tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17823064340617659142024-03-18T05:05:05.117-07:00Winter Peach PhotographyA photo journal for visual consumers and nature lovers. I promise to deliver aesthetically pleasing images (I am drawn to the dark side!) and share the stories of how they came to be. I can't promise I won't digress. Positive interaction and a sharing of ideas and opinions are all welcome here. Whilst I will touch on this from time to time, readers looking for a tech-heavy blog avert your gaze! So, here we go...feet on the ground, head in the clouds!
Thanks for reading! www.winterpeach.co.ukWinter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-57547847687495815452024-03-11T06:50:00.000-07:002024-03-11T06:50:22.677-07:00Forest Bathing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Last Sunday dawned bright and beautiful; the perfect Spring day. So where better to celebrate and soak up some sun to top up our vitamin D levels, but a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It wasn't quite the weather for forest bathing, muddy puddles still very much in evidence after February's precipitation, but I was sorely tempted. Cannock Chase is a former Royal Forest and mixed area of countryside in Staffordshire - and a jewel of the Midlands. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Cannock Chase comprises a mixture of natural deciduous woodland, coniferous plantations, open heathland, small lakes and the remains of early industry, including coal mining. The Chase was awarded its status in September 1958 and is the smallest area so designated in mainland Britain, covering 26 square miles. Much of the area is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Despite being relatively small, the Chase provides a broad range of landscape and wildlife, including a heard of around 800 fallow deer and a number of rare and endangered birds, including migrant nightjars.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisS8jgi1tzNSk2OPoV_5aevcYqiwp7agy0lpgrHHGcUe1FKr7ABkpdlS4zakegeTEuTMCXCuj1rTnC7O0BPCYwuAcOByConhtkNp48PKavNYCLyHZ0bU7UqFskXISMvYQ3sf75a_U4eKJQB7Z7mRmRrj600AhBGh9nl4xVdX816CBvCDiryF9mIkVpZik/s4216/Cannock13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4216" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisS8jgi1tzNSk2OPoV_5aevcYqiwp7agy0lpgrHHGcUe1FKr7ABkpdlS4zakegeTEuTMCXCuj1rTnC7O0BPCYwuAcOByConhtkNp48PKavNYCLyHZ0bU7UqFskXISMvYQ3sf75a_U4eKJQB7Z7mRmRrj600AhBGh9nl4xVdX816CBvCDiryF9mIkVpZik/w640-h432/Cannock13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Popular with mountain bikers, luckily, there's enough space for everyone to enjoy it's tranquil beauty. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We don't visit as often as we would like, as despite being less than an hour away, the most direct route takes us through the city of Wolverhampton, which can be problematic. But on Sunday, we found a parking space a little off the beaten track and immediately felt ourselves unwinding, pleased we'd made the effort.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPpMnl1MCiKT1SlxsNUDTxSezyGXjmd325DbL_APiN0SAR61uxCKcRQSnJxziCY7t9mbUEV-vH6K9fdidUbOPNEzZXLi4gRkFRdxYdUbzRjsV7tq6O59RaNUvZikqIpIyhj5LjHaDjBhBxeD2kC8QbtwaW0KeBdBAytcNE-_4wyOdB0_Nhb5e1p9UPA8/s4272/Cannock20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPpMnl1MCiKT1SlxsNUDTxSezyGXjmd325DbL_APiN0SAR61uxCKcRQSnJxziCY7t9mbUEV-vH6K9fdidUbOPNEzZXLi4gRkFRdxYdUbzRjsV7tq6O59RaNUvZikqIpIyhj5LjHaDjBhBxeD2kC8QbtwaW0KeBdBAytcNE-_4wyOdB0_Nhb5e1p9UPA8/w640-h426/Cannock20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqItvjI_P9F9UuKMWmjUPfMMLo6eJAtkUjiX1JaZT0IVvJSOR5zLZP1SWtvqHod6zkLX7R03mJN08GwyCi8_t46XaWAPxVYNObScr59-8XZdJZuJZxYJQeGaRPnaP9g_XDwnSGNmHJ7K7-3ayZkpkEFzCJh3EUaScUM8iuMeawR9teKFO7l2Ofcja_Hb0/s4152/Cannock17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4152" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqItvjI_P9F9UuKMWmjUPfMMLo6eJAtkUjiX1JaZT0IVvJSOR5zLZP1SWtvqHod6zkLX7R03mJN08GwyCi8_t46XaWAPxVYNObScr59-8XZdJZuJZxYJQeGaRPnaP9g_XDwnSGNmHJ7K7-3ayZkpkEFzCJh3EUaScUM8iuMeawR9teKFO7l2Ofcja_Hb0/w640-h438/Cannock17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I love a gnarly, moss covered tree!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila27_DF1JqtPLTa1VyRr_6_DKJHwTej0sf63BcQX1vxRrE7HTFExPPDHMMfcl_6kRb5xp2MPkNCCIpCHMxPW1JwmaAHEeWvg8OPpo_cVCgJ5YvEMMVP3Zmh2VVi3qmtGevcfZnQGcrunJ8x_BSmwvnMO05QVjwTv8nF5KL67HQ9LK1YVc_GA9LQmxO4A/s4272/Cannock19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila27_DF1JqtPLTa1VyRr_6_DKJHwTej0sf63BcQX1vxRrE7HTFExPPDHMMfcl_6kRb5xp2MPkNCCIpCHMxPW1JwmaAHEeWvg8OPpo_cVCgJ5YvEMMVP3Zmh2VVi3qmtGevcfZnQGcrunJ8x_BSmwvnMO05QVjwTv8nF5KL67HQ9LK1YVc_GA9LQmxO4A/w640-h426/Cannock19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCI44NbppnDQisJ9ax4EM90B41ZsX4PpEiwHeELCikNWhSIeJ4EutqRMVf6C-2jVc9Gc8MB0Iz1x0eQWRxVptRoa-MQAviDCTbyKR5p1E8tV6onFSUprYVIgkyMp3C40JiakawgHyGVPRygSD-PLB7O_wk2F8a_DTbfejAXS8U4q3IxoSBBlvOMuD9Ro/s4272/Cannock21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCI44NbppnDQisJ9ax4EM90B41ZsX4PpEiwHeELCikNWhSIeJ4EutqRMVf6C-2jVc9Gc8MB0Iz1x0eQWRxVptRoa-MQAviDCTbyKR5p1E8tV6onFSUprYVIgkyMp3C40JiakawgHyGVPRygSD-PLB7O_wk2F8a_DTbfejAXS8U4q3IxoSBBlvOMuD9Ro/w640-h426/Cannock21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The clouds were high. No threat of rain today. I loved glimpsing the sun-kissed countryside on the horizon.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7XVEEP_wuuUWO1HDK91WX1jKCvIIIMavrjSm7tY649AQ7_4olBzl2ULlOqHQhA_U3fxY6EPGasHdzxgWoELJbEDCqmJ16Z05LAKysEul6LcLak9CoH536U_wNe31n5fRaVsNV1wWNExt0DMRYwwuwdJ-_A-GlmjYK_hjcAyxD3-2gyRIn_69w87zb54/s4272/Cannock18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="4272" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7XVEEP_wuuUWO1HDK91WX1jKCvIIIMavrjSm7tY649AQ7_4olBzl2ULlOqHQhA_U3fxY6EPGasHdzxgWoELJbEDCqmJ16Z05LAKysEul6LcLak9CoH536U_wNe31n5fRaVsNV1wWNExt0DMRYwwuwdJ-_A-GlmjYK_hjcAyxD3-2gyRIn_69w87zb54/w640-h420/Cannock18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzFSUtLhs_0p_fbSTKBokcS32rcimfCTh3F8lyxuE1eLiGMmVibFF1KtS7d99YeKrSGljjrLVl2fA5cgmrWbZZ6DPM4R6IO8T61jqr0gmdIYNjxPZ1sIS8TJTTsh8fK26deZHflTYviMvi91RdZHv4xZJrcmUIjUwygFRu6empFzGge3cZKMECiGhkbU/s4106/Cannock12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="4106" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzFSUtLhs_0p_fbSTKBokcS32rcimfCTh3F8lyxuE1eLiGMmVibFF1KtS7d99YeKrSGljjrLVl2fA5cgmrWbZZ6DPM4R6IO8T61jqr0gmdIYNjxPZ1sIS8TJTTsh8fK26deZHflTYviMvi91RdZHv4xZJrcmUIjUwygFRu6empFzGge3cZKMECiGhkbU/w640-h414/Cannock12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We really are so lucky to have such natural beauty on our doorstep. I love a trip to the city as much as the next person, but if there's one thing I'm grateful for, it's that I inherited my parents' love of nature. There's a lot to be said for having space to breathe and think. Spending time in nature answers a primal calling. It's intoxicating. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8SXVHyV6geMkuJLrzHUC7k-nNzHaP1zQhLb52KHD-vyFCO4V-xnNxxkFO6efs9YgikEJq7ZDGmgoqOH3RRuDQpWOIepv7u9Qmu6GrXCAJQIKIuIyFAwo47m26lGcbqkgcw64qjldO-Us7JIycGeduSky22_MYUWmOyvqGokEW4zKly0I8jLAJx49rFk/s4272/Cannock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8SXVHyV6geMkuJLrzHUC7k-nNzHaP1zQhLb52KHD-vyFCO4V-xnNxxkFO6efs9YgikEJq7ZDGmgoqOH3RRuDQpWOIepv7u9Qmu6GrXCAJQIKIuIyFAwo47m26lGcbqkgcw64qjldO-Us7JIycGeduSky22_MYUWmOyvqGokEW4zKly0I8jLAJx49rFk/w640-h426/Cannock2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIllJWVYMQC0_2HBkAYRlQjZTpIpN5orEgsdciM-36qaCdSlKSWUHh9fttI74QAm8L678Y_Js_8A8ggVV_6f2h4aIrABbRW-GH0oMZ1ZvHsC_ju5WO0b9T3Ulq0QJuxyUdFkxHW4bwGrS_HbEC8BnhVWYRuEnXhigfG83Kuyy6B0sYcPH2pXL_CexLyk/s4272/Cannock3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIllJWVYMQC0_2HBkAYRlQjZTpIpN5orEgsdciM-36qaCdSlKSWUHh9fttI74QAm8L678Y_Js_8A8ggVV_6f2h4aIrABbRW-GH0oMZ1ZvHsC_ju5WO0b9T3Ulq0QJuxyUdFkxHW4bwGrS_HbEC8BnhVWYRuEnXhigfG83Kuyy6B0sYcPH2pXL_CexLyk/w640-h426/Cannock3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Feeling reflective yet? I might be stating the obvious, but the photo below is a reflection, but flipped horizontally. It's quite trippy don't you think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPOY7QGRD5yq81BIcG4AgkT_291iZ2Nmk-ZAhnbqmTU_AW0ABiyXBeQRE2mGGksWWgQR8X0ShdYbGzvHFu6Oq5Ll1hiRPRmqKBWTQXvGOKSej9Bp2_4gxat5PjZs1jDpF9Mn2QSa8UjnbTIAfwgKALMPs-hb2_OaRDhvccGIKQCXOPodaH9-W4hy6G7g/s4272/Cannock4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPOY7QGRD5yq81BIcG4AgkT_291iZ2Nmk-ZAhnbqmTU_AW0ABiyXBeQRE2mGGksWWgQR8X0ShdYbGzvHFu6Oq5Ll1hiRPRmqKBWTQXvGOKSej9Bp2_4gxat5PjZs1jDpF9Mn2QSa8UjnbTIAfwgKALMPs-hb2_OaRDhvccGIKQCXOPodaH9-W4hy6G7g/w640-h426/Cannock4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The dipping sun through the trees made for some spectacular sunburst photos.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYZnDWmLQSxkfYXMb-Nqr81XtGA5svVi9sDJzM14CxxRjy0-AFTCkIraJ67HmItrANGOXYRkqHTr365lwJNn-bEZmg1g2-SmtqdLJxJZujgkcTwFSeHEFxhPXb7YkpPasS6FmbqfRqvuohg5QOe1su9Ya_f1nDPnPMZ6byUT7S7bO1bJBPfv9QYPG5k/s4272/Cannock9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYZnDWmLQSxkfYXMb-Nqr81XtGA5svVi9sDJzM14CxxRjy0-AFTCkIraJ67HmItrANGOXYRkqHTr365lwJNn-bEZmg1g2-SmtqdLJxJZujgkcTwFSeHEFxhPXb7YkpPasS6FmbqfRqvuohg5QOe1su9Ya_f1nDPnPMZ6byUT7S7bO1bJBPfv9QYPG5k/w640-h426/Cannock9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Now usually, we're not the kind of people who feel naked minus a coffee in hand on a hike, but we were keen to extend the day and so we stopped off at the on-site cafe for coffee (and cake for one). There was also a war hut close by; one of many across Cannock, used for training around 20,000 soldiers during the first World War. We didn't stop to explore as time was marching on and we were keen to continue our walk, but I did wonder how many made it back?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Days out with our teenage son are few and far between, but he's also go the nature bug and so joined us - even permitting me to take a few photos. I made a mental note that the area provides incredible family portrait opportunities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDDpCFmM3CFzBPtXkLcTkCZJ3EiLr0SR7Jg4yXovtCGl2-rtyjuvSlQxFuz4Lfq5y_LfXAWM9rCFtorMzuhVvPFLeHLX7u5gugrlRskqjaziyY5l_nvqT2mwKZDlj_a0HB-bR_J8NCYoT8GhdykwtZ3tPDBmKPImWxQ94DZ4Fp1xrFtS3oSKyoxgm1LQ/s4272/Cannock8LightEdit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDDpCFmM3CFzBPtXkLcTkCZJ3EiLr0SR7Jg4yXovtCGl2-rtyjuvSlQxFuz4Lfq5y_LfXAWM9rCFtorMzuhVvPFLeHLX7u5gugrlRskqjaziyY5l_nvqT2mwKZDlj_a0HB-bR_J8NCYoT8GhdykwtZ3tPDBmKPImWxQ94DZ4Fp1xrFtS3oSKyoxgm1LQ/w400-h266/Cannock8LightEdit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Spending time in the great outdoors is mood elevating stuff. Architecture, art and culture are all important, but immersion in nature is vital in my humble opinion. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Not convinced? Look at the evidence.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Physical health:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmtaL_JhJzZMc26vxGo6RNVrU3tdEacpXc0ChEYopKB3_uXcZ1s3xVIfbs3R4mVAIBG6JKGZ4cwqpmiK6yE_-MpEzzB6Qjun8O0qP6rwjboBcnuWWE7ng28ppomxtUaZtlgU9g2UWcCmYpHJQe13Obpep6plOofCmtcMRh2h99fxRVtvmUm_3vvgpnE/s6000/DogWalker2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMmtaL_JhJzZMc26vxGo6RNVrU3tdEacpXc0ChEYopKB3_uXcZ1s3xVIfbs3R4mVAIBG6JKGZ4cwqpmiK6yE_-MpEzzB6Qjun8O0qP6rwjboBcnuWWE7ng28ppomxtUaZtlgU9g2UWcCmYpHJQe13Obpep6plOofCmtcMRh2h99fxRVtvmUm_3vvgpnE/w400-h266/DogWalker2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Dog walkers on Kinver Edge</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Oxygen released by trees and the resulting fresh air rejuvenates body and mind. We're bombarded by pollutants, which contribute to respiratory problems and dementia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Trees also emit essential oils called phytoncides. These natural compounds help boost our immune system, fight viruses and combat harmful bacteria.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A hike through a forest has obvious cardiovascular and overall fitness benefits. Each to their own, but I'd much rather don a pair of boots and spend a couple of hours outside than obsessively hone certain groups of muscles on a gym machine in a soulless building.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Mental health:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7e93qT2JzX2nbA0IQa1MxEckJ5dgCf-YJiv0Ztv0FrhidmXvtoTZu5XUr46Vp6n37aUAQZv01fUALI5XGmoMJQcuGtNzZExOZ9Fmmckp2FJezwXdO3_mYqYVX_oyPxXMkUpADKbJsgF9aQtXstjbSd3WFq-feNZJATlo7hUns0h0vuZ2lHNUMX16FJc/s6000/NannysRock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7e93qT2JzX2nbA0IQa1MxEckJ5dgCf-YJiv0Ztv0FrhidmXvtoTZu5XUr46Vp6n37aUAQZv01fUALI5XGmoMJQcuGtNzZExOZ9Fmmckp2FJezwXdO3_mYqYVX_oyPxXMkUpADKbJsgF9aQtXstjbSd3WFq-feNZJATlo7hUns0h0vuZ2lHNUMX16FJc/w400-h266/NannysRock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I'm using a photo of Nanny's Rock on Kinver Edge to illustrate this point. Taken square on, I always think this lump of sandstone rock looks like the top of a head; the caves a deep set pair of eyes peering out.<br /></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Aside from the obvious calming effects of a totally natural environment, studies suggest that spending time in green spaces enhances cognitive function, creativity and problem solving abilities. My own experiences have shown that long walks help me solve problems and offer perspective.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Spiritual Reflection:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbESEtLTXd4pGc2rQpBrEqyGPxqOLAX9_ojl7JTB8aqMo1gxRZmrcQxSHshl_40-WkQxOAUaBPazsnFksQxNqJHq0zLlsfzHmN5yX9LTHuqkXCt1f4JVONNebf9phDzn9NfpxjDIurS-xaqpUyQKWtmCEf9aOGSwgJ9fWqoyQk5nKo3-e3li7frF_qGeI/s5772/KinverTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5772" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbESEtLTXd4pGc2rQpBrEqyGPxqOLAX9_ojl7JTB8aqMo1gxRZmrcQxSHshl_40-WkQxOAUaBPazsnFksQxNqJHq0zLlsfzHmN5yX9LTHuqkXCt1f4JVONNebf9phDzn9NfpxjDIurS-xaqpUyQKWtmCEf9aOGSwgJ9fWqoyQk5nKo3-e3li7frF_qGeI/w400-h278/KinverTree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A beautiful example of a tree, Kinver Edge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dappled sunlight, bird song, rustling leaves; it's almost spiritual. Even our aesthetic appreciation of trees dates back to ancient times.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As we left Cannock Chase, I caught sight of this mysterious structure...</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">a former British Telecom tower.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sbo_CpE9NOH0cYWqcbnqrCv6ZcIpzpVDYDBipP0d1jahVh4aVNAEa_f1ilYchnaoj8jJ1vxnGAENOYv_p2hHfCa4sDdJIJJATHAdCKkZ3ltXLT0CiSbMTDhpQs0L02bumZ7VxE5nEAcQOfjFqaA9biPpwmirz4luSTKDmp-_3Fcr3VnJNnGX-QyxAtI/s4081/Cannock11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2721" data-original-width="4081" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sbo_CpE9NOH0cYWqcbnqrCv6ZcIpzpVDYDBipP0d1jahVh4aVNAEa_f1ilYchnaoj8jJ1vxnGAENOYv_p2hHfCa4sDdJIJJATHAdCKkZ3ltXLT0CiSbMTDhpQs0L02bumZ7VxE5nEAcQOfjFqaA9biPpwmirz4luSTKDmp-_3Fcr3VnJNnGX-QyxAtI/w640-h426/Cannock11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We won't leave it so long next time!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We took the scenic route home to enjoy the sunset. Our VW Beetle doesn't have a particularly fancy car stereo, so we've recently joined the 21st century and invested in a blue tooth gadget. We can now play our choice of music via my phone through the car stereo. Joy!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_H-ar2X8mxNBmDowWrrL7Vlwbq3TzNIpRv6YMiBbvVFcy6VfP-JXrQ1dD0vD9E_FghdTo_-5GsLYM0T3IFVkIPQkR48tw39vvHyo_horJ5YA7PkUBTXf2UztdaaO_01Jn9CKHjdoAlmblDZgbbloPD31Iky5fHomyqoXAS3pE3SWm8HdBJxhRrTpW6k/s2132/GarethCarcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2132" data-original-width="1971" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_H-ar2X8mxNBmDowWrrL7Vlwbq3TzNIpRv6YMiBbvVFcy6VfP-JXrQ1dD0vD9E_FghdTo_-5GsLYM0T3IFVkIPQkR48tw39vvHyo_horJ5YA7PkUBTXf2UztdaaO_01Jn9CKHjdoAlmblDZgbbloPD31Iky5fHomyqoXAS3pE3SWm8HdBJxhRrTpW6k/w370-h400/GarethCarcrop.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A little post script. My Monday morning view from the kitchen window was this little robin making a nest in the ivy. For once, I had the right lens on my camera and managed to capture it in all it's glory. Nature perfection</span>!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn3I18ok99IKuPWRhzEoe77FCLBRcD-l68wwWyp1E5-y6LJdtsr9zYE9CxHvMO-9C38qRUoxjLxYV9LcsLAZZtqECnmtd59P_LSx03hxJJLasdcINRYIV2wt67aY69vlrvDmq2z3AQ0-WVA7zHtrCPHHF5uUVLrnZNTgRYUbdsqMLAaVDrH4i-TZ5Eoc/s4128/RobinNesting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2728" data-original-width="4128" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn3I18ok99IKuPWRhzEoe77FCLBRcD-l68wwWyp1E5-y6LJdtsr9zYE9CxHvMO-9C38qRUoxjLxYV9LcsLAZZtqECnmtd59P_LSx03hxJJLasdcINRYIV2wt67aY69vlrvDmq2z3AQ0-WVA7zHtrCPHHF5uUVLrnZNTgRYUbdsqMLAaVDrH4i-TZ5Eoc/w640-h422/RobinNesting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I'm curious, do my fellow bloggers have a favourite walk?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-42236766897769399532024-03-02T09:16:00.000-08:002024-03-02T09:16:06.270-08:00Tunnel Vision<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Hello! I'm checking in after another self imposed period of absence from the screen. Eyes and screens are not great bedfellows and eye strain is a recurring problem for me, my phone being the biggest culprit. Talk about 21st century problems!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We are living in dark times and there are times when I'm finding it hard to find the light. Photography continues to push me to do so. Here's the moon glimpsed through our roof window, criss crossed by thorns and slightly soft focus rosehips. I'm slightly irritated by that, but quite like the overall magic of the scene.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ERYjEkGjnNzLc0-j0jO01LfEqbZMh9sj9kiQgXG_DXpJMAyDCmEvM3LGfixQOjjNYw3klnx83cJvI2E3SmB5eKsPAVmqMbKviJ9rzVvVdMRxZsNmzOUNPYiTuhWyo_GB2LeU_6bKBAh-v7dZDs2bdTiLUpUh307Nhdm-CjLmTrdODLu0v6h_4bVm348/s3064/MoonRosehip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3064" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ERYjEkGjnNzLc0-j0jO01LfEqbZMh9sj9kiQgXG_DXpJMAyDCmEvM3LGfixQOjjNYw3klnx83cJvI2E3SmB5eKsPAVmqMbKviJ9rzVvVdMRxZsNmzOUNPYiTuhWyo_GB2LeU_6bKBAh-v7dZDs2bdTiLUpUh307Nhdm-CjLmTrdODLu0v6h_4bVm348/w640-h472/MoonRosehip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I appreciate the escape that Blogland offers, but there are some things that just shouldn't be left unsaid. All life is precious and every single one that is cut short by war or malevolence is a tragedy. The world's problems are numerous, widespread and currently feel insurmountable. Yet in this turbulent world plagued by violence, intolerance and corruption, Alexei Navalny was one soul who offered a glimmer of hope, albeit in the dim and distant future. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Incomprehensibly, he's no longer with us....yet another light that has gone out. If you've never seen the Oscar winning documentary "Navalny" you really should. It's inspiring stuff and his bravery clearly knew no bounds. After viewing what I could of his funeral yesterday on YouTube, I felt moved enough to immortalise him in this revolutionary-style poster, alongside his chosen final message.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_LWIGS1rJCNHtz1w8zBdsvqIptyuoBOJnY6A2DnsvcK8PsGBIqtgPDqvBeB7Sz3KdRHQ6Jl27W1HWD3j3nCkmnHAue3kG9Q_MTK_pnrH8XA0F2eYtcYpL4duUDN8yvsAAHhsGDf___UfwSeUbjaFpRGhNcRDy4M9YPzsWyDizmHaTs3AugxpXyEvcq0/s1890/Navalny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="1890" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_LWIGS1rJCNHtz1w8zBdsvqIptyuoBOJnY6A2DnsvcK8PsGBIqtgPDqvBeB7Sz3KdRHQ6Jl27W1HWD3j3nCkmnHAue3kG9Q_MTK_pnrH8XA0F2eYtcYpL4duUDN8yvsAAHhsGDf___UfwSeUbjaFpRGhNcRDy4M9YPzsWyDizmHaTs3AugxpXyEvcq0/w640-h480/Navalny.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">February has been one of the wettest on record, so our walks have been few and far between. I've realised that dampness has a huge impact on how cold I feel. Crisp, dry air, even when the thermometer is hovering around zero, is much more comfortable than 7 or 8 degrees in damp conditions. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">That said, we continue to discover new places on our doorstep. Regular readers will know that Kinver Edge, the National Trust managed area, is a beloved local beauty spot of ours. In amongst the 600 acres of land, are hidden places of intrigue and last weekend, we ventured to the perimeter and beyond and stumbled across another one - a Grade II listed monument - hidden deep in dense woodland. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPkIBrkjulxLRLNUQA-p4LAmdQFM3Z5vaRmRCBaYUIJPZgZuwTz0VQH2MSRbISJw1Ag79UqKD9UCF6kon8z5-SVLjp3rMAIVNBMrxj2AL3AisTMlB1z59ZgcKsWK-YLhwPfzozhyphenhyphenkFKTZwZ7-QEPLDbaJmO1bwSeL54A5S_ruJ4HdvCgq6ZLKHXO96Y/s4272/DrakelowMonument5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPkIBrkjulxLRLNUQA-p4LAmdQFM3Z5vaRmRCBaYUIJPZgZuwTz0VQH2MSRbISJw1Ag79UqKD9UCF6kon8z5-SVLjp3rMAIVNBMrxj2AL3AisTMlB1z59ZgcKsWK-YLhwPfzozhyphenhyphenkFKTZwZ7-QEPLDbaJmO1bwSeL54A5S_ruJ4HdvCgq6ZLKHXO96Y/w640-h426/DrakelowMonument5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It bears the following inscription: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"This pillar commemorates </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">That devoted man Richard Baxter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Minister of the Old Church.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Kidderminster about the year 1650</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And whose unwearied labours</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Were so greatly blessed to that</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Town and neighbourhood.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Read his Saints everlasting rest</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And call to the converted."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The pillar monument, erected circa 1850, stands tall, but nonetheless is somewhat dwarfed by the surrounding trees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BLylbBJqUidp-WzuGImNIiMOASd9mEELWSGRscjadIL8T1TK3RFm8mCwaTDJd7ZHOWQVBZvs6pARwb_6Fq0oYGImf5YhAMYn1biWt5lw7CEk9xW856X6D6cKT3Ef5kphYJ7iOgb6ihoA5wdTHMtMqzFIF3P2uamKZpKhFqUyhRzWchpeOUezNR_N-cI/s4272/DrakelowMonument2bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BLylbBJqUidp-WzuGImNIiMOASd9mEELWSGRscjadIL8T1TK3RFm8mCwaTDJd7ZHOWQVBZvs6pARwb_6Fq0oYGImf5YhAMYn1biWt5lw7CEk9xW856X6D6cKT3Ef5kphYJ7iOgb6ihoA5wdTHMtMqzFIF3P2uamKZpKhFqUyhRzWchpeOUezNR_N-cI/w640-h426/DrakelowMonument2bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Now, I'd never heard of this Richard Baxter, so after a little research, I discovered that Baxter was a Nonconformist Puritan minister, theologian, poet and hymn writer (he had a lot going on!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu13Neg2NuyttCID_ZifbZhjGjStV0LEN0lk1tarl3Uq-qUUbK0VTCYJJJycsC26d5d6CrCKqeEVmaG3TqH2RO-RXz1T9czGPbbZNyTunJKXZa7H22qPx0HYpeEVbzO8VUiRr7vXIfhe0chAceF20mZTITYSvRngTd4NvAEyDewGSlz0Tczr7QtiWyrg/s244/richardbaxter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="198" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu13Neg2NuyttCID_ZifbZhjGjStV0LEN0lk1tarl3Uq-qUUbK0VTCYJJJycsC26d5d6CrCKqeEVmaG3TqH2RO-RXz1T9czGPbbZNyTunJKXZa7H22qPx0HYpeEVbzO8VUiRr7vXIfhe0chAceF20mZTITYSvRngTd4NvAEyDewGSlz0Tczr7QtiWyrg/w325-h400/richardbaxter.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">His ministry in nearby Kidderminster was controversial because Baxter's strong views on justification and sanctification, with their emphasis on faithfulness and repentance, were unusual.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Baxter was elected as minster by the people of Kidderminster after being invited to deliver a sermon. He was twenty six. He had a long and eventful career, dogged by persecution in one form or another. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">He was ejected from the Church of England after the 1662 Act of Uniformity. However, he became one of the most influential leaders of the Nonconformists in the 1600s, partly because of his prolific theological writings, partly because of his prosecutions and his time in prison for various faith related offences. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You can read about his turbulent life and divisive theological views here:-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Baxter"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Richard Baxter - Wikipedia</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br style="--tw-border-opacity: 1; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgba(229,231,235,var(--tw-border-opacity)); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;" />Just a stone's throw away from the monument, is the Drakelow Tunnel complex, a former underground military complex covering 26,500 square metres with a total length of 5.6 km. They were originally built as a Second World War Shadow Factory and were developed during the Cold War to be a fall back government centre.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">British shadow factories were the result of the Shadow Scheme, a plan devised in 1935 and developed by the British Government in the build up to World War II to try to meet the urgent need for more aircraft using technology transfer from the motor industry to implement additional manufacturing capacity. The term "shadow" might suggest secrecy, but in reality it was a reference to a protected environment staffed by motor industry employees of all skill levels working alongside (in the shadow of) their own similar motor industry operations.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjwj77V2f729w5BGThKRWgLgez-DGBOuGS0K2RMkT0VZJ5IcSVgLafQd1IyAoCvJbO_hwg53d-OZC3rD6y2ctUPwk0tJUasnt0NBfcezCjFpepHpo_XwMA1C-MUEuOnK5gcsOYOvUtfhmiaKNiC_ujRWcWVHiB4hsEKRK0k5hsAC8rGPjYJ0QXrw_Dio/s4272/Drakelow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjwj77V2f729w5BGThKRWgLgez-DGBOuGS0K2RMkT0VZJ5IcSVgLafQd1IyAoCvJbO_hwg53d-OZC3rD6y2ctUPwk0tJUasnt0NBfcezCjFpepHpo_XwMA1C-MUEuOnK5gcsOYOvUtfhmiaKNiC_ujRWcWVHiB4hsEKRK0k5hsAC8rGPjYJ0QXrw_Dio/w640-h426/Drakelow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The Drakelow Tunnels Museum is now open after spending a number of years in private ownership. Inexplicably, we never got around to visiting before the complex (the largest underground tunnel complex in the UK) closed in the 1990s and I was unaware until recently that it had in fact reopened after a painstaking transformation into a family friendly Cold War Museum. I've dropped them an email to plan our very first visit!</span><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Given that the echoes of this dark chapter of our history are reverberating loudly now in 2024, I'll leave you with some positivity.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">First up...a beautiful sunrise captured last week. Our house sits on the fringes of the West Midlands conurbation. In one direction, we have a fairly urban skyline as evidenced by this photo. In the opposite direction, we have woodland and countryside stretching all the way to Wales.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKVL9-OujYJwVbXEnTsNEE5FUQqfubzOXG8n4tc4Wy4EQ-IO3Cgh9bBvoGvaGd2a3lGNxA1YC4Q1R5uIwVIFNDz7I57zERIYiy58Dz98h2moCF-QLd-qL-PhsyVUelvw3Kz0mLu07SUkzwyqx-8DmPYbXBLTtxPWqQHW58W3G_fC1qRKwbp5crQzpyX0/s4272/sixam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKVL9-OujYJwVbXEnTsNEE5FUQqfubzOXG8n4tc4Wy4EQ-IO3Cgh9bBvoGvaGd2a3lGNxA1YC4Q1R5uIwVIFNDz7I57zERIYiy58Dz98h2moCF-QLd-qL-PhsyVUelvw3Kz0mLu07SUkzwyqx-8DmPYbXBLTtxPWqQHW58W3G_fC1qRKwbp5crQzpyX0/w640-h426/sixam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The low lying mist and pale pink sunrise makes everything look beautiful!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In the garden, Squirrel Nutkins is up to his usual antics, robbing great chunks of fat balls from the disgruntled robins and blackbirds.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0VOeNybm1giBG8RPNJC-WzBhAf_KXA9rweYUmJm8vmzUhvQZ_9RCjibhCq2RCnhw0Dq8nvajkZEnjDSRPMTqR3ZlPA5iDjQgt4Vwgl7CmmR8oRzNw0-KkE_3ZZaSowsmP-EFBrvqzpRDsXbGizR0eg0_ECXfhdxxNzVw7Lixc_EM_KIMEQO_dW2rcP4/s4272/Squirrel8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0VOeNybm1giBG8RPNJC-WzBhAf_KXA9rweYUmJm8vmzUhvQZ_9RCjibhCq2RCnhw0Dq8nvajkZEnjDSRPMTqR3ZlPA5iDjQgt4Vwgl7CmmR8oRzNw0-KkE_3ZZaSowsmP-EFBrvqzpRDsXbGizR0eg0_ECXfhdxxNzVw7Lixc_EM_KIMEQO_dW2rcP4/w426-h640/Squirrel8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeKC0uP-piy1STiyzSLvkRifDOM0nSxCKL60x_kWLGxQ8Kun5YtNIUCJ-jPPgjpBQFQUfdsjHEIpuq2lir3UmbnK2EBxNHCE4v8EQp0NS9AU8z8kO1-LB2qUNeusV896GlPdQ8rVF9ZLQ7rCKl6HHrrSImYXCscn2ASMTaOjLMCqxq2gH9Kyhhji42bQ/s4272/Squirrel1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeKC0uP-piy1STiyzSLvkRifDOM0nSxCKL60x_kWLGxQ8Kun5YtNIUCJ-jPPgjpBQFQUfdsjHEIpuq2lir3UmbnK2EBxNHCE4v8EQp0NS9AU8z8kO1-LB2qUNeusV896GlPdQ8rVF9ZLQ7rCKl6HHrrSImYXCscn2ASMTaOjLMCqxq2gH9Kyhhji42bQ/w640-h426/Squirrel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As much as I can't stand the rain, we witnessed some beautiful cloud formations over Walton Hill (another local beauty spot with incredible panoramic views over town and country).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNz4GGcp9RR8S8L1K47-PGN4BAPtlBCtY-d1lWq56PTciYxITB1FE1BULRQqn8hzp4ubgp8ZQ1MIzrXbMspJbOjn4eeIqD7HZ6qh5ydTwoBKCQATgL9MGGLjnB7HTRq_Dcb2qVFoVT3yfORo-o3Jll1bI-0UH3QjPw79DK7q70IRfuwFWCmodWcT9dKY/s4272/Walton4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNz4GGcp9RR8S8L1K47-PGN4BAPtlBCtY-d1lWq56PTciYxITB1FE1BULRQqn8hzp4ubgp8ZQ1MIzrXbMspJbOjn4eeIqD7HZ6qh5ydTwoBKCQATgL9MGGLjnB7HTRq_Dcb2qVFoVT3yfORo-o3Jll1bI-0UH3QjPw79DK7q70IRfuwFWCmodWcT9dKY/w640-h426/Walton4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b9FmQvuuN7swYgQZ8ou2nHKDpB6QmnY6fXvxXCV0g56VskGWJPPPawrOC1nFr3WAiK2SFR7wfl8FSNWLqKxGrlnscN048EcOjHK3g7iSzXMdgVpXSin4Xpd1pzrA2YUHuBaulkNr_1phqDQ2zbCm8mzVa7t721O5HOsP46-62kg04C_4hSk5Tlill8E/s4272/Walton1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b9FmQvuuN7swYgQZ8ou2nHKDpB6QmnY6fXvxXCV0g56VskGWJPPPawrOC1nFr3WAiK2SFR7wfl8FSNWLqKxGrlnscN048EcOjHK3g7iSzXMdgVpXSin4Xpd1pzrA2YUHuBaulkNr_1phqDQ2zbCm8mzVa7t721O5HOsP46-62kg04C_4hSk5Tlill8E/w640-h426/Walton1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Today, I scored these apparently unused M&S hiking boots from a charity shop for £7.00 and am choosing to ignore the teen's cruel "Ronald MacDonald shoes" comparison. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCbHHI3Juo0uz9CeAR1BPgxBvf3p7INtNBk9O0gLRVd6yfyDvc7MMMlyTsgWDgwA6BL9bWNlo0n0N2hr-9vKohLMc8mdEZq6Gp7LCfcKXbfa1RQPzfgYMvy_IDKQMIvIfW79pez3-muKhodYCFdijUR6yu1bn_9oFQR9kFGKhCvbNyNai_oUYpaGgNeo/s3811/WalkingBoots.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCbHHI3Juo0uz9CeAR1BPgxBvf3p7INtNBk9O0gLRVd6yfyDvc7MMMlyTsgWDgwA6BL9bWNlo0n0N2hr-9vKohLMc8mdEZq6Gp7LCfcKXbfa1RQPzfgYMvy_IDKQMIvIfW79pez3-muKhodYCFdijUR6yu1bn_9oFQR9kFGKhCvbNyNai_oUYpaGgNeo/w318-h400/WalkingBoots.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Whilst it might not feel like Spring right now (snow fell on high ground last night), nature definitely received the memo.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UikjTe3154IhYn2M2Gjkv4WOGLHG6qIR04ndgwKrYhage5Vh0tYZIvWDGkoWo8Wybcrpjpvq9v0CwfvN4pyqDiQDF3nTL6WT7sK51JPrw2gJva6fBl76CCBd1RBv2fV-KygIMytXMX5nZIRATX1xqBBNBmwZtzQ0fhkuxPN3PWDIvm6Yv3GhSmMrR8Y/s4272/Daffs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UikjTe3154IhYn2M2Gjkv4WOGLHG6qIR04ndgwKrYhage5Vh0tYZIvWDGkoWo8Wybcrpjpvq9v0CwfvN4pyqDiQDF3nTL6WT7sK51JPrw2gJva6fBl76CCBd1RBv2fV-KygIMytXMX5nZIRATX1xqBBNBmwZtzQ0fhkuxPN3PWDIvm6Yv3GhSmMrR8Y/w640-h426/Daffs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">But the big news in these parts, is that last week, Staffordshire County Council served a notice on the owners of The Crooked House (Britain's Wonkiest Pub), to rebuild it within 3 years, exactly as it was before the arson attack and unlawful destruction. Regular readers will recall that we were outraged last August when yet another piece of local heritage was laid to waste, allegedly by individuals motivated by financial gain.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You can read my post written in the aftermath here:- <a href="https://winterpeachphotography.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-very-crooked-tale.html">Winter Peach Photography: A Very Crooked Tale</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The campaign group have plans for an event on the anniversary of its demolition, which include inviting along the band originally booked to play on the eve of its destruction - Gasoline and Matches. Yes, really!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">There's a way to go yet, but it's definitely seen as a little victory and a big step towards the pub making a return!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PCcpnogeB7o7oLEZV5j7llFuoNpwJVNlYCR5KsLQu_1WwQQCe4xS9knw464Rs764LQ0Qx4Ns3fU9DXDnVKTVSUbChzJa3xkOcz5Gk5lKJAh6x_sLHuDbaN7HXdsHLGjvVXACDzF1Gu7kw5vBZMBkOpw04I2doCNsxwlEs-jdeZiqWZI8t-vEptATyiI/s5344/FBCampaignSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5344" data-original-width="3520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PCcpnogeB7o7oLEZV5j7llFuoNpwJVNlYCR5KsLQu_1WwQQCe4xS9knw464Rs764LQ0Qx4Ns3fU9DXDnVKTVSUbChzJa3xkOcz5Gk5lKJAh6x_sLHuDbaN7HXdsHLGjvVXACDzF1Gu7kw5vBZMBkOpw04I2doCNsxwlEs-jdeZiqWZI8t-vEptATyiI/w422-h640/FBCampaignSign.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">See you soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-84313596501053720422024-02-19T07:48:00.000-08:002024-02-19T07:56:11.358-08:00A Balancing Act<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JpOJ1jvu-ZIdKcF75hfm0ycOoMWdoUucslRnPiPM6MX3JXFEqT2LHok5KpidmUwMd5TV4vYXM7ONbG1wmSJBHR8V0de9B62CUqLr-E85NqSQSJ6Pw_E7gsrwtPzW2hLpGe2YZfwmEaLZjyurZ9HgIqMaGYRaOnas_T4uFsMcHFF9x7jTZ-bVuT0J6xo/s4272/ClaireBWFeb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JpOJ1jvu-ZIdKcF75hfm0ycOoMWdoUucslRnPiPM6MX3JXFEqT2LHok5KpidmUwMd5TV4vYXM7ONbG1wmSJBHR8V0de9B62CUqLr-E85NqSQSJ6Pw_E7gsrwtPzW2hLpGe2YZfwmEaLZjyurZ9HgIqMaGYRaOnas_T4uFsMcHFF9x7jTZ-bVuT0J6xo/w266-h400/ClaireBWFeb.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I always find myself in a reflective, pensive mood at this time of year. Life moves at pace and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to squeeze in everything I want to do and sadly that includes blogging. Whilst I very much enjoy many of the blogs I read and value the virtual, 21st century friendships I've made, I'm still very conscious of what I divulge about my own life. Photography may be my great passion, but I rarely feel comfortable in front of the lens (hence the scarcity of photos of me). Add into the mix my butterfly mind, a giant whirlpool of 150 things I need to do and consequently, sitting down to diarise my life at the expense of doing something else, is becoming increasingly challenging. As we all know, life is a tricky balancing act. I want the balance to tip towards living life as opposed to documenting it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">That said, marketing is the number one priority of any small business and people do occasionally want to see the face behind the blurb. I've been busy with my homework of late and even though I've filmed (and deleted) more videos than I care to mention, I'm slowly getting there. Blogging is another tool in my armoury. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The poet and artist Adeboye Oluwajuyitan once said: "Colour details the story. Black and white make it a myth." I like that. It makes perfect sense to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">If I scroll through my Instagram feed, it always strikes me how much nature informs my work. The colours flow from black and white through to fresh pastel hues and into vibrant colour, before deepening into rich tones until finally, the colours leach out once again as we return to winter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm playing catch up a little here, but black and white was firmly in charge in January.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After the fun and frivolity of the pin up shoot, I had a wedding booking in Worcester, which happened to fall on one of the coldest days of the year so far and sadly, a beautiful blue winter sky was notably absent. The trees of Worcester Wood which provided a backdrop were still bare and I just knew that the photos would look infinitely better in black and white when natural colour was so lacking. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM62QVEYgMzj0k1jU6NcUJNskJ-ku-R__xkhcLY19mXmG0CVrnJ1aXsWpXajb2UCeUytm1cO5toqt9CecqPydR3ZeA8vrXsPq4Ux7wDQKA_DGTF4_wU3seCoxtmva-23r5wujfQiVZYXPynN2LghX5ql0L3y0l4spNsdpmAgn8OXV-f2wwFAVySOsRXY/s4272/FG7B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM62QVEYgMzj0k1jU6NcUJNskJ-ku-R__xkhcLY19mXmG0CVrnJ1aXsWpXajb2UCeUytm1cO5toqt9CecqPydR3ZeA8vrXsPq4Ux7wDQKA_DGTF4_wU3seCoxtmva-23r5wujfQiVZYXPynN2LghX5ql0L3y0l4spNsdpmAgn8OXV-f2wwFAVySOsRXY/w640-h426/FG7B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Francine and Gabor's wedding was a memorable one. Due to a last minute hiccup, the couple asked if I would step in and be a witness. I was delighted to oblige and touched by their gratitude and insistence on giving me what seemed like a quarter of their wedding cake.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Parts of the register office building were out of bounds due to the discovery of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), a lightweight material that was used on flat roofs and in walls and floors between the 1950s and 1990s. It has a lifespan of around 30 years, but can cause structural failure when exposed to moisture, often collapsing with little or no warning. It's a huge problem in many UK public buildings right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The couple had what is now referred to as a micro wedding; a small affair with fewer than 20 guests. (The couple had already enjoyed some extremely colourful and traditional celebrations in Francine's home country, Rwanda). This photo of the newlyweds is my favourite. Despite the cold weather and metal barriers behind, their happiness radiates from this photograph.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTpoIjOZPXVXbIWR0XrhWVjjOnr-ARmXJoZgUgOHjMZ073vim3MwNljSawF2jmMkgWCwR8YY3-tuZbzZkJ2tj9e1EFamzs8otKMf3WczdxjJUZUbOZ2ijTdx2Ug_AYKkuxAhj5_50OZx8BBjClk6QsEE_GrA_HQ0WgPxlYl0whUzFby1purOV77qDiro/s4272/FG22B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTpoIjOZPXVXbIWR0XrhWVjjOnr-ARmXJoZgUgOHjMZ073vim3MwNljSawF2jmMkgWCwR8YY3-tuZbzZkJ2tj9e1EFamzs8otKMf3WczdxjJUZUbOZ2ijTdx2Ug_AYKkuxAhj5_50OZx8BBjClk6QsEE_GrA_HQ0WgPxlYl0whUzFby1purOV77qDiro/w426-h640/FG22B.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The whole micro wedding trend is just my thing. Admittedly, it's a dull title, but the reality is freedom, no structure, your nearest and dearest (not the great aunt you never see or your parents' friends) in attendance, family favourite dishes on the menu, a country pad or restaurant party location and no formality for the sake of formality. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I've even forsaken my own Vinted and vintage hunting to inspire brides to be. Check out these beauties; a mix of second hand, vintage and sustainable dresses for under £150!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6gPLOoJ9-nHeqvzkZswuPPlT85Z9Ji4sIMGhiJ_v8_pnDuC58IjWJRD2iMPE419WkgP-Y6hOg3jjrBSyQjXPe7kncYS6IwRFJpOEX7vsOHP6-8V86KGZHuHpDAgLSOj5zj4GOQAz73Eq3ACIfhGXAPv4fwK9mkCy4Iu9-AXa6iWcGnHo1eolNbIcVx8/s892/Dresses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6gPLOoJ9-nHeqvzkZswuPPlT85Z9Ji4sIMGhiJ_v8_pnDuC58IjWJRD2iMPE419WkgP-Y6hOg3jjrBSyQjXPe7kncYS6IwRFJpOEX7vsOHP6-8V86KGZHuHpDAgLSOj5zj4GOQAz73Eq3ACIfhGXAPv4fwK9mkCy4Iu9-AXa6iWcGnHo1eolNbIcVx8/w640-h640/Dresses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Black and white and winter are the perfect partnership. Naked trees, the high contrast between featureless white skies and landscape and water reflections are black and white's best friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Here are a few from a recent stroll around Shropshire's Dudmaston Estate (run by the National Trust).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEvZujOYHtbhRO16SQMn_K_zZhMLfnOaq8fLlOvrA4nY9pmwsNh662vMGt8HuGPn4qa2DOyTUJANbnUnFQaSkW1VLqAeAVNVOq0JHQhb-3CDHRNFAeMAB8ZGmfP8YgHGLejojqdMQDtaBXyuf4UAJvxuJaFnmMwZ99ZEu32xK4uGgbMTnvjRu0uoiGe0/s4272/DudmastonBoathousebw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEvZujOYHtbhRO16SQMn_K_zZhMLfnOaq8fLlOvrA4nY9pmwsNh662vMGt8HuGPn4qa2DOyTUJANbnUnFQaSkW1VLqAeAVNVOq0JHQhb-3CDHRNFAeMAB8ZGmfP8YgHGLejojqdMQDtaBXyuf4UAJvxuJaFnmMwZ99ZEu32xK4uGgbMTnvjRu0uoiGe0/w640-h426/DudmastonBoathousebw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1-99WbKdnLvHAPUGebS7kbnljwWJRwCCSFRajE3i-S5FzGl0m6W87ja36OO2O5rwnvL3fICrOZm6qSRoOCCnI6gBa13iuQ6p8QwQvLbz0XIpNTT7ElIC0Lvaw2gW7ByFV1pJiU0cTqaYKnVlRenqC-HYBnhcGoASx47LH84Ok4P9TmDPPoRdyfztt8/s4184/Dudmaston2BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4184" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1-99WbKdnLvHAPUGebS7kbnljwWJRwCCSFRajE3i-S5FzGl0m6W87ja36OO2O5rwnvL3fICrOZm6qSRoOCCnI6gBa13iuQ6p8QwQvLbz0XIpNTT7ElIC0Lvaw2gW7ByFV1pJiU0cTqaYKnVlRenqC-HYBnhcGoASx47LH84Ok4P9TmDPPoRdyfztt8/w640-h436/Dudmaston2BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Black sheep, given the folklore, dark fairy tale treatment.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bI0vRvPftr95C6Fpl_TuqcqglA2inQUYeuekRp4P53qiQa3x6iOe9322cHzNz0fOVSOypuGdJINDy6XDQ9ZxfS1xGL1xjz4jfD1CFcgNv7ogOnDuaIDW2zirvxMA-G6WVtZVUK3knWRHMS9EAvfGUAFv652AdA_Py2ZEJfOFdxwmw6rJpasUQUk-aPw/s4144/DudmastonGoats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4144" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bI0vRvPftr95C6Fpl_TuqcqglA2inQUYeuekRp4P53qiQa3x6iOe9322cHzNz0fOVSOypuGdJINDy6XDQ9ZxfS1xGL1xjz4jfD1CFcgNv7ogOnDuaIDW2zirvxMA-G6WVtZVUK3knWRHMS9EAvfGUAFv652AdA_Py2ZEJfOFdxwmw6rJpasUQUk-aPw/w640-h440/DudmastonGoats.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Winter's prettiest offering...snowdrops.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPr2qc9dnhoVNZmVJj1v3Jl7ca2HWbeTToLSIHecPLkn6AkFeONrzudqIemcdtpd4Vp6K-s7sp5fexeaCt-JPHrf48OH5wLVNtJiDIx15xKxwau0sfL5Bzhyphenhyphen83Z6NwWLucF_Nh3C32jaIqBCXoINABoYRNNnODlsohPecat-6UVvRfNFLNBf9dfsu9g0/s4272/SnowdropsBubblwraptexturebw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPr2qc9dnhoVNZmVJj1v3Jl7ca2HWbeTToLSIHecPLkn6AkFeONrzudqIemcdtpd4Vp6K-s7sp5fexeaCt-JPHrf48OH5wLVNtJiDIx15xKxwau0sfL5Bzhyphenhyphen83Z6NwWLucF_Nh3C32jaIqBCXoINABoYRNNnODlsohPecat-6UVvRfNFLNBf9dfsu9g0/w640-h426/SnowdropsBubblwraptexturebw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Ducks coming into land.</span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMHqb0pB3Q-i_H4hqQQYGmIKxu_Iu7_ENxahBGelWBJaS7H-xpBvZ0KRP65PWxL3M3E122IweAtfWEwOLLnVaT8u9MgHeSip8h_nzWfyDdeitq3XEdWSDptEa1RMx6GLWiHF7o9E1CqbdDCcAhkO6wVl1GYY64825c9cY32EEOc2_BuDm6DFCk1ym9Fo/s2696/ArleyDucks2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2696" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMHqb0pB3Q-i_H4hqQQYGmIKxu_Iu7_ENxahBGelWBJaS7H-xpBvZ0KRP65PWxL3M3E122IweAtfWEwOLLnVaT8u9MgHeSip8h_nzWfyDdeitq3XEdWSDptEa1RMx6GLWiHF7o9E1CqbdDCcAhkO6wVl1GYY64825c9cY32EEOc2_BuDm6DFCk1ym9Fo/w640-h360/ArleyDucks2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>No one is spared my portrait practise - or a black and white edit. Here's the best Valentine's gift I ever received, ear phones firmly in place, and rocking his newly bleached hair, the result of teenage experimentation...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEIlLz_MnDL2d0W5nyfOGPFSlad7NJFiwqSr10Rd6ML5bktQLwDkmKL-hLa86thb2G8xu5UcYNpNTkImhx9fSkkc_p_jgnanwzTwf1FyLwC43_tM51Yyli_IGfvjYvndrp9r2i6SogIenMlrmc7xE4iqbpjQuKP7qr-FO-nX_0CV-Sbl6I252TuJatQo/s4128/Caleb1bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="4128" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEIlLz_MnDL2d0W5nyfOGPFSlad7NJFiwqSr10Rd6ML5bktQLwDkmKL-hLa86thb2G8xu5UcYNpNTkImhx9fSkkc_p_jgnanwzTwf1FyLwC43_tM51Yyli_IGfvjYvndrp9r2i6SogIenMlrmc7xE4iqbpjQuKP7qr-FO-nX_0CV-Sbl6I252TuJatQo/w640-h438/Caleb1bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...and cats are always wonderful subjects. After the death of our beloved Lotte, we're getting our cat fix from no less than 17 feral cats at the local vineyard. Here are four of them filling their furry faces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8djMvJ1WP2n5_llGik91rMFN64sPdBAWEBrUFaMX5LK0l2wBPkSztbQfPrKdC5vmOMN2-lwnIAblW2Y6MtQBTHqEc5x4wwhuEHaLli6R9UcchFvV74maonGspq0JfpGOKQhJi8mHG-_b4bGcRrIJ2vjQn8YllGyQiBVBQYP1TFVbckNqRQZB5oQ0H4nM/s6000/Feral13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3964" data-original-width="6000" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8djMvJ1WP2n5_llGik91rMFN64sPdBAWEBrUFaMX5LK0l2wBPkSztbQfPrKdC5vmOMN2-lwnIAblW2Y6MtQBTHqEc5x4wwhuEHaLli6R9UcchFvV74maonGspq0JfpGOKQhJi8mHG-_b4bGcRrIJ2vjQn8YllGyQiBVBQYP1TFVbckNqRQZB5oQ0H4nM/w640-h422/Feral13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Don't adjust your TV screens. This is a natural concrete divide and there's no camera shake, just a kitty shaking off the rain.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtoDMGLfxs2BpyUD0bE8ALDiPOJj_5cgrP3JLqHcZzEpyaQSXciAz1FUyV5cQK_C1x0IAiffVWHasPfKn6XCtmvTvOeywEwno3bRcDhPifkmVU7SUB3m54AwQnkODNcxFOgvfzJkDpBaemaCqcPKDSH8ktHeCtj2CJm5AJf-Cb8yPxGl9DdNvSsC8dD0/s6000/Feral17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtoDMGLfxs2BpyUD0bE8ALDiPOJj_5cgrP3JLqHcZzEpyaQSXciAz1FUyV5cQK_C1x0IAiffVWHasPfKn6XCtmvTvOeywEwno3bRcDhPifkmVU7SUB3m54AwQnkODNcxFOgvfzJkDpBaemaCqcPKDSH8ktHeCtj2CJm5AJf-Cb8yPxGl9DdNvSsC8dD0/w640-h426/Feral17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Don't be fooled by her expression, this one's a little more friendly.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGIkjg9WrQNo4q4bV4lqQyIkHG6UvrbzcHesQim1N0tyR59Fx96X4tFcNGSkcc1snxygWmAXLO0aQrhRUFSpNA67-jKhcJEjs4NF6ZbZ0tg48vwdOsX5wyB10ku6gVIfILzlQJaKlnKZZRsbZPpRd7TXqHAz85il-eNV3WTVQW6pSH170LJjkq3k2s1Y/s4128/CalebandCatbw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4128" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGIkjg9WrQNo4q4bV4lqQyIkHG6UvrbzcHesQim1N0tyR59Fx96X4tFcNGSkcc1snxygWmAXLO0aQrhRUFSpNA67-jKhcJEjs4NF6ZbZ0tg48vwdOsX5wyB10ku6gVIfILzlQJaKlnKZZRsbZPpRd7TXqHAz85il-eNV3WTVQW6pSH170LJjkq3k2s1Y/w640-h442/CalebandCatbw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkTDG1XAAMjO4Qy4jmZ3udX3ZADwSHChcarGHmsoGNkW-Iq0INTzcX8xLYvqPSnFTJk2QR_8NrqHlkpG-ySoaCVKRjtbU1cUi0wQ54IHeoRB_QzsXHWeVetvIGTX7hK-01cEpGGQ0hRVmehFK5tJuelOSR9CU4DJWTov5NYgiTn3_qEAyjtYQpXPImXE/s4272/Bagpuss2BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkTDG1XAAMjO4Qy4jmZ3udX3ZADwSHChcarGHmsoGNkW-Iq0INTzcX8xLYvqPSnFTJk2QR_8NrqHlkpG-ySoaCVKRjtbU1cUi0wQ54IHeoRB_QzsXHWeVetvIGTX7hK-01cEpGGQ0hRVmehFK5tJuelOSR9CU4DJWTov5NYgiTn3_qEAyjtYQpXPImXE/w640-h426/Bagpuss2BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Even the less mobile amongst us are fair game for me and my camera. Here's a scarecrow operating in the Castle gardens of Bridgnorth. I've christened him Zapata, after the Mexican revolutionary.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqX9mAo6MY-Axsm8CZyceZz5VKlcH9TWBFTaKeKruoX06-ru_N7LclNUq3U1QyFU5v5jUavHOoqXPyu1gkML65zttbdBH8PVgwImFY7G72S6KCVdifFraf4tyk9tLRGt-Mc-stW25Z-5doqeSItagatWWr2jfXfGk-7aQpYKamv8bn2Dsb53UsPRiBXg/s4272/Zapata.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqX9mAo6MY-Axsm8CZyceZz5VKlcH9TWBFTaKeKruoX06-ru_N7LclNUq3U1QyFU5v5jUavHOoqXPyu1gkML65zttbdBH8PVgwImFY7G72S6KCVdifFraf4tyk9tLRGt-Mc-stW25Z-5doqeSItagatWWr2jfXfGk-7aQpYKamv8bn2Dsb53UsPRiBXg/w426-h640/Zapata.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm permitting some colour for his companion and have even created her very own backstory. Here's Linda Burrell. Linda is a failed actress and British eccentric. Linda had a flirtation with film director Woody Allen in the early 1970s and contrary to popular belief, Woody wrote Annie Hall for Linda.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">However, Linda fell out of favour with Woody after a row over a sourdough starter in New York and he went on to cast Diane Keaton, who has since been credited as the inspiration for the screenplay. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Linda never got over this rejection and returned to her native Shropshire, where she took up gardening as a form of therapy. Here she is. She can't shake off that Annie Hall fashion aesthetic. She's encouraging me to go and check out her hellebores.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQJRb0pz52IDnIpB1ALQuek9dUV22L96y9N63UJC0GnLL_1B_5O1tTDsxJ9uEy9oYTUO_kstVvT4qiLot_70nhqkY5uMJkhm0tBqkN9RikBjkEUiDej_jZpGG1fnrlU3sZHWnW9ckKsXVmUmy8tujaZNG0uvo3oagNDtUucbSXhx0bezuTme7AotT9C4/s4272/AnnieHall2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQJRb0pz52IDnIpB1ALQuek9dUV22L96y9N63UJC0GnLL_1B_5O1tTDsxJ9uEy9oYTUO_kstVvT4qiLot_70nhqkY5uMJkhm0tBqkN9RikBjkEUiDej_jZpGG1fnrlU3sZHWnW9ckKsXVmUmy8tujaZNG0uvo3oagNDtUucbSXhx0bezuTme7AotT9C4/w640-h426/AnnieHall2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">But fear not! I do mingle with real people too. I've been busy meeting clients, catching up with friends, taking bracing walks - followed by coffees in cosy cafes, not to mention a fun night out watching a Fleetwood Mac tribute act and investigating the pubs of Dudley. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">A tribute act? I hear you cry. As fun as it was and as accomplished as the musicians were, there's no possible way of seeing the coolest line up of the Mac. It no longer exists after the acrimonious exit of Lindsey Buckingham and death of Christine McVie. Thankfully, I've seen the real band (and separately, their founding member Peter Green). There really is no comparison.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's clearly been a while since my last blog and in spite of all the black and white, I have to concede that spring is on the way...and nothing says Spring like cherry blossom. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOwfek6iFQilCLkiYbzKOzbEYCUoW56bJUIxpW1PXY9zgPG_2jZ7ng9y045EOlKWj9x82wMwa6hBC2Zkqeo7fIcth3k5P9o8liREdsTi5htw03mI6GbvIUhsfvtXIhAOQ1Re4kLAl7_CG3_6oXnM2p4jTL7DhBATDpMO9vJBSpembUlT6vg_f8HEtCKc/s4272/ArleyBlossom2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOwfek6iFQilCLkiYbzKOzbEYCUoW56bJUIxpW1PXY9zgPG_2jZ7ng9y045EOlKWj9x82wMwa6hBC2Zkqeo7fIcth3k5P9o8liREdsTi5htw03mI6GbvIUhsfvtXIhAOQ1Re4kLAl7_CG3_6oXnM2p4jTL7DhBATDpMO9vJBSpembUlT6vg_f8HEtCKc/w640-h426/ArleyBlossom2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In other news, I've bought a drone, which will come in useful. Watch this space.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-61780032012401310202024-01-30T06:19:00.000-08:002024-01-30T06:23:16.518-08:00Hurray for Hollywood<p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's been a while since my last blog and yet somehow we are still in January! Anyway, you'll be relieved to learn that life got a little more fun after my birthday. Gareth's birthday is five days after mine and in stark contrast to mine, he had gorgeous clear, blue skies and wall to wall sunshine. We enjoyed a lengthy hill walk followed by an Indian takeaway in the evening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We also had a great night out with friends in a pub just around the corner from us. There's a great Thai restaurant occupying the rear half of the building (which we've frequented on more than one occasion), but we've somehow always overlooked the aptly named Woodman Pub. That night it was bustling and we were greeted by a roaring fire. We lost several hours inside there last Saturday night. No pics I'm afraid...we were too busy catching up!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">However, it's still January. We're still in the depths of winter. So what better time to do a little time travelling to Hollywood's Golden Age?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Naw4aOmh7WtTwYshqeIX2Los5_LDrlnaYz2dcpOLvAE3W0P_0dE9sga1XiEqLeZPWjROrPenHvUrxZ6thDHv7YlpS9vh2jhp47c5SQvsGA3NdKgkS3PJg6xFb3jDsjhC6ogyD7BlwSWx5BaCYQreO3U80hCN-bpVT7KEWCqahNjNgOZa1MXm4rId_aQ/s5568/PortMeirionGold1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Naw4aOmh7WtTwYshqeIX2Los5_LDrlnaYz2dcpOLvAE3W0P_0dE9sga1XiEqLeZPWjROrPenHvUrxZ6thDHv7YlpS9vh2jhp47c5SQvsGA3NdKgkS3PJg6xFb3jDsjhC6ogyD7BlwSWx5BaCYQreO3U80hCN-bpVT7KEWCqahNjNgOZa1MXm4rId_aQ/w640-h426/PortMeirionGold1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Not quite a Hollywood film set, but close - Portmeirion</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I have in recent months created a little home studio (referenced in a previous blog). Well let's call it my home-away-from-home studio. I've also been raiding my personal belongings to created a mini set with plenty of props including (but not limited to) diamonds (not real sadly, but vintage costume), a bottle of Chanel No. 5, rotary dial telephone and boudoir chair. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYlp3PjKMw-lOhMDeNXYLgheWA3-GZBeTFetwqGPQqe_mqr8g9sqpdiGxDzpP4mWNyvZZqDV1XmuP_aLv3QN4l1yT1J_RWPdx2oScZ5WA51GJRfCKAgm6AMxplXCLN3jtWQ0URhTxynRwjuDs95hIWk9hHraNef6e5Pm827PZzmi3jim4CsrIC9UpKiM/s4272/Necklace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYlp3PjKMw-lOhMDeNXYLgheWA3-GZBeTFetwqGPQqe_mqr8g9sqpdiGxDzpP4mWNyvZZqDV1XmuP_aLv3QN4l1yT1J_RWPdx2oScZ5WA51GJRfCKAgm6AMxplXCLN3jtWQ0URhTxynRwjuDs95hIWk9hHraNef6e5Pm827PZzmi3jim4CsrIC9UpKiM/s320/Necklace.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I purchased some fluffy mules off Vinted...</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e7KcIyqlDUlp7_Bcbmja6wT3rETA7GI6Ks69-cVv0FTvtNJ6kvClTLLHT2QEZ81VrpURdRQdk55MTny34qiBU1qa-AMmLeChbGhRVQdpllZu425Z4H0iB_kTyQKgaphDUwwzHTppq16epMNP3r1eJ-yRw7sB63Tzg_SqwN70VV4XRZd_lgodHE3kEZc/s3656/Shoes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="3656" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e7KcIyqlDUlp7_Bcbmja6wT3rETA7GI6Ks69-cVv0FTvtNJ6kvClTLLHT2QEZ81VrpURdRQdk55MTny34qiBU1qa-AMmLeChbGhRVQdpllZu425Z4H0iB_kTyQKgaphDUwwzHTppq16epMNP3r1eJ-yRw7sB63Tzg_SqwN70VV4XRZd_lgodHE3kEZc/s320/Shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and the day before, when it transpired that Ania, my dark haired, green-eyed model for the day, didn't have a suitable dress, I spied this beauty on the rails of my local charity shop. Stupidly I photographed it before ironing it. Needless to say, it was a total joy to press and it made a little more sense to me why it had found its way to a charity shop with labels still attached!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp9y0QcvDEhRMBZVKHOlbgMW3oLai9yLkDhruzak7zx-r9lKFWlfoHhMeXoxmDnBc0XY6gYxbhoL_vc79NpcTtVmhsL4kMCTgf0KdjjjG7jicV4EcfNLouaFMGqqY0w-lLmVBPInVi7uomxq4gR5ZzIQDSTyws1M1dLexKZKIihU2iz107I0h8S0DaNo/s1732/Dress.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="1732" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp9y0QcvDEhRMBZVKHOlbgMW3oLai9yLkDhruzak7zx-r9lKFWlfoHhMeXoxmDnBc0XY6gYxbhoL_vc79NpcTtVmhsL4kMCTgf0KdjjjG7jicV4EcfNLouaFMGqqY0w-lLmVBPInVi7uomxq4gR5ZzIQDSTyws1M1dLexKZKIihU2iz107I0h8S0DaNo/w400-h400/Dress.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Still, it was worth it. Lindy Bop specialise in repro 1950s dresses and this one fit the bill perfectly. What are the chances of finding exactly what I was looking for - and in the model's size 16? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I also picked up a fifties inspired black and white knit and neck scarf in the same shop. Ania had the most beautiful robe on loan and her own clothes, including some pink/purple satin which evoked memories of Marilyn's Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend performance, so we were good to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Sonia of Sensual Passions, a vintage hair and make-up specialist I have worked with previously, had completely inhaled my mood board of images featuring Dita Von Teese and Elizabeth Taylor. She created exquisite Hollywood waves and a stunning, luminous, lit-from-within old Hollywood makeup look. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFp1VLmEvjTXBN_5XH8I3FuB55Wsz5z5UAOr0j6q5PeQmS8txChhf30yJqOGxvf1kiKJVU6DmJbMYQtoYKhZOz01gQxMsfqoomDEE4lzhRfPlpCaE0GslVvVOny-oy0W07fkoxnmwQyH0Y7lV7EFHgn_avLEnYigbFeq_QOv_U8d61pTwGWbaBhn1X5c/s4232/Photo94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4232" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFp1VLmEvjTXBN_5XH8I3FuB55Wsz5z5UAOr0j6q5PeQmS8txChhf30yJqOGxvf1kiKJVU6DmJbMYQtoYKhZOz01gQxMsfqoomDEE4lzhRfPlpCaE0GslVvVOny-oy0W07fkoxnmwQyH0Y7lV7EFHgn_avLEnYigbFeq_QOv_U8d61pTwGWbaBhn1X5c/w400-h269/Photo94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The big reveal!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zx2M1u-3KAGvhOEuDtULGU1XwnWqc0f6JPDkQcl_zBdson5IBU1iTlRv4K8YXMIkdqxP0t_NPd-I5NGtrpLCKZrk3xXa1b8iymnMfR-yBFqS-36zX2im2LeOB8aHxUoOPgRSq6GTCNcxgFD6w00qTQZ19WWXCcUpoNC2gXRmKYsK0E8ctjmCNBKMQB8/s4272/Photo85.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zx2M1u-3KAGvhOEuDtULGU1XwnWqc0f6JPDkQcl_zBdson5IBU1iTlRv4K8YXMIkdqxP0t_NPd-I5NGtrpLCKZrk3xXa1b8iymnMfR-yBFqS-36zX2im2LeOB8aHxUoOPgRSq6GTCNcxgFD6w00qTQZ19WWXCcUpoNC2gXRmKYsK0E8ctjmCNBKMQB8/w266-h400/Photo85.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I created a shot list in the days leading up to the shoot and tried to plan meticulously to maximise the use of our time. Whilst I was grateful that Ania was happy to stay for as long as needed, most people tell me I work quickly. I hate labouring over photos to the point that everyone loses the will to live and my subjects are dead behind the eyes. I will try something, shoot in bursts and then move on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">A tantalising glimpse of the incredible robe and my boudoir chair.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5Qb7lGfG9zZ4yPJC6o__w0iQYDAQkOvsHrvopO7-MoQjDIgWkMgOZ5aZxv0QTv73pGuKW8lo4R7ZPWQMPUPMWzECCDsGmplf5XaPJgOjhSNvBsYZ5NLsq-WXEU2ZBL9kHfAl71A0OuHn6aDOV1c-LGFQBpCjj1RillcnIo_erWEQ2aE99XUnchQxMAU/s4032/Photo104BW2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4032" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5Qb7lGfG9zZ4yPJC6o__w0iQYDAQkOvsHrvopO7-MoQjDIgWkMgOZ5aZxv0QTv73pGuKW8lo4R7ZPWQMPUPMWzECCDsGmplf5XaPJgOjhSNvBsYZ5NLsq-WXEU2ZBL9kHfAl71A0OuHn6aDOV1c-LGFQBpCjj1RillcnIo_erWEQ2aE99XUnchQxMAU/w640-h452/Photo104BW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">A final check in the mirror.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TvSrEZGqoAkVyPWe277kIcdra7-kjkd6gbY2VlxR6qBmzi1DlKF2XqWcuHhLypALRpDYcUeywQeLE6ZAabXWvHM-D1v9KwW-pZ_wjhVxcomWF3yk2zwkuVdu5QKiTJIW8Lq3NXNAzuFoLv3oRCfojENnj3I7BvYsAqOluZ8hA1DSnDiOeD1I3dc0hko/s3864/Photo103BW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TvSrEZGqoAkVyPWe277kIcdra7-kjkd6gbY2VlxR6qBmzi1DlKF2XqWcuHhLypALRpDYcUeywQeLE6ZAabXWvHM-D1v9KwW-pZ_wjhVxcomWF3yk2zwkuVdu5QKiTJIW8Lq3NXNAzuFoLv3oRCfojENnj3I7BvYsAqOluZ8hA1DSnDiOeD1I3dc0hko/w414-h640/Photo103BW.jpg" width="414" /></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">And we're off! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's Ania, chatting on the phone to the gossip columnist every star wants to keep on-side, Hedda Hopper.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL6ToulcnUS_e9Gj_wPg_riOu15cbk36ndTEpfI_PomeGBeQCu5_XpyQVa515kBehuP3JzygFSf9LuJVkEua_cGXbYMUv1sVxxJoUqsflgES7ZfRzCeN9eJTPIOn1ZdRtIv7V9hflkPwM0t3FCZxQZarh7sULk9jj2pjQ93UOirTeKuzu01WhZ0G4vBA/s4272/Photo41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirL6ToulcnUS_e9Gj_wPg_riOu15cbk36ndTEpfI_PomeGBeQCu5_XpyQVa515kBehuP3JzygFSf9LuJVkEua_cGXbYMUv1sVxxJoUqsflgES7ZfRzCeN9eJTPIOn1ZdRtIv7V9hflkPwM0t3FCZxQZarh7sULk9jj2pjQ93UOirTeKuzu01WhZ0G4vBA/w426-h640/Photo41.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I kept the studio shots brightly lit in the main, in order to showcase Sonia's handiwork and Ania's gorgeous green eyes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDotR81HKsbA3wWCSFnX7YNGRwAcCeck7g4QG-jYPGDebGcOV9xIoFD6eL67Zy4iYPZ6LNgmHAaMA136xD3W_BILjJf6eSJB5vcD3ezvgVtAG7cVuTwBR8Aodhy3fkFj-_8peiakRrFDiI9vuAbQ-8ELIgMNyIAl4UlvJ289fMLXD9On3Y_LLFNF9MIE/s4272/Photo54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDotR81HKsbA3wWCSFnX7YNGRwAcCeck7g4QG-jYPGDebGcOV9xIoFD6eL67Zy4iYPZ6LNgmHAaMA136xD3W_BILjJf6eSJB5vcD3ezvgVtAG7cVuTwBR8Aodhy3fkFj-_8peiakRrFDiI9vuAbQ-8ELIgMNyIAl4UlvJ289fMLXD9On3Y_LLFNF9MIE/w426-h640/Photo54.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Marilyn may have slept in it, but every movie star needs a little Chanel No. 5!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiob3prtogVU9JONeubh4qL-QTSTJTm3MztRASRPSkTqZJUCv9cGedN8WNgKP-vMjEk3wEqoJ8I5HDqnBiP6weJXuA23O3jYGeatvMNtiSbxxDMJwZtsnemRSdC4wGBYAgNqfenYTAyTmHxL2oZ2180fVkGV__HXHjsp0dOfUJF2MbvaY1jQHU467WAFd8/s4272/Photo69.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiob3prtogVU9JONeubh4qL-QTSTJTm3MztRASRPSkTqZJUCv9cGedN8WNgKP-vMjEk3wEqoJ8I5HDqnBiP6weJXuA23O3jYGeatvMNtiSbxxDMJwZtsnemRSdC4wGBYAgNqfenYTAyTmHxL2oZ2180fVkGV__HXHjsp0dOfUJF2MbvaY1jQHU467WAFd8/w426-h640/Photo69.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We channelled Elizabeth Taylor for the next shot. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosEcVqqosOM_T5N3dDhpy1zhomFKX0pm3xrZ3Fag6GdQ2pynPNe27Nvfzk6oaUmwG2nSWjYvwJK9BaPPmRWrvDWUIEh5yIIW0lu2a0TimJDiKl4MwZz4AayV5bfIiMZKSU0mbl31xo85omAWVyN-5O9gOtEziV7YYaP2MBlz73BNd7yQQvRvEppy-viE/s1280/LizTaylor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="912" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosEcVqqosOM_T5N3dDhpy1zhomFKX0pm3xrZ3Fag6GdQ2pynPNe27Nvfzk6oaUmwG2nSWjYvwJK9BaPPmRWrvDWUIEh5yIIW0lu2a0TimJDiKl4MwZz4AayV5bfIiMZKSU0mbl31xo85omAWVyN-5O9gOtEziV7YYaP2MBlz73BNd7yQQvRvEppy-viE/w285-h400/LizTaylor.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In researching the photographer responsible for this photo (Richard Avedon, 1956), I discovered that it was originally in colour and that Elizabeth was clothed. The version I had seen was in black and white and cropped in a way to suggest that she was topless. This is our version. Elizabeth once said "Big girls need big diamonds" so it seemed fitting to feature the necklace in this one.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tY7yS2IQbar72EgFPK6fIVkiFKKYzNAMRuz9QmqcVzOYwcWzKtK7Zo8fg7zGok2kESUpOerpUieNauFtQNYqxLEYmi3tzQBg6kSjqEkSpoeo3jPPG2LQVVn3zRFB1jOSpCWvJTRECQSdCxcIBRTqUkmNgx6WBoc0NWdm58aKC_37G9I1QZAXm6csMTg/s3512/Photo63bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3512" data-original-width="2824" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tY7yS2IQbar72EgFPK6fIVkiFKKYzNAMRuz9QmqcVzOYwcWzKtK7Zo8fg7zGok2kESUpOerpUieNauFtQNYqxLEYmi3tzQBg6kSjqEkSpoeo3jPPG2LQVVn3zRFB1jOSpCWvJTRECQSdCxcIBRTqUkmNgx6WBoc0NWdm58aKC_37G9I1QZAXm6csMTg/w514-h640/Photo63bw.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Posing is thirsty work!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bQzzUNaHN7oGfIkWQf0cwMAAPAJYUU-O1D3f2lUMdgOqNU7ej-eoZaKSCrihoPWThCosbgyf21mKPGGfdIVM_5mRLux5N7jkntEepTDsNeqmRe15exp1tn60p9IHkfB6-Y202sNncXb5HQP0AhHCtlU8-6hBprdxwc655fF4cdYI298eqJQfmYfL-eE/s4272/Photo83Cool.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bQzzUNaHN7oGfIkWQf0cwMAAPAJYUU-O1D3f2lUMdgOqNU7ej-eoZaKSCrihoPWThCosbgyf21mKPGGfdIVM_5mRLux5N7jkntEepTDsNeqmRe15exp1tn60p9IHkfB6-Y202sNncXb5HQP0AhHCtlU8-6hBprdxwc655fF4cdYI298eqJQfmYfL-eE/w266-h400/Photo83Cool.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">For our next series of indoor portraits, I exploited the natural window light and also increased my camera ISO to let in even more light and to add a little grain for authenticity. I also created my own backdrop, using some cute, cherry patterned vintage inspired wrapping paper. Time for a lie down!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYX5-u3oxbRZknPvzGmZTopMwesV9AT9gGDet_FzX-61egf5AbkqxkYhjZWdmRkUogoV056T6IYPsaeOno1O04DyaqR9G-iOvT4CXVfUVR-yrWytlhc0KOYfDpOTFr4yx2rSRb8fYJ02tvsZ-aQkBlKZpTCSmHpOC-0eZXhdH-7AJwuIcVktoQzOPmvI/s4120/Photo37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4120" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYX5-u3oxbRZknPvzGmZTopMwesV9AT9gGDet_FzX-61egf5AbkqxkYhjZWdmRkUogoV056T6IYPsaeOno1O04DyaqR9G-iOvT4CXVfUVR-yrWytlhc0KOYfDpOTFr4yx2rSRb8fYJ02tvsZ-aQkBlKZpTCSmHpOC-0eZXhdH-7AJwuIcVktoQzOPmvI/w640-h442/Photo37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This one's my favourite...giving Hedy Lamarr a run for her money!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMQHREZO-TbyJ-5D1e_T0mxPHDynAYdHSmFfzbDSAwFZ3xLopetN52uZgX0hl9F5-yis6ztza8P3JlP2qqfuWwz9fHhnKAXapqn5l90NAZihE9XsBtvIefDVpiZED2hKzW8maLfU9F1vajWBMMZ2nh9VFHLyqVGWzzLKcmN5PLMhjHDa-LpIG3QathW4/s4272/Photo2%20BWGRAIN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMQHREZO-TbyJ-5D1e_T0mxPHDynAYdHSmFfzbDSAwFZ3xLopetN52uZgX0hl9F5-yis6ztza8P3JlP2qqfuWwz9fHhnKAXapqn5l90NAZihE9XsBtvIefDVpiZED2hKzW8maLfU9F1vajWBMMZ2nh9VFHLyqVGWzzLKcmN5PLMhjHDa-LpIG3QathW4/w640-h426/Photo2%20BWGRAIN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally, we headed outside for the final shots. Ania's satin top was a match made in heaven for the last remaining pink camelia flowers.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bNmqPwqs4rdwIjWnLVuA_iKSJRF6jhAgr9P5n4TeyBYCvPCAoFW1OpL67y_pqBKBKrXLYWVg0rVLa6_s0Ewp2pbTM7s4vMa08HH6rM392k83GpX5aNrlyzqeZ3RnI3rWLpm45V7Pr8QzZXbopPFPa-T7KmbhxMlMwDsYGQFvj9KkiIwVxHwtphKo7zw/s4104/Photo29b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4104" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bNmqPwqs4rdwIjWnLVuA_iKSJRF6jhAgr9P5n4TeyBYCvPCAoFW1OpL67y_pqBKBKrXLYWVg0rVLa6_s0Ewp2pbTM7s4vMa08HH6rM392k83GpX5aNrlyzqeZ3RnI3rWLpm45V7Pr8QzZXbopPFPa-T7KmbhxMlMwDsYGQFvj9KkiIwVxHwtphKo7zw/w444-h640/Photo29b.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Ania was also able to change into the sweater without being quite so precious over her hair. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">My inspiration for this look was the "sweater girl" fashion phenomenon of the 1940s and 1950s. For those unfamiliar with the term, it was made popular in the aforementioned decades and was used to describe Hollywood actresses like Lana turner, Marilyn and Jayne Mansfield, who adopted the popular fashion of wearing figure hugging sweaters to emphasise their physical attributes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yYxwlIAUUkTJBAgGaZ2irY8X1AwKEyW2IlLm0q8-YN5_i_oSb3Tyv7K7jznnLi-r3ga2weAc2M784ey2h8zFVzgm1zUykBKUvwBbYoxMQR35N2y-louWAX-yKlEsd1RhyphenhyphenfooA8rHDD0OWV1Tu6FRoLm0V9WyLs1sXh_fkCXnk_NrBhbsJa7SUzxQA2U/s474/Marilyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yYxwlIAUUkTJBAgGaZ2irY8X1AwKEyW2IlLm0q8-YN5_i_oSb3Tyv7K7jznnLi-r3ga2weAc2M784ey2h8zFVzgm1zUykBKUvwBbYoxMQR35N2y-louWAX-yKlEsd1RhyphenhyphenfooA8rHDD0OWV1Tu6FRoLm0V9WyLs1sXh_fkCXnk_NrBhbsJa7SUzxQA2U/w400-h225/Marilyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Marilyn, by Alfred Eisenstaedt</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The sweater girl trend was not confined to Hollywood and was viewed with alarm by some. In 1949 a Pittsburgh police superintendent, Harvey J. Scott, singled out the trend as a symptom of the moral decline of post war youth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">"Women walk the streets, their curves accentuated by their dresses. But our real problem is with bobby soxers. They are the sweater girls - just kids showing off their curves and apparently liking it. What kind of mothers and wives are they going to be?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Well, shush Harvey! We've heard enough from you!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDeT5ifycv_HWDoJ-0HiGWTnpyjJ9KAdai1jEdMYnCYLRRA0hOuCSq-DqbgW0xMWNOclaeEQTJ_zp6u-fYmR2n25w6B-3pBzKLX0HwWgtLFwoCgCA9SKmTmJ4qwDF-aqGytvaDF7geZhtLbYboZCnbzk49Zj85dkQWthfovBeneWiFGWFt9UUWkfNGYI/s4272/Photo3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDeT5ifycv_HWDoJ-0HiGWTnpyjJ9KAdai1jEdMYnCYLRRA0hOuCSq-DqbgW0xMWNOclaeEQTJ_zp6u-fYmR2n25w6B-3pBzKLX0HwWgtLFwoCgCA9SKmTmJ4qwDF-aqGytvaDF7geZhtLbYboZCnbzk49Zj85dkQWthfovBeneWiFGWFt9UUWkfNGYI/w426-h640/Photo3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Isn't the sweater just perfect for Ania? It worked beautifully with my high contrast Hollywood edits.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjernI-tVHNsWnHOu3MbBX4qq1ljL-rC2OlwvSf8X2_WlzCUzOFBRM3xJfd3iej3SQtVlxbQsH74Q76VbvWhJP9qjaCjJy0n282slRA0I2veWTHAXsWBZFAr4eM3vI_L6jGyjR1qcQSLpifBi6r0AP0SsV4wc_tZ1amaQW6g3eKJovl3JuH-sqtV4RwGhk/s4272/Photo8BWGrain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjernI-tVHNsWnHOu3MbBX4qq1ljL-rC2OlwvSf8X2_WlzCUzOFBRM3xJfd3iej3SQtVlxbQsH74Q76VbvWhJP9qjaCjJy0n282slRA0I2veWTHAXsWBZFAr4eM3vI_L6jGyjR1qcQSLpifBi6r0AP0SsV4wc_tZ1amaQW6g3eKJovl3JuH-sqtV4RwGhk/w426-h640/Photo8BWGrain.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW7iC713Hr7AzUj5GMB9TFCOPZfhO1KQbFSeGCS2YWopvM9AqvF48oI__bSEL4ESvJ1LcV9l3hE3R0hpuLZuczl0dYiDHIVpbrXqREjplBSBBnRsZeGz5Lh4e5iBXRZWNKRaZ1LX8WSBRHDdyYsz8Fj7DLhb1OyzW3G_hfIsXQSf0HXjmQ3HWKmnIMaU/s4272/Photo18bwgrain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4272" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW7iC713Hr7AzUj5GMB9TFCOPZfhO1KQbFSeGCS2YWopvM9AqvF48oI__bSEL4ESvJ1LcV9l3hE3R0hpuLZuczl0dYiDHIVpbrXqREjplBSBBnRsZeGz5Lh4e5iBXRZWNKRaZ1LX8WSBRHDdyYsz8Fj7DLhb1OyzW3G_hfIsXQSf0HXjmQ3HWKmnIMaU/w426-h640/Photo18bwgrain.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">And that's a wrap! I took around 100 images on this shoot, but I hope you enjoyed this insight to a fabulously fun shoot and my celebration of Hollywood and femininity!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">CREDITS: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Model: Ania Cummins</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Hair and Makeup: Sensual Passions</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-66901681559624432952024-01-16T05:40:00.000-08:002024-01-16T05:40:20.237-08:00Let There Be Light<p><span style="font-family: courier;">January is a strange month...a gaping chasm between the joy and sparkle of the festive period and the early promise of spring. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Forget Blue Monday, I have christened my birthday this year as Blue Sunday. Sunday January 14th was one to forget. Given the weather that day, I'll take a rain check on celebrations - pardon the pun. It was quite possibly, the most miserable day I can recall for a long time. Even nature failed to lift our spirits and after 30 minutes of walking into a bitingly cold wind, gazing at a waterlogged landscape, we cut short our walk. If you think I'm exaggerating, see for yourselves.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T7Oei5bsbGt6OJGVOQ5TPk3TK41K83ytBj5Oi4hdR8Ah3uBAqP8AQVRlHt2KxUFFs0AhaP5i9RGg-QWARvPMhno9a2dGZx_vQ_YpAA6dLcMiYjUnWVocq1g8B72UXW_JxpG35LNAF93bNHAzfJP_DkXmcz_kw5rK-KQoStq2YU_IEZ6gJEIFubi7cis/s5242/Birthdaywalk1Stocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="5242" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T7Oei5bsbGt6OJGVOQ5TPk3TK41K83ytBj5Oi4hdR8Ah3uBAqP8AQVRlHt2KxUFFs0AhaP5i9RGg-QWARvPMhno9a2dGZx_vQ_YpAA6dLcMiYjUnWVocq1g8B72UXW_JxpG35LNAF93bNHAzfJP_DkXmcz_kw5rK-KQoStq2YU_IEZ6gJEIFubi7cis/w640-h414/Birthdaywalk1Stocking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF79YP8O1iY_3Ut67-Krb4tkZxO75XYLcLuGPisISN2JUe2v6itOWFnOSTFwmYebrgUqRpERxty5oeDgrqQoYG4OXFMshb652DdH_VwsIzRwpWA5u3Xo9Fx5iyTBTyma-RgAN00Mz9QuBEFl6W7bsnsAsIAl08wF9ne087CxEc4jIGG1xXWzzE0lMRFc/s5472/Birthdaywalk2stocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5472" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF79YP8O1iY_3Ut67-Krb4tkZxO75XYLcLuGPisISN2JUe2v6itOWFnOSTFwmYebrgUqRpERxty5oeDgrqQoYG4OXFMshb652DdH_VwsIzRwpWA5u3Xo9Fx5iyTBTyma-RgAN00Mz9QuBEFl6W7bsnsAsIAl08wF9ne087CxEc4jIGG1xXWzzE0lMRFc/w640-h434/Birthdaywalk2stocking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q6jfgvXN6Wtuv_LUors7Nip7xnKyqpEI8B24YW8HQLqkAvExwkrQGEd2BNX14L8UkYdsEC3I2XodDXYWySUUJCr6o1pe3-3av3sxBwdOH_FyJ6lLe-N0s-6Db0wWFIvawfepm0mGznC1PPMsxLlwDpRVLIk5lwAR9nb6hP751GIbw5wnG9FqIGM2uNY/s5568/Birthdaywalk7stocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q6jfgvXN6Wtuv_LUors7Nip7xnKyqpEI8B24YW8HQLqkAvExwkrQGEd2BNX14L8UkYdsEC3I2XodDXYWySUUJCr6o1pe3-3av3sxBwdOH_FyJ6lLe-N0s-6Db0wWFIvawfepm0mGznC1PPMsxLlwDpRVLIk5lwAR9nb6hP751GIbw5wnG9FqIGM2uNY/w640-h426/Birthdaywalk7stocking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpcZHQMgV_gekDB-e5P3C9T0nOTOl5Lm62SoJgDI_URyEHOAB-icVJ_F09tv7o8rYyPjYomdEkjpigtk4-7mUAp3_BEfPNnqtGBciM0EqBM2OLiQhskMYDepIDXeScZ4SMt_4AfhtyeuEIZEOJymLtqJVus8GcSayE-ptzpPETdqmtBl8t6h39B_yERQ/s5568/Birthdaywalk5stocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpcZHQMgV_gekDB-e5P3C9T0nOTOl5Lm62SoJgDI_URyEHOAB-icVJ_F09tv7o8rYyPjYomdEkjpigtk4-7mUAp3_BEfPNnqtGBciM0EqBM2OLiQhskMYDepIDXeScZ4SMt_4AfhtyeuEIZEOJymLtqJVus8GcSayE-ptzpPETdqmtBl8t6h39B_yERQ/w640-h426/Birthdaywalk5stocking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Bleak huh? The photos above were shot with a stocking covered 35mm lens, a practise run for me to create a more retro aesthetic. Believe me when I say that even without the stocking, the results were almost as bleak. And brown. My fingerless gloves have been working over time - inside and outside of the house! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">But what a difference a day makes! This Monday morning, officially christened Blue Monday (supposedly the most depressing day of the year), there was light!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHdgl4B5hz7TuQCGaTBdc2_izrzC-AVipdwffZsKIsknN3dugW3cMEk_rTpEI2F95MspsGc9DZbMWeBiEuaIH_Exyc1pHBsWlBnLf_Um5LmcFoEsgXxix2p8no07g8TfhupL8u1sonSKdDb2u8xXjNQ9AN272IilnudcAgdx9qPHgKgu8z-faX44dIsc/s5061/MorningSunBookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3354" data-original-width="5061" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHdgl4B5hz7TuQCGaTBdc2_izrzC-AVipdwffZsKIsknN3dugW3cMEk_rTpEI2F95MspsGc9DZbMWeBiEuaIH_Exyc1pHBsWlBnLf_Um5LmcFoEsgXxix2p8no07g8TfhupL8u1sonSKdDb2u8xXjNQ9AN272IilnudcAgdx9qPHgKgu8z-faX44dIsc/w640-h424/MorningSunBookshelf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We awoke to a dusting of snow, an exquisite blue winter sky with fluffy clouds and shafts of sunlight landing photogenically. The daily walk was much more pleasant.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYuGVplMxDSe3-A9Uyt1HY1TjGNqwhaA84OTicfVmvDkiQmNAyT987-vsb88UCYCS_GkRKyG5QqCfRSAu95iH_Z_ei1t-P65i5vZEq6PEwp2Ax9XU6GiGVB240LhBkB3Wxzq1gojuzLScrrExHgi9bJ3YRyqZooS_rwZo9IacoOaKwlDmuPakooQyawM/s5244/Kinver13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5244" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYuGVplMxDSe3-A9Uyt1HY1TjGNqwhaA84OTicfVmvDkiQmNAyT987-vsb88UCYCS_GkRKyG5QqCfRSAu95iH_Z_ei1t-P65i5vZEq6PEwp2Ax9XU6GiGVB240LhBkB3Wxzq1gojuzLScrrExHgi9bJ3YRyqZooS_rwZo9IacoOaKwlDmuPakooQyawM/w640-h454/Kinver13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA89hx4-Sksz91Vwn9wopttDl06CsKuqW98ePzmYEY8NRav4PTG0TvRKhxmRvmOIomMkIRmDb-zeaI-vsg3VgksA0s7iZbsdIcI0kdlUuhnsn8WIf2MklBROxwy16zKKcD__2wxI_rjgEhrXbyeNIYGB2Wlv3OQS7e3m4w2lnqzfUzuO3691zenwxc4KM/s5436/Kinver8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5436" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA89hx4-Sksz91Vwn9wopttDl06CsKuqW98ePzmYEY8NRav4PTG0TvRKhxmRvmOIomMkIRmDb-zeaI-vsg3VgksA0s7iZbsdIcI0kdlUuhnsn8WIf2MklBROxwy16zKKcD__2wxI_rjgEhrXbyeNIYGB2Wlv3OQS7e3m4w2lnqzfUzuO3691zenwxc4KM/w640-h438/Kinver8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_tlXnXVpGYgq5UHEyd1rD5dGrNBmD4UA1LtogkHGssnmq_fOWeP45E704KPtIlhKsC1dUVfut1SJPw9ge96nBrx4edsV3GOTV0g_HJas1IziwVCkZA6cIQzFw-ArQiPXe4L1_ibDA10NbQvao_5cH4fdzCfNlUauqA0kAWxzer2FbLHxga8y0v_AozM/s5568/Kinver5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_tlXnXVpGYgq5UHEyd1rD5dGrNBmD4UA1LtogkHGssnmq_fOWeP45E704KPtIlhKsC1dUVfut1SJPw9ge96nBrx4edsV3GOTV0g_HJas1IziwVCkZA6cIQzFw-ArQiPXe4L1_ibDA10NbQvao_5cH4fdzCfNlUauqA0kAWxzer2FbLHxga8y0v_AozM/w640-h426/Kinver5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So rewinding a little, last week, I took my Mom to Halfpenny Green Vineyards for a coffee and a look at the local delicacies. But for a cat botherer like me, the draw was actually the local feral feline population. It was dinner time and I managed to capture a few of them scoffing. