Promise of Summer

The leaves, mostly Oak, from last Autumn still lying on the ground in the small wooded area near the river. they will eventually rot, like others before them, and enrich the ground so that Spring flowers, like these Crocuses, will flourish and bring a promise of Summer.

Bicycle Ride

It's a better time of year now, weather wise and it's good to see people out as a family, exercising and getting some fresh air. I watched this little group and thought, at one point, the little lad was going to swing too far to his left and head off down the bank! Bramble knows this spot very well indeed!!

Sunny Bournemouth

It's good to see some hardy souls enjoying the beach, Spring is coming. It has been a beautiful sunny day but with a cold wind, hence the anoraks, etc!! Comments about the pictures - 1. Nice little family group but one has escaped.  2. Just resting.  3. Must be hard pushing that buggy on the sand.  4. Just breaking into a run before the wave gets him, it didn't, Ooooh!!

It's been a busy day

I did my paper round this morning and thought I would have a peaceful day because seven ladies were coming for a scrapbooking day and I would not be involved because I don't do scrapbooking!! Think again, first I had to get all the tables assembled, then I had to help all the ladies in with their heavy boxes of stuff, of course, they didn't all come together, so I was on my toes for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. When I did get a break I had photographs and templates to copy, questions about computers to answer, and oh the noise, unbelieveable! Then I had to help the ladies out with their even heavier boxes of stuff because they had bought things. Finally, I had to remove all the tables, I feel quite worn out!! Picture shows Gill in the foreground, all the others were spread out throughout the bungalow.

Walking by the river today I came across this very dirty, scruffy unkempt boat which looked as though it had never left its mooring for years, very sad. That is probably why the seagulls have comandeered it as their favourite perch to watch the world go by, nobody bothers them. They perch on the top and do their business and when they want to move to the lower level they don't fly down, they slide down the windows, hence the streaks that you can see. Very funny to watch, they don't seem to notice that they are sliding in their own excrement!! Look at the shambles on the other side of the river, this particular spot is definitely not in keeping with posh Christchurch. 

Tragedy in New Zealand

I took a picture of the Regent Centre in Christchurch when I was out today and remembered that I had taken a picture of the Regent in Christchurch NZ when there on holiday in 2001. NZ is shown top right UK bottom right which I have just converted to match, I was into black & white film in those days. What a terrible thing to happen to so many people and to such a beautiful city. On the left is Christchurch Cathedral as it was, so sad when you see the news pictures today. We just pray for all those people affected by this disaster.

Time for Elevenses??

This is in The Square in Christchurch, it was coffee time, it was a grey day, lots of drizzle and I was tempted but it's a bit too expensive for me, not so for the pensioners inside, it seems. They are not sitting down though so perhaps they are still thinking about it. The old guy with the wheely didn't hesitate, just walked straight past with a sort of determination that he wasn't going to be parted from his money!

Bike Fanatic

This notice is fixed to the garage wall of a house just around the corner from us, in Thornbury Road. I don't know the guy but I do know he has a Harley Davidson. He is not what I would call a "typical biker", he is more a respectable, middle aged, businessman type. He probably belongs to the local branch of the Harley Davidson owners club though. Who knows what he gets up to if he is out on the bike with other club members! 

Church Family

This little lad is fostered by our Pastor Gary and his wife, Lorna. He is being carried in this frontal harness by their daughter, Beth, a lovely girl who absolutely idolises the baby. The foster period is only short term which is hard for them as they really bond with the baby and then have to give him up. I happened to have my small camera with me and quickly took the photograph but I was some distance away and the result was out of focus and the colour was garish so I decided to do some work with Silver Efex Pro, a Photoshop plugin from Nik Software. 

Farm Conversion

Wick Farm had a wonderful setting in its time, near to the river and part of a nice little village. The area is not so good now, and, of course, the farm was sold up some years ago and all its buildings were renovated and converted into privately owned properties. All the buildings were tastefully finished but I especially like this one because of its tower with the clock. I have no idea what happened to encourage the farmer to sell up in the first place.

Men at Work??

Saw these guys working, well they were supposed to be, but, you know, British workmen, etc. The building is the Town Hall in Christchurch. I think it did need a bit of a facelift, most of the building is encased in plastic sheeting at the moment. Looking forward to the finished result!

Messing about with boats

Five men in a boat, five old men in a boat! The coxswain appears to be asleep, if he is, that would explain why the other four look a bit aimless and don't know what to do, they are just drifting. I saw them again later, they had managed to reach a very small landing stage, can you imagine the scene as they tried to get out of a flimsy unstable racing boat, bad enough for them to get up from a firm floor at their age. I thought they are not going to make it before nightfall and I couldn't hang about. I didn't want to embarrass them with my camera anyway!

Christchurch Wildlife

I saw this charming little scene near Christchurch Quay whilst out walking today. The man with the umbrella was leading the little lady, probably his mother. She was walking very slowly, with difficulty and didn't seem to know where she wanted to go or where he was trying to take her. She had no idea she was being followed by a column of swans which, on close inspection seem to be pretty much in step. I approve, my military mind, you know!!

Christchurch Again

I think we are really blessed living where we do, we can just walk down to the river and enjoy the peace and calmness of the area. The Captain's Club Hotel is in the background, it's very posh, well, posh prices at least. We went there once for an afternoon toasted teacake and crumpet, it was dreadful, the crumpet was hard and goodness knows where the teacake had been, it was so stale, both items obviously past their sell by date. We haven't been since and are not likely to.