True Colours Thursday - RAINBOW!

Since my self inflicted 'exile / time out' from ALL things blogging, blog life has moved on as it does without me, even my own meme has! :( ...
It's now 'Blues Coloured Thursday' and hosted by pup friends Mollie & Doyle.
In truth, I have no problem with this, as they were loyal TCT participants, and since they did not want my Colours to run out started their own meme.
It is sweet they dedicated it to me, & have included a cake announcing the following weeks colour.
What better tribute to my time spent blogging/making friends can there be than that?

For those who don't know why I suddenly stopped blogging - all I can say is that as after 3 +++ years in Blogland, scattered over many blogs, I've quite literally run out of things to write about, even photograph as my life has become very futile.
Am I back blogging again - probably NOT, but I am here today to play my 'True Colours' one more time because the 'Wizard of Oz' was a fav. magical film and Dorothy's song wistfully conjures up how I feel as want to be able to dream even though I nolonger have any...

"Somewhere over the RAINBOW, way up high,
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the RAINBOW, bluebirds fly.
Why then, oh why can't I?"

From my RAINBOW archives, have chosen old images as not taken a new photograph in months!
I'm not religious however love Stained Glass windows in churches.
Christ Church, the city Cathedral, small it may be, has wonderful ones whose reflections create a RAINBOW spectrum...And there is my colourful Hug of bears, all who will soon need new homes - if you can help, please email me...And from my favourite diner in Brighton aka Bills, where J1 and I have met on my visits there..Sadly, I have no cake as not been cake window shopping.

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - Reflected Home!

Welcome bright sunshine and a squeaky clean & shiny car produced this reflection of a neighbours house's ground floor windows, spotted when walking down my road last week...Monochrome Weekend's creator & host is Alieni.

Monochrome Monday - Barmouth!

Yesterday I mentioned the 2008 WELTAF weekend in Barmouth, North Wales - so thought for St David's Day its-self & Aileni's Monochrome theme, I'd re-visit via Black & White a couple of the views from my holiday there.

The estuary harbour @ low tide with it's stranded boats...

Barmouth's very recognisable rail & toll bridge over the the River Mawddach...

Monochrome Weekend's home is HERE!

Sky Watch Friday - Winter Reflection!

As not going far from home @ the moment, my photo's can get repetitive.

But, sky watching via a local window with a mirror reflection, produced this curious Winter image...

A Monochrome for Monday - The College Boathouses!

The snows have gone, quite literally washed away by a rainy Saturday.

Yesterday the sun was out & so was I.

After days of house confinement it was lovely to enjoy some fresh air.

It almost felt Spring like!

And, the river was surprisingly tranquil, along this stretch of towpath...

Alieni is creator & host of Monochrome Weekend.

Monday's Monochrome & Odd Shot - The Church Window!

Once yesterday mornings frost had melted off this super clean car windscreen, one of St Aldates Church's perpendicular windows was reflected beautifully - it seemed a perfect oddity for tweaking to a B&W image...Friend Alieni is creator & host of Monochrome Weekend, hence the link!

Mellow Yellow - A Golden Reflection!

On Monday's, I keep seeing 'Mellow Yellow' posts!

And, since I'm into 'Colours', thought I'd give it a go this week.

Autumn locally is still a very green & yellow mix.

But, this river reflection from the weekend, sums up what glories are to come...For the full story re the location, you will have to read to the end of tomorrow's Two Fer post!

Camera Critters Sunday - What's New Pussycat!

As a serious 'window shopper', I always appreciate an unsusual display.

And, one High Street boutique's windows I frequently look in, is the 'White Stuff' - many of it's outfits show up in my photographs for True Colours Thursday.

Last year, they came up with one of my most favourite ever window displays.

So, I was delighted when I found that the Cats are back, all fashionally attired in this seasons new outfits...

The light on Saturday, meant the reflections were a photographic bonus!

And once again, a certain Tom Jones tune is running through my head, "What's New Pussycat!"

Camera Critters host is Misty Dawn.
To access real animal shots, check out the blog HERE!

Sky Watch Friday - Christ Church Reflection!

The Great Hall's spires against a predominately cloudy sky as glimpsed whilst, walking through Christ Church College's back lane...

For a world wide view of differing skies, or to join in Sky Watch, the designated website HERE!

Sky Watch Friday - After the Rains!

I think this shot says it all about this weeks weather...
Sky Watch's designated the site is HERE!

Sky Watch Friday - The Boathouse's Window!

If you cast your mind back to my post for this weeks Monochrome/Odd Shot on Monday, I featured University College's boathouse - I said it was a design winner & it is for it's ultra modern look!

In my traditional eyes, it does look, a wee bit out of place along the River Isis.

But, it's huge club house's window reflection, certainly gives a different take on the sky...

SkyWatch's designated site is HERE!

Sky Watch Friday - Lake Reflection!

Despite the recent & continuing heavy rains, all too reminiscent of late July '07, the lake in my park is holding it's own.
Took this shot in a moment of recent sunny respite...This 'reflective' spot, was once a working gravel pit, now long since flooded!
The bridge, from the parks entrance takes one over the water, then the railway sidings to the pathway known as the Devils Backbone & through to South Hinksey Village.

Re Sky Watch, that I no longer officially participate in, the site is HERE!

A Monochrome & Odd Shot for Monday - Pimm's Time!

