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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/
We are going up to Gosford today to take Peter's Dad to the nursing home. We will be staying until Thursday evening so I am adding a photo for tomorrow as well. We probably won't have internet so I will catch you all when I get back.
This will be my last upload for a while. We are being picked up tomorrow at 5.30 a.m. by the shuttle bus for the trip to the airport. After around 16 hours in the air, we will arrive at Johannesburg Airport to begin our journey. I am not feeling too bad with my cold, but the cough is driving me crazy. I pity the poor passengers on the plane.
Today was my second youngest granddaughter's 7th Birthday. She chose to have a Build a Bear party a few months ago and has been so excited ever since counting down the days. Everyone had a wonderful time and got to take a bear home with them.
I have decided to join Nina (www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/) on her challenge of taking a flower photo a day for 365 days.
The first butterfly that has landed in my garden long enough for some photos. They will disappear soon for the Winter - the days are getting shorter and cooler now.
I really love these photos of the beautiful grevillea that grows in our back garden. I have added an action called Jo Color Spring Wildflowers on the photos to add extra sparkle.
The picturesque Arlington Row cottages were built in 1380 as a monastic wool store. This was converted into a row of weavers' cottages in the 17th century. The cloth produced there was sent to Arlington Mill on the other side of Rack Isle. The cloth was then hung on wooden timber frames on Rack Isle after being degreased at Arlington Mill.
Arlington Row is probably one of the most photographed Cotswold
scenes.
We are spending the night in Inverness and tomorrow we head for Fort William for two nights.
The Battle of Isandlwana (alternative spelling: Isandhlwana) on 22 January 1879 was the first major encounter in the Anglo–Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Eleven days after the British commenced their invasion of Zululand in South Africa, a Zulu force of some 20,000 warriors attacked a portion of the British main column consisting of about 1,800 British, colonial and native troops and perhaps 400 civilians. The Zulus were equipped mainly with the traditional assegai iron spears and cow-hide shields, but also had a number of muskets and old rifles though they were not formally trained in their use. The British and colonial troops were armed with the state-of-the-art Martini-Henry breech-loading rifle and two 7-pounder (3-inch, 76 mm) mountain guns deployed as field guns as well as a rocket battery. Despite a vast disadvantage in weapons technology, the numerically superior Zulus ultimately overwhelmed the poorly led and badly deployed British, killing over 1,300 troops, including all those out on the forward firing line. The Zulu army suffered around a thousand killed.
The battle was a decisive victory for the Zulus and caused the defeat of the first British invasion of Zululand. The British Army had suffered its worst defeat against a technologically inferior indigenous force. Isandlwana resulted in the British taking a much more aggressive approach in the Anglo–Zulu War, leading to a heavily reinforced second invasion and the destruction of King Cetshwayo's hopes of a negotiated peace.
The Battle of Rorke's Drift, also known as the Defence of Rorke's Drift, was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War. The defence of the mission station of Rorke's Drift, under the command of Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead immediately followed the British Army's defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 January.
Just over 150 British and colonial troops successfully defended the garrison against an intense assault by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The massive, but piecemeal, Zulu attacks on Rorke's Drift came very close to defeating the tiny garrison but were ultimately repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours.
Peter has a love of history and we visited these places during our trip and stayed in a beautiful hotel overlooking the battlefield of Isandlwana. Check out the other photos in the first comment box. If you have never watched the movie "Zulu" with Michael Caine, it is well worth a look.
Whilst Mr.Killen was slithering over the rocks trying to get closer and closer to the seals, I wandered round the side of one of the Smugglers Houses.
Now seals, are like giant slugs except when it comes to being in water. On land they like to do a little as possible and most of the activity we observed was an opening of the eyes and perhaps a turning of the head.
So, imagine my surprise when I saw these two grey seals squaring up to each other.
After an initial tete a tete it was game on and I just clicked away.
When I was showing Tom the photos, I said why on earth would the seal turn over to expose their throat and its because of the position of their claws at the end of their flippers. That is why in the end photo the seals eyes are closed in order to stop them being gouged out.
And who thought seals were cute LOL!
I actually thought they were bull seals, but when I was processing the photos there was two of last years pups in the water, who never batted an eyelash whilst their mums were fighting.
And the outcome of this, they kissed and made up and all four of them turned and dived back into the sea.
