M5 Early morning Mid December

Nice sky so after getting my paper I carried on out to the moor. M5 showed well but not against a background because I was taking North Easterly.

The house lights on Tickenham Batch came up OK and I tried experimenting with manual exposure. worked fairly well but better when I got down to the Blind Yeo.

Blind Yeo showing the morning sky.

The sky had reddened and reflected well. Wish I had got there earlier, but then I couldn't have taken any on the M5 bridge.

The usual Mallard drakes

Took a look down at the Blind Yeo in Stroud Road.

The mallards thought I was there to throw bread etc and lazily swam up to the water just below the bridge

The Little Gulls were not so sure and just stayed where they were on then bank until they could actually SEE food being thrown. 

I am sorry to say that both lots were disappointed. My scraps get thrown out onto the grass at the back of the flats for resident birds in my area.

Little Gulls waiting

Palm Sunday gallery

Struck lucky Tuesday when I went up through Nortons Wood Lane and across the moor.
I decided I would go on to Weston-in-Gordano and take some pix from the churchyard.
The wall at the back gives a lovely view across the valley.
I couldn't get into the porch so went back to the gate and took a view of the road.
Someone came along with the key and allowed me into the church.
They switched on the lights and showed me how to turn them off when i was done. I took a couple of shots and the battery was exhausted. I put the porch door on open and went to the car and got batteries and also my tripod.
Managed to get a pic of the percival monument and also the unusual pulpit built into the church wall. Then the gallery in the porch. I reckon there are not many left in existence and this one is fine, although I notice that "Health and Safety" have made them install a bar to it as well.
In medieval days it was customary to wed folk at the church door with the choir on the gallery and then after they were married to admit them to the body of the church.
This gallery is in excellent condition and sound enough to still be used, which it is every Palm Sunday.

The last bit of scaffolding

The last of the scaffolding has now been removed and all can be peace and quiet once more.

The only wooden bits left to paint were the roof edges and gable ends. All the rest is plastic. Walls were painted over and everything is neat and tidy again. 

I wonder how many folk get caught with these stupid add ons that keep popping up.
"Weird tip for a flat belly."
"Shocked doctors with muscle weight putting drugs."
" Steroid type additives to increase muscle power" (with an obviously and ridiculous edited pic with enlarged chest and arms)
I just automatically chuck them out. 

Gull Wing Merc sports car

Went up to Mercedes at Cribb's causeway to get my passenger air bag re-installed. While I was waiting I had a look round the showroom.

Really marvellous gull wing car there. I can just imagine me driving it. Insurance would be horrendous, what with age and the car type I reckon it would be well into the 10's of K's.
There was a very nice family type - not quite an estate that would have done me better. However Ernie is never kind to me and Euro Millions seems to have forgotten I buy tickets so they will have to stay in my dreams.

Main thing is now the Smart has been adjusted I can listen to tapes or Classic FM when I am driving. 

Had an Email about some of my hoverfly pix. I looked to Google map and saved a screen pic .  Nailsea Wall is marked on the pic but Cleverham drove - is only referenced by the little A tab.

Last spring and summer  was not so good but previous years there had been lots of insect life along the brambles in the hedgerows along the field access lanes