ABC Wednesday - G

G is for:

Glaciers



These pictures were taken in Glacier Bay on our recent trip to Alaska




And to generate some warmth, here are some photos of my gorgeous grandsons. They both have birthdays in September

Matthew will be 2 years old on 2 September



and Jacob will be 10 on 20 September. I'm taking this opportunity to send birthday greetings to them both.



Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbit and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For more images of the letter G, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - F

From the window of our first floor flat we can see the island of Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel. On a clear day it is easily recognisable though too far away for me to get a reasonable photograph, those following are from the internet, and we always see the light from the lighthouse as soon as it is dark.

Here is a little of it's history and you can read more about it here.

Since the Dark Ages, Flat Holm has been a retreat for monks and since then has acted as a sanctuary for Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, silver miners, smugglers and cholera victims. Fortified in Victorian times and again in World War II it is perhaps most famous for receiving the first ever radio message across water by Marconi in 1897.

Flat Holm is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Project conserves the Island's natural and cultural features, from maritime grassland to Victorian barracks, from seabird colonies to wartime bunkers.






This is the foghorn station on the island


Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For further looks at the letter F, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - E

Last Sunday was ESCAPE Day in our town. ESCAPE is Emergency Services Community Awareness and Promotion Event. Dozens of representative from local Emergency Services including the local Rescue Hovercraft, RNLI, HM Coastguard, Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance were on hand to give demonstrations and advice. I had forgotten all about it until I happened to glance out of my windows and saw this.

The weather was beautiful and there were lots of people taking an interest in it all and there was plenty to see. So pleasing to know that we don't just take our Emergency Services for granted.



Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter D, please click here.

ABC Wednesday - D

D for Delphiniums

my delphiniums - better next year!


delphiniums at The Eden Project (aren't they beautiful)


I love delphiniums and have tried to grow them, without much success until this year. Planted in my gardens they were the favoured food of the slugs and snails and I would not put down any deterrent as I was anxious about the birds, hedgehogs and frogs that also frequented the garden. When we moved to our first floor apartment I decided I would try again and grow them on our tiny balcony. I have succeeded and am delighted. Dainty blue flowers along the tall stems are still flowering. My determination has paid off at last.

I am very fond of the following poem by A A Milne, which was in a book given to me when I was a child.

The Dormouse and the Doctor
by Alan Alexander Milne 1882-1956

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And all the day long he'd a wonderful view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:
"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.
Just say 'Ninety-nine' while I look at your chest....
Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?"

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied
(When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried,
And much the most answering things that he knew
Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,
And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:
"What the patient requires is a change," and he went
To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),
And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,
He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent.
"Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view
Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

They took out their spades and they dug up the bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
"And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right."

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh:
"I suppose all these people know better than I.
It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

The Doctor came round and examined his chest,
And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest.
"How very effective," he said, as he shook
The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!"

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight
Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
"How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)"

The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!"
And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back,
And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car,
And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!"

The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes,
And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise:
"I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!"

The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands,
And saying, "There's nobody quite understands
These cases as I do! The cure has begun!
How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!"

The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight
He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white.
And all that he felt at the back of his head
Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said)
If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed,
You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies
Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.




Perhaps my love of these flowers began then.

Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter D please click here.

ABC Wednesday - C

C is for Cassowary





Found in Australia and the Malay Archipeligo. A flightless bird, smaller than an ostrich or emu but apparently is notoriously vicious and a fast runner (up to 30 mph/48 kph. It is mainly nocturnal and lives on fruit and berries and sometimes insects and small animals. A handsome creature. I think it looks as though it is wearing a red bow tie.

I took this photo in Adelaide Zoo a few years ago. My grandson (then about 7 years old) was with me and the bird seemed to be very interested in him. Wherever J moved to the bird followed. I was glad it couldn't get to us although I do feel sorry for the caged creatures.

Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team for hosting ABC Wednesday. For more looks at the letter C, please click here.