Chainsaw Sculptures

Walking round Morecambe Cemetery, I noticed two very striking chainsaw sculptures. They are said to be representations of a fisherman and a fisher women. They were crafted from the stumps of two dead Elm trees by chainsaw sculptor Tim Burgess. They are said to reflect something of the history and heritage of the area. More on the subject HERE

Take a Cold Bath!

I was looking for Victorian churches in and around the University of Central Lancashire when I saw this sign. I know some students have a reputation for you know what and might be in need of this, but this sign pre-dates the University by many years:

Forgive me Father!

Next door to Preston's impressive Minster Church is one of those trendy modern pubs. It's called The Blind Pig. It had one redeeming feature - a humorous sign in the street.

Making a Comeback!

After being seduced by Facebook, I took a long break from this blog but I have decided to return. Here is a photograph of a company sign I saw in a side street off Fishergate in Preston, Lancashire. It is beautifully done and in remarkable condition.

Chris Froome

Post by Laurence Manton.

Views of Berlin

Three views of Berlin [1989] scanned from recently rediscovered HP5 negatives:

Larger than Life!

My  apologies to the citizens of Carlisle but, no matter which way I look at it, this magnificent statue of a local dignitary still looks like a man resting his hand on his considerable manhood!

Looking at Flowers in Close-up

Just a couple of macro shots of flowers in the garden, using a Ricoh R8 camera to capture them:

Finding Faces!

It has been a while since I noticed any faces in things but a nearby wall provided me with a corker and an opportunity to try out some of the filters on my iPhone 5s. Mind you, the more I lingered, the grumpier it looked.

Green Tree

There is something about trees, especially when the trunk lies on the ground and the branches rise from it. It is also very green and I reckon pixies or elves might visit it at night. Very Tolkien-ish!

More Puddles!

I thought I would have another go at capturing reflections in puddles, again in Roman Ribchester. There was a lot of larger puddles but it was very windy and the water rippled furiously. When the wind dropped, I managed to get these images:

Looking into Puddles!

I must spend more time looking into puddles rather that jumping in and splashing them. A recent visit to Roman Ribchester led to me finding this puddle illuminated by the early morning Winter light. I must begin a new pastime of looking through the Puddle Window into other worlds!

Four Arnhem Heroes

In 1984, I had the great pleasure of acting as a tour guide for a coach party of Arnhem Veterans returning to the battlefield for the 40th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden. I had never been there but diligently did my research. I used history books and maps to plan an itinerary that would take in all the main fighting areas, memorials and the major commemorative events. I was very pleased when several of the veterans were very complimentary about my knowledge of the battle.

They were fascinating and very candid about their experiences and the horrors they endured. The youngest veteran on my coach was 58. So young, compared to now when the numbers of Second World War are rapidly diminishing. It was a wonderful experience. I was pleased to find a captioned photograph this week - one of about 30 I had published in a magazine article I wrote afterwards.

The caption reads: After the service in Arnhem's Airborne Plein, four veterans of the Glider Pilot Regiment caught up with each other to recall their memories of the battle. Less well-acknowledged than their Para counterparts, the Glider Pilots played a vital part in Operation Market Garden. Pictured (left to right) are: George Davis (Sydney, Australia), Reg Dance DFM (Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry at Arnhem) and Len King (both from London) and Jim Wells (Chepstow, Gwent) 22 Sept 84

Maya Temple in Belize

A rare day off, during a lengthy assigment in Belize in the 1990s, provided an opportunity to take a canoe ride down a Belizean river that culminated in a visit to Maya Pyramids. I was greatly impressed by Altun Ha - the ruins of an ancient Maya City north of Belize City. The site covers an of about five square miles. The largest structure is the Temple of the Masonry Altars which is 54 feet high.

At the top of the steps, shown in photo 2, is what was thought to be a giant jade head associated with the Sun GOd. It is now thought to represent a Jester God - a sign of Maya rulership and the person buried here is of great importance. The city, itself, was thought to have been occupied from 900 BC to AD 1,000. Thankfully, the recent destruction of a Maya Pyramid by construction workers in Belize occured at another site.

Abandoned Suitcases

This is so sad. If the personal possessions of the long since dead patient are still in the suitcases, it is even sadder!

Weighing Machine Photography

In the 1950s, I can remember seeing weighing machines on railway platforms. Often, a photograph was taken of the person being weighed and printed on a card that also recorded the weight. How I wish I still had the photo weight card of me taken on Reading station. Here are two examples:

On War Service

During the Second World War, probably every family had someone serving in uniform or on War Service. Thousands of families would have taken a souvenir photograph like this one showing family members in uniform.

Vegetable Animals

Vegetable Animals, a set on Flickr.

Of all the images on this blog, none have been viewed more times than these vegetable animals. I can't help wondering why!

Perennial Wallflower

My favourite flower for sentimental reasons is Erysmumum 'Bowles Mauve'. This perennial wallflower was a particular favourite of my Mother. I am also a big fan of Lupins but can never seem to grow them. The memory of the colourful bed of Lupins in our back garden in the 1950s remains with me still!

Paddling

Paddling
Originally uploaded by The Graveyard Detective
Beside the sea, somewhere in Britain. Printed from an Edwardian glass plate negative in my collection