The slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is a reptile native to western Eurasia.
These legless lizards are also sometimes called common slowworms.
I disturbed this one whilst mowing my lawn.
View From The Conservatory
Tag: England
View From The Conservatory
Grey squirrel with an albino in the background. The albino has been hanging around for a few weeks now.
Thirsk
This is a post that I intended to publish last year. But, as is often the case, time and stuff got in the way. This is from April, 2024.
Last year we were invaded by a contingent from our Australia based rellies. They arrived mid April and we elected to take a trip up to York for a few days.
We spent a lovely few hours in Thirsk, a pretty market town located about a forty minute drive north of York in the Vale of Mowbray. Thirsk is the hometown of renowned vet and author James Herriot. Thirsk is depicted as Darrowby in the TV series.
We parked in the market square and were immediately immersed in a friendly, genteel atmosphere harking back to past times. A reflection of rural england at its finest.
We were, however, pulled back to modern times, surrounded as we were by numerous knitted or crocheted “toppers”, a much more historically recent creation.
These toppers are knitted or crocheted. I think they became popular during the Covid pandemic. Initially appearing on top of pillar boxes.
They were originally designed as a tribute to NHS workers.
Subsequently, they have been installed as a form of commemeration, or even just for public enjoyment.
A new name has become popular for the folks that create and install these pieces of art.
They are known as “Yarn Bombers”
Although a couple of years ago a Daily Mail jornalist branded the perpetrators as “Wooly Delinquents”
Personally I think we should embrace them as a bit of fun. They do no harm and some of them are really quite intricate. They truly are works of art.
I think the last word should go to this creation.
Happy St George’s Day
Happy St George’s Day! 🏴 Enjoy this celebratory poem written by Mick Westwood to mark this special day… https://www.silversurfers.com/showcase/article/st-georges-day/
View From The Conservatory
Goodwood Road Racing Club – 81st Members Meeting
Per my recent post, on Sunday, 14th April, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Members Meeting, held at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
This was the 81st Members Meeting. It’s amazing to think that this annual event has been going for so long.
Thankfully, the weather was kind, dry with some sunshine throughout the day, although the temperatures did drop later in the afternoon.
But hey, this post isn’t about the weather. Let’s get on to the main event. It’s all about historic cars, some of which are over one hundred years old, being raced around the Goodwood circuit.
So here are some photos of some fabulous cars, oh and motorcycles.
Getting us started is a fairly modern vehicle by Goodwood standards ….
This was just one of an array of Alpines lined up to greet us as we arrived.
Close by there was this fine display of monster Bentleys.
On arrival we were just in time for the first race.
Here we are on the grid but no sign of the cars.
These guys were all lining up to compete in the Parnell Cup, a twenty minute race for Grand Prix, Formula 2 and Voiturette cars. These cars are of a type that raced between 1935 and 1953.
Next up was the Derek Bell Cup. a twenty minute race for 1-litre Formula 3 cars that raced between 1964 and 1970.
Yes, all lined up ready for the off. Unfortunately the race start was delayed for a few minutes.
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident the race was red flagged, an ambulance was deployed and all the remaining competitors had to return to the grid for the eventual race restart.
For a totally different form of racing we move on to the Sidecar Shootout. Racing sidecars was a first for Goodwood. The shootout featured eight of the quickest pairings from the Sidecar World Championships.
The riders, or is it drivers, and their passengers have to be truly insane. One of the competitor vehicles was clocked at 144 mph.
Between each racing event, the McLaren cars would come out to play.
Presumably checking that the circuit was clear of any debris prior to the next event.
Which in this case was the Surtees Trophy. The Trophy race is for unlimited sports racing prototypes that raced between 1960 and 1966. The race duration was twenty minutes.
First the formation lap …..
And then they were off.
Charging into the first corner.
Here are a few detail shots …..
As we headed into the afternoon it was time for a Mustang or two, or thirty. Yep, thirty Ford Mustangs headed out onto the grid for the Ken Miles Cup. This forty-five minute race was for first generation Ford Mustangs that raced up to 1966.
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident, the safety car had to be deployed and the track cleared before racing could continue.
And then we were racing again …..
Sadly, this guy didn’t get to the finish line …..
But the Members Meeting isn’t all about racing. Some of the events are demonstration runs. On this occasion there was a real treat in store for motorsport fans, Can-Am. The Can-Am series introduced some of the wildest, most extreme race cars of all time.
Following the Can-Am demo we were treated to a real vintage display. Part 2 of the S.F. Edge Trophy. A five lap race for Edwardian racing cars, and Aero-Engined Specials, from the early 20th Century. Here are a few of my snaps …..
And now, back to the future. Here we have a Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 “Mule” supercar
Travelling back in time, just a little, we were treated to a demonstration of Niki Lauda’s McLaren MP4/2B……
And then as time was marching on, at around 17:00, we had the final of the Sidecar Shootout.
Finally, as we were getting ready to leave the circuit for the day, there was much activity on the grid as Goodwood prepared for the Peter Collins Trophy, a twenty minute race for sports racing cars of a type that would have raced between 1948 and 1955.
We didn’t actually see this race get underway as we were heading to the car park, but all in all we had a fabulous day. Once again Goodwood put on a spectacular event.
Thank you to Goodwood
Thank you to all the competitors and demonstration drivers.
Thank you to all the owners who allow these fabulous machines to driven as they were intended.
