the rectory and endowed the vicarage of Carisbrooke, the tithes of Northwood, both great and small, were assigned to the vicar. (fn. 48) In the reign of Henry VIII Northwood obtained parochial privileges and was exempted from contribution to the repairs of Carisbrooke Church. (fn. 49) The living is still attached to Carisbrooke, and the patrons at the present day are the Provost and Fellows of Queen's College, Oxford.

 

Cowes is ecclesiastically divided into two districts. The church of St. Mary was built in 1657, and further endowed in 1679 by George Morley Bishop of Winchester, 'provided that the inhabitants should pay the minister (who is always of their own choosing) £40 a year.' (fn. 50) The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £130, in the gift of the vicar of Carisbrooke.

 

The Roman Catholic church of St. Thomas of Canterbury was served at the beginning of the 19th century by two chaplains of Napoleon's Foreign Legion. The earliest register contains the names of several of the officers and men.

 

¶There are several large Nonconformist chapels in the town. The oldest of these is the Congregational chapel, which was built in 1804. The Wesleyan chapel was built in 1831, the Baptist chapel in 1877 and the Primitive Methodist and United Methodist Free Churches in 1889.

 

www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol5/pp268-271

POLA's shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.

Tuesday, 18 August 2020: our temperature just before 1:00 pm is 28C (windchill 30C), and it is supposed to reach 33C this afternoon. Sunrise is at 6:29 am and sunset is at 8:49 pm. Another sunny day, with a continuing Heat Warning. Much too hot without air-conditioning!

 

The day before yesterday, 16 August 2020, our temperature soared to 33C. Without air-conditioning, my place was like being in an oven. I knew that I was going to have to spend as much time driving my car as possible. Actually, I had already made an appointment to visit a farm in the afternoon, so I knew I was going to be driving east of the city. I also knew that I would be driving a few other backroads afterwards, though I ended up driving further than I had expected.

 

This was another great day, leaving home at 10:00 am and getting back fairly early evening. I enjoyed my visit to the small, family-oriented Red Fox Farms, where I saw and photographed some of the ten beautiful mushroom species that they grow for food. All of them grow on trees in the wild. At the Farm, they grow in a special, very carefully regulated greenhouse. I absolutely love to see them as they emerge from the bags in which the spores are placed. They grow and form the most beautiful displays.

 

www.producer.com/2019/09/farm-finds-demand-for-gourmet-mu...

 

cultivatr.ca/blogs/news/red-fox-farms

 

redfoxfungi.ca/

 

Before getting to the farm, I had stopped briefly to take a few photos of Eastern and Western Kingbirds, After the Farm, I drove further north and came across so many Swainson's Hawks - my guess would be around 14+.

 

There were also several old buildings that I stopped to photograph. Some were familiar and a few were possibly new ones. When I was at my furthest north, I made the split decision to drive just a little bit further to see Sharples grain Elevator and old barn again. This was about the fourth time I had made that drive. A pleasure to look at these very old, weathered structures.

 

Another day of mixed sightings - the kind of day I absolutely love and find very rewarding. The heat was so awful, so I was very thankful to travel in air-conditioning. Each time I climbed out of the car to take photos, it felt like walking into an oven. Brought back many memories of climbing out of planes into the great heat of the Middle East many years ago.

 

Last night, 17 August, around 10:15 pm, some thunder and a few minutes of rain. We need much more rain than that, though, as it is so dry everywhere and there is concern about wildfires starting.

Roca Vecchia, Salento 2011

air conditioner :: the same place, other photographer:

 

www.flickr.com/photos/gizmoni/2259931623/

Mint condition 1960s edition of Milton Bradley's 'The Game of LIFE'. Found in 2018 at an estate sale in un-played with condition.

 

Like the fate of many toys and games at our house, Mom either threw ours in the garbage or gave it away.

 

The Game of Life

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

For other uses, see The Game of Life (disambiguation).

 

The Game of Life, also known simply as Life, is a board game originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley as The Checkered Game of Life, the first ever board game for his own company, the Milton Bradley Company. The Game of Life was US's first popular parlour game. The game simulates a person's travels through their life, from early adulthood to retirement, with college if necessary, jobs, marriage, and possible children along the way.

 

Up to six players, depending on the version, can participate in a single game. Variations of the game accommodate up to ten players.

 

The modern version was originally published 100 years later, in 1960. It was created and co-designed by Bill Markham and Reuben Klamer, respectively, and was "heartily endorsed" by Art Linkletter. It is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and an inductee into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

 

History

 

The game was originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley as The Checkered Game of Life, and was the first game created by Bradley, a successful lithographer. The game sold 45,000 copies by the end of its first year. Like many 19th-century games, such as The Mansion of Happiness by S. B. Ives in 1843, it had a strong moral message.

 

The game board resembled a modified checkerboard. The object was to land on "good" spaces and collect 100 points. A player could gain 50 points by reaching "Happy Old Age" in the upper-right corner, opposite "Infancy" where one began. Instead of dice – which were associated with gambling – players used a six-sided top called a teetotum.

 

Modern game

 

In 1960 the modern Game of Life was introduced. A collaboration between Reuben Klamer and Bill Markham, it consists of a track which passes along, over, and through small mountains, buildings, and other features. A player travels along the track in a small plastic automobile, according to the spins of a small wheel on the board with spaces numbered one through ten. Each car has six holes into which pegs are added as the player "gets married" and "acquires children".

 

Some "early modern" editions have eight cars. The modern game pegs or "people" are pink and blue to distinguish the sexes (blue for male, pink for female). Each player starts the game with one peg that matches their sex.

 

There is also a bank which includes money in $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and $100,000 bills; automobile, life, fire, and/or homeowners' insurance policies (depending on the version); $20,000 promissory notes and stock certificates.

 

Other tangibles vary between versions of the game. $500 bills were dropped in the 1980s as were $1,000 bills in 1992. The rules in all different modern versions of the game are generally the same even though they may have different cards and spaces.

 

1960s version

 

The Game of Life, copyrighted by the Milton Bradley Company in 1960, had some differences from later versions. For example, once a player reached the "Day of Reckoning" space, they had to choose one of two options. The first was to continue along the road to "Millionaire Acres," if the player believed they had enough money to out-score all opponents. The second option was to try to become a "Millionaire Tycoon" by betting everything on one number and spinning the wheel.

 

The player immediately won the game if the chosen number came up, or went to the "Poor Farm" and was eliminated if it did not. If no player became a Millionaire Tycoon, the one with the highest final total won the game. In addition, there were spaces that forced a player to go back; in the case a player landed on one of these, they were forced to take the shortest route and pay no attention to any penalties and rewards in doing so.

 

This version had Art Linkletter as the spokesman, included his likeness on the $100,000 bills (with his name displayed on the bills as "Arthur Linkletter Esq.") and a rousing endorsement from Linkletter on the cover of the box. It was advertised as a "Milton Bradley 100th Anniversary Game" and as "A Full 3-D Action Game."

Winning Moves currently markets a classic 1960s edition.

  

Less common wall install of an A/C by Emerson.

Nostalgia is a mental condition that causes us to be unable, to entirely live in the present. Back in 1974 I returned to my home town of birth for the first time since 1953, 21` years later, and realized how strong nostalgia can be, and here we are, another 39 years later, and that visit, and these pictures I took then express my continued nostalgia for this city

MSK

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Page One is a book store from Singapore.

I found this Disney Store Animator Mulan doll (16") at the thrift store this month for 2.99. She was a mess, but so cute and wearing a Marie Grace American girl dress so double score. I left behind Disney Store Animator Elsa and Anna before and I regret it now so there was no way I was leaving without Mulan.

 

She has had a thorough cleaning and had her hair restyled. I did not realize until later that her spit curl in the front center had been cut off so I cut it to the scalp and then covered it with some other hair.

 

Her hair was very, very tangled. It took me ages and lots of conditioner to detangle it. I used a fork, a doll brush, a wig pick, and a flea comb.

  

View large: click B l a c k M a g i c

 

I'm working on a photo essay. Also worked all week to submit some of these photos to a juried gallery exhibit: The Human Condition - but competing with 100 + entries-- not likely to get in, but we'll see. The juror is from Aperture. The gallery is in Asheville, NC, Castell Photography, a jewel of a gallery for fine art photography. www.castellphotography.com/

 

This image is part of my photo essay (but not one of my submissions). It still needs some work. I'll be posting more of the series - it all goes together as an essay and as I add photos in the series, I am adding them to my photo essay set: "Life On Different Levels"

 

All critical feedback and critiquing as always is invited. If you have time view the slideshow of "Life On Different Levels".

 

I asked if I could take these people's portraits and give them $2- inspired by the $2 portrait group. They agreed and eventually signed a release. There is much more to come in this series. I like to think of the earlier portraits in this essay as the way the people might have looked at some earlier point in their life. Later I shall post the original portraits. The whole series makes a photo essay.

 

I have a different version of this one posted in the first comment below- playing around with merging Color, BW and Desaturated parts of the images. For now I am going with the full color version-but some of the photos in this series are better in BW- so it's hard to decide which comes out best. Also title struggles- help invited. "To Look or To Look Away?", "Lives on The Street", Lives On The Street" . . .

 

Sorry I have been MIA - crazy busy with photography gallery submissions, and now I am on vacation with less computer time- but more photos to take of fall in NC. No need to comment because I'm not getting much Flickr time to comment back.

