31.10.14

Look up from your phone (...) live life the real way - a poem by Gary Turk & video with subtitles in English and Portuguese (Br)

Look Up 

I have 422 friends yet I am lonely
I speak to all of them everyday yet none of them really know me
The problem I have sits in the space in-between
Looking into their eyes or at a name on a screen
I took a step back and opened my eyes
I looked round and realised
This media we call social is anything but
when we open our computers and it’s our doors we shut
All this technology we have it’s just an illusion
Community, companionship, a sense of inclusion
When you step away from this device of delusion
You awaken to see a world of confusion
A world where we’re slaves to the technology we mastered
Where information gets sold by some rich, greedy bastard
A world of self-interest, self-image, self-promotion
Where we all share our best bits but leave out the emotion
We’re at our most happy with an experience we share
But is it the same if no one is there?
Be there for your friends and they’ll be there too
But no one will be if a group message will do
We edit and exaggerate, crave adulation
We pretend not to notice the social isolation
We put our words into order till our lives are glistening
We don’t even know if anyone is listening
Being alone isn’t the problem let me just emphasise
If you read a book, paint a picture, or do some exercise
You’re being productive and present not reserved and reclused
You’re being awake and attentive and putting your time to good use
So when you’re in public and you start to feel alone
Put your hands behind your head, step away from the phone
You don’t need to stare at your menu or at your contact list
Just talk to one another, learn to co-exist
I can’t stand to hear the silence of a busy commuter train
When no one wants to talk for the fear of looking insane
We’re becoming unsocial, it no longer satisfies
To engage with one another and look into someone’s eyes.
We’re surrounded by children who since they were born
Have watched us living like robots and think it’s the norm
It’s not very likely you’ll make world’s greatest Dad
If you can’t entertain a child without using an iPad
When I was a child I’d never be home
I’d be out with my friends, on our bikes we’d roam
I’d wear holes in my trainers and graze up my knees
Or build our own clubhouse high up in the trees
Now the park is so quiet it gives me a chill
See no children outside and the swings hanging still
There’s no skipping, no hopscotch, no church and no steeple
We’re a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people
So look up from your phone, shut down the display
Take in your surroundings, make the most of today
Just one real connection is all it can take
To show you the difference that being there can make
Be there in the moment as she gives you the look
That you remember forever as when love overtook
The time she first held your hand or first kissed your lips
The time you first disagreed but still loved her to bits
The time you don’t have to tell hundreds of what you’ve just done
Because you want to share this moment with just this one.
The time you sell your computer so you can buy a ring
For the girl of your dreams who is now the real thing
The time you want to start a family and the moment when
You first hold your little girl and get to fall in love again
The time she keeps you up at nights and all you want is rest
And the time you wipe away the tears as your baby flees the nest
The time your baby girl returns with a boy for you to hold
And the time he calls you Grandad and makes you feel real old
The time you take in all you’ve made when you’re giving life attention
And how you’re real glad you didn’t waste it by looking down at some invention
The time you hold your wife’s hand, sit down beside her bed.
You tell her that you love her, lay a kiss upon her head.
She then whispers to you quietly as her heart gives a final beat
That she’s lucky she got stopped by that lost boy in the street
But none of these times ever happened. You never had any of this
When you’re too busy looking down, you don’t see the chances you miss
So look up from your phones, shut down those displays
We have a finite existence, a set number of days
Don’t waste your life getting caught in the net
because when the end comes, nothing’s worse than regret
I am guilty too of being part of this machine
this digital world we are heard but not seen
where we type as we talk and read as we chat
where we spend hours together without making eye-contact
So don’t give in to a life where you follow the hype
Give people your love, don’t give them your “like”
Disconnect from the need to be heard and defined
Go out into the world, leave distractions behind
Look up from your phone, shut down the display
Stop watching this video, live life the real way.




«'Look Up' is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.

I don't want you to stop using social media or smartphones. 

