Tag: Photography

A Pot Pourri of Pics (and other stuff)

As I prepare for another day at work, I am listening to commentary from the Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh are giving a good account of themselves against New Zealand in Hamilton, while in between rain breaks in Sydney England look like finishing a truly appalling world cup campaign with victory over Afghanistan (maybe they should accept Cricket Japan’s invite to stop by for a few games on the way home!)

The pictures I will be sharing at various points in this post are from two sources, imaging for the March Auction (now practically complete) and some pics from in and around King’s Lynn. At some point in the future I will be putting up a post about architectural features to be found in the village of East Rudham, having recently taken some good pics there.

A lot of the imaging I did on Tuesday was of banknotes in albums, but a few other bits got in there as well…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

This was one of a quantity of these that made up lot 349
This was one of a quantity of these that made up lot 349

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

This lot could appeal to postcard collecotrs, but also to those interested in stamps and postal history, so I have covered all bases!
This lot could appeal to postcard collecotrs, but also to those interested in stamps and postal history, so I have covered all bases!

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

My Wednesday morning walk was fitted in between the cricket commentary finishing and meeting my mother to go to East Rudham for lunch, photographing architecture, providing a tutorial in MS Access and finally playing bridge at the Jolly Sailors. This latter was enjoyable in spite of the fact that I had the kind of luck that should be toasted in extra bitter Fernet Branca!. At 5p a hundred I ended up £1.30 down on the evening – and on the three hands on which I was declarer I made two of the contracts and went one down undoubled on the other. Here are some of the highlights from the walk…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

I will  finish by showing you some images from yesterday’s mop-up operation…

I don't normally image single coins, but the person who usually does them was not around at the time I located this one, so I did it.
I don’t normally image single coins, but the person who usually does them was not around at the time I located this one, so I did it.
Imaging it the way I did meant I automatically had close-ups of each face - and if you've got 'em, use 'em
Imaging it the way I did meant I automatically had close-ups of each face – and if you’ve got ’em, use ’em

??????????

The next three items, lots 419,428 and 429 are sold with the usual caveats attendant on German militaria - at the buyer's own risk.
The next three items, lots 419,428 and 429 are sold with the usual caveats attendant on German militaria – at the buyer’s own risk.

?????????? ??????????

Now come two lots of scenic postcards for each of what I produced two images.
Now come two lots of scenic postcards for each of what I produced two images.

?????????? ?????????? ??????????

This map is lot 719
This map is lot 719
Lot 726 (This, and the remaining three pics) is very nice.
Lot 726 (This, and the remaining three pics) is very nice.

?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Bellerive Brings More History

The match between Scotland and Sri Lanka at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart is at the halfway stage and has already seen a record set and another equalled.

Kumar Sanggakara kept his appointment with a century, becoming the first to achieve the feat in four successive ODIs. His century was matched by one from Tillekaratne Dilshan and the main course was followed by an explosive 51 from Angelo Matthews as Sri Lanka ran up 363 from their 50 overs. In amongst this carnage Josh Davey took three wickets, taking him up to 14 for the tournament and temporarily leading wicket taker, one ahead of Trent ‘the conductor’ Boult. That figure of 14 wickets for the tournament also ties Eddo Brandes of Zimbabwe for most wickets ever taken by a bowler for an associate member at a world cup (in 1992 Zimbabwe had yet to be promoted to full member status).

The Bellerive seems to be a serendipitous ground for great things to happen at – it was here that Ireland edged out Zimbabwe in a thriller just a few days ago. The word serendipitous derives from the wondrous island encountered by Sindbad the Sailor in his sixth voyage, the Arabic name of which is rendered in English translation as Serendip, Serendib or Sarandib. The name by which this island is now known? Sri Lanka.

I do not see this game developing into a Zimbabwe v Ireland style thriller, especially with Kyle Coetzer, the Aberdonian with a South African surname having gone to the second ball of Scotland’s reply.

As those familiar with this blog know I never leave you without sharing some pictures…

??????????

