A few thoughts.

 It's been some time since I last posted anything.  We've been enjoying/enduring one heatwave after another here and I know we shouldn't complain.  But that's what we do in England!

A while ago I was thinking of a Latin phrase that was popularised in the film "Dead poets Society" starting that great comedy actor, Robin Williams.  Alas no longer with us, he was taken far too soon.  The phrase was Carpe Diem which is often translated as "Seize the day", some other sources argue that it has a slightly different meaning.  

Either translation means the same thing, that you should make the most of what the day, or now, has to offer and enjoy it while you can.  Whilst researching the various translations I found a reference to another Latin phrase.  It is " Memento Mori", which translates roughly as, "Remember you must die"!  Not such an inspiring thing to consider.  But when I considered the two phrases they take on a very thoughtful, meaningful message, the first has implications to the second.

I got the urge to look into this topic a lot more and, as we've all found, Google was only too helpful throwing up related links to other sources of information.  I found myself on a web page about a Greek philosopher.  The article was called "Philosophy of Epicurus". He lived over 300 years BC.

I found it fascinating reading and still very relevant to life today, certainly to my life anyway.  It has helped me consider how my life was so cruelly changed 3 years ago and how I can make sense of it to, maybe not enjoy it, not yet anyway.  But to make the best of the good things that do happen occasionally.

I'm not a very educated person, certainly not in Latin or Greek philosophy, but I have a good friend who studied "The Classics" at Oxford University, he reads my blog from time to time so I know that at least one reader might find this interesting.  He might also be a little surprised! 😀

No photo's this time, too hot to go out with a camera, or sit at my PC editing them.

All good wishes, David & Popcorn.

It's so bracing!

The seaside resort of Skegness, on the UK east coast, has a motto. "It's so bracing!"  I was out walking along my local Humberston Fitties recently and was reminded of this motto as it was also very bracing where I was, on a dull day.  The tide was coming in rapidly under a heavy cloud laden sky and a stiff offshore wind whipped the waves up in a dramatic fashion!  Not the sort of day to be out taking photo's but I found it invigorating.  I spent an hour watching the tide as it crashed it's way in.

This was a several weeks ago but I've only just got around to editing the photo's following my recent cataract procedure.

Humberston Fitties is on the south bank of the Humber Estuary.  The line of detail along
the horizon is the Yorkshire coast on the Northern side.

This beach is a popular place for our visitors, on this day only a few locals were out.

The large boulders have recently been put in place to stop the headland being eroded.

On several occasions I got down low to emphasise the breaking waves and almost 
got caught as they rapidly swept up the beach toward me! 

These children weren't bothered and played in the water.

Another wave that I had to retreat from!

I took this to show the sandhills on the edge of the beach.

This group of hardy souls were determined to enjoy a visit to the beach and came 
dressed appropriately.  It wasn't cold but the wind made it uncomfortable. 

Looking down from the top of an embankment gave a good view of the dramatic
way the waves were crashing around the headland point.

From this high viewpoint I could see the family group were about to get wet, if they
didn't make a move!

Further along the steps down to the beach were getting a pounding.

I took this from the steps platform to show the waves surging up.

On my way back I could see the family group had beaten a retreat back into the higher 
ground among the sandhills.

Photo's taken on 16th May 2026 
Olympus EM10 Mk 4 with 12-40 Pro lens.
 

   

Ive taken the plunge.

 I've been putting off having my cataracts removed for quite a while but decided at my last eye test to get them done, that was last December.  Well, the months have rolled by and the time came for my 1st eye to be done yesterday.  "Nothing to it" folk told me, and they were right, it went easily and painlessly.  Today though my "new" eye is a bit cloudy but I'm assured it will clear quickly.  I'm  amazed how bright and colourful the world is, even through this soft focus effect Im experiencing now.  Can't wait to get the other eye done now.

I intended to post a few more recent pics but Im finding it too difficult on my PC while this one eye is cloudy, so I done this on my phone while sat outside in the shade.  I put a mobile phone pic here of Popcorn.

Better late than never.

 I haven't posted anything for quite a while, various problems, setbacks and "life" have taken over.  The Winter and Spring period have been very disappointing and didn't encourage me and Popcorn to get out on walks, or for me to take any new photo's.  Earlier in the year I was without my car for several weeks as it was away being repaired, following someone else driving into the back of me.  Whilst I was parked!

My computer was getting old and started to have a repetitive fault, I decided it was time for a new, updated one.  The old one was many years old and had given good service, but  it was time for a fresh start.  I arranged to have a new one, built to my requirements at our local computer shop.  It didn't take them too long but I had a few problems with it, all of my own making I must add, and it had to go back for a few changes.  When I eventually got it back, plus all the software re-installed (thank you to my son Michael who did all of that for me) I was all ready to start again.

The weather has been improving, not always on our North Sea coast compared to the rest of England, but we have been able to have occasional  walks again and I've taken a few photo's.  But, I don't have the same interest I once had, so haven't got back into my old routines.

Living alone has taken it's toll on me too, it will soon be 3 years since my wife died (1st of July).  I've spent that time going out whenever possible, walking with Popcorn, taking photo's, anything that keeps me out of the house.  When we go out there's often someone to talk to, usually another dog walker, but not if we stay at home.  So, I haven't felt like being at home, sat at my computer, either posting things for the blog of processing newly taken photo's.  There hasn't been many of them anyway.  I have taken a few flower pics so I've put a few on this post.

