Jon Storey

Jon Has Moved to Wordpress!

2010-12-06T21:38:00.000Z

Follow This link to my Blog on Wordpress.

jonstorey.wordpress.com

New Home....

2010-12-02T22:31:00.000Z

Hi folks, I have decided to move this blog to a new home where I hope you will join me.

I haven't yet inserted links to all your wonderful blogs but over the next few days that will be sorted.

Finally, apologies for not commenting regularly over the last few months, the old M.E. has been making it's presence felt but hopefully I will be able to make a greater effort soon.

http://jonstorey.wordpress.com

On The Move, please join me in my new home!

2010-12-01T15:11:00.000Z

Hi folks, I have decided to move this blog to a new home where I hope you will join me.

I haven't yet inserted links to all your wonderful blogs but over the next few days that will be sorted.

Finally, apologies for not commenting regularly over the last few months, the old M.E. has been making it's presence felt but hopefully I will be able to make a greater effort soon.

http://jonstorey.wordpress.com

2010-11-28T14:32:00.001Z

This morning was forecast for heavy snow here but first thing it was lovely crisp start with a clear moon but as we arrived at the yard the clouds rolled across the valley threatening a big fall.

An hour later on the drive up to the cottage to see to the donkeys and hens (and Mother!) the sun came out again.

Half looking over my shoulder now, out of the doors into the garden the sky is once again looking dark and snowy, perhaps the forecasters will be right after all?

Horses in early this afternoon I think.

Insanity?

2010-11-27T22:22:00.000Z

All that money.

All that technology.

And what did we watch on it tonight?

Bloody X Factor!!

A Glorious Morning

2010-11-26T15:39:00.000Z

It was a wonderful, bright and frosty morning here in darkest Northumberland!

A great day for lots of pictures but the day's chores got in the way and the afternoon turned dull and threatening, perhaps more snow tonight? There is seven inches of snow lying just a little further north in the county, if I am really good and eat all my greens there might be lots more here by morning.

Newton Village

Breakfast Burger-Break

2010-11-25T14:51:00.001Z

We woke to the first fall of snow of the year!

The girls shot out of bed for the first time in months and ran downstairs to switch on the radio, television and computer to find out if their school was closed.

Alas it was open for business as usual.

As their school is fifteen miles further up the Tyne valley they were devastated to find out that the nearest one, only five miles away, was closed! Their Mother's school, also open, is even further away tucked under the edge of the Pennines! Dress code out the window, off she went in walking trousers and boots ready for anything.

On the way to the yard I drove alongside the A69 and spotted these drivers pulled over for their early morning burgers!

What a morning to discover that Mr Nobody has pinched my gloves.....

Snow Day?

2010-11-24T18:15:00.000Z

We woke this morning with the promise of snow but apart from a few flurries we (or should I say, I?) have been disappointed. Never mind, the week is still young!

So, instead of a stunning snow shot, you will have to make do with a cherry leaf....

The old collie has just come in, covered in snow!!

The Wilderness Months!

2010-11-18T20:18:00.000Z

During my absence I haven't really taken many pictures, just a handful due to a great absence of inspiration and will......

Over the next few days I will dig out one or two.

Walter The Vorverk has grown into a fine young man with an eye for the ladies!

Not one of Walter's!

The autumn and it's wonderful light has been and almost past....

Hi Folks!

2010-11-16T14:21:00.000Z

Well, the wonderful weather has brought me out of exile......

After a very foggy drive up the Tyne Valley to take the girls to school this morning, the fog started to lift at our end of the valley by the time I arrived at the yard. The light and the view back to the west was wonderful. Enough to inspire anyone.

Hope you are all well.

Fungi Season

2010-09-13T11:06:00.000+01:00

Late yesterday afternoon I escaped the house and took one of the dogs to a local plantation for a short walk. I was hoping to see some fungi and wasn't disappointed, though many were damaged by the heavy rain over the last few days.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with all your Blogs but I have been a bit out of sorts since returning from holiday. Hopefully back on form soon and I am looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Japanese Anenome

2010-09-12T16:19:00.000+01:00

One of my favourites, this is the only Japanese Anemone we have in the garden, not quite sure why only the one but we must have some more!

Tripod Required!

2010-09-09T22:35:00.000+01:00

Today was the day, that overgrown hedge on the drive had to be brought back under control after two years of neglect.

My big hedge cutters had come back from the workshop and were lying there taunting me.

Oh well, out with the ladders and a couple of hours later the job was done.

My shoulders are now numb, how on earth did I manage to cut hedges for eight hours a day in the ever distant past, day after day? All I could do later was to wander round the garden and take pictures of some of the plants.

Some Quercus or other! (Well it is The Children's Mother's Birthday so I won't belabour the fact that she can't remember!)

Geranium

One glass of Birthday Malt and now her brain has gone completely....!

Nigella

I better go back to landscapes tomorrow!!

Shirley Valentine!

2010-09-09T15:12:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday for yesterday Hilly.

Lutsa Beach, Peloponnese Greece

2010-09-03T22:56:00.001+01:00

After a short break thanks to internet problems and an all to brief visit to The Peloponnese in Greece I am back in the real world, albeit slightly dishevelled!

Today I paid one of my occasional visits to Newcastle, this time to see if I could organise a new pair of eyes, the current set are getting a bit worn out (like the rest of me apparently!) Several hours later I weaved my way blindly across the city thanks to several doses of eyedrops.........

By the time I had got as far as the RVI Hospital my sight had just about recovered enough to take a couple of pictures.

The first shot is one of the new hospital extensions

Across the road is one of the older University buildings, I'm not sure about the new architecture but I love the contrast in styles and strangely they work well together.

Earlier in the day, Jack took the opportunity to try out a new seating position in the car...........!

Perhaps a few pictures from Greece in the next few days.

Back From the Wilderness

2010-07-29T21:41:00.000+01:00

Internet problems have kept me off-line for a couple of day's, thank you Talk Talk! Hopefully my heroes at Orange will prove to be Knights is Shining Armour in the next few days.

Never mind, time for a couple of quick shots.

This robin chick was keeping a close eye on me yesterday.

A sunflower to brighten the day!

The Harvest

2010-07-26T22:21:00.000+01:00

Well I have crawled out from under my rock at last.

After the last few days of politics and bad weather, the school holidays are upon us but I managed a quick walk round one of our local fields to collect some mushrooms this afternoon.

Lots more tomorrow. Our own eggs with fresh mushrooms on my own toasted home made bread.....

Delicious!

Moderation by any other name?

2010-07-22T21:25:00.002+01:00

It appears that our friends in the other place are at it again!

