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A deposit of copper bearing ore 14km southeast of Duchess at Trekelano was exploited by the Hampden Co for use at its Kuridala smelter. The ore body was one of the richer ones in the Cloncurry area, averaging around 13% copper and lesser amount of silver and gold. Trekelano ore was particularly valuable as a smelting aid.
The deposit was first worked in about 1906 in a small way, mostly for development work, and gradually increased its output of economical volumes by 1915. In time, the mine was equipped with a semi-marine type Babcock & Wilcox boiler, a Walker geared winding engine, Fraser & Chambers compressor, electric light from a 40hp Hornsby gas engine and wood producer, a picking plant, and ore bins. Narrow gauge tramways were used to move the ore to the dumps to the loading state and to fart firewood to the boiler house. Associated facilities were a change room, an engine room, a boiler shed, magazines, offices, stores, and staff quarters. At its peak, the mine employed 60 men. A school and post office were provided from 1918 and these remained viable until 1928.
When the railway was extended from Malbon to Duchess, the company began sending Trekelano ore to Duchess using a traction engine and wagons. This arrangement was not satisfactory in the long term so as soon as the railway was extended from Duchess to Dajarra, the company immediately took steps to lay a connecting tramway. The link was 12.3km in length.
The line was funded and built by the company under the Tramways Act. Engineering specifications were based on QR standards but were more economical in regard to the road bed and ballasting. The company sourced the rails and sleepers from QR and secured them on time payment based on a rebate from a premium placed on every ton carried. The company also paid the line maintenance fees.
Construction commenced on the 10th of September 1917 some 7.5km from Duchess at 553 miles and 21 chains, later known as Juenburra. Accommodation comprised a loop siding on the left from which was laid the branch proper which consisted of a curve to the southeast where another loop was placed on the right. From here the line continued southeast to the mine, which was 130 rail kilometres from Cloncurry.
A passenger service was offered but it was minimally supported because the Trekelano community had a road coach service to Duchess station. The coach departed Duchess at 7am on Monday and Friday for a same day return. Passenger rail journeys were around 200 per year to 1921 and then tailed off to virtually nothing, ceasing altogether soon after.
From 1941 the train day became a Monday and was worked by the Cloncurry-Dajarra-Cloncurry weekly mixed running on a Sunday-Monday overnight rest schedule. Ore loadings had dropped by half at this time to around 3500 tons due to shortages of labour and machinery spare parts. One train a week sufficed. Loadings diminished even further to less then 2000 tons by 1943. The mine closed that year and the train service ceased at this time. A small community remained until the end, and this included several school aged children who were driven to Duchess each day for their education.
The mine owners retired to the coast and after the war put the mine and tramway on the market. There were no takers for the assets as a going concern so the plant was sold for scrap. The rails were purchased by the North Eton Sugar Mill and were removed by 1947. The telephone pole line was dismantled at the same time. The sleepers had no value and were left in situ. The official closure of the tramway is the 14th of May 1947.
The original Trekelano mine produced 220 000 tons of ore over its lifetime to yield 20 000 tons of copper and 3000 oz of gold. In the 1990s the site was gone over by the drivers of Mineral Commodities NL to locate and estimated 400 000 tonnes of 2.2% copper and 0.6 grams/tonne of gold. The deposit was reopened in 2005 by Osborne Mines and worked as a massive pit, this development swallowing the remains of the original mine and tramway. The Trekelano ore was carted to a concentrating plant at Mount Osborne, south of Selwyn, and the treated ore despatched by rail through to Phosphate Hill.
The mine is no longer in use.
Source: Copper in the Curry by Norman Houghton.
"Coarse hair"
Ile d'Olonne (PAYS DE LOIRE)
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The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained here in for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."
We need a new world-culture, a global synthesis of interconnectedness and global consciousness. We need a global citizenship movement that will promote social justice and social transformation. We must fight for fundamental human rights, over all national law and cultural identity—there must be equality for everyone! Global citizens are not born; they are created through social engineering. Children, you lack a global perspective on shared humanity, but we will indoctrinate you over time. Since you are part of this cult, you must help bridge the gap and rectify all misinformation. Remember, we global citizens are New World Order ambassadors. We must not only reflect on the virtues of globalism, but we must also act on them. As we reeducate the sheep, we must live a lifestyle of activism. True leaders are global citizens, whether they are CEOs, prime ministers, or just like you: Children of the Corn (Children of the Beast).
The number one (propaganda) issue that underscores our interconnectedness is climate change. The earth depends on our collective stewardship, which transcends all geopolitical borders and economies. One of our most important duties is to protect and enforce our global(ist) compacts. The health of the planet and society depends on useful idiots like us to lead the charge.
Smart cities are the engines of global control. They are full of opportunities, which we’ll exploit. This is a classic case of global multidimensionalism, which not only involves all facets of life, but is also omnipresent (The internet is borderless, and so is globalization). The most successful city is a smart city, because it’s interconnected globally. It reaches to the corners of the earth through smart technologies like the Internet of things, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Now we are faced with a secular humanist phenomenology and a new age cosmology in which we must develop new and efficient methodologies. This paradigm shift is in perfect alignment with the values of global citizenship.
Take the jab, take the Mark. Be a sheep, awaken the dark. Bow the knee, bow in submission. Worship the Beast, son of perdition.
Children of the Corn—deeply rooted, widespread. Children of the Beast—tares uprooted, twice dead.
Matthew 24:4 “Then Jesus replied to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’”
La ville a été inscrite au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO en 1980.
Røros est renommée pour ses mines de cuivre, lesquelles ont commencé à être exploitées dès le XVIIe siècle, à la même époque que les mines d'argent de Kongsberg. L’activité minière prit fin en 1977 après plus de 300 ans d’exploitation continue.
Complètement reconstruite après sa destruction par des troupes suédoises en 1679, la ville possède plus de 80 maisons en bois, pour la plupart entourées de cours. Beaucoup ont également conservé leurs façades en bois très sombre, donnant à la ville une apparence médiévale.
Røros et ses habitants furent rendus célèbres auprès des autres Norvégiens au début du XXe siècle par l’écrivain Johan Falkberget qui, à la manière d’Émile Zola dans Germinal, rendit compte de la vie très dure des mineurs.
pour l'ambiance : pluie 5 minutes avant, 5°C pour un 14 juin.
extreme fest - Paris
www.myspace.com/officialtheexploited
Pour voir toutes les photos et lire le compte rendu cliquez ici (To watch all the pictures and read the review of the concert click on this link)
www.adnsound.com/paris-extreme-fest-journee-1-punk-stage-...
Exploitant : Transdev Conflans
Réseau : Conflans – Achères
Ligne : 5S
Lieu : Gaudines (Saint-Germain-en-Laye, F-78)
Lien TC Infos : tc-infos.fr/vehicule/52777
Just recently returned to steam after overhaul, "Pendennis Castle" stands outside the shed at Didcot Railway Centre. This locomotive has a few claims to fame, including its exploits on the East Coast Main Line in trials pitted against "Flying Scotsman", taking part in the 1925 "British Empire Exhibition" at Wembley and being one of two locomotives to have circumnavigated the world.
Locomotive: Great Western Railway Castle Class 4-6-0 4079 "Pendennis Castle".
Location: The Great Western Society's Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire, UK.
"Redhead"
Belvédère des 4 lacs (Jura)
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"Pre-flight Preparation"
Meeting aérien "Air Legend" 2019 (Melun-Villaroche)
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIa - F-AZXR s/n P3351 - RAF - Propriété de Jan Friso Roozen (Cannes-Mandelieu)
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Motrice B45
Motrice 45
Année de construction: 1915
Constructeurs: Ateliers métallurgiques de Nivelles et ACEC
Longueur: 10,55 m
Longueur de caisse : 9,82 m
Largeur de caisse : 2,12 m
Tare: 14.300 Kg
Voie : 1,435 m
Essieux: 2
Empattement: 2,500 m
Puissance : Moteurs TVf : 2 x 22 CV (puissance continue) - Controller T25
Frein : Frein Westinghouse
Nombre de places: assises: 24 - debout: 43 à 47
RAILWAYS ECONOMIQUES DE LIEGE-SERAING ET EXTENSIONS (R.E.L.S.E.)
Suite au prolongement en 1912 de la ligne de Flémalle jusqu’au PN de Flémalle-Haute (avec instauration en 1913 du service direct Liège-Flémalle toutes les 9 min) et en 1913, du prolongement de la ligne de Seraing jusqu’au Bois, un accroissement du parc de matériel roulant et surtout des motrices plus puissantes sont nécessaires pour gravir, avec des remorques, les hauteurs de Seraing.
La RELSE réalise 2 commandes en décembre 1913 (voitures) à « Ateliers Métallurgiques de Nivelles » et en janvier 1914 (équipements électriques de ligne) à ACEC.
Livraisons des voitures en septembre 1915 et montage des équipements électriques à l’atelier de Jemeppe de la RELSE.
Numérotation : 41 à 50 ; 50 devient 40 au 01.01.1926.
Mises en service en 1916.
Transformation en 1933 par l’atelier de Jemeppe : nouvelles plateformes allongées de 0,5m (de At. Métal. Nivelles), long-pans, leviers ACME de freins à main, indicateurs de lignes de Carl Brose à Eberfeld, nouveaux engrenages, carters, résistances.
La caisse 42 est soufflée par un bombardement en 1944.
Série mise hors exploitation en février 1967, après fermeture de l’antenne d’Ougrée et la suppression des trains spéciaux de football.
Démolition en septembre 1967.
La motrice 45 a circulé pour la dernière fois le 25 mars 1967.
Korsika - Golf von Porto
Plage de Bussaglia
Le golfe de Porto est un golfe de la mer Méditerranée qui se situe sur la façade occidentale de la Corse, en France. Le littoral du golfe fait partie du Parc naturel régional de Corse. Le golfe est partagé entre les anciennes pièves de Sia (rivage nord) et Salogna (rivage sud).
Géographiquement, il est délimité au nord par la Punta â Scopa (Osani) et au sud par le Capu Rossu (Piana). Ses rives sont composées, au nord des façades maritimes des communes d'Osani, de Partinello et de Serriera, et au sud par le littoral nord de Piana. Le fond du golfe appartient à la commune d'Ota, avec Porto, sa tour génoise et sa plage à l'embouchure de la rivière Porto.
