Thursday 31 July 2014

Colourful Stalls

On my visit to Bath to go to the dentist I had to nip down to the bottom of town to go to the bank. I was impressed by the number of Sreet stalls and the colourful items for sale. Quite a collection and far more interesting than a picture of my teeth!
This advertises a quirky tour around Bath. What was it I was saying about teeth?




My dentist would not approve of these next ones...



Not sure how many clothes this trader will sell


Plenty of clothes for sale.







And there is more...






Spoilt for choice!
















Wednesday 30 July 2014

Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt No.16 A Sign in a Language other than English

I have already blogged no. 16 already but could not resist a few Welsh ones. We crossed the 2nd Severn Bridge on our trip to The Royal Welsh.


The road signs are then immediately in both English and Welsh.


The Welsh language is very widely used. All school children are taught Welsh. There were a lot of people at the show chatting in Welsh and all the announcements in the main ring were given in both languages. There was no shortage of Welsh signs. In the flower tent.


I had to look at the arrangements to work out what this said until I found the translation! A book stall with Welsh books promoted the teaching of Welsh.


Several of my other Scavenger photos also have Welsh signs!



There is no doubt that they take their Welsh heritage very seriously.






Around the fields.

The combine continues to cut the corn and has more than a day left to do. A lot of the fields have a border around the edge left as grass which is left untouched. This gives wildflowers and wildlife a chance to live and protects the hedges.



This is all part of a stewardship scheme.


There are a variety of flowers and grasses which help to attract insects and butterflies.





Tuesday 29 July 2014

Strawberries and Straw

I have been making some Strawberry Conserve with some strawberries from the fruit market. The whole process takes 3 days.


I have never made Conserve before although I frequently make jam. I was given the recipie on a bread making day that I attended.


The result has a good flavour and colour but is a more runny consistency than jam. Brian has been eyeing it to put on ice cream.... It is also suggested it would be good on pancakes....


Meanwhile all is busy outside. The grain from the trailers is blown up into the grain store.



The straw is being baled in the fields.



There is still a lot to do so we need a few more dry days.






Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt No.14. A Parade.

I was a bit concerned about how I was going to complete this one. I wondered if I had missed my opportunity when we were unable to get to an Independence Day parade whilst I was in the USA. The Royal Welsh brought an unexpected opportunity in a parade of all the prize winning stock in the main ring.


fine selection of the best cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and even horses! They paraded wearing their rosettes and sashes.




Not all of the cattle were totally obliging and a strong hand was needed.


Some of the smaller animals and the pigs were paraded in trailers including some super goats with ..... Another pair of horns!












Monday 28 July 2014

Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt No. 7 A Rural Scene

Living on a farm and spending most of the time in the countryside the scope for a rural landscape is great. I have however chosen the start of harvesting with the Combine Harvester outlined against my favourite view on the farm. The Chew valley lake just peeps through and the Mendips rise behind it.


Harvest Starts

The Combine Harvester arrived this afternoon and started to cut the barley in Robbers Paddock. This field is so named because a tent was stolen from it despite it being land locked. It has the most fabulous views over the Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip hills behind.



Many people would give a lot to have a view like this from their office window!



The barley is cut by the combine.


The grain is collected in trailers to take in to the grain store.



This will be used to feed the animals over the winter. Any surplus will be sold for similar use. The straw is thrown back out onto the ground to be baled and used as bedding.












Sunday 27 July 2014

Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt No. 11 A Horn

When I first saw this item I had in mind to photograph the horn on the girls old go-kart. Their go-kart was popular with them for many years and being described as suitable for age 5 - 99 it was tried out by many family members including my father in his 80s. 


It was the horn that was the bone of contention. Kate liked to hoot it loudly as she flew round the yard. Her cousins tried to "sort it out" by slotting a carrot down it to muffle the sound! Alas when I went to photograph it the horn is no longer there.

 So the Royal Welsh Show was the place to find a horn of the other kind. How spoilt for choice can you be? I was excited to find a venison stall with some antlers.


The sheep sheds provided more opportunities. Such a choice and such a variety!


I love this next one. The patterns are amazing!



Then we visited the cattle sheds........oh dear. 


I have always had a love of Highland Cattle.


A horn also makes a good handle!


And look at these.


When we got home and I went to put away our sun hats. Hang on!


Why was I looking so far for a horn or even a pair of horns when we have a pair in our own porch. A family heirloom from Brian's uncle!