A dictionary definition..........

censor

Pronunciation /ˈsɛnsə/

noun

1 an official who examines books, films, news, etc. that are about to be published and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security
Psychoanalysisan aspect of the superego which is said to prevent certain ideas and memories from emerging into consciousness[from a mistranslation of German Zensur 'censorship', coined by Freud]

2 (in ancient Rome) either of two magistrates who held censuses and supervised public morals

verb

[with object]

examine (a book, film, etc.) officially and suppress unacceptable parts of it

Derivatives

censorial

Plaj..? Plageris....? Copying!

2010-07-19T12:33:00.002+01:00

Ok, I confess. I copied the idea for this shot from one The Children's Mother took a few days ago.

I will be in trouble tonight when she finds out. Good healthy competition I say, until I find myself looking down the wrong end of a strongly wielded frying pan!

I will be in for a few waspish comments, some will probably be quite stinging.....

This is about as close as I want to be to a wasp! I hated them even before I managed to put a brush-cutter into the middle of a nest one day, they weren't happy......I seem to remember bursting into the clients kitchen half naked having cast off most of my equipment and clothing during the 400m sprint back along their driveway. The wasps had got under my hat, behind my face mask and inside my shirt.

Ye Gods it hurt!

Well I have just finished hanging two loads of washing out to dry, and it is now pouring down. The children will have to go to school in their pyjamas again tomorrow......

Beasts of the Realm

2010-07-17T12:47:00.002+01:00

The sun appeared fleetingly between showers this morning, so a chance to nip into the garden and see who (or rather what) was about.

I have no idea what these insects are called and I haven't a book to help, so we will just have to look and wonder!

Small Heath Butterfly Coenonympha pamphilus

Longhorn Beatle Strangalia maculata

Soldier Beatle Rhagonycha fulva

Edit.

I have just received an educationalists slap on the ear from The Children's Mother who has patiently handed me our book of insects etc!

The pictures have now been titled.....

The Old Bird!

2010-07-17T12:26:00.000+01:00

I took this shot of my Mother with some of the older hens the other night.

She is the one on the right...!!

New Arrivals

2010-07-15T12:01:00.000+01:00

The menagerie is expanding!

The latest additions arrived a couple of nights ago in awful weather but have settled in nicely, ready to join the others eating us out of house and home!

Hopefully these 8/10 week Light Sussex and Vorwerk chicks will form the basis of a little breeding flock for the future and provide a few more delicious eggs. Both these breeds are officially "rare" but the Vorverks are particularly so almost dying out some years ago. They will be welcome and interesting additions to the hybrid egg producers we have at present.

No doubt they will appear again!

A Quiet Day

2010-07-11T16:27:00.000+01:00

Turned out to be a quiet sort of day, the girls returned exhausted from parties and sleepovers and the boy was out.

A few household chores and settled down to watch the Grand Prix. A great victory for Webber and a good drive from Hamilton! Now the sun has come out at last.......

A peaceful picture for a peaceful day.......

Life Goes On....

2010-07-07T17:43:00.001+01:00

Despite the rogue gunman just north of us in the beautiful village of Rothbury, one of our old walking and climbing grounds in the Coquet Valley, life goes on. Dogs are to walk and the wonderful countryside is here to enjoy.

The children's Mother was a little unwell this morning but dashed out for a short stroll with the dogs in the plantation up the hill from our house in the Tyne Valley, before going back to work this afternoon

It was a lovely morning and nice to be out for a few minutes.

Slender St John's-Wort Hypericum pulchrum

Stumped!

Northumberland. It's a big county!

If You Go Down to the Woods Today.....

2010-07-05T15:23:00.000+01:00

After my visit to the woods last week I posted a shot of an orchid which I had not seen there before. Today I went back on my bike and to give the dogs a run, imagine my surprise and delight to to find this white orchid! Later, almost back at the car I found a clump of the lilac variety. Even better!

Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii

On the ride I saw these trees, the lower branches dead and bleached but revealed by some recent thinning. I couldn't decide which I preferred, the harder contrasty top shot or the softer bottom one. So you have both! Looking at them again, I think I prefer the harder one.....

Frog Health?

2010-07-02T21:42:00.000+01:00

Another uneventful day, a bit of sun, a bit of laundry, collect one of the girls from school and watch her ride this evening.

Vague attempt at an "arty" shot!

What ever next? We haven't even got any frogs......

Woodland Treasure!

2010-07-01T23:19:00.000+01:00

We avoided the forecast rain today (we will pay tomorrow)!

Up to the cottage late morning to collect Mother's terrier for the day and cut her lawn in the warm sunshine. The light was good so I took a couple of shots that I had had my eye on, then up to the local forest with all the dogs. The young terriers running for all they were worth, it must be great fun being only a foot high and able to running round under all the trees! The old collie wandering along in the rear and me wandering vaguely in the middle!

I love the contrast between the Buttercup and Cotinus leaves.

At last I found an Astrantia with the right background and lighting.

The real treasure trove of the walk was this wild orchid, it looks like a Southern Marsh-Orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa, though we are possibly a little too far north here and it was on the small size (that could be the northern climate). It is the first time I have seen any orchid in these particular woods, though I have seen one variety in Kielder Forest.

Old Man's Baccy

2010-06-29T22:27:00.002+01:00

The eldest girl set off in heavy rain this morning for a trip to Oxford University with school to see the various Colleges they might apply to.

The rain cleared and by early afternoon my washing was drying and ironed in time for The Children's Mother returning from school. Waiting for her was an envelope containing the "Beachy Queen" voucher from Lavish . She opened it, and fainted again! It's no good Lulu and Suzi, the thought of that Bikini Wax is costing me a fortune in whisky......

I took the terrier with me for a short walk when I went up to the yard tonight and found this Old Man's Baccy. More groveling around on the ground!

Scary!

2010-06-27T16:19:00.000+01:00

Today our village had a charity garden and scarecrow walk about!

Some of the scarecrows were really impressive....

I have to confess that I drove past this one twice last week before I realised it was a group of scarecrows!

"Jurassic Park"

"The Evolution of Scarecrows"

This group depicts the evolution of scarecrows from "Scarecrowius fishius" to "Scarecrowius erectus"!

"Scarecrowius fishius"

At the other end of the village, this chap was keeping an eye on things......

I Say Chaps..

2010-06-26T20:05:00.000+01:00

"I say chaps, anyone got a map?"

The latest update on the swallow chicks is that the are fully fledged already, they must fly in the next day or so if they aren't already.

"We could always apply for housing benefit"

I think this is Selfheal, and by the time I had finished grovelling round on the ground I could have done with some!

Peony

Turk's Cap Lily

Blooms in the Red Scale

2010-06-24T14:08:00.000+01:00

A bit weary today so I am having a lazyish day at home.

In between some chores, I have been nipping out into the garden to take a few pictures to keep this thing going! Seems to have developed a bit of a red theme......

Clematis

Rosea

Foxglove

Swallow Update.

