Bought myself a Film Scanner...

Like most people I have a box full of family photographs......not so bad as a whole load of slides which was the rage in the 1960s and 1970s.  Not sure when I stopped taking slides.  Then there is the time I was given a Brownie Box camera when I was in my teens.  Still got it stashed away somewhere.  I have more black and white negatives than I have the photographs, so no idea what I did with all the photographs. 

Recently I had this grandie idea to buy a film scanner.  Heard so much about them, where you can scan your negatives and slides and store them either on disc or on your computer.

Well I bought one about six weeks ago.....it remained in the box sealed until now. 

I took of the cellophane wrapping and opened the box.

Followed the instructions with the disc and now ready to go....that was the easy part.....

This is the hard part!  First the B&W negatives.  I attempt to open the negative holder.

It took me at least 15 minutes to work out how to open it.  Open with arrow pointing up and a dent for the thumb/finger.  Tried all manner of things until I find out it is a tiny catch, which doesn't really work with arrows and dents.  At last its open.....now the tricky bit.

The negatives I have do not line up with the windows.  I have four frames which fit into three frames on the negative holder.  Not good, it means every frame has a bold white line down the middle of picture, which is the plastic holder.  This certainly going to take a long time.

Here is my first one....taken as I remember in the 1960s when I made a visit to Sydney. 

 It is really going to annoy me having that white strip there.  I suppose I shouldn't complain as I would have no means of saving the photos if it wasn't for the scanner.

I haven't attempted the slides yet....

Another project started.........this one is certainly going to take a very long time.

A Bargain....

I love a bargain, particularly if it is a secondhand bargain.  Went with a friend to a Jumble Sale again today.  It is becoming a monthly ritual, even though I am trying to declutter quicker than cluttering. 

Not many people there today, which made it easier to see everything.  It usually only takes us 30 mins to find what we want and then we are ready to go home.

Straight to the mens table - found some beautiful all cotton shirts for my OH.  Imaculate M&S brand too.  Only problem was it is a 17" collar, and I think he is still 16.5".  Oh well whats half an inch. 

I also found some teeshirts and a pair of new Cotton Traders swim trunks....these will do for my son - well lets see if son will want secondhand clothes first.....but I can't think he will say No, unless they don't fit!

But my bargain......cor I was excited about this one.  Found a pair of Jeans on the Women's table, not a brand I have heard of, but these were something different.

Look down the side seams.....

Buttons......I just love buttons and the colours are different but co-ordinate which each other......

The picture is not brilliant - although I did try - many times.  The greens, yellows, peaches and blues all have a dotted pattern around the eyelets and the darker ones are just plain. 

48 beautiful buttons ......all for 20 pence - the cost of the jeans.  What a bargain!

The jeans are going to charity, they are far too small for me, they may even be childs jeans - and the buttons I have to think what I can do with them.....

The Drowning Girl - Margaret Leroy

Well this books was something......really really enjoyed it.

 On the back:

"She's my daughter, but in some weird way I feel she isn't really my child". 
Young single mum Grace is drowning.  Her little girl, Sylvie is distant, troubled and prone to violent tantrums which the child psychiatrists blame on Grace.  But Grace knows there is something more to what is happening to Sylvie.  There has to be.  Travelling from the London suburbs to the west coast of Ireland, Grace and Sylvie embark on a journey of shocking discovery, forcing Grace to question everything she believes in and changing both their lives forever.

Well...I read the write up on the back page and it wasn't anything like I imagined.  It was better.  I did think of giving up after the 15th page, as it takes a while to get into, I really thought it was going to be boring, but far from it.  I felt for that little girl.

The book also goes under another name, so be careful you may have already read it. 

A day out..

One of my personal challenges is have days out by bus using the Bus Pass.  Today I decided to take a trip to Wallingford, Oxon. 

I have been through this village, but never stopped, so was looking foward to this trip.

Here we go on the bus....the driver travels very fast through the countryside.

I have no idea what to expect when I get there - here is the Market Square

Its very hot, so I pop across to Waitrose and buy 4 croissants (all very fattening) and with my drink I bought with me I sit down on one of the benches in the square to eat my lunch.

As I always do, I got chatting to someone, who kindly told me a little about the Village, where to find the river, the Museum, the castle gardens etc.  There are many antique and craft shops and charity shops.

I decide to walk to the river first

Arn't these flowers lovely on the lamp posts...

