Blog Friendship cum Musings!

Hands held up high!
I freely admit, I am a notoriously BAD Blogger when it comes to Commenting/Visiting.
I offend seriously, always have.
Old close friends, know I love them dearly & hopefully accept this habitual failing.
My lack of Commenting, doesn't mean I don't care!
But, fresh contacts are less aware & may take offence!!!
A new, delightful doggy friend, Checkers has made this for me...
It's lovely, I only hope, I don't disappoint him!

Blogging is about FUN & personal expression, so I try to stay focused and not let my guilt wear me down as it has in the past, especially as, my weekly meme 'True Colours Thursday', has also brought me a whole host of fresh followers & potenial friends.
All are fascinating in their own way & very 'Welcome'.
I just want to apologise here, for failure to contact 'one to one' with everyone of them on a regular basis!
It is not personal, just me, the blog commenting PROCRASTINATOR of all times!
x

Two fer Tuesday - The Camera Cake!

Friends & regular readers know, one of my favourite places to walk around in Dreamingspires is the Covered Market, where I window gaze @ the latest creations of the Celebration Cake Shop there.
A fascinating 'work in progress' I've been following, is this...The Radcliffe Camera is a famous, much photographed city landmark, this reproductions detail is amazing.
Just wonder who it has been made for - a University Don surely!

This is the real thing...It was built in the mid 18th century, funded by a huge bequest by a Dr John Radcliffe, physician to Queen Anne, to house the Radcliffe Science Library, primarily made up of his personal collection of scientific books.
It's now part of the Bodleian Library's Reading Rooms.
Sadly, the Radcliffe Camera isn't ever open to the general public.
So, in thirty plus years of living here, have never peeked in side it.
Why Camera?
The word camera translates from Latin as 'room' or 'chamber'
It's known locally as Radders or the Rad Cam!

Two fer is Jonna's meme, where anything does, as long as it's in two's or pairs!

Good-bye Hoppy!

Late this afternoon, I received news, news that was in inevitably.

But, never the less deeply sad.

My small family, distant in blood line & due to location, revolves around the Canadian contingent.

Today it grew smaller, as a phonecall from my cousin Headmistress, told of the loss of her father Peter, known affectionately as Hoppy.

He would have been 95 on the 6th April this year, was married to my Fathers first cousin Lucy-Lu, they would have celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary this May.

This is his story, as I know it...

The above poor flash snapshot, of a photograph, shows the dashing career Officer in the Czechoslovakian Free Army Officer, Hoppy, who came to England, @ the beginning of World War II.
He was assigned to a specialist unit, being trained to parachute into Germany, on an assassination mission.

Fortunately for him, during a practice free-fall, he landed badly & broke his ankle, so was unable to participate in the drop.

The operation failed and all his colleagues were captured & killed.
Convalescing, he fell again but this time in love with English rose Lucy-Lu who was nursing in Dreamingspires.

Language was no boundary, they married in 1942...

After the end of the war, he & his bride returned to Czechoslovakia, where he resumed his professional military career.

But, they were forced to flee from the Communists, back to the UK, leaving every thing they owned.

Eventually, in the Fifties, along with their two young children, they immigrated to Canada & set up home in Quebec, which is how my only remaining family is so far away.

Daughter, Headmistress subsequently married Sir.

And, when they decided to farm in Saskatchewan, Lucy-Lu & Hoppy moved out from eastern Canada to the Prairies to help.

I caught up with my family there, in the early 1980 & visited regularly, found a kind father figure in Hoppy, so missing in my own world.

He enjoyed life on the farm & had a great affinity with animals especially dogs.
Hoppy, his son-in-law Sir, a notorious renamer, bestowed this nick-name on him after he broke his ankle for a second time, it stuck; found the rigors of old age, very infuriating.

Although, he had remarkably good physical health right up to the end, his eyesight & hearing became negligible, this was a terrible blow to a man who was once a highly educated, intellectual, able to read, write & speak fluently in six European languages!

