tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51900169104243046782024-03-15T18:12:42.013-07:00Lucent MomentsDebby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.comBlogger904125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-85597191894525313812024-02-22T18:13:00.000-08:002024-02-22T18:13:53.937-08:00A Snowy Road leads to Lizards<p>I woke up on Saturday, expecting to see the 5" of snow that had been forecast, and wondering how it would affect my day's plans. I was elated to look out of the window and see a mere 2" on the ground, yet it was a winter wonderland. All the trees and bushes were balancing a coating of white powder on their branches, and then I realized that all the roads were completely clear. Joy! I would still be able to get out and enjoy the scenery. I was meeting a friend later that morning, so grabbed my camera, and began driving the back roads towards Berryville.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fV4BDCXoO1a8prwJ-JHxxXsWRiyXxa4_XDSzsBUYcyvDW1UML42_-mSNUnIbkip826NjdMEBu5_R47dG0i2XYj8IELXs7oPJe8N1jVj8frfqfBLED2Mkft9ttPmsXkOupaxJYe3caQKRdbJsedkyMvUAq68u2ChtOK6Qv1khpj22RfClcefFoP2brVU/s1440/DSC05004.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fV4BDCXoO1a8prwJ-JHxxXsWRiyXxa4_XDSzsBUYcyvDW1UML42_-mSNUnIbkip826NjdMEBu5_R47dG0i2XYj8IELXs7oPJe8N1jVj8frfqfBLED2Mkft9ttPmsXkOupaxJYe3caQKRdbJsedkyMvUAq68u2ChtOK6Qv1khpj22RfClcefFoP2brVU/s320/DSC05004.png" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ci2RU8GuLK41aevg_myRk9lAPWZGJtxQjMMXsiBGLsl6_Q1fjWGMnXLpc9vSp_Y-ef246f0K3IeaMnEiZ_5MNQrdT2YAFGhBTJWFYWTOgbrWALmQ408cFX84IFzqB4sfF3WmD4zS0E5TaYTSwGoW2-pOavyq0MGkOSCitur6G4Vl20rj9RLPq6q22jQ/s1440/DSC05007.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ci2RU8GuLK41aevg_myRk9lAPWZGJtxQjMMXsiBGLsl6_Q1fjWGMnXLpc9vSp_Y-ef246f0K3IeaMnEiZ_5MNQrdT2YAFGhBTJWFYWTOgbrWALmQ408cFX84IFzqB4sfF3WmD4zS0E5TaYTSwGoW2-pOavyq0MGkOSCitur6G4Vl20rj9RLPq6q22jQ/s320/DSC05007.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEUhNun5vDht9CBZI4QUvoBmEJt_hz1kOwBCrOjXX5AmHvUyxcRj8QOV4_1fNIrvkSJxAAj46l62j8EKORKQo6fTZSNzX8GJNMqDOU8Ine6z801cnA9bw-bAGPOIVlyQ4BIludKgQJRMR4RyygwZkCV6Lr5O5II0Nm5qDcKLinnwCtshz06UBdCiEhQc/s1440/DSC05010.png" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghycNKZKDOuppRoGHbbI5ZCS4eNIAKEncM7s5yLT6C2eMkl2JOyYMnTBRrl-4ADYojiYgZubHdR48cs7u9wsWl3fqgcLy2dg-4o0yUcLOF-Fxg6NjHdJR8byZus_P2An_efe2r6Owe2i7np2OfxwRXkAR8g8bLLkXP7m1hb-l82mHj2uNfpGg7wKIR2eI/s1440/DSC05015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghycNKZKDOuppRoGHbbI5ZCS4eNIAKEncM7s5yLT6C2eMkl2JOyYMnTBRrl-4ADYojiYgZubHdR48cs7u9wsWl3fqgcLy2dg-4o0yUcLOF-Fxg6NjHdJR8byZus_P2An_efe2r6Owe2i7np2OfxwRXkAR8g8bLLkXP7m1hb-l82mHj2uNfpGg7wKIR2eI/s320/DSC05015.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKOaosbE7OxHCeBk4oMYqE-ZA1l2D8VNlbs8AXVi6CMsUSxeGCtVF9Tu7fVyI6tOjUj5YOIoO9220-3qKOhM5nV494y2UWKLwp-T6dIa1GnedgPVF1oJzGrSdmPjUJJt66m5ZK6xakQiL1wlsK-5PgsfbY9gBzK_LFEujPnTMAIuFeAub2m3hQ70JdRk/s1440/DSC05018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKOaosbE7OxHCeBk4oMYqE-ZA1l2D8VNlbs8AXVi6CMsUSxeGCtVF9Tu7fVyI6tOjUj5YOIoO9220-3qKOhM5nV494y2UWKLwp-T6dIa1GnedgPVF1oJzGrSdmPjUJJt66m5ZK6xakQiL1wlsK-5PgsfbY9gBzK_LFEujPnTMAIuFeAub2m3hQ70JdRk/s320/DSC05018.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>Despite the roads being completely clear, there was very little traffic, so I was able to drive slowly and stop often to take photos without being a bother to anyone else. The countryside was beautiful, serenely peaceful, the quiet only broken by the chatter of birds as they hopped among the branches. a brilliant blue sky broke through clusters of clouds, and occasionally the wind would blow a dusting of powdery snow across the road, or nudge clumps down to the ground as I stood on the verges with my camera. The snow was supposed to melt quickly with the promised higher temperatures during the day, but it was bitterly cold here in the countryside.</p><p>I constantly checked the time while I was photographing this beautiful scenery, slowly working my way north, and eventually arrived in Berryville, where a Reptile Expo was taking place. I'd never been to one before, and wanted to add this to my list of experiences. My friend, Angelina, has 21 spiders, as well as snakes and other reptilian pets, so I was happy she was joining me, with her knowledge of these animals and events. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv2TVGmfLiXccQEGlj8AFGNVUgrX7v3UUg285ZNXyqfGRvbs6v5Ut7s2z5feAUfDpgtdwIPCiqxfmG5o2WHIzh6WmMSCXXtyXZIad_bX2f8SMARbQydy4LHenpsbRVFTzPp_tTWPoVrbqulnXY-17Dj2IhQeZ25XhgyXH40MwkYLa3CDoyBBjGloYm9E/s900/DSC05019.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv2TVGmfLiXccQEGlj8AFGNVUgrX7v3UUg285ZNXyqfGRvbs6v5Ut7s2z5feAUfDpgtdwIPCiqxfmG5o2WHIzh6WmMSCXXtyXZIad_bX2f8SMARbQydy4LHenpsbRVFTzPp_tTWPoVrbqulnXY-17Dj2IhQeZ25XhgyXH40MwkYLa3CDoyBBjGloYm9E/s320/DSC05019.png" width="320" /></a></div><p> I have to admit that I was shocked when I entered the first building, my initial sight being a table laden with multiple clear plastic pots containing geckos. My immediate reaction was that this was a cruel practice, these poor creatures crammed into containers, with no food or water, and hoards of humans peering at them and picking them up. I asked a couple of vendors about this, and was told that they were fine, they didn't need food or water for the short period of time that they were there, from 9am to 3pm. Yet how long were they sitting in these 'pots' during transit, and before the show started, and before they were released into bigger containers when they got 'home', I wondered. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvfAvcevQfsEQlVnTaYk5lc-Ccs5oHxyT71wLRPMM7YPUmjCNcljMYcb-nob93W8Cyo9X055ZGeJZTJ_78VQbpqQ7uh4NSWV5L6-SKtXlXXVpxWk-txL4o_iruAF-jCE1S5L3IKUrvgY6nFfO5Z5t1xlxFl3ajoDBYEtDQtopHMkid1TiZYbUqYG-cTE/s2141/IMG_6173.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2141" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvfAvcevQfsEQlVnTaYk5lc-Ccs5oHxyT71wLRPMM7YPUmjCNcljMYcb-nob93W8Cyo9X055ZGeJZTJ_78VQbpqQ7uh4NSWV5L6-SKtXlXXVpxWk-txL4o_iruAF-jCE1S5L3IKUrvgY6nFfO5Z5t1xlxFl3ajoDBYEtDQtopHMkid1TiZYbUqYG-cTE/s320/IMG_6173.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Alien, a very big, but placid, python. Her owner had only had her for 3 months, yet she was obviously well used to being handled. I was allowed to hold her, and she immediately wound herself around my neck and rested her head on the hood of my jacket. She enjoyed being stroked and I could have stood there all day caressing her, she was so sweet. I reluctantly gave her back to the vendor after a 5 minute snuggle, and looked at the other snakes in their small plastic containers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamet_GA7st1wnbQpCitSpG0odHWcEzdNNi80Xay8ZUTeT3c4tx9GYe2msatdaY0Iy7y9KDN8DdKXJsapiux41Bd2t-8n9AS7jzMuFZIQO-Csm5VYrvjqvfCSsaxKcD3xXICLv86PuMvgEbnq25P3uNWRXi_UlAtpHUD-xf0zWcY03tO0AB-Qc0hs3slY/s2037/IMG_6178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2037" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamet_GA7st1wnbQpCitSpG0odHWcEzdNNi80Xay8ZUTeT3c4tx9GYe2msatdaY0Iy7y9KDN8DdKXJsapiux41Bd2t-8n9AS7jzMuFZIQO-Csm5VYrvjqvfCSsaxKcD3xXICLv86PuMvgEbnq25P3uNWRXi_UlAtpHUD-xf0zWcY03tO0AB-Qc0hs3slY/s320/IMG_6178.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgdGFiEtZpHYjppH_2jRHchdDOv-4AaS3_U0JKjcrLy72EHdSUuPIiVHOKFVbZophdwkAL9U5MZcZ3Ps6PULIfdNfJvGUlxA-3SyfofcueW8qlgzDxlSKds2quqD7g1vkEbeDk49QtXjC0er9By1DX0n28GkzAE-uNVx8PjRktSq2cnVvuazBq5HF93U/s3072/IMG_6180.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgdGFiEtZpHYjppH_2jRHchdDOv-4AaS3_U0JKjcrLy72EHdSUuPIiVHOKFVbZophdwkAL9U5MZcZ3Ps6PULIfdNfJvGUlxA-3SyfofcueW8qlgzDxlSKds2quqD7g1vkEbeDk49QtXjC0er9By1DX0n28GkzAE-uNVx8PjRktSq2cnVvuazBq5HF93U/s320/IMG_6180.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv9pUQfCrToPhpqr7MjkTtq3vChkz5Q1JkAqUhT-q8ZwsTwvueJUTHWO2qiURiuJwgEbuJp0wS6PA2laVSm_jvnNX6fr0S1Imoxmn7VdRPnEeo-Dzi6zseremDwLLJEkqK-rDGFdkJdsVEX71Fo7s-Sn5i428KTSuABejf7r9N84Uo3c2EfiCDrrVisg/s3452/IMG_6183.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3452" data-original-width="2589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv9pUQfCrToPhpqr7MjkTtq3vChkz5Q1JkAqUhT-q8ZwsTwvueJUTHWO2qiURiuJwgEbuJp0wS6PA2laVSm_jvnNX6fr0S1Imoxmn7VdRPnEeo-Dzi6zseremDwLLJEkqK-rDGFdkJdsVEX71Fo7s-Sn5i428KTSuABejf7r9N84Uo3c2EfiCDrrVisg/s320/IMG_6183.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwwzPxqPzzHYrlKfdcLUmKWF_l_hzaDPZGR6n-IGjvakTbLIjFYIXRyX56LpHMAJE6vfTWfKaSvLNMqbPTpyixYHtEjt9DDOW3nAjF5yF0yVpJAkClC9w2amea0aqgdVMJ3GPK7xJ7hzuqJWNfdt6JeZqilnLw31TwBXsQK8WoK58Tidf_ZRmLug5Ax8/s3154/IMG_6185.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="3154" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwwzPxqPzzHYrlKfdcLUmKWF_l_hzaDPZGR6n-IGjvakTbLIjFYIXRyX56LpHMAJE6vfTWfKaSvLNMqbPTpyixYHtEjt9DDOW3nAjF5yF0yVpJAkClC9w2amea0aqgdVMJ3GPK7xJ7hzuqJWNfdt6JeZqilnLw31TwBXsQK8WoK58Tidf_ZRmLug5Ax8/s320/IMG_6185.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Above, we have a male Super Banana Clown snake, at $1000, a couple of Mountain Horned Dragons at $25 each, a very handsome Blue Tongue skink at $150, and 2 Solomon Island Mangrove Monitors at $100 each. All of these appealed to me, but not enough to want to own any, although maintenance isn’t that difficult apparently.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7FTeC5nzCZSwpqg81Y8p6jibOWCbRyLPobg5pKgkAc0ipZ-kwIsmQ1QM4tfaegq6yKk3F3qPqEwVWeIWdzBmX4uNp_ghbtG2QVbn9z2VdGn5WfOWptivY4eKz6dODppTdbmI1jG3djHEQ_fu7PVOP7Pm2wtO0Ke4q77O9y4birOJ81Ab-AEGhBXDNi4/s3133/IMG_6196.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2351" data-original-width="3133" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7FTeC5nzCZSwpqg81Y8p6jibOWCbRyLPobg5pKgkAc0ipZ-kwIsmQ1QM4tfaegq6yKk3F3qPqEwVWeIWdzBmX4uNp_ghbtG2QVbn9z2VdGn5WfOWptivY4eKz6dODppTdbmI1jG3djHEQ_fu7PVOP7Pm2wtO0Ke4q77O9y4birOJ81Ab-AEGhBXDNi4/s320/IMG_6196.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNJ0Kd8cIcF3gUVmbq0ZBk8e_F4gAewMFB4wNFOouTg92crHNwgRHuzSdP_wnILtiiKvA0NGeEuUttZ1yk5ejupN70t2Ull8xRyakqEowgpjFAZ4xhp3i5ZH0o8tWHsg_E6OD2t8Hllduyxk5Tuwz5l06bfFzauQQjLgEbQVPutSDNvT8jdOv-DkASGs/s3143/IMG_6200.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2357" data-original-width="3143" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNJ0Kd8cIcF3gUVmbq0ZBk8e_F4gAewMFB4wNFOouTg92crHNwgRHuzSdP_wnILtiiKvA0NGeEuUttZ1yk5ejupN70t2Ull8xRyakqEowgpjFAZ4xhp3i5ZH0o8tWHsg_E6OD2t8Hllduyxk5Tuwz5l06bfFzauQQjLgEbQVPutSDNvT8jdOv-DkASGs/s320/IMG_6200.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The ‘creepy crawlie’ critters were a different story. I really didn’t want to get close to any of these, paranoid that they’d heave their lids off and jump on me. I tried very hard to see them through Angelina’s eyes as she, very knowledgeably, described their traits and needs. The spider was a Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula, and the Vietnamese Giant Centipede wasn’t charming me either. I imagine both of these can move very fast.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACIqwsST_6WdlVNhbBJEg-hTtlOcDocK8IS-6OtqfxSo9DjBFXZFTePg3X6-XiL1yv0NLxPDPAjxiYvSQ5R1NCW1CTcDckPoLJvp0qUFcLYOk79rJOQKLjaGKvp9atUWUy3_XDeBwKEVIFl8FG2rrx-9wO8xB2l4CPjNu0O-DeKIb_hbtjd2oSC41PEA/s4032/IMG_6201.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACIqwsST_6WdlVNhbBJEg-hTtlOcDocK8IS-6OtqfxSo9DjBFXZFTePg3X6-XiL1yv0NLxPDPAjxiYvSQ5R1NCW1CTcDckPoLJvp0qUFcLYOk79rJOQKLjaGKvp9atUWUy3_XDeBwKEVIFl8FG2rrx-9wO8xB2l4CPjNu0O-DeKIb_hbtjd2oSC41PEA/s320/IMG_6201.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think this chap was a Bearded Dragon. I was so captivated by him that I forgot to look at his label. His owner had opened her laptop and left it running, so he could snooze on the warm keyboard. He looked very content, but did open one eye, somehow aware that I was staring at him.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEehyKHhizn1tLhJyyD7rHRfm_szFtvpGWl_kja2yBnbnJAUE9ZValq1eTQvQqU6ilTrf4gXLKLrAZPvQBRJS6ti8vPwnQsyDEkvOfzt88EKuy18RjcunQ_HmDnzG0csXXIUv2HBLvmWA_lxeyCzHz6OWVRxoqQDfppMUFDnM44npC_edwoUYL6W-Ww0s/s4032/IMG_6204.dng" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEehyKHhizn1tLhJyyD7rHRfm_szFtvpGWl_kja2yBnbnJAUE9ZValq1eTQvQqU6ilTrf4gXLKLrAZPvQBRJS6ti8vPwnQsyDEkvOfzt88EKuy18RjcunQ_HmDnzG0csXXIUv2HBLvmWA_lxeyCzHz6OWVRxoqQDfppMUFDnM44npC_edwoUYL6W-Ww0s/s320/IMG_6204.dng" width="240" /></a></div><p>The expo had definitely been an eye-opener for me, and I was glad that I went, but when Angelina suggested going to another in Manassas next month, I declined. I’d seen some incredible creatures, and the ones I’d really loved, the jumping spiders, I hadn’t got photos of. I was amazed that people kept them as pets, although the vendors were selling gaudy plastic houses, filled with plastic figurines, plastic foliage, with beads and baubles. I see these cute little spiders in the garden, and had never considered catching them to keep indoors. I prefer to see them on living flowers and plants. But they were very popular at the expo, especially with kids. I’d been amazed at how many people turned up for this event, both of the big barns were crowded, with long queues of folk outside the doors. With over 100 vendors, selling everything needed to set up a reptile home, it was incredibly busy, and until this visit, I’d had no idea how popular reptiles were, yet money was being passed over the tables continuously. Vendor tables had all been taken by the beginning of January, and the event had had no plans to postpone, despite the snow forecast. Angelina bought quite a lot of stuff. A live baby mouse and a frozen rabbit to feed her snakes, some cork bark for aquariums, and 2 more spiders. I bought a prayer plant</p><p></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-72577861422311162822023-12-30T17:28:00.000-08:002023-12-30T17:28:07.596-08:00Back Trails and Buttons<p> On Friday, I strapped up my toe, my ankle, and leaving my knee to fend for itself, set off for a short hike. Up on the Skyline Drive, it was quiet and cold. There were few people about, even the lookouts were empty of visitors, a shame, as the views were magnificent.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9YvXKTrLTDaHaP72gJSnTjogoq4-enitALiaXXxvLw7w-TUP22bea_eJm7qUtvYmEXDALQu-D_qBLX_1kKK6hXYLvHzWWGehih3xUMdPBVvXjWjagwKzFzh1nPtpkabCeGsB-4XqNOdVBAB5YIoohnP5nHmhsVvLqNocvSjska6NQW4L7MTCONkvGiY/s3237/IMG_5584.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="3237" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9YvXKTrLTDaHaP72gJSnTjogoq4-enitALiaXXxvLw7w-TUP22bea_eJm7qUtvYmEXDALQu-D_qBLX_1kKK6hXYLvHzWWGehih3xUMdPBVvXjWjagwKzFzh1nPtpkabCeGsB-4XqNOdVBAB5YIoohnP5nHmhsVvLqNocvSjska6NQW4L7MTCONkvGiY/s320/IMG_5584.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW183cBcDSGm1eTSZfTGvY8n03fyzWixPgLPdxr4UM3d26NPtuj_RYPNiUNPT0Nu8gjnuxWuHNS3sF8QcWaPVRzDWz28LrCJwwfngz9U-SSJgrO8Jy9sgEjmIELiTqmAf6T3KRlpinlvV9LvsTryyA8N_Q-szBHuZf6zPGGn4llYtK3aB5LQogRKw954/s4032/IMG_5589.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW183cBcDSGm1eTSZfTGvY8n03fyzWixPgLPdxr4UM3d26NPtuj_RYPNiUNPT0Nu8gjnuxWuHNS3sF8QcWaPVRzDWz28LrCJwwfngz9U-SSJgrO8Jy9sgEjmIELiTqmAf6T3KRlpinlvV9LvsTryyA8N_Q-szBHuZf6zPGGn4llYtK3aB5LQogRKw954/s320/IMG_5589.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkQTPsqGiyUesZ5uWuJ0OrbCR4uVylxAJx_r9Y54VHrg2xl1UkhT89gLKPGYfRdBNhhLJCadro62Q7p6toJeyaPh2vZozpjXqIIpXJ_UKCJGYA8cGYisf_nFBhu3AXpC3lIxP86qqGu34xJvUaBPdCmpfMBGtd0mpezu1g5KjgUkJ1-Nkbexko6UCZLk/s4032/IMG_5590.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkQTPsqGiyUesZ5uWuJ0OrbCR4uVylxAJx_r9Y54VHrg2xl1UkhT89gLKPGYfRdBNhhLJCadro62Q7p6toJeyaPh2vZozpjXqIIpXJ_UKCJGYA8cGYisf_nFBhu3AXpC3lIxP86qqGu34xJvUaBPdCmpfMBGtd0mpezu1g5KjgUkJ1-Nkbexko6UCZLk/s320/IMG_5590.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPsRe8VmPaxdGGfufBe_6sov8Lg1Lj3oAs-Q2-54RCX1NpmuQsRwW9wy3_LxrAJ6qPW-pshO4xAq0MthxVG6Fb17IODmqVdCVJRfZQq1OPQhTBvH4pIWWngSD9Q6I3ZYla6o-0AAC27CAxOCRI3UYFVio6snTH7hRT16R_aHjCJx0qNbW3aWS21W7Cpo/s4032/IMG_5591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPsRe8VmPaxdGGfufBe_6sov8Lg1Lj3oAs-Q2-54RCX1NpmuQsRwW9wy3_LxrAJ6qPW-pshO4xAq0MthxVG6Fb17IODmqVdCVJRfZQq1OPQhTBvH4pIWWngSD9Q6I3ZYla6o-0AAC27CAxOCRI3UYFVio6snTH7hRT16R_aHjCJx0qNbW3aWS21W7Cpo/s320/IMG_5591.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXDqoe8wPMAxyxZm3wGuLC1_K6XK7uAuaEmFi4nve1RcCDP11M8Z1z5MEKbv0Zv_VMyiF35D9h-ZRQ3k-fibtMDfWzUuKNg4ZQIFgzt-Jp3nbSonNhyphenhyphenCiKJyhiCFpHjkDIAhNgj-LdyNXnuF-1L00XzZLk0zE7vDmpSmBOsHNNsn-L1FkE8379QWvZkg/s3306/IMG_5592.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="3306" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXDqoe8wPMAxyxZm3wGuLC1_K6XK7uAuaEmFi4nve1RcCDP11M8Z1z5MEKbv0Zv_VMyiF35D9h-ZRQ3k-fibtMDfWzUuKNg4ZQIFgzt-Jp3nbSonNhyphenhyphenCiKJyhiCFpHjkDIAhNgj-LdyNXnuF-1L00XzZLk0zE7vDmpSmBOsHNNsn-L1FkE8379QWvZkg/s320/IMG_5592.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I spotted a grassy lay by, with a trail heading up onto the mountain, so parked up, grabbed my backpack and poles, and began walking. The air was crisp and quiet. I heard a couple of cars pass on the road behind me, but as I climbed, the traffic sounds faded away, and silence surrounded me. At the top of the trail, a marker told me I was now on the Appalachian Trail, and could go left or right. I went left, stopping to admire the spectacular vistas.<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE_r6AQVjAmrVH-tCTdq6OA6TP4-Vf-9bsBl86Nd-gxh6npLOYfjrt0L_VM7aX2HKYuFweV-2u6hq8nIfMRynp6vQ0A-BHR3TDh5F1IPJpwHXsm92gTv-VGd_MmGCF_Mj6BcL7o6IdSXVUwvB8whNz8ovIyOCxabdpzprVde3JUoTEm9R1hogWbwPxPs/s4032/IMG_5593.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE_r6AQVjAmrVH-tCTdq6OA6TP4-Vf-9bsBl86Nd-gxh6npLOYfjrt0L_VM7aX2HKYuFweV-2u6hq8nIfMRynp6vQ0A-BHR3TDh5F1IPJpwHXsm92gTv-VGd_MmGCF_Mj6BcL7o6IdSXVUwvB8whNz8ovIyOCxabdpzprVde3JUoTEm9R1hogWbwPxPs/s320/IMG_5593.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvDW3bqnjvGj1Kbc1hcBc-2Unx3oN-uzfEX0N7A_adyWdsEnT9qqyYRYmJtjBw2-ju7KcdJKW0vx3sUTnkvsOatjsXxQLOApQbUWrYjBZWYn8PxyoyZN6nd-Hn5-ShOLfQ1Bn57axVik6m8lNXid0fobQM7sqEo3X-gjlyD0b7Jp07iVH6pE06CdHhI/s3088/IMG_5595.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvDW3bqnjvGj1Kbc1hcBc-2Unx3oN-uzfEX0N7A_adyWdsEnT9qqyYRYmJtjBw2-ju7KcdJKW0vx3sUTnkvsOatjsXxQLOApQbUWrYjBZWYn8PxyoyZN6nd-Hn5-ShOLfQ1Bn57axVik6m8lNXid0fobQM7sqEo3X-gjlyD0b7Jp07iVH6pE06CdHhI/s320/IMG_5595.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5M6y4xQuAXTCsyZLcwBwStDbjnOOFldAkPdMZDR5gzVL0m6REJWiEKymfYP6zljzNCWPF5ER6yhiutfDe7KTmfM_MwfGPnEzDcl0fsxAKg9uwzC0awDQY5TbNj55_nimntr5WWQYAy5mJV7iamoWyCOoL5fW9iTr9ZlQw6N258vhcZyGWMLlDkjRubQ/s2586/IMG_5597.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="1939" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5M6y4xQuAXTCsyZLcwBwStDbjnOOFldAkPdMZDR5gzVL0m6REJWiEKymfYP6zljzNCWPF5ER6yhiutfDe7KTmfM_MwfGPnEzDcl0fsxAKg9uwzC0awDQY5TbNj55_nimntr5WWQYAy5mJV7iamoWyCOoL5fW9iTr9ZlQw6N258vhcZyGWMLlDkjRubQ/s320/IMG_5597.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdegSUnhXl3Xf_TuXx_btvTWc97r-oUS6EWjHsRHoP1toUeGm-bVX2yz0as84fCT2zdDizrtvQj6BTWHZAeBElcGczLAFxya_a3WVGrH3kSWKVyp5vjC33DQ9ozpwzyvADSmA1E-9yYP5xW2DLaMPUhMF8ll6HVnkVAzLsKxGv3n7IpQWii4j1-_Hx4X0/s2220/IMG_5598.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="2220" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdegSUnhXl3Xf_TuXx_btvTWc97r-oUS6EWjHsRHoP1toUeGm-bVX2yz0as84fCT2zdDizrtvQj6BTWHZAeBElcGczLAFxya_a3WVGrH3kSWKVyp5vjC33DQ9ozpwzyvADSmA1E-9yYP5xW2DLaMPUhMF8ll6HVnkVAzLsKxGv3n7IpQWii4j1-_Hx4X0/s320/IMG_5598.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF84dasKJhe5QflYoQCaXNPjAaj49NxrmLo30r74dVeL_ea9uLKydvD7Zz_pNxQSoOLS0GmRBQTmvPdGzurUU5bjF3jPte52Gf83NJZpQEmbjqZL-Q-JemeUvW6AnJiHoIPm2BqMH5AUp-b9atoDkwfkhO6R6F82Vq9NaNrczZcrl3zSSKMRjruBGDdQ/s2938/IMG_5600.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="2203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF84dasKJhe5QflYoQCaXNPjAaj49NxrmLo30r74dVeL_ea9uLKydvD7Zz_pNxQSoOLS0GmRBQTmvPdGzurUU5bjF3jPte52Gf83NJZpQEmbjqZL-Q-JemeUvW6AnJiHoIPm2BqMH5AUp-b9atoDkwfkhO6R6F82Vq9NaNrczZcrl3zSSKMRjruBGDdQ/s320/IMG_5600.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was now walking along the top of the mountain, where the trees are short and stubby, due to them being exposed to the elements, including heavy winds. But today, there was no wind, just fresh, chilly air punctuated occasionally with a few crow cries and the angry chatter of squirrels having their peace and quiet disturbed by a human. Yet, despite dealing with adverse conditions, nature is thriving up here. Bright green lichens cover the trees and rocks, with glorious clumps of emerald mosses. Shelf fungi clung to fallen trunks and the autumn leaves shimmered on the ground in the winter sunshine. I looked for lions mane mushrooms, a fluffy, tendriled mushroom, on the trees, but there were none of their host trees up here on the exposed ridge line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAeLnRi9rNgnb-IRtCoD-__J2nLiXqpR-TWUXDZ2ZNn9bMqryts9ZBqDIVqdhsbEwlA8IJUcf-L6tTp7QTdM_hQgCC2rLe7Cezo7m3jgZIRMMMMD9E1tbUSGu_NBqd4IQrNA0_ujWmVRogtBVb6tjUjOyEXO3hfvB5xYwtSjj6kN6Oq2nUc5ILgFWU90/s3878/IMG_5601.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3878" data-original-width="2908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAeLnRi9rNgnb-IRtCoD-__J2nLiXqpR-TWUXDZ2ZNn9bMqryts9ZBqDIVqdhsbEwlA8IJUcf-L6tTp7QTdM_hQgCC2rLe7Cezo7m3jgZIRMMMMD9E1tbUSGu_NBqd4IQrNA0_ujWmVRogtBVb6tjUjOyEXO3hfvB5xYwtSjj6kN6Oq2nUc5ILgFWU90/s320/IMG_5601.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EKuQpIDiWDyWOCdZPVoyKeAsikwsMyZ1PgrG21KOiRWcwTmHmr3W95m0PM_4TrNGCHrNT0KZc2Ybs3jgPGmNuLtp93ZD0VAgLIqkziKAXKxSRKBYTqqP8inNc5rLNPqkkKeJkelGrtmolSjCfMP0ktU8UgsiWq3U8hp0E-0EmZ18S_iBlRylDHi_4Qw/s4032/IMG_5603.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EKuQpIDiWDyWOCdZPVoyKeAsikwsMyZ1PgrG21KOiRWcwTmHmr3W95m0PM_4TrNGCHrNT0KZc2Ybs3jgPGmNuLtp93ZD0VAgLIqkziKAXKxSRKBYTqqP8inNc5rLNPqkkKeJkelGrtmolSjCfMP0ktU8UgsiWq3U8hp0E-0EmZ18S_iBlRylDHi_4Qw/s320/IMG_5603.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNDhMgryp3WAhLFf_7N2h5Fndb1hRoKJJsTA3RDI1eX6SexK1M768iIdljhvDxaM2C2RAySMyninRgPFiVG6xYVnoO0uBLEO1UrhR5Oy0rP7VL-6S1oeJdDX3lRYbsl7EjRF4K0nAh2uPyYm_3pRA41aRlqzDgjaTTe-3YL-yaHYhyphenhyphen6jE-GiZ6hG0c48/s4032/IMG_5604.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNDhMgryp3WAhLFf_7N2h5Fndb1hRoKJJsTA3RDI1eX6SexK1M768iIdljhvDxaM2C2RAySMyninRgPFiVG6xYVnoO0uBLEO1UrhR5Oy0rP7VL-6S1oeJdDX3lRYbsl7EjRF4K0nAh2uPyYm_3pRA41aRlqzDgjaTTe-3YL-yaHYhyphenhyphen6jE-GiZ6hG0c48/s320/IMG_5604.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I walked 2 miles along the AT, the trail descending down the side of the mountain, crossing the Skyline Drive, and then climbing back up again, then down and up some more before I decided to stop. I sat on some huge rocks to drink water, and chewed a Cliff bar with an expiration date of September 2022. It didn’t taste any different from what I remembered, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. I gave myself a scare while I sat munching, as ahead of me, among the bare tree trunks, I saw a large black shape, and thought it was a bear that had got a whiff of my peanut bar. But after some scrutinizing and moving from side to side, I realized it was an uprooted tree, its bare root base facing me with black earth still clinging and hanging in clods. I hurriedly finished my snack and began the walk back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD43zUVcf6LnfCcl1HIEVmKO9pooR6-uRMGiCUCARFZxJLWt_LLFC-961-QF42ujb17fo8BIu4ri5TaC62AxgwbEyT6EHSFlisoWYs61ERAmbyuP5aKxOBrXyY7xHa6VywzFAYsaLF0YVqKcXUWSgm35Ji4h9fPdotyi-R1E3Xf9RkNehqhFCB9ReNN8Y/s4032/IMG_5605.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD43zUVcf6LnfCcl1HIEVmKO9pooR6-uRMGiCUCARFZxJLWt_LLFC-961-QF42ujb17fo8BIu4ri5TaC62AxgwbEyT6EHSFlisoWYs61ERAmbyuP5aKxOBrXyY7xHa6VywzFAYsaLF0YVqKcXUWSgm35Ji4h9fPdotyi-R1E3Xf9RkNehqhFCB9ReNN8Y/s320/IMG_5605.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx_iPIIKVCIw-Lme8tSoX2i73rhNfE-F4FR9YXs0vyvvzucN0HcrJDWcLo2vqYykYBAXf0WntQG74Sv5shTqW1l49rnNICPPOf5vDxw_t3EoSCVoCe-obkwJaMSMLF8m7cmc8N27W02a-08jvf4MPzTBz3ZXdNhNy40eUzXcwBy1Wqfhj_8aAgJDiwlU/s4032/IMG_5608.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx_iPIIKVCIw-Lme8tSoX2i73rhNfE-F4FR9YXs0vyvvzucN0HcrJDWcLo2vqYykYBAXf0WntQG74Sv5shTqW1l49rnNICPPOf5vDxw_t3EoSCVoCe-obkwJaMSMLF8m7cmc8N27W02a-08jvf4MPzTBz3ZXdNhNy40eUzXcwBy1Wqfhj_8aAgJDiwlU/s320/IMG_5608.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwSsyagHVfyEe0sYcPHyVRzZ0FI1gs2SWMpME0c0X6WTq7xvhhYXBbFR2KqUf5PeakNpJklpq1SN_IkroPxia6KsjCVN49xXD8mbmfc0Y2W72L11tOnwcloT9fFfN0KzCmG-m-HRRoM300ujQUHrN1_qcVAb9gX5jRwQGz03omtbS3gek21jV1YW3Ac8/s4032/IMG_5610.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwSsyagHVfyEe0sYcPHyVRzZ0FI1gs2SWMpME0c0X6WTq7xvhhYXBbFR2KqUf5PeakNpJklpq1SN_IkroPxia6KsjCVN49xXD8mbmfc0Y2W72L11tOnwcloT9fFfN0KzCmG-m-HRRoM300ujQUHrN1_qcVAb9gX5jRwQGz03omtbS3gek21jV1YW3Ac8/s320/IMG_5610.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7q3QtKFqQb6bn1Bd5E_u7tfPFHHXpUbifzTLNX8DzW3NRVKtDJeBQXzi0JYCwG2VACENIOMe-2O37S6Ygxz52RHl0B0wk7xae81k51-5f6FC6lSBUYDrtAQCRQ5Efq3LEa-oOS_6MIdSd7W6Jr_OhsMXbkL4XyMTj1ro39GOuovA782e-WBRF_WAMOE/s4032/IMG_5613.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7q3QtKFqQb6bn1Bd5E_u7tfPFHHXpUbifzTLNX8DzW3NRVKtDJeBQXzi0JYCwG2VACENIOMe-2O37S6Ygxz52RHl0B0wk7xae81k51-5f6FC6lSBUYDrtAQCRQ5Efq3LEa-oOS_6MIdSd7W6Jr_OhsMXbkL4XyMTj1ro39GOuovA782e-WBRF_WAMOE/s320/IMG_5613.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkup4Skv6k3tZHOjq_SrNIhfW6kP0jIWkk_QycdlnEB6y-Zt2Sbq5Aj88FvJDB1dWY4ETiV55FUraQ74egoM47FiVjJWvdlwFPzaQRaM-5RrLiqpKmmTRz_IdnrcWzg-yxMIw0NUMYy1jFw59DVD-mS91xGpPDaVejQM69Oz_LtKia0-kTaI7rLRzjjvI/s4032/IMG_5614.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkup4Skv6k3tZHOjq_SrNIhfW6kP0jIWkk_QycdlnEB6y-Zt2Sbq5Aj88FvJDB1dWY4ETiV55FUraQ74egoM47FiVjJWvdlwFPzaQRaM-5RrLiqpKmmTRz_IdnrcWzg-yxMIw0NUMYy1jFw59DVD-mS91xGpPDaVejQM69Oz_LtKia0-kTaI7rLRzjjvI/s320/IMG_5614.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Along a more sheltered part of the trail, there were large clumps of mountain laurel, their dark green, shiny leaves encroaching over the trail, beginning to form a tunnel. This will be a pretty spot in early spring when their white and pink flowers bloom. On the way up, I had noticed the path was covered with acorns. Called a mast year, when trees put out a bigger crop of seeds than usual, this is also a sign of a severe winter approaching, according to folklore and the Farmer’s Almanac. On the way back I stopped and picked up several handfuls, stuffing them in my backpack, for the squirrels and blue jays at home.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5q5LXuhCObPM7prr9ILPYKHoZDA_zKZVMCuTsOggzFnhk_BA2uQij4C-nssqZcZNjAENVBQdYS-LfQy5UhpCMJw8P9qryb55kk7ehiM9QiPDV8pt20s8afbcUYCK9DLVLUQ3MsUvqtBWS6I-0Ctm0RjLE1ccR7tN4fqGYEUG65BSUyo-qCfLuMvGldw/s3024/IMG_5616.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5q5LXuhCObPM7prr9ILPYKHoZDA_zKZVMCuTsOggzFnhk_BA2uQij4C-nssqZcZNjAENVBQdYS-LfQy5UhpCMJw8P9qryb55kk7ehiM9QiPDV8pt20s8afbcUYCK9DLVLUQ3MsUvqtBWS6I-0Ctm0RjLE1ccR7tN4fqGYEUG65BSUyo-qCfLuMvGldw/s320/IMG_5616.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmb6HRcR1Vby57baFAcIHj9_4ze1Bu_06XV2PUXGuP9sICI1qi270zQUhwuLSLpOBXl7JHOztr-bytVE_gcmKVmHviU_K56mm0urkXUbxhE1TAs-WQ8bjyIUnw7wOlZNPN5xldQM-5fPvjH9W81kYoOamufkCEgw_CE6OmACw3rBHHGALBKx-PjSmaQ/s3945/IMG_5617.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2959" data-original-width="3945" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmb6HRcR1Vby57baFAcIHj9_4ze1Bu_06XV2PUXGuP9sICI1qi270zQUhwuLSLpOBXl7JHOztr-bytVE_gcmKVmHviU_K56mm0urkXUbxhE1TAs-WQ8bjyIUnw7wOlZNPN5xldQM-5fPvjH9W81kYoOamufkCEgw_CE6OmACw3rBHHGALBKx-PjSmaQ/s320/IMG_5617.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heading home, I stopped at one of the lookouts, the Blue Ridge Mountains looking somber under the heavy winter sky. I felt a few drops of rain, and was glad to be warm and dry in Stanley as I drove back to The Blue House..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had decided to get crafty on Thursday evening. I have a rose colored lampshade on a vintage lamp stand, given to me by friends many years ago. I used to like the lampshade, but have discovered it’s one commonly seen, so now I dislike it, as I prefer to be different. I pulled off the fabric, and decided to create something original.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lzvoT5syQLNhf2nDue_1nOkFYfhj5fjbu7LUcHZOBOHi2n0U-vPfCfoMll3NCKqBFZQJf2TAXw-myTIEgJetgZV4ErIursgQw9aD_1oi7pBwT80yX513UTQ1fXOq2g-9edDl9i5M1ppHPObkgyHjybo6SSEhmC3gtAi4j4ggpAi1N0Pd6WcWsrGfW0A/s3285/IMG_5579.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="3285" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lzvoT5syQLNhf2nDue_1nOkFYfhj5fjbu7LUcHZOBOHi2n0U-vPfCfoMll3NCKqBFZQJf2TAXw-myTIEgJetgZV4ErIursgQw9aD_1oi7pBwT80yX513UTQ1fXOq2g-9edDl9i5M1ppHPObkgyHjybo6SSEhmC3gtAi4j4ggpAi1N0Pd6WcWsrGfW0A/s320/IMG_5579.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over 30 years ago, I bought an old gramophone cabinet, which, inside, had some old sewing bits and pieces, scissors, fabric tape measure, wooden reels of cotton, needle cases, other odds and ends, including a tub of vintage buttons. Moving from England, I parted with the cabinet, but kept the contents, as I was using them, and the buttons went into some ancient Balls canning jars for decoration. I tipped them out onto the dining room table, and with wire, started to recover the lampshade frame with old buttons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6SkO4CnXyq8ZfeHu75woqqXdiusNXgOnDZI67hcP4LQ979TVx9gEqPbfgzz29_F78g2sOIrBm1yzJsbMET8IcKkn53EipVeAtK7Hoi9bmxtMIl1cIFUTgBNCMWfOa5JY2D0xUAc2PyEe_eGvFKleWK6EJMhHzXivq3HNCFyWb2hj5imhpPD3UmeVUM/s3728/IMG_5620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="3728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6SkO4CnXyq8ZfeHu75woqqXdiusNXgOnDZI67hcP4LQ979TVx9gEqPbfgzz29_F78g2sOIrBm1yzJsbMET8IcKkn53EipVeAtK7Hoi9bmxtMIl1cIFUTgBNCMWfOa5JY2D0xUAc2PyEe_eGvFKleWK6EJMhHzXivq3HNCFyWb2hj5imhpPD3UmeVUM/s320/IMG_5620.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBxnGUxYo5a60ZXmgKKyCFV47ccXggGCgPWDy0k4imcJ3p0WamXXNA77to85WyJd6b21rnF_XCoBXmSs-TSPUsx2KAliOjHLVSwph6JNVu9m6IMeT8IHRDizwyjd9QkRxDchbkfSXNiEZkhMjNfr3xhm6ZugdkXwjHChWvWVazsihCAtUdcmRWa8OgP4/s3460/IMG_5621.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3460" data-original-width="2595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBxnGUxYo5a60ZXmgKKyCFV47ccXggGCgPWDy0k4imcJ3p0WamXXNA77to85WyJd6b21rnF_XCoBXmSs-TSPUsx2KAliOjHLVSwph6JNVu9m6IMeT8IHRDizwyjd9QkRxDchbkfSXNiEZkhMjNfr3xhm6ZugdkXwjHChWvWVazsihCAtUdcmRWa8OgP4/s320/IMG_5621.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckeB26pT3dzjMjmNHWZtfmkdv3MNh0wAZIQeifuOHC1fykTgN2r73txuVtjlIXEKckcfYYf_1WEscQgEJXZ6pAW0hVk_UgoTf0A9_BuNpgQKwIeZQPkYx6PCtQUOM5XG4nAaFpkV89twcGAF414kMp3wnaLwcQwVfEm7CxV_vkpm7ZAxqFWgUtUu_l5Y/s4032/IMG_5622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckeB26pT3dzjMjmNHWZtfmkdv3MNh0wAZIQeifuOHC1fykTgN2r73txuVtjlIXEKckcfYYf_1WEscQgEJXZ6pAW0hVk_UgoTf0A9_BuNpgQKwIeZQPkYx6PCtQUOM5XG4nAaFpkV89twcGAF414kMp3wnaLwcQwVfEm7CxV_vkpm7ZAxqFWgUtUu_l5Y/s320/IMG_5622.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ubgr5i7oojP5SB6ljrAyT3wkwVHsFA6hyphenhyphennM6jTeaWhF7aGxkNH-sLGWb5Pnu3Hx5qESqagh09NzSuuQ2kBvhOjTW5gsG2Vjvz717rZG8lwEAxPdbuxRfthP1zZ7x2GhCau11Uth13cTIk3BLr5k3KgaVlYpU6iaGAItUgnahb3TJk4s5EC2eKSvfYA8/s4032/IMG_5623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ubgr5i7oojP5SB6ljrAyT3wkwVHsFA6hyphenhyphennM6jTeaWhF7aGxkNH-sLGWb5Pnu3Hx5qESqagh09NzSuuQ2kBvhOjTW5gsG2Vjvz717rZG8lwEAxPdbuxRfthP1zZ7x2GhCau11Uth13cTIk3BLr5k3KgaVlYpU6iaGAItUgnahb3TJk4s5EC2eKSvfYA8/s320/IMG_5623.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was going well, but after a while, my fingers were getting sore from the tugging and pulling on the wire. I did some more after my hike, and then finished it on Saturday morning. I had worried that I would run out of buttons, I used about 350, but I had plenty, and some still left over. So now, I have a lampshade unlike anyone else, and my vintage buttons are now on display, instead of hidden in a jar. I’m content with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIuAlWa1jvpywpLz5vUW-opsNUM723BptiptDyDwfGZeSoeYL8-WvLnEulWMFBGbl8EWWzmq5PdxFOx_GuS5muTHyu6OlHnSu9y8Ys8Rqhsqi7bhwNoN3m5ItX1Q2lIK0P9JRKXVccfFc9s8iJgRybxJ33DFnTQJTrdGwY7dJDj4OvzCG4msMmvweFH4/s3242/IMG_5624.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2431" data-original-width="3242" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIuAlWa1jvpywpLz5vUW-opsNUM723BptiptDyDwfGZeSoeYL8-WvLnEulWMFBGbl8EWWzmq5PdxFOx_GuS5muTHyu6OlHnSu9y8Ys8Rqhsqi7bhwNoN3m5ItX1Q2lIK0P9JRKXVccfFc9s8iJgRybxJ33DFnTQJTrdGwY7dJDj4OvzCG4msMmvweFH4/s320/IMG_5624.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgCCOcheErYE35Hepdd_PUiTzGfJ4u3sktn8BBuWUkPbtJ7CsqWnj3bzohw7LcewqwSJ_awxNxOKPqj4FsrUGzoayKnu6Iu15gZjv0YY0644Xn5cHefH1obrcwG89vJezqvkgIaNZwnbTjK1hoj_IgBU-aLwqrAM97bHhAPbrBf0k4oBqZmQ6jM7trek/s3853/IMG_5625.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="3853" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgCCOcheErYE35Hepdd_PUiTzGfJ4u3sktn8BBuWUkPbtJ7CsqWnj3bzohw7LcewqwSJ_awxNxOKPqj4FsrUGzoayKnu6Iu15gZjv0YY0644Xn5cHefH1obrcwG89vJezqvkgIaNZwnbTjK1hoj_IgBU-aLwqrAM97bHhAPbrBf0k4oBqZmQ6jM7trek/s320/IMG_5625.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-44623531263129907302023-11-01T15:27:00.000-07:002023-11-01T15:27:41.400-07:00Roaming Roads and Rippling Rivers<div><span style="font-size: medium;">After a hectic week, when I’d passed my citizenship test, gained a Tree Steward course certificate, come second place with my Trivia Team, become a U.S. citizen, and then spent a couple of nights losing sleep and a vet visit with poor Malcolm having urinary issues, I was ready to spend time in the garden, catching up with overdue jobs. So I was actually quite relieved to wake up to rain falling, rendering any garden work unlikely, and so decided to take an overdue ‘me’ trip into the countryside and capture the fall foliage, which was peaking this weekend.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ugC2bB_n0ThX7DCqgu-AHcIJ9dyKGntjVq0gFt8U9Gyu3WFuylZSRybibIcISKg5pjpy7u2iOuT_9QSayfUXSIo0rhCc8YWKKEuiBY3lSe7quyLpJ3V_3Gt4sq46mstusX07EWsv54ydNgvb0Vz2cUZm73NWF2ni8d2TDKJvfj5oxPOcdmLtCQrpXj4/s3689/IMG_4809.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3689" data-original-width="2767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ugC2bB_n0ThX7DCqgu-AHcIJ9dyKGntjVq0gFt8U9Gyu3WFuylZSRybibIcISKg5pjpy7u2iOuT_9QSayfUXSIo0rhCc8YWKKEuiBY3lSe7quyLpJ3V_3Gt4sq46mstusX07EWsv54ydNgvb0Vz2cUZm73NWF2ni8d2TDKJvfj5oxPOcdmLtCQrpXj4/s320/IMG_4809.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS8XhVYMOnCNHst1ufvdUbnsmV6med-HDnjGXTel5R1_w-gjJslFI-972Vww_-UADJJbSmI2SNlRQEY3SvdXTTTqWynCHg-wuLy8Bhp3DrqezuhrWrrsLJ_LUWd8SqxTnzLTfpkLWfqr20Q6xVUhrpOFxtDx8hfAkfmesSawlDhocPdX2Zow_evDHw18/s3079/IMG_4813.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3079" data-original-width="2309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS8XhVYMOnCNHst1ufvdUbnsmV6med-HDnjGXTel5R1_w-gjJslFI-972Vww_-UADJJbSmI2SNlRQEY3SvdXTTTqWynCHg-wuLy8Bhp3DrqezuhrWrrsLJ_LUWd8SqxTnzLTfpkLWfqr20Q6xVUhrpOFxtDx8hfAkfmesSawlDhocPdX2Zow_evDHw18/s320/IMG_4813.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">While the city folk leaf peepers drove the smooth tarmac roads along the Skline Drive to enjoy the foliage colors, I headed for the graveled and dusty back roads where I met less than a handful of the more adventurous explorers who had chosen to leave the paved roads. The morning’s rain had enhanced the leaf colors. I was surrounded with </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">dark chocolate, rust, golden ochre, lemon yellow, aged raspberry wine, mellowed merlot red, corn husk yellow, and forest greens of firs, pines and cedars.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmJoKCQ-a_YbjHEFPUvJk7wuOlio4_X9MBGjLFL-1e9bPcTgUcvyTag3BENZjrZLYl734L3h_4Wi8tNwrLlp9sZTMRMSH-aAGAzLCGJ07xL8M7iJtx49c1-S44GXV-876ZSgQbjzXSICgC1sTT49QcH0MI8yKeB2e2r6UbF8nzaMPRi2XPGvtriTW7wU/s3011/IMG_4817.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3011" data-original-width="2258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmJoKCQ-a_YbjHEFPUvJk7wuOlio4_X9MBGjLFL-1e9bPcTgUcvyTag3BENZjrZLYl734L3h_4Wi8tNwrLlp9sZTMRMSH-aAGAzLCGJ07xL8M7iJtx49c1-S44GXV-876ZSgQbjzXSICgC1sTT49QcH0MI8yKeB2e2r6UbF8nzaMPRi2XPGvtriTW7wU/s320/IMG_4817.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKMHPgsL587bAGobDT-w6_EVsORAPjAVnt2w-sXbBVIhe3N7nw-OgzHvXwlvUvHlK1kT5Pj2uWxqLKNyh4DR4x_Zk0mVIi2c0IJ3ZR6-Z7LZ3YRNQVl49WGhWu_cinAz3nJns3d_QvlgFmmfEVifAQJekV2r3FZ1594xK0WLKzSm64dXynpbogtGY1ew/s4032/IMG_4818.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKMHPgsL587bAGobDT-w6_EVsORAPjAVnt2w-sXbBVIhe3N7nw-OgzHvXwlvUvHlK1kT5Pj2uWxqLKNyh4DR4x_Zk0mVIi2c0IJ3ZR6-Z7LZ3YRNQVl49WGhWu_cinAz3nJns3d_QvlgFmmfEVifAQJekV2r3FZ1594xK0WLKzSm64dXynpbogtGY1ew/s320/IMG_4818.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">I stopped by a river, my car the only one in the lay by, and crossed the road to a track I’d spotted between the trees. The trail was muddy from the rain, but the air was crisp, fragrant with the damp earth and Mother Nature beginning the decomposition of fallen leaves.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5yTPPHx0jfPUtWxk3vjJ8UlPkGCHSbA4woD-QERynV23ugwu_tcZOYyhD7WaYsYRabCOldmGEGoB_nQCCDHIsprDraJDmAZHc-0NeN7vm7oWqyWKH3yYw4FVLBoNhB2LwmJm_irRDqW1PstkUGEs-Jg60czR_sxUq4zO10ul7jGRlCierUFThnAsFj4/s2675/IMG_4823.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="2006" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5yTPPHx0jfPUtWxk3vjJ8UlPkGCHSbA4woD-QERynV23ugwu_tcZOYyhD7WaYsYRabCOldmGEGoB_nQCCDHIsprDraJDmAZHc-0NeN7vm7oWqyWKH3yYw4FVLBoNhB2LwmJm_irRDqW1PstkUGEs-Jg60czR_sxUq4zO10ul7jGRlCierUFThnAsFj4/s320/IMG_4823.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHQ1vhoilOzeX7BD0B2lIuJzYFKcR_82Ls7O7feNe6n5s_47MeGJwFK1_mvzkDo6H0DxrlLU8xPMqYlIsrSl-sRkJzpANwq8hcHGNQZLs7QLboIXlQEM3r3FabDX1j25yEP20hi0LaW8SzAU2gK5RRXneUfSLfFC0JAl5eCxs24qwJQ-H63bjD81Xmqg/s4032/IMG_4826.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHQ1vhoilOzeX7BD0B2lIuJzYFKcR_82Ls7O7feNe6n5s_47MeGJwFK1_mvzkDo6H0DxrlLU8xPMqYlIsrSl-sRkJzpANwq8hcHGNQZLs7QLboIXlQEM3r3FabDX1j25yEP20hi0LaW8SzAU2gK5RRXneUfSLfFC0JAl5eCxs24qwJQ-H63bjD81Xmqg/s320/IMG_4826.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwnf0qQdN1nVOqTveGiXY2HsmA9-M4AcZNkud0DP_cjwuiAfTHOA1m0h8rC0_qF2RkDSH2IMbXJA1CX5j6rqN-7RAjJJmiroqTDO3NUUX08eLg7T84C1y_sM1cPiwe90qAeOStz7bLFkQmYhDsHLqZ1WDl6Ver22QWZwORoHC2saQlymxkjueXc41lI/s4032/IMG_4833.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwnf0qQdN1nVOqTveGiXY2HsmA9-M4AcZNkud0DP_cjwuiAfTHOA1m0h8rC0_qF2RkDSH2IMbXJA1CX5j6rqN-7RAjJJmiroqTDO3NUUX08eLg7T84C1y_sM1cPiwe90qAeOStz7bLFkQmYhDsHLqZ1WDl6Ver22QWZwORoHC2saQlymxkjueXc41lI/s320/IMG_4833.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F9tXSezbLoZLsmPLI1paVyPnjW3WGvVn4xAgcmRts80-YFOtRa6qzHfCoYc0EhOAN_8Qq7CmRZ3ZctSZvCUgmzWPZXF9lURwCjnCwPF2bTunodTe21WrOzmyxr30rHN1mf2KmndU7CJ4bM0y3honln8fmV3Uj5CU-zE5nKHbAnm3M0fOXoXQ3Lshnms/s4032/IMG_4834.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F9tXSezbLoZLsmPLI1paVyPnjW3WGvVn4xAgcmRts80-YFOtRa6qzHfCoYc0EhOAN_8Qq7CmRZ3ZctSZvCUgmzWPZXF9lURwCjnCwPF2bTunodTe21WrOzmyxr30rHN1mf2KmndU7CJ4bM0y3honln8fmV3Uj5CU-zE5nKHbAnm3M0fOXoXQ3Lshnms/s320/IMG_4834.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVTePxYmrDG-t0q031Bxni2_pcrTjnSfvZ2r6bFLuO9ls77L2hYjVTzzJ1WV6Oj8jtZypWOrztJDGtd0_41oik4BNqFSrFjj426ogYNjX65Nw9eF498_efcRdmPAxKtL1hCAIULk2gCRFpx2kvChi-moAF9TffomQaAyG_iYGpTPyR-Bcw-o3wKkeLM8/s4032/IMG_4839.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVTePxYmrDG-t0q031Bxni2_pcrTjnSfvZ2r6bFLuO9ls77L2hYjVTzzJ1WV6Oj8jtZypWOrztJDGtd0_41oik4BNqFSrFjj426ogYNjX65Nw9eF498_efcRdmPAxKtL1hCAIULk2gCRFpx2kvChi-moAF9TffomQaAyG_iYGpTPyR-Bcw-o3wKkeLM8/s320/IMG_4839.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">Purple asters lined the trail, with green mosses on fallen trunks and between tree roots. The river was low after the summer’s drought, more rocks than usual jutting out of the water, the flow of the river slower than I’d seen it before. The river had always cascaded noisily along its route, white caps surfing over the boulders, but today, it meandered around the obstacles, no froth or rivulets swirling along its path. I climbed down to the water’s edge to take photos, mindful of the slippery smooth surfaces of the rocks, still wet from the earlier rain, and if I’d felt more daring, I could have rock hopped from one bank to the other.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">Back in the car, I continued along the valley and stopped at a few points, admiring the long shadows from the sun, that had now made an effort to break through the dark clouds and shine down, lighting up the trees and making their colors even more vibrant. The sun’s rays lit up the oranges, yellows and reds, the trees glowing as though aflame.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ0zrfeZhWj8KCB3_EllOFYRxmpKp9aq_jT8rU_Zx62wax0qyAdMD0PyH8TlNpw8IG5KpVO4pJEqcRfNqPnwU-CcsSCcpQbGUH4_Ac8Y1hzYkhldE8ZySXHBRbHOKoXfgHlYTV4cBBiXZtobyemerkhLKrnpi6z9ozYD67LXnx1K_aAtScJv8z88ucj4/s4032/IMG_4843.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ0zrfeZhWj8KCB3_EllOFYRxmpKp9aq_jT8rU_Zx62wax0qyAdMD0PyH8TlNpw8IG5KpVO4pJEqcRfNqPnwU-CcsSCcpQbGUH4_Ac8Y1hzYkhldE8ZySXHBRbHOKoXfgHlYTV4cBBiXZtobyemerkhLKrnpi6z9ozYD67LXnx1K_aAtScJv8z88ucj4/s320/IMG_4843.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPiZD1yDyjo9QbqR56ws6rqM8dxWxixEWPvmbgzd2G-_0RoKPMLTGTOxRW9Mox16FqmXe5knt05YhLC2KOfBHxOinVRqjNA95BATM5pYvGSIk1xz31sms0cDLVQJ_19w6Nhu8caupDOFKqVsQj-qYfwDuxdYV2udhxDApvOLUyjAD4lyC9MevSSkZpLM/s320/IMG_4858.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctq1TiX1duhdN7sEfrrxqO2GLIEpn1worh4BmkWNWif65nLd0IcAqC53ITuBruhdCWtjXkc4V7Z3jaAAfMnMl3UT7W4p4BlEj82HtPmYyKyyN8edf71ySsuJ48Zgo5FUjCmvfF_bUKYK8jAEZvfptqqdjm36Tp3bLT96CiBBRD5eAPCqolYX1agcKT7Y/s4032/IMG_4863.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctq1TiX1duhdN7sEfrrxqO2GLIEpn1worh4BmkWNWif65nLd0IcAqC53ITuBruhdCWtjXkc4V7Z3jaAAfMnMl3UT7W4p4BlEj82HtPmYyKyyN8edf71ySsuJ48Zgo5FUjCmvfF_bUKYK8jAEZvfptqqdjm36Tp3bLT96CiBBRD5eAPCqolYX1agcKT7Y/s320/IMG_4863.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;">I left the valley road, and drove upwards into the mountains, the pavement giving way to dusty gravel where Stanley rumbled over washboard ruts that stretched across the road. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: georgia; font-size: 17px;">Friendly locals waved from their homes, some from cars that they bent over and worked on, or sitting on front porches with a beer and chewing tobacco, slowly raising an arm as I trundled by. There was a quiet </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: georgia; font-size: 17px;">golden solitude up here, with crisp cool air, the cloudy haze that had hung low in pockets of the valley slowly evaporating in the sunshine. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: georgia; font-size: 17px;">Squirrels leaped and jumped across the road in front of me, busy collecting black walnuts and acorns for their winter store, cheeks stuffed with their treasure.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRQLC2yOGjCOqAqssa4fnsYZ2gE9-jznk4djAIIpKM9Sx89KpUe9ZDMh2zyQZzpmzPLeSnPJqLY6CiocmW6CrD-v2n1T9dH08szT6DJOQJ_yyUyrDOfxWIQkWq_THi-kAzMwb1A4Zg7kDpJo-Z2D9_fgl0tbQlrwDkq7uhzJ7VnmV-pwOBbOp5fjo078/s3795/IMG_4864.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWSSMOGMfdJEDflF2_nBhFILR14BG42unylYEILfNqsFHo5CoIq8H5LhCp7YZE2BR6kXNQoEaT_XPOLz7AS4aWuJbQH9clgJ-BSeV0pxyRKDBL5e3Kkc9EdJ0E9yX-mhyphenhyphenp0qn5_xOi-VLRpLRAKVoQxphT9J7fGOo8F3Lgila7C4WvdiNPeFq2z9RpKI/s1720/IMG_4878.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWSSMOGMfdJEDflF2_nBhFILR14BG42unylYEILfNqsFHo5CoIq8H5LhCp7YZE2BR6kXNQoEaT_XPOLz7AS4aWuJbQH9clgJ-BSeV0pxyRKDBL5e3Kkc9EdJ0E9yX-mhyphenhyphenp0qn5_xOi-VLRpLRAKVoQxphT9J7fGOo8F3Lgila7C4WvdiNPeFq2z9RpKI/s320/IMG_4878.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB8CXH1sXfxrC_mJ3Wi8rBwhxmXzmT5XcL_hmFtlDFlM1IfwbsExZ07x-gF6r9kwwHaHXtelTfSGJ5yth_szpLveMRnpYPYm8iKOaFI39JBI7F4CbwA1CBakuf4lON-RHSt-PspxHg0qo5xUibY187EBHWj75iaTWwL6fe1aYuAj_RgnbfgGE1Cd4BSs/s4032/IMG_4879.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB8CXH1sXfxrC_mJ3Wi8rBwhxmXzmT5XcL_hmFtlDFlM1IfwbsExZ07x-gF6r9kwwHaHXtelTfSGJ5yth_szpLveMRnpYPYm8iKOaFI39JBI7F4CbwA1CBakuf4lON-RHSt-PspxHg0qo5xUibY187EBHWj75iaTWwL6fe1aYuAj_RgnbfgGE1Cd4BSs/s320/IMG_4879.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I spent a couple of hours up on the mountains, meandering along narrow lanes, and passing no other vehicles, apart from a teenager on his ATV, also out for a ride, and enjoying this picturesque afternoon, just like me. I eventually began my descent into the valley, down a rutted switchback road, a steep drop on one side, with the mountains rising up high on the other. I came across a small community, where upon turning a corner, was startled by Jason from Friday the 13th, brandishing a knife, and initially appearing as though he was lurching towards my car. There were also witches hanging from trees, these folks obviously enjoyed Halloween. The next little town had some mystical people with gourd heads, which I admired, but also found a little unsettling.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And then I was back down to a river again, and low and behold, there was a winery on the other side. I stopped for a glass of wine, and chatted to a local environmental group, whose events I’d been to in the past. It had been a lovely relaxing day, and as I made my way home, I was thankful for the rain that morning, I hadn’t realized how much I needed some downtime. Garden jobs could resume after work on Monday.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MENbyeBenwXfq9DGwAwfSyP4ODjAYy3uO5fEc0JW3CyJ3HJXWmVGqxePeUTP80JR3uR5PliuL9a8p4E6jGZdApdlllFrwl2O5JEXSEgLA6TgNyR95WYYoInXkCRcRN-HQ2PhuzaWDQfjlBb_Ug2PdSkAbKtO3IFz2Gl-I4_zq-ObCAzvzKe9Vlm99TQ/s3031/IMG_4875.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2273" data-original-width="3031" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MENbyeBenwXfq9DGwAwfSyP4ODjAYy3uO5fEc0JW3CyJ3HJXWmVGqxePeUTP80JR3uR5PliuL9a8p4E6jGZdApdlllFrwl2O5JEXSEgLA6TgNyR95WYYoInXkCRcRN-HQ2PhuzaWDQfjlBb_Ug2PdSkAbKtO3IFz2Gl-I4_zq-ObCAzvzKe9Vlm99TQ/s320/IMG_4875.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div></span></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-81444959624908920342023-10-20T16:28:00.003-07:002023-10-20T16:28:53.991-07:00Lessons and Life Skills from Homesteaders<div>My alarm went off at 5am and was accompanied by torrential rain
pounding on the metal roof. I was going to a homesteading conference near home
and wanted to be there early, but after hearing the relentless rain, I
snuggled back down under the covers with Rosie Lee and Malcolm, and resumed snoozing. I
emerged at 7am and jumped up, got ready quickly and drove to the
fairgrounds, following a Cadillac SUV with Oklahoma plates, guessing
correctly that our destination was the same. This conference was a national event, drawing people in from all over the USA. I'd heard about it last year a couple of days before the event, but all tickets had sold out months before, so I ensured, very early, that I had my ticket for this year. <a href="https://homesteadersofamerica.com/homesteaders-of-america-conference/" target="_blank">The Homesteaders of America conference</a> has actually been running for 7 years, but for some strange reason it isn't advertised in town, so very few locals are aware of it. It's a 2 day event but since I had used up the last of my vacation time with COVID, I could only attend on Saturday, and not Friday.<br /></div><div>I was
apprehensive about parking in the grassy fields, concerned about getting stuck, but
luck was on my side and I was directed to a nice level spot close to
the gravel driveway. I had on my old hiking boots, guessing my feet
would get very muddy and sniggered at seeing some teenagers negotiating a
slippery slope in Birkenstocks and slides. Their feet were going to be very grubby. I wanted to finish my coffee
and jot down a few notes so I headed towards a huge white tent where a talk
was being held. It was on parenting. So unless this covered top tips for
managing insolent cats it wasn’t going to help me. I drank my coffee
and left to roam around the vendors while the rain held off. Rain and
storms were forecast for all day yet we couldn’t be annoyed since we’re
still struggling through a drought. </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPkQLm_ZzgLVviBrD0ltgoSJ9eEbpD31bAaJhpS2qRuxt4A3GRFdLYP0pYPh2d6rrFuOYi3ARQB2PRs0zCHIuC8k3snjhxku7F6n-1e8ARXgj74WhzPHr3wMyLcHR6FLGoKNtvBZiwP2qd4tQ8-J4dJyL_FX_vz9ZyhAg-EKKbIlaqPQ66NVUBkw9yfo/s1800/IMG_4621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPkQLm_ZzgLVviBrD0ltgoSJ9eEbpD31bAaJhpS2qRuxt4A3GRFdLYP0pYPh2d6rrFuOYi3ARQB2PRs0zCHIuC8k3snjhxku7F6n-1e8ARXgj74WhzPHr3wMyLcHR6FLGoKNtvBZiwP2qd4tQ8-J4dJyL_FX_vz9ZyhAg-EKKbIlaqPQ66NVUBkw9yfo/s320/IMG_4621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkcIngXOJ_CiCiURwRzDem14F1qC7p03GmlI2ZqmkEbwxv0kazCFa2nJ-g81HSsIGCBdX0pMhfwrGxNy0Xur5jNoB64Xta4k4GjrJtdDhvY5SAVuEF5nEnpoM5MVZFtqwPpscWVTfSp1_H2CBVpdZQjgNeTkSDxwzWmoz_3m0SDRhyphenhyphentsVI19BP9BMkdA/s1800/IMG_4622-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkcIngXOJ_CiCiURwRzDem14F1qC7p03GmlI2ZqmkEbwxv0kazCFa2nJ-g81HSsIGCBdX0pMhfwrGxNy0Xur5jNoB64Xta4k4GjrJtdDhvY5SAVuEF5nEnpoM5MVZFtqwPpscWVTfSp1_H2CBVpdZQjgNeTkSDxwzWmoz_3m0SDRhyphenhyphentsVI19BP9BMkdA/s320/IMG_4622-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>There were many vendors so I walked around some of those since they were all outside. Rain was forecast all day so I took advantage of this dry spell, thinking if it began to rain I could head for a tent. There were honey products, bee keeper supplies, arts and crafts, plants and seeds, clothing and jewelry, beauty products, all made from their raised animals or garden plants. I was very engrossed until I heard someone say, ''Quick, Darryl's doing a plant walk!'' I trotted over to a small group that were heading down a grassy slope behind the tents and pulled out my phone to take notes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoehSRP64SFhVO9dfjDy9nu0Un_6ewiasrk8lDGC2j_ANUD5STDwuuAKIJ4UCvyDWCReuA6rzB5S6PVaqsX1_E56-YoStDQBse6iSnXkkr381lIs9UTISwqb1dCA_FPsgNhroJOH3Jj2rFr7h_Uiw4nwaf2udcnmojVuMky2IO_8YFRT13FXTepmR8Lg8/s1800/IMG_4623-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoehSRP64SFhVO9dfjDy9nu0Un_6ewiasrk8lDGC2j_ANUD5STDwuuAKIJ4UCvyDWCReuA6rzB5S6PVaqsX1_E56-YoStDQBse6iSnXkkr381lIs9UTISwqb1dCA_FPsgNhroJOH3Jj2rFr7h_Uiw4nwaf2udcnmojVuMky2IO_8YFRT13FXTepmR8Lg8/s320/IMG_4623-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>This was <a href="https://soul-grown.com/meet-the-southern-herbalist-darryl-patton/" target="_blank">Darryl Patton</a>, a famous herbalist, but I didn’t know that at the time. I’m always up for a walk with someone who’s an expert on plants, and Darryl didn’t disappoint. The first plant he pointed out was one everyone could identify. Dandelions are high in potassium. The root is great for heartburn, good for the gall bladder and pancreas. But eat them young as they get bitter when they’re older. The flowers make a lovely yellow wine, or jelly, with great flavor. They’re also a diuretic which replace any potassium it’s getting rid of, unlike Queen Anne’s lace. Queen Anne’s lace is great for gout as it breaks up crystals and flushes them out. The next ‘weed’ was English
plantain. There’s a broadleaf plantain and a longleaf, both are English. They are a neutralizer of poisons and are great for fire ant bites and poison ivy. Better than jewel weed.
Plaintain flowers are good for reducing bad cholesterol and a great fiber
source. Add leaves to soups or casseroles like bouillon. They also contain allantoin, which relieves skin irritation, cuts and minor burns, and this is also found in
comfrey. Tobacco also has it, as do maple and
sycamore shoots. Juniper and cedar berries have
white yeast on them. They make a great sour dough starter but remove the berries as soon
as they bubble or it will be bitter. Any blue berries with white powder
look can be used for this. The bark and leaves are also good for kidneys and
bladder, you can make a tea with them. Hawthorn is good for high blood pressure and heart issues. Broad leaf bitter dock roots are high in iron and help the body utilize iron. And it makes a good cough syrup. Oxalis has a refrigerant quality in it to reduce fever so a tea can be made with it.</p><div> I had no idea during the walk who this man was, but I was certainly impressed with his knowledge, and assumed, rightly, as I found out later, that it had taken him years to accumulate. He was a walking encyclopedia of plants and their uses. I was quite pleased with myself as I identified correctly all the plants he pointed out, and tapped furiously on my phone, taking as many notes as possible. Thoroughly appreciative with the abundance of information he’d given us, I thanked him profusely, and walked on to explore the grounds further.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh-Nhxo-vmmUqh8i9TkBkD4Hux2X728vJ9gTJdmMy4pKwMYBsAt06NDIhcJ7Vl9zUGIxRAFkGntssQ76ND1Uf0YEoIV4K9-L_agy19Rc3meO_F6DuzVv9IqZviy4W1Him2x-9q_LpGelF2LSZZ5stonY5kIKNoxRI46XYv4C7r0gyiV-cW8mpGhOl8jE/s1800/IMG_4628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh-Nhxo-vmmUqh8i9TkBkD4Hux2X728vJ9gTJdmMy4pKwMYBsAt06NDIhcJ7Vl9zUGIxRAFkGntssQ76ND1Uf0YEoIV4K9-L_agy19Rc3meO_F6DuzVv9IqZviy4W1Him2x-9q_LpGelF2LSZZ5stonY5kIKNoxRI46XYv4C7r0gyiV-cW8mpGhOl8jE/s320/IMG_4628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x6OJXI4b0GUQvQ_n_tjMdmYanJueVJgZPRx86yCxqgXdXLEskRneZClmOUJlZrMr1yQVUfVGDEBb50M8BOJ_OnvatvkfeG90Qr1hCgGotFwNCH-NTSDCgBkAlE1tLxw3T5NKk8EMdx-AFoGl2Jm7qkS5K-c8Y7OEXJW7BviNNMpCtHv7nUy-2y4T40w/s1800/IMG_4629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x6OJXI4b0GUQvQ_n_tjMdmYanJueVJgZPRx86yCxqgXdXLEskRneZClmOUJlZrMr1yQVUfVGDEBb50M8BOJ_OnvatvkfeG90Qr1hCgGotFwNCH-NTSDCgBkAlE1tLxw3T5NKk8EMdx-AFoGl2Jm7qkS5K-c8Y7OEXJW7BviNNMpCtHv7nUy-2y4T40w/s320/IMG_4629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />.I passed an enclosure where there was a demonstration, with a sheepdog rounding up chickens and goats. I watched with amusement for a few minutes, then heard that Jill Ragan was about to give a talk on maximizing a small homestead. I sat down and listened to her story of building her business on an acre of land for vegetables and flowers, which she fed her family on, and also sold. She did have a huge tunnel greenhouse so I couldn’t really relate to that but she did give some useful tips, such as trellising her crops to better utilize space. And her advice to hard prune tomatoes to get 2 leader stems rather than the conventional 1 was enlightening. Removing lower tomato leaves and growing spinach, basil and lettuce
underneath the remaining shading leaves, but only on interdeterminate tomatoes. Another great tip. A lot of her advice was really geared towards people with more land than my tiny plot, but I learned enough from her about plant care, soil amendment and seeds to buy her book.<div>I left promptly after her talk and trotted across the grounds to another huge tent, where I snaffled a front row seat. As we waited, I chatted to a lot of people, and some, like me, were first timers here, while others had been to all 7 conventions. I met folks from so many states, learning that Montana has 100 growing days only, so vegetable growing was a serious business for them, cramming the most into those few days. I enjoyed meeting likeminded people, and learned there are many other events across the country, similar to this.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdStn-j6gn_WZ_5GQZwRWYhHabYRW3d8YSiAtENoiUzLxCwpiiMTyb7-rEQDmC4_LL02zcfyUFFf_uE68yc1Y1UGJkoM81j0C7lsNkjAylrbqLb2aOwi0Qmf3lomV5rt3_vEsw1aXP2K3r0iIn22Xf5qP1WQfdHGEuN8I9JGvjbvKN4AmmqxuBeGnrg/s1800/IMG_4630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdStn-j6gn_WZ_5GQZwRWYhHabYRW3d8YSiAtENoiUzLxCwpiiMTyb7-rEQDmC4_LL02zcfyUFFf_uE68yc1Y1UGJkoM81j0C7lsNkjAylrbqLb2aOwi0Qmf3lomV5rt3_vEsw1aXP2K3r0iIn22Xf5qP1WQfdHGEuN8I9JGvjbvKN4AmmqxuBeGnrg/s320/IMG_4630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This guy is <a href="https://polyfacefarms.com/bios/daniel-salatin/" target="_blank">Daniel Salatin</a>, a farmer in Virginia, who as well as tending his land and animals, has written a pile of books, writes a column, features on podcasts and an award winning documentary. He has a wealth of information on farming, and is known for his speaking abilities. I was sorry I'd missed his talk, he had been chatting while I was listening to Jill, but I shall definitely listen to him next time.</p><p>But for me, the star of today was the next speaker. I'd scuttled quickly to score a first row seat in the tent, and waited for him to appear. When I had cable TV, I'd been a huge fan of the History channel program, <a href="https://www.history.com/shows/mountain-men" target="_blank">Mountain Men</a>, about survivalist men coping in hard terrains. My two favorites were Eustace Conway and Tom Oar, and today I was going to listen to 'A Candid Chat with Eustace'. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8AhkQlimso_4ybw4xfCCrfdgui6k2HRjc34lEsu1p1uSGPL6GDHsGFJcMbqVGnRsMro1rKHR0lWuPhIQqVYCI6bAA8ntT3zev0gZwAB-nq-XRD-biAXD036RwdidUaBPqI7fNZxuaDolQQ-gqcDj3jqjKJ9iBRRK0tqQq9B8rzr5gtr_E9w2dD6mSl8/s1800/IMG_4632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8AhkQlimso_4ybw4xfCCrfdgui6k2HRjc34lEsu1p1uSGPL6GDHsGFJcMbqVGnRsMro1rKHR0lWuPhIQqVYCI6bAA8ntT3zev0gZwAB-nq-XRD-biAXD036RwdidUaBPqI7fNZxuaDolQQ-gqcDj3jqjKJ9iBRRK0tqQq9B8rzr5gtr_E9w2dD6mSl8/s320/IMG_4632.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLe9ta1byHwmZKAWiqr3Iuv9YFE8nIYAsfTzHF8rLqlRmWrgoBZV8nrKKoUeT_00AxRTuSTDk37D4VswU4Ipn2rBJCqsK_bjOpQE3PPwHDWgGMNyg_qhWORONYlsoWm-rGnbDJm5gQSkV-W59NOTUmY6FGH97HsqNKu08sUoSXi9LU6FRuYZefIJxQr4/s1800/IMG_4634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLe9ta1byHwmZKAWiqr3Iuv9YFE8nIYAsfTzHF8rLqlRmWrgoBZV8nrKKoUeT_00AxRTuSTDk37D4VswU4Ipn2rBJCqsK_bjOpQE3PPwHDWgGMNyg_qhWORONYlsoWm-rGnbDJm5gQSkV-W59NOTUmY6FGH97HsqNKu08sUoSXi9LU6FRuYZefIJxQr4/s320/IMG_4634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div>He was uproariously funny. I had thought he was going to talk about <a href="https://www.turtleislandpreserve.org/" target="_blank">Turtle Island Preserve</a>, his home and a center for people to visit and learn outdoor survival skills, but instead he chatted about how we all need to get back
to the land, back to the root. We are removed from the processes that
support our survival. We rely on middlemen, we’re basically unable to fend for ourselves. Common sense and basic skills aren’t learned anymore, which is very true. An 18 year old today would have to work a lot harder to survive than one a few decades ago, since they don’t solve any problems for themselves anymore. One of his favorite stories is ‘the school bus’. Young kids are protected and cocooned on a bus, with all vehicles around them having to stop and give them priority. They disembark without a single precautionary look about them, encouraged to not think for themselves and leading them to become entitled. </div><div>He also said that growing food
yourself is a rewarding and more educational experience. It’s hard to obtain inner peace when you don’t know where what you’re dependent on is coming
from. This convention, he referred to as the gathering of the
tribe, to learn and help others understand, how to help yourself survive.