It's about finding a balance. It's about making sure you are awake, alive and living life in the moment; instead of living life through a screen.» Gary Turk

Happy halloween

Halloween Myspace Comments

2014 Halloween Commercials

Everything becomes scarier around Halloween even TV commercials. Here are some of this year’s best Halloween commercials featuring movie monsters, ghosts and other thing that go bump in the night.
Geico commercial:
A parody of a cliche horror movie where the characters make poor choices. A blonde suggests they get in the running car but her companions call her crazy and hide behind chainsaws instead.
Progressive commercial:
The insurance agents have a nightmare about Flo and a creepy ventriloquist dummy that is in the bed when they wake up. They’re scared of the competition’s deal instead of the doll.
Redd’s Wicked Apple Ale commercial:
Dracula bartends a monster party. The Wolf Man gets a Bloody Mary served at a perfect 98.6 degrees.
IKEA Singapore commercial:
The Shining parody with Danny riding his tricycle around the store eventually reach his parents dressed as the creepy twin ghost girls.
Chia Pet commercial:
Chia Zombie includes Lifeless Lisa, Creepy Holden, and Restless Arm. “Cha, Cha, Cha, Chia and then they shrivel and die,” explains the modified slogan.
Skittles commercial:
A boy gets stuck in a giant spider web trying to get some Skittles. A giant spider encourages his friend to help him. The extended web version reveals the outcome.
StubHub commercial:
A man in Halloween costume tries to scare the StubHub tree, which scares him back by revealing he eats little girls.
Cheetos commercial:
Chester Cheetah picks up a hitchhiker, who has skulls in his jacket. Fortunately, they’re just special shapes in the new Cheetos Bag of Bones snacks.
Dunkin’ Donuts commercial:
The Headless Horseman signals the return of pumpkin flavor.
Snickers commercial:
A woman appears to be possessed but she’s just hungry.
Nissan Rogue commercial:
Car protects little boy from scary things he imagines like pirates, bears and a tree that comes to life.
Vonage commercial:
Farmer finds crashed space ship with alien that just wants to phone home.

30.10.14

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies Video Recipe | Jamie Oliver's Food Tube

Here's a spooky trick or treat recipe for you thanks to Barry from My Virgin Kitchen. Great for making with kids and sharing out when those monsters come knocking at your door. Sweet and soft pumpkin with cinnamon spices and a scary icing topping.


Ingredients


  • 320g (2.5 cups) plain flour
  • 1tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp bicarbonate soda
  • 1tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2tsp nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
  • 300g (1.5 cups) granulated sugar
  • 115g (1/2cup) butter, 225g (1 cup) pumpkin
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Milk for icing sugar - roughly 2tbsp but add gradually



Method


Pre-heat oven to gas mark 5 / 375F / 190C

Cream together the butter and the sugar in a mixing bowl with a spatula until fully combined

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt & cinnamon & nutmeg and give a gentle stir through. Leave to one side.

Add the egg into the creamed sugar and butter and again stir through until mixed through then follow up by dropping in the vanilla extract & pumpkin flesh stirring through again.

Once combined tip the dry ingredients from the other bowl in to the pumpkin bowl and mix through well to form the dough.

Spoon the mixture onto lined baking trays relatively slightly spread out to allow for them to expand in the oven then bake for around 15 mins or until slightly browned on top & firm.

Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Whilst cooling make an icing combining the icing sugar with the milk in a bowl. Gradually add the milk until you have a thick consistency that can still be drizzled on the cookies.

Decorate the cooled cookies in the icing you can do zig zag lines up and down them or completely coat them and maybe sprinkle some more spices on top. Let the icing set a little before serving up.




29.10.14

"Hello! It's Halloween!" - video song with lyrics


Watch out!
The monsters are out!
If you’re all alone
Give your friends a shout
The ghosts and the spooks
Coming out of the nooks
As your doorbell rings
Can you hear them sing?

Hello it’s Halloween! 

The air is cool
And the moon is full
Turn on the light
Before the vampires bite!
The witches are cooking
The zombies are looking
And your doorbell rings
Can you hear them sing?

Hello it’s Halloween! 

Watch out!
The monsters are out!
If you’re all alone
Give your friends a shout
The vampire’s flying
And the werewolf hunting
As your doorbell rings
Can you hear them sing?

Hello it’s Halloween!


26.10.14

This Is Halloween - video and lyrics


Lyrics:
Boys and girls of every age wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see, this is our town of Halloween. This is Halloween, this is Halloween, pumpkins scream in the dead of night. This is Halloween, everybody make a scene, trick or treat (till the neighbours come and die of fright). It's our town, everybody scream, in this town of Halloween. 


