Macro

For those of you who are interested the new camera is an Olympus SP-510. This is an example of it's macro mode. Anybody care to hazard a guess what this will be when it grows up?

Jack Penate - Torn From The Platform

Nice song, bit of a nick from the Housemartins though.

Finish the sentence meme

Maybe I should…… Drink less
I love…... Wifey, the kids, my mum.
People would say that I’m…...Arrogant & aloof
I don’t understand….. French people
When I wake up in the morning….. I’m usually up and at ‘em
I lost….... Some brain cells today
Life is full of…........Things that happen
My past is…... In the past
I get annoyed when…....Cats shit in my garden
Parties are….. Hiding in a corner and drinking lots
I wish…... For good health for me and mine
Dogs …...... Go woof
Cats…. Shit on my garden
Tomorrow….. Is the day I do most jobs (ask Wifey)
I have a low tolerance…....Of most people
If I had a million dollars….. I’d change it into Sterling

The above meme was originally found at Catch's blog (see sidebar)

My first time

It's the new camera! Top picture is the garden early this afternoon after it had dried out a bit. The second picture is taken from the same place but with 12 x zoom, now that I like.

Not just 'Ull

Don sent me this, taken today in York.

More Rain

These are 2 pictures I borrowed from the local rag, both are less than a quarter of a mile from our house. Our garden was flooded as you've already seen, but our house was ok, for that we are very grateful!. It has now stopped raining, time to start clearing up.

Wet, Wet, Wet

We had a bit of rain today!

Yahaay!

I have finally managed to wear wifey down and she has agreed to let me have a new camera. Yesterday I went to Jessops to purchase the camera, which they had on special offer. Unfortunately they didn't have any in stock, lots of posters on the wall advertising the offer, but no actual camera. So I asked if they could ring their other store to see if they had one in stock. Yes they did hooray! but it's £20 more boo! I ask why it is £20 more, "because it's silver" comes the reply, I refrain from asking how much a pink one would be, and decline their offer to save me one. When I returned home I rang the Beverley store (8 miles away) to be told they didn't have any either, but the man very helpfully informed me that they had 7 in stock at their York store (35 miles away). I eventually ordered it on line, so like me you will all have to wait a while for new improved photos to appear on this blog. Oh, and if you ever need anything related to photography, don't go to Jessops!. Mind you Currys were no better but that's another story.

I is what I is

Or as Dame Shirley would put it "I am what I am". I've just had the pleasure of watching Dame Shirley performing at this year's Glastonbury, absolutely fantastic.

Why do you call it Tiny?

Because it's my newt, ha ha. Spotted 3 newts in our pond, 2 males and 1 female. The female was in the process of laying eggs, carefully wrapping them up in the pond weed. I will keep an eye out for the pitter patter of little webbed feet.

Handy Hints

Don't waste money buying expensive binoculars. Simply stand next to the object you wish to view.
Always poo at work. Not only will you save money on toilet paper, but you'll also be getting paid for it.
Weight watchers. Avoid that devilish temptation to nibble at a chocolate bar in the cupboard or fridge by not buying the f**king thing in the first place.
Recreate the fun of a visit to a public swimming pool in your home by filling the bath with cold water, adding two bottles of bleach, then urinating into it, before jumping in.
Don't buy expensive 'ribbed' condoms, just buy an ordinary one and slip a handful of frozen peas inside it before you put it on.
An empty aluminium cigar tube filled with angry wasps makes an inexpensive vibrator. Vegetarians coming to dinner? Simply serve them a nice bit of steak or veal. Since they're always going on about how tofu, Quorn, meat substitute etc 'tastes exactly like the real thing', they won't know the difference.
Invited by vegetarians for dinner? Point out that since you'd no doubt be made aware of their special dietary requirements, tell them about yours, and ask for a nice steak.
A mouse trap placed on top on of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep.
Avoid bickering and petty arguments by immediately punching anyone with whom you disagree.

Final Day

Our last day was spent at Clapham a beautiful village with it's stream and traditional English church.

Hardraw Force

As promised

Day 5

This morning whilst driving along we came across the village of Malham, were we met these 2 characters (and a whole host more!)

Day 4 part 3

After the caves we went to Hardraw Force, a waterfall that you get to through a pub. Just as we got back to the pub after seeing the waterfall it started to rain quite heavily, so we had to stop at the pub. I wasn't complaining. (will post a video of this waterfall at a later date)

day 4 part 2

After our early morning walk we went caving, Harry wasn't sure about the headgear, but some of the caves were very spectacular.

Day 4

A nice easy start to the day with a walk along the river, just near the cottage.

day 3

Today we spent most of the day at Leighton Moss (top picture) an RSPB reserve. Whilst there we saw a Spoonbill and a Marsh Harrier as well as some deer. After that we went to an old slate quarry to see a Peregrine Falcon nest. Sadly I did not take the picture above (my camera just aint good enough, take note wifey), but we got some great views of the birds and their 2 chicks through our scope.

Day 2 part 2

After Hawes we went to see the "Buttertubs" (top picture), then on to lunch at the highest pub in Britain the "Tarn Hill" complete with tame lambs ( I checked the menu, they weren't on it!). Finally ending the day at Aysgarth Falls.

Day 2

This morning we visited Hawes (another intriguing name!). I can recommend a visit to the Wensleydale cheese factory, especially the shop where you get to try all the different cheeses.

Bank Holiday weather

This is Storey Reservoir which we visited on our first day, which was a bank holiday. Fortunately we were in a bird hide when I took this as it was chucking it down.

Been Away

So, yes, we've been away to the Yorkshire Dales. We stayed in a cottage in a lovely village called Giggleswick (is that a great name or what?) The pictures, in order are, at the top, Malham Tarn, in the middle, meeting some of the locals and finally, at the bottom, Katie and Harry try to work out how long it will take dad to get from the cottage to the pub (yes that really is our cottage)