walking in Bushey Park..pt 1

Bushey park

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Yesterday we went to Park called Bushey Park Gardens, which is across the road from Hampton Court Palace. It was full of adults, children and loads of babies BUT no dogs allowed! We didn't take our sticks, but went for a gentle walk and my camera!Ha!

The day was hot  and beautiful and we were so glad Tony is retired and we can do this at a moment's notice, when everyone else is at work! We went through Richmond Park because the traffic via Kingston was terrible. As usual the deer make me smile and just cheered up my day, no matter what mood l am in.

This next image is one of the entrances to Bushey Park, this one directed us to The Pheasant Enclosure. It is a very beautiful dog free safe area for children to play freely in.  

This is such an amazing place, that is full of children playing and yet there are many areas, like the image below, where it is quiet and peaceful, somewhere you can sit and be still. A very rare find! 

I had to stand and watch these three boys. They were discussing if they should or could cross the shallow pond, to reach the small island in the middle of this pond. They were saying things like.."Someone has to go first and its not going to be me"!, or' There looks like yucky mud on the floor, l wonder if it will feel ok"? and " Well. here goes, ouch...there are stones"!. I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud because they were so funny and trying to be so butch and yet really being quite scared about doing it!

But as you can see from the image below...they did decide to go, but there was much..ouch, it's cold, no you go first, your bigger than me, then..ok..go!!!!!! when they reached the island there was a lot of nervous giggling and laughing!

I was worried about the yellow iris's last year in the Wimbledon area, as they were few and far between in the local ponds. But it seems in Bushy Park, they are growing well and in full bloom...beautiful as you can see from the image below.

As we came to an open space, there we saw this small rabbit. I was sad that the parents walking past did not see it. When l did point it out to the next mum coming along, it took me three "pointing it out", for her to see it...she was excited and showed her children. I decided to see how close l could get to this gorgeous little bunny rabbit!

I managed to get roughly 2 feet away from the bunny! Then he looked at me and slowly hopped away to the bushes. I was so chuffed to have got that close and not frightened the little creature..they are so cuddly.

There are so many wondeful plants and flowers all over the park, such as this beautiful image below. Even though this group of flowers seem to be past there best, l still think they are beautiful.

The image below is an example of what l was talking about earlier about pockets of peace and quiet. This mother was sitting in the long grass with her son and they were reading and playing around in  their own little piece of the Park. They were so well hidden, that l nearly walked straight past them, without realising they were there.

This next image is of one of the many beautiful areas that the river ran through. I love the sound of running water and the plants were so luscious and green!

These dragonflies were so beautiful, plentiful and so blue! I have not been able to get a very good shot of a dragonfly but this show how gorgeous they are.

While l was watching this duck, it decided to put a show on and wash its VERY thoughly! It was great fun to watch, difficult to catch but l have tried!

It is amazing how these ducks can hide themselves among the bushes along the river. I nearly fell over these little ones and the whole time we were around, them they made NO noise! I thought there were two little ones and then three and suddenly there were four. They just kept on popping out of the bushes! Quite funny to watch!

then as l was walking along the river bank, l fell over a duckling which was sitting on the path. I managed to stop in time before l actually stepped on it and it ran into the bushes. There was mum and three little ones. . We stood and watched them for about 6 mins or so! ....they eventually waddled off and then went into the water..was gorgeous to watch. I love nature!

The next image is why l have hayfever! Looks like snow from a distence..it is from the trees....sneeze..sneeze. l had never seeen it this bad before, it covered everything!

We decided we needed a drink of water and a sit down as we were tired and dehydrated. We found a seat and as we were just about to sit down, we spied this memorial behind the park bench. It wa for some one's mum, with cards thats said "we love you mum" in them!

I love siver birch trees but l had never before seen brown bark like this, on the branchs before. To begin with, l thought they were some sort of Art work, then as l drew nearer l realise they were actually part of the tree!

I collect feathers on my daily walks and am really pleased if l found feathers other than pigeons or magpies! The image below is of duck feathers that l would love to find, unfortunetly they are are on a live duck! One can but wish!!

Through out Bushey Park there are ponds and lttle streams, then we came apon a river with mini falls and the children playing in them..an amazing sight to see, when so often there are signs saying.." keep out of the water"! I have a few images of children playing in the water but for obvious reasons, l decided not to show them on here! Shame really!

The image below is what l found written on a piece of grass in Bushey Park...The gane....Boo or someone's name? I will never know!! 

Again, l can't help but take images of beautiful plants!

Here ended the first part of the visit to Bushey Park!

A quick visit to a Historic Car Auction!