Sa géologie particulière est constituée de roches volcaniques faisant partie de l'ensemble appelé « Corse cristalline », à roches magmatiques, qui couvre les deux tiers de l'île, à l'ouest de la ligne partant de Calvi et rejoignant Solenzara.
Le golfe ainsi que les calanche de Piana, le golfe de Girolata et la réserve de Scandola plus au nord, sont inscrits depuis 1983 sur la liste du patrimoine mondial.
Le nom de Golfe de Porto : calanche de Piana, golfe de Girolata, réserve de Scandola proposé par les autorités françaises pour remplacer le nom de « les Caps de Girolata et de Porto et réserve naturelle de Scandola, calanches de Piana en Corse », a été approuvé par l'UNESCO.
« La réserve, qui fait partie du parc naturel régional de Corse, occupe la presqu'île de la Scandola, impressionnant massif de porphyre aux formes tourmentées. Sa végétation est un remarquable exemple de maquis. On y trouve des goélands, des cormorans et des aigles de mer. Les eaux transparentes, aux îlots et aux grottes inaccessibles, abritent une riche vie marine. »
— UNESCO, site de l'UNESCO
Dans une note de son récit de voyage Excursions en Corse édité en 1891, le prince Roland Bonaparte décrit le site ainsi :
« Au col de Parma, le paysage devient féerique : on a à ses pieds les eaux calmes du golfe de Girolata... Ce golfe étonne par la sauvagerie de ses côtes escarpées et la brusquerie de ses découpures. Il est ceint tout entier d'une muraille sanglante de granit rouge, et dans la mer bleue ces rochers écarlates se reflètent... Le golfe de Porto, que l'on découvre ensuite après avoir franchi le petit col de la Croix, est encore beaucoup plus beau... Les rochers noirs alternent avec les granits rouges et donnent un cachet particulier à toute cette région, sans aucun doute, une des plus belles de Corse, pour celui qui n'est pas l'ennemi des couleurs flamboyantes et de la nature sauvage... La route qui suit la côte sud du golfe s'élève assez rapidement à travers une série de ravins aux pentes abruptes et remplies d'une végétation des plus luxuriantes. On dirait des cascades de verdure se précipitant dans le golfe, aux eaux bleues frangées d'écume. C'est le maquis, l'impénétrable maquis, formé de chênes verts, de genévriers, d'arbousiers, de lentisques, d'alaternes, de bruyères, de lauriers-thyms, de myrtes et de buis, que relient entre eux, les mêlant comme des chevelures, les clématites enlaçantes, des fougères monstrueuses, des chèvrefeuilles, des cistes, des romarins, des lavandes, des ronces, jetant sur le dos des monts une inextricable toison. Cette forêt qui cesse au bout d'une heure de montée, est dominée par une arête de rochers curieusement découpés en vastes aiguilles dénudées, s'élevant d'un seul jet au-dessus de cet océan de verdure qui ne se termine qu'au niveau de la mer... La route qui traverse cette région appelée Calanche, s'accroche pour ainsi dire aux parois des rochers ; de grands murs de soutènement ou des ponts la conduisent aux étroites échancrures taillées dans les rochers et qui font communiquer toutes ces étroites vallées tombant dans la mer au milieu d'éboulements de pierres, qui de loin ressemblent à des scories, tellement elles sont boursouflées et remplies de cavités, souvent pleines d'une terre rougeâtre où poussent quelques brins d'herbe. Au moment où nous entrâmes au milieu de cette forêt de granit pourpré, le soleil venait de disparaître derrière la ligne d'horizon... Nous avancions dans un clair-obscur qui faisait ressortir davantage les dentelures des crêtes rocheuses, se projetant sur le fond jaune d'or du ciel qui, au-dessus de nos têtes, passait par toutes les nuances du bleu pour arriver au noir... »
— Prince Roland Bonaparte - Une excursion en Corse - À compte d’auteur 1891
La région Porto-Piana a été longtemps assimilée à un désert démographique. « La prédominance de reliefs très accidentés, la fréquence des épidémies affectant jadis la Corse (mentionnons, entre autres, la grande peste de 1348 décimant la population de l'île, si l'on en croit le chroniqueur florentin Giovanni Villani ou encore celles de 1450, 1498, 1525, 1528, 1529 ou 1580...), des récessions économiques (disettes successives et famines mentionnées par les sources du XVIe siècle au XVIIIe siècle) et, avant tout, l'histoire tourmentée de ce territoire expliquent, essentiellement, ce trait du peuplement. ».
Au Moyen Âge, quelques communautés habitaient cette région ; mais elle fut définitivement abandonnée vers la moitié du XVIe siècle.
Elle était alors sous la seigneurie des Leca, impliqués dans les guerres de Cinarchesi. À la fin du XVe siècle, la région connut la période des guerres de Giovan Paolo di Leca.
Après les guerres du XVIe siècle, durant la seconde moitié du XVIe siècle, les Turcs, assaillant régulièrement les côtes de la région, réussirent à éliminer des villages entiers comme Paomia ou Revinda. À la fin du XVIe siècle, les basses terres sont définitivement abandonnées. « Ainsi en est-il du Sia, de la piève de Salogna, ruinée, ou de celle de Paomia, totalement désertée en 1584 ».
De la domination génoise de l'époque, il reste à la région des édifices très bien conservés dont les deux les plus représentatifs sont ceux édifiés par Dumenico Giustiniani : le fortin du village de Girolata qui fut construit en 1551, restauré en 1610 et à proximité duquel fut capturé et emprisonné le célèbre pirate turc Dragut en 1540 ; mais aussi la tour génoise de Porto, une des quatre tours carrées de l'île, qui fut construite en 1552 et rénovée en 1992. En effet, elle fut détruite par une explosion de la réserve de poudre.
Malgré ces fortifications, la côte du golfe de Porto subit toujours, au XVIIe siècle, de gros problèmes de défense. C'est alors que les populations des villages de montagne qui possédaient des terrains sur le littoral firent pression pour obtenir la construction d'un nombre plus important d'édifices. Ils rebâtirent une tour à Sagone, futur dépôt de bois pour les exploitants de la forêt de Valdu Niellu.
Au début du XVIIe siècle seront construites « six nouvelles tours : Omigna, Cargèse, Orchinu, Cavi Rossi, Gargalo et Imbuto. Celles-ci sont édifiées entre 1605 et 1611 sous la direction du "gentilhomme" Anton Giovanni Sarola ».
À cette même période, les autorités de Gênes développeront une politique de concession, aboutissant notamment à la constitution à Cargèse d’une colonie grecque qui sera à l'origine de tensions avec les populations environnantes.
C’est également à cette période que Vico se retrouvera sur un plan plus important, avec la séparation de sa juridiction de celle d’Ajaccio au début des années 1660 et la création d’un Palais public.
(Wikipedia)
Der Golf von Porto liegt an der schroffen Westküste von Korsika. Die Bucht mit ihren schroffen Felsenküsten ist als Weltnaturerbe geschützt.
Orte am Golf von Porto von Nord nach Süd:
Girolata - Der kleine Küstenort ist nur zu Fuß oder mit dem Schiff erreichbar. Girolata besitzt ein altes Fort und eine schöne Bucht mit Kiesstrand, die gleichzeitig als Naturhafen dient. Es gibt Ausflugsgastronomie. Start für eine Wanderung nach Girolata am besten vom Parkplatz nahe der Küstenstraße oderhalb Osani (weiteres siehe auch Abschnitt Wandern)
Osani - Dorf etwas unterhalb der Küstenstraße gelegen, das sich nördlich von Partinello befindet. Der Ort besitzt einen eigenen Strand mit Campingplatz (erreichbar über die D 424).
Partinello - Dorf an der Küsterstraße nördlich von Porto. Der Strand des Ortes ist über die kleine D 324 anfahrbar.
Serriera - Dorf nördlich von Porto gelegen mit einem Strand. Der "Plage de Bussaglia" ist von der Küstenstraße über die D 724 erreichbar.
Porto - "Zentrum" der Region mit Mole, Strand, Übernachtung-, Einkehr- und Einkaufsmöglichkeiten. Ferner gibt es ein paar Campingplätze.
Ota - Hoch auf einer Sommerterrasse bereits im Inselinnern gelegen. Der Bergort bildet mit Porto eine Gemeinde. Ota ist Ausgangspunkt für den Spaziergang zur bekannten Genueserbrücke.
Piana - schönes Dorf, das sich im Südbereich der Bucht befindet. Es liegt auf einer Hochterrasse etwa 400 m über dem Meer. Nördlich von Piana findet sich mit der "Calanche" ein besonders schöner und schroffer Küstenabschnitt, der in der Hochsaison stark besucht ist. Von der D 824 zweigt westlich Piana die kleine D 624 ab, die sich steil hinab zum kleinem Strand "Ficajola" am Golf von Porto windet. Hoch über dem Meer verläuft weiter südlich die D 824 abwärts zum "Plage d'Arone", dem Hauptstrand des Ortes. Dieser Strand mit Campingplatz liegt allerdings nicht mehr am Golf von Porto. An der D 824 findet sich, auf halbem Weg von Piana kommend, auch der Parkplatz für die Wanderung zum Capo Rosso.
Der Golf von Porto gehört zum Regionalen Naturpark Korsika (Parc naturel régional de Corse), der 1972 gegründet wurde. Das 3.500 km² große Parkgebiet erstreckt sich im Inselinneren großräumig über die Hochgebirgsmassive mit dem Lac de Nino bis hin zum Col de Bavella im Süden Korsikas.
(Wikivoyage)
If you see him or have any information please call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE LOST (1-800-843-5678) or Detective Dinkins, San Ramon Police Department at 925-973-2700.
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Serenity gives us the best knack that we, the mortals can enjoy. The contemplation.
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Cattle egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals.
This species maintains a special relationship with cattle, which extends to other large grazing mammals; wider human farming is believed to be a major cause of their suddenly expanded range.
