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This is my photo for the group 52 in 2014 - #52 Time. This antique clock sits on our mantelpiece and whilst the chimes annoy some people, I really like hearing it strike on the hour and half hour. The only problem is that if I am awake during the night it only strikes once for the half hour and I never know what time it is LOL.
I stood and watched this bird for quite a while - it was having a splashing time. Taken near Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger National Park.
Stokesay Castle is quite simply the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. Set in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, the castle, timber-framed gatehouse and parish church form an unforgettably picturesque group.
Lawrence of Ludlow, a wealthy local wool-merchant wishing to set up as a country gentleman, bought the property in 1281, when the long Anglo-Welsh wars were ending. So it was safe to raise here one of the first fortified manor houses in England, 'builded like a castle' for effect but lit by large domestic-style windows. Extensive recent tree-ring dating confirms that Lawrence had completed virtually all of the still surviving house by 1291, using the same team of carpenters throughout: more remarkably, the dating also revealed that it has scarcely been altered since.
Stokesay's magnificent open hearthed great hall displays a fine timber roof, shuttered gable windows and a precipitous staircase, its treads cut from whole tree-trunks. It is flanked by the north tower, with an original medieval tiled floor and remains of wall painting, and a 'solar' or private apartment block, and beyond this the tall south tower - the most castle-like part of the house, self-contained and reached by a defensible stairway.
The solar block contains one of the few post-medieval alterations to the house, a fine panelled chamber. Its dominating feature is a fireplace with a richly carved overmantel, still bearing the traces of original painting in five colours. This was added in about 1641, at the same time as the truly delightful gatehouse: an example of the Marches style of lavishly showy timber-framing, bedecked with charming carvings of Adam and Eve.
A few years later, in 1645 Stokesay experienced its only known military encounter, surrendering without fighting to a Parliamentarian force. So the house remained undamaged, and sensitive conservation by Victorian owners and English Heritage have left it the medieval jewel which survives today.
The yellow and black building is the gatehouse to the castle.
Looking at last October's photos that never got to see the light of day, I really could kick myself for going into my Greta Garbo routine.
I hadn't realised how glorious last years Autumn was because the Summer had been so dreadful.
This particular day I had set out really early to a little town called Garvagh because it was a gorgeous day and Garvagh always has something interesting to photograph.
I was exploring the gardens by the river and the hedges were literally covered with spider's webs and because it had been a damp night all of the webs were covered in rain drops.
I have never seen anything like it before and the hedges literally shimmered in the morning sun.
I know the science of how water drops stay on at impossible angles but I still haven't found a satisfactory answer as to why incredibly fragile things such as webs can bear the weight of even one drop, never mind hundreds!
Maybe I should stop searching for the answer and just look on in awe at nature's creations.
This is my photo for the group 52 in 2014 - #27. Insect or spider. I didn't see many dragonflies around this Summer for some reason and normally they didn't want to stop for photos.
One of my granddaughters in Queensland asked me if I could make a hexagon quilt and then her sister requested one as well. I have never made one before, but I said I would try. It involves cutting out a lot of hexagons in various colours (in their favourite colours) and sewing them together to make a quilt. Once I began sewing, my two granddaughters who live nearby requested one each as well. I am sewing them all by hand, so I will be busy for a while, but I don't mind as I hate sitting idle when watching TV and it is an easy task to get comfortable and pick up my projects. Before I begin I have to tack 1/4 inch seems along all sides of the hexagons to prepare them for sewing together and although it sounds tedious, I am amazed at how quickly they are coming together. I have finished one quilt top and now this is the second. I have added a link showing how the quilt is constructed.
This is the first sighting of a dragonfly in my garden. It is only quite small and not one that I have not seen before. It proves that Summer is not far off - I wish it could stay Spring all year round (or Autumn LOL). That said, today is supposed to reach 30C, so a hint of what Summer will being. I really don't like our extreme Summers.
It is only one week today until I go in for surgery on my wrist - I am psyching myself up for it.
This is my photo for the group 52 in 2014 0 #12 Fruity. I have been trying to diet and when I see such a tasty delight, my resolve goes out the window LOL.
My daughter welcomed my new doggie grandson into their family yesterday - isn't he just the cutest little fellow?? They had to say goodbye to their Papillon a few weeks ago. He was almost 16 and Shiloh (the Whippet) was lost without his friend. He loves his new little brother and apparently only sleeps when the puppy sleeps. They will be great mates.
This is my photo for the group 52 in 2015 - #31, Fill the frame with colour. This is a macro of some of my colourful crackle beads that I have in my stash.
