Hammering Virtual Iron . . .

In French there is an expression which says "Il faut battre le fer pendant que c'est chaud", which translates as "iron must be hammered while it is still hot". . . so before getting on with further posting today, am going to thank Steve at Bloggertropolis again for passing on the Noblesse Oblige award yesterday, I'm still on the floor. . . (sur le cul...). Here are the details about this honor :
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The recipient of this award is recognised for the following :
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1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
4) The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.
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The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps :
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1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support.
4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.
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Points 1 and 2 are covered by this post. For point 3, well, the entire purpose of this blog voyage, a Magic Lantern Show, Mr. Toad's Travel Diary, is to present extracts from roughly 30 years of photography and writing that I've been doing in my spare time, when not working to make a living. . . I only hope that in some small way, by doing so, that it holds water artistically, even if there are a few leaks in the hull, and that it may bring a certain measure of pleasure to a few fellow travellers out there in the blogosphere, in all corners of the world. . . I don't know where it is going, but it is the voyage that matters, right ? I would like to thank each and every visitor who has stopped by here since the start last September, and especially thank all of you who are leaving comments . . . you are the greatest !
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As for point 4 . . . if I understand correctly it is now up to me to pass on the flame of the Noblesse Oblige torch. Although I have been looking at quite alot of excellent blogs recently, there are three that have simply seemed to shine a little brighter . . . so without further ado I would like to bestow the award to these three blogs :
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1) Halfway to France . . .
La Framéricaine has created an incredibly lovely cross-cultural experience in her blog that simply radiates the warmth of humanity and friendship, as well as going far to promote french-american relations, and thereby amply fulfils the criteria for this award. What is particularly refreshing about her blog, above and beyond her excellent writing in all her posts, is the incredible attention she gives to responding to her visitors with thoughtful, funny, and caring answers to all comments received. And I've also observed examples of that same deeply human spirit when she leaves comments on other blogs.
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2) Indiaphagme . . .
Loulou out in New Delhi, India, in the realm of photographic arts, has been presenting some of the most intensely beautiful photographs on her blog I've ever seen anywhere, bar none. Her photographs and her blog are an expanding monument to promoting cultural understanding and appreciation. I strongly encourage all who may see these words to sign in to follow her blog, and give her your support and encouragement . . . she is well worthy of the effort !
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3) Gry's Photos . . .
And last, but by no means least, Gry's Photos in Norway is another shining example of excellent photography that promotes cultural understanding. Her blog has obviously been creating some buzz in the blogosphere, as there are now over 200 followers signed up, and there is a good reason for that ; her photographs are just astonishingly lovely, full of natural beauty.
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So to all three of you, it is an honor and a pleasure to pass on the Noblesse Oblige award ! Now I just have to figure out how to do point 5 . . . well, this is what it looks like, and you can copy it from here :
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