I had a brief chat with a verey nice lady here the other night... a Newport girl by birth, but a Kiwi now since emiration in the 1950s. Anyway, it got me thinking about my home town and times gone by... and the trend I'm sure we're all used to of decorating the insides of modern offices and buildings with photographs from the 1900s.

It is near impossible of course to photograph an area today and recreate a scene from a century ago... well not without one hell of a lot of Photoshopping anyway and I wasn't prepared to do that, but I did think I'd treat a few of Newport's older buildings to a little sepia colourwash to see how they might look... and here they are.

I get the feeling it's going to be one of those days today... no particular reason, just one of those deep down in the gut feelings

It's probably because I've got quite a few things on the boil just now and ought to getting my day underway... but you know that lazy Saturday morning feeling? Well I haz it in spades!

It's no use prevaricating... I really must go and get a shower and get dressed...

Have a great Saturday all... I'll see you later on.

Still feeling stuffed full of dinner and slightly the worst for wear thanks to the gin I'm feeling just like this here flowery thing...

 

Kind of short, fat and hairy that is... and not a little tired... so on that point I wish you all a very good night!

I'm off to hit the kitchen... things to do in the way of preparation... for a beautifully succulent lamb curry with all the trimmings this evening.

Have a great Friday evening everyone... see you tomorrow!

Good morning Blogland and a Happy Friday to one and all

I was cogitating on the power of advertising yesterday while sitting in a waiting room and wondering about the meaning of life, the universe and everything...

The power of advertising... what does it mean to you? I'd always thought of it along the lines of the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it. Advertising has been described as the very essence of democracy. An election goes on every minute of the business day across the counters of thousands of stores and shops where the customers state their preferences and determine which manufacturer and which product shall be the leader today, and which shall lead tomorrow.

We shouldn't lose sight of the real power being advertising of course, which is cash... and lots of it too!

I wonder how much a certain sports drink company coughed up to entice the likes of International Rugby Board World Player of the Year Shane Williams to drop his drawers for their latest advertising campaign? Frankly it doesn't really matter to me... Alan Clarke's image of Shane is nothing less than stunning so whatever the cost, it was well worth it in my view.

Shane Williams: Ospreys & Wales

What do you think? Great image or what? I think the power of advertising should be thanked for providing us with this image from Alan Clarke.

Beside a river, beneath a wood
A Cistercian abbey of fame once stood.
Beyond the bridge, askance the road
From a lowly church did Tintern grow.

Hardly Wordsworth I know, but rather like old Bill I also admire Tintern Abbey and its beautiful valley location.

What was it Wordsworth said when standing beside the abbey?

Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

Well you can't see much of the cliffs now because the trees have colonised wherever they can, but the rocky crags are still there and just as impressive now as they always have been if you follow the footpath and climb to Devil's Pulpit...

I recommend a visit if you happen to be in the Chepstow/Monmouth area

This post is really for my chum Ravingmad, but I dare say some of you other girls may find this post interesting too...

Now no-one can say I don't try to keep my audience satisfied.

It's Tuesday... I know it's Tuesday... but for some reason best known to itself my head has decided it's Thursday...

The name of the day makes little difference of course, but Thursday is recycling day while Tuesday is a non-entity here, community wise, so no doubt the neighbours were wondering WTF that old duffer Usky was doing putting bottles, cans, paper products and cardboard into their individual containers and lining said up on the pavement for the recycling technicians this morning...

On a totally different tack, the skies look light and bright and a very long way from the forecast hail storms; I might just have a bit of a walk with my camera later on. Who knows what interesting things I might find to point my lens at.

Talking of cameras and pointing at things... did I ever show you my little mate Boilerplate? Here he is...

Boilerplate

Boilerplate is one of those clever little programmable robots... you define a set of instructions and off he goes to complete the task. All four limbs are mobile and he's got hands that will grasp in different ways. Boilerplate is capable of bending at the waist too... though bending to the side is easier because there's a danger of him falling over if you get him leaning too far forward!

It takes a bit of time to get the programmes right, but when you do you'll find your little chum is capable of some remarkable tasks. His own sensors keep from bumping into things should you get his direction commands wrong, but if you want him to tidy up for you or retrieve some object from the far side of the room you need to be absolutely specific with the commands for his hands. I wish in some ways he were fully remote controlled, but that would take some of the fun out of getting the command lists right.