Personally, I'm not a great Pimm's fan.
However, with a large Academic population, even out of University term time, and a busy Summer river, Dreamingspires claims to be the Pimm's world drinking capital - well, according to The High's wine store Oddbins...The building reflected in the window is that of Brasenose College!

Monochrome Maniacs is Aleni's project.
Odd Shots is Katneys!

Sky Watch Friday - Puddle Watch!

After days & nights of rain, it really was a case yesterday, of watching out for the puddles, as the only thing the leaden grey skies of an English Winter promised was more of the same...

To join or see brighter views, the dedicated Sky Watch blog can be found HERE!

Sunday Scenery - The Boat Houses!

Liking photo memes as I do, can't resist this one!
A walk beside the Isis, as the River Thames is called, as it run through Dreamingspires is always a pleasure even in Winter, especially when you can see reflections like this...With rowing being a very important University sport, each individual college has its own private boat house in its own colours...

Come a few weeks time, they will be a hive of competitive activity, re Torpids, the Hilary Term rowing event, when each college will field crews, take to the river & race against each other over four days.

As usual, I'll be there to watch the action.

Sunday Scenery is the idea of Tarheel Ramblings.

Two fer Tuesday - Alladin's Cave!

Continuing th reflections theme, just a short walk away from me, is a fascinating Bazaar, a real Aladdin's Cave.
The Furniture Warehouse, according to its advertising blurb, specialises in 'new, antique and good clean second-hand furniture, from Victorian stripped pine to French painted Shabby Chic & items of Objet d'art'.
But, it's, its window displays & reflections that I notice when passing by...
And, Betty Boo, a fav. character of Wilma, frequently hangs out there...
Jonna is mine-host here, as the Two fer concept was her bright idea!

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - Shiny Cars!

When I was a car owner, I was never that diligent re washing or polishing my poor vehicles.

They were simply, as I've said before; a means to get from A to B with four wheels & engine.

Only, my last car had a name, Scarlet because she was sooo red!

So, a birthday bath pre annual MOT road check & a spruce up before going on holiday was about it.

I am therefore, always impressed - big time, with owners who care so much, they give me wonderful photo opportunities!

For Aileni, Monochrome Maniac creator & blog host HERE, I offer this high definition shot...

A car this clean & shiny to me, is deffinately an oddity too.

But, on Saturday, I think I went one better for Katney's Odd Shots?

No offence intended - but, how often does one find God via a church window in a one car windscrean...

Sunday Scenery - The Pool!

Going over to friend Aileni's blog this morning, I found he was participating in a new proposed photo theme called 'Sunday Scenery'.
It's the idea of Tarheel Ramblings, who is new to me too - but in his own words:-
"For a little over a year, I have been posting a photo on Sundays under the title of Sunday Scenery.
A couple of weeks ago, Linda, blog mistress of Are We There Yet?, started putting up her own versions of Sunday Scenery and pointing people over here to my blog.
So, I’ve decided to invite anyone who is interested to participate in Sunday Scenery, the Photo Meme.
There really are no rules to speak of, just put up a photograph that represents something you’ve seen where you live or where you’ve visited that you would like to share with others.
Then post your link using Mister Linky, that I’ll have as part of my post for the current week."

My immediate reaction was - Do, I really need another photo meme???
Then, that the post I did yesterday afternoon, would have fitted the bill perfectly!
Anyway, a leisurely stroll in my Evergreen Park, that's only 5 minutes walk away from me, has provided other images [with more reflections!]
So - Yes, I'm IN.

A couple of days ago, the Open Air Swimming Pool in said park, looked pretty forlorn in the gloom... Today, still neglected - it, in the sunshine @ least promised, the delights it will bring me, in the forth coming season ...Roll on the 1st of May!
I'll be one of those, first in line for a 'Season Ticket', to this wonderful oasis, right on my doorstep.

There are, Indoor Swimming Pools scattered around Dreamingspires, but they never entice me.
For one thing, I'd need to be organised to use them - i.e. plan my trip, catch Public Transport there & back.
AND then, swim looking up @ a concrete roof instead of the sky.
It is NO contest really - who couldn't agree?
So, I remain a seasonal swimmer, totally loyal to my local pool.
Just, pile on the weight in the Winter months & try to swim it off during the Summer ones!

Camera Critters Sunday - Hound Wear!

Continuing with it seems 'window shopping', rather than reflections - there is a one there mind - one of my city's, few remaining long standing independendant retailers, Shephard & Woodward specialises in classic attire for outdoor activities; that includes dressing your hounddog for the part...

Doesn't he look smart & all ready to join the country hunting/shooting set???
Sorry but had no new wildlife sightings to share this week.
Misty Dawn is Camera Critters creator, the site to view the real thing is HERE!

The Gods Listened Briefly!

Yes, for a few hours earlier today, I had my much loved blue skies back.

To see brightness & sunshine, instead of gloom & greyness, certainly does lift ones mood & spirits, or @ least, it does mine!

I, for one, firmly believe in the 'sunlight deficiency disorder' thingy; even though, its official name eludes me @ the mo!

See, definitely, need more sunshine to aid my flagging brain power here!

My latest reflection shot after the murky brown waters of yesterday, is much more upbeat.

I'm looking back towards my park - the ice has gone...

And, just to show that the lakes waters are high due to melt off, the fisherman's decking is submerged...But, even so - don't flood waters look so much better in Blue?