2010-06-23T22:38:00.000+01:00

It is now nine days since that last picture of the Swallows. They are making excellent progress and are almost fledged, I guess that they will be flying in the next few days. No doubt the Sparrow Hawks and Magpies will be waiting for them.

Until then, they are still very sweet!

I quite liked this Plantain with cuckoo spit and fly.....

2010-06-21T23:06:00.000+01:00

I had to take my Mother over to Consett this afternoon to meet a friend and on the way home I did a little reminiscing. I am always a slightly hesitant to revisit the past, a big piece of me says 'never look back' and often places of significance in my life have changed so much that the disappointment can outweigh the fonder memories.

But I did it anyway.

9 Clarence Gardens, I was born here just over fifty three years ago and it has changed so much in so many respects.

The Tin Mill Infants School, the first establishment responsible for what you have before you today! Now a community centre.

St John's, Snods Edge. My parents were married here, in this beautiful little country church all those years ago and looking round the churchyard I can see the names of several relatives and far too many others I knew.

Unusually in this day and age, the church was open and I couldn't resist a picture of this wonderful stained window. Not a religious bone in my body, I still love and marvel at churches, from a tiny chapel

hidden in the Manx countryside to the magnificence of Durham Cathedral.

Was it worth it? Perhaps on this occasion, yes.

Field Poppy

2010-06-19T21:22:00.000+01:00

Well, it's been a lovely afternoon........

.......and a photo that does what it says on the tin!

With a Cherry on Top?

2010-06-17T22:22:00.001+01:00

It has been another lovely day here and it has been a pleasure pottering around.

We'll start with another critter.

Over the last few weeks I have been enviously admiring reports from our friends in sunnier climates of the progress their cherries are making, and even how good they taste!

These are my cherries, impressed?

Sadly over the next few weeks the birds will have stripped the tree. I have never yet eaten one of our cherries, but one day.........

While I spent the day pottering and sunning myself, the local farmers and contractors have been working non stop from early this morning to cut and lead in their silage for the coming winter. This cut is looking good, hopefully the next one (or possibly two) will be equally good.

Form an Orderly Queue ! (Wednesday)

2010-06-17T09:55:00.000+01:00

We will have to buy another iMac!

By eleven o''clock last night a barely orderly queue had formed to use the Mac, the eldest and youngest offspring had already traded blows and insults in pursuit of their "fix"! I gave up all hope of posting as The Children's Mother settled down to edit a whole stack of pictures, so yesterday's post, today....

The rain had stopped for the time being, the sun was bright and penetrating, the lawns dried and waiting to be mown. As I cut the lawn at the rear of the house, heat rose from the fresh cut grass and the air was filled with scent. I had forgotten the Philadelphus or Mock Orange was beginning to blossom, another few days of this weather and this sheltered part of the garden will be heady with their distinctive fragrance.

Following the recent "insect" theme, I was delighted to spot this Dragonfly on one of the box bushes, a very rare visitor to our garden!

Insect Day

2010-06-15T21:49:00.000+01:00

The sun came out this morning, warm and inviting. A good day to play with the macro setting on the big zoom lens. Because it is a bit of a hybrid the lens is a bit tricky to use, it took perhaps one hundred shots to get these three images. A bit frustrating for me, I am a bit of a one or two shots and live with the result sort. When I was a student I couldn't afford much film and it has kind of stuck with me!

Must have been on the 'red-eye' flight!.....

......The Brown-eyed-girl? Yes I know but the names of flying critters isn't my one of my strengths!

I love Bumble Bees, they are so gentle compared to Honey Bees and Wasps! In this country there are dozens of different types, sadly all under threat from insecticides and the weather etc. Look after the bees both Honey and Bumble, they are not only wonderful creatures but also the most valuable crop pollinator we have. No bees, no grub!

Lavish and "The Beachy Queen!"

2010-06-15T19:08:00.002+01:00

How can you improve on the perfection that nature (or God if you prefer) has seen fit to provide?

Well I am delighted and somewhat taken aback to be informed by Lulu Campbell ( family affairs and other matters ) that I have won the Lavish "Beachy Queen" gift package!

Well I have searched the Lavish website and there is no mention of plastic surgery or divine intervention being offered as part of the package so as you can see below, the wonderful prize would be totally wasted on me!

Therefore I will reluctantly have to pass the prize on to The Children's Mother, Hilary who I nominated in the competition. I have to admit that she is much more deserving having put up with me for the past 5 years and the rest of her tribe for much longer! When I told Hilary about her treat she fainted, I think it was the threat of the bikini waxing! After the application of a dose of smelling salts and a stiff malt, she pronounced herself overwhelmed and looking forward to a bit of girly pampering!

So there we are. Thank you Lulu family affairs and other matters and everyone at Lavish!

That still leaves the problem of what to do with my legs?

Don't you dare!

The New Generation

2010-06-14T15:08:00.000+01:00

For the past twenty years or more that my parents have owned their cottage, swallows have nested there. Some years there have been as many as five or six pairs nesting and other times one pair may have built a nest but not successfully reared young.

The last few years have been a bit lean on the chick production front, perhaps the weather or predators such as magpies and sparrow hawks. This year is no different with just one pair building a nest.

You can imagine my delight this morning when I discovered that the pair have hatched at least five chicks!

Incidentally, our wrens love the old swallow nests and the cock wren converts several to be inspected by his erstwhile mate.

My Mother calls these small white flowers "Pig Nuts" I am certain that she told me the roots are edible.

Flowers Again?

2010-06-14T10:36:00.000+01:00

You will be seeing a pattern developing here, whenever there is't much happening in my life for one reason or another, you get more pictures of flowers!
Still cottage sitting till tonight but late yesterday afternoon I popped home to bake some bread and have dinner with the family. Our youngest girl attended trails for the county netball squad in the afternoon and was really pleased to be accepted, following in the footsteps of her older sister!

In between bread production, rain showers and catching up on the day's news of netball and learning that our eldest girl has arrived safely at her godmother's house in Greece I grabbed a couple of flower shots in the garden.

As The Children's Mother isn't here to ask, this is some sort of geranium,

as is this....or is it a geum......? I will be in trouble when the boss gets home!

2010-06-09T11:54:00.001+01:00

Our lovely sunny weather has been replaced by rain, and a bit more rain!

In between decorating the youngest's bedroom for the last few days, I am cottage sitting for my Mother again so posts are a bit thin on the ground at the moment.

I took this picture in the wet gloom while the walking the dogs by the burn last night.

The Children's Mother issued a 'three line whip' for me to be back home this morning to wait for the youngest's new bed to be delivered today Wednesday the 10th, I have just noticed that the 10th is Thursday...!

Might have time to post again tomorrow..........

Wednesday? It must be The Lakes....

