August 30th, 2017 - Photo 242 of 365

Windsor Great Park

I always love driving through Windsor Great Park, and this morning I stopped off in one of the car parks, alongside the main road, to give Prince a pit stop, which gave me the opportunity to take this picture. Fortunately this was just before the rain came today, although it was a bit more damp and gloomy here than the photo might suggest...

August 29th, 2017 - Photo 241 of 365

Mum & Anna

There can only be one photo today, as it's the first anniversary of losing my wonderful Mum. This is how I remember her, in a photo that I took in September 2014 when we were celebrating Anna's 9th birthday. My niece, and of course Mum's granddaughter, who gave such joy to Mum in her twilight years. A year on, and I still can't really put into words how I feel. Perhaps it's just a deep sadness within me, and I need add nothing more than that. Photos like this are a great reminder of the very many happy memories that greatly outweigh those final few sad months when Mum's health deteriorated, but even during those difficult times Mum's courageous, and dignified attitude was pretty special. She left a few words written down for me, Noel and Ali. Writing anything towards the end was almost impossible for her to do, but she simply said, "Look after each other." I find those four words quite precious, and hold onto them. I also like to think we are doing as she wished. I am sure Mum will have her glass of wine later, and Dad will have a pint of bitter, so raise your glasses... xx

August 28th, 2017 - Photo 240 of 365

Shower Time

Prince had his first shower in ages today. On such a hot day it was done outside, with a rather nice coconut shampoo, jugs of lukewarm water, and not forgetting the good old garden hose. I wasn't sure how he was going to be with all the water, and thought he might go a little nuts! I have to say he was a very good boy, and he is now sparking clean, and smells delicious! 😁

August 27th, 2017 - Photo 239 of 365

Whiteknights Lake

I was up early this morning, and took Prince on a lovely walk round Whiteknights Lake, which is now part of Reading University. It's only a short distance from my house, but we don't venture out in that direction too often, and then of course you wonder why when you are greeted with sights like this.

August 26th, 2017 - Photo 238 of 365

Dog's Dinner

Always a good sight to see Prince enjoying his dinner. He has put on a couple of kilos in the last few months, and he is looking so much better. Like all of us he was probably worried about Storm for so long, and just wasn't eating enough. He is still a fussy bugger, so his diet is cooked mince each day!

August 25th, 2017 - Photo 237 of 365

On The Mantelpiece

A bit of family photo action on the mantelpiece at home 💓x It's interesting as I need an up to date photo of my sister and her clan, and I have a lovely photo of Storm and Prince that needs to be put in a frame 😊 Oh and that's me in the mirror taking the photo!

August 24th, 2017 - Photo 236 of 365

Lunchtime at Work

I am very lucky to work in a beautiful spot between Marlow and Henley. When I take Prince out for a walk most lunchtimes, I am always aware of just how peaceful and beautiful the surroundings are. This is a lovely cut through from the farm fields into Medmenham, and just so colourful at this time of the year after a rather wet month.

August 23rd, 2017 - Photo 235 of 365

Blue!

Quite a brave statement me thinks. I am not sure if I would be brave enough to have my house painted this colour... I can't decide if I like it or if it's just wrong! 😆

August 22nd, 2017 - Photo 234 of 365

The Sun Inn, Henley

This was the site of The Sun Inn pub at Northfield End in Henley, which sadly closed some years ago. This pub was once run by my grandparents, and more importantly was where my Mum was born on this day in 1936. Two years later, in 1938, the family moved to The Coach and Horses public house in Maidenhead, now known as The Shire Horse. Mum lived there until she and Dad moved into the house in Altwood Road in 1963, where they would very many happy years for the rest of their lives. So today is a day of remembering Mum, on what would have been her 81st birthday, and I am sure she will be enjoying a glass of wine later with the old man x 

August 21st, 2017 - Photo 233 of 365

Nettlebed Brick Kiln

Motorists driving through Nettlebed just outside Henley might wonder what this weird shaped building is, which is set back a little from the main road. I had a look some time ago when I stopped with the dogs, and was interested to discover that it is in fact a brick kiln. Apparently it is the only bottle shaped kiln left in the country after being restored in the 1970s having going into disrepair once it ceased operation in 1938. It dates back to the late 17th or early 18th century, so it's made a few bricks! 😊

August 20th, 2017 - Photo 232 of 365

In The Zone

Prince especially enjoys his weekends, as he gets plenty of garden time surrounded by his favourite people 💖

August 19th, 2017 - Photo 231 of 365

Newly Framed Artwork

The picture frame arrived on Friday, so I've now got the record sleeve artwork of 'Town Called Malice' by The Jam on display in my living room, and it's looking rather good...

