My December 2016 In Pictures.

To see My December 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/155205042052/my-december-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows the fore-mast of MS Queen Elizabeth, and the new moon, River Tagus, Port of Lisbon, Portugal, at 18:49 on Thursday 1st December 2016.

To read about MS Queen Elizabeth, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Elizabeth

To read about Lisbon, Portugal, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon

My Queen Elizabeth Iberian Cruise 2016 In Pictures.

Tuesday 22nd November to Sunday 4th December 2016.  Southampton to Southampton.  Twelve days.  Six ports.  Calling at A Coruña, Tangier, València, Cartagena, Gibraltar, and Lisbon.

To see My Queen Elizabeth Iberian Cruise 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/155120146382/my-queen-elizabeth-iberian-cruise-2016-in

The picture at the top shows MS Queen Elizabeth, alongside in the Port of Lisbon, Portugal, at 16:51 on Thursday 1st December 2016.

To read about MS Queen Elizabeth, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Elizabeth

To read about Lisbon, Portugal, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon

My November 2016 In Pictures - All At Sea.

To see My November 2016 In Pictures - All At Sea, click on the link below:-
http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/154333176662/my-november-2016-in-pictures-all-at-sea-click

The picture at the top shows a wayfinding sign, on board MS Queen Elizabeth, at 17:06 on Monday 28^th November 2016, Port of València, Spain.

To read about MS Queen Elizabeth, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Elizabeth

To read about València, Spain, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valencia

My November 2016 In Pictures.

To see My November 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/154210899122/my-november-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows the flaming sunset (!), at 16:44 on Wednesday 2nd November 2016, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about Hythe, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

My October 2016 In Pictures - Smoke & Windows.

To see My October 2016 In Pictures - Smoke & Windows, click on the link:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/152996733882/my-october-2016-in-pictures-smoke-windows

The picture at the top shows a discarded cigarette pack,  at 11:39 on Saturday 15th October 2016, St John's Road Hythe, Hampshire.

The picture at the bottom shows cabin windows of cruise ship AIDAprima, at 17:43 on Monday 17th October 2016, seen from the Hythe Ferry, crossing Southampton Water from Town Quay, Southampton, to Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about Hythe, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

To read about cruise ship AIDAprima, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDAprima

My October 2016 In Pictures.

To see My October 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/152559458757/my-october-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows the morning sun burning through the fog, lighting up the pier train, and reflecting on Southampton Water, at 09:42 on Thursday 27th October 2016, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about Hythe Pier, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe_Pier

My September 2016 In Pictures - Light.

To see My September 2016 In Pictures - Light, click on the link below:-
http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/151466297717/my-september-2016-in-pictures-light-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows Night Lights, at 20:20 on Sunday 24th September 2016, at home, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about Hythe, Hampshire, click on the link below:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

My September 2016 In Pictures.

To see My September 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/151148265627/my-september-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows fallen apples, at 15:15 on Sunday 11th September 2016, West Street Allotments, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about Hythe, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

Southampton Boat Show 2016 - Sea Legs.

I went to the boat show and what did I see.... I saw boats and yachts, a Tallship, big ships, small ships, stand-up paddle-boards, a marine fashion show, and feet, lots of legs and feet, and shoes, some with feet in, some without - oh, and a foot archer!

To see my pictures of the Southampton Boat Show 16^th-25^th September 2016, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/151111488077/southampton-boat-show-2016

The picture at the top shows Orissa, the Foot Archer, performing on stage at 15:40 on Friday 23rd September 2016, at the Southampton Boat Show, Mayflower Park, Southampton, Hampshire.

To visit the Southampton Boat Show 2016 website, click on the link below:-

http://southamptonboatshow.com

To find out more about Orissa, the Foot Archer, click on the link below:-

http://www.orissakelly.com/home

Mating Spiders.

I'm not keen on spiders, but if they're very small and there's distance between us, I can generally find the courage to watch and photograph them.  A pane of glass separated me from this mating couple, so I had a ringside view and took pictures before during and after - the entire episode lasted for one minute, before they separated and scuttled back to opposite corners of the window.

They're called Zygiella x-notata, common throughout the UK and frequently found on window frames.  Actual size 7mm to 11mm (quarter of an inch to a scant half inch).

