WIDE WEDNESDAY - IT'S A HAT-TRICK!

Well, who would have believed it - three days following being “on theme” - that must be a record - for me anyway!

Some of you may know the song that has the first line “I’ve looked at life from both sides now...”, well, that was me today - looking at the Wilts & Berks Canal from both sides of the road.  

Thanks to a lovely Blip Friend, 60plus10, and after being on theme for two days running, she told me that today’s theme was “Water” so I asked my friendly chauffeur if he would be kind enough to take me to the new part of the Wilts & Berks Canal and of course, he said he would.  So after our coffee date at Jack’s this morning, off we went.

When we had passed this spot a few days ago, I saw that the new part of the canal now had water in it so it was perfect for today’s theme.  You can see how much it has progressed if you look at my Blip dated 16 August 2024.

So today, you have a wide angle shot of the new part of the canal, where you can see they are still working further up - and of course, there is a lot of housing being built on the right hand side too - no doubt they will be sold at a premium price!  

If you look carefully, you can see four mallards - two as little specks in the distance partway down and then two sitting on the bank.  One of them “mossied on down” and met up with the other two - so that is the middle shot and then the bottom shot of my WIDE collage is taken from the other side of the road and looking over the bridge towards the lock.

Mr. HCB counted 8 ducklings with the swans and there were also four tiny Canada goslings with Mum and Dad.  

So not only do you have a hat-trick of being “on theme” three days running, you also have a hat-trick of photographs in my collage.  That is definitely a record!  I thought you might be interested to know the origin of the term “hat-trick” - and you know I like to research these things, and Mr. Google tells me:

“The term "hat-trick" to describe three goals in a single game originated in cricket. A bowler who took three wickets with three consecutive balls would be presented with a hat by the club to celebrate their achievement, hence the name. This tradition then spread to other sports, including football, where it now signifies a player scoring three goals in a single game.”

So now you are all as wise - or perhaps even wiser than I - but even at my age, I am always willing to learn more.  Mr. HCB knew the term came from cricket, but didn’t know about the “hat” side of it, so he has learned something too - as we often say, “Every day’s a school day on Blip”!  

Still waiting for the longed-for rain, but Mr. HCB is hoping the weather holds for a few more days, as he is due to go to Bristol to watch cricket on Friday and Saturday of this week.

Hope you are having a good week.  M xx 

P.S.  Just had the urge to clean the car and pressure wash the drive - I should really do it "in the buff" but don't want to frighten the neighbours and besides which, Mr. HCB might be tempted to take a photograph!! ;-) See extra - 5 minutes in - my feet are almost as dirty as the dirty drive but it’s great fun - and extra extra - well it had to be done!!! !