Cygnets, Ducklings and a Predator on the New River

Sighted on the New River at lunchtime today a mum with seven ducklings:













chased by a mum and three cygnets

































whilst beneath the calm waters a Pike lies in wait












click on photos to enlarge

Father's Day at Tate Modern

A day which began with a good breakfast and felicitations from senior offspring in the Netherlands and the PRC continued with a trip toTate Modern with younger daughter where we saw a film of Jackson Pollock at work:

click on photos to enlarge

and some wooden stuff in juxtaposition:


and a visitor in the Turbine Hall:

Swans today on the New River

Nigerian Centenarian Looks Back

An earlier post celebrated the 100th Birthday of Alhaja Nimota Ashabi Lediju. I was fortunate enough to meet Alhaja Lijedu, a dear friend's grandmother, in Lagos in the early 80s. She has recently been interviewed by This Day newspaper.

The full interview can be found at the link below but here is an extract:

"Growing up in Lagos Island was interesting. .... I remember as a kid a train called 'Victoria Train' used to pass in front of our house in Ebute-Ero on the Island ....... there was discipline in the neighbourhood. The environment was friendly and cordial. As a matter of fact, it wasn't only your parents that could discipline you. You could be disciplined by another parents from six houses away without your parents raising an eye brow. ......the boy friend and girl friend stuff that are now in vogue was a taboo during our days......"

full interview : http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=49610

New River's Most Wanted?

Spotted on the river bank on Friday; are these the likely suspects behind the dearth of river bank hatchlings?