Odds and Ends

My new computer should be here any day now.
I am not really organised when it comes to my photographs so I am spending time going through my endless photograph files, deleting, renaming and organising.
I dont want to lose anything by mistake.
The laptop I am using right now will be re-formatted once the new one is installed, so when the button is pressed I want to know everything I want saving is indeed named and filed accordingly.
I am going to load up my photographs onto photobucket ot flickr, not sure yet.

So as we all think about ABC Wednesday (you will love mine! LOL!) here is a file of photographs I took over a period of one year, in and around our village.

Enjoy!

January
Up the Lane.
Horses grazing from the neighbour's Racing Stables Training Ground

February
Ronnie's sheep in the field near the church.

March
The field next to our house.

April
View from our bedroom window.
The cherry blossom tree, same age as me!

May
Up Parkhouse Lane.

June
5 minutes away.
Skinningrove beach.

July
Whitby.
The Beach Huts on a secret beach.

August
Hole of Horecum, on Pickering Moor.

September
Ronnie's field, opposite our house.
View from study window.

October
Racing Stable Paddock again, up the lane.

November
Next to our drive.
Reaching over for an apple!

December
Up the village,
Mick's geese!

Odd Shot & Bridges!

Photo of the Day
A171 Yesterday!

Luck

Luck is a dividend of sweat.
The more you sweat, the luckier you get.

Ray Kroc

This chap is one hell of a lucky guy!
Yesterday he pulled right out in front of our pick-up.
We were travelling home and as we passed the carpark his pal pulled out first.
I sighed but then he did the same.
He didn't even check his mirror or do what all decent bike riders do...
it is called the "life saver"
I see Jon do it EVERY time he goes to pull away.
He turns his head as far left as possible, to survey the view, to make sure between the time of checking his mirror and pulling away that no vehicle has crept up.

Jon is bike aware when he is driving the pick-up or my car.
This chap should be thankful it was Jon who was behind him as he pulled out!
Why? Because Jon EXPECTED him to pull out....so he drove accordingly!

He let the chap know he was there by pipping his horn.
The chap had no idea we were there.

I happened to have my camera on my knee, hence the picture.
My ODD SHOT for Monday...Odd because this guy had alucky break!
To see more odd shots this Monday visit Katney


We were on our way home after a drive out to capture my first bridge project photograph, as hosted by Rune.




We live in an area of great industrial heritage.

What I enjoy about any photograph project, including ABC Wednesday is the spontanious approach I try to keep. So rather than go through my folders I wanted to take a photograph of a local bridge yesterday, so we went into Middlesbrough to capture Albert Bridge. It was built the same time as Middlesbrough Railway Station,by the North Eastern Railway Company, is one of the town's few remaining nineteenth Century structures. The station officially opened for passenger transport in 1877 and was described as "one of the largest and finest on the North Eastern System", the building, costing over £100,000, was designed by William Peachey, a prominent and respected architect.

The structure remained intact for over 60 years until 3rd August, 1942 when two German bombs made a direct hit on the centre of the building. The roof was almost totally destroyed and a train standing at platform one, about to leave for Newcastle was completely wrecked.

This video clip features Ian Stubbs.
I went to college with Ian.



When I was looking up about the bridge I came across this local story
no relation I hasten to add.....but really wanting to become a driving instructor??????? LOL!

I am looking forward to this photograph project, it will be an opportunity to share our industrial heritage.

It's Sunday, all day!

"The trouble with gardening is that it does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession." Phyllis McGinley (1905 - 1978) US author, poet

This is part of the dry stone wall, at the side of our drive. Our house was built in 1956 on what was the village green. many of our older neighbours remember playing on the green and visiting the old stone cottage which stood on the green itself, in its own orchard. Scattered around the garden are many old stones and rocks which we have used in various garden features. Many we have uncovered over the years as we have dug various beds and plots. The stone wall is one such uncovering. I spent one whole summer digging out the grass which covered the wall completely. As you can see this is a place where I have planted succulants. You will also make out the grass in the background, doing its best to creep back into the scheme of things............or so it may think! I will be out there when the weather warms up, removing every piece of the unwelcome grass. I will also be planting some more succulants this year and dividing the established plants too. Eventually I want every available suitable space to be home to a succulant. This is only one project! The garden itself is one continous evolving project.... there is always something to do, to plan, to wait for and then to enjoy! I found this poem by a Denise, so I knew it would be a good one! LOL! The words seemed so appropriate!