"Wild nature"
Ile de Porquerolles au large de la ville de Hyères (PACA - Var)
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"Roasting Jack"
Hospices de Beaune (Bourgogne - Côte d'Or)
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Dans le bois de Boulogne. Le contraste m’a frappé entre la beauté poétique face à moi et ce symbole du libéralisme pur et sans âme en toile de fond.
Ville: Nice
Réseau: Lignes d'Azur
Exploitant: Association Tram & Bus de la Côte d'Azur
Numéro de parc: 74
Ligne: 57 Riquier - Saint Sylvestre
Réseau : Idélis (Pau, SMTU)
Transporteur : Keolis Transports Palois Réunis
Type : Mercedes-Benz Citaro C2 hybrid
Parc : 1987
Immatriculation : FK-768-WJ
Mise en service : 15 octobre 2019
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Date de la photographie : Mai 2021
Lieu de la photographie : Pau, 64 Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Auteur : © Olivier MEYER
Pont des Récollets, Largentière (Ardèche)
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Exploitant : Transdev TVO
Réseau : R'Bus (Argenteuil)
Ligne : 7
Lieu : Île-de-France (Argenteuil, F-95)
Lien TC Infos : tc-infos.fr/vehicule/35158
Together we’re building a new identity ecosystem, a globally recognized universal biometric ID blockchain system. It will be a biometric smartchip ID that will be tracked worldwide by AI to solve the 17 sustainable development goals.
The Mark of the Beast is a Certification Mark of authentication (the new global standard), affirming that all who are involved with this new global biometric digital ID blockchain are compliant with the core principles of the 17 Sustainable Development goals, which have been adopted by all the United Nations Member States. No one will be able to buy or sell or do anything in society without this Certification Mark. This Mark will now become mandatory for all. Without it, you will be arrested.
Through the means of a microchip implant we will be able to eradicate human trafficking (we cause the crisis, and then we offer you the solution). Every kind of supposed virtuous cause will be exploited to promote the 666 Beastchip. Climate change…take the smartchip…blah, blah, blah. Refugees…take the smartchip…blah, blah, blah. Human rights…take the smartchip…blah, blah, blah. Fight poverty…take the smartchip…blah, blah, blah. For the sake of equality, inclusiveness, and sustainability…take the smartchip…blah, blah, blah.
www.accenture.com/us-en/services/blockchain/digital-identity
Meeting aérien "Air Legend" 2019 (Melun-Villaroche)
Airbus A-400M Atlas - F-RBAI n° 0033 - Solo Tactical Display ET 01.061 "TOURAINE" Orléans-Bricy BA 123 Armée de l'air.
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06/04/08
Hm. Day 100.
Not sure where time has gone.
At the same time....I was all excited about making it 100 days (gracefully or not) and a lovely co-worker was kind enough to point out
"You're not even one-third of the way."
Hmmph. Aaaaaannnd now I'm making my pensive face.
Bah. I'm still here, so apparently, I'm stayin'.
P.S. Alternate here. ................and this one HAS candid bra straps. Dammit, now I'm like, all super conscious of them!!!!!!!
Balades tout autour de Port-Vendres, chemins de randonnée, sentier du littoral, sentier d'exploitation des vignes ou simplement buissons et fleurs des jardins méditerranéens... avec les chaussures adéquates et même si le terrain est un peu pentu quelque fois, cela en vaut la peine!
Immortelle commune, ou Helichrysum stoechas
Quelques mots sur ces vertus médicinales: ... en fait elle pâtit de sa comparaison avec sa cousine italienne plus performante! toutefois elle possède aussi des pouvoirs cicatrisants ou veinotoniques et elle peut être un bon soutien pour les soins des hématomes ou des plaies. Mais attention à ne pas la cueillir sans scrupule... c'est une espèce protégée!
Une proposition de blog à consulter:
Mis en service à Aurillac (15) en novembre 1995, ce PR112 à été sauvé par l'association APATBM en février 2017. En effet, beaucoup de PR112 circulaient sur le réseau CGFTE.
Modèle : RENAULT VI PR112
Numéro de parc : 9564
Immatriculation : BZ-717-FS
Mise en service : novembre 1995
Exploitant : APATBM
Lieu : BORDEAUX Quinconces
Infos complémentaires : VF6PS08A1PX104873 ex-Aurillac
Sunrise at Cabo Cervera -Alicante-.
First shots with my new Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, wonderful lens, I felt very comfortable using it, I think it is perfect in every way.
I hope you like it. Have a nice Sunday. :)
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© Copyright: The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Marine reserves constitute a specific measure that contributes to achieving a sustained exploitation of resources of fishing interest, establishing specific protection measures in delimited areas of traditional fishing grounds.
The effect of a marine reserve is manifested by a significant recovery of the fishing grounds in which it is inserted due to the dispersion of the species whose reproduction has been protected in it.
The seabed of the Isla Hormigas Cabo de Palos Marine Reserve is in incredible health, in this area artisanal fishing coexists with the recreational activity of recreational diving, both are compatible and the result is that divers can enjoy the best diving in the Mediterranean and one of the best in the world and fishermen benefit from a very abundant fishing ground.
There are 12 Marine Reserves in Spain and there should be more. In this photo we can see two of the most characteristic specimens of the area, the Goldblotch grouper and the Dusky grouper.
Photo taken in the Marine Reserve of Cabo de Palos (Murcia-Spain).
Copyright @2023 José Salmerón. All rights reserved.
Las reservas marinas constituyen una medida específica que contribuye a lograr una explotación sostenida de los recursos de interés pesquero, estableciendo medidas de protección específicas en áreas delimitadas de los caladeros tradicionales.
El efecto de una reserva marina se manifiesta por una recuperación significativa de los caladeros en los que está inserta por efecto de la dispersión de las especies cuya reproducción se ha protegido en la misma.
Los fondos de la Reserva Marina de Isla Hormigas Cabo de Palos, goza de una salud increíble, en esta área conviven la pesca artesanal con la actividad lúdica del buceo recreativo, ambas son compatibles y el resultado es que los buceadores podemos disfrutar del mejor buceo del Mediterráneo y uno de los mejores del mundo y los pescadores se benefician de un caladero muy abundante.
En España hay 12 Reservas Marinas y debería haber más.
En esta foto podemos ver dos de los ejemplares mas caracteristicos de la zona el Goldblotch grouper y el Dusky grouper.
Foto tomada en la Reserva Marina de Cabo de Palos (Murcia-España).
Copyright @2023 José Salmerón. Todos los derechos reservados.
Modèle : Irisbus Citelis 12
n°353 - ligne 11
Exploitant : Transdev Saint Étienne
Réseau : STAS
Lieu photo : Saint Étienne
Amazing blue hour at this magnificient location in Formentera Island.
With respect to the technical part, it is a horizontal panorama 30 second long exposure using the combination of a Formatt Hitech Filters ND four step Firecrest plus a graduated three step.
I hope you like it. Have a nice Tuesday. :)
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"Free Entrance"
Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs (Jura)
"Copyright © – Patrick Bouchenard
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained here in for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."
Acolyte
The Prologue:
Julie had come alone. Having missed her ride with a friend to deal with some pressing servant related issues, she had taken her father’s roadster out and had driven the curving, often bumpy road into the city by herself. Parking it, she had made her way to where the festivities were already in full swing.
She now stood at upstairs entrance, allowing herself a minute to unwind from her driving to breathlessly take it all in. As she stood to one side, allowing the swarming mass of guests to pass uninhibited by her as they headed downstairs to the party chambers below, her eyes grew wide with the splendor below.
Julie still possessed some of the awkwardness of youth, and it showed by the way she carried herself. From her constantly gawking eyes, to her nervously moving hands, down to the high heels on her feet that occasionally still tripped her up as she walked. But despite all that, she still managed to present a total picture of elegance and grace, the result of years of etiquette being forced down her pretty throat.
Now, anyone down below who happened looked up at the entrance, would have given Julie a second look, and they did.
With that second look the following would have been taken in; long brown hair hung down in silken masses past her shoulders. The hair framed an oval face, with large, innocently wide, eyes, heavy with the mascara that always gave her face a perpetually surprised look. Resplendent in a long soft gown that seemed to pour down forever over her quite perky youthful figure, a purple satin sheet of flowing liquid, broken only by the black bolero jacket with its shimmering ornament. The hem of her gown almost covered the pointed toes of her coal black high heeled shoes.
A diamond necklace blazed in rippling fire hung from Julie’s throat, its brilliance matched by the long diamond earrings that peeked in and out as they swayed vibrantly, like a twin beacons. A sparkling diamond brooch with swinging sapphire’s that matched the colour of Julies eyes , had been placed high on one side of her black satin bolero styled jacket. She wore no gloves, and her bare fingers were home to a rather lively assortment of gem encrusted rings.
Soon two ladies also broke away from the crowd and joined Julie in her observation, as they commented to one another about the scene below. They then asking Julie if she agreed, as if the strangers and she were old acquaintances, Julie gave them both the once over as she reluctantly agreed with them.
Both Ladies were red heads, although the younger one, with pretty hazel eyes, was more of a ginger ( like Julies maid), Julie finished giving both a swift appraisal before turning her attention back to the crowd, looking for an opening to make her escape. The ginger, a young miss stunning in a gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, apologized for the intrusion, then let out a small squeal, commenting on how adorable Julie’s jacket was, as she lifted it up, of Jules of Paris( Pariee is how she pronounced it), and your gown, it’s of the house of Yevonne, is it not, the young lady asked? No Julie said, starting to shake her head, which made her earrings sparkle even more erratically, as the other lady continued admiring Julie’s satin jacket, momentarily covering the bright brooch from view. At the same time the other lady, a bit older ,becomingly clad in a fine gown of red wine colured Taffeta, placed a hand on Julies other shoulder, asking the now disconcerted girl if she knew how late the orchestra was playing, Julie continued shaking her head, as she looked into the older lady’s deep green eyes, mesmerized as they just oozed kindness , No, sorry ma’am she answered obediently . The younger one finished her admiration of Julie’s s attire by patted Julie’s shoulder, well nice meeting you, and with a cheerful tootles, both women left, melting ahead into the crowd.
