King’s Lynn in two moods

Yesterday saw the weather change quite dramatically from a warm, humid morning to a rainy afternoon, and having been out twice for different purposes I have pictures showing both aspects. I also took some pictures of my new purchases (see post about the James and Sons auction on Saturday).

My social media role for the Great Centenary Charity Auction continues, with a landmark approaching in the near future on twitter since we are closing in on 200 followers there. We do also have a facebook page.

Enjoy some cracking photos…

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Gull flies low over Great Ouse
Gull flies low over Great Ouse

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Nar meets Ouse and sea birds meet freshwater birds
Nar meets Ouse and sea birds meet freshwater birds

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The Cormorant's eye view across the Great Ouse
The Cormorant’s eye view across the Great Ouse

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Arctic Tern lonely on a rock
Arctic Tern lonely on a rock

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Nine coins laid out in ten rows of three (yes, you read that right - see if you  can identify each row)
Nine coins laid out in ten rows of three (yes, you read that right – see if you can identify each row)

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The picture cards
The picture cards

Auction in Norwich

On Saturday James and Sons had their September Auction in the Erpingham Room at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich. The auction featured two lifetime stamp collections, a large amount of militaria, some interesting coin lots, three folders of Liebig Company Picture Cards and sundry other items.

In order to assist with setting things up, and to be ready for action at the 10AM start time it was necessary for me to catch the 6:00 bus from King’s Lynn, arriving at Norwich Bus Station just after 7:30. After a slightly slower than usual start (for the right reason – lots of bidding), the pace picked up in the later stages of the auction. On a whim I purchased a tub of thru’penny bits for £7, and a little later a made a more considered purchase of a set of Liebig Picture Cards featuring “Divers systemes de Chemins de Fer” for the same price.

Although the massive lot 83 (all 16 boxes of it) did sell, it went to an internet bidder, so it still had to be loaded back on the van. Overall it was a very successful sale, and in the end I got back to my flat a mere 13 hours after setting forth.

I have some pictures from before, during and after the sale, and you can expect pictures of thru’penny bits, and when the coin in question comes out juxtapositions of thru’penny bits and the new style of £1 coin to feature in future posts!

Swaffham Church early in the morning
Swaffham Church early in the morning
The nearest place to this church is  so insignificant that  I have forgotten its name.
The nearest place to this church is so insignificant that I have forgotten its name.

Dereham Rotary Club clock ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

A light source doubling up as a hanger!
A light source doubling up as a hanger!

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Most of this headgear did sell.
Most of this headgear did sell.
The Auction Database ready for action (but revealing no confidential information) - all I will enter manually during the day are paddle numbers and hammer prices.
The Auction Database ready for action (but revealing no confidential information) – all I will enter manually during the day are paddle numbers and hammer prices.
This spiked helmet did not go due to having an overly high reserve.
This spiked helmet did not go due to having an overly high reserve.

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This is part of the Norwich Cathedral complex.
This is part of the Norwich Cathedral complex.

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Making use of a renewable resource the Norfolk is abundantly blessed with!
Making use of a renewable resource the Norfolk is abundantly blessed with!

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A mixed bag

Once a very absorbing days play had ended between Lancashire and Middlesex I decided to go out for a walk and enhanced my photo collection. The two sides are scrapping to avoid relegation to the second division of the county championship, and with two days to go Middlesex are heavy favourites to do so. This is because owing to the bonus point system (5 batting and 3 bowling points available in the first 110 overs of each first innings) and their standings prior to the match starting, mere victory is not good enough for Lancashire, they also need to outscore Middlesex on bonus points. With six wickets currently down and some 40 runs needed to reach the next batting bonus point mark, Lancashires sole hope is to reach 300 for the loss of no more than two further wickets (a third, being the ninth in total would give Middlesex full bowling points and thereby condemn Lancashire) and then declare and bowl Middlesex out cheaply enough to have a manageable fourth innings run chase. I resume this having had to break off for a days work, and a check of www.cricinfo.com tells me that Lancashire did reach the magic 300 only 8 down and declared, so the relegation battle is still live. The final day tomorrow could see some fireworks as Lancashire have to go all out for whatever target they are left when they bowl Middlesex out, since a draw for them would be just as bad as a loss.

