Russia. North Ossetia–Alania. Vladikavkaz. Profitable house of Vorobyov (designed by city architect Ivan Vasilievich Ryabikin)

 

Россия. Северная Осетия. Владикавказ. Доходный дом Воробьёва (построено по проекту городского архитектора Ивана Васильевича Рябикина)

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

 

et si dextera manus tua scandalizat te abscide eam et proice abs te expedit tibi ut pereat unum membrorum tuorum quam totum corpus tuum eat in gehennam

 

E se la tua man destra ti fa intoppare, mozzala, e gettala via da te; perciocchè egli val meglio per te che un de’ tuoi membri perisca, che non che tutto il tuo corpo sia gettato nella geenna.

 

若 是 右 手 叫 你 跌 倒 ， 就 砍 下 来 丢 掉 ， 宁 可 失 去 百 体 中 的 一 体 ， 不 叫 全 身 下 入 地 狱 。

 

καὶ εἰ ἡ δεξιά σου χεὶρ σκανδαλίζει σε, ἔκκοψον αὐτὴν καὶ βάλε ἀπὸ σοῦ· συμφέρει γάρ σοι ἵνα ἀπόληται ἓν τῶν μελῶν σου καὶ μὴ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου εἰς γέενναν ἀπέλθῃ.

 

Y si tu mano derecha te fuere ocasión de caer, córtala, y échala de ti: que mejor te es que se pierda uno de tus miembros, que no que todo tu cuerpo sea echado al infierno.

 

또한 만일 네 오른손이 너로 실족케 하거든 찍어 내버리라 네 백체 중 하나가 없어지고 온 몸이 지옥에 던지우지 않는 것이 유익하니라

 

Un ja tava labā roka tevi apgrēcina, cērt to nost un met no sevis projām, jo labāk tev zaudēt vienu no saviem locekļiem, nekā visa tava miesa tiek iemesta peklē.

 

Եթէ աջ ձեռքդ կը գայթակղեցնէ քեզ, կտրէ՛ զայն ու նետէ՛ քեզմէ. որովհետեւ աւելի օգտակար է քեզի՝ որ անդամներէդ մէկը կորսուի, ու ամբողջ մարմինդ չնետուի գեհենը»:

  

Profitable house of the peasant Frolov (1910-1914), Baumanskaya street, Basmanny, Moscow, Russia.

Россия, Москва, Басманный, Бауманская ул., доходный дом крестьянина Фролова (1910–1914).

A patched Conrail GP9 led an untouched former Penn Central GP9B and a GP30 into Orangeville with a local returning from plucking traffic along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor in 1977.

 

Conrail would piss away most of the local traffic in favor of more profitable longer hauls.

Boynton Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 68,217 at the 2010 census. In 2019, the city had an estimated population of 78,679 according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Boynton Beach is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.

 

In 1894, two years before Henry Morrison Flagler built his railroad, a former American Civil War major named Nathan Boynton first set eyes on the area that now bears his name. Boynton hailed from Port Huron, Michigan. He was so impressed by the natural beauty of the year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, he built the famous Boynton Hotel, where he also spent winters with his family. The first settlers, whom Boynton had brought along from Michigan, soon realized that many fruits and vegetables thrived in the fertile climate. Pineapples, tomatoes, mangoes, and citrus fruit were packed in crates and shipped by the ton on the newly built Florida East Coast Railroad to satisfy the appetites of hungry Americans across the country. Major Boynton died on May 27, 1911 in Port Huron, but the hotel lasted until 1925.

 

Boynton Beach was founded on September 26, 1898 when Byrd Spilman Dewey and her husband Fred S. Dewey filed the original plat in the Dade County courthouse for the Town of Boynton. The town was incorporated in 1920 as the Town of Boynton. The name "Boynton Beach" was first used by a community that broke off from the Town of Boynton in 1931. In 1939, that community changed its name to "Ocean Ridge" while The Town of Boynton took the name "Boynton Beach" in 1941.

 

In 1926, the Seaboard Air Line Railway entered what was then simply Boynton, spurring land development a mile inland near the Seaboard station, including the town's first planned subdivision, Lake Boynton Estates. As land became more valuable, areas along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Federal Highway in Boynton also saw housing developments. To the west, many dairies were founded so that the Boynton area became the main milk supplier for Palm Beach County. By the 1970s, the dairies were no longer profitable and these lands too were converted to housing developments.

 

Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park is located just north of the original Boynton Hotel site. In 1921, the Town of Boynton acquired the beach site from Lewis S. Howe by eminent domain for park and recreation purposes. The beach casino was built in 1928 and featured a large dining hall, locker rooms and showers and residents used the casino for parties and social gatherings. The casino was demolished in 1967 and the property remained part of the beach park.

 

From the 1920s to today, Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park has been popular with residents and visitors alike. In the mid-1990s, the park underwent a major renovation during which the boardwalk was rebuilt out of recycled plastic. Boynton Beach's Oceanfront Park was voted the best family beach in Palm Beach County by The Palm Beach Post in 2001. In 2011 the boardwalk was renovated again, replacing the plastic with ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood (commonly known as Brazilian walnut). In 2012 improvements were made to the buildings along the boardwalk, including total refurbishment of the restrooms.

 

Hurricane Wilma struck Boynton Beach on October 24, 2005, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. In 2006, the city government authorized the demolition of the historic Seaboard rail station, which had survived intact in private hands since passenger service to the station halted in 1971.

 

Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:

www.boynton-beach.org/

www.boynton-beach.org/town-square

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boynton_Beach,_Florida

 

© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.

  

From the very depths of my soul, with all my love for humanity, I reject the darkness, I reject the fear, I reject the hatemongers, the scaremongers, the purveyors of doom, I reject those who try to divide us with their vile ideologies, I reject those who cynically exploit our dreams and our nightmares for political and profitable gain, I reject the arrogant 'leaders' of all our nations who refuse to listen to their people, who believe in 'one size fits all', who put commerce before compassion, profit before people – the people of so many countries who believe in the ideal of a Europe united in its wonderful diversity, a marvellous mélange of cultures and beliefs, of tolerance, understanding and loving empathy, but who, tragically, are led by incompetent, corrupt, out of touch, career politicians who have abused that beautiful ideal, playing country against country and, in their hubris, have sacrificed it on the altar of their own self-serving, egotistical power games, while being manipulated behind closed doors by the warped avarice of financiers, business moguls and faceless corporations.

 

DON'T HATE! RELATE!

DON'T FIGHT! UNITE!

 

I have no idea what the future holds – for the people of the UK and all my brother and sister Europeans, for all the people around the world who will be impacted by the repercussions of the Referendum – but unless we come together, stand together, care together in this dark chaos, then those who would use and abuse us for their own ends, those who seek to divide and conquer, those who see us as nothing more than commodities and consumers, numbers on a stockholder's share report, who see our young men and women as mere pawns to fight and die in their sick wars, then they will win, and bigotry, racism, xenophobia, political and religious extremism will descend on Europe and become the menu from which we will all be dining on for years to come, and I refuse to let that happen. The darkness cannot, shall not, will not, prevail, for I believe in the innocent, laughing, fragile golden child we all once were but who was broken by broken people in a broken world, and who now stands trembling fearfully on the edge of a howling abyss...but we don't have to go into the darkness, pushed by those who would rather see us fall than rise, instead, we can choose to see the golden light in each other, and work hand in hand building bridges so we can all cross that terrifying gulf of hate and prejudice to the other side, to the light of a new future where religion and politics no longer hold sway, where they are our servants not our masters.

 

We are the broken, now is the time to heal ourselves and each other, together...

 

DON'T HATE! RELATE!

DON'T FIGHT! UNITE!

UNLEASH YOUR LIGHT!

Despicably Rotten Scoundrel

  

My thanks to everyone who has helped me with ideas in writing this story. You all know of whom I speak.

 

The opening scene is a formal charity ball in Scotland, at the seaside town of Clachtoll.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Despicably Rotten Scoundrel

 

“I’m not really wicked, just written that way…!”

 

A pickpocketing female thief’s rather despicable and rotten tale told from her perspective….

 

“I’m not jealous, just an opportunist.”

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

I do love a good old-fashioned charity ball.

 

It’s a place where rich twits, sorry, guests love to show off their finery, flaunting the fact they are wealthy enough to be invited to donate a bit of their easily earned, or given, cash. Also wealthy enough to be shorn of some of their wealth by other, shall we say, less proper manners.

 

Now, it’s true that there are mostly adults at these types of charity things.

 

But they also have a tendency to doll up their younger sons/daughters and bring them along to pretty much just display them. The poor dears are usually bored and desperate to be noticed. Which works to my advantage.

 

A bit of juicy, easy ripe pickings on the side with usually some surprisingly profitable results.

 

And then there are the parents and other adult guests, who once they have imbibed enough, become subtle and compliant enough for my fingers to do their task of acquiring their more valuable adornments

 

And I never thought of pickpocketing as right out stealing, preferably thinking of it as teaching a life lesson to those foolish enough, or young enough, to present a vulnerably easy target. And earn my living in the process.

 

But why the soliloquy one may ask?

 

Well, the last time I attended such a function I deliciously petted away a pair of pearl necklaces, a single and double strand, from two very different but equally gullible, charming quite young ladies who were attending a grown-up Ball for the first time. Their pearls fetched a surprising value.

 

One was in soft velvet the other was in sleek silk-covered chiffon. Both were easily woven into my web.

 

At the same affair, I also lifted an expensive diamond brooch from a wealthy lady as well as two fat leather wallets from a pair of tuxedo-wearing gentlemen.

 

But then I attracted nosey official notice and had to make a hasty exit. Blimey, a girl’s got to make a living.

 

And now here I was, a year later, standing across the street from yet another charity ball in Scotland. Smoking a leisurely cigarette as I watch the rich ladies' attire flowing down elegantly beneath furs and satin evening wraps of the mostly female guests pouring into the venue.

 

I spotted a group of younger ladies dressed elegantly in a collection of silks and satins, no wraps. They were off to the side smoking and chatting away amiably. They appeared to be an accepting lot, and I instinctively saw them as an acceptable way to camouflage my entrance.

 

I crossed the street and walked up behind them close enough to get a feel for the manner of conversation. They were all Scottish judging by their accents. Being Welsh myself I was hoping they would jump at the opportunity to talk with a newcomer to the area.

 

They were, and soon I was in with them thicke as thieves. Which was rather fitting.

 

The ball was in full swing by the time all of my adopted group decided to enter the establishment and I waltzed right in with them, easily escaping the notice of two security bulls who were keeping an eye on the entrance.

 

Once safely inside I made an excuse to leave them, promising them I’d catch up with them again. A promise I meant to keep for they were wearing some really lovely jewellery, and once they had drunk up a bit, should make them easy marks.

 

I licked my lips with anticipation over that future activity.

 

Once I broke away I circled the perimeter of the massive hall, watching the dancers in the middle. Looking out for an opportunity of any sort.

 

By the bar, a pair of young men were chattering away, and I pushed myself between them as I passed through. Easily lifting a gold watch from one of the tuxedoed pair.

 

I then spied with my little eye an elegant lady wearing taffeta, placing a solid gold compact inside her small pearl-handled white beaded clutch purse. I stood near bye, and as she bent down to adjust a strap on her high heel, I walked past and snatched the purse up, hiding it in my own larger purse.

 

I walked quickly off in another direction.

 

Then my heart stopped as I spied a young lady sitting at a table alone watching what I assumed were her guardians dancing.

 

What made it inviting was that no one was watching her.

 

In a chair next to her hung a luxurious sable, too valuable to trust in hat check.

 

Laying upon the chair was a small silvery clutch purse, worth quite a bit by my scrutiny. The girl was holding a purse of her own, a pretty, small satin number with rhinestones. Too expensive to pass up.

She was fidgety, either bored or needed to use the loo.

 

I walked up to her.

 

“Hello, luv.” I said as she looked up at me with a happy cherub face, glad to have someone to chat with.

 

“Aye Miss, halo. ” she answered with that darling soft accent that the young scot lassies all seem to have.

 

She was pretty, wearing a gold sequined blouse with long sleeves and a high collar. A long black skirt sleekly poured from her waist, held there by a gold belt with a large rhinestone clasp. Her long red hair was down hiding any jewels she may be wearing in her ears. Around her neck though, was a twisted strand silvery necklace with 5 real diamonds hanging down in a v shape at the necklace’s centre.

 

“You’re such a cutie I murmured reaching around and lifting her hair from her backside and running it through my fingers, eyeing her dazzling earrings set with real diamonds…and how they were set in her earlobes. They are old fashioned hinged clasped twins, valuable. My mouth drools over this discovery, for it could be child’s play to lift them.

 

She squirmed gleefully at my praise.

“Thank you, miss.”

 

I laid my hand on her shoulder, feeling the ultra-soft material of her blouse. I caressed my fingers along her sleeve.

 

“Your outfit is quite smashing Lass.”

 

With a woeful tone of voice she admitted:

“This was my sister's miss, I wanted a gown of my own, but papa said to wait till next year, and then I can wear real makeup!”

 

I petted her along the sleek backside of her blouse.

“You’ll look beautiful then I’m sure. As you look now, without makeup. And speaking of beauty, that darling purse you're holding is rather pretty. Is that your sister's also?

 

She shook her head no, the diamonds at her ears and throat erupting into frenzied sparkles. She held the purse up.

“Father Christmas brought it.”

 

I reached down and touched its exquisite satiny material.

“Very pretty. Something to take care of, especially tonight.”

 

Possessing the same curiosity of youth that needed me pearls last year, she bought into it, asking…

 

“Why tonight miss?”

 

I leaned in and explained.

“A lady had her purse stolen a little while ago, right from her table. The police are looking for him. You may want to put yours somewheres safe until he is caught. “

 

She looked at her purse worried, not sure what to make of what I had said.

 

I place my hand reassuringly on her elbow and pointed down to a purple silk-lined pocket of the sable.

“There miss, place it inside the pocket. No one will see it there.”

 

She obediently bent over to do so, while I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, petting the delicious gold-colored material that covered it.

 

I looked around making sure the coast was clear, saying to her….

 

“Oh, and the other purse as well.”

 

She reached over to the table and picked it up. My fingers moved into position. As she leaned over to put it inside I easily undid the simple hook and circle clasp of her necklace and pulled the dangling piece from around her throat and slipped it inside my pocket in a blink of an eye.

 

She turned and looked at me with wildly opened concerned eyes.

 

“Oh. I’m sure they will catch him soon. Then you can take it back out. But for now, your purse is safe, as well as your sister’s”

 

She shook her head, earrings again flicking an expensive dance. But nothing glimmered where her necklace had been.

 

“My sister is not here miss. . She’s in France. It’s just me ,mum and dad.”

 

I knelt between her and that chair that held the gorgeous sable cost.

 

“Oh, please point them out to me.”

 

With young obedience, she surveys the crowd.

 

As she searched, and as I watched her face, my hand was feeling along the rich sable, reaching inside the sable coats’ pocket and pulling out the two small purses, placing them into my own, now sitting on the floor.

 

Her still-searching eyes lit up and she said…

“There they are…”

 

She was pointing to a rather handsome couple. The father is in a dark black tux with a black satin vest. Her mum was sumptuous in a long black satin gown with rhinestone trimmings. She was displaying a rather delicious set of diamond jewellery. My fingers itched, but I had done enough here.

 

I squeeze her shoulder, rising, as she again was becoming mesmerized by watching the dancers. Her earrings were tempting me, and I will admit I tried forcing myself to pass them by, but…

 

“Must take my leave sweetie, charming to have met such a pretty girl.”

 

She answered, keeping her eyes on the dance floor.

“Thank you, miss.”

 

I went in front of her and knelt looking into her doe-like wide green eyes.

“I think you will look positively lovely next year in your gown. I think you should wear your hair up.”

 

She smiled at me as I lifted up her silky hair.

 

“Thank you miss, I’m looking ever so to it, hopefully, I can wear one like mums…”

 

As she said that, my fingers were expertly caressing off the jewels dangling freely from her earlobes with a very practiced stroking touch of my own.

 

With her earrings clutched in my hands, I told her I hoped she would, and looked towards her mother on the dance floor.

 

She looked also and as she was I plopped her earrings in my purse and took leave.

 

I then hurriedly made my way to the bar for a drink and a breather. I had meant to pace myself this evening and not repeat my mistake from a year ago.

 

I mulled over my drink, watching the crowd, admiring the pickings they wore or carried. The drink and my delicious thoughts took their effect and I realized I needed to urgently use the loo, sorry, powder my nose, as the wealthy ones would say.”

 

I headed inside the nearest one and found one empty stall remaining. It was then a large group of women came in and gathered around the sinks and side tables waiting their turn.

 

I exited and with practiced quickness, looked them over, eyeballing a few plump purses, and the rings and bracelets that adorned the wrists, fingers holding them. I focused on an ornate diamond clip worn in the blonde hair of a young lady dressed in black velvet, my fingers tingled. Licking my lips I yelled…

 

“Mouse, there’s a mouse in my stall!”

 

In the ensuing panic, I forced myself into their startled midst as I hurried to leave. Bumping into the velvet-gowned young lady, she tripped and started to fall, as it was playing out, my hand snaked up through her hair easily whisking out the startled young thing’s fancy diamond clip in the process.

 

I made the door and left. Marveling at how easy that score had been. The fact that the flashy hair clip had been the only jewel probably allowed to be worn by the young lady did not faze me a bit.

 

I walked around the outer rim of the room, basking in the clever way I had nicked that expensive diamond clip from the unwary young victim.

 

It was then, in a side alcove of couches and comfy chairs, I spotted the group I had come in with. Already going on with drink-induced chatting and giggling. All very touchy-feely and huggy

 

I was all in for a bit of that action, seeing a multitude of opportunities for my fingers to be employed with.

 

I grabbed a tray of drinks that was sitting waiting for one of the waiters.

 

Took it over where it was well received by this group of wealthy young ladies.

 

And soon was again in thicke with them, laughing and doing some touching of my own upon their softly, expensively, attired figures.

 

I easily lifted fat wallets from two unguarded evening purses, before deciding to up my game.

 

One of the ladies, Trish, dressed in a silk dress with a nice diamond drop pendant and an even nicer gem-filled bracelet was telling a story that I wasn’t paying any attention to. What I was paying attention to was the other 3 dames in the group. All three dolled up in satin gowns with some very nice jewelry set with gemstones that matched the colors of their sumptuous designer gowns.

 

We were all huddled very close together around Trish to listen in to her captivating gossiping story told in a whisper.

 

They were not watching me.

 

I was holding onto one of the listening broad's blue satin gloved hands, managing to slowly work off her cocktail ring, a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

 

As we all put hands to our mouths to gasp over a particularly juicy bit of Trish’s story I placed my hand up along the backside of another listener's sunset-red taffeta gown.

 

Reaching for her necklace I undid the clasp, then waited until another highlight of Trish’s story had us all leaning in closer before slipping the ruby set gold necklace from around my victim’s throat without missing a beat.

 

Trish finally reached the climax of her story and the ladies turned toward each other and started talking about it over.

 

I just smiled the said.

“Really. That’s quite a delicious story.”

Though I still had no clue about her babbling.

 

But as I said that I place my left hand on the diamond-clad wrist of her right hand, over her vulgarly pricy bracelet. She put her other hand on my chest. I swore she was coping a feel.

 

She chirped...

“Isn’t it a riot, really I cannot believe it happened.”

 

As she said that, looking earnestly for approval in my hazel eyes with her heavily mascaraed blue ones, I squeezed her wrist, undoing her diamond bracelet and lifting it into my palm.

 

Transferring the bracelet to my pocket. I picked up a drink and chatted with them for a good ten minutes.

 

I finally found an opportunity to bid them adieu.

 

I received hugs all around. As I hugged Trish, my fingers nimbly undid her pendant and I slipped it off as her friends began yet another conversation.

 

Trish was in a hurry to join in so I had a very easy time of it.

 

I headed back out the hallway, finally letting out my breath, to have a smoke and take a well-earned break as I decided what to do next.

 

This patch was proving a gold mine, but have I had my run?

 

That would be a big No, to my run of luck being over that evening!

  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

As I headed out I passed one of the rental guards. He looked bored. I noticed his open handcuffs attached to his belt.

 

I went up, acting tipsy, and placing my hand on his shoulder winked at him

 

“Happy to see you on the job.”

 

As I told him that my other hand lifted off his cuffs, mainly because I take a fancy to acquire anything shiny.

 

I then head out to the exit.

 

A man and lady are on the ground by the stairs smoking right under a ‘no smoking sign.

 

They did not appear to be a couple.

 

The male is wearing a fitted suit and what I considered a power tie, smoking a long thin cigar. I can tell he is wealthy by his silver Rolex and a fat wallet.

 

The man is randy ,obviously hitting on the girl. Not successfully I might add.

 

He eyes me with flirty interest.

 

I eyed the girl.

 

She was an early 20ish model of the type one would call mousey. Very tipsy and coy. I was surprised she wasn’t coming onto the bloke's advances.

 

Emilie, the girl, was wearing a fitted designer dress of gold satin with rhinestone trimmings. She was sporting a nice collection of expensive gold jewelry, pouring all along her body from ears, neck wrists, and hairpiece. She had no less than 5 cocktail rings that flashed rippling out along her fingers as she smoked.

 

I had the inkling, mainly by how she carried herself. that she may have been wearing gold jewelry this evening, but she also owned and could have been wearing diamonds. But gold did not interest me. Her diamonds would have.

 

So I found myself wishing our randy male fellow smoker would chase away the girl so I can relieve the git of his deliciously tempting expensive watch.

 

I pulled out one of my two lighters, the round one with no fuel, and unsuccessfully tried to lit my cigarette.

 

The male whose name was Sebastian, leaned over to light it for me and I nimbly picked his wallet.

 

The rental cop just then stuck his long nose outside the main door.

 

Looking down upon our small group he lectured

“‘Ere no. No doing that there. Take your business to the park yonder.”

 

He went back inside.

 

Sebastian sighed, giving us both a look. Sensing, incorrectly I might add, that neither of us are interested in him, he tossed the nub of his cigar and followed the guard inside.

 

Since I had just started my cigarette I crossed the street. The girl followed me, gaily chirping in my ear

“ That’s probably the only thing the guard is allowed to do, and thank you for saving me from that bore Sebastian. “

 

She pulled out a cigarette and asked if I had a light. I hesitated, then pulled out my square lighter and easily lit it. She guided my hand to her mouth. Her eyes were looking int mine, exploring. I felt her fingers subtlety caress my wrist.

 

It just may have been in gratitude, but that’s not what I read in her eyes.

 

Now I don’t lean that way, unless it’s to my benefit. Her gold jewelry now did appear to me to be one, a benefit I mean.

 

“Thank you she whispered coyly.”

 

Your welcome I said, taking up her hand and purring how pretty she looked this evening. Which was no lie, on several levels.

 

Yes. I dolled myself up pretty well she said. Her fingers wrapping around mine.

 

“I think you look lovely also..” she complimented me with a shyness I found almost as fetching as her gold necklace.

 

I had read the signs correctly, now if only I was right about everything I had deduced about her. My mind already wrapping around a plan.

 

I let her pull me to her. I could feel her perking breast’s running scintillating along my own through the thin material of my dress. Her breathing became deeper.

 

I responded by spitting out my cigarette and clasping my hands behind her and digging my fingers into her hinny.

She squealed with delight. Her own cigarette tumbling from her thicke red lips.

 

She went onto her tippy toes and planted a kiss upon my mouth. I responded by adding my tongue to the party.

