I’ve been expecting these; one of a group of wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) growing in the wood. I saw more on St Dial’s Road further down the hill.

Tags:   Flora

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Bad weather means I missed the common frogs (Rana temporaria) spawning at the pond. This afternoon there was “wall to wall” frog spawn, but not a sign of a frog.

Tags:   Frog Spawn

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This is an Album which depicts various aspects of life in the Royal Navy. It will likely date to 1939 since one card shows naval ratings donning flying gear, and describing their training. Following the dissolution of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service in 1918 to form the Royal Air Force, aviation was the remit of the RAF. In 1924 the Fleet Air Arm of the RAF was formed, administering those personnel and air assets operating from aircraft carriers and combat vessels. In May 1939 control of the Fleet Air Arm reverted to the Admiralty and has remained under it ever since. There is also mention of Plymouth Navy Week of 1937. No mention of WW2 indicates that the cards were printed before September 1939.

Also, a Hawker Nimrod is featured which served with the Fleet Air Arm from 1933 to May 1939 when it was replaced by the Sea Gladiator.

This was the Royal Navy of my uncle (my father and another uncle joined the army prior to WW2 leading to much sibling banter post war between the “dib dab” (sailor) and the “pongoes” (soldiers)); a pity that there seems to be no such album for the pre-war British Army.

Tags:   Royal Navy Cigarette Card

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Doug Willis started out as a butcher but when the unit next door went vacant they took it over and added a small restaurant-takeaway.

Tags:   Butcher Café Takeaway

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Tags:   japan sunset sky light cloud weather landscape orange yellow color lake island water nature winter reflection calm rock underwater clearness

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