Boilerplate has a great sense of humour too and laughs like a drain when he farts!

Shaking His Booty

The original Boilerplate was designed and built by Victorian engineer Professor Archibald Campion during the 1880s and unveiled at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Built in a small Chicago laboratory, Boilerplate was originally designed as a prototype soldier for use in resolving the conflicts of nations. Although it was the only such prototype, Boilerplate was eventually able to exercise its proposed function by participating in several combat actions.

In the mid-1890s, Boilerplate embarked on a series of expeditions to demonstrate its abilities, the most ambitious being a voyage to Antarctica. Boilerplate is one of history's great ironies, a technological milestone that remains largely unknown. Even in an age that gave birth to the automobile and aeroplane, a functioning mechanical man should have been accorded more significance.

As many of you may have heard, steel maker Corus announced more job losses today...

BBC News covers the story in some depth under the title Fears over 1,100 Welsh steel jobs

Where will it all end?

There are new inhabitants in our village pub; excellent people they are too... of the Scottish persuasion. Yesterday being 25^th January they organised a bit-of-a-do to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of that great Scots poet, Robbie Burns.

Well I've been to my first Burns Night Supper... and what great fun it was

Seeing the haggis piped in, listening to the speeches, the tributes, poems and songs... enjoying the great food and of course lashings of that other famous Scots export... whisky

There was even an Italian opera singer, who regaled us with Auld Lang Syne in her native tongue

Steven, the Master of Ceremonies, was brilliant and had us in stitches throughout the evening. He was obviously devoted to the cause too, having driven all the way down from Glasgow especially for the event! That's dedication for you.

Steven: not exactly a wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie

Roll on next year... I can't wait to do it all again.

I really have to get myself going and make a move... my presence is required in Cardiff this morning, so I'm hoping there won't be too many of those pointy things in the road...

No, not these... the longer red and white pointy things that mess up all the damn traffic!

Have a good day all... see you later!

My head is pounding this morning... pounding, pounding, pounding... and I have no idea why... it certainly isn't because of an excess of alcohol.

Actually my jaw is aching too... and no I haven't been in a fight either!

Oh well I dare say the headache will pass eventually

Time for a healthy breakfast I think... and some fresh fruit to go with my cereals

That's what they say isn't it? Healthy body, healthy mind? Perhaps I'd better have a large glass of blueberry juice to go with it because God knows my body ain't healthy!

'Morning all... hope you're all fit and well this crisp Saturday morning?

I spoke about Leading Lines here the other day and thought I'd post an example... albeit not a particularly good one.

This is an old railway viaduct at Merthyr. The natural curvature has always drawn me and in photographing the stonework I have tried to capture both the nature of the architecture and draw the eye through the image.

For me, one of the times when photographic rules tend to disappear right down the tubes is after dark; especially true if parts of the desired image are brightly lit while others are stark black.

Every situation is different of course and in this case I did follow the rule of thirds and exposed for the highlights... seems to work to me.

Rules, eh? Who needs 'em!

Composition may be defined as the combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole. In photography that definition is very important when taking good quality, interesting pictures.

The following rules of composition should be learned and considered but not necessarily used in every photo. Once you have learned these rules you will be more observant of the possible photo opportunities that surround you; the next step is to find a creative way to stretch or break the rules of composition.

Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds has been used through the centuries and is probably the most recognized rule. The rule of thirds directs that the frame can be divided into three vertical sections and three horizontal sections. Wherever the separating lines connect is an ideal spot for a subject or point of interest. By positioning your main subject at any of the four intersection points, you are giving your subject more emphasis than if it is right in the middle of the photo. The intersection points can also work if there is more than one main subject in a photo. Most famous photographs and paintings have the rule of thirds applied to them in some way or another.

Simplicity

The simplicity rule directs that you should keep the items in your photo relatively simple. If your main subject is close to the lens, then your background should be very simple in order to avoid distractions. Another good idea is to avoid objects or lines that lead the eye away from your main subject.

Contrast

The contrast rule directs that light subjects should be placed against dark backgrounds and vice versa.

Framing

The framing rule directs that using natural surroundings mindfully can add more meaning and focus to your subject. The surroundings could be anything such as bushes, windows, trees or even a doorway. When using this rule be sure to focus on the main subject and not on the surroundings that are framing it. It is also a good idea to use a narrow aperture (high f/stop) when using this rule in order to create a high depth-of-field.