He is now nolonger trapped in his own private world, but ours will be a poorer place without him!

I will remember him fondly as a sweet, loving man.

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - The Bear!

As I missed the Folk Festival & Morris men dancing on Saturday, as was a week late; went for a rare solitary pub stop instead.

Looked in on 'The Bear Inn', one of Dreamingspires oldest & smallest hostelries.

Adapted it to a Monochrome Maniac take...

Tucked away behind The High, near Bear Lane - it's believed there was actually a bear bating pit nearby, as both names, go back to the 15th century.

But, the first recorded inn on the site, dates back to 1242!

The present building is circum 1700, with low beamed ceilings, an oak panelled interior & creaky floors; is known for it's distinctive collection of thousands of decorative ties!

The story goes that if you came in with a tie belonging to a college, regiment, sports team etc that the landlord didn't have, you could swap it for a free pint of ale.

The offer, sadly doesn't apply any more.

However, the snippets of old traded ties are displayed in glass-fronted cases on the walls & ceilings for all to see, which I think gives me my Odd Shot...

The Bear's mainly frequented by boisterous students from near by Christ Church & the odd cranky don.

A dozen customers & it seems excessively crowded, as it did @ Saturday lunch-time.

But no matter, had a wine & an excellent door-step Roast Beef with Horseradish sauce sandwich.

Sunday Scenery - Spring Forward.

Last night, we here in the UK, joined friends in North America.
They, practically, call it, 'Daylight Saving'.
It is optimistically, known by us, as the start of 'British Summer Time'!!!

We put our clocks forward, 1 hour @ 2am & sprang into Spring.

And, for once it's a delightful start today too.

So, to celebrate, what better than Dreamingspires Town Hall's dancing Daffodil window display...Confession time - this is last years photo!

Cut-backs on the City's 'floral budget' means, that this year, the window boxes are empty!

Shame on them.

But, as least the bulbs in the grounds of the Colleges come up annually to herald Spring...

For more Sunday Scenery, visit Tarheel Ramblings

Camera Critters Sunday - Heron Watch!

Walking along by a tributory stream, that feeds the River Isis, I spotted something lurking the water edge grass...

My small camera's best zoom in efforts...Camera Critters is Misty Dawns idea.
The blog is HERE!

Missed the Dance!

I high tailed it into town this morning, as believed it was the weekend of the Dreamingspires Folk Festival.
But, unfortunately - muttering, under my breath here, I got my dates mixed up!
It was apparently last week, so I've missed out.
My interest, is in the Morris men & women - groups of whom, from all around the country visit & perform their dance routines around the city centre.
It's great free entertainment & frequently very funny too.
A taster from last year...To many, Morris dancing, a form of English folk dance, is an odd phenomenon.
It involves fancy costumes, painted faces, bells, sticks, swords & handkerchiefs!
And, many of the male groups wear flower bestooned hats!
The practice dates back to the early 1400's & was a village activity, performed as part of welcoming in Spring festivities on May Day & @ Whitson.
Gradually, it started to die out, as country folk went to find work in the towns & cities.
But, the tradition was revived in the late 20th century.
Sadly though, once again it may be in jeopody, as youngsters hardly see it as a cool activity.

The dancing takes many different forms, as each area of the country, has its own routines & particular, colourful style.
And, Dreamingspires boasts it's own Morris men, as Headington Quarry, once a village, is now within the city boundary.
The Quarry mens speciality, is performing 'Mummers' plays on Boxing Day, @ ALL the pubs in their locality.
It makes for interesting dancing by late morning, as a little jollification ie drinking is involved @ each venue!
As a follower, when I lived in the close vacinity, I've also, ended up extremely merry too.

Saturday Photo Hunters - Hands!

Host tnchick had me thinking of Little Buddy with her prompt this week.

