In to the Archive: Barns Bluff, Red Wing Mn (Dpnt try and look at this one on your Phone LOL)

Today was going to be an easy day, a walk around the city taking pics of small town life, I went to the rail depot took a few pics.

The building turned out to be the tourist office, I went in and had a chat with a very nice lady who told me all about the place.

She noticed my camera and I told her what, I had been doing.

She asked if I had climbed Barn Bluff!
Now those who know me well know you never say "climb", its like saying Harley Davidson to a biker lol.

soooooooooooooo out came the map and she marked the best places to park and start the hike in, telling me to take the south route as the Bluff had only just been opened after winter.
So here I am at the base of the bluff, trails look sweet, I am excited, its been a while since I got up high.
I get to the fork in the trail, South and North, Hmmmmmmmmm, I look North, well? How hard can it be? LMAO.

Everybody goes south, (well I am a road less travelled man lol), North it is.
Thinking this is great this is easy, then I turn a bend in the trail and am confronted with a 18inch wide track on a 60 degree slope, wet and muddy.
Well, I have come to far to go back so its onwards and up.

I have to admit to being a little nervous, no support buddies and nobody actually knowing where I am.

I have to admit at this point I have broken just about evey personal rule I have about trail safty, so I am not exactly proud of that, but it was really way past the point of no return.

So I pushed on slowly and carefully to the top and I have to admit that a little nervousness was probably good for me.
The views from the top were spectacular, Im not even sure the pictures do it justice.
After a short rest and some pic of Gentians that I did not expect to see, I made my way back down, this time by the south trail lol.
The track down offers great views of the city and riverOh! And finally, just to show you should read all the information and warnings before you set out, I noticed this when I got back down! Today I spent a little more time down on the river looking at the old building and the Steam Boat.I climbed another bluff to get views back over Barn Bluff, should have been a drive up and an easy day, but the road was closed.
 
It was a nice hike up and I sapped a few pics on the way and just as I git to the top the red light on the back of the camera flashed twice and the camera shut down.
That little voice in the back of my head said "LOL see your all, don't do what I do do what I say" and I always say be prepared lol, ...........yep I had left all my kit in the car, no spare batteries.

Soooooooooooooooo down I went got out my back pack and walked all the way up again lol, still.........the exercise did me good. But I did miss shots of two Bald Eagles on the way down to get my kit, so close I could almost touch them!

Again the views from the top were spectacular, and again I am not sure the pics do the views justice.

Musings from my Android Tablet

Well its a rainy afternoon in England, it got chilly as well, so I am sitting here playing on the Android, its turned out to be a cool bit of Kit.

I discovered though the Blogger app is not compatible with the Android 4 software so I can only post from the browser and then only in HTML for some reason?

Almost All the people on my list at multiply are Blogging here now most have connected with each other others are working on it's a "work in progress" and we will all master it in the end as we did Multiply.

Its not Multiply nothing is maybe the Phoenix project will be the answer, we will see. For now this will be home for me I have put a lot of effort into making sure this will work for me and my friends and its starting to feel a lot like home .

I'm miss Marci like crazy she should have been here by now unfortunately a series of unforeseen events and now a sports injury mean it will be October before can be here , but it will be well worth the wait.

My Moms doing great, but I do notice her looking frailer as time moves on I am making every effort to keep her as active as I can and am enjoying the time we get to spend together as we enjoy so much in common.

A few months ago we started a new healthy regime and we have both lost a lot of weight that we put on during the wet Spring when we could not get out.

We usually walk for at least 2 hours a day and I cycle at least 4 times a week for a minimum of an hour. We are not "dieting" as such but adopting a more healthy diet with smaller portions and low fat versions of meals we really enjoy

We were inspired by 2 English Chefs who were advised they were severly over weight and decided to see if they could lose weight whilst still enjoying exciting and tasty food.

They both managed to lose 42 pounds in three months they mad a TV documentary about it aand wrote a book which I have on order from Amazon. I am looking forward to eating healthy and staying fit from now on;)

Have a great day;)

A day Cycling the New Forest Trails From the Avon Valley to Boulderwood

Cousin Ken and I spent the day Cycling the New Forest Trails, all the shots came from my Olympus Point and Shoot "Tough TG610"

 

 