 

She raised her knee up between my legs and began massaging my sweet spot sending prickly waves of pleasure through my entire being. Though my real center of pleasure lay upon her gold jewels and the way they were delightfully shimmering as she played along with my figure.

 

I raised my hands around her back. My leg went up as she stopped. Feeling it there she began to rub along it. Exciting herself.

 

Running my fingers to the back of her throat as all of my marks attention was on pleasuring herself, I had the pleasure of undoing the clasp of her three-strand gold necklace and lifting it from the front of her dress to behind her back and into my fist.

 

She whispered.

“There’s a playground up on the hill “

 

I answered, startled at how husky my voice was coming out

“ A playground, I like the sound of that. “

 

I let her lead, my hand wrapped around her silken waist. Holding tightly onto my prize.

 

^^^^^^^^**

Reaching the deserted playground,

We embraced, sucking and kissing passionately

 

I sat her on the bench. Had her lie down.

 

She giggled as my hands went up underneath her dress, and silk slip. I then discovered why she was giggling, she was not wearing panties.

 

My fingers delved inside past wet hairs and probed as she arched her back in ecstasy. She spread her dress open, revealing plump breasts striking inside her thin gold satin brocade patterned brassiere. She managed to undo it and flung it onto the grass. Then began to massage her naked breasts, rings sparkling, solid gold bracelets glinting. Her exposed breasts cooled in the misty air.

 

My free hand went up and joined in with her fun. Her rings were pleasingly digging into my flesh as I dig deeper into hers.

 

She was moaning with deep guttural primeval pleasure. Her whole figure is on electric, lava-hot fire.

 

Then shrieking so loudly it echoed, in a flash of seething back-arching ecstasy, she came….

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Later we sat on a bench smoking. She was basking in delight.

 

“So happy I met you…!” she said cheerfully.

 

I intentionally didn’t answer.

 

She looked up into my face.

 

“I know this is cliche but want to go to my flat?”

 

I looked at her, then looked over her remaining gold jewelry. It was calling out to just take me, as I answered her question...

 

“Gorgeous, simply Gorgeous. Oh I’m going to you flat Luv , but alone!”

 

She looked at me confused, trying to think through her horny drink-induced haze just what I was prattling on about.

 

I pulled the cuffs from my bag.

 

Going around behind her I raised her arms, she was totally pliable. Not really registered what I was holding. I pulled her arms behind the bench. Cuffing around one wrist, I cuffed the other end to a metal leg set in concrete.

 

As I looked into her eyes I saw they were starting to spin and sure enough, she passed out, for whatever reason, fear or just physically spent…

 

I checked her pulse, she wasn’t dead, just in a cold dead faint.

 

I began stripping the sully Lass of her remaining gold jewelry. Pulling out her earrings, undoing her hairpiece, and unfastening her many bracelets. Then methodically working away, I sucked off her rings. And finally, I unclasped a gold ankle bracelet.

 

Picking up her purse I found her address and the numbered key to her flat. I left her surprisingly mock designer purse on the bench. But emptied her wallet, discarding it on the ground.

 

As I checked her over for any missed valuables I thought of giving her a little more pleasure, but decided I was better off just letting her sleep it off.

 

Walking quickly out of the playground I cut to the opposite side of the park.

 

Hailing one of the parked cabs I gave him her address. Using her money to pay for it when we got there.

 

It was in a very posh neighborhood, I licked my lips wondering if I was right to be expecting diamonds somewhere inside her flat.

 

As I enter the block of flats I see a well-dressed man unlocking the door next to my victim's numbered door.

 

I say “Ello” and he jumps.

 

“Thought you were my wife.”

 

I had moved closer spying a fat wallet bulging from his pocket

 

I purr saying cheekily:

 

“No, wish I was, did you lose her now?

 

“Ah, here she is, found her now didn’t I.”

 

I turn. My eyes bugging out. I forgot all about lifting wallets as I saw his wife come inside, dazzling like some ornate overfilled display case at Tiffanies.

 

She was wearing a deep blue brocade patterned silk dress with flashy sapphire rhinestones adorning the neckline and waistline.

 

Her hazel eyes had been masterfully made up with black eyeliner and blue mascara. She looked like a picture actress from a Telly show.

 

She was wearing a stunning set of sparkling sapphire and diamond-encrusted jewellery. A full array, hanging from her ears, neck wrists, and fingers. One ring was especially flashy

 

Perched on her head was a short diamond studded tiara.

 

I had seen many tiaras this evening, but none this close to my already trembling fingers.

 

At the rather daringly low cut of her gown hung a very expensive sapphire/ diamond brooch successfully stealing away the prominence of the lady’s beautifully plump breasts.

 

She floats up to us.

 

They are both happily tipsy and introduce themselves as my new neighbor.

 

They both ask if I would like to join in for a nip, or a nightcap.

 

Bird in hand I thought. Let this one go.

 

I smile at the pretty pair

 

“Rain check please I need my beauty sleep.”

 

I give them both a hard look over, openly relishing the rich attire, and beckoning trimmings, of this clueless couple as they bid me farewell and go inside their flat

 

Then with those succulent imaginings, I use the key to my victim’s flat and go inside to rob the joint.

 

I waste no time, heading directly to the girls' bedroom where I knew the good stuff would be found.

 

Finding the bedrooms down a corridor, I go inside the master room and methodically begin with the contents in the drawers of a large oak wardrobe, feeling through satin, silk, and lacy undergarments. I find a velvet case holding some nice pearls and empty them into my purse. Then felt along some prickling soft dresses and gowns, being rewarded with finding a gold broach and diamond pin for my efforts.

 

Knowing there has to be more I check behind the many pictures on the walls.

 

Finding one, a painting of ‘Twelve Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, set on a hinge that, when opened, exposed a wall safe. Expertly I place an ear to it as I work the tumblers, finding the combination quite easily.

 

Opening it I see several items. An old, loved Teddy Bear, a bundle of letters tied with ribbon on top of some photos, an oblong box that looked strikingly like the one I keep my vibrator in, and more importantly, three thin velvet-covered cases. Pulling out the largest case. I opened it.

 

My eyes opened wide, like a child who has been visited by Father Christmas. I had found her diamonds. A nice full collection of sparking “ice” that I quickly let slide into my purse. The others two cases contained evening jewellery also. One was a nicely ornate set of 24 Caret gold and the last was a set of glittery sapphires. I empty them all quickly.

 

Time enough later to drool over the nice haul I was taking.

 

I left the safe open and lifting my now very weighty purse, started to leave her bedroom to make my escape.

 

But then I spied it… and a naughty thought entered my head.

 

Sitting on a hook in a shadowy corner was a new dress, not yet taken in for a fitting. A short sleek black satin number with a sassy low-cut top, ribbed waistband, and above-the-knee hemline.

 

I go over and admire it. On a whim I slip off my dress, then undo my bra, to try it on.

 

Brilliant, it fits me like a hand in a glove.

 

Going back to the wardrobe, still wearing the dress, I pull out a small satchel and dump its contents on the floor.

 

I place my bulging purse inside, then neatly fold the dress I had been wearing and place it on top. Adding my bra also, relishing the feel of the material upon my naked breasts.

 

I also snatch up a pair of silver rhinestone-adorned high heels I had admired and place them inside also.

 

I headed out, more than satisfied with my evening’s haul, I had every intention of planning to call it a night.

 

But, as I was leaving the flat, I see my victim’s new neighbor, the man, as he is locking the door.

 

Putting the key in his pocket he turned and spots me standing there.

 

I gave him my best foxy smile, asking in my best new neighborly fashion

 

“We’re you off to in such a hurry luv everything, all right? Didja Lose your wife again?”

 

“So sorry”. he apologized in a high voice. not questioning why I was now back out in the hallway in a different dress, though his eyes went down to take a brief study of my breasts, then my legs gracefully sticking out from the dress’s shamefully high hemline.

 

He answered, obviously flustered on several levels.

“It’s a bother I need to go back to the restaurant, my wife left her bloody expensive purse there.”

 

A fish hooked, now to play him I thought as he walked up to me.

 

“Hope you not too long. And about that nightcap, knock on my door first when you get back luv.”

 

I reached down and began fingering his John Thomas, I gave it a good wank, finding the boy was already hard.

 

He was not displeased by my copping a feel, in the least.

 

He stuttered, before dashing off.

 

“I, I h’have 30 minutes to find a cab and get there before it closes.”

 

I smile. My hand was on his room key which I had lifted from his pocket.

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

Flipping the keys in my hand, I went to the outside entrance and from a side, window saw the husband catch his cab.

 

“Bully,” I thought, that gives me 45 minutes, more than enough time.

 

I carefully walk down the deserted hallway and reach the flat of the friendly, wealthy, couple.

 

I carefully pry open the door and have a look and listen.

 

There is no one in the main room, which is unlit. It all appears to be the same layout, though opposite, as the flat I just burgled.

 

I carefully close and lock the door and slip into the shadows, my eyes adjusting, aware that I am running against the clock.

 

I hear movement from the area I know is the flats’ kitchen. Then the light clicks on. My objective, again, is the master bedroom’s wall safe. I’m hoping the Wife had had enough time to slip into something more comfortable and put her jewels away in the wall safe.

 

But I needed to take a look.

 

I took a peak in the kitchen. I could see her figure moving about. She was still wearing her gown…and jewels. I would have to deal with that later. But first the safe. From a reflection, I saw her Mascara was askew. They’ve been naughty tonight.

 

I move over to the small corridor off which lie the bedrooms. I see the master bedroom door is slightly open. Candlelight flickered out from the bottom, dancing along the polished oak wood floors.

 

Reaching the door to the master bedroom, I open it, slip inside, and lock the bedroom door behind me.

 

They have indeed just moved in. There were several traveling cases of various sizes. Shirts, trousers, and ties hung on a corner stand. In another corner, an oil Landscape painting was on the floor under the closed wall safe, waiting to be put up. Next to the safe was a large double tigerwood wardrobe.

 

I continue to quickly survey the rest of their room.

 

From the opposite side of the room, the candle was lit on a vanity reflected in the mirror. Something glittered. Shiny I thought.

 

I go over and see several 14k gold and silver necklaces, bangle bracelets, and rings all laid out in a heap inside an open case.

 

Suddenly I hear the door knob rattling

 

“Luv. Your back? You’ve got the chambre door looked”

 

“Chambre is it?” I thought. Pretty fancy for a flat. Even an upscale one like this.

 

Dropping the small satchel I go over to the door. Tapping on it I unlock it and stand by the wall so I will be behind the door as it opens.

 

The wife swished in, unknowingly talking to her still-absent husband in her heavy lowland Scottish accent.

 

“Guid lord laddie, sneaking about on myself are ya now? Well I….. umpph ?”

 

I had snuck out from behind the door, gripping her from behind, one hand on her mouth cutting off her sentence, the other pointing a finger in the small of her elegantly attired back like I was holding a pistol on her.

 

I hissed Into a diamond dangling ear.…

“Okay my pretty bird, this is not your husband, but a thief. You know what a thief does, now dontcha?”

 

She nodded weakly and I felt her figure go limp.

 

“Good, now not a sound out of you. Go and sit on that stool yonder,”

 

As I guided her, she went obediently to the oak vanity stool. As we passed a spot where more of her husband's ties hung, I whipped off a handful.

 

I pulled out the stool and she sat down facing the vanity mirror, giving her a clear sweeping view of the master bedroom behind her.

 

In the reflection of the mirror, she saw me, recognized who she thought I was(new neighbor), and looked at me with sad, large puppydog-like, questioning eyes.

 

I quickly, perhaps a bit roughly, pulled her hands behind her and tied them up using her husband's neckties. Then, using the same, I bound each ankle to the front legs of the stool.

 

“Now lady, where’s your husband?”

 

Tearfully she lied in a pleading tone…

 

“Not here, but he is coming back soon.”

 

Of course, I knew better, but I said…

“Then I’ll take my chances.”

 

She started to say more, but I cut her off by gagging her with a blue-striped Etonian Club tie that went well with her blue mascara.

 

Again in her ear, I whispered sternly.

 

“Going to be a good girl now, aren’t ya Lass?!”

 

She gave me a feeble nod yes.

 

I look down at the open case of day jewelry.

I reach in and begin scooping out the contents into the satchel as she watches and quivers in uneasy discomfort.

 

I knelt beside her.

“Okay my pretty one, time for you to take some weight off, time for me to trim your feathers.

 

She balked as I ran my fingers, intently, up along her gown, my fingers scintillating with the feel of its soft material.

 

Ignoring her muffled pleas I reached up and yanked out a long gem-studded pierced earring from each ear. I dropped them inside the satchel at my knees.

 

Then facing her, smiling with wicked intent, I unclamped her heavily jewel-laden necklace and let it slide down between her fear-perked breasts before reaching in deep and after a bit of fondling, finally fished out. I plopped it on top of her earrings, where it lay sparkling with intense fire.

 

I moved behind her, watching her watch me as I worked off her wide sparkling bracelets, dropping them onto the necklace, then I sucked off each of her rings, spitting them out into the growing pile inside the leather satchel. The last one, the big one I had admired, I left it in my mouth and looked at it in the mirror. My victim shuddered. I spit it out onto the glistening pile inside the satchel.

 

In the reflection of the mirror, I carefully watched her reaction, as I also watched my hands, snaking around feeling along her voluptuous bosom. I groped down along the pair of pert beauties, finally reaching down below her ample breasts, and unfastened the stunning brooch she had been so daringly wearing out, begging all evening to be stolen by any thief-minded observer.

 

And it was now mine!

 

I said as much to her, and she squirmed at my sneering words.

 

“Sweetie, you have probably no idea how much interest you generated amongst thieves like me when wearing a brooch like this out for an evening. I could barely pay attention to my dinner at the restaurant we were all at. I’m surprised you did not lose it earlier, but then, that’s my luck for tonight.”

 

I pocketed the brooch. This was too special to lose.

 

“Okay princess, now your precious crown..!”

 

I stood up and played with her hair, running my fingers through her silky locks I reached for her shimmering diamond-encrusted tiara and worked it out.

I placed it carefully in with the rest of my newly acquired jewelry collection.

 

Then I placed my head on top of her own and looking at her in the mirror pulled down her gag. I then said to my hapless prey.

“Let’s have the numbers to the safe pretty bird.”

 

She shook her head

“It’s empty. My jewels are still in the bank she pleaded.”

 

I cooed into her now naked ear.

“Liar, your eyes are a dead giveaway. “

 

I smiled at her reflection with a very pernicious look before continuing:

 

“But, even if your eyes were wrong, I’ll still be having a look won’t I now luv. I live to be looking at the insides of safes, empty or not. It’s a quirk of me own”

 

She shook her head no again.

 

I sighed. Redid her gag, picked up the delightfully 2/3rds full satchel carried it over to the safe.

 

Putting my ear against it and worked the tumblers. With the practice I had with the other flat’s safe, I had it opened in no time.

 

Inside was several healthy bundles of £ notes and five velvet-covered cases. I stuffed the notes into the satchel. Pulling out each case I opened them finding my eyes almost blinded by the assorted jewels they contained as the candle lite played over them. I would say that each case contained £75,000 worth of gems. A very nice haul.

 

As I emptied the last case I threw it on the blue satin cover of the king-sized bed and looked at my victim, thoroughly wilted down.

 

I said to her…

“What’s in there?”

 

Her eyes opened wide looking at the spot along the wall I was pointing to…

 

Chuckling I went to the double wardrobe I had been pointing to, and opened it, seeing a fine collection of my victim's clothing. Including gowns of every color and type of rich material. I looked them over, selecting a rather sleekly pretty one of blood-red satin with the diamond rhinestone trimmings that outlined the gown's bosom and waist, a design of the sort that always catches my eye.

 

Watching my hapless victim, I placed it against my figure as I looked at her, and then as I slid my fingers up and down its sensuously fine length, I admired myself in the mirror.

 

“Well my pretty one, it needs taking in, but I can make it work.”

 

I placed it gently inside the satchel, which I then closed up.

 

Then I thought pearls, they always have pearls?

Deviously I abruptly snapped out a question, though I suspected I knew the answer.

 

“Where are your pearls lady!”

 

She jumped at my sharp words, her eyes involuntarily dropping down to the shelves at the bottom of the wardrobe.

 

I knelt and began opening the shelves and once again found my fingers swimming through some rather luxurious silk and satin underthings.

 

Why these rich twit females think that places like their lingerie drawers make for an excellent place to hide their valuables will always be a mystery to me.

 

It was in the bottom drawer, underneath some long dress slips, where I found not one, but two cases that when opened I was pleased to see contained two sets of quite lovely pearls.

 

I held one necklace of pearls, a double strander, to my throat where it lay prettily down along my black satin dress just reaching my own delightfully perked naked breasts, and admired it in the mirror, seeing my victim slump down even more in despair.

 

I dropped the necklace into the satchel, quickly followed by the rest of the cases gleaming contents.

 

I then walked over with the satchel and standing above her lied to her reflection in the mirror...

 

“Okay pretty bird, lastly now, where’s the delicious evening purse I saw you with at the restaurant tonight?”

 

Wide-eyed she tried to tell me, words muffled by her gag, that she didn’t have it, forgotten it there hadn't she now.

 

I said to her, tweaking her chin:

“I believe you this time luv, ….Toodles..”

 

Then left her there, tied up in her bedroom.

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

I headed down the hall and peeked out the outside door to the corridor.

 

Seeing it was empty I went out, locking the door behind me.

 

Going to the flat of my first victim I tossed the key inside and left the door unlocked.

 

Sighing with relief, I headed out.

  

^^^^^^

 

As I leave the complex of posh flats I see a cab coming down the street.

 

I quickly move into the shadows.

 

The cab pulls to the curb, and not surprisingly, my victim’s husband exited the cab.

 

I stay hidden in the shadows as he hurries past me unseen.

 

As he went inside the door, I slip from the shadows and jump in the back of the very same cab he had just exited, startling the driver who was a tad bit reluctant to take on another fare, that was until I waved a £50 note in his face.

 

I let out a deep breath as we drove off.

 

I was on pinpricks for the whole drive, though it was less than 9 kilometers away.

 

I had the driver drop me off at the hotel across from the one I was staying at this week.

 

I went inside, snuck out a side door, and when the coast was clear, crossed the street and walked into my hotel.

 

In my room, I picked up my already packed bags( a precaution I always take before leaving my room in case of the need for a quick getaway ), put on my leather jacket, and headed down to the front desk.

 

For during the ride here in the cab I reasoned to myself that tonight it would be a good idea to promptly check out of my hotel and take the first early morning train to…anywhere far away.

 

Which is exactly what I did.

 

So, on a roll of the dice so to speak, I took the train to my next adventure.

 

Her next Adventure:

 

“A Nefariously Rotten Scoundrel”

 

Fini

 

Life has become so busy with travel and organizing a women's conference that I have not had much spare time. I have endevoured to keep up my comments on the great work of my friends. I hope you all have a profitable week

 

Explore 18th January 2009

Boynton Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 68,217 at the 2010 census. In 2019, the city had an estimated population of 78,679 according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Boynton Beach is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.

 

In 1894, two years before Henry Morrison Flagler built his railroad, a former American Civil War major named Nathan Boynton first set eyes on the area that now bears his name. Boynton hailed from Port Huron, Michigan. He was so impressed by the natural beauty of the year-round sunshine and pristine beaches, he built the famous Boynton Hotel, where he also spent winters with his family. The first settlers, whom Boynton had brought along from Michigan, soon realized that many fruits and vegetables thrived in the fertile climate. Pineapples, tomatoes, mangoes, and citrus fruit were packed in crates and shipped by the ton on the newly built Florida East Coast Railroad to satisfy the appetites of hungry Americans across the country. Major Boynton died on May 27, 1911 in Port Huron, but the hotel lasted until 1925.

 

Boynton Beach was founded on September 26, 1898 when Byrd Spilman Dewey and her husband Fred S. Dewey filed the original plat in the Dade County courthouse for the Town of Boynton. The town was incorporated in 1920 as the Town of Boynton. The name "Boynton Beach" was first used by a community that broke off from the Town of Boynton in 1931. In 1939, that community changed its name to "Ocean Ridge" while The Town of Boynton took the name "Boynton Beach" in 1941.

 

In 1926, the Seaboard Air Line Railway entered what was then simply Boynton, spurring land development a mile inland near the Seaboard station, including the town's first planned subdivision, Lake Boynton Estates. As land became more valuable, areas along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Federal Highway in Boynton also saw housing developments. To the west, many dairies were founded so that the Boynton area became the main milk supplier for Palm Beach County. By the 1970s, the dairies were no longer profitable and these lands too were converted to housing developments.

 

Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park is located just north of the original Boynton Hotel site. In 1921, the Town of Boynton acquired the beach site from Lewis S. Howe by eminent domain for park and recreation purposes. The beach casino was built in 1928 and featured a large dining hall, locker rooms and showers and residents used the casino for parties and social gatherings. The casino was demolished in 1967 and the property remained part of the beach park.

 

From the 1920s to today, Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park has been popular with residents and visitors alike. In the mid-1990s, the park underwent a major renovation during which the boardwalk was rebuilt out of recycled plastic. Boynton Beach's Oceanfront Park was voted the best family beach in Palm Beach County by The Palm Beach Post in 2001. In 2011 the boardwalk was renovated again, replacing the plastic with ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood (commonly known as Brazilian walnut). In 2012 improvements were made to the buildings along the boardwalk, including total refurbishment of the restrooms.

 

Hurricane Wilma struck Boynton Beach on October 24, 2005, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. In 2006, the city government authorized the demolition of the historic Seaboard rail station, which had survived intact in private hands since passenger service to the station halted in 1971.

 

Credit for the data above is given to the following website:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boynton_Beach,_Florida

 

© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.

  

The engine houses of Wheal Peevor near Redruth date from 1872 and are grade II listed. This engine house was part of the ore processing operation, driving the stamps (ore crushers).

 

The early 1870s was a time of unprecedented tin prices, known as 'The Great Tin Boom', so this was a period of rapid growth of tin production in Cornwall. As tin is heavier than copper, the tin lodes formed deeper in the ground, making them harder to reach. Many old copper mines had reached their depth limit several decades earlier and closed down. However, at this time of higher tin prices combined with better technology, many of these old sites could be reworked, and this is one such example.

 

While Wheal Peevor was profitable for a while, tin prices in the 19th century were volatile, and the mine closed in 1889.

Name: Medic

Title: “The Greedy, Shallow Healer”

Gender: Female

Species: “Doesn’t matter”

Race: “Where’s my money?”

Occupation: Medic

Prevailing Element: N/A

Alignment: True Neutral

Typical Tool(s): Skirts shields, mechanical arms, swap-out tools, replacement hand

MOC Status: Assembled.

  

Her actual name is Collete, but she doesn’t care enough to tell anyone, so she just prefers everyone to refer to her as Medic. A master healer who takes her work as not only being helpful, but profitable. She charges for her work regardless of who asks and will follow those who pay top dollar. However, if you happen to short-change her, she will become your enemy.

 

She was originally outfitted with small hand tools, but with time, started augmenting mechanical armaments to herself for quicker jobs. Going as far as to decapitate her own arm just to switch her tools more efficiently. She is also equipped with shields that can either be wielded by hand or by mind. They protect her back as she is repairing her clients and also act as a skirt.

 

If you actually get to know her personally, you’ll know that she doesn’t make a habit of giving herself rest. She works from job to job, sleeping only when it impedes her work. Collecting money for a reason that she is unaware of anymore. When she allows herself time to rest, she stays on speaking terms with her clients, stays friendly, and always talks about her significant other.

 

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness"

 

The missing parts represent those portions of scripture which believers tend to disregard. Paul clearly had a profound love and zeal for ALL of God's word. Do we?

