Hi All

Hi all, I have not been on very much lately, I had so much work to catch up on after that long bout  of Bronchitis and Marcis Visit, I seem to finally be back on schedule, all the work in the garden that should have been done before Christmas is now completed I just have a huge pile of shrub cuttings to put through the shredder.

So now I am going to try and catch up on some blogging!

I still have hundreds of shots still not converted from RAW that I took during Marcis Visit.


Here are a few from the day we visited the New Forest

Images & Words #196 - Statues

Hi all sorry this is late had a bit of a busy weekend;)

Dusk Ocean Side

Hi all a bit of a stressful week!

We had a bit of an upset here on Thursday Mon had a bad Angina attack, so bad I had to call the Paramedic who as usual was here in well under 10 minutes. Moms Angina has been under-control for years and this was the first attack since she moved in here with me.

It was very severe and to be honest she was exhibiting many of the symptoms of a heart attack, hence my 999 call. The paramedic was concerned because Moms blood pressure was through the roof and her O2 reading reading at only 76% so he called the ambulance who again amazingly were here in 5 minutes.

I followed on to the hospital, thankfully Mom started to stabilize on the way to the hospital and the pain in her chest was gone when we got there, they decided to keep her in over night for a whole raft of tests especially 2 blood tests for enzymes to confirm she had not had a blood clot  or a minor heart attack, both showed negative and they called me Friday lunch time and told me I could collect her as soon as I could get there.

The only change they made to Moms meds was to put here on a new Angina medication that is more effective than the old one.

Moms resting up today but already eager to get out and test out her new walking boots that arrived in the post this morning LOL.

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe my friends;)

Creative Challenge 236 - Gold

Hi all

Sorry I am not around much these days life has just got really busy! 

Between my photography work and voluntary work for the health walks and cycle rides I dont seem to have a second these days to get on line. 

I have to admit to not blogging much or having time to read blogs.

Now spring seems to have sprung here and I think my muse has returned from walk about I will try and get on more.

Thinking of you all anyway have a great week;);) xxx

Images And Words~~~ Pot Luck - Reflection

Winter Woodland - Early Morning Light

Natural Sepia - A snowy day at the Lake

Mom and I went for a walk at the Lake yesterday the light was unusual I took quite a few shots they had a "Natural Sepia" quality to them here are some of the best shots I hope you enjoy them;)

Images And Words Week 194 - 2013 Calendar - January

A visit to Salisbury Cathedral

One of the first places I took Marci when she arrived was on  asurprise visit to Salisbury Cathedral, it was a cold overcast day and windy. We took Mom with us an had to hold here arms as she was almost blown over, none the less we had a great day;)

Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, and is considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture. The main body was completed in only 38 years, from 1220 to 1258.
The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom (123m/404 ft). Visitors can take the "Tower Tour" where the interior of the hollow spire, with its ancient wood scaffolding, can be viewed. The cathedral also has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close in Britain (80 acres (320,000 m2)). The cathedral contains the world's oldest working clock (from AD 1386) and has the best surviving of the four original copies of the Magna Carta (all four original copies are in England). Although commonly known as Salisbury Cathedral, the official name is the Cathedral of Saint Mary. In 2008, the cathedral celebrated the 750th anniversary of its consecration in 1258.

Here are a few images from the day I hope you enjoy them, Happy Sunday;)

Snow Day

Hi all I hope the weather is better with you than it is  here right now. Its looking beautiful but has been snowing hard for 6 hours now and the wind is coming up! Have a great day;)

Marci's Visit December 2012

Marci and I had almost a 3 week visit this time it made up for the time we could not be together due to unfortunate events during 2012. On of the first things we did was revisit Bournmouth where Marci competed in the Triathlon on her very first visit and then as it was so cold we escaped inside and explored the Oceanarium. More Pics to Follow;)

Creative Challenge 234 - Sway

Images And Words Week 193 ~ Old Buildings

“I took to the Bodleian library as to a lover and ... would sit

long hours in Bodley's arms to emerge, blinking and dazed 

with the smell and feel of all those books.” 
                                                                       Laurie R. King

Entrance to the Original Bodleian Library ( No photography allowed in the Library itself unfortunately)

Hi All!

