True Colours Thursday - PRIMROSE!

As TCT participant Mollie pointed out last week ,PRIMROSE is just another name for pale yellow - she's a smart pup!

But, when I came to look for a photo of the actual flower, initially drew a blank - maybe a Cowslip is good substitute...

Then, remembered my Kensitas Silk Cigarette Card collection - the PRIMROSE is No. 46 in Series 1 [1933]...

Per which, in the 'Language of Flowers' means 'Girlhood: Loves, Doubts & Fears' and the Greek name of a PRIMROSE was 'Paralios', so-called after a youth who died of grief for the loss of his betrothed & was changed into the flower!

And passing through the Covered Market, finally found a real, if cultivated bloom on display...

While last Saturday's 'Morris Mania' event saw these ladies parading in their PRIMROSE pinafores...After my fill of that fun, headed to the Celebration Cake Shop, that's window offered this decoration on a wedding cake...

To join True Colours Thursday, whose designated blog home is HERE, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment on either site, so we know you are 'IN'!
Previous known participants are shown in the TCT Roll Call in that blogs side bar.
Next week is colour is CHARTREUSE as requested in the spirit of odd colours to challenge us all by BJ, so blame her, not me!
And, please remember ideas for forth coming colours would be very welcome!

A Huge Two fer Tuesday - Morris Mania!

As part of last weekends Folk Festival here; on Saturday, my city centre responded with the sounds of bells jingling on leggings & shoes, sticks being rhythmically smashed together with gusto and music, lots of music, as Morris dance groups from all over the country descended upon Dreamingspires for this annual entertaining event, which I for one always enjoy immensely.

Proceedings started with a colourful parade - I staked a good place to watch - action shots aren't my forte but...The Green Man also put in an appearance...Then the different Morris groups dispersed to various locations to continue performing their dance routines...And socialise...

The history of Morris Dancing goes back to the 15th century & is a traditional ritual to welcome the return of Spring!

Two fer was the idea of blog friend Jonna - it only requires two or pairs of photo's - just hope my figures add up!

Monochrome Monday - Rowing on the River!

Saturday saw the finals of this years Torpids on the River Isis - I watched a few of the early races...These 'bump races' are a pecularity to Dreamingspires and take place every Hilary Term between teams from the individual colleges within the University - I wrote about last years event & tried to explain the concept HERE!

Alieni is creator, mine host of Monochrome Weekend.

Saturday Photo Hunt - Jiggly!

Host tnchick's prompt had me perplexed re how to approach this weeks word photographically.
I checked, my Concise Oxford English Dictionary for a definition.
"Jiggle, v - Jiggly, adj :-
To move or rock lightly up and down or to and fro in an unsteady, jerky manner".
Next out of curiosity, I entered the word in Google Images - the results were surprising, the female form - Mmm!
A search of my Photo Archives came up trumps!

One very wet Saturday in April 2008, the annual Lords Majors Parade took place.
It made its way through the town towards my evergreen park, which is where I caught up with it.
Amongst the parade's participants were a local group of Belly Dancers, who enthusiastically jiggled their wares & tambourines whilst jiggling their charity collection buckets for donations too.
One lady was particularly jiggly despite the cool damp conditions - I had to admire her exuberance, there was no doubt she enjoyed the dancing, the performance...It is not something I can ever see myself doing mind, fun as it may be!
Guess, I lack the costume, the spunk, the NERVE!

Two fer Tuesday - Santa's About!

As it's now December, I'm allowing myself to mention/post re the X factor ie Christmas!
It was actually, the other week, I was surprised to encounter this familiar looking group loitering in the city centre...The Christmas street decorations weren't even up along Carfax!!!
It was a photo/publicity stunt using students to promote this year's Santa's on the Run!
This event will help raise funds for the local Helen & Douglas Children's Hospice & takes place, a week on Sunday.
I'm actually in Brighton @ the time, hence sadly missing the crazy run here.
However, a similar event for a different charity, is happening along the Hove seafront, so will catch the fun there!