Some big news from work: the BBC have picked up on the Olympic medal story. The full story can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-29360899 and I have of course already mentioned it on our own facebook and twitter accounts.

As usual I have plenty of photos for you to enjoy…

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The Great Ouse at night
The Great Ouse at night

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New PR Materials for the Great Charity Centenary Auction and The Great Ouse in the Gloaming

I did get some fine pictures while taking the scenic route back from the bus station along the bank of the Great Ouse, but the main raison d’etre for this particular post is that last night I put some new publicity materials for the Great Charity Centenary Auction on the website, twitter and facebook pages. To view the full posts click the following links: http://www.greatcharity.org/splendid-new-poster-now-available/ and http://www.greatcharity.org/colonels-shopping-list-reissued/. Also, since I have mentioned them, any new likes/ follow on facebook and twitter would be most welcome.

Anyway, enjoy the added media…

GCAGeneral GCAMontage Shopping List ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

This is one of the finest bridge books I have ever read.
This is one of the finest bridge books I have ever read.

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A remarkable effect created by the sun being partially occluded by a tree - in silhouette is the spire of West Lynn church.
A remarkable effect created by the sun being partially occluded by a tree – in silhouette is the spire of West Lynn church.

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Everything from Arctic Terns to Woodworm

Where do the Woodworm come in (other that is than getting me as close to an A-Z of photographs as is likely in the absence of my nephew!)? Answer: I was needed to photograph the evidence so that the good folk at Hampton Court (Hampton Court, King’s Lynn, not the one in Surrey!) could get someone in to deal with it!

No further words of wisdom come immediately to mind, so on with the photographs…

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Not great, but a MASSIVE improvement on what it is replacing.
Not great, but a MASSIVE improvement on what it is replacing.

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The most publicised woodworm since the one that stowed away on the ark at the beginning of "A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters"!
The most publicised woodworm since the one that stowed away on the ark at the beginning of “A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters”!

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With the co-operation of the wind I was able to photograph these tea towels while they were drying
With the co-operation of the wind I was able to photograph these tea towels while they were drying

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Pictures of this boat have already been featured on facebook and twitter
Pictures of this boat have already been featured on facebook and twitter
This is the view even on a less than clear day from the top of the "Dogotel Drop"
This is the view even on a less than clear day from the top of the “Dogotel Drop”

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The Monday After Heritage Open Day and a Day Working on the Database

After an early finish at Learning Works due to there not being anything for me to do (that centre is closing due to not getting a contract they needed to get to stay open, so I have one more week there) I spent much of yesterday completing my series of posts (12 in all) about Heritage Open Day, while listening to county cricket coverage on the radio.

In the early evening I went out for a walk and as usual took lots of interesting photos, which is where pretty much all of todays pictures come from.

I have spent today hard at work on the database at James and Sons, with occasional restorative breaks checking out the twitter feed for the Great Centenary Charity Auction. A reminder here that as well as the twitter feed we have a website and a facebook page. While on twitter, I came across

Enjoy a crop of fine photos…

I am using this for the final time - my copy in its econiche!
I am using this for the final time – my copy in its econiche!
Assembled boxes
Assembled boxes
And not long later, disassembled boxes, as all bar a few had to be flat packed way
And not long later, disassembled boxes, as all bar a few had to be flat packed way

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Even this late in the year private boats are still using the jetty!
Even this late in the year private boats are still using the jetty!

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Probably this years last sightings of the Birdman of King's Lynn
Probably this years last sightings of the Birdman of King’s Lynn

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The light may not be needed at this time of the evening but this lamp post still finds a use!
The light may not be needed at this time of the evening but this lamp post still finds a use!

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Bushy-tailed Rat
This is the wrong kind of squirrel – to help the right kind of squirrel visit: voteforbob.co.uk

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This was to have been just the weathervane on top of the Custom House until I saw that the flag was also in shot and did not spoil the picture
This was to have been just the weathervane on top of the Custom House until I saw that the flag was also in shot and did not spoil the picture

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The Lynn Ferry lying (temporarily) idle.
The Lynn Ferry lying (temporarily) idle.