The picture at the top shows the spiders before mating, at 18:14 on Thursday 1st September 2016, at home in Hythe, Hampshire.  To see more of my mating spider pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/150176827497/mating-spiders-click-on-a-picture-for-a-close-up

To read about Zygiella x-notata (missing sector spiders, missing sector orb weavers, or silver-sided sector spiders), click on the links below:-

http://www.uksafari.com/zygiellaxnotata.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygiella_x-notata

My August 2016 In Pictures - Fruit & Flowers.

To see My August 2016 In Pictures - Fruit & Flowers, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/150029408662/my-august-2016-in-pictures-fruit-flowers

The picture at the top shows a Globe thistle (Echinops), at 15:54 on Monday 1st August 2016, at the University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Oadby, Leicestershire.

The picture at the bottom shows a Victorian earthenware apple, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, on Wednesday 31st August 2016 at 09:31. (The apple was made by Bretby Art Pottery, Woodville, Derbyshire, England, circa 1890.)

To read about Globe thistles (Echinops), click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinops_sphaerocephalus

To read about the University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Glebe Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Leicester_Botanic_Garden

To read about the Victorian earthenware apple and Bretby Art Pottery, click on the links below:-

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O67037/apple-vase-tooth-henry/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretby_Art_Pottery

My August 2016 In Pictures.

To see My August 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/149749070272/my-august-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows Seafaring Zebra (one of 47 Zany Zebra sculptures on display throughout Southampton until 24th September 2016), at 16:17 on Friday 26th August 2016, Platform road, Southampton, Hampshire.

To read about the Zany Zebra sculptures, click on the link below:-

http://zanyzebras.org.uk

My July 2016 In Pictures - Grass.

To see My July 2016 In Pictures - Grass, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/148635560847/my-july-2016-in-pictures-grass-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows Common wild-oat grass (and a head of wild fennel), at 09:01 on Saturday 23rd July 2016, Hythe foreshore, Hampshire.

To read about Common wild-oat grass (Avena fatua), click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avena_fatua

To read about Hythe, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

My July 2016 In Pictures.

To see My July 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/148236406377/my-july-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows the full moon on Tuesday 19th July 2016 at 20:48 on a balmy summer evening, looking down Southampton Water towards the Solent, from Hythe, Hampshire.

Click on the link below to read about Hythe, Hampshire:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

Leaves and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Two photographed leaves start turning into a Georgia O'Keeffe painting! Maybe my subconscious had been influenced by press coverage of the current Georgia O'Keeffe Exhibition at Tate Modern.

The picture at the top shows my photograph of two leaves, at Jones Lane Allotments, Hythe, Hampshire, at 15:32 on Monday 18th July 2016.

To see the Georgia O'Keeffe 1928 painting '2 Yellow Leaves', click on the link:-

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/1839

To read about the Georgia O'Keeffe Exhibition at Tate Modern, London SE1, click on the link below:-

http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/georgia-okeeffe

My New Wet Weather Shoes - Tracey Neuls.

When this hot spell ends, it's sure to rain again and I'll be ready with my new wet weather shoes from Tracey Neuls, Marylebone Lane, London W1. My favourite shoe shop. My kind of shoe. AND they have a reflective tab at the back to light up when I'm on my bicycle! How could I resist?

The picture at the top shows my new Tracey Neuls wet weather shoes, Geek Derby Black Tarmac (described by the London Design Museum as 'a beautiful shoe for an active life'), photographed in sumptuous black & white, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, at 12:28 on Thursday 21st July 2016.

To visit the Tracey Neuls website, click on the link below:-

http://www.traceyneuls.com

My June 2016 In Pictures - Lost and Found.

A lost ball is photographed and turns into a Jeff Koons sculpture!

The Jeff Koons 1985 sculpture 'One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank' sold for $15,285,000 (that's fifteen million, two hundred and eighty five thousand dollars!!) in May 2016, at Christie's New York 'Bound to Fail' themed sale, curated by the irrepressible contemporary art specialist Loïc Gouzer.

Click on the links below to read about the Jeff Koons 'One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank' sculpture, and the Christie's 'Bound to Fail' auction:-

http://whitney.org/Education/EducationBlog/OnViewOneBallTotalEquilibrium

http://www.christies.com/features/Bound-to-Fail-7245-3.aspx

To see My June 2016 In Pictures - Lost and Found, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/146944410017/my-june-2016-in-pictures-lost-and-found-click

The picture at the top shows the rubber ball, on Hythe foreshore, Hampshire, at 11:02 on Monday 6th June 2016.

Click on the link below to read about Hythe, Hampshire:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe,_Hampshire

My June 2016 In Pictures.