Julie watched them for a few seconds as the pair swished downstairs, straightening her jacket as she did. Suddenly all thoughts of the two ladies were pulled from her mind as she realized something was amiss. It took her but a second to realize the brooch her maid had pinned onto her jacket was now absent. Bother she said under her breath as she looked around her on the empty floor, it must have fallen off in the roadster! Under her breath she chastised both the roadster, and the road, remembering the way the vehicle had lurched to and fro on the bumpy roadway in her haste to reach the city. She must have words with that maid of hers for not fastening it properly, that brooch was simply too valuable for her to be so careless... Julie then puts the brooch out of her mind; she decides she will have the maid search the roadster for it in the morning.
And she makes her way out into the stream of guests and begins her descent, carefully as her high heeled feet negotiate the stairs…..
***
The Tale
Dazzling!
This was the word that best described the vision enclosed within the massive chamber that evening. Filled wall to wall with a seemingly endless swarm of guests, presenting an endless sea of colourfully be gowned, be gloved, and bejeweled ladies, escorted by a small army of tuxedoed and top hatted male chaperones. The crème del a crème of the huge cities finest citizens were there, displaying a good portion of what their all the hard cold pounds and guineas could buy.
The guests had entered via a large double stair case that led down into the sub street level chamber. On the east end was a mammoth stage, which stood about 4 feet above the dance floor, easily holding the 30 piece orchestra with room to spare. The music that was played was as diverse as the guests in attendance, appealing to every age group present.
Couples and singles milled about talking merrily, just a low murmur heard just below the music. A jazz number was being played and a number of the “young bright ones” were on the floor dancing earnestly with various random moves.
A stream of fresh guests had entered, making their way downstairs, gaining the attention of a few of those already in attendance. Jewels sparkled radiantly as many a satin gloved hand was raised in greeting, many a female head was turned to point out someone they could spread gossip about, and in the process exposing a multitude of jeweles in various sparkling colours.
One of those newcomers, a raven haired, black eyed woman with a dark features, possessing an almost feline like beauty, came onto the upstairs landing. She was probably aged in her mid-twenties, surprisingly alone and unescorted. She was waved to by no one, pointed out to by many. Looking around she suddenly spied something down below that made her smile, a wide Cheshire cat like grin that quickly spread across her wickedly pretty face. She scurried down the stairs, pushing, not gently, a young miss in in a purple satin gown and black jacket, who had been moving slowly ahead of her, wobbling in her high heels, the poor girl fell against the wall, clutching it for support with well ringed fingers.
The raven haired beauty parted several more pairs of guests as she made her way down, moving too slow for her, without a word of apology. At the middle landing, she shoved her way past a pair of ladies, moving slowly as they regarded the pretty scene being played out below in the well lite chamber. One was red head wearing a tailored wine coloured taffeta gown that made a swishing noise as the lady passed, and her companion, about the same age as the intruder, (a kid sister, or cousin of taffeta gown?) was dressed in gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, her long hair done up in a high bun, held by dangling rows of rhinestone ropes. She looked at the lady who was unexpectedly cutting between them, but said nothing; as the lady paid neither one no never mind. The raven haired lady continues down, and still never uttering a word or wearing even the slightest look of apology, trips up yet another lady, clad in a long pure white satin gown, with emerald bracelets dangling from her white gloved wrists, who actually had started to fall, and would have if the pair of red headed ladies in wine and emerald gowns had not caught and steadied her, and in the process an emerald bracelet is lost to sight.
The raven haired, dark beauty finally landed onto the chamber floor and began snaking through the crowd, licking her vibrant red lips as her eyes darted about searching for any distractions to avoid keeping her from her selected designation, (and prey)! Her long thin figure was sleekly covered by a lengthy body-hugging black satin sheath, her heavy mascara, and long flowing hair matching the dress. She wore opera length satin gloves, red as her lips. Her jewels were all white diamonds, earrings, necklaces bracelets, and a large brooch hanging from the low cut of her gowns neckline. She wore a number of fancy rings, one of which was a large diamond cocktail ring on her left hand, while her right, gripping a red satin clutch purse, was home to 3 smaller versions of the same ring. She slowed down suddenly, and opening the purse pulled out a long telescoping holder, and opening a gold (14k) case extracted a long white cigarette and inserted it.
She than bee lined and circled around, flanking a young miss wearing(limply) a long pretty satin dress of pink coral, white pearls hanging expensively down from her ears and neckline. She wore white wrist length satin gloves, with a diamond merrily glittering from a long slender finger on her left hand. She was talking to a rather handsome youth her own age, dapper in his tails and top hat, a precision trimmed Saxon style beard, and a face with solid Welsh features, and hazel coloured twinkling eyes. A long gold chain and fob held a solid gold engraved pocket watch to his chest (all 14 k) and he wore a ruby pin in his black ascot.
As she stole behind the back of the poor princess in coral, she gave her a venomous gaze, which quickly changed as she touched the young man on the shoulder, as he turned to her, the raven haired beauty, whose name was Lilith, eyes were now brimming with contrived admiration.
Hello darlings Lilith said, in a syrupy low voice, addressing them both, although she did not even glance at the girl. Both hoarsely said hello back, and the boy took the offered hand and kissed it, her large ring shinning, blindingly in his eyes. Would you be a dear then? She asked, waving the cigarette holder in front of his face. He obligingly lit it, and she let out a puff of smoke, aimed directly in the girls face, who started coughing Lilith smirked, panting her on the back, sorry dearie, mind if I borrow him for a bit, and she led the young gentleman away, before the pretty girl in coral and pearls could regain whatever composure she had left. Charles! Be a dear and buy me a drink please Lilith asked him, and he (with proper breeding of the titled) led her off without question, abandoning the young miss who watched them trot off with tears brimming in her blue eyes.
The drinks came, and Lilith sat her cigarette holder down next to them, dance with me Charles, and she took his arm and led him off to the dance floor, just as his fiancé in the coral gown and borrowed pearls had managed to catch up.
Charles held Lilith in his arms, as one might hold a cold blooded serpent. She moved close, appropriately hissing in his ear. Why are you wasting time with that silly Ginny creature, don’t you know her parents are about to lose all their money, and that Ginny’s only interest was in his title, and his parents fortune, silly bean. Charles looked warily at Lilith, than over at the forlorn Ginny, just standing there. He genuinely liked , maybe even loved, Ginny, even had given her a friendship ring, signifying his desire to become closer , But there were the rumors of her father being swindled of his fortune, and if his parents ever found out!. He looked back into his dance partners beady black eyes, they held a seductive fire which played immensely to his vanity. She was smiling winningly at him, she had made her selection, and although it would never show in her eyes, in the back of her devious mind, she was starting to think how the letter would go that his parents would anonymously be soon receiving concerning Ginny, the little pipsqueak, Lilith called her silently in her mind.
***
Meanwhile the pair of red haired ladies who had had the cheekiness to stop on the middle landing of the grand staircase, impeding Lilith’s progress, were now walking the perimeter of the mammoth chamber, meandering, taking in all of the sparkling and shininess of the surroundings, their eyes missing very little as they talked. The young, ginger haired one, pretty in her gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, seemed a little peeved about something, and her companion noticed that her grey eyes had turned a certain shade of green, always a sign of something amiss. She stopped her and asked her to please spill it out.
Oooh how I despise that witch, a seething Lydia said to her companion in the wine coloured taffeta gown, spitting out each word like a hissing cat, even Lydia’s back was arched a little like a feline. Her friend, whose longish flaming red hair was lying over her left shoulder, hanging down in a picturesque manner over her full bosom, was surprised at Lydia’s reaction. Who dear? Asked her friend, Angie. The lady in white satin Angie asked? No, spit out the usually collected Lydia, not her, she was really fuming. Angie continued, I was going to say, if it was, than taking her emerald bracelet should have been revenge enough, Angie stated, then continued. So just who are we talking about Lydia?
That one!, Lydia snarled, nodding her head, the witch in black who rushed through us on the stairs and went that way! Angie stopped, looking off in the direction Lydia had nodded. Oh her, she said, the one in black satin. Lydia just glared, and Angie knew she had gotten it right. She asked Lydia, does this witch have a name? Lilith! Lydia spat it out like a swear word, followed by a gushing tirade. She is a backstabbing creature who can charm any man into submission while making a girl cringe and wince with the merest of glances. She is a gold digger extraordinaire with two ex-grooms who couldn’t see her for her true colours until they had been gutted by her gilded claws!!
Really exclaimed Angie, her green eyes becoming brighter! Two of them? Yes, Lydia went on, both wealthy, both became available when their parents received anonymous poison letters about their then betrothed.
I’d give anything to knock her down a few pegs, Lydia continued through clenched teeth.
Angie mulled it over; realizing anything more she said would just add fuel to Lydia’s fire. She decided to let her simmer down on her own, and then perhaps they could get on to their business. She suggested a drink, and they moved off, passing a forlorn young lady in a limp coral coloured gown, wearing a nice display of pearls, who seemed to be staring off in the distance at something with tear filled eyes.
Skirting the dance floor, they soon attained the lounge and settled in……..
***************************************************
It had now been four years since Angie had taken the charmingly talented young Lydia under her wing.
She had encouraged her blossoming skills, abilities that Lydia herself had self-taught by playing games with her siblings, until she encountered a professional she could learn from. That professional had been Angie. Lydia now possessed the little dog eared ancient pamphlet that had been the secret to Angie’s success as a light fingered lady pickpocket, focusing mainly on the fine jewels worn out and about by rich girls and women in society.
(Please visit our albums section and peruse the various Angie Albums for more background stories on Angie and her “light fingers” the Eds.)
It had cost Angie a necklace to acquire the pamphlet, and it had been worth it. It had cost the younger, ginger haired Lydia her brooch and ring for a chance to do the same. Lydia caught on quickly, mastering certain moves in half the time it had taken Angie, and for which Angie gave her high praise.
But sadly it was now less frequently that they worked as a team, each after a time branching off on their own paths.
Lydia was a different creature than Angie in the respect that coming from a wealthy family she was supported, even though most of the family lands, money and titles would go to the heir, Lydia’s twin brother. For her lifting items from her wealthy friends and relations had started out as an edgy game. Now it had evolved into a challenging pastime, a trophy hunt of sorts where she collected jewels like her father collected animal relics. Some of her lesser trophies were passed onto Angie, who had the connections to dispose of them, turning them into ready pound notes.