Work on what will be the Northbound exit from the new bus station.
Work on what will be the Northbound exit from the new bus station.
Gaywood Clock through the window of an X8.
Gaywood Clock through the window of an X8.
A lacewing on the inside window of an X8 on the return journey.
A lacewing on the inside window of an X8 on the return journey.
A close up of the same lacewing.
A close up of the same lacewing.
A new dawn (something English cricket needs) breaking over King's Lynn
A new dawn (something English cricket needs) breaking over King’s Lynn
My new bathroom window - I also have secondary glazing on the High Street side of the flat.
My new bathroom window – I also have secondary glazing on the High Street side of the flat.
A glimpse into the Jewish Cemetery, Millfleet, King's Lynn
A glimpse into the Jewish Cemetery, Millfleet, King’s Lynn

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

These swans, swimming in the Nar, were a trifle uncooperative.
These swans, swimming in the Nar, were a trifle uncooperative.

?????????? ??????????

Moorhen about to take the plunge...
Moorhen about to take the plunge…
...And now happily swimming.
…And now happily swimming.

?????????? ??????????

Qualification Process for the Next World Cup

This post is provoked by England’s elimination from the 2015 World Cup (see https://aspiblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/england-out-of-the-cricket-world-cup/ for details) and the arguments are based in part on the formula I suggested for running a cricket world cup in this post.

Given my suggestion for a 16 team competition, I reckon that the eight quarter-finalists should qualify automatically for the next world cup and everyone else regardless of historic status or otherwise within the cricket world should have to earn the right to be in the tournament by going through qualifying. Also, before anyone asks, I do not believe that host nations should qualify automatically – they too should be me made to earn the right to take part in the competition.

??????????

Bellerive Blockbuster

The best match of the 2015 Cricket World Cup so far took place at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart this morning GB time. Ireland, with a century from Ed Joyce and 97 from Andrew Balbirnie reached 331-8. In reply Zimbabwe fought brilliantly, and at various times, not least when they took 19 from the 49th over, bowled by Kevin O’Brien, to leave themselves needing seven of six balls, they looked like favourites for what have been the largest successful chase in World Cup history. Alex Cusack kept a cool head, and put the finishing touches to a fine bowling performance by capturing the two remaining Zimbabwe wickets for the addition of a single, in three balls. A full scorecard can be viewed by clicking here. Having set the scene with this opening account I will share some pictures before moving on…

This device appears above Paper Klip, the Fakenham stationers.
This device appears above Paper Klip, the Fakenham stationers.

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

??????????

Not only was that match a classic, featuring quality performances from many players, but the eventual result means that Ireland have now won three matches at this tournament, and are very well placed to progress to the quarter finals. The only disappointment to me was that the Player of the Match Award went boringly (and in my opinion wrongly) to Ed Joyce for his hundred when the key to Ireland’s victory was the cool head under pressure displayed by Alex Cusack. Having witnessed this amazing match I am more convinced than ever that the ICC would be utterly wrong to reduce associate nation involvement in the World Cup. My response to Aakash Chopra who gets to publicise his ideas on www.cricinfo.com and who believes that the World Cup should be reduced to ten teams and that the associates should concentrate on getting to play more matches against full members outside of world cups is twofold. First he is guilty of presenting a false dichotomy: it is not a case of either or – i would like to see both more matches between full members and associates outside of world cups and greater associate participation in World Cups. Whether he is guilty of any offence beyond sloppy logic I am not prepared to say, but it is only in cricket that anyone argues for a smaller world cup. My thoughts on how the Cricket World Cup should be formatted can be viewed by clicking here.

Congratulations to Ireland on a magnificent performance. Before sharing some more pictures I will comment on nations who first entered the world cup as associates and are now full members:

Sri Lanka – played 1975 and 1979 as associates before being granted full membership – Won in 1996 (a feat never achieved by England), Runners up in 2011.

Zimbabwe – made world cup debut in 1983 as an associate,promoted to full membership in 1992 – beat Australia in their first ever world cup match, nearly beat India (eventual champions), later in that competition, and in 1999 when England were ejected from their own party embarrassingly early came with an ace of qualifying for the semi-final.

Bangladesh – No great highlights yet, but are going fairly well this time, and there is at least one person who would not be in the least surprised were they to end up progressing further than England.

Now for the second batch of pictures…

??????????

I was delighted to see cormorants back on the structure I have dubbed Cormorant platform as for some weeks due to nearby roadworks they had not been in evidence.
I was delighted to see cormorants back on the structure I have dubbed Cormorant platform as for some weeks due to nearby roadworks they had not been in evidence.

