Sunday 31 August 2014

Feeding Time At The Uni

The sun put in a welcome appearance today. Just right for stretching your legs around the grounds of the University of Reading. Good job we had bread at the ready- the ducks, geese and swans were remarkably hungry and pleased to see us.


"Those damn swans" (LOL) led the charge for bread.


















Elsewhere the Royals 2014-2015 Championship campaign has got off to a mixed start.

9 August Wigan 2 - 2 Reading
16 August Reading 1 - 0 Ipswich
19 August Reading 1 - 2 Huddersfield
23 August Nottingham Forest 4 -0 Reading
30 August Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Reading





Sunday 17 August 2014

Eagle

Following our visit to Roman Silchester we took a trip yesterday to the Museum of Reading to look at the artefacts they have on display. Of primary interest was the Silchester Eagle, discovered during the original Victorian era dig. This small eagle was the inspiration for the book by Rosemary Sutcliff "The Eagle of the Ninth" which in 2011 was adapted as the Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell (rather lack lustre) film "The Eagle."



The Eagle: it had detachable wings dontchaknow.




A postcard from the Victorian Time Team.



2000 year old Piggy Bank.



This mosaic is pretty large and now mounted vertically at the museum, so you can appreciate it in all its glory.




Monday 4 August 2014

100

One Hundred years ago today, it was announced that Britain was at war with Germany.


Sunday 3 August 2014

Game Over

The competitions are over and only the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow remains. I expect the closing spectacle will likely feature a fair amount of Tartan LOL.

The final medals table top four is made up of Australia, Canada, England and Scotland; pretty much as things were a week and a half ago, with the host nation Scotland having their best ever games and England their best for a number of years (yea!). All together I think a successful competition with many big names taking part and a number of records broken. Read more about the Commonwealth Games here.

Next will be the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Wonder if I'll have better success there getting to experience the Friendly Games in person..?

Saturday 2 August 2014

Sulhamstead Police College

Spent a fun afternoon (despite the odd rain shower) at an event at Sulhamstead, where Thames Valley Police train and kennel their 200 or so dogs. I think it fair to say we didn't have enough time to see everything on offer, including mobile Forensic Investigation units, an Air Ambulance, the Police Museum, vintage patrol cars and of course the dogs to name just a few attractions.


A canine officer.














Doctor Who: The Anorexic Years.

















Worthy of Gene Hunt?


Good for the roses.

Friday 1 August 2014

Deep Breath

Feature length Doctor Who at the cinema... how could I resist..?



Can't wait until 'number 12' blasts onto the big screen. 












Am I just a little bit sad and geek-like? Probably LOL.