"In the Gloaming"

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Where have I been?

What have I been up to?

Busy bee, that's me.

Actually, before all this activity,

I hurt my back heaving the organ back up the steps into the house on my return from Cookham.

So that meant I had to sit quiet for a bit.

Ideal, I thought, for photographing my hedgehogs,

who have been visiting every evening,

for Hazel's and Wesley's left-overs.

Mainly Hazel's, mind you,

as Wes hardly ever leaves a scrap!

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This was the set-up by the back door.

That was not the camera I was using.

(I'm holding that of course.)

I did think of poking it through the cat-flap!

But you could bet that once I had it set up,

they would insist on going in and out!

Here's one nice picture.

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I had to be careful they didn't hear me or even

catch a wiff of me!

When they came out of the undergrowth

you could see their little noses

sniffing the air for 'danger'.

Well after several nights of this and they got used to me,

I started trying to get some video shots.

The result is up on YouTube now and I have

put a link in at the end of this post.

Sitting there, I also noticed the young going

in the greenhouse and trying to build up a 'nest' for their

winter hibernation.

Into the workshop, (sorry - 'hobby-room') I went - to 'knock-up' a hedgehog house for them.

I have seen these in garden centres selling for around £40!

I made mine out of off-cuts for nowt.

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All set up about a week ago.

And a couple of days later -

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All stuffed with bits of 'hedgehog bedding'.

I have left them well alone - and,

of course, I have to remember,

to leave the greenhouse door open all the time now.

Here's the video.

It's only about three minutes long and

has a wee bit of music to go with it.

Enjoy.

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I enjoyed making that.

I need another nice rest now.

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A Film Premier!

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I made Cookham meadows on time yesterday.

And I'm pleased to say, it stayed dry all day,

which is the most important aspect of 'Outdoor Grinding'.

My pitch was right alongside the river, and consequently found myself in a Force 2 1/2 gale!

I started playing at 11am and went on until about 5pm.

Certainly good for the muscles in the right arm!

I didn't get round to taking loads of pictures this year,

as I couldn't leave the organ unattended.

So I set up the camera on its tripod,

and had a go at a 'self portrait'

What a hoot!

Now don't laugh!

I'm still a beginner!

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The dogs didn't think much of it,

but the children adored the Monkey,

and

I don't think the parents minded,

as

my two collecting pots

were quite heavy by 5 o'clock.

A Birthday I shan't forget.

I didn't get a pee all day -

until I got home at six!!!!!

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A Day by the River. (Again)

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Today is the day of Cookham Regatta.

I was there last year as a spectator,

and did my usual 'write-up'.

Now, as I'm very busy this morning, I am going to cheat again,

and repeat last years 'do' for any who missed it.

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From where I sit, prodding at this keyboard with one finger, I can look out across the Thames and up the hill on the opposite side. That is Winter Hill and is in Berkshire.

Up on top of this hill is Cookham Dean. On the eastern approach to the hill, is Cookham Rise and finally, down at river level is Cookham Village where I once lived.

Years ago it was quite a round trip to either Marlow bridge or Cookham bridge to get across to Winter Hill. Today we have a footbridge added to the side of the old Great Western Railway Bridge.

Saturday found me crossing here on the way to ‘suss out’ the goings on at Cookham Regatta. As I crossed I managed to catch the ‘ Magna-Carta’, a floating hotel, on it’s way upstream from London to Henley. A week on here will put you back a ‘pretty penny’ but for some reason seems to be priced in American dollars!

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Here’s a holiday for you Jan?

I have walked the tow path to Cookham many, many times over the last forty odd years and gazed at the expensive mansions back on the Buckinghamshire side.

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A favourite of mine - the Thames Slipper launch.

This regatta thing was all a bit of fun really,

mainly larking about in rafts, canoes and things called ‘Dragon Boats’.

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I have to admit I was not greatly enthused,

so I sought out the beer tent,

and then went in search of some old friends.

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I met up also with two friend from my ‘working’ days, Chris with one of his old Wolseley‘s and Howard who had brought along a couple of his vintage motorbikes.

There was a very good turn out of vintage vehicles considering it was called a Regatta.

The one that really caught my eye - and camera - was this huge American automobile!

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Complete with an American style snack.

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Later in the afternoon was the usual ‘Duck Race’.

£5 a ticket - £100 First prize.

Loads of yellow plastic ducks thrown in the river at the start.

First past the post takes the money.

A slight snag this year.

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A narrow-boat decides to do a run through and sets the ducks all amok!

No, they didn’t have a re-start.

And if you had spare £20, you could ‘splash out’ on a nicely carved wooden one.

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To finish, another of my favourite Thames boats - a wooden skiff.

I have rowed many miles up and down the river in one of these.

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And there is of course, my YouTube bit -

"Down beside the Riverside".

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And what shall I be doing this year?

Well, celebrating my 'nth' Birthday -

by - Playing there!

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Must go and load up the organ.

The Regatta awaits,

the Beer Tent is ready,

and the beer is getting warm!

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