Tag: Birds

Heritage Open Day 5: Out and about in Lynn on the big day

The combination of the fact that King’s Lynn is not huge and that I live plumb in the centre of it meant that for me at least my sole method of locomotion would be Shanks’ Pony. Some of the things that I saw while walking between official sites could have been seen on any day, others only this day but the picture of the day (pardon the pun) would be incomplete without reference to the in-between bits as the whole town was decked out for the day – and the weather gods lent their support by providing a lovely warm day for the occasion.

In terms of distances of greater than a few yards my itinerary was planned (with scenic routes taking priority at every turn) as follows: Flat – Tuesday Market Place – Great Ouse – Southgates via Hardings Pits – Red Mount Chapel via parkland – Flat and with the addition at the end of a couple of places on King Street which looked interesting that is the route I followed. Not many others opted for scenic routes – I was all but alone for the walk to Southgates.

My next post takes you underground once more, to the cellars of the Bank Hotel, before resurfacing for the rest of the journey – meantime enjoy an eclectic collection of pictures…

No - I did not drink from this barrel!
No – I did not drink from this barrel!
This longboat was an inventive idea.
This longboat was an inventive idea.
This plaque is on a stretch of road I do not usually walk down
This plaque is on a stretch of road I do not usually walk down

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These birds are not among the kinds I usually see here at the Nar Outflow
These birds are not among the kinds I usually see here at the Nar Outflow

Sea Scouts building

Bus
I travel in so many buses that not even a free ride tempted me to actually board this one!
Ferry
To adapt a Sherlock Holmes line seeing the Lynn Ferry travel in this direction is like seeing a tram on a country lane!
The statue atop the Bank Hotel
The statue atop the Bank Hotel

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Boats of this sort are not common on the Great Ouse
Boats of this sort are not common on the Great Ouse

Birds, boats, planes and auction lots

Between a day’s hard work imaging for James and Sons and two sets of photos from King’s Lynn’s current Indian summer I have some splendid pictures for you. I have decided to sandwich the auction lots between two sets of my own personal pictures. 

Without further ado here are my selected pictures…

Before... the larger piece is the framework of the box and the smaller that of the lid...
Before… the larger piece is the framework of the box and the smaller that of the lid…
...and after - one newly assembled box - I assembled 30 of these for Learning Works while there as a volunteer on Monday morning
…and after – one newly assembled box – I assembled 30 of these for Learning Works while there as a volunteer on Monday morning

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Butterfly with its wings closed...
Butterfly with its wings closed…
...and open
…and open

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One of five swans together on the Nar when I crossed the bridge over it.
One of five swans together on the Nar when I crossed the bridge over it.

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This pair of arctic terns are in perfect synch.
This pair of arctic terns are in perfect synch.

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A first hazy glimpse of the fishing fleet
A first hazy glimpse of the fishing fleet
The lead boat as it turns into the dock.
The lead boat as it turns into the dock.

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The weather continuing to be good enough to eat supper outside has advantages photography-wise as well!
The weather continuing to be good enough to eat supper outside has advantages photography-wise as well!

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I was in the right place at the right time to get some pictures of a returning fishing fleet!
I was in the right place at the right time to get some pictures of a returning fishing fleet!

Sunday, Strictly, Heritage Open Day and More

Having taken a couple of photographs for my aunt to use in handouts for heritage open day (King’s Lynn has a vast number of sites – approx 50 – open for the day, which is next Sunday), the afternoon was nice enough to spend sat outside my parents house in East Rudham, and I bagged some more interesting pictures. 

Returning to King’s Lynn, the combination of a lovely evening and the Great Ouse at high tide was irresistible and yielded more fine photographs. There were then yet more opportunities for photographs as I made use of the outside space that my “compact” town centre flat possesses. I player provided some good watching, first coverage of the Great North Run, entering the record books this year as the first mass participation event to reach the landmark of 1,000,000 entrants since its inception, then start of a new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Now for the photographic highlights…

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This colonnade was the first of the pictures I took for heritage open day
This colonnade was the first of the pictures I took for heritage open day
And this map was the second.
And this map was the second.
An eight-legged friend enjoying the sun.
An eight-legged friend enjoying the sun.

