Friday Skywatch

Cheesy Games

2008-11-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

One of the members on Shiny Hut, a social website I use told us about this site.It looks like it could be fun! If anyone wants to try this out,click where it says skip ads.

Sunset

2008-11-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

Sunset at Port Logan,Galloway,Scotland

Images of Belgium

2008-10-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

Some photos of Belgium

Tom Dick and Nevil

2008-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Tom,Dick and Nevil
Yours truly with Tom Dick and Nevil.

There is quite an interesting story attached to this sculpture.It stands in
Perch Rock in New Brighton here on the Wirral.In it's heyday,New Brighton
was a bustling sea-side resort, popular with local people and visitors, who
flocked there in their hundreds,particularly on Bank holidays.I remember my
Mum and Dad taking me there when I was a little girl and the beach would be
absolutely packed. The sculpture was made in 1993 and was designed to
complement the Victorian feel of the resort.It was copied from an original
photo of three Victorian gentlemen who were regular visitors to New Brighton
and who were known as Tom Dick and Harry.They were later renamed Tom,
Dick and Nevil in honour of three of the consultants involved in a
regeneration programe for the area. Some of you will have seen the first
picture in Paintbox Pictures but this is the original.

Sunset in Eastbourne

2008-09-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Photo taken in Eastbourne while on holiday

The Manchester Ship Canal

2008-09-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Liverpool Waterfront
Bridge over the canal
Helsby Hill.When we are coming home from
our daughter's in Scotland,we pass Helsby Hill.
To me,it is always a pleasure to see, as I know we
are nearly home.
Approaching one of the locks
Flying the flag

I didn't post last week as we were going away and I knew
I wouldn't have time to post comments on people's blogs.
Also, I haven't done much with my camera lately so I have
searched through the photos I have and I came across these
which I took a couple of years ago while on a trip up the
Manchester Ship Canal.It is a very interesting trip,which
takes you through some lovely countryside but it is also
an area rich in industrial history.

It's those geese again!

2008-08-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

I suppose I'm cheating in a way,putting these pics on here as I have
already put them on my other blog My Life. A few people have seen
them on there but not as many as I would have liked,cos I think they
are pretty good. Ok trumpet blowing time over! I couldn't resist taking
the last pic. This guy was heading back the way they had come.I wondered
what he was saying.Was it, "Mum, where are you?" or was it "Come on,
you lot, get a flipping move on!"

Sky and geese

2008-08-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

The evening sky

Geese flying over our house on their way to the marshes

Linda Letters: Skywatch Friday - Sunrise, Sunset

2008-08-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

Linda Letters: Skywatch Friday - Sunrise, Sunset

Parade of sail

2008-08-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

We recently enjoyed the marvellous experience of watching the

Tall Ships as they left Liverpool.It is something I had always wanted

to see but had never managed to on previous occasions for one reason

or another.It was a fantastic day, there was a great atmosphere with

everyone obviously enjoying the experience thoroughly and beside

seeing the Tall Ships,we were also treated to an aerial display.Yes, it

certainly was a day to remember.

A different sky

2008-08-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

I love blue skies with white fluffy clouds but I also
love to see a different type of sky, so when I looked
out of the bedroom window a couple of evenings ago,
and saw this sky,I just had to photograph it.I took the
first three one evening and the second two the following
evening.For those of you with good eyesight,in the 4th
photo,you can just make out some of the Welsh hills.We
are blessed here with a wonderful view of part of the Dee
Estuary and beyond that,the hills and fields of Flintshire
in North Wales.Every day, when I see this view,I know how
fortunate I am.

Evening sky at Aberdaron

2008-07-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

Aberdaron

2008-07-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

We recently had a family holiday in Aberdaron in
North Wales. This is a view of the beach, looking
towards Ynys Gwylan-fawr and Ynys Gwlan-bach.

Emmie and Alison on the beach
The view from the cottage which Sue, Andy, the
girls and Chase(the dog) stayed in
Abersoch beach
Windsurfing off Abersoch beach.
Now for a quick lesson in the Welsh language.Ynys is Welsh
for island,bach means little and fawr is large. Aber means at
the mouth of the river,so Aberdaron stands at the mouth
of the river Daron and Abersoch at the mouth of the river Soch

More ships

2008-06-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Some more shipping photos from my husband.If anyone wants
to have a look at some more of his photos,the web site address
is www.shipsoldandnew.fotopic.net

Ships on the Mersey

2008-06-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

For this week's Friday Skywatch, I've borrowed some of my
husband's photos.For the last couple of years, he has spent hours
taking photos of shipping on the Mersey.These are just a few of
them,he's got thousands more!

