New Box

15-08-19

New Box

Fleur & Mimi

Advertisement

Recovery

06-06-18

After having a tooth extraction on Tuesday, (it was and still is a bit painful) and visiting an old buddy in Stamford on weds/thurs, staying up till 4am drinking wine and cider (after a night around the town) I’m in recovery mode, this will be short lived as I’m out tonight with my printing buddies for a beer and curry night !!!!! On the Wednesday at Stamford we took a walk to the 16th century Burghley House (link to Wikipedia), can’t believe I haven’t visited before. Of course I hadn’t brought a camera with me so I had to use the phone for some snapshots, couldn’t see the screen most of the time.

The Lads

The driveway up to the house.

So Many Lovely Trees

First View of the House

The grounds were lovely, and there was a good cafe and shop where I nearly bought a hat. Must have a look around the house next time I’m over in Stamford, it looks really impressive.

Buddies, Beer and Bonneville

06-05-18

Got a call from a buddy of mine on Sunday asking if I would like to go out on the bike (Triumph Bonneville) on bank holiday Monday (yesterday), yes please I said, where shall we go, how about visiting our buddy who has recently moved out to Stamford, Lincolnshire. I dug out my crash helmet and old motorbike jacket, the crash helmet was good but the jacket was a tight fit, it must have shrunk !!!!!!! so I had to wear my windproof cycling jacket, it only has one pocket so was restricted to carrying my mobile and some cash. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been on the back of a bike and I was a bit nervous, but it was OK, my friend is a very experienced rider. The weather was great, and we had a good time. Stamford is a lovely town with some exceptional architecture.

Albert Bridge (1881)
  

High Street

The Pub & All Saints Brewery

Very tasty. 

Browne’s Hospital (Built In 1475)

I still don’t feel that comfortable using my phone camera, but it was better than nothing.

Midnight Visitor – Update

30-03-18

My midnight visitor pops in for his breakfast nearly everyday now, he comes into my sitting room and looks at me in that way that cats do when they want feeding. I bent down to stroke him and he gently nuzzled my eyebrow. 

My cat Fleur finishing off my plate of porridge oats, I make it with milk and then add salt and butter. 

Arboretum

14-03-18

It almost felt like spring this morning so I thought I would take a walk to the Arboretum, it’s only just over a mile away but another place I haven’t visited for a long time. Took along a couple of film cameras with about 10 shots left on each, I’ll send the films off tomorrow and hopefully there will be some images worth sharing. Got talking to a nice old guy in his eighties who was a member of the local civic and historical societies. Managed to get a few camera phone images, my lovely little Sigma DP1 is on it’s way to Japan for repair.

I quite like the Black and White version too. 

There’s quite a long history to this place, which includes a mill, fishponds, and an old manor house, not to mention a POW camp.

Midnight Visitor – Roller Skating

12-03-18

I was just getting ready to go to bed when I heard the cat door open, my two cats shot up and slinked towards the hall. I switched off all the electrical appliances, picked up my phone and headed to the kitchen.

Interloper

And was greeted by this lovely little cat standing by the food bowls, a bit spooked at first but I spoke softly and gently and was allowed a quick pet which was reciprocated by purring. I think I know this cat, when my 2 first put in an appearance in the garden in 2008 they were often accompanied by a a small black & white cat, who on one occasion dropped a mouse (meal) in front of Fleur (my mother cat) I’m pretty sure it’s a male. I really hope he’s got a home, he looks reasonably well fed, and I don’t mind giving him a bit of food when he comes to visit.

Roller Skating

Well we all met up at the Roller Skating rink last Friday, quite an experience !!!! It was Roller Disco night. I was expecting to glide out serenely on to the floor and whizz around effortlessly, ha. I’m used to skating on wooden or hard stone floors, this one was vinyl tiles, it felt weird, and slow, and why didn’t anyone tell me that your feet get wider when you get older, so I had to come in and take a pair of socks off. Managed to fall over 3 times, all the youngsters just skated around me completely oblivious. My skates felt strange seeming to go quickly and then abruptly slow down, I think the bearings which were slightly rusty are past their best. Not going to give up though, a new pair of skates (wider fitting) and some practise, as it’s such good exercise, and surprisingly I didn’t ache too much the next day. Stay tuned.

QUADS

04-03-18

An old buddy of mine messaged me last week to say he had discovered a roller skating rink in the county so would I be interested in going, without hesitation of course I would I replied. It’s been nearly 20 years since my roller skates last saw the light of day. After cleaning the boots and applying some teflon mountain bike oil to the slightly rusty looking wheel bearings, they came up really well. Can’t wait to go, hopefully I can still remember how to skate ! and will come back in one piece.

Early Evening Music

25-02-18

Just a quick post. My friend texted me to say his band was playing at a local music pub. I haven’t been out to see live music for a while, so braving the cold weather I ventured out. It was a great evening, lot’s of Texan style music sprinkled with a bit blues and rock, and three pints of real ale !

Dawson and the Dissenters

I took this image with my mobile. Really must get some Ilford Delta 3200 or the new Kodak 3200 when it’s available and take some film shots of the band.

Cats, Cats & More Cats (update) #3

26-09-17

After a quick walk to town this morning for a food a top up, and some film photography I popped round to my neighbours with a box of kitten food to see how the cat family are going on.

They have been a bit wary of me but this time I put some food down for them and they soon came around. 

They can certainly eat. Mum is lower left.

They have all put on weight and look in great condition. The mother cat is really good with her kittens, very gentle and reassuring.

Cats, Cats & More Cats (update) #2

06-09-17

I dropped by at my neighbours today with a box of kitten food, and to check how the family are getting on.

They all seem to be putting on weight and are looking healthy, they were a bit wary of me and the tabby kitten was hiding under a shrub in the garden. Mother cat is attentive and gently makes reassuring physical contact with her youngsters.