 

I love photographing people and emotional expression- but have few willing models, other than my dogs. So, I love my dog photography by itself, but learning about portraits through my dog photography also totally has helped me prepare for this kind of street photography and photo essay. I have learned how to photograph moving targets, people open to being photographed and those who are afraid, like my dog, Lisette, have learned how to struggle with difficult light and exposure, and camera settings. Wow, it all came in so helpful with this series. One opportune moment, coming together with all I have learned so far-- and to see that I have so much more to learn. Please give me critical feedback so that I can do more honor to my photographic subjects.

 

Taken 9/20/10, Uploaded 10/11/10, 2010 09 20_zzzR72_E8_DB_BWColorLayersTD2LayersEyesTANGhostBrightLayerslNY street beggarsBuildings_0396

 

If you wish, view "my own favorites" of my photostream

 

Or view all of my Photostream, sorted by Interestingness: fiveprime.org/flickr_hvmnd.cgi?search_domain=User&tex...

gone

Carbon footprint, individually switched.

DSCF9981_55mm_F5,6_60s

Dance Show at Wellesley College

Phase one P30 at high iso in dark condition

Eyes Condition...

oil 1974 Paris

Disclaimer: Trespassing on the tracks is prohibited.

The railroad tracks are private property. The surrounding area is state park property and is protected by state regulations.

Preserve the past, do not touch or disturb cultural and historic structures and artifacts.

No person shall remove, injure, disfigure, deface, or destroy any object of archaeological, or historical interest or value.

New series about my feelings of seasons changes. And first one with gold topic «Lost summer».

 

Acrylic and spray at canvas. 40x50 cm. Varnished. 2020

A1minicoach.co.uk was a small operator based in Milton Keynes and running a handful of vehicles, mostly 16-seaters. The immaculate fleet won the Premier Operator Award at Showbus 2003 and the company returned the following year with vehicles proudly lettered to celebrate that achievement. Seen early in the morning as they took their places on the runway are fleet flagship Iveco Daily/Crest BU04 GVW, LDV Convoy LF02 UJO and Ford Transit 505 KVO, formerly Y904 LHU.

Slug, or land slug, is a common name for any apparently shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusc. The word slug is also often used as part of the common name of any gastropod mollusc that has no shell, a very reduced shell, or only a small internal shell, particularly sea slugs and semi-slugs (this is in contrast to the common name snail, which applies to gastropods that have a coiled shell large enough that they can fully retract their soft parts into it).

 

Various taxonomic families of land slugs form part of several quite different evolutionary lineages, which also include snails. Thus, the various families of slugs are not closely related, despite a superficial similarity in the overall body form. The shell-less condition has arisen many times independently as an example of convergent evolution, and thus the category "slug" is polyphyletic.

 

Taxonomy

Of the six orders of Pulmonata, two – the Onchidiacea and Soleolifera – solely comprise slugs. A third group, the Sigmurethra, contains various clades of snails, semi-slugs (i.e. snails whose shells are too small for them to retract fully into), and slugs.[1] The taxonomy of this group is in the process of being revised in light of DNA sequencing. It appears that pulmonates are paraphyletic and basal to the opisthobranchs, which are a terminal branch of the tree. The family Ellobiidae are also polyphyletic.

 

Subinfraorder Orthurethra

Superfamily Achatinelloidea Gulick, 1873

Superfamily Cochlicopoidea Pilsbry, 1900

Superfamily Partuloidea Pilsbry, 1900

Superfamily Pupilloidea Turton, 1831

Subinfraorder Sigmurethra

Superfamily Acavoidea Pilsbry, 1895

Superfamily Achatinoidea Swainson, 1840

Superfamily Aillyoidea Baker, 1960

Superfamily Arionoidea J.E. Gray in Turnton, 1840

Superfamily Athoracophoroidea

Family Athoracophoridae

Superfamily Orthalicoidea

Subfamily Bulimulinae

Superfamily Camaenoidea Pilsbry, 1895

Superfamily Clausilioidea Mörch, 1864

Superfamily Dyakioidea Gude & Woodward, 1921

Superfamily Gastrodontoidea Tryon, 1866

Superfamily Helicoidea Rafinesque, 1815

Superfamily Helixarionoidea Bourguignat, 1877

Superfamily Limacoidea Rafinesque, 1815

Superfamily Oleacinoidea H. & A. Adams, 1855

Superfamily Orthalicoidea Albers-Martens, 1860

Superfamily Plectopylidoidea Moellendorf, 1900

Superfamily Polygyroidea Pilsbry, 1894

Superfamily Punctoidea Morse, 1864

Superfamily Rhytidoidea Pilsbry, 1893

Family Rhytididae

Superfamily Sagdidoidera Pilsbry, 1895

Superfamily Staffordioidea Thiele, 1931

Superfamily Streptaxoidea J.E. Gray, 1806

Superfamily Strophocheiloidea Thiele, 1926

Superfamily Parmacelloidea

Superfamily Zonitoidea Mörch, 1864

Superfamily Quijotoidea Jesús Ortea and Juan José Bacallado, 2016

Family Quijotidae

 

Description

Tentacles: Like other pulmonate land gastropods, the majority of land slugs have two pairs of 'feelers' or tentacles on their head. The upper pair is light-sensing and has eyespots at the ends, while the lower pair provides the sense of smell. Both pairs are retractable in stylommatophoran slugs, but contractile in veronicellid slugs.

Mantle: On top of the slug, behind the head, is the saddle-shaped mantle. In stylommatophoran slugs, on the right-hand side of the mantle is a respiratory opening, the pneumostome, which is easier to see when open; also on the right side at the front are the genital opening and anus. Veronicellid slugs have a mantle covering the whole dorsal part of the body, they have no respiratory opening, and the anus opens posteriorly.

Tail: The part of a slug behind the mantle is called the 'tail'.

Keel: Some species of slugs, for example Tandonia budapestensis, have a prominent ridge running over their back along the middle of the tail (sometimes along the whole tail, sometimes only the posterior part).

Foot: The bottom side of a slug, which is flat, is called the 'foot'. Like almost all gastropods, a slug moves by rhythmic waves of muscular contraction on the underside of its foot. It simultaneously secretes a layer of mucus that it travels on, which helps prevent damage to the foot tissues. Around the edge of the foot in some slugs is a structure called the 'foot fringe'.

Vestigial shell: Most slugs retain a remnant of their shell, which is usually internalized. This organ generally serves as storage for calcium salts, often in conjunction with the digestive glands. An internal shell is present in the Limacidae and Parmacellidae. Adult Philomycidae, Onchidiidae and Veronicellidae lack shells.

Physiology

 

An active Ambigolimax slug in Fremont, California

Slugs' bodies are made up mostly of water and, without a full-sized shell, their soft tissues are prone to desiccation. They must generate protective mucus to survive. Many species are most active just after a rain because of the moist ground or during nighttime. In drier conditions, they hide in damp places such as under tree bark, fallen logs, rocks and manmade structures, such as planters, to help retain body moisture.[3] Like all other gastropods, they undergo torsion (a 180° twisting of the internal organs) during development. Internally, slug anatomy clearly shows the effects of this rotation—but externally, the bodies of slugs appear more or less symmetrical, except the pneumostome, which is on one side of the animal, normally the right-hand side.

 

Slugs produce two types of mucus: one is thin and watery, and the other thick and sticky. Both kinds are hygroscopic. The thin mucus spreads from the foot's centre to its edges, whereas the thick mucus spreads from front to back. Slugs also produce thick mucus that coats the whole body of the animal. The mucus secreted by the foot contains fibres that help prevent the slug from slipping down vertical surfaces.

 

The "slime trail" a slug leaves behind has some secondary effects: other slugs coming across a slime trail can recognise the slime trail as produced by one of the same species, which is useful in finding a mate. Following a slime trail is also part of the hunting behaviour of some carnivorous slugs. Body mucus provides some protection against predators, as it can make the slug hard to pick up and hold by a bird's beak, for example, or the mucus itself can be distasteful. Some slugs can also produce very sticky mucus which can incapacitate predators and can trap them within the secretion. Some species of slug, such as Limax maximus, secrete slime cords to suspend a pair during copulation.

 

Reproduction

Slugs are hermaphrodites, having both female and male reproductive organs. Once a slug has located a mate, they encircle each other and sperm is exchanged through their protruded genitalia. A few days later, the slugs lay approximately thirty eggs in a hole in the ground, or beneath the cover of an object such as a fallen log.

 

Apophallation has been reported only in some species of banana slug (Ariolimax) and one species of Deroceras. In the banana slugs, the penis sometimes becomes trapped inside the body of the partner. Apophallation allows the slugs to separate themselves by one or both of the slugs chewing off the other's or its own penis. Once the penis has been discarded, banana slugs are still able to mate using only the female parts of the reproductive system.

 

In a temperate climate, slugs usually live one year outdoors. In greenhouses, many adult slugs may live for more than one year.

 

Ecology

Slugs play an important role in the ecosystem by eating decaying plant material and fungi. Most carnivorous slugs on occasion also eat dead specimens of their own kind.

 

Feeding habits

Most species of slugs are generalists, feeding on a broad spectrum of organic materials, including leaves from living plants, lichens, mushrooms, and even carrion. Some slugs are predators and eat other slugs and snails, or earthworms.

 

Lehmannia feeding on a small fruit in Mexico City

Slugs can feed on a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, including flowers such as petunias, chrysanthemums, daisies, lobelia, lilies, dahlias, narcissus, gentians, primroses, tuberous begonias, hollyhocks, marigolds, and fruits such as strawberries. They also feed on carrots, peas, apples, and cabbage that are offered as a sole food source.