2010-06-05T10:53:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday I fitted a new pump and filter unit to the aquarium, the old one had finally given up the ghost! On my way to bed I checked to make sure that all was well and discovered to my horror that the tank had developed a major leak. Midnight passed as The Children's Mother helped transfer the fish, pump, heater et-al to a spare tank!

We had decided to go to the Lakes on Wednesday and duly dropped the old dog off at my Mother's and collected her terrier, he loves going mountaineering! On the journey we crossed the North Pennines via a tiny road where coincidently, many years ago my car ended upside down in a stream some fifty feet below the road. I have driven that road very gingerly ever since....!

At the highest point of this wild road we found large clumps of violas, how they came to be there is anyone's guess but they were obviously thriving in the extreme conditions.

The vague object of the trip was Styhead Tarn just below Scafell Pike, anything else was dependant upon our degree of exhaustion! We are both dreadfully unfit but it was really good to be at the Tarn again, the first time I have been since 1978 I think.

The Children's Mother's injured finger is making good progress and proved invaluable for weighing down the map......

A few minutes after these pictures were taken, a passer by told us about the shootings just a few short miles away between Whitehaven and the peaceful village of Boot. A moment of extreme contrast, such a beautiful setting and such violent and tragic news......we did not learn of the scale of events till later.

Our thoughts passed to all those involved.

Humble Bumble, Bimble and Red

2010-06-04T22:21:00.001+01:00

The Children's Mother and I had a busy day yesterday, shopping for paint for the youngest's bedroom, a task to be completed before she returns from holiday! In the afternoon we had to take the Boy's car to be Mot'd in Newcastle before collecting the eldest girl from the airport, she was returning home early from holiday to prepare for exams next week.

All was going well until we couldn't find the paint, then I embarrassingly spilt water all over my trousers and had to retire gracefully! Then The Children's Mother's car broke it's handbrake and we had to use the Land Rover for the Newcastle and airport run.

The Boy's car delivered we headed to airport and collected Eldest Daughter, on time too! Four miles later, the universal joint on the Land Rover exploded! Four hours later, The AA and a breakdown truck ride later we all arrived home for dinner at midnight.

Welcome home Lauren, lovely to have you home....

Consequently no pictures from yesterday but today sanity returned and all went smoothly, dry jeans, car passed Mot, Land Rover being repaired, Focus being repaired! bedroom painted and new plaster cast on the Children's Mother's little finger!!

Up at the cottage I finally got a picture of a Bumble Bee.

Then had a bimble round the fields and took yet another picture of a Lesser Stichwort.

Back in the cottage garden the light on this Cotinus was wonderful.

Insects and Monsters

2010-05-31T22:08:00.000+01:00

Hosta Leaf Veins

The Flying Critter!

Hungry Butterfly!

The Monster....!

Today was a good day for pictures.

Hoverflies and Hellebores

2010-05-30T19:14:00.000+01:00

If I may quote my infants school 'News Book'

"No news today!"

Hoverfly, Eupeodes corollae and buttercup

Euphorbia griffithii

Where have all, the children gone?

2010-05-29T21:41:00.002+01:00

The children have all gone to Nice! The Children's Mother and me have been abandoned to our own devices for a week.

It's very quiet. Too quiet! You don't half miss them when they are gone.....

Into our void the rain has fallen to add to our misery.

The Hawthorn, Crategus monogyna blossom has just burst this week and most of the trees are laden with flower but today the blossom is doing it's best to cope with the wet.

Beside the burn at the cottage there are large and increasing clumps of Bugle, Ajuga reptans

Cheescake!

2010-05-29T17:05:00.000+01:00

The Children's Mother and I went to a friend's wedding reception last night at Alnwick Castle.

The wedding and reception were held in the castle garden in front of the magnificent water feature and fountains. Unfortunately it was almost dark when we arrived so no pictures of the fountains but I did grab a shot of the Tree House Restaurant. Yes there is a wonderful restaurant in this brand new, multi million pound rickety old tree house!

The surprise of the evening was the wedding cake!

Yes, it was cheese ( and delicious!)

My camera ran out of battery after this shot so you will have to trust me that the bride looked radiant and wore the most beautiful, simple but elegant dress I have seen!

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Chris, have a wonderful life together.

Day Trip to Newcastle

2010-05-27T17:42:00.003+01:00

I had to take my car into the big city this morning to have it's Mot test, so I delivered it at 9.30 and spent most of the day wandering round Newcastle, filling in time and taking some pictures. As a result you are all spared more photos of flowers today! (But tomorrow is another day!)

I thought it would be nice to just use architectural shots for this post and have used some pictures of iconic buildings in the city. They are in order of construction.

The old Co-operative Society bonded warehouse on the Quayside, now a Malmaison hotel. date unknown

The Tyne Bridge date 1928

"River God Tyne" by David Wynne, Newcastle Civic Centre date 1967

The Sage Arts Centre, Gateshead date 2004

The car passed with flying colours, I am exhausted!!

Rain Drops on Noses!

2010-05-26T16:39:00.000+01:00

The forecast rain arrived in moderation but enough to soak everything, including my nose! One of the girls was off school ill today but I popped out into the garden to snatch a few pictures during one of the breaks in the rain. The rain on the plants has freshened them up a little after the dry weather of late.

Geranium

Welsh Poppy

All This, and Grass Cutting Too...!

2010-05-25T23:10:00.002+01:00

In order to preserve my sanity I spent the morning watching all the current series of "Outnumbered" on I-Player, I feel much better now!

I dashed up to the cottage to check the donkeys and hens and get the lawns cut before the forecast rain tomorrow. It was a fairly dreary day with not too many opportunities for pictures so when I saw these two plants I took my chance.

Cornflower Centaurea montana

Orange Welsh Poppy Meconopsis cambrica

No Shorts Day!

2010-05-24T22:58:00.002+01:00

What a change in the weather? My shorts were abandoned by 10.30 this morning! Some of us Northerners are just not as tough as we used to be....

On one of the few trips I made into the garden today I spotted this tiny viola which had self seeded into a joint in the flags on the patio, more punishment for my poor knees.

Also in the garden is this pretty little Campion.

Up at the cottage tonight, the various Clematis are laden with buds bursting into flower. Another week and the show will be dramatic.

A Glorious Day!

2010-05-23T21:14:00.000+01:00

It has been a wonderful sunny day here in Darkest Northumberland, reading in the garden, The Children's Mother alternately walking the garden recording her plants with the camera and dashing indoors, complaining about the heat! The eldest girl has exams in the morning and spent the day sitting outside under the umbrella doing revision and practice papers.

I waited until the evening animal run before getting the camera out and took all my pictures up at the cottage.

I really liked the sun shining through this young foxglove leaf.

Silver Birch Bark

In the orchard we have a Flagpole Cherry which The Children's Mother rescued from somewhere or other. After two years and several attacks by the donkeys and deer it is in full blossom and looking wonderful.

Wild Flowers (again!)

