| Early December colours |
| “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” John Steinbeck |
| Best of the Month – of December 2022 |
Willow on the Ropewalk
| YET! There are times in your life that just don’t make sense, When your brain is trying to manipulate the contents… …. And struggling to comprehend, What you’re thinking of and whence, These crazy nonsensical thoughts began and more importantly, Why? It’s the ever-present ageing syndrome, … the one that can make others think, The lights are on, but no one’s home, Or maybe and perhaps your chain’s missing a link! But it’s not that, it’s more in line … …. With when you dedicate some valuable time, To looking at where you have come from, As well as, where you have been and what you’ve become? And if you are happy with that, that person? Could you have done more with who you are? Can you still do more and become an improved version? Or is and are those times gone and are now afar? You ask yourself, what have l done that has stood out? Is it too late to stand on rooftops and shout, There’s more to me , much, much more than you can see! But l haven’t shown you the true me… Yet! © Rory Matier 2021 |
| Music – Gentle Wind |
| Welcome to Best of the Month I take hundreds of photographs each and every month – either out and about walking around the town of Sandwich or around Kent county where l live, whilst in the garden or the allotment or even when volunteering. I take photographs of all sorts of things as well, from the typical and the normal to the more unusual or the quirky to the ‘ooh that’s different’. This series is literally about moments l have captured during my travels whilst out with my cameras that l thought other people may appreciate also. I hope you’ll enjoy the series. |
| Check out – Best of the Month Directory |
| December 2022 |
| Mallard drake swimming in the reflection of winter. |
| December has been one of those strained months for photography and me, and the walks l have and haven’t taken. Although many photographs have been published in the various posts of the blog for this month, l couldn’t get out on as many wild walks as l had hoped l could. Whilst l could walk if l so wanted to in continuous downpours, l do like and prefer to have one of my cameras with me, but there comes a time when you ask yourself if getting wet or soaked is worth the shot. If you thought you would get the perfect picture, that might be worth the consideration. But if the only guarantee you have is to be soaked to the skin and come back with a hundred photos that you might or might not have 3% of use with, then call me lazy and cost-effective. Getting drenched and then switching on the heating or using x, y and z in appliances to dry your nonsense is sobering in today’s tight climate. The weather this month has been trying as well, ranging from heavy frosty to dangerously icy and not forgetting the continuously heavy downpours and the mud that keeps sliding! Looking at my journal, Suze and l or just l, on some occasions, managed to squeeze in five walks. Nothing in comparison to this time last year when l was walking daily. But the previous year, l wasn’t gardening or allotment gardening or composting like now or even a dedicated worm farmer, and l was most assuredly not as downright knackered and achy as l am now. Plus, it wasn’t raining like it is now then. We had a smidgen of ice and snow; other than that, it was remarkably mild. I know they are ALL excuses! But still. Anyway, l selected these as the best of December, so l hope you enjoy them. |
| Fisher Gate, The Quay – Sandwich |
| Looking down the River Stour from Fisherman’s Wharf – off Strand Street |
| Dragon Hall on Strand Street – Sandwich |
| St Peter’s Church – Sandwich Town Centre |
| East Kent Arts Society Building Alfred Palmer – 1877 – 1951 – Oil Painter Lived here 1910 – 1951 High Street – Fordwich, East Kent |
| Two views, different days – River Stour Marina |
| Common Blackbird |
| Willow Arch, The Quay Walk |
| Tree Lined Avenue – The Quay Walk |
| The Quay opposite The Bell Hotel |
| Eastern Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Selected Best of December Photograph Foraging for nuts and berries amongst the vibrancy of the fallen leaves of the month next to the Butts canal The Eastern Grey Squirrel is also known as simply the Grey Squirrel. This species mostly has grey fur and, on occasion, reddish buff face and leg patches. The tail is long and bushy and sometimes transparent in appearance due to the finery. The tail aids the species in balance and climbing. |
Earthly Comforts 
Fisher Gate, the blackbird and Willow Arch – these captured my fancy. Happy New Year!
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Wishing you and your other half a Happy New Year also Grace, may it be better than the current one 🙂
They are also favourites of mine too 🙂
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I love all of your photos! They’re beautifully clear and show every detail.
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Thanks Eugenia 🙂
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Most welcome, Rory!
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Lovely photos, Rory! And yet another excellent poem! Thank you so much for sharing.
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Thank you Betty, wishing you and Bud, Oliver and Rosemary a lovely 2023 🙂
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Thank you, Rory! 😊
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Excellent poem and photos Rory. Thanks for sharing
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Always a pleasure Sadje 🙂
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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