The human spirit is horrifically hampered by todays society and
economics.</div><div>Eustace lived in a teepee for 17 years, then built a wooden lodge. He lived off the grid for 42 years, so I guess he’s earned his inner peace. He’s gained a logical and sound perspective from viewing modern culture from the outside. He said the country needs a revolution to overthrow the government, as our rights are gradually being taken away from us. Freedom is not something you can beg another man for, it’s something you have to fight for yourself. He talked about being kind and giving to others. His example was that he washed his hands at friends house, his hands were already wet, so he cleaned the sink. He gave back a
little bit. If we all did that, the world would be a better place. We all
have different skills that can help us unite. He left us with a graffiti message he’d read that stayed with him: Reevaluate your basic assumptions.</div><div>The hour flew by, it had seemed like 5 minutes, and he received a thunderous applause. He had certainly given us a good deal to think about.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd111hEeau2AVh8fs9JQZGI4Nzh_l0MSKUwV0iTDzAOXoYzlmdmnZJOj0WhYuUeXtvx9jyZYI1JmQqwJuJS-zj3XWcZu90Ojfwy-X1n77dpgQMQbZu7jEFwmvf6ID6tZl4_44fDmd0WS72neqVJzQ4CzMNnfZ8vcP-qInK71IhO6Enj7Kd-Mb5KBJHAvg/s1800/IMG_4641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1800" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd111hEeau2AVh8fs9JQZGI4Nzh_l0MSKUwV0iTDzAOXoYzlmdmnZJOj0WhYuUeXtvx9jyZYI1JmQqwJuJS-zj3XWcZu90Ojfwy-X1n77dpgQMQbZu7jEFwmvf6ID6tZl4_44fDmd0WS72neqVJzQ4CzMNnfZ8vcP-qInK71IhO6Enj7Kd-Mb5KBJHAvg/s320/IMG_4641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCgxhScDiwe9UUVm69q6J5M3AjU7pfie8ScPcfNn5PKf8oqP-kX855Jb5VzUBGj1hNb1CMpxUPqZcN7NBxcpxR1qs_aFTABvJ-7vuxPRMBjcfQm1X0R3Mu0RPhRo94MlKPEZP57ateOdSweYwwaUMCApQrgqFNPPS_qyk94Liw4_DNyaWidEdT4dqSJc/s1800/IMG_4644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCgxhScDiwe9UUVm69q6J5M3AjU7pfie8ScPcfNn5PKf8oqP-kX855Jb5VzUBGj1hNb1CMpxUPqZcN7NBxcpxR1qs_aFTABvJ-7vuxPRMBjcfQm1X0R3Mu0RPhRo94MlKPEZP57ateOdSweYwwaUMCApQrgqFNPPS_qyk94Liw4_DNyaWidEdT4dqSJc/s320/IMG_4644.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>There were critters all around the site, looking in perfect contented condition, and obviously living a good life, getting plenty of cuddles and snoozes. I stroked some as I made my way around the vendors, and then came across the Turtle Island booth, where Eustace was carving a kitchen utensil from a cherry tree branch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkGOL1Sao1q_9YlD60936Pp3WIEUlckwfCyJ3lJQ6GmFXuIHQdTf0BkQSH805QTZRiC4zVB1SCPcOPqVyUG32PGuKpYFYQIOB8OZij1zTpAdTVX0I2Dx-kRzKNJmLT8UcOeaYf37BJGfAq0sdQJwiAhxfwwa95vdOxIkVcZRtOtZrHGLdz02ce9mJ4kg/s1800/IMG_4649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkGOL1Sao1q_9YlD60936Pp3WIEUlckwfCyJ3lJQ6GmFXuIHQdTf0BkQSH805QTZRiC4zVB1SCPcOPqVyUG32PGuKpYFYQIOB8OZij1zTpAdTVX0I2Dx-kRzKNJmLT8UcOeaYf37BJGfAq0sdQJwiAhxfwwa95vdOxIkVcZRtOtZrHGLdz02ce9mJ4kg/s320/IMG_4649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZvVU3nfk6IkuXZoHtnJ5oKmZJucutX3_NtDQtrLm2RabKxiAEiAUZ2CLhg7nNy8_JZAHKhED11_8MH7FuRHtyNZQ9ljYbNF0bEvNe6GTXnoMChKyMiSnkEFpAAcw8qrqdhtWupuPz1eG_bsQaOVp6hXvDTkEU3WqTIOe_ftP4fheYnc2TR_qrUGUnmY/s1800/IMG_4651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZvVU3nfk6IkuXZoHtnJ5oKmZJucutX3_NtDQtrLm2RabKxiAEiAUZ2CLhg7nNy8_JZAHKhED11_8MH7FuRHtyNZQ9ljYbNF0bEvNe6GTXnoMChKyMiSnkEFpAAcw8qrqdhtWupuPz1eG_bsQaOVp6hXvDTkEU3WqTIOe_ftP4fheYnc2TR_qrUGUnmY/s320/IMG_4651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FX1aMVwa-JNs0QD9SLJpNSr4Paibe3EDLpsnjFPh4Lp4OiJIvwCQz6oc2GhqQjqJLW4YEfxfh35z-J9KHse3e2nRRBISGg28_yEubH-YzN7f9dgUhEmTTnTXWS-XGhcSLHFCuq_NfRDBttN4xo2jLXp1AYJcmeVLHQBkGYQz3wk76yUHB0MKkbelrfs/s1800/IMG_4656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FX1aMVwa-JNs0QD9SLJpNSr4Paibe3EDLpsnjFPh4Lp4OiJIvwCQz6oc2GhqQjqJLW4YEfxfh35z-J9KHse3e2nRRBISGg28_yEubH-YzN7f9dgUhEmTTnTXWS-XGhcSLHFCuq_NfRDBttN4xo2jLXp1AYJcmeVLHQBkGYQz3wk76yUHB0MKkbelrfs/s320/IMG_4656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>He split the branch lengthways, then removed the pith from middle as it’s too spongy to leave in the wood. Then using a draw knife that he’d made himself, and sitting on a shaving horse bench, which he’d also made, he carved and whittled, while telling us stories. Fox News appeared and filmed him chatting, and also having a dig at the government. It was going to be on TV that evening, but I didn’t see it.</div><div>I asked him afterwards if I could buy the utensil he’d just made, and he let me have it for $15, telling me it needed no care except to keep it dry and cool in a dark place, so the kitchen drawer would be ideal. I used it a few days later while cooking eggs and veggies. It worked perfectly.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc1thS4nJ-ktNfhAImpAE60p2kbTgJieOS-rmwNoM0eBX6pT1Sh4UCpqfRIuzM7OQGu4CDdR0doZE0xuMTCeZCX3de8d84_-tZwU-trDqoeX3zyH19KcuVUJqtX8jrVRHX53d3HgqvYOyiGeEsiEnTKvaJAmD_bGFL4mztKnWgZR7Wo4EVbjGS8_5qps/s1800/IMG_4661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc1thS4nJ-ktNfhAImpAE60p2kbTgJieOS-rmwNoM0eBX6pT1Sh4UCpqfRIuzM7OQGu4CDdR0doZE0xuMTCeZCX3de8d84_-tZwU-trDqoeX3zyH19KcuVUJqtX8jrVRHX53d3HgqvYOyiGeEsiEnTKvaJAmD_bGFL4mztKnWgZR7Wo4EVbjGS8_5qps/s320/IMG_4661.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I then went back to a tent where one of the final talks of the day was by Darryl Patton, who I’d done the plant walk with earlier. I got another front row seat, and the tent filled up. People had iPads, phones, notebooks and pens ready, to write notes or record him talking. And we had to be quick, he was a fast talker, a speedy dispenser of valuable information.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNmEyKbzV4AVUy6sUKDM5m1ao0U3nKWl2LH5g21ryQzGNYfTSL0fC61lShmYX1efx3HlvzPNv0qrtjGlmB_HdC3hfHb3m95POzNHKAg_EO3iJKUcb2s_ms8R8nQgiOruR0YuZlP5UxiSl6cfDnzQq3HB7uBNWCHTfSJwGEzsZoYJ9SlmVG-vHFcyHmKc/s1800/IMG_4662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNmEyKbzV4AVUy6sUKDM5m1ao0U3nKWl2LH5g21ryQzGNYfTSL0fC61lShmYX1efx3HlvzPNv0qrtjGlmB_HdC3hfHb3m95POzNHKAg_EO3iJKUcb2s_ms8R8nQgiOruR0YuZlP5UxiSl6cfDnzQq3HB7uBNWCHTfSJwGEzsZoYJ9SlmVG-vHFcyHmKc/s320/IMG_4662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div>He launched into his lecture, and boy, did he talk rapidly. I barely looked up, my fingers were tapping away furiously. He told us that herbalism used to be part of everyday living, and folk just went to the woods to collect herbs; everyone was a herbalist. Wild lettuce is good for sleep. Eating watermelons and cantaloupe in winter is advised, as a chemical in them prevents summer pollen allergies. With the specific plants that cause your allergies, make a tincture with that plant and take small doses before the season. If you react to poison ivy, take a small leaf in spring, when it’s a brownish color. Pinch off with piece of bread, so your fingers don’t touch it, and eat it. Do it every
spring, and there’s a good chance that after a few seasons you won’t need to do it any longer as your body would’ve built up a resistance. He also advised that if you get poison ivy on your skin, run it under hot as you can bear water. It stops the itching. This treatment also works for bee stings or ant bites. He gave us recipes for various ailments, but spoke so fast that I’m not sure how accurate my note taking was, so I’m reluctant to publish those here. But I knew I wanted one of his books, so I walked down to his booth, hoping they hadn’t been packed away, since the conference was now ended.</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGggzwxL9c_6_m8BuMEY6NjW1lb-w70Ng2FoREMUoXYE4yQYJNylhn6rWujvGOIMHCiGxeN29sdXVLNJAYl10hwNMLXju_Pvpr1lhT33hWIqKktmLzXk4bGzCFMSfcHwbSIVVTeeWEmTY_LfBHp_YLEWmapAugA5j5sV3Yz5vas_uyTbsJdWwUNdcQs/s1800/IMG_4666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGggzwxL9c_6_m8BuMEY6NjW1lb-w70Ng2FoREMUoXYE4yQYJNylhn6rWujvGOIMHCiGxeN29sdXVLNJAYl10hwNMLXju_Pvpr1lhT33hWIqKktmLzXk4bGzCFMSfcHwbSIVVTeeWEmTY_LfBHp_YLEWmapAugA5j5sV3Yz5vas_uyTbsJdWwUNdcQs/s320/IMG_4666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jxIbGgMdk7EHBcGgryT3c2xv01D8ETS1kxKya_TejF5GMlfqhglltn8CGIoEI4ueL_PhnWjJclfI5SsWYJXcVyTQdoCIZ904HhEtQZWP7qrBxOeCHqKK2SBLdYcqCypyu2YwcV3qgBNumw3Vnv22hJxMqvSS7v7E78lmMNsXfpJQ792lZjOuE1hwh3o/s1800/IMG_4667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jxIbGgMdk7EHBcGgryT3c2xv01D8ETS1kxKya_TejF5GMlfqhglltn8CGIoEI4ueL_PhnWjJclfI5SsWYJXcVyTQdoCIZ904HhEtQZWP7qrBxOeCHqKK2SBLdYcqCypyu2YwcV3qgBNumw3Vnv22hJxMqvSS7v7E78lmMNsXfpJQ792lZjOuE1hwh3o/s320/IMG_4667.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>His booth had been packed into the van, but a small crowd of us waited patiently while a crew member went to retrieve them. I studied a rack of tinctures that a lady had made, something I’d like to produce myself, and watched with amusement, an abandoned football, left in the mud, but carefully avoided by everyone who passed it by. Darry returned with a box of his books, The Herbal Remedies of Tommie Bass. I highly recommend it, it’s full of invaluable treatments and uses of plants. I also got a tin of his salve, for skin problems, and supposedly, a treatment for skin cancer.</p><p>I left the grounds, and walked, laden with my goodies, towards Stanley, who hadn’t, thankfully, sunk into the mud. It had been a mind blowing, thoughtful, and educational day. I was astonished to realize I’d been here for 8 hours. And I’ll definitely be back next year, to glean a further education in these homesteading skills.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6ZB6q6C3eEguoGXhCAnawdoGSuBNr6C_C7ngnv7INpP1gNwDOFNx0TS8L5U6s8x2_jpiih3xQqCLydBorCD9E-qdWYMwDeiye6ISHdzXDcPifzElKxUQbtm6Idxg6hp7eQ1hrs3-vM50m7qtdLwCZ_yX2_S7c-kBMSz2MQMOoR6Hvj-p7BSa9sEB16U/s1800/IMG_4669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6ZB6q6C3eEguoGXhCAnawdoGSuBNr6C_C7ngnv7INpP1gNwDOFNx0TS8L5U6s8x2_jpiih3xQqCLydBorCD9E-qdWYMwDeiye6ISHdzXDcPifzElKxUQbtm6Idxg6hp7eQ1hrs3-vM50m7qtdLwCZ_yX2_S7c-kBMSz2MQMOoR6Hvj-p7BSa9sEB16U/s320/IMG_4669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-74301986036442232702023-09-05T10:39:00.003-07:002023-09-05T10:39:37.818-07:00Torrid Temperatures and Tanks<p> On Sunday, I took Bill to one of my favorite yearly events, the Tank Farm, at Nokesville. I was a little apprehensive, since it was going to be very sunny, and I was nervous about getting a migraine. But I was determined to go, and armed with sunglasses and Excedrin, we arrived early enough to witness some superb flame throwing, with intense heat and exceedingly loud bangs. It should be noted that I was still unaware that my camera was somehow set in JPG mode, so the photos aren't of the sharpest quality. I did resolve this a few days later.<br></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIltV648RPNa3iJDhStOF06LyBA5YiP0-5kc_-xXTdK-uxIJfzRZhVfusiI9enYLOn29zzRCOM8ZlWcH6bdOunmpAeumbTiGX3qnIKgPDcbQXd9Fi7fxk81e_DUDCkzqS_4O1V6vqMvXgp5a89Q789cIJhXzIK8XI5C-A3_ZKbomZ_27IFJEjpwFQjtvc/s1800/DSC04900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIltV648RPNa3iJDhStOF06LyBA5YiP0-5kc_-xXTdK-uxIJfzRZhVfusiI9enYLOn29zzRCOM8ZlWcH6bdOunmpAeumbTiGX3qnIKgPDcbQXd9Fi7fxk81e_DUDCkzqS_4O1V6vqMvXgp5a89Q789cIJhXzIK8XI5C-A3_ZKbomZ_27IFJEjpwFQjtvc/s320/DSC04900.jpg" width="320" id="id_80ed_2da3_3569_54b8" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>This is my third time here, and I know I'll be back again, since the tanks on display and the 200 living historians change every year. There were over 50 vehicles this weekend, some of which would be running, and even a Boeing Chinook helicopter this year, which we were allowed to sit in. Although the owner wants these all eventually housed inside climate controlled buildings to better preserve them, there's nothing better than seeing them out here in a field, covered in mud, and dust flying as they labor around the track.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mAg5QO-77q2EwKij4cHEMDMDwi_FqHySON6nEeNWvXY1ixxL3ddk1yn4qqq-QGHJuhZMrv4xTlX4jiIyf1E1PTalpOdc5yphoK0mX4oNkKDzGcb89XrHy5az-ADCqPzn0c-ndUbL1TRIU_aWPkS_8-uGXdu8Ti95gAES0TGoIgnV9vlJHcXoQIJldb0/s1800/DSC04911.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mAg5QO-77q2EwKij4cHEMDMDwi_FqHySON6nEeNWvXY1ixxL3ddk1yn4qqq-QGHJuhZMrv4xTlX4jiIyf1E1PTalpOdc5yphoK0mX4oNkKDzGcb89XrHy5az-ADCqPzn0c-ndUbL1TRIU_aWPkS_8-uGXdu8Ti95gAES0TGoIgnV9vlJHcXoQIJldb0/s320/DSC04911.jpg" width="213" id="id_9dac_69ca_3307_fc2c" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>This young lad posed with his $400 samurai sword. Apparently only officers would carry these. His colleague's size 2 jacket is from 1942, and was cheaper to buy than a reproduction one, since few people these days can fit into the vintage clothing, so most folks can't wear them. No McDonalds back then...<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZH75IvXj6myAlPlsd_16dsX_udCBgEfqkCglGq0Kpo_M2NFJu0pja3-DNYLR5udsxndwUP7oV3A61WE8hkjQ5S2iZYecq4U-6QBOdBWltmoSewvWWKDvXxtMD-vkOjVzGEXWdHvHQm0YQcfsMXPUsP2VYE5aihHVgdoinXEhhvpC3aIgBDb-G61q3Fw/s1800/DSC04914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZH75IvXj6myAlPlsd_16dsX_udCBgEfqkCglGq0Kpo_M2NFJu0pja3-DNYLR5udsxndwUP7oV3A61WE8hkjQ5S2iZYecq4U-6QBOdBWltmoSewvWWKDvXxtMD-vkOjVzGEXWdHvHQm0YQcfsMXPUsP2VYE5aihHVgdoinXEhhvpC3aIgBDb-G61q3Fw/s320/DSC04914.jpg" width="213" id="id_1950_6457_80ba_88fc" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVqapxVYy-NKbm4CYjus20GabiGeWWJINIbElG1c5oQDWlrI7rn7Srzk3H1WMhSItuItMgnrAIXtXFmp_nFdfsuPcyrm2Jhxk-1F9CVbD8aM0EXXOwsCSKoaRsKUpj1LXcXVevBQWR59DcqIab57qaC7SbVYll5d4xh04_-y-U0VALhzMjQ1zN5yZwJM/s1800/DSC04916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVqapxVYy-NKbm4CYjus20GabiGeWWJINIbElG1c5oQDWlrI7rn7Srzk3H1WMhSItuItMgnrAIXtXFmp_nFdfsuPcyrm2Jhxk-1F9CVbD8aM0EXXOwsCSKoaRsKUpj1LXcXVevBQWR59DcqIab57qaC7SbVYll5d4xh04_-y-U0VALhzMjQ1zN5yZwJM/s320/DSC04916.jpg" width="320" id="id_2e72_ae6d_953b_3fac" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4hq8w_YljzVXZ8LE4zsS2_6q-JiWtArABplQ6LjgpcbghG2UHj-MJJvLqat9BEgi-YHkEbbhONJE73br2TwFoQ0F0PZW9oiwId3QnfEmO0kU1_xNrESTdPJlctQeYZF594niH6sboWM0clvTExQNDioO-pnb5jFp5Go2CZyfu7129CFDjH3YpMjI0hM/s1800/DSC04917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4hq8w_YljzVXZ8LE4zsS2_6q-JiWtArABplQ6LjgpcbghG2UHj-MJJvLqat9BEgi-YHkEbbhONJE73br2TwFoQ0F0PZW9oiwId3QnfEmO0kU1_xNrESTdPJlctQeYZF594niH6sboWM0clvTExQNDioO-pnb5jFp5Go2CZyfu7129CFDjH3YpMjI0hM/s320/DSC04917.jpg" width="320" id="id_899f_2809_5b26_4233" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWde9EXky4dpQnKq7vgsB1sraSYUEel-9L5w6PqUF5WS83gItCuFQeRkGnz2_S2wVYgz-LGuq-oqpogaYzq7nlgz-BpEBRgPywtuBv7XHm06Wk2SxIe3uMeWMPEASZhiIbnCPt6wvrMxKp8pG8qpIRgLl5Jtc0RegYKUd-k3oVsbRD26-dpjc0iLnxjQ/s1800/DSC04927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWde9EXky4dpQnKq7vgsB1sraSYUEel-9L5w6PqUF5WS83gItCuFQeRkGnz2_S2wVYgz-LGuq-oqpogaYzq7nlgz-BpEBRgPywtuBv7XHm06Wk2SxIe3uMeWMPEASZhiIbnCPt6wvrMxKp8pG8qpIRgLl5Jtc0RegYKUd-k3oVsbRD26-dpjc0iLnxjQ/s320/DSC04927.jpg" width="213" id="id_d49c_b0a_64cf_63aa" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmYPInfuEZH8KWMKJo_qow9dSs3LqM_CwbkEMlqNxl841a6AXHyhk84rtNGp7vM8zpXxQiona7GtVGNZMXWiWzDNrhPsrE6HdbfedTWM-rPyeO0cRwZPTYuwSxUaQZbVKznjptAiEPKyCglnHygpvYcBqbTsHddPogDj1IWRxuERFYsZYgUZPURZjcEo/s1800/DSC04935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmYPInfuEZH8KWMKJo_qow9dSs3LqM_CwbkEMlqNxl841a6AXHyhk84rtNGp7vM8zpXxQiona7GtVGNZMXWiWzDNrhPsrE6HdbfedTWM-rPyeO0cRwZPTYuwSxUaQZbVKznjptAiEPKyCglnHygpvYcBqbTsHddPogDj1IWRxuERFYsZYgUZPURZjcEo/s320/DSC04935.jpg" width="320" id="id_c2be_33bf_c820_6130" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div>The heat was debilitating, and I was very concerned about a migraine suddenly starting, but I ducked into the shade whenever I could. A few of the historians were suffering too, and told me they weren't sure why the event was in August this year, rather than its usual September date. The numbers were higher this year, 15-18K visitors on Saturday, and about 10K last year on the Saturday. I told them I hoped it was because of better marketing than the time of year that brought in more visitors. It would be awful if keeping the event in August with these higher temperatures meant less exhibitors would attend.<p></p><p>Bill had a go at stabbing a stuffed sack. I wondered if he had anyone in mind as he was pretty ferocious when he attacked it. I was too hot and bothered to have a go myself. His instructor was incredibly patient, and all of them were very accommodating when people wanted photos. They always looked completely authentic.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk0PXBQ3WgNR-_7dbSpNTjy6gGB-_bOCJhkxqoJS8YDJB2DE8lOFNTBpcDaWHOCFCEs8WGkbIa7n2OojmawfkbDaYvaPhvYCAe3X2e_mDd9g8EdfwjzZ7f7nCffMrlf0AVA6YYDVCPp6H_QhehxiDXSW5q3ZQZlp7TXshzehSbv4APBYnm5QJCy2suMw/s1800/DSC04930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk0PXBQ3WgNR-_7dbSpNTjy6gGB-_bOCJhkxqoJS8YDJB2DE8lOFNTBpcDaWHOCFCEs8WGkbIa7n2OojmawfkbDaYvaPhvYCAe3X2e_mDd9g8EdfwjzZ7f7nCffMrlf0AVA6YYDVCPp6H_QhehxiDXSW5q3ZQZlp7TXshzehSbv4APBYnm5QJCy2suMw/s320/DSC04930.jpg" width="320" id="id_f97c_87c4_7a97_2d28" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikMI0pQNg2jN7G5jbBrwmyiNdk7mrJc7UDY2T4lkU7I4tWehUZDHcIqGE8MqqryzuEpLHaKH-95MgtwLVT9GugK-q7RZB71ZABCyaKSmWGhFf4DIgXrV7bAXDGaLCUFXm0AlnM0ikMak4NZ1H4GDWIQvNHjG0wMZdXma6Cirho9WEQ4KpS2hif-wKg7Q/s1800/DSC04933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikMI0pQNg2jN7G5jbBrwmyiNdk7mrJc7UDY2T4lkU7I4tWehUZDHcIqGE8MqqryzuEpLHaKH-95MgtwLVT9GugK-q7RZB71ZABCyaKSmWGhFf4DIgXrV7bAXDGaLCUFXm0AlnM0ikMak4NZ1H4GDWIQvNHjG0wMZdXma6Cirho9WEQ4KpS2hif-wKg7Q/s320/DSC04933.jpg" width="320" id="id_7284_43_bc65_7c90" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbB3bpzB5pyImJbpoK-ra4LcXFc-w8bHggFBWCewTSEg-ncJ6XiAskVosgVrWoLTsT2eieXpC12FQ-6GTt68Y06hhND_qSmBkK54cnfJ6IYFaNA1eEndn4SSIX_8Bw1vHUYMceXGmb4EEYNZqyTy3vFdJW0HvGnK19XAvYC21AlYcE7LNAW4gZxC3yPc/s1800/DSC04936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbB3bpzB5pyImJbpoK-ra4LcXFc-w8bHggFBWCewTSEg-ncJ6XiAskVosgVrWoLTsT2eieXpC12FQ-6GTt68Y06hhND_qSmBkK54cnfJ6IYFaNA1eEndn4SSIX_8Bw1vHUYMceXGmb4EEYNZqyTy3vFdJW0HvGnK19XAvYC21AlYcE7LNAW4gZxC3yPc/s320/DSC04936.jpg" width="320" id="id_9d0a_7ba8_77_37fa" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu-o8jGg5mxVtwXxZ4lSf8t5v93sdZmdLdGf7ynKr5-zYU1YctEQAScWawR2dzBeBZT-sri4WRRoH7R8JlzZ6_di-lnl684_fz75KOkhqmckQ8YYQFDmjfXDfJ3jWAoFlv8pHKk46GeW5t7RV4UdKzAnJhyKV-mo6mf6i2YT6oZ-gBcCejFBebuVzqeY/s1800/DSC04939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu-o8jGg5mxVtwXxZ4lSf8t5v93sdZmdLdGf7ynKr5-zYU1YctEQAScWawR2dzBeBZT-sri4WRRoH7R8JlzZ6_di-lnl684_fz75KOkhqmckQ8YYQFDmjfXDfJ3jWAoFlv8pHKk46GeW5t7RV4UdKzAnJhyKV-mo6mf6i2YT6oZ-gBcCejFBebuVzqeY/s320/DSC04939.jpg" width="213" id="id_7143_4890_e2_88b" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>A Swedish tank hammering around the track, the guys inside looking like they were having the best fun. I chatted for a while with the German officer, whom I told, actually scared me a little, because he looked like he’d stepped off a WWII movie set. He was very pleased about that! The gentleman above, with the guns, has a sign above him, which rhymes in German, and translates to "We old monkeys are the Fuhrer's newest weapon."<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uR3ya-54z6qFupFd5xkEZ9QOemjqAZV5nPj0V26l_OyyJbHbK18jcjFfSt0Z9sDxnCXKuxB3QGpaubWx3Q9tsFHFE9AdTyD6eQTfrBB_29ia6GNMuluoRRoW35WvhW3r_Hk-AYRU6wUpNk-RR5jJhYH9Ojz0TLPdScPqsbeImZv_Khtc5njE743H_3I/s1800/DSC04947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uR3ya-54z6qFupFd5xkEZ9QOemjqAZV5nPj0V26l_OyyJbHbK18jcjFfSt0Z9sDxnCXKuxB3QGpaubWx3Q9tsFHFE9AdTyD6eQTfrBB_29ia6GNMuluoRRoW35WvhW3r_Hk-AYRU6wUpNk-RR5jJhYH9Ojz0TLPdScPqsbeImZv_Khtc5njE743H_3I/s320/DSC04947.jpg" width="320" id="id_6969_2944_24ef_4774" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyVCHyvlQj2iWYSo4sV3i8SPqdXZ-huQsQoeGqb2knIzbyooXSGFpebgRoOti4pdJbMc9maTg45A3vP0x8E8DZW-027A5yFFMnWMMPodAOE-TlhmD2Lzpdnk5rKEOe58qryaQTgvR-rxrgi81lrnJ1WkmhpxAsxzpA_D1qtIFcnLSitFeDrCqiKNknwU/s1800/DSC04949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyVCHyvlQj2iWYSo4sV3i8SPqdXZ-huQsQoeGqb2knIzbyooXSGFpebgRoOti4pdJbMc9maTg45A3vP0x8E8DZW-027A5yFFMnWMMPodAOE-TlhmD2Lzpdnk5rKEOe58qryaQTgvR-rxrgi81lrnJ1WkmhpxAsxzpA_D1qtIFcnLSitFeDrCqiKNknwU/s320/DSC04949.jpg" width="213" id="id_2d20_41ad_508f_1c08" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHPrdmZTPQ9QK2oVZMrnhCLxNGs3fg7MJnLWduZIyw77Ic03EDj-7NJZ31Sd5d_kwQfFedamIM153Tt38xAQ79_iJbvssGrRxQDkuM-xg-dHRdpda-bskF1Z2XuCW6XLdnj-BZJREqTzkG8vCDQE-etzLeMFOYgbdmT7yZ-1OyKcwHlJKqrz0gbwa55k/s1800/DSC04956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHPrdmZTPQ9QK2oVZMrnhCLxNGs3fg7MJnLWduZIyw77Ic03EDj-7NJZ31Sd5d_kwQfFedamIM153Tt38xAQ79_iJbvssGrRxQDkuM-xg-dHRdpda-bskF1Z2XuCW6XLdnj-BZJREqTzkG8vCDQE-etzLeMFOYgbdmT7yZ-1OyKcwHlJKqrz0gbwa55k/s320/DSC04956.jpg" width="320" id="id_a494_ddf_dc7_3f82" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OUvkqX2YNTOFS5P5x3z-1nFiER8BIomn9ysp65ZWqEd0Zb6NuQPocNIQNV_r-ZYQ3_SaWmtvhOLCAScFVnFhfvWYAWQwMXsV6vDisDGAL9uAg-aRz4sNJPEqL8LMOhKDsyyoYBAIEkaPPkWapkopOO7WQfRKV3UUlEZsmUkIhkFJ6PMN9JpcnImYTSs/s1800/DSC04963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OUvkqX2YNTOFS5P5x3z-1nFiER8BIomn9ysp65ZWqEd0Zb6NuQPocNIQNV_r-ZYQ3_SaWmtvhOLCAScFVnFhfvWYAWQwMXsV6vDisDGAL9uAg-aRz4sNJPEqL8LMOhKDsyyoYBAIEkaPPkWapkopOO7WQfRKV3UUlEZsmUkIhkFJ6PMN9JpcnImYTSs/s320/DSC04963.jpg" width="320" id="id_9b99_c7c_ed37_b2e7" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv5FtiYzoZEopP3LhqJuvnanaJKulbbMj3XOpDRdcokdnedt83ISFzkuA45FduEYUu2XmrgFTRD9-A-vyOf77MRLKhNUqYoH-Bhsv9KdBOt5CCUYShm6_H0_loUlKqW3w74NHj3_WuqGuITk10wK2vFDc5vVfXDBOIpFApLIeacYwZ5eeWTPZhh7keWs/s1800/DSC04969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv5FtiYzoZEopP3LhqJuvnanaJKulbbMj3XOpDRdcokdnedt83ISFzkuA45FduEYUu2XmrgFTRD9-A-vyOf77MRLKhNUqYoH-Bhsv9KdBOt5CCUYShm6_H0_loUlKqW3w74NHj3_WuqGuITk10wK2vFDc5vVfXDBOIpFApLIeacYwZ5eeWTPZhh7keWs/s320/DSC04969.jpg" width="320" id="id_fa87_489b_db01_4f5a" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1nhn3jxYqg6XGj61Ya_rtCrRPMM3Tp2pNg0VZg72y1ZCSjn2YTbF9nCfDP7S3A1preyIOvl231fgxF-cmyn_cHjs6f08_numqDwPWRcpK1HLmUZ9lQEubUqv5rr6bcNnVnUVemVFwUTTrhul6MZrdhefm31Kq_LuR-j9NGt-xS_9_GbXd52mdXGcwJk/s1800/DSC04973.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1nhn3jxYqg6XGj61Ya_rtCrRPMM3Tp2pNg0VZg72y1ZCSjn2YTbF9nCfDP7S3A1preyIOvl231fgxF-cmyn_cHjs6f08_numqDwPWRcpK1HLmUZ9lQEubUqv5rr6bcNnVnUVemVFwUTTrhul6MZrdhefm31Kq_LuR-j9NGt-xS_9_GbXd52mdXGcwJk/s320/DSC04973.jpg" width="320" id="id_ad69_19b5_dba2_fb33" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>Bill and I were constantly rushing back and forth from the tanks to the track as featured tanks were announced, but the stars of the day, for me, were the 2 Centurions, Easily, the most intimidating and best looking, it was remarkable to have 2 of them running round the track. One was Swiss, and the second was from the British army. They were incredible, and I loved the squeaking of their wheels as their tracks tore through the dusty ground. The poor announcer was standing by the track and each time the tanks thundered past, he disappeared completely in an orange cloud, but his voice still came through strong, without one cough! I think the tank drivers got a kick out of this.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw6In2wNMEokBoFnnw9Adb2m7wZoYUJsdgnvVIsdVuHR-mVyFMECscZNe0dCLtQd9FN4XyEfA0AWPppckGFsQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br>Here's a video of the British Centurion. How amazing is it that I can stand and watch this gorgeous British tank, only an hour from my home. Note the Chinook helicopter in the background.<br><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlChWsUK7YfiVQKCollDBpMcJSyw43NDaRKg_PzeEPuJU54XUiL3E8MceUsgXWCiBglRKpR1jdKUPnoZ2xi_0gWOGr4wwkSGC6ixFkD1SQxQBEXNoCl1h0L7tQNtVydDGjyaQ4C56Ok94YkeeKIZLYcCA7Tspno1mq7MSr16LKvpg3CUvLFu9pDATDD2g/s1800/DSC04999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlChWsUK7YfiVQKCollDBpMcJSyw43NDaRKg_PzeEPuJU54XUiL3E8MceUsgXWCiBglRKpR1jdKUPnoZ2xi_0gWOGr4wwkSGC6ixFkD1SQxQBEXNoCl1h0L7tQNtVydDGjyaQ4C56Ok94YkeeKIZLYcCA7Tspno1mq7MSr16LKvpg3CUvLFu9pDATDD2g/s320/DSC04999.jpg" width="320" id="id_a88_623_f68c_a02" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div>As our day started, so it finished, with more flame throwing. The 96th Marine Corp pretended to take over a bunker with guns and flames. We were a bit further away this time, so couldn't feel the blazing heat, which I was quite happy about. They put on a great show, followed by claps and cheers from the crowd, and then we were ready to go. I could feel I'd got a little sunburned, but was extremely grateful that I hadn't had a migraine, my first headache free day for a week. We celebrated with a beer on the way home, my first drink for 2 weeks. I'm slowly getting better!<br>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-63914441625178645832023-08-30T07:44:00.002-07:002023-09-04T08:36:51.395-07:00A Sleepy Sunflower Sunrise<p> Only 40 minutes from home is a rural sunflower farm, nestled in the Shenandoah valley, by the river, and with the wonderful name of Lost Bottoms. With its fairy tale name, I was entranced, especially as they invited people to come and admire their sunflowers from dawn to dusk, and for free, although donations are accepted. I'd been trying to come for a couple of weeks, but being floored by COVID, had been unable to venture out onto the driveway, let alone out to a field in the middle of the boondocks. But on Saturday, I felt well enough to drive out there, and left early morning, so I arrived just after sunrise. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPEp__SlUf_rSaU_4onMH2Uw23u8Mq_lrSbVLou2nJEO2eBY28aUSeNpLCmnjel39eV3H4Qnn-gQboI-WeoVl2-ugc9tgEjnfuwDm3BskfmHNlgFI6SH26kv-u8MrfduPJ73kWaB4JaGG5g6WhjAMNJeiHwYRK1cdUtLPUT_krYz2AWVJ05-0NMFepzY/s1800/DSC04804_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPEp__SlUf_rSaU_4onMH2Uw23u8Mq_lrSbVLou2nJEO2eBY28aUSeNpLCmnjel39eV3H4Qnn-gQboI-WeoVl2-ugc9tgEjnfuwDm3BskfmHNlgFI6SH26kv-u8MrfduPJ73kWaB4JaGG5g6WhjAMNJeiHwYRK1cdUtLPUT_krYz2AWVJ05-0NMFepzY/s320/DSC04804_1.jpg" width="320" id="id_26ba_a10d_9122_687e" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nVQIMFEQsDu1bgX1aAD_u18X-o0uAWX1dGeXKLbS-Qam1sC2i6Z7PY1rYHf8NQhdbgSlAR9soOhiWyhmRawnAjmyUIXCbk9RZ-CUXJWs_W1_fkridZE8_2yDceBTGmo8ITIfdOKRna0sKkaFjmfoOfZPX_dPxsek4vzyxI_ZNauKhk5-f74Ui0z6p8w/s1800/DSC04813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nVQIMFEQsDu1bgX1aAD_u18X-o0uAWX1dGeXKLbS-Qam1sC2i6Z7PY1rYHf8NQhdbgSlAR9soOhiWyhmRawnAjmyUIXCbk9RZ-CUXJWs_W1_fkridZE8_2yDceBTGmo8ITIfdOKRna0sKkaFjmfoOfZPX_dPxsek4vzyxI_ZNauKhk5-f74Ui0z6p8w/s320/DSC04813.jpg" width="320" id="id_61cd_7102_83a3_d5f5" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>I was the only person there, and it was beautiful. A cool breeze wafted
across the fields, the dawn colors were slowly fading into the pale blue
sky, and I was surrounded by flowers. There were rows of cosmos and zinnias in front of the sunflower field, and a small bench with scissors to cut any flowers you wanted to take home with you. I walked into the sunflower field, thousands of bright yellow faces turned to greet me, and noticed immediately that there were thousands of bees on the flowers, still, and sleeping. It was incredible, I'd never seen anything like it. The cuteness of finding a bee snoozing in a flower at home is delightful, witnessing so many of them slumbering in this field was simply overwhelming. I had to just stand and stare, and the more I looked around the field, the more flowers I noticed had little bumblebees fast asleep. And so I stood there, watching as the warm rays of the sun began to awaken them, and some started to stretch their little legs and slowly crawl across the flower heads to grab an early morning dose of nectar, while plenty of others were deciding to sleep in. It was a momentous occasion.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMb6LwS7rHnOkVkOUEK8pgnSIj-IOXv2M_t2CGnmnVGY3WgV6f6dtstRZIbrS_1PAymV4rNvTz32rCa3KoPfsig_djZ3eBQ4nnGU4Begs34taHHF9UTzgj9qeKGfK2SURbF6_nEXaG7KW7uRsU8MKT3F9m17o0RzDjqFS6fho7w3mLrq-DkcZe17idmc/s1800/DSC04822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMb6LwS7rHnOkVkOUEK8pgnSIj-IOXv2M_t2CGnmnVGY3WgV6f6dtstRZIbrS_1PAymV4rNvTz32rCa3KoPfsig_djZ3eBQ4nnGU4Begs34taHHF9UTzgj9qeKGfK2SURbF6_nEXaG7KW7uRsU8MKT3F9m17o0RzDjqFS6fho7w3mLrq-DkcZe17idmc/s320/DSC04822.jpg" width="213" id="id_b0dc_7a98_3ed7_e358" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvlAlAod1aj2_eRgyZISj1bbNz81xHz06nuvFRZ_7qGaoJPB2InFzI_KSXs3Q43VK66dazpYT3d0omyekP2FsJeizRuhCmCNmcssdizaadrpQXdoKhowdXqnfs45Ya3woIObRc5JvI9azu2sZ4ehmWT9Dk5Pi7sWh0Hqw_l9uKFkp7QJiOAf-kJ1IGrk/s1800/DSC04840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvlAlAod1aj2_eRgyZISj1bbNz81xHz06nuvFRZ_7qGaoJPB2InFzI_KSXs3Q43VK66dazpYT3d0omyekP2FsJeizRuhCmCNmcssdizaadrpQXdoKhowdXqnfs45Ya3woIObRc5JvI9azu2sZ4ehmWT9Dk5Pi7sWh0Hqw_l9uKFkp7QJiOAf-kJ1IGrk/s320/DSC04840.jpg" width="213" id="id_8d25_9cfa_5407_5580" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AJM0iasPNKKizIjfb_e1d7uaPahIv9OOMToieBphhBmSg1Mp9CYcMBq6OSQ6VwqkwCpJ2c9X6RjlU7P6ulpyfUX6SLQDPnrR1P1mVfmAoUusfWY8AOktcp2BJC2bxwqUsdS21g4wFvE4oRtpDIe4lLQRaAD9y3sW6Ik0ewYij1X40nuBWvcP4NgzOEY/s1800/DSC04841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AJM0iasPNKKizIjfb_e1d7uaPahIv9OOMToieBphhBmSg1Mp9CYcMBq6OSQ6VwqkwCpJ2c9X6RjlU7P6ulpyfUX6SLQDPnrR1P1mVfmAoUusfWY8AOktcp2BJC2bxwqUsdS21g4wFvE4oRtpDIe4lLQRaAD9y3sW6Ik0ewYij1X40nuBWvcP4NgzOEY/s320/DSC04841.jpg" width="320" id="id_1983_ad5b_1cc7_dc97" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p>I walked very slowly among the flowers, not wanting to disturb anybody's sleep, and took care not to knock any flower heads as I slowly strolled along the path. I was actually in a sunflower maze. The sunflowers only came up to my shoulders, but I had no idea where the path would take me through the flowers, and didn't really care. I was happy to wander where I was led.</p><p>The whole field had an enchanted feel to me now, with the dreamy bees, but also because the sunflowers were entwined with blue and white morning glories. I had no idea whether they'd been sown intentionally, or if they were just 'weeds', but it added a wonderful entangled dimension to the field, with twisting vines climbing up the stalks and framing the sunflower heads. It was gorgeous. I have to add here that my photos are not the best. Due to my fuddled brain from being ill, I had the camera on the wrong setting and so all these shots are merely JPGs, and not RAW images as I usually take. So I wasn't able to do much processing, but this just merely gives me a reason to return next year, when I think I'll try to arrive even earlier in the morning.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIrG0stiyKdcslWg5nBvdE-q-BACqzvBETKMAT99178tFQd7t-WiBBeakjlk1BrdOWPA9mNk3wavKT1O99vRDQf3R-7qUttqP4vmWKjnHoXVcKI6a-sXEEZ5fLmJLdDMFiQJMkw0clckyLwiBZhaCmij-X0AEDuxgokUvXeCp1yECNFLS4r13N6nG6mU/s1800/DSC04858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIrG0stiyKdcslWg5nBvdE-q-BACqzvBETKMAT99178tFQd7t-WiBBeakjlk1BrdOWPA9mNk3wavKT1O99vRDQf3R-7qUttqP4vmWKjnHoXVcKI6a-sXEEZ5fLmJLdDMFiQJMkw0clckyLwiBZhaCmij-X0AEDuxgokUvXeCp1yECNFLS4r13N6nG6mU/s320/DSC04858.jpg" width="320" id="id_d323_b2a2_885_79fd" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_gyIDN7r-Yv_-SB4IMQTW1d37GQHQ92PRx0AIM_ChGwVnSjdvrvj5PbbopC9vP5_ICkjv7g16kCCfE0Rj2BN6KECYheoTIoNf18WlsadhY5nxWXpYFn3FCimGlFpe-sXG2_jUAQb4QRGCheYeOzj4jjzL9vb3xHt-5y6TTxVGAopklkrLOUscddB-Xk/s1800/DSC04853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_gyIDN7r-Yv_-SB4IMQTW1d37GQHQ92PRx0AIM_ChGwVnSjdvrvj5PbbopC9vP5_ICkjv7g16kCCfE0Rj2BN6KECYheoTIoNf18WlsadhY5nxWXpYFn3FCimGlFpe-sXG2_jUAQb4QRGCheYeOzj4jjzL9vb3xHt-5y6TTxVGAopklkrLOUscddB-Xk/s320/DSC04853.jpg" width="320" id="id_7549_71b6_7007_1283" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>I took my time walking around the field, delighting in seeing more bees waking up and slowly stumbling across the sunflower heads. I don't think I've ever seen so many bees in one place before, it was magical. Birds were twittering and gooses honked from behind trees, likely on the river banks. Crows croaked, and goldfinches swooped and bobbed across the tops of the sunflowers, abruptly landing on one that looked particularly tasty. The pale golden dawn light was disappearing as the sun rose higher above the mountains, and more bees became active as they warmed up. The blue morning glories began to fold up their petals, but the white ones stayed open a little longer. They were all wrapped and twisted around the sunflowers, tendrils peeking out above the large flower heads, or reaching across a space to latch onto anotherone. They obviously didn't hurt the sunflowers at all, I didn't see one sunflower looking as though it was being strangled, even though the thin vines were twisting the whole lengths of the sunflower stalks.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJf-d9_K7F-Co1z4Tc1sO0VyM18gzFt50LQ1TFcDRkfy8frpKXDTvcAM4bM2IvHChI13kBn-zqr3yGPi3lP2aKvj6exYThkDkSz6kshRJrRBv-CIMYVel0Aa3djqy26YovSrsRk_zTs2tEcBXBGoEiRo23WhC_vgtNfHyViwaj8xQhlR2NDE8K6Mg8E/s1800/DSC04852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHJf-d9_K7F-Co1z4Tc1sO0VyM18gzFt50LQ1TFcDRkfy8frpKXDTvcAM4bM2IvHChI13kBn-zqr3yGPi3lP2aKvj6exYThkDkSz6kshRJrRBv-CIMYVel0Aa3djqy26YovSrsRk_zTs2tEcBXBGoEiRo23WhC_vgtNfHyViwaj8xQhlR2NDE8K6Mg8E/s320/DSC04852.jpg" width="213" id="id_37a0_a03_ec83_4c03" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZQdL7KJYQ-FwGls1D_7u45iSQsMIint7-Vv0vyF8jYVOMn-bTk05ku6pEKvRU_pZNcjDx8lZcogJ-ljXZacM5H70jXrEQZvSuXLZwP2Gl5xx8Ky-G4J3iTv1RAC750_FKgcBVDcPS9nC34gG2biyW0NRQ0AwWHJy7zZsRoWeOh360UPcdo7OyS7uYCw/s1800/DSC04851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZQdL7KJYQ-FwGls1D_7u45iSQsMIint7-Vv0vyF8jYVOMn-bTk05ku6pEKvRU_pZNcjDx8lZcogJ-ljXZacM5H70jXrEQZvSuXLZwP2Gl5xx8Ky-G4J3iTv1RAC750_FKgcBVDcPS9nC34gG2biyW0NRQ0AwWHJy7zZsRoWeOh360UPcdo7OyS7uYCw/s320/DSC04851.jpg" width="320" id="id_36c1_1ab5_13c9_ceb8" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAS796u98QwAEUcLi18fcmOtFcXI6Va0bXlm-ITS7cPrJl6GffcRrPAehCbQ3w9ZbefgHAxEdv6qwackDYEyLjlVQXR2o00cs7slPwUIB2j_X99wWaseBUa0uNhuMtCYVB_KrZ4d8O4tnnlCDp5SIJCUyTBCua0tVWAwDWi9fGKJZvyLQg8Rm08ouLvo/s1800/DSC04843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAS796u98QwAEUcLi18fcmOtFcXI6Va0bXlm-ITS7cPrJl6GffcRrPAehCbQ3w9ZbefgHAxEdv6qwackDYEyLjlVQXR2o00cs7slPwUIB2j_X99wWaseBUa0uNhuMtCYVB_KrZ4d8O4tnnlCDp5SIJCUyTBCua0tVWAwDWi9fGKJZvyLQg8Rm08ouLvo/s320/DSC04843.jpg" width="320" id="id_91f1_eff_fa77_2cb0" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SjpaoNloRsGmFhvkRaWz7XaEo63_HVpumLYJ4rAJ-EeBF8tVqLf7s3FB38T4ryCQW86D6mkmCuwsRqVsB26_v2jG0fJ9QMK3wz1PIJ7DZaziALXBuhVoOTrHBo5mTZV9IAVkm83gmXJ2i71DEYooP7ouLTMbCu_KeEHjtfquzoSCpSjhvJKQUWAWqLo/s1800/DSC04842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SjpaoNloRsGmFhvkRaWz7XaEo63_HVpumLYJ4rAJ-EeBF8tVqLf7s3FB38T4ryCQW86D6mkmCuwsRqVsB26_v2jG0fJ9QMK3wz1PIJ7DZaziALXBuhVoOTrHBo5mTZV9IAVkm83gmXJ2i71DEYooP7ouLTMbCu_KeEHjtfquzoSCpSjhvJKQUWAWqLo/s320/DSC04842.jpg" width="320" id="id_5de0_8aa0_2b2_ecfa" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3dBQLzXrHJlPDURzGaG32Z8GEnBYy0jHSXZEg-RmkrAFlAOLT5OkryQvhQ9sbzVQUF9yxUD1kCfssKeHuZJwSM0WC67DobPxxd7zLIVDHk0rrdfexo2zJxlPOHUeXQuh2ED7H36csjJ3LppCbp9QLGOz2Wj-aQrA8oHD1hki-WYZIVxLu_Hzify38Sk/s1800/DSC04865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3dBQLzXrHJlPDURzGaG32Z8GEnBYy0jHSXZEg-RmkrAFlAOLT5OkryQvhQ9sbzVQUF9yxUD1kCfssKeHuZJwSM0WC67DobPxxd7zLIVDHk0rrdfexo2zJxlPOHUeXQuh2ED7H36csjJ3LppCbp9QLGOz2Wj-aQrA8oHD1hki-WYZIVxLu_Hzify38Sk/s320/DSC04865.jpg" width="213" id="id_300e_e310_e04a_678b" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLzX8XyW83eMaVmx6AgZYhVRbhAfXi3qhEN_vuiisv9wqsSm7VifmJxT8TBoLviKw4hfD0IMGCFHdNGJLxGA29dnJE2jooFbGenIp_OE_moSxE9tigiDrEOjQkPuDrZveWVRZVQcr9grvAUj8Q76TtTGwVll4cA91-DbO8Eiy8VfktfW_mSMfDyNl02I/s1800/DSC04868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLzX8XyW83eMaVmx6AgZYhVRbhAfXi3qhEN_vuiisv9wqsSm7VifmJxT8TBoLviKw4hfD0IMGCFHdNGJLxGA29dnJE2jooFbGenIp_OE_moSxE9tigiDrEOjQkPuDrZveWVRZVQcr9grvAUj8Q76TtTGwVll4cA91-DbO8Eiy8VfktfW_mSMfDyNl02I/s320/DSC04868.jpg" width="320" id="id_f3dd_ab8b_a38_9840" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ38ZoV_WV-niu4-SCB-6-tvWEo1VmSAzquFEONDjygR8CZJfW1TzD9NuLy3ELRKlmADPbCT1uqWO2_8PCdfrvweTcBGPNSFsIgz_nVf-QB_ZoRYtUES0epdYfS_Nwfb8bos2-Fc4F22ATpCfYwuDLCXmkoCnk7m-pI3BHMabcN7xn_ubS4uoaEsCJDQ/s1800/DSC04872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJ38ZoV_WV-niu4-SCB-6-tvWEo1VmSAzquFEONDjygR8CZJfW1TzD9NuLy3ELRKlmADPbCT1uqWO2_8PCdfrvweTcBGPNSFsIgz_nVf-QB_ZoRYtUES0epdYfS_Nwfb8bos2-Fc4F22ATpCfYwuDLCXmkoCnk7m-pI3BHMabcN7xn_ubS4uoaEsCJDQ/s320/DSC04872.jpg" width="213" id="id_3c0a_cd90_db5c_2395" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeeoK5VcxfRTtKKOPNIR-eq0g_1OhY1cLaLVCbiccDwA83bNRenHpfP7vySIscCBmXfqwtIMn8hNxrHJEt2MXpJUnoKFX5pvTNIyCrkWHf0Qre2CAE6EuGuzdUzMjPFIQMGG4SkHJ056g8fR4DKn6pSsAN8kBJc5eNJzvnuzm0qnfJKI1M6eZS2JZEh4/s1800/DSC04873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeeoK5VcxfRTtKKOPNIR-eq0g_1OhY1cLaLVCbiccDwA83bNRenHpfP7vySIscCBmXfqwtIMn8hNxrHJEt2MXpJUnoKFX5pvTNIyCrkWHf0Qre2CAE6EuGuzdUzMjPFIQMGG4SkHJ056g8fR4DKn6pSsAN8kBJc5eNJzvnuzm0qnfJKI1M6eZS2JZEh4/s320/DSC04873.jpg" width="320" id="id_abe3_4057_8f8d_cfa1" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZBB-kIE_j6xEaxgWPPVl9at1abhwAWSAGUPehzdZdncB6TOWcAprRN989NFxkeCydsdAj5XRyWx67e2J8qaFeTMGZmHcFHkfaaLhdCDrjREkZFwLjhmuw8cCXAOz2EqVRm4vuxDRQpc-DHysipyguJRwLCVVerePrhsAEmKdIkg1SNrjbe_pveFfCT8/s1800/DSC04875.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZBB-kIE_j6xEaxgWPPVl9at1abhwAWSAGUPehzdZdncB6TOWcAprRN989NFxkeCydsdAj5XRyWx67e2J8qaFeTMGZmHcFHkfaaLhdCDrjREkZFwLjhmuw8cCXAOz2EqVRm4vuxDRQpc-DHysipyguJRwLCVVerePrhsAEmKdIkg1SNrjbe_pveFfCT8/s320/DSC04875.jpg" width="320" id="id_2c80_4eba_ceff_a62" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>The day got brighter, and I felt I needed to retreat. The sunlight was getting whiter and hotter, and I was becoming conscious of a headache starting, which would later become another migraine. I took a last long look at this wonderful field, coming to life as the buzzing became louder, and stopped to just take one last photo of some bees that were still waking up, slowly trundling around the sunflower as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw3N6nWOd9_B660h7O0Fdtzop-iFFipnzobXJTbF1kC_1iKWykKxvxDkC6ZRQ06IA56AL9VcPJukBKOe07s_fkuaIFMOwaJbUrkoKnQzZLG9wH5cmDO2wIvOaVtsQnAK3UUNUxIrfo-gG7uheNlbjG3cXHyFxVx-5hXeiYMiDbRNMWVPQ8YX3IARKhu0/s1800/DSC04886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw3N6nWOd9_B660h7O0Fdtzop-iFFipnzobXJTbF1kC_1iKWykKxvxDkC6ZRQ06IA56AL9VcPJukBKOe07s_fkuaIFMOwaJbUrkoKnQzZLG9wH5cmDO2wIvOaVtsQnAK3UUNUxIrfo-gG7uheNlbjG3cXHyFxVx-5hXeiYMiDbRNMWVPQ8YX3IARKhu0/s320/DSC04886.jpg" width="320" id="id_6466_6659_5b99_b8a5" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-77413310764468461352023-08-23T04:33:00.001-07:002023-08-23T04:33:27.003-07:00Broken Buildings in New Jersey<p> It's been a over a week since I went up to PA and NJ with Emily, Eric and Richard, to explore some sites that Eric had discovered. It was a fabulous day, a long one, and I got home late. I had bounced out of bed early on Sunday, planning to visit a sunflower farm, but my legs gave way, and a bout of extreme dizziness had me sitting on the bed again. Within 30 minutes, I was covered with blankets, shivering, and beginning a week of bed rest with my first, and only, I hope, experience with COVID. Obviously, the processing of photos was not considered for a moment, nor was anything else that used a few calories of energy. I felt completely drained, was exhausted, and had no interest in anything, except sleep and short bouts of English TV police dramas. Even 11 days later, I still feel tired and struggle to concentrate on anything for too long, but I wanted to get the urbexing trip documented, so it will be relatively short, and may contain grammatical errors.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuIQzVPC21n-T-7QTpMGlRrhM4a3ycfVbfIa3k9DLVZdL4I4OY337VBIosgSkdEXcUxraMjuTo-18Jio0MZYVrNZQ16v96A_rO0Ta3E1WIgyWTcLiYJ07BmpXml86O33Lag9ZLREex9Fg6DjvnGJGIiHvy79LBpdRV3v5REhhleS_N_VUAvh0qpQGZL8/s1800/IMG_3938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuIQzVPC21n-T-7QTpMGlRrhM4a3ycfVbfIa3k9DLVZdL4I4OY337VBIosgSkdEXcUxraMjuTo-18Jio0MZYVrNZQ16v96A_rO0Ta3E1WIgyWTcLiYJ07BmpXml86O33Lag9ZLREex9Fg6DjvnGJGIiHvy79LBpdRV3v5REhhleS_N_VUAvh0qpQGZL8/s320/IMG_3938.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aN2hp4Mq8_C12YS02eUtQtk71ZGdWsvbTeVo0oxItDfOjk_oAz37lZqY0kYh161knNOHx2Aluv2lIp0Lff7kM4DxsB01Rp_psEQVfjqdFfz_GhnLmsfYhqSABm71HislWWOPkSaSiY8_reSfzNuFRutFZY9QKRjSbX86-qDXXGldzgdAQ5SeYQIQxDA/s1800/DSC04720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aN2hp4Mq8_C12YS02eUtQtk71ZGdWsvbTeVo0oxItDfOjk_oAz37lZqY0kYh161knNOHx2Aluv2lIp0Lff7kM4DxsB01Rp_psEQVfjqdFfz_GhnLmsfYhqSABm71HislWWOPkSaSiY8_reSfzNuFRutFZY9QKRjSbX86-qDXXGldzgdAQ5SeYQIQxDA/s320/DSC04720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLeCExosXFUzY0hrMFXjlpba6ynQ0hdMIfRFZjaXH11RtaUwzjfXgTjFfzGIKo_E-Ny4zDGYeELPXTraVvHpqgfwiny_d_aqR3qkBxRTA6kticcr3rVORqt3qB7JfWVKMbmZ_SrbR2OzzVNz8rlS-4_1gicREidxmCkvllqPbe9HYLzW_N7aSxvCIlag/s1800/DSC04724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLeCExosXFUzY0hrMFXjlpba6ynQ0hdMIfRFZjaXH11RtaUwzjfXgTjFfzGIKo_E-Ny4zDGYeELPXTraVvHpqgfwiny_d_aqR3qkBxRTA6kticcr3rVORqt3qB7JfWVKMbmZ_SrbR2OzzVNz8rlS-4_1gicREidxmCkvllqPbe9HYLzW_N7aSxvCIlag/s320/DSC04724.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>We started early in the morning from DC and drove and drove, stopping
briefly for breakfast and bottles of water; it was gearing up to be a
hot day. Up in NJ, we stopped at an old house, hidden by vines and large trees. It had a fabulous old organ in front of a bay window, a tragedy that it has been left to rot by the previous owners, and will eventually be crushed, as the old wooden beams, struggling to hold up the house, will eventually give up their task, and cave in. I would like to witness that, as I imagine it may be quite musical. Upstairs, was a landing with an open window and walls filled with bird cages and nesting boxes. This was very odd to see, and we spent a while, discussing why they were there. I found another wall of wonderful old wallpaper.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnbZmw_d6Gi0irWm03OZSoy5K6vqVqa9bLy-ge15nj2FI_X643Sbx2H0tvbC37bGseLVM0M6ZziSAaaQkVA-IQuIjps_-AdPrWsB9_4QdHUmbd6xNkzedJJcgUNcmPpewlRU5xVv9o_mNbjaBjw1Od-j2z5b-bd8fNc-oJjg0qTKOu3tSHDfiaghVd7k/s1800/DSC04726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnbZmw_d6Gi0irWm03OZSoy5K6vqVqa9bLy-ge15nj2FI_X643Sbx2H0tvbC37bGseLVM0M6ZziSAaaQkVA-IQuIjps_-AdPrWsB9_4QdHUmbd6xNkzedJJcgUNcmPpewlRU5xVv9o_mNbjaBjw1Od-j2z5b-bd8fNc-oJjg0qTKOu3tSHDfiaghVd7k/s320/DSC04726.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN93H_wndr0x49BZgPWqDItvD8dxsbQYy1X8Ad4CG2sJdR6K-0OuBt-4XcJUtCAEfo3ivJzHW2kNmmXeboyefCPNkX66vNeDxY4zUgg25Yilf_GAvDN7EqTiRGYcbXA4zApaRM1nSPKabeGffnI0TBcqSYOOAPQtJ0fOeYswGYRtx2CHy9NJ3yXBTePA/s1800/DSC04729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN93H_wndr0x49BZgPWqDItvD8dxsbQYy1X8Ad4CG2sJdR6K-0OuBt-4XcJUtCAEfo3ivJzHW2kNmmXeboyefCPNkX66vNeDxY4zUgg25Yilf_GAvDN7EqTiRGYcbXA4zApaRM1nSPKabeGffnI0TBcqSYOOAPQtJ0fOeYswGYRtx2CHy9NJ3yXBTePA/s320/DSC04729.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-D4F3TR2C4sFHCfkXrDwSOWDgPx53fHhwPF81O94JegcF94djE6dprWNczMLAn4LUvBde0YU7Qg7nZ-MqUEkXMwi5Fl9YghNK3AxjoPjc4Mjo_z0pd8_At9HV3uEO8Jf1QPB7SdwCTBGVKfBMDyR5qwYlZ6mHfHThbjXvn63hca82BA1aHO2NrlyXvQ/s1800/DSC04731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-D4F3TR2C4sFHCfkXrDwSOWDgPx53fHhwPF81O94JegcF94djE6dprWNczMLAn4LUvBde0YU7Qg7nZ-MqUEkXMwi5Fl9YghNK3AxjoPjc4Mjo_z0pd8_At9HV3uEO8Jf1QPB7SdwCTBGVKfBMDyR5qwYlZ6mHfHThbjXvn63hca82BA1aHO2NrlyXvQ/s320/DSC04731.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbphwrZPE08Pju26bAX_vJ5zyXEnY5d0QWOp6sdmeowyVxKXARcbYmTIweHDzSjo7ofGXVllbsGN8G-XzcOSe1bTH1r1xwP9hgh6M4ety6KUtOW1pfG8skKrhu3bKD5FnxaoQScmMensubaT7tU_CBs7iNGY7vv3klRJZ_89ibPf1Q64BnTl5SM4z-uD4/s1800/DSC04744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbphwrZPE08Pju26bAX_vJ5zyXEnY5d0QWOp6sdmeowyVxKXARcbYmTIweHDzSjo7ofGXVllbsGN8G-XzcOSe1bTH1r1xwP9hgh6M4ety6KUtOW1pfG8skKrhu3bKD5FnxaoQScmMensubaT7tU_CBs7iNGY7vv3klRJZ_89ibPf1Q64BnTl5SM4z-uD4/s320/DSC04744.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>I always look for beautiful vintage windows and curtains to photograph and today didn't disappoint.</p><p>Our next stop was an abandoned Egyptian restaurant. There were another 3 people there, about our age, and also photographing the place. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQflPNappXh4xqWleJ3kfGlRmBitfL_5h16LSLh06EdRpzU2JmofZADuJjnBxRK6FziWnANKStGeie_sDY0gjNHPXm4d5n9tJdlXyFg6ctGBQ1uSkWYYl5k3SUfrgGb-uT3PjGKyFfeI227r2PWqsaEd7Z3QsJnSJXX1W7m6DUm-jikL6ZcXbGxNA63U/s1800/IMG_3947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQflPNappXh4xqWleJ3kfGlRmBitfL_5h16LSLh06EdRpzU2JmofZADuJjnBxRK6FziWnANKStGeie_sDY0gjNHPXm4d5n9tJdlXyFg6ctGBQ1uSkWYYl5k3SUfrgGb-uT3PjGKyFfeI227r2PWqsaEd7Z3QsJnSJXX1W7m6DUm-jikL6ZcXbGxNA63U/s320/IMG_3947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iDekLCf-Da3sHtuxH5Df4wWeeUNgimdj8LARc6GfU5TLi1XoqwvaeOnfo3wwzB7FzOWB4cH0qCA82UYD4Ji7heAAs6J-hjdJOxtAKGSPJp2-J7gkNw2wiYgdBO8GoX0bHENu_Vwfd2ZuJNSQtALbXb6utmoUYR2QTbLx_79jQZhypWN8zCoLrFkozYs/s1800/IMG_3949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iDekLCf-Da3sHtuxH5Df4wWeeUNgimdj8LARc6GfU5TLi1XoqwvaeOnfo3wwzB7FzOWB4cH0qCA82UYD4Ji7heAAs6J-hjdJOxtAKGSPJp2-J7gkNw2wiYgdBO8GoX0bHENu_Vwfd2ZuJNSQtALbXb6utmoUYR2QTbLx_79jQZhypWN8zCoLrFkozYs/s320/IMG_3949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OxOyTACt4R_nV87SRhIoZaIyhvEij2wgZg5yrf0TiCody61A8RuNWSFVHEqATO9MKs81PInU3mldpdTOI0Morn3VI-3Kfq3hNmcqm4ZRxPNW5GV0fE0nXGBDo58usaj-nx1YJVonTgyfbnOyRC5DEKVf3ehkOGp2pPR_RVonUdTlpAlaQ9P6e4QIvQk/s1800/DSC04736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OxOyTACt4R_nV87SRhIoZaIyhvEij2wgZg5yrf0TiCody61A8RuNWSFVHEqATO9MKs81PInU3mldpdTOI0Morn3VI-3Kfq3hNmcqm4ZRxPNW5GV0fE0nXGBDo58usaj-nx1YJVonTgyfbnOyRC5DEKVf3ehkOGp2pPR_RVonUdTlpAlaQ9P6e4QIvQk/s320/DSC04736.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG8tTSVigW5-kc7alHofElW_P_8lZgXBsCVf6opLg2ZcyFfHFm_Fvb-BvRi6campayxBPdWYjBdSLVdaOtZS52gn83xpQyb-mogYMTcQolzOsz2cZXiYLnTs-SaszDJNrSlnqum9TRBM5H7RVV-NvhK4Os9sLoZWTSExF0hCcAoJvMw1Q9R5difHOTyw/s1800/IMG_3954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG8tTSVigW5-kc7alHofElW_P_8lZgXBsCVf6opLg2ZcyFfHFm_Fvb-BvRi6campayxBPdWYjBdSLVdaOtZS52gn83xpQyb-mogYMTcQolzOsz2cZXiYLnTs-SaszDJNrSlnqum9TRBM5H7RVV-NvhK4Os9sLoZWTSExF0hCcAoJvMw1Q9R5difHOTyw/s320/IMG_3954.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The building wasn't old, and the decor inside wasn't that impressive, plaster pillars and walls covered in Egyptian hieroglyphs and a couple of sarcophagi. The one laying down in the foyer was pretty cool, its cracked facade managing to look almost authentic if I closed one eye. We couldn't hang around for long, since Eric had noticed there were cameras on the scene. We had also spotted a lot of new cables being laid, so hopefully, the building is being brought back to life. </p><p>Eric also found an old roadside 50's motel sign, which I loved. And on we went, this time, stopping at a 50's style diner, almost hidden by shrubbery.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1il6L_zUxj9PTsXS_YMhWYlcRHLpkalS5edDKN3_UWvUPXGObAFCcAi0JkgT0LXVWAwINif3-q37O1AHKin3e0GlfTAi1f4wY8-1hLF2SEhKQRPCmOV-zzoSJoJ0psgkWK41EuuwArhs6vyu2roewptPc-C8d_Om1jY98mIR3xTnZZ2HW-jYw_orA4HE/s1800/IMG_3959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1il6L_zUxj9PTsXS_YMhWYlcRHLpkalS5edDKN3_UWvUPXGObAFCcAi0JkgT0LXVWAwINif3-q37O1AHKin3e0GlfTAi1f4wY8-1hLF2SEhKQRPCmOV-zzoSJoJ0psgkWK41EuuwArhs6vyu2roewptPc-C8d_Om1jY98mIR3xTnZZ2HW-jYw_orA4HE/s320/IMG_3959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBBm84mTbpxMm6VcEFTwySE6XhYD5GkpyMo8n4wbEX4X-8jEneK26iJCIIRFGx-VkOPdH6isYGh5GPTehyKiECOthvJeXM9YatyzSe7_iog95MGkXbcUyPkq0QQBmtkY7G87lxfz7pzMH9l6DpfhXHGH_tDb0hugekiVXgHV33MnTKsm--3tuYuLA8CM/s1800/DSC04759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBBm84mTbpxMm6VcEFTwySE6XhYD5GkpyMo8n4wbEX4X-8jEneK26iJCIIRFGx-VkOPdH6isYGh5GPTehyKiECOthvJeXM9YatyzSe7_iog95MGkXbcUyPkq0QQBmtkY7G87lxfz7pzMH9l6DpfhXHGH_tDb0hugekiVXgHV33MnTKsm--3tuYuLA8CM/s320/DSC04759.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwl0MulIKGpZ2HHXaifB9pS955ExTFBuIvvvXVILK-yq5rpwWxvZdWI5PySMkD7sOx3zDlvNO2WZeQFYn3uwrbk4ZrNPD17ubH6q9QlINDmE0gsR7wu-3MMPrJRbm-Q3r6WXhmd5LUDHiXHgXkM3X5_hou1N9F9n-CutLfzO5oof-EMCc08yCh8H5BwQ/s1800/DSC04760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwl0MulIKGpZ2HHXaifB9pS955ExTFBuIvvvXVILK-yq5rpwWxvZdWI5PySMkD7sOx3zDlvNO2WZeQFYn3uwrbk4ZrNPD17ubH6q9QlINDmE0gsR7wu-3MMPrJRbm-Q3r6WXhmd5LUDHiXHgXkM3X5_hou1N9F9n-CutLfzO5oof-EMCc08yCh8H5BwQ/s320/DSC04760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We had a quick scout inside, lamenting the loss of an authentic vintage diner. Everyone loves a good breakfast, and we wondered aloud how this business had not succeeded, until we realized its demise had been a fire, and was likely just not worth resurrecting afterwards, due to too much damage. A shame.</p><p>Our last stop of the day was further south in DE, a sprawling industrial complex, with some of the old buildings erected in the late 1800's. It looked like it had been a pipe manufacturing plant of some kind. We found empty warehouses, rooms with large machinery left behind, a warehouse with shelving, metal wheels, electrical components, spare parts, and even an old lab area.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eTjme_K7hmRA20CAAkC08ZXMLD8ONr9jcnoVhJMRVur6SPwiIJXcynUQgwFvpsZ_shBpJMR_mAF8ODB4wx0d5uoF-V06yLvgIYRxhET-JEBppM3y4kftkz4wJtZkvsezCB9MvUXpXuq9vDe2gwNuDhskQPTM-IcGwtMtk3xS331XO910L2GVdJf16cc/s1800/DSC04794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eTjme_K7hmRA20CAAkC08ZXMLD8ONr9jcnoVhJMRVur6SPwiIJXcynUQgwFvpsZ_shBpJMR_mAF8ODB4wx0d5uoF-V06yLvgIYRxhET-JEBppM3y4kftkz4wJtZkvsezCB9MvUXpXuq9vDe2gwNuDhskQPTM-IcGwtMtk3xS331XO910L2GVdJf16cc/s320/DSC04794.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGNc5f4_7hmTpEiUvAi9Wf5Z_99PRG5W2BsOPs7Ir3whOTrpDygguA6XaHDpmk7gZnMKnawWKGkRhnZUdKoKigIPYE5zI4RwyuUe5AY0DmsqRbbapVvYMpXG3xg4kCMZFhnCqofwN3i2q_g1R6s47DYkkun14ny1hUSrt-WnuUqlZ8skRU1RHjI8__Ds/s1800/DSC04761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytw4eLc2-wdsmTSNvv9kMvWbUUpu2CHgZLM7foO_cCCWbaIbmrPPFIpaUXUuZZ_-P63Uq7GvZ_UuCB4z6oHeDKKYRDqZpe3XiGD44iULUzMASOMZmvbvd-ixV-E7LCoTDpJf9H5xE1ot9N0MrfLkC_MGMdjHq6NKKQC9TSr62cQwcvDwPOoWkFCJGm6A/s1800/IMG_3962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytw4eLc2-wdsmTSNvv9kMvWbUUpu2CHgZLM7foO_cCCWbaIbmrPPFIpaUXUuZZ_-P63Uq7GvZ_UuCB4z6oHeDKKYRDqZpe3XiGD44iULUzMASOMZmvbvd-ixV-E7LCoTDpJf9H5xE1ot9N0MrfLkC_MGMdjHq6NKKQC9TSr62cQwcvDwPOoWkFCJGm6A/s320/IMG_3962.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnl0DJsnq57VR6_J0cTrY2eCnxRZvjV3-5DPgbd8w-dKUH9WqGZ-I6wvRv5ot0G3leKrSn85KY6mdVFkMJGAhDGHtkwmUCXS7TOKju5D_Fl01L--KjLvmBv5hL2lbL7cPwXlKBSRyzEWfnGEpFT6BJJlBiuXM3dWqtUBgMGhJRV0CQuqSLpxMnPtNMIo/s1800/IMG_3967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnl0DJsnq57VR6_J0cTrY2eCnxRZvjV3-5DPgbd8w-dKUH9WqGZ-I6wvRv5ot0G3leKrSn85KY6mdVFkMJGAhDGHtkwmUCXS7TOKju5D_Fl01L--KjLvmBv5hL2lbL7cPwXlKBSRyzEWfnGEpFT6BJJlBiuXM3dWqtUBgMGhJRV0CQuqSLpxMnPtNMIo/s320/IMG_3967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Eric had not been here since last year, but he noted that already more vandalism had taken place since his last visit. In fact, while we were scouting around one large building, we found evidence, and later heard the voices, of copper scrappers. They had left a large bag filled with their booty, ready to go, and were in the process of collecting more, and evidently not concerned about who heard them. Either that, or they didn't care. We kept quiet and put space between them and us, as we kept photographing.</p><p>We left after a couple of hours, and driving south, decided to stop at a tavern for dinner. It was excellent food and beer, and nice to be able to wash up after our day of grubbiness. It was a long drive back to DC, and then another 1.5 hours for me, which was fine. I had a Stephen King audio book to listen to, and a bottle of Diet Mountain Dew to keep me awake. The drive would be fine. But apparently, the next morning would not....<br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-76874163693310971732023-08-09T12:25:00.001-07:002023-08-11T09:41:32.067-07:00Beasts at the Fair<p>I had a lucky week last week. On Monday, due to the Audible app not working properly, I ended up, thanks to customer service, with 3 free books to download. Then on Tuesday, I won 4 free tickets from our local radio station, The River 95.3, for the Warren County Fair. So on Saturday afternoon, Elliott and I went to the fair, and I gave the other 2 free tickets to the lady on the gate to pass on to someone else.<br></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGChn4ICKhuK9uuDJkRv_E9yXUPJhjTG8M8IKacXlJJsyJOE6GJScs6JeTbqWCcDCsfTm6dqVDgRaiihiUpQEV6T5_6buo-N2U9CiwVqQY76jNvy7nUvFX5B6REa0CQsi6sUBgZm6QQTodl3ecqTSJukorYf3BFt9BhltZnVJHN16wrviy09ZIyqQ4Nw/s1800/IMG_3779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGChn4ICKhuK9uuDJkRv_E9yXUPJhjTG8M8IKacXlJJsyJOE6GJScs6JeTbqWCcDCsfTm6dqVDgRaiihiUpQEV6T5_6buo-N2U9CiwVqQY76jNvy7nUvFX5B6REa0CQsi6sUBgZm6QQTodl3ecqTSJukorYf3BFt9BhltZnVJHN16wrviy09ZIyqQ4Nw/s320/IMG_3779.jpg" width="320" id="id_a603_232_4c5c_9844" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5XqIcbw0UvN2bv_BBfbJM9Yzv5wejTXCB_Gsj0U5U1K44Ku67llgZaIcNFmyY_4uZm6tORF8qn-p3c0j2xD3zgRii2RYXminRMItoWOJNvYCpOGsQrhTaDAK3XwYlYjRBjRbDLZHVGdPZiXxT1MZzf8eMpzzjgXPfXxSbh0wp2AasgaL5FDxORECOM/s1800/IMG_3781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5XqIcbw0UvN2bv_BBfbJM9Yzv5wejTXCB_Gsj0U5U1K44Ku67llgZaIcNFmyY_4uZm6tORF8qn-p3c0j2xD3zgRii2RYXminRMItoWOJNvYCpOGsQrhTaDAK3XwYlYjRBjRbDLZHVGdPZiXxT1MZzf8eMpzzjgXPfXxSbh0wp2AasgaL5FDxORECOM/s320/IMG_3781.jpg" width="320" id="id_846d_66f_a5c7_7c54" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>I'd not been to this fair before. I'm a big fan of the Clarke County fair, as the local kids dress up along with their pets, plus I love the venue, and I've also been to the Fauquier fair, just the once. I won't return there as I wasn't impressed at how the animals were kept in the shed. It was way too hot, and I had to ask a number of times for empty water bowls to be filled. Here, at the Warren County fair, the animal shed was gloriously cool, with big fans blowing, doors open and not one creature with an empty water bowl, or looking uncomfortable. The fast asleep pig made me chuckle with its front leg in the air, unable to lay flat on the ground, due to its wide girth. The chickens posed cheekily for me and seemed to be the best of friends. All the livestock here were beautiful animals, many lying down in the summer heat, but obviously not suffering from it.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlKnOgZ1kO4sZaihCdVjpljtxkGK2eFxq0mXPB0nQCrz0WGYSnZYFJYcf3i5Ikoucd_VFk1TcH0KiaM5i2TUxP3MFR6GStBE08z0cYHtAA6EvOdjrYlpjf_fqmd2e-qNCRX1VceKMk6LWDAGBRlfZlcTsyh_fv81n7H70e7RHUY03sjYC3vD01F-HhcE/s1800/IMG_3783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlKnOgZ1kO4sZaihCdVjpljtxkGK2eFxq0mXPB0nQCrz0WGYSnZYFJYcf3i5Ikoucd_VFk1TcH0KiaM5i2TUxP3MFR6GStBE08z0cYHtAA6EvOdjrYlpjf_fqmd2e-qNCRX1VceKMk6LWDAGBRlfZlcTsyh_fv81n7H70e7RHUY03sjYC3vD01F-HhcE/s320/IMG_3783.jpg" width="320" id="id_87dd_2396_e8ef_d30f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p>This incredible wooden ark was on display. Built by hand on a 6:1 ratio, the same ratio as modern oil tankers, which are designed for stability. It was made locally, in Amissville, VA, and incredibly detailed, with hundreds of carved wooden animals, stalls and provisions. I have no idea how they managed to carry that into the fair, it must weigh a ton, and take hours to set up. It was amazing.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtRciHaN9sy1dfSl_159pmHbJWoJimR1riyPSf-1GUulp7hr5Yu4j4GhWIlehqSg6Q-6CCv7k0ryzthDqqbU6tcxHZBMeDw_PavtSxiHCXsHS0c6oUZQ8qawzaxSSy_U_cm-dpyrTxXwcuSqK7SLfgtioOaSeqcsr2pRG-hHFRcMnR5sm9EHSaWXrqDA/s1800/IMG_3788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtRciHaN9sy1dfSl_159pmHbJWoJimR1riyPSf-1GUulp7hr5Yu4j4GhWIlehqSg6Q-6CCv7k0ryzthDqqbU6tcxHZBMeDw_PavtSxiHCXsHS0c6oUZQ8qawzaxSSy_U_cm-dpyrTxXwcuSqK7SLfgtioOaSeqcsr2pRG-hHFRcMnR5sm9EHSaWXrqDA/s320/IMG_3788.jpg" width="240" id="id_ec7b_9f56_7430_ab8e" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0Q9ojjj7P_RCZUaxxqv97q7gpoqhjrAs02FTdM8fAuesZX7BkXJ0EWXVR65p3PZoGxf98MrRcqxTNKQbA24mkgsLH6_x6-bvuheFbSgkYCh26e-DAfoU3kVtY2p2MZx78xj7a61s6IDN9LJLAHep6stWObHJ9C_McnUByBk5YeCUVnHzWOsO3TC8Yo8/s1800/IMG_3792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxCBIrSH9_AR3FgYUwQX-C8MM2pBzLQNX-Cp6bLRTJmj8pv2nfl6tBGr_jvjuhlN_PCN21Vziaw-O1cEMMt_2l_k0u7QHPZR0xm8pWyC0flVwqHgLvnmgxx7E3FIF5YaJ4CCc__OedzdXuwPLbgKK_EFKFudl3d5pfAFHPm38SehVZB04T_37dQw6DGk/s1800/imagejpeg_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1182" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxCBIrSH9_AR3FgYUwQX-C8MM2pBzLQNX-Cp6bLRTJmj8pv2nfl6tBGr_jvjuhlN_PCN21Vziaw-O1cEMMt_2l_k0u7QHPZR0xm8pWyC0flVwqHgLvnmgxx7E3FIF5YaJ4CCc__OedzdXuwPLbgKK_EFKFudl3d5pfAFHPm38SehVZB04T_37dQw6DGk/w263-h400/imagejpeg_0.jpg" width="263" id="id_e159_cb6f_8aba_ff76" style="width: 263px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MInTtzLu-mnGa7ozJSvEAzd8-8FLt8ngUGzs2fOLmTvskReePUT3YugmnIf2mf_dHol1bRzt2IgqTjjXKQV93iC5v1Ao25YOmyVbWe0plTuKxjfdEhiizAm9q1yedhBrmgHc6V5Jw6DcrMC_EY2ZcDSeAbNHVGk5ZP70Y6CF7minizGIpjDkk8RUgPg/s1800/IMG_3799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MInTtzLu-mnGa7ozJSvEAzd8-8FLt8ngUGzs2fOLmTvskReePUT3YugmnIf2mf_dHol1bRzt2IgqTjjXKQV93iC5v1Ao25YOmyVbWe0plTuKxjfdEhiizAm9q1yedhBrmgHc6V5Jw6DcrMC_EY2ZcDSeAbNHVGk5ZP70Y6CF7minizGIpjDkk8RUgPg/s320/IMG_3799.jpg" width="320" id="id_9aad_714_5056_c428" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA1rdEkSUHugsTaZmJ3UUhwqbbKKgG6uG_2TAhx1A74SCgQ3Id83HwvJWI4bdvqsQTi4OG1S3MaWWN3KtMEGGe2no9BnMbHWC-x3SVBHC_Astq1jzEZO4TK1ibmrEf3D62fQ--_N9KAHJ3Gqc_cThM5pxsWaD_a4Zm8TrpYEn8CUnM1c_ELWF4axk73U/s1800/IMG_3805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA1rdEkSUHugsTaZmJ3UUhwqbbKKgG6uG_2TAhx1A74SCgQ3Id83HwvJWI4bdvqsQTi4OG1S3MaWWN3KtMEGGe2no9BnMbHWC-x3SVBHC_Astq1jzEZO4TK1ibmrEf3D62fQ--_N9KAHJ3Gqc_cThM5pxsWaD_a4Zm8TrpYEn8CUnM1c_ELWF4axk73U/s320/IMG_3805.jpg" width="240" id="id_d252_53e3_3da8_2886" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><p></p><p>We walked towards the track where the monster trucks were on display, passing a beauty queen posing for a photographer with a funnel cake. The drivers were by their huge trucks, dwarfed by the giant tires. An older lady drove the truck, Muddy Girl, which I was very impressed by, and she told me the tires can range from $300 - $6000 each, hence the reason for repairs being made on them as long as they'll last. I'd noticed a line of screw heads on one of her back tires, and she smiled, saying it was one of the repairs, where she'd snagged the wheel on a concrete barrier while coming round a corner. Another monster truck, Sasquatch, was out in the field, offering rides to folk for $17 each, a 5 minutes roll twice in a circle with no thrill bumps or fast acceleration. We shook our heads at the money families must be spending. With entry, food, drinks and souvenirs, it had to be a minimum of $200 for a 2 kid family. We had a lousy meal of 3 dried up chicken tenders with greasy fries for $15; it was barely edible. Elliott's iced tea was $8. I had a $2 bottle of water.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRMm4lUH_sUze5zs2GcT9hzUOSlhpUwE3YuPFRCr40CSbOazqcrUSdb40gykH-k4ZJm-5m5eg_DambSmYQ8uu-1kJxIAX9M1LBN2yKNvmIG3M8XP20_4IjkechIG4B-7LrrQsmJs6L7fc6qY9nbwD-tCTaOEOpx9j6ZZbObT0k33I25pEXvG27EPdJ5A/s1800/IMG_3825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRMm4lUH_sUze5zs2GcT9hzUOSlhpUwE3YuPFRCr40CSbOazqcrUSdb40gykH-k4ZJm-5m5eg_DambSmYQ8uu-1kJxIAX9M1LBN2yKNvmIG3M8XP20_4IjkechIG4B-7LrrQsmJs6L7fc6qY9nbwD-tCTaOEOpx9j6ZZbObT0k33I25pEXvG27EPdJ5A/s320/IMG_3825.jpg" width="320" id="id_b1f3_1dda_3eca_d21e" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsgf_ZdIipqO65TXbThvZ3IklSGKZL1t8nQ9t8n9pFTECu_Hit3HFbWjefvCvHBMJCCBGPOoWewM1I5EGDF9YazABUUREoadDVm2QN8Ox1tIa7Q-kC3oCFPyTguEE_hLO_TAbA2PoNrHHFC8WQgHv3PO-sP2-gzI01UoNGZ9tXKHm38lG18jiHmF6UaA/s1800/IMG_3807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsgf_ZdIipqO65TXbThvZ3IklSGKZL1t8nQ9t8n9pFTECu_Hit3HFbWjefvCvHBMJCCBGPOoWewM1I5EGDF9YazABUUREoadDVm2QN8Ox1tIa7Q-kC3oCFPyTguEE_hLO_TAbA2PoNrHHFC8WQgHv3PO-sP2-gzI01UoNGZ9tXKHm38lG18jiHmF6UaA/s320/IMG_3807.jpg" width="320" id="id_a0d2_6e3b_481c_82d0" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>We managed to get seats on the bleachers, from where the view was pretty good, and couldn't believe it when we spotted a family, with kids and pushchair, strolling across the track, oblivious of the danger. Only in FroRo...