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

 

A Kori Bustard takes an opportunity to scour the golden meadow alongside a herd of zebra. Zebra's will flush out some of the meadow's insects making the bustard's hunting a bit more profitable. Rarely does a day pass that time taken in the field to observe and photograph nature does not lead to a lesson learned. But some lessons learned are not always the most pleasant.

I recently learned of several photographers, who while in the company of other photographers saw fit to send the others off on a promise of finding a "golden goose." It was a golden goose that they claim to have photographed earlier in the day. They did so in order that they might have the present photographic opportunity all to themselves, and they did so with pleasure. In fact, the golden goose never existed at all, but it provided them with a means to an end. I never saw wildlife photography as a competition. Rarely do I enter my photos into competitions for that reason. My edification and enjoyment has little to do with the beauty of someone else's picture. I bring my photos home so that I may remember the events and share them with friends and nature lovers. I can enjoy an excellent photo by another photographer not feel slighted or cheated. I can applaud the accomplishments of others without feeling envy. Sending someone off on a wild goose chase or purposely disrupting a photo opportunity so that no one else "gets the shots" is, at the very least, unethical, likely immoral, and without a doubt, loathsome. We who enjoy nature know who you are. We are able to share the golden opportunities that nature provide with all who are willing to observe, respect, and enjoy. #respect #honor #truthnotlies

from December 1973 up until deregulation in October 1986, the Midland Red had the licensed monopoly on the majority of the former Wolverhampton Corporation/WMPTE bus routes that ran from Wolverhampton out into South Staffordshire and Shropshire.

 

I can't imagine that many of these routes were particularly profitable for the Midland Red, especially by the 1980s, when car ownership in rural areas had increased significantly.

 

Following de-regulation of the bus industry in 1986, these rural services required financial support from the County Councils to maintain them. Over time this financial support dwindled away, and with it the willingness of operators to tender for these poor paying routes.

 

In the case of the 886 group of services, initially Midland Red West took-over from Midland Red North in 1986, so for a while there was little change. Eventually though, the service frequency reduced despite other operators taking up the County Council tenders, until such time most of these services simply disappeared.

 

Operating a morning run from the rural enclaves of Trysull and Seisdon in Staffordshire, Midland Red, Leyland Leopard 201 is pictured at Merry Hill (Fiveways) on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. Having crossed the county boundary, the bus makes its first stop inside the West Midlands, but note that it is virtually empty.

 

Happily, the Midland Red could pick-up passengers once inside the WM boundary for the run into Wolverhampton. From memory, it was quite common for people to stand back from the bus stops when one of these buses appeared. When ever I saw a Midland Red bus turn up ahead of a West Midlands bus, I would often catch it for a fast comfortable ride to town.

 

As for 201, that ended up working for Chase Coaches in Chasetown, Staffordshire between 1987 and 1989, after which it was sold for scrap.

 

Photo - 5th March 1985.

On the recent art events that involve to some degree concept of invisibility.

 

Various artist do a one-shot attempt at the invisible concept. As a rule it happens one time in the given artist’s career. (Rest assured that nobody except Paul Jaisini had their life time spent in the Invisible creativity premises).

 

The Invisibility one-shooter artist would not continue in this direction to be repetitive or simple do the same gig unable to develop further as the original attempt failed to be profitable or even promising.

 

Affair of The Haunts of the Very Rich

 

St Valentines Day

 

I’ve often noticed that with the very wealthy, the majority of them that do bother to celebrate St Valentine's day, are primarily the youngest of couples that belong to this class.

 

Young wealthy and naive. My type of combination.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

I was staying at an upper-end hotel that Valentine’s Day weekend, treating myself after having a rather profitable New Year's weekend a few weeks prior.

 

I had been excited to learn there was a ballroom in the basement where a dance was being held later that week. But it was sold out. So I was left out of that opportunity.

 

But there were others.

 

Amongst which:

 

At a park, an older upper-class dressed lady was waking as she held a corgi in her arm. I stopped her and asked if I could pet the little darling. She said yes and as I stooped over to pet the pup with my right hand, my left was busy removing a diamond bracelet from around the cubby wrist holding the bratty animal.

 

While the next day, at the same park, my eyes caught the glitter of diamond studs, 4 Carets worth, being carelessly worn by a silk-clad mum watching her children play as she sat upon a park bench. I walked behind the bench and easily lifted the fat wallet from her designer leather bag. I then sat down on a bench ten meters away, watching her profile. Wondering how she ever was avoiding being mugged?

 

Then…

 

Midweek found me at a 5 Star Restaurant eating dinner, conspicuously alone amongst the tables filled with romantically in-love couples. Many of them are from obviously a privileged upbringing, which is the game I was after.

 

Being alone, the tuxedo-wearing man at the desk had not wanted me in, until I slipped the upturned nosed Maître d £40

He put on a money clip with an already healthy wad of notes. Sticking it into a deep side pocket of his long tux coat.

 

Soon I was escorted to a small side table next to the swinging doors of the prep kitchen. The smells that wafted out when the doors opened certainly whetted my appetite, in more ways than one.

 

I was wearing my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons. Underneath I was wearing my blue satin long-sleeved button-back blouse, paired with a long slick black leather skirt. My jewels were simple, consisting of diamond stud earrings and a diamond heart-shaped pendant.

 

I was hoping to make a score this evening, relieving some of the wealthy patrons eating here of a purse, wallet, watch jewellery, or a combination of these items.

  

For my meal, I ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu. The steak was very good, and the wine was even better. But my appetite was not quelled, for I was hungering after richer items, not on their menu.

 

I had my eye on a couple of tables. The love birds sitting at them had eyes only for each other, and not on purses or wallets, or other valuables they had on their very well-dressed persons.

 

A pair of violinists had been going around from table to table, collecting tips for their playing, or to stop them from playing, it was hard to tell.

 

They were now a pair at one of the tables I had been observing.

 

The couple that was sitting there was dressed in formal attire. He was wearing what I call a James Bond tux, his girl was poured in a short sequined dress with pearls. Her designer purse was hanging from the chair behind her, on top of a mink stole.

 

I placed my purse in a side pocket of my skirt, placed my satin jacket over an arm, and walked past the table, squeezing in between the violinists and the table behind. The violinists moved in, making the two at the table scrunch in closer.

 

As the couple at the table were moving their

chairs in, I circled behind, whisked by the lady’s chair, and easily lifted her small designer purse from the chair stowing it under my jacket.

 

I went to the loo and in a stall took out my purse and replaced it inside my pocket with the expensive one I had just lifted.

 

As I was washing up a pair of young ladies came in. One had a long velvet dress and wearing pearls. Her companion had on a short silk number that looked like it had been painted along her figure, it was that tight. Not tight was the flashy gemmed cocktail ring she wore on her left index finger. It was very loose.

 

The pair ignored me and began hugging and pawing each other with a lover’s passion. I sqoze by them, bumping silk into velvet. They giggled, I apologize, my fingers moved along the left hand that the bird wearing tight silk had wrapped behind velvet’s waist.

 

I pressed off against the pair, slipping off the loose gemstone ring from the wealthy bird’s left hand’s index finger as I did. Without the love-struck owner feeling so much as a prickle.

 

I went back to my table and downed the last of my Merlot.

 

Finishing my meal I left cash on the bill and stood up, looking around the room as I put on my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons.

 

No other easy opportunities were apparent, so I decided to leave while I was ahead.

 

I then spied the velvet and tight silk-wearing birds at a side table. They were with two men in fitted suits. I was very curious over what the relationships were exactly between the four. I could almost smell an opportunity of some sort, but I was already on my way out.

 

As I left I spied the snooty Maître d'hôtel (master of the house), as he was eyeballing a far too young chick sitting at a table with long legs, and next to nothing covering them.

 

I snuck up behind him as he was watching her, and coming up alongside asked:

“Whatcha looking at Luv?”

 

Startled, He jumped a mile. And as he jumped, my hand slipped into his side pocket and easily lifted his real gold money clip. Weighted down with folded bills of money extorted from his restaurant’s patrons.

 

I giggled at his red face, tweaking his “Hercules Poirot” styled mustache as I said in parting:

“Cheers, thanks for letting me in…”

 

Happy with myself, I stood in front of the restaurant. Pondering if I should find a vantage point to see where that table of four was eventually heading when they left, or just amble off. I decided to go for a long stroll.

 

About 30 minutes later, I was sitting on a park bench, lighting a cigarette with my gold lighter, the one engraved with the king's head that I had lifted off a fine gentleman at a New Year’s Eve party.

 

I began rummaging through the purse I had lifted. A real silver compact, matching lipstick holder, and a wad of £200 were amongst my haul. I also discover a pair of tickets to a St. Valentine's evening ball that very evening. The very one being held in my hotel’s basement, the one that was sold out.

 

I quickly packed up and headed straight to my hotel, across the street from the park where I was sitting. It took me twenty minutes to reach it by taking a path that cut through the woods in the park’s centre.

 

I happily then cut through the lobby, casting an eye on the stuffed shirt manager at the desk. And the open door behind him that had security stenciled across the window.

 

Taking the elevator up 2 floors I got off and went to where my room was located, purposefully selected because it was facing across from a stairwell. I let myself in and began to quickly change into a more formal blue satin gown, keeping on the same jewelry.

 

Once I was prim and proper, I left. Eagerly headed downstairs to the basement where the ball was in full swing.

 

I happily showed my pair of tickets to the hotel security guard at the entrance, telling him:

 

“When my date shows up, I’ll come and give him his ticket.”

 

He nodded, not bothering to look like he ruddy well cared.

 

It was a packed affair. Live music, dancing, a table with raffle bins, and appetizers. A stocked bar off on one side with a buy your own drinks sign, thank you.

 

I had indeed bought myself a cocktail and began meandering around.

 

I soon latched onto a couple of young sisters, 14 and 16.

 

They were wonderfully attired in darling designer dresses of gleaming taffeta, complete with matching sashes tied from behind in bows. Their parents obviously have enough disposable income to spend an extravagant amount on dresses their progeny will outgrow in a few months.

 

The pair of lovelies were wearing rhinestones, but the 16-year-old was also sporting a flower-shaped gold pin, set with real gems. An emerald centre with real diamonds as petals.

 

I admired their pretty attire, gaining their confidence. Learning that their rooms were on the top fifth floor of this very hotel, in what I could tell was a penthouse suite.

 

Soon I had them pointing out their parents. As they did I let my hand slip onto the older girl's shoulder, my fingers curling around her pin.

 

The mum was wearing a sleek silk dress, with no jewellry, their papa in a vested suit. As both girls chatted about how lovely their mum looked, I easily lifted the older girl's expensively gemmed pin off from her soft gown. I did this as I had begun causally stroking down along her gown’s smooth material while she was busy looking away as she chatted on about her parents.

 

It was then the younger sister like she had been reading my mind, casually mentioning the fact that their mum was not wearing the pretty jewelry she had brought with her.

 

The older sister was still watching her parents on the dance floor and hadn’t noticed her sibling's comment. My senses began prickling something wicked. I daringly asked her why not, as I watched the older one out of the corner of my eye.

 

The sweet young thing answered truthfully:

“Because she wore them last night to the ball.”

 

Still keeping an eye on this girl's older sister who appeared to still not have noticed what her sibling was talking about. I knelt in front of the younger sister and lifted her heavy rhinestone necklace, watching it sparkle. I asked, carefully choosing my words:

“Pretty, now your mums cannot be as pretty as this?”

 

She smiled, her eyes opening with doe-eyed innocence:

“They are, ever so. And she has lots, doesn’t she.”

 

Then she pouted:

“We’re not allowed to wear them though.”

 

I had let go of her necklace. Though I will admit I had thought of lifting it from her since I was noticing she was starting to dance a little like she needed to use the loo, which would have made it an easy task

 

Instead, I whispered truthfully in her ear, with wicked intentions in my mind….

“Well, I certainly think both you and your sister should be allowed.”

 

I then asked if she could…

” Hold my drink for a sec?”

 

The little imp did do, as I rummaged through my purse. Knowing the cold ice in the glass she was holding should increase her need to use the potty.

 

The dance was ending. I took back my drink, watching as their parents went back to their table. I pulled aside the still-distracted older sister and asked if I could be introduced to their parents.

 

They gleefully took me over and introductions were made. I complimented the parents on what delightfully charming girls they were raising.

 

We had a conversation about that. Where the girls went to school, that sort of thing.

 

The younger daughter’s prancing was becoming more noticeable and soon the mum took her lead and went off with both daughters to take care of the issue.

 

So far I had played my cards correctly and as they left I decided to try a trump by asking the father if he would care to dance.

 

He did not appear affronted at all by my boldness and led me off to the floor. As he took me in his arms I stumbled against him, easily slipping his billfold from his suit jacket's front pocket. I stowed it away in a hidden pocket of my blue satin gown.

 

It was then as we danced that I spotted them.

 

A young wealthy couple dancing cheek to cheek. I studied them over my partner's shoulder.

 

She was beyond resplendent in a long blood-red satin gown that poured sleekly down along her figure. She was wearing a display of diamonds that looked like Tiffany’s display case, set against a red satin backdrop. Her husband was in full tux, wearing a gold signet ring engraved with his family’s crest. A crest I knew, a family that was one of England's wealthiest.

 

She was a giggler, he appeared to have issues keeping his wife focused.

 

There was a couple I would love to have learned more about. But by lifting the father's wallet, I was already committed to a plan.

 

Oh well. I turned my attention back to the father, who was a charismatic charmer of a man.

 

The dance ended and I took my leave. Literally. As I made my way to the nearest exit.

 

I took the stairs to the first floor, intending to pay my bill ahead for an early checkout. Since I may be leaving in a hurry.

 

Going up to the lobby desk. I saw it was deserted. Then looking out the front doors I saw the manager and the security man standing there holding apart two men who had pretty obviously been brawling.

 

I looked back to the empty desk, then to the opened door to the security room.

 

On a daring whim, I slipped inside. Not knowing what I would find.

 

In the corner was a large vault, opened exposing rows of metal boxes that required a passkey. No master pass keys were visible. And I probably did not have the time. But my lord, one could just imagine the delicious darling jewels that lay inside them.

 

I then spotted a bagged security uniform and cap. Not wishing to come away empty-handed from my daring sneaking into the room, I snatched it up and carried it past the still-empty desk. Coast was still perfectly clear.

 

I darted through the stairwell door and scurried up to my room.

 

In the room I quickly undressed and tried on the uniform, thinking it may serve as an effective ruse. Tucking my long hair up under the cap and putting on dark sunglasses I looked myself over in the mirror.

 

Surprised at how official I looked.

 

Taking off the glasses I went to my gown and took out the wallet. Finding £525 in cash and amongst his cards his room’s passkey. I had guessed right.

 

So now with the security uniform in my possession, I could freely go and burgle the room, without waiting till the little family returned, and were all fast asleep.

 

Putting the sunglasses back on, I picked up my leather pouch and headed out my door to the staircase directly across.

 

There were 3 suites on the top 5th floor. I knocked at the first door. No answer. I tried the key, but it didn’t turn.

 

Repeated the same procedure with the suite door directly across. The key clicked the tumblers and the door opened.

 

Licking my lips I slipped inside.

 

I had my torch and put on the red-lighted beam to look around. Beautiful room. A larger living area complete with a full bar and kitchenette. Double doors led out onto a balcony. I wondered if I could reach the other penthouse suite's balconies from it and decided to check it out after I went through the bedrooms.

 

Eagerly I then went into the first one.

 

Obviously the young sister's room. I let my beam work the room. Finding a dressing table I went over to it. Laying out was a pair of necklaces, one gold and the other with fine Pearls. A gold bangle bracelet lay next to them, surrounded by a couple of gold rings. I scooped them up. Next to them were twin velvet cases. I opened them. but found both were empty. For the rhinestones they were wearing I guessed. Without thought, I placed them inside my pouch.

 

Quickly checking the drawers I found sets of satin pjs But nothing else of value was hidden underneath. They were both too young to be using that trick.

 

I turned and went out to the living area. I caught my reflection in the mirror above the bar and startled, I jumped.

 

Twit, I had forgotten I was wearing a security uniform.

 

Snickering to myself I entered the master bedroom.

 

My beam of light located the dressing table and I went right over. A small jewel case lay there. I went over and opened the case, my eyes saw the welcoming sight of gold, silver, and pearl jewelry. All of it was expensive. I placed the whole case in my pouch.

 

No diamonds.

 

I soon located the closet and opening it saw it held a tux, several gowns, and dresses all of a designer's make. I bent down and located the small wall safe.

 

Now for the moment of truth. Were the wealthy mum’s diamonds here? Or had they been placed in the hotel vault I had spotted in the security office?

 

Using my stethoscope, I spun the tumblers and had it opened in no time.

 

Inside, much to my relief lay several velvet jewel cases. I pulled out the first. Opened it and my eyes were dazzled by the diamond set jewels it contained.

 

It was then I heard laughter from what seemed to becoming right outside the penthouse suite’s door. I quickly placed the case containing diamonds in my pouch, scooping up the other cases without looking inside. Closed the safe and quickly slipped out of the room.

I went straight to the main doors’ peephole, still hearing the twittering laughter going on outside it.

 

Heart thumping I looked through the hole. Then my heart rate exhilarated, leaping up into my throat as the saying goes.

 

For the commotion was coming from across the hall. It was the couple I had been salivating over as I had danced with the father. The giggling lass wearing a blood-red satin gown and decked out with diamonds, and her wealthy heir of a husband. Both were totally pissed drunk.

 

Tuxboy had dropped his keys and couldn’t pick them up. His pretty bride’s profile was bent over him giggling, diamonds flashing as they swung out away from her fine bosom.

  

He finally picked up the keys. The two of them embraced kissing.

 

“Get inside the room. You pair .”

I murmured as a plan of action suddenly popped into my mind. An epiphany if I have ever had one.

 

They finally managed to open the door and practically fell inside.

 

I turned and quickly scanned the room with my torch’s red beam. I located the suites phone on the bar top

 

Going over I made a direct call to the penthouse room the couple had just disappeared inside.

 

The phone was picked up, and after a bit of fumbling a male’s s chuckling voice answers with a puzzled yes.

 

I began speaking with the sharp clipped words portrayed in movies by authority figures. I added an Irish lilt to my words to heighten the effect.

 

“Sir, now this is the front desk. It’s imperative that you come down to speak with security. Do not bring your wife, we do not want to alarm her.”

 

The drunk twit fell for it. Hanging up abruptly. I raced to the peephole. A short minute later he comes stumbling out and heads for the elevators.

 

As he disappears inside I went over and pushed all the buttons so it would come back up stopping at every floor.

 

Putting on my sunglasses I went to his room and knocked at his door.

 

“Security!”

 

His darling wife, still sporting all her delicious diamond Jewelry, cautiously opened the door.

 

“My husband just went down to see you?”

 

“Must have missed him, ma’am. But it’s important that I speak to you.”

 

She obediently opens the door and lets me in.

I surveyed the room. She was vulnerably alone.”

 

I looked at her, seeing her worriedly looking at me through the dark lenses of my mirrored sunglasses.

 

I spoke quickly using the same tone of voice I had used on her wealthy husband.

 

“Ma’am, several rooms have been robbed this evening. Your husband was told to bring any of your valuables to keep in the hotel's vault. “

 

She put a worried hand on her shimmering necklace.

“He..he didn’t say anything. “

 

I continued, not giving her foggy mind time to clear up.

“You don’t want to be robbed of them now do you miss? Here, you should let me take them down for you.”

 

I wasn’t a question and she nodded compliantly.

 

I reached in and pulled out one of the empty cases I had lifted from the daughter's room.

 

I held it open in front of her trying to keep from drooling over the exquisitely delicious jewellery . Was this gullible lady going to be this easily manipulated into just handing them over to me?

 

And Blimey, was she, ever so obediently going to do just that…

Beginning by reaching up behind her neck, rings, and bracelets flashing from her red satin gloves, her breasts bulging out like shiny mounds from underneath her tight blood-red satin gown.

 

Undoing the necklace’s clasp she removed it and laid it upon the case. Then reaching up into her long red hair, undid each of her dangling earrings and placed them on top. Raising each wrist she unfastened her bracelets and added them to the gleaming pile. Then slipped off her four heavily gemmed rings.

 

She took a step back, worried face told me she was buying into my scam.

 

“What about your brooch miss, not wanting the thief to get that now are you.”

 

She nodded, looking down and reaching in between her voluptuous breasts, plucked off the heavily jeweled broach.

 

Dumbfounded that I was now holding at least a cool ¾ of a million pounds in diamonds…

 

Yet, I still fished in for for more….

“Aye, that’s the girl. Now, anything else you need me to take to the safe.”

 

Again, it wasn’t a question.

 

She scrunched her nose in thought.

“Your right, thanks for reminding me”

 

With that, she turned, her gown swishing provocatively along her seductive figure as she disappeared inside her bedroom

 

Closing the case I stowed it inside my pouch. I moved to a side table and scooped up her plump, red sequined designer clutch purse and stashed it inside my pouch

 

Then stood by the door pondering wistfully over how I could con her into slipping out of and handing over that delicious red satin gown.

 

No clever ideas presented themselves as she reappeared, holding an upper-end Smythson blue velvet jewelry bag.

 

She explained, almost apologetically:

“My husband usually puts this in the closet safe at night. But I’m sure it will be more secure where you are taking it.”

 

Smiling as I took it while saying, and not exactly telling a fib,

“Thank you, I will make sure they are safe in my hands and apologize to your husband for the mix-up.”

 

She smiled back with relief in her eyes, then came up and hugged me. Saying in my ear…

 

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

 

Damn her luscious gown felt wonderfully nice, her warm figure even nicer as she pressed up against me.

 

Breaking apart I began telling her truthfully, as I looked her pretty gown-clad figure up and down.

“It is my pleasure. Love your gown by the way. Now miss, lock the door behind me. Though I’m sure your now safe from robberies.”

 

She was grinning at me, her eyes still a bit clouded with the drink as she stroked the front of her gown, fingers rolling along her fine breasts.

“Unless less the thief wants my gown, it’s all I have now of value to hand over.”

 

I certainly hesitated at that, almost like she had read my thoughts. Then smiling at her joke, left.

 

Avoiding the elevator, I quickly headed to the stairs leading down to my room.

 

As I went through the door onto the top landing of the metal staircase I abruptly halted.

 

I smelled him before seeing him. A strong, sour smell of whiskey intermingled with musk, warned me I was not alone in here.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I peeked over the stairs railing looking down.

 

On the second floor, landing staggered a man. So drunk that I could smell it two full floors above him.

 

The git was looking around behind him, trying hard to figure out what door he had heard opening.

 

He was dapper, dressed in a tux with tails and a formal top hat. A delectable gold watch chain shimmered around his waist.

 

I slowly went down the stairs, hoping he would move off. I didn’t want to get off at the 4th or 3rd floors, too many risks to take the elevator.

 

But, buggers if the man didn’t budge.

 

I reached the top of the stairs above where he stood, swaying, his gaze transfixed on the 2nd-floor door.

 

With a heavy sigh, I went down the stairs, coming up behind him, I tapped his shoulder.

 

He turned his head around. Then eyes opening wide he said…

 

Blimey. Wha..what’s this, your a female bobby. Didn’t know you came like that.”

 

He stood there, gobsmacked, trying to figure me out.

 

I just stayed in the character I had created for the damsel in distress upstairs. Using the same time of voice I told him…

“Sir you need to go to your room.”

 

The bugger shook his head, saying with a muttering tone…

“No officer lady, I’m drunk in “pubic”, ya need to be arresting me sorry ass. I think you should securely frisk me. Isn’t that what you lot do?”