Sunset and clouds

2008-06-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

I took the first two photos on Tuesday evening. I had
just come out of our WI meeting and saw this lovely sky.
Luckily,I don't live far from the church hall, and I broke
all records getting home! I grabbed my camera and hurtled
up the road to get the sky before it faded.Then yesterday,I
was in the garden when I noticed how different the sky
looked from different angles.

Return of the song thrush

2008-05-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

I hope I'll be forgiven for posting these on Sky Watch as I realise
they are not strictly sky photos.However,this is the little chap who
was in my first picture yesterday.He came back this morning and
sat quite happily, preening himself while I photographed him.I hope
he's decided that I'm harmless and that the only thing I am going
to shoot him with is a camera!

Song thrush

2008-05-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Strictly speaking,the first photo isn't a sky picture but it led to the second
one so I'm including it. I saw the song thrush landing on the fence so I crept out
with my camera and tried to get his picture, but of course,just as I was getting
near enough,he flew off! However,he took pity on me and flew back.
Unfortunately,I couldn't persuade him to show his best side, which, of course,
is the breast,which is a beautiful mottled shade of browns and yellows. However,
I then noticed a bird flying overhead so I took his picture as well! I did ask him
to slow down but I don't think he heard me!

Fluffy clouds

2008-05-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Fluffy clouds,don't you just love them!

sunset

2008-05-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was reading in the garden the other evening when I noticed
the sun starting to go down just beyond our fence.To get a better
view, I stood on one of the garden chairs.I just hope none of our
neighbours saw me!

North Island New Zealand

2008-05-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Some random views of the north island, New Zealand,
while we were on holiday there.We took umpteen pictures
but I've picked these out particularly for the clouds, after all,
this is Friday Sky Watch!

Snow on the hills

2008-05-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

I took these photos a couple of years ago from our back garden.In
the second photo, you can just see Moel Fammau in the range of
hills called the Clywds or the Clydian Range.Moel Fammau is Welsh
and means Mother of Mountains.

Lake Coniston

2008-04-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Lake Coniston in the English Lake District

A Wirral walk

2008-04-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

Gilmore Nature Reserve, West Kirby
Crossing a field
Horses grazing
Another view of Gilmore

A right motley crew

I took these photos last year while out on a walk with some of our
local branch of the U3A of which I'm a member.The lady with her
back to the camera, well, she's the boss!. Seriously,though, Pauline
is a marvellous organiser and we all really enjoy her walks.Every
time I go on one of the walks, I come home tired but thankful that
I live here on the Wirral.Funnily enough, although I know the Wirral
pretty well, Pauline always manages to come up with a few surprises.

To the marshes

2008-04-10T23:38:00.000-07:00

I consider myself very fortunate to live close to the Dee Estuary and marshes, a prime birdwatching area and a lovely place to walk. The marshes were created when the river Dee began silting up along this stretch some time in the 17th century. Before then, Parkgate a wee bit further along the marshes was a busy port.Occasionally we get high tides during which the river floods part of the marshes. April 7th was the biggest tide of the year so armed with my camera and accompanied by my son Paul and the love of his life, Skippy, seen in the last picture, we set off to photograph this great event. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations but fortunately, on the way back home, we were admiring the view across the fields looking down towards the marshes and I realised that it was just what I needed for a Sky Watch contribution. Now, I know that strictly speaking, Skippy doesn't qualify as a sky watch picture but I couldn't resist including her cos I think she's gorgeous!
If any doggy lovers out there would like to see the other canine member of our family click on my other blog, My Life. Please,pretty please!

The moon

2008-03-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

A couple of shots I took of the moon recently. They do look better if you click on them to enlarge them.

A cloudy Sky

2008-03-14T02:22:00.001-07:00

Just a few shots I took recently of the evening sky

Gardenstown

2008-03-07T01:21:00.001-08:00

I hope these qualify as Sky Watch pictures. I took them in Gardenstown on the north
esat coast of Scotland when we were there on holiday with our family last year.

The Lowering Sky

2008-02-28T23:14:00.001-08:00

This was the sky a few evenings ago.Pretty dramatic,I thought.

