"OL' MAN RIVER................"

".........DAT OL' MAN RIVER"

As sung by Paul Robeson from the Movie Showboat.  One of the most evocative movie songs ever with a voice that still gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it " Paul Robeson (this is a link for those of you that do not know it - I love it.

OK The River Leven isn't "quite" as long as The Mississippi I guess but it's still a lovely river for all that.


A rather wet and grey day today - not quite dreich, but not far from it.  Went to Kendal first thing.  I've succumbed - I went into Wilkinsons Camera Shop and have ordered a new lens - well OK a "used before" one but in excellent condition.

When I go out with my Nikon I invariably use the wide angle lens as I take a lot of scenery - this is fine.  However there are many times I would love to be able to zoom in on something.  My current zoom lens (which is a Sigma 18-300mm) is fine but it's too heavy to use for general use and is much better when used with a tripod.  I've done some research and found that the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Lens is a really good all round zoom lens and is travel light.  It has great reviews.  So I looked on a second-hand website I know of and they didn't have any.  I checked out Wilkinsons and they had one - brand new - at a good reduction - yippee, checked - "in stock" it says.

Got to Wilkinsons and although their website says "in stock" that is from their Preston branch and has now been taken out and obviously ordered.  However the very nice young man searched and round a "a used one" with a used category of 1 - which basically means top notch conditions - with all its bits from new.  So they're going to get it for me so I can see if it is suitable - YEAH..  However that means that the funds are now well and truly depeleted - oh well back to getting the piggy bank back out again I guess.

After that - into The Two Sisters for coffee.  Then onto B&Q to get some wall paint for the second bedroom, which hubby is in the process of re-decorating at the moment.  

Then back home via Bowness - yet again another asian just sauntered out into the road wanting a selfie - perhaps they don't have pavements or something!!!!  Decided to drive right through as it wasn't very inspiring to stop with the greyness and called into Cafe Ambio at The Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow by the River Leven for a light lunch (see the photo).

I've had a go at putting it in B&W but retaining the orangey/golden colours - does it work do you think?  In the extras I've put another shot taken further up which shows dripping twigs - not sure which one to use - have I chosen the right one???

This is also my entry for Wide Wednesday, with many thanks for to Rockarea for hosting.  The theme is low angle - well this was taken at a relatively low angle to get it all in, so hope that counts.

It is also my entry for "Wild Wednesday" as the weather is wild-ish and the river is wild-ish.  Many thanks to Cailleach for hosting and congratulations on your second century.

Many thanks for dropping by again, I do love to see your comments and thoughts.  Take care, look after yourselves and see you all tomorrow.