I am the one hiding under your bed, teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red. I am the one hiding under your stairs, fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair. This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween (x4)

In this town we call home, everyone hail to the pumpkin song. In this town, don't we love it now, everybody's waiting for the next surprise. 'Round that corner, then, hiding in the trash can, something's waiting to pounce and howl you'll.. scream! This is halloween, red and black and slimy green, aren't you scared? Well, that's just fine, say it once, say it twice, take a chance and roll the dice, ride with the moon in the dead of night. Everybody scream, everybody scream! In our town of Halloween.

I am the clown with the tear-away face, here in a flash and gone without a trace. I am the who when you call "Who's there?", I am the wind blowing through your hair. I am the shadow on the moon at night, filling your dreams to the brim with fright.

This is Halloween, this is Halloween,

Halloween (x4)

Tender lumplings everywhere, life's no fun without a good scare, that's our job but we're not mean in our town of Halloween. In this town, don't we love it now, everyone's waiting for the next surprise. Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back and scream like a banshee, make you jump out of your skin! This is Halloween, everybody scream, won't you please make way for a very special guy. Our man Jack is king of the pumpkin patch, everyone hail to the pumpkin king. Now, this is Halloween, this is Halloween.

Halloween (x4)

In this town, we call home everyone hail to the pumpkin song
.



24.10.14

Halloween song - "I'm a skeleton" - video and lyrics




I'm a skeleton crick crack crick crack, (x2)

Two feet, crick crack, (x2)
Two legs, crick crack (x2)

I'm a skeleton crick crack crick crack (x2)
Two arms, crick crack (x2)
Two hands, crick crack (x2)

I'm a skeleton crick crack crick crack (x2)
Two eyes tic tac
One nose asshummmm!!!
One mouth Uhmmm...

I'm a skeleton crick crack crick crack (x2)
I'm a skeleton crick crack 
Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaashhhhhhhh!!!!!!!


22.10.14

Halloween Song for Children - Ten Little Monsters (video and lyrics)


One little, two little, three little monsters,
Four little, five little, six little monsters.
Seven little, eight little, nine little monsters,
Ten of them can't scare me! 
Ten little, nine little, eight little monsters, Seven little, six little, five little monsters. 
Four little, three little, two little monsters, 
One of them can't scare me! One little, two little, three little monsters,
Four little, five little, six little monsters.
Seven little, eight little, nine little monsters,
Ten of them can't scare me! 
Ten little, nine little, eight little monsters, 
Seven little, six little, five little monsters. 
Four little, three little, two little monsters, One of them can't scare me! 
None of them can scare me! None of them can scare me!


19.10.14

5 minute Halloween Craft | Toilet roll bat buddies


This halloween craft for kids couldn’t be any easier !!
The toilet roll bat buddies can be re-created in three simple steps.
  1. Fold in the top of the toilet roll to create the bat ears, glue the fold into position (use kitchen paper tubes if you prefer)
  2. Cut the wings out of black craft paper and glue to the sides of the TP roll
  3. Draw on the goofy facial faetures
That’s it!!
Goofy or spooky the kids can let their marker filled hands decide...
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids
The steps again:
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids
Cut out the wings (print this pic and use to trace if you like)
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids
Glue to the sides of the toilet roll and get busy with the markers, colouring pencils or crayons
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids
toilet roll bat halloween craft for kids

16.10.14

Queen Elizabeth II walks in a sea of poppies: Extraordinary pictures of Her Majesty paying tribute to WWI's fallen at the Tower of London

With almost all of the 888,246 poppies now in place, the Queen was rendered almost invisible as she walked through the sea of ceramic crimson blooms during a tour of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation at the Tower of London this morning.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, himself a former naval officer, Her Majesty looked sombre as she inspected the display which includes one flower for every British or Commonwealth soldier killed during the First World War.
The Queen was making her first public appearance since returning to London from her summer holiday at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire last month, with much of the last fortnight has been spent completing a series of investitures and meetings at Buckingham Palace.

