Who would win in a fight between a swan and a cobra?

Many thanks to 'Big Willie' from Chalkwell Essex who sent us this unusual image of a swan turning its back on a 'Cobra'. What a bird! - 'Ard or what?

Old Joe was very fond of a 'throbbin' Cobra'.  Not sure if this one is actively throbbin', probably best left to everyone's imagination.

Welcome to Swanage

In the past, both Joe and Edna acknowledged that their best holiday ever was at Swanage in the County of Dorset. This is surprising  for three reasons; the first being the town's overt connection with swans a bird Joe at best viewed with suspicion, the second being that Joe and Edna did not enjoy each others company and the third being neither enjoyed holidays or 'foreign parts'.

"Wonderful vista and facilities for wheelchairs" - Joe Roberts

We like to think that Old Joe had a 'roll up' and enjoyed 'the facilities' at the Swanage Bowls Club during his holiday in Swanage!

Check out the following link:
https://www.swanagebowlingclub.org.uk/sbc-icon1/ 

Old Joe would have particularly enjoyed the recent news item 'Sugar and Vice' 

The 'sorft' side of swans

Victor Nizovtsev 1965 - Russian Fantasy painter

"So they are good with children and old people"!

Swanaphernalia

Thanks for this astounding tapestry sent in by Lulu from Didcot. It raises so many unanswered questions - is the swan threatening the man, has the man got a 'boner' and if so why is the 'legless' lady, front left, watching this 'reet seedy spectacle'? 

The level of detail in this work of undeniable beauty left the blog team quite breathless when Lulu's post popped into our 'inbox'.

Many thanks for this tasty morsel sent in by big John 'Mac' from Pakefield. Yum-yum -'swan and cockles' our vinegar overfloweth!

Lulu from Didcot where do you find these treasures? - The Swan Section of 'Doily World Didcot'?

Shanghai Swan 

For more 'serious swanage' follow the link below:

Shanghai Swan Lake

Swans can mess with your head

The Kings Head at Yoxford - Nice pint and good food

 Joe Roberts travelled between Maidstone and Lowestoft bi-annually for approximately 25 years. On every journey he would take a break at the 'Kings Head' at Yoxford. When asked he would always say " We stopped at a pub, cant remember its 'bleedin' name. I had a light ale and your 'muvver' had a nice cup of tea". Why couldn't he remember its name, the sign is big enough?

Do swans mess with your senses and memory or had he a very low tolerance to light ale?  We shall never know for sure!

'Crabbin' at Walberswick', - ink on cartidge paper - George Roberts - circa 1985

Joe Roberts can be seen second from the right looking both miserable and concerned as to the location of the nearest swan.

Ever dance with a swan in the pale moonlight?

Many thanks for this astounding piece of swan themed 'art work' brought to our attention by Lulu from Didcot. This is just the quality of blog reader feedback and 'swan interaction' hoped for!

 On close inspection, the woman featured does not appear to have arms. Folklore would have us believe that an angry swan is able to break a man's arm. Is this swan angry, has this swan broken both the woman's arms from her torso and wrapped the remnants in a feather duvet? Naughty, naughty!

Swan Lake

"An infinity mirror presented in a tasteful swan motif, the installation apparently floating on Lake Edna" 

But is it art?

No it's a SWAN!

But you dont know what they are thinking!

'A swan isn't just for Christmas'  - pencil on cartridge paper

Crochet Monsieur Cygne

The amazing crochet work of Rachel Roberts!

All creatures great and swan

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Joe Roberts and all things swan. Whether swans are dangerous or otherwise, there can be absolutely no doubt that swans are very, very 'nice' birds indeed!

The late Joe Roberts spent much of his life alternating between 'the selection of cross win doubles', 'going up the bowls', 'holding the bells' and 'extolling the virtues of the swan'.  In 'Old Maidstone', it was often said, that if anyone knew how to celebrate 'the swan' it was Joe Roberts. So lets follow 'Old Joe' and post some 'swan themed material' in his memory.

Please feel encouraged to send any 'swan based' wisdom, comments and links you would like added to this blog.