Karen day - Y 'hair' and then 'nails' at Sherwood

Steven sent these pictures from their holiday in Scotland and, for space reasons, I've collaged them together. He also sent some lovely people pictures not for publishing because Y doesn't like the idea of worldwide access to them, particularly the children.

Although the above two snaps depict rather forbidding weather they have had some sun too and sound very much as if they are enjoying themselves which is the main thing. The children are at a super age to amuse themselves, and, with Millicent, no-one will be bored.

I'm so pleased to be able to publish the picture on the left - to demonstrate the return of the Goldfinches.

The level of thistle seed in their feeder had not been going down very much but, over the last couple of days they have made up for lost time.

The Great Tits are more active but are such frenzied feeders (mostly peanuts) its hard to get a decent sharp photograph. I shall keep trying however and when I succeed mug-shots will appear herein.

This morning Karen arrived just before 9.30am and Y's Hair appointment wasn't till 10.45am so we didn't rush out. Its nice to see her for an hour anyway - we learn lots about 'how the other half lives' not Karen, who is quite normal but some of her neighbours and their friends. She sometimes does cleaning jobs for her landlord and she agreed to clean up one of his houses. The tenants had done a 'midnight flit' after having been growing cannabis in the loft.

I took Y down to Eastwood for her 'hair' and then onwards to Sherwood for her 'nails'. I didn't wait for her but came back via Mapperley Top and Newstead. I discovered the road from the A60 to Papplewick and Linby was closed for repairs so my attempt to avoid the holdup near the City Hospital didn't actually save any time. The scenery was prettier though. Y bussed it into Nottingham and then to Brinsley.

In the absence of Reg, WoW tomorrow is being masterminded by Roy. I can't manage it due to a conflicting blood-test but the group intend to go to Calver which is always nice. I've left a message on Helen C's answer-phone.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Re the Green Man and Black's Head Royal Hotel at Ashbourne. During my time local people simply called it The Green Man.

Re: My 'wheels' versus 'my shooting stick'. I must admit to feeling more tired, and my legs and back ache more. But I am convinced it is the right thing to do. There's no doubt that some people react to you differently if you appear 'disabled' and I don't like to be treated as a deaf idiot. We will see how we go !

Yvonne .... I sincerely hope that the Hayley Pool isn't overcrowded tomorrow. If I'm to drop you off it would perhaps make sense for me to hang around for 5 minutes to see is you want to come straight back. If you don't appear I'll assume that all is well.

I agree about Mrs Cleese, and also the carnivorous pitcher plant named after David Attenborough. The linked page explains and I thought we should have it on record.

Jill ..... I managed to circumvent having deleted your comment. Thank goodness ! I would have felt awful.

Re: Howell & Marsden. The firm was a Grocers but they also had a wholesale liquor licence. The firm owned 3 pubs in the town itself and several more in surrounding villages. These they supplied with the booze. My Dad had a nervous breakdown in 1949 and, as I was only 14yrs old there was little I could do. The family all insisted that the business and the freehold to the premises, including the pubs, be sold off so they could get at the money. It was a tragedy.

The only public transport I use regularly is the tram to Nottingham. These are beautifully designed. No steps.

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Quotation time ......

"The smaller the mind the great the conceit"

Aesop

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"

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Super Sunday - Canal Walk - Visitors - 75F

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We got off to a good start - it was such a lovely morning and we decided on a walk along the Cromford/Nottingham Canal from just before the Langley Mill basin and towards Nottingham. The walk is only a couple of miles away and always pleasant. I took my wheels and although I didn't think I'd make our full circular walk, I did - thanks to frequent 'sits-down'. Took some snaps and the bottom right of the collage is my best effort to capture an example of the large brown dragonflies which were zooming about. Top right of the collage must be a primitive water-lily. I don't think I've seen one in bloom before.

We like to walk down the canal bank and then return via a path through the fields which brings you back to your starting point. Perhaps I shouldn't have tackled the whole walk because I'm suffering a bit now - but it was worth it. I hope the collage shows what a brilliant morning it was. Everyone we met wanted to exchange nice things about the morning. Youths on motorbikes were a bit of a spoiler. They congregate in a farmers field about 100 yards away which would be fine if they stayed there. But, being youths, they have to emerge onto the towpath and the bridges - disrupting people's walks and irritating the anglers.

Difficult to say much because I was a teenager with a motorbike who had great difficulty waiting for the legal age to ride it. My parents didn't know because we kept them behind a shed at a pals house and took every chance we could to fire them up and belt round an adjoining field. In any case it was an AJS 350cc and, as a learner, one was only allowed up to 250cc.

And I always think, these are lads with a bit of spirit who would join the Forces and fight for us, should the occasion arise.

When we returned we decided on the Birds Eye 'fish in a bag' which one oven-bakes from frozen for 25 minutes. Jill has recommended them, and the lady in Morrisons who we like, said "They fly off the shelves - as soon as they come in they've gone". Anyway, the cooking method works - beautifully cooked, full of flavour, and no lingering fish smell in the kitchen.

We were pleased about the latter point because just after lunch Tracy who was in Hucknall she would like to call in. Always nice to see Tracy. And then Peter Green arrived for half an hour. Peter and Joan have returned from holiday (good weather, no transport problems, nice things to do). He had just been to a local Baptist Church where today was the last service due to closure. Then he was going on to another Baptist Church where he was to take the Service. Peter, among his many other roles, is an Ordained Lay Minister. Tracy couldn't believe he is eighty and said all the right things. He looked so smart and is an example to us slobs.