To see My June 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/146715839857/my-june-2016-in-pictures

The picture shows a colourful building-work hoarding and wild Red Valerian, seen through the railings of an underground car park, Oadby, Leicestershire, at 16:47 on Tuesday 21st June 2016.

Click on the link below to read about Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber):-

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/red-valerian

My New Tracey Neuls Shoes.

My idea of a summer shoe.  A gift to myself last Wednesday, as just recompense for a two-and-a-half hour dental appointment!  I confess to being slightly Liz Lemon about my feet ("I'll have you know that I wore sandals this summer... over socks... in a dream"), but that's another story...

The pictures show my new Tracey Neuls shoes, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, on Saturday 18th June 2016 at 20:20, lit by the setting sun (which accounts for the almost sepia tint).

Click on the link to take a look at the Tracey Neuls website, or visit the shop at 29 Marylebone Lane, London  W1:-

http://www.traceyneuls.com

My May 2016 In Pictures - Tulips.

To see My May 2016 In Pictures - Tulips, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/145558509297/my-may-2016-in-pictures-tulips-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows an elegance of pink tulips, Knighton Park, Leicestershire, at 10:03 on Sunday 8th May 2016.

Click on the links below to read about the Tulip, and Knighton Park, Leicestershire:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip

https://www.leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/our-parks/knighton-park/

My May 2016 In Pictures.

To see My May 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/145206187142/my-may-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for-a

The picture at the top shows a Dandelion clock, The Grove Garden, Hythe, Hampshire, at 14:42 on Monday 16th May 2016.

Click on the link below to read about the Dandelion (Taraxacum):-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucanthemum_vulgare

My April 2016 In Pictures - Multicolours.

To see My April 2016 In Pictures - Multicolours, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/143844355582/my-april-2016-in-pictures-multicolours-click

The picture at the top shows Port lights reflected in Southampton Water, seen from, Hythe, Hampshire, at 21:35 on Monday 11th April 2016.

Click on the link below to read about The Port of Southampton, Hampshire:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Southampton

My April 2016 In Pictures.

To see My April 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/143630145302/my-april-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows a robin perched on a headstone in St John's Churchyard, Hythe, Hampshire, at 11:20 on Sunday 24th April 2016.  Pure serendipity and a fitting tribute to my father, Arthur Anthony Vale, 22.07.22-24.04.13.  RIP Dad.  Love you.

Click on the link below to read about the Robin (Erithacus rubecula):-

http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/r/robin/index.aspx

Southampton to London Waterloo.

A day trip to London wouldn't be complete without a souvenir to take home, and a few photos of course.  Click on the link below to take a look:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/142836458982/southampton-to-london-waterloo-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows a petit sac of Financier cakes (caramel and plain), from Pierre Marcolini, 37 Marylebone High Street, London W1, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, at 09:06 on Thursday 31st March 2016, the day after I bought them and shortly before they were eaten!  Mmm...

Click on the link below to visit the Pierre Marcolini website:-

https://uk.marcolini.com

My March 2016 In Pictures - Blue.

I chose Blue for my March photo challenge.  Click on the link to take a look.

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/142231629532/my-march-2016-in-pictures-blue-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows one of my favourite blue flowers, a winsome Winter Windflower! at 10:33 on Wednesday 16th March 2016, Oadby, Leicestershire.

To read about the Winter Windflower (Anemone blanda), click on the link:-

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=127

My March 2016 In Pictures.

To see My March 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/142010826782/my-march-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows a beautiful border of blue bulbs! (Glory-of-the-snow), Uplands Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, at 17:37 on Monday 14th March 2016.  (I just love blue flowers.)

To read about Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa), click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chionodoxa

My #challengeonnaturephotography Pictures - The Outtakes.

Following on from my Facebook #challengeonnaturephotography pictures, here are the seven photos that didn't make the final cut - the outtakes.  Click on the link below to take a look.

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/141661634102/my-challengeonnaturephotography-pictures-the

The picture above was taken at Watermead Country Park, Birstall, Leicestershire, at 14:48 on Saturday 29th November 2014, and shows a flock of birds taking flight over Finger Lake.

To read about Watermead Country Park, Leicestershire, click on the link:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermead_Country_Park

My #challengeonnaturephotography Pictures.

