The rock star...

Elvira called to see us this morning bringing with her some photographs for Tony to look through and copy any he wanted. One that she brought amused me no end and I just have to share it with you.
It is a photograph of Tony when he was about 17years old or there abouts.

He thought he was a rock star...

Tony tells me the guitar was "ice blue" (not just blue) 

Elvira had some very interesting photo's and paperwork with her about her family which she shared with us, she has had a very interesting past, hopefully she will have some interesting times in her future you never know what is round the corner.

We went out to the supermarket after Elvira left, (oh no the supermarket I hate supermarkets) . We passed a man on a mobility scooter why do these people insist on riding these on the road?

They are a menace, they don't look behind them before they pull out and how more of them are not knocked off the scooters I don't know. Are they even meant to be on the road? This man certainly should not have been!

When we were approaching the supermarket we saw another man that caught my eye, (not like that so stop it ) he was walking along with an orange carrier bag in his hand whilst obviously opening a bottle inside it. I thought to myself what used to be the "wino" with the cheap bottle of wine in a brown paper bag

 has now become the cheap cider drinker in a carrier bag. 

Todays photo of the day

The cheap cider drinker.

I feel sorry for him in a way, it must be bad when you are addicted to something, when something like drink or drugs rule your life. I know the person had the choice at the beginning to take the first drink or the first drug but what made them get to the stage where the drink or drug took over? Not all of them can be bad or beyond help some of them must be able to be turned back into decent human beings!

Until tomorrow...

A visit to the doctor

Today I had to go to visit the doctor! I have been in a lot of pain just lately and I have not been happy. My right arm has been very bad my little finger is permanently swollen, a pain shoots up my arm and makes the use of my arm practically non.
Dr Daru said it was the Fibromyalgia flaring up and increased the strength of my painkillers, prescribed some anti-inflammatory tablets and a laxative as he said I would probably need it with these medicines.
He then went on to tell me that these medications had side effects, if my eyes or lips started to swell I had to let him know! But How would I know if it was the medication or my usual swellings?

While we were out I had my camera with me as usual, so I got a couple of photo's, I would like to introduce you to "Owered"

Todays photo of the day

"Owered" the boxer.

How do you know that he's called "Owered" I hear you ask and how do you know he is a boxer?

Because it say's so on his van of course! A second clue was he has a box in his hand.

It must be a side effect of the tablets,

Until tomorrow...

Squirrels every where...

Todays photo of the day

Three Squirrels

Taken from the kitchen window, just after taking this a 4th squirrel arrived but I just could not get all of them in a picture.

Until tomorrow...

Just a Robin

Todays photo of the day

Robin among the snowdrops

Until tomorrow...

An agitated squirrel

Miss Squirrel came into the garden looking quite agitated, She ran up the fence and onto the shed roof.

Her tail flying in all directions. This usually means one of two things! Either another squirrel is close by or something she is not happy about. I couldn't see another squirrel neither could I see anything to upset her.

I was watching through the kitchen window so I could see most of the garden, Margaret's garden, Lynn's and the next garden up. The tail was still sending out signals so Miss Squirrel must have known something I didn't.

After a while she seemed to calm down, then when I looked down into the garden again there was another squirrel at the nutbox. It must have been a friend as she just carried on regardless.(mmm song title?).

Miss Squirrel calmed down enough to give me a good picture for...

Todays photo of the day

Miss Squirrel just hanging around.

Until tomorrow...

It's good to be naughty sometimes...

Today saw a variety of birds in the garden. Many of them were a variety of the tit family.

The Long Tailed Tits came in a flock as usual, swarmed round the garden feeders and left all together as they always do.

The Blue Tits stayed most of the day as did the Great Tits but I didn't manage a decent picture of them that is why there is none on the picture.

The Blackbirds were out in force again and the Starlings are gathering en-mass again.

The birds are collecting nest building materials and both Tony and I were surprised to watch the Starlings picking up feathers and washing them in the water dish before flying away with them.

So here is a collective picture of some of the birds that visited today.

However The photo I have chosen to use for "the" photo is not taken in the garden but in the local "PETS AT HOME" store

Todays photo of the day

Gerbils

Taken on the GoPro, very sneakily without being seen, which is very naughty of me I know but we all have to be a little bit naughty sometimes.