Y has just done my tea - an open smoked German ham sandwich, with three of our own tomatoes. Delicious !

Had a nice chat with David this morning. They have moved to the White Beach Caravan Club Site near Southwold to be handy for Walberswick where the British Open Crabbing Championships take place today. They needed to register at 2pm and the rules are simple. Who lands the single heaviest crab, on a single line, in a 9o minutes period ? David has printed them all T shirts with an appropriate wording and has promised a photo of them all four, wearing same. Knowing Sky's competitive propensities, and with family support, who knows ?

After that they are driving back to Long Eaton and I shall look forward to hearing from them. We have still got those excellent School Reports to enjoy.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw ..... Derby Morrisons seems abit far for us, for a bottle of milk !


Bob .... We also like Mansfield Sainsburys and often pop in, if we are in Mansfield for some other reason. This happens quite often.

Thanks for the pictures and it gives me pleasure to publish this Sports Desk snap of Field Mill. For the benefit of non-local people Field Mill is the historic home ground of Mansfield Town FC, who have always been known as The Stags.

When you say you awoke with 'horse and headache' I can only assume you mean 'hoarse' otherwise I'm reminded of a scene from The GodFather.

Yvonne .... You are right about the 'blue' in the Aster. It should be possible to get the artichoke correct - but I've more or less finished messing-about with it. Like 'the press, I've lost interest' and moved on.

It was a little thoughtless of Vic to begin in the footpath with a hedge-trimmer at 8.10am. Only partly redeemed by his offer to do ours too. If you go and look its hard to see what he has actually cut. I think it may eventually be a job for Alex. It isn't the cutting, its the taking away the cut-off bits, of which there would be many.

Amazon take some beating. Apart from the rock-bottom price the whole operation is so slick. E-mails confirming each stage and a very quick delivery time.

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Quotati0n time ...............

"Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."

Emo Phillips

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Its quite a while since I ended with one of Y's favourites - the train

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A WoW of a WoW day - Bit of rain - but some sun too

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Setting-off from here instead of Reg's seemed strange but we got underway quite early. Only four of us went - Roger, Brian, Mike and myself so we all travelled in the Yaris. And very well she did too, forging ahead up steep Derbyshire hills with 4 big blokes aboard, plus gear and my 'wheels' all without a whimper of complaint.


Ashford-in-the-Water, nr Bakewell was our chosen location and proved to be somewhat of a undiscovered gem.

I can't quite remember whether the instigator was Brian or Roger but, unbeknown to either the well-dressings were on. If you open the last link you will see photos of all the wells. I didn't take those. But I did take the one on the right which in our opinion was the best.

No photograph could do it Justice. It glowed, and, when you consider that the pictures are all worked with flower petals and other vegetative material, all you can do is stand back and be amazed !

There was so much to photograph even though at this particular time the light wasn't ideal. The chaps disappeared on their walk and I did the wells, the Church, some charming cottages etc. Then I downloaded them to my Asus note-book, and e-mailed Y a picture even though I knew she wasn't at home. She went to Burton Joyce today instead of tomorrow. Tomorrow she is off into Nottingham to meet Joan for lunch at The Bell.

My confusion over the dates wasn't helped when Joan Green rang to wish us all the best on our Norfolk trip starting on Friday, which she had thought was tomorrow. I won't go on..... One of you will ask me who the Prime Minister is ! I just know it will happen ! In any case, it's easy - it's Margaret Thatcher, anyfule know that.

On the way back I got a snap of the most idyllic village Cricket pitch I have seen for years. Probably I'll use it tomorrow but I am trying to limit myself to two photographs per day.

A security warning - The word from the streets is that, if you use a wireless keyboard you should revert to a 'wired' one. If you open the link and read the article you will see there is some risk of cybercriminals intercepting sensitive information between keyboard and PC.

I've never trusted or used Internet banking anyway. But I suppose there is always credit-cards etc., when buying online.

My responses to your previous comments

jbw .... I thought you must have gone into your 'tower', removed the hard disc and installed it in another machine or something. Thanks for clearing the point up.

My only criticism of Norton used to be that it was slow and clunky, and slowed everything else down with it. This certainly isn't the case anymore. It goes about it's business more briskly than AVG. In the field of Internet Security Eset Nod 32 is also well spoken of on WebUser forums and my chums on there are usually reliable.

Bob .... Thanks for you congrats. on the bird pics. Does 'chasing the Wren' have drug connotations like 'chasing the Dragon' ?

Norton 360 does have those links for us oldie bike-fans. I think Norton did a 350, although I suspect their smallest was a 500cc. AJS did a 350, because I owned one.

My pet AVG gripe was it's tendency to flash a small window about the size of a mobile phone in the middle of my screen accompanied by an irritating 'ping'. This window was blank except for the AVG logo in the top left hand corner. I never did discover what it was supposed to do, and now I've uninstalled the programme, I don't suppose I ever will. Am I bovvered? Do I look bovvered?

Dried plantain and saltfish ! Now that does sound exotic ! And fascinating !

Talking of recipes, my David speaks highly of the Videojug website. The site features 'how-to videos' about all manner of subjects. When we return from our Norfolk Nat Trust jaunt I aim to have a good play with it. I've linked you to the Food & Drink section but, as you will see, there are others...... I like the look of the Creative and Culture section for a start.

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Quotation time ..... Exotic made me think .....