Whereas Angie had been born to impoverished English parents who had immigrated to Canada. They made her, their only child, an orphan at age 6 upon their untimely deaths in an epidemic. At the crowded orphanage the nuns taught her a little about manners, how to act properly for a lady, and the rest she had learned on her own, what she needed to say to please them and avoid the “floggings” that they administered to those who refused to “fit” in. She fled the orphanage when she was 14 and forged her own, often lonely path in the years that followed. For her lifting a ladies valuables was a means of lively hood as much as it brought her thrills. And she had accomplished it all without Lydia’s advantages, which had been a pair of a willing accomplices, AKA a sister and brother, to practice on!
But the pair remained in constant touch and it had been at Lydia’s beckoning that Angie had met her in London a few days prior. From London they had travelled by rail to attend this once a year function, and to attend the various balls and other affairs that were the natural outgrowths of the Gala.
It had been an eventful journey, the train ride had proven to be even more profitable than usual for the two light fingered ladies.
Lydia had written Angie a letter (to Angie’s solicitor who she saw at least one a month) telling her about the upcoming gala, and how would she would like Angie to join her in for the hunt. Their plans were to attend the gala and its outgrowths, then spend a few months of the upcoming party season continuing Lydia’s education. They had met at the London station, and after checking their bags found themselves with a little time to kill before boarding. Now outside the station there was a sprawling green where several vendors had set up their wares, a haven for those possess a light fingered touch. The two ladies meandered, catching up on what had been happening in their lives since they last time they had been together.
Now as they walked the green, they also kept their eyes open, and it was the second time they had passed a group of small benches, across a path from where an organ grinder was performing with a pet monkey, which they stopped, giving some serious attention to something they had both glanced at the first time in passing.
There was a trio of young ladies by one of the benches. Later they learned the trio were three sisters awaiting for the arrival of their parents and older brother. All three wore eye catching outfits, the younger 2 siblings in silk dresses of canary yellow and butterscotch, the elder sister was in a long flowing black skirt with a glistening silver coloured ruffled satin blouse. The jewels the three were innocently wearing in public were also worth a second look. The youngest (12) wore a pretty selection of silver, the middle (14) wore gleaming pearls, their older sister and chaperone (19) was wearing gold bracelets, a fine collection of rings and (probably unwisely) an expensive sapphire brooch at her throat.
Now the first time they had passed the oldest was seated at a bench reading a magazine, while her siblings played on the lawn. They had stopped to watch the sisters, under the pretense of watching the crowd around the organ grinder and his monkey. They watched both groups with some interest, but were distracted when Lydia pointed out a pickpocket working the crowd across the way. Angie spotted him immediately, he was chatting to a pair of ladies wearing fashionable day gowns of shiny damask. It looked to be a wealthy mother and her younger sister. As the grey top hated gentleman thief engaged the mother in conversation, he was reaching around and gingerly lifting the silver watch of the younger sister, her attention being paid out to her two young nephews. They watched until he had pocketed the watch, his skill level about average for the type, before Lydia and Angie headed off for the far side of the green.
The second time around they saw that the oldest had fallen asleep, sitting on the bench and the younger two were sitting on the grass, watching the monkey from across the way. The grey top hated man who had relieved the lady of her watch, was now lurking on the scene, eyeing the two sisters sitting on the grass, their dresses splayed out, making the small glistening pools that had probably been what first caught his attention, before noticing their jewels, which were ripe for the picking now that their chaperone eyes were closed.
Lydia and Angie, without a word between them, moved in for the kill. Lydia went straight to the younger sisters, while Angie made a wide circle, cutting in front of the top hatted gentleman, who nodded to the pretty, clever faced, red head. Angie than seated herself on the far end of the bench, primarily to keep the grey top hated man and any other opportunist who may also have designs on the sound asleep older sister’s jewelry, at bay.
Lydia meanwhile had come up behind the younger pair of sisters, laying a hand on the older ones shoulder as she chirped a happy hello to them. Asking them if they would give some coins to the monkey for her, they got up and allowed Lydia to lead them across the path.
The girls called to the little monkey and handed him their coins, while they all laughed at the tricks he performed for them. The younger one was looking up at Lydia who handed her another coin; she scrunched down, and gave it to him, as they waited for him to perform again. Lydia placed her hand on thy older sister’s silken covered shoulder, than her fingers quickly slid up to the necklace of pearl, and with two fingers, flicked open the hook and eye clasp, and pulled away the pearls in one motion. She then moved back, leaving the younger siblings to play with the monkey and melted back into the crowd,
Watching all this, Angie made a noise after Lydia had vanished from sight, waking the sleeping lass, who immediately looked around for her wayward sisters. Spying the pretty red head sitting at the end of the bench, she smiled (girls always felt more at ease around other women), Angie smiled back, and looked towards the monkey, and the sister also looks, and spies her siblings. She calls out to them, and as they come back Angie sees with satisfaction that Lydia had been busy. The sister also notices something amiss; the middle one is missing her pearls.
They begin to look, with the concerned red head kindly offering her” a hand” in their search. After a fruitless 15 minutes spent searching through the crowd of huddled people watching the organ grinder and his monkey, the nice red headed lady gave her apologies’, saying she must leave to make her train. The pretty lady takes her leave, holding the girls hand as she earnestly expresses her hopes that the pearls are found. She holds out her arms, and is given a hug for helping by the grateful older sister. Angie places a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes, as her other hand reaches up and unhooks the sapphire brooch from the sisters satin blouse, palming it effortlessly.
As Angie disappears in the crowd the search goes on in earnest, It is not much after the red headed lady had swished her way through her crowd towards the train, that the older sister discovers she is wearing on less ring! As she in bewilderment places a hand to her silk covered chest, her fingers feel nothing, and start to feel around fruitlessly for her brooch, her sapphire brooch, its gone, not even so much as a tear on her satin blouse where it had been pinned by her maid that morning. The older sister feels a hand placed on her shoulder, she looks up into the smiling eyes of a dapper gentleman in a grey top hat, I something wrong my dear? He asks her, showing genuine concern in his smiling eyes.
As the gentleman in the grey top hat was giving his upmost attention to the young lady Angie had been “helping”, Angie entered the train, and walking to the end of the last passenger car, settled into the seat next to Lydia.
Lydia Turned towards Angie, and speaking in French, Commented:
La levée de suite les bijoux d'une jeune femme est comme une plume prise !
Dear, Angie said in an almost motherly tone of voice, I really wish you would not go about quoting that Arsène Lupin wretch, as a pickpocket the man is a butcher.
Angelica, Lydia teasingly chided, you say that about all men with light fingers, like our gray hatted friend back there.
Honey, Angie smiled, most men like that are serpents, and Lupin is still a butcher.
Lydia watched Angie settle back in her seat with a secret smile. She did not know too much about Angie’s past, but there was something there about Monsieur Lupin, (whose exploits had been made into print, tickling her young girls fancy, as she poured over them), that seemed to get at Angie’s goat. A lot about Angie’s past life was a secret to Lydia, but she knew well enough when to let sleeping dogs lie..
Lydia than settled in as the train lurched forward, taking them safely away from the London park, along with the sister’s “trinkets “the pair had obtained.
A little later, it became Lydia’s turn to show her mettle.
An hour after leaving London Station, the train stopped at a fashionable suburb. Lydia watched with half opened eyes, the disembarking passengers, and the new arrivals now walking to and fro along the wooden platform. Suddenly her eyes opened wide, and she made a small noise. Angie looked up from her book with interest, immediately spotting it too.
A young couple was walking past their window. He was wearing a 3 piece suit, walking stick, a silver timepiece, and a small brown derby. It was his wife, though, upon which the ladies interest lay. She was sporting a slinking satin frock, pretty in itself as it lay along her voluptuous figure, but it was her necklace that stole the show, and as she walked it was noticed by more than a few of the people she passed. It was a buoyantly bright gold drop necklace that encircled her neck, with a large stone ruby in the center of the drop that lay along her bare throat. The necklace really vexed Lydia’s interest and she watched it, and the lady who wore it for as long as she could before finally losing sight and settling back in the seat with a long sigh.
Only a few short minutes later she her heart leapt in her throat. The couple had entered their car, probably heading for one of the private cars at the end of the train she reasoned, as her eyes took in every detail. But no, the couple stopped at the empty seat just before the one Angie and Fiona occupied.
Now Lydia and Angie had the end seats in the car, their back was to the cars wall, and directly across from them was a small storage room, , so the seating across the aisle started up about three rows, which meant that basically no one could see them unless they were walking past. Lydia continues to watch with interest as the couple settled in, the wife taking the window seat, in front of Lydia a. Angie just kept her nose buried in the book she was holding; this was all Lydia’s show. Lydia watched the lady as she sat back, her and her necklace reflected in the windows, The ladies shoulders were just above the seat, and after she had settled in, she made a show of doing up her long hair in a bun, giving Lydia ample time to study the valuable necklaces gold box clasp, and plan her way to it.
After listening to the few sharp words the lady gave her husband, Lydia decides this elegantly coiffured lady was somewhat a prima donna. Her husband tries to place his arm around her, but is chased off. They both finally fall off to sleep, and as the twilight outside takes over, Lydia sees her chance and seizes it. Lydia reaches over, and after licking her fingers, plays with the man’s ears. He groggily wakens, still aroused now that he thinks his wife is also now amorous, he reaches over and pets her affectionately. She wakens, angry and pushes the husband away. But Lydia is prepared, as the wife leans towards her husband, and away from the window, Lydia’s fingers have already flicked open the box clasp and whisked of the gold necklace from the opposite direction, towards the window, where she catches its reflection as slips over the back of the ladies seat and curls up in Lydia’s open palm.
Lydia and Angie now had private, “front” row seats for when the wife’s loss was discovered. It was always a performance that Angie never tired of watching when she could chance it. And Lydia? Sticking around and watching her victim’s reaction at being pickpocketed was one of the reasons she started lifting jewelry in the first place. Neither of them was disappointed on this occasion.