Texture

The texture rule can add a great amount of interest to most photos. When people see texture in a photo it can spark their imagination and make the photo more real to life. Texture would be a good idea when taking photos of rocks, walls, surfaces, hands or even leaves. In order to create texture try to compose your photo so the light is coming from the side and therefore casting shadows in key places.

Diagonals

The diagonal rule directs that diagonal elements or lines can make a photo more dynamic. Diagonal elements could be fence posts, roads or even tree branches.

Leading Lines

The leading lines rule can be used to direct the eye deeper into a photo and commonly to the main subject. Leading lines can lure the eye to a subject by leading to it from any side or depth of the photo. Leading lines could be roads, rivers, tree branches or even bridges.

Just something for you to think about when you next point your camera.

Talking to Tom about rules in photography has reminded me of something I thought might be useful to folk here: Twelve Essential Photographic Rules.

Something we commonly hear from new photographers who don’t want to learn the basics is that there are no rules. I often hear people say that in art, there’s no such thing as a rule you just go out there and take a picture and it doesn’t really matter how.

The reality is, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. A seasoned professional who has been taking pictures for years can break all the rules on the planet. Why? Because they know what they’re doing. They've done the ground work and have the experience that teaches them what looks good and what doesn’t, even if it is counter-cultural or uncommon.

Beginners don’t have this experience, and it is for this reason that I present here some proven methods that you can use to take interesting pictures. You may choose not to use them, but keep in mind that they are just stepping stones.

Twelve Essential Photographic Rules

1. Sunny 16 Rule
The basic exposure for an average scene taken on a bright, sunny day is f/16 at a shutter speed equivalent to one over the ISO setting—that is, f/16 at 1/100 sec at ISO 100. From this you can interpolate, and try f/22 at the beach, f/11 on a cloudy-bright day, etc.

2. Moony 11, 8, and 5.6 Rules
There are many different rules that work well when shooting the moon. One favorite for a proper exposure of a full moon is f/11 at one over the ISO setting. For pictures of a half moon, use the same shutter speed at f/8, and for a quarter moon, use the same shutter speed at f/5.6.

3. Camera Shake Rule
The slowest shutter speed at which you can safely handhold a camera is one over the focal length of the lens in use. As shutter speeds get slower, camera shake is likely to result in an increasing loss of sharpness. So, if you're using a 50mm lens, shoot at 1/60 sec or faster. Not enough light? Use a flash, tripod, or brace your camera against a solid object.

4. Anatomical Gray Card
Metering off an 18-percent neutral gray card is a good way to get a midtone reading that will give you a good overall exposure of a scene. Forgot your gray card? Hold your open hand up so it's facing the light, take a reading off your palm, open up one stop, and shoot. (Various skin tones rarely account for even a full-stop difference.)

5. Depth of Field Rules
When focusing on a deep subject, focus on a point about a third of the way into the picture to maximize depth of field, because the depth-of-field zone behind that point is about twice as deep as the depth-of-field zone in front of it. This works for all apertures and focal lengths, but the smaller the aperture and the shorter the focal length, and the greater the distance you shoot at, the greater the depth of field.

6. Largest Digital Print Rule
To calculate in inches the largest photo-quality print you can make with a digital camera, divide the vertical and horizontal pixel counts (see your manual) by 200. For critical applications, or if you want exhibition-quality prints, divide the pixel counts by 250.

7. Exposure Rules
The classic advice is, "Expose for the highlights, and let the shadows take care of themselves." This works with slide film and digital. But with negative film, especially color negative, you're better off overexposing by one stop.

8. Quick Flash-fill Rule
When using an automatic flash unit that doesn't provide auto flash-fill ratios, set the flash's ISO dial to twice the ISO you're using. Meter the scene, select an f-stop, set the autoflash aperture to the same f-stop, and shoot. The resulting 2:1 flash-fill ratio will produce filled shadows one stop darker than the main subject.

9. Flash Range Rule
Want to know how much extra flash range you get by going to a faster ISO? The rule is, "Double the distance, four times the speed." For example: If your flash is good to 20 feet at ISO 100 (film or digital), it will be good to 40 feet at ISO 400.

10. Megapixel Multiplier Rule
To double the resolution in a digital camera, you must increase the number of megapixels by a factor of four—not two. Why? The number of pixels in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions must be doubled to double the pixel density across the image sensor.