August 18th, 2017 - Photo 230 of 365

High Wycombe

Over the last 33 years of my working life, I have no idea how many hundreds, if not, thousands of time that I have driven down the steeply inclined and windy roads in High Wycombe. It's a place that has played a big part in the business. :Perhaps initially more in terms of suppliers, but these days it has completely switched around to being customer based. I often see potential photographic opportunities driving around the town, so I thought it was about time to take one...

August 17th, 2017 - Photo 229 of 365

Disneyesque View

As soon as me and Lauren saw this view in London on our bowel cancer book meet, we both agreed it look like something from Disneyland. It is in fact the view from Buckingham Palace along St Jame's Park Lake towards Horseguards. This is one of those views you really have to see with the naked eye. So if you are ever outside Buckingham Palace go and look at this stunning view...

August 16th, 2017 - Photo 228 of 365

Buckingham Palace

The Royal Standard was not flying over Buckingham Palace tonight, so I presume that no-one was home... Photos can never do justice to a place like this, and it's just absolutely awesome. Until recently I hadn't been here for many years, but I have now been twice in a matter of weeks. It's not the best photo of it, but I was here on bowel cancer book photo business tonight 😊

August 15th, 2017 - Photo 227 of 365

Reading Material

I am really enjoying reading Substance by Peter Hook, which is his autobiography of the New Order years. I think it must be one of the longest books I have read in a long time, and I am not one of the world's fastest readers, as I definitely go through fits and starts 😊

August 14th, 2017 - Photo 226 of 365

The Lake

Sometimes I get to drive to some pretty impressive scenic locations. Shottesbrooke Park was looking absolutely amazing today, and of course Prince was very happy to stretch his legs here too! 😊 I did post a photograph taken here earlier in the year, but today on a perfect summer's day it was well worth doing a second photo.

August 13th, 2017 - Photo 225 of 365

Dusty Springfield's Grave

It wasn't until I began walking the dogs around Henley before work, that I became aware of Dusty Springfield's grave being in the town. It's very understated, which is no bad thing, and I always see flowers on it when I walk past, so she is certainly not forgotten. In the churchyard, as far as I can tell, this is the only grave of recent times. The other graves seem to be from the 1800s and earlier. 

August 12th, 2017 - Photo 224 of 365

The Jam

I still have my original copy of 'Town Called Malice' by The Jam, which top the singles chart in 1982 just as I was turning 16 years old. But this isn't that copy, as this is a piece of art I have just bought. Created by Morgan Howell of Supersizeart, these limited edition prints are reproduced from his original paintings of classic singles. I am waiting for the frame I've ordered to arrive, and then it can be seen in its full glory.

August 11th, 2017 - Photo 223 of 365

New Employee

Today I had a lunchtime visit from my sister and niece, so I thought I would get young Anna to do a little work for me on the forklift truck! I think she is a better driver than me 😁

August 10th, 2017 - Photo 222 of 365

Pub Signs

The pub close to work, The Dog & Badger, has undergone a major very expensive renovation in recent years. We must be talking hundreds of thousands of pounds... It's now quite upmarket, and many a fine car can be seen in its car park. It's a bit too pricey for me, not that I drink before, during, or even after work these days 😊 In fact it's more a restaurant than a boozer. The pub has retained its name, which isn't always the case these days, and I like that. However I am nore so sure about the pub sign... I have to admit that I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to pub signs, and just love the classic old style painted sign. The rather modern looking sign on display here doesn't really do it for me, almost verging on the tacky, but what do I know of course 😆