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7DkX_z77uCHn0_EIS7i4dSxnufG9SiyZ0Rpw4OJD2mfkD799a5NWwKmHG5-CK7aUq1sNP6gPUc8p-VeoORqeyhxFgwoRer-SrATznIQJhp4LrXokMTyPOHbH2ump1D6xJFNZziVOgOE2PMtnuMqRVnvPd1wGA0aqUw_Gj9xbX7RDD7bRYsWRmCk_CIw/s1767/VineyardCats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1767" data-original-width="1510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7DkX_z77uCHn0_EIS7i4dSxnufG9SiyZ0Rpw4OJD2mfkD799a5NWwKmHG5-CK7aUq1sNP6gPUc8p-VeoORqeyhxFgwoRer-SrATznIQJhp4LrXokMTyPOHbH2ump1D6xJFNZziVOgOE2PMtnuMqRVnvPd1wGA0aqUw_Gj9xbX7RDD7bRYsWRmCk_CIw/w341-h400/VineyardCats.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">They're happy, rotundly healthy and almost identical looking, but prefer to keep people at a safe distance. I can't say I blame them. There are 17 cats in total and between them, the independent business owners operating from the prefab buildings next to the vineyards, look after them with regular food donations and also try to ensure they are neutered. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbLEn0hrZzg02sbOuaZBKn4W9OiZQgjxa8Itpg08QG-u65g-6cHAnoPem3IPP2LEV_SU2N8amhR77m8R5NT9F5hvswvkfvPOkmFS9mK1oUlkv3hQ4TFAb7klP7gRE4sNYa9msG5HbdbxBzpEc9RggljDHsQAzTVjJDPF3Si_eJuDfrsXybyEDZGRhqw/s1930/cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="1406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbLEn0hrZzg02sbOuaZBKn4W9OiZQgjxa8Itpg08QG-u65g-6cHAnoPem3IPP2LEV_SU2N8amhR77m8R5NT9F5hvswvkfvPOkmFS9mK1oUlkv3hQ4TFAb7klP7gRE4sNYa9msG5HbdbxBzpEc9RggljDHsQAzTVjJDPF3Si_eJuDfrsXybyEDZGRhqw/w291-h400/cat.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">This one was adopted as a kitten by one of the business owners. Isn't she beautiful? Who wouldn't love to while away January in a cosy bed like that?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Our week was brightened by a visit from our old trading friend Baz. Baz is a fireman who lives miles away from us with his wife Issy, in a converted double decker bus in the wilds of Staffordshire, but dropped by as he was in the area. If you visit us, chances are you're going to be force fed and photographed and Baz was no exception!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qMyo5n01I2_s1shMFznXdjtLQQxw8R7cdt2S7DfLyXjarQyoS9VZOH9thGaLDSyFM4Eak4UYk28UJcguPQFGr2sIfha3R_fwve9uaIIYealpdy9guzGdd7IjPDLKJcqYUyAH2F0avAU_-jjWqPcV21HmCHjRwFm3YXTb2cKKT6ISWUIzl2mJXHdQKyo/s5061/BruteboxBaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5061" data-original-width="3476" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qMyo5n01I2_s1shMFznXdjtLQQxw8R7cdt2S7DfLyXjarQyoS9VZOH9thGaLDSyFM4Eak4UYk28UJcguPQFGr2sIfha3R_fwve9uaIIYealpdy9guzGdd7IjPDLKJcqYUyAH2F0avAU_-jjWqPcV21HmCHjRwFm3YXTb2cKKT6ISWUIzl2mJXHdQKyo/w440-h640/BruteboxBaz.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Another day, another Baz. This one's my father-in-law and he loves the smell of creosote. He literally cannot pass a telegraph pole without having a sniff. This is possibly one of my stranger portraits but hey, you take your pleasures where you find them!</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_mZwjDEQ-JG4fKNJvFNTdqkyFuWnifw8_M_CWxosqeWg3v64AKQAiYuF1jvHSGgmshdE8_1K6ttvUua4rs6mS5QJ6410QIJgwK83GuqGon004J1ikyUEumvLZuINiPlB0jOd5xh94Kld2CNoJ0NAiwJSrae_w6yRwPPe6jkcZoPRpju7u9D-hTj86rs/s5445/BazCreosote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3630" data-original-width="5445" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_mZwjDEQ-JG4fKNJvFNTdqkyFuWnifw8_M_CWxosqeWg3v64AKQAiYuF1jvHSGgmshdE8_1K6ttvUua4rs6mS5QJ6410QIJgwK83GuqGon004J1ikyUEumvLZuINiPlB0jOd5xh94Kld2CNoJ0NAiwJSrae_w6yRwPPe6jkcZoPRpju7u9D-hTj86rs/w640-h426/BazCreosote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Since Christmas, I've made a few charity shop purchases...some wardrobe staple Breton tops and a Monsoon duo in the shape of a faux fur gillet and Fairisle style jumper that really keeps the cold out. It was worth the awkward encounter with a fellow shopper who insisted on loudly and proudly showing me her bargain purchase - a pack of incontinence pads!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I've also made a couple of considered new purchases. I picked up a pair of jeans in the Zara sale. I wanted to create a more elegant, flattering and retro silhouette and couldn't be happier with these high waisted, raw hem jeans that just skim and hang elegantly from the thighs and are cropped a little so are great for my pit pony legs. I love the double front pockets too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Oh and for the longest time, I've been searching for a pair of classic loafers. They have evaded me, until now. I spotted these gorgeous metallic ones in the Boden sale. Quality and comfort. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQFXYD6iYEnfPRPqD27jo6oMcP5worZGl0-yYGa4YnGI7jrhUyqszx6girJosRAhLS24rgLIdBCNnxPH7fpTB2nI9kN9IbfPL3o2LRDDrRJExFgnrQHfUnJcAkFogPqiXioMvc_g7RL1kHjhyl1CS2s7ccpjjGUj0pILbiwzsMizO7Z-wyXLU3iuyS48/s892/Loafers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQFXYD6iYEnfPRPqD27jo6oMcP5worZGl0-yYGa4YnGI7jrhUyqszx6girJosRAhLS24rgLIdBCNnxPH7fpTB2nI9kN9IbfPL3o2LRDDrRJExFgnrQHfUnJcAkFogPqiXioMvc_g7RL1kHjhyl1CS2s7ccpjjGUj0pILbiwzsMizO7Z-wyXLU3iuyS48/w300-h400/Loafers.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">They work well with turned up, slouchy jeans, A line and mini skirts, shorts and certain maxi dresses. My latest mission is therefore to showcase them to their full potential. For the purposes of this post however, I thought I'd don the majority of recent purchases all at once! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYElIt3m8qIJb_KTpb7T43dg6F65TmHm8c3hlzwzc-CtVw1XbgaamrANy71S_J1IrFsoAgg-zFIhEANZ7alHK_EotaBy0HBmthAmAjoqXDa0wFVlDBuThJrORK2DmOccQjTDsyOVL4By_txwYIH-Qlqh6thrlCbaExs4c2CvnGY-bh4ndBVDPYw24gwpA/s838/Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="579" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYElIt3m8qIJb_KTpb7T43dg6F65TmHm8c3hlzwzc-CtVw1XbgaamrANy71S_J1IrFsoAgg-zFIhEANZ7alHK_EotaBy0HBmthAmAjoqXDa0wFVlDBuThJrORK2DmOccQjTDsyOVL4By_txwYIH-Qlqh6thrlCbaExs4c2CvnGY-bh4ndBVDPYw24gwpA/w442-h640/Selfie.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Gareth's also carried out a successful and ingenious repair to my sad and neglected vintage necklace, which unfortunately shed one of its "carnelian" stones on its very first outing with me. The trick? Epoxy resin combined with smoked paprika. In case you're wondering, it's the bottom stone he's replaced. I think it looks better than the original!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKSHrZVXAvjiSXEaJRHnvflyH6KzDHrPLf5c159gCKbjLpZMDmfbUOu70o3Pfpg7rrgAr-EbodtQu008kuWU4eRQcaodfeW68o10coG8vFxxZfzsFnXXXh9x_m65Hhx71Hp_agA6BztVdb2gG44XkyWQxHF_Hheu9pBhiOHBLGqPzamOKoaKecR26M74/s892/Necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKSHrZVXAvjiSXEaJRHnvflyH6KzDHrPLf5c159gCKbjLpZMDmfbUOu70o3Pfpg7rrgAr-EbodtQu008kuWU4eRQcaodfeW68o10coG8vFxxZfzsFnXXXh9x_m65Hhx71Hp_agA6BztVdb2gG44XkyWQxHF_Hheu9pBhiOHBLGqPzamOKoaKecR26M74/w453-h640/Necklace.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I picked up a few books from Enville Church when we were passing through the village. Am I a terrible sinner, never going to church other than to check out the donated books? We left our donation in the honesty box and came away with three immaculate hardback books. I failed to photograph them before loaning two of them, but picked up a copy of Behind Closed Doors, the untold story of the Duchess of Windsor... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz_EPf5mORFjq7Dsr7lusJM0fKsGrh5L1HmZdUcBDuf9KgchYMYoS_3IHSH35CmRK2PxTFNt_acXtF3ayd5qzoAmtNkMUjcnMIYW5-GydRkS1duFvPrO_01mbiKIx8JvDHHCH7EDHxtRA9rybqjJwrenOVL4LfCy_HKwTtF7Kmf7WFLEconeBLCSJF7w/s500/book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="500" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz_EPf5mORFjq7Dsr7lusJM0fKsGrh5L1HmZdUcBDuf9KgchYMYoS_3IHSH35CmRK2PxTFNt_acXtF3ayd5qzoAmtNkMUjcnMIYW5-GydRkS1duFvPrO_01mbiKIx8JvDHHCH7EDHxtRA9rybqjJwrenOVL4LfCy_HKwTtF7Kmf7WFLEconeBLCSJF7w/w400-h356/book1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...Phillipa Gregory's The Taming of the Queen and also this beautiful copy of Dawnlands (although I have yet to read Dark Tides, the second of the trilogy).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWLZbvwHIP94Oj4vzyExFxSGraq6jwpvRez9JZCd3y0ryZkWOfM8E_CqgR0AxiAF2RB9hns-rkuz1rkz8Z7GzrZ3ceZz_4GCdTOugkFUJuxVN_WyHiSNOo6k4jES-weDNwH-t-zFO6kTFbVU0OgE22Np9KWFxb5shX40ovEsuHJh2THpUysXUUUgH2ww/s892/Book2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWLZbvwHIP94Oj4vzyExFxSGraq6jwpvRez9JZCd3y0ryZkWOfM8E_CqgR0AxiAF2RB9hns-rkuz1rkz8Z7GzrZ3ceZz_4GCdTOugkFUJuxVN_WyHiSNOo6k4jES-weDNwH-t-zFO6kTFbVU0OgE22Np9KWFxb5shX40ovEsuHJh2THpUysXUUUgH2ww/w300-h400/Book2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In TV land, we've been glued to the second season of The Tourist - this time set in Ireland. It's arguably weaker than the first series, but I love the humour and Ireland looks so pretty.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0L3GzKe4QYBURhA44MJmzyg1UnaxAWXq4I66BU9xiAJeRImHW9HBPksjZlIq8ZznipMPZDVmg3mb7QcrlGO_cqG0TLCEpDz12k5xiBWnkC26_G1pt9HUVBGwPu-Bl6Uijzz2IK1ZLm-sM0XycdIIvztFNz9DjOyN_0AQ4i5_PSy9MmjdZmefO9WnNL4/s474/Tourist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0L3GzKe4QYBURhA44MJmzyg1UnaxAWXq4I66BU9xiAJeRImHW9HBPksjZlIq8ZznipMPZDVmg3mb7QcrlGO_cqG0TLCEpDz12k5xiBWnkC26_G1pt9HUVBGwPu-Bl6Uijzz2IK1ZLm-sM0XycdIIvztFNz9DjOyN_0AQ4i5_PSy9MmjdZmefO9WnNL4/w400-h266/Tourist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Kin has also captivated us. It's about rival gangland families in Dublin and an event that causes their feud to spiral out of control. So gripping!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44QgrZ6jxyYVbc6TdRaHAxFLfktItEU25fTENcAbCr4BeriiEpiwNaeLoqkbRILvyZznMPKW2zw4ZUFCVwg13_uWRAewwjXhyphenhyphenCpl7QEATK30lw-r7OzCyHbb3VLS91wW1pDYb-PSJOPL2l47svxtpll0qwZyDFcG6UnBZXBBRxZ0euJITK50-yKn1h4E/s1280/Kin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44QgrZ6jxyYVbc6TdRaHAxFLfktItEU25fTENcAbCr4BeriiEpiwNaeLoqkbRILvyZznMPKW2zw4ZUFCVwg13_uWRAewwjXhyphenhyphenCpl7QEATK30lw-r7OzCyHbb3VLS91wW1pDYb-PSJOPL2l47svxtpll0qwZyDFcG6UnBZXBBRxZ0euJITK50-yKn1h4E/w640-h360/Kin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We're also hopelessly addicted to The Traitors. Having watched and loved the first series, we were sceptical as to how there could be a second. But the rules are ever changing, there are some clever twists and it's intriguing to see human nature played out so obviously on a TV show where back stabbing and betrayal are the only ways to win. The Banquishing Table, where players take a stab in the dark to name who they think is a traitor, is a masterclass in herd mentality.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpwWqizWcalw-j-Pn8NNxC2J3a7WKHy87KbH0zZpJ3zBGUDytUoPbQ4MGQkqaUvYJqWhVOYMCshWLbAFK61RX1ciVIRxGEB-ycj1179PvCkYGswBeE8EC2WsW0t1g0wV5enZMcpJwcapLTxnYnNImY57Nij8QT1SZjMTcXuBYspOA1hIh9w5WwsHvyZw/s1200/The-Traitors-BBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpwWqizWcalw-j-Pn8NNxC2J3a7WKHy87KbH0zZpJ3zBGUDytUoPbQ4MGQkqaUvYJqWhVOYMCshWLbAFK61RX1ciVIRxGEB-ycj1179PvCkYGswBeE8EC2WsW0t1g0wV5enZMcpJwcapLTxnYnNImY57Nij8QT1SZjMTcXuBYspOA1hIh9w5WwsHvyZw/w400-h225/The-Traitors-BBC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm also obsessing over presenter Claudia Winkleman's chic wardrobe, each outfit put together by fashion stylist Sinead McKeefry and just oozing quality. I am in love with this Vampire's Wife mini dress..</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-7mpjd2xKMcfLFQTfAJfpyRyVflunf3tg6LQ50QkpYrk-56MhnoG-BQCuU7CDhNQfCiBg8o9VL9stwVRKBKUn2UvUw6W2Ew1QcXPZTN6A9eeLe63mp63h3z0qKWktuJ81unc6mvqzvuk0MrWHZiqZDmMzbYQDQgVAVJizrDuIdqJCCsLVowbdOTUQo0/s1166/Claudia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-7mpjd2xKMcfLFQTfAJfpyRyVflunf3tg6LQ50QkpYrk-56MhnoG-BQCuU7CDhNQfCiBg8o9VL9stwVRKBKUn2UvUw6W2Ew1QcXPZTN6A9eeLe63mp63h3z0qKWktuJ81unc6mvqzvuk0MrWHZiqZDmMzbYQDQgVAVJizrDuIdqJCCsLVowbdOTUQo0/w386-h400/Claudia.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and her ruffle shirts/quirky knits and tweed coats are to die for.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQdDfjvrde1HaIT5WQYlRVh-f81CkMUqe5nbM00uyMddk9qEwOx7wHyoMNBCs0u5fVvAnO8aL9s5GGu7NhxsvhebRNB1qu2-hDVmg2H8SfQiudowLpmKVqf4hyphenhyphenF6cRhE46kIG_HStYGiKgK8hku7Q6wGyKhcP6BlLvXu8Bs2OgzdVgIH7TCEvLYSG9Xw/s1564/WoolJacketselfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQdDfjvrde1HaIT5WQYlRVh-f81CkMUqe5nbM00uyMddk9qEwOx7wHyoMNBCs0u5fVvAnO8aL9s5GGu7NhxsvhebRNB1qu2-hDVmg2H8SfQiudowLpmKVqf4hyphenhyphenF6cRhE46kIG_HStYGiKgK8hku7Q6wGyKhcP6BlLvXu8Bs2OgzdVgIH7TCEvLYSG9Xw/w263-h400/WoolJacketselfie.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It has not gone unnoticed that she's taken her cue from me and invested in more than one pair of fingerless gloves which has become part of the signature "Traitors-core" look. I won't hold it against her though. She still trumps me on shiny hair. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Speaking of which, I believe I have found a hair care system that fights the frizz. Periodically I bang on about my somewhat frizzy hair, for which I can only thank the gene pool from which I emerged. My mother has poker straight, fine hair. My Dad had slightly wavy hair, inherited from his mother, who had hair like corrugated iron. I have a weird fusion; not quite straight but there are sections of hair at the base of my scalp that do take on that crinkly look when wet. Hairdressers like to tell me: "You have fine hair, but lots of it." For ages, I assumed that my hair just wasn't in good condition. Greys and humidity only worsen the appearance of the surface frizz that plagued me. I've tried all sorts of shampoos - nourishing, moisturising, natural hair soaps, co-washing (washing in conditioner), brushing, but nothing really made any dramatic impact. Until now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">My current secret (and I'm only a couple of washes into the new regime) is to oil the hair with Jojoba oil (a natural frizz buster) the night before washing. I tie it back to go to bed, wash and condition as usual the following morning and add a few pumps of styling cream when it's damp. This one seems to help. Here are my hair heroes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5LGVBRGMMWcB5QXCRIrKSGY1PY2-qcgB5s5ksu9Uw-1IA1YfIBljyp7pFK7vByzCOzRj4CNjZWP2l5NEaaJeiTc62Q9_wNxYb0B26tVxntsPm2EBV_UorvkCvdxkMNoRHW8be8VOnH_Lhvn1R7-rJgA7wRT6SIZybFZqMlJ0CoIt20CFObJHvRmUJ64/s892/Hairheroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5LGVBRGMMWcB5QXCRIrKSGY1PY2-qcgB5s5ksu9Uw-1IA1YfIBljyp7pFK7vByzCOzRj4CNjZWP2l5NEaaJeiTc62Q9_wNxYb0B26tVxntsPm2EBV_UorvkCvdxkMNoRHW8be8VOnH_Lhvn1R7-rJgA7wRT6SIZybFZqMlJ0CoIt20CFObJHvRmUJ64/w300-h400/Hairheroes.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The difference has been incredible and more importantly, the results have been lasting. It's held its own against humidity, has retained that moisture, feels softer and hangs better. It seems to improve with every treatment. Let's hear it for Jojoba!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dl2jlD_9mf60dZOy-rZsCV1qSVkmSQIi54hAm8SPo204J-61qwEzkZjxUyxHmeNtFlOXMwhoMWw_SiGFAwiW4xhJV_nQgcMvKFN7PzyrhA6fNZXUuEe2FSs72lxUfRc2wIf8yj1DR7MKxccWZ09PMkqLbuJ3wkBwL5Wm98NYEhBxakoLecKFFwanKUg/s3661/Hair.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3661" data-original-width="2577" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dl2jlD_9mf60dZOy-rZsCV1qSVkmSQIi54hAm8SPo204J-61qwEzkZjxUyxHmeNtFlOXMwhoMWw_SiGFAwiW4xhJV_nQgcMvKFN7PzyrhA6fNZXUuEe2FSs72lxUfRc2wIf8yj1DR7MKxccWZ09PMkqLbuJ3wkBwL5Wm98NYEhBxakoLecKFFwanKUg/w281-h400/Hair.JPEG" width="281" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">For me, January seems to be my creative month. I've entered the London Camera Exchange Competition. I don't believe I'm in with a chance, but it's a good exercise, keeps me sharp and I can take inspiration from my fellow entrants. You have to be in it to win it as the saying goes. Here's a glimpse of a few of the photos I entered.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2N0fQ7AKjwuhjGGYLqV_Qm36FRzhxmt2kR7rm9qsaILNZBhh8KRUmL14eUG5cTvPRndzC6ixKu-N46JacBWP59WICkxdIdeHHoiH6IL8E4KUQZ5TAqRGjJIH9gGq-GJKgW2iwKvL44aRZQpSftZttjtv_IUK6-1-4pKIuMBBi1SoVWAsGQnCS9QlYP0/s892/Entries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2N0fQ7AKjwuhjGGYLqV_Qm36FRzhxmt2kR7rm9qsaILNZBhh8KRUmL14eUG5cTvPRndzC6ixKu-N46JacBWP59WICkxdIdeHHoiH6IL8E4KUQZ5TAqRGjJIH9gGq-GJKgW2iwKvL44aRZQpSftZttjtv_IUK6-1-4pKIuMBBi1SoVWAsGQnCS9QlYP0/w640-h640/Entries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I've also been approached by a Brummy photographer/musician/artist to collaborate on something this year and have been pushing myself to create something different, focusing on the four elements. I'm sure art critics would have a field day, but I do what pleases me and find it very fulfilling.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M6Ih3oEJtlzhw-0d0xZXoEYkVV5B20NAb8TtkUBKc2bp3xAvms4Z-5ZlcsPxdX4hQ0CgUmAWjtYnYlwnUJQT8Kw-Y0UeqiAkyXkgLajndMuGUwUbhILCkHG2wVttCOxavp3T82sw9UKV7qabmPsqQ8GmRICThbH_gV5Fx5jkA7lCdZypkVPIYQmTCFU/s5568/LandscapeTextureNoText.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M6Ih3oEJtlzhw-0d0xZXoEYkVV5B20NAb8TtkUBKc2bp3xAvms4Z-5ZlcsPxdX4hQ0CgUmAWjtYnYlwnUJQT8Kw-Y0UeqiAkyXkgLajndMuGUwUbhILCkHG2wVttCOxavp3T82sw9UKV7qabmPsqQ8GmRICThbH_gV5Fx5jkA7lCdZypkVPIYQmTCFU/w640-h426/LandscapeTextureNoText.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88a3rZpibwD1PDiOl6Dj_qi0p0FmJJNrZ6jU5cLQQAxpPljek4ni-nHrt7hIqUOx_ybr2Wjsfy_nIH1VOwUk9MCAqUBA0fKcdn__sDcu7buSzMuZolh27yrMlDsgWnlka0aTFxSDteRd8eK1Qb5CNjzKcoCLbXmfa-pJF4R0wC8psAw3Qs1A_joauoyU/s2048/Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88a3rZpibwD1PDiOl6Dj_qi0p0FmJJNrZ6jU5cLQQAxpPljek4ni-nHrt7hIqUOx_ybr2Wjsfy_nIH1VOwUk9MCAqUBA0fKcdn__sDcu7buSzMuZolh27yrMlDsgWnlka0aTFxSDteRd8eK1Qb5CNjzKcoCLbXmfa-pJF4R0wC8psAw3Qs1A_joauoyU/w500-h640/Water.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUctAkLlY3OEKa50Teyx-G9jXtrscwKeEwqhr3y0bMy27sT0cribc58ludqQpDSv6bzll68pGJlJ-J3Jpci884ImFX4ADoif6HZGodnetYMuRDZISPueA27E7BPfVNmwQnNfI8Ip8qKBfY6LUQGifS_r8rsZDm7uiSu9JFIP0N0IdgT4NidBdw_iSLpA/s5286/Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3372" data-original-width="5286" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUctAkLlY3OEKa50Teyx-G9jXtrscwKeEwqhr3y0bMy27sT0cribc58ludqQpDSv6bzll68pGJlJ-J3Jpci884ImFX4ADoif6HZGodnetYMuRDZISPueA27E7BPfVNmwQnNfI8Ip8qKBfY6LUQGifS_r8rsZDm7uiSu9JFIP0N0IdgT4NidBdw_iSLpA/w640-h408/Fire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-L2i2d9fvYesZcMNGgKOoaHn1CWT3vLH0Y3VOnorGAePyX1_sv8hYk3OBT4P4rAW6R5gQsdSxGayVxXQVrjvIjmHp-jvdkRNV4Gt0mg149Ad8LoDSBS45b3-oBM1n0R5R1yHddTFkgt6QIEcOEnm4ViGvMzEvoo6CqtIXho3N_BqDrUVkGpXFKTXqA/s4129/Air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="4129" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-L2i2d9fvYesZcMNGgKOoaHn1CWT3vLH0Y3VOnorGAePyX1_sv8hYk3OBT4P4rAW6R5gQsdSxGayVxXQVrjvIjmHp-jvdkRNV4Gt0mg149Ad8LoDSBS45b3-oBM1n0R5R1yHddTFkgt6QIEcOEnm4ViGvMzEvoo6CqtIXho3N_BqDrUVkGpXFKTXqA/w640-h426/Air.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I hope you're all fine and dandy. What helps you through the winter months?</span></p><p><br /></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-86959503991752137132024-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:002024-01-04T12:15:43.371-08:00Wet January<p><span style="font-family: courier;">No, I'm not suggesting that you all over-indulge this January as my title might suggest, although we sure as hell won't be doing Veganuary, Dry January or any other marketing concept the man decides to throw at us by tapping into our insecurities in order to shift shed loads of units. This wet January in fact, started in late December and has "spilled over" into the New Year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Once again our rivers are flooded. Almost a year ago to the day, we were in the same position. Tired of surrendering to the elements, we headed out on New Year's Eve to see Mother Nature's latest show of strength.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The ducks seemed unperturbed, enjoying a feeding frenzy courtesy of visitors walking off their Christmas pudding.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQInV6IHorszBFA5Dy83QjR6D4qHprVRjmRIaLrtQnZPD1JEAmJSylcfX733CGx1bEz1h_-ihbZAeo3qin6N2FGl0BJGwavAfI54Lqv9pFRgI7wfg7JBNJ2DMkUlidHBE8lGNsN8kKCiQaCWhC51pEH6sjNQqjxMGLIXTsu5TCaQFfgGdH0QXXohHGWQ/s5424/Arley15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3616" data-original-width="5424" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQInV6IHorszBFA5Dy83QjR6D4qHprVRjmRIaLrtQnZPD1JEAmJSylcfX733CGx1bEz1h_-ihbZAeo3qin6N2FGl0BJGwavAfI54Lqv9pFRgI7wfg7JBNJ2DMkUlidHBE8lGNsN8kKCiQaCWhC51pEH6sjNQqjxMGLIXTsu5TCaQFfgGdH0QXXohHGWQ/w640-h426/Arley15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">But the mighty Severn had once again breached its banks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCJzjq3pb3TmXbfaZOKj5PKFTHFFoOjRvohVHMnVIipQrfISjN2EmZUh7EdTauPFf6L6eZvCOWFC5tASx4krowkIjiB6REPJdtq2kCsQVIFgC_hA2Pt63vpd8BiAv97V11Dl-_3lH3JO-SSJBhWfbSGXtxO9GJUs_nJFZR44x-XCxqD-p7WhcilTv878/s5568/Arley2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCJzjq3pb3TmXbfaZOKj5PKFTHFFoOjRvohVHMnVIipQrfISjN2EmZUh7EdTauPFf6L6eZvCOWFC5tASx4krowkIjiB6REPJdtq2kCsQVIFgC_hA2Pt63vpd8BiAv97V11Dl-_3lH3JO-SSJBhWfbSGXtxO9GJUs_nJFZR44x-XCxqD-p7WhcilTv878/w640-h426/Arley2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The little bridge to the far right of this photo was awash, but had yet to reach last year's levels (although by the time you read this, I'm sure it has). During our visit, the tweenies were getting their kicks, riding at speed through the water. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeg1HhDQtg3ewyK0_tF-kHYpxW6EL7bxMSzPBYZwe7cn51rQvGnlJxFyl922EdrSEIbTL7z3kkb2IPelqJPcI9kSJK3z6VH3_jvlGGZXKyZAS3n5w84JsItEuuhwkW-OvrIsiE25lxS3MDUmARrnekePCnZsONZP4TxS1cpPTZGNHh-Acvwg_lM0SMXM/s5497/Arley17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3642" data-original-width="5497" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeg1HhDQtg3ewyK0_tF-kHYpxW6EL7bxMSzPBYZwe7cn51rQvGnlJxFyl922EdrSEIbTL7z3kkb2IPelqJPcI9kSJK3z6VH3_jvlGGZXKyZAS3n5w84JsItEuuhwkW-OvrIsiE25lxS3MDUmARrnekePCnZsONZP4TxS1cpPTZGNHh-Acvwg_lM0SMXM/w640-h424/Arley17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">You really can't visit Arley without walking up the hill to the heritage railway station, passing the hamlet's solitary pub glimpsed here. Stopping is optional, but recommended. :-D</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz7u24z8GErQgJl5gDixQpN0hgOOgrw4bdVOtpBPjVSN16tv3vAYzeve0Pg9CBYvzslkXrUYsoSot0zcCgxgACHcvPezY9dhmqsXV4ylzx49F8yodgNewvA1umRcMMoh-6eytSforyCzovZx2lU8-B167i-SkoukfbTfyiGC0NBnWjqHJyNuDHzxRD2A/s5568/Arley18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz7u24z8GErQgJl5gDixQpN0hgOOgrw4bdVOtpBPjVSN16tv3vAYzeve0Pg9CBYvzslkXrUYsoSot0zcCgxgACHcvPezY9dhmqsXV4ylzx49F8yodgNewvA1umRcMMoh-6eytSforyCzovZx2lU8-B167i-SkoukfbTfyiGC0NBnWjqHJyNuDHzxRD2A/w640-h426/Arley18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The station appeared to be deserted, save for a couple of volunteers, who were busy taking down the decorations left over from the Christmas Enchanted Express timetable. The Porter's Room was however, still clinging on to the last days of Christmas.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWjwU1J6ECVx905fMuU8WfVDz0s7ZFRL9vWbQFItBxCeO4VUWcEsw2_96e0EbplJ1tVxWsro9dSEDvDKlGT1FHnofuJu0AGFHAIVKfmN5_cZSz53RTtmCWEZqtbREXO560CCwcJIPQxNdOj8FuwpfIVowfpBLy5GWdlLlgSIg5nPGVtdMc5mDcmRylfo/s5244/Arley3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5244" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWjwU1J6ECVx905fMuU8WfVDz0s7ZFRL9vWbQFItBxCeO4VUWcEsw2_96e0EbplJ1tVxWsro9dSEDvDKlGT1FHnofuJu0AGFHAIVKfmN5_cZSz53RTtmCWEZqtbREXO560CCwcJIPQxNdOj8FuwpfIVowfpBLy5GWdlLlgSIg5nPGVtdMc5mDcmRylfo/w640-h454/Arley3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Just as we were about to leave, we heard the distant noise of a locomotive and decided to hang around. Within minutes, a diesel rolled into the station.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfGNpenVo0M5NrundGbCojnD7GpMow3_8XJzjMbtMGCz46sereSxqRvTZpmd_KYtcvgBG90A9JdOYPiEYU1Rhau5I4d-1UpqFcwvBBJvDHOr_2XZArneKe_isEF7otMXNZwKEmWwy2xDBXC7qmGbobIsE906W9jv1_ckxGkVlohmBFO5LbiVUtYeWVO4/s5488/Arley4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5488" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfGNpenVo0M5NrundGbCojnD7GpMow3_8XJzjMbtMGCz46sereSxqRvTZpmd_KYtcvgBG90A9JdOYPiEYU1Rhau5I4d-1UpqFcwvBBJvDHOr_2XZArneKe_isEF7otMXNZwKEmWwy2xDBXC7qmGbobIsE906W9jv1_ckxGkVlohmBFO5LbiVUtYeWVO4/w640-h432/Arley4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">True to the old adage, you wait for one and then two come along at once. The diesel was quickly joined by a steam locomotive travelling in the opposite direction. We quickly ran up onto the bridge to reach the other platform before it departed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lLxb6lJTO1Cxj5Js4jFjCA6tgJVe-MFhIBCm9qDae5Xn4QS9JaoxivsRNds8bE7JahdtgFwzP0Xp1trUU1_sSRJ9Sue6qT_5az6fZFWNyZr_gsRYziE8BAwxfql7FRfGxdvR2lh3TxevXO1TVI6juTPISGN3_f1u2xvqf5iuJp0kjHe9XdGL1CIMnGQ/s5568/Arley10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lLxb6lJTO1Cxj5Js4jFjCA6tgJVe-MFhIBCm9qDae5Xn4QS9JaoxivsRNds8bE7JahdtgFwzP0Xp1trUU1_sSRJ9Sue6qT_5az6fZFWNyZr_gsRYziE8BAwxfql7FRfGxdvR2lh3TxevXO1TVI6juTPISGN3_f1u2xvqf5iuJp0kjHe9XdGL1CIMnGQ/w640-h426/Arley10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's hard not to feel like you've strayed onto a film set whenever one of these majestic beauties arrives. I hope these passengers were enjoying their trip! I'm not sure, judging by this man's expression.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ53hfSW_VxElBjDMWOQZ9aOMnoafsPdiB1r-MjIdvNHMXgdvFAFzGifg4TG103ciX8xH-pTXOhfhd0fh_tdFFo-HCnXkHhCJdJBR8U8IHcVzXaDbsoRaL_40Rwhr9ZSPz8K9PHRgnb5ferI73Edf7c3dpCdNDg26HLSGuWv5o7ryZuPywdQA-6wFON70/s5484/Arley14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3590" data-original-width="5484" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ53hfSW_VxElBjDMWOQZ9aOMnoafsPdiB1r-MjIdvNHMXgdvFAFzGifg4TG103ciX8xH-pTXOhfhd0fh_tdFFo-HCnXkHhCJdJBR8U8IHcVzXaDbsoRaL_40Rwhr9ZSPz8K9PHRgnb5ferI73Edf7c3dpCdNDg26HLSGuWv5o7ryZuPywdQA-6wFON70/w640-h418/Arley14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I managed to capture the handing over of the token and after sharing the image on Instagram, was chuffed that BBC Midlands made it their photo of the day. I was even more thrilled when one of the volunteers subsequently purchased a high res digital download from me. Initially he wanted it as a laptop screen saver, but has plans to get a print framed to adorn the walls of his new home. Thanks Dougie! (There he is in the cap).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4lUC09R9LV8jp4wOhlA9wQKpLepCnGtiI3qaK0Tr9c7SAs4QyjLfICsQ0TOwGohlQ5-2CjU_w06K6LFiNJaJF1geCwLDTHyjShYoANVAJ_4EMkAvqb3udWFdd-DRHiaNx500LERF198-R3jv0TVyKPcZZqA8EDULipJXGCjDTvOrONT7OniXcoJFuew/s5568/Arley9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4lUC09R9LV8jp4wOhlA9wQKpLepCnGtiI3qaK0Tr9c7SAs4QyjLfICsQ0TOwGohlQ5-2CjU_w06K6LFiNJaJF1geCwLDTHyjShYoANVAJ_4EMkAvqb3udWFdd-DRHiaNx500LERF198-R3jv0TVyKPcZZqA8EDULipJXGCjDTvOrONT7OniXcoJFuew/w640-h426/Arley9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LvISYudw3WmUj9kbK0IupN2La2-x_wpUxpSe_d81RUPg1CyOpuBywhQvNR3qyMeiLxSsxdKJ5_uNUdH-_EWbjlGuDKT3V59wArWMbOBFCp26tcjcDRfuBPUsxCCfly4hKLdWiCGvwLT2lkSK2CjrSBUFQvwv7_LZvOOWuEAZyqpgcvqgxvKRyC5id3I/s5400/Arley12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5400" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LvISYudw3WmUj9kbK0IupN2La2-x_wpUxpSe_d81RUPg1CyOpuBywhQvNR3qyMeiLxSsxdKJ5_uNUdH-_EWbjlGuDKT3V59wArWMbOBFCp26tcjcDRfuBPUsxCCfly4hKLdWiCGvwLT2lkSK2CjrSBUFQvwv7_LZvOOWuEAZyqpgcvqgxvKRyC5id3I/w640-h440/Arley12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">On New Year's Eve, despite an invitation to join friends in the pub, we ended the year on a lazy note. Neither of us could muster the courage to battle against the wind and rain and so enjoyed our own very loud kitchen disco before tuning in to Jools Holland's Hootenanny (a UK TV New Year's staple). I cried (again) at the tribute to Shane MacGowan (hormones?) and we stood in the street outside to watch the fireworks. Next year's "Not Going Out Cry-Fest" will be a ticketed event. Don't all rush at once!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">As we entered the New Year (ahem, somewhat late in the day), Storm Henk ensured that the river levels were topped up. Once again, we find our region transformed into one of disappearing land and a transport network riddled with road closures due to flood water and rotten fallen trees.</span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">At nearby Bewdley yesterday, we parked at the station (also on the Severn Valley railway line)...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9-k5q9JDnErEqtJrnn-EVGoggAdrGRqYRBv7K0tQwhrMzagx51SrTpAYSF2zds4Q2wADf2WteAAGgo5T9czYy_0lmr-O-SPukzp2CXSBwBzVYzMrfSGPfAtzUfgf8VpAQSJtZsxhfEgutUMYUfg5MJ129QJ_v6XMFDZJbRv8-NJ_Kf4wWv1BCQREZIo/s5568/Bewdley3%60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9-k5q9JDnErEqtJrnn-EVGoggAdrGRqYRBv7K0tQwhrMzagx51SrTpAYSF2zds4Q2wADf2WteAAGgo5T9czYy_0lmr-O-SPukzp2CXSBwBzVYzMrfSGPfAtzUfgf8VpAQSJtZsxhfEgutUMYUfg5MJ129QJ_v6XMFDZJbRv8-NJ_Kf4wWv1BCQREZIo/w640-h426/Bewdley3%60.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...and navigated the muddy back alleyways to reach the centre of the town. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesgo1gJHotDbRN0-E4P1xK79bftn3Fs2spbPj04UC_-ivmwJqHyEJDqpa0XQkJ5Y5pMxUwSh62wjPhAjkKwjaWghyphenhyphenUA818fpbc9wetHg8nT0s3StS35jRyPd4I0m1E5bhkVh7dZI4rUimE8DNpg3hgBFj-N6aKl8tBcj7im5gOrufouM5tqA5W4G4aRE/s4852/Bewdley10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3234" data-original-width="4852" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesgo1gJHotDbRN0-E4P1xK79bftn3Fs2spbPj04UC_-ivmwJqHyEJDqpa0XQkJ5Y5pMxUwSh62wjPhAjkKwjaWghyphenhyphenUA818fpbc9wetHg8nT0s3StS35jRyPd4I0m1E5bhkVh7dZI4rUimE8DNpg3hgBFj-N6aKl8tBcj7im5gOrufouM5tqA5W4G4aRE/w640-h426/Bewdley10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">For safety reasons, the main route through town over the bridge was closed.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMschbMzlmKdtkjIR_km0H4wgU39bCMdiXgT4XRTsJuDjDWxHceI6Sljxy_UglCxoG9WeuHX5MnoIl07_Iy94R1MNmxncygBQznoaYG6HvMLbfl82hj9WrrJzkctk-7gIZmqOE0XuVnO5NCnE-ofrrb0zQcTG3l36-G4olfsuiQI94Ccz-mHaGy1rKaw/s5568/Bewdley19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMschbMzlmKdtkjIR_km0H4wgU39bCMdiXgT4XRTsJuDjDWxHceI6Sljxy_UglCxoG9WeuHX5MnoIl07_Iy94R1MNmxncygBQznoaYG6HvMLbfl82hj9WrrJzkctk-7gIZmqOE0XuVnO5NCnE-ofrrb0zQcTG3l36-G4olfsuiQI94Ccz-mHaGy1rKaw/w640-h426/Bewdley19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The barriers were up and whilst the river level was dangerously high, it's expected to peak tomorrow. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW82oAp1uW_XE1hIFwls4N58yUCq96ZEPQzbJe3ZIlO8V-4BrVgBl9Z_7WzgLz7u3YT0dK1eCtRIjO-BL3SN5jaZi581zxY0KvIRnLjhBUmdRWMp8mwrtc2zs4B-_kVw2qIOhWKIUlVaPjRVqKpAUphwO96yVWPLvQ_SOJGa2xH9gLWY-JWXUsIHcA7Y/s5568/Bewdley18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW82oAp1uW_XE1hIFwls4N58yUCq96ZEPQzbJe3ZIlO8V-4BrVgBl9Z_7WzgLz7u3YT0dK1eCtRIjO-BL3SN5jaZi581zxY0KvIRnLjhBUmdRWMp8mwrtc2zs4B-_kVw2qIOhWKIUlVaPjRVqKpAUphwO96yVWPLvQ_SOJGa2xH9gLWY-JWXUsIHcA7Y/w640-h426/Bewdley18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR7XLoNZ-R7KtvqYJk7Fv5Ye2ZBCNRpqpfn3vj0vnYGO99CRYcFfj5j3pZ25k9mfxEKkEE_LKvNblxTgP3mAX4-uPqdINe8QlYXQLMuhBwWEdj3TM2NusKJuw_Sy4cMAQAhQNasIc3SwYC7cI4L0rf5FtbY7aQsJ7btdxH8cMPEhrcDoMkoSRpBEu2_o/s5568/Bewdley5bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR7XLoNZ-R7KtvqYJk7Fv5Ye2ZBCNRpqpfn3vj0vnYGO99CRYcFfj5j3pZ25k9mfxEKkEE_LKvNblxTgP3mAX4-uPqdINe8QlYXQLMuhBwWEdj3TM2NusKJuw_Sy4cMAQAhQNasIc3SwYC7cI4L0rf5FtbY7aQsJ7btdxH8cMPEhrcDoMkoSRpBEu2_o/w640-h426/Bewdley5bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This side of the metal barriers is usually a bend in the road with the pavement beyond. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxshnrSTGZh15N9CL6THsW-ZpD8aFgCHE8d7iskpBcJbh4Zjr4q2OFrgLbCsgbdwjzDeQGxmt0VJeKrih0sbS6zILmw4Wf1kFmKeelhKJjaMakwoXvC7Enu6xxXMfRYJcVnqIqo3j1VslVRuHsStiiuMOLFaLefzpPvN2uya6iyJQ2uXm-CimkOrIWdY/s5568/Bewdley6bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxshnrSTGZh15N9CL6THsW-ZpD8aFgCHE8d7iskpBcJbh4Zjr4q2OFrgLbCsgbdwjzDeQGxmt0VJeKrih0sbS6zILmw4Wf1kFmKeelhKJjaMakwoXvC7Enu6xxXMfRYJcVnqIqo3j1VslVRuHsStiiuMOLFaLefzpPvN2uya6iyJQ2uXm-CimkOrIWdY/w640-h426/Bewdley6bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Sandbags were everywhere.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMK5NruAUF5NB6i57Xd4X3vOf5x1tv9iqh_gVctCbjcJiYBhRsLYBJrJgKguHglcJz0ppdrKY2ezpwt8AtsDVIr6jg1l6qNnyGVvSa24fSCy4cvhf1ntXD2pfUipkd8-inaJBTvd6c4obQX9wT_E9bZAgFWd8N2LfE0K-02uOWzY9CqrOikgmePitu3w/s5384/Bewdley9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5384" data-original-width="3504" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMK5NruAUF5NB6i57Xd4X3vOf5x1tv9iqh_gVctCbjcJiYBhRsLYBJrJgKguHglcJz0ppdrKY2ezpwt8AtsDVIr6jg1l6qNnyGVvSa24fSCy4cvhf1ntXD2pfUipkd8-inaJBTvd6c4obQX9wT_E9bZAgFWd8N2LfE0K-02uOWzY9CqrOikgmePitu3w/w260-h400/Bewdley9.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">These sacks (evidence of the new barrier construction - not finished in time) had been claimed by the river.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDmaN7bUS0kRqk1RGvx60zENNyCaaW_oJ6UFYB4hDnyPIjjmyv8BJuTC6qc5QGFyio_y45YJKds2x7fxml6lFhbqzwmwVHm68I7jPtLFeDit4hk2bj8DGMg4VmEO6_NZdg9FpIgJWiWfnHvm5FFfK7lFlDAs_ouE0-cjF28zME3x7bzSOyHGnBWRniGk/s5328/Bewdley12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3568" data-original-width="5328" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDmaN7bUS0kRqk1RGvx60zENNyCaaW_oJ6UFYB4hDnyPIjjmyv8BJuTC6qc5QGFyio_y45YJKds2x7fxml6lFhbqzwmwVHm68I7jPtLFeDit4hk2bj8DGMg4VmEO6_NZdg9FpIgJWiWfnHvm5FFfK7lFlDAs_ouE0-cjF28zME3x7bzSOyHGnBWRniGk/w640-h429/Bewdley12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">It's hard to fathom how the residents must feel. The all-too-frequent disruption to homes and livelihoods might attract people like me, wishing to record the unfolding events, but it's so hard for those directly affected.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd4oXQgSWsx5dzOwsUtS78WzDXeSlRw_apKtF2NJaM9k5cBP9wfifhrO9uV7f4wjw43ew5YokYIYof-Bt6tbNj6dEU6EkNuqRHTtHDWVD2ZiKD2bkiysyf04G-eP8FOWlWmLAcXD6lHgssPAE27EzLuhyphenhyphenJIcdNNw2JOwZlI3fbhpamIY73UE53Mx38u0/s5208/Bewdley29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="5208" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd4oXQgSWsx5dzOwsUtS78WzDXeSlRw_apKtF2NJaM9k5cBP9wfifhrO9uV7f4wjw43ew5YokYIYof-Bt6tbNj6dEU6EkNuqRHTtHDWVD2ZiKD2bkiysyf04G-eP8FOWlWmLAcXD6lHgssPAE27EzLuhyphenhyphenJIcdNNw2JOwZlI3fbhpamIY73UE53Mx38u0/w640-h424/Bewdley29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY556tjiZrfs6NtcpP2mLlBalIRVjUyugI0ofm9eF5eXqbdxr_sV4SgO4yKL3sowjSwfWTFoUXAXTCzKXuOA6hfg9P7r1vEZe2fK2kBCR4QRVdxHxayJY8OGZ3PVeDkEH2Z_o_yRM8KyN2HfAIq9dlxdBC8DnrNrDScumkBj7UWkNgLSM1aYDaJd4AngM/s5568/Bewdley16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY556tjiZrfs6NtcpP2mLlBalIRVjUyugI0ofm9eF5eXqbdxr_sV4SgO4yKL3sowjSwfWTFoUXAXTCzKXuOA6hfg9P7r1vEZe2fK2kBCR4QRVdxHxayJY8OGZ3PVeDkEH2Z_o_yRM8KyN2HfAIq9dlxdBC8DnrNrDScumkBj7UWkNgLSM1aYDaJd4AngM/w640-h426/Bewdley16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD90clXaUhwQ1j4WKoGmNbdRw2-_XvW6TD3_h38pzz2f_SE6llCnNkfAubkHW4ljm2a8Uhr8oaoA2g_CMb_IbDvCFytcz0hxDG04VOtsqtI_7reG6PWyCd8TmfYKaaxKyCsUnzvahcdg9Alz2QrRhUeNSiWgATqfjMa1c_fQK3g1MrAAIdYJJ8Nj-0Vc/s5446/Bewdley13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="5446" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD90clXaUhwQ1j4WKoGmNbdRw2-_XvW6TD3_h38pzz2f_SE6llCnNkfAubkHW4ljm2a8Uhr8oaoA2g_CMb_IbDvCFytcz0hxDG04VOtsqtI_7reG6PWyCd8TmfYKaaxKyCsUnzvahcdg9Alz2QrRhUeNSiWgATqfjMa1c_fQK3g1MrAAIdYJJ8Nj-0Vc/w640-h428/Bewdley13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc0rxW72LXF1m62E-o5B4fd2lfox3T8gP-QEaLVRJCIAehcMpQ54iJDCbNUa2FNSrg_TVw5Ly-yD0KCG_RUjinMub-_iFhswJGf2JbLZ0bW1ig5YvO7OGuBlVPPVcbdC9HJgI0edfXbEL4_sGL77mAFkd5MdfXYsDpdolwTW5hJfCR5h3vR8wR0OkLhM/s5568/Bewdley15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc0rxW72LXF1m62E-o5B4fd2lfox3T8gP-QEaLVRJCIAehcMpQ54iJDCbNUa2FNSrg_TVw5Ly-yD0KCG_RUjinMub-_iFhswJGf2JbLZ0bW1ig5YvO7OGuBlVPPVcbdC9HJgI0edfXbEL4_sGL77mAFkd5MdfXYsDpdolwTW5hJfCR5h3vR8wR0OkLhM/w426-h640/Bewdley15.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6-Thb755hzOqK-uFmQBXi90-vPOyxXsl3RMD15A1MHzNLm3D_divakzMK-IzBUVpfjsRJjrOf3FPWeqlyi4AxVDFQbVHGrw5E-0hkhqky5Gu-tq_XpTBS1w06p6NhgB5f6moMreh8DEwbxfCn54-oFU_uu6HrBtewmfcUwTdbAwp8gexkq8u5uicxPk/s5308/Bewdley14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5308" data-original-width="3624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6-Thb755hzOqK-uFmQBXi90-vPOyxXsl3RMD15A1MHzNLm3D_divakzMK-IzBUVpfjsRJjrOf3FPWeqlyi4AxVDFQbVHGrw5E-0hkhqky5Gu-tq_XpTBS1w06p6NhgB5f6moMreh8DEwbxfCn54-oFU_uu6HrBtewmfcUwTdbAwp8gexkq8u5uicxPk/w436-h640/Bewdley14.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3WQGwOos6zoff9IuxkSd_c4uEBc8LqlgaKcaXyt4TuxswpyKjjBNGdTUzIR8CqOSyHwfcPehwoPmDIo9bSxv02rRgf2mY4671ITq8GJXy2RY7gA4x8rRC7QNnozoLS59P7TU3TLs8ALMPVHOvtluNt1i_rO39V3JoqDtWRtD20eaXl35UUAEQXccqhY/s5532/Bewdley27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5532" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3WQGwOos6zoff9IuxkSd_c4uEBc8LqlgaKcaXyt4TuxswpyKjjBNGdTUzIR8CqOSyHwfcPehwoPmDIo9bSxv02rRgf2mY4671ITq8GJXy2RY7gA4x8rRC7QNnozoLS59P7TU3TLs8ALMPVHOvtluNt1i_rO39V3JoqDtWRtD20eaXl35UUAEQXccqhY/w640-h430/Bewdley27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dhYV3z-khHom3HiGiENNlnxdGhmYQ_WMC44ioMywqBnmtVL-vzThsUTTmZFw6_eeqNlw8lE0GWK_BX_VVPWZVzieBBRVerr9A2f9p7NuVnsBwchAltDvwuhiHIefDgUwtjN-56T5p2hv22L-Q8TcUVd1WJsXgRpZLvHHRvAD1N99Yr-wJ3-SKM0tWbM/s5471/Bewdley11bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="5471" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dhYV3z-khHom3HiGiENNlnxdGhmYQ_WMC44ioMywqBnmtVL-vzThsUTTmZFw6_eeqNlw8lE0GWK_BX_VVPWZVzieBBRVerr9A2f9p7NuVnsBwchAltDvwuhiHIefDgUwtjN-56T5p2hv22L-Q8TcUVd1WJsXgRpZLvHHRvAD1N99Yr-wJ3-SKM0tWbM/w640-h426/Bewdley11bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeXDLoSYecauAsAITyVBiAIF_UORCiPAtP3xocQwFxiJ_lZAg8qcxqYSn1Jgl2583SvKNBBCokXpQ6yR2QLTbZyYfdKEEPTY9IrnACAgfqFcVaKoL_FqjRNrWkXoiUkOugmHpDeCAcBAf5WZKAwEGBragrG9MEcEq-9Mr4qCn6Tnsv9AjYca3b2bQoCk/s5568/Bewdley26bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeXDLoSYecauAsAITyVBiAIF_UORCiPAtP3xocQwFxiJ_lZAg8qcxqYSn1Jgl2583SvKNBBCokXpQ6yR2QLTbZyYfdKEEPTY9IrnACAgfqFcVaKoL_FqjRNrWkXoiUkOugmHpDeCAcBAf5WZKAwEGBragrG9MEcEq-9Mr4qCn6Tnsv9AjYca3b2bQoCk/w640-h426/Bewdley26bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This year (a general election is timetabled for the second half of 2024), I'm going to give particularly serious consideration to who gets my vote. They will need to be taking climate change seriously and not just making and immediately breaking pledge after pledge after pledge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I took a short iphone video of the river. Incidentally, it's brown because of the local sandstone. It's always this colour. As a child, I would always colour my rivers brown. Take a look at the fast flowing Severn here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iBFeJGFDa-s">Bewdley, River Severn Flooding after January storm. #nature #floods #riversevern (youtube.com)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Can you believe, looking at this cold and flooded landscape, that we're in for the hottest year on record?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP-Xk7hFeKgFk-5BXlmSm-7aKMcToWDfCT-ZSxnk9GB-1vAEuUAeRnpG8Rq8n3FEDXOPKshyphenhyphenEQfxqR4ZP7b0AkipXIQQ9Mar_SO5_ZB5-RFnWJttnv3MJHEXSwVK4st9VZSAuNspY6XgvTkpMddqbWOTLTuGxVvDR4jhSSSQSwvsBUlgND0RYUvUI75k/s5448/Bewdley25bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5448" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP-Xk7hFeKgFk-5BXlmSm-7aKMcToWDfCT-ZSxnk9GB-1vAEuUAeRnpG8Rq8n3FEDXOPKshyphenhyphenEQfxqR4ZP7b0AkipXIQQ9Mar_SO5_ZB5-RFnWJttnv3MJHEXSwVK4st9VZSAuNspY6XgvTkpMddqbWOTLTuGxVvDR4jhSSSQSwvsBUlgND0RYUvUI75k/w640-h426/Bewdley25bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Now is the perfect time to share with you this year's calendar choice. Here's the page for January (cropped so you don't see all of my secrets). It's a Crooked House calendar, featuring locals' photos of the pub in its heyday and site in the aftermath of its destruction. You can see Gareth's art installation centred around the fireplace he pulled from the rubble. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Particularly amusing, is the fact that the calendar is written in the Black Country dialect. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">So a brief lesson for non natives. It's not "Jan-u-ary" it's "Jan-u-erry" and I'm signing off today, "Therzdi."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGXts0YHrOZMWAcGr8IcugZKdlpcyG8yC9bab8kKgR7Sr8Wgen80Fhz39wvOtDMIcIqUcCKza2rRq99DGDgpE0EuUzjtwYpCG7u1Xx5jHlhFJXNyqv9VQ8SGx6oo25KeezbmnUUAS9P9iDHqSr6yCDgshntD3-OZiAaRPMsTbMRAKlPVshFLjirZ8rxk/s1033/Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1033" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGXts0YHrOZMWAcGr8IcugZKdlpcyG8yC9bab8kKgR7Sr8Wgen80Fhz39wvOtDMIcIqUcCKza2rRq99DGDgpE0EuUzjtwYpCG7u1Xx5jHlhFJXNyqv9VQ8SGx6oo25KeezbmnUUAS9P9iDHqSr6yCDgshntD3-OZiAaRPMsTbMRAKlPVshFLjirZ8rxk/w640-h552/Calendar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">See you soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-3262790100214613862023-12-31T03:19:00.000-08:002023-12-31T03:19:19.599-08:00There's No Place Like Home<p><span style="font-family: courier;">This Christmas has felt different somehow. The years seem to roll seamlessly and speedily; one into another. Perhaps that's the reason why this year, I didn't feel particularly festive...last year's still being fresh in my memory. That's not to say I was in a melancholy or "down with Christmas" frame of mind; I just didn't feel that frisson of magic in the air.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">With rain and wind dominating the forecast, our Christmas has been a quiet family affair, bookended by walks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We're all aware of the phrase "when life imitates art." Well this festive period has certainly played its part. The title of this blog no doubt gives the game away, but first rewinding to Christmas Eve and our first notable excursion, we headed into the Wyre forest in neighbouring Worcestershire, for an unseasonably warm walk.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3P288VWhP_sZJNcLj37WrJH8fH5mOhnccP9fE9G7m4buFJXedIFT2PHCdzc5RHokZYTQsSZuMtHkc79panXawya9SPtQgKC2JUR7HlwxJxAF8f-zQ2-pB3EkoHgT2vLLMMZ6Kj5N-llQQnr5xrQjMPptUiWVUxyKsAC3c9ydbDLF2dOKP6S6J6n60k4/s5424/WyreForest2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5424" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3P288VWhP_sZJNcLj37WrJH8fH5mOhnccP9fE9G7m4buFJXedIFT2PHCdzc5RHokZYTQsSZuMtHkc79panXawya9SPtQgKC2JUR7HlwxJxAF8f-zQ2-pB3EkoHgT2vLLMMZ6Kj5N-llQQnr5xrQjMPptUiWVUxyKsAC3c9ydbDLF2dOKP6S6J6n60k4/w640-h426/WyreForest2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQut976vK6ELVIJhyphenhyphendtQdCsm63lARWaBxiuHBaUlh80-x-FkvVkhj58r3I-huG5N3HEJmMhjMujxz8rqRXuOqGDTjCuU-CVG2lqhq1Z9IjnQ-1dI1CDhVic3kL6Mmkq2w9sMseih8cpCZcG3MKh_bHq0NlN43zR00foTYc45OpPMFeVdvxq0hEwFfG0-8/s5469/WyreForest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="5469" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQut976vK6ELVIJhyphenhyphendtQdCsm63lARWaBxiuHBaUlh80-x-FkvVkhj58r3I-huG5N3HEJmMhjMujxz8rqRXuOqGDTjCuU-CVG2lqhq1Z9IjnQ-1dI1CDhVic3kL6Mmkq2w9sMseih8cpCZcG3MKh_bHq0NlN43zR00foTYc45OpPMFeVdvxq0hEwFfG0-8/w640-h426/WyreForest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The forest floor was saturated after heavy rain, but the waterlogged land beautifully reflected the mid afternoon sun.</span><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We visited the creepy cabin built by the Cadbury family and still in use today, although, as you can see from the metal shutters (which are padlocked to boot), we and other members of the riff raff are only permitted to enjoy the view from the veranda. Fine by me! I do always think of Dorothy's Kansas home when I see this cabin. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x-0g-pp9mC2X1J2WdzAkqmoa1qXx4lt-H_Fm96vpUXaagN5luSdf_0q-XcQYkbkuKEp1Yx-ym4QxzHccje8zOBTSj8ZIAE8t6wGspAHODl_S4drORB5h-CKZsVd7b3TLFi0r_ltajf-6FnrqUVHdofZRDeLidc8_BhH5euDNGvaySlUfvSaQSqbgcnw/s5568/WyreForest3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x-0g-pp9mC2X1J2WdzAkqmoa1qXx4lt-H_Fm96vpUXaagN5luSdf_0q-XcQYkbkuKEp1Yx-ym4QxzHccje8zOBTSj8ZIAE8t6wGspAHODl_S4drORB5h-CKZsVd7b3TLFi0r_ltajf-6FnrqUVHdofZRDeLidc8_BhH5euDNGvaySlUfvSaQSqbgcnw/w640-h426/WyreForest3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Oaks are amongst the last to shed their leaves in winter and contributed to the landscape's distinctly orange hue.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqAtFZLjlg2JgSisKXYErF4pT6u9euIK64Cbo-g_Em6hm8Z8JJAVayuziK6x-RUeiuQejSc6IaTrVE7MFJIgt_8gLe4YFXsmuSoaCoNUuNQuNbbP9ty40J-uebdG5tU1G76Y6MMiK8KFP8mdkHI1cDmTIA8ZNqePpRKhN4NhCUUDgJ1OB1yos-n8a1bc/s5488/WyreForest5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5488" data-original-width="3648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqAtFZLjlg2JgSisKXYErF4pT6u9euIK64Cbo-g_Em6hm8Z8JJAVayuziK6x-RUeiuQejSc6IaTrVE7MFJIgt_8gLe4YFXsmuSoaCoNUuNQuNbbP9ty40J-uebdG5tU1G76Y6MMiK8KFP8mdkHI1cDmTIA8ZNqePpRKhN4NhCUUDgJ1OB1yos-n8a1bc/w426-h640/WyreForest5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I loved these tree branches reaching for the dying light.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXDog3ltzuLkpNQq9zrqyPNI8Zr1F4U-VlFOGjuSKajx9dV8tgTqaQ-ExmKy-0wVw0DRGLEr0RwM0N2hLGwjwVrQCVma9qExXxAcG_47tfGi9onB6EqWPcB92HMv7RjcrKII8TdkVmup96mjMccRKxkWuUxHv9CoGY35nTVXebQ2CJDIZMtDqBvZdOU8/s5568/WyreForest7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXDog3ltzuLkpNQq9zrqyPNI8Zr1F4U-VlFOGjuSKajx9dV8tgTqaQ-ExmKy-0wVw0DRGLEr0RwM0N2hLGwjwVrQCVma9qExXxAcG_47tfGi9onB6EqWPcB92HMv7RjcrKII8TdkVmup96mjMccRKxkWuUxHv9CoGY35nTVXebQ2CJDIZMtDqBvZdOU8/w640-h426/WyreForest7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I added a copper infusion to this trippy forest photo.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwh8KYuuEIIwZkvlRrPU-mFkBOG-DqcAecfgGnufT0KlA9nB9hvwUYlta3Cj8R3sHW2D-EMtZ88oANws5fw9gOH2DlhyphenhyphenR10iqzwYWX_2nUIaRV9I5NRW3RmVEEHLucIJ5F0bO4RFGoIZ0x9nAmA91vHVpZc75ud7wiowag_IgE6UzPLpnzo5ArJmup8/s5568/WyreForest8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwh8KYuuEIIwZkvlRrPU-mFkBOG-DqcAecfgGnufT0KlA9nB9hvwUYlta3Cj8R3sHW2D-EMtZ88oANws5fw9gOH2DlhyphenhyphenR10iqzwYWX_2nUIaRV9I5NRW3RmVEEHLucIJ5F0bO4RFGoIZ0x9nAmA91vHVpZc75ud7wiowag_IgE6UzPLpnzo5ArJmup8/w640-h426/WyreForest8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The Wyre Forest is a very special place, but there's no place like home, as Dorothy would say. I'm not sure I necessarily subscribe to this, but, nonetheless, the weather gods conspired to keep us there for the festive period. </span></p><p>I<span style="font-family: courier;"> cut some holly from the garden (only a little so as not to deprive the birds of berries or the woodland spirits of refuge before the trees regain their leaves)...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUuOKd2_2tfzJhQi0s46w-uXeLlIx4iEuKZDqhfqaCcoP_QtGyhvchQhJ9SGK-S-LffrlHT7Dt0Yk8kLSJg3GM_dcFE6YKhoNMPP_t7XVpWLl1xt9mbc4_EuPU22_YmsdzVeVMD3aAfDugdGUMaIAH3yoHU5rXL80sx7HuxjCaEggvjdgH47wChHXons/s3623/holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3623" data-original-width="3021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUuOKd2_2tfzJhQi0s46w-uXeLlIx4iEuKZDqhfqaCcoP_QtGyhvchQhJ9SGK-S-LffrlHT7Dt0Yk8kLSJg3GM_dcFE6YKhoNMPP_t7XVpWLl1xt9mbc4_EuPU22_YmsdzVeVMD3aAfDugdGUMaIAH3yoHU5rXL80sx7HuxjCaEggvjdgH47wChHXons/s320/holly.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and we lived by candlelight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBxaHOymV4SpWr6WuvPLBC24ZVDw03QB_sQv3AhIPVTLBWVWsc8HR8z3ZtKCL3eP25h8tzHMBPlQAVMoz4S2zBpkNB2NdFUzD7m09tdrNJ981QpZD57r_kxP34xTB3sgek2p5FnB7dkk3kKFS_bB3u5JjcOeBYgCzCacx_Z2cR0OzTp5NpiGccHSnPTE/s5484/Christmas5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5484" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBxaHOymV4SpWr6WuvPLBC24ZVDw03QB_sQv3AhIPVTLBWVWsc8HR8z3ZtKCL3eP25h8tzHMBPlQAVMoz4S2zBpkNB2NdFUzD7m09tdrNJ981QpZD57r_kxP34xTB3sgek2p5FnB7dkk3kKFS_bB3u5JjcOeBYgCzCacx_Z2cR0OzTp5NpiGccHSnPTE/w640-h434/Christmas5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Gareth and I never go crazy with gifts at Christmas (kind thoughts and treats shouldn't be reserved for just one or two days of the year) and this year was no exception. But, I am in love with my vintage Jaeger coat...here's a glimpse..</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dGguyWDagOWa93pxHhDHFyYlpMf1i1wqQVVG9934HCIDRW-JYtUWtVxcVWpqIjx71va-Ef09yu3407FLNkaWWGNTqu1UJjR3Ag2y1Pw5WtsUC_GtkA5ZX8mrwPv2cHm_u2VZeRiRE4o-tdIEa2yVPXLKOaehkcPLbWIdUsx5Z7-y9fr7WAZfIKVQ62Q/s5508/Coat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5508" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dGguyWDagOWa93pxHhDHFyYlpMf1i1wqQVVG9934HCIDRW-JYtUWtVxcVWpqIjx71va-Ef09yu3407FLNkaWWGNTqu1UJjR3Ag2y1Pw5WtsUC_GtkA5ZX8mrwPv2cHm_u2VZeRiRE4o-tdIEa2yVPXLKOaehkcPLbWIdUsx5Z7-y9fr7WAZfIKVQ62Q/w400-h270/Coat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and total bargain Monet print which now adorns the hallway. I love its shabby frame and I'm sure it was destined for the skip had Gareth not rescued it on my behalf.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JpTAOs1HJ5OZXOihvLZCxXfdkNHrpz6fE3pfa53LHwAvpHV9Vq5cFKCCl_kzEzWc2nzMlwoiDrqf1OrgggLJ-C0QaZ_JBG8Ht7UVLfWMM0KTjwCt9IUXv9CfZB0mY0Vr1xc67GOYhQeitSVhyszm23UCnPjGf6sFeB7_sAG0ZbueoIIwAKxctnNNff4/s5568/Hallway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JpTAOs1HJ5OZXOihvLZCxXfdkNHrpz6fE3pfa53LHwAvpHV9Vq5cFKCCl_kzEzWc2nzMlwoiDrqf1OrgggLJ-C0QaZ_JBG8Ht7UVLfWMM0KTjwCt9IUXv9CfZB0mY0Vr1xc67GOYhQeitSVhyszm23UCnPjGf6sFeB7_sAG0ZbueoIIwAKxctnNNff4/w400-h266/Hallway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">So, as usual, we lit the Christmas pudding...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXxrhixATsmjdgLNuw7hSnjtyxmqQJy053PO6HYO8fRK28UA7y82WD8_hU966iSPN_FmVnD_ba0XF0tKQq63rC0TV9xwrGqsNQ_1cZcbeRjGD71bGKejH0oYwUL-R5q62r5-p3yl4Vq0z-04n78FDHODnKHnN-NZjBOCDJTSo1m0m7O6duCr5ylRQYLQ/s4980/Christmas2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3304" data-original-width="4980" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXxrhixATsmjdgLNuw7hSnjtyxmqQJy053PO6HYO8fRK28UA7y82WD8_hU966iSPN_FmVnD_ba0XF0tKQq63rC0TV9xwrGqsNQ_1cZcbeRjGD71bGKejH0oYwUL-R5q62r5-p3yl4Vq0z-04n78FDHODnKHnN-NZjBOCDJTSo1m0m7O6duCr5ylRQYLQ/w640-h424/Christmas2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; text-align: left;">...and watched some old classics on TV - me through a crystal ball like the Wicked Witch of the West.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEsxiBtWl9xxpHmZwL-ftxlfR3_mwf0DDPDQut-0feKwl7GOLSAW1F5lbJ1n8ERvSI66ePMeFmrrsJGrBtd7IMitapOWoBDvVIlX5Q_lc3Ufj_ZiBGDBsW5NuziiiegDI64S1QW-NaEXmKZGjIs68X1v-CAZ3Le-7o02XaSwPBgCRWR4bpG8ddjWdFdg/s5568/Christmas8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEsxiBtWl9xxpHmZwL-ftxlfR3_mwf0DDPDQut-0feKwl7GOLSAW1F5lbJ1n8ERvSI66ePMeFmrrsJGrBtd7IMitapOWoBDvVIlX5Q_lc3Ufj_ZiBGDBsW5NuziiiegDI64S1QW-NaEXmKZGjIs68X1v-CAZ3Le-7o02XaSwPBgCRWR4bpG8ddjWdFdg/w640-h426/Christmas8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Christmas Day showing of The Wizard of Oz turned out to be somewhat prophetic as Storm Gerrit delivered a hooley shortly afterwards, including a mini tornado which descended on Manchester.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We spent the time well - reading, cooking, listening to music and enjoying some other old classics, including Hitchcock's Suspicion and Witness for the Prosecution, as well as House of Gucci, Saltburn (surely the most bizarre ending to a film in recent years?) and my old favourite and Christmas staple, A Christmassy Ted, the Father Ted Christmas special which sees the priests trying to escape from a department store women's lingerie department in true war film style.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In other news, the houseplants have been re-potted and are looking appreciative and the hyacinths have bloomed. I'm almost certain their scent has reached you by now!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43QKnCrl0pdPWFmhcR3riQFycqVfHGY2vhpVHPAIUrrtA93dHa98A-78MAyyOzn5PjqDWikMPmnimVKwWLNl6RysfZ_nNcWL79dCNOMpD1qaBjzFdbWPX2EeTKWgmVBhFLwUZd-rhSwZRMWVweT8-n146izJP5lbLxcd7h0pQHecUm_fWLaTjUeDNrdI/s5216/Hyacinth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5216" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43QKnCrl0pdPWFmhcR3riQFycqVfHGY2vhpVHPAIUrrtA93dHa98A-78MAyyOzn5PjqDWikMPmnimVKwWLNl6RysfZ_nNcWL79dCNOMpD1qaBjzFdbWPX2EeTKWgmVBhFLwUZd-rhSwZRMWVweT8-n146izJP5lbLxcd7h0pQHecUm_fWLaTjUeDNrdI/w285-h400/Hyacinth2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzdspVOZmELBcEn28g9CcVw0ZTeMqL9e13njS7tNGIOwyJ1XDXRSIo8H0EeRUL4WUIxcNRNHpXJdE05Lr-2FOb7Kqzar7pRbEgZZR96OvUpZn232Z6_6nIInVGoWfARCfREnri26aqH562B_nJkFfX3xHFsEoj8GM7XmaKOlEJ_bs6V4F4Z3j1jteJJ8/s5296/Hyacinth7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5296" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzdspVOZmELBcEn28g9CcVw0ZTeMqL9e13njS7tNGIOwyJ1XDXRSIo8H0EeRUL4WUIxcNRNHpXJdE05Lr-2FOb7Kqzar7pRbEgZZR96OvUpZn232Z6_6nIInVGoWfARCfREnri26aqH562B_nJkFfX3xHFsEoj8GM7XmaKOlEJ_bs6V4F4Z3j1jteJJ8/w280-h400/Hyacinth7.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrV3PLsdbKILuaS8vvdYqqUT9ueWmVBjBjJ7Hvjb39mLace7J6fNqp3iw97Xv0KDtsqYWIb4ij8mMpmJPPnTfuOX2UNC6g8eLaE-CJS4JRcilI7lzIdfCtY3NSqDjaLt4b2xofHpi3L4x7R1yTOtoVgew-yrRXYnh3kj63X2vGGhHIa8lwRZOMwKR6nY/s5568/Hyacinth5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrV3PLsdbKILuaS8vvdYqqUT9ueWmVBjBjJ7Hvjb39mLace7J6fNqp3iw97Xv0KDtsqYWIb4ij8mMpmJPPnTfuOX2UNC6g8eLaE-CJS4JRcilI7lzIdfCtY3NSqDjaLt4b2xofHpi3L4x7R1yTOtoVgew-yrRXYnh3kj63X2vGGhHIa8lwRZOMwKR6nY/w400-h266/Hyacinth5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">After the storm and pudding had settled, we headed back outside, blinking like moles after days of darkness, being sure to take in some hills and fill our lungs with clean air. Here's our favourite Sheepwalks tree and glimpses of a rainbow sky. </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645ySyTsBsBHf9Lp4_RpFZJ8EGX6sme7bgoe4pN8tpMwB_7kQBz4YpJo9TyxFrnfUT1Alc6IbQEtx3piF1-A35XRy453SaMPkEMWkTeKHAOiDW4DAsK9UTCgPbX7pAxhIESjvatcnf6HINI1KuLV75SS8v-_fPI_1ggjYY2hzPaWS9jmM_ChWP7GP7Rw/s5568/Sheepwalks2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645ySyTsBsBHf9Lp4_RpFZJ8EGX6sme7bgoe4pN8tpMwB_7kQBz4YpJo9TyxFrnfUT1Alc6IbQEtx3piF1-A35XRy453SaMPkEMWkTeKHAOiDW4DAsK9UTCgPbX7pAxhIESjvatcnf6HINI1KuLV75SS8v-_fPI_1ggjYY2hzPaWS9jmM_ChWP7GP7Rw/w640-h426/Sheepwalks2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisblt_qu3IzNb9AHNIGkyzxXGXbDHk14vd3K6ISe14YtF9L5p8ql2_jyfi2HVgtKPY9QBfHUgz8k8dXKIHCrcbSaCLAtPH7Qzll-8wQtOpzlaqPj0KR1jxvWJpKhf96pTNovUD8B3qDgxb5dBLcHZWDfTJ5o1Atzaxb0xIeslwbIW4_QMjML-erc6uUEw/s5568/Sheepwalksedit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisblt_qu3IzNb9AHNIGkyzxXGXbDHk14vd3K6ISe14YtF9L5p8ql2_jyfi2HVgtKPY9QBfHUgz8k8dXKIHCrcbSaCLAtPH7Qzll-8wQtOpzlaqPj0KR1jxvWJpKhf96pTNovUD8B3qDgxb5dBLcHZWDfTJ5o1Atzaxb0xIeslwbIW4_QMjML-erc6uUEw/w640-h426/Sheepwalksedit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I never bother with New Year's resolutions, so I've started early on my recent pledge to use my Nordic walking poles more often. I have too often forsaken them for walks with my camera this past year, but am determined to get myself more organised and designate days for photo walks and days for Nordic walks. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The evidence is clear that Nordic walking increases calorie burn by 20%, boosts heart health and upper body strength. Having been forced to lay off forms of exercise I used to love thanks to a particularly symptomatic back problem, including yoga, swimming and running, Nordic walking really seems to suit me and even gives me that "runner's high" release of endorphins. Judging by my aching muscles (in all the right places) this morning, I'm already experiencing the benefits.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8xUtsFb1vG3gjzENG7F9tOvYqjtChiLgk3hB0Pa9i024NRIDQOzkm9vgZKWrOeGMnob17tyzn7I5l2ukBgpz22qXXkWz-Ut9hJ7OQCcGqzJ5FpUgjvqnIgayFdSF-rtMUuO7rM0mJjpysu9PuARPyn1AFo-ApuBM_b39OFOvQcmUvoQILKn7EICQ1sY/s3653/Kinver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="3653" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8xUtsFb1vG3gjzENG7F9tOvYqjtChiLgk3hB0Pa9i024NRIDQOzkm9vgZKWrOeGMnob17tyzn7I5l2ukBgpz22qXXkWz-Ut9hJ7OQCcGqzJ5FpUgjvqnIgayFdSF-rtMUuO7rM0mJjpysu9PuARPyn1AFo-ApuBM_b39OFOvQcmUvoQILKn7EICQ1sY/w640-h560/Kinver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We've made up for lost time over the last couple of days and racked up a fair few miles. However, I did pause briefly to take some video clips for you, which I've knitted together in a little homage to our Christmas Day viewing. Please forgive the ending. When I find a way to fade out the music, my conclusions won't be so jarring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Brace yourselves! Here comes 2024!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVKFYoJZbA">Betwixtmas Walk and Rainbow (youtube.com)</a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-40219842339859116762023-12-22T13:17:00.000-08:002023-12-22T13:17:12.995-08:00In Dreams<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a1qLpqt39QE7N5q4-LsYD9Tz5uebH-EA00myjo4uNOGVr8fK4NBwOdszIwN5yK4WQLFrI0UZnKGIGTM4FXQE616PV0P-GFHQsLjLzBOFpTQDdYngU8GCHAkJY9logmWBW2slE5OyCemX_zeH8HXqNYNdlNeNtXsv6ZmFj-Or1eA6GM0359Vmna80FTE/s5568/ICMHydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a1qLpqt39QE7N5q4-LsYD9Tz5uebH-EA00myjo4uNOGVr8fK4NBwOdszIwN5yK4WQLFrI0UZnKGIGTM4FXQE616PV0P-GFHQsLjLzBOFpTQDdYngU8GCHAkJY9logmWBW2slE5OyCemX_zeH8HXqNYNdlNeNtXsv6ZmFj-Or1eA6GM0359Vmna80FTE/w426-h640/ICMHydrangea.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Life gets weird at this time of year. Short days, long shadows, even longer dark nights temporarily illuminated by the glow of Christmas lights and candles, Santa trackers, gridlock on the roads, people feverishly shopping, the fog of alcohol, eating cake for lunch on a Wednesday...I could go on. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEJn9hRuCY4NwUK9ybpYY6OiqEAlPCz_Dc0Nd1yz55T6A1XzZ-Cn5-SuJBYTRtiXr9pF-XSUpANMELZiTu32kBsTQGONmIPrhoWFMQck7665UWHHb8FbL-aTHaygd6gMxZaC3wzP8l0TU6dYHJZSJcfq7udEXP6WU-k366LoyT02vJz-kqhgPswzuauk/s5201/ArchiesXmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5201" data-original-width="3638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEJn9hRuCY4NwUK9ybpYY6OiqEAlPCz_Dc0Nd1yz55T6A1XzZ-Cn5-SuJBYTRtiXr9pF-XSUpANMELZiTu32kBsTQGONmIPrhoWFMQck7665UWHHb8FbL-aTHaygd6gMxZaC3wzP8l0TU6dYHJZSJcfq7udEXP6WU-k366LoyT02vJz-kqhgPswzuauk/w448-h640/ArchiesXmas2.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Site of cake consumption (Archie's Attic)</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After recently proclaiming that I couldn't remember the last dream I had, Morpheus was obviously listening because I've been having the most strange and vivid dreams inhabited by people and places I've had no recent connection to. Oliver Reed abducting Gareth to take part in a stage show featuring Monty Python's Gumbys, Cillian Murphy posing as my personal and unsolicited breakfast table Art Critic, Joaquin Phoenix donning a top hat fashioned from a continuous strip of apple peel and a generic mobile answer phone voicing my inner most thoughts and fears are just a few examples. Most peculiar.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Many bloggers keep a diary to assist them in their blog maintenance. Given that my musings don't neatly fit into any particular category, I tend to rely on my visual records...and judging by my recent photos, I must have been eating a lot of cheese. They certainly seem to mirror my mind's nocturnal activity.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DJEKFgeX_BK0s7lXEOrwWFkdHw3628xXL3vhS-M5iOSIzJFamf955GVYsEfdDOXdTAxjXn1hNHXqcow0aYqvnnHyD6n5eiZ5dbkiuilTaZMzOBsi0gL_ZOuHaoYrSrr4FNprAEXspOS1xgsIHraaifs8NQQ1RE9FjJwbsqA96tI0aJz2o4Ysr2HzgrQ/s2016/Caleb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DJEKFgeX_BK0s7lXEOrwWFkdHw3628xXL3vhS-M5iOSIzJFamf955GVYsEfdDOXdTAxjXn1hNHXqcow0aYqvnnHyD6n5eiZ5dbkiuilTaZMzOBsi0gL_ZOuHaoYrSrr4FNprAEXspOS1xgsIHraaifs8NQQ1RE9FjJwbsqA96tI0aJz2o4Ysr2HzgrQ/w480-h640/Caleb.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Night walking</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY24u1mP-zXnoK6X65Yv3kXTP3FNUDtZiT7kwnvep2NQAh_1RvAxQyhOdg0SOuNU0ImvOJ4m6-bsskdRbzIaXMtMjlB_Oob07xQZHwY1-hvoqpTkkFJ_Q3rTmWVY04EKRvQshFE6DLBmgXEOz4xfMhg3g_bvIp-OoQYdYQBugL2FzZWbTTZzT7wW1f-M/s5568/ShepherdsHut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY24u1mP-zXnoK6X65Yv3kXTP3FNUDtZiT7kwnvep2NQAh_1RvAxQyhOdg0SOuNU0ImvOJ4m6-bsskdRbzIaXMtMjlB_Oob07xQZHwY1-hvoqpTkkFJ_Q3rTmWVY04EKRvQshFE6DLBmgXEOz4xfMhg3g_bvIp-OoQYdYQBugL2FzZWbTTZzT7wW1f-M/w640-h426/ShepherdsHut.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A shepherd's hut in the sun</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zkQR_vTjRA1QTxc7BUx2CAM9_oRpR-aIPpJ4ezVw4wRbrH3tbsQFwB7gNThzPc75VvPrKBM50z0ZQ8uaa7TM2aUbpqmipd2hCjre0LcS_PouLQr4hMyZhfU5ITsAYWOKq853BwIhnHniEqOA6QiutTTYnK5dpXWTSg80wOasxO27_BNxsHau1VGbhO8/s2016/TimBurton.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zkQR_vTjRA1QTxc7BUx2CAM9_oRpR-aIPpJ4ezVw4wRbrH3tbsQFwB7gNThzPc75VvPrKBM50z0ZQ8uaa7TM2aUbpqmipd2hCjre0LcS_PouLQr4hMyZhfU5ITsAYWOKq853BwIhnHniEqOA6QiutTTYnK5dpXWTSg80wOasxO27_BNxsHau1VGbhO8/w480-h640/TimBurton.JPEG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Tim Burton's Christmas Trees making their own way to his place! Too weird?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14NJzFIBNxbh7MJOvxSiSVzk9mgYYNHdyZyC87X1iGOHFz8bOr4QCOqGCYNR19MHdzVJnTdwvf6z3mQkhAL3cz0Pr4E7ZOf3Q3ZEzCPQvLNgDJGbIS2qk6MClJIF8goU4EnUXVlfKZ_Hayhtog0NdlJHR9k5qNRwH32rCT2sCn8wAv2pGhyphenhyphensYJeB1ypk/s1854/Marilyn.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="1234" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14NJzFIBNxbh7MJOvxSiSVzk9mgYYNHdyZyC87X1iGOHFz8bOr4QCOqGCYNR19MHdzVJnTdwvf6z3mQkhAL3cz0Pr4E7ZOf3Q3ZEzCPQvLNgDJGbIS2qk6MClJIF8goU4EnUXVlfKZ_Hayhtog0NdlJHR9k5qNRwH32rCT2sCn8wAv2pGhyphenhyphensYJeB1ypk/w426-h640/Marilyn.JPEG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Marilyn and her fans. Actually, this one was taken on a recent visit to a local Antiques Centre and is on my mood board for a forthcoming photo shoot, so an explanation at least.</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwUuO_JX2BfhwfgsE3XAwiWuJcRCULIlv1rg3vbOWKxyCiR0li4prt0uD3KE-yAgy8Z45M_iGfJVMJrs_ONUhrkpRkXzuAxwfcxSApX_6KEYYsM3WP-v0qqBs9sBXypq0xZrTvfILZL8pFB17mAmr1pfJ1sZJEcGLL7aVEHLo3XWMNzltMQirMZBjk3I/s2016/Windscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwUuO_JX2BfhwfgsE3XAwiWuJcRCULIlv1rg3vbOWKxyCiR0li4prt0uD3KE-yAgy8Z45M_iGfJVMJrs_ONUhrkpRkXzuAxwfcxSApX_6KEYYsM3WP-v0qqBs9sBXypq0xZrTvfILZL8pFB17mAmr1pfJ1sZJEcGLL7aVEHLo3XWMNzltMQirMZBjk3I/w480-h640/Windscreen.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Generally my view when starting the car at any given point in December.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoW1FwCwpvRqBMR5At2xB0s955fZT4VVHjWsmh_hY-lbChoHv3y46vmGOtefO4aavtbxX44NWNjzDVBKIGTAttEFDgnypMjosytpqlRd5qmdLQtFlUtR1Y2MhWh_GF8rfWaGv9L9TU7sZ5e9vtasm1nKmaxKyjWK53R5vPNdZh2tm2pBhnQcbYUTT3_E/s5568/ICMTrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoW1FwCwpvRqBMR5At2xB0s955fZT4VVHjWsmh_hY-lbChoHv3y46vmGOtefO4aavtbxX44NWNjzDVBKIGTAttEFDgnypMjosytpqlRd5qmdLQtFlUtR1Y2MhWh_GF8rfWaGv9L9TU7sZ5e9vtasm1nKmaxKyjWK53R5vPNdZh2tm2pBhnQcbYUTT3_E/w400-h266/ICMTrees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;">A recent experiment with intentional camera movement to capture the clouds at sunset.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhV8LhuBi7VXxY96YHWC5cCB9nFG3_nAsLdB2EmJ-dXgeH8yslgOx8mqnfGQQqq9q7kDGPWYMOpSX3F5_Y7_x8NQu6rjGWWMtxgOqW7xtQm9BIxJPVoEJP1VxlvWu8f-2-9R9uhmiCEUIXlOiOl5qQ95jzIRhKugmXiVGiD18OSbl7khefQc1-ktb2no/s4357/HouseSun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="4357" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhV8LhuBi7VXxY96YHWC5cCB9nFG3_nAsLdB2EmJ-dXgeH8yslgOx8mqnfGQQqq9q7kDGPWYMOpSX3F5_Y7_x8NQu6rjGWWMtxgOqW7xtQm9BIxJPVoEJP1VxlvWu8f-2-9R9uhmiCEUIXlOiOl5qQ95jzIRhKugmXiVGiD18OSbl7khefQc1-ktb2no/w640-h534/HouseSun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Just look at the flames seemingly burning from within this property. </span> </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I finally had a film processed from my old Pentax ME Super as it's my intention to use it more often. The camera has been languishing in a drawer for more years than I care to admit to and so the film was definitely past its best. I anticipated this and therefore took little care over my chosen subjects. The resulting images were particularly grainy (even for camera film) but have a certain charm. I may treat the camera to a service after Christmas.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5pdIZgv22CCyHXMjRntDBDj49RKsXhkLabYU9Y2r7fIqoaMI5A2zVwgxuBX2tDjc4UI79uscclCg8G6jV_7R0_TZxgsJLL4Ku9RjY_9_iHbo1PZEtnpv5uD-O94eRAwwFs0xlK8Xz7fNLTLEQ7EScsM6N2OCzNDS9rQR9FbFvvlxF4OI555-dUHYrpA/s1818/Woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1818" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5pdIZgv22CCyHXMjRntDBDj49RKsXhkLabYU9Y2r7fIqoaMI5A2zVwgxuBX2tDjc4UI79uscclCg8G6jV_7R0_TZxgsJLL4Ku9RjY_9_iHbo1PZEtnpv5uD-O94eRAwwFs0xlK8Xz7fNLTLEQ7EScsM6N2OCzNDS9rQR9FbFvvlxF4OI555-dUHYrpA/w640-h432/Woods.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT20h0y74G-QDPRiWKQ7IzRa5p3raE4rzyPEufKTimXT-KqjGoxAnedERunOIf0sLQqZWuCkSXn3IIRansiklvDWx3TXwoN1uKLokY0hJIygybBeGKHCwkky0Z8SRvuPOVnd6HthbDLtZZ_fHHQ2FN0ZC8MLE5sn20J9BP2-C5tcmNn8sTklmp9gmioXc/s1818/Daffodils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1818" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT20h0y74G-QDPRiWKQ7IzRa5p3raE4rzyPEufKTimXT-KqjGoxAnedERunOIf0sLQqZWuCkSXn3IIRansiklvDWx3TXwoN1uKLokY0hJIygybBeGKHCwkky0Z8SRvuPOVnd6HthbDLtZZ_fHHQ2FN0ZC8MLE5sn20J9BP2-C5tcmNn8sTklmp9gmioXc/w640-h432/Daffodils.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2lL08IGSIYe6AazGnwIdKghZrokXbBp2RyDLO0NW-4Bzlox3cCo2X7-Hs9dL1aq0qdBB-FDMthOo8ptP6aP1_LnZRIlXCbGtZwaIBDeuvwVdvIEzjprjwYks_jbigV9z9ti2GdWNqUWhkrlK3wRHFjVRuYX83K5zY8KIF292L4j_qKemyemnJNLHvjo/s1818/Magnolia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1818" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2lL08IGSIYe6AazGnwIdKghZrokXbBp2RyDLO0NW-4Bzlox3cCo2X7-Hs9dL1aq0qdBB-FDMthOo8ptP6aP1_LnZRIlXCbGtZwaIBDeuvwVdvIEzjprjwYks_jbigV9z9ti2GdWNqUWhkrlK3wRHFjVRuYX83K5zY8KIF292L4j_qKemyemnJNLHvjo/w640-h432/Magnolia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLfLzM3xLWzhUMylIe897QWRWB55EO121HxUCtUM9PSm6aChyeVBkPtOP4M0wJc7meRP_USr-7FVBuuFsJcwfb_ZfX5WJ6dXsFRB3oRrmfk7AlM9HGhdR23dwOE9m9V8yswESPN5SDNU5nqUkv6e1NiYiPaebwoJYiRgyT2reDItS3HFacmEtqrtCgA8/s1000/Calebcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLfLzM3xLWzhUMylIe897QWRWB55EO121HxUCtUM9PSm6aChyeVBkPtOP4M0wJc7meRP_USr-7FVBuuFsJcwfb_ZfX5WJ6dXsFRB3oRrmfk7AlM9HGhdR23dwOE9m9V8yswESPN5SDNU5nqUkv6e1NiYiPaebwoJYiRgyT2reDItS3HFacmEtqrtCgA8/w279-h400/Calebcrop.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In other news, here are some recent slow fashion treasures. The bag below cost me the grand total of £2.00, simply because some of the stitching had unravelled. The charity shop assistant told me that she wouldn't have put it on display if she'd spotted the stitching. I repaired it within 30 minutes. Yes me, the notorious needle dodger! A seamstress I am not. The Monsoon jumper also came home with me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxk693GBnnJLF4z_CjQdFB_V6s3zbZ2qLFCR5A43AYnWww3n2EwFCMiz4UQb8MK2WlH28k_BB-cNcD7fLGMpzkEeOjYkCVakmQjv_2W0g-280NznVEsUlnZHvhQh6FzV3OQ5NGB9dqaS34Sw5tFYt2MApsDF_QtEU098lipUsVAAbqNhFE6jY9taDvI/s3465/Clothes2.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxk693GBnnJLF4z_CjQdFB_V6s3zbZ2qLFCR5A43AYnWww3n2EwFCMiz4UQb8MK2WlH28k_BB-cNcD7fLGMpzkEeOjYkCVakmQjv_2W0g-280NznVEsUlnZHvhQh6FzV3OQ5NGB9dqaS34Sw5tFYt2MApsDF_QtEU098lipUsVAAbqNhFE6jY9taDvI/w640-h640/Clothes2.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Some winter blues: Levis denim jacket, Monsoon lightly quilted mini skirt and three quarter sleeve jacket.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXArZSL3nl4TUqaSZhKPORtL7agyoa_TtTktMYTH9xMszBpN22JVN7eNMVZnwX66zIM_1YxYmZ-2MKkpobb5haQrXgpsMMFrBvtTtYhNEiu-cqOQkGQzLj15u1aAZie3CeOTsCZaTxzDAe0cT8SA_dvlUo3XPGH4HN9aXINx02l2Dg0Bbg2-ezbmrl_RY/s3465/Clothes.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXArZSL3nl4TUqaSZhKPORtL7agyoa_TtTktMYTH9xMszBpN22JVN7eNMVZnwX66zIM_1YxYmZ-2MKkpobb5haQrXgpsMMFrBvtTtYhNEiu-cqOQkGQzLj15u1aAZie3CeOTsCZaTxzDAe0cT8SA_dvlUo3XPGH4HN9aXINx02l2Dg0Bbg2-ezbmrl_RY/w640-h640/Clothes.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">These striking Alexa Chung Superga trainers (Vinted) are perfect for winter. I fell for the patent black, the chunky souls and the buckle. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGd64NpsIi_Cr77KpcCTzm8ZTyN04BYpe4afQ6L7nFkNATMu7CR1CzBf_jO-etuJInww1xdC0bfF_3R_e8yldvR4JvJ8M65B6UT_OC_QQedJ6p4B4Yj6e0GvicKDBBpTx_QGjLSE4uNnwYBr1ijCBW9qP_uhuBzKjsZuwzy_Y82vm4D7oD_0Ge6Ci4A-I/s3646/superga.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGd64NpsIi_Cr77KpcCTzm8ZTyN04BYpe4afQ6L7nFkNATMu7CR1CzBf_jO-etuJInww1xdC0bfF_3R_e8yldvR4JvJ8M65B6UT_OC_QQedJ6p4B4Yj6e0GvicKDBBpTx_QGjLSE4uNnwYBr1ijCBW9qP_uhuBzKjsZuwzy_Y82vm4D7oD_0Ge6Ci4A-I/w530-h640/superga.JPEG" width="530" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A pushBUTTON navy cord dress I inexplicably listed for sale, recently fell in love with again and promptly unlisted. I'm wearing it here with what is currently the hardest working garment in my wardrobe - a Breton roll neck jumper. Honestly it goes with everything! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I recall having a problem with the sleeves on this dress, but they're no longer an issue - even if Gareth told me I looked like a Victorian lady of ill repute. Not sure if that's what the Korean designer had in mind. According to a little internet research, the brand was founded in 2003 by Seung Gun Park and takes its name from a song by Madonna, who is cited as the designer's personal muse. Combining avant-garde silhouettes with a streetwear edge, clothing features twisted seams, draped silhouettes and ruched details. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The price tags attached to this label are way out of my league. Online retailers specialising in luxe labels and emerging designers are slashing prices of dresses by this designer to around £700 from their original price tags of just over £1,000. I think I paid around £7.00. Clearly this isn't a household name as yet. Isn't the fashion world strange?</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCw_dGb5RzCVfRrYSldEZYnBHr3B6FctnQPfnaOSBcMBxm0zoe8nzemB9Wd3j92sv2FNVhQqnT1Il_QPH4plQP563_C8iO-Z0Ki6JMFpwzLWC4YPEv3G9thCpKeuwfpqYKiwyKtDI5DC_eceMKnwRl4FTHo015XPuFDElHUx4294YqDjllBEP2iBvgDo/s3323/dress.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3323" data-original-width="1913" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCw_dGb5RzCVfRrYSldEZYnBHr3B6FctnQPfnaOSBcMBxm0zoe8nzemB9Wd3j92sv2FNVhQqnT1Il_QPH4plQP563_C8iO-Z0Ki6JMFpwzLWC4YPEv3G9thCpKeuwfpqYKiwyKtDI5DC_eceMKnwRl4FTHo015XPuFDElHUx4294YqDjllBEP2iBvgDo/w368-h640/dress.JPEG" width="368" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I've also spent a little time nurturing my houseplants, repotting and splitting where necessary. My cast iron plant (currently priced at £30.00 from Ashwood Nurseries) is now two cast iron plants and mother and daughter are doing OK. However, the Chinese Money plant and Dracaena are both suffering from dry soil. Each time I water them, the water runs straight through and when I leave them in the bath for a few hours to take water from the roots, the soil still feels very dry - even a couple of inches below the surface. Also no matter what I do, I cannot rid the Dracaena of its brown tipped leaves. Neither plant requires repotting. Any suggestions? Maybe I need to take King Charles' advice and talk to them.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Au2UI2wmMEakgI5L2diTJl0RZzXGxl3dCZrc6C3PkSB2IhucdzeLvsl2z303xOuMH452JU6Du9iQYcjT5gauJKP5fXqXsYAH3fItGOb_Z8Vs9w6JbDQaL_r7cfdLS26MsryVdzLPvS8UGTtwkAEVo__1aSYMFVowyTZmogsKzusw0_5IdcPf4lmdGO0/s3595/plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="2896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Au2UI2wmMEakgI5L2diTJl0RZzXGxl3dCZrc6C3PkSB2IhucdzeLvsl2z303xOuMH452JU6Du9iQYcjT5gauJKP5fXqXsYAH3fItGOb_Z8Vs9w6JbDQaL_r7cfdLS26MsryVdzLPvS8UGTtwkAEVo__1aSYMFVowyTZmogsKzusw0_5IdcPf4lmdGO0/w323-h400/plant.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Today I had a lovely catch up with friends, Helen Wayne, Redford, Saffy the fox hound, assorted felines (and fridge sentries) and new addition, the cutest spotty eared Jack Russell puppy I've ever seen, Scout. I didn't bother them with my camera, but Saffy and Redford are just too darned handsome not to share with you. Scout's too young to give permission. Here they are, presumably photographed by the obviously extremely dextrous Saffy on Saffy's very own Instagram account @saffyfoxhound.</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gurey5N6n1XeEsDVc8wIEuV25stIyy_fr38k25EExuCISnHWZ6Gsyxbef_WMv5XI2rDdD_ORpG60iTymVSbWLPbMrJ1I6bermfPP3-SBRvmn4Z7-2jcoV0f8tDWhReVb_f44u2LjDb7rM4qZWlAbUSnYzsqh5BEIcGRAtIWxvYeeswh5Su3ylrJ-dIs/s1381/Redford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gurey5N6n1XeEsDVc8wIEuV25stIyy_fr38k25EExuCISnHWZ6Gsyxbef_WMv5XI2rDdD_ORpG60iTymVSbWLPbMrJ1I6bermfPP3-SBRvmn4Z7-2jcoV0f8tDWhReVb_f44u2LjDb7rM4qZWlAbUSnYzsqh5BEIcGRAtIWxvYeeswh5Su3ylrJ-dIs/s320/Redford.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Redford</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ_w_7j3mvcBD8J1q4h06nJleMSwNA5a5PV2PGLd85UmpOpeUUOZzqcWtNq3Qzt84w8_8Hr4Slzfosxfy0vT3T_C_W11kEwrF6cTqhZ4jPTehJsDNuXOTn-xvzVSz6FeXMWbSOHhjFJYBCmqp1U1KPS4zPNzp8L74fD45Q0X-o118eJzgEXflV8smkY/s1149/Saffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ_w_7j3mvcBD8J1q4h06nJleMSwNA5a5PV2PGLd85UmpOpeUUOZzqcWtNq3Qzt84w8_8Hr4Slzfosxfy0vT3T_C_W11kEwrF6cTqhZ4jPTehJsDNuXOTn-xvzVSz6FeXMWbSOHhjFJYBCmqp1U1KPS4zPNzp8L74fD45Q0X-o118eJzgEXflV8smkY/s320/Saffy.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Saffy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Helen and I had a memorable encounter buying coffees near Stourport's riverside basin, from a business owner who has mastered the art of appearing simultaneously irritated and disappointed when receiving customers. We're planning to return, armed with a list of hygiene inspection style questions to keep him on his toes. Three can play at that game! The drinks were fine I should clarify.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Helen also gave me this beautiful basked of hyacinths, so soon we'll be appreciating their intoxicating fragrance.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNZnsCjXX1rdc3K9Ie6svULyP6MmuPqpPRu_N3fpFiDGnJ_iO5ddRw93lDlpAwLAR1EH2LMKWBkitp42ste-57zPH5A7vaA4PanGEsuS9Z-p6Ls_3XRVt0nrdk4KbwRdJWRdhwUBWgjUaL4kiBCdUO_tkGjyEhEfXNJXDfwdro58VvSMGZzoHvgpjd0I/s3729/Hyacinth.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3729" data-original-width="2706" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNZnsCjXX1rdc3K9Ie6svULyP6MmuPqpPRu_N3fpFiDGnJ_iO5ddRw93lDlpAwLAR1EH2LMKWBkitp42ste-57zPH5A7vaA4PanGEsuS9Z-p6Ls_3XRVt0nrdk4KbwRdJWRdhwUBWgjUaL4kiBCdUO_tkGjyEhEfXNJXDfwdro58VvSMGZzoHvgpjd0I/w290-h400/Hyacinth.JPEG" width="290" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll leave you with a shot of an angel from our Christmas tree, now taking flight courtesy of the magic of double exposure...and my early Christmas present, a re-issued single of Fairytale of New York at the request of Shane MacGowan's family with all proceeds going to the Simon Project, a charity assisting Dublin's homeless community.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar19tks_myQQe6mktjA6EV8u397-6XRTlMJI1r5EvuGwtS33MJLI5GWLNChYLT-90OcKvDUQNuvQmjfEwfmam6gDRZY7l9X_za1s3r50kdXOckGw9aXyzcElgnfDcrSUtX3aEyrjVPsje1exhnYbLogfNwNb6OB2Sx3yBuHRRTUzMtYd_g5CNZsOSx4U/s3800/fairytale.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar19tks_myQQe6mktjA6EV8u397-6XRTlMJI1r5EvuGwtS33MJLI5GWLNChYLT-90OcKvDUQNuvQmjfEwfmam6gDRZY7l9X_za1s3r50kdXOckGw9aXyzcElgnfDcrSUtX3aEyrjVPsje1exhnYbLogfNwNb6OB2Sx3yBuHRRTUzMtYd_g5CNZsOSx4U/w510-h640/fairytale.JPEG" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Wishing you a Christmas full of festive pies, peace and people you love!