</p><p>The monster trucks lined up at the edge of the field, getting the audience fired up with their tremendously loud engines. I was impressed to see quite a few kids whose parents had got them to wear ear guards. And as soon as they were lined up, I was disappointed when they then shut off their engines. Next the kids on their ATVs came out, racing around a small track, and I have to admit to being a little relieved at the short show, when they rode off and were replaced with mini monster trucks, also driven by kids, one of them an 8 year old girl! They didn't do any jumps or spectacular leaps but they all looked really cute. And then the big engines fired up, and I moved to the edge of my seat in anticipation. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkMiqBvguWztmBPIZgPrKwdTMQKnmlMdzniPbk-CWLEnvcLPGIC7q1XZpEIdHj6a-UEKrhCDiS9AqiZPPA-8pGLIGr80uYMgWNvNc6RHZ59dYoW2zQQEgKC8SKsdFOcFfkKb1ASRH3qtTIuadDp4osDVnUpPEyogkFCdijyNaYu7ke3B9xzW3_BFqkPw/s1800/IMG_3824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkMiqBvguWztmBPIZgPrKwdTMQKnmlMdzniPbk-CWLEnvcLPGIC7q1XZpEIdHj6a-UEKrhCDiS9AqiZPPA-8pGLIGr80uYMgWNvNc6RHZ59dYoW2zQQEgKC8SKsdFOcFfkKb1ASRH3qtTIuadDp4osDVnUpPEyogkFCdijyNaYu7ke3B9xzW3_BFqkPw/s320/IMG_3824.jpg" width="320" id="id_85e5_f423_90f8_d2cb" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuOj_iYFeT5pGwKR4TTN8WTCZZBmbJ9jq32j04FSKuzHH67_Tv7TeW1bM8mU2r9PLmHqPyU1lQ8aL9jJn9braqpfYSR4ggXD_mBferZlG4U2GWXPnWPcvw7ROy2zXADGqcONzHvZtaruze5LxIQGMULB8lZQqf86pKB1mV-eNnMBSuHXmX87wRT0WZ4s/s1800/IMG_3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuOj_iYFeT5pGwKR4TTN8WTCZZBmbJ9jq32j04FSKuzHH67_Tv7TeW1bM8mU2r9PLmHqPyU1lQ8aL9jJn9braqpfYSR4ggXD_mBferZlG4U2GWXPnWPcvw7ROy2zXADGqcONzHvZtaruze5LxIQGMULB8lZQqf86pKB1mV-eNnMBSuHXmX87wRT0WZ4s/s320/IMG_3827.jpg" width="320" id="id_2093_7617_1e2d_f728" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUIHLOL0rrTxm7Y8_-a4DxGp1-lPMXeVim6_Potb2FMlSimLOOoPQG5c14vZJA5c1w8GgdGh0_F80VWA3l0HAOUanwlY4Fq5t4k7McrGFXABggQQFvLVEvDZGdQPs35sesK-gF8vLSvOGKSHGHm4tI_V1lL85kUv7bW2zFKiQ8wfAwd-aLcPUhhFN5cQ/s1800/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUIHLOL0rrTxm7Y8_-a4DxGp1-lPMXeVim6_Potb2FMlSimLOOoPQG5c14vZJA5c1w8GgdGh0_F80VWA3l0HAOUanwlY4Fq5t4k7McrGFXABggQQFvLVEvDZGdQPs35sesK-gF8vLSvOGKSHGHm4tI_V1lL85kUv7bW2zFKiQ8wfAwd-aLcPUhhFN5cQ/s320/IMG_3829.jpg" width="320" id="id_d338_3009_c566_3a3b" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt2ZcqiF60WA50Vm91heQ5QdHVEhEZoPc1FF4Cgm9-PVX-G78vKV-pC9GRiXoNRiK8kxDqVTnIEwAPpELSB5VnMyDhFgt8uMHGWab5VleuYyw4rf56aqxjU1JnUlH2DKxy2BoTUNjKDwpw1NTuCx9oFC5tLQYVawYYkHSEb4YSLPDPX9KTkwdKXKCaXU/s1800/IMG_3846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt2ZcqiF60WA50Vm91heQ5QdHVEhEZoPc1FF4Cgm9-PVX-G78vKV-pC9GRiXoNRiK8kxDqVTnIEwAPpELSB5VnMyDhFgt8uMHGWab5VleuYyw4rf56aqxjU1JnUlH2DKxy2BoTUNjKDwpw1NTuCx9oFC5tLQYVawYYkHSEb4YSLPDPX9KTkwdKXKCaXU/s320/IMG_3846.jpg" width="320" id="id_cc48_9aad_46d0_645a" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOFRBamLezhs7AjcJcu66V73UYrKo070_b6WPkSUcAMCTHcxMrtcB3gSsVuDThcyioUmTqpgkdrhNukF6lZTJVoVtJhYwPvwma7nXy6TZAslBeDnP9qwA5smlF_dRXakQ7qQRI0iiVrCwMH33M4De2zqg0k_sq5Zduk37niZfn5ZDB-pvMBTm0SCZn4w/s1800/IMG_3858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOFRBamLezhs7AjcJcu66V73UYrKo070_b6WPkSUcAMCTHcxMrtcB3gSsVuDThcyioUmTqpgkdrhNukF6lZTJVoVtJhYwPvwma7nXy6TZAslBeDnP9qwA5smlF_dRXakQ7qQRI0iiVrCwMH33M4De2zqg0k_sq5Zduk37niZfn5ZDB-pvMBTm0SCZn4w/s320/IMG_3858.jpg" width="320" id="id_d2f2_537b_85e_4d8f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">Muddy Girl started off with a reasonable jump, and then Killer Bee, who I'd posed with in the pit, jumped almost vertically, and landed on his back. Everyone leapt to their feet with dread, as the truck lay motionless. Then there was some movement, and the driver appeared unscathed. The crowd exhaled audibly as one, and we watched a JCB trundle out to put the truck back on its wheels again. I have to admit that I was interested to see that the underside of the truck was brightly painted and shiny, and supposed it was for moments like these. Like a model, there's no bad angles!</div><p>Backdraft and Outlaw performed some righteous leaps, wheels spinning and engines roaring, but for me, it was all a bit of an anti-climax after Killer Bee's mishap. By the end of the first half it seemed that Outlaw was in the lead for height and length of his leaps, and they all rode slowly back to the edge of the field, revving their engines for maximum effect, where they then sat quietly for the break. I posted a video of the fantastically throaty engine growling by Outlaw. I wouldn't mind turning up to work in that one day, especially if I could just drive over the top of all the traffic stuck on Rte 66 in front of me.<br></p><p>Another truck with people standing in the back sped up and down in front of the crowd throwing t-shirts. The kids were racing up and down with them, hoping to grab a lucky catch, and a lot did, they were pitching out quite a few goody bags. Elliott and I got restless waiting for the monster trucks to restart and our interest had waned, especially as it seemed they would be doing the same jumps again. We wandered off to roam among the carnival rides.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KqDXqjwX8uO9g9f0sh-1HiQ_LL4HeuEuY9XdaxAH2Hcy1wmtQZMDpZWNH9XHKt1OxHKbFMJ_iEP0QlvhKxw0UpehRFVtydf4TeqTvQejvjBIcJGL0sYIhkNhWD3ToxU2wHF046mCqq-6-0GYhkPwgBg-MS5QyXBTJ1izClaCyfNWKTrlJTVIkpovN5s/s1800/IMG_3877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KqDXqjwX8uO9g9f0sh-1HiQ_LL4HeuEuY9XdaxAH2Hcy1wmtQZMDpZWNH9XHKt1OxHKbFMJ_iEP0QlvhKxw0UpehRFVtydf4TeqTvQejvjBIcJGL0sYIhkNhWD3ToxU2wHF046mCqq-6-0GYhkPwgBg-MS5QyXBTJ1izClaCyfNWKTrlJTVIkpovN5s/s320/IMG_3877.jpg" width="240" id="id_bf9f_74dc_7cac_c3c8" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPKo2IauTOAYbIw7tqFIKWUAsmx6vQ37l3MKnBJdNhCE8vwA27LVtha3Aic2-BbG8vyGMpzwK0Oc1XPGkYkrzyQ_80cRIXwkeETtOHNtwMfaK2dewkZtcJ1pnqVmeLuZpy9yEWKY63BYETR262QRbA19nPo3OZQ6SWE6Bq7it2Q9qMXGmiN8-PBHrC8E/s1800/IMG_3887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPKo2IauTOAYbIw7tqFIKWUAsmx6vQ37l3MKnBJdNhCE8vwA27LVtha3Aic2-BbG8vyGMpzwK0Oc1XPGkYkrzyQ_80cRIXwkeETtOHNtwMfaK2dewkZtcJ1pnqVmeLuZpy9yEWKY63BYETR262QRbA19nPo3OZQ6SWE6Bq7it2Q9qMXGmiN8-PBHrC8E/s320/IMG_3887.jpg" width="320" id="id_6e71_245b_9f12_c019" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegzYfP8cVDHGHKXiIr6XFPcdPaVV-JGUMx9-9xgmslpG-5AG0I1gEZwzfG56dofOLGA6qfN70JldPdAgKP9O44IywWqXOGOaIQ8zR7_4_Ni5ZfSmRBGPbSN-z6drKlJ7DSxMvXNFojJJZpedjqK1hSucxUf2Ulsc7yTwoVStq1rLk0RYWq6fXHiTNSPg/s1800/IMG_3895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegzYfP8cVDHGHKXiIr6XFPcdPaVV-JGUMx9-9xgmslpG-5AG0I1gEZwzfG56dofOLGA6qfN70JldPdAgKP9O44IywWqXOGOaIQ8zR7_4_Ni5ZfSmRBGPbSN-z6drKlJ7DSxMvXNFojJJZpedjqK1hSucxUf2Ulsc7yTwoVStq1rLk0RYWq6fXHiTNSPg/s320/IMG_3895.jpg" width="240" id="id_8df4_d722_da13_37d9" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA8VZGr8K6AEVwlzhR1O9b5XYEIVQz26TQNTyfrwGiM8Zwfi3ok8Q4UlNtLeHU_o_k2kfSt6edzms4eomh-X32mlDbInoSOobhsNrOCZvEes2l9zsU5uEwH6UI1c1HXnTUpv-Ajd6qf4KIal7VelS703vCl4sYXaWQX5LvYSKGxfV5rMT8ryqdeXEetc/s1800/IMG_3901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA8VZGr8K6AEVwlzhR1O9b5XYEIVQz26TQNTyfrwGiM8Zwfi3ok8Q4UlNtLeHU_o_k2kfSt6edzms4eomh-X32mlDbInoSOobhsNrOCZvEes2l9zsU5uEwH6UI1c1HXnTUpv-Ajd6qf4KIal7VelS703vCl4sYXaWQX5LvYSKGxfV5rMT8ryqdeXEetc/s320/IMG_3901.jpg" width="240" id="id_7c1a_1659_2cf9_8735" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3hXI24u7ROxvgCeF-MQizD4bBOLUofFTUxcHz6TYLfghTUr0sz347UGQSI6sg6iUrL2-wVI7QIJHfYqgP2SdBDXt5dewbDhvB7NMLAxfK7W-GwsE0__RXZwNdtvQe28lmxwd0a9Gzky1Z8stjtOtiP-pT6tHtX95K6vyqJ5HNL406ETppTyzzRnHA8/s1800/IMG_3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3hXI24u7ROxvgCeF-MQizD4bBOLUofFTUxcHz6TYLfghTUr0sz347UGQSI6sg6iUrL2-wVI7QIJHfYqgP2SdBDXt5dewbDhvB7NMLAxfK7W-GwsE0__RXZwNdtvQe28lmxwd0a9Gzky1Z8stjtOtiP-pT6tHtX95K6vyqJ5HNL406ETppTyzzRnHA8/s320/IMG_3903.jpg" width="320" id="id_133f_afca_85a_f63f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>We strolled about, taking a few photos, but I was mainly enjoying seeing the kids having fun. There were no thrilling adult rides, and I was a little miffed that no adults were allowed in the funhouse. I always love those. It wasn't packed with people but we guessed that would change once the monster trucks were finished and the sun went down. I took a couple of shots of the stunning sunset, and then we made our way home, joining a few others who also wanted to leave before the mass exodus. Rural life is grand, we were home in 20 minutes.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobUGeDHRb3_P2H8MyEHcMGmOf1vP2jWbnzqw74tlpxybSCHTrlU1Wa13GffFSREtG4P3rj7TwwPkrVu2mVe3A9DGuXOz8aQ-VhCX1SgRuP-Sq4Hs4jauy8KAEx5lJdXJj6cBi7f4QcPUSENZply7anKovuTlJYHP3kE7546xJ5AOPp4zYSWs5I5dD4L0/s1800/IMG_3905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobUGeDHRb3_P2H8MyEHcMGmOf1vP2jWbnzqw74tlpxybSCHTrlU1Wa13GffFSREtG4P3rj7TwwPkrVu2mVe3A9DGuXOz8aQ-VhCX1SgRuP-Sq4Hs4jauy8KAEx5lJdXJj6cBi7f4QcPUSENZply7anKovuTlJYHP3kE7546xJ5AOPp4zYSWs5I5dD4L0/s320/IMG_3905.jpg" width="240" id="id_1352_9b27_6fe5_7448" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-89728146684412268452023-07-19T12:13:00.002-07:002023-07-21T05:17:09.874-07:00A Trip to Ticondaroga<p>During a quiet moment at work on Thursday, I was looking online to see what events were happening at the weekend, and came across reviews for The National Botanical Garden, which opened last year. I initially assumed it was in DC, so was amazed to find the address was very local, about 15 minutes from work in Chantilly. I read the reviews, which were either very impressed or completely unimpressed, with little mediocre comments. Intrigued, I paid my $25 for a ticket the next day, planning to leave work a few minutes early.</p><p>Of course, Friday was another swelter of a day, with palpable humidity, and no breezes, but I stoically turned up at the address, and wondered whether it belonged to the farm I used to work at, over 20 years ago, selling Christmas trees. It was on the same road, and I vaguely remembered the owner talking about a dream he had of creating his own small kingdom. While I was working there, he was in the process of building a small 'mountain', by moving tonnes of earth, and this was often part of the discussions among the staff.</p><p>I pulled up in the carpark, next to another white SUV, and looking out of the window, I spotted a lady pulling on her hiking boots. "I know you!" I exclaimed. It was a fellow hiker from a Facebook group, whose entries I'd often read, and liked. I'd never met her before, but recognized her immediately. We chatted for a while, and then went our separate ways. She was limping a little and would be covering ground slower than myself, and I wanted to make sure I saw everything in the 2 hour window I had before the place closed.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLns7VXlm5kPuUkjzebGMs_B9iCvwuyRQyC5tPpXeHwiesHJ_2QYYXDP4962KH_lUNV0xt7ghgi8WtzBTagQxu7dWl4yv-rTvsJZiO6OvhGH-sIs3dgn9qiM54Nh-2qk7qO1e8ZS0F5ggeQBekchRsajzJVcBqbo9PIcQ_jXlaW8AgvZ0uBK_Vttw8TT4/s4032/IMG_3487.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLns7VXlm5kPuUkjzebGMs_B9iCvwuyRQyC5tPpXeHwiesHJ_2QYYXDP4962KH_lUNV0xt7ghgi8WtzBTagQxu7dWl4yv-rTvsJZiO6OvhGH-sIs3dgn9qiM54Nh-2qk7qO1e8ZS0F5ggeQBekchRsajzJVcBqbo9PIcQ_jXlaW8AgvZ0uBK_Vttw8TT4/s320/IMG_3487.JPEG" width="320" id="id_293b_30cd_863_fe31" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zGuHsz8CnAsDp50BNEXoLnk9-dHdVUHFgXEFDmLEgB3lNFbpKCYbWeZ80nzxlpkPSdag2MXWbnPZAODvk3tnaXI7d9xKnbQ1PZU8BokO1GOxXu6XDG8wyX8y6-2npw7XMavyKFsEWWshHLpz3o8OafdJtcoO9qZgHGO8O11R0IVzy2LYhoEavNvt2A8/s1800/IMG_3488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zGuHsz8CnAsDp50BNEXoLnk9-dHdVUHFgXEFDmLEgB3lNFbpKCYbWeZ80nzxlpkPSdag2MXWbnPZAODvk3tnaXI7d9xKnbQ1PZU8BokO1GOxXu6XDG8wyX8y6-2npw7XMavyKFsEWWshHLpz3o8OafdJtcoO9qZgHGO8O11R0IVzy2LYhoEavNvt2A8/s320/IMG_3488.jpg" width="320" id="id_4739_c271_1a96_2266" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>As I had driven in, I'd seen these 2 modern sculptures. Because they were metal and shiny, they appealed to me, but I'm not really enthralled by modern works of art. The second one had a robin nesting in the middle of it, so I didn't get too close. There were other modern sculptures, including 2 huge, gaudy pots, but I didn't take many photos of these displays.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Frf0dIpdCgNxs9_bfEJ2eEeaC6qx3SzCwunw4IJpM1gqmjplBfH1OfMvSoYaYxysyWVuWEqCRx2QXpXC5NuEKKvBTSiDZ3t2Bf8Dw4EJJKNBmobRAbfbMMTBWnMsnn54SgkwS7rxW1aslUlMrUsi7lzoJx_QmTB6QXyFXMI3gvyCDidZ9PR3agMtIY/s1800/IMG_3493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Frf0dIpdCgNxs9_bfEJ2eEeaC6qx3SzCwunw4IJpM1gqmjplBfH1OfMvSoYaYxysyWVuWEqCRx2QXpXC5NuEKKvBTSiDZ3t2Bf8Dw4EJJKNBmobRAbfbMMTBWnMsnn54SgkwS7rxW1aslUlMrUsi7lzoJx_QmTB6QXyFXMI3gvyCDidZ9PR3agMtIY/s320/IMG_3493.jpg" width="320" id="id_e2_7ff7_d065_6e12" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWaVT6TrqDKZdTWU2b24qx10JuhO43O7SRkLS4iyRbnO4OUeb5rCkp_a39PHy7sX8AtxDDcGuMaoJ4ph15HUvSLYPV8VyhkgIvmaH5zRXvP-jhshZJRZgiW-aL03hauj3mWhIn28utwpxa8tcnD0oCHJGv6zL57dZGLRxIQPunQpZAvIPUbBOcKGjXWI/s1800/IMG_3498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWaVT6TrqDKZdTWU2b24qx10JuhO43O7SRkLS4iyRbnO4OUeb5rCkp_a39PHy7sX8AtxDDcGuMaoJ4ph15HUvSLYPV8VyhkgIvmaH5zRXvP-jhshZJRZgiW-aL03hauj3mWhIn28utwpxa8tcnD0oCHJGv6zL57dZGLRxIQPunQpZAvIPUbBOcKGjXWI/s320/IMG_3498.jpg" width="320" id="id_7a0a_c15_581c_cf57" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUuEPJQgxu8CwMk1BkkY5i4G_SPR9j2NjV9Cn8CwbTKyOmY6sTRsSijlPt8Okzm8Uwi2hbo_QZCQwVBFIG7M5BrZLh_RgDbbOuMaeN3MgIgAv-dMqiEB0aL63lMyT6GJGVPO50oTK6KK_FXcWONpX3BqFMcjIyksFb-IZmHVeg260eg-157a_a_bwVUM/s1800/IMG_3499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUuEPJQgxu8CwMk1BkkY5i4G_SPR9j2NjV9Cn8CwbTKyOmY6sTRsSijlPt8Okzm8Uwi2hbo_QZCQwVBFIG7M5BrZLh_RgDbbOuMaeN3MgIgAv-dMqiEB0aL63lMyT6GJGVPO50oTK6KK_FXcWONpX3BqFMcjIyksFb-IZmHVeg260eg-157a_a_bwVUM/s320/IMG_3499.jpg" width="240" id="id_29f4_41db_f67e_dce4" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>I really liked the chimes by the lake, they were massive, the hoop was about 7ft tall. Of course, being that size, I had to hear them chime, and slowly walked up, and very gently nudged the pipes. A lady behind me laughed as they boomed across the water, she'd been wanting to do the same thing. As I got to the other side of the red bridge, I felt a piercing sting on my left thigh and looked down to see a black wasp fly off. The pain was intense but I rubbed my leg until it dissipated, although it burned for a long while afterwards. I wasn't angry, more surprised to see this wasp, since there were very few native plants anywhere here, but there were plenty of 'weeds' so I assumed she'd been pollinating those. Apparently, only the female wasps sting.It was also possible I'd inadvertently come close to a nest. There was a wooden slatted bridge over to a small island with established bamboo filling the isle. Bamboo is a beautiful plant, but highly invasive, so growing it on an island seemed a great way to contain it. There were other similar islands in the lake.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAhPd7pLgYdsiLpJvTAo56lZTACplzIEDyWKFpL852Ak5bLZ0L-WAx926n_b9wd7i0E7-n8qwJZXUYsAjdQfwheboXJeyAvkvEhQ2JWev0RDt_jHN01GwmNns6wNCIJFO3134_WOY7Vo0P2a_JhtPs51SHiSI2BNnSKwNhJga1fHJVhzBH5c8KXLmygc/s1800/IMG_3502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAhPd7pLgYdsiLpJvTAo56lZTACplzIEDyWKFpL852Ak5bLZ0L-WAx926n_b9wd7i0E7-n8qwJZXUYsAjdQfwheboXJeyAvkvEhQ2JWev0RDt_jHN01GwmNns6wNCIJFO3134_WOY7Vo0P2a_JhtPs51SHiSI2BNnSKwNhJga1fHJVhzBH5c8KXLmygc/s320/IMG_3502.jpg" width="240" id="id_b012_fbb7_4523_1e10" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQZKc0Aa0J4sve6WXU5OQYkNQtFa1IpKB2_H73EelFPj8FFZ91Wuub6dbYG__CHT2ZYAwhAF7N00KaQYhKfE3LZGYJfQqOlgq3FJMFl97Kd2YSaKl5LNqTvwbFmuv5A5FyhlaIteRl5atyTkPxvs9HAD42-Fvk2sQXYkIEMaRsJOV1FrRlY60bc9Dklg/s1800/IMG_3503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQZKc0Aa0J4sve6WXU5OQYkNQtFa1IpKB2_H73EelFPj8FFZ91Wuub6dbYG__CHT2ZYAwhAF7N00KaQYhKfE3LZGYJfQqOlgq3FJMFl97Kd2YSaKl5LNqTvwbFmuv5A5FyhlaIteRl5atyTkPxvs9HAD42-Fvk2sQXYkIEMaRsJOV1FrRlY60bc9Dklg/s320/IMG_3503.jpg" width="240" id="id_a8e7_9c33_1219_2ca" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1jnwroMnYPDcZkKkkRr7lMHaQ3vF9Ut9MPbB9GEN4bF51dr55bzBrFeRnEHE5x8f0vCE41aJX-8LIEh0ILUwvaMz9o1aTsjpzFc6tC8RaU5zYhSVxqXW1mcr8YhkUanZAXfQhETSimDNe2YZAVwRw-eacxu59flMfQzmfmzV8NEIV0cY4GNPMTO3SE/s1800/IMG_3504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1jnwroMnYPDcZkKkkRr7lMHaQ3vF9Ut9MPbB9GEN4bF51dr55bzBrFeRnEHE5x8f0vCE41aJX-8LIEh0ILUwvaMz9o1aTsjpzFc6tC8RaU5zYhSVxqXW1mcr8YhkUanZAXfQhETSimDNe2YZAVwRw-eacxu59flMfQzmfmzV8NEIV0cY4GNPMTO3SE/s320/IMG_3504.jpg" width="240" id="id_d18c_55fc_adf8_ed63" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGWeQLCx-MuBzNimucL9O-_WrF2dS8h2lsN2BCZvA7PZlWiP_fiBu1e4m9hwqDg-v6dq4n1w_Qhx8pjM38252AnjDJyfd-ltwsFscFCCYruBinOFwXpbTAAXr75UMYQLKt3jBFyovvo1DLr1fFAbJEun2GbstAvn2tJJynq3yr0wVLo9MV0aUmhx5tY/s1800/IMG_3505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuGWeQLCx-MuBzNimucL9O-_WrF2dS8h2lsN2BCZvA7PZlWiP_fiBu1e4m9hwqDg-v6dq4n1w_Qhx8pjM38252AnjDJyfd-ltwsFscFCCYruBinOFwXpbTAAXr75UMYQLKt3jBFyovvo1DLr1fFAbJEun2GbstAvn2tJJynq3yr0wVLo9MV0aUmhx5tY/s320/IMG_3505.jpg" width="320" id="id_52c0_fffa_6305_5a98" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p>There was a formal garden area, with concrete paths, rocks and more modern sculptures, yet sadly, very few native plants again. There were some ferns, imported plants, grasses, and plenty of liriope. I would find liriope everywhere I went. A hobbit town had been built, which had been a draw for me when I looked at the gardens online. I spent a while climbing up the steps to each home set in the hill and walking along the walls between them. The rock work was well very executed, and this 'village' must have taken years to construct. Beyond the hobbit homes was a huge castle being built, looking like it had come straight from a fairy tale book. The construction workers were busy while I was there, and I didn't envy them working in this heat.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvbe8yt82qi_8FTIw7NNQ5WwuZG45Q3rjpBOLUv6YEBz7OLAa4pBxVxiXHTXHiWUmOoP4heyvL3orAop1wxe6n41v8UfrnhuetBQQKWxexqpPg3ubjjy9AWJJQ4h47tZj_VAyjDOyQPBT7UCuROFtPBUBgqMxit1z0WhoMNhIEr0n7hOEglWL-jewNOU/s1800/IMG_3507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvbe8yt82qi_8FTIw7NNQ5WwuZG45Q3rjpBOLUv6YEBz7OLAa4pBxVxiXHTXHiWUmOoP4heyvL3orAop1wxe6n41v8UfrnhuetBQQKWxexqpPg3ubjjy9AWJJQ4h47tZj_VAyjDOyQPBT7UCuROFtPBUBgqMxit1z0WhoMNhIEr0n7hOEglWL-jewNOU/s320/IMG_3507.jpg" width="320" id="id_5716_1519_f66c_7b8" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT6xBcBPjNo8Gr0lewNvQYEjnO5z5BSVJOE9Mz6fN2g-zd3Rg3gjZfuaqbNVMXHmUYEakyPMjjjx2fXQ_m_fN-itApPJbQR_Qlk0XM2fltMnX4KutdsTSgAFUnXmZb6sARLltb6hWPQMT4LYh2BV1xP9P-lFsGl9-xq1hjhW-Bq01NbLCErW-_RyD7KE/s1800/IMG_3512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT6xBcBPjNo8Gr0lewNvQYEjnO5z5BSVJOE9Mz6fN2g-zd3Rg3gjZfuaqbNVMXHmUYEakyPMjjjx2fXQ_m_fN-itApPJbQR_Qlk0XM2fltMnX4KutdsTSgAFUnXmZb6sARLltb6hWPQMT4LYh2BV1xP9P-lFsGl9-xq1hjhW-Bq01NbLCErW-_RyD7KE/s320/IMG_3512.jpg" width="320" id="id_7754_620e_931b_e32f" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>A large cacti garden was just past Hobbit Town, and I was pleased to see a huge clump of Eastern Prickly Pear cacti, looking happy in the sunshine. There were numerous larger cacti, all looking very healthy, yet many of the prepared beds were empty. I hope they're in the process of being filled. </p><p>A wild meadow area opened up after the cacti garden, and I was pleased to see so many native plants here, growing wild and rampant. A few bee houses were active, and insects were buzzing about merrily. This was my favorite part of the gardens. There were quite a few of the Victorian style lamps placed about the grounds, and out here in the meadow, they seemed a little out of place, but not in a bad way. I also noticed many of the large metal hoops, which were being used to train vines to grow up. I later found out that these were recycled conduit spools that had been used for data center construction. I would have liked one for my garden, but though resourceful I may be, I couldn't fathom out a way to strap one onto the top of Stanley. Shame...<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklW-jYsRk6b1KHrZuGcIPKHF_26GGrOARmq2VVKkyldzeHCl32-0ZysYobpujpIP1Bg94Udb1YY3ujVK1EKj5VvQDezw9whr6DhuKNgSqFnrTnUT94WmvuIrhMr69-k64MrlTMvC9gDiAAH456_4ZwDA1cmdVBfYN9AIBM0elA3uEfQjY2umgr4gtAtA/s1800/IMG_3516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklW-jYsRk6b1KHrZuGcIPKHF_26GGrOARmq2VVKkyldzeHCl32-0ZysYobpujpIP1Bg94Udb1YY3ujVK1EKj5VvQDezw9whr6DhuKNgSqFnrTnUT94WmvuIrhMr69-k64MrlTMvC9gDiAAH456_4ZwDA1cmdVBfYN9AIBM0elA3uEfQjY2umgr4gtAtA/s320/IMG_3516.jpg" width="320" id="id_9bf2_8512_3ea7_eb50" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>After having been out so long in the blazing sun, and with the tiny no-see-um bugs constantly bothering me, I headed back to the formal garden area, where there was a large stone open barn, and where I hoped it would be cooler. A couple of people were at a table with laptops, and they asked me if I had any questions. I was amazed to recognize the gentleman, who upon me asking, confirmed he was the owner, and did also own the Christmas tree farm I had worked at so many years ago. His new wife, who sat with him, was responsible for the modern art sculptures, and we had a long chat about the garden and my old job. When I told him that I remembered him talking about the gardens, he told me to look up an article from 1993, published in the Washington Post, and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1993/07/25/is-it-a-park-or-a-heap-of-trouble/b7657554-ba9d-48e6-907d-d36c17321584/" target="_blank">here it is.</a> His wife took a photo of us, and then directed me to the bamboo area, called Kyoto, my last part of the gardens to visit. They said it would be lovely and cool there. Peter told me that bamboo grows a foot a day for 75 days, and then stops growing. Also, their bamboo feeds the pandas and elephants at The National Zoo in DC.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0vR89a2Xg5QUqrsHjeRxZ5aFJz68Qjp6ZbVsiad6DqJD2dn0GxkewgsDXL1c7ezLcqaDAvOH-IVfDwa29p9XtvUVtzdb6T00wX2mLD_lKpv65s7KHudkbxenjd0ETj7uNOYpNVyymKSMLyDTYgbyVX1jRg2jJ1-zXtoFbMbEgXzOjrc4gc8OLzqmAXU/s1800/IMG_3519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0vR89a2Xg5QUqrsHjeRxZ5aFJz68Qjp6ZbVsiad6DqJD2dn0GxkewgsDXL1c7ezLcqaDAvOH-IVfDwa29p9XtvUVtzdb6T00wX2mLD_lKpv65s7KHudkbxenjd0ETj7uNOYpNVyymKSMLyDTYgbyVX1jRg2jJ1-zXtoFbMbEgXzOjrc4gc8OLzqmAXU/s320/IMG_3519.jpg" width="240" id="id_a52_3c20_ee8c_779d" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFguJ0AZlgYDctDo01D-vT0gRFUvK78CsEFw914qNDJhDUfaf2ylsZ8CLqFKpZHGqzTLKGI3t_bIKrBToSYaRere8dBbpQRb1yUaegNjJAIRf0mk5ZhM3QAkebX0ewJI9Pbop2ZdcH-nUWLyHVYz9Oe7spoAi9L5Z1DXf8keSWT8N4esCXNj23oA2wsLU/s1800/IMG_3520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFguJ0AZlgYDctDo01D-vT0gRFUvK78CsEFw914qNDJhDUfaf2ylsZ8CLqFKpZHGqzTLKGI3t_bIKrBToSYaRere8dBbpQRb1yUaegNjJAIRf0mk5ZhM3QAkebX0ewJI9Pbop2ZdcH-nUWLyHVYz9Oe7spoAi9L5Z1DXf8keSWT8N4esCXNj23oA2wsLU/s320/IMG_3520.jpg" width="320" id="id_7587_267c_bd6e_63cb" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_UMR6_tf0-YU8II00fyIFAuRU-_FhrYItX9grI7ySTX0lXRW8a13_--jEQGkebkXO6i68gnjYmr7XUdYUG74WnBnejrNr0g3SJNc4UD1nXiNZv23r9r8NkRdm3RNvB_LZm4OhC2D60hVrjzqcmCZfLmLVsnQZ-iLhdnwO9rD90cbbNvONyFgcxfTd7g/s1800/IMG_3525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_UMR6_tf0-YU8II00fyIFAuRU-_FhrYItX9grI7ySTX0lXRW8a13_--jEQGkebkXO6i68gnjYmr7XUdYUG74WnBnejrNr0g3SJNc4UD1nXiNZv23r9r8NkRdm3RNvB_LZm4OhC2D60hVrjzqcmCZfLmLVsnQZ-iLhdnwO9rD90cbbNvONyFgcxfTd7g/s320/IMG_3525.jpg" width="240" id="id_208b_8e18_70d0_603a" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>As I walked up the slight incline to the bamboo groves, I noticed immediately that the temperature dropped dramatically in the shade. The humidity was still high, but with the small creek bubbling down the banks, its musical sound and the darkness created by the bamboo canopy, had a cooling calming effect. I spent a while there, surprised at myself for enjoying this area so much, while being surrounded by invasive plants, including a carpet of liriope, and Japanese stiltgrass. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa1IQXgMmjx-RhCmdAk8mKXslpu16fi9SKI8d1FPw7WW4ZAs4Jf0HIdxZ5a3qQhZFmfH2PnTRueLBde80nV2tL5xxpH4o7hGNbpXduNHY_mQxhqbQr7cZoAY6_bOzlDq-jAAj7O4Zg0ccOYJsSKbcrt_POjc-pb9sENtGll4QD-b2Q3kunKJKXsrliHI/s1800/IMG_3531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa1IQXgMmjx-RhCmdAk8mKXslpu16fi9SKI8d1FPw7WW4ZAs4Jf0HIdxZ5a3qQhZFmfH2PnTRueLBde80nV2tL5xxpH4o7hGNbpXduNHY_mQxhqbQr7cZoAY6_bOzlDq-jAAj7O4Zg0ccOYJsSKbcrt_POjc-pb9sENtGll4QD-b2Q3kunKJKXsrliHI/s320/IMG_3531.jpg" width="320" id="id_e460_8c49_249e_51c5" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div>As I walked back to the car, I couldn't decide whether this visit had been a success or not.There were certainly not enough plants for this to be a proper botanical garden, but it was obviously a work in progress, and certainly evident that a lot of work, and money, had already been committed to the grounds. The gardens were definitely interesting. I had had no idea of what I would find as I ventured around each corner, and it had been quite exciting, wondering what I would come across next. It was whimsically weird, and I always enjoy experiences that are different from the norm. It was also wonderful that so many acres were being saved from the ever growing destruction of farmland in this area. Homes and data centers are gobbling up this area at a frightening speed, so it was enjoyable to spend a couple of hours walking in a garden, where birds were happily trilling and tweeting, with draagonflies and bees, among many other insects, buzzing about their business. Even the wasp sting didn't seem so bad after all,( although a week later, it's still bothering me). The last photo is my favorite, one of the lakes as I drove out, so green and peaceful. I'll likely visit again in the future, since I'm often going to wonder what Peter has created next in his kingdom, and any sanctuary in suburbia has to be a blessing.<br><p>The garden's website<a href="https://nationalbotanicgarden.org/" target="_blank"> is here.</a><br></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-37227014587292810512023-07-07T10:03:00.005-07:002023-07-09T11:33:34.690-07:00A Weekend of Dereliction and LEGO<p>With all the rain we've been getting recently, the humidity has been horrific, so thick you can almost chew it. Any small movements result in instantaneous drenching of all clothing, and an immediate need to sit down and rest. With these wonderful climate conditions, Richard, Eric, Liz and myself decided to go urbexing on Sunday, out to the Maryland eastern shore, hoping it would be cooler with sea breezes.</p><p>Wrong. We crossed the Bay Bridge and arrived to more heat and humidity; there was no escape. But we persevered, with Eric knowing some old houses we could explore, a couple of churches also on the list, and Liz persistently demanding the AC be turned up higher every time we climbed back into the car after each visit.<br></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHRaQA29rptd6rJqkgZKSuQc9kwMZ5XszG9P_6Jn7tztp-LnPZfx9ppNB-uhyf3OuEgc5Ln2ZSCH3-5YcoFNif58HjWy8PhP6O5vK93SaZFJGRWBlAQge0BVRi3X4Cx2JihI9ltlXEC3K2oiNEMLeNz7Cwq0BQedkk-qot4sKVrwBDxshdrncxO7OfIA/s1260/DSC04669_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHRaQA29rptd6rJqkgZKSuQc9kwMZ5XszG9P_6Jn7tztp-LnPZfx9ppNB-uhyf3OuEgc5Ln2ZSCH3-5YcoFNif58HjWy8PhP6O5vK93SaZFJGRWBlAQge0BVRi3X4Cx2JihI9ltlXEC3K2oiNEMLeNz7Cwq0BQedkk-qot4sKVrwBDxshdrncxO7OfIA/s320/DSC04669_1.JPG" width="320" id="id_6cab_39f8_922f_c418" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X6LcVvLKqLE5pO9CfDWc2TUiWZ8zaFHhTD8Z-IbcVmtvd0_w-4eM6OqLRaUh3w5xJsc7baSOBBj24qu5rfiTlQRLFxCzV4zGFKn5Y6pYFn8YnrIkHvu83SCfphn1niaTE0w0RGIMgC2XPxnB23Z3-6imL5Yoh-cIMn9KeOW9avseDlO4WSfgKEpuxQI/s1260/DSC04670_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X6LcVvLKqLE5pO9CfDWc2TUiWZ8zaFHhTD8Z-IbcVmtvd0_w-4eM6OqLRaUh3w5xJsc7baSOBBj24qu5rfiTlQRLFxCzV4zGFKn5Y6pYFn8YnrIkHvu83SCfphn1niaTE0w0RGIMgC2XPxnB23Z3-6imL5Yoh-cIMn9KeOW9avseDlO4WSfgKEpuxQI/s320/DSC04670_1.JPG" width="213" id="id_dc9f_6758_9eec_e30b" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE5FknSBSXuon6QWCr0b7M8v9iH70SusRq5zDEsgbiRaBUYmdeOh1A4G3PeQ9H8mux4w3JhMPX6HIsjAjk7C9DULOikvJtjgCuL7Vh4GwgfjIHtnHjKGZcGKNAWDWlWJ2qfzEJYIjX6NAAe-oHIxgUeLucnzQ8v5VEOee02TifZNMeZlyyRJaloPW1KY/s1260/DSC04673_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuV-9rkF8CCxMYUSZObh01PJZ_ar7i26HGBcOQHWGEnx1TFNa4jHISsIRDxixYKq5KvZ-AOIhdVtxgTLnsnbouZe0F1FQNbZTHej1d7I8XB4zpapFP2NnCX3KlJmP1U6DM5Emnpbi815VbHaqDrOZoPYfKfkjvpVNTvcgjIpxfLz-whf__eotMkDvggw/s1260/DSC04682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuV-9rkF8CCxMYUSZObh01PJZ_ar7i26HGBcOQHWGEnx1TFNa4jHISsIRDxixYKq5KvZ-AOIhdVtxgTLnsnbouZe0F1FQNbZTHej1d7I8XB4zpapFP2NnCX3KlJmP1U6DM5Emnpbi815VbHaqDrOZoPYfKfkjvpVNTvcgjIpxfLz-whf__eotMkDvggw/s320/DSC04682.JPG" width="213" id="id_13e3_526_85af_fcd6" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKuscn6jjAgG2TqF3Tw7gybhUOBZJfwpDbzKgBO3GuJhmxRd3N7a81JnTSnhDypsL0T6ykacHgWd3XgqST52tJE2c-LWaMt7hnLJP_epGsp_7Nq8tAxohsXwNDnqwThQhkrbqMdS1RZX7fw6ukF0fle5MhE6RBxQWnobmfj5W2w_Hokx-We9uKqR-7A0/s1260/DSC04684.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1260" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKuscn6jjAgG2TqF3Tw7gybhUOBZJfwpDbzKgBO3GuJhmxRd3N7a81JnTSnhDypsL0T6ykacHgWd3XgqST52tJE2c-LWaMt7hnLJP_epGsp_7Nq8tAxohsXwNDnqwThQhkrbqMdS1RZX7fw6ukF0fle5MhE6RBxQWnobmfj5W2w_Hokx-We9uKqR-7A0/s320/DSC04684.JPG" width="320" id="id_c036_3a67_4d33_18ea" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6MaoLLWpsqXQT98tDtmjaw7XdN4CXpjrSULe4I4KSeSu5S1uLx8xNVbslXnP4PJMBVDy8iu-KiigimeHC8kJyTDH2TjIizRPS2vH99PN-7UYEYnE_QV-_sLrOTQ8qr-CMYSIkrLW5oppZKRDbEhVxpVlhsN4AKK2Gu0o8nqZi-xjTn_-QmRVxRZc1wU/s1260/DSC04688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6MaoLLWpsqXQT98tDtmjaw7XdN4CXpjrSULe4I4KSeSu5S1uLx8xNVbslXnP4PJMBVDy8iu-KiigimeHC8kJyTDH2TjIizRPS2vH99PN-7UYEYnE_QV-_sLrOTQ8qr-CMYSIkrLW5oppZKRDbEhVxpVlhsN4AKK2Gu0o8nqZi-xjTn_-QmRVxRZc1wU/s320/DSC04688.JPG" width="200" id="id_ff54_fdba_c771_e8c4" style="width: 200px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMrMSC2A25747EpnK9Ilw1hGjPQXj8usFFEoXB5aFNZUUTHBSkY3DB4MJO1BZ8wtcMcjXmPkrCHoj4Cu-L0eI8JTVDKSbL5qx6Yr65CIe8KBFe9mvN6V9bxMQyxiMxg3LCvw1DbGpeneQNeZ_FAksHGHFr1v6XpjtmP4Zk5_QWAoEU-Ar2-yaJN7xyhw/s1260/DSC04689.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMrMSC2A25747EpnK9Ilw1hGjPQXj8usFFEoXB5aFNZUUTHBSkY3DB4MJO1BZ8wtcMcjXmPkrCHoj4Cu-L0eI8JTVDKSbL5qx6Yr65CIe8KBFe9mvN6V9bxMQyxiMxg3LCvw1DbGpeneQNeZ_FAksHGHFr1v6XpjtmP4Zk5_QWAoEU-Ar2-yaJN7xyhw/s320/DSC04689.JPG" width="213" id="id_2eb5_aded_5290_50c0" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3v_Ia1mnAGXtcWJXRKTBr12vOz9GQREZSCOxMDccvq1-lbnpmBHOs5MEIrp_IP_T2b7juS4s1m18IrfEzgaz5cdCKvzXcDe0nCVbiZn7yAl4JlxV7aiOSPVPJhmZBWVUZeRrTTnTB2RYEuC7Zxw9itRVZX8mn6aVp397UUQZFcO88yL4TDjeJQi_qvA/s1260/DSC04691.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3v_Ia1mnAGXtcWJXRKTBr12vOz9GQREZSCOxMDccvq1-lbnpmBHOs5MEIrp_IP_T2b7juS4s1m18IrfEzgaz5cdCKvzXcDe0nCVbiZn7yAl4JlxV7aiOSPVPJhmZBWVUZeRrTTnTB2RYEuC7Zxw9itRVZX8mn6aVp397UUQZFcO88yL4TDjeJQi_qvA/s320/DSC04691.JPG" width="213" id="id_f8f6_7454_dd80_a91" style="width: 213px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>Eric took us to what he called, 'a good house', and we clambered in through a broken window. There were many memories left behind, old photos, clothing and ornaments. This always makes me sad, thinking of the circumstances in which family photos would be left to curl and fade, rather than treasured somewhere safe in a family album. I always try to imagine what the home would have looked like when the house was a happy hive of love and activity, and sometimes think I can hear small footsteps hammering up and down the stairs, family chatter, and smell the home cooking. It's almost a crime that these old places aren't salvaged or restored. They are built so much better than most of today’s houses, and the woodwork detailing is always exquisite. I love the old wallpaper patterns too. But, out here, homes tumbling down on the flat, farmed fields will be left to collapse. With climate change already leaving its mark, the water level here has risen dramatically, and many of the old houses we visited had spongy, waterlogged yards, a constant reminder that this coastal area would not be owned by humans for much longer. We also came across a few family cemeteries, the concrete casks already flooding by the encroaching rising sea level.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGKBQVtZZhv_iqf8L3Jm-kJdMlXA1Hdj9tmD_dPawHcfBHkOv8HqDdgXSrICo1X2-jQkHp2Q5i09O1giWW_AH3_LyYWPSaoc6HuxsjDizag70ZONMlLCXjpzBZ3KnP1JvuEsYmRMl7nTM8qu-rAFdKdsLlXUnPC3ATpJbaXUs4VD2y1w3yVGZQQ4R5Ms/s1260/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGKBQVtZZhv_iqf8L3Jm-kJdMlXA1Hdj9tmD_dPawHcfBHkOv8HqDdgXSrICo1X2-jQkHp2Q5i09O1giWW_AH3_LyYWPSaoc6HuxsjDizag70ZONMlLCXjpzBZ3KnP1JvuEsYmRMl7nTM8qu-rAFdKdsLlXUnPC3ATpJbaXUs4VD2y1w3yVGZQQ4R5Ms/s320/IMG_3325.JPG" width="240" id="id_54f1_ad63_afb1_8ce7" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXrLI1nRQC16C-RwfRSHF7EjjMHXsgTH_alj9QEfk5AR-WN2uJTPFhhZk0RZ01GyoX13x5IKJdWjN7fyo5mfM2S_JgdQIXdr-kKnNCdxTdywh5e2vQN8VBWKoQLCJoJCnrJz7fCGGAI3cxU9ur3cNmNJpeZgvIc8G2cv1pPgmUpGzfEUuWe9J1TPdYp4/s320/IMG_3336.JPG" width="320" id="id_aba5_b3dc_c258_90d9" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFX4JBnucVNyvv8erMItdrLsgeIS68ISeoFgdL97AUGWO9aPzV-s_eRX5TdstFJDybrsU74JNO4No6f0LNyrc6RuRlFjtH4fhBhAnX4PZi8AAMHOZ-n0xObRurVt5-w_jtnZJYttWL4uuWgFNE7Yu92sSzoXQT_FCSkZ_9sAlS8hKI5bpfRXsbJy5QFg/s1260/DSC04698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFX4JBnucVNyvv8erMItdrLsgeIS68ISeoFgdL97AUGWO9aPzV-s_eRX5TdstFJDybrsU74JNO4No6f0LNyrc6RuRlFjtH4fhBhAnX4PZi8AAMHOZ-n0xObRurVt5-w_jtnZJYttWL4uuWgFNE7Yu92sSzoXQT_FCSkZ_9sAlS8hKI5bpfRXsbJy5QFg/s320/DSC04698.JPG" width="221" id="id_d71d_f829_59b_ee11" style="width: 221px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhbRKD_kBw738LbXMIp80nEtJX5eMQW3CgZmCnr4USWmPJ5bt3iK-s73p4AOHvv1_csxoFJ_KRkL37iRxYuyGvsF9z-0ulv9LBTiLD9rCjukCYoFL6VHQIt8Ht8BRdtQoz68cZ0lKLe5H97gWzRgzLL0JYmRTvK2XdaxCetuFf9xI5jQw87-Tv1QYboM/s1260/DSC04703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhbRKD_kBw738LbXMIp80nEtJX5eMQW3CgZmCnr4USWmPJ5bt3iK-s73p4AOHvv1_csxoFJ_KRkL37iRxYuyGvsF9z-0ulv9LBTiLD9rCjukCYoFL6VHQIt8Ht8BRdtQoz68cZ0lKLe5H97gWzRgzLL0JYmRTvK2XdaxCetuFf9xI5jQw87-Tv1QYboM/s320/DSC04703.JPG" width="320" id="id_d72f_1151_9230_4450" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBFoRZwYBk0lWDKZWTkS_Ls0SXO-lS7qlmIDsgGufdrMc12GUED8BcxCdH5vhPSGg4Sgsy-KhQ2QbBHa0U1oppjyLLFPrfV-EnuEklMlntk6x2Sz2piXCpfvW0RtEf8sh9-MklZanCRNJ8o_UYrgErjrn2mzrEnb1TQ3HKQbh5lxYzPlkBxFTx4jnkgQ/s1260/DSC04705.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBFoRZwYBk0lWDKZWTkS_Ls0SXO-lS7qlmIDsgGufdrMc12GUED8BcxCdH5vhPSGg4Sgsy-KhQ2QbBHa0U1oppjyLLFPrfV-EnuEklMlntk6x2Sz2piXCpfvW0RtEf8sh9-MklZanCRNJ8o_UYrgErjrn2mzrEnb1TQ3HKQbh5lxYzPlkBxFTx4jnkgQ/s320/DSC04705.JPG" width="320" id="id_995e_e9a6_b714_e389" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>We stopped to check out a flea market, which looked quite promising, and
did have some interesting antiquities, but most of them were coastal
and beach decor, not ideal for my home, except for a wonderful pair of lightning rods, which I
would have loved for the garden, but the $120 price tag held me back. There were also some novel wind chimes, made from empty fire extinguishers, which I loved, but for $29 and up, I took a photo instead, thinking I could make one myself, if I ever came across an empty fire extinguisher. We
also passed an old bank building, which Eric had stopped at once
before, the owner having restored it into a cozy home, although there
were few neighbors nearby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilO4NdQQJLHXXinuFi0cglrHXmdWpLKVEXjxZ8O7YndsewuuSlFA9Hc9fMTzXXsFWGGlkRd9ClYWRhf1hEtTPyxkr8ne5T1NxnKB9zH5Pa4TIINmyIRJ2gyB3wOPQrmZzGFtBlHSpmCvOA7N3EFJz_-6aerUv5aOkp45OwydIcoBibY-ald4DR9eyL4I/s1260/DSC04710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilO4NdQQJLHXXinuFi0cglrHXmdWpLKVEXjxZ8O7YndsewuuSlFA9Hc9fMTzXXsFWGGlkRd9ClYWRhf1hEtTPyxkr8ne5T1NxnKB9zH5Pa4TIINmyIRJ2gyB3wOPQrmZzGFtBlHSpmCvOA7N3EFJz_-6aerUv5aOkp45OwydIcoBibY-ald4DR9eyL4I/s320/DSC04710.JPG" width="320" id="id_6b9e_af07_301a_5b13" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzCx8ceybTu9AKqLrM52L1Zbt2-Lj128s5LMFD4IuXEV-HSztQgYt7ecKuO8vPHM-exzKQ3H2zdsr_SnvZHm28Kmnrf8tJetjMSE-FYbB-zIWJ9IA7RcKdqB7c3qYo_5yu7lqkmMIjFEdgtK1BnofEN05OqoezEnC64iag3CnJ0WZUAUXRmt6VNWw8-8/s1260/DSC04712.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzCx8ceybTu9AKqLrM52L1Zbt2-Lj128s5LMFD4IuXEV-HSztQgYt7ecKuO8vPHM-exzKQ3H2zdsr_SnvZHm28Kmnrf8tJetjMSE-FYbB-zIWJ9IA7RcKdqB7c3qYo_5yu7lqkmMIjFEdgtK1BnofEN05OqoezEnC64iag3CnJ0WZUAUXRmt6VNWw8-8/s320/DSC04712.JPG" width="320" id="id_b032_4979_f018_fc5e" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsARp3uoMv_LQK_6zGtPW5MZd-umsKd_RCXIVbWR006XeCs_52beoe9Y-UAPgVuA66vWvYtQ2wgMfLRb__qtND_jDKQ46WU7N1VaoVfeHvIqliBwyMQen255qaFbbi1DdC-fzP_b1yyskV45vQObLc3FVUApBUSnk9-dMRJjS9BxUMRQ4DtIWmFluBihU/s1260/DSC04717.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1260" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsARp3uoMv_LQK_6zGtPW5MZd-umsKd_RCXIVbWR006XeCs_52beoe9Y-UAPgVuA66vWvYtQ2wgMfLRb__qtND_jDKQ46WU7N1VaoVfeHvIqliBwyMQen255qaFbbi1DdC-fzP_b1yyskV45vQObLc3FVUApBUSnk9-dMRJjS9BxUMRQ4DtIWmFluBihU/s320/DSC04717.JPG" width="320" id="id_a68b_ff85_aa1f_9949" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p>At the end of one road was a small fishing dock, with a couple of sunken boats, stacks of crab pots, and a row of 5 brand new condos, which was odd, since there was nothing else out here, and they would likely soon be experiencing flooding. A small family were enjoying the solitude of a tiny beach, the only people we'd seen down this road. After strolling around a couple more old homesteads, we'd had enough, and decided to look for crab cakes and beer, which we found, and then made our way back to civilization, although I kind of missed the peaceful solitude once we hit the busy traffic and strip malls again.</p><p>July 4th was another muggy and hot day, with storms on the horizon, but I had errands to run, and thought I'd drive about to see if anything was open, not wanting to sit indoors all day. I ended up in Winchester and discovered the Museum of the Shenadoah Valley was open, with a LEGO exhibition in the gardens. This interested me, and a wander along their nature trails could be done afterwards. <br></p><p>Sean Kenney, the artist, has been in partnership with LEGO for 14 years, creating sculptures and art, which have been viewed by millions. Based in Amsterdam, I was impressed that this little local museum was showcasing his work, so I paid for my ticket and entered the gardens. There weren't many other people here, so it was nice to be able to stroll around slowly and take a few photos without being in anyone's way. The sun blasted down, intermittently ducking in and out of the clouds, and the difference in temperature as it did this was noticeable. <br></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN7a_zesbLPT4MyV65WefnbTrMg4wh7taaheVOMAC3637S7DCgfiDttTPy57lN2kwhwzHE5AdcNJOSxvscAm4HbQgQWs3bAY_aYTnR9udald2vc3A-ICIU7tOJLdBMA0xtpPcaNlgCciUBSvlvdiYN89BfuGjuj09y-bl5IF8swpLCqG4CfVjar5_CVs/s1260/IMG_3350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN7a_zesbLPT4MyV65WefnbTrMg4wh7taaheVOMAC3637S7DCgfiDttTPy57lN2kwhwzHE5AdcNJOSxvscAm4HbQgQWs3bAY_aYTnR9udald2vc3A-ICIU7tOJLdBMA0xtpPcaNlgCciUBSvlvdiYN89BfuGjuj09y-bl5IF8swpLCqG4CfVjar5_CVs/s320/IMG_3350.JPG" width="320" id="id_e329_a6ed_905a_dede" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUecHKg5mx05I_UwXHgWCnApnCLaFghFnTDiOImsf6s-qIGQgtqUohYWOu-kGlIV5Q_sh1wnyCYuL1B8XLmbpNYIIHSQ5rJLhTav7DHVw6S4hAnp-5e2rDgwJEmFusU3HQqYi_C_XVDw92rQVT-KYNk0KPzGbXnUlIW5h2tPVNUHV-wMvemcoS4im8s0/s1260/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUecHKg5mx05I_UwXHgWCnApnCLaFghFnTDiOImsf6s-qIGQgtqUohYWOu-kGlIV5Q_sh1wnyCYuL1B8XLmbpNYIIHSQ5rJLhTav7DHVw6S4hAnp-5e2rDgwJEmFusU3HQqYi_C_XVDw92rQVT-KYNk0KPzGbXnUlIW5h2tPVNUHV-wMvemcoS4im8s0/s320/IMG_3353.JPG" width="320" id="id_bf94_27ee_b842_7084" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo-1fQGUH2d4Mf_0l3WW3kMJ_rL_E-scIDp79mAs-zTm3ue3nSIWxmrJtiSK2hExoLIsB7JYTcctq6oz7epxsoB2EoNV3k7KCLpz9QaT9jYhutGkVN6N8nNC4cM8ikkAYBhuXMwrzvCYlnFRrkmaIV13PTdD8-PcyXUfoebuUMK-zJk5_1AnV85NV7cM/s1260/IMG_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo-1fQGUH2d4Mf_0l3WW3kMJ_rL_E-scIDp79mAs-zTm3ue3nSIWxmrJtiSK2hExoLIsB7JYTcctq6oz7epxsoB2EoNV3k7KCLpz9QaT9jYhutGkVN6N8nNC4cM8ikkAYBhuXMwrzvCYlnFRrkmaIV13PTdD8-PcyXUfoebuUMK-zJk5_1AnV85NV7cM/s320/IMG_3355.JPG" width="320" id="id_5a46_1bff_65f4_dbe2" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGbF5CMgpTmZgyK6C7bdjRypwW38p6NIPIFSOu0886xtxTT098jZ3emOPDJ7YOEpGpleYNeknb7y6qHQvq_tQ__wYX2l87-mCX8bWWh99ptKZBQxPjQ2Z9fK9yzg0dDBTNWoyP4GhbavjmFyTMq7SstBsZP3aN1BRrXsfrrnKJr1N_ZhCkmKPhhb0wfs/s1260/IMG_3359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGbF5CMgpTmZgyK6C7bdjRypwW38p6NIPIFSOu0886xtxTT098jZ3emOPDJ7YOEpGpleYNeknb7y6qHQvq_tQ__wYX2l87-mCX8bWWh99ptKZBQxPjQ2Z9fK9yzg0dDBTNWoyP4GhbavjmFyTMq7SstBsZP3aN1BRrXsfrrnKJr1N_ZhCkmKPhhb0wfs/s320/IMG_3359.JPG" width="320" id="id_42e2_28b8_ea8c_9654" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p>Sean's work is impressive. The detail on these sculptures is incredible, they look so lifelike. I was pleased to see them in a garden setting, rather than a gallery room, the natural surroundings really enhanced the sculptures, making them stand out more against a living background, when they're so obviously man-made. And man-destroyed. This message was apparent as I walked around, the creatures displayed are all in danger of extinction. I actually loved the only extinct one here, the dodo, on a plinth, the first time that I've been close up to a 3D rendition of this amazing creature. I also couldn't help admiring the garden behind the chameleon, with an arch like mine, using a cattle panel and stakes. They've painted theirs blue, which I loved.<br></p><p>These sculptures took many hours to create. The polar bear group took 1048.5 hours, with 133,263 bricks, the biggest undertaking in this group, with the monarch and milkweed only 330 hours and 39,708 bricks! <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ybVJEw7vxHc8-_7T9opp67NeM1hsYsPP8lReTqDu0u_eJ0BO1sOew7GflSX81vxzsIrP_HDcisiX-975SzK0Jn62EhIEUIIw9vVJ8naeKgEhPvkJ65lvQdWEYRlO8xcBuGeEHGeCgpblOdhwoTtJ5VJDCSLAaFOq3R9hxwSkSMggGF7WiXbQeh6YsVk/s1260/IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ybVJEw7vxHc8-_7T9opp67NeM1hsYsPP8lReTqDu0u_eJ0BO1sOew7GflSX81vxzsIrP_HDcisiX-975SzK0Jn62EhIEUIIw9vVJ8naeKgEhPvkJ65lvQdWEYRlO8xcBuGeEHGeCgpblOdhwoTtJ5VJDCSLAaFOq3R9hxwSkSMggGF7WiXbQeh6YsVk/s320/IMG_3361.JPG" width="320" id="id_fe11_3e10_441f_b601" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><p></p><p>I wasn't quite sure why this galleon was hovering above the garden, but it intrigued me enough for a photo, and I particularly liked the gardener's use of bamboo to create a trellis for the tomato plants in the background. It was interesting also, to see that their vegetable garden hadn’t grown as much as mine. I think that may be due to Front Royal having had more rain than Winchester.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2GZ2kxmX25pjQx8RgTmA4nZAydyovCb40yp4LTsjhaxnBC6Alkw8C5O3mQAGdrfKzvf1iAeEIrgT22Tw7soonANgzwSxot5meW-CEc8a0LlJdo_x41vd_p17zIkp3m-iYOB32xeGSlnDyqrEMkwKY4A9H0qsWtI26Y8SDCeNtUUMgm_S7tIvba16Ek/s1260/IMG_3363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2GZ2kxmX25pjQx8RgTmA4nZAydyovCb40yp4LTsjhaxnBC6Alkw8C5O3mQAGdrfKzvf1iAeEIrgT22Tw7soonANgzwSxot5meW-CEc8a0LlJdo_x41vd_p17zIkp3m-iYOB32xeGSlnDyqrEMkwKY4A9H0qsWtI26Y8SDCeNtUUMgm_S7tIvba16Ek/s320/IMG_3363.JPG" width="320" id="id_acc4_dfc7_a0d1_e76a" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLRxVTX9I4mLSTjUEdxHkrh3q_zoUSBKpjSohACOMqynXsiwLJhD4zaOM56NOBWghm7GEnR6yAPnGEAoLqD71RcyXnNBclejWlI_aMIiJ-Xz7Mn1DZnck_Sdo0AB64941gkIJ3rOMhTaSAkhraXNQMHml8Jknz3c2_cnr6rFICtm3J2BV3e-xsaRDZ7Q/s1260/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLRxVTX9I4mLSTjUEdxHkrh3q_zoUSBKpjSohACOMqynXsiwLJhD4zaOM56NOBWghm7GEnR6yAPnGEAoLqD71RcyXnNBclejWlI_aMIiJ-Xz7Mn1DZnck_Sdo0AB64941gkIJ3rOMhTaSAkhraXNQMHml8Jknz3c2_cnr6rFICtm3J2BV3e-xsaRDZ7Q/s320/IMG_3367.JPG" width="320" id="id_401a_83a0_945d_af00" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAeXGffmqdWoEnCQLT_wD6z3xYi7fSZos79rVjqyOA0Jmy2oe8A2EI65Iq9oyuKW9KJfgcuxJr0f9tJxpFMgh3reT5eeH_tUz-f_mXDxxBAfSwPd5qU_VDRrsBsSRSJXVkRiS8d90h6jc1qwtKP4-Ut42bnapk7OMU5coeRZXy0Lcf8tYDMHAXbb4WYE/s1260/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAeXGffmqdWoEnCQLT_wD6z3xYi7fSZos79rVjqyOA0Jmy2oe8A2EI65Iq9oyuKW9KJfgcuxJr0f9tJxpFMgh3reT5eeH_tUz-f_mXDxxBAfSwPd5qU_VDRrsBsSRSJXVkRiS8d90h6jc1qwtKP4-Ut42bnapk7OMU5coeRZXy0Lcf8tYDMHAXbb4WYE/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" width="320" id="id_1c7e_8bd4_e83d_b150" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZNdq9MwBT29JRczdwcu70eOWDX94aWhDwTQdtA7hkECGzvdN9xyogvmKXTSVdvfvHURJgpye6ke9MZIYFVigDaABNf65u0mAHQCVwq23Ro7Fs2tAfu1f06PfRVyKHn2TSJABXIJEvh6O0gWuh6xIL63DqZcv4mHzIrha58uuD6tH79nn36ECffbB-6I/s1260/IMG_3375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZNdq9MwBT29JRczdwcu70eOWDX94aWhDwTQdtA7hkECGzvdN9xyogvmKXTSVdvfvHURJgpye6ke9MZIYFVigDaABNf65u0mAHQCVwq23Ro7Fs2tAfu1f06PfRVyKHn2TSJABXIJEvh6O0gWuh6xIL63DqZcv4mHzIrha58uuD6tH79nn36ECffbB-6I/s320/IMG_3375.JPG" width="320" id="id_5794_e1a5_e7f1_d89c" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJycSaVmyVwsfxW5akFY7O3qq2sOHjs5QYxFBYY8aIMZ8Ib541u2SgZRS3NwrVEBzSwalz1FTXu1Ea8Ijforu_6j85TxUbWALMXmF97Xr8QYraaKGnG4k6dIPAVCa1PO9x3CcuipEef2rELlr_K4agwDysWHakYX-mI8nVj4baJHoq46aeEvLdrhJOoNU/s1260/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJycSaVmyVwsfxW5akFY7O3qq2sOHjs5QYxFBYY8aIMZ8Ib541u2SgZRS3NwrVEBzSwalz1FTXu1Ea8Ijforu_6j85TxUbWALMXmF97Xr8QYraaKGnG4k6dIPAVCa1PO9x3CcuipEef2rELlr_K4agwDysWHakYX-mI8nVj4baJHoq46aeEvLdrhJOoNU/s320/IMG_3377.JPG" width="320" id="id_37c6_6139_8d84_c178" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div>There were 13 sculptures in all, some of which I didn't photograph, but my all time favorite was the snow leopard. Apparently, there are less than 7000 of these in existence, threatened by rising temperatures, human settlement, and habitat loss.<div><br><div>I could only manage an hour or so strolling around the gardens, it was too hot and stifling, so I didn’t get to hike the trails, my energy had been sapped by the heat. I was grateful to sit back in the car, with the AC blasting, and equally grateful, that once I was back home, I didn’t need to water the garden, the humidity was keeping everything damp.</div><div> </div><div>Sean Kenney’s website is here:</div><div><a href="https://www.seankenney.com/">https://www.seankenney.com/</a></div><div><p><br> </p></div></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-7840669816930189352023-07-05T07:06:00.003-07:002023-07-07T10:34:35.335-07:00The Grand Tour, Blue House Style<p>And all of a sudden it was June 24th, the garden tour day, and I panicked a little in the morning, wondering if I was actually ready, after spending so long preparing for it. Throughout the winter, I had been trawling flea markets and thrift shops for bits and pieces to use in the garden, and the car port looked like a junk yard with my collection. For over 4 months, I'd been toiling outside, at weekends and after work, cleaning up after the winter, building a vegetable garden, removing more grass to add additional native plants, copious amounts of weeding, lugging huge bags of soil and mulch, lots of painting, hauling large rocks and logs, plus watering every evening for weeks, which took 1 1/2 hours each night. I had taken a few days vacation time to complete some jobs, and was off the Thursday and Friday before the tour to finish last minute tasks, and check everything was in place. But nature decided that my watering hadn't been sufficient, and decided to storm heavily for those days, and indeed threaten the actual tour day itself with more rain.The spring had been cooler than usual, meaning with lower temperatures, the plants didn't want to grow, and were considerably less advanced than they were last year. I gave the plants a pep talk and lots of encouragement, and they did make some effort to grow, but as Chris, one of the Master Gardeners commented, all the gardens were in the same boat, so people knew what to expect.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSx8eY5LAQ9BD9aQomjVm9WIq46kqp_EMSoQWqMyGIR1wmUlJtDXO9DqRERHyPM728vQmGilARnhGuermCaPKU1U89nbLPJrmyZBeO77Yv_UGUcdwuV7djR7sqZpRDUYUZFSTQOMOlSQYCmsuATpjxHpI3rhql6nYXqhSjZ2z5RrDAPEjWdPYX0OGm64/s1500/IMG_2739.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1500" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSx8eY5LAQ9BD9aQomjVm9WIq46kqp_EMSoQWqMyGIR1wmUlJtDXO9DqRERHyPM728vQmGilARnhGuermCaPKU1U89nbLPJrmyZBeO77Yv_UGUcdwuV7djR7sqZpRDUYUZFSTQOMOlSQYCmsuATpjxHpI3rhql6nYXqhSjZ2z5RrDAPEjWdPYX0OGm64/s320/IMG_2739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This was how the front garden looked when I bought the house at the end of 2018. How boring, with not a single flower to be seen, and certainly no insect life at all.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHl_JLKQtjGxn2lzmMRtSGXyvnLcS9ZHslJHaRhrBw80AhIA6g_X7FO96N2XtH5DKsiw17StfPfyi4io96JPko857B1b0KUG95IEd7-7czOGcENDaE7eW6sTus6UXMdW-1464eqjSWxKNW6M8Pv6DlraUgoh1sMftycfTwjPtUOGuqMxqJnYut8SMGL8/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHl_JLKQtjGxn2lzmMRtSGXyvnLcS9ZHslJHaRhrBw80AhIA6g_X7FO96N2XtH5DKsiw17StfPfyi4io96JPko857B1b0KUG95IEd7-7czOGcENDaE7eW6sTus6UXMdW-1464eqjSWxKNW6M8Pv6DlraUgoh1sMftycfTwjPtUOGuqMxqJnYut8SMGL8/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQWqh8JYgUb_yL9XBDFcu2f36-oSfkJtyPkpiUZE4vY6yngwt81TrbBuhyy0NxkAiPYRqG4Mt4g6q1V6_gavT_bnb0jQaHpGpSlZD-GGzYaZ0ZXn_i5sj-eWUQ_tIkO8hE4pv1h-zgkwjbdC7sgLm9noavkxsQ04gQvsJevH6K9_Ttm-1GaPgUTUOqHM/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQWqh8JYgUb_yL9XBDFcu2f36-oSfkJtyPkpiUZE4vY6yngwt81TrbBuhyy0NxkAiPYRqG4Mt4g6q1V6_gavT_bnb0jQaHpGpSlZD-GGzYaZ0ZXn_i5sj-eWUQ_tIkO8hE4pv1h-zgkwjbdC7sgLm9noavkxsQ04gQvsJevH6K9_Ttm-1GaPgUTUOqHM/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0490.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The day was overcast and cool when Chris and her team of 4 volunteers turned up at 8am. She calmly took control, made the introductions, and gave us tasks. The gardens were open at 9am, but signs had to be erected, roads for parking on pointed out, and they wanted me to walk them around, explaining everything, so that they could help out when needed. I was a little nervous as despite all my planning for the garden, I hadn't considered for one moment what I would say to the visitors! I had stuck boards on wooden poles at a few points around the garden, explaining why I had planted native plants, and what I'd done in various areas. Elliott would be walking about with his camera, and had set another camera up in a window, for a time lapse. The photos of the tour, and the first half, of this blog are all thanks to Elliott. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3MfGngfFlQhjbPhYGf_0_A-knoXhD9sBBUtclnueu0zabeI2aoQaYn7nEtofvnmjEuDdUCx-9khBqRPsA7Kpb50cUPJGntjTMXXdZnxGBorHrsqa0HyEuvGcQozXJcwGvYNxkg4IY86vlNLUxgmkMtnEKdm-g52ypeEl7eLDGUvTOLJ43AUN8vr9wTw/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3MfGngfFlQhjbPhYGf_0_A-knoXhD9sBBUtclnueu0zabeI2aoQaYn7nEtofvnmjEuDdUCx-9khBqRPsA7Kpb50cUPJGntjTMXXdZnxGBorHrsqa0HyEuvGcQozXJcwGvYNxkg4IY86vlNLUxgmkMtnEKdm-g52ypeEl7eLDGUvTOLJ43AUN8vr9wTw/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0502.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJWwzyOO9hcq2C0lbG0e11bT7NcrWOWqKYYijJIvfxVL2CAt-ttpeWBNMrau0v_AD-0Ww6BseNaKpQhDAYpSnXJqT_4B49bsBPQ95bW4JV32OMiQb6IMv8kbbObRHgrY9uTDb9ehoGgf9qTUDPnatl7IZIMXfJ6mbhtowF9cLbcULKHK52bBHpPEW-5I/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJWwzyOO9hcq2C0lbG0e11bT7NcrWOWqKYYijJIvfxVL2CAt-ttpeWBNMrau0v_AD-0Ww6BseNaKpQhDAYpSnXJqT_4B49bsBPQ95bW4JV32OMiQb6IMv8kbbObRHgrY9uTDb9ehoGgf9qTUDPnatl7IZIMXfJ6mbhtowF9cLbcULKHK52bBHpPEW-5I/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0151.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was grateful he took these , since I didn't have any opportunities to take photos myself.</p><p>There had been a hole in the driveway, which weeds constantly grew out of. I'd kill them off with boiling water, but they would defiantly reappear, and so the cycle went, until I got fed up with it and decided to cement the hole and then mosaic over the top. But due to the rain, I wasn't able to finish it, and so set it up as a roadwork, so folks wouldn't walk on it. Many found that amusing as they passed by. Elliott also took one of the 'ugly' part of the back garden, where I've covered the huge bed of hated liriope, an invasive non-native, with black plastic, which will kill it off over the summer. You can also see I hadn't finished the gateway, again thanks to the rain.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW19oihpPz8WcAOfL_VHl25UvBkcsQMJnJLzXT8UtHUkpatilURRuaCZsHcOC7_b0tZR6Cq96BsbEPy7IH5AFaDMj26jkpcROcRal4eJhKZcTKgvObGGvu8XqAS8ImEFts_BQ7hdfFMSFOaPc8yzKjqdPpcRkKfEUhRysasiGGvtiQ8NB6Umlbd7cVsFc/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0310.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW19oihpPz8WcAOfL_VHl25UvBkcsQMJnJLzXT8UtHUkpatilURRuaCZsHcOC7_b0tZR6Cq96BsbEPy7IH5AFaDMj26jkpcROcRal4eJhKZcTKgvObGGvu8XqAS8ImEFts_BQ7hdfFMSFOaPc8yzKjqdPpcRkKfEUhRysasiGGvtiQ8NB6Umlbd7cVsFc/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0310.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And then people began arriving. And I started one of the many tours I gave of the gardens. And I was amazed. Everyone was genuinely interested in learning about native plants, swapping information and tips, asking questions, and so many compliments, I was humbled and elated. I didn't speak to one person throughout the whole day whose attention wandered, or their eyes glazed over; people were really enjoying the garden! And they all read the cards I spaced about or left on the table under the back porch. It was so nice, to hear, 'Oh, I didn't know that", or, "What a great idea!" And the Master Gardeners were always on hand, identifying plants and helping with questions, and giving tours themselves. Even Elliott said he took a few people round himself.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d_J7z96sAUPJ0H7OsIQ_EgWcQToX40a3Wdc8Lt3X9duX3IlEyAeSx18grImAyhB5Auke8FAN0ArmZVJbjHMci0u383R6KnXjP71_5rM8UAxKEiZCLzcfW8iZVFx3kFgoVsCY_y7BiPFXEX7EGKqEGqTLuDscwVTtxYAGxy7rK7IdwrMUulxZY7gViQo/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d_J7z96sAUPJ0H7OsIQ_EgWcQToX40a3Wdc8Lt3X9duX3IlEyAeSx18grImAyhB5Auke8FAN0ArmZVJbjHMci0u383R6KnXjP71_5rM8UAxKEiZCLzcfW8iZVFx3kFgoVsCY_y7BiPFXEX7EGKqEGqTLuDscwVTtxYAGxy7rK7IdwrMUulxZY7gViQo/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNPgayynbO8o28AGT6RCKC4L0jCWyhIIQXdQHBalQDDD8SAE-U0UNdZgxZOZygZdDr3EWudLjW7FTXMLDX11_zP2XJBSoyShTN5x5q8bcY23WfVgnhO3eJKiy2J2qbzT0gV36pFfbDCrAKDch40ekbb79uiR8FW2uMtcz7AnBIPyT3o30RTXYhXUiQ-c/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNPgayynbO8o28AGT6RCKC4L0jCWyhIIQXdQHBalQDDD8SAE-U0UNdZgxZOZygZdDr3EWudLjW7FTXMLDX11_zP2XJBSoyShTN5x5q8bcY23WfVgnhO3eJKiy2J2qbzT0gV36pFfbDCrAKDch40ekbb79uiR8FW2uMtcz7AnBIPyT3o30RTXYhXUiQ-c/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hSw-ow-axJO4tyqHpC09DdnCsO1lPgzYcMqeFEdx8h4MT_ordAxNvnh9EXMXXs591IblPIeWz_qyjoNLOxs8MYBnP52IH9V0CxrGoeR8lUhO0K-xGWZKc_7aPRzPZxVK4tgWDc6oaNHqZ4EddC_JfiXjx6pkQzs2YGOgrtxhWJSXhkL2h78IeahWCys/s1800/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hSw-ow-axJO4tyqHpC09DdnCsO1lPgzYcMqeFEdx8h4MT_ordAxNvnh9EXMXXs591IblPIeWz_qyjoNLOxs8MYBnP52IH9V0CxrGoeR8lUhO0K-xGWZKc_7aPRzPZxVK4tgWDc6oaNHqZ4EddC_JfiXjx6pkQzs2YGOgrtxhWJSXhkL2h78IeahWCys/s320/2023-06-24%20Warren%20County%20Garden%20Tour-0580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We had a few small lulls, but the visitors were quite constant. An old English friend popped round for a tour, as did the Woodward House twins, it was lovely to see them, but I felt guilty not being able to spend much time chatting, since I was needed on tours, or to answer questions. The day whirled by, people constantly coming up the driveway, with big smiles, all of them wanting to be led around, rather than wanting to walk around on their own, but many after the tour, walked around again on their own. One lady said she had to come because of the name, The Blue House, and on arriving, told me my house looked just like her mother's, with the blue roof and shutters. One chap pointed out a few aphids on the milkweed, and was interested to know that they should be left to nature, as very soon, the lady bugs would arrive to eat them. There was already one on duty. A lot of folk commented on the milkweed, and the scent was incredible, wafting across the garden.<br /></p><p>These photos onwards are my iPhone photos, taken later that weekend, or a few days after the tour. The ones below are of the back garden, an L-shaped area, with a lovely covered porch. The first 2 are of the back when I bought the house. I had to remove a lot of liriope, ornamental grasses and ivy, and discovered the triangular bed in the corner, which I dug out and turned into a pond. Elliott cleared a lot of the ivy from the back fence, a monumental job. I left some controlled ivy around the pond as birds, spiders, snakes, frogs and lizards shelter in it.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS1rrod6QjOnWWS_BQMHrMgE7MSi0Cy1v6uTlspT3e-36ofrnno0fIuAh0L9dW1S3FYlCMR7KKDY7j8ngEEKt8E5OTZazGbOmFSgxpUIFOMDa7okLuNnBpdgLMeAVWU2MMNzxKEqeNbEPH0Amfg4UVKUsdvqzw6uyXYADwkZq51Z08LI9Z1MpPVkyRdA/s1642/IMG_0608.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1642" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS1rrod6QjOnWWS_BQMHrMgE7MSi0Cy1v6uTlspT3e-36ofrnno0fIuAh0L9dW1S3FYlCMR7KKDY7j8ngEEKt8E5OTZazGbOmFSgxpUIFOMDa7okLuNnBpdgLMeAVWU2MMNzxKEqeNbEPH0Amfg4UVKUsdvqzw6uyXYADwkZq51Z08LI9Z1MpPVkyRdA/s320/IMG_0608.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD-MWi6TMLw8MRG8cCeGPS7PrsshsqZubuaNh74GJbDleUR1e4Hejf3RKM4Tj5FawCkrJ0n4aG5zXyEAGkWBBB4GqC6XI5XRsWqKx7Ul6Uflcu4UtSRnMzI2EhdsvEP1A-3B6wUjXrLPAUHctTCUk1DkV2nvPnRxO4RSRikmPlVXaa1h0D8iK_NBFzpQ/s1652/IMG_0610.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1652" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD-MWi6TMLw8MRG8cCeGPS7PrsshsqZubuaNh74GJbDleUR1e4Hejf3RKM4Tj5FawCkrJ0n4aG5zXyEAGkWBBB4GqC6XI5XRsWqKx7Ul6Uflcu4UtSRnMzI2EhdsvEP1A-3B6wUjXrLPAUHctTCUk1DkV2nvPnRxO4RSRikmPlVXaa1h0D8iK_NBFzpQ/s320/IMG_0610.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnbtWujrzhIKXgfy2TN_K77ZsM8V9OJ72mC0Tfd1D04yP6jWOHxWFyrA-K29cJ2vVI7Ph53hnQCuAsn7yAZ0yZXoG8M4Gub1Nk0tMu_qdv8ed8l2Z2wO5SUQDpmlfXcHkmnK2yUzjS0aTYcU36RLeQAwsUawbrK3q_97XAO-lnit9fAr5XhorVzmyOXU/s4032/IMG_3165.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnbtWujrzhIKXgfy2TN_K77ZsM8V9OJ72mC0Tfd1D04yP6jWOHxWFyrA-K29cJ2vVI7Ph53hnQCuAsn7yAZ0yZXoG8M4Gub1Nk0tMu_qdv8ed8l2Z2wO5SUQDpmlfXcHkmnK2yUzjS0aTYcU36RLeQAwsUawbrK3q_97XAO-lnit9fAr5XhorVzmyOXU/s320/IMG_3165.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheESiufTrhQoCyktNmDB5ZHo1DlacyETTU_F7aIR-06swMFIAfP9VeA4eFYLlsCweFsfGs1lrCV-gjM1LAjhzZXHeJ3LUzLLKd_l1T5KvcSm6h9fDfgkMdadb94agqND4xPsXLbFTHurdY2ojUvxzCMF08sAZPWSMxU6BhTeoy5eU_1QvgC3BEpmgAqio/s320/IMG_3189.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6frQlZhY4YoF0web430gi_vi85aSaE2Wj4MgYzIcVOR_zwX-Ab4QFKJXgW3AZzBS9WAEwAbR0VYKklAz3LgkK7dGOrLUdwrBs39GnXNDUlk5qhdBvaYmUu1eTb7Gmp8J-ow5RH310oejJnAh3jexBMHJxR8GhnypREkksZ23y8FAH3e7EciPAhG6CUg/s4032/IMG_3259.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6frQlZhY4YoF0web430gi_vi85aSaE2Wj4MgYzIcVOR_zwX-Ab4QFKJXgW3AZzBS9WAEwAbR0VYKklAz3LgkK7dGOrLUdwrBs39GnXNDUlk5qhdBvaYmUu1eTb7Gmp8J-ow5RH310oejJnAh3jexBMHJxR8GhnypREkksZ23y8FAH3e7EciPAhG6CUg/s320/IMG_3259.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX5o0jOoKJYnvPaviZU-9S3fKALZewEweLKFY4a1hInHwkPke5VTQ5F0ugJVLYcQd-vrfnQOiuMlwFh6SrS1yiOy2adwIpC1x8z0Ji8PaPINeyVTFSYZ11w3c1v02Vk8NvaXA_27ocU_oEaiNtILgTK5uiUsjYP-ugDpfVg0g63Ips9-wvXEI1hqsPzA/s320/IMG_3262.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-HtXuNgvHtx_9I2YupZihBdiHV52-5G7mUooSgTrGR0m8xJhghEbe07bR8QB0qawkf5UBnGWfoWtbIYmJtR7iEIiRgbDg_QzDmH-RjWvhQ4OLU0YllS1dcCm5r96KrQJi5HhU1oVP5GALnOVL45BdjES-114YGg_OGBUZVtXmYKlFigZCFpex-uRZh4/s4032/IMG_3298.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-HtXuNgvHtx_9I2YupZihBdiHV52-5G7mUooSgTrGR0m8xJhghEbe07bR8QB0qawkf5UBnGWfoWtbIYmJtR7iEIiRgbDg_QzDmH-RjWvhQ4OLU0YllS1dcCm5r96KrQJi5HhU1oVP5GALnOVL45BdjES-114YGg_OGBUZVtXmYKlFigZCFpex-uRZh4/s320/IMG_3298.