Now wide awake, the wife settled back down to read her book, playing with a strand of her hair that had fallen while she was chastising her husband. As she did her fingers brushed her neck, she stopped reading, and carefully felt around her throat, before letting out a yelp that woke her husband, and several of the other passengers ahead of her. She cried out (in a heavy Italian accent) my jewels, La mia collana , è svanito, it is gone? In panic she rose and started to look around, her hand to her throat, giving everyone watching a nice display of her pretty figure in its shiny dress and of her remaining jewelry. Angie, Lydia, a Stewart and the couple two seats ahead got up and helped in the fruitless search. Her necklace had somehow mysteriously vanished.
After things finally settled down Angie and Lydia made friends with the husband, but his wife remained angry and distant….
The rest of the trip had been uneventful, mainly because Angie and Lydia had had their fill of their appealingly pretty little games for the time being.
*******************************************************************
Angie suddenly perked up, letting go of her thoughts. She looked over at Lydia who was nursing her drink, her eyes looking a little less peeved. Did you see her, she asked? Who? Answered Lydia, Lilith? No answered Angie patiently. Not the Girl in the coral gown and pretty pearls, that one looked miserable enough without our help, stated Lydia? No, not her, but Angie reflected, Her pearls were nice, I almost suggested a go at them, but glad we didn’t, your right she did seem sad enough as it is. No, I mean that one over there, and she threw her eyes over to the entrance of the lounge.
Oh, Lydia exclaimed, I see what you mean. In the corner just outside the enclosed lounge area stood a lady in teal velvet, carrying a purse, her silver satin gloved wrist and fingers, home to a rather nice set of blazing emeralds and diamonds, matching those around her throat and hanging from her ears. Lydia looked over the situation.
The new mark wearing the teal velvet, was idling looking around, obviously trying to spot someone. Lydia looked at Angie, her Hazel eyes turning green with anticipation. Who gets her, she asked sweetly. Angie nodded,( wanting something to take Lydia mind off …..) she is all yours princess ( a nickname that Angie sometimes used on Lydia, and about the only person in the world Lydia could tolerate calling her that).
And watch her movements, added Angie in an instructing tone, See how she jumps up to peer over the crowd? Try and use it to your advantage. Lydia smiled and watched, licking her lips in anticipation.
Now Lydia’s forte was lifting necklaces, so that whenever it was Angie’s turn to be the spotter, she would always be on the lookout for Ladies wearing necklaces that would be within easy reach of Lydia’s talented fingers. Likewise Lydia, when spotting for Angie, kept an eye out for brooches. So, when Angie told Lydia the mark was hers, it was her emerald necklace that received close study first.
Lydia waited until the lady had her back to them, and she rose and carefully threaded herself through the maze of tables to the entrance of the lounge, her gown rustling against any object it touched. She came up on the lady in teal. Violet she cried out, as she raised one arm, wrapping around it around the girl’s back, while the other gripped the girl’s arm as Lydia drew the lady up against her figure in an embrace..
The girl tried to turn, squirming in Lydia s clasp, and as she did so, Lydia’s hand had already snaked up to the studied necklaces clasp, popping it open. I’m not Vio…. the startled girl tried to say, but as she turned around, Lydia exclaimed, you’re not Violet, oh I ‘m so sorry she said, asking for forgiveness sweetly,( undoing the clasp of the necklace and lifting up one end) I thought you were my cousin violet, Lydia apologized profusely, while her one hand squeezed the girls arm, finger bails digging in, as the other one holding the end of the necklace on her shoulder, moved down behind teal velvets back, slipping away the fiery necklace with it.. As Lydia balled up the necklace in her hand, she begged her leave, expressing regrets that she did not have time to chat with her new friend, have to find where Violet wandered off to she explained, squeezing the girl’s arm.
The mark was only too glad to accept the pretty stranger’s apology at not being able to stay and chat. The lady watched Lydia swish off into the swarming crowds. Her eyes slightly puzzled, before she remembered that she was also looking for someone, and went off, soon forgetting the entire incident ( and later, when the loss of her necklace was discovered, her brief encounter with Violet’s confused cousin was not even thought of)!
As Lydia sauntered off she stowed away the emerald necklace, and then meandered about the chamber, taking her turn to spot fresh victims, whose jewels were doomed to disappear under Angie’s talented fingers.
Meanwhile across the Ballroom another scene was being played out…..
********
Lilith was now holding court at the edge of the dance floor; her second straight dance had ended with the young gentleman she was leading to believe fascinated her. She was busy continuing chatting him up, expressing her utter delight at the wonderful dancer he was, when Ginny timidly approached. She drew near her erstwhile boyfriend, asking him for their dance, as she desperately tried to keep her lips from trembling. Lilith’s eyes lit up in false apology (Ginny could see that all too well), darling! Lilith exclaimed, could I borrow your young man for a bit more, he promised me a drink. She placed her arm around him, isn’t that right darling? The overly polite boy, choked up a bit, unsure of what to do, his breeding not letting him wanting to hurt either Ginny, or Lilith, despite what his true desires actually were, and that was to be alone with Ginny! Although the seeds of doubt that had been planted in his mind by Lilith were beginning to take root and he was starting to have worries about what if future with Ginny would become an actuality.
Ginny, Charles started, faltered, than tried again, Ginny, the band is going to play The Charleston, you know how you like to dance to it, why don’t you go and I’ll catch up with you soon, promise. Yes darling, Lilith chirped maternally at poor Ginny, It will be just a quick one darling, and taking Charles by the arm, led him off, leaving Ginny standing there, wilting away as the Lilith’s words and actions burned through to her very soul. The music stared, and she reluctantly, if not a little obediently, did as Charles wished. Three dances later, he still had not shown up as promised, and Ginny danced on, a burning hole opening ever wider in her heart.
**********
Meanwhile, as poor Ginny started dancing to her second of three solo dances, we visit another end of the chamber, where Lydia is found talking merrily with three girls around her own age that she had collected around her. She had lured them into her web by engaging the considerable charm, elegance and sophistication that had been bred into her by her parents pretty much since birth.
Three pretty maids all in a row, overloaded with a multitude of dripping jewels, and Lydia was waiting for Angie to make an appearance and lighten their load! A blond haired lady in shiny red satin, a brown haired maiden in bright blue, and a tow headed damsel in silky gold. As Lydia was chatting up the three girls, her eyes, discreetly and unobtrusively, take an account of their jewels, their placement and their value.
Amongst the jewels the lady in red is wearing the most valuable is a necklace of small diamonds and a ring around her right hand’s pinky that is a large diamond cluster that shimmers spectacularly as she plays with a locket of her lion’s mane like blond hair.
The pretty maiden in blue was displaying a nice collection of gold jewelry, braided chains with small flecks of silver woven in. But above her left breast, was her only jeweled piece, pinned with a simple c-clasp, a gold brooch with a center stone of blue topaz surrounded by dazzling ½ caret diamonds.
Then there was the damsel in the pretty gold coloured gown, woven of some type of exotic, overly expensive, material that just shimmered in the massive chandelier’s light. She was also wearing opera length gold satin gloves, from which were dangling a pair impressive jeweled bracelets, their stones a multitude of rainbow coloured gems. She also wore a long pair of dangling diamond earrings, held loosely by rather ancient hinge clasps. Although her many other jeweled pieces were pretty valuable, these two twin sets were by far the most valuable pieces that anyone in the group was wearing.
Lydia feasted on the show her three marks jewels were displaying as she won them all over, soon bringing them into fits of giggling and laughter as they started to talk about the things most groups of women by themselves talk about, men! Out of the corner of her eye Lydia spied Angie coming up and around to see what’s up. She circled past each of the girls, slowly, nonchalantly, attracting no notice from the others in Lydia’s little group.
As Angie passed behind the blond in red satin, Lydia adjusted one of her rings, like it was bothering her, the motion caught Angie’s eye. Then Angie passed behind the gold gowned miss, and her eyes darted to Lydia, who lifted up her hair, exposing her ears, than absentmindedly started playing with a bracelet. Then Angie went behind the little blue gowned miss, and saw Lydia suppressing a cough, patting her chest to stifle it, her fingers splayed just above her left breast. Nodding, as much to herself as Lydia, Angie melted back into the crowd, and made a wide circle before approaching Lydia’s side.
Angie touched Lydia on her shoulder and she swirled, delighted that her “new friend” had shown up. (for whatever the reason, it always makes the mark(s) more comfortable when a pair of newcomers are related or are friends, Gaston Monescu, page 15 paragraph 2), Lydia excitedly introduced Angie to her three new chums, explaining to them how Angie and her had met on the train and had bonded, and how nice Angie was, and how very interesting a life she had led, along with other bits of flummery.
Angie’s first formal introduction was to red satin, Jessica. Whom Angie took by the hand, then reached around and hugged her, receiving a warm embrace in return. After the embrace, Angie clasped Jessica’s right hand in both of hers, praising Jessica on her pretty gown. As Jessica looked down, lifting a portion of the gown’s skirt with her left hand to show it off better, all eyes looked down. As everyone’s attention was diverted for that fraction of a second, Angie released Jessica’s right hand, slipping off from Jessica’s satin clad pinky, the large diamond clustered ring. Angie discreetly passed off the ring to Lydia, who was standing close to one side.
Then Lydia introduced Angie to the elegantly gold gowned young lady, Abby. Angie raised one arm, wrapping it around Abby’s back, while the other gripped her wrist, flicking open the jeweled bracelet‘s safety chain, as she drew the gold gown wearing Abbey up against her figure. The girl tried to turn, squirming in Angie’s embraces. Angie’s hand patted the girl on the back as the girl halfheartedly did the same, feeling Angie’s face bury itself in her shoulder. Effectively blocking from view the hand the held her wrist, which was picking open the bracelets clasp. Angie pulled away, looking the young miss in the eyes, everyone else eyes were also on Angie, which is what she was aiming for. And as she told the sweet young thing that it was her pleasure, she patted the ladies wrist, squeezing open the bracelet, slipping it off and into the slightly open purse at her side. As she does, her other hand goes up to the lady in gold’s dangling earring,( all eyes follow this movement) admiring the earring openly, taking its clasp into consideration for possibly an attempt later if they meet somewhere outside after hours. One never knows.