Hi all after a wonderful almost 3 week visit Marci is back home and resting today before going back to work tomorrow, we had a wonderful time and should be getting back together again in the spring all being well.

We visited many fantastic places and took lots of shots, I will be posting some over the next few weeks. This was one Shot of Marci at Stonehenge which she had always wanted to visit it was amazing as I had not been there in the last 30 years!

Have a wonderful day;)

Happy New Year From Baz and Marci

Hi all we saw in the New Year at my Cousins house Marci's first "English" New Year Celebration we had a wonderful Time.


A Very Happy New year to you all from Both of us xxxxx

Just a few more days!

Its been a long wait but it will be so worth it Marci arrives at Heathrow on the 27th December we will have 3 wonderful weeks;)

Images And Words Week 190 " A Special Gift."

Masala-marinated chicken with minted yoghurt sauce and Cumin-crusted vegetables

Hi all sorry not to be around much these days life is just so darn busy. We have been preping for a really festive Christmas and I got the  last of the food shopping early this morning before the rush, the Turkey is in the freezer at moms house as my freezer is full I will get it out tomorrow to thaw for a couple of days.

Last thing I have to do tomorrow is go to the Butcher and collect the two Pheasants I ordered for Christmas Eve Lunch and we will be ready to go, food always plays a key roll at Christmas in my house.

I have my relatives coming over after Christmas for lunch so I decided to do something different from a traditional roast. So Mom and I did a dry run on the meal below it was absolutely delicious and the whole house smelt of delicious aromatic herbs and spices, we willl be cooking it again when the realitives visit. Have a wonderful weekend;)

Masala-marinated chicken with minted yoghurt sauce and Cumin-crusted vegetables

Dieting or not, this is one of my favourite recipes. It’s mouth-wateringly good – the spicy marinade makes the meat really tender and full of flavour, while the yoghurt sauce sets it off a treat.

• 
  

  
  

  
  Ingredients
  For the chicken
  
  6 cardamom pods
• 2 tbsp cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp ground fenugreek
• 2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1-2 tsp hot chilli powder (the more you use, the spicier the dish)
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp flaked sea salt
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 40g/1½oz piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 100g/3½oz low-fat natural yoghurt

• 1.65kg/3lb 8oz chicken
• 1 lime, quartered
• freshly ground black pepper
  
  
  
• For the minted yoghurt sauce

• 
  200g/7oz low-fat natural yoghurt
• 1 tsp ready-made mint sauce
  
  Preparation method
  For the marinade

1. To make the marinade, split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Put the cardamom seeds in a dry non-stick frying pan and discard the husks. Add the cumin and coriander seeds, cloves and black peppercorns and place the pan over a medium heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly until the spices are lightly toasted – you know they’re ready when you can smell the spicy aroma.
2. Tip the toasted spices into a pestle and mortar, or an electric spice grinder, and pound to a fine powder. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the fenugreek, turmeric, paprika, chilli powder, cinnamon and salt. Add the garlic, ginger and yoghurt, then mix well and leave to stand while you prepare the chicken.
3. Place the chicken on its breast on a sturdy chopping board and cut carefully either side of the backbone with good scissors or poultry shears. Chuck out the bone and cut off the foot joints and wing tips.
4. Strip all the skin off the bird apart from the ends of the wings (which are easier to remove after cooking). You’ll find this simpler to do if you snip the membrane between the skin and the chicken flesh as you go. Cut off and discard any obvious fat – it will be a creamy white colour. Open out the chicken and place it on the board so the breast side is facing upwards.
5. Press down heavily with the palms of your hands to break the breastbone and flatten the chicken as evenly as possible. This will help it cook more quickly. Slash the meat with a knife through the thickest parts of the legs and breast. Place the chicken in a shallow non-metallic dish – a lasagne dish is ideal – and tuck in the legs and wings.
6. Spoon over the marinade and really massage it into the chicken on both sides, ensuring that every bit of bird is well coated – get your hands in there and really go for it. Cover the dish with cling film and put the chicken in the fridge to marinate for at least four hours or ideally overnight.
7. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Take the chicken out of the dish and place it on a rack inside a large baking tray, breast-side up. Squeeze over some juice from the lime and season with ground black pepper.
8. Roast for 1-1¼ hours until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked throughout, tossing the lime quarters on to the rack for the last 20 minutes to cook alongside the chicken. They’ll be good for squeezing over the meat later. The juices should run clear when the thickest part of one of the thighs is pierced with a skewer. Cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
9. While the chicken is resting, make the sauce. Spoon the yoghurt into a serving bowl and stir in the mint sauce until thoroughly combined. Transfer the chicken to a plate or wooden board and carve into slices, discarding any skin. Serve with the sauce and some watercress or salad and enjoy!
   
