Splash!

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I offer this shot not for its quality but because it reflects the “summer” we are having in England this year! The conclusion to one of my very favourite plays seems a fitting quote. Obviously written by an Englishman. 😉

When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came to man’s estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
‘Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day.

But when I came unto my beds,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
For the rain it raineth every day.

A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that’s all one, our play is done,
And we’ll strive to please you every day.

William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, V.i

Beachy Head Lighthouse

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This is Beachy Head Lighthouse, East Sussex. I took this shot on a blustery day in May 2010, as scudding clouds created shadow patterns over the shallow water at the base of the chalk cliffs the lighthouse guards. The lighthouse was built in 1902, warning ships of the cliffs with a light at night and its bright stripes by day. In September, Trinity House announced that it could no longer justify the cost of painting the lighthouse, modern navigational aids making this precaution redundant. Needless to say, many people are reluctant to see the lighthouse fade to grey and a campaign has been running ever since to raise the funds to keep this iconic lighthouse beautiful.

Little figure, big world

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Camber Sands, East Sussex, England

A quick post today to thank two fellow bloggers for nominating me for awards. Thank you, Ann Jasmine at Not Yet Grounded and Rob at In My View for the nominations. I have decided not to participate in blog awards, being averse to anything resembling chain letters. It is reward enough for me that anyone reads my blog. I will, however, take the opportunity to mention some of the lovely blogs I have discovered during my first two months here on WordPress.

Visit The Goat that Wrote for amusing, well-written and well-illustrated tales with a globe trotting and hiking theme.

Tricia A. Mitchell has lived and/or travelled in some of the most fascinating places and she shares her experiences with an unflagging appreciation for all she encounters.

Modern Memory Keeping is a blog about photography packed full of inspiration, tips and beautiful images.

You can’t beat Helen’s Photomania Blog for sheer enthusiasm. I admire the way Helen explores her subjects from every angle, something I could do with learning from her.

Speaking of enthusiasm, Dust Tracks on the Web simply exudes the stuff. Janson generously shares his love of flora and fauna with super images and intelligent and informative text.

Enjoy!

Damselfly embrace

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A male damselfly holds onto the female after mating to prevent other males from inseminating her. Taken in my garden this week.

Dimply damsel, sweetly smiling,
All caressing, none beguiling,
Bud of beauty, fairly blowing,
Every charm to nature owing.

Ambrose Philips, ‘To Miss Margaret Pultenay’ (1727)