Posted on February 3, 2018
2017 saw the 4th year that the Camel Parade has been an event in South Shields, Sophie and I went for the first time last year a few photo’s of which I posted HERE, so this year we made a return trip knowing what to expect. It involves 3 camels with their handlers and riders dressed up as wise men, parading the length of Ocean Road, which is quite a long old road, followed by stilt walkers and a drum group called Sparks! It’s been controversial as the animal rights group PETA, who I have a lot of time for usually, have decreed it bad, and say that camels shouldn’t be used for public entertainment. I kind of agree with the sentiment, but really, all they do is walk the camels down the road, and then put them back in their vehicle and bugger off. They don’t get prodded or poked or stand around being gawped at. PETA Campaigns Strategist Luke Steele said: “Using live animals in these sorts of events sends a damaging message to young people that animals are little more than living props”, according to our local newspaper, with one of the comments underneath being “it’s disgraceful that anyone should find this acceptable. It’s not about the climate, it’s about the crowds, noise and the basic lack of respect enough to use animals for our entertainment. Animals are sentient beings, they are here for their own purpose, not for human monsters to use and abuse as they wish. It’s archaic and needs to be stopped!” I have to say the human monsters, particularly the baby monsters loved the whole shebang, and this monster doesn’t get to photograph many camels in our neck of the woods so was happy to see them. I expect eventually the council will give in and the camels will come no more.
A lot of monsters turned up for the parade, and luckily it didn’t rain.
The trees along Ocean Road were all lit up
and the kiddies all waiting for the show to begin
the camels came first
they were followed by stilt walkers I think representing the 3 shepherds
and this guy who was I think, the star of Bethlehem
then “The Creative Seed” wagon came, but I’m not sure what that was all about!
and these were followed by my favourite part, the Sparks! drum group
at the bottom of the road a stage was set up which Sparks! ascended and then played a cracking set of drum tunes. Well not tunes really but whatever it is that drums do without other instruments being about.
they somehow illuminate themselves and the drums and the whole thing is quite exciting to watch
stay tooned for the 2nd part when we see the firework display!
(pictures clickable for embiggening)
Posted on December 2, 2016
This evening Sophie and I went to South Shields to attend the Camel parade, a christmassy thing with stilt people, drummers, fireworks and stuff. Now before anyone gets excited about camels, when the parade came down they were travelling so fast I hit the wrong button on my camera and didn’t get a decent shot of one. There was a herd of people following behind and we got swamped into it and couldn’t run to get in front of them and try again. So no camels in this post 😦 But I did get a few shots of stilt walkers
and some of the drummers, they were amazing!
and learned that I have no idea how to shoot fireworks, I can see a youtube tutorial coming up!
of course, all these belong to my ‘light’ theme this month, so am going to choose the top one as my fave for the day. When I go through the rest of the photo’s if there are anymore decent ones, there’ll be a fraggle report for next year.
Posted on December 27, 2015
Well that’s Christmas over and done with, just New Year to go. It’s been a good week. On Monday I woke up to an amazing sunrise when looked out the window, had to get the camera out quick!
On Tuesday I had a lovely drive up to the Scottish borders, amazing scenery, but a fair bit rainy. On my way home the moon rose and I got a couple of shots with the iPhone.
Phil has been working hard on his model Tiger tank, and Skye has been his constant companion 🙂
It’s been nice to have some time off with family over Christmas. We had a quiet Christmas day, Phil went to visit the kids while I got to grips with making the Christmas dinner. And took photo’s 🙂
new whiskey glass for Phil from the grandkids..
and we had festive smelly candles
Yesterday was Boxing Day, and we had the kids, grandkids and Phil’s sister Annette with her hubby Brian over for a buffet tea which I made. I like vol-au-vents.
and it was great to see the madding crowd 🙂
with grandad
and all the family
And I’ve been playing with some roses Phil got for me
and I’ve been chasing sunshine around the house
And that’s it for this week. Still got another day off tomorrow yay. Have been thinking about doing a photography project for next year, but haven’t decided which way to go yet, watch this space I guess!
laters gaters
🙂 ❤