2010-05-22T21:50:00.000+01:00

Sorry if anyone is getting bored with these flowers pictures, they are not my usual subject but am really enjoying crawling round on my hands and knees taking them. On the other hand, as it were, my hands and knees are not enjoying it quite as much!

Lesser Stitchwort and Tufted Forget-me-not Myosotis caespitosa

Lesser Stichwort

Birdseye or Common Speedwell Veronica persica

What will tomorrow bring? More sun I hope!

Weeds (perhaps)

2010-05-21T17:59:00.001+01:00

I was all set to title today's post as "Weeds" until I asked The Children's Mother what the first plant was called, I was convinced that it was a weed. She tells me that it is in fact a type of Euphorbia and was planted by her Mother.

A weed, she tells me is only a plant that is growing in the wrong place. The euphorbia was growing out of a box bush so I guess that it qualifies!

Euphorbia griffithii

Dandelion - Taraexacum officinale

The dandelion, I think we all accept, is a weed.... In this case, a rather pretty one..!

Lesser Stichwort

2010-05-20T20:20:00.001+01:00

What more can I say? It does what it says on the tin!

Sunshine and More Flowers

2010-05-19T22:46:00.000+01:00

A sunny but humid day here, still a pleasant change from the cold of late. The variable light was quite nice for these pictures, though I used flash on the Oxlips to lift them a little.

Red Campion Silene dioica

Oxlips Primula elatior

Daisy Bellis perennis

Thanks as ever to The Children's Mother for helping identify the plants properly and dig out the latin names!

The World's Smallest Lilly - Saved!

2010-05-19T08:46:00.001+01:00

Good news.

The world's smallest lilly has been saved. Scientists at Kew have managed to propagate this tiny lilly and begun the process of reintroducing the plant to the wild.

And Rog thought his Lilly was the smallest...!

More Flowers on a Sunny Day

2010-05-18T22:20:00.000+01:00

We woke to a glorious sunny morning. A certain three or possibly four loads of washing and drying sort of day.

What else could I do? Out into the garden with the camera, so you are getting flowers again!

Exochorda - 'The Bride'

Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel)

Blue Bells!

Euphorbia robbiae

Four loads of washing and the lawns cut too. What a day, what a man!!

I would like to think more of a man than the ex Government Ministers who it seems pushed through such huge last minute spending that senior civil servants demanded written confirmation of the instructions. An almost unprecedented move on the part of the Civil Service!

Thanks Minister......

A Cottage Morning

2010-05-13T20:39:00.001+01:00

While I have been here at the cottage, I have been steadily catching up with (not quite getting ahead) of the strimming. A little bit each day. Yesterday I was the turn of the bankside down to the burn below the orchard. This morning the donkeys had a few minutes treat grazing there, though I can't leave them as they invariably start on the fruit trees!

The plan is that one day, the orchard will be extanded to this area giving us perhaps another dozen trees. It was down here that I planted some wild crab apples a few weeks ago.

I will bore you all with another shot of the Wood Anenomes, I have to admit they are a favourite of mine. A nice bit of 'bokeh' for Rog too, yes Rog I had to look it up!

After lunch I had a wander down the road to collect the papers and on the way had a chat with some of the locals.

The Highland Cattle above and the Kune Kune pigs below. I had never heard of Kunes before I first saw these ones just over a year ago and I am still trying to persuade all concerned to let me have some in the orchard!

At last the old bread bin where all the papers for our little group of houses are delivered in the morning. It used to be on the other side of the road until it was hit by a wayward car one day! The papers have been delivered here for as long as I can remember, and probably even longer...

The Cold Facts......

2010-05-12T21:50:00.000+01:00

I took this first shot late last evening when I was locking the hens up and feeding the donkeys. The dogs were tearing round like mad things, looking for rabbits to chase and moles to dig for!

The clear sky an indication of the white frost I woke up to this morning.

Yes, hard frost on 12th of May, it was snowing in Allendale yesterday! Not unknown up here though, I remember in the late seventies, driving to the station at Hexham through a blizzard on my to college one June evening. It was a night of contrasts, the train caught fire...!

So we have a new Government, not quite the one were were expecting but it makes a change! It's works in the two most successful ecconomies in geographic Europe, Germany and The Isle of Man, (the latter despite the previous UK administrations best efforts!) so why should it not work here?

Lets be totally honest, we don't really have a choice. Do we.....?

The Darling Snows of May?

2010-05-11T21:49:00.001+01:00

Well not quite but as I was out this morning strimming the orchard, it was snowing!

As usual when staying up at the cottage, I got up fairly early to let the hens out, check the donkeys and give the dogs a run round the fields before breakfast which is eaten at the moment while watching the political too-ings and fro-ings on the BBC news. Gets my juices flowing and my teeth well ground for the day ahead!

Second trip outdoors is to clean the henhouse and collect eggs (they are a bit quiet at the moment) and give the dogs another run. I usually carry my camera this time and today was a lovely sunny morning.

More shots (and hopefully better) of my old favourites on my mother's little piece of Britain. The Wood Anenomes, that I have been trying to get a decent shot of since I discovered them and below, the georgous, delicate, little Violets which have increased dramaticaly since last year.

The clump of Primroses which is surviving in the protecion of the fallen branch.

And once again the Plum blossom.

I used the Samsung for all of these shots and as I am finally getting used to the way it works I am quite impressed by the way it handles some subjects.

Comfort Zone

2010-05-10T21:17:00.000+01:00

I have crept back home for a few hours to see the the family and help with a few chores.

And back to the security of the iMac! Into my comfort zone for a short while to post using one, yes just one, working computer!

I love the form and texture of some of these conifirs, this is dwarf variety in the garden at home

This little Pieris at the cottage is looking a bit shabby this year but the contrast of that flaming red is still wonderful.

I took this shot of a the tulip by shoving the lens of the Samsung right inside the flower and let the flash bounce around wherever it could!

Horse Tails and Fields of Gold

2010-05-08T19:27:00.000+01:00

This afternoon I popped out to check the horses and later by special request, accompanied the youngest daughter while she rode round a local off road riding course. The Children's Mother and I walked with the terriers while horse and rider pottered back and forth and jumped several large fences.

One of the fields had some clumps of what looked like young Horse Tails but I could be wrong.

Earlier I took this shot of a field of rape. It's not the picture I was wanting but I keep losing the correct one in the complex computing arrangements up here at the cottage. Trying to move files between two semi-functioning computers is just too much for my weakened brain to cope with.....

Cottage Sitting Blues!

2010-05-07T23:43:00.000+01:00

I am house sitting for my mother for a few days, Scotland beckons.....

The computer here wasn't working but several hours with a large hammer seems to have done the trick! I had planned to use my old laptop but it stubbonly refused to connect to the wireless and of course, I hadn't brought an ethernet cable with me.