Scroll down for video 
Magical: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit to the Tower of London's Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation
Magical: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit to the Tower of London's Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation
Hidden: The installation, which is almost complete and contains 888,246 poppies, completely surrounded the royal couple
Hidden: The installation, which is almost complete and contains 888,246 poppies, completely surrounded the royal couple
Royal salute: As the royal couple arrived, they were given a salute by Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan who helped them lay a wreath
Royal salute: As the royal couple arrived, they were given a salute by Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan who helped them lay a wreath
Overwhelmed: The Queen looked sombre as she and the Duke of Edinburgh joined Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan at the Tower of London
Overwhelmed: The Queen looked sombre as she and the Duke of Edinburgh joined Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan at the Tower of London
Sprawling: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red includes 888,246 poppies - one for every British and Commonwealth soldier to die
Sprawling: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red includes 888,246 poppies - one for every British and Commonwealth soldier to die
In addition to presenting actress Angelina Jolie with an honorary Damehood last week, Her Majesty spent yesterday meeting Victor Emmanuel Smith, the new Ghanaian High Commissioner, and Meas Kim Heng, the new Cambodian Ambassador, at the Court of St. James's.


The Duke of Edinburgh has also been enjoying a busy time of late and last week delighted the men of the 7 Air Assault Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers when he joined them in the cockpit of an Apache helicopter.
But, like the Queen, the Duke was sombre during his inspection of the installation, which was created by the artist Paul Cummins, with help from stage designer, Tom Piper.
There had been fears that that recent rains would make it impossible for the 88-year-old monarch and her husband, 92, to traverse the waterlogged moat but both insisted on viewing the instalment in person.
The installation will remain on display until the 1tth November, after which the poppies will be sold off for £25 each to raise funds for military charities, among them Help for Heroes and Combat Stress.
By then all four sides of the ancient dry moat that surrounds the fortress, which was built by William the Conqueror, will be blanketed in a sea of scarlet.
The very next day, the same army of 8,000 volunteers that planted them will begin to uproot each bloom individually, before sending it off to be washed and posted on to its new owner.

Filled: When complete, the installation will completely fill the Tower of London's moat, which was put in place by William the Conqueror


