Month: October 2014

Personal Twitter Account After One Week

Exactly a week ago (almost to the minute) I launched my personal twitter account, @aspitweets as a companion to this blog. I was inspired by the success of @great_auction, which I have administered for some time, and which now has 271 followers. In its first week of existence aspitweets has garnered 34 followers, and quite a few appreciative mentions. No new photos today, but I shall find some from the past…

This box of stamps (not originally imaged by me) went for a whacking £370 at our most recentt auction.
This box of stamps (not originally imaged by me) went for a whacking £370 at our most recentt auction.
This propeller went for £725 in our July sale.
This propeller went for £725 in our July sale.

Starting the November Imaging

Another busy day at James and Sons. I have done some database work, and also started imaging lots for our next auction, which will take place on November 29th. Although I am still stuck with my old camera, I still managed to produce some decent pictures. The lost I imaged today were an interesting mix…

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Amazing Autumn Auction

Actually given the weather that title is a trifle optimistic! Nevertheless, the October auction of James and Sons was a MASSIVE success. There will be press releases in the near future about Hornby train sets, stamps and militaria to name but three successful areas. Also look out for related posts on my personal twitter account. The single most astonishing story from the auction concerns a box of loose penny red-browns, with may be a few penny rose reds in there as well, which started at £30 and ended up fetching a cool £350!

I do have some photos for you, but because my good camera is at the repair shop they were taken with my old camera and are therefore not as good as they would be had I been using my camera of choice…

A scene from the walk from Fakenham town centre to the racecourse.
A scene from the walk from Fakenham town centre to the racecourse.
The Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse, all set for auction action!
The Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse, all set for auction action!
This pair of U-Boat binoculars went for a mere £3,000
This pair of U-Boat binoculars went for a mere £3,000
The tax discs had some advance publicity in the Lynn News.
The tax discs had some advance publicity in the Lynn News.
This cake stand sold.
This cake stand sold.
The Fitzroy Barometer was a rare disappointment on a very successful day.
The Fitzroy Barometer was a rare disappointment on a very successful day.
In spite of being carefully presented by yours truly most of these suffered the usual fate of books of auction.
In spite of being carefully presented by yours truly most of these suffered the usual fate of books of auction.
The banner, behind the rostrum.
The banner, behind the rostrum.
The view out of the window.
The view out of the window.
The Hornby stuff was a monster success!
The Hornby stuff was a monster success!

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This lot sold reaasonably well, and just sneaking into shot is the Connaught Rangers helmet which sold for £160
This lot sold reaasonably well, and just sneaking into shot is the Connaught Rangers helmet which sold for £160
This is not an auction lot - it is marble pestle and mortar bought in Dimitsana and now in residence in my kitchen.
This is not an auction lot – it is marble pestle and mortar bought in Dimitsana and now in residence in my kitchen.

Final preparations for auction

James and Sons October auction is tomorrow, starting at 10AM. A full catalogue can be viewed at: http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/james-and-son-auctioneers/catalogue-id-2901719

Today we were making final preparations, making sure that everything we needed was at the venue (The Prince of Wales Sui

te, Faklenham Racecourse), and answering late queries (the latter yielded me some decent photos as well).

All is set for a good sale, with some large bids already in.

Meantime enjoy a sneak preview of some of the lots…

 

The whole of Lot 7 (diamond ring in bag) .
The whole of Lot 7 (diamond ring in bag) .

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Potentially interesting for the chocoholics among you.
Potentially interesting for the chocoholics among you.

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The next three images highlight different aspects of the same medal.
The next three images highlight different aspects of the same medal.

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This helmet has already attracted several substantial bids
This helmet has already attracted several substantial bids
These two Chinese medallions (next four images) have attracted considerable interest.
These two Chinese medallions (next four images) have attracted considerable interest.

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Along the Coast Road to Trachina

After our break in Kardamyli following the walk down from Exochori we headed down the coast road to its end at Trachina. There are caves along this stretch of road (not surprising as this is a limestone area). Trachina is a pretty little village, and one of the rockpools yielded a particularly good picture…

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Getting a close up of this tiny crab was a photographic highlight for me. Considering that it was at the bottom of a rock pool this picture is remarkably clear.
Getting a close up of this tiny crab was a photographic highlight for me. Considering that it was at the bottom of a rock pool this picture is remarkably clear.
A rusty old olive press
A rusty old olive press

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KLASS Group Meeting

The King’s Lynn Asperger Support Society has its group meeting a week today, 6PM to 8PM, at the Lattice House in King’s Lynn Town Centre. Altholugh we exist to support people with asperger’s Syndrome anyone is welcome to attend our meetings, and we look forward to welcoming anyone who is interested in learning more about the condition.

Exochori to Kardamyli

After finishing our walk to Kardamyli we lunched at Harilaos (excellent Kalamari), and then I went swimming in the Harbour. Plent more excellent pics to share with you…

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Kardamyli Harbour
Kardamyli Harbour

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The harbour, the island and a boat
The harbour, the island and a boat

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Kardamyli old town.
Kardamyli old town.

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An autumn Crocus, growing as usual in what looks like an impossible place.
An autumn Crocus, growing as usual in what looks like an impossible place.

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Bare rock, and still they grow.
Bare rock, and still they grow.

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Exochori to Kardamyli part 2

The walk down from Exochori follows one side of the Viros Gorge, the natural feature that dominates the landscape. Following the way markers took us too low at one point, so that we had to climb back up to get to our meeting point at Petrovouni. Also featuring on this part of the walk were various views across the gorge to Agia Sofia (Church of the Holy Wisdom in English).

Enjoy these photos…

Not quite cyclopean stones but impressively large.
Not quite cyclopean stones but impressively large.

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A mason's mark on the chapel.
A mason’s mark on the chapel.

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This is an Autumn Narcissus.
This is an Autumn Narcissus.

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One does not see much evidence of wildlife on Greek walks and this is a clue as to why.
One does not see much evidence of wildlife on Greek walks and this is a clue as to why.

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Agia Sofia
Agia Sofia

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The line of large stones marked the edge of the path until it was plundered for building materials - the extension beyond the line of stones being exactly as wide as a lorry wheel.
The line of large stones marked the edge of the path until it was plundered for building materials – the extension beyond the line of stones being exactly as wide as a lorry wheel.

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This is the church at Petrovouni.
This is the church at Petrovouni.

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The way markers for the route from Petrovouni to Kardamyli.
The way markers for the route from Petrovouni to Kardamyli.

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A first aerial view of Kardamyli. The tall tower is part of an old soap factory.
A first aerial view of Kardamyli. The tall tower is part of an old soap factory.

Exochori to Kardamyli part 1:

I am not sure how many parts this series of posts will run to because there were so many fantastic photo opportunities. My father dropped my mother and I at Exochori, the top end of the walk, before himself driving to Kardamyli to walk up to meet us at Petrovouni, from whence we would walk together down into Kardamyli. At the top end of the walk we passed a number of small chapels, and later there were some fine stretches of engineered mule track…

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This is the remains of an old olive press.
This is the remains of an old olive press.

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This aeroplane was one of two flying in formation - could not get both in shot.
This aeroplane was one of two flying in formation – could not get both in shot.
A distant but direct view of Prosilio, which lies between Tseria (above) and Kardamyli (below)
A distant but direct view of Prosilio, which lies between Tseria (above) and Kardamyli (below)