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No this is not a runner bean - it is a non-edible seed pod.
No this is not a runner bean – it is a non-edible seed pod.
As old a coin as any that are still legal tender in Britain - this 2p piece dates from the first year of decimalization.
As old a coin as any that are still legal tender in Britain – this 2p piece dates from the first year of decimalization.
A westering sun reflects off the Great Ouse.
A westering sun reflects off the Great Ouse.

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Clearly the sea birds found a warm evening and high tide an irresistible combo as well!
Clearly the sea birds found a warm evening and high tide an irresistible combo as well!

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A big ship coming in to dock on Sunday evening
A big ship coming in to dock on Sunday evening

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An educational railing - these can be seen at the Tennyson Road side of The Walks
An educational railing – these can be seen at the Tennyson Road side of The Walks

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This is the most pictured building in King's Lynn, and I normally ignore it, but it looked so fine this time that I could not resist.
This is the most pictured building in King’s Lynn, and I normally ignore it, but it looked so fine this time that I could not resist.
This old lamp is to be seen on Purfleet Quay
This old lamp is to be seen on Purfleet Quay

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The birds really were out in force.
The birds really were out in force.

A spectacular innings to liven up a quiet Saturday in King’s Lynn

After doing my weekly food shop I listened to some county cricket on the radio – a one day semi-final between Durham and Nottinghamshire. After losing the toss and being put into bat Durham ran up 354 from their 50 overs, with Ben Stokes hitting 164 off 113 balls. Nottinghamshire did their best in response but unsurprisingly were never really in the hunt. Appropriately it fell to Ben Stokes to perform the last act of the game that his innings effectively won for his side.

Between my trip to and from the Hardwick Sainsbury’s and a visit to the library in the break between innings I got plenty of photographs….

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Three cormorants together is not a very common sight in the King's Lynn area
Three cormorants together is not a very common sight in the King’s Lynn area

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While the cormorants are enjoying the view from their platform, gulls are in the mud below
While the cormorants are enjoying the view from their platform, gulls are in the mud below
Not all the blackberries in Hardings Pits have been picked.....yet
Not all the blackberries in Hardings Pits have been picked…..yet
As big a picture as I can contrive of a single blackberry
As big a picture as I can contrive of a single blackberry

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A stretch of the river Nar - highly unusually for urban waterway there is not a discarded trolley to be seen!
A stretch of the river Nar – highly unusually for urban waterway there is not a discarded trolley to be seen!

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A wicker man - but not used for the original purpose!
A wicker man – but not used for the original purpose!

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A Family Weekend and a Day at James and Sons

The reason there has been no post on this blog since Friday afternoon is that I spent the weekend in East Rudham at a very large family gathering (my Australian aunt was over, and a veritable tribe descended on East Rudham to take advantage of this event).

Today I did everything I needed to at work, plus making a start on the imaging for the September auction, and benefitted from a rare piece of good fortune in that I left a little early because my colleague who was locking up had to go promptly, and the 15:38 bus to King’s Lynn was more than a little late, so I got home much earlier than expected, and it being bright and sunny, I have been out for a walk.

I have three sets of photographs to share with you, those from the weekend, highlights from today at work, and some from the walk (with very few exceptions wherever I go my trusty Nikon P520 Coolpix also goes), so here goes…

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£5 worth of hand of pork
£5 worth of hand of pork

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Unfortunately due to a mishap we never got to sample this crackling
Unfortunately due to a mishap we never got to sample this crackling

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But we most certainly did get to sample the kebabs that this little lot became.
But we most certainly did get to sample the kebabs that this little lot became.

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Outdoor reared Norfolk pork means precisely what it says.
Outdoor reared Norfolk pork means precisely what it says.

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It is always a challenge to get good shots of aeroplanes.
It is always a challenge to get good shots of aeroplanes.

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This sunflower was growing in someone's front garden
This sunflower was growing in someone’s front garden
These were provided by my cousin Olivia
These were provided by my cousin Olivia

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Sunday’s Sporting Successes

After a superb Sunday lunch at my aunt’s place (parents away) I returned to catch up with the cricket, and got the last rites of the match as India’s response to a 338 run deficit on first innings was to be all out 94, demonstrating all the backbone of a jellyfish. What made things even worse for India than the abysmal score was the way in which some of those wickets were lost. One of the last few that I heard was a run out, which in a situation like that is absolutely crazy. 