"I love being in my garden. I don't plant a lot of exotic flora, but I do spend a lot of time outside doing manual labour. "

Jacqueline Bisset

I've always thought Jacqueline Bisset herself quite an exotic girl who has been in some v.good films. The IMDb site I've linked you to, includes other links to trailers and I thought, if you were bored .......

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Longshaw Estates - eventually - glorious day - 80F

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The weather when we awoke was so lovely we decided to take advantage of it and risk a trip into Derbyshire.

Carpe diem and all that jazz. All thanks to Horace originally.

Y suggested we try somewhere where we had WoW-ed and Longshaw Estates fitted in. Our route was, to say the least, circuitous, but resulted in an impressive scenic tour. Our big mistake was using Google-Maps and printing-off their suggested route.

Chesterfield is OK but .........

Anyway, we saw grass being mown for hay and 'wuffled' which produced that unforgettable smell.

Bottom left of the 'collage' was the view from where we stopped for coffee (our own and delicious).

When we finally arrived at Longshaw it was busy (school holidays etc.) but well lived up to expectations. I managed a fairly long walk with my wheels and reached the pond/lake on the way to Padley Gorge. - Grindleford. We stopped and talked to a very pleasant couple who were regular visitors and recommended a handier car-park for me in future.

On our arrival back at the Visitor's Centre we had tea and a nice piece of cake - and a lovely long chat to the NT 'volunteer' tea-lady and learned lots of insider-information about Longshaw and in particular the 'old house' which has been converted into up-market apartments.

When we arrived home the garden still looked in it's pristine post-Karen state.

As I sat on my bed to unload my 'bits and bobs' I noticed this interesting picture featuring my bottle-stopper lens.

Apart from adjusting my position to maximise the juxtaposition of the diagonal lines the picture is fiddle-free.

My replies to your comments

Bob ..... As you noted a couple of days ago, the weather seems consistently inconsistent. An old red pullover that I haven't worn for years has become my bosom companion (please excuse the word-play).

Tesco is excellent for good quality and extremely cheap electrical goods. Your new telly will doubtless give excellent service. My bedroom hot-water jug/kettle was under £3 and I can't fault it.

Glad we've sorted out the misunderstanding about the Toyota lights.

The AA man was quite witty about our Yaris Verso. He described it as a 'normal Yaris with a loft-conversion'.

Yvonne .... I think you do wonderfully well to play Cricket and Football with the grand-children, especially if you aren't allowed time on 'the bench'.

I'm glad you have actually seen the Lidl ad for the 'swimming-goggles' and they seem OK. Big difference between £2.79 and around £15 at Decathlon.

Thanks for your kind words about my gardening efforts. I intend a further couple of hours before the weekend is over.

jbw .... Archery isn't my forte although the subject interests me - particularly the English 'long bow'. Such romantic connotations and history.

Doug is very interesting to listen to on the subject and an excellent bowman himself.

Going back into the animation to alter it is easier said than done I'm afraid. Although I couldn't do it myself, I know a man who could .... as they say. But I have no intention of troubling him with this one. Sorry if that sounds abrupt because it isn't my intention. It is good to have your comments on the blog - so keep them coming .....

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Quotation time .....

"Hark! I hear their drum.
Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen!
Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!

Shakespeare - King Richard 111.V

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

Burton Joyce for Y - 70F - Cloudy but some Sun

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Please excuse the lack of quality of this picture of some elderly water-babies yesterday at Darley Dale.

A straightforward record shot showing the awfully wet conditions.

The car started this morning at the first vigorous turn of the starter-motor and the battery seemed full of charge and healthy.

So, while en route to the tram this morning, Y rang Steve at the Garage and told him I wouldn't be taking the car in. Lots of things needed to be done today including me having a good rest.

We had decided on an egg salad and I prepared and cooked Jersey Royals to have cold and later some hard-boiled eggs (I didn't give them quite long enough and the yolks were too runny) plus lettuce, celery, radishes and some crinkle-cut beetroot. I had a good sit with the Telegraph and the crossword, frequent naps of course.

Karen came and mowed, with the repaired mower, and then I did a little more de-weeding of the ring-border and planted the rest of the Geraniums. Picture 2 on the right illustrates.

With regard to the rest of this particular border I must see if 'mixed annuals' seed is still available. I realise it is quite late for sowing seed but things always catch up and then flower for a bit longer at the other end.

We haven't discussed it though and Yvonne may already have something in her mind as to how she would like it to look.

Roy called in to pick up a Basil plant which is to accompany them in the Caravan. After he'd left I realised I had given him a roooted cutting, and I wanted him to have a seedling which I think might be more vigorous. When he returns he can have one of those too.

Y returned from her usual Thursday at Burton Joyce and was tired. But she had played cricket, and football, and I don't think there were many quiet periods as the children are all off for the Whitsuntide break.

My responses to your previously written comments

Bob ..... Re chip cobs. Almost everywhere we visit for chip-cobs they serve everyone a cob, sliced in half and buttered and several crocks of chips are put on the table so that people assemble their own. It would be quite odd, in our experience, to be served with one that had already been made into its final form.

The Toyota does have an audible 'lights-on' warning which operates when you get out of the car. I was sitting in it ! It would be very strange for a car to emit an audible warning that the lights were on, while you are sitting in the car. I've never come across that - perhaps you could name makes and models ?

Jill .... We all hope your Bristol city break is a success. But we shall miss you on the blog and look forward to hearing all about you holiday when you return.

And, hopefully, some pictures.

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Quotation time .....

"The one function TV news performs very well is that when there is no news we give it to you with the same emphasis as if there were."

David Brinkley

This another line/divider from the site recommended by Pete B.