Back to the Market Square....

Waiting for the bus to make my journey home

Now I wondered how they tend to the flowers on the lamp posts....here is a closer shot.

Very busy isn't he?

Oh - I couldn't resist a peek at the books in the Charity shops - so many to choose from and only a £1.00 each. 

I need to make another trip here, because I did not see it all......it was just too hot to take everything in, but never mind it will keep for another day.



Now where did she go?

I was in the garden this evening just as it got dark and our two black cats were playing with a mouse in the grass.  I wanted to take a photo with the flash, so rushed indoors to get the camera, only to find that the cat who caught the mouse was watching the other cat eat it.  Ugh....there was nothing left to photograph...

Once she had had her hearty meal she disappeared into the long grass, supposedly for her desert.....so with camera in hand I used the flash to look for her.

I can't find her.....

Not there either

Nor there....

Aaah there she is!  You need good eyesight to see anything from up there.....

Nature can be cruel sometimes....

Photo a Day Challenge - Upside down

He certainly is upside down.  Two guys in blow up sumo wrestler suits appeared at a BBQ yesterday - father and son!  It was hilarious to watch.

War Horse - Michael Morpurgo

 

Description:

Sold to a drunken farmer, Joey, a beautiful red-bay foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, finds a friend in the farmer's son, Albert. His father brutally demands Joey work or be sold, so Albert gently trains him to pull the plough. But it's not enough. When war breaks out, Albert's father, needy for money for his struggling farm, sells Joey to the army, where he, like the soldiers around him, must try to cope with the horrors of the First World War. Joey and another thoroughbred horse, Topthorn, lead in a terrible cavalry charge towards the machine guns of the enemy's lines. Joey is captured by the Germans and for while he is lovingly cared for by Emilie, a young French girl and her grandfather. But he and Topthorn must pull a heavy gun, battling through the mud until Topthorn dies of exhaustion. Joey wanders in no man's land, back towards the British trench, but despite a joyful reunion with Albert, Joey is not out of danger. First tetanus threatens his life, and even then Emilie's grandfather has to bid to save him from the butcher. The old man promised his granddaughter when she died he would find the horse she loved and buy him, but recognising Albert's love for Joey, he sells Joey back to Albert on condition he will love for him all his life - for the princely sum of one English penny.

I really enjoyed this short story, the print in the book was a nice size, the space between the lines made it an easy quick read. 

The story is told by the horse, and very well done, you almost felt that you were Joey.  Very sad moments throughout. 

Been for a little trip........

Just for three days.    I decided to see if I could get from A to B on my old age bus pass.  Since I was meeting some friends from Australia in Cambridge, I decided to go cross country.  So 3 buses and 5.5 hours later I arrive in Cambridge. 

Hand in hand with a bunch of printed pages of bus timetables, maps, I attempt to find where to catch the fourth bus to the Guest House. 

I can't believe that bus drivers do not know the roads - as I was told by this one - "bus drivers are not meant to know the roads, they go by bus stop numbers.  If you want to know the road he said you will have to catch a taxi"!  Thankfully some passengers told me where to get off. 

Anyway, I freshen up and then take the bus back into the town centre, and at the agreed meeting point, which I eventually find, I wait.  I get impatient, so I wander away, when along comes the wife, I recognise her at once.  Then comes the husband and my mouth drops open - he has changed, changed a lot - except it wasn't him, he is standing behind me!!  And he hasn't changed much at all!!  Seven years since I saw them both, so we had a lot of catching up to do. 

They both have been to Cambridge before, so I took advantage of the Guided Tour of all the historical buildings.   

Our first visit was the Round Church - absolutely facinating even though History of England is not my best subject. 

And then follows other buildings......unfortunately I do not take notes of which buildings is which.  I could probably guess, but would probably be wrong. 

So many to see. 

This street intrigued me - as I proceeded to take the photo nobody was in the street, then suddenly a cyclist appeared.

A little further on - we were confronted by this amusing sight.  A man singing from inside the litter bin!  Sung very well and all, but he must of been very uncomfortable.  I watched for over 15 mins.

The next day was spent wandering the streets, visiting the Library and a little retail therapy with vouchers I had left over. 

The final day, I left early, so had to pay the bus fare.  I wanted to get home earlier. 
It was raining - a steady drizzle as I proceeded through the park to catch the cross country coach.

