Almond Tree: St John's Churchyard.

I was thrilled to see the almonds ripening beautifully on this lovely old tree in the local churchyard. I can't recall ever having seen ripe fruit on an almond tree in Britain; is it unusual for this country, or do I just need to get out more?

http://www.stjohnshythe.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond

Weather Vane: Waterfront Garden Surgery.

The weather vane on top of the local doctors' surgery looked particularly good this afternoon as I passed by on a constitutional through the village and around the marina. The blue sky sets it off a treat. Aaaah!

Southampton Boat Show.

There were lots of handsome yachts on Southampton Water last week, tacking back and forth, to and fro, in and out, and round about the Southampton Boat Show. It's a wonderful event and there's a variety of fabulous things to see, from a rechargeable fog horn and an ocean-going yacht, to a super-absorbent quick-drying towel and a crystal-clear, unbreakable, non-slip acrylic champagne glass! I was torn between the navigational maps and the waterproof clothes; I love a good map and I love looking at clothes; I'm also intrigued to know how it's possible to move in all those layers - the great big hooded jacket, the thermal fleece, the salopettes, the beanie hat, the gloves, the non-slip boots, the lifejacket?!

The yachts and the boat show didn't make a good picture from my window, so I walked over to Hythe marina for a better view. I still couldn't find a good shot, but as I headed home I spotted this disgruntled seagull perched on the tip of a giant anchor!

http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/2011/

Paddle Steamer Waverley.

The Waverley has been steaming in and out of Southampton for the past few days, at the start and end of her sightseeing trips to Portsmouth Harbour and round the island (the Isle of Wight), and it's always a delight to see her. She was built on the Clyde in 1946 and still cuts a very handsome figure. The picture was taken yesterday morning and shows her steaming down Southampton Water, the Itchen bridge in the background to the left.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle_steamer_Waverley

http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/history.htm

The View From My Window: Hythe Clouds.

This week has seen a wonderful mix of contrasting weather; from high winds, storm clouds and heavy rain, to warm sunny days, big skies and spectacular sunsets. I've loved it all and I've especially loved watching the clouds, sailing, gliding, billowing, thundering in from the west. The picture sums it up for me (the trees to the left are in the west).

The View From My Window: Hythe Sunset.

The view across Southampton Water is spectacular this evening; the air is still and cool, the lights are twinkling, all is quiet, just the sound of the tide turning.

Cherries.

I wore this hat to a late summer wedding last weekend, and it was perfect - the hat and the wedding. A small country church, St Mary's in the village of Barkby, Leicestershire, late 13th century, a spire, a peal of six bells and a winding pathway lined with yew trees. The bride was beautiful, the groom handsome and everyone beamed as the sun shone and the bells rang. Congratulations John & Lizzie!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary's_Church,_Barkby