   
   Cumin-crusted vegetables

1. This is a lovely spicy variation on your classic roasties, using a small amount of oil and lots of tantalising tastes. Goes beautifully with masala-marinated chicken, or with plain grilled meat.

   199 calories per portion (if serving 4)

   160 calories per portion (if serving 5)
   
   Ingredients
   
   
   • 600g/1lb 5oz potatoes, preferably Maris Piper
   • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
   • 1 tsp cumin seeds
   • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
   • 1 tsp garam masala
   • ½ tsp turmeric
   • 1 medium red onion, halved and cut into thin wedges
   • 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into 4cm/1½in chunks
   
   
   • 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 4cm/1½in chunks
   • 1 orange pepper, deseeded and cut into 4cm/1½in chunks
   • 2 medium courgettes, cut into 1cm/½in slices
   • freshly ground black pepper
     
     Preparation method
   1. Preheat the oven to 190C/400F/Gas 6. Half-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Peel the potatoes, cut them into quarters and lower them carefully into the water. Bring the water back to the boil and cook for five minutes – just enough to parboil them.
   2. While the potatoes are boiling, place a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add the mustard and cumin seeds. Toast for about 30 seconds, then stir in the oil, garam masala and turmeric. Sizzle for a few seconds and add the onion.
   3. Fry the onion in the spices for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
   4. Drain the potatoes in a large colander and toss several times to roughen up the surface of each potato.
   5. Tip the potatoes into the pan with the onion and spices, season with a few twists of ground black pepper and toss together until the potatoes are lightly coated.
   6. Tip everything onto a large baking tray and roast for 30 minutes.
   7. Take the tray out of the oven and add the peppers and courgettes.
   8. Toss lightly together and return to the oven for another 25–30 minutes until the potatoes are crisp and golden-brown and the vegetables have softened.

Good Morning, have a great day;)

IL Divo - Over The Rainbow 

Seasons Greetings

Birds of a Feather

Futility!

I spent the weekend thinking about what happened in Connecticut on Friday, looking for reasons and excuses for forgiveness for  a person who could perpetrate such an atrocity; I found none.

Anybody no matter what personal Daemons they fight who perpetrates such a crime against humanity is beyond redemption and forgiveness. 

No man or woman should have to out live and suffer the loss of a child, loss at such a tender age is beyond imagining! 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family's and friends of these  poor Children and to all Americans at another tragic loss. 

As a foreigner, but somebody with a love for and a vested interest in America, I look in from the outside and ask, regardless of your own Politics and your countries Constitution, is it not time to come together and protect your children, if nothing else?

Again Thoughts and Prayers for all those who endure such a grievous loss 

December - Morning Sunlight

Hi all we had a beautiful morning before the rain came back in so I got out for a few hours early to catch the morning light, it was a quite beautiful day. Have a great weekend;)

European Song Thrush

Creative Challenge 230 - Festive

Seasons Greetings

Hi All

Just back from a meeting about the health walks for the first 3 months of 2013, I will be leading 2 or 3 walks a week from the middle of January

I joined one of the walks as an observer today everybody had a great time even though is was still very wet under foot!

