Japanese Anemone

Japanese Anemone

Despite being known as Japanese anemones these plants come from China. These were erroneously called Japanese anemones after one particular form was ‘first’ recorded near Nagasaki in 1695. By the time the first plants reached the West in 1844, they were already known as A. japonica. Most modern varieties are descended from A. x hybrida.
(Thanks to BBC website for this bit of detail)

These lovely flowers appear to have self-seeded in our garden from next door.

It is a great flower for attracting pollen gatherers.

Japanese Anemone and Hover Fly

This little Hover Fly was joined by another:

A pair of Hoverflies on Japanese Anemone

I had to wait a little while until they cleared the area before I was able to get the image I really wanted.

Japanese Anemone Close-up

It has been a bit too windy lately as even the slightest breeze makes getting a blur-free image a challenge. I have not been able to take photographs of all the flowers in our garden as I would like. What is required is something that attaches to the camera tripod that has a clamp on the other end of it’s flexible arm that holds the flower steady.
I need a PLAMP
I know my birthday is not until September but for any-one at a loss as to what to get me I can only say that any Father would be very pleased to get a PLAMP for his birthday from those who love him!!

Dumpton Gap to Viking Bay

Our favourite walk is along the promenade from Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs to Viking Bay and the Harbour at Broadstairs.

Dumpton Gap Bay looking towards Ramsgate with Deal in the distance.

It is a lovely walk as the sea air lifts the spirits and the sound of the waves lapping on the beach relaxes the soul. Viking Bay and Broadstairs Harbour gradually come into view as the promenade winds it’s way round the cliff face.

One of the first views of Viking bay and Broadstairs harbour from Dumpton Gap.

I do not know how many times we have done this walk but I always am impressed by the sight of the Harbour as you approach it from Dumpton Gap.

We had a cup of coffee from the Cafe on the beach and as I am forever trying to find new angles from which to photograph the harbour I saw this and thought it would be different.

Viking Bay Beach and Broadstairs Harbour from the cafe on the beach.

We then made our way to the Promenade overlooking the beach and harbour and walked back to Dumpton Gap and our car.

What a pleasant morning we had before the rain fell by the bucket full in the afternoon.

Faversham

Today we went to Faversham. Mae to visit a Quilting Exhibition and me, apart from being the driver, to take some photographs.

I was particularly keen to get a photograph of the Guildhall.
This is the third Guildhall in Faversham. This was built in 1574 as a Market Hall and became the Guildhall in 1603. Though the building is not large it ‘floats’ gracefully over the town centre, dominating Market Place and forming Faversham’s focal point.

Guildhall, Faversham. Kent

Unfortunately it was market day so I was unable to get the shot of the Guildhall I wanted.
Never mind I thought lets do the rest of the town.

My second disappointment was how ‘tacky’ Faversham is becoming.

West Street, Faversham. Kent

It is several years since we last visited Faversham but I was not impressed by the advertising boardings that now litter the streets. This is only part of West Street but these boards, while they may help businesses in the street, do nothing to keep the charm and the unspoiled architecture of this [once] lovely town.

Maybe I should stop looking through rose tinted glasses!

Mae enjoyed the Quilts and I had a pleasant hour visiting second hand bookshops and taking photographs. Lunch in a nice bistro finished the morning.
Then it was home to mow the grass before the next weather front moves in.

Another Musical Weekend

On Saturday the Knightriders played at the Summer Party at St. Clement Church’s Hall, Sandwich.

Knightriders Irish Music Group Playing at St Clement's Church Hall

This was our inaugural outing as a group. The Knightriders take their name from the street leading to St. Clement Church. We play Music of the Ceilidh.
Céilidh is a traditional Gaelic social dance originating in Ireland and Scotland. The music is played by an assortment of fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion, bodhrán, and nowadays can also include drums and electric bass guitar. The music is cheerful and lively. The dances in the modern Scots céilidh are ‘couple dances’ performed in a ring. These can be performed by fixed couples or in the more sociable “progressive” manner, with the lady moving to the next gentleman in the ring at or near the end of each repetition of the steps. and the basic steps can be learned easily; a short instructional session is often provided for new dancers before the start of the dance.
I am grateful to John for allowing me to use this image in my post.

We enjoyed playing and we hope our audience enjoyed listening!

On Sunday it was off to Quex Park for the ‘Spitfire Prom’.

What a great evening it was.

The stage at the Quex Park 'Spitfire Prom'

As you can see from this image we had a good view.

Winner of a local talent contest (Paige Doogan?) provided early entertainment

The National Symphony Orchestra played the Spitfire Prelude & Fugue by Walton while a Spitfire Flew over-head putting on a fantastic display.

Spitfire doing a 'flyby' at the Concert

Spitfire approaching Concert Site

These are the best images I could get that weren’t blurred or the aircraft too small. I did get this though:

Half a Spitfire!

This would have been the best shot of the evening but unfortunately I only got half of the Spitfire. Such is life!