 

Slugs from different families are fungivores. It is the case in the Philomycidae (e. g. Philomycus carolinianus and Phylomicus flexuolaris) and Ariolimacidae (Ariolimax californianus), which respectively feed on slime molds (myxomycetes) and mushrooms (basidiomycetes).[16] Species of mushroom producing fungi used as food source by slugs include milk-caps, Lactarius spp., the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus and the penny bun, Boletus edulis. Other species pertaining to different genera, such as Agaricus, Pleurocybella and Russula, are also eaten by slugs. Slime molds used as food source by slugs include Stemonitis axifera and Symphytocarpus flaccidus. Some slugs are selective towards certain parts or developmental stages of the fungi they eat, though this is very variable. Depending on the species and other factors, slugs eat only fungi at specific stages of development. Moreover, in other cases, whole mushrooms can be eaten, without any selection or bias towards ontogenetic stages.

 

Predators

Slugs are preyed upon by various vertebrates and invertebrates. The predation of slugs has been the subject of studies for at least a century. Because some species of slugs are considered agricultural pests, research investments have been made to discover and investigate potential predators in order to establish biological control strategies.

 

Vertebrates

Slugs are preyed upon by virtually every major vertebrate group. With many examples among reptiles, birds, mammals, amphibians and fish, vertebrates can occasionally feed on, or be specialised predators of, slugs. Fish that feed on slugs include the brown trout (Salmo trutta), which occasionally feeds on Arion circumscriptus, an arionid slug. Similarly, the shortjaw kokopu (Galaxias postvectis) includes slugs in its diet. Amphibians such as frogs and toads have long been regarded as important predators of slugs. Among them are species in the genus Bufo, Rhinella and Ceratophrys.

 

Reptiles that feed on slugs include mainly snakes and lizards. Some colubrid snakes are known predators of slugs. Coastal populations of the garter snake, Thamnophis elegans, have a specialised diet consisting of slugs, such as Ariolimax, while inland populations have a generalized diet. One of its congeners, the Northwestern garter snake (Thamnophis ordinoides), is not a specialized predator of slugs but occasionally feeds on them. The redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) and the brown snake (Storeria dekayi) feed mainly but not solely on slugs, while some species in the genus Dipsas (e.g. Dipsas neuwiedi) and the common slug eater snake (Duberria lutrix), are exclusively slug eaters. Several lizards include slugs in their diet. This is the case in the slowworm (Anguis fragilis), the bobtail lizard (Tiliqua rugosa), the she-oak skink (Cyclodomorphus casuarinae) and the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara).

 

Birds that prey upon slugs include common blackbirds (Turdus merula), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), rooks (Corvus frugilegus), jackdaws (Corvus monedula), owls, vultures and ducks. Studies on slug predation also cite fieldfares (feeding on Deroceras reticulatum), redwings (feeding on Limax and Arion), thrushes (on Limax and Arion ater), red grouse (on Deroceras and Arion hortensis), game birds, wrynecks (on Limax flavus), rock doves and charadriiform birds as slug predators.

 

Mammals that eat slugs include foxes, badgers and hedgehogs.

 

Invertebrates

Beetles in the family Carabidae, such as Carabus violaceus and Pterostichus melanarius, are known to feed on slugs.Ants are a common predator of slugs; some ant species are deterred by the slug's mucus coating, while others such as driver ants will roll the slug in dirt to absorb its mucus.

 

Parasites and parasitoids

Slugs are parasitised by several organisms, including acari and a wide variety of nematodes. The slug mite, Riccardoella limacum, is known to parasitise several dozen species of molluscs, including many slugs, such as Deroceras reticulatum, Arianta arbustorum, Arion ater, Arion hortensis, Limax maximus, Tandonia budapestensis, Milax gagates, and Tandonia sowerbyi. R. limacum can often be seen swarming about their host's body, and live in its respiratory cavity.

 

Several species of nematodes are known to parasitise slugs. The nematode worms Agfa flexilis and Angiostoma limacis respectively live in the salivary glands and rectum of Limax maximus. Species of widely known medical importance pertaining to the genus Angiostrongylus are also parasites of slugs. Both Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a meningitis-causing nematode, have larval stages that can only live in molluscs, including slugs, such as Limax maximus.

 

Insects such as dipterans are known parasitoids of molluscs. To complete their development, many dipterans use slugs as hosts during their ontogeny. Some species of blow-flies (Calliphoridae) in the genus Melinda are known parasitoids of Arionidae, Limacidae and Philomycidae. Flies in the family Phoridae, specially those in the genus Megaselia, are parasitoids of Agriolimacidae, including many species of Deroceras. House flies in the family Muscidae, mainly those in the genus Sarcophaga, are facultative parasitoids of Arionidae.

 

Behavior

Slug contracts itself and retracts its tentacles when attacked

A brown and yellow spotted slug curled up into a tight ball so that its head is withdrawn completely, its mantle edge and tail are nearly touching, and none of its foot surface is exposed

The alarm response posture of the Kerry slug, which is found only in this species

When attacked, slugs can contract their body, making themselves harder and more compact and more still and round. By doing this, they become firmly attached to the substrate. This, combined with the slippery mucus they produce, makes slugs more difficult for predators to grasp. The unpleasant taste of the mucus is also a deterrent. Slugs can also incapacitate predators through the production of a highly sticky and elastic mucus which can trap predators in the secretion.

 

Some species present different response behaviors when attacked, such as the Kerry slug. In contrast to the general behavioral pattern, the Kerry slug retracts its head, lets go of the substrate, rolls up completely, and stays contracted in a ball-like shape. This is a unique feature among all the Arionidae, and among most other slugs. Some slugs can self-amputate (autotomy) a portion of their tail to help the slug escape from a predator. Some slug species hibernate underground during the winter in temperate climates, but in other species, the adults die in the autumn.

 

Intra- and inter-specific agonistic behavior is documented, but varies greatly among slug species. Slugs often resort to aggression, attacking both conspecifics and individuals from other species when competing for resources. This aggressiveness is also influenced by seasonality, because the availability of resources such as shelter and food may be compromised due to climatic conditions. Slugs are prone to attack during the summer, when the availability of resources is reduced. During winter, the aggressive responses are substituted by a gregarious behavior.

 

Human relevance

The great majority of slug species are harmless to humans and to their interests, but a small number of species are serious pests of agriculture and horticulture. They can destroy foliage faster than plants can grow, thus killing even fairly large plants. They also feed on fruits and vegetables prior to harvest, making holes in the crop, which can make individual items unsuitable to sell for aesthetic reasons, and can make the crop more vulnerable to rot and disease. Excessive buildup of slugs within some wastewater treatment plants with inadequate screening have been found to cause process issues resulting in increased energy and chemical use.

 

In a few rare cases, humans have developed Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced meningitis from eating raw slugs. Live slugs that are accidentally eaten with improperly cleaned vegetables (such as lettuce), or improperly cooked slugs (for use in recipes requiring larger slugs such as banana slugs), can act as a vector for a parasitic infection in humans.

 

Prevention

As control measures, baits are commonly used in both agriculture and the garden. In recent years, iron phosphate baits have emerged and are preferred over the more toxic metaldehyde, especially because domestic or wild animals may be exposed to the bait. The environmentally safer iron phosphate has been shown to be at least as effective as baits. Methiocarb baits are no longer widely used. Parasitic nematodes (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) are a commercially available biological control method that are effective against a wide range of common slug species. The nematodes are applied in water and actively seek out slugs in the soil and infect them, leading to the death of the slug. This control method is suitable for use in organic growing systems.

 

Other slug control methods are generally ineffective on a large scale, but can be somewhat useful in small gardens. These include beer traps [de], diatomaceous earth, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, and copper. Salt kills slugs by causing water to leave the body owing to osmosis but this is not used for agricultural control as soil salinity is detrimental to crops. Conservation tillage worsens slug infestations. Hammond et al. 1999 find maize/corn and soybean in the US to be more severely affected under low till because this increases organic matter, thus providing food and shelter.

Tidy condition aside from obvious damage to rear bumper. That will require some tape come MOT time.

 

Vehicle make FORD

Date of first registration 22 April 1996

Year of manufacture 1996

Cylinder capacity (cc) 1597cc

35mm

Miss Violet facing her interviewers, Myrtil, Jimmy, Petra, Becky, Emma and Zaida.

 

The urchins decided they wanted to hire a grown-up to deal with things they wanted done but couldn't do themselves, because of their child condition.

 

The interview for Miss Violet Solano was to be set inside the old Imperial Theatre, across from Loki’s Absinthe Café in Babbage Square, to avoid the whole process of blindfolding her before leading her to the hideout.

Becky, Jimmy and Myrtil arrived three minutes before the set time of the interview. Miss Solano was waiting for them, sitting in the front row.

 

[15:27] Myrtil Igaly: 'ello Miss Vi! You are early!

[15:27] VI : good afternoon Jimmy, Myrtil and Becky

[15:27] Jimmy Branagh: Hoy Miss Vi!

[15:27] Becky Blackcinder: Hullo ma'am!

[15:27] Myrtil Igaly: Good afternoon to you too and thank you for coming

[15:28] VI : so do you wish to interview me here? Or up in your rooms in the attic?

[15:28] Myrtil Igaly: Oh, so you know about those...

[15:28] VI : there is little I miss in this town

[15:28] Becky Blackcinder: I was gonna say, I thought that was a secret! But it's not that hard to find if you look.

[15:29] VI : not if you’re used to using the high road

[15:29] Myrtil Igaly: I had set up the interview here cause our hideout was to be kept a secret but if you know about it heh

[15:29] Becky Blackcinder: Observant is good.

[15:29] Myrtil Igaly: will be quieter up there

[15:29] Myrtil Igaly: Please lead the way!