Okay, it doesn't take much, to bring him too mind.

But, hands certainly did, as we always hold them when walking together.

Arhh!

However, there's no photographs.

So, took a different tack.

The hands of time, as marked here by the clock @ the 'Venetian', went all too fast in Las Vegas...

The Name Game 2009!

Saw this fun meme over @ Dughallmor Beagles.
Remember, playing a similar blog meme in 2007.
But, thought I'd give it a whirl, never-the-less.
Depending on which letter you have it's tougher than you'd think!
Have used Flickr & Google images to add colour to my post.
1. What is your name? Blue!
All my answers to the below list, now must begin with the B.
2. Four letter word: BALD as in Bald Eagle, a favourite sight soaring in the blue skies over Vancouver Island BC, Canada - miss those times...
3. Girl Name: Thought of Barbie, but never owned the doll.
So, went for BRIDGET of 'Bridget Jones's Diary' instead - hated the novels.
But, loved the films!
4. Boy Name: BRIAN of 'The Magic Roundabout', an iconic BBC TV's childrens programme.
He's the only snail I've ever liked...
5. Occupation: Book-seller once, then baker now BLOGGER!
6. Color: BLUE - what else7. Piece of clothing: BLACK BELT
8. Food: BACON BUTTY - am no vegitarian.
9. Item in the bathroom: BLUE BUBBLEBATH!
10. Place/City: States wise - BOSTON, would love to visit after all, Agatha & Archie's postcards.
Re locality - BANBURY - remember the childhood verse?
"Ride a cock horse to Banbury cross.
And, see a fine lady on a white horse.
With Rings on her fingers,
And, bells on her toes,
She will have music where ever she goes"
11. A reason for being late: BEEN BUSY BLOGGING!
12. Something I’d yell: BE right BACK!
13. Movie: BUTCH Cassidy & the Sundance Kid - Brillant, best western ever... 14. Something you drink: BOTTLES of BORDEAUX red wine.
15. Band: BEATLES
16. Animal: BLACK BEAR, actually encountered/seen close in the wild on Vancouver Island & @ Whistler BC, Canada...17. Street name: BAKERS Street - home of author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective Sherlock Homes.
18. Car: lamBORGHINI, a bit of a cheat but one has to go BIG...19. Song: 'BLACKBIRD' by Lennon/McCartney
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free"
20. Activity that includes more than one participant: BALLOONING!
So, want to take a flight.
Would settle for one over my local shires.
But, a dawn Safari would be better elsewhere.

So, who to tag:-
The Barkalot Boyz , they're so bright!
BJ, because, love to tease her.
Dina, she always has a lot to say.
Maggie & Mitch, because no one is more game!
Sir Woodstock, to keep it in the family!

Sky Watch Friday - A Winter Tower!

A beloved blue sky & St Michael's in the North Gate, taken earlier this week...For more varied skies from around the world visit Sky Watch

True Colours Thursday - BEIGE!

I honestly, have to say this weeks colour has been the biggest challenge so far.
Suggested by Rinkly Rimes to test us - I send my dubious thanks - it, really has me for one.

I could do IVORY, even CREAM - be warned they will show up.
But, BEIGE, has left me perplexed.
To be truthful, I have to ask:-
"Exactly, what colour is it???"
Is this building and it's paintwork BEIGE...
What about Dreamingspires Sandstone, as in Christ Church's Tom Tower...Is one of my favourite cosy Winter Jumpers BEIGE...How about my 2009 Diary & Sheepskin Rug...Are Pasta shells BEIGE-ish...What about these household articles...And, finally, you tell me, which of these mini bears is BEIGE...
I rest my case.

