Haifa

More Flashing Lights

The traffic was gradually brought to a standstill by the police on the A14 last night - just in front of me and only a few hundred metres from my usual turn-off. Then a Eurocopter from the East Anglian Air Ambulance arrived to land on the carriageway. A nasty accident in the other direction - trust that the ambulance crews managed to get the injured to hospital okay.

Sunset over The Wash - Longest Day 2013

I arrived back from an overseas trip in time to allow the now (almost) traditional visit to The Wash to see a mid-Summer sunset over the sea. Despite wet weather during the day and a forecast of thunderstorms, there was a break in the weather that allowed a dazzling view of the setting sun reflected across the sea.

As the sun set lower, it disappeared below a cloud bank on the horizon which, although a little disappointing, presented a moody picture with vivid colours on the clouds and reflected in the sea. (This picture taken by my Dear Wife.)

Twilight lingered and the lighthouse on the cliff top glowed more brightly, but we eventually decided to head for home - taking a direct route along back roads through Dersingham, Massingham and Castle Acre. On reaching Swaffham we took a small diversion to get a closer look at the Green Britain Centre large wind turbine. That turned out to be a mistake! As we continued our journey on the way out of Swaffham I saw something never previously experienced in over 30-years of driving - blue flashing lights in my rear-view mirror.

I pulled over, wound down the window and narrowly avoided the clichéd "what seems to be the problem occifer?" Apparently my brief interest in the wind turbine had been interpreted as 'acting suspiciously' and so they wanted to make sure I wasn't up to no good... all I can say is there can't be much else happening in Swaffham on a Friday night. After a quick PNC check we were on our way again.

St Benet's Abbey

There isn't much left of the actual abbey church - a few flint walls that are under repair. The picture shows the remains of the abbey gatehouse into which a windmill tower has been built. I had been past the abbey during a boat tour, but this was the first time to get a close-up look at this local landmark.

Alderfen Broad

A sunny Bank Holiday Monday! Headed up to Norfolk and The Broads.

Alderfen Broad is one of the smaller pieces of water and well hidden. Having wandered around we eventually managed to get to water's edge where I took this panorama of 8 photos stitched together (go on - see if you can find the joins ;)

Air Defence Radar Museum, Neatishead

Visiting Irstead in The Norfolk Broads, I "just happened to remember" ;) that there was a radar museum nearby at Neatishead and being a Bank Holiday it might be open - it was. I had been expecting a very small museum with maybe a couple of rooms - but this place is extensive and well worth a visit. We started with tea and cake... and then had a guided tour that lasted about an hour. After that we were able to look around at our leisure until the museum closed. It deserved more time - allow at least half a day.

Mt Fuji from the Tokaido Shinkansen

I have travelled the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) many times from Shin-Yokohama to Osaka - but never had such a great view of Mt Fuji (or more respectfully, Fuji-san). The volcano creates its own weather system and usually has its head in the clouds. Photo taken from the train at 35°09'11.5"N 138°43'39.3"E.