You will all have to forgive the rather gloomy aspect of this image, but it was very late afternoon, it was raining, with another band sweeping in from Ballycastle over on the mainland.
BUT, out of all my images of Ushet Point, this one shows best Slough-na-morra.
The waters around Rathlin Island are actually very dangerous as three seas converge (Sea of Moyle, Irish Sea and the North Atlantic) and there is a very visible rip that runs for miles, but, it runs closer to Fairhead which is the huge cliff in the background.
When we arrived at Ushet Point, I was intrigued by the turbulent seas which were in a very concentrated area. Hilary, whose house we stayed in said it was a rip that only happens at certain tides and only when various conditions were met.
Its been niggling away at me since we left the Island so I have been doing a lot of research and this "rip" is actually a whirlpool called, yes you have guessed it, Slough-na-morra.
Reason 1040 why I don't go in the sea!!!
Now, as whirlpools go, this is not the biggest, but hey, its still a whirlpool!!
For the third largest whirlpool in the World, "Corryvrekan", one has to go over to the Island of Jura which is about 20 miles from Rathlin.
www.whirlpool-scotland.co.uk Now, the video is 11 minutes long but the scenery is totally amazing, the whirlpool nail biting and the overfall waves jaw dropping.
And finally, Mr.Killen provides a splash of colour as he slithers over the rocks to get to the seals.
This is a photo for the 52 in 2015 challenge - #44 a Sheep or Goat. Now you may ask what this has to do with a sheep or a goat, but there are some goats in the puzzle, you just have to spot them. This is the puzzle that I added pieces of for another theme for the group - #1 rightangles. You can just see the Peacock in the bottom right hand corner, which was the subject of the pieces I added for the other theme.
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 am also adding this to 52 weeks with Camera Chick - 5/52
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 is a beautiful Geranium that is growing in my garden. I love the colours.
Mahabat (not Mohabbat) Maqbara Palace, also Mausoleum of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, is a mausoleum in Junagadh, India, that was once home to the Nawabs of Junagadh.
Tomb of Mahabat Khan
The city of Junagadh has other 18th-century mausoleums built by the nawabs in the area around Chitkana Chowk.
Mahabat (not Mohabbat) Maqbara Palace, also Mausoleum of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, is a mausoleum in Junagadh, India, that was once home to the Nawabs of Junagadh.
Tomb of Mahabat Khan
The city of Junagadh has other 18th-century mausoleums built by the nawabs in the area around Chitkana Chowk.
Before we went on our river cruise on Saturday, the owner of the property took us on a game drive. He took us up a steep (and rocky) mountain road to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill there was a flat outcrop which offered 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside.
We have been on some very rocky roads in four wheel drives and seen some very wild countryside during our 10 day stay - what an adventure.
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/
We are back home again from Gosford. We have the house and garden all shipshape ready for the open house on Saturday and it is looking wonderful. Peter's Dad seems a bit happier in the nursing home which is good.
I had the stitches taken out of my wrist today and after worrying all weekend that a couple of them were stuck, they came out without any trouble - what a relief.
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 have found a place that does MRIs without having to go into the tunnel, so I have made an appointment for Friday and see the specialist next Tuesday. It will only be two days until we leave so hopefully he can offer some suggestions to manage the pain while we are away.
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 is a pretty Everlasting (Paper) Daisy that I photographed ad Mt. Tomah Botanical Gardens.
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/
The bees have basically disappeared for the Winter so this is one from January.
I wandered around my neighbour's garden today and saw this beautiful Camellia. This bush always blooms much earlier than our hot pink camellia for some reason.
We had a lovely sunny morning, but now it is overcast and threatening rain. I know that most of my Northern Hemisphere friends would love to have our Winters, but our houses are not geared up for the cold. It is now 10C in this room where the computer is and I am off to turn on the heater in the family room.
What has been happening with Flickr today - I haven't been able to get in for around 5 hours??
