Auntie, I'd say those ducks were Mallards, either young ducks who haven't got their full plumage yet or they're just coming out of moult. The one on the left is definitely male - the feathers on his tail, just above the rump are curled - if you see that, it's a male. Mallard drakes don't look glossy all year round, that's their breeding plumage. Ducks are usually friendly to humans - humans often have bread. In the UK you only have to stand on the edge of a river or lake and the ducks will come running (or paddling) - ducks are ever hopeful of a good and easy feed. Ducks will actually stand on your feet to get closer to the bag of bread - they're wild but lazy.

A perfect example of why Kent is my favourite county (weather optional). I'd forgotten the Churchill connection, I always thought of him at Woodstock near where I lived for a short time. Glad you reminded me Christina.

Some painted prows.



I've removed any boat numbers to protect anyone who was illegally moored.

Wow, what beautiful colors!

It's a tradition for English narrowboats (as our canal boats are called because they are, well, narrow) to be quite heavily decorated - the side panels, the doors, the stern...the whole boat will have decorations, usually roses or castles but sometimes rural scenes or geometric shapes. In addition the boat's fixtures and fittings will be decorated - pots, pans, cupboard doors... all in bright colours and a lot of it in enamel.

All the colour makes for a great scene. Top pic!

Jess out and about with me this morning.

Aww, gorgeous

Flopsy, some of the early examples of the painted tea pots etc. (bargeware) are highly collectible and fetch quite high prices now.

I took this picture on 12th September 1978 just after being posted to the city of Osnabruck in West Germany (as it was back then). It must be one of the most distinctive landmarks in the region.

"Marienkirche, Osnabruck"

"Jess out and about with me this morning."

Gorgeous photo, Copago! I wish I could get one like that of my dog but he couldn't sit still if his life depended on it. On the rare occasion I have managed to photograph him, I've always managed to get "golden orbs" where his eyes are! I've sneaked up on him while he's been sleeping and tried to get candid shots but haven't been successful. Anyone got any tips?

Crouch down in front of said dog and position a small piece of cheese on top of your head... That works with Jasper every time!

The British Canal system developed as a result of the need to move large quantities of products across the country, from the new manufacturing areas created by the Industrial Revolution to markets both within Britain and via seaports to the country's growing empire. If you want to load cargo on to a narrowboat and get it off again, you need lifting gear. Here's an example at Braunston:

it was a bit of a fluke lol I'll post one of the out-takes. I often complain that my son blinks in half the photos that I take of him ... my dog is taking his lead. haha I've even had Mr Potato Head blink in a pic at Disneyland .. that one may have been bad timing on my behalf!!

You are joking! If Gnawra saw that, I'd be flat on my back in no time!

Wouldn't work with Star either. I'd be lucky to have any hair left. I usually wave a squeaky toy around to make her look at me for photos.

I haven't done a footpath for a while, this is in Buckland, Surrey

Precious was sleeping in the sunshine, so I didn't expect her to open her eyes. The cheese trick wouldn't work with her, either, I'd get a photo of her belly!

Almost everything that goes on to a narrowboat is painted. Here are two water cans... chained on to the boat and held down with a broom which is also painted.

A little jacket and hat I knitted for my newest grandson. Wish he could have modelled it for you, but rules are rules.

Memories of a misspent youth.

Love this dingo's neatly crossed paws!

He's beautiful, MG! What's his story?

See, even Mr potato Head blinks in my photos ...

More of the North Downs in Brasted

This is a replica of a 19th C. room, featuring woodwork by Thomas Day, a freed slave.
The exhibit is in the NC Museum of History, Raleigh.

A very traditional door on a narrowboat with a fantasy castle and roses. There are two doors, one either side of the entrance (this time on the side of the boat); on any narrowboat the paintings on the right-hand door will always be a mirror image of the paintings on the left.

This is from my vacation to Florida. My mom lives in Crystal River, and I rode my bike down the road to the beach. This is the Gulf of Mexico.