Until tomorrow...

Rhubarb...

Festival of Food, Drink and Rhubarb

The festival for 2013 will take place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 February.

The festival celebrates the traditional links with rhubarb growing in Wakefield, while offering the finest and tastiest regional produce and showcasing the most talented local chefs.

Wakefield’s famous rhubarb has joined the hallowed ranks of Europe’s protected foods. Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb has been elevated to the same status as Champagne and Parma Ham.

The festival will include street entertainment, cookery demonstrations, walks, tours, a Deliciously Yorkshire market and visits to the rhubarb growers.
Lets not forget that there is also 

Todays photo of the day

Ruby Rhubarb

She/he was a flamboyant, in your face character on the precinct this morning playing up to the camera just as you would expect a pantomime dame to do, I guess we will see the same person again at christmas time.

The stalls were full of goodies many of course including rhubarb, some not, the spanish churros looked delicious, the Buffalo burgers were sizzling and the bar was open to give the customers a drink to wash it all down. All this and it was only 10:30am.

We didn't stay in town long it was too cold, the air was icy, there was a few flakes of snow and we wanted to get home to the warmth of the flat.

I spent the rest of the day looking through old photos and reading. 

Lynsey is looking for an apprenticeship  in civil engineering, she is even thinking of moving to Cardiff if she cannot find one nearer to home. I hope that doesn't happen, however Lynsey will do as she see's fit she usually does. (no pun intended)

Until tomorrow...

More from my new lens

Another picture taken with my new lens.

Photo of the day

Male Blackbird Profile

Doesn't he have a hairy chin?

Until tomorrow...

The dog walker

Today we had a ride to Tesco, Our daily life is so amazing we do such fun things!

I took my Olympus with me I always like to take a camera in the hope of getting "that photo" (I can dream).

It wasn't until we were back on the street where we live, (song title?) that I spotted a snap that amused me. So here it is

Todays photo of the day

The dog walker.

Don't you just love her?

Until tomorrow...

More activity in the garden & a new lens

The garden is becoming busy again I think the birds are definitely picking out their nesting places.

I bought a new lens today so I have been trying it out and I am very pleased with it.

The lens is a Sigma (Canon fit) 150mm-500mm (with os), it has replaced my 50mm-500mm.

It is a lot lighter, focuses quicker and the photo below was taken hand held.

Todays photo of the day

A Wren 

There has been a lot of wren activity in the garden over the last few days.

Until tomorrow...

Returning birds...

I have noticed we have some more birds in the garden lately, we have the chaffinches, the goldfinches and now the greenfinches returning. I have not seen a greenfinch for quite a while so...

Todays photo of the day

A Greenfinch

Until tomorrow...

A little bit of sun...

A little bit of sun is all it takes to make the squirrels happy...

Todays photo of the day

Squirrel dancing in the sunlight.

Until tomorrow...

Not such a lazy day...

Today I have had a very lazy day, I can hear some of you saying so whats new? (Yes that includes you Elvira.) I have spent the day in my PJ's, but I have done some washing, some ironing and I have sorted out a couple of drawers in my bedroom, hey just a minute, thats not a lazy day at all thats a busy day for me no wonder I feel tired and my arms ache so much.

I haven't been out, well you should know that seeing as how I already said I didn't get dressed today. I have taken some photos though, there is as some of you will know a big fir tree outside our bedroom window. A lot of the birds use it and sometimes the squirrels have been known to sit in it. Today it has been pretty well occupied all day with one kind of a bird or another.
I had the camera set up so I could just take a few pictures every now and again. I got a few good ones and a few more were sent into the trash.
I have decided which one to use for todays picture, I hope you like it.

Todays photo of the day

A Starling almost at the top of the tree.

I think a lot of the birds will be using this tree to nest in this year there is a lot of movement in there lots of birds coming and going so I am hoping that I will be able to take some good photos from the bedroom window when the time is right.

Until tomorrow...

Squirrels but nothing else...

