31 August 2009

Mondays Monochrome & Odd Shot - The Grounded Grotesque

After 'chained pups' for Camera Critters, I've another curiosity from being out & about over the weekend!
Finding a Grotesque sitting in his own cage resting on the pavement in Broad Street, to me is both strangely dark, hence the Black & White imaging and exceedingly odd...Grotesques & Gargoyles are carved sculptures of beasts, hybrid creatures & fantasy scenes involving animals & humans.
But, their usual habitat is @ roof level on Churches, Colleges dating from the 13 century onwards.
The Grotesque is a purely decorative feature, while the Gargoyle serves as a fancy waterspout!
Dreamingspires has them both in abundance.
But, because they are normally high up, without a zoom lense they're differcult to photo in detail.

Monochrome Maniacs is Aleni's project.
Odd Shots is Katneys!
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Wedding Anniversary Greetings to BJ & 'Hubby'!

It's hard to believe it's two years since my good friend BJ 'got' her good man & a companion worthy of her.
Here's wishing you & your Bob, a very Happy Anniversary!

Re my choice of Artwork - the Red Rose is in remembrance of BJ's bridal bouquet.
The actual stained glass piece is made by Glass Images & appropriately hails from Texas!
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30 August 2009

Camera Critters Sunday - Chained Pups!

As seen yesterday outside the nearby 'Aladdin's Cave', officially called the Furniture Warehouse, that according to its advertising blurb, specialises in 'new, antique and good clean second-hand furniture, from Victorian stripped pine to French painted Shabby Chic & items of Objet d'art' - guess they are considered the latter...Now, why you'd want a life size model of your Doberman I'm not sure.
And, you certainly would look conspicuous if you picked him you & walked away with him tucked under your arm.
But, I guess some would have the nerve to try to do so without paying, hence the chains.

Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation, the blog for real life ones is HERE!
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29 August 2009

Saturday Photo Hunt - Surprise!

My love of receiving postcards continues to be thoughtfully remembered by friends.
But, this one caught me out!
So it's perfect for tnchick's prompt, even if it's not my photo but a scanned image [not strickly allowed]...The surprise element!!!
The message reads 'I'm neither in Portugal nor blogging - ha, ha , ha!
But, thought it would amuse you' - it did immensely!
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28 August 2009

Sky Watch Friday - Twilight Angles!

This is Brasenose College Lane, right in the heart of Dreamingspires University land - looking both ways @ early Dusk...
Sky Watch is beyond me now, but the site is HERE
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27 August 2009

True Colours Thursday - SKY BLUE!

Young fellow BLUE lover, Pansy requested this weeks colour, I was only too happy to oblige!
But, as several days of rain - grrr - have kept me housebound - hence no new topical photo's, these are fresh images from my Archives re BLUE the Seasons.

Winter - SKYE BLUE Ice captured on a neighbours car windscreen...
Spring - BLUEbells & my old BLUE trikes skeleton @ the bottom of my garden...
Summer - Rare SKYE BLUE Flowers to delight...
Autumn - a serious BLUE sky on my doorstep last Fall...
But, of course, I do have a cake, from the Celebration Cake Shop, taken specifically for today the other week!
A delightful Christening creation for BLUE baby boy Luke..

To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that's fine.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
And, I will try to up-date throughout the day.
Next weeks TCT colour I originally listed as BLACK, but have moved it forward to Halloween week as more appropiate!
Instead now, think the other extreme - RAINBOW ie multi coloured!
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26 August 2009

Wordless Wednesday - This Summer!

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25 August 2009

Two fer Tuesday - Postcards from Vegas!

Earlier this month, Little Buddy was once again back in Las Vegas, but this trip with 'wifey'!
But never the less, he remembered, as he always does, his 'duty' to me re postcards.
And, this time round, he choose them with even more particular care!
When we were in LV together in March, we watched the Bellagio fountains dance every evening...
And, we shared a romantic, if twee gondola ride @ the Venetian Hotel, that has to be seen to be believed...
So, LB knew these cards particular would touch my heart & fill me with nostalgia!

Twofer is Jonna's easy-peasy meme!
All you need is a two or pairs of images - the subject is yours!
Okay, I broke the rules with postcards rather than my own photos.
But, trust her to forgive me as a friend!
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24 August 2009

Monday's Monochrome & Color Carnival - The Covered Market!

Dreamingspires Covered Market, as regular readers here, may suspect, is my favourite shopping area in my city.
It was started in response to a general wish to clear 'untidy, messy & unsavoury stalls' from the streets in the 1800's!
The newly-formed Market committee, half of which came from the Town & half from the Gown [University], then accepted an estimate of £916, for the building of twenty butchers' shops under a covered roof, that remains untouched today & gives me my Monochrome Manics image for Aileni...
It was officially opened on 1 November 1774.
From this time, the market grew, with stalls for garden produce, dairy products & fish being added.
And, it is still going strong today, with now an even more eclectic array of merchandise for sale, hence why I love it so!