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More fiery colours of an early evening in Lynn!
More fiery colours of an early evening in Lynn!
The last hints of sunlight in Lynn yetserday
The last hints of sunlight in Lynn yesterday

New Post on greatcharity.org – Gold Medal

There is a new post on www.greatcharity.org.uk regarding the most spectacular donation we have yet received: an Olympic gold medal from London 2012!! This is also available on the James and Sons website and has been featured on facebook and twitter. To go straight to the full report click here.

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Auction Preparation

I have done no new imaging today because I have been getting my database in order before James and Sons August Sale takes place on the 27th at Fakenham Racecourse. A full catalogue of the sale can be viewed at www.the-saleroom.com by searching live auctions until you find the name James and Sons.

I have a working bid book, and will print off pre-auction Vendor Advice Notes tomorrow morning.

A new advert, principally for James and Sons upcoming auction but also making mention of the Great Centenary Charity Auction, will be in the EDP on Saturday and can be viewed now on the following link: http://www.greatcharity.org/advert/

By way of pictures, as I have nothing new from today I will offer for your inspection the full gallery on the Scouting regalia and a couple of other pictures of similar vintage, plus putting the advert itself up here as well…

Advert Badges Uniform Cap Badge ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? Scout Montage

Auctions and a seismic upset at Wimbledon

After a constructive Great Centenary Auction organising meeting, and a tour of inspection of the area where the Raynham Hall auctions will take place (the rehearsal aka James and Sons July sale, and the big event in September), which latter took in some heavy lifting but also provided some photo opportunities as you will see, it was back to the shop and more imaging. Some of the pictures I am putting up will have been seen by users of Facebook and Twitter.

Although I missed much of the day’s action from Wimbledon I was back in time to listen to the closing stages of 19 year old Nick Kyrgios’ spectacular defeat of world no 1 Rafael Nadal. The last time a world no one was beaten by a teenager was nine years ago when Federer was beaten by Nadal.

Now for those pictures…

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Yes - we have been assigned quarters in the stables.
Yes – we have been assigned quarters in the stables.

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A nuisance of pigeons - or  perhaps the alliteration of a pestilence of pigeons.
A nuisance of pigeons – or perhaps the alliteration of a pestilence of pigeons.

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This interesting window i situated in a position where the only person who regularly has the chance to see it is me.
This interesting window i situated in a position where the only person who regularly has the chance to see it is me.

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Stock for the July auction.
Stock for the July auction.
A stout ring like this on each section of door, a chain to link them and a stout padlock will sort out security.
A stout ring like this on each section of door, a chain to link them and a stout padlock will sort out security.

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On auction day(s) a marquee will be set up on this lawn.
On auction day(s) a marquee will be set up on this lawn.

OPENING PARCELS

A variation on the “Picnic in the park” and the last non-work photos with my old camera

Yesterday being the first Monday of the month saw a group meeting of the King’s Lynn Asperger Support Society, at which among other things arrangements were made for next month. Every summer we try to hold one group meeting in the open air, and previously it has always been as a “Picnic in the Park”, meeting at the Bandstand near the Broadwalk. The only issue with this spot is that it is rather too far for comfort from decent cover should the weather turn bad very quickly (not unknown in King’s Lynn). Thus at my suggestion we have decided to meet up on the quayside instead and have our meeting overlooking the Great Ouse. There are various outside seating areas along the quayside near the Purfleet, and for the cost of a drink apiece we can take shelter in Marriott’s Warehouse should the weather decline to cooperate.

I came up with this idea for an alfresco meeting at a location where cover was available while taking a long and scenic route to the Lattice House where we had this month’s meeting. I refused to allow the fact that it was spotting with rain when I set off to deflect me, although I did defer to the weather to the extent of donning my bush hat, which has a very broad brim offering almost as good protection against rain as an umbrella without the danger of it being blown inside out. As a result of this little excursion I have some photos, which are the last non-work related photos I will take with this camera. Almost certainly, my work at James and Sons Auctioneers today will require the use of the camera, hence the caveat.

If you are reading this post and have not already done so, please like http://www.facebook.com/GreatAuction and/ or follow http://www.twitter.com/great_auction.

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This picture of a moorhen only just made the cut - it was actually raining when I took it, so getting a really clear image out of it was difficult.
This picture of a moorhen only just made the cut – it was actually raining when I took it, so getting a really clear image out of it was difficult.

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