When we were driving around Kruger, we came across a man peering into the bushes taking photographs. We looked but couldn't see anything. When we asked, he pointed to this little head peering out from the long grass. We turned the car around so I could get a better shot through my window and as we came back to the spot, I spotted this other Hyena laying on the grass on the other side of the road. The other man had already left, so he missed out on that sighting. It shows how luck plays a big part when you drive around the game parks.
I have decided to join Nina on her challenge to add a flower photo a day for 365 days.
www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/
I survived the babysitting LOL, but still no chance for new photos. The weather is still iffy and cold, so I stayed indoors with the heater.
It is a really cold day in Sydney today - the temp is supposed to reach 16C, but with the wind chill factor it feels so much colder. I think it must be snowing in the mountains. I am not complaining as I still prefer the cold to the extreme heat of Summer, although I think the heater will be going on soon. This is a photo from the archives.
Some of the beautiful scenery that we saw on our way to the Isle of Skye in Scotland - spectacular scenery.
I have decided to join Nina on her challenge to take a flower photo a day for 365 days.
www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/
Something a little different for today. We have this magpie who visits us numerous times a day for meat to feed it's young.
Today it landed on the lavender plant, so I grabbed the camera and snapped off a few photos.
A selection of photos taken as we were leaving Kruger - the afternoon light was so beautiful at that time of day.
I took the tripod out for a walk yesterday because I haven't been into my fave forest since I last foraged for shrooms.
It was one of those days where it was bouts of bouncing rain followed by sunshine so the stream was really running full.
I love the old mill and its waterfall even if there is no way to get a decent shot of it, UNLESS you are like my husband who climbs up to it from the bottom!!
My active imagination can imagine the hustle bustle around here as they produced flour for Earl Bishop Hervey's estate.
I really should research this forest as it has a long history with human habitation going back to a neolithic hill fort which is quite a scramble to get to, as they obviously intended!!
So, there I was, on the slippery bank which is actually quite steep, intently focussed on getting my exposure right, when out of nowhere the hound from the Baskerville came galloping towards me.
I shrieked, he shrieked and I thought "OMG my camera" as he galloped around me in a frenzy of puppy delight.
Biscuits parents (I thought that was a lovely name as he was the colour of a ginger biscuit) were delightful and I talked to them for ages, you can just imagine it can't you, yak,yak,yak LOL.
Anyway, got my shots before the heavens opened again, but it stopped by the time I was driving by my home so I headed down to the beach.
MAJOR wave action, and as I haven't looked at those photos yet, I will catch up with you later.
I have decided to join Nina on her challenge to add a flower photo a day for 365 days.
www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/
This photo is of a larvae of a black and yellow ladybird (Fungus-eating Ladybird (Illeis galbula)) that lives on our squash leaves which I spotted on an African Daisy in my garden. I have seen many adult, but not many larvae.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles west of Amesbury and 8 miles north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks.
We visited Stonehenge twice - once it was an overcast day and the next day it was sunny so I thought I would try for some photos in sunshine, but the weather had other ideas LOL.
I found this information for people who said that they used to walk among the stones. You still can on special access passes.
Special Access Visits
During normal opening hours you cannot walk up to the stones themselves.
The nearest you will get to the stones is about 10 yards, the monument being roped off by a low barrier, (see picture below).
However it is possible to walk up to and among the stones at Stonehenge outside public opening hours. These are called Special Access visits. During these sessions of one hour duration, only 26 people are allowed onto Stonehenge going beyond the barriers and walking amongst the stones.
The fact that these Stonehenge Special Access visits are outside public opening hours mean that they are at dawn or evening. Given that London is 2 hours drive from London this obviously provides logistical issues in getting there.
The Special Access Visits are also immensely popular, demand far outstrips supply and they are often sold out months in advance.
I just found this amongst my archives and after my dreamy dandelion upload yesterday, I decided this would be a good shot for today. I didn't notice the bug until today.
This is a photo for the 52 in 2015 group - #45, something beginning with "D". I have some beautiful Dahlias that have come up in my wheelbarrow garden. I planted them last year, but didn't expect them to flower again this year - what a surprise.
I haven't been out in the garden much lately as it has been too hot and I don't really function in the heat, so I tend to stay indoors in the airconditioning.
I was thinking that all the bees had gone north for the Winter, but was surprised to find this lone bee in my neighbour's garden. I followed it around for a while before it decided to fly off. As you can see, we have been having some lovely sunny weather, although the temperatures have been a little cool.
Merry Christmas everyone. Santa has already been here as some of my friends are still in bed. May you all have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends.
This is my Christmas tree laden with ornaments - I love each and everyone. They all have a special meaning to me.
I took this photo through Peter's window. It was sometimes difficult to take photos of the baboons as they don't normally stay still for long, but this one was sitting in the middle of the road and looked up at the camera just as I took the photo.