However, specialist Butchers continue to feature big time, due to the demands of the University.
Each individual College still requires quality meat/game, as it remains an expected feature of the nightly dining experience @ their Don's High Table!
And, every day this window from family butchers Hedges, is meticulously laid out with its Lemon & Orange baskets, Salad Onion wisps and Tomato skin roses...As a non-vegitatrian I love this colourful meat feast display.
Just wish I could afford the premium steaks!
Martha is the creator & host of Color Carnival.
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23 August 2009

Camera Critters Sunday - Just a Sorry Bugs Tale!

I'm always trying to do close-ups /macro images with my small Samsung digital camera.
The results are frequently just blurred shots, quickly deleted, with only the most successful ones seeing the light of day!
Anyway, yesterday, I spotted this bright green bug, he was all of 1.5cm long!
But, I thought I'd try to take his photo, as unlike Butterflies he was not going to flutter away while I played amateur wildlife photographer @ my front door!
Here he is - just ignore my flaking white paintwork...

For less feeble Camera Critters visit Misty Dawn's site HERE.
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22 August 2009

Saturday Photo Hunt - Ripples!

Originally, my thoughts on this prompt from tnchick were about Welsh Terrier 'nephew' Taffy & his pool.
He & his balls make endless ripples as he loves to play...But, due to not visiting there this weekend as originally planned too, I need to take a different tack.

So, as I didn't post about it @ the time, I'm going for the City of Dreamingspires Rowing Clubs Rowing Regatta instead.
It was on last weekend & created lots of ripples on the River Isis.
I went along to watch Sundays completion, the Sprint Races...
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21 August 2009

Sky Watching on Friday - Somewhere over the Rainbow...!

Coming back from town earlier, saw me caught out in an unexpected storm that even had thunder rumbling around.
Then, with the rain still falling, the sun peaked out from behind the blackest of clouds.
This was the wonderful result that's made my day... I no longer cared that I was drenched from head to toe as I scrambled to take this photograph!
It is only, my third ever successful rainbow capture & ironically, it's nearly in the same location as my first, ie looking down my road, as I arrived home.

Naturally, the Judy Garland song from 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' is now running through my head like crazy!
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?.

Will just have to go search out a YouTube clip!
And, if I could find that 'pot of gold' too, I'd have life aced.
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20 August 2009

True Colours Thursday - PALE PINK!

This past week, I have not blogged here on a daily basis as I usually do, for very personal reasons.
But, as I would like TCT to continue, here goes today...

A little imagination is required for this weeks first image of mine!
As I don't have a fancy photo editing programme capable of adapting an original monochrome print to colour, can only tint the whole picture.
This me, aged nearly seven in April 1961, a bridesmaid in a fancy embossed satin PALE PINK dress...My bouquet was made up of dark purple Anemones.
It should have been pretty PINK flowers like these...
I don't recall the wedding cake @ the reception, only my Father embarrasing me.
But, maybe it was like this one - for once not from Dreamingspires but Derbyshire's Denby Centre...

And, as it's now the Holiday Season - how what about a PINK suitcase or two as well!
Surely, these would be very easy to spot on the airports luggage carousel...
Just in case there's a party to go too, whilst away, I include these pretty PINK shoes...
I wish!

To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that's fine.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
And, I will try to up-date throughout the day.
Next weeks TCT colour - SKYE BLUE chosen by Pansy, a young fellow blue lover!
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16 August 2009

Camera Critters - Eyes only for Grass!

With no Apple or Carrot on my person to bribe him with, this fine guy wasn't interested in talking to me... Not that I blamed him one bit, as I'm not inclined to be that friendly either!

Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation, the blog is HERE!
I nolonger officially participate.
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15 August 2009

Saturday Photo Hunters - Artificial!

This weeks prompt from host tnchick is not me, I prefer natural!
Artificial, to me smacks of deceit, ie as in artificial colouring, artificial flavouring - it's all about fake enhancement.
But, sometimes the artificial is considered Art.
What about this imitation plate of Fish & Chips...
I found them in a private Art Gallery's window in Brighton's North Lanes this Spring, bemused I took the shot.
Personally, give me the real edible article any supper time, but minus the head & scales!
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Barkday Greetings Jackson!

Finding the perfect birthday card for a close friend is always a challenge.
Finding one for a special Wire Fox Terrier friend is even more so!??!
So, imagine my delight when I found this one...
The one & only Jackson could have modelled for it!
And, the shades do become him.
Just hope it reachs him in time as was late posting!

Happy Barkday Jackson!

Stay well my favourite WFT - I will come & visit you again soon.
And, we can share another pot of tea together...
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14 August 2009

Sky Watch Friday - The Boathouse's Window!

If you cast your mind back to my post for this weeks Monochrome/Odd Shot on Monday, I featured University College's boathouse - I said it was a design winner & it is for it's ultra modern look!
In my traditional eyes, it does look, a wee bit out of place along the River Isis.
But, it's huge club house's window reflection, certainly gives a different take on the sky...

SkyWatch's designated site is HERE!
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13 August 2009

True Colours Thursday - CHOCOLATE, Take 2!