Blogger tip 11 Comment boxes

If you make additional pages in Blogger for example PP or Creative challenge, there is a small problem in that you only get one comment box at the bottom of the page.
As as you add new weekly entries there is no place to comment.
I found this code that you drop below the HTML for your new entry on the page and it makes a comment box, you anly have to add your name and comment, I tested it and it worksd;)
<!-- begin htmlcommentbox.com -->
 <div id="HCB_comment_box"><a href="http://www.htmlcommentbox.com">HTML Comment Box</a> is loading comments...</div>
 <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" id="hcb"> /*<!--*/ if(!window.hcb_user){hcb_user={  };} (function(){s=document.createElement("script");s.setAttribute("type","text/javascript");s.setAttribute("src", "http://www.htmlcommentbox.com/jread?page="+escape((window.hcb_user && hcb_user.PAGE)||(""+window.location)).replace("+","%2B")+"&opts=0&num=10");if (typeof s!="undefined") document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);})(); /*-->*/ </script>
<!-- end htmlcommentbox.com -->
 
What I found was a good trick is type a word in plain text where you want the comment box, when you hit the HTML button you can read down and find the word, hilight it and past the HTML in that way you get the comment box just where you want it;)
 
UP date I found the code came from this site:
http://www.htmlcommentbox.com/
You can go there and there is a code maker that is full of options you select options and it changes the code for you when your finished  you copy the code and can past it into your Blogger Blog on any of the poages you have created;)

Blogger Tips Compilation Repost

Several People asked me again to collect together and re-post all the Blogger Tips so here they are with all the updates added

1)GettiNg rid of word verification
Besides adding a friends URL to your read list on your dashboard, which you should do anyway. You can also add a Friends Button to your Blog Page. Here is how:
There are lots of additions you can add to your page From the Design Page including an "Add Friends" Button.
From your Blog click the "Design" button.
From the list click the "layout" button
You will see a template with "Add a gadget" buttons all over it click any one and this will bring up a list of function gadgets you can add to your page.
 Go down the list until you find "Followers" Gadget. Click the + button and add the gadget to your page.
Once added you can "drag and drop" a gadget to a new position or change the order of the gadgets in your side bar.

I hope you find this tip useful;)

2) Making Quick Notes Page
Hi all I came up with an idea for a Quick Notes Page on our Blogger Blogs it seems to work quite well, if you want to try it out its quite simple:
As usual on your blog page click design in the top right corner.
Click Pages in the list.
Then New Page.
Give the page a title
Then click up date
Then go to your page
all that should be there is a new heading quick notes
click it and you should have a blank page with a comment box
people have used mine already, try it out;)
http://oceankinguk2003.blogspot.co.uk/p/quick-notes.html

3) Making Flickr Galleries
OK I found a way to blog a gallery straight from Flicker. The official way will only put a gallery into your blog page, but I figured out what Microsoft would call a "work around" LOL thatw ill let you make new Gallery Pages.
First the official method:
Obviously
You need a Flickr account.
In your account you can create what Flickr call "sets", in effect Galleries.
Put the images you want to Blog in a set.
Open the set.
In the right hand corne of the page you will see a "share" Button with a "Blogger" Logo.
Click that and follow the instructions this will creat a blog entry on your blog page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unofficial Workaround to create Gallery Pages.
Follow the above instructions.
Go to your Blogger Page.
Click the Design Button.
Then Click "Posts"
You will see the post/Gallery you just created on your page.
Click edit.
Click the HTML button
Highlight and cut and past the HTML
Press up date to return to your Design page.
At this point you can delete the blog entry as you will be using the HTML to create a stand alone page.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating a gallery.
Still on your design Page
Click "Pages"
Click "New Page"
Give the page a title
Click the HTML button and paste your saved HTML
Click the update button.
Go to your web page and see a new button for your beautiful new gallery LOL
Click the button and go admire you work, I hope you find this useful and it works for you if you want to make Galleries;)
Here are mine:
http://oceankinguk2003.blogspot.co.uk/p/photo-gallery-2.html

4)  Adding Functionality to your page?
There are lots of additions you can add to your page From the Design Page.
From your Blog click the "Design" button.
From the list click the "layout" button
You will see a template with "Add a gadget" buttons all over it click any one and this will bring up a list of function gadgets you can add to your page.
Once added you can "drag and drop" a gadget to a new position of change the order of the gadgets in your side bar

5) Super-sizing your page? - How to set up wide screen
This tip explains how to adjust the with of your page to any point you want right out to full wide screen:
As usual on your page click "Design"
In the left hand list click "Template"
Then click the "Customize" button.
A list will appear on the left, click "
"Adjust width"
Two sliders will appear.
One adjusts your page width
The second the width of your sidebar.
When your done click the "Apply to" Button top right of the page;)
I hope this works for you if you prefer a wider page;)

Blogger Tip 8: This is a real simple one For a more interactive experience reading others blogs from your Dash Board, click the "Google Reader" Button and you will see all the latest blogs in a long scrolling list including images you can click on each entry and get taken straight to the blog;)

Where you are on Blogger Google ?