[15:29] Myrtil Igaly grins

 

All four then took the dangerous way from the Imperial to the hideout and, once there, settled at the long table. Petra was already there, waiting for them.

 

[15:32] Myrtil Igaly: Hey Petra!

[15:32] Jimmy Branagh: Hoy Petra

[15:32] VI : very nice really reminds of the one you had in the gut

[15:32] Petra Flax : Hello!

[15:32] Myrtil Igaly: I don't actually remember that one!

[15:32] Myrtil Igaly: But thank you

[15:33] Petra Flax : The one in the gut?

[15:33] VI : hello petra

[15:33] Myrtil Igaly: Alright, so first of all thank you for coming to be interviewed, I know you are a very busy lady.

[15:34] VI : i have my moments of peace

[15:34] Myrtil Igaly: From your note, I gather you understand what we are looking for.

[15:34] Petra Flax lights her pipe

[15:34] Myrtil Igaly: And we will be asking you questions in turn to decide if you would be fit for the job.

[15:34] VI : yes a go between to work with the adults

[15:34] Myrtil Igaly nods

[15:35] Myrtil Igaly: So, if you are ready, I will start.

[15:35] VI : ask away

[15:35] Jimmy Branagh pulls out the notebook, rips a page off and hands to Myrtil

[15:35] Myrtil Igaly grins. "Thanks Jimmy!"

[15:35] Jimmy Branagh then hands blank pages to Petra and Becky

[15:35] Becky Blackcinder peers over the tops of her spectacles, trying to look interrogative.

[15:36] Myrtil Igaly glances seriously at Miss Solano

[15:36] Jimmy Branagh: Welcome!

[15:36] Myrtil Igaly: Miss Violet.

[15:36] Myrtil Igaly: In the note I sent you to ask you to come for an interview, I mentioned that I wanted an information from you, as a show of good will.

[15:37] VI : of course

[15:37] Myrtil Igaly: That would be the name of the urchin from whom you learnt about those interviews.

[15:37] Myrtil Igaly: Could you please provide us with their name?

[15:38] Jimmy Branagh waits, charcoal stick at the ready

[15:38] Myrtil Igaly raises an eyebrow, waiting for the reply

[15:38] VI : I would if I could. But it was Omig who told me about it and he got it from one of our ...... employees, but I’ll look into it

[15:38] Myrtil Igaly nods. "Thank you, that would be most appreciated."

[15:39] Jimmy Branagh scribbles

 

Emma arrived, running inside and a little short-breathed.

 

[15:39] Myrtil Igaly: Hey Emma! Glad you could make it!

[15:39] VI : hello emma

[15:39] Jimmy Branagh: Hoy Emma

[15:39] Emma Walsh : Hello

[15:39] Myrtil Igaly taps on Jimmy's shoulder. "Your turn, Jimmy."

[15:39] Jimmy Branagh: Awlroight.

[15:40] Jimmy Branagh: Miss VI, ifn we wos awl at a hoity-toity party, an' th' host offered us urchins Wiggyfish gruel, an' you 'ad a big stick in yer hand, wot would ya do?

[15:40] Myrtil Igaly grins

[15:40] Becky Blackcinder stifles a giggle.

[15:40] VI : that would depend

[15:41] Jimmy Branagh raises an eyebrow ominously

[15:41] VI : were you invited?

[15:41] Jimmy Branagh: Let's say we wos.

[15:41] Myrtil Igaly studies Miss Solano closely

[15:41] VI : than i would complain to our host about his ill treatment of you

[15:42] Jimmy Branagh: Awlroight.

[15:42] Myrtil Igaly nods with a smile

[15:42] Jimmy Branagh: Now let's say we wosn't invoighted

[15:42] Jimmy Branagh: Wot would ya do?

[15:42] VI : attacking him would not improve your, or my reputation with the people you wish to deal with

[15:43] Myrtil Igaly scribbles

[15:43] Jimmy Branagh: Thet wosn't th' question

[15:43] Jimmy Branagh: Wot would ya do?

[15:43] VI : i would offer to pay the host for better food for you

[15:43] Jimmy Branagh: Awlroight.

[15:43] Jimmy Branagh scribbles

[15:43] Jimmy Branagh: Petra?

[15:43] Becky Blackcinder scribbles too, although she might just be doodling.

[15:44] Emma Walsh doesn't have a paper again...

[15:44] Petra Flax : My turn?

[15:44] Jimmy Branagh makes a paper airship and sails it to Emma

[15:44] Myrtil Igaly: Yes Petra, we're asking questions in turn to Miss Violet

[15:44] Myrtil Igaly: But we can skip you for this round if you don't know!

[15:45] Petra Flax : Well my big question is pretty practical. Alligaters

[15:45] Emma Walsh gets her paper and starts drawing Miss Vi as a stick figure rabbit

[15:45] Myrtil Igaly: Oh

[15:45] Jimmy Branagh looks at Petra

[15:45] Myrtil Igaly leans on the table to take a better glance at Petra

[15:45] Petra Flax : How would you deal with a plague of alligators?

[15:45] Jimmy Branagh: Oh okay ....

[15:46] VI : Alligaters?

[15:46] Becky Blackcinder is also doodling.

[15:46] Myrtil Igaly turns to Miss Vi

[15:46] VI : really?

[15:46] Jimmy Branagh: Aligaters in th' sewers mybee

[15:46] Myrtil Igaly: Anything could happen in New Babbage!

[15:47] Emma Walsh : We had clockwork hippos attack once....

[15:47] Petra Flax : Yep… its happened before in other cities…

[15:47] Jimmy Branagh: Yesh

[15:47] VI : well that i think is a matter for public works not public relations

[15:47] Jimmy Branagh: They wos 'orrible

[15:47] Jimmy Branagh: It wos loike Attack of th' Popplefots

[15:47] Jimmy Branagh laughs

[15:48] Myrtil Igaly scribbles a few words and glances interrogatively at Petra

[15:48] VI : i could go to the city and complain

[15:48] Petra Flax pretends to write

[15:48] VI : but not much else

[15:48] Becky Blackcinder: You made that up!

[15:48] Becky Blackcinder: Popplefots I mean.

 

And finally the last urchin interviewer, Zaida, arrived.

 

[15:48] Myrtil Igaly: Hey Zaida!

[15:48] Jimmy Branagh: Hoy Zaida

[15:48] Myrtil Igaly: You're lucky Miss Violet, lots of interviewers for you!

[15:48] Jimmy Branagh sails a piece of paper to Zaida

[15:48] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): hi jim

[15:48] VI : hello Zaida

[15:48] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): hi miz vi!

[15:48] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): me an' miz vi used to be neighbors in wheatstone waterways

[15:48] VI : yes

[15:49] Myrtil Igaly: Alright, try to stay unbiased Zaida!

[15:49] Jimmy Branagh: Nah, Popplefot runs the shoe black factory!

[15:49] Jimmy Branagh: 'ee's fat loike a hippo!

[15:49] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) looks for the piece of paper

[15:49] Myrtil Igaly: Are you satisfied with the answer Petra?

[15:50] Petra Flax : Not really no

[15:50] Myrtil Igaly: Oh

[15:50] Petra Flax : but if that's her answer...

[15:50] Petra Flax : heh

[15:50] VI : i am not exactly a slayer of Alligators

[15:50] Jimmy Branagh: Awlrought then. Becky

[15:50] Myrtil Igaly: Well, we'll discuss about that later, let's hear Becky's question

[15:51] Becky Blackcinder: Hmmmm...

[15:51] Jimmy Branagh scribbles note, adding odd cryptic symbols

[15:51] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): i gots a question

[15:51] Jimmy Branagh: Wait yer turn

[15:51] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) sticks tongue out

[15:51] Myrtil Igaly me giggles

[15:51] Petra Flax snickers

[15:51] Jimmy Branagh chuckles

[15:51] Becky Blackcinder: You knew about the hideout. Which is pretty gear. So...d'you know anything else about the city that could be useful to somebody like me? An' will you tell it to us?

[15:52] Myrtil Igaly nods and turns to Miss Violet, interested

[15:52] Petra Flax scribbles loops, impressed that they actually look like writing

[15:53] VI : wouldn't that be beyond the scope of the proffered position?

[15:53] Myrtil Igaly takes a glance at the other urchins' papers and looks impressed at all the writing on there

[15:53] Emma Walsh draws some stick figure alligators underneath Vi and points arrows saying 'not alligator slayer'

[15:53] Jimmy Branagh shrugs

[15:53] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) doodles a bunny with an arrow through its head

[15:53] VI : would be willing to make a full exchange of information?

[15:53] Myrtil Igaly: Yes that's not demanded for the position, but we're not against a few extras!

[15:54] Jimmy Branagh: We're jus' pickin' yer brain, Miss VI. It's perfectly safe!

[15:54] Becky Blackcinder has apparently done the following doodle of Vi:

www.flickr.com/photos/annalisa_shepherd/23449967259/in/da...

[15:54] Petra Flax relights her pipe, looking down at her page, and then to the pages of the others.

[15:54] Becky Blackcinder looks proud

[15:55] Myrtil Igaly: There's no right or wrong answer, Miss Violet, we'll discuss later and decide. We may not even agree with each other ya know

[15:55] VI : true

[15:55] Becky Blackcinder: 'S true. Urchins ain't all that organized.

[15:55] Myrtil Igaly: Your turn Emma!

[15:55] Emma Walsh : Okay, this one should be easy.

[15:56] VI : more here than most

[15:56] Myrtil Igaly smiles at the compliment

[15:56] Emma Walsh : If you weren't a bunny what animal would you be instead? Your inner not bunny?