As I have spent most of the day here,

Today's subject is, flowers!

Yes, I know not very exciting but after battling with recalcitrant computers all night, it's all I can manage...

There once was a little pinky....

2010-05-06T19:53:00.002+01:00

It looked all tattered and torn (but the nice doctor put it all back together again!)

Now that will keep The Children's Mother quiet for a while, or at least the next ten days! The Doctor asked if the children would be able to help their Mother with a few chores. That raised a wry smile on her face.......

While we were at the RVI in Newcastle I took a couple of pictures, one of a new wing of the hospital and one of the old university building. The contrasts in style are considerable.

This afternoon, up at the cottage I took this shot of the plum blossom. The rain and light have combines to make the petals almost transparent.

More Spring Flowers

2010-05-05T22:56:00.001+01:00

Back up at the cottage again,tis time I moved a few yards away from the burn to see what I could find.

More Wood Violets, they are just about finished for this year so it was nice to find this bloom in good condition.

This clump of Primroses have found themselves a cosy little place to live underneath a fallen branch where they are protected from the grazing donkeys and the dogs running by.

Lesser Stitchwort

The Children's Mother takes her hand to hospital in the morning, so perhaps some nice action shots......!

Apple's Blossom

2010-05-05T11:13:00.000+01:00

I took this picture yesterday but didn't get it posted as I had to take The Children's Mother to hospital last night to have an injured finger examined.

Ten minutes medical attention including x-rays involved a four hour stint at the hospital! Ours is a brand new rural hospital not a busy inner city A&E on a friday night! Wouldn't it be good if our new government sorted the NHS out once and for all? We have an appointment at a hospital in Newcastle tomorrow morning to have the damage repaired. My offer to get my ratchet loppers out didn't go down too well....

This is one of the productive apple trees we have in the garden here at home. It's looking good for a good crop.

Electricity Poles

2010-05-03T20:45:00.000+01:00

At the cottage, the cherry tree is laden with blossom, as are the other stone fruit. The latter better that I have ever seen.

If we can escape the late frosts the birds should have a bumper crop of cherries this year! The signs are good for the plums and green gauges too. I hope so as the few we had last year were delicious...

I hope someone at our local electricity company know how this rat's nest of cabling works, it looks like the sort of electrics I could produce.......

From The Riverbank

2010-05-02T21:52:00.003+01:00

Late this afternoon after a particularly uneventful day, I went up to the cottage to see my mother and the animals.

Jobs done, I took the dogs for a walk up the field and down to the burn. For the first time I stopped to look at some of the plants growing beside the stream, I had noticed one or two in the past but I thought I would have a better look.

In the order of discovery.

Wood Anemone

I had never realised we had these growing on our land and was really pleased to find them though I was surprised to find them on the wet bank of the burn.

Opposite-Leaved Golden Saxifrage

We have quite a few of these here though The Children's Mother who identified it for me says that they are not too common.

Celandine

A common plant round here but we don't seem to have that many at the cottage, these ones had closed up at this time of evening but when open are a vivid yellow.

Forget Me Not

When I was very young these were very common in our garden at home. These are probably wild but could have been from cultivated seed dropped by birds.

Iris

These Iris will have certainly been washed down the burn from the lakes at the nearby Victorian/Edwardian country mansion, Slaley Hall, during a storm. I have no idea which they are but I will try and keep an eye on them, I have never seen them flower but I will keep an eye on them. Perhaps I will transplant one to dryer ground and see if I can get some flowers.

Primrose

I am not sure how these gorgeous Primroses got here, they could be wild but am not at all certain. I will have to put the expert on the case.....

All these pictures were taken with the little Samsung.

Everyday....

2010-05-01T22:05:00.001+01:00

A am constantly fascinated by the way things I see every day of my life differ day to day. I is always the effect of the light which makes the difference, often dramatic or curious.

I pass this old slurry tank most days. I used another shot a few weeks ago but this one is completely different and it is purely the light. The right side is the sky and the left is the reflection in blue paint! This is a straight shot but the deep blue has disappeared.

Bywell Home Farm was looking wonderful in the evening sun, the field of Rape has, all of a sudden come into bloom. The evening light really lifted the picture.

Newcastle Again! (Mac and Fourth!)

2010-04-30T21:15:00.001+01:00

This was the third trip to Newcastle this week, I don't normally go this often in a year!

The Children's Mother and I dropped the Mac off to be repaired and then went for a walk in town. First stop was at Jacobs to buy a UV filter for the new lens, causing a sharp intake of breath at the price. Is it really thirty years since I last bought one? Ouch!!

We always seem to end up on the Quayside so the Millennium Bridge and the Sage found themselves on the wrong end of the lens again.

I used the Samsung for this shot of the bridge and The Baltic Gallery and the Nikon with the Sigma zoom for the other two.

We hoped that The boys at Apple would be able to finish the repairs by the time we left town but as we were pushed for time it was always going to be unlikely.

As we walked in the door at home, The Children's Mother noticed a message on her phone. The Mac was ready! She had switched her phone to silent a few days ago...

The Mac has been safely returned to the bosom of those that love it thanks to the speedy repair and an even speedier drive back to Newcastle by The Children's Mother!

Edit.

The Children's Mother has just told me that one of the Apple boys was despatched to carry the Mac the half mile or so back to the car. Now that's service!

Day of Contrition!

2010-04-29T17:59:00.001+01:00

Yesterday it was good old 'Gordy''s day for grovelling and contrition, today it is me. Oops, one of yesterday's pictures may just have been a dandelion...(ok, certainly is) but I blame no one but my advisors, it's a disaster!

I really must start using my reading glasses!

Up at my Mother's cottage is a large holly hedge, probably 100ft long and 7ft high by 8ft wide.

For years now I have been threatening to reduce the width by half to make the cutting easier. Finally a couple of weeks ago I got the chainsaw out and did the deed and dam-near killed myself in the process! This burst of of frustration fuelled activity resulted in a huge pile of holly to dispose of and me exhausted!

Today the madness returned and I decided to burn all the cuttings.

As usual there was an appreciative if critical audience...

Still lots to tidy and the hedge is to clip properly and a new fence to put up.....

By the way, if you too suffer from M.E., GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE JOB!

Say it With Flowers!

2010-04-28T20:24:00.001+01:00

What a frustrating day of internet rage!

Is it just a coincidence that we have had more problems since TalkTalk took over Tiscali?

Just two pictures of flowers today thanks to the Samsung.

This is a Hawkweed / Sow-thistle I think but I will try and find out exactly which one for tomorrow.

Wood Violets.

After the little Olympus disaster I am really pleased with these shots!

Newcastle

2010-04-26T20:49:00.000+01:00

Normally I manage, largely through choice, to visit Newcastle tree or four times a year but I will be having most of my annual allocation this week. A new lens and camera on Saturday and today we took the iMac to the Apple Store Genius Bar as it has a fault with the headphone socket.