It makes me think of Duggie (EPS) who is a keen archer.



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Whitsuntide - 56F - no wind - dull

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Picture 1 is a further photograph from John, location not known, but demonstrating that there are wild boar in France.

Somewhere near the 'esterel massif' if close to where he took another picture. They certainly seem to having a whale of a time. Good luck to them.

Our day has been good. Deciding to brave the Bank Holiday we went to the river bank spot at Cromford which Helen C recommended for wildflowers. Thanks Helen. The 'getting there' instructions proved straightforward and we were rewarded by a cornucopia of flora. The path (wheels friendly) leads down the centre of a wide river-bank and wildflowers proliferated.

Plenty of checking-out needed in my reference books.

Some were easy to find like this 'Bistort' on the left. And I'm still working on many of the others.

A little apprehensive that noisy children milling about would be everywhere, we were pleasantly surprised.

I guess the river bank at Cromford Mill is not a place to which young families are attracted.

The Mill itself is now a World Heritage Site and of course Sir Richard Arkwright was a man who perhaps doesn't receive the attention he deserves. For his time, he was an exemplary employer. The village he built for his workers had a School, because he wanted young people who were to be employed at The Mill to be able to read and write.

Come back Sir Richard !

On our return journey we stopped at The Canal Inn at Bullbridge and had an excellent meal although there was too much of it. (I had a feeling there wouldn't be a satisfactory web-page to link you to, so the photo is mine. The link takes you to a page about the village)

We both chose the 'fresh haddock, chips, and mushy peas' and certainly didn't have room for a pudding, attractive though they looked. The menu states clearly that meals are actually cooked on the premises and to allow a little time during busy periods. This was borne out by our experience and they were busy. We arrived at just the right time, before the rush started, and the landlord directed us to a charming corner table by a window.

I checked out the 'chip cob' position for WoW possibilities and received the reply "No problem".

By the time we reached home it was completely clouded over and at this moment it is raining.

My responses to your comments

Jill ... Would like to come and help in your garden, but weeding about a tenth of ours is more than enough. Sorry !

The Garmin NUVI 105 is a Sat/Nav. Silly me for not publishing a link, or at least explaining.

But Helen C's cautionary note does not fall on deaf ears. There seems to be a reluctance on our part to take the plunge. Perhaps we have subliminally noted similar warnings elsewhere.

Re Gertrude in a Pot. I think she would flourish magnificently in a pot. Although not visible from the photo ours is not in a border but in a hole in the concrete path, perhaps 10 x 18 inches filled with about a foot of compost on top of subsoil. So, go for it !

Lucky you with the Painted Lady butterfly. It would be lovely to see your photo. Keep experimenting with photos>computer, or, if son helps - make notes.

Pete B .... Thanks for 'from the horse's mouth' information about the TT races. So much more fun than official briefings. And doubtless more accurate too. Blogs are the in-thing !

The poor people who are virtual prisoners by living 'inside the track' have my sympathy. I guess the best solution would be to 'let' your house for the duration to a respectable family of fans and go off somewhere on holiday with the rent.

Bob ... Thanks for the e-mailed picture of your tomato plants. I hope I haven't been premature in putting mine outside. I must remember to cover them if a cold night is forecast.

What a lovely poem (Whitsun Weddings) to do for A level. As a mature student ? Didn't think he'd written it back in the 40s.

As a special treat I've tracked down a recording of Larkin himself reading it. Please click here.

Helen C .... Please see above re Cromford river-path. I definitely want to go again in a month or so, to note changes in wildflower population. However, in identification terms, I have plenty to keep me occupied already.

Your 'surprise tomato plants' are no doubt a product of your home-brewed compost. Seeds are very resilient.

Thanks for the Sat/Nav tip. I think our current reluctance is telling us something.

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Quotation time ....

"You must not know too much or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and watercraft: a certain free-margin, and even vaguesness - ignorance, credulity - helps your enjoyment of these things"

Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892)

Another 'line' borrowed from Pete B



Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow

Yvonne at Burton Joyce - 60F - 5mph NW wind

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Another Dovedale shot which reminded me of boyhood was this scree which we used to slide down on our backsides. It is rather steeper than it looks from this angle and the one towards the centre of the snap is the one. The other one, on the lefthand side is rubbish. Go and check it out if you don't believe me !

Y has been over at Burton Joyce and managed not to get drenched because the showery weather had continued. Fortunately better weather is forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend. Lets just hope.

The second picture is from a little further down the riverside and close to where the Dipper nest is. Dovedale doesn't change much.

Today I've been quite busy. Sorted the Picasa WebAlbum for WoW at Newark, and Dovedale. Tidied up some gardening projects - I put outside the geranium seedlings I pricked out for Betty. But then brought them in again because it occurred to me that they me be greenhouse varieties rather than for the border.

Caught up on some reading and then prepared a meal for Y's return. The day has zoomed by. No time for the crossword.

My replies to your comments

Yvonne ..... Thanks for your nice comment about the pictures, Apparently Dippers like fast-flowing rivers in hilly country. So the Dove is an ideal place for them.

Bob ..... Sorry about the young greenfinch. We have a bumblebee who would like to join us in the 'big room' and crashes (not fatally) into the window a couple of times a day.

Incy Wincy Denis ... Many thanks for your praise for the dipper picture. It is due to that 70-300nn VR Nikkor which really is a gem of a lens.

Thanks also for your good health wishes. Whatever - I am happy in myself.