[15:56] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) rolls eyes and shakes head

[15:56] Myrtil Igaly smirks

[15:57] Becky Blackcinder giggles.

 

Miss Solano stood up abruptly.

 

[15:57] VI : well i think we're at an end here

[15:57] Myrtil Igaly looks surprised

[15:57] Becky Blackcinder blinks.

[15:57] Myrtil Igaly: Are we?

[15:57] Jimmy Branagh: Hmm?

[15:57] Petra Flax raises her eyebrows

[15:57] Myrtil Igaly: What do you mean Miss Violet?

[15:57] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): miz vi don't want to work for us?

[15:57] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) offers miz vi a cookie

[15:57] VI : there is nothing better for me to be than a rabbit

[15:58] Myrtil Igaly: Oh

[15:58] Myrtil Igaly: Please don't be offended by the question, it was very innocent.

[15:58] Petra Flax : touch-eeeee

[15:58] Myrtil Igaly: Shhhh Petra!

[15:58] VI : to say other wise is preposterous, and rude

[15:58] Becky Blackcinder: I wish I was somethin' besides a human sometimes.

[15:58] Petra Flax snaps her mouth shut

[15:58] Becky Blackcinder: An' I do know a surprising number of mad scientists, so...

[15:59] VI : very well

 

Miss Solano sat back on the bench, facing the urchins.

 

[15:59] Myrtil Igaly: Very true Miss Violet, please forgive us for even thinking you would think otherwise

[15:59] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): this is babbage knowing a mad scientist or 10 isn't surprising

[15:59] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): if i could be a animal i'd be daisy my dog

[15:59] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): then i could lay around in my bed all day

[15:59] Myrtil Igaly whispers to the others. "Ok, avoid the bunny questions!"

[15:59] Petra Flax nods

[15:59] VI : i suppose it would be a badger

[16:00] Myrtil Igaly blinks

[16:00] Emma Walsh : Badgers are awful buggers...

[16:00] Petra Flax : Badgers are pretty great

[16:00] Jimmy Branagh: Okay Zaida?

[16:00] Myrtil Igaly: They're fierce for sure

[16:00] Becky Blackcinder: Opinion is divided on badgers!

[16:00] VI : the ruling family of my home land are badger

[16:01] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): miz vi - you a boss lady outside of hear, an' you sometimes employ urchins to carry messages an' packages..... how are you goin' to feel about havin' urchins bossin' you instead of you bossin' us

[16:01] Petra Flax : Good question.

[16:01] Myrtil Igaly hides a smile and dives onto her piece of paper, pencil at the ready

[16:02] VI : well that would depend on whether the orders are in conflict with my business

[16:02] Myrtil Igaly nods slowly

[16:03] Myrtil Igaly: Which would come first in that case?

[16:03] VI : that would depend on your requested action

[16:03] VI : it it was not within the scope of the job your offering

[16:04] VI : i would decline

[16:04] Myrtil Igaly: Understood

[16:04] VI : for example

[16:04] Petra Flax : What’s decline mean?

[16:04] VI : if you asked me to talk to tenk about something fine

[16:05] Myrtil Igaly whispers : that she says "no"

[16:05] VI : if you asked me to kill tenk

[16:05] Petra Flax : Oh

[16:05] VI : well that’s different

[16:05] Myrtil Igaly: Oh of course

[16:05] Petra Flax : Well jeez lady

[16:05] Myrtil Igaly: That wouldn't be something we would ask you to do.

[16:06] VI : of course not

[16:06] Myrtil Igaly: We merely need someone to represent us to deal with other grown-ups

[16:06] Myrtil Igaly: without those grown-ups knowing they're actually dealing with urchins

[16:06] Petra Flax : I mean beat in a sack with a hammer, maybe... but kill is kinda extreme

[16:06] Petra Flax : And what Myrtil said

[16:06] Myrtil Igaly rolls her eyes at Petra

[16:06] VI : and in that capacity i would

[16:06] Myrtil Igaly nods

[16:07] Myrtil Igaly: Here's my second question then.

[16:07] Petra Flax readies her pencil

[16:08] Myrtil Igaly: If you were working for us and we asked you to go talk to Miss Book and get an information about some secret Militia documents. How would you do it?

[16:08] VI : with great difficulty

[16:08] Myrtil Igaly laughs

[16:08] VI : we are not on the best of terms

[16:09] Myrtil Igaly: That's why I asked this question

[16:09] Myrtil Igaly smiles

[16:09] Myrtil Igaly starts drawing circles on her paper

[16:10] VI : and as to getting the information by less than honest means

[16:10] VI : your urchins are as capable as me in that regard

[16:11] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) whispers: she paid me a whole dollar to stand around and yell HELLO MIZ BOOK if i seen her once

[16:11] Jimmy Branagh chuckles

[16:11] Myrtil Igaly: Maybe, but I would like to know how you would do it as an indication of what you would be able to do to deal with difficult missions

[16:11] Petra Flax : Depends on the urchin. Tubby ain’t much good at nothin.

[16:12] Jimmy Branagh: 'ee's good at eatin'. Everythin'!

[16:12] Petra Flax : And it was probably him that spilled the beans about this gig

[16:12] Petra Flax : Good point Jimmy.

[16:12] Myrtil Igaly: Tubby you think?

[16:13] Petra Flax nods

[16:13] VI : i would send one of my employees to retrieve the information

[16:13] Myrtil Igaly nods and scribbles

[16:13] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): i ain't seen tubby in a long time. i thought creaky got him

[16:14] Jimmy Branagh scribbles

[16:14] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) whispers: she'd pay an urchin to do it

[16:14] Petra Flax : That’d keep him fed for a while.

[16:14] VI : sadly the man that would be best at that retrieval is no longer available

[16:14] Jimmy Branagh: Finished, Myrtil?

[16:14] Myrtil Igaly: Yup, go ahead

[16:15] Jimmy Branagh: Miss VI, wos you in Babbage when the Dark Aether fell?

[16:15] VI : no

[16:15] Jimmy Branagh: Awlroight. Never moind then. Petra?

[16:15] Myrtil Igaly chuckles

[16:15] Jimmy Branagh scribbles

[16:16] Petra Flax : Well, I guess it’s no secret you’re sort villainy type… what sorta guarantee can we have that you won’t just lie about all this and do something that is to our detri- detrimu- uh… is bad for us?

[16:17] Petra Flax draws out a hangman, then fills in all the spaces with Xs

[16:17] Myrtil Igaly squints at Miss Violet, waiting for her reply

[16:17] VI : hmmmmmm

[16:17] VI : well that’s the rub isn't it

[16:18] Myrtil Igaly: We could write something about it in the contract, but the question is, do you respect contracts...

[16:18] Petra Flax : The rub?

[16:18] VI : since you consider me a villain, would you trust any promises i made anyway

[16:18] Petra Flax : Like for ribs?

[16:18] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): maybe she wants her ears rubbed?

[16:18] Myrtil Igaly smiles at Zaida

[16:19] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): gilly like him ears scratched

[16:19] Becky Blackcinder: I've known some trustworthy villians an' some good guys who lie a lot.

[16:19] Myrtil Igaly: That was a good question Petra. This is to take into consideration but it could go both directions anyway

[16:19] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) nods in agreement with Becky

[16:19] VI : like that counterfeit count?

[16:19] Myrtil Igaly: Heh

[16:19] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): doc O was a villain but him would keep him promises

[16:20] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): 'course him usually promised to do bad things

[16:20] Petra Flax : Baloney? He's crackers.

[16:20] Myrtil Igaly: He is, but who isn't in this town?

[16:20] VI : i am a business woman and i hold to contracts

[16:20] Myrtil Igaly: Oh, that's good to know!

[16:20] Myrtil Igaly scribbles

[16:21] Petra Flax pretends to write again, nodding.

[16:21] Myrtil Igaly: Becky, another question?

[16:21] Emma Walsh draws a piece of paper in Vi's hands

[16:21] Becky Blackcinder hmmms. "Okay..."

[16:21] Myrtil Igaly: That's if you have one

[16:21] Myrtil Igaly: not mandatory

[16:21] Becky Blackcinder: Why d'you wanna work for us? What do you like about us? Or is it just a business thing?

[16:21] Jimmy Branagh: Let's move along folks! Get snappy!

[16:22] VI : mostly?

[16:22] Myrtil Igaly nods and turns her head towards Miss violet

[16:22] VI : because it benefits both of us

[16:23] Myrtil Igaly: The question would then be, how does it benefit you?

[16:23] VI : you get someone who can deal with the adults

[16:23] Myrtil Igaly: Right

[16:24] VI : and i get an alliance with the biggest information gathering force in the city

[16:24] Myrtil Igaly: Oh I see * grins*

[16:24] Myrtil Igaly scribbles

[16:25] Jimmy Branagh: Emma

[16:25] Petra Flax nudges Becky to nudge Emma

[16:25] Jimmy Branagh: EMMA!

[16:25] Emma Walsh : Do you have any credi.....proof of your expertise? Things that the adults look for in this town fer respect.

[16:26] Myrtil Igaly glances at Emma

[16:26] Becky Blackcinder scribbles some stuff down.

[16:27] VI : i have a successful business, i have money, i have made considerable donations to the fire brigade, and the militia

[16:27] Myrtil Igaly looks up, wide-eyed

[16:28] Emma Walsh : Errr....I guess that means you look good on paper!

[16:28] VI : yes

[16:28] Emma Walsh guesses that's the right saying and starts doodling dollar signs under her

[16:29] VI : and i helped with the recent Prometheus incident

[16:29] Jimmy Branagh: Zaida has the final question

[16:29] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): you gave money to the militia even though miz book don't like you?