To participate in True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
Then, leave a me a 'Comment' here, to say you are playing along.
I'm sorry I still feel the need to have comment moderation in place.
The wonders of Mr Linky, still hangs in the balance as many of my DWB'er friends don't Comment, but know, I know they are playing!
To help visiting, everyone, who is or has previously participated recently, is named & linked in my side bar.
AND, I do try to up-date throughout the day.
Next weeks colour is SCARLET, as in Women & Lipstick!
If, anyone has a suggestion for a 'Colour', please feel free to say.

Postscript @ 8am.
As this morning I'm cursed with one almighty migraine, I will visit and comment when it has abated - hopefully by this afternoon.
Postscript, part 2 @ 6pm.
Feeling more human.
Am trying hard, to catch-up.

ABC Wednesday - J is for...!

Inspiration for this weeks alphabet letter J, was jaded.
Just, did not happen, hence being justifiably late posting today!
All, I can come up with on a 'food & drink' theme is Jam & Jellies and Juice.

I start my day with juice.
Freshly squeezed Orange Juice being my favourite, followed by Pink Grapefruit.
It's a great way to boost my Vitamin C intake, but hardly photogenic!

Jamwise, I rarely have such sweetness in my larder, except @ Christmas time re Cranberry Jelly.

Suspect, it maybe, should be sauce but; either way, Roast Turkey has to have it.

I make my own, sort of jammy version!
Buy a bag of fresh Cranberries, gently stew these jewels with the juice & rind of two juicy Oranges till they joyously pop and then stir in a jar of 'Ocean Spray' Cranberry Jelly as the sweetener.
The result is a more acidic, tasty jelly, than any purely commercial one.
Just love it.

Re Jam, I think, jam-making, is an art, now jettisoned.
Yet, in my childhood, Summer's bounty, saw my Mother fill endless jam-jars.
Strawberry Jam, despite is unwillingness to set, was a favourite.

We enjoyed jolly June/July jaunts picking the juiciest fruit.

Many being eaten, way before making it to the jampot.

But, I still do, enjoy a jammy Afternoon Cream Tea...ABC Wednesday is the jape of Denise.
The dedicated blog journal is HERE!

A Card from Far Away & a Whinge!

Life after Vegas posts seems impossibly dull.
Because - LOL - the trip stayed alive while I shared it here.
But, I can show this wonderful colourful postcard that awaited me on my return home...It's from my B'Day twinny Princess Snowball.
Thanks Snowy & jie-jie.
The card shows the newly preserved prewar colonial shop fronts of Chinatown.
Looks like somewhere I would love to wonder around

Sadly, have not much else to say this afternoon, as am feeling drained.
The Household Bills are rolling in for the start of the new financial year - here the 6th April.
The BBC News reports that we, in the UK now have zero inflation.
But, I do wonder what that exactly means???
Thankfully, my mortgage payments are DOWN.
But, every other daily cost is UP!
My Internet connection has increased.
Food prices soar.
The Government plans a new levy on wine sales!
Am I surviving?
Just.

Two fer Tuesday - Hoping Spring stays!

Last weeks very pleasent Spring-like warm weather, has brought my neighbours Forsythia shrub out into bloom...Just hope the sudden change to cooler temperatures now, doesn't mean it flowers suffers the same fate as last years did...Two fer is friend Jonna's easy fun meme, requiring two or pairs of photo's on any subject.
She's still away in India, but blog reporting on her fascinating time there.

Odd Shots - The Final Vegas Bits & Pieces!

Yes, this is the end of my Las Vegas vacation posts!

These last photo's, are just miscellaneous Odd Shots, taken, on my very final afternoon after Little Buddy had departed.

I walked & walked and 'snapped' away to fill my loss...

This is 'New York, New York'...The MGM Grand...The 'Flamingo'...'Treasure Island' that recreates a pirate ship battle, sadly under repair during my stay...Plus, other lesser themed hotels along the Strip...Only hope Katney, host of Odd Shots forgives my abuse of her meme yet again this week!
And, a BIG 'Thanks' to everyone who has stayed with me on this loooong series of self-indulgant posts & left me appreciative feedback.