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVY9Brn9RtKYyG7AERd-abIkxmGEQupIxk2GWi6oPLzX_0SI4OryJ3a5T_i_mFL4060Ceo8cg5IeB_dQvTnYbgTTyTimz0f5IhBIHzvvS8H9ToU61fgCszrpAkxwlmchGw6a9ohyEW4M7pDdi6BK6N3dsD4tmbL3jGJePkoDCAaZ3zNoj4SOwbsEWf84/s4032/IMG_3301.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVY9Brn9RtKYyG7AERd-abIkxmGEQupIxk2GWi6oPLzX_0SI4OryJ3a5T_i_mFL4060Ceo8cg5IeB_dQvTnYbgTTyTimz0f5IhBIHzvvS8H9ToU61fgCszrpAkxwlmchGw6a9ohyEW4M7pDdi6BK6N3dsD4tmbL3jGJePkoDCAaZ3zNoj4SOwbsEWf84/s320/IMG_3301.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Nearly all the plants back here are now natives. I left a small clump of the ornamental grass by the pond,and one bed has more tomatoes, basil and cilantro growing. Many people said it was a lovely, private retreat, and some even sat and had a rest back there, which made me happy. They sat and chatted about the plants, pointing out various parts. Elliott said a pair of ladies were sitting and incredulous about my metal rolling window shades that come down over the side windows. They'd never seen them before, and asked me later if they worked, which they do. Many inquired about the camper, and were very enthusiastic when I told them of our plan to turn it into a potting shed and lounge., with one lady even inviting herself over when it's done. I had a few pots of winter sown sea holly which were free for folks to take, and happily, they did. A lady had thought the blue had been sprayed on, it's so vibrant! There were also lots of compliments on the veggie garden and my gate, There were questions on how I constructed the beds, the soil I'd used, Shenandoah potting soil, compost and mulch, and I had a very interesting talk about watering. I've linked up a rain barrel to the gutter on the front of the house, but previously had been using tap water. A gentleman and I agreed the chemicals in that could have stumped the growth on my spaghetti squash and spinach. I mentioned that I often fill my watering cans with tap water, and then let them stand for a few days, with a saucer or plate over the top, to stop critters falling in and drowning. </p><p>There were so many ID requests on plants, so phone apps were extremely useful, as I couldn't remember all the plants I have. One lady couldn't believe how many native plants I had. Chris and I reckoned it was a 80:20 ratio.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajwLY4JnZ8diQnATmeoWmTVtEcC3ZD47KkRVZhPV05zQ1EgMS3NkLw5IZXIqnsTKLH0IUZAsovuDO70ZxA-v6h1r2o1lrrb0UIcBveakvRY-ll4ulXQ2Mce3KDigHyP8khNJvhKZkcNiqlapHA62JoHbA8L6algctObWSIjajeUeS3VGTxkKjlT_Bsh8/s4032/IMG_3244.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajwLY4JnZ8diQnATmeoWmTVtEcC3ZD47KkRVZhPV05zQ1EgMS3NkLw5IZXIqnsTKLH0IUZAsovuDO70ZxA-v6h1r2o1lrrb0UIcBveakvRY-ll4ulXQ2Mce3KDigHyP8khNJvhKZkcNiqlapHA62JoHbA8L6algctObWSIjajeUeS3VGTxkKjlT_Bsh8/s320/IMG_3244.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnKXOyP7ysc0fVkF3G6ZQHGbjOQWyyhW0Hy73Y214NLUcguOobjoXogWDxsYWUAtytkgESck5PWchRyTd7Hl8TDwzgu6sdfLKyYDY7REPK8opQavCBy-3VsNyclARnlYDffSO7UUFhHAcnkrsWbZap_wkxV9HPbbU2vohkciSCk3Zd_7qXDR3p2_hRtU/s2048/IMG_3269.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnKXOyP7ysc0fVkF3G6ZQHGbjOQWyyhW0Hy73Y214NLUcguOobjoXogWDxsYWUAtytkgESck5PWchRyTd7Hl8TDwzgu6sdfLKyYDY7REPK8opQavCBy-3VsNyclARnlYDffSO7UUFhHAcnkrsWbZap_wkxV9HPbbU2vohkciSCk3Zd_7qXDR3p2_hRtU/s320/IMG_3269.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqUMouCLh40M_2vs4X8BrGE9IELX_f1VayHxdtbPTKKapPzGqBdjp2lrjLpELza2mN1npOTufFiLe27nTnbgxe0t4VtFdAo1hL2eoTLhvu9ZJGJdU4MfLOW2Jvi-Mdo3l1Wq1HyHUuX_olPBuLgxZj5eLeRo46CdHScsGAv1ckEhj4Y41lEaDIF9etvk/s2048/IMG_3285.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqUMouCLh40M_2vs4X8BrGE9IELX_f1VayHxdtbPTKKapPzGqBdjp2lrjLpELza2mN1npOTufFiLe27nTnbgxe0t4VtFdAo1hL2eoTLhvu9ZJGJdU4MfLOW2Jvi-Mdo3l1Wq1HyHUuX_olPBuLgxZj5eLeRo46CdHScsGAv1ckEhj4Y41lEaDIF9etvk/s320/IMG_3285.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5RUN88lOyJCDxE0P5JNcOdGEJzFLTIL9fh4vobBYj3Cf7E6aLEGqTaGD0FCvoRfs-YZ-z27DX4gryWAhkdxDqm2qrMfZQmJNXTYDiLaPe5XNCO5gCu7Q_hngOF4vU6qVFDtArmnUEpEevtxt4k1GY2rODgnwjGqm_IVUCMobWI8ht2i6rvYaNJJIrF0/s2048/IMG_3287.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5RUN88lOyJCDxE0P5JNcOdGEJzFLTIL9fh4vobBYj3Cf7E6aLEGqTaGD0FCvoRfs-YZ-z27DX4gryWAhkdxDqm2qrMfZQmJNXTYDiLaPe5XNCO5gCu7Q_hngOF4vU6qVFDtArmnUEpEevtxt4k1GY2rODgnwjGqm_IVUCMobWI8ht2i6rvYaNJJIrF0/s320/IMG_3287.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysVcGrqV-EkxYAmUIH5C18MMZXrEXgOpAJ28ZGyeaEMee4wYk6g2ZWtuW2rDqtjsTuRwjO_XUsOjx4_MXvtIQssWtRSD4ajP5V_aWtPvb_KHZYH-S9sCJi1BWEhBZRIcbHVAlZuz9xIU2XQNAiyFp_XkqsTavACvPVPzhXiTnNNm2GgKp9B3bmlilOKU/s2048/IMG_3270.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysVcGrqV-EkxYAmUIH5C18MMZXrEXgOpAJ28ZGyeaEMee4wYk6g2ZWtuW2rDqtjsTuRwjO_XUsOjx4_MXvtIQssWtRSD4ajP5V_aWtPvb_KHZYH-S9sCJi1BWEhBZRIcbHVAlZuz9xIU2XQNAiyFp_XkqsTavACvPVPzhXiTnNNm2GgKp9B3bmlilOKU/s320/IMG_3270.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The camper had to be repainted too. It was sealed now so I gave it 2 coats of blue paint and also painted the window rims black to match other windows and the door, forever banishing the previous hippy look, with it's multiple bright colors and huge LOVE letters on one side. It now matched the house and fitted the blue theme. I had picked up a lot of old gardening equipment over the winter, so used these as decorations. Surrounded by old cattle feeder troughs and pots, the camper, called The Bug Out, now fits in well with the garden. I've thrown a lot of rocks underneath it, and am on the lookout for more, as this would provide wonderful shelter for amphibians and snakes. We're hoping to start work on the interior in the fall. I have already found blue Tiffany style wall scones and ceiling lights for it, and want an insect theme inside, with rustic decor, work tops for potting plants, cabinets underneath for storage, a small retro fridge, a small electrical fire with flickering flames, and a couple of comfy chairs, with a book case and insect artwork on the walls.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDQUXgRM9zOhi-grvca2EAcbeH8r2Pqvn16kqXXvY8gxSpv-4CjWoWXsR_5Ks5xw-Y0GNeNMqoRJERBlHVglF607oggIQkO5mRfZfvxD1HgVFk7D9uDieW1qZQel4u2QbV95QtUR9q-d501u-Aq6AaY-9tgmMxJ7Ab4_xoaNfGZNkHw-CuLQnuZLqhoU/s4032/IMG_3258.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDQUXgRM9zOhi-grvca2EAcbeH8r2Pqvn16kqXXvY8gxSpv-4CjWoWXsR_5Ks5xw-Y0GNeNMqoRJERBlHVglF607oggIQkO5mRfZfvxD1HgVFk7D9uDieW1qZQel4u2QbV95QtUR9q-d501u-Aq6AaY-9tgmMxJ7Ab4_xoaNfGZNkHw-CuLQnuZLqhoU/s320/IMG_3258.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOG111r2K7QodkuJ8neimc54114K0ImwG3WP5LAAXSybUN25oZYDC530DPKW4gdoDHqTq3sO7sh8jL8aMSxIP-tL_C_Uiv4jomV6WOdf-CECNBMLFAtOP3A2s20JfLmqk5UHrxs8ibMS8znuht5mKc_dHc8znKFXJJ4e_pfgDocSabMnvf5G9fcbyjfI/s4032/IMG_3289.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOG111r2K7QodkuJ8neimc54114K0ImwG3WP5LAAXSybUN25oZYDC530DPKW4gdoDHqTq3sO7sh8jL8aMSxIP-tL_C_Uiv4jomV6WOdf-CECNBMLFAtOP3A2s20JfLmqk5UHrxs8ibMS8znuht5mKc_dHc8znKFXJJ4e_pfgDocSabMnvf5G9fcbyjfI/s320/IMG_3289.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_5laWSthIrPb17Zq3TBgMM7-C9_z4wX_nRJ2tBW7BN6AKjh59A7AnHjoYXi6-pMlJHRVyWqfbA220gvBtyu6sd3rVJ2vJq1s_9uOSKXmQQxUTqWFdws6-jPnfK2FhoqK-wImzoUQTKP5KbRwEyGT5-h8dO0krJRH9iuAzD2mvSRz5sDHbQ4OwW3x8Zs/s4032/IMG_3243.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_5laWSthIrPb17Zq3TBgMM7-C9_z4wX_nRJ2tBW7BN6AKjh59A7AnHjoYXi6-pMlJHRVyWqfbA220gvBtyu6sd3rVJ2vJq1s_9uOSKXmQQxUTqWFdws6-jPnfK2FhoqK-wImzoUQTKP5KbRwEyGT5-h8dO0krJRH9iuAzD2mvSRz5sDHbQ4OwW3x8Zs/s320/IMG_3243.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5yYI-yfrVQJFb5xotHvvY4pyF5KYTBrqmWASfgCe0YwojXQQwYKLxNOi8IaVvXmS8aMgeR2i2BjWOP4-HeNR3SyK_vk-Hs10FtAr1Gitwv3DeA-0rLbdyNA0fXq-2C1hX5QNNCik1aq2JXMTasyNYnrjneFi1l_BChc7xR8Qw9LT7o2F4WfJ2Fv9Ces/s2048/IMG_3284.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5yYI-yfrVQJFb5xotHvvY4pyF5KYTBrqmWASfgCe0YwojXQQwYKLxNOi8IaVvXmS8aMgeR2i2BjWOP4-HeNR3SyK_vk-Hs10FtAr1Gitwv3DeA-0rLbdyNA0fXq-2C1hX5QNNCik1aq2JXMTasyNYnrjneFi1l_BChc7xR8Qw9LT7o2F4WfJ2Fv9Ces/s320/IMG_3284.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMEBXsy_ezGGcTQMxdIjYsPkni8uY1uabrnvGJKtQSBMWsVvwlIgGWSu9Ze9whbnzOouwSwZ1J1u3sfP5DFHo6yWr7dS91v68JzUwbqhKq1pNq8NrPa4Iow4TvbJJ8w_QNF8bQWsNjIhWzxfVzec5y9LksrS7dW4QT7wZj394tPiOnXNk1qbKM8aN5IQ/s2048/IMG_3271.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMEBXsy_ezGGcTQMxdIjYsPkni8uY1uabrnvGJKtQSBMWsVvwlIgGWSu9Ze9whbnzOouwSwZ1J1u3sfP5DFHo6yWr7dS91v68JzUwbqhKq1pNq8NrPa4Iow4TvbJJ8w_QNF8bQWsNjIhWzxfVzec5y9LksrS7dW4QT7wZj394tPiOnXNk1qbKM8aN5IQ/s320/IMG_3271.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv1wtIaauPEpPrMlH7-2xaDH_zvVyK5ju1jRKb_s0-INep37EWNDwSbYB6gBKJm7K1Qd3WRs8L1ugyJ-KW9QvsdHCC-lxsRhQ7-_4MSoK7Lv5Ni9Hfq5qRM3kemh4jagqyDPGQlBK5uPKNc-mtBz-rjdmg9HCfC24buWD7LhsvZTaoRUMyfkKU-6Q-NI/s4032/IMG_3242.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv1wtIaauPEpPrMlH7-2xaDH_zvVyK5ju1jRKb_s0-INep37EWNDwSbYB6gBKJm7K1Qd3WRs8L1ugyJ-KW9QvsdHCC-lxsRhQ7-_4MSoK7Lv5Ni9Hfq5qRM3kemh4jagqyDPGQlBK5uPKNc-mtBz-rjdmg9HCfC24buWD7LhsvZTaoRUMyfkKU-6Q-NI/s320/IMG_3242.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'm very proud of my veggie garden. I started building this in March, assembling the beds, numerous trips driving Stanley filled up with bags of soil, compost, and mulch, building the fence, trellis, and the gate. Elliott did a grand job of digging the gateposts over 2ft deep! There are peas, (these have nearly finished), pole and bush beans, parsnips, broccoli, beets, cabbages, carrots, squash, spinach, corn, peppers and tomatoes, as well as dill, rhubarb, sunflowers and borage. I haven't planted great quantities of each, since I've never had a proper vegetable garden before, so it's a huge learning process. Outside, along the fence, are lemon balm, dill,lavender, sunflowers, and deer resistant plants, most of these have fragrances which groundhogs abhor. Nearly all of these plants, apart from the few that I direct seeded, were my winter sown plants, that I'd started growing from seeds in old plastic water jugs in January. The blue boards used for edging are old cedar siding planks from a demolished house, built in the late 1800's. I have plenty left, which will be a wall covering in the camper. And the gate. I'm exceptionally chuffed to bits with this, my first adventure with woodwork. It took me 2 days to build since I had to work outside during the Canadian forest fire smoke invasion, so I was wearing a N95 mask all the time, which wasn't pleasant. But it opens, swings, and closes perfectly, and I love walking in and out of it! I posted a photo of it on a Facebook Gate Appreciation page 2 days ago, and as I write this I have over 2700 likes and hundreds of comments of praise. I'm elated, and this, plus the many wonderful compliments I received on the garden tour, has given me confidence to keep having a go at woodwork. I had actually put off making this gate for over a month as I was so scared of failure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6Id2XldDm5zzlvafiQm_-dDW-u6-795epbbD7-HI7heysazqeI11RcyrQSu9vzS7TX2wx8Echq-w0Ol3JF4sfANGjV9pgFq6gcRUZLVGypLrFhV8iUGZL8ZLKapFZAZlOfaQe1AEpbgkUqoX80iWxuvTjrueQieUd5yFwDckOOaZ8i7MIvmf_NWMeRc/s4032/IMG_3311.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6Id2XldDm5zzlvafiQm_-dDW-u6-795epbbD7-HI7heysazqeI11RcyrQSu9vzS7TX2wx8Echq-w0Ol3JF4sfANGjV9pgFq6gcRUZLVGypLrFhV8iUGZL8ZLKapFZAZlOfaQe1AEpbgkUqoX80iWxuvTjrueQieUd5yFwDckOOaZ8i7MIvmf_NWMeRc/s320/IMG_3311.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPvKvduvDsNwf8-nshWaa0I5NI418F3BLW5PbCxWhqZGLUSsd9VGPxLUAOvZCuUpGU75eBs2tqD1-fMV5Hsmk4QbqV9xM55ZDsGapP-5sU0yyWAj4rOjRJ-IrVWo92-lCVOd7XnSLoL-fDyTWv06WQpAUynI9YhPiQvz4ZnSKKQA7_Q7nzK25qGTRURg/s4032/IMG_3276.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPvKvduvDsNwf8-nshWaa0I5NI418F3BLW5PbCxWhqZGLUSsd9VGPxLUAOvZCuUpGU75eBs2tqD1-fMV5Hsmk4QbqV9xM55ZDsGapP-5sU0yyWAj4rOjRJ-IrVWo92-lCVOd7XnSLoL-fDyTWv06WQpAUynI9YhPiQvz4ZnSKKQA7_Q7nzK25qGTRURg/s320/IMG_3276.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is part of the 'wild' area, a bank along the side of the garden, which is largely undisturbed. There are cedars, dogwood, redbud and hawthorn growing here, with other volunteer trees popping up, which I will mostly leave. This natural habitat will be used by many creatures, with the old rocks and logs that are also stacked along here, but mainly, it's a sanctuary for lightning bugs, who spend 2 years of their lives as larvae underground before they emerge as the beautiful blinking insects we all love. But their numbers are dimminishing, thanks to pollution of pesticides and other chemicals used on lawns, and continuous grass cutting. I added the chicory and mullein just because I love them, and they seem happy here, since they are thriving. There was a lot of interest shown in this area by the visitors.</p><p>Nearly all of our guests started in the front garden, although there were 2 easy entrances to the back, and after a few people had been around, an actual 'route' was established.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoRW35dTedQx6ZE_Qu1glTgZMEpTgreprGF2xgB1j8SqMVgDtkIU7TUtpgD4CflFglCybGRAAGLv7Zpc0S_9FBuMmJauE6F3CTtClegGde2UCVo9NZGYr7VlercEh7H0f7-YmhBXXnvBWkDtMS4GcM_u7H98OrjwNKyc5KKMQRZzo1Pw6rWMkQTOY3PI/s4032/IMG_3248.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoRW35dTedQx6ZE_Qu1glTgZMEpTgreprGF2xgB1j8SqMVgDtkIU7TUtpgD4CflFglCybGRAAGLv7Zpc0S_9FBuMmJauE6F3CTtClegGde2UCVo9NZGYr7VlercEh7H0f7-YmhBXXnvBWkDtMS4GcM_u7H98OrjwNKyc5KKMQRZzo1Pw6rWMkQTOY3PI/s320/IMG_3248.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0fc5k23karB5hQNWs_Nr4AWkbxJbc58FksI_8794CRDn_HYPPIjh6QD4_mRfQtdkztdOTyrCbxzwm-sV_hy6v4aTCr4dTb3snRtgbMwSNc-mDwzuKqNCA4yIlYGIjtYxWkzuSaKwkihUSGx9cCrA-0b4UewTJqymR8vAVTrkjOzJjzglDJMNnl0cDUM/s4032/IMG_3316.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0fc5k23karB5hQNWs_Nr4AWkbxJbc58FksI_8794CRDn_HYPPIjh6QD4_mRfQtdkztdOTyrCbxzwm-sV_hy6v4aTCr4dTb3snRtgbMwSNc-mDwzuKqNCA4yIlYGIjtYxWkzuSaKwkihUSGx9cCrA-0b4UewTJqymR8vAVTrkjOzJjzglDJMNnl0cDUM/s320/IMG_3316.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The grass bank in the front garden has nearly been rid of grass, only a small area needs to be dug up, a task for the autumn, and the plants were dense and lush. The rain from the past few days had, unfortunately, ruined some blooms, mainly the roses and the prickly pear cacti, but they'll be back, and we have those gorgeous flowers to look forward to. There were still many others in flower, cone flowers, sea holly, yarrow, obedient plant, ox-eye sunflowers, baptista, monarda, blanket flower, and coreopsis, to name a few, plus plenty of annuals in pots and in the 2 canoes. There was plenty of evidence of plants budding and vines growing. The native honeysuckles had sent out tendrils along with the cardinal vines, and the luffa vine was halfway up its trellis. Butterflies flittered over the blooms and folks were impressed with the amount of bees. And there will be more as summer progresses and more plants flower with the warmer temperatures. The front steps looked pretty. It seemed so long ago when Elliott and I had used a jack hammer to remove the old broken steps and replaced them with new ones, now painted blue and decorated with handmade Mexican clay tiles. The bent and broken side fence was gone. I'd found 3 old doors over the past year, painted them blue, (of course), and made a new panel, with one of the doors becoming the new gate. I'm not liking the dark stain on the post though, so will paint over that soon.<br /></p><p>And so the day had been a huge success. Chris told us that we received more visitors than the Heritage Center, also in town, which was incredible. The pond had bubbled merrily throughout the day, there was plenty of laughter and chatter, and everyone had everyone had left with waves and big smiles. I got a big kick from seeing so many people taking photos for ideas, and one guy is returning to help himself to milkweed seeds later on when they're ready, and even a volunteer plant if he wants. A few even said they'd like to swing by to see how the garden progresses, and of course, they're welcome. We had about 80 visitors on a day that had been threatened with storms. There was a slight squall, which soon blew over, and of course, there was the carport and porches to shelter under, so nobody got wet. The day ended at 4pm, and boy, was I tired. Elliott brought out a very welcome bottle of champagne which we drank with the volunteers, before they packed up their signs, and after many hugs drove home. And then we were left alone, apart from the comforting buzzing of insects and bees. It had definitely been a Grand Tour. </p><p>Here's the time lapse that Elliott made of the day. Note the rain shower in the middle, and the roads getting wet, then drying up.</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/4HshYrVHGho" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/4HshYrVHGho</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-25070701444483071282023-05-31T10:46:00.001-07:002023-05-31T10:46:42.942-07:00Garden Groundwork at the Blue House<p> It's been a while since I've written a blog, but it's not because I haven't been busy, it's that I haven't been out taking any photos for a while now. And the reason for this is actually quite exciting. The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Association selected my garden for the garden tour this year. Each year, they choose an area and this year is Warren County. A group of them came to the house, the day after we arrived back from our English trip, to assess the garden. It was a mess, mainly due to the fact that I don't cut any of my plants down after summer, leaving the dead foliage and seed heads for wildlife to eat or hibernate in. And the group realized this, and also realized that my dream for the final garden wasn't yet complete, but they loved what I've done so far and wanted to showcase it as a work in progress and an educational garden. They gave me their decision in January, the Blue House would be one of 4 properties on the tour in June, and from then onwards, it was a lot of planning, work and money to try and get the garden close to the vision I had in my head. I had originally planned to come near completion in about 2-3 years, but the master gardeners convinced me that my garden was good enough for the tour as it was. But obviously, anyone who knows me, knew that I saw this as a challenge, and from that moment, I strove to try and achieve as much as possible before the big day.<br /></p><p>My first project was a vegetable garden, fenced, that I built during the end of winter, filling the raised beds up with compost, manure, Shenandoah topsoil and shredded mulch, so the soil could work together for a few weeks before I was ready to plant. I still need to build a gate for it, which is on the cards for this weekend.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJICsG4YuEFu4i9VscxMjYvVJwR0_AEWdrJmZH1JHs2_cLsnKYoUENAh32ypKILM6owUt3GMsA7kkcCIO0EKHn08LotUgT_sdHiaywi8EuHtbodJty7v3rxBTCqg3D6jEmsnqgArKAZarjdgdkU9bbRkHWOcyV4sPCJP45dEnR-nupzblyjuRvm9nV/s2048/IMG_2859.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJICsG4YuEFu4i9VscxMjYvVJwR0_AEWdrJmZH1JHs2_cLsnKYoUENAh32ypKILM6owUt3GMsA7kkcCIO0EKHn08LotUgT_sdHiaywi8EuHtbodJty7v3rxBTCqg3D6jEmsnqgArKAZarjdgdkU9bbRkHWOcyV4sPCJP45dEnR-nupzblyjuRvm9nV/s320/IMG_2859.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p>The beds are now full of veggies growing, but not as fast as I'd like, but this is the same with all gardeners in the area, since we've had a cool spring. But the peas have taken off and are very happy, climbing up their trellises and ropes. I'd done some winter sowing over the first few months of the year, so
had small plants to put in the beds, baby beets, parsnips, cabbage, squash,
beans, broccoli, plus lemon balm, lavender, sunflowers and herbs to
plant around the edges. I've since added tomatoes and peppers, dill, rhubarb and spinach. And you can also tell from the photo, that the camper is now blue. It looks a lot better than the previous red, and neighbors have often complimented it. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFVwCAnqpQ8mnsDc3rX3fgTATixPC2Lz9skpQ8gGVaNbNWUvLTizxqBTFIJYHlZxy2AzWSq7Q5098oiLQQ1MZGPtHeA4_WbEKI_E14-ls5D-ncVk5xH1Orj95UB1FUh2H82_of23rzuTwhUAb8tj0_3I4ga8F94dEzSZZq6EB7cOE8Uw5hPfSoDgA/s4032/IMG_2699.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFVwCAnqpQ8mnsDc3rX3fgTATixPC2Lz9skpQ8gGVaNbNWUvLTizxqBTFIJYHlZxy2AzWSq7Q5098oiLQQ1MZGPtHeA4_WbEKI_E14-ls5D-ncVk5xH1Orj95UB1FUh2H82_of23rzuTwhUAb8tj0_3I4ga8F94dEzSZZq6EB7cOE8Uw5hPfSoDgA/s320/IMG_2699.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFIdZC045qCpitldKWRn_zfhzbYbqzh8Aq9PNuG0dG7iDAF3rZmjNt1X9sY9EBULhCXph-BokTu_iSNZ1QPVlhDYBQ4ZIS5eYsYKEqz20y4nrhMsSR-1PlK8VThOWlUUgQyc5e0La8egi47k3hAGPes9ih48UzKCFAXmexmU0FvptNBb8OJmVqauh/s4032/IMG_2711.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFIdZC045qCpitldKWRn_zfhzbYbqzh8Aq9PNuG0dG7iDAF3rZmjNt1X9sY9EBULhCXph-BokTu_iSNZ1QPVlhDYBQ4ZIS5eYsYKEqz20y4nrhMsSR-1PlK8VThOWlUUgQyc5e0La8egi47k3hAGPes9ih48UzKCFAXmexmU0FvptNBb8OJmVqauh/s320/IMG_2711.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then once the temperatures reach a steady 50F and there were no more
freezes, the plants were deadheaded and pruned, and then annuals
purchased for pots. Every weekend, I'd go to native plant sales and
visit nurseries to buy more plants that insects, bees and birds would love. I had so many gaps and empty areas around the front and back garden that I wanted to fill. For the garden tour, I wanted my flower beds to be alive with vegetation, flowers and buzzing critters. I'd spent the winter scouring local flea markets for cheap or free items to use in the gardens. From old vintage chairs, to planters, to glass and pottery, I'd been collecting and painting, so I had decor to compliment the plants.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1ACbLxZpZp1o3GwRXRF-nn6Yq5V7yopV_VL7cE29AENUS6csP1YtPXP1hrizQOIUo3Xq4Skw8z8-OFCX4fZ6U-btGwyBb4qIrvDEm07UsaFAUDUU3nYmBfRStJf3RZYrWsOfe7w2gX1hfk5DupQneMTReQlJpqWrXrhmPjl7-WRZaD9Nn4OV9l-K/s2048/IMG_2885.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1ACbLxZpZp1o3GwRXRF-nn6Yq5V7yopV_VL7cE29AENUS6csP1YtPXP1hrizQOIUo3Xq4Skw8z8-OFCX4fZ6U-btGwyBb4qIrvDEm07UsaFAUDUU3nYmBfRStJf3RZYrWsOfe7w2gX1hfk5DupQneMTReQlJpqWrXrhmPjl7-WRZaD9Nn4OV9l-K/s320/IMG_2885.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I hired a young lad to come round and remove the grass from this slope. The area behind it, up to the gate, had taken me 3 years to remove the sod, dig over and plant. This new bed was the biggest area that I've transformed so far, and the steepest. Once the sod was removed, I then dug it over with a fork, removing more grass roots and mixing with topsoil. For the first time ever, I put shredded mulch down too, to protect the soil, help keep the roots of new plants damp, and discourage weeds.. This will be the only application of this, I'll be relying on the new plants to cover the area within 2 years and dead leaves from each autumn to fill in the gaps. The older beds are established and have only a few weeds, which I leave, since they're still beneficial to wildlife. After all, weeds are simply what us humans regard as 'unwanted plants', but it doesn't mean they don't serve a purpose. I had hundreds of dandelions blooming in the early spring, and as the bees began emerging from their underground tunnels, this was their first food.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVgRyd1fd5i0lW_-J-Ilx8s9cTojDR92bcRuxyb8yvj3xjnoFCzQH-3U0vzOMa4vN_gXX1ceYs4iFeQRkKoqQ3rS6-hGe-xlzofZSEY0vytIHhDqLAZPpj4XDImZkCWi-VL5lC12-DVpzw9tudeNK1KNeWnfAT-YVjDdn9kS8D-o0jN5KWT2P1953/s2048/IMG_2877.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVgRyd1fd5i0lW_-J-Ilx8s9cTojDR92bcRuxyb8yvj3xjnoFCzQH-3U0vzOMa4vN_gXX1ceYs4iFeQRkKoqQ3rS6-hGe-xlzofZSEY0vytIHhDqLAZPpj4XDImZkCWi-VL5lC12-DVpzw9tudeNK1KNeWnfAT-YVjDdn9kS8D-o0jN5KWT2P1953/s320/IMG_2877.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqTJgUlcUVSgfrvygzOwv_GD2pmuRXJ6dZYiHhxVPcMAN0ZbwyKRD7K8IRal4-YGUcvnO3bxwrVn-OlTCQ1kPKC-5VuujhqhFrgB0nNCnbDkto9lJCLx5_cpk_ffSKDIvW825WQAmLWRzjxqx4QsC3JVJDdBHwAekYGaBUB6R8akkexnzWq5NL0cv/s2048/IMG_2878.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqTJgUlcUVSgfrvygzOwv_GD2pmuRXJ6dZYiHhxVPcMAN0ZbwyKRD7K8IRal4-YGUcvnO3bxwrVn-OlTCQ1kPKC-5VuujhqhFrgB0nNCnbDkto9lJCLx5_cpk_ffSKDIvW825WQAmLWRzjxqx4QsC3JVJDdBHwAekYGaBUB6R8akkexnzWq5NL0cv/s320/IMG_2878.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rTFdB6Z-IoCAZhjMexrLwxsm6cmrx8-Yc5AcDem-SO34brx3Lur9-uzQ-mfZ1uhlhIs3B4tDzJLyuWFZrgjivkpnBmGno-XVTaKvjFBtJyHP-l-mNdxPppN81WSY27plRYO4Ba8Kt7n52EADbgHO9zI412LRAavgdNrmlOlWPT9RJudINCP0XBfu/s2048/IMG_2881.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rTFdB6Z-IoCAZhjMexrLwxsm6cmrx8-Yc5AcDem-SO34brx3Lur9-uzQ-mfZ1uhlhIs3B4tDzJLyuWFZrgjivkpnBmGno-XVTaKvjFBtJyHP-l-mNdxPppN81WSY27plRYO4Ba8Kt7n52EADbgHO9zI412LRAavgdNrmlOlWPT9RJudINCP0XBfu/s320/IMG_2881.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>The older beds have filled out well now, and beginning to bloom. One of my favorites, Sneezeweed, is a mass of bright golden blooms bobbing in the breeze, and I've planted more in the new bed. This beautiful flower on its own is loved by many kinds of bees, bee flies and beetles. It's a little too early yet for butterflies. The white baptista is a host for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.<br /><p></p><p>This weekend, I'll be attending my last plant sale to fill up the new bed and a few other random spots, and from then until the tour date, it will be just nurturing, as well as other DIY projects that I still have to complete. I'm still going to be on the look out for more free rocks and logs. The driveway was looking like a builder's yard with all the 'stuff' I'd acquired for free over the winter, but thankfully, that's nearly all been utilized now, and the drive is slowly looking tidier. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqfIUDuvabpJUPw4c3KYTCjcQD5VU_ScteuE2Oaw7gc0Cnm3dUiavznEhgpy6s4PDC_3S26k_01tfzdpl3zxcSEVwQiBOzGkVDOdUO0C6JMTwPcksZRmUUXN7Gj3rNWW9JCu-2DXvpO0dBV3mHFwpADlHMjjnVxvnTI70ETybeHv_VC1rr-c7DWOQ/s2048/IMG_2891.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqfIUDuvabpJUPw4c3KYTCjcQD5VU_ScteuE2Oaw7gc0Cnm3dUiavznEhgpy6s4PDC_3S26k_01tfzdpl3zxcSEVwQiBOzGkVDOdUO0C6JMTwPcksZRmUUXN7Gj3rNWW9JCu-2DXvpO0dBV3mHFwpADlHMjjnVxvnTI70ETybeHv_VC1rr-c7DWOQ/s320/IMG_2891.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>The rocks and logs, that are already in the garden, have begun to serve their purpose. I created this area in a shady spot at the side of the back garden, using old bricks, rocks, broken flower pots and logs. We've seen a few garter snakes, a toad, skinks, all creatures that love dark, damp places. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuuF_15Ko29UKfncLSaF72ueeau-kS2e84vHgbriA2XSMqihGm3ULu449oldF-yVkKjQW86Dc237ltWim346nRkU7tVDPlRmVNsWkBH80K1wiIPzkhZE5Q6Mzh-YWqhAOckRlsaJyKiyjAsMLNGkZgGArgycCqx0GJsyV3wCoiNUL8OYR4Tk58Zts/s2048/IMG_2893.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuuF_15Ko29UKfncLSaF72ueeau-kS2e84vHgbriA2XSMqihGm3ULu449oldF-yVkKjQW86Dc237ltWim346nRkU7tVDPlRmVNsWkBH80K1wiIPzkhZE5Q6Mzh-YWqhAOckRlsaJyKiyjAsMLNGkZgGArgycCqx0GJsyV3wCoiNUL8OYR4Tk58Zts/s320/IMG_2893.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaovOaQr9bQ0FCuTyV7gt4DFJfi3v_-XoH173I_6_tx3mlUze-mkCh-FFM1yV0QFuWEEahE53ji2xNwJioBOzC-vV8PohoHzcKhtFU505vVceK_VG9PPStWoB45FHWz0VDgoDCaBKXK-fGKQySSiBsFtClrLvTLw3IU_XoXse6uZDg_PIKiwtABV5w/s2048/IMG_2903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaovOaQr9bQ0FCuTyV7gt4DFJfi3v_-XoH173I_6_tx3mlUze-mkCh-FFM1yV0QFuWEEahE53ji2xNwJioBOzC-vV8PohoHzcKhtFU505vVceK_VG9PPStWoB45FHWz0VDgoDCaBKXK-fGKQySSiBsFtClrLvTLw3IU_XoXse6uZDg_PIKiwtABV5w/s320/IMG_2903.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The pond I built 3 years ago has become a haven for insects and birds. Everything is growing well, so much so, that I need to move the iron heron I placed there a few weeks ago; it's now barely visible. A redbud tree, that had been trying to grow under the fence for 2 years, with me continuously chopping it back, has won its battle. I let it grow this year, and it's spurted upward, spreading thin branches over the pond. It will gradually become more upright as it gains maturity and strength. In the front garden, I had the same issue with a mulberry tree, but last summer, decided to let it grow. It's now a magnificent bush, and should produce berries next year. Both of these trees are native to Virginia, so the insects and birds will use them.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyna6U5K5oTAgalPLPgHyOeorTpuBnWlvEwc4wlowx8EmZkzAtqdt-Tzu9jLGzTmQcveyRNxIHfCZ3nVlVNYiAe-cnX-B0d36r_S8PZmH8lN2DmFDd-9ahGfzga5E13ZW3mkI-6c6L50u58PPzIOQ3XvZNuPJW6Ci4KsB5dB2qclAYRFD-aMVSy5J8/s2048/IMG_2874.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyna6U5K5oTAgalPLPgHyOeorTpuBnWlvEwc4wlowx8EmZkzAtqdt-Tzu9jLGzTmQcveyRNxIHfCZ3nVlVNYiAe-cnX-B0d36r_S8PZmH8lN2DmFDd-9ahGfzga5E13ZW3mkI-6c6L50u58PPzIOQ3XvZNuPJW6Ci4KsB5dB2qclAYRFD-aMVSy5J8/s320/IMG_2874.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I sit down on the job when watering the new plant bed. The sneezeweeds and an obedient plant wilted every day after being planted, but with a good soaking each night, they've now got their roots entrenched in the soil and will be OK. I will be watering the garden every evening before the tour date.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB_qkl43LZcaZcCgzGm920JeD3B7c0uGvi5NX0y_TQb45FvjY54d5PCH37ysAOBLbeEutzbDJx23jabJXDqhRt6Ux76KQHrG9tdD0SAC-BirW5822IkmTwNw2HJ39xU6JFFo2PiJwWoJzz6MeZbEwW6TBk0-o1rASBB-t8an9rq5y_Mh3z3mQweKU/s4032/IMG_2680.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB_qkl43LZcaZcCgzGm920JeD3B7c0uGvi5NX0y_TQb45FvjY54d5PCH37ysAOBLbeEutzbDJx23jabJXDqhRt6Ux76KQHrG9tdD0SAC-BirW5822IkmTwNw2HJ39xU6JFFo2PiJwWoJzz6MeZbEwW6TBk0-o1rASBB-t8an9rq5y_Mh3z3mQweKU/s320/IMG_2680.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOauHiUkgqC2ItFkFY676xMUHtr0CrJ8Q9ClNBmGdJfHHMx0cu9lHaYkQPlI5zn2nE74SFRgjzr_LUiPxD3p05SSrr58KK-w_MaE_W9X41MuZOmHm8HsHyWZXrlR2Ha6MRLIuUQS7o5_TkuaxULpCS5OqfKuWpFRxVza87I_qW1rHJJV4PB0zE95Dd/s2048/IMG_2876.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOauHiUkgqC2ItFkFY676xMUHtr0CrJ8Q9ClNBmGdJfHHMx0cu9lHaYkQPlI5zn2nE74SFRgjzr_LUiPxD3p05SSrr58KK-w_MaE_W9X41MuZOmHm8HsHyWZXrlR2Ha6MRLIuUQS7o5_TkuaxULpCS5OqfKuWpFRxVza87I_qW1rHJJV4PB0zE95Dd/s320/IMG_2876.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOi_cNiAre6aHO4od5m1_gUC6G0sKe81oHud9i8ITCU5K3jcAFYRec3H8io3EdXaCXiyeOLtGxvXWrfUBHa4f1aScNgB2FCFMxEOhPMxkLUv5JZ6M1MPmPCwfIauqMdyJIy2e9HN5OTSAYO8LGRT36rkdI-N7zUbCa6RP7K6FEP1swnbcApWTf2S9/s2048/IMG_2886.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOi_cNiAre6aHO4od5m1_gUC6G0sKe81oHud9i8ITCU5K3jcAFYRec3H8io3EdXaCXiyeOLtGxvXWrfUBHa4f1aScNgB2FCFMxEOhPMxkLUv5JZ6M1MPmPCwfIauqMdyJIy2e9HN5OTSAYO8LGRT36rkdI-N7zUbCa6RP7K6FEP1swnbcApWTf2S9/s320/IMG_2886.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo7RcyFLdub6fgNLOhwkrdAJxx7vjKg26glP5f8KkiLnxubP0lnikpcopjI8vmDXfYevGPZR02j9mTJjHp4sd_bPEc-de-6psZf6_M37WXAnulfpJ91vLf8jOKvbwMdX2I49ngmcNWp6JE9i0hacZ7CJ-tdNNfjFadO6TgfL24xGCngYtTP_WY6y6/s2048/IMG_2894.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo7RcyFLdub6fgNLOhwkrdAJxx7vjKg26glP5f8KkiLnxubP0lnikpcopjI8vmDXfYevGPZR02j9mTJjHp4sd_bPEc-de-6psZf6_M37WXAnulfpJ91vLf8jOKvbwMdX2I49ngmcNWp6JE9i0hacZ7CJ-tdNNfjFadO6TgfL24xGCngYtTP_WY6y6/s320/IMG_2894.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvG72ysrIFcGl_0GrIsix0LGXEX9FbLN7pOvCm8tkULXegTOpBao1jCL4msE-MTNpV1zb6GA4hQluqmhcJHEVhdL892y0yN2Esd_XSIFFUHdZRP0Vc65jAocKRvV0IuVa4AJtFv6IEVr4dkCG3ERgvEi3xGuL6XUvvtBcLjqJC3W68WgZIjvvrtYG/s2048/IMG_2901.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvG72ysrIFcGl_0GrIsix0LGXEX9FbLN7pOvCm8tkULXegTOpBao1jCL4msE-MTNpV1zb6GA4hQluqmhcJHEVhdL892y0yN2Esd_XSIFFUHdZRP0Vc65jAocKRvV0IuVa4AJtFv6IEVr4dkCG3ERgvEi3xGuL6XUvvtBcLjqJC3W68WgZIjvvrtYG/s320/IMG_2901.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Here's a few photos of other areas in the garden, but I'm not giving too much away before the Big Day. I still have the veggie garden gate to build, a fence to make from old doors, and some tile work to do, but I'm on schedule and hope to be finished in a couple of weeks, leaving the last few days for weeding and one-on-one encouragement chats with the plants. I've had to remove a black walnut tree, since it makes the soil below impossible for anything else to grow in, and I found a healthy clump of poison ivy under the spirea, which had sent out runners. Thankfully, I'm not allergic to its oil, but I still wore gloves to remove it. The highly invasive tree of heaven has been determined to get a foothold in the garden, with tiny saplings springing up all over the place, but I have them under control. And a poke weed, which I allowed to grow a couple of years ago, keeps popping up around the hydrangeas, from seeds the birds dropped. I have allowed one to grow by the cemetery fence since the birds love the fruit so much, so will be pulling up young plants for a few years to come.</p><p>There are only 3 weekends left until the tour day, and I'm getting nervous, but also excited. It will be a privilege to show my front and back gardens, and I intend on making it more educational by placing boards around, explaining what I've done, and why. There will also be lots of seating areas, in the sun or shade, hoping folks will want to sit a while, to listen to the pond bubbling, or the insects buzzing, or to simply chat.</p><p>There will be another blog after the tour, with a lot more photos, and for me, a few days spent with my feet up, relaxing and enjoying the garden, with a few glasses of red. <br /></p><p>The tour date is June 24th, 9am - 4pm, and tickets are only $10 to see all 4 gardens. Tickets can be purchased on the link below, and incidentally, both of the photos shown on this page are mine, taken last year in the gardens.<br /></p><p><a href="https://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/" target="_blank">https://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/</a><br /></p><p>The featured gardens, including the Blue House of course, are here:</p><p><a href="https://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/featured-gardens/" target="_blank">https://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/featured-gardens/</a><br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-10506991836098212792023-03-15T10:02:00.000-07:002023-03-15T10:02:03.719-07:00Urbexia and Abandonments in the Arctic Air<p> A couple of weekends ago, I met up with our small group, Urbexia, in Harrisburg, PA. It was an easy drive with little traffic, a Stephen King audio book to keep me occupied, and the 2 hour journey flew by. I met the crew at a diner, which turned out a pretty decent breakfast, and with full bellies, we began our exploring trip. It had been a long time since just us four members had been together on our own without any other guests, and it worked out well, we were all able to pile into one car, that one being Margie's, since all their stuff was already heaped in the back.</p><p>We were planning on exploring a long time abandoned school in the city, parking on a side street in the silent neighborhood, and then strolling around the grounds, but with no big cameras that would attract attention, just our iPhones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OTfjXIfDDxvZfe2fJZuscTTitMuYKw3ofJo2GgI80hEidZjb4U9aOoGbwvawa1BJrC5I5ZjasB8UkJYwJlJRXYl4YpTO1v_2CTsCz2j8RcrKTvpWMkOIeYVj9w17C2zVlyzcc03Al10O_jQD01JWlox8mkDOSZF52E-zzop4iBiediMPXr844CoD/s1800/IMG_2063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OTfjXIfDDxvZfe2fJZuscTTitMuYKw3ofJo2GgI80hEidZjb4U9aOoGbwvawa1BJrC5I5ZjasB8UkJYwJlJRXYl4YpTO1v_2CTsCz2j8RcrKTvpWMkOIeYVj9w17C2zVlyzcc03Al10O_jQD01JWlox8mkDOSZF52E-zzop4iBiediMPXr844CoD/s320/IMG_2063.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0UMFxf3f01vw8CIbgyGqnjVzlTqidBKjlOYka0vyUTtSswsT1i3enMN3FUsoBByqtPFNJHP8Am7MLMLkNcJqV52cdGgcfNQ9fOPwcu7xiW0vQ4IVmV9UT6RLW90b7RkmWhCIsPGIMxrZ1tHN__KfD-N-NuWeAgo8SqkccEMCu2HfkAfK5rLdJqwM/s1800/IMG_2066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0UMFxf3f01vw8CIbgyGqnjVzlTqidBKjlOYka0vyUTtSswsT1i3enMN3FUsoBByqtPFNJHP8Am7MLMLkNcJqV52cdGgcfNQ9fOPwcu7xiW0vQ4IVmV9UT6RLW90b7RkmWhCIsPGIMxrZ1tHN__KfD-N-NuWeAgo8SqkccEMCu2HfkAfK5rLdJqwM/s320/IMG_2066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgXcJ0cBBuZHEN3iHAQQbRpBGhnWJk3XidRgvA79RJPGaJrY1YWiqzY2OZVi8nKHFftGb2xTh5imQJIJz2aloF6uVRrC97ND1GsKn4w4h9ZKETTAY06SfbihHPArxpn0rmnuFZQdpMifcaP6tKOuHEeDjwOdI0400KGXgxYH78iF0j3P_mYolkWWE/s1800/IMG_2072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgXcJ0cBBuZHEN3iHAQQbRpBGhnWJk3XidRgvA79RJPGaJrY1YWiqzY2OZVi8nKHFftGb2xTh5imQJIJz2aloF6uVRrC97ND1GsKn4w4h9ZKETTAY06SfbihHPArxpn0rmnuFZQdpMifcaP6tKOuHEeDjwOdI0400KGXgxYH78iF0j3P_mYolkWWE/s320/IMG_2072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuzSJ2_318FdFllYWIgSZQNqmC6q6Ir_Yxvlo14Z1B4TrzOU_CcaDtNWdw57ISCX2SJfT5gnq2ZkPp8Xdg-bOTPaCU4jB0rZrzGpf-d9sr4royAIdUozblxSefxoVJD4olyHIja-Yj98YdDsVkFECN0hWt6M7TsKbrjb-PXl8paKncYCNX3WgMwhs/s1800/IMG_2074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuzSJ2_318FdFllYWIgSZQNqmC6q6Ir_Yxvlo14Z1B4TrzOU_CcaDtNWdw57ISCX2SJfT5gnq2ZkPp8Xdg-bOTPaCU4jB0rZrzGpf-d9sr4royAIdUozblxSefxoVJD4olyHIja-Yj98YdDsVkFECN0hWt6M7TsKbrjb-PXl8paKncYCNX3WgMwhs/s320/IMG_2074.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdzFafL2ISZtvzoY1y-ftkLlBn99mD7WpqxDfiyxY_Nf5odaxKHv0Eo_uX9uJLLRHsZRzccmHOqvajzX-PJXA8QxqPB-wnZnhn3nzxeU9yzjHtF1t6ywTVByhmouTSrY9ctO9ZvAGevww7M_1a9di-nCtpRdrXeLLCFuLtwSkn8NAPwvWG2WJWF_e/s1800/IMG_2086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdzFafL2ISZtvzoY1y-ftkLlBn99mD7WpqxDfiyxY_Nf5odaxKHv0Eo_uX9uJLLRHsZRzccmHOqvajzX-PJXA8QxqPB-wnZnhn3nzxeU9yzjHtF1t6ywTVByhmouTSrY9ctO9ZvAGevww7M_1a9di-nCtpRdrXeLLCFuLtwSkn8NAPwvWG2WJWF_e/s320/IMG_2086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4bly1O7x3uqVxE5ZhXsAC3iv_Q_h0X3otoXIFtrNPmywkBBTK0Xx4nYU8u01qCDtMS866ldCFyHPl6zrm0fd_tQLT0Iizsaw5S6o93zU5ZATbNiuuv_jg25aqnq9xcuJgJkQ-Tv2h3o3pb083GPkCdfGGAOvbhTYhfCVf2F7ATI2sKkV7oMHvqIy/s1800/IMG_2083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4bly1O7x3uqVxE5ZhXsAC3iv_Q_h0X3otoXIFtrNPmywkBBTK0Xx4nYU8u01qCDtMS866ldCFyHPl6zrm0fd_tQLT0Iizsaw5S6o93zU5ZATbNiuuv_jg25aqnq9xcuJgJkQ-Tv2h3o3pb083GPkCdfGGAOvbhTYhfCVf2F7ATI2sKkV7oMHvqIy/s320/IMG_2083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was blustery and cold, yet the sun was shining, creating incredible lighting for photos, which would have been great if we'd had our cameras with us, but we snapped away diligently with our phones regardless. I'm particularly fond of the one with Emily and Margie, skipping through the brambles. We held up phones to take photos through windows that rose above our heads, but the results yielded nothing exciting within. We roamed around the exterior, finding that the building was sealed up like a drum. Which was no loss really, the inside, already gutted, hadn't been photo worthy. We were in a dodgy neighborhood, and spotted an SUV parked on the road, with its hatch wide open but no movement from within the car. On the school grounds was a blinged out Jeep, with the shiniest chrome wheels I'd ever seen, and its owner polishing the exterior, while occasionally looking across the road. I had my own ideas about what could possibly be trying to transpire here, but being my usual nosy self, asked the polishing dude, as we passed him, why he was polishing his car in this odd location. He looked up for a few seconds and then responded, "Because it's peaceful." Alrighty then. I smiled at him and we walked away, behind the building, to see if there were any photo opportunities, and we weren't remotely surprised to discover, that when we returned a few minutes later, he'd gone.</p><p>We'd spotted some kind of shrine across the road, so ambled over to investigate, drawn to the Moorish architecture and colors, and half hoping it would be abandoned. But of course, it wasn't. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5IAj5LuKoYGD9wFjeDeSAhf87pcnuQ4x0OL_peG7gRqNEbcPlLTvwKigCRNX-uHsFqs6xNB-ScsSvIJXQ_vPm2CG_5OviZvpjiyaAkXK7oqn81YVyJ6tTRXy3xCCkK1RqkxHSGM0rxPKa1jm-Fpan8-bUcUEBHa7LdHivNXzSwZTujkUxnfUcfTu/s1800/IMG_2090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5IAj5LuKoYGD9wFjeDeSAhf87pcnuQ4x0OL_peG7gRqNEbcPlLTvwKigCRNX-uHsFqs6xNB-ScsSvIJXQ_vPm2CG_5OviZvpjiyaAkXK7oqn81YVyJ6tTRXy3xCCkK1RqkxHSGM0rxPKa1jm-Fpan8-bUcUEBHa7LdHivNXzSwZTujkUxnfUcfTu/s320/IMG_2090.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zyTEO5fHR8DVMasc1dpeHYvEr6pciT2SXkHWa4AieN7NubKlko36LuidhD_h_aRKk7sLgGIY0MQXImEUkwO9QdqffdyyzMIVdeUoKhKLLiFykb-nXhi6wtqC_2SOTDDm2P-qOtK-6FvzkNp6K8b_QAPX0wWqTPCLH8X_QCPwTV4mido1nxVCXFzT/s1800/IMG_2092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zyTEO5fHR8DVMasc1dpeHYvEr6pciT2SXkHWa4AieN7NubKlko36LuidhD_h_aRKk7sLgGIY0MQXImEUkwO9QdqffdyyzMIVdeUoKhKLLiFykb-nXhi6wtqC_2SOTDDm2P-qOtK-6FvzkNp6K8b_QAPX0wWqTPCLH8X_QCPwTV4mido1nxVCXFzT/s320/IMG_2092.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz1Lv9qT8pHrPiVWzapFa49zxZ7rgWz2dUv65WjrV8zW_lbw6dxi8L_eYmQocdJdLkXSg0rKFMHKIGfiy3hQtL78f43Ksh4nFkr1u9jJ7U3UY_tvXuH_nD-l3l75X0k2gRigEciAqpeULJxMg1I5qqCPFCYtG6s_2IAPZCAukP0TX5aTCB7PQNdn8/s1800/IMG_2094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz1Lv9qT8pHrPiVWzapFa49zxZ7rgWz2dUv65WjrV8zW_lbw6dxi8L_eYmQocdJdLkXSg0rKFMHKIGfiy3hQtL78f43Ksh4nFkr1u9jJ7U3UY_tvXuH_nD-l3l75X0k2gRigEciAqpeULJxMg1I5qqCPFCYtG6s_2IAPZCAukP0TX5aTCB7PQNdn8/s320/IMG_2094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl0uihT89x6nmQCSEnJMmwfss9tR2s7tPIJG1BSNcrDuGk-RlXr2IqK0Q5JcEkqfw7dn7iVxhxkCX-LhVUHW8GccSAgKoBSo7ATKUAQj2NZACDvrtPsZ5mBjaUMt-yrbR1L8thLiPy5CIqKlIP6xETpyAbU5eCGRROKu3Sb7kA-b5hFOmo59vH5PI/s1800/IMG_2096.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl0uihT89x6nmQCSEnJMmwfss9tR2s7tPIJG1BSNcrDuGk-RlXr2IqK0Q5JcEkqfw7dn7iVxhxkCX-LhVUHW8GccSAgKoBSo7ATKUAQj2NZACDvrtPsZ5mBjaUMt-yrbR1L8thLiPy5CIqKlIP6xETpyAbU5eCGRROKu3Sb7kA-b5hFOmo59vH5PI/s320/IMG_2096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>This was the Zembo Shrine Building, built in 1928, a masonic building, with the shriners raising money for children's charities and hospitals. </p><p><a href="https://zembo.org/" target="_blank">https://zembo.org/</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqjh3gid5QcSSVf2QfgesMCDTPGDYiBDeVb2T4VAs5HfBVlNboTuDMfs3O0fj7kPP_LQmhj003nqWTA9IlQ0uE7rGb2Hqr7mlpG4an7Gohq-xyDYpMmgCuIQyYiEpz6pKNG4lo9iWP4lubKi9nWxScfOhuP98RRgEiznJJm1AWpInljZ05Zk9CgKP/s1800/DSCN8445001_1677994692334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqjh3gid5QcSSVf2QfgesMCDTPGDYiBDeVb2T4VAs5HfBVlNboTuDMfs3O0fj7kPP_LQmhj003nqWTA9IlQ0uE7rGb2Hqr7mlpG4an7Gohq-xyDYpMmgCuIQyYiEpz6pKNG4lo9iWP4lubKi9nWxScfOhuP98RRgEiznJJm1AWpInljZ05Zk9CgKP/s320/DSCN8445001_1677994692334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivESbzSGC92hK2cYTgXnVdMzFrHpF7UWZQk18Bli3XW_gxvLi4h3vRq9IKk2QnQ7ZfRdy-2MJLtsuMoMETZ2EzH_NO__Lwm31nPeoq29cXhDvQqTrm69_zQISd-Zvs7Vxk9-CZkA-idchh4PI2EVcJRepnQPJ0SUe7IgWGgDwvvp-t9llhaK7khstV/s1800/DSCN8448001_1677994631027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivESbzSGC92hK2cYTgXnVdMzFrHpF7UWZQk18Bli3XW_gxvLi4h3vRq9IKk2QnQ7ZfRdy-2MJLtsuMoMETZ2EzH_NO__Lwm31nPeoq29cXhDvQqTrm69_zQISd-Zvs7Vxk9-CZkA-idchh4PI2EVcJRepnQPJ0SUe7IgWGgDwvvp-t9llhaK7khstV/s320/DSCN8448001_1677994631027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOduQ1vjjPzIK5qXw-pgnkNWQLGbPoZ-V92zVMPYdUNenj2MK0jaymh7jBxOl3j42PWGOg5ko_yqM1yHF7QeOJX_rVEt2bEw_WpvY9cV1nQKv7Xu5nqyDTTL4tzc2ju2CxBIt7WTvI5ocflsd-CQisqHMdv7JFcsa9_gvLxh1mzOBd4BvyYuIcnY_a/s1800/IMG_9697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOduQ1vjjPzIK5qXw-pgnkNWQLGbPoZ-V92zVMPYdUNenj2MK0jaymh7jBxOl3j42PWGOg5ko_yqM1yHF7QeOJX_rVEt2bEw_WpvY9cV1nQKv7Xu5nqyDTTL4tzc2ju2CxBIt7WTvI5ocflsd-CQisqHMdv7JFcsa9_gvLxh1mzOBd4BvyYuIcnY_a/s320/IMG_9697.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>We peered through doors and inspected the grounds, taking time to snap a couple of group shots on the icy stone bench against the building. Richard and I decided to strike an Egyptian pose outside the huge tiled doorway, but then wondered why, since this was a Moorish architectural style, resulting in us laughing even more. Looking through the glass, the interior seemed to be untidy, and knowing the building had once been on the market, I wondered if the shriners were managing to raise enough money for their charities as well as the upkeep of this building.</p><p>Back in the car, we stopped for a quick snap of this Lustron house. I'd only read about these a few months ago, intrigued by their popularity. About 2000 of them were built after WWII for returning GI's. Made of prefab enameled steel panels, they were low cost, easy maintenance, and very durable. Even though they were well built, production delays, escalating costs and bad planning led to the bankruptcy of the Lustron Corporation in 1950. Many of the homes remain today, and are even sought after. It was grand to finally see one first hand. Wish we could've gone inside, but this particular home didn't look very well maintained.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw5WAt3uk7l9_fyAfO7JYK3iZX3wHsN_A5wv6eAkJfqhB_LAbFRiakvz0CHN_X6VQaFQaMSZMbDGioORk8V96JgX_BsvfO7CjUwytB1tdYQvKs30QOIaOhG9RSXDsqGqAMHC70ZTgrHGyJV-yKbCGSMrRqQnrI1SOgFSYGusI_x6jzbUax2KSKHvY/s1800/IMG_2100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw5WAt3uk7l9_fyAfO7JYK3iZX3wHsN_A5wv6eAkJfqhB_LAbFRiakvz0CHN_X6VQaFQaMSZMbDGioORk8V96JgX_BsvfO7CjUwytB1tdYQvKs30QOIaOhG9RSXDsqGqAMHC70ZTgrHGyJV-yKbCGSMrRqQnrI1SOgFSYGusI_x6jzbUax2KSKHvY/s320/IMG_2100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I found an interesting article on them, <a href="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/home-garden/lustron-stories-explores-quirky-metal-homes-and-their-devoted-owners/" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p> Our next stop was another school, again unused, of a neo-gothic design. With tall sky-reaching towers and incredibly intricate brickwork, it broke my heart to see this old Catholic school abandoned after just 100 years use.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcB5CknDtyAFSK18gHYl1Mg7eqP1Ipi4QTmFFb8OMb5eI3Jpi_hQP71QpCIadcJzl_Jm-tvZAnOlbrkBm4oiNGMP6379_sej5dZPH8TwH8REuXEs9oe9jZ-D2ZWEtxkDJNw25LLqxRtPs2UFl6Pr8C_76dAB7wADCZv2xS5ZgXo9Atu5zb3Hra7BG/s1800/IMG_2102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcB5CknDtyAFSK18gHYl1Mg7eqP1Ipi4QTmFFb8OMb5eI3Jpi_hQP71QpCIadcJzl_Jm-tvZAnOlbrkBm4oiNGMP6379_sej5dZPH8TwH8REuXEs9oe9jZ-D2ZWEtxkDJNw25LLqxRtPs2UFl6Pr8C_76dAB7wADCZv2xS5ZgXo9Atu5zb3Hra7BG/s320/IMG_2102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5JwfVs7shpSBZADoefayNjv0pTn9u3DvuoUsZVhYjuVs93fhFC4_dP5lO12_0pNtO99kSb2EXpMUgeH9dV6Wfyyy6WtCdffD_3N5w03cCHwLjkz3DDLqOITRQ-3mJd7O1vBp-lIUwNZncJRps9VGFqkFItaV3Zh9l_mwLYxmS5Aa9k6Jy3f-ajmX/s1800/IMG_2103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5JwfVs7shpSBZADoefayNjv0pTn9u3DvuoUsZVhYjuVs93fhFC4_dP5lO12_0pNtO99kSb2EXpMUgeH9dV6Wfyyy6WtCdffD_3N5w03cCHwLjkz3DDLqOITRQ-3mJd7O1vBp-lIUwNZncJRps9VGFqkFItaV3Zh9l_mwLYxmS5Aa9k6Jy3f-ajmX/s320/IMG_2103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeqnKMVkZuUuRmnGNerdEfr60VyJdDuL4PlnE3FgLH2a7wh-cV32mIRdcdfi9IYvwTU1klHhk6h-608jNECch0LlNJ9uaRZHtGT_gLlei4PuIF0Oaqfn7YWjFYJ7lGRBw5hNtqbLozCDZafkkx0cZIkVWtoQbrvsuI5JPSJvIUkeGmD0zbMztAIH1/s1800/IMG_2106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeqnKMVkZuUuRmnGNerdEfr60VyJdDuL4PlnE3FgLH2a7wh-cV32mIRdcdfi9IYvwTU1klHhk6h-608jNECch0LlNJ9uaRZHtGT_gLlei4PuIF0Oaqfn7YWjFYJ7lGRBw5hNtqbLozCDZafkkx0cZIkVWtoQbrvsuI5JPSJvIUkeGmD0zbMztAIH1/s320/IMG_2106.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19pBSlzP3H6B8owgDefNNN2mNyLdBrg7zKDsoHhzWsEiVb7bAfvG11r26VLjMiI7GTXBnWL6FND8dlyeaFdsbH6M1flQI-bY2p0ciryfGwnFRPWRq0E-YqdXjNIAXVrcaTX6NbsJr884AHNAD4CeTcj-BfiyABlYSPI_Id3u9CuZYEJiXNoAnwoLd/s1800/IMG_2110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19pBSlzP3H6B8owgDefNNN2mNyLdBrg7zKDsoHhzWsEiVb7bAfvG11r26VLjMiI7GTXBnWL6FND8dlyeaFdsbH6M1flQI-bY2p0ciryfGwnFRPWRq0E-YqdXjNIAXVrcaTX6NbsJr884AHNAD4CeTcj-BfiyABlYSPI_Id3u9CuZYEJiXNoAnwoLd/s320/IMG_2110.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvCLnaDfuOdPW3A1FscUb3YhP7OjlCas4YvIer8156dOC-35i4maE3YYE1Bk5P_FdS3kmItE8gvp-vH46u-YzAgK2WfFVSNH0XOj_n_DfkfpmpKcUkXJo1EiA4y_FoeVVUFHix1w-8wyJyhfKOIHXRDdVNkd5IxW0mQZkeW7DfVAxRZ6q_TBZpaSL/s1800/thumbnail_IMG_9607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvCLnaDfuOdPW3A1FscUb3YhP7OjlCas4YvIer8156dOC-35i4maE3YYE1Bk5P_FdS3kmItE8gvp-vH46u-YzAgK2WfFVSNH0XOj_n_DfkfpmpKcUkXJo1EiA4y_FoeVVUFHix1w-8wyJyhfKOIHXRDdVNkd5IxW0mQZkeW7DfVAxRZ6q_TBZpaSL/s320/thumbnail_IMG_9607.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><p></p><p>Although its academic teaching standards were high, it failed to stay open, and from peering through the doors, it seemed its last function had been as a haunted house a couple of years ago. I did find a report from 2021 where the building would be used to provide recreation and further living skills for the local youth, along with other parts of it being converted into commercial space for offices and restaurants, but it seems those plans have fallen by the wayside, since 18 months later there's no sign whatsoever of any development, and the completion date had been projected for late 2023.</p><p>We drove on to our last exploration destination, an old lunatic asylum, which ceased operating as a mental hospital in 2006. Many of the buildings are empty but there are also a lot of them still in use.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vpOrgdRqrJ0aBdxN9XDG5Zy8XuY-KIiUcJHCVTJZ964Y5dNQfVaUufOvgD0ad6Rid19nILzQKWC5SQGgzVO0FkP5wakWhDQI5ndFOgMjRnTMctwK4Vx_1YeEHkp4Xvr4hnVBtftgyCvfhqMWeOEvFYIcB7JGOdqne_TDCmoNkMR4JDRSm7xYgpp_/s1800/IMG_2112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vpOrgdRqrJ0aBdxN9XDG5Zy8XuY-KIiUcJHCVTJZ964Y5dNQfVaUufOvgD0ad6Rid19nILzQKWC5SQGgzVO0FkP5wakWhDQI5ndFOgMjRnTMctwK4Vx_1YeEHkp4Xvr4hnVBtftgyCvfhqMWeOEvFYIcB7JGOdqne_TDCmoNkMR4JDRSm7xYgpp_/s320/IMG_2112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7sOhaou65vXjNHpj0-TmR3Xo3dNHJbRdwmKl6eukIaTGHaAxA75elOnDqPCfikT2Ye0eCY-HVxvUJuk4HJwmE-g25YWTdHN3kvjqIqjCg6xIuUicWuE5zgFcGu7VjC8HNYVWC_zFDeKg2Uz2cJwVCi0XOpjnBrV1pHK9Ewu5bAK0PklOGMay-Ub/s1800/IMG_2114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd7sOhaou65vXjNHpj0-TmR3Xo3dNHJbRdwmKl6eukIaTGHaAxA75elOnDqPCfikT2Ye0eCY-HVxvUJuk4HJwmE-g25YWTdHN3kvjqIqjCg6xIuUicWuE5zgFcGu7VjC8HNYVWC_zFDeKg2Uz2cJwVCi0XOpjnBrV1pHK9Ewu5bAK0PklOGMay-Ub/s320/IMG_2114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We wandered about, taking phone shots of whatever piqued our interest, in my case, a stack of light bulbs, and a hilarious smoke detector sign. The wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped, but we pulled up our collars and walked about the grounds. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8HrQFy_gs7yrJUvMUdxUzZLAEXbGfEcFyJIuOs3k_qsJ4z0CiWqaNI9DirZPh44i7DmEBTEML5MWUqbpgncpZP6a31I3o_pSg5-z8zVgrpMIMH_vt4US-g-2DEsHfqt9JVMHtWbB5hT3gziqvQeSrDgWbEq1d6LRbkIdQD-VRv0vOHnzDiAZt46/s1800/IMG_2121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8HrQFy_gs7yrJUvMUdxUzZLAEXbGfEcFyJIuOs3k_qsJ4z0CiWqaNI9DirZPh44i7DmEBTEML5MWUqbpgncpZP6a31I3o_pSg5-z8zVgrpMIMH_vt4US-g-2DEsHfqt9JVMHtWbB5hT3gziqvQeSrDgWbEq1d6LRbkIdQD-VRv0vOHnzDiAZt46/s320/IMG_2121.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiK8c_jS_fT1VRnwO-adxSMUuYTiQIdJOu5SQRdPDlM0Z0F71GVungXIINL3bj7NxtK1G95SdxscYsJ1Nvav6wiHvwz-z5lOpd1VeH1On1o6kv8LBefrwTu6ynktOxDc-f1RvAg2me6GhBGFJl28Qv0gWm4c4yaik7EtJVuZs51rBxpaEIzIeAYIr/s1800/IMG_2123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiK8c_jS_fT1VRnwO-adxSMUuYTiQIdJOu5SQRdPDlM0Z0F71GVungXIINL3bj7NxtK1G95SdxscYsJ1Nvav6wiHvwz-z5lOpd1VeH1On1o6kv8LBefrwTu6ynktOxDc-f1RvAg2me6GhBGFJl28Qv0gWm4c4yaik7EtJVuZs51rBxpaEIzIeAYIr/s320/IMG_2123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjELyZ-xU9L0ZRrZO67-sy8NlZVuyTzQ_DMt0N_CKG0FaXmLenCEaOuacbjcACuZ02xEu6VgclqHnWCwwH4KAk8XjHzBUVcbwfwfwpY4I7rJLdddTFrIoYCxAN7HwuzjQpP1vx6GAtO6pYLVOhp8DGQZp4fFHgzV72hLeEDmR_WJRLzTeUCU07JsIZ/s1800/IMG_2127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjELyZ-xU9L0ZRrZO67-sy8NlZVuyTzQ_DMt0N_CKG0FaXmLenCEaOuacbjcACuZ02xEu6VgclqHnWCwwH4KAk8XjHzBUVcbwfwfwpY4I7rJLdddTFrIoYCxAN7HwuzjQpP1vx6GAtO6pYLVOhp8DGQZp4fFHgzV72hLeEDmR_WJRLzTeUCU07JsIZ/s320/IMG_2127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We only saw a few people, smoking outside a building, guessing they were staff, and a couple of joggers who trotted past us. The grounds were being maintained, pruning was evidently being done, freshly sawn boughs lay on the ground and orange tags were on some trees. Newer looking signs had been added to empty buildings, but we couldn't find any open doors, or see anything that even beckoned us inside, apart from one room, with interesting machinery and tools. We came across another couple, who like us, were looking through windows and snapping phone photos. As we got in the car for the last time, a security guard drove up behind us. We carried on forward, and he followed, waiting while we went down a dead-end road, turned around and came back, and then he followed us again until we drove off the site. We didn't mind. The day had got colder and windier, we were ready for some hot food and beers.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3mWXjyadIfDRiv_BciMqeNFsCNAZtci_EFylBDGS0G4K-V4UigGWUxnieC9vvPNNuKQf9lESa43xtcqYY_XjQkKouVhvQaAy_C124hUyZmHQSOSfNLaCsVQ491huZJuk5pOT78OqMjzxHnHPw1HRUMHixEquhQxd-WNJ0-X8Qh81RxammUHpaRc/s1800/IMG_2134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3mWXjyadIfDRiv_BciMqeNFsCNAZtci_EFylBDGS0G4K-V4UigGWUxnieC9vvPNNuKQf9lESa43xtcqYY_XjQkKouVhvQaAy_C124hUyZmHQSOSfNLaCsVQ491huZJuk5pOT78OqMjzxHnHPw1HRUMHixEquhQxd-WNJ0-X8Qh81RxammUHpaRc/s320/IMG_2134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRx-rEYSIP0bH9gYIDLqGxvqQ14lX0iMvWuXR48m9HgNsa5p-9QZv-i00j52vc6usobLdvIpKESuMmKo1Pyx7VSphJzAmrESIUhzQSq-37nqbc6ifJHxZnL-2SmG7snsM_l7DP8w35zd9iSC7hL-jv7cqbaMGYbn2c0gX3Jn1jYucmoKp6E-hMr0h/s1800/IMG_2135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRx-rEYSIP0bH9gYIDLqGxvqQ14lX0iMvWuXR48m9HgNsa5p-9QZv-i00j52vc6usobLdvIpKESuMmKo1Pyx7VSphJzAmrESIUhzQSq-37nqbc6ifJHxZnL-2SmG7snsM_l7DP8w35zd9iSC7hL-jv7cqbaMGYbn2c0gX3Jn1jYucmoKp6E-hMr0h/s320/IMG_2135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> At Emily's recommendation, we stopped at Pizza Boy Brewing, where the multitude of craft beers was overwhelming, but of a most excellent quality. A huge calzone went down very nicely too. It was dark when we emerged, the temperature had dropped even more. Hugs and farewells, accompanied with promises to get our little group together again soon. We'd had a lot of laughs throughout the day, even though we hadn't really achieved our goals, and it had been fun to catch up. I was getting tired as I got into my car, yet my audio book, and the easy drive down the highway to home kept me awake. <br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-87507191031718573212023-03-08T06:55:00.001-08:002023-03-08T06:55:25.289-08:00The Lonely Tree<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7ZQ7C22_dwdM3Kl70umeIvqgcLHqNKqUVxdnxlDh-4L6KlfmY7tMhmVkzb2TzhTEMPUY-DreGWbPdyjZnIjq-CQQA6j3E_jTU20Q5iPr4wEVFnQBfp_hRZR047G1kQgNmsx5GL0JPFQjf96GSivw3FJxUr5VVwwtxeng0F3XyH9UVDIfhfgPJOws/s2015/IMG_1929.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7ZQ7C22_dwdM3Kl70umeIvqgcLHqNKqUVxdnxlDh-4L6KlfmY7tMhmVkzb2TzhTEMPUY-DreGWbPdyjZnIjq-CQQA6j3E_jTU20Q5iPr4wEVFnQBfp_hRZR047G1kQgNmsx5GL0JPFQjf96GSivw3FJxUr5VVwwtxeng0F3XyH9UVDIfhfgPJOws/s320/IMG_1929.JPG" width="252" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ever since I've been coming to Front Royal, before I moved here, I'd always been intrigued with a little tree that juts out from the mountain skyline, and is particularly visible when you enter Front Royal from the north as you drive over the bridges that span both forks of the Shenandoah river. I've spent many a car journey entering the town, and just staring at that little seemingly forlorn tree that stands alone, looking the exact same in any season, and just simply looking lonely. It had always affected me, making me feel a little sad as I stared up at it, despite the fact, that of course it's not lonely; there's millions of trees up there with it. And maybe it wasn't lonely, it was actually a bad-ass rebel tree, that wanted its own identity, thank you very much, and if it had to stand aside and have it's own silhouette, then it darn well would. </p><p>So, I was exceptionally pleased when one day while scrolling through Facebook, I found a post on The Lonely Tree, and behold, many, many people loved this little fir tree, and many also crossed those bridges, peering up at the mountain skyline, and imagining their own story line about the little tree.</p><p>The now famous tree stands proud about one mile up before Dickey Ridge, on the right hand side. There's no actual overlook there to stop and park, but it's clearly visible by the stone wall as you drive past.</p><p>People uploaded a few photos and explained what the tree meant to them, and I realized that there was a Lonely Tree Community!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYBIL2mrNOh-gliIoVuqvbayyfDPyv0v4LbSpmRZU8ASY1D0VSCicAzrHXsx4LKV-0gD8KSMvGCpGkEX-eVU4xcy-vDdUVHQdK0Avzf9j9GxBnk-CIvUblol4PsH_B08AUk7b4GrvsDyFXRsoy56JtWcTpIDs6w8aKn9NJQ6-5JMvdGb-H1mUARqz/s832/thumbnail_IMG_1909.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYBIL2mrNOh-gliIoVuqvbayyfDPyv0v4LbSpmRZU8ASY1D0VSCicAzrHXsx4LKV-0gD8KSMvGCpGkEX-eVU4xcy-vDdUVHQdK0Avzf9j9GxBnk-CIvUblol4PsH_B08AUk7b4GrvsDyFXRsoy56JtWcTpIDs6w8aKn9NJQ6-5JMvdGb-H1mUARqz/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1909.png" width="171" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfOnxEnyNZhbBYf_670ZwDojiqyZUQLnftGZxs5B2wzt9wL0vBVdS6-v38YoqJzxOcAENDtFe8_y4fkBcrABKcD5MOet5-R26UcCyChq5fHw2QhjtBEl0RAkMaLFTWXEw1aMm1CZoLh8A4w6Er5sr8xP_IhQIrPrzdji9_Dh0-9ADwvj04zKH6Vp9/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_1910.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="963" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfOnxEnyNZhbBYf_670ZwDojiqyZUQLnftGZxs5B2wzt9wL0vBVdS6-v38YoqJzxOcAENDtFe8_y4fkBcrABKcD5MOet5-R26UcCyChq5fHw2QhjtBEl0RAkMaLFTWXEw1aMm1CZoLh8A4w6Er5sr8xP_IhQIrPrzdji9_Dh0-9ADwvj04zKH6Vp9/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1910.png" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkvToVdZiqvY-kItEebnSDOH4iEBfKtoJVlC3656FwV8yqtv7xk9hyB0CIq7FJ_g7wpGcZIZfYIqqD8OFQrR4IDAVd2LRNUF5n0SnQ5B7hG-D1tiPykBW2t1K4jUYUUZ8wOvcJopbSwIyKqmF5XAG6qJcbrEEh7n-z7j5I8N4JCO2jOoIMIkBuE2y/s640/IMG_1932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkvToVdZiqvY-kItEebnSDOH4iEBfKtoJVlC3656FwV8yqtv7xk9hyB0CIq7FJ_g7wpGcZIZfYIqqD8OFQrR4IDAVd2LRNUF5n0SnQ5B7hG-D1tiPykBW2t1K4jUYUUZ8wOvcJopbSwIyKqmF5XAG6qJcbrEEh7n-z7j5I8N4JCO2jOoIMIkBuE2y/s320/IMG_1932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZmIbqB0XiebxjmWK0QhQSvWQ_At0j0PsOYciBfBc__AcSseW6vXdHJdwwvs8gSy1UwMhpau-BingFV4DybZ-hID5J4kXLyKtX1iNanRR9RHWE4edMA687rqjZGCRtQixJvS0Ia4r3Pq3cogKclKEER-qx8U3-ug7zZVl1JwqejUXaJkNaZtbc2I3/s960/IMG_1933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZmIbqB0XiebxjmWK0QhQSvWQ_At0j0PsOYciBfBc__AcSseW6vXdHJdwwvs8gSy1UwMhpau-BingFV4DybZ-hID5J4kXLyKtX1iNanRR9RHWE4edMA687rqjZGCRtQixJvS0Ia4r3Pq3cogKclKEER-qx8U3-ug7zZVl1JwqejUXaJkNaZtbc2I3/s320/IMG_1933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-W0NGvUSE7IJb_2geog6wVLpGIo3jnSNlQzktiXJCjoZ8_wrO-lvuMJc5aJSA6daAr2mv5EQBnMiz-FZfmtITmbz1GL9J0v8yxmEbIL_Y6_jCYZY649ncRctYPBkQochfD3LfU-t2zqN6X9o6VY5s1M2-7fiLJLOMWZOmSUml4mN-PYSxCwtPkd/s1170/IMG_1930.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1170" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-W0NGvUSE7IJb_2geog6wVLpGIo3jnSNlQzktiXJCjoZ8_wrO-lvuMJc5aJSA6daAr2mv5EQBnMiz-FZfmtITmbz1GL9J0v8yxmEbIL_Y6_jCYZY649ncRctYPBkQochfD3LfU-t2zqN6X9o6VY5s1M2-7fiLJLOMWZOmSUml4mN-PYSxCwtPkd/s320/IMG_1930.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I was amazed at how many people had been touched by this tree. There's been a local beer named after it, people have had it tattooed on their arm, and a couple of people in town have created their own artwork of it. There were hundreds of comments from folks who made a point of visiting it regularly, had their own name for it and some had even scattered loved one's ashes there or got married under its boughs.</p><p>Some of the comments follow:<br /></p><p>One guy has been telling his granddaughter that the Grinch lives there.</p><div>There used to be a smoke stack next to it. I remember seeing it as a girl.</div>
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<div>My Grandfather use to call it "The Lone Sentinel" as it looks like a lone soldier walking down the mountain.</div><div> </div>
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<div>That tree is such a landmark can see it when crossing the bridges coming into Front Royal ❤️ makes me kinda homesick !</div>
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<div>It’s definitely a loved sight and tree in this community. Living
out 619 my entire life, I look forward to seeing it everyday I pass the
livestock. A local artist Tiffany Budzisz did a fabulous portrait it.