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

c

A Difficult Day at Work

I spent today imaging items for a Timed Bid auction which will go live on Monday (check out http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/search-filter/auction-catalogues?AuctionType=3 at that time). I managed to get everything I needed to do done in spite of the fact that my work computer was functioning at about the same level as the West Indies batting had been when I listened to commentary from the cricket world cup before setting off for work!

The items covered a variety of categories. This set of Royal Doulton plates was the very first lot I imaged today…

??????????While these could appeal either to pottery enthusiasts or lovers of railwayana, they were beaten for breadth of appeal by lot 2085, which has stamps, postal history, medals and art (at least) covered…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????This French medallion (lot 1502) came out well…

??????????I finish this eclectic selection of images with some stamp album lots where I decided rather than photographing whole pages to focus on smaller quantities of stamps…

?????????? ?????????? ????????????????????

The Sutcliffe Formula for a Cricket World Cup (and Some Cool Pictures)

There has been much talk at the Cricket World Cup about how the tournament should be formatted, especially given that there are those who would reduce it to a ten team tournament (so utterly harebrained a notion that I do no more than mention it). Several of the associate nations at this world cup have given good accounts of themselves, with Ireland having a strong chance of progressing to the quarter finals.

My formula for a Cricket World Cup would be as follows:

16 teams to play in the tournament. Stage one would involve two groups of eight teams, the top four from each group progressing. Each group would play its matches in sets of four (hence two groups of eight), making seven rounds of matches for each group, to played on alternate days (i.e. this stage would span two weeks, with each side having a day off between matches.

After the group stage would be a three day break before the quarter-finals, which would be played all on one day. After a two day break the semi–finals would take place. Then following another two day break the final would take place. This would mean that the tournament would be played in a period of three and a half weeks (a sensible length for a global tournament).

As for the TV people: If they don’t like it they can lump it.

Now for some pics…

??????????

Developments at King's Lynn bus station.
Developments at King’s Lynn bus station.

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

These magpies played a good game of hide and seek with me - but as this picture proves I emerged the winner!
These magpies played a good game of hide and seek with me – but as this picture proves I emerged the winner!

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Imaging for the March Auction

My day at James and Sons was dominated by Numismatism as I had been left a selection of coins and banknotes to image. I will take you through a selection of the items that I imaged today.

There were four albums of banknotes, from which I shall settle sharing the gallery for lot 224, which consists of three images…

?????????? ?????????? ??????????

The first coin lot I shall feature is number 321, which was the first of two proof sets of the last issue of pre-decimal British coinage…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Lot 323 was a single coin, for which I produced a full gallery…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????Lot 324, a set of four commemorative coins from Jersey, also seems worth sharing…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????To finish, lot 344, a medallion issued by the Tower of London…

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Upcoming Events (and Some Cool Pics!)

A brief post. Although there have been a couple of late withdrawals there are still 14 confirmed participants in todays #SaveOurNHS action in King’s Lynn. Also it has had good publicity on twitter via @aspitweets, with the invaluable assistance of @kingslynnlive, @ask-pergers and @jorust45 – the latter of whom is one of the confirmed participants.

The other upcoming event is the March group meeting of the King’s Lynn Asperger Support Society (KLASS), which takes place this Monday at 6PM at the Lattice House on Chapel Street.

Now for those pics…

Here is our info sheet!
Here is our info sheet!
My ersatz mounting of the railway buttons.
My ersatz mounting of the railway buttons.

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Please take not if you catch buses from King's Lynn.
Please take not if you catch buses from King’s Lynn.

??????????

James and Sons February Auction and NHS Action

The auction was a great success – for more detail and some images see the word document that I created about it yesterday. I also detected a good omen for the Great Centenary Charity Auction when a silver poppy commemorative coin sold for above estimate…

The poppy coin (1)
The poppy coin (1)
The poppy coin (2)
The poppy coin (2)

JAMES AND SONS FEBRUARY SALE

And this is a jpg which will be the featured image.
And this is a jpg which will be the featured image.

Talking of commemorative coins, lot 640, the British public libraries 150th anniversary coin went to yours truly for £15. Lot 875 also fell to me for the same price, and combined well with a leaflet advertising the North Norfolk Railway for a composite image…

The coin imaged in a way not open to me until it was my property.
The coin imaged in a way not open to me until it was my property.
A public library montage featuring the only one of the public libraries I regularly use to have any architectural merit.
A public library montage featuring the only one of the public libraries I regularly use to have any architectural merit.

