All posts by Michael Jackson

Born in Palestine many years ago, Educated? in Birmingham (West Midlands not Alabahma). Left home to join REME JLU in 1960, transferred to Intelligence Corps in 1962. Served with 13 Sigs Regt, 5 Inf Brigade HQ and Sigs Sqn, 9 Sigs Regt, Back to 13, E Troop, 14 Sigs Langeleben, roughly in that order up to March '84. Moved to Northern Ireland, to join my wife Josephine. Fell out with Brits over citizenship (bit like Spike Milligan -'cept I'm still alive - just!) and am now naturalized Irish. Have been with my present company, SOS Group, manufacturing school furniture since Sept '84.

iPhotography Course

I signed up to an on-line photography course offered on Groupon earlier this year. Now will have the time to start it.

The first project is to take a photo of an inanimate object and name it “before”. At the end of the course one has to complete an “after” photo having transformed it into an art-form using the skills one has, hopefully, acquired!

This is my “Before” photo

Torch

My “Before” Picture

 

9 October 2018
Back To School Weekend Challenge entry

Orhan & Leah edit

 

16 October 2018
Suggestion Weekend Challenge entry

Teh finger of suspicion points at YOU

The finger of suspicion

 

23 October 2018
Halloween Weekend Challenge entry

The Joker

 

6 November 2018
Module 5 basic composition, Rule of Thirds

Kerala fish Market

 

20 November 2018
Module 9, Black & White composition; High Key

Stainless Link

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Boxing Day 2017

Once again it was great to have the family back together again. Especially good that Josephine’s brother Jimmy was with us after missing the gathering for few years.

As usual Olivia, our three year old great-granddaughter, managed to steal the show narrowly beating her older sister Kacie into second place.

 

Family Gathering

 

Üzümlü break September 2016

Some photos of our trip to Yasiluzumlu, Fethiye, to stay with our great friend Barbarra

For the paragliding video click here

Knockagh Knuts Marbella Trip, October 2015

Another successful outing for the Knuts this year. As usual thanks go to Geoff Pearson for organizing the trip and to John Lynas for running the competitions.

The weather was good to us with temperatures of around 25° – 27° throughout.

The hotel, NH Marbella, was extremely good. Comfortable beds, for the time we actually spent in them, and excellent breakfasts. It was also located a five minute walk from the beach and 10 minutes to the nearest bar!

We played two courses: Santa Clara first, where the greens were rather poor to say the least. This was followed by Rio Real, which proved to be much better all round.

Winners of the silly trousers were Dylan O’Neill for day one, Philip McCrery day two and the overall winner was David Winning.

I hate Leny Henry – BUT – Premier Inn Gatwick Airport

I really do not like Lenny Henry but we staged through Gatwick on our way to and from Egypt for the 2015 New Year and again on our way to and from Turkey in March, staying at the Premier Inn, adjacent to the North Terminal, on all occasions and, as the advert states, one gets a good nights sleep.
Not only that but one gets a reasonably spacious and immaculately clean room; friendly, helpful staff; and a first class restaurant all at very reasonable prices.

Farewell to Ken Skelton

A short note to mark the passing of Ken Skelton, Skeltie., late of East Antrim Hockey Club and even later of North Belfast Harriers.

Ken died peacefully on 5 May 2015 in the NI Hospice having partially fought of a tumor on the spine and then succumbing to one on the brain.

A great sportsman and snooker player, he once beat Alex Higgins, he will be remembered with great fondness by members of the hockey club who attended his funeral in force.

All sympathy to his wife Val and the rest of the family.

Solar Ship at Giza

Great to learn something new. During our visit to the pyramids our guide asked if we had heard of the Solar Ships. These were ships dismantled and buried in pits adjacent to the pyramids. One has been excavated and rebuilt after nearly 5000 years.
This particular pit is 30 metres long and covered by 41 blocks of stone each 1.8 mtrs X 4.5 mtrs X .85 mtrs weighing 18 tonnes. The are remnants of the ropes and bindings and one original oar. The reconstruction is amazing.

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