 

I shook my head, then spied his leather billfold sticking up from his pocket. Fat with notes.

“Okay, face the wall and spread your legs and arms.

 

He turned and as he tried to do what I had told him, fell against the wall, emitting a low moan.

 

I then frisked him, patting him down. Easily lifting his wallet, gold watch, and room keycard as I did so. I saw it was number 22, around the corner from my room.

 

“Careful of the family jewels there. Missy. May need them later if you catch my drift…”

 

I think he was winking into the wall.

 

Turning He held up his hands.

“Cuff me, officer,”

 

I shook my head no.

“Sorry, sir I can’t do that I’m not an officer only security.”

I sighed

“But I will put you under house arrest In your room. Is this your floor?”

 

He tried to focus on the door

“Two. What a coincidence that’s where my room is.”

 

I opened the door and pulled him through.

 

“Room number 22 miss officer.”

 

I led him down the hallway, not an easy task as he kept slumping against the wall. Thankfully no one popped a head from any of the other rooms.

 

Finally, we reached room number 22

 

He chuckles.

“Thanks for the Lift. Care for a drinky?”

 

I handed him his key

 

He took it not questioning how I had it.

 

“You go in sir. Pour yourself one. I’m still on duty.”

 

This wanker wasn’t giving up

“When are you off Miss officer?”

 

“Just starting my shift, not off till morning. I’ll come and give you a wake-up call if you’d like.”

 

He smiled with a crooked smile only a true drunk can pull off, and saluted me, amazingly without putting out an eye.

 

“Toodles then!”

 

I was gone before he had closed his door.

 

I quickly went to my room back around the corner, thankfully meeting no one else in the hallway.

 

In my room, I changed out of my uniform into my leather skirt and satin blouse.

 

I took my pouch and suitcase, now holding the guards uniform, to my lotus sports car.

 

Then going back upstairs I grabbed my overnight case, and my dress bag and went downstairs.

 

A young girl wearing a heavy cream-coloured silk blouse and black skirt was at the front desk. The security guard's door was closed and I could see a pair of male shadows taking inside.

 

After telling the girl I wanted to check out I asked what all the excitement was about.

 

She excitedly explained that a couple of blokes had gotten into a fight out front. Police were called and hailed them away.

 

I smiled, happily thinking that my own shenanigans had not yet been discovered. The wealthy young twits upstairs had bought into my story, of that I was certain.

 

I was paying my bill when the phone rang. I listened in and heard her saying...

“What’s that? No sir, we don’t have female security?”

 

I kept a calm look on my face as my heart began thumping. I whispered under my breath.

“Come on luv, hand me my receipt..”

 

Still, on the phone the girl smiled at me and handed over my receipt, saying into the phone.

“What’s that sir, house arrest? Yes sir, well I’m sure you are no longer confined….”

 

Relieved, I took my receipt and headed straight out the front door without hearing the ending of the conversation.

Once outside I hailed a waiting cab.

 

I had him drop me off at the train station.

 

Arriving there, I locked up my belongings In one of the lobby pay-as-you-go lockers. Waiting inside for a good half hour I then left with a group just departing and caught a cab giving him the address of the hotel two blocks down from mine.

 

He dropped me off and I went through the lobby out the back way, then down a side alley till I reached the lot where my car was parked.

 

I got in and drove back to the train station, where I collected my things.

 

Once I was back in my car, I lit a cigarette, took a few relaxing puffs, then put my sports car in gear, purposefully driving off through the night, planning on putting as much distance as fast as I could risk it, between me and the city I was leaving.

 

Fini.

 

The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres (48 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos, further south in the west.

 

The island rests on an exposed ancient coral reef, rising to about 270 metres (890 ft) above sea level. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. Most habitation is in the western half of the island.

 

The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. West of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Gravel Bay, Flowers Bay and Pensacola on the south coast, and Sandy Bay, West End and West Bay on the north coast. To the east of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Mount Pleasant, French Harbour, Parrot Tree, Jonesville and Oakridge on the south coast, and Punta Gorda on the north coast.

 

The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 metres wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole are several cays, including Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.

 

Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship, scuba diving and eco-tourism destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. Roatán is located within 40 miles of La Ceiba. The island is served by the Juan Manuel Gálvez Roatán International Airport and the Galaxy Wave Ferry service twice a day.

 

The Indians of the Bay Islands are believed to have been related to either the Paya, the Maya, the Lenca or the Jicaque, which were the tribes present on the mainland. Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage (1502–1504) came to the islands as he visited the neighbouring Bay Island of Guanaja. Soon after, the Spanish began trading in the islands for slave labour. More devastating for the local Indians was exposure to Eurasian infectious diseases to which they had no immunity, such as smallpox and measles. No indigenous people survived the consequent epidemics

 

Throughout European colonial times, the Bay of Honduras attracted an array of individual settlers, pirates, traders and military forces. Various economic activities were engaged in and political struggles played out between the European powers, chiefly Britain and Spain. Sea travellers frequently stopped over at Roatán and the other islands as resting points. On several occasions, the islands were subject to military occupation. In contesting with the Spanish for colonisation of the Caribbean, the English occupied the Bay Islands on and off between 1550 and 1700. During this time, buccaneers found the vacated, mostly unprotected islands a haven for safe harbour and transport. English, French and Dutch pirates established settlements on the islands. They frequently raided the Spanish treasure ships, cargo vessels carrying gold and silver from the New World to Spain.

 

During the War of the Austrian Succession (King George's War in the US), a detachment of the British Army under Lt. Col John Caulfeild garrisoned the island from 1742 to 1749. The garrison was originally found from two companies of Gooch's Virginia Regiment, but these were eventually amalgamated into Trelawney's 49th Foot (later the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment).

 

In 1797, the British defeated the Black Carib, who had been supported by the French, in a battle for control of the Windward Caribbean island of St. Vincent. Weary of their resistance to British plans for sugar plantations, the British rounded up the St. Vincent Black Carib and deported them to Roatán. The majority of Black Carib migrated to Trujillo on mainland Honduras, but a portion remained to found the community of Punta Gorda on the northern coast of Roatán. The Black Carib, whose ancestry includes Arawak and African Maroons, remained in Punta Gorda, becoming the Bay Island's first permanent post-Columbian settlers. They also migrated from there to parts of the northern coast of Central America, becoming the foundation of the modern-day Garífuna culture in Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.

 

The majority permanent population of Roatán originated from the Cayman Islands near Jamaica. They arrived in the 1830s shortly after Britain's abolition of slavery in 1838. The changes in the labour system disrupted the economic structure of the Caymans. The islands had a largely seafaring culture; natives were familiar with the area from turtle fishing and other activities. Former slaveholders from the Cayman Islands were among the first to settle in the seaside locations throughout primarily western Roatán. During the late 1830s and 1840s, former slaves also migrated from the Cayman Islands, in larger number than planters. All together, the former Cayman peoples became the largest cultural group on the island.

For a brief period in the 1850s, Britain declared the Bay Islands its colony. Within a decade, the Crown ceded the territory formally back to Honduras. British colonists were sent to compete for control. They asked American William Walker, a freebooter (filibuster) with a private army, to help end the crisis in 1860 by invading Honduras; he was captured upon landing in Trujillo and executed there.

 

In the latter half of the 19th century, the island populations grew steadily and established new settlements all over Roatán and the other islands. Settlers came from all over the world and played a part in shaping the cultural face of the island. Islanders started a fruit trade industry which became profitable. By the 1870s it was purchased by American interests, most notably the New Orleans and Bay Islands Fruit Company. Later the Standard Fruit and United Fruit companies became the foundation for modern-day fruit companies, the industry which led to Honduras being called a "banana republic".

 

In the 20th century, there was continued population growth resulting in increased economic changes and environmental challenges. A population boom began with an influx of Spanish-speaking Mestizo migrants from the Honduran mainland. Since the late 20th century, they tripled the previous resident population. Mestizo migrants settled primarily in the urban areas of Coxen Hole and Barrio Los Fuertes (near French Harbour). Even the mainlander influx was dwarfed in number and economic effects by the overwhelming tourist presence in the 21st century. Numerous American, Canadian, British, New Zealander, Australian and South African settlers and entrepreneurs engaged chiefly in the fishing industry, and later, provided the foundation for attracting the tourist trade.

 

In 1998, Roatán suffered some damage from Hurricane Mitch, temporarily paralysing most commercial activity. The storm also broke up the popular dive-wrecks Aguila and Odyssey.

 

Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxen_Hole

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roatán

   

At the end of a long heat wave, people in Greenwich Park look north towards Canary Wharf and the gathering storm clouds. The park's grounds were still savaged by weeks of extreme heat and drought. I was surprised that the storm clouds had a purplish tinge which I understand might be due to the fact that the sun is low in the sky while there may be a high amount of particulates over the city, due to traffic population and also possibly to a number of recent grass fires.

 

Greenwich Park is just a short bus ride from where I live in London. It was not just the bleached grass that was shocking - many of the trees were already losing their leaves and younger trees looked seriously stressed. London and much of Europe have seen many weeks of extreme heat and drought.

 

The mainstream media reprimands individuals for wasting water, justifiably exhorting us to limit our showers, but all the while ignoring the highly profitable water companies which fail to invest in infrastructure, reservoirs or leakage prevention. The media also overlooks the devastating impact of large scale agribusiness, particularly livestock farming, which places an increasingly unsustainable demand on the planet's scarce water resources, as well as further inflating emissions and driving deforestation.

 

Meanwhile, corporate greed is accelerating the consumption of fossil fuels and water and turbocharging climate change. We need rain. We need more regulation. More action. We need to get to net zero asap and water management should not be in private hands. Water companies are siphoning off enormous profits from a vital public utility and failing to invest anything like what is needed.

 

The head of Thames Water (the same company which dumped raw sewage into rivers over 5000 times in 2021) is set to pocket £3 million as a 'golden hello' for signing on as CEO ,while in total the UK's water companies have handed an average of around £2 billion every year to their shareholders in dividends since they were privatised. If they were nationalised, those profits could instead have been invested to upgrade the infrastructure and mitigate the impact of climate change and have even provided extra funds to promote sustainable alternative energy sources.

 

www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/20/thames-water-...

 

www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/01/england-priva...

 

As Caroline Lucas writes in the Guardian (12.08.22) - ' (Drought) is a consequence of years of inaction on the climate emergency. This is producing a perfect storm of energy insecurity, food supply chaos and extreme weather that is wreaking havoc on society.'

 

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/12/drought-uk-...

 

This photo used in an interesting article by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists - linked below -

 

thebulletin.org/2022/09/this-summer-has-been-a-glimpse-in...

nrhp # 66000213- Bodie is a ghost town in the Bodie Hills east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County, California, United States, about 75 miles (121 km) southeast of Lake Tahoe. It became a boom town in 1876 and following years, after the discovery of a profitable line of gold, and suddenly attracted several thousand residents. It is located 12 mi (19 km) east-southeast of Bridgeport,[5] at an elevation of 8379 feet (2554 m).[1] The U.S. Department of the Interior recognizes the designated Bodie Historic District as a National Historic Landmark.

Also registered as a California Historical Landmark,[2] the ghost town officially was established as Bodie State Historic Park in 1962. It receives about 200,000 visitors yearly.

 

from Wikipedia

The success of The Avengers has shown Disney how profitable epic crossovers can be, so they decided to have all of their movie franchises lead up to one ultimate crossover! Over the course of the next Star Wars movies, Mickey Mouse comes to a galaxy far, far away and is soon turned to the Dark Side. He starts to construct a third Death Star (called the "Death Mouse") as well as a time-space portal in order to join forces with all the other Disney-owned villains and take over the whole universe! This forces all the Disney heroes to use the same portal to team up in order to stop this new mousey threat! And so, in the final movie of the series, everyone comes together in Darth Mickey's base and battle it out for the fate of the universe! It's the ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny! You've got characters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pixar, Indiana Jones, and Prince of Persia all fighting each other! Who will win?

 

My entry for the Future of Star Wars contest on Eurobricks, inspired by a certain Flash music video.

Affair of The Haunts of the Very Rich

 

St Valentines Day

 

I’ve often noticed that with the very wealthy, the majority of them that do bother to celebrate St Valentine's day, are primarily the youngest of couples that belong to this class.

 

Young wealthy and naive. My type of combination.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

I was staying at an upper-end hotel that Valentine’s Day weekend, treating myself after having a rather profitable New Year's weekend a few weeks prior.

 

I had been excited to learn there was a ballroom in the basement where a dance was being held later that week. But it was sold out. So I was left out of that opportunity.

 

But there were others.

 

Amongst which:

 

At a park, an older upper-class dressed lady was waking as she held a corgi in her arm. I stopped her and asked if I could pet the little darling. She said yes and as I stooped over to pet the pup with my right hand, my left was busy removing a diamond bracelet from around the cubby wrist holding the bratty animal.

 

While the next day, at the same park, my eyes caught the glitter of diamond studs, 4 Carets worth, being carelessly worn by a silk-clad mum watching her children play as she sat upon a park bench. I walked behind the bench and easily lifted the fat wallet from her designer leather bag. I then sat down on a bench ten meters away, watching her profile. Wondering how she ever was avoiding being mugged?

 

Then…

 

Midweek found me at a 5 Star Restaurant eating dinner, conspicuously alone amongst the tables filled with romantically in-love couples. Many of them are from obviously a privileged upbringing, which is the game I was after.

 

Being alone, the tuxedo-wearing man at the desk had not wanted me in, until I slipped the upturned nosed Maître d £40

He put on a money clip with an already healthy wad of notes. Sticking it into a deep side pocket of his long tux coat.

 

Soon I was escorted to a small side table next to the swinging doors of the prep kitchen. The smells that wafted out when the doors opened certainly whetted my appetite, in more ways than one.

 

I was wearing my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons. Underneath I was wearing my blue satin long-sleeved button-back blouse, paired with a long slick black leather skirt. My jewels were simple, consisting of diamond stud earrings and a diamond heart-shaped pendant.

 

I was hoping to make a score this evening, relieving some of the wealthy patrons eating here of a purse, wallet, watch jewellery, or a combination of these items.

  

For my meal, I ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu. The steak was very good, and the wine was even better. But my appetite was not quelled, for I was hungering after richer items, not on their menu.

 

I had my eye on a couple of tables. The love birds sitting at them had eyes only for each other, and not on purses or wallets, or other valuables they had on their very well-dressed persons.

 

A pair of violinists had been going around from table to table, collecting tips for their playing, or to stop them from playing, it was hard to tell.

 

They were now a pair at one of the tables I had been observing.

 

The couple that was sitting there was dressed in formal attire. He was wearing what I call a James Bond tux, his girl was poured in a short sequined dress with pearls. Her designer purse was hanging from the chair behind her, on top of a mink stole.

 

I placed my purse in a side pocket of my skirt, placed my satin jacket over an arm, and walked past the table, squeezing in between the violinists and the table behind. The violinists moved in, making the two at the table scrunch in closer.

 

As the couple at the table were moving their

chairs in, I circled behind, whisked by the lady’s chair, and easily lifted her small designer purse from the chair stowing it under my jacket.

 

I went to the loo and in a stall took out my purse and replaced it inside my pocket with the expensive one I had just lifted.

 

As I was washing up a pair of young ladies came in. One had a long velvet dress and wearing pearls. Her companion had on a short silk number that looked like it had been painted along her figure, it was that tight. Not tight was the flashy gemmed cocktail ring she wore on her left index finger. It was very loose.

 

The pair ignored me and began hugging and pawing each other with a lover’s passion. I sqoze by them, bumping silk into velvet. They giggled, I apologize, my fingers moved along the left hand that the bird wearing tight silk had wrapped behind velvet’s waist.

 

I pressed off against the pair, slipping off the loose gemstone ring from the wealthy bird’s left hand’s index finger as I did. Without the love-struck owner feeling so much as a prickle.

 

I went back to my table and downed the last of my Merlot.

 

Finishing my meal I left cash on the bill and stood up, looking around the room as I put on my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons.

 

No other easy opportunities were apparent, so I decided to leave while I was ahead.

 

I then spied the velvet and tight silk-wearing birds at a side table. They were with two men in fitted suits. I was very curious over what the relationships were exactly between the four. I could almost smell an opportunity of some sort, but I was already on my way out.

 

As I left I spied the snooty Maître d'hôtel (master of the house), as he was eyeballing a far too young chick sitting at a table with long legs, and next to nothing covering them.

 

I snuck up behind him as he was watching her, and coming up alongside asked:

“Whatcha looking at Luv?”

 

Startled, He jumped a mile. And as he jumped, my hand slipped into his side pocket and easily lifted his real gold money clip. Weighted down with folded bills of money extorted from his restaurant’s patrons.

 

I giggled at his red face, tweaking his “Hercules Poirot” styled mustache as I said in parting:

“Cheers, thanks for letting me in…”

 

Happy with myself, I stood in front of the restaurant. Pondering if I should find a vantage point to see where that table of four was eventually heading when they left, or just amble off. I decided to go for a long stroll.

 

About 30 minutes later, I was sitting on a park bench, lighting a cigarette with my gold lighter, the one engraved with the king's head that I had lifted off a fine gentleman at a New Year’s Eve party.

 

I began rummaging through the purse I had lifted. A real silver compact, matching lipstick holder, and a wad of £200 were amongst my haul. I also discover a pair of tickets to a St. Valentine's evening ball that very evening. The very one being held in my hotel’s basement, the one that was sold out.

 

I quickly packed up and headed straight to my hotel, across the street from the park where I was sitting. It took me twenty minutes to reach it by taking a path that cut through the woods in the park’s centre.

 

I happily then cut through the lobby, casting an eye on the stuffed shirt manager at the desk. And the open door behind him that had security stenciled across the window.

 

Taking the elevator up 2 floors I got off and went to where my room was located, purposefully selected because it was facing across from a stairwell. I let myself in and began to quickly change into a more formal blue satin gown, keeping on the same jewelry.

 

Once I was prim and proper, I left. Eagerly headed downstairs to the basement where the ball was in full swing.

 

I happily showed my pair of tickets to the hotel security guard at the entrance, telling him:

 

“When my date shows up, I’ll come and give him his ticket.”

 

He nodded, not bothering to look like he ruddy well cared.

 

It was a packed affair. Live music, dancing, a table with raffle bins, and appetizers. A stocked bar off on one side with a buy your own drinks sign, thank you.

 

I had indeed bought myself a cocktail and began meandering around.

 

I soon latched onto a couple of young sisters, 14 and 16.

 

They were wonderfully attired in darling designer dresses of gleaming taffeta, complete with matching sashes tied from behind in bows. Their parents obviously have enough disposable income to spend an extravagant amount on dresses their progeny will outgrow in a few months.

 

The pair of lovelies were wearing rhinestones, but the 16-year-old was also sporting a flower-shaped gold pin, set with real gems. An emerald centre with real diamonds as petals.

 

I admired their pretty attire, gaining their confidence. Learning that their rooms were on the top fifth floor of this very hotel, in what I could tell was a penthouse suite.

 

Soon I had them pointing out their parents. As they did I let my hand slip onto the older girl's shoulder, my fingers curling around her pin.

 

The mum was wearing a sleek silk dress, with no jewellry, their papa in a vested suit. As both girls chatted about how lovely their mum looked, I easily lifted the older girl's expensively gemmed pin off from her soft gown. I did this as I had begun causally stroking down along her gown’s smooth material while she was busy looking away as she chatted on about her parents.

 

It was then the younger sister like she had been reading my mind, casually mentioning the fact that their mum was not wearing the pretty jewelry she had brought with her.

 

The older sister was still watching her parents on the dance floor and hadn’t noticed her sibling's comment. My senses began prickling something wicked. I daringly asked her why not, as I watched the older one out of the corner of my eye.

 

The sweet young thing answered truthfully:

“Because she wore them last night to the ball.”

 

Still keeping an eye on this girl's older sister who appeared to still not have noticed what her sibling was talking about. I knelt in front of the younger sister and lifted her heavy rhinestone necklace, watching it sparkle. I asked, carefully choosing my words:

“Pretty, now your mums cannot be as pretty as this?”

 

She smiled, her eyes opening with doe-eyed innocence:

“They are, ever so. And she has lots, doesn’t she.”

 

Then she pouted:

“We’re not allowed to wear them though.”

 

I had let go of her necklace. Though I will admit I had thought of lifting it from her since I was noticing she was starting to dance a little like she needed to use the loo, which would have made it an easy task

 

Instead, I whispered truthfully in her ear, with wicked intentions in my mind….

“Well, I certainly think both you and your sister should be allowed.”

 

I then asked if she could…

” Hold my drink for a sec?”

 

The little imp did do, as I rummaged through my purse. Knowing the cold ice in the glass she was holding should increase her need to use the potty.

 

The dance was ending. I took back my drink, watching as their parents went back to their table. I pulled aside the still-distracted older sister and asked if I could be introduced to their parents.

 

They gleefully took me over and introductions were made. I complimented the parents on what delightfully charming girls they were raising.

 

We had a conversation about that. Where the girls went to school, that sort of thing.

 

The younger daughter’s prancing was becoming more noticeable and soon the mum took her lead and went off with both daughters to take care of the issue.

 

So far I had played my cards correctly and as they left I decided to try a trump by asking the father if he would care to dance.

 

He did not appear affronted at all by my boldness and led me off to the floor. As he took me in his arms I stumbled against him, easily slipping his billfold from his suit jacket's front pocket. I stowed it away in a hidden pocket of my blue satin gown.

 

It was then as we danced that I spotted them.

 

A young wealthy couple dancing cheek to cheek. I studied them over my partner's shoulder.

 

She was beyond resplendent in a long blood-red satin gown that poured sleekly down along her figure. She was wearing a display of diamonds that looked like Tiffany’s display case, set against a red satin backdrop. Her husband was in full tux, wearing a gold signet ring engraved with his family’s crest. A crest I knew, a family that was one of England's wealthiest.

 

She was a giggler, he appeared to have issues keeping his wife focused.

 

There was a couple I would love to have learned more about. But by lifting the father's wallet, I was already committed to a plan.

 

Oh well. I turned my attention back to the father, who was a charismatic charmer of a man.

 

The dance ended and I took my leave. Literally. As I made my way to the nearest exit.

 

I took the stairs to the first floor, intending to pay my bill ahead for an early checkout. Since I may be leaving in a hurry.

 

Going up to the lobby desk. I saw it was deserted. Then looking out the front doors I saw the manager and the security man standing there holding apart two men who had pretty obviously been brawling.

 

I looked back to the empty desk, then to the opened door to the security room.

 

On a daring whim, I slipped inside. Not knowing what I would find.

 

In the corner was a large vault, opened exposing rows of metal boxes that required a passkey. No master pass keys were visible. And I probably did not have the time. But my lord, one could just imagine the delicious darling jewels that lay inside them.

 

I then spotted a bagged security uniform and cap. Not wishing to come away empty-handed from my daring sneaking into the room, I snatched it up and carried it past the still-empty desk. Coast was still perfectly clear.

 

I darted through the stairwell door and scurried up to my room.

 

In the room I quickly undressed and tried on the uniform, thinking it may serve as an effective ruse. Tucking my long hair up under the cap and putting on dark sunglasses I looked myself over in the mirror.

 

Surprised at how official I looked.

 

Taking off the glasses I went to my gown and took out the wallet. Finding £525 in cash and amongst his cards his room’s passkey. I had guessed right.

 

So now with the security uniform in my possession, I could freely go and burgle the room, without waiting till the little family returned, and were all fast asleep.