“The Lone Tree” 💙<br aria-hidden="true" />
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<div><a href="https://artvalleyva.com/products/lone-tree-skyline-drive">https://artvalleyva.com/products/lone-tree-skyline-drive</a><br aria-hidden="true" />
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<div>My dad is laid to rest at that tree. ❤️ It warms my heart to know others love that spot as much as us.</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Qdd3VMqtDnC0Z8kYvr1Ig3cDcWCX60S_ZTRYcL3TsmewbqStofRVA6_nAiezFKvshcOTEGPZgdUuThTkDt-T0S3zsoOiA4lcC6_dQqanWqyirfRMlyp8sTLB_-0dOKKGvJh8Bl1oQxcwptpTAKF9C6PcKZ3VR7CkB9C353uyG-Jw4xKUn_Nct1m_/s960/thumbnail_IMG_1911.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Qdd3VMqtDnC0Z8kYvr1Ig3cDcWCX60S_ZTRYcL3TsmewbqStofRVA6_nAiezFKvshcOTEGPZgdUuThTkDt-T0S3zsoOiA4lcC6_dQqanWqyirfRMlyp8sTLB_-0dOKKGvJh8Bl1oQxcwptpTAKF9C6PcKZ3VR7CkB9C353uyG-Jw4xKUn_Nct1m_/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1911.png" width="240" /></a> <br /></div></div><div><img data-imageerror="SrcNullOrEmpty" data-imagetype="Empty" style="max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%;" /><br aria-hidden="true" />
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<div> </div><div>Mawmaw’s rooster tree 🌲</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" />
</div><div><div>When my son was small he thought it was Barney the dinosaur 😂<br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>We've called it the rooster. It's my front porch view. Love it.</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>In Grade School, I Remember It Being Called “Man On The Mountain” 😅 </div><div> </div><div><div>That’s my husbands tree. He called it his tree. He died in
November. Can’t look at it without thinking of him. My stepdaughter even
had it tattoed on her arm. </div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>Pretty sure everyone is aware it's "just a tree". As you can tell
from the comment section it's way more then "just a tree" to many
people. </div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>So many of us have
been fascinated by that tree 🌳. My late husband would point it out and
wonder...it is a reminder that even in a forest full of trees it is
possible to stand out OR to stand alone. Perhaps it reminds me of the
creator who put it there for a distraction from all the craziness going
on around us.</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>OMG...that's
been my tree for years...I have showed it to my family and told them you
ever want to know where Mamaw is I live right under that tree...You can
see it coming into town from many directions and when you get into town
you just need to look up for it on the drive and there it is...I am so
proud of it because it has been my friend for many years and I hope it
has many more...</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>I got married at that tree. we call it the Wedding Tree ❤<br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>I’ve always called it Frank. </div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>My
wife and I named it Mildred when we first got married. Idk why but it’s
always stuck with us. I work for Amazon and move all over but when I
come home to visit family we always say hello to “Milly” as well </div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>My
dad loved that tree. He passed away in November. Michael at Tried &
True Tattoo blessed me with this sweet memory. A good friend also
gifted me with the painting shortly after he passed. It hangs in my
hallway between two pictures of us from my wedding. I can also see it
from my living room window. It’s a very special tree. - photo</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>I
got married there at sunrise. Nothing could have been better, we had
three deer that came out and just watched us the whole time. When we
were done and started walking they walked away too.</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>I
think it’s awesome that this simple little tree that I’ve seen sooo
many times means so much to many. I will never look at it the same. ❤️❤️
</div><div><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div>A couple years ago my
girls asked me why that giant always stands in the same spot and never
moves they was 5 and 7 so I went w it lol. The other day the oldest seen
it and she asked the next time we go to that mountain if she could stop
by and thank him for protecting everyone in Front Royal lol...</div></div><div> </div></div><div>I refer to it as my "help me tree." Based on Psalm 121:1-2 NIV</div>
<div>1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.</div>
<div>It helps me lift my head a bit higher when in the valleys and reminds me I'm not alone.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGbDVimA36CFC_HwZCm9hIyWoAiptZEdPBJPfmCDFhDkd4b6t8uB2IHfL6sr5mZgfq5mzBRgFTFAdimvzEpDHnNLMkMNZD72CBpZNbW21ybyeJ5UAjestoZZj2PaQnUyrNz3G8ZNnhl8MBTfprWzEkG7V1eqq2Wd9KUt_4cjDibvJLfuHWLKCdfI4/s960/IMG_1934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGbDVimA36CFC_HwZCm9hIyWoAiptZEdPBJPfmCDFhDkd4b6t8uB2IHfL6sr5mZgfq5mzBRgFTFAdimvzEpDHnNLMkMNZD72CBpZNbW21ybyeJ5UAjestoZZj2PaQnUyrNz3G8ZNnhl8MBTfprWzEkG7V1eqq2Wd9KUt_4cjDibvJLfuHWLKCdfI4/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>In hindsight, I shouldn't have been so surprised that so many people watched, gazed upon, looked out for, and revered this little tree. Front Royal is a small town filled with many kind-hearted people, a community that so often comes together for those that are less fortunate among us.All the monuments and special places in the town are respected and loved, so why on earth wouldn't this little tree that stands so proud on the skyline be an exception? Some people even suggested creating a Facebook page for it. At least I now know, this little tree isn't really lonely at all.<br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-70341538489867016052023-01-12T15:22:00.002-08:002023-01-12T15:22:50.217-08:00Friends and Festivities at Christmas On Christmas Day, Elliott and I hosted lunch for a few friends. The sun was shining, which I wasn't happy about, since I always want the fairy lights to be gleaming and twinkling in an overcast light, but there was still a few patches of snow outside on the grass from a snowfall a few days before, so that was something. I'd spent the evening before prepping and laying the table, a task I love. I had cracked open a bottle of Harvey's Bristol Cream, the only time of year I drink it, and wrapped up a few last minute presents with Christmas music playing, and then knuckled down to the best part, the dining room table.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_ySkIZUVpPa2fCyILViqz0taWTpT1M_L5MiHrUA7xOX8ySYljfO8HQL8hRDKCEZzSGqTl_I9kUu9OsNH72M971hXC-kdNWXQqohMtc_jCQrWtFTtdtMwwlPlPy-p1m124OTPrAjpGDQoKhr43FS5nig2d5B52e3pd2jJ87Q5tevr330AJOOec1MN/s4032/IMG_1310.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_ySkIZUVpPa2fCyILViqz0taWTpT1M_L5MiHrUA7xOX8ySYljfO8HQL8hRDKCEZzSGqTl_I9kUu9OsNH72M971hXC-kdNWXQqohMtc_jCQrWtFTtdtMwwlPlPy-p1m124OTPrAjpGDQoKhr43FS5nig2d5B52e3pd2jJ87Q5tevr330AJOOec1MN/s320/IMG_1310.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGGJy4IvduJ-ebLFmV4gxgLJkzBcNb4ktnmc9qr_TzGAte6h1-PGdRCJdIDqT8q9sfZZhnLKeyTDDi6jYKm4od91Xz8DVDdAJdz0T42-nDd7JR2lhVKloZQpqvq5nrC3mpE9TVwQZLeyIIHRtuxxpwe67NYL3mTlNTYLSCgXrwVzfvf7Gzp8l_VxN/s4032/IMG_1311.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGGJy4IvduJ-ebLFmV4gxgLJkzBcNb4ktnmc9qr_TzGAte6h1-PGdRCJdIDqT8q9sfZZhnLKeyTDDi6jYKm4od91Xz8DVDdAJdz0T42-nDd7JR2lhVKloZQpqvq5nrC3mpE9TVwQZLeyIIHRtuxxpwe67NYL3mTlNTYLSCgXrwVzfvf7Gzp8l_VxN/s320/IMG_1311.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWUvToEU9naenfQ5-Q11vP3NjIcQjzub-yBART6oWbXY4L2UAkmILzehLi1n8gsuNB5Hnpl2RWCIhI6bBpUe92YHvQKc-nxSb7xJu50Posn9noFOaSTot5ekkT1rdhNxROV0s4G45Zj8ZnWJh7GAj7jWSg1_whWa5mOWbzJFGQ52r4j4dS_AXz4dG/s2048/IMG_1312.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYK-TVO3RcwgCxvIeDRE_TpwCJgYVscj2MEyVuSUAEBoztxF0KdH35YhopAEFUJH70J3QRMarg_WssEpVBSiM5wjv-2IAvyrYlanXkszPHOaU-w-GyfvKAeClVduRzFYuVyKNdOunHyovyiErydOGh8kMVK_ka_UuanDjAMqgeVgjDMnkGOBlRLY-/s320/IMG_1334.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecmWBkS4_rhrHJXGskroWSlfG7EZkiTJo_c5D4r8R2FRoORDNNmFvGu5_XfgsJBwIb0Og48zmZWEVk1yQOLl0nxXqLS-KJ8c8HKiaF4dCH8zm5kRzm3G8mq-XhXFmozJ7h5ThOIjyQjBXXLONwUg1DhSMHcNOdX_QuwJhwl_fd2Y9b5QsTa4OfJ6B/s4032/IMG_1367.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecmWBkS4_rhrHJXGskroWSlfG7EZkiTJo_c5D4r8R2FRoORDNNmFvGu5_XfgsJBwIb0Og48zmZWEVk1yQOLl0nxXqLS-KJ8c8HKiaF4dCH8zm5kRzm3G8mq-XhXFmozJ7h5ThOIjyQjBXXLONwUg1DhSMHcNOdX_QuwJhwl_fd2Y9b5QsTa4OfJ6B/s320/IMG_1367.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'd been scouring local antique and thrift stores for table decorations, and had managed to procure a high end table cloth, a runner, gorgeous napkins, some new chargers, and a few glasses and candlesticks for tealights and candles, and even found a gorgeous vintage tree topper star. All this for less than $30. The dining room itself, including the mantle piece had been decorated a couple weeks before, and all the Christmas lights cast a cozy atmosphere. I was very happy with the result, and looking forward to our guests arriving.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijumZtVC0SqbqAsx03useH7Hb-6edchZvFeKe14uE0aDsP2xBtAjMfXi8svStbEkLJt0SoJOyGPzFT2-kDXE4T2aHca_dBtHcWwLX5RwfBqG1meW5snImKpoj5c7jZiEOUrU9AWo-yBdwz_WtR4otLV_qvZvGNVE0rON1pKuBWmxFlQWXFqAi_XCAE/s4032/IMG_1361.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijumZtVC0SqbqAsx03useH7Hb-6edchZvFeKe14uE0aDsP2xBtAjMfXi8svStbEkLJt0SoJOyGPzFT2-kDXE4T2aHca_dBtHcWwLX5RwfBqG1meW5snImKpoj5c7jZiEOUrU9AWo-yBdwz_WtR4otLV_qvZvGNVE0rON1pKuBWmxFlQWXFqAi_XCAE/s320/IMG_1361.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFaKzQwld7nHJ48JSPOvKx8ULGb89L_JG0LKdGopurpjB_wmAPjrOgiVG12UwVijg4diRLHuaeda2z8JVF2bYnsJaQGYWpxeC7tZefNnWHjeZrvtHHSmWrdV6lJ5DSRPmGHJzAYF9qpaI81vgo60OopAOyJCVsBxuzNEmyDDuHHyEALqvUnksH-s-/s4032/IMG_1362.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFaKzQwld7nHJ48JSPOvKx8ULGb89L_JG0LKdGopurpjB_wmAPjrOgiVG12UwVijg4diRLHuaeda2z8JVF2bYnsJaQGYWpxeC7tZefNnWHjeZrvtHHSmWrdV6lJ5DSRPmGHJzAYF9qpaI81vgo60OopAOyJCVsBxuzNEmyDDuHHyEALqvUnksH-s-/s320/IMG_1362.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Elliott had cooked a wonderful paella when his parents and brother had
visited a few months ago, and we decided we'd do this again for the lunch. It was easy to
prepare, and I'd shopped for the best ingredients, Spanish bomba rice,
and all the seafood from Wegmans, including fresh tuna, cod, octopus,
clams and oysters, with chicken and kielbasa. I'd made brie, asparagus
and prosciutto bundles in pastry to munch on while we were waiting for
the paella. Bill and Nick were the first to turn up and then Jason
arrived from D.C. Another friend had cried off sick, which was a shame,
but more for the rest of us! The drinks began to flow and we laughed and
chatted, catching up on everyone's news.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet2D0qJKEw80c8hsfMXNBlQrFsKaeK1CmQy3xzqOxfgb7ZYyzAV0RrLxOEsBEasFOf6Lp97oDnCLGurarI0Y7mq_5OnlOTurqEIZQk3Ms4_T_gsxZkbouYVTjUpGlv80lo6syUGo5Up4CGNlto4UMczL6hUrL36-1Q8hJW5OCC7fNI6fVv7CiP021/s4032/IMG_1363.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet2D0qJKEw80c8hsfMXNBlQrFsKaeK1CmQy3xzqOxfgb7ZYyzAV0RrLxOEsBEasFOf6Lp97oDnCLGurarI0Y7mq_5OnlOTurqEIZQk3Ms4_T_gsxZkbouYVTjUpGlv80lo6syUGo5Up4CGNlto4UMczL6hUrL36-1Q8hJW5OCC7fNI6fVv7CiP021/s320/IMG_1363.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsODT5Kd8PBqa6JMaWk5cecfyhPfJbW70lnVm4_tPaeK6XA9WKUuxDPBqfj8c7RezcoatgbNzuFUF-T-D_TLwVF5cAg-JpCZb2iWoOn-5CPQJWXHgEVsKY2MPpJlE24Ovw7TedlznULUS8JNdMNbi0OSUrSSi7xHc8f1iNZxC4VQJffQukJtYYskq/s4032/IMG_1364.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsODT5Kd8PBqa6JMaWk5cecfyhPfJbW70lnVm4_tPaeK6XA9WKUuxDPBqfj8c7RezcoatgbNzuFUF-T-D_TLwVF5cAg-JpCZb2iWoOn-5CPQJWXHgEVsKY2MPpJlE24Ovw7TedlznULUS8JNdMNbi0OSUrSSi7xHc8f1iNZxC4VQJffQukJtYYskq/s320/IMG_1364.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobxijfSW0UIEuaL1zPKpNpjoW1LI0UNqIK_t6-BLZj_J18P9pNh4IFRUco0yjTGRE_mxTkX6VY_fqFsxVhJ1JABMovYlAeIKGo1A6C35R2tGwX7IT2z1pB1uwPztW6m_0Pnp4weC27iDNO9tay0SWbFhmPJb3mBeXVEYUd8q3I72kTKnl2ncAe2Xr/s4032/IMG_1365.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobxijfSW0UIEuaL1zPKpNpjoW1LI0UNqIK_t6-BLZj_J18P9pNh4IFRUco0yjTGRE_mxTkX6VY_fqFsxVhJ1JABMovYlAeIKGo1A6C35R2tGwX7IT2z1pB1uwPztW6m_0Pnp4weC27iDNO9tay0SWbFhmPJb3mBeXVEYUd8q3I72kTKnl2ncAe2Xr/s320/IMG_1365.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx5i59s2Zjd_0oSWmXbtaDtA9FwVOZ-M-c_OBGfuxL22msvBGLj2ijP6m7beh3mQQMk39mD86c8TC6bgLqlREp_u5cqo2G8D9oxRkesVGczqEYBMeR8-rIBfjK-iRQFpQr5ri0lAb0C0een31VAhanam8aTp7HfldbxMMn13tldF7rtDdFIODFDwg/s4032/IMG_1366.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx5i59s2Zjd_0oSWmXbtaDtA9FwVOZ-M-c_OBGfuxL22msvBGLj2ijP6m7beh3mQQMk39mD86c8TC6bgLqlREp_u5cqo2G8D9oxRkesVGczqEYBMeR8-rIBfjK-iRQFpQr5ri0lAb0C0een31VAhanam8aTp7HfldbxMMn13tldF7rtDdFIODFDwg/s320/IMG_1366.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVGaVCLKlgcjay5ZGbsPu46G5miKR6slRfV3K8BqYqmqCmUEsC50yHJ5pzH6_OYw59OjrHeZdZf1MtYGWrSeadOlNaLTa29URWg0ZauvdiOTNcsQr4UT9CAFCEiWA4eeKSp5MG_2g-M2Agamjjmb8w8NgTA1W7YD5zdkiRfd0J8lawEZvX1zhu5ba/s4032/IMG_1368.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVGaVCLKlgcjay5ZGbsPu46G5miKR6slRfV3K8BqYqmqCmUEsC50yHJ5pzH6_OYw59OjrHeZdZf1MtYGWrSeadOlNaLTa29URWg0ZauvdiOTNcsQr4UT9CAFCEiWA4eeKSp5MG_2g-M2Agamjjmb8w8NgTA1W7YD5zdkiRfd0J8lawEZvX1zhu5ba/s320/IMG_1368.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Lunch was demolished rapidly, the paella was a huge success, and we even had English crackers that were fun, with everyone wearing the gold paper hats that were inside. We had diamond reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Trader Joe's, which was amazing. Trader Joe's have only given 3 of their wines this award, and it's well worthy of it. I had brought a few English Christmas puddings back from our last trip, and cooked one, setting it alight with flaming brandy, and served with Ambrosia custard. Our guests were tentative at first, but soon demolished their small portions, so I cooked up the other 3, which also swiftly disappeared down the hatch. Coffee was served for those who had room for it, while Jason took the opportunity to grab 40 winks. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_UeU_QTZKRdG67wxEFojcdjk5dXMCiPOiQzb2BwP-4V-xadQleKoQl973KOyBVSsx_aFMGkO1vK251tF9zHHdn_szT2lrVwTKPofXl0r3aobHEl0M6RWf36QdnJdUl_ULWbcBITwjANUukK5JvcfVCJukCPRyXmpSxUZiP1G3jykdsy_sQkeKNN4/s4032/IMG_1387.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_UeU_QTZKRdG67wxEFojcdjk5dXMCiPOiQzb2BwP-4V-xadQleKoQl973KOyBVSsx_aFMGkO1vK251tF9zHHdn_szT2lrVwTKPofXl0r3aobHEl0M6RWf36QdnJdUl_ULWbcBITwjANUukK5JvcfVCJukCPRyXmpSxUZiP1G3jykdsy_sQkeKNN4/s320/IMG_1387.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I have to confess that I was relieved when nobody had any room at all to even taste a small mouthful of my Marks ans Spencer's English Christmas cake. This would be all mine, to enjoy with a large mug of tea in the next few days.</p><p>The cats were also treated on Christmas Day. They had top of the range cans of cat food, mixed in with kibble and treats, and were also each given a bag of catnip, shaped like bottles of wine, with labels reading, 'Catbernet Sauvignon', 'Cat's Meow' Chardonnay, and 'Feline Fine Champagne'. They were greeted with enthusiasm, embraced, squeezed, pummeled, licked and chewed, each cat in a separate area of the house, as though not wanting to be shamed by each other with their shows of reckless abandon. But soon their eyes began to glaze over, and the house became quiet as they gradually succumbed to sleep. It wasn't long before Elliott and I followed suit. We all had full bellies, and the best remedy for that was a good sleep!<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNPkGzkW-Qp-OYGQZ8MZNdxtTEgTdrTWTkxEfq02QIl6t2RSF48SKQwf7Wz1PbAgHwJPKb94RQONGNJLtsCLvshhmUNp1Al58P7DkfHovOUo1Ru7h16bIVib8a7kA0vyxegfUhiPt2Cfq0nkhSp_OC6TgRg6uQK09k5RUwTfCScaUv2nqFBV4SXNZ/s4032/IMG_1352.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNPkGzkW-Qp-OYGQZ8MZNdxtTEgTdrTWTkxEfq02QIl6t2RSF48SKQwf7Wz1PbAgHwJPKb94RQONGNJLtsCLvshhmUNp1Al58P7DkfHovOUo1Ru7h16bIVib8a7kA0vyxegfUhiPt2Cfq0nkhSp_OC6TgRg6uQK09k5RUwTfCScaUv2nqFBV4SXNZ/s320/IMG_1352.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Wc9A71ccqRrOsTe7jc2x0fCXrcuOjeUIFF3PZP-zjAL4_UQRGs27Z4IQsMRB4Z8eF6qsfsjjFDbIqSTF8PmyEQvI2jZysbBHekf_7lrKPeOF3mS4SlX0VvTWvt1PNlX4rqHrUw8Ux6HzuavGiApqhH5WaHozHamzgJIQc-FPpRCv4HS8LmG3_-u/s4032/IMG_1357.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Wc9A71ccqRrOsTe7jc2x0fCXrcuOjeUIFF3PZP-zjAL4_UQRGs27Z4IQsMRB4Z8eF6qsfsjjFDbIqSTF8PmyEQvI2jZysbBHekf_7lrKPeOF3mS4SlX0VvTWvt1PNlX4rqHrUw8Ux6HzuavGiApqhH5WaHozHamzgJIQc-FPpRCv4HS8LmG3_-u/s320/IMG_1357.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YZsKwc5nlEIoghQfUcKs2N5JYmyOmLBRyc5Bpmmoo3U8Q8l7buuTVuj6kd-VRIDiDubk5oPNGRzhjQ_AaJ2TPrlIwe8b_21o0iX5xtNQfTycfeTLGQI1sRQneyYVhW-TV4-F11wlBKip66FntHyiCQSVoSB_TTWVbOcHJIc-kGo707UlhXeACuvm/s4032/IMG_1344.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YZsKwc5nlEIoghQfUcKs2N5JYmyOmLBRyc5Bpmmoo3U8Q8l7buuTVuj6kd-VRIDiDubk5oPNGRzhjQ_AaJ2TPrlIwe8b_21o0iX5xtNQfTycfeTLGQI1sRQneyYVhW-TV4-F11wlBKip66FntHyiCQSVoSB_TTWVbOcHJIc-kGo707UlhXeACuvm/s320/IMG_1344.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-17936462162520390692023-01-11T06:49:00.001-08:002023-01-11T06:49:31.640-08:00Urbexing near the Border<p>For the first time in over a year, our small group, Urbexia got back together for a trip down near the N.C. border, this time with Elliott and Rob joining us. A friend had given us a couple of locations, and we bundled into 2 cars and set off. I hadn't been urbexing since last year, so this was a welcome outing, exploring an abandoned textile factory with our little group, and hoping we'd get some photos worthy of the long car journey down there.</p><p>Luckily, we had the weather on our side; it was sunny and reasonably warm, so at least we wouldn't be getting rain drops dripping down our necks when bending over for photos. I was just ecstatic to be with the crew again. A fun day out doing what we loved, plenty of chatting to catch up on friends' lives, and of course, a beer or two at the end of the day. Perfect! We arrived at the factory, a tumbling building that was once a dye mill, built in 1929, expanded up through the 60's and then closed down in 2007. It was used for a while afterwards to store auto parts and vehicle salvage, but today we could see that the building hadn't been used for years. We could walk straight in, the floor covered with deep dead leaves and rolls of decaying fabric. Rusted machinery was floodlit by rays of sunshine pouring in through broken windows.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEiTSaVL0mGA-iUIM8754lyiKsBEzRZqnK-nTtR3YoEy6ECp5e116Zh8qdvrEUMSHC8B3i4PLEBGx9n4qXdSvnsHw0ZLBqneGSswtJ5EVLVjCifkM8LfGjUqLo2aq7f6CMgAw4BRpF_VItCkVVjAS6cNxxgl__DVQgEfyR-QQdIyFQy6h6TNBeTys/s1800/DSC04635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEiTSaVL0mGA-iUIM8754lyiKsBEzRZqnK-nTtR3YoEy6ECp5e116Zh8qdvrEUMSHC8B3i4PLEBGx9n4qXdSvnsHw0ZLBqneGSswtJ5EVLVjCifkM8LfGjUqLo2aq7f6CMgAw4BRpF_VItCkVVjAS6cNxxgl__DVQgEfyR-QQdIyFQy6h6TNBeTys/s320/DSC04635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9-bTFUMPwQav7i4U6mpJ1xePUchqLjEHxmx42JQ1Lf1iSk2PZStUxdOaaLmkAtcPsgpm7s7pwvZXC8W-H9FS76ErEVj2AGbWFaQeRBgJro1s5RXkf6rtrlkYb3zIRBjehUmlwyCmyL4Gp8M4kaV_WJ9wUrxU99HYfGBGR6achqDwqzWsqvqe060r/s1800/DSC04577.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4mppWehNN_OUgNL5ngeEbVVXDQ1_4NYat2YJjaks6FRWa1-d1PJsrbHPgqqlXmHjwhik-g_m4PPoX_4MsLvJteTB10m5ZfK4Kj1MgQ4ptmmX0wlpe-ddFLLd-5p36QbL2u32fFEAnbMqUxKnLiBs7vYE3GwX0eH6MNlQ-KWrYkDbx7s6MRCyKGMY/s1800/IMG_1244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4mppWehNN_OUgNL5ngeEbVVXDQ1_4NYat2YJjaks6FRWa1-d1PJsrbHPgqqlXmHjwhik-g_m4PPoX_4MsLvJteTB10m5ZfK4Kj1MgQ4ptmmX0wlpe-ddFLLd-5p36QbL2u32fFEAnbMqUxKnLiBs7vYE3GwX0eH6MNlQ-KWrYkDbx7s6MRCyKGMY/s320/IMG_1244.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The main production room area was a vast warehouse building that we accessed by climbing over a fallen metal roof. Vines had forced their way into the building, twisting and curling around rusting metal beams, and I was amazed to see a light bulb still intact inside a hanging lamp. The old machinery still had swathes of shredded and decomposing fabric, the sun shining through the broken threads. There were a few spools of thread in an inside room and some scattered throughout the floor, old production lines, orange with decades of rust, deep layers of debris and leaves collected on them, shattered shards of glass on the floor. The roof looked ready to cave in so we were surprised to hear knocks from above, thinking it was a raccoon or a larger animal up there, then amazed when Rob peered over the edge looking down on us. He was the only one who ventured up there. </p><p>We crept about stealthily, not making any noise, taking photos in the superb lighting. The sun really enhanced the neglected equipment, even lighting up some of the signs that still hung resolutely to the walls, their warnings now obsolete. The chill inside the old building gradually worked its way inside our jackets, and we eventually left the site to carry on our journey. We stopped at Emporia, where a beautiful building stands, the H.T. Klugel Architectural Sheet Metal Work Building. It's an impressive structure in the middle of town, worthy of a stop. The sun was behind clouds as we approached but once it emerged, the building shone, it's silver and black paint gleaming.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX66n3z30VJ3djtAf8p7PDfFDDcV7r-V7ZVtBTas0-QdAKmubZJimooRmqMMoy1ERRYcmFCMOIg0FzNZ2eu294wYg8TZN6v2Kr0ecstXcX8Z-DHW37tG9AYYwV7AC-QOvzlp46MEE4xws3cQrQljiXNhZy1AK_BVR8ODmS0BI7kU4hO6H-xUGcNft/s1800/DSC04643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX66n3z30VJ3djtAf8p7PDfFDDcV7r-V7ZVtBTas0-QdAKmubZJimooRmqMMoy1ERRYcmFCMOIg0FzNZ2eu294wYg8TZN6v2Kr0ecstXcX8Z-DHW37tG9AYYwV7AC-QOvzlp46MEE4xws3cQrQljiXNhZy1AK_BVR8ODmS0BI7kU4hO6H-xUGcNft/s320/DSC04643.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vqt-hJZc7Qa5oRibMZxurdCdQvqnZ7D1sV6R9zPj6oqJBrasbt5Tgvi9RiipMyViCYOVeP82ViB70jRxS3ycFfny-3kJhelD3CGjQnmJpIXk3ebsV0j_cCVAfNB94aHZ7wo2nIxTibyJYvAdZmYyvJDeLEALQdVvb9axkdo-oxaSonHrnvwhfiGN/s1800/DSC04644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1800" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vqt-hJZc7Qa5oRibMZxurdCdQvqnZ7D1sV6R9zPj6oqJBrasbt5Tgvi9RiipMyViCYOVeP82ViB70jRxS3ycFfny-3kJhelD3CGjQnmJpIXk3ebsV0j_cCVAfNB94aHZ7wo2nIxTibyJYvAdZmYyvJDeLEALQdVvb9axkdo-oxaSonHrnvwhfiGN/s320/DSC04644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's decorated with the firm's sheet galvanized metal, fine detail on all parts of the front facade, with an elaborate parapet, displaying the company's high quality custom work. This was built in 1914 and showcased the skills of the staff. Incidentally, Emporia comes from the Latin word, 'emporium', meaning a center of trade.</p><p>Our last photo stop of the day was another drive to an old gas station that stood in the middle of nowhere, with an abandoned diner close by.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj62ltcNtaVmdExzlxz6ZZ3iFmNKa-eExagjjx37ydCgvJ2znhlPBUvtjR2HMmkryO3ClN_mg9e_6sGpuUNmftmZ33apDtb8DYtXaGYZAfx15-NKGYL6S3NFMFJv76J4IVDtuDYceAyfzj5o_ntWj9M32nwwvllGVpowMobLClear0Z5WIYIG-9osB/s1800/DSC04661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj62ltcNtaVmdExzlxz6ZZ3iFmNKa-eExagjjx37ydCgvJ2znhlPBUvtjR2HMmkryO3ClN_mg9e_6sGpuUNmftmZ33apDtb8DYtXaGYZAfx15-NKGYL6S3NFMFJv76J4IVDtuDYceAyfzj5o_ntWj9M32nwwvllGVpowMobLClear0Z5WIYIG-9osB/s320/DSC04661.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUThikVb4IgWlAyMA4-JSlhDC_vdup2-TyAda5APJMFtkwkn74lXy7OK5EJKwMOeYWE1etdOyETkIPOFUbqaCgiBrk3RZ0z2nxMFJXQwrQlv9GJRIoRMBkv9OGvmje8C52-7ZxLRo2qVnV4rwIxTxa8al-9KNTZc8hGttM2wuVzo84Rgy9fguOZxcO/s1800/DSC04662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUThikVb4IgWlAyMA4-JSlhDC_vdup2-TyAda5APJMFtkwkn74lXy7OK5EJKwMOeYWE1etdOyETkIPOFUbqaCgiBrk3RZ0z2nxMFJXQwrQlv9GJRIoRMBkv9OGvmje8C52-7ZxLRo2qVnV4rwIxTxa8al-9KNTZc8hGttM2wuVzo84Rgy9fguOZxcO/s320/DSC04662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY-OGabG6i9k5Vj1B6eUDtustvCRO318iyqyWLtGRFpDOnXcHu5BVuSGXNNVdHGRZxwDa7WOWt51IWBqR4NXNnCmo8AqjOksugaUM3FwuQ-f7pqutToY5fXB92MgEkPd9KGUZ80rtYLQevoJpFQ4KOtOgN3e5aDyGCUxj64GlWp0RZ2zjsKxELnK0/s1800/DSC04663.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY-OGabG6i9k5Vj1B6eUDtustvCRO318iyqyWLtGRFpDOnXcHu5BVuSGXNNVdHGRZxwDa7WOWt51IWBqR4NXNnCmo8AqjOksugaUM3FwuQ-f7pqutToY5fXB92MgEkPd9KGUZ80rtYLQevoJpFQ4KOtOgN3e5aDyGCUxj64GlWp0RZ2zjsKxELnK0/s320/DSC04663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NgAqc4dfO4fzmqwuH45s7crn2SNmhllw194hdmtSbjoArp8BV5xOzBqp3Efjoz9iUE6UMyCEiasrstRUJ1pJpYK3X_nLyUxcGKl0h9_SuDbxsBx68u7lUuo9q5Qi21w8G3b97sly5kiC6y2YcJ063PVIh3djsGtbT-iQzVIcTArJz1OiP3Gt--Qa/s1800/DSC04664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NgAqc4dfO4fzmqwuH45s7crn2SNmhllw194hdmtSbjoArp8BV5xOzBqp3Efjoz9iUE6UMyCEiasrstRUJ1pJpYK3X_nLyUxcGKl0h9_SuDbxsBx68u7lUuo9q5Qi21w8G3b97sly5kiC6y2YcJ063PVIh3djsGtbT-iQzVIcTArJz1OiP3Gt--Qa/s320/DSC04664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rSzlV_Hpt-ViRzQUvR2ujkbMUohL8Fo_EpsENOF1sb_gFSOyR1dWnzs_TYTfiE8w2lt4BMTpnfQq2n6GRaz1Z6GYbJxKutmXu-XGId_d3-iR8C0n6VfqIIbwJWcKkBevKnlTqz69CNQLMtyL8Vx3ejb-i_OHZRqPWpoVDXSSy_9Whlde5KOb0DWT/s1800/DSC04665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rSzlV_Hpt-ViRzQUvR2ujkbMUohL8Fo_EpsENOF1sb_gFSOyR1dWnzs_TYTfiE8w2lt4BMTpnfQq2n6GRaz1Z6GYbJxKutmXu-XGId_d3-iR8C0n6VfqIIbwJWcKkBevKnlTqz69CNQLMtyL8Vx3ejb-i_OHZRqPWpoVDXSSy_9Whlde5KOb0DWT/s320/DSC04665.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF8TrksLQ68XYRFPneEEvtdyiTxtULaHXb0xU65t03Kp2o4AHBE2psjydVom2IQyaR92NnprPtkRa1X-fwy722P954U_LY6TwvVismLXK35DBjCRmCmILf_Kc8YGRNgSc_Qm79zjf_ZLEZowq_kX2qKZ-Ea_gnVqgpU6AHwhxxXybEM-pflGtyXH1/s1800/DSC04666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF8TrksLQ68XYRFPneEEvtdyiTxtULaHXb0xU65t03Kp2o4AHBE2psjydVom2IQyaR92NnprPtkRa1X-fwy722P954U_LY6TwvVismLXK35DBjCRmCmILf_Kc8YGRNgSc_Qm79zjf_ZLEZowq_kX2qKZ-Ea_gnVqgpU6AHwhxxXybEM-pflGtyXH1/s320/DSC04666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>A police car cruised by, eyeing us as we stood on the side of the road, but didn't stop. We wandered about the exterior of the gas station, taking a few shots, and then made our way to the diner. We could barely get inside, it was so full of junk, old cans lined up on bowed, rotting shelves, crumbling boxes filled with stuff, stacks of disentegrating magazines, and piles of bent pots and pans, glasses clouded with years of dust and grease. We managed to squeeze past the debris to enter the tiny dining area, with just a handful of booths and a few rickety bar stools before the counter. A previous photographer had staged a shot with an old menu and condiments, so I took advantage of the scene, quickly snapping off a few pictures. It was pretty dark in there, and cold. Sunlight wasn't a frequent visitor to this space. The day was beginning to dim, and with the temperature dropping, we clambered out, back to the car, and finished the afternoon at a brewery, of course, before the long drive home.<br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-68123824048172341042023-01-02T15:31:00.003-08:002023-01-02T15:34:14.684-08:00A Rendevous on the Rails with the 611<p>Just 2 days after getting back from England, we had another trip to embark on. My favorite train, the Norfolk & Western 611, was running trips up in Strasburg, PA, so I had bought tickets to ride in a carriage behind her. It had been a few years since the weekend of chasing her from Manassas to Front Royal and back again, and I'd often wondered why she hadn't repeated those runs, when the weekend had been very popular with her fans. Apparently, Norfolk and Southern who own those railroads haven't wanted to repeat the runs, for insurance reasons, so it now seems Strasburg, or Richmond, her residential home, are the only places she can currently run from, that are reasonably close to us.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwD23xzkByHaGounIMmM2dxpP_uEuf_8ukV3-9Z9z8F80zezGEbPJljfMPG6HENYPi055PzaXEYwVWrEyN-cw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><p>It was a good 3 hour journey up there, and freezing cold once we emerged from the car, with high winds buffeting us as we rushed to check in. We walked down to the platform and awaited the Queen of Steam. I was immediately covered in goosebumps and a lump welled in my throat as she slowly turned the corner, her lamp gleaming and smoke puffing up into the sky; it had been a long time since I'd seen this beautiful engine. I was so excited to actually be traveling on a beautifully restored carriage that would be pulled by her, and we soon bundled quickly aboard. Thankfully, the carriages were heated, and soon the whistle blew, steam chuffed over the roof above us, and we were off! Time turned back 100 years as we clunked along the rails, a narrative over speakers about the railroad we were traveling on.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg_07wHKhPGDpbKbw4TIvXnoW-QYsznG06oxLN_D1H1GWyNWMKBJcKRSfAz8HWYNmjFU22THWz7qHfY3eR0LMEaJ7zKG0C1JATp5lqWEAiK-YAFpS8JXrE-zuO53Jpaz3tCmNH6dsYnREFwdimVk0UuUIcqhFLMsUEO722PiWGhLQlfa5cLLsS0_j/s1800/DSC04313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg_07wHKhPGDpbKbw4TIvXnoW-QYsznG06oxLN_D1H1GWyNWMKBJcKRSfAz8HWYNmjFU22THWz7qHfY3eR0LMEaJ7zKG0C1JATp5lqWEAiK-YAFpS8JXrE-zuO53Jpaz3tCmNH6dsYnREFwdimVk0UuUIcqhFLMsUEO722PiWGhLQlfa5cLLsS0_j/s320/DSC04313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbEV_gZIDS8Ru7qhqPK93LbQMjgxgXFXiHLPn5spp6TgLHlfScBnoSm9M3ASGOjluyPaUPqtiLk5KvFhNeJxZEmxeaqsuqXedSCKO-auDui_fSrA9kYIMikUmcfCVeQhMgmF6geE3bP4I9qDvyygnDKhJd_xsFzetZIs8xQiRSz_stxMagUVyxFkB/s1800/DSC04321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbEV_gZIDS8Ru7qhqPK93LbQMjgxgXFXiHLPn5spp6TgLHlfScBnoSm9M3ASGOjluyPaUPqtiLk5KvFhNeJxZEmxeaqsuqXedSCKO-auDui_fSrA9kYIMikUmcfCVeQhMgmF6geE3bP4I9qDvyygnDKhJd_xsFzetZIs8xQiRSz_stxMagUVyxFkB/s320/DSC04321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9AYY09QiF2lj4H8i2yK99pLnuRKNBhORJce6r5p_Nkcx1wpe_ONAS-XWu96go6UtS0dU7VBS17JHhUpaK7PMnEYFJVHcgBsRMpbmjGIQGfFh5VjGQmgAkEu-MHMaoZ7R84djx6ulzLwlyPgd5Jc2PO5Gght2e8lnlRTtIpLJ_mgZ4PIK0I5jBR8o/s1800/DSC04323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9AYY09QiF2lj4H8i2yK99pLnuRKNBhORJce6r5p_Nkcx1wpe_ONAS-XWu96go6UtS0dU7VBS17JHhUpaK7PMnEYFJVHcgBsRMpbmjGIQGfFh5VjGQmgAkEu-MHMaoZ7R84djx6ulzLwlyPgd5Jc2PO5Gght2e8lnlRTtIpLJ_mgZ4PIK0I5jBR8o/s320/DSC04323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Shooting photos through the glass was a little difficult, but I wasn't too bothered. I was so enamored to finally be on a carriage being pulled by the 611 that I was quite content for a while to just look out the window and enjoy the ride. As we passed over crossings, cars were parked on the sides of roads, with spectators standing and taking photos with phones and cameras, something I had done myself the last time I saw the 611. I have to admit feeling a little smug that I was now onboard one of her carriages, but did feel a pang of pity for people being outside in the freezing cold, and then I realized that they were just as excited to be watching her pass by, just as I once been. The 475 was also running and was on the opposite track, returning to the station, as it passed by, it's reflection in the glass of our carriage creating an interesting shot. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q3iub8BxmpnjYferrFJQIx_XIVc-guXatFE4VLi9t5_SwUlCauGNBZS0j1drKiqaxZDQO8vJ1zyLbjtfYVskkcKzWPcK1iDMI3ke4RF-OMx_GWCDYJC3aC9CHLPWKX4p3liO4oQP4kH--HIGYfEAkxv6ya338KIlWvt536Z-MbL1PRiImfZniWZC/s1800/DSC04334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q3iub8BxmpnjYferrFJQIx_XIVc-guXatFE4VLi9t5_SwUlCauGNBZS0j1drKiqaxZDQO8vJ1zyLbjtfYVskkcKzWPcK1iDMI3ke4RF-OMx_GWCDYJC3aC9CHLPWKX4p3liO4oQP4kH--HIGYfEAkxv6ya338KIlWvt536Z-MbL1PRiImfZniWZC/s320/DSC04334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35Huuw6rzChsgH85AJTKkGgDstrOuL8IT79g1em--CaaIUvluzcRl_NmbsAaRbjO7ZEhparhcz8QmqAM6v-39U7SOxtl3lDU-AZjaq0UD4rCUXUNAlsgqP2AMC2NpnFWFPFKYenQOcYRiDRFJsRpucrjPhflLMyuOQ8g15BwssygSSBHbq0Qyr7yz/s4032/IMG_0841.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35Huuw6rzChsgH85AJTKkGgDstrOuL8IT79g1em--CaaIUvluzcRl_NmbsAaRbjO7ZEhparhcz8QmqAM6v-39U7SOxtl3lDU-AZjaq0UD4rCUXUNAlsgqP2AMC2NpnFWFPFKYenQOcYRiDRFJsRpucrjPhflLMyuOQ8g15BwssygSSBHbq0Qyr7yz/s320/IMG_0841.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EIGDBA2IlT6HEgxQ82dVKz7rUHGZTpKBeFZqJyH_B-K7AtO2AeRz_Zb9q1GSDqXDQ4N8fM9z4qhHeTHpYf_Tvnh6eOJAjn_7zDvif37uJ3BEd7dlzpgQs4DwucvQHYWSfdbRzUAaUUNYck9tHSyyByTL8Lj4fmBmf3jW2h5bK2yd4fEbYpOD9d59/s1800/DSC04342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EIGDBA2IlT6HEgxQ82dVKz7rUHGZTpKBeFZqJyH_B-K7AtO2AeRz_Zb9q1GSDqXDQ4N8fM9z4qhHeTHpYf_Tvnh6eOJAjn_7zDvif37uJ3BEd7dlzpgQs4DwucvQHYWSfdbRzUAaUUNYck9tHSyyByTL8Lj4fmBmf3jW2h5bK2yd4fEbYpOD9d59/s320/DSC04342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuMm-KAERdy3oOrCsjGkekUKRikGDwFBscv-soYy0trQ5Y2SYzcQBWbW9loloobjxzGqTYAj6RWoj5BSfSXKW11r9KqmitgrQnzgjDBMpb0KgjLUuSc_TbUx6QzK4ZwVdVV-epBc6PJUDie35sl-Kcy2SQJSC4IS4AtbSxsCjXXWroZLfWPwdm2qa/s1800/DSC04344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuMm-KAERdy3oOrCsjGkekUKRikGDwFBscv-soYy0trQ5Y2SYzcQBWbW9loloobjxzGqTYAj6RWoj5BSfSXKW11r9KqmitgrQnzgjDBMpb0KgjLUuSc_TbUx6QzK4ZwVdVV-epBc6PJUDie35sl-Kcy2SQJSC4IS4AtbSxsCjXXWroZLfWPwdm2qa/s320/DSC04344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP5IQaIU7Pi9_-1MtO322bsemP0GjDugxSerTy6kuKeThxAMErUwSIJl8WvSZco2CT5WVI0vBjQ12BfjDAzWdDUMqMXcnCSvrJj1ee7hr79577DyMeeyKVtKlbjZoKBWidFU8VxHh5Af1VMA2_qOJG3ECpjXaEiO9vB0boen0Fp3ASkzmW2469skB/s1800/DSC04346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP5IQaIU7Pi9_-1MtO322bsemP0GjDugxSerTy6kuKeThxAMErUwSIJl8WvSZco2CT5WVI0vBjQ12BfjDAzWdDUMqMXcnCSvrJj1ee7hr79577DyMeeyKVtKlbjZoKBWidFU8VxHh5Af1VMA2_qOJG3ECpjXaEiO9vB0boen0Fp3ASkzmW2469skB/s320/DSC04346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> I didn't take many photos on the first leg of our ride, content to just sit and watch people watching us, and enjoy the scenery with smoke billowing across the fields. At Paradise, PA, the 611 disengaged, and then rode past our carriages to hook up at the front, and perform a brake test, so she could pull us back to the station. People inside started pulling down the windows to lean out, and I followed suit, smiling as I watched people's heads and arms holding phones, leaning out to capture this huge metallic beauty pass us slowly by.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg9iI8b9jb2x0yMQaJFjfPl6IiIDRt-fEHl2Fx9BoMCvLwJULE85J_6KtdsPJCh7OZye9I5erWWH388FHVo_4d428-HoXbfz8O2qWBt--XOSWBPKH-xWi2YG6gXorOGhPXcmWZk_5dPLZvQIS58drwkLE5bi2siKyhyi5oWKZ_7CREbhiUlQVnM0z/s1800/DSC04359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg9iI8b9jb2x0yMQaJFjfPl6IiIDRt-fEHl2Fx9BoMCvLwJULE85J_6KtdsPJCh7OZye9I5erWWH388FHVo_4d428-HoXbfz8O2qWBt--XOSWBPKH-xWi2YG6gXorOGhPXcmWZk_5dPLZvQIS58drwkLE5bi2siKyhyi5oWKZ_7CREbhiUlQVnM0z/s320/DSC04359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr4Kcp9zih-QqDDvXfA3N8mMYUEvzOXHMYTJCLw4Y6x0840pY-hTc_gvjQmzTQP4has5t43xnInrFukuB-spj-4CdJX0PBZAr1YJoSj2n9sD8zJ1SXlRGHn9eUgPzvmVji6cLAFLqh-94rv1z5FtwXwMz2F4GnIevggQ3JK3UXTqxHftmrkTLMxKB/s1800/DSC04361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicr4Kcp9zih-QqDDvXfA3N8mMYUEvzOXHMYTJCLw4Y6x0840pY-hTc_gvjQmzTQP4has5t43xnInrFukuB-spj-4CdJX0PBZAr1YJoSj2n9sD8zJ1SXlRGHn9eUgPzvmVji6cLAFLqh-94rv1z5FtwXwMz2F4GnIevggQ3JK3UXTqxHftmrkTLMxKB/s320/DSC04361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcSL6NCXuZMN-O8z93hxru5ealN9QCoFKV0fmtx8SMV0CiAJdQVAUWO57FY8rPCny-iNYQKrgoEri1LDnlyrbefwdTDfAZWwvs6A8Om97zRVNX-YAoCYsn4mM4jHD4YhicgPIsec_14OmB0IecyA8vngo-WWriN_YNbfgCi1-lNq2gVZhDEjOW2v1/s1800/DSC04367.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcSL6NCXuZMN-O8z93hxru5ealN9QCoFKV0fmtx8SMV0CiAJdQVAUWO57FY8rPCny-iNYQKrgoEri1LDnlyrbefwdTDfAZWwvs6A8Om97zRVNX-YAoCYsn4mM4jHD4YhicgPIsec_14OmB0IecyA8vngo-WWriN_YNbfgCi1-lNq2gVZhDEjOW2v1/s320/DSC04367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnsLw0nZ7dvAmnMOMk2IfSjeEZv_aHwOVJWFsapAHx8hr5i6BBc6cygJniVAksbPU6ebQ2Q3xMvgKkqxEotfx3heRTo1m76uk01B4dyqlU_b30Ziex5mLwNXg6RsPJ-rQYFHOcaN19-0SZYfgph9va8pIWkDkISM7icguv5SP-sjr4QJaRhusSWdb/s1800/DSC04368.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnsLw0nZ7dvAmnMOMk2IfSjeEZv_aHwOVJWFsapAHx8hr5i6BBc6cygJniVAksbPU6ebQ2Q3xMvgKkqxEotfx3heRTo1m76uk01B4dyqlU_b30Ziex5mLwNXg6RsPJ-rQYFHOcaN19-0SZYfgph9va8pIWkDkISM7icguv5SP-sjr4QJaRhusSWdb/s320/DSC04368.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbzV010f4d8wj_l9cHpS6YLLL8-EF6x4180GNV87OfbSLK9MewFHe1Gr8TbaqovCW5QJjXkBtwuwkmHEqaEOm335V07NEndeTWuJtNngsEjwCDb4KPlBOX2CT_jAfSrgBHaYpvr_-qndrdrx_QUCFQ1z5u13_Eyi91O3tT1XIfqY9MVPvSryVyPpP/s1800/DSC04373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbzV010f4d8wj_l9cHpS6YLLL8-EF6x4180GNV87OfbSLK9MewFHe1Gr8TbaqovCW5QJjXkBtwuwkmHEqaEOm335V07NEndeTWuJtNngsEjwCDb4KPlBOX2CT_jAfSrgBHaYpvr_-qndrdrx_QUCFQ1z5u13_Eyi91O3tT1XIfqY9MVPvSryVyPpP/s320/DSC04373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Djx9zWntIYUizPvi0mFlQzv4tsrc6TmVMy312S9y55od7o6_90b7diGqkqgdR8F237Y3UUnqRzH2wmvdnsFeXgvB667ekMIK6_dWN4GZBd6emyF-WJZOoDxHlksTSk3bPa-oVF4e8b8la-cYZDZRPmC3Ol724jlZOdLiDUh9t-gmiUD7ImIKyroA/s1800/DSC04388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Djx9zWntIYUizPvi0mFlQzv4tsrc6TmVMy312S9y55od7o6_90b7diGqkqgdR8F237Y3UUnqRzH2wmvdnsFeXgvB667ekMIK6_dWN4GZBd6emyF-WJZOoDxHlksTSk3bPa-oVF4e8b8la-cYZDZRPmC3Ol724jlZOdLiDUh9t-gmiUD7ImIKyroA/s320/DSC04388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>On the way back, I asked a couple seated nearby, who I'd been chatting to, if they minded the window being open for some of the return journey, and they had no issues with me and my camera leaning out, capturing the plumes of black and white smoke as it unfurled and tumbled across the fields, swirling then evaporating. The 475 rolled by again, pulling her carriages to the point we'd just left. She is Strasburg's oldest steam locomotive, built in 1906, and the only 4-8-0 wheel configuration locomotive running in North America. 4-8-0 means 4 leading wheels on 2 axles, 8 powered wheels on 4 axles with no trailing wheels. The 611 is a 4-8-4 configuration.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yV4Ly7BEnJ3o6oIqh33O4FgjAVNA4l4pq1bzovrWckBwHv5cbDgc0SYg9zVAO9E3U4R4DRuFA6HtqxWn7aaOwNkhwbF9LxsdH9qKpbpeQ5x8Wt-MgETrEBq2skc1ZIbN4aNNXpY1J5M8quiD93UrzNUSKtqbZaSwOoR5ZSGLXBzmM2wTnB35RkJs/s1800/DSC04393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yV4Ly7BEnJ3o6oIqh33O4FgjAVNA4l4pq1bzovrWckBwHv5cbDgc0SYg9zVAO9E3U4R4DRuFA6HtqxWn7aaOwNkhwbF9LxsdH9qKpbpeQ5x8Wt-MgETrEBq2skc1ZIbN4aNNXpY1J5M8quiD93UrzNUSKtqbZaSwOoR5ZSGLXBzmM2wTnB35RkJs/s320/DSC04393.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-NcDV9BMvhGzLvc5kDUXsxJKJiuRzirFGVNaQuHgd-_z7zPbc69319DnAGdne0uBA-64xo51gVpZDsxZDNXOYnhnke2AUro4i_LNIPVcQCgCJxy0YtHHweNydFKoRxO4c0uHLlCm0E8kzTkHrpIc_QcxahSKFjsMKCIBiuDxv8m6LUonK-qz51X/s1800/DSC04397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-NcDV9BMvhGzLvc5kDUXsxJKJiuRzirFGVNaQuHgd-_z7zPbc69319DnAGdne0uBA-64xo51gVpZDsxZDNXOYnhnke2AUro4i_LNIPVcQCgCJxy0YtHHweNydFKoRxO4c0uHLlCm0E8kzTkHrpIc_QcxahSKFjsMKCIBiuDxv8m6LUonK-qz51X/s320/DSC04397.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiFQHOsC-kNM5RlxXFmEDMCPu-CrY4IJuaksHZcY7YoFh1Y3IWUCcJeOsDwYDp_BvlOo0lhcl9IAOZ7DV7xvYs_8f221W6bgy4Sygk7PlovPUN1ZvZMl8Xp8WNSgWWL2s-xg3GcvlKtVBdFjnBXMPvSX9E49WlAgVoIwOGcOTvSTBvI_SwgtRR-1l/s1800/DSC04402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiFQHOsC-kNM5RlxXFmEDMCPu-CrY4IJuaksHZcY7YoFh1Y3IWUCcJeOsDwYDp_BvlOo0lhcl9IAOZ7DV7xvYs_8f221W6bgy4Sygk7PlovPUN1ZvZMl8Xp8WNSgWWL2s-xg3GcvlKtVBdFjnBXMPvSX9E49WlAgVoIwOGcOTvSTBvI_SwgtRR-1l/s320/DSC04402.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV2umbMOKsmVU26LapPqMp1iNvCKYAfYUo7gYMOgXUnlFAgQEAkYsJi89Kh7PwHAtd-s3PvH0PhsVe9_d6OCg1nqhTb_dJO5vY9NEybPvuzJoTq8a9VSMtHq46P5txG0ZjBOPHbIfbLHtZDtXg0WLR0ArUjLCw7_HU8HpNpZ7StJXUs6-Ygz5ZZ0L/s1800/DSC04407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV2umbMOKsmVU26LapPqMp1iNvCKYAfYUo7gYMOgXUnlFAgQEAkYsJi89Kh7PwHAtd-s3PvH0PhsVe9_d6OCg1nqhTb_dJO5vY9NEybPvuzJoTq8a9VSMtHq46P5txG0ZjBOPHbIfbLHtZDtXg0WLR0ArUjLCw7_HU8HpNpZ7StJXUs6-Ygz5ZZ0L/s320/DSC04407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u-LQxYCXkDMnwlm_9K6CW-PiyobJsepotzlH0kr65vl4YWN1zueA5AHNOz2VsuzNQdN3hoodO_aO2G2jSv1PwJg_UrzKWqKHaXg5276_WDevh3ONFBb1KH4f4nkLV3QwhoQ5l6kfElxj1ygxASAYMt20GRSJi12H1l9LtOSJLJJ1kU-35_nE-Pf7/s1800/DSC04419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u-LQxYCXkDMnwlm_9K6CW-PiyobJsepotzlH0kr65vl4YWN1zueA5AHNOz2VsuzNQdN3hoodO_aO2G2jSv1PwJg_UrzKWqKHaXg5276_WDevh3ONFBb1KH4f4nkLV3QwhoQ5l6kfElxj1ygxASAYMt20GRSJi12H1l9LtOSJLJJ1kU-35_nE-Pf7/s320/DSC04419.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzbXC4KbF9e1q5kM6uBMfLTE-tZwzZ0ZLiF3qOwJ2NKXsf4j-SxD768MQ-ROssWst_G9bX9m1-g1ZrS_V9gs3ICN0h52XeF_P3j19gjlBWaB__bt82U-zSKH2soMlvqMPOyyyR1NbsJtx2v8xgn4F8Ga9HcfCnWrwUyxOK4H_j8Ufl1RxwV_4aZGW/s1800/DSC04423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzbXC4KbF9e1q5kM6uBMfLTE-tZwzZ0ZLiF3qOwJ2NKXsf4j-SxD768MQ-ROssWst_G9bX9m1-g1ZrS_V9gs3ICN0h52XeF_P3j19gjlBWaB__bt82U-zSKH2soMlvqMPOyyyR1NbsJtx2v8xgn4F8Ga9HcfCnWrwUyxOK4H_j8Ufl1RxwV_4aZGW/s320/DSC04423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLsA5h5T963MQIpU8V3sem0dJ6crzrYfEhC-eJHTLo8DdkcKZQsanmc7l4Ws_dd0yUgmVxzrk0GLpi8ohV8i_n1_zpP7i5C5dX-KcKPH4nY2DI6FUfiD-rMy1i7BhkUd8WKPYJ5CpCFl99RIk4vZlHZaFosAW5WA6VLqkRCkSIIV-9GFap6-O_tkW/s1800/DSC04428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLsA5h5T963MQIpU8V3sem0dJ6crzrYfEhC-eJHTLo8DdkcKZQsanmc7l4Ws_dd0yUgmVxzrk0GLpi8ohV8i_n1_zpP7i5C5dX-KcKPH4nY2DI6FUfiD-rMy1i7BhkUd8WKPYJ5CpCFl99RIk4vZlHZaFosAW5WA6VLqkRCkSIIV-9GFap6-O_tkW/s320/DSC04428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcazEIg-ftm6C_U0NAUegNQ03aHawiZkD6w1Iv4OgRr8NJAGr0mOigKFi4KL4pF54i1GsPhKpDtioxSzTa-7zBJgrnz2aoq7GKGu2PZQUsT2McoAmjgUCeXsiWblTHufO7rc7Z5ORoCzYkyrqABknytTacdifuGj71eDroUX2rt0AskVZ_sFoQ4xL4/s1800/DSC04431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcazEIg-ftm6C_U0NAUegNQ03aHawiZkD6w1Iv4OgRr8NJAGr0mOigKFi4KL4pF54i1GsPhKpDtioxSzTa-7zBJgrnz2aoq7GKGu2PZQUsT2McoAmjgUCeXsiWblTHufO7rc7Z5ORoCzYkyrqABknytTacdifuGj71eDroUX2rt0AskVZ_sFoQ4xL4/s320/DSC04431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgFKlLwM9rJuInK-3M6m6fxOZZz573_ne7Mkxjb1IH4XFBwFGPsS2XCOza54V0zTdrpOcD4crLCm1EGp9QiAxUfDF9QGDhYW2g8YaLk1U70e4vAGxA7gFOFOaMJNYeSvA71FOVBcmrecl9a3ZNg6NRYKmePLApWNX34Vd0oC9czgo_ZJctb_hiSt3/s1800/DSC04439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgFKlLwM9rJuInK-3M6m6fxOZZz573_ne7Mkxjb1IH4XFBwFGPsS2XCOza54V0zTdrpOcD4crLCm1EGp9QiAxUfDF9QGDhYW2g8YaLk1U70e4vAGxA7gFOFOaMJNYeSvA71FOVBcmrecl9a3ZNg6NRYKmePLApWNX34Vd0oC9czgo_ZJctb_hiSt3/s320/DSC04439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtVDCACwyYBMjZ2hrruK_KukQ80t2wFfEsUfu6_A8-r-NcvxRIhyrt-0ocJpE8ayEeDtfRqyzL7XmtGgJ_kaeaHuTLBJ2hP7HhiAaMFJoO-n51F4pwsOkKvS6UjMa9SyF2Z-LOWtrOapgm8FlvKO3XETbw-VRlRuB91op4rD5EJP8JrXolpbKGhCw/s1800/DSC04458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtVDCACwyYBMjZ2hrruK_KukQ80t2wFfEsUfu6_A8-r-NcvxRIhyrt-0ocJpE8ayEeDtfRqyzL7XmtGgJ_kaeaHuTLBJ2hP7HhiAaMFJoO-n51F4pwsOkKvS6UjMa9SyF2Z-LOWtrOapgm8FlvKO3XETbw-VRlRuB91op4rD5EJP8JrXolpbKGhCw/s320/DSC04458.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>All too quickly we were pulling into the station, our ride completed; it had only taken about 40 minutes. We clambered down quickly to run along the platform and see her at the end of the track before she began her next ride. What a beauty! What magnificence! I didn't know whether to take photos or just stand and drool. She was looking absolutely resplendent after her recent restoration. Since November 2021, she's undergone extensive boiler work, but it was plain to see she'd also had a repaint in areas. She looked brand new. I gawped at her huge shiny wheels, peered closely at her shining bell, desperately wanting to touch every part and stroke her sides, streaked with rivulets of water. I didn't know where to stand, it was impossible to take her whole length in. I strode back and forth, noticing every detail, stopping when I saw an engineer with a long rod, and discovered he was pushing ash into the hopper to avoid overheating.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCsqb6xdfHK4gI3eVQSBh1tCPF0ntqmeDIumejdofDuWPTepSoNhXsyaD_bfyhZvlsioU1ieelwtOWH6FrIlhxPzpCJ4VUDDip6KkoZjoSDy_tFJs17i5YWRwrE3c_CWmT_QRf3sybtbRC-OjO5JrF8DOiLZCpXrcKj_wEdCDOznAUMxO4g0sbBwY/s1800/DSC04475.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCsqb6xdfHK4gI3eVQSBh1tCPF0ntqmeDIumejdofDuWPTepSoNhXsyaD_bfyhZvlsioU1ieelwtOWH6FrIlhxPzpCJ4VUDDip6KkoZjoSDy_tFJs17i5YWRwrE3c_CWmT_QRf3sybtbRC-OjO5JrF8DOiLZCpXrcKj_wEdCDOznAUMxO4g0sbBwY/s320/DSC04475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6jXE2BSE9dlohH6uJknAZ7kyCOA5wChbkIaObrqrRD085DPbgCqeKlqf9BokDbQ3IfilHf9vbg0yqMXcrtUqF7xQ6eRV4wXro8F_AbsMMueV6fuwxEYaXcg2EvudiXWred1l3Sew74YfBI3NgzfRqbiwvZwGHO1I3gccdzwb6GK963DxH59JWRfx/s1800/DSC04500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6jXE2BSE9dlohH6uJknAZ7kyCOA5wChbkIaObrqrRD085DPbgCqeKlqf9BokDbQ3IfilHf9vbg0yqMXcrtUqF7xQ6eRV4wXro8F_AbsMMueV6fuwxEYaXcg2EvudiXWred1l3Sew74YfBI3NgzfRqbiwvZwGHO1I3gccdzwb6GK963DxH59JWRfx/s320/DSC04500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_1UGh7245GkdEhL_Iy0H3XqlmnRv6ADsdWhP7Hf4eUoCcEMV2vIwufc0Hty7hThARNpp3VPMe5MEaKNJ-o-hDNT1iVBYhomNsJ2RFN9JHFbqHhhOwSHmCq1NUb7pbZDRYhyOYWTXzoffqsDLaP8ZRrUw3d4GWzJgaZcMm4LeCC1Cz_kB5J2cURqC/s1800/DSC04510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_1UGh7245GkdEhL_Iy0H3XqlmnRv6ADsdWhP7Hf4eUoCcEMV2vIwufc0Hty7hThARNpp3VPMe5MEaKNJ-o-hDNT1iVBYhomNsJ2RFN9JHFbqHhhOwSHmCq1NUb7pbZDRYhyOYWTXzoffqsDLaP8ZRrUw3d4GWzJgaZcMm4LeCC1Cz_kB5J2cURqC/s320/DSC04510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0sbSw5ZVx_KyXyaDsZ9arcZxiKy4Khi5UWbW_lZumMJVo7_-G8Q6lRrfAs4WLz9oEmLKkAuSN7T6UcSCQbsS4jKgztopTJvegoC4oDcdV1yEBMyV3dZ50mFHUzft_pqVCj45MF5K_89SxI9CGkyIVgCc7SrGgDsHxOorhPBCnmqEV8mwxUI8sr9J/s1800/DSC04519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0sbSw5ZVx_KyXyaDsZ9arcZxiKy4Khi5UWbW_lZumMJVo7_-G8Q6lRrfAs4WLz9oEmLKkAuSN7T6UcSCQbsS4jKgztopTJvegoC4oDcdV1yEBMyV3dZ50mFHUzft_pqVCj45MF5K_89SxI9CGkyIVgCc7SrGgDsHxOorhPBCnmqEV8mwxUI8sr9J/s320/DSC04519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWg_0Fi3ycI9wvFj7O8JZ_gbls9R65GT9vdSKglL4iP0xsYUZ4fXvv9NolqUvY1m_wLlaCVuGuiy-HO3n8OKFfQEKmU6z6UHXoS8UF1ZuXTHAhHh6PVWSaWbWhuO1tNW2KE4jmRax8xehGTWVltclNJaLR34XW5ZzvZ0dzs-a9S-HK0yb3FpfHK7W/s3207/IMG_0843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3207" data-original-width="2405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWg_0Fi3ycI9wvFj7O8JZ_gbls9R65GT9vdSKglL4iP0xsYUZ4fXvv9NolqUvY1m_wLlaCVuGuiy-HO3n8OKFfQEKmU6z6UHXoS8UF1ZuXTHAhHh6PVWSaWbWhuO1tNW2KE4jmRax8xehGTWVltclNJaLR34XW5ZzvZ0dzs-a9S-HK0yb3FpfHK7W/s320/IMG_0843.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV2ou0XNe3KG_LDAbPtdeeYWFlvShTBYqvxFPP5wVaP3_K2fhlBANV7JpGJD3fqiUYMCVrS52LpXAT8ANSsE7H4KbRToBde5khsJoU1SkXZd7x5_dAsY3u-OeVoScIVDrDcA-dg8izoieynmKlBhi3BYT-NoldsciE7gsOth7-JEZgWaXaSTmg_ev/s4032/IMG_0862.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV2ou0XNe3KG_LDAbPtdeeYWFlvShTBYqvxFPP5wVaP3_K2fhlBANV7JpGJD3fqiUYMCVrS52LpXAT8ANSsE7H4KbRToBde5khsJoU1SkXZd7x5_dAsY3u-OeVoScIVDrDcA-dg8izoieynmKlBhi3BYT-NoldsciE7gsOth7-JEZgWaXaSTmg_ev/s320/IMG_0862.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We waited for her to return from the next ride, just so we could watch her pull into the station again, and this time I focused on the front of her, that huge beautiful black face, streaked with steam, shiny after her workout. I had to force myself to take photos, I just wanted to gawp. I looked at those passengers that had paid extra to actually be in the cab, and help with shoveling steam, blowing the whistle, or just sitting and relishing the ride from a different perspective. Next year, I will do that, if she runs again.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQX8jpuD0E-mQBAtgXJFYOsKapaS9xWg6F8yb-VS5KVEM-eHXK29DVVVKeuGvNbn484yZSYJt3S6Q0LvLfpDJ22lD8pgn0jNPRJnjqjfDvXXuvsl9gCjt2jtha_3MFA3EgYaA8s1pnK-YvEyZcwGCHNlWkyjyahmydNXxBELn0lioXuTUCQ7fxtII/s1800/DSC04526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQX8jpuD0E-mQBAtgXJFYOsKapaS9xWg6F8yb-VS5KVEM-eHXK29DVVVKeuGvNbn484yZSYJt3S6Q0LvLfpDJ22lD8pgn0jNPRJnjqjfDvXXuvsl9gCjt2jtha_3MFA3EgYaA8s1pnK-YvEyZcwGCHNlWkyjyahmydNXxBELn0lioXuTUCQ7fxtII/s320/DSC04526.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2HETP04IqmhUMRpLlpktWi7S4k-2meKqeCnNfhf7zaVLo8MB-95JE6DiaNMH09acAN7lb0c8lx4LDQll1qXRIs4pqTDAP-CElwXIJfDkMXbJksUwtkvgnmhH0Tyh4MIfVpEi6M4XBIREYPdn9SgSblkrsrRJ9oqQAGxcICLCsQw3gJokrF9K-LXm/s1800/DSC04530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2HETP04IqmhUMRpLlpktWi7S4k-2meKqeCnNfhf7zaVLo8MB-95JE6DiaNMH09acAN7lb0c8lx4LDQll1qXRIs4pqTDAP-CElwXIJfDkMXbJksUwtkvgnmhH0Tyh4MIfVpEi6M4XBIREYPdn9SgSblkrsrRJ9oqQAGxcICLCsQw3gJokrF9K-LXm/s320/DSC04530.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlFLXqF41OzM4mcX58EsyKC3IwdDoMrMEE2fxcqRcqdNSWXRBgMcywQC851M_EDn9EKVmWqen2bbhfGXE-MHxDasuOqk_NX_W3vcRtZIPzbancfj8fqcwLcW0VfHzm3nvlxXL1cDk1uG2xj68gWi0gtW3mV_bxKmLYxDhgWo2h3z0FvOX_NWSqhX_/s1800/DSC04492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlFLXqF41OzM4mcX58EsyKC3IwdDoMrMEE2fxcqRcqdNSWXRBgMcywQC851M_EDn9EKVmWqen2bbhfGXE-MHxDasuOqk_NX_W3vcRtZIPzbancfj8fqcwLcW0VfHzm3nvlxXL1cDk1uG2xj68gWi0gtW3mV_bxKmLYxDhgWo2h3z0FvOX_NWSqhX_/s320/DSC04492.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcw7DFfOMZxVS8IJV5CxW8S5IYjGjCj4XLwN7mYrfxVAYliyE-ZBCfcmPsdys6_nITF9HZ2c37VYzxVkXijcZ6rbBLQgjVSpTmJFBKDi5P6J0hcSsGNq7lkkPFoxAxcFSjz_VOPhRy23gQ0XVP6dhscrG4qSQinDE9y3Tp70oY0uj_MKYoB9V01Wn/s1800/DSC04541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcw7DFfOMZxVS8IJV5CxW8S5IYjGjCj4XLwN7mYrfxVAYliyE-ZBCfcmPsdys6_nITF9HZ2c37VYzxVkXijcZ6rbBLQgjVSpTmJFBKDi5P6J0hcSsGNq7lkkPFoxAxcFSjz_VOPhRy23gQ0XVP6dhscrG4qSQinDE9y3Tp70oY0uj_MKYoB9V01Wn/s320/DSC04541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I walked up and down, and back again, and then once she'd hooted a farewell as she pulled her latest load of adoring fans down the track, we decided to have a wander around the museum, more to warm up than anything.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-cOncqLTLwbxMVDKD1xy35Z6ECYME6L1nBhxuJzk52i4W3fr5bPxY0t2WGjudD62t-WGe_mrsSm0EaWu7d8CNaFMbT44vpqN22g6RYkmJ9WiWCRicYBctfXWXHiV_XOGzeE94H3Rzpc5TlwMORPRe5NlnQxvLHpNXfNrJJpVQyzPpyHlIdMbVbXt/s1800/DSC04558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-cOncqLTLwbxMVDKD1xy35Z6ECYME6L1nBhxuJzk52i4W3fr5bPxY0t2WGjudD62t-WGe_mrsSm0EaWu7d8CNaFMbT44vpqN22g6RYkmJ9WiWCRicYBctfXWXHiV_XOGzeE94H3Rzpc5TlwMORPRe5NlnQxvLHpNXfNrJJpVQyzPpyHlIdMbVbXt/s320/DSC04558.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GLl_JCWWLl4TR54mkVgrVeCMyhzB4LkWzhl_JghT5CAu7s4mRtdVbJgl0xzkHzQNf2psKgl4G80IJQm6MO5KuADkzzt-l7tNv4BuiMmZIN8xc0LHqSovj7oPphj6VZMNw2U0bm4UCUjHl8C6jrloc1gVUEsTQjQ_LOJ8ac4dayw6hYMJVMUaPV8c/s4032/IMG_0867.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GLl_JCWWLl4TR54mkVgrVeCMyhzB4LkWzhl_JghT5CAu7s4mRtdVbJgl0xzkHzQNf2psKgl4G80IJQm6MO5KuADkzzt-l7tNv4BuiMmZIN8xc0LHqSovj7oPphj6VZMNw2U0bm4UCUjHl8C6jrloc1gVUEsTQjQ_LOJ8ac4dayw6hYMJVMUaPV8c/s320/IMG_0867.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrqi5wLf9f5B6J5S4IwjTYOHzfyZ-81f6-nomvRYM6QwPM7d-s4jBU-I4OXgQLa54Y3-0Ko_8E6ouGldAzH72OuHgPCTZWZEIDWlLhn2GF1pS4THSRAYtOKlZzGgesOFZ4dOCE2hmTe5zSAgwdflKRCUev94Vv1z87YSNG2-dIrcpQQJKvjvjvXXi/s1800/DSC04560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrqi5wLf9f5B6J5S4IwjTYOHzfyZ-81f6-nomvRYM6QwPM7d-s4jBU-I4OXgQLa54Y3-0Ko_8E6ouGldAzH72OuHgPCTZWZEIDWlLhn2GF1pS4THSRAYtOKlZzGgesOFZ4dOCE2hmTe5zSAgwdflKRCUev94Vv1z87YSNG2-dIrcpQQJKvjvjvXXi/s320/DSC04560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOD-E8gq9-S8bwVF9f_R90QsG3e2NUa9CtbGCCUxkrb9DjxmMUkcUx_a2m_mk46t8NMTzH2RoK06MpDNHxwypHa11lDbKFmVgqwIWMZ7IOOqyFjyAC4q-EuslkEekrtuP9vO3JhSdFUlflLcU0JUpUDmMkK6VyZrVWPQ6YT9bv_lQIcyZ4ajALXzZq/s320/DSC04482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfEfHx_onJ22ECg6bGIzQrxVtJM2roNufwOhpe0ftvFvskLyxGp8kIlnL8OKo5WXZkOm93S4kiswTHVmEK9Mxj2YLoWa8deri1Nuo-jxJXBdl9AvlYK7oY029VBOZk8I9f66oJpgeS07mZAwpqteZXSCJZgWAUWH98dcX_aaRCME2M76MyCe-eYz9/s1800/DSC04565.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfEfHx_onJ22ECg6bGIzQrxVtJM2roNufwOhpe0ftvFvskLyxGp8kIlnL8OKo5WXZkOm93S4kiswTHVmEK9Mxj2YLoWa8deri1Nuo-jxJXBdl9AvlYK7oY029VBOZk8I9f66oJpgeS07mZAwpqteZXSCJZgWAUWH98dcX_aaRCME2M76MyCe-eYz9/s320/DSC04565.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEun9GigB_--He8_i2bFJ8uLBj9UINd_SPagCiwVq-X7d5OjOd1kpDnC2H2AvrW82N3GrfS8gHgK7Qqs49gpNL7u-53auexkg8K7YGWvQc0d-gsk3xdG-uUNwx_a574nnXaaVpiMc3TYjmJQWJ815vDN6BswDJu-Pk3i8SYDY9eUD7VwiBEm5ZLDg/s1800/DSC04566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEun9GigB_--He8_i2bFJ8uLBj9UINd_SPagCiwVq-X7d5OjOd1kpDnC2H2AvrW82N3GrfS8gHgK7Qqs49gpNL7u-53auexkg8K7YGWvQc0d-gsk3xdG-uUNwx_a574nnXaaVpiMc3TYjmJQWJ815vDN6BswDJu-Pk3i8SYDY9eUD7VwiBEm5ZLDg/s320/DSC04566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoD36BaALxB_zohJG7wu6IKCZtZ9igcLBydWvyE1UEYXwKgIAHRXyxSaxgbsdIIvfOgQtGmTjvLQhBVDzPWjp_s8DWNLgbgzhFv0JZwTReQH4mQNKVkUob0F3aPvvrezzqcijS4P7_i5fYPPUk0XbxaGLMi4jf9cS8Sy0U85YwgQdg-WrzFP2g7a3/s1800/DSC04570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoD36BaALxB_zohJG7wu6IKCZtZ9igcLBydWvyE1UEYXwKgIAHRXyxSaxgbsdIIvfOgQtGmTjvLQhBVDzPWjp_s8DWNLgbgzhFv0JZwTReQH4mQNKVkUob0F3aPvvrezzqcijS4P7_i5fYPPUk0XbxaGLMi4jf9cS8Sy0U85YwgQdg-WrzFP2g7a3/s320/DSC04570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>There were some gorgeous engines inside the museum, and an impressive model railway, but I was more interested in the trains outside than inside, massive bolt laden hulks, waiting to be restored, patiently waiting their turn out in all weather.