Just a quick word to say I'm alive and well and living in Uskyland...

Apologies for lack of blog recently; I seem to have very little to say at the moment and am taking a sort of blog-break.

I'll be back soon no doubt. Mean time, have fun y'all!

I'm pretty knackered after the day's activities so am planning an early night and a few hours sound sleep (I hope!). Before I go though and because I won't be about much tomorrow I thought I'd post you something rather beautiful.

Peacock Feather

Goodnight all!

... a surreal landscape for a Saturday evening?

click for big

Bread, they say, is the staff of life... and there's no getting away from it, good bread is a treat to eat... so why on earth do we put up with the pap that litters the shelves of supermarkets and other high street shops? I'm not including traditional bakers of course...

Okay, so this is the subject of this morning's rant...

This is a slice of wholemeal bread, baked fresh at my local supermarket and sold at a premium price. It's supposed to be good for you... healthy eating and all that... but the truth is this stuff tastes like crap! (not that I'm any sort of expert on crap eating you understand)

I'm no baker by any means, but I've baked tastier bread than this and I know for sure the baker who normally supplies my bread would just shake his head in disgust at a slice that tastes like paper and has the consistency of slightly soggy cardboard!

Staff of life? Trust me, you wouldn't live too long if you relied on this sort of junk.

Serves me right for being lazy and not making the effort to get my bread from the usual source... all I can say is I hope the birds like it, because the loaf is now broken up and scattered all over my lawn.

In fact it's a pretty terrible image, but the iris was truly beautiful, believe me...

White Iris

Well to be more exact... I shouldn't really be here........

But I rather like this and thought some of you might too.

See all you good folks tomorrow.

Team GB are doing remarkably well in Beijing... some simply stunning results in the way of personal bests and a few world records too... congratulations guys, we're all very proud of you.

But I wonder how many of us are aware of a couple of other world record attempts involving a British team just now?

I'm talking about the Greenbird team...

Never heard of them? Well read on.

The Ecotricity Greenbird is involved in not one, but two world wind-powered speed record challenges.

This is Greenbird

Described as part aeroplane, part sailboat, part Formula One car, Greenbird is a technological marvel.

Ecotricity is all about harnessing the power of the wind and the team aim to make Greenbird the fastest wind powered vehicle on Earth...

...on both ice...

...and dry land!

Greenbird is currently in Australia, assembled ready and waiting to go for the dry land record attempt. To read more about Greenbird and follow her progress please visit the Ecotricity Greenbird web.

Here's another photograph of Polperro Harbour...

I 'antiqued' this one for added effect.

Since I haven't been anywhere for ages or taken any photographs or have anything useful or interesting to say...
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I thought I'd remind myself of a nice place...
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Polperro Harbour

My chum Menomama asked the question, "Can animals smile?"

Looks like this bullock is grinning at something to me...

...perhaps it's the size of the other cow's arse!

This insomnia thing is getting to be altogether silly now... I'm reduced to watching women's long distance swimming events... BMX... taekwondo... and other mind bogglingly interesting stuff... ...if this lot doesn't send me to sleep, nothing will!

Just a quick message from old Usky to say I'll get back to normal as soon as possible.. right now my eyes are suffering somewhat...

Catch up with you all soon.

Usky

...well I did manage to fall out of bed for gawd's sake!

Anyway... wide a-bloody wake now I is.

Be good for bugger all in the morning....

Our village smithy's a grand chap... with a special eye for the birds... and what's more he likes to show off his wares in public... so if travelling around this neck of the woods... keep a special eye open for Old Horny Thom.

"...a humphy backit Heron
nearly as big as me
stands by the waterside
fishin for his tea... "


Fine looking chap isn't he?

Not to be confused with my regular weekend teaser (A Little Something for the Weekend) I wondered if anyone might be up for a bit of Sunday fun?

Who can tell me what this is, or what it might be used for?

You may want to look away now...

Of course if you think you can stand it... click the image and have a much closer look.

Can you tell what it is yet?

Of course, I could easily be wrong!

(click for larger sizes)

I get the distinct feeling it is going to be yet another wet day here...

Any plane spotters out there?

Identification needed please...

Just about sums me up this morning...

Washed up on the foreshore...

Since I haven't been out with a camera for a while I've nothing new to show you folks... hence the outdated images I've posted here recently.

This morning's image isn't 'new' either, although you won't have seen it before...

Personally I'm not keen on this sort of thing, but I know a lot of people like to decorate graves with all kinds of odd things.