I’m of an age that I remember some of these vehicles racing, watching them on a Saturday afternoon, in black and white, on the BBC. Certainly I can’t get enough of them and all being well, I will definitely be back for the 82nd Members Meeting in 2025.
Goodwood GRRC – Members Meeting – Taster
Yesterday, along with my son-in-law and grandson, I spent a fabulous day at the Goodwood Road Racing Club, 81st Members Meet.
The weather was kind, remained dry, and we even had a little sunshine.
This is just a taster of some photos. These taken on my phone.
Most of my shots were taken on my Canon 7D camera and are yet to be offloaded onto my laptop.
So, stay tuned. Be prepared to be bored. There will be a full post in the next couple of days.
Happy St George’s Day
Follow the link below to see my previous thoughts on how little we think of the English patron saint compared to the patron saints of the other countries that make up the United Kingdom.
This year, my online calendar doesn’t even mention St. George’s day. And yet, staring me in the face are entries for St. Patrick and St. David both celebrated in the same month.
The people of this country do my head in. They get bent out of shape because Nike introduce a multi colour version for the England football strip, but seemingly ignore St. George, for whom the flag is a symbol.
And let’s not forget that the cross of St. George forms an integral part, if not the basis, of the Union Flag symbol of Great Britain, the United Kingdom.
I did a quick trawl of the interweb to find out what was happening in my area to celebrate St. George’s Day. Well, apparently, not much.
I found several instances referring to parades and services associated with Chichester Cathedral. Sadly, they were all for years gone by.
Also sad, if there is any truth in it, is this text
We do recognise St George’s day In England, although as a more multicultural society it is not observed by all. There is also an air or Political correctness that abounds in England today that the St George’s flag (white with Red Cross) is viewed by some as racist.
https://www.quora.com/
Racist !!! Where the hell did that come from ? The national flag of multicultural England is racist. More woke/BLM bullshit.
Similarly, another snippet
Observed on the 23rd of April each year, you’ll find parades and a range of celebratory activities popping up around England. Expect to see the symbol of St George (a flag with a red and white cross) everywhere, as well as people flooding the streets and local pubs, as well as church services.
https://www.rabbies.com/en/blog/how-celebrate-st-georges-day-2024#:~:text=Observed%20on%20the%2023rd%20of,as%20well%20as%20Church%20services.
At the grand old age of seventy-two, I can safely say that I have never seen a parade for St. George, nor people flooding the streets.
Most churches will hold services for St. George and some pubs will certainly put up some bunting and promote St. George, in the hope of drawing in a few more punters.
But, St. George is not embedded in our psyche. If we had a national holiday, then more people might sit up and take notice.
But that isn’t any more likely now than it was in 2011 when I lasted posted on this subject.
Local Council At Fault
Simon Carter states that the only way to reinvigorate our town centres is to shut down the internet !!!
https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-22-1834/content.html
To a certain extent, he is correct. The Internet is a contributing factor but not the sole reason Waterlooville is in such a sorry state.
And, of course, 60’s architecture isn’t wholly to blame either. But, it doesn’t help to alleviate the sad, drab appearance of Waterlooville centre.
Bright sunshine goes a long way to enhance the appearance of the shop fronts. But despite the sunshine, what is notable is the lack of people. Just two people walking thru and nobody sitting at the tables outside the cafe.
Compare that view to the picture I took last week on a dull day.
Not a single person in sight and no amount of sunshine is going to improve this view.
A significant factor in Waterloovilles’ demise was the decision to divert the A3 and to pedestrianise the main thoroughfare and therefore removing passing trade.
Further planning decisions to allow the development of retail parks away from the town centre have further reduced the footfall needed to sustain the businesses that have disappeared over the years.
The diverted A3 subdivided Waterlooville, and with the retail park providing free parking, while the town centre car parks charged for the dubious pleasure, there was further incentive to stay away.
Blaming the Internet is too easy and distracts from the part that Havant Borough Council had to play in getting Waterlooville to its current state.
RIP Malcolm
I want to take a few moments to mention Malcolm Foster.
Malcolm was a school chum who lived a few doors down the road from where I lived. We used to muck around in the village of Westfield, where we lived.
We went to school together, initially at Westfield’s own primary school, which was just a few minutes’ walk up our road. And then, later, joining the Cooks Coaches’ daily school run to Claverham County Secondary School at Battle.
At the weekends and in school holidays, it was breakfast and out. We would go exploring the countryside for miles around on our bikes. Occasionally, we would ride out to Brede village and its namesake river, with our fishing rods on the hunt for Roach, Perch, and eels. Our parents never knew where we were, and there were no mobile phones back then. No packed lunch, either. We might have scrumped a few apples, and I do remember sitting in a field of Kale chomping down on a few leafy stalks. I dread to think what might have been sprayed on those fields.
My father was the village bobby, and it was normal police practice to change officers’ assignments every couple of years or so. We had moved to Westfield from Lewes, and then sadly, our family had to move away from Westfield.
We didn’t move far, just to Battle. For me, it was just a few minutes’ walk from our new house to Claverham. But it did mean that I didn’t have the daily coach ride with Malcolm, and also, the ripple effect was that there were no after-school or weekend jaunts. So, inevitably, we drifted off into different social groups.
Over the years, we have communicated sporadically, but without the aid of current social media it was difficult.
So, although we didn’t remain close friends, I do have some happy memories.
And, from what I have been reading recently, Malcolm lived a full life with lots of friends.
RIP Malcolm Foster. My thoughts go out to all your friends and family.
WrAnTz 