August 9th, 2017 - Photo 221 of 365

Meeting the Duke of Edinburgh

This photo was taken back in 1978 when a 12 year old me was presented with a cup final losers medal by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I was playing for Maidenhead Town Youth Under 12s against Chalvey at Stag Meadow, the home ground of Windsor & Eton FC. It was a wet and miserable evening, and unfortunately we were well beaten on the night, 3-0 I think. I didn't have one of my better games, and played just the first half coming off at half time. However, I enjoyed six happy seasons playing for the club. In my 51 years this has been the only occasion when I have met any member of the Royal Family, and I suspect it is highly unlikely to happen again. Look how filthy my hands were! 😊

There are always questions you want to ask your parents when they are no longer here. I know Dad got this photo blown up, which is this copy I now have at home, but I can't remember if he took the photo as well. I think he might have done, especially as half of the Duke's head is missing. The folks were always quite expert at doing this when taking photos! 😆

August 8th, 2017 - Photo 220 of 365

Low Cloud

The road signs give away the location of today's photo. It was not exactly a fine summer's day. The clouds were low, and rain was in the air. In fact the clouds were struggling to rise above the Chilterns. Anyone fancy watching KT Tunstall?

August 7th, 2017 - Photo 219 of 365

Sweetcorn

You can't fail to notice the farm fields full of sweetcorn at the moment, and this photo was taken while dog walking after work. I have fond memories of Mum and sweetcorn. She carried on with Dad'd vegetable patch after he died, and the first year she had a bumper sweetcorn crop. However, thereafter was a complete disaster year after year, and no matter what she tried the crop always failed. She got ever so frustrated by it 😊 If I ever get a property where I can grow vegetables I will have a crack at sweetcorn for sure. Happy memories 😆

August 6th, 2017 - Photo 218 of 365

Grass Coming Through

I was really pleased to see the first signs of the grass coming through on my parent's grave today. I reseeded it last weekend, and I've been watering it every other day, and letting mother nature do her own bit with the rain. It's looking really good and I reckon this time next week it will have a complete covering. So fingers crossed come the anniversary of Mum passing at the end of the month, it will be looking A1 😊

August 5th, 2017 - Photo 217 of 365

The Big Hug

I spent a really nice couple of hours today at Kensington Gardens in London with some very special people. The Big Hug was organised by Dafydd Wyn Farr-Jones in memory of two amazing people Anne Carlin and Ben Ashworth, both sadly lost to bowel cancer. In the photo Dafydd has just received his Beating Bowel Cancer heart from the charity's interim CEO, Judith Brodie. In the deckchair is Matthew Wright, who got up to reveal that he has become an Ambassador for Beating Bowel Cancer, which is fantastic news. It was so nice meeting so many people, including Daf, who I have known for a  number of years on social media, and reacquainting with others who I've already met on my fundraising journey.

August 4th, 2017 - Photo 216 of 365

Big Barrel

A slightly unusual sight on my travels was this old wine vat, which was huge! Great way to show it off in terms of scale. It reminded me of my Mum's dad, who used to home brew, and even as a tiny child I was allowed a sip of the delicious apple wine he made. Must try and buy some from somewhere. He was well versed in this field having been a landlord of pubs for most of his working life.

August 3rd, 2017 - Photo 215 of 365

Dead Tree

I have no idea how long this tree has been dead. It is on the B482 between Lane End and Stokenchurch, which I frequently use on my way to the M40. I presume that under normal circumstances it would be cut down due to safety issues, but perhaps it is no danger where it currently is. It makes for an impressive sight, especially in the summer when there is so much colour around.

August 2nd, 2017 - Photo 214 of 365

Orchid

My orchid doesn't flower very often, once a year if I am lucky. It once went about three years without flowering! The good news is that it's in bloom again and looking good. I haven't got many plants indoors, but I'm tempted to get another orchid. I think they look stunning and Mum loved them. I was once fortunate to see them growing in the wild when I went to Singapore...

August 1st, 2017 - Photo 213 of 365

Churches & Willy Wonka!

A very random post today. Whenever I go past the Christ Church going in to Henley from Reading, I am always reminded of Willy Wonka! The glass elevator scene in particular. I am not sure if it's the cone, or because of the windows. I'll keep quiet now 😊