The Garden Wall Bricks of the wall, so much older than the house - taken I think from a farm pulled down when the street was built - narrow bricks of another century. Modestly, though laid with panels and parapets, a wall behind the flowers - roses and hollyhocks, the silver pods of lupine, sweet-tasting phlox, gray lavender - unnoticed - but I discovered the colors in the wall that woke when spray from the hose played on its pocks and warts - a hazy red, a grain gold, a mauve of small shadows, sprung from the quiet dry brown - archetype of the world always a step beyond the world, that can't be looked for, only as the eye wanders, found. Denise Levertov

Saturday, Photohunt.

Glass!

"Art is the window to man's soul.
Without it, he would never be able to see beyond his immediate world;
nor could the world see the man within."

Claudia Lady Bird Johnson

These are the windows in our village church, St. Michaels.



People come from far and wide to see the Norman Architecture within the church.



It is a small church but an important feature of village life.




We are within walking distance of the church.
Our house just visible in the background.



We have walked down this path many times in the seventeen years we have lived here.
Funerals, weddings, christenings.

A time when all of the village come together.


Being a farming community the harvest Festival is always well attended, and relevant.
In the course of the year we witness the many tractors and farm vehicles travelling through the village. Indeed we live opposite a farm and can see the daily chores which have to be undertaken.
Right now, each night when all is quiet we hear the sounds of the newly born lambs.



The church is very popular for weddings.
Our local chimney sweep, though now retired was married here many years ago....the story was featured in the local newspaper some time ago.

You can read it here

It is quite appropriate to read about the snow on a day like today as snow is forecast.
It is quite ironic really.
We have had wonderful weather all week, but as jon walked through the door yesterday, ie as the weekend commenced, the rain came....and continued throughout the night.

So.....not sure what the weekend holds in store really!

We'll just have to see.

To see more Photohunter's visit TN Chick

Friday.......look to the skies!

Photo of the Day
Wilma,on beach, under deep blue sky!

This picture illustrates the playground Wilma has at her disposal, 5 minutes away!
Sadly, this was where I fell................
but Wilma doesn't realise that!
She only knows she is desperate for a good long session!

Ahem!

Weather forecast is poor for the weekend, yet the sun has been shining so wonderfully these past few days!

Maybe later today Wilma!

Down to the beach

Down to the beach
Down to the beach
On a sunny day we go

Beach bags packed with sun screen lotions
Hands rubbing people’s backs in slow motion
Glistening oily bodies radiating with sensation

Down to the beach
Down to the beach
Where a chilly sea breeze blows

Let’s have some fun
In the red-hot sun

Down to the beach
Only there the ladies reveal saucy behinds
Whenever the raging sun is still kind

Down to the beach
As never-ceasing waves play across the shores
People happily play dreading any rainy downpour

Down to the beach
Where young lovers closely nestle
As sand creatures cause the sand to bristle
Seagulls gliding in the air with screams and whistles
Kids picking up shells and building stormy sand castles

Down to the beach
Where mostly good vibes flow
Down to the beach
We go whilst there is still sun without snow

Sylvia Chidi

Happy Birthday Doris!

Photo of the Day (Google)

Oh! The Deadwood Stage is a-rollin' on over the plains, With the curtains flappin' and the driver slappin' the reins. Beautiful sky! A wonderful day! Whip crack-away!, Whip crack-away!, Whip crack-away!

We are Doris Day fans. Our Doris Day CD's are amongst those we keep for nights in listening to music. Last night however we were watching the new series of the Apprentice. This clip will give you an idea of the programme... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! What a project lader eh? We just love the programme! The lyrics to Deadwood Stage seemed very appropriate today as I intend to "crack away" and do some decluttering and sorting out. With Spring having put in an appearance it would seem appropriate to have a "spring clean". I may be really organised and use these guides Having mentioned Spring however it is rather ironic that the weather is going to decline over the next few days, bringing a cold wintery weekend. How typical!