I have to say they are brilliant! After a fifteen minute chat and examination of the offending item, the part was ordered (just in case it was required, delivery tomorrow!) and the computer is booked in to the workshop on Friday, the day we requested. They should be able to do the repair while we wait in town.

We left the shop thinking we could have bought a few Macbooks etc and not felt any pain at all!

Such a refreshing experience.

Back to photos.

I had the Nikon with me but decided to use the Samsung compact and see how it performed. I have to say that for a not horrendously expensive piece of kit it it isn't bad.....

Grey's Monument, a classic sort of shot but not one I have taken before.

A couple of office blocks, what more can I say?

Play Time

2010-04-25T21:30:00.000+01:00

Today was a day for playing with new toys, the new lens and my new compact. I was hoping to catch up with Rog as he passed into Northumberland on his epic C2C bike ride but it was not to be. He is making excellent progress for a boy from the 'Low Country'!

Hope you have a great night in Allenheads Rodger & co.

First a few pictures from the Samsung compact, so far I am delighted with the results.

The first of the Wood Sorrel this year.

And something I haven't seen too much of since I returned to Northumberland, Wood Anemones. Swathes of them in a local wood.

This afternoon I had a time to use the new lens.

Primroses.

And huge swathes of Wood Sorrel.

Chinese Gate

2010-04-24T23:16:00.000+01:00

The Children's Mother and I had a flying visit to Newcastle this afternoon, mainly to buy a new zoom lens for the Nikon as the old one keeps jamming.

We looked in a couple of places but found just what we were looking for in Jacobs, a wonderful shop with very helpful staff. We settled for a Sigma 70/300 macro, so far so good. Yesterday I finally gave up on the Olympus compact which was bought for my birthday, it was almost certainly faulty and no matter what I did with it it was a real problem. I had a chance to play with a Samsung this morning and was so impressed with it that we bought one, a bit like the Remington shaver ad! I have only had time to take o couple of shots but it is looking very promising.

While we were in Town we walked round to see the gateway into China Town.

I had never see the gate or this section of the old City Wall before, I am not sure that it is what I expected but it was interesting to see.

Perhaps I will have some shots with the new lens and or Samsung tomorrow.

A Nutty Problem

2010-04-21T19:52:00.000+01:00

A lovely bright sunny day but as has been the case so often lately not a productive day for pictures, too much time fiddling with other things. Trying to sort out e-mail and Facebook problems for The Children's Mother and starting to cut the hedge, only a year late. The hedge will be a long job!

This is part of a redundant slurry tank. Beauty in neglect, there is still hope for me then.....

Two for the Twitchers

2010-04-20T19:26:00.001+01:00

It is always a sign of summer approaching when we see the first of the swallows arrive. It was really nice to see this pair tonight. It makes a change to beat my mother to the first sighting, she watches the spring sky like a hawk!

I hate to be mean to my friends who are currently 'ash bound' in foreign parts at the moment but seconds after taking the picture of the swallows, I caught sight of the first jet I have seen for 5 days.

Newcastle airport has been open today with flights to and from Scotland and The Isle of Man.

Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Show Cross

2010-04-18T20:06:00.001+01:00

Today the youngest daughter of The Children's Mother set off early to compete in a Show Cross event in the north of Northumberland while the eldest stayed at home to catch up on her AS schoolwork exam preparation.

The event consists of Show Jumping and Cross Country riding, a bit like Badminton but without the dressage phase.

After the cross country, the second phase, we had a little chat about how it went.

Easy, it seems!!

Second place! Not at all bad for the first time with this horse. Well done!!!

The last week gave us really good weather but sadly today was cold and damp. I say cold but freezing would be a better description.

Ask this other young competitor.......

This little man didn't seem to mind though.

Durham City

2010-04-17T20:13:00.000+01:00

After the usual chores this morning I had to take my Mother to visit the Old Family Friend who is in hospital.

While she was visiting I had a walk down into the City, mainly because I was feeling very tired and grumpy after the last few days.

In the City at the Old Elvet Bridge the crowds were out as usual, and lots of people were out on the river in hired rowing boats with many others enjoying a drink at The Boathouse pub on the river bank. The old pub building sits in stark contrast to the modern architecture around it. On the whole the more recent building is a fair effort to fit into the old city.

Back up at the University Hospital I took a few shots of the modern architecture.

Tomorrow No2 Daughter is competing at a horse event, so perhaps some exciting action shots, or possibly just pictures of her mum eating burgers. Only time will tell!

When All Else Fails.....

2010-04-16T17:37:00.000+01:00

As they say, there comes a point when you have to read the instructions!

Ok, where are the enclosed instructions? Online?

Ok.

Well all that seems clear enough, shame it doesn't work.....

......now, where is my hammer?

Getting to Grips.......?

2010-04-16T14:11:00.000+01:00

What a lovely morning.

I spent a little while trying to get the hang of my new camera, by lunch time it dawned on me that part of the problem was that without my reading glasses I couldn't see the screen properly! The quirks of optics mean that it is not an issue with an SLR.

A huge amount of frustrating faffing about later revealed that things weren't as bad I had thought by the time the images were on the screen, though I still find focusing a problem.

Bumping up the definition etc made an interesting image out of this Pulmonaria.

Frustrating Play Day

2010-04-15T22:07:00.000+01:00

Had a very frustrating day playing with the new camera, would you believe that Olympus supply a camera without a data-card! At a quarter to five tonight I finally found a card to fit, I could then spend an hour or two to see how all the twiddly bits worked.

This is the best of the bunch so far this evening!

Tomorrow is another day........

Three Score Plus 10-([1 score over 2] + 7)

2010-04-14T23:35:00.001+01:00

It was my birthday today and as a special treat I was allowed to do the horses! Later The Children's Mother took me to The Lake District for a walk on the fells.

We set off from Honister Pass and headed for Great Gable via Green Gable. Somehow, thanks to the chief navigator (whose identity will remain a secret in order that I get fed!) we ended up on the top of Haystacks! (Only thirty degrees and over a mile out!)

Still the view of Ennerdale valley from Haystacks was stunning.

I had carried a hip flask of 'birthday whisky' up to the top in order to toast the occasion and at least one of the party seemed to appreciate the effort...!

We both (and the dogs) had a great day out in superb conditions, only regretting that we weren't able to stay over this time and had to rush home. There were presents to open and more malt to drink.......

ps. Thanks to the family I now have a new Olympus Compact. I am looking forward to playing with it over the next few days.

Lovely Day

2010-04-12T22:34:00.000+01:00

It was a lovely day here today.

Horses this morning followed by donkeys and hens. I took advantage of the dry weather to treat the timber of one of the hen houses and then too my Mother shopping.

This evening is was still nice and this was the only decent picture all day!