The garden seemed strange today, not a bird in sight or to be heard. There was not even a pigeon!
Something just wasn't right. I had been in the shed more than an hour, what was happening ? where were all the birds? Then I spotted something, a white shape over near the wall, it moved and began to make a noise, a yowling sound, quietly at first but increasing in volume as it slunk down the garden , a cat! The cat must have been hiding all the time I had been in the shed now I knew why the birds were missing, they knew the cat was there.
Once the cat had left the garden I thought something will come now the birds will appear, I was wrong.  However one of the squirrels appeared and sat quite happily while I photographed him, until he dropped his monkey nut then he wasn't quite so happy.
As I watched him he suddenly flicked his tail and ran up the squirrel stick, what now was the cat back? Oh no another squirrel had arrived. For the next few minutes they chased each other round the tree up and down the garden and then sat and ate together.
So there might not have been any birds in the garden today but there was plenty of squirrel activity.
No doubt you will have guessed what the photo will be today.

Todays photo of the day

A Little Male Squirrel.

This is one of the smallest in the garden I think he looks very pleased to be having his picture taken.

Until tomorrow...

Valentines day.

Valentines day is just a money making scam, why do you need a special day to tell someone you love them, why do you have to buy a card on a certain day?

I just don't understand it!

If I want to tell Tony how I feel I tell him no matter what day it is, if I want to send him a card to express my feelings or to make him feel special I do it , it doesn't need to be a special day.


I depend on Tony for a lot of things, I would not be able to go anywhere if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be able to do so many things I have taken for granted over the years, I am grateful for him every day.
So I don't need a special day but seeing as how it is valentines day here is Tony...

The photo of the day

Tony

My very special other half.

Until tomorrow...

More snow...

The snow came back today!
The garden was covered in an hour or so, but it didn't stop the squirrels. There were two of them in the garden as the snow was falling, one taking nuts from the boxes , doing the usual snatch, grab and run. The other squirrel had found one of the new feeding sticks I had put out. It is a long stick of sunflower seeds and what looks like honey which I tied to the cross bar, there is another one which is a long suet stick also tied to the crossbar which I thought the blue tits might like or even the woodpecker.
Anyhow the squirrel sat on the crossbar in the snow eating the bits he kept pulling from the seed stick, then he would lean down to pull off more then do a tipple - over - tail round the crossbar back up to eat his paw full of seed. He must of been there more than an hour in the snow, before he finally decided he had either had his fill, he was too wet or cold then off he shot away along the wall to wherever it is he goes.

Todays photo of the day

Squirrel in the snow

Just below squirrel you can see the new seed stick he has taken a liking to.

Until tomorrow...

A time to dance...

Just the photos again today

Todays photos of the day

Are you dancing?

Are you asking?

I'm asking!

Come on then, let's twist!

Sorry I just could not resist.

Until tomorrow...

Passing Stanley Ferry...

We passed Stanley Ferry today while we were out and about, that is where our boats were moored (or parked in Tonys case) when we lived aboard. It feels a long time ago now, it is in fact only 3years and 4 months ago. We had to move off because Tony got fed up of pulling me out of the canal and nearly blowing up the boat because I couldn't feel the button on the gas cooker was the last straw I think.
Any how I am waffling, I tried to take some pictures as we passed, a bit difficult with trees and hedges in the way but I managed a couple. I tried to sneak one of a workman dancing but I got caught...

I also took some of the  aqueduct 

but the photo I am going to use for the photo is I think atmospheric or at least I hope it is that is the look I was after when I altered it a little.

Todays photo of the day...

A view over Stanley Ferry including the Aqueduct.

Stanley Ferry Aqueduct was built between 1836 and 1839 to take the Aire and Calder Navigation over the River Calder in West Yorkshire, England. It is one of the earliest through arch bridges in the world and is considered to be the largest^{[clarification needed]} aqueduct executed in cast iron.^[1]

Designed by George Leather Sr. and built by H. McIntosh, the aqueduct has a span of 165 feet (50 m), a width of 24 feet (7.3 m) and a depth of 8.5 feet (2.6 m).^[2] It is still in use today, though an additional wider concrete aqueduct was constructed alongside in 1981 and the bridge was then renovated.