The weather presenters say we are to get an upturn in the weather later this week with temperatures in the high 20 degrees so maybe I'll feel more encouraged.

Seen on the sandbanks at Humberston Fitties, these tiny white flowers brightened the area.
I was able to identify them as "Snow in Summer", an alpine plant that grows on poor, sandy
soil on alpine slopes.  I identified it using the "Google lens" facility on my android phone, a
wonderful feature that, until recently, I never knew I had!

I got down to ground level to take some really close views of the lovely flowers.
Getting up was more of a problem!

A bit closer.

These are the fronds of a Sorbearia Sorbefoliar.  No need for Google lens for this as I have 
this plant in my garden.

Olympus EM10 iv with 12-40 pro lens.

 

Assorted views along Anthonys Bank

 A few odd pics from Anthonys Bank from different days.

We haven't been out much since our last walks along the footpath at Anthony's Bank, these are a few odd things.

Cleethorpes Pier in the distance and the disused Light Railway Station in the foreground.

2 pics of Buck Beck flowing out into the Humber estuary.

This area is rich with wading birds, these are Oyster catchers.

More Oyster catchers with a Redshank on the left of the group.

A Little Egret, this one seems to be a resident just here as it can be spotted most days.
I'm not a "birder", nor do I have the right equipment to photograph them.  I leave that 
to my son Michael, who goes all over to photograph wildlife with lenses that I wouldn't 
be able to carry, let alone afford to buy!  But I'm pleased with my occasional modest efforts.

Don't know what these are, I did "Google Lens" (on the monitor screen) and was informed
they are "young developing flower catkins on a Willow Tree".  Isn't technology great!

Graffiti at the old station and the passing loop on the tracks. 

Someone had prised this open, only to find a sturdy padlock inside. I liked the peeling, cracked
paint and rust.  The TV antique programs would describe that as "Patina!"

Boats, Spurn Lighthouse, Hail Sand Fort and wind turbines miles out 
off the East Yorkshire coast.

Blackbirds pecking about, not exactly Wading Birds, but nice to see.
Popcorn barks at any birds so I had to be quick to get this pic.

The saltwater Lagoon where I spotted the birds earlier.  
End of these photo's.


Olympus EM10 iv plus  40-150mm lens.

Anthony's Bank. (Part 2)

 Following on from the last post we are continuing along Anthony's Bank on the return walk back to the car par.

This is  slight detour away from the shoreline walk where the Buck Beck meanders it's
way from the town to the sluice gates and the sea embankment.  Popcorn always enjoys this bit.

Last summer's dead reeds make a bright show along here.

Catkins starting to emerge on the trees.

I looked back to see the rear of the caravans that look out across the Humber Estuary.

This bridge across the beck once carried cars and pedestrians from the town to a car park

adjacent to the beach.  New developments meant closing the road and it soon fell into

disrepair and the bridge is no longer safe to cross by vehicles, walkers can still access the

beach along here.  Over the years I've driven over here many times with our children and 

grandchildren.

Up on the bankside is an old gnarled tree bowed down by years of strong winds off the 
Humber Estuary, but it survives and has this year's blossom just breaking.

Dead reeds against the darkness below the footbridge.

Once we'd driven down here we met this island where the drivers went around it in a 

clockwise direction to access and leave the car park beyond here. Now very overgrown the trees on it have been left to get on with life and just now are full of Spring blossom.

Not too sure what the blossom is, might be Blackthorn?

Emerging on the other side of the island is the old car par.  It's accessed from another road. Still in
use but in the hands of a private car parking company who require users to pay the charges via
their mobile phones.  Not many local folk park here now for several reasons.  Firstly we don't 
like mobile phone apps, secondly the car park surface is like a pothole Armageddon and thirdly,
there's a FREE CAR PARK at the far end of Anthony's Bank!

We returned to Anthony's Bank for the return walk and are approaching Buck Beck again.
It changes shape and contours throughout the year with each high tide. It can be dangerous too
to walk out on the beach here because of shifting areas of sinking mud that requires  the 
services of the Coastguard to free people.

Half way back along the footpath and what looks like someone taking a rest on 
one of the benches here.

But this "person" is a resident along here, left here over a year ago. Possibly as a poignant 
memorial to a child?  We don't know, there may have been a card or plaque with it but not now.
I'm always pleased, but extremely surprised, to see it still here when we go for our walks.  It 
would have to be a particularly heartless person to take it. 

"Teddy" acquired a "friend" this week and after one or two walks since it appeared I'm 
pleased to say it remains.  (For now)! 

Almost back to the end of the footpath, the flag is flying to warn people to get off the beach
in plenty of time before the tide turns on it's way back in.

Another view of Haile Sand Fort, a leftover from World Way One.

Recent high and very violent tides have scoured out and removed about four feet of sand 

off the beach here in the last few weeks.  This resulted in the concrete sea defences that hold

up the embankment here being being undercut and the council had to undergo repairs.

Tons of large rocks were brought in and placed at the base, then concrete poured in amongst 

them to prevent more wave action washing more sand away.  The hope is that following

tides will drive new sand back to this area.

As folk arrive at St. Anthony's Bank from the FREE car park, this noticeboard spells out the 
dangers that they must be made aware of before setting out onto the beach.  
Popcorn & I hope you enjoyed our walk and if you come to see the area for yourselves just 
be aware of the advice and enjoy this fascinating part of Lincolnshire.

Olympus EM10iv plus 14-42 EZ lens.