Monochrome Monday - The Fairylit Bridge!

After Saturday's Welsh Terrier walk, we drove cross Albert Bridge.
Due to heavy traffic by the time we reached it, dusk has tuned into dark, which is when the bridge, already one of London's prettiest spanning the River Thames, is nightly illuminated by thousands of white lights...Alieni is the creator & host of Monchrome Weekly.

Camera Critters Sunday - Santa's Terrier's!

I'm down in WelshAire Country for my pre Christmas visit to see Molly, Taffy & Monty, my doggy 'niece' & 'nephews'.

And yesterday, went along with Taffy & his human J [H stayed home with Airedale's Molly & Monty] to join the southern group of WELTAF [Welsh Terrier & Friends] Christmas walk, to which I'd also invited along Wire Fox Terrier friends Sally & Paddy and their Diana & Chris.

This years walk was @ Battersea Park, London.

Now, I simply associated the area with the remains of Battersea Power Station & of course Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

So, was pleasantly surprised with the green space that is the park, which runs along the south side of the Thames embankment between Chelsea & Albert Bridges.

It was apparently, "conceived to offer both pleasure and the regulation thereof in one of the capital's dodgier districts, and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858."

I wonder if She would have been amused by Terriers in Santa hats!!!

Taffy...

Sally...

Preceding the WELTAF walk in the park, Battersea had hosted it's charity Santa's Run resulting in this festive litter...

There were the usual photo calls, which included:-

Mixed terrier company in front of the dancing fountains...

Bandstand groupings - the six Welsh terriers who attended...

And, the two Wire Fox Terriers...

Plus unseasonal Welshie paddling...

I walked Sally, or rather she happily lead me along...

Here she is showing her sweetest profile...

And Paddy, bless him played stick enthusiastically with me...

Then posed too...

All in all it was another highly enjoyable fun walk despite the overcast leaden grey skies.

Everyone even had treats too, biscuits for the pups and Christmas chocolates & badge for the adults!

Saturday Photo Hunt - Curved!

Yet again, host tnchick had me perplexed with her prompt.

Voluptuously curved ladies did spring to mind, not that I'm into that sort of thing personally, I can re-assure friends.

But, for the last week+, some Oriental soft-porn site keeps targeting me, ie leaving a 'Comment'!!!

This is an extract from yesterdays...

" 童貞を奪ってみたい女性たちは、男性にとって「初体験」という一生に一度だけの"

I of course, can't decipher it's actual content via the messages curved characters, however before deleting the very first similar comment, as it was left, as they all are, so in appropriately on my sentimental post last month about my late Mother's Remembrance Flowers, curiosity saw me I checked out the source - deletion followed immediately, yet the 'Comments' keep on coming in daily!!!

Anyway moving on, I do have a much more appropriate subject.

Seeing this curved 'Snow Angel' Water Globe, whisked me back to my childhood...

Once upon a time, I had a similar glass globe, till broken.

I was so fascinated by it's frosty snow fluttering down when shaken gently.

The above, I found the other day in Past Times,.

She is based on a Victorian image - cherubic children with wings & dressed in Winter white were very popular back then, and unlike the one I had as a little girl, this Globe when wound up it plays the carol 'The First Noel'!

Sky Watch Friday - Same Old City Lights!

I couldn't believe when the official Christmas Lights 'Switch One' in Dreamingspires happened last weekend, that we still, had the same old dull 'bauble' decorations for the third year running...They are so bland, no wonder the City lacks Christmas spirited visitors!!!

The BIG Sky Watch picture, that I no longer participate in, is to be found HERE!

True Colours Thursday - CREAM!

This apart from the customary cake, is a calorific CREAM free post, as saving my calories for Christmas!

Sadly for some, I can't avoid the seasonal subject, as @ home found little CREAM.

My only offering, being this 1940's necklace of my late Mother's...

Being desperate, I even had Merry, try to model it...

I fared much better 'Window Shopping'!

This goes into over-drive in the Stores @ this time of year.

Being very much family-less, my actual Christmas shopping is minimal.

But, that doesn't spoil my pleasure, I can enjoy the 'Season' without the financial stress/worry.

Boswells in Dreamingspires, one of the very few remaining truly independent still family run Department Stores across England, is a treasure trove @ Christmas - though regrettably this year, I did quite literally, have to 'Beg' permission from the Staff re taking photographs - it seems it's become a security issue, I might be secretly 'casing the joint' - fair enough, I guess I must look highly suspicious in my long skirt carrying a wicker shopping basket!

But, I don't think I caught a single shop camera in these few snaps taken last week re CREAM...

Next seasonal stop, the Cover Market - THE best Christmas place in town!

From the two Florists there...

Inspired by them years ago, I started to make my own evergreen garlands for my front door!

This Wreath's all mine my own handywork & was years effort, the greenery was real, collected from the hedgerows, the Christmas Roses were silk...

And of course, I need a cake to finish off with, the first of many Xmas designs to come...

To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is AQUA, another name for pale Turquoise!
And, please remember suggestions for colours would be very welcome!

Wordless Wednesday - The First Trees for Sale!

Two fer Tuesday - Santa's About!

As it's now December, I'm allowing myself to mention/post re the X factor ie Christmas!
It was actually, the other week, I was surprised to encounter this familiar looking group loitering in the city centre...The Christmas street decorations weren't even up along Carfax!!!
It was a photo/publicity stunt using students to promote this year's Santa's on the Run!
This event will help raise funds for the local Helen & Douglas Children's Hospice & takes place, a week on Sunday.
I'm actually in Brighton @ the time, hence sadly missing the crazy run here.
However, a similar event for a different charity, is happening along the Hove seafront, so will catch the fun there!

But, another 'action' Santa, has been capturing my attention every time I walk through the Covered Market, which is a lot as it's the home of the Celebtation Cake Shop!
This guy's tapping Dreamingspires Boot Shop's window with his stick no less...Sadly, his seriously costly waterproof walking shoes & fleecy slippers are beyond my slim means!
Twofer, just requiring two or pairs of images on your subject is the concept of friend Jonna!