Stanley Ferry is also the place where the Tom Pudding tub boats were loaded with coal from local collieries between 1863 and 1985 and transported down to Goole in long trains by canal.

The site is one of three historic fords crossing the River Calder near Wakefield. Because the water was deepened for navigation a ferry became necessary, but was replaced by the first bridge in 1879.

Like many through arch bridges, the design of the bridge is often confused with the tied-arch bridge; many bridges have both characteristics. However in this case the bridge is of cast iron, which would be weak in tension. Although the aqueduct channel is in the right position to act in tying the arch, it would have no strength in this direction. At Stanley Ferry, the outward sideways thrust of the arch is retained by its abutments, as for the simple arch bridge.

I just thought I would give you a bit of history and information about the aqueduct and Stanley Ferry.

Until tomorrow...

England are victorious over Ireland

England beat Ireland at rugby 12-6 well done lads.

Todays photo of the day

Bike Rider

It is a German plate, I wonder if he is coming, going or just passing through?

Until tomorrow...

An afternoon of rugby

This morning I lazed in bed as is my normal weekend routine if we are not going anywhere. I watched a few programmes I had taped during the week, then decided to get up and go down to the shed. (This was after Tony had very kindly brought me coffee and toast in bed.)

I wrapped up warmly took all the gear I needed cameras flask chocolate...

I stayed in the shed for a couple of hours then packed up to go and watch the "six nations rugby "on TV.
The first match of the afternoon was Scotland v Italy, Scotland wupped Italy good style 34-10
The second match France v Wales, the Welsh were victorious 16-6.

I hope England do better tomorrow when they play Ireland...

Christopher texted me earlier to tell me he had posted some photo's on-line from his wheelchair basketball session today. I do not have a facebook account (in my opinion it causes nothing but trouble so I refuse to have one) but for anyone that has one, who may be interested in learning about or maybe even joining in (you do not have to be disabled) with wheelchair basketball, I will give you a link to the facebook page where you can see the photo's and read more about it.

https://www.facebook.com/BarnsleyDestroyersWheelchairBasketballTeam

It all looks at bit too fast and dangerous for me, thats Chris in the middle picture, no he isn't disabled but he enjoys the game and mixing with the other players and finding out how hard or difficult life can be for the people that are but also that they can still be treated like everybody else most important that they can still have fun.


Now to todays photo well in the garden there was not a lot about. The squirrels were a no show. I am beginning to think they are being fed better somewhere else!
The visitor I did photograph however is another of my favourites and is not seen too much at the moment, I took a few pictures again I could not decide which to use so I made another collage.

Todays photo of the day

Goldfinches

Until tomorrow...

Rounded up like sheep...

Tony and I went out in the car today, as we drove down a track on our way to the garden centre we spotted a dog in the lane ahead. Tony slowed down as the dog was not on a lead.
The dog was a Collie a sheepdog type, as we approached the dog crouched down just like they do when herding sheep, then it suddenly ran towards us. We thought it was going to attack the tyres of the car. However the dog began to circle the car he was rounding us like sheep, it was amazing.
Up ahead in the road were a couple talking, the dog belonged to one of them we discovered as we drove past them and she finally took control of the dog.

So today I am putting on two photos because I could not decide which to use neither of them are exceptional but they fit in with the story.

Todays photo's of the day

The collie Dog waiting to herd up the car.

The Collie Dog circling the car.

Until tomorrow...

At least it is a pretty one...

I did manage an hour or so in the shed but it was very cold.

Todays photo of the day

A White Pigeon

One of the many pigeons I keep trying to stop coming into the garden, at least this one is a pretty one.

Until tomorrow...

More football...

I don't know why they have to mess about with the telly just because football is on! I have my nights viewing all planned out then football happens and corrie gets moved to 9:30pm. Humph!

I have been playing with my GoPro but am not going to put any pictures on yet, or videos (mainly because I haven't worked out how to put videos on yet). however give me a day or two and I will have some to put on.