Spring Cleaning March bustles in on windy feet And sweeps my doorstep and my street. She washes and cleans with pounding rains, Scrubbing the earth of winter stains. She shakes the grime from carpet green Till naught but fresh new blades are seen. Then, house in order, all neat as a pin, She ushers gentle springtime in. Susan Reine

Now.............onwards and upwards! The house beckons!

ABC Wednesday....K is for.....

How to play ABC Wednesday:

Simple. You just play by posting a photo for the weekly letter on YOUR site - that’s it.
Keep in mind, more will find you if you comment on my weekly ABC Wednesday posted on the main page.

On Wednesday, if you have an ABC photograph on your blog, please leave a comment here my saying "MINE IS UP" or words to that effect together with your comment...followed by a direct link back to your specific ABC post, which you can cut & paste from the navigation bar at the top of your computer. This will take other participants straight to your post. In some cases where people have several blogs, a comment alone will not do as it will simply take others back to a profile and not to the specifuc post. Please cut & paste the direct link.

I would also appreciate a link on your own blog, back to my blog.

A letter is allocated each Wednesday, this week we are up to K.
Just play along once a week by posting a photo for the said letter.



Tip: For the title of your post use “ABC Wednesday” or something similar


K is for..... KAWASAKI!



Keeping with the motorbike theme, Kawasaki is another make of motorbike.
Although our current bike is a Honda we did have a Kawasaki in 2000 when we toured France. You can see it here

Honda, Kawasaki both Japanese bikes.
Kawasaki is a place in Japan.
Read about it here

I must admit I missed out on an absolute photograph on Sunday.
We were in Helmesley, a famous motorbike meeting place and 3 motorbikes pulled in.
One of them was a Kawasaki ZZR 1400, exactly the same as the one above we spotted in Scarborough later.

My attention was drawn to the bike as it was a brand new one. march 2008.
Needless to say the owner was well chuffed and beamed from ear to ear.
It was only when we were driving away did it dawn on me I had missed an excellent opportunity.
Fortunately, I spotted this one in Scarborough.
We keep talking about one, but we are quite happy with ours.

Kawasaki is well known for it's racing green colours.
It wasn't long before we spotted one...a Ninja!




Please be sure to read yesterday's post..... I was awarded an award from Katney.
I wanted to share it with every participant of ABC Wednesday.
So please cut & paste the award, it is for the creative and imaginative bursts of insight you bring to a Wednesday.

Long may they continue.

Reflections!

Photo of the Day
01.04.08
Scarborough harbour, Sunday.

Not everything that can be counted counts,
and not everything that counts can be counted.

Albert Einstein

This morning I had a bath!
Nothing miraculous about that you may think, but it is the first time since the incident with the cliffs and I must say it was wonderful.
I have been visiting the surgery every day to have the dressings changed and last night the wonderful Kris removed the major dressings and the whole process felt wonderful.
Sometimes we take the most basic of things for granted, so when we are not able to enjoy a creature comfort it serves us a wake up call.
I discussed my bath with Kris, thought about it last night and finally this morning I simply enjoyed it.
The anticipation was just as exciting as having the bath itself, now I feel so clean, so wonderful!

Last week, in the middle of the wintery conditions where we saw the snow and ice on our doorstep was not the best time to run out of central heating oil.....but we managed it!
We had about 3 days without central heating.
Fortunately we had the Aga in the kitchen which we cook on and itself does give out heat. Jon also managed to work his engineering magic on a redundant emersion heater switch, so the hot water was plentiful. But it was on a night we felt the cold, in the main lounge.
Again we managed with 2 electric heaters, but when we left the main lounge the drop in temperature was so noticeable.
When the heating oil was delivered on the Saturday I was absolutley over the moon and greeted the tanker driver like a long lost friend.
That night, with the house warm we kept saying to each other, with broad contented smiles...
"Isn't the house warm!" total appreciation!

You could describe Jon and myself as "home birds". We love our home and living here.
This year we will have been in our present house for 17 years. 17 enjoyable and eventful years.
We have been through a lot together, witnessing career changes, deaths of parents, setting up a business, home changes to name but a few of the events.

