I rather like this boat...

I took a fancy to this little wooden rowing boat whilst in Wells, and decided that it was worth photographing;

Note the rope fender. I'm always amazed that folk just leave oars in their boats!

Paul.

Wandering around Walsingham.

Having a spare afternoon during my stay in Wells I travelled on the miniature railway to Walsingham to have a look around. Walsingham is a strange village, uncannily quiet, very rustic with many fine buildings, the main focus being the shrine to Our Lady, a place of pilgrimage for many. I spent time looking at and photographing some of the buildings, and would have visited the museum if it was still open (it closed at 4pm). I did briefly visit the shrine, but not being at all religious felt uncomfortable for some reason...

Anyway, some pics;

Detail above abbey archway.

Smart frontage, corrugated iron rear.

The old railway station, now a Russian Orthadox church. Walsingham has many churches...

I couldn't resist photographing this badly repaired door!

And a half-timbered selection, which should delight modellers;

Paul.

A few boats in Wells.

I like photographing boats, here's a selection of pics. taken in Wells.

These last two were taken from my kayak in the harbour;

Paul.

Wells-next-the-Sea and Stiffkey - random holiday snaps from the beach.

Yesterday I returned from a week by the sea, here's a few random photos.

Bikes on the beach, Wells, next to the lifeboat station.

Groynes, next to the lifeboat station, Wells.

Pipeline, Stiffkey, a quiet beach reached by a tidal saltmarsh.

Dani and dogs, Stiffkey.

Me and my home-made Delta, a single line kite usually flown with several windsocks attached to its line.

Me, dogs, and my home-made Kimono kite, Wells.

In the sky.

Paul.

You won't get far on that...

Parked outside the Royal Oak in Melverly, and photographed on a recent canoeing trip in the area;

Its been in situ for a few years now that I know of, and I hope that it will remain undisturbed for many years to come. I wonder why it was just left there?

Paul.

Carving up the park.

A dead tree in the Pavilion Gardens (Buxton) has recently been transformed into quite an impressive sculpture by a local artist. Today I found myself in the park with camera in pocket, so despite the light drizzle I took a few pics to share on here;

 Paul.

Retro Razor.

Needing new cartridge blades for my aged Gillette I toddled off down to the supermarket. But it seems that my particular blades aren't stocked any more. But I could buy a flashy new razor along with a pack of rather expensive cartridges. Which would mean spending £8-£10 everytime I needed new blades. Now, do I really need a multi-bladed lubrastripped shaving device? Do I want to spend nearly a tenner everytime new blades are needed? (I do wonder what the mark-up on cartridges is).

Time for a re-think.

I've always admired the traditional safety razors in the local chemists, Clowes in Buxton. I rather like Clowes as well, a traditional chemists shop, with huge jars of coloured water in the window and lots of wooden drawers with indecipherable labels lining the shop, seemingly unchanged for decades. The service is excellent as well.
So, whilst buying Frontline for the dogs I had a look in the cabinet under the counter, inspected a couple of razors, and chose this;

Its made in Sheffield by Edwin Jagger and cost £22, making it one of the cheaper razors in their range. Made (I think) of chrome plated brass its nice and heavy in the hand and has the feel of a well made tool.

Unscrewing the handle seperates the two halves of the head, allowing the fitting of a double-edged blade;

I've only used it once so far, and found it to be no more difficult to use than a cartridge headed job. (Dani had visions of rivers of blood running down my face...) So, a good purchase I feel, which should save me money in the long run, a packet of blades costing just one pound.

Paul.

Water Nymph Spotted in Llyn Gwynant.

Actually my wife Dani preparing for the Outlaw Half Ironman.

Paul.

A couple more Showmans Fodens.

A couple more Fodens have arrived bringing the total up to 5. Here's the latest arrivals, not the best photos I'm afraid, the pesky sun was in the wrong place, but this morning will be the last opportunity to photograph them before the rides are set up;

Paul.

Fairground Foden.

I like mobile funfairs. I like the tradition of travelling fairs, I like the spectacle of a fair lit up at night, I don't even mind the noise (which I can hear from my house). The best thing about fairs for me though, is the lorries.

There's a fair setting up just up the road at the moment, and whilst out walking the dogs this morning I couldn't resist taking a few snaps of this rather fine Foden;

The other two lorries that have turned up so far have also been Fodens, but neither are as nice as this one!

Paul.

Conehead.

Small Dog has recently been castrated. Now he wears the Cone of Shame.

Hopefully he won't need it for much longer, our legs, the furniture and Big Dog can't take much more of his charging about bashing into things! When I first put it on him he sat very still and howled, now he's a menace!

Paul.