Walking with Woody

Just to prove that Woody is still alive and well. So far he has eaten Seven balls, it's a good job they sell them in Poundland

Autumn seems to have arrived early in London, all over Wimbledon Common the blackberries are ripening, acorns growing and lots of berries are already out!

These are more than just thistles, they are enourmous. They start off with purple petals over all the thistles, but these quickly fall off to reveal the spikes!

The swans and their cygnets were out on the lake today, It looked like they were out on a family outing, except without all the squabbling, and the mother didn't once have to say 'If you don't start enjoying this I'll give you a slap!'

The woods are so beautiful, and totally peaceful. We walked for miles (well OK maybe nearly two!) without seeing anybody at all.

Possibly I have discovered why this area of Wimbledon Common is known as the Windmill! Cunning eh???

Our trip to Buckingham Palace 30 July 2007

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry-box.
"One of the sergeants looks after their socks,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We looked for the King, but he never came.
"Well, God take care of him, all the same,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
They've great big parties inside the grounds.
"I wouldn't be King for a hundred pounds,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out, but it wasn't the King's.
"He's much too busy a-signing things,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
"Do you think the King knows all about me?"
"Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea,"
Says Alice.
-- A. A. Milne

Queen Victora's Monument watches over the Palace. As she was the Monarch who first used the Palace as the Premier Residence of teh Royal Family, I guess she feels she has some right to keep an eye on all their comings and goings.





These are the lockplates of Buckingham Palace, think they would look just perfect on my front door what do you think?

The Unicorn and the Lion sit either side of the Main Gates at Buckingham Palace. The unicorn seems to have fared better than the lion, but then again it is a mythical creature and not just some King of the Jungle

This is the West Front. The 'Back Entrance' leading out onto Buckingham Palace's Gardens. Only the Royal Family could have a back door that is quite so grand!

This is the final view of the Palce on the way out overlooking the lake.

Obviously Her Majesty is a keen gardener as her grounds were wonderful. I am surprised she is able to go orf on holiday for quite so long over the Summer, she will have a heck of a lot of weeds when she gets back!!

I managed to get through the obligatory shop on the way out fairly successfully without too much of a dent in my wallet. However Little did I know there would be a Royal Ice Cream Van just be the Exit!

London at Night - a Reprise

These photos were taken on a fairly hurried march back from the theatre last week.. yes, yes, I know you have seen one of them before.. but it is differently edited.. anyway come on it's worth a second look surely

Ascot - King George Day 2007

Today we all headed down to Ascot for King George Day. This was the first time I had seen the new stand. Given that I was at school in Ascot for two years I was very fond of the old stand, and I have to say that the new one left me pretty cold. It looks impressive but I really dislike the way you can see nothing from the rails, which is my favourite place to watch a race. In fact where you stand on the rails is actiually about 3 feet below the track! Boo Hiss!!!!

The Big race of the Day was the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Dylan Thomas was the winner (not my choice of course!!!!!)


ridden by Johnny Murtagh




This is the first race of the day.. Note how far below the action I was taking this photo

Usually I get on quite well with the Bookies, but today the best I did was fourth place! Fourth Place... you don't get anything for coming second, let alone FOURTH

This is my horse in the winners enclosure after the fourth race... don't get too excited they allow horses that came fourth into the winners enclosure too you know

Actually I was very impressed with the new parade ring, it is tiered so lots of people got a perfect view. I love this bit before a race.. you are still in with a chance.. it doesn't even occur to you at this point that your horse will only come FOURTH

Lots of horses in a race where my horse did not win... again!

And well might you look a little sheepish mate, my money was riding with you...

Gorilla

A Walk on Wimbledon Common

A very foolish woman has left her beloved dog with us for two weeks, hmmmm I don't think she knows me very well. Anyway, we took Woody for a long walk on Wimbledon Common this morning. Didn't see any Wombles.... Actually I HATE pigeons, but this one doesn't have red eyes and actually looks quite pretty

'I've got my eye on you!'

Alongside the pond were a pair of swans and three cygnets. . . . . . I din't like to get too close so this is the best I could do.

I have been told that the bees have all gone missing due to Global Warming.. Well crisi averted, they are all on Wimbledon Common

The Tower of London

We have had our friends Lisa, Jonathan, Bethan, Rhian and Iwan staying with us this week and on Tuesday we had a trip to the Tower of London

This is King Henry VIII's Armour. Sadly it is only included here for one reason.. and I don't think it's anything to do with it being a particularly nice photograph now is it?

Legend has it that when the ravens leave the Tower of London the British Monarchy will fall.... So what does the British Monarchy do??? Clip their wings and stop them flying anywhere.... that seems like cheating to me Traitor's Gate, A prisoner's last view of The River Thames and surrunding London before they were taken into the Tower ready for a bit of head chopping off.

OK Not exactly the tower, but Tower Bridge, taken from just outside the Tower of London.

London at Night

London at night is one of my favourite places in the world, and this is why..... Walking back from the theatre over Waterloo Bridge on Tuesday night, I took this with a wide angle lens. I love the reflections in the water, and it's just a bonus that The International Space Station obliged me with it's presence too!

Jamie

London Zoo 21 July 2007

As today is Rhianna's birthday (well OK yesterday, I am being slow with my uploading!) we all met at London Zoo to celebrate. We started with the Gorillas.... my current favourites... This one seemed very happy to finally see some sun, and was sunbathing for us all.

After the fight this little bear was thirsty!

The bears were play fighting, well I hope they were playing - They didn't look too upset!

Two of my favourites the Blackfooted and the Rockhopper Penguin

The heron was once again in the penhuin pool, no doubt waiting for feeding time! He was warming his wings in the sun (yes you heard correct the SUN!) at this point, he looked extremely content

Couldn't resisit taking a photo of this giraffe when she turned round to say hello!

HURRAY I finally took a photo of a Golden Lion Headed Tamarin that is in forcus. Sadly the colour is a bit off cos I used a flash! But a girl can't have everything! The boys are delighted though as they are not real fans of the Biosphere, where these tamarins live, and now I have finally taken a picture I like, the can finally begin to hopw that I will allow them to bypass this exhibit!

I know that you are all Meerkatted out from my trips to Battersea Zoo, but C.Mon this one is CUTE!!

I love the zebras, but they are so hard to photograph, whatever time I visit them they are constantly grazing and they are kept behind a very thick wire fence. This was the best I could do, but is still fuzzy at the bottom

The three toed sloth was remarkably nippy for a sloth