<br /></p><p>After strolling around outside for about 10 minutes, we succumbed to the cold, and decided to leave. The winds were freezing, it was so blustery, and my eyes were constantly streaming. We walked back to where our car was parked and chatted with an older gentleman, who turned out to be a mechanic who had worked on the 611. He told us that the chief engineer who's worked on her since the 70's was here today, and I told him of my ardent love for this locomotive. He smiled and said that since I was a genuine fan he had a small gift for me. He pulled out from the inside of his jacket a scrunched up cluster of tissues and carefully unwrapped them, pulling out a small chunk of coal, which he said had come from her tender. I was overwhelmed with his gift and gave him a huge hug. Elliott had got me a lovely 611 badge, and these 2 souvenirs went behind glass when I got home.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4NqPqsDhFeFQ4RZXzJYivu50dsHl8pwhNZLPqtMTypNn5Nh5Q3Ow39RdKtDJ1iPxsYVrrk23JldbfDDaYmuM7iu0Fsa-vULcAWeK6L34yyP5PykKEkqHmAYYEpA_nCxW_0XSLeVcGqGWVoFWEf-DEiGytx9_WtQ8IyoGXZ1dDLb-zbsjQ9oq9jOn/s2693/IMG_0891.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="2693" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4NqPqsDhFeFQ4RZXzJYivu50dsHl8pwhNZLPqtMTypNn5Nh5Q3Ow39RdKtDJ1iPxsYVrrk23JldbfDDaYmuM7iu0Fsa-vULcAWeK6L34yyP5PykKEkqHmAYYEpA_nCxW_0XSLeVcGqGWVoFWEf-DEiGytx9_WtQ8IyoGXZ1dDLb-zbsjQ9oq9jOn/s320/IMG_0891.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lq-ykBMHBw6BJld1Gf5uRlkkCCgfTi6o2iefjSH8dLgZlyitgYcpgGadCvkqdqK0dKtPCu3_Wy_l2lZuXlfHMCKs-LXK5uHVHo6uHIOpKcUtpF2CvW8h0LPrjRtRjRVSbOUMIfL8p9nAdrSsKANKlmNgwXKMSsqKh_VqIPXey5OvMKDdkaueCz0T/s1800/DSC04524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lq-ykBMHBw6BJld1Gf5uRlkkCCgfTi6o2iefjSH8dLgZlyitgYcpgGadCvkqdqK0dKtPCu3_Wy_l2lZuXlfHMCKs-LXK5uHVHo6uHIOpKcUtpF2CvW8h0LPrjRtRjRVSbOUMIfL8p9nAdrSsKANKlmNgwXKMSsqKh_VqIPXey5OvMKDdkaueCz0T/s320/DSC04524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Nightwaterproject.com posted <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SswWegwi0wI" target="_blank">this video of the ride, </a>if you'd like to follow along. There's also shots of the trains entering the station. And the last photo was my favorite of the day, reminding me of a dog that's done well and is being rewarded with a treat. She did well! Roll on next year for another ride!<br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-48588778464470114792022-12-22T14:22:00.002-08:002022-12-22T14:28:58.894-08:00The Ancient Allure of the New Forest<p>And all of a sudden, it was the last day to spend out in the English countryside. Tomorrow would be the trip back to America. We'd seen so many beautiful coastlines, ancient buildings and scenic countryside, and today we would spend a few hours in an ancient woodland, and here in Dorset is the New Forest. It's called that because 1000 years ago William the Conqueror spent a lot of time hunting in this area, it was 'new', to him, and 'forest' meant a hunting area. Much of the New Forest is actually open moorland, reminding me of North Yorkshire, but the area I was particularly interested in today was the actual forest part, which contains the highest concentration of ancient trees in western Europe, ancient meaning 400 years or older, although some are much older.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlLCCEzR0uyTbHb2WlhB4gtauiwu4zEvnu5R2qVhpwOiL81lDrU-DCmIMhyQBDJ1IVHCLpem-P07d9ckyyV0j2HPz-Y1e2p-3E7nyJtu87tHrNCsQA8URRqLLHDZd1nyhzvLp8x6t_NX3gWRgBzinLGRJU09y4r64D9vhxZln3TjlBjo_CiS9905s/s1800/DSC04250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlLCCEzR0uyTbHb2WlhB4gtauiwu4zEvnu5R2qVhpwOiL81lDrU-DCmIMhyQBDJ1IVHCLpem-P07d9ckyyV0j2HPz-Y1e2p-3E7nyJtu87tHrNCsQA8URRqLLHDZd1nyhzvLp8x6t_NX3gWRgBzinLGRJU09y4r64D9vhxZln3TjlBjo_CiS9905s/s320/DSC04250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8Pt48liM0F9_0YF_xFampLluhMbl7sD5yIRiY3un2j2VVLSt4xKyr3zD7HA2MbMJAeabG2zxVnmxfawnoswrOY-tDdLX9-aY-IelY5DaeQT7Rbo1s6EUx1CpwXGYytFxwUJYpx3qzY1ZtV8Q1ULRkZC-35WUN1c3Fc6fzpM5d2rHGmaJVkQphwNU/s1800/DSC04251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8Pt48liM0F9_0YF_xFampLluhMbl7sD5yIRiY3un2j2VVLSt4xKyr3zD7HA2MbMJAeabG2zxVnmxfawnoswrOY-tDdLX9-aY-IelY5DaeQT7Rbo1s6EUx1CpwXGYytFxwUJYpx3qzY1ZtV8Q1ULRkZC-35WUN1c3Fc6fzpM5d2rHGmaJVkQphwNU/s320/DSC04251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD6AYyFB4TlN1VYf_LiB4cX6nJMGhtY_mkkfpxRDGGcjMswd9qxaqu7dXVFvRqN5YE5MnEO-lXCSm2AmvPvFl4UsNaMRP9JdYsw1zxYYBFzoybhnVvzyplbE-QKOzyU3UpT_KszfNzyqeKfy9WeOqbSNw6kG3jElxWiyFGCyEnqccrmSKB4x7uOLh/s1800/DSC04253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD6AYyFB4TlN1VYf_LiB4cX6nJMGhtY_mkkfpxRDGGcjMswd9qxaqu7dXVFvRqN5YE5MnEO-lXCSm2AmvPvFl4UsNaMRP9JdYsw1zxYYBFzoybhnVvzyplbE-QKOzyU3UpT_KszfNzyqeKfy9WeOqbSNw6kG3jElxWiyFGCyEnqccrmSKB4x7uOLh/s320/DSC04253.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>Although cold, the day was sunny, with shafts of sunlight spearing the leafy canopies overhead, puddling the forest floor, which was dense with thick leaves, moss and lichen. The ferns looked magical in this light, rusty fronds curled over, as though catching the rays of sun and then throwing them back up into the air, creating a blanket of orange.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaWpRG81mIusFmrySEWyj4WViJu2ChJgCPz8la132P12YOvqozuIPU-RDE4DwbToCccsSdGEXZYfvq9RHtwAFR8fKLPel9zuBl6P4oL-kPDSieLQrPv6XC0co1EdodkZH5_MdMJr5eaA6w8dKiPnNJVztN7rdqovBPCJu0XAMCYizLgYqpYnE73v0/s4032/IMG_0756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaWpRG81mIusFmrySEWyj4WViJu2ChJgCPz8la132P12YOvqozuIPU-RDE4DwbToCccsSdGEXZYfvq9RHtwAFR8fKLPel9zuBl6P4oL-kPDSieLQrPv6XC0co1EdodkZH5_MdMJr5eaA6w8dKiPnNJVztN7rdqovBPCJu0XAMCYizLgYqpYnE73v0/s320/IMG_0756.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0grXOgW7kmrpJyenVp_du238eGuV4ULVBGORy2fsmMmF2x5C7uyUuRN8fUyp--ZrSB7FKHkXHD26sfJvWa2KrHcJdoy8EvJ6GR4jNe7lrHRqxqJwqJT9lvO-LvePryQLXMLv_7ID50wL4_DH8WuKUAqYZs3C3zq9O_uUnjNYoCWZAyD6WeP3_is4/s1800/DSC04266.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0grXOgW7kmrpJyenVp_du238eGuV4ULVBGORy2fsmMmF2x5C7uyUuRN8fUyp--ZrSB7FKHkXHD26sfJvWa2KrHcJdoy8EvJ6GR4jNe7lrHRqxqJwqJT9lvO-LvePryQLXMLv_7ID50wL4_DH8WuKUAqYZs3C3zq9O_uUnjNYoCWZAyD6WeP3_is4/s320/DSC04266.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6ef5FapjXxzRjUSiCYKrl9Q5S0iIdpg-RAyJV0oqPYI6cTGTH42Z9_9JIWpJADgcMUeMgKwxO2geqx9Aur2PkkQqGN5pYHfZMEkQ6pi9kWQOxupkPIPNch-XB58uP-RxmGdR5fnM-8FLq_itd36Cz9Uu1f27-UpyfcdppuA2sn9mxrr0HgJGF2M3/s1800/DSC04273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6ef5FapjXxzRjUSiCYKrl9Q5S0iIdpg-RAyJV0oqPYI6cTGTH42Z9_9JIWpJADgcMUeMgKwxO2geqx9Aur2PkkQqGN5pYHfZMEkQ6pi9kWQOxupkPIPNch-XB58uP-RxmGdR5fnM-8FLq_itd36Cz9Uu1f27-UpyfcdppuA2sn9mxrr0HgJGF2M3/s320/DSC04273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>And of course, no trip to the New Forest would be complete without seeing the ponies, which have been present since earliest times, and are largely responsible for the moors landscape, which would soon become overgrown with scrub without their grazing. Of course, after all these years of freedom in the forest, the ponies are completely indifferent to humans. There are strict laws about not feeding them, but a small group had wandered into a car park, discovering some discarded sandwiches on top of a rubbish bin, likely left for birds, and set to, demolishing the lot, completely ignoring us spectators, and a couple of men, who were trying to get to the parking meter for a ticket. The ponies on the moors were equally aloof and distant, ignoring all my groveling greetings and exorbitant compliments, sauntering past as though I didn't even exist, it was quite hurtful.<br /></p><p>We were looking out particularly for the mustached variety, ponies I'd seen on my last trip with wonderfully excessive handlebar-shaped lip rugs that were stunning to behold.<a href="http://newforestcommoner.co.uk/2014/11/25/new-forest-ponies-with-moustaches/" target="_blank"> I found an interesting article on them here.</a> But, unfortunately, even though we drove down quite a few roads, the mo-ponies were nowhere to be found.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWQMsULXWdh8uOUwE97WNTbBcVAjIyylX1elRKyd1jq7cidgaAuKuE1MjXpZG1StczCFbXFF1Wrwt7EzxAfEDxRwtNgWETqTPzB0hfW4lk6TrDL_6Akk8I0j-KEmevL_7eAgqmgIAgzlFoBlxJTc5JAJthnVVLbPLxohUVMl5j9kFJcNavGzNZZWN/s1800/DSC04272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWQMsULXWdh8uOUwE97WNTbBcVAjIyylX1elRKyd1jq7cidgaAuKuE1MjXpZG1StczCFbXFF1Wrwt7EzxAfEDxRwtNgWETqTPzB0hfW4lk6TrDL_6Akk8I0j-KEmevL_7eAgqmgIAgzlFoBlxJTc5JAJthnVVLbPLxohUVMl5j9kFJcNavGzNZZWN/s320/DSC04272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGhlOKzWKUpgEIoFvF4l3NGBr9gX8edXCbCqOzRVCryh2br10H5LJPKywF2MIPetn4QWAcaSwafzSXWrpx1cnRJer2C70bbp2HuCvf6QV07iEX58RLUc0tZGD81pTFt7BZGGnvrLU0TVr-6AbMLGCYyMvCpSR53S7K3iFSay2bwQqjQREtvT6wSv_/s1800/DSC04271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGhlOKzWKUpgEIoFvF4l3NGBr9gX8edXCbCqOzRVCryh2br10H5LJPKywF2MIPetn4QWAcaSwafzSXWrpx1cnRJer2C70bbp2HuCvf6QV07iEX58RLUc0tZGD81pTFt7BZGGnvrLU0TVr-6AbMLGCYyMvCpSR53S7K3iFSay2bwQqjQREtvT6wSv_/s320/DSC04271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn6nVr7YnhMVOfQpHFbVULh-dLxZ15ztDLwjaIQU98zRYYyJbrrxzE-P2PYSrOO3JNRyQLsV7rXyyo-_pYMU8tLUevggLxkNURf5yx8pfldlVsMaXJoU804QfcSOPd_32zdpx70pF5yYIjnFEBhWe9dL_zeTuLvveaKJetB24Hl226dqGT2ZtSDuF/s3505/IMG_0751.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="3505" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn6nVr7YnhMVOfQpHFbVULh-dLxZ15ztDLwjaIQU98zRYYyJbrrxzE-P2PYSrOO3JNRyQLsV7rXyyo-_pYMU8tLUevggLxkNURf5yx8pfldlVsMaXJoU804QfcSOPd_32zdpx70pF5yYIjnFEBhWe9dL_zeTuLvveaKJetB24Hl226dqGT2ZtSDuF/s320/IMG_0751.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X-y_yi2v6NzVb7qZI_UoRqXWoRgVi5iodinBIE8cAaPCTJIR5xeYz77GfKSuyjETLgpT-pxgJDI7VFq6B2LQvqfUW4tuEwXvduZa6DGJtmQhi2K5n6y2JvOCokpuTAdrDxnDltgsHr2KXT1i9He2ryKelPvV8hNSVbihwIFuZAvUqzn89xuNL8zz/s4032/IMG_0757.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X-y_yi2v6NzVb7qZI_UoRqXWoRgVi5iodinBIE8cAaPCTJIR5xeYz77GfKSuyjETLgpT-pxgJDI7VFq6B2LQvqfUW4tuEwXvduZa6DGJtmQhi2K5n6y2JvOCokpuTAdrDxnDltgsHr2KXT1i9He2ryKelPvV8hNSVbihwIFuZAvUqzn89xuNL8zz/s320/IMG_0757.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The gorgeous forest moors were with scattered flashes of bright yellow from the last blooms of the gorse. Ponies were plentiful in areas, some basking in the afternoon sun, while others were taking casual strolls along the roads, mindless of traffic, since they have the right of way. Even though the speed limit is 40mph, there are still accidents where ponies are injured or killed, and this, unfortunately, seems to be an increasing issue.</p><p>The woodland areas are my favorite part, with many large oak trees, beeches and holly. The beech and oak was once used by the Royal Navy for ship building in the later 18th century, including Nelson's ship, HMS Agamemnon, which fought in the Battle of Trafalgar. There's no restrictions on where you can walk in the forest, and while we wandered about we had our area completely to ourselves, not seeing a single soul.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak9OBri4KHlmUbsdq09ygJGcznxOPbPyVds4UnB48DSGH4djDb1XtsbLFcHL0MByr3eu38LSNfEp84jgewouuOxtzvVND2KgcZF4ElpYAdCkSARMNiM06I-EOdRG_NMsPxArFdgUPzIy-eqwb6KcHDfu4lKWDKGy6i__WRAwPNgWBJ1MA5SZAFVcf/s4032/IMG_0759.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak9OBri4KHlmUbsdq09ygJGcznxOPbPyVds4UnB48DSGH4djDb1XtsbLFcHL0MByr3eu38LSNfEp84jgewouuOxtzvVND2KgcZF4ElpYAdCkSARMNiM06I-EOdRG_NMsPxArFdgUPzIy-eqwb6KcHDfu4lKWDKGy6i__WRAwPNgWBJ1MA5SZAFVcf/s320/IMG_0759.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzaTUXjL4z4YLPAryYrQy_x04kghSVvnmZdXwHbHX5-uH6nqRXqjqatzpBuJGtCfS747dE4lay3klb5OhnpI1CBXSfUo3nEo7FCud6zOjALqqx2oC14x1eHmS6y2XPLRs93x8v4SGLp7GUj6zKamWpuUJyHrKZ9VbBrCINLxGfwnZhBjc112xPstw/s1800/DSC04303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzaTUXjL4z4YLPAryYrQy_x04kghSVvnmZdXwHbHX5-uH6nqRXqjqatzpBuJGtCfS747dE4lay3klb5OhnpI1CBXSfUo3nEo7FCud6zOjALqqx2oC14x1eHmS6y2XPLRs93x8v4SGLp7GUj6zKamWpuUJyHrKZ9VbBrCINLxGfwnZhBjc112xPstw/s320/DSC04303.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVMdyOY6F9uD9-LUw8QMuMzkBVy_WIAaA2nJ8MwBFXbDJCDIXu1m_23VUG4MCT_KpVVn5R1IiCtNXOif0Mvk-t9wD_4QACzM_kOwmnMSTJzaGqZX1m0iD8oURVXlSkz6PdRlcebAEQ__Fweygfzp7xME7uKoWd2ANvcetjt9iP49JtIAtahz8KGON/s1800/DSC04309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVMdyOY6F9uD9-LUw8QMuMzkBVy_WIAaA2nJ8MwBFXbDJCDIXu1m_23VUG4MCT_KpVVn5R1IiCtNXOif0Mvk-t9wD_4QACzM_kOwmnMSTJzaGqZX1m0iD8oURVXlSkz6PdRlcebAEQ__Fweygfzp7xME7uKoWd2ANvcetjt9iP49JtIAtahz8KGON/s320/DSC04309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> Some old trees had fallen, their crumbling trunks becoming an ecosystem of their own, rotting bark carpeted with thick emerald moss. The recent rains had encouraged some interesting mushroom growths on some of the decaying trees, but these were past their prime when I photographed them. It was an incredible feeling to walk through these trees, knowing this area looked almost the same as it had 1000 years ago when William the Conqueror went hunting here. Fallen trees are left in place, providing habitat for smaller animals and insects, and even create small dams in the streams, which provide shelter for fish and other freshwater life. Old trees which are dying are left to fall naturally, since their 'branch death' still provides invaluable sources of food and shelter for creatures, and they can still stand for many years despite their inevitable demise. The forest floor was dense with mosses and soggy fallen leaves, it was like walking on a plush carpet, albeit a little soggy in areas. The air was filled with the scent of rich earth and decaying trees, and with the deep silence, it felt almost mythical. You could sense the centuries that had passed here with little interruption, and feel the magic of it. With the occasional sunlight beaming into the glades, I almost expected to turn around and see a unicorn standing in a clearing, or catch a glimpse of William himself sauntering through the trees with his bow..<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-NUj1WHlInIDLfSrR9MjI4ZQd4o3pWesmKwBlHToMBvWKOQiz-TDwiA-3HIoJHGIkeVcNQwSRdqYZBmreU7yYS0XCjPnNUc4JljkPzrdF82cT24XoFpnLI9RQgh5iIRwWzNuSjkq5jhq1n-V9GPfbIbbRqvgAgpOQT3yFT0fb3HC4ffixcQuuaRX/s4032/IMG_0767.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-NUj1WHlInIDLfSrR9MjI4ZQd4o3pWesmKwBlHToMBvWKOQiz-TDwiA-3HIoJHGIkeVcNQwSRdqYZBmreU7yYS0XCjPnNUc4JljkPzrdF82cT24XoFpnLI9RQgh5iIRwWzNuSjkq5jhq1n-V9GPfbIbbRqvgAgpOQT3yFT0fb3HC4ffixcQuuaRX/s320/IMG_0767.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> As the afternoon drew to a close we drove back to Mum's and stopped for our last fish and chips, which we ate out of the paper, and it was delicious.<br /></p><p> And then it was Thursday, and time to leave home to return to the U.S of A. I'd been dreading this day and each visit never makes it easier. We said our goodbyes and left, with promises to return within 2 years. I munched on a pork pie for breakfast, this has now become a Leaving Tradition for me. It was dark as the plane took off from Heathrow, leaving stationery planes below with a foggy lamplight surrounding them. As we rose higher, the headlights from the traffic twinkled like diamonds on a necklace as they slowly wound their way around the motorway. During the inflight meal, I managed to snaffle 4 small cans of red wine to go with the curry and chocolate caramel dessert, which cheered me up somewhat, but I left my heart back on that runway, and knew it would take a few days to get back into 'American mode'. But at least there were 3 fluffy puddytats waiting at the Blue House for us to return, and a ride on my favorite steam train to look forward to on Sunday. And 2 years isn't really that long...<br /></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-54911440045052177312022-12-14T11:52:00.000-08:002022-12-14T11:52:07.722-08:00The Cove and Door at Lulworth<p>Sunday and Monday were leisurely days with Mum and Greg. Lunch at a local golf club meant we got to eat another roast dinner, although it wasn't a patch on The Sun, but it was still perfectly acceptable. We shopped at Marks and Spencer for food to gobble down while we were here and also to take back to America. On Monday, we crammed in another outstanding cream tea at Pamphill Parlour Cafe, then ambled around Wimborne Minster, looking at the <a href="https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4546" target="_blank">old church with its Astronomical Clock</a>, and the local charity shops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CX6T_HBZsmGxRn_j8AVakOeOc8ryHwtM5Rsv0li6PYua9m3p1ATbD2xjjV58prRRmqTGL0nf3-X_4ooC4d5W2JAJSZCxyyE0Bp0b-Ua43oxhN0oxqKeKBt7BUs3_utYEZoJNH68tRJbh4Ld28wc5ccq0-3Aw_aHB_hqdMpb1-qQ-O9cE5S9mfoBh/s1800/DSC04046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CX6T_HBZsmGxRn_j8AVakOeOc8ryHwtM5Rsv0li6PYua9m3p1ATbD2xjjV58prRRmqTGL0nf3-X_4ooC4d5W2JAJSZCxyyE0Bp0b-Ua43oxhN0oxqKeKBt7BUs3_utYEZoJNH68tRJbh4Ld28wc5ccq0-3Aw_aHB_hqdMpb1-qQ-O9cE5S9mfoBh/s320/DSC04046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Then on Tuesday after another full English breakfast, it was back into
exploring mode, and this time we were off to Lulworth Cove. We passed by the 2 gates that lead into Charborough House and the Drax Estate. I'd come across these in 2016, and knew Elliott would want photos. I was content to just peer through the gate at the amazing statues that line the driveway, and wonder what kind of lives lived behind these gates.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived at Lulworth Cove, and parked the car in the visitor carpark before walking down the lane to the cove. It was extremely blustery, but thankfully, the rain was holding off. There were very few others braving the high winds, even down on the beach, there were only a handful of people. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8TvXWTwTgD8Gk1MrCDf3Avs58HwU-KEUtUEH3JaaySKTTMGJ7ZkxqzuiUm2jhGQ-_n5sqGa68Urnj67Iin2x82t8PYHsE-jiK6DXa-ztxuuEvzmJOGAHY-IKGcWpdBRTxxUK0giSaOhB3CPXCi8IvpvES6xWUjfItn9Okmje3Ityx7lrLE0_Qa9e/s1800/DSC04065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8TvXWTwTgD8Gk1MrCDf3Avs58HwU-KEUtUEH3JaaySKTTMGJ7ZkxqzuiUm2jhGQ-_n5sqGa68Urnj67Iin2x82t8PYHsE-jiK6DXa-ztxuuEvzmJOGAHY-IKGcWpdBRTxxUK0giSaOhB3CPXCi8IvpvES6xWUjfItn9Okmje3Ityx7lrLE0_Qa9e/s320/DSC04065.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIn2JBpfiSmx3EdN7VKWGobS7nj90YH0if51NFk4ZNIYPxz5TT8Q1Hj-YqcXUjhB187WceO8-MyImEwyOVBqHKQmAk_e5fbHRYnCkPxC_PRMiLgii46W0D5gFCoQJjNUUYldrePBX8gmHY81FtfaGNCFHe5sgw0TmC6Ezp8xnmZdYtZDnKT3UxR8n/s1800/DSC04067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIn2JBpfiSmx3EdN7VKWGobS7nj90YH0if51NFk4ZNIYPxz5TT8Q1Hj-YqcXUjhB187WceO8-MyImEwyOVBqHKQmAk_e5fbHRYnCkPxC_PRMiLgii46W0D5gFCoQJjNUUYldrePBX8gmHY81FtfaGNCFHe5sgw0TmC6Ezp8xnmZdYtZDnKT3UxR8n/s320/DSC04067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14ZXls60kvl3dhQj5FvzIvrux_Q4RJFRPHfLeOpeciKb5cnpNK3zjkI2lRAah6hBMw0nHakK644hL-p1lEVwCZUPLhkBcmjM6pMtwmuUG4-CuSKft_O23ge7Mf0QXzDju9226zHNVOg4PW0CyIEYeOIFqZFPuVcultioE93F8gG5scJeYkr4_2NvG/s1800/DSC04072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14ZXls60kvl3dhQj5FvzIvrux_Q4RJFRPHfLeOpeciKb5cnpNK3zjkI2lRAah6hBMw0nHakK644hL-p1lEVwCZUPLhkBcmjM6pMtwmuUG4-CuSKft_O23ge7Mf0QXzDju9226zHNVOg4PW0CyIEYeOIFqZFPuVcultioE93F8gG5scJeYkr4_2NvG/s320/DSC04072.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYsX6WQGsyOBiVLrUkJrJS56mvHHejzs2bt3mdlpNIc8WCXmWOoa_v1HsvLVtFezXayFhFRTgorIH01ABa2E9PHG6FiV_5gSuUtiyn5RhER_Iv1JOnv1y0HoZr7zS1I6JveFJXUe1wbuwfgFYXH_2DuhoyAQWwTZReTTAYNJJzUVRg1vv1aLHCsCN/s1800/DSC04075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYsX6WQGsyOBiVLrUkJrJS56mvHHejzs2bt3mdlpNIc8WCXmWOoa_v1HsvLVtFezXayFhFRTgorIH01ABa2E9PHG6FiV_5gSuUtiyn5RhER_Iv1JOnv1y0HoZr7zS1I6JveFJXUe1wbuwfgFYXH_2DuhoyAQWwTZReTTAYNJJzUVRg1vv1aLHCsCN/s320/DSC04075.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkfJ0aZ1e9oGDdC58AW1cJ7_fBk_9p4OYJyc7z9dP4FbtciSGmG0MIMKHmAwNccrvLVwx5q3Z9bUDMSZml-WJxs8BTMlH11rRGi_vJnT1i66sH5ZjlkiDxDi8xvfW8BWU-fcZhGw3euFpLXSIjy3A63t1eWl7JavDgfniBYum4ESr6KaJPIXfpCpE/s1800/DSC04087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkfJ0aZ1e9oGDdC58AW1cJ7_fBk_9p4OYJyc7z9dP4FbtciSGmG0MIMKHmAwNccrvLVwx5q3Z9bUDMSZml-WJxs8BTMlH11rRGi_vJnT1i66sH5ZjlkiDxDi8xvfW8BWU-fcZhGw3euFpLXSIjy3A63t1eWl7JavDgfniBYum4ESr6KaJPIXfpCpE/s320/DSC04087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Although the cove is mostly protected by it narrow opening to the sea, the waves determinedly pushed through, crashing on the rocks, throwing up veils of fine spray or curling wisps of water, thrashing out their energy before finally tumbling on to the beach we walked on. There are usually a few small boats bobbing on the water, but today, the bay was empty.</p><p>During the summer, <a href="https://lulworth.com/visit/places-to-visit/lulworth-cove/" target="_blank">Lulworth Cove </a>is a popular tourist destination, with over half a million visiting the horseshoe cove annually. The beach is shale and limestone, the limestone looking a lot like the chalk from Botany Bay, the pebbles have the same soft, white, porous and holey appearance. There's many footpaths to follow along the shoreline, and inland, but the gale force winds swept those ideas out of our heads, and today, we were focusing on just the beach.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTXdNvthMPTVo7rUBRoHb9HiCLclEcj0Yfdr6wqz5NatQWZZIJxQXg367z9o8lWF1aBnGPyWFNHDiXIShIwucnmYo8psUhmHATO_V7jfM52Uzmd677VxvlkBSxJL9m16WCvi8n8_PFPZDXvdXZ4nmzO2RiPMlkpeDl4_HYTjI6QuvJxOAcmq7c4FV/s1800/DSC04093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTXdNvthMPTVo7rUBRoHb9HiCLclEcj0Yfdr6wqz5NatQWZZIJxQXg367z9o8lWF1aBnGPyWFNHDiXIShIwucnmYo8psUhmHATO_V7jfM52Uzmd677VxvlkBSxJL9m16WCvi8n8_PFPZDXvdXZ4nmzO2RiPMlkpeDl4_HYTjI6QuvJxOAcmq7c4FV/s320/DSC04093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQorFesSUI4GAVIUSnWh9I_3DRO0IKrvneTG4oe4RFxCK5wlxNYUWnvZcz92u7C1tVpoWooFjyCimHeTsHHUv02rgx5BXRKHvKfNOJtudO3EHBfcbwxGw5QDpchcw_Ytpx9_LI6iI-YRF3PUT1IT8uFmAxA8e00W3gQ6mxWy_grD9WBquT02AmDyE/s1800/DSC04096.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQorFesSUI4GAVIUSnWh9I_3DRO0IKrvneTG4oe4RFxCK5wlxNYUWnvZcz92u7C1tVpoWooFjyCimHeTsHHUv02rgx5BXRKHvKfNOJtudO3EHBfcbwxGw5QDpchcw_Ytpx9_LI6iI-YRF3PUT1IT8uFmAxA8e00W3gQ6mxWy_grD9WBquT02AmDyE/s320/DSC04096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtqOVQwavcos-CMh3V0_fBjOCbd9IRkk_CWLRMjnQ6UuD5xGL-YjqZll3i7WwagSSwh1cmJCQN3At1RrTmG3hyeiXqkBrfW99RsvVBg_pTCjPZ7p-BbLfSwGsBcIOEJWIrZpGAEX2-xAa50YbsA039IRDEOZjzEyvtBxnZSFcrsjorrHq7XbdjSVc/s1800/DSC04108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtqOVQwavcos-CMh3V0_fBjOCbd9IRkk_CWLRMjnQ6UuD5xGL-YjqZll3i7WwagSSwh1cmJCQN3At1RrTmG3hyeiXqkBrfW99RsvVBg_pTCjPZ7p-BbLfSwGsBcIOEJWIrZpGAEX2-xAa50YbsA039IRDEOZjzEyvtBxnZSFcrsjorrHq7XbdjSVc/s320/DSC04108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5nNEKXfB_PiLHd-EUKfo77pPCvpTTL6Z_FrAYGDnQXvRPKQRnvvG3A0X9yf632O00QZep3x8bagL6UnNWiEC_qWEc4UmdOfoAD41YekdGKo5dSEJ4we4_-OIBDebhEj_wvQ5Rm2c0HJhrPlo4EVa3vLnn22lrcA0uxOyeLXqq9G8qSq_Pi_JW51s/s1800/IMG_0675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1800" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5nNEKXfB_PiLHd-EUKfo77pPCvpTTL6Z_FrAYGDnQXvRPKQRnvvG3A0X9yf632O00QZep3x8bagL6UnNWiEC_qWEc4UmdOfoAD41YekdGKo5dSEJ4we4_-OIBDebhEj_wvQ5Rm2c0HJhrPlo4EVa3vLnn22lrcA0uxOyeLXqq9G8qSq_Pi_JW51s/w640-h190/IMG_0675.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The tide was coming in when we arrived, but with quite a lot of the beach still accessible, we walked around the cove before the tide came in completely. This panorama shot shows the cove entrance, created when the sea smashed through Portland limestone and then eroded the clays behind that. We met a couple on this side; the young man was English, and his girlfriend was American, from Massachusetts. She was loving England, and the English people. We stopped to chat, and then slowly made our way back as the waves were encroaching further in on the beach. An elderly man was hanging on to a trailer at the entrance to the beach, his eyes watering from the winds, but thoroughly enjoying the waves. He clutched a camera in his free hand, and we spent a few minutes swapping information on photo processing software, before leaving him to his photography. </div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm0Y1-rcDc46owtB7f6f2IwXnek-a_MxEYaBmbk7ZftXxAWJMdyCKqdKZQok22afIY_-mnv__z4Kr8TzqcorINijVqRqq5kNzwtaRlEA2jGQ6HRIOADEMD2cUiVzHrDPHfjMExx4lUMiSroTlFw86RODjhJD9cmoXNubOsV0ho8JWqZZgOg1FCaUC/s1800/IMG_0698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm0Y1-rcDc46owtB7f6f2IwXnek-a_MxEYaBmbk7ZftXxAWJMdyCKqdKZQok22afIY_-mnv__z4Kr8TzqcorINijVqRqq5kNzwtaRlEA2jGQ6HRIOADEMD2cUiVzHrDPHfjMExx4lUMiSroTlFw86RODjhJD9cmoXNubOsV0ho8JWqZZgOg1FCaUC/w400-h199/IMG_0698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div>Back at the car, We made the dumb decision to walk up over the cliff tops to Durdle Door. It was only a couple of miles there, so we began the march up the long steady incline of steps. It was extremely blustery, and I battled against the winds to make headway, but finally we were up on top of the cliffs and looking down on to the cove just before Durdle Door. We were laughing as it was a real struggle to remain standing in one spot, the wind was hellbent on pushing and knocking us about. We felt the familiar pinpricks of icy rain on our faces, and decided driving to Durdle Door might be a better decision. And so we trekked our way back down to the car, the pebbled path now slippery from the rain, and our descent slower than the climb up. As we neared the bottom, a local man was walking his dog, and veered off the path to walk on the grass along the bottom of the hill, rather than going upwards. Sensible man!<br /></div><div><br /><div>At the carpark to Durdle Door, we had to trek down a hill to the beach, but it seemed a little more sheltered than our last arduous trek, and progress was made quickly. Durdle Door is one of Dorset's most photographed landmarks, and although it is open to the public, it's actually privately owned by the Welds family since 1641, and is part of the Lulworth Estate which also includes Lulworth Cove and Lulworth Castle. Durdle comes from the old English word, 'thirl', (meaning drill), which in turn comes from 'thyrel', (meaning hole).</div><div> <br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikquCJSXcv79Sp2jPnGmOc5wQzlOVrk_Xq4k3jM_59IeNfsFVPYn9kVh9JZQUSp9Gi9gnHmhCjJJ2duRfJXZobTTqND68XWu-jTVxiiWC2K7wX9cnH7QOYwwjEKunGqLMXY8bl9CGO0zjxRQeyjgfg0IA9_cfEKAkoEZIR93i6o04tvrd1XlVU-Lih/s1800/DSC04130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikquCJSXcv79Sp2jPnGmOc5wQzlOVrk_Xq4k3jM_59IeNfsFVPYn9kVh9JZQUSp9Gi9gnHmhCjJJ2duRfJXZobTTqND68XWu-jTVxiiWC2K7wX9cnH7QOYwwjEKunGqLMXY8bl9CGO0zjxRQeyjgfg0IA9_cfEKAkoEZIR93i6o04tvrd1XlVU-Lih/s320/DSC04130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> At the top of the cliff looking down to the left is this strip of shoreline, called Man 'O' War Cove. The name<b> </b>'<span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">comes from the man-of-war, a sailing warship, and the animal's resemblance to the Portuguese version (the caravel) at full sail' <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_man_o%27_war" target="_blank">These images on the Wikipedia page</a> illustrate this, and now I can see why the cove is called this, the waves forming the same pattern as they rush towards the beach.<br /></span></span></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BbVDGPS7SPBUKBSqSv9KFeKwYtlZ_eCk28a_l5vlvXdzOSCET03-Pg7k7XTKI7Rdf-wdh2DZJksN1Kot6B_KKCABzhM7RVQ6gl5nMy9ItYhHyU4qk_sJq1O9y-Yuy4fJs2G45egO4ycguK9D72m6HH52eN5fIrMCbiHkL-01vFLk5YiTmEqK4ckQ/s1800/DSC04134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BbVDGPS7SPBUKBSqSv9KFeKwYtlZ_eCk28a_l5vlvXdzOSCET03-Pg7k7XTKI7Rdf-wdh2DZJksN1Kot6B_KKCABzhM7RVQ6gl5nMy9ItYhHyU4qk_sJq1O9y-Yuy4fJs2G45egO4ycguK9D72m6HH52eN5fIrMCbiHkL-01vFLk5YiTmEqK4ckQ/s320/DSC04134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Looking down to the right, Durdle Door, stands proud in the bright sun, frothy waves crashing loudly on to the shore. Only a handful of people were down here, and I stood watching them for a few minutes as they were being blown along the edge of the water by the fierce winds. There were steep wooden steps to climb down to the beach, a few folks clambering up were having problems negotiating these while trying to keep their balance, as the strong gusts kept blasting us.<br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbETFT_fgz2V22pkZmZHH7Nw50M-EEbx22wCjOZGe7xMPQ1mybUor9JWyuFAKQPQGdwbCBDSMtec2f4fYA0aRBwuWLJkjQ4b3T88T_GZwsIQqJWlHFqPD7zBb74xbztSvLO08-TWPuddEGZ0VjVxAw-A0fHqLkw_AiY8ti7Tk_22zRxlkJBQ2DOyn/s1800/DSC04140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbETFT_fgz2V22pkZmZHH7Nw50M-EEbx22wCjOZGe7xMPQ1mybUor9JWyuFAKQPQGdwbCBDSMtec2f4fYA0aRBwuWLJkjQ4b3T88T_GZwsIQqJWlHFqPD7zBb74xbztSvLO08-TWPuddEGZ0VjVxAw-A0fHqLkw_AiY8ti7Tk_22zRxlkJBQ2DOyn/s320/DSC04140.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC1hxfH_fc0fAdKr8XyINrWI9rGEfahYOUnj-3ysu_KPGGYcdNv9ELvfainiw-sfMXXh54kDcQfHXZ60BCshwxDn_IaYqJMqNqck2gRKtbPwFsYCRf6goUqVTjVsfaexFmpla21mUa0AAKAZf0sbyJfaUxmPR5qgbC2iJ80cmyJGhGci_7yT3wa7N/s1800/DSC04142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC1hxfH_fc0fAdKr8XyINrWI9rGEfahYOUnj-3ysu_KPGGYcdNv9ELvfainiw-sfMXXh54kDcQfHXZ60BCshwxDn_IaYqJMqNqck2gRKtbPwFsYCRf6goUqVTjVsfaexFmpla21mUa0AAKAZf0sbyJfaUxmPR5qgbC2iJ80cmyJGhGci_7yT3wa7N/s320/DSC04142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI8WlXW4TWmbeP6TPx1NxoeoyVz-s6NcN7Y3cKtwhQjD4h_05_W3oSGYBaFA_zIF1-tfeTJjh9J-NHvDU3Ylhc-JmWgk1nzb_ek3DVPAc7i6GKu3If6Z-ikk0EVUnw2weKg0IP1Udi4fNkaGXMSCij0l1sUzRtmVeX19C4ypgp2NtglzaRNpQGQ5G/s1800/DSC04147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI8WlXW4TWmbeP6TPx1NxoeoyVz-s6NcN7Y3cKtwhQjD4h_05_W3oSGYBaFA_zIF1-tfeTJjh9J-NHvDU3Ylhc-JmWgk1nzb_ek3DVPAc7i6GKu3If6Z-ikk0EVUnw2weKg0IP1Udi4fNkaGXMSCij0l1sUzRtmVeX19C4ypgp2NtglzaRNpQGQ5G/s320/DSC04147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z0d5jNE19vOgBqkj7OIL1vFB6sgVUbB8MSbjMD2lBahYA3V-i06TZnNQMYEq3ZIhbZgwWEeQpryqwsfpGT7JtkqWPqXcggrbdurDdzQko0pHDUrFgeoNMwXMElQNWPeT3KRQsCkrl4Sv1whtPbk-8bTqCHANCA4Gs2et298PR5eUPL2TEOwGeZbi/s1800/DSC04157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z0d5jNE19vOgBqkj7OIL1vFB6sgVUbB8MSbjMD2lBahYA3V-i06TZnNQMYEq3ZIhbZgwWEeQpryqwsfpGT7JtkqWPqXcggrbdurDdzQko0pHDUrFgeoNMwXMElQNWPeT3KRQsCkrl4Sv1whtPbk-8bTqCHANCA4Gs2et298PR5eUPL2TEOwGeZbi/s320/DSC04157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hIgLJD8yukg2YaeDgd7V2hG1wchd8NqHNTTuu7qSEUkLBA76H-un3HRE3z9gPLDwg0Pem8LJKIyyS6V2uC_dIGHTaiamqF2Q8vYFPlc6PXY5Xtxvi3bpNuYPY2qREG1bJe-6bM0iPLn7jlePgb1zcZ9bUsZuKScOvLUfuoxj5yof55AeMn7_51QT/s1800/DSC04167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hIgLJD8yukg2YaeDgd7V2hG1wchd8NqHNTTuu7qSEUkLBA76H-un3HRE3z9gPLDwg0Pem8LJKIyyS6V2uC_dIGHTaiamqF2Q8vYFPlc6PXY5Xtxvi3bpNuYPY2qREG1bJe-6bM0iPLn7jlePgb1zcZ9bUsZuKScOvLUfuoxj5yof55AeMn7_51QT/s320/DSC04167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We stood patiently while these poor people stumbled and clung on to each other as they made their way up, taking advantage of the time to snap a slew of shots from the top while I waited. And then it was our time to climb down. Slowly at first, but I was getting impatient, and picked up speed, finally jumping down on to the pebbles, and then amazed, once I was level with Durdle Door, at how loud the waves were. They crashed and smashed against the rock arch, then clattered on to the pebbles on the beach with almost splintering explosions. I laid down on the pebbles to take some shots, but almost immediately gave up. You can see from the blurred, bleary areas in the photos that my camera lens was getting pummeled with sea spray.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiIIuvSg0tUrbCPAu0YOxrXWRgD9xH97o7Xd_hFkSsiLChyc46N7RN-yrB9qqEBk7uxh13lYXiZ8zaoM341NF5OtZDruduwNuzuio7i55pZSaaB6O8TKgCGCpyB4FWQjFyAukADh5uK6S6_lCWUd4B0XgnjWRwRA5GdNvTVAcJpfOAd15UJ7V6G5y/s1800/IMG_0717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiIIuvSg0tUrbCPAu0YOxrXWRgD9xH97o7Xd_hFkSsiLChyc46N7RN-yrB9qqEBk7uxh13lYXiZ8zaoM341NF5OtZDruduwNuzuio7i55pZSaaB6O8TKgCGCpyB4FWQjFyAukADh5uK6S6_lCWUd4B0XgnjWRwRA5GdNvTVAcJpfOAd15UJ7V6G5y/s320/IMG_0717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW1FOdVbea5TbwL5CyVfHsXFZ9n_KSuXtlOc8qqjF-THYb-nayvh6Gnjwj3WaIzSlSmmUQ9Hc28bCiEeAEXyOjPp5I9-JvH_ed6dYtq0LqbTgLkK_4GtCr08CDwVKreZuBqEaTdu0znE41apKY4BLiv9KiW07hV-mYLIsjnhf7ZAAn9owvhoWx3bt/s1800/DSC04179.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW1FOdVbea5TbwL5CyVfHsXFZ9n_KSuXtlOc8qqjF-THYb-nayvh6Gnjwj3WaIzSlSmmUQ9Hc28bCiEeAEXyOjPp5I9-JvH_ed6dYtq0LqbTgLkK_4GtCr08CDwVKreZuBqEaTdu0znE41apKY4BLiv9KiW07hV-mYLIsjnhf7ZAAn9owvhoWx3bt/s320/DSC04179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJZH4HIk2JcHRkKrG9M4ORf-0PfklvIQsF17m4xNa7fcaHN-k3oPVv60ydlkoY0aIMMGoqo_mczsNikPwLvl8USdCt3DalJrWChrHpS2RLCpLiBaFTuwGQ479oV0vVbxjv8_YUSwQw-pzwaSP3Mzp6c3p_k1fO996FqZzxHRlWNbKsrL6hKuSnLTf/s1800/DSC04181_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJZH4HIk2JcHRkKrG9M4ORf-0PfklvIQsF17m4xNa7fcaHN-k3oPVv60ydlkoY0aIMMGoqo_mczsNikPwLvl8USdCt3DalJrWChrHpS2RLCpLiBaFTuwGQ479oV0vVbxjv8_YUSwQw-pzwaSP3Mzp6c3p_k1fO996FqZzxHRlWNbKsrL6hKuSnLTf/s320/DSC04181_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIR-wg8BRd7Kn22wln_eadxwYqegavowVzWIzytaSR4F6n8NI1rH_3qfJNm5DvJK6ls38OycALeWYlenl5dspJ12y1uELEnSUhzRjG7kjbqb-OqqvjXoCxmvXPE0HU4M2_2_m5EmVxPGfhhP0gZ86lpnRi1Hq7rw55a-MBUNIdV7Tzk8CBBGeoaIU/s1800/DSC04184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIR-wg8BRd7Kn22wln_eadxwYqegavowVzWIzytaSR4F6n8NI1rH_3qfJNm5DvJK6ls38OycALeWYlenl5dspJ12y1uELEnSUhzRjG7kjbqb-OqqvjXoCxmvXPE0HU4M2_2_m5EmVxPGfhhP0gZ86lpnRi1Hq7rw55a-MBUNIdV7Tzk8CBBGeoaIU/s320/DSC04184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTft9Bh7Gl2X9Irl9VlQAhrac4CkLckUkWTU03mRJewoVMnR-yfQE3uiKWRVRy8jRfFteehNSsXaa_28fEyFUTrtxjbf3zGQTJvIQC7P8oC-l7svBD0GR1Z3eem8RgW5zg9g0Cw3W94ob47CgwV_ImrLwejn2Q8l8eZ2f6NwdEWWcAUTb6SqSUvouC/s1800/DSC04189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTft9Bh7Gl2X9Irl9VlQAhrac4CkLckUkWTU03mRJewoVMnR-yfQE3uiKWRVRy8jRfFteehNSsXaa_28fEyFUTrtxjbf3zGQTJvIQC7P8oC-l7svBD0GR1Z3eem8RgW5zg9g0Cw3W94ob47CgwV_ImrLwejn2Q8l8eZ2f6NwdEWWcAUTb6SqSUvouC/s320/DSC04189.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjQ76SNb2KMSo1jnUeBxy5YIhqJBOYL0UyfCtTSHOAPXj97XWpQJo2qOQwPJvJp2OTzvcyaKIKy1O2gqzfiRqmpHvierz7xa-_WaqM3o1GMH9IjYIv-h0TTw9PTgIBohQfvluO0VGOQOIjjDBixPhN1Zo5nZw7mM4tKjACt2Ak4w9R8n77vTfetM-/s1800/DSC04194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjQ76SNb2KMSo1jnUeBxy5YIhqJBOYL0UyfCtTSHOAPXj97XWpQJo2qOQwPJvJp2OTzvcyaKIKy1O2gqzfiRqmpHvierz7xa-_WaqM3o1GMH9IjYIv-h0TTw9PTgIBohQfvluO0VGOQOIjjDBixPhN1Zo5nZw7mM4tKjACt2Ak4w9R8n77vTfetM-/s320/DSC04194.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div> It was interesting to take photos from different perspectives of the door; this last photo looks like the arch is tilting. The beach looks like a red sand but is in fact, tiny pebbles, which had the same consistency as loose sand to walk in. We were ecstatic that we could take photos with nobody's footprints in it, the beach smooth and untouched. It would've been lovely to be able to sit on the beach for an hour or so, and let ourselves be hypnotized by the constant awesomeness of the waves thrashing against that arch, but it was cold down there, and the gales were ruthless. But I still preferred this wild, almost desolate scene to one with blazing sunshine, a tame sea and hoards of tourists.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrfs4CnlJTwmHAw_X0zoZotxgGIN_H8oRF0GvmYnD_oaYJVZsszH-wvYMdTkG-07fX7unXUBanuA27FbnhxmmgjAh20j6kKQK_8hdaZYXf0xAG_ybT4i4a17CUuueeo9qcUld2VPWTt28Aeu1bB32OZhTYywXtPmUggbaWP5ZQz8yMJ36ccoFfiVN/s1800/DSC04219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrfs4CnlJTwmHAw_X0zoZotxgGIN_H8oRF0GvmYnD_oaYJVZsszH-wvYMdTkG-07fX7unXUBanuA27FbnhxmmgjAh20j6kKQK_8hdaZYXf0xAG_ybT4i4a17CUuueeo9qcUld2VPWTt28Aeu1bB32OZhTYywXtPmUggbaWP5ZQz8yMJ36ccoFfiVN/s320/DSC04219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFszbsEj6p6PmpZEdKZX0JMwYGTirmgu7bGY1UU17Gt4hU0j2hWtsir8bi8oInmawb0YTrsl3W7FzeOvfAcXna-t4fqaWWo2e9i4DJfgdkpP81zmZyVKQtBmfLf19IybfLG2S4ADwSnTlDICD33JAcmVedXLS3D_NXaA-qKKoDxZgaKct-qlcJj7vw/s1800/DSC04220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFszbsEj6p6PmpZEdKZX0JMwYGTirmgu7bGY1UU17Gt4hU0j2hWtsir8bi8oInmawb0YTrsl3W7FzeOvfAcXna-t4fqaWWo2e9i4DJfgdkpP81zmZyVKQtBmfLf19IybfLG2S4ADwSnTlDICD33JAcmVedXLS3D_NXaA-qKKoDxZgaKct-qlcJj7vw/s320/DSC04220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </div><div>Even though there were no seabirds to be seen, likely due to the cold winds, a seagull had lost a feather here among the bladderwrack seaweed, maybe washed in by the sea.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCbIe4V2-1mrnKAkhsI_hyBOGeqx3NsJdd8PpoOwCtRJQqqULwzKLyfSxjNSgScRkf-wADi_VUHX7DAyX1HmAt-oLTZROCKCTD0LNtpGX9UBDjwzDVQcH5wrwbx8anUEN0coV64ZTaFiyr25dl_Fg938h_9e7dE3vl6MJ4GJ21gvfNO5SoJpfG1Rb/s1800/DSC04227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCbIe4V2-1mrnKAkhsI_hyBOGeqx3NsJdd8PpoOwCtRJQqqULwzKLyfSxjNSgScRkf-wADi_VUHX7DAyX1HmAt-oLTZROCKCTD0LNtpGX9UBDjwzDVQcH5wrwbx8anUEN0coV64ZTaFiyr25dl_Fg938h_9e7dE3vl6MJ4GJ21gvfNO5SoJpfG1Rb/s320/DSC04227.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l8078iBbvPvlGxMFmkqg-TjwMLHlnTNwE6O2NWvMXGQLWJF42Vsvirr9yS8kphyC8GlSMvyhuvyueGqmjnC-Y7DKVREfGMaxTwanJpcP2hNWeJqKEE4MEO04EGKIOlqc8aKzncjI7S28OpqkiR4J1gEFrZ898Y07LfIx6qMd0A2q1MpM--iIeZ2w/s1800/DSC04228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l8078iBbvPvlGxMFmkqg-TjwMLHlnTNwE6O2NWvMXGQLWJF42Vsvirr9yS8kphyC8GlSMvyhuvyueGqmjnC-Y7DKVREfGMaxTwanJpcP2hNWeJqKEE4MEO04EGKIOlqc8aKzncjI7S28OpqkiR4J1gEFrZ898Y07LfIx6qMd0A2q1MpM--iIeZ2w/s320/DSC04228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </div><div>The tide was tumbling inwards as we left the beach to climb back up to the top. This, for me, was a lot easier than going down. There was no handrail to clutch, but with a forward momentum I soon sallied up the steps. Man 'O' War Cove was still displaying its 'sail' formation and looked different from earlier on, without the sunlight shining on the water. <br /><p>It certainly seemed duller and more overcast as we reached the car. It was bliss to sit inside, with no loud noise or cold gusts assailing my ears, the silence was heavenly. We sat and looked out for a few minutes, then spotted a man, loaded with camera bags and a tall tripod, beginning his walk down to Durdle Door. And as he passed the gate, the rain began to fall. But what a hardy guy! We looked and waited, yet he didn't retrace his steps tot the car, he was going down. Good for him, but we were finished for the day.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPs0ogpdZ6QjEZWbImmiQSIdAqUlPCAKhB9SDWHitOkfXWinm5uLdCh1O7LmHPV7zS-9nghmEMWVGKWBlZkchtzcCWos8_eLJpG7jQzFLSf5Hjb-0UwTafISPF9mdzqiIoQkbijg1hfcXSCgRzW8Io72l6b-gPfdCCcNihbgS_KB1abFBJ6fznn7p/s4032/IMG_0723.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPs0ogpdZ6QjEZWbImmiQSIdAqUlPCAKhB9SDWHitOkfXWinm5uLdCh1O7LmHPV7zS-9nghmEMWVGKWBlZkchtzcCWos8_eLJpG7jQzFLSf5Hjb-0UwTafISPF9mdzqiIoQkbijg1hfcXSCgRzW8Io72l6b-gPfdCCcNihbgS_KB1abFBJ6fznn7p/s320/IMG_0723.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-ZBZvTJ-gZkd6apgixfov-STmEmSEuAJdhdP_Evgbo2RXAwztZmQX4n_JHu4Ex7bAM_84D7-6AggmVmYj6QhDuKUgV2b8wUOQWt2t6kYSkTCaHa2Gw7Ed-qYBxLfbRvRzFChC0fv9auwKKX8oBCGWz4wOH3Q3Dj6YvY93XKXAEHxmhQ_5Jzl4FzR/s3342/IMG_0732.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3342" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-ZBZvTJ-gZkd6apgixfov-STmEmSEuAJdhdP_Evgbo2RXAwztZmQX4n_JHu4Ex7bAM_84D7-6AggmVmYj6QhDuKUgV2b8wUOQWt2t6kYSkTCaHa2Gw7Ed-qYBxLfbRvRzFChC0fv9auwKKX8oBCGWz4wOH3Q3Dj6YvY93XKXAEHxmhQ_5Jzl4FzR/s320/IMG_0732.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>On the way back to our caravan, we stopped at a pub that couldn't be passed, since it was named The World's End. We chugged a couple of well earned pints of beer, and I was impressed with my dinner. I never eat belly of pork, because of the fat, but the waitress said it was exquisite, and the best thing on the menu, and so I chose it. And she was right, it was wonderful<br /></div></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-70899152033341866392022-12-07T12:16:00.004-08:002022-12-07T12:16:44.358-08:00Wet at Weymouth and Chilly on Chesil Beach<p> Saturday was a rainy day, the first day our holiday had really been affected by the weather. Greg suggested going to Weymouth, so he drove, giving me a break, and off we went.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfEfk-XI0uMfftsgCKvZiP9EAmLclfhQyJfPGky1TsU89_BvPW0_6UJXZXA-iJD2dBTswB7U4cgH6Cb2mFnqGVuu7_sOhdhTw5WLfSD5LZpBEdBh7HbXqb_m0Y2gs_OC_30ZCo4G5_v8-267b18rTccRGLvl0sD7qPWiDMkW8Z8zJ16UvWgjLyWEO/s1800/IMG_0521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfEfk-XI0uMfftsgCKvZiP9EAmLclfhQyJfPGky1TsU89_BvPW0_6UJXZXA-iJD2dBTswB7U4cgH6Cb2mFnqGVuu7_sOhdhTw5WLfSD5LZpBEdBh7HbXqb_m0Y2gs_OC_30ZCo4G5_v8-267b18rTccRGLvl0sD7qPWiDMkW8Z8zJ16UvWgjLyWEO/s320/IMG_0521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0SC9PQlIZ7H7mMkwLr4tIWORxFRZgXBR16EJcfgqb9CN3xRd1adT5H9apxHNnhGVDgjkiK7jp2yz3Pd-bIPn0spzH8Ppw0xuA9UFmU3_M-pcmFBue_k-x-TpZygU1zvJG7UrojgoAyQGzHrlxg4_J8WH670OPPrdjdU5JK1rRb4GjpuarhMvq8zN/s1800/IMG_0529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0SC9PQlIZ7H7mMkwLr4tIWORxFRZgXBR16EJcfgqb9CN3xRd1adT5H9apxHNnhGVDgjkiK7jp2yz3Pd-bIPn0spzH8Ppw0xuA9UFmU3_M-pcmFBue_k-x-TpZygU1zvJG7UrojgoAyQGzHrlxg4_J8WH670OPPrdjdU5JK1rRb4GjpuarhMvq8zN/s320/IMG_0529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0drfJHqqR7CrLdK93W65n-Zbkx15HTEe5gCwzrDT_EzLuG7lFtDF1L2L8uDn3TpiU7XFeTjn85zXDnfgH0GoeTNoW6DYBlejxCKFCfkvkDlXlN0B3BdayLrE7pN_IE58G0K18WcEmA1fVKeN8KCHRh8AB_pdIzeokQqVyjYhPxGzPMG-SqQjVkC5W/s3024/IMG_0530.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0drfJHqqR7CrLdK93W65n-Zbkx15HTEe5gCwzrDT_EzLuG7lFtDF1L2L8uDn3TpiU7XFeTjn85zXDnfgH0GoeTNoW6DYBlejxCKFCfkvkDlXlN0B3BdayLrE7pN_IE58G0K18WcEmA1fVKeN8KCHRh8AB_pdIzeokQqVyjYhPxGzPMG-SqQjVkC5W/s320/IMG_0530.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> My first impression of Weymouth, despite the rain, was that it was a typical Victorian seaside town. We stood by the harbour with its pastel painted cottages, a seagull glaring at us as it perched on a boat, while we watched the bridge open up to allow a boat with a tall mast to pass through. It was a quaint area, and not a modern building within our view to mar it.<br /></p><p>King George III made Weymouth his summer holiday residence, and spent 14 summers here, declaring, "I never enjoyed a sight so pleasing.". He had a bathing machine constructed, a replica of which sits on the sea front, and people would come out and cheer the King as he entered the sea in his bathing costume. His 'madness' was caused by a chemical imbalance that disrupts the nervous system, and it was believed that bathing in the salt water would help his illness. The original bathing machine was used by the public until 1916, and was then presented to the Weymouth Museum, where it can now be seen. A statue of the King was commissioned by the 'Grateful Inhabitants' of Weymouth and unveiled in 1810.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA8XQwIHDo1UlDipUqa9smWlFOTUptzyspkc5DfPPUMasHK8UwQbdHczTwdRTVfbJN-jhYbrSJR-em1e56NipWBvUckHw9_ZKA0FYUAmXUbhyeyg8_wQXw1UXkOehY3knERB7eBsUgPeO7MOFRA7DzV5CdMFfSDSqc9_5zzkezyphzh9s_Srj7XWv/s1800/IMG_0535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1800" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA8XQwIHDo1UlDipUqa9smWlFOTUptzyspkc5DfPPUMasHK8UwQbdHczTwdRTVfbJN-jhYbrSJR-em1e56NipWBvUckHw9_ZKA0FYUAmXUbhyeyg8_wQXw1UXkOehY3knERB7eBsUgPeO7MOFRA7DzV5CdMFfSDSqc9_5zzkezyphzh9s_Srj7XWv/s320/IMG_0535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XdH8GfULx1jlA_p3I0J1ld0GK93qW0gBLmmsmbc9XJmSb8NcU1WxGGaSNwEKbP1KOHxLQlD5O49v3EMrs-WpH2fZAxrWueOPdn6ct7pnNeIWaUspQ5gh2V4K-N4gERmcqfUZ6AVUXincScxkZeQL3HJc_ko_nsCHRlfOSKOUzb9Z6nk0v_A9SSZ/s1800/IMG_0541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XdH8GfULx1jlA_p3I0J1ld0GK93qW0gBLmmsmbc9XJmSb8NcU1WxGGaSNwEKbP1KOHxLQlD5O49v3EMrs-WpH2fZAxrWueOPdn6ct7pnNeIWaUspQ5gh2V4K-N4gERmcqfUZ6AVUXincScxkZeQL3HJc_ko_nsCHRlfOSKOUzb9Z6nk0v_A9SSZ/s320/IMG_0541.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Greg and Elliott standing in a Victorian shelter; these are quite common along the coast on the sea fronts. I'm standing under the Jubilee Clock, built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's 50th year on the throne. It was restored and repainted in 2018.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27xIwGUozqPdbnfceSfWRF6hKhCFL_BCdvNtqY6r0zYv8dHLVaQ26OexiYZP5W8U8xlM4ymkIuge2TuIolpc2k4yr1938GF4GiNRB4xJaYoHxsnHgFjkqM4A9T7hIdgG56HijGXuav1ck51ucqi2-P7NZXfwSR2lVsmaIRgmqfPyeDL7WMDQqWhV7/s1800/IMG_0544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27xIwGUozqPdbnfceSfWRF6hKhCFL_BCdvNtqY6r0zYv8dHLVaQ26OexiYZP5W8U8xlM4ymkIuge2TuIolpc2k4yr1938GF4GiNRB4xJaYoHxsnHgFjkqM4A9T7hIdgG56HijGXuav1ck51ucqi2-P7NZXfwSR2lVsmaIRgmqfPyeDL7WMDQqWhV7/s320/IMG_0544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshX4TbquNkE6_TZ67mKC4IX_Qxr9U3vrbD1ZMhrpDVeSsVSbJnO5toOA9qiqJAYCw5UdexeKjzeSWr1i5-QJsDD4QkP9AjscxDFhBozD4lFrzLpP-7yAGZo08HaC8wFOS0DXNWX8tjxLb9dHw3OSanxoBYPbd8nn7_iQwnTLqCaNRoNJUeuRYV6rx/s1800/IMG_0548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1195" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshX4TbquNkE6_TZ67mKC4IX_Qxr9U3vrbD1ZMhrpDVeSsVSbJnO5toOA9qiqJAYCw5UdexeKjzeSWr1i5-QJsDD4QkP9AjscxDFhBozD4lFrzLpP-7yAGZo08HaC8wFOS0DXNWX8tjxLb9dHw3OSanxoBYPbd8nn7_iQwnTLqCaNRoNJUeuRYV6rx/s320/IMG_0548.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p></p><p>Greg took a great photo of him and Elliott while I was down on the beach, collecting shells and stones to take home and put in a vintage mason jar. A lady asked what I was collecting, and I told her what I did, collecting what is found typically on a beach, and then putting it in a jar, with a label that I make, and putting the different jars on my mantlepiece. I have 6 so far. She was intrigued, and I wondered if she'd do the same. This particular beach had some pretty spiral shells with mother of pearl on parts of the outside, and there were also plenty of slipper shells. Lots went in my pocket.</p><p>We roamed the streets, looking in shops, stopping for coffee and cake, then got back into the car to drive to Portland Bill.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS6lALhiJWHqTAlcHBxoEeXmxzUAdXetUPNYwDvGh_oUyPUycBYd7oe_1E0TINq5ZOKaDTzUYxX-XJ5tZymb1agtJhFnevi-jMkvZd3C0nuTNZBoq0_BsciCmIGexQof2xq-DlJKGjoj5Qu1N4cQ6hMppPU4LjulVwfSt5P1H20jR3pX2rljX2_ES/s1800/IMG_0552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS6lALhiJWHqTAlcHBxoEeXmxzUAdXetUPNYwDvGh_oUyPUycBYd7oe_1E0TINq5ZOKaDTzUYxX-XJ5tZymb1agtJhFnevi-jMkvZd3C0nuTNZBoq0_BsciCmIGexQof2xq-DlJKGjoj5Qu1N4cQ6hMppPU4LjulVwfSt5P1H20jR3pX2rljX2_ES/s320/IMG_0552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwNiuVv5LDg9SKidvO8Vlesrq6ugvnOBYWOqaVD3wd-KwF4DRoQJwIpzZDl29O1XeZ_7rTO3mm2b5jq8YMhmaUAaGVMs1pYcvvou3UG5SyNZv56Zap8AUtOKiVGYS_q1j4P5gbc92eZvJWBJM-NSsSvldLi7dZQSR5pX8X1pztNu4lp6IYKt0NilP/s1800/IMG_0556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwNiuVv5LDg9SKidvO8Vlesrq6ugvnOBYWOqaVD3wd-KwF4DRoQJwIpzZDl29O1XeZ_7rTO3mm2b5jq8YMhmaUAaGVMs1pYcvvou3UG5SyNZv56Zap8AUtOKiVGYS_q1j4P5gbc92eZvJWBJM-NSsSvldLi7dZQSR5pX8X1pztNu4lp6IYKt0NilP/s320/IMG_0556.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0ODL8dOw4dr5roICi6tisXwSF6LzLepoDg0d_-GOQlNcBNTAFgHvyVpPy2o_ZTopsW__htwLVbNKEBTRppw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnpVwY7qmaOQ2NtqbQ8S0LohCRaUt5KFILfs69HEWbMMaJUCHIMYc5Z2eY-8zROQRVmtJHha1s0jz-eZSx8H3FP9o-Mxg_YqqpJUFhfQYNedTQQQxjM-xUvbBCtMC9ay6vc_ahgiQrRhoHB6fAWsyQC2560IyUg-IWmW07NoQC-EhdAf8wNsFW_L1/s1800/IMG_0579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnpVwY7qmaOQ2NtqbQ8S0LohCRaUt5KFILfs69HEWbMMaJUCHIMYc5Z2eY-8zROQRVmtJHha1s0jz-eZSx8H3FP9o-Mxg_YqqpJUFhfQYNedTQQQxjM-xUvbBCtMC9ay6vc_ahgiQrRhoHB6fAWsyQC2560IyUg-IWmW07NoQC-EhdAf8wNsFW_L1/s320/IMG_0579.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We looked down onto Chesil Beach as we climbed the hill of Portland Bill. Portland is a 'tied island', so is not technically separated from the mainland, but is joined by a thin strip which is Chesil Beach. This is the southernmost point of Dorset, where a tall red and white lighthouse stands. The waters here are known to be treacherous, so the lighthouse is vital. There are actually 3 lighthouses here, with the red and white one being the newest, built in 1906 and is fully automatic. The Trinity House Obelisk, which Elliott is standing in front of, was built in 1844, and helped to warn ships during daylight hours.</p><p>It was freezing cold here today. Gales blew and whipped us along the path as we staggered towards the rocks. We could barely hear each other talk, the howling winds ripped the words from our mouths. I took a short video but the waves were more ferocious than they seem on film. Elliott and I stood down on the lower flat rocks, but we could barely stand upright, we were buffeted from all sides. We put up with this abuse for about 20 minutes or so, and then gave up, desperate to get back to the tranquility of the car.<br /></p><div>We drove back down to Chesil Beach and parked up, the rain trying to fall, but the raindrops were whipped away before they could reach the ground. Across the street from the beach was the bay, where some pretty serious and sturdy dudes were kiteboarding. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD-BjFJpU6bfG-jrFjO5UWq4pV0foK-6S81ZL1X4UObZfPjqzxf6dj8pArJX_XYupm5vDJoo_7BiX77KmFdkSTwkrEBpQmFKz6ct24Qx2sDB1zvxiBm4YgMl9_EWcoz3ZOFcYr9t0lSrdY1KDQT-ThbvfunBk5LU5G_vRgnXY3OfhxeIU7-2QCYzc/s1800/DSC04021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD-BjFJpU6bfG-jrFjO5UWq4pV0foK-6S81ZL1X4UObZfPjqzxf6dj8pArJX_XYupm5vDJoo_7BiX77KmFdkSTwkrEBpQmFKz6ct24Qx2sDB1zvxiBm4YgMl9_EWcoz3ZOFcYr9t0lSrdY1KDQT-ThbvfunBk5LU5G_vRgnXY3OfhxeIU7-2QCYzc/s320/DSC04021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZwPgVSXJSHjBzMuon49kYM04bDDXxHkO8EZ7nra0rjbt1gfF_JDgpna_Zjt9AVcqhoka23Bz7S5pnPgqfW3VYyrrAi1D1GgKuUsh1P1yOFIjHVgZz89wJCQxX-wgMe920y2FcVvjN0XZndNgIS1kIDTes2OHwDgxUEvD8pc83MrHfsSFJwh6T3ZV/s1800/DSC04024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZwPgVSXJSHjBzMuon49kYM04bDDXxHkO8EZ7nra0rjbt1gfF_JDgpna_Zjt9AVcqhoka23Bz7S5pnPgqfW3VYyrrAi1D1GgKuUsh1P1yOFIjHVgZz89wJCQxX-wgMe920y2FcVvjN0XZndNgIS1kIDTes2OHwDgxUEvD8pc83MrHfsSFJwh6T3ZV/s320/DSC04024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I jumped down onto the gravel beach and sat down, my back against a small bank, where I could get a little shelter from the wind. There were 2 men out there in wetsuits, and I couldn't believe that they weren't cold, or their hands frozen, as they whooshed past, close to the beach, and then flipped up into the air, looking just like the little Airfix plastic soldiers we used to play with as kids in the 70's. I had to snicker at that, but wow, these guys were hardcore, and I had no wish to trade places with them. We watched them for about 10 minutes and left them to it.</p><p>Greg took refuge in the car, but Elliott and I made for Chesil Beach. We walked on the wooden boardwalk, then stepped onto the pebble beach, shining wet from the rain. It was like walking in quicksand. We trudged up the hill to the summit, our boots sinking in the stones, the rain shooting needles of ice on to our faces, and the gales pushing against us. It wasn't much of an incline, but it felt like Mt Everest, and I was out of breath when I reached the top. It actually felt like standing on a mountain, and it was so noisy with the waves crashing, the pebbles being shunted on and then dragged off of the beach by the water, and the wind blasting us; I had to stand with my feet apart to maintain my balance. I took very few photos, the sea was being sprayed on to us by the gales, and to be honest, I was really enjoying the experience, it was almost unearthly.</p><p>Chesil Beach is 18 miles long, a shingle barrier stretching from West Bay to Portland. It's not a typical beach, dotted with deckchairs and people sunbathing on towels. As author, John Fowles, quotes: "It is above all an elemental place, made of sea, shingle and sky, its
dominant sound always that of waves on moving stone: from the great surf
and pounding … of sou’westers, to the delicate laps and back-gurgling
