Usksider's Photo Blog

Further up the path

2009-11-07T12:05:54+01:00

Progressing along the mountain path...

Up To The Rocky Crop

Over the pass

2009-11-07T10:16:06+01:00

I promised to share some more images from the hilltops last week and haven't come up with the goods yet... so now I'm going to put that to rights

Hill Pass

Comments

Vatican Humour

2009-11-07T09:42:46+01:00

After getting all of Pope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.

'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'

'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'

'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning..

'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile.

Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kph.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)

'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.

'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.

The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.

'So bust him,' says the Chief.

'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'

'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.

The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'

'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'

Cop: 'I think it's God!'

The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'

Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'

Comments

As promised yesterday - The Wild & Windy Moors

2009-11-05T09:01:11+01:00

Or...

The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn

Or maybe just...

The Welshman who went up a mountain and came down a little humbled and more right in the head

Well okay I suppose you've guessed this post is really nothing to do with the wonderful Ms Bush and her Wuthering Heights.

It's about your old pal Usky and the way his crazy head works.

When I'm feeling down and my head hurts I often take myself off to lonely places where I can just be alone with Nature and wallow in my state of mindless desperation and self-indulgence. Oddly it usually helps bring me around, giving me the opportunity to literally howl at the moon and work out my frustrations.

Last week I found myself in a location where with just a little effort I could get to the top of high place and enjoy my sense of self-pity. So I parked my car, changed my shoes, donned my jacket,,, well it was cold, for god's sake... and started climbing.

Having reached the top(ish) I surveyed the horizon and was met by a glorious, if somewhat misty, vista. Deciding I wanted more I made my way onto a rocky outcrop and looked over the edge. On a bright, clear day it would have been nothing short of spectacular.

Not satisfied, I edged myself forward until my toes were literally 'over the edge' and looked down... and for the first time in a couple of years I was hit by strong thoughts of suicide... the need to just step out and fall was so strong I almost gave way to my inner feelings and took a dive... thank god sense prevailed and I was able to step backwards.

I haven't experienced such strong feelings of the need to do away with it all for almost two years now and to be honest the episode frightened the crap out of me. I ended up sitting with my back to one of the rocks facing away from the wide world and just crying... releasing my fear and frustration.

It took quite a while for the tears to stop; I was chilled to the bone by that time and wanted nothing more in the world that a pair of welcoming arms to snuggle into... no such luck sadly. Oh well...

Back at the car I used my heated seat for the very first time, luxuriating in the comforts of modern technology and my selfishness for splurging having received my small golden-handshake. I also spent some time reflecting on my time at the cliff edge and chastising myself for the fool I obviously am. There's always someone worse off than you isn't there? So while I've been so preoccupied with my depression these last weeks, some other poor soul has been having a really nasty time.

Just a few of my thoughts... I'm thankful for being strong enough to step back and carry on... I'm sorry for being so selfish recently... I'm grateful for the love and support shown by friends here... I'm pleased to feel welcome in this community.

On a lighter note, I took my camera with me to the top of said mountain and did manage to capture a few images to remember my visit. Here's one of my captures... I hope you like it.

please click image for a larger view
I do have more pictures from that day if you'd like to see them.

Comments

Windy Kate...

2009-11-04T22:41:34+01:00

Anyone here remember Kate Bush's wild and windy moors ?

Drop in tomorrow to catch a look at Usky's view of Heathcliffe's domain...

Comments

Hello BCUK, how is everyone?

2009-11-04T22:14:08+01:00

Hello all... just a note to say I'm still alive and well(?) and have been missing you guys... your positive thoughts and messages have been a real help to me recently and I thank you all sincerely... but now it's time to watch your backs because Usky is almost back to 'normal'...

Life's a funny thing isn't it?

Do I look as though I'm smiling?

I should have been...

You decide...

Comments

Fish out of water...

2009-10-26T12:13:39+01:00

As some of you already know, Usky has been having a hard time managing his life recently... the black dog of despair and desperation has struck with a vengeance sending yours truly into a deep, dark pit... in short, I feel like a fish out of water...

...I can even feel all those little wriggly squids!

