Dispersal

I think I'm going to be spending a bit of time looking in my lifes rear-view mirror. There are some major changes coming, friends and family are dispersing around the world (well Birmingham is classed as somewhere in the world!) and the changes are making me think back to my own dispersal "period", (way back when I wasn't settled!!). With the wonderful rose- tinted glasses of hindsight, I remember the adventures fondly, the exploration of the new place I had chosen to live. You know you're not a newcomer anymore when you know all the shortcuts to places and the opening hours of the local library but those tinted glasses do not completely hide the feeling of being the new kid in town. Walking unfamiliar streets, seeing unfamiliar faces, is lonely and for a long time thats how it is. But eventually there you are, in a place you see as home when you are away from it. I've adventured in my own way but I'm home right now and I think I'll stay in tonight!

Summer Holiday

Beers
Originally uploaded by Mrsmission4

My summer break is tantalisingly close and the weather seems to be on the up (maybe...hopefully...pleeeeeese).

The other side of the planet

Originally uploaded by john white photos
Thinking alot about Australia these days....the time is drawing ever closer until a portion of our crew head off down under. But although they're going to be so missed, a big part of me wants them to go... they are the trail blazers, they are readying the New World for our arrival in 2010!

The Universe

The pond at school is one of my favourite places. Over the past 10yrs we have seen it develop its own ecosystem and the variety of life to be seen in and around the area is completely amazing. Bound on all sides by high walls, nesting robins and blackbirds in the hedges around,enjoy freedom from predators such as cats and foxes.Dragonfly nymphs hatch in the stems of Iris and dry their wings in the sun. Frogs spawn in the spring and July brings hundreds of tiny frogs hopping around the oxeye daisies and day-glo orange Crocosmia, providing easy food for the heron that drops in occasionally.The micro life that lives in the water is numerous and varied. On the ground around are spiders,ants,butterflies,bees ...the list just keeps on going.After years of sitting quietly beside it, sharing its secrets with the children or just passing by every day, I am now tuned to its rhythm and feel pleasure every time I see it. My own little private universe.

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty." - John Ruskin

Hoover Building @Night

Hoover Building
Originally uploaded by DaveWilliams

Hoover Building

Hoover Building
Originally uploaded by Mrsmission4

Having lived just down the road from this great art deco building, I thought it was about time I got up close! The light was wrong so they were not a great set of pics but I do plan to go back at a better time of day and also would love to do a night shot as the place looks amazing lit up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Building

My First Year In Flickr

My First Year In Flickr
Originally uploaded by Mashael Al-Shuwayer (( Female )) AWAY

My feelings exactly!!

Burning Bright?

Went on a school trip to London Zoo yesterday. I won't linger on the shabbiness and general state of the place.

I was most touched by the sight of a magnificant tiger normally found

with a territory of 20km² if female or 60–100 km² if male, pacing around its small enclosure, shaking its head from side to side. Occasionally it would 'attack' the spectators gathered excitedly against the glass. The sight was pitiful and I could see the poor creature was practically bored to insanity. We don't need zoos anymore, at least not in this form and London Zoo knows this. Thankfully the majority of the larger animals have been re-homed at Whipsnade and hopefully the poor tiger will be joining them soon. Captive breeding programs are essential ,I know for the continuation of critically edangered species, but the days of it being a spectator sport are coming to an end.

A Mighty Battle or Only a Game?

Yesterday's Wimbledon mens singles final has to go down as one of the best finals EVER! Four hours and forty eight minutes of sheer unadulterated pleasure....ish.It was also a  heart-attack inducing, tension filled afternoon and evening, culminating in tears of joy for the valiant conqueror and immense disappointment for the loser. I'm a bit of a fair-weather (excuse the pun!) tennis fan.....actually I only watch Wimbledon (thanks Mum) but so what. Yesterday was a sublime example of how wonderful sporting excellence can be.

Monopoly London

Quicker than you can say "Go to jail", here's the Yellows complete. Coventry Street is present and correct with Covent Garden returned to its performance artists.