[16:29] Jimmy Branagh scribbles

[16:29] Myrtil Igaly scribbles too and starts to regret drawing circles as she's running out of space

[16:30] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): ummmmm---- i guess that was my question

[16:30] VI : yes to give to the widows and orphans left by the Militia men that were murdered

[16:30] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): oh ok

[16:30] Emma Walsh : Ohhhhh...

[16:30] Petra Flax : Huh.

[16:30] VI : i think she declined to pass it on

[16:30] Myrtil Igaly: That was your question Zaida?

[16:31] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): how will you represent us as our embassador

[16:31] VI : well really that depends on what you have in mind

[16:32] VI : have you fully considered what you wish me to do?

[16:32] Petra Flax : Imagine a suit of armor filled with kids

[16:32] Myrtil Igaly starts to wonder what they got themselves into

[16:32] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): i mean in helping us with our urchin grow'd up relations

[16:33] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): we need a urchin grow'd ups relations office

[16:33] Myrtil Igaly: Yes, that's what we need, except secret one, not official

[16:33] VI : but are you expecting a person to foster better relations with the adults?

[16:33] VI : or just a bigger urchin?

[16:34] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): isn't that what a embassador does?

[16:34] Jimmy Branagh: You would be representin' our interests.

[16:34] Petra Flax blinks

[16:34] Myrtil Igaly: To deal with adults who don't want to have nothing to do with us

[16:34] Myrtil Igaly: Have them think they're dealing with you except they're dealing with us

[16:35] Petra Flax : Yeah

[16:35] Jimmy Branagh: We figger 'avin' a representative would be better'n burnin' the' city down

[16:35] Myrtil Igaly chuckles

[16:35] VI : and that’s the thing, for me to do that job i'd need to show a proper front

[16:35] VI : so no activity's that could be seen as dishonest

[16:36] Myrtil Igaly: I s'pose we could be having business with both honest and dishonest grown-ups

[16:36] VI : you need what amounts to a business manager

[16:36] Myrtil Igaly: Hmmm

[16:37] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) starts day dreaming about the new buffet at brunel as her tummy rumbles

[16:37] Myrtil Igaly: We're the business managers. What we need is someone willing to do what we tell them to do but also be crafty enough to find how to get the high hand in deals with other people

[16:38] Jimmy Branagh nods

[16:38] Petra Flax nods

[16:38] VI : in short a business manager

[16:38] VI : someone to manage your business with others

[16:39] Myrtil Igaly: Well yes, can call it like that.

[16:38] Myrtil Igaly looks at the other urchins. "Does anyone have another question?"

[16:39] Emma Walsh : Err...no...but I have one for you Myrt when we're done...

[16:39] Myrtil Igaly nods to Emma

[16:38] Petra Flax : Yeah, I got one more… gonna seem silly, but I got my reasons fed asking it. Ok… what’s yer favorite thing about Mayor Tenk?

[16:39] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): is likin' tenk a job requirement?

[16:39] Petra Flax : Nope.

[16:39] Myrtil Igaly: won't be in the contract, but Petra has her reasons

[16:39] Petra Flax : Just a question.

[16:39] VI : my favorite thing about tenk

[16:39] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): my favorite thing about tenk is him don't take no bullpoo

[16:40] VI : he stays out of other people’s business

[16:40] Myrtil Igaly smirks

[16:40] Petra Flax : Not you Zaida, Miss Vi

[16:40] Petra Flax : And thank you

[16:40] Becky Blackcinder: I like how he's not taller'n me.

[16:40] Myrtil Igaly giggles

[16:40] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): imma shorter dan mr. tenk

[16:41] Myrtil Igaly: It's cause you're a shrimp Zaida!

[16:41] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) makes rude gesture at myrtil

[16:40] Myrtil Igaly nods. "Thank you Miss Violet. Now would YOU have questions for us?"

[16:41] VI : well i do wonder if you have thought this position through?

[16:41] Myrtil Igaly: Oh yes, are you concerned about it Miss violet?

[16:41] VI : if you know what you need, over what you think you want

[16:42] Myrtil Igaly: We've talked about it, and will talk some more after the interviews. We'll decide as a group so there's always gonna be someone to say if they don't agree and why

[16:43] Jimmy Branagh writes more, and the number 423 next to it

[16:43] Myrtil Igaly: Which will make us think more and more until it's all good

[16:43] VI : if you hire a Representative to deal with the adults they will need to be very public

[16:43] Myrtil Igaly: Not necessarily.

[16:44] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): we could hire two people

[16:44] Myrtil Igaly: Just have to look respectable enough or know how to make themselves look that way

[16:44] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): someone to be our public face an' someone to be sneaky

[16:44] VI : no they will need to be public any interaction will become known

[16:44] Myrtil Igaly: And yes, we can also do that Zaida

[16:44] Petra Flax : That’s true

[16:45] VI : the action may not be seen to be connected to you but it will be seen by someone

[16:45] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) looks confused

[16:45] Myrtil Igaly: Maybe what we would need is a few agents, or a master of disguise

[16:46] Myrtil Igaly: Or someone who can stay veeery discreet

[16:46] Petra Flax : I think she means the Great Builder....

[16:46] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): can we hire miz book?

[16:46] Myrtil Igaly raises an eyebrow at Petra

[16:46] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): nobody would ever suspect her

[16:46] Myrtil Igaly: Noooo Zaida, she'd never agree

[16:46] VI : take the Count i can see him bragging about every sneaky thing he does for you

[16:46] Emma Walsh laughs

[16:47] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox): yeah her all noble an' shi--stuff

[16:47] Myrtil Igaly: Well that's for us to judge Miss Violet.

[16:47] VI : as you wish

[16:47] Jimmy Branagh: We need a person capable of bein' both public, an' subtley behoind the scenes. Our shadow hand, as it were.

[16:47] Myrtil Igaly: I understand your concern and thank you for worrying, but we'll manage.

[16:47] Myrtil Igaly smiles

[16:48] Myrtil Igaly: Well I guess we're done if it's good for everyone?

[16:48] Zaida Gearbox (zaida.gearbox) whispers, "i think her right about the Count. him not rowin' wid both oars..."

[16:48] Becky Blackcinder smiles and nodnods.

[16:48] Jimmy Branagh nods

[16:48] Jimmy Branagh: Pass yer papers in please

[16:48] Petra Flax : Yep

[16:48] Emma Walsh : Well with Miss Vi yeah

[16:48] Myrtil Igaly: Miss Violet, thank you again for your time!

[16:48] Jimmy Branagh: Thenks Miss VI

[16:48] Jimmy Branagh smiles

[16:48] Myrtil Igaly: We will let you know our decision after we've made it.

[16:48] Emma Walsh : But need ter talk to you about Mr. Hyde.

[16:48] VI : you’re welcome

[16:48] Becky Blackcinder hands Jimmy her notes, which are mainly doodles.

[16:48] VI : but think well on what you really need

[16:48] Myrtil Igaly nods

[16:48] Myrtil Igaly: We will.

[16:49] Jimmy Branagh collects the sheet, wads them in the notebook and shoves the notebook into his coat

[16:49] Myrtil Igaly: Do you need to be walked back outside?

[16:49] VI : i think i can find my way

[16:49] Myrtil Igaly: Alright! Take care!

[16:49] Jimmy Branagh: 'Ave a good evenin' Miss!

[16: 49] VI : stands on the boards and waves and the men hiding on the roofs move off

[16: 49] Jimmy Branagh whistles, signalling the armed urchins watching from hidden position to stand down

[16:49] Emma Walsh : Hyde blabbed.

[16:49] Myrtil Igaly: Hyde?

[16:50] Emma Walsh : Mr. Hyde

[16:50] Emma Walsh : When we had our big meeting

[16:50] Becky Blackcinder: He would, wouldn't he?

[16:50] Emma Walsh : Discussing Creaky

[16:50] Emma Walsh : And the interviews

[16:50] Emma Walsh : He wasn't sworn to secrecy

[16:50] Myrtil Igaly: Oh yes, he totally would

[16:50] Myrtil Igaly: Dang it

[16:51] Emma Walsh : So he probably told his friends, who told everyone

[16:51] Myrtil Igaly: We gotta have a little chat with Mister Hyde...

[16:51] Becky Blackcinder: He has friends?

[16:51] Myrtil Igaly: hehe

[16:51] Emma Walsh : Err....must have some runnin mates

[16:51] Becky Blackcinder: I mostly only see him when he's passed out on Dr. Jekyll's couch.

[16:52] Myrtil Igaly: Yes not sure he's got many friends

[16:52] Emma Walsh : He's got enough drinking buddies

[16:53] Emma Walsh : And he was sharing some stuff when I stopped by the other night.

[16:53] Myrtil Igaly: Hah!

[16:53] Myrtil Igaly: you're probably right Emma

[16:54] Myrtil Igaly: and if that's him, we need to talk with him, for one, and never to allow him to our secret meetings anymore again

[16:54] Emma Walsh nods

 

And thus ended the third interview the urchins held to find a “grown-up ambassador”.

 

the colour of this dress reminds me of Misty Mints (little pastel coloured white chocolate mints my mom & grandma used to always put out at christmas). It was hard to capture the colour so i edited the photo a bit, anyway, it's he palest of greens, maybe closer to a seafoam... i've been obsessed with pastels--especially mint greens & pinks--over black lately. detail pics in comments.

 

green dress: thrifted at vv

tiered silk skirt layered under: nygard by way of the bay (omg silk is amazing under polyester! no static cling at all!)

wide three buckle belt: torrid (3-4 years ago)

black long-sleeve tee: thrifted

mossy-coloured cowboy boots: thrifted at vv

black tights: a-e

barrette: from childhood

  

Ludlow Castle

 

Heritage Category: Scheduled Monument

 

List Entry Number: 1004778

 

More information can be found on the link below:-

 

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1004778

 

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Ludlow Castle, Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire

 

Ludlow Castle the standing structural remains

 

Heritage Category: Listed Building

 

Grade: I Listed

 

List Entry Number: 1291698

  

Summary

 

The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle, an enclosure castle, begun in the late C11, and converted into a tower keep castle in the early C12.

 

Reasons for Designation

 

The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle are listed at Grade I for the following principal reasons:

 

Historical: as one of England's finest castle sites, clearly showing its development from an enclosure castle into a tower keep castle in the C12; the castle played an important historical role particularly as seat of the President of the Council of the Marches; Architectural: the castle remains illustrate significant phases of development between the C11 and the C16; Survival: the buildings are in a ruinous condition, but nonetheless represent a remarkably complete multi-phase complex.

 

History

An enclosure castle is a defended residence or stronghold, built mainly of stone, in which the principal or sole defence comprises the walls and mural towers bounding the site. Enclosure castles, found in urban and in rural areas, were the strongly defended residence of the king or lord, sited for offensive or defensive operations, and often forming an administrative centre. Although such sites first appeared following the Norman Conquest, they really developed in the C12, incorporating defensive experience of the period, including that gained during the Crusades. Many enclosure castles were built in the C13, with a few dating from the C14, and Ludlow Castle is not alone in having begun as an enclosure castle and developed into a tower keep castle. At Ludlow, the large existing gate tower was converted into a tower keep in the early C12, providing more domestic accommodation, as well as defence.

 

Ludlow Castle occupies a commanding position at the steep-sided western end of a flat-topped ridge overlooking the valleys of the River Teme and the River Corve. The adjacent town of Ludlow, which was established by the mid-C12, lies to the south and east of the castle. The defences surrounding the medieval town are designated separately. The castle was probably founded by Walter de Lacy in about 1075 and served as the ‘caput' (the principal residence, military base and administrative centre) of the de Lacy estates in south Shropshire until the mid-C13. During the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign the castle was for Matilda until 1139, when it was besieged and captured by Stephen. The de Lacy family recovered the castle in the C12 and retained it, apart from occasional confiscations, until the death of Walter de Lacy in 1241. Ludlow Castle features in an ‘ancestral romance’ called ‘The Romance of Fulk FitzWarren', written in the late C13 about the adventures of a C13 knight. Other documentary sources indicate that when the castle was in royal control it was used for important meetings, such as that held in 1224 when Henry III made a treaty with the Welsh prince, Llewellyn. Following the death of Walter de Lacy in 1241 the castle came into the possession of the de Genevilles, and in the early C14, the castle passed through marriage to Roger Mortimer. Between 1327 and 1330 Roger Mortimer ruled England as Regent, with Edward II's widowed queen, Isabella. Mortimer had himself made Earl of March in 1328. In 1425 the Mortimer inheritance passed to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, who made Ludlow a favoured residence. His eldest son, who assumed the title of Earl of March, claimed the crown as Edward IV in 1461. Edward IV's son Edward was created Prince of Wales in 1471, and in 1473 was sent to Ludlow, where the administration of the principality known as the Council in the Marches was established. Both Edward and the Council remained at Ludlow until Edward IV's death in 1483. Ludlow Castle continued as an important royal residence and in 1493 the Council was re-established at Ludlow with Henry VII's son and heir, Prince Arthur as Prince of Wales. In 1501 Arthur was installed at Ludlow with his bride, Katherine of Aragon, and it was at Ludlow that Arthur died in 1502. In 1534 the Council in the Marches received statutory powers both to hear suits and to supervise and intervene in judicial proceedings in Wales and the Marches, and from that time until 1641, and again from 1660 to 1689, Ludlow's principal role was as the headquarters for the Council and, as such, the administrative capital of Wales and the border region. Milton’s mask, ‘Comus’, was first performed here in 1634 before John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater, in celebration of the earl’s new appointment as Lord President of Wales. On the dissolution of the Council the castle was abandoned and left to decay. Lead, window glass and panelling were soon removed for reuse in the town. In 1771, when the castle was leased to the Earl of Powis, many of the buildings were in ruins.

 

Since the late C18, the buildings have undergone repair and restoration at various times, as well as some further deterioration, with some rebuilding and replacement of stonework. Extensive archaeological excavations were undertaken by William St John Hope between 1903 and 1907. The castle is now open to the public.

 

Details

 

The standing structural remains of Ludlow Castle, an enclosure castle, begun in the late C11, and converted into a tower keep castle in the early C12.

 

MATERIALS: the castle is constructed of a variety of local stones; it appears that the greenish-grey flaggy calcerous siltstones that underlies the castle was used in its initial phase, with local sandstones being used thereafter.

 

PLAN: the castle consists of an elliptical INNER BAILEY, in the north-west corner of the site, representing the earliest area of development, with the OUTER BAILEY, created in the second half of the C12, to the south and east.

 

BUILDINGS:

 

The curtain wall of the inner bailey incorporates four mural towers and the former gatehouse, all thought to have been constructed by 1115. Three of the four towers are open at the back and would originally have contained wooden scaffolding supporting look-out and fighting platforms. The fourth tower, known as the POSTERN TOWER, on the western side of the enclosure, has small ground-floor postern doorways on its north and east sides. The former gatehouse, situated at the south-eastern part of the enclosure, is rectangular in plan and was originally three storeys in height. Remaining in the ground-floor of the building is part of a wall arcade, thought to be late-C11, with ornamented capitals. In the early C12 a fourth storey was added to provide more domestic accommodation, thus converting the gatehouse into a tower keep, known as the GREAT TOWER. In the later C12 the original gatehouse entrance passage was blocked (the location of the former arch remains visible on the south elevation) and an archway was cut through the adjacent part of the curtain wall to the north-east, reached by a stone bridge. This archway was partially infilled and a smaller arch constructed in the C14. Access to the upper floors of the tower is by a spiral stair to the east, reached by an ornamented doorcase, the Tudor arch having a trefoiled lintel flanked by cusped panelling and trefoiled lintel, which also gives access to rooms in the Judges’ Lodgings (see below). On the first floor is the hall, with a chamber and garderobe to the west. In the second half of the C15 the north wall of the Great Tower was rebuilt and internal floors added to create new rooms lit by enlarged windows. Adjoining the Great Tower, in the south-west section of the inner bailey, is the INMOST BAILEY, a walled enclosure constructed in the C12 and C13 to provide greater security and privacy to those living in the Great Tower. There is a well within this enclosure surrounded by a low stone wall.

 

Located in the north-eastern sector of the elliptical enclosure of the inner bailey are the remains of the CHAPEL OF ST MARY MAGDALENE. This was built in the first half of the C12, probably by Gilbert de Lacy, and was remodelled in the C16, probably in two phases. In the first phase, thought to have been undertaken circa 1502 for the installation of Arthur, Prince of Wales, a first floor was inserted in the circular nave, together with additional openings, including a first-floor doorway which gave access to a passage linking the chapel with the Great Chamber Block to the north. In the second phase, during the presidency of the Council in the Marches of Sir Henry Sidney (1560-86), the original presbytery and chancel were taken down and a new chancel, or chapel, built, stretching as far as the curtain wall. The crenellated circular nave, which measures 8.3m in diameter internally, survives to its full height as a roofless shell, and contains much original carving to the round-headed order arches of the door openings, with chevron and billet mouldings, and to the internal blind arcade with a variety of capitals and moulded arches.

 

Since the late C12, the castle site has been entered through the two-storeyed GATEHOUSE within the eastern part of the curtain wall of the outer bailey. The wall originally had two adjoining rectangular mural towers of which the one to the north of the gatehouse survives as a standing structure; this, together with the adjacent section of the curtain wall form part of the CASTLE HOUSE built in the C18 (listed separately at Grade I). Protruding from the curtain wall defining the western side of the outer bailey are the remains of a semi-circular tower known as MORTIMER'S TOWER, possibly built in the early C13; this originally consisted of a ground-floor entrance passage, with two floors above, and was used as the postern entrance to the outer bailey until the C15. In the south-west corner of the outer bailey are the remains of ST PETER’S CHAPEL, originally a free-standing rectangular structure, founded by Roger Mortimer to celebrate his escape from the Tower of London in 1324, following his rebellion against Edward II. The chapel served as the Court House and offices of the Council in the Marches, for which an adjacent building to the west was constructed. The south-east corner of the chapel is now attached to a wall which completes the enclosure of the outer bailey’s south-west corner. In the north wall of the chapel is a blocked two-light window, enlarged at the bottom when a floor was inserted for the court house; a second original window towards the eastern end now contains a first-floor blocked doorway.

