Harry Patch R.I.P 25th July 2009

Harry Patch the only surviving veteran of the first World War died today at the nursing home where he lived in Wells, aged 111 years.

I photographed him last year at the Remembrance Day service held at St Cuthbert's church in Wells and wrote about him in my blog at that time. He was quite a celebrity in the latter years of his life when he finally began to speak of his experiences in the trenches. Maybe this is what he is thinking of in this photo taken after his wreath had been laid at the memorial in the churchyard. I'm honoured that I was able to have taken my pictures of him.

SpeedChoice

When I was caught traveling at 36mph in a 30 zone a couple of months ago I was annoyed - that I had been caught, and more that I was stupid enough to drive above the speed limit when I was well aware of it.

I had the choice of accepting 3 points on my licence and the consequences of this - higher insurance premium etc or attending a SpeedChoice workshop, Still have to pay the fine either way. I jumped at the workshop opportunity and yesterday was my appointed day for attending.

There were about 20 of us in the group and every single person left saying how much they had learned, that we would all change our attitude to speeding and the way we drive in restricted areas, and surprisingly, how much we had enjoyed the workshop. If this was compulsory for all drivers I'm sure it would be a huge benefit to road safety in general.

Decided to do a bit of exploring on the way home from Taunton so diverted to the Bridgwater Canal. One stretch of canal looks much like any other to me, this canal is landlocked so there are few boats to stir up the murky waters and the traffic noise from the nearby M5 was very intrusive.

Raining & Foggy

Yes, today really is a 'Blog from the Fog' day, there has been no let up in the rain since I woke at 5.30am and the fog is with us too.

The rain does at least saturate the colours of everything so the last of the foxgloves really stand out in the gloom. I love to see the elegant curves they make as they begin to go over.

Summer, what Summer ??

Ok I know we Brits are reputed to be obsessed with the weather but its hardly surprising when our seasons are so erratic. After an unexpectedly cold and snowy winter spring brought us some beautiful sunshine, and more recently it has been very hot and humid. At the end of last week it became unsettled, stormy and windy and yet again this morning is grey and wet feeling more like autumn.

I've had some great opportunities for photography this year and the 'green green' of summer is not a favourite time for me so I'm content to look in other directions while nature takes its course and the countryside eventually starts to take on more subtle tones.