Birthday present, two weddings and a beautiful day! Pt 1

Today, Saturday, Andrew and Gemma, my son and daughter-in-law, were up in London for a friend's wedding..so we took the opportunity to see them for coffee. Also, l had Gemma's birthday present for Tuesday with me. It is a hand-made( by me) wall hanging,  made from the small quilted, hand embroidered and decorated cushions l also use for making my book covers. For more info, go to my Art/Craft blog  http://tryingtocreatearteveryday.blogspot.com

 Below is a very rare image..the City empty! it is empty because basically in this part of town on a Saturday and Sunday it is closed! Not good when you are trying to find a coffee!

If you have been following the news, this memorial for Ian Tomplinson will mean something to you. If not..simply, he died after an incident involving riot police during a demonstration. Who's fault was it? That is what all the fuss has been about.

This church, l feel invites you to come in, even if you are not religious person or it is not your faith..! We sat in a coffee shop opposite, for a drink because, as usual, Tony had me an hour earlier in town, than we needed to be! (Tony interjects in self defence - "Anticipating the lack of potential venues for coffee on a Saturday!")

Love this sign in the coffee shop..forget the problems it causes your lungs and those of others around you..it's the coffee that is important!

The artist below is a sign writer, l watched him for a while..amazingly steady hand. I asked him how he managed because l would be shaking all the time? He responded, he did to, until he reached half-way, then he calmed down!

This pump was erected in 1799 for the "London Fire Officers" to use..amazing isn't it? 

One of the things l love about London, is the way old and new building stand side by side....a building built in 1788 can be standing next to a building that was constructed in 2009! And yet it looks right!

The image below, shows you how to look thinner than you actually are..take an image of your reflection! 

We were waiting for Andrew & Gemma in a Costa, because there were few places open in the City, which just happened to be in Bow Churchyard, off Cheapside, where there was a Wedding scheduled. A real "London" Wedding, cockney accents and a Pearly King and Queen. Fantastic. Love her handbag...!

Below are the back views of the wonderful pearly King and Queen. All that work..must have taken her literally hours to make. I am in Awe!

I think this scooter driver thinks he is in Rome, where we saw loads of scooter driving on the pavement!

I think this guy was father of the Groom..love his waistcoat. My son and husband would kill for it! One strange think though. The 'button holes' for the groomsmen were lilies that l consider funeral lilies and the bridesmaids were in black! Interesting!

This young lady was one of the guests and had a black dress on and the most gorgeous emerald green, short jacket over the top. Her fascinator and finger nails were also green. She really looked stunning.

I have to admit, l did not particually like the hat in the image below..but..Tony thought it was the hat of the wedding!

Below is an image of my gorgeous son and daughter-in-law...don't they look great? They were married a year ago on the 4th July!

The image below is of the Church, (St Lawrence Jewry) where they were going, for their friend's wedding. The adjacent pond and small fountains of the ancient Guildhall really give the area a very calming effect. As you will see from the two images after that, it is full of waterlilies and masses of green plants and a few bullrushes.

The bridesmaids were beautiful, although one of them looked as if she was about to give birth any moment!

The image below is not a perfect one, by any means but l love it because it looks as though the bride is glowing all on her own!

It is so nice that some churchs still allow confetti to be thrown. Adds to the occasion l think. Also l took this image because l loved the shadows the railings had caused.

One large problem at lunch time on a Saturday in the city...not many taxi's..not fun when you are in a Morning Suit, after a Wedding..its hot and you can't get home! Shame!

The story of the rest of the day and early evening, follows tomorrow.....................

Carp in the pond!

The below video, is one l took late one afternoon at Penn Ponds, in Richmond Park. It was the first time l had ever been aware of fishermen in the Park. This video shows a very lucky fisherman, who only spent about 15 mins catching and pulling in this 30lb Common Carp...so beautiful. I don't normally approve of fishing for fun, but the way this fish and fisherman reacted to each other was amazing. He thanked the fish, the fish relaxed, let him release the hook, the fish appeared to be listening to him. When the man let him go, he stayed with him for ages, then gently swam away. What an experience.