 

Putting the sunglasses back on, I picked up my leather pouch and headed out my door to the staircase directly across.

 

There were 3 suites on the top 5th floor. I knocked at the first door. No answer. I tried the key, but it didn’t turn.

 

Repeated the same procedure with the suite door directly across. The key clicked the tumblers and the door opened.

 

Licking my lips I slipped inside.

 

I had my torch and put on the red-lighted beam to look around. Beautiful room. A larger living area complete with a full bar and kitchenette. Double doors led out onto a balcony. I wondered if I could reach the other penthouse suite's balconies from it and decided to check it out after I went through the bedrooms.

 

Eagerly I then went into the first one.

 

Obviously the young sister's room. I let my beam work the room. Finding a dressing table I went over to it. Laying out was a pair of necklaces, one gold and the other with fine Pearls. A gold bangle bracelet lay next to them, surrounded by a couple of gold rings. I scooped them up. Next to them were twin velvet cases. I opened them. but found both were empty. For the rhinestones they were wearing I guessed. Without thought, I placed them inside my pouch.

 

Quickly checking the drawers I found sets of satin pjs But nothing else of value was hidden underneath. They were both too young to be using that trick.

 

I turned and went out to the living area. I caught my reflection in the mirror above the bar and startled, I jumped.

 

Twit, I had forgotten I was wearing a security uniform.

 

Snickering to myself I entered the master bedroom.

 

My beam of light located the dressing table and I went right over. A small jewel case lay there. I went over and opened the case, my eyes saw the welcoming sight of gold, silver, and pearl jewelry. All of it was expensive. I placed the whole case in my pouch.

 

No diamonds.

 

I soon located the closet and opening it saw it held a tux, several gowns, and dresses all of a designer's make. I bent down and located the small wall safe.

 

Now for the moment of truth. Were the wealthy mum’s diamonds here? Or had they been placed in the hotel vault I had spotted in the security office?

 

Using my stethoscope, I spun the tumblers and had it opened in no time.

 

Inside, much to my relief lay several velvet jewel cases. I pulled out the first. Opened it and my eyes were dazzled by the diamond set jewels it contained.

 

It was then I heard laughter from what seemed to becoming right outside the penthouse suite’s door. I quickly placed the case containing diamonds in my pouch, scooping up the other cases without looking inside. Closed the safe and quickly slipped out of the room.

I went straight to the main doors’ peephole, still hearing the twittering laughter going on outside it.

 

Heart thumping I looked through the hole. Then my heart rate exhilarated, leaping up into my throat as the saying goes.

 

For the commotion was coming from across the hall. It was the couple I had been salivating over as I had danced with the father. The giggling lass wearing a blood-red satin gown and decked out with diamonds, and her wealthy heir of a husband. Both were totally pissed drunk.

 

Tuxboy had dropped his keys and couldn’t pick them up. His pretty bride’s profile was bent over him giggling, diamonds flashing as they swung out away from her fine bosom.

  

He finally picked up the keys. The two of them embraced kissing.

 

“Get inside the room. You pair .”

I murmured as a plan of action suddenly popped into my mind. An epiphany if I have ever had one.

 

They finally managed to open the door and practically fell inside.

 

I turned and quickly scanned the room with my torch’s red beam. I located the suites phone on the bar top

 

Going over I made a direct call to the penthouse room the couple had just disappeared inside.

 

The phone was picked up, and after a bit of fumbling a male’s s chuckling voice answers with a puzzled yes.

 

I began speaking with the sharp clipped words portrayed in movies by authority figures. I added an Irish lilt to my words to heighten the effect.

 

“Sir, now this is the front desk. It’s imperative that you come down to speak with security. Do not bring your wife, we do not want to alarm her.”

 

The drunk twit fell for it. Hanging up abruptly. I raced to the peephole. A short minute later he comes stumbling out and heads for the elevators.

 

As he disappears inside I went over and pushed all the buttons so it would come back up stopping at every floor.

 

Putting on my sunglasses I went to his room and knocked at his door.

 

“Security!”

 

His darling wife, still sporting all her delicious diamond Jewelry, cautiously opened the door.

 

“My husband just went down to see you?”

 

“Must have missed him, ma’am. But it’s important that I speak to you.”

 

She obediently opens the door and lets me in.

I surveyed the room. She was vulnerably alone.”

 

I looked at her, seeing her worriedly looking at me through the dark lenses of my mirrored sunglasses.

 

I spoke quickly using the same tone of voice I had used on her wealthy husband.

 

“Ma’am, several rooms have been robbed this evening. Your husband was told to bring any of your valuables to keep in the hotel's vault. “

 

She put a worried hand on her shimmering necklace.

“He..he didn’t say anything. “

 

I continued, not giving her foggy mind time to clear up.

“You don’t want to be robbed of them now do you miss? Here, you should let me take them down for you.”

 

I wasn’t a question and she nodded compliantly.

 

I reached in and pulled out one of the empty cases I had lifted from the daughter's room.

 

I held it open in front of her trying to keep from drooling over the exquisitely delicious jewellery . Was this gullible lady going to be this easily manipulated into just handing them over to me?

 

And Blimey, was she, ever so obediently going to do just that…

Beginning by reaching up behind her neck, rings, and bracelets flashing from her red satin gloves, her breasts bulging out like shiny mounds from underneath her tight blood-red satin gown.

 

Undoing the necklace’s clasp she removed it and laid it upon the case. Then reaching up into her long red hair, undid each of her dangling earrings and placed them on top. Raising each wrist she unfastened her bracelets and added them to the gleaming pile. Then slipped off her four heavily gemmed rings.

 

She took a step back, worried face told me she was buying into my scam.

 

“What about your brooch miss, not wanting the thief to get that now are you.”

 

She nodded, looking down and reaching in between her voluptuous breasts, plucked off the heavily jeweled broach.

 

Dumbfounded that I was now holding at least a cool ¾ of a million pounds in diamonds…

 

Yet, I still fished in for for more….

“Aye, that’s the girl. Now, anything else you need me to take to the safe.”

 

Again, it wasn’t a question.

 

She scrunched her nose in thought.

“Your right, thanks for reminding me”

 

With that, she turned, her gown swishing provocatively along her seductive figure as she disappeared inside her bedroom

 

Closing the case I stowed it inside my pouch. I moved to a side table and scooped up her plump, red sequined designer clutch purse and stashed it inside my pouch

 

Then stood by the door pondering wistfully over how I could con her into slipping out of and handing over that delicious red satin gown.

 

No clever ideas presented themselves as she reappeared, holding an upper-end Smythson blue velvet jewelry bag.

 

She explained, almost apologetically:

“My husband usually puts this in the closet safe at night. But I’m sure it will be more secure where you are taking it.”

 

Smiling as I took it while saying, and not exactly telling a fib,

“Thank you, I will make sure they are safe in my hands and apologize to your husband for the mix-up.”

 

She smiled back with relief in her eyes, then came up and hugged me. Saying in my ear…

 

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

 

Damn her luscious gown felt wonderfully nice, her warm figure even nicer as she pressed up against me.

 

Breaking apart I began telling her truthfully, as I looked her pretty gown-clad figure up and down.

“It is my pleasure. Love your gown by the way. Now miss, lock the door behind me. Though I’m sure your now safe from robberies.”

 

She was grinning at me, her eyes still a bit clouded with the drink as she stroked the front of her gown, fingers rolling along her fine breasts.

“Unless less the thief wants my gown, it’s all I have now of value to hand over.”

 

I certainly hesitated at that, almost like she had read my thoughts. Then smiling at her joke, left.

 

Avoiding the elevator, I quickly headed to the stairs leading down to my room.

 

As I went through the door onto the top landing of the metal staircase I abruptly halted.

 

I smelled him before seeing him. A strong, sour smell of whiskey intermingled with musk, warned me I was not alone in here.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I peeked over the stairs railing looking down.

 

On the second floor, landing staggered a man. So drunk that I could smell it two full floors above him.

 

The git was looking around behind him, trying hard to figure out what door he had heard opening.

 

He was dapper, dressed in a tux with tails and a formal top hat. A delectable gold watch chain shimmered around his waist.

 

I slowly went down the stairs, hoping he would move off. I didn’t want to get off at the 4th or 3rd floors, too many risks to take the elevator.

 

But, buggers if the man didn’t budge.

 

I reached the top of the stairs above where he stood, swaying, his gaze transfixed on the 2nd-floor door.

 

With a heavy sigh, I went down the stairs, coming up behind him, I tapped his shoulder.

 

He turned his head around. Then eyes opening wide he said…

 

Blimey. Wha..what’s this, your a female bobby. Didn’t know you came like that.”

 

He stood there, gobsmacked, trying to figure me out.

 

I just stayed in the character I had created for the damsel in distress upstairs. Using the same time of voice I told him…

“Sir you need to go to your room.”

 

The bugger shook his head, saying with a muttering tone…

“No officer lady, I’m drunk in “pubic”, ya need to be arresting me sorry ass. I think you should securely frisk me. Isn’t that what you lot do?”

 

I shook my head, then spied his leather billfold sticking up from his pocket. Fat with notes.

“Okay, face the wall and spread your legs and arms.

 

He turned and as he tried to do what I had told him, fell against the wall, emitting a low moan.

 

I then frisked him, patting him down. Easily lifting his wallet, gold watch, and room keycard as I did so. I saw it was number 22, around the corner from my room.

 

“Careful of the family jewels there. Missy. May need them later if you catch my drift…”

 

I think he was winking into the wall.

 

Turning He held up his hands.

“Cuff me, officer,”

 

I shook my head no.

“Sorry, sir I can’t do that I’m not an officer only security.”

I sighed

“But I will put you under house arrest In your room. Is this your floor?”

 

He tried to focus on the door

“Two. What a coincidence that’s where my room is.”

 

I opened the door and pulled him through.

 

“Room number 22 miss officer.”

 

I led him down the hallway, not an easy task as he kept slumping against the wall. Thankfully no one popped a head from any of the other rooms.

 

Finally, we reached room number 22

 

He chuckles.

“Thanks for the Lift. Care for a drinky?”

 

I handed him his key

 

He took it not questioning how I had it.

 

“You go in sir. Pour yourself one. I’m still on duty.”

 

This wanker wasn’t giving up

“When are you off Miss officer?”

 

“Just starting my shift, not off till morning. I’ll come and give you a wake-up call if you’d like.”

 

He smiled with a crooked smile only a true drunk can pull off, and saluted me, amazingly without putting out an eye.

 

“Toodles then!”

 

I was gone before he had closed his door.

 

I quickly went to my room back around the corner, thankfully meeting no one else in the hallway.

 

In my room, I changed out of my uniform into my leather skirt and satin blouse.

 

I took my pouch and suitcase, now holding the guards uniform, to my lotus sports car.

 

Then going back upstairs I grabbed my overnight case, and my dress bag and went downstairs.

 

A young girl wearing a heavy cream-coloured silk blouse and black skirt was at the front desk. The security guard's door was closed and I could see a pair of male shadows taking inside.

 

After telling the girl I wanted to check out I asked what all the excitement was about.

 

She excitedly explained that a couple of blokes had gotten into a fight out front. Police were called and hailed them away.

 

I smiled, happily thinking that my own shenanigans had not yet been discovered. The wealthy young twits upstairs had bought into my story, of that I was certain.

 

I was paying my bill when the phone rang. I listened in and heard her saying...

“What’s that? No sir, we don’t have female security?”

 

I kept a calm look on my face as my heart began thumping. I whispered under my breath.

“Come on luv, hand me my receipt..”

 

Still, on the phone the girl smiled at me and handed over my receipt, saying into the phone.

“What’s that sir, house arrest? Yes sir, well I’m sure you are no longer confined….”

 

Relieved, I took my receipt and headed straight out the front door without hearing the ending of the conversation.

Once outside I hailed a waiting cab.

 

I had him drop me off at the train station.

 

Arriving there, I locked up my belongings In one of the lobby pay-as-you-go lockers. Waiting inside for a good half hour I then left with a group just departing and caught a cab giving him the address of the hotel two blocks down from mine.

 

He dropped me off and I went through the lobby out the back way, then down a side alley till I reached the lot where my car was parked.

 

I got in and drove back to the train station, where I collected my things.

 

Once I was back in my car, I lit a cigarette, took a few relaxing puffs, then put my sports car in gear, purposefully driving off through the night, planning on putting as much distance as fast as I could risk it, between me and the city I was leaving.

 

Fini.

  

849 was new to Lothian Buses in 2007 as 849, and was given the registration SN57 DEU.

She is seen here at Marine with a depot destination screen.

 

Buses in the depot get random destination screens for some reason, great for enthusiasts but not for one travelling to Clermiston from Marine! ;)

 

I do think they should just use Not in Service but it's nice to see a different destination screen for once!

 

These buses are based at Musselburgh Depot. This depot amongst others was owned by First Scotland East, part of the First Group until they decided to leave East Lothian in 2016 due to "it not being profitable."

 

A total of 10 buses were repainted into the "Lothian Motorcoaches" livery in 2018, for Private Hires, which in hand made the capacity for more sales when all of the coaches were rented out, (which was VERY unlikely and ended up not getting used often.)

 

In turn, they were mainly used for getting people from the Firth of Forth to the capital.

 

Their interiors also had an extensive refurb including the introduction of a grey interior to fit the more modern "Lothian Style" including Lothian Motorcoaches seats.

 

They were also given private plates with the MXZ 17XX format. MXZ 1759 is seen here.

 

3 of the 10 of this batch of buses were given the "Lothian Country" standard livery at the time in 2020 during the "Special Covid Network" to boost capacity for passengers to socially distance, along with the other 7 vehicles subsequently joining them.

 

In November 2021, Lothian Buses announced that East Coast Buses and Lothian Country were given a revised livery, the same livery but different vinyl branding so they could switch buses easier with just a vinyl change at Seafield Works.

 

The hook was removed from the Lothian Buses, affecting this livery, this all happened in 2020, where the hook was applied differently each time for each bus to save materials.

 

This in turn left enthusiasts wondering if these buses would get a new livery, and in May 2022, It was uncovered that they would indeed get the new livery.

 

Would receive the livery, and have since entered service. Since then 2 more buses have been sent for a new livery, meaning that only 3 buses as of 3rd June 2022, Only 3 buses have the "Lothian Motorcoaches" livery, 3 buses have the old "Lothian Country" livery and 4 buses will eventually have the new joint "East Coast Buses and Lothian Country" livery.

 

I will kindly ask for you to follow me if you'd like to see new additions to the Lothian Fleet and for me to get as many buses as possible. It is so you understand things without me having to link them.

 

849, MXZ 1759 (SN57 DEU)

Body: Wright Eclipse Gemini

Chassis: Volvo B9TL

Engine: Volvo D9B

Gearbox: Voith DIWA

Power Output: 310hp

Destinations: Hanover Displays

 

08.04.2021 Tomaszów Mazowiecki

[PL]

Rozpoczęcie produkcji lokomotyw ze spalinowymi silnikami dojazdowymi usprawniło transport kolejowy i sprawiło, że stał się on bardziej opłacalny. Widoczna na zdjęciu gama została wyposażona w taki silnik, dzięki czemu wagony zostały podstawione na niezelektryfikowany tor obok rampy, bez zmiany lokomotywy.

[EN]

The commencement of production of locomotives with internal combustion engines improved rail transport and made it more profitable. The gama locomotive shown in the photo was equipped with such an engine, thanks to which the wagons were placed on a non-electrified track next to the ramp, without changing the locomotive.

The compact disc was introduced in 1982 and became in 1988 the most popular audio format. CD sales continued to grow until they peaked in 2002.

 

In 2003 CD sales began to decline and have been rapidly falling ever since. By 2017, CD sales had reached the same level as 1985!

 

Digital streaming has made it easy to instantly enjoy new music from around the world. It’s fast. It’s convenient. It’s one of the best ways for artists to get their music discovered.

 

But it’s unfortunately not really profitable.

 

2021 marked the first increase in new CD sales in 17 years! Artists have embraced CDs as a physical representation of their music, drawing in new collectors and fans. CDs have experienced a remarkable comeback, reaffirming their position as a timeless and treasured format in the music industry.

The Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is a public park in the German city of Duisburg. The centrepiece of the park is the ruins of a blast furnace complex that was shut down in 1985.

 

The blast furnace complex was built in 1902 by the "Rheinische Stahlwerke zu Meiderich bei Ruhrort" and was later taken over by the Thyssen Group. It was badly damaged during the Second World War, but was rebuilt in the 1950s. In 1985, the blast furnaces of the complex had become too small to be profitable and the complex was closed. Between 1991 and 2002, the site was developed as a public park.

Laminatka 240026 approaching Stahlavy with the daily trip freight from Plzen with a lovely consist of box wagons. Highlighting the wagonload nature of the state owned CD Cargo freight operation, immediately behind the loco is a 4-wheel box wagon.

 

The rise of the private carriers and cherry picking of the profitable flows - as with other countries including the UK - is starving the state owned operator of this more profitable traffic which subsidises the less profitable wagonload traffic. There will no doubt come a point when it is deemed uneconomical to run and scenes such as this will become a thing of the past.

Lifting light vague

 

-This tale is a fairly reasonably accurate description of a true event that occurred during a Welsh wedding reception some time ago...

 

-Mention must be made that the expensive looking attire worn by this particular young lady may have helped falsely enhance her jewelry’s appeal as a tempting target.

 

-Regardless of whether the nicking had been done to tease, or for a hoped for profit !

 

-Which leads us to the story below: the tone of which is deliberately ambiguous.

 

It is a retelling: either from the viewpoint of one sibling playing a trick upon another sibling, or the viewpoint of a scoundrel who seeks out profitable opportunities at fancy dress- up affairs.

 

It is for you, the reader, to guess out....

  

Title :

 

Perils of a Living Doll

  

She was certainly that, a living doll, scurrying about in her fluidly flowing,shiny in the lights, fancy party attire:

 

An eye catching ensemble made up of a rather glistening emerald green button up back thicke satin blouse with a high ruffled neckline with long sleeves ending in matching ruffles. A long flowing pleated black satin skirt quite nicely completed the darling ensemble.

 

But very few dolls ever wore jewelry like her’s:

 

A surprisingly full complement of gleaming white pearls dangle deliciously along her lithe, youthfully curved figure, with her long flowing hair, and a wide eyed doe like curiosity of living life glowing from her pretty face.

 

Though I had other more pressing business to attend, I kept an eye out on her, relishing each time I caught her in view.

 

Those baiting pearls kept popping up in my mind when she was out of my sight, making it hard to concentrate fully on anything else!

 

It was quite in the realm of possibility that those smooth pearls of Her’s were as valuable as they were pretty!

 

Also knowing the fact that the female in possession of them was quite youthfully gullible, added up to make for an all to tempting target to easily be subtracted from her lustrous possessions !

 

Being a tad bit assured that somebody else may do the math, and might actually happen to make that subtraction was the reason I waited,with baited breath, to again catch a lingering look to see that she still was in possession of all of them !

 

Then at the end of another successful work day, as I slipped away, I caught an unexpected final sighting of the girl.

 

The poor thing had exhausted herself from the busy agendas of her long day looking like a princess,and all that doing so will entail!

 

Dead Asleep now, peacefully snuggled in on a couch corner, quite isolate, however, not quite alone!

 

For a girl whom I knew to be her cousin, sat dozing next her.

 

A girl her age incredibly pretty in a long sleek peach gown, enchantingly wearing what looked like rhinestones, earrings and bracelet, (surprisingly no necklace)! She had now opened her eyes and was looking around incredibly bored.

 

As I watched she rubbed her eyes, then tugged at the sleeping Lass who did not budge. She rose with a visible sigh and skipping off , her pretty peach colored gown winningly fluttering along her eye catching figure!

 

Failing to notice me standing nearby in the shadows as she swished past still rubbing her eyes!

 

Silently I thanked her for being so quite accommodating in leaving her sleeping cousin , and her delectably appealing pearls, quite behind !

 

It was prime time for that mathematical subtracting I had mentioned earlier!

 

But then subtracting had always been my best subject, something I was rather keen at doing!

  

Again on the hunt, I stalked up behind my prey!

I crouched down looked her over from behind.

 

Her reflection showing up Clearly enough in the polished glass vase on the coffee table in front of her as I silently had treaded in from behind!

  

Amazingly it appeared, she had made it though the gauntlets of the day with all her pearls in place.

 

Even when she and her cousin , the girl in peach satin, had startlingly snuck outside to swing on a nearbye schools playground, they had fortunately come back in unscathed!

 

Untouched by the rather dark lurking elements that sometimes will creep in from societies shadowy outer fringe to feed upon the richly dressed unwary!

 

Since I won’t deny my desires probably made me a loosely connected part of that rather unconventional brotherhood at times, I still took a personal interest in making sure she came to no distress .

 

And so I had taken the time to lecture them for taking on such perils , whilst secretly harboring a desire to lift away the very pearls I was scolding her for taking a risk on losing by playing outside!

  

I now, of course gently sat down on the opposite end of the couch, watching her and the surroundings, planning my strategy.

 

For this type of subtracting, the distraction for the victim was her sleep.

 

I only had to make sure my moves along her figure were as nimble as can be and used the lest amount of pressure to work off what I was after!

 

Also a rule was to keep an eye on any subtle changes in her breathing or movement as I worked!

 

This would tip me off that it was time to leave with what jewels of hers I had in hand , regrettably leaving the rest perched in place as she was waking!

 

I saw her cousin quite aways off, she did not appear to be concerned or coming back anytime soon, leaving me a window opened for opportunity!

 

So I gently, with growing anticipation, slowly inched closer, my earlier desires now sharply reawakening!

 

Finally Reaching her sleep warmed figure, I ventured in to gently caress her arm, tingling encased in her emerald satin sleeve with its daintily ruffled end.

 

The young darling did not stir at my cool fingers touch as I eyeballed her wrists bracelet and ringed fingers!

 

Normally I would have gone for her necklace first, followed by her earrings, since in that order they are usually the most valuable of the jewels a lady would wear!

 

A procedure I had observed a thief carry out on two different ladies at the same venue! It was watching his moves that had effectively whetted my appetite for this game!

 

But , in this one’s case, I had an inkling that her bracelets and rings(especially the diamond one on her left pinky) that as a whole, may be the more advantageous route to proceed in case I had to face an early retreat !

  

I moved my fingers tingling down the sleeve of her right arm that lay upon her lap, carefully peeling back the ruffles to reach the pearled bracelet.

 

I then moved that bracelet up over her sleeve before lifting it, than delicately slipping it around until the diamond studded clasp was exposed.

 

Licking my lips I snapped it open, leaving the ends dangle as I moved my hand away and sat looking at her from the corner of my eye!

 

She kept on breathing heavily with no tell tale signs of waking up soon!

 

No one was paying our little corner any heed!

 

I reached over and taking up the bracelets end used the smoothness of her sleeve and her satin skirt between which it was sandwiched, and easily peeled it away !

 

I Let it lay on her lap, drooling over the pretty thing !

 

Then I reached down in again, curling my fingers around hers. Ever so delicately, one by one, slowly slipped off her shimmering rings from along each nuckle, feeling my heart beating with exhlileration, until they each were worked free ,laying them one by one on her black pleated satin clad lap till they all lay in a glittery group together!

 

Her left arm was at her side, and I gingerly grasped it and lifted it limply onto her lap to join her other.

 

I sat back for a minute, she wasn’t stirring, the cousin was still a distance away.

 

I went back to work.

 

Carefully I slipped off her other bracelet, laying it over my growing take. Then I lifted her pinky, where a glittery ring set with 3 dainty diamonds had been sparkling merrily as she had scurried about!

