Black SAABath has some new fans...

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Trouble is the little darlings are now concerned that I am poor - as I have such an old car...

Winchester Cathedral

My first visit in 40 years... and they still have not got the organ working properly...
  

I did remember the story of the "Winchester Diver" (William Walker) - the pool in the picture is natural spring water flowing at its natural level through the lower levels of the cathedral (it's a Gormley)

Eyjafjallajoekull

Lots of folks were stranded by ash from Eyjafjallajoekull - the company sent a bus out from the UK to bring us home...

I checked the proposed timings with my Polish taxi driver - and decided to risk a dash to the airport instead...  there was a gap in the clouds and we were away!

Remembrance

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I have walked past this 100 times - and never thought you could go in - sort of assumed it was locked up except for civic functions.  This time the door was ajar...

A look at the records book tells the story...

4 entries cover 1951 to 1999 (Suez, Malaya, Korean War, Cyprus, Falklands, Northern Ireland, Gulf War 1, Gulf War 2 and so on)

While there are 9 for 2007-2009 - which is pretty much just Afghanistan

Local school children have left messages...

....

Easter Monday in Sussex (Uppark and Pagham)

At least it is a CADBURY Kraft-bury egg!

Stones, Slipper limpets and Some waves are bigger than others - Pagham Beach

Peace and Quiet (and a bag of crisps - in fact I think it is mostly the crisps)

A visit to the Aldershot Crematorium

Mum's ashes are somewhere here - approximately that is - the crematorium's marking scheme is not very effective.

Magnolia Cambellii - what an improbable tree

Magnolia campbellii at Winkworth. 

Out of "My Little Pony" crossed with the Barbie Aisle at Toys-R-Us

Poland and the Pedestrian Crossing

In Poland there are many pedestrian crossings.

These are normally placed at road junctions and blind corners and other places where it would normally not be safe for a pedestrian to attempt crossing the road.

The pedestrian crossings are marked with black and white stripes on the road.

What does this mean for car drivers?

It means that there are black and white stripes on the road.

Will cars stop for pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing?

Certainly - but only if the car breaks down while on the crossing

What is the recommended method for using a pedestrian crossing?

Walk about 50m further down the street - this will give you an extra 2.25 seconds of sight and reaction time (assuming typical speeds of "speed limit + 50% in towns and cities)

Will drivers slow down or attempt to miss pedestrians in the process of crossing a side road or entrance to a car park or garage?

Certainly in specially designated "urban living zones".

At all other times the driver has right of way - the driver will not slow down nor try to avoid the pedestrian (I have had this officially and three near misses in three days proves it)

Will colleagues turning into company car park slow down or give way to runners crossing the entrance to the car park?

Certainly not - though when you hit the back of their car as they sweep past you - then they will stop - but only to check for damage

What is the personal advice from the health and safety officer?

Do not run in Poland.  Certainly do not run near any road.  Do not walk to lunch - take you car like everybody else (it is 600m)

 A lucky escape!

Lowest point of the year (physically if not emotionally)

 

Useful sign - we still had a long way down to drive

This nice man sold me some lovely flatbread - my hotel was so overpriced I decided that it would be sandwiches

Australian couple - "Take a photo and email it please" - the gent is an artist, here is his impression...

read about it at Ashleigh Manley 365

Time for me... (officially [dead] sea level is -422m)

That is Israel on the other side - will have to wait until my passport is about to expire

Wadi Rum (blame that film by David Lean)

Lets off road!

Time for tea

 

All peaceful now...

(from the movie)

(and today)

Desert camping 2010 style - if I had known I would have asked for "rough" camping with the Bedu

Petra - by night

I guess that there is a "all lit up" night visit to Petra on some company's itinerary - I did not mean to visit after dark - just that it took a very long time to walk back from the view point... (there are many competing "views" - each with increasingly desperate signs and accompanying little shop - click on the picture)

To the side the view was pretty good - but over the Jordan Valley - nope...

The very long walk back (no donkeys after twilight) did mean I had the whole place pretty much to myself - except for the Treasury Tea Shop Man and a nervous lady tourist who was waiting for someone with a flashlight to lead the way out  (me!).  During the day it gets very busy indeed

(Above, 3 seconds at F4!)

That is the moon over the "Treasury"

 The next morning