My Name is Jolly Roger!

Back in July, I scanned a large number of glass plate negatives. Many were of members of a well-to-do family. A popular pastime in the 1900s was to dress up in costume and pose for photographers. Here are two snaps of the head of the family. It begs the question, "what on earth was he thinking?" Mind you, when I drove up the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Sante Fe, I stopped at an artists' colony and dressed up as a cowboy in a photographic portrait studio. Not a pretty sight and no I am not going to publish any shots here!

Madcap Map!

I was fascinated to read a report in the Independent  and Daily Telegraph newspapers about a cult cartoonist Mr Munroe who has spent some months compiling a map for social network's lost souls. Munroe's Map of Online Communities is well worth a viewing. You'll find the link to the articles here and here. Enjoy!

New Home, New Garden

Well, it has finally stopped raining and, as the sun came out, I took the opportunity to take the first photographs at our new home. While not Hillside Cottage, there are a number of plus points. Only five minutes walk to the open countryside, for a start and the garden is not too bad. It has a surprise at the bottom which you will see by scrolling through the photos, below. It made my day when I saw it!

A view from the upstairs window

Steps lead to the Contemplation level

A bench lies hidden to one side

A place to sit and contemplate

At the rear of the garden is this fine vegetable patch!

Wartime Snapshots

A few weeks ago, I scanned a small collection of negatives relating to the Second World War. I was pleased to find they showed a pilot and his aircraft - a Fairey Swordfish, often dubbed the 'Stringbag'.
I wish I knew who he was, but for those who appreciate the sight of an historic aircraft, here they are.

Flying over a reservoir

The pilot is on the right

Another view of the pilot

Several Swordfish lined up on a grass strip

Ground crew work on this Stringbag

Proud of his work

New Home!

Well, we got the keys to our new home today. It rained and rained! I got the TV working and then it lost the signal. I got the new broadband working and then the wifi dropped out. I . . . well, the list is endless. The cats are pleased to be out of the cattery, but it is very cold in the house. The previous owner took all the curtains and we haven't got the gas central heating working yet. A small camping stove helps mask the fact that there is no cooker, fridge, washing machine etc.etc., but it will all come together in time. Total rewiring is the first job to be done, but it will be some time before the electrician can start the work - groan! Never mind, at least I managed to connect an ethernet cable up to the broadband hub so I can post this. Welcome to a new world!

Poignant Message!

Having climbed the steps to the top of Darwen Tower, I looked at the distant views before descending. Once back on ground level, I noticed some stones laid out in patterns. Summoning the last of my energy, I ascended once more and looked over the edge of the viewing platform. I took a photograph of the message which must have taken some time to lay out on the grass. The stones had to be collected and were quite large.

I wonder who did it and who Beth was? Perhaps they had broken up a few days earlier and he knew she would be coming to the tower? Who knows? I certainly found it moving!

Darwen Tower

Today, I visited Darwen in Lancashire and decided to complete a ten year goal - walk up to the distinctive Darwen Tower. It celebrates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee of 1897. From its circular viewing platform, the Isle of Man and the hills of north Wales can be seen when the weather is clear. Sadly, it wasn't but it was still spectacular. I just managed to make out the town I become a resident of on the outer edge of the Trough of Bowland when we get the keys to our new home on Friday! The tower overlooks Darwen from its perch some 1,200 feet high and is more than 80 feet tall.

Dream Home!

I know my fellow blogger, Owen, of the Magic Lantern blog has spent many years searching for his dream home. This one I photographed in Washington might be just the one he is looking for!

Ollie!

My friend Ollie felt it was time his own portrait appeared in this blog so here he is in all his glory. He came with Claude - a cat that I adopted - and was intended to amuse him. Ollie asked whether I would rescue him and so I did. For more than fourteen years, he has come on all our annual holidays and never misbehaves! Say 'hello' Ollie. "Hello Ollie!" I don't know, some times he can be a real (k)nit!!

The Curious Case of Sambo's Grave

I have reported on a visit to a Slave's grave on the Lancashire Coast so click here to find it on The Graveyard Detective Blog.