In Memory

Death seems to be on everyones lips at the moment, with the passing almost every couple of days of someone well known. Lemmy at Christmas, David Bowie last week and Glenn Frey from the Eagles yesterday.

But of course it is not only superstars that have to face the final curtain. The ordinary, the poor and the old have to face it too. Which brings me to sadly finding out today that Arthur, the father of a friend of mine, who passed away early this morning in hospital, at the age of 81.

I've known Russell and Arthur a number of years through being involved in amateur dramatics, and appearing in shows together. Of course the father and son duo were much better than me, as they had been involved in entertaining people for a long time. They had even made a film appearance together in Santa Claus The Movie, which starred Dudley Moore.

Arthur of course had other strings to his bow, which included painting and writing poetry. I'd not seen him for a while due to his illness and needing long term care. But I listen to Russell most Sunday afternoons, as he does an Internet based radio show, which features music from days gone by.

This isn't one of my photos. I've copied it from Russell's Facebook page, but I''m sure he won't mind, as hopefully it will bring some comfort to him and that he knows that I am thinking of him.

Remembering

Today is of course Remembrance Sunday. The day when everyone thinks about all the soldiers, sailors and airmen that have died for our freedom. The poppy being the emblem for this event.

I'd like to think about the people left at home. Those that have lost a husband, a wife, a family member or a best friend. People who will have to live without their loved one.

So this single rose which I came across in Radicofani, Italy is for them.  The rose, the symbol of love.

Party Time

We invited come close friends and neighbours over today for our first ever barbecue.

I've never really been a fan of barbecues, as I've often found that sometimes the food hasn't been properly cooked, but since Gail cooked everything in the oven first and then I finished it off on the BBQ, it all worked out fine, and everyone that came seemed to have a good time.

It was nice to catch up with people and share a glass or two with them. A shame that some we'd invited couldn't come. But isn't that always the way?

I'm glad that we held it today, as tomorrow's weather forecast isn't very good. But then that's typical for a British Bank Holiday.

All Steamed Up

As many of you may know that besides photography, one of my other hobbies is drama. Sometimes I perform with a group run by a duo called Hanby & Barrett.

Due to my increase in photography work recently, I had to turn down the offer to be in their latest work called "Sparks Are Flying in Loco Town", a potted history of the railway in Netherfield; a small town a few miles east of Nottingham's city centre.

 Andy Barrett the writer took the intertwining lives of two families as a vehicle for the story; especially that of the sons, who join the local railway company at the same time; but things change when one goes to fight in WW1, whilst the other stays at home to drive the trains.

Quite a few of the people that I have appeared with in other productions, like Geoff above, were in this one, so it was great to catch up with them.

The production was great fun, as it moved to several different venues across Netherfield. The last scene took place outside at a local community centre, where they ingeniously 'built' a locomotive for the two friends to ride off into the sunset on.

3 Men In A Boat

What could be better than having a row in a boat on a river or lake with friends and having a good time and fighting as to who takes charge of the oars?

Well this is exactly what this small group of pals are doing in Highfields Park. I'm not sure whether they are students or not, as the university is only a stones throw away from the lake.

There used to be a small pleasure craft called the Maid Marian which did trips around the lake, but I think it was taken out of service a few years ago.

There are numerous swans, ducks and coots that live by the water, and people visit every day with bags of bread. Joggers are often running around the pathways with their earphones and water bottles.

This photo reminds me of an old joke I know about the manager of a boating lake who shouts out to one of the rowers who he thinks has been out a little too long; "Come in number nine, your time is up". His assistant sidles up and says "But Fred, we only have eight boats". Shocked at this revelation, Fred calls out "Oh, are you in trouble number six"?.....