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBu7CVKcasVSAWNl-v-GaK_VNAC1ZsZs1hXqBl6ODS44LG6iGU1Yqs3hNHhR9nciw_mLvebCUbDHU1jY4FemDMDdlk702Tqrd7CWJnPqRugcIwo_qdjEusvO6REuFsBfgUfiQViLduy9HCN6RA6_-3jTn6I3EqfORQqxMSOqAeMeIMgGy2-5Wb-DrRSk/s4684/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4684" data-original-width="3478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBu7CVKcasVSAWNl-v-GaK_VNAC1ZsZs1hXqBl6ODS44LG6iGU1Yqs3hNHhR9nciw_mLvebCUbDHU1jY4FemDMDdlk702Tqrd7CWJnPqRugcIwo_qdjEusvO6REuFsBfgUfiQViLduy9HCN6RA6_-3jTn6I3EqfORQqxMSOqAeMeIMgGy2-5Wb-DrRSk/w476-h640/christmas.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><br /></div></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-1250844460323362322023-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:002023-12-10T12:38:22.737-08:00The Craic<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq4vOgkCNd9l8r4ss9rXEJVg6UCk2vWKmYVBNjUd6HYEwN53YQWAMmD4PJ-Ibqhf8SU7wuh9AkZWqgtik47_IDKPIat-Gef2njQ5fQZkvVskkfgHnlRuWJ5vkiLp2LiqmufDxGdocDsQ2rfjAnR1EDTd009YxmnvnbLzjhU9sZ-ZR9t4W2UZ35ZKHIeA/s640/Shane.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq4vOgkCNd9l8r4ss9rXEJVg6UCk2vWKmYVBNjUd6HYEwN53YQWAMmD4PJ-Ibqhf8SU7wuh9AkZWqgtik47_IDKPIat-Gef2njQ5fQZkvVskkfgHnlRuWJ5vkiLp2LiqmufDxGdocDsQ2rfjAnR1EDTd009YxmnvnbLzjhU9sZ-ZR9t4W2UZ35ZKHIeA/s320/Shane.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Photo: Andrew Catlin</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The passing of Shane MacGowan has upset me greatly. I loved his fusion of punk and Irish music and whatever you may think of his lifestyle choices, he stuck by them, lived life on his terms and continued to write beautiful poetry throughout. Hats off to him that despite being dogged by rumours of only having 6 months left since the late 1980s, he made it to 65. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Now whilst I could never adopt his chosen lifestyle, I defend his right to do so. We now seem to live in a world awash with meaningless inspirational quotes from bland celebrities and "influencers" and where the endless pursuit of physical perfection, identikit gym honed bodies and superficial attributes - new nails, brow trends etc etc...are too often prized above great conversation. Yet, even in his drink and drug fuelled state, I'm betting that polymath Shane's company was more interesting and enlightening than most. He also believed in unity, love and compassion and would never judge or pass a homeless person in the street. He devoured literature and truly believed that drink and drugs stimulated his imagination and creativity. Given his legacy, who are we to argue?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I also totally understand his attachment to Ireland, having visited numerous times. I am now feeling desperate to return. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's the people that make Ireland so unique, and this year, they've lost a couple of greats. RIP Shane. I know his influence was far reaching (tagging Beate in this as she was first to pay her tribute in blogland here: </span><a href="http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2023/12/winterwohnungschneelegenden.html">RAILWAY KEEPER'S COTTAGE : WINTER HOUSE. SNOW. LEGENDS. (bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com)</a><span style="font-family: courier;">).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Digressing slightly, fellow hibernophiles and/or comedy lovers may also have heard of the cult TV series Father Ted, a 1990s hit show detailing the shenanigans of three dishonourably discharged priests exiled to a remote corner of the far west coat of Ireland, aka "Craggy Ireland." </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiBjOQ1kCIaNfofzZj9nxANhvQoINErTZ5xi03M-x4_r3NfqrMXAZxkKTgUNz1OE3SWeuxUDm60bZB5K3GPwB2iXz9sr3ClP6Gw8j6uwDAp9rF-1zaXqHKuVYELynaVm3Fy8Y3D8TLB2CJP8ai9x2RUITJ8W9gH-4OHpeoVImxrPgYi1SP-0vvRWAuv0/s1080/FatherTed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiBjOQ1kCIaNfofzZj9nxANhvQoINErTZ5xi03M-x4_r3NfqrMXAZxkKTgUNz1OE3SWeuxUDm60bZB5K3GPwB2iXz9sr3ClP6Gw8j6uwDAp9rF-1zaXqHKuVYELynaVm3Fy8Y3D8TLB2CJP8ai9x2RUITJ8W9gH-4OHpeoVImxrPgYi1SP-0vvRWAuv0/w400-h225/FatherTed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The central characters were Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire and Father Jack. Ted was the sensible senior (his questionable handling of charity funds aside), Ted his dim sidekick (26 going on 6) and Father Jack was a hopeless alcoholic who, throughout the entire three series, uttered only the following words: "Feck", "Girls" (pronounced ger-uls), "Drink" and in a rare moment of coached semi-sobriety: "That would be an ecumenical matter." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">One of the most memorable episodes features a rebel priest, Father Damo, who leads Dougal astray with his smoking, drinking, ear piercing and talk of Oasis, before stealing a groundskeeper's whistle ("It's only a bleedin' whistle!") Father Damo was played by comedian/actor/writer Joe Rooney, who is more widely known in Ireland.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoSIiT1ht0KsJ6_mqdspZe8QN9ins4IpF3WwON78_vLsHQJdwDjU09i4dv0eZ6YXtwGFMMpvo2e5hH3YvIe80gwvHSdJCuFvgrQINXmryDwxfCNIVuSspVbxkh3vwNxwAmTBfDvDTgDc1qqLwqbU87wLxv2TFfWGmGiPYkd1cmc4RQKHv8omjFoo2RZ8/s1090/FatherDamo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1090" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoSIiT1ht0KsJ6_mqdspZe8QN9ins4IpF3WwON78_vLsHQJdwDjU09i4dv0eZ6YXtwGFMMpvo2e5hH3YvIe80gwvHSdJCuFvgrQINXmryDwxfCNIVuSspVbxkh3vwNxwAmTBfDvDTgDc1qqLwqbU87wLxv2TFfWGmGiPYkd1cmc4RQKHv8omjFoo2RZ8/w400-h328/FatherDamo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In a strange twist of fate, I recently spotted that Joe Rooney was touring "A Celebration of Father Ted" and immediately booked tickets. We were promised (and Joe more than delivered), music, insights into the filming of the series, extracts from the Father Damo episode (The Old Grey Whistle Theft), some great Irish storytelling and a Lovely Girls Competition (another episode storyline). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">To cut a long story short, I made the fatal mistake of answering a question posed by Joe at the event and ended up being chosen by him to enter the Lovely Girls Competition. The criteria myself and my fellow contestants were judged on?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">1. A lovely walk. (I won).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">2. A lovely laugh (I didn't win).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">3. Making the loveliest sandwich (I won).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Ultimately, I was chosen as the winner and awarded the coveted prize, a whistle blown by Father Damo himself, handed over with one instruction "Never wash that!"</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNSTkFa9QPhHkVcwp7EJ_iAETL_dWYPkWKhqnijPI4mil9gE1h6cgOEiyU8WmGSpYXlc4tKZPbNPKoZcwsZS8sRuFiPIeW3PkiZMQbcAXHTd9mHUYmUF3bDlItxw0-rqESCKkDMwPjgK4M5XNMTT0oNCOcg8Njg2JWE1lNA_aGKRmk2-Y40mrSR829OE/s892/Whilstle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNSTkFa9QPhHkVcwp7EJ_iAETL_dWYPkWKhqnijPI4mil9gE1h6cgOEiyU8WmGSpYXlc4tKZPbNPKoZcwsZS8sRuFiPIeW3PkiZMQbcAXHTd9mHUYmUF3bDlItxw0-rqESCKkDMwPjgK4M5XNMTT0oNCOcg8Njg2JWE1lNA_aGKRmk2-Y40mrSR829OE/w300-h400/Whilstle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Even more surreal, I was approached after the show by a mother and daughter, who asked me for my details as she was planning to marry in the next couple of years, the Father Ted connection being evidently important to her. Quite a night!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">But over the last few nights, some of my favourite Shane MacGowan lyrics have been playing on a loop in my head.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;"><i>I'm not singing for the future</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;"><i>I'm not dreaming of the past</i></span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;"><i>I'm not talking of the first times</i></span><div><i><span style="font-family: courier;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I never think about the last.</span></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;">Beautiful huh? I take them to mean live in the moment.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;">So for me, photography enables me to truly live in the moment. Take these recent portraits from a walk around the vintage fairground at Stourport on Severn and on a shopping trip to Stourbridge.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: courier;">I challenged myself to approach people I found interesting, engage them in conversation, before asking permission to photograph them. I could have just walked past them and never thought about them again...entirely forgettable moments, but that pause and the resulting images enabled something more from those fleeting encounters.</span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV1PVqgRRAlT2g3MWSCxenWmijdCIGJF-imF9cN3nwSRkoSmetzYtqlUaTrMXV9dHB10l2n2G2iwNVmlAeoxwvRnC9bec18nJ1egD1gCFQcY9oHdkZSFBw78bVHii4HHPa7hehyNJh0z018JtJMk7X5kjXrcGqSvF7jpeweckiDLadMEjFo4kczh115o/s5568/ArloBW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikV1PVqgRRAlT2g3MWSCxenWmijdCIGJF-imF9cN3nwSRkoSmetzYtqlUaTrMXV9dHB10l2n2G2iwNVmlAeoxwvRnC9bec18nJ1egD1gCFQcY9oHdkZSFBw78bVHii4HHPa7hehyNJh0z018JtJMk7X5kjXrcGqSvF7jpeweckiDLadMEjFo4kczh115o/w426-h640/ArloBW.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Arlo, Hook a Duck stall holder</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCgFjtVp1CrVdCuRqMT2U0yqUHtHCBFvixFKRjcGED0D6bEJK71QGG1TfjNuEzSdaulYR1YqXAs7aRWXLYHh5xeLG9M2qjurcff-wsFCaxs3HTVnCNyAgCregdQEhUFMoVRuyz3ExRzR2nNJJgKzBGyfFeXB0Oa7OQzTKLBEwHXIr47iT4NYnIFdD98/s5520/Stourportbw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="5520" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCgFjtVp1CrVdCuRqMT2U0yqUHtHCBFvixFKRjcGED0D6bEJK71QGG1TfjNuEzSdaulYR1YqXAs7aRWXLYHh5xeLG9M2qjurcff-wsFCaxs3HTVnCNyAgCregdQEhUFMoVRuyz3ExRzR2nNJJgKzBGyfFeXB0Oa7OQzTKLBEwHXIr47iT4NYnIFdD98/w640-h420/Stourportbw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Jonas, Fairground Worker</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKawXCpSee8X5C-iXMD9SDfyliGasNEnQ28DYkgrCCE-kz2QIPBlVS5ldmAhqFoZfoDIjvpxUqlQixBl-2-eTw3ASvoPekAsJzfPJjwapMsZXQk8IsnP2t5xSd8SoUHxEdhHMhhLVrBKl1Ie8grsUbcSpgD1SXcEQ6alUfRiqfkO2bAvumA1HhR158L4/s5436/KaiBW2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5436" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKawXCpSee8X5C-iXMD9SDfyliGasNEnQ28DYkgrCCE-kz2QIPBlVS5ldmAhqFoZfoDIjvpxUqlQixBl-2-eTw3ASvoPekAsJzfPJjwapMsZXQk8IsnP2t5xSd8SoUHxEdhHMhhLVrBKl1Ie8grsUbcSpgD1SXcEQ6alUfRiqfkO2bAvumA1HhR158L4/w640-h430/KaiBW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Kai, friend of Arlo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTViAlzsDKaPjXNn0bGLsbZx1wvmjHBhyphenhyphenfWpw3GaobzTqIqTvg2SUGxkZYe_17iR0ry9rulE9XNV3eOynaY8sNYU1kP44hn-UG9JTeU2NjXLRrE2eyhdLLHWsb_pxJ6YeA05aHHdAYnArcHNe_6hXMcGX2cSebaLObWNRGXfSzD-gZNg4myEI3g1GxI0/s5183/KaiStourport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3442" data-original-width="5183" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTViAlzsDKaPjXNn0bGLsbZx1wvmjHBhyphenhyphenfWpw3GaobzTqIqTvg2SUGxkZYe_17iR0ry9rulE9XNV3eOynaY8sNYU1kP44hn-UG9JTeU2NjXLRrE2eyhdLLHWsb_pxJ6YeA05aHHdAYnArcHNe_6hXMcGX2cSebaLObWNRGXfSzD-gZNg4myEI3g1GxI0/w640-h426/KaiStourport.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYpeK_LOG_LdgO7wzhQ61YXMibeJCrm3Xdtm29MOQcl9wDYThfm_CRiPYSu9Ue8tZ-mKb_BB2oq07wF9SNZSRn6GBoMpaPESy8Uu92e0V9iEnzLDFQmiBYeV0a9HrUC83tRhiQ8iNj0rSDDYFhEFrE3aZSxDG9p2VPdEk440pCnNVBuRYvMI73cMkfz0/s5520/NeilStourportBW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5520" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYpeK_LOG_LdgO7wzhQ61YXMibeJCrm3Xdtm29MOQcl9wDYThfm_CRiPYSu9Ue8tZ-mKb_BB2oq07wF9SNZSRn6GBoMpaPESy8Uu92e0V9iEnzLDFQmiBYeV0a9HrUC83tRhiQ8iNj0rSDDYFhEFrE3aZSxDG9p2VPdEk440pCnNVBuRYvMI73cMkfz0/w430-h640/NeilStourportBW.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Retro Toy Store Owner, Neil</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9LwqFaGLmxYxJVLrv_ZgLu3OiTsCtMGoTBBYfremRW-64_hqpnmjVAMi89xBahzb2uXDWf9h3DRYh7KZ0A9fKcJxtDs8_h_4HtZNYzWzhKTWj3qb4OC1axubjpfKTrtU7_jinQq4FQfZunPq5fW62JEDUKXLPBrW3as5g7dxzxT9_gkyc67oFy2C3Lc/s5268/Lynne2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="5268" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9LwqFaGLmxYxJVLrv_ZgLu3OiTsCtMGoTBBYfremRW-64_hqpnmjVAMi89xBahzb2uXDWf9h3DRYh7KZ0A9fKcJxtDs8_h_4HtZNYzWzhKTWj3qb4OC1axubjpfKTrtU7_jinQq4FQfZunPq5fW62JEDUKXLPBrW3as5g7dxzxT9_gkyc67oFy2C3Lc/w640-h442/Lynne2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Furniture Store Owner, Lynne</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In the last 7 days, the weather has delivered Fairytale of New York festive vibes with freezing temperatures, "wind that blows through you", sparkling frosts and ice. I've yet to decorate the house for Christmas, but have consumed a couple of Irish coffees and the odd pint of Guinness in Shane's honour - and to keep out the cold.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQOy7zdHE3hCihz7kS8L54mxocTEBW_PgqT-OLXMZw27FsMmIDBwa_R0wOWkdzfx4oQGHBIlmMYAvmP-3nMHm-raxcDlRBC8EcyjC_YOOp_O2ds3glA_9hVei8s1_TJgCBD2xzh62RuD44JgfEnl8Wr7RnogCQBwnjugggQoos2VFOigBOqsSnI62gto/s5568/Ice12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQOy7zdHE3hCihz7kS8L54mxocTEBW_PgqT-OLXMZw27FsMmIDBwa_R0wOWkdzfx4oQGHBIlmMYAvmP-3nMHm-raxcDlRBC8EcyjC_YOOp_O2ds3glA_9hVei8s1_TJgCBD2xzh62RuD44JgfEnl8Wr7RnogCQBwnjugggQoos2VFOigBOqsSnI62gto/w640-h426/Ice12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVyRjQsZEW3R35R2G2lg-gBebYUtG4ts5PiUgvdU7uyLXJb1BUOxEuT1yhSGpdEBv_GUdKZ66ej1QoEJAPYyhus6lu7XYvGIhzvgydaTDs8Ez2RRP586zend6xA0RXxki4IKlhHc7ryzUkhqzNy3-mc7PuSE3u1MhTPX3rR6tN8OS15AFAx_D6eO62dA/s5568/Ice5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVyRjQsZEW3R35R2G2lg-gBebYUtG4ts5PiUgvdU7uyLXJb1BUOxEuT1yhSGpdEBv_GUdKZ66ej1QoEJAPYyhus6lu7XYvGIhzvgydaTDs8Ez2RRP586zend6xA0RXxki4IKlhHc7ryzUkhqzNy3-mc7PuSE3u1MhTPX3rR6tN8OS15AFAx_D6eO62dA/w640-h426/Ice5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoESS-7Rv6UuXiOlGYmGHnwJsluLQ6_fcI0b0eeaFjYrUJqwEY_p4rLLNR_lAYAo7yk546YzetiYFUdrKXpWt8FaLOlik51GotCFsYu7EOCxIxXmwbHSDuFgQwH11HqixS96ccFfbOyCBM9rEECIu7qExg3YAwTY2k3o1FWcOi4wWXCMIre1qNG_ETXK8/s5568/Ice7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoESS-7Rv6UuXiOlGYmGHnwJsluLQ6_fcI0b0eeaFjYrUJqwEY_p4rLLNR_lAYAo7yk546YzetiYFUdrKXpWt8FaLOlik51GotCFsYu7EOCxIxXmwbHSDuFgQwH11HqixS96ccFfbOyCBM9rEECIu7qExg3YAwTY2k3o1FWcOi4wWXCMIre1qNG_ETXK8/w640-h426/Ice7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2JPAK3Nyd2XIJiqAb9xCx9ou_jltMtttQazwzgPXuq8swChI111w6gvFSR7z0Cuq8kcOcaINN4Zgh6FzhMXStQxDYfBLfiOLC1gX9QvoorQlXnn89GMWbNLEHDuo57iKkp0T9w4G_0w27UyDVe9xtERSmiephZlFBeoH4y0AFV61_sIWtsGdVgyR9I/s5208/Ice11bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5208" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2JPAK3Nyd2XIJiqAb9xCx9ou_jltMtttQazwzgPXuq8swChI111w6gvFSR7z0Cuq8kcOcaINN4Zgh6FzhMXStQxDYfBLfiOLC1gX9QvoorQlXnn89GMWbNLEHDuo57iKkp0T9w4G_0w27UyDVe9xtERSmiephZlFBeoH4y0AFV61_sIWtsGdVgyR9I/w640-h456/Ice11bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHIbLqZ7V6uRRf5udr8xBW29w2X2ilv0uP4NlnB2-E8fnjulzyxI6Tn-bp7njtCopNcRe4YYMIgC6VW_l0_wzDV4Q_min4QhmQKSszk22XPTAYHeIzJ43t8pAKmCOIMK_3IvbpgGSC3vQbly22w5kUGND2l2BomSCiqlPms71PDpk9ndYzi3BbMnBumg/s4608/ice8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="4608" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHIbLqZ7V6uRRf5udr8xBW29w2X2ilv0uP4NlnB2-E8fnjulzyxI6Tn-bp7njtCopNcRe4YYMIgC6VW_l0_wzDV4Q_min4QhmQKSszk22XPTAYHeIzJ43t8pAKmCOIMK_3IvbpgGSC3vQbly22w5kUGND2l2BomSCiqlPms71PDpk9ndYzi3BbMnBumg/w640-h444/ice8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And, just as night follows day, as soon the temperature rises, in rolls the mist and rain. I prefer the former, as captured here, just beyond the garden gate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLCqbXuZf0WV6KwB_wEryM1jo8cHU51vyllhcxG0jX9G-RogifpXLU-AW-TPPZa9emssmPMVaxQd4uJT16b8oqmmoNCUyLDVCDcwxfcK6TdIJ7mU4lypLPgMVFCjbtvyFF3LnXBTklyIe4ddmjcNMMGLHrCwi2IqTbFijijtk9pZsxCFySPWcT7AtWPw/s5568/Mist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLCqbXuZf0WV6KwB_wEryM1jo8cHU51vyllhcxG0jX9G-RogifpXLU-AW-TPPZa9emssmPMVaxQd4uJT16b8oqmmoNCUyLDVCDcwxfcK6TdIJ7mU4lypLPgMVFCjbtvyFF3LnXBTklyIe4ddmjcNMMGLHrCwi2IqTbFijijtk9pZsxCFySPWcT7AtWPw/w426-h640/Mist.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DVRF8PL7bh5lTP2STo2tpRTwLBFlNOPsN-v0Dkgr5qqobHC_uLtG275FaRD9frs_0AounDdAtKWSB9c5rPUFXRY6AOPwuVuF25uajNmKRSAvqIj6impacmOQn7Vuza_sTN5AM08ATpfCzttc0HsoczvJ4_QeOCTLoRTUdmgXWgtmm1d3DGglv5TERco/s5568/Mist2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DVRF8PL7bh5lTP2STo2tpRTwLBFlNOPsN-v0Dkgr5qqobHC_uLtG275FaRD9frs_0AounDdAtKWSB9c5rPUFXRY6AOPwuVuF25uajNmKRSAvqIj6impacmOQn7Vuza_sTN5AM08ATpfCzttc0HsoczvJ4_QeOCTLoRTUdmgXWgtmm1d3DGglv5TERco/w426-h640/Mist2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2XrVWFW2WF2DHRAvHxM3rcygQOvTE7DMf6Gh4SCxkP3Ja7fAoOu6Qnvq3XHr7YvJLaib6k_89HUaJlPCoTo1YInnNn-chRhfKIX2rWmBStQOCBxeP22YJoiMPl8FLDxSQUTi-NwXIIVego55vdbZe-n8TyDj179SJJ9jsGlM1bi7QDlmvMDOZjdil7k/s5568/Mist4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2XrVWFW2WF2DHRAvHxM3rcygQOvTE7DMf6Gh4SCxkP3Ja7fAoOu6Qnvq3XHr7YvJLaib6k_89HUaJlPCoTo1YInnNn-chRhfKIX2rWmBStQOCBxeP22YJoiMPl8FLDxSQUTi-NwXIIVego55vdbZe-n8TyDj179SJJ9jsGlM1bi7QDlmvMDOZjdil7k/w426-h640/Mist4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">So, I've very much been focusing on work recently; forever trying to challenge and push myself in different directions. I have a couple of exciting projects lined up for 2024 and have been framing some prints to offer for sale in a couple of local small businesses - Archie's Attic, a popular cafe in Enville and Eco Maniax, a plastic free shop in Stourbridge. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">But right now, December is a time to assemble and celebrate the people in our lives and I intend to do just that. Cheers!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqLIvaK2QTQXKlp-ne-hRCi43xjMotUiaUGT462n1zxGCuG6pPs56wG5CpHyRz6Lao0_450OUFh0fbAdEL2iRkeLQYxYOl6oW8QtVjmS8lBin8t0JFjcxSOpzbFHtYInNhSSBKOU4bzg1tFVJDnaVAGRe1JaHYz8V7jjH3voMm2j2KveOGETUdbMcVzc/s892/Guinness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqLIvaK2QTQXKlp-ne-hRCi43xjMotUiaUGT462n1zxGCuG6pPs56wG5CpHyRz6Lao0_450OUFh0fbAdEL2iRkeLQYxYOl6oW8QtVjmS8lBin8t0JFjcxSOpzbFHtYInNhSSBKOU4bzg1tFVJDnaVAGRe1JaHYz8V7jjH3voMm2j2KveOGETUdbMcVzc/w480-h640/Guinness.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-24189610932737418672023-12-05T08:58:00.000-08:002023-12-05T08:58:22.951-08:00Atypical Tuesday<p><span style="font-family: courier;">Sometimes life can get a little too comfortably routine and pedestrian. That is where teenagers come in very handy. In fact, there's no doubt they were invented to kick routine firmly in the pants and challenge the status quo.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy59qBamoC5O9pr6RawHHuOztyVE869NH0MiDcem9-cRovwLYhdMESh2fwCxdnCYyt6mxPx6ru3wDbK3s6sRuDAFUrNih4O9TW6slU1MRQmA3OgP-7xsxi8a-afUtte7H_GJcQlBrZWPkQV4MnPn7UcHxUoVlzrUlk_lgum8-YFdzPNXQXXcfxJQCVEA/s1000/YvesTumor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy59qBamoC5O9pr6RawHHuOztyVE869NH0MiDcem9-cRovwLYhdMESh2fwCxdnCYyt6mxPx6ru3wDbK3s6sRuDAFUrNih4O9TW6slU1MRQmA3OgP-7xsxi8a-afUtte7H_GJcQlBrZWPkQV4MnPn7UcHxUoVlzrUlk_lgum8-YFdzPNXQXXcfxJQCVEA/s320/YvesTumor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">And so it was that last Tuesday evening, we found ourselves pootling down the motorway with two teens occupying the back seats, destined for Bristol. The purpose of their visit was to see underground American art-rock music artist Yves Tumor. Ours was principally to operate as a taxi service (the train was just too pricey and unreliable), but we love an excuse to visit Bristol.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Using the fantastic parking app Just Park, we parked in a quiet residential street not far from Temple Meads train station - which would have cost us £19.50 - for just over £7.00. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Relying on Google Maps, we took the most direct route to find the music venue, The Marble Factory. The most direct route it may have been, but it was patchily lit and at times felt as though we had strayed onto a film set created for a "gritty, urban" brief.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi539BzvvsRygegyt5uFb-9L4R1voV9oTbPOLNszOrRwCrUQcQxpMfgG8Jigo4xnjq8zgvNpnTALJHitrYXsvuS2qTNafe1TYJAZINscDMyGVhVmmyqym8z7-Cvp6fbVCJimxB4k9EjNAzcI7pmy6l3N3xs8PxQzZVVoYDjT58QDlPEAVpE9xEDbfXd86g/s5420/Graffitirailwaybridgetexture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3614" data-original-width="5420" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi539BzvvsRygegyt5uFb-9L4R1voV9oTbPOLNszOrRwCrUQcQxpMfgG8Jigo4xnjq8zgvNpnTALJHitrYXsvuS2qTNafe1TYJAZINscDMyGVhVmmyqym8z7-Cvp6fbVCJimxB4k9EjNAzcI7pmy6l3N3xs8PxQzZVVoYDjT58QDlPEAVpE9xEDbfXd86g/w640-h426/Graffitirailwaybridgetexture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YmJzU3lS7zrJfGt0EwOyZO5R8BeKmmMgTjU8vZKWoKVU2Wu8E4rVuvLPUIcNCWXmGxfFf6v-i5R7zAtghe_xGTPBGOEq1kbrRhPgcHrLVMeRAf4yzYNu62GqBXnvXBiFPBrhAnd2h90Crc1mKLZRe3J1OGa-sY-OnkwaLEnAwmcIHtxrOOaHAo4Egsg/s5568/Graffitiv2texture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YmJzU3lS7zrJfGt0EwOyZO5R8BeKmmMgTjU8vZKWoKVU2Wu8E4rVuvLPUIcNCWXmGxfFf6v-i5R7zAtghe_xGTPBGOEq1kbrRhPgcHrLVMeRAf4yzYNu62GqBXnvXBiFPBrhAnd2h90Crc1mKLZRe3J1OGa-sY-OnkwaLEnAwmcIHtxrOOaHAo4Egsg/w640-h426/Graffitiv2texture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">City at night...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJPTQ6A9P1uRPleG4QKg_htcUFypYXh6FM1XXxte7gMfC8cSC4_GrChk60hvOdxLHSYT-6rWZpIG-xEKiG9vIupysEurnCa2Y5CZ_mu9-P0EiyjMC_FCfBfJdzGWlFRnm631m8Aoy2_0wMHxgsoJV1NAZa-LhY3XXbES33-bDk5jBl0Hp26dYZqaoDzE/s5475/EllaandCalebv2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3650" data-original-width="5475" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJPTQ6A9P1uRPleG4QKg_htcUFypYXh6FM1XXxte7gMfC8cSC4_GrChk60hvOdxLHSYT-6rWZpIG-xEKiG9vIupysEurnCa2Y5CZ_mu9-P0EiyjMC_FCfBfJdzGWlFRnm631m8Aoy2_0wMHxgsoJV1NAZa-LhY3XXbES33-bDk5jBl0Hp26dYZqaoDzE/w640-h426/EllaandCalebv2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The temperature was hovering around zero and the moon was bright. After photographing this crane, I noticed that a lens flare had created a second moon. Surreal huh? A happy mistake.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PNpsCRBBx-g_ihLv047rF6efpRjp0HrOywYt8ISObW6HsBpdB47gb-5JR17xyvsMCIBdrC2z0Grp8tnbfwQu3_7pKxyJo-57vnv_kpUofpSRYgqJzZtok0v1Giw-BC19n7K7FQyCH4Ot23sXA7mFIR-ThDr3p_HSTiq0OzVX8qXNFbneZD4oL57xSX4/s3607/TwoMoons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="3466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PNpsCRBBx-g_ihLv047rF6efpRjp0HrOywYt8ISObW6HsBpdB47gb-5JR17xyvsMCIBdrC2z0Grp8tnbfwQu3_7pKxyJo-57vnv_kpUofpSRYgqJzZtok0v1Giw-BC19n7K7FQyCH4Ot23sXA7mFIR-ThDr3p_HSTiq0OzVX8qXNFbneZD4oL57xSX4/w614-h640/TwoMoons.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal7E_ggzK66jQV56_RXH_KmIUGKWFK18uScNH0DsQLTnirzT-etPrTqcikY-TefhFyyQwkPuuzbdVkoM6nPPmn7zkJsOc4NWdS8qo82JtvypL5bbJQCQsAqJ8fmBjxlLKFdkRVnv8SxkPD59wTuu7Nr4Y7V4kOMgXzfytYsF-iyJ6JYuvTIiY1087i6w/s5474/Walkways.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3650" data-original-width="5474" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal7E_ggzK66jQV56_RXH_KmIUGKWFK18uScNH0DsQLTnirzT-etPrTqcikY-TefhFyyQwkPuuzbdVkoM6nPPmn7zkJsOc4NWdS8qo82JtvypL5bbJQCQsAqJ8fmBjxlLKFdkRVnv8SxkPD59wTuu7Nr4Y7V4kOMgXzfytYsF-iyJ6JYuvTIiY1087i6w/w640-h426/Walkways.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">We had the briefest of encounters with the impressive Victorian Temple Meads train station where we grabbed an on-the-go snack and drink before parting company with the gig-goers.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFAcFNeYiN1NWblZkrcdNnipuszqVVKTIPC-JOsQaE-G1BiEVv2jaLYXcZ-ryHyVuFqNukD0CPcQsoVoNnbmeeJl61G_EF7gdtaCxylzg-TAFO5e-kbrOwoVfBIDEava4hw5tqOtcgPMVKAx1VkqSH7HOq7IyWXvSBS3YV8YQfxMnAePj-fXeqsJw01Y/s5439/TempleMeadsStation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3578" data-original-width="5439" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFAcFNeYiN1NWblZkrcdNnipuszqVVKTIPC-JOsQaE-G1BiEVv2jaLYXcZ-ryHyVuFqNukD0CPcQsoVoNnbmeeJl61G_EF7gdtaCxylzg-TAFO5e-kbrOwoVfBIDEava4hw5tqOtcgPMVKAx1VkqSH7HOq7IyWXvSBS3YV8YQfxMnAePj-fXeqsJw01Y/w640-h422/TempleMeadsStation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">As is par for the course for us, we soon got lost. It turns out that not all city centre sign posts do in fact lead into the city centre. I stopped to do up my laces and was asked by a couple of drunks if I was OK. I think they assumed I was feeling nauseous. At this point we had probably walked the best part of three miles and hunger was getting the better of me. We asked a friendly looking passer by for directions. She suggested the King Street and as she was heading that way for a Clairvoyant evening, we joined her for the last part of her walk, taking a short cut through a dimly lit car park. Finally, we reached King Street and realised that we had taken an elaborate detour to reach this now familiar destination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">King Street is a vibrant, pedestrianised street lined with a choice of eclectic bars and restaurants with al fresco wooden bench seating. Even in the late November chill, many students opted to sit outside.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv152FIyId1XSLQg-b6coPNM8wg5YGTBg_wyPNNGlUCJDgG-BtCMWmVFeJiidkm8CAbSU6cQ8riMy8biazYt3jEouw5FPk-6eOdwZUw8xLF6mZWKCYudDh4B6JhbE2ZC7DcG5uac7pj9r7obAOTcG8gvBHjGWDpnbApuwvTAXTeAqfQp1EfC5wmgmz10/s5389/KingsRoad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="5389" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv152FIyId1XSLQg-b6coPNM8wg5YGTBg_wyPNNGlUCJDgG-BtCMWmVFeJiidkm8CAbSU6cQ8riMy8biazYt3jEouw5FPk-6eOdwZUw8xLF6mZWKCYudDh4B6JhbE2ZC7DcG5uac7pj9r7obAOTcG8gvBHjGWDpnbApuwvTAXTeAqfQp1EfC5wmgmz10/w640-h426/KingsRoad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We parted company from our good samaritan tour guide and headed inside an inviting looking Pizzeria not far from the Old Vic Theatre.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB49gJO0PAHx6tvEmuZC1irfTQHTEj-Ub8KZPSVqRzAqUvX3xdWBhjb2tfDrbRWPzctSt5o0mIZX-9NGC5ZXtkbjth4Q9nLdKaCqJegfACUQC0nWbI3fAJuL-J0N-NLDn_abOnt2JxBEWG9YUV_xBm-n2NI0vMMbV6L9wv1lvXYWy-q_WwRFDDuwVmFlE/s5568/Renatos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB49gJO0PAHx6tvEmuZC1irfTQHTEj-Ub8KZPSVqRzAqUvX3xdWBhjb2tfDrbRWPzctSt5o0mIZX-9NGC5ZXtkbjth4Q9nLdKaCqJegfACUQC0nWbI3fAJuL-J0N-NLDn_abOnt2JxBEWG9YUV_xBm-n2NI0vMMbV6L9wv1lvXYWy-q_WwRFDDuwVmFlE/s320/Renatos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Inside, the walls were decorated with decades of Old Vic theatre posters. There was pizza by the slice and a good selection of beers by the local Left Handed Giant Brewery. I opted for the vegan pizzas and honestly thought there had been a mix up with the ingredients; the cheese was that good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIY3QUJh0hAd0tY-9_AfJsiadn158nUosJ0hzfjGpjUr3cF9KiplRudOxXOuSDr1pP_w2VUY5Ep0JjYzhIEyp7iLrHPTWKkES0VwJHcMyb9YOU4CPhrkPh-CcY5n97tITE_oPQ6zNk17p63B8XHdMCwIP56AFOvQuO2XpUy9kh72wf-sYGaHtZ8bUWmQ/s5400/Pizza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="5400" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIY3QUJh0hAd0tY-9_AfJsiadn158nUosJ0hzfjGpjUr3cF9KiplRudOxXOuSDr1pP_w2VUY5Ep0JjYzhIEyp7iLrHPTWKkES0VwJHcMyb9YOU4CPhrkPh-CcY5n97tITE_oPQ6zNk17p63B8XHdMCwIP56AFOvQuO2XpUy9kh72wf-sYGaHtZ8bUWmQ/w640-h418/Pizza.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">As it was a week night, we were joined by only four other Tuesday night revellers during our visit. The staff were laid back and friendly and the ambience was relaxed.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O2SsmTW_Bk2eOlai60GbdxCt32cQ4oH2ExGluq7yzB90KYdBl77l6R4DlbzfY9Yp6-lFvA4Rk6bkn8fnXqpPcYwRySkR0tahZEzeGJ4-IJDVasN8YN2p1TenjQv3lo7ToR4VrPa8v1b9KUHjLVNZhvR0Q_B5QcFx44uSUBogZTwA52csYLWAYzqmLJ4/s4251/Pizzaguy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3177" data-original-width="4251" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O2SsmTW_Bk2eOlai60GbdxCt32cQ4oH2ExGluq7yzB90KYdBl77l6R4DlbzfY9Yp6-lFvA4Rk6bkn8fnXqpPcYwRySkR0tahZEzeGJ4-IJDVasN8YN2p1TenjQv3lo7ToR4VrPa8v1b9KUHjLVNZhvR0Q_B5QcFx44uSUBogZTwA52csYLWAYzqmLJ4/w640-h478/Pizzaguy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I loved what they had done with the place!</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMTmyjLTr19q9vh2bVufIKmvfHm8UFvVCPL6rIevy_jAIXW5uFc9h1dhZVr9cppJou4kswENVYDrbqS5RxO4VK7nDrMbCCIsvgI1-pxfjkkaO1rZKk4qGoAkhacZzYbe8D-NgBeTDxUneybR3LITl3zm750DyOBb4gR95ccvFq3PXFK0l2Prosva-QnY/s5568/PizzaPlace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMTmyjLTr19q9vh2bVufIKmvfHm8UFvVCPL6rIevy_jAIXW5uFc9h1dhZVr9cppJou4kswENVYDrbqS5RxO4VK7nDrMbCCIsvgI1-pxfjkkaO1rZKk4qGoAkhacZzYbe8D-NgBeTDxUneybR3LITl3zm750DyOBb4gR95ccvFq3PXFK0l2Prosva-QnY/w640-h426/PizzaPlace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEmhPZjWET-xej-ySWpxRLlDxy4srjIvb9k3ubrNxdNuKypMnkpx1-28TVthc5qTwsyxrvWy2X6OqdMZBujpHBl57jWnxW5crhwPcUGGc-ApWoOyPqZzk4G7kmEtf8lZcsXnm36FQzZAOQpJNxmC6HThEPpBYMloTVDOE81bdwBQWiLHRTFEymE03eKw/s5309/PizzaPlace2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3507" data-original-width="5309" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEmhPZjWET-xej-ySWpxRLlDxy4srjIvb9k3ubrNxdNuKypMnkpx1-28TVthc5qTwsyxrvWy2X6OqdMZBujpHBl57jWnxW5crhwPcUGGc-ApWoOyPqZzk4G7kmEtf8lZcsXnm36FQzZAOQpJNxmC6HThEPpBYMloTVDOE81bdwBQWiLHRTFEymE03eKw/w640-h422/PizzaPlace2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Hunger sated, we reluctantly left the warmth of our cosy corner and decided to head back towards Temple Bar. The temperature was now plummeting and we wanted to be as close to the Marble Factory as possible when Mr Tumor had finished his set.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">By now, some of the eateries close the King Street were closing for business.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkYSmIjZLMdGFqAIG04uNuom-ElXhSTWUvKJcjJURrcCuO1dcD6TLVny4QViDcJMHtciS19uOyO42QUMVWVQVgAEL_SdojkrLIFR0tn-4097Go7XwAufhulSbt9FLRur3H-6bOICRq2hHbXpVpXQpEX1o_cAnKIbcVpEceakla4VHJ2XU4EMA3cWk8hc/s3947/CleaningUp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3463" data-original-width="3947" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkYSmIjZLMdGFqAIG04uNuom-ElXhSTWUvKJcjJURrcCuO1dcD6TLVny4QViDcJMHtciS19uOyO42QUMVWVQVgAEL_SdojkrLIFR0tn-4097Go7XwAufhulSbt9FLRur3H-6bOICRq2hHbXpVpXQpEX1o_cAnKIbcVpEceakla4VHJ2XU4EMA3cWk8hc/w640-h562/CleaningUp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZJjSLNOcB-zImfry6f74aPjaoKb5rQHkkF77M3AjUugx-YBwGHvpehyphenhyphen0BMbgenYGyKlQGRUM8DR20XujV8cyRnpe6NW-329RrwS5K7Datzi0zAdNVIm2f_axmlTRSWpy3GYfuXEuOsIye6-TVI0vdPkDjq4LEnMIaMrkZJrsaz0KhKYEw91ExJ893M8/s5232/BurgerJoint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5232" data-original-width="3435" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZJjSLNOcB-zImfry6f74aPjaoKb5rQHkkF77M3AjUugx-YBwGHvpehyphenhyphen0BMbgenYGyKlQGRUM8DR20XujV8cyRnpe6NW-329RrwS5K7Datzi0zAdNVIm2f_axmlTRSWpy3GYfuXEuOsIye6-TVI0vdPkDjq4LEnMIaMrkZJrsaz0KhKYEw91ExJ893M8/w420-h640/BurgerJoint.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">On any other given week, we may have been busy doing nothing, watching some trash TV, surfing the internet or answering emails. Bristol's around a 90 minute drive from us, so it's not the obvious destination for a night out, but it made a refreshing change and I wish we'd had longer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Check out this handsome pub!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF47Wm5hGerC6fmeXV2j6tfkrKEu3nEVyMjw0aSWdl9TJkdQ1RkFIquVGcXwPv8NL_E0NZT2ZjFvnnhO-Z6wgay7aUoUWoNHNg7vZB0wHgi_OSkv6BuPEpQXBzUlAtbtcRreucsFfSyBn4gKa4Lhi6WTOjUkpFpye9ltSAFkJ53ZmrmzbcJsdObksRMqA/s4922/BristolBoozer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3596" data-original-width="4922" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF47Wm5hGerC6fmeXV2j6tfkrKEu3nEVyMjw0aSWdl9TJkdQ1RkFIquVGcXwPv8NL_E0NZT2ZjFvnnhO-Z6wgay7aUoUWoNHNg7vZB0wHgi_OSkv6BuPEpQXBzUlAtbtcRreucsFfSyBn4gKa4Lhi6WTOjUkpFpye9ltSAFkJ53ZmrmzbcJsdObksRMqA/w640-h468/BristolBoozer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In no time at all, we found ourselves back in the Temple Quay area and I took the opportunity to capture some of the lights and sights that caught my eye...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D858swi0Ak27Z24XOSu-WDU6OSylpbZedFECoSjrUI2lOXgwlJI3lhIw-yF2LWfTJeH2g2znQKtVHh27rpLlorsbNL-5CmEgWPPZn8xOiZJ1bomG-OQ7jGT5YQvw-D4dS5VbHypg_BfXiQkdpfnNTmIRAy4N0DxEIMjpZL_dXGldg4u1_ppMx9LS2P4/s5412/CityLights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5412" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D858swi0Ak27Z24XOSu-WDU6OSylpbZedFECoSjrUI2lOXgwlJI3lhIw-yF2LWfTJeH2g2znQKtVHh27rpLlorsbNL-5CmEgWPPZn8xOiZJ1bomG-OQ7jGT5YQvw-D4dS5VbHypg_BfXiQkdpfnNTmIRAy4N0DxEIMjpZL_dXGldg4u1_ppMx9LS2P4/w640-h426/CityLights.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...like the impressive Valentine Bridge which snakes across Bristol's floating harbour in a newly developed mix use area behind Temple Meads station. The bridge caused some controversy when barriers were erected to encourage cyclists to dismount before the authorities relented after complaints were lodged.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtUvXb8wS4daocMuPZquW9eKwXWY6e4GFUV7YFYSk_gf-t-bFUGZVKLbvrkazhGATLOZT6y1h5Szb0Bkc6Za_bRo0csc95i-ECzbt_2bK7lMcdwqYCJH350XkOe4SRrKtiXg5WrWjtRPqywqFash9Pi70fT0WXHY6mGEyKvQQyXNuO-xLhK50WYPjkxo/s5496/Bridge2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5496" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtUvXb8wS4daocMuPZquW9eKwXWY6e4GFUV7YFYSk_gf-t-bFUGZVKLbvrkazhGATLOZT6y1h5Szb0Bkc6Za_bRo0csc95i-ECzbt_2bK7lMcdwqYCJH350XkOe4SRrKtiXg5WrWjtRPqywqFash9Pi70fT0WXHY6mGEyKvQQyXNuO-xLhK50WYPjkxo/w640-h432/Bridge2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Cyclists are everywhere in Bristol.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB9L_0AaEgLidxj-YSFK0hP_LhPzjp9IvPLAOyPZ-5138EpUbkByXDpyCQ6wVpbYAIIv6aok2Pm-iYLlSMwCOlmCIRS976L9hxIHmsvBrX9TvzZLlhw0gsR0iZhkgBJCQhQtkRaeXCvadX1c45kLHtB3Vy0cLAMqAjghnV3-W9IXF1ABypZsBXPjArOo/s5508/Bikes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5508" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB9L_0AaEgLidxj-YSFK0hP_LhPzjp9IvPLAOyPZ-5138EpUbkByXDpyCQ6wVpbYAIIv6aok2Pm-iYLlSMwCOlmCIRS976L9hxIHmsvBrX9TvzZLlhw0gsR0iZhkgBJCQhQtkRaeXCvadX1c45kLHtB3Vy0cLAMqAjghnV3-W9IXF1ABypZsBXPjArOo/w640-h432/Bikes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A rear window moment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjBfjWYa_lWWInAY1pvG03iC9T6lcd7I1n2Fk4wmBZMtbWOJyNfcVmkTCC2VZ4Wwk_hTpOIBSx6N75vAkhmyQ8QDFVqLa1dV8Ok-Z4kW7hZgFnLNaBhLhOyPAQb2EpBARWI9iS6rLYSth5JRG47E9JGp8of0QmoS5GvppuLPVERju9Lbp6h4VOSH81PM/s3983/Apartmentblock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3575" data-original-width="3983" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjBfjWYa_lWWInAY1pvG03iC9T6lcd7I1n2Fk4wmBZMtbWOJyNfcVmkTCC2VZ4Wwk_hTpOIBSx6N75vAkhmyQ8QDFVqLa1dV8Ok-Z4kW7hZgFnLNaBhLhOyPAQb2EpBARWI9iS6rLYSth5JRG47E9JGp8of0QmoS5GvppuLPVERju9Lbp6h4VOSH81PM/w640-h574/Apartmentblock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Feeling the chill again, we headed into the promising sounding but totally soulless Wetherspoons pub The Knights Templar for a caffeine pick-me-up and carpet shot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDm5ZLdRD4MSn0bR794FNssJwTvFaJLzBa-fW4YTS00dQ2fCov6nKPL8fVnCeHMYKOEnf4qEmJQ_5iIJMgwJmHgMfBbrlUimAat6uFTt1jAsiZyMaG2868JLmdZgtphTlWCBD0ZabNMmlvPhtrnkHhrdQLduZ7Bxkpq5AP9sOE59ZVl7eMXOtDDH6qmQ/s5159/KnightsTemplarWetherspoons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="5159" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDm5ZLdRD4MSn0bR794FNssJwTvFaJLzBa-fW4YTS00dQ2fCov6nKPL8fVnCeHMYKOEnf4qEmJQ_5iIJMgwJmHgMfBbrlUimAat6uFTt1jAsiZyMaG2868JLmdZgtphTlWCBD0ZabNMmlvPhtrnkHhrdQLduZ7Bxkpq5AP9sOE59ZVl7eMXOtDDH6qmQ/w640-h426/KnightsTemplarWetherspoons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">My friend, Vix r</span><span style="font-family: courier;">ecently enlightened me through her blog</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> (</span><a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/2023/11/black-country-tales-viva-bilstonia.html">Vintage Vixen: Black Country Tales - Viva Bilstonia! (vintagevixon.blogspot.com)</a><span style="font-family: courier;"> that each of the carpets of Wetherspoons pubs are bespoke - unique to the building or locality and handmade, valued at around £30,000 apiece! This one's for you Vix! I think it was probably the best part of this pub. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A2DjNxNr8XE3XcrklPsgdUGFh5PxWlSxqJtIUfuv3q0iocI-qK7je_72Znc_JkpzkOwpouz3YPx7Ey716vfXpJefGd5rB2zSfIUGkTsmkcF09V2WxA8A5Ut3cjiaeF4Phd50VzCNKLTTOYxyJSQJAb3sv8nv6ry-O-nVrloDt34CKikLsujBeThTtuI/s5568/KnightsTemplarcarpet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A2DjNxNr8XE3XcrklPsgdUGFh5PxWlSxqJtIUfuv3q0iocI-qK7je_72Znc_JkpzkOwpouz3YPx7Ey716vfXpJefGd5rB2zSfIUGkTsmkcF09V2WxA8A5Ut3cjiaeF4Phd50VzCNKLTTOYxyJSQJAb3sv8nv6ry-O-nVrloDt34CKikLsujBeThTtuI/w640-h426/KnightsTemplarcarpet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I also found this interesting reading material courtesy of the Wetherspoons Magazine. This article, penned by Nik Antona, the Chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), referenced the illegal demolition of our local landmark The Crooked House. Investigations continue, arrests have been made and the campaign continues, in case you're wondering. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSfGVrULCPiiEKv760-mm1p45f1u5kRSiBqhswJUpcnUMOpt6PTAIZ6pQSmy9-EcYGKodgcPNHPXz1lPYWyqoVJAoVF6Buq3jeKJobDyt3whoNIGCePVq1KIWcpN00I0O2lV2NO8ad2r4e1iLrXzBxhMzx6w1lOV7NTwTsyM0JVoY-8r2ng8j0PVfU8/s5568/CrookedHouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmSfGVrULCPiiEKv760-mm1p45f1u5kRSiBqhswJUpcnUMOpt6PTAIZ6pQSmy9-EcYGKodgcPNHPXz1lPYWyqoVJAoVF6Buq3jeKJobDyt3whoNIGCePVq1KIWcpN00I0O2lV2NO8ad2r4e1iLrXzBxhMzx6w1lOV7NTwTsyM0JVoY-8r2ng8j0PVfU8/w640-h426/CrookedHouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">At around 10.30, we took a short stroll to the Marble Factory, a move we timed perfectly to coincide with the end of the gig and there ended a tremendous and atypical Tuesday evening. Thanks Bristol!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKlHecdvusXfZKLEP4BU1Af5IWwA2K4jtN6H9zMWsApgQHPtSulwvX7aCVuI5uLdFS9-Wp949Hruei51x9a9eNZ2L0-aRXlXBTh015LbXkpz97KbsF6CjdvSSjvjHAGri5Q5wItGSVNxhVx6yctg0Y42Z182do2Pm3XcjNqWXtUG89HcVWeTuhfyeqs/s5245/Reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3517" data-original-width="5245" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKlHecdvusXfZKLEP4BU1Af5IWwA2K4jtN6H9zMWsApgQHPtSulwvX7aCVuI5uLdFS9-Wp949Hruei51x9a9eNZ2L0-aRXlXBTh015LbXkpz97KbsF6CjdvSSjvjHAGri5Q5wItGSVNxhVx6yctg0Y42Z182do2Pm3XcjNqWXtUG89HcVWeTuhfyeqs/w640-h430/Reflections.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">On the return journey, the teens took over the music and I have to say, Yves Tumor's not at all bad!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll leave you with a taste.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDAjtzuFrZk">Yves Tumor - Fear Evil Like Fire (Official Audio) - YouTube</a></div><div><br /></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-4980194629604866142023-11-24T06:30:00.000-08:002023-11-24T06:30:25.504-08:00Autumn Comes<p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's been a turbulent few weeks in every respect. Autumn made its dramatic entrance with Storm Ciaran, which coincided with and compromised our mini break to Exeter. It feels like much of life has been viewed through a pane of glass as a result. Here you can see the storm clouds gathering on our journey down the M5.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq5r0PMxHLTVU3-D4b06cnKhiSQN556v6G3PXfwwO1biRICtYjvtiBeAv18MuvY2Q3M7_jD6IMtiTHXRrrG1YypDI07TBeOQvtxfWJEP_s_A_9Ch-aq-VZ09Pyus4wCdc2zVGDJTfAOUHq0XT0Z_uLDwHytiytp9qS2oO97_XmdHkKkA4a8cxeTU6pI0/s5568/StormCiaranCloudsColouredit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq5r0PMxHLTVU3-D4b06cnKhiSQN556v6G3PXfwwO1biRICtYjvtiBeAv18MuvY2Q3M7_jD6IMtiTHXRrrG1YypDI07TBeOQvtxfWJEP_s_A_9Ch-aq-VZ09Pyus4wCdc2zVGDJTfAOUHq0XT0Z_uLDwHytiytp9qS2oO97_XmdHkKkA4a8cxeTU6pI0/w640-h426/StormCiaranCloudsColouredit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"> Our view upon arrival. It didn't improve during our 48 hours in this small historic city.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK0NN9phOytp6kQsFGKDC0apl6Q0GKKHlYtgdxqW7Qc_VZzaGnfQJ1XNOVDf7lTCrihF1aoyuBPT7ZXaAf3TX-ny5a1huE9-oPzSY85rzBqWYncut7vLh1tRMW61wQ3sj4mHxll8je91kA_ldFBX79U15FSOAGz8qBpRFkPJAB7mdyqIW8gyOs0hgGb4/s5207/ExeterRain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3471" data-original-width="5207" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK0NN9phOytp6kQsFGKDC0apl6Q0GKKHlYtgdxqW7Qc_VZzaGnfQJ1XNOVDf7lTCrihF1aoyuBPT7ZXaAf3TX-ny5a1huE9-oPzSY85rzBqWYncut7vLh1tRMW61wQ3sj4mHxll8je91kA_ldFBX79U15FSOAGz8qBpRFkPJAB7mdyqIW8gyOs0hgGb4/w640-h426/ExeterRain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I don't feel we are equipped as a result, to give an accurate appraisal of the city. My biggest takeaways? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">1. It's steeped in history. Just opposite our apartment was the Dissenters' Graveyard, a plot of land collectively purchased by those who refused to adopt the Church of England faith. During the Georgian and early Victorian period, Exeter underwent major social, economic and political upheaval and members of the dissenting community from the three Presbyterians Meeting Houses (Bow, Mint and George's - now a Wetherspoons) were buried here between 1748 and 1854.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1wvzYmNkMuqvpaySUrZXOFndoX7F504E_ZZbV126AhVbs60_57KTDw6CIcSrTpxUR6GW4Sa_v8ucg4sbCilvUBbij_-hEneTW9rizOM_6GSihDSijY10ZgI_NemEKmNHwRN1pcbn-hZb7PimMTl0oZvzWD7mljAgMypxcW59JusQQ34SBaIO528ysxk/s1074/ExeterDissidentsGraveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1074" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1wvzYmNkMuqvpaySUrZXOFndoX7F504E_ZZbV126AhVbs60_57KTDw6CIcSrTpxUR6GW4Sa_v8ucg4sbCilvUBbij_-hEneTW9rizOM_6GSihDSijY10ZgI_NemEKmNHwRN1pcbn-hZb7PimMTl0oZvzWD7mljAgMypxcW59JusQQ34SBaIO528ysxk/w400-h333/ExeterDissidentsGraveyard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Exeter Cathedral; an Anglican cathedral completed circa 1400. We didn't visit on this occasion. We were limited for time for one. But we've also been spoiled by free entries with voluntary donations, (which we always opt to leave) at St David's, Liverpool and Chester recently and so balked at the £7.50 per person admission fee. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R6zY3gelC7OFmCrdWi64EPf0Z6Vp6aroyYbCbz8cNfG9dboeJJo-DKV-iYakc1yt8_DMOauq0-i7QrvS2JEiU2EXBKyxjx2Dker81yOJB4oNvztWT_82yyWdla_rtKUd_c3AVHnXS05bEQ5qhc00vEwjpXjiiChbcF_g162SAQ-wM2URYGUHLwmxiXg/s1314/ExeterCathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1314" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R6zY3gelC7OFmCrdWi64EPf0Z6Vp6aroyYbCbz8cNfG9dboeJJo-DKV-iYakc1yt8_DMOauq0-i7QrvS2JEiU2EXBKyxjx2Dker81yOJB4oNvztWT_82yyWdla_rtKUd_c3AVHnXS05bEQ5qhc00vEwjpXjiiChbcF_g162SAQ-wM2URYGUHLwmxiXg/w400-h271/ExeterCathedral.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Norman, Rougemont Castle was built on a knoll known as red hill or rouge mont in Norman French, because of its red, volcanic rock. This Norman three storey gatehouse's arched entrance shows evidence of Saxon workmanship and is therefore the oldest non-ecclesiastical Norman arch in existence.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvcjOuMjMY90XDg-CwUnId4EjJd2ezphkcR3Oi8b06UcE1myuFQ-9s1T1HlPjKi9Vmu0T60W3CKJJTwI_DtKtzxixPBhNnXgRrp8YLZqrOJIxtse4WO-dEwmRSRyENkU1WPyIdBHy2zLPH7arx6t0UUhmePrzFzN2LvIJUci_NAU-yrjWyoQXe4za2jw/s640/ExeterCastleBuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvcjOuMjMY90XDg-CwUnId4EjJd2ezphkcR3Oi8b06UcE1myuFQ-9s1T1HlPjKi9Vmu0T60W3CKJJTwI_DtKtzxixPBhNnXgRrp8YLZqrOJIxtse4WO-dEwmRSRyENkU1WPyIdBHy2zLPH7arx6t0UUhmePrzFzN2LvIJUci_NAU-yrjWyoQXe4za2jw/w480-h640/ExeterCastleBuilding.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">2. An iconic mural. The paint you see is the result of vandalism, but as the building is owned by retailer Urban Outfitters, it hasn't been cleaned yet and the company is declining to comment.</span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The chiselled mural was created in 1991. Members of the public were asked to send in photos which would serve as inspiration for the mural. One local woman, Hollie-Jay Storer, sent in several of herself, one of which was selected for the final piece.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykap5VundEyOeqlKrZ2EeT2vJNQrlMuijF0kV7ZM0t1_Eli3916TpIxzUOMkKDy-6LhT_Y6cZ5VXbrb0lvZ7p6pLNMBvHNMUP62kSKpkfFM6X3c1JGxa2Dp_BKCZpAugsFNa7nrtYVQ8X9-o0CEefi9aJlNMar1HUndM1DRtuUjnXEGyhB4MrOcZ4BPc/s892/ExeterArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="544" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykap5VundEyOeqlKrZ2EeT2vJNQrlMuijF0kV7ZM0t1_Eli3916TpIxzUOMkKDy-6LhT_Y6cZ5VXbrb0lvZ7p6pLNMBvHNMUP62kSKpkfFM6X3c1JGxa2Dp_BKCZpAugsFNa7nrtYVQ8X9-o0CEefi9aJlNMar1HUndM1DRtuUjnXEGyhB4MrOcZ4BPc/w390-h640/ExeterArt.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">3. Some rather good charity shops. I picked up this book to add to my growing collection. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-qAvQNXNJ7YOLAzw7kgkQgqMTzi3wovbHOTTmgJ6csG81RfbQJSC9EO794peCS0yusW3N3LNs0iG3ogrHTBETpCsR0kKZk-YKIe_w7m8-BjX07guHZjGGRZNLKkaOpiXMQVli7xuhLCz7lsRPcoKT02xyb_6QfHF3VblifnbFTpIeula9tuVq1aIwG4/s892/ExeterBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-qAvQNXNJ7YOLAzw7kgkQgqMTzi3wovbHOTTmgJ6csG81RfbQJSC9EO794peCS0yusW3N3LNs0iG3ogrHTBETpCsR0kKZk-YKIe_w7m8-BjX07guHZjGGRZNLKkaOpiXMQVli7xuhLCz7lsRPcoKT02xyb_6QfHF3VblifnbFTpIeula9tuVq1aIwG4/w310-h400/ExeterBook.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">4. Character pubs and good beer; plenty of options for shelter from the storm.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPraJS04ipyNC9FDFqE3IeWbDOcmcikna98v-0bC3VIQoq6GctuQYgUGscZQQUxSt0hreHGErMrjvPWPWqp3O3VyIKypQubP4Je0Rto6twsHOajoAnuY6wubDBV8otD8GnI-F5ZaaOWkyNTlbkgTh5kZkhVGMKCPt3jEf204VAasumSFCKPLQqVvtxw8I/s892/ExeterAle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPraJS04ipyNC9FDFqE3IeWbDOcmcikna98v-0bC3VIQoq6GctuQYgUGscZQQUxSt0hreHGErMrjvPWPWqp3O3VyIKypQubP4Je0Rto6twsHOajoAnuY6wubDBV8otD8GnI-F5ZaaOWkyNTlbkgTh5kZkhVGMKCPt3jEf204VAasumSFCKPLQqVvtxw8I/w300-h400/ExeterAle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">5. Amazing Wetherspoons! First up, George's Meeting House, a former chapel connected to the aforementioned Dissenters' graveyard...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseRHtoUkLPMgrFr7zsEghFdcX0EUL_5VgmCzty9YLwdeBEWtQkjOs8twuRqzeQiDAJ-4YLI8-vMDwHLPlH8hIPnYa0lNLHLDPTDo-gThlj_MDag4-Bc5uR8azHeG-e39wBFUjKusi9ozqfOowTT9k1h-zUwc7vC2eitj7I89iUNvpS2cQW5Wm0-qd4JE/s640/GeorgesMeetingHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseRHtoUkLPMgrFr7zsEghFdcX0EUL_5VgmCzty9YLwdeBEWtQkjOs8twuRqzeQiDAJ-4YLI8-vMDwHLPlH8hIPnYa0lNLHLDPTDo-gThlj_MDag4-Bc5uR8azHeG-e39wBFUjKusi9ozqfOowTT9k1h-zUwc7vC2eitj7I89iUNvpS2cQW5Wm0-qd4JE/w640-h480/GeorgesMeetingHouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">....and The Imperial. <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Previously the Imperial Hotel, from 1923 until 1994, this had been converted from Elmfield House, built in 1810 for the County Surveyor James Green. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PG_8b4KFDhjgZpB3hyphenhyphenKHkwkBcyISC3VbdHiKemRRQcEFbHOIAzL35dKpG2oSEAkBQ-p3GKnV5poFbTQjNA-J4_qwoGtcXjT5wrAfXF3dvyCp9pswEjugsW_pj-tI7h8ifUw1k3OlMkOWtD8hEVWNxPBOPFQBRPFH6ilX-JuHyEWTZXmBiwpdgpMNzrU/s640/ExeterSpoons2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PG_8b4KFDhjgZpB3hyphenhyphenKHkwkBcyISC3VbdHiKemRRQcEFbHOIAzL35dKpG2oSEAkBQ-p3GKnV5poFbTQjNA-J4_qwoGtcXjT5wrAfXF3dvyCp9pswEjugsW_pj-tI7h8ifUw1k3OlMkOWtD8hEVWNxPBOPFQBRPFH6ilX-JuHyEWTZXmBiwpdgpMNzrU/w480-h640/ExeterSpoons2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: avalon-book; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We dined here, in the ballroom, which was intended as a replica of Buckingham Palace...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Aqp2flG0M3Bvt4m1sV-F36UK8ujY-Vee_O8LSZ9IIgJ6VUecXagyahNA2OY32HeFBVLjhZS_0rfNp7ZOr_6U-_ZsmJ7iOSuMnPf-HvxmX169GAUgXJEu1tYbMdD_rHX2bhYOX7LprpaJbC1guW3TZRyM8vwbelzZk4Z1HULmt-9e9K6WoQq5YNTLw_c/s640/TheImperialdiningroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Aqp2flG0M3Bvt4m1sV-F36UK8ujY-Vee_O8LSZ9IIgJ6VUecXagyahNA2OY32HeFBVLjhZS_0rfNp7ZOr_6U-_ZsmJ7iOSuMnPf-HvxmX169GAUgXJEu1tYbMdD_rHX2bhYOX7LprpaJbC1guW3TZRyM8vwbelzZk4Z1HULmt-9e9K6WoQq5YNTLw_c/w640-h480/TheImperialdiningroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...so that we could enjoy the view of the jaw dropping orangery, added by Dr William Buller Henderson, who purchased the property in 1897.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-uGC4TZNc4NeOK7033v0pUuAUG0mKgkDywp3de9iIaSwrDQStb2TOrm69EP6IlUo6N_Te499YwqYeu_dPCSDkhL3je2pIqWTgcNT_V-YMliYMQUbs7GguvbAzLeuoII7lcPtuHRpo4go8CyEFNzidvdzVsUAYQjW3g4rSn0y_8jwulOnlvO-nNu2DaM/s1189/ExeterSpoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1189" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-uGC4TZNc4NeOK7033v0pUuAUG0mKgkDywp3de9iIaSwrDQStb2TOrm69EP6IlUo6N_Te499YwqYeu_dPCSDkhL3je2pIqWTgcNT_V-YMliYMQUbs7GguvbAzLeuoII7lcPtuHRpo4go8CyEFNzidvdzVsUAYQjW3g4rSn0y_8jwulOnlvO-nNu2DaM/w640-h480/ExeterSpoons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After a couple of stormy days, we were excited to meet up with our friends, Neil and Laura, for an overnighter in Cornwall. Remnants of the storm continued to circle and we again took refuge from horizonal rain and road spray; this time in Jamaica Inn. You can just make out the A38 in the distance. I don't think I've ever visited this legendary place in anything other than perfectly imperfect weather conditions.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL4qs55w1G2CFh8iDVyow0NjgG7lTMpWsGwewx-UJi7A3QABhLX3DdUAGsT-cXMMpwzQIxtKBlKRvX8yjsCX-oqJEyOpWgGdGmwyiS_HKwYKgLJ2uFmX5XN7kHFGhcjTOuxkiWFFwn05d-eZkHbMKCm9w3IZ8Os77GCTXSndxI5Jk5ToDpJym5FvXhJ4/s892/JamaicaInn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGL4qs55w1G2CFh8iDVyow0NjgG7lTMpWsGwewx-UJi7A3QABhLX3DdUAGsT-cXMMpwzQIxtKBlKRvX8yjsCX-oqJEyOpWgGdGmwyiS_HKwYKgLJ2uFmX5XN7kHFGhcjTOuxkiWFFwn05d-eZkHbMKCm9w3IZ8Os77GCTXSndxI5Jk5ToDpJym5FvXhJ4/w480-h640/JamaicaInn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Eventually the storm retreated and relative calm was restored, although the waves were still choppy at Carlyon Bay. The sea, the sea! </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnqd8QRBdITa_1Ltw7WZRAJc_LEos6uDoMC38CJ_SmOhqiyBvPn2Xamm1npyEV_b8fJkMHry1E8twKySSxOHVq3tCow6vIAV8HVTiDROtzMxqKwPOP4NeELCfBUav2Rh5QOgdR9wgjBrhhytpgguEZNtY7Jgo0W71-1mZGbQb0XWdpdyC-_jCpFu9LFo/s1500/CarlyonBay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1500" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnqd8QRBdITa_1Ltw7WZRAJc_LEos6uDoMC38CJ_SmOhqiyBvPn2Xamm1npyEV_b8fJkMHry1E8twKySSxOHVq3tCow6vIAV8HVTiDROtzMxqKwPOP4NeELCfBUav2Rh5QOgdR9wgjBrhhytpgguEZNtY7Jgo0W71-1mZGbQb0XWdpdyC-_jCpFu9LFo/w640-h384/CarlyonBay.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Charlestown looked as picturesque as ever, but Poldark was nowhere to be seen. We enjoyed great food, company and cocktails in this atmospheric fishing village and occasional film set. No photos, sadly, as we were too busy scoffing and chatting! </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj09YB2_1c2Gok0LgQlurbDtaPZOxoOG7me1jel0908DASdtRMFv0_z4hdvyUU1HcC3Hk9o89MYQCvUPPHXxGw0Ng2zwRhjEvnCs6MwM256bWxVktSJArHTz2sPmcmYLvZRBdHy7DWPTbx6A6vElat_Z03iLMEbUW0zfAZJ77zRsQpGlOIedRbF-2d_Tk/s5568/Charlestown2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj09YB2_1c2Gok0LgQlurbDtaPZOxoOG7me1jel0908DASdtRMFv0_z4hdvyUU1HcC3Hk9o89MYQCvUPPHXxGw0Ng2zwRhjEvnCs6MwM256bWxVktSJArHTz2sPmcmYLvZRBdHy7DWPTbx6A6vElat_Z03iLMEbUW0zfAZJ77zRsQpGlOIedRbF-2d_Tk/w640-h426/Charlestown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">After 24 hours in Cornwall, it was back up the M5, homeward bound...and more windscreen photos of interesting cloud formations... </span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4aYhLqlo_5McJWWmPnS4_Fzs8xoDd09zVeV3hTcY1zbrqVlf9eFIC_Pyj8NPAqnd6n1_BgigrHDKyVZ1Ci4A4UmW56MPFbwDSWYyJKi0l5wAtKMcw8LXcbk8KT3gKN7JVg6ukflDwK6pLLdgV377e44935iL7T7f6OIo_zObvSAmutV8ZSVVGMw-PlU/s5568/Motorwaysky5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4aYhLqlo_5McJWWmPnS4_Fzs8xoDd09zVeV3hTcY1zbrqVlf9eFIC_Pyj8NPAqnd6n1_BgigrHDKyVZ1Ci4A4UmW56MPFbwDSWYyJKi0l5wAtKMcw8LXcbk8KT3gKN7JVg6ukflDwK6pLLdgV377e44935iL7T7f6OIo_zObvSAmutV8ZSVVGMw-PlU/w640-h426/Motorwaysky5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: courier;">...and fading light. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW12McZEw8XjKXjroGHvZ-wn16Nvg88x-8XRkhLqAowdt9FC5zm30yLKY7e92Yz5eWwxR_cVQQ1CjjITpHufe4yFPrjjEhPFq6ecW2VB_pgq2noBGELBex_QlHr1dpV4hRy5Rbyx787vy28mTP8x9fWUmLOUd4Sjzyno1zhpQfZM2jy4W93DF57xKH4I/s5568/MotorwaySky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW12McZEw8XjKXjroGHvZ-wn16Nvg88x-8XRkhLqAowdt9FC5zm30yLKY7e92Yz5eWwxR_cVQQ1CjjITpHufe4yFPrjjEhPFq6ecW2VB_pgq2noBGELBex_QlHr1dpV4hRy5Rbyx787vy28mTP8x9fWUmLOUd4Sjzyno1zhpQfZM2jy4W93DF57xKH4I/w640-h426/MotorwaySky.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">Ah, seasons change with the scenery...</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">Weaving time in a tapestry</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">Won't you stop and remember me</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">At any convenient time?</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Simon & Garfunkel lyrics have been playing around in my mind since our return, for obvious reasons. Our Autumn colours are more muted than those of our American cousins, but they are beautiful nonetheless.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvhzZfrRuY5nF3v5bXTjztH5fuzQTBFAmsc8GovZARvpctOYLhVyXmBn6x9Og7yUmPgDSliDkVMxyUuEFVrbDGPf2612ckhyLg1wIkMhOrdJafwOECLfxSBpREZzbpQW79aHmcw55gUidomRSh6pHcNIpno7gW44_Q1X3MGML0koqq6J2u3V0PH_GiI8/s5340/Autumnscene5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5340" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvhzZfrRuY5nF3v5bXTjztH5fuzQTBFAmsc8GovZARvpctOYLhVyXmBn6x9Og7yUmPgDSliDkVMxyUuEFVrbDGPf2612ckhyLg1wIkMhOrdJafwOECLfxSBpREZzbpQW79aHmcw55gUidomRSh6pHcNIpno7gW44_Q1X3MGML0koqq6J2u3V0PH_GiI8/w640-h445/Autumnscene5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLJYgCnT_vaJdbt0Bt1WoBUdFzvkq_sPH2d7OQhBmGG8cELqWLDF3YLJY5p_l-NQMe78c9KH7b4yizrcIz11eeEPpMcpG4RKDXnL4ny9W5L4xBSSoAS0ZwoH8YM7caoSkK9ezQp81W1pxeiyazaPPd0m2hOfHt5MSSALy7vWzIwrKQTLkeC6XFUbrQJI/s5484/Autumnscene6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5484" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLJYgCnT_vaJdbt0Bt1WoBUdFzvkq_sPH2d7OQhBmGG8cELqWLDF3YLJY5p_l-NQMe78c9KH7b4yizrcIz11eeEPpMcpG4RKDXnL4ny9W5L4xBSSoAS0ZwoH8YM7caoSkK9ezQp81W1pxeiyazaPPd0m2hOfHt5MSSALy7vWzIwrKQTLkeC6XFUbrQJI/w640-h434/Autumnscene6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The leaves are falling in earnest now. I had to stop and jump out of the car to capture this stunning spectacle in Low Town, Bridgnorth the other day.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNAOLTJOFigvLJnzRHI7lrIb97JJTsJtjTy9LV4f9ErEW4sKSBPwy9iTYPe3ZDHi2JpVBGZEslQKQFl9z2GOcojSM_VE0AUPD44ZrSu-VBvWXg6zC9GhNYKQ6Drt7zfEDtBMSEXlW3PLoRcreXfgkJjNcWowD7IFb-Z8b0k6QIUSB4M1pEZL-22dC4Ec/s5544/Yellowleaves5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5544" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNAOLTJOFigvLJnzRHI7lrIb97JJTsJtjTy9LV4f9ErEW4sKSBPwy9iTYPe3ZDHi2JpVBGZEslQKQFl9z2GOcojSM_VE0AUPD44ZrSu-VBvWXg6zC9GhNYKQ6Drt7zfEDtBMSEXlW3PLoRcreXfgkJjNcWowD7IFb-Z8b0k6QIUSB4M1pEZL-22dC4Ec/w640-h428/Yellowleaves5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPMTP4y7kdjG_DW02Aq5rVUMGyS9eH7dkXFfEV0WevNRZ_bg_x_ckVDrlghJexPm6-dFKa511h6JVvKGUU03SeuQRI6yIqU_9J_YADHc1YlVLUSw48its-cU_9JBys3BBhxCm6b3PlmZqnwDS4OE3QKPnHujhYAP18qWJLT1ee4IpaLPYJmpPHwqe6Hw/s5157/Yellowleaves3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3470" data-original-width="5157" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPMTP4y7kdjG_DW02Aq5rVUMGyS9eH7dkXFfEV0WevNRZ_bg_x_ckVDrlghJexPm6-dFKa511h6JVvKGUU03SeuQRI6yIqU_9J_YADHc1YlVLUSw48its-cU_9JBys3BBhxCm6b3PlmZqnwDS4OE3QKPnHujhYAP18qWJLT1ee4IpaLPYJmpPHwqe6Hw/w640-h430/Yellowleaves3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeNYomxMhFclsMDzAjG8ltQLJBqRdrv3T85YowW1oj8YsW9WuwTc5L5VIgP6G2jBczUlWb6fnH6YeMDMRYhaGFnTIWzV9_-x40YH_BibCJTaOQdETIMKNlXrqR385TDmrSJWPziPU5BYcx7UNy3KYmGyz87Ky8ko3wYyvCmqTnv-l52gt_GzTmy5h2Fs/s3316/Yellowleaves4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3316" data-original-width="3252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeNYomxMhFclsMDzAjG8ltQLJBqRdrv3T85YowW1oj8YsW9WuwTc5L5VIgP6G2jBczUlWb6fnH6YeMDMRYhaGFnTIWzV9_-x40YH_BibCJTaOQdETIMKNlXrqR385TDmrSJWPziPU5BYcx7UNy3KYmGyz87Ky8ko3wYyvCmqTnv-l52gt_GzTmy5h2Fs/s320/Yellowleaves4.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Oh and check out this unique little fungus with its bendy stalk, growing in our garden.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0W9-8NEWIv8ev75RW1UQqHPOwqkiUXcTCeEwSvSOQTR5xDom05Ntt-PZxvSaBzTUjeKsIjT8XY3h99Lh5TOiLLD80JAcC3TeGtWyNEEgqyzxZ7EZlY6ExZL9Urbo5TXYnHPacITAUyBgpkCmydC4QTYqu9vPH2F2-bbsUybcjU9Komi6SvQFY34Qb7s/s5304/Fungi4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5304" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0W9-8NEWIv8ev75RW1UQqHPOwqkiUXcTCeEwSvSOQTR5xDom05Ntt-PZxvSaBzTUjeKsIjT8XY3h99Lh5TOiLLD80JAcC3TeGtWyNEEgqyzxZ7EZlY6ExZL9Urbo5TXYnHPacITAUyBgpkCmydC4QTYqu9vPH2F2-bbsUybcjU9Komi6SvQFY34Qb7s/w640-h440/Fungi4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Autumn always seems to me to be a time of reflection and I've been busy setting up a little home studio and working on my portraiture, recording those around me, in the hope of getting some future bookings. I have plans (watch this space), but for now, I'll leave you with a selection of very simple, low key portraits of recent willing victims. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ctxEteLdCXI59S2CDRb3C2Kqx9atNmAIR8dca-mO1KKS4_4JW2nN9rTdUM3YsSCnBQveoiP0ULwF2sRaHOIHni_FojdHVypYcSDTCJp5OsbENL6EHUPLiZ3ORf23zfT-6e_Pazisn6LtmrXSCXeGu5Wnx4iw6DXR7DiT1aZbFVs14RGlnrhSCq7WZ4/s5264/Garethnovember4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5264" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ctxEteLdCXI59S2CDRb3C2Kqx9atNmAIR8dca-mO1KKS4_4JW2nN9rTdUM3YsSCnBQveoiP0ULwF2sRaHOIHni_FojdHVypYcSDTCJp5OsbENL6EHUPLiZ3ORf23zfT-6e_Pazisn6LtmrXSCXeGu5Wnx4iw6DXR7DiT1aZbFVs14RGlnrhSCq7WZ4/w453-h640/Garethnovember4.jpg" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Gareth, the Skater Boi</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GclcJUev1ENdcLUXaTLI1bksjKaTrmORK3QLWsXkQZybDZjoeigqPbZe6LBeu4iIOKColP01tMgtLF_IXqhypV2UQ40n6xsZpU75vjEcFjNLYu7hTMsa8rPO3K5QjOA1wypzl5sCh4blgvxM9eMFyI2GCzyBNM-tdqBWgbeUTPuMY3tYY27Kl67LzRs/s4864/Dawn2bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4864" data-original-width="3472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GclcJUev1ENdcLUXaTLI1bksjKaTrmORK3QLWsXkQZybDZjoeigqPbZe6LBeu4iIOKColP01tMgtLF_IXqhypV2UQ40n6xsZpU75vjEcFjNLYu7hTMsa8rPO3K5QjOA1wypzl5sCh4blgvxM9eMFyI2GCzyBNM-tdqBWgbeUTPuMY3tYY27Kl67LzRs/w456-h640/Dawn2bw.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Dawn, feeling way more comfortable with a glass in her hand</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyHR4z-Z4pfJcuRd9SVBITr4YFoVEWTEmaSybwBtnnaUNUCaFzzNtXaRYC084TV_17s3cwtY269MYJAs3Fsuyr0pssYx_COYE_V_v0NuuOv5OJ-w-v4WpQ_LQPtp_8SGonLcxGuAFXHZqKz5X2ba500fAZRnd2U8jW9uEkkaW50DrD_gpN7xm4Fz9bno/s4960/BarryNovember2bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4960" data-original-width="3542" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyHR4z-Z4pfJcuRd9SVBITr4YFoVEWTEmaSybwBtnnaUNUCaFzzNtXaRYC084TV_17s3cwtY269MYJAs3Fsuyr0pssYx_COYE_V_v0NuuOv5OJ-w-v4WpQ_LQPtp_8SGonLcxGuAFXHZqKz5X2ba500fAZRnd2U8jW9uEkkaW50DrD_gpN7xm4Fz9bno/w458-h640/BarryNovember2bw.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Barry, my father-in-law, gurning at the camera</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQcCibYS5yAE_QrlNDVLgtIX9dPsbJpJF9vKi6aeREa9JN3-f4uGv4kAfZ-yuiWSBn2Jg2v7y7I_fofOttqjfg43a-JKHEAfFs7AgQ0VCWY_tYXDamQlACgb8_HvsL_7e6yuMdIKc-ZJTOUfxnW2Smk69TZBGZxncP-5Eh4QQZlrpWwfAEU7nHu1K8D4/s5424/Mom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5424" data-original-width="3600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQcCibYS5yAE_QrlNDVLgtIX9dPsbJpJF9vKi6aeREa9JN3-f4uGv4kAfZ-yuiWSBn2Jg2v7y7I_fofOttqjfg43a-JKHEAfFs7AgQ0VCWY_tYXDamQlACgb8_HvsL_7e6yuMdIKc-ZJTOUfxnW2Smk69TZBGZxncP-5Eh4QQZlrpWwfAEU7nHu1K8D4/w424-h640/Mom5.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Mom</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTUq6psYp8-RRBRyM-h35vhnatv-42MpWzwMJA32a4rON3Pbp1oRP31sD0sK-V96xvp4m6EKpr9qqAoFAeNtvxKvlboYej9SPM7qmiVs83HEQL0fd_DFTQXQ53ARaaSWtlOpbDOPilaebRnTLWrndjHkXkkpyDFsJ3jlP3rAcmC7s8b4MgxX_NehTP1I/s5568/Mom12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTUq6psYp8-RRBRyM-h35vhnatv-42MpWzwMJA32a4rON3Pbp1oRP31sD0sK-V96xvp4m6EKpr9qqAoFAeNtvxKvlboYej9SPM7qmiVs83HEQL0fd_DFTQXQ53ARaaSWtlOpbDOPilaebRnTLWrndjHkXkkpyDFsJ3jlP3rAcmC7s8b4MgxX_NehTP1I/w426-h640/Mom12.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: courier;">Mom</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHsG3cc2sngWf-LgxwDpLz1HKQ0MFxFTLSSwPD6P7_iSoJ4jx3fnW4ctJMMm6_oN0-LC9ywwQpc-5JldocMH6WiGRJErZ4SPMYbe3Xxux_rQyYADfd8PDQjNph85EItkZQOcNeyGGsVrqJxpxcmsvAKPa9h4PQSb9EfEaUTjkRvnKv5iE_MMfA60E6ek/s4000/Mom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHsG3cc2sngWf-LgxwDpLz1HKQ0MFxFTLSSwPD6P7_iSoJ4jx3fnW4ctJMMm6_oN0-LC9ywwQpc-5JldocMH6WiGRJErZ4SPMYbe3Xxux_rQyYADfd8PDQjNph85EItkZQOcNeyGGsVrqJxpxcmsvAKPa9h4PQSb9EfEaUTjkRvnKv5iE_MMfA60E6ek/w512-h640/Mom1.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Mom</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Take care and stay warm and dry!</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-68918121237055581692023-11-09T09:17:00.000-08:002023-11-09T09:17:22.136-08:00Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere<p><span style="font-family: courier;">The title of this blog is taken from the David Bowie album "Pinups" and regular readers may recall me mentioning an alternative wedding shoot I put together earlier this year, inspired by 70s - more Aladdin Sane era - Bowie. Think magenta, teal, metallic, androgyny, cosmos. I shared some behind the scenes photos from the day here: <a href="https://winterpeachphotography.blogspot.com/2023/05/coronation-what-coronation.html">Winter Peach Photography: Coronation? What Coronation?</a></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7yvuQ_ZwYGXzkeUiwmX2Kv_GI0dlQmhxxU-L-EhNPGjO4j_EAVbLsJ_NThmK16sNpY6zP12XF5WSomMTLKGYA26SCyRVD49mhFnI1AQj2M7R3nTQdDtfWNXNjah5tb7sXHrwnRb4M5AbLQY7oGa0fMzk_OyZJFLMCYzH0i2yVdpqj_keEmESyQuoxlU/s626/Claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="573" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7yvuQ_ZwYGXzkeUiwmX2Kv_GI0dlQmhxxU-L-EhNPGjO4j_EAVbLsJ_NThmK16sNpY6zP12XF5WSomMTLKGYA26SCyRVD49mhFnI1AQj2M7R3nTQdDtfWNXNjah5tb7sXHrwnRb4M5AbLQY7oGa0fMzk_OyZJFLMCYzH0i2yVdpqj_keEmESyQuoxlU/w366-h400/Claire.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Well finally, some 7 months later, I can now share with you some photos and stories from that day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">A little background. We had to postpone twice due to sub zero temperatures and models dropping out. W</span><span style="font-family: courier;">e eventually went ahead on King George's Coronation Day back in May. Incidentally, a previous shoot of mine, inspired by the TV series Stranger Things, took place on the day of the Queen's funeral. On May 6th the weather forecast was abysmal but all suppliers were on the same page and the "now or never" momentum kicked in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We met at the handsome Georgian Firs Wedding Venue in Worcestershire for bridal (and "groomal?") preps courtesy of FinnElla Beauty (Make Up) and Dionne's Bridal Hair.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d0wxK1NgzbpxAxr0qMA1Ir-u2d9-LLR6tsbn39Mobi13JzKWezhIYtZ6MO7_47kXj6rgZ6_QzmQ7k7J2oQ4E5DO9xjrt_BDBf1sl8WnC_7PKZx7CVRBiwlVF4VfGHUzUGzMaAA2c6kqVYCfn0atJbzvhYsfnOSv7to5kuuDB8WxOn3eQozabBQyJ4lk/s5379/Photo9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="5379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6d0wxK1NgzbpxAxr0qMA1Ir-u2d9-LLR6tsbn39Mobi13JzKWezhIYtZ6MO7_47kXj6rgZ6_QzmQ7k7J2oQ4E5DO9xjrt_BDBf1sl8WnC_7PKZx7CVRBiwlVF4VfGHUzUGzMaAA2c6kqVYCfn0atJbzvhYsfnOSv7to5kuuDB8WxOn3eQozabBQyJ4lk/w640-h426/Photo9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Both wore make up. Our female model's hair was slicked back for a more androgynous look. She also had two outfits to wear, both with a distinctly 70s vibe. For the ceremony she wore a sparkly mini dress with balloon sleeves (very Studio 54 era Cher), accessorized with a velvet peony choker hand made by Present Perfect Creations and a single earring by London jeweller Catherine Marche. I felt that one statement earring as opposed to two, better suited the futuristic boundary-pushing element of our theme. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Our groom gamely agreed to don a diaphanous, cut to the waist, floor length collared jacket over a bodice and wide legged trousers. All outfits were supplied by Velvet Birdcage, apart from our male model's trousers which I had brought to spare his modesty. He also wore a bejewelled necklace matching our bride's earring.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Eventually, buoyed up by cake and coffee and during a brief respite from heavy rain to what I would call "driving drizzle" we went for it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">White heat from the lightning bolts! Forgive me, but I just had to do an Ashes to Ashes edit on this one!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd0b5_lRU24Np2oz_bht7KIo81hUAPNpkTa7nJdgEIo6g_34jqcCK7a2RaVA1D3P3tEmL79RiyofZ5AT2xzI8cGgf7YXn5tT4IezOZnGx6wgQie0oVoIZF7FsP2eQYPc-2-9bX38uzDI-EuGd1kxlVsh8A8Mo33dP1Jyad5MTtIJV5Szq7f-aFL7kTsg/s5568/Ceremony25AshestoAshes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd0b5_lRU24Np2oz_bht7KIo81hUAPNpkTa7nJdgEIo6g_34jqcCK7a2RaVA1D3P3tEmL79RiyofZ5AT2xzI8cGgf7YXn5tT4IezOZnGx6wgQie0oVoIZF7FsP2eQYPc-2-9bX38uzDI-EuGd1kxlVsh8A8Mo33dP1Jyad5MTtIJV5Szq7f-aFL7kTsg/w640-h426/Ceremony25AshestoAshes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The ceremony, created by Jules (Treasured Words Celebrant), included the making and releasing of wishes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCBAWeaIklLte8EXwJ1cCc7QKRfb-aOZ4S9jqbup4GTvr_BnDZrPUfsj9ietJptNwfFVtx8CEm9ltKx1kDy5Mlw4C0dvld-BibtUln5mluDn9yiKvIzE_8RSM4XePrSioR8lAYv0hl5ibF1Pwedd_wv-OtYMUSVBLGWAc1sg2b3qg77jQIoj4nFHYA18/s5568/Ceremony15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCBAWeaIklLte8EXwJ1cCc7QKRfb-aOZ4S9jqbup4GTvr_BnDZrPUfsj9ietJptNwfFVtx8CEm9ltKx1kDy5Mlw4C0dvld-BibtUln5mluDn9yiKvIzE_8RSM4XePrSioR8lAYv0hl5ibF1Pwedd_wv-OtYMUSVBLGWAc1sg2b3qg77jQIoj4nFHYA18/w640-h426/Ceremony15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl4xBidrn1B1N7Gwr1Gi2xF9VHJQsmmSBQeuimaGu-VYU2CG3RTcD2jztkOCSAJh65PN1HGtXfSwO_QqenuPwO8Hu4_5tR3FN354vstPNawiMx7Ozc5iH5F6ahXq5u-VC0OoDH8fa_jkT7HFzzyp4I8xvvfQxS_IS3FshRj5bkkQugJOP858gfpJOUhc/s5292/Ceremony20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="5292" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl4xBidrn1B1N7Gwr1Gi2xF9VHJQsmmSBQeuimaGu-VYU2CG3RTcD2jztkOCSAJh65PN1HGtXfSwO_QqenuPwO8Hu4_5tR3FN354vstPNawiMx7Ozc5iH5F6ahXq5u-VC0OoDH8fa_jkT7HFzzyp4I8xvvfQxS_IS3FshRj5bkkQugJOP858gfpJOUhc/w640-h422/Ceremony20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Said wishes were later safely retrieved from a nearby tree.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The bride's wedding ring - a gorgeous heart shaped pink sapphire!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDFbcdlK3r_jr0n_hhp6pvVR9gFYFJaSfyxbaUBW-35e5AqHVm4bLNgK6PtRl4PXxkzw610FZxCEVN5K2et81ovnKZfKfpj3LKeR6soW35Q9kK3Bzdw6UJZ3nb-NSFI-kOL8e3x-OSMQeIKFEUiuoqGHpZK1zLZgYH3YEfEF_8bqfP2_eQ1tcYaHK98/s4344/Ceremony3aedit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3534" data-original-width="4344" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDFbcdlK3r_jr0n_hhp6pvVR9gFYFJaSfyxbaUBW-35e5AqHVm4bLNgK6PtRl4PXxkzw610FZxCEVN5K2et81ovnKZfKfpj3LKeR6soW35Q9kK3Bzdw6UJZ3nb-NSFI-kOL8e3x-OSMQeIKFEUiuoqGHpZK1zLZgYH3YEfEF_8bqfP2_eQ1tcYaHK98/w400-h325/Ceremony3aedit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Soon it was time for some smoke and I was grateful that Nat, the Venue Manager was pretty adept at setting off smoke bombs and artfully created the requisite otherworldly pink mist.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOczdD0ipfJFAGZ6tkppT95Z8-c8MdSdaMmD6OeC-Oldaku3sF4px-qgtNdM2HBXuaroTrrE9U1wBs-szQgoVnDM4-QwZ3larVCJk1l16YyFNE1QCFRxr645s7-fVIDnxcGlL_JkexVk8JStgOeH17B637ahTVS2TZ381s21fd4dXfgN1vKjqAOs9DP8/s5568/PinkSmokeOuttake2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOczdD0ipfJFAGZ6tkppT95Z8-c8MdSdaMmD6OeC-Oldaku3sF4px-qgtNdM2HBXuaroTrrE9U1wBs-szQgoVnDM4-QwZ3larVCJk1l16YyFNE1QCFRxr645s7-fVIDnxcGlL_JkexVk8JStgOeH17B637ahTVS2TZ381s21fd4dXfgN1vKjqAOs9DP8/w400-h266/PinkSmokeOuttake2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNqvSQ9mSbg-vUt3Tmq3-eQ80JFz9l3jwkkswYfMzv-uqXWFquq5SciZtOsE40KRIX8WiqvHiCq09-gyKYtJYlH0WWW_YIfIdGvAM9lUgGHJWS1K0UwgOYpVcLxfUBSbizpEPJ4uAEjoYo16dnw6p_HHwImpat3bNrWIKM1yPtuKIeJWQ8vhD7yGBaGM/s5364/PinkSmoke1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5364" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNqvSQ9mSbg-vUt3Tmq3-eQ80JFz9l3jwkkswYfMzv-uqXWFquq5SciZtOsE40KRIX8WiqvHiCq09-gyKYtJYlH0WWW_YIfIdGvAM9lUgGHJWS1K0UwgOYpVcLxfUBSbizpEPJ4uAEjoYo16dnw6p_HHwImpat3bNrWIKM1yPtuKIeJWQ8vhD7yGBaGM/w640-h442/PinkSmoke1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I loved the dried flower bouquet created by our florist Muck Home & Floral Design.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMrg8lYqyo0UlDDZFrfTH_DyqjiRotjDlu8RuQy6xmhKaBgQb2NwIMh0C44WZLGfIpqQnPHrPJlObbASs4-hOFbBlSNnFgXl19wUGadWBEyFoynQ878jQKhDACBBQDWxHqdiAo4ysnGU0foQUQ_GNNQr3E_aaJUIREbJAUf2F4subdyVoyqEkd0kkdzQ/s5568/PinkSmoke8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMrg8lYqyo0UlDDZFrfTH_DyqjiRotjDlu8RuQy6xmhKaBgQb2NwIMh0C44WZLGfIpqQnPHrPJlObbASs4-hOFbBlSNnFgXl19wUGadWBEyFoynQ878jQKhDACBBQDWxHqdiAo4ysnGU0foQUQ_GNNQr3E_aaJUIREbJAUf2F4subdyVoyqEkd0kkdzQ/w640-h426/PinkSmoke8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Sealed with a kiss!</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8lxPMMQADYJaDCqtG0qmWx1dfw2G0DPOsqIFta32MWjgeVHgeij9aq2XiCAjB071ujKwIjOREnCT0uKT5tzRz6oq5ecDa2TCBouHFy4ivSqPjt8RzM82XxKcPaiqlimSDd30dliU27GrLzA1jFPBgvIuMcw2AHF4y77fq3G0PwzK-wwyuNRzg-4Pipk/s5568/PinkSmoke13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8lxPMMQADYJaDCqtG0qmWx1dfw2G0DPOsqIFta32MWjgeVHgeij9aq2XiCAjB071ujKwIjOREnCT0uKT5tzRz6oq5ecDa2TCBouHFy4ivSqPjt8RzM82XxKcPaiqlimSDd30dliU27GrLzA1jFPBgvIuMcw2AHF4y77fq3G0PwzK-wwyuNRzg-4Pipk/w640-h426/PinkSmoke13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Phew! After all that excitement, it was time for a drink in the barn. As an outdoor wedding venue, the cute little tin barn is perfect for rustic, festival style weddings. At the time, the real bar was still being fitted out, so we created our own and employed our very own mannequin (christened Ziggy back when they first came into our lives as a show prop - and yes if Ziggy could speak "they" would be the chosen pronoun). </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhWd0JDyem-RsLW9Kai55G_CqjIr3fVspN2iQpBwWVD-g7sHQuAJzD-YN-saD0M6EI2vYf8oQdAvPnN5pFz4eNz7gjXzsReGOa7DbxQCF3PY3ZXuaQI8xgJBx7IUtUNHXNm8X3E5QKNXIw_IRYRzL6QoHLCXHPLRctO-5GsPBOQlPn4fgIFJKtpvZ8A/s5052/BarNostalgiaEdit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5052" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhWd0JDyem-RsLW9Kai55G_CqjIr3fVspN2iQpBwWVD-g7sHQuAJzD-YN-saD0M6EI2vYf8oQdAvPnN5pFz4eNz7gjXzsReGOa7DbxQCF3PY3ZXuaQI8xgJBx7IUtUNHXNm8X3E5QKNXIw_IRYRzL6QoHLCXHPLRctO-5GsPBOQlPn4fgIFJKtpvZ8A/w640-h470/BarNostalgiaEdit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Ziggy is the androgynous creation of our friend, Yvette, a local artist otherwise known as Creative Curiosities. We already own Ziggy's cousin, the impressive illustrated man; a masterpiece of a sharpie and decoupage decorated life size mannequin...but he's not so easy to transport.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtwXZyuPTYgTwOl2uAs8yY56zw-4mE_kJwTlbrRfA0hk9KXNOsSbXIKzq5-V65S6PC3r3IGXvpzssXkygiC7HBJBWGr3VAPTV-rmX1sKjZtugMwC1-a7VZH78KAilDvsBm0RddqTm4q7yxmw00iGZbBodTolYrEZPxuHYpBNYbh0vah741szsClUZVxs/s4920/BucketHatJuly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4920" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtwXZyuPTYgTwOl2uAs8yY56zw-4mE_kJwTlbrRfA0hk9KXNOsSbXIKzq5-V65S6PC3r3IGXvpzssXkygiC7HBJBWGr3VAPTV-rmX1sKjZtugMwC1-a7VZH78KAilDvsBm0RddqTm4q7yxmw00iGZbBodTolYrEZPxuHYpBNYbh0vah741szsClUZVxs/w482-h640/BucketHatJuly.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Perhaps apt for someone standing behind a bar, Ziggy is actually legless. They are mounted on a stand. They might not be for everyone, but we were thrilled when Yvette gifted them to us. They're now standing in our fireplace at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">So back to the wedding breakfast...and we had a canine companion in the pocket size shape of Dinky, the Pomeranian (Amy, our wedding cake maker's pooch) pictured here in his Fluffy Tailers' space age harness. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXye4dpoOEwFgDcYKpKRu68RlTGtdbcD8t05KB1zhJIXuMHTyEZMG9n2evhkBpOPOAevMEogw5gUfqmly4FFgA0xSRjmG8o7bobrKuDgaTRSDZzmRbs_0oE5Bs2vyC1b1yFDHP_bMyVCWbmPMbMzMsW1Hd1LlxBCgVCmHc8B64e0vgCJCZbqZaiUEnhA/s5880/Ceremony15a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5880" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXye4dpoOEwFgDcYKpKRu68RlTGtdbcD8t05KB1zhJIXuMHTyEZMG9n2evhkBpOPOAevMEogw5gUfqmly4FFgA0xSRjmG8o7bobrKuDgaTRSDZzmRbs_0oE5Bs2vyC1b1yFDHP_bMyVCWbmPMbMzMsW1Hd1LlxBCgVCmHc8B64e0vgCJCZbqZaiUEnhA/w640-h436/Ceremony15a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Did someone mention cake? The brief for the cake was futuristic. I think Amy Baker's Cakes nailed it!</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafdPwz5I4UAJmlrO5u3zE7zZ62bQG2WUMfGHA7UB5dcVa-kHawIQNFVQvZ8ByU_pinqN5J_rAUscOIPMXlD95ra_jSMeiWUQ3VJyqhZOtUNh6cbDlUD8IL9j64CdLIzmw6CThO7ORaD4A_ouNbJPGHUg2VPQSiC_8N8r3SlIBKGQy3vX33sDcUxDLVMM/s5158/Cake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5158" data-original-width="3327" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafdPwz5I4UAJmlrO5u3zE7zZ62bQG2WUMfGHA7UB5dcVa-kHawIQNFVQvZ8ByU_pinqN5J_rAUscOIPMXlD95ra_jSMeiWUQ3VJyqhZOtUNh6cbDlUD8IL9j64CdLIzmw6CThO7ORaD4A_ouNbJPGHUg2VPQSiC_8N8r3SlIBKGQy3vX33sDcUxDLVMM/w412-h640/Cake.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EMwnFHCEcdYkk3v-X33CnVvsw3QEKYV6wNCGDaW6XFITwgnwEbQV7DCM0vq4RhOGb2P4a-EdfQIZJiBzx5zQRtmHKiYwQUsJgw2QEoBIODEQFe6As6fsxYV-ikWhAVdomsbt34U3jVGJR4L44T3kQ1gyxGpg-hvMoP0Q3RrYZctxPNDi2zRkybHcAw8/s5424/Preps17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5424" data-original-width="3584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EMwnFHCEcdYkk3v-X33CnVvsw3QEKYV6wNCGDaW6XFITwgnwEbQV7DCM0vq4RhOGb2P4a-EdfQIZJiBzx5zQRtmHKiYwQUsJgw2QEoBIODEQFe6As6fsxYV-ikWhAVdomsbt34U3jVGJR4L44T3kQ1gyxGpg-hvMoP0Q3RrYZctxPNDi2zRkybHcAw8/w422-h640/Preps17.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The tablescape was scaled down on the day (a long story), but this small, but perfectly formed magenta creation came courtesy of Aphrodite Events. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa3CtIRoP5IHQzP08Cr7qCyxmLQ5UhT2LwoGAdpTfxMOHN-MHwoVcfgUwQ4mZ-9-Pf_J5PEH7FWtkpch9kF2ChJtF11WBkn44SObMG9gBWu0SzFpLb3i5LpP-LBGRrtStV17jCuDIuJyGMKzT0V-UQHQTO4pGFZh3x7imOOknd76Yx1GFHKUJrbfzNvA/s5568/Tablescape6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa3CtIRoP5IHQzP08Cr7qCyxmLQ5UhT2LwoGAdpTfxMOHN-MHwoVcfgUwQ4mZ-9-Pf_J5PEH7FWtkpch9kF2ChJtF11WBkn44SObMG9gBWu0SzFpLb3i5LpP-LBGRrtStV17jCuDIuJyGMKzT0V-UQHQTO4pGFZh3x7imOOknd76Yx1GFHKUJrbfzNvA/w640-h426/Tablescape6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Those cake crumbs get everywhere!