Happy New Year everyone. I hope your Yuletide and New Year celebrations have been plentiful and that the year ahead offers you good health, prosperity, happiness and endless photo opportunities.

To kickstart the new edition of the fabulous "Show us your great photos" thread, I offer not a pic but a video. We took this last night and it shows, in all its glory, the incredible firework display we offered our neighbours from the comfort of our balcony. If you watch the video you'll see our neighbours' fantastic fireworks going off in the background - and then there's ours. 

This is what you get when you buy a box of mini fireworks from your local cheapskate supermarket (Albert Heijn) for the princely sum of 10 euros!  Still, it was so crap it was a laugh, which means it actually offered great value for money. I hope the vid of our box of damp balcony squibs also raises a smile with you.

Happy New Year!

 

Drake Pintail a lovely winter visitor to our shores

Steve

 

Walked along the edge of the sandhills on Saturday between West Kirby and Hoylake. Taken on the phone, but you can see in the middle distance just how much the estuary has silted up. They used to rake it with a tractor every week which kept it like a typical beach but that was 20 yrs ago probably.

 

Kev

2 hours ago, stateside said:

Walked along the edge of the sandhills on Saturday between West Kirby and Hoylake. Taken on the phone, but you can see in the middle distance just how much the estuary has silted up. They used to rake it with a tractor every week which kept it like a typical beach but that was 20 yrs ago probably.

 

Kev

Brings back memories, used to survey this area, are the Natterjack toads still breeding there? They were struggling back in the mid-nineties.

22 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Brings back memories, used to survey this area, are the Natterjack toads still breeding there? They were struggling back in the mid-nineties.

They appear to be still there at the Red Rocks end of the beach, which is a bit further along from my photo. This might interest you

https://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/news/2014/01/29/new-home-natterjacks-wirral

 

Kev

A cold and frosty morning as seen out the front window of our apartment. 

A Virgin Jumbo Jet and the Emirates A380 taking off today at Manchester Airport. A grey misty day so not very clear but awesome things when they go right over your head in touching distance

 

1 hour ago, soulandy said:

A Virgin Jumbo Jet and the Emirates A380 taking off today at Manchester Airport. A grey misty day so not very clear but awesome things when they go right over your head in touching distance

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic shots. I have the Airbus Beluga flying over my office in Mollington every day, as it comes into land at Broughton . It's so low, that if I'm on the phone I have to wait until it's gone.

You can almost see the rivets. I keep meaning to get a good shot of it

 

Kev

2 hours ago, Russell Gilbert said:

A cold and frosty morning as seen out the front window of our apartment. 

 

That's my kind of shot.  I like the grainy effect too

Kev

3 hours ago, soulandy said:

A Virgin Jumbo Jet and the Emirates A380 taking off today at Manchester Airport. A grey misty day so not very clear but awesome things when they go right over your head in touching distance

 

Andy. The Emirates A380 Flies over work in  Bredbury ( Stockport ) on its approach to Manchester airport. Simply amazing something that big can actually fly

Steve

2 hours ago, stateside said:

That's my kind of shot.  I like the grainy effect too

Thanks, Kev. Looking out the window on what was a foggy day, I saw the small boat making its way down the canal and thought there was potential for a half decent pic. I dashed to get my camera out of its case before the boat turned the corner and went out of sight. I also wanted to capture the craft and its occupants while they were in the clear and away from the dark shadows cast by the trees on the bank to the right.

I just managed to fire off this one pic before it was too late. Must look out the window more. 

27 minutes ago, Russell Gilbert said:

Thanks, Kev. Looking out the window on what was a foggy day, I saw the small boat making its way down the canal and thought there was potential for a half decent pic. I dashed to get my camera out of its case before the boat turned the corner and went out of sight. I also wanted to capture the craft and its occupants while they were in the clear and away from the dark shadows cast by the trees on the bank to the right.

I just managed to fire off this one pic before it was too late. Must look out the window more. 

Russell. I 2nd Kevs opinion. So very atmospheric. I'm especially glad to see you have got your camera back out of the case, long may it continue.

Steve

2 hours ago, stateside said:

Fantastic shots. I have the Airbus Beluga flying over my office in Mollington every day, as it comes into land at Broughton . It's so low, that if I'm on the phone I have to wait until it's gone.