The figures used here are kind of cute though, don't you think?

Image association? Well I really couldn't think what else to call this post.

Today's events reminded me of some images I took a little while ago and had been meaning to post... really not sure why I hadn't posted them before in fact...

As some of you will know, I have a bit of a thing for cemeteries. I find the peacefulness of these urban refuges really stimulating... and just occasionally you come across some quite spectacular.

I've no idea what these stones say, but I think they're really beautiful.

And I just couldn't resist snapping this one...

It hasn't been the easiest of days and to be fair I think Mum coped better than I did in the end. Being around all kinds of 'strange' people at the wake just about did for me... I really don't do people at all... ...people in large numbers and confined spaces just freak me out these days.

Still that's all over now thank goodness and Mum's resting... my brother's looking after her this evening, so I've got the rest of the day off and have every intention of having a large gin or several and just festering here this evening.

Tomorrow we've got a few things to sort out in the morning and I'm hoping the weather will be drier than it has been today so I can whisk Mum off somewhere nice for a bit of fresh air and some lunch. Later in the day we'll get Mum all packed up then there'll be a 'family' meal early evening.

Thursday morning I'll be ferrying Mum and brother to the airport so he can take her back to Spain with him, where he chooses to reside these days, for some rest and recuperation.

So, those are my plans for the next couple of days.

I think it's time for the first of those gins now, while I catch up on some mail and read through your blogs...

How would fancy a bunch of these?

I'll bet they'd wear huge holes in your underpants!

Tickle 'em up to make 'em bigger...

Well it's been a busy day today and tomorrow will be even busier... not that I mind being busy, but I am feeling the pace somewhat.

So, the funeral service is being held in Newport tomorrow at 10:00, followed by a procession to the crematorium at Cwmbran for the 'crisping' and then back to Newport for the wake... so a bit of running around and no doubt a very distraught Mum.

Thankfully things can calm down again once tomorrow's over and following a day of rest, Mum will disappear to the warmth of Spain for a little respite care.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes we've received these last few days... believe me, I'm very appreciative of the support shown by all my friends here.

Monday morning has dragged itself around again and I'm bloody shattered... lack of sleep and some unpleasant thoughts about the coming days are to blame for that. Oh well, just have to face up to things I suppose and get on with it....

Anyway, just to say I won't be around much for the next couple of days.

Usky

Just to remind everyone, since we all seem to be bitching and moaning about the British summer, that the sun doesn't always shine...

...even in Paradise!

While I'm here, I'm assuming there are some major problems with BCUK since I've had all kinds of problems getting into my blog and other people's this morning... just the thing to make a wet Sunday morning even more frustrating.

It's a really miserable blooming day weather-wise... hard to believe the summer will soon be over and yet again Britain's weather has been less than kind to us. Summer's were never like this when I was a kid... we were out playing in the sunshine every day... ...happy memories... oh well...

Anyway, here's a little something to remind us all of sunnier days and warmer weather.

(click for a larger view)

Well I'm not sure there's much good about it... grey skies, cold winds, showery outlook...

At least it's a Saturday and that means a day of rest for many people, so it can't be all bad...

How about something fresh to start the day?

This historically important, Scheduled Ancient Monument, ironworks site consists of the excavated and semi-restored ruins of a blast furnace situated at the lower end of the Clydach Gorge.

Clydach Ironworks and the core of the associated industrial settlement, evolved in a haphazard manner from the late 18th century.

Clydach Ironworks was excavated and partly restored during the 1980s and is currently the property of the Borough Council.

The works was established here, close to the sources of iron ore, coal and limestone, by 1795 and exploited the recent introduction of coke as fuel.

The blast furnaces at the site remained in production for over 65 years during which time the works were a focal point for much activity in the valley.

By 1841 over 1,350 people (including 133 children under 13) were employed, the majority involved in winning iron ore and coal higher up the valley.

In 1813 the site at Clydach boasted two furnaces, by 1833 this had increased to three with the blast supplied by a Boulton & Watt engine and a 42ft. wheel, while four furnaces were recorded for the first time in 1844.

In 1793 the first furnace at the site was under construction and production at the works started well with 1,660 tons in 1796. After an initial drop, production rose steadily thereafter (2,658 tons in 1816: 6,771 tons in 1830; 10,038 tons in 1840).

Edward Frere and Thomas Cooke with a nominal association with the Kendall family of ironmasters, who lent their name to the undertaking, operated the works, leased from the Duke of Beaufort.