??????????

3 sunset shots taken through the windows of an X8 heading back from Fakenham
3 sunset shots taken through the windows of an X8 heading back from Fakenham

?????????? ??????????

North Norfolk Railway route map
North Norfolk Railway route map

??????????

Reverse
Reverse
Obvious
Obvious
Lot 875 - railway buttons
Lot 875 – railway buttons
A close up og one of the two British Railways buttons!
A close up og one of the two British Railways buttons!
"Railway Montage"
“Railway Montage”

I received my pack from 38 Degrees for tomorrow’s NHS action in King’s Lynn tomorrow. It came with yesterday’s post. The A2 window poster is on display above the High Street – a look up from directly outside Debenhams might catch it (here’s hoping). I end with some images from the auction room, none of which have yet featured in my personal twitter account…

This is a wall decoration in a Fakenham coffee shop.
This is a wall decoration in a Fakenham coffee shop.
The James and Sons banner.
The James and Sons banner.
The banner and the TV kindly lent to us by Hughes Electrical
The banner and the TV kindly lent to us by Hughes Electrical
Lot 782 set out for display.
Lot 782 set out for display.
James and Sons regular auction venues
James and Sons regular auction venues

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

All three of these tables were quite light and easy carry (even with the very small one having a full set of cutlery stored inside its top), and even better all three sold.
All three of these tables were quite light and easy carry (even with the very small one having a full set of cutlery stored inside its top), and even better all three sold.

?????????? ??????????

Some copper pots and a large coin cabinet
Some copper pots and a large coin cabinet
This warming pan failed to sell.
This warming pan failed to sell.
I am not sure as yet whether it was a museum or a dramatic group (for a production of Cinderella) but somebody bought this spinning wheel.
I am not sure as yet whether it was a museum or a dramatic group (for a production of Cinderella) but somebody bought this spinning wheel.
The display case full of medals is a regular sight at James and Sons events, but lot 4, an essay VC, was pleasingly unusual.
The display case full of medals is a regular sight at James and Sons events, but lot 4, an essay VC, was pleasingly unusual.
Yet more copper!
Yet more copper!
This very large quantity of very small cutlery did not sell (there six boxed sets as well as this newspaper wrapped one).
This very large quantity of very small cutlery did not sell (there six boxed sets as well as this newspaper wrapped one).
The James and Sons advertising board
The James and Sons advertising board
The Prince of Wales Suite at 5PM on Auction Day.
The Prince of Wales Suite at 5PM on Auction Day.

“Your Captain’s Irish” and some Cool Pics

The first part of the title refers to a chant allegedly perpetrated by Scottish fans at the cricket world cup. It is perfectly true that England’s current ODI captain is Irish. It is also hypocritical for such a chant to come from Scotland fans whose team is captained by Preston Mommsen (hardly a 22 carat Caledonian name!). Finally I do not consider birthplace to be all that important – what matters is that people give 100% out on the pitch. This team (and note it has proper balance – it is not just 11 players) is made up exclusively of players I have seen playing for England, and its members have one either thing in common which I shall reveal after I have shared some pictures. Here is our team:

Andrew Strauss (Captain)
Robin Smith
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Allan Lamb
Nasser Nussain (Vice Captain)
Matthew Prior (Wicketkeeper)
Philippe-Henri Edmonds (SLA)
Andrew Caddick (RFM)
Alan Mullally (LF)
Devon Malcolm (RF)

The only slightly questionable selection is Robin Smith as opener, a position he never actually filled, but given his relish for fast bowling he would probably have fared well there. There is no all-rounder because Basil D’Oliveira had retired from international cricket before I was born and Tony Greig not long after. Now for some pics…

?????????? ?????????? ??????????

These were growing beside Hardwick Road!
These were growing beside Hardwick Road!

?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

Detail from above the door of Custom House
Detail from above the door of Custom House
Close detail of immediately above to door of Custom House.
Close detail of immediately above to door of Custom House.

The answer to what that team all of have in common is all were born outside England:

Strauss, Smith, Trott, Pietersen, Lamb and Prior were all born in South Africa, Hussain in India, Caddick in New Zealand, Mullally in Australia, Malcolm in Jamaica and Edmonds in Zambia (he is also half Belgian, hence the first name Philippe-Henri).