11. Action-stopping Rules
To stop action moving across the frame that's perpendicular to the lens axis, you need shutter speeds two stops faster than action moving toward or away from you. For action moving at a 45-degree angle to the lens axis, you can use a shutter speed one stop slower. For example: If a person running toward you at moderate speed can be stopped at 1/125 sec, you'll need a shutter speed of 1/500 sec to stop the subject moving across the frame, and a shutter speed of 1/250 sec to stop him if moving obliquely with respect to the camera.

12. Sunset Rule
To get a properly exposed sunset, meter the area directly above the sun (without including the sun). If you want the scene to look like it's a half-hour later, stop down by one f-stop, or set exposure compensation to minus one.

With these rules in your armoury you'll still be able to take interesting images even when your camera's automatic systems pack up and you have to do everything in manual mode.

A few people here have asked where I learned to use a camera and whether I attended an Art School; I was even asked on one occasion whether I took photography courses on the road. In truth I've never had any formal training with a camera at all, which makes me a purely amateur snapper.

I've been interested in photography for years and learned as I went along with the aid of the odd book and by looking at other people's images and trying to work out how the magic was created.

The cost of developing and printing meant experimentation was undertaken on a limited budget. Even buying my own darkroom equipment so I could process and print black & white images at home had restrictions; the bathroom became my temporary darkroom and was far from ideal, but at least it helped keep the costs down.

Sadly photography always had to take a back seat when it came to finance and family projects too, if it comes to that.

Then a new era dawned as digital photography raised its head. Highly expensive and of very low quality originally, digital cameras soon became more accessible and Usky dipped a toe in the water.

The cost of producing images dropped dramatically, as long as the images remained electronic, which meant experimentation was virtually free once the equipment was paid for. The number of images I took increased dramatically and my skills seemed to increase too until I hit a plateau.

For me the next stage of improvement came from learning how much my equipment could be pushed in difficult conditions and how many 'rules' could be bent or broken. At the time I was running a website for Newport Rugby Club and wanted images to include on the pages.

Rugby being predominantly a winter sport, taking photographs at matches meant being out in all conditions and shooting in anything from bright sunshine, through pouring rain, to floodlit conditions after dark. During the first year I learned what my camera was capable of and how to obtain usable images in even the worst conditions.

I don't hold the following images up as being anything other than examples and know full well they are by no means 'great'. They do demonstrate though that anyone can learn to use a camera and that practice might not make 'perfect', but it certainly does help!

I'm in the mood for love... but that'll have to wait because I have shopping to do... my least favourite pass time... except for ironing... clearing blocked drains... mopping up someone else's vomit... I think I'd better stop there!

I also feel a bit like singing, but somehow "A-shopping I must go" just doesn't inspire me; no shotgun, no fishing rod, no traps...

Still there is something to look forward to... an excellent dinner this evening, but before that, breakfast at Morrison's cafe!

See ya later Blogland

Well sadly yesterday's weather didn't turn out to be exactly kind after all... in fact it was a miserable day weather-wise with just a few brighter interludes.

Given the damp conditions I gave up all thoughts of going out and instead decided to Spring clean... yes that's right, I spent the day cleaning house.

From now on just call me Mr Mopp!

So no trip to Raglan and no new photographs of the castle... but here are a couple from a previous visit you won't have seen before.

Not much chance of my getting a trip out with me camera now this week sadly... oh well.

It's been a shockingly wet night... I know because the rain pounding on my roof and window woke me several times. I'm pleased to say though the rain has stopped and the skies are lightening... so I'm crossing my fingers things will improve as the day goes go and if they do I'm going to take a drive up to Raglan...

Raglan Castle

The last time I walked on a Welsh beach I found myself in the presence of greatness...

Ieuan Evans: Llanelli and Wales


...so I photographed my hoof prints prints next to his.

I wonder if you guess which prints are mine?

For those who don't know, Ieuan "fleet of foot" Evans was a world class winger in his day and held the Welsh try scoring record for years until surpassed by IRB player of the year, Shane Williams last year.

No idea why, but I'm famished this morning and my coffee has done nothing except heighten my appetite...

I fancy something really decadent... eggs Benedict and champagne perhaps... or devilled kidneys...

I could stuff a couple of these little beauties with grilled bacon and tomatoes...

...except I don't have any bacon!

