My December 2017 In Pictures.

To see My December 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/169153492587/my-december-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows a Robin, on Friday 16th December 2017,  at 10:25, St John's Churchyard, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about the Robin (Erithacus rubecula), click on the link below:-

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/robin

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

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

My November 2017 In Pictures - The Moon.

To see My November 2017 In Pictures - The Moon, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/168719258742/my-november-2017-in-pictures-the-moon-click-on

The picture at the top shows the waxing crescent Moon (21% illuminated), on Thursday 23rd November 2017 at 16:21, Hythe, Hampshire.

To read about the Moon phases, click on the link below:-

http://lunaf.com/lunar-calendar/

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

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

My November 2017 In Pictures - Poppies.

To see My November 2017 In Pictures - Poppies, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/168295495132/my-november-2017-in-pictures-poppies-click-on

The picture at the top shows a half-size replica model Spitfire, covered in 1,600 poppies, on Sunday 12th November 2017 at 10:16, Westquay, Southampton (home of the Spitfire), Hampshire. NB: The Spitfire WW2 fighter plane was designed & built in Southampton by Supermarine Aviation - designer R J Mitchell.

To read about the Spitfire WW2 fighter plane, click on the link below:-

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

To read about the Spitfire designer, R J Mitchell, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._J._Mitchell

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

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

My November 2017 In Pictures.

To see My November 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/168048115532/my-november-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows autumn leaves, on Friday 17th November 2017, at 10:48, Hythe Marina, Hampshire.

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

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

My October 2017 In Pictures - Berries.

To see My October 2017 In Pictures - Berries, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/167201658387/my-october-2017-in-pictures-berries-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows the red berries of a Mountain Ash, framing the Hythe Marina clock, on Tuesday 3rd October 2017, at 11:21, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

My October 2017 In Pictures.

To see My October 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/166985201532/my-october-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows a Poppy, on Saturday 14th October 2017, at 16:28, St John's Churchyard, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

My September 2017 In Pictures - Weathervanes.

To see My September 2017 In Pictures - Weathervanes, click on the link:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/166104271892/my-september-2017-in-pictures-weathervanes

The picture at the top shows Swifts 'flying south for winter!' weathervane, on Friday 08th September 2017, at 16:33, Selborne, East Hampshire.

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

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

My September 2017 In Pictures.

To see My September 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/165895567142/my-september-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows the windfall and a wasp, at 10:42, on Tuesday 12th September 2017, School Road Allotments, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

My August 2017 In Pictures - Mushrooms.

To see My August 2017 In Pictures - Mushrooms, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/165218984347/my-august-2017-in-pictures-mushrooms-click-on

The picture at the top shows one of my first mushroom spore prints (beginner's luck!), at home, Hythe, Hampshire, on Friday 10th August 2017 at 08:16.

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

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

My August 2017 In Pictures.

To see My August 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/164826463652/my-august-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows the Pilot disembarking cruise ship MS Queen Elizabeth, shortly after departure from the Port of Bergen, Norway, (seen from deck 7 midship, and reflected in the balcony glass) at 16:58 on Friday 18th August 2017.

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

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

My July 2017 In Pictures - Sunflowers.

A month of Sunflowers, dedicated to my brother, John Raymond Vale 17.08.48 to 27.07.17. RIP - his favourite flower.

To see My July 2017 In Pictures - Sunflowers, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/163872356902/my-july-2017-in-pictures-sunflowers-a-month-of

The picture at the top shows a Sunflower, on Thursday 17th July 2017, at 09:32, at home, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

To read about the Sunflower (Helianthus), click on the link below:-

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

My Brother - John Raymond Vale 17.08.48 to 27.07.17.

My brother died last week, an expected death, but a shock nonetheless, and he's been in my thoughts. I've been trying to remember him, trying to see him as he was before the dementia set in.  A morning run helps me to sort out the thoughts that crowd into my head, and since his death, I've been running more frequently.  On my run this morning, I realised that my brother was trotting along behind, trying to keep up.  He wasn't actually there, only in my imaginings, but it gave me an insight, and along with that thought came the words "not waving but drowning".  When I read the full poem later, it seemed to fit him perfectly:-

Not Waving but Drowning

Nobody heard him, the dead man,

But still he lay moaning:

I was much further out than you thought

And not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking

And now he's dead

It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,

They said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always

(Still the dead one lay moaning)

I was much too far out all my life

And not waving but drowning.

Poem by Stevie Smith 1902-1972 - published in 1957

I also searched out a blog from a couple of years ago, which I'd written in the form of a letter, titled Dear John, and it too pretty much sums up how I feel today.

The picture at the top shows a mighty sea, taken in 2015, the same time as my earlier blog.

To read my previous blog, Dear John, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/dear-john.htm

My July 2017 In Pictures.

To see My July 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/163646749162/my-july-2017-in-pictures

The picture at the top shows the Thunder moon, 97% of full, waxing gibbous, at 23:03 on Friday 7th July 2017, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

My June 2017 In Pictures - Glass.

