This glorious plant is waving to me from my next door neighbours garden. I have no idea what it is.
Does anyone know what it is ?
View From The Conservatory
Category: Photo
View From The Conservatory
This cute fella was helping himself to the sunflower kernels I put out for the birds.
Christmas Reflections
Following much nagging and abuse, I finally capitulated and put up the tree. I have even turned on the lights outside the house.
This must be the earliest preparation, for me, ever and the first time we have placed the tree in the conservatory. And, I have to say, I like the effect with all the reflections.
Big Ship !!!
Earlier this month I became aware that HMS Queen Elizabeth was due to sail from Portsmouth Harbour after a short provisioning visit.
The Queen Elizabeth class is a class of two aircraft carriers in the Royal Navy. The first, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was commissioned on 7 December 2017. The second, HMS Prince of Wales was commissioned on 10 December 2019.
My wife and I took a wander along Southsea sea front to take a look. As we had been in Australia for the previous seven months and had only just recently returned, this was our first opportunity to view this huge vessel.
We found a seat right by Southsea Castle, providing us with the ideal viewpoint to watch HMS Queen Elizabeth and her escorts head out into the Solent.
Here are just a few of the photos that I took on a lovely, sunny afternoon.
HMS Queen Elizabeth 
HMS Queen Elizabeth 
Tug SD Bountiful and Police Escort Sir Humphrey Gale 
HMS Queen Elizabeth 
HMS Queen Elizabeth
Classic Car Sunday – Goodwood
Last Sunday, the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit held the latest episode of their popular Breakfast Club series. These meets, as mentioned in a previous post, are held on the first Sunday of every month. And best of all, entry is ticketed, but free.
Once again, thanks to the prolonged dry spell that the UK is experiencing, the weather was perfect. Blue cloudless skies allowing the bright sunshine to show of the varied paint finishes and, in some cases, the imperfections.
Here are just some of the photos I captured. First up a selection of vehicles, presented by the Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre.
Bedford – 1936
A Pair of Leyland Titan Buses – On the left and example from 1965, the one on the right is one from 1964
Southdown Motor Services ran bus and coach services throughout East and West Sussex. The company was formed in 1915.
I guess there may be a slight delay while the “great British workman” has a tea break.
Austin A4 – In rally trim.
1969 Morris Mini Van – In the livery of Yarty Cordials
If my memory serves me right, the Austin A40 was the first British hatchback.
One of the most iconic of British marques is the Aston Martin. To be honest, there were so many Astons on display, I became a little blasé so I chose to post just this example, because of the fabulous colour.
1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
The same was to become true for the number Jaguar E-types. Don’t get me wrong, I love to see them and I am really pleased to see so many classic cars being lovingly looked after.
But ever onwards, so much more to see and not all high end or high performance. For example…
1955 Ford Thunderbird
1986 Citroen 2CV
1955 Ford Thunderbird
Austin Gypsy
BMV 3.0 CSL
1958 Fiat Abarth 750
1958 Fiat Abarth 750
1950 Cadillac “Le Monstre” Tribute
1950 Cadillac 61 Series – DW Racing Livery
1966 Unipower
1955 Ford Thunderbird
1955 Lotus Six
1955 Ford Thunderbird
1950 Cadillac 61 Series – DW Racing Livery
1955 Ford Thunderbird
1950 Cadillac “Le Monstre” Tribute
As I said above, not all of the vehicles on display are of the performance variety. Many, like the Ford Anglia “danglebox” below, were the cars that youngsters of my era started out in. And just like the young of today, we were not averse to “pimping” our rides. Fat tyres, lowered suspension, flared wheel arches etc. etc.
1968 Triumph TR5
2016 Superformance GT40
1961 Ford Anglia
1987 Ford GT40
1959 Austin Metropolitan
1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III
1959 Austin Metropolitan
The Austin Healy 3000, was my favourite “sports car” of all time. As a teenager, living in Battle, back in the mid-sixties, I used to see an aubergine 3000 with fat tyres, roll bars and bonnet straps. I really thought it was the business. And it has stuck with me right thru to my mid-sixties.
Sometimes, when the mood, light, atmosphere is just right a car will grab you. This, for me was the car of the day although the folks that were judging todays entries thought otherwise. What do they know ?
Bentley 4.25 litre Tourer
Bentley 4.25 litre Tourer
1938 62 Bentley 4.25 litre Tourer
Bentley 4.25 litre Tourer
This car has presence, poise, curves, is simply put, just beautiful.
1965 Gordon Keeble
1965 Gordon Keeble
1929 Ford Model A ?
2016 Superformance GT40
1948 Land Rover
1973 Lotus Elan plus 2
1929 Ford Model A ?
1966 MG Magnette
1973 Jensen Healey
1966 MG Magnette
1962 Sunbeam Rapier
Who remembers Barracuda by Heart , well here is the car. And, yes, I know it is also a fish with very sharp teeth. Looking under the “hood” I’m pretty sure this car has the automotive equivalent of teeth.
1970 Plymouth Baracuda
1970 Plymouth Baracuda
1970 Plymouth Baracuda
We had arrived at around 07:30 and the number of display cars kept on growing. From a photo stand point we aren’t even half way round. It’s interesting as we stroll along, how often we are saying stuff like “my Dad had one of those” or “that was my first car” or “we had one of those in blue” etc. etc. etc. A real nostalgia trip.