 

I easily worked it off , having it join in with the collection I had already neatly slipped off from her.

 

I took a deep exhale of breath of the air I had been holding, then reaching in, scooped them all up from her downy soft lap inside my cupped hand in one fluid motion.

 

As I pocketed them I watched her necklace do it’s dangly dance.

  

A fine double strand of glistening perfection laying their ever so elegantly up against the sheer front of her lush emerald green satin blouse.

 

Both strands dripping down from beneath her blouses’ elegantly ruffled neckline !

 

The matched strands dangled together just below her heaving chest. Held together by a round diamond set pin about halfway up on the right side.

 

The rich material of her form fitted blouse pleasurably outlined her petite young curves, with the enticingly baiting pearls adding a very nice accent to the overall picture.

 

It almost was a shame to relive her neck of the richly gleaming burden.

 

Almost....

 

Before making my move I delicately reached over and slipping my fingers underneath the strands, feeling her chest rise up and down in its gently moving heaves, lifted them up for the second time that day , I again drooled over them a bit before making my move...

 

I slid in daringly closer, placing my arm so it lay on the couch around behind her back.

 

As I watched around us from the front my fingers worked hidden from behind, locating the jeweled clasp , then prying it open, looking down at her I let the loose ends slither down along her shoulders. The pearls slipped away with an almost silent swish down the front of her slick blouse where they curled up in a dainty nestling pile upon her sleepy shiny lap.

 

I froze, ready to exit, but she did not stir from her dreams!

 

Far too exhausted to be awakened by my practiced subtle extraction of her jewelry !

 

I studied the piled up pearls for a few satisfying seconds,congratulating me on a job well done, well half done actually!

 

Then I reached in and neatly plucked the gleaming double strand free from where they lay nestled in to finish it!

 

As I was doing so I now felt something sharply hard inside her skirt against the back of my hand.

 

I looked it over as I pocketed her pearls and spied a pocket of her own in the side of her skirt, hidden in the pleats .

 

Wondering what it held, I eagerly pried it open and reached inside and surprisingly came away with a glittery rhinestone necklace !

 

“Whats this then luv?” I thought silently questioning her as I admire the pretty sparklers.

 

A necklace as pretty as this belonged around the throat of a girl dressed up fancy, like the one wearing the luxurious peach gown who had been sitting next to her !

 

Looking up at her angelic face I wondered what games of her own this pretty miss had been up to as I pondered vexingly whether to keep or return her sparkling trophy?

 

As I made my decision I saw her earrings peeping out .

 

That was all that was left to take, her pearled earrings with the diamond clasp ! Fortunately her delicate ears were not pierced, which may have been more of a sticky wicket encumbering their removal!

 

But still this might be tricky enough, her long silky soft hair held them for the most part safely inside.

 

I looked around then got up and went behind her and put the mirrored vase to use.

 

Picking up a strand of her hair I watched as I tickled her nose with it. She stirred, and without really waking, pulled her hair back away from her ears Nicely exposing her beautiful twin pearled earrings for an easy lift.

 

With a touch as delicate as any surgeon’s I reached around and gently pulled as I slipped off each one in turn.

 

Amazed at how easily they freely slipped off each slightly sweat glistened earlobe!

  

I cheerfully pocketed them.

 

Then spent some time watching her figure in my safe haven behind her, making good use of the mirror to assure myself nothing of value had been missed or overlooked !

  

Her tightly fitting attire still was glistening shiny, but starkly bear naked now that her gleaming jewels had been all been nicked clean away.

 

This had been almost too easy, not that I was complaining, for it had been a most enjoyably scintillating , guiltily pleasurable, game of it!

 

I looked around, planning my exit.

 

Then I spied something glittering in a far corner!

 

I recognized it as the diamond bracelet being regally worn by her errant cousin! I decided on following in to capture a better last look at the satin peach clad vixen!

 

Perhaps I may have to ‘bump’ into her and take the ‘opportunity’ to, with feeling, compliment her on her fetchingly pretty attire!

  

Toodles I endearingly said in silence to the sleeping doll’s shimmery figure still snuggled into the couch,biding her a fond adieu as I walked away, feeling my pockets nicely weighted down with her still warm purloined pearls!

 

Still finding amazement over the quantity and apparent quality of the jewelry that my victim had been allowed to wear out daringly alone this particular evening !

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Not much later the girl did stir, stretching and yawning. Then laid her hands back onto her Lap, covered as it was in her midnight black pleated satin skirt.

 

She flexed her fingers along its luxurious length, relishing in the skirts satiny feel.

 

She looked around. Something was not quite right. Where was her cousin?

 

As she thought this she reached up to rub her eyes, than gasped...

 

She was looking at her hands, shocked , her bracelets were gone, and her rings, including her small one set with diamonds!

 

In her bewilderment she still was feeling cobwebbed from sleep as she, with a puzzled frown, reached up and ran her fingers through her long hair...

 

Hold on, where are my bloody earrings. Then she felt at her throat! Her necklace of pearls were no longer there, she felt down the front of her shiny blouse to confirm that the strands we’re no longer dangling down!

 

With a sinking feeling she realized that her pearls, all of them were gone!

 

And she had a pretty good idea of who had the Gaul to have spirited them away like this

  

The wanker she hissed under her breath as she mentally pictured her twin brother who liked to play lifting games and picking off items from her, like her jewelry.

 

He has been up to no good again, even though he had promised he would be in best behaviors after she caught him earlier!

 

For he had already lifted the rhinestone necklace of thier similarly aged girl cousin wearing a pretty gown of peach satin.

 

Taking it as he had danced with her!

  

She had seen him, and demanded he had hand it back to her!

 

Sulking over being caught and scolded out, he had given it to his twin and tasked her to be the one to somehow sneak it back to their cousin!

 

Which she had forgotten to do and her hand darted inside her silky skirts pocket to feel for the rhinestone necklace.

 

Nope it was still there, so she still had that job to do also!!!

 

She actually did not mind his games , rather the opposite actually! Just had felt a bit jealous he had danced with their cousin over her first !

 

And now she believed he had lifted her pearls in retaliation for her scolding him!

 

Of all the bloody Cheek!

  

That her brother had his eyes her pearls, and the downy softness of her sleekly pretty party outfit was no mystery!

 

She knew this because he had kept teasingly prodding her, touching at her pearls, on the long drive here as both had been sitting wedged in the back seat of papa’s small sports car.

 

Though she had also been an antagonist herself, intentionally giving him reasons to grasp her As she squirmed away, knowing full well it was triggering the desires to lift her jewelry that he was trying so hard to suppress with their parents seated up front!

 

Mum had only to tell them once to settle down, turning around to scold them, the diamonds in her earrings glittering as madly as she was only pretending to be at her children!

 

Those earrings were very pretty, too pretty to be kept at home. Papa had to go to a bank to get them, along with my pearls!

 

Thinking the word “bank” made her jump to her feet, as suddenly a cold realization swept over her!

 

The razor thin feelings that divided between the delicious chills of guilty pleasure that her pearls had been nicked and the cold stark reality of the punishment she would get for losing them if the parents saw her first before she got them back!

 

No matter how they had been lost!

 

Now fully wide awake, with a straightening of her glittering long shiny midnight black pleated skirt, she hurried off to call him out !

 

Or at least that is what she down deep hoped that was all she had to do to get them from him!

 

For an unsettling inkling was now forming queasily in her gut that it just conceivably may not have been her brother who had lifted her pearls.

  

For her mum had not really been happy with her insisting to wear them out this evening.

 

Thinking she may be a bit too young to be wearing them without her parents presence!

 

For mum and papa were a part of the bridal party and would not be able to keep close eyes themselves on her and her brother!

 

And it was only with her brothers suspiciously eager promise to keep an eye on her, that she was given permission!

 

Her mum also had not known about the small diamond ring she had smuggled out of the house to put her on finger once when her parents were finally not around!

  

She had been lectured to take great care of her fine jewelry, which of course she hadn’t , playing around like she was back at home and not attending a posh reception!

 

Then she had snuck off to the playground with their cousin, without her brothers knowledge !

 

And her brother had lectured her when she had admitted to him where she had disappeared off too. Probably mad because he would have like to have been included in!

 

And then....

 

Speaking of being scolded...!

 

She suddenly remember the icy stern lady in a red silk dress , whom she had not recognized, but apparently had seen the girls sneaking off outside to play!

 

Chillingly she recalled the penetrating look she her and her girl cousin had receive from that strange lady with severe hair and eyes who had caught them sneaking back in after being outside at the playground!

 

She had admonished them for going off alone dressed like they were!

 

As she scolded she pawed at the slick fabrics of the girls fancy dress attire caressing them over with clammy fingers, then had lifted my pearl necklace up like she was going to take it for safe keeping.

 

She doesn’t of course, but it had been a very unsettling experience for both of the startled doe eyed young girls !

 

But that lady had so unnervingly acted like my pearls belonged with her, she remembered with unsettling clarity!

 

But of course she was being silly, only men would have a desire to take a girl’s jewels, right!?

 

That’s the way it appeared on the telle show they had watched once!

 

But there had been plenty of men there, strangers who had stopped what they were doing and look them over as she and her cousin darted in and out amongst them

In the crowded ballroom.

 

Most had commented how pretty the pair looked, others just turned away with thoughtful looks on their smug mugs.

 

Now with a fast growing bit of nagging anxiety , pensively still feeling her still naked ears and the chillingly bare neckline of her ultra-soft satin blouse for still peskily non existent pearls , she urgently sought out her twin brother.

 

Needing to be assured that he had been indeed up to his tricks and would reunite her with them.

 

And in doing so, to be relived of her new concerns over the worrisome idea someone else may actually have been responsible for her missing bank vault worthy pearls!

 

Some unknown individual whose intentional reasons for nimbly lifting them off as she had slept would probably not involve giving them back to her!!

 

With these uncomfortable swirling thoughts she looked with suspicion through the crowd of handsomely attired guests!

 

Spotting the peach satin gown her cousin was wearing, she quickly swished to catch up and enlist her help!

 

“””””””””””””””””

 

As she did so, the one who had a small cache of guests jewels hidden away in a deep pocket, was watching , with a secret grin, this recent victim’s shiny green and black attired figure’s worried progress from her couch, while standing a reassuringly safe distance away!

 

Watching with a wicked smirk as she was reaching the equally prettily attired young girl clad so elegantly in peach satin .

 

The one who had deserted her cousin from the couch leaving her unguarded as she slept.

 

The one who had turned away blushing,so winningly as the person had so eloquently complimented her while holding her arm to give added meaning to a false sincerity !

 

The one who in a matter of minutes was probably about to realize that her cousin was not the only one to have had several of her jewels mysteriously taken from her elegantly clad person!

 

Smirking at these thoughts, with a rather proud cockiness over this evenings accomplishments, shown in a happily haughty demeanor!

 

The person standing in the shadows slowly moved in , mulling over that in addition to subtracting, there was nothin like a good old fashion game of cat and mouse!

 

Fini

 

Now, not everyone likes an open ending to a story...

 

So If anyone would like to know what the real life solution was to the mystery of who took her jewelry, and whether she got it back , please ask in the comments section and I will privately email the answer

 

The Ed’s...

“the illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. at the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” ― frank zappa

 

© All Rights Reserved Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.

click image to view on flickr black or see it on my stream in flickriver: www.flickriver.com/photos/msdonnalee/

 

January 27, 2015 – Bottlenose Dolphins – Taiji, Japan

 

Taiji has kidnapped another Bottlenose pod. The harbor holding pens are being prepped for more captives. Just another profitable day for Taiji and captive dolphin industry.

The beautiful pod of approximately 25-30 Bottlenose Dolphins have been sealed into the cove together. There are many juveniles in the pod, some of which are likely to still be nursing from their mothers. They are exhausted and scared after the horrific drive process they have endured this morning. Tomorrow killers and trainers will rip the family apart to profiteer from their suffering. Many will be taken as slaves for marine parks and juveniles are likely to be dumped at sea to fend for themselves. Spotlights have been mounted at the cove to shine down on the prisoners as they swim together for their very last night as a family The greed and brutality of the Taiji killers and trainers is beyond belief.

 

Sites for more information :

 

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Page (official)

www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdCoveGuardiansOfficialPage

 

Cove Guardians

www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians

 

Photo: Sea Shepherd

 

Lakhta story. youtu.be/8jMNnODyDUQ

Lahti. Lakhta ?This small village on the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland, about 15 km northwest of the city, is home to human settlements on the banks of the Neva. It was on the territory of Lakhta that the remains of a man’s parking site of three thousand years ago were found.

In official documents, a settlement named Lakhta dates back to 1500. The name is derived from the Finnish-speaking word lahti - "bay". This is one of the few settlements that has not changed its name throughout its 500-year history. Also known as Laches, Lahes-by, Lahes and was originally inhabited by Izhora. In the last decades of the 15th century, Lakhta was a village (which indicates a significant population) and was the center of the eponymous grand-parish volost, which was part of the Spassko-Gorodensky graveyard of the Orekhovsky district of the Vodskaya Pyatina. In the village, there were 10 courtyards with 20 people (married men). In Lakhta, on average, there were 2 families per yard, and the total population of the village probably reached 75 people.

From the notes on the margins of the Swedish scribe book of the Spassky graveyard of 1640, it follows that the lands along the lower reaches of the Neva River and parts of the Gulf of Finland, including Lakhta Karelskaya, Perekulya (from the Finnish “back village”, probably because of its position relative to Lakhti) and Konduy Lakhtinsky, were royal by letter of honor on January 15, 1638 transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickschulz general Bernhard Sten von Stenhausen, a Dutchman by birth. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted these lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). With the arrival of the Swedes in Prievye, Lakhta was settled by the Finns, who until the middle of the 20th century made up the vast majority of the villagers.

On December 22, 1766, Catherine 2 granted Lakhta Manor, which was then in the Office of the Chancellery from the buildings of palaces and gardens, "in which and in her villages with courtyards 208 souls," her favorite Count Orlov. Not later than 1768, Count J.A. Bruce took over the estate. In 1788, Lakhta Manor was listed behind him with wooden services on a dry land (high place) and the villages Lakhta, Dubki, Lisiy Nos and Konnaya belonging to it also on dry land, in those villages of male peasants 238 souls. On May 1, 1813, Lakhta passed into the possession of the landowners of the Yakovlevs. On October 5, 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered into the possession of the Lakhtinsky estate, which then had 255 male souls. This clan was the owner of the estate until 1912, when its last representative got into debt and noble custody was established over the estate. On October 4, 1913, in order to pay off his debts, he was forced to go for corporatization, and the Lakhta estate passed into the ownership of the Joint Stock Company “Lakhta” of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co.

After the revolution, Lakhta was left on its own for a while, here on the former estate of the counts Stenbock-Fermorov on May 19, 1919, the Lakhta excursion station was opened, which existed there until 1932. In the early 1920s, sand mining began on Lakhta beaches, and the abandoned and dilapidated peat plant of the Lakhta estate in 1922 took over the Oblzemotdel and put it into operation after major repairs. In 1963, the village of Lakhta was included in the Zhdanovsky (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

At the beginning of Lakhtinsky Prospekt, on the banks of the Lakhtinsky spill, there was the village of Rakhilax (Rahilax-hof, Rahila, Rokhnovo). Most likely, under this name only one or several courtyards are designated. There is an assumption that the name of the village was formed from the Finnish raahata - “drag, drag,” because there could be a place for transportation through the isthmus of the Lakhtinsky spill (we should not forget that not only the bridge over the channel connecting the spill with the Gulf of Finland was not yet here, the duct itself was many times wider than the current one). The search book of the Spassko-Gorodensky graveyard of 1573, describing the Lakhta lands, mentions that there were 2 lodges in the “Rovgunov” village, from which we can conclude that we are talking about the village of Rohilaks, which the Russian scribes remade into a more understandable to them Rovgunovo. The village was empty in Swedish time and was counted as a wasteland of the village of Lahta.

  

On the banks of the Lakhtinsky spill, near the confluence of the Yuntolovka River, from the 17th century there existed the village of Bobylka (Bobylskaya), which merged into the village of Olgino only at the beginning of the 20th century, but was found on maps until the 1930s. It is probably the Search Book that mentions it Spassko-Gorodensky churchyard in 1573 as a village "in Lakhta in Perekui", behind which there was 1 obzh. With the arrival of the Swedes by royal letter on January 15, 1638, the village was transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickshaw General Bernhard Sten von Stenhausen, a Dutchman by birth. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted Lahti lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). On the Swedish map of the 1670s, in the place of the village of Bobylsky, the village of Lahakeülä is marked (küla - the village (Fin.)). The village could subsequently be called Bobyl from the Russian word "bobyl."

The owners of Bobylskaya were both Count Orlov, and Count Y. A. Bruce, and the landowners Yakovlev. In 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered into the possession of the Lakhtinsky estate (which included the village of Bobyl). This family was the owner of the estate until 1913, when the owners, in order to pay off their debts, had to go for corporatization, and the Lakhta estate was transferred to the ownership of the Lakhta Joint-Stock Company of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co. By the middle of the 20th century, the village merged with the village of Lakhta.

  

The name Konnaya Lakhta (Konnaya) has been known since the 16th century, although earlier it sounded like Konduya (Konduya Lakhtinskaya) or just Kondu (from the Finnish kontu - courtyard, manor). Subsequently, this name was replaced by the more familiar Russian ear with the word "Horse". In the Search Book of the Spassko-Gorodensky Pogost in 1573, it is mentioned as the village "on Kovdui", where 1 obzh was listed, which indicates that there most likely was one yard. On January 15, 1638, together with neighboring villages, it was transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickschulz General Bernhard Steen von Stenhausen, of Dutch origin. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted these lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). In a deed of gift, Konduya Lakhtinskaya is called a village, which indicates a noticeable increase in its population. Later, on the Swedish map of the 1670s, on the site of the present Horse Lahti, the village of Konda-bai is marked (by - village (sv)).

The owners of Konnaya Lakhta, as well as the villages of Bobylskaya and Lakhta, were in turn Count Orlov, Count Ya. A. Bruce, and the landowners Yakovlev. In 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered the possession of the Lakhta estate (which included Konnaya Lakhta. This family was the owner of the estate until 1913, when the owners had to go to corporations to pay off their debts, and the Lakhta estate became the property of Lakhta Joint Stock Company of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co. In 1963, Horse Lahta was included in the Zhdanov (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

As the dacha village of Olgino appeared at the end of the 19th century and initially consisted of both Olgin itself and the villages of Vladimirovka (now part of Lisiy Nos) and Aleksandrovka. In the first half of the 18th century, this territory was part of the Verpelev palace estate, which in the second half of the 18th century was granted to Count G. G. Orlov, then it was owned by the family of landowners the Yakovlevs, in the middle of the 19th century the estate was transferred to the counts of Stenbock-Fermor. In 1905 A.V. Stenbok-Fermor, the then owner of Lakhta lands, divided the lands around Lakhta into separate plots with the intention of selling them profitably for dachas. So there were the villages of Olgino (named after the wife of Olga Platonovna), Vladimirovka (in honor of the father of the owner; the coastal part of the modern village of Lisy Nos) and Alexandrov or Aleksandrovskaya (in honor of Alexander Vladimirovich himself). It is likely that on the site of the village was the village of Olushino (Olushino odhe) - a search book of the Spassko-Gorodensky churchyard in 1573 mentions that there were 1 obzh in the village of Olushkov’s, which suggests that at least one residential the yard. On behalf of Olushka (Olpherius). Most likely, the village was deserted in Swedish time and then was already listed as a wasteland belonging to the village of Lahta. Thus, the name of the village could be given in harmony with the name of the mistress and the old name of the village.

The villages were planned among a sparse pine forest (the layout was preserved almost unchanged), so there were more amenities for living and spending time there than in Lakhta. A park was set up here, a summer theater, a sports ("gymnastic") playground, a tennis court, and a yacht club were arranged.

In the 1910s about 150 winter cottages were built in Olgino, many of which are striking monuments of "summer cottage" architecture. In 1963, the village of Olgino was included in the Zhdanovsky (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

Near Olgino, in the area of ​​the Dubki park, there was a small village Verpeleva (Verpelevo), which consisted of only a few yards. In the first half of the XVIII century. this territory was part of the palace estate "Verpeleva", which in the second half of the XVIII century. It was granted to Count G. G. Orlov, then passed to the Counts of Stenbock-Fermor. The village has not existed for a long time, but the entire reed-covered peninsula (barely protruding above the water of the Verpier-Luda peninsula (Verper Luda (from the Finnish luoto - “small rocky island”)) still existed, and there was another spelling the name of this island is Var Pala Ludo).

  

Kamenka. The Novgorod scribal book mentions two villages in the Lakhta region with a similar name, referring to the possessions of Selivan Zakharov, son of Okhten, with his son and 5 other co-owners. On the lands of this small patrimony, which, unlike the estate was inherited, peasants lived in 3 villages, including: the village "Kamenka in Lakhta near the sea" in 5 yards with 5 people and arable land in 1,5 obzhi, the village "on Kamenka "in 2 courtyards with 2 people and arable land in 1 obzhu. For the use of land, the peasants paid the owners of the patrimony 16 money and gave 1/3 of the rye harvest. Thus, in the 16th century on the Kamenka River (another name for the Kiviyoki River, which is the literal translation of kivi - "stone", joki - "river") there was one large village of Kamenka near its confluence with the Lakhtinsky spill and the second, smaller, somewhere upstream. On the drawing of Izhora land in 1705, a village under this name is depicted in the area of ​​the modern village of Kamenka. The village of Kamennaya in the middle reaches of Kamenka and on the map of 1792 is designated. Other name options are Kaumenkka, Kiviaja.

In the second half of the 18th century, Kamenka became a vacation spot for Russian Germans. Here in 1865, German colonists founded their "daughter" colony on leased land. Since then, the village has received the name Kamenka Colony (so called until the 1930s). In 1892, a colony near the village of Volkovo "budded" from it. The inhabitants of both colonies belonged to the Novo-Saratov parish and since 1871 had a prayer house in Kamenka, which was visited by 250 people. He maintained a school for 40 students. The house was closed in 1935 and later demolished.

Currently, Kamenka exists as a holiday village, located along the road to Levashovo. Since 1961 - in the city, part of the planning area in the North-West, from the mid-1990s. built up with multi-storey residential buildings and cottages.

  

Volkovo. The settlement is about southeast of the village of Kamenka - on the old road to Kamenka, on the bank of a stream that flows into Kamenka between the village of Kamenka and the Shuvalovsky quarry. In 1892, a German colony emerged on the territory of the village, "budding" from a nearby colony in the village of Kamenka. The origin of Volkovo is not clear, the village is found only on maps of 1912, 1930, 1939, 1943. and probably appeared no earlier than the 19th century.

  

Kolomyagi. Scribe books of the XV — XVI centuries and Swedish plans testify that small settlements already existed on the site of Kolomyag. Most likely, these were first Izhora or Karelian, then Finnish farms, which were empty during the hostilities of the late XVII century.

The name "Kolomyag" connoisseurs decipher in different ways. Some say that it came from the "colo" - in Finnish cave and "pulp" - a hill, a hill. The village is located on the hills, and such an interpretation is quite acceptable. Others look for the root of the name in the Finnish word "koaa" - bark - and believe that trees were processed here after felling. Another version of the origin of the name from the Finnish "kello" is the bell, and it is associated not with the feature of the mountain, but with the "bell on the mountain" - a tower with a signal bell standing on a hill.

