My December 2014 In Pictures.

A Christmas Cruise to the Canaries, stopping off at Madeira on the way out and La Coruña on the way home. ¡Ay Caramba!

To see My December 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/106725926932/my-december-2014-in-pictures

The picture shows MS Queen Victoria alongside at the Port of Funchal Madeira, Portugal, at 14:12 on Sunday 21st December 2014.

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

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

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

My November 2014 In Pictures.

I love a misty morning and a cold, damp day, and there have been a few beauties this month.  I love to be out in this weather, to feel the cold air against my face, my whole being seems to heave a sigh of relief, I relax, I feel safe, I'm in my element.

To see My November 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/104437493617/my-november-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture shows Watermead Country Park, at Crake Pool, Syston, Leicestershire, at 14:25 on Saturday 29th November 2014.

Click on the link to read about Watermead Country Park, Leicestershire.

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

We Will Remember Them.

4,000 poppies pinned to the railings this morning in Prospect Place, Hythe, Hampshire, overlooking Southampton Water.  Here are just a few of them. Each poppy hand-crocheted or knitted by local volunteers.

Click on the link to find out more:-

http://www.hytheanddibden.gov.uk/blog/75/WATERSIDE-POPPY-MAKERS-MAKE-OVER-4000-KNITTED-AND-CROCHETED-POPPIES-TO-CREATE-A-STUNNING-DISPLAY-OF-REMEMBRANCE-IN-HYTHE-ON-9TH-NOVEMBER

My October 2014 In Pictures.

More beautiful autumn days the month, bringing a mixture of mild and wild weather, soft tones and vibrant colours.

To see My October 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/101428402562/my-october-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture shows a Teasel (Dipsacus), at Hythe Marina, Hampshire, on Friday 17th October 2014 at 17:45.

Click on the link below to read about Teasels:-

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/teasel

My September 2014 In Pictures.

I love September, with its cold misty mornings opening into cool sunny days.  I love the autumn colours reflected in the falling leaves, the fruits and the berries, but mostly I love the soft changing light.

To see My September 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/98964483662/my-september-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture shows a hazy morning for the first day of the Southampton Boat Show on Friday 12th September 2014 at 08:20, looking across Southampton Water from Hythe, Hampshire (Hythe pier in the foreground, the Boat Show Eye, luxury yachts and gigantic cruise ship Adventure of the Seas in the background).

Click on the link below to read about the Southampton Boat Show:-

http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/2014/whats_on1.aspx

My August 2014 In Pictures.

For my picture post this month, I've concentrated on the close-up; flowers and plants, incidental insects, and sea birds.  There is one wide shot, of a sunset, but it does include a beautifully lit seagull.

To see My August 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/96274092677/my-august-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture

The picture shows a Cranesbill (Geranium), after rain, in my Mum's garden in Oadby, Leicestershire, at 17:50 on Thursday 14th August 2014.

Click on the link below to read about Cranesbill:-

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

My July 2014 In Pictures.

To see My July 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/93402475637/my-july-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-for

The picture shows a flare of Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia) at Walhampton, near Lymington, Hampshire, on Thursday 3rd July 2014 at 16:51.

To find out more about Red Hot Pokers, click on the link below:-

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

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

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

My June 2014 In Pictures.

To see My June 2014 In Pictures, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/90378430687/my-june-2014-in-pictures-click-on-a-picture-to

The picture shows the sunset over Hythe, Hampshire, at 21:10 on Sunday 8th June 2014.

My Pictures for the Month of May 2014.

To see My Pictures for the Month of May 2014, click on the link below:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/87481307572/my-pictures-for-the-month-of-may-2014-click-on

The picture at the top shows an Oriental Plane/Wiggly Tree (Platanus Orientalis), Exbury Gardens, Hampshire, at 12:02 on Saturday 10th May 2014.

The picture at the bottom shows a rhododendron and bluebells, Exbury Gardens, Hampshire, at 10:38 on Saturday 10th May 2014.

Click on the link below to read about Exbury Gardens:-

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

Three Cunard Queens 2014.

A big day in Southampton a couple of weeks ago with the arrival of the three Queens to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2, the Cunard flagship. The three ships arrived in port early morning on Friday 9th May, having sailed in convoy from Lisbon, Portugal. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were the first in, at around 4:30am, followed by QM2 an hour later, complete with tugboat escort, water cannon salute, and newsreel helicopter.  I didn't see the first two Queens arrive, but I was up and about on my top balcony in time to see QM2 sail in with the sunrise.  A wonderful sight and a splendid start to the morning.

It was a glorious day all round, the sun shone, the ships were magnificent and the evening fireworks were spectacular.  After the three ships had exchanged an astonishing volley of whistle salutes, QM2 finally pulled away at 10:30pm and led the convoy down Southampton Water, into the Solent and away into the night; QM2 bound for New York, Queen Victoria to Stockholm, Sweden, and Queen Elizabeth to Hamburg, Germany.

The picture at the top shows RMS Queen Mary 2 arriving at the Port of Southampton, Hampshire, for her 10th Anniversary celebrations, at 05:36 on Friday 9th May 2014.

The picture at the bottom shows RMS Queen Mary 2 and her 10th Anniversary celebration fireworks, at the Port of Southampton, Hampshire, at 22:12 on Friday 9th May 2014.

Click on the link below to see more of my pictures of the Three Cunard Queens 2014 and the fireworks:-

http://susanvale.tumblr.com/post/86315511457/my-photos-of-the-three-cunard-queens-at-the-port

To read more about the Cunard event and to see the Cunard photos, click on the links below:-

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-types/cruises-from-southampton/royal-rendezvous/
http://www.cunard3queens.com