Jill ..... The RSPB website is lovely isn't it? To be able to hear a snippet of the bird's song at the click of a button is so helpful.

I agree with you about the Griff Rhys Jones programme about Poetry. He did the topic no favours at all and sounded most of the time as if he was taking the mickey. Thats ok I suppose but he just didn't sound genuine.

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Quotation time .............

"Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary"

Kahlil Gibran

Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow

A first-class WoW at Dovedale - 60F - Little wind

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This morning I decided to WoW.

After picking up Helen and dropping Y at the Hayley Leisure Centre we went over to Reg's and Dovedale was selected as a venue. Quite a long way I suppose but it proved worth it.

We were lucky with the weather which stayed fine and there were a few brief periods of sun. We parked in the bottom car-park and, thanks to my wheels, I managed to walk as far as the Stepping Stones. The snap on the left is almost compulsory if you visit. And of course many boyhood memories came to me. Informal competitions were held to see who could run across the stepping stones quickest. There were several unplanned 'dips' and The Dove is a cold, cold river. We used to swim in it, further down, at Mappleton where the river is wider and deeper and lengthy periods in the water were not popular. Shall we say 'bracing' !

The 'chaps' went off on their customary trek but I found plenty of interest. Possibly the main thing was this 'Dipper' which I had noticed. I decided to sit down on my wheels chair and observe him/her and managed a few reasonable shots with my 70-300mm treasure.

Then, after staying still for some time the bird flew into this hole in the bank which closer observation revealed to be their nest. The 'dipping' is to collect water-borne insects and other fodder and you can see he has a beak-full.

Picture 3, below and on the left, is the nest and, after I'd found it I was hoping for an action shot of the bird flying in, or out. I sat there for probably 5 minutes but no luck.

When I got home and researched it I found this excellent website, by the RSPB of course, and when you have found your bird, you go to it via an alphabetical chart to particulars. And there's a button to click to hear it's song. Great fun !

For chip-cobs we went to The Cliffe Inn at Crich where we were greeted with the landlady's usual bon-homie and v.good chip-cobs. I had a cheese-cob instead and the home made 'Beetroot and Orange Chutney' was delicious.

When I arrived home I was delighted to open my blood-test result and find my INR level bang-on 3 - exactly where it should be. In consequence, I don't need to be re-tested till the 9th of June and there's no change to my Warfarin dosage.

Yvonne's good experience at the Hayley was great to hear about and she obviously enjoyed herself muchly. It is going to be 'her thing' and I have promised not to muscle in on it.

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ..... Anglesey Abbey is near Cambridge not in Wales. I think I know how it got it's name but I can't remember.

The Big Issue can be v.good and it's heart is in the right place. The 'arts' coverage is often surprisingly good. Mind you, so is The Telegraph's.

Yvonne ...... So glad The Eastwood Hall, Hayley experience worked out so well and I promise not to interfere.

At lunchtime Reg told me that one can eat there and the Restaurant is first class. But prohibitively expensive. You can read his comment about the Jacuzi and the human wave-machine !

Perhaps, if you have more leaflets to deliver, it would be worth taking some kitchen-tongs with you. You could then push the leaflets right through and remain un-injured.

Jill ..... Re vegetables. There's undercooked and undercooked. We quite like al denté and dislike greens boiled till mushy and tinged yellow.

You and I can certainly sit in a swimming-pool lounge and be onlookers. We could amuse ourselves taking the mickey out of the actual swimmers and doing the Telegraph crossword.

Re my Tree book. No complaint about the pictures or the quality. But I wish it were a bigger book, with more entries.

Reg ..... I'll vouch for you. Definitely in Dovedale, followed by Crich.

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"Sleep tight - 10.30pm too late for a quote - catch you tomorrow"


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Good WoW at Strelley - Strong 13mph Westerly - 57F

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This collage is made of 2 of John's photographs from Dune de Pilat and John describes the lower picture as the biggest sand-dune in Europe. 103 metres high !

I love the simplicity of the upper image and John seems to have an excellent 'eye' for a picture. Particularly water !

Keep the pictures coming John - it's great to hear from you, and to see the snaps of what you are doing is the icing on the cake.

My day, following yesterday's action-packed Tuesday. has been comparitively quiet but none-the-less enjoyable.

When we met up at Reg's for WoW, there was much discussion as to venue. In the end, Strelley was chosen, which is just round the corner. I wanted to do some wildflowers and the last thing one wants is a 13mph wind rattling all the subjects about. However, I got some results and decided on a collage in an effort to disguise the errors a little.

There were 9 attendees but, due to his troublesome leg, Roger decided to come round with me rather than tackle the walk with 'the chaps'. The 'collage' is on the left.

Helen has just e-mailed me with some information on Courses for Wildflower identification.

I know there's a wealth of information on-line and in books but they don't seem to work for me. I need someone to point at a plant and say "This is Herb Robert" and then let me take a photograph of it.

There are courses available and I would guess one needs to go at different times of the year because of the transient nature of the subject matter.

Our bridle path route took us over the M1 via a narrow bridge and we both decided to snap some motorway traffic with an attempt at speed-blur.

I don't know how Roger fared but my best effort is on the right.

The trick is to achieve a long exposure time, with a tiny aperture (f22 in this case) preferably with a tripod, which I didn't have with me needless to say. I did my best with the camera braced against one of the stanchions of the Motorway bridge super-structure.

I don't know what you think but it seems to me that the 'blurr' is more pronounced on traffic which is going away from us than it is with traffic approaching !

There is probably a technical reason and perhaps one of more expert members can enlighten us ?