If you see something like this: 

  
Congrats! You found your Blog LOL 

If you see something like this:
   
You Have managed to Navigate to Google Plus In the black bar along the top you will see "More" A dropdown menu shows a list click "Blogger to get back to your Blog 

 If you see something like this:

   
Your on your Blogger Dashboard click "view blog" button to get to your Blog Page;)   
Have a nice day;P

http://oceankinguk2003.blogspot.co.uk/

Security

As  promised how to secure your Blogger site to the level that suits you.
Rather than rewrite what is already available, please go check this page out there is also a video:

Control permissions:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42673
Moderate comments:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42537
Deletecomments:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42398
Manage your blog’s Google+ settings:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2677294
What is the dashboard?:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42062
Reporting abuse:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=76315
Just ans a useful addition:
Blogger Template Designer:
http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=176245

Post a link in  a  Comments Box
I just discovered you cant drop a page link in a comment box on blogger like we do here. I did and it does not work!
I have created a work around that will let you drop a link and it works perfectly LOL;P
It is fairly simple. This is the code you drop into the comment box:
 
<a href="URL">Title</a>

Replace the URL with the URL of the site you are linking to and replace the Title with the title of the site.
Easy as pie. Now get out there and comment!!!
Example:  In my case it goes like this:  <a href="http://oceankinguk2003.blogspot.co.uk/p/picture-perfect.html">PicturePerfect</a
>

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?

Is there anybody out there LMAO?

New Forest Fallow Deer Shoot

New Forest Deer, a set on Flickr.

A days shooting, all days should be like this!!!!!!!

Mother and Child Reunion!




Dude! Get off my Turf!!!



Its a family affair!


Oh man! That was Some Stag Party!

About Me Part 2

  
Actually to tell you more about me I need to tell you about the people who Made me ME.
Today its my Mum I want to tell you about, she was born and bought up in the same road where I spent my childhood.
 

She grew up as a Teenager during WW2, Living in London she vividly remembers the Blitz and the dog fights of the Battle of Britain as pilots dueled over London.



She Married my Father soon after he came out of the army having served in Burma, Japan, Malaya and India.
They moved into the Flat (apartment) below the one in which my Mums parents lived ( that story I told in part 1).
 
I was born there and lived all my childhood and teen years until I myself got married, and moved away.
We had a great life when I was a child I lived in a house full of books with both parents always willing to take the time to help me discover new things, they fired a curiosity in me that burns to this day.
We spent many summer school holidays exploring museums and galleries around the Capital
When my Dad was about 40 his health started to deteriorate and my Mum took on the responsibility as his carer, even with extreme ill health my Dad lived a long and happy life because of her efforts.


I learned all my standards from them and the life they lived.
At the end when it was my Dads time I promised him I would take care of Mum for as long as she lived.
To that end I have happily and willingly given up my travels (for now LOL;))
During the time she cared for my day she had periods of ill health herself, she developed osteoporosis in her Pelvis and spin, she was in pain and unable to walk upright for several years and still managed to care for Dad.
When Dad passed I persuaded her to come live with me and shortly after she did the doctor advised her she needed a knee replacement, unfortunately due to a couple of untimely accidents her surgery was delayed almost 2 years.
She was very depressed at that time having been so active all her life. We made a deal that if after the surgery she eventually had she could walk for 2 miles I would take her to America for a journey of a life time traveling from Michigan to Florida down through the Eastern States, which as you all know we eventually did.
My Mom and Dad had a love of a life time loving each other with a passion until the day my Father died, something I never found in my Marriage but eventually did with Marci.


Although I see Mom getting frailer as the years pass she still has a lust for life and a spirit for adventure and never has to be asked twice to head out on the trails or to walk longer on the forest trails of the country parks.
I have had a charmed life because of my parents especially my mother a debt that I will continue to pay for as long as needed.   






Yesterday and the day before we walked on the country park and Mom climbed this hill unaided, she is an inspiration and makes me very Proud;)

The end of the day time to chill out a while;)

I had a wonderful day Cycle most of the morning and walked with Mom in the Forest for hours this afternoon. The exercise is doing me good I lost about 10Lb and my BP is down to 118:71 which means I am 21 again LOL;)
Have a great evening and a wonderful sunday;)

How to Love Food and Lose Weight - Chicken Korma

Chicken Korma

Rich, creamy chicken korma is usually forbidden territory if you’re watching your weight, but I hate to miss out so this is Korma-lite. A good all-round curry recipe, this is much lower in fat than the usual restaurant version but still fab to eat. Add extra chilli if you like.