As you can see, we had lovely weather during our trip to Hervey Bay - the temps were around 22-24C most days. I have come back to reality now that I am home in Sydney, but still not bad compared to those of my Northern Hemisphere friends.
This is also my photo for the group 52 in 2014 - #35 Water.
I had put these pretty Cosmos flowers in the watering can so I could take some photos as it was quite breezy and after I had finished taking photos, my little granddaughter had fun with them for quite a while (they did survive and are in a vase on my bench LOL). She loves being in the garden with me when I water the plants and I have to keep filling up her little watering can so she can help. Most of the water ends up on her though LOL. The other day she watered her shoes and socks.
We fly out later today for Hong Kong. In some way, I wish we coulld just stop on the plane and fly straight home to Australia. I know it will be fun once we get there, but the thought of lugging heavy bags around is making me so tired LOL.
This is my favourite old manor house in the UK. I never tire of taking photos.
The bushfires in NSW, Australia as still burning out of control - over 200 houses lost so far, 193 in the one suburb in the Blue Mountains.
This is my photo for the 52 in 2015 challenge - #19 - Elegant or elegance. My daughter was wearing this bracelet yesterday and I thought it looked so elegant that I decided to photograph it for the challenge.
Hong Kong is such a bustling place to wander around - so many sights to see, and everything is OTT but very interesting to see.
We called in to an Ostrich Farm for a tour of how they breed ostriches on the farm - a very interesting tour which finished with an ostrich race. I had the chance to sit on an ostrich, but declined LOL, but did pat a friendly one.
We haven't had much internet during our travels so far.
This is my entry for the 52 in 2014 challenge - #29, unfinished or incomplete. When I travel overseas I always take applique squares to blanket stitch while I am away and when I come home, I sew them into a quilt. These are some of the applique squares waiting to be sewn together into a quilt top.
These are some photos that I took a while back (when there were flowers and bees around). The cold weather means the gardens are bare at the moment - supposed to get down to 1 Celsius tonight.
I watched this bird for quite a while - it was splashing around in the bird bath near Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger.
I have had visitors for a couple of days - catch up with everyone later.
A neighbour gave me a cutting of this plant three years ago just before our trip to South Africa. Sadly he died during the trip and although the plant continued to thrive, it never flowered. I was surprised to walk into the garden a week or so back and spotted a flower had emerged.
This is my photo for the challenge 52 in 2015 - #42 Star. This is a Swarovski star with some little Swarovski beads.
We are staying in Johannesburg for the night in a lovely hotel near the airport as it is too late to begin the 5 hour drive to Marloth Park, so one more night of internet. I have a couple of puzzle books to keep me occupied whilst in Marloth Park so imagine how much more brainy I will be at the end of the week LOL.
I have decided to join Nina on her challenge to take a flower photo a day for 365 days.
www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/
My hand is a bit sore today. I have found I have a couple of good days and then a couple of bad days to bring me down to earth LOL. I am still trying to take it easy, but it is so boring. Thanks to Brian @ Bury St Edmunds (UK) I now have an ID - "Peruvian Lily".
Bit of a surreal image as the reflection of Ballinameen Bridge over the River Agivey (in Garvagh) is mirrored so perfectly.
It was one of those rare days when there wasn't a breath of wind and if it wasn't for the couple of fish breaking the surface and leaving those ripples it really would be like looking at a mirror.
Garvagh is a Plantation Village, settled in the mid 1600's so I am assuming that the bridge dates from around the same date as they would have needed the access into the forest.
And don't let that calm surface fool you because its very deep here and the river runs very fast especially as there is a weir just out of shot (where the wretched Heron sits and cackles at me because I can't sneak up to get a close shot).
This river also forms part of the Atlantic Salmon Run and is very popular with anglers. Back in 2001 a chap broke the record and caught a 22lb salmon here, took him several hours to bring him to the bank, this salmon was a MONSTER!!
AND its reason no.1003 why I don't swim in the sea as I would be definitely walking on water if I saw a 22lb salmon swimming underneath me!!!
While we were staying in Bexhill, East Sussex, we did day drives to surrounding areas. We drove to Dover to see the castle and the white cliffs. We walked around the edge of the cliffs along a little pathway (a bit scary due to the wind), but I heard worse news a few weeks ago - some of the cliff face had fallen into the sea. I suppose they have closed off the pathway now and I wonder if it was anywhere near the path we walked along. I caught Peter scratching his initials into some of the chalk - bad boy Peter!!!..
This is my photo for the 52 in 2014 group - #50, Equine. These are Playmobil horses that I have amongst some vintage Playmobil from when my children were little. My grandchildren love playing with them and it has lasted through three children and so far eight grandchildren. It shows how entertaining some toys can be for many generations.