Oh bugger, I suppose it'll just have to be toast again...

Good Friday 2007 was brilliant day sunshine-wise, but it was frightfully chilly first thing...

I set off around 8:00am for my trip out and arrived in Clevedon well before 9:00, parked my car and walked along the seafront toward the pier.

Given the hour and the chill in the air, I was somewhat surprised by the number of early morning bathers I spied on the beach...

Given these folk was swimming in the Bristol Channel, hardly the cleanest water in the world, I'm not sure whether they should be tagged brave, foolhardy, or just downright mad!

Good morning Blogland

Some of you out there may recall me posting my image of a young girl trying to push over a tree on the seafront at Clevedon some time ago; the child was just leaning against the tree of course, but I was amused by what I saw, so snapped the shot.

I was asked recently if I'd allow the image to be used, so I thought I'd do a little touching up before I released it... the image that is, not some little girl!

Anyway, I thought I'd share my revised image with you good folks at Blogland and here it is.

I still smile when I look at this picture...

It wouldn't do to be a sleep-walker if you lived here, would it?

Of course you would get fresh fish for your supper every day...

All my life I've wondered what it would be like to own a brand new car... how it would feel to walk into a dealership, pick up the keys and the paperwork and drive away in something that no-one else has ever driven...

Having bitched and moaned recently about the state of this damn country's economy and the dismally poor way savers are being treated by the government and the banking institutions, I've broken a lifetime habit.

I seem to have had a rush of blood to the head... perhaps it was falling out of bed the other night that caused it?

Yesterday I found myself in a car showroom paying the deposit on a new car... and not just any new car either... a factory build new car... with loads of gadgets and gizmos... and in about ten weeks time I'll be paying the balance and driving it away... luxuriating in the new car smell...

I'll be driving one of these a Volkswagen Jetta

So much for being cautious with my money and saving for the future but at least I've gone for the Bluemotion option, which is extremely fuel efficient and kinder to the environment.

If truth be told... I'm really rather excited!

From my childhood I seem to remember Starlings always getting a really bad press, but I've been watching a couple of families of these little guys for a while now and have to say I find them quite endearing.

There is something slightly sinister about the Starling though and I'm not sure I can quite put my finger on it... in a way they remind me of the TV image of American gangsters from the 1920s... perhaps it is the Italian cut of their suit, their stiletto beak, and the slight swagger in their step...

I find it easy to imagine Frank 'the Enforcer' Nitti and his brother Walter as Starlings... too many hours sitting in front of a black & white TV watching The Untouchables as a kid perhaps.

Anyway, I've nicknamed this one Alphonse

Now then Agent Starling, where's my liver, fava beans and glass of Chianti.

This post was inspired by Middleagedbloke...

Position 51° 24'.00 N 03° 33'.05 W
Nash Lighthouse was designed by James Walker, the Engineer-in-Chief to Trinity House, in 1832 to mark the sandbanks off the point at the entrance to the Bristol Channel. The decision to build it followed a public outcry after the passenger steamer FROLIC was wrecked with heavy loss of life in 1830.

Two circular towers were built each with massive walls and a stone gallery. The eastern, or high lighthouse being 37 metres high and the western or low lighthouse 25 metres high. Placed 302 metres apart they provided leading lights to indicate safe passage past the sandbanks. The high light was painted with black and white stripes and the low light was white. In those days both towers showed a fixed light which was either red or white depending on the direction from which a vessel approached. The red sector marked the Nash Sands.

The low light was abandoned early this century and the high light was modernised and painted white. In place of the fixed light a new first order catadioptric lens was installed which gives a white and red group flashing.

Nash is one of those lighthouses scattered around our coast that has no claim to fame. For over 160 years its light has done its job as a sign to mariners to keep them clear of danger, its sole distinction is the discovery in 1977 of the tuberous thistle (Cirsium Tuberosum), a rare plant, which was found growing around the lighthouse.

(information supplied by Trinity House)

Things that go bump in the night... do you know what they are? Obviously there are the ghoulies and ghosties and the long-leggedy beasties... the bugbears, bogles, goblins and all those kinda things that go bump in the night...

Sometimes there are other bumpy night-type things too... last night it happened to be Usky.

