Saturday 31 December 2016

Sunset and evening star


Ah well that's another turn around the solar system completed. I hear so many saying this year has been a bad one, worst year ever and so on and so forth. I admit I've known better ones but none quite so surprising. Still if you're reading this at least you're not dead; you can always eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.
Margot is responsible for the title of this post. "Use "Crossing the Bar"" says she, "seems apt... "

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
                                           Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Cheerful beggar old Alfie! 
Chin up then and keep buggering on. I'd wish you all a Happy New Year but that doesn't seem to work any more ...

Friday 30 December 2016

You see the world turned upside down



I'm posting this picture upside down because, in line with just about everything this year, it looks better that way.

Margot took this while standing on her head in Cottingham.

The weekend in black and white could possibly be here.

Thursday 29 December 2016

To see oursels as ithers see us!


Things to do on trains: part 1
Take silly pictures of yourself and get gawped at by other passengers.

This was taken somewhere between here and there, sometime ago by somebody.

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Cottingham lights up again

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and sponsorship from local shops Cottingham puts on a decent display of seasonal lights considering it's only a village (albeit the biggest in England). It almost rivals Blackpool ... almost.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Rudolph the red-nosed automaton


With a head that slowly and eerily moves from left to right and back again this illuminated monstrosity is meant to bring seasonal cheer to passers-by. Hmmmm

Monday 26 December 2016

No Trains Again


We always go for a short walk down Snuff Mill Lane towards sunset on Christmas Day  just to play on the rails and take silly pictures like this. Here's some we did earlier.

Sunday 25 December 2016

Tangled up in blue


Over in Trinity Square the finishing touches to this year's marathon makeover were being put in place the other day. I noticed this figure wrapped in blue plastic. It's the reinstated statue of Andrew Marvell. This seems to be a more modest presentation as previously he was atop four or five steps and surrounded by four concrete balls. Naturally those steps were the place for alkies and druggies to while the day away. Where will they go now, those poor souls?


And jumping over to the other side of town to the junction of King Edward Street and Jameson Street this was the scene late on Wednesday still with a rush to complete by Christmas Eve. Still with the old orange barriers and still a fair few paving blocks to be laid. I haven't been back since then but the local paper reports that Jameson Street, off to the left, is now clear of barriers though the response from readers seems somewhat mixed.


And as ever a job is not done until it has been seen to be done by at least five other workers ...

If you've reached this far it only remains for me to wish you all a "Happy Whatever It Is You May Be Celebrating" this exceedingly mild December 25 ...