</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4SYznrVPTVuroR1hIN57fAA-KOnKPkumw7zGItGIocEvhn9M-Arv1XeClqM0VArQtKLw8dOxnx-HYJ6lA_NS4XJaZzpokcPt3irez0UQvzi1QrZq9CLp67r5Z52YU9lyH-NJioDYRaJSAL3cNM7wOcwo8ko5Bn5bHsrj4RsCXomKSZld2k8WqjE0rZk/s5352/WeddingBreakfast9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="5352" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4SYznrVPTVuroR1hIN57fAA-KOnKPkumw7zGItGIocEvhn9M-Arv1XeClqM0VArQtKLw8dOxnx-HYJ6lA_NS4XJaZzpokcPt3irez0UQvzi1QrZq9CLp67r5Z52YU9lyH-NJioDYRaJSAL3cNM7wOcwo8ko5Bn5bHsrj4RsCXomKSZld2k8WqjE0rZk/w640-h412/WeddingBreakfast9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Dinky the show stealer.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkkW4iKlo43X1f-gb6Q-rdi9h6Mm8ImAkape4iCKDCDrFnE_Fkhe1a0UIeC-H973tdbOYBRsUOcXe9Hfu_n1ZncMmp6zJd2MA11eqvl3FfQBVms0DJnGI1_vLpIuEKqLWmq6hMKta25oyesOL1By59glp_cnQmHUK3ZfM08x2fXAMt4cgJ6X9d1jtkX0/s5736/WeddingBreakfastDinky3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5736" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkkW4iKlo43X1f-gb6Q-rdi9h6Mm8ImAkape4iCKDCDrFnE_Fkhe1a0UIeC-H973tdbOYBRsUOcXe9Hfu_n1ZncMmp6zJd2MA11eqvl3FfQBVms0DJnGI1_vLpIuEKqLWmq6hMKta25oyesOL1By59glp_cnQmHUK3ZfM08x2fXAMt4cgJ6X9d1jtkX0/w640-h446/WeddingBreakfastDinky3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></div>Soon it was time to head back outside for some portraits...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAud1Ti22q2HP3Iw36gwvsZGZJTlJMpgCR_MJJwq1oObJ1TEvKexYZFcfGBaLVHTj85hwIluvXW73BdKhY8sWUoAR5AenjvJtRfaIn7U-PnRL7SAcCAum0q3kNko7-V_IpGdxIPWoZIU316f4b2emifRubv0kR6tMSWqZGGloioIKsDqLCG1TotDHqA8/s5568/CoupleMoodEdit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAud1Ti22q2HP3Iw36gwvsZGZJTlJMpgCR_MJJwq1oObJ1TEvKexYZFcfGBaLVHTj85hwIluvXW73BdKhY8sWUoAR5AenjvJtRfaIn7U-PnRL7SAcCAum0q3kNko7-V_IpGdxIPWoZIU316f4b2emifRubv0kR6tMSWqZGGloioIKsDqLCG1TotDHqA8/w426-h640/CoupleMoodEdit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVkyZdon95CvNQJnq036Zp9HMhGxzuLnybTaKkWLywBWpa1h-3O7qrjGxJ54NcUE2kHKJbjguywiw12kiPjk8MyTdpwag-K_ZFMMEOMXNC5rdITU9ZBavTGk1DKcwkJSgnjsFVVMm-Y2TzOuMbSxtQs6db-UEy0HrmLK7DKZoxmgpmJYOXdSh28eu1mM/s5850/BoomBridal6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5850" data-original-width="3788" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVkyZdon95CvNQJnq036Zp9HMhGxzuLnybTaKkWLywBWpa1h-3O7qrjGxJ54NcUE2kHKJbjguywiw12kiPjk8MyTdpwag-K_ZFMMEOMXNC5rdITU9ZBavTGk1DKcwkJSgnjsFVVMm-Y2TzOuMbSxtQs6db-UEy0HrmLK7DKZoxmgpmJYOXdSh28eu1mM/w414-h640/BoomBridal6.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The keepsake bouquet above (yes we had two!) was made of felt and created by Boom Bridal. It deserves a close-up because Laura's first question to me upon joining the team was "Can I include lightning bolts?" Music to my ears. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITx76V6mAOuKISdBqGBjtZyJ3KJ4LeOeORCp1sPF7UYgaBtKcx4yUpmDrNG_2IKOYDIHUOnABbtc97_5e33tI2bRlbVm0y5afIy3ShSKIAG-yCol3nL7RiBx354E8uAF75Nzy7ySegc1QvC44DzjWGVjATAKRCgMNqufdKZs9dLaJg6Xzc-ZkZum51GE/s5568/BoomBridal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITx76V6mAOuKISdBqGBjtZyJ3KJ4LeOeORCp1sPF7UYgaBtKcx4yUpmDrNG_2IKOYDIHUOnABbtc97_5e33tI2bRlbVm0y5afIy3ShSKIAG-yCol3nL7RiBx354E8uAF75Nzy7ySegc1QvC44DzjWGVjATAKRCgMNqufdKZs9dLaJg6Xzc-ZkZum51GE/w400-h266/BoomBridal3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The pesky rain was never far away...</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6EupMEy55EZG2YhaefdgmIar_-2kgbWjVqmgx_vjQY8whV9HVHrrYWSe0akNrxu__ouuWZ6Xe7_rUwtq7CXuXJF1hRn3cs24wC0TjFwiVbPiyrme1ETidwLaIWAISn3cDjD8g9hQpNA-PW4dby-nzShlUUsfiBxzjkw5bekg5ancEspJ6foOkC6s4FQ/s5568/Brollies2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6EupMEy55EZG2YhaefdgmIar_-2kgbWjVqmgx_vjQY8whV9HVHrrYWSe0akNrxu__ouuWZ6Xe7_rUwtq7CXuXJF1hRn3cs24wC0TjFwiVbPiyrme1ETidwLaIWAISn3cDjD8g9hQpNA-PW4dby-nzShlUUsfiBxzjkw5bekg5ancEspJ6foOkC6s4FQ/w426-h640/Brollies2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoinNVpzMhjlLhvZh2UjuQvRCtwtBSrq0xA8Z7lHWVm8n1a6Fkd8ycVMmRk5MUPmYhh5KUJ1bnfrnFGWHj8bBcAR-XbVTI084nIICnXIw6y_FOVUFqEIW0Bl-WqTj1fGeW0ZhGWTXl7gaV4ugHJ9S9a4efT9l_bWYF8cAMajL7UwgctdT7c_bxrp8444/s5568/Brollies6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoinNVpzMhjlLhvZh2UjuQvRCtwtBSrq0xA8Z7lHWVm8n1a6Fkd8ycVMmRk5MUPmYhh5KUJ1bnfrnFGWHj8bBcAR-XbVTI084nIICnXIw6y_FOVUFqEIW0Bl-WqTj1fGeW0ZhGWTXl7gaV4ugHJ9S9a4efT9l_bWYF8cAMajL7UwgctdT7c_bxrp8444/w640-h426/Brollies6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHbUONbGVF-_QgH5MO-4R7j97rbY9-du9CFI5POui7xnNPMYQHSNt9BGKvqvoZbHSSfQzLFqjFnQREwNezZup_Ny5N0odLj1rh7ET_B9SNDOy6taMiHq2Ag8F_I9_G62kXaVh0nnvqOzGBphvS5xfXwJIwEewiqclwKKrtui_fF1xRJKA3225orTbJRw/s5568/BlueSmoke2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHbUONbGVF-_QgH5MO-4R7j97rbY9-du9CFI5POui7xnNPMYQHSNt9BGKvqvoZbHSSfQzLFqjFnQREwNezZup_Ny5N0odLj1rh7ET_B9SNDOy6taMiHq2Ag8F_I9_G62kXaVh0nnvqOzGBphvS5xfXwJIwEewiqclwKKrtui_fF1xRJKA3225orTbJRw/w640-h426/BlueSmoke2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa6m9h1Wyu_OffCxV2f-IemoNW6zpkZkbtOMPNwJ4MNcb7HUSzP_SHvmgpkUUC7fU0AQsnJuHT_mAfHQD6tcj7R9umXJ9SSEqL0-u68fSRmUJlhVs_gzNy0wst-ncg6S1jutwvHYhLQvg2o7VXZEBnmbJMwAgI_ui11MgbO-a2eoraYm1-bvOzJ_1nZ0/s5568/PostCeremony5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa6m9h1Wyu_OffCxV2f-IemoNW6zpkZkbtOMPNwJ4MNcb7HUSzP_SHvmgpkUUC7fU0AQsnJuHT_mAfHQD6tcj7R9umXJ9SSEqL0-u68fSRmUJlhVs_gzNy0wst-ncg6S1jutwvHYhLQvg2o7VXZEBnmbJMwAgI_ui11MgbO-a2eoraYm1-bvOzJ_1nZ0/w640-h426/PostCeremony5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7elJdJYXTMEk55OBQD60pDtveC1iE7S1VEpUPs21DlIbuGPQlPM_X6ZeAANYmYAX_WAkbm-ylsnDcTDqgO5v27dm98BZpSIY9qJZ6kZ0UUidPDdj5KQM1d9rYUXbUxHSsgd55bw3ElfaOE4SwM9lt7JG7j87SB_oAO8vaeOcWAizE5D3LuQK4XdgqRk/s5440/PostCeremonyDinky3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5440" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7elJdJYXTMEk55OBQD60pDtveC1iE7S1VEpUPs21DlIbuGPQlPM_X6ZeAANYmYAX_WAkbm-ylsnDcTDqgO5v27dm98BZpSIY9qJZ6kZ0UUidPDdj5KQM1d9rYUXbUxHSsgd55bw3ElfaOE4SwM9lt7JG7j87SB_oAO8vaeOcWAizE5D3LuQK4XdgqRk/w436-h640/PostCeremonyDinky3.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...so eventually, we headed back to the house and it was all change. Back to domesticity, dog walking and showing a glimpse of Niamh's gorgeous embroidered leather jacket. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">It was most unfortunate that this stunning jacket didn't get more exposure. Rain definitely impacted the shoot and the sleeves of the dress were too beautiful to cover up. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">I took pity on our male model and he was permitted to change back into his civvies.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTgCjHE5ty3vtmTXD9MKYn2T4f-vsmuDNKgPecEy9NsIcwDLY4Q2aMHdGGXmlKYbmRa4fVwSLf-VFr_sqchMLgglS64hHEOwsmbeczc8bYwjDNiWQJ_94Wx_rKPXIdvKE1YYhv2qsB5DFOOkjRfaHnhvTUDJ_FEJH3zjsIJS5SDChZWPGedUzfJO0Rhc/s6000/HouseDinky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTgCjHE5ty3vtmTXD9MKYn2T4f-vsmuDNKgPecEy9NsIcwDLY4Q2aMHdGGXmlKYbmRa4fVwSLf-VFr_sqchMLgglS64hHEOwsmbeczc8bYwjDNiWQJ_94Wx_rKPXIdvKE1YYhv2qsB5DFOOkjRfaHnhvTUDJ_FEJH3zjsIJS5SDChZWPGedUzfJO0Rhc/w640-h426/HouseDinky.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM22GF7iWwq0MNOORvEZnSaXLT60LlkokKlOVABbSsZp60bv3LyBcodr8EtqSiUKCVpYRnjy9EjGAkjmWgaLKA3SB9v02w06RgoQxPUYH__NzntR5E1m8vYFih5Hau_6r528EexuS6XL3cPyU3upftbfF1ePzAwa13K7tugD2CwhomxdkQaOOm8bTZVF8/s5295/GoingAway4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5295" data-original-width="3530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM22GF7iWwq0MNOORvEZnSaXLT60LlkokKlOVABbSsZp60bv3LyBcodr8EtqSiUKCVpYRnjy9EjGAkjmWgaLKA3SB9v02w06RgoQxPUYH__NzntR5E1m8vYFih5Hau_6r528EexuS6XL3cPyU3upftbfF1ePzAwa13K7tugD2CwhomxdkQaOOm8bTZVF8/w426-h640/GoingAway4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally, some low key "rock-star-at-home" photos.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv_bXHMbh_vqDmIoGaTaeAg1sAJVmL4sd9O9nPLVBBdFUTteKvlcwIbkX_bXm87gcxQ-B_meY2viPoxDkaFUh7uQzybAjEGideKW73dcj0MgHugaJiVb6p6KCUah7oS1o5Ev46Ash08CaCB8hWnLKAQWpHXEsqvrWHdfVork-vBNEcBybT76x1jTK3YM/s5755/LinzBright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5755" data-original-width="3911" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv_bXHMbh_vqDmIoGaTaeAg1sAJVmL4sd9O9nPLVBBdFUTteKvlcwIbkX_bXm87gcxQ-B_meY2viPoxDkaFUh7uQzybAjEGideKW73dcj0MgHugaJiVb6p6KCUah7oS1o5Ev46Ash08CaCB8hWnLKAQWpHXEsqvrWHdfVork-vBNEcBybT76x1jTK3YM/w434-h640/LinzBright.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5yA5i7_wngUWh9_1HAkpOFz-Iir0_TJFkiIX3b39Co10x5mDQ6lX8XM2PPSaYqYbK9HM1hGeWDQRMXLfEOisfccF3tCnNH8ft4GmEDMkCtnPYrbGhACc3zYhuFt1Y-6jq0hh5QU-0hFJJ2T_0_ddvonlb7XfGPkp2JldDBONR9jr-2_nGCjP7x9oMnA/s4208/Guitarserenade2crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="4208" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5yA5i7_wngUWh9_1HAkpOFz-Iir0_TJFkiIX3b39Co10x5mDQ6lX8XM2PPSaYqYbK9HM1hGeWDQRMXLfEOisfccF3tCnNH8ft4GmEDMkCtnPYrbGhACc3zYhuFt1Y-6jq0hh5QU-0hFJJ2T_0_ddvonlb7XfGPkp2JldDBONR9jr-2_nGCjP7x9oMnA/w640-h502/Guitarserenade2crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Shortly afterwards, this shoot was picked up by Your West Midlands Wedding magazine and finally made it into the October/November edition. You can read my brief editorial and see their feature here:-</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.county.wedding/image-upload/flippingbook/YWMW88/52/"><span style="font-family: courier;">Your West Midlands Wedding - October/November 2023 (Issue 88) (county.wedding)</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Thanks for reading!</span></div></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-33979421493099138702023-10-28T02:23:00.000-07:002023-10-28T02:23:02.891-07:00Love in Ruins<p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: large;">In the midst of fitful dreams, mysterious voices summoned me to the Priory ruins of Dudley. They were persistent...I felt compelled to obey their ghostly calling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">By the time I reached the Priory, it was daylight, but ominous clouds and an eerie silence - save for the low moaning wind caressing ancient stones - made me feel somewhat out of step with time. Should there be any question that the barrier between the spirit world and ours was weakening, just around a darkened corner, the sight of a windswept harpist upon her lofty perch, removed all doubt.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzuh_sCHDO4-k9FhkZR23HN6x3lFhlwjoYPevqn0oKJqxVS9SaZ38JLpU53LaSiKjQLqZqSC1I2YZD5JXJu4eRF2QYkq8hjGS0XnSDdvWAo7qZfz1vLU-DKqR0h7UwZ2dqa6Mo5ILpqbp5xqLDceZBa0xb2EBr96T_93MjOIJdvmQJh_wGDIEIWUnA7E/s5436/Photo8bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5436" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzuh_sCHDO4-k9FhkZR23HN6x3lFhlwjoYPevqn0oKJqxVS9SaZ38JLpU53LaSiKjQLqZqSC1I2YZD5JXJu4eRF2QYkq8hjGS0XnSDdvWAo7qZfz1vLU-DKqR0h7UwZ2dqa6Mo5ILpqbp5xqLDceZBa0xb2EBr96T_93MjOIJdvmQJh_wGDIEIWUnA7E/w640-h438/Photo8bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Ms Lewis-Freeman was watchful, beneath her blackened veil, in mourning for her lost love, but answering a time transcending calling from him.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVnDBjS4bsMrkXXgJ_jzwGydVRNS3-no7-HH6VgnkZl0SKkFkfW_UH0RuEhpyh3gd20Mpldk3FgoqPjPeqKbKT7ulYsk98S90SHoILkoX4O2W6Lu4pZ91bqx8S1o-MWbQ_EDJpmE1teuka1XD3i9Io-bK7AOUEba4asiI2VqabD6q5UsXtvv6LC31wpw/s5568/Photo12bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVnDBjS4bsMrkXXgJ_jzwGydVRNS3-no7-HH6VgnkZl0SKkFkfW_UH0RuEhpyh3gd20Mpldk3FgoqPjPeqKbKT7ulYsk98S90SHoILkoX4O2W6Lu4pZ91bqx8S1o-MWbQ_EDJpmE1teuka1XD3i9Io-bK7AOUEba4asiI2VqabD6q5UsXtvv6LC31wpw/w640-h426/Photo12bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">She felt his presence on the wind.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQj2ijL0xvEr0yeFlkt7TPPq5vKI_svRy6Ee8Olizp8Ha-iFZqLj4FTexJrhbwR6v7DgibvP7RJThr8Y6A0oANbpnFLTaiYCO485FeJTIq7KEKlnIILdHI4sf2-RLxB0aOS32AKpiSpAjO0F5HtzWbw4GyXJx4amqsNV3ko2JTIE6FLGoYts8MrHNg5c/s5568/Photo56bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQj2ijL0xvEr0yeFlkt7TPPq5vKI_svRy6Ee8Olizp8Ha-iFZqLj4FTexJrhbwR6v7DgibvP7RJThr8Y6A0oANbpnFLTaiYCO485FeJTIq7KEKlnIILdHI4sf2-RLxB0aOS32AKpiSpAjO0F5HtzWbw4GyXJx4amqsNV3ko2JTIE6FLGoYts8MrHNg5c/w426-h640/Photo56bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: large;">Noa, the harpist, too, sensed time and tide shifting; something was about to unfold.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t_LVjt7K7AlabM3To3qjSwJhlD3_UYGpDMyzJMQ-qzdF_C21vwJlvVAI5_ULi4qG7oUVRTx7mE2BNVD_qfd16d-oeRepNE5ghK4HD0EjNIMPc3n9baPj_CZmmUKET6WwJ79q1vTnULhzuT7vGLyzfXc4WbAwi-ePUWE0rBxqoyKB115CpDO4fBS6Yfc/s4648/GhostNoa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4648" data-original-width="3488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t_LVjt7K7AlabM3To3qjSwJhlD3_UYGpDMyzJMQ-qzdF_C21vwJlvVAI5_ULi4qG7oUVRTx7mE2BNVD_qfd16d-oeRepNE5ghK4HD0EjNIMPc3n9baPj_CZmmUKET6WwJ79q1vTnULhzuT7vGLyzfXc4WbAwi-ePUWE0rBxqoyKB115CpDO4fBS6Yfc/w480-h640/GhostNoa.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Some kind of energy crackled, like electricity, on the breeze.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYFBnc_WF-b6OBcDzdIv_dbpUDkj6GbpoTiWglDdnCIkUONQhzwKAsxQpP8sLvPYHiYFYaZ8A0APJGR1ouKXxtvGK5aurPGF2hVfAS1jaoQ3Bti9PJur1EwCFRbbI57NVMa46XG13IfQjhxZfEkrhtGxWd-YVKQlO4qYr0LepJrzj-RTF4-zpPw3F2Sc/s5080/Photo5bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5080" data-original-width="3382" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYFBnc_WF-b6OBcDzdIv_dbpUDkj6GbpoTiWglDdnCIkUONQhzwKAsxQpP8sLvPYHiYFYaZ8A0APJGR1ouKXxtvGK5aurPGF2hVfAS1jaoQ3Bti9PJur1EwCFRbbI57NVMa46XG13IfQjhxZfEkrhtGxWd-YVKQlO4qYr0LepJrzj-RTF4-zpPw3F2Sc/w426-h640/Photo5bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Ms Lewis-Freeman began to walk through the ruins, where several lifetimes before, she had confided her love for the elusive Mr Moore. She searched high...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfOqsutQZCXo1LYy21NVmCUF4Xj_F3Purt2zLZ6_Xd80ZAtAGsQ55uRSb8jvhz68tZBYTZIZMMoOSRcSl6mXVVsqJuozs7Qma-txK4L_SHmyfGpAtOlU_XHCaP_zdyJlEaGwruYuEP_s8S9gBxADbPJlqThwXGKLMI_pXMar2I5ByBR736seg87luTlY/s5418/Photo4bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5418" data-original-width="3612" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfOqsutQZCXo1LYy21NVmCUF4Xj_F3Purt2zLZ6_Xd80ZAtAGsQ55uRSb8jvhz68tZBYTZIZMMoOSRcSl6mXVVsqJuozs7Qma-txK4L_SHmyfGpAtOlU_XHCaP_zdyJlEaGwruYuEP_s8S9gBxADbPJlqThwXGKLMI_pXMar2I5ByBR736seg87luTlY/w426-h640/Photo4bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">....and low.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWVAt9p5ISI3yq83r7LeDzLuW5LsDgtRk8GMzW1HC5mB4Rei5-j3jwqLXOVJklPtyHEWqRVgLPAeh4HeGRRXpFYHpA8thyphenhyphenVJNuVWcWWaeALJSl0l9l3Gf4jFZPzybyGk3CxRYxDIwf8X8P_kIoXeeklTqwlstLdk3qweDhBaqroyrf8xNv1zkPE68aTY/s5568/Photo2bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWVAt9p5ISI3yq83r7LeDzLuW5LsDgtRk8GMzW1HC5mB4Rei5-j3jwqLXOVJklPtyHEWqRVgLPAeh4HeGRRXpFYHpA8thyphenhyphenVJNuVWcWWaeALJSl0l9l3Gf4jFZPzybyGk3CxRYxDIwf8X8P_kIoXeeklTqwlstLdk3qweDhBaqroyrf8xNv1zkPE68aTY/w640-h426/Photo2bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Noa, initially fearful of the strange forces that had conspired to bring her here, hid her own face behind a veil.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWs7tYFoxTj2NHUxis9iq4Bi2F5KcudXgvFcSLBfo2Yfl0noJEWXbjWeqzzwCHAqQSnTWHUd6anyFmAuU5yTxpXeAKhtFahiVgPpsz4AF12Uj66D8_fsv354zZERPWluBziMInU1qgwfhPa4Su7k1h9pAEoSM0M_lhTxucx2Bf93gWfpx1jJDBFXU1M0/s5568/Photo15bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWs7tYFoxTj2NHUxis9iq4Bi2F5KcudXgvFcSLBfo2Yfl0noJEWXbjWeqzzwCHAqQSnTWHUd6anyFmAuU5yTxpXeAKhtFahiVgPpsz4AF12Uj66D8_fsv354zZERPWluBziMInU1qgwfhPa4Su7k1h9pAEoSM0M_lhTxucx2Bf93gWfpx1jJDBFXU1M0/w640-h426/Photo15bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE1KRplghdb4961bUM6ZE0VgTJ63-bq10MAQ7fFW9HGhlrq5-eaBCm6jrnbm3qBEFtiQV9_j74YZztOeaaLLnwmq32DzZDdg4hDm212SlxWh3eDu0r5E_E-hfAkQgDFallYinmcFUP3YH2L_M9A8pnXZZjBumWJocmV-73pHX59V_f0lahK5-gqhyphenhyphenFwk/s5568/Photo9Art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzOdDU8Y-Pfx_mu_GY6i_c-EMRwW_A-fJJD6irvBu1WID4GKgwB5uvv2odZAWgUvimx9F5P_Z0Rh7x2udflC6UAVJFPPdOVI-lAuta5W63LM4lo0VvdzMtCQXe_nhx-Wa08peNJJdAR-cBuIbNb6nXy7qPnekXkfoVdCbQJNpBv5Joq8OTwuTWqx5AsY/s5568/Photo13bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzOdDU8Y-Pfx_mu_GY6i_c-EMRwW_A-fJJD6irvBu1WID4GKgwB5uvv2odZAWgUvimx9F5P_Z0Rh7x2udflC6UAVJFPPdOVI-lAuta5W63LM4lo0VvdzMtCQXe_nhx-Wa08peNJJdAR-cBuIbNb6nXy7qPnekXkfoVdCbQJNpBv5Joq8OTwuTWqx5AsY/w640-h426/Photo13bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Whist Miss Lewis-Freeman and Noa joined forces to find the former's lost love...I encountered a pale stranger, seated on the old garden bench. I walked alone, back towards the ruins. I swear the stranger had remained seated...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzx5Klhqkl5IrNty-Ee82IoLjP1xEh64xlO4Ifc_USOzmJzCSVnPaqK5VOK-mCqizTaYTp8couPPZ7OvNsh1RdrKGtNKiF_N4Qzu3n0w9IlJcjcBecm-1KG9VaF9nPijL9i7whDAPahQxLF7FHao_IFXcEdQPZj0jCDsDRRWrJLQ2JJN9srTsbA0y88qo/s5568/Photo75.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzx5Klhqkl5IrNty-Ee82IoLjP1xEh64xlO4Ifc_USOzmJzCSVnPaqK5VOK-mCqizTaYTp8couPPZ7OvNsh1RdrKGtNKiF_N4Qzu3n0w9IlJcjcBecm-1KG9VaF9nPijL9i7whDAPahQxLF7FHao_IFXcEdQPZj0jCDsDRRWrJLQ2JJN9srTsbA0y88qo/w640-h426/Photo75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">...but suddenly, he was there in front of me again. I confess I was startled. But then, a momentary distraction - the calling of a crow - and I found myself alone once more.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZTP2_RROov84XpqNApoNNsUPctYCIyYc6Q14eF2Vri_Lkn-vI-izrV6p_Ia0IQ5vpA62sL7qBHYhk6RMpmUy_b4Z5N-aZbAFQjDI6GvoqYOpqaZCTabS2zAPhHFUqMOQxnzci3Q9YBqUIy0UK46tB_7IK-Oh1C9uHEEGA4NrpPxedHBDlsaXB8Ws0nQ/s5568/Photo17bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZTP2_RROov84XpqNApoNNsUPctYCIyYc6Q14eF2Vri_Lkn-vI-izrV6p_Ia0IQ5vpA62sL7qBHYhk6RMpmUy_b4Z5N-aZbAFQjDI6GvoqYOpqaZCTabS2zAPhHFUqMOQxnzci3Q9YBqUIy0UK46tB_7IK-Oh1C9uHEEGA4NrpPxedHBDlsaXB8Ws0nQ/w640-h426/Photo17bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">At once, the music started...mesmerising, like a siren's call.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF_uhqZe5Ek_UIqAKnPUtL-UhcjfA0PQD1ezCLNYKSMrtqKPQr3Kmeu9J7FNZj0w8iAkyJ3U2wGti7zzteLdqMLXaeE7wZhLHIHdIT7LSTd1fhjK9Km3gLrrWWZbD5mYdkElHo2098fFlmna6Yq6JJO_7IWn7DpTZ3SEykgtjhBLveWlefTJ-vZSdBKc/s5568/Photo19bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF_uhqZe5Ek_UIqAKnPUtL-UhcjfA0PQD1ezCLNYKSMrtqKPQr3Kmeu9J7FNZj0w8iAkyJ3U2wGti7zzteLdqMLXaeE7wZhLHIHdIT7LSTd1fhjK9Km3gLrrWWZbD5mYdkElHo2098fFlmna6Yq6JJO_7IWn7DpTZ3SEykgtjhBLveWlefTJ-vZSdBKc/w426-h640/Photo19bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Could it be? </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsfFq1NP-BpQ5QoFHiFO8feoDoiiFCmEzMJq6lVx952zS8wjy2hUIyhWnNE9pbkfOACK7T2JCVkSt1ftoVZDfinr22UsnthlnMfEpn5lQjEAKe23uAyxBrbFRcFe-NYNjZnaDx0PTuxBeQTZYfyjLvtYAnvpnBLx8jiNWG2DAKC7Gq5_SmFrjCQzz8B0/s5568/Photo31bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsfFq1NP-BpQ5QoFHiFO8feoDoiiFCmEzMJq6lVx952zS8wjy2hUIyhWnNE9pbkfOACK7T2JCVkSt1ftoVZDfinr22UsnthlnMfEpn5lQjEAKe23uAyxBrbFRcFe-NYNjZnaDx0PTuxBeQTZYfyjLvtYAnvpnBLx8jiNWG2DAKC7Gq5_SmFrjCQzz8B0/w426-h640/Photo31bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Dancing Script"; font-size: large;">Could it really be?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyDSJvtKfN0YxKN0hYemHqN3fgbwLnV0YRMzseheC_Y3ZDm3jlEMLPiPsDmyaOBGAGm4Zqn4FK_guLXNLIhyH0thUmU6Ob5vDDNKat5cBxEFZbPr8Y4GGdBpYKVIxy9_ASNPJ4XKqAL1XT8eEuyTioC4ehLTrHildxQylLHxJ5rCDlvn97fRj2Jv_OP8/s5568/Photo33bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyDSJvtKfN0YxKN0hYemHqN3fgbwLnV0YRMzseheC_Y3ZDm3jlEMLPiPsDmyaOBGAGm4Zqn4FK_guLXNLIhyH0thUmU6Ob5vDDNKat5cBxEFZbPr8Y4GGdBpYKVIxy9_ASNPJ4XKqAL1XT8eEuyTioC4ehLTrHildxQylLHxJ5rCDlvn97fRj2Jv_OP8/w426-h640/Photo33bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBRN8eotRKWl8lSo8QIC6lzGxiIk_iJ7yBIhLdH6f2emnEk42huJyHIysh_zphPIGkdmxQ2WU3BBrRteeleamJVbDncGaFmYqTVKiVzQAoP0EPuMKV9nR_T8kzOnhrOtBjO9LWYG2KmRFe2P8uVitPvxWH4FLbHq1snIWSolXorhdx0TUcajD49rh47k/s5568/Photo42bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBRN8eotRKWl8lSo8QIC6lzGxiIk_iJ7yBIhLdH6f2emnEk42huJyHIysh_zphPIGkdmxQ2WU3BBrRteeleamJVbDncGaFmYqTVKiVzQAoP0EPuMKV9nR_T8kzOnhrOtBjO9LWYG2KmRFe2P8uVitPvxWH4FLbHq1snIWSolXorhdx0TUcajD49rh47k/w426-h640/Photo42bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Together at last...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakLxrEAxlurLL5eJVzGPHa9HrFv0O5XShDkBAQ78cpN1ph_xdCg_lxYlhCfqbaTjCY06tGhJ_FeJVgXJod4AbKZOnFz8mMEtzXMQjv_Ii5c8wD0PXKiAkkWJ8GYz7Rb3m-1q7EzIohJKQC25sIEMPhoc8nZY46SuxMkhSvwk-XSstz4izEB-g-WSo2RU/s5568/Photo30bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakLxrEAxlurLL5eJVzGPHa9HrFv0O5XShDkBAQ78cpN1ph_xdCg_lxYlhCfqbaTjCY06tGhJ_FeJVgXJod4AbKZOnFz8mMEtzXMQjv_Ii5c8wD0PXKiAkkWJ8GYz7Rb3m-1q7EzIohJKQC25sIEMPhoc8nZY46SuxMkhSvwk-XSstz4izEB-g-WSo2RU/w640-h426/Photo30bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">...they fed off each other...both for sustenance and in an ungodly act of vampiric intimacy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuoS9ReAN5qhknilG4pJ4abZj0wP4z5Q_ByEg_QIs0EXUUznmw7zzkyLT9dNqUL2aBLXWhleF5VzxsTNgHKp999r2W8Fj6pmeoPGPQZpLaBEReJ8QaeUbr884ZCHkwLMVRVt93NoPoDWCoseyMF0i_13wVPXxvhlPhv70j5Iw68pNMFYBFcnS10WUA-E/s2508/Photo44bwcrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="1851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuoS9ReAN5qhknilG4pJ4abZj0wP4z5Q_ByEg_QIs0EXUUznmw7zzkyLT9dNqUL2aBLXWhleF5VzxsTNgHKp999r2W8Fj6pmeoPGPQZpLaBEReJ8QaeUbr884ZCHkwLMVRVt93NoPoDWCoseyMF0i_13wVPXxvhlPhv70j5Iw68pNMFYBFcnS10WUA-E/w472-h640/Photo44bwcrop.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjUnjvvehqj7_Yc0e-e0cjkTI5sBpRQ8dDf3vr3aw1aIojFEdT8rExtSMKS2g5yxuy6tVCv06Mp4FCQ0fGIv6g3rWSCjVvAe5hToMm2iGf3QF2AobV2H9Oh2C6oydGbS7F1MfPo3FDiqvzK8GLceQ_mUppdv526wJcX3Z1HP6GgZ_P8dOc8B-TZEeS6g/s5568/Photo25bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjUnjvvehqj7_Yc0e-e0cjkTI5sBpRQ8dDf3vr3aw1aIojFEdT8rExtSMKS2g5yxuy6tVCv06Mp4FCQ0fGIv6g3rWSCjVvAe5hToMm2iGf3QF2AobV2H9Oh2C6oydGbS7F1MfPo3FDiqvzK8GLceQ_mUppdv526wJcX3Z1HP6GgZ_P8dOc8B-TZEeS6g/w426-h640/Photo25bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">They roamed and reminisced like the old acquaintances they were... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4CPMkcl-Wy4H4Hgi2vb2na3CXuC4sTrchzgGR8hsZO9wRH-73wq3E_6rmE6oq4dBs4u5B-mO6YGzkkOxvzIMfFb8wwcRkl3o5OkNtlv6calVv5t0OMt20lnQ40NQCRHfpoLW4a3_xxxUicJVXy3cxZYFFDhfSU9kJRQ1mlHXV89ka5toXuKNAXPScUc/s5228/Photo1bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3494" data-original-width="5228" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4CPMkcl-Wy4H4Hgi2vb2na3CXuC4sTrchzgGR8hsZO9wRH-73wq3E_6rmE6oq4dBs4u5B-mO6YGzkkOxvzIMfFb8wwcRkl3o5OkNtlv6calVv5t0OMt20lnQ40NQCRHfpoLW4a3_xxxUicJVXy3cxZYFFDhfSU9kJRQ1mlHXV89ka5toXuKNAXPScUc/w640-h428/Photo1bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">...entertained and bewitched by Noa's playing.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoBJST_fvq037UoBGYEklhUcaF8RrcjuEpULkQLthfT63hO9qdkKKtNv0VZFPlKyWhkCcsTsdOqaFPYJDztL4jow1PAFwm9Yu691t2E5bdAJ4oM5eldGPhVFiaSkQ7R9m7Rt-NKyFk1TN4vfgBsWXPS8MvnlxMh_1_rgt8E__MqDeHkcz7NxGjKggCQg/s5472/Photo59bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoBJST_fvq037UoBGYEklhUcaF8RrcjuEpULkQLthfT63hO9qdkKKtNv0VZFPlKyWhkCcsTsdOqaFPYJDztL4jow1PAFwm9Yu691t2E5bdAJ4oM5eldGPhVFiaSkQ7R9m7Rt-NKyFk1TN4vfgBsWXPS8MvnlxMh_1_rgt8E__MqDeHkcz7NxGjKggCQg/w420-h640/Photo59bw.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXinq46XuHFHEiJYLj0j7V2ucUeETxeieO0hBH8hUmJ7hg_UnBzPm1lqAmlR_yoUMOiyiAn5e6bsI7wPCRYB3Fu44e4yA5su9cmrmvndpeMkVRQlJPXyGuVtTl5fxJU1ILnqangHVyTQLS_um460yuEjpXQdscOEoafez-3kPWgyEKsZAXwaoagk1QCQ/s5568/Photo50bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXinq46XuHFHEiJYLj0j7V2ucUeETxeieO0hBH8hUmJ7hg_UnBzPm1lqAmlR_yoUMOiyiAn5e6bsI7wPCRYB3Fu44e4yA5su9cmrmvndpeMkVRQlJPXyGuVtTl5fxJU1ILnqangHVyTQLS_um460yuEjpXQdscOEoafez-3kPWgyEKsZAXwaoagk1QCQ/w426-h640/Photo50bw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">Immortality requires endless patience. Noa observed from a distance. She now had a better understanding of her otherworldliness and the complicated feelings created by eons of solitude. She had found her kind. The undead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8f6hSbYkC2ytuDhaNNibBiG737vFJVMZcR1sEaJydV6cDUuJC2pBhl9skDWpK_maeprJQC4M1L4lp1jao2rrzhUjWOxfgYsQ_fQMC_ZOhovr93BKGNaVyPibZ5pKrfHGqowEN4M0yuB7rbGheYJn1UbA8wFtuS84zsLP5BjnrzV87_vw5qmoo2lCt3U/s5568/Photo74bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8f6hSbYkC2ytuDhaNNibBiG737vFJVMZcR1sEaJydV6cDUuJC2pBhl9skDWpK_maeprJQC4M1L4lp1jao2rrzhUjWOxfgYsQ_fQMC_ZOhovr93BKGNaVyPibZ5pKrfHGqowEN4M0yuB7rbGheYJn1UbA8wFtuS84zsLP5BjnrzV87_vw5qmoo2lCt3U/w640-h426/Photo74bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky_fchxOO-QpAW9dg5MDQf_gTbXoLyWhu-TD_wElncttoy9qxIDC5fqcUkNsHgrJaXkcskojxArqSgczsGvXZ7_7kl47omgp4qJtXqblzatBjDDcc-BzMBm13aka9xL-IoXNdN86GCQRReAaYimiJ8I2ne9Ks2czM46LphuamEx_qFIlAy3WXVBc1RJc/s5568/Photo68bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky_fchxOO-QpAW9dg5MDQf_gTbXoLyWhu-TD_wElncttoy9qxIDC5fqcUkNsHgrJaXkcskojxArqSgczsGvXZ7_7kl47omgp4qJtXqblzatBjDDcc-BzMBm13aka9xL-IoXNdN86GCQRReAaYimiJ8I2ne9Ks2czM46LphuamEx_qFIlAy3WXVBc1RJc/w640-h426/Photo68bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;">And so the music played on...and nothing else mattered.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf9d4MV6wtah0gUr4u7sOq-G0rTx6kQbVKz11JINfVBVHMpeFR7YickjbV6oQtNh-P1EeUByi-e5PzvwdiEJNuwmi_ufgFNr5X_YG7BNjQEvyeXdTBlA4-zo281i-89rs5V8KAQFGQ6CTFoGiaCUHmAFNnFicnLs7ZVc2gyOcWlqq8KKOUnijGYF5NZ0/s5370/Photo13Art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5370" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf9d4MV6wtah0gUr4u7sOq-G0rTx6kQbVKz11JINfVBVHMpeFR7YickjbV6oQtNh-P1EeUByi-e5PzvwdiEJNuwmi_ufgFNr5X_YG7BNjQEvyeXdTBlA4-zo281i-89rs5V8KAQFGQ6CTFoGiaCUHmAFNnFicnLs7ZVc2gyOcWlqq8KKOUnijGYF5NZ0/w640-h426/Photo13Art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@winter_peach_photography/video/7294935158061288737">Winter Peach Photography (@winter_peach_photography) | TikTok</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: medium;">THE END</span></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">And back to reality! These photos are the result of a Steampunk elopement shoot I had originally planned for a late September Sunday at a different location. Forced to postpone due to the abysmal weather forecast, those of us located closest to each other, namely Sonia, the make-up arist, (Sensual Passions), Noa Harpist and Tracey and Kevin, major players on the Steampunk scene (and all round good eggs), were keen to risk it. We hurriedly hatched our plan B, a Spooky Season photo shoot amongst the atmospheric Priory ruins in Dudley. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In spite of the deliberately dour expressions, we all had a blast and attracted a fair bit of attention on the day. Numerous people stopped us to ask us about the shoot or requesting photos.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcgaDb4JXh1SlkyYWLvlRDpUBiA51c2-2IFOvlsETpQLpcabGvnTtKat3_ZhM7XYEPnqyxz-8uRxvMft44ZGIJFJ5cg9zIgzdn0FNuMhthByEG4pdGK9v5hc5RmTGV0bjgaOsIJqRV9kni0CqEKdxj4OiSZsL8cxcaWnERuocldDwzmYwbn_fKxhM0yk/s5496/Photo63.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5496" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcgaDb4JXh1SlkyYWLvlRDpUBiA51c2-2IFOvlsETpQLpcabGvnTtKat3_ZhM7XYEPnqyxz-8uRxvMft44ZGIJFJ5cg9zIgzdn0FNuMhthByEG4pdGK9v5hc5RmTGV0bjgaOsIJqRV9kni0CqEKdxj4OiSZsL8cxcaWnERuocldDwzmYwbn_fKxhM0yk/w400-h260/Photo63.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The hours passed quickly and the whole team brought their A game. It's not every day you get to hang out with Dracula and his missus to the heavenly sound of harp music. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Because my skills don't stretch to fading out a soundtrack and overlaying an alternative audio track, I'm sharing a clip here of Noa playing the Metallica classic. Isn't she great?</span></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@winter_peach_photography/video/7293835828504071456">Winter Peach Photography (@winter_peach_photography) | TikTok</a></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Thanks to all involved for making a miserable Sunday so memorable! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRgwKpwavHOieJtvQad5uozNMynlZYxyPf18NQKKsJwhkYZCmZMyFb-fJ2zJRqkG6Wn_w2bEniv_FGhGeRBV6ndUklsIQUW4TASamjLUxYz-RfR7JIU7TXEybeFj7GbU05Q7SKSjbLc87_2jsrppe_kGMcWdpwo8oIzFEM3548jRGul9YBwOyKEMlnJY/s1092/TheGang.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRgwKpwavHOieJtvQad5uozNMynlZYxyPf18NQKKsJwhkYZCmZMyFb-fJ2zJRqkG6Wn_w2bEniv_FGhGeRBV6ndUklsIQUW4TASamjLUxYz-RfR7JIU7TXEybeFj7GbU05Q7SKSjbLc87_2jsrppe_kGMcWdpwo8oIzFEM3548jRGul9YBwOyKEMlnJY/w375-h400/TheGang.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-21534696800196319302023-10-21T05:38:00.001-07:002023-10-21T05:38:29.325-07:00Rubber Soul and Blisters; A Trip to Liverpool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcIHKm7-oyG5n2ghO81aWibC8nEudodCxzcCaY5Xlu61YshM9nk-io72joNm6Xnk3a1f7N293g-QB35pQt4MIQnCBfr59_rVpNVXD5o1ws96clVMjKduu4E42_az8Gf6nOuAr0-iMGIwhFHFvqSQTmu444mwpaKGg7GkAJAhTNDwrqKHy1T4IRW0Fma4/s5568/Photo68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcIHKm7-oyG5n2ghO81aWibC8nEudodCxzcCaY5Xlu61YshM9nk-io72joNm6Xnk3a1f7N293g-QB35pQt4MIQnCBfr59_rVpNVXD5o1ws96clVMjKduu4E42_az8Gf6nOuAr0-iMGIwhFHFvqSQTmu444mwpaKGg7GkAJAhTNDwrqKHy1T4IRW0Fma4/w640-h426/Photo68.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We're back after a heady few days in Liverpool. To my shame, I've only been to Liverpool once before, some years ago. We went as day trippers with our respective parents, saw the Liver birds, took a ferry across the Mersey and visited the Maritime Museum. We were quite possibly hung over. It was a day out, but somehow didn't really leave a lasting impression. How wrong was I? After three days in this friendly, vibrant and stunning city, I can honestly say I've fallen under its spell. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I have something to share for my Halloween post, so this post will be photo heavy and feature the highlights of our city break. I am painfully aware that despite walking everywhere (no open top bus tours for us), we only scratched the surface!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The forecast wasn't great, but Liverpool defied expectations and we were treated to wall to wall sunshine, although we did have to permanently battle quite a bracing wind. Thank goodness for my hat! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYdfh8gLW4gYxgFt5uH0Fu7Gi3g7ZpPkP9F2qTq5K_TwK-2Lr8BR-fOQQgFqa5-SEvtV1ZcJ-W5gmlUqEZ-bbg1JVxZj8c3s8OIxZQKTfTpC4O6wyn-NlCPUPewpEMQ7pYzqUbBprbxWLs6YF0XPD2ILAkUZo4DMem9T2xNjYMhWxjwrqfacZlgHNtb4/s5407/Photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3569" data-original-width="5407" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYdfh8gLW4gYxgFt5uH0Fu7Gi3g7ZpPkP9F2qTq5K_TwK-2Lr8BR-fOQQgFqa5-SEvtV1ZcJ-W5gmlUqEZ-bbg1JVxZj8c3s8OIxZQKTfTpC4O6wyn-NlCPUPewpEMQ7pYzqUbBprbxWLs6YF0XPD2ILAkUZo4DMem9T2xNjYMhWxjwrqfacZlgHNtb4/w640-h422/Photo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The sun setting on the first evening lined the pavements with gold.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The mythical Liver birds (5.5 m high) perch protectively, if precariously, on the Grade I listed Liver Building (opened in 1911). Legend has it that the birds protect both the city and the sailors coming in to port. If the birds take off, Liverpool will cease to exist!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkVK5zKHCXlHzFBnMrEt0HgVx_GKJaDSbLwVScdV6uhXfoYFKefMWYzCArtg2NJPtkUk4opadupbUTeRP7mos4P19QgcH6szI_AbMj036ZNTAnetwvPz428-7mnJKHtSJJdw7iHJVuf-BB9TEHMKN469W_kQPEsXEPOGChSmxdphtEs-qo581Vk6v9NM/s5568/Photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5568" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkVK5zKHCXlHzFBnMrEt0HgVx_GKJaDSbLwVScdV6uhXfoYFKefMWYzCArtg2NJPtkUk4opadupbUTeRP7mos4P19QgcH6szI_AbMj036ZNTAnetwvPz428-7mnJKHtSJJdw7iHJVuf-BB9TEHMKN469W_kQPEsXEPOGChSmxdphtEs-qo581Vk6v9NM/w640-h420/Photo6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGfceeER5oZwg7OApQbJC6cUWcXSVJGOYIwrBGTYbIMsb8DZAwhY9HoCW-ZaPWYkFk9wbHGEQcS2_jYhMwGwU7yHSswpgOBzQu6O6_3TiCTcbB-Omtlw_2BSGE3o5f6EILIvXBIDBUW31e5_jwtaDXEhbboGTmmirr2Qe5ywYEvyiVLRB6TRhyGbXxKc/s5199/Photo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5199" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGfceeER5oZwg7OApQbJC6cUWcXSVJGOYIwrBGTYbIMsb8DZAwhY9HoCW-ZaPWYkFk9wbHGEQcS2_jYhMwGwU7yHSswpgOBzQu6O6_3TiCTcbB-Omtlw_2BSGE3o5f6EILIvXBIDBUW31e5_jwtaDXEhbboGTmmirr2Qe5ywYEvyiVLRB6TRhyGbXxKc/w640-h436/Photo7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Close to the ferry port, we encountered these lads. Something tells me they are quite a big deal in this city. We kept bumping into them during our stay. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Unsurprisingly, the first music to hit our ears upon arrival, was a busker playing a Beatles song just a stone's throw away from these statues.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43rKBYYCm3Nsxc8-QpjoQwot9-Hy7LH96qjWtCBALDStHeNJ1_hXNDBKQVvBazA4oPwOIpefh1SHZG6Vp0LtQS5ZEPh2-49783TsI5jo2Fbd7smvtJ5HcPIy-tNQVi1FMdAfhhjjIQbiBrWnMbhQIV4j0Cc0x1MXPi0VmXDx2-uI6cPhzW-NuhhFyGGs/s5388/BeatlesBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5388" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43rKBYYCm3Nsxc8-QpjoQwot9-Hy7LH96qjWtCBALDStHeNJ1_hXNDBKQVvBazA4oPwOIpefh1SHZG6Vp0LtQS5ZEPh2-49783TsI5jo2Fbd7smvtJ5HcPIy-tNQVi1FMdAfhhjjIQbiBrWnMbhQIV4j0Cc0x1MXPi0VmXDx2-uI6cPhzW-NuhhFyGGs/w640-h440/BeatlesBW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Our apartment was a minute's walk from the Cavern Quarter; a colourful area dedicated to the city's musical heritage and crammed with music venues, pubs and clubs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsXelp6WdAUxoGPprU3f-1S4jvZnZ64wR2l4hboNqlW55Anc7a8ecDEKhprqVlEcuMiCU-6maXRujoJxNB9Z6kXpxblJmFyKbBj6Je0QbPb6jrGPQS0WcfmTsbXc_xNykD-0JgAki9k7I0nIV58Sg_kSoAD_euf1UDz0c4_Li_v9oEA6K_JmKvsohUyk/s5103/Photo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5103" data-original-width="3375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsXelp6WdAUxoGPprU3f-1S4jvZnZ64wR2l4hboNqlW55Anc7a8ecDEKhprqVlEcuMiCU-6maXRujoJxNB9Z6kXpxblJmFyKbBj6Je0QbPb6jrGPQS0WcfmTsbXc_xNykD-0JgAki9k7I0nIV58Sg_kSoAD_euf1UDz0c4_Li_v9oEA6K_JmKvsohUyk/w424-h640/Photo10.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSA4ucTx1giX1XqnGHQSsNgxZtsHZiJxIJ22YUcBRZGuyiGgFnClnQgBnGkblA9ZzbsPW45vhUigw4La2jPw8oibvvgVfT352pYn_bRKCcKLTlOSN0F1Hx9qlD97tuavb1ncwPbCRRXDj4EAQrk4sC6i-E7xiRuwIaYH5eh7rJOJa4xYXCAVYQqMkXpc/s5448/Photo69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5448" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSA4ucTx1giX1XqnGHQSsNgxZtsHZiJxIJ22YUcBRZGuyiGgFnClnQgBnGkblA9ZzbsPW45vhUigw4La2jPw8oibvvgVfT352pYn_bRKCcKLTlOSN0F1Hx9qlD97tuavb1ncwPbCRRXDj4EAQrk4sC6i-E7xiRuwIaYH5eh7rJOJa4xYXCAVYQqMkXpc/w640-h436/Photo69.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesgMJ2gIZX-7JBkYgGo4OjuL3tH0RmhLUdY88bGrH-fKRe5Vkn1St2PS1ViN_8I6EwkVc0X7MvnKqblbLy442MENt8wUM5jQtxow-TFQAjofiJx5s3x_TZf0dIXTkJDoXKi0JKcislPDMEPNO6QiDXrQsZ-3qvJVuIIh9v-wMRbMtywcM-4-WbsNLAh0/s5052/Photo16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5052" data-original-width="3405" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesgMJ2gIZX-7JBkYgGo4OjuL3tH0RmhLUdY88bGrH-fKRe5Vkn1St2PS1ViN_8I6EwkVc0X7MvnKqblbLy442MENt8wUM5jQtxow-TFQAjofiJx5s3x_TZf0dIXTkJDoXKi0JKcislPDMEPNO6QiDXrQsZ-3qvJVuIIh9v-wMRbMtywcM-4-WbsNLAh0/w270-h400/Photo16.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEL1pcrkhqbwU8xSqNqvA_S0eEb8mqYRqlIVH5lD6U6a8_QFoUpMGVujT74rlcmTUXZcpZSfww2xXt672IgeatHkyLz3f6abwXAOJTIrGdnV_U4yLd6e8hahPe-y8LGdq21G1B8ZOVcnSQUkLDjx5E7y1OuegyjstnEErNkDkAlyq4RQB8L4sADn6stY/s5424/Photo18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5424" data-original-width="3328" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEL1pcrkhqbwU8xSqNqvA_S0eEb8mqYRqlIVH5lD6U6a8_QFoUpMGVujT74rlcmTUXZcpZSfww2xXt672IgeatHkyLz3f6abwXAOJTIrGdnV_U4yLd6e8hahPe-y8LGdq21G1B8ZOVcnSQUkLDjx5E7y1OuegyjstnEErNkDkAlyq4RQB8L4sADn6stY/w392-h640/Photo18.jpg" width="392" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Fab Four would pop into The Grapes for a pre-gig pint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvI_xKEHiEsZaKsk55kxyk94QxL0VHlmII8Wq_-MXYmwUZZQ-UMABHiHckSoNKeqdVsndRE-w9nYT5RmWbux4Ugqty1eFq-R42RZEy8xM5ZcHSxG6s07xnW_peOvU4CRawz6pJLx9jYdCZVxoBadWSkaJuRMaOtOTaLmdH8_siWfwWGiOAi6UIujzhN0/s5352/Photo67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5352" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvI_xKEHiEsZaKsk55kxyk94QxL0VHlmII8Wq_-MXYmwUZZQ-UMABHiHckSoNKeqdVsndRE-w9nYT5RmWbux4Ugqty1eFq-R42RZEy8xM5ZcHSxG6s07xnW_peOvU4CRawz6pJLx9jYdCZVxoBadWSkaJuRMaOtOTaLmdH8_siWfwWGiOAi6UIujzhN0/w640-h424/Photo67.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As a major port of the British Empire, Liverpool encompasses a variety of different architectural styles from the past 300 years and taking to the city streets I learned two things:- </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">1. The different eras seamlessly merge together; the architectural delights of one century often reflected in examples from the next.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0OJiZKW9HKdPGaK0C1K8SaDF38pzHBRh3RsvMvNRNXFNC5-n7g7VTIdG4-FXJO22x_w2RsX2hQYIq-KP1jiHQLmrPNwzntXSz0i6Ti5J8EfK_8S6rhT4c6PAHlIaeUVUQJWJMBO6-A1MNpaRVpLesw5QcHEEINR0yCu7Mxg4qylBzTmW_0ToD-MPMbY/s5424/Photo23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5424" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0OJiZKW9HKdPGaK0C1K8SaDF38pzHBRh3RsvMvNRNXFNC5-n7g7VTIdG4-FXJO22x_w2RsX2hQYIq-KP1jiHQLmrPNwzntXSz0i6Ti5J8EfK_8S6rhT4c6PAHlIaeUVUQJWJMBO6-A1MNpaRVpLesw5QcHEEINR0yCu7Mxg4qylBzTmW_0ToD-MPMbY/w640-h422/Photo23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudgOuN736SWme8xdm0Z-8TofUcPS2krUHwtO4WYaMzyIfM8XQvawbBGE23T5BmQMDRh02veRpnxlDyYMlgmj83Yy8Nv81wDRD1suLUudq490hEEughK5volPEZAt3xaPuFhRa4e4dIUchMLUNnUyaRlpbUHM4xsT8nWod2CjAf_NGwieO6orE3RLG27A/s5352/Photo24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5352" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudgOuN736SWme8xdm0Z-8TofUcPS2krUHwtO4WYaMzyIfM8XQvawbBGE23T5BmQMDRh02veRpnxlDyYMlgmj83Yy8Nv81wDRD1suLUudq490hEEughK5volPEZAt3xaPuFhRa4e4dIUchMLUNnUyaRlpbUHM4xsT8nWod2CjAf_NGwieO6orE3RLG27A/w640-h444/Photo24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt6Y2P8xvhRK8s9jXR2Nx9_QqQy6GBJ_2qEP3ztWcAERBzk78YhI-498j1t_3cPJ8HlOQ1Al3_6sWhjGVuFc7A77CVU7bQ41x3m_4xb8YOmbQUmYn-sOGweJuh-H_LoXHo2gumRhQgBJlsAWfgagSo_DQ1Bm923OUe8Yf8oiCXfXsYO33xWwd1wbXghs/s3425/Photo27Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="2572" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt6Y2P8xvhRK8s9jXR2Nx9_QqQy6GBJ_2qEP3ztWcAERBzk78YhI-498j1t_3cPJ8HlOQ1Al3_6sWhjGVuFc7A77CVU7bQ41x3m_4xb8YOmbQUmYn-sOGweJuh-H_LoXHo2gumRhQgBJlsAWfgagSo_DQ1Bm923OUe8Yf8oiCXfXsYO33xWwd1wbXghs/w480-h640/Photo27Crop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">2. These boots weren't made for walking after all. My usually comfortable Clarks boots had given me a blister by the end of the first day, necessitating a visit to the pharmacy for some blister plasters. Not that it stopped me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On day two of our visit, we headed to the Baltic Triangle - an area so called because major building projects earlier in the last century resulted in a shortage of oak, meaning that we had to import timber from countries like Poland, Germany and Norway. Much of it was stored in warehouses in the area. Nowadays, this area is Liverpool's answer to Digbeth; a creative corner of the city on the cusp of gentrification.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0pn_8h0MUDwEiDIVlQic6ifV_NtbDr5LEQihB5-dfB-RpvLLpFC_1gEwB6xoFJvfzUGIdb5pD0LkEt0iUcdUZHJRTfaXm9XbhEo_Xl5EQZt9RnSzBhguQ9TRn66FAMaL8El1MhWWAaqkXnTt3mabUAP1g5tzCqGg7V3Y66r92ENnwIV4n9j-jgLGVq8/s5449/Photo32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="5449" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0pn_8h0MUDwEiDIVlQic6ifV_NtbDr5LEQihB5-dfB-RpvLLpFC_1gEwB6xoFJvfzUGIdb5pD0LkEt0iUcdUZHJRTfaXm9XbhEo_Xl5EQZt9RnSzBhguQ9TRn66FAMaL8El1MhWWAaqkXnTt3mabUAP1g5tzCqGg7V3Y66r92ENnwIV4n9j-jgLGVq8/w640-h426/Photo32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jiASU7ldw3nOPkoT3ggCjFpAJsuamaIwpfZzENPJrVKO9mRCXyx3NJYiyZNgHl4W0B_AaY3UFyNKrJyH1rQDuWli6FWtD7JZ-WT0LEWY9sIO4daxGl3UoRUSCXv-Bifsbe0ds0pb8VX0Q6GmzYF0onzWQTkjm80IcHon7QngN5-RtOloThMr1MLNOGo/s5568/Photo36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jiASU7ldw3nOPkoT3ggCjFpAJsuamaIwpfZzENPJrVKO9mRCXyx3NJYiyZNgHl4W0B_AaY3UFyNKrJyH1rQDuWli6FWtD7JZ-WT0LEWY9sIO4daxGl3UoRUSCXv-Bifsbe0ds0pb8VX0Q6GmzYF0onzWQTkjm80IcHon7QngN5-RtOloThMr1MLNOGo/w640-h426/Photo36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I told you they were everywhere!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Lp81nFXQ5H5q0vHa27n0_RozlNmqrb3jUbUBL8B1m3C-CoiPxOnA8Jgb1M1Up55qGHc_-B9_Qofpy3eQS3LxJL_OPPAJHBZ_OXp7MZRSgw5UUt3qhPiYI0r_5NuS5hGp6cuqIfou_-pFppGBBwFRNryttCQXyxTfHnbhwHclgw2pDTaVyAbT0ooWpc/s4693/Photo32bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3160" data-original-width="4693" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Lp81nFXQ5H5q0vHa27n0_RozlNmqrb3jUbUBL8B1m3C-CoiPxOnA8Jgb1M1Up55qGHc_-B9_Qofpy3eQS3LxJL_OPPAJHBZ_OXp7MZRSgw5UUt3qhPiYI0r_5NuS5hGp6cuqIfou_-pFppGBBwFRNryttCQXyxTfHnbhwHclgw2pDTaVyAbT0ooWpc/w640-h430/Photo32bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBwImafQZgRWLay5xY6K2fVL4eBOmybghQsDUkoiR5_TlD7vj324UIPlPfJJJceSNrIQPPkEPy-4XBWEWWSHP1UUt0rp8ICFpIiQSjpMT16nUKpq3gxtEv4RfarUXkaG4tdth1pniUa9Q1urJJvlwjs9dGfLqBS8Yb0UyvIuw5OY0OkzLIOeXBBFfrJ0/s5403/Photo35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3602" data-original-width="5403" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBwImafQZgRWLay5xY6K2fVL4eBOmybghQsDUkoiR5_TlD7vj324UIPlPfJJJceSNrIQPPkEPy-4XBWEWWSHP1UUt0rp8ICFpIiQSjpMT16nUKpq3gxtEv4RfarUXkaG4tdth1pniUa9Q1urJJvlwjs9dGfLqBS8Yb0UyvIuw5OY0OkzLIOeXBBFfrJ0/w640-h426/Photo35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We were thrilled to discover that the Baltic Triangle also had a Red Brick Market...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rmes7pq3vNY-3ri60eFEo2A08f50KAB7itHmgAMqrplDbevr-stAYPj55HN4e42DsfAtG3mcHvHNcJNailzzTA53u9D04yu6AQJUbTYy-Kz8SHaKLohJSaiLhF0DyRua4TPYXU9K4Ug0HCEBpCicHvf__YUtkbElhcYpfQCNUsbBHP_OfUxw_v1ndNc/s5520/Photo40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5520" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rmes7pq3vNY-3ri60eFEo2A08f50KAB7itHmgAMqrplDbevr-stAYPj55HN4e42DsfAtG3mcHvHNcJNailzzTA53u9D04yu6AQJUbTYy-Kz8SHaKLohJSaiLhF0DyRua4TPYXU9K4Ug0HCEBpCicHvf__YUtkbElhcYpfQCNUsbBHP_OfUxw_v1ndNc/w640-h418/Photo40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHOtQqh0xU8pzKLpHF7GCpC7LsJ3R15AIJ_-Laysdb7OKcmAir1RKqpxZunL4bPTPxt8aVBly6Qt4X4G_xqgKWklOzr1VnPK_1LzUSu8kSsJ9lr5DMbKgWSmmCL0Qgg0D1r81r-lOCr_-aW6fhAC0fLdZlKVBz4gYskxT7BjD99NjjeU7gtJBey_G1AA/s5568/Photo41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHOtQqh0xU8pzKLpHF7GCpC7LsJ3R15AIJ_-Laysdb7OKcmAir1RKqpxZunL4bPTPxt8aVBly6Qt4X4G_xqgKWklOzr1VnPK_1LzUSu8kSsJ9lr5DMbKgWSmmCL0Qgg0D1r81r-lOCr_-aW6fhAC0fLdZlKVBz4gYskxT7BjD99NjjeU7gtJBey_G1AA/w640-h426/Photo41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...although many of the surrounding bars and street food eateries were closed so early in the week. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here I am resting my blistered foot outside the Yellow Sub Bar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj957bOdLyoVG6Fn1Umsd9fGSbodxTFYM5dAv8rOgS8g_6Sp9NRVHAYpFphIazIcqyjdMmhdD_KEyNlkWxAiuXWYHWSC-Lsv24IfoxdTjtblhKqlEKBHr41bfywCvn_ch6kccnqcGyagOXtDXu6jwW2UXplEMF_Zho7FE1OvywkRAVr9MO3XhxmrkRpkHQ/s1024/YellowSub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj957bOdLyoVG6Fn1Umsd9fGSbodxTFYM5dAv8rOgS8g_6Sp9NRVHAYpFphIazIcqyjdMmhdD_KEyNlkWxAiuXWYHWSC-Lsv24IfoxdTjtblhKqlEKBHr41bfywCvn_ch6kccnqcGyagOXtDXu6jwW2UXplEMF_Zho7FE1OvywkRAVr9MO3XhxmrkRpkHQ/w640-h480/YellowSub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I loved the Victorian architectural details on the old Brewery.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVPOg0ZYzv1XRDP1AUmlTHmDGHbasSJ06MbgbdxIY4T57LWecJYdE2k1h7FZmEY6vTsvL_tkxdbUjtVA9-g166osdoMUrkyZrOzbxgFjYlpoQlLpB3yPNvqplm2Kjh5kv2I3XmtLF9QaOqq4vg-K-K9ud6CbM5SJhk_V-8_-_fhjRPmJhkP5tRyiafl8/s5504/Photo42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVPOg0ZYzv1XRDP1AUmlTHmDGHbasSJ06MbgbdxIY4T57LWecJYdE2k1h7FZmEY6vTsvL_tkxdbUjtVA9-g166osdoMUrkyZrOzbxgFjYlpoQlLpB3yPNvqplm2Kjh5kv2I3XmtLF9QaOqq4vg-K-K9ud6CbM5SJhk_V-8_-_fhjRPmJhkP5tRyiafl8/w432-h640/Photo42.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On we walked, towards the Anglican Cathedral. The street art and murals gradually petered out...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmaVkPbKDkcDMRXdnMvsrlUIJnT3mt6Ig4D3hpaQ6PDhqoMXXF5R61YHUsJ-MWo4ZswZA1HhFSkeXGd2Ovwgmp9mvGwny1VAXr7usZSSVk7mxmgpGmEHe8MRRRK8Hmymc2sA61c7NrA-p3YMlkpr4dOHbEBFhN70_JbS0vrydrudNp4xwyNwIBYMvBxo/s5568/Photo43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmaVkPbKDkcDMRXdnMvsrlUIJnT3mt6Ig4D3hpaQ6PDhqoMXXF5R61YHUsJ-MWo4ZswZA1HhFSkeXGd2Ovwgmp9mvGwny1VAXr7usZSSVk7mxmgpGmEHe8MRRRK8Hmymc2sA61c7NrA-p3YMlkpr4dOHbEBFhN70_JbS0vrydrudNp4xwyNwIBYMvBxo/w400-h266/Photo43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct4V55hpds-d67JezCgO05aOGc7i6FGTBjDEqXsU81dxqR5okplP_Pq0Bor2GRjTKXuQkAZDmZrzxi3CuFwvIW9XUbKNuzAPriOTyb2PggP8PDeasHQuqITY7ANEDrTq7d13jV1TfuISFh6qBXEV8k-unLLph_LxSnu5ssU2Sg2cYIRjIAgUZiKkCoAg/s5568/Photo44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct4V55hpds-d67JezCgO05aOGc7i6FGTBjDEqXsU81dxqR5okplP_Pq0Bor2GRjTKXuQkAZDmZrzxi3CuFwvIW9XUbKNuzAPriOTyb2PggP8PDeasHQuqITY7ANEDrTq7d13jV1TfuISFh6qBXEV8k-unLLph_LxSnu5ssU2Sg2cYIRjIAgUZiKkCoAg/w426-h640/Photo44.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...and finally, we glimpsed it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZQ3DArR4CWDKFbEBtbM7wFzmIbETKC1xTeJ45UhdmCgSFbcimoFNHNaSEHHMAG4cRL7Y7TjBpcDZb6O_VwdQ9b91fzbwPcEa0BW2GjkFIz5bj3OAOx85C3lIDzZ-KC1imE-k7jFNtothkIOoJo87H4Z3yoEhVz1ZLIWSiTDxJip9UYdfgP82mBsLPU/s5568/AnglicanCathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ZQ3DArR4CWDKFbEBtbM7wFzmIbETKC1xTeJ45UhdmCgSFbcimoFNHNaSEHHMAG4cRL7Y7TjBpcDZb6O_VwdQ9b91fzbwPcEa0BW2GjkFIz5bj3OAOx85C3lIDzZ-KC1imE-k7jFNtothkIOoJo87H4Z3yoEhVz1ZLIWSiTDxJip9UYdfgP82mBsLPU/w640-h426/AnglicanCathedral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It's the largest church in the UK and the 8th largest in the world. It was constructed between 1904 and 1978. It features a neon sign by UK artist Tracey Emin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-j9iVQYvQw4NmuqBXo-7_5bZLP05HyZWqtLZo8k-4FJMxyq1SEYe-ofX5XvqHyguoNZDpWzlqrSVB0b-z8DSVpM5sRhS-Rdxqxz74wclBFToGTfd4w3LNfYURX2QjEBloS61RmYjwyfFidQji2acW2m-4KsjAugfkraZGOuOEYh7U1_Y_Aw5v_C6A0/s1365/AnglicanCathedral1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O-j9iVQYvQw4NmuqBXo-7_5bZLP05HyZWqtLZo8k-4FJMxyq1SEYe-ofX5XvqHyguoNZDpWzlqrSVB0b-z8DSVpM5sRhS-Rdxqxz74wclBFToGTfd4w3LNfYURX2QjEBloS61RmYjwyfFidQji2acW2m-4KsjAugfkraZGOuOEYh7U1_Y_Aw5v_C6A0/w300-h400/AnglicanCathedral1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">"I felt you and I knew you loved me." For me, given the troubles in the world - often rooted in religion - these seem like hollow words.</span></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXZv8HOnnFZTyyGMkKV4y8vBmPDA8SLLVc7zAg5mF3LH9XKwd_0mDgwzaU4cW8yBiDVGISPG_3rVzayLB9cPKlH-BeygHEVJsX6cs1jmR6a4oBm5fp7FiUcaPUUXD1-FHYWrQn0_Pu3SpzpxBdgRgXdwe-H8Wtgp0Zg2-AJXPxZyio7ACSwuTIn2oyr0/s1365/AnglicanCathedral4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXZv8HOnnFZTyyGMkKV4y8vBmPDA8SLLVc7zAg5mF3LH9XKwd_0mDgwzaU4cW8yBiDVGISPG_3rVzayLB9cPKlH-BeygHEVJsX6cs1jmR6a4oBm5fp7FiUcaPUUXD1-FHYWrQn0_Pu3SpzpxBdgRgXdwe-H8Wtgp0Zg2-AJXPxZyio7ACSwuTIn2oyr0/w480-h640/AnglicanCathedral4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The boys braved the tower. I remained firmly on terra firma and enjoyed a period of solitude, but here's a photo taken after they left the lift on the tenth floor before starting on the 108 steps up to the top of the tower.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zErMM4xgosM62_Pfrd9tg_63wKiieILA87wVXjlkrKgw0OKujkDytyjohxPf2A6Mjk56YbdTV_C3gRkqmUVFW6mOC7CQJVTQfQmZIEFbVR1S-JWauHqsyzrxQT8999TxNfzB8rlSVH_KcdKJcvvDkDODNBiFl_SChW44LhD1aqg6eaS3wjpQlhLV3GY/s1365/cathedral%20tower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zErMM4xgosM62_Pfrd9tg_63wKiieILA87wVXjlkrKgw0OKujkDytyjohxPf2A6Mjk56YbdTV_C3gRkqmUVFW6mOC7CQJVTQfQmZIEFbVR1S-JWauHqsyzrxQT8999TxNfzB8rlSVH_KcdKJcvvDkDODNBiFl_SChW44LhD1aqg6eaS3wjpQlhLV3GY/w300-h400/cathedral%20tower1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">A view from the top!<br /><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBqoaMbAIquvO-sML2inZpjxUNbN_InmQKUqcfJnQBjYSZUVf2D5GQHXVWSvrRtTPRTJzW2M3BmbO8b9cfpdO6sY_aecjDHgiACO4QuTWQqv8YdjIZgVg2QTX394C5GNS3hTVTiRFye76awssUdI08O2lofe4R8Vmis8LfDiyB8UvA2YOMUsIb_dq0Go/s1365/Liverpoolview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBqoaMbAIquvO-sML2inZpjxUNbN_InmQKUqcfJnQBjYSZUVf2D5GQHXVWSvrRtTPRTJzW2M3BmbO8b9cfpdO6sY_aecjDHgiACO4QuTWQqv8YdjIZgVg2QTX394C5GNS3hTVTiRFye76awssUdI08O2lofe4R8Vmis8LfDiyB8UvA2YOMUsIb_dq0Go/w480-h640/Liverpoolview.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">While we're on the subject of religion, we may as well take a peek at Liverpool's second, Catholic Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (constructed between 1962 and 1967). That's too much of a mouthful for locals, who have christened this awe-inspiring building "Paddy's Wigwam" so called because the origins of the church are rooted in the fallout from the Irish Famine when many fled their home country and headed to England. Large numbers embarked upon the journey from Liverpool to North America, but many opted to remain in Liverpool. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEkodFTUSAUE3rG_kJz3rNam3i0hDUTqpLpWDx0w0lGLdbZ5ZfF8brmK-MkfhuDuTwLDajsyGr0WK9dN9jcUOtuotK121duiX9-Ucz_5DV3gsmEsEHB0BfhpZB7nAfIMJlMeqq6f9-GtDPz2xiG1wR5ddo1qq4LoiguLTJLaR8AXkQ9-8XYVBF6jRCWw/s5292/Photo93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5292" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEkodFTUSAUE3rG_kJz3rNam3i0hDUTqpLpWDx0w0lGLdbZ5ZfF8brmK-MkfhuDuTwLDajsyGr0WK9dN9jcUOtuotK121duiX9-Ucz_5DV3gsmEsEHB0BfhpZB7nAfIMJlMeqq6f9-GtDPz2xiG1wR5ddo1qq4LoiguLTJLaR8AXkQ9-8XYVBF6jRCWw/w640-h436/Photo93.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVxruhTdA2s_s2-SVrNZiQioJxD7fa89jMPo2Ddt7RJhJ_xUQ4HJcT3thp3S3ILqXfiEamT1MqrqhkgFfrkrE1I0RaJa6W9sqRl-S-x76zsIlPvA9g96rKAiS9gQ8gsxLWWfcVdfoZH_-yx7HCsDQ_LQjEOd9nQ_EVDimvkBOYJhyqB3jSBAnpbWGkic/s5568/Photo94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVxruhTdA2s_s2-SVrNZiQioJxD7fa89jMPo2Ddt7RJhJ_xUQ4HJcT3thp3S3ILqXfiEamT1MqrqhkgFfrkrE1I0RaJa6W9sqRl-S-x76zsIlPvA9g96rKAiS9gQ8gsxLWWfcVdfoZH_-yx7HCsDQ_LQjEOd9nQ_EVDimvkBOYJhyqB3jSBAnpbWGkic/w640-h426/Photo94.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3nsQdKwG4BGr5D1xRNuVXn2QptwzUKIyJs-r2Kcx_QY4HK-IiqIFTJEj6tJ37eNZLvU4nvZqgdix7nrtxc26Rn7bW3R_qvuRSE5dBzCimZnLgluXtrn5n_OqH7qE_DN7dKnn46R4afKZ-ApfQdO04xo90Eis7y3bexon5Oh7AEKAKgCT55IvIyJ0F9M/s5124/Photo95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5124" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3nsQdKwG4BGr5D1xRNuVXn2QptwzUKIyJs-r2Kcx_QY4HK-IiqIFTJEj6tJ37eNZLvU4nvZqgdix7nrtxc26Rn7bW3R_qvuRSE5dBzCimZnLgluXtrn5n_OqH7qE_DN7dKnn46R4afKZ-ApfQdO04xo90Eis7y3bexon5Oh7AEKAKgCT55IvIyJ0F9M/w640-h448/Photo95.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I<span style="font-family: courier;">nside, I felt that we had somehow been beamed up into the bowels of a spaceship.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1HdLyfZ3ZtR-g0ZW92h_a_cCmLRCIJGS-LS_UP5WX0Zc4wYOedN0Ft3LtL-ryFzzXs5F8KD5RzCCcFwCHlHeLasO8kEgalt7bu6zGaa6307bsZcH9Ao3DasKDc7FdXN1jZPKbc7XvBrz_13oqMsumbXrwJntsjrGZLlM5Ga-_pZ2kBI3LDgaVHOHTt8/s5568/Photo97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1HdLyfZ3ZtR-g0ZW92h_a_cCmLRCIJGS-LS_UP5WX0Zc4wYOedN0Ft3LtL-ryFzzXs5F8KD5RzCCcFwCHlHeLasO8kEgalt7bu6zGaa6307bsZcH9Ao3DasKDc7FdXN1jZPKbc7XvBrz_13oqMsumbXrwJntsjrGZLlM5Ga-_pZ2kBI3LDgaVHOHTt8/w640-h426/Photo97.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EaaMcx-hxuJoXGiiM_1VZFFi2VkxjSxl3ybwSLvC1IJNInmkHk7pFiSpAJIPKjZVZtUAhUg9bS0fnmMAk2j4vE9i5bebfYRwTnvu6aYrZNzQumbCdFarcY6MPvZyZubB5b9aAr4jozzkv5bAKSnIr0TcDlIrWFbEDKrbDo8zI3H9NqbfZQcoOwVBCnc/s5429/Photo98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3619" data-original-width="5429" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EaaMcx-hxuJoXGiiM_1VZFFi2VkxjSxl3ybwSLvC1IJNInmkHk7pFiSpAJIPKjZVZtUAhUg9bS0fnmMAk2j4vE9i5bebfYRwTnvu6aYrZNzQumbCdFarcY6MPvZyZubB5b9aAr4jozzkv5bAKSnIr0TcDlIrWFbEDKrbDo8zI3H9NqbfZQcoOwVBCnc/w640-h426/Photo98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwW8NalidP3ueOGyf7xzvz0vvJK-pHPV2T9Z4TObCZNkGcHGtY509Gl1QvrfN2AiEe5wwWJGxH-gABWfD7q_I_JI-j7_TnosSm4zP1xU1nRgGBm6g0jxHO2ooAB9W_sKKkEqc58lKm3NA7J_bj4LcHX_xli43halv-sTnsY5sxXluBV1Xe4Y8-f_yw3I/s5280/Photo102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5280" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwW8NalidP3ueOGyf7xzvz0vvJK-pHPV2T9Z4TObCZNkGcHGtY509Gl1QvrfN2AiEe5wwWJGxH-gABWfD7q_I_JI-j7_TnosSm4zP1xU1nRgGBm6g0jxHO2ooAB9W_sKKkEqc58lKm3NA7J_bj4LcHX_xli43halv-sTnsY5sxXluBV1Xe4Y8-f_yw3I/w640-h450/Photo102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCs7J_BUb3ssCU8Z5Yn7u-GMjeStuuap5LBsCKR_p74_6sBRDcZChsVwfIIEvOSu-aeMI3_3b5roV8OIOkUtk5k5WKbz11SPSatMoByfm3YDxwG_jwKeoTSi4yHMxxu10v4V-ETURPjqH4TcVLYwuoyVasZteEN1mhe10Sw2-3WalRKa6pouUwgM9-ds/s5479/Photo103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3612" data-original-width="5479" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCs7J_BUb3ssCU8Z5Yn7u-GMjeStuuap5LBsCKR_p74_6sBRDcZChsVwfIIEvOSu-aeMI3_3b5roV8OIOkUtk5k5WKbz11SPSatMoByfm3YDxwG_jwKeoTSi4yHMxxu10v4V-ETURPjqH4TcVLYwuoyVasZteEN1mhe10Sw2-3WalRKa6pouUwgM9-ds/w640-h422/Photo103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mARmWVED1ARqAFy-00FyMBKAdlIml_5CxnzFYtwsIlhg0VfqB9NUHBnwPqG1ZQ4ShAg-XVZ1mDI9BnoVuhYTwV9cMU5ANxrrgzwYi-7oYqu4YZn49JR2SV9PT_g45nJKTpYOEJNlmygV2zAq8jnUXCp2u2ZMAPEzyRlqYmneA17WnQzkztB9vqS08sc/s5116/Photo104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3605" data-original-width="5116" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mARmWVED1ARqAFy-00FyMBKAdlIml_5CxnzFYtwsIlhg0VfqB9NUHBnwPqG1ZQ4ShAg-XVZ1mDI9BnoVuhYTwV9cMU5ANxrrgzwYi-7oYqu4YZn49JR2SV9PT_g45nJKTpYOEJNlmygV2zAq8jnUXCp2u2ZMAPEzyRlqYmneA17WnQzkztB9vqS08sc/w640-h450/Photo104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">There was no mistaking that this building was a product of mid century design creatives. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The cathedral's elevated position also placed it in a vortex; the sound of the howling wind outside was really eerie in the foyer. If you ever visit, The Lutyens Crypt, all that is left of an earlier cathedral for Liverpool, is meant to be incredible. Sadly, it was closed on the day of our visit. Another excuse, if one were required, to visit again.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm leaping about in time and space here, but now feels like a good time to mention my brush with the stars. On our way back through the city one evening, we spotted a BBC stage being erected. The UK premiere of series two of the BBC's acclaimed drama Time was due to take place that evening. I opted to hang around and before long a paparazzi photographer next to me struck up a conversation. This passed the time pleasantly enough and pretty soon I was able to capture the event.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This journalist, we can only assume, had to oil his legs to squeeze into these trousers!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA89wYfw-PNOTbZmZT_hKz6oqJYK4hxSOA0UJ878vBbq2syGAKsj_EQIoKkO4PnFQlHsAk1aBsPEQqvvGtfBTUTPaIyZ9vOg2O2KiHlf6n5xVAXiZJb5BlDdF9SfXRH_FAoqQu5fWwp1CFUkYByKK4m9MYawblfLomhzY3tA2l_w9oq2E_VPV2LzPq2sI/s5568/Photo45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA89wYfw-PNOTbZmZT_hKz6oqJYK4hxSOA0UJ878vBbq2syGAKsj_EQIoKkO4PnFQlHsAk1aBsPEQqvvGtfBTUTPaIyZ9vOg2O2KiHlf6n5xVAXiZJb5BlDdF9SfXRH_FAoqQu5fWwp1CFUkYByKK4m9MYawblfLomhzY3tA2l_w9oq2E_VPV2LzPq2sI/w640-h426/Photo45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Introducing our stars...Faye McKeever (left), also known for her role in The Responder. I didn't catch the other actress's name unfortunately.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx8jHTWnTHfsqMunrQ0kclsk35nio_VXE39Hha_yO-uJv1DVJL-P2Qo_P2THrRE66xUOuL9ew6sdzGwynKX06-E1uvwNmr-OEbpH3P6btGMlZvb3p88HcH0IlALl-cmbXrPf61DB5Av1rqpNvr_8MqgAxKQ67FNVx_z58C8xUhEJHUV0Oasatooosw1E/s3895/Photo48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="3895" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx8jHTWnTHfsqMunrQ0kclsk35nio_VXE39Hha_yO-uJv1DVJL-P2Qo_P2THrRE66xUOuL9ew6sdzGwynKX06-E1uvwNmr-OEbpH3P6btGMlZvb3p88HcH0IlALl-cmbXrPf61DB5Av1rqpNvr_8MqgAxKQ67FNVx_z58C8xUhEJHUV0Oasatooosw1E/w640-h404/Photo48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Nicholas Nunn (I'm not familiar with his work, but he did appear in two episodes of SAS Rogue Heroes)...</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauAgzpkkI5zoZy3BkZpK11CGYVhQX0VQgKTl5W2NH4R_vsmNAp3YDsUDzVQNLEfaLCACnthDvRik4w-zbMmPvdTDPPRs2fVbXScwXZaCEO7sw2ZUpIXuP7G6_xHV6O7kKEAMSd6ekXYiAE8aCPr5E4O0Sb68vKi1cYrjTa0kXcPMUnxt_cPlY0K3P4_w/s5268/Photo58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="5268" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauAgzpkkI5zoZy3BkZpK11CGYVhQX0VQgKTl5W2NH4R_vsmNAp3YDsUDzVQNLEfaLCACnthDvRik4w-zbMmPvdTDPPRs2fVbXScwXZaCEO7sw2ZUpIXuP7G6_xHV6O7kKEAMSd6ekXYiAE8aCPr5E4O0Sb68vKi1cYrjTa0kXcPMUnxt_cPlY0K3P4_w/w640-h432/Photo58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">...Kayla Miekle (left of Nicholas)...</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPovgu1Tibd5MRMbdX0JlfI0WDUUC74I8FckGFCB82-H2lX3M8UG_TtCAOLr_XZW6HAe7J2_lAOuBSc1lRkr5qfj1L6GiMa74PZtkuagAPoGq9bFiZIjcx9tBVA9MAX1l751Zz0fQYgZuUQUjy9K6mvXu7s4-k9aC_yz8x0tDCRxlfDPHCqbWgkhk3Ms/s5388/Photo61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5388" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPovgu1Tibd5MRMbdX0JlfI0WDUUC74I8FckGFCB82-H2lX3M8UG_TtCAOLr_XZW6HAe7J2_lAOuBSc1lRkr5qfj1L6GiMa74PZtkuagAPoGq9bFiZIjcx9tBVA9MAX1l751Zz0fQYgZuUQUjy9K6mvXu7s4-k9aC_yz8x0tDCRxlfDPHCqbWgkhk3Ms/w640-h440/Photo61.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">....Julie Graham (Benidorm, Shetland)...and you may just spy, peeping out from behind the Time backdrop, our final star...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-0fjrITKSRqtlJpVzewUpZhMC5tqGIpy6MFjIafiI9nhAS9dNU6CLG_EcAkYQ2rweeoZ72U026hMra4ZfgUV_U2vZY7_D-k6uHiKhlAHpb9GbFRJosW7zTs6gji3bsVS3Sz1-2FacaUshGn1qTouOsj3sVjRQTvO3J_U65Z5MDKgBN7DbuArxeUZJk/s4092/Photo63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2896" data-original-width="4092" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-0fjrITKSRqtlJpVzewUpZhMC5tqGIpy6MFjIafiI9nhAS9dNU6CLG_EcAkYQ2rweeoZ72U026hMra4ZfgUV_U2vZY7_D-k6uHiKhlAHpb9GbFRJosW7zTs6gji3bsVS3Sz1-2FacaUshGn1qTouOsj3sVjRQTvO3J_U65Z5MDKgBN7DbuArxeUZJk/w640-h452/Photo63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...Bella Ramsey. To my shame, I hadn't heard of her. Apparently she was in some obscure little show called Game of Thrones. She has 3.7 million followers on Instagram.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FEoD0e4cpy6aZoH-X2B8u88oP5Q_797moYX1_CbkAXmevyY12eQycMGW73LN-eb07mMb1Dgg04qrrr7GG1Cy3utSYNgTZkZeDzJiyRPll4iv6Hmh-bPJz_97WrUfsXHz8j3vomOh9SAocseJ0ZQM3Ul-fkiljQebaGI5Vx2Sfn0NVFGaidVKIxVNJ3k/s3986/Photo62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="3986" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FEoD0e4cpy6aZoH-X2B8u88oP5Q_797moYX1_CbkAXmevyY12eQycMGW73LN-eb07mMb1Dgg04qrrr7GG1Cy3utSYNgTZkZeDzJiyRPll4iv6Hmh-bPJz_97WrUfsXHz8j3vomOh9SAocseJ0ZQM3Ul-fkiljQebaGI5Vx2Sfn0NVFGaidVKIxVNJ3k/w640-h440/Photo62.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwlc4jGNpCNn9EH3L71KHY9fHs9DSF6N_RDoReToo9MdqH_aedfw1-tYtYVY5LBWePJuL3W1VeH9TakuYiB52I8R1sXXr3nUtOtr3zhFDBVdZOdCWJTXgmIwpyfPyXFPyGksWS1b7TM95gXCIkzZQ3G8wv76gdcxthmCx0wQDPa1B4aGzhxidNVpNMLw/s552/Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwlc4jGNpCNn9EH3L71KHY9fHs9DSF6N_RDoReToo9MdqH_aedfw1-tYtYVY5LBWePJuL3W1VeH9TakuYiB52I8R1sXXr3nUtOtr3zhFDBVdZOdCWJTXgmIwpyfPyXFPyGksWS1b7TM95gXCIkzZQ3G8wv76gdcxthmCx0wQDPa1B4aGzhxidNVpNMLw/w640-h640/Bella.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Last, but not least, Liverpool's own Jimmy McGovern, master of the gritty drama.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fKL9J7IEjfEqOD63Nt6h5iNK-UDbPY_XPCXevSraBrkViW1IoQEiD-B0ltjuveGcB1hQu_F3q_fB9GFH5PZ0_vPQUKyEbk-hfemYKsrsY-TyIadluwrkZ6C0-Nv6JQeYVsez1vJvN7LuY6B5foya8h0u2dA5hLwAyF_4Vu7cdl_gX7S8N15-Vy04Mn4/s5196/photo51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3472" data-original-width="5196" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fKL9J7IEjfEqOD63Nt6h5iNK-UDbPY_XPCXevSraBrkViW1IoQEiD-B0ltjuveGcB1hQu_F3q_fB9GFH5PZ0_vPQUKyEbk-hfemYKsrsY-TyIadluwrkZ6C0-Nv6JQeYVsez1vJvN7LuY6B5foya8h0u2dA5hLwAyF_4Vu7cdl_gX7S8N15-Vy04Mn4/w640-h428/photo51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A woman in the crowd called out to him and I was able to capture the moment Jimmy warmly greeted Sheila. Clearly they were old friends.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJjvv9uEbJpd-mgSSegFidob61R7AGRGDxYTHPEEX9w3RSNF2nsQ5JoaccGtdqfhYTY6eTOkWXcon63u_N-MhUJInq71SoiacxPWzqQQAg7JVtwkqoGUNNpEuowOO0IlaucFOzH5VEYu12JoHF0DZ1LYdC_aUKCKbizyKLBMlrqkrgYKUUGWkdifBWvA/s4824/Photo54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="4824" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJjvv9uEbJpd-mgSSegFidob61R7AGRGDxYTHPEEX9w3RSNF2nsQ5JoaccGtdqfhYTY6eTOkWXcon63u_N-MhUJInq71SoiacxPWzqQQAg7JVtwkqoGUNNpEuowOO0IlaucFOzH5VEYu12JoHF0DZ1LYdC_aUKCKbizyKLBMlrqkrgYKUUGWkdifBWvA/w640-h436/Photo54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5nGgg58XPq6lHMDhVAgF-_S9PYzhng8ttpLzikHjJSl3HcMcV6YBx_paVscEf6YEpz3hGbUgqaomTeQy2skwRsDm12gc6gxDhqNvSaH3ZUSsKQiWOA3qi54-t3rZ6T1MpsQ5jb0sK3g9wp1QRjgmzmTAikLZDEZyo8KZa555AQaCaGMuExNPxagDbNs/s5400/Photo52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="5400" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5nGgg58XPq6lHMDhVAgF-_S9PYzhng8ttpLzikHjJSl3HcMcV6YBx_paVscEf6YEpz3hGbUgqaomTeQy2skwRsDm12gc6gxDhqNvSaH3ZUSsKQiWOA3qi54-t3rZ6T1MpsQ5jb0sK3g9wp1QRjgmzmTAikLZDEZyo8KZa555AQaCaGMuExNPxagDbNs/w640-h422/Photo52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf4H7AgMO4eTX0DJMRwpWsOBmdGlDfPVyvqIINXDcCGQIWjTHiDqeyTJkjK32FH1saun3uQ3isqoun-63xH85iewrxeUAXum3s7EXbqbdx5YVMDsuLto7uXpI19L9wbkcCAE29togz_BwhRAmQpJxZHCfONSkjmHz_APTYNIkSBcB_khgxn0PFa3QVpo/s4757/Photo53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3091" data-original-width="4757" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf4H7AgMO4eTX0DJMRwpWsOBmdGlDfPVyvqIINXDcCGQIWjTHiDqeyTJkjK32FH1saun3uQ3isqoun-63xH85iewrxeUAXum3s7EXbqbdx5YVMDsuLto7uXpI19L9wbkcCAE29togz_BwhRAmQpJxZHCfONSkjmHz_APTYNIkSBcB_khgxn0PFa3QVpo/w640-h416/Photo53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">All very exciting!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I realise that this blog suggests that we didn't sleep during our time in Liverpool. That's not actually far off the mark. The beds in our apartment were huge and very comfortable, but for some reason, insomnia took hold and I was usually awake in the early hours. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In the background of the photo above, you can just see the city's World Museum. We paid £8.00 each to visit the Return of the Gods exhibition, although our son, a former Classics student, was a little disappointed at the lack of detailed information for visitors. Given my failed attempt to read and absorb the family tree in Stephen Fry's Mythos, I probably have no cause to complain and the first and second century statues collected by 18th Century antiquarian Henry Blundell of Sefton, were absolutely incredible...</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvZf6guvuW-RKEU-RvMzy3hveffx-Ehj5SdPHyTZyD0sQK-zi7UyRdwt9ipvm4aYNwxpET4ZvbBGTvO2b7WknAHX1Dd5zni8u0QZOpV0BU7-SoxXPWNwhwXllMuNaKP2-D_gik1GELo7DMRKicIwlxzsb47BuyuIJtRB8aGQJH_YQWCCaYl1zbvPtgog/s5304/Zeus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5304" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvZf6guvuW-RKEU-RvMzy3hveffx-Ehj5SdPHyTZyD0sQK-zi7UyRdwt9ipvm4aYNwxpET4ZvbBGTvO2b7WknAHX1Dd5zni8u0QZOpV0BU7-SoxXPWNwhwXllMuNaKP2-D_gik1GELo7DMRKicIwlxzsb47BuyuIJtRB8aGQJH_YQWCCaYl1zbvPtgog/w640-h434/Zeus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCA_4ba48P92YVEXJ5AZQsQ-g7bJ9b1SOzku4AY0OJPTICz0A1DVXYXGhnBHOsZ6_bySC6CDCMjruVhL4WnDgvItaeGstZvGgLMIcOKI8APlhjp3f6mz6npZIBSuYlwdj2_vtLwxQGVXdjWQqCO2hErJF3CUBjasp7-ugB9xqzdrPKBcxVnRltMhbkJM/s5568/Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCA_4ba48P92YVEXJ5AZQsQ-g7bJ9b1SOzku4AY0OJPTICz0A1DVXYXGhnBHOsZ6_bySC6CDCMjruVhL4WnDgvItaeGstZvGgLMIcOKI8APlhjp3f6mz6npZIBSuYlwdj2_vtLwxQGVXdjWQqCO2hErJF3CUBjasp7-ugB9xqzdrPKBcxVnRltMhbkJM/w426-h640/Apollo.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE65wfZ7_8zsunFfb8q6nivFwCH5xQCUx782p9O5zu7BmKdEws-nML75dFSKdZF_j9XzQMqh9wtI1HYf6-d046OprGNu9wmAVryJghYZDQ_teILH07mBKBwvBDlFx7a-lZNvQdStIg3V16pULMXqm8HleNxt0nwHq3j7qVt1F0wtjgkkbf9REzVIg_hik/s5024/Venus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5024" data-original-width="3328" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE65wfZ7_8zsunFfb8q6nivFwCH5xQCUx782p9O5zu7BmKdEws-nML75dFSKdZF_j9XzQMqh9wtI1HYf6-d046OprGNu9wmAVryJghYZDQ_teILH07mBKBwvBDlFx7a-lZNvQdStIg3V16pULMXqm8HleNxt0nwHq3j7qVt1F0wtjgkkbf9REzVIg_hik/w424-h640/Venus.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The sculptures are comparable in importance and quality to the Charles Townley collection at the British Museum and to Roman sculptures at the Vatican and other European museums.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg6fC0xiiZrPM58HDzFJHsiIrvmH43GVV5gckw50jYOeeiHmoUNu0UU3zgphIus7zNsKtnOEqc_ROYAptDEjtTrxffX4xPX1bsMaUkkAHiMZgYcHnw9XTdTwymz6xkgP-RM6PEEe2R9xbjhK5t4Zgl8_OfXwWvBH8pBDTAwiSdWKSi5FIeOwVj33cQQQ/s5296/Photo107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5296" data-original-width="3056" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg6fC0xiiZrPM58HDzFJHsiIrvmH43GVV5gckw50jYOeeiHmoUNu0UU3zgphIus7zNsKtnOEqc_ROYAptDEjtTrxffX4xPX1bsMaUkkAHiMZgYcHnw9XTdTwymz6xkgP-RM6PEEe2R9xbjhK5t4Zgl8_OfXwWvBH8pBDTAwiSdWKSi5FIeOwVj33cQQQ/w370-h640/Photo107.jpg" width="370" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Onwards we go, across town...passing Brian Epstein outside Holland & Barrett...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwIeEJdQfhnHRzuYE-s91ODH-p36ta8rc7WFkSIGL03LaVvvQImVgafeQ7a24UTCtS9KOU3UCaa-wf9yJcEQJVn16pdBuTctVZniH3GiVXjw9rY4KAbwXLUqygw7jGcXVu39vXhJ0zfpQ4AKEHk78Zg57Ya_PEGcGhHpHrgJo_PJ1ySr6WECMcCk3Tqs/s5220/Photo88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5220" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwIeEJdQfhnHRzuYE-s91ODH-p36ta8rc7WFkSIGL03LaVvvQImVgafeQ7a24UTCtS9KOU3UCaa-wf9yJcEQJVn16pdBuTctVZniH3GiVXjw9rY4KAbwXLUqygw7jGcXVu39vXhJ0zfpQ4AKEHk78Zg57Ya_PEGcGhHpHrgJo_PJ1ySr6WECMcCk3Tqs/w640-h434/Photo88.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...to Liverpool's Town Hall. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4QQRvVlrmXSNTo4Koa6ZcbfosUIRATAa26STpldF2oZsXAcy9Rw2EqC0Xxv-JQYUqa9Gsf3mBkAbrrlhjQGnFMBUFTPqSNe_CBTJHyNV_ieys1vNAqa7w3bJ-nyMmirozzQxARWXEnrvtreESbHqg2csdtIfQx5fNuXeDQLSvnxP1CNzdqEz8IGQUrM/s5484/Photo71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5484" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4QQRvVlrmXSNTo4Koa6ZcbfosUIRATAa26STpldF2oZsXAcy9Rw2EqC0Xxv-JQYUqa9Gsf3mBkAbrrlhjQGnFMBUFTPqSNe_CBTJHyNV_ieys1vNAqa7w3bJ-nyMmirozzQxARWXEnrvtreESbHqg2csdtIfQx5fNuXeDQLSvnxP1CNzdqEz8IGQUrM/w640-h434/Photo71.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I had received a tip off from my father in law that the toilets were something to behold. We turned up on a day when the hall was being used for meetings and I immediately confessed the main reason for our visit. Unfortunately on that day visitors weren't really permitted and the ground floor toilets out of bounds, but Kelly took pity on us and allowed us to explore the impressive hallway. This sweeping staircase inspired the ill feted Titanic's staircase with its domed ceiling.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuqcFrGhcuOkzniOnku5tZRSTH0G0OzqLO9rmrMLFRYDqqDgxJzTR4YMWxsyqlEGm3nlp-SVt56Jdsd-lgdwnEacKJafsDxxKXE91LKaDp5k-ayAWOaSDwQoy1KkILTqDfGPflWjvcir-EgKZaEKvVV3lis0TTnR2sImCD8NUTZeRpwLMFCGPO1DHALI/s5292/Photo72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5292" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuqcFrGhcuOkzniOnku5tZRSTH0G0OzqLO9rmrMLFRYDqqDgxJzTR4YMWxsyqlEGm3nlp-SVt56Jdsd-lgdwnEacKJafsDxxKXE91LKaDp5k-ayAWOaSDwQoy1KkILTqDfGPflWjvcir-EgKZaEKvVV3lis0TTnR2sImCD8NUTZeRpwLMFCGPO1DHALI/w640-h448/Photo72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlHKQFq2NbKyMKVyKmodBeRDbrFYFPRbRoWF4agBOOIftWlt_ybVWrbXsULY0oGAkoj3ZPHCqHp7YK4MQ5Rxq45ZtEX_JLZ-sTzOjNvt2SR-loETb9f_-1cGZJW4WgkAi_Ey8fuizOCU5e5piCtL2aQ92WhAh83cDhgVpDIWzc-thq3ZwbIJqGvp2lFE/s5226/Photo74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5226" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlHKQFq2NbKyMKVyKmodBeRDbrFYFPRbRoWF4agBOOIftWlt_ybVWrbXsULY0oGAkoj3ZPHCqHp7YK4MQ5Rxq45ZtEX_JLZ-sTzOjNvt2SR-loETb9f_-1cGZJW4WgkAi_Ey8fuizOCU5e5piCtL2aQ92WhAh83cDhgVpDIWzc-thq3ZwbIJqGvp2lFE/w640-h442/Photo74.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGin1-T5jo3DaHbEK7fXFTPYzM4kXJLJr7S1Hw-xJZqs07m8VDnCJtYQNnN6IMjsOkILP3uHk3PjCEzIxToyvK8SemGK2ULvewRVU9lFVXleuvshZz55FnYo7xDOVXJRJzppMmFgYfwXUNxsFRr2c_qyeOB2n_TomkbI99u1NTW2PG0rN2LzGxPaqlZzw/s5400/Photo73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="5400" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGin1-T5jo3DaHbEK7fXFTPYzM4kXJLJr7S1Hw-xJZqs07m8VDnCJtYQNnN6IMjsOkILP3uHk3PjCEzIxToyvK8SemGK2ULvewRVU9lFVXleuvshZz55FnYo7xDOVXJRJzppMmFgYfwXUNxsFRr2c_qyeOB2n_TomkbI99u1NTW2PG0rN2LzGxPaqlZzw/w640-h436/Photo73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Kelly kindly showed us the hiding place above the fireplace containing elaborate 17th century Flemish carvings...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGNg93wPycdLPiBQxiK7mL37JcF6jlaCFhuxpfcHiAO3rEmhd6ooId1KkI3Frga-96nYGg2sY7MiIA2la8oKBPGFCbIC3NGQFkEFzzriYF2v9alY6bnhawKIQIYRHmYikPfy7k9k3IbyOFPlcRjQ9v3xE2u_um4am96sjRnjxgqpMj6jof4nzBs1IyLA/s5076/Photo83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5076" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGNg93wPycdLPiBQxiK7mL37JcF6jlaCFhuxpfcHiAO3rEmhd6ooId1KkI3Frga-96nYGg2sY7MiIA2la8oKBPGFCbIC3NGQFkEFzzriYF2v9alY6bnhawKIQIYRHmYikPfy7k9k3IbyOFPlcRjQ9v3xE2u_um4am96sjRnjxgqpMj6jof4nzBs1IyLA/w640-h468/Photo83.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">...before relenting and allowing us to visit the toilets. She admitted that our request was a first, but judge for yourselves. Why wouldn't you want to visit these amazing examples of Victorian splendour?</span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The ladies was all dark wood, mirrors and parquet flooring...</span><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Xxj7tGQBHYhg3Mq_92ztzSyoTQ3ztDAZH_ltaL-v_aIL-JKC0DDuT69PcpYlNovSQrQ4R8cuDFOtyr_DKkdBd9pQqoV2S7t-F12tjHYCREe7g7bI2S7rMRkAKOFAQoOIQbUi_iOVDJIZ_TCS0r3OAHTCHWHeLWlcSVTW66tRP7q6EnS4-LwMSHTknE/s5215/Photo75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3620" data-original-width="5215" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Xxj7tGQBHYhg3Mq_92ztzSyoTQ3ztDAZH_ltaL-v_aIL-JKC0DDuT69PcpYlNovSQrQ4R8cuDFOtyr_DKkdBd9pQqoV2S7t-F12tjHYCREe7g7bI2S7rMRkAKOFAQoOIQbUi_iOVDJIZ_TCS0r3OAHTCHWHeLWlcSVTW66tRP7q6EnS4-LwMSHTknE/w640-h444/Photo75.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ladies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrkjrmhM8wXX6kjwMLCb_0aZ4vPGjRn8Ppoc_V2hjTEBJKjhcXleTaBUCVPn8ygUjs5WjPg9D_WnWoYWwM8mNcurpZg38EqNXzNobScDpO1LvaLySuVKm4F_5YjSYQvMpzENF1xxuCowvGqbc065cAGa4xFFpW6LeL0TsgXAs59Ky-E7qzaSdyBclrpc/s5353/Photo77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="5353" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrkjrmhM8wXX6kjwMLCb_0aZ4vPGjRn8Ppoc_V2hjTEBJKjhcXleTaBUCVPn8ygUjs5WjPg9D_WnWoYWwM8mNcurpZg38EqNXzNobScDpO1LvaLySuVKm4F_5YjSYQvMpzENF1xxuCowvGqbc065cAGa4xFFpW6LeL0TsgXAs59Ky-E7qzaSdyBclrpc/w640-h434/Photo77.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ladies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNCkJXiS5VpsoonpuWKbJfjN4rQEE1Pxn0C4YMWN2Hl4mHIfXfPf7xa6zdFow9ytR4ObBGsMOVRiP2wFEDjnmy4dTp6L8D9C7k9yrzt7L1oI5WUnnLhIFSmv4ysAe4D04grFoiwWMvnfg6RD4ejJRbyupCvbD-uZy3bUWPM9XTpzGcvsDdwMz_FqaTD4/s5568/Photo76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNCkJXiS5VpsoonpuWKbJfjN4rQEE1Pxn0C4YMWN2Hl4mHIfXfPf7xa6zdFow9ytR4ObBGsMOVRiP2wFEDjnmy4dTp6L8D9C7k9yrzt7L1oI5WUnnLhIFSmv4ysAe4D04grFoiwWMvnfg6RD4ejJRbyupCvbD-uZy3bUWPM9XTpzGcvsDdwMz_FqaTD4/w640-h426/Photo76.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">However, I found the gents exquisite tiling infinitely superior.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevo6HYdSjtWUu01dFJi_3qvb_5nA3gqx8yInhbDki8Pn61Ofw_T-E9xIM8iTG8vpeYGa_cEVcmnTU0HkqsHc4M_2Is-dUSXxVKHN3bwL45kVAghokf1FR-rZZBunqw9NsrUdmNCAL-iwKJXhjt3k3BU5Bkdik_QkH5RKU8B_nJVSE4HpiLixMphyphenhyphenTBgc/s5115/Photo81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3470" data-original-width="5115" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevo6HYdSjtWUu01dFJi_3qvb_5nA3gqx8yInhbDki8Pn61Ofw_T-E9xIM8iTG8vpeYGa_cEVcmnTU0HkqsHc4M_2Is-dUSXxVKHN3bwL45kVAghokf1FR-rZZBunqw9NsrUdmNCAL-iwKJXhjt3k3BU5Bkdik_QkH5RKU8B_nJVSE4HpiLixMphyphenhyphenTBgc/w640-h434/Photo81.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUusSwS_HHqd7O57b1qYL_vuSffU4_N89sZ3-XwDZH4K6eRMw6uyShCEtWtck0cTwMBnG4QgkQX4yhZAhOnx44JRD82hohH-MiLkUPUAniUv1Oap3YqumGnW8-aXtZUUCH6aknpuaXXwW9otTjnpXTFezMek6huwiSaT9KlZS-3xnICPpSR4pKjMGe34s/s5467/Photo80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="5467" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUusSwS_HHqd7O57b1qYL_vuSffU4_N89sZ3-XwDZH4K6eRMw6uyShCEtWtck0cTwMBnG4QgkQX4yhZAhOnx44JRD82hohH-MiLkUPUAniUv1Oap3YqumGnW8-aXtZUUCH6aknpuaXXwW9otTjnpXTFezMek6huwiSaT9KlZS-3xnICPpSR4pKjMGe34s/w640-h418/Photo80.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBls9TXMir6zQ-AwC4GkbLt5-sGuYiCOYMZF_ISCDem4M-y9Ga0jAzvUS05fFDY2gG0oKXDZSpKvzv1OogIoW1QBIQ3WMsZcFhBVsWpaH61hNKHab70UEkTUN4M0pWGUkK6oDHyi3veypnueop9fjjl1jHJ5zxcVJPrfZ9A_c8f8JSANkwuR-e-IbUN10/s4788/Photo79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3640" data-original-width="4788" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBls9TXMir6zQ-AwC4GkbLt5-sGuYiCOYMZF_ISCDem4M-y9Ga0jAzvUS05fFDY2gG0oKXDZSpKvzv1OogIoW1QBIQ3WMsZcFhBVsWpaH61hNKHab70UEkTUN4M0pWGUkK6oDHyi3veypnueop9fjjl1jHJ5zxcVJPrfZ9A_c8f8JSANkwuR-e-IbUN10/w640-h486/Photo79.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUv1g1C21iqLYneAsRZLqVjhXQbAXrBnqUWJSHsK3rEAsEOfV7NXi1QZOxMihKr4uCRNG8IwkHaXbaOEVUicy3aOwvcHyXILH2T4Rap6SP5IzboSMHEWxYh6-rzRA77iqv9P0zB3XMPzZCr7MkIM3gQHC_Qbt4W1FmWoOUvEdHh4vJ6s9SW9_Qrdd8a4/s5449/Photo78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5449" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUv1g1C21iqLYneAsRZLqVjhXQbAXrBnqUWJSHsK3rEAsEOfV7NXi1QZOxMihKr4uCRNG8IwkHaXbaOEVUicy3aOwvcHyXILH2T4Rap6SP5IzboSMHEWxYh6-rzRA77iqv9P0zB3XMPzZCr7MkIM3gQHC_Qbt4W1FmWoOUvEdHh4vJ6s9SW9_Qrdd8a4/w640-h426/Photo78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0taXVtLUlxIbm_ZA1fG21Siv4c_NJqRWd-0PXcDAoKYX4E4L490nxBFZBvFuWTPRdPCldUr7pAI1V_DxXJBA7Z70T8FkC4UFAogxdOgyINfDVR_MGurg4v32n_H4C0rO4rQb_F8Qjzv0GxVJBJkZzneOMq-8wH-dyNuEsi5fXKYJ9TLx9WvdWnTmhjoQ/s5423/Photo82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3615" data-original-width="5423" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0taXVtLUlxIbm_ZA1fG21Siv4c_NJqRWd-0PXcDAoKYX4E4L490nxBFZBvFuWTPRdPCldUr7pAI1V_DxXJBA7Z70T8FkC4UFAogxdOgyINfDVR_MGurg4v32n_H4C0rO4rQb_F8Qjzv0GxVJBJkZzneOMq-8wH-dyNuEsi5fXKYJ9TLx9WvdWnTmhjoQ/w640-h426/Photo82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A whistle stop tour if ever there was one, but we were so grateful to Kelly. Liverpudlians are a friendly bunch and are quite rightly bursting with pride in their city.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">So, to our last night in town. No visit to Liverpool would be complete without a visit to The Cavern Club. The club needs no introduction but has received millions of visitors since the early days of the "Mersey Beat" from tourists and musicians worldwide. For a £5.00 entry fee you are guaranteed music and Scouse merriment. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">There's that bloke again!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCnL_GaJ2FkLbm2PtGQVHkUZIfNCr5gC8eaTmL6PNkCZ2E0XTuiMwAQJjZr09dskBAp0Ma43qyORgpBXhirbbCciDmg_9z8GBr7_4QPzWMDyc8lCdP9qZ-fzPnBtb5xjoMv4SAUgbB4HpTMQWjKAhd5MYgeMZeVoWUpq0a22lRUHF7GBz3fjULw9jv6E/s4692/Photo91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="4692" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCnL_GaJ2FkLbm2PtGQVHkUZIfNCr5gC8eaTmL6PNkCZ2E0XTuiMwAQJjZr09dskBAp0Ma43qyORgpBXhirbbCciDmg_9z8GBr7_4QPzWMDyc8lCdP9qZ-fzPnBtb5xjoMv4SAUgbB4HpTMQWjKAhd5MYgeMZeVoWUpq0a22lRUHF7GBz3fjULw9jv6E/w640-h410/Photo91.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvZnWQAd0g6sPbfFPt1HleZUXP57QOg-Z5ZfQtT8WdxeVdTmYYIZuI4R08_JI2DHAWZlVG6ThGPZLh60QOA6CIybnwnQioEoi-Wq7XI9bGkZzlfWAkpZDGmsR4nTuRxd46b0vOSgKRHX6m4ODZ1GoNpm33rzk36hbqW_PnLeSgNaK-BJo_S9hOHRkl30/s5568/Photo113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvZnWQAd0g6sPbfFPt1HleZUXP57QOg-Z5ZfQtT8WdxeVdTmYYIZuI4R08_JI2DHAWZlVG6ThGPZLh60QOA6CIybnwnQioEoi-Wq7XI9bGkZzlfWAkpZDGmsR4nTuRxd46b0vOSgKRHX6m4ODZ1GoNpm33rzk36hbqW_PnLeSgNaK-BJo_S9hOHRkl30/w400-h266/Photo113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvjUnSoFpbCuFZeKxxX_M59uniRxUw7pxXkk2KGbVhKVbUreQPrj_bPCO6Ubh_yNZn5iwhAHDalbzCh4jXvn0ziC1YWMmTOKyxDwUihKgw6qRbWeFjeBbTKukyJ4AK9EQ1Z6ZRfY96e4xrl8FbVwZbpKYyXDEHhORuqnmCT4xUj-F611NlVp1VA2vOu8/s5256/Photo115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5256" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvjUnSoFpbCuFZeKxxX_M59uniRxUw7pxXkk2KGbVhKVbUreQPrj_bPCO6Ubh_yNZn5iwhAHDalbzCh4jXvn0ziC1YWMmTOKyxDwUihKgw6qRbWeFjeBbTKukyJ4AK9EQ1Z6ZRfY96e4xrl8FbVwZbpKYyXDEHhORuqnmCT4xUj-F611NlVp1VA2vOu8/w640-h436/Photo115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4AhfItoQf4RP8ckKucDOOm3AsHX-yeXAtyFNE8XfgAy67tYK74YoWJ7B2lNN-PgwsSdKPZMdRpN3Bky4zR0zzkYI9pw8sZ57c9Ix8FR5tBYC66VfvpfEbVEhO4xroBTcxnQAVKzrIGmcq7Gtpi79Jvr3s2gllqXPpz9wkfm6hrfAibx3QEKEuvx9z0/s5058/Photo122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3204" data-original-width="5058" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU4AhfItoQf4RP8ckKucDOOm3AsHX-yeXAtyFNE8XfgAy67tYK74YoWJ7B2lNN-PgwsSdKPZMdRpN3Bky4zR0zzkYI9pw8sZ57c9Ix8FR5tBYC66VfvpfEbVEhO4xroBTcxnQAVKzrIGmcq7Gtpi79Jvr3s2gllqXPpz9wkfm6hrfAibx3QEKEuvx9z0/w640-h406/Photo122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EesbYfg-gtJIUuPxjSkHU6J4kUnDNVoxPQuH4sxoYM9Nc3tstlS8Ta-pwcYonFrNluPVJLn1SpdJ9pJ4HxuihuTQuJ0BBlFqNCiYkps8vcRGkwZzYe0tz29ZG5amIJsUthxrRvkngupfwcUsryzpExZe2tHr7TYtKSf9FYIKIV8nbT1hpWgJ-Dea0Lc/s4906/Photo123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="4906" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EesbYfg-gtJIUuPxjSkHU6J4kUnDNVoxPQuH4sxoYM9Nc3tstlS8Ta-pwcYonFrNluPVJLn1SpdJ9pJ4HxuihuTQuJ0BBlFqNCiYkps8vcRGkwZzYe0tz29ZG5amIJsUthxrRvkngupfwcUsryzpExZe2tHr7TYtKSf9FYIKIV8nbT1hpWgJ-Dea0Lc/w640-h436/Photo123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7SFjezSnyxFIXNQhWbABN3Yn3FJu2ZpemBmEgkVsQ6kYHsXNQ-vui78MD31UBb6aEGg0omdSzlsAF_3rjojwwhSVz5bTZJoNfAl1qc8YlNBjQQb2hyzCi94j_Q2eXHz0CxEN0Z44urtTcFmJW2PSscw2p_FbqjlET6p7Xc_bUaExHH0d83Gr0HP4_4s/s5496/Photo64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5496" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7SFjezSnyxFIXNQhWbABN3Yn3FJu2ZpemBmEgkVsQ6kYHsXNQ-vui78MD31UBb6aEGg0omdSzlsAF_3rjojwwhSVz5bTZJoNfAl1qc8YlNBjQQb2hyzCi94j_Q2eXHz0CxEN0Z44urtTcFmJW2PSscw2p_FbqjlET6p7Xc_bUaExHH0d83Gr0HP4_4s/w640-h432/Photo64.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Our visit coincided with a set from Liverpool musician Craig LW (he doesn't always have a Beatles mop top), who had a pretty long list of requests that evening. However, when we put in our request, it was elevated to the top of the list (Craig is a friend of the band The Coral) and with a dedication to "our Black Country friends" here's the majority of his performance. Please forgive my appalling grainy iphone video.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoyK7s8SLUo&t=6s"><span style="font-family: courier;">Craig LW “Dreaming of You” - YouTube</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's the original.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXt723fN1ss"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Coral - Dreaming Of You (Director's Cut) - YouTube</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A fitting end to a fab few days! </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru8h91gXpRHccfrzOSl8PiHCMdmULKoXg0hFPr-_uTIQnHMcJTFflpyPIyg4lFMyuZShuHEGIKnVyQz9sR4jLDVUCgObjoeXmOlYoX1sRRjFvJVD7HHoRM7jtZYyylZl52LGZWWAOv5DX8mxjzaUGdb8ZauVeleQT4KugvqJWfEZpvq4g_fnXecgoq5I/s1024/CavernClaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru8h91gXpRHccfrzOSl8PiHCMdmULKoXg0hFPr-_uTIQnHMcJTFflpyPIyg4lFMyuZShuHEGIKnVyQz9sR4jLDVUCgObjoeXmOlYoX1sRRjFvJVD7HHoRM7jtZYyylZl52LGZWWAOv5DX8mxjzaUGdb8ZauVeleQT4KugvqJWfEZpvq4g_fnXecgoq5I/w640-h640/CavernClaire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Liverpool, we love you!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-70967714990166540652023-10-12T09:18:00.004-07:002023-10-12T09:27:52.821-07:00Autumn Ready<p><span style="font-family: courier;">We're into the second week in October; a time traditionally associated with misty mornings and chilly nights. So what happened? We're in the middle of what used to be known as an Indian Summer - something of a rarity - but is now quite obviously the frightening reality that is climate change.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In spite of the unseasonably mild weather, the trees and woodland floor seem to be on message. Leaves are turning and fungi are popping up everywhere (just as they should) suggesting that, at least for now, they will infuse the soil with nutrients for the trees, their beneficiaries. This puff ball fungus, on reaching maturity and upon impact, dramatically releases a cloud of dust like spores into the surrounding area. Isn't it magical?</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMYoAsT0fuZkLMm2lx_V9NNccAmad7KLr7C61u4tNkSWQEFBgJop1cyUsiEQ5TL5t3Nkw1EHSEnRuCEHC2plvtMiJG1_cjoiioxweYJVvYNskcZEcMyz8rsKJSlDc_eJJK40EvAt-nDTV1EfeppNNeMtGxPu-7i8CKJ3ri2Uj8Boo_CucVBSpGfFvQxs/s5568/Fungispores3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMYoAsT0fuZkLMm2lx_V9NNccAmad7KLr7C61u4tNkSWQEFBgJop1cyUsiEQ5TL5t3Nkw1EHSEnRuCEHC2plvtMiJG1_cjoiioxweYJVvYNskcZEcMyz8rsKJSlDc_eJJK40EvAt-nDTV1EfeppNNeMtGxPu-7i8CKJ3ri2Uj8Boo_CucVBSpGfFvQxs/w640-h426/Fungispores3.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The grey squirrels are also preparing; collecting and squirrelling away acorns and nuts to store in their hastily dug (and often forgotten) larders.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Ntq0Ood5ldOW-ihRxT-GdGHxsTka9t1vm4DAvnBdF9InGMOMI4Aul7GbLj89hyO8yOFuEdJT3VcUKU2OIsXWrgSvps_EhrsjALcvRnMwlKYzLTUdtarDUnh9VGNBpv2a9STRmD8iL6yZx0Dt8m0ZkMUHYHY3gtz7URYoqC7NfmsokVfTLVPFrq1REg/s2352/Squirrel2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="2120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-Ntq0Ood5ldOW-ihRxT-GdGHxsTka9t1vm4DAvnBdF9InGMOMI4Aul7GbLj89hyO8yOFuEdJT3VcUKU2OIsXWrgSvps_EhrsjALcvRnMwlKYzLTUdtarDUnh9VGNBpv2a9STRmD8iL6yZx0Dt8m0ZkMUHYHY3gtz7URYoqC7NfmsokVfTLVPFrq1REg/w576-h640/Squirrel2.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">We're all suspended in this strange between-seasons no man's land.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcwCnTchVbskDNqcOCEmbg7PUNKPwLtsEzlYTTlovV-Zuja-yVbP74e4xAa4hsh_SeBFl0R_22qR1yOoXcYT-8NH54wxN3Zo2U0Gb3GLV45x3bviAtfz_VV6qKNiwPadV68Jf1Rac0PSgpVMgvWh94frnPQFbucdRoykywQkJvdfhnyltbfoPV-jBVDM/s5568/Leafinweb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcwCnTchVbskDNqcOCEmbg7PUNKPwLtsEzlYTTlovV-Zuja-yVbP74e4xAa4hsh_SeBFl0R_22qR1yOoXcYT-8NH54wxN3Zo2U0Gb3GLV45x3bviAtfz_VV6qKNiwPadV68Jf1Rac0PSgpVMgvWh94frnPQFbucdRoykywQkJvdfhnyltbfoPV-jBVDM/w640-h426/Leafinweb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">For once though, I'm prepared for Autumn. I've already moved a number of items that I didn't feel I would wear enough during the colder months to justify their space on my clothes rail. I've carefully shopped - slow fashion - acquiring a few more winter staples (inexplicably being low on versatile knits for example). I've added to the reserve of books piling up on my bed side table and was calmly preparing to welcome the dark nights with open arms; relishing fruit crumbles, long walks and back to back rainy weekend film marathons and we find ourselves basking in 20 degree sunshine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So what's new? Well very little here is new. Most of these garments have doubtless had more than one owner in its life, but now it's my turn. So in reverse order. Feel free to hum the Top of the Pops chart rundown music as you read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">10. Navy blue polo neck jumper by former High Street store BHS. One can never have too many of these beauties. I wear them, alone or layered, when the temperature plummets. Here, in this grainy, evening phone pic, I'm wearing it with an old vintage Indian cotton maxi skirt to keep out the chill.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIxXfUHHIdau3QtIMEr6mnKjMaYfdAYOAVKP4A3LYLDYSO3AiNyKHrVfYDWZX65WRfpmHO8ZD7oPt8Xc8skxQcZEYPrDWX-HmaAyiuWvLrQFlaOghsD89XHC33Bmi7-nhX9-7kWFdYgDYOiMDIRXTdlWaNqF-G83MYXxWRvfoImGyB8I6Z2Go78Jwz3g/s1647/ClairePoloneck.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="846" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIxXfUHHIdau3QtIMEr6mnKjMaYfdAYOAVKP4A3LYLDYSO3AiNyKHrVfYDWZX65WRfpmHO8ZD7oPt8Xc8skxQcZEYPrDWX-HmaAyiuWvLrQFlaOghsD89XHC33Bmi7-nhX9-7kWFdYgDYOiMDIRXTdlWaNqF-G83MYXxWRvfoImGyB8I6Z2Go78Jwz3g/s320/ClairePoloneck.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">At 9, a 1990s Adidas top. This was a high risk purchase for me (£2.95). I'm not usually drawn to sportswear, but this fleecy gillet spoke to me and is very warm and cosy. Great for woodland walks, with a knitted hat and gloves.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVx3pWOsWDcqz1dkWGQmM-myUXqXQI3otauyo1T2_0rfi6MQGoLkkkcas9-j3hUx8Z_73ckzdAc3WmZYMBxlxpqpGJZYYHy3Cxb1eW9pCwzwVo2ha3R173Ie5GoZTf7dZIQEl6f3K1f4YlL0aVcSaWAR7s_TuZF55pTTFxTcrXJxxc0NydfYY9U0OZvk/s1412/Adidas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVx3pWOsWDcqz1dkWGQmM-myUXqXQI3otauyo1T2_0rfi6MQGoLkkkcas9-j3hUx8Z_73ckzdAc3WmZYMBxlxpqpGJZYYHy3Cxb1eW9pCwzwVo2ha3R173Ie5GoZTf7dZIQEl6f3K1f4YlL0aVcSaWAR7s_TuZF55pTTFxTcrXJxxc0NydfYY9U0OZvk/s320/Adidas.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">8. Himalayan Hemp Nepalese Rucksack - Perfect for carrying extra lenses around on our walks.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlvcR-3zBmzlfCEHN4UCwElRPESbHD135yuW7u6o5kntssYtnk7bR1saCjvl2wXtPS9RnJ-jfMhGwU1GQpW5JxFGb3hxbvf-lkROczZziG0-S0gtZkkO0xWv_Fx7-kHMgjS4nzfHDijqPms3MfzjPLvhz2R02z98luHSTXdHOJUnPV8PShUxAC-kYh0Y/s1365/Rucksack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlvcR-3zBmzlfCEHN4UCwElRPESbHD135yuW7u6o5kntssYtnk7bR1saCjvl2wXtPS9RnJ-jfMhGwU1GQpW5JxFGb3hxbvf-lkROczZziG0-S0gtZkkO0xWv_Fx7-kHMgjS4nzfHDijqPms3MfzjPLvhz2R02z98luHSTXdHOJUnPV8PShUxAC-kYh0Y/w300-h400/Rucksack.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">7. Winter whites. It might sound counter intuitive and I have little research to back this up, but I feel that white warms up my sun starved skin in winter. I've scored a River Island top in thick cotton with puffed sleeves (see 4 below) and a versatile M&S knit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Just in at 6, this Zara jumper. I do find myself increasingly seeking out colour as I age. This pastel pale lemon will remind me that spring is around the corner when I'm shivering in January.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMhqTlx7zIo6qJukGwGBUwitZTByNqedqHgVOruZGtvhdNqNc2ToLYGc3Kdca2MqyXhSP0gq_P8DHS4hZFjqeDY6xVc4o4Yi-YArPGTBfkHYnGtwLFNH9gqp6Zpu-MBQUQR9tnqZjxg_4Kp6H3HE6zewq4FLkGriP7IfCVTB3BiT1e1JMzRasurkuWSo/s1399/ZaraJumper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMhqTlx7zIo6qJukGwGBUwitZTByNqedqHgVOruZGtvhdNqNc2ToLYGc3Kdca2MqyXhSP0gq_P8DHS4hZFjqeDY6xVc4o4Yi-YArPGTBfkHYnGtwLFNH9gqp6Zpu-MBQUQR9tnqZjxg_4Kp6H3HE6zewq4FLkGriP7IfCVTB3BiT1e1JMzRasurkuWSo/w293-h400/ZaraJumper.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Dropping to number 5, an Indian cotton dress. This one's a bit of an anomaly in an Autumn wardrobe, but it could still work for now, layered over that navy blue polo neck, leggings and knee high boots. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONl8PcOhlKMCmAIS72uRyc_eLGaGEGCiVlaicOi9mOBeXWRegKcmpcpmFUjcmuVhtF8DpdBymWaIXTtk8q3iex9yLviSsOItRqxVsRWwJ4-JsadDu0I5hg1mYXN1PxCmxIcLZ1ZPYVS5nYwLkzk6MoO9PUP-NG9bonp5RRaK72RgBILLJrlVpGjdXnrw/s1024/IndianDress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1024" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONl8PcOhlKMCmAIS72uRyc_eLGaGEGCiVlaicOi9mOBeXWRegKcmpcpmFUjcmuVhtF8DpdBymWaIXTtk8q3iex9yLviSsOItRqxVsRWwJ4-JsadDu0I5hg1mYXN1PxCmxIcLZ1ZPYVS5nYwLkzk6MoO9PUP-NG9bonp5RRaK72RgBILLJrlVpGjdXnrw/w400-h318/IndianDress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">A new entry at number 4! I kept picking this next item up and hanging it back on the charity shop rail. I initially assumed it was a skirt, but actually it's a pair of ginormous wide leg trousers. They're synthetic and a bit "fashion" but give a great silhouette and are lined. The label (Ghost Harlem - Japanese?) was new to me and ultimately the quirky avant-garde print and vibrant colours won me over. Sometimes love just can't be explained, but that's what this is!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6kVPjzJMcMj-gCIjPgEH3TYuM67EjFasINadcDXlfESddOGaD6atZF9qqvxlcGjX5PO0-QtE3ysrbVURcIJG51g_bRiUuiVWnHlZEbF4e4iX-slF9xptu5L1Qmt8dswSfLKk0k14lzn-qw9HaUEs4AZNTYI3pfto0ksZvW_CnIZLIiyhbPnZUsk4KIk/s1365/GhostHarlem.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6kVPjzJMcMj-gCIjPgEH3TYuM67EjFasINadcDXlfESddOGaD6atZF9qqvxlcGjX5PO0-QtE3ysrbVURcIJG51g_bRiUuiVWnHlZEbF4e4iX-slF9xptu5L1Qmt8dswSfLKk0k14lzn-qw9HaUEs4AZNTYI3pfto0ksZvW_CnIZLIiyhbPnZUsk4KIk/s320/GhostHarlem.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I'm wearing them here with the aforementioned "winter white" River Island top, but stripes work too, as would a slouchy, chunky knit.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyX1VqoEYS3TvWpn-rMkBgz1MKDFQSQI-kmTOm6qiJTfKmG1afNryZ9DC3yJtUcrPAmLtz1w3-l4MMzfZ6tEVX27luefSjk9Zcmup_kysMVXxVWxtKjwHZA0iVwGaefw_ZP6fwyJoW_GPZy5VvQZwNUKrJ1bq09nhxc8R9HV2s6UDGosta08AHED6cEg/s5272/ClaireSkirt2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5272" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyX1VqoEYS3TvWpn-rMkBgz1MKDFQSQI-kmTOm6qiJTfKmG1afNryZ9DC3yJtUcrPAmLtz1w3-l4MMzfZ6tEVX27luefSjk9Zcmup_kysMVXxVWxtKjwHZA0iVwGaefw_ZP6fwyJoW_GPZy5VvQZwNUKrJ1bq09nhxc8R9HV2s6UDGosta08AHED6cEg/w228-h400/ClaireSkirt2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">3. Black and white striped polo neck. I like the way the Breton stripes echo the Adidas signature stripes of my sporty gillet. It will also work beautifully layered under a sleeveless tank top and teamed with my next find...</span><span style="font-family: courier;">...climbing towards the top spot...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">2. Pleated midi skirt, made in the UK by now defunct heritage label, Windsmoor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I've yet to wear this vibrant, winter bright skirt, picked up for around a fiver. I spotted it on the charity shop rails during the heatwave, but just adored the colours and knew I already had a few items that would work with it. I think I might pack it for our city break next week.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip60fvGx1leWZFSyXkJbJPSwlhq9LmttWAKvuEA7bwZGlOf1K1WEhClE5rn1ALnmfP-rEZlnAlzx3pvGP2UdNt_Cr-_6jzebAMAc9VQ8dbqGyYvxQ1Cd4d5QXy7WuODnA5uyQQ670sawhl6yx1hlj8W7JaFQFLuAX_OOLlwvTCNLtQfRG4tw70ZVyYwIE/s1665/Windsmoor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip60fvGx1leWZFSyXkJbJPSwlhq9LmttWAKvuEA7bwZGlOf1K1WEhClE5rn1ALnmfP-rEZlnAlzx3pvGP2UdNt_Cr-_6jzebAMAc9VQ8dbqGyYvxQ1Cd4d5QXy7WuODnA5uyQQ670sawhl6yx1hlj8W7JaFQFLuAX_OOLlwvTCNLtQfRG4tw70ZVyYwIE/w246-h400/Windsmoor.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">And straight in at number 1. My one new purchase - a Kharibu vintage kantha waistcoat. I spotted these earlier in the year and although I knew I had to have one, I bided my time until the £70.00 price tag became £40.00. It's definitely going to be a wardrobe staple for me. Here is is teamed with baggy jeans and a Breton t-shirt. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvy1127xoZX8oaepWDON3I95C-mDfPOVpnbDKaWt3GVKN6IkCjwU7F1BcNTx6IFL2ULtW3yNNlRLjynktWkoZxF2-88EpYXZ7Jv4qSgOfH0Q8oAQ7Iujnd6ve1g_cieY37au9iFIEaI0tsHQAz8mNStc7_jpQzGQgL-Y8vQGmJRqjy2ClCkXcxJUgGu0/s3612/ClaireWaistcoat2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="3612" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvy1127xoZX8oaepWDON3I95C-mDfPOVpnbDKaWt3GVKN6IkCjwU7F1BcNTx6IFL2ULtW3yNNlRLjynktWkoZxF2-88EpYXZ7Jv4qSgOfH0Q8oAQ7Iujnd6ve1g_cieY37au9iFIEaI0tsHQAz8mNStc7_jpQzGQgL-Y8vQGmJRqjy2ClCkXcxJUgGu0/w400-h355/ClaireWaistcoat2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So if all of this talk of Autumn hasn't given you that Ready brek inner glow, this little anecdote just might. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Twitter is sadly these days associated with a narcissistic billionaire and toxicity. But last week, after taking to the platform to try (in vain) to get some resolution from Virgin Media regarding our locked email account, I asked if anyone else was having similar issues and sharing my frustration in not being able to speak to an actual human being. Within a couple of minutes, I received an affirmative comment from one London based Sarah Ziegel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">While we vented at our mutual frustration online, Gareth finally managed to unlock our email account (with zero assistance from Virgin Media). We decided that we should message Sarah and offer to talk her through the steps Gareth had taken in the hope that they would work for her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So Sarah and I followed each other on Twitter and Sarah messaged me her phone number. Gareth promptly made the call and hey presto! Twenty minutes later, Sarah was reunited with her inbox. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Sarah was so grateful that she insisted Gareth supply her with our address. An author, blogger and mother to four autistic children, Sarah has written an award winning book, Marching to a Different Beat (winner of The Selfies Book Awards 2023 Memoir Category). I was so excited to receive a signed copy in the post the following morning with a lovely handwritten postcard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Twitter can be a force for good and I can't wait to read it. Judging by the intro, I know I'm in for an emotional and engaging read!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwoORmzkNLRt_CKTGVlDqaeQBMNzUabgHZqrhdQeX_EhJkHtp6n9Kj0PS4aDT6o42mnMAcvUD-dt0gyJIixtG4ZUpuwi3hm1MnQYEjPUwVt_86vMQauyNCM1UjWgDO_-8D10XjMfcUpisFtrbS7m760x6Mt4OOtYk5z8cc-lTcXMU578XDQRlqjnKNmI/s1024/SarahBook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwoORmzkNLRt_CKTGVlDqaeQBMNzUabgHZqrhdQeX_EhJkHtp6n9Kj0PS4aDT6o42mnMAcvUD-dt0gyJIixtG4ZUpuwi3hm1MnQYEjPUwVt_86vMQauyNCM1UjWgDO_-8D10XjMfcUpisFtrbS7m760x6Mt4OOtYk5z8cc-lTcXMU578XDQRlqjnKNmI/w640-h640/SarahBook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Bye for now!</span></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-48650414941332893902023-10-07T10:17:00.002-07:002023-10-07T10:18:08.715-07:00Friday - A Day For Doing Llareggub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In the slow blink of an eye, our mini break was at almost at an end. Friday dawned sunny and bright and we loaded up the car, greeted the house keeper and for one last time, navigated the bumpy lane out of Stackpole.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In order to make the most of the late summer sun, we stopped at the coastal town of Saundersfoot for one last stroll on the beach...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUD8JXChFg2z6cewnrRDXN43PyaUD2p_XfjGmqfbQ0G_d3XPt5yDORv8zFsqnHBo8XsVMRFjrWXY73c3XP4bscaSg7ifQByNMav-DT7UicHY3UMiN51pPk105Jzy9ZJl5T5zNLWa5KcRy9j3HdEKthKPGgvG9o-eA7ws8qrJByYSA6h8yhJHfHxyRekw/s5568/Friday6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUD8JXChFg2z6cewnrRDXN43PyaUD2p_XfjGmqfbQ0G_d3XPt5yDORv8zFsqnHBo8XsVMRFjrWXY73c3XP4bscaSg7ifQByNMav-DT7UicHY3UMiN51pPk105Jzy9ZJl5T5zNLWa5KcRy9j3HdEKthKPGgvG9o-eA7ws8qrJByYSA6h8yhJHfHxyRekw/w400-h266/Friday6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and what a beach! Another day, another clean and tidy stretch of sand.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseICwgP2ACRhUSo2NZ5U_Y42JfmII64aWZNC6OsQrRxkdkf39lDKQlv3ESsTlHjiMClPjLbNFZfqHP25cj0O-H7SHJb2lAu7sDpHrGvqyc2al60Cbg05z55nmSKpfDwO4C4lyBuLi80B3LwPL0s8i0W_BOAVNQ0yLJgJmkI6UhUNNnDrH6EsFcKRc510/s5568/Friday12bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseICwgP2ACRhUSo2NZ5U_Y42JfmII64aWZNC6OsQrRxkdkf39lDKQlv3ESsTlHjiMClPjLbNFZfqHP25cj0O-H7SHJb2lAu7sDpHrGvqyc2al60Cbg05z55nmSKpfDwO4C4lyBuLi80B3LwPL0s8i0W_BOAVNQ0yLJgJmkI6UhUNNnDrH6EsFcKRc510/w640-h426/Friday12bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqqTVLnOpmr09WpSQ22d3U5R_V_FQ7TALSsyxOnqJOUcy9NdVGf2nYqQqJDcjVoK-wqLP6qgWig4Y5vYPcD5Em5rUIM1RPdvZib7LD4la3K0eECELvkSdn1FcwVAS9rmslk46iWI8BXl1cKih-uNmKPAAzRZLuH0zR3_SKYJ5VRV8vASVnQ4or4B1t38/s5448/Friday13bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5448" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqqTVLnOpmr09WpSQ22d3U5R_V_FQ7TALSsyxOnqJOUcy9NdVGf2nYqQqJDcjVoK-wqLP6qgWig4Y5vYPcD5Em5rUIM1RPdvZib7LD4la3K0eECELvkSdn1FcwVAS9rmslk46iWI8BXl1cKih-uNmKPAAzRZLuH0zR3_SKYJ5VRV8vASVnQ4or4B1t38/w640-h436/Friday13bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRSEmwMMUujJUFCClv9FJBChas2ZqNrTTxDo9bCo__RP7HIRd3sI75lr_HU7LqmJsmurcirgTOLxmtdSn0Ng8Kfe_V6GUAdLsAmd5CAY-G-JZX9W0ONm0tHCFc5Smq9U4TMahJnWl2h7rlsh1hfDYIp2b5McpaZH_wJSqNjAPHMR7zXJan4CQOPecO_Y/s5508/Friday14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5508" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRSEmwMMUujJUFCClv9FJBChas2ZqNrTTxDo9bCo__RP7HIRd3sI75lr_HU7LqmJsmurcirgTOLxmtdSn0Ng8Kfe_V6GUAdLsAmd5CAY-G-JZX9W0ONm0tHCFc5Smq9U4TMahJnWl2h7rlsh1hfDYIp2b5McpaZH_wJSqNjAPHMR7zXJan4CQOPecO_Y/w640-h424/Friday14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">A walk to the other side of the harbour was rewarded by a less developed stretch of coastline - just stunning with the receding tide and endless skies.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEKLENdqeJZ-O1q2dE0yMbXlDiI87h0ofhm27E-C-etc762dB2uN2EcPLHtyPg9peomnRsc-j2RLl4sGUrYwIOXEfUJMMybFNNLhB5Wiu7vVAOR-jmAi3adOljLnRp8kt0NucJaq_2ACZu39-ZEZ5Xfcp0FdF-XFKzZM_fdRUej-rZTHCyp-0q0bbSfY/s5568/Friday17bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEKLENdqeJZ-O1q2dE0yMbXlDiI87h0ofhm27E-C-etc762dB2uN2EcPLHtyPg9peomnRsc-j2RLl4sGUrYwIOXEfUJMMybFNNLhB5Wiu7vVAOR-jmAi3adOljLnRp8kt0NucJaq_2ACZu39-ZEZ5Xfcp0FdF-XFKzZM_fdRUej-rZTHCyp-0q0bbSfY/w640-h426/Friday17bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Eek! A giant jellyfish!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK2qgevY1TcY-CW8NaaIixA89FlWRcy8YHonb-CuN8cSXQE9E2OJ6t7aDkEI0eYRQxrzplqK5iVWQWjg5XKbHosLbjk6WZB_qXDM5TZtUdYVOT6Da-v1W_BNslqySU46xV3e1huiImvQT7m2IXEqjPb93TTlDuZTs67wokHzEUoXMDU4XGMJX2egXn6I/s5568/Friday16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK2qgevY1TcY-CW8NaaIixA89FlWRcy8YHonb-CuN8cSXQE9E2OJ6t7aDkEI0eYRQxrzplqK5iVWQWjg5XKbHosLbjk6WZB_qXDM5TZtUdYVOT6Da-v1W_BNslqySU46xV3e1huiImvQT7m2IXEqjPb93TTlDuZTs67wokHzEUoXMDU4XGMJX2egXn6I/w400-h266/Friday16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The annual New Year's Day swim is clearly already firmly on the agenda according to the town's posters. Marketing might want to rethink the town's strategy. Maybe they're trying to keep the numbers down?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fSUV1s0WaTnuLDTEi0-NolHBe82Jpjgg4M216U_I9c_OwGJpA_aGD4pdb3K5gxsbLLtZk5iYjD5OnEvs4pSYuQjpQHIeonE0I7Tr9-ZlDC2SQqsKpk05_MfOhLKsxasj2ci92sFK4swogL8Qth9M2rLUG7I1zPmSfZXMgvroxNwbQ9JJxSCynJMC9AY/s5568/Friday7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fSUV1s0WaTnuLDTEi0-NolHBe82Jpjgg4M216U_I9c_OwGJpA_aGD4pdb3K5gxsbLLtZk5iYjD5OnEvs4pSYuQjpQHIeonE0I7Tr9-ZlDC2SQqsKpk05_MfOhLKsxasj2ci92sFK4swogL8Qth9M2rLUG7I1zPmSfZXMgvroxNwbQ9JJxSCynJMC9AY/w266-h400/Friday7.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After lunch, we resumed our journey home, but before long, I spotted a sign for Laugharne. Laugharne had been on my list of "must see places" but after the car brakes debacle, it was side lined. I hadn't realised that it such a short detour. So, with a last minute, "Quick - Laugharne - left!" instruction, we were suddenly pootling along country lanes, flanked on either side by the lush, green fields and rolling hills of Carmarthenshire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">If you're not already aware, Laugharne was famously the home of Swansea born poet Dylan Thomas and inspiration for the town of Llareggub featured in Under Milk Wood. "Llareggub" spelled backwards is "Bugger All." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Dylan made the town his home, thanks to a generous benefactor (Margaret Taylor) purchasing the lease for him on the coastal property known as "The Boathouse." He lived there from the late 1930s until his death at noon on 9th November 1953 following a suicidal drinking binge. He was 39 years old.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We were intrigued to discover that there was a heritage trail around the village and so a fascinating couple of hours unfolded. Sponteneity at its best.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We began at the end. Parking at St Martin's church, we located Dylan's grave (shared with wife Caitlin) and marked by a simple wooden cross. They're enjoying an impressive view don't you think?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQqu3fw3ichXzb1ZwLJu8UmsC8zlfyXowU3OhX0yLlkYZ18vX_k9DRfZm2z5jwjYJoi926m_ETf6Un5acyXwi4A3_p8fxW1YCkbQsPejC71ONL7Me3Lt9S2cbgVTwDAN4mhVVV5nFnl5ynVy_V3ozl3zTzwUIp7trH-H2EBIjb2Q0tKC_F-839XrTdo4/s5568/Laugharne1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQqu3fw3ichXzb1ZwLJu8UmsC8zlfyXowU3OhX0yLlkYZ18vX_k9DRfZm2z5jwjYJoi926m_ETf6Un5acyXwi4A3_p8fxW1YCkbQsPejC71ONL7Me3Lt9S2cbgVTwDAN4mhVVV5nFnl5ynVy_V3ozl3zTzwUIp7trH-H2EBIjb2Q0tKC_F-839XrTdo4/w640-h426/Laugharne1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCpTmieyBQT39DeMieT2dJZ0AkyBUtDirdGXxSz7_39Aw_rJh-q8iORkxblRa5_rmjAry4iooNOqwLJV6ftOpecRlPUSbtuKfV8yAIoXONYPbPATGKpGQb1rj7l-d_xqHiE9VFVk5eX6lGktqLt0s7W3dh7mC6GtP_66KvPA0GTkrWt1-oD6VnUq5cdw/s5568/Laugharne2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCpTmieyBQT39DeMieT2dJZ0AkyBUtDirdGXxSz7_39Aw_rJh-q8iORkxblRa5_rmjAry4iooNOqwLJV6ftOpecRlPUSbtuKfV8yAIoXONYPbPATGKpGQb1rj7l-d_xqHiE9VFVk5eX6lGktqLt0s7W3dh7mC6GtP_66KvPA0GTkrWt1-oD6VnUq5cdw/w640-h426/Laugharne2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">With a snapshot of the Laugharne Heritage Trail information board as our guide, we headed on foot into the village Dylan referred to as <i>"a timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town."</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_bnWE-XqTmY6OYe0u5HqLRnGYjjS9iIukBoAaRNW5Z5NcC_LsUXkfDTSYF6FvapVOZmB014lCWou6syb30IlsnjZrGTvom2MdRpt4miwWNMqYJVHUcLGukmgiU8XcjdmHH8RCBLeTMiFjW2FikeXthCfEkXxq0Vd0vmCFjSEplcGDNdjlxjgEke_9uE/s5568/Laugharne10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_bnWE-XqTmY6OYe0u5HqLRnGYjjS9iIukBoAaRNW5Z5NcC_LsUXkfDTSYF6FvapVOZmB014lCWou6syb30IlsnjZrGTvom2MdRpt4miwWNMqYJVHUcLGukmgiU8XcjdmHH8RCBLeTMiFjW2FikeXthCfEkXxq0Vd0vmCFjSEplcGDNdjlxjgEke_9uE/w640-h426/Laugharne10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Certainly, this tin structure had a timeless quality. Gareth badly wanted the sign. In reality, it's not a garage at all, as we had incorrectly assumed, but the Tin Shed Museum, specialising in WW2 cameras and memorabilia, supplying TV and film productions, including Saving Private Ryan. Sadly, it appeared firmly closed on the day of our visit.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOusKK4YWtVyeQScJ5ImBxu-AvMJmJtTqQt4hUBaqOo4WX7zhInXIiAjfvPFtr0BjIeTJj5No3Rb9ZJVwowwnfJhkTW9yTO0BfH1TVHXFY5hYIT4kDQL-axBIo4kGySsIJYWAfYJq9AvanioE1099fe7lp2mRAseEc3ao2pZHW9gYUTC-hLcqy37Bdz6Y/s5316/Laugharne38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3594" data-original-width="5316" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOusKK4YWtVyeQScJ5ImBxu-AvMJmJtTqQt4hUBaqOo4WX7zhInXIiAjfvPFtr0BjIeTJj5No3Rb9ZJVwowwnfJhkTW9yTO0BfH1TVHXFY5hYIT4kDQL-axBIo4kGySsIJYWAfYJq9AvanioE1099fe7lp2mRAseEc3ao2pZHW9gYUTC-hLcqy37Bdz6Y/w400-h270/Laugharne38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFIVBC0TGRbjF0Grsmop3m76MbtkiMuRUEzRvNI7PjcsHd3SpzgI-OcEvTThHgb1cJISCh9nfw1nkU3TS2EgXlFN1BEnmngvxPNcP9hyvHQckHDw6Zu2JL13Ub-RsJ_oDFs4TKsH8iK8SEw2gRapCOAdjWPzrrg7wxXiv99r6vS55bMgv6yaQTgcGlIg/s5568/Laugharne8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFIVBC0TGRbjF0Grsmop3m76MbtkiMuRUEzRvNI7PjcsHd3SpzgI-OcEvTThHgb1cJISCh9nfw1nkU3TS2EgXlFN1BEnmngvxPNcP9hyvHQckHDw6Zu2JL13Ub-RsJ_oDFs4TKsH8iK8SEw2gRapCOAdjWPzrrg7wxXiv99r6vS55bMgv6yaQTgcGlIg/w640-h426/Laugharne8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It was hard to miss Brown's Hotel, another notable building included in the trail. Brown's Hotel was one of Dylan's favourite watering holes. Apparently he favoured the window seat for reading the morning papers, where he could observe passers by and gaze upon the fine Georgian houses, or perhaps catch up with his father, who lived just over the road. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Georgian buildings are something of a rarity in this area of Wales, but once a useful train link to Carmarthen had been established, Georgians flocked to Laugharne and it developed something of a reputation as a spa town.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx3qh3ZKDKNoHcNj-c3XT9IaREKkpxD2k16Mg9SNIR66yZm8ecDoVFmcFgW9I1CR3-PKFYGXQ1U63CCzyS3ILgzbJO-uVkVcIpJyud08dd1icbLlqHGvpEfSY_3y_q7J0n8TDWtbjZ9-_Mc42tgsuUlD2dMacOXUAcpXz2dlVJQDJHOY__Bi4iIBM65E/s5568/Laugharne11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfx3qh3ZKDKNoHcNj-c3XT9IaREKkpxD2k16Mg9SNIR66yZm8ecDoVFmcFgW9I1CR3-PKFYGXQ1U63CCzyS3ILgzbJO-uVkVcIpJyud08dd1icbLlqHGvpEfSY_3y_q7J0n8TDWtbjZ9-_Mc42tgsuUlD2dMacOXUAcpXz2dlVJQDJHOY__Bi4iIBM65E/w426-h640/Laugharne11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Town Hall, built in 1747.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In 1950, Dylan wrote of his impressions of Laugharne to his good friend and patron, Margaret Taylor, wife of the historian, A.J.P. Taylor. With the Town Hall in mind, he claimed <i>"It's clock tells the time backwards."</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_uhfUc9m1FWlCYOCR7rPDazi-KHoA14zG4ZTB5T3Z-58R_xA3XnNGbBsVVOtNzyfxe9PxmgzOelz3OFWmCxxTsDNfcqdJw8TD8G_1yJw9nBAhyphenhyphenrfiUan2jtEOAOQj8i4ouiUZWg4CPEvUsI5Awl9mb1pEfE-Oct5o4OgmCpI7gW0hz2wo0WbhqC5GxY/s5568/Laugharne15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_uhfUc9m1FWlCYOCR7rPDazi-KHoA14zG4ZTB5T3Z-58R_xA3XnNGbBsVVOtNzyfxe9PxmgzOelz3OFWmCxxTsDNfcqdJw8TD8G_1yJw9nBAhyphenhyphenrfiUan2jtEOAOQj8i4ouiUZWg4CPEvUsI5Awl9mb1pEfE-Oct5o4OgmCpI7gW0hz2wo0WbhqC5GxY/w640-h426/Laugharne15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Even a cursory glance down this quiet village's sleepier side streets makes it was easy to see why he might have formed this opinion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLXJCPQKQR-vNJga9i5px9cU-CSIwxtqiTkWrY2wvGVMzvkveu6Epb88XIqEafYyKtm3MOR-9RpPlkwqrOdQEhKpfq0NTmjQ7qOD158kS9Jy98SsRm3oIHS6r_Um1kJC4KDzSarAM4temfKavSUs20DxeB0aLlHT0pBA9MDFsfMitoOBFrqHefpjFics/s5333/Laugharne12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="5333" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLXJCPQKQR-vNJga9i5px9cU-CSIwxtqiTkWrY2wvGVMzvkveu6Epb88XIqEafYyKtm3MOR-9RpPlkwqrOdQEhKpfq0NTmjQ7qOD158kS9Jy98SsRm3oIHS6r_Um1kJC4KDzSarAM4temfKavSUs20DxeB0aLlHT0pBA9MDFsfMitoOBFrqHefpjFics/w640-h426/Laugharne12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASD3YdGgKKf2OEpt8ZAmq2yjRS4bfy2AzbGDWEYJpEljqOwd9ab3Osw34Nbajwer7w2yg7NAiMwB_C7-DsOpZqV9EEe2_bN7eqYwC-WOkxN4BNecAJJQyfCAc_mfEON4-ig8-E00_V26-mhSGN_4QVCB7JSJ_oLM75XxTgXeT_In3BylK2fgdzE4PA4U/s5568/Laugharne14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASD3YdGgKKf2OEpt8ZAmq2yjRS4bfy2AzbGDWEYJpEljqOwd9ab3Osw34Nbajwer7w2yg7NAiMwB_C7-DsOpZqV9EEe2_bN7eqYwC-WOkxN4BNecAJJQyfCAc_mfEON4-ig8-E00_V26-mhSGN_4QVCB7JSJ_oLM75XxTgXeT_In3BylK2fgdzE4PA4U/w640-h426/Laugharne14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A backwards look at Laugharne's main street from the castle walls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Next up, t</span><span style="font-family: courier;">he Grist, a</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> large, triangular, open area once linking to the harbour and foreshore. It's name most likely derives from a former corn or grist mill which stood at the mouth of the river. The cross dates from 1911, but stands on a much older, probably medieval, stone base.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iHePk2Z0m9OQ59baeC2a7RegORm8NDVvhXVVDHcYTKasv8uiveJ0Mizfu8JocqFyoVDFuGQXNmqQZ7viIL5or2C6hx1QVmSNvY9sIrcBBNCbFsW2kseZ9-PKnUhfbsMX4omw9hAkDZSFJnE54JZkTg_jzMsD8Gr1ahhaOOo5pBY6xXEGwOwQyqObZLM/s5568/Laugharne16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iHePk2Z0m9OQ59baeC2a7RegORm8NDVvhXVVDHcYTKasv8uiveJ0Mizfu8JocqFyoVDFuGQXNmqQZ7viIL5or2C6hx1QVmSNvY9sIrcBBNCbFsW2kseZ9-PKnUhfbsMX4omw9hAkDZSFJnE54JZkTg_jzMsD8Gr1ahhaOOo5pBY6xXEGwOwQyqObZLM/w640-h426/Laugharne16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">By now, the salty air was encircling us. Another corner of Laugharne, another nod to its famous son...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI06Swf-RCkmPLeOxMmFXtsbwX4W3qUoztcorcWdw-9JbaWhsbDnwLT1bnxIwzYQby8sKL0t8isFbvLRynd_76HFaKi2TqWxnkc44ShXZlfw0eqsMvymiVWVJDTjPF2irEUJAQyL2xhY759l2f5QgRY7j5eo2RtTSJhIbHgTgR9JOoWIQfnSomhz6zKY/s5160/Laugharne18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3400" data-original-width="5160" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI06Swf-RCkmPLeOxMmFXtsbwX4W3qUoztcorcWdw-9JbaWhsbDnwLT1bnxIwzYQby8sKL0t8isFbvLRynd_76HFaKi2TqWxnkc44ShXZlfw0eqsMvymiVWVJDTjPF2irEUJAQyL2xhY759l2f5QgRY7j5eo2RtTSJhIbHgTgR9JOoWIQfnSomhz6zKY/w400-h264/Laugharne18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>..<span style="font-family: courier;">.and another pleasing view.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This area of estuary was once a busy harbour, exporting goods around the world. Now the Taf estuary is part of the Carmarthen Bay Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (for its saltmarsh vegetation and two species of migratory fish).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L1qzAJPkVvgtzPqEJJPBijjTa75x4fr45tJC2oC-4i902NKZmaB8Txq33fjAx47_Kkdb1a7CCOGAafYjK2dB43azk5lng3whyphenhyphensIY85UnCtNBrKWy2MhY7UOGNJ7ajbTcMltaTA3DNBls0_j_F6px4-cfciXuX7RuRxcAGbOV-cu-65WM1IVLa2V1vNc/s5568/Laugharne20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L1qzAJPkVvgtzPqEJJPBijjTa75x4fr45tJC2oC-4i902NKZmaB8Txq33fjAx47_Kkdb1a7CCOGAafYjK2dB43azk5lng3whyphenhyphensIY85UnCtNBrKWy2MhY7UOGNJ7ajbTcMltaTA3DNBls0_j_F6px4-cfciXuX7RuRxcAGbOV-cu-65WM1IVLa2V1vNc/w640-h426/Laugharne20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EKlilULz1TCmlZ2d_a8uvP3tpYf5f1VS6JgaE-A-hI5Frl780-Ym2n8FbMknYW7tDABNB_G6FRlYFDThP3goH1dgHBeKUr6Bdky0q5InSVB0E79OtHsz3LzTZiRLZOiGbI47-XDEwOTlOBKANLmFstuqaK2AL60xy5i2aKKas3pRMD9-OspnkUIYalY/s5449/Laugharne22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3633" data-original-width="5449" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EKlilULz1TCmlZ2d_a8uvP3tpYf5f1VS6JgaE-A-hI5Frl780-Ym2n8FbMknYW7tDABNB_G6FRlYFDThP3goH1dgHBeKUr6Bdky0q5InSVB0E79OtHsz3LzTZiRLZOiGbI47-XDEwOTlOBKANLmFstuqaK2AL60xy5i2aKKas3pRMD9-OspnkUIYalY/w640-h426/Laugharne22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A 180 degree turn and you see the imposing Laugharne Castle (<i>"...brown as owls"</i> as Dylan described the walls) dominated the headland. The castle was first established in 1116 by invading Normans and attacked and re-taken countless times by the Welsh. Oliver Cromwell laid siege to the castle during the Civil War and the dents made by the Roundheads can still be seen today.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3XDkHSNVD8yi-xr2eboDLeHosJ8UxLBXeUNloJG_HRmIP-zE8yXK52OyiqdFuNtIAPuRi-7kYlnynuyfubH0smaiYyAew7gsShEy8rfM7pTdjn91eKRaHKFSlYNfcVZsmE8ONYjmbIu_sLdKYAGJmnXidhX-nBL2vMT3UWxcIbv51yXPP1KKiqlQYI8/s5568/Laugharne19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3XDkHSNVD8yi-xr2eboDLeHosJ8UxLBXeUNloJG_HRmIP-zE8yXK52OyiqdFuNtIAPuRi-7kYlnynuyfubH0smaiYyAew7gsShEy8rfM7pTdjn91eKRaHKFSlYNfcVZsmE8ONYjmbIu_sLdKYAGJmnXidhX-nBL2vMT3UWxcIbv51yXPP1KKiqlQYI8/w640-h426/Laugharne19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxt5Iap5E31XuLJDuVBYB1uCYC73xKfG-2JSNL4WTgOUSBO4MfjFjlT21ai0FFdMny_j5gE0pt2FJHvBYp5zUDLNKPVsSke0yH58nGHd_qL_re0G4Z-T6kohX6x8ygN_zieLgOFY_XduH5raLOek75ju0bxiJIIqqo912HzVIXeCIrdmcaldzYqlEZ3s/s5568/Laugharne23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxt5Iap5E31XuLJDuVBYB1uCYC73xKfG-2JSNL4WTgOUSBO4MfjFjlT21ai0FFdMny_j5gE0pt2FJHvBYp5zUDLNKPVsSke0yH58nGHd_qL_re0G4Z-T6kohX6x8ygN_zieLgOFY_XduH5raLOek75ju0bxiJIIqqo912HzVIXeCIrdmcaldzYqlEZ3s/w640-h426/Laugharne23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Fighting a losing battle against the intertidal mud, we retraced our steps and followed the path in front of the castle, snaking around the headland.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">First glimpse of The Boathouse...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgd4EMvN2xdx0eJ4DYvWDzQdLamwzsMK84cz31t-8Xn_pgOovvxImVwXr-J7-pMNJRiW0_LL8DlJYF4ZCFaaraJi72px4C_pIT_KrqDvI7wZxXhxwqO06lDsWwT0g3A_dLUSIawIGhfvdLosSwMcP9oa82KT1yj9dmmaTNblMT193a2jvb8OTXOUg5eo/s5476/Laugharne26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3651" data-original-width="5476" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgd4EMvN2xdx0eJ4DYvWDzQdLamwzsMK84cz31t-8Xn_pgOovvxImVwXr-J7-pMNJRiW0_LL8DlJYF4ZCFaaraJi72px4C_pIT_KrqDvI7wZxXhxwqO06lDsWwT0g3A_dLUSIawIGhfvdLosSwMcP9oa82KT1yj9dmmaTNblMT193a2jvb8OTXOUg5eo/w640-h426/Laugharne26.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...and Dylan's writing hut.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7HthyphenhyphenJ1mFxSfC4U5Szcdrt81r1QZFhPZR_zp-DqdFULx8RW9a2Sk76lwrS9_o_kqQEyE_WG4-Q7d7buVoA0_ujBlbTj2vpcRvhnZvFtQoTtQr2-mFOnOwXslbWsSB9RDg2-LdFRmsfvKUpBxFk8cbxIu7dym-W12PrTT2iWHrjAOt_f4HzUPC0T4-wA/s5415/Laugharne25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5415" data-original-width="3514" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7HthyphenhyphenJ1mFxSfC4U5Szcdrt81r1QZFhPZR_zp-DqdFULx8RW9a2Sk76lwrS9_o_kqQEyE_WG4-Q7d7buVoA0_ujBlbTj2vpcRvhnZvFtQoTtQr2-mFOnOwXslbWsSB9RDg2-LdFRmsfvKUpBxFk8cbxIu7dym-W12PrTT2iWHrjAOt_f4HzUPC0T4-wA/w416-h640/Laugharne25.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We took to the steep steps built into the cliff and suddenly we were there, in Dylan's world...another space and time.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXwg8yhrmga33ELW5aRUMuhdz7D1ASnQ62m1sAbnhqXjNwD7LeqiGDNe_1VXURvLTDU3SnZ5BRuxVpb_mZ5K1MmUMchy0O8ezyX83ft9LlxqAnsZgH2mQfHPoIjzq2eRVAnCRUFXaZYYiaJt2eumHRrlDc9SHD7jBdG1YzaWzDbq9vhv0OleqFsQciFE/s3862/Laugharne29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="3862" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXwg8yhrmga33ELW5aRUMuhdz7D1ASnQ62m1sAbnhqXjNwD7LeqiGDNe_1VXURvLTDU3SnZ5BRuxVpb_mZ5K1MmUMchy0O8ezyX83ft9LlxqAnsZgH2mQfHPoIjzq2eRVAnCRUFXaZYYiaJt2eumHRrlDc9SHD7jBdG1YzaWzDbq9vhv0OleqFsQciFE/w640-h564/Laugharne29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This was photographed with the camera pressed to the polycarbonate screen covering the doorway. The public can't actually enter, but this was good enough for me. I loved the screwed up pieces of paper on the floor under his desk, his jacket hanging over the chair and the postcards, photos and artworks pinned to the beams and walls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Dylan's routine in brief. Mornings were for crosswords, reading and letter writing. Lunchtimes were for heavy drinking. Miraculously, given the lunchtime sessions, work took place between the hours of 2 pm and 7 pm. Dylan would allegedly read his work aloud repeatedly to test out and perfect the rhythms and rhymes. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ4HoblhKtMbAYOn4DWLsxKC2JrrzCk4hi0Lr9u-xPx_0S9UCiQas0OcdWwHNLb9B9_9eoF17EwfgdE02f147-FH1bOklP40ZBUJ46j-YNeVMlBmfYaoVX3tb_4k-Xxejy5UYjlxDuoTEbDFtKjf16w6D1Ip_K6NR33VRwPayhyphenhyphennTGxBjnW4VfqXxFpc/s5568/Laugharne31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ4HoblhKtMbAYOn4DWLsxKC2JrrzCk4hi0Lr9u-xPx_0S9UCiQas0OcdWwHNLb9B9_9eoF17EwfgdE02f147-FH1bOklP40ZBUJ46j-YNeVMlBmfYaoVX3tb_4k-Xxejy5UYjlxDuoTEbDFtKjf16w6D1Ip_K6NR33VRwPayhyphenhyphennTGxBjnW4VfqXxFpc/w640-h426/Laugharne31.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View from the writing hut</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7DJU67CSjDE-1cPsLh9dBapVYDgeR1tBautdZa4CHI0hPQyXJbUahaxtFYpFn8oioaM64Js1tIhhkOjAabH8sodkUPkd0l4j2Xa0RgETMBxKk4TCOy4B80kxaza6s_IqbGj1CHBsY4bpr_MKjfEo5n20aXnI5EHbmDo71n2OcvQ3INDkXOtu3EbhfF0/s5568/Laugharne27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7DJU67CSjDE-1cPsLh9dBapVYDgeR1tBautdZa4CHI0hPQyXJbUahaxtFYpFn8oioaM64Js1tIhhkOjAabH8sodkUPkd0l4j2Xa0RgETMBxKk4TCOy4B80kxaza6s_IqbGj1CHBsY4bpr_MKjfEo5n20aXnI5EHbmDo71n2OcvQ3INDkXOtu3EbhfF0/w640-h426/Laugharne27.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A short stroll along this elevated footpath and once again The Boat House was in our sights.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_LVUCaUXvAvRf9MTBbQaQFx71Dp7ckm_gCXIUlagyGgRTlGoayMKelDLgxUZQPcxanMPacoYZzeEZuxYYbz8WIIjxLEZbli-04b_lUMauW-0rB6zo6AeN2dlqkzWisifzG5NYS3G8A8PAeodFisuW6ooQCC57v5rS1PUJv54RMRw7pWcJ6-5jjMkCHo/s5568/Laugharne33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_LVUCaUXvAvRf9MTBbQaQFx71Dp7ckm_gCXIUlagyGgRTlGoayMKelDLgxUZQPcxanMPacoYZzeEZuxYYbz8WIIjxLEZbli-04b_lUMauW-0rB6zo6AeN2dlqkzWisifzG5NYS3G8A8PAeodFisuW6ooQCC57v5rS1PUJv54RMRw7pWcJ6-5jjMkCHo/w640-h426/Laugharne33.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This spot in the west of Wales surely inspired these words from Dylan:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>This day winding down now</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>As God speeded summer's end</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>In the torrent salmon sun,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>In my seashaken house</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>On a breakneck of rocks...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOQZcBg3pSbShMMNGabKS_nnhie8gGyzubW_2hhphMP4bugc72DYHSMmpVPuOyJWsZ-6K4R0F0P_SR0DNd0Yf0m5SiQb6d4weUZGWHizHacUhP_M9dY7ZoHIowkoYPIu7XaaDZrR8-_qyJruA2Cv6yCdjWdOQ_XxsdZ71rwuEZgHp7KnQQrpOeII3rDc/s5520/Laugharne35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5520" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOQZcBg3pSbShMMNGabKS_nnhie8gGyzubW_2hhphMP4bugc72DYHSMmpVPuOyJWsZ-6K4R0F0P_SR0DNd0Yf0m5SiQb6d4weUZGWHizHacUhP_M9dY7ZoHIowkoYPIu7XaaDZrR8-_qyJruA2Cv6yCdjWdOQ_XxsdZ71rwuEZgHp7KnQQrpOeII3rDc/w640-h430/Laugharne35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Boat House now houses a well stocked shop crammed with books of Dylan's work, a cafe and a gallery. I picked up a paperback copy of The Dylan Thomas Omnibus and the tourist trap of a souvenir, a fridge magnet. Forgive me! I was drawn to this photo of Dylan and Caitlin, photographed in the former's natural habitat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaodZ61T8vlphvlTsXrgtT5B9xD0kWOe9qaaVeI2Djj7I1to2_o_Yjmnun4c-HZ4S7lEGAmoP-y9XjN9QVDhbW2m9COLZDKV7gkw5IJcPjkGj6efFyPfJXAkQlN4vTfSm1NBmmuty4101-vBJtZZzNE6HxW-mF2GVDYJaTd4R2XzMBaUy7i7lNpC403Q/s1024/DylanThomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaodZ61T8vlphvlTsXrgtT5B9xD0kWOe9qaaVeI2Djj7I1to2_o_Yjmnun4c-HZ4S7lEGAmoP-y9XjN9QVDhbW2m9COLZDKV7gkw5IJcPjkGj6efFyPfJXAkQlN4vTfSm1NBmmuty4101-vBJtZZzNE6HxW-mF2GVDYJaTd4R2XzMBaUy7i7lNpC403Q/w400-h256/DylanThomas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">So there you have it! Laugharne was an unexpected delight and left us thinking we should do bugger all more often! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll leave you and our Welsh sojourn with some last words from the man himself, appropriately etched into a bench in the garden:-</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>The funny thing is, I find myself going back again and again.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-79237328282549421912023-10-05T09:44:00.003-07:002023-10-05T09:44:51.671-07:00City Slickers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Two days in to our early September Welsh getaway and the heatwave was still holding. On Wednesday, blue sky and high clouds were the order of the day. We decided to take a trip to the city - close to the most westerly point in Wales. The city of St David's that is. As the 2020 Sion Aled Owen poem goes St David's is in fact "A village that thinks it's a city, tucked in a far corner of a nation..." St David's has a main high street lined with delis, pubs and souvenir shops and little else, other than the spectacle that is St David's Cathedral, nestled in a valley in an effort to avoid invaders. It is this Anglican cathedral, founded as a monastic community by David, Abbot of Menevia (St David, the Patron Saint of Wales, who died in 589) that gives St David's its city status, granted in the 12th century.</span><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXg8z10hJmR5qhvYQvYyfIhgEv9fGYOw2Ui__rv_5v-wjgVqc6acXSnP2PJr8C77HfteXjTfy6FcBkwSfTLhmpYnaJHPP1UZzjypupdtHWN7Gp0xAbzCg5sylDklL_URp9rADyif2gHYXMJJBlg7gq5QyI5x4yKaTlDhBFWgysIO87Mo-bvJy1UL8Eoc/s5568/WednesdayStDavids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXg8z10hJmR5qhvYQvYyfIhgEv9fGYOw2Ui__rv_5v-wjgVqc6acXSnP2PJr8C77HfteXjTfy6FcBkwSfTLhmpYnaJHPP1UZzjypupdtHWN7Gp0xAbzCg5sylDklL_URp9rADyif2gHYXMJJBlg7gq5QyI5x4yKaTlDhBFWgysIO87Mo-bvJy1UL8Eoc/w640-h426/WednesdayStDavids.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Entry to the cathedral is free and after indulging in some locally made artisan pasties, followed by ice cream for the boys (Gaelic Coffee and Apricot, Brandy and Walnut flavours), we took our own pilgrimage to the cathedral, opting to leave a donation in the box on our way through. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It's genuinely awesome and I recommend you go, but I'll share the main highlights in a moment. But firstly, who was St David? Why was he so special? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Well, he was by all accounts a good man who established many religious communities and trod lightly upon this earth. He and his monks survived on leeks and water and opted to plough the fields by hand rather than use oxen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He was born in a storm on a cliff top and some say he lived for over 100 years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He was born into aristocracy. It is claimed that his father was Sant, the Prince of Powys and his grandfather King Ceredig, founder of Ceredigion. His mother, Non, was a nun and later canonised herself. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He visited Glastonbury, donating a travelling altar to the abbey that included a great sapphire (stolen some 1,000 years later).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He brought back a rock from his visit to Jerusalem, which sits in an altar at St David's Cathedral.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He was said to have performed miracles, including curing his tutor of blindness with the sign of the cross.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">By 12th century, he was renowned, with around 60 Welsh churches named after him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So, to the highlights. The rose window has three different frames from three different stages of the cathedral's history. The lowest blocked frame dates from the 12th century. The larger curved frame dates from 14th century when the Bishop decided that more light should be let in. This was preserved in 19th century renovations of the window. The 20th century stained glass was produced by the William Morris Company.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeSCa3xL3LKlGLuwCpbun31PQqs7cqZMYKfvrO_Z22DJ-ifhbc7OlpSk6LR4yT-59AVAWevIkUK9JnkrAr-3unvkJtu0yRHrhBBrlmAmbsnPYAfmrKr_M9pwms9Q3LU-N1huPM5dpK5R_6IBr-J0dTUIeKR5zB_eBpxhF3m_6gAYtURUiiW21-blFFTI/s5280/Wednesday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5280" data-original-width="3472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeSCa3xL3LKlGLuwCpbun31PQqs7cqZMYKfvrO_Z22DJ-ifhbc7OlpSk6LR4yT-59AVAWevIkUK9JnkrAr-3unvkJtu0yRHrhBBrlmAmbsnPYAfmrKr_M9pwms9Q3LU-N1huPM5dpK5R_6IBr-J0dTUIeKR5zB_eBpxhF3m_6gAYtURUiiW21-blFFTI/w420-h640/Wednesday3.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Nave's ceiling is considered a masterpiece, carved in the 1530s from Welsh Oak. It is the only ceiling of its kind in the UK.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJJi3GfJlHv7HhiV6waZN03Y9atCt4c1Pjqlv88wL2v7CAwZO9tUIkx36ukA32O5aFr0jDorG67_IEYEmdK2CLYenzFOxwXCyp7XXhZNQ-KGijynG32jh9eyOskK-YMUnyEhhY_ASvXVEK7ILXAZVQHnUsXhadAZC7y7u0Bhm2AL-z_2YLb37xPXJsTw/s5046/Wednesday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3636" data-original-width="5046" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJJi3GfJlHv7HhiV6waZN03Y9atCt4c1Pjqlv88wL2v7CAwZO9tUIkx36ukA32O5aFr0jDorG67_IEYEmdK2CLYenzFOxwXCyp7XXhZNQ-KGijynG32jh9eyOskK-YMUnyEhhY_ASvXVEK7ILXAZVQHnUsXhadAZC7y7u0Bhm2AL-z_2YLb37xPXJsTw/w640-h462/Wednesday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">St David's shrine. In the 12th century, Pope Calixtus II declared St Davids Cathedral to be a place of pilgrimage. It was at this time that the medieval shrine was constructed close to the High Altar. The Pope also stated that the shrine was so important that two pilgrimages to St Davids were equivalent to one to Rome and three were equivalent to one to Jerusalem. </span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Since then, the path of pilgrimage has been trodden by hundreds of thousands of individuals.</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNqlSub38u10AFWsEEh9m_d6Mv8m4FXPxpIsJ-kIUhREpIQ6u2rthMoz1-BdD-LMy-Dnz8Upa2Ri1ep1HU2NcUjb_F1XY62vwKyD2r5XVqvaDZ_IyZCZS4dKTvxvcs_IU38UKd_60OqmNag40BckRLmvFLnx8PWTlnAmVw4zLgoWIMGRVGKhULiLwo-I/s4948/Wednesday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3619" data-original-width="4948" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNqlSub38u10AFWsEEh9m_d6Mv8m4FXPxpIsJ-kIUhREpIQ6u2rthMoz1-BdD-LMy-Dnz8Upa2Ri1ep1HU2NcUjb_F1XY62vwKyD2r5XVqvaDZ_IyZCZS4dKTvxvcs_IU38UKd_60OqmNag40BckRLmvFLnx8PWTlnAmVw4zLgoWIMGRVGKhULiLwo-I/w640-h468/Wednesday10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The 14th Century Lady Chapel built to honour the Virgin Mary.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ra9LJ7FwEy0iG5QGjx99563GKhHK4zaejUWnEH4gBsFPZJa5XSEGDTSbSS7YLJYqfCyKgpdoR3QRWl4EMramUv6UfcHPc12fR743GcF9-amIw1nh08bn3wKpseTRdqo8upVPCANRq39qxjzzb_rGoSeNsaAXRo5ut_xqnPrNbxQH9yr20395TcpYyps/s5460/Wednesday17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5460" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ra9LJ7FwEy0iG5QGjx99563GKhHK4zaejUWnEH4gBsFPZJa5XSEGDTSbSS7YLJYqfCyKgpdoR3QRWl4EMramUv6UfcHPc12fR743GcF9-amIw1nh08bn3wKpseTRdqo8upVPCANRq39qxjzzb_rGoSeNsaAXRo5ut_xqnPrNbxQH9yr20395TcpYyps/w640-h436/Wednesday17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Numerous knights' tombs.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I-CkrK4_IcdMir1SZwMXFopcIoMFSz9NnsYweVlHeTnhMhNxAA_Q-wMEpDZIxxFkmv1m6ERUu8EvQoFwYhUS61jLlcxD4f5frR0p-prIv27tJwx1A5csa1byh2bmK2db7ufz3NojXdTJgurVBX1xG90iDshU04mtKhGCDPOoere0r-JZLDhewjuafrM/s5304/Wednesday15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5304" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I-CkrK4_IcdMir1SZwMXFopcIoMFSz9NnsYweVlHeTnhMhNxAA_Q-wMEpDZIxxFkmv1m6ERUu8EvQoFwYhUS61jLlcxD4f5frR0p-prIv27tJwx1A5csa1byh2bmK2db7ufz3NojXdTJgurVBX1xG90iDshU04mtKhGCDPOoere0r-JZLDhewjuafrM/w400-h280/Wednesday15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Cathedral Quire....</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0EPLpmCo8SQH4m3x_ROV6DechLYKw-tPgcWFHEgPTO1kHPQVQJvedbhSLX8o6OZGOVz5o8cnkm43HWYs3ZZU0glW7wECeiwmHFw_ry8DBV5CK_Vjkn7FLyTe5qeiuSnt3urhD-num2gpB-3VTUIOeKyiCJHUAbmNUYMoRjUnHgDlf2Swkt6rl3L9ww/s5448/Wednesday32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5448" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph0EPLpmCo8SQH4m3x_ROV6DechLYKw-tPgcWFHEgPTO1kHPQVQJvedbhSLX8o6OZGOVz5o8cnkm43HWYs3ZZU0glW7wECeiwmHFw_ry8DBV5CK_Vjkn7FLyTe5qeiuSnt3urhD-num2gpB-3VTUIOeKyiCJHUAbmNUYMoRjUnHgDlf2Swkt6rl3L9ww/w640-h426/Wednesday32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...with its painted ceiling, rare surviving medieval floor tiles...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsAGcVUmsNnFPR6rnieVXnUjMR2CzWao1NT3-mF636O5l9Pty3yRyAYle8Bx6RDHJu903nStPM-HTa6sSzfjeYm6T_yIqQ_1njtoMHcFpAaA3jlcYntBOFznM6USB7O4cEW1qr9AZ107AM6it0xjbwMgSFArmDNiLw7K5wyfG2-6dAzRwFykLjYX1JoU/s5153/Wednesday33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="5153" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsAGcVUmsNnFPR6rnieVXnUjMR2CzWao1NT3-mF636O5l9Pty3yRyAYle8Bx6RDHJu903nStPM-HTa6sSzfjeYm6T_yIqQ_1njtoMHcFpAaA3jlcYntBOFznM6USB7O4cEW1qr9AZ107AM6it0xjbwMgSFArmDNiLw7K5wyfG2-6dAzRwFykLjYX1JoU/w640-h440/Wednesday33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...and its 15th-16th century choir stalls with carved misericords, which include a dragon, a nest of serpents and perhaps most interestingly, a boat full of seasick pilgrims!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9-NChvt_z7YfRs4fV3t2eVhBpcdL6JOQrBPJWnduvhXXEMElZVg28jHdNJl_UM68LWl18QR_8HcjdNdx2hYQMHwNWAIPJaMELL3mZb5gmbe7tvsncY_xITNuoy589WBiKq40M2TpM8L45G6Lh4_OlsWXKD7bwhiFd7Ixplbp8USoJS-uRP4OOqOqGKA/s5378/Wednesday23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3525" data-original-width="5378" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9-NChvt_z7YfRs4fV3t2eVhBpcdL6JOQrBPJWnduvhXXEMElZVg28jHdNJl_UM68LWl18QR_8HcjdNdx2hYQMHwNWAIPJaMELL3mZb5gmbe7tvsncY_xITNuoy589WBiKq40M2TpM8L45G6Lh4_OlsWXKD7bwhiFd7Ixplbp8USoJS-uRP4OOqOqGKA/w400-h263/Wednesday23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The light, as you might imagine, is exquisite, as evidenced by this reference shot of an information board. At the time I totally missed the incredible light show in the background.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1yQVKyambK1Gw7aD4qIMThm6Y-JX5t2LkyeAN_HbmLwCqmNPdZZDgnt8C5x50C_DftopVBp_QjqfDpynM9Ij3tknKprq8ZE17oP2skMoTtKGDB0ezEo8EIoLeN-RRa3l3n-RybsBdMH5xMMUXf6S1BXt4XQDP5_KZExG9SDaR1UN4OBwvlD3C-GCITg/s5328/Wednesday35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3568" data-original-width="5328" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1yQVKyambK1Gw7aD4qIMThm6Y-JX5t2LkyeAN_HbmLwCqmNPdZZDgnt8C5x50C_DftopVBp_QjqfDpynM9Ij3tknKprq8ZE17oP2skMoTtKGDB0ezEo8EIoLeN-RRa3l3n-RybsBdMH5xMMUXf6S1BXt4XQDP5_KZExG9SDaR1UN4OBwvlD3C-GCITg/w640-h428/Wednesday35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Cloisters.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKVkr2bhUvSwiXaMtMjhVm9Dww74o8Bo3QnUDMmNsqFeOi71bqZYeu0RtZV5kdJAL8Jy3x76c1GtVlUA54PjdxRNkDhNc17KbPYSEUFdIT-orSn8-FwnUxzerEdyzQPT1mdCn7d7mdhLncFLivq5kGXiBnOfV-7P7L8GdlKstxWQcxd6O599jhNzJU5s/s5568/Wednesday37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKVkr2bhUvSwiXaMtMjhVm9Dww74o8Bo3QnUDMmNsqFeOi71bqZYeu0RtZV5kdJAL8Jy3x76c1GtVlUA54PjdxRNkDhNc17KbPYSEUFdIT-orSn8-FwnUxzerEdyzQPT1mdCn7d7mdhLncFLivq5kGXiBnOfV-7P7L8GdlKstxWQcxd6O599jhNzJU5s/w640-h426/Wednesday37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This area once housed St Mary's College, founded in 1365 by Bishop Houghton. It housed a master and seven fellows who served the Cathedral. The Cloisters were rebuilt in 2008 and you can see traces of the old above the new. Now the area houses a Refectory with Cloisters Gallery, toilets and the Song School for the Cathedral Choir.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">There are many more points of interest, but I don't want to give you too many spoilers. It's without doubt the most impressive UK cathedral we've ever visited. So let's leave this beautiful city with some suitably atmospheric black and white exterior photos of its cathedral and monastic ruins.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaI-4Xr5b2apjTojd40ebKHQ1F3xsItqFTlOh4WZIYUQlPkEep2uYc06clj89Av_j7QuqBqHi4RLg8-rHOG5Rim1sdMSo3lNzpnWRefdobM3yX77m8P3yZ_ZBk9j3qXatTJdBh7TBrc_w2nRbX5ZJMwUAmhSingBd-bBOv4aheGUDlyAktGHoqV8EFe4/s5568/Wednesday45bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaI-4Xr5b2apjTojd40ebKHQ1F3xsItqFTlOh4WZIYUQlPkEep2uYc06clj89Av_j7QuqBqHi4RLg8-rHOG5Rim1sdMSo3lNzpnWRefdobM3yX77m8P3yZ_ZBk9j3qXatTJdBh7TBrc_w2nRbX5ZJMwUAmhSingBd-bBOv4aheGUDlyAktGHoqV8EFe4/w640-h426/Wednesday45bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sDESBGtItgWzBw4stdVeO6sYfy-c5ZZEIiAOdLcJQ0Mj-cvYOuHk0WGPZC1KpbOYT9sSZOXHxWFhcUIdi2cZnZTEEqbZCFrvMWQS51gueMgXZ37PCys4RdQT70RD5uSFndECTJSeM2nsLR07Tr3yzdaS5lgRZb7T0xUMjRaBtqciRFMV4JXbdn3z_Nk/s5424/Wednesday44bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5424" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sDESBGtItgWzBw4stdVeO6sYfy-c5ZZEIiAOdLcJQ0Mj-cvYOuHk0WGPZC1KpbOYT9sSZOXHxWFhcUIdi2cZnZTEEqbZCFrvMWQS51gueMgXZ37PCys4RdQT70RD5uSFndECTJSeM2nsLR07Tr3yzdaS5lgRZb7T0xUMjRaBtqciRFMV4JXbdn3z_Nk/w438-h640/Wednesday44bw.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSkpwHKZYMv0faFOZhoHZ2HPuYE_BWD9MdltKdEzgRFTh5xH79P3UoQ8mmxHbXMs9LKhvCkCpvL0EBUHOxsGRO-31HCbB8HDqq2sCNdzK-IXkrqgpYbJH80DvWr_HktT3vQdXt-jcaTscC3X5jXDN-Hco8V5xS173Yx7km41EQ7ufw9qKKFKDbKIzH-4/s5568/Wednesday43bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSkpwHKZYMv0faFOZhoHZ2HPuYE_BWD9MdltKdEzgRFTh5xH79P3UoQ8mmxHbXMs9LKhvCkCpvL0EBUHOxsGRO-31HCbB8HDqq2sCNdzK-IXkrqgpYbJH80DvWr_HktT3vQdXt-jcaTscC3X5jXDN-Hco8V5xS173Yx7km41EQ7ufw9qKKFKDbKIzH-4/w640-h426/Wednesday43bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi750oB-ddXPSHQLZ5MUXiZBSOjiisAU9WOfRbtB-t0FB12jTWSdehSkCRUJBxcwr6ovUU0SvHwUWMzpRr9X4wjdD8whlKtp2jv7VCjqUDhBVJEW7NxaqaKlxFXfLo35rRuyI43PbEMpNrGg1EId0ebx441RAtI6C11Xoc85vqISKbhkNOGcTweXIxSNK4/s5424/Wednesday49bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3616" data-original-width="5424" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi750oB-ddXPSHQLZ5MUXiZBSOjiisAU9WOfRbtB-t0FB12jTWSdehSkCRUJBxcwr6ovUU0SvHwUWMzpRr9X4wjdD8whlKtp2jv7VCjqUDhBVJEW7NxaqaKlxFXfLo35rRuyI43PbEMpNrGg1EId0ebx441RAtI6C11Xoc85vqISKbhkNOGcTweXIxSNK4/w640-h426/Wednesday49bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Thursday was a disrupted day. After narrowly avoiding a collision on Wednesday with an idiot driver, who thought overtaking on a bend in order to get one car ahead was worth risking lives for, Gareth had slammed on the anchors. We were quite shaken and subsequently the car was dogged by a grinding sound whenever the brakes were applied. By Thursday morning, Gareth had managed to find a garage in nearby Pembroke and so it was that I found myself alone in the cottage until early afternoon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I was fine for a time, but ultimately the unsettled atmosphere of this Victorian cottage crept in and I couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort. I decided to put on my boots and have a wander around the garden. Of course, as I was lacing my DMs, the knocking sound occurred again...this time, seemingly deep in the thick stone wall of the boot room. I'll put you out of your misery. There were to be no ghostly manifestations or sudden chills, but I felt unsettled there. I was pretty relieved when the boys returned and we decided to spend the rest of the day exploring the Bosherton Lily Ponds Trail, a series of interconnected lily ponds on the Stackpole Estate.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx64Sff9wjXtpkYkaXda3wuJlV9B_-yNAaWiJlKGa5ELDt4d3QkI2SfMEfUA8o50lwxNI7Stn-AqQ8mvYAj7XoQm1psQ4u2jlm2GicHAs9VX3CQ7HlNRSS0Ux4CS-7UR9hL_ziM0VtVk-HcT9XEvgtkg6KaJmEgNPfz2LlJ7Ofm5Cnt-Le1BqZBsW84Y/s5568/Thursday22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx64Sff9wjXtpkYkaXda3wuJlV9B_-yNAaWiJlKGa5ELDt4d3QkI2SfMEfUA8o50lwxNI7Stn-AqQ8mvYAj7XoQm1psQ4u2jlm2GicHAs9VX3CQ7HlNRSS0Ux4CS-7UR9hL_ziM0VtVk-HcT9XEvgtkg6KaJmEgNPfz2LlJ7Ofm5Cnt-Le1BqZBsW84Y/w640-h426/Thursday22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally, the elusive lilies!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW4M5G5eYVUfqG5cYJz_DrtjtX8_IeVDJknhTkqPO4GNeGcOjEeZtN6j6H1TcAGPEsG_PP6lo3ipZUpOUPpQxuHP4Cyxmexnis7URhSU-uFEoGRjxtLA2AJpWGOO39bkjnTHHxoiB-wWchmRRYgEBLbPGFGTScghnLak45DNhJpKmM0yO1AObobteoF8/s5568/Thursday18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW4M5G5eYVUfqG5cYJz_DrtjtX8_IeVDJknhTkqPO4GNeGcOjEeZtN6j6H1TcAGPEsG_PP6lo3ipZUpOUPpQxuHP4Cyxmexnis7URhSU-uFEoGRjxtLA2AJpWGOO39bkjnTHHxoiB-wWchmRRYgEBLbPGFGTScghnLak45DNhJpKmM0yO1AObobteoF8/w400-h266/Thursday18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Soon the landscape became distinctly coastal and we glimpsed dunes in the distance...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt34bF16w3lBksl3bTvSE1o4NIyic-auNMnVOd_WEdbw35TDKF7BhkKTqrKmu3OgI5lFTSGJCRuy_rtce89bDOsapBZqgBrdJlC7jiQ5OwtIDdXPFNlkJpb1pXlRu1R6F_AjZQJDhNtLR7S8S-729Zr1CLpdm2QwxEstd-vficPU2RlkhmbixAVPgYW2Q/s5568/Thursday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt34bF16w3lBksl3bTvSE1o4NIyic-auNMnVOd_WEdbw35TDKF7BhkKTqrKmu3OgI5lFTSGJCRuy_rtce89bDOsapBZqgBrdJlC7jiQ5OwtIDdXPFNlkJpb1pXlRu1R6F_AjZQJDhNtLR7S8S-729Zr1CLpdm2QwxEstd-vficPU2RlkhmbixAVPgYW2Q/w640-h426/Thursday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...which eventually opened out onto the stunning and almost deserted Broadhaven Beach. Thursday's cooler temperatures and cloud cover may have contributed to the lack of crowds, but accessibility may also be a factor. Some Brits aren't happy unless they can pull their bumpers up to touching distance of the sand.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfBSGCRiJkJBL50XXBh7Ystd9ZUEmH2oqUketmdbh_cmleunP4DtUwywlAx4CZA4ByGSeEh5C3DTi5P0J4OcmLaY_XKnNWgvoQB2fx1vyMuP2UVO5gax5nxfB11XPBVxLFUA0wE_B5SrkxZLltmqhCp76Q-HXPWo8cy9O2ZT3sxQtB1lePfgHN7r4ZdE/s5386/Thursday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3539" data-original-width="5386" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfBSGCRiJkJBL50XXBh7Ystd9ZUEmH2oqUketmdbh_cmleunP4DtUwywlAx4CZA4ByGSeEh5C3DTi5P0J4OcmLaY_XKnNWgvoQB2fx1vyMuP2UVO5gax5nxfB11XPBVxLFUA0wE_B5SrkxZLltmqhCp76Q-HXPWo8cy9O2ZT3sxQtB1lePfgHN7r4ZdE/w640-h420/Thursday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9RCcHFvk4irWUwhR193ouz3yU20Ebx2p4aAC3qnQ1xnkgmL84CLoTHYUOiJuLgeU4q2E8OnLBxxyAu5qG-qGEJdo7YG00bUXFpWO9P_4LxURU3JKpIgxzTelrJTnuXTgwYuh16VU5IYOUMOUjMHmAt2lpAvr3esjh_MDxIMMOx6vkElt0sRyULWEzCw/s5397/Thursday9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3334" data-original-width="5397" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9RCcHFvk4irWUwhR193ouz3yU20Ebx2p4aAC3qnQ1xnkgmL84CLoTHYUOiJuLgeU4q2E8OnLBxxyAu5qG-qGEJdo7YG00bUXFpWO9P_4LxURU3JKpIgxzTelrJTnuXTgwYuh16VU5IYOUMOUjMHmAt2lpAvr3esjh_MDxIMMOx6vkElt0sRyULWEzCw/w640-h396/Thursday9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Surf's up!</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYC48bHDyI4LQZA9o74mV-5pTzhBnBCjYaE0YP5pNKCX2EjEJ67FMtARM4nrOcP8_l4vmXM6oRsvbtgPhMUle9fqvXSZP2gRKFUrVA7916xjgPa03ILVl_YlAnj6y9Uj8w2YFPOFQi_UHCLRtPQ2kquqC6WTfNs0Y5sB1QQIGl8cqzSMgdM9wem3T7gQ/s5341/Thursday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3561" data-original-width="5341" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYC48bHDyI4LQZA9o74mV-5pTzhBnBCjYaE0YP5pNKCX2EjEJ67FMtARM4nrOcP8_l4vmXM6oRsvbtgPhMUle9fqvXSZP2gRKFUrVA7916xjgPa03ILVl_YlAnj6y9Uj8w2YFPOFQi_UHCLRtPQ2kquqC6WTfNs0Y5sB1QQIGl8cqzSMgdM9wem3T7gQ/w640-h426/Thursday10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz908R6FwK9MM15NM94pY8Fl2mJ3lHsMfLfKel9Kr6GU2EVXm5wgqBSKNJjPmdlf9thggBjIsTAceOjIGOuBYTlfVjz0AqrXHkP_frYNDPVemMcuYqTdHPd0CSP8wf3ajNzxY2843FxNQPnKL1wejX5K53xdDFzQT6yNXQu6bThKxEFWnvgvHtqH_UeiQ/s5568/Thursday13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz908R6FwK9MM15NM94pY8Fl2mJ3lHsMfLfKel9Kr6GU2EVXm5wgqBSKNJjPmdlf9thggBjIsTAceOjIGOuBYTlfVjz0AqrXHkP_frYNDPVemMcuYqTdHPd0CSP8wf3ajNzxY2843FxNQPnKL1wejX5K53xdDFzQT6yNXQu6bThKxEFWnvgvHtqH_UeiQ/w640-h426/Thursday13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiqJP8v0DxMCiWYJlUeQYyL4UuP_R4WPl6wGvktWgG5mUvSArgTto64757tjGXXmKQnjj3M3MUDzVMHHGgkDSBuy6WVGVyVyfPfj9C_5XcNXop_xTGX38n1Tu7HmjxrBZm3JCCZ20VQcD9RbKAnuyYLkxvseu_DKMuYpwz3cktWeX20EGwbX0rOOweU8/s5568/Thursday15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiqJP8v0DxMCiWYJlUeQYyL4UuP_R4WPl6wGvktWgG5mUvSArgTto64757tjGXXmKQnjj3M3MUDzVMHHGgkDSBuy6WVGVyVyfPfj9C_5XcNXop_xTGX38n1Tu7HmjxrBZm3JCCZ20VQcD9RbKAnuyYLkxvseu_DKMuYpwz3cktWeX20EGwbX0rOOweU8/w640-h426/Thursday15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Quiet beaches are a rarity and we fully embraced it, walking to the far end and back before following the circular path back past the lily ponds which was teeming with wildlife. The wildlife mostly comprised herons and cormorants, drying their wings and gossiping - and always on the opposite side of the pond to where I was standing. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MjZ0lO8Xs2ka3Doz34osqnz26Ai2mwwyWIehtc4d9FlVVVx_YA5NS6IELwNZU097NmfxGW_wBEw1kvVTcvqApYlMKqHDlsJvqM9k3bHvuYsvlm5dmSc526B-U6-51oWIIy7jr-9g7lEULd1NAEbtVnwV2AqvfXaylWV6B5SLv3vc55MAMmiq-9WkSto/s5568/Thursday26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MjZ0lO8Xs2ka3Doz34osqnz26Ai2mwwyWIehtc4d9FlVVVx_YA5NS6IELwNZU097NmfxGW_wBEw1kvVTcvqApYlMKqHDlsJvqM9k3bHvuYsvlm5dmSc526B-U6-51oWIIy7jr-9g7lEULd1NAEbtVnwV2AqvfXaylWV6B5SLv3vc55MAMmiq-9WkSto/w640-h426/Thursday26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">For once though, I had the right lens on the camera and even though I didn't have enough zoom to capture the raptors, just as I started to fall behind, I got the sudden sense I was being watched. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">My first otter! It was quite some distance from me, but we eyed each other cautiously and he or she happily posed for a photo. OK, I'm no wildlife photographer, but I almost did a little air punch! </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKmiZp-6gXCAjOYe3nGatsaXaLyaJV0koGUj8zj6QLFP3I02G7XYdrd75bR524d6PhmrNqaq5YWCjpYHnS6pHgXD3KxoD8f7ZSzCMba316O0d40GIenznPGBgKZLtM6eHscwtd1x8mbitJoO8t_DNwFyATGXTNQgaKtqJzGz8msQo5yKdVonRMMxsuk4/s5148/Thursdayotter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5148" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKmiZp-6gXCAjOYe3nGatsaXaLyaJV0koGUj8zj6QLFP3I02G7XYdrd75bR524d6PhmrNqaq5YWCjpYHnS6pHgXD3KxoD8f7ZSzCMba316O0d40GIenznPGBgKZLtM6eHscwtd1x8mbitJoO8t_DNwFyATGXTNQgaKtqJzGz8msQo5yKdVonRMMxsuk4/w640-h446/Thursdayotter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqMnnLplYrMToMrQ2Jmr5OcfllCJVkouupucGMfc0nUy6WlNrcmtXF1SJfq1wmpb3i3OWj3GS8dqB23xrd1MUGkQXdXfZ0BtwMB-Cpw1FP_UqFqTZElBLIjRbGHm02Vy-bLUsy6w4ugfasNoGW-Xo84OcB6N9KTMLf_bMO_3rwGKuZSYSS8F39hDHWus/s5292/Thursdayotter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5292" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqMnnLplYrMToMrQ2Jmr5OcfllCJVkouupucGMfc0nUy6WlNrcmtXF1SJfq1wmpb3i3OWj3GS8dqB23xrd1MUGkQXdXfZ0BtwMB-Cpw1FP_UqFqTZElBLIjRbGHm02Vy-bLUsy6w4ugfasNoGW-Xo84OcB6N9KTMLf_bMO_3rwGKuZSYSS8F39hDHWus/w640-h428/Thursdayotter2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">And then there were two! Call me Chris Packham!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUrWsF1tz9mlW4FpPkjSm3JPBpvs_MIvQrtFF9mqbZ2B457VpL998gH0rAIfOzF_lxVtE053V3WGgac6oLx1D1VqGeSf4_c7qfbrTkvEJUqDZIgggaTpJLYUBRYBtVjTpsFjC6PVOM6YKtOR0OHARRUII_p92u3TXL7X7SWmIh4KxN6ZdXfLMhbQsYg8/s5052/Thursdayotter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="5052" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUrWsF1tz9mlW4FpPkjSm3JPBpvs_MIvQrtFF9mqbZ2B457VpL998gH0rAIfOzF_lxVtE053V3WGgac6oLx1D1VqGeSf4_c7qfbrTkvEJUqDZIgggaTpJLYUBRYBtVjTpsFjC6PVOM6YKtOR0OHARRUII_p92u3TXL7X7SWmIh4KxN6ZdXfLMhbQsYg8/w640-h436/Thursdayotter3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I couldn't believe my luck and spent a few minutes squatting at the water's edge until they dipped effortlessly below the surface.</span></div><div><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJds2gzN1aVaeqUiYlpKww9am0j88OlAgxj6niQY8COmpyLDge0T6_PVqRkXqWIxb6oIDDOE-AcVxzzDqZbIOjBzV8guZsfJOM74JwUeuhyKU-tmWto2Gtwuc5ePc27dqDCzOoKs1ujRO4qNKCCfJy1C18hW8Y8iSLdB0L4q7HgH8hPDSF9KbzQYdYvQo/s5568/Thursdayotter5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJds2gzN1aVaeqUiYlpKww9am0j88OlAgxj6niQY8COmpyLDge0T6_PVqRkXqWIxb6oIDDOE-AcVxzzDqZbIOjBzV8guZsfJOM74JwUeuhyKU-tmWto2Gtwuc5ePc27dqDCzOoKs1ujRO4qNKCCfJy1C18hW8Y8iSLdB0L4q7HgH8hPDSF9KbzQYdYvQo/w640-h426/Thursdayotter5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Feeling very pleased with myself, I caught the boys up to share the good news, before being distracted yet again by this rather inelegant spectacle. Charming!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8qRnrZIFiopjspQp4g37M_XHispdfEogcUgJ1on7_duMrIWTneWvjtBzXx5oMjmAngoGCdmk1iEZM-Lwv6YEv-g79Y_1pioOys4vPiqoWQbe7zVRQYncP1dT_mda11z7ahJVC3dy7dLnQWBlPxp4ZdEPI58v-_9rTIoTZ6edrIYH1G8_9IrmseJrAg/s5568/Thursday25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8qRnrZIFiopjspQp4g37M_XHispdfEogcUgJ1on7_duMrIWTneWvjtBzXx5oMjmAngoGCdmk1iEZM-Lwv6YEv-g79Y_1pioOys4vPiqoWQbe7zVRQYncP1dT_mda11z7ahJVC3dy7dLnQWBlPxp4ZdEPI58v-_9rTIoTZ6edrIYH1G8_9IrmseJrAg/w640-h426/Thursday25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">So, on that note, I'll leave you until the final instalment which includes an unplanned diversion from our journey home in the form of a literary trail.</span><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Lato, Montserrat, Arial; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-60992736902527202172023-09-28T04:55:00.000-07:002023-09-28T04:55:02.474-07:00Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLlevgCspY2lEOKHk8Mbr-5PH2iIXsUYEjmubexhCq5o47DZgaHvO80dNex-QR4yRXZwerIpGV9DiJyudR6EJ_1m3NQYozTUzCpxupjiBIKKpbyXqduYaTHumIKNtm7q-KwdBYCvex1lY_isAah78IZnGHSJgePLmkjvbySEHCBa5XcNxdqqm55tYHUE/s5407/TuesdayTenby35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5407" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLlevgCspY2lEOKHk8Mbr-5PH2iIXsUYEjmubexhCq5o47DZgaHvO80dNex-QR4yRXZwerIpGV9DiJyudR6EJ_1m3NQYozTUzCpxupjiBIKKpbyXqduYaTHumIKNtm7q-KwdBYCvex1lY_isAah78IZnGHSJgePLmkjvbySEHCBa5XcNxdqqm55tYHUE/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Day two of our getaway dawned and after a leisurely breakfast there was only one thing on my mind. No, not the inexplicable periodic dull knocking in the cottage walls (no heating on, not the pipes), but church exploration! With ominous looking cloud cover, we decided to delay our plans and to visit nearby Tenby by an hour or so. I can't resist an old church.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We put on our shoes in the boot room, trying our best to ignore the ghostly knocking (best not give these things energy) and headed across the lane to St Elidyr's Church (aka St James and St Elidyr or Stackpole Elidor Church). The name is subject to some debate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The church is Grade I listed and has medieval origins, although most of the original church structure, save for the 12th or 13th century tower and part of the chancel, has been absorbed into later additions. Note the 19th century lychgate designed by Christopher Hatton Turnor (1873 - 1940) in memory of John Frederick Vaughan, second Earl Cawdor, who died in 1881. Along the ridge are lead representations of the Galley of Lorne from the Cawdor arms. The designer was the nephew of the wife of the third Earl and was a much respected architect of his day, responsible, amongst other things, for designs for the Cairo museum. The gate is generally considered to be a significant example of art nouveau.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHSZrqGb2FPd390CeBFr3xw6Gx0Y4Rt0Anzl9MbK1mnDHkRO4WL6kfwPDWSSHPMQxsrOJuBggClqGWAlCTz-xdGyzO1S3ex5gfHMU5kHU1lEHKr7X4ef8akMGqE6nz4danS2oCuv7d0JP5AXd84AEseho8BhLjkAB8-dMIsBQGcKelHYbdjLBraBD3GU/s5568/Tuesday1StackpoleChurch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHSZrqGb2FPd390CeBFr3xw6Gx0Y4Rt0Anzl9MbK1mnDHkRO4WL6kfwPDWSSHPMQxsrOJuBggClqGWAlCTz-xdGyzO1S3ex5gfHMU5kHU1lEHKr7X4ef8akMGqE6nz4danS2oCuv7d0JP5AXd84AEseho8BhLjkAB8-dMIsBQGcKelHYbdjLBraBD3GU/w640-h426/Tuesday1StackpoleChurch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The church is cruciform in shape and nestles neatly into a wooded hillside.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz8Wo8ibc61ZNofiQSS9fBpoTxYgXkLMkUjQjw1trmLoFXz9-NqCwlKy86h7H0r4qivrVGcrKyCnvDIunZtYHWGeHb_hPvtbBBQV94hOc42Z8U0e3i1r4sO7BcNGEGgNU0zqByRUULuciKzy8KzAXP32LF696er2uPjVBOP8sW42QeNrln9mk_2QTk5w/s5568/Tuesday6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz8Wo8ibc61ZNofiQSS9fBpoTxYgXkLMkUjQjw1trmLoFXz9-NqCwlKy86h7H0r4qivrVGcrKyCnvDIunZtYHWGeHb_hPvtbBBQV94hOc42Z8U0e3i1r4sO7BcNGEGgNU0zqByRUULuciKzy8KzAXP32LF696er2uPjVBOP8sW42QeNrln9mk_2QTk5w/w640-h426/Tuesday6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">As per usual, I had failed to do any research, although in fairness, our proximity to the church was something of a surprise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Venturing inside, I was quickly inspired to reach for my camera. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnOXuTWPJtXdPyFCEdY7tmuoF8xEsynBi5AKC3pA5bvvwRCAkSALZquglwG28eqIIGTLc81IeLDgGFk02Y1Z2ckOuHeD5FV_Yx5ZavaD7ctjhXil9GWhqRrqWMlU4A27R8q5-F82kfnjDXtJV_Tkp6dtwVoh5qMIQ-BFGDKiZ28xUhFk_FwoZBFzkg-4/s5568/Tuesday8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnOXuTWPJtXdPyFCEdY7tmuoF8xEsynBi5AKC3pA5bvvwRCAkSALZquglwG28eqIIGTLc81IeLDgGFk02Y1Z2ckOuHeD5FV_Yx5ZavaD7ctjhXil9GWhqRrqWMlU4A27R8q5-F82kfnjDXtJV_Tkp6dtwVoh5qMIQ-BFGDKiZ28xUhFk_FwoZBFzkg-4/w400-h266/Tuesday8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hPVPKLbrAP_ylfoYTvnIucKz7IvULFOICglxTiIlBzr0LMv5zT2KDGZlVWVGo3rrdNHtokv-t0TIbrOQI7gy7m-I0d3fPAOWfdyJI4NJBPAvzIy6GaG7nchP5yO1VcfajHWEgAbJellEGed174QL1VlZikIPQFCHcRgWF04egE8hJJ1x5Yl0C2uxS9U/s5268/Tuesday20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5268" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hPVPKLbrAP_ylfoYTvnIucKz7IvULFOICglxTiIlBzr0LMv5zT2KDGZlVWVGo3rrdNHtokv-t0TIbrOQI7gy7m-I0d3fPAOWfdyJI4NJBPAvzIy6GaG7nchP5yO1VcfajHWEgAbJellEGed174QL1VlZikIPQFCHcRgWF04egE8hJJ1x5Yl0C2uxS9U/w640-h450/Tuesday20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> Gareth at some point drifted from view. I wonder where he went?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8kWVUoU34dYiMFx16f29Bgzv5ADOSS3QtCUjmbb4rdjQCFan3fgo-xC2vQGgvq2SWfYZi8SDoKSm43QEk6mgZjsfqdv1e7NnZnCFjf5iDCbVa5BIIhLo5xF0QlvEYQkJ2UleVMQyZC-bgKPZRs5xYjcIsz2Iwjhbp6GMARR3lExtTr29GbDREKFKgv4/s5568/Tuesday10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8kWVUoU34dYiMFx16f29Bgzv5ADOSS3QtCUjmbb4rdjQCFan3fgo-xC2vQGgvq2SWfYZi8SDoKSm43QEk6mgZjsfqdv1e7NnZnCFjf5iDCbVa5BIIhLo5xF0QlvEYQkJ2UleVMQyZC-bgKPZRs5xYjcIsz2Iwjhbp6GMARR3lExtTr29GbDREKFKgv4/w640-h426/Tuesday10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I was intrigued by this view into the vestry through a broken pane of glass...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5mSlXLNVFQ2d705QHzviJafnplc4OaxbWiYmvyIIBBxchs9aP4DuGZG6pGJB-JiPfI_V1Fr5Mjrlg0JYjMoODB-Dp4mSTBjfMiyQlmuMD7FoCYxAO6E77ZQMuumhZeK4tol14Nr-EB7Ok2SkH4fNqMnG97I72hEopJyBufhQHKe_sbNxEtTQWUqEW4Q/s5568/Tuesday11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5mSlXLNVFQ2d705QHzviJafnplc4OaxbWiYmvyIIBBxchs9aP4DuGZG6pGJB-JiPfI_V1Fr5Mjrlg0JYjMoODB-Dp4mSTBjfMiyQlmuMD7FoCYxAO6E77ZQMuumhZeK4tol14Nr-EB7Ok2SkH4fNqMnG97I72hEopJyBufhQHKe_sbNxEtTQWUqEW4Q/w640-h426/Tuesday11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and the casual storage of signage and church calendar event props in the pews.