The North Coast with the Casements.

We awoke to the sound of the Corbet Band this morning, we were a bit disappointed that they didn't march yesterday, but it was good to see them this morning.
Despite the weather forecast we headed up to North Coast and to Portstewart with Laraine and Jim. We have known the three girls since the were born so it was nice to spend the day with them as adults.
The sun was shining all day and I got a fair amount of sun. It all started with me saying that I would love to go to the herring pond for a swim, something we did every year when we had a house in Portstewart for a week each summer. Kinda miss those family holidays, but all the kids are grown up now and we are at the stage were you are expected to walk 6 paces behind them now. We had tea in Portrush and then went to Barrys for a while. I think Lorraine beat jim at the shooting!!! Anyway had a great day Thanks!

Banbridge hosts the 12th (13th)

This year Banbridge hosted the twelth of July district procession, only it was held on the 13th and is now known as Orange Fest. The weather was a mixed bag and alternated back and forth between showers and sunshine. The parade went off very well and the procession was well received by the many onlookers that turned out along the route, The route made its way through the centre of town starting and finishing close to the rugby club.
I just took my camera to take a few snaps of the parade home.

(as always click on the photo for a larger image)

11th Night. Party time despite the weather

As usual we planned to have a BBQ on the 11th night but despite a good week, the weather forecast was for heavy rain, and the forecast was spot on. We solved the problem by buying a large ex-demo party tent (we called it the Function Room). Despite the rain and wind we had a wonderful nights craic. BBQ, a selection of fine desert's and some games to finish off the night. This was Nathans first BBQ and Nathan and Elaine did very well despite the conditions, bit of a baptism of fire.
Richard and Myrtle were just back from Uganda and it was good to have them back safe and sound.
We had to really tie down the tent as the wind picked up and became a real threat but by that time around 12.00pm, everyone was heading home.
Thanks to everyone for being hardy and making it a great night.

(as always click on the photo for a larger image)

Horse Ridding

Haven't been able to ride for a while but I did get up for a social visit and to take some photos.

Our Cat

Just playing about with different camera setups. This photo of our cat was shot under very low light conditions under natural light. The colours are much better that anything I have achieved with flash. As you can see there is a very narrow amount of the cats face in focus, this is due to the very wide aperture setting off the lens

(as always click on the photo fro a larger image.)

The marching season.

It's hard to believe that its that time of year again. Time goes by in a flash. We didnt think that these traditional orange lilies would come again and we threw them in a trailer for the dump. To our surprise they bloomed and were quickly retrieved and given pride of place in the garden for another year.
The other image was just playing about with flash.