A glorious sunset

2008-02-21T23:59:00.001-08:00

A couple of evenings ago, we had another of the wonderful sunsets we sometimes get here.I took these photos of it.The slide show is of course courtesy of photobucket

Sunset through tree

2008-02-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

One evening last week, I just happened to be looking out of the bedroom window. In one of our neighbours garden, there is a large fir tree which does block some of the view but is quite interesting in itself to look at. The sun was starting to move round and it just looked as if there was a large hole in the tree and it was shining through. I rather liked the effect it gave.Later I took a couple more when it was turning dusk

A Walk on Caldy Hill

2008-02-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, I went for a walk on Caldy Hill, a popular local beauty spot.
From up on the hill there are marvellous views of the Dee Estuary and across
the estuary,you can see Flintshire in North Wales.The third picture in this group
shows the Mariners Beacon at the top of the hill.There is an interesting history
attached to this beacon.It was erected on the site of an old windmill, which was
destroyed in a gale in 1839. The windmill was missed by mariners who presumably
had used it as a landmark, so in 1841, the Liverpool Docks Association erected
the beacon.More of these photos can be seen on my main blog, My Life, which
can be reached by clicking on the link(click on MY Life) on my Friday Skywatch
blog. Go on, I dare you,lol.

Early evening sunset

2008-02-01T00:14:00.001-08:00

Early evening sunset, taken about a week ago.
Luckily,I happened to be looking out of the window at the
right time!

Early morning moon

2008-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

I took these photos yesterday morning and this morning,just as it was
starting to get light.

Cycling in Andalucia.

2008-01-18T00:42:00.001-08:00

Irene and me having a rest.Irene's in the green hat.
See what I mean about the view!
A Hairpin road
Irene on the road to Grasalema.
A sun scorched plain
We took these photos some years ago on a cycling trip in Andalucia with our friends,Ron
and Irene. The scenery was superb but the cycling was tough!,very tough!

My Life: Liverpool,City of Culture.2008

2008-01-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

My Life: Liverpool,City of Culture.2008

Coastguard Rescue

2008-01-11T04:42:00.001-08:00

It was my husband's 65th birthday a couple of years ago and when I asked him what he would like to do,he said he fancied a week in Weymouth,Dorset. So we booked a week in a B and B. We were out for a walk one day near the harbour and we saw the SS Shieldhall. On enquiry,we were told that they were doing cruises up the coast and one would be on George's actual birthday. Well, that was too good an opportunity to miss so we booked on it. It was a fantastic trip with glorious scenery all along the coastline but what made it extra special was something we didn't know about till it actually happened. The Coastguard Rescue had arranged to do a simulated air sea rescue.Apparently,they particularly like to do these on ships such as the Shieldhall as they are difficult to land on so it is good practise for them.Of course, there was great excitement on board as the helicopter hovered overhead and the guy was lowered down with the stretcher,which was then loaded up with a dummy figure and winched back up into the helicopter.Now, I did tell George that I had thought of asking them to put him on thr stretcher and winch him up into the copter but somehow he didn't seem to go a bundle on that idea! I wonder why??

The Dee Marshes

2008-01-04T01:20:00.000-08:00

Just down the road from where I live is the river Dee part of which has become silted up,forming the marshes.It is quite an important bird watching area and very popular with local walkers,particularly doggy walkers. There are marvellous views looking across to North Wales,which we can also see from the back of our bungalow, lucky so-and-so's that we are!

My Life: The Aquarium

2008-01-03T03:24:00.000-08:00

My Life: The Aquarium

Christmas Day Moon

2007-12-28T13:10:00.001-08:00

Images of the moon taken on the evening of Christmas Day.

Rainbows

2007-12-21T02:20:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have seen these images on a slideshow on my main blog so I hope it won't be considered cheating, me putting them on here!

My Life: The Wednesday Section Christmas lunch

2007-12-17T04:42:00.000-08:00

My Life: The Wednesday Section Christmas lunch

Linlithgow Palace

2007-12-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

I took this photo, looking through the window in what had been the cookhouse in Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots.

My Life: The Wirral Horn

2007-12-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

My Life: The Wirral Horn

Sunset over Little Neston

2007-12-07T00:12:00.000-08:00

All these photos were taken from our back garden.

Aeroplane

2007-11-30T01:02:00.000-08:00

I took this photo earlier this year

on holiday in the Lake District.The plane

flew overhead and I just pointed the camera

and hoped for the best, which is how I take a

lot of my pictures!

The moon

2007-11-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

I've just taken these shots of the moon,not sure how they'll turn out but here goes
Ps,Not sure how those bikes got there!
PPs,Just ignore this posting, folks,they're not wonderful, I know!

Hang gliding on West Kirby beach

2007-11-22T23:41:00.000-08:00

I took these photos a couple of years ago on West Kirby beach, here on the Wirral. I must say these guys have got more nerve than me, I like my feet on the ground!

Skywatch

2007-11-15T23:57:00.000-08:00

Well, here goes! My first posting on the Friday Skywatch blog.