You can almost see the rivets. I keep meaning to get a good shot of it

 

Kev

Cheers. I used to live near the airport and was always watching planes coming and going from the Bollin Valley. I remember seeing a plane called the GUPPY, a parts carrier I think but not sure if I've ever seen the Beluga. Looks mighty big according to youtube

1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said:

Andy. The Emirates A380 Flies over work in  Bredbury ( Stockport ) on its approach to Manchester airport. Simply amazing something that big can actually fly

Steve

Yeh see them regularly as they fly over near to our house. I Believe there's 3 departures/arrivals a day now so getting a bit old hat 

I've been on a couple as well, awesome machines

Edited February 6, 20178 yr by soulandy

10 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Russell. I 2nd Kevs opinion. So very atmospheric. I'm especially glad to see you have got your camera back out of the case, long may it continue.

Steve

Cheers, Steve. In addition to taking the camera out of the case, I need to go a step further and take it out of the house. It's great when a photo opportunity presents itself from the comfort of your own home, but it's something else to be out there in the field. Soon, I hope... 

17 minutes ago, soulandy said:

Cheers. I used to live near the airport and was always watching planes coming and going from the Bollin Valley. I remember seeing a plane called the GUPPY, a parts carrier I think but not sure if I've ever seen the Beluga. Looks mighty big according to youtube

Andy. I see the Beluga  regularly flying in to Broughton [ British aerospace ) to pick up the Airbus wings whilst I'm fishing at nearby Tarvin sands which is just a few miles away. It's as big as it looks on YouTube.

Steve

These lovely flowers have appeared first snowdrops down the woods

Ok not a great picture I know, but never seen the lock drained before, Stanground lock river feeds to March - thought I would share

51 minutes ago, ZoomSoulBlue said:

Ok not a great picture I know, but never seen the lock drained before, Stanground lock river feeds to March - thought I would share

Is that recent? as it looks relatively mild weather, and I'm due to descend on the area next Thursday for a week to see family.

Chester relaxing in his bed.....

Spent yesterday mooching about in North Wales. Colwyn Bay, Llandudno areas. No pictures but seen plenty of new born lambs and daffodil's. Spring is just around the corner  Cant wait. Definitely my favourite season 

Going out the camera today and hopefully coming back with some otter pictures, well that's the plan but with nature you can be sure that it will be nothing like what I'm planning.

Steve

3 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

Chester relaxing in his bed.....

Thats ace!

P

10 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Spent yesterday mooching about in North Wales. Colwyn Bay, Llandudno areas. No pictures but seen plenty of new born lambs and daffodil's. Spring is just around the corner  Cant wait. Definitely my favourite season 

Going out the camera today and hopefully coming back with some otter pictures, well that's the plan but with nature you can be sure that it will be nothing like what I'm planning.

Steve

 Spent nearly 3 hours on a rather cold day in one particular hide waiting for a sign of the Otters and guess what. Nature won, nothing. Managed to see a couple of marsh harriers , female sparrow hawk,  great white egret and a few bits and bobs but no pictures unfortunately.

Steve

This is pretty cool.Gannets

https://m.imgur.com/JDNWEjQ?r

Edited February 9, 20178 yr by NCFC

6 minutes ago, NCFC said:

This is pretty cool.Gannets

https://m.imgur.com/JDNWEjQ?r

Nice one Chris. 

 I luckily just managed this picture of this male and female Goosander as they flew off

Steve

43 minutes ago, NCFC said:

This is pretty cool.Gannets

https://m.imgur.com/JDNWEjQ?r

Like it Chris

Steve

 Martyn. Are these pictures of a 1st winter Caspian Gull ? There are reports of one at Pennington flash and this one stood out from the crowd. It was taken from a long way. Thanks in advance as I don't really know anything about Gulls

Steve 

My daughter Kathryn showing off on the potter's wheel....

.....and the video.....

 

Steve. Your daughter has a lot more hair than you mate  and she's better looking

Steve

Does she ever work with earthenware clay, doing slab building or maybe even Raku firing in her spare time away from the shop.  I collect Raku studio pieces, and I'm always looking for shohin or mame bonsai pots of good quality.

1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said:

 Martyn. Are these pictures of a 1st winter Caspian Gull ? There are reports of one at Pennington flash and this one stood out from the crowd. It was taken from a long way. Thanks in advance as I don't really know anything about Gulls

Steve 

Martyn. Sorry mate. Just found a picture.to identify the gull.  It's a juvenile greater black backed gull.

Steve

51 minutes ago, TattooDave said:

Does she ever work with earthenware clay, doing slab building or maybe even Raku firing in her spare time away from the shop.  I collect Raku studio pieces, and I'm always looking for shohin or mame bonsai pots of good quality.