My eldest daughter has loved horses since she was a small child. When she was around three she wandered into a paddock and was kicked and sent flying by a pony and this would put most children off horses, but as she was being carried from the paddock she didn't blame the horse, she said "I shouldn't have been in there". Her love has never faded and she is now the very proud owner of a purebred Arabian (her absolute favourites). His name is Rokewood Dubai (Toobie for short). In 1998 she had the privilege of working on an Arabian Stud in Rogny, France for 7 months as an Assistant Trainer and we visited her just before she was due to fly home. We were given tickets to attend the Arabian World Championships the night before we flew home - a magical night. This year 12 of her paintings were used on a calendar which was placed on the official tables at the Arabian World Championships which were held in early December. Her love of Arabian horses is a love that will never fade.
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 is my new little Orchid - a Mother's Day pressie from my daughter.
I stood and watched this beautiful butterfly for quite a while during my visit to the Butterfly Garden in Stratford Upon Avon - a wonderful place to visit.
#216 on Explore on 21st March, 2012.
When we were staying in Kedar Lodge we were told to stay away from "the naughty giraffe". We didn't understand what was meant until we went on a early morning game drive. As soon as he saw the safari truck he came ambling over (as only giraffe can) and kept stalking the truck walking around one way and back the other. We were told that he sometimes tries to mount the truck (could you imagine LOL) and hit the canopy with his head - all signs of trying to exert his authority, as another young male has come into the picture and has been hanging around the female who is now pregnant. Who is the father, I wonder.
These photos were taken from the safari truck with the 100-400 lens. He was so close to the truck that I couldn't manage to get any full length photos.
This is another of my creations. I have had the pattern for a couple of years now and after making this little pony, I might add some more - it was so simple to make - no joints to worry about. He stands around 7" tall.
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 am pretty sure that these little flowers are Jade.
First shots from my new toy. I came home from our trip with more money than expected and Peter has promised me a donation, so I decided to buy myself a Canon 5D Mk III. I can see that it is going to be a new learning curve though. It didn't help that it was very windy here in Sydney today and the fact that there are not many bugs in the garden these days.
I love this plant that is growing in my neighbour's garden. Did anyone spot the spider in the second photo?
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/
It is still cold and miserable here in Sydney today, so no chance to go out for photos, so I have added a bit of colour today. This is a pop art effect on one of my Bird of Paradise photos (also the photo in my buddy icon).
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/
Even a weed can be beautiful.
A beautiful white swan that I saw in Potter Heigham, Norfolk. I always know that there are a lot of swans there and it is always on my list of places to see when we stay near The Broads.
We are on our way home. We are staying at Forster tonight and head home tomorrow. I am feeling a little flat after the funeral - it is so hard to believe that we won't see him or speak to him again.
One week from today we will be on our way to South Africa where we will be travelling around for four weeks. We have booked a 6 day tour from Capetown to Durbin which is only a small tour of 7 people (although we are the only people on it so far). We are then spending a couple of days in Durbin before spending a couple of days at Isandiwana Lodge so Peter can visit the Zulu battlefields. We then make our way to Kedar Lodge which is near Pilanesberg Game Park where we plan to visit a few times. We have then booked 10 days at Kruger View Cottage in Marloth Park which overlooks the Crocodile River which is a boundary of Kruger National Park. I am getting really excited now.
When we were driving through Pilanesberg today, I saw this Zebra standing on the side of the road with two Oxpeckers sitting on his back.
We stopped at one of the rest camps in Kruger to buy a drink and as we walked up to the kiosk, this baboon came down and took off with a drink. I followed around to the back of the kiosk to watch it open the drink forcefully and proceed to drink it LOL.
Mahabat (not Mohabbat) Maqbara Palace, also Mausoleum of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, is a mausoleum in Junagadh, India, that was once home to the Nawabs of Junagadh.
Tomb of Mahabat Khan
The city of Junagadh has other 18th-century mausoleums built by the nawabs in the area around Chitkana Chowk.
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 will be away for a few days - still clearing out Peter's Dad's house (what a job). Will catch up on Wednesday when I get back.
A huge bumble bee that I spotted at the Butterfly Park at Stratford Upon Avon. Not sure if the flower is Lavender.
When we drove to Swaziland for the day we drove past these little dancers on the side of the road. They would stand quietly and when a car came along the road, they would start dancing. We couldn't stop at the time, so Peter said that we would see them on the way back. We pulled in and watched the dance and they came running over for some loose change which we gave them. The fellow that was with them asked if we had any snacks with us that we could give them as well. They were so cute, but I really hope that they enjoyed what they were doing and not only doing it because they were told to.