LOL!¬ Hilarious
Flopsy I bet those flunkys all wore livery and bellboy hats , and the cockroaches too.

The first time I went to Hong Kong was for a four night stop on my way to Australia. I had got a ticket from a bucket shop - not sure if they have those now but most of the tickets were knock-off or staff tickets sold on the quiet - and I got an incredible bargain, which included an hotel room in HK. I assumed that everything would be cheap like the price so imagine my surprise when I was met at the airport by a chauffeur-driven white Mercedes limousine. I wished Dorothy Parker had been there to see it. And then, just to add to my sense of unreality, my ticket to Australia was upgraded to first class!

Although Bangkok beat it... there I got a personal tour guide as well as a car and chauffeur, lolol.

LOL Flopsy - I think it's the ensuite with jacuzzi and all!!

I am not sure if those bucket shops still exsist, mainly because everything is so computerized now, and it's not so easy to pass on staff tickets. Eventhough I have always worked in the travel industry, I have also picked up those fantastic deals in Asia, but that was many years ago, but they where brilliant!

Pray tell me when the season for flying cockroaches would be? I am phobic about flying insects.

It's been raining till today and only took a few photos I haven't uploaded yet, so meanwhile this where I parked to take a few photos around Brent Cross last time

Don't worry Sue, they like the hot weather. Christmas is cold.

A small broken mirror.

Szabs "Gees - Beautiful beach, but I am a bit confused with your statement " A day at the seaside is something that is not done anymore", living on the seaside myself, I find it hard to believe, because our beaches are always crowded."
Part of the reason is people now holiday in places like Spain where warm weather is certain, the north-east coast of England can be very cold even in summer,and the North Sea could never be called warm.
It is probably a sign of the times that you do not see many groups of children playing on the beach .I grew up from the age of 8 living less than 100 yards from the beach and we played on the beach summer and winter, in the summer on warm days we would be there from 9 in the morning till 6 or 7 in the evening. I do not suppose many parents would allow that, and the 11+ age group are too grown-up for such childish things

From Wallsend Hall Grounds

My Rose of Sharon is blooming.

Martin, that bed bug picture was hilarious. I had to show everyone at home!

View from the helicopter on the way to Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau

Partial view of Malaga city and port

Fans of the [allegedly] popular BBC soap 'Eastenders might recognise this scene on
which it is based. (Well SOMEONE must watch it, mustn't they?) It's the Queen Vic
pub with models of couple of the regular characters stood outside. (And out-acting
them as well IMHO.)



Sharp-eyed viewers might spot the TARDIS in the top left hand corner. Don't ask me
why it's there, it just was.
Incidentally, the picture is a little out of focus due to being behind glass, an
excuse I can't use every time.

There was a time when I watche "EastEnders" religiously, Martin, but I got over it I'm pretty sure I recognize those two in front of the Vic though!

A pair of these little birds were telling me off this afternoon, because I brought Precious too close to their tree. I put her in the house and returned with my camera.

The season is more advanced here in France than back home, and blackberries which to me are a fruit to pick in September, are already in full glory in the hedges and laneways near where I live. I had planned on collecting some today to make jam, only to discover on rising that it's pelting rain. I guess I'll have to wait for another fine day:

Here's my son showing off his booty, collected yesterday while walking the dog, complete with blackberry stained fingers and shorts (though you can't see them in the photo):

I got my first blackberries from the garden yesterday as well, and did expect it later. They arrived in Devon in early august but usually a bit later in London.

This is the view across Kingston from Richmond Park

My second grandson was born yesterday, and I am slowly coming back to earth!




The Williamstown Town Hall is undergoing an extensive and much- needed refurbishment.
Victoria experienced an amalgamation of councils several years ago, so the more modern Civic Centre of neighbouring Altona became the administrative centre of the new municipality (Hobson's Bay).
The lofty section at the back is the ballroom.
Mixed memories there - my first School Ball where I spent all night hoping my stockings wouldn't fall down. Several very boring school annual "Speech Nights".
Moving ahead many years, it was the location of my daughter's and son-in-law's wedding reception. We had hired a smaller room at the back, but because there was no prior booking for the ballroom, the administrator used her discretion and upgraded us at no extra charge.(I was a low-ranking Council employee at the time).
The decaying grandeur impressed the new in-laws, most of whom come from the leafy Eastern suburbs where we westies are frowned upon!

Congratulations on the grandson Auntie

Swan Hunters Shipyard Wallsend on Tyne. This was where the aircraft carrier Ark Royal was built.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/aircraft-carriers/hms-ark-royal/



No longer a ship-building yard now just a drilling rig repair yard

What an event Auntie! Congratulations!

My father's pocket watch.

The Gateway to Chinatown in Newcastle

Congratulations auntie, maybe you need to be granny now?

Waterperry house and teashop just outside Oxford

Thanks for the congratulations and to Satguru for the suggestion of a name change.
For years I've been "Auntie" to a niece and nephews and now to their progeny.
Then I was dubbed "Auntie" when I was the oldest competitor at weekly pub Trivia.
"Auntie" is a term of respect given to female elders by indigenous Australians, and my team-mates of Indian Gang tell me their culture does the same. I just love my username!



This depression in the ground was once a lily pond in Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Eventually it developed leaks and was put on a master plan for refurbishment. A prolonged drought and resulting water restrictions have brought it to this state.
I'm hoping I'll be able to take my grandsons to have picnics and watch the goldfish as I did as a kid.

Congratulations from me too Auntie.

Another photo from the Babbacombe model village, this one a working waterwheel (although I
rather suspect it was driven by a motor.) The attention to detail is very good throughout the
whole place.

A pretty little butterfly.

It's a good thing I mentioned it as I didn't know that auntie, not the term of respect bit anyway. I could do with a new name people actually understood but once you've entered it the first time it's too late.

This is Beacon Hill in Lewknor on the way to Oxford.