The business, however, was never really successful, the works being up for sale in 1813 and again in 1833. Between 1841 and 1845 the works continued to suffer financial losses, difficulties continued and by the 1850s the works was in decline, the furnaces ceased production in 1861, and despite the works being sold as a 'going concern' three years later and again in 1878, never returned to production.

(all images are clickable for larger views)

I've been meaning to post these for a couple of weeks...

Newport has several areas decorated with mosaic.

You may recall I posted some others recently that featured Newport's history with the sea.

This set of mosaics depict some of Newport's industrial history.

If you look carefully you'll spot references to Blaenavon, Pentwyn, Tredegar, Blakemore, Powell and Wilkins.

Blaenavon, Pentwyn and Tredegar were industrial centres, while Blakemore, Powell and Winkins were coal merchants.

If you're very lucky people, I might be persuaded to post images of the mosaics depicting the Chartist riots one of these days.

...been here and answered some comments/posted on a few blogs.... but now I'm being told I have to go and consume even greater amounts of alcohol.... it's a bugger of a job, but someone has to do it!

See all you good folks tomorrow... assuming I survive of course!

Have a lovely night y'all.

Well my birthday so far has been decidedly different... well decidedly different for me anyway.

The daughter took me for a drink at lunchtime... so we pub-crawled around the village... of course there are only two pubs.... but my head still hurts!

Brrrr... it's a bit chilly, but it's a lovely bright morning.

Come on in, the water's lovely... last one in's a sissy!

...and makes my blood boil too. Regular readers may remember this previous bleat of mine...

So today I got myself into a state when I read this:

Dog is found hanged in woodland

A dog has been found hanged in woodland near a path which runs alongside a children's play area.

The male bull terrier-type mongrel, aged between 9 and eighteen-months-old, was found in Aberdare, in the Cynon Valley in an area used by dog walkers.

RSPCA Inspector Selina Chan said the blue twine with which it was hanged was thought to have been its lead.

She said: "We need the public to help us piece together the information so we can discover the truth."

The dog was found by someone walking their dog on the path.

An examination by a vet found bruising around the animal's neck and two puncture wounds but no obvious sign of death.

The dog is described as white with brown ears and a brown patch around his left eye, a brown patch at the base of his tail and three large light brown or tan patches on his body.

Ms Chan said: "The dog has very distinctive markings so I believe someone will recognise his description.

She added: "When I attended, the dog had been cut down from the tree but the twine was so tight around his neck I could not get my fingers underneath it.

"The dog was heavy and it would have taken a very strong person or possibly more that one person to have hung the dog.

"I simply can't comprehend what has happened to this young animal and how it was found in such appalling circumstances.

"I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words after removing the body of this dog."

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA National Cruelty and Advice Line on 0300 1234 999. Calls will be treated in confidence

Okay, own up.... which one of you guys is it?

I see from my stats that I get returning visits from someone in Cumming...

Come on now...

One of you lives in Cumming, the city in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States... and I'm just desperate to know who it is!

Graffiti... I seem to return to this subject again and again.

(click for large)

I have to say I'm not in favour of defacing ancient monuments and the like, but I found some of the scratchings here quite interesting...

Just for the sake of clarity, here's a second image from the shoot I did around the River Dart and showing a little more of last night's tree...

While I don't dislike the above image it just doesn't do it for me, whereas I find this one a little more interesting.

Interesting too how the light as changed considerably in the half hour or so between the images being taken.

Just playing with reflections....

Warning after £83,000 track theft

A man who stole 171.6 tonnes of railway track could have caused a serious train crash, police say.

Anthony Porretta, 53, from Newport, south Wales, was jailed for two years and nine months at Bristol Crown Court after he admitted the theft.

British Transport Police said he used a crane to load five lorries with the old track on the main line running between south Wales and London Paddington.

He then sold the metal, worth £83,000, to a scrap merchant in Newport.

British Transport Police, which carried out an investigation into the theft, said the track had previously been removed by engineers from Acton Turnville, in South Gloucestershire, for a renovation project and placed it at the side of the railway line.

During the early hours of 1 December, 2006, unemployed Porretta, arrived to steal the metal, they said.

'Strong message'

Acting Detective Inspector Jon Rawson from British Transport Police said: "In a worst-case scenario Porretta's actions could have caused a train to crash.

"There are safety procedures to follow when removing redundant track from beside the railway line, which Porretta did not follow.