Perhaps tomorrow will be a more productive day photographically.....

Sunbathing

2010-04-09T13:48:00.006+01:00

It has been a bright, mild morning here and the animals have been making the most of it.

These Peacocks were perching on some shed doors, soaking up the sunshine and preening themselves.

Back at home the old collie was simply enjoying the the warm sun.

Durham City

2010-04-03T19:35:00.000+01:00

The girls were on a mission today, Jack Wills in Durham!

On the way there we dropped my Mother off to see an old family friend who has been unwell, then off to Durham for a flying visit (horses to get in etc.) First port of call was lunch at a favourite hostelry on College Green beside the cathedral.

In the entrance was this little fella looking very hopeful as he waited for his owner to finish lunch.

Sadly we resisted all temptation and left him there and enjoyed a delicious lunch!

Off to the cathedral, one of my favourite places since I was a child, the highlight of our summer holidays when I was little was the annual bus trip to Durham. I have been delighted to learn that it is also a favourite of No1 Daughter though for different reasons.

The 'quick look' in Jack Wills turned into the predictable epic resulting in one purchase for No2 Daughter, which at the time of writing is still a mystery, I have my suspicions and will find out later this evening. At the time of purchase I was enjoying a visit to Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins with No1. A chaps duties are many fold!

Time to call it a day and get home via a quick walk above the river Wear and the weirs...

ps. Spotted a new lens in Jessops.........

Spring Flowers, Snow and Floods?

2010-03-31T22:36:00.000+01:00

What a mixed day, The Children's Mother flung open the curtains this morning to pass on the news that the garden was under water. Just rain this time but last autumn it was a leaking mains water pipe.

Out and about, the roads were in many places under water thanks largely to blocked drains, our shiny new Unitary Authority, Northumberland County Council doesn't believe in rain water!

Up at the cottage wet snow was falling.

This evening the flood in the garden had receded enough for me to take a picture of the first of our narcissi and this lovely pulmonaria.

Nanny McPhee

2010-03-26T23:37:00.001Z

Behind me, over my shoulder is Professor Brian Cox guesting on The Jonathan Ross Show. Far to clever by half for my liking but really interesting and enthusiastic, anyone who have can loads of fun with bowls of liquid nitrogen, banana, a rose and two eggs gets my vote...!

He seems to have recovered from being in the seventies band D-ream.

Also on the show and by a close whisker, the lovely Emma Thompson wins in the good looks stakes. Nanny McPhee was a brilliant, I must see the latest film.

Egger

2010-03-25T19:50:00.000Z

I had to go to Hexham and pick up a part for Jonny's car late this afternoon. The fog was starting to move into the Tyne Valley behind me but the Egger plant was standing, stark against the late sun.

I was hoping to take some pictures of the dressage training at the yard this evening but the fog was thick, a large grey horse almost disappearing in the gloom. Hands now going numb, I still had the donkeys and hens to put to bed.

The journey home was dreadful, the thickest fog we have has for a long time and I am waiting for the girls and their mother to get home from a parents evening, it will be a slow drive for them.

One Hour

2010-03-24T19:42:00.001Z

It was a fairly quiet day, made more interesting by planting some trees (wild crab apple and english oak) up at my mothers cottage. I have been trying to plant a few over the last 5 years but not really achieved very much.

The first couple of years I was busy at work then I managed to plant a nursery area of alder but the donkeys broke down the fencing and ate half of them! The last couple of years were foiled by illness so it was good to do some more planting today.

This evening was better than forecast but the sky was threatening.

An hour later as I left the yard the sky had changed completely.

The Dandy

2010-03-23T13:59:00.001Z

Spring has sprung and this peacock is strutting his stuff, desperately trying to impress his ladies!

Despite his best efforts the hens are yet to be won over, I will watch with interest.

Spring Fashionista!

2010-03-21T21:19:00.002Z

"Stella McCartney Dear?"

"No darling, Baarbour!"

Crocus and Earache

2010-03-19T21:58:00.000Z

The Children's Mother has been under the weather the last few days and has a sufficiently raging ear infection to keep her laid low for a few days more.

Photo opportunities are a bit limited but I found these crocus in the driveway this morning. Perhaps Spring is on the way after all.

Mallard

2010-03-17T22:41:00.001Z

Like some other's, inspiration has been lacking over the last few weeks. I sometimes drive past this pond where there is a pair of Water Hens and I have tried several times to get a shot of them, all without success.

Tonight I just happened to go past as this trio of Mallard duck swam by.

Soft Shell Egg...

2010-03-15T16:35:00.000Z

I was trying to clean out the hen house this morning but one of the hens was sitting tight.

Eventually, after several cups of tea and some cheese muffins, (me not the chicken!) she deigned to move. There were two eggs, one normal delicious looking brown egg and this soft shell egg. I have heard of them and found the remains of soft shells in the past but never seen one intact. Really quite strange. A perfect brown egg contained not in a hard shell but in a brown membrane, all soft and squidgee, like a very delicate stress ball!

I will leave it for the girls to see and perhaps eat it......

I have no idea who laid it but part of me thinks she was very clever.

Bleeding Brakes!

2010-03-12T22:48:00.000Z

The Children's Mother's Son was at it again tonight. This time it is the Honda that he is rebuilding (at least he tells me he is rebuilding it, the pile of discarded parts is growing by the day!)

Tonight he and his accomplice were bleeding the brakes or was it just something to do with 'the bleeding brakes', I don't know anymore!

The weeks good news is that it starts at last, thanks to some devious wiring and trickery. There is even the threat that the Honda may make a return to the road in time to take it's MOT at the end of the month....

...Perhaps there is a God after all?

The Parable of the Prodigal Parrot!

2010-03-11T21:24:00.003Z

Captain Flint, the parrot has been found and is now safely at home, he was spotted on the roof of some offices several miles away from home.

Up at the cottage, I found several piles of these seed husks on the bank above the little meadow by the burn. The small hole above the pile would suggest that a mouse or vole was responsible.

A little bright colour is provided by these crocus, the first I have seen this year.

Reeds and Silver Birch

2010-03-08T23:08:00.001Z

It was a glorious, frosty but sunny morning so just a couple of shots that reflect the conditions.

It's Sunday (again)

2010-03-07T15:00:00.000Z

After a frosty start it is a wonderful sunny day and I want to do something interesting!

But what?

Up at the cottage I found these snowdrops hidden in a patch of bracken. They must have naturalised there years ago and only been revealed as the receding snow flattened the dead bracken leaves.

This one is a bit boring I suppose but I liked the texture.

While I was having a coffee with my Mother I spotted this old picture of my parents and myself with my sisters. One of the labs was trying to get in on the act too.

I was struck by how much younger we all looked but I guess I must have been taken twenty years ago. Dad and the Lab are no longer with us and the rest are a bit 'croop' now one way or another.