Four buses and 6.5 hours later I was drinking tea in my kitchen.  The connections were excellent, just 10 mins in between, which gave me enough time to walk briskly to the relevant bus stops. 

The bus from Cambridge was the longest journey - 3 hours 20 mins, thankfully there was a toilet on board.  But have you ever tried using a toilet on a moving bus.  Now I know what the handle is for on the wall.  Very tricky just with two hands though in a confined space.  The trouble is if you waited til the bus stopped, so does everything else  - no light - no flusher - no water - no hand drier.  Not good....

I enjoyed that bus trip so much, if I had departed after 9.30 a.m., the trip would of been free, but since I wanted to reach destinations earlier, my whole bus trip cost me just £5.70.  Not bad for a three day break.

Now where shall I go next time......

Photo a Day Challenge - Sign

......and Photo a Day Challenge - Addiction. 

I am a day behind in the Challenge, so first for the

Photo a Day Challenge - Sign  - a sign of the time gone by!
 

When I met my OH 40 years ago, we visited a local market, and these two picture block boards were for sale.  Just for a bit of fun I bought them - and said something like - "it won't be long before we are this age".  OH replied "not for a long time yet though", how wrong he was........

These have been hanging on my hall wall for all these years.....looking worn out - just like me!

Photo a Day Challenge - Addiction

Well this says it all - the computer - I don't watch television, I don't read books as much as I should, but I spend hours on the computer.  I don't need a picture to prove it.....I know!

Photo a Day Challenge - Finger

It is so difficult to photograph your own finger.  No body would volunteer one, so I had to have a go.  So I propped one of my place mats up against the toaster and photographed my finger pointing at the picture on the place mat, which is The Bronte Parsonage, Howarth. 

Photo a Day Challenge - Building

We lived too far out of town for me to attend secondary school over 50 years ago, and so with 25 other girls, I lived in this building (Girls Hostel), which was walking distance from the school.  This is the side of the building, and through that door was the huge dining room. 

The building still stands but for many years now, it has been used for other purposes. 

Photo a Day Challenge - Open

I am not very imaginative today - I am trying not to get stressed and thinking about what to present as a photo for todays subject.  So I decided to look back on some of the photos I have on the computer and found one of our dog.  She has her eyes open.

She is 9 years old this year - that is 63 years in human years.  A few grey whiskers around the muzzle and the top of her forehead, a bit of arthritis in her back leg, but still alert.  She is a Tom Jones fan.  Loves his music, she would be sitting in her bed listening to a CD and the next minute her head has drooped and gradually she slides down and falls asleep.

Photo a Day Challenge - Texture

Have you ever tried making your cakes with gluten free flour?  Even if you don't eat gluten free - you should try a recipe. 

My favourite cakes are marmalade or a fruit cake and I had made it with wheat flour, up until about two years ago, I discovered gluten free flour.  Happen to be walking though a street market, and found a stall selling just gluten free products. 

You use it in the same quantity as you use wheat flour, but sometimes you may need a little extra fluid in the cake mix.

The texture in the marmalade cake is like eating a shortbread biscuit, and in the fruit cake the texture is different, but you find it in the taste.

 I try and make all my cakes with gluten free flour now, only because I like the texture better than cakes made with wheat flour.

But be warned - you can't make pastry - like you can with wheat flour - you need to add Xanthan Gum. 

Before I knew this I tried to make an apple pie. I could not make out why it remained in bits, and I kneaded and kneaded it,  and added more water,  to no avail.  It still would not roll out into a nice sheet of pastry. Rather than waste the pastry I "picked" bits off and laid the pieces across the top of the apple pie til it was covered and baked it.  Of course the texture was dry. hard and bitsy.  It was only when I looked up on the Internet, that I realised that one should add Xantham Gum.

So now I keep at least one packet of  gluten free flour and one small container of Xantham Gum in my cupboard until I bake again.

Photo a Day Challenge - Letter

Spot the Letter S. 

S stands for Stress in my life at the moment, and I wish I never got there.  Had all the warning signs months ago, and started to do something about it.   I work from home - big mistake sometimes, as you put more energy into your work than you would normally do if you worked for an employer.  Well a few weeks ago I decided I was going to retire....and enjoy life.  Do things that I want to do not what I have to do.