Filled: When complete, the installation will completely fill the Tower of London's moat, which was put in place by William the Conqueror
Sea: The poppy field has so far raised £11.2m for military charities such as the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes
Sea: The poppy field has so far raised £11.2m for military charities such as the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes
Important: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are the fourth and fifth members of the royal family to visit the installation
Important: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are the fourth and fifth members of the royal family to visit the installation
Incredible: The Queen can just about be seen at the foot of the Tower's walls, surrounded by a magnificent sea of ceramic poppies
Incredible: The Queen can just about be seen at the foot of the Tower's walls, surrounded by a magnificent sea of ceramic poppies
Complete: The installation, which is the work of artist Paul Cummins, will be completed in time for Armistice Day on the 11th November
Complete: The installation, which is the work of artist Paul Cummins, will be completed in time for Armistice Day on the 11th November
Tribute: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh helped Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan to lay a wreath among the poppies
Tribute: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh helped Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan to lay a wreath among the poppies
Striking: The visit to the Tower of London is Her Majesty's first public appearance since her return from Balmoral last month
Striking: The visit to the Tower of London is Her Majesty's first public appearance since her return from Balmoral last month
When the Queen and Duke first arrived at the imposing Tower of London they were met by its Constable, General the Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, and Colonel Richard Harrold, Governor of the medieval fortress.
In an ancient ceremony, the two men surrendered their ceremonial keys of office to the Queen and she symbolically touched the objects. Wearing a jade coat and dress with a mint trim by Stewart Parvin and a matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen and the Duke then walked carefully through the poppies and helped Yeoman Warder Jim Duncan lay a wreath.
After viewing the poppies the Queen and her husband were driven in their official Bentley along the cobbles of Water Lane - past the famous Traitors' Gate - escorted by Yeoman Body to visit the Chapel Royal of St Peter-ad-Vincula.
Stepping out of the car in the Broad Walk which was thronged by visitors - most of whom had no idea the Queen was due to visit, the Queen was greeted by the Lieutenant of the Tower, the Bishop of London and Chaplain of the Tower before being escorted into the chapel.
The chapel, which has recently been renovated, is the burial place of three English queens - Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and Jane Grey - as well as Catholic saints Thomas More and Bishop John Fisher.
Overwhelming: The spectacular installation has proved popular with non-royal visitors, with scores of people visiting over the summer
Overwhelming: The spectacular installation has proved popular with non-royal visitors, with scores of people visiting over the summer
Touching: The Queen looked thoughtful as she toured the poppy field, although unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, she didn't shed a tear
Touching: The Queen looked thoughtful as she toured the poppy field, although unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, she didn't shed a tear
Moving: Other royals to visit Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red include Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Moving: Other royals to visit Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red include Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Powerful: The Queen inspects a poppy
Fundraising: After Armistice Day on the 11th November, the poppies will be sold to raise funds for Help for Heroes and otther military charities
Fundraising: After Armistice Day on the 11th November, the poppies will be sold to raise funds for Help for Heroes among other
Beautiful: Following their tour of the poppy field, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited St Peter-ad-Vincula
Beautiful: Following their tour of the poppy field, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited St Peter-ad-Vincula
As a result, the chapel has become a place of pilgrimage for Catholics, with many visiting the grave of St Thomas More - Henry VIII's Catholic chancellor who was beheaded for refusing to recognise the fledgling Church of England which had Henry, rather than the Pope, as its head.
Although the Queen is the head of the modern version of Henry VIII's Church of England, she and the Duke of Edinburgh took part in a service to remember More and Bishop Fisher - another clergyman executed by Henry VIII for refusing to recognise the new church.
In addition to a renovation of the main crypt, which is used as an administrative space by the chapel choir, the Crypt of St Thomas More has been redecorated and re-ordered to render it more welcoming to visitors.
Next week will see the Queen welcome the President of Singapore and his wife to London, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are expected to accompany Tony Tan and his wife for the traditional state procession. 
Once at Horse Guard's Parade, Mr Tan and his wife will be formally welcomed to the UK by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh before a second procession returns them to Buckingham Palace ahead of a state dinner. 
Busy: The visit is the Queen's first public appearance since returning from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire last month
Busy: The visit is the Queen's first public appearance since returning from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire last month
Contemplation: The Queen among the poppies
Contemplative: The Queen, who was resplendent in turquoise Stewart Parvin, looked contemplative as she toured the poppies
Fascinating: The Queen, who also led the D-Day 70th anniversary celebrations, has long been a supporter of British military charities
Fascinating: The Queen, who also led the D-Day 70th anniversary celebrations, has long been a supporter of British military charities
Magnificent: Yeoman Warder Duncan stood to attention as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh wandered through the poppy field
Magnificent: Yeoman Warder Duncan stood to attention as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh wandered through the poppy field

