WATERY

Carmi's Thematic Photographic challenge this week is WATERY

The above photo was taken at Cobh, Ireland, and is in fact part of the derelict pier I showed last week! It was a fascinating place, the White Line Shipping Co was based there, and Queenstown, as it was called then (changed when Ireland became a republic) was the last port of call for those emigrating to the New World or Australia. The Titanic called here - her last port of call before she sailed into the icy north. The pier looked fairly large at its non-derelict end, but I wouldn't like to say that passengers actually boarded the big liners from here!




This rather odd looking photo is actually some sort of scum that came down with a very heavy rainfall and washed into the lake via the stream that fill it. I liked the pattern the water made as it flowed into the lake.





And this is the wash of our very large ship we went on for our Arctic Cruise. And yes, the water was that colour!




And lastly, the reeds were reflected against a blue sky in water that was rippling in the breeze.

I think those are fairly watery pics!

PAST ITS PRIME

Carmi's Theme this week is PAST ITS PRIME There is no doubt that this pier at Cobh, Ireland, was well past its prime, and looked positively unsafe!




These Fallen Angels are in the Churchyard of our Parish Church, St. Michaels and all Angels. Seems to me its not quite all Angels!




And lastly, this old tree had been left where it had fallen, (its in a Nature Reserve) and is now no doubt home to a myriad of bug and insect life!

GREYISH

Carmi's Challenge this week is GREYISH

On a grey and overcast day, the lake in the park looks grey. As do the reflections, but a breeze makes for an interesting pattern. In grey.




The roots of the old Beech tree look rather majestic when the rain gives them a sheen. Unhappily they are now dead roots, as the tree was cut down to about 15 ft. high two or three years ago. No one really knows why the park authorities did that! On other trees that have been similarly cut, a chain saw artist has carved animals and birds on the tops, but this beech tree has been left in its unnatural state!

I suppose it will rot now - badgers already seem to be stripping the bark the other side, and then Health and Safety will come and cut it down. Which would have been better in the first place!

Rant over - enjoy the photos!

CURVES

Carmi's Challenge this week is CURVES.

Snails have beautiful curves - something about Fibonacci curves, I think - and this one is no exception. Not as fast as Carmi's bicycle (follow link above to see what I am talking about) but moving and alive, all the same!




These Horse Chestnuts hold within them an unbelievable potential for growth. And they are a gorgeous colour too!




More potential in these plants, but I loved the repetition of the labels.




Its the way the snow falls that makes the picture!




And lastly, the lovely bright terracotta curves of these saucers for standing plants in.

PAIRS

Well, it is St. Valentine's Day, so Carmi has chosen Pairs for his Challenge this week.




Walking together often leads to..........




..........the patter of tiny feet!


Have fun!

GROCERIES

This, I know, is not a brilliant photograph, but it was taken in 1941 by my father, and that is the rations for one person for one week!

That's right, a few ounces of margarine (and it wasn't very nice tasting!) very few ounces of butter, a cup of sugar, and that meat is, I think stewing meat, you bought it by price, you were allowed, say one shillings worth of meat per week, which would buy enough stewing steak for a couple of meals, filled out with veg, or a minute bit of frying steak, if you were so inclined. Up to you what you ate from the veg basket for the rest of the week!

Tea was rationed, used tea leaves were dried and used again, bacon was about two rashers per week per person, cheese was rationed, not a very big bit, something like 2 ounces.

How my mother managed to feed a family of four, but she did, as did thousands of others.

Well, you had to. Food was in short supply, unless you could grow your own veggies, which we did, or buy on the black market, which loads of people did if they had the money.

Just thought I'd show you! Since Carmi's challenge is GROCERIES

SCREENS

Carmi's Challenge this week is Screens.

He meant electronic, but I haven't any photos of those (I don't really "do" electronic things) But I do have a photo of part of a metal screen erected in front of the door to the Park people's stores, etc.

As far as I know it has deterred vandals and other unlawful types.