The kitchen table, being made of a soft wood looks every inch of it's seventeen year life span. Currently needing some form of repair as the surface is well and truly scratched, being the favourite place for Wilma, when we go out on the motorbike. As we pull up on the drive we KNOW the eager little panting face of Wilma will be pressed against the window, as she paces up and down the kitchen table! LOL!

The table which I have written many school reports, signed important documents, eaten many meals and prepared endless cups of tea for friends dropping by.

We enjoy our time together at home.
When we go away, anywhere be it just up to Whitby, a day touring on the bike or a longer holiday away, nothing beats the feeling as we turn in the road for home.

So midst this day of appreciation of the simple things which matter I turn my thoughts to ABC Wednesday, tomorrow.
This project is very dear to my heart and I can assure you will continue.
I all ready know the photograph I will be posting and indeed L too.

I have had many comments, e-mails and messages from many of you this past week.
The bone of contention being Mr Linky.
For every one in favour, there is one against, which doesn't make it any easier.
ABC Wednesday has become very popular and it is this popularity and success which needs to be managed, it can not be allowed to cause the end of the project.

managing the project with Mr Linky has its downfalls. I was finding the very minute I posted the photograph and the Mr Linky link...WITHIN SECONDS there would be people registering. On further inspection I found many of these first posters were blogs which had advertisements which earned revenue, by you and I simply clicking onto the link.
This was not why ABC Wednesday was started.
I would therefore delete the link, often taking time, sometimes I was not getting to bed until past 1am. Totally unacceptable.

I am unsure how ABC Wednesday will be tomorrow, I am thinking about it.
But it will continue.

I think the important thing to remember is it isn't necessary to try and visit everybody straight away, just visit who you can, when you can.

Any blogging network project is all about coming across interesting and motivated self-minded people. Comments will increase and it is up to individuals how they manage their own blog.
I just do my best.

I love being part of this group, knowing as I go about my daily chores, looking for K or L, around the world there are those of you doing exactly the same, and this makes me smile.
Which is what ABC Wednesday was, and is all about.
If a visit here or there can bring about a smile the whole project has been worthwhile.

It is not about being first...and whenever I mention about being first, I am not referring to anybody here, the people always trying to get in first were the less scrupulous ones who had financial interests and issues with ABC Wednesday's project.

This week I was awarded an award from Katney.
I wanted to share it with every participant of ABC Wednesday.
So please cut & paste the award, it is for the creative and imaginative bursts of insight you bring to a Wednesday.




I am closing the comment facility today, so we don't have a misunderstanding of where to post ABC Wednesday's comments etc.

D

Monday's Odd Shot..... Round 2.

Photo of the Day
Scarborough Yesterday

This is my odd shot for a Monday start.

To see more Odd shots see Katney's Blog!

We drove to Scarborough and parked on the front, the marine parade.
When we parked up we had the place to ourselves.

When we returned from the fish and chop stall our bike was surrounded.....by other Honda's.

We had a walk along the harbour and when we returned there was a new arrival....
not a Honda!

Can you spot it?

We really felt as though Spring had finally arrived yesterday.
We had a lovely walk along the parade.

Yes, Flamborough Head, as spotted from Scarborough.
The White Cliffs so noticeable.

For the past few years Scarborough, like many other coastal resorts has been taking extra measures against coastal errosion.

The results can be seen here.....

A speed boat caught my attention as we made our way down the parade.

I certainly felt much better yesterday.
The penicillan was the culprit!
Once this was identified the sickness stopped immediately.

We had followed the weather forecast and knew Sunday was going to be a good day.
We made the most of it, together with the extra hour allowed due to the clocks going backwards for one hour.

A great weekend!

And James Toseland achieved a great 6th position in the Moto GP!

Saturday, Photohunt.

Subject...HIGH!

He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.

~Author Unknown

Loved this!
The fence you can just make out is between our drive and the racing stables next door!
Don't you just love the feeling of the horse looking down on us!
Yes.certainly a "high" start to the day!

To see more Saturday Photohunters see tnchick

The Moors, a few days ago.