Mom and I just put up the rest of the decorations and the Tree, Seasons Greetings;)

Images And Words Week 188 - Toys And Games

Were I a philosopher, 

I should write a philosophy of toys, 

showing that nothing else in life need to be taken seriously, 

and that Christmas Day in the company of children is one of the few occasions on which 

men become entirely alive.

                              Robert Lynd

Moors Lake in the December Evening Light

After a dull day the sky's finally cleared just before sun set, I took the chance to go back to Moors Lake and capture some reflections in the last of the evening Light, it was a wonderful shoot, it was the first time I have really been motivated to shoot for moths. I thought you might like to see some of the shots I hope your all having a wonderful restful weekend;)

Images And Words Week 187 ' December

How did it get so late so soon?
 Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. 
My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? 


Dr. Seuss 

Have a great weekend

Hi all,

Sorry I am not around much at the moment, there is so much catching up to do at home, especially in the garden. I have been planting lots of new Spring bulbs, Daffodils, Tulips, Bulb Iris and Dwarf Iris. I have cleared the veg plot and spread the home made compost around.

I have trimmed back lots of the shrubs but there is still much to do.

I have also been doing the training for the health walks I have volunteered to lead for people who have been in ill health and their doctor has decided they are ready for a little vigorous exercise in the form of an hours reasonably fast walking for an hour twice a week.

I had to renew my first aid certificate to lead the walks and was surprised how much had changed, I completed the course and was re-certified last week.

I have been doing the walks twice a week as an observer for the last 2 weeks and next Wednesday we have a meeting to allocate walks to leaders for the next 3 months.

I have also been looking at leading the health cycle rides for people at the next level of health development, but unfortunately these are going to clash with the walks so at the moment I will only be able to do the rides on the days I am not leading a walk.

For my part some good news I have got my weight down to my target weight for my age and with the additional exercise I have been doing my blood pressure has now dropped into what they call the "Optimal Zone" which means it has consistently been below the "normal" 120/80 and on average has been about 116/68, the doc cut my BP meds by 50%  for the next 2 weeks if my BP stays in the Optimal Zone we are going to try cutting out the meds completely, fingers crossed LOL;)

With Winter well underway now and some very cold weather anticipated next week I have not been out shooting much but I am planning to wrap up and get out during the week if we get snow,

Mom and I have started to get the decorations out we always start with the fire place in the living room and we decked that out this week and also mad and put up the wreath on the front of the house.

Marci will be here on the 27th December and will be here for almost 3 weeks we are both very excited to be getting back together after a whole series of mishaps that have kept us apart this year.

Well thats my knews for now I will be blogging more from now on but I will not be spending as much time on line as I did before, since the demise of Multiply I have found a whole new raft of rich experience I am enjoying at the moment along with making some new friends in my local community.

Have a wonderful weekend and may your God be with you;)

Creative Challenge 229 = Beginnings

William Rufus - William II of England - The Rufus Stone

William II (Old Norman: Williame II; c. 1056 – 2 August 1100), the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. 

He was less successful in extending control into Wales. William is commonly known as William Rufus, perhaps because of his red-faced appearance.

Although William was an effective soldier, he was a ruthless ruler and, it seems, was little liked by those he governed: according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he was "hateful to almost all his people and odious to God." 

However, chroniclers tended to take a dim view of William's reign, arguably on account of his long and difficult struggles with the Church: these chroniclers were themselves generally products of the Church, and so might be expected to report him somewhat negatively. 

His chief minister was Ranulf Flambard, whom he appointed Bishop of Durham in 1099: this was a political appointment, to a see that was also a great fiefdom. The particulars of the king's relationship with the people of England are not credibly documented. 

William was roundly denounced in his time and after his death for presiding over what was held to be a dissolute court, in terms which, in modern times, have raised questions over his sexuality. In keeping with Norman tradition, William scorned the English and their culture. 