Please excuse me if I don't seem very sociable right now, it's simply because I'm not.

Comments

Celebrity Big Bottle

2009-09-27T16:28:59+02:00

I have one last thing to say today...

Grab your glass...

It's Party Time! >" class="middle" border="0">

Be good y'all

Comments

To boldly go...

2009-09-27T11:41:06+02:00

Walking through the village the other day I took an unpaved footpath short-cut between a couple of older cottages... the footpath is rarely used and quite overgrown, but I'm glad I persevered and pushed my way through the brambles and nettles... if I hadn't, I wouldn't have seen these peeking above the hedge...

As usual when it comes to flowering things I haven't a clue what they are, but beautifully delicate yellow bells with their deep red tops are really stunning. Anyone know what they are?

Comments

Time to scratch an itch

2009-09-27T09:16:03+02:00

We all get a bit of irritation at times don't we? Find an itch we definitely need to scratch... whether physical or metaphorical.

Local members of the bovine persuasion are no different it seems... just look at how polished the side of Usky's Rock has become from all that leathery rubbing.

Time for a Sunday morning rub anyone?

Comments

More of Usky's rock...

2009-09-26T10:51:59+02:00

Just to complete the 360^o tour of 'my' rock... one more new image

I think this one is my favourite though...

Llanfihangel Stone

Comments

Friday Smut? No!

2009-09-25T20:15:10+02:00

There was an old sergeant
Who sat on a rock
Waving and shaking
His big hairy fist...

No, you're okay... I'm not going to sit here typing out the words to suggestive rugby songs... ...and anyway, no-one in their right mind would want to sit on this rock!

Note the feather referred to earlier, which can easily be seen in the first image.

Here in Wales we know these things as 'cromlechs', but elsewhere they are called 'menhirs' or simply standing stones.

Comments

Wanna see my rock?

2009-09-25T18:59:17+02:00

It's not really my rock of course, but I did post an image of a lump of rock with a feather stuck to it a few days ago... and thought you might like to see the whole rock

Llanfihangel Stone
This neolithic monument is just down the road from me and is known as the Llanfihangel Stone.

Don't be fooled by the horizon... I wasn't pickled... ...the ground is rising

If you're good boys and girls I might just post a couple more images of this rather lovely cromlech.

Comments

Running Bear

2009-09-23T21:17:00+02:00

Now there's a thing... sprung from a comment in my previous post... and a bit of a 'Did You Know' moment...

The song Running Bear was written by J.P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper) sung most famously by Johnny Preston in 1959.

Comments

What was the name of that bloody indian?

2009-09-23T20:43:42+02:00

Okay, no silly joke about jumping out of an aeroplane without a parachute...

This is rather more about the ancient Celts, Hiawatha, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and the Iroquois Confederacy.

Comments

Out of the way places

2009-09-23T06:54:47+02:00

A little while ago I posted a short piece about churches built in out-of-the-way places and thought I'd add an image here to further illustrate the point.

Llanfihangel Rogiet, featuring St Michael's Church

The hamlet of Llanfihangel Rogiet is located immediately west of larger settlement of Rogiet in Monmouthshire. Interestingly, Llanfihangel Rogiet was established before the Norman invasion, although little evidence remains. The current church, St Michael's, dates from about the 14th century and contains medieval tombs; it nestles snugly between three farms.

Unlike Rogiet, Llanfihangel has remained relatively untouched by modern development. The church can be accessed directly from two of the farms, or by public footpath across the fields.

Comments

Tuesday landscape

2009-09-22T18:40:43+02:00

I thought I'd share another landscape with you today... and add a little detail too

This is one view of my local landscape... the road runs down the hill to a crossroads at the barn... my house is on an estate down the left tine... I'd be less than a mile from home taking this image.

The old barn you can see in the centre of the landscape has featured in a few of my images... and here it is again.

The barn has seen better days obviously, but still serves a purpose.

Comments

Just a little landscape

2009-09-21T20:48:41+02:00

Nothing overly special here, I just liked the colours.

Comments

Usky's weekend teaser

2009-09-21T18:37:37+02:00

Apologies to one and all for being late with the answer to last week's teaser... I have just posted the answer.