Y is at Burton Joyce tomorrow and I have a more-or-less free day. But I have lots of jobs that will fill it.

My responses to your previously crafted comments

Bob .... Epson ARE good. Brian recommended the model I have and it is still going strong. I forgive it the occasional glitch because the results please me so much. John once visited and, seeing some A4 pictures, said in his inimitable manner "Did you print those Father?". But I am afraid I don't really like printing - mainly because of the faff involved in cutting mounts (incidentally Brian will cut those for you too if you ask him) so I have a tendency to stick to projected images.

Your 'game-dealer' Stuart Rose, seems a very affable and knowledgeable chap. Apparently it was 'on the cards' some years ago that the National Trust would buy Laxton. Certainly some method of preserving it should be devised. It is a living museum and so important to the study of Agricultural History.

Now. Come on ! Everybody knows you drink Rimbaud, not eat it. A glass of a good mature 'Rimbaud de pays' is crisp on the palate and excellent with chips.

Jill ..... Re the Great Tit chicks. Miles says he has counted 6 and he is a pretty reliable source. We can only hope they fare better this year. Although, when calamity struck last year, all the children were very matter-of-fact about it.

I loved the wren story. The are very noisy little birds aren't they ? One wonders how so much sound emanates from such a tiny body. Please keep us informed.

Steel bands have such a mellow sound, and one can understand the relationship with mellow yellow. I tried to find a YouTube steel band that was just right, to link you to. But I failed.

Re your blue-ey tinge in your pictures. You can remedy a lot in Picasa, which I am sure we persuaded you to download. If you have it, we will talk you through the necessary in the near future.

Thanks for asking about my 'blood' and I am delighted to be able to tell you that the level is just about perfect. It is 3.1 and I don't need it tested again for a fortnight. If it is 3-ish then, they will probably risk leaving me for a month.

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Quotation time .......

"When rage and hot blood are his counsellors"

King Henry 1vth Part 2

I've not felt like that for 3 decades. Midly 'miffed' is about my extreme.



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Wet morning - Y at BJ - 57F and 3mph Southerly

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A collage of yesterday's WoW. For any newcomers, it means Walk On Wednesday by the way. As you can see the weather was kind and, fortunately, I am not experiencing any extreme after-effects. Tired but happy tired, as Y will be this evening on her return from granny-duty at Burton Joyce.

She has taken her new Fuji compact and, when we spoke on the phone at lunchtime she told me she had already taken some snaps in the Park.

This mornings weather was not good but now in the late afternoon the sun is trying to break through. The sun is shining but it is still raining so there should be a Rainbow somewhere.

Yesterday, in the Elton area, the hedgerows were packed with interesting wild-flowers and I can't decide if this is Herb Robert, or Red Campion ? The hairy bud-cases and stems are common to both. I'm pleased with my D80 with the 70-300mm fitted because the colour is absolutely right - if anyone feels more certain of the identification I am, as always, willing to yield.

Today I have had a restful day - Telegraph from cover to cover, fair whack at the crossword, naps, an excellent afternoon radio play about George V1's speech to the nation on Coronation Day and the problems surrounding the poor chap's stammer , the play was very sensitively written and performed ......., then a few computer jobs....... life's not bad is it ? .......

And fingers crossed, at the moment I feel well up to going to EPS this evening. I'm pleased because it is the Presentation Evening and I want to be able to clap and cheer enthusiastically, in the right places.

Y thinks she will give it a miss though because after the tedious return bus journey she will definitely be 'all in'.


My responses to your previously posted comments

Bob ..... Perhaps Llama Loin Medallions might have a certain cachet.

I too have had Jasmine Tea in Chinese Restaurants and enjoyed it. Whichever way I try Earl Grey I don't like it. It is the bergamot. However I am assured that a used Earl Grey tea-bag, allowed to cool, is an excellent cure for a cold sore - because of the bergamot.

Re fish ..... The Fish Counter at our local Morrisons is surprisingly good, and we also buy more exotic things frozen from Lidl.

I too mourn the lack of LocoScript - an excellent word-processing programme with many user friendly features.

Jill .... Strange about London's dearth of aubretia. I would have expected it to flourish there.

Re Llamas.... I suspect that you didn't open yesterday's link to the Wikipedia page about Llamas. It tells you about them .... and their uses etc., here it is again to save you going back.

Just to refresh people';s memories - if, in the blog, you come to something underlined and in a different colour, it will usually be a live link to a relevant page or website. A good way to check is to hover your cursor over it. If the arrow changes into a hand, click it because it will be a link.

Helen C ..... Glad you liked the Nine Stones link and I agree that Brinsley Llamas are better !

I think you pressed the poublish button twice or something. But don't blame yourself because there seems to be a blogger-glitch around. Recently Y has written a comment, only to find when she tries to 'publish' that the whole thing has vanished. I know Bob prepares his in 'word' and then copy/pastes into blogger.

But, for a normally brief comment, the method sounds tedious.

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Quotation time .....

"The llama is a woolly sort of fleecy hairy goat, with an indolent expression and an undulating throat, like an unsuccessful literary man"

Hilaire Belloc

Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow - or later this evening depending on EPS

p.s. I only stopped at EPS for the Annual Exhibition and then made my apologies and left before the actual presentations. It was good to see such an excellent range of quality pictures.

Much better then NEMPF. Our WoW members were well represented in the awards and I will post further particulars in due course.

