Tag: England
Story Challenge: Letter ‘H’
Frizztext’s challenge is H this week and he asks that we ‘share a story or a short reflection tagged with the letter “H”? For example I’ve written about HONG KONG (watch below) or about HONEYMOONERS, about HORSEs, HIPPIEs and HYDRANTs, about HANGING, HAND BAGS and HATS, about HA LONG BAY, HANDS or HIPPOs, HOLIDAYS or HAIRDRESSERs, “HIGH FIVE” or HOBBIES, HERRINGS or HOUSEBOATS, HOT PANTS or HANG GLIDERS, HAITI or HOLLAND etc. – I’m sure you’ll find an own story or a short reflection tagged with “H”! Feel free to add in the comments the link to your personal interpretation of the letter “H”!!!’.
So I’ve chosen hats, men in hats to be precise. It began last night when I caught an interview with Larry Hagman on TV in advance of the return of Dallas to our screens. He was wearing his trademark Stetson, a little beige number made from beaver which apparently cost five thousand dollars, an obscene amount of money.
Because I’m a crafter I go to lots of country shows and village days in summer and there are always men in hats to be seen. Here are three that amuse me, hope you like them too.
You can join Frizz’s challenge and see some more entries here,
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/story-challenge-letter-h/
Sunday Post: Black and White
It’s Jake Day! and the theme is black and white. I like black and white but generally not when I try it. My all time favourite photographer, the late James Ravilious, worked in black and white. He was a local man, here is a link to some of his photos. http://www.jamesravilious.com/gallery.asp he captured everyday life in a period of great change.
My photo started life in colour and I quite like the change because of the different textures, including the sky. 
Hop over to http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/sunday-post-black-white/ for some more interpretations.
Ooh, WordPress has just told me that this is my 300th post!
And I have to add this photo for Jo Bryant!
Music in Pictures Contest
Elisa has chosen one of my all time favourite songs this week. Louis Armstrong singing Wonderful World, if you visit to join in http://autumninbruges.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/music-in-pictures-contest-what-a-wonderful-world/ you can listen to him on the video she has posted. When my first grandchild was expected my son and daughter in law gave me bunch of ten second clips from their scans. I joined the clips together, used this song as the sound track and gave it back to them as a mini production. Now you know how soppy I am!
I looked at pictures taken around the world but in the end decided that my beloved Dartmoor is as good as it gets. This is taken at Hound Tor looking north east.
You should be able to click to zoom in!
This is a great new challenge my lovelies and Elisa would be thrilled if you all joined in!
Wordless Wednesday
Story Challenge Letter G
As it’s G this time and I’m Gee I thought I would give Frizztext’s challenge a go and I’ve chosen Geese.
This is Goose Day, held every September in the East Devon village of Colyford and I go each year to have a craft stall. So far its always been warm and sunny and thousands of people turn up for a late summer day of fun. There are traditonal games, music, dance and performance as well as the geese. The beer tent is a must and afternoon tea or a hog roast lunch. Lots of people keep up the tradition of dressing in medieval costume so all in all its a very colourful day.
Doesn’t she look lovely?
The ‘Morris’ waiting to dance or maybe for the beer tent to open!
My daughter surrounded by a band of medieval raiders. Don’t worry she can quickly deal with them.
The Court Jester
I would love to try this lady’s gown.
Ready for battle against any invading marauders.
The stars of the day. I like geese and would love to keep guard geese but I haven’t anything to guard or any space for them and I suspect I’d spend more time cleaning up after them and running in the opposite direction!
Friztext is hosting the challenge over here, http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/story-challenge-letter-g/ so visit to see some more G’s and join in!
The Sunday Post: Close Up
Jake has created his usual magic animations and this weeks theme is close up. He says, ‘New to Word press? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re invited to get involved in my Weekly Competition to help you meet your blogging goals and give you another way to take part in 2012 Water Dragon Event. Everyone is welcome to participate, if your blog is about photography,Videography, Graphic Artwork Or Writing .’
If you would like to join in visit http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/sunday-post-close-up/#comments
and here is my entry. 
Freshly caught at Lyme Regis this afternoon!
Travel Theme: Signs
Ailsa is asking us to give her a sign this week! I’ve spent the afternoon in Lyme Regis and kept the challenge in mind, found several okay ones but like this one best. To see the other entries go to http://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/08/10/signs/
Hope you like this one!
Music in Pictures, the Story
Elisa has posted her new music in pictures challenge today instead of Friday, a good idea as so many people post the weekend challenges. Thursday is good for me, it’s a bit of a lull day usually, so this will make me think. She has posted a link to the lovely Sara Ramirez version of The Story, and I’ve chosen this photo because I think it’s so important to listen to the stories our children tell us.
Here, some school children were given a hoarding as an art space, while it hid some conversion work. I hope they had photos of their individual and joint contributions.
http://autumninbruges.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/music-in-pictures-contest-the-story/
Splendid, a Belated Sunday Post
St Stephens was one of several churches built in Exeter after AD 900; it has a distinctive bow and is unusual because it has a crypt. It survived the civil war in the 1640’s untouched, but later in1660 it suffered a fire, and was rebuilt courtesy of the generosity of a Mr George Potter who gave £500, a fortune in those days for its rebuilding. Exeter was a prosperous city, with the church at the heart of the wool and cloth business. A Mrs Back was known to have sold Sassafras tea under the bow to passers-by, how charming that sounds. In the 19th century repairs were carried out, including replacing the pews and the builders discovered remains in the Saxon crypt.
The safety of the west Gallery was debated in the early 20th century, but it was saved from demolition and was later used by the YMCA, when it was packed with worshippers.
Its tower was damaged in1942 but several of the nearby churches were totally destroyed, so once again the church’s congregation grew. In my memory it has been very much a place for the community that has coffee mornings, concerts and art exhibitions. It was in need of restoration and a major fund raising effort was staged – the St Stephens project. More serious war damage than expected was found, and eventually £1.5 million was raised over 9 years. During the rebuild 52 gravestones and an ancient charnel pit were found. The ancient gallery has been recreated and the whole building has become a place of understated beauty. It has survived its 1000 years and is now a valuable legacy for the city.
When I went into town on Saturday it was with Jake’s Sunday Post in mind. Once again I only had my phone camera. I walked down the High Street and something drew me into St Stephens, I hadn’t seen it for a year or two. I’m so glad I stopped, the transformation is staggering, from a pleasant but slightly worn and dim place to one which, I’m sure you will agree, is truly splendid.
My bits of history are from an audio visual presentation in the church. If ever you are in Exeter, add it to your list of places to visit, you never know you may time when there is teas and cake, or a lunchtime recital on offer. Pop over to http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/sunday-post-splendid/ for some more splendid offerings and have a lovely week everyone.
Lucid Gypsy 