We haven't done much today we had a ride to Tesco this morning, nearly got run into by a stupid man in a car doing a u-turn where you just shouldn't! He got called a few choice names as you can imagine.
The shopping cost more than we intended, but doesn't always? We always go with good intentions, then Tony usually see's something cheap and "well we might as well get it, it is cheap" he sounds just like uncle Harry. I have to admit I can be just as bad, sometimes.
We called to Go Outdoors as Tony needed some new footwear. He found some but I got the best bargain, a pair of trainers reduced from £60.00 to £12.95.

When we were back home I did some more baking the freezer is filling up now I am actually (oops! again ) freezing some before we eat everything. Even the cornish pasties made it into the freezer.
Tony bought some kebabs from Tesco small things look like cocktail sausages, He said "I wonder what these would taste like made into sausage rolls?" Guess where they are now? Yes wrapped in pastry and in the freezer. They did taste quite nice if you like spicy things, I am not too keen they were a bit too hot for me, but Tony has plenty in the freezer now to keep him going for a while.

The garden has been a bit neglected in the last few days so tomorrow I am going to make the effort no matter what the weather to spend some time in the shed. I will take the GoPro and see if I can catch the squirrels on it, I can leave it outside and set it to take pictures every so many minutes until the card is full. I have found out tonight that there is an app I can get to match the GoPro with my iPad so I can use the iPad as a remote I am going to look and find out more about that now.

I did manage to take a photo one the way home today, so I am using that as...

Todays photo of the day

Sun rays in the sky

Until tomorrow...

An epic journey...

Today we had to make an epic journey through the wind snow and rain, we had no choice, I had an appointment at the hospital.
I was to finally receive the results to find out why I kept swelling up like the elephant man, kept becoming covered in rashes that made me want to hide from society to finally be told what could be done to prevent it. If you believe that you must still believe in the tooth fairy, santa clause and the easter bunny.
We arrived at the hospital windswept, wet and frozen to the bone. However we did actually (there it is again Tony) get seen on time. The results were in, they were...
"inconclusive",  nothing showed up, everything was normal, but most of the time these sort of tests are.( So why the bloody hell do they do them?) So no I still don't know why, no I probably never will, just keep taking the tablets. The only other thing she said was if my throat or tongue swell to go straight to A&E as that is life threatening, and if this should happen to go to my GP and ask him to prescribe me an EpiPen. I have already been told all this before, nothing new really.  After a journey home that was just as traumatic as the journey there if not more so all I wanted to do was put on my PJ'S get my hot water bottle and curl up in bed.

The only good thing about my day is my new toy. I am now the proud owner of a
 GOPRO HD HERO 960 I am going to have so much fun playing with this...

Todays photo of the day

My new toy.

My GOPRO HERO infront of the book Eilean Dubh The Black Isle published by my brother and two of his friends.

until tomorrow...

Another day in the doldrums

I am still not 100% so I am not going to dwell on anything. Here is

Todays photo of the day

Shy Squirrel

Until tomorrow...

Little and Large...

Today was very quiet, apart from a very nice visit from Mum we really did very little.

I had a very bad day hand wise as you will see from the following picture.

Todays photo of the day

Little and Large 

My Swollen Right Hand

(theres a book title in there somewhere.)

As you can see the swelling is not good especially for a right handed person. I managed to do this blog, just...

Until tomorrow...

It was a bit windy...

It was a bit windy in the garden for robin today he got blown this way and that, just look at the pictures, you will see what I mean!

Todays photo of the day

Robin

Blown about by the wind

Until tomorrow...

The planning has started...

Tony and I took a bus ride to Leeds today, the weather wasn't too bad a couple of light showers but at least it was a bit warmer.
It was busy in Leeds but I managed to spend time looking in some shops and on the market before I had to give in and go home, the crowds always get the better of me in the end.

We have started planning a trip to Scotland. It is not for a while but we have to plan in advance so I can prepare myself for the journey. We have been surfing the web looking for somewhere to stay and we think we have found somewhere. It is near Chanonry Point so we should be able to see the dolphins while we are there, we intend to have walks on the beach when it is quiet. Hopefully we will gets lots of great photos as well of other things.
Then of course the second week we move to the Rural Retreat to look after The Pride for Matchgirl and Bassman I can't wait to meet Maia, Pandora & Willow.

Well the first photo of February

Todays photo of the day

A busy day in Leeds

Until tomorrow...