It gives me great pleasure to publish the picture on the left. Y took it with her new camera from the Television at Burton Joyce. The TV has a wire leading into it from a camera in the Tit nesting box outdoors in a tree. The camera is a black & white one which accounts for the absence of colour in Yvonne's picture. Pretty damn good though ! In my opinion.

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WoW-ing at last - Elton area - fine day - no problems

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Nine people turned out to WoW this morning and I was so pleased to feel able to join them. It seems an age.

The lead picture is one of Reg's during their walk to Robin Hood's Stride, and back. Although only 4 stones still stand the site is called Nine Stones Close and the linked site will tell you something about it.

Reg's picture shows how pleasant a day it was and although I think it was a tiring walk everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. The cars were parked in Elton Village and I found plenty to occupy me in the immediate environs.

Although I walked a little with my wheels I also explored some tiny lanes by car and was surprised in one field to find Llamas. As you know from previous blog-posts we have a Brinsley farmer who often has a few but it is still a shock to be confronted by them. They seem quite tame and unaggressive although a couple of years ago, one of the Brinsley ones spat at me. I understand this isn't uncommon as they are related to the Camel.

Whilst in Elton, having downloaded my pictures to the Asus, I e-mailed Y this picture of some Aubretia and Honesty in the corner of a farmyard.

My Vodafone dongle worked beautifully, again, and I had a 3mb broadband connection without any problem,

The Aubretia had been exceptional this year and this is the first Honesty which I have seen in any quantity. When the chaps returned we went to The Peacock for lunch. I say lunch rather than chip cobs because some people had soup, or a sandwich etc. Trying to be loyal to my diet, I had half a chip cob and left the rest. Roger took an evidential photograph !

My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ...... You really are enjoying your football at the moment ! Good for you.

And thanks for Alchemilla Mollis which was on the tip of my pen. A welcome plant because it is robust and a good do-er but with a tendency to be invasive.

And I really am glad you are happy with your Camera.

Bob ..... I know from previous corres. that you don't seem to curdle milk, as we do, and apparently Jill and Ro too.

Jill ..... Thanks for your good wishes about WoW, and, as you will have read above ......

The Fujifilm A100 (as Yvonne's) is a fine little camera and currently markets at around £75 to £80. I would recommend buying it in an actual shop rather than online. Once you add in shipping costs you wouldn't save much anyway, and from a shop you can always take it back and argue.

I should have included the customary 50p piece, for sizing, but the LCD screen is 2.7" which demonstrates its fairly compact size. And most importantly it takes lovely crisp snaps.

My Red Bush tea, is labelled 'Rooibos' and claims to be The Original Red Bush Tea from South Africa. It makes no recommendation about milk, either with or without. But I am certainly willing to give 'with milk' a try. Sorry if I confused you with Bob, over the query re 'milk in green tea'. The answer is 'No' but 'Yes' to a slice of lemon. My Gran used to drink Green Tea and I remember that the raw product was like little green twigs rather than how it is nowadays.

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Quotation time ......

"Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on"

Billy Connolly

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Moorgreen Woods - 63F and 3mph S wind - Sunny !

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This morning Y and I ventured out for an hour and went to the woods in which Helen C had mentioned bluebells. We followed her excellent directions but then, having parked the car and, while following a path we bore left instead of right and went up this hard-core hill (see centre shot) unnecessarily. Eventually we retraced our steps and were amply rewarded by a lovely walk which we intend to revisit. There are so many good walks in the area and although I had several sit-down pit stops thanks to my wheels we covered quite a distance.

For the collage I managed to capture a female Chaffinch and a Speckled Wood butterfly. Across the top is today's mystery bird. Although it had a reddish head I'm fairly sure it wasn't a Goldfinch. Also it had a sweet and complicated song which more or less rules out a Woodpecker, and anyway, it wasn't quite big enough.

The day has been idyllic. The chilly wind has almost gone away. Merely a leaf-rustler which you can't feel at all in some places. Walking down the path in the central collage shot it was great to feel the sun on your back.

In my bedroom I have set the lay figure to guard my glass bottle-top. I had a nap this afternoon but not a lengthy one.

I haven't heard from the WoW-ers yet but I guess that wherever they went they would have enjoyed the lovely weather.

The Budget will not be discussed. As the Matt cartoon said this morning "Is it possible to be alarmed and bored at the same time?"

My responses to your previous comments

Bob ...... I couldn't discover much about Tomasto but I agree it sounds interesting. You and I both love words that sound as if they should be something else. Only this morning while looking for something to spit my prune stones into I had the experience with Ramekin. The word sounds as if it should be a little helper, like Santa's elves.

Tomasto incidentally is a large American family mostly in the New York area.

And I am firmly with Yvonne over the question of Christian names. Why should we be bullied into 'forenames' anyway when we live in a Christian Country, where the Church of England is The Established Church. As I have said before, with strangers I will settle for either Mr. Marsden or Sir.

I have noticed that Consultants for instance always get it right. It is only when we are being addressed by people from the shallow end of the gene pool, like hospital receptionists, that a rude informality creeps in.

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Quotation time .......

"Oh thou monster ignorance, how deformed dost thou look !"

Shakespeare - Love's Labour's Lost

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Much better - sort of ⅝ recovery - coughing normally !

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As you can see from the above summer is a-stirring. Most trees are breaking leaf, even buds on the early roses. And although still a cool wind (8mph NE), at 57F overall the bees have ventured out.

I have felt much better again although now, by late afternoon, I'm flagging a bit. It is such a relief not to be coughing up blood anymore and Dr Barrett was quite right not to rush me into hospital. It's been a big strain on Y though. My appetite is returning, we managed egg, chips and mushrooms for lunch followed by raspberries and icecream. Strange thing though is that I haven't got my taste back for strong tea or coffee.


