Ice Bucket Challenge

I suspect that the majority of you will know of the current craze. Participating in the Ice Bucket challenge for charity. Initially aimed at supporting McMillan Cancer nurses it has grown and grown and now people are basically doing for all sorts. Who cares as long a charity benefits. Anyway I thought I would post my attempt for you to laugh at or enjoy. Ably helped by my wife, daughter and grandsons, here it is.

Wreath of Respect

It's been a long time since I last posted on here. Got lazy I suppose. However, have now been persuaded to start up again. So here is the first of many new posts. Last Friday, the wife and I took part in a motorcycle ride for something called the Wreath of Respect. This was a specially confirmed bronze wreath of poppies (by the Royal British Legion) which also incorporated a horseshoe as its centre. The wreath started its journey at the National Aboretum Memorial Wall and then travelled on the backs of motorcycles across the UK. Visiting cathedrals and military establishments as well as many small towns and cities. I was fortunate to be invited to take part in part of the route from Portsmouth to Tidworth. This will always remain special in my memory. I have taken part in other rides, notably the Ride of Respect from Brize Norton to Carterton and the biggest one of all, the Ride of Respect. This takes place on the first Saturday in October and involves thousands of bikers and their families, plus many others who gather to respect all that have fallen for their country since the world wars. They congregate at the National Memorial Wall. This October will see my 2nd visit, accompanied by my wife. Just six weeks to go. I will post details of the journey and pics after the event.

Anyone who wishes to know more about the two previous rides can visit the websites. They are enlightening and thought provoking.  Wreath of Respect https://www.facebook.com/groups/1494875074058274/?fref=ts

Ride of Respect   http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/calendar-of-events/fundraising/ride-of-respect


Comments welcomed.

See you soon.

A New Year and New Start

So, 2013 brought many things, a new grandchild from Kate but he lives in Derby and we rarely see him. Shame really because we would really like to get to know him. Daughter Su found a new partner and is happier than I have seen her for a long time. They are currently looking for a new house and new car, oh, the joys of youth.

Busy in the house with decorating and building a walk-in wardrobe for the wife and more to come this year plus some outside work.

Bought a new motorbike in May (although after the accident I said that was it) but Marlene persuaded me that we had so much fun. Participated in the Ride to the Wall at the National Aboretum and that was simply awesome. Booked up for it again this year and also the Ride of Respect. Hopefully we shall have lots of sun so that we can get out and about on the bike.

In August the Jones's all got together to celebrate brother Pete's 5th birthday, first time in 25 years that all the brothers and sisters were together + many other family members

Yes, 2014 is shaping up to be a definitive year for all in the family.

Cheeky Visitors

Thought i would just post a couple of pics of a cheeky little visitor that we had to day. This little squirrel decided that he was hungry and so stopped by for lunch. As also did a couple of starlings that quite like the mealworms that are left out on the birdstand.

A Spring Day Out

The Sunday just gone the wife and I decided to take a little walk out to a local beauty spot quite close to where we live. This place is called Portchester Castle and is withing a 10 minute walk from the house. It's situated right on the coast and was at some time a Roman Fort, probably from around the 3rd century. However it's better known a  Medieval Castle from the late 11th century.

It was such a beautiful day, cold, but the sun shone and the birds and other animals were all out in force. Mind you an ulterior motive for the walk was to try out my new camera lens again and try to capture a few special shots. Not sure I really succeeded but I thought I would share them with you.

These were of a cheeky crow that decided he wasn't going to do anything that i wanted him to do, like fly or whatever. However eventually it did decide to take off and glide a few short yards. Success of some sort.







The castle grounds looked lovely in the sunlight and I managed to capture a couple of shots of some early daffodils.





All in all a nice walk and a couple of nice shots to add to my album. I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoyed the walk and the taking of them.

Camera Lens

It might be worth noting to anyone that is reading the blogs of mine that all the recnt photos have been taken with a couple of new lenses. I wanted to copy a few pics but was thwarted by the fact they were in an album and i was unable to remove the pages. So, the only way to take a photo of a photo. not having the necessary macro lens, maybe because they start at around £350 I went to the local Jessop's for advice. The guy there sold me a Tamron 80 - 300mm with a macro facility, (bargain at £99) and I managed to get a wide angle / macro converter off Ebay for £13.99. Now I'm ready to experiment and the last two blogs are the first reulsts. Any comments would be appreciated.

It's probably obvious to any real photographers out there that i am very much the beginner.

Spring Buds

I thought that I would share with you the Magnolia tree in my back garden that is starting to show its colours for the spring. Lovely pink flowers are about to burst out and turn a rather bare tree into a riot of flowers and blooms.

In full bloom this tree is magnifcent and will last throughtout the whole of the summer, flowering as much as three times.