THE ROYAL FORTRESS THAT LOOMS LARGE IN BRITISH HISTORY: INSIDE THE MIGHTY TOWER OF LONDON 

A prison, a palace and a place of safety, the Tower has long loomed large over London, playing a crucial role in nearly every major upheaval to afflict the capital since it was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066.
The donjon castle he built, the White Tower, was designed for defence but also functioned as a royal palace, with every subsequent Norman king processing from the Tower to their coronation at Westminster Abbey.
That tradition persisted well into the 17th century, with Henry VIII, Edward I and Elizabeth I among the monarchs to spend a night there ahead of their coronations.
But it is as a place of execution and imprisonment that the Tower is most famous, with the very name of its chapel - St Peter in Chains - offering a clue to its use.
Although used as a prison from 1100 onwards, the first notable execution to take place at the Tower was that of William Wallace, a Scottish rebel whose death warrant was signed by Edward I 'The Hammer of the Scots' in 1305.
But Wallace was by no means the only one. He was followed into death at the Tower by England's 'nine day queen' Lady Jane Grey, Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard and Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, as well as many others.
The Bloody Tower was also the scene of one of the most enduring mysteries in British history: the disappearance of Edward V of England and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, who are better known as the Princes in the Tower.
Precisely what happened to the two boys, who were aged 12 and nine years old at the time, has never been established, although many suspect that the children were murdered - either by their uncle Richard III or the incoming Tudor king, Henry VII.
But while the deaths that took place during the Tudor and mediaeval periods are the most famous, the tradition of executing criminals at the Tower continued into the 20th century with a group of suspected spies despatched by firing squad on Tower Green during World War One.
Unsurprisingly, later prisoners, among them a group of German prisoners of war held at the Tower during World War Two and the Kray twins, are said to have found the experience of being held at the Tower terrifying.
As a result of the executions, the Tower is also thought to be haunted with the tragic ghost of Anne Boleyn said to appear each year, wandering around the White Tower and carrying her head under her arm, on the anniversary of her execution on the 19th May 1536.
The Tower is also the subject of several legends, including one about a prophecy that says 'if the ravens leave the Tower, then England will fall'.
A nervous Charles II, clearly mindful of the fate of his father, insisted that the ravens be encouraged to remain. The current six have special quarters in the Tower and have one wing clipped to ensure they can't fly off.
Nevertheless, some do still go missing while others have had to be sacked. Raven George was dismissed for eating television aerials, while another, Raven Grog, was last seen outside an East End pub.
Passionate: The Duke of Edinburgh, who served in the Royal Navy during WW2, is also a long-standing supporter of military charities
Passionate: The Duke of Edinburgh, who served in the Royal Navy during WW2, is also a long-standing supporter of military charities
Home from home: The Tower, which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066, remains, in theory, the property of the Royal Family
Home from home: The Tower, which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066, remains, in theory, the property of the Royal Family
Big arrival: The Queen was greeted by the Constable of the Tower, General the Lord Dannatt, as she arrived at the fortress
Big arrival: The Queen was greeted by the Constable of the Tower, General the Lord Dannatt, as she arrived at the fortress
Important: The Tower looms large in British history, both as a palace and as a place of execution - the latter continuing until WW1
Important: The Tower looms large in British history, both as a palace and as a place of execution - the latter continuing until WW1
The (British) Red Sea: The spectacular tide of poppies that has filled the Tower's moat in tribute to the fallen of World War One
The brainchild of artist Paul Cummins, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red has so far raised an incredible £11.2m for military charities, among them Cobseo, Combat Street, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.
With 888,246 poppies set to be planted in the Tower of London's moat by the 11th November, the installation pays tribute to each and every one of the British and Commonwealth soldiers to die during World War One.
The first flower was planted on 17 July by one of the Tower's Yeoman Warders and planting has continued ever since, with an army of 8,000 volunteers providing most of the elbow grease.
Poppies have long been the symbol of military sacrifice in Britain, with the first poppy memorials coming after the First World War, when a poem from the time recalled the bright-red flower growing in the fields of Flanders.
After the Armistice Day commemorations next month, each of the poppies will be pulled up and dispatched to their new owners, each of whom has paid £25 for their poppies.
Although the majority have now been sold, some of the handmade poppies are still in search of new owners and can be purchased online from the Tower of London website.
The striking installation, which has seen potters in Cummins' Derbyshire studio work around the clock making poppies for the piece, has also seen other royal visitors in its midst, among them Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The latter's visit, on the 5th August, was her final public appearance ahead of the announcement of her second pregnancy, which was revealed by Kensington Palace on the 8th September.
Impressive: The enormous sea of poppies has almost entirely filled the Tower of London's mediaeval moat 
Impressive: The enormous sea of poppies has almost entirely filled the Tower of London's mediaeval moat 
Contemplation: Beautiful though the installation is, each represents the loss of a British or Commonwealth soldier's life during WW1
Contemplation: Beautiful though the installation is, each represents the loss of a British or Commonwealth soldier's life during WW1
Solemn: The Queen, who paid a personal tribute to World War One's fallen during a service at Balmoral in August, looked solemn
Solemn: The Queen, who paid a personal tribute to World War One's fallen during a service at Balmoral in August, looked solemn
Touched: After touring the installation, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh joined a Thanksgiving service in the Tower chapel
Touched: After touring the installation, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh joined a Thanksgiving service in the Tower chapel
Impressive: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red will remain in place until Armistice Day - the 11th November
Impressive: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red will remain in place until Armistice Day - the 11th November


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2795372/the-queen-s-tribute-dead-world-war-one-majesty-joined-prince-phillip-visit-tower-s-poppy-memorial.html#ixzz3GJguMxL7