Old London Buses

I recently picked up an old photo album containing 28 photos taken by the same photographer during the late Victorian or early Edwardian period. The photographs are on very thin glossy paper, some have faded, but all take you on a voyage of discovery, as you delve deeper into the images and learn of the life style of people living one hundred years before us. How we used to live! Here are some photographs of buses in London around the early 1900s.

Squadts and Photoshop

Feeling a little creative this weekend using my camera, Chipp and Jack “Die Fucker” Squadts and Photoshop I designed a couple of images.  It’s the first time I’ve used brushed and lots of layers in Photoshop.  Now the Squadts can be seen in their natural surroundings!

Remembrance Day 11th November

A poppy and a poem for Remembrance Day.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

From “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon

Yet whilst most of the country remembered in silence at 11 o’clock extremist Muslim men once again demonstrated a lack of respect and understanding for the people and culture of the country they live in, they were protesting and burning poppies.

Squadts

Squadts are 6 inch naughty urban warriors made of vinyl. Each is ready to take on the world, equipped with his weapon of choice. Above is Chipp from the “Launch Party” ready for action with his orange tipped rocket launcher.

Shanklin Fire Station in 1906

Here are a couple of postcards posted in 1906 and 1907.  They are of Shanklin’s Fire Station and the horse drawn fire vehicle, the building today is Shanklin’s Library.

Old Postcard Hope Road Shanklin

A late Victorian or early Edwardian postcard of Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight.

Scheme Offers Girls of 13 The Contraceptive Pill

The Isle of Wight has been chosen to pilot what is perhaps a controversial scheme. From today girls as young as 13 will be able to obtain the “Pill” from Island Chemists without their parent’s or Doctor’s knowledge.

Shanklin 1881

The photo for this Victorian postcard of Shanklin, Isle of Wight, was taken between 18th – 21st January 1881 when heavy snowfall covered much of the country, probably about 4 foot high on the Island and up to 10 foot recorded in Evesham. It shows the junction of the High Street and Victoria Avenue.

Martin Harvey Victorian Actor

I recently discovered an old postcard posted on 30th January 1904 at 8:30pm.  There was something a little different about the man on this card that appealed to me, he didn’t seem as “straight laced” as most portrait real photo postcards spanning the Victorian/Edwardian era, the image seemed to have more life.   At the time I purchased the postcard I had no idea who he was, what he did, that he had connections with the Isle of Wight or even that he was knighted in 1921.

The Pancreas and Diabetes

So what’s the connection between diabetes and the pancreas?  A healthy pancreas has several very important jobs to do,  one of those is to produce of the hormone insulin.  Insulin is essential to help the body’s blood flowing freely and prevent it becoming sticky due to having too much glucose mixed with it.

Diabetes Insulin Injections

Daily injections are not one of most pleasant about diabetes.  It’s not so much that they hurt but all the paraphernalia you need to carry with you.  And sometimes you just feel like a pin cushion . . .

Diabetic Sock Puppets

When you have diabetes many, so called, health improving products are marketed at you. But Diabetic Socks? Why? Having diabetes isn’t the best thing in the world, but diabetic socks herald the beginning of the end in terms of fashion, fun and life.

Coming Soon!

Welcome to WightWords.  We’re not ready yet, pop back towards the middle of November 2010

Crocs Shoes : Love them or Hate them?

Crocs Shoes, love them or hate them, you have to admit they’ve been a worldwide phenomenon when it comes to footwear.  I’m never one to quickly follow trends, whether the article in question be considered the absolute height or a crime of fashion.  But now I’ve read that the company are in trouble, apparently a victim of their own success. It’s claimed the reason for this is that Crocs are so long lasting that those who love, and own, these shoes never need to purchase another pair.

Isle of Wight Colloquialisms

Wight words explained by the excellent Mr Caulkhead using the wonderful “ipadio’ service.  Discover the meaning of Stabbit, Squitters, Hugger-Mugger and more.

DB Needle and Insulin Droplet

I’ve always been a bit of a purist when it comes to cameras, believing that only SLRs and then DSLRs are the best cameras to use. The first image I’ve captured is a droplet of insulin on a DB Micro-Fine needle (0.25mm wide, 8mm long). The insertion tip of the needle is not easy to see with the naked eye. I’m really impressed with the results.

Isle of Wight County Flag

You may have noticed that the the Isle of Wight has a new flag. Following a competition in the island’s newspaper the “County Press” John Graney’s design for the “Isle of Wight County Flag” beat over 350 entrants.

The Needles : Isle of Wight

One of the most iconic images of the Isle of Wight is a group of rocks just off the Western most tip of the Island known as “The Needles”. Throughout the years they have attracted artists, photographers, writers, sailors and holiday makers each of whom have captured their chalky images in one medium or other.