The above collage is of the tulips out at the moment. There may be a couple of varieties still to come but not many. For ages we've had a dwarf variety called Grenadier but I haven't seen it this year. The past few days have made a big difference and things have leapt forward.

Fortunately we have a quiet weekend ahead and I've got a little piece of pork loin to cook for tomorrow. We shall have it hot first, and then it will be nice cold with salad.

From WoW on the 15th at Matlock Bath I've received pictures from Brian S, Reg, and Bill, and I have started a fresh Picasa Web Album for them. The system seems to be working well and I am enjoying my secretarial role. I've also worked out the method of moving a picture from my computer to my mobile phone. This time I have made a note of the essential steps, so next time I forget ....... Strangely enough it isn't in the handbook.


My responses to your previous comments

Yvonne ..... As you know, I agree 100%.

Incy Wincy (Denis) ..... Absolutely lovely to have you back from your lengthy stay in Europe.

I remember very well how good you are on keyboards and it sounds as if you've had a whale of a time. I can hear the chanting Denis, Denis, Denis ....... You are a very creative and artistic fella !

It will be good to see some of the 'not many' pictures, when you've sorted yourself out. And fancy you becoming a 'birder'. We have keen young ones in the family.

Tilly ..... Thanks for the update on your teeth ! But oh - poor you ! It seems as if you had to be injected more deeply than usual and the numbness took longer to wear off. 5 and a half hours is a long time.

Grandma has just been down here to the office to give me your love. That's nice.

Some more tulips for you further up the blog.

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Quotation time ........

"When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring"

Shakespeare: As You Like It

I've linked you to the whole scene.



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Good day at Clumber - Weather pleasant but coolish

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Even before we set off for our Wedding Anniversary day at Clumber I managed this quick picture of a Great Tit sitting just above the feeders, in the ornamental Rowan.

As you can probably remember I've been trying for sometime to get a halfway decent pic of one of these.

It isn't brilliant but, yet again, a record.

Their colouring is so strong it is difficult to quieten the contrast down a tad without rendering the picture completely wishy-washy.

We enjoyed a leisurely start to the day - why not? - we thought. It is our anniversary. When we reached Clumber we decided on lunch first followed by walk down to the lake, through the woods, then the walled garden and the glass-houses and finally back to the Restaurant for scone with jam and cream, plus tea. For our main meal we both decided on the fish-pie (an excellent decision because it was delicious) followed by bread & butter pudding and custard. One portion would have been enough for us both. But both courses were very good. Can recommend the Restaurant - and I noted the vegetarian options for Helen and Julian.

During our woodland walk I spotted and managed to capture a snap of this tiny bird. At first I thought it was a wren, but now I can see the photograph I am not sure. It is, I'm afraid a wobbly photo but perhaps enough for an ID. Any help, or ideas, would be welcomed.

When we arrived at the walled garden it was well worth the extended walk. And, with benefit of wheels, I managed with just one sit down. They really have extended my range quite dramatically. I'm so pleased for Yvonne's sake because she does so love a walk. My frequent camera-stops can irritate her but, overall, she is very patient with her patient.

We drove home the picturesque route, through Edwinstowe and hit the rush-hour in Mansfield Woodhouse. But a minor matter.

I've still got computer jobs to complete but they will just have to wait their turn.

My reponses to your previously posted comments

Yvonne ...... Going back to 50s cricket, the fast bowling was dominated by Freddie Truman and Brian Statham. If it hadn't been for them Derbyshire's Les Jackson would have collected many more England Caps. He deserved them.

David ...... You are quite right about 'endoscopy'. Merely a little poetic licence I'm afraid.

Bob ..... The Tesco kidneys sound a real bargain. But with most offal I have to be quite careful because Y can be a little picky re them.

I think Y eventually tracked down a list of 'players' in the Ashes series in question. But I know it wasn't easy. I bet she will provide a workaround though.

My 'giant leap forward' was a 'leap in the dark' to 'where the sun never shines'.

Rob ..... Talking about radio and sport - Y has just listened to Liverpool v Chelsea on BBC 5 live and loved every minute of it. From the other end of the house I could hear chortles, boos, and even applause ! She explored the idea of watching it live online but it would have involved paying Sky £2 and she didn't like the sound of that.

We must get little Den back on the blog and we must gentle him into being Dennis instead of Incy Wincy.

Jill .... My interest in football is about the same as yours, and it doesn't make us bad people. Looking out of my office-window I can see a beautiful moon - now that is interesting.

Hannah will be pleased with your comment about her teeth. She knows it will all have been worth it, when, as a a beautiful 16yr old she is flashing white bright smiles around !

So nice to have a blog-comment from her anyway. It stops us fogeys sinking too far into fogey-hood.

Coots can certainly be aggressive. I had a colleague (unfortunately no longer with us) Bernard John Clegg Coote and he was. - shall we say assertive ?

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Our EPS vice-chairman Tim Dawson works in the local Met.Office and he had previously e-mailed me information on the Beaufort Wind Scale - having picked up my interest from the blog.

He has written his own version for photographers. Please click here. I rate it as 'very funny' and an 'excellent piece of writing'. Congratulations Tim !

The © copyright remains strictly with him. And I can prove the date of publication.

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Quotation time ......

"Anything too stupid to be said is sung"

Voltaire

"Sleep tight - Catch you tomorrow"


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