The owners of Kolomyazhsky lands were Admiral General A.I. Osterman, Count A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, a family of Volkonsky. In 1789, the Volkonskys sold these lands to retired colonel Sergei Savvich Yakovlev. On his estate S. S. Yakovlev built a manor and lived in it with his wife and seven daughters. The once-Finnish population of Kolomyag was “Russified” by that time - it was made up of descendants of serfs resettled by Osterman and Bestuzhev-Rumin from their villages in Central Russia (natives of the Volga and Galich) and Ukraine. Then the name "Kellomyaki" began to sound in Russian fashion - "Kolomyagi", although later the old name also existed, especially among local Finns. And not without reason the indigenous Kolomozhites associate their origin with the Volga places, and the southern half of the village is now called “Galician”.

Yakovlev died in 1818. Five years after his death, a division of the territory of the manor was made. The village of Kolomyagi was divided in half between two of his daughters. The border was the Bezymyanny stream. The southeastern part of the village of Kolomyagi beyond Bezymyanny creek and a plot on the banks of the Bolshaya Nevka passed to the daughter Ekaterina Sergeevna Avdulina.

Daughter Yakovleva Elena Sergeevna - the wife of General Alexei Petrovich Nikitin, a hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, who was awarded the highest military orders and twice a gold sword with the inscription "For courage", died early, leaving her daughter Elizabeth. The northwestern part of Kolomyag inherited the young Elizabeth, so this part of Kolomyag was practically inherited by the father of Yakovlev’s granddaughter, Count A.P. Nikitin, who in 1832 became the owner of the entire village. It is his name that is stored in the names of the streets - 1st and 2nd Nikitinsky and Novo-Nikitinsky. The new owner built a stone mansion on the estate’s estate - an excellent example of classicism of the first third of the 19th century, which became his country house and has survived to this day and has been occupied until recently by the Nursing Home. It is believed that this mansion was built according to the project of the famous architect A.I. Melnikov. The severity and modesty of the architectural appearance of the facades and residential chambers of the Nikitin mansion was opposed by the splendor of ceremonial interiors, in particular the two-light dance hall with choirs for musicians. Unfortunately, with repeated alterations and repairs, many details of the decor and stucco emblems of the owners disappeared. Only two photographs of the 1920s and preserved fragments of ornamental molding and paintings on the walls and ceiling show the past richness of the decorative decoration of this architectural monument. The mansion was surrounded by a small park. In it stood a stone pagan woman brought from the southern steppes of Russia (transferred to the Hermitage), and a pond with a plakun waterfall was built. Near the pond there was a "walk of love" from the "paradise" apple trees - it was called so because the bride and groom passed through it after the wedding. Here, in the shadow of these apple trees, young lovers made appointments.

Under the Orlov-Denisov opposite the mansion (now Main Street, 29), the structures of an agricultural farm were erected, partially preserved to this day, and the greenhouse. Behind the farm were the master's fields. On them, as the New Time newspaper reported in August 1880, they tested the reaping and shearing machines brought from America.

In the 19th century, the provincial surveyor Zaitsev submitted for approval the highway called the Kolomyagskoye Shosse. The route was supposed to connect the village, gradually gaining fame as a summer residence of the "middle arm", with St. Petersburg. The construction of the road ended in the 1840s, and then horse-drawn and country-house crafts became the most important articles of peasant income. In addition, peasants either built small dachas in their yards, or rented their huts for the summer. Located away from the roads, surrounded by fields, the village was chosen by multi-family citizens.

The income from the summer cottage industry increased from year to year, which was facilitated by the summer movement of omnibuses that opened on the new highway from the City Council building. They walked four times a day, each accommodated 16 people, the fare cost 15 kopecks. Even when the Finnish Railway with the nearest Udelnaya station came into operation in 1870, the highway remained the main access road through which public carriages pulled by a trio of horses ran from the Stroganov (now Ushakovsky) bridge.

The importance of the highway has decreased since 1893, when traffic began along the Ozerkovskaya branch of the Primorsky Railway, built by the engineer P.A. Avenarius, the founder of the Sestroretsky resort.

The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres (48 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos, further south in the west.

 

The island rests on an exposed ancient coral reef, rising to about 270 metres (890 ft) above sea level. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. Most habitation is in the western half of the island.

 

The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. West of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Gravel Bay, Flowers Bay and Pensacola on the south coast, and Sandy Bay, West End and West Bay on the north coast. To the east of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Mount Pleasant, French Harbour, Parrot Tree, Jonesville and Oakridge on the south coast, and Punta Gorda on the north coast.

 

The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 metres wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole are several cays, including Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.

 

Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship, scuba diving and eco-tourism destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. Roatán is located within 40 miles of La Ceiba. The island is served by the Juan Manuel Gálvez Roatán International Airport and the Galaxy Wave Ferry service twice a day.

 

The Indians of the Bay Islands are believed to have been related to either the Paya, the Maya, the Lenca or the Jicaque, which were the tribes present on the mainland. Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage (1502–1504) came to the islands as he visited the neighbouring Bay Island of Guanaja. Soon after, the Spanish began trading in the islands for slave labour. More devastating for the local Indians was exposure to Eurasian infectious diseases to which they had no immunity, such as smallpox and measles. No indigenous people survived the consequent epidemics

 

Throughout European colonial times, the Bay of Honduras attracted an array of individual settlers, pirates, traders and military forces. Various economic activities were engaged in and political struggles played out between the European powers, chiefly Britain and Spain. Sea travellers frequently stopped over at Roatán and the other islands as resting points. On several occasions, the islands were subject to military occupation. In contesting with the Spanish for colonisation of the Caribbean, the English occupied the Bay Islands on and off between 1550 and 1700. During this time, buccaneers found the vacated, mostly unprotected islands a haven for safe harbour and transport. English, French and Dutch pirates established settlements on the islands. They frequently raided the Spanish treasure ships, cargo vessels carrying gold and silver from the New World to Spain.

 

During the War of the Austrian Succession (King George's War in the US), a detachment of the British Army under Lt. Col John Caulfeild garrisoned the island from 1742 to 1749. The garrison was originally found from two companies of Gooch's Virginia Regiment, but these were eventually amalgamated into Trelawney's 49th Foot (later the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment).

 

In 1797, the British defeated the Black Carib, who had been supported by the French, in a battle for control of the Windward Caribbean island of St. Vincent. Weary of their resistance to British plans for sugar plantations, the British rounded up the St. Vincent Black Carib and deported them to Roatán. The majority of Black Carib migrated to Trujillo on mainland Honduras, but a portion remained to found the community of Punta Gorda on the northern coast of Roatán. The Black Carib, whose ancestry includes Arawak and African Maroons, remained in Punta Gorda, becoming the Bay Island's first permanent post-Columbian settlers. They also migrated from there to parts of the northern coast of Central America, becoming the foundation of the modern-day Garífuna culture in Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.

 

The majority permanent population of Roatán originated from the Cayman Islands near Jamaica. They arrived in the 1830s shortly after Britain's abolition of slavery in 1838. The changes in the labour system disrupted the economic structure of the Caymans. The islands had a largely seafaring culture; natives were familiar with the area from turtle fishing and other activities. Former slaveholders from the Cayman Islands were among the first to settle in the seaside locations throughout primarily western Roatán. During the late 1830s and 1840s, former slaves also migrated from the Cayman Islands, in larger number than planters. All together, the former Cayman peoples became the largest cultural group on the island.

For a brief period in the 1850s, Britain declared the Bay Islands its colony. Within a decade, the Crown ceded the territory formally back to Honduras. British colonists were sent to compete for control. They asked American William Walker, a freebooter (filibuster) with a private army, to help end the crisis in 1860 by invading Honduras; he was captured upon landing in Trujillo and executed there.

 

In the latter half of the 19th century, the island populations grew steadily and established new settlements all over Roatán and the other islands. Settlers came from all over the world and played a part in shaping the cultural face of the island. Islanders started a fruit trade industry which became profitable. By the 1870s it was purchased by American interests, most notably the New Orleans and Bay Islands Fruit Company. Later the Standard Fruit and United Fruit companies became the foundation for modern-day fruit companies, the industry which led to Honduras being called a "banana republic".

 

In the 20th century, there was continued population growth resulting in increased economic changes and environmental challenges. A population boom began with an influx of Spanish-speaking Mestizo migrants from the Honduran mainland. Since the late 20th century, they tripled the previous resident population. Mestizo migrants settled primarily in the urban areas of Coxen Hole and Barrio Los Fuertes (near French Harbour). Even the mainlander influx was dwarfed in number and economic effects by the overwhelming tourist presence in the 21st century. Numerous American, Canadian, British, New Zealander, Australian and South African settlers and entrepreneurs engaged chiefly in the fishing industry, and later, provided the foundation for attracting the tourist trade.

 

In 1998, Roatán suffered some damage from Hurricane Mitch, temporarily paralysing most commercial activity. The storm also broke up the popular dive-wrecks Aguila and Odyssey.

 

Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxen_Hole

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roatán

   

Currently one of London's more profitable businesses

More pictures to come from this Gold Rush, ghost town.

 

In 1876, the Standard Company discovered a profitable deposit of gold-bearing ore, which transformed Bodie from an isolated mining camp comprising a few prospectors and company employees to a Wild West boomtown. Rich discoveries in the adjacent Bodie Mine during 1878 attracted even more hopeful people. By 1879, Bodie had a population of approximately 5000–7000 people and around 2,000 buildings. One idea maintains that in 1880, Bodie was California's second or third largest city, but the U.S. Census of that year disproves the popular tale. Over the years, Bodie's mines produced gold valued at nearly US$34 million.

One of the biggest surprises in 2017 was the announcement by United Airlines that they would restart flights between London Heathrow and their most profitable hub at Denver, Colorado.

The last time United Airlines served direct non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Denver was back in 2008 following the Bermuda II Agreement being abolished in favour of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. The new flight operated with Boeing 777-200ERs but only lasted until 2010 when the flight cancelled owing to poor yields. If passengers who were wishing to fly to Denver from London Heathrow with a Star Alliance carrier, other options were fly with United with a connection in the United States, or fly with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.

Since 24th March 2018, United Airlines reintroduced direct flights between London Heathrow and Denver, their fourth largest hub in the state of Colorado. UA26/27 initially operated summer seasonally with daily flights utilising Boeing 787-8s. The same flight recommenced on 31st March 2019 for the S19 schedule.

For the W19 schedule, United made the decision to convert their Denver flight into a year-round operation commencing from 1st November 2019. Instead of operating daily, the flight will operate 6 times a week whilst continuing to maintain Boeing 787-8s.

In a separate piece of news, their first Boeing 787-8 is currently in the process of undergoing major refurbishment which will include the installation of United's latest Polaris Business Class and Premium Economy seats, with their first Boeing 787-9s to receive the latest cabin from November 2019.

Currently, United Airlines operates 46 Boeing 787s, which includes 12 Boeing 787-8s, 25 Boeing 787-9s and 9 Boeing 787-10s. United Airlines have 13 Boeing 787-9s and 5 Boeing 787-10s on-order.

November Two Eight Nine One Two is one of 12 Boeing 787-8s in service with United Airlines, delivered new to the carrier on 26th June 2014 and she is powered by 2 General Electric GEnx-1B engines.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N28912 on final approach into Runway 27R at London Heathrow (LHR) on UA27 from Denver (DEN), Colorado.

Lispole Viaduct was once part of the infamous 32 mile Tralee to Dingle narrow gauge railway. The railway opened in 1891 and was never particularly profitable throughout it's life, closing as early as 1939 to passengers and general freight following in 1947. In it's latter years it became famous for it's once a month cattle specials from Tralee which drew railway buffs worldwide to sample by then had become one of the last bastions of exciting seat of the pants mountain railroading in western Europe. The railway finally closed and all specials ended with the upgrading of the Tralee to Dingle main road in 1953, thus rendering this famous unconventional line obsolete and irrelevant , but rich and alive forever more in the annals of railway folklore .

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Lispole viaduct features at the end..... (4.26) from the famous Huntley archives

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWshISgLg-4

youtu.be/pEZks7QLZho

 

Lahti. Lakhta ?This small village on the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland, about 15 km northwest of the city, is home to human settlements on the banks of the Neva. It was on the territory of Lakhta that the remains of a man’s parking site of three thousand years ago were found.

In official documents, a settlement named Lakhta dates back to 1500. The name is derived from the Finnish-speaking word lahti - "bay". This is one of the few settlements that has not changed its name throughout its 500-year history. Also known as Laches, Lahes-by, Lahes and was originally inhabited by Izhora. In the last decades of the 15th century, Lakhta was a village (which indicates a significant population) and was the center of the eponymous grand-parish volost, which was part of the Spassko-Gorodensky graveyard of the Orekhovsky district of the Vodskaya Pyatina. In the village, there were 10 courtyards with 20 people (married men). In Lakhta, on average, there were 2 families per yard, and the total population of the village probably reached 75 people.

From the notes on the margins of the Swedish scribe book of the Spassky graveyard of 1640, it follows that the lands along the lower reaches of the Neva River and parts of the Gulf of Finland, including Lakhta Karelskaya, Perekulya (from the Finnish “back village”, probably because of its position relative to Lakhti) and Konduy Lakhtinsky, were royal by letter of honor on January 15, 1638 transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickschulz general Bernhard Sten von Stenhausen, a Dutchman by birth. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted these lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). With the arrival of the Swedes in Prievye, Lakhta was settled by the Finns, who until the middle of the 20th century made up the vast majority of the villagers.

On December 22, 1766, Catherine 2 granted Lakhta Manor, which was then in the Office of the Chancellery from the buildings of palaces and gardens, "in which and in her villages with courtyards 208 souls," her favorite Count Orlov. Not later than 1768, Count J.A. Bruce took over the estate. In 1788, Lakhta Manor was listed behind him with wooden services on a dry land (high place) and the villages Lakhta, Dubki, Lisiy Nos and Konnaya belonging to it also on dry land, in those villages of male peasants 238 souls. On May 1, 1813, Lakhta passed into the possession of the landowners of the Yakovlevs. On October 5, 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered into the possession of the Lakhtinsky estate, which then had 255 male souls. This clan was the owner of the estate until 1912, when its last representative got into debt and noble custody was established over the estate. On October 4, 1913, in order to pay off his debts, he was forced to go for corporatization, and the Lakhta estate passed into the ownership of the Joint Stock Company “Lakhta” of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co.

After the revolution, Lakhta was left on its own for a while, here on the former estate of the counts Stenbock-Fermorov on May 19, 1919, the Lakhta excursion station was opened, which existed there until 1932. In the early 1920s, sand mining began on Lakhta beaches, and the abandoned and dilapidated peat plant of the Lakhta estate in 1922 took over the Oblzemotdel and put it into operation after major repairs. In 1963, the village of Lakhta was included in the Zhdanovsky (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

At the beginning of Lakhtinsky Prospekt, on the banks of the Lakhtinsky spill, there was the village of Rakhilax (Rahilax-hof, Rahila, Rokhnovo). Most likely, under this name only one or several courtyards are designated. There is an assumption that the name of the village was formed from the Finnish raahata - “drag, drag,” because there could be a place for transportation through the isthmus of the Lakhtinsky spill (we should not forget that not only the bridge over the channel connecting the spill with the Gulf of Finland was not yet here, the duct itself was many times wider than the current one). The search book of the Spassko-Gorodensky graveyard of 1573, describing the Lakhta lands, mentions that there were 2 lodges in the “Rovgunov” village, from which we can conclude that we are talking about the village of Rohilaks, which the Russian scribes remade into a more understandable to them Rovgunovo. The village was empty in Swedish time and was counted as a wasteland of the village of Lahta.

  

On the banks of the Lakhtinsky spill, near the confluence of the Yuntolovka River, from the 17th century there existed the village of Bobylka (Bobylskaya), which merged into the village of Olgino only at the beginning of the 20th century, but was found on maps until the 1930s. It is probably the Search Book that mentions it Spassko-Gorodensky churchyard in 1573 as a village "in Lakhta in Perekui", behind which there was 1 obzh. With the arrival of the Swedes by royal letter on January 15, 1638, the village was transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickshaw General Bernhard Sten von Stenhausen, a Dutchman by birth. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted Lahti lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). On the Swedish map of the 1670s, in the place of the village of Bobylsky, the village of Lahakeülä is marked (küla - the village (Fin.)). The village could subsequently be called Bobyl from the Russian word "bobyl."

The owners of Bobylskaya were both Count Orlov, and Count Y. A. Bruce, and the landowners Yakovlev. In 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered into the possession of the Lakhtinsky estate (which included the village of Bobyl). This family was the owner of the estate until 1913, when the owners, in order to pay off their debts, had to go for corporatization, and the Lakhta estate was transferred to the ownership of the Lakhta Joint-Stock Company of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co. By the middle of the 20th century, the village merged with the village of Lakhta.

  

The name Konnaya Lakhta (Konnaya) has been known since the 16th century, although earlier it sounded like Konduya (Konduya Lakhtinskaya) or just Kondu (from the Finnish kontu - courtyard, manor). Subsequently, this name was replaced by the more familiar Russian ear with the word "Horse". In the Search Book of the Spassko-Gorodensky Pogost in 1573, it is mentioned as the village "on Kovdui", where 1 obzh was listed, which indicates that there most likely was one yard. On January 15, 1638, together with neighboring villages, it was transferred to the possession of the Stockholm dignitary, Rickschulz General Bernhard Steen von Stenhausen, of Dutch origin. On October 31, 1648, the Swedish government granted these lands to the city of Nyuen (Nyenschanz). In a deed of gift, Konduya Lakhtinskaya is called a village, which indicates a noticeable increase in its population. Later, on the Swedish map of the 1670s, on the site of the present Horse Lahti, the village of Konda-bai is marked (by - village (sv)).

The owners of Konnaya Lakhta, as well as the villages of Bobylskaya and Lakhta, were in turn Count Orlov, Count Ya. A. Bruce, and the landowners Yakovlev. In 1844, Count A.I. Stenbok-Fermor entered the possession of the Lakhta estate (which included Konnaya Lakhta. This family was the owner of the estate until 1913, when the owners had to go to corporations to pay off their debts, and the Lakhta estate became the property of Lakhta Joint Stock Company of Count Stenbock-Fermor and Co. In 1963, Horse Lahta was included in the Zhdanov (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

As the dacha village of Olgino appeared at the end of the 19th century and initially consisted of both Olgin itself and the villages of Vladimirovka (now part of Lisiy Nos) and Aleksandrovka. In the first half of the 18th century, this territory was part of the Verpelev palace estate, which in the second half of the 18th century was granted to Count G. G. Orlov, then it was owned by the family of landowners the Yakovlevs, in the middle of the 19th century the estate was transferred to the counts of Stenbock-Fermor. In 1905 A.V. Stenbok-Fermor, the then owner of Lakhta lands, divided the lands around Lakhta into separate plots with the intention of selling them profitably for dachas. So there were the villages of Olgino (named after the wife of Olga Platonovna), Vladimirovka (in honor of the father of the owner; the coastal part of the modern village of Lisy Nos) and Alexandrov or Aleksandrovskaya (in honor of Alexander Vladimirovich himself). It is likely that on the site of the village was the village of Olushino (Olushino odhe) - a search book of the Spassko-Gorodensky churchyard in 1573 mentions that there were 1 obzh in the village of Olushkov’s, which suggests that at least one residential the yard. On behalf of Olushka (Olpherius). Most likely, the village was deserted in Swedish time and then was already listed as a wasteland belonging to the village of Lahta. Thus, the name of the village could be given in harmony with the name of the mistress and the old name of the village.

The villages were planned among a sparse pine forest (the layout was preserved almost unchanged), so there were more amenities for living and spending time there than in Lakhta. A park was set up here, a summer theater, a sports ("gymnastic") playground, a tennis court, and a yacht club were arranged.

In the 1910s about 150 winter cottages were built in Olgino, many of which are striking monuments of "summer cottage" architecture. In 1963, the village of Olgino was included in the Zhdanovsky (Primorsky) district of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).

  

Near Olgino, in the area of ​​the Dubki park, there was a small village Verpeleva (Verpelevo), which consisted of only a few yards. In the first half of the XVIII century. this territory was part of the palace estate "Verpeleva", which in the second half of the XVIII century. It was granted to Count G. G. Orlov, then passed to the Counts of Stenbock-Fermor. The village has not existed for a long time, but the entire reed-covered peninsula (barely protruding above the water of the Verpier-Luda peninsula (Verper Luda (from the Finnish luoto - “small rocky island”)) still existed, and there was another spelling the name of this island is Var Pala Ludo).

  

Kamenka. The Novgorod scribal book mentions two villages in the Lakhta region with a similar name, referring to the possessions of Selivan Zakharov, son of Okhten, with his son and 5 other co-owners. On the lands of this small patrimony, which, unlike the estate was inherited, peasants lived in 3 villages, including: the village "Kamenka in Lakhta near the sea" in 5 yards with 5 people and arable land in 1,5 obzhi, the village "on Kamenka "in 2 courtyards with 2 people and arable land in 1 obzhu. For the use of land, the peasants paid the owners of the patrimony 16 money and gave 1/3 of the rye harvest. Thus, in the 16th century on the Kamenka River (another name for the Kiviyoki River, which is the literal translation of kivi - "stone", joki - "river") there was one large village of Kamenka near its confluence with the Lakhtinsky spill and the second, smaller, somewhere upstream. On the drawing of Izhora land in 1705, a village under this name is depicted in the area of ​​the modern village of Kamenka. The village of Kamennaya in the middle reaches of Kamenka and on the map of 1792 is designated. Other name options are Kaumenkka, Kiviaja.

In the second half of the 18th century, Kamenka became a vacation spot for Russian Germans. Here in 1865, German colonists founded their "daughter" colony on leased land. Since then, the village has received the name Kamenka Colony (so called until the 1930s). In 1892, a colony near the village of Volkovo "budded" from it. The inhabitants of both colonies belonged to the Novo-Saratov parish and since 1871 had a prayer house in Kamenka, which was visited by 250 people. He maintained a school for 40 students. The house was closed in 1935 and later demolished.

Currently, Kamenka exists as a holiday village, located along the road to Levashovo. Since 1961 - in the city, part of the planning area in the North-West, from the mid-1990s. built up with multi-storey residential buildings and cottages.

  

Volkovo. The settlement is about southeast of the village of Kamenka - on the old road to Kamenka, on the bank of a stream that flows into Kamenka between the village of Kamenka and the Shuvalovsky quarry. In 1892, a German colony emerged on the territory of the village, "budding" from a nearby colony in the village of Kamenka. The origin of Volkovo is not clear, the village is found only on maps of 1912, 1930, 1939, 1943. and probably appeared no earlier than the 19th century.

  

Kolomyagi. Scribe books of the XV — XVI centuries and Swedish plans testify that small settlements already existed on the site of Kolomyag. Most likely, these were first Izhora or Karelian, then Finnish farms, which were empty during the hostilities of the late XVII century.

The name "Kolomyag" connoisseurs decipher in different ways. Some say that it came from the "colo" - in Finnish cave and "pulp" - a hill, a hill. The village is located on the hills, and such an interpretation is quite acceptable. Others look for the root of the name in the Finnish word "koaa" - bark - and believe that trees were processed here after felling. Another version of the origin of the name from the Finnish "kello" is the bell, and it is associated not with the feature of the mountain, but with the "bell on the mountain" - a tower with a signal bell standing on a hill.