But, another 'action' Santa, has been capturing my attention every time I walk through the Covered Market, which is a lot as it's the home of the Celebtation Cake Shop!
This guy's tapping Dreamingspires Boot Shop's window with his stick no less...Sadly, his seriously costly waterproof walking shoes & fleecy slippers are beyond my slim means!
Twofer, just requiring two or pairs of images on your subject is the concept of friend Jonna!

Sky Watch Friday - Autumn Market!

Gloucester Green in central Dreamingspires, is home to a new development of modern designer apartments...I do like the 'look', as fancy flat living, but perhaps not the location so much!
It was though, thoughtfully tree'ed for Autumnal colour...Every Thursday it's central square, hosts an Antiques [& Craft] Market.
I regularly check it out....All these shots were taken yesterday morning, before the skies clouded over & we, locally battened down the hatches for a long weekend of torrential gales & rain - Yuk, yuk, yuk!

Sky Watch for the brave, is to be found HERE!

Fungi to Die For Once Again!

This weekend, renowned Italian chef & restaurateur Carlo Carluccio, who several years ago opened a branch of 'Carluccio's', his cafe' chain, in Dreamingspires Castle complex - for the third year running is hosting to promote his cafe', books & food, a Mushroom Festival there.
I went along to drawl this morning...Every very type of mushroom imaginable was available...I came home with an indulgent mix of Olives & Anti-pasta, Italian meats, Parma ham & Parmesan...Also, sampled 'Risotto ai funghi', made with fresh wild Ceps, a new Fungi to me.
The said 'King' of the Italian mushroom world, it was to be honest, delicious but far too rich for my taste!
However, love to try!

Two fer Tuesday - Arts & Buildings!

Every year, nearby town Abingdon's Medieval Abbey is home to a fortnight long Art, Craft & Design Festival.

I went along this weekend, but found it this time, lacking photographic inspiration.

Also, the delights I wanted to photo, were refused by their artists!

Some had even posted 'NO Photograph' signs!

This makes me both frustrated & irritated.

However, I did asked politely for permission re several that particularly attracted me, promised to take details & give them an acknowledgement with web site link if they had one.

But, they were a stroppy lot, saying I was infringing/threatening their copy right etc.

I lost the will to publicise them!

This is the second time, I've had issues @ this event, which must attract the most unfriendly of craft folks in the country.

Am I the only one who encounters such **** differculties???

Is this an English attitude problem???

Anyway, I quickly snatched these general images, before leaving the Abbey...

The above photo is the hall used by the local Unicorn Theatre group - it's raftered ceiling is seen below...

As I like history, will share the Abbey's...

The Great Benedictine Abbey of St Mary, was founded in Anglo-Saxon times about 670AD.

It was subsequently, re-founded & rebuilt around 955 by St Ethelwold, and rebuilt again, in the 12th century by Norman Abbots!

Being extremely rich, it was finally dissolved by Henry v111 in 1538 for it's booty.

Most of the principle buildings were then demolished, but two groups remain - a range of buildings by the Abbey Millstream & the Main Gateway in the corner of the Market Place, flanked by St Nicholas's church & former St Johns Hospital.

This is the said gateway looking both ways...In 1944, 'The Friends of Abingdon' were formed.

They purchased the Long Gallery & Checker, and a row of derelict cottages.

The society then, restored these buildings, which are now listed as Ancient Monuments.

It's the 'Friends' that each Autumn hold the Craft Festival to raise funds for the Abbeys maintenance.

And, the Abbeys buildings, courtyards, galleries certainly do form a really atmospheric back-drop for the artists.

After abandoning the 'Arts', I briefly strolled around Abingdon.

The town is down stream to Dreamingspires, and yesterday's Mellow Yellow Shot is of the Thames there.

This is the Abbeys Mill tributary, that feeds into the main river...

Two Fer is Jonna's concept, I like to keep the faith, but have lost track as to whether I've actually pairs of photo's!