Holidays

Well I've just come back from a lovely week on Dartmoor, to a place that has become very special to me over the years -  it is a place of relaxation, beauty and time for recharging and being at peace.  This year was no exception.  I took my camera and tried to capture the feeling I had for the landscape - but it is so hard to achieve.  Anyway, here are a few of my favourite photos from this year's holiday

Off on holiday

I should be packing, to go on holiday but this blog thing is so addictive!  I thought I would post a few photos of where I am going in Devon.  The place is amazing; I've been going there for about 10 or more years now.  The flat where we are staying is set over the owner's house, which itself is in 17 acres of land with fantastic views over Dartmoor.  Just beautiful.  It is great to see the changing weather over the hills, the darkened skies, the amazing sunsets and watch the stars as there is little light pollution.

The picture of the dog - that's Bruno.  He had to be put to sleep in January this year; I can't believe he won't be there to greet us.  RIP Bruno

Hats off to Merv

Merv and I had a lovely weekend recently, trying out our cameras and using different settings.  We got together an assortment of hats and began  taking some close ups with them.  I was a bit embarrassed to start with, but it was such good fun I soon settled down and we were pleased with some of the photographs. Merv takes great photos and is very artistic.  Here are a few of my favourite ones:-

Dad goes flying!

A few years ago now, my family and I gave my Dad a flying lesson for his 70th birthday.  My dear old Dad was in the Paras when he did his National Service  and is used to jumping out of aeroplanes but never flown one.  Over the past few years since he retired, Dad has enjoyed "playing" on his flight simulator, although I am sure he would be horrified to hear the term "playing", since it is much more than that to him, he is The Pilot!  He has really sophisticated software, sounds and equipment and has hours of fun taking off, flying and landing aeroplanes from loads of different airports around the world.  He has even been to Bournemouth airport and played in the flight simulator there and flown a 747 or something like that!  So in short, my Dad loves flying, but has never flown a plane.  For his 70th birthday eight years ago we took him to our local airport in Eastleigh (Southampton Airport) and he had a flying lesson.  I was supposed to go up with him as a passenger but chickened out at the last minute, thinking I would get travel sick!! Dad had a brilliant time and Mum and I watched from the viewing gallery.  It was very nerve wracking!  The Pilot took off and then after hearing about Dad's flying experiences gave Dad the controls and let him fly the plane and land it!  Good old Dad took this all in his stride and couldn't wait to do it all again! 

John Martyn with Kathy Mattea - May You Never

Great song, lovely memories of a great weekend with T-bone and Mr and Mrs Dancin - thanks for the music and happy times xxx

Morecombe and Wise Breakfast

Just brilliant!! I was telling Dancin and T-bone at the weekend that I was lucky enough to see Morecambe and Wise in their heyday 1977 I think it was, with my Mum and Dad at Southampton Gaumont. I probably didn't realise at the time what legends they really were. It was a great night and I feel very privileged to have seen them.

The Two Ronnies - Bold Sir John

This has to be one of the funniest Two Ronnies sketches ever - just love this one.  This is the one I was trying to explain  to you Dancin !