5 in 5 - May 2017 - The Lighthouse Ship

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes.

Trinity Afloat is a lighthouse ship and stands permanently anchored on the Essex marshes.  Since her retirement she has been used as an outdoor pursuits centre where residential and day courses are organised. You can learn photography, to sail, paint, and go bird watching, and her magnificent red hull is a prominent landmark.

As well as going on organised courses you can also hire Trinity and arrange your own group activity. I have done this several times as I used to run a women’s writing group and organised residential weekends. This is a magical place to find inspiration and visit, and
I have always wanted to take my granddaughters on board. Last weekend I got my chance, as they had an open day. I'm not sure who was more excited!  
It is a long walk along a sea wall, to reach Trinity, and as we got near the huge bow reached up before us. We agreed it looked like a face, and that the cables running services on board look like she is eating spaghetti !

Once on board we were welcomed with cake and drinks, then given a tour of the ship.  The most exciting part was climbing to the top of the lighthouse.  This is where I took my 5 photos in 5 minutes:

The huge counterbalance keeps the light at the top of the ship stable. In her working days, Trinity Afloat would have been at sea acting as a floating lighthouse and warning ships of danger. I bet she has some stories to tell, of raging waters and violent storms! 

Now a days she quietly sits in the back waters, and continues to provide a haven.

Once at the top the 360 degree view is spectacular and well worth the climb.  My granddaughters are foot-sure and adventurous, and took it all in their stride.

These mudflats are a familiar sight, here in Essex. I love their contours and meanderings, and the shapes left behind in the mud by wading birds and anchor chains.
Man has tried to tame this coast but the sea always wins. On the horizon the sea wall was deliberately breached in 2002 in an attempt to both farm commercially and protect wildlife. It has been a great success and it's heart warming to know that this can work in harmony.  

The lighthouse is no longer operational but the workings are maintained. I like this photo for it's distorted reflection and topsy turvy  image.

The girls are interested in having a days sailing, so we might be back. I hope so.

But for now, if you fancy picking up your camera to join in with 5in5 it would be lovely to have your company!   

Here's what you do and there are more details here. 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can (or wish to) until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below.

                              You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.

Please add your link below if you would like to take part. I am often excited and inspired by the ideas and photos of others so thank you to Melanie, Paula, Mary-Lou, Melissa, Karen, Maggie, and Borqna for joining in last month. I'll be back next month with another 5 in 5. Enjoy the weeks in between and happy photo taking! 

Knit and Natter - Twiddle Muffs and collaborative projects

I never set out for this to be a regular post and since my last one was over a year ago, that proves the point! However, once I started a blog theme of 'Knit and Natter' I got into a flow. I have a number of half written posts and as many ideas that never quite got here, yet. And they can wait their turn because today I am buzzing with excitement and I thought I would finally catch up....

One of the reasons for lack of posts is that I have been busy doing other things, such as setting up a Knit and Natter group in the village with a friend. We started by meeting monthly and was soon asked to increase to two meetings a month. Some people knit or crochet while others do tapestry and stitching. It's a small friendly group that is growing in enthusiasm and ideas, and last year a few of us came together to knit 'Twiddle Muffs'.  Also known as Fiddle Mitts, these are helpful in reducing agitation in people who have dementia, by stimulating activity and providing occupation for fidgety hands.

So far I have taken 30 Twiddle Muffs to 'Age Concern' where they were enthusiastically and gratefully received. We continue to knit more for this is a worthy cause as they are also needed by hospitals and care homes. It is a fun way to use up oddments of wool and other bits that we collect and we can let creativity flow! 

At todays meeting I suggested another collaborative project: something bigger and more involved this time. It was inspired by a wall hanging that I saw at the recent Stitching, Sewing and HobbyCraft Show at Excel.

Designer, Lisa Hellier, created this amazing hanging with a team of willing helpers. Each piece is individually made and sewn on.  
This eclectic style will suit our own Knit and Natter group as we 
have a wide range of skills between us including: weaving, spinning, felting, patchwork, quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and more.

First though comes the research and gathering of ideas. I suggested a hanging for the village hall and already a list started to form: buildings that no longer stand, such as the windmill, the village shop and brickworks, and the original school whose bell still provides a clue next to the chimney of what is now a house. There will be lots more knit and nattering over the coming months, so I'll let you know how this project develops. If you get a chance to see Lisa Hellier's hanging while it is on tour, do take time to look at all the detail. It is amazing!

Meanwhile, as if by telepathy, a blog friend, Sian, left a comment on my previous post and told me about a lady who combines her love of knitting and sound. Intrigued, I checked this out and was excited to discover that the artist in question, Felicity Ford has written a pattern book. She was inspired by buildings and objects found in her locality and this added even more to my ideas for a collaborative wall art. Isn't it wonderful when everything comes together!!  
Thanks for popping by!