Christmas Greeting

Just a note to say thank you to all my 'blog' friends who visit this site so frequently. Since Blogger introduced its new Statistics system in June, I have had 9,965 visits so just 35 to go to reach the magic 10,000 mark. I live in hope that in 2011 I will at last reach 200 followers, not helped by the last fifteen months of working 200 miles away from home, including the move from Hillside Cottage in Somerset and the move into our new home in Lancashire. Now I am here and, importantly, know where my photographic treasures are - all in one place - look out for lots of posting from the New Year onwards. Talking of New Year, this seems the right time to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year! Here's to you. Cheers! Thank you one and all!

Pet Cemetery at Christmas

Ever since I published some photographs of decorated graves in an American pet cemetery, I have kept my eyes open for another and this one came along. The Christmas tree on this animals grave is quite spectacular. I find it very moving that the family continues to think of its pet at such a time . . .

Longridge Life: Total Lunar Eclipse!

Longridge Life: Total Lunar Eclipse!: "It seems that we are about to experience the first total lunar eclipse that coincides with the Winter Solstice for almost 400 years. BBC Rad..."

Longridge Life: Don't forget to Feed the Birds!

Longridge Life: Don't forget to Feed the Birds!: "And whatever you do, please don't forget to feed the birds. I'm off now to clear the snow from the bird table - lots of Bramblings are hover..."

Captain Loxley's Little Dog

Some years ago, when I was researching the loss of a First World War battleship - HMS Formidable - I visited the Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens in Dorset to see if I could find the grave of an airdale terried named Bruce. This poor animal stayed on the bridge with its master, Captain Arthur Noel Loxley RN, as the ship sank in the English Channel. Bruce's body was washed up on the beach and buried in the grounds of the garden. I found his headstone among the graves of a number of pets. For more on his story, click here and here.

The writing on the headstone records:

BRUCE

Airedale Terrier

who stood till the end

with

Captain Loxley RN

on the bridge of

HMS Formidable

when sunk by a torpedo

30 miles from Portland

January 1st 1915

Bruce's body was washed up

below Abbotsbury Castle

Spank the Planks!

And to make amends for the previous post - here is what I was originally watching. It features Spank the Planks Appalachian Dance Team and the Broken String Band - enjoy!

Hillbilly Fart Dancing

I was looking at YouTube videos of Appalachian Dancing when I came across this. If you enjoyed the Baked Beans sketch in the film Blazing Saddles, you will enjoy this. If you didn't, you certainly won't! It made me wonder what the world is coming to? Good Grief! Comments appreciated!

Wooden House

Originally uploaded by معضاد

I saw this while uploading a picture to the Best of Flickr group. I think it is remarkable. Click on the image to enlarge it!

Tea for Five

Taking tea was an enjoyable pastime for the Edwardians. Here a family enjoys a cuppa  or is that a coffee pot. This is an imported postcard so I guess it might be German. I wonder why many of them are looking elsewhere?

Sad Demise of a small Bird

It was the sharp tap at the window that alerted me to the fact that all was not well. I went outside and discovered a small bird lying dead on the path. It had flown into the window and was dead. Close scrutiny revealed the delicate nature of its feathers. I was struck by two things. One, the frost that gathered on its feathers and, two, the prehistoric looking 'armour' plates that protected its claws.

If you want to know more about the Blue Tit, click here.