I also took some images with my phone camera..because believe it or not..l did not have my camera with me!!!!! This really was a beautiful fish and l had no idea there were fish THIS big in these ponds!

The sun was shinning through his tail ... he really was a perfect specimen...not even any scales missing!

Nice day for a walk!

On Monday, l went down to Putney to try and sort out my phone..! No success! The weather was fantastic, so it was not a wasted journey. About 10 years ago, Tony used to be laughed at because he wore his large headphones, just like this young man is wearing in the image below! Ha! What goes round comes around, as they say!

While l was waiting for my bus, l noticed this very dapper gentleman crossing the road. Wonderful isn't he?

The next three images are of the sky over my bus stop. Three different skyscapes in a few feet of sky...amazing. I wish l knew more about clouds, Tony always knows what the clouds mean and what the weather is going to be like.

As l always say, remember to look up and down around you, you never know what you may miss. This cherry and, l think, a peach stone were on the red line at my feet! Wonder how they got there.

After l had got home and off the bus, l was walking my usual route, when l noticed this beautiful sight. The sun was shining and making the seeds on the thistles glow as if they were gold! So beautiful, l have taken a few images but they don't do them justice actually.

The image of the plant below caught my attention because of the purple streak on the seeds.

This next image is not a brilliant image but l love the way you can see the bee's wings in motion.

Not sure what this plant is called but l love the way it curles up into a tight ball. Also, there are so many pieces to make one head!

I am so annoyed with myself, l realise just how ignorant l am about Nature. Here is yet another plant l don't know the name of. I really must do some research before l go out again!

The white stuff below my very attrative holey, lace leaf, is a piece of paper in a plastic sleeve. Looks like snow though doesn't it.

A trip to The Weir.

On Tuesday, as l was feeling so grotty after the stitches in my foot ( dropped a sheet of glass on it!), then the tetnus injection and then Tony wiping all my contacts from my phone (by accident!)... He took me out for a surprise pub lunch at The Weir, which in Walton-on-Thamas..bless him!  It took him a while to find it, as he was following the bike ride route he found the other day. This was a dead end but l am glad he did it, otherwise l wouldn't have seen this amazingly funny sign!!

This was the view from the table we were sitting at, in the pub garden. It was lovely to hear the noise from the water and the weir, while eating a delicious meal and drinking a glass of very chilled rosie wine.

Don't you love this pub's idea for ash tays?....an over turned clay flower pot and tray! They really did cut the smell of stale smoke down.

While we sat there, loads of boats, of all kinds sailed past us and l have put a few in this post. The canal boat was one that made me smile. Good place to be, if for some reason you want to be in another palce than your other half!Ha

This boat below, came from Holland and was perfect, right down to the orchids on one of the window sills.

This small launch,  arrived as we did and looked like the couple in it had come to meet another family with children...guessing here but maybe grand-parents visiting?  What a lovely way to spend an afternoon..then potter home!

I love the way this fisherman has arranged to transport his gear around. No heavy carrying for this gentleman..how sensible. Looks like a converted shopping trolley to me, wonder if his wife knows what he used!!!Ha!

Don't know if you can see it very clearly, but the skipper is smoking a pipe, the smell lingered as he  passed by...love the smell of pipes and cigars but cigs..NO WAY!

In the image below is a very tiny ant..the flying kind. They were swarming, so they were every where. Funnily enough they were more trouble earlier in the morning, when l was on Putney High Street, then they were here in the country, by the water!

I admired this man, as it was obvious he was no spring chicken but he was doing his bit to stay young and healthy! Well done him l say!

This boat below was is an example of the sort of motor boats that were passing both ways, as we eat our meal. Tony and l prefer sails to motors on boats, as they make less noise! but l have to admit, sitting drinking your Pims and stearing at the same time..would be easier in a motor boat!

We were surprised to see this very happy looking Community Support Officer, go and come back along the toe path, while we were there. Nice to know the water ways are being kept safe!