I know it was disappointing to see critism of what was meant to be a nice gesture but please get the thoughts of not posting any more out of your head, Howie!

It wasn't a competition it was just meant to be a bit of fun. I think some people took it that you would need wonderfully technical photos but I think the pics that made the short list were chosen becuase of "interest" factor and not technical brilliance. I enjoy every single photo that is posted here. From the beautiful photos that could be in exhibits to the slightly blurry photos of a beloved dog. They all have merit and I hope everyone will continue to share with us their little slice of the world.

Please don't leave Howie. I was going to for the opposite reason, but have come to my senses.

Can we please just get back to posting photos? My stomach is churning again.
(Before we do, though, please don't say it wasn't a competition. There was voting and a winner; that is a competition.)

Okay, Liz. It was a competition.

Sigh. I actually thought it was pretty cool that people who don't normally "live" here selected a bunch of photos that interested them, because it provided an entirely different perspective on things and we could have another look and get to see what those folks admired about them. Had it not gone further than that, I wouldn't have had a thing to disagree with lol.

I apologise to anyone I "upset" with my message (I removed/replaced the original yesterday). In any case, I'm only one voice. But I must say that even if there was a contest every week, it doesn't mean I would pack up my camera bag : )

Howie, you're obviously a much better person than I am and I respect your opinion. You're funny, charming and interesting - and your pictures reflect that. It would be a shame if we all couldn't go on celebrating them!

Anyway, speaking of celebrations, I hope whichever holiday is applicable this month for each of you around the world is a fun one and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2013.

Lovely pic.

Another kangaroo
This one, though, was rescued by our neighbours and we get to look after her for a few days.


here she is getting fed http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab261/copagostation/DSC00581800x600.jpg

Oh Jill , what a little sweetie!Those eyes are incredible!
Jakeroo, thanks for your wishes! That's a beautiful thingie.

With all our bad weather I havn't had much change to get the camera out lately, so havn't posted much this month. I would however like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate. May your God go with you.

I have been caught in rain many times now and besides raindrops and wet lenses ploughed on as I was already there and found as long as you use a cloth and ignore the spots in the air you can still get something usable, but the short days have almost but not totally finished me off. I was heading for Crayford today (it happens), but although there were no schools traffic there was Christmas shopping traffic, and stopped in Sidcup after almost 2 hours and called it a day, having a good number of material already. This was about the last in Bickley and shows what is possible with a reasonable size camera and a steady hand or tripod.

David: you're a patient soul! When I first glanced at that pic, it looked sort of like a ship (yes I know I'm weird). I gather it's a sign that shows a map of the neighbourhood?

Ren: the "thingie" is supposed to be an angel blowing a trumpet. She's weighed down with snow (Mother Nature can stop now - we have our white Christmas and then some, thanks lol) so her details are obscured. And sadly, she's had two terrible accidents involving wind during two "blizzards" (one of which she ended up over the fence on the right and into the neighbour's yard!). So parts of her are quite bent out of shape. Somehow that seems fitting for this time of year lol.

Jill: awwwwwwww on both pics. Did she lose her mum?

I guess I am weird, too. I thought it was a ship, too.

Ozzz: "Rut-roh" (in my best scooby doo voice) lol

Okay, I was feeling sorry for Alex and ClaraSue not being able to connect directly during the holiday season, so I'm performing a match.com manoeuvre lol...

The tugs giving the "Anking" a helping hand on approach to the Port of Timaru.

And how glad I am to see them, Howie.



PS. Do you think it's too late to ask Santa for that baby kangaroo?

We have a White Christmas! This was taken just a few minutes ago, out my front window



The baby kangaroo is lovely!



[edited to post photo correctly...]

That sign is a piece of modern art, to go with the designs of the houses which were around the late 60s, and is indeed a map of the estate.

I have solved the focus problem more or less, when I was out today and couldn't get it to focus at all I thought I'd try the computerised exposure, which I'd never used till now as it uses the full pixels and produces massive files (excuse me missus), but there was no alternative and when I did the screen sprang into life. Now I can get round that issue it will double the photos I can take during the winter dark afternoons. This is a modern house in Hersham.

Is your house like that too, Liz? It is absolutely the sweetest and I want to come and see it!

That's lovely Liz, so pretty, and gorgeous looking little houses.

Love the snow! Lovely Liz.

I'm not sure of the back story of the roo but I would say that her Mum must have died.
Here is a first for me! A cat. She is one of the neighbour's cats who thought she'd pose for me.

and very pretty too!Almost as much a poser as Precious!

Such a pretty kitty! (Don't tell Precious I said that, though!) My house is not quite the same, but all the ones on the opposite side of the street are. I'll try to get a pic of mine tomorrow during the day to post.

A absolutely beautiful present sent to me by one of my many "virtual" friends. A little bit of America to go on my tree
(it's to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the postal service)

Lucky you Jane!!

Here's some "reindeerbeer" that someone "dressed up" as a gift for my sister in law:

It's Christmas (it was that day) in Hersham

An echidna pretending that I wasn't there.
They are quite shy and you don't see these too often. Probably been a four or five years since I've seen one.

It looks a bit like a hedgehog.

Jill, I am so jealous of your life. You see so much interesting things.

I haven't taken that pic of my house yet, but Precious wanted me to show you one of her Christmas toys in any case

by the looks of her right eye they're spiked with catnip lol And please don't tell me those are "three blind mice". That would hardly be "sporting" (giggles)~~~

OK, I won't tell you...

Ha! I love the Reindeerbeer. That's a neat gift that I'm going to have to copy.

The Holiday table.