Creature of the Black Lagoon?

This was in my local churchyard. There is some sort of skull-like alien creature in the centre of the passion flower. Unless I am mistaken, either the Creature from the Black Lagoon or the Alien lizard from 20 Million Miles to Eath is directly behind and above the flower. Scary!

Great Age!

I suppose if you reach the great age of 103, then you are fully entitled to a nice cake and lots of flowers.  Unfortunately, I don't know the significance of the costume/outfit she is wearing. It seems a bit sophisticated for Sunday Best.

New Arrival!

It had to happen, but this is our new arrival. We were planning to stick to just fostering kittens, but this little chap came along and coerced us into adopting him. His name is Eric and he is fourteen weeks young. I almost detect a spot of oriental in him, especially in the second photograph. What do you think?

Hong Kong Shanty Town

Another photo from another box of images. In 1990, I had a three week assignment to the Far East and spent a week in Hong Kong, a week in Brunei, another week in Hong Kong and a day in China.

On the first evening of the trip, I went to the Stanley War Cemetery and afterwards noticed what looked to be a shanty town across the road. The buildings, if you can call them that, lined both sides of a wide open drain/sewer. Colourful washing lined the paths and I am reminded that I thought, at the time, that it would make an interesting painting. I haven't yet painted the scene but will put it back on my 'things to do' list. I hope I find the other photographs, soon, as this was the worst of a good bunch of images. I have manipulated the image with a watercolour effect and added it to this post. Thank you, Photoshop!

What is Normal?

Look at this remarkable poster. Which one is you? Actually, we are all, probably, normal!

Source: viruscomix.com via Laurence on Pinterest

The Song that changed my Life!

Imagine the scene. It is 1970 and I am a young soldier serving in West Germany. Fashion wise, I used to favour Ben Sherman shirts, Farah trousers and Corduroy jackets - Eeeek! Then, one day, I met another young soldier known across the barracks as 'Psychedelic Sid'.

Sid had gained his name because of his unusual [for a soldier] fashion sense - he wore ankle-length fur coats, flowery shirts and had brightly coloured scarves tied round his neck and wrists. He invited me to listen to a track on his record player which he played very loudly. It was I Ain't Superstitious' played by Jeff Beck. It was a remarkable performance and changed my life!

A week later, I was home on Leave in England and visited my usual Gentlemen's outfitters for some new clothes. The shop assistant couldn't believe it and . . . neither could my Mother! I returned wearing a bright yellow tie and dye grandad vest, flared jeans, purple suede boots and a bright yellow imitation leather jacket. Peace, Man! Later, I bought some knee length, fringed boots [like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull wore].

Within a short time, I went from someone who would spend his quiet hours studying the lives of the Amerindian people in the Amazon rainforest to an attendee of rock concerts. What joy - Led Zeppelin, Ten Years After, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and more.

I met up with Sid at a base in England three years later. He treated me and some friends to tickets to see a live performance of Tommy performed by the Who and many Superstars of the time at the Rainbow (Finsbury Park Astoria) in London. Those were the days. Picture 1 (below) shows me at the time. Wasn't I thin? The other shows me in my newly acquired Civil Defence greatcoat which was all the rage at the time and cost a few pounds in a military surplus store. The song that changed my life is described in more detail HERE. Enjoy!

Granny's Gate

What a charming photograph of a little girl on a seaside donkey. It was taken at St Anne's on the Lancashire coast in front of her Granny's gate! I have included the reverse of the photograph which carries a caption. I cannot read the girl's surname after the T. Can anyone decipher it for me, please?

Lucinda Lambton

I have long been an admirer of the work of Lucinda Lambton. Wonderful stuff!

Magic Paths!

I just love Magic Paths and this is one of my favourites. Step into the edges of the path [photo 2] and you enter another world. Unlike other visits, I found a scattering of bones. Does anyone have any idea what animal or bird they came from?

Metal Monsters 2

A return to the Land of the Metal Monsters. It's funny but from time to time I heard metallic noises. Perhaps their metal eyes were following me as I walked through the garden!