The evening finished with the usual prom favourites. Fantasia on Sea Songs. This one is where the audience clap as the music accelerates but, as always, losing the beat in the last four bars (I could explain how it is always so but that would spoil the fun!). Rule Brittannia and Jerusalem were followed by ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ (Pomp and Circumstance March No.1). How uplifting these tunes and words are.

A huge Firework Display ended a brilliant evening.
We went home, tired, hoarse but full of patriotism.

Essex Police Helicopter over Ramsgate – Update

Essex Police Helicopter over Ramsgate on 18th July 2009

Further to my earlier post about the Essex Police Helicopter over Ramsgate on Saturday18th July 2009.
I understand that on this Saturday there were two incidents. One was an elderly vulnerable woman missing and the other was a robbery.

My information is that there was a robbery (mugging) where a woman was attacked in the alleyway leading from Manston Road (railway bridge) onto the Nethercourt Estate. I know no more about the missing elderly woman but I do not think the incidents are related.

I am grateful to those who posted comments and to friends who told me what they know.

I am surprised that this story was not picked up by our local newspapers or Television news. After all it is not everyday that a Police helicopter is called in to assist our local Constabulary. If it has been in the local papers I must have missed it!

If you know more please let me know.

From Classic to Ceilidh in a week

Whistle and Music Book

This Saturday the burghers of Sandwich are in for a treat.

I mentioned earlier this year that a few friends and myself have got together and formed an Irish (Ceilidh – pronounced kaylee) Music Group.

Well, we have our first engagement this Saturday. 25th July 2009 at St Clement Church Hall, Sandwich. Kent.
We, The Knightriders, are supplying the background music to the St.Clement’s Church Summer Fayre and will be playing between 1pm and 4pm in the church hall in Knightrider Street, Sandwich.

This is a non-paying ‘gig’ to say thanks to the church for allowing us the use of their hall in which to practice.

I have put away my piccolo (only for a short while) and am now getting my fingers used to the Penny Whistle and the twiddle-dee-dee music (as Mae calls it). Lots of jigs (slip or otherwise), reels, hornpipes, slow airs and other traditional tunes.

If you can join us it would be nice. Maybe dance to a reel or jig or just sing along to well known Irish songs.

It should be fun.
No, I’ll re-phrase that – it will be fun!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Concert. Were You There?

If you were I trust you enjoyed the Concert and were not disappointed that we were inside.

The weather forecast was not too promising but we (the committee) started to set-up for an out-of-doors performance but the heavens opened and we got soaked. So we set the band up in the sports hall with a view to moving outside later but as it was still raining on and off at 1-o-clock we made the final decision to stay indoors. The wind was very blustery all day. The wind blows the music away from the audience (and the sheet music off the music stands) and makes blowing a flute harder as it takes one’s breath away from the embouchure hole and no matter how hard you blow next to nothing comes out the other end!

The concert was well attended and people bought picnics so a party atmosphere developed.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Summer Concert. The audience listening to the Trainee Band playing

Trainee Band playing under their conductor Kate Robinson

I couldn’t get any photographs of the Wind Orchestra playing as I was too busy playing myself but did manage these of the Trainee Band playing.

Comments from the departing audience were full of compliments.
I know self praise is no recommendation but I think we played well.

If you missed us this year watch this blog for next years date. After all you would not want to miss us two years in a row!

Police Helicopter Over Ramsgate

I would really like to know what this Essex Police Helicopter was doing over Ramsgate this afternoon (Saturday 18th July 2009):

Essex Police Helicopter Hovering over Ramsgate

I saw this, well, heard it first, about 3pm this afternoon. It was hovering over Ramsgate in the Newington Estate area. It stayed stationary for quite a while then circled several times before flying off.

Close-up view of Essex Police Helicopter over Ramsgate

I will watch the evening news with interest for the next couple of days. As soon as I know what was occurring that required a Police Helicopter I will report back.

Starry, Starry Night?

No. Stormy, stormy night!

I went to Monkton Nature Reserve this evening intending to have a couple of hours star gazing with other members of SEKAS (South East Kent Astronomy Society).

This is what the sky was like:

Monkton Observatory and stormy sky.

We waited hoping that the heavens would clear but they didn’t. In fact, they opened up on us!
So for a third month in a row we didn’t get to see any objects in the sky.

Never mind, there is always another night.

Sea Horses in Viking Bay, Broadstairs

We were in Broadstairs a bit earlier than usual today. The weather was changeable and blustery.

Viking Bay and harbour, Broadstairs

The beach was deserted:

Tracks in the sand left by the Beach Cleaners

The council does a brilliant job of keeping the beaches clean and good looking.

We had a walk round the harbour and stopped for a cup of coffee and a ‘danish’ at the ‘Pavilion on the Sands’. This is a view of the harbour from the decking there.

Broadstairs harbour from the Pavilion on the Sands

On the beach there are signs showing the way to the various facilities available. They are topped by wooden sculptures.

Sea Horses on sign post

I had to walk on the sand to get this photograph.
Janet and Sharon know what I am like for sand in between my toes!
I do not like it.
What I suffer for my art!

I trust you think it was worth while.