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi0sJx_RoBQOxpvMuzLYSa_hWrb57alAdy6biJt9-QtFRKKVgKZttioAgiVenOjJj3O-Gz-ksu19jMPMMPaFO_7_AvsKy4ZdnU7-y8KIFqKJUHP4dXpgSBIFfnvSoGYXPWiQBxw5Bf4hHJ0T6Ns5l86T_3OXFTiVdZAA5xvrD4QFXDTyKEGYHP79pYxI/s5568/Tuesday15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi0sJx_RoBQOxpvMuzLYSa_hWrb57alAdy6biJt9-QtFRKKVgKZttioAgiVenOjJj3O-Gz-ksu19jMPMMPaFO_7_AvsKy4ZdnU7-y8KIFqKJUHP4dXpgSBIFfnvSoGYXPWiQBxw5Bf4hHJ0T6Ns5l86T_3OXFTiVdZAA5xvrD4QFXDTyKEGYHP79pYxI/w640-h426/Tuesday15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJLOu-VttrAKTZHLAZtAHvRWbRjfsmXPVC5LNgJZI2HUGP8zJgWV9iQVtHJcNM0KUbiYtglSFVHluGE0QhluWAaW9vsiPLqqPRCLJJUMsdvW8_Q3vmk1kUgl0RoYxESX7s3E0ksrDjtfWhPk07GMfzt86dOK0qG75U4WeQY6qUc5R6e2GnCrlAXFngJU/s5568/Tuesday18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJLOu-VttrAKTZHLAZtAHvRWbRjfsmXPVC5LNgJZI2HUGP8zJgWV9iQVtHJcNM0KUbiYtglSFVHluGE0QhluWAaW9vsiPLqqPRCLJJUMsdvW8_Q3vmk1kUgl0RoYxESX7s3E0ksrDjtfWhPk07GMfzt86dOK0qG75U4WeQY6qUc5R6e2GnCrlAXFngJU/w400-h266/Tuesday18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="text-align: left;">The church has bi monthly services and so for much of the time, sits in silence in splendid isolation. I can't imagine there are many visitors, as evidenced by the </span><span style="text-align: left;">cobwebs, paint patina and dusty, damp organ.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNtZXqeB3LRNPf3-ww8LlP7dQF3NKv62j556ChkiooQg_9_kR_xaweu5c2klm8TW2Kce1t9qTr2R0I8vYdTVLIXZU_SGEhHv5WknrgkN6z5lEXtCXDozrbSabKCn2_T5M6K06S2gzIOGFnVDRdhP1b3cP97ZyUHGN8oeknBD6FOa4nyJbAVhZX6ZnD98/s5460/Tuesday31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="5460" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNtZXqeB3LRNPf3-ww8LlP7dQF3NKv62j556ChkiooQg_9_kR_xaweu5c2klm8TW2Kce1t9qTr2R0I8vYdTVLIXZU_SGEhHv5WknrgkN6z5lEXtCXDozrbSabKCn2_T5M6K06S2gzIOGFnVDRdhP1b3cP97ZyUHGN8oeknBD6FOa4nyJbAVhZX6ZnD98/w640-h426/Tuesday31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoA2VJSuxaWKEEUtk-H2qNdJ7iEkH6VbbzOJ4FG-hAkJfHqmOsoQxU2jmNxLjg3zscSk0e5lBTceLMEw7zDIxE1ohaOHxEqp5HUqSxClfoCmqcNcQQ8TgWnsl0zqv45tMIaRIVl3u_FLvbxsHrQhJcXwuKfRzI8PQqC-bdJcyByLTtf_tPXvOKuA2aik/s5568/Tuesday16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoA2VJSuxaWKEEUtk-H2qNdJ7iEkH6VbbzOJ4FG-hAkJfHqmOsoQxU2jmNxLjg3zscSk0e5lBTceLMEw7zDIxE1ohaOHxEqp5HUqSxClfoCmqcNcQQ8TgWnsl0zqv45tMIaRIVl3u_FLvbxsHrQhJcXwuKfRzI8PQqC-bdJcyByLTtf_tPXvOKuA2aik/w640-h426/Tuesday16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkeg4S7DxAXlc3jD8o5VF3Ewk0kCcTX8j_qP5mb7Z5TVW_51r6xRZNSmLuwEJO77bi7KFTqWv9H2tQn8oUh3-tGN_UjDyl3vVvHgfFehOusvUF9LufSAKCsvjSu8QJ-WHeb9hLmcIgSKn9_FZ44LxEwH-48JIuNj_0vlhhkUWOOUCFQ3r2NTrzLI-oJQ/s5568/Tuesday14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkeg4S7DxAXlc3jD8o5VF3Ewk0kCcTX8j_qP5mb7Z5TVW_51r6xRZNSmLuwEJO77bi7KFTqWv9H2tQn8oUh3-tGN_UjDyl3vVvHgfFehOusvUF9LufSAKCsvjSu8QJ-WHeb9hLmcIgSKn9_FZ44LxEwH-48JIuNj_0vlhhkUWOOUCFQ3r2NTrzLI-oJQ/w640-h426/Tuesday14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The stained glass filtered light was ethereal and danced on the walls like the aurora borealis. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzTnE9jovQSkXMo3ja_BQSx9qJ18ohPkRqIZJ6eMO2CR1ymiZRIUYPvEtTwLY3W1Yp6u_uncOqdoWmIGPcU-n7JwP0PbCDp3e8QkThyPqD92D8cqd8fcoJQfS2-YEoPzqfem34b_IXsmRYXPBQL4F9vlXBPRzeWTsHR8-XesYNasszxOBw9r-Rzevih8/s4980/Tuesday38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="4980" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzTnE9jovQSkXMo3ja_BQSx9qJ18ohPkRqIZJ6eMO2CR1ymiZRIUYPvEtTwLY3W1Yp6u_uncOqdoWmIGPcU-n7JwP0PbCDp3e8QkThyPqD92D8cqd8fcoJQfS2-YEoPzqfem34b_IXsmRYXPBQL4F9vlXBPRzeWTsHR8-XesYNasszxOBw9r-Rzevih8/w640-h456/Tuesday38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On either side of the chancel was a male and female effigy mounted on tomb chests. These are identified as the founder of the church, Sir Elidor and his wife, Lady Elspeth. The style is considered to be much later than their period, but it wasn't uncommon for descendents to erect monuments to long dead forebears in contemporary style. You may just be able to see that the knight's legs are crossed. This is widely acknowledged to indicate that the knight had been to the crusades. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6oslAQpYbiRLR63gICrWJbluhB13t6q-KYekh-tsw5EWN2J3Mcdz_7AQ2U9UMUnYq0CCJNOgPQyzoDHvv_ls9uRCRFs_ewKXfpuK-vAGEI6VXPrCvp9v619m81MMXgCwpveZfQtiaZAbQziZITHKRD_pXYgGtf_qF3Bow22BppWmhfEEYsF9IErfPys/s5359/Tuesday32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3573" data-original-width="5359" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6oslAQpYbiRLR63gICrWJbluhB13t6q-KYekh-tsw5EWN2J3Mcdz_7AQ2U9UMUnYq0CCJNOgPQyzoDHvv_ls9uRCRFs_ewKXfpuK-vAGEI6VXPrCvp9v619m81MMXgCwpveZfQtiaZAbQziZITHKRD_pXYgGtf_qF3Bow22BppWmhfEEYsF9IErfPys/w640-h426/Tuesday32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">For me, the most fascinating part of the church was the Lort Chapel. </span><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This stone includes a dedication to Henrietta Campbell, the daughter of John Hooke Campbell of Banjeston. John Hooke Campbell was the nephew of Lord Cawdor (Welsh politician and art collector). He probably inherited his Welsh estate through his mother's family. He met a sudden death in 1795.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">There we have the Macbeth connection. Thane of Cawdor is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, this title was given to Macbeth after the previous Thane of Cawdor was captured and executed for treason against King Duncan. The historical King Macbeth fought a Thane of Cawdor who died in battled, but he did not thereby acquire the title himself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK75Nlqmx4K1JpUjs3zZMPOnQUVPhQVIZOhKwjq_9VJUL_gQzt7B6FGv4rUNO2UXi2sFzofzBYXCH6EgYi1NjjtEKZvICq35DKDrs4KghAUzhQnZnQPP327CsQ2z7tJwcALY3wA3LiVOjPnd8SAEiYlyZ5mtxT023aGzFzuSZBp0v1CCDaktMx9ALjPVQ/s5352/Tuesday24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5352" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK75Nlqmx4K1JpUjs3zZMPOnQUVPhQVIZOhKwjq_9VJUL_gQzt7B6FGv4rUNO2UXi2sFzofzBYXCH6EgYi1NjjtEKZvICq35DKDrs4KghAUzhQnZnQPP327CsQ2z7tJwcALY3wA3LiVOjPnd8SAEiYlyZ5mtxT023aGzFzuSZBp0v1CCDaktMx9ALjPVQ/w640-h445/Tuesday24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB3jNgJdLiLrK8UZOCTIGJHNIrX3tkcnKKZJrWruYFbWN54UKneVZ63A1i78Rb1POQEiATFhfRIGiLH9-w2mqT0YPeGFnSd8vRANgBdkr_d6nF_0MtkLGWTDpQVD3mw7WuQNiknlr1wEu19xM-NANN0kW9HHxVRHKx6MvsLJeqJ3j04Wtl6AEMxjUIxg/s5256/Tuesday29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5256" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB3jNgJdLiLrK8UZOCTIGJHNIrX3tkcnKKZJrWruYFbWN54UKneVZ63A1i78Rb1POQEiATFhfRIGiLH9-w2mqT0YPeGFnSd8vRANgBdkr_d6nF_0MtkLGWTDpQVD3mw7WuQNiknlr1wEu19xM-NANN0kW9HHxVRHKx6MvsLJeqJ3j04Wtl6AEMxjUIxg/w640-h452/Tuesday29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Inside lay these striking monuments of Roger Lort, Lord of the Manor of Stackpole, who died in 1613. His figure is depicted, facing his wife, Abertha. Beneath, their seven sons and five daughters, all in deep mourning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0JXIvo1m85NCi-RN93Ux61moefcNOMasZtHr5t8cYFydw7WLvV0lEKYpjhskJB4OD3c6znSvzBkTDriAXdAk5uqP0xvCG894Wz_sayxKgWwJrYc8Q2XpMzQjJPg858AaJeflwvYQqRR1XgcSOLSpr36cyEDgkPoxplbNbCMbDcCQhkis7vViwDfInXw/s5568/Tuesday27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0JXIvo1m85NCi-RN93Ux61moefcNOMasZtHr5t8cYFydw7WLvV0lEKYpjhskJB4OD3c6znSvzBkTDriAXdAk5uqP0xvCG894Wz_sayxKgWwJrYc8Q2XpMzQjJPg858AaJeflwvYQqRR1XgcSOLSpr36cyEDgkPoxplbNbCMbDcCQhkis7vViwDfInXw/w640-h426/Tuesday27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt10_5LYsyda1JIDzJz9j1F00K2b7thqfENapez-VKLMTIK2Wnk4MyGCcSjirjEIVytS-VnITSOfiRIp9lE8MEVCJfwaYRcluQm3R0iP_m4rPsKlmxgtXdQTSknzIBCu6G8Y5C6vqyEa2uYciQmiAWQ7D0Tf_p-b3giuHb43URZaqUgeQBWPRSrzo5dU/s5568/Tuesday28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt10_5LYsyda1JIDzJz9j1F00K2b7thqfENapez-VKLMTIK2Wnk4MyGCcSjirjEIVytS-VnITSOfiRIp9lE8MEVCJfwaYRcluQm3R0iP_m4rPsKlmxgtXdQTSknzIBCu6G8Y5C6vqyEa2uYciQmiAWQ7D0Tf_p-b3giuHb43URZaqUgeQBWPRSrzo5dU/w640-h426/Tuesday28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRE3_vmmrBzPGO7_HAyF__w_1BMoRHYgQu8hQvrs_gqaAsOFXmzOrC3V1GtoKkipzSq72KbjAJ4NkME3CT1NhSbEFpgUZIumEs_re_Pr_4Hmvq4IDKRPVtTj5EtAlcSlC1xNWeS2Jj5LWT-rILk7_DNYW4eRfAfhldS3IJVqEfw5YSSodABZqSIBo4Xw/s5568/Tuesday35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRE3_vmmrBzPGO7_HAyF__w_1BMoRHYgQu8hQvrs_gqaAsOFXmzOrC3V1GtoKkipzSq72KbjAJ4NkME3CT1NhSbEFpgUZIumEs_re_Pr_4Hmvq4IDKRPVtTj5EtAlcSlC1xNWeS2Jj5LWT-rILk7_DNYW4eRfAfhldS3IJVqEfw5YSSodABZqSIBo4Xw/w400-h266/Tuesday35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnSY4UF1czs9DgRaVb-Xx0Aav6KkZRTLr-nl9gdC01DoUvbIYvqOyZ4zkjLhtIvCjZ3vWtzgw8VpN6iE5izdhYzRP5u64kk36tHs85a6DNQzKVyYdI5V5dB6o2e150gZf55TiG0yVb1BNHbpz1Ap4UWeKL55I97yGqs8FjUa2UZ2NALjceGlOLVLjTaY/s5568/Tuesday36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnSY4UF1czs9DgRaVb-Xx0Aav6KkZRTLr-nl9gdC01DoUvbIYvqOyZ4zkjLhtIvCjZ3vWtzgw8VpN6iE5izdhYzRP5u64kk36tHs85a6DNQzKVyYdI5V5dB6o2e150gZf55TiG0yVb1BNHbpz1Ap4UWeKL55I97yGqs8FjUa2UZ2NALjceGlOLVLjTaY/w400-h266/Tuesday36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScTEfOQxTBblJVzOH6LwScsPv18hE4MX2aQOyqW0sNsSl9gDfrObiXJJY2U1fF55S-3VbMnoHlWQnwpmlYi-5I1BijvGoYhHOLTYlz_yU3qsCEGZgtM9lHaVbZv8PekZN1tpnb6QE5ls39jRPgustfz1pee6x6dRRhIbeXN1CaZRdcoXl5pQhtQ5KTVs/s5568/Tuesday16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br style="color: black; font-weight: 700; text-align: -webkit-left;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">At this point, the silence was deafening and I realised that I had in fact been alone for some time. Where <i>had</i> Gareth gone? Prone to mooching off without warning, I assumed he was exploring the graveyard....until a rattling bolt startled me and a slightly flustered Gareth finally emerged from an interior doorway. He had ascended all 98 steps to the top of the tower, the oldest part of the church and more slender in nature and had been unable to open the door upon his return. With nothing but bats for company, wild horses couldn't drag me up there!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEytiCmKUHRGC6srgYyv3fa4QQnqvLvE6J3zwnJd-2mDfJRFhnYqoFwhZKTbpLnFPis4OvR5l0mh1H1FxNXNKDlJmFiUakA-F9ll1eTsReIAV8DkcJ0ssiK4yjV9rj8jA2S0bL8fUoF3MV4OdCGcAdV977A-lbSLrRnWa9O80U7UQLAgG_mlV5_TweeeQ/s5568/Tuesday5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEytiCmKUHRGC6srgYyv3fa4QQnqvLvE6J3zwnJd-2mDfJRFhnYqoFwhZKTbpLnFPis4OvR5l0mh1H1FxNXNKDlJmFiUakA-F9ll1eTsReIAV8DkcJ0ssiK4yjV9rj8jA2S0bL8fUoF3MV4OdCGcAdV977A-lbSLrRnWa9O80U7UQLAgG_mlV5_TweeeQ/w640-h426/Tuesday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We decided to carry on with our plans for the day and headed back outside. Just outside the door to the church was a recently deceased bat, unbelievably suspended in death in a spider's web.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrxMICNiIanfNLpCPxoikXUEnm-mtcXTCDHQXvQLucVEoGTBG-t6xqRMs5VOXof4L6CQdZoImv87wQjJjV79CGp1rmVDnWh8yurv7AYCXTuCd0IZH3AhLWIs7Q-JuovPbI3w9z23l__DG5dV-8RiK-RONtW1OUGnYqRSg75zapW0kL_mZc0fxN8UxKK4/s5568/Tuesday42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrxMICNiIanfNLpCPxoikXUEnm-mtcXTCDHQXvQLucVEoGTBG-t6xqRMs5VOXof4L6CQdZoImv87wQjJjV79CGp1rmVDnWh8yurv7AYCXTuCd0IZH3AhLWIs7Q-JuovPbI3w9z23l__DG5dV-8RiK-RONtW1OUGnYqRSg75zapW0kL_mZc0fxN8UxKK4/w266-h400/Tuesday42.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDPl_dh2lDdTqZr1AK-RF1MgYqyinkQEzR4vKNm7pP5yC2MlBjjGHwfbGOHfAmbsGObuAgeGiru07S9BR_CPwoBXhi1NRMdIloDG06uE8xT_TO3wdEjjNT-dCJ4SILy9MMay2S4bTd1RFIlz-iwMbrSbh6KvZCjdfma9EGef643lR70BPaGh7gMfsIlE/s5568/Tuesday4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDPl_dh2lDdTqZr1AK-RF1MgYqyinkQEzR4vKNm7pP5yC2MlBjjGHwfbGOHfAmbsGObuAgeGiru07S9BR_CPwoBXhi1NRMdIloDG06uE8xT_TO3wdEjjNT-dCJ4SILy9MMay2S4bTd1RFIlz-iwMbrSbh6KvZCjdfma9EGef643lR70BPaGh7gMfsIlE/w640-h426/Tuesday4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Past the twisted Yew Tree and a hop, skip and a jump away, our car awaited. From country to coast - we wanted to pay a long overdue visit to the picturesque harbour town Tenby (<i>Dinbych-y-pysgod</i> meaning, "fortlet of the fish), known for its 13th century town walls and sandy shoreline. </span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">By the time we arrived, just shy of 30 minutes later, the clouds had dispersed and for the remainder of the day, we basked in warm sunshine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Very early in our relationship, Gareth and I would frequently visit family friends in this part of the world and spent many a night inside the town's characterful pubs before moving on to the nearby Night Owl nightclub (now looking distinctly jaded).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm5WpUoBVNLXVuUNKeBR3NopmV3ZPvKB9LZqJO8klsGO4OY6EQqHQ3SQNKH19_jySIqI24CuHw5sJhMwpaM6jtdmIVPlU8W0m__SEwVr9ns0bH2QirVDX614rcICmtNbezM1IyMUHoCJTwCEYzHmQlf_5jnKax7rvcuU49a1AbLwuEwhhOsL399Rl3Ps/s5568/TuesdayTenby1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm5WpUoBVNLXVuUNKeBR3NopmV3ZPvKB9LZqJO8klsGO4OY6EQqHQ3SQNKH19_jySIqI24CuHw5sJhMwpaM6jtdmIVPlU8W0m__SEwVr9ns0bH2QirVDX614rcICmtNbezM1IyMUHoCJTwCEYzHmQlf_5jnKax7rvcuU49a1AbLwuEwhhOsL399Rl3Ps/w426-h640/TuesdayTenby1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Tenby is renowned for its brightly coloured harbour facing buildings, but it's clear that the town's shops also got the memo! I don't know about you, but whenever I go to the coast, I get a sudden craving for boiled sugar and inflatable mammals!</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhBM5mUiKAnuTJ_Bs99_YHDsJIf5Hd2TKVCfqPQTLhsTHR8CQuqdK6CHjb4PSG5m701PN9-bkf08MApZwNt-sZK3EwDt5jW3sB1GfjHU-IZFS6z9cGrnAc7oUJig3QYrqzccSlsb7iGnlDef0831DVqe8w7Ge94c07Fttnp1Mhi1W0CLzFO_N7usRWZ8/s5568/TuesdayTenby2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhBM5mUiKAnuTJ_Bs99_YHDsJIf5Hd2TKVCfqPQTLhsTHR8CQuqdK6CHjb4PSG5m701PN9-bkf08MApZwNt-sZK3EwDt5jW3sB1GfjHU-IZFS6z9cGrnAc7oUJig3QYrqzccSlsb7iGnlDef0831DVqe8w7Ge94c07Fttnp1Mhi1W0CLzFO_N7usRWZ8/w400-h266/TuesdayTenby2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwnltSxp0Il8i0JFSF1olcTUD8HNhmq5cYvkVC34TpsTcHmRuRzpS-WZF7G7xwGhQ-tMVnZgbdxdBp9S9jpdiCKN4vCzM4fn4O-8NRCAHr022hj5rTM7V1XfhBPRfYUCLWofpEaXaY9I1CjW651v_WobJiO6tO-rZLSl6tFDwCpj5zgCvDVgL5Wf9TTw/s5312/TuesdayTenby3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="3424" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwnltSxp0Il8i0JFSF1olcTUD8HNhmq5cYvkVC34TpsTcHmRuRzpS-WZF7G7xwGhQ-tMVnZgbdxdBp9S9jpdiCKN4vCzM4fn4O-8NRCAHr022hj5rTM7V1XfhBPRfYUCLWofpEaXaY9I1CjW651v_WobJiO6tO-rZLSl6tFDwCpj5zgCvDVgL5Wf9TTw/w258-h400/TuesdayTenby3.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VkKgBaW430y5WvW576_ACgdDzFTQsXL74YDyfgsCP2rNsarIG_iSFMTib1vBniUXdbfRiWZYhCDEPlNvqxGC35LqRsZ0jO-d8xo87eMXuxNL59UIzpuRUvIIOWO0Wg34cxgtE136c1FFETk5e-ioMkTxmU44bYjzlZrPxQmZOESGcwG-W4avegqpg-0/s5288/TuesdayTenby14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3570" data-original-width="5288" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VkKgBaW430y5WvW576_ACgdDzFTQsXL74YDyfgsCP2rNsarIG_iSFMTib1vBniUXdbfRiWZYhCDEPlNvqxGC35LqRsZ0jO-d8xo87eMXuxNL59UIzpuRUvIIOWO0Wg34cxgtE136c1FFETk5e-ioMkTxmU44bYjzlZrPxQmZOESGcwG-W4avegqpg-0/w400-h270/TuesdayTenby14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Lunch was fish and chips (no pics, sorry, but you know what they look like), followed by a local beer at the Harbwr Brewery, tucked away in one of the myriad narrow alleyways.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i3BmxCLAvma52Cky0kJ0cCIBSvz5rsCXSZllgkPI8mO12nMCd4SOxRCGj7EQG0nxGowCFsq1wiNnCCRqsoRz3WOI33z9Fn8h2FmNYk3C9254Uqf2J2v9R4_G6mO9UZa1GKTebfqvHh-KSjBAhFkXhBQ750wPMXlyaaOxsVwLQj23-nj5eBt0VmpgwIc/s5480/TuesdayTenby39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5480" data-original-width="3653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i3BmxCLAvma52Cky0kJ0cCIBSvz5rsCXSZllgkPI8mO12nMCd4SOxRCGj7EQG0nxGowCFsq1wiNnCCRqsoRz3WOI33z9Fn8h2FmNYk3C9254Uqf2J2v9R4_G6mO9UZa1GKTebfqvHh-KSjBAhFkXhBQ750wPMXlyaaOxsVwLQj23-nj5eBt0VmpgwIc/w426-h640/TuesdayTenby39.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I left behind a little lino cut print I'd created of The Crooked House to spread the word. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcqMGZN7yFSA78j1cngRI1_Y3n_YGIyDCPod-JaKGerV6K1yUmd3ULsYWpYg8cgjM2Bk7BD3mLOcHUucj_zlg3fk4aQdJ6Cb70wVs40C4GqVrp8AgRSff6dRyPh9e0IQoi8JPQODmcMeUajFNQlTIuLmlj9GFEOMP_gZxCIUOv9qd2ffyyiWUFwyCAYo/s5152/TuesdayTenby41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3392" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcqMGZN7yFSA78j1cngRI1_Y3n_YGIyDCPod-JaKGerV6K1yUmd3ULsYWpYg8cgjM2Bk7BD3mLOcHUucj_zlg3fk4aQdJ6Cb70wVs40C4GqVrp8AgRSff6dRyPh9e0IQoi8JPQODmcMeUajFNQlTIuLmlj9GFEOMP_gZxCIUOv9qd2ffyyiWUFwyCAYo/w264-h400/TuesdayTenby41.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After sharing it on the campaign group page on my return home, I was amazed to receive an immediate comment from a group member living in Tenby. This story has legs!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So, to the main event, Tenby's stunning harbour and beaches. Along the sea front, the wind was gusty enough to remove Gareth's hat and we battled against it to reach the harbour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOmlviWelE7lGSYVkt_x_C5D-YXmAAVHym_ds0UGwM9y9nYRbzcK_uq0STgG7-2Q6uuuR0EntZARSb57Z7WQpgqUlL_RYmhnjkGoPbrvxLJePCZBupoisBt5QmkEFX2wT1FveP3hc-UTlJfOMuvCOoQWTBN0Y3afpmR_i8GssBkehoPC_uKadyICXWeE/s5411/TuesdayTenby5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="5411" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOmlviWelE7lGSYVkt_x_C5D-YXmAAVHym_ds0UGwM9y9nYRbzcK_uq0STgG7-2Q6uuuR0EntZARSb57Z7WQpgqUlL_RYmhnjkGoPbrvxLJePCZBupoisBt5QmkEFX2wT1FveP3hc-UTlJfOMuvCOoQWTBN0Y3afpmR_i8GssBkehoPC_uKadyICXWeE/w640-h432/TuesdayTenby5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But just look at that for a September sky. Pembrokeshire continued to defy the forecast and despite the wind, there was no need for a jacket.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdIbHVqMq4fDhsgvMa8L0BFDKNV5bqrH4BWD1jMdyiqTJR6zM9kdMeWo8kXmXOps8zAZtkR1wiyDOLlFM0nl8xQy3LWFeTSsyFJNSQK8F37n4m8V9vDx7CkTN_vl8enGNs-NfukezB983dqbH1wn9DOh4sufQrYs_tR9-VcnLjUuvykU-wt6_j_Yzk3s/s5520/TuesdayTenby30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3664" data-original-width="5520" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdIbHVqMq4fDhsgvMa8L0BFDKNV5bqrH4BWD1jMdyiqTJR6zM9kdMeWo8kXmXOps8zAZtkR1wiyDOLlFM0nl8xQy3LWFeTSsyFJNSQK8F37n4m8V9vDx7CkTN_vl8enGNs-NfukezB983dqbH1wn9DOh4sufQrYs_tR9-VcnLjUuvykU-wt6_j_Yzk3s/w640-h424/TuesdayTenby30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Master of the Harbour! These coastal dwellers are power crazed. </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lUduPa993ziIzOE9o5rj9F12nmaq3sCQ1QBXi0gwmQHwgHixToW1pGP4HGeFrQQUrGUgSeHNXLty7_OfiGt_kJ7N1yesu33_EGLz_xDsGoUJ4wToR2i-18FX0rasaW9CGlZRJvn26Jwkn95Hmf5F0fhfvsDxtxKpfyqZ70rg9OR8jlD6PqGlJcMUMrY/s4404/TuesdayTenby12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2968" data-original-width="4404" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lUduPa993ziIzOE9o5rj9F12nmaq3sCQ1QBXi0gwmQHwgHixToW1pGP4HGeFrQQUrGUgSeHNXLty7_OfiGt_kJ7N1yesu33_EGLz_xDsGoUJ4wToR2i-18FX0rasaW9CGlZRJvn26Jwkn95Hmf5F0fhfvsDxtxKpfyqZ70rg9OR8jlD6PqGlJcMUMrY/w640-h432/TuesdayTenby12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">September is a great time to visit the UK's coast if you're not a fan of crowds.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBYj5AB1p26HkX2Bz9VTt6W-GfN1Mv3kPqnKca9Qe_DpPXxltyDBwIc_06uTlfT1eb4Ydzm3NGsHYNibVS7tkt9dBPoY2RPR_oaO9MpACtqUtkSpnttnSvsWQVkAxavag9TbtIfLSM5Xhl85EDsrZ2Q21B3oG6GCceLmnSm2Zr4A0sx8Hnf_fcR0E6To/s5508/TuesdayTenby6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5508" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBYj5AB1p26HkX2Bz9VTt6W-GfN1Mv3kPqnKca9Qe_DpPXxltyDBwIc_06uTlfT1eb4Ydzm3NGsHYNibVS7tkt9dBPoY2RPR_oaO9MpACtqUtkSpnttnSvsWQVkAxavag9TbtIfLSM5Xhl85EDsrZ2Q21B3oG6GCceLmnSm2Zr4A0sx8Hnf_fcR0E6To/w640-h432/TuesdayTenby6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The sandy beaches are extensive and incorporate the tidal island of St Catherine's (a limestone outcrop riddled with tidal caves) with its 19th century Palmerston Fort, sadly closed on the day of our visit. Palmerston Forts were prompted by Victorian concerns about the strength of the French Navy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The island was owned by the Earl of Pembroke until the reign of Elizabeth I. Later ownership passed to the Corporation of Tenby, which took possession of a number of crown lands. In 1856, the only inhabitants were a few sheep, as, for many centuries the island housed only a tiny church. This was demolished in 1867 in order for St Catherine's Fort to be constructed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Since 1962, a family trust has owned the island. Fun facts. It once operated as a zoo and in 2016 was transformed into a maximum security prison by the power of television for the BBC Sherlock episode The Final Problem.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65r1h6kMf5b68fY3qsQI5oMTwRbEU8ytFMxvSARSejzLx3G26as3mHfQDmAX3Plkj7O9vlbGemI6c3oYyhE1Hc6kzp9swzFA1EZzXrpZOp9PAhSp3QpFdjhDn4YujpkPsjpHgPkraLS9lwCvcuQ4VZBUofbED_tBW2v5p4_BsrRMx4ZinJ7RrVTkofUQ/s5568/TuesdayTenby16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65r1h6kMf5b68fY3qsQI5oMTwRbEU8ytFMxvSARSejzLx3G26as3mHfQDmAX3Plkj7O9vlbGemI6c3oYyhE1Hc6kzp9swzFA1EZzXrpZOp9PAhSp3QpFdjhDn4YujpkPsjpHgPkraLS9lwCvcuQ4VZBUofbED_tBW2v5p4_BsrRMx4ZinJ7RrVTkofUQ/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcV2JrYkYcFkRrUlG32IK-ZWcL-QR8kKWmpat0JX9W12LZclEsyfgRrNlKwk6kdeWi3t8bJxbHuKCCijHMU6S2paAMS4idcrKS3DrQFLK9PqH4L9fz50qJAZYrsv0Vz2_ABcZnKITJ_E4bon6m4vALE079MoXVXdvkl9nfQVuRUNrCZyhqbQOTSYbUBs/s5568/TuesdayTenby17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcV2JrYkYcFkRrUlG32IK-ZWcL-QR8kKWmpat0JX9W12LZclEsyfgRrNlKwk6kdeWi3t8bJxbHuKCCijHMU6S2paAMS4idcrKS3DrQFLK9PqH4L9fz50qJAZYrsv0Vz2_ABcZnKITJ_E4bon6m4vALE079MoXVXdvkl9nfQVuRUNrCZyhqbQOTSYbUBs/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Onwards and upwards we headed to the Castle Hill (now in ruins)....</span><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx0ykbfhBJL-iXNzV4tfKiA8G0Rz6SIYOjKH4RqsYMOgdv03f6J52Wwlfu4q_E8K8yQqyoU4Zdz2R8vjc8Q4JaMPcIJhP-qgWNFxPDzFqJO9s64JcAu4hTZBNIedjo2bLKfCptOoRUmQkePv_HpWlH71-GGwtn4_IQXUK_mdfsXPqScVLVP3eHgI9oGc/s5353/TuesdayTenby18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3543" data-original-width="5353" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx0ykbfhBJL-iXNzV4tfKiA8G0Rz6SIYOjKH4RqsYMOgdv03f6J52Wwlfu4q_E8K8yQqyoU4Zdz2R8vjc8Q4JaMPcIJhP-qgWNFxPDzFqJO9s64JcAu4hTZBNIedjo2bLKfCptOoRUmQkePv_HpWlH71-GGwtn4_IQXUK_mdfsXPqScVLVP3eHgI9oGc/w640-h424/TuesdayTenby18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...passing the bandstand (one for the BBAS)...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yC1gxNC4Z0KJwSBb9_A3FN4Tv3T2ZD33VNhT5st2W4IbFB6iGaiXGkf8KPMCNERSY813qj3bcRvRdkkrrFQY3aCjuIyGq6Rbh8d4pTV2_JpPA9_-Nw9CZ90ZNmq-AiElBYSc9VmiTAHjLC99JlvDcjiejTp8oxNhiAhmUP_vGP1cl77aJBLFfVViCw/s5472/TuesdayTenby19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5472" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yC1gxNC4Z0KJwSBb9_A3FN4Tv3T2ZD33VNhT5st2W4IbFB6iGaiXGkf8KPMCNERSY813qj3bcRvRdkkrrFQY3aCjuIyGq6Rbh8d4pTV2_JpPA9_-Nw9CZ90ZNmq-AiElBYSc9VmiTAHjLC99JlvDcjiejTp8oxNhiAhmUP_vGP1cl77aJBLFfVViCw/w640-h434/TuesdayTenby19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">...taking in the views of St Catherine's Rock...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUajEPNUrDCowuOpQO3WJyZhCHQic-_ugq_BOZFRoL8K3ZEsvHLt5in5TFAG8BMVvVPZeoD_BsRiRH1UY9LFUSgafEmWMDU5MlpAK82_z6Th4ahskLA5UVmz98yviAja-OFQ-gOIoGtqEE441I_BIyMZnJVTTx2991nUPpyar5HiHMyhUMdWFMPcUcrK8/s5484/TuesdayTenby20bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5484" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUajEPNUrDCowuOpQO3WJyZhCHQic-_ugq_BOZFRoL8K3ZEsvHLt5in5TFAG8BMVvVPZeoD_BsRiRH1UY9LFUSgafEmWMDU5MlpAK82_z6Th4ahskLA5UVmz98yviAja-OFQ-gOIoGtqEE441I_BIyMZnJVTTx2991nUPpyar5HiHMyhUMdWFMPcUcrK8/w640-h420/TuesdayTenby20bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">...and paid the briefest of visits to a former domestic building associated with the castle. The building, on the south slope, was rebuilt from the ruins by the Victorians as a school, but now operates as the oldest independent Museum and Art Gallery in Wales.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKVsqedISBk9u_1w3RFQ2pXClJddlj6bxy-rzd0AhEnS3ivTxqe_XIAvlojpFPqtc2bJ7bl6xPTGOfBrGi1rgcA9-LcO1fwINszbNfZ82NeUZr0k2yCfFv72Z4-iC2Wz1apo7hbXesdyjK5gveZY5nkQJBiHzN7CkN1TAiM1DVUaMig8wXf_BLieJ00/s5568/TuesdayTenby32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKVsqedISBk9u_1w3RFQ2pXClJddlj6bxy-rzd0AhEnS3ivTxqe_XIAvlojpFPqtc2bJ7bl6xPTGOfBrGi1rgcA9-LcO1fwINszbNfZ82NeUZr0k2yCfFv72Z4-iC2Wz1apo7hbXesdyjK5gveZY5nkQJBiHzN7CkN1TAiM1DVUaMig8wXf_BLieJ00/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I loved this artist's studio adjoining the old castle walls, the artwork on the brickwork seemingly making a break for the freedom of the sky.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN3w5Su6IhYS_tnWoTARmxnTQyZLoHhjODUpXP97SSxlBehICT1qAFGd5Ln7503Grrhj7ZL0I5kGlMgDfgdB0KOAZ2eJs2DbcaplYnT7UNsTmaA-CvNZTof4woQX8eFKgzvVO7Zw0_2UhIGBsrxzC1JpnXJ3Zp47kkKNxxrgvFN4sZDSx41h8alqUNXk/s5403/TuesdayTenby33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3602" data-original-width="5403" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN3w5Su6IhYS_tnWoTARmxnTQyZLoHhjODUpXP97SSxlBehICT1qAFGd5Ln7503Grrhj7ZL0I5kGlMgDfgdB0KOAZ2eJs2DbcaplYnT7UNsTmaA-CvNZTof4woQX8eFKgzvVO7Zw0_2UhIGBsrxzC1JpnXJ3Zp47kkKNxxrgvFN4sZDSx41h8alqUNXk/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Continuing our walking tour of Tenby, we spotted the stunning red and white former Grade II Edwardian lifeboat station, now a private home featured on the TV show Grand Designs. Read more about it here: <a href="https://www.granddesignsmagazine.com/grand-designs-houses/grand-designs-tenby-lifeboat-station/">Tenby lifeboat station, South Wales - Grand Designs magazine</a></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJpDjd8d-m1r6Luqsj29eTSeb8bu0B84kpqGrJQj_etI7cwryEZ3u57Q89pAKYtSwwHV-elyxawOdSabl5iXwidUcwt8A8zkadq28qnvIqwNY49MZnbMIPiusoC0RkO9ucuPqts_RI_J0kY98sP8iuJ6jCC8NH-3QMTvrm5uIUfkrwlgqzoCQ70IawRg/s5568/TuesdayTenby24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJpDjd8d-m1r6Luqsj29eTSeb8bu0B84kpqGrJQj_etI7cwryEZ3u57Q89pAKYtSwwHV-elyxawOdSabl5iXwidUcwt8A8zkadq28qnvIqwNY49MZnbMIPiusoC0RkO9ucuPqts_RI_J0kY98sP8iuJ6jCC8NH-3QMTvrm5uIUfkrwlgqzoCQ70IawRg/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's the working lifeboat station, housing a Tamar class all weather lifeboat.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR1ApwNMEqdSkJAYv1M3WMmaY0vOkK1goH4M8WV2XHqDZVhGilcDO_7R80GPgDDKFY3LQ1MAMVNTr_N7OsmDrb3eZlblet_M2AETFWXK0MXZhVxxg6za1GvUXqKVa8rwsohe7j2fa1P8tIC3LiAiWEU2OgHm_z4EOTci-ZXEffNd35CzJIwjmLqKjymQ/s5568/TuesdayTenby22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR1ApwNMEqdSkJAYv1M3WMmaY0vOkK1goH4M8WV2XHqDZVhGilcDO_7R80GPgDDKFY3LQ1MAMVNTr_N7OsmDrb3eZlblet_M2AETFWXK0MXZhVxxg6za1GvUXqKVa8rwsohe7j2fa1P8tIC3LiAiWEU2OgHm_z4EOTci-ZXEffNd35CzJIwjmLqKjymQ/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Feeling windswept and looking interesting, we headed back in to the fortified old town which was mercifully sheltered from the elements. I headed for the town's charity shops (nothing to report unfortunately) before exploring some of the more alluring courtyards and alleyways.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4SSdKwfzuuy_5b5m6Ia0-tTNoO2VomLWiEQeOUJneGmv-wi6WLE5-E7z7x_tjHTwU0iFMoi66NvM7xo39CL--z5ZPUb5yxE2XkRMQyez1FV1eHhkpnSctgUwua4gS7x5PSCmkSS_ymxh6FFaPgBPx19vKCw0FcKM2qnhVOzhFqYE54bcSkeIxpjimgI/s5568/TuesdayTenby37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4SSdKwfzuuy_5b5m6Ia0-tTNoO2VomLWiEQeOUJneGmv-wi6WLE5-E7z7x_tjHTwU0iFMoi66NvM7xo39CL--z5ZPUb5yxE2XkRMQyez1FV1eHhkpnSctgUwua4gS7x5PSCmkSS_ymxh6FFaPgBPx19vKCw0FcKM2qnhVOzhFqYE54bcSkeIxpjimgI/s5568/TuesdayTenby37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J1am5WynXZA8Vqy6jjtNRyQPLNuQGfZxvURvd6OqrLHMH7GojMDaBDpC1ZeVVvGOkY1lww3XgZQzu6vnYNDbyPxZpJJkdDHu5I7UVraXYeM9a-aM0o4qXH_JCRzu5gmIflN78D9rb_tLNCzP64fQSkzt2PiD77bbw8TUodPY1CTQ5ewe1NUTIIGq2Vk/s5568/TuesdayTenby42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J1am5WynXZA8Vqy6jjtNRyQPLNuQGfZxvURvd6OqrLHMH7GojMDaBDpC1ZeVVvGOkY1lww3XgZQzu6vnYNDbyPxZpJJkdDHu5I7UVraXYeM9a-aM0o4qXH_JCRzu5gmIflN78D9rb_tLNCzP64fQSkzt2PiD77bbw8TUodPY1CTQ5ewe1NUTIIGq2Vk/w400-h266/TuesdayTenby42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This one housed an artisan silver jewellery business and with its healthy fig tree, white washed steps and cobbled courtyard, had a distinctly Mediterranean vibe.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjPhxj1UhAM9DA2LTXRx3MVFYMsJtJlVOqOLqSq3gjNX05jH-4w4H3mOtw6cQ8ipYSQvERERm3bK8DaW9vctJizA59ZuwkkXWRm-nCKQFa7ZufAQS7on-EmHpaWfP4r3MYFetsiRgHOcdlIFu6lT-PmV4BQdRX7qgg2pRUTmUDkr33A2rorQhbBul5GY/s5316/TuesdayTenby43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5316" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjPhxj1UhAM9DA2LTXRx3MVFYMsJtJlVOqOLqSq3gjNX05jH-4w4H3mOtw6cQ8ipYSQvERERm3bK8DaW9vctJizA59ZuwkkXWRm-nCKQFa7ZufAQS7on-EmHpaWfP4r3MYFetsiRgHOcdlIFu6lT-PmV4BQdRX7qgg2pRUTmUDkr33A2rorQhbBul5GY/w640-h446/TuesdayTenby43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JzXYhTjkTl8PTlqT_t9yRDqYa73oSAcnTQ1QetDpz9r2Z8U6y2mh8owqeotH8OYqm6Y9RLaIkmDVjoUNkeOegB7gdCN4SHWkl7vKfV4DsUM8d7WP1DRGEcbOexBMDccWPnorcSOo_INgpopmvP87d87vC340QJWJ_IskjHvEuqPSi1oEmx2VVZW9MGY/s5568/TuesdayTenby37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JzXYhTjkTl8PTlqT_t9yRDqYa73oSAcnTQ1QetDpz9r2Z8U6y2mh8owqeotH8OYqm6Y9RLaIkmDVjoUNkeOegB7gdCN4SHWkl7vKfV4DsUM8d7WP1DRGEcbOexBMDccWPnorcSOo_INgpopmvP87d87vC340QJWJ_IskjHvEuqPSi1oEmx2VVZW9MGY/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally, it was time to take our leave and we left the safety of the castle walls to track down our car.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKohBVMfoSbvCncjQtzgidoMSb72nZ-JoiZISGiprGUGvXTWKf181s-IzKtWWtqfCyO9wkqMWCakglgLrywffYGgP4t-Chd4CMZz2ghOD8zQ4nNDbWlP78Rw1cIsNWGtEnHIhqt7hECYiLocuPjCOYuNBiPdBoDzLlekx_jh4ilWFYH7trZhPEnPXsP4M/s5484/TuesdayTenby48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3664" data-original-width="5484" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKohBVMfoSbvCncjQtzgidoMSb72nZ-JoiZISGiprGUGvXTWKf181s-IzKtWWtqfCyO9wkqMWCakglgLrywffYGgP4t-Chd4CMZz2ghOD8zQ4nNDbWlP78Rw1cIsNWGtEnHIhqt7hECYiLocuPjCOYuNBiPdBoDzLlekx_jh4ilWFYH7trZhPEnPXsP4M/w640-h428/TuesdayTenby48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3hrugxTQ2iWNI7KJB073yG4WfBv8Prb9U8KGjbZ8b1_k3WuUjJiMQy94BS4-xiB9RxsRparJbylU0KOvQbITLX7mZIC6_Cr1euzZeII85QQzrfh0pjQRdtOWOA4EoZcRuotewo3ttr6CSE5XOFEQT6dzZWawfxZ0HYvZUoVXGUzOmBn_7MpKXtcZ-hs/s5412/TuesdayTenby49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5412" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3hrugxTQ2iWNI7KJB073yG4WfBv8Prb9U8KGjbZ8b1_k3WuUjJiMQy94BS4-xiB9RxsRparJbylU0KOvQbITLX7mZIC6_Cr1euzZeII85QQzrfh0pjQRdtOWOA4EoZcRuotewo3ttr6CSE5XOFEQT6dzZWawfxZ0HYvZUoVXGUzOmBn_7MpKXtcZ-hs/w640-h438/TuesdayTenby49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Tenby you were a tonic!</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwS3VxzYGFSyVIqxrwnAdqPPpohXpth0GnLmZcJP46JcnNslPZiYix6jO1DphfNtih4ueJyBM73-ROaCAQ3IUxOwtwhsk5-6TeQchyphenhyphen_8Bxk3QsS00pTUv6nH4ULYYbO7Le4QTYI22a0hOxMFazbiahVefWBC5lnCeG-_80ZjTjG5rk7BjrWJ8AN6V_l4/s5451/TuesdayTenby31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3634" data-original-width="5451" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwS3VxzYGFSyVIqxrwnAdqPPpohXpth0GnLmZcJP46JcnNslPZiYix6jO1DphfNtih4ueJyBM73-ROaCAQ3IUxOwtwhsk5-6TeQchyphenhyphen_8Bxk3QsS00pTUv6nH4ULYYbO7Le4QTYI22a0hOxMFazbiahVefWBC5lnCeG-_80ZjTjG5rk7BjrWJ8AN6V_l4/w640-h426/TuesdayTenby31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-76320544245990725952023-09-19T09:36:00.001-07:002023-09-19T09:49:30.143-07:00It's Creepy and It's Kooky, Mysterious and Spooky, It's Altogether Ooky, The Evans' Getaway!<p><span style="font-family: courier;">It feels like an age since we went to Prague. Since we touched down in the UK, it seems that we have endured a typical British summer with rain dominating the forecast. It dawned on me upon turning the page of the calendar and staring down September, that we were in desperate need of a break. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So, with summer fading fast, we thought we'd make the most of the week of sunshine September ushered in and hit the "Book It" button just three days in advance of last week's Monday to Friday getaway in Pembrokeshire. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">As it turned out, the UK's unseasonably hot temperatures, culminated, for us, with a cheeky Thursday night Indian takeaway, enjoyed al fresco in our garden with our old friends Ade, Louisa and son Billy and a magical woodland rainbow wedding booking for me in the Cotswolds. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> By Monday, the day of our departure, the weather forecast was promising business as usual for September. We packed with rain in mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Our destination? Wood Cottage, a Victorian cottage remotely nestled in woodland on the National Trust's Stackpole Estate. <a href="https://www.woodcottage-stackpole.co.uk/the-cottage.html">Explore Wood Cottage, Stackpole (woodcottage-stackpole.co.uk)</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUfBfCjSM1fFRlIZOOJg-if42Y4__mIAoOWVJW6X_ayEh1QkAkpBgaCPI5yKVSa9Mmv3mtKWBpzcNuAVdsFjTBlmINzppcch-5mfDmksm1fnS0-woyO3BSzzHk576J9Ze-tysOokr2tXPhE674gWCNH5GA93mpI1RpBiUFn2st3nFyqSg9eDn4QbKURg/s5568/WoodCottage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUfBfCjSM1fFRlIZOOJg-if42Y4__mIAoOWVJW6X_ayEh1QkAkpBgaCPI5yKVSa9Mmv3mtKWBpzcNuAVdsFjTBlmINzppcch-5mfDmksm1fnS0-woyO3BSzzHk576J9Ze-tysOokr2tXPhE674gWCNH5GA93mpI1RpBiUFn2st3nFyqSg9eDn4QbKURg/w640-h426/WoodCottage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The cottage was built by the 2nd Earl of Cawdor from limestone quarried from one of Britain's smallest harbours, Stackpole Quay in 1862. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP0J_8CUUAgGeGL2sz3Gp0CxDrMxr-KP4s6HdA3IQdhP87zTmIpsVEwF1Y2bWONgAVWvSeCfug-0fHSix9h0eyl97MbqVv1CrrUtldtT57IAyRwAhWpKGUqyfHDkgdJw773h44ctMlnVHBSgW8E6umcOtsWwL965Jh88mmsVworTscPoqbh4SscqIA5E/s5568/Monday1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP0J_8CUUAgGeGL2sz3Gp0CxDrMxr-KP4s6HdA3IQdhP87zTmIpsVEwF1Y2bWONgAVWvSeCfug-0fHSix9h0eyl97MbqVv1CrrUtldtT57IAyRwAhWpKGUqyfHDkgdJw773h44ctMlnVHBSgW8E6umcOtsWwL965Jh88mmsVworTscPoqbh4SscqIA5E/w640-h426/Monday1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Stackpole Quay was top of our list of places to discover after unpacking and eating a hurried tea of ham and eggs (purchased from the top of the lane via an honesty box). </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm4vZdnegUj2fFvlCtqGjjmAZSIlsYJ5wp3160xakUUA1zK6lTtuzHYKQ8bhfL8GqEtEhCv88aCMVPbQHBnSllo14b_Yhp1iAhwjkTK3QgLut3ILedi-HefcuHJCZjic81QlEncf1N7bCTC64dmtYIwKuLFOxG7AIV2yVAR0P3m9Hm6L9-I1iEmmgB0w/s5568/Friday4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm4vZdnegUj2fFvlCtqGjjmAZSIlsYJ5wp3160xakUUA1zK6lTtuzHYKQ8bhfL8GqEtEhCv88aCMVPbQHBnSllo14b_Yhp1iAhwjkTK3QgLut3ILedi-HefcuHJCZjic81QlEncf1N7bCTC64dmtYIwKuLFOxG7AIV2yVAR0P3m9Hm6L9-I1iEmmgB0w/w640-h426/Friday4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The weather was still holding up as we ventured out and temperatures hadn't dipped as much as we'd anticipated. From the cottage, we headed on foot through the woodland beyond the stream behind Wood Cottage and followed the footpath until we reached a lane. We took a left turn and headed up a steep hill until we had our first, long awaited glimpse of the sea.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z9b3KSA7l-ZZWlslx4bv_wyxDNxO9kDJM6kLPZWF2dev6XXl1vmvgtYFvRrO1VhyY_JjUXjUisDWKFSTXc2xCOaJnxHaMXeX7v6fpovwbIShZ1XMigLZmfSTcZGW27Js7V6vlKNsv8CJdV3NtQaPKm9z7DFfxruPSomycC3PGo34Y3lk2C1NCO1NPM0/s5568/Monday2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z9b3KSA7l-ZZWlslx4bv_wyxDNxO9kDJM6kLPZWF2dev6XXl1vmvgtYFvRrO1VhyY_JjUXjUisDWKFSTXc2xCOaJnxHaMXeX7v6fpovwbIShZ1XMigLZmfSTcZGW27Js7V6vlKNsv8CJdV3NtQaPKm9z7DFfxruPSomycC3PGo34Y3lk2C1NCO1NPM0/w640-h426/Monday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The hedgerows were still alive with summer honeysuckle and the promise of a bountiful blackberry harvest this Autumn...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo_0KtG3pgfOsbxEnK9sCbjp0kR_95kMEQlDeeHc7DIwVcCZoreo7GpLGL-bPOdOEWs2BSLGChrGfoGzZ4udRtdQbQs9TwKgHfdLdr1o2_i3QGHrnf-zCvR0-unblovhsB7eFS0ED-UbDWVcprarxf6nJsxMPEkjPVvnLlI1pEroUJ76U5h4aWn6VM3E/s3592/Monday3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="2688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo_0KtG3pgfOsbxEnK9sCbjp0kR_95kMEQlDeeHc7DIwVcCZoreo7GpLGL-bPOdOEWs2BSLGChrGfoGzZ4udRtdQbQs9TwKgHfdLdr1o2_i3QGHrnf-zCvR0-unblovhsB7eFS0ED-UbDWVcprarxf6nJsxMPEkjPVvnLlI1pEroUJ76U5h4aWn6VM3E/w299-h400/Monday3.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqFlcnx4uOZxdQtsTvE76pJEU7Xkg6ndJ6wAgNfsEhHa2BHIZNBd-MbfcHlBxkJpt9-qETpP7Yc95gyyZ_bycEWsWbZni_c-_Of8Z5OSiFf7bpvQD5H4cyx8tVfKRi41SF4-vLZZRoLvVVnbmaU0zxxm9zXyGROpf607t_GEGPD3iKaWNhAHcIz8S1Bo/s5568/Monday6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqFlcnx4uOZxdQtsTvE76pJEU7Xkg6ndJ6wAgNfsEhHa2BHIZNBd-MbfcHlBxkJpt9-qETpP7Yc95gyyZ_bycEWsWbZni_c-_Of8Z5OSiFf7bpvQD5H4cyx8tVfKRi41SF4-vLZZRoLvVVnbmaU0zxxm9zXyGROpf607t_GEGPD3iKaWNhAHcIz8S1Bo/w640-h426/Monday6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and Linaria vulgaris (Yellow Toadflax or Butter-and-Eggs) illuminated the grass verges.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXe-AJZBITryFDy-o3umfPqTXJSqKchAmByBYng4Zn-ButRFA8JVWlW04UoRybjhn9IhUOB9MnnxMty8xvPtbv9f-VJC7Z-6vll0G6nitfEeTI1kGb5DrtoOlEcTBJzhBH2HglNoKCBM9gRYW5tHW_pLl3RgSzUkUX6rgSchkPMeaH0JNPP6Vu8wfGHI/s5568/Monday4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXe-AJZBITryFDy-o3umfPqTXJSqKchAmByBYng4Zn-ButRFA8JVWlW04UoRybjhn9IhUOB9MnnxMty8xvPtbv9f-VJC7Z-6vll0G6nitfEeTI1kGb5DrtoOlEcTBJzhBH2HglNoKCBM9gRYW5tHW_pLl3RgSzUkUX6rgSchkPMeaH0JNPP6Vu8wfGHI/w640-h426/Monday4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">As an island dweller, I'm certain that I experience withdrawal symptoms if I haven't visited the sea for a while. My excitement mounted as we inched closer to the big blue accompanied by the unmistakable sound of gulls and the smell of ozone.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHYk19EjD9VfUDBiSgs_Ns9a9um4UxKyujnlDl-Yzew086yt_O2blDou37JqNvdobxSRjvNvYbb91klf0CtlQ5YlBd0Htfj1OwQNBD6RQxV4YhjfTgyam59-_bsw8bP2ip9skR8NQbuZn4PR7lJF9l4F4TUCJd5GFTkNL96y5ezg68asNMTupRrUoiTM/s5568/Monday5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHYk19EjD9VfUDBiSgs_Ns9a9um4UxKyujnlDl-Yzew086yt_O2blDou37JqNvdobxSRjvNvYbb91klf0CtlQ5YlBd0Htfj1OwQNBD6RQxV4YhjfTgyam59-_bsw8bP2ip9skR8NQbuZn4PR7lJF9l4F4TUCJd5GFTkNL96y5ezg68asNMTupRrUoiTM/w640-h426/Monday5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">As we descended, we wandered past an immaculate row of National Trust owned holiday cottages...</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRDQqxbo_K3N7zD2zuZ8FU2Dtmr-hRXwQAHaNMkqe9cVKJ--iayGHIeCzJS2DBHKY8YdRVz54Qve5PAuWbxc-oSySs-4ptOB2MHCZcegaJ3zh115suOvsED01txP3u2qObnBLnwhi8hK9EjHjyOrrCU7gfvNe8Fd4-hFgD0c61IfPYgX2tLdNYXNtc_I/s5568/Monday7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRDQqxbo_K3N7zD2zuZ8FU2Dtmr-hRXwQAHaNMkqe9cVKJ--iayGHIeCzJS2DBHKY8YdRVz54Qve5PAuWbxc-oSySs-4ptOB2MHCZcegaJ3zh115suOvsED01txP3u2qObnBLnwhi8hK9EjHjyOrrCU7gfvNe8Fd4-hFgD0c61IfPYgX2tLdNYXNtc_I/w640-h426/Monday7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">....and suddenly, land gave way to the sea. We had arrived at Stackpole Quay.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobZemSE7NKh1pQaBS7sXiwl4HZx0o-TbzWkbKkijK_4Z0nblQAxh1fir65HJGgwks2HLz9PhmLZ2ffXWVNk0KTspRGftTiBEO-Fkr91xu5WZxIHjrW5iEZVIr6mTTOVgOZpZc7sXwLeeBguHvqL0nVtD8U_sJVLOxVjRwEk-z9ICu_ieqnIKMwNete2I/s5423/Monday9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3615" data-original-width="5423" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobZemSE7NKh1pQaBS7sXiwl4HZx0o-TbzWkbKkijK_4Z0nblQAxh1fir65HJGgwks2HLz9PhmLZ2ffXWVNk0KTspRGftTiBEO-Fkr91xu5WZxIHjrW5iEZVIr6mTTOVgOZpZc7sXwLeeBguHvqL0nVtD8U_sJVLOxVjRwEk-z9ICu_ieqnIKMwNete2I/w640-h426/Monday9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotZDZ79n_7a2Qe8lCEDob40CjkmVklacfPqQVzAXFQxQx5h1BFtgsOn3Rkn-k0wnysvc0-uUnvdsCLT06_3gUAIHjIONAjla2PqdNav0hSFbjhjNhMaLKtpLaZ5_TouMPgGqniXUngueuReQl6doy9gayphzTS1OZ_SkOYDUNMyONnJi1dX2FfXGOMB8/s5568/Monday10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotZDZ79n_7a2Qe8lCEDob40CjkmVklacfPqQVzAXFQxQx5h1BFtgsOn3Rkn-k0wnysvc0-uUnvdsCLT06_3gUAIHjIONAjla2PqdNav0hSFbjhjNhMaLKtpLaZ5_TouMPgGqniXUngueuReQl6doy9gayphzTS1OZ_SkOYDUNMyONnJi1dX2FfXGOMB8/w640-h426/Monday10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The interplay between the sinking sun, fluffy clouds and limestone rock created a pretty pink orange light. If solitude's your thing, this boat had found it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQEHUwnKDt3ToLYdbMWcuoR8EISxqm7mAhuMI4sJx5QV5dFEbU6_WWdkbxqPrueVFO3SiZ040Xsz2LMZGfC-6dDaVTXLbf-cZZ0PyA-KBfoNYwr4fEo-w7hNg5GsirazS1AR-KxY8fdZg7dDLJIpdJ8pykxIKjD-VUvILr8mYMN1O3jRocpRTPYzuBK4/s5568/Monday16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQEHUwnKDt3ToLYdbMWcuoR8EISxqm7mAhuMI4sJx5QV5dFEbU6_WWdkbxqPrueVFO3SiZ040Xsz2LMZGfC-6dDaVTXLbf-cZZ0PyA-KBfoNYwr4fEo-w7hNg5GsirazS1AR-KxY8fdZg7dDLJIpdJ8pykxIKjD-VUvILr8mYMN1O3jRocpRTPYzuBK4/w640-h426/Monday16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Historically, Stackpole quay was used to bring in luxury goods for Stackpole Court, a home of the Campbells of Cawdor from Inverness, Scotland (and Macbeth fame) since 1698. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The Scottish flag is still periodically flown from the late 12th century tower of Stackpole St. Elidyr's Church, just a few steps from our holiday home's garden gate (more on that later).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We followed the craggy, sometimes distinctly angular rocky coastline...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiGfBDyIRByP7k6_BRQ0EnbIGbKADf8cVd90xCM6dKQWlp61mFFrCIhd0NcOFdHBXvOpSr2aiMq99nGVRacrHwbAN8YzCN9uWnG3nxSQBXei1k3DKS7heXZF_KEq_WTNNeKaZ6A_VzJww3ZORYC2YqpzEMOPRb3HJnhtD9_j3Rz6rMb0vRqbiws7WDd8/s5568/Monday17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiGfBDyIRByP7k6_BRQ0EnbIGbKADf8cVd90xCM6dKQWlp61mFFrCIhd0NcOFdHBXvOpSr2aiMq99nGVRacrHwbAN8YzCN9uWnG3nxSQBXei1k3DKS7heXZF_KEq_WTNNeKaZ6A_VzJww3ZORYC2YqpzEMOPRb3HJnhtD9_j3Rz6rMb0vRqbiws7WDd8/w640-h426/Monday17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...encountering evidence of humans, but very few of them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qTOSBV6QoAWtsIyNV94pR190W5b4UCV8qz-UYFrSAU-CwwGZHEaeFrcoMyedX0n1ZM8q61C0THHhmK8vsh4ND7e6seexmFB-DnFQFJkrJZ-HTYu8vL_ASeJaTyGwTZK4Jq93lGL_8uYkqm4HbMOvho56hud_oYDctSzwwylvv26rg82zKsqcfbqv-U0/s5208/Monday19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5208" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qTOSBV6QoAWtsIyNV94pR190W5b4UCV8qz-UYFrSAU-CwwGZHEaeFrcoMyedX0n1ZM8q61C0THHhmK8vsh4ND7e6seexmFB-DnFQFJkrJZ-HTYu8vL_ASeJaTyGwTZK4Jq93lGL_8uYkqm4HbMOvho56hud_oYDctSzwwylvv26rg82zKsqcfbqv-U0/w640-h436/Monday19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxuWOQTG8BcK_eDjWDGfkU1Q6crSrR23McYILRgF18JqT5xHnBjzN30b_ghtogH1cquosYxorzoB9m4wFN2GiDVjf9wQtj-kP-ny0gJ9LF8R8DzDSAcmFQU08k6pZg8crpk9iCpgb__3jtEdKoJInUUBvl_3lNDOA300lGRmcetVGDXI0R-3lsuLCKBs/s5568/Monday20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxuWOQTG8BcK_eDjWDGfkU1Q6crSrR23McYILRgF18JqT5xHnBjzN30b_ghtogH1cquosYxorzoB9m4wFN2GiDVjf9wQtj-kP-ny0gJ9LF8R8DzDSAcmFQU08k6pZg8crpk9iCpgb__3jtEdKoJInUUBvl_3lNDOA300lGRmcetVGDXI0R-3lsuLCKBs/w640-h426/Monday20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Minus a car park, there are only two ways to reach Stackpole Quay; on foot or by boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Eventually, we spotted a sign for Barafundle Beach. With little indication of how far away we were from the beach and in spite of the looming sunset, we decided to press on, take the steps and go on a voyage of discovery.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqr2xVNQsvCW0oPB3sZV-jlM2pzwnWw36Z6uYvtfHuFmpzLxhkJosyXbfkTUtsjGDL_sH6jpDMi3a2UN5ELKrmCJEftJEWoFDybmPd_6dEDR8mXl4OnFEUnLjjx2d2QdL1hQHtQ11nQP47yl6vXOOBV_QKa-oreccPe_NhKV_x0qvq2fIII8nO6mflJo/s5326/Monday23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3551" data-original-width="5326" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqr2xVNQsvCW0oPB3sZV-jlM2pzwnWw36Z6uYvtfHuFmpzLxhkJosyXbfkTUtsjGDL_sH6jpDMi3a2UN5ELKrmCJEftJEWoFDybmPd_6dEDR8mXl4OnFEUnLjjx2d2QdL1hQHtQ11nQP47yl6vXOOBV_QKa-oreccPe_NhKV_x0qvq2fIII8nO6mflJo/w640-h426/Monday23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After a five minute walk across the headland, we were rewarded with our first views of the bay.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghezK-bbA5cdX1khljS7CY_bAEOzoBjnXAseehEJJNULRzj53xG83TO4YkYKPrO_EXUavqnkw83bTe5S8hadkmEwVX0XvDW7TL-X65n68NVYWj--M0uJea2bk5k1cBqSCGdmpyxYNcT874FWk2CUcYNps_-VsvUX9JPInnfuA8XT40BGFiW3itnKWxz_E/s5568/Monday27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghezK-bbA5cdX1khljS7CY_bAEOzoBjnXAseehEJJNULRzj53xG83TO4YkYKPrO_EXUavqnkw83bTe5S8hadkmEwVX0XvDW7TL-X65n68NVYWj--M0uJea2bk5k1cBqSCGdmpyxYNcT874FWk2CUcYNps_-VsvUX9JPInnfuA8XT40BGFiW3itnKWxz_E/w640-h426/Monday27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat685j8soKhtUVo_nR8BJYUEe2okw1FYl37iN64Nuo_hSGWmcYmZMbOkmq1R41lN5Nbbtyyla7wmcsTYd8DLKJl2lRkxIKpSJnaMYlIrf_zoco3kcCk9SB8qbO4Xi72DOTlaEqbwxlqjB5jSlrOfLh4Nt1oK7am34NeeQBV1ZC5PHHkuwxV_d8pD16Hc/s5568/BarafundleBeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat685j8soKhtUVo_nR8BJYUEe2okw1FYl37iN64Nuo_hSGWmcYmZMbOkmq1R41lN5Nbbtyyla7wmcsTYd8DLKJl2lRkxIKpSJnaMYlIrf_zoco3kcCk9SB8qbO4Xi72DOTlaEqbwxlqjB5jSlrOfLh4Nt1oK7am34NeeQBV1ZC5PHHkuwxV_d8pD16Hc/w640-h426/BarafundleBeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The beach must have had numerous visitors that day (of the feathered variety judging by the footprints), but it was immaculate - no trace of litter anywhere.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU5NH4fJ42vSTrwSjiOl_7qoZHUZmDZCNGLQ1gSxuLG83s4VMq-p5cGatwGSxTjxYBSEg_h9Uijd0LtJPa8y7_si1I37tJLQb--AtHPYrhfoZss3vZEvpotfoMAy9TWxamRgtksrrsybypNKixHyYBUcaQyebNY-Bo3DEkr8g2Yc0FMZxggSOu759P1U/s5568/Monday30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQU5NH4fJ42vSTrwSjiOl_7qoZHUZmDZCNGLQ1gSxuLG83s4VMq-p5cGatwGSxTjxYBSEg_h9Uijd0LtJPa8y7_si1I37tJLQb--AtHPYrhfoZss3vZEvpotfoMAy9TWxamRgtksrrsybypNKixHyYBUcaQyebNY-Bo3DEkr8g2Yc0FMZxggSOu759P1U/w266-h400/Monday30.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IRodHfjMxOz3cblY7l6tpHbNXnUWz5PKDr1paXGJD3K-Nrc-fvIsj_Pk36OiUaP8uweycQX6pOtDbqXG1f4eeGL1kOggWrCC1mGLWmZE80naZCGGdCkR8-TAyu4zWD1WBPdNNrNhrE9YxAtsUcwxPSIwaLq787bS708Q7Q7trJgDgPCTKZb3whsmGNg/s5360/Monday29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3574" data-original-width="5360" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IRodHfjMxOz3cblY7l6tpHbNXnUWz5PKDr1paXGJD3K-Nrc-fvIsj_Pk36OiUaP8uweycQX6pOtDbqXG1f4eeGL1kOggWrCC1mGLWmZE80naZCGGdCkR8-TAyu4zWD1WBPdNNrNhrE9YxAtsUcwxPSIwaLq787bS708Q7Q7trJgDgPCTKZb3whsmGNg/w640-h426/Monday29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">After pausing a while to drink in the view and allow the sound of lapping waves to wash away any stresses and strains, we headed back to the cottage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So first impressions? Woodland, seascapes and an old church on our doorstep. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4L7-FYhTIAotof31neERx6ue2HV1nZ78ceO3SXQr0N0GIGxW9Ix87eRh1aOUHNHTHRdfsMRRP0jn91Valaqoeq9y9YoQb7fFJ5ic-LU_u5LPXvtbrvxJ6-B2lPdqAfWp1ItP3f6WFYn7sThRZSr3eqxmFeN9QwoMx7PMJXzYpItYbmZXVwsrcfgBhvo/s5568/Tuesday1StackpoleChurch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4L7-FYhTIAotof31neERx6ue2HV1nZ78ceO3SXQr0N0GIGxW9Ix87eRh1aOUHNHTHRdfsMRRP0jn91Valaqoeq9y9YoQb7fFJ5ic-LU_u5LPXvtbrvxJ6-B2lPdqAfWp1ItP3f6WFYn7sThRZSr3eqxmFeN9QwoMx7PMJXzYpItYbmZXVwsrcfgBhvo/w640-h426/Tuesday1StackpoleChurch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Just our kind of UK getaway! You may recall last year's Welsh getaway in Rowen (read it here: <a href="https://winterpeachphotography.blogspot.com/2022/08/fiery-red-dragon.html">Winter Peach Photography: Fiery Red Dragon</a> ). Having a church within spitting distance is becoming the norm for us. As for woodland, our garden gate at home leads directly into woodland, so we feel quite at home living in the shadow of tall trees.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Except...somehow this was different. There was an empty house at the top of the lonely lane...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiWGL_QKRLHNnG8nOavyhgBMKrpTwtOzUElxLAb_-njp-Bupchml4vgvOtZjrLZbE3I1H0UL0YBLWp_XXe7fT4gOe9DT_6Oa__KuGjAO1TgvcmxEhYhFTUQNr2VcnCuJo4dO4PUQIgWqLvXV6nCGsT98fBD66OqbomGjWTpSxibRNvt1fZcRpiHfRj-A/s5568/Friday1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiWGL_QKRLHNnG8nOavyhgBMKrpTwtOzUElxLAb_-njp-Bupchml4vgvOtZjrLZbE3I1H0UL0YBLWp_XXe7fT4gOe9DT_6Oa__KuGjAO1TgvcmxEhYhFTUQNr2VcnCuJo4dO4PUQIgWqLvXV6nCGsT98fBD66OqbomGjWTpSxibRNvt1fZcRpiHfRj-A/w640-h426/Friday1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">...and we were alone in the shadows and opposite an ancient church at the bottom, with bats for company and no mobile signal. Did I imagine that knocking sound...and why did I feel a little disconcerted when entering the downstairs bedroom? Stay tuned for more.</span></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-43890538944907255932023-08-31T02:42:00.001-07:002023-08-31T02:42:37.057-07:00Roving Reporter<p><span style="font-family: courier;">Greetings! I've had too much screen time, so am keeping this one brief for the benefit of my sore and blurry eyes. This post will be an eclectic mix of photo news, not that this blog is ever confined to any one particular topic anyway. I have way too much of a butterfly mind for niche posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I've been busy with work over the last couple of weeks with the sunniest rainy day wedding courtesy of the delightful couple who chose me as their photographer (blog and sample photos here <a href="https://www.winterpeach.com/post/you-can-stand-under-my-umbrella">grab your umbrella and learn how to take wedding photographs in the rain (winterpeach.com)</a> We hit it off and I was flattered to join them at their evening celebrations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">This was closely followed by the wedding party of a lovely couple who married in Greece before the devastating forest fires took hold. I'm sharing a few of my documentary style favourites here.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jxv0ulO0kExD1TrP6nQzK5HFlgBqHMRt8ROuHC1rgfgxQKVVjpUHi0foXhnUqTvJBe7VO4gP_3Y7aN2UoT4BLGQX40Yc5dpUHts0cRQjKostdFLTbJxJzPwakkydk7EoYfuuoEmPp1t5GB4MIDz7mS4CxleE4ZdXVsvVZYd7vKl6W-pHURbaNa8RY20/s5568/Dance41bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jxv0ulO0kExD1TrP6nQzK5HFlgBqHMRt8ROuHC1rgfgxQKVVjpUHi0foXhnUqTvJBe7VO4gP_3Y7aN2UoT4BLGQX40Yc5dpUHts0cRQjKostdFLTbJxJzPwakkydk7EoYfuuoEmPp1t5GB4MIDz7mS4CxleE4ZdXVsvVZYd7vKl6W-pHURbaNa8RY20/w640-h426/Dance41bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHTYSqRYTBGKMCxkcE7jHL3F7g2O1Bk2wnbM1BWOTckmCBvluzJFSYZ9BiWe2RL9fDMwhql9O1ydP6FYfOZcxD9uE0JjvUzNaFyHA3jvJfypdVWRrDUzPPc77FgzvTqKqiFbPDiwOcHFF4S7ULQhE0Qvs2yYrwjuPNqoEI_WBf2cXj0UbwVhsRxBpRRU/s5244/Photo72bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="5244" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHTYSqRYTBGKMCxkcE7jHL3F7g2O1Bk2wnbM1BWOTckmCBvluzJFSYZ9BiWe2RL9fDMwhql9O1ydP6FYfOZcxD9uE0JjvUzNaFyHA3jvJfypdVWRrDUzPPc77FgzvTqKqiFbPDiwOcHFF4S7ULQhE0Qvs2yYrwjuPNqoEI_WBf2cXj0UbwVhsRxBpRRU/w640-h418/Photo72bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgt3BYq4HYfhqH8MC-CCE0Y1KM-ra9Y92DnC_VcZCYI3FXGIF2Np9sp74FvTsjXUWqTeJlLBv8x4aHOcbMdTBBnPql-abfbrLnuQygnY8FlHeEzxjxlPYRGxiO8J8HEth_1BCWeNPhH7_8X961sXYx0L1x6ik9NYZopBjr4c5r4VMuxuquCvlPPv-YJo/s5568/Buffet4bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgt3BYq4HYfhqH8MC-CCE0Y1KM-ra9Y92DnC_VcZCYI3FXGIF2Np9sp74FvTsjXUWqTeJlLBv8x4aHOcbMdTBBnPql-abfbrLnuQygnY8FlHeEzxjxlPYRGxiO8J8HEth_1BCWeNPhH7_8X961sXYx0L1x6ik9NYZopBjr4c5r4VMuxuquCvlPPv-YJo/w640-h426/Buffet4bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It's also worth mentioning these gorgeous sustainable, seasonal and British grown flowers created by the lovely Anna of the wonderfully named Hedge and Berries.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSCViztvLTzEgKFXAzMM1m2MitiomDiAs7-VhRdE1j4ABCvpz51KaC3c6ScmQchygxAwOjSzQLZRaIE-GrI6h-WYSjFoaJ5yzg1izGZW3TPtKnqnrpwY_7NiyGV148DeW0tLCJzX7qaGuNPwelFWeLfXGOOQk2B2Qz4CRmlPuyjhnrAE9cpoJuMJ-pWo/s5200/Flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5200" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSCViztvLTzEgKFXAzMM1m2MitiomDiAs7-VhRdE1j4ABCvpz51KaC3c6ScmQchygxAwOjSzQLZRaIE-GrI6h-WYSjFoaJ5yzg1izGZW3TPtKnqnrpwY_7NiyGV148DeW0tLCJzX7qaGuNPwelFWeLfXGOOQk2B2Qz4CRmlPuyjhnrAE9cpoJuMJ-pWo/w285-h400/Flowers.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Whenever we've had some spare time, we've been busy trying our best to assist The Crooked House campaign, attending the meeting organised by local MP Marco Longhi and generally creating and publicising. I've been visually documenting events for my records and to help maintain local interest. We've met some fascinating people and Gareth even received a hug from author, local historian, Peaky Blinder descendant and thoroughly decent Professor Carl Chinn, who is quietly lending his support. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">People may wonder what all the fuss is about, but we're all feeling genuinely aggrieved by the actions of those responsible for the loss of a community hub older than America. A line has been crossed and seemingly with the world on our side, we're not letting this one go.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Here are some photos from the last week or so.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvDurzinfumJx0zGCJMUQyvKXpZ-3s_U3hzfMUVTOhqJt_CNabZQN57AYLeUfbQp7DREFDogJMTx0vu-FTy2OJwTkuw7nhyrJoD2PEgRkNSPu_t3vYu1paIZDXn2ctOdXhGFD74fJM8un6fj_PDUpT-oFbtQ-E9866SWyrbBmsp9hHXIVPWIv6LBVPOs/s5568/Photo10Meeting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvDurzinfumJx0zGCJMUQyvKXpZ-3s_U3hzfMUVTOhqJt_CNabZQN57AYLeUfbQp7DREFDogJMTx0vu-FTy2OJwTkuw7nhyrJoD2PEgRkNSPu_t3vYu1paIZDXn2ctOdXhGFD74fJM8un6fj_PDUpT-oFbtQ-E9866SWyrbBmsp9hHXIVPWIv6LBVPOs/w640-h426/Photo10Meeting.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Marco Longhi MP</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QgxkJZL38_qO4UQXidOXSJG_AfD6XMJZnKvaPGX1gWPlMPgUL_ioyR6et8p2m1zB1Fp7vQL7f4BqZQGQXHd9CA1FmOWVhIXjcncqeEDuPfD3UKJrcDvvck44p7y-fJVmsBvjaLOhlUxyZtK0T0KkhCAddxcgeb39XKGGv6KVP5DXzTG__p5vjE4P1W4/s5568/Photo13Meeting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QgxkJZL38_qO4UQXidOXSJG_AfD6XMJZnKvaPGX1gWPlMPgUL_ioyR6et8p2m1zB1Fp7vQL7f4BqZQGQXHd9CA1FmOWVhIXjcncqeEDuPfD3UKJrcDvvck44p7y-fJVmsBvjaLOhlUxyZtK0T0KkhCAddxcgeb39XKGGv6KVP5DXzTG__p5vjE4P1W4/w640-h426/Photo13Meeting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I was listening intently, honestly, but Himley Hall's light shade was too beautiful to ignore!</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK53jsh6F0kIOmmysgxDgCSxaPxMLtWIKQ_Hh2c2xOwiqwsSQ7sSL2iWCuAj0F58fk17jrnr9plGvuyYt0ddKoAlVoDSfXG8F_YbyZFV6lWlCF9082sWZkMU6PfKl8Qe8TfKD1a9WPK_pggYSZxBVemTsn4oFdqf0wHn30rbmZyUznq1sHN9ulZf9xYn4/s5448/Photo7Meeting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5448" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK53jsh6F0kIOmmysgxDgCSxaPxMLtWIKQ_Hh2c2xOwiqwsSQ7sSL2iWCuAj0F58fk17jrnr9plGvuyYt0ddKoAlVoDSfXG8F_YbyZFV6lWlCF9082sWZkMU6PfKl8Qe8TfKD1a9WPK_pggYSZxBVemTsn4oFdqf0wHn30rbmZyUznq1sHN9ulZf9xYn4/s320/Photo7Meeting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; text-align: left;">Much mistrust! When work started a little prematurely and without formal agreement on the clean up, Marco appeared on site. A politician who keeps his word!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-7zsLioVe1drRrwqRdTGOmOwdicv6ISDjpgIhSWIf14OGIV-tHJuJqzQpXfCtyUF1NHTsGie2ZPYJ1MbTt3Sf4PMwJRjR-ZMd20lXebNTmIS5Mv7FzgMK4hjbriBKGYtaU4gPY2CRnuoDYEq41ehWBLwm85mB6lTgC8YaHL8XuU21wOSNjBx9uD7Db8/s5568/Demolition16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-7zsLioVe1drRrwqRdTGOmOwdicv6ISDjpgIhSWIf14OGIV-tHJuJqzQpXfCtyUF1NHTsGie2ZPYJ1MbTt3Sf4PMwJRjR-ZMd20lXebNTmIS5Mv7FzgMK4hjbriBKGYtaU4gPY2CRnuoDYEq41ehWBLwm85mB6lTgC8YaHL8XuU21wOSNjBx9uD7Db8/w400-h266/Demolition16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOrAovw22aPQBDcjg7mN_fMfOqZLMIDkgpleQwgGEnB5CHvGBEsIpbl95dMnmSbCgdq3ooTeOJrlKTbpE5QWIWJLyBt5YIbNdhACop2o7RlssQh31hY5fpllBvdZqG8oAktYzeBL8k1sp8EGLI2Rx49-DcVyQqpypWo9nf3AJRdDdFLiXZD2RnfCWUE/s5568/Demolition5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOrAovw22aPQBDcjg7mN_fMfOqZLMIDkgpleQwgGEnB5CHvGBEsIpbl95dMnmSbCgdq3ooTeOJrlKTbpE5QWIWJLyBt5YIbNdhACop2o7RlssQh31hY5fpllBvdZqG8oAktYzeBL8k1sp8EGLI2Rx49-DcVyQqpypWo9nf3AJRdDdFLiXZD2RnfCWUE/w640-h426/Demolition5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFUgmr0On1fCOKiCpFqt3fKNl0-DsJYgTaid56LFv2RKK0I6fUAAoMkyCiFiH51Kwx4hVwxYlGqMuCiQlqu-Ew2b44gMFJiiytc2NYNIurqJUe8b8rcHCN5xksbH9-hrYPZqA8wj5Pvkf9pTlCWunuUcxEab93iOqfARjG3q31gMKGB_Pup59FKQQ16M/s5568/Demolition15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFUgmr0On1fCOKiCpFqt3fKNl0-DsJYgTaid56LFv2RKK0I6fUAAoMkyCiFiH51Kwx4hVwxYlGqMuCiQlqu-Ew2b44gMFJiiytc2NYNIurqJUe8b8rcHCN5xksbH9-hrYPZqA8wj5Pvkf9pTlCWunuUcxEab93iOqfARjG3q31gMKGB_Pup59FKQQ16M/w640-h426/Demolition15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Over the coming days, the mood calmed, after a clear list of works to be carried out and working methods was made available. Paul and Ian, who front the Facebook campaign, were again interviewed on site alongside a CAMRA representative (Campaign for Real Ales) holding a certain person's handy work.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvTuG4nBDNp3F6eF0v7MdTbdvrUF084B8A7UZUNWEakNPOg3rfX76Ooak_bZGmcLHv0Rmletx1Z6TDZoEUCB4kQR2-fJ7zo57FwOR4flrqLnuJAm3xnjz-Jo3xmEji1mRqZNEcYP1fp8MyiukbSIHzHHAfCpcQYhn_YpgL93xVVOiWwCbh9H8Mep0j2A/s5344/FBCampaignSign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5344" data-original-width="3520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvTuG4nBDNp3F6eF0v7MdTbdvrUF084B8A7UZUNWEakNPOg3rfX76Ooak_bZGmcLHv0Rmletx1Z6TDZoEUCB4kQR2-fJ7zo57FwOR4flrqLnuJAm3xnjz-Jo3xmEji1mRqZNEcYP1fp8MyiukbSIHzHHAfCpcQYhn_YpgL93xVVOiWwCbh9H8Mep0j2A/w422-h640/FBCampaignSign.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The pub may be notably absent - for now - but the community spirit remains. Most evenings, there are campaign supporters maintaining a vigil over the bricks. It's entirely possible that you might run into a paranormal investigator, artist, lawyer, brick layer, pigeon fancier or drone operator at any given time. </span> <span style="font-family: courier;">Welcome to the Black Country!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZkj83QxhtJ59ofcQ3WsYOT7wmzZcJMx4f4KgWiHkj7ow0Y7dR_yUWMTdDXM3J1UHAuJpjmZjNvNrnDFYp1cjBszKpgKOUDLVgpBWzRMjRqbIySIrFkFAscVhdkEo1DLngDnaEfhPNhtlufvh54fpcZ_yRDg1bnZGGRwZdc2Ldubt5-utOMOkHujYTX4/s5412/Fri25Aug3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5412" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZkj83QxhtJ59ofcQ3WsYOT7wmzZcJMx4f4KgWiHkj7ow0Y7dR_yUWMTdDXM3J1UHAuJpjmZjNvNrnDFYp1cjBszKpgKOUDLVgpBWzRMjRqbIySIrFkFAscVhdkEo1DLngDnaEfhPNhtlufvh54fpcZ_yRDg1bnZGGRwZdc2Ldubt5-utOMOkHujYTX4/w640-h438/Fri25Aug3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The latest news is that two people have been arrested and released on conditional bail for arson with intent to endanger life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In other news, I found this colourful skirt in a charity shop. It's W. German label confirmed its vintage fashion credentials and I had change from £3.00! With all of the campaign activity, I'm feeling a bit punk, so teamed it with a punk festival t-shirt I purchased from Vix some years ago.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4-8G4qPWcUj_Q6zx1zdE0KK-KeZ51HkMiUUp4g_QUMLr4G4wgtaQ_dju_ImorC2q7Nu_XzDaZolL56nv1TanuEV77h6ezM0LoXrVy_-XlNfq4N-3XawddhnxQ32yq3QasQDvb5J_Y8uBdlywEqJsK4kq4_i4JEBSfivg4cbEuDy_dhyCwdtUxNFLdgU/s1544/Selfie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4-8G4qPWcUj_Q6zx1zdE0KK-KeZ51HkMiUUp4g_QUMLr4G4wgtaQ_dju_ImorC2q7Nu_XzDaZolL56nv1TanuEV77h6ezM0LoXrVy_-XlNfq4N-3XawddhnxQ32yq3QasQDvb5J_Y8uBdlywEqJsK4kq4_i4JEBSfivg4cbEuDy_dhyCwdtUxNFLdgU/w265-h400/Selfie.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">In complete contrast, I've also been rocking some Barbie pink puff sleeves. Mood definitely dictates my outfits. Anyway, perhaps Barbie pink puff sleeves can be punk too. The boy asked, somewhat incredulously "What are you wearing?" so perhaps that proves my point.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXmpuOtMg6wqmODIHjtfLs339CK3wz_a6IPXWj95Ivduw4o6rWrswWiFmTj662VWJKfGwAeGjgiXd6I_KNZBZAdhgzvLPn9XN-RHg-ABfwYCHEaVOKR4JwRqQb4rI49s2mTe2wFDJLS1P0BKDsPT12kNq9VMFvOrPLihpjY9VuUQHucB6MH-hPbFB9XQ/s1365/Barbie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXmpuOtMg6wqmODIHjtfLs339CK3wz_a6IPXWj95Ivduw4o6rWrswWiFmTj662VWJKfGwAeGjgiXd6I_KNZBZAdhgzvLPn9XN-RHg-ABfwYCHEaVOKR4JwRqQb4rI49s2mTe2wFDJLS1P0BKDsPT12kNq9VMFvOrPLihpjY9VuUQHucB6MH-hPbFB9XQ/w300-h400/Barbie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">As for reading material, this amazing first edition folklore book was picked up at Claverley Church when I was doing a recce the week before V's wedding. The print is teeny tiny, such is the volume of detail and artworks contained within, but it's now possibly my most treasured possession. It's absolutely a book to curl up and over-winter with. I've also finished reading the latest offering from the brilliant Laura Purcell. If I tell you that her Twitter handle (I refuse to call it by it's new name) is @spookypurcell, then I'm sure you can imagine her speciality.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AonCebq8oCIkoZqxAmhMINewpHAyJrNs0vF7AXlqRRYOywnwH3rLOZSi0PqqqaUTnVk7vWxgu4uaQNR-c1IgS25bjGj2_Pj7Nkws_C5hd3mhRboyqDwviupMW3ciPpWVM74LbA7gM95CG9hp7SMBpAVhAzRZBuOY8CyWIySvDwOfJXBWeopMVVqTUJI/s1024/Collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AonCebq8oCIkoZqxAmhMINewpHAyJrNs0vF7AXlqRRYOywnwH3rLOZSi0PqqqaUTnVk7vWxgu4uaQNR-c1IgS25bjGj2_Pj7Nkws_C5hd3mhRboyqDwviupMW3ciPpWVM74LbA7gM95CG9hp7SMBpAVhAzRZBuOY8CyWIySvDwOfJXBWeopMVVqTUJI/w400-h400/Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The garden has been somewhat out of bounds recently, due to incessant rain. However, we've had the odd nice day in August, so for some zen moments and being mindful of Autumn knocking on the door, I've tried to capture something of the garden and beyond before the seasons change. Some of these photos were assisted by my newly acquired video light, a handy and affordable little gadget, which turns everything "disco."</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRfRgJ6ibrnRWJzvjMYdicceDTodaThd-PQIKWpfRDc1KoxUVnw3I6V0yWf2IvZnyM8i-BovADZwHkGP-DQmlgDjf4IV5TiO-EZ25FkPg2ZbuBcPdfv2MQ-79DUBVUUiOpnjeJ-yZrgsEZE6boizEtYscsPS5w1PmgwsX6IN9Wwpncvx81e7j7jwNQWw/s5232/DiscoFlower2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5232" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRfRgJ6ibrnRWJzvjMYdicceDTodaThd-PQIKWpfRDc1KoxUVnw3I6V0yWf2IvZnyM8i-BovADZwHkGP-DQmlgDjf4IV5TiO-EZ25FkPg2ZbuBcPdfv2MQ-79DUBVUUiOpnjeJ-yZrgsEZE6boizEtYscsPS5w1PmgwsX6IN9Wwpncvx81e7j7jwNQWw/w640-h454/DiscoFlower2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW4onov4KSnesPwFcoIdjhx-EISsKL7FZicUJ2Pf3M3ahXazLiYadycNmUzsNoWtYkcgO8mywVPKiRcykAJYLEVxAtD_olmyeQJcXNHQVPUNtqRslfcmm2cVQzPGi03diDrfuWlVIq_UwaVJoFZfgwlOpB7aJMj0x30ydAugr80BWf7RX6DeZdVzcvTk/s5568/DiscoFlower11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW4onov4KSnesPwFcoIdjhx-EISsKL7FZicUJ2Pf3M3ahXazLiYadycNmUzsNoWtYkcgO8mywVPKiRcykAJYLEVxAtD_olmyeQJcXNHQVPUNtqRslfcmm2cVQzPGi03diDrfuWlVIq_UwaVJoFZfgwlOpB7aJMj0x30ydAugr80BWf7RX6DeZdVzcvTk/w640-h426/DiscoFlower11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMc7cdf2jJrZuqPbobM9K5jFS3DlVsEEqknorwM0GA1O-5C3e-lDbF4z-p87N0HLs9l3GYVoM8dXSNQKJ6zIN4pMEGaFBq3F5APHjz0IGdUQAUzstMDshZxskmWJ6r8LehiDrkA6jGhqoKnMSYBkkCnqkbVqoZDOGNBZIsGfuJbhsBtHb0DWwdG5mPRw/s3532/Discoflowers10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="2580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMc7cdf2jJrZuqPbobM9K5jFS3DlVsEEqknorwM0GA1O-5C3e-lDbF4z-p87N0HLs9l3GYVoM8dXSNQKJ6zIN4pMEGaFBq3F5APHjz0IGdUQAUzstMDshZxskmWJ6r8LehiDrkA6jGhqoKnMSYBkkCnqkbVqoZDOGNBZIsGfuJbhsBtHb0DWwdG5mPRw/w468-h640/Discoflowers10.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">My favourite hydrangea. I never tire of this beautiful blue.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOazR2iUtCkzHM_ys9fj-kvDmq3O602tc9-PEkTQbViFFT1SL0RiZ7m7KhXH9toBr8OkuYfmEiTvDiS9u_YAmbtWurtJ6SNETUFu8lKRXGJZcs91xea-gvtUdl-Uspty9mDJ6Wq0YcSaLxcuc5-29jS15CHoEImsUPO9jgOPh7Kn4WLbFSlKxKBNOtxlc/s5568/HoverFly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOazR2iUtCkzHM_ys9fj-kvDmq3O602tc9-PEkTQbViFFT1SL0RiZ7m7KhXH9toBr8OkuYfmEiTvDiS9u_YAmbtWurtJ6SNETUFu8lKRXGJZcs91xea-gvtUdl-Uspty9mDJ6Wq0YcSaLxcuc5-29jS15CHoEImsUPO9jgOPh7Kn4WLbFSlKxKBNOtxlc/w640-h426/HoverFly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Walks may have been less frequent, but all the more enjoyable as a result. Nature always delivers. Check out this mighty oak...</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR36eKII2_qo33wBsCX4BlhpgYQ8glZzSG6UmKUlBlKiq9lyu7YckH1OrhCXHvXzKiCVIWY9tFcGuuR1H80YDjEEpBHpIetvCmXD1RkacZE-QSSzlq7aaDu0-xnaIq1Nb1eGsBpzE7Ze4wFDNRTsUZELDJW_BbZv2RX0pyOWjCVdSVoKw4uN15fmbcVk/s5389/MightyOak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5389" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR36eKII2_qo33wBsCX4BlhpgYQ8glZzSG6UmKUlBlKiq9lyu7YckH1OrhCXHvXzKiCVIWY9tFcGuuR1H80YDjEEpBHpIetvCmXD1RkacZE-QSSzlq7aaDu0-xnaIq1Nb1eGsBpzE7Ze4wFDNRTsUZELDJW_BbZv2RX0pyOWjCVdSVoKw4uN15fmbcVk/w640-h434/MightyOak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">...a thistle, gone to seed...</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P6Z4BXEYBZb_9x2B8T9rVanCsoxlJXn8p6n7VYyM88xGTA7TaRQ18KF-T_4JfhjDwFFewkQUZqqF-Qv-9NjNVFWEe4yasDji9fiZd2TLxfdnxza1OcHyHSEvP6rGQtaWouOO3ID_BOPxVR-3fRHLR-crNmWpEO2I1nRaUGFcUsbhdAQiS055WjQrkFM/s5316/Thistle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5316" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P6Z4BXEYBZb_9x2B8T9rVanCsoxlJXn8p6n7VYyM88xGTA7TaRQ18KF-T_4JfhjDwFFewkQUZqqF-Qv-9NjNVFWEe4yasDji9fiZd2TLxfdnxza1OcHyHSEvP6rGQtaWouOO3ID_BOPxVR-3fRHLR-crNmWpEO2I1nRaUGFcUsbhdAQiS055WjQrkFM/w640-h432/Thistle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">and this sun kissed spider's web. Spiders! At the risk of sounding like Ms Purcell herself, we're almost into September. They're coming.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zDacjAiKh-Fz5qAeDYbQko6JHgM_TFPtyF8WJqm57nwGHG4j3MNHHWKzpUBqSIrVUC2zCa4V7EJh_lB8HHpXqGlSWK_R4iBVN9rQbwJU6q9NDg6n8WKsoYj3mkNcGH_FUsX7ZISyiBUO3VfS8HYDQejsCNsvXPRIPBNA4_x2TOV3hh2pNPP3k5fcmt0/s5004/Web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="5004" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zDacjAiKh-Fz5qAeDYbQko6JHgM_TFPtyF8WJqm57nwGHG4j3MNHHWKzpUBqSIrVUC2zCa4V7EJh_lB8HHpXqGlSWK_R4iBVN9rQbwJU6q9NDg6n8WKsoYj3mkNcGH_FUsX7ZISyiBUO3VfS8HYDQejsCNsvXPRIPBNA4_x2TOV3hh2pNPP3k5fcmt0/w640-h446/Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Hope you're all fine and dandy. Catch you soon!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-2691876970077174472023-08-10T04:18:00.000-07:002023-08-10T04:18:07.183-07:00A Very Crooked Tale<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_xb1ExYrq7SxRCUoQU-OEfZhL7PHmQM6y6NPSw5zCPufoDR_eSqwlaoWWdg3Up_GYC7ssDpddJpwrLmlX0q415aGiLP82n8rNQKgWOMgQavqgrrR-dWTkwh4Y0QRQ5UTvcjQJyeR9D6nNK8gziftRaD6nbgo8phuzYTL-2C53EyqXTmEzhtU4ZRMA9A/s2283/CrookedHouseEdit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="2189" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_xb1ExYrq7SxRCUoQU-OEfZhL7PHmQM6y6NPSw5zCPufoDR_eSqwlaoWWdg3Up_GYC7ssDpddJpwrLmlX0q415aGiLP82n8rNQKgWOMgQavqgrrR-dWTkwh4Y0QRQ5UTvcjQJyeR9D6nNK8gziftRaD6nbgo8phuzYTL-2C53EyqXTmEzhtU4ZRMA9A/w384-h400/CrookedHouseEdit.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">One thing that really triggers me is those who think that money can elevate them above the law. A case in point this week centres around a local quirky landmark - The Crooked House pub (dubbed by the press as "Britain's Wonkiest Pub"). As the dramatic events of the last 7 days have unfolded, this is shaping up to be a very crooked tale.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">First, a little history for those unfamiliar with the site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The pub was originally built as a farmhouse in 1765. Subsequent mining in the Black Country region in the early 19th century caused one side to begin to sink giving the building its distinctive angle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In the 1830s the property became a pub called The Glynne Arms after local landowner and part owner of Oak farm Iron and Brickworks, Sir Stephen Glynne (also the brother-in-law of Liberal politician William Gladstone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Condemned in the 1940s, the pub was saved from demolition after work was undertaken on a buttress to help strengthen the structure. However, by the early 1950s, the its future was still uncertain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In 1957, the pub's then owners, The Wolverhampton and Dudley Brewery, spent £10,000 on repairs, safety measures and finally installing electricity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Flames first threatened the pub in 1986; a fire resulting in damage necessitating a £360,000 facelift.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The pub began to be referred to as The Crooked House in 1900 as its quirky appeal gained traction...and so it began. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i9MvJ2u8umDeHlkNi-JtoSqI0y3xA4JHAzWN8Cbe-fU6y2JKh2QvZyqdAyxXbIzEkaylg5hN7CpFK4LjMeBB23Y9SE5zBKkDx-cipCO38TxYBcOEniGMsfCc-gQGNqarb5jax3JoG6cGgTd4KeRcI3SZVIOhd8tLZ-3NCiIMY7_XoMrUAakCpjSijGM/s5568/Photo51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i9MvJ2u8umDeHlkNi-JtoSqI0y3xA4JHAzWN8Cbe-fU6y2JKh2QvZyqdAyxXbIzEkaylg5hN7CpFK4LjMeBB23Y9SE5zBKkDx-cipCO38TxYBcOEniGMsfCc-gQGNqarb5jax3JoG6cGgTd4KeRcI3SZVIOhd8tLZ-3NCiIMY7_XoMrUAakCpjSijGM/w640-h426/Photo51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">This pub is part of the Black Country heritage. Everyone in this part of the world will have childhood memories of this place. I recall the excitement of glimpsing The Crooked House at the end of a seemingly endless winding lane and experiencing the thrill of seeing a marble roll uphill inside. You don't believe me? See for yourself.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SefG1HZut4M"><span style="font-family: courier;">Marbles Roll Uphill At Crooked Pub - YouTube</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The pub was put up for sale by Marston's PLC after a review in 2021 and finally closed its doors in March this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It was sold in July this year as a going concern for £675,000 to a buyer based in Warwickshire (ATE Farms Ltd) - far enough away from the Black Country. It transpires that said buyer also owns the 15 hectare quarry and landfill site next to the pub. Notably, the landfill site is now being developed with permission being sought to develop another part of the land. Access might be an issue. Doubtless it would aid that access if the pub wasn't there. Still with me?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Incidentally, a "burglary" took place in June this year. The burglars didn't rifle through drawers and cupboard, but instead set about smashing up the kitchen and toilets. Doesn't that strike you as odd?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Back to the present. On Sunday morning, we awoke to the news that the pub had been gutted by fire on Saturday night. Mounds of earth blocking access to the pub had slowed the Fire Service's efforts to tackle the blaze.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkEE982yfw2z5c9a9ufvMKtqg_WBko1vNYo_mrkGURX6Xk0YnDlVOSyW4U9D5OCeUughS9zPLipvJfWopfV1Wd6fIi2SYX8N4CMuWxwSv1I4FzRivRyi8aZscdvO8rc2ZYJx4GpOEn0VxR3CGiWUhd6cfJWaJGKzUepKaKYHgHNKM4kIsg4JrtJ7nPf4/s5520/Photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5520" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkEE982yfw2z5c9a9ufvMKtqg_WBko1vNYo_mrkGURX6Xk0YnDlVOSyW4U9D5OCeUughS9zPLipvJfWopfV1Wd6fIi2SYX8N4CMuWxwSv1I4FzRivRyi8aZscdvO8rc2ZYJx4GpOEn0VxR3CGiWUhd6cfJWaJGKzUepKaKYHgHNKM4kIsg4JrtJ7nPf4/w400-h269/Photo2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Black Country reacted angrily, calling "arson." The police launched an investigation and the press descended.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Still reeling from this news, two days later, a digger operator appeared on site and proceeded to demolish the building. Bear in mind this was in the midst of a police investigation into the cause of the fire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Locals flocked to the site demanding answers. The Council claimed that they had agreed for safety reasons, that the building be taken down partially - only the upper floor. Clearly this instruction had been ignored. There were also allegations of the digger being given rear access to the pub. By whom you may ask?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">To further rub salt into the wound, Historic England has confirmed that the pub was being explored to be listed, after the organisation received a request in July.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It didn't take long for the owner's name to be published in the press. She is unsurprisingly refusing all requests for an interview. Having married into money, she and her husband appear to have form. Reports have stated that they bought and gutted another pub in recent years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">These were the last photos I took of the pub, back in 2019.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2Ap3wmaBwvCQwJo5T2BxSOgRzSYPOOtccvYHV9egADM1PT1LqodU1KRIlKG9IObN-BL1BPKTbzaj1nUw5MLLBVMtXwGSh7FXBrF9C47gw49NbaeX_yy96wBuqcWI8GdGoOTF4OONhRndXTQC2L4WZATRxymra5miDAoNt4YnEUhSjvN65TPSXwTD3Eg/s5006/PubSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5006" data-original-width="3337" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2Ap3wmaBwvCQwJo5T2BxSOgRzSYPOOtccvYHV9egADM1PT1LqodU1KRIlKG9IObN-BL1BPKTbzaj1nUw5MLLBVMtXwGSh7FXBrF9C47gw49NbaeX_yy96wBuqcWI8GdGoOTF4OONhRndXTQC2L4WZATRxymra5miDAoNt4YnEUhSjvN65TPSXwTD3Eg/w266-h400/PubSign.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYG47e2cHom9bZ64GTD3Ry5bDQDsqsL8uZFQ-BzxHIudNEQM7BLY4WwTcBon9wDQD7IaeBEYB7D5UoGrvp3WB-D31SQYCYOknKA2G9B-icCWzZSHNDsZMp-wZASpZIwi5fAttxaibFuCEuN2IaJI08s85-0Xi6sSJzN9SoS-YWuLRqRRwbFbS0kPYUjE/s3347/CrookedHouseEdit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="3347" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYG47e2cHom9bZ64GTD3Ry5bDQDsqsL8uZFQ-BzxHIudNEQM7BLY4WwTcBon9wDQD7IaeBEYB7D5UoGrvp3WB-D31SQYCYOknKA2G9B-icCWzZSHNDsZMp-wZASpZIwi5fAttxaibFuCEuN2IaJI08s85-0Xi6sSJzN9SoS-YWuLRqRRwbFbS0kPYUjE/w640-h436/CrookedHouseEdit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">We visited the site yesterday. There was a police presence and we were politely asked if we could return a little later (there is a public right of way running up to the pub) as the sniffer dog was in action and they needed to keep the site clear. Whilst chatting to the policemen, they confirmed that this was the strangest case they had worked on and pointed out that the news had now gone international; a CBS news crew were standing to our left.</span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">On our return, I took photos of the site in its current state. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHyvYGwCOQcrzqOFV0KWn5o9iRdNYgJQxjP3esWoNivjGFOknJK2_ZuUMYcp68ti5_F2_o1GzxYWp3QPZ9tHSgQBzbOF1yKVoAvpakjwB89-c8eL5qRrM2D6GrdSh_l4dZ8Pg5714J0P5xKdcmdCjt5oQFpRg-XCisGO9bAOKXzb7fAhu8ohaj1MiAms/s5568/Photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHyvYGwCOQcrzqOFV0KWn5o9iRdNYgJQxjP3esWoNivjGFOknJK2_ZuUMYcp68ti5_F2_o1GzxYWp3QPZ9tHSgQBzbOF1yKVoAvpakjwB89-c8eL5qRrM2D6GrdSh_l4dZ8Pg5714J0P5xKdcmdCjt5oQFpRg-XCisGO9bAOKXzb7fAhu8ohaj1MiAms/w640-h426/Photo4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5YZkgaIVUQf8-j5mR3B2GbOHQ938j9OfctLZ_iou1eE6ud-xOsO-21V1texdLnrjt9ALuAmCFRaUEouFZ7cIn-vOOBjKYgswpjBijWwD9M2nrCM2U1XGU32inD9bsu2FQsOUQgvXGgwZfN_xjS0kX9vO_oXycEr4OQYt_6degqTPYvHg9CMp3jm8ZTM/s5472/Photo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5YZkgaIVUQf8-j5mR3B2GbOHQ938j9OfctLZ_iou1eE6ud-xOsO-21V1texdLnrjt9ALuAmCFRaUEouFZ7cIn-vOOBjKYgswpjBijWwD9M2nrCM2U1XGU32inD9bsu2FQsOUQgvXGgwZfN_xjS0kX9vO_oXycEr4OQYt_6degqTPYvHg9CMp3jm8ZTM/w640-h426/Photo5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVh80pmL-rQVJWByeOKHE5mivMS94Mmx2C2S_B7gsJol1NIaGI9Nz_mqvhTCz_jwOHEgw4e4uMrbrDuTB0_z_IbL63sXwTOSM6KRTvCjcVg37x7J5sYZH0vup9QJZQcPy35RYQnpZAWcU5qM74fCLEnQ_2dWKeP3FXLyNgXCJ8QJtZbupn2JqMl6EfAI/s5568/Photo22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVh80pmL-rQVJWByeOKHE5mivMS94Mmx2C2S_B7gsJol1NIaGI9Nz_mqvhTCz_jwOHEgw4e4uMrbrDuTB0_z_IbL63sXwTOSM6KRTvCjcVg37x7J5sYZH0vup9QJZQcPy35RYQnpZAWcU5qM74fCLEnQ_2dWKeP3FXLyNgXCJ8QJtZbupn2JqMl6EfAI/w640-h426/Photo22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Press are ever present...and long may it continue. As long as all eyes are on this story, hopefully the powers that be will ensure a thorough investigation and all legal options will be explored.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT7pizA60bGXxIYoOxYp-GzlYgYEaFGwmptslY1K4tbiOaVMmuNUElhQiqBmD7oIvwV6ovxz2nyPN51dVuTtgoloblCVlY5JK8JrXS0xRXAjbcOeaRgc5U25vPYn08ylixTuVZfk481n9Df4eY-QeLKDVH3mD9N4jw3-U4kQ3aekUG8JF5MqL-hugwqM/s5496/Photo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3642" data-original-width="5496" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT7pizA60bGXxIYoOxYp-GzlYgYEaFGwmptslY1K4tbiOaVMmuNUElhQiqBmD7oIvwV6ovxz2nyPN51dVuTtgoloblCVlY5JK8JrXS0xRXAjbcOeaRgc5U25vPYn08ylixTuVZfk481n9Df4eY-QeLKDVH3mD9N4jw3-U4kQ3aekUG8JF5MqL-hugwqM/w640-h424/Photo8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVUtsqaVtGkpailCfoFaE8ouBRuMCoj9a1JDUvQ7ujW48dGqWyEYSIiSFcINq2zSBB4A8OzOa805JGNUEzLlUzPaVJBHDNvNzgTYMjgBHONyLeTn9QU6EtC6eH_egxTocx3Ltx2qT5SSb8r56CTMVgyVXkGYceBBdjBay3qVjvCiK6CF08PI5mQFwIvI/s5568/Photo11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVUtsqaVtGkpailCfoFaE8ouBRuMCoj9a1JDUvQ7ujW48dGqWyEYSIiSFcINq2zSBB4A8OzOa805JGNUEzLlUzPaVJBHDNvNzgTYMjgBHONyLeTn9QU6EtC6eH_egxTocx3Ltx2qT5SSb8r56CTMVgyVXkGYceBBdjBay3qVjvCiK6CF08PI5mQFwIvI/w640-h426/Photo11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">It was truly devastating to see a building holding such memories and importance in the lives of a community reduced to a pile of rubble.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeJyYHO1JqSmP65yyIlv5WZXWapnAUtJSvWDlfuUOtR5t6nJtYRvF43gFKAGZusW3bWoVeONuiUsO5MDwYzvWRvirVogLeFzUYk8afjue_diHRPs7h5CiTsF5yzWiguqBkX-T17AxebALCrCL-aMbW8o4PbQexJMLmUgkKu3Bg6c6NWhviz8_Aqle-0k/s5568/Photo15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeJyYHO1JqSmP65yyIlv5WZXWapnAUtJSvWDlfuUOtR5t6nJtYRvF43gFKAGZusW3bWoVeONuiUsO5MDwYzvWRvirVogLeFzUYk8afjue_diHRPs7h5CiTsF5yzWiguqBkX-T17AxebALCrCL-aMbW8o4PbQexJMLmUgkKu3Bg6c6NWhviz8_Aqle-0k/w640-h426/Photo15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We weren't alone, mourners, souvenir hunters and local musicians were amongst the visitors to the site, including a group enjoying a final drink outside the pub.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88YY3QpwmJ-FZvv4PejhL10V_XBCknyp1UwqeA2B0QDWb4R5kG2mZa9lX1Sh3WQnwA16qIsPVfYTLly5yxSdRjzHNxcAptGy4o3ISa-OB6yON3WIyaP4M2C1q8dcm5PuhGMbHfVAnV_QdJccKdDXJD3xc3H6F6I30_xKnuohQKT3FbblDCocPMIW8e74/s5568/Photo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88YY3QpwmJ-FZvv4PejhL10V_XBCknyp1UwqeA2B0QDWb4R5kG2mZa9lX1Sh3WQnwA16qIsPVfYTLly5yxSdRjzHNxcAptGy4o3ISa-OB6yON3WIyaP4M2C1q8dcm5PuhGMbHfVAnV_QdJccKdDXJD3xc3H6F6I30_xKnuohQKT3FbblDCocPMIW8e74/w640-h426/Photo10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGNHm7m6P2amJIgJBUrCBD8UaeB3xlac0-Y6zrrbRrVFqJHnXvrutxrwtIrHEHwoCETIYWxzlMO41q07Ag_w0DH_WVdN7uvhdhhq1D5iqKEW1SB12uuMVGl_z4FXqtl8MqBECqbnNlDhSzEjaMpS8G32oEJ3w-Sw3Hc6hcp3PKmloL9hO_hF2a9WDoJA/s5568/Photo17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGNHm7m6P2amJIgJBUrCBD8UaeB3xlac0-Y6zrrbRrVFqJHnXvrutxrwtIrHEHwoCETIYWxzlMO41q07Ag_w0DH_WVdN7uvhdhhq1D5iqKEW1SB12uuMVGl_z4FXqtl8MqBECqbnNlDhSzEjaMpS8G32oEJ3w-Sw3Hc6hcp3PKmloL9hO_hF2a9WDoJA/w640-h426/Photo17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTd5YFLX6UuhDvZnL7tnQ3kwWe_1eEqq-si_vFUPykZreOMtQL0uyBNbivlmEPNDyCioAQDffiWKRi9TV8EPHpl0hRcaQoyDT_vmxnsqa6xVh5L6d6On4MtdObuvWGJ5hwZO8u6T2MBTTgpabJkTdO0Kotj2ht3_l_LWSVjcwlVSLdaSJt00B5i4QebQ/s5568/Photo9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTd5YFLX6UuhDvZnL7tnQ3kwWe_1eEqq-si_vFUPykZreOMtQL0uyBNbivlmEPNDyCioAQDffiWKRi9TV8EPHpl0hRcaQoyDT_vmxnsqa6xVh5L6d6On4MtdObuvWGJ5hwZO8u6T2MBTTgpabJkTdO0Kotj2ht3_l_LWSVjcwlVSLdaSJt00B5i4QebQ/w640-h426/Photo9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEYJtWJ-iTgowBdhBvZV7ci0r6KpvzmBPj5QgB3zIIvOY3eLUCjBHh8RR2sp-D-axNF6r-kYD3Zd-YIW6WP6zcX9ITkSQObP_GApdHgg-WaVnFnV5LpWDrhNCP9J6or5hjm9yaY45HtxmrFqIft_MBcZr5U8ZvHhP0uluoBwRWm0pR8fungxgooDOGak/s5568/Photo18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEYJtWJ-iTgowBdhBvZV7ci0r6KpvzmBPj5QgB3zIIvOY3eLUCjBHh8RR2sp-D-axNF6r-kYD3Zd-YIW6WP6zcX9ITkSQObP_GApdHgg-WaVnFnV5LpWDrhNCP9J6or5hjm9yaY45HtxmrFqIft_MBcZr5U8ZvHhP0uluoBwRWm0pR8fungxgooDOGak/w640-h426/Photo18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV_97b6RTcRanFeDA-QQbKd8nYQIQc5CIGliVLq_kxBC6NO5OQ3vCeElhvpcySVScsRzdNhYgs9qn0nCLsjKkugKoslfquhkZUlj1LdKfyTaRu9NnGgxrV-JXnLTOLGknC01obDRFfVnBPNl8avFPKzoKgtqSCoV17MdiUOzVzTLRbiJEGqihTwBXnew/s5568/Photo23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV_97b6RTcRanFeDA-QQbKd8nYQIQc5CIGliVLq_kxBC6NO5OQ3vCeElhvpcySVScsRzdNhYgs9qn0nCLsjKkugKoslfquhkZUlj1LdKfyTaRu9NnGgxrV-JXnLTOLGknC01obDRFfVnBPNl8avFPKzoKgtqSCoV17MdiUOzVzTLRbiJEGqihTwBXnew/w640-h426/Photo23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyMNckJaJdqp1pFSK8ws2tUfTWi0E452qUuGx-543aPfGVn46Szq6ERSbtt84CdMwARUal-RlUKe__iDEYuN-1pPZuADKbyEvpGoLOuvJGt8YIUytc7Tn2QSBMYpx6kBZP1jEwgSMLdkBXKm5uAioim9kgYUG6pZESKVV_E2cjAUybtSVFj8EA-mZLeQ/s5568/Photo21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyMNckJaJdqp1pFSK8ws2tUfTWi0E452qUuGx-543aPfGVn46Szq6ERSbtt84CdMwARUal-RlUKe__iDEYuN-1pPZuADKbyEvpGoLOuvJGt8YIUytc7Tn2QSBMYpx6kBZP1jEwgSMLdkBXKm5uAioim9kgYUG6pZESKVV_E2cjAUybtSVFj8EA-mZLeQ/w640-h426/Photo21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">There was palpable anger from visitors at the audacity of the people behind this wilful destruction.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysfX2NVfwH_19bjQT_X5WnNBD6QhWEhCfS7mCwEzyix85KQJGEnPvQov0cTTiwM3VMtkEmpRKobx2BvRWJ0XNpdzxXisS1oIvKGLPIaXJ6YC1E3EGZFkOxKGJgFl4TFiwS-TGGlSwJ8__021THWKUKGY6iHpPr5J_2ArPcHWbNJJLRIk4ECkHSSKWqi0/s5568/Photo27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysfX2NVfwH_19bjQT_X5WnNBD6QhWEhCfS7mCwEzyix85KQJGEnPvQov0cTTiwM3VMtkEmpRKobx2BvRWJ0XNpdzxXisS1oIvKGLPIaXJ6YC1E3EGZFkOxKGJgFl4TFiwS-TGGlSwJ8__021THWKUKGY6iHpPr5J_2ArPcHWbNJJLRIk4ECkHSSKWqi0/w640-h426/Photo27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vKEDkBOAApyPmBokUe2HlNdfpSvxudG0sH4MrPOWyupENfxCSXkcEnllb6rRksO9IxIWvXVOFraPnWqqtTdWEr0jbzMAgV0hEsDpU4lL-fGfddNLF_2lRZpLKvuKSAfWE1OdSKPe9OickvHf-oHTwWVino7zB7b3GZkZV-9cezo2UDGPwVYwm7U0WdQ/s5568/Photo28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vKEDkBOAApyPmBokUe2HlNdfpSvxudG0sH4MrPOWyupENfxCSXkcEnllb6rRksO9IxIWvXVOFraPnWqqtTdWEr0jbzMAgV0hEsDpU4lL-fGfddNLF_2lRZpLKvuKSAfWE1OdSKPe9OickvHf-oHTwWVino7zB7b3GZkZV-9cezo2UDGPwVYwm7U0WdQ/w640-h426/Photo28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hW4lKnDG30cjCxojmvzGpBqCRPTHDYoHggwZH5DiC9HPF7T2evB0oAe80lpMHcW9Rn_SKrfW7y2I4sZ-AB0lg2RLGVkgPfGgp3o03aBOU6RM6jgetnepSPXpxQHK_4s3Ny1FyRhvYvqQIBlpr00mtep8xHg1GqpWlfXtUgZNgwViNuUErEDZiw97yVI/s5568/Photo29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hW4lKnDG30cjCxojmvzGpBqCRPTHDYoHggwZH5DiC9HPF7T2evB0oAe80lpMHcW9Rn_SKrfW7y2I4sZ-AB0lg2RLGVkgPfGgp3o03aBOU6RM6jgetnepSPXpxQHK_4s3Ny1FyRhvYvqQIBlpr00mtep8xHg1GqpWlfXtUgZNgwViNuUErEDZiw97yVI/w640-h426/Photo29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVRwxYx9FJLlgDCxOY2vNDgLSpeQ61gc1P_ee6Z2S0NuQKSvd__L2mdkvZunHptqHpeaOrrpqBtHh7MW1WYW8Gfdq5ttrGREDDn_Ghc6LEK91YKmKxfv9yWEK6JzFmweVMa55LngKg9R0SMhOZ_BjMxR51QmCDE6rQV3t_pBuXrIof2dtwJ6oEnygVMQ/s5568/Photo30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVRwxYx9FJLlgDCxOY2vNDgLSpeQ61gc1P_ee6Z2S0NuQKSvd__L2mdkvZunHptqHpeaOrrpqBtHh7MW1WYW8Gfdq5ttrGREDDn_Ghc6LEK91YKmKxfv9yWEK6JzFmweVMa55LngKg9R0SMhOZ_BjMxR51QmCDE6rQV3t_pBuXrIof2dtwJ6oEnygVMQ/w640-h426/Photo30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk5rk2wsAU_fnxge35YcB9h4dxoBnHvWZ2IRyJnxm_wZlZFhNAS6a-VZzaNp9uReIWWlQFmm66Cnqu5eTnSRImIRGag_8-bzxfm-aEy1a9HgFlVBwPafYmtEIWH1vawrzTLrAnFgCOWASmlKRWtqibCK2aqfSjNBk9d9sStTergBVeb4CGCjgNiJb7NU/s5568/Photo35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk5rk2wsAU_fnxge35YcB9h4dxoBnHvWZ2IRyJnxm_wZlZFhNAS6a-VZzaNp9uReIWWlQFmm66Cnqu5eTnSRImIRGag_8-bzxfm-aEy1a9HgFlVBwPafYmtEIWH1vawrzTLrAnFgCOWASmlKRWtqibCK2aqfSjNBk9d9sStTergBVeb4CGCjgNiJb7NU/w640-h426/Photo35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Unrelated headlines, but isn't money at the centre of everything these days?</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG7LRKAlfUnKhyu0CFENwg-bzIJGs1dnhOvRTd9RRYDPHyfR6wXuBHplMwCdKYFLPJU42otH5Jg1XA7vo_WRIDGCkrhSo9XfNMLcUlWktUOSW7uSNlHfJblx76HIaaKQYCccaurDQt3I9McUw2yBsNHIYJA3Xs2D394jR2Py5QMd-fuw7DBEX9CsbJDg/s5568/Photo37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG7LRKAlfUnKhyu0CFENwg-bzIJGs1dnhOvRTd9RRYDPHyfR6wXuBHplMwCdKYFLPJU42otH5Jg1XA7vo_WRIDGCkrhSo9XfNMLcUlWktUOSW7uSNlHfJblx76HIaaKQYCccaurDQt3I9McUw2yBsNHIYJA3Xs2D394jR2Py5QMd-fuw7DBEX9CsbJDg/w640-h426/Photo37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIs1HcNbakfoXVF5xW-7Qv6ySLeL79R-yiBM72rHwisxooQ534mkRYQEGh9D2YDZucyPqUiMuzDOYwJF1GS6rYJNiSG5L0wHhRp05tKW3yJcYRmAGVFpc3ZkUT2nnVHNUDFgJy1a7oNoMCm3tQW_6_QVXwrl-5I1E4AA6NzzSQ9Zq8-g_QCHs8ETRC6o/s5568/Photo36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIs1HcNbakfoXVF5xW-7Qv6ySLeL79R-yiBM72rHwisxooQ534mkRYQEGh9D2YDZucyPqUiMuzDOYwJF1GS6rYJNiSG5L0wHhRp05tKW3yJcYRmAGVFpc3ZkUT2nnVHNUDFgJy1a7oNoMCm3tQW_6_QVXwrl-5I1E4AA6NzzSQ9Zq8-g_QCHs8ETRC6o/w640-h426/Photo36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZyenqa88IMc5kewSkS328P6zixvY2H0hSaXqWxZQLIjIGTOWZgCcN5xqocclwskpljNzYf0jJH8axmNoMD2GozD-keiRrtx5Cw30pFo8vV81eX-Ud94SDtlAqRmyqnDKcrjeVWpqeiCiDrjgTb72eRgB-RYVpruyLyd22oN2kiKWfzHpvZYF0VZKGTg/s5568/Photo48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZyenqa88IMc5kewSkS328P6zixvY2H0hSaXqWxZQLIjIGTOWZgCcN5xqocclwskpljNzYf0jJH8axmNoMD2GozD-keiRrtx5Cw30pFo8vV81eX-Ud94SDtlAqRmyqnDKcrjeVWpqeiCiDrjgTb72eRgB-RYVpruyLyd22oN2kiKWfzHpvZYF0VZKGTg/w640-h426/Photo48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN65cNNcCvvfF-MsLw8Wf7yX3tRLSfOvk60iThG6ERRclu9k1ehOwGDRz26is52UoiWeLO4jeSTXZ0F2BB_MhxCiYN0owi_HzGd3yg3VzQNMNXDpM8gryHNuLlsZcmekv5-PY6nsaqkfKZtdGSSui8rlz9wxSiG1V9I60oML6XFZBEgIeGvuTffU-5vI/s5568/Photo47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikN65cNNcCvvfF-MsLw8Wf7yX3tRLSfOvk60iThG6ERRclu9k1ehOwGDRz26is52UoiWeLO4jeSTXZ0F2BB_MhxCiYN0owi_HzGd3yg3VzQNMNXDpM8gryHNuLlsZcmekv5-PY6nsaqkfKZtdGSSui8rlz9wxSiG1V9I60oML6XFZBEgIeGvuTffU-5vI/w640-h426/Photo47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We took a final (for now - let's not begin speaking of this in the past tense) look at the small pub garden, still blooming and intact.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikboeoJ7tsTn-yPUkOPVF8lzzI9D_eLz0uiP2MH-SGNaQcrXfkH21sG7COOiqzPaOZ2CT7EXFUIJBllIh-d6e_yMe7JQV_GQB8iSH-zvGoGXlUrb3yCZsPQc3lKxynRfIZAdLnJ77oXKPaYVojG8mvjTkJpdk_w-TKj8DMVjBJdnfjytnfXMxdpc1040/s5340/Photo38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="5340" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikboeoJ7tsTn-yPUkOPVF8lzzI9D_eLz0uiP2MH-SGNaQcrXfkH21sG7COOiqzPaOZ2CT7EXFUIJBllIh-d6e_yMe7JQV_GQB8iSH-zvGoGXlUrb3yCZsPQc3lKxynRfIZAdLnJ77oXKPaYVojG8mvjTkJpdk_w-TKj8DMVjBJdnfjytnfXMxdpc1040/w640-h420/Photo38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxTJ1PohnANcyGQY7RLOMNmUozfxPxXNX76PrZy1IVJFI5SpJGkMtBfSa9TqqcfGrJhY0WfhHlMzlqEkyGDcAp-ZrdWF43szdH9Hz5Gek-UI7A_p61KxgvRfaSN2F5hNRQy4jbr689hZ653VeYZ77fbkuO5i_u7nhOHUmeWm9crdxPQ-yC8PX0zZu2PE/s5568/Photo39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxTJ1PohnANcyGQY7RLOMNmUozfxPxXNX76PrZy1IVJFI5SpJGkMtBfSa9TqqcfGrJhY0WfhHlMzlqEkyGDcAp-ZrdWF43szdH9Hz5Gek-UI7A_p61KxgvRfaSN2F5hNRQy4jbr689hZ653VeYZ77fbkuO5i_u7nhOHUmeWm9crdxPQ-yC8PX0zZu2PE/w640-h426/Photo39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Back in the car park, the steel bracing frame - some distance from the building - looked far from unsafe to our untrained eyes. No doubt when the digger grabbed hold of this, the building was doomed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwGlGvk9tjcHx0CZF6Nmc6q5U1BVMJc6nhDXR4wedYzCTXi8WNDp2o84Z6oVrbgOVE5SISo1oMJaIssNV4hbMW_QpdKNIQBZllx_za5kuTMcDabJIDoID5l3sXYRZZTxlkHSKXTkrGTBheimBy9l9YoLNdmfdMRb8ADrgOEj4Ln85uAHZ91sLD-wObmo/s5568/Photo40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwGlGvk9tjcHx0CZF6Nmc6q5U1BVMJc6nhDXR4wedYzCTXi8WNDp2o84Z6oVrbgOVE5SISo1oMJaIssNV4hbMW_QpdKNIQBZllx_za5kuTMcDabJIDoID5l3sXYRZZTxlkHSKXTkrGTBheimBy9l9YoLNdmfdMRb8ADrgOEj4Ln85uAHZ91sLD-wObmo/w640-h426/Photo40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsdaxm9k878-xvnGlKr9UvF3f8-xMpsyMdbGy6JQWbNqmW7ofRKsHoARyYl011Z1ecXiFabglqiDOJ6aj8-85TQPYee4ARA1OtMcEDg4uUJfoiBJcVjLjWHwsJ4R0lI52PYURtsld7q91kMJ5EMIYVWqojtO4nTGEHjLFJARj2i1TjzSKYd5YyuVYFlc/s5568/Photo44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsdaxm9k878-xvnGlKr9UvF3f8-xMpsyMdbGy6JQWbNqmW7ofRKsHoARyYl011Z1ecXiFabglqiDOJ6aj8-85TQPYee4ARA1OtMcEDg4uUJfoiBJcVjLjWHwsJ4R0lI52PYURtsld7q91kMJ5EMIYVWqojtO4nTGEHjLFJARj2i1TjzSKYd5YyuVYFlc/w640-h426/Photo44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Discarded chairs were piled up in a far corner of the site...for how long I wonder? I gently tried to dissuade souvenir hunters, as I, like the West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, would like to see those responsible made to rebuild this brick by brick. I fear it might never happen, but have joined the campaign group in any event.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEPONx-wAIK5B0Tuj_RCbRoluZILYAJaUCVPhvUVHiukBDhMg9uok3gv59pJT0fyZom6vQDfA-yfAQ_ZDnF5UVXPXvH-P6Z9xKWjEoZLnW4hWRTLD0ilaU9OGdxJOgF_VJqKOAn9rnXNKK1pSQ4xFPFg8dsinZqi9UE_XB5GuQ6QCwDZTdQOXUTeACE0/s5568/Photo45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEPONx-wAIK5B0Tuj_RCbRoluZILYAJaUCVPhvUVHiukBDhMg9uok3gv59pJT0fyZom6vQDfA-yfAQ_ZDnF5UVXPXvH-P6Z9xKWjEoZLnW4hWRTLD0ilaU9OGdxJOgF_VJqKOAn9rnXNKK1pSQ4xFPFg8dsinZqi9UE_XB5GuQ6QCwDZTdQOXUTeACE0/w640-h426/Photo45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I abhor the way money talks and blind eyes are turned. Ways around planning laws are found and individuals make calculated decisions, carrying out dubious actions fully prepared and able to pay off resulting fines. Really, this has to stop. Hands off our heritage!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd-OUEgICxKJYDtjHoqmvjgIjwbevb47sn6ekqAGAFsrq8VogN60kvAbCVWBbyI4B5bwoFyYlLWNXgQEHBfsxj5sChvQLG9ZQitAcfwTqR6DWzQAGusmpL_jIZtnHSv9y15_5PUBfadPO97x0-BSEmT7nu0HQu1PXNZw2mBRiEhTysOfOCkUpR6vCes8/s5568/Photo49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd-OUEgICxKJYDtjHoqmvjgIjwbevb47sn6ekqAGAFsrq8VogN60kvAbCVWBbyI4B5bwoFyYlLWNXgQEHBfsxj5sChvQLG9ZQitAcfwTqR6DWzQAGusmpL_jIZtnHSv9y15_5PUBfadPO97x0-BSEmT7nu0HQu1PXNZw2mBRiEhTysOfOCkUpR6vCes8/w640-h426/Photo49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The lane approach is not always picturesque, with its landfill site entrance and derelict bridges once used to carry mineral railways from nearby collieries, but Britain is renowned for quirky, interesting buildings such as this. Take them away and what are we left with? Soulless big enterprises and uniform, characterless boxes serving as houses.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">As we walked back down the lane, evidence of the owners determination to develop the site, maintain access points for their diggers and lack of care for aesthetics was clear.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK5cZLjFv0MevbQixo3-Udyl_3gVnpTt-AhZfRoKZ_J8h__-MrFlcf4QC6lhl2smXGiZQrQIPweEdLW3PfywaQLr6apIFYfRiEJn52363fKcz7TOkEu-tpDk18rpu0AmFtzXm96m2DUsefNNtagL4y-rD1B5DVoU22_ZCAYABCoXwH5qlqV2HQ8X0XK0/s5568/Photo50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK5cZLjFv0MevbQixo3-Udyl_3gVnpTt-AhZfRoKZ_J8h__-MrFlcf4QC6lhl2smXGiZQrQIPweEdLW3PfywaQLr6apIFYfRiEJn52363fKcz7TOkEu-tpDk18rpu0AmFtzXm96m2DUsefNNtagL4y-rD1B5DVoU22_ZCAYABCoXwH5qlqV2HQ8X0XK0/w640-h426/Photo50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The latest? Arson has been confirmed. A petition to rebuild the pub has 7,000 plus signatures. You can add yours here if you feel so inclined.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.change.org/p/save-the-crooked-house"><span style="font-family: courier;">Petition · Save The Crooked House · Change.org</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Reports I have seen have already tentatively suggested that to rebuild the pub would be difficult and expensive. But not impossible, surely? This week Mayor Andy Street said: "We will not let the Crooked House be consigned to history." Hope springs eternal.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-47791376773449508492023-07-26T11:16:00.000-07:002023-07-26T11:16:19.328-07:00And The Sun Set on Prague<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2XJmDehaa4v_zCqxlMAvdy56CEDGybNr86_nPPDrERQJ_Kz8lZu7PvfYlxve0PBQazb84sO0raokjBKzn55dRd8L93lsuRBVf3pZBb8Ocyo4lFj0iAulDDJ6Ltdf1p0SHEZNBom7Ld9y2ekwsUhTrVdWmUNcht-43W5IJr9AHLS5OyPGQ0SiXCeEn08/s5568/StWencleslassquare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2XJmDehaa4v_zCqxlMAvdy56CEDGybNr86_nPPDrERQJ_Kz8lZu7PvfYlxve0PBQazb84sO0raokjBKzn55dRd8L93lsuRBVf3pZBb8Ocyo4lFj0iAulDDJ6Ltdf1p0SHEZNBom7Ld9y2ekwsUhTrVdWmUNcht-43W5IJr9AHLS5OyPGQ0SiXCeEn08/w640-h426/StWencleslassquare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Apologies for the lengthy satellite delay; I've had an enforced break to deal with the scary matter of emergency eye laser surgery. I won't go into details here, but let's just say I can now relate a little to Alex, A Clockwork Orange's protagonist. I've also stayed off the screen as much as possible, so forgive me if I've missed anyone's posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So where was I? Part way through drafting a post on our last day in Prague, which I was forced to abandon and have been slowly editing over the last couple of days.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We were once again awake by dawn after a fitful final night's sleep in the heat of this beautiful city. We had one thing on the day's "To Do" list which was to visit the Alphonse Mucha museum, a stone's throw from our apartment in Old Town Square. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So, dragging our small suitcases, we left the shade of our hallway for the last time, sunscreen generously applied and emerged sixty seconds later into the street outside. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ56lxRQdKRmILfrEtAN17zC7zoTqw8yOoYKh4CGDLKfJndrBC-rssL1uyw0L1T7K09kd67ssBIBaNXFh0RaPV6n_vUwpyRr0XA2cF2MefXyLNT3pIJp84sYr6I_1b-m2QVdsrprjUjyc7SqFv6LeLiYjBe1BhqbwZbvW8lqNkOW4Tz6_sCYlBW4_qYc/s5478/apartmentinterior2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5478" data-original-width="3652" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ56lxRQdKRmILfrEtAN17zC7zoTqw8yOoYKh4CGDLKfJndrBC-rssL1uyw0L1T7K09kd67ssBIBaNXFh0RaPV6n_vUwpyRr0XA2cF2MefXyLNT3pIJp84sYr6I_1b-m2QVdsrprjUjyc7SqFv6LeLiYjBe1BhqbwZbvW8lqNkOW4Tz6_sCYlBW4_qYc/w266-h400/apartmentinterior2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCCdoXMGXMdq-yHDfUEkYvWBFoKcHKzVeayOLRMrmhzh-sgNblzN0rdgeEkD80lUGFEIukStFuvNPtYEnuG4zFisTBGCbQXge24ssE2WZhC_NaJmV65w3ImThgGkFaLOEs_VHT_9IhtWjYXhfOLzxfqM0_5EBxtof8ex-Ycpi6MBcIbjzg1_2DEQszec/s5472/ApartmentInterior7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5472" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCCdoXMGXMdq-yHDfUEkYvWBFoKcHKzVeayOLRMrmhzh-sgNblzN0rdgeEkD80lUGFEIukStFuvNPtYEnuG4zFisTBGCbQXge24ssE2WZhC_NaJmV65w3ImThgGkFaLOEs_VHT_9IhtWjYXhfOLzxfqM0_5EBxtof8ex-Ycpi6MBcIbjzg1_2DEQszec/s320/ApartmentInterior7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">It's evidently impossible for someone like me to stand anywhere or turn any corner in a city like Prague, without reaching for my camera. The holes in this sign are admittedly too symmetrical, but I immediately thought of bullet holes, which appealed to my sometimes dark sense of humour. Why would painted furniture be so provocative?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XQJbtxlgVdjop1QlI1DdLz2OLo981_c_V36MrszzaPw_YmXkDlIAmdGhSGxGoNhbyB3kOH8iSn1M-mov5902sR_I2v7TXvbHxxdkFseDrtgFfA1KjjEXAb1JV0SMnMUWhls_e3nI6qNtfKn2kVvoiIhdAtTjYGON9YsR-UZgm-2G8jCLnrYM3vU01-U/s5220/Signage19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="5220" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XQJbtxlgVdjop1QlI1DdLz2OLo981_c_V36MrszzaPw_YmXkDlIAmdGhSGxGoNhbyB3kOH8iSn1M-mov5902sR_I2v7TXvbHxxdkFseDrtgFfA1KjjEXAb1JV0SMnMUWhls_e3nI6qNtfKn2kVvoiIhdAtTjYGON9YsR-UZgm-2G8jCLnrYM3vU01-U/w400-h271/Signage19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div>As our flight was much later in the day, I was able to capture as many of the architectural details and sights of Prague at leisure. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJoycRm3TKvGKkPZ6SaIU8ZEvsy4pip_96HFlkmoRxuG41V2LisEMRQZp5AXTq97wxQRachNlsYTYamZdUxT9uWgZ5Tn4iOPXwaml-I-MhcADwCjSQRljqpxyVCPY-D1QD-3Pde2aQ8fgMpiMP3qAV7AMnJS_jlzKApLh1FFwUnbkVKj_doinZ0OuNP0/s1024/Collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJoycRm3TKvGKkPZ6SaIU8ZEvsy4pip_96HFlkmoRxuG41V2LisEMRQZp5AXTq97wxQRachNlsYTYamZdUxT9uWgZ5Tn4iOPXwaml-I-MhcADwCjSQRljqpxyVCPY-D1QD-3Pde2aQ8fgMpiMP3qAV7AMnJS_jlzKApLh1FFwUnbkVKj_doinZ0OuNP0/w640-h640/Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjHbTsFdxeEJp5_GP_UpZkDEPevzlPJKMFyjiSx4BOlADJJMHO5eALrDROf2SkYpMOtwKjt1778XMLNdwCar2Dvhe7-XNf38_WqWygbjPTXXkL_CWgmpNctrNZcZz-zsbj_RCvP8MeNMfnaPf8am5USruG3csxxemp1fqTTOILixH_FI6VkNfTQAAJh4/s5568/ArchitecturalDetail14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjHbTsFdxeEJp5_GP_UpZkDEPevzlPJKMFyjiSx4BOlADJJMHO5eALrDROf2SkYpMOtwKjt1778XMLNdwCar2Dvhe7-XNf38_WqWygbjPTXXkL_CWgmpNctrNZcZz-zsbj_RCvP8MeNMfnaPf8am5USruG3csxxemp1fqTTOILixH_FI6VkNfTQAAJh4/w400-h266/ArchitecturalDetail14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7wHmW_vEI_DRhiyR_Im38D-tMd6hpRimVzfJXeXwx9UoreDYriCw30eecv5QFi3fgMevyR7PtGf2LwYDv4icPnT_KHQsRcVO81elnWaXOdI663oR99Od7b_lsVzABWf8SaXF8wgfdDHhxUo49DRvc2MGqhSzDfzuPbEvY6UTWFoOnWEKDN5ksWmdKbo/s5568/Architecture2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7wHmW_vEI_DRhiyR_Im38D-tMd6hpRimVzfJXeXwx9UoreDYriCw30eecv5QFi3fgMevyR7PtGf2LwYDv4icPnT_KHQsRcVO81elnWaXOdI663oR99Od7b_lsVzABWf8SaXF8wgfdDHhxUo49DRvc2MGqhSzDfzuPbEvY6UTWFoOnWEKDN5ksWmdKbo/w400-h266/Architecture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NR71kV2G20_yp3Pc7Majh7UNRlxHPbDwUnttrJipFNzZ8tdbeOMaBtZLkCtqHSZNmzKLFFiP2UMhFMYy-PDYsrlMneGlYRy4pXp6xqwqCaHFXqMMTu79MaPbOCJs0XLAe_u4R04fzAOPjvnatkbtTy1iN1Eom8q5PgCdGshVPqjVC-9KMsrIX1sf3g/s5568/CubistGrandCafeOrient.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NR71kV2G20_yp3Pc7Majh7UNRlxHPbDwUnttrJipFNzZ8tdbeOMaBtZLkCtqHSZNmzKLFFiP2UMhFMYy-PDYsrlMneGlYRy4pXp6xqwqCaHFXqMMTu79MaPbOCJs0XLAe_u4R04fzAOPjvnatkbtTy1iN1Eom8q5PgCdGshVPqjVC-9KMsrIX1sf3g/w640-h426/CubistGrandCafeOrient.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Cubist Grand Cafe Orient</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Onwards to the Museum. The name Alphonse Mucha is synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement; his artwork gracing everything from magazine covers, book illustrations and theatre posters, to his more commercially recognised work for Moet Champagne and cigarette papers to name a couple.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The museum provided a comprehensive understanding of the Czech artist and offered up an eclectic selection of his work.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZNU6fqE2QXH3s-Y2hUcTraujV2p1vPrpB86OCo3cbYVk1NEpB92263qAQxWy0XZaEfDDX65yzHW2YvJuSsN9V9zLuuxXCTsKWe8YjI1aSdx5l5SHd10Bt_bQCWROf0Q_A6hlfDNPFxAY3PCevAfAtB95ElF3aoOvg5wzDQGYtY-mIyg-hTIz5X8n8wE/s5568/ClaireMucha.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZNU6fqE2QXH3s-Y2hUcTraujV2p1vPrpB86OCo3cbYVk1NEpB92263qAQxWy0XZaEfDDX65yzHW2YvJuSsN9V9zLuuxXCTsKWe8YjI1aSdx5l5SHd10Bt_bQCWROf0Q_A6hlfDNPFxAY3PCevAfAtB95ElF3aoOvg5wzDQGYtY-mIyg-hTIz5X8n8wE/w320-h213/ClaireMucha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I took many photographs here, but I've included just a few of my favourites. Although it has been said that this museum is a bit of a tourist trap, I think that's grossly unfair. It was well curated and if you have any interest in Art Nouveau's distinctly decorative style, this is a must.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa4f1bxljsstykyilctpwuQuY3kdYGdH7EKZesY02HYU-dECX00yOm161WOVxIL3NZgK-uq0RJTEfkaERB6CfFodtKNPi8s0qeM22_G5ZzpfvWkDoLuL1fbI_ImWUaPb4dcOkdWfvcq0Og8YgleoH9nR2V6l4gm-y_dtDOHPSn8tLQRnvqEixL5p3Dgo/s4500/Mucha11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="4500" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNa4f1bxljsstykyilctpwuQuY3kdYGdH7EKZesY02HYU-dECX00yOm161WOVxIL3NZgK-uq0RJTEfkaERB6CfFodtKNPi8s0qeM22_G5ZzpfvWkDoLuL1fbI_ImWUaPb4dcOkdWfvcq0Og8YgleoH9nR2V6l4gm-y_dtDOHPSn8tLQRnvqEixL5p3Dgo/s320/Mucha11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYTKGn_u0xYLY-ULF21Z43m2_8MEds9_Z-oj2VMj51cJZfpeKSiGpsjKDcPvZk1I2susDbDuwTvywL3d3cA9yKwVHnzwv3jbs_oCx3HfpnbDslRxX-BSwTu0N1Q0khdF22-sXuax77Slm4iymPYI2NWjd20dDFNQRfEP3xmssRVw6PUZ32jSlfRMX08o/s5280/Mucha8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5280" data-original-width="3248" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYTKGn_u0xYLY-ULF21Z43m2_8MEds9_Z-oj2VMj51cJZfpeKSiGpsjKDcPvZk1I2susDbDuwTvywL3d3cA9yKwVHnzwv3jbs_oCx3HfpnbDslRxX-BSwTu0N1Q0khdF22-sXuax77Slm4iymPYI2NWjd20dDFNQRfEP3xmssRVw6PUZ32jSlfRMX08o/w246-h400/Mucha8.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Theatre poster</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dX1MH3LYRuKNZQkyBk4bFi0sFLNQzBFnNrdPxYhsuRm7zsHO8XOX4hLs8jgl82zzO7EW7tnIjaCBBp9AeWT7ObDhz1seoAuzWTjxdY-XKOW4P7cATcajXtamB5eNeXcO-vY7mY1EXdyLyNxDGB9b6vI3zUacq05djNrc9HjINMQf9j5mq4aE0Tw-HLk/s5304/MuchaBizantine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="5304" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dX1MH3LYRuKNZQkyBk4bFi0sFLNQzBFnNrdPxYhsuRm7zsHO8XOX4hLs8jgl82zzO7EW7tnIjaCBBp9AeWT7ObDhz1seoAuzWTjxdY-XKOW4P7cATcajXtamB5eNeXcO-vY7mY1EXdyLyNxDGB9b6vI3zUacq05djNrc9HjINMQf9j5mq4aE0Tw-HLk/w400-h265/MuchaBizantine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Byzantine style plate</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXTL6Q-9scqn4ghPL4uugGJ1Zm3O-V8fUEinL-JVH1Bt5B_MDu9JrX5fVgEGCLAphar5Szd8DLnUGEqctUEJ6HimCwq47n7yCx6D68LsrsZxs21OQxYHX1jO0j3kNKamKb7Mh41n9pxG0VwLgckMD3_ZHg7SDPnIo0I7_rcyvxkxyCcjwsXYmyyd7RWA/s5340/Mucha2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="5340" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXTL6Q-9scqn4ghPL4uugGJ1Zm3O-V8fUEinL-JVH1Bt5B_MDu9JrX5fVgEGCLAphar5Szd8DLnUGEqctUEJ6HimCwq47n7yCx6D68LsrsZxs21OQxYHX1jO0j3kNKamKb7Mh41n9pxG0VwLgckMD3_ZHg7SDPnIo0I7_rcyvxkxyCcjwsXYmyyd7RWA/w400-h266/Mucha2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">An edition of The Burr McIntosh Monthly - devoted to photos of famous people and landscapes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gdpoAqrJhEKacodLqb_QiWko7nSkM78faedlAFV8n_JA9evUeB6Jw6t6Bu-q2ugHyuXTwC8uPSNrhLeSTdHBk1c20dx4smFyvf5WcZkVK278QYB8nyOmR9tYRdsZkMetX6OyEASXGeNxgvrKT5DZgasMJEfgI3tb83qs5zFwxDJHNIuOkc_8wep7Vok/s2216/Mucha19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="1811" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gdpoAqrJhEKacodLqb_QiWko7nSkM78faedlAFV8n_JA9evUeB6Jw6t6Bu-q2ugHyuXTwC8uPSNrhLeSTdHBk1c20dx4smFyvf5WcZkVK278QYB8nyOmR9tYRdsZkMetX6OyEASXGeNxgvrKT5DZgasMJEfgI3tb83qs5zFwxDJHNIuOkc_8wep7Vok/s320/Mucha19.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwXbCP8b89QOOqSsh7ZCniSbPQocY1Z7Op1uZLEuG8GIlXjmQXauscLZIftOWw2UXOVRsnlMCgSByF7uU8d1Ajw-wVf-C4de3d2aCX6cSqQjL2SPI-nKJ3XW0wBjNenseew5zYLbQXIY7FHIvp_MIvMK1-_mX5eRpDg6VVKEPqNvHJvMc-5mIU9wsIrE/s4001/MuchaKissofSpring.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4001" data-original-width="2961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwXbCP8b89QOOqSsh7ZCniSbPQocY1Z7Op1uZLEuG8GIlXjmQXauscLZIftOWw2UXOVRsnlMCgSByF7uU8d1Ajw-wVf-C4de3d2aCX6cSqQjL2SPI-nKJ3XW0wBjNenseew5zYLbQXIY7FHIvp_MIvMK1-_mX5eRpDg6VVKEPqNvHJvMc-5mIU9wsIrE/w296-h400/MuchaKissofSpring.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">A poorly photographed "The Kiss of Spring"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">I was also taken with the part of the collection devoted to photos of Mucha's muses. It's purely speculation on my part, but it's entirely possible that one of these women was been asked to "hold that pose" one too many times!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WoU-wzdxhA2AyJoRL_-4_iXDb-ZEP830a3x_VZaC7VdGg23ycJjuIt24GAnprUDqpUGTAGsy2hnPI7oLYvP70bRuthMHB4_Y8lxHp1hR6spdtyD7mJHM5jL40kQHt-KCVegNc5izl-jnYJHAXdzE2xsxVEVXZi_WN5Zg9pU0eQmLSQOP-20KVyWeJBM/s1024/MuchasMuses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WoU-wzdxhA2AyJoRL_-4_iXDb-ZEP830a3x_VZaC7VdGg23ycJjuIt24GAnprUDqpUGTAGsy2hnPI7oLYvP70bRuthMHB4_Y8lxHp1hR6spdtyD7mJHM5jL40kQHt-KCVegNc5izl-jnYJHAXdzE2xsxVEVXZi_WN5Zg9pU0eQmLSQOP-20KVyWeJBM/w640-h640/MuchasMuses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">To better understand the man and his work however, it's best to see what else he created in the city. As luck would have it, our wanderings took us to Smetana Hall, the Municipal House. Here you can enjoy a concert and study Mucha's artwork, which adorn the walls and ceilings. We didn't have time for a concert, but the building itself is a wonderful example of the Art Nouveau style and I paid the briefest of visits inside, somewhat curtailed by the watchful gaze of a surly doorman. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5IHJzhBP1xFvC4c229Plht_7MZuhdNTBMQ3C-ZzyYiBo8iaSOMdsRNr9BFXMOo3WyjzvabpIBhtHGP95HLir8-8rG9Nj3W9iENTF2ezJkUwS5SogrcFTCfF5ldz_RhPEqLDHjjOE9aJgOcEVZLS4MyRdrJagQa_A_qtSmeWns34nSgcTV5Kfbvq6_js/s5568/ConcertHall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5IHJzhBP1xFvC4c229Plht_7MZuhdNTBMQ3C-ZzyYiBo8iaSOMdsRNr9BFXMOo3WyjzvabpIBhtHGP95HLir8-8rG9Nj3W9iENTF2ezJkUwS5SogrcFTCfF5ldz_RhPEqLDHjjOE9aJgOcEVZLS4MyRdrJagQa_A_qtSmeWns34nSgcTV5Kfbvq6_js/w640-h426/ConcertHall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">No part of the building escaped the movement's influence...from door handles...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86AhRfo0pqZjS7xOdtDVG3groAFXUhCQ24CYccPfYJOPPQK3aI0m40jyVaBROnGpfQMIkMXHdCuor_NG3rwbBhXGWoXgrRtirEuyEr2M8TfSpdzBqk9aJBwzzuB6WKszXs_-0StV3QP0zqLgyvXn-MmsCXmWM5GvNO5N8jIJszQ5tJyUnDcvXMNUqYCI/s5568/Concerthall2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86AhRfo0pqZjS7xOdtDVG3groAFXUhCQ24CYccPfYJOPPQK3aI0m40jyVaBROnGpfQMIkMXHdCuor_NG3rwbBhXGWoXgrRtirEuyEr2M8TfSpdzBqk9aJBwzzuB6WKszXs_-0StV3QP0zqLgyvXn-MmsCXmWM5GvNO5N8jIJszQ5tJyUnDcvXMNUqYCI/s320/Concerthall2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">....to the beautiful box office inside...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxrwi2ABN-KngzQTlplrlW12QyHU2pOa1L_ZV2shZgIbcv4qf2nGAEg9kmP3-Nj9r9eydoYmXFKIYjCUpS9gK5bY1ufZRMfaKXBbRznntbAiaYnNyz1i0OeWsjpKA4xhe5-Tpe2g0AfwD74iJ3xFOhgh8qzZ3P0HzPBZmYpolLxnJ8qz-tCzMOAHIbuM/s5472/MunicipalBookingOffice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5472" data-original-width="3488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxrwi2ABN-KngzQTlplrlW12QyHU2pOa1L_ZV2shZgIbcv4qf2nGAEg9kmP3-Nj9r9eydoYmXFKIYjCUpS9gK5bY1ufZRMfaKXBbRznntbAiaYnNyz1i0OeWsjpKA4xhe5-Tpe2g0AfwD74iJ3xFOhgh8qzZ3P0HzPBZmYpolLxnJ8qz-tCzMOAHIbuM/w255-h400/MunicipalBookingOffice.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...and this fantastically opulent French restaurant.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhTjjtzJ0tZta6UjueI1AQLBV2BBJTYxmnJ7KY140WM73wN3dv2jdmAFG_-CFaJVBkI29Uq4CDquYNSPDc-gz_fA9KWHmU4x_3hicxEdQPnMgcFN1Sxpp9K8C6rDu3bDkQpbMlw8gf8heUuvZ2MnOiy57VkHA0cQrjwg2V2XF4y5FhR9FI4jttxGiVI/s5220/Signage23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="5220" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhTjjtzJ0tZta6UjueI1AQLBV2BBJTYxmnJ7KY140WM73wN3dv2jdmAFG_-CFaJVBkI29Uq4CDquYNSPDc-gz_fA9KWHmU4x_3hicxEdQPnMgcFN1Sxpp9K8C6rDu3bDkQpbMlw8gf8heUuvZ2MnOiy57VkHA0cQrjwg2V2XF4y5FhR9FI4jttxGiVI/s320/Signage23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh0-llcic3IWgnQpIG5YwQIWJMAOKXrXlqabzUuO0jUENpXv_6MBi2j_KHv93XoOfzp3Bl0p29w9dx2fwQ6uRDW1FqV-5G8g_bHFymJvp6HdFcSXiff6afFr-xFA5wkCvprLBjIyi0tWmZA1_5T9TITmRCT27Z3aFhoP9hoNi9OI41OWCNA6jFJ2b6Xc/s4758/MunicipalHouseCafe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3476" data-original-width="4758" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh0-llcic3IWgnQpIG5YwQIWJMAOKXrXlqabzUuO0jUENpXv_6MBi2j_KHv93XoOfzp3Bl0p29w9dx2fwQ6uRDW1FqV-5G8g_bHFymJvp6HdFcSXiff6afFr-xFA5wkCvprLBjIyi0tWmZA1_5T9TITmRCT27Z3aFhoP9hoNi9OI41OWCNA6jFJ2b6Xc/w640-h468/MunicipalHouseCafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Tile envy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK1u4IdwrGlOPBNjnG4t1WA8BOWp56N5rINgpl8ZzO5LSNEHwWKfxmh6QpgVoT4wuCCH9YRfKiXHcPqhpBIYeGrLazy7RiMKWKlqyjiwuQxcJkvlg640Hy3NdEjzWJob-SeQ0_IqaEX9yAElxgDGNeu6SSQTV1Zq4t6_Y4vU8aaTUPmQch_BFiMOTcQw/s1024/Tiles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK1u4IdwrGlOPBNjnG4t1WA8BOWp56N5rINgpl8ZzO5LSNEHwWKfxmh6QpgVoT4wuCCH9YRfKiXHcPqhpBIYeGrLazy7RiMKWKlqyjiwuQxcJkvlg640Hy3NdEjzWJob-SeQ0_IqaEX9yAElxgDGNeu6SSQTV1Zq4t6_Y4vU8aaTUPmQch_BFiMOTcQw/s320/Tiles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Mucha also designed one of the stained glass windows in St Vitus Cathedral. Poor research on my part meant that I only became aware of this after our visit to the castle. Even more unforgivable, I do recall spotting said window and a connection forming in my mind, but for whatever reason, I don't seem to have a photo of it. I seem to have photographed every other square inch of Prague! Fear not! Here's the link for those who want to see it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Stained_glass_window_by_Alfons_Mucha_in_St._Vitus_Cathedral#/media/File:Stained_glass_window_St_Vituss_Cathedral_Mucha_1a_(2547703719).jpg"><span style="font-family: courier;">Stained glass window St Vituss Cathedral Mucha 1a (2547703719) - Category:Stained glass window by Alfons Mucha in St. Vitus Cathedral - Wikimedia Commons</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38eof46sZseUDEFa3I3sHkN1Oz1ALXBrqjQSJHbd_eakg7WZUvcfZhkr3GJa5rvRix-VL6fPQqzf8u9bkJfBJJMTCDskDa0_Hny50XjeLWMO4vEN3i7qtiXw1Dirz04HKU83roWy-DrVs5EsWXuljymH02lcvYpc_Nm76ACgwS_qvJy3_RlzMyQSvebc/s5568/Pigeons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38eof46sZseUDEFa3I3sHkN1Oz1ALXBrqjQSJHbd_eakg7WZUvcfZhkr3GJa5rvRix-VL6fPQqzf8u9bkJfBJJMTCDskDa0_Hny50XjeLWMO4vEN3i7qtiXw1Dirz04HKU83roWy-DrVs5EsWXuljymH02lcvYpc_Nm76ACgwS_qvJy3_RlzMyQSvebc/w400-h266/Pigeons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Emulating the sinuous curves of Art Nouveau, we continued our self guided (or should that be directionless) walking tour, weaving through the streets of the city. It really is the only way to see a place. Silly as it sounds, Prague is very much a city for its people as well as being a magnet for tourists. All the hallmarks of city life were evident just a short walk from any tourist hotspot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwIRhd4K9auWrg77J9D_8OABQ4u8VLW1eDPYEMcAKQJzpO_wCq60M1mUbaeA8xO9Rvc8E_Hj3s5qLHZgQo138cwQKW-ls07rLaIhrq2Az0rqbatk4_HU-KSKMXeGGlBxisQWIEsUmL0SGfjG4atd480c8H3-0FpRTpymUA03CC71LwrXxwrROLtcO58U/s1024/comp3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwIRhd4K9auWrg77J9D_8OABQ4u8VLW1eDPYEMcAKQJzpO_wCq60M1mUbaeA8xO9Rvc8E_Hj3s5qLHZgQo138cwQKW-ls07rLaIhrq2Az0rqbatk4_HU-KSKMXeGGlBxisQWIEsUmL0SGfjG4atd480c8H3-0FpRTpymUA03CC71LwrXxwrROLtcO58U/w640-h640/comp3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Clearly nothing was off limits for me. We moved seamlessly from the sublime, exemplified here by interior photos taken the Church of Our Lady of the Snows (founded in 1347 but modified during the Renaissance and Baroque periods)....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsXI5Lj_kE8vxCM1s7xvgbJKvwBvNWkhNb3GWnIAAKqJxcUB1_FdTIwTQMn10FVIbGh8jKSftaeo5GeA3iYoHVecpj7QmoS63Oe6T5vAHSZ2W6YfjE1DUYGNaqAp60P1cAMrBLKLDqgXqZs2jyY_e9W9dtOoM2HEnLEEt77CSKXbNnrKScBRaGGnMhJY/s5456/ChurchofOurladyofthesnows3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5456" data-original-width="3584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsXI5Lj_kE8vxCM1s7xvgbJKvwBvNWkhNb3GWnIAAKqJxcUB1_FdTIwTQMn10FVIbGh8jKSftaeo5GeA3iYoHVecpj7QmoS63Oe6T5vAHSZ2W6YfjE1DUYGNaqAp60P1cAMrBLKLDqgXqZs2jyY_e9W9dtOoM2HEnLEEt77CSKXbNnrKScBRaGGnMhJY/w420-h640/ChurchofOurladyofthesnows3.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74l3FVTUs6APwV3tHop4QAlB8wwdygy0TolOkq8kQ7NFsoTQbDNQOea5ZW-gKlUEWkWoZFuYpZupovL5rpgRHnw9dTS6Voa8Nh145XNERW4eDE9XvHXvniUrH4miM8qeGBEBngdVxSH84dwlVRXpXJDgYHghjIZdLx81sTO8jZDY6TFfNasTuvK7vGJE/s5388/Churchofourladyofthesnows4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="5388" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74l3FVTUs6APwV3tHop4QAlB8wwdygy0TolOkq8kQ7NFsoTQbDNQOea5ZW-gKlUEWkWoZFuYpZupovL5rpgRHnw9dTS6Voa8Nh145XNERW4eDE9XvHXvniUrH4miM8qeGBEBngdVxSH84dwlVRXpXJDgYHghjIZdLx81sTO8jZDY6TFfNasTuvK7vGJE/w640-h434/Churchofourladyofthesnows4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Highest vaults in Prague</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2_XdBeYeA10W0hGdOAvDuEkClB3hLWVgrj4BHvRZDy59l0A4jM3V-C_fAb5pPJklRmhpO-JyxpkfwReP7nB-bvqRS2L0vUXsj2e2OVCqavcUYBZfEyjihxkCDwFAdynpIvoGMutecE9TjeOQHqA51FnUdX_fIfpy93h5oPDncLjBLR0J2JeWsnp4pSA/s5440/Churchofourladyofthesnows5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5440" data-original-width="3616" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2_XdBeYeA10W0hGdOAvDuEkClB3hLWVgrj4BHvRZDy59l0A4jM3V-C_fAb5pPJklRmhpO-JyxpkfwReP7nB-bvqRS2L0vUXsj2e2OVCqavcUYBZfEyjihxkCDwFAdynpIvoGMutecE9TjeOQHqA51FnUdX_fIfpy93h5oPDncLjBLR0J2JeWsnp4pSA/w426-h640/Churchofourladyofthesnows5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...to the faintly ridiculous. Below we have Madame Tussaud's Jim Carrey, an extravagantly dressed marionette, a sand sculpture dog and a glum looking wooden faced chap I encountered in a Bric-a-brac shop caught my eye.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeuxainqvTwLkILq2AlW4GVtomcH7DcOL_QFjbGatp6Fk1H1DQ8RyS3Ir_dVDSPq3-lb_pDMCMJIma37zAcfvABZtFB1_cYyMbQky_N8GVnPbD8EUcPCfHXUYg--QiXEnVg8Qc8Wrtd2ZJ-n1-HkA0MlcyxQXsCZLDkcMWZ0ElBev3pn-_PD0gPa5NJw/s1024/Comp1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeuxainqvTwLkILq2AlW4GVtomcH7DcOL_QFjbGatp6Fk1H1DQ8RyS3Ir_dVDSPq3-lb_pDMCMJIma37zAcfvABZtFB1_cYyMbQky_N8GVnPbD8EUcPCfHXUYg--QiXEnVg8Qc8Wrtd2ZJ-n1-HkA0MlcyxQXsCZLDkcMWZ0ElBev3pn-_PD0gPa5NJw/w640-h640/Comp1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The pedestrian sign's characters appeared rather outmoded and made me smile...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GAAKV_yFIZaIZWARquKrndcleJ_1ydDezglHOD6PHktVTxyr45v5XXR7o6f2OKWHaucJOyi27kLKGS3EmjYaM96GTe4KmdZ19Gb7Xs0d6p4CdSq2qW9hDFvdwEpexaXQ2Cf09PPmr2YF5n7l06JUBEXVRGDbOSW90Hl0lj3467ZK_qEngb8YZhO9vCs/s5568/Signage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GAAKV_yFIZaIZWARquKrndcleJ_1ydDezglHOD6PHktVTxyr45v5XXR7o6f2OKWHaucJOyi27kLKGS3EmjYaM96GTe4KmdZ19Gb7Xs0d6p4CdSq2qW9hDFvdwEpexaXQ2Cf09PPmr2YF5n7l06JUBEXVRGDbOSW90Hl0lj3467ZK_qEngb8YZhO9vCs/w400-h266/Signage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">....and how cute was this little local girl, blending in well with the street sign?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvcfDs4RjTAIuiA5YtPs_ae5X6MjzA6nKWTyvaxIOr0Z5BZRgEpsOPJKxpWHz_dlYKeVLX_Oxrdx72ub_gs5M5GQ9_fl3TCkFtafK9pNv4eqikM8AEDHbmvZE8ia7gh3ECxipVZ9IDYOdV6cNqJMURTD5aCfjPToyyJb4HFbZIHB1vVFRU50FWuogPZY/s4429/LittleGirl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4429" data-original-width="3296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvcfDs4RjTAIuiA5YtPs_ae5X6MjzA6nKWTyvaxIOr0Z5BZRgEpsOPJKxpWHz_dlYKeVLX_Oxrdx72ub_gs5M5GQ9_fl3TCkFtafK9pNv4eqikM8AEDHbmvZE8ia7gh3ECxipVZ9IDYOdV6cNqJMURTD5aCfjPToyyJb4HFbZIHB1vVFRU50FWuogPZY/w476-h640/LittleGirl.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We paused to watch Statue of Kafka; an outdoor kinetic sculpture depicting Franz, installed outside the Quadrio shopping centre, standing 11 metres tall and made of 42 rotating panels.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm4z1c7Xgw98J99T0dgjyo-MH0RRB579itj3o0W9Z06-d1GwNMO5AMnM2tYS6lbWDmcBmOZ91cFpTZ_6oSUkYhpza75ZsQf7b4MAxDvjuFIloGVYpKm_-qdHhcyFgxp2NUq8aa1i0nbQ8qicBqGwCYRlq2X3tdBvyDj-LXSKpaXgNMP8dlRc1IyCFa5s/s1024/comp2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm4z1c7Xgw98J99T0dgjyo-MH0RRB579itj3o0W9Z06-d1GwNMO5AMnM2tYS6lbWDmcBmOZ91cFpTZ_6oSUkYhpza75ZsQf7b4MAxDvjuFIloGVYpKm_-qdHhcyFgxp2NUq8aa1i0nbQ8qicBqGwCYRlq2X3tdBvyDj-LXSKpaXgNMP8dlRc1IyCFa5s/w400-h400/comp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This sculpture, The Cloak of Conscience, was created by Anna Chromy as a symbol for hope and peace. The faceless hooded figure, shrouded in cloth, is also shrouded in mystery as numerous visitors have reported faces appearing in the cloak on photos taken with a flash. Not so in my case I'm happy to report!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM82hNeri04N_YDHrLu4rWgwsXGR-orQlxrJeFrpvlbavnzXF5d7YyW5ZNBiUiBx_W4vVIPW2grfmRrqdftp5_Uyto-6MeWTWV0ZX8nH1UJPFRwdJZFWb6IrM_0jsZqKRoE4dcZqg7ZWjVVbBZtjZ9oxTjTo1tDCK0lXZgj2iQczoZfeyln9jDd-ITr0k/s5568/CloakofConscience.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM82hNeri04N_YDHrLu4rWgwsXGR-orQlxrJeFrpvlbavnzXF5d7YyW5ZNBiUiBx_W4vVIPW2grfmRrqdftp5_Uyto-6MeWTWV0ZX8nH1UJPFRwdJZFWb6IrM_0jsZqKRoE4dcZqg7ZWjVVbBZtjZ9oxTjTo1tDCK0lXZgj2iQczoZfeyln9jDd-ITr0k/w426-h640/CloakofConscience.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We spotted some cool rides too, like this handsome Cadillac parked outside a bistro..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiljOtZGXKkdcqyGjO67lmEAENkHJ9kVWOCqWjzY49lv4hdZSnzZsIZAd7eFUMhRdDp5R8qLjof0Q5azCpqNTAnkujQGwxKhRJiUbux5GCvzOq2rccgSUiXyFOdvJcRJXkbvgNuxFWkNYjvtbV5-P_06-qOVp_Ft2d_rXqldwsseJb6xFbH01J0LfI6O0/s5484/AmericanCar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5484" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiljOtZGXKkdcqyGjO67lmEAENkHJ9kVWOCqWjzY49lv4hdZSnzZsIZAd7eFUMhRdDp5R8qLjof0Q5azCpqNTAnkujQGwxKhRJiUbux5GCvzOq2rccgSUiXyFOdvJcRJXkbvgNuxFWkNYjvtbV5-P_06-qOVp_Ft2d_rXqldwsseJb6xFbH01J0LfI6O0/w640-h420/AmericanCar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...a red Skoda with its obliging occupants...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0ckn0SSp8_txMSu6V7PPIr5lkv0l98FN1OcTMoEZx-d9Jgharu_CJ1yemu_ZiC7bZU4NOXIfpt8Z3yrJ1_YZoAQ26S2hn14zs7lybc9W-sX9CmDBNQRiJs-tFuQjsEYBhmjW0e9qR-cXz1H9KzjwYhd6JmbJCawrD3kk_5pSUGDUZCambvkKXC6druc/s5004/RedSkoda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5004" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0ckn0SSp8_txMSu6V7PPIr5lkv0l98FN1OcTMoEZx-d9Jgharu_CJ1yemu_ZiC7bZU4NOXIfpt8Z3yrJ1_YZoAQ26S2hn14zs7lybc9W-sX9CmDBNQRiJs-tFuQjsEYBhmjW0e9qR-cXz1H9KzjwYhd6JmbJCawrD3kk_5pSUGDUZCambvkKXC6druc/w640-h454/RedSkoda.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">...a denim clad BMW motorbike...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5unwWL9Ri95Hv9wv3evF5E9KPooPXNE9KDp8AUb86sfnDthYGfSyHj6-IeSCEVDuRrUmhf69kprfxNejsdPTYIBwgT8bQffJgHm7i03ZjODuJnA3yGdZsnQdWz8V5JO_iWwlZmfYa-V27S9DXtJPR0md0bwbbkF9-qrp6vH4UopyGOAVncMEh0OVg_Y/s5568/Motorbike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3616" data-original-width="5568" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5unwWL9Ri95Hv9wv3evF5E9KPooPXNE9KDp8AUb86sfnDthYGfSyHj6-IeSCEVDuRrUmhf69kprfxNejsdPTYIBwgT8bQffJgHm7i03ZjODuJnA3yGdZsnQdWz8V5JO_iWwlZmfYa-V27S9DXtJPR0md0bwbbkF9-qrp6vH4UopyGOAVncMEh0OVg_Y/w640-h416/Motorbike.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...and this 1937 Horch 853 Sport Cabriolet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2nTQ8tULIvQtRs-S_q5GB2d8vIhxuL02ytf7sofbZ8iV2Ezb2ZCBvPWrr8RO0OWmP5BWnGj8644oumRS7Pr8NlA9kZ0s8z2hX2cLVv5fPmEdaGOaqQbEmzMMkUbI2H3oEyADuu0de0J38UmQ7lvftZBbfSUimfG8Rf3LjndzV0WJbfpVNZ93fOWoxdI/s5448/Audi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="5448" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2nTQ8tULIvQtRs-S_q5GB2d8vIhxuL02ytf7sofbZ8iV2Ezb2ZCBvPWrr8RO0OWmP5BWnGj8644oumRS7Pr8NlA9kZ0s8z2hX2cLVv5fPmEdaGOaqQbEmzMMkUbI2H3oEyADuu0de0J38UmQ7lvftZBbfSUimfG8Rf3LjndzV0WJbfpVNZ93fOWoxdI/w640-h432/Audi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Eventually we headed back to the place that first captivated us on the evening of our arrival - Old Town Square.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's the Jan Hus memorial (Czech theologian, philosopher and Church reformer, a seminal figure in the Bohemian Reformation). All the cool pigeons hang out here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc1a4ZaLjtRaLV5Fs5AiIFg9t8bW1CXReJNVvv8QKbe-JW7DPkoIQl0sy4Af5TX0jY43fZDQeDvCdWYFTuxqDqvjAGZBjt8sG8vaXa6apt5vjlAWARq9EMfRHLWTh4Nj4pklctPMQo6umic3GhEgQwXDute9JcO39IjAtjLBeDD2sHTJf_0ucqGSGtig/s5568/StatuePigeons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc1a4ZaLjtRaLV5Fs5AiIFg9t8bW1CXReJNVvv8QKbe-JW7DPkoIQl0sy4Af5TX0jY43fZDQeDvCdWYFTuxqDqvjAGZBjt8sG8vaXa6apt5vjlAWARq9EMfRHLWTh4Nj4pklctPMQo6umic3GhEgQwXDute9JcO39IjAtjLBeDD2sHTJf_0ucqGSGtig/w640-h426/StatuePigeons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Said pigeons' feathered friends took off in unison and flew in front of the Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyn's landmark "twin towers" creating this spectacle. It has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. With little perspective in this photo, let me enlighten you. Each tower is eighty metres tall and each tower's spire is topped by eight smaller spires in two layers of four.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlN2_nLrgI9Bapd8jGLHXwC0wgcEygASngkqdsXTNW2cedH_gyhv1fVpZuq0tHD4xhHnj_Ywd-uD8lPxBZADiTJ_Kcsr9ChKv6vCDNYSvjmaLGC06ON4VUt_FU5PpnW7FEaJ5zgxI_ryCu2o1dBWUtH1DoxNfgbBOxlGJEhr2Uhv9Ml3OA4sxRFOf9Ns/s5352/TwinTowersbirds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5352" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlN2_nLrgI9Bapd8jGLHXwC0wgcEygASngkqdsXTNW2cedH_gyhv1fVpZuq0tHD4xhHnj_Ywd-uD8lPxBZADiTJ_Kcsr9ChKv6vCDNYSvjmaLGC06ON4VUt_FU5PpnW7FEaJ5zgxI_ryCu2o1dBWUtH1DoxNfgbBOxlGJEhr2Uhv9Ml3OA4sxRFOf9Ns/w640-h430/TwinTowersbirds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Once again, subliminally influenced by other Art Nouveau characteristics, I spent a good chunk of time squatting in the heat of the afternoon sun to capture the dynamism and movement of life in this city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlDDaEcOOFrLa2BftksmdEBKGPJhDBty5I26Anz6kdNfH_uo-B5A8-Cz2bdnDHiUbMngjIRGsRZGHLkuoFU5q1S6VcguteBLzZL7QtrVhs11BqqCfC1bhH2STsPtyi18eq0qz_PAwKIeydZf0lkPeuYPnQm_SQD7CsK71Is7bROIlVulyAoFESwcwcP8/s5472/OldTownSquareMotion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="5472" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlDDaEcOOFrLa2BftksmdEBKGPJhDBty5I26Anz6kdNfH_uo-B5A8-Cz2bdnDHiUbMngjIRGsRZGHLkuoFU5q1S6VcguteBLzZL7QtrVhs11BqqCfC1bhH2STsPtyi18eq0qz_PAwKIeydZf0lkPeuYPnQm_SQD7CsK71Is7bROIlVulyAoFESwcwcP8/w640-h366/OldTownSquareMotion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I witnessed the comings and goings in front of the famous Astronomical Clock (unbelievably first installed in 1410, making it the third oldest in the world and the oldest still in operation).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfbgqp_eZLcOh36OhoQX7NhMvrD4DFYgMWyWR5ieshV5ZVlXweZ18OS7TCEV9ZiswUic1_BY9tvZ5cvE2x3P00wHyix1q5itFma5_1oP7jXbyurbBmnjekDjla_xQnJaO9H1GSdFtSn2LywM4r6wKNH-aYo_ROV_9BgwIxjPY_2tfgYO1cz3PXaWDnDI/s5314/ClockMotion7fade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3631" data-original-width="5314" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfbgqp_eZLcOh36OhoQX7NhMvrD4DFYgMWyWR5ieshV5ZVlXweZ18OS7TCEV9ZiswUic1_BY9tvZ5cvE2x3P00wHyix1q5itFma5_1oP7jXbyurbBmnjekDjla_xQnJaO9H1GSdFtSn2LywM4r6wKNH-aYo_ROV_9BgwIxjPY_2tfgYO1cz3PXaWDnDI/w640-h438/ClockMotion7fade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here, the crowds gathered on the hour to see the mechanisms in action.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwP2b8GhDK7fB_E6-rurpoYtu-znMrUCtw8HYJbXhSI1zaUMVi_SXw1SIrrbsRelFHzJ6BVyiu5RN6X_M5bk1xofLaPdr4B0oXNfX2uG3pFDpqKcbXx3YtGDKvQJ8ZdnZ8fSTq3Y-VX1HAX8njykPHYjRd7qkiifAAcgLzfvAoUE0RwIQB54hLaf7Fgk/s5412/ClockChiming2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5412" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwP2b8GhDK7fB_E6-rurpoYtu-znMrUCtw8HYJbXhSI1zaUMVi_SXw1SIrrbsRelFHzJ6BVyiu5RN6X_M5bk1xofLaPdr4B0oXNfX2uG3pFDpqKcbXx3YtGDKvQJ8ZdnZ8fSTq3Y-VX1HAX8njykPHYjRd7qkiifAAcgLzfvAoUE0RwIQB54hLaf7Fgk/w640-h432/ClockChiming2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">All too soon it was time to head to the airport. Naturally, it being Prague, our transfer meeting point was this gorgeous fountain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfjcrOrAwgjbSvo3dZlImCmbyDM6Ae0LoVnoo_YifKYgH2OmL7882Nhjhk3eqzAHC81bep7aFUQToOChHZLDvGFN0_XNhS0Rp3VWsNQrvE_XY-Fskbs7BYqYICKK3IkTGNVadnqKFN299gk8pPiJJCNfrn-dZL__8wXfU39ou5sMOfZ-aVssqLqwkzbw/s5220/Fountain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5220" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfjcrOrAwgjbSvo3dZlImCmbyDM6Ae0LoVnoo_YifKYgH2OmL7882Nhjhk3eqzAHC81bep7aFUQToOChHZLDvGFN0_XNhS0Rp3VWsNQrvE_XY-Fskbs7BYqYICKK3IkTGNVadnqKFN299gk8pPiJJCNfrn-dZL__8wXfU39ou5sMOfZ-aVssqLqwkzbw/w400-h285/Fountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Sbohem Prague! You made an impression!</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweOIRHp5ReLvcaOlFvbPwf8Y-KGRLy43BkkcLEzmq1X6ups1lObpUBGBRaXHN5BoARUI2bPUadNJKmxXfw91Gx09C5obXtr5qWBu4ZX1nGJMuBsz_QTkmlPGmLQK_6-Cay95tfFTv6bljztY9VvLd-X7ME5NFabRYm3JGvcRcshT7YwwNjocAkIjiTnM/s5568/Streetscene34.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweOIRHp5ReLvcaOlFvbPwf8Y-KGRLy43BkkcLEzmq1X6ups1lObpUBGBRaXHN5BoARUI2bPUadNJKmxXfw91Gx09C5obXtr5qWBu4ZX1nGJMuBsz_QTkmlPGmLQK_6-Cay95tfFTv6bljztY9VvLd-X7ME5NFabRYm3JGvcRcshT7YwwNjocAkIjiTnM/w426-h640/Streetscene34.jpg" width="426" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-18266515079289284992023-07-10T06:49:00.000-07:002023-07-10T06:49:27.109-07:00From Castle to Ghetto: Day Two in Prague<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Day two of our central European adventure dawned bright and early, with little in the way of sleep, the overnight temperature seemingly not having budged from the mid twenties. Ordinarily, on such little sleep, I would be seeing pink elephants walking through warping walls, but surrounded by so much beauty, adrenalin over-rode any temptation to sleep in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLT3YG2Ma43wfprysne-MJ9ZTLDTgqcj1FRz7yB3_JwrI-eedVVoiq68bdE65sAo59a9JOfPT0oWIOa5uAPOaExw4KowJ5pBqSLif_27g486jUBgSO3Z7Vp8d_ryHn7vCRYo4s2qUcGxWFokppglymaH2aiHKzsLXHoKeTR_qV1TlGy_Ef3IcH6hsKti4/s5456/CharlesBridge28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5456" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLT3YG2Ma43wfprysne-MJ9ZTLDTgqcj1FRz7yB3_JwrI-eedVVoiq68bdE65sAo59a9JOfPT0oWIOa5uAPOaExw4KowJ5pBqSLif_27g486jUBgSO3Z7Vp8d_ryHn7vCRYo4s2qUcGxWFokppglymaH2aiHKzsLXHoKeTR_qV1TlGy_Ef3IcH6hsKti4/w273-h400/CharlesBridge28.jpg" width="273" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Today's plans were to visit Prague Castle and the Jewish Cemetery. Maury had advised us to buy a transport pass, enabling us to hop on and off the trams - specifically the number 22 tram - to ensure that the only walking we did was down hill. However well intended Maury's advice was, we smiled politely, knowing full well that it would be completely ignored. Half the fun for us is exploring on foot and occasionally deviating from our planned route if another view glimpsed at the end of an alleyway captivates us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">So, after breakfasting on water melon, toasted Czech bread (lightly spiced?) and coffee, we headed out, plastered in sun cream.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpnnDgeOVmvUIh1EpzpdKmUCCdfS9r5w8Zfv-wP_4R9iZ41gP6vaRnRDCXVCkjaVzk_aEGSD7AbzmS_R8yT8b_oc7o2LXAo3AgKyAUruzxLxi822AV2XRh-ExXxzAJIP-94WMxur8XWP_xl_jrWdsekS9F-Wy485VzwFgYsdQucluxTq6nJYjixEoPbc/s5568/StreetScene19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpnnDgeOVmvUIh1EpzpdKmUCCdfS9r5w8Zfv-wP_4R9iZ41gP6vaRnRDCXVCkjaVzk_aEGSD7AbzmS_R8yT8b_oc7o2LXAo3AgKyAUruzxLxi822AV2XRh-ExXxzAJIP-94WMxur8XWP_xl_jrWdsekS9F-Wy485VzwFgYsdQucluxTq6nJYjixEoPbc/w400-h266/StreetScene19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Shafts of light found there way through gaps between the tall buildings and lamp posts, casting golden light on the pavements.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In no time at all, a glimpse of the impressive castle complex.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnsKe9UvVlUPaE-IhXq5e0NZDq46F6_hAKrgNjrb8IHw17zhp0zdHLuCxqH2mrTJ6ofq7IH6dqSa842ajRzyvtnvgEghtuiyvkI0wSJJbQVYu1ttO4uBKBG0J5KadM09Az4gNqwVHu1cBtl1vhlCN0FaMnH3Gbus3Ecmv3OL5VijmqI2zkzUCTw5XDEo/s5568/CastleView.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnsKe9UvVlUPaE-IhXq5e0NZDq46F6_hAKrgNjrb8IHw17zhp0zdHLuCxqH2mrTJ6ofq7IH6dqSa842ajRzyvtnvgEghtuiyvkI0wSJJbQVYu1ttO4uBKBG0J5KadM09Az4gNqwVHu1cBtl1vhlCN0FaMnH3Gbus3Ecmv3OL5VijmqI2zkzUCTw5XDEo/w400-h266/CastleView.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Charles Bridge was already starting to get busy and so I snapped photos whenever there was an opportune moment and a lucky pause in visitors passing through my camera frame. Charles Bridge makes for an interesting walk where musicians, traders and saints vie for tourists' attention.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr4rmHUYk5hbYpBFfhPfD8jwAyHToZ-4GqDmSlgViDFQ7WCnWQT23ASCDpjbpHmzg7pzw_4fUE2WL-sOuNOwtkfzc1YhGZuMzKSkZcVHDBg_qtpbL26846BqhFu13KjYyLnvrRIzMf6yPM4ehzZMrOoxu-AlosHzrTyAovajZRZkwjB7eXmjNdoi_msw/s5568/CharlesBridge17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr4rmHUYk5hbYpBFfhPfD8jwAyHToZ-4GqDmSlgViDFQ7WCnWQT23ASCDpjbpHmzg7pzw_4fUE2WL-sOuNOwtkfzc1YhGZuMzKSkZcVHDBg_qtpbL26846BqhFu13KjYyLnvrRIzMf6yPM4ehzZMrOoxu-AlosHzrTyAovajZRZkwjB7eXmjNdoi_msw/w400-h266/CharlesBridge17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYd4wEL4I5Dbt1ctjWHTXihs77xYFiYHMS2EJdOPD0p6L3lTuJmeJqABdcRAAfdXcNZqa0R8xXAHKpeNqg-4oG7-PbiMH7OIB6_2xHsMXit5SNyhvA0zTmyal86rTra14ChCnXRDRbhGAe6GBLIkgNlk2lQ-8dvehp-Ot3tK11ExdXOeZ9qwAdz2hY1s/s5568/CharlesBridge2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYd4wEL4I5Dbt1ctjWHTXihs77xYFiYHMS2EJdOPD0p6L3lTuJmeJqABdcRAAfdXcNZqa0R8xXAHKpeNqg-4oG7-PbiMH7OIB6_2xHsMXit5SNyhvA0zTmyal86rTra14ChCnXRDRbhGAe6GBLIkgNlk2lQ-8dvehp-Ot3tK11ExdXOeZ9qwAdz2hY1s/w640-h426/CharlesBridge2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Caricatures under the watchful gaze of Saints Barbara, Margaret and Elizabeth.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa2usMSjehnpaNVZVHA_1hlJEeauG9uCMFM4pVL8nJOhW1OaeeY6YNFGa6wdJFTfdZnxN1SxVyEJVpyXQ69lMtspFZSHZycVIu9P3x7E9WVr_6975jND_bQ8OQLrCZ0U9cIriFnbba8R0DGJWl_qTlau4Av7wxT3PshRYezEWIM5AmVzxh9fK4tp8OpU/s5392/CharlesBridgeBw2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5392" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLa2usMSjehnpaNVZVHA_1hlJEeauG9uCMFM4pVL8nJOhW1OaeeY6YNFGa6wdJFTfdZnxN1SxVyEJVpyXQ69lMtspFZSHZycVIu9P3x7E9WVr_6975jND_bQ8OQLrCZ0U9cIriFnbba8R0DGJWl_qTlau4Av7wxT3PshRYezEWIM5AmVzxh9fK4tp8OpU/w440-h640/CharlesBridgeBw2.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Monument of the crucifixion of Jesus.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y43Qv3Cxc0dM3YnSmg8uf1_JsaC50ncGVg7TUstpI0DcQ4d1JZm4hgEIpAiHrMYr1Or1ujFD38Vp_xbLwx2dq4ceSiAnBpoYmx2_rBFAo2YLQKGDiQvgsJxDpHU9Jdoq2CYR0yMG5y0JIS1HcviccVAkkddC2-Xhu42seFO2LTXrXXZMmDSdP5u4lmk/s5568/CharlesBridgeMusiciansbw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y43Qv3Cxc0dM3YnSmg8uf1_JsaC50ncGVg7TUstpI0DcQ4d1JZm4hgEIpAiHrMYr1Or1ujFD38Vp_xbLwx2dq4ceSiAnBpoYmx2_rBFAo2YLQKGDiQvgsJxDpHU9Jdoq2CYR0yMG5y0JIS1HcviccVAkkddC2-Xhu42seFO2LTXrXXZMmDSdP5u4lmk/w640-h426/CharlesBridgeMusiciansbw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Busking Musicians</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06cH2vH-YheScUlT4LVTodsJYyWhVRc7SfYFGsJZPs8eBUYrBZe7ILqVhNzzu_kqkHywyKKiQlbvwfeZKyz5Y12ymxukazgX3X0JDg_n-WvfPxW_GpWyKhD0aK2E6tNHuEWt5KeJtztZ_cSbI_vD9Q5KlH-0fT5JKm6l5LybL61dpK_n0OlQxmUSxNg8/s5568/CharlesBridgebw3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06cH2vH-YheScUlT4LVTodsJYyWhVRc7SfYFGsJZPs8eBUYrBZe7ILqVhNzzu_kqkHywyKKiQlbvwfeZKyz5Y12ymxukazgX3X0JDg_n-WvfPxW_GpWyKhD0aK2E6tNHuEWt5KeJtztZ_cSbI_vD9Q5KlH-0fT5JKm6l5LybL61dpK_n0OlQxmUSxNg8/w640-h426/CharlesBridgebw3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">John the Baptist</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcsWByWonITcFIzM0s3ZwjVEM1bQcCxINbcFqnUvC8zg_ZAR4B8Yg0r_dEIzz5QjD8cGrtuTqQw38IO9NhNTvnyJodkrAMwWj86cqpxOPliyXtoXVs84RLY_F2LB2cJNEq5PIg4loTYVpw_weOqg25icAN5lb-Qoy-3LjbmVO4_w5JXoWYmoMPhwl-ac/s5568/CharlesBridgebw4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcsWByWonITcFIzM0s3ZwjVEM1bQcCxINbcFqnUvC8zg_ZAR4B8Yg0r_dEIzz5QjD8cGrtuTqQw38IO9NhNTvnyJodkrAMwWj86cqpxOPliyXtoXVs84RLY_F2LB2cJNEq5PIg4loTYVpw_weOqg25icAN5lb-Qoy-3LjbmVO4_w5JXoWYmoMPhwl-ac/w640-h426/CharlesBridgebw4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Skull detail on the statue of St Francis Borgia (Spanish Jesuit Priest)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">This statue below, of John of Matha, Felix of Vaois and Saint Ivan had an interesting detail. Forgive the angle here, but I liked the antlers and it was initially impossible to get closer without being photo bombed. Unsurprising really, given that it is the most expensive and spacious sculpture, designed in 1714 by Ferdinand Brokoff. The sculpture was intended to honour the two founders of the Trinitarians, the order that supervised buying back and redeeming of Christians in captivity of non believers.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-7_pWpcdYhcrqEGNX66kGq8LuyQo94u_D8fHTjeNrw1yk9zt6oS12bansGjxJVlNYf7dixsqf5eDjrFRsFFBIs5sm6wIVgSdxeKTJxxbSxP5x2ugtxftz4owAhfAbNtz5ieqxdnjj5brQIyeoeg9iXqGRZy1bXShdh2ByyygwenKmAlQzZ9Dbhsd_MA/s5568/CharlesBridge12bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-7_pWpcdYhcrqEGNX66kGq8LuyQo94u_D8fHTjeNrw1yk9zt6oS12bansGjxJVlNYf7dixsqf5eDjrFRsFFBIs5sm6wIVgSdxeKTJxxbSxP5x2ugtxftz4owAhfAbNtz5ieqxdnjj5brQIyeoeg9iXqGRZy1bXShdh2ByyygwenKmAlQzZ9Dbhsd_MA/w640-h426/CharlesBridge12bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAL012fGfS3Dedim4XoyOiBZmJ998R0p0s53ymWjbJ79mtvqzVb6rEeTHQpZyYuxicZcQgnVAISek_OLSuxmfRoZGgdw099NsVY2zQJwX5bQvmqCzvyC6p-gVaUORIFbI3AaK-dVJ6dy98X0xItO9C6wX_nlFyvsUec6M7FwhrZbLfzuHY5K1nh4Fvp4/s5256/CharlesBridge13bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="5256" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAL012fGfS3Dedim4XoyOiBZmJ998R0p0s53ymWjbJ79mtvqzVb6rEeTHQpZyYuxicZcQgnVAISek_OLSuxmfRoZGgdw099NsVY2zQJwX5bQvmqCzvyC6p-gVaUORIFbI3AaK-dVJ6dy98X0xItO9C6wX_nlFyvsUec6M7FwhrZbLfzuHY5K1nh4Fvp4/w640-h442/CharlesBridge13bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The base depicts a cave in which three chained Christians are praying to the Lord for salvation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgobGLU7O3HA5fsoK_Jo-IfrMEe3Jm1VXUzwqke_cfPuASMy7dN9D1tT6aQz-xLYVHNKAbJTtN1ciNYwsoL_6czQJBHA2_zsS663PDyNsuFxyUefiFLL9nTuuSTZ6iaeeRkK9PjHmrW5nRhPmQoBbSYeND5BCuQ6MdFL_aGsdoDjf7U8Li7wJpwuB2McA/s5110/CharlesBridge18bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5110" data-original-width="3422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgobGLU7O3HA5fsoK_Jo-IfrMEe3Jm1VXUzwqke_cfPuASMy7dN9D1tT6aQz-xLYVHNKAbJTtN1ciNYwsoL_6czQJBHA2_zsS663PDyNsuFxyUefiFLL9nTuuSTZ6iaeeRkK9PjHmrW5nRhPmQoBbSYeND5BCuQ6MdFL_aGsdoDjf7U8Li7wJpwuB2McA/w268-h400/CharlesBridge18bw.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">From the north side of the bridge, it was all up hill. We had been warned!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlqGuNhFPkNGbmbBc7vJu9pTUHAXZvq14ikI-cW40-yEgoxzYD12d9yz20jV8DIrfooQ0isCTPmLbfcN6ycZ8qwY6KsrhpsRrj0mjf788cdNFtC8dK9FaBRj9JlK1X3xd235SY6Hh3YSXPED5kcCqThbabgFDCCPjCMsR5qhZSwqPtQ4x2jjiG0ZlhPE/s5568/CharlesBridge15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlqGuNhFPkNGbmbBc7vJu9pTUHAXZvq14ikI-cW40-yEgoxzYD12d9yz20jV8DIrfooQ0isCTPmLbfcN6ycZ8qwY6KsrhpsRrj0mjf788cdNFtC8dK9FaBRj9JlK1X3xd235SY6Hh3YSXPED5kcCqThbabgFDCCPjCMsR5qhZSwqPtQ4x2jjiG0ZlhPE/w640-h426/CharlesBridge15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The shop signs seemed to grow increasingly elaborate....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpp_zZq4784DbV-BOx3EnTae70aF4ZL4Sb_S8_NH4Yzs5wkSb-H706sLO3EaGCSj-uB9M9ewyAINv5B9B7ZXrhYukd1lfiEJh7CQ4Ols8GFRY7TpGswzM0TDLbZX5EAHQOKae-3_-C5zHuZjPHXOf8C1Ollq-lc_iGHJYA2OCvbyZKbk34pFfFCqSago/s5568/Signage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpp_zZq4784DbV-BOx3EnTae70aF4ZL4Sb_S8_NH4Yzs5wkSb-H706sLO3EaGCSj-uB9M9ewyAINv5B9B7ZXrhYukd1lfiEJh7CQ4Ols8GFRY7TpGswzM0TDLbZX5EAHQOKae-3_-C5zHuZjPHXOf8C1Ollq-lc_iGHJYA2OCvbyZKbk34pFfFCqSago/w640-h426/Signage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>.<span style="font-family: courier;">..and the architectural details ever more beautiful.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aDmyI24f1uXFsAV_7k-pycXypNV4NBABeZFnfa0s-pZppLznNrVZS-LzpM-6CzPBGprTOiKcbSl7AeK3e_u_8x7r_wXuX6Dld2Mjn1nwUBE3GqQXPiM8VGQ1wt4wS7NGO7fEMujkOTfVSY4VHP5qYWbhapNjFJvgCaHOBUktjemlphp91WzYE2GV4Dk/s5536/Building5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5536" data-original-width="3568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aDmyI24f1uXFsAV_7k-pycXypNV4NBABeZFnfa0s-pZppLznNrVZS-LzpM-6CzPBGprTOiKcbSl7AeK3e_u_8x7r_wXuX6Dld2Mjn1nwUBE3GqQXPiM8VGQ1wt4wS7NGO7fEMujkOTfVSY4VHP5qYWbhapNjFJvgCaHOBUktjemlphp91WzYE2GV4Dk/w412-h640/Building5.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Nothing, not even the single purpose humble bollard, is permitted to be utilitarian.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZN_0zQlIw8v9ETOb0Hjr-0CQO6yggfdNM-WeinrnXjVJPi6WJVvie3fsT3BOrfBo6YbQCMgH03BZmqcF1Y-fm7wI8Vh0zRhLogqdKkMs3HG7Q2GumrX9LFsqnKO6lcW88rwrueCCY1KaPe-DdEq06noePmDKWEXYN_z9rEwFAJJpfpDpYvNfGy4mztM/s5568/Bollards2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZN_0zQlIw8v9ETOb0Hjr-0CQO6yggfdNM-WeinrnXjVJPi6WJVvie3fsT3BOrfBo6YbQCMgH03BZmqcF1Y-fm7wI8Vh0zRhLogqdKkMs3HG7Q2GumrX9LFsqnKO6lcW88rwrueCCY1KaPe-DdEq06noePmDKWEXYN_z9rEwFAJJpfpDpYvNfGy4mztM/w400-h266/Bollards2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We passed on the opportunity to hop on this "train."</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5u8SkjNApiiTWAScaNUnhaMuPoGfvtUEIABFi_pCl2EVgVpN6X261K34LR2D4rbsyul2MMbGL3eL1uwBCgAz0UPxo6318EutyLdGEh9CqUsPj7Q5oYxA-oafCvHWBpf2Ig_cxXOdgCOr0_M03xyNhOFJRA7Hj84gLSuNnlFWN5M9midu4lVyuF6isUfQ/s5568/CastleTrain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5u8SkjNApiiTWAScaNUnhaMuPoGfvtUEIABFi_pCl2EVgVpN6X261K34LR2D4rbsyul2MMbGL3eL1uwBCgAz0UPxo6318EutyLdGEh9CqUsPj7Q5oYxA-oafCvHWBpf2Ig_cxXOdgCOr0_M03xyNhOFJRA7Hj84gLSuNnlFWN5M9midu4lVyuF6isUfQ/w640-h426/CastleTrain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Finally, we reached the castle walls and stopped to take in the amazing views over the city.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6zMqmL7_OXKeFvQXleU57kaqXF_OQAQ00uoGAf15PN6BAX8a49d2-MxuJdGGN3E946lvXmbdgABr_YpG60N6kV-OkLPvfUU7qjjSNjt6TnvpSEyZv0w8z_SrnoqgqxO2Pz5yfZ-mtZe92XNQmG6X28z9ZV9C_YDVjcPe2S4V8aiHqA0sBoPLrBU2Gbw/s5568/CastleApproach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6zMqmL7_OXKeFvQXleU57kaqXF_OQAQ00uoGAf15PN6BAX8a49d2-MxuJdGGN3E946lvXmbdgABr_YpG60N6kV-OkLPvfUU7qjjSNjt6TnvpSEyZv0w8z_SrnoqgqxO2Pz5yfZ-mtZe92XNQmG6X28z9ZV9C_YDVjcPe2S4V8aiHqA0sBoPLrBU2Gbw/w640-h426/CastleApproach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrVa7LOE17R-rjrdD7oW59nKcFdvUERCu-oSW_yi_dmL6A-cX6cX6ub_WyqqyQFOXD6EO42LiZy3eHPptDZhalrCzOMYHoCZO3_lRzHkOL99IVn8l_yHCNg-dlR8lVu2lsh3pzon8wHNcujyBYv9jEbzHsNC4ciF0qeGVQuUhuBXjiYoyTR2RQOEhOU/s5496/CastleViews4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="5496" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrVa7LOE17R-rjrdD7oW59nKcFdvUERCu-oSW_yi_dmL6A-cX6cX6ub_WyqqyQFOXD6EO42LiZy3eHPptDZhalrCzOMYHoCZO3_lRzHkOL99IVn8l_yHCNg-dlR8lVu2lsh3pzon8wHNcujyBYv9jEbzHsNC4ciF0qeGVQuUhuBXjiYoyTR2RQOEhOU/w640-h420/CastleViews4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Despite being advised to purchase tickets in advance, we walked straight to the kiosk and secured our tickets without any queue. In fact, the young assistant spotted Caleb and asked his age, prompting his colleague to sell us a student discount ticket without any proof of ID. We opted for the tour that included the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St George, Golden Lane and St Vitus Cathedral. Gareth and Caleb paid extra to go to the top of the tower at St Vitus Cathedral to see the country's largest bell, cast in 1549 and weighing a mere 15 tonnes. I stayed rooted to the spot and waved like a loon when they appeared at the top. Gareth is there, in the central opening at the top of the tower, but his shirt camouflaged with the stonework.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzcEuc7MH9FudnFNM7s-BGmrMvYi5kqIgJr9dJIKfFhAIJfYTBz2n7kI0Ze-ZC5ujeOuqNdNNOghp26Oj6o8YAF5GF0Zw9V-MIP1GIbKBvBM8K5sQnHxA6_dBwMKF1kcVF2YVM8218m17vNki_J9DFXZlzwPRXi5uPdHjtG-1oEyxZgoWcCbPBPfEA8E/s5568/Garethinbelltower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzcEuc7MH9FudnFNM7s-BGmrMvYi5kqIgJr9dJIKfFhAIJfYTBz2n7kI0Ze-ZC5ujeOuqNdNNOghp26Oj6o8YAF5GF0Zw9V-MIP1GIbKBvBM8K5sQnHxA6_dBwMKF1kcVF2YVM8218m17vNki_J9DFXZlzwPRXi5uPdHjtG-1oEyxZgoWcCbPBPfEA8E/w640-h426/Garethinbelltower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The detail and craftsmanship of the cathedral entrance were awe inspiring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvuZ95sxGAapYmMxJKPT2zOlR11DDAJXU9O2rQSHJsoLlE5deRjF-koSMokTP2GE59YtNanWW_0M0kdDmLCPPe7M3NE2wREA5dKQ1W7KmvruGmP8PpQdyWSMC35orca9FqbjpFRKFulAE1Tv5DedTRDKAJ7ZPcSrPaasR8GbhlruS7_mQKf7o1FRy_tc/s5568/CastleDetail3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvuZ95sxGAapYmMxJKPT2zOlR11DDAJXU9O2rQSHJsoLlE5deRjF-koSMokTP2GE59YtNanWW_0M0kdDmLCPPe7M3NE2wREA5dKQ1W7KmvruGmP8PpQdyWSMC35orca9FqbjpFRKFulAE1Tv5DedTRDKAJ7ZPcSrPaasR8GbhlruS7_mQKf7o1FRy_tc/w640-h426/CastleDetail3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I also spotted this happy couple being photographed amongst the grandeur and crowds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA65B0BMQLK-ba1mTPvPMAqOCGkSOJ3AMHQyOJKzBQFPrqRMqcvgZjGOQazvEe3CLjXh8vjFqK9V84H9vm_vAtv6aIxOuWqjFAlqD08fMohazVyRzq_sPMUcvSR818HmICVxuRvRla74tx3jcJOaHSDiqGXSfqcNLuVncOJqElMzflQQ9LlpOsed1dsI/s5004/CastleWedding2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3568" data-original-width="5004" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA65B0BMQLK-ba1mTPvPMAqOCGkSOJ3AMHQyOJKzBQFPrqRMqcvgZjGOQazvEe3CLjXh8vjFqK9V84H9vm_vAtv6aIxOuWqjFAlqD08fMohazVyRzq_sPMUcvSR818HmICVxuRvRla74tx3jcJOaHSDiqGXSfqcNLuVncOJqElMzflQQ9LlpOsed1dsI/w640-h456/CastleWedding2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Back the business at hand. A few facts. Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world. Formerly the seat of the kings of Bohemia with 9th century origins, it is now the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic and is a UNESCO World Heritance Site. It is an aggregation of palaces, churches, offices fortifications, courtyards and gardens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">St George's Basilica is the oldest surviving building that is part of the palace complex. The first building of the castle was destroyed by fire in the 13th century. St George's was constructed in the early 10th century and consecrated in 921, making it the oldest Romanesque-style building in Prague too. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Its distinctive red baroque facade (which I'm afraid I completely failed to photograph due to heady excitement) was added in the 17th century. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's a stock photo instead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ8Qp_4voIkj4b1AvW_Zj5MZmLTvHRlvfO0CFbc-A9K0SCVCLQ5pCBfLklMBN-3_wNlDvBdXEGYsp9BayLPape8L2DSjszd6TLV7Me-zuhWZzDmcShwmoJt3Dgey9-Gcqu3oEc7LexLtbGBPx28PiA6_rCsJYSOnrChU1B6T5iDXynx9-fz9XxuC1xzU/s612/StGeorgeBasilica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ8Qp_4voIkj4b1AvW_Zj5MZmLTvHRlvfO0CFbc-A9K0SCVCLQ5pCBfLklMBN-3_wNlDvBdXEGYsp9BayLPape8L2DSjszd6TLV7Me-zuhWZzDmcShwmoJt3Dgey9-Gcqu3oEc7LexLtbGBPx28PiA6_rCsJYSOnrChU1B6T5iDXynx9-fz9XxuC1xzU/s320/StGeorgeBasilica.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I have to say that travelling with a camera presents some issues. I opted to take a 35 mm lens on holiday (slightly wider angle, good in low light). However, the reality of visiting such magnificent destinations is that you have to consider others and also ensure that you take something of the moment for yourself, rather than constantly looking for the best angle or photo opportunity which can dilute the experience. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Inside St George's Basilica.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR7szphtGPY7qyfBRKmDyhO23MVaN4Uszj_PtQZXiCNoxDvtmjDGdyhiNzQ0EpxbF0n0QTaSrLHq9SMTssFQcJz6VwsMQ3A3Z6Utxk7qf3CussxvWwQMgAPWPJFVpHvAY7xIaIpf24UAP5SajSm2JU3yyraFqTZEkMLzAR2aoZufPXBWd5-_XC8Q61bU/s5307/CastleDetails15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5307" data-original-width="3469" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR7szphtGPY7qyfBRKmDyhO23MVaN4Uszj_PtQZXiCNoxDvtmjDGdyhiNzQ0EpxbF0n0QTaSrLHq9SMTssFQcJz6VwsMQ3A3Z6Utxk7qf3CussxvWwQMgAPWPJFVpHvAY7xIaIpf24UAP5SajSm2JU3yyraFqTZEkMLzAR2aoZufPXBWd5-_XC8Q61bU/w418-h640/CastleDetails15.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXaTNOLxDsOswIBGOUDQn3sm8QPwE1F300Yx_55T-rXlhxkPQM7VoANNXCY16umBBhuAIZ8Mygyr_xh7G2r3c4elUQJMFhCLAv7_v9oJDAgq4Z4-iRyUA3L7WU_pCKaLGqAqOiNtyHBsdxjwOPG_2-1w127xZjxr_3odCyHICunrpm33TufMB5W6SQkg/s5568/CastleDetails16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXaTNOLxDsOswIBGOUDQn3sm8QPwE1F300Yx_55T-rXlhxkPQM7VoANNXCY16umBBhuAIZ8Mygyr_xh7G2r3c4elUQJMFhCLAv7_v9oJDAgq4Z4-iRyUA3L7WU_pCKaLGqAqOiNtyHBsdxjwOPG_2-1w127xZjxr_3odCyHICunrpm33TufMB5W6SQkg/w640-h426/CastleDetails16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Whilst I'm glad we visited, there was no escaping the crowds. Obviously we're all entitled to see these sites, but I'm sometimes left with that feeling of having been "processed" hence this mere glimpse below of the stone vaulted ceiling in Vladislav Hall (1493-1502) in the Old Royal Palace, used for large public events, including coronations and even tournaments, captured as we shuffled around the perimeter.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTesD1Yfmq0G2YmKq8-Ygxa3xC_UFQsUmFZLyVpYckmifumTkqfJ7mzlpYAxyyQ1a77BAy5_qXY_rN2hc4FyPKd_wYgTiTnzpbr3jcoVsyq3TU8Lkgyr-KMGzPvhv82uMI6bqb_gBeR8n3N64xbpKxJUeyutNvdQLQWLaOE7NHbHowm2PVSX769kWoEo/s1024/Comp1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTesD1Yfmq0G2YmKq8-Ygxa3xC_UFQsUmFZLyVpYckmifumTkqfJ7mzlpYAxyyQ1a77BAy5_qXY_rN2hc4FyPKd_wYgTiTnzpbr3jcoVsyq3TU8Lkgyr-KMGzPvhv82uMI6bqb_gBeR8n3N64xbpKxJUeyutNvdQLQWLaOE7NHbHowm2PVSX769kWoEo/w640-h640/Comp1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The impressive gold eagle frame above, filtered light, drawer handle and the beautifully bound books of the court of justice of the Bohemian realm also caught my attention. <br /></span><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_13bxCgALSuuAoBFGlrZG2aHsreya1nfZdYFuYNKis1swMJ0B_Be0zP54c6EZYTAYmeVlDq5A01Bnbsdw0TqkQu4mmRmJd9ovTuBLAsK0lJUU5I7J02qFQ-ua-CZE-oK3t-t0jq_HDirmm6lxZnTjHxuKhET04zqEmLpr2ZfD2c3c0NuRg7Wwg2rmWM/s1024/comp2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_13bxCgALSuuAoBFGlrZG2aHsreya1nfZdYFuYNKis1swMJ0B_Be0zP54c6EZYTAYmeVlDq5A01Bnbsdw0TqkQu4mmRmJd9ovTuBLAsK0lJUU5I7J02qFQ-ua-CZE-oK3t-t0jq_HDirmm6lxZnTjHxuKhET04zqEmLpr2ZfD2c3c0NuRg7Wwg2rmWM/w640-h640/comp2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">The majestic St Vitus Cathedral in all of its gothic glory was a sight to behold. To ensure this blog doesn't turn into a lengthy history lesson taking the rest of your day to complete, you can read all about it here at leisure.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors/objects-for-visitors/st.-vitus-cathedral-10330"><span style="font-family: courier;">St. Vitus Cathedral - Prague Castle for visitors (hrad.cz)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMQbzS1a9-XPT3QKduEQw7GS3g0n1tmPtXrAjGLUbNiRDEp_2t1YPaJP_57CFMa4-hDC4oFfJwQV42wXwSZftbCfivt2e-7pfzoVhzenwnCRdx4Faz-6BZpHm0gAVt_gBVs8dAgL94PUXfsn15Ii8GaHBXesXSM2akDsBfYO_p3szR7_xU6kazxXnOXA/s1366/StVitusCathedral.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMQbzS1a9-XPT3QKduEQw7GS3g0n1tmPtXrAjGLUbNiRDEp_2t1YPaJP_57CFMa4-hDC4oFfJwQV42wXwSZftbCfivt2e-7pfzoVhzenwnCRdx4Faz-6BZpHm0gAVt_gBVs8dAgL94PUXfsn15Ii8GaHBXesXSM2akDsBfYO_p3szR7_xU6kazxXnOXA/w300-h400/StVitusCathedral.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One of the many stunning stained glass windows.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWu0RPqe_KjK3MkCS_QmF3Wb8PbC6HjkLwYWwOLT-mjmQzwbxP27TlVc18DynJqr9iIB0p9Gd5hk-plic3-0X7-3q-8dbrTirbq3ls3O9i5oRW82AxhrXK-SSYcLzN4OFFN8lF58dCnmb8qsj3MbKZqKemGGQhVxmGAIc1kMFWnmfiVdh1kCIer1cBVA/s5441/CastleStainedGlass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5441" data-original-width="3627" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWu0RPqe_KjK3MkCS_QmF3Wb8PbC6HjkLwYWwOLT-mjmQzwbxP27TlVc18DynJqr9iIB0p9Gd5hk-plic3-0X7-3q-8dbrTirbq3ls3O9i5oRW82AxhrXK-SSYcLzN4OFFN8lF58dCnmb8qsj3MbKZqKemGGQhVxmGAIc1kMFWnmfiVdh1kCIer1cBVA/w266-h400/CastleStainedGlass.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">As the cathedral was rapidly filling up, we escaped to the relative calm of Golden Lane, a quaint and narrow row of houses originally housing castle artisans, including alchemists and herbalists...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmAkhva08fCAX8LW95uI0O6JOEoNTYaxJPBTi8q4WQwr-M0gudBmEHnL7nCLqLkqJEaBt2q8ciJjXPfsX_XuVJVG_dAHyWwmB2is_Bzc2NILVkUl-TMfSw97CRSXy4ybquMKdW_98RmkYUOCeXPLh8fk2-eKsNKK2M-CNdUcX-sb2ETeGsEl1w65rih8/s5568/GoldenLane6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmAkhva08fCAX8LW95uI0O6JOEoNTYaxJPBTi8q4WQwr-M0gudBmEHnL7nCLqLkqJEaBt2q8ciJjXPfsX_XuVJVG_dAHyWwmB2is_Bzc2NILVkUl-TMfSw97CRSXy4ybquMKdW_98RmkYUOCeXPLh8fk2-eKsNKK2M-CNdUcX-sb2ETeGsEl1w65rih8/w640-h426/GoldenLane6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...fortune tellers, seamstresses and candle stick makers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROZ3xeOEfhrY2HHR2toJ3RMvmSldO68VgkpnVff0K4gF2n_KA6NNGW6nqEjoOQP3kL3CuCV92uiuY92nG9uvIS5kRkfS5FE3IiKYESx20J6uIigef4AZvyF0bdIy-mFrUzmKHNTNvu-jqzWcQisTp3a7ZSwL7Gdg7AxQyTvF3PHF_ps4trNSSD4SUISM/s5432/GoldenLane2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3622" data-original-width="5432" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROZ3xeOEfhrY2HHR2toJ3RMvmSldO68VgkpnVff0K4gF2n_KA6NNGW6nqEjoOQP3kL3CuCV92uiuY92nG9uvIS5kRkfS5FE3IiKYESx20J6uIigef4AZvyF0bdIy-mFrUzmKHNTNvu-jqzWcQisTp3a7ZSwL7Gdg7AxQyTvF3PHF_ps4trNSSD4SUISM/w640-h426/GoldenLane2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">In stark contrast to the grand symmetry of the castle's notable buildings, I loved the fairy tale aesthetic of these tiny properties with their wonky windows and low rooftops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQSbHaVUjHfisAs5Aowjx9IILv2YogOYr68bNvtuugJhoQ0sv5WGNbtO4mXtNVXSIABU44INpwoGBox6Xbs2oORKGnOKj2i9FS3hwW6Fe0yoapSt9VaWxowF6vTdbkauXw7uzowU6VwmxdWmsqsGqT3QNmDSXfQBTLfCKwLm3mznIJbhgNRz22lOb3CE/s5201/GoldenLane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3499" data-original-width="5201" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQSbHaVUjHfisAs5Aowjx9IILv2YogOYr68bNvtuugJhoQ0sv5WGNbtO4mXtNVXSIABU44INpwoGBox6Xbs2oORKGnOKj2i9FS3hwW6Fe0yoapSt9VaWxowF6vTdbkauXw7uzowU6VwmxdWmsqsGqT3QNmDSXfQBTLfCKwLm3mznIJbhgNRz22lOb3CE/w400-h269/GoldenLane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The writer Franz Kafka also lived and worked in one of these houses (number 22 I think) between 1916 and 1917. Evidence of the man and his work is everywhere in Prague and number 22 was no exception. I was half expecting to smell Kafka's aftershave lingering in the air upon entering this once creative space.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXborUBMWzQJ8yXFaacz1AD8G6wQDThF3geX56SeORsFsXXlGJpFmn_AjsEv0g7Wno0_JW-LsyaUeI6JcImFgqduu70i4sU4nY1xHNfFGGYjdwoDxbmXJSJ5ZQOONnyUnniKXbG9asANeQRRUA9dJLn-uUBRARCTQIv7guWUBVM2uX41sd-tpY3WcRq4/s5504/Goldenlane11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXborUBMWzQJ8yXFaacz1AD8G6wQDThF3geX56SeORsFsXXlGJpFmn_AjsEv0g7Wno0_JW-LsyaUeI6JcImFgqduu70i4sU4nY1xHNfFGGYjdwoDxbmXJSJ5ZQOONnyUnniKXbG9asANeQRRUA9dJLn-uUBRARCTQIv7guWUBVM2uX41sd-tpY3WcRq4/w270-h400/Goldenlane11.