The owners of Kolomyazhsky lands were Admiral General A.I. Osterman, Count A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, a family of Volkonsky. In 1789, the Volkonskys sold these lands to retired colonel Sergei Savvich Yakovlev. On his estate S. S. Yakovlev built a manor and lived in it with his wife and seven daughters. The once-Finnish population of Kolomyag was “Russified” by that time - it was made up of descendants of serfs resettled by Osterman and Bestuzhev-Rumin from their villages in Central Russia (natives of the Volga and Galich) and Ukraine. Then the name "Kellomyaki" began to sound in Russian fashion - "Kolomyagi", although later the old name also existed, especially among local Finns. And not without reason the indigenous Kolomozhites associate their origin with the Volga places, and the southern half of the village is now called “Galician”.

Yakovlev died in 1818. Five years after his death, a division of the territory of the manor was made. The village of Kolomyagi was divided in half between two of his daughters. The border was the Bezymyanny stream. The southeastern part of the village of Kolomyagi beyond Bezymyanny creek and a plot on the banks of the Bolshaya Nevka passed to the daughter Ekaterina Sergeevna Avdulina.

Daughter Yakovleva Elena Sergeevna - the wife of General Alexei Petrovich Nikitin, a hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, who was awarded the highest military orders and twice a gold sword with the inscription "For courage", died early, leaving her daughter Elizabeth. The northwestern part of Kolomyag inherited the young Elizabeth, so this part of Kolomyag was practically inherited by the father of Yakovlev’s granddaughter, Count A.P. Nikitin, who in 1832 became the owner of the entire village. It is his name that is stored in the names of the streets - 1st and 2nd Nikitinsky and Novo-Nikitinsky. The new owner built a stone mansion on the estate’s estate - an excellent example of classicism of the first third of the 19th century, which became his country house and has survived to this day and has been occupied until recently by the Nursing Home. It is believed that this mansion was built according to the project of the famous architect A.I. Melnikov. The severity and modesty of the architectural appearance of the facades and residential chambers of the Nikitin mansion was opposed by the splendor of ceremonial interiors, in particular the two-light dance hall with choirs for musicians. Unfortunately, with repeated alterations and repairs, many details of the decor and stucco emblems of the owners disappeared. Only two photographs of the 1920s and preserved fragments of ornamental molding and paintings on the walls and ceiling show the past richness of the decorative decoration of this architectural monument. The mansion was surrounded by a small park. In it stood a stone pagan woman brought from the southern steppes of Russia (transferred to the Hermitage), and a pond with a plakun waterfall was built. Near the pond there was a "walk of love" from the "paradise" apple trees - it was called so because the bride and groom passed through it after the wedding. Here, in the shadow of these apple trees, young lovers made appointments.

Under the Orlov-Denisov opposite the mansion (now Main Street, 29), the structures of an agricultural farm were erected, partially preserved to this day, and the greenhouse. Behind the farm were the master's fields. On them, as the New Time newspaper reported in August 1880, they tested the reaping and shearing machines brought from America.

In the 19th century, the provincial surveyor Zaitsev submitted for approval the highway called the Kolomyagskoye Shosse. The route was supposed to connect the village, gradually gaining fame as a summer residence of the "middle arm", with St. Petersburg. The construction of the road ended in the 1840s, and then horse-drawn and country-house crafts became the most important articles of peasant income. In addition, peasants either built small dachas in their yards, or rented their huts for the summer. Located away from the roads, surrounded by fields, the village was chosen by multi-family citizens.

The income from the summer cottage industry increased from year to year, which was facilitated by the summer movement of omnibuses that opened on the new highway from the City Council building. They walked four times a day, each accommodated 16 people, the fare cost 15 kopecks. Even when the Finnish Railway with the nearest Udelnaya station came into operation in 1870, the highway remained the main access road through which public carriages pulled by a trio of horses ran from the Stroganov (now Ushakovsky) bridge.

The importance of the highway has decreased since 1893, when traffic began along the Ozerkovskaya branch of the Primorsky Railway, built by the engineer P.A. Avenarius, the founder of the Sestroretsky resort.

I don't usually offer tips or advice on photography or equipment because, well, I don't know anything about it. You could just as profitably ask the cat. However, I recently invested a small sum of money in a piece of kit and it has been so much bang for my buck I want to pass it on in case it might benefit anyone else. Disclosure:I have no connection with any of the manufacturers or sellers of the equipment and, alas, nobody will offer me a farthing for any sales that might result. I mean, I would take the money no questions asked but they just don't offer it. Another disclosure:it was actually more bang for my wife's buck owing to a purely temporary (but recurring, Ed) problem of liquidity on my part.

 

Some years ago I moved from Canon camera bodies to Fujifilm. At the time Canon had no professional offering in the mirrorless market. I wanted to see what all the mirrorless hype was about so I put a toe in the water with a Fuji X-E1 in 2013. I loved the Fuji colours (they've been engineering colour for just about as long as anybody), film simulations and portability. Mirrorless was wonderful for me, now I could visualise my barmy exposures in real time. Eventually I invested in a pair of XT2s and I’m still happy with them. Except for one thing:battery life.

 

In my Canon days I could shoot a whole event on one battery. However, Fuji batteries are not that big in capacity to start with and the XT2s just ran away with the juice. I tried Fuji batteries, the extended versions, third party suppliers. I tried the little rain dance around the battery before inserting it, sworn by some YouTube jujuman as key to longevity, and even riches. Nothing made much difference. The batteries always made me sad. And it only got worse after I added a Fringer adapter to my rig to let me use legacy Canon glass with the Fuji bodies. There were times when I only got six long exposure shots from a fully charged battery. No seriously, six shots. I just kept adding batteries and if I went out to shoot a sports event I would have perhaps a dozen charged batteries in my bag. Understandably, events organisers want shots to post on their event sites, send off in hope to local papers, give to sponsors see you next year eh you bet. What they don't want are worthy explanations about Fuji battery life and I nearly had a great shot of the winner fighting off a crocodile but the battery ran out.

 

I continued to obsess about batteries, searching for settings that might reduce the power consumption and reading everything I found on the subject. My wife unkindly observed that you never seem to OCD about fixing stuff or putting gas in the car or mowing the yard. One day I came across a web page called 'Powering the Fuji X-T3' by Dom Varney. This proved to be the Eureka moment in the battery problem for me. domvarney.com/2018/11/22/powering-the-fuji-x-t3/ The solution also works for XT2s.

 

Dom is a proper expert in battery technology (unlike run-of-the-mill internet witch doctors and regular ol' snake oil sales folks) and on his page you will find an extensive and very thorough analysis of the Fuji battery issues. If you read carefully you'll find the Fuji approved solution to the problem.

 

In case you’re disinclined to do so I’ll summarise the solution here. Anker PowerCore Slim 10000, available at your leading online reseller for less than £20. Charge up the PowerCore and pop it onto a shirt pocket. Connect it to the Fuji USB input port with a camera battery installed and bingo, you can shoot for days on end on one battery. Apparently the Powercore is made from something and that's what Get on with it (Ed.) I have used this setup for months now. Even after four photo shoots the PowerCore level has never dipped below 3 lights out of four.

 

You may be able to achieve the same results with another external power source, and possibly with other cameras too. I have no idea about that. I only know this one works reliably for me and That's enough now (Ed.)

 

BNSF's most profitable L-CHI813 local screams back to La Crosse with the proudest looking 1922 on the point, dragging a few cars for the yard. Stoddard, WI 8/8/16

SN/NC: Anacardium Occidentale, Anacardiaceae Family

 

The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew nut and the cashew apple. It can grow as high as 14 m (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields.

The cashew nut, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications from lubricants to paints. The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liquor.

The species is originally native to northeastern Brazil. Major production of cashews occurs in Vietnam, Nigeria, India, and Ivory Coast.

 

De cashewboom is een tropische groenblijvende boom die de cashewnoot en de cashewappel voortbrengt. Hij kan wel 14 m hoog worden, maar de dwergcashew, die tot 6 m groeit, is meer winstgevend gebleken, met een eerdere rijpheid en hogere opbrengsten.

De cashewnoot, vaak simpelweg cashewnoten genoemd, wordt veel geconsumeerd. Het wordt op zichzelf gegeten, gebruikt in recepten of verwerkt tot cashewkaas of cashewboter. De schil van het cashewnotenzaad levert derivaten op die in veel toepassingen kunnen worden gebruikt, van smeermiddelen tot verven. De cashewappel is een licht roodachtige tot gele vrucht waarvan het vruchtvlees kan worden verwerkt tot een zoete, adstringerende fruitdrank of kan worden gedestilleerd tot likeur.

De soort komt oorspronkelijk uit het noordoosten van Brazilië. De belangrijkste productie van cashewnoten vindt plaats in Vietnam, Nigeria, India en Ivoorkust.

 

Es también conocido como cajú, anacardo, nuez de la india, castaña de cajú, marañón, caguil o merey es un árbol originario de la región amazónica del nordeste de Brasil y casi toda Venezuela. Muchos de sus componentes son utilizados en la elaboración de productos diversos, como por ejemplo dulces, cosméticos y medicamentos.

 

O caju é muitas vezes tido como o fruto do cajueiro quando, na verdade, trata-se de um pseudofruto.

O que entendemos popularmente como "caju" se constitui de duas partes: o fruto propriamente dito, que é a castanha; e seu pedúnculo floral, o pseudofruto, um corpo piriforme, amarelo, rosado ou vermelho.

Na língua tupi, acaiu (caju) significa noz que se produz.

Na tradição oral sabe-se que acayu ou aca-iu refere-se a ano, uma vez que os indígenas contavam a idade a cada floração e safra.

O pseudofruto e fruto

Cajueiro frutificando no município de Cascavel, no Ceará, um dos grandes produtores de caju no estado

O caju, o pseudofruto, é suculento e rico em vitamina C e ferro. Depois do beneficiamento do caju, preparam-se sucos, mel, doces, como cajuada, caju passas, rapadura de caju. Como seu suco fermenta rapidamente, pode ser destilado para produzir uma aguardente o cauim. Dele também são fabricadas bebidas não alcoólicas, como a cajuína.

Muito antes do descobrimento do Brasil e antes da chegada dos portugueses, o caju já era alimento básico das populações autóctones. Por exemplo: os tremembé já fermentavam o suco do caju, o mocororó, que era e é bebido na cerimônia do Torém.

Existe uma variedade enorme de pratos feitos com o caju e com a castanha de caju.

De suas fibras (resíduo/bagaço), ricas em aminoácidos e vitaminas, misturadas com temperos, é feita a "carne de caju"

 

Nó còn được gọi là điều, điều, điều, điều, điều, caguil hoặc chỉ là một loại cây có nguồn gốc từ vùng Amazon phía đông bắc Brazil và gần như toàn bộ Venezuela. Nhiều thành phần của nó được sử dụng trong sản xuất các sản phẩm khác nhau, chẳng hạn như đồ ngọt, mỹ phẩm và thuốc.

 

Es ist auch bekannt als Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Caguil oder Merey. Es ist ein Baum, der im Amazonasgebiet im Nordosten Brasiliens und in fast ganz Venezuela heimisch ist. Viele seiner Komponenten werden zur Herstellung verschiedener Produkte wie Süßigkeiten, Kosmetika und Medikamente verwendet.

 

Conosciuto anche come anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, caguil o semplicemente, è un albero originario della regione amazzonica del nord-est del Brasile e di quasi tutto il Venezuela. Molti dei suoi componenti sono utilizzati nella produzione di vari prodotti, come dolci, cosmetici e medicinali.

 

On l'appelle également noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, caguil ou merey.C'est un arbre originaire de la région amazonienne du nord-est du Brésil et de presque tout le Venezuela. Beaucoup de ses composants sont utilisés dans la production de divers produits, tels que des bonbons, des cosmétiques et des médicaments.

 

تُعرف أيضًا باسم الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو مجرد شجرة موطنها الأصلي في منطقة الأمازون في شمال شرق البرازيل وكل فنزويلا تقريبًا. تستخدم العديد من مكوناته في إنتاج منتجات متنوعة مثل الحلويات ومستحضرات التجميل والأدوية.

A franchise needs to have profits or else what is a franchise for? Industrialization was set up from almost the getgo in the New World with the manufacture of glassware in the Jamestown Settlement so that it could be profitable for the Virginia Company of London.

 

Besides having invented and implemented the moving assembly line for mass production, skyscrapers, the elevator, the telephone, and Wonder bread, American industrialization knowhow nowadays makes super strength gorilla glass, quantum computers, artificial intelligence, intra- and interstellar spacecraft, self-driving cars, propulsion drives, cancer-curing biotech products, financial derivatives, stickies, and hamburgers (including pure vegetable ones that taste just like a beef burger).

The era of 'deregulation' of bus services spawned many a newcomer to the industry as provision on profitable routes burgeoned. Some of those it was thought would benefit and take up the challenge simply gave up and retired, whilst others expanded themselves into oblivion. The new era brough numerous 'fly-by-night' operations, many of whom weren't fit to hold a licence, but there were other commendable efforts. Many of those in the latter category were enthusiast run, people simply wanting to provide a service to others via the medium of their hobby. They put their heart and soul into doing things properly but seldom was there the financial return to make the sums add up... which I know from bitter experience.

I don't know the ins and outs of Dorset based Verwood Transport, but the small fleet always appeared well turned out in their two tone blue livery with gold lining. Here ex Glasgow Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean HGD 863L is seen with blinds set for a journey to Christchurch (Bournemouth) in 1987. Sadly, the business no longer exists, but even if it did, it wouldn't legally be possible to provide service nowadays with the sort of vehicles an enthusiast owner would have a preference for using. Better to have no service than one provided by a bus with a step entrance eh?

Watco's WRA 002 diesel electric locomotive at Warwick, Queensland undergoing some maintenance and possible repairs. Watco is an American short line railroad operator to use US parlance. A short line in America is usually a borderline profitable or potentially profitable downgraded mainline or former branch line (s) of one of the major railway companies sold off to one of the many smaller private companies which may operate one or even a large number of usually non-connected short lines with a view to making a profit by increasing customers, offering specialised services and doing it all much cheaper. Mostly the high standards of operations expected of mainline operators are not required because they are restricted to slower speeds, less well maintained track and equipment and often lower axle loads. We generally do not have such companies operating in this way in Australia, but following privatisation and open access, some have set up here to operate over parts of the general railway system, sometimes financially borderline type services which the large companies have abandoned or even services which are Government subsidised. Watco are now operating in several states.

 

In Queensland, they are based in Warwick adjacent to Downs Steam which does certain mechanical work for them. Watco have now won the right to operate grain trains in Queensland and the Government contracts them to operate our cattle trains. The WRA class were their first locomotives, built overseas and as they have won more traffic from the likes of Aurizon (formerly Queensland Rail's freight arm), they have added more locomotives and in a strange twist, these are ex. Queensland Rail/Aurizon locomotives that were sold overseas and following their withdrawal there (mainly South Africa) they have been purchased and returned to Queensland by Watco where they are now technically used in competition with their previous owner. Watco's presence has generally been a shot in the arm for general (non-mineral) rail freight in Queensland which was dumped as unprofitable by Aurizon.*

 

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watco_Australia_WRA_Class

 

* A number of years back during the madness and pressure of privatisation of many public assets, when the concept was that public servants knew nothing about how to run the various entities that they had run for many years, often shackled by unrealistic government red tape, the Queensland Government was more or less pressured against its will to also sell assets and keep up with with the rest of Australia. Often, it was with the threat of losing vast amounts of Commonwealth grants and subsidies if the privatisation didn't occur. In this melee of madness, which has had to be reversed in a number of fields in both Australia, New Zealand and even in the birthplace of Thatcherism, the UK, the Queensland Government hived off the freight arm of Queensland Rail and the ownership of the very profitable coal network in Central Queensland. The new stock exchange listed company became known as Aurizon.

 

In the fight for more and more profit for shareholders, it abandoned most of its interest in general freight which either lost money or was only mildly profitable. In the end, they priced themselves out of intermodal traffic, cattle, sugar, grain etc laying waste to vast railway infrastructure in the state. This occurred even as they set up interstate in profitable services such as minerals and coal. Having placed all their eggs in limited baskets, the recent threat to coal and therefore profits has seen them expand interstate operations, taking over other railway companies and they are now the largest operator in Australia with a presence in all mainland states. If you get a feeling of deja vue from some of this info, it may be because you have felt the cold wisps of similar treatment from the likes of the big banks, Qantas and telcos! Less services, more profit for shareholders (and most of us are indeed often shareholders through superannuation) but.....there is a limit isn't there.

Not sure that the wine producers around the world are overly concerned about my efforts to keep them profitable but I shall carry on my crusade none the less. I am just about to enjoy a nice Cabernet Sauvignon and I'm sure it will go down a treat.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

 

www.steveniceton.co.uk/tag/saltburn-pier/

 

Some History of the Pier:-

 

The Stockton and Darlington Railway arrived in Saltburn from Redcar on 17 August 1861, prompting a growth in day trippers and holiday travellers.

 

The engineer for the railway line was John Anderson, who saw the investment opportunities in the new town, buying land from the Saltburn Improvement Company. He bought plots in Milton and Amber Streets, as well as Brittania Terrace/Marine Drive - both now Marine Parade - where he designed and erected the Alexandria Hotel.

 

Appointed resident engineer of the SIC in 1867, he designed the town's sewerage system.

  

Construction

 

In October 1867, Anderson formed the Saltburn Pier Company, to undertake construction of a suitable pier. Contracted as designer and chief design engineer, Anderson followed the new pier format developed by Eugenius Birch in his ground breaking design for Margate Pier, by specifying iron screw-piles to support a metal frame and wooden deck.

 

Deliveries of iron work from the Ormesby Foundry began in December 1867, with the first pile drive started by Mrs Thomas Vaughan of Gunnergate Hall on 30 December. But construction was delayed by the fact that the Board of Trade did not grant an order for the construction until 6 April 1868, while the foreshore land was not transferred to the company until 3 July 1868.

 

The 1,500 feet (460 m) pier opened in May 1869, with a steamer landing stage at the head of the pier and two circular kiosks at the entrance. The first steamers left the pier on 14 May 1870, with service to Middlesbrough. In the first six months of operation, there were 50,000 toll-paying visitors.

 

But access to the pier was difficult from the town via the steep cliff, so Anderson was contracted to build the Cliff Hoist. Constructed of wood, it allowed 20 people to be placed in a wooden cage and then lowered by rope to beach level. It opened on 1 July 1870, some 14 months after the opening of the pier, it was approached from the town by a narrow walkway. The passengers then descended 120 feet (37 m), after water had been added to or taken away from a counterbalance tank.

  

Operation

 

Steamer excursions added to the companies revenue, with new seasonal trips to Hartlepool and Scarborough. This financial success enabled the Pier Company to announce profitable dividends for its shareholders, and by October 1873 it was announced that all the shares had been disposed of.

 

However, on the night of 21/22 October 1875, a gale struck the pier, removing 300 feet (91 m) of the structure at the seaward end, including the pier head, landing stage and part of the pier deck. In the middle of an iron trade slump, it was decided not to replace the missing section or reconstruct a landing stage, leaving a redeveloped pier of 1,250 feet (380 m). Reopened in 1877, the debts of the company led to it being sold in 1880 at auction at the Alexandra Hotel for £800.

 

Middlesbrough Estate

 

Sold initially to the Saltburn Improvement Company, in August 1883 the SIC was bought by the owners of the Middlesbrough Estate.

 

The new owners had the Cliff Hoist inspected by independent engineers, who condemned it due to numerous rotten timbers, so it was demolished in late 1883.[5] They commissioned Sir Richard Tangye's company, who had built the two earlier vertically inclined water powered funicular railways in Scarborough, to build a replacement. Tangye had appointed George Croydon Marks head of the lift department, in which role he was in charge of the design and installation at Saltburn. Marks designed and constructed the Saltburn Cliff Lift, a funicular with a height of 120 feet (37 m) and a track length of 207 feet (63 m), creating a 71% incline. Opened on Saturday 28 June 1884, it remains today the world's oldest water-balanced cliff railway.

 

The opening of the Cliff Lift allowed the pier company to undertake a development of facilities. As had originally been intended, a saloon was built at the pier head, while gas lighting was provided along the entire length. In 1884, the pier head was widened and windshields, a bandstand, a refreshment rooms added, and the entrance kiosks replaced to match the style of those used on the new Cliff Lift. In July 1887 the gas lighting was replaced by electricity.

 

After suffering slight storm damage in 1900, the pier was struck by the china clay vessel SS Ovenbeg (formerly the Russian registered SS St Nicholi), in May 1924. The collision left a 210 feet (64 m) gap in the promenade, leaving the bandstand inaccessible. The gap was replaced from March 1929, with a new theatre also built on the landside, completed in 1930 enabling the full length of the pier to open.

 

Post World War Two

 

Purchased by the council in 1938, the pier like others was sectioned during World War II, by having part of the deck removed by the Royal Engineers to guard against Nazi invasion. But due to its poor post war condition, repairs were not granted planning permission until 1949, and due to a shortage of steel not completed until April 1952. Officially reopened for the first time since the war on 31 May 1952, over 25,000 visitors walked the pier during the first month.

 

In 1953, gales resulted in £23,000 worth of repairs, which took a further five years to complete. But after completion, in 1958 tow piles were lost, costing a further £6,000. In 1961 another twenty piles were twisted in storms, but repairs kept the structure open enabling 90,000 people to visit during the 1960s.

 

After severe storms in 1971 and 1973, piles were lost at the seaward end leaving the pier in a dangerous state. Further damage in 1974 culminated on 29 October, when the pier head was lost and the deck damaged, leaving a length of 1,100 feet (340 m).

 

In 1975 the council submitted an application to the Department of the Environment to have the pier demolished. A "Save the Pier" campaign led to a public enquiry, which concluded that only the final thirteen piers could be removed. This left a 681 feet (208 m) length of refurbished pier, which reopened on 29 June 1978. In 1979, the council undertook a complete refurbishment of both the pier and the Cliff Lift to reflect the Victorian/Edwardian character, by: ordering new aluminium cars for the Cliff Lift, reinstating to the design stained-glass windows; new distinct white-red cladding to all the structures; a pier head cafe.

 

Post 2000

 

In 2000, the council was successful in gaining a £1.2M National Lottery Heritage Grant, enabling the cast iron trestles that support the pier to be conserved, and the steel deck beams replaced with traditional hardwood timber to reflect the pier’s original appearance. Reopened as a Grade II* listed building on 13 July 2001, by MP Chris Smith, the restored structure won a top placing in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Heritage awards. In October 2005, the pier was greatly enhanced by the installation of under deck lighting which illuminates at night, and in 2009, the National Piers Society awarded it pier of the year.

 

Source: Wikipedia.

 

www.steveniceton.co.uk

 

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For Freight Car Friday here's another one of these once ubiquitous cars. It's kind of sad but this was the last M426/M427 that I actually saw one on. I'm sure there are more around, but they are falling fast.

 

MEC 31805 is entrained on CSXT M427 (Rigby Yard to Selkirk manifest) hustling west on CSXT's Boston Sub mainline, the former Boston and Albany Railroad, approaching the water plant crossing at about MP QB89.8. The Pan Am blue car is from a 250 unit order of (Lot 17977) of 58 ft, 77 ton capacity cars built by FMC (originally Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation - at that time owner of Gunderson in Oregon) in Nov. 1978.

 

The profitable little class 1, Maine Central, had ordered over 1000 new boxcars in the half dozen years prior to Guilford buying the railroad in 1981 and until recently there were still enough around that you were nearly guaranteed to at least see a few anytime you were trackside in New England for any length of time. However, the day will probably come soon when I have taken my last photo of one of these in revenue service but I doubt I'll realize it when it happens.

 

Wilbraham, Massachusetts

Friday October 11, 2024

view at the ceres terminal, amsterdam harbor, reprocessed

b/w

now it's an empty space again, the cranes are gone

it was not profitable