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RAF USAF Greenham Common and Me…

3 Jul

Galaxy

I took a summer job at Greenham Common, late 1980’s, at the Tailoring and Alterations Shop, sharing space with Viacom Video Shop, so when we answered the telephone it was “Viacom Video and Alterations”.

 

Down stairs was the Uniform and badge store, so one could be sent upstairs for fitting and badges to be sewn on.

 

I lived to the south of the Base, but drove to the North gate every morning so I could drive the runway at speed, if it was “All Clear” no planes landing or departing…I passed the Control Tower every day, and on one occasion a Russian plane had landed and was parked up on the far side of the base, close to the Control Tower.

 

Remember one day seeing the Galaxys being loaded up by the Silos. A heavy laden Galaxy took off and flew over TESCO car park and several car alarms were set off!!!

 

I still have my entry pass, for my little red Seat Marbella.

 

I particularly enjoyed a lunchtime walk to the Base Burger Bar…can of BUDWEISER and a burger luncheon.

 

Close to the Tailoring Shop was the Base Nursery, and all the kiddies would be taken out in a pull along cart!

 

I helped Mr Bhatti close the Tailoring Shop as the Base wound down.

tower

Photographer Captures Woodpecker Showing Weasel the World

3 Mar

TwistedSifter

weasel-riding-woodpecker

Aladdin jokes aside, what you are actually witnessing is a remarkable battle for survival as a Green woodpecker attempts to escape the predatory clutches of a weasel. The incredible photo was caught on camera by amateur bird watcher and photographer Martin Le-May who spotted the event in East London’s Hornchurch Country Park.

Since being posted on Twitter yesterday afternoon, the photo has gone viral and has been published by news outlets around the world. Le-May explains that the woodpecker was feeding on some ground-dwelling insects when the weasel went for the sneak attack. Naturally the bird tried to take flight and the pair got as high as 10 ft before landing again where the woodpecker managed to free itself and live another day.

[Sources: Mashable, Slate, Jason Ward on Twitter, Martin Le-May on Twitter]

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Servant’s Stairwell shaped to accommodate a coffin lowered from the servant’s quarters.

20 Mar

Servant's Stairwell shaped to accommodate a coffin from the servant's quarters.

Berrington Hall
A National Trust Property.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/berrington-hall/

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Two of England’s most precious creatures…

27 Feb

Two of England's most precious creatures...

Fry Sign Hog

Link

iBenedictines of Holy Trinity Monastery, Herefordshire PAX…

16 Feb

Holy

Sharing a Vocation with the World . .

Of Mercury and Meteorites

by Digitalnun on February 16, 2013

http://www.ibenedictines.org/2013/02/16/of-mercury-and-meteorites/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Video

Robin Wood recreates the wonderful bowls of George Lailey…

15 Feb

George Lailey’s bowls were so popular that Harrods sold them. One even toured the world in a show about English crafts.

Like his forebears, George Lailey operated out of a small workshop, Turner’s Green, Bucklebury  in rural Berkshire. An item made by him was collected by the British Council in the 1940s and toured the commonwealth. The bowl on the lathe in Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading is said to have been one he was making at the time of his death in 1958.

His grave in Bucklebury is appropriately marked with a wooden cross.

Lailey's Grave

Two Lailey bowls, the larger one well used…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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Beloved Highclere Estate…

7 Feb

I have been visiting Highclere castle & grounds since they opened to the public way back in the 1980’s. The Castle and grounds are very handsome, Carnarvon of Tutankhamun fame buried atop Beacon Hill, overlooking the estate.
The Chapel and grave yard are fascinating, especially Lady Evelyn’s memorial, that of Victorian Housekeeper and a 21 year old ‘King of the Gypsies’. There is a delightful wilderness walk around a lake where trees have fallen in and all is quiet…bringing one out at the Highclere Estate Cricket field…lovely place to sit and soak up England on a summer’s day. I LOVE HIGHCLERE xxx

I have a signed copy of the current Countess of Carnarvon’s book…

Lady Almina & the Real Downton AbbeyLady Almina & the Real Downton Abbey

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WORDPRESS CAMP ROYAL WINDSOR ENGLAND 2013

17 Oct

WORDPRESS CAMP WINDSOR ENGLAND 2013

Welcome to Royal Berkshire

1,000’s must come, but beware the locals!