I would still work, but at a slower pace.  Well that did not last long because no sooner I get a phone call from a client to ask would I be "interested in.......".  LOL .  £ signs rush before my eyes, and thinking about extra money......so I said yes!  Knowing full well that I have a small dispute going on between two people and I am "piggy in the middle", that is really stressing me out - and has partly attributed to how I feel now.

I had this bad headache, right at the base of the skull, wouldn't go away, neck was still, pains in chest, lack of sleep, you name I am getting it......so I booked an appointment with the Holistic Therapist - what a disaster....she couldn't touch me I was in so much pain and I eventually broke down.  Cried buckets full - all over her couch. 

Thats it!  Another warning sign - this has gone too far!  So.... today, as exhausted as I am - I have booked a mini holiday miles away in a little Guest House - just me and me alone.  Take a couple books and just chill out.  Only other time I did this was 20 years ago when things got tough, but then I was more drastic and booked a flight to Australia - for 2 months!!! 

So this letter S has to be dealt with now - or else there will be a dead end on my road to retirement......

Photo a Day Challenge - My favourite colour

Green is my favourite colour - I love green glass - although I have only this and another green dish.  Just keeping to a minimum.

Twenty six years ago my son, when he was a child, bought me from a Jumble Sale a green bottle - Venetian I have been told.  It stands about 17" tall.  Then my grandson five years ago bought me an identical one from a Charity shop. 

They both stand proud on my fireplace, together with the Christmas Cactus - a fond memory of gifts from children.

Photo a Day Challenge - Big

My shoes - Size 6

Friend's shoes - Size 14.5

Thats what I call Big!

Photo a Day challenge - Lunch

Sorry I have done it!  Just two days in and I am photoless.  Well I did have good intentions.  I heated up the left over mince, onion and carrots today and put some boiled potatoes on thinking - I must find my camera, I must find my camera......but guess what?  I remembered after I had eaten......and tonight isn't lunch - and tomorrow is another challenge.......must see what it is - I know its Monday - but whats the challenge.....think.....think....think.

Property - Valerie Martin

How about that then!  Overdid my personal challenge of 50 pages a day!  Started this book last night   - 214 pages, finished late this afternoon.  Mmmm I wonder if I can now have a rest from reading for a few days.  Perhaps not..... I might need catch up time later on in the week!

Manon Gaudet is unhappily married to the owner of a Louisiana sugar plantation. She misses her family and longs for the vibrant lifestyle of her native New Orleans, but most of all, she longs to be free of the suffocating domestic situation. The tension revolves around Sarah, a slave girl who may have been given to Manon as a wedding present from her aunt, whose young son Walter is living proof of where Manon's husband's inclinations lie. This private drama is being played out against a brooding atmosphere of slave unrest and bloody uprisings. And if the attacks reach Manon's house, no one can be sure which way Sarah will turn.

I wasn't sure if this would be my type of book - since I like crime thrillers and psychological thrillers the best.  But there are times you need to read something else to give the brain a rest.  So from my never ending 'to be read' pile I chose this one.

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised - I enjoyed the storyline - a good light read.  The ending was a little strange, but one has to end it somehow and this could just be my opinion of the conclusion.

Photo a Day Challenge - Garden

The better area of garden - not taken today but a couple months ago.  The wooden garden bench is facing away because it needs repairing and I would hate someone sit on it and end up on the ground. 

Just one of those jobs to be done.....

 

The Front - Mandasue Heller

When old school friends Lee, Mal, Ged and Sam decided to make some easy money, nothing could have prepared them for the catalogue of disasters that was soon to follow. Robbing a supermarket should have been an easy job; nothing could possibly go wrong. But it did. With one of them wounded and a dead body on their hands, could matters get any worse? They should have known that a small supermarket on a Manchester estate wouldn't make that much money; they should have known that the aisles of tinned tomatoes and loss leaders was just a cover up for something a lot more dangerous. But they didn't know. They had no idea that as small fish they had unwittingly plunged into a very big pond and were now swimming with the great whites of the criminal underworld. The shop they robbed, their ticket to an easy life, was merely The Front for something very bid indeed.

I really enjoyed this book - based on the same tradition as Martina Cole but not so harsh I didn't think. 

As far as my personal challenge to read 50 pages in a day - I started this book before the challenge and so it took 10 days to read which is below average of the number of pages read in a day (35).  So got to make some adjustments to my day so that I can read more books if I am to get through the whole 887 on my bookcase before in my lifetime.