From this to that in 50 years how time flies. The pose was a carry on with Granddaughter Bronte. The upside down photo? for my mates in Australia(just kidding) have to find a way to get it upright. I did not know it then but baldness was only 6 years away.

Mourn Mountains

This is the view I had while contemplating my navel on the side of Lough Neigh, over the water is the Mourn Moutains. I was told if you can see them this clear it means you are going to have rain from the south. We did

Lough Neigh

Fisherman's boat put into the side of an inlet off Lough Neigh Northern Ireland. This fisherman does not go far for there is no motor in the boat and not even a seat just a beer crate to sit on.

Thrapston bridge

This tranquil scene was taken off the bridge crossing the river Nene at Thrapston in Northamptonshire. I was cycling here to meet the Kettering CTC members for a very English elevenses. In a car you cannot see this for you are controlled by traffic lights no time to "Stand and stare" Yes there are fish in the river I stood and watched them swim around beneath me. At the side of the bridge was also a swans nest with the old girl on the eggs and the Pen snoring at the side, some sentry he made.
There are old quarries out towards Oundle now filled with water which I will have to visit. On the list they must go. After this I cycled home down the very busy road to Stanion and Corby and glad I was when I eventually got off it.

Bringhirst Church sitting on an island hill in the middle of our part of the Welland Valley. Was this island created in the "Ice Age"by the movements of the ice being pushed towards what is now "The Wash"? In olden times there would have been a brazier atop of the tower to guide travellers through the murky nights or even worshippers on say Christmas eve for Midnight Mass or the "Easter Vidual." One church at Weldon has recreated a modern version of the beacon, by installing a miniature lighthouse on top of their tower. This I have not seen lit(another task to add to "the to do"list. Behind Bringhirst Church at the road junction can be sat under a Chestnut Tree planted in remembrance of the fallen of the "Great War." The idea I think was to give joy to future generations of children by providing them with chestnuts to play "Conkers",there is a school nearby, and maybe cause them to think and thank their ancestors for their sacrifices. Does it work? Do children play "Conkers", only with protective glasses on and gauntlets and maybe even body armour, maybe we have not got that far "YET"it will come I'm sure.

Where are we?

Here we are under a spreading -------- Tree. We are in the Village of "Walgrave" in the county of Northamptonshire and I am not sure but I think I read somewhere that it was from here George Washington's family moved to America.
The Thursday club lunched here at the local pub, good grub it looked too, but I had my usual Ham egg and chips(not thro' choice) but even there the chips were coated, so I could not eat them.
The church is a must to view next time and verify the Washington connection, strangely enough I have not taken a photo of it.
Wrist slapping is in order.

Church in the Water

What is left of the village the half sunken church. A strange affair when you look at it. Is it a church or a mausoleum? It is very unlike any of the churches round about. The church is now a museum which I have not visited and must now be put on the "To-do" list. The reservoir when being constructed was put down by knowledgeable people as a "White Elephant"it would never be used. How wrong they were it functions as a water supplier a pleasure area for water pastimes and exercise area for people of my bent cycling. Weekends the paths are full of us, singles, couples and family groups all enjoying the fresh air and sore bums. I should not have said that should I? Maybe true but most of us go back for more. There is now a pipeline being laid to take water from here down to Milton Keynes. Some "White Elephant"

Rutland Water

When we came to this reservoir first this Odalisque had just been installed and was shiny copper coloured. It dazzled you with its brightness.I managed to take a picture of the setting sun in the middle of the hole.
On the longest day maybe the sun will make an appearance in the middle of the hole, eat your heart out "Stonehenge" maybe not.
It must be a good windbreak judging by the people picnicking there. The "Water" itself is a great attraction with windsurfers, yachting fishing cycling rambling it brings people from all over the country and me from Corby!

Cycling mad

On the hottest day yet where was I? Cycling out to Rutland water the hard way, there is no easy way it is all uphill, and when you are cycling back? It is all uphill as well. We really do forget the hills we have free wheeled down,
This is the dam wrongly named somewhere as the one used by "The Dam Busters" to practice on. The real one was the Eyebrook Reservoir about five mile away, and built before WWII, this one dates to the 60's?
Having arrived here I took a little run round from one side to the other, but not all the way round. Another day and a bit more fitter and it will be yes. Found myself a cup of tea but no food being a Coeliac is a bit of a bind, chips is usually my staple diet on a day out. Gluten is the problem all them lovely cakes are more or less poison to me. No chips were to be had at the cafe on a day as hot as it was, no wonder, there would not have been any demand for them. Found some chips elsewhere.