After the trip yesterday watching the planes, we went some where l had never been before! Tony and l went with Andrew, to meet Roy and Hugh at Brooklands Motor Museum for a Historic Car Auction!!! Wow the atmosphere was electric and very noisy but full of fun.

The image below is what Tony would have liked to bid for, if we had any money..which we don't!Ha.

 

The next image is not of a car Tony would like but he would love the number plate...A for Anthony...B for Brian ... H for Howells!!! keep wishing Tony!!

 

As we got there, there was a lot of hype about a car that was for sale. Batman's car! To add to the atmosphere they had an actor playing the part of Batman! All l can say he was a BIG man!  There was a lot of shouting, laughing and many of jokes and then the bidding started at £10 and eventually ended up being sold to the gentleman in the purple shirt, No. 222 ( l think!) for £20,000!!!

 

The next image is the car itself.....Batmobile!!...can't image myself driving this, think l will stick to my Pocket Rocket!

Trip to Tisted for Air Rally 2010.

Tony and l were very honoured to be invited to this rally by my son's father-in-law. This was the biggest fly in the Rally in the UK, of planes built or designed before WWII since the war! There were over 90 of them, l think. Amazing sight to see all those planes flying and landing and then being able to actually go and touch them. Now don't get me wrong.....planes are not something l would travel all over the world to see but this was a rare oppurtunity and so l grabbed it with both hands. I was not let down, it was an amazing day all round. Thank you Roy from both of usx

The hat Tony has on, was a present from Andrew and Gemma, from their travels in Argentina. So gorgeous!HAx 

 Below is the make-shift runway that the planes would be landing on and taking off from..not at the same time, well not normally! the dots in the far distence, are the photographers in yellow vests, waiting for the planes to land. Sorry Andrew, that we took out our yellow vest from the car, before comingbecause we didn't need it. If we had had it with us, Andrew could have gone into the field and been taking images like the other guys.Sorry Andrew!

I love this plane, it is so small and also looks so weird and looks as if it was made in someone's garage! Mind you, l expect a lot of them where!Ha

Just in case you were wondering who is writing this normal sounding blog....what.....no "Art" images?..it is me and to prove it...here is an image of bluebells in the wood next to the airfield! so many of them and so blue..looked like a blue carpet. 

Below is an image of the clan here to day to watch, husband, dad, grandad and father-in-law fly his plane! the children were great and a lot of fun. it was nice to meet again with Nat and Zoe, (Gemma's sister's)one husband Alex, Richard is away working, 4 children, Anna(Gemma's mum) and Roy..the proud owner of the plane and car! Also two of Roy's brothers were there too and one of their wives. Thankfully the weather was fantastic and so fun was had by all.

Tony point this sign out to me and it really made me giggle! At the top of the instrument panel and in the middle, there is a sign thats saying.."No Smoking". there are some funny laws around but l still find it funny imagining a pilot in an open cockpit, trying to light a match and keep it burning long enough to like a cigar or similar!!!

Next image is the area where planes taxied in and out of the parking area. The majority of these planes were so brightly coloured, l suppose it also means you can see them easily on the ground and up in the sky!

this plane below, was the only plane l saw out of the many that were there, over 90 l think, that made smoke!

The image below, shows you a plane being fuelled up. I thought they would use a lot more and was surprised to find out, it only took 8 gallons to fill up the tank.

The majority of these planes are so beautifully made. An example of that, is this beautifully crafted propeller that is on Roy's plane, a work of Art in it's own right, l think.

As you can image from the age of most of these planes, you could see the engines quick clearly. This image is part of a very rare plane, that was on show at this meet. Work's of Art all of them. When you realise how much time, money and work these planes take, to get them to the stage they actually can fly, l have to marvel at these men. They are absorbed by their hobbies and the patience they have is amazing. Their wives and families must be very understanding people!

The image of the lady below, makes me smile. She had really entered into the fun of the Meet and dressed to match the  period of the plane, she and her husband were being flown in. A great sense of fun, l admire her.

Here comes the red Baron......I just love these planes that have wires attaching their wings to the plane.

Roy and one of his beautiful toy!

Roy and two of his wonderful boy's toys!

"Top Gun"......my son Andrew being allowed again, to drive Roy's car. Brave father-in-law!Ha..... BUT Roy does know that Andrew knows how to drive this car and also Andrew loves this car.

I took this image of Tony and Andfew on their way home. I was following them in the Pocket Rocket! This was the first time Tony had had a ride in the Roy's car and l think they both enjoyed the experience. My turn to ride in the car, next time.

Odds and sods of images that l am not sure where they belong!!!

The images for today, are some l have not put into any of my daily adventures. They are interesting but not necessarliy belong to any particular story but l feel still need to be seen. hope you enjoy them!