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Check out the wallpaper!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FW8320LPVILvBygT-DnqvjbjGkb3xisf0L8z3_gPUMbP3BkzceJLEzjkaDTPH9U-K4gUxQjAbhaBIeksDQLQQwsBxe2Gy_r0FVw98LXGgxa-fqXE_c8MiOhIlo2I52cZ5hj9akjpywmO2M9JzgrJvnBP_7XXrMDMvbc-QYQsK5jOO40pX9BPsp1DmSU/s5568/GoldenLane13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FW8320LPVILvBygT-DnqvjbjGkb3xisf0L8z3_gPUMbP3BkzceJLEzjkaDTPH9U-K4gUxQjAbhaBIeksDQLQQwsBxe2Gy_r0FVw98LXGgxa-fqXE_c8MiOhIlo2I52cZ5hj9akjpywmO2M9JzgrJvnBP_7XXrMDMvbc-QYQsK5jOO40pX9BPsp1DmSU/w266-h400/GoldenLane13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A small cinema offered up a Kafka classic.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbW-fXnB1bkiPQJJ75FR3_cN80lss3dRr-994OMpbBH8KsF5oqBgcBib2PCY7AzyeBLzpws-gItq37Agj0uuf3noks5C-5Jiaen4UPKpKqzbZNpwV7Yahb8-nxRHf5wC6lerYTE98OjFtwoUKnyNRepHfImw1lII_mFOgvOYCabj-la3bI5VvO82zMf1Y/s5358/GoldenLane12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3572" data-original-width="5358" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbW-fXnB1bkiPQJJ75FR3_cN80lss3dRr-994OMpbBH8KsF5oqBgcBib2PCY7AzyeBLzpws-gItq37Agj0uuf3noks5C-5Jiaen4UPKpKqzbZNpwV7Yahb8-nxRHf5wC6lerYTE98OjFtwoUKnyNRepHfImw1lII_mFOgvOYCabj-la3bI5VvO82zMf1Y/w640-h426/GoldenLane12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Passing the guards, I spotted one giving me the side eye as I was preparing to photograph him. Surely a break from protocol. Charles IV would have almost certainly had him thrown into the river for such behaviour!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV2OHM4mA3RZ0cvhq-3Og0xCyLjbZD1fNRd-1xOIORwpV4bVcoQk0kuZw8at89p9EDCVnzTD-Ig7bAtqa_pNDxSBYXWWU8ZSGP3cgreMr7TdZmaUvh-8M2cPsx6PPLntXmG7OMm9UplzRXZ5h7K_YYh6gdD38OvDo66lOGS2iIZ0CP3nFHQcsP10mW1s/s5131/Castleguards.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5131" data-original-width="3469" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV2OHM4mA3RZ0cvhq-3Og0xCyLjbZD1fNRd-1xOIORwpV4bVcoQk0kuZw8at89p9EDCVnzTD-Ig7bAtqa_pNDxSBYXWWU8ZSGP3cgreMr7TdZmaUvh-8M2cPsx6PPLntXmG7OMm9UplzRXZ5h7K_YYh6gdD38OvDo66lOGS2iIZ0CP3nFHQcsP10mW1s/w270-h400/Castleguards.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">We were, by now, starving and headed back down the hill from the castle, pausing outside a medieval tavern. It looked suitably dark and ghoulish from outside, with a row of skulls above the bar entrance, so in we went!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdBMIOy0SPbmkaRHOO4Xcjhzmvyji6SM9Oz7sZbC8r0Ut7QMQCu6_YCNudNwRo-WLASBehhPiD6UU4VjGpGCNLexWSGsTY1LAuXqXHS2GlwCtALlfv3ZkkF8lC_4NRa4ygh1IZnoH_mIeQy9In3w8-Obe0sbV5-5Bobmsjy2R8MdA7_8J82NC_keQHPk/s5504/MedievalTavern.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="3712" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdBMIOy0SPbmkaRHOO4Xcjhzmvyji6SM9Oz7sZbC8r0Ut7QMQCu6_YCNudNwRo-WLASBehhPiD6UU4VjGpGCNLexWSGsTY1LAuXqXHS2GlwCtALlfv3ZkkF8lC_4NRa4ygh1IZnoH_mIeQy9In3w8-Obe0sbV5-5Bobmsjy2R8MdA7_8J82NC_keQHPk/s320/MedievalTavern.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">What a building!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlupVfSwnFcb5hOXDlRROt88qXRcEA4EO5tnGfA9gWxIWDSdq9dAClbNJyfcQomMrpppqNW4RYsOXadvnz4-klKDCUSqJsPxSIWk6HA_Aasj5-YdSgD8rsyDKX2k0zXfaYJXGUR_-3gO3vRe_czedPwhpMrjrEwoeHwjKeb15k7MVnkOu4zkskFmK3BU/s5408/MedievalTavern3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5408" data-original-width="3712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlupVfSwnFcb5hOXDlRROt88qXRcEA4EO5tnGfA9gWxIWDSdq9dAClbNJyfcQomMrpppqNW4RYsOXadvnz4-klKDCUSqJsPxSIWk6HA_Aasj5-YdSgD8rsyDKX2k0zXfaYJXGUR_-3gO3vRe_czedPwhpMrjrEwoeHwjKeb15k7MVnkOu4zkskFmK3BU/w440-h640/MedievalTavern3.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">As with all of the watering holes in Prague, the beer was cold and so refreshing.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom_yheHU7wcgXkTMYIz8-0U6P0Jukw2oZ_g7WKoFx0mqX5n8Ujahx2EPZgUYDVLqpgGe-To4dIQf9N33ztnL0auQkn2N_oFO9RTfCVXRbL_hTvsQbCIosGXKumVC_zggWAo7BADuGA9B5IOvLBr_K1clIy9b8O7vO2M50DBd9Kc3H0MDnVZbmRnazCpI/s1365/MedievalTavern5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom_yheHU7wcgXkTMYIz8-0U6P0Jukw2oZ_g7WKoFx0mqX5n8Ujahx2EPZgUYDVLqpgGe-To4dIQf9N33ztnL0auQkn2N_oFO9RTfCVXRbL_hTvsQbCIosGXKumVC_zggWAo7BADuGA9B5IOvLBr_K1clIy9b8O7vO2M50DBd9Kc3H0MDnVZbmRnazCpI/w480-h640/MedievalTavern5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Determined to try as many traditional Czech dishes as I could, I perhaps unwisely opted for the pork knuckle, which was definitely one to share. Served with bread, grated horseradish, pickles and Dijon mustard, it was also the messiest dish I could have ordered, particularly as we were expected to eat with our fingers. The staff were also possessed by the ghosts of medieval serving staff, being somewhat abrupt; slamming down our beers and delivering the bill by sticking it to the table with the point of a knife. All part of the experience I think.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Vegetarians look away now!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOcSRIz_S-aSeRUzDQfelKX4HicB5N5fAxJMBh8pSzTK8XpS0E96YKXSX9QQwRUnQZ8EL60-o9w2EiPN2VLXTHVzESkszk68niZDRKlSHibVNZgkZzGMUyuiSPD7vTmTpePyeJvgdbg1f7gh4LJfhFVrApucKYFMnk_BgzP9vn1nqcG2x-UiHcgsOs4Q/s1365/PorkKnuckle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOcSRIz_S-aSeRUzDQfelKX4HicB5N5fAxJMBh8pSzTK8XpS0E96YKXSX9QQwRUnQZ8EL60-o9w2EiPN2VLXTHVzESkszk68niZDRKlSHibVNZgkZzGMUyuiSPD7vTmTpePyeJvgdbg1f7gh4LJfhFVrApucKYFMnk_BgzP9vn1nqcG2x-UiHcgsOs4Q/w300-h400/PorkKnuckle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Feeling as though I never want to allow another morsel of meat to pass my lips, we hot footed it to our next destination - the Jewish Quarter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wggUC650EB9r-5P6-VQJFA0CgxEN2vzVHOEK1dXiDkbkmtkwZV0vrQ2926iHXs7xvSh1Q8EjKwoM3GaDE73OP2hxtih_mCKorG-TjlXsgVM-QRmJeDn0EkBGabHGog9WDTTKJ1efMuQ3SdM2PGZMFZOFJxRCTqm3J5qm-LO_kdBzEd8U_HZEkuv2hV4/s5568/JewishQuarter2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wggUC650EB9r-5P6-VQJFA0CgxEN2vzVHOEK1dXiDkbkmtkwZV0vrQ2926iHXs7xvSh1Q8EjKwoM3GaDE73OP2hxtih_mCKorG-TjlXsgVM-QRmJeDn0EkBGabHGog9WDTTKJ1efMuQ3SdM2PGZMFZOFJxRCTqm3J5qm-LO_kdBzEd8U_HZEkuv2hV4/w640-h426/JewishQuarter2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Until 1850, when Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II gave the city's Jewish citizens equal rights, the Jewish Quarter (or "Jewish Town") was known as the "Jewish ghetto."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF35u5toUOD7hAoKgtvfl4rOvXHqC4BoJgZJOY1_Bf4wk02n6fpUcFEA9VlqgIePOwV3BQeALgdt50EdDPAKtsfN3NwCsgCKEDI8tK269NXJp96Pc2Y3OGEDemib2zwaJ9JB_0UrFkjnXmuZKUzbyEaqshA3-be9636SwlmG_0hZhGoc6EqIxvf7kbiLs/s5568/JewishQuarter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF35u5toUOD7hAoKgtvfl4rOvXHqC4BoJgZJOY1_Bf4wk02n6fpUcFEA9VlqgIePOwV3BQeALgdt50EdDPAKtsfN3NwCsgCKEDI8tK269NXJp96Pc2Y3OGEDemib2zwaJ9JB_0UrFkjnXmuZKUzbyEaqshA3-be9636SwlmG_0hZhGoc6EqIxvf7kbiLs/w400-h266/JewishQuarter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The quarter was referred to as "Jewish" for the first time in 1096 and was founded after other Jewish settlements were destroyed in a pogrom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Since 1215, the Jews were segregated from the Christian population and the area took on the character of a ghetto. In 1389 there was yet another pogrom during which a great many of the ghetto's inhabitants lost their lives and several more took place in the 15th and 16th century when the Jews were repeatedly banished from the country.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">During World War II and that terrible chapter - particularly in Jewish history - the Quarter became a storage space for the Jewish population's confiscated property. Since a lot of this property stayed in the hands of the Jewish Quarter after the war because the original owners were murdered in concentration camps, the Jewish Museum became the second biggest in the world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMJO2qu72RvUUW7cqjg9ukdY6S9LVoL_BqKS2jf0cJ-ZdZ8glD6cSStkVLc_Xa97RdlkfKAuObmfgOIoAEL9g6FrfkbrXRoLwmyV0cw9oFcTdlOrjW9-Kb1kp0ycGwX18iD680RNIkICvVk-M0CUdzxmJ8FXO81ge7EHsAD87JIzltzcVp4NfTFUN5gs/s5568/JewishQuarterSynagogue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMJO2qu72RvUUW7cqjg9ukdY6S9LVoL_BqKS2jf0cJ-ZdZ8glD6cSStkVLc_Xa97RdlkfKAuObmfgOIoAEL9g6FrfkbrXRoLwmyV0cw9oFcTdlOrjW9-Kb1kp0ycGwX18iD680RNIkICvVk-M0CUdzxmJ8FXO81ge7EHsAD87JIzltzcVp4NfTFUN5gs/w400-h266/JewishQuarterSynagogue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The number of Jewish residents has dropped significantly due to business use of the quarter and foreign travel expansion. By the end of 2013 there were only around 1400 residents.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The area is forever associated with the Golem of Prague Legend. In Jewish folklore, the superhuman Golem is a statue brought to life by a Rabbi (by inserting a clay tablet bearing the name "God" into his mouth). In return the Golem would offer protection to the community against hostile Christians. (We came back with a copy of the book of this tale).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Old Jewish Cemetery is the most remarkable of its kind in Europe and was in use from the first half of the 15th century until the second half of the 18th century. There are around 12000 gravestones and when you consider that they were sometimes buried 12 deep, the number of graves is even higher.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I found this cemetery incredibly moving, but a tranquil haven in the midst of a bustling city. Here are just a few of the scores of photos I took of this place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyzbadGKTspO9YvDP8YD6tUbqtPtMUNrSaC1gGEQavsR0Xz_On7qzWN3So_yKr9j6h5Bm4RR45h3PfMFOzxe0N9T_H7K_hX_7d4TOQ8iKlAU3jMa57n9VIgGhFX0TSmOSzX7GLQuNitV8ADcrM0qOp7CMDAgP0GFuJBZYk6G2NUqUhCn1oTp2PgdAcbw/s5426/JewishCemetery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3617" data-original-width="5426" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyzbadGKTspO9YvDP8YD6tUbqtPtMUNrSaC1gGEQavsR0Xz_On7qzWN3So_yKr9j6h5Bm4RR45h3PfMFOzxe0N9T_H7K_hX_7d4TOQ8iKlAU3jMa57n9VIgGhFX0TSmOSzX7GLQuNitV8ADcrM0qOp7CMDAgP0GFuJBZYk6G2NUqUhCn1oTp2PgdAcbw/w640-h426/JewishCemetery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubl8GOCet9sKZistca9cMCircyG1aPTQZfLnYEptD93anT8MiTw7rg7hUDXRzc22a-00tyINgrefliIVu8HNlULvDpMJrGwDRr700cFfSjs04-eETxTy1W2-22qwfqVOPW9xbZeW3gLcVx376vDUlCCiemxH0Ojew84pM9E4GvGNHFaTHkD8zCYA_Gwc/s5568/JewishCemetery18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubl8GOCet9sKZistca9cMCircyG1aPTQZfLnYEptD93anT8MiTw7rg7hUDXRzc22a-00tyINgrefliIVu8HNlULvDpMJrGwDRr700cFfSjs04-eETxTy1W2-22qwfqVOPW9xbZeW3gLcVx376vDUlCCiemxH0Ojew84pM9E4GvGNHFaTHkD8zCYA_Gwc/w640-h426/JewishCemetery18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnmbddJCSbXpu71DOZdrIf0oBHy-JS_QyQZ-i9scPM46MkP4y2u86al8kYxkB-LZFV5Xnpsx6wduSkaNCep9WUCtJDtr86iKAWypLipjkG-MOZh_yXaRXv6vJlFI-tqQs6JSstXDseukeSmxPr0BMF3H5vHpwnYkxYYksYruC0q5QDy9h796w-4u601U/s5568/JewishCemetery19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnmbddJCSbXpu71DOZdrIf0oBHy-JS_QyQZ-i9scPM46MkP4y2u86al8kYxkB-LZFV5Xnpsx6wduSkaNCep9WUCtJDtr86iKAWypLipjkG-MOZh_yXaRXv6vJlFI-tqQs6JSstXDseukeSmxPr0BMF3H5vHpwnYkxYYksYruC0q5QDy9h796w-4u601U/w640-h426/JewishCemetery19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHcI-ryN0SZYSLqesTfYmJH6c270hUQQpK9TXsQY_pKyBmMU-nATuPalvIX1LxpAkA-o213DbbMT55ofa1rWK7JVdzEAaZCgiGH8-ywcKP8J47AhblzNO3GrngfK8wkKXD2_glY7a_yi5inc2BxNI-TZXqS4kmz0zF41mnafvszoDppHAQLBgy65Zn58/s5568/JewishCemetery11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHcI-ryN0SZYSLqesTfYmJH6c270hUQQpK9TXsQY_pKyBmMU-nATuPalvIX1LxpAkA-o213DbbMT55ofa1rWK7JVdzEAaZCgiGH8-ywcKP8J47AhblzNO3GrngfK8wkKXD2_glY7a_yi5inc2BxNI-TZXqS4kmz0zF41mnafvszoDppHAQLBgy65Zn58/w640-h426/JewishCemetery11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NqOyWZta2eZq0Fok3zhZ_EuN8-ZubT90qu7Ad4ZApiN-I3aC7K12yUZo2v3JUjga3GuHqj10ctEFLLUqTWQEu0Ur2mW8f2NYCpyQ56R6hKX8A6RMbui7NnRFcYxjSOgakJS2WxQT0LJgq9q4X7soSIlHCCFFi901I5bl1OdDC28uqLFYuJX0Or5E89w/s5568/JewishCemetery21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NqOyWZta2eZq0Fok3zhZ_EuN8-ZubT90qu7Ad4ZApiN-I3aC7K12yUZo2v3JUjga3GuHqj10ctEFLLUqTWQEu0Ur2mW8f2NYCpyQ56R6hKX8A6RMbui7NnRFcYxjSOgakJS2WxQT0LJgq9q4X7soSIlHCCFFi901I5bl1OdDC28uqLFYuJX0Or5E89w/w640-h426/JewishCemetery21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjASRq7cszv94p9366nr-KIMwFbTJWkn92kkUWE_9vsHmvkHPWu7cBVHbybOLYuSIIyTVaOXe608uRKgG0VgUQyK_CKPKdpwPugydkepSrUeOzcd3bsS0L99ngeokuEU4369Fupd5sR9FxuH_X9K_7Ot0dGtQ-M3q04ad5JByfCbrRacx7APs2PxyH-I/s5568/JewishCemetery24.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjASRq7cszv94p9366nr-KIMwFbTJWkn92kkUWE_9vsHmvkHPWu7cBVHbybOLYuSIIyTVaOXe608uRKgG0VgUQyK_CKPKdpwPugydkepSrUeOzcd3bsS0L99ngeokuEU4369Fupd5sR9FxuH_X9K_7Ot0dGtQ-M3q04ad5JByfCbrRacx7APs2PxyH-I/w640-h426/JewishCemetery24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jsTR2HNgbI7te6cOT5daWWygz3f7qr_-mbEHroqEIrlU-JbhP1hfRME_qO25Ze3LUhOg_R57xqKY9ZX6pg6j6F9wevUd_sAppg7boF1Ky6Dom4Tre-2dqceV_3hGbWKSEHbI3S2VQDiQnzcfGAyjYJxdmTT6Ygc4JHX1uExJVlzva8c1C_YizZJb0ws/s4980/JewishCemetery29bw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3412" data-original-width="4980" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jsTR2HNgbI7te6cOT5daWWygz3f7qr_-mbEHroqEIrlU-JbhP1hfRME_qO25Ze3LUhOg_R57xqKY9ZX6pg6j6F9wevUd_sAppg7boF1Ky6Dom4Tre-2dqceV_3hGbWKSEHbI3S2VQDiQnzcfGAyjYJxdmTT6Ygc4JHX1uExJVlzva8c1C_YizZJb0ws/w640-h438/JewishCemetery29bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I overheard a tour guide stating that Jewish gravestones often include a little detail about the person resting beneath. Coincidentally, later that day, I read a tweet from Jewish UK comedian David Baddiel in which he detailed the inscription on his late father's grave. It referred to him as "sometimes grumpy" and ended with the words "almost human." David had been asked to expand on this and explained that it was a phrase his Dad would often use when asked how he was. When David and his brother asked "Almost human? Why not completely human?" he would respond "Because if I say I feel completely human, you bastards will ask me for money!" A sign of Jewish humour and resilience if ever there was one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On our route back, we passed the Franz Kafka statue... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6ydnd94cSMoWjioRlmfLfzYabERodt4W0t4Rvby-bFgDvuUZGTbhoQTmJm-tdQp09gtplAbMhPZIamgn_PEFK05fx_B_YRsNNaWsELhSpz8Z8R3hjLln7o0Q24Wa09tm4PBrWRfUZ-bSghu2iwbGoVdU4f4_83NS9dYSKvZH3l_pLHJWU5YJHeEYSdQ/s5184/KafkaStatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3248" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6ydnd94cSMoWjioRlmfLfzYabERodt4W0t4Rvby-bFgDvuUZGTbhoQTmJm-tdQp09gtplAbMhPZIamgn_PEFK05fx_B_YRsNNaWsELhSpz8Z8R3hjLln7o0Q24Wa09tm4PBrWRfUZ-bSghu2iwbGoVdU4f4_83NS9dYSKvZH3l_pLHJWU5YJHeEYSdQ/w250-h400/KafkaStatue.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...before once again crossing Charles Bridge...this time, taking a different approach and the steps...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYL2yA-MI-zPoS1YCJJnbJEmame_IqK-ZpIHs-v5n6N29UTFs_bESS7YvGBj96UHw_2pIFTFaLv-MduoaV5rtllr_ix3Scr6qDiD_FTPMXaYSSzZtSnprmkS6zXlE0SZCRzwlBNXF2e0GblCzq4xaOpAkezVXY2BXeSFQfTe1BgCO9k7sZIaUlq3U52A/s5448/CharlesBridge16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5448" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYL2yA-MI-zPoS1YCJJnbJEmame_IqK-ZpIHs-v5n6N29UTFs_bESS7YvGBj96UHw_2pIFTFaLv-MduoaV5rtllr_ix3Scr6qDiD_FTPMXaYSSzZtSnprmkS6zXlE0SZCRzwlBNXF2e0GblCzq4xaOpAkezVXY2BXeSFQfTe1BgCO9k7sZIaUlq3U52A/w400-h272/CharlesBridge16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">...and encountering more music and magic in the changing light.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukyMoTHVq9RWaPgVRbUw21_hQSPvNvMEumEUWwvdh2gcJjrND_dg7EepdNi3EncSoFlmRRwOu4ZOCIpxvJx6X9ipQcarfgzBPKPiTBt_0QBeRpg8Ed4H0pZC5rYksaZP5H-9Qq7bxjAq64FMUtJXw_PCSQmtUYCBTDb_uelMsQu8wpNK8plxIUnkysq8/s5453/CharlesBridge25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3587" data-original-width="5453" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukyMoTHVq9RWaPgVRbUw21_hQSPvNvMEumEUWwvdh2gcJjrND_dg7EepdNi3EncSoFlmRRwOu4ZOCIpxvJx6X9ipQcarfgzBPKPiTBt_0QBeRpg8Ed4H0pZC5rYksaZP5H-9Qq7bxjAq64FMUtJXw_PCSQmtUYCBTDb_uelMsQu8wpNK8plxIUnkysq8/w640-h421/CharlesBridge25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Weaving back through the narrow cobbled streets, mostly behind this balloon seller... </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h_d4zLmU_o64R_gtvp6Xe5SkN8A1SigQKdN48YqGEqTznJ_YspDFqgJBcYT1xfG-LfsjQp-NnnaFwFIKM5-x8s-GGF0q4mXGsQQ76-g5fASF8Xz_uwoVWYyEji4f2qCtQBorUecKN8Ui-pT2YnUV3Y_qnv-UgDxdzPoDiAjEvrDXBNrreTfpemym-Ek/s5568/StreetScene24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h_d4zLmU_o64R_gtvp6Xe5SkN8A1SigQKdN48YqGEqTznJ_YspDFqgJBcYT1xfG-LfsjQp-NnnaFwFIKM5-x8s-GGF0q4mXGsQQ76-g5fASF8Xz_uwoVWYyEji4f2qCtQBorUecKN8Ui-pT2YnUV3Y_qnv-UgDxdzPoDiAjEvrDXBNrreTfpemym-Ek/w640-h426/StreetScene24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...we opted to spend the rest of the evening relaxing in our apartment, wine and beers on chill and windows thrown open, taking in the sights and sounds in the streets below.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4arnP0xkaaGT_vpGznEjj-xFUx4E3CZpXPAKSB_HCngVO1sQn0VYT4rsdlSyOsJL7_kHXyBppO6MoO3omfS33JY1-5Z4ve61DWcqOVH4ncuxKCIsavhq0MQxS-5Jyysg8ucmb3cZFPS-YC8vWAhLI2H6FiNYf5VNPw0io0XajyVsL2E1iSmoIs1TanU/s5568/CalebApartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4arnP0xkaaGT_vpGznEjj-xFUx4E3CZpXPAKSB_HCngVO1sQn0VYT4rsdlSyOsJL7_kHXyBppO6MoO3omfS33JY1-5Z4ve61DWcqOVH4ncuxKCIsavhq0MQxS-5Jyysg8ucmb3cZFPS-YC8vWAhLI2H6FiNYf5VNPw0io0XajyVsL2E1iSmoIs1TanU/w640-h426/CalebApartment.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">One more day to go!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-48141105812041221062023-07-06T09:39:00.000-07:002023-07-06T09:39:04.154-07:00Golden Memories<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWN-QMtunH5kx4h3xt5e_xebROvT0eGVx3tNSvi6q48jUST6_vIg54MJVFc95lNj8oaq2ROqwQDp83iYauTrePK3pSGV-ICgRJBNe3GeQdO2rXQUw_sJOatB1QP84kN4ofqBfoUkJb_j5hh7VgrOB_DWp8gdbcot3ReYodOHnvS2MXpK2OVT5XeEXBXw/s5436/Reflection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="5436" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWN-QMtunH5kx4h3xt5e_xebROvT0eGVx3tNSvi6q48jUST6_vIg54MJVFc95lNj8oaq2ROqwQDp83iYauTrePK3pSGV-ICgRJBNe3GeQdO2rXQUw_sJOatB1QP84kN4ofqBfoUkJb_j5hh7VgrOB_DWp8gdbcot3ReYodOHnvS2MXpK2OVT5XeEXBXw/w640-h416/Reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I was feeling a heady mix of excitement and trepidation when we were picked up by Gareth's Dad at lunchtime last Friday to head to Birmingham Airport for our city break to Prague. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">I don't really enjoy flying and certainly don't appreciate being notified of our speed of travel and flying height. For nervous passengers like me, this is unwelcome information. That said, I was glad of the distraction of our planned pre flight drink with Vix and Jon who were off to Corfu on the same day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Sadly, it was not to be. Despite leaving a good hour before our agreed meeting time, the traffic on the M6 and M42 laid waste to those plans and we were so disappointed not to have made it in time. We were beyond frustrated. As Vix sent updates of their swift progress through security and a photo message of a chilled beer, we enjoyed a view of HGV tail lights; our hopes were fading fast. Next time eh?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Out of practice as we are with air travel, I'd forgotten to decant the large bottle of sun cream I'd purchased into appropriate sized bottles, so security picked up on that and in the absence of any alternative, promptly confiscated it. Still, their thoroughness was reassuring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Battling through hoards of travellers, we were relieved to finally find a table at Wetherspoons, allowing us just enough time to grab some food and a pint of lager for me to steady my nerves. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2H53Az-VMrLDE4WboHmBuWV8NQAp-SwjX6NzI_FVZi-K5jDriqAWsUzdH8C3lNnLZ9OtRvS3L9CPcFjW6_KYXuyt2jrKiDXiV98L-t9FvRB8oczQrja-U5WTxvSnkkRV4pMCHgwfpSZ8WlYiUgurKyKwNRTH-OASZlaPJTcIgsb5BtrqLPAL58eJUrU/s1114/ClaireAirport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2H53Az-VMrLDE4WboHmBuWV8NQAp-SwjX6NzI_FVZi-K5jDriqAWsUzdH8C3lNnLZ9OtRvS3L9CPcFjW6_KYXuyt2jrKiDXiV98L-t9FvRB8oczQrja-U5WTxvSnkkRV4pMCHgwfpSZ8WlYiUgurKyKwNRTH-OASZlaPJTcIgsb5BtrqLPAL58eJUrU/s320/ClaireAirport.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">A couple on a neighbouring table struck up a conversation with us and just before we departed, Julie stated that Caleb would visit Iceland. Bemused, we pointed out that he had been earlier this year. Her partner explained that she was psychic ( <a href="https://www.julieangelinternationalpsychicmedium.com/contact">Julie Angel International Psychic Medium</a>). She had picked up on an Icelandic connection. Spooky! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Onwards and upwards - literally - we boarded our Jet2 flight (allegedly the world's most sustainable airline) and took to the skies. A couple of glasses of prosecco and a good humoured stag party, which included another nervous flyer, helped to take my mind off things. I also made good use of my wireless earphones, my Mother's Day gift from Caleb. Despite a 15 minute delay due to bad weather over Europe, in no time at all, we were descending and the landing was smooth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">After passing through security, our driver was nowhere to be seen. We were just about to give up and get a taxi when in strolled John with a sign bearing my name. Twenty minutes later, we were dropped off at the end of a pedestrianised cobbled street with some vague directions of how to find our apartment. After wondering around for a few minutes, trying to get our bearings, a man emerged from the shadows of the parked cars and called out to us. Initially wary, I soon realised that it was Maury, the apartment owner. Years of holiday letting had obviously heightened his senses to instinctively identifying his latest occupants. Of course, you could argue that three weary travellers wandering around in the street dragging suitcases was a bit of a giveaway. Anyway, home for the next few days was a beautiful third floor apartment in this building.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0HilZAtOgsQ1cXdb69wfmHAgSsYkpjYfXsTHo23W3Z2sb6GtwmYQkNbjHIdwsg_KfvYGGeBddBK24MiqMECe_UM9sSYGLyCm7Jg8nt8bkfKny92-S3f2u3O96h72nwD4E1TQGdSsqFyZD0P0qGZ_NW9nqYvKJueqxdF39h_mH50wIwnjOeIousDUhvU/s5358/Accommodation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5358" data-original-width="3258" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0HilZAtOgsQ1cXdb69wfmHAgSsYkpjYfXsTHo23W3Z2sb6GtwmYQkNbjHIdwsg_KfvYGGeBddBK24MiqMECe_UM9sSYGLyCm7Jg8nt8bkfKny92-S3f2u3O96h72nwD4E1TQGdSsqFyZD0P0qGZ_NW9nqYvKJueqxdF39h_mH50wIwnjOeIousDUhvU/w244-h400/Accommodation.jpg" width="244" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Maury, though very pleasant and polite, was extremely thorough in his tour of the apartment. He explained everything in detail, from recycling bins and kitchen equipment to his Italian/Czech heritage and the source of the marble used in the bathroom (Pisa, if you're interested).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjn9vTzz1Nnr2dWULpyfLvvzNyoZA7g0sqyY0AVhoAxj3Xq6-_a2EiDjF-LoorVQd5wkkdjgsGTax2UCzUpJZbAdB1XVbOKQtKQncBK9uPb1tk2Yx8mDR6wfybxyGZpreB4ZHRgLkBrAhkOicb_4LBnf0PATGiV15t087OJ3P8xoEXKL9kBQ1fcVjV8M/s5232/Apartmentbathroom2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5232" data-original-width="3360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjn9vTzz1Nnr2dWULpyfLvvzNyoZA7g0sqyY0AVhoAxj3Xq6-_a2EiDjF-LoorVQd5wkkdjgsGTax2UCzUpJZbAdB1XVbOKQtKQncBK9uPb1tk2Yx8mDR6wfybxyGZpreB4ZHRgLkBrAhkOicb_4LBnf0PATGiV15t087OJ3P8xoEXKL9kBQ1fcVjV8M/w258-h400/Apartmentbathroom2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Eventually, we made our way back outside and said our goodbyes to Maury and embarked upon a late night exploration of our surroundings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We took a right and then a left, working our way through throngs of people in the narrowing street which wound round to the right and opened up into the fairy tale kingdom that is Old Town Square.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">It's no exaggeration to say that it took our breath away. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nYTgyPZ_RqMZcLdIWvgdDgg6JSGXIiWZJMiFEQxdG84ASgL8YZe1eq6mlzKuEYLZryiAQFM7bip54pZp1ILnOeRjymeOsRLK0A6aA5_DMEPD4v64LHGFXsXdTJ5O3kLDmIwlFfQwPwivBIFASmQbS4e7bXgz8GUBXzW0J-qPuLNFC5D4WqdFxhJrUqc/s1024/FirstNight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nYTgyPZ_RqMZcLdIWvgdDgg6JSGXIiWZJMiFEQxdG84ASgL8YZe1eq6mlzKuEYLZryiAQFM7bip54pZp1ILnOeRjymeOsRLK0A6aA5_DMEPD4v64LHGFXsXdTJ5O3kLDmIwlFfQwPwivBIFASmQbS4e7bXgz8GUBXzW0J-qPuLNFC5D4WqdFxhJrUqc/w400-h400/FirstNight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">So much so, that we completely forgot our mission to buy groceries, content to roam the rain soaked streets and take in some of the atmosphere of the city. First impressions? The architectural beauty of the place is off the charts. Everywhere you looked was a postcard in waiting. It's like walking around a film set. As you might expect with any city, all tastes are catered for. No doubt popular with stag parties, Absinthe and Cannabis products are plentiful...as well as possibly the world's only Sex Machines Museum.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE93URhSzNR0qAra_4UDgw74Bg-d7gW3b0yY721zpZ9matjxwlENz9yjMR_vHeKT_5uVmGBxhy67tR-WMzBpmc2sV7UlMySbM2824LIYHS_29K1HgU-BcfzTidUKRhJCZXcOWOATs8w2pSOabjQHKf_UkIQd4wDBb6_DAJyF9-2_uzSAwEMkpYQHIXZ0/s1024/Nightlife.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE93URhSzNR0qAra_4UDgw74Bg-d7gW3b0yY721zpZ9matjxwlENz9yjMR_vHeKT_5uVmGBxhy67tR-WMzBpmc2sV7UlMySbM2824LIYHS_29K1HgU-BcfzTidUKRhJCZXcOWOATs8w2pSOabjQHKf_UkIQd4wDBb6_DAJyF9-2_uzSAwEMkpYQHIXZ0/w640-h640/Nightlife.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The main supermarket beneath the Metro Station was by now closed, so we hastily grabbed some bags of crisps from one of the numerous Vietnamese mini markets and finally headed back to our apartment, our heads hitting the pillows some time around 1.00 am. </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DuY--hEg58xAskhhwn3nL1kDgmEKRe3QW7N1VouszzFVMUfY7q16P7w5uAdwscVYu2GhyTLolXkoOTH8m-T-2ii8VodQE5hz7eASMaSb3UfRT4lieMV-OLqUhekGmaOiugxIeXWh4vkGWAKAzB8GIwa-vhL9T6hcFfzG9lQWhE2wg2SLpLGsw2xdFNk/s5251/ApartmentGarethCaleb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3629" data-original-width="5251" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DuY--hEg58xAskhhwn3nL1kDgmEKRe3QW7N1VouszzFVMUfY7q16P7w5uAdwscVYu2GhyTLolXkoOTH8m-T-2ii8VodQE5hz7eASMaSb3UfRT4lieMV-OLqUhekGmaOiugxIeXWh4vkGWAKAzB8GIwa-vhL9T6hcFfzG9lQWhE2wg2SLpLGsw2xdFNk/w640-h442/ApartmentGarethCaleb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div> <div><span style="font-family: courier;">The rain had long since stopped and our apartment was intensely hot and stuffy, in spite of the floor fans, so after very little sleep, we were up and out by 8.30 the next morning. Check out the views!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL2Z3t6opDVbPXrIa3HYgVMnr3OMK8RRR8BjJHK5rltecETwtXbiarfUauYfsxgDjF5ShrmdMPWrjDThnsfNWI2iZfPuFCP_lbjCpB8uNSbaR1SGusKGRrCstZnmvNrM55mw9K6XTqS5Rc3S3GLz46JqZyZ38el8FBCXiryakC6KKdvtCADY_E7y2tAE/s5411/ApartmentView.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="5411" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL2Z3t6opDVbPXrIa3HYgVMnr3OMK8RRR8BjJHK5rltecETwtXbiarfUauYfsxgDjF5ShrmdMPWrjDThnsfNWI2iZfPuFCP_lbjCpB8uNSbaR1SGusKGRrCstZnmvNrM55mw9K6XTqS5Rc3S3GLz46JqZyZ38el8FBCXiryakC6KKdvtCADY_E7y2tAE/w400-h266/ApartmentView.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG-NYDgLTcujdFNf7oaxngyY01DQLsBkxaFTtSf1cFtde_NHz68O5ETtDhQlwz_61A8uO_jH0y9_CYQylZ7vJ4zCEkW4rlicj9y3RYZol5D7TDnOFWR1AvXXXVbEH5YlqGKGEVC_RQG2MskOXptfhIz1P5gOxpZZcb2IF-FLsCQic36MbmYhLCCTosxw/s5568/ApartmentView2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG-NYDgLTcujdFNf7oaxngyY01DQLsBkxaFTtSf1cFtde_NHz68O5ETtDhQlwz_61A8uO_jH0y9_CYQylZ7vJ4zCEkW4rlicj9y3RYZol5D7TDnOFWR1AvXXXVbEH5YlqGKGEVC_RQG2MskOXptfhIz1P5gOxpZZcb2IF-FLsCQic36MbmYhLCCTosxw/w400-h266/ApartmentView2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I picked up a couple of souvenir gifts from the outdoor market just outside our apartment building... </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXulCw45HPopeAL274YMo1krxno5wJJGfaU7RPV9LQe6-kDhuH3FxFBZHawH_SsLBTHnp3wIGXD1YX8nceCUGSQlr_nVzCr92S86pe_BBeat4yO7w-li22F-ELC1dM1SE9lmJZNO9dZaofUMKhV0MBuvCXqAtz1hLtf5ch-rTLFTleLsq05Y4-0YU0hc/s5334/StreetMarket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5334" data-original-width="3497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXulCw45HPopeAL274YMo1krxno5wJJGfaU7RPV9LQe6-kDhuH3FxFBZHawH_SsLBTHnp3wIGXD1YX8nceCUGSQlr_nVzCr92S86pe_BBeat4yO7w-li22F-ELC1dM1SE9lmJZNO9dZaofUMKhV0MBuvCXqAtz1hLtf5ch-rTLFTleLsq05Y4-0YU0hc/w263-h400/StreetMarket.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...taking a few photos in the process...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDiYgceVeqNjl_oa6DtQpf0Jsskja-PtvdhMRIbZMKwFv1ceiHW9LrtlySkXtPeV_-Xd2xxPhQNmXB97QdBb5MfeEgJL9vp6rQEj6ZqiH5zYeWxMblR_GrYaBUpHDSkr4iN8e_zjylD0rGPvs-3BW43bNQXi6gXiqU02pAObi8erwQ11sF0NhIhCi5VE/s5448/CzechRestaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5448" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDiYgceVeqNjl_oa6DtQpf0Jsskja-PtvdhMRIbZMKwFv1ceiHW9LrtlySkXtPeV_-Xd2xxPhQNmXB97QdBb5MfeEgJL9vp6rQEj6ZqiH5zYeWxMblR_GrYaBUpHDSkr4iN8e_zjylD0rGPvs-3BW43bNQXi6gXiqU02pAObi8erwQ11sF0NhIhCi5VE/w400-h272/CzechRestaurant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf4DWJScjmdbNyMbU4lDg8ZXVTSZmqqonsD5x7W2D9dqzAQSPGjB0DaFC-koitSZSY7qqgqKbaLWih0D26oUAKJkqo4g84rz_IbSUzejPX3G6sWB3Np_EWhAa77P188to6nVqYAhiFm9QaTCmcA8rXqChVs1FBQXbIENmB5DH4EWTCSqkNbtCs0AIMzM/s5316/DrainCover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5316" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf4DWJScjmdbNyMbU4lDg8ZXVTSZmqqonsD5x7W2D9dqzAQSPGjB0DaFC-koitSZSY7qqgqKbaLWih0D26oUAKJkqo4g84rz_IbSUzejPX3G6sWB3Np_EWhAa77P188to6nVqYAhiFm9QaTCmcA8rXqChVs1FBQXbIENmB5DH4EWTCSqkNbtCs0AIMzM/w400-h279/DrainCover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnKcWUsVHfYwRRezfb6a9xOkUM5MOocUMCYLyuNwdC3QQWxH57qo_JH4xEq49ObBEJwF0luhJJUEBFrAfr91T_fdiuWzcD4ryLLNmijXW1wEUz4N2xW23d-JT1zmcGzZkYHA-neusCr8phKML39Lp_9pFkE_mjvoN3UKUFjMsy78GewiOaPhuVDv8mIA/s5568/StreetScene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnKcWUsVHfYwRRezfb6a9xOkUM5MOocUMCYLyuNwdC3QQWxH57qo_JH4xEq49ObBEJwF0luhJJUEBFrAfr91T_fdiuWzcD4ryLLNmijXW1wEUz4N2xW23d-JT1zmcGzZkYHA-neusCr8phKML39Lp_9pFkE_mjvoN3UKUFjMsy78GewiOaPhuVDv8mIA/w400-h266/StreetScene.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...and we stocked up on supplies at the amazing mini market beneath the Metro Station.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8tW0RJkGSBYuyA_5sexz20xN5sbGfcF8xye6ZE_6dq5DKxDW7tkVzW0vEGFpY8MYOMOHJRhL0GDSX7AC7mzu6UCCV_JowTq7b6h56qG3yQgXRa8cflUmcDasIkgZ3Cb57o5Otn79fmbu7v1YPJkTpG1MWbxD7WWemfgJCo9NERF8YhtOq8qbd3mg8y8/s5568/Metro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8tW0RJkGSBYuyA_5sexz20xN5sbGfcF8xye6ZE_6dq5DKxDW7tkVzW0vEGFpY8MYOMOHJRhL0GDSX7AC7mzu6UCCV_JowTq7b6h56qG3yQgXRa8cflUmcDasIkgZ3Cb57o5Otn79fmbu7v1YPJkTpG1MWbxD7WWemfgJCo9NERF8YhtOq8qbd3mg8y8/w400-h266/Metro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Well, Gareth made a head start. I got distracted by a pigeon.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bdqgUwcdtRd4S7tIB9nxVnf13RFR1bgymlsNikzGR9HnUMnqYx8QYsQAFQeWQ8SM925P98ETh07VB8W0fpLDdURxXFIsKh7Wf0NWsi0teKr5BAGOGbZu90W03G1thdpTPJnyFf7YMGq5Sdi--Pyk-xM-b1qyO2SPzz0j5Nxv6vTrussuiFgzsaVJJLk/s5089/Metro2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3337" data-original-width="5089" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bdqgUwcdtRd4S7tIB9nxVnf13RFR1bgymlsNikzGR9HnUMnqYx8QYsQAFQeWQ8SM925P98ETh07VB8W0fpLDdURxXFIsKh7Wf0NWsi0teKr5BAGOGbZu90W03G1thdpTPJnyFf7YMGq5Sdi--Pyk-xM-b1qyO2SPzz0j5Nxv6vTrussuiFgzsaVJJLk/w640-h420/Metro2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">After breakfast and using Google Maps, we headed towards the river, with a vague plan to visit two destinations en route. Had I been alone, it would have taken me an age to get anywhere. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI0aeiOI5njA7X1s22n98Uui7yfb1LyNQ2ytnaQWRN5cDPhNqF69_BAVIkYKOoJ3kXH7W3SK4ZsOcvwOczBkVcGmR2qWQ3Jl4P5d_k1Msz-OGVKIDiB7HoFa4hEJkHrSKYLS4vY5739JmjWouhaw9bCwzM1YvdQKfO1UXLGmPbYR-88Xto-I19ujZ6sw/s1508/ClaireSideStreet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI0aeiOI5njA7X1s22n98Uui7yfb1LyNQ2ytnaQWRN5cDPhNqF69_BAVIkYKOoJ3kXH7W3SK4ZsOcvwOczBkVcGmR2qWQ3Jl4P5d_k1Msz-OGVKIDiB7HoFa4hEJkHrSKYLS4vY5739JmjWouhaw9bCwzM1YvdQKfO1UXLGmPbYR-88Xto-I19ujZ6sw/w434-h640/ClaireSideStreet.jpg" width="434" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The city is indescribably beautiful. Prague seems to be a city where no architect ever said "That's too much". Seemingly every square inch is embellished.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCgPSREhjERDMA1musZkemIy1j3CbkolgBfgVq4OtwMMWqhoo9g0b9Yw8TyhUQsusUW-vm-bPCKRZqEKQGwN_hZkfIlVWeuikrCcX-UZzsUGnrYJC1dSn6strgjhh3D1epIT3-WtRR2uwOj2eOKVVmRNzxE3qEYCkXTwokzkzy6Ix1QISAGaCkBRHAOQ/s5568/Architecturaldetail2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCgPSREhjERDMA1musZkemIy1j3CbkolgBfgVq4OtwMMWqhoo9g0b9Yw8TyhUQsusUW-vm-bPCKRZqEKQGwN_hZkfIlVWeuikrCcX-UZzsUGnrYJC1dSn6strgjhh3D1epIT3-WtRR2uwOj2eOKVVmRNzxE3qEYCkXTwokzkzy6Ix1QISAGaCkBRHAOQ/w640-h426/Architecturaldetail2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7qDBBOUzMDbr8eDcxLMW-AlwKJbYDV463C1b6bTtq3Qrq4WwD3D-y3OQ9Nl1RKuu9vR5tIz4KHzobr-E7OMmZPm29rEiQ88Fw0UGY_G9tXPF3fTw-X4bYORJqo45AckLBNpxm_CPdKbf5M0pI-rJq_G6Ps9cibHeKa7Jxaq3Ep93KR_7ZTTRWenDyxU/s5184/Building10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7qDBBOUzMDbr8eDcxLMW-AlwKJbYDV463C1b6bTtq3Qrq4WwD3D-y3OQ9Nl1RKuu9vR5tIz4KHzobr-E7OMmZPm29rEiQ88Fw0UGY_G9tXPF3fTw-X4bYORJqo45AckLBNpxm_CPdKbf5M0pI-rJq_G6Ps9cibHeKa7Jxaq3Ep93KR_7ZTTRWenDyxU/w394-h640/Building10.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJmNwAVR08gumBXdpxeInYc8KMQjoYY-FCych8cw9WXw0q7xUHcbIe3JzacpWumv7JsS2By9gHuPz5NRPEa8IvXrQx-CDt65No26T0H9J01vYqQxffj2RFTop8skjhOtJ3Rnbogpy6DU1FlX88d0F3u8iUNx2mxqkvGBIL4hpgGyb21VPOlVorfpKSas/s5263/Building11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5263" data-original-width="3656" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJmNwAVR08gumBXdpxeInYc8KMQjoYY-FCych8cw9WXw0q7xUHcbIe3JzacpWumv7JsS2By9gHuPz5NRPEa8IvXrQx-CDt65No26T0H9J01vYqQxffj2RFTop8skjhOtJ3Rnbogpy6DU1FlX88d0F3u8iUNx2mxqkvGBIL4hpgGyb21VPOlVorfpKSas/w444-h640/Building11.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Jewish Cemetery was off limits, being a Saturday and therefore the Jewish Sabbath, so we continued on to the Lennon Wall; a colourful wall of street art in the Lesser Town of Prague, close to the French Embassy. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW7XO9UDI-rGtzNs_WTwabNPxEQLBAVrJD6wGF2ppf_Hd6GIZEzAYjRRLtq0Ik6QbczB7JSAM_VUsfE_fejlJoLZC12kJ76mvImtiMFtX8nh7Met8Dw1JDeR3tsMADknu8Sai2KEYll4khskz-c9G6-cxvkUTPCZZlyUmTmbFFiHfOdWRQU9MaQf0j9k/s5136/LennonWall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5136" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW7XO9UDI-rGtzNs_WTwabNPxEQLBAVrJD6wGF2ppf_Hd6GIZEzAYjRRLtq0Ik6QbczB7JSAM_VUsfE_fejlJoLZC12kJ76mvImtiMFtX8nh7Met8Dw1JDeR3tsMADknu8Sai2KEYll4khskz-c9G6-cxvkUTPCZZlyUmTmbFFiHfOdWRQU9MaQf0j9k/w400-h285/LennonWall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqFmpk-SpctxWOfUmt39gOK3uivGYOm8QgliSoSHMzA-KodYmaG8dcqTdsbmoToHmVi3mj0RIZ2V-kuLgWr6DBN5MMDxyh8hAynNZuqrDhYHFFE1JWI78gmujLuCSJQ-pbw8W5kve3y3vRQ3P7t40MAjJT_QFpc5jNRQZVgdPaYtl9faZ_YiVKU5uiko/s5264/LennonWall6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="5264" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqFmpk-SpctxWOfUmt39gOK3uivGYOm8QgliSoSHMzA-KodYmaG8dcqTdsbmoToHmVi3mj0RIZ2V-kuLgWr6DBN5MMDxyh8hAynNZuqrDhYHFFE1JWI78gmujLuCSJQ-pbw8W5kve3y3vRQ3P7t40MAjJT_QFpc5jNRQZVgdPaYtl9faZ_YiVKU5uiko/w640-h422/LennonWall6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Its origins are in the 1960s, a time of political upheaval and activism, so many of the messages left in those days were political in nature; silent protests against the Communist government. However, since the death of John Lennon, the wall has come to symbolise love, peace and freedom and the artwork is awesome. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS7IV5PQ4LE1U5nmXvn7D4oI37Ai84usmkHAc4pym98Xmq98tsS72cr8CBGSsI5uBX3gaDqFYQbXEw4-oeUFAuy5gjbfhb47yQXDkQB5WtepEzinoaYTZXwkQkyIXmrvNNrYPx4-q0zCpvXURQQXxnf4Z-YeuJr-jXt1n33Tj1ymJqIFTBKQowycpacA/s5568/LennonWallGareth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS7IV5PQ4LE1U5nmXvn7D4oI37Ai84usmkHAc4pym98Xmq98tsS72cr8CBGSsI5uBX3gaDqFYQbXEw4-oeUFAuy5gjbfhb47yQXDkQB5WtepEzinoaYTZXwkQkyIXmrvNNrYPx4-q0zCpvXURQQXxnf4Z-YeuJr-jXt1n33Tj1ymJqIFTBKQowycpacA/w266-h400/LennonWallGareth2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The original portrait of Lennon has long been covered with layers of paint over time, but that's the nature of the wall. It's ever evolving as each generation leaves their mark. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTjTIlHLl9f97cUs_BX-e-uGTIBYkpenJzboHoqGvcFtInFW9FD_-ddLb2GzgiUiHQKlC65I0WoXfGQsfKlbHsZaU7eCkzHMQe-rCoKzqN5u-o8pLBSh9J29JYmuYrFB8AQ55Q61O2f7j1kTr6JCvpp0bylzk69_4K4KdFaeb8JBbcyVGG2INTKzGYk/s5568/LennonWall10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTjTIlHLl9f97cUs_BX-e-uGTIBYkpenJzboHoqGvcFtInFW9FD_-ddLb2GzgiUiHQKlC65I0WoXfGQsfKlbHsZaU7eCkzHMQe-rCoKzqN5u-o8pLBSh9J29JYmuYrFB8AQ55Q61O2f7j1kTr6JCvpp0bylzk69_4K4KdFaeb8JBbcyVGG2INTKzGYk/w640-h426/LennonWall10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5HS7dSw2hU00Pf6P21StZQKnOH4kPqu82tZIWeHMFwD2ka3MXl6MPYhDY__Ogs3O-9MMBJg8AgwLFCP9CmDNa6io01-lCiCZ6Q370qUn55Tr7D4Y52-4l_NxICPJPtGpzO2Vt2wb-NIYWDObHNVplW2oein5D_hd84LfhQ4sjXnGvm5JlM_pAJTw808/s5028/LennonWall12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="5028" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5HS7dSw2hU00Pf6P21StZQKnOH4kPqu82tZIWeHMFwD2ka3MXl6MPYhDY__Ogs3O-9MMBJg8AgwLFCP9CmDNa6io01-lCiCZ6Q370qUn55Tr7D4Y52-4l_NxICPJPtGpzO2Vt2wb-NIYWDObHNVplW2oein5D_hd84LfhQ4sjXnGvm5JlM_pAJTw808/w640-h452/LennonWall12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier;">As soon as I saw this show of solidarity with Ukraine I could hear the echoes of John and Yoko singing "All we are saying, is give peace a chance."</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjJKNqV1Rw5ZqaaQEEP20_uFx8N9-ziiEdcb_Pmhkz3UjqVP82mn6RsaFufaeBM43G0742zpeygrrDLUQTOB4mihOhr06_i6ahFwtrrvSJ1KH4by3I7XRAXB6y9HRGAASum6S9Sph9cqautZC0T12s1C739AVVwCv5DB4rZKqZ8aeoYYodyFTY9KzYOo/s5148/LennonWall11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="5148" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjJKNqV1Rw5ZqaaQEEP20_uFx8N9-ziiEdcb_Pmhkz3UjqVP82mn6RsaFufaeBM43G0742zpeygrrDLUQTOB4mihOhr06_i6ahFwtrrvSJ1KH4by3I7XRAXB6y9HRGAASum6S9Sph9cqautZC0T12s1C739AVVwCv5DB4rZKqZ8aeoYYodyFTY9KzYOo/w640-h398/LennonWall11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvMQg4oRKihgrbap354yuQjMbhO01gQwQel_FsTNj-fkFSsGeJ12IbYpL4EpFoIXVKaW-HDTQgpG7OFZ7oDCDGbcWNMfKW3gVj-YoWl7LDX2LgF1pKtacgQhcyAleNaSUxoGZ-HioW5JkAKXjyiV_LoxGdTPT8BTXDUfxOTSiWq1_WGx9gsaazs2afEc/s5568/LennonWall15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvMQg4oRKihgrbap354yuQjMbhO01gQwQel_FsTNj-fkFSsGeJ12IbYpL4EpFoIXVKaW-HDTQgpG7OFZ7oDCDGbcWNMfKW3gVj-YoWl7LDX2LgF1pKtacgQhcyAleNaSUxoGZ-HioW5JkAKXjyiV_LoxGdTPT8BTXDUfxOTSiWq1_WGx9gsaazs2afEc/w640-h426/LennonWall15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQCZuUqW2TBlCuDtAodHJHfzEbexQtPqumVQvOWoD2_LzRxM28x_MQQr5eHCzb8YTLoZmpxwRbDQNsTgT9jdHeeM9FKI_Zggi62S6MhUJ_Bhk4VdCMWilivujMuysAwcNu4bubfuoFHkuBw42AC75306p5FLNTAZ9i0A2Uye2Gqmv-o3jAiPab5tvlmM/s5568/LennonWall16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQCZuUqW2TBlCuDtAodHJHfzEbexQtPqumVQvOWoD2_LzRxM28x_MQQr5eHCzb8YTLoZmpxwRbDQNsTgT9jdHeeM9FKI_Zggi62S6MhUJ_Bhk4VdCMWilivujMuysAwcNu4bubfuoFHkuBw42AC75306p5FLNTAZ9i0A2Uye2Gqmv-o3jAiPab5tvlmM/w640-h426/LennonWall16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I managed to seek out a couple of the messages in the mass of artwork, name tags and doodles, like this one: "I was born to make mistakes, not to fake perfection."</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJClxqV8xt8hhu3wGgRe2ZohXgzrOaqk_oPGhS4c9GOkS3ApOdNREZAMBb0JIEYLr8WK9Awu6Shz58KZnAn9ffhmkFsPfoBqiDU0Yq1lTOdMzxm6JHjrwqRD0JmkDUvcQRDczfBJ8YGTY6h3aUCqvAs2zoQTo0ZZQTz9kUglEURNq4ykViWjNtjGNUilY/s5568/LennonWallmessage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJClxqV8xt8hhu3wGgRe2ZohXgzrOaqk_oPGhS4c9GOkS3ApOdNREZAMBb0JIEYLr8WK9Awu6Shz58KZnAn9ffhmkFsPfoBqiDU0Yq1lTOdMzxm6JHjrwqRD0JmkDUvcQRDczfBJ8YGTY6h3aUCqvAs2zoQTo0ZZQTz9kUglEURNq4ykViWjNtjGNUilY/w400-h266/LennonWallmessage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Also, this one, which amused me: "Can I offer you a nice egg in this trying time?"</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJmIP5C-0F5rHRVzp2sLR7effaj_jKf09K0en499R0EbmlWWXiguae2NmUUn_39xMq4q_mi2f-hC_lXbw76DeVNEMnHIJe1np98jXH9MXYMJ4t-pkCM-_EDWuZNc1qkdgz5etuJww1XYZmmLcuYyZ050ro_DejMvwB53scMKQ6R4wfsyJoFzo9yPn4s/s5328/LennonWallmessage2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="5328" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgJmIP5C-0F5rHRVzp2sLR7effaj_jKf09K0en499R0EbmlWWXiguae2NmUUn_39xMq4q_mi2f-hC_lXbw76DeVNEMnHIJe1np98jXH9MXYMJ4t-pkCM-_EDWuZNc1qkdgz5etuJww1XYZmmLcuYyZ050ro_DejMvwB53scMKQ6R4wfsyJoFzo9yPn4s/w400-h266/LennonWallmessage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We found an area covered in stickers and, as it would be rude not to, left one of our own Voodoo Street stickers behind.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO7ysRrkMyBLV9U75l4q38YAdP9N_b0_WvhOffcrW8DYSkXSiF9fEJfSh1ghbdshhclD-ioRrNUq-Ux2S7aDEp8kAh_7wdQQ8bidIcsTbGoyr2dN4GmDGQrK8BYcgCII-VAX6yAh1ySXhuZhy7WXWi30l65AJy8CHZ-HJH50Ne6Zp88DHCfFbVw89fHg/s5568/LennonWall4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5568" data-original-width="3616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO7ysRrkMyBLV9U75l4q38YAdP9N_b0_WvhOffcrW8DYSkXSiF9fEJfSh1ghbdshhclD-ioRrNUq-Ux2S7aDEp8kAh_7wdQQ8bidIcsTbGoyr2dN4GmDGQrK8BYcgCII-VAX6yAh1ySXhuZhy7WXWi30l65AJy8CHZ-HJH50Ne6Zp88DHCfFbVw89fHg/s320/LennonWall4.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Can you spot it?</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKotzFxdpCSJl7oFimwLEKtO7hq1L8rACdZPyXkCb50jDlVk6k1DJN6tyZsO3I5BjT-DiqDnZgXU9VlB4S2jg8ib2P6NqsKphWuDuPOq1OVJYPDOGm1RqBgAIEo1ojv2mojnUdQ2sZVgT8g0-VZ3VAQActQzIttKKX3OTl--OYyBOtoiJCIfCSr0cgbs/s5388/LennonWallVoodooStreet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3556" data-original-width="5388" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKotzFxdpCSJl7oFimwLEKtO7hq1L8rACdZPyXkCb50jDlVk6k1DJN6tyZsO3I5BjT-DiqDnZgXU9VlB4S2jg8ib2P6NqsKphWuDuPOq1OVJYPDOGm1RqBgAIEo1ojv2mojnUdQ2sZVgT8g0-VZ3VAQActQzIttKKX3OTl--OYyBOtoiJCIfCSr0cgbs/w400-h264/LennonWallVoodooStreet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Naturally, local businesses have looked to capitalise on the wall's popularity. Close by was a Yellow Submarine themed bar and restaurant...</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDd_vBFSp1BWoz2341CCoqRV1VTBoHjMw6BC5TwQ9KCMAULqr8gYbUGBEqRi7w3G2d65P9snrxVEnKrChIM3FdMGc3CpqnYU2dumnavvu4noloa4fwIGFrxcNvoWup92aVVnIK6OaeouGqH7ov4fF-etWPuMFryjDOs62rqFKdTa2HN1R5snSS4ZzLM/s5256/LennonWallYellowSub2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3652" data-original-width="5256" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRDd_vBFSp1BWoz2341CCoqRV1VTBoHjMw6BC5TwQ9KCMAULqr8gYbUGBEqRi7w3G2d65P9snrxVEnKrChIM3FdMGc3CpqnYU2dumnavvu4noloa4fwIGFrxcNvoWup92aVVnIK6OaeouGqH7ov4fF-etWPuMFryjDOs62rqFKdTa2HN1R5snSS4ZzLM/w400-h278/LennonWallYellowSub2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosBNjYg-jHKA3sJ3pvwsGNQ7NObVM9lR8yb1-Wfhjg11SLpiXk4i_AtmS8i-382XSUkrk0zIgrLl8TZAQwceobxKRThTYjzfHfFJ4xo2WG8sYcxFKw0fE7RTJ9mX4a-UUD2LLajVQ0DwCTCQCP8VU8HyenpxY2XQioUFR_EPbtIZM2404fbGow6fTfi0/s5364/LennonWallYellowSub.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5364" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosBNjYg-jHKA3sJ3pvwsGNQ7NObVM9lR8yb1-Wfhjg11SLpiXk4i_AtmS8i-382XSUkrk0zIgrLl8TZAQwceobxKRThTYjzfHfFJ4xo2WG8sYcxFKw0fE7RTJ9mX4a-UUD2LLajVQ0DwCTCQCP8VU8HyenpxY2XQioUFR_EPbtIZM2404fbGow6fTfi0/w400-h276/LennonWallYellowSub.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">...but we weren't in the mood to stop. I was in need of caffeine, Caleb was craving something sweet and Charles Bridge was calling.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXhzvbUU71kD4Jp_djbjfAHtlHlwPZmTBB8AbwhZLYjx3xv2U_mQwcrnqEdZBnz72zmkWEvXBWz4xPaeVWvxZFfaUZO3xLFU5m8AYS1Z404Kh-gk72lnBv-SKxpfVvQkj4VpVDPReyac_Eb499iZP8m-XOp2jZDTIDiW-SgrppewjJUsBF3GNly_QVtA/s5568/CharlesBridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXhzvbUU71kD4Jp_djbjfAHtlHlwPZmTBB8AbwhZLYjx3xv2U_mQwcrnqEdZBnz72zmkWEvXBWz4xPaeVWvxZFfaUZO3xLFU5m8AYS1Z404Kh-gk72lnBv-SKxpfVvQkj4VpVDPReyac_Eb499iZP8m-XOp2jZDTIDiW-SgrppewjJUsBF3GNly_QVtA/w640-h426/CharlesBridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Charles Bridge is a medieval stone bridge, connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town and crosses the Vltava River. Construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV (also known as Charles of Luxembourg and born Wenceslaus) and was completed in the early 15th century. </span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">The Old Town Bridge Tower is located on the Old Town Prague side and was built in 1370 under Charles IV's rule and is today considered one of the most beautiful Gothic towers in Europe. You can just glimpse it at the far end of the bridge in this photo, taken later in the day (we crossed this bridge numerous times during our stay).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9PPd3qSXGozVw8kWVferCTK33wcUUETbEAm4zSJ5e56MTlSuHLiXM29rAMikc0iS4LcgMuwHQinr5AkySxDXgaJWHGCfn0iZ1OCjUQLulQUgpTK_M0SUDf3YeaO4CgrNu5ZafBaSZMo88P0XqTsffZM_idG_F2Jt_6JLMFYBHbfr3hFripzFtNOJDeM/s5568/CharlesBridge20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9PPd3qSXGozVw8kWVferCTK33wcUUETbEAm4zSJ5e56MTlSuHLiXM29rAMikc0iS4LcgMuwHQinr5AkySxDXgaJWHGCfn0iZ1OCjUQLulQUgpTK_M0SUDf3YeaO4CgrNu5ZafBaSZMo88P0XqTsffZM_idG_F2Jt_6JLMFYBHbfr3hFripzFtNOJDeM/w640-h426/CharlesBridge20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Here's Charles's emblem - a Kingfisher wrapped in cloth, purportedly forever tying him to the bathhouse wench and hair dresser, Zuzana, who helped the king escape imprisonment. The kingfisher symbolises contented love, joy and loyalty.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK4mw8B8eAnrjk_XP5y9d7b0mheoBESUD4bcmvb81z0eR2ROmTJxqNWlTToDznLCEMaQ1XrUEh9DoCEEZqzBPs1n6uM7WRenDmeNNFYcuJR3UBCfeFSALf8fYMDHzP3kivOv9IM7f7TMsBX3YBFXIvvttCuUItuRh6kXwzrU0aJqoWvSxRVbTQveXVXg/s5568/KingWensleclasSymbol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK4mw8B8eAnrjk_XP5y9d7b0mheoBESUD4bcmvb81z0eR2ROmTJxqNWlTToDznLCEMaQ1XrUEh9DoCEEZqzBPs1n6uM7WRenDmeNNFYcuJR3UBCfeFSALf8fYMDHzP3kivOv9IM7f7TMsBX3YBFXIvvttCuUItuRh6kXwzrU0aJqoWvSxRVbTQveXVXg/w640-h426/KingWensleclasSymbol.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Charles Bridge is renowned for its statues of saints (approximately 30 in total).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6EG6OBCKQkFVlJjTNABlxK4E_YmK69q_VoA_3Jvn9sGUDSXHQ5zZGrubdB7hB0dANB6dIz22w6z1I6b2dSlFwTu3UdbGuDpFeiY9o4JnJ2slZ5amArHwrGan6Lo29pxTlujU-DCxFgpHVcIUM8XaV-GbyKdQF7RijAEmZAi02yykCVa3Ynm8icL7reE/s5248/CharlesBridge4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5248" data-original-width="3424" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6EG6OBCKQkFVlJjTNABlxK4E_YmK69q_VoA_3Jvn9sGUDSXHQ5zZGrubdB7hB0dANB6dIz22w6z1I6b2dSlFwTu3UdbGuDpFeiY9o4JnJ2slZ5amArHwrGan6Lo29pxTlujU-DCxFgpHVcIUM8XaV-GbyKdQF7RijAEmZAi02yykCVa3Ynm8icL7reE/w418-h640/CharlesBridge4.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNdnw38VHCRAfpjWD-Od90gBr5-Er93WA0cR5s7ZOZCpEMxbhv1_9p6Mn8Cu1aKg6p4PjwYG27zLXnmPF3VtRkDoEybvLumTbjbaI3xr8ZO0GawHxcFkXlE_i0vvuz3l-KyXFTa1sfXD1-v7XCDEMxeJ-Add3L0bZ2mFgy1NGqmcJcqgG0gE__3aiobU/s5568/CharlesBridge6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNdnw38VHCRAfpjWD-Od90gBr5-Er93WA0cR5s7ZOZCpEMxbhv1_9p6Mn8Cu1aKg6p4PjwYG27zLXnmPF3VtRkDoEybvLumTbjbaI3xr8ZO0GawHxcFkXlE_i0vvuz3l-KyXFTa1sfXD1-v7XCDEMxeJ-Add3L0bZ2mFgy1NGqmcJcqgG0gE__3aiobU/w640-h426/CharlesBridge6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeUb7qOB4euB85T3kAwjG2dkLuFWpPlkI_e-nyb10Sxj66lzMVkUl2CWDRaUIJpwt43_z60THjCQ-r-iYrYodl2-m-tyoIpUxyHCWIJtWUVLnT9y0_QD8V0NYJct0b6hSCmsg9O1Sb8IVDv3V0UiyA-YSmtZGg0JwqqOYDrPlvD-b61vEgw7HEm-lvZw/s5502/CharlesBridge10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3630" data-original-width="5502" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeUb7qOB4euB85T3kAwjG2dkLuFWpPlkI_e-nyb10Sxj66lzMVkUl2CWDRaUIJpwt43_z60THjCQ-r-iYrYodl2-m-tyoIpUxyHCWIJtWUVLnT9y0_QD8V0NYJct0b6hSCmsg9O1Sb8IVDv3V0UiyA-YSmtZGg0JwqqOYDrPlvD-b61vEgw7HEm-lvZw/w640-h422/CharlesBridge10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce5v6EH5jOvUHmVVtoTitLpHy3lZvPJecqhT1lcr51BKavKeLFUSF4ajW8p1DJIaGsEGoTvuEbam7qmEqNKqFnH6iXHCKTR8m2PBRxBT_f6nrccpFpb8ejGhOuXhJacnjIluCLJWM-Sjp3vEaS3txMhAxZDeqJhn9v6Kfc5TzQ63kZHeenlnF0KZddqc/s5256/CharlesBridge13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="5256" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce5v6EH5jOvUHmVVtoTitLpHy3lZvPJecqhT1lcr51BKavKeLFUSF4ajW8p1DJIaGsEGoTvuEbam7qmEqNKqFnH6iXHCKTR8m2PBRxBT_f6nrccpFpb8ejGhOuXhJacnjIluCLJWM-Sjp3vEaS3txMhAxZDeqJhn9v6Kfc5TzQ63kZHeenlnF0KZddqc/w640-h442/CharlesBridge13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSDJY9k3XxCYUS8sT4gZqoD8qGVTFaGgRt20x5LVn51Lo4sMXQrdwHp8wNCaLDvDsWhzAFslLjDlZh4VIs_SfJ_qMV5rsm4xibSKHdCR2B14b1YvRQQ_AtpdlwruCnoxf-seT1lFllKd2m9eqG7tCZAOFpMqQHoZ9IcYYn4hDRngIobIyvQewvCDizGk/s5376/CharlesBridge14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3584" data-original-width="5376" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSDJY9k3XxCYUS8sT4gZqoD8qGVTFaGgRt20x5LVn51Lo4sMXQrdwHp8wNCaLDvDsWhzAFslLjDlZh4VIs_SfJ_qMV5rsm4xibSKHdCR2B14b1YvRQQ_AtpdlwruCnoxf-seT1lFllKd2m9eqG7tCZAOFpMqQHoZ9IcYYn4hDRngIobIyvQewvCDizGk/w640-h426/CharlesBridge14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">However, at this point in the day, the heat and overwhelming exhaustion forced us to seek some shade and a siesta, but not before I share this little video taken on the bridge that day. It's only fair to share the magic with you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lY6WKyKORxs"><span style="font-family: courier;">Charles Bridge, Prague, June 2023 - YouTube</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Heading back into Old Town, we all tested one of the local sweet treats - a Chimney Cake. Layers of dough are cooked on a cylindrical spit, covered in sugar and baked on an open fire. They are then filled with ice cream and numerous toppings are offered.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXmbWyZQW_1DUT8QVNK3d380p1X-UVzJu3QFRLaDcXEAENi899_yEoL8_vsbH32KWCn0XhHVxKUcFXah6ZYUhl9Mko0KG0AhOS2B31QpOxj8PYP6_ptxw-DMq1MFpmkfXaSaEf0Y9J9qfnUlSCGZpKJA8lgQYbBAngZGPie6SISR1BN1YCd3Nu2dVXeU/s5340/ChimneyCakes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5340" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXmbWyZQW_1DUT8QVNK3d380p1X-UVzJu3QFRLaDcXEAENi899_yEoL8_vsbH32KWCn0XhHVxKUcFXah6ZYUhl9Mko0KG0AhOS2B31QpOxj8PYP6_ptxw-DMq1MFpmkfXaSaEf0Y9J9qfnUlSCGZpKJA8lgQYbBAngZGPie6SISR1BN1YCd3Nu2dVXeU/w400-h278/ChimneyCakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Blood sugar levels no doubt raised to dangerous levels, we took a leisurely stroll back through the streets. I paused every two steps, snapping everything and anything that caught my eye, including this little local, dozing in the afternoon sun.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HI5vE23xBofOasoZg9on3rCWsoenwPsA-yKbcEHBljv8a5UkFsoQn405R8YsHJkfYAKmj-Ia-LNprj0c4EaNMw0ZsvCwlJFI9_EhRRdxc0lr9Cy9mkbHA6daR45jB4VEuBJV2vFNNTNKk8URyXFBSSz5K0UcsPh2KSUoT2yJlwOuEH0zDmd0Jv7kJnQ/s5136/Cat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="5136" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HI5vE23xBofOasoZg9on3rCWsoenwPsA-yKbcEHBljv8a5UkFsoQn405R8YsHJkfYAKmj-Ia-LNprj0c4EaNMw0ZsvCwlJFI9_EhRRdxc0lr9Cy9mkbHA6daR45jB4VEuBJV2vFNNTNKk8URyXFBSSz5K0UcsPh2KSUoT2yJlwOuEH0zDmd0Jv7kJnQ/w400-h271/Cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkUPhuzyfS9ZBa5lx0TggWFJjnz3kcIbd4JmS_1NzNkvHSUjHTOd7Sug7NEoBSlKcj51Mi0Iy9wcNDXHBUws7XmkTiVSkeuPYjxUFyelcCriRPcWaKZGu-019oznzs5uLIewZhpqKwFE8mUXY1NSbbKYbqIk85IbACovWtWYGnsseN8uSsMZbmhRo8M0/s5568/Signage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkUPhuzyfS9ZBa5lx0TggWFJjnz3kcIbd4JmS_1NzNkvHSUjHTOd7Sug7NEoBSlKcj51Mi0Iy9wcNDXHBUws7XmkTiVSkeuPYjxUFyelcCriRPcWaKZGu-019oznzs5uLIewZhpqKwFE8mUXY1NSbbKYbqIk85IbACovWtWYGnsseN8uSsMZbmhRo8M0/w400-h266/Signage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEz78qtLi2zlxjnnECd0UKDNxXBedFO6N7mqokdz8aA1N3O-9IjdFtbRFFi_Wyhrpa9aTCUKLq4yrP1NBbUusnZCGIREInlBn0hnVh6jgNht81Mh_MGjja63QL1Pqr-WC1W33An3HruOVYYLklhRxG39IUF544N2CAOTEy4zewXYHtNz918belKoILXA/s5568/Signage3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEz78qtLi2zlxjnnECd0UKDNxXBedFO6N7mqokdz8aA1N3O-9IjdFtbRFFi_Wyhrpa9aTCUKLq4yrP1NBbUusnZCGIREInlBn0hnVh6jgNht81Mh_MGjja63QL1Pqr-WC1W33An3HruOVYYLklhRxG39IUF544N2CAOTEy4zewXYHtNz918belKoILXA/w400-h266/Signage3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCWVYztrXfErD5JVUOGOS5D6E-8FWFpy26oF76BzFzY2eusYtLUlxplhKYTtWcGmxe0NiW9fkhBKTA6SumYaKIGhic8xq-xf11npIHwWLfNUk5sB2EnlHxmwuska4pEqyBfsSlyqjTpqCVx1VqHWUkzIbbwfbVyBx8nDrC14NyjaNRzs5Rov3CBFYeuI/s4680/Signage4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4680" data-original-width="3568" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCWVYztrXfErD5JVUOGOS5D6E-8FWFpy26oF76BzFzY2eusYtLUlxplhKYTtWcGmxe0NiW9fkhBKTA6SumYaKIGhic8xq-xf11npIHwWLfNUk5sB2EnlHxmwuska4pEqyBfsSlyqjTpqCVx1VqHWUkzIbbwfbVyBx8nDrC14NyjaNRzs5Rov3CBFYeuI/w305-h400/Signage4.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg6cUlfMEmbsdYcMqNHKvES2ajKBu1ie7A43DWoUwdpfgvJ6TkEI9LpRcGzu_MADSIAVhXcjFTX3_5Zk8cf-lDqDbuNSN1StFaIuw4a1CgqdfrWDRC6JLKgM6bjqsxw5IDLJSHJQKdNnwwi8FgMcBaM8zuhiqG_fi1O5VpbsJNPdNfJfzxeDWKOpOWiM/s5568/Signage8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg6cUlfMEmbsdYcMqNHKvES2ajKBu1ie7A43DWoUwdpfgvJ6TkEI9LpRcGzu_MADSIAVhXcjFTX3_5Zk8cf-lDqDbuNSN1StFaIuw4a1CgqdfrWDRC6JLKgM6bjqsxw5IDLJSHJQKdNnwwi8FgMcBaM8zuhiqG_fi1O5VpbsJNPdNfJfzxeDWKOpOWiM/w400-h266/Signage8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">Later, after our siesta, we headed back in the direction of Charles Bridge, once again without any great plan other than to grab dinner somewhere.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecURCUHWo0AyLwHW8jknucgjBigEiDr1ss0Ob1t6bZMZa-UbyYRZaBxYmlHtov6JPTh4boyKwQmqKUHecLq_XCYmY79UmtGDBLfXMKPv_kTKWCYqPBQdksBMlRBqjKaEZsQq5o5AJmUU_IQ4QoWsjKCOvfXBS2x1qRIBqZMJueODNlK6pvi42OUaV6RI/s5568/CharlesBridge15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecURCUHWo0AyLwHW8jknucgjBigEiDr1ss0Ob1t6bZMZa-UbyYRZaBxYmlHtov6JPTh4boyKwQmqKUHecLq_XCYmY79UmtGDBLfXMKPv_kTKWCYqPBQdksBMlRBqjKaEZsQq5o5AJmUU_IQ4QoWsjKCOvfXBS2x1qRIBqZMJueODNlK6pvi42OUaV6RI/w640-h426/CharlesBridge15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">"Somewhere" turned out to be Certovka Restaurant. We stumbled across it after discovering an insanely narrow passageway (fold your arms in front of you and your elbows would touch the sides).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimeOx6spNd1CiimsLY-NJ1wUazjqUWspGdXGnP25SNi_h-wLkcA7al6vKE_mW8VI-HnRWui2x3AqND1_rfPbVgUbGr3oYOEFeKe4LzW_cCB5gNaZVnN3ZOq9ZwMzWdQQRLHBQIpdWUzNVb38EnAXyLqRPDhdmYU5XS9D8CfwMmCTcjToAQvzI-1fg5ZI/s5456/Restaurant5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5456" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimeOx6spNd1CiimsLY-NJ1wUazjqUWspGdXGnP25SNi_h-wLkcA7al6vKE_mW8VI-HnRWui2x3AqND1_rfPbVgUbGr3oYOEFeKe4LzW_cCB5gNaZVnN3ZOq9ZwMzWdQQRLHBQIpdWUzNVb38EnAXyLqRPDhdmYU5XS9D8CfwMmCTcjToAQvzI-1fg5ZI/w273-h400/Restaurant5.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;"> As such, a traffic light system was in use to navigate from the top to the bottom of the steps. At the bottom of the steps, the tables were arranged in a beautiful courtyard riverside setting. With the weather being in the high twenties and such commanding views of Charles Bridge, we opted to sit outside. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxiUbMECVngGRLAJqkLOg_VxrAZhIG4MDmyYjWSkX4rumJUCljffd45x36Ku-8AUJnX2BhAMUdRFosFbhFfDjRu9pwQFfkafcoCKqiTJfCnORGVY45buDLp18cLj9h-z0DeTJs595_QSdAqI6ipcvWBUW0HX0P3oFfO-GvCflXV_uMAK--AotrTLL11w/s5568/Restaurant3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxiUbMECVngGRLAJqkLOg_VxrAZhIG4MDmyYjWSkX4rumJUCljffd45x36Ku-8AUJnX2BhAMUdRFosFbhFfDjRu9pwQFfkafcoCKqiTJfCnORGVY45buDLp18cLj9h-z0DeTJs595_QSdAqI6ipcvWBUW0HX0P3oFfO-GvCflXV_uMAK--AotrTLL11w/w400-h266/Restaurant3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseedYtZpbKSLZ2XzsN8JngXORCPtTtEzXVCKr4cX8_2cJg252O1VUXBYyvsM698AsJutnUR28bMZwHarGrVWJ50Cvaxxsq2LTJoFnc62z0LlhKnzytGxAp57tO3Np076dQUC7slMgDTE5poTC1IBhoAKIkq7873zihpSqw0y3h0te6D-F_eG0SVMx600/s5400/Restaurant2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseedYtZpbKSLZ2XzsN8JngXORCPtTtEzXVCKr4cX8_2cJg252O1VUXBYyvsM698AsJutnUR28bMZwHarGrVWJ50Cvaxxsq2LTJoFnc62z0LlhKnzytGxAp57tO3Np076dQUC7slMgDTE5poTC1IBhoAKIkq7873zihpSqw0y3h0te6D-F_eG0SVMx600/w640-h426/Restaurant2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbG5ECzFWohystvkJw08LIOXQcCmSwNVXLNV-5cE2uoZeS99-uT39NAO_GyE1Oa6Owe41_SSyjGncKSu9ticdAe-Qi5aPV_llaaSB7cdmEy9dUDQCbkZ7VgaCaGbXfPinwmNehL_cUet486q3q3lPgwNU0-xJAx4gC6GL02lUkcbBqGOQgT_Y3tqV6x8/s1024/CharlesBridgeFood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbG5ECzFWohystvkJw08LIOXQcCmSwNVXLNV-5cE2uoZeS99-uT39NAO_GyE1Oa6Owe41_SSyjGncKSu9ticdAe-Qi5aPV_llaaSB7cdmEy9dUDQCbkZ7VgaCaGbXfPinwmNehL_cUet486q3q3lPgwNU0-xJAx4gC6GL02lUkcbBqGOQgT_Y3tqV6x8/w400-h300/CharlesBridgeFood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">I've since discovered that this has had a number of negative reviews on Trip Advisor, but other than a few inconsiderate smokers sitting nearby, we had no complaints. The service was good, the food ample and we greedily consumed our traditional Czech cuisine, washed down with chilled beer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">We walked back in the soft golden light that gives the Golden City its nickname. Here's a tourist rubbing the statue of St. John of Nepomuk (erected in 1683).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">According to legend, the queen's confessor incurred the wrath of Wenceslas because he would not reveal what the queen had confessed to him. After an embarrassing interrogation in 1393, Wenceslas had him thrown into the Vltava River to cover up traces of torture. Today it is said to bring good luck to touch the relief of the saint. As you can see, the dog on the left side and the torso and skirt of a woman on the other side of the figure have been stroked spotless.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTr3kgeEpThUldb52c1HzMDyooY03gyidrA8sEFzdrRf4psa21wT1CxnjcXjl9uP_3l1bufHynfoJrEZuaxkWWpO9g8fSN0bzzXxcJNIbwauVa1lz2xypu47jDAM5dFnCN-oQHDkO6QpPwtbIi2vhrqfi5gRWA00-T30XYsTIUE9Y3y3Ztp_pL1PPpzA/s5359/CharlesBridge21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3573" data-original-width="5359" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTr3kgeEpThUldb52c1HzMDyooY03gyidrA8sEFzdrRf4psa21wT1CxnjcXjl9uP_3l1bufHynfoJrEZuaxkWWpO9g8fSN0bzzXxcJNIbwauVa1lz2xypu47jDAM5dFnCN-oQHDkO6QpPwtbIi2vhrqfi5gRWA00-T30XYsTIUE9Y3y3Ztp_pL1PPpzA/w640-h426/CharlesBridge21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier;">And so, the sun set on our first 24 hours in Prague. Until next time.</span></div>Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782306434061765914.post-65456852850110131602023-06-26T09:45:00.001-07:002023-06-26T09:45:08.209-07:00Waltzing Along<p> <span style="font-family: courier;">The title of this blog is a track by Indie band James, one of our all time favourite bands. We went to see them last week with our friend Ade and his son, Billy. They've been going for a whopping 40 years now, but their clean living frontman, Tim Booth (who, incidentally, also attended a boarding school just over the border from us in Shrewsbury) is still in fine voice.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZx9XFoASzk77i51gYX_jAakWFWKZXJ3e1tH42ktFh_FBYEpBj0HpJhFMYGcM20AGQe0oslFWeCw_cyde580DtMZi_XDenTjhrk6bIp9zcikMqE3dairodEYSgvfBlkaQ2FvNrEU1d3paWzN6yxnVWkcsPWQddwAQcr9gQDGrEA_w1FT6O6jcFrIK5Qg/s1024/James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZx9XFoASzk77i51gYX_jAakWFWKZXJ3e1tH42ktFh_FBYEpBj0HpJhFMYGcM20AGQe0oslFWeCw_cyde580DtMZi_XDenTjhrk6bIp9zcikMqE3dairodEYSgvfBlkaQ2FvNrEU1d3paWzN6yxnVWkcsPWQddwAQcr9gQDGrEA_w1FT6O6jcFrIK5Qg/w640-h480/James.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It was a double celebration so beers were consumed. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S7gq15F_z8Wp-PIChjULfTla5Q-oYGP-fx89ckPPav4zp1ltBHtwtT_3Bm5mas4ZiR1l8fKmnMJK0L0vaVxJ4O2oDqdPC4GekK6PxVhPH6K-d7FjVrKdqDYS0xXUeHt5xVGfYBK60GAHy2EFGWPmJBG2x7OaCSKQVRiIHQqkt0doUE2Mpj3FXZdtauY/s1266/James3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S7gq15F_z8Wp-PIChjULfTla5Q-oYGP-fx89ckPPav4zp1ltBHtwtT_3Bm5mas4ZiR1l8fKmnMJK0L0vaVxJ4O2oDqdPC4GekK6PxVhPH6K-d7FjVrKdqDYS0xXUeHt5xVGfYBK60GAHy2EFGWPmJBG2x7OaCSKQVRiIHQqkt0doUE2Mpj3FXZdtauY/w259-h320/James3.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGzzdRU-x9uesUzC349gk5hHnpH3LV1iqsv_uAPJJSm0_eKUp7C3DE9RWCzpcch7P1JW3XLh-tJ2NRSNdgQJxtV-3MZb8k6SJVm0ESQzKY7tJF-hyFsywnFcAxRqXkkO41yuuSinCDJ8AkeB0sAZ7L2iqxB3mIpoKO1x-zzAUVAwaN0WIFThebWK3kE8/s1359/CalebandBilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGzzdRU-x9uesUzC349gk5hHnpH3LV1iqsv_uAPJJSm0_eKUp7C3DE9RWCzpcch7P1JW3XLh-tJ2NRSNdgQJxtV-3MZb8k6SJVm0ESQzKY7tJF-hyFsywnFcAxRqXkkO41yuuSinCDJ8AkeB0sAZ7L2iqxB3mIpoKO1x-zzAUVAwaN0WIFThebWK3kE8/w241-h320/CalebandBilly.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Ade was marking a landmark birthday...and as for Gareth and I, a little over 22 years ago, we got married at a local country house where we partied until dawn. The owner was extremely accommodating, if a little eccentric and pretty much let us have free run of the place. One of my abiding memories of that day was our impromptu midnight "Library Disco." The band we had booked to play outside earlier in the evening, had long since departed. We had planned for this eventuality by bringing along our CD player, knowing that no one would be ready to call it a night until the wee small hours. In this photo, we're all singing along to James's "Sit Down."</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwMxZ0dEGs0XLFrAqjnyV-UUcIpY62PEgQgFP0fNaF2rs1t0yeFuz5dQnlxSlRLvN7MMnojg0jo8Vzh5YhzMkJN7RPCbSZ2iSR84w3ZZ_vy3NBGRqtjJosGhj7iir897O6SWYIj1MHEsHqi1S2QT1GpYDEcNuU2VhHr2xi5kbfcT6uNOuFwrVfahN0O8/s1024/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1024" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwMxZ0dEGs0XLFrAqjnyV-UUcIpY62PEgQgFP0fNaF2rs1t0yeFuz5dQnlxSlRLvN7MMnojg0jo8Vzh5YhzMkJN7RPCbSZ2iSR84w3ZZ_vy3NBGRqtjJosGhj7iir897O6SWYIj1MHEsHqi1S2QT1GpYDEcNuU2VhHr2xi5kbfcT6uNOuFwrVfahN0O8/w400-h334/Wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We've seen James a number of times over the years and they always deliver. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzgaLznPZwPnCDcZIthSi4uDrCnoJE2h9GdRIoJsMmFDDSmv0lhfa0dAaVmitAYVlpjFj9J6GtZR5PZlXQ2Xe4nQPSr8-njXr8EcmlszJD2PerBxcBgSZGMO2POAP_yP0acV3z3yVeHxWuZ8gs0rmuhyOEYCfuADFBPG2az8TeWrq-hMx3p7rnem7wZo/s1024/James2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzgaLznPZwPnCDcZIthSi4uDrCnoJE2h9GdRIoJsMmFDDSmv0lhfa0dAaVmitAYVlpjFj9J6GtZR5PZlXQ2Xe4nQPSr8-njXr8EcmlszJD2PerBxcBgSZGMO2POAP_yP0acV3z3yVeHxWuZ8gs0rmuhyOEYCfuADFBPG2az8TeWrq-hMx3p7rnem7wZo/w640-h480/James2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Still on a high from this, we were excited to get the best seats for Glastonbury (shimmying between our living room and garden sofas). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Whilst I still hold out hope of visiting Glastonbury Festival some day, this year we were grateful to be a few strides away from the refrigerator and the shade of the garden. I'm not moaning....I'm not...but the heat has been intense and we seem to have evaded the predicted thunder storms. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We saw Billy No Mates, Foo Fighters, Manic Street Preachers, The Pretenders (amazing), Arctic Monkeys, Guns n Roses, a sprinkling of Young Fathers, Sparks, Kelis, Texas, Sparks, Queens of the Stone Age and Rick Astley (covering a number of Smiths songs). For me though, the standout performance was Cat Stevens (fine voice, fine human being). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I saw Sunday's headliner, Elton John when I was 18 and recall feeling quite bored, but decided to watch his headline slot on Sunday anyway. Sadly, this time my experience was no different. I like a few of his songs and he's undisputedly talented, but for some reason, I once again found myself drifting. He just doesn't do it for me. However, I'm obviously in the minority, judging by the humungous audience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In between watching Glasto coverage, we squeezed in our annual Mini & VW Meet just down the road.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJxvLkBcQ-VVQT44x2ztlO9AMETWGcqCR0872V2Xh-gEslLQOoyfFLof39yH9rzt5ZiEHI-d_B6V-vzjG_zGG2F20d2EAFv7AxT9diYkFI6G8kVBa22Q8Z_BHPejgSmAtjecvg6Z4zzWaI819h5J2yrq0RuWuV3xxw4EkgsEf3KghD0KlOsrnvLSvVjQ/s5456/Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5456" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJxvLkBcQ-VVQT44x2ztlO9AMETWGcqCR0872V2Xh-gEslLQOoyfFLof39yH9rzt5ZiEHI-d_B6V-vzjG_zGG2F20d2EAFv7AxT9diYkFI6G8kVBa22Q8Z_BHPejgSmAtjecvg6Z4zzWaI819h5J2yrq0RuWuV3xxw4EkgsEf3KghD0KlOsrnvLSvVjQ/w273-h400/Photo1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6jIjfB4Y0PiGnXYbLDwbnoI66FDdczcg4maw_pTip71JL1vMlRrHYzE6ANMWs-594AQvCfHFJbb5l-LfRdrpIRZOwTSMNfQbG26qJDCTNDr3snWt4-4OgrkjnkqRlEQbI1ILEhPlZUkbyBF7TASAJyHGJ6RjcWCtpTIu9tbNY6y3TAKgB6IZpr_11A/s1024/Photo32web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6jIjfB4Y0PiGnXYbLDwbnoI66FDdczcg4maw_pTip71JL1vMlRrHYzE6ANMWs-594AQvCfHFJbb5l-LfRdrpIRZOwTSMNfQbG26qJDCTNDr3snWt4-4OgrkjnkqRlEQbI1ILEhPlZUkbyBF7TASAJyHGJ6RjcWCtpTIu9tbNY6y3TAKgB6IZpr_11A/w400-h266/Photo32web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpplTfocGQfP9pUPLSeo-aboFIuVFmFhL6K9lhSyaBpdvdZZO0eBp-aOdJXo49q8cc_5omZ5tTT0sf_4ri_u9aRy3FaFbEq2n-xrzsXpunDaWQNwbRHfn4iEEmdCGIKllnv1ttd84THhq3LCMulOgVonyFT3nDY-a5qdKd4w-LtqQVNRR5CLCovq_FsYg/s3328/Photo26crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3328" data-original-width="3084" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpplTfocGQfP9pUPLSeo-aboFIuVFmFhL6K9lhSyaBpdvdZZO0eBp-aOdJXo49q8cc_5omZ5tTT0sf_4ri_u9aRy3FaFbEq2n-xrzsXpunDaWQNwbRHfn4iEEmdCGIKllnv1ttd84THhq3LCMulOgVonyFT3nDY-a5qdKd4w-LtqQVNRR5CLCovq_FsYg/w371-h400/Photo26crop.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Headlight selfie!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Sunday's weather was scorching hot and many people took shelter in the shade of our trade stand. Friends joined us, bringing along their cool cars, company and ensuring that the music played on.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsF5gAtmmYedgFUbI-tjhJqQrFj-hQozaacR3GCjo3DLu4fsxNE4hPMiRvQ2WDlH9oY7qAQrBXfPk7z1ERXZLdZB6g4ZFB8vTj8wQKEI_OlMhNZYRAJLntUcJExnALTsT9DMir0PAe1Js3jfPuha2shT_m0nl2efPOlj9se7RHzi6C1EHry7Fyalb9GU/s1024/MiniCompilation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsF5gAtmmYedgFUbI-tjhJqQrFj-hQozaacR3GCjo3DLu4fsxNE4hPMiRvQ2WDlH9oY7qAQrBXfPk7z1ERXZLdZB6g4ZFB8vTj8wQKEI_OlMhNZYRAJLntUcJExnALTsT9DMir0PAe1Js3jfPuha2shT_m0nl2efPOlj9se7RHzi6C1EHry7Fyalb9GU/w640-h640/MiniCompilation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7tid7JTzsDkPRXyCVbff49tQyrmZIJL24xfjqNIwsFaOOoHtXAHfi0Iw2qhnUMToZWn8mRphzuKm0rmRHzmOvHDnjehTT6svzPHEv7r2rjn6drxdVneh8Y0nN53i9yMcJec6GUvFoMgaZYxn4lRcKklF5UD0kHo0olAF1jk0ay3gSSJ27AnZurhl4DY/s1024/MiniCompilation4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7tid7JTzsDkPRXyCVbff49tQyrmZIJL24xfjqNIwsFaOOoHtXAHfi0Iw2qhnUMToZWn8mRphzuKm0rmRHzmOvHDnjehTT6svzPHEv7r2rjn6drxdVneh8Y0nN53i9yMcJec6GUvFoMgaZYxn4lRcKklF5UD0kHo0olAF1jk0ay3gSSJ27AnZurhl4DY/w640-h640/MiniCompilation4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQprEEUmCN42A1mqIz2t1umXdlBl1OHdf9whIN03GY7o4Xy4TwZ-Inej75IGQ5xv3wS6zlbLa_nUffhSZ_H6QHvGGHh5QFyOq52N6fQHC_WTfdhM9KsrrCW4RrGRWjWZBWib-EQSKSbNWKJDgYa07npEbuBgzxf3dFvLtdiVqYoSQY65eNWI9kk2jyPGY/s1024/MiniCompilation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQprEEUmCN42A1mqIz2t1umXdlBl1OHdf9whIN03GY7o4Xy4TwZ-Inej75IGQ5xv3wS6zlbLa_nUffhSZ_H6QHvGGHh5QFyOq52N6fQHC_WTfdhM9KsrrCW4RrGRWjWZBWib-EQSKSbNWKJDgYa07npEbuBgzxf3dFvLtdiVqYoSQY65eNWI9kk2jyPGY/w640-h640/MiniCompilation2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMvAJKF61ykTAPqJHEllEKaGMK9hOmzLJH45Hh179CdbieUNj8FAULy9lXOF_aCU9HMT7jDlSqVkD81UL9JOW2oOD4z2cEHBV4JDL08FigNxKzLwJGXbe18pSIwQOo6FCIVw0VDMP6KhN4Wpj_-DI1vOuJHbyiQKcePg6ViX7TOgw5pL0ISbYnUg_2YQ/s1024/MiniCompilation3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMvAJKF61ykTAPqJHEllEKaGMK9hOmzLJH45Hh179CdbieUNj8FAULy9lXOF_aCU9HMT7jDlSqVkD81UL9JOW2oOD4z2cEHBV4JDL08FigNxKzLwJGXbe18pSIwQOo6FCIVw0VDMP6KhN4Wpj_-DI1vOuJHbyiQKcePg6ViX7TOgw5pL0ISbYnUg_2YQ/w640-h640/MiniCompilation3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj1RdJFHvYhYquzXBuKimxTEqZOXmfIYYIFZ_mNOFqyyVY4SPImmmjfKjBO-_CqV965bSglkHi05nbF03CyW3a7PqU_jzkYevbACLk09GnxkOIGjj9RAeU3RLTFRZQxOQ582ZljSq4tsXi8ai9byypE5JzMKvVeNMKYxuAHXG2s6clwqPTsbluvGyPQU/s5196/Photo25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5196" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj1RdJFHvYhYquzXBuKimxTEqZOXmfIYYIFZ_mNOFqyyVY4SPImmmjfKjBO-_CqV965bSglkHi05nbF03CyW3a7PqU_jzkYevbACLk09GnxkOIGjj9RAeU3RLTFRZQxOQ582ZljSq4tsXi8ai9byypE5JzMKvVeNMKYxuAHXG2s6clwqPTsbluvGyPQU/w400-h286/Photo25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The few photos I took on Sunday need little explanation apart from the winner of "Best VW T4" which was conceived and created by its Welsh owner, Jon Power. The attention to detail was phenomenal and the entire build took him six months. I loved the copper bar with its soft close fuel can drawers and of course, the occupier, Evie.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPeHurZxl-CqI67h4tEv5aTNVcrIJMt5MrjAhNYgxMkqT_M_vaROoXVrFk6xf_URS6oAHltUHmln6QfjxtRPJrs-Wz4B7kzUAf6-dqNMe1m-kU7hYqP1ZgfTWxm37U67B72BeyAUDh47nLHj3TAWsfLxC3pPghF4mnXxbIJ8KI8M2tmLjY3tIyE9gap4/s5392/PhotoEvie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5392" data-original-width="3712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPeHurZxl-CqI67h4tEv5aTNVcrIJMt5MrjAhNYgxMkqT_M_vaROoXVrFk6xf_URS6oAHltUHmln6QfjxtRPJrs-Wz4B7kzUAf6-dqNMe1m-kU7hYqP1ZgfTWxm37U67B72BeyAUDh47nLHj3TAWsfLxC3pPghF4mnXxbIJ8KI8M2tmLjY3tIyE9gap4/w275-h400/PhotoEvie.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Back at home, garden wildlife is everywhere to see.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR5-FxFvqyx6sxxQJ-ROjjYO_FRcwi6_WMjwDrobO0ATzbgZ8lokrg6gSY_Dp-HboHZPYN-qbpMshhZgjzKpnEcoWxOFzfpHmh9IfjPj9YzyYCe5cJvWH4cCbk1ymGRwJfgd-msvQMUhjbsDH8C8Mh5JNKb68HJb261L1KwHNYrrOIo7m5wlOsjnNBn4/s4536/FledglingBlackbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3316" data-original-width="4536" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR5-FxFvqyx6sxxQJ-ROjjYO_FRcwi6_WMjwDrobO0ATzbgZ8lokrg6gSY_Dp-HboHZPYN-qbpMshhZgjzKpnEcoWxOFzfpHmh9IfjPj9YzyYCe5cJvWH4cCbk1ymGRwJfgd-msvQMUhjbsDH8C8Mh5JNKb68HJb261L1KwHNYrrOIo7m5wlOsjnNBn4/w640-h469/FledglingBlackbird.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Fledgling Blackbird</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrPKiNJgVTmh13Xa6vIjiY7ac01pSFMy_qWeusHApOKKPnrheSkf389RroarCtQmQBPNq2awi2HzV24mEG8ZI4Krti4dmlVSwc5y5pSjsLqWFI-WdTgF1OpnLQKzWvWGw2v1DgmbSVpC0MqTsRbXM-KGTHfDRN12j_oQ550fZtKfnNGXeVGIh6ZfO-4o/s5168/Butterflytexture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3536" data-original-width="5168" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrPKiNJgVTmh13Xa6vIjiY7ac01pSFMy_qWeusHApOKKPnrheSkf389RroarCtQmQBPNq2awi2HzV24mEG8ZI4Krti4dmlVSwc5y5pSjsLqWFI-WdTgF1OpnLQKzWvWGw2v1DgmbSVpC0MqTsRbXM-KGTHfDRN12j_oQ550fZtKfnNGXeVGIh6ZfO-4o/w640-h438/Butterflytexture.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Speckled Wood Butterfly</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQntuaEOdxygNeYan3Py8xWH1aFlt202LmOFMjUdGVkskANO0eC5vEv74igAqY2x_XWzrg1Iede1ZMrXw85ez3ywXs3bS07PdhpKNvDYG4LcSvjOPXkemSHH1CMgtUecm8FB-DktzBnjnCCgsd8g29gncaVCtFGL33Dqyu5nCPb1VH54YsH-yWbgbuy4/s3800/Pigeononarial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="3800" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQntuaEOdxygNeYan3Py8xWH1aFlt202LmOFMjUdGVkskANO0eC5vEv74igAqY2x_XWzrg1Iede1ZMrXw85ez3ywXs3bS07PdhpKNvDYG4LcSvjOPXkemSHH1CMgtUecm8FB-DktzBnjnCCgsd8g29gncaVCtFGL33Dqyu5nCPb1VH54YsH-yWbgbuy4/w640-h452/Pigeononarial.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Nosey Wood Pigeon</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS9nv7hWVSwKSF0lgYph9XWZDSjskpGvJ1M8bxjhjDEBbc5LxFw7_z_gE5A0tlAnC58fvpAQDTryatNwVAk5doCA9M535CBbatxT42ZTOgy_o12m39MLdka37ItCWpXs0G_P4bJhVxX8wfQPueGRbmnXaumYCC4P70kLV6dVOjf4UNNcQn5FCI1jaizc/s1024/GreenFly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS9nv7hWVSwKSF0lgYph9XWZDSjskpGvJ1M8bxjhjDEBbc5LxFw7_z_gE5A0tlAnC58fvpAQDTryatNwVAk5doCA9M535CBbatxT42ZTOgy_o12m39MLdka37ItCWpXs0G_P4bJhVxX8wfQPueGRbmnXaumYCC4P70kLV6dVOjf4UNNcQn5FCI1jaizc/w640-h480/GreenFly.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Green Bottle Fly</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">But this has to be the most spectacular mini beast I've ever seen. I say "mini beast" but with a wing span of around 10 cm, this Hawk Moth spotted resting on our water butt on Friday night, looked as if it could take on the world. Surely, this is a "festival ready" insect if ever there was one! </span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDff7n9gtFZqbX1f6hdwuIh9IYzIAMp5RHFWU9EncE98UkX6lNC4p4aw5moCOuU7km0TSkeSeVcgJBPp704kFOoCEr7OHWY2iACGemFz8AmDsIDWbZuhtuRZvg_MQAHT4RAVLrN0VoNhhbVFAcj14Kzf6y2ikScCWkNyWOJ6aS3BKdeexMjGE8txhSdNc/s4884/Moth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3460" data-original-width="4884" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDff7n9gtFZqbX1f6hdwuIh9IYzIAMp5RHFWU9EncE98UkX6lNC4p4aw5moCOuU7km0TSkeSeVcgJBPp704kFOoCEr7OHWY2iACGemFz8AmDsIDWbZuhtuRZvg_MQAHT4RAVLrN0VoNhhbVFAcj14Kzf6y2ikScCWkNyWOJ6aS3BKdeexMjGE8txhSdNc/w640-h454/Moth3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLox0YC9ZFH70jdUC9LpkSUVFVZ-FdJXTYpAPpZlvyB5te0CuS0NczlG4jpStmuOsFan_I2iLPZNulmqBZ94ol5ZwS9NO2ZMLd_gEv9NpwqiFt2A4bJJ_uu8MnNjDaSuBcwew5ZwT3-xPgurvVizefaPSutkqWcdjPEaYNYhOAIXHyBZ0Iq8spYUFEEs/s5268/Moth4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="5268" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLox0YC9ZFH70jdUC9LpkSUVFVZ-FdJXTYpAPpZlvyB5te0CuS0NczlG4jpStmuOsFan_I2iLPZNulmqBZ94ol5ZwS9NO2ZMLd_gEv9NpwqiFt2A4bJJ_uu8MnNjDaSuBcwew5ZwT3-xPgurvVizefaPSutkqWcdjPEaYNYhOAIXHyBZ0Iq8spYUFEEs/w640-h428/Moth4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This week will be all about preparing for our long awaited mini break. For those of you who know me well, will know that I would rather put needles in my eyes than fly. However, life is short, this place looks pretty special and there's really only one way to reach our chosen destination. We're also hoping to catch up with the Glasto Queen at the airport before we leave.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">So where are we going? Ending on a song, here's a clue.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIBv2GEnXlc"><span style="font-family: courier;">INXS - Never Tear Us Apart (Official Music Video) - YouTube</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">See you soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><br />Winter Peach Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697165006032748667noreply@blogger.com10