Doing a little re-organising of my Photo Archives this morning, came across a perfect CHOCOLATE brown nosier, that I'd overlooked & would have loved to have included in my original TCT post.
This is Liver & White Springer, Ollie, who I delightfully meet in Brighton...
I may love my Terriers, but without doubt, my heart truly belongs to Spaniels!
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True Colours Thursday - CHOCOLATE!

When I listed this weeks colour, I said - 'think comfort food'!
A bit crazy really, as I'm not a great CHOCOLATE bar eater myself!
I only enjoy dark premium CHOCOLATE, not the milk variety & certainly not, the white as far too sweet!
So, there is no actual chocolate to be found around my home, only this vintage tin, as do like a hot Cocoa made with milk & flavoured with Rum on a cold Winters day...
So, I naturally took a walk around Dreamingspires to see what I could find there.
CHOCOLATE brown oak College entrances caught my attention!
This particularly fine one is from Wadham...
Keble College's Cloisters offered this...
A smaller one is from Balliol...And another impressive carved door belongs to Exeter...

Then, headed into the Covered Market in search of a Cake & spotted this brown boot above the Cobblers...
And, the Celebration Cake Shop's window, didn't fail me either.
There sat, this elaborate brown & white CHOCOLATE wedding cake confection...

To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that's fine.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
And, I will try to up-date throughout the day.
Next weeks TCT colour - PALE PINK to make the boys wink!
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12 August 2009

Wordless Wednesday [NOT] - The 'Glorious 12th'!


I realise the title & photo may need an explanation to many - so , so much for being wordless!!!
The 'Glorious 12th' of August each year in the UK, marks the start of the Game shooting season on the estates, moors & game reserves across the country, with the Red Grouse being the first target for the guns.
However, Dreamingpires Covered Market's speciality Butchers always have birds available, especially Pheasants.
As food, a brace [pair] is way beyond my budget!
Besides which, there's the plucking & gutting to do!!!
I always hated helping doing Chickens as a child - we kept Fowls.
And, when finished, although I enjoy the gamey taste, there's more bones than meat on small birds!
Now, I'm not a Vegetarian, so have no qualms about this post.
But, know to some it may seem insensitive, but no offence is meant!
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11 August 2009

Today's Flowers & Two fer Tuesday - Sunflowers!

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
Helen Keller
[1880 - 1968]

I freely admit, I featured Sunflowers once before for Today's Flowers but I do love their brazen boldness.
And, needing a little sunshine in my life treated myself to the above bouquet containing three huge heads @ the weekend.
I've repeatedly tried to grow my own, with pitiful results.
Unlike the fine specimens to be found in the Universities Botanical Gardens...Guess what non green fingered me, really needs are the likes of these wraught iron ones!
Hardly missable, they 'greeted' me upon my arrival @ the local Orthopedic hospital last year...
Or perhaps, a stain glass window like this one featured on a old birthday card from my Mother...
Today's Flowers home is HERE.
Two Fer Tuesday is Jonna's concept - all you need is two or pairs of photo's.
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10 August 2009

A Monochrome & Odd Shot for Monday - The Fire Escape

As soon as I saw the shadows on Univercity College's ultra modern, design winning Boathouse on Saturday, I knew it was a image made for B&W, so tweaked it for Alieni's Monochrome Maniacs meme...And, thought it was quirky enough too for Katney's Odd Shots!
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9 August 2009

Sunday Scenery - The Memorial Gardens @ CC!

Yes, the sun shone yesterday, not a rain cloud in the sky - wow!
Today, sadly - so, so but @ least fine!
This is a view of Christ Church College's Chapel, the city's Cathedral from the Memorial Garden's herbaceous border...I admire it, every time I walk into town.
And, keep looking for details of the Christ Church's annual 'Garden Open Day'!
It's an event I hate to miss, as the College's inner sanctum gardens, are private the other 364 days of the year.
It must be due very soon!

Sunday Scenery is the idea of Tarheel Ramblings, who has opted to keep it informal.
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Camera Critters - Handsome Pups!

When I encountered these two fine guys, anxiously looking for their 'Dad', I had to photograph them...Before I could enquire their names, he returned & they all hurried off, happy to be together again.

"It is scarcely possible to doubt that the love of man,
has become instinctive in the dog!"
Charles Darwin
[1809 - 1882]

Camera Critters designated site is HERE
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8 August 2009

Color Carnival - The Hippy Window!

Dreamingspires Covered Market always provides a different window shopping experience!
Taken this very morning...
Martha is the creator & host of Color Carnival, that simply requires a colourful photo.
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Saturday Photo Hunt - Low!

I really struggled with this weeks prompt from tnchick.
Infact, almost thought I'd abandon the meme, as all I could think of, was how low my spirits are @ the moment.
But, one place, where my spirits are always high is @ is the coast & there's one particular spot that's seen them soar.
So, it's another nostalgia trip post.
I recall low tide @ Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, CA...
And, what does one discover there, when walking barefoot, along the waters edge, mile upon sandy mile?
But, lowly Sand Dollars, new to me till then...
It's a wonderful stretch of beach!
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