Yes friends, old Usky managed to fall out of bed last night... his arse bumped loudly on the floor... but his head... oh his head bumped solidly onto the corner of the bedside cabinet... and on closer inspection this morning, I see traces of Usky hair and skinny bits still stuck to the corner of said cabinet... which accounts for the blood on my pillow!

Daft old duffer, or what?

Good evening Blogland

Hope everyone's been having a good day today? Monday seems to have been an okay day for me.

It's not that anything particularly good has happened today, I've just been busy helping other people and am feeling all fulfilled and a little smug.

Flowers for Monday

Right... time to go check out your blogs.

I seem to be here less and less these days... or perhaps that's staying away more and more...

Well whatever it is, I have nothing else to say this evening... so I'm going to bid you all a very good night.

My Sticky Ribs post generated a wee poem, which I want to share with you all, and another recipe idea that I know a lot of you will really enjoy...

Firstly, thanks to Ravingmad for starting the rhyme off (it's a two way thing)...

It sounds extremely yummy
But 'twould upset my tummy-
Got an allergy to pepper
So perhaps I had not better!

Sorry about the pepper
No you had not better
But if you're any good with fish
I've another yummy dish...

Oh I'm partial to me fish
and I'd love a seafood dish
So if you wouldn't mind
And if you'd be so kind

A lovely tuna steak
would be really great
or perhaps a bit of cod
- You're such a nice old sod!

I've a recipe for cod,
you'll feel like a god.
It came from a Greek
(in the kitchen a geek)
with spuds laced with lemon,
you'll feel you're in heaven

Methinks we should go post this rhyme
the two of us composed on line,
for all the world at large to see
how well we work in harmony.
Together we could set a trend
Bye bye for now - I've reached
THE END

And now for the recipe...

Baked cod with Greek lemon potatoes

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the fish:
1 thick cod fillet, weighing about 1kg
butter
extra virgin olive oil
salt and fresh ground black pepper

For the lemon potatoes:
900g Potatoes, cut into thick chunks
2 onions, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
handful of fresh oregano leaves, torn (dried will do if you don't have fresh)
300ml extra virgin olive oil
juice of 2 lemons and some lemon zest
salt and fresh ground black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6.

2. Spread the potatoes in a roasting pan or gratin dish into which they will fit snugly.
Scatter over the onion, garlic and oregano. Season to taste with salt and plenty of black pepper.

3. Pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. Add enough water to barely cover.

4. Bake for 45 minutes. Turn the mixture over and bake for a further 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through (test with the point of a knife).

5. When the potatoes are nearly ready, place the cod skin side down in a thickly buttered gratin dish. Dribble a thin layer of best olive oil over the surface, sprinkle on the lemon zest and season with salt & pepper.

6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, then test with a knife. If it goes right through with no resistance, the fish is cooked.

7. Serve the potatoes alongside the fish with plenty of the oily, lemony juices.

Give this a go... it's really easy and tastes fantastic!

...I can

A landscape I'd be happy to view from my window every morning.

I've worked hard all my life... never over-extended... never bought a new car... always saved a little every month for my retirement... and for what? To find the income from my nest egg has been completely eroded by this half-arsed government and sodding Bank of England because all those greedy, money-grabbing bastards with no sense of fiscal morality who got themselves in deep shit have had to be bailed out...

So okay I know it's not all as simple as that, but I really am pissed off. Interest rates cut to 1.5% and likely to fall further to encourage borrowing and growth... well what about a bit of parity? How about splitting the system and paying decent interest to savers?

No wonder so many people fuck off out of Britain and retire abroad!

I guess we all build walls to protect ourselves from the terrors of the outside world. Some walls are physical, while others are mental. Either way the stronger we build, the more difficult it is for others to enter...

Building barriers is all well and good, but it does tend to lead to isolationism and believe me that's not exactly good for a human body.

In our natural state we humans are social animals and need other people to be able to be able to function at our full extent... communication is essential.

BCUK is a great medium for communication... I have no idea where I'd be without it... not on Facebook that's for sure... can't get on with that at all!

I've learned to de construct my walls over the last year or so and now I really do feel like the king of the castle.

Let someone new into your life today; invite a new blog-friend to join you.

Bridge That Gap...

Are you sitting comfortably?

Okay then...

Brace yourselves...

Here he is...

This is...
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Usky's Little Green Man

The daughter said he looked so much like me she simply couldn't resist buying him for me...

Easy to make, easy to eat, and very satisfying....