1969 Ford Cortina Mk2
1924 Bugatti Type 35 – A Veyron prototype ?
1959 Porsche 356
1967 Fiat 500
1969 VW Karmann Ghia
1957 Austin A35 – Somewhat modified !!
1969 VW Karmann Ghia
I should point out that Goodwood is an active airfield, so an unexpected bonus was a number of planes flying in and out. Including these …
But, hey, this post is about automobiles, so back to the main event …
Alvis
2003 DAX Cobra
2003 DAX Cobra
1965 VW Camper
1967 Chevrolet Corvette
1952 Citroen Traction Avant
1939 Oldsmobile
1939 Alvis Speed 25 ?
1965 Austin Westminster Mk II
1972 Jaguar E-Type
1950 Bentley
1935 Bentley
1935 Bentley
1968 Jaguar E-Type
1974 Citroen DS
1935 Bentley
1970 Morris Minor – Far from original with a Rover 3.5L fitted
1970 Morris Minor – Far from original with a Rover 3.5L fitted
1958 Austin Healey Sprite
1965 Ford Mustang
1964 Austin A40 & 1957 Austin A35
1953 Riley RM
1947 Bentley
1965 Austin Westminster Mk II
1974 Citroen DS
1935 Bentley
1968 Porsche 911
1970 Morris Minor – Far from original with a Rover 3.5L fitted
As you can see from the photos, the variety of vehicles on display was vast. The selection that I am posting here is just a fraction of the shots I took and is really only a taster of the caliber of this event.
1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia
1958 MG Magnette
1965 Pontiac Bonneville
1955 Triumph TR2
1965 Pontiac Bonneville
Ford Capri
An Ageing Moddy Boy
1954 Jaguar XK120
1949 Dodge Pickup
1962 Lancia Flaminia Sport
1970 Dodge Coronet
1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia
1973 Hillman Imp – Heavily modified
1969 Triumph Herald 13/60
1974 Morris Marina TC
And that is it folks. I hope I haven’t bored you with number of images. I am just amazed and the quality of the vehicles on display. The condition and finish is just a surface visual indication of the love that their owners lavish on them. We musn’t forget the mechanics underneath that classic bodywork.
I thank the owners for bringing their pride and joy along for my pleasure and I also thank the folks that organise these breakfast meets.
The next breakfast meet is Japanese Sunday, on October 7th. I hope to be there, let’s hope the weather is kind again.
Staunton Country Park Farm
A few days ago we spent a cracking day with some of our grand children. We visited Staunton Country Park Farm, a calm oasis just a short distance out-of-town. Calm that is, if you ignore the general hubbub of the excited children feeding the animals or in the play park.
From the Staunton website ….
Our farm, based on the 1830s style ferme ormeé (ornamental farm), is home to many different animals. Ranging from the everyday farm animal, like pigs, sheep, Shetland ponies, and chickens, to a selection of other animals such as llamas, a Poitou donkey and alpacas.
Here are just a few snaps that I took between pushing grandchildren on swings or carrying the youngest. Operating a Canon EOS 7D Mk II single-handed is no mean feat, weighing, as it does, nearly as much as my great-grandson.
So, for your delectation and delight ….
Heavily Pregnant Cow
Boo !!!
Alpaccas and Llamas
The only way to sound the horn is to head butt it
Goats, goats and more goats
Goats, goats and more goats
Goats, goats and more goats
Goats, goats and more goats
Turks Turban Squash
Fallow Deer and Goat
Piglets and Mum
Flowers in Walled Garden
Flowers in Walled Garden
Alpaccas and Llamas
Happy as a Pig in Mud
Pygmy Goat
Goats, goats and more goats
Alpaccas and Llamas
Goats, goats and more goats
Ice Cream Smile
Flowers in Walled Garden
What’s in there ?
Alpaccas and Llamas
Flowers in Walled Garden
Feed Me, Feed Me Now
Goats, goats and more goats
All in all a great place to take young children.
The farm is just part of the greater country park which has walking and cycling trails as well as three permanent orienteering courses. In the past we have hired bikes and explored the park. Sadly they no longer do the bike hire.
Staunton Country Park is a real gem and right on my doorstep.
A Doer Upper ?
For some time now, I’ve been considering getting myself a boat. Partly as a project to fill my time and also so that I can have some fun and go fishing.
So, I sort of stumbled on this beauty and thought that it would be an ideal “doer upper”.
I’ve already thought of some names, Mud Skipper, Kelpie or maybe Slick.
What do you think, should I go for it ?
Flaming June
The month of June is quite often referred to as “Flaming June”. Depending on the weather this can be either a positive description or a negative one. This year I believe this description would be delivered as a positive.
The weather has been predominantly good, much to the benefit of the roses. Here are a few from my garden.
Nut Jobs
Given the current cold spell I don’t begrudge these little fellows a few peanuts. Midday and -1 outside even though the sun is shining. A few snow sprinkles falling too, although too few to bother anyone.
Although I put the peanuts out for the birds, the squirrels (and Wood Pigeons) eat the bulk of them. They are always cute and entertaining, so small price to pay for their company.
Since filling the feeders this weekend we are being visited by tits of the Blue, Great and Long-tailed varieties.
This morning, there was also a Nuthatch getting his fill of sunflower hearts.
As always, the Robins are policing the garden. In the summer they typically, aggressively, chase off any other visitors to the feeders. Perhaps, due to the cold, they are being a little more magnanimous and just observing from a distance.
The Wood Pigeons sit like vultures in the trees. Observing the comings and goings of all the other birds. Since they can no longer land on the feeders, they are relegated to hoovering up the scatterings of their smaller brethren.
Petersfield Heath Lake
Petersfield is a market town in Hampshire, England. It is 17 miles north of Portsmouth.
Petersfield Heath Lake is a popular spot for mums and their kids as there are playgrounds and a cafe along with nice walks around the shoreline. Boats can be hired and the lake is also popular with fishermen.