India looked like a side who had mentally checked out. They had nearly been all out for under a hundred in the first innings (a catch went down when they were 95-9), and in the second they were much worse, because the conditions were better for batting.

Later that night I watched the last session of the European Athletics Championship on iplayer (I refuse to get a TV license, being quite happy to watch stuff at a time of my choosing once it is available). GB had been locked in battle with France at the top of the medals table, but by the time Mo Farah had won his expected gold in the 5000 metres, Greg Rutherford had won the long jump, the men’s 4×400 relay team and both 4X100 relay teams had also taken gold, and GB were convincingly top of the medals table. 

As usual I have a selection of pictures for you…

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England in Command

After just two days of the fifth and final test match against India, England appear nailed on for a 3-1 series win, and a second straight innings victory. Joe Root is on the brink of another ton, and India look like they have already conceded. India very rarely play five match test series these days, and it is starting to show. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who dominated the first two matches is now hardly able to raise a gallop, now bowling at a gentle medium pace and without menace. 

Congratulations to the Indian women for winning their one off test against England. The outcome was more or less settled when England were put out for 92 on the first day although in the end it took some good batting from Mithali Raj to see India over the line (perhaps she could replace one of the men in their currently ineffectual top order?!)

As usual I have some photos for you…

Wader prepares to fly Birds congregate by the Great Ouse ?????????? Taking the long view ??????????
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Swimming Tern
This little beauty was in the Nar Outfall, just where it joins the Ouse

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Butterfly
White butterfly.

Rabbits

fruit tree
This heavily laden fruit tree grows in the less than salubrious environment of the Hardwick Industrial Estate

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Spectacular Victory for England

Yesterday England found the best way to avoid being hampered by the possible intervention of hurricane Bertha by wrapping things up very early. Not even a freak injury to Stuart Broad could prevent England from settling the matter. For the second time in the match India’s top order failed abjectly, and although I did not witness the events of the first two days being busy working, some of the dismissals suggested a team who had lost all semblance of fight. 

Moeen Ali, who is not even a regular bowler for his county, took (or was handed) four cheap wickets. The only triumph to go India’s way on this day was the Brian Johnston Champagne Moment, which went to Pankaj Singh who ended a very long wait for his first test wicket – only two bowlers with test wickets to their name had conceded more runs before getting their first. 

Perhaps the biggest single gainer on the day was new wicket-keeper Jos Buttler who after making a swashbuckling 85 in his first test now showed that he could adapt to different circumstances by making a much more restrained 70. 

As usual I have some fine photographs from in and around King’s Lynn to share…

Baker Lane Bird between two whirlpools ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Bus station changes
Long overdue changes to the bus station

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Gulls
Two gulls look on while a third takes wing

Three Gulls

While two gulls like their rooftop perch, a third flies off.
While two gulls like their rooftop perch, a third flies off.

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Rose within a pentagon
This rose within a pentagon appears just outside the main door to King’s Lynn library.

Preparing for August Auction

I am now deep into preparing for the August auction at James and Sons. I have about 140 lots already in my Stock database for this auction, and have also streamlined the input process in the Auction side of the database.

As usual I have plenty of pictures to share with you…

Magpie Bird ?????????? ?????????? Aeroplane

Small birds
Two small birds.
Seagull on Chimney
Seagull on Chimney

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Corn Exchange Statue
This statue sits atop the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn

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64
This postcard album forms the bulk of lot 64, but there were three other images of loose cards as well.

64a 64b 64c

This collection of coins is lot 251
This collection of coins is lot 251ds

 

King’s Lynn on a Summer Sunday

I have some fine pictures from yesterday. As well as those included here, which are all things I saw in and around King’s Lynn, I did photograph some books while in East Rudham for Sunday lunch, but as I did not edit these images due to time constraints they do not feature. 

While many of the objects featured here were very close to me, one was a quarter of a million miles away…

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