allworkedout

Well we have managed to fit in leisurewas captured by soldiers of the U.S. 9th Armored Division on 7 March 1945, time too. At the start of October we did a Rhine river cruise for 7 nights. Very enjoyable and the ship "Rex Rheni" was quite comfortable with good food.

During the 1st days cruising we passed the remains of the "Bridge at Remagen" the film covered the true story of the capture of this bridge. It was captured by soldiers of the U.S. 9th Armored Division on 7 March 1945. However on 17 March 1945, ten days after its capture, the Bridge at Remagen collapsed, killing twenty-eight U.S. soldiers.

Only the buttresses on the banks survive and the one in the photo is now a peace museum.

The Rhine is the busiest waterway in Europe and you only have to visit to see the truth of this. Many barges and and passenger vessels to be seen. This one was a pusher tug with a barge loaded with wind turbine blades, another windfarm somewhere.

More of this later.
TTFN

Well I have had more work since July than before I retired. Did some relief Master work for Solent Towage on the Apex and Tenax. 3 weeks working the Esso contract at Fawley. Much different to what I was used to. Very well equipped tugs with superb accomodation.

Some of it was escort work from the pilot boarding area south of the Nab Tower to Fawley then berthing, some 25 miles and 6-7 hours.

Then I went back to take the Thrax to Frederikshavn, Denmark for her refit. Cruising down the Solent we passed the PS Waverley.

It was a 3 day trip with good weather all the way, arrived safe and sound then I caught a flight to Gat wick and home.

Now I am relieving back at Dover til Christmas. I find the relief work quite good as I can virtually come and go as it suits me. I hope there will be more with Solent Towage as they are such a good outfit and the work is interesting.

Had a nice walk with Mark and Judy around Challock. The bonus was the Gliding Club coffee shop, they did bacon baguettes to die for. Some of the walk was on the old Pilgrims Way where I saw this lovely cottage.

They always look so lovely but I guess at times like the recent snow life can be quite difficult. Plus I have to be near water and boats.

The following day Hazel went to the Hairdressers in Hythe so I meandered around with my trusty camera. I spied this headstone in St Leonards churchyard, quite a tragic history for this family.

Found this info on the SS Persia in Wikipedia.

SS Persia was a P&O passenger liner, built in 1900 by Caird & Company, Inverclyde, Greenock, Scotland. It was torpedoed and sunk without warning on December 30, 1915, by German U-Boat commander Max Valentiner.

Nearly 500 feet (152.34 m) long, with a beam of 53 feet (16.55 m), draft of 24.5 feet (7.47 m) and a size of 7,974 gross register tons (GRT), the Persia carried triple expansion steam engines capable of driving the ship at a respectable 18 knots (33.3 km/h).

Persia was sunk off Crete, while the passengers were having lunch, on December 30, 1915, by German World War I U-Boat ace Max Valentiner (commanding U-38). The Persia sank in five to ten minutes, killing 343 of the 519 aboard. The sinking was highly controversial, since it broke naval international law, or the "Cruiser Rules", that stated merchant shipping carrying passengers should be given opportunity for the passengers to disembark before combat could commence. A warning shot across the bow should have been given first. Instead, the U-Boat fired a torpedo with no warning. At the time of sinking, Persia was carrying a large quantity of gold and jewels belonging to the Maharaja Jagatjit Singh.

Among the passengers to survive were John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. His secretary (and mistress) Eleanor Thornton, who was the model for the Rolls-Royce "Spirit of Ecstasy" mascot by Charles Robinson Sykes, died. The story was front page news on many British newspapers, including the Daily Mirror and the Daily Sketch.

The wreck of the Persia was located off Crete in 2003 at a depth of 10,000 feet (3,000 m), and an attempt was made to salvage the treasure located in the bullion room. The salvage attempt met with limited success, retrieving artifacts and portions of the ship, and some jewels from the bullion room.

I found it interesting but then I'm a sucker for ships and the sea.

Later down by the canal I saw this Weeping Willow loved the light and colour.

It has since become one of my most successful images.

Well that's it for now as i am still toing and froing to the hospital as my Dad is not getting any better.

This one of a Lancaster Bomber was taken in Aldershot last year, The Farnborough Air Show was on and the planes were turning over the garden we were in. I blended it into a different sky as the original was rather grey and bland.

The next was on the same day in the same garden. A spitfire blended with the sky, then I added the memorial statue of a Pilot from the Battle of Britain Memorial on the cliffs above Folkestone.

Both these aircraft are from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. I would like to think the second image is a fitting tribute to the "Few".

TTFN

Well all we is getting here is rain, watch the news and see snow everywhere. Still at least we can get around.

Another evening class last Wednesday, and starting to get into some interesting techniques. I created this one from 2 pics one a statue which I blended into the cemetary scene. I quite like the effect.

I will have to do the follow on course I think.

We are getting some interest in Hazels sugarcraft too, maybe she will get some sales soon, heres hoping.

Ok thats it for now, catch you all later.

Well it was the heaviest snowfall for 18 years in the South east. Commerce, education, and transport ground to halt.

Blink and we would have missed it here in Folkestone, by 1430hrs it had turned to rain and by 1800 hrs all traces had disappeared. It actually suited us as we had to drive to Ashford to visit my dad in hospital.

But not to be undone we did venture out on foot earlier to capture some images of the big event . The first was taken by Hazel of me fumbling with numb fingers to adjust my camera.

Of course I had to get owners backers so caught one of Hazel on the top of the cliffs overlooking the Channel.

We did walk about 3.5 miles and took lots of pics so will revisit and post as I edit them. I know some of you have caught it far worse than here so hope you are all keeping snug and warm, speak again soon.

29 January 2009

Just a quick visit, maybe little and often will stop me falling behind.
Been working on photo techniques and created this dolphin abstract from table top images.

Not brilliant but helps to practice the techniques.
Speak again soon.

Well I've had my knuckles rapped so here I am. Belated New Year to everybody and hope the present situation doesn't hit you too badly.

The cycling went on a back burner in the run up to Christmas but have started again now.

I've also started a photographic course to improve my digital skills. I enjoy it very much, this is a composite image made from 3 pics, my first.

Also Hazel has been dabbling with sugarcraft, she hopes to be able to set up a little business in cake decorating. Her work is quite outstanding I just hope my photography does it justice.

As for life in general well it's fine given all thats going on I do enjoy my photography and cycling.

And as a finale here is a digital creation.

Well hope you all stay well, until next time ttfn.

21st October 2008

I'm starting this to record my progress in training and hopefully achieving the goal.

I am going to cycle from London to Paris over 4 days starting 9th June next year.

Hazel and 2 friends are intending to do the ride as well. We are all using the opportunity to raise money for charity. I have chosen the "Firefighters Charity", as they have helped Fiona so much since her accident.

So I will keep you updated on our progress and when I can will add photos.

We did 52 miles last Sunday a personal best for Hazel.

Still around blog soon