Category Archives: Pictures

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A frosty November Rose

Time to revisit my November Rose, as it presented a new photo opportunity this morning. The last few days have been very cold and sunny, yesterday morning I used the opportunity for my longest walk yet: Over three miles in beautiful sunshine walking back from my GP appointment/review (taxi is ridiculously expensive as mentioned earlier). While I must admit some of the inclines were rather tough the flat parts and certainly the downhill sections were beautiful (especially as they were south facing in the sunshine). Quite motivating after some not so good days before (more about that some other time). When I arrived home at lunchtime the Rose was bathed in beautiful winter sunshine, so I took a few pictures. However, they didn’t turn out too different to the ones I already had, so I didn’t do anything with them. Good thing I didn’t, as this morning after a very cold night for here (-6°C, we don’t get that often in West Berkshire) ice crystals had settled on the Rose, giving me some nice views:

(click on the pictures for larger versions, including a bonus picture of a view over the canal)

Dark helicopter passing in the gloaming

Spotted flying over Aldermaston Wharf:

Dodgy animated gif of a helicopter with flashing lights passing in the evening sky
Helicopter at night

(And yes, I’ve seen better animated gifs as well. My skills are a bit rusty and were never that good anyway)

A November Rose

A bit of an unexpected nice surprise during my recovery from heart surgery. I’m not entirely sure when I first noticed them, it was either just before I left for the hospital or the day I returned from the hospital with my sister. Anyway, back then the flowers were still closed and considering it was the start or even middle of October I didn’t really expect them to flower. Especially after a few night frosts in late October and early November I thought they would fade away. But they didn’t:

In mid November three of the five rose buds opened and started to flower, a nice view especially on the often grey and dull days. Cheered me up when I had a bad day during my recovery. Today is a nice and sunny day, so I thought I try to take a few pictures of them to share the joy.

First canal walk after heart surgery

Following recent heart surgery (more about that some other time) I returned home from hospital on Saturday. To aid with my recovery I was told to walk regularly aiming for at least 1000 m per day during the first week. Living right at the Kennet and Avon Canal walking along the towpath was the obvious option. Today my sister and I walked from my flat near lock number 95, Aldermaston Lock, to lock number 96, Padworth Middle Lock, a distance of approximately 630 m one way. At the lock my sister was so kind to take a few pictures of me:

It was a very nice walk which I managed to complete without any major problems. On the way back we stopped at the very nice Aldermaston tea rooms for a cup of tea and some triple chocolate muffins.

Teenage Fanclub – I’m In Love (2nd video)

Great music and beautiful scenery: