Whitstable Carnival + me!

[O2Trees]

Hi all, does anyone know how to turn this round?

The pic will show you one reason Ive not been on for a while - I pushed this driftwood bike sculpture for two miles in the carnival which has been regenerated from the miserable little event it had become. Loads of floats, steel band, stick whirling majorettes, dressed up mobility scooters and their owners, overall Victorian theme reflecting the carnival's origens. This was two weeks ago. I made the bike in 2008 as part of another project and the new carnival organisers were spreading their net wide so there I am with my friend Lynette - my partner Rita took the pic. Check the pursed lip breathing!

I truly suffered for it though - it took about ten days to get back to normal energy level. But worth it!

[skischool]

Looking pretty cool in those shades Jean and in far better nick than the bike if i may say so.

Ski's and Scruff's xx

[O2Trees in reply to skischool]

Hmmm, you casting aspersions on my craftmanship Skis?

Actually it is full of woodworm - Id have thought driftwood from the sea would contain so much salt that it wouldnt get infested. Hey ho! Hope you and Scruffs are in good nick

[skischool in reply to O2Trees]

See i am an astute observer of knackered bike syndrome but even in it's worm ridden state it is a work of art that deserves much praise,grovelling over me and Scruff's are still on the planet so i guess we must be ok. xx

[frose]

What a stunningly fantastic bike - well done! Xx

[O2Trees in reply to frose]

Thank you my dear. How you doing? xx

[frose in reply to O2Trees]

Very well, thank you, Jean. It's been a very difficult year as my beloved Mother died - Feb. 14th, of all days and on top of everything else it hugely impacted on my son, who you may recall has his difficulties. However, it was not an untimely death which makes it easier to bear. My health has been remarkably good, doubtless because I now have an extremely understanding, and accommdating, boss. Overall, life is good 😊 How about you? Did you have LVS? XX

[Hidden]

Stewth! A lot of work went into creating that and shoving it too! 😲x

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Making it was a long time ago but shoving it was hard, especially as the 'skateboard' underneath it wasn't steerable so I had to keep lifting and repositioning it. Still we made it. x

[sassy59]

Wow Jean, that’s quite a feat. Good to see you and hope your brilliant efforts were appreciated. Xxx 😘💖

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Sassy - it's been quite a thing, I hardly use facebook but had around 75 likes from friends all over the UK and around the world. So very uplifting. Hope you are both enjoying the sun xx

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

That’s very encouraging and so pleased for you.

It’s another lovely day and we’re chilling out in the garden.

You take care and hope the sun is shining for you. Xxxxx😘

[Magpuss]

Great photo and a fantastic creation!

[O2Trees in reply to Magpuss]

Thanks Magpuss

[Dedalus]

Amazing on all levels x

[O2Trees in reply to Dedalus]

Thanks so much Dedalus

[stone-UK]

Hi

Either try resizing, or crop as much as you can from the image. If using iPad you can rotate the image. Just done it.

[O2Trees in reply to stone-UK]

Too high a resolution I think. So pixel reduction called for (is that the same as resizing? Thanks for advice stone-uk.

[peege]

Wow J, your hair has grown so much!

Well done you, sounds like hard work but a lot of fun.

Love and hugs from me - I'm just back from a lovely holiday on Vis with my Anna & her little ones ❤️

[O2Trees in reply to peege]

I need a shear but my haircutter has gone on hols P. Would love to meet up, maybe I'll make it out your way some time. Big love

[HungryHufflepuff]

I love that! What an amazing thing to do. I hope you’ve fully recovered now. 😊

[O2Trees in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you HH! Just about recovered, but the heat is taking its toll. How are the sheep doing? So hot today.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to O2Trees]

It actually stopped raining this morning, and it's got to 15c. It even looks like the sun might break through the clouds. Exciting times! ☁️🌥️⛅🌤️ My sheep have taken themselves off into their big field so they're being optimistic and Venturing away from their shelters in the hopes of some sunshine maybe 😊

[O2Trees in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Goodness, well Im glad they are cool. You must be a long way from me - it's 27 degrees here!

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to O2Trees]

I don't know why some of my replies post themselves twice, especially as it's barely worth saying once 🙄 But a very hazy sun did manage to shine for a while this afternoon and I realized I have a shadow, so I'm not a vampire after all, which is disappointing in some ways as I'm sure there are advantages to being undead. But really nice to be outdoors without being rained on and only wearing 4 tops. Veritably tropical conditions 🏖️

[O2Trees in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

The unknown ways of the digital world HH. Hoping for more sun for you today (though a vampire on the forum would be interesting).

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to O2Trees]

It actually stopped raining this morning, and it's got to 15c. It even looks like the sun might break through the clouds. Exciting times! ☁️🌥️⛅🌤️ My sheep have taken themselves off into their big field so they're being optimistic and Venturing away from their shelters in the hopes of some sunshine maybe 😊

[Kittykat2]

Well done you and you look great 💕X

[O2Trees in reply to Kittykat2]

Aw, thank you Kittykat

[Caspiana]

Oh wow. That is something else. Very impressive indeed Jean. I can imagine how hard it would be to push it. xx 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[O2Trees in reply to Caspiana]

It was hard but nothing I imagine to what you're dealing with Cas. Take care and love to you xx

[joyce74]

Nice to see you back , lovely photo, glad you are getting back to normal x

[O2Trees in reply to joyce74]

Hi Joyce, nice to be back too

[Izb1]

What an amazing creation, you are very talented. The exercise you got pushing that will do you good but think you will need to rest for a few days ha! Re the picture, on my tablet I can rotate so its easy I think hmm. X

[CDPO16]

When you think you have seen everything you are constantly proved wrong. Amazing creation not to mention effort in taking part in the carnival. Many congratulations x

[O2Trees in reply to CDPO16]

It was a fab experience - every bit worth the exhaustion after.

Adrenaline kept me going as well as just being part of such an amazing spectacle!

[CDPO16 in reply to O2Trees]

Sounds great. Pity it wasn't on tv or at least not where I live. Love a good parade. Really glad you enjoyed it xx

[jackdup]

I don’t doubt you were played out after pushing that two miles. Hope you have recovered and nice to hear from you.

[O2Trees in reply to jackdup]

Thanks Jackdup - good to be back too

[watergazer]

Wow great sculpture, sounds like hard work x Anita

[O2Trees]

Thank you Anita x

[Sillysausage234]

love your bike 😊

[O2Trees in reply to Sillysausage234]

Thank you Sillysausage

[Treecutter]

I can turn it no problem but can't post the result in a reply.

[O2Trees in reply to Treecutter]

Thanks for trying Treecutter.