of the rare dead calm….”</p><p>The pebbles start off as pea-sized at Bridport to potato-sized at Portland. made up of chert and flint. Chesil comes from the old English words 'ceosel' or 'cisel' meaning 'gravel' or 'shingle'.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFwbE_u3EFl53olZUvWVeFhM3oAUK-QqqowvseTYQVSwcBJua27fzCmaPm6IwurdpqE4Y1a5ItGFxZcRuF_-Ss-LFj0oQHMRluX1XDkHvH6D7IN6OGRnFF47k77z_1gJEIAF5pjqWkBVa66WriWOMDcYuQG9QfJKRkTSnFN4Oy26jTLDZYQmN4Nz1/s1800/DSC04033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFwbE_u3EFl53olZUvWVeFhM3oAUK-QqqowvseTYQVSwcBJua27fzCmaPm6IwurdpqE4Y1a5ItGFxZcRuF_-Ss-LFj0oQHMRluX1XDkHvH6D7IN6OGRnFF47k77z_1gJEIAF5pjqWkBVa66WriWOMDcYuQG9QfJKRkTSnFN4Oy26jTLDZYQmN4Nz1/s320/DSC04033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4uRnRuUHt1qI1AwxWjU2W_i2KSZY1MrUU9bShkgpTwWCrVVrdVQdggduVWwQ-J_Vn-CQqfCeY70NMGIM5s5Tde5-ZB-PucJabBvdKBiFR6YeGZ_ODXMFuspKrVaJ-ais3gj7j3Y_XmEIhZlxyd7UYTVNQMBTkDyHliXmMQnaO3w88jcpTEGSuKk3/s4032/IMG_0586.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4uRnRuUHt1qI1AwxWjU2W_i2KSZY1MrUU9bShkgpTwWCrVVrdVQdggduVWwQ-J_Vn-CQqfCeY70NMGIM5s5Tde5-ZB-PucJabBvdKBiFR6YeGZ_ODXMFuspKrVaJ-ais3gj7j3Y_XmEIhZlxyd7UYTVNQMBTkDyHliXmMQnaO3w88jcpTEGSuKk3/s320/IMG_0586.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp9draV0NyHgWrc6gh7RMfyiEkvXLyeUXJEoaCYkaa1oH9Bb9NftOy0EBygG9ULiFpxaRzY3DcwVosWY2sQaL00M2OxF-P9zSg0MYJOmuKAGhteJWPSc7hgNBiFBZ6P4Oqt7qUfGzNwAQQIzatm07nJdfwJkz42SelgIt6Me2moYG1uECzjX2pIHW/s1800/DSC04044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp9draV0NyHgWrc6gh7RMfyiEkvXLyeUXJEoaCYkaa1oH9Bb9NftOy0EBygG9ULiFpxaRzY3DcwVosWY2sQaL00M2OxF-P9zSg0MYJOmuKAGhteJWPSc7hgNBiFBZ6P4Oqt7qUfGzNwAQQIzatm07nJdfwJkz42SelgIt6Me2moYG1uECzjX2pIHW/s320/DSC04044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div>We didn't stay too long, and started back towards the car. Although Mother Nature was battering me from all directions, I didn't feel any cold; my jacket was keeping me very snug, and it was a fun experience to go back the way we came, this time with the wind pushing us down the beach towards the car, where once inside the vehicle, the silence hit me. The weather outside had been a deafening roar.</div><div> </div><div>We were all hungry by now and in need of a beer. I found a pub online, which sounded great, and when we arrived, it didn't disappoint. There were lovely gardens to be enjoyed in warmer weather, but today, there was a fire blazing, and along with the tudor beams, seating nooks, soft lighting, and the aroma of food, it was a delightfully, cozy welcome.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Gp-wYlfmoBiKMEJ2uxtBOVzYx8j-PfRCg2ASXWcXqXEunnp5RVhN5JOfTfgFT0vDpdtGheyRnX3R-zTMglYbWkzLi2l9QOfSVZSIPMWc7jGGwjZYpjJ0QtPEasYq70LUKnY_2stZr8ZRYgIYpMRUTilm83pmmsWXu-aHZpYHt72LBErzn4eCrU4/s3426/IMG_0593.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="3426" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39Gp-wYlfmoBiKMEJ2uxtBOVzYx8j-PfRCg2ASXWcXqXEunnp5RVhN5JOfTfgFT0vDpdtGheyRnX3R-zTMglYbWkzLi2l9QOfSVZSIPMWc7jGGwjZYpjJ0QtPEasYq70LUKnY_2stZr8ZRYgIYpMRUTilm83pmmsWXu-aHZpYHt72LBErzn4eCrU4/s320/IMG_0593.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaMjZE2bTvLUMWSOa5t4buBzdWclom5TG0h8OEQSKsLFUiznHOvRzGQkVZcc3M6mszyh8lL1r7FEEDL_H5S2lfAtHGFGhTeGjpli73Zb-f-_BgS1uu-Js2itOCsoo2gkiFhrhtE6z1xxh3QKJyf_ySF5r0DDne6suKxINZHwruU3H4W1YAAgC-vZj/s1800/IMG_0594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1800" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaMjZE2bTvLUMWSOa5t4buBzdWclom5TG0h8OEQSKsLFUiznHOvRzGQkVZcc3M6mszyh8lL1r7FEEDL_H5S2lfAtHGFGhTeGjpli73Zb-f-_BgS1uu-Js2itOCsoo2gkiFhrhtE6z1xxh3QKJyf_ySF5r0DDne6suKxINZHwruU3H4W1YAAgC-vZj/s320/IMG_0594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Sun at Lower Burton is a carvery pub and the chef very evidently takes great pride in his food. We were warned not to take more roast potatoes than we could eat, as it annoyed him that many were wasted. We understood completely, and piled our plates high, with only 3 roast potatoes each. So many veggies, not the standard broccoli or collard greens, the staples of the U.S. There were even roasted beets and mashed swede here. I had something of everything. The dinner was devastatingly delicious. I say that because it was indeed lip-smackingly, truly wonderful, but, because it was so tasty, that I cleaned my plate clear of every crumb and drop of gravy, and paid dearly for being such a pig afterwards. My tummy hurt for hours, and even Greg had gone too far, we were both groaning in the car. Elliott ate his plate, then had dessert. No comment. But at least the chef was happy, no food wasted from these patrons, and the beer was spot on too. I hope a return trip can be made in the future.<br /></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-87540337013194159122022-12-06T15:57:00.000-08:002022-12-06T15:57:01.814-08:00Umpteen Tanks and a Crumbling Castle<p> After brunch at Kimmeridge Bay, it was on to Bovington Tank Museum. The last time I'd been here had been with my parents and brother when I was a child. I have a memory of huge tanks, some that we could climb on and being driven in the back of an armored vehicle up a very steep dusty hill, when we'd all ended up with grubby, brown faces afterwards. We'd loved it. I couldn't wait to see it again.<br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-oJBQuxMxG07b-_jv70xa29IJZoZz6ljSzQk3JCT10YhS9OC4gtmQkhFGElPpnRwS3NvZpZ12Ve9v3lYTKVAZZXO2mHoco5vpfg-LZqKzQiZqUBxPsiJeVUNprcRlfyNIlxr0JnWXf5OD5PdujlWAas5vly2eWExwBlFNVgSLuGizHmmNoN05u1s/s1800/IMG_0449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-oJBQuxMxG07b-_jv70xa29IJZoZz6ljSzQk3JCT10YhS9OC4gtmQkhFGElPpnRwS3NvZpZ12Ve9v3lYTKVAZZXO2mHoco5vpfg-LZqKzQiZqUBxPsiJeVUNprcRlfyNIlxr0JnWXf5OD5PdujlWAas5vly2eWExwBlFNVgSLuGizHmmNoN05u1s/s320/IMG_0449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTaDP-UWMQXM8u7MFhDjon9XdhSlMQUhhtnGL6HR_Osf_fdjdOUVqE-c51I8ojfpmvSselCS7v93oT7VlmN9O329X_x22DqWkR20J1Z6fHygJCFxunI347oqnVp4ZZ50kTtYmp79UCQz5M1_lvZwZhzU3k6CqfvYte1FnnqoYh6CU0RMkGbgp_6qD/s1800/IMG_0450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTaDP-UWMQXM8u7MFhDjon9XdhSlMQUhhtnGL6HR_Osf_fdjdOUVqE-c51I8ojfpmvSselCS7v93oT7VlmN9O329X_x22DqWkR20J1Z6fHygJCFxunI347oqnVp4ZZ50kTtYmp79UCQz5M1_lvZwZhzU3k6CqfvYte1FnnqoYh6CU0RMkGbgp_6qD/s320/IMG_0450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaDLKxTahYcx69s5TPqX7MsUT8aBfHx-YAPjI2MNmI1EpAVYuxKGhgRtl300j7dUyM49Vmkmx20KlUQbfjFdZHEa8ntEWTr1ZzXs-A6CFALjdRxm_1MEfEQQo_3NHi9OpAz-GNkKD125fXd-sQgaPJeNLcyuB9L8W2KXOITaygb-MoZwLYtazoBRn/s1800/IMG_0451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaDLKxTahYcx69s5TPqX7MsUT8aBfHx-YAPjI2MNmI1EpAVYuxKGhgRtl300j7dUyM49Vmkmx20KlUQbfjFdZHEa8ntEWTr1ZzXs-A6CFALjdRxm_1MEfEQQo_3NHi9OpAz-GNkKD125fXd-sQgaPJeNLcyuB9L8W2KXOITaygb-MoZwLYtazoBRn/s320/IMG_0451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>We had to take a different route because the road the GPS wanted to take me on had been closed by the MOD, due to firing practice. Lulworth has been the home of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School since 1916 and was the birthplace of the Sherman Firefly, the first Allied tank that could penetrate the German tanks in WWII. We even passed a tank pulling out of a T-Junction as we drove along a country lane, they were likely off to get a cream tea. But this detour meant we passed a gorgeous country manor, which we stopped to admire. We arrived at the tank museum, and I got a kick out of parking the car behind an armoured personnel carrier. As soon as we walked inside the museum, I didn't recognize anything; it had undergone some extensive upgrades.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJsQDKpdnniHu69krONVgMQBaawYbiUDSJ_xM0eKtVDmr3FhKUqvFIb-r8Xucv1Ek0WBUtVFzKGnvpTlLVqj_-O4rr6B-rXRTyEkB7XEHKpSw1jKRGIxN4JO-8GD2v-quyv5LHAcPqz79xT-_IT7yk5vZSQtjSU0i6fQ_LBMJXhWfEMbSjFN2Dyxg/s1800/DSC03933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJsQDKpdnniHu69krONVgMQBaawYbiUDSJ_xM0eKtVDmr3FhKUqvFIb-r8Xucv1Ek0WBUtVFzKGnvpTlLVqj_-O4rr6B-rXRTyEkB7XEHKpSw1jKRGIxN4JO-8GD2v-quyv5LHAcPqz79xT-_IT7yk5vZSQtjSU0i6fQ_LBMJXhWfEMbSjFN2Dyxg/s320/DSC03933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXTDhejXSd2Q6A3eMfOVtYpb6wYToSX7cgTnd03H4QA6gbLqqe1TN9O1m2gFOSr-1yZzdfRNyFk_2Rb4QiN9vTuobUSJVa2QM926kQ3_2yKzAJcMU2MJ5S3AvSINDqzs43zsTw6qRabJ7LtriDZWhI-bcCRe5zHPQHhMKqkWGSRSrY7ZzjghrnyRh/s1800/DSC03939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8No1D3n019cN4iwUAKRxR8i7ZwRIz9xIjezE3aRgpEzpa1QgKMU7tJ6JOj19WpvgtmDm6QQd8DjcuWYoQkfD0TBmACgE0KAexiGDob5QwvHDqIZHHfGz0QYDWh6QiBcQBQwE1nlNwJ13xq6QmgqvZE09PhRXiDc93qGegde_WVtY4KY8t-YhTYHqC/s4032/IMG_0461.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8No1D3n019cN4iwUAKRxR8i7ZwRIz9xIjezE3aRgpEzpa1QgKMU7tJ6JOj19WpvgtmDm6QQd8DjcuWYoQkfD0TBmACgE0KAexiGDob5QwvHDqIZHHfGz0QYDWh6QiBcQBQwE1nlNwJ13xq6QmgqvZE09PhRXiDc93qGegde_WVtY4KY8t-YhTYHqC/s320/IMG_0461.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's over 300 hundred tanks here; the place is vast, but the best part of it was we were visiting on a weekday, so there weren't too many visitors. Some of the exhibit rooms we had to ourselves, which meant we didn't get in the way of people with our cameras, and vice versa. It's said by many that this is the finest tank museum in the world, and although I didn't take loads of photos, because I was enjoying looking around so much, <a href="https://tankmuseum.org/" target="_blank">the website is extremely informative </a>with plenty of pictures and videos. I've always been fascinated by these hulking metal vehicles. I remembered watching Battle of the Bulge as a kid and being terrified by the squeaking of their wheels and the deep rumbling of their treads and engines. And that gun turret swinging round, pointing determinedly and decisively at its target made my blood run cold. Yet there was something challenging inside me that thrilled me to stand in front of this huge hulk and stare down the gun barrel. These things are awesome.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssU9tEiv-t60XUYZJhwor0ygKVnDz7YyMyH3ZZ-Wk5h6g-T8jFx4hNgQ6GrC3quTKDX-O3Dmg0PV2kck0w0kAwJvzAstjws1eKRpgG-VENPmpVSCdCcKBJ2PTaZ4wFDPaEqTPS-_tgX3mZ2mE4l59vZOgjvT8G8y3o9RiMir1uBhXb0I19QEM_RMn/s1800/IMG_0460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssU9tEiv-t60XUYZJhwor0ygKVnDz7YyMyH3ZZ-Wk5h6g-T8jFx4hNgQ6GrC3quTKDX-O3Dmg0PV2kck0w0kAwJvzAstjws1eKRpgG-VENPmpVSCdCcKBJ2PTaZ4wFDPaEqTPS-_tgX3mZ2mE4l59vZOgjvT8G8y3o9RiMir1uBhXb0I19QEM_RMn/s320/IMG_0460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sGLzswFwLBnv4if3jKTHyGuwhVwAmHbU5NZvFfFKdiQ14ZHwcsWTz5WXK77qfEWB6lYqcM0c2uQFi3mdXnP3FIj0EjvWehLlj8vt61TxY84pRN2sL7SYlq5V12kllczNAxhB-UT6jnaS1uL470PoteRAV0LQjbKL7bwob2efJ3oQTMAQw1WfsUGP/s1800/IMG_0479.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sGLzswFwLBnv4if3jKTHyGuwhVwAmHbU5NZvFfFKdiQ14ZHwcsWTz5WXK77qfEWB6lYqcM0c2uQFi3mdXnP3FIj0EjvWehLlj8vt61TxY84pRN2sL7SYlq5V12kllczNAxhB-UT6jnaS1uL470PoteRAV0LQjbKL7bwob2efJ3oQTMAQw1WfsUGP/s320/IMG_0479.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8feR1auRiaMQKbNLkkulCIH2KOxXDkHIyEIx0KPjPw9Ztv8Wd8G7aMdsmqTsg3XewuXMf8lbct2N_oBL4NnLhjVPB-ZgTBnrjdijU0Owr3wLM4kuz_3k114js-er5HMsI7r3GClaU8Z78kDd7xYVJA_8WWGK07H1pYCZhazwqk71rle4kLOTxco_/s1024/btmimagejpeg_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8feR1auRiaMQKbNLkkulCIH2KOxXDkHIyEIx0KPjPw9Ztv8Wd8G7aMdsmqTsg3XewuXMf8lbct2N_oBL4NnLhjVPB-ZgTBnrjdijU0Owr3wLM4kuz_3k114js-er5HMsI7r3GClaU8Z78kDd7xYVJA_8WWGK07H1pYCZhazwqk71rle4kLOTxco_/s320/btmimagejpeg_0.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAGPEukUd31QhVjBU0hdAHtKlOtsz1xc5j5QPfyOmZwI2F8bejDw794jmX_Vovws-vBSk6dzn9FZ0_-GjTU2ZdckdiGoi8L5cBz1fDVrCOtHHjdtfprP4zZGhlQ-TtRXwblpc2IbGd64_gRhoSOP3n8Z6Ymz1sQ6s2WRTsdE7BgxnD6izEQzhSw1P/s1800/IMG_0483.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAGPEukUd31QhVjBU0hdAHtKlOtsz1xc5j5QPfyOmZwI2F8bejDw794jmX_Vovws-vBSk6dzn9FZ0_-GjTU2ZdckdiGoi8L5cBz1fDVrCOtHHjdtfprP4zZGhlQ-TtRXwblpc2IbGd64_gRhoSOP3n8Z6Ymz1sQ6s2WRTsdE7BgxnD6izEQzhSw1P/s320/IMG_0483.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We had fun fooling around too. I pretended to be caught under the wheels of a tank, and then in a war trench area, there were vests on hangers, and helmets, for people to take photos. I rather liked my patriotic pose, but Elliott looked pretty mean and psychotic charging on his horse! There were videos games that could be played and displays with buttons and handles to be turned. Some of the tanks could be climbed inside, showing how tight the space was in some of them, having to negotiate a way around what would have been very hot and noisy engines.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXtRGF66CjGzt6o11bLBe_2m7djtmKB70xwVhl8bxWn1q-Nl-DynFlKkx8IBRWKT_kt2QYhz3RwQlQGNe0diR44mzdkZMr0Y-C31GQhxwhxzf1jUdWMlyRw6ksmf1-jmvnm6Omch9Qwu-NRUmZ71AznZXAUGrILzI3h_mOgdoNw0Wi5FIhAkwBfGh/s1800/DSC03947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXtRGF66CjGzt6o11bLBe_2m7djtmKB70xwVhl8bxWn1q-Nl-DynFlKkx8IBRWKT_kt2QYhz3RwQlQGNe0diR44mzdkZMr0Y-C31GQhxwhxzf1jUdWMlyRw6ksmf1-jmvnm6Omch9Qwu-NRUmZ71AznZXAUGrILzI3h_mOgdoNw0Wi5FIhAkwBfGh/s320/DSC03947.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1GyhVChZjFtShq7hAy7cl2Tumbx9yrZn47TFBbIyx4AkFqk58tMakEr1456nuLiJvOamJvdYKg8yyww1zxz3YZw7TSyhAWhOzUDLSATkeqhl0FeMKkPHdDtVDrUs9yMOaVGs_oulmgC77N3pLoFjgv-Sy0_bSmUMmsoPoEwXVLNF2Uz5JyYhBhR_/s1800/DSC03959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1GyhVChZjFtShq7hAy7cl2Tumbx9yrZn47TFBbIyx4AkFqk58tMakEr1456nuLiJvOamJvdYKg8yyww1zxz3YZw7TSyhAWhOzUDLSATkeqhl0FeMKkPHdDtVDrUs9yMOaVGs_oulmgC77N3pLoFjgv-Sy0_bSmUMmsoPoEwXVLNF2Uz5JyYhBhR_/s320/DSC03959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQweb39GfIMKVBeJSQ1AllTGA8nzA8alBrjwzWrayLrnCIbPMKFDaOCjeQHkM_65CbLlM2Ywf3zD-4bT16WMmZ6te25T-tKJH058wlJ8NB1quc3aznM66iUo0xdkePVKWIEOM4xDNybC-7wz6sQlgUerUwZb4E6IyB0EcivBTacq6wFE6NhZbeoWJi/s1800/IMG_0492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQweb39GfIMKVBeJSQ1AllTGA8nzA8alBrjwzWrayLrnCIbPMKFDaOCjeQHkM_65CbLlM2Ywf3zD-4bT16WMmZ6te25T-tKJH058wlJ8NB1quc3aznM66iUo0xdkePVKWIEOM4xDNybC-7wz6sQlgUerUwZb4E6IyB0EcivBTacq6wFE6NhZbeoWJi/s320/IMG_0492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76ksvf-JRplwrvUSAPR9ALaakZ2jXE1q11qkRyjzzHgO4VtLhT9wLzuFY1h2utG0psOdr-POE4aXEEM94_DR1Pzw0BqY3o6Svphr3y41kIoep54Pdm8mWfKuOlK91Y5YDOu62RLQUkXnSF0_G1n7YJUpkxTSkCk8AhyoHVmGtlfURJRFeasRAnJYA/s4032/IMG_0495.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76ksvf-JRplwrvUSAPR9ALaakZ2jXE1q11qkRyjzzHgO4VtLhT9wLzuFY1h2utG0psOdr-POE4aXEEM94_DR1Pzw0BqY3o6Svphr3y41kIoep54Pdm8mWfKuOlK91Y5YDOu62RLQUkXnSF0_G1n7YJUpkxTSkCk8AhyoHVmGtlfURJRFeasRAnJYA/s320/IMG_0495.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WG2tCsSvFJC3NDXHXQM2qiTQaU85EDk_nogfIRLx46-MOCX395NfDbgfSt2JJaIbiAHuKLnvJCkvcsebNeHlCj8u3CNQRUwpWbb2qlbm3R9z_CQo_QkwFFv3y1LtZP9yq0E-_cbDGv1vdV_Q2b3VBpVxBKCWS7deJ0x8Iln-Qx9bvMSblach0g_z/s4032/IMG_0493.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WG2tCsSvFJC3NDXHXQM2qiTQaU85EDk_nogfIRLx46-MOCX395NfDbgfSt2JJaIbiAHuKLnvJCkvcsebNeHlCj8u3CNQRUwpWbb2qlbm3R9z_CQo_QkwFFv3y1LtZP9yq0E-_cbDGv1vdV_Q2b3VBpVxBKCWS7deJ0x8Iln-Qx9bvMSblach0g_z/s320/IMG_0493.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In many rooms, some very realistic scenes had been built, battle scenes, dugouts, trenches, and even campfire settings. We rounded a corner and came face to face with 2 gunners behind rolls of barbed wire, triggering a sensor, that set off their machine gun. The loud reports made me jump out of my skin! </p><p>There were a few areas hidden by screens that were being set up for future displays, but this place was vast. We were on a tight schedule so didn't linger too long anywhere in the museum, but we were amazed when we emerged from the building and discovered we'd spent over 2 hours in there. Apparently Rudyard Kipling visited Bovington in 1923 and saw the remnants of tanks left over from WWI, and suggested a museum should be built. So a shed was set up to house the relics and it finally opened to the public in 1947. It's come a long way since then, and I wish we'd been able to see the outside demonstrations that take place in warmer months. But regardless, it was wonderful to revisit this phenomenal museum which had always been such a fond memory since childhood.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtt1GfbvHCPeDfRAODL-2Cy7EPEHQ8kOSLRpteijkvJoO6CKHUxn5H5F_9SAP1QLVtP3qbILowsbGhsfUQ-hwvQsKccAqZhJAihZ_f1Ycncxfiem5qXh0uqljD4cI9Rvx7_2x91rD9oOvjCNZPa3lFC750ETs80wsNjXugMOKbna4kLHRwDMgkt03/s1844/yourphoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1844" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtt1GfbvHCPeDfRAODL-2Cy7EPEHQ8kOSLRpteijkvJoO6CKHUxn5H5F_9SAP1QLVtP3qbILowsbGhsfUQ-hwvQsKccAqZhJAihZ_f1Ycncxfiem5qXh0uqljD4cI9Rvx7_2x91rD9oOvjCNZPa3lFC750ETs80wsNjXugMOKbna4kLHRwDMgkt03/s320/yourphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Our last visit of the day was<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle" target="_blank"> Corfe Castle</a>, another place I remembered from childhood, but had never been inside. 4 years ago, it had been covered in scaffolding, undergoing cleaning and repairs, but today it was standing proud on the skyline, and we got there with just an hour to visit it before closing time. Owned by The National Trust, it dates back to the 11th century, and was one of the first to be built of stone, local grey Purbeck limestone, (considered the finest limestone in England), in a time when castles were usually built from wood and earth. Corfe means cutting, or gap. Built by William the Conquerer, it had a great defense position up on the hill, guarding the main route through the Purbeck Hills, and many of the arrow slits are still there in the walls. King John kept his crown jewels there, and it has a similar tradition as the Tower of London, where ravens nest close by, with local legend, saying the same as the Tower, that if they leave, the castle would crumble. A lot of the castle though, was destroyed during the Civil War, orders came from Parliament, (it was regarded as a threat), and many of the locals used the stone to build their homes.</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8jrajJogYuoUR2yfVmV9rDZ7m4mk31igJc_RMILJXpJSBN0SZk-q_IpFEIBrICFiz-eeCeLouu6G8JxrVcV4iOF3OmsnOy-Drt808qi699mLi4XojePzIGlqO2I2p-1FaGHbMVJx-l_-Ft5QK0i0WuK6By9VEHl13nI_WqWIvi5gQbuUQtGDheK3/s1800/DSC03963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8jrajJogYuoUR2yfVmV9rDZ7m4mk31igJc_RMILJXpJSBN0SZk-q_IpFEIBrICFiz-eeCeLouu6G8JxrVcV4iOF3OmsnOy-Drt808qi699mLi4XojePzIGlqO2I2p-1FaGHbMVJx-l_-Ft5QK0i0WuK6By9VEHl13nI_WqWIvi5gQbuUQtGDheK3/s320/DSC03963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC73P6mVCt9OfnRHyVYvqWrQu__ckonhHea2ep_OyzPgB4FzhzTu4y2GT3IMe-AQEv8iDDY0EJ3bJlsm89-WXlynuIXNKNf9V2rHFkGDOcd3_CkB6yP8Qgypcu33tgsNdvnhCSNZ31Ju34udB3c_r9LEqI-KxXewNm2oxQv6MUmZgtKz1P0abD64nR/s4032/IMG_0499.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC73P6mVCt9OfnRHyVYvqWrQu__ckonhHea2ep_OyzPgB4FzhzTu4y2GT3IMe-AQEv8iDDY0EJ3bJlsm89-WXlynuIXNKNf9V2rHFkGDOcd3_CkB6yP8Qgypcu33tgsNdvnhCSNZ31Ju34udB3c_r9LEqI-KxXewNm2oxQv6MUmZgtKz1P0abD64nR/s320/IMG_0499.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmCYoFex3-o88whI82M0eMW1hfvxo3e5-DBVVTdniqoGS15mOe74Ri4Me61sHN1ucDwNgtPAjiDK92AVx5BZluJrVVmou_dXTpyI0HZUl8GpwxYTP1pK1nFIOu8onRU_UjUti0kBMzwSxMZmkKcsaXLK2gq9oFBhB504kSOB9PGV_vaQC6UqrsAb4/s4032/IMG_0498.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmCYoFex3-o88whI82M0eMW1hfvxo3e5-DBVVTdniqoGS15mOe74Ri4Me61sHN1ucDwNgtPAjiDK92AVx5BZluJrVVmou_dXTpyI0HZUl8GpwxYTP1pK1nFIOu8onRU_UjUti0kBMzwSxMZmkKcsaXLK2gq9oFBhB504kSOB9PGV_vaQC6UqrsAb4/s320/IMG_0498.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi457OlCl8IWdqIORRAxIxA6jmQhwX37c5uwV8nf-ONXdeGb96UXEA3Ao9uAlPQTQPRcSAHeJLH7cQVTmLr9K05J8UwP-LAYTFdHcxzCNsjnmRZ833KegzUqZLlBopxMNjoQeoCWx7DvyuLiOPysa7vKFMQwN_f8fvMgpWoOmqBOOr2qryyeMvr4iWL/s1800/DSC03972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi457OlCl8IWdqIORRAxIxA6jmQhwX37c5uwV8nf-ONXdeGb96UXEA3Ao9uAlPQTQPRcSAHeJLH7cQVTmLr9K05J8UwP-LAYTFdHcxzCNsjnmRZ833KegzUqZLlBopxMNjoQeoCWx7DvyuLiOPysa7vKFMQwN_f8fvMgpWoOmqBOOr2qryyeMvr4iWL/s320/DSC03972.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq02kMQvwxe_d-q1smwWLnRf2aEJ73d4ipreGgrMmStnAp7xndnigQAYWs5-6CASN1BsedhXNOuLn-obERjDU6TXWBWIgmpsDB8-bK1grURlSTeBbWlfXfHPnXeXgqcfmD7vBfZNiZCiX8weeMvkVwqBHsbN2HTJ2_eaPDmw2qsJljtKG9sTLrbOr3/s1800/DSC03974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq02kMQvwxe_d-q1smwWLnRf2aEJ73d4ipreGgrMmStnAp7xndnigQAYWs5-6CASN1BsedhXNOuLn-obERjDU6TXWBWIgmpsDB8-bK1grURlSTeBbWlfXfHPnXeXgqcfmD7vBfZNiZCiX8weeMvkVwqBHsbN2HTJ2_eaPDmw2qsJljtKG9sTLrbOr3/s320/DSC03974.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> </div><div>We walked quickly to the top. The guide had suggested we concentrate on getting up there first, and taking photos on the way down; it was good advice. Once again, our timing was perfect for the photos, the stone was highlighted with defiant bright bursts from a setting sun, with contrasting shadows where its rays couldn't reach. There were a few other visitors, but it wasn't crowded, although Elliott did have a problem with a man in a bright orange hoodie that kept walking into his photos, which I found funny. The views were magnificent, bright emerald grass and trees barely showing any signs of autumn, even though we were in November. It was warm, with a light breeze, and this would've been a perfect setting for a picnic with a bottle of wine, if it had been allowed.</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWzcGmZNqdotkbpwNCLEzjZY2Aw1F4g0QfuxjMaYy3aVyNcTn54f7B2CBoQfNnbRuL2H1QNO6vIqGWAShOP4hzcmPd1vNKInAIGlZk0BDeGe3UMQyCGcVv1anmi1-Sj0TCG6XMBxDqgKQOR2VkInfvk4OG5fpd-ttsWCY0xQtnhMIwRndH1XZX1vE/s1800/DSC03975.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWzcGmZNqdotkbpwNCLEzjZY2Aw1F4g0QfuxjMaYy3aVyNcTn54f7B2CBoQfNnbRuL2H1QNO6vIqGWAShOP4hzcmPd1vNKInAIGlZk0BDeGe3UMQyCGcVv1anmi1-Sj0TCG6XMBxDqgKQOR2VkInfvk4OG5fpd-ttsWCY0xQtnhMIwRndH1XZX1vE/s320/DSC03975.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtjYr0en7hhT2_ays5mJAl8xvJzVYnEvyhSHaICsL-PSmDLCyq1medMHxvNICoY6iqypMmVT5S5UngkreBaFQQ2W-eI7BjJcV2FdqofAs0icON4xGjCuWWRbMB9S7Q-3m6cmNQwF7nGcFEFgrVw-EsqCDZbCorBOgVIhq_BFa2KQY06qHpKMsiQIT/s1800/DSC03978.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtjYr0en7hhT2_ays5mJAl8xvJzVYnEvyhSHaICsL-PSmDLCyq1medMHxvNICoY6iqypMmVT5S5UngkreBaFQQ2W-eI7BjJcV2FdqofAs0icON4xGjCuWWRbMB9S7Q-3m6cmNQwF7nGcFEFgrVw-EsqCDZbCorBOgVIhq_BFa2KQY06qHpKMsiQIT/s320/DSC03978.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwE98qVQNxGm9DV9WyP-z94gRWQuxzjMSU_JBsLsYJlEaG3_Ao0htuEDpmUKGVWVogus8-INBKOccwjluDZf4tW7X-iSDcUfsCTsDlmAt5JbwiR0qDHLrtYic4EOKKnRQVvl3hCRAiQpzu5HQXk2ydfZbnXBrIC3PrDkfzDikiqim_uxbOPMV4DX6/s1800/DSC03983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwE98qVQNxGm9DV9WyP-z94gRWQuxzjMSU_JBsLsYJlEaG3_Ao0htuEDpmUKGVWVogus8-INBKOccwjluDZf4tW7X-iSDcUfsCTsDlmAt5JbwiR0qDHLrtYic4EOKKnRQVvl3hCRAiQpzu5HQXk2ydfZbnXBrIC3PrDkfzDikiqim_uxbOPMV4DX6/s320/DSC03983.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PWkiJ1pZDUX54t1WGS3HL3gRvya0TqurTGumon7We9ZYF-OfvY6CvVeVFD3ppfe2MuDqTlArYfAPPBwy8VdUk06-rmgeDOUq3onxtD4TQxbKbA3dUxmihzsmuzFjVnJdNzm8OJ97dOZ8m2WeQVPSRlUpjHwueyQN5_dP4VeYVL1Y2bz35GrewI8c/s1800/DSC03984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PWkiJ1pZDUX54t1WGS3HL3gRvya0TqurTGumon7We9ZYF-OfvY6CvVeVFD3ppfe2MuDqTlArYfAPPBwy8VdUk06-rmgeDOUq3onxtD4TQxbKbA3dUxmihzsmuzFjVnJdNzm8OJ97dOZ8m2WeQVPSRlUpjHwueyQN5_dP4VeYVL1Y2bz35GrewI8c/s320/DSC03984.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvOoeXXfojvZ1Dnf0DJU4yCuv8x3kn-UY25GzkWyUt8QXKsEAweof_syX993iw0plJs2ZI4jJIQgQGqZBueGBbyKoX7WiyrFSFEWTPuTUlF1oGzj_YnhUZOgmQ4QSSwPPAHO2l6VpxltyXKgS7cufSQXryBf31fz7b4rahLknv3_qWL7lSegLJttr/s1800/DSC03986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvOoeXXfojvZ1Dnf0DJU4yCuv8x3kn-UY25GzkWyUt8QXKsEAweof_syX993iw0plJs2ZI4jJIQgQGqZBueGBbyKoX7WiyrFSFEWTPuTUlF1oGzj_YnhUZOgmQ4QSSwPPAHO2l6VpxltyXKgS7cufSQXryBf31fz7b4rahLknv3_qWL7lSegLJttr/s320/DSC03986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZhFauqT59clTy0jHRboS7Rw8G3mPtn722tiEqxjr9cANgIbyq2DBINOX_1trwUwtXkc-BKCyP6fpO9T25rwvTlxJhDgICB19rQymQ9ZDRxaetrVPU9OwMxy-KeHhh8-w-C5LiJWloiZxQddG-fCJ5R3Xla1UHbgkUuHO0bzFjCsgh51-Cw14Ujs8/s1800/DSC03987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZhFauqT59clTy0jHRboS7Rw8G3mPtn722tiEqxjr9cANgIbyq2DBINOX_1trwUwtXkc-BKCyP6fpO9T25rwvTlxJhDgICB19rQymQ9ZDRxaetrVPU9OwMxy-KeHhh8-w-C5LiJWloiZxQddG-fCJ5R3Xla1UHbgkUuHO0bzFjCsgh51-Cw14Ujs8/s320/DSC03987.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqwvr7lh3tJ2EcSXUEXsMdwEsVDYZaNvjeIv0nmnSRAUK3LuceZB5raRi61focDLuLTtemHVmvPbXqIulFKIFx8thkplc4JsmC7c2XYREAndfpeb0IqFMXsXi7BPOUEamFK954nk44nRKvSI1ACpu_S6nSHY2latd_nwZKyYsZXix_cyY52_75DvM/s1800/DSC03989.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqwvr7lh3tJ2EcSXUEXsMdwEsVDYZaNvjeIv0nmnSRAUK3LuceZB5raRi61focDLuLTtemHVmvPbXqIulFKIFx8thkplc4JsmC7c2XYREAndfpeb0IqFMXsXi7BPOUEamFK954nk44nRKvSI1ACpu_S6nSHY2latd_nwZKyYsZXix_cyY52_75DvM/s320/DSC03989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </div><div>We were fortunate to see the last train of the day pass by from the Swanage Railway, tooting a loud goodnight as it passed, and billowing clouds of steam. I visited the station 4 years ago, but it was shut down, so it was lovely to see it running today. The line had fallen into disrepair through lack of use and was going to be dismantled in the 1970's, but a public outcry led to its restoration, and it now offers several rides a year, only because its infrastructure can't maintain daily trains. There's now a museum, and several money raising events a year.<br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8wVl9djEBpmYq3vIzwbrRkm4Jk6Lt3HoSpcaLPSkbVqWlUiuRz5sWSCLe6tfU2jI4_5EoNi79tg8wDmxLTusRaI38YuEcN9Hr4iQPOHzdfpBxoIi4FkHLTRbud2DsY4j_Ht5ymtox7YaNlC2GKB0d4V_y7N8HK7zlkUGz6rOTg4FKPuh_0FJZjr6/s1800/DSC03990.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8wVl9djEBpmYq3vIzwbrRkm4Jk6Lt3HoSpcaLPSkbVqWlUiuRz5sWSCLe6tfU2jI4_5EoNi79tg8wDmxLTusRaI38YuEcN9Hr4iQPOHzdfpBxoIi4FkHLTRbud2DsY4j_Ht5ymtox7YaNlC2GKB0d4V_y7N8HK7zlkUGz6rOTg4FKPuh_0FJZjr6/s320/DSC03990.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxlfGRxSpY3dh88g0KWGk8TGCTkTxhLMAjs2awIsh4M2UuixudG32yl65KpAiQqIU21nnTae_R9BxMDVNnsjTlu26werjS0NY4etUMPnu3xehqjVCw6QTMe39OJjdYRi5Mld3iE-y8ObMP2utZiMxfadFH_y5YvpQ0w10m66PkO4fUk6X7gsZfT4r/s6784/IMG_0506.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="6784" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxlfGRxSpY3dh88g0KWGk8TGCTkTxhLMAjs2awIsh4M2UuixudG32yl65KpAiQqIU21nnTae_R9BxMDVNnsjTlu26werjS0NY4etUMPnu3xehqjVCw6QTMe39OJjdYRi5Mld3iE-y8ObMP2utZiMxfadFH_y5YvpQ0w10m66PkO4fUk6X7gsZfT4r/w640-h218/IMG_0506.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59fSqudGYZ4HT2mveL6MrpsZD97rM-J3FPvU6PEiCvNWVQpHrOeeQWR18K9aDl0U7_3ESO9e118almYR1-44YoDpjMw-zFrimzp8rrgzqBAERuZem5ooTE8KtX1d0vggnab2FgN_YmhqBPubJK92cVkzsOzrXf4_UHDD5US4aoqVv81LjcBcy_QVB/s1800/DSC04001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59fSqudGYZ4HT2mveL6MrpsZD97rM-J3FPvU6PEiCvNWVQpHrOeeQWR18K9aDl0U7_3ESO9e118almYR1-44YoDpjMw-zFrimzp8rrgzqBAERuZem5ooTE8KtX1d0vggnab2FgN_YmhqBPubJK92cVkzsOzrXf4_UHDD5US4aoqVv81LjcBcy_QVB/s320/DSC04001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYM42L1OtTQpoXjSX95WqvGDDkeOZ9xY7r5GvsO4h4uK3paz4P3PVY1RHPArPdDebFio330E2Q3z_QCz9th_tS6ujj47lsZ27kcLxMq4VjSHDvHiT1qhz7oq5_tqqrrfbp8pAF3jhs_Hd4E5cyvjY78B88JQkezQdXw2KxtL0yaVS5gtUnkKK5gQb/s1800/DSC03999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYM42L1OtTQpoXjSX95WqvGDDkeOZ9xY7r5GvsO4h4uK3paz4P3PVY1RHPArPdDebFio330E2Q3z_QCz9th_tS6ujj47lsZ27kcLxMq4VjSHDvHiT1qhz7oq5_tqqrrfbp8pAF3jhs_Hd4E5cyvjY78B88JQkezQdXw2KxtL0yaVS5gtUnkKK5gQb/s320/DSC03999.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>We walked slower on the way back down, the sun now having dropped below the horizon. We had taken our photos just in time. Passing a pretty cottage with a waterfall, we ended up in Corfe Castle village, where I was lucky enough to catch the sweet shop before it closed and buy the last of their Winter Mixture sweets, which are an acquired taste, but I love them. I even had time to run to the post office and write a quick postcard and mail it to a friend in America, and then we walked back to the empty car park to drive back to Mum's house and meet her and Greg. A long, busy, yet extraordinary day, steeped in history and natural beauty.<br />Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-35380464439039065692022-12-04T12:46:00.001-08:002022-12-04T12:46:23.417-08:00Roman Tiles and Fossil Rocks<p>We were up early on Wednesday to have a look at Bosham in daylight, and walk around the tiny village.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OLqRXJaWHZdB1ld_Z47nIwydoyAfNHaLzeHl-i0daLbJqGFcKmC20Tk6DKMl2YukkbLelApuE7YEWAcNLTxIoK870acmzuSaNGm0P_Qhx41fd6-22aEZpq11Yz0cTw2vt94w1tDwoXJb5bv2n_0wMJIqdH6N2LGyA5cglZ--Qws1i4T7eWeYpjnf/s1800/IMG_0382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OLqRXJaWHZdB1ld_Z47nIwydoyAfNHaLzeHl-i0daLbJqGFcKmC20Tk6DKMl2YukkbLelApuE7YEWAcNLTxIoK870acmzuSaNGm0P_Qhx41fd6-22aEZpq11Yz0cTw2vt94w1tDwoXJb5bv2n_0wMJIqdH6N2LGyA5cglZ--Qws1i4T7eWeYpjnf/s320/IMG_0382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyjN_WT_xf5Wx5rE0dKIcm_6KkWJZSI27CsolQCWa9pr_y2ANRltg8I7pGs2JMZoGG3-aJuIJ6b09Y0BdjHFbFAdh0ARE0rF2s99SSVu1uoQf_Yb6T-eo0toQkhSOxTjr8BJ7LjZKQMalKF2koT06ZCQbtjszuVfd0Xai8g6nbPIW1FLauEpu38I8/s1800/IMG_0383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyjN_WT_xf5Wx5rE0dKIcm_6KkWJZSI27CsolQCWa9pr_y2ANRltg8I7pGs2JMZoGG3-aJuIJ6b09Y0BdjHFbFAdh0ARE0rF2s99SSVu1uoQf_Yb6T-eo0toQkhSOxTjr8BJ7LjZKQMalKF2koT06ZCQbtjszuVfd0Xai8g6nbPIW1FLauEpu38I8/s320/IMG_0383.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zrGzRAV2P1rCu3tDekcNv_fvETELc3C_xeA-EHEFWfWTX0p6CWmCnipNPyHm2TnIhL4zmn94YOY1UxH5XfxiGlwDCaQ5ulj2RqbdbYCacSUgUl4jSwXcYGagYpo-v8UNgeUi97fmLl2oiRaE4OEJaAlLmJ18mJD6Y0FJ0DPFl2KeyM8dHz8kdC_L/s1800/IMG_0387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zrGzRAV2P1rCu3tDekcNv_fvETELc3C_xeA-EHEFWfWTX0p6CWmCnipNPyHm2TnIhL4zmn94YOY1UxH5XfxiGlwDCaQ5ulj2RqbdbYCacSUgUl4jSwXcYGagYpo-v8UNgeUi97fmLl2oiRaE4OEJaAlLmJ18mJD6Y0FJ0DPFl2KeyM8dHz8kdC_L/s320/IMG_0387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When we arrived the tide was going out, leaving a little blue boat high and dry. I remember seeing this boat the last time I was here and think it must now be a landmark. Someone had got up early, as soon as the tide went out, and was making repairs on a wall, although I'm not sure that cement would be dry before the tide came back in again. Hopefully, he was covering it with sheet plastic. And the little step overs in the gateways that are part of many of the homes near the water, to protect the homes at high tide.</p><p>We left Bosham and decided to investigate t<a href="https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/places/fishbourne-roman-palace/" target="_blank">he Roman Palace at nearby Fishbourne</a>. This was discovered in 1960 when a workman, laying a new water pipe, unearthed some pottery, and reported his find. The British Museum was contacted, and from there, the ruins were uncovered, and a museum built. It's the biggest single Roman building unearthed, and about the floor size of Buckingham Palace, so obviously once belonged to a person of importance.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu54M2M1GJdlKWsxw_buBsGBEBrucbXgNgu5yWZptWFQr3ev2uRPacw6pnxdP7LprKUSPmQi8OwRD6e-jt7bXvheA6OAFPl2pCQJnH-FqGIPyz5DqnzNXIY4qq1XVYAybTlN5qOqkHGm_PEuF2KS_MaTq76RMgEJZ2U4gzlGRpx6PIpbwUDx0Fb3I/s1800/DSC03843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu54M2M1GJdlKWsxw_buBsGBEBrucbXgNgu5yWZptWFQr3ev2uRPacw6pnxdP7LprKUSPmQi8OwRD6e-jt7bXvheA6OAFPl2pCQJnH-FqGIPyz5DqnzNXIY4qq1XVYAybTlN5qOqkHGm_PEuF2KS_MaTq76RMgEJZ2U4gzlGRpx6PIpbwUDx0Fb3I/s320/DSC03843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>These coins thrilled me, having seen piles of very old coins on the news and social media, that had been unearthed by lucky finders, They always looked interesting, but seeing an actual pile in real life and close up, really impressed me; I felt their age and value. I think the soft light making them glow also helped...I would've loved to hold them in my hand.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H1N6bq47dGbGftLGH5zUpw4tUwJ0jN3Pu0nofqKKpM7aA1h7PzNDCx02Bqvna_ILyk3LK3lpojgQnjCwYn_THMgkpOY1KecNmrFIpytQQALPsUu2zXgj0XrzLREAW3GM_PfWcifYJyYUv12mI9uzmmS55NsWZ1cXeZ2qeqNda7_rf89V9q2w22MU/s1800/DSC03845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H1N6bq47dGbGftLGH5zUpw4tUwJ0jN3Pu0nofqKKpM7aA1h7PzNDCx02Bqvna_ILyk3LK3lpojgQnjCwYn_THMgkpOY1KecNmrFIpytQQALPsUu2zXgj0XrzLREAW3GM_PfWcifYJyYUv12mI9uzmmS55NsWZ1cXeZ2qeqNda7_rf89V9q2w22MU/s320/DSC03845.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c_f4aq4vy2eSII9KR37GNdLArB2sBMck5m2RwrL7K5S4tkYw6xWSUuwvUTGMON50_HD2VVXfab8n5hjT1fl2obUnScRYGi3TR5O2TR-Yx-H8joOBNHhxzw4KAvupdMay6laUfQe2_HXtECwxSe5NRC69Zu7Tt7tgJhDbkCxfB0nDEWR09PTbLtZ6/s1800/DSC03847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c_f4aq4vy2eSII9KR37GNdLArB2sBMck5m2RwrL7K5S4tkYw6xWSUuwvUTGMON50_HD2VVXfab8n5hjT1fl2obUnScRYGi3TR5O2TR-Yx-H8joOBNHhxzw4KAvupdMay6laUfQe2_HXtECwxSe5NRC69Zu7Tt7tgJhDbkCxfB0nDEWR09PTbLtZ6/s320/DSC03847.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB16km8D9J70TaUMwcAiaOql2w1gXoh0uHBPGNorm_DX0QojUGZVpphbyp6w7NRhnIwg_8NYsLNpENg8vqx2JEA50zs_97pyJlIZdU_qH1bwRV6aD2ID9cK7C1dlZ2C5j0mxs8fv48gcToeIX7tWNH7FmZY3k5LLz-8NbHl2LCwniidMn-BCqfhp-p/s1800/DSC03849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB16km8D9J70TaUMwcAiaOql2w1gXoh0uHBPGNorm_DX0QojUGZVpphbyp6w7NRhnIwg_8NYsLNpENg8vqx2JEA50zs_97pyJlIZdU_qH1bwRV6aD2ID9cK7C1dlZ2C5j0mxs8fv48gcToeIX7tWNH7FmZY3k5LLz-8NbHl2LCwniidMn-BCqfhp-p/s320/DSC03849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AsCNMNSIHHX-34UYFpYhIvyf5ZovD3AXIPPn2NJpXn93LQcW-v182YPSHWiB6ef-LXZv9SA8S2VhANdyNVOmomwgRCVS2J-s5oOn6WxX7PekPoh4Hgy4lhAHr12k94W8OdRMLTK5luPndd7IhvqKPMsp6YlUkdOZNtI5XF21rscTb0Igjh3QCbwX/s1800/DSC03850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AsCNMNSIHHX-34UYFpYhIvyf5ZovD3AXIPPn2NJpXn93LQcW-v182YPSHWiB6ef-LXZv9SA8S2VhANdyNVOmomwgRCVS2J-s5oOn6WxX7PekPoh4Hgy4lhAHr12k94W8OdRMLTK5luPndd7IhvqKPMsp6YlUkdOZNtI5XF21rscTb0Igjh3QCbwX/s320/DSC03850.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p> Likely built in 75AD, the palace was later renovated, and new floors of mosaic tiles were found on top of old ones. A curator suggested that as the years went by, more and bright colors became available, so some floors were redone, and this is also shown in some repairs, where the pattern remained the same, but the replacement tiles stood out. She also noted that many of the tiles had faded over the hundreds of years. Incredible how these floors have lasted all this time. I was glad we'd made the visit, and then we continued on our journey on towards Dorset, where we dragged our cases for the last time into a holiday caravan, where we'd stay until we left to go back to the U.S.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4kDH6T2QYsDSSuBHuIw7ldYT2Civt4FkbiYd-IYHIJgYCAqfpDwRb_d--YLR6thJqm5-r5s4zqKevjwSsZH3yaCbxNE541IF0UK2vS2J-9VGipp-p6p6pUDusqD1pPsrFUUmobr3eIpYJ5J0gltdtbfq0Dg0B2qZV_LT5S7nIRDA_iafUMmHnmqW/s1800/IMG_0774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4kDH6T2QYsDSSuBHuIw7ldYT2Civt4FkbiYd-IYHIJgYCAqfpDwRb_d--YLR6thJqm5-r5s4zqKevjwSsZH3yaCbxNE541IF0UK2vS2J-9VGipp-p6p6pUDusqD1pPsrFUUmobr3eIpYJ5J0gltdtbfq0Dg0B2qZV_LT5S7nIRDA_iafUMmHnmqW/s320/IMG_0774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs2c-mMMAIITYe66JBJ_xP-sprDuDQmGFK4TJUhh0YwHVpaMQCSV_3CT__qXerb2igNfduTjM6WkUUdC9R383bkh89NH0vTMUkvq2bg8rgjuUHRc5QOGYJdd3vE1_sEaU9-IcRMzUh57eV9DaOwH72rCPcZn9C0kJYXgDSsLCkFKZCf5ZHH0tSpMa/s1800/IMG_0775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs2c-mMMAIITYe66JBJ_xP-sprDuDQmGFK4TJUhh0YwHVpaMQCSV_3CT__qXerb2igNfduTjM6WkUUdC9R383bkh89NH0vTMUkvq2bg8rgjuUHRc5QOGYJdd3vE1_sEaU9-IcRMzUh57eV9DaOwH72rCPcZn9C0kJYXgDSsLCkFKZCf5ZHH0tSpMa/s320/IMG_0775.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Our holiday home, and the rather odd speed limit, the same as the Harry Potter train platform, and we never found out if it was serious or a joke, but it was impossible to go much faster than that with the numerous speed bumps throughout the park. We met with Mum and Greg later, and then spent a lazy Thursday with them.<br /><p></p><p>On Friday we were up at the crack of dawn to go and see my favorite beach, Kimmeridge Bay. I had come here 4 years ago, but had Mum with me, who stayed up in the car because it was so cold and windy, so I didn't spend long on the beach. Today, it was cold and windy again, but this time I had Elliott with me, and there was no way he wanted to stay in the car. We had timed it perfectly again, with the tide receding, but it was still blustery enough to throw up some small waves and spray.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d-uhxE1YbrcF6aAruGYt0ERoVhDvibO-vtXJiwdSNou-Q6hRZKvnTxOBK3qRR_DPQU4D2YM-BGNvQd3CDwpfb4DfeioAVckjjOFvXpzmtvyutmAEO7QS7XUlY7lsauwv1yNY8H5ObAaYWgzHoWri8yqtHFML4zhkgkLg8vtoSy5a0MwzG0ras7gU/s1800/DSC03856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d-uhxE1YbrcF6aAruGYt0ERoVhDvibO-vtXJiwdSNou-Q6hRZKvnTxOBK3qRR_DPQU4D2YM-BGNvQd3CDwpfb4DfeioAVckjjOFvXpzmtvyutmAEO7QS7XUlY7lsauwv1yNY8H5ObAaYWgzHoWri8yqtHFML4zhkgkLg8vtoSy5a0MwzG0ras7gU/s320/DSC03856.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>This ledge of dolostone rock reaches far out into the sea when the tide has fully gone out. Named the Washing Ledge, it was presumed to be once used by the women, who lived in the nearby coastguard cottages, for washing clothes.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniQsqJzk9ov4bgYSI1jgEM8hbusO4-IAyhb1ME2bgHUffUCjsc9P1TwjSDDFmleRGm0KNcX9_7oIFCgjaDHJuetc_QJd6SwjrfppXt6CkEO7nvPmJAxsUmDB__BJuVcJDrRWy_Wb45_1FzK9LoUJxNX73uhxWksv5KxxZ3xhE-87gIThwFMenWcok/s1800/DSC03860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniQsqJzk9ov4bgYSI1jgEM8hbusO4-IAyhb1ME2bgHUffUCjsc9P1TwjSDDFmleRGm0KNcX9_7oIFCgjaDHJuetc_QJd6SwjrfppXt6CkEO7nvPmJAxsUmDB__BJuVcJDrRWy_Wb45_1FzK9LoUJxNX73uhxWksv5KxxZ3xhE-87gIThwFMenWcok/s320/DSC03860.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrFtGmGPr23PHklhEs9dhIUR1d6McsUglzR-tPpJX3YO9a1aDhyZBGmXEvDTOuGch6gDTgIo4zXH6RlsMZRsyk1v_w59T-LXz9UU_ft0TKEwacipnSuepovM98aMBOpecDC7RhqMQywnld4e0x9EfphX0dczzhXDbe8Y8Z0E70w1IueDquIgdEZDO/s1800/DSC03864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrFtGmGPr23PHklhEs9dhIUR1d6McsUglzR-tPpJX3YO9a1aDhyZBGmXEvDTOuGch6gDTgIo4zXH6RlsMZRsyk1v_w59T-LXz9UU_ft0TKEwacipnSuepovM98aMBOpecDC7RhqMQywnld4e0x9EfphX0dczzhXDbe8Y8Z0E70w1IueDquIgdEZDO/s320/DSC03864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HuXIt6cNnBvVDRyHRka4c7DIl6c17sSkDZ32gqHYPz4lbhO-ClOcbF_9si7SjQb4t3TUvDzZC2lL7YYpRA69Emc844AkZ9MkW9HlY8GqGePsgzhL-MHU_vkJxSNWSRgmd7nLy0IRKMZ8_AcSIO4B0AkyyXQyAm8Gfql9tybXG_VMvjAV_HXVzshV/s1800/DSC03879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HuXIt6cNnBvVDRyHRka4c7DIl6c17sSkDZ32gqHYPz4lbhO-ClOcbF_9si7SjQb4t3TUvDzZC2lL7YYpRA69Emc844AkZ9MkW9HlY8GqGePsgzhL-MHU_vkJxSNWSRgmd7nLy0IRKMZ8_AcSIO4B0AkyyXQyAm8Gfql9tybXG_VMvjAV_HXVzshV/s320/DSC03879.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoxZHVpyMZ7Rc4FaxhF5CatJMq8SSHnEIq-ZP5mhW6mNr28djsNvRlkd4ZPumObKETTqQWchlvM5N7ICYgeDcyhtTF6-0QFgf9S-rP1FqOYi6-WilNdAj248_wL2Nl6CBzmN8EHCwTfz2UWd4J4iuqS8jCZiE5n-IdRVMtEbexFP5cO3DTcEt5LVr/s1800/DSC03865.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoxZHVpyMZ7Rc4FaxhF5CatJMq8SSHnEIq-ZP5mhW6mNr28djsNvRlkd4ZPumObKETTqQWchlvM5N7ICYgeDcyhtTF6-0QFgf9S-rP1FqOYi6-WilNdAj248_wL2Nl6CBzmN8EHCwTfz2UWd4J4iuqS8jCZiE5n-IdRVMtEbexFP5cO3DTcEt5LVr/s320/DSC03865.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlluzl1iku5s-PkuMERO6ylDdXqnTCBLWCXiQrV0A9yO9I9LOvt5FX7SDlVlKqS-HheTxlim0Icff6vk06POiUWT4urgGL1eLK7veAdLfUnGlAFPqdEivEA4d16TJQATO6HuDMkF_ujG7garLsQ2-qO22QlBrRrFchKMmiqjHCAHd8jhF2VQBffar/s1800/DSC03869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlluzl1iku5s-PkuMERO6ylDdXqnTCBLWCXiQrV0A9yO9I9LOvt5FX7SDlVlKqS-HheTxlim0Icff6vk06POiUWT4urgGL1eLK7veAdLfUnGlAFPqdEivEA4d16TJQATO6HuDMkF_ujG7garLsQ2-qO22QlBrRrFchKMmiqjHCAHd8jhF2VQBffar/s320/DSC03869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfacmcuJdxy8dytiSNNLxSvG7oY-Vbl6ORJZPt9gbt8csq3Nv9Hvy0M2HQMIC-HNan8MlaMKXSNAImfHQOi38eoiz7bnx_4Z6EukUzEQawvG3-FJtaf3GBA5ejy0tfaWMouaIV6x51AqB0f5o5ydRAQTA0t54IzQCKRBrO6oguV0BloTJAT5QJo7P/s1800/DSC03874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfacmcuJdxy8dytiSNNLxSvG7oY-Vbl6ORJZPt9gbt8csq3Nv9Hvy0M2HQMIC-HNan8MlaMKXSNAImfHQOi38eoiz7bnx_4Z6EukUzEQawvG3-FJtaf3GBA5ejy0tfaWMouaIV6x51AqB0f5o5ydRAQTA0t54IzQCKRBrO6oguV0BloTJAT5QJo7P/s320/DSC03874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>On my last visit, I hadn't been aware that we could collect fossils to take home, so today, I was hunting for small rocks that had the spiral ammonite fossils. There were some beautiful large rocks with gorgeous examples, but it took a while before I started finding my own much smaller samples. As long as hammers or other tools aren't used to chip away at the cliff faces, fossil hunting is allowed.<br /></p><p>The slate-like bed rock, which is actually black mudstone, was becoming more exposed as the tide drew back, the wet surface quite slippery in places. This rock is highly organic, over 150 million years old, and acts as a source rock for much of the UK's oil reserves under the North Sea.You can actually smell the oil content on the freshly exposed surfaces.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6j60c7Tfas9h6bLqgN2eEf4qKMiz4PAxHjyCqMuEb3jioXcyPDZSY9RwLRGF5V82f2D7rjyaqRLyPr04T3v7nzxU2sK6FrQVkT0112K13CJp1bvuuvFOFn-QRYca3GIZ3S9zU6QBoT8pXUSCcPfjCryYNfLVbieOSlHWRXI0BS_7-5DasiO5suon/s1800/DSC03898.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6j60c7Tfas9h6bLqgN2eEf4qKMiz4PAxHjyCqMuEb3jioXcyPDZSY9RwLRGF5V82f2D7rjyaqRLyPr04T3v7nzxU2sK6FrQVkT0112K13CJp1bvuuvFOFn-QRYca3GIZ3S9zU6QBoT8pXUSCcPfjCryYNfLVbieOSlHWRXI0BS_7-5DasiO5suon/s320/DSC03898.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5RIe14GC2l7jUdrx3Xo6NlFqZfCP6RML-8nMxP0xqRy8S8ddXrNLU5RMnQKUXs51Ma1NJgOcPa0MsOUbDt8bTEjSBltbF3z2XXkGyqcYakxylpigOJnUpDt2ICcJY7j9MdCTtvcwe3sApAJ1R0OgX0CrZ2D38mzigZ9IFuSDod6S0OKsG3sqyH_5/s1800/DSC03899.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5RIe14GC2l7jUdrx3Xo6NlFqZfCP6RML-8nMxP0xqRy8S8ddXrNLU5RMnQKUXs51Ma1NJgOcPa0MsOUbDt8bTEjSBltbF3z2XXkGyqcYakxylpigOJnUpDt2ICcJY7j9MdCTtvcwe3sApAJ1R0OgX0CrZ2D38mzigZ9IFuSDod6S0OKsG3sqyH_5/s320/DSC03899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABN9VQuSZoxB0oQfZS0NTjz9w5mDx6XA_mjPqPMikRbLBndL-Ak1DoOmiMtW836DEyagh47hg9ZnEGLfwksMmlqTg9KMwSTI6KULoODS-lDkFdfSJ2XRiiafbnaCICTDiMLV_tCpgpKuAUuqYrnDMWsyVzAMsJ6sJTh4fKV2ocIhkKhBIW2UdYNcD/s1800/DSC03902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABN9VQuSZoxB0oQfZS0NTjz9w5mDx6XA_mjPqPMikRbLBndL-Ak1DoOmiMtW836DEyagh47hg9ZnEGLfwksMmlqTg9KMwSTI6KULoODS-lDkFdfSJ2XRiiafbnaCICTDiMLV_tCpgpKuAUuqYrnDMWsyVzAMsJ6sJTh4fKV2ocIhkKhBIW2UdYNcD/s320/DSC03902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvopb2K1NJDjU_5W9GmlCuUkpp9NEhjX37nYZij69d7n9e2poC-30V2z6ErbGyrzZ24d8m6MtsMXS0WvyImOz5VSbihW1c4PZcVzH3EEoXhnQDWwo7JJ00mt8lFP-T-D4HlAegWuWtCpiPdsP2PemnIOuTA8nvZg7Fj9TduNTNrsHP1Mma2LuQRN0/s1800/DSC03912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvopb2K1NJDjU_5W9GmlCuUkpp9NEhjX37nYZij69d7n9e2poC-30V2z6ErbGyrzZ24d8m6MtsMXS0WvyImOz5VSbihW1c4PZcVzH3EEoXhnQDWwo7JJ00mt8lFP-T-D4HlAegWuWtCpiPdsP2PemnIOuTA8nvZg7Fj9TduNTNrsHP1Mma2LuQRN0/s320/DSC03912.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQyNmDMpUvUHZp2goB230sIXuWbwimzGlJxqnLRselN6XPrFroFfzLnVQkVWrpFiOLwlExLl676eJMhsmwhwhJJi7iorxHRpCaP_CUeZiTFtCmjK8ZirQLBD68PLJ7k_ooDwV8MkCv04b30zy5sH_DR1LFymlHCQObEk1wO5How4UrH7kYPaij7T3/s1800/DSC03913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQyNmDMpUvUHZp2goB230sIXuWbwimzGlJxqnLRselN6XPrFroFfzLnVQkVWrpFiOLwlExLl676eJMhsmwhwhJJi7iorxHRpCaP_CUeZiTFtCmjK8ZirQLBD68PLJ7k_ooDwV8MkCv04b30zy5sH_DR1LFymlHCQObEk1wO5How4UrH7kYPaij7T3/s320/DSC03913.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrYJWZfTunKqskEvyWVPV5syLzk4SWgCyUIvlaWBbVsVIJgLfLaXJfsZEad1-9x0etH2DU8jVSKRjDWvbOUQVI63knFBYLTjYPicXdQJdKrgXLbfbZiPrNHYakVsMh66E16hixJSZ0CUofCenjViYPcscKdIR0LJjKeNfeY1EtvfWjq3gf6O3EKiQ/s1800/DSC03904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrYJWZfTunKqskEvyWVPV5syLzk4SWgCyUIvlaWBbVsVIJgLfLaXJfsZEad1-9x0etH2DU8jVSKRjDWvbOUQVI63knFBYLTjYPicXdQJdKrgXLbfbZiPrNHYakVsMh66E16hixJSZ0CUofCenjViYPcscKdIR0LJjKeNfeY1EtvfWjq3gf6O3EKiQ/s320/DSC03904.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>The seaweed and kelp here is incredible, so many kinds, and walking across some of the beds was like walking on cushions, with my feet sinking a good 12 inches or more in places. As it began to dry, clouds of seaweed flies settled and hovered above it, but none bit me. Apparently, they love the seaweed as it begins to rot, and their worm-like larvae help in the decomposition. Some of the weeds I was able to identify later, Sea Belt kelp which reminded me of a belt of bullets. There was also Oarweed and Sugar Kelp that I managed to recognize, It took me ages to find out what the suckered balloon shaped ones were and I finally found a <a href="https://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Saccorhiza_polyschides.php" target="_blank">page on the Furbelows seaweed</a>, with the round shape is known as the Sea Hedgehog.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIz-DJxSMFIj4aRKm_ffGx6Pf8OfH3atIMji7Cw5g8L2Y-WSKxbzyCj4Xn5n_m8z5aO94Ma1KM1QuAernPEhlehZo0EwIEv0aHxLK9W7q_3NXqnXORfPropke-7h8vhg6GVKGLIrU3zCGszy-8NZrZX7cUL0nBtH4QJ9SoQRFtH7W-oFo196S9PhL/s1800/DSC03903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIz-DJxSMFIj4aRKm_ffGx6Pf8OfH3atIMji7Cw5g8L2Y-WSKxbzyCj4Xn5n_m8z5aO94Ma1KM1QuAernPEhlehZo0EwIEv0aHxLK9W7q_3NXqnXORfPropke-7h8vhg6GVKGLIrU3zCGszy-8NZrZX7cUL0nBtH4QJ9SoQRFtH7W-oFo196S9PhL/s320/DSC03903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> The Ministry of Defence uses part of the beach as military firing ranges so warning signs have to be heeded. We saw some short-board surfers walking towards us, who told us they have to be out of the water by 9:30am or The MOD kick them out from a boat patrol. We were beyond this sign, engrossed in exploring the beach and taking photos when an extremely loud voice over a tannoy make me jump, requesting very politely that we return back to beach area before the sign, and finished with a thank you. We moved immediately.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd7nvPqjYCqgW7UY7cVS0EMxmdvysV2HBudddI1wtnBh2S84HoG_WVDRw8fOjaMKrXmrLZLVWEtj_gKoOZPzBZ7qT5bGdAFBId-5n07qVldvp7-tH1xdKyOFStLpFKxpsihMaxMvfN2brymRr3WRdfHdKwqHwVgUw7Ay1eI7dXj5sIXF1eHwv4fMX/s1800/DSC03907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd7nvPqjYCqgW7UY7cVS0EMxmdvysV2HBudddI1wtnBh2S84HoG_WVDRw8fOjaMKrXmrLZLVWEtj_gKoOZPzBZ7qT5bGdAFBId-5n07qVldvp7-tH1xdKyOFStLpFKxpsihMaxMvfN2brymRr3WRdfHdKwqHwVgUw7Ay1eI7dXj5sIXF1eHwv4fMX/s320/DSC03907.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM-1oSyOdf1fW5845LvmaFeeqiZiJ8sOgd-EWlVr6tjTtvSPbbC6d8QiAXbx8BJjtS7xzQE6wF__ORqwwfLoo5uwUYuUs9f1WLpUofOUqvnQUvwH1nHbpoNl7QsZeeu42VGNRKoriJPiDD5SStdWJ_MtfA8wB-mfmx9KWmVEeBipcLem36-f5p10y/s1800/DSC03908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM-1oSyOdf1fW5845LvmaFeeqiZiJ8sOgd-EWlVr6tjTtvSPbbC6d8QiAXbx8BJjtS7xzQE6wF__ORqwwfLoo5uwUYuUs9f1WLpUofOUqvnQUvwH1nHbpoNl7QsZeeu42VGNRKoriJPiDD5SStdWJ_MtfA8wB-mfmx9KWmVEeBipcLem36-f5p10y/s320/DSC03908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Elliott found a few fossils to take back to the US, which he is evidently very pleased with.</p><p>These jagged rocks on the cliffs are bituminous shales, (brown and hard), which jut out from the softer grey mudstone, forming a very interesting cliff face.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI0KhqHdQlmBT9dYsvpJYsVEkU5IuD9EhY10HEV6zNJdvc2DV1t9yfbtjXswuyY0ExP56-qBNz6RyKYwlHjyZVU2Srgp1s6035iC3ZtgU7ZnGub5Ro679zofRGIIbR0SqVXeV4hU6ea5YsHnTdh1s8Os7Sqdik7ngvBDbcFLEt2enegrQmrGVTrSx/s1800/DSC03886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI0KhqHdQlmBT9dYsvpJYsVEkU5IuD9EhY10HEV6zNJdvc2DV1t9yfbtjXswuyY0ExP56-qBNz6RyKYwlHjyZVU2Srgp1s6035iC3ZtgU7ZnGub5Ro679zofRGIIbR0SqVXeV4hU6ea5YsHnTdh1s8Os7Sqdik7ngvBDbcFLEt2enegrQmrGVTrSx/s320/DSC03886.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBL-diWkniiVjNrTXWxhTtJAMS2yMUJwE5twsqWfzq55E7pc413W33cyZcmQ2yp1ljrOSwe7B57inLgi0ULD13xHU0mfa_DTSHXmOntnw4UtrczdcoeMoWeDpIZzqIhc94-CD_Hw2u0N3BQPAostpZkOQ6D3Zhd0pP1y1xKb5bB_VSbnjWUibrUZC/s1800/DSC03887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBL-diWkniiVjNrTXWxhTtJAMS2yMUJwE5twsqWfzq55E7pc413W33cyZcmQ2yp1ljrOSwe7B57inLgi0ULD13xHU0mfa_DTSHXmOntnw4UtrczdcoeMoWeDpIZzqIhc94-CD_Hw2u0N3BQPAostpZkOQ6D3Zhd0pP1y1xKb5bB_VSbnjWUibrUZC/s320/DSC03887.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR9e7jnHY9lJki6Lk39QKN2sM5jg7Xj3WFX17LzcaT4A5gnSJ9Mvv4bzJpclC6S2WGB7L8pIiKQXcM_3nHCdpf4NMdsZWF6oagh6L04UI1ayuC9ZsiLYK8kunF56X_mMn-sTApos7Kq2m_j2uF7tukDL_ITr5xFKdgOO_jMz2Zd8PAUGEPh6G8L5V/s1800/DSC03891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR9e7jnHY9lJki6Lk39QKN2sM5jg7Xj3WFX17LzcaT4A5gnSJ9Mvv4bzJpclC6S2WGB7L8pIiKQXcM_3nHCdpf4NMdsZWF6oagh6L04UI1ayuC9ZsiLYK8kunF56X_mMn-sTApos7Kq2m_j2uF7tukDL_ITr5xFKdgOO_jMz2Zd8PAUGEPh6G8L5V/s320/DSC03891.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3GAV0qhRFwAfYz0C3q4hwbuf2G6E2G7HRpwEPwOEe2r1_SX08cFzGE1Zc4K7fVmf4RRMJAQuQvS2HFJ6vtenwVW_xo4tlSvlZzbVHUtWQsEtvtqljuOFv7j7QQAEP9hjaH60iaYyUE0N0SZseK88WW9df9aQx0Xxj0ycP7zjBkzmJ8Z3Pfy_jR9n/s1800/DSC03895.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3GAV0qhRFwAfYz0C3q4hwbuf2G6E2G7HRpwEPwOEe2r1_SX08cFzGE1Zc4K7fVmf4RRMJAQuQvS2HFJ6vtenwVW_xo4tlSvlZzbVHUtWQsEtvtqljuOFv7j7QQAEP9hjaH60iaYyUE0N0SZseK88WW9df9aQx0Xxj0ycP7zjBkzmJ8Z3Pfy_jR9n/s320/DSC03895.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeo-s7Yvnx70eyg7Nqq2WjE_9fwdjyGgVUlSOCAGS7h-MqoBERan5jvfhwF3JmucJUHYHCTlNulkf9L-jNHPm97TTjuHlFWY2OYYCvQNFZgMiKU8G4gipzMV049GyZOnM6HqvDLH9Gvx_WGdDWBD7OIDGOTQWU4vm_fN_bVNxKVdX0XWTZ1FoECFF/s1800/DSC03922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeo-s7Yvnx70eyg7Nqq2WjE_9fwdjyGgVUlSOCAGS7h-MqoBERan5jvfhwF3JmucJUHYHCTlNulkf9L-jNHPm97TTjuHlFWY2OYYCvQNFZgMiKU8G4gipzMV049GyZOnM6HqvDLH9Gvx_WGdDWBD7OIDGOTQWU4vm_fN_bVNxKVdX0XWTZ1FoECFF/s320/DSC03922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU9OKTsFqgO3CblU8GgNCHNfx_s2gcidoR7z9RwDm_PSiYxWSS6JpwIKFFeqvnggjnT8vZ5lINMTsECAJJ-Bo4VbUT3MXS3O6cIiiRHFChBv1occXL7cC7dmtQQjCU11yyUWRbKNv58WwWCMuaDf4giWZXn3_GMFpYsEQYCmGb5fINu9z6v_i0kj6/s1800/DSC03923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU9OKTsFqgO3CblU8GgNCHNfx_s2gcidoR7z9RwDm_PSiYxWSS6JpwIKFFeqvnggjnT8vZ5lINMTsECAJJ-Bo4VbUT3MXS3O6cIiiRHFChBv1occXL7cC7dmtQQjCU11yyUWRbKNv58WwWCMuaDf4giWZXn3_GMFpYsEQYCmGb5fINu9z6v_i0kj6/s320/DSC03923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>The Clavell Tower, which has been renovated and is now a holiday destination.It looks lovely inside, <a href="https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/clavell-tower-6222/#Overview" target="_blank">look here.</a> One day...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC8moVfC3gzGu7tWum7p0Jrli05nPfIXqAlHjNdiKGuUUEL-7iZt-0aMzKYfxLu2JRkpaUhJr43-sHgjnA0F-EfgVk91_qK00wlBZXBpB9zQ3oN0qZMnvPQwfCJGRtdH2rKzWGCiwI1l4_PM_veYMcYtCNFq6DlwIHgn6p5oiad7JKgIBx8Cd2Qxp/s1800/DSC03928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC8moVfC3gzGu7tWum7p0Jrli05nPfIXqAlHjNdiKGuUUEL-7iZt-0aMzKYfxLu2JRkpaUhJr43-sHgjnA0F-EfgVk91_qK00wlBZXBpB9zQ3oN0qZMnvPQwfCJGRtdH2rKzWGCiwI1l4_PM_veYMcYtCNFq6DlwIHgn6p5oiad7JKgIBx8Cd2Qxp/s320/DSC03928.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>We left the beach after a couple of hours, with fossils in our pockets and plenty of photos. We stopped at the Clavell's restaurant for brunch, where I had the most amazing omelette with toast and marmalade, with of course, a pot of tea, and then we took one more photo from the top of the hills of the sea before heading on to the next part of our day.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVzLc4s30gttCG19T8ehPEV2plXdKwBccVNK9FUxb147nPZlaPIoeF4ADa905DR82fo_p4qAd2njIKM13pC-uCRB-mbPMIM9n416dm3U7Gt_J-p_cTSmZK--q6cAvpqPut4bfZMCidM4MFXzkmpxA1JO0tgID0dYYAHFJQ4le_qFUgra2VFm0O7fp/s1800/DSC03931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVzLc4s30gttCG19T8ehPEV2plXdKwBccVNK9FUxb147nPZlaPIoeF4ADa905DR82fo_p4qAd2njIKM13pC-uCRB-mbPMIM9n416dm3U7Gt_J-p_cTSmZK--q6cAvpqPut4bfZMCidM4MFXzkmpxA1JO0tgID0dYYAHFJQ4le_qFUgra2VFm0O7fp/s320/DSC03931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-77918045570212949672022-12-02T10:58:00.001-08:002022-12-02T10:58:02.199-08:00The Boats of the Stade and Bosham<p> We had spent the night in a Premier Inn just outside of town, and the beauty of this was the unlimited breakfast. But really, how much can a person put away. I started off with high hopes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGassxa1uUqfsMBk0R0tALES-r86mGD5_8E6CWVC806I_7EZZ1lxGAoLE_sYf3e-jch6-hLbknvEMkp4AA-LjDzBV_HQPgeWk0yEDis-sokw45kCWoMf3x-BQw2aeiACVhb4e869RrJVAPq376u1Ptn67Qos_7luwgVdDnU8vPmGracxIUJU03ct-1/s4032/IMG_0332.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGassxa1uUqfsMBk0R0tALES-r86mGD5_8E6CWVC806I_7EZZ1lxGAoLE_sYf3e-jch6-hLbknvEMkp4AA-LjDzBV_HQPgeWk0yEDis-sokw45kCWoMf3x-BQw2aeiACVhb4e869RrJVAPq376u1Ptn67Qos_7luwgVdDnU8vPmGracxIUJU03ct-1/s320/IMG_0332.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This was my plate, accompanied with 2 slices of toast and tea. Elliott fared better, demolishing 4 croissants and 2 coffees before his cooked breakfast. We waddled back to our room to grab the cases, and then drove down to Hastings beach. We then sat in the car, staring out at the spattering rain while the gales buffeted the car. Zipping my snowboard jacket up to my chin, with the hood tied tight around my face, I stepped out. I was concerned about my camera, as it's not fully weatherproof like Elliott's, but this had to be done. Chin Up! British Stiff Upper Lip! and all that. Suck it up and carry on. And we did. The waves pounded the beach and the sound of shingle being dragged back into the sea by the water was like china pebbles rolling down a pane of glass; it was so loud, but the scene was breathtakingly dramatic and exhilarating. I was happy just to stand, watch and listen for a while. My eyes began streaming with the wind, and the best way of overcoming this was to put my eyes to the viewfinder of my camera and take photos, so I did.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9AEgLKCGI4jOm-xvy4enrj6mzcKglY9tbiTkPUzM5Hq_NhT6p8xWGJJXn5Qk5dxJJys1F5omKSBpScZki-slYlcKtaecx6tPKE-6HRPvXzKHUKPVTfPK_0x60lIn8lqTAnCGutjNjGb7dmjSAWxkn1lMLCVngHFjZkq-EtWZ8Z10x9R47Ep9vMA_/s1800/DSC03649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9AEgLKCGI4jOm-xvy4enrj6mzcKglY9tbiTkPUzM5Hq_NhT6p8xWGJJXn5Qk5dxJJys1F5omKSBpScZki-slYlcKtaecx6tPKE-6HRPvXzKHUKPVTfPK_0x60lIn8lqTAnCGutjNjGb7dmjSAWxkn1lMLCVngHFjZkq-EtWZ8Z10x9R47Ep9vMA_/s320/DSC03649.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUR4rLNX44xFLFZfMl5rwq8GdeohnyvkzYK2BbnkYFOlcBH8jyp2EsZ2QjbjYKd7p1HFgPpN-2CBTb_KCRvAZD6xrihQ1lNnveVPZGdUaM-6NTQ_9reyDAEJRBS9TgYpzvFAvWucj9zpnlrzkAl0EzXThagbqjdMK6bSbpPIGY1ZGZIf9tW09o6dU/s1800/DSC03650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUR4rLNX44xFLFZfMl5rwq8GdeohnyvkzYK2BbnkYFOlcBH8jyp2EsZ2QjbjYKd7p1HFgPpN-2CBTb_KCRvAZD6xrihQ1lNnveVPZGdUaM-6NTQ_9reyDAEJRBS9TgYpzvFAvWucj9zpnlrzkAl0EzXThagbqjdMK6bSbpPIGY1ZGZIf9tW09o6dU/s320/DSC03650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPhbt8pQi1G6ak_WRrqU5_tdoMVtLdwpTl65VOA4mW96ahKAQTODsIppcJgcHNAlwvhmKchhtQNkDvCAL4uPadjBLh2VvoJXdsWCRcP2euHfDbnFNSCqSiGjdhE_VTf9s3q10sBsbgw_rUBmjyfSsj-EzWlW2vQiFUaodgK1maEuF00f1uTJ-p4W5/s1800/DSC03653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPhbt8pQi1G6ak_WRrqU5_tdoMVtLdwpTl65VOA4mW96ahKAQTODsIppcJgcHNAlwvhmKchhtQNkDvCAL4uPadjBLh2VvoJXdsWCRcP2euHfDbnFNSCqSiGjdhE_VTf9s3q10sBsbgw_rUBmjyfSsj-EzWlW2vQiFUaodgK1maEuF00f1uTJ-p4W5/s320/DSC03653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>These small boats were often called beach punts, and were traditionally made of larch and clinker built, (overlapping boards), and using treenails, (wooden pegs). This meant it gave the hull some flexibility and caused less damage when the boat was dragged up onto the shingle beach. All these boats are pulled and pushed from and into the water by cables or the front of a bulldozer. <a href="https://www.bluebird-electric.net/oceanography/Ocean_Plastic_International_Rescue/SeaVax_RiverVax_Boat_Build/Hastings_World_Record_Beach_Launched_Fishing_Fleet_Winches_Tractors.htm" target="_blank">I liked this article I found online about how the boats are put into and taken from the water.