Monday 30th April

Up at 4.00am to try to catch some early morning mist. Low cloud at the cottage we were staying in - so we headed towards Malham. Rewarded by some nice light on the limestone pavement, where we shot a lone tree!

Wended our way back to the cottage for a "brunch" taking in some classic Yorkshire Dales landscape.

Last shot of the day; backlit by torch wood anemones.

Swaledale, Yorkshire

In the Yorkshire Dales for a few days enjoying a photo-break with Guy Edwardes and two others.  A long drive to get here - but worth it.

A few quick shots on the first  night.  Wonderful light!

Up at 6.00am to beat the rain!  Cotter Falls - the first waterfall we snapped!

Details of Cotter Force

Managed to take in a different waterfall before rain stopped play - half an hour later, we had breakfast (at 10.30am!)

German War Graves at Bayeaux

Our enemy in WW11 had losses too - and their fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen are buried nearby.  An altogether more sombre affair.  The Iron Cross was very prominent as a memorial, and the last resting place of their fallen are marked by simple slate slabs laid flat on the ground.

Somehow, I felt the gritty nature of Infrared monochrome suited the mood of this place.

A Funny Sort of Easter

There we were, poised for the family's visit over Easter!  Mike was hurrying to finish felting the roof of our newly erected summer house.  I was grooming a dog in the garage, with the door shut.  Thus - when Mike fell off the ladder, propped against the said shed, no-one hear his cries for help.  Realising he was on his own and that his leg was broken - there was nothing for it but to "bum shuffle" up through our very long garden.  

He arrived in a semi-collapsed state at the top of a flight of six concrete steps when thankfully the customer, who'd arrived to collect her dog, was able to alert me to the emergency

The rest, as they say, is history!  Paramedics, ambulance and two weeks in hospital were to follow, plus a pinning and plating job to the dislocated and broken fibia.

That was nearly four weeks ago.  Two days ago, he had his permanent plaster put on, and the following photos show what happened!

Home at last, sporting a temporary back-slab plaster.

Last Tuesday - temporary plaster removed, showing the incision made to insert the plate.

Nasty bruise on the opposite side of the foot where the temporary plaster had rubbed.

Patiently waiting for a nurse to remove the stitches.

Stitches coming out.

"This may sting a bit"

Different angle - still taking out the stitches

Close-up for those wanting a closer view!

We counted six stitches in all.

From the wall poster above his bed showing the plating procedure (lower middle image)

Stitches out - now waiting for the permanent plaster.

Starting to apply the new plaster

The nurse told him to put his foot there - honest!

The inner sock and felt padding being applied

Carefully aligning the foot

Nearly finished the first stage

Starting to apply the final plaster

The permanent caste almost finished.  What other colour would a Blues addict opt for?

Three hours later, we were able to go home!  Mike can now apply 50% weight bearing to the injured leg. (Can anyone tell us how you judge 50% of your weight, please?)

He's much more comfortable with the new plaster, and more confident when moving around!  Not too long now before he can bop the night away once more with all his women!

Thank goodness this happened AFTER his Blues Cruise to the USA in January/February!  How awful it would have been if it had happened sooner, and prevented the holiday of a lifetime for him?

British War Graves, Bayeaux. 8th January 2012

So many; so young.  A very sobering visit.  The War Graves Commission has to be congratulated for keeping this cemetery to beautifully.  

The names of all those buried in this cemetery, who lost their lives in 1944, are recorded on the walls of this memorial.

Names are also recorded within the book, behind  the protective glass.

As far as the eye could see - young men lost in their prime.

The Unknown Soldier's grave.

Let's hope this will always be the case?

Robert Cappa's memorial.

Robert Cappa, co-founder of Magnum photo library, was the famous war photographer who recorded the 'D Day' Landings in Normandy.  He didn't die in these landings - and although he "had had enough of wars" at the end of the '39-'45 conflict, he was persuaded by Life magazine to cover the Indochina war in 1954 for them.  That was where his luck finally ran out when he stepped on a land-mine.  He died, still clutching his Leica camera.

American War Graves : 8th January 2012

The fierce battles in Normandy, both in the First World War, and again in the 1940's, which resulted in so much carnage and waste of young lives has always seemed so sad to me.  However, to go and see the miles and miles of white crosses, each marking someone's loved one last resting place - and all so young - was very, very sobering.

The American Flag, always saluting their fallen soldiers.

Entrance to the American Cemetry

Looking back towards the entrance, as above.

Each cross marks a fallen US soldier

                                                    

The Chapel of Rest - a permanent memorial and a quiet place to remember.