White and terracotta earthenware clay in the shop.  Only handbuilding tends to be with the kid's clubs and the special needs group that visit once a week, and that's mostly pinch pots and coil pots.  Raku firing looks fun but I don't know anywhere local that does it.  There's an electric kiln in the shop, with two separate plug in controllers, one is set up for firing clay and the other for firing glaze.  Kathryn's self taught on the potter's wheel and the hand building techniques she picks up online.  I'm sure she could knock up a bonsai pot for you, and give it a personalised paint job.

1 hour ago, Steve S 60 said:

My daughter Kathryn showing off on the potter's wheel....

.....and the video.....

 

Your daughter is very clever Steve. She's beautiful too. You must be very proud.

Peter

 

 

26 minutes ago, Peter99 said:

Your daughter is very clever Steve. She's beautiful too. You must be very proud.

Peter

 

 

Thanks Peter.  Yes, I am.  She's very good with the customers.  What you can't see from the photo and video is that there are four wheels in a line.  When there's four people throwing a pot each, Kathryn has to talk them all through and show them the process, and keep an eye on everybody's pot to make sure there's no disasters.

I'm in the shop with her tomorrow morning as we have a special needs group in for an hour.  My sister is one of the carers and she brings a group of eight in.  We do a range of crafts with them and they really enjoy it.

ice hotel sweden

2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

 Martyn. Are these pictures of a 1st winter Caspian Gull ? There are reports of one at Pennington flash and this one stood out from the crowd. It was taken from a long way. Thanks in advance as I don't really know anything about Gulls

Steve 

I know about as much as you Steve ... but I see where you are coming from it does look like one, the juveniles can be tricky.

 

Edited February 9, 20178 yr by martyn pitt

just a bit chilly

9 hours ago, ste gal 7 said:

just a bit chilly

I never believed you when you said that you had the gas cut off for not paying the bill. 😄

10 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

White and terracotta earthenware clay in the shop.  Only handbuilding tends to be with the kid's clubs and the special needs group that visit once a week, and that's mostly pinch pots and coil pots.  Raku firing looks fun but I don't know anywhere local that does it.  There's an electric kiln in the shop, with two separate plug in controllers, one is set up for firing clay and the other for firing glaze.  Kathryn's self taught on the potter's wheel and the hand building techniques she picks up online.  I'm sure she could knock up a bonsai pot for you, and give it a personalised paint job.

I'll email the shop when I get a chance, maybe Sunday, I'll attach a couple of photos to give her some idea of the challenge involved.  Thanks Steve.

30 minutes ago, TattooDave said:

I'll email the shop when I get a chance, maybe Sunday, I'll attach a couple of photos to give her some idea of the challenge involved.  Thanks Steve.

No problem Dave.

11 hours ago, Steve S 60 said:

Thanks Peter.  Yes, I am.  She's very good with the customers.  What you can't see from the photo and video is that there are four wheels in a line.  When there's four people throwing a pot each, Kathryn has to talk them all through and show them the process, and keep an eye on everybody's pot to make sure there's no disasters.

I'm in the shop with her tomorrow morning as we have a special needs group in for an hour.  My sister is one of the carers and she brings a group of eight in.  We do a range of crafts with them and they really enjoy it.

That's lovely mate. 

The stunning cologne cathedral and our hotel im wasserturm on our trip to cologne Christmas markets .baz

Edited February 10, 20178 yr by baz1

4 hours ago, Peter99 said:

That's lovely mate. 

We had the group painting wooden hearts this morning.  Alan, who's Downs Syndrome, talks for Britain, mostly about food.  I normally buy a packet of biscuits for them, and the last few weeks it's been Rocky bars.  Alan asked if I could get some Orange Clubs for this week, as they're his favourite.

5 minutes ago, Steve S 60 said:

We had the group painting wooden hearts this morning.  Alan, who's Downs Syndrome, talks for Britain, mostly about food.  I normally buy a packet of biscuits for them, and the last few weeks it's been Rocky bars.  Alan asked if I could get some Orange Clubs for this week, as they're his favourite.

Sounds amazing and reminds me of my work in Romania. If you're interested I could send you a DVD - pm your address if you would like one.

Pete

 

22 minutes ago, Peter99 said:

Sounds amazing and reminds me of my work in Romania. If you're interested I could send you a DVD - pm your address if you would like one.

Pete

 

Thanks Peter, PM sent.

7 hours ago, alanmandy said:

I never believed you when you said that you had the gas cut off for not paying the bill. 😄

Tight buggers them wiganers.

2 hours ago, 3b48 said:

Tight buggers them wiganers.

leave me alone. lol

ice road across the frozen torne river.

local taxi

Here's a couple of birds in flight from last week that I forgot to post.

First one is a Grey Heron and the second one is a lovely little duck called a Teal. ( male )

Steve