294 calories per portion (without rice)

Ingredients

4 fairly small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 600g/1lb 5oz)

• freshly ground black pepper
• 25g/1oz low-fat natural yoghurt
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 large onions, chopped (400g/14oz prepared weight)
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
• 20g/¾oz piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 12 cardamom pods, seeds crushed
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• ½ heaped tsp ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp hot chilli powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• small pinch saffron
• 2 tsp caster sugar
• ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus extra to season
• 3 tbsp double cream

• fresh coriander, roughly torn, to garnish (optional)

Preparation method

1. Cut each chicken breast into eight or nine bite-sized pieces, season with black pepper and put them in a non-metallic bowl. Stir in the yoghurt, cover with cling film and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes but ideally 2–6 hours.
2. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick saucepan and add the onions, garlic and ginger. Cover and cook over a low heat for 15 minutes until very soft and lightly coloured. Stir the onions occasionally so they don’t start to stick.
3. Once the onions are softened, stir in the crushed cardamom seeds, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder and bay leaf. Pinch off the ends of the cloves into the pan and throw away the stalks. Cook the spices with the onions for five minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in the flour, saffron, sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt, then slowly pour 300ml/½ pint cold water into the pan, stirring constantly.
5. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the pan from the heat, take out the bay leaf and blend the onion mixture with a stick blender until it is as smooth as possible. You can do this in a food processor if you prefer, but let the mixture cool slightly first.
7. The sauce can now be used right away or cooled, covered and chilled until 10 minutes before serving.
8. Drain the chicken in a colander over the sink, shaking it a few times – you want the meat to have just a light coating of yoghurt.
9. Place a non-stick frying pan on the heat, add the sauce and bring it to a simmer.
10. Add the chicken pieces and cream and cook for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender and cooked through, stirring regularly. Exactly how long the chicken takes will depend on the size of your pieces, so check a piece after eight minutes – there should be no pink remaining.
11. Adjust the seasoning to taste, spoon into a warmed serving dish and serve garnished with fresh coriander if you like.

Good Morning

Good Morning, I hope you all have a Restful and Relaxing weekend;)

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

You've got a Friend

For all the Multiply Buddies I have met and become dear friends in the real world;) I love ya all;P

The Road Goes Ever On!

Well! IT looks like Most of us made it here and are Liking what we have found a new home for our little community, there have been a ffew trials and Tribulations along the way. But with some great community spirit we have worked together to make this work.
I believe now as we find our way around our new home things will get Better and Better.

But.........................., our little adventure does not end here, "The Road Goes Ever Onward";)

Roads go ever ever on,

Over rock and under tree,

By caves where never sun has shone,

By streams that never find the sea;

Over snow by winter sown,

And through the merry flowers of June,

Over grass and over stone,

And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever ever on

Under cloud and under star,

Yet feet that wandering have gone

Turn at last to home afar.

Eyes that fire and sword have seen

And horror in the halls of stone

Look at last on meadows green

And trees and hills they long have known.

                                                                                                             J. R. R. Tolkien

                                The  The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings

Tranquility

Sunny Dayz

Sunny Dayz

I step outside

Into a sunny Haze

The Flowers tell me

Its Late Summer Dayz!

 

Good Morning all

Feels Like home at last;)

May you live in interesting times????????????

"May you live in interesting times",
                                   often referred to as the Chinese curse, is reputed to be the English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb and curse, although it may have originated among the English themselves. It is reported that it was the first of three curses of increasing severity, the other two being:

 "May you come to the attention of those in authority" (sometimes rendered "May the government be aware of you"). This is sometimes quoted as "May you come to the attention of powerful people." (Alternately, "important people".)

 "May you find what you are looking for." This is sometimes quoted as "May your wishes be granted."
I have decided I am living in interesting times!
But far from taking it as a cures I am looking at the demise of our internet home here at Multiply as an opportunity for a little online adventure with new places to explore and new friends to find.
I have always believed that the only thing you can be sure about in life is that thing change, a large part of my career was in jobs that involved "managing change" so I feel very comfortable with it,
I also know that change is something other people may find hard to deal with, I wish I had an answer for them but I don't.
But I firmly believe the only way to look at and deal with change is view it as an oppertunity.

I hope the down hill side of the week goes well for you, may your God be with you;)