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ3ryBGh8Mwa5A1PpoR6moiWFMwWxqjNXoQc7xZw0ndF_pDMfAGMLUqLfb8UBkNrm7cf4aomEk6rCWe-JpjcOix3fX5JV0lq_Bpv9mzIo82CN16vkLz7pIXj-EqdGDwm1ilEBFZxIfghn8VCJ7XaMe8MrE84_YuxuqPadqrGbibSXoTntcDI26ELq/s1800/DSC03673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ3ryBGh8Mwa5A1PpoR6moiWFMwWxqjNXoQc7xZw0ndF_pDMfAGMLUqLfb8UBkNrm7cf4aomEk6rCWe-JpjcOix3fX5JV0lq_Bpv9mzIo82CN16vkLz7pIXj-EqdGDwm1ilEBFZxIfghn8VCJ7XaMe8MrE84_YuxuqPadqrGbibSXoTntcDI26ELq/s320/DSC03673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaRUEI2tU_CyS8f9_ktjpFTo-KigmRXGhFJ8-8U2vxPSrRXFGUucVM4jmbOvzlVDqDBPzjDLkA50GX6hAHKlOXEvitwZkRTb1ST5lG36-q5kRZOtmUsMn4O7133WRdoyTHx0Eobt1Yog_aC17F17orBX2vODMsVWRhRcmkE4Pi6MfzMC1v3vw1SA8/s1800/DSC03681.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaRUEI2tU_CyS8f9_ktjpFTo-KigmRXGhFJ8-8U2vxPSrRXFGUucVM4jmbOvzlVDqDBPzjDLkA50GX6hAHKlOXEvitwZkRTb1ST5lG36-q5kRZOtmUsMn4O7133WRdoyTHx0Eobt1Yog_aC17F17orBX2vODMsVWRhRcmkE4Pi6MfzMC1v3vw1SA8/s320/DSC03681.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLsdkGNV24sNJdR99ty19bJb-sX-EeJiU4DbO-tMRsYZvofoyKbRg5ZqjuR7b-hIKj40NNt6iK6DrNoA-VQq1d-BbnSXbbHk501MHmmfNICxQ2WJs0cOjMHk3P64fX7ADxm_pBTW5lg9oso9nLIvHnuXJFjvLYx1eV_jnTDFeEXAGMVB0KYOQJWFk/s1800/DSC03698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLsdkGNV24sNJdR99ty19bJb-sX-EeJiU4DbO-tMRsYZvofoyKbRg5ZqjuR7b-hIKj40NNt6iK6DrNoA-VQq1d-BbnSXbbHk501MHmmfNICxQ2WJs0cOjMHk3P64fX7ADxm_pBTW5lg9oso9nLIvHnuXJFjvLYx1eV_jnTDFeEXAGMVB0KYOQJWFk/s320/DSC03698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This fisherman was unloading his container of fish offal at the bottom of the beach. The local seagulls were obviously familiar with this routine, there was quite a loud, squawking fan cloud hovering above him, and diving at their breakfast. The shingle was cleared in a few minutes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesMUm3jt2jhsy6EAKsHJUwgzgHsmAIiaBE9J-xhpe6MYdZJ6kTa8NGHk1viisR5wqC6Ez0eZcdkIehcvMRjEcwLET59FxcPTeeJbnVFRF8wUj2yMWQ8hV2aYBys8h3koLRdENGWZVUj3crWw7Y7glrs5yaWmYnU-WeU0VwAWuwdh6n7Xy52hVyjG3/s1800/DSC03704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesMUm3jt2jhsy6EAKsHJUwgzgHsmAIiaBE9J-xhpe6MYdZJ6kTa8NGHk1viisR5wqC6Ez0eZcdkIehcvMRjEcwLET59FxcPTeeJbnVFRF8wUj2yMWQ8hV2aYBys8h3koLRdENGWZVUj3crWw7Y7glrs5yaWmYnU-WeU0VwAWuwdh6n7Xy52hVyjG3/s320/DSC03704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF7uZD5kzsRvhrHTKAW76XgBn9Hkf6w-4vEHjhWkFRK3-CKZKS3nT6YpX83mSovOA7yX93kToNL6LGmVPqbSzaZz1LlzaBNoyOZJ6HGMxG77YrflRrQuSp4P1S52v8CyF1q82XMrvVev8h75seu53uMG2jk5X98MbuARvoOH1X00x76ua5MUhErO5/s1800/DSC03709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF7uZD5kzsRvhrHTKAW76XgBn9Hkf6w-4vEHjhWkFRK3-CKZKS3nT6YpX83mSovOA7yX93kToNL6LGmVPqbSzaZz1LlzaBNoyOZJ6HGMxG77YrflRrQuSp4P1S52v8CyF1q82XMrvVev8h75seu53uMG2jk5X98MbuARvoOH1X00x76ua5MUhErO5/s320/DSC03709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwOseTAk25d_99ylaKYlyTOYrb7rocpzTVW8JQvWiJ5c4UDDLLIb-s_U2YvDzaTN6srNg_aP57hFt00us_M3S58FM1fJkJAGQdd4vaU1SuPmZ8Zde3VFpjcB29Uoh_wIUW08kkKIipZbJGJLT5jLuzt1VwYmd_a9Q3G_20JMP3b3cWB4LGgFpPXDF/s1800/DSC03720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwOseTAk25d_99ylaKYlyTOYrb7rocpzTVW8JQvWiJ5c4UDDLLIb-s_U2YvDzaTN6srNg_aP57hFt00us_M3S58FM1fJkJAGQdd4vaU1SuPmZ8Zde3VFpjcB29Uoh_wIUW08kkKIipZbJGJLT5jLuzt1VwYmd_a9Q3G_20JMP3b3cWB4LGgFpPXDF/s320/DSC03720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorFSJTGtnNX1Spku5ZSv2wfqaQ-CS76ht1jg8qhDfVA6ZYD-DQLq5bnOlKlSRnzoX0TYJxsz9Izpl7rkm38wj_QWmvfEA37udZfYu1EEnuxGHfDrnSvLf2ul4jB3mOFkLljOGlmdeLoRb6u5r86NvHUYw0wP4Q6qzTzZuFzmpPWqOUGPH6JpcyU7u/s1800/DSC03723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorFSJTGtnNX1Spku5ZSv2wfqaQ-CS76ht1jg8qhDfVA6ZYD-DQLq5bnOlKlSRnzoX0TYJxsz9Izpl7rkm38wj_QWmvfEA37udZfYu1EEnuxGHfDrnSvLf2ul4jB3mOFkLljOGlmdeLoRb6u5r86NvHUYw0wP4Q6qzTzZuFzmpPWqOUGPH6JpcyU7u/s320/DSC03723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxyoq_WXMBfFiAovwgI8nizG9MiaHWY6QIU1hP_uctYPFW1oJT6NNj_tlQeFRws-cmkJ_G7zYPcxIOBMnS9zOeodC0jqai-MEXvn4xXdEIzWPR3d8wBBknOXy5Q1Mmfef7VyMmfF0N5YybCPP1jrtGjIhMuMPVO3lPlqT0FbCsrCzG-8eyNssy1pj/s1800/DSC03727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxyoq_WXMBfFiAovwgI8nizG9MiaHWY6QIU1hP_uctYPFW1oJT6NNj_tlQeFRws-cmkJ_G7zYPcxIOBMnS9zOeodC0jqai-MEXvn4xXdEIzWPR3d8wBBknOXy5Q1Mmfef7VyMmfF0N5YybCPP1jrtGjIhMuMPVO3lPlqT0FbCsrCzG-8eyNssy1pj/s320/DSC03727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHTNPFXDtCv5rwoHCHKCO5EUxxwTxxHn1rfrhtN78bh2W2WV04tzxsgF2HkNZEpHmVqa7KGWemxokH-v0Z8CCU-fNPncOJfQR4TR7z5mzJHZFZBMiR9wm0d2Zx_QdtYzd86TqcD5p3mr7B7l9vkz-JkH8J1nhBF7JXjS5qSV_u9Sa-8eSo79oKMxK/s1800/DSC03731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHTNPFXDtCv5rwoHCHKCO5EUxxwTxxHn1rfrhtN78bh2W2WV04tzxsgF2HkNZEpHmVqa7KGWemxokH-v0Z8CCU-fNPncOJfQR4TR7z5mzJHZFZBMiR9wm0d2Zx_QdtYzd86TqcD5p3mr7B7l9vkz-JkH8J1nhBF7JXjS5qSV_u9Sa-8eSo79oKMxK/s320/DSC03731.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk36RZq1gn_S81Nm2-cREDZBJxU-uZzS1ZjcJCZ3hwL3V5PTgYOCweP56s_b4HTXFWpyQDyH4nUjfjXLTrZ0Hs9mOzkndPoAzzIiTekrhU_WIUcihm7GZLeyzbyNoiiBFlyDnVGKfRyeKxRbUuFLAxDgLnZwQB6toOvjRpQLKiomBlZX29gcE4J7n/s1800/DSC03732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk36RZq1gn_S81Nm2-cREDZBJxU-uZzS1ZjcJCZ3hwL3V5PTgYOCweP56s_b4HTXFWpyQDyH4nUjfjXLTrZ0Hs9mOzkndPoAzzIiTekrhU_WIUcihm7GZLeyzbyNoiiBFlyDnVGKfRyeKxRbUuFLAxDgLnZwQB6toOvjRpQLKiomBlZX29gcE4J7n/s320/DSC03732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaklrsAnRK_Ng7coDsnwNxzSQ19BfIP9yHMvwGlEA3JtRzVbBGWyk-L_oXyTSQ1ITtx2WA8YPVJDTwb2R24uXCGZ1fgIhKpURKgwLP-pQAsDws1CAzo7u7Fz6AvYDaXnQdEF8B3Je9cGjxHk9VpJYqPLOCJlbUDn8Ck9KiofopXmDC02bchRnEPUl/s1800/DSC03740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaklrsAnRK_Ng7coDsnwNxzSQ19BfIP9yHMvwGlEA3JtRzVbBGWyk-L_oXyTSQ1ITtx2WA8YPVJDTwb2R24uXCGZ1fgIhKpURKgwLP-pQAsDws1CAzo7u7Fz6AvYDaXnQdEF8B3Je9cGjxHk9VpJYqPLOCJlbUDn8Ck9KiofopXmDC02bchRnEPUl/s320/DSC03740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsOB9Y_kA3wIXzyED7Wtse6SEJk2a8KARHQj-dRD1evqTE3a1P1_iWlRtOq3lXdRur8nuRfJcUqylBw-KH5yguXp6ob-1KONys9S0Psq_t_vzoS43F0iKpzAoDt8PBCAxWzOgOtS3PXHhjwBozckW1npBMLkPVQTj-Tllhfln_NIt_uaC1jXJUFwn/s1800/DSC03751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsOB9Y_kA3wIXzyED7Wtse6SEJk2a8KARHQj-dRD1evqTE3a1P1_iWlRtOq3lXdRur8nuRfJcUqylBw-KH5yguXp6ob-1KONys9S0Psq_t_vzoS43F0iKpzAoDt8PBCAxWzOgOtS3PXHhjwBozckW1npBMLkPVQTj-Tllhfln_NIt_uaC1jXJUFwn/s320/DSC03751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuRHv9AZ94T56PaKAz3sBLelJS8WinBq77wGMqwNnHUgVtKTUq_8ggwkWzyo3IpbaqoaAbovmrCwLOCxnk4kX4xbZIMIYJ8yKvGW5L00_knhhiKorAi6WOWeoU27dPMIp73UwPIky8ZIWzpj9_c8aQYTpiOg8Ok4uWCeYHUEI3AY026tSAK4FIRYl/s1800/DSC03754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuRHv9AZ94T56PaKAz3sBLelJS8WinBq77wGMqwNnHUgVtKTUq_8ggwkWzyo3IpbaqoaAbovmrCwLOCxnk4kX4xbZIMIYJ8yKvGW5L00_knhhiKorAi6WOWeoU27dPMIp73UwPIky8ZIWzpj9_c8aQYTpiOg8Ok4uWCeYHUEI3AY026tSAK4FIRYl/s320/DSC03754.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hastings beach is a dramatic mix of sand and shingle, with a backdrop of soaring sandstone cliffs, as shown here, looking up to East Hill Cliff where the funicular, (cable), lift runs up and down. Unfortunately we weren't able to ride on it while we were there, as it was under repair.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2BxLgkPVgPdM8dfzviCxDKpOrDIs0iF6NiTPv9c2sENcZWty8wZEFeSlPb5Lf4znTShMaiznRuPrc0bIdOMkJ8MIkIoB4CrDXlvX4PEb4pGw2ueZkYmwBwbdI7xxpamN4CHOYY_toPuk388H0L7j572aaWKJMu-1Cht3cP6pe4u9l5hGXPdOo8D/s1800/DSC03761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy2BxLgkPVgPdM8dfzviCxDKpOrDIs0iF6NiTPv9c2sENcZWty8wZEFeSlPb5Lf4znTShMaiznRuPrc0bIdOMkJ8MIkIoB4CrDXlvX4PEb4pGw2ueZkYmwBwbdI7xxpamN4CHOYY_toPuk388H0L7j572aaWKJMu-1Cht3cP6pe4u9l5hGXPdOo8D/s320/DSC03761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Stade, (Saxon for
landing place), as this part of the beach is called, is where the
fishing fleet resides, and has been based here since the 11th century,
with many of the fishermen able to trace their families back to their
inception. It's a small fleet which keeps to local waters, not catching
huge loads, and therefore with no risk of overfishing these waters, and
no discarded, wasted catches. The RX on the hulls means Port of Rye,
which is just down the coast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPOzeXck2EV-FJNwWikFfMeAM0J4Yl1N008hi_cZ2Gb9bklRljACcK4x6S3NANZh6n8tIVVl5vDqOXNx2jHNb6p4PBPI1V9RcKoyn9Hp1ayqOw-hKyigrINphs5TXxOp66tPOWFTouiwmRRwJ88IzDzej3Kkm8BDJY97r-huzyIGXm9uPlT5ytDVC/s1800/DSC03767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPOzeXck2EV-FJNwWikFfMeAM0J4Yl1N008hi_cZ2Gb9bklRljACcK4x6S3NANZh6n8tIVVl5vDqOXNx2jHNb6p4PBPI1V9RcKoyn9Hp1ayqOw-hKyigrINphs5TXxOp66tPOWFTouiwmRRwJ88IzDzej3Kkm8BDJY97r-huzyIGXm9uPlT5ytDVC/s320/DSC03767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbP0dgNhnj3HbA5t0i2TQnDE2wu3qdkFlUNDakCQLo710SizgUAs7DMfFMWpDriemWsQVP6-P6hOIlfp7Kny64_gojqPHhkgxNVjoBMZTKargrF9SyUgTL3TdJdQ2YcZCcgxEZFHmVe2_PlXZ4g5pF8bb2PdIDUtnblFdIInQDYmR04hCFikpHjDE/s1800/DSC03818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbP0dgNhnj3HbA5t0i2TQnDE2wu3qdkFlUNDakCQLo710SizgUAs7DMfFMWpDriemWsQVP6-P6hOIlfp7Kny64_gojqPHhkgxNVjoBMZTKargrF9SyUgTL3TdJdQ2YcZCcgxEZFHmVe2_PlXZ4g5pF8bb2PdIDUtnblFdIInQDYmR04hCFikpHjDE/s320/DSC03818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF8AHzJh-4-Fve5ee7O7qVgdBjB3gYU6zUIbHgvCpXGBGryLjIzeOrN_zdH7-D5xekXKD0vvUuCclBFVIOQKruh30TWo3YyhKWxLeGfzJelBeFKdxO4zI2rg8-tk0yvDDmCUS27RPJ9kwA6nruCIoQjTVOOiGXuWpj4BM03nFSMifMdvVrQ14doob/s1800/DSC03776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF8AHzJh-4-Fve5ee7O7qVgdBjB3gYU6zUIbHgvCpXGBGryLjIzeOrN_zdH7-D5xekXKD0vvUuCclBFVIOQKruh30TWo3YyhKWxLeGfzJelBeFKdxO4zI2rg8-tk0yvDDmCUS27RPJ9kwA6nruCIoQjTVOOiGXuWpj4BM03nFSMifMdvVrQ14doob/s320/DSC03776.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6mlY1wa7KlOljwEj5XFTD4HR35E0p-ICZDQkQ8qn3N5Nhd1-Oo-2oJLmhRPvcD54e2lL_MLB4eg7s1JDAxCkmmauyLNHOwHrLtEJmtYSNw4NUj-6xqOEKdyYFaCJbymL84ATkOoTarLPscZJU3fLaO2X8N9_av5WwhyjG6vp2vgDKB2DyNNE4R25/s1800/DSC03781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6mlY1wa7KlOljwEj5XFTD4HR35E0p-ICZDQkQ8qn3N5Nhd1-Oo-2oJLmhRPvcD54e2lL_MLB4eg7s1JDAxCkmmauyLNHOwHrLtEJmtYSNw4NUj-6xqOEKdyYFaCJbymL84ATkOoTarLPscZJU3fLaO2X8N9_av5WwhyjG6vp2vgDKB2DyNNE4R25/s320/DSC03781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Elliott went close to the surf. I stood behind him, trying to grab a couple of shots of the sea spray while using him as a shield, but I soon gave up. My camera lens was covered in salty grime and I was really worried about the grit getting inside my camera body. I backed off and walked back away from the water's edge, instead watching the waves as they pounded onto the beach, the water frothy and violent as it hurled itself onto the shingle. It was mesmerizing. Below is a snippet of what I was watching. Despite the treacherous weather, it was amazing. The sight, the smell and the sound, just phenomenal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7M7DAp6WTKvMiPyTzglBqFZNKYfldM-i86tQ3zHi7rcM6WlanbhFwNNKshZADC4xf8VhjJoGWb7_QQypSyg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>Eventually, we gave up and took sanctuary in the warm car, and after a few minutes recovering, we continued our journey, following the coast to Brighton. We had wanted to park and walk around the outside of The Brighton Pavilion, but the weather had turned even worse, the rain torrential, the winds even more fearsome, and we even saw hailstones for a few minutes. We sat in the car, looking out to the sea and waited for the blustery deluge to subside, just a little, so we could run to a small tea shop. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhinZBgIdD8GopdExMNF3tnnyyCqvgfaRuEJbftMyEz6ijfp_Tt85w7N7ERzFN9m7lQXagnSggxkaIKlm3Oprnxmq2kRRFMxo9Ob79IWMPK_aXi9pwlIPLT4_AN13KvGV0pmNu5ckh0j6v_ULL1LFYcAExcNMGh2zvF4-j9bIKtgUlw8NdpNBt76Xo/s1800/IMG_0352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhinZBgIdD8GopdExMNF3tnnyyCqvgfaRuEJbftMyEz6ijfp_Tt85w7N7ERzFN9m7lQXagnSggxkaIKlm3Oprnxmq2kRRFMxo9Ob79IWMPK_aXi9pwlIPLT4_AN13KvGV0pmNu5ckh0j6v_ULL1LFYcAExcNMGh2zvF4-j9bIKtgUlw8NdpNBt76Xo/s320/IMG_0352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Which we did, and then lurched through the doors of our sanctuary to drape soggy jackets over chairs, and then indulge in a very fine cream tea, with homemade scones, which had been baked that morning, raspberry jam, and a pot of clotted cream. It was deliciously divine. The tea was very good also.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKWMiDRY5CzIpAH4pguHJ7-Ub5zZQlenrGwIUwCEnoCp1wHqGsuK7ihSIpW0375kXzECc-yrSF9dlSWjrzA6bBeCuORG1Lk41SpvxR7FXbT6rI18OOKHRReapy6ttsDy_uPiUF9vPy1VDFhlel2nKUdR6SFIWtR3bBf1jyKFi6kLDDBk-jLp1jGBl/s1800/IMG_0362.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKWMiDRY5CzIpAH4pguHJ7-Ub5zZQlenrGwIUwCEnoCp1wHqGsuK7ihSIpW0375kXzECc-yrSF9dlSWjrzA6bBeCuORG1Lk41SpvxR7FXbT6rI18OOKHRReapy6ttsDy_uPiUF9vPy1VDFhlel2nKUdR6SFIWtR3bBf1jyKFi6kLDDBk-jLp1jGBl/s320/IMG_0362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7hrrgIMexMBojLawNkConQM9AcVilozoeZmELBbwBrnHTD2pRJLDcZpKzRLCsMlFjwXUDFmpkI9V_MMRCI1Bmgwt_3h3qZ7-sQzcoO-w1Ja38dCigLq8fK1Mdll0YSP5_1Y8H3fXKBl0nrzILpi5kGlDIu-YeRYD4p0jMN5OMbAACZq1dhTMgdVf/s1800/IMG_0368.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7hrrgIMexMBojLawNkConQM9AcVilozoeZmELBbwBrnHTD2pRJLDcZpKzRLCsMlFjwXUDFmpkI9V_MMRCI1Bmgwt_3h3qZ7-sQzcoO-w1Ja38dCigLq8fK1Mdll0YSP5_1Y8H3fXKBl0nrzILpi5kGlDIu-YeRYD4p0jMN5OMbAACZq1dhTMgdVf/s320/IMG_0368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We were spending this night in an inn just outside of Chichester, a few miles from the last destination of the day. We made a quick detour to take in Arundel Castle and cathedral from the car. The castle wasn't open this late in the year, so this town is definitely on the list for a future visit. But looking up at the castle, it reminded me of a fairytale or Disney film, it was magical.<br /></p><p>We arrived at Bosham as the light was fading, and the tide was coming in fast. Mum had brought me here 4 years ago, and I loved this little village, and t<a href="https://bosham.org/chichester/about-bosham-king-canute-c-3_38.html" target="_blank">he story of Canute the Great ordering back the waves </a>in this little bay. And as well as King Canute putting Bosham on the map, it is also thought to be the birthplace of King Harold II who fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The famous Bayeux Tapestry shows a scene of King Harold visiting Bosham church before setting sail on the voyage during which a storm led to him being captured by William of Normandy, and then later invading England to reclaim his throne.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7O6TOAEa3MxvCtQLBwY4GfRFba_B6lNG8zdnti4hes8Ju72ENqoSIV8e9uq3S5MF4a6X1z1gtguROru1GMw_d2QNwgwMWmD-Atxme0GqU5cGCo5CSJfevw9cuIxqjUV048oECcsIrn60B1sBNCw-UtJE-TH_5MvJiFI14ifUKMn8AXINk8HwBZON/s1800/IMG_0371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7O6TOAEa3MxvCtQLBwY4GfRFba_B6lNG8zdnti4hes8Ju72ENqoSIV8e9uq3S5MF4a6X1z1gtguROru1GMw_d2QNwgwMWmD-Atxme0GqU5cGCo5CSJfevw9cuIxqjUV048oECcsIrn60B1sBNCw-UtJE-TH_5MvJiFI14ifUKMn8AXINk8HwBZON/s320/IMG_0371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S_QbL-3KokbNALwmMbaSSJI7k2Pi3qd6_zlTmoYUfM0Fp0kS_Qn_aPhSWO_1_qGN-29_acXO1QKpZiKnWaJb6VGe4eaTOfpmH16YP8n4KBmtTWA_cu23hCDvkcz74yTGh5k2W44XTsCP2hy1t4pR-VvebDN7KfdvLzu1Z7IRyk4X2Si2j8tc21i6/s1800/IMG_0372.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S_QbL-3KokbNALwmMbaSSJI7k2Pi3qd6_zlTmoYUfM0Fp0kS_Qn_aPhSWO_1_qGN-29_acXO1QKpZiKnWaJb6VGe4eaTOfpmH16YP8n4KBmtTWA_cu23hCDvkcz74yTGh5k2W44XTsCP2hy1t4pR-VvebDN7KfdvLzu1Z7IRyk4X2Si2j8tc21i6/s320/IMG_0372.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEve8oy1QYay7FNQ5lNvg43DnNCoJiA27OmPbztIKaJIbPg9xWbzezECwE_Kc5sJ3zaQ00Kl7NLCpXDmUo6kgK_5myoh1YKQGVAXICaAcQ3PmvOHicn9Ri_Gra16Q1VQFvWvqggGfpdBjYOpK9-ava792n72Tfk8HKKG-jQvdhDyOgTOtzQ_-ne2Pr/s1800/IMG_0377.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEve8oy1QYay7FNQ5lNvg43DnNCoJiA27OmPbztIKaJIbPg9xWbzezECwE_Kc5sJ3zaQ00Kl7NLCpXDmUo6kgK_5myoh1YKQGVAXICaAcQ3PmvOHicn9Ri_Gra16Q1VQFvWvqggGfpdBjYOpK9-ava792n72Tfk8HKKG-jQvdhDyOgTOtzQ_-ne2Pr/s320/IMG_0377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We drove down to the water, noticing that we couldn't now drive along Shore Road by the pub, it was already flooding. There have been some visitors in the past who parked their cars along
this road, only to return later and discover them floating. Visitors now
have to park at a carpark about half a mile from the harbour.</p><p> Once again, we'd turned up at exactly the right time, as I had previously told Elliott of this little place, and wanting to eat dinner with a fine pint of beer while the sea smacked and slapped at the wall below us, slowly rising as the last light left the horizon.We sat in the cozy upstairs of the Anchor Bleu pub, peering out of steamy windows at the dark waters lapping below, and tucked away a home cooked meal of chicken, bacon and leek pie, followed by treacle tart and ice cream. <br /></p><p>Later, I was glad of that walk back to car as I was so full up. As we neared the carpark, we heard the boats talking. There were a lot of boats in an open storage area, and the high winds were rattling and clanking the cables, and making the halyards, (ropes to the mainsails), hum. It took me back to my years of living in Conyer, when I'd walk down to the pub by the creek, on a winter's night, sniffing the coal burning in the homes I passed, and the melody of the boats jangling and clonking, ringing out their welcome as I passed by them jostling each other in the water. These boats tonight were singing the same song, it was wonderful. We stood for a bit, listening, and marveling at the orchestra of sounds, then drove back to the inn for a solid night's sleep.</p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-3616068158349494032022-12-01T09:31:00.002-08:002022-12-01T09:31:34.338-08:00We do Like to be Beside the Seaside<p> The next morning we were up early again, and back to the same cafe for breakfast, but this time to meet my dear old friend, Cathy, and her fella, Phil. I've known Cathy since I was 16 years old, and lived with her when I left home. We've always stayed in touch and her whole family are amazing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0hWEvb8JdL-xcBoekelYZfVB_ArWDcyCkojM5c6QNpbOyV_-PtWJDz_aKQuLls58iuleXi8kF0NbjnhFnzqa7OQ8g8JdPFg_H2gBUSHsL8VWQJnMIYaR6ehemN2UZQ7hRYyw1Kru9iDWGxY_R9v-2GMbvuK1YUcABQDyFFCwDsgKEe2UqY0YBI7m/s1024/imagejpeg_04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0hWEvb8JdL-xcBoekelYZfVB_ArWDcyCkojM5c6QNpbOyV_-PtWJDz_aKQuLls58iuleXi8kF0NbjnhFnzqa7OQ8g8JdPFg_H2gBUSHsL8VWQJnMIYaR6ehemN2UZQ7hRYyw1Kru9iDWGxY_R9v-2GMbvuK1YUcABQDyFFCwDsgKEe2UqY0YBI7m/s320/imagejpeg_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAjy4pjWXNvL_vTeYQE8NKwl_fXCkrih02z3YQQZe7W1kNb8ezHHVLWEV0oyTC_u5l8TnO6b3Nf2Sq6wxOLGr1dq9W2Btf6gk_6-Ep4jm9tHRi_bjwXq22qjl-2DK7Zjm2OtnnbI1OfsG77BcMTodGmy04wmM6H2iScGaJnWm4-OoNG7EPAlTqj7N/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_0276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="952" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAjy4pjWXNvL_vTeYQE8NKwl_fXCkrih02z3YQQZe7W1kNb8ezHHVLWEV0oyTC_u5l8TnO6b3Nf2Sq6wxOLGr1dq9W2Btf6gk_6-Ep4jm9tHRi_bjwXq22qjl-2DK7Zjm2OtnnbI1OfsG77BcMTodGmy04wmM6H2iScGaJnWm4-OoNG7EPAlTqj7N/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0276.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><p>Once again, we had a huge plate of everything that goes into a full English breakfast, proper bacon, eggs, beans, tomato, mushrooms, sausage, black pudding and toast. And of course, this has to be accompanied by tea, although Elliott always had coffee. Only the Brits can really appreciate the good ole cuppa, and that's fine, it's our heritage. But I did have a coffee later when we left the cafe and went across the road to a pub to finish chatting over coffees and cokes. We had so much to say to each other we couldn't stay at the cafe, not when they were wanting the table for other customers, we'd definitely outstayed our welcome.</p><p>After a couple of hours, it was time for Elliott and I to leave. We met with Sally for a tearful farewell, and more hugs, and then hit the road, heading towards the coast. We were staying the night in an Airbnb that I'd booked overlooking the sea. What hadn't been in the description was a flight of 63 stairs that we had to drag our cases up. But it made a pleasant change from a hotel room and the exercise was needed. We arrived just before dusk, and the beach I'd wanted to show Elliott was only a 10 minute drive away, so as soon as we'd dumped our cases in the flat, we dashed out again, with our cameras.</p><p>Botany Bay is the most northern of the 7 bays in Broadstairs, Kent, and had somehow eluded my travels in all the years I'd lived there. It has white chalk cliffs, with sandy beaches, and at this time of the year, only a few locals were walking along the sands. Once famous for smuggling, including a bloody battle, the small caves where contraband was hidden can still be seen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oVY0oXaPFk1AtVwxcqdX7pz5--i29Zbvt1HYVaBlWPFKPRn7I9BijQeyVes9nq7JXbYet8BWVMwpGr55WS2nGEB6eljLrZKiQ0wC9FA9IXRay3N4pMzjTu4SIlHXQRHmtzNnRIYR68oyXv4WcHcEPfeYpmsx2CMzkcFO2rejFAHN52oqSz6bRbbv/s1800/DSC03563_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oVY0oXaPFk1AtVwxcqdX7pz5--i29Zbvt1HYVaBlWPFKPRn7I9BijQeyVes9nq7JXbYet8BWVMwpGr55WS2nGEB6eljLrZKiQ0wC9FA9IXRay3N4pMzjTu4SIlHXQRHmtzNnRIYR68oyXv4WcHcEPfeYpmsx2CMzkcFO2rejFAHN52oqSz6bRbbv/s320/DSC03563_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcXn4mUQXrPvuTTfURZe1k-UD3SAbCmlihLJt3l82haqfJSYDRWNGnffvpi9HtbsMg2TExAuXY3mHHQzpRqQZTS9lJk5h5drT6pzZbm6SVgx7CXWQq5aJrF0BMHZGaosZlDZTdsqbBsl-qe0zG8qboWDlDJxUQ7GVBDSMzl2JGe8An-yFeqOHg8cJ/s1800/DSC03569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcXn4mUQXrPvuTTfURZe1k-UD3SAbCmlihLJt3l82haqfJSYDRWNGnffvpi9HtbsMg2TExAuXY3mHHQzpRqQZTS9lJk5h5drT6pzZbm6SVgx7CXWQq5aJrF0BMHZGaosZlDZTdsqbBsl-qe0zG8qboWDlDJxUQ7GVBDSMzl2JGe8An-yFeqOHg8cJ/s320/DSC03569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The sun was setting as we trudged down steps and then waded through loose sand to get onto the beach, and the tide was coming in, but we were grateful to be here so we could scope it out for the next morning, when we'd be arriving at dawn. It was getting chilly and the wind was brisk, but we enjoyed watching the cliffs become pale ghosts in the disappearing light. Afterwards, we popped into a pub by the car, where we ravenously devoured a delicious meal and a couple of pints of bitter before heading back to the flat for an early night.</p><p>The next morning, we dragged our cases back down the 63 stairs and drove back to Botany Bay, wasting no time, since we knew exactly where to park, and how to access the beach quickly. We were so lucky that the tide was going out, and the sun reached out to greet us with warm rays as we set up our cameras for a couple of hours of photos and exploring. There were only a couple of locals here this morning, so we were almost alone, and I didn't know what to do first, explore or take photos. This is an unusual beach, the sand scattered with round, white, chalk pebbles, smooth from being so easily eroded, and many with holes in them. A few went into my pockets. I was grateful for my snowboarding jacket, the wind was piercing, but we were too excited to take much heed.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4hbwa726IZIraRtcr_frcjtLbRvOaznEY046LMvTuvCT8JQv7QlHiw2HnM8b7gDnu2ySbYLzF-0gOarjPXwh6GH5L5nHe7gwtz5gKgJVkIukVm94Js1m7o4jpepnQkL423hBddxpT8aAJPv8pRavI2vaVgCco2_dX5kXCdElpCbNeZOy-fsYUcV/s1800/DSC03596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4hbwa726IZIraRtcr_frcjtLbRvOaznEY046LMvTuvCT8JQv7QlHiw2HnM8b7gDnu2ySbYLzF-0gOarjPXwh6GH5L5nHe7gwtz5gKgJVkIukVm94Js1m7o4jpepnQkL423hBddxpT8aAJPv8pRavI2vaVgCco2_dX5kXCdElpCbNeZOy-fsYUcV/s320/DSC03596.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUSUtomeGYrDC5WMGGKoAJvabNtZpScN9ZWxEtcJZ3Xz8H8EKoY3eec0zO21AGheaaRNp0g0xQMt_E3529RoIf4UKt9I-GmPmCyKXoRQMkXK14O_ekW34mT9qcMhZ3-ntqbZv9kICrFkNIWLHbST2jK675af9itcV82tZuBRxpQiHtHkb7bTtgrDK/s1800/DSC03607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUSUtomeGYrDC5WMGGKoAJvabNtZpScN9ZWxEtcJZ3Xz8H8EKoY3eec0zO21AGheaaRNp0g0xQMt_E3529RoIf4UKt9I-GmPmCyKXoRQMkXK14O_ekW34mT9qcMhZ3-ntqbZv9kICrFkNIWLHbST2jK675af9itcV82tZuBRxpQiHtHkb7bTtgrDK/s320/DSC03607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTFALrO_IfzI4hTovt0PAXyYkgPPvHls78_Ux9nJR9m2k-UHUVl675e-b0_NWQHllmImpUWiq9J9pQ-NQARSudaxzS7iH9fnmhBiP3kzjHAtEEc9-FDnVSw_KejoibreLuqTWeHXzatpAl4SIy1rsv74b3qjklKAEjRTYelXt5GbfIhkOGZnhNFdW/s1800/DSC03608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTFALrO_IfzI4hTovt0PAXyYkgPPvHls78_Ux9nJR9m2k-UHUVl675e-b0_NWQHllmImpUWiq9J9pQ-NQARSudaxzS7iH9fnmhBiP3kzjHAtEEc9-FDnVSw_KejoibreLuqTWeHXzatpAl4SIy1rsv74b3qjklKAEjRTYelXt5GbfIhkOGZnhNFdW/s320/DSC03608.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyicRQ71yqk7J3_vQr3EUAqi3UxlAahic3niTD0lCsQLQUFp7owzM9rGb-QApEecZto2ezf6C15O0wXfy02CwXbma8iurRvRUp_44r_BjcYoreVk4HgIvahHdFsm7INJ5C8a_6pCbeFGgGF4ao2u5PzatynVbmA1_uExJWk26rR4okE0WCFGmyDqFv/s1800/DSC03620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyicRQ71yqk7J3_vQr3EUAqi3UxlAahic3niTD0lCsQLQUFp7owzM9rGb-QApEecZto2ezf6C15O0wXfy02CwXbma8iurRvRUp_44r_BjcYoreVk4HgIvahHdFsm7INJ5C8a_6pCbeFGgGF4ao2u5PzatynVbmA1_uExJWk26rR4okE0WCFGmyDqFv/s320/DSC03620.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnnqU0ClwL0sSgMds7XHwshn_kb-mNkoLK0M6TSSFz9fDOteaTfUmSBamcTZGJIRA3nDK00vCEX-Grj7IP_9b6gujCLMSpkk1rPx1kJzhX-Cm3NYa3lrQrIfEPsUbVeA9Eenj4SJAezkknj_EHxHyp5zMMg-B3UQEl01Kv4kRoEPuIlGXGmHtPgUH/s1800/DSC03632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnnqU0ClwL0sSgMds7XHwshn_kb-mNkoLK0M6TSSFz9fDOteaTfUmSBamcTZGJIRA3nDK00vCEX-Grj7IP_9b6gujCLMSpkk1rPx1kJzhX-Cm3NYa3lrQrIfEPsUbVeA9Eenj4SJAezkknj_EHxHyp5zMMg-B3UQEl01Kv4kRoEPuIlGXGmHtPgUH/s320/DSC03632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeAMhLVhAQxjKYDVyJ2smwgwktsD8kCwPxVCt6QWl90cDHaOFgbLXrOx6PgooHlXaDpVLwVe-2GcoQlFyX6w_CvjtIe9q4OD1rJo5Z4jvj7CrzXbiDBjmO7z6-KmP8erjYvmyNz-v80oBFeNS3S1EmK7thQcCFN349jhaa5LMIW4wajpXqVCotiJM/s1800/DSC03619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeAMhLVhAQxjKYDVyJ2smwgwktsD8kCwPxVCt6QWl90cDHaOFgbLXrOx6PgooHlXaDpVLwVe-2GcoQlFyX6w_CvjtIe9q4OD1rJo5Z4jvj7CrzXbiDBjmO7z6-KmP8erjYvmyNz-v80oBFeNS3S1EmK7thQcCFN349jhaa5LMIW4wajpXqVCotiJM/s320/DSC03619.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8yfVSBt2mCqhlqHbsiDXby9nASq836UMssqDwp7SLPIAtuA63EDZ2FSSqY_dsiI5gSpTE60RhlKXQUvGD0I7oC57PFg5PMbVNOpEc1Fjx_pYbAXkCoWj_uILLZZXdJetex1EDgP_S5pCh3rbsUBAOATdCaLiKQDwHUV-bXcCju6-Dh5ndNEj1MMD/s1800/DSC03626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8yfVSBt2mCqhlqHbsiDXby9nASq836UMssqDwp7SLPIAtuA63EDZ2FSSqY_dsiI5gSpTE60RhlKXQUvGD0I7oC57PFg5PMbVNOpEc1Fjx_pYbAXkCoWj_uILLZZXdJetex1EDgP_S5pCh3rbsUBAOATdCaLiKQDwHUV-bXcCju6-Dh5ndNEj1MMD/s320/DSC03626.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0O82gXm7p4OT7c7HdRT5EBmV9n2a_1q0qQ-CL5AB6NVLV4ywvmXv2YL6VBqW0Wiu_xQjgE6h4yoFITnwPTA7rb7PVjIbE4HroCPiieupGCoM5yV4ODr4Jf5dPJ284we2dcD05eKdV4U5DnuEESiTNUdUY8SRb8tacMlSpAeIh4k3e9YSTWRZxD5m/s1800/DSC03638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0O82gXm7p4OT7c7HdRT5EBmV9n2a_1q0qQ-CL5AB6NVLV4ywvmXv2YL6VBqW0Wiu_xQjgE6h4yoFITnwPTA7rb7PVjIbE4HroCPiieupGCoM5yV4ODr4Jf5dPJ284we2dcD05eKdV4U5DnuEESiTNUdUY8SRb8tacMlSpAeIh4k3e9YSTWRZxD5m/s320/DSC03638.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcemGqU25LaS4VlRqonyvW9SY8MOBDBnRuOQGmccrMrEbjhvYeB-X6sbQ4nsbSSlADW9wdHOHQCMFVs5SllSJYEWdMiZMhix_X3hWRzrOWIVfIkx7RJJ1DSIF1bORbQPWnMmnvhE5kHFrUoMI7fppnVcE2xz276XF2tt2C35oQpuHKSeaAsvTKvr7/s1800/DSC03629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcemGqU25LaS4VlRqonyvW9SY8MOBDBnRuOQGmccrMrEbjhvYeB-X6sbQ4nsbSSlADW9wdHOHQCMFVs5SllSJYEWdMiZMhix_X3hWRzrOWIVfIkx7RJJ1DSIF1bORbQPWnMmnvhE5kHFrUoMI7fppnVcE2xz276XF2tt2C35oQpuHKSeaAsvTKvr7/s320/DSC03629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the distance can be seen a building up on the cliffs, which used to
be Kingsgate Castle, built in 1650, and then converted to a hotel in
1913. Sir John Mills and Peggy Ashcroft, plus other celebrities, used to
stay here, but it's now flats. What a great view they have! I was fascinated with the seaweed clinging to the chalk cliffs, the gorgeous shades of greens: lime, emerald and forest green. We walked along to the next bay, examining cliff faces and rock pools, and after a couple of hours, I had to call Elliott so we could move on. We had many places to see and my tummy was growling; we'd left that morning with no breakfast or even a hot hot drink. I'd been chatting with a Hungarian photographer on the beach who'd moved here 10 years ago, and he recommended a tea room, called Corby's, in Ramsgate, a few miles down the road. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKXkt4xy4xSiNkBmirUFd652KnixVyYeDLnFcVevS1Lvf4yuQ0Qx3XAwQaf9nymUS0G0FncBMr0sAvYgy6h-0guc4YO6fualBDmTA9XKY1h8tLgZXM9gh9tnM5i9KwsmucZgT4bCNVClCJC9VYZDU4abG7ZzggF3g5NHamqcquJFpZ9X_clXC8E-T/s1800/IMG_0312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKXkt4xy4xSiNkBmirUFd652KnixVyYeDLnFcVevS1Lvf4yuQ0Qx3XAwQaf9nymUS0G0FncBMr0sAvYgy6h-0guc4YO6fualBDmTA9XKY1h8tLgZXM9gh9tnM5i9KwsmucZgT4bCNVClCJC9VYZDU4abG7ZzggF3g5NHamqcquJFpZ9X_clXC8E-T/s320/IMG_0312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFFH6m01bSN371R49Hiaz98e2UBQk38nfmHq3WXzyCl0vfollvvZ5iTuU93bMx-ggZf848ohhLP7k1FYXwwFirh4o8VGjDkQDsdroxbZ3Mp1jqEI7NIRW4_rjub_RTYCUjrOZvECsUtj3y6VCa4suF8xsH6-eij-WQzpAE9KpyRdJjwaabAXhH4GW/s1800/IMG_0311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFFH6m01bSN371R49Hiaz98e2UBQk38nfmHq3WXzyCl0vfollvvZ5iTuU93bMx-ggZf848ohhLP7k1FYXwwFirh4o8VGjDkQDsdroxbZ3Mp1jqEI7NIRW4_rjub_RTYCUjrOZvECsUtj3y6VCa4suF8xsH6-eij-WQzpAE9KpyRdJjwaabAXhH4GW/s320/IMG_0311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2VldBmVNCchhqVTvxo5cdOxRKvqEF9EhzO2cuE_9snryIRpfaTvQlR7-hfx0NNY2KK-M56wIg8haPicY9h3qo2YqUWCn2QEKzKtuDapyH4lmbZ2f8TzUmaFnlve49-lbpId16bs4JgmxSEFBRiLGL7zMAAhcR_czbSMvHINcK7RHF1IJcLejcBpv/s1800/IMG_0313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2VldBmVNCchhqVTvxo5cdOxRKvqEF9EhzO2cuE_9snryIRpfaTvQlR7-hfx0NNY2KK-M56wIg8haPicY9h3qo2YqUWCn2QEKzKtuDapyH4lmbZ2f8TzUmaFnlve49-lbpId16bs4JgmxSEFBRiLGL7zMAAhcR_czbSMvHINcK7RHF1IJcLejcBpv/s320/IMG_0313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We arrived at the tea room, starving, and were soon devouring another full English breakfast, which I followed with toast and marmalade, washed down with cups of tea. I noticed that the cakes in the shop window were knitted! Feeling full and nicely warmed up, we had a quick stroll along the street, where we found a novel armchair and sofa, cleverly built from bricks. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHzXElHMnYcewXmY3kF47Vx4ilpVlMOScJphVh1ZjEDsXKGHGsU2jg76GIPL-HKvoMT5njvgtzOWWj2YPbu_YUvcumMevx4Q_3kNGcMrHTcA26jDViya3EsiBKexv-kXCoA0e9J7N-8XBGHc-YIemJ32Cmq9tYMzVI6nG70LqlM0r8cjfOacYxiJI/s1800/IMG_0315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHzXElHMnYcewXmY3kF47Vx4ilpVlMOScJphVh1ZjEDsXKGHGsU2jg76GIPL-HKvoMT5njvgtzOWWj2YPbu_YUvcumMevx4Q_3kNGcMrHTcA26jDViya3EsiBKexv-kXCoA0e9J7N-8XBGHc-YIemJ32Cmq9tYMzVI6nG70LqlM0r8cjfOacYxiJI/s320/IMG_0315.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HaPsILMLicefCbbUBvCp9uFWP6LLhpgCoNvKenhNAmtbycVc-OwzRTu1oM7gXRehlblUbLABAF1I1UITReQHgNVoJM30mb4ELevWRBW-KtLgRgjD5u5n3xGKB9joLIjs6lbtzsd4drxaOHA3pGWj3IzHFfHHu0t8WUvh5Rsd0cNUjdoo3Zrz1VMn/s1800/IMG_0317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HaPsILMLicefCbbUBvCp9uFWP6LLhpgCoNvKenhNAmtbycVc-OwzRTu1oM7gXRehlblUbLABAF1I1UITReQHgNVoJM30mb4ELevWRBW-KtLgRgjD5u5n3xGKB9joLIjs6lbtzsd4drxaOHA3pGWj3IzHFfHHu0t8WUvh5Rsd0cNUjdoo3Zrz1VMn/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Further down the coastline is <a href="https://dungeness.org.uk/" target="_blank">Dungeness</a>, a headland which juts out from the east coast. The wind was howling when we got there, so we opted not to get out of the car. I used to come down here on my motorbike, with a friend late at night, in the rain, just for the fun of it. We'd stop and look up at the lighthouse, watch the fisherman, silhouettes on the beach in the night, feel the wind thrusting against our leather jackets, look at eachother, then hop back on our bikes and ride back to Maidstone. Can't say I'd do that now!</p><p>From the warmth of our car, Elliott and I looked at the power station, checked out the lighthouse, and the new additional lighthouse, the miniature railway line, the scrappy weeds that were the only plants growing in this hell forsaken environment, and the small shacks, some of which looked as though they were leaning into the wind in valiant efforts to stay upright. We took a couple of photos with the window rolled down a few inches, and then continued our journey. But, for me, it's a place I love to visit. As well as the memories it holds, there's a daunting and bleak beauty in the almost apocalyptic atmosphere of the place. It's so different from the surrounding countryside, that it has to be seen, and felt.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxddFKejpO-cDnxSfEqIKHr6h4_FEEOmctD5PjUD0f2u6uP8umRwgxNnKhs69Xoj6xvPKV6eQisK4YpI89PVWorguJ5Hnahz604Ih3Qlru93kdwCDSzle5tWYoZEYH0AGsIEkMSeJE27ubG3rOpxuMDG7oUAz7rVGM-QmeUBiX3TYfaFA_2LEHRQT/s1800/IMG_0318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxddFKejpO-cDnxSfEqIKHr6h4_FEEOmctD5PjUD0f2u6uP8umRwgxNnKhs69Xoj6xvPKV6eQisK4YpI89PVWorguJ5Hnahz604Ih3Qlru93kdwCDSzle5tWYoZEYH0AGsIEkMSeJE27ubG3rOpxuMDG7oUAz7rVGM-QmeUBiX3TYfaFA_2LEHRQT/s320/IMG_0318.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoniPnR3gOppClh0sfO_loln9h_Z8Pvr2S2Gnm6hm5ICKKEgTLG6nexaU0-e0x1WJ8AV-7qRip2tnHV1wgI-irXC8l847LCz24m3XVze11R7UHrzItIZTVvuOCo7g1pLYt0RY0MKW4jZBC-7t-UjKpnnc4l9nntzCLVcT7XBUt8RDdFItBRgO0KxwE/s1800/IMG_0319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoniPnR3gOppClh0sfO_loln9h_Z8Pvr2S2Gnm6hm5ICKKEgTLG6nexaU0-e0x1WJ8AV-7qRip2tnHV1wgI-irXC8l847LCz24m3XVze11R7UHrzItIZTVvuOCo7g1pLYt0RY0MKW4jZBC-7t-UjKpnnc4l9nntzCLVcT7XBUt8RDdFItBRgO0KxwE/s320/IMG_0319.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>We then drove on to Rye, still regarded as a seaside town although it's 2 miles inland, where we wandered the famous Mermaid Street, one of the cobbled lanes here. This little town is also famous for smuggling, and raids from the French, including them burning the whole town in 1377. Rye was also made a Cinque Port in 1336, one of a group of ports on the south coast, which received certain privileges, such as tax exemption, in return for maintaining ships for defense. This was a scheme introduced by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. We browsed the shops and then stopped in a cafe, where I had the best cherry and marzipan cake I'd ever tasted, washed down with a big pot of tea. Then it was time for the last leg of the day, driving along the coast to Hastings.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvLBEu_lA2RLocv3nPfO1gJr0ioEU5QFfmSKeqoWfUA6Ve2ly4LTKyrmtuRP81rn8pC5hSgskEY_ddl6-TRU2kuU5PKz8IHlYCCVAb_99iSJHN6iZxuinSf10dhOZPa0L4Xom-IObeUccIRnc5T7RduhnvDovjtVlU7rvJTCe3AxpNu7E5tXunXRO/s1800/IMG_0323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvLBEu_lA2RLocv3nPfO1gJr0ioEU5QFfmSKeqoWfUA6Ve2ly4LTKyrmtuRP81rn8pC5hSgskEY_ddl6-TRU2kuU5PKz8IHlYCCVAb_99iSJHN6iZxuinSf10dhOZPa0L4Xom-IObeUccIRnc5T7RduhnvDovjtVlU7rvJTCe3AxpNu7E5tXunXRO/s320/IMG_0323.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaySkHTBpgezP-u_Tm8m7a4qAuPzBJ5bRbR4iSNaelmkuubr1Ysb1avQzzxfs5uLuBS4w6WY_C6_OHvgTuURvBLCm9z-0GbyjdZqMO00yXAufuZRxi9mK56KjduvrL4vZLKHExI53TtX8YH4lde9g_S5dUF2PGDI_p0rSyBJhvT72jEyZW6tawLCC/s1800/IMG_0324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaySkHTBpgezP-u_Tm8m7a4qAuPzBJ5bRbR4iSNaelmkuubr1Ysb1avQzzxfs5uLuBS4w6WY_C6_OHvgTuURvBLCm9z-0GbyjdZqMO00yXAufuZRxi9mK56KjduvrL4vZLKHExI53TtX8YH4lde9g_S5dUF2PGDI_p0rSyBJhvT72jEyZW6tawLCC/s320/IMG_0324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We arrived at Hastings as the last of the daylight dimmed. The wind had picked up and was now gales, laced with icy drops of rain. We parked and then walked quickly to the only fish and chip shop I knew would be decent and was open. Sadly, although edible, it wasn't the best fish and chips I'd had, and was an unfortunate introduction for Elliott, but there would be plenty of future opportunities. After yet more hot tea for me, we braved the now dark and stormy night to wander along a small part of old town Hastings on Halloween night. Surprisingly, the residents weren't letting the weather upset their plans, and were determined to party, many in costumes. I struck lucky, spotting and quickly grabbing a tenner blowing down the street. I looked about to see if anyone was missing it, and not noticing any disappointed faces, we went in the nearest pub for a couple of free pints. Walking back to the car, we spent a few minutes on the beach, sneaking a quick peak at the old fishing boats resting on the shingle. We'd be back at first light.<br />Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190016910424304678.post-25833225970894632992022-11-30T05:43:00.004-08:002022-11-30T05:43:41.107-08:00Maidstone Muckers from Morning to Night<p>On Saturday morning, we raced down town, which was really just across the bridge, into a cafe that my bestie, Sally, had recommended. She, and Uncle Trev, had been testing out the town cafes that served up a full English breakfast, so I wouldn't waste any time trying to find the best. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG2CbAVO9YFNO6jBxK55Q6N6WBvh4V5UoS0atUoIQ-p27YjHvqiwgDI9YG3FqpnKQ2pyHC0n-4w1_agDi5XfJ52Jwz6qz9KrJ1LMjxpxY920LlqQ0nemH7H_hkw5t1DKIQRTgleshm_ofPSu4h5Jnqps07-O0sKA6rA1K9ATQ1UwvXNny7ROWo1if/s4032/IMG_0218.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG2CbAVO9YFNO6jBxK55Q6N6WBvh4V5UoS0atUoIQ-p27YjHvqiwgDI9YG3FqpnKQ2pyHC0n-4w1_agDi5XfJ52Jwz6qz9KrJ1LMjxpxY920LlqQ0nemH7H_hkw5t1DKIQRTgleshm_ofPSu4h5Jnqps07-O0sKA6rA1K9ATQ1UwvXNny7ROWo1if/s320/IMG_0218.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>We got there and ordered, and soon Sally arrived. The joy of seeing her again after 4 long years! We've been Facetiming across the ocean, but it's just not the same as a huge bear hug, and I'd missed her dearly. I was ecstatic to see her, it was pure delight. She'd been bang on with her breakfast suggestion too, the food was wonderful, the best breakfast I'd had in 4 years! We cleared huge platefuls, washed down with cups of tea, and chatted and chattered. We then strolled around my old hometown, which was nice, since I hadn't had the time to do that properly on my last trip home.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDMdAcqBZeZQU2qzYX4XWJJTzsNgLF9VYOmXF8CIA4yikQv3H6fo5ZFrQm-eLp2k_u75AJ2j_iKT74nw2N4hEmfhr7KTXkdPVEUeWgG2882llHzOz2bJB9DwudNCJmUBO0rdvLQVyQ3sS-rJGm7NHCxRQWCFKEILU7io1f8ZkxlngpMpeDgu_c1f/s3468/IMG_0221.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="3468" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDMdAcqBZeZQU2qzYX4XWJJTzsNgLF9VYOmXF8CIA4yikQv3H6fo5ZFrQm-eLp2k_u75AJ2j_iKT74nw2N4hEmfhr7KTXkdPVEUeWgG2882llHzOz2bJB9DwudNCJmUBO0rdvLQVyQ3sS-rJGm7NHCxRQWCFKEILU7io1f8ZkxlngpMpeDgu_c1f/s320/IMG_0221.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Dq1gXfgnPwInE4yZqIHR8dePnWD1flyWxXSpXXaBy2OPl34YhrE3S6ocWv1rNl97ivHoVWzKgUtK1kq81N_VCCtUi_OuwRWrddi0yokznYPk3bB_XiH5u1m4O2WOhydqRzzUoUNO5urTnQhj5d6zAeV0NAF60OSpIKHx9XfJMqZRMI-exFMKIuj/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_0222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Dq1gXfgnPwInE4yZqIHR8dePnWD1flyWxXSpXXaBy2OPl34YhrE3S6ocWv1rNl97ivHoVWzKgUtK1kq81N_VCCtUi_OuwRWrddi0yokznYPk3bB_XiH5u1m4O2WOhydqRzzUoUNO5urTnQhj5d6zAeV0NAF60OSpIKHx9XfJMqZRMI-exFMKIuj/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0222.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLcGQNWks5kQoyiZDmtyNFhMximFILsf8BoFYvfftkehM7DfgzjOXb-WB7IupJe9fS3I7B9h0Wn4HxuScTlclO3mfWaLnFhwhEXfKVccoqD95bauwSjEhB8uhQ4eq4vLHMIa32lkIn2hTipqntM_mSuNd_uWORiZuXHgntaOfESEE6i00XUup6aGA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_0224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLcGQNWks5kQoyiZDmtyNFhMximFILsf8BoFYvfftkehM7DfgzjOXb-WB7IupJe9fS3I7B9h0Wn4HxuScTlclO3mfWaLnFhwhEXfKVccoqD95bauwSjEhB8uhQ4eq4vLHMIa32lkIn2hTipqntM_mSuNd_uWORiZuXHgntaOfESEE6i00XUup6aGA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIp6m13WaasOZflnjwmYVr1rx3ZqTuckrPioEabkPGUq7S0CCeThbcvzOS2cWRHlURR-4IUr2w9M84pd_NO-E1X2JcyOdXgOUwnsrf3nNVoHNsYibWDwSCrpjL43oGe2RAucIOUlwSu2hg8Af39FF9JZ39r30i3S_vX6b_7gWkrPAhEurAzP7SBEt/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_0225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIp6m13WaasOZflnjwmYVr1rx3ZqTuckrPioEabkPGUq7S0CCeThbcvzOS2cWRHlURR-4IUr2w9M84pd_NO-E1X2JcyOdXgOUwnsrf3nNVoHNsYibWDwSCrpjL43oGe2RAucIOUlwSu2hg8Af39FF9JZ39r30i3S_vX6b_7gWkrPAhEurAzP7SBEt/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2-OHp9ErH5ych7DAeyNfSK5BAn_DeQmXYG5k4crrANcnq8BGbv4GOjpWrjjqiUvAT8Y5j-Jznyr6CXtm9HELASHdljv9Qz6Wa0YHzkEDR1W4XMtvqmu3lSSaZ8olCcU6rI6An47SWfzbdVyNZb5BT7Gy3BSsoz5AgnCLTr5Qp81FxMnoHDZkwENa/s4032/IMG_0229.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2-OHp9ErH5ych7DAeyNfSK5BAn_DeQmXYG5k4crrANcnq8BGbv4GOjpWrjjqiUvAT8Y5j-Jznyr6CXtm9HELASHdljv9Qz6Wa0YHzkEDR1W4XMtvqmu3lSSaZ8olCcU6rI6An47SWfzbdVyNZb5BT7Gy3BSsoz5AgnCLTr5Qp81FxMnoHDZkwENa/s320/IMG_0229.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>There were many shops missing that I'd used to go into, and Sally lamented about the huge immigrant increase, saying it was rare to hear English being spoken any more. So many shops had closed and were replaced with vape shops and I had to smile, because really, it sounded just like America. But I was looking at my dear old town through different eyes. So used to the American suburban sprawls, with trash on the ground, characterless structures, with no old architecture, I saw here the centuries old buildings, produce stalls, and cleanliness. When I used to live here, there was rubbish in the streets and graffiti on the subway walls; none of this could be seen today. There are plainclothes police issuing on-the-spot fines for cigarette butts dropped on the ground, and it obviously works. The streets were really clean. Admittedly, there were some boarded up windows of closed shops, but these were likely due to COVID and the current economy, again, the same as in America. I managed to buy some beautiful Christmas cards, far prettier than any I've seen in years, and enjoyed a few tastes in the new <a href="https://themaidstonedistillery.com/" target="_blank">Maidstone Distillery</a>, which produces some pucker gins. We also stopped by our old biker pub, The London Tavern, and chatted to its current owner, who remembered our crew very well. The saddest part of this walkabout was discovering that Cornell's, an old family jewelers, was closing its doors after 225 years, thanks to its lease not being renewed. The owners were ready for retirement anyway, but it's a shame, since there are few fine quality jewelers like this one. Every time we walked by, the queue for their closing sale stretched all the way down the hill. But, thanks to Sally, I do have some jewelry from them.<br /><br /> We then decided to visit another old haunt, Mote Park. My brother and I, and our next door neighbors, would cycle to here and spent many days pedaling our bikes around the vast acres, or playing on the, likely now regarded as lethal, playground, climbing far too high, swinging out way too far, sliding far too fast, and generally acting as kids did back in the 70's. It was kind of magical to drive back through those gates, and see that really hardly anything had changed. Of course, the playground was now suited to 5 year olds and extremely safe, but everything else looked the same. The boating lake and swimming baths were still there, and we strolled around the lake to where boys and men used to set off their radio controlled boats on Saturday afternoons, and apparently they still do. Today, there was a huge flock of various water birds, a gaggle of seagulls, ducks and geese, with a few swans. The noise was amazing. I was particularly delighted to see that nobody was feeding the birds bread, since this is bad for their stomachs, they all had bags of pellets, which they got online, and were specifically for these birds.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfxfgSHuGgZ77nVnBmQ88GXNnCU9AQPLlFmg9zWs73fl0GOIlrwTKd5WWBJl7WPeRFlDDyFN_4P4TqQSzrkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6VPhrDye83CxCuKaKrbwZZRfm5ib1hz7hIAowgVpZkPH5ja9cO9QVuj1gWCanXvIMtDDmNESYYe9mT6XKAMccvA0-PP3ahfTMARToNCBE282E0ZPn44JNZgAf2LOhohPykJ1brZ9d2mxaO5tw0jnSC9n2Q2NevjNypAeWjy5FbMEv17raWpHY6O/s4032/IMG_0239.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ6VPhrDye83CxCuKaKrbwZZRfm5ib1hz7hIAowgVpZkPH5ja9cO9QVuj1gWCanXvIMtDDmNESYYe9mT6XKAMccvA0-PP3ahfTMARToNCBE282E0ZPn44JNZgAf2LOhohPykJ1brZ9d2mxaO5tw0jnSC9n2Q2NevjNypAeWjy5FbMEv17raWpHY6O/s320/IMG_0239.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>All these avians were very demanding, and let their impatience be known, warbling in ear splitting notes that the food simply wasn't being delivered fast enough. I took a very short video, but they were much louder than this before I began filming. The swans were so distraught at not being fed half as much as they were expecting that their own racket drove them almost senseless them, and they were barely aware of me stroking their white feathers. This pleased me immensely, as I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of stroking a swan before.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hTUVssq89xqRIM0JCXPePmfp97EgtQq6iy5zs_mdNI_3GnmKYyWLhVFIjt8Xm-Udo9wkWiG8yD29L_RsqsCvrXNaBgwlAcscAHHR96fuV5usOmNixWYLgFOZmV7TZ0R3RhkzBcx3J13wyvKd7ctCIIzVfcz1mYkUFyLyyGrERlekqgk1VPc7PMHp/s3146/IMG_0244.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3146" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hTUVssq89xqRIM0JCXPePmfp97EgtQq6iy5zs_mdNI_3GnmKYyWLhVFIjt8Xm-Udo9wkWiG8yD29L_RsqsCvrXNaBgwlAcscAHHR96fuV5usOmNixWYLgFOZmV7TZ0R3RhkzBcx3J13wyvKd7ctCIIzVfcz1mYkUFyLyyGrERlekqgk1VPc7PMHp/s320/IMG_0244.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuDybqTx4r1Hifuv-ssZGKr14ifkMKBuArmkfF1qPPnB_Jm__SZObMefn875OdJlJP-P_fK8dWo8QRCYCKpABiiqvtjll2cj3WOi9a8tCX5WtGHpueNCiRhWYbisj4gWLlKwGMma0pozbMfpfGf73i0aVrcK0y1V5Bm8W5BY3etmKPO3kac0_ka7V/s3645/IMG_0247.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3645" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuDybqTx4r1Hifuv-ssZGKr14ifkMKBuArmkfF1qPPnB_Jm__SZObMefn875OdJlJP-P_fK8dWo8QRCYCKpABiiqvtjll2cj3WOi9a8tCX5WtGHpueNCiRhWYbisj4gWLlKwGMma0pozbMfpfGf73i0aVrcK0y1V5Bm8W5BY3etmKPO3kac0_ka7V/s320/IMG_0247.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Once the food had run out, the birds disappeared quickly, so we wandered on to where the old steam trains ran, or to be precise, <a href="http://www.maidstonemes.co.uk/1377.html">the Maidstone Model Engineering Society</a>. As kids, we would stand and watch these run. We never rode on them since we never had pocket money, but it was always a thrill to see them rushing by, the whistle blowing, and if you were lucky, getting a faceful of steam to boot. And today, they were running! I immediately became 13 years old again and dashed up to the track to wait for one to pass by. Today, there were 3 engines running the figure of 8 track, which is pretty long, and there are times when you can't see the trains at all. After a while, I noticed that there seems to be a 'cool' photo code thing happening these days with the passengers. One train passed by with this kid making a specific hand signal, another train passed by with its passenger making a different hand signal, as though answering a phone, and then another came by, with the lady on the back leaning back and drinking a mug of tea. I loved it! All the time this train track stays cool with the kids means its future is promising. After the trains, we walked down to the lake and I was ecstatic to see a Mr Whippy ice cream van. Looking no different from years gone by, the ice cream was just as delicious too, complete with the Cadbury's Flake stuck in the side. Outstanding! We sat and watched the people and their dogs for a while from a bench, then walked around the lake, stopping at a muddy bank beside a creek where a group of dogs were jumping and splashing in the water, their owners standing up on the bridge, chatting and keeping well away from the grubby paws and water shakes. We met and chatted with so many strangers, it was uplifting; I'd missed this so much.<br /></p><p>After we'd walked the perimeter, it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for the evening, when we'd meet up with Sally again, and a few of the old biker gang. We walked into town and up to the pub, me looking forward very much to a proper pint of beer, spent with special people.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIzRE0nAIZJCh_6cdNKyraFkeUq2JeC6i5Eyl_iCLYWyPHdwbWnwQlnccsP5L63TLOaL-nZp8PwZ73IEnrdNtw0nZdlecQEdRcM0I9n2KafduaO2vUso_JAOVGAaHaNGFKnX2heiLs3K0113vq5Qq7C6hHJ1GsXy705PryMADIpu0qXkzDxZb8C6L/s4032/IMG_0257.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIzRE0nAIZJCh_6cdNKyraFkeUq2JeC6i5Eyl_iCLYWyPHdwbWnwQlnccsP5L63TLOaL-nZp8PwZ73IEnrdNtw0nZdlecQEdRcM0I9n2KafduaO2vUso_JAOVGAaHaNGFKnX2heiLs3K0113vq5Qq7C6hHJ1GsXy705PryMADIpu0qXkzDxZb8C6L/s320/IMG_0257.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QdSeZFr723BvlBgeOQXGT-vJ0mjQfe2kZKTRIMCll2JLtnip2PP4p-MP9-VbOxHn4Gj0w3PJY2c0OIK4Db3XuhzNV22wZpAxw8U2BnkEOq-MFyxdV_vUMiqWj7H4L-iGuAOX8pX_ZTeQtEzB40NgR3i0ZCWJ4tb8wNTqkgdk5ZoI4X0Tp2Sj9SGo/s1920/Resized_20221029_230517.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QdSeZFr723BvlBgeOQXGT-vJ0mjQfe2kZKTRIMCll2JLtnip2PP4p-MP9-VbOxHn4Gj0w3PJY2c0OIK4Db3XuhzNV22wZpAxw8U2BnkEOq-MFyxdV_vUMiqWj7H4L-iGuAOX8pX_ZTeQtEzB40NgR3i0ZCWJ4tb8wNTqkgdk5ZoI4X0Tp2Sj9SGo/s320/Resized_20221029_230517.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh-2KPOSczzJ80U5ihzvVUVdVL9g9q52EHOmyBBDktn5QjjwPEb9D_G0Sy2COzX80VoaX9IKLySsrZp5m3m2FUXkqQ0pxq3VVZUJUZ8Q2d1QvXA89uay3-Lh1nQK24uhCq_ejfbWTTPnyIiiSNCCfpKZUL9dcaIW_65irtj_viziDWqH16rHT3GHM/s2048/IMG_0271.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh-2KPOSczzJ80U5ihzvVUVdVL9g9q52EHOmyBBDktn5QjjwPEb9D_G0Sy2COzX80VoaX9IKLySsrZp5m3m2FUXkqQ0pxq3VVZUJUZ8Q2d1QvXA89uay3-Lh1nQK24uhCq_ejfbWTTPnyIiiSNCCfpKZUL9dcaIW_65irtj_viziDWqH16rHT3GHM/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoOTXl2fyOJSohlkRm_-avGf5c91EX8lgGxTvodjUpfdY68iUj5C8CHhbwTySXomh63caDhNwsIX6LV8Vqdo9xp7MARqmJ3ohyMug44pBceOQ1zeh1iFheCeR2ZEZe2zkLN7BYdSgw3wQp7dz0tyHHsS_6j5LB8tTBAEQmUlOx5CraWtKwimaVKRe/s1024/imagejpeg_03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoOTXl2fyOJSohlkRm_-avGf5c91EX8lgGxTvodjUpfdY68iUj5C8CHhbwTySXomh63caDhNwsIX6LV8Vqdo9xp7MARqmJ3ohyMug44pBceOQ1zeh1iFheCeR2ZEZe2zkLN7BYdSgw3wQp7dz0tyHHsS_6j5LB8tTBAEQmUlOx5CraWtKwimaVKRe/s320/imagejpeg_03.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq7S8QHQL-XD7udjXaaol-EOWMSlS529RKov4b0lIURpG77t2HyPy0oAegAACQZ4kleDduOMTPKl9jJS3PdvHYzi6PayzXniISRDkr3VSYnHXSxUbA9oHh6oqmrmeLxKdB1Uhs_9IQAF3oPpZPjoEcfO5NazRAcXbEDhOf0mlrtzs6Y2sDdaGRWsD/s1024/imagejpeg_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq7S8QHQL-XD7udjXaaol-EOWMSlS529RKov4b0lIURpG77t2HyPy0oAegAACQZ4kleDduOMTPKl9jJS3PdvHYzi6PayzXniISRDkr3VSYnHXSxUbA9oHh6oqmrmeLxKdB1Uhs_9IQAF3oPpZPjoEcfO5NazRAcXbEDhOf0mlrtzs6Y2sDdaGRWsD/s320/imagejpeg_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIiPG_2QzuUrz1oFHbmJcWZieqkRWWl4QQGF1ajSa9ms8jPjsuaTRg5Fh6BzQJ67oVlTl9ze_t0fQKRuJtqwVkQv6bsNhLIwlbra_Ge1c6x4AYoQAFcUqt4wRQ8mRQk_GbhGPYbdxHLj19UKTRXwsfLTxD17HUwEjTuptjJ-uAFsCzyd19AK0N8zE/s573/imagejpeg_2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIiPG_2QzuUrz1oFHbmJcWZieqkRWWl4QQGF1ajSa9ms8jPjsuaTRg5Fh6BzQJ67oVlTl9ze_t0fQKRuJtqwVkQv6bsNhLIwlbra_Ge1c6x4AYoQAFcUqt4wRQ8mRQk_GbhGPYbdxHLj19UKTRXwsfLTxD17HUwEjTuptjJ-uAFsCzyd19AK0N8zE/s320/imagejpeg_2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> And what a splendid evening it was. I'd remembered to bring my jigsaw piece to match Sally's one, so we took a photo of that and then I completely forgot about photos, I was having way too much fun. I'm not even sure who these photos are from, but I'm grateful somebody was taking them. There were about 8-10 of us and even Mouse had come down from the west with his shenanigans shirt on, causing me to panic slightly, especially when I spotted the keg of Kenny's behind the bar, a particularly lethal cider, which I've fallen victim to a few times, and swore not to tonight. Elliott was introduced to all ,and all liked him very much. A couple of lads, who are rarely seen, made an effort to come out and play, and I was touched. There were even 2 old friends there, who I'd not seen in person since our 'Tavern Days', nearly 40 years ago. We had a wonderful time, and the best part, and I think the first time ever, was when we realized we'd all be able to walk out the door unaided. I had been petrified that I'd need a stretcher, and would have a blinding headache to start the next, very busy, day. But I guess we've all mellowed with age, and although a few pints were poured, nobody was unfathomably incoherent. Ginny and Ali want to come and visit Front Royal, as of course, does Sally, so we need to make that happen very soon. The goodbyes weren't so sorrowful this time as I'll be back within 2 years ,and we can do it all again, and if I win the lottery, I'll be back even sooner. It was a Grand Day Out!<br /></p><p></p>Debby Karaleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09919228681834315595noreply@blogger.com0