Comments

Bounty: not the chocolate bar or ship

2009-09-20T10:36:21+02:00

I'm always impressed by this time of year... the late end of summer that is, the Prelude to Autumn. It's a time for Mother Nature's little creatures to be hoarding in anticipation of the coming winter weather... and if this year's crop is anything to go by, we could well be in for a cold old time this year.

This small selection of Nature's Bounty was captured from the roadside hedgerows within a quarter of mile of my house... a huge harvest for a little mouse.

Blackberry

Hip

Slow (Blackthorn)

Hawthorn

Rose-hip

Elderberry

Hawthorn

Of course it isn't just the little critters who appreciate all these berries... over the years I've made wine from elderberry, rose-hip and blackberry... gathered sloes for sloe gin... eaten hawthorn berries (and leaves)... then of course there are the nuts, fungi and other goodies to be had for free.

Take yourself outdoors before the year gets much older and have a good look around you... you'll find so many wonderful things to see at this time of year.

Comments

Doggy Woggy Woof Woof

2009-09-19T08:45:36+02:00

Come on, own up.... who did it? Which one of you wags tags me Doggy Woggy Woof Woof!

Comments

Blame Marian...

2009-09-17T21:41:46+02:00

Just too hard to resist really

Comments

Woodn't you know it?

2009-09-17T20:34:41+02:00

People who know me already know I love rusty things and lumps of wood...

...so here's one of my favourite subjects.

I love the look of this piece of old tree trunk...

You only have to move a little...

change the angle...

to see some monster's mouth with a hugely dominant tusk...

Comments

Ain't Nature wondeful?

2009-09-17T09:43:24+02:00

A couple of months ago, these guys looked all gangly and scruffy...

They're certainly not looking so shabby now though and in just another couple of months they'll be looking serenely regal.

Comments

...and it's goodnight from him!

2009-09-16T22:55:34+02:00

But before I go... and just because I know you want to see it... I thought I'd show you an image of a little prick...

...or several!

Comments

Wednesday Dinner

2009-09-16T22:14:10+02:00

I was going to post this elsewhere, but since I haven't actually posted anything on my blog today decided I'd put it here instead...

Wanted to push the boat a little in the continuance of Usky Pampering, so...

I bought monkfish... and lots of it too
I bought apple smoked streaky bacon
I bought Desiree potatoes
I bought spinach
I bought lemons - fair trade of course

Okay, I washed the spuds and cut them into pieces then blanched them in boiling water for two minutes (skin on) before removing them to an oven dish.

I chopped an onion and several cloves of garlic then sprinkled these over the spuds. Then zested two lemons and added the zest to the dish, squeezed out the juice from said lemons and poured over, sprinkled with sea salt crystals and drizzled extra virgin olive oil over the lot.

The potatoes were placed in the top of the oven at Gas Mk6 for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the potatoes were turned and rolled to make sure they were well coated before going back into the oven for another 20 minutes.

I washed and filleted the monkfish, then cut the fillets into 3 inch pieces. I put some frozen prawns, chopped parsley, dill and a little butter on top of each piece then wrapped the monkfish in strips of streaky bacon then placed them in an overnproof dish. Crushed black pepper and sea salt was sprinkled and olive oil drizzled.

The potatoes were turned again and the fish placed in the oven for 20 minutes.

I finely diced two cloves of garlic and squeezed the juice of another lemon.

5 minutes before the fish was ready I lightly fried the garlic in a sauté pan with very little extra virgin olive oil, then dumped in the spinach and lemon juice and cover with a tight fitting lid. The trick here is to keep the sauté pan moving so the spinach cooks evenly while you take the lemon potatoes and fish out of the oven... >" class="middle" border="0">

There you go... dinner... wonderfully flavoured monkfish, served with lemon potatoes and spinach... washed down with a nice drop of grenache... and Usky is in heaven

Comments

RIP Keith Floyd

2009-09-15T21:11:07+02:00

I'm extremely saddened by the news that Keith Floyd passed away yesterday aged 65... it was without doubt Keith's antics on the TV that inspired me to take cooking seriously.