"A piece of rail track could have struck a passing train and caused a serious rail incident. Fortunately this did not happen."

Speaking after Porretta's sentencing on Monday, he added: "[We] hope that it sends out a strong message that this type of crime will not be tolerated.

"The fact that this man has received a substantial prison sentence should serve as a warning to any thieves who steal from the railway infrastructure."

Police say metal theft is up nationally by at least 150% and is estimated to cost British industry around £360m annually.

They say there is a particular problem on the railways.

Now hang on, I'm not talking about Mr Plod spying on the local doggers here, nor am I referring to Peeping Tom peeking through Mr & Mrs Exhibitionist's window... ...sorry guys, nothing as exciting or salacious as that.

I am talking about affairs though... Welsh affairs that is... or to be strictly precise, the Institute of Welsh Affairs.

Yes that's right, we have an institute for affairs down here in the Principality and it has nothing to do with sheep!

The Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), founded in 1987, is an independent think-tank, which acts as a bridge between public policy makers, the academic community, business and non-profit organisations. It operates by commissioning research, organising seminars, lectures and conferences to facilitate debate, and by publishing reports and policy papers.

Sounds impressive doesn't it?

Well let me tell you, in its study Futures for the Heads of the Valleys the IWA's main recommendation states "the south Wales Valleys should appoint a London-style mayor to help rejuvenate the region."

Excuse me, but if London's experience with Messrs Livingstone and Johnson is anything to go by it sounds like a complete waste of money to me!

Perhaps I ought to set up an independent think-tank to look into the workings of the independent think-tank that acts as a bridge between public policy makers....

I could call myself Watching Them, Watching Us, Watching You, or WathWUWY if you prefer. There's bound to be a lot of money in it!

My river doesn't get much fuller than this... before it overflows and tries hard to drown the Usk-side area.

I love these fungi... they grow on tree trunks and boughs and are wonderful things to admire. Sadly the tree that was host to the fungi above has been felled, so no doubt I won't be seeing any more in this location. No doubt I'll find some somewhere else though.

I dreamed a dream last night… not any old dream… and not one of those flights of fancy we’re all used to having either… no this was memory more than a dream… an exact memory of an event that took place back in 1972… I’ve never had one of these before, have you?

The really odd thing about last night’s dream though is this morning’s physical reminder of that dream… a few aches and dirty great bruise!

Let me tell a little about the event and some of the effects suffered.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but in a nutshell a new member had joined our mess; a sullen sort from Liverpool, with a sour expression and nothing to say for himself.

We were in port and as usual everyone had migrated ashore so the mess was empty with the exception of yours truly, who was part of the duty watch, and the Scouse, who had ignored invitations to join the guys ashore.

Being bored, and in an attempt at friendship, I tried to instigate a conversation and offered my new messmate a fag. The cigarette was accepted, the conversation rebuffed; in fact I was told in no uncertain terms where I could stick it!

I called him some kind of miserable bastard and turned my back to walk away. Scouse grabbed me by the shoulder, swung me round and shouted in my face demanding to know what I was about.

Bear in mind I was 20 years old and fit; a prop forward rugby player and used to standing my ground. I faced up and snarled back letting him know exactly what I thought of his miserable attitude, then pulled away.

He swung at me and we traded a couple of ineffectual blows, then suddenly there was a knife in his left hand. My eyes were glued to the silvery edge as it waved away from his body… and that was when his right fist crashed into my temple knocking me to the floor. There was no attempt to use the knife, it was just a rouse.

He called me something unmentionable as his boot connected with my back and it was over… my back hurt like hell and the following morning I had a boot shaped bruise above my kidneys… just like the one I have this morning… and the ache that goes with it...

Odd, eh?

Just to brighten up my evening and help me think of happier times I thought I'd post myself a couple of nice images.

Hope maybe you like them too.

Too bad if you don't because I've posted them anyway!

Awwww c'mon....

Wouldn't you fancy hang-gliding off those hills with that wonderful beach as your outlook? Course you would...

Oh yeah... click for big and all that.

Right... I'm off to watch Madagascar!

I dunno, seems like today has been full of everything... sunshine, rain, laughter, tears...

I'd rather have just been here I think.

Typical I s'pose, but having been sidelined with a virus for the early part of the week I find myself having to rush around now to catch up... so it's a week of not much blogging I'm afraid.

Normal service will be restored soonish... I hope!

Have a great day everyone.