The swing

Up....

Down.....

Whoops!

Duck

.

Funky duck.....Southend Park

Village in the Pennines

One of the villages along the Pennine Way near Saddleworth Moor -

which we stopped at on the way home.

Whit Friday Marches 2010 - A fantastic experience!!

Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday 

From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The 2010 prize fund is over £36,000.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. 

This is a MAJORevent in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas. 

Contests typically start at about 4.30pm. Bands play two pieces (marches), one on the march and then their well-rehearsed show-piece on whatever passes for a rostrum. Each performance is scored 'blind' by an adjudicator, hidden in some adjacent darkened room or caravan. Each contest offers prizes for the best band, best youth band, best soloists etc. At one of the busier venues, you could expect to hear over 50 bands, before the winners are announced shortly after close (11.30pm, though the most popular contests can go on well into the early hours).

It is possible to look in at several contests during the evening. But with over 200 bus-loads of bandsmen about, with many of the roads closed to traffic and the inevitable parking problems, it pays not to be over-ambitious.

Barbecue King!

After Tim's trip last year, he tries to recreate that Ozzy feel.......in a Kentish garden!!! 

Nice sausages ! xx

Little Yellow Bird

What a surprise for us when we opened the front  door!

This little bird was so so tiny - the only way to show this was to take a quick photo with it next to the car tyre....it was minute!

Blue tit?

Birthday Boquet

.....one of four boquets of flowers received from friends and family for my birthday!

Thank you all for spoiling me - I had a lovely day x

Jump!

Hartley just loves bubbles!  

Tiny shadow of one huge great hairy dog!

Flip Flops

Hottest day of the year  today  80 degrees +   

Flip flops had their first outing from the wardrobe as we chilled in the garden -

May this weather continue!!

....another Dandilion!

I love taking photos of these I find them very photogenic 

- thought I would try this little idea of mine out!  Just point the camera towards the sun and snap - after lots of failed attempts, this one turned out okay!

Biology Revision

.....flicking through pages and pages of revision books - biology and maths on Tuesday !

Keep going Milly !

The poppy in the garden

My favourite flower ...well, apart from "bird of paradise"!

This was one of several in my front garden today!

Daisies

 Funky Daisies!

Honey Bee

............Spotted this bumble whilst out walking the dog this morning - 

it was a very quick capture as we were walking along a narrow road but I was pleased how it turned out!

Celebrate!

Dancing the night away at Nick and Olivia's wedding - Congratulations!!!

TOP BRASS

Our band Tilbury winning highest placed 1st Section band at Crawley Entertainments Contest 2010

...and we got a Certificate and "silverware" to prove it!!

Well played everyone!

Bridesmaids and Page Boys

..........at the wedding today of Sam and Danielle - Congratulations !

Trio of Gerberas

.....which will be used in hand ties, table arrangements and the brides bouquet tomorrow...!

Polystyrene

......just some rubbish designated for the bin!

Bluebells

The local woods are full with bluebells at the moment and the aroma is amazing!

Dandilion Clock

.......blowing in the wind!

The Groom.......to be!

Roll on Sat 31st July !!

We are so looking forward to your big day.

The cyclist

FACT :  The yellow jersey was introduced to the Tour de France in 1919

The Cloisters

..at Canterbury Cathedral

Liquorice Allsorts

 

My new "edible" necklace - well, at least it looks edible!

Made by my friend Alison who is just so talented at making jewellery 

Thanks Ali  xx

She's voted!

In this highly technological world full of computers and the like, us Brit's find ourselves attending often pre-war village halls/buildings in order to put a 'pencilled' cross on a piece of paper ?!

....Makes you think doesnt it!

In flight

....just a very lucky capture but I wish it was more in focus!  Next time!!!

Tractor Trail

"Rapeseed" is so picturesque.....fields of gold!

The Zip

.....on Andrea's handbag!

(which was next to me when we stopped at the "boat" to have a drink, prior to the meal!!)

The dancing decorator!

....he was meant to be painting his room but spent most of the morning dancing to the music!

POWERFOOD SALAD

.......spiced roast pumpkin, spinach, beetroot, edamame and green beans, brocolli, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, mixed leaves, cashew nuts and herb dressing.

Colourful and delicious!