Down on the farm

Spent the day at Godstone farm with Kate and Bethany... here are some of the animals that live on the farm...... starting with an old favourite.... Even though Bethany was very suspicious of him, this llama did not spit.. he was far too well mannered

The pigs were very snoozy, my favourite was Lisa who snored unashamedly for hours, but she was very unphotogenic so you get Willow instead!

Dappy ducklings!

A wonderful turkey, who wasn't remotely interested in having his photograph taken, perhaps he has heard tha I love collecting Christmassy things?

A very hungry sheep. She only consented to having this snap taken after a few handfuls of food... why is it that farm food is one size fits all? 50p a bag and feed everything from the guinea pigs to the cows!!

Sandown Races 28.4.07

My favourite photograph of the day... the winner of the big race Hot Weld

This is the finish of the first race... my money is riding on Horse number 4.... note how far back in the field he is!!

We walked down to the second jump, where I took this next photo, we heard a couple of jockeys groaning as the flew past.. and you can see from the photograph ... which ones it was!!!! My horse isn't in this picture.. he was way way back!
This next is one of my favourite photos, it is so difficult to take pictures of the races as the horses gallop very fast, but I am pleased that I captured a good range of horses here (well I think so) not too many bottoms at the front of the photo which happened a lot!

This is Dempsey on his way to winning the second race... no money on him either!

I eventually won two races and £61 on Frankie today.... Sadly not when he was riding this horse! Thanks Frankie......

Wishing for ..............?

The Lilac's out

My neighbours fence keeps trying to fall down and squash my lovely lilac tree. The past few weeks have seen a huuuge plank propping the fence away from my precious tree. This is why.....

Alfie - Cat or Diva?

Bluebells at Kew Gardens 22.4.2007

I have wanted to see the bluebells in Kew for years. Only I could chose the very day when there was a sponsored walk around the bluebell woods..... They were well worth the wait, the walk ooooh yes and the sunburn!

Golden Pheasant in Kew 22.4.07

Whilst walking through Bluebell wood I saw this wonderful creature... he seemed too good to be true, but luckily I overheard him being described as a Golden Pheasant.

This bit was snitched from the RSPB website.... I had never heard of the Golden Pheasant before today:

Latin name: Chrysolophus pictus

Overview
Smaller than a pheasant, the male is very brightly coloured with a yellow crown and lower back, dark wings and upper neck, red underparts and long finely barred tail. female is paler brown than a female pheasant. It is a shy bird, keeping to dark, dense woodland. Roosts in trees at night.

Where to see them
Confined to areas on introduction in England, Scotland and Wales. Found in forestry plantations and dense woodland.

When to see them
All year round - best looked for early in the morning when it may be seen in clearings.

Estimated numbers in Europe
1,000-2,000 adults

Ducks, ducks, ducks

Swans are known as mean, nasty and spiteful.. but they are still magnificent to look at!

dedicated little coot sitting patiently on her nest while the bloke was off having fun with his mates!

This one is dedicated to Aunty Jen because.. horror of horrors... I've cropped it!! Don't think the others have been though!!

Saw lots of Peahens but no peacocks, what have the females being doing to them??? Very pretty mallard... he was also a very greedy mallard.. allowed the missus three mouthfuls and then took over ... typical! Perhaps the peahens need to be spreading the word!

Kew Gardens 22 April 2007

I am ashamed to say.. and readers of this blog will not be surprised to know that I don't have a clue what this flower is.....

Kew Gardens were positively bridal there was so much blossom...

The last of the spring tulips

Waterlilly taken in would you believe the Waterlilly House!

This was taken in the Palm House, from the ground.......

......and this one was taken from the walkway above looking down

A beautiful midsummer's day... in April. I went to see the Bluebells, but of course got sidetracked!

Roses are Red....

And what I saw from the Eye 18.4.07

I wish that I could do the incredible views justice.... I was very disappointed to totally hash up Buckingham Palace.. but I am pleased with the Houses of Parliament Shot!.. Can't wait for next week... (I WISH!!!)

London Eye 18.04.07

The London Eye is one of my favourite London landmarks. We were lucky enough to watch the wheel being raised back in 1999 and first rode the Eye in March 2000. I could have a weekly trip. Here are some of the Images of the Wheel. Sorry I seem to be obseesed with three capsules!

Beautiful Bluebells

I took this kneeling on the gravel in the front 'ahem' garden... I love the bells.. very Esmerelda

Is it Cricket??

Wembley

We were lucky enough to have tickets to the Under21 Freindly at Wembley... the first match in the New Stadium. We had also been there a few days before for an evening concert at the Arena....