A March Snow
Let the old snow be covered with the new:
The trampled snow, so soiled, and stained, and sodden.
Let it be hidden wholly from our view By pure white flakes, all trackless and untrodden.
When Winter dies, low at the sweet Spring's feet Let him be mantled in a clean, white sheet.
Let the old life be covered by the new:
The old past life so full of sad mistakes, Let it be wholly hidden from the view
By deeds as white and silent as snow-flakes.
Ere this earth life melts in the eternal Spring
Let the white mantle of repentance fling Soft drapery about it, fold on fold,
Even as the new snow covers up the old.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Today the skies are grey and wintery.
Spring is nearly here I am led to believe.

A quiet weekend.

Visit Tom for Skywatch Friday's Participants.

A Photo of the Day
Wilma on the beach, last week.



"I think I could turn and live with animals, they are
so placid and self-contained,
I stand and look at them long and long."

~ Walt Whitman

It will be a while before I can run on the beach with Wilma again, but whilst I follow doctors orders and rest I can read to her.

Wonder if she will notice the difference!

anyway time for some thinking!

ABC Wednesday....J is for.....

JOURNEY! Just up the road!
I am often struck by the diverse places we all refer to....
here is ours.

On Monday, I wasn't feeling my best so Jon took me out in the pick-up.
We drove up the road and turned left.

We drove down the Moor Road,

and up onto the Moors.

We passed Ralph's Cross

passed some impressive scenery,

the moors were very bleak,

yet beautiful as ever!

We were about an hour, then we made our way back to home.

The next turning left takes us to our village.
You can see how close we are to both the sea and the Moors

The road home!




Hope you enjoyed your Journey!

Now you see how rural and issolated we are.

Please note....I would be grateful if next week people wait for me to post first.

IMPORTANT NOTICE...CHANGES TO ABC WEDNESDAY.

Important Notice.. Change to ABC Wednesday.

Over the past few weeks I have had comments about Mr Linky, ie some of you have not been able to use it or have access to it, this has brought about understandable frustration.

The initial concept of ABC Wednesday was to make it an exercise which was easy to use and operate.So I have decided not to use Mr Linky, at least for time being.

This is what I would like to try...

On Wednesday, if you have an ABC photograph on your blog, please leave a comment here on my blog saying "MINE IS UP" or words to that effect together with your comment...followed by a direct link back to your specific ABC post, which you can cut & paste from the navigation bar at the top of your computer. This will take other participants straight to your post. In some cases where people have several blogs, a comment alone will not do as it will simply take others back to a profile and not to the specifuc post. Please cut & paste the direct link.

I would also appreciate a link on your own blog, back to my blog.
Some are not doing this. ABC Wednesday was started in July 2007, by me! It really grew larger than I ever imagined and has been a great success. Last week when I posted a poll which you can still see on my sidebar it read an incredible 92% of those who voted think about the subject for ABC Wednesday for quite some time prior to posting. This is wonderful as it shows the enjoyment and committment people have to this project.

A letter is allocated each Wednesday, this week we are up to J. Post photos from your personal collection and not photos obtained from the web (please, no clip-art/web photos).
Just play along once a week by posting a photo for the said letter.

Note: I will post the weekly post each WEDNESDAY morning.
Please, hold your “Mine’s Up” comment ’til then. Thank You.

How to play ABC Wednesday:

Simple. You just play by posting a photo for the weekly letter on YOUR site - that’s it. Keep in mind, more will find you if you comment on my weekly ABC Wednesday posted on the main page.

How will you know who is playing? View my comments each week, comment when you play so others can find you. Again eventually you will be able to surf "ABC Wednesday" on Technarati!

Tip: For the title of your post use “ABC Wednesday” or something similar

Display the new ABC Wednesday Logo




It will allow others to find us and join! Place the button shown above on your sidebar. Right click and “save as” or “copy image location”. If you need help - just let me know.

It would be handy if you could let me have your e-mail address, should I ever need to contact the group due to unforseen circumstances or to get feedback.
Some e-mails I have, others I haven't.
My e-mail is
denisedotnesbittatbtinternetdotcom.
Just post subject ABC and this will be sufficient for me to add you to the list.

Thanks....see you on Wednesday.
D