RIP Keith Floyd - the undoubted king of television cookery.

Comments

A touch of pampering

2009-09-15T13:07:02+02:00

As some of you know I have been experiencing a few difficulties of late and having got close to the end of my tether, have finally broken away from the torpor and taken some 'me' time.

I got my not inconsiderable arse out and walked around six miles yesterday... I took a camera with me too, although I didn't actually take very many photos... still it gave me a 'prop' and a reason to be out there.

The walking was good and I must say once I got going I actually found I was enjoying myself, or at least starting to. A mixed walk of road and cross-country with even a little water thrown in.

Walk over I ran a hot bath and soaked off the grime... rinsed down... then ran a second, scented, tub with some a touch of oil and just wallowed with a book for an hour or so. All that was needed really was a full-body massage to complete the relaxation process...

Here's a little something I spotted lurking in the corner of a cow pasture...

I think it's a wild Viola, but am not exactly sure... the open flower was approximately 1cm from tip of yellow petal to tip of blue petal, so it really was tiny but perfectly formed.

Right... I'm off for another bit of 'me' time now... via the 'fridge!

Comments

Sheep shaging - fact or fantasy?

2009-09-14T09:29:40+02:00

According to the urban Dictionary, one definition of sheep shagging is to have sexual intercourse with a sheep. Let me elucidate; preferably the sheep is an ewe to avoid others thinking the shagger is homosexual. However, if no ewes are available, to ram a ram in its anus is perfectly acceptable in certain circles.

Well there we are then... sheep shagging is definitely a fact because some perverted sod or other will most certainly have sexually molested a sheep or two at some stage in human history... after all, it's only natural! >" class="middle" border="0">

Still whatever you've previously heard about this subject, I can assure you the Welsh do not, on the whole, shag sheep. I refuse to take any responsibility for you going up to a big beer swilling Welshman named Geraint and accusing him of buggering sheep, nor will I accept the costs of your hospital treatment and/or funeral expenses should you actually try it!

Here's a little known fact...

A Co Donegal man has set a new world record for sheep shagging in New Zealand.

Ivan Scott had to shag more than 731 lambs to break the eight-hour Strongwool Sheep Shagging record.

Radio New Zealand reports Mr Scott pipped the previous record with a tally of 736 sheep.

The previous record holder, New Zealander Justin Bell, was present to see his record go.

Oh no, that was sheep Shearing!

Of course the truth is sheep shagging is NOT confined to Wales, and the antipodes...

Port Talbot - (ReUterus): Plaid Cymru offcials are up in arms over German prosecutors charging a 44 year old Turkish national with animal cruelty after her was caught on video shagging a flock of sheep in the Wiesbaden area.

"Under EU regulations the man must go free," Welsh Nationalist Rhodri Morgan.

"Sheep shagging is an official Welsh olympic sport funded by the European Union since 2001.

"Contestants for the Beijing Olympics have been training hard all over Europe and their efforts monitored by funding bodies.

"This Turkish chappie is sponsored by none other than Neil Kinnock, one of the sport's official Grand Masters.

"We think his chances of an olympic gold medal may have been seriously compormised."

Sheep are certainly plentiful and special recreation areas have been constructed in Enland, like the one at Avebury pictured above. As the old saying goes, Wiltshire, where men are men and sheep are bloody worried!

Nor is sheep shagging a human-only sport; just see how eager this young chap is to get started!

Beware guys, the damn dogs will have all the fun!

Our friends north of the border have perfected special techniques to get the very most out of the genus Artiodactyla... but I'll shut up about that and let this guy explain:

So there we are then... sheep shagging - fact or fantasy? Well both, obviously! " class="middle" border="0">

Comments

Monday morning plans

2009-09-14T08:06:26+02:00

Well Monday has rolled around again an I don't doubt many of you have plans for a really interesting day ahead... so come on then, what will you be up to today?

Me? Oh well, let's see... the grass needs cutting, the housework needs seeing to, the car is in desperate need of a wash and brush-up and I could do with a good going over myself! So is that it? Will there be an Usky Domestic God among you? Not a damn chance! I really can't be bothered...

Comments