I was recently nominated by a Facebook friend, to take part in the #challengeonnaturephotography - posting a picture a day for seven days. And I really enjoyed it. Click on the link below to take a look at my seven pictures:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/140851152402/my-challengeonnaturephotography-pictures-towards

The picture above (the sixth of my seven photos) was taken at Calshot Spit, Hampshire, at 15:31 on a stormy Friday 4th September 2015, and shows a gathering of ominous-looking clouds over Southampton Water, looking from Calshot towards Portsmouth and the Solent.

To read about Calshot Spit, Hampshire, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calshot_Spit

My February 2016 In Pictures - Orange.

I settled on the colour orange for my February photo challenge.  Click on the link to take a look:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/140573187807/my-february-2016-in-pictures-orange-click-on-a

The picture shows close-up detail on the side of a building waste skip, Hythe, Hampshire, at 10:47 on Sunday 7th February 2016.  Brown is the new orange!

My February 2016 In Pictures.

To see My February 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/140217240747/my-february-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows a Tom Dixon designed 'London Brick' box of Pierre Marcolini chocolates, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, on Monday 15th February 2016 at 10:13.  A Valentine's Day gift from me to myself - purely for the box, you understand!

The picture at the bottom shows the Pierre Marcolini chocolates inside the box, at home in Hythe, Hampshire, on Tuesday 16th February 2016 at 12:08. Mmmm.......

To read about Pierre Marcolini chocolates, click on the link below:-

https://uk.marcolini.com

To read about the Pierre Marcolini & Tom Dixon collaboration, click on the link:-

http://www.elledecoration.co.uk/news/tom-dixon-for-pierre-marcolini/

Lisbon 2015.

Lisbon, Portugal, the fifth and final port of call on my Christmas Cruise aboard MS Queen Victoria (see my blog dated Monday 18th January 2016).

The picture shows the 25th of April Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal, at 08:20 on Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2015.  (Opened in 1966, the bridge spans the River Tagus and is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world.)

To see My Pictures of Lisbon 2015, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/140091275507/my-pictures-of-lisbon-2015-click-on-a-picture

To read about Lisbon, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon

To read about the 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), click on the link:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25_de_Abril_Bridge

To read about the River Tagus (Tejo), click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagus

To read about cruise ship Queen Victoria, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Victoria

Gran Canaria 2015.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, the fourth port of call on my Christmas Cruise aboard MS Queen Victoria (see my blog dated Monday 18th January 2016).

The picture shows cruise ship Queen Victoria arriving at the Port of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, at 08:05 on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December 2015.

To see My Pictures of Gran Canaria 2015, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/139976589612/my-pictures-of-gran-canaria-2015-click-on-a

To read about Gran Canaria & Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, click on the links below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Canaria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Palmas

To read about cruise ship Queen Victoria, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Victoria

Tenerife 2015.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands and the third port of call on my Christmas Cruise aboard MS Queen Victoria (see my blog dated Monday 18th January 2016).

The picture shows cruise ship Queen Victoria arriving at the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, at 07:30 on Wednesday 23rd December 2015.

To see My Pictures of Tenerife 2015, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/139796234197/my-pictures-of-tenerife-2015-click-on-a-picture

To read about Tenerife & Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, click on the links below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_Tenerife

To read about cruise ship Queen Victoria, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Victoria

La Palma 2015.

La Palma, the most northwesterly of the seven Canary Islands, the greenest, and the second port of call on my Christmas Cruise aboard MS Queen Victoria (see my blog dated Monday 18th January 2016).

The picture shows the Port of Santa Cruz de la Palma, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, at 10:10 on Tuesday 22nd December 2015.

To see My Pictures of La Palma 2015, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/139609786297/my-pictures-of-la-palma-2015-click-on-a-picture

To read about La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palma

Madeira 2015.

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal - the first port of call on my Christmas Cruise aboard MS Queen Victoria (see my blog dated Monday 18th January 2016).

The picture shows the Island of Madeira, Portugal, at 10:54 on Monday 21st December 2015.

To see more pictures of Madeira 2015, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/139427407202/my-pictures-of-madeira-2015-click-on-a-picture

To read about Funchal and Madeira, click on the links below:-

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

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

http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/funchal.html

My January 2016 In Pictures - More Numbers.

So many numbers in the world! Click on the link below to look at a few more:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/138926707592/my-january-2016-in-pictures-more-numbers-click

To see My January 2016 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/138413275187/my-january-2016-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

To see My January 2016 In Pictures - Numbers, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/138663495667/my-january-2016-in-pictures-numbers-click-on-a

The photo at the top shows a house number, Chelsea, London SW3, at 14:56 on Wednesday 20th January 2016.