 William seems to have been a flamboyant character, and his reign was marked by his bellicose temperament. He did not marry, nor did he produce any offspring, legitimate or otherwise. 

He died after being struck by an arrow while hunting in what is now called The New Forest, under circumstances that remain murky, and was succeeded by his younger brother Henry. 

The Rufus Stone 

A stone known as the Rufus Stone marks the spot where he supposedly fell, The claim that this is the location of King William II's death appears to date no earlier than a 17th century visit by Charles II to the forest. 



At the time the most popular account of William II's death involved the fatal arrow deflecting off a tree and during Charles II's visit to the forest he appears to have been shown a suitable tree. 



In letters in The Gentleman's Magazine it was reported that the tree was cut down and burned during the 18th century. 

Later in that century the rufus stone was set up. Originally it was around 5-foot 10 tall with a stone ball on top. In 1789 the stone was visited by King George III along with his queen and an inscription was added to the stone commemorate the visit. It was protected with a cast iron cover in 1841 after repeated vandalism. 




The inscription on the Rufus Stone reads: Here stood the oak tree, on which an arrow shot by Sir Walter Tyrrell at a stag, glanced and struck King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, on the breast, of which he instantly died, on the second day of August, anno 1100. 

King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, being slain, as before related, was laid in a cart, belonging to one Purkis[e] to take the king's body to Winchester Cathedral on his cart., and drawn from hence, to Winchester, and buried in the Cathedral Church, of that city.

River Stour in Full Flood November 2012

Hi all yesterday on the way back from the store I have to cross a bridge over the River Stour when I noticed it was in full flood so I pulled off the road and took a few quick shots with my ever handy point and shoot I hope you find them interesting have a great week;)

Images & Words - By the Seashore -186

Hi all sorry I am late with this one I am only just getting back into blogger after an 8 week bout of Acute Bronchitis, but I am up and running again now have  a great week;)

Flood Moors Lake

Hi all, the storms are Finally over here, but I know they only moved north a thought and prayer for people in Mitch's area who I know are still under threat of flood.

Mom and I ventured out for an hour yesterday as soon as the rain finally stopped. we headed up to the moors River and lake to see how things were.

When we arrived the river had just burst its banks and was flooding into the lake which in turn was over topping on to the flood plain. All the property in this area including the Rangers office is on higher ground so everyone was safe.

I took a few shots and we left as we could see the water rising as we walk and we had to back track as all the paths were under water, Its humbling to see the power of nature . here are a few shots from the day when the flood had just started. 

Have a wonderful day;)

Hi All

Hi, I hope you all had a good weekend, absolutely nothing to blog about here its been raining and very windy for days now and the week looks the same. 

The only good news at the moment I am fully recovered from an 8 week bout of Acute Bronchitis and the camera engineer was able to fix my 70 - 300 lens with out recourse to new parts.

Moms doing great and walking miles with me when the weathers dry.

Marci finally got everything sorted out at home and is coming to see me for 3 weeks on the 26 December.

I am heaqdin g off around your posts now while I drink my coffee have a great week;) 

Shadowlands

Yesterday afternoon  was a beautiful sunny window in the terrible weather we are having right now. 

Mom and I headed down to the Avon Valley and took some shots focusing on light and shadow in the late afternoon sunshine.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American buddies and a great week to everyone;)

Creative Challenge 228 - Brotherly love

He ain't heavy.................................................................!

The Long and Winding Road

Hi all I hope you have had a great weekend? Mum and I managed to get out again for a long walk, we both felt much better and walked for over two and a half hours at a trail at the Moors Valley Country Park we had not explored, I took some shots along the way and thought you might enjoy them.

Have a great day and enjoy the rest of your weekend;)

Afternoon Delight

Hi all, still getting back on my feet but feeling 100% better than I was, I managed to get out for a walk yesterday afternoon and caught the last of the autumn colour in the last of the afternoon light, it was beautiful. Here are a few of the shots I took I hope you enjoy them. 

 I am planning on catching up on your posts tomorrow with my morning coffee, until then have a great day;)