I’ve been spending some time updating the site making it easier to navigate and find things. Clicking on the titles across the top of the Home page, will take you a page with links to posts that are relevant to the title.
Author: helengibsondavies
Butterflies and plants
Here are some images taken on my patch. I’m don’t know my wild plants or butterflies very well, so any information on these would be gratefully received. There were also lots of different types of bees.
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS FANS-LOUD,BRASH,ANNOYING? OR ENTHUSIASTIC AND FUN?
I’m hoping the title of this post will get people interested!
The Australian tennis players, the likes of Leyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios attract a travelling army of Australian fans/supporters. Dressed mainly in Australian gold, they “sing”, chant, shout and clap loudly and enthusiastically in the hope of bolstering their players chances.
What’s your opinion?
Do you find it annoying?
Or do you think its great to hear people so enthusiastic – a bit of fun?
What nationality are you? How old are you? What sex are you?
One provocative opinion came from a friend who said, “it’s the Australian character! Brash and loud!”
And what’s wrong with that? LOL.
Please comment
WIMBLEDON – TRADITION OR ARCHAIC CONVENTION?
With Wimbledon in full flow and stating that I love it and look forward to it every year, I’ve been thinking about all the extra bureaucracy and rules that accompany tennis at Englands’ , nay the worlds, top tournament. Started in 1876 it is the worlds oldest tournament.
England could be accused of being a historical museum as millions of tourists visit each year to explore our historical estates and buildings, towns and cities. Visitors from countries such as the States and Japan revel and bask in the “cute old world charm” aspects of our culture – and top of the list surely has to be Wimbledon.
Wimbledon, with its afternoon tea, strawberries and cream, Pimms and some weird and wonderful rules.
THE ALL WHITE DRESS CODE (even underclothing!) – Euginie Bouchard There can only be “a single trim of color no wider than 1 cm”. “White does not include off-white or cream.”
TOURNAMENT SPEAK – Ladies and Gentlemens events, women are given titles such as Mr or Mrs or Miss, but men remain called by their surnames.
BOWING AND CURTSEYING – up until 2003 players were expected to curtsey or bow to the people in the Royal Box. The Duke of Kent stopped this in 2003, but it is still expected if the Queen or Prince Charles are in attendance.
STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM – Strawberries and tennis both signaled the arrival of summer. Gradually, the two have become an essential part of the tournament. At Wimbledon, nearly 9,000 servings are prepared per day, using only the highest quality strawberries from the county of Kent. The berries are picked the day before being served, arriving at Wimbledon at around 5:30am, where they are inspected before removing the hull. Each year at Wimbledon, 28,000 kg of strawberries are eaten along with 7,000 litres of cream.
NO ADVERTISING
THE QUEUE – Wimbledon is also probably the only place in the world where thousands gather, wait and camp overnight in a queue to gain tickets for the matches. there is no rush, no uncontrollable mob, or uncouth behaviour. Around 500 seats are available for each court. People are given coloured coded wristbands according to corresponding court. So very British – so well mannered.
TIME OUT – While matches on the women’s tour permit a 10-minute break between sets two and three in conditions in excess of 30C, there are no such guidelines for men
Wimbledon has pulled itself out of the dark ages and apart from the differences between men and women game, the traditions it has makes it stand out and tiny as Britain is, that is what it likes to do!
WIMBLEDON -HOW TO GET TICKETS,WHERE TO STAY, WHAT TO WEAR
THE MAC ARE BACK
FLEETWOOD MAC AT LEEDS ARENA – MAGIC
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/what-s-on/arts-entertainment/review-fleetwood-mac-first-direct-arena-leeds-1-7335412
I loved PETER GREENS FLEETWOOD MAC but after he left they evolved from blues to a perfectly magic formula with Christine McVie, Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nicks,John McVie and of course the amazing drummer that is Mick Fleetwood. All such brilliant musicians individually together they are dynamite. A perfect evening in a perfect arena.
fleetwoodmac.com
ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
Wimbledon is here again! I love Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. The coliseum like atmosphere, individual against individual, facing each other across the net. The sound of the balls flying over the nets, skimming the surface and sending flying blades of grass, chalk and dust. The physical stamina and fitness, the mental strength and character needed to take part. The sweat, the glow, the ping of the strings as an ace is hit down the line. Volleys, backhands, smashes, net calls, slips and slides, twists and turns. The crowds, the gasps, the screams of frustration, the shout of joy and pumping of fists. The line calls and hawk eye replays, the anticipation and the nerves, the tension of a tie break. The British weather sunshine now and rain again – the covers on the covers off, the roof closed the roof open. Robinson drinks, green towels, linesmen and women dodging powerful shots coming right at them. The birds on the court and Rufus the Harris Hawk. Henman Hill or Murray Mount – game, set and match.
Rats 'dream' paths to a brighter future: When rats rest, their brains simulate journeys to a desired future such as a tasty treat — ScienceDaily
PAULS POND
Well it was Tetleys forst walk to Pauls Pond, another lovely walk from my house. Over Cookridge Golf Course first.
Didn’t trust Tetley off the lead to start with ……..he wasn’t impressed.
When we got to the gate into Breary Marsh he was off. Down the path, through the trees and into the water!
http://youtu.be/oI52q6igyWs
Pauls Pond is hardly a pond – its a lake really.
Tetley is a lurcher – that is any sight dog cross – definitely greyhound and something! Greyhounds don’t like water, however Tetley enjoys playing in the shallows . He’s not so sure about swimming although he has had a couple of dips that show he can do. Today was another one of those dips…….shortly after these photos below were taken, he leapt in after a duck.
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The side of the lake was too high for him to get out!!! He was panicking and so was I. I ended up having to haul him out by his front legs, nearly falling in myself in the process!
LITTLE WEDNESDAY EXCURSION TO RODLEY
So I’ve taught my lovely little guitarists and stop off for a pint at The Barge next to the canal in Rodley. Nice little pub, friendly and always have good selection of real ales. Always feel fine coming here on my own for quiet drink. Rodleys a nice place on the outskirts of Leeds, situated next to the Leeds Liverpool canal. I spend quite a lot of time around here as I have friends who live here or nearby. I have taught in Calverley and Farsley which are great “town villages” that sandwich Rodley – with Rodley being the filling! All three places have a vibrant community with various events taking place throughout the year.
The other pub across the road from the Barge in The Owl. This pub used to be a stonkingly brilliant pub with good food, great beer, events and live music. This was the pub I used to frequent regularly until Enterprise decided to basically to push the rent up so much that the landlady and family were forced to leave. There was a massive campaign in support of her and her family who ran the pub. Television, radio, papers, councillors and MPs all joined in but Enterprise Pub Co stuck its heels in and let her go and it has never been the same since. Such stupidity and stubbornness on the part of the Pubco and is now left with a fairly empty pub. Gina Howard the best landlady anybody could want left and went up the road to Farsley to manage the newly refused Fleece pub. And what an amazing turnaround that has had. It wins Camara awards regularly and is a great success. So your loss Enterprise!