Sticky Ribs

1 rack of pork ribs
Pepper corns
Cinnamon
Cloves
Star anise

Marinade

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions – finely chopped
4 garlic cloves – crushed
1 red chilli – de-seeded and finely chopped
Pinch dried chilli flakes
4oz dark brown sugar
5oz tomato ketchup or ketchup/puree mix
4oz dark soy

Method

Put ribs in a pan of cold water with the cinnamon stick, 6 to 8 pepper corns, a piece of star anise and half a dozen cloves. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for one hour.

For the marinade; fry the onions until soft, add the chillies and garlic followed by the sugar. Continue to fry for a few minutes then add the ketchup and soy. Simmer for ten minutes.

Drain the ribs and coat with the marinade. Place in a medium oven for thirty to forty minutes.

Now that Christmas is over and done and perhaps no more than a distant memory for many of us, I thought I'd ask you all a question: what did you have in your Christmas Box?

Gosh, do you even use the expression 'Christmas Box'? Maybe you don't... When I was a kid we always talked about a special present as being our Christmas Box...

Well anyway, what was your 'special' present this last Christmas? I don't mean the most expensive, but the one that means the most... to you... for whatever reason.

Mine was a little green man that I found in my stocking on Christmas morning... anyone want to see him?

I was talking to Kiki about street art in Portugal and in particular about sculptures; I was so impressed by the number and quality of bronze sculptures adorning the streets and plazas of Portuguese towns and cities.

Some of the pieces I saw were life-size, others much larger than life. With just one exception every piece spoke to me... now that's something I can't say for a lot of the sculpture we have here in the UK.

I almost crashed the hire car driving around this roundabout... I was too busy looking at the sculpture and not concentrating on the van in front of me!

Having parked the car I walked back and took a photo... then went off and joined my friend Mr Cool for coffee.

A little later I walked back and photographed the roundabout from the other side... I'd have loved to go back after dark to see the sculpture lit... maybe next time I visit Portugal.

Well the daughter is all packed up and gone, so the house is returning to a 'normal' state again now. Of course it will feel quiet and empty for the next few days until I get used to my little girl not being here again...

Seems there are multiple accidents on the roads this afternoon and both M5 & M6 are closed... that's a blow since the daughter would normally use both on her return to West Yorkshire. I've sent her a diversion via text, but suspect the main roads will all be busy around the hot-spots. Oh well...

Hope you're all having a good Sunday and looking forward to another working week... ...I tell you, this retirement lark is really great... I think I might have a long lazy morning tomorrow!

Just another Portuguese sculpture I found intriguing...

This amazing piece of bronze sits among the outdoor tables of a coffee bar in Loule; the surrounding tables are also bronze. He is so life-like I almost felt I should ask his permission to take the shot.

'Morning all.

Please join me in wishing my blog-chum La_Spice a Very Happy Birthday today

Happy Birthday Spicy!

I spied this lady sitting on a wall outside the market at Loule while I was on holiday in Portugal last year and couldn't help wondering whether she was coming or going with her wares...

Having studied the lady for a while I began concentrating on her expression... what was it that brought that enigmatic smile to her lips? What did she know that I didn't?

Come on guys, put a little brain power into this and tell me what the lady has on her mind.

My only regret is that it won't be here...

I might just go and visit an old friend instead...

I’m aware that for many people 2008 was a pretty grim year… even an annus horribilis, to coin a phrase… and no doubt people are glad to see the back of it.

To all those who have acted responsibly and still lost their livelihood as a direct result of the recession, I offer sympathy… I know how it feels to be out of work through no fault of your own… and if you are struggling to keep your home, I wish you good fortune and hope things work out for you in 2009.

I have a rather different feeling towards those who acted irresponsibly and over-extended by borrowing sums beyond their means… if you are suffering now it is a result of your own greed and you have no-one to blame but yourselves… no doubt you are hoping 2009 will see a return to better times... I hope you have learned the lesson well.

For me 2008 has not been such a bad year… in fact 2008 was a good year for me if truth be told... indeed the old year was not bad for me at all…

In 2008 I found peace for my troubled mind… retired from a career I had grown to hate… paid off the remains of my mortgage…made some wonderful new friends…

Yes I could have wished for more, but I’m not that greedy; for me 2008 was exceptional… Usky’s Annus Mirabilis… I can only hope this New Year will be as good for all of you as the Old Year was for me.