The first explains itself.

This memorial is a Big Issue seller, who l think was kicked to death by yobs, because he wouldn't give them a light or something like that. Seem to remember reading about it in the Metro, a while ago. I noticed that the Big Issue seller that has taken Dermot's pitch, is actually selling from the other side of the path. Respect l suppose. As if his life wasn't hard enough, l really don't understand some people.

This statue of the painter Hogarth, is in my opinion, fantastic. It seems to be so life like and full of emotions. His bust stands on a plinth in Leicester Square.

I saw this feather today and thought.....wow... that is so beautiful, even though it is actually quite scraggly (?) and old.

Total contrast...this is the very bright but lonely looking corridor of a Big Yellow Self-Storage Building!

A very furry and young uncurling fern of the prehistoric kind......!

I wish we still used these Police Boxes, they look so offfical and buisness like..one could feel quite safe and secure in the knowledge..the Police would come if you called from it!Ha

When l first saw this piece of wood, l was overcome with...not sure what...but l felt as if something terrible had happened here and felt quite sick..very strange!

Saw this lady and naughty as it is..couldn't help but take her picture..what an amazing face!

Saw this sign in the market in Bristol..just love it. I want it!!!

This last image is one l had over looked, when l was telling the story about Leeds Castle and the Jousting Tournament. I love this image, so l though l would end today's blog with this magnificent owl image.

Night folks.

After the funeral!.....Brighton adventure!

Trip to Brighton

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On friday last week, we had to go to Kent for a family funeral. Look what we saw on our way there on the M25! the following three images are of these two bikes. the first seems to be dad and two children. Love what l think is a beer barrel tied on to the back of the bike!Ha!

As we were just about to go past, when one of the children rurned around and looked at us! We couldn't see his face or his eyes because he had a balaclaver  and goggles on! Quite scary really! What with the skull and cross bones on it as well...scarey bike!Ha!

The front bike was a man driving it but if you look very carefully to the back.....you will actually see there is a person in dungeress, helmet and goggles...... ALL in black!!!!!! Amazing!

The next image is something that always scares me when l see it. People and/or children on a bridge over a Motorway...visions of things being thrown over the bridge onto our windscreens! Happened to one of my friends and they were badly injured and the children were only 10 and 11 years old!!!Scary!

After the funeral, we decided to go to Brighton to brighten up our day! The pier looks so sad and l hate that it is not going to re-built. I understand it would cost too much and the history wouldn't be there but all the same..it seems so sad to see it looking so fragile!

When we were driving around Brighton, even though it was not THAT warm, many people were sitting outside pubs drinking! The image below caught my eye because of the red hair against the bright "shouting out "yellow wall!

One thing l did see a lot of in Brighton, as in London, were people who appeared to be homeless. The guy below was searching through the bins. I really feel for people who are are homeless through no fault of their own, although I know there are quite a few people who are homeless because they want to be. Life is hard enough at the moment for most people and we are all fighting to stay in our homes, jobs and keep our families on line. So l do try and help homeless people when ever l can, even though sometimes it has been thrown back in my face...it doesn't put me off.

Because it was so windy and not that warm, we looked at the harbour and the sea through the car window!Hax Actually it was worse than that...we went to the top of the carpark by the MARINA and sat and looked out at the sea!ha...whimps aren't we?!Hax

Brighton has a lot of different sorts of buildings and many different styles but along the sea front, it is mainly flats and hotels.

I love the covered in balcony, over the door entrance, on this building, l would love to live here! Mind you l would't what to do the housework in one of these house!!!!I find my 2 bed flat bad enough.."life is to short to do house work"!...my motto!

I love cranes, why l have no idea but l have since childhood! I really am fasinated by their patterns and colours. This image l think, is just right because the red is so bright, the backgound is a very blue sky and then there is a red and white flag to add to the image..l love this image!

As we were going down into the tunnel to get to the Marina, l suddenly saw a toilet out of the corner of my eye. I quickly pointed my camerq and clicked. Luckily l caught the below image...did make me giggle!!

As we travelled out of Brighton, we came across this lake beside the sea. There was a sailing lesson in progress with abour 6 yatch in the pond....can you see the instructor?

In the below image you can see the instuctor...standing by his pole....shows you how shallow the pond is! This is an amazing place to learn to sail...no openings on the sea and in a shallow water!

I love watching seagulls swooping up in the sky.....so graceful...not so fond of them on the ground!!!!

One of the noises that gets right through to me , is the deep throbbing noise of the Chinook....maybe it is memories from Vietnam or Mash ( the t.v programme)or my connections to the military! Anyway, when l hear the noise, l have to stop, look and listen and l become very calm..very strange!

Night folksx