The last one to be introduced was the pretty Miss wearing the blue gown, Meria. Lydia, laughingly teasing her about being last, led her by the elbow and pulled the Meria towards Angie, and while she was turning, Angie took a small step forward and made sure her left side would bump against her. As Angie drew her in for an embrace, her right hand right hand was on the brooch while Angie’s left was grasping Meria’s left shoulder. Performing a move so familiar and well-practiced it was almost second nature, her middle finger pushed the c clasp out of its hook releasing the brooch into Angie’s palm. Pulling her hand down, she deposited the brooch into her purse, as she enveloped the girl in a hug. Then she stepped back, and began chatting with all three, soon winning them over like Lydia had done, keeping them distracted from themselves and their missing fine trinkets. Angie told them a quick, funny story about a man she had met on the train recently, which soon had them all giggling.
Angie took her leave after about 5 minutes, making an excuse that she needed to freshen up, she again took each ladies hand in goodbye, including Lydia’s, whom Angie slipped off a ring from her finger, so if things got sticky, she would be one of the victims also.
Lydia stayed behind to keep the three darling ladies occupied. She noticed one by one the missing jewels of each girl. The three shimmering silken lambs had been most professionally sheared, the most expensive of their jewels disappearing in such a manner that requires a ladies touch, no mere male, not even the talented Arsène Lupin, could have done better in the same scenario. As she looked them over, Lydia mused that with the mass quantities of jewelry each of the three were wearing, it would be some time before any of them realized some were missing.
********
Meanwhile across the ballroom, as Angie had been introduced to her last of the three ladies and their jewels that Lydia had lined up; another scene had started being played out…..
Lilith had just finished her second drink with Charles, while the third song of a five song set had just started, fast and one meant for singles (favored mainly by the ladies, one of who was the wretched Ginny). Lilith looked at Charles, and suggested he should join the gentlemen up in the smoke room (she had seen him watching them mass exodus of gentlemen heading that way when the current set of songs had started). Charles hesitated, I should really see about Ginny, he cautiously stated, not sure of Lilith’s reaction. Lilith smiled, licking her re lips, don’t you worry yourself over the poor dear, I will go and keep her company until you return, she promised happily.
Defeated, Charles wearily accepts her suggestion, and Lilith watches him depart, then smugly looks in the direction of the dance floor, and exultantly plucking the fag from the gold holder, squashes it down quite hard in an ash container. She snaps closed the telescoping holder, and with a positively wicked grin, leaves her seat with a pounce and heads onto the dance floor, her hips swinging her black satin gown with a fluid motion, not unlike like a black cat making a move against a frightened mouse, or perhaps a snake slithering towards its victim.
It is a known fact that in the wild herding animals will avoid any member who is ill or dying. This may explain that, with Ginny’s 3rd dance of the 5 song set, she was still alone. It was like her wretchedness was felt by others and so kept their distance, leaving poor Ginny alone in her own empty circle, dancing at a far end of the chamber. This is also why she was not hard to spot by one who was now specifically seeking her out.
Ginny jumped as a hand grasped, not softly, her shoulder, and a voice said her name, with an evil hiss into her ear…
Ginny turned to face Lilith, whose look of utter hatred made that she gave the poor girl, made Ginny cringe as she backed away, dancing was now the last thing on the poor girls mind.
Darling, Lilith said spitting out the word as she looked around to make sure no one else was listening in, I have some very bad news….
Lilith launched into a tirade filled litany of reasons of why “Her” dear Charles would simply never be able to have anything more to do with her. Starting with her jewelry( really dear, you had to borrow them?) jumping to her moneyless parents( penniless in-laws, really darling it just isn’t done ), her now lowered position in society, (not to worry though , after she(Lilith) and Charles were marred she would find Ginny a maids position somewhere). And finally, that Charles was leaving because he was angry with the jealous way the sniveling Ginny had been acting.
With each sentence that was thrown in poor Ginny’s face she stepped back, the hateful words (some of which she knew had truth in them) slicing like a knife into the already tormented girls soul.
Finally she could take it no longer, and openly weeping she turned and tried to flee, looking fruitlessly around for Charles, but Lilith was quick, and grasped the poor girl before she could make good her escape..
Oh, you poor darling, I haven’t hurt your feelings have I spat Lilith in mocking tones, her , and she drew Ginny to her in a tight embrace, feeling the girl squirming in her arms, much like a mouse would squirm under a cat’s clawed paw, or perhaps wrapped in a serpents coils( both scenarios fit Lilith). Lilith finally released the poor thing, who fled recklessly away.
Lilith stayed and watched Ginny bolt, an indulgent smile creeping upon her face. She started to move in rhythm with the music, extremely pleased with herself, her sleek, slinky black gown and gloves flowing down along her devastatingly pretty figure making her appear like some slithering serpent rising up from the bowels of some glittering hell….
It was no more than 2 minutes later that a hand was placed from behind on Lilith’s shoulder.
********
As Charles headed off to relish his cigar, and Lilith headed off to relish tormenting Ginny; Lydia was continuing to entertain the three young ladies, while biding her time until the next conquest of the evening.
Suddenly Angie appeared from the crowd, again behind the three unsuspecting girls still under Lydia’s spell. Angie gave her a subtle signal, indicating that she has spotted fresh prey in dire need of being shed of her jewels, and needed Lydia’s help with the shearing. Lydia encourages the three ladies to meet her a little later, she sees a gentlemen (winking) whom she had promised a dance. They let their friend go, thinking she should wait for a slow dance, the music being played now was no way to dance close and personal, but they unknowingly were quite wrong.
After leaving the 3 young ladies, Lydia soon reached Angie’s side by the edge of the dance floor. Angie turned and nodded her head indicated one side of the floor, is that Lilith? She asked Lydia’s eyes followed Angie’s nod, soon eyeing the solitary lady in black standing at one end talking with the girl in coral and pearls.
Yes it is she answered, why? Attend, said Angie, and Lydia listened as Angie laid out her plans before her, as Lydia watched her witch, and the diamonds she wore that flickered around her black encased figure like so many evil tongued serpents. Suddenly she saw the girl in coral whose pearls the ladies had admired earlier, suddenly turn and flee, crying. Still up to your dirty tricks, are you Lilith!, Lydia thought spitefully.
Ready, the pair of scheming red heads than made their move.
*********
Lilith turned to see whose hand it was, half expecting to see Ginny, she checked herself quite nicely when turning, when she saw Lydia’s beaming face.
The two ladies dance in step for a few seconds, than Lilith gushes, why Lydia dearest, I hadn’t noticed you were here. Perfectly lovely darling, then Lilith added, but who brought you this evening? She asked, appearing very casual.
Lydia stayed silent on the subject; she wouldn’t give Lilith the satisfaction of knowing that she had not found anyone since Lilith had stolen Lord St. Claire, her longtime Beau, from under her nose.
Instead, Lydia praised Lilith, her lovely figure and gown, false praise, and Lilith knew it. They both continue dancing, almost sparing like a pair of fencers, with sharp eyes, and tongues rather the swords.
***********
Having been pre-warned by Lydia that the situation would become volatile very fast, Angie had come up behind Lilith very quickly, and started to dance behind her, coming ever closer, unnoticed by Lilith whose guard was totally centered on Lydia.
Angie saw her chance and tripped on Lilith’s Gown, sending her into Lydia’s waiting arms. Angie’s hands at the same moment had flew up to clasp of Lilith’s diamond necklace, unsnapping it, and sending the necklace falling into Lydia’s hands as she pushed away Lilith, who was in the process of turning and rounding on the person who dared ruin her expensive gown. As she spat at Angie, reprimanding her for her careless ness, Lydia moved in between, flicking the clasp of Lilith’s diamond broach in the process. Pushing the pair apart, Lydia apologies, as her right hand neatly slipped of the opened broach from Lilith’s satin gown, saying it was her fault for dancing so close to Lilith that she had backed poor Lilith into the lady.
Lydia took Angie’s hand, apologizing, slipping her the necklace and broach into Angie’s half open purse in the process. And with that, Angie turned and went on her way, never looking back, Hearing Lilith saying something to Lydia about the clumsy bitch, as she left.
************
Later that evening found Angie walking through the lounge of an upscale hotel, having joined in with the spillover from the fancy dress ball that had gathered there. She had stashed in her hotel room the shimmering collection of purloined jewels that Lydia and her had lifted while attending the Ball proper.
For the past half an hour she had been having an enjoyable conversation with the sparkling (both in personality, and attire) tow headed lady in silky gold that Lydia had introduced her to at the ball, and who still had not noticed she was shorn of a one of her bracelets from her gloved wrist,. Angie had come across the damsel sitting alone by the bar, her friend (The pretty maiden in blue who had been displaying the nice collection of gold jewelry- less one brooch) had left her to party on with a male friend of hers.
Angie had just left the pretty ladies side, also leaving her without the bother of placing her earrings and one of her twin bracelet in the hotel safe that evening. She as of yet failed noticed that now her dangling diamond earrings that had been loosely held by their ancient old fashioned clasps, had gone the same route as her Bracelet. Angie had slipped off the earrings while giving her a generous hug of greeting after watching and waiting for her to be alone.
*******************************
Lighting a cigarette Angie left through the lobby and headed into a late night pub. As she nursed her first scotch, neat over ice, a familiar figure approached and slid onto the empty stool next to her. Thought I’d find you here, chirped a much happier Lydia. Just wanted to pop to give you an update, She waited and made small talk until after the bartender had taken and served her drink (a whiskey Soda) then began to fill in Angie.
So what was her reaction when you pointed out her jewels were missing, Angie asked Lydia with great expectations of what had happened? Well when I pointed them out, instead of thinking you (Angie) had been the culprit, Lilith assumed they had been taken by” Ginny” (the sad one wearing the coral gown and pearls) when Lilith had been hugging her. That little toad, Lilith had spat out to Lydia, and turned to hunt Ginny down.
Poor dear, said Angie, felling a small pang of sorrow for the little Ginny creature. No, answered Lydia, not really, and she continued…
Lydia had followed, realizing that Lilith was out of control, worried that someone innocent may be hurt.