To see My June 2017 In Pictures - Glass, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/162669121972/my-june-2017-in-pictures-glass-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows a pair of glass tumblers, at home, Hythe, Hampshire, at 08:07 on Saturday 10th June 2017.

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

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

My June 2017 In Pictures.

To see My June 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/162435677152/my-june-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows the sunset & the Hythe Marina clock tower flag, Hythe, Hampshire, at 21:14 on Tuesday 20th June 2017.

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

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

My May 2017 In Pictures - Chimneys.

To see My May 2017 In Pictures - Chimneys, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/161501155192/my-may-2017-in-pictures-chimneys-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows a white house & chimney, Hythe, Hampshire, at 16:25 on Tuesday 9th May 2017.

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

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

My May 2017 In Pictures.

To see My May 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/161279617687/my-may-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for-a

The picture at the top shows the sunset and a seagull, Hythe, Hampshire, at 20:03 on Saturday 6th May 2017.

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

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

My April 2017 In Pictures - Circles.

To see My April 2017 In Pictures - Circles, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/160373720097/my-april-2017-in-pictures-circles-click-on-a

The picture at the top shows a Lifebuoy, The Promenade, overlooking Southampton Water, Hythe, Hampshire, at 15:48 on Thursday 18th April 2017.

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

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

My April 2017 In Pictures.

To see My April 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/160154447662/my-april-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows a Starling in the afternoon sun, Hythe foreshore, Hampshire, at 16:51 on Monday 1st April 2017.

To read about Starlings (Sternus vulgaris), click on the link below:-

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/starling/

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

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

My March 2017 In Pictures - Tulipomania.

To see My March 2017 In Pictures - Tulipomania, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/159266780727/my-march-2017-in-pictures-tulipomania-click-on

The picture at the top shows a tulip, lit by artificial daylight, at home, Hythe, Hampshire, at 17:48 on Friday 24th March 2017.

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

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

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

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

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

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

My March 2017 In Pictures.

To see My March 2017 In Pictures, click on the link:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/159033634852/my-march-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows a handful of tulips, at home, Hythe, Hampshire, at 18:54 on Monday 20th March 2017.

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

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

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

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

My February 2017 In Pictures - Strangers On A Train.

To see My February 2017 In Pictures - Strangers On A Train, click on the link:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/158071175607/my-february-2017-in-pictures-strangers-on-a

The picture at the top shows a stranger on a South West train, travelling from Southampton Central to London Waterloo, at 10:33 on Thursday 23rd February 2017.

To read about South West trains, click on the link below:-

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

My February 2017 In Pictures.

To see My February 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/157836205622/my-february-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows tulip stems and beach pebbles in a glass vase, at home, Hythe, Hampshire, at 20:45 on Sunday 19th February 2017.

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

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

My Pictures Of The Girl On The Train.

To see My Pictures Of The Girl On The Train (& other passengers), click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/157274772062/my-pictures-of-the-girl-on-the-train-other

The picture at the top shows the girl on the train, reflected in the glass of an overhead luggage rack, at 11:40 on Tuesday 14th February 2017.

My January 2017 In Pictures - Fog & Frost.

To see My January 2017 In Pictures - Fog & Frost, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/156902009842/my-january-2017-in-pictures-fog-frost-click

The picture at the top shows a frosty seedhead, Hythe foreshore, Hampshire, at 10:36 on Monday 23rd January 2017.

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

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

My January 2017 In Pictures.

To See My January 2017 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/156623835332/my-january-2017-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture at the top shows a pretty pair of watering cans, posing in the winter sunshine, at 10:32 on Wednesday 4th January 2017, at School Road Allotments, Hythe, Hampshire.

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

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

Fireworks Fit For A Queen!

There were spectacular fireworks over Southampton Water yesterday evening as MS Queen Victoria set sail for Bermuda, the first stop on her 2017 Round the World Voyage - 120 nights, 34 ports, 17 countries.

If you fancy three months at sea, there's still time to grab a cabin on a queen for a Round the World trip this year - MS Queen Elizabeth sets off on 7th January and RMS Queen Mary 2 on 10th January.  Oh, and the price tag - £13,000 for a standard inside cabin, or £117,000 for a grand suite - per person, of course. But don't forget the fireworks.

To see more of my Fireworks Fit For A Queen! pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/155483815492/fireworks-fit-for-a-queen-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture at the top shows MS Queen Victoria and the fireworks, Southampton Water, seen from Hythe, Hampshire, at 17:07 on Thursday 5th January 2017.

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

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-ships/queen-victoria/

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

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

To read about RMS Queen Mary 2, click on the link below:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary_2

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

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

My December 2016 In Pictures - Christmas.

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

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/155395529892/my-december-2016-in-pictures-christmas-click

The picture at the top shows Christmas lights, at home, Hythe, Hampshire, at 16:50 on Tuesday 27th December 2016.

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

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