 

At the end of the C13 or in the early C14 an extensive building programme was initiated, replacing existing structures within the inner bailey with a grand new range of domestic buildings, built along the inside of the north section of the Norman curtain wall. The construction of these new buildings indicates the changing role of Ludlow Castle from military stronghold to a more comfortable residence and a seat of political power, reflecting the more peaceful conditions in the region following the conquest of Wales by Edward I. The first buildings to be completed were the GREAT HALL and the adjoining SOLAR BLOCK (private apartments). The Great Hall, which was used for ceremonial and public occasions, consisted of a first floor over a large undercroft, reached through a moulded pointed arch in the south elevation. The Hall was lit on both south and north sides by three pointed-arched windows with sunk chamfers and ‘Y’ tracery formed of paired cusped trefoil-headed lights, under hoodmoulds; these originally had seats, now partially surviving. The central south window was converted to a fireplace, replacing the louver which formerly covered the open fire towards the east of the Hall, its position indicated by elaborate corbels. At the west end, a series of openings lead into the Solar Block, only one of these (that to the north) being of the primary phase. Within the Hall, at the western end, is a timber viewing platform, which is not of special interest.* The Solar Block is thought to have been begun as a two-storey building, and raised to three storeys shortly afterwards, at which time the adjacent NORTH-WEST TOWER was raised, with the new CLOSET TOWER being built in the angle between the two. Each of the three floors of the Solar Block extended into the North-West Tower, with each being linked to a room in the Closet Tower. All three floors of the Solar were heated, the ground floor having a fireplace which originally had a stone hood; the first-floor room has hooded fireplace, on nearly triangular-sectioned jambs; the room above has a plainer hooded fireplace. The windows include original openings with ‘Y’ tracery and trefoil-headed lights, similar to those in the Hall, and a ground-floor mullioned window probably dating from the late C16.

 

In the early C14 two additional buildings containing more private apartments were constructed by Richard Mortimer. The three-storeyed GREAT CHAMBER BLOCK was built in about 1320 next to the Great Hall to balance the Solar Block to the west of the Hall. The connecting four-storeyed GARDEROBE TOWER, which projects from the curtain wall of the inner bailey, was also probably built about the same time. As in the Hall and Solar blocks, the floors are now lost but features in the walls remain to indicate layout and function. The main entrance to this block is through a recessed doorway in the south-west corner, with a pointed two-light window above. The undercroft was heated, and is lit by two two-light windows with stone side seats in the south wall. The tracery of the eastern of these windows has been lost. The first-floor main room, or ‘Great Chamber’, contains a grand hooded fireplace carried on a fourfold series of corbels; to either side of the fireplace are large head corbels with leafwork. The Tudor transomed and mullioned window probably replaced an earlier window. The upper room also has a large hooded fireplace, and was lit principally by a large trefoil-headed window with head-stopped hoodmould in the southern wall.

 

Following the establishment of the headquarters for the Council in the Marches at Ludlow, new buildings were constructed and many existing buildings changed their use. Within the inner bailey the main room in the Great Chamber Block became the council chamber, with additional chambers above. A new adjoining residential block, now called the TUDOR LODGINGS, was built to the east, replacing earlier structures. The block consisted of two sets of lodgings both being of three storeys with attic rooms above. The south wall of this block cuts across openings in the east wall of the Great Chamber Block. Between the lodgings, projecting from the south wall, is a circular stair tower, entered through an ogee-headed arch. The windows in the south elevation are mullioned; several have been blocked. In the north wall of the western lodging, at ground-floor level, is an opening with double trefoil head, having a divided light above. Otherwise, the features of this range are plain, with pointed door openings, and straight lintels to fireplaces.

 

As the power of the Council grew, further domestic accommodation was needed. To the east of the entrance within the inner bailey, a three-storeyed range, known as the JUDGES LODGINGS, was completed in 1581. On the south side, this building extends the curtain wall upwards, with two gables, and piercing for fenestration, the earlier arched entrance to the inner bailey becoming visually part of the newer building, with rooms above; stone arms set immediately over the archway dated 1581 commemorate the Presidency of the Council of Sir Henry Sidney. Rooms set above the arch leave a gate-passage leading through a second archway to the inner bailey, and giving access to both the Great Keep and the Judges’ Lodgings. The rooms above the gate-passage appear to have been accessed by the embellished Tudor-arched doorway in the Keep at the north end of the passage. The north side of the Judges’ Lodgings, within the inner bailey, has a polygonal stair turret (which originally had a pyramidal roof), with mullioned and transomed eight-light windows set regularly to either side. Within, some indication is given of the arrangement and appearance of the rooms by the survival of numerous fireplaces of red sandstone backed by brick set in herringbone pattern. The adjoining building to the east, originally two-storeyed, is thought to date from the C17.

 

Other developments during the C16 included changes to the south-west corner tower, enclosed within the inmost bailey, with the installation of a large oven at ground-floor level, with residential rooms above; the tower became known as the OVEN TOWER. In 1522 the PORTER'S LODGE was built in the outer bailey to the south of the gatehouse. The shell of this building now contains the castle shop; the modern structure and fittings of the shop are not of special interest.* Also dating from 1522 is the PRISON, adjoining to the south, which retains square-headed windows with moulded frames and hoodmoulds, and the stable block, completed in 1597, with mullioned windows. Like the porter's lodge, these buildings remain as incomplete shells.

 

*Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act'), it is declared that these aforementioned features are not of special architectural or historic interest.

 

Sources

 

Books and journals

 

Cathcart-King, D J, Castellarium Anglicanum, (1983)

Goodall, J, The English Castle, 1066-1650, (2011)

H M Colvin, D R Ransome, The History of the KIng's Works, vol 3, (1975)

Kenyon, J, Castles in Wales and the Marches Essays in honour of DJ Cathcart King, (1987), 55-74

Pevsner, N, Newman, J, The Buildings of England: Shropshire, (2006)

R Allen Brown, H M Colvin, The History of the King's Works, vol 2, (1963)

Shoesmith, R, Johnson, A (eds), Ludlow Castle. Its History and Buildings, (2000)

'' in Archaeological Investigations Ltd, Hereford archaeology series, (1991)

W. H. St John Hope, , 'Archaeologia' in The Castle of Ludlow, (1908)

 

Other

 

Pastscape Monument No. 111057,

Shropshire HER 01176,

  

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1291698

 

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Ludlow Castle, Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire

 

Construction of Ludlow Castle began in the late 11th century by the de Lacy's and held by them until the 13th century. In the 14th century it was enlarged by the Mortimers. In the 15th century ownership transferred between the House of York and Lancashire during the War of the Roses. In Elizabethan times the castle was further extended by Sir Henry Sidney. After the civil war the castle declined. It is now owned by the Earl of Powys for the crown.

Grade I listed.

 

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Welcome to Ludlow Castle, one of the finest medieval ruins in England. Set in the glorious Shropshire countryside at the heart of the superb, bustling black & white market town of Ludlow. Walk through the Castle grounds and see the ancient houses of kings, queens, princes, judges and the nobility – a glimpse into the lifestyle of medieval society

 

The Castle, firstly a Norman Fortress and extended over the centuries to become a fortified Royal Palace, has ensured Ludlow’s place in English history – originally built to hold back unconquered Welsh, passing through generations of the de Lacy and Mortimer families to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. It became Crown property in 1461 and remained a royal castle for the next 350 years, during which time the Council of the Marches was formed with responsibility for the Government of Wales and the border counties. Abandoned in 1689 the castle quickly fell into ruin, described as ‘the very perfection of decay’ by Daniel Defoe

 

Since 1811 the castle has been owned by the Earls of Powis, who have arrested further decline, and allowed this magnificent historical monument to be open to the public. Today the Castle is the home to Ludlow’s major festivals throughout the year and open for all to enjoy.

 

www.ludlowcastle.com/the-castle/

 

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See also:-

 

www.britainirelandcastles.com/England/Shropshire/Ludlow-C...

 

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow_Castle

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Valerian I, 253 – 260

Aureus, Samosata after 255, AV 3.75 g. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VICTORIAE Victory in galloping biga r.; in exergue, AVGG. C 239 var. (without drapery and cuirass). RIC 276. Calicó 3449 (this reverse die).

Very rare, in exceptional condition for the issue and one of the finest

aurei of Valerian in existence. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc

Provenance

Sold by Leu Numismatik, auction 91, Zurich, 10-11 May 2004, lot 642.

Sold by Numismatica Genevensis S.A., Alain Baron expert, auction IV, Geneva, 11-12 December 2006, lot 228.

  

Publius Licinius Valerianus was born around 190 AD into a wealthy senatorial family. He showed considerable talent as a politician and served as consul during the reign of Severus Alexander. During the years 238-250 AD, he held a series of important civilian and military posts as the Roman Empire plunged into an era of civil war, invasion, pestilence, and economic collapse. In AD 253, he was commander of the Rhine garrison when he and his army were summoned to Rome by the embattled emperor Trebonianus Gallus to defend his regime against the usurper Aemilian. While Valerian was en route, Gallus was murdered by his own troops and Aemilian seized the throne. In a pattern typical of the age, Valerian’s troops proclaimed him emperor and he, in turn, marched against Aemilian, who suffered the same fate as Gallus. Valerian’s elevation was quickly approved by the Senate. He appointed his son Gallienus as co-ruler and sent him to defend the crumbling Rhine frontier while Valerian focused on a deepening crisis in the east. The Goths had commandeered some Roman ships and were plundering Asia Minor at will while, at the same time, Shapur I, king of resurgent Sasanian Persia, had crossed the eastern frontier and sacked Antioch. After taking stern measures against those he considered subversives, including Christians (against whom he mounted a major persecution), Valerian mustered a large legionary force and marched east in AD 255. After forcing the Goths to retreat, he spent the next four years campaigning in the Syrian desert in a fruitless effort to force Shapur into a decisive battle. In 260 AD, with his army weakened by pestilence and exhaustion, Valerian agreed to a peace parlay with Shapur. But on his approach, he and his bodyguards were seized and taken prisoner by Shapur. This was an unprecedented calamity and marked the Empire's darkest hour. Gallienus was unwilling or unable to come to his rescue, and Valerian remained in ignominious captivity for many years, where he endured such humiliations as being forced to serve as Shapur's footstool. After his death, Valerian’s skin was flayed and stuffed, the effigy being presented to later Roman envoys as an object lesson.

 

NAC91, 46