And she was correct, because Lilith approached Ginny and lit into her something fearsome.
Lilith literally grabbed Ginny and started shaking her, demanding that she give them back. The girl was petrified, and Lilith started calling her some pretty nasty names.
A crowd started gathering.
Then all of a sudden this bloke wearing a gold pocket watch, cuts through the crowd and rescues the poor girl from Lilith’s clutches. Like a white knight Angie commented. Well he was in black tails, and boy was he angry with Lilith, he held the girl in coral tight as he looked at Lilith lividly, his face the reddest I have ever seen on an angry young man.
Lilith finally, collected herself, and I saw all fire drain from her face, and she turned around and stormed out of the chamber. I don’ know, nor care what became of her, stated Lydia.
Feel better now, princess? Angie asked Lydia.
Lydia smiled perking up, actually for the small bit of solace it may have been worth, it had made her feel better now that she had thought about it.
She smiled at Angie, producing a necklace of pearls, it seemed easier to do when she was so happy, Lydia confessed. So you do feel better Princess, Angie stated happily.
Lydia smiled, and the pair finished their drinks in thoughtful silence.
Lydia was the first to leave, smiling she bade Angie a good night, and began walking away.
Lydia had only gone a few feet, when she turned, and looked at Angie who had been watching her.
Lydia, a sly smile brightening her face and eyes, happily quoted “Assistez à un oeil de demoiselles dans vos s , chatouiller les dames de fantaisie avec une main”
Angie finished Lupin’s quote quote with a faraway look in her eyes
“tout en soulevant ses bijoux avec l'autre”
Till the morrow, Princess, Angie said in parting.
Till Tomorrow answers Lydia, turning with a skip, her gown flowing out behind her as she, now in very good humor, leaves into the smoke swirled darkness of the city to walk the few blocks to her hotel.
*****
The Epilogue:
Late afternoon of the next day, after attending an early afternoon Garden Soiree, Lydia and Angie are strolling through a park, both still dressed in their party dresses, both still wearing their fancy day jewels, (worn so they would fit in with the well to do female attendees), and both with secret pockets holding jewels lifted from some of said female attendees.
Lydia looks back at Angie, Lifting that silver dragon brooch with the ruby eyes and diamond scales was a nice move on your part Angie, she praises.
It was a lot easier with your help Lydia, Angie responded.
Lydia turned her head back onto the path, her pony tail whipping around, the pearls she had woven into it shining a bright white.
Angie said to Lydia’s back, that girl in the crème satin dress, you know I was going to go for her gold braided necklace, then you came out of nowhere and beat me to it.
Lydia just smiled satisfied to herself, I know she responded,, I wanted it to be my coup, she did not turn back to look at Angie’s reaction., but continued.. you laid down the gauntlet ,(or in this case satin glove) Angie when, as you commented on how pretty the necklace looked as it slithered along the front of her crème satin dress, you said it would take extremely deft fingers to slip it off her throat. Although I though her sisters pearls were a better score.
Angie, still walking behind her now had a secret smile on her face, and her eyes had glazed over as if her mind was drifting a million miles away from that quite park in the English countryside where the pair were now walking.
The two pretty red heads continue to walk on a bit, both in the silence of their thoughts.
Angie, Lydia asks, plopping down on a bench.
Yes dear, Angie says, her train of thought broken.
Lydia pulled out a long her gold braided necklace and was admiring it. The lady in the Crème satin dress who wore this lovely thing,; her sister, the one wearing the emerald silk gown and the pearls I fancied, you said she reminded you of a story you promised would tell me sometime? Could you tell me it now?
Angie smiled, Princess, you certainly are an inquisitive one! Let me think a minute…
Angie settled down next to her, and after mulling it over a bit, finally began…
It was during my first time in Monte Carlo, I had left the states soon after I had scored a major haul, and decided to ply my trade in new waters. It was during the fall of…
Lydia interjected, It was because of your haul at that politicians daughter’s wedding, (see album Angie being receptive)
Yes princess, that and a few other functions helped fund that trip. Angie confirmed, then went on…
I had met this pretty young like in an emerald silk gown, positively dripping in gold jewellery with rubies and emeralds…
Lydia cut in again, please start at the beginning; we have the rest of the day all to ourselves.
Angie smile, very well, I will start at the beginning: …….
( We will post in the album’ Angie “holidays” in Monte Carlo’ the rest of the tale stated in the epilogue. Once the story we recently unearthed in previously unknown chronicles of Angie’s life have been modified …The eds)
The lifting away a young lady’s jewelry is as a feather taken
La levée de suite les bijoux d'une jeune femme est comme une plume prise
Editor’s Notes:
Our Thanks to Mr. J. Gardner for pointing out the existence of Mr. Monescu’s 1826 guide
If you enjoyed our little story, please like and leave a comment.
And if you wish, describe what intrigued you the most about it…
Thank You
And last, but not least,
Kudos to the Light Fingered Lady who planted the seed of the flower that became Lydia
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
"Worldliness"
Château de la Belle au bois dormant, Ussé (Indre et Loir)
Website : www.fluidr.com/photos/pat21
www.flickriver.com/photos/pat21/sets/
"Copyright © – Patrick Bouchenard
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained here in for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."
Toit d'une ferme laitière de la vallée de la Matapédia vue derrière une petite colline recouverte de luzerne (Lac-au-Saumon, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec, Canada).
The Santomera dam was designed and built with the main purpose of its serving as a defence for the Vega Baja del Segura against the disastrous floodings of the Santomera and Abanilla wadis.
The Project for the dam formed part of the “Project for the retention and exploitation of floodwaters of the Ramblas de Santomera and Abanilla, by means of the Santomera reservoir and as flood protection of the Vega Baja del Segura”, which was drawn up by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura in August 1950.
General view of Santomera reservoir
Due to the characteristics of the materials of the foundations and the abutments (especially the left bank abutment), important seepage occurred, although it was decided not to tackle this problem on account of the exclusive use of the reservoir for the purpose of flood abatement.
Later, in 1986, and regarding the possibility of using the reservoir to store waters from the Tagus-Segura Distribution Canals, the “Impermeabilization of the left embankment of the Santomera reservoir (05/86)” was drawn up, and injections and surface treatments were carried out from the existing inspection gallery.
These works were carried out, although seepage continued (but to a lesser extent following the treatments carried out) until nearby quarrying was ceased, since its explosions had been causing vibrations which were incompatible with the sealing of the left bank of the massif. Once the explosions ceased, seepage gradually decreased and finally disappeared completely..
Nevertheless, today the reservoir cannot be used as a regulating reservoir of the Distribution Canals on account of the high salinity of the waters proceeding from Rambla Salada which are stored in the reservoir.
This environmental conditioning means that the reservoir cannot be used for irrigation purposes, being used exclusively for flood abatement.
Santomera dam, made of mass concrete with a straight ground plan, has only one characteristic cross section. It comprises 14 blocks separated by concertina expansion joints every 15.00 m. Its total length at the crest is 205.79 m, with a width of 4.00 m on the latter. The total height is 51.50 m above its foundations.The total volume of cement used for the main dam was 103,212.463 m³ and 25,583.369 m³ for the stilling basin.
The crest of the dam is situated at a height of 101.50 and it has a 3.00 metre wide road which is protected by concrete paving. Two pavements 0.50 metres wide run along both sides of the road. Both upstream and downstream, the crest is protected on both sides by concrete parapet walls which are 40 cm high and 54 cm wide, on which railings have been installed, made of 100 mm diameter metal tubes.The lowest level of the foundations is 50.00 m, with the bed at this point situated at 64.50 m. The average thickness of the foundations is therefore 14.50m.
The body of the dam houses a network of inspection and drainage galleries, on two levels, with their corresponding communicating stairways.
Photo André Knoerr, Genève. Reproduction autorisée avec mention de la source.
Utilisation commerciale soumise à autorisation spéciale préalable.
Le Limmattalbahn LTB, exploité par la société AVA et ligne 20 du réseau zürichois, Zürich, Bahnhof Altstetten - Killwangen, Bahnhof a été inauguré le 9 décembre 2022. Le lendemain, à la veille de la mise en service régulière, des festivités pour le public ont été organisées au dépôt Müsli et la ligne exploitée gratuitement à la cadence de 15 minutes de 12:00 à 20:00 heures entre Schlieren, Geiisweid et Killwangen, Bahnhof avec exceptionnellement et dans chaque sens un crochet par le raccordement de service à voie unique menant au dépôt.
Une météo hivernale froide et humide a déplacé une foule bien supérieure aux attentes et a constitué un baptême du feu pour les nouvelles motrices Tramlink prises d'assaut.
La Be 6/8 8007 arrive au dépôt Müsli en direction de Killwangen, Bahnhof.
27932
Avis:
En raison des attaques terroristes de la Russie sur l'Ukraine mais aussi
des menaces de l'Ambassade Russe en Suisse contre le journal zürichois NZZ et
les dégâts infligés au tram Mirage 339 de Vinnytsia portant les couleurs de la Suisse
toutes les photos de cette galerie prises sur le territoire de la Fédération de Russie sont rendues inaccessibles au public jusqu'à nouvel avis.
Merci de votre compréhension.
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© Copyright 2014 Philip Hunter, All Rights Reserved.
You do NOT have the right to copy, reproduced, download, or exploit any of my images without my permission.
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HMS Exploit is an Archer-class (or P2000) patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy, built in Woolston by Vosper Thornycroft and commissioned in 1988.[1][2] She is assigned to the Royal Navy Coastal Forces Squadron, carrying out a range of activities both in the U.K. and overseas.
Pictured here operating in the Solent, off Portsmouth, Hampshire UK
Ville portuaire de Tomonoura, Fukuyama (Préfecture de Hiroshima).
Website : www.fluidr.com/photos/pat21
www.flickriver.com/photos/pat21/sets/
"Copyright © – Patrick Bouchenard
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained here in for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."
Bois de Chevigny St Sauveur (Côte d'Or)
Website : www.fluidr.com/photos/pat21
www.flickriver.com/photos/pat21/sets/
"Copyright © – Patrick Bouchenard
The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained here in for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved."