Monday 31 July 2017

Monday 31st July 2017







A much improved day, warm and sunny most of the day.
This morning cut front and back lawn/edges. This made the garden more presentable.
Astonished to find two more southern hawkers emerging from the pond. The two yesterday had flown and actually a few times today I saw dragonflies flying about.
The two this morning flew late this afternoon.
Empty shells litter the decking which is a bit strange as most tend to stay clung to the plant.
Butterflies, bees and moths were busy today, amazing what a little sunshine will do.
A hedgehog appears to have made home in my bird food store, beggars belief how it got in. Have the camera set tonight to capture its movement, have also left a bowl of food.

Image 1 - Moth trap degraded?
     "    2 - Southern hawker just emerged.
     "    3 -        "             "      drying in the afternoon sun, love the reflections.
     "    5 -        "             "      lift off.
     "    4 - Mint moth.
     "    6 - Don't often see these in the pond....

Sunday 30th July 2017

Dull, overcast, mild. Not exactly summer weather.
Unpacked then slept most of the day, could I really be that tired?
Did manage to slide about the garden, what a squelchy mess. Be a while before garden gets back to anywhere normal. Shrubs battered, baskets sodden but thankfully the sun flowers help up.
This afternoon I was surprised to see two southern hawkers hanging on one of the pond plants. Weather not good for drying/flying, will be interesting. If they have continued to emerge during the week I am now in the forties that have emerged this year. Astonishing.

Saturday 29th July 2017

Left Padstow at 10.30am, weather dull and overcast. Very slow journey not arriving home until 5pm. Conditions dry until we reached Newbury on the M4. My word what a change in weather, could not believe the change.
Garden looks a mess after what looks like a lot more rain than Cornwall had last week.

Friday 28th July 2017




Last day of the holiday and a good start but sadly by late afternoon the rain appeared and was still raining when I went to bed.
Still, can't complain as have experienced glorious weather all week.
This morning was a last walk around Padstow for this year and meeting with Sarah Adams the well known artist with studios in London and Padstow. Just love her work, I can almost see my photographs in her work.
Enjoyed lunch at a local pub overlooking one of the many bays, just love the way the wheat fields slope down to the cliff edge.
Back to the bungalow this afternoon, packed and caught up on sleep. Enjoyed our last meal at the Cornish Arms tonight, for this year at least.

Thursday 27 July 2017

Thursday 27th July 2017

Another glorious day.
Day spent enjoying a five hour sea life safari departing from Falmouth.
What a day, plenty of activity. All manner of sea birds plus seals, porpoises and a good sighting of nesting peregrine falcons. Just love these type of days.
Finished the day with a whole bream and a pint of Proper Job at the marina restaurant.
Arrived back in Padstow pretty exhausted but well chuffed.
Apparently weather changing tomorrow to wet. Who cares, been a good week.

Tuesday 25th July 2017

A hot day, sunny all day into late evening.
Spent morning walking around Padstow stopping for coffee by the harbour. So, so busy but good for trade which keeps these areas of Cornwall buzzing so not complaining.
Thought we would have lunch at Bedruthan Steps but came to an abrupt stop by a collapsed bridge following last weeks storm.
Found a good pub a short distance away at Treyarnon, sat outside in the warm sun overlooking the Camel Estuary enjoying a crab salad.
This afternoon visited a stately home in Padstow, I was interested in the woodland walk which did not disappoint.
Eating again tonight at the Cornish Arms before our nightly stroll around Padstow harbour.
Another good day.

Wednesday 26th July 2017

After an overcast start to the day it soon developed into a glorious day.
This morning made my annual visit to Handykam. Good to catch up with the latest camera technology (if only I could fully understand the technology).
My arm was twisted to purchase one of Bushnells latest trail camera. More on this next week once in use.
Enjoyed lunch at Godrevy, one of my favourite spots on the Cornwall coastline. Walked a short distance of the coastal walkway. Heathland colourful with the heather now in full bloom. So many butterflies, Nature at its best.
This afternoon drove the short distance to St. Agnes bay. Unlike us but as so warm and the outlook beautiful we succumbed to an ice cream each. How can we get into such a mess!?
This evening enjoyed another good meal at the Cornish Arms. With the sky looking good for a superb sunset it was a dash to Padstow harbour. Best described as Padstow on Fire, spectacular. Great ending to the day.



Tuesday 25 July 2017

Monday 24th July 2017

A hot day, sunny all day and well into the evening.
Three hours to drive 56 miles to St.Just this morning. One of the disadvantages of taking a holiday during school holidays I guess.
Still, enjoyed an interesting day at the Levant tin mining complex. Leaves me bewildered 😳 when I learn how our predecessors shaped our lives. The miners started at 10 years old (no schooling) and worked until death normally in their forties. Found today's experience interesting but also sad in some ways. In Cornwall it was not just tin that was mined, copper also and arsenic of course.
             Good meal again at the Cornish Arms tonight, never disappoints. Before another evening sitting by the harbour at Padstow.

Sunday 23rd July 2017

Left Reading at 10am in drizzle, arrived in Cornwall 3pm to glorious ☀️.
Padstow is home now for a few days, may this warm weather hang on while here.
A meal at the Farmers Arms tonight before an evening sitting by the harbour. Good start to the holiday.

Saturday 22 July 2017

Saturday 22nd July 2017


A miserable day, sunny this morning but sadly wet all afternoon into this evening.
Southern hawkers still emerging, one in a perfect position for a photograph resting on a with hazel leaf early this morning.
         Met Neil and Sarah's baby this afternoon, so tiny. No name yet. Looking forward to quality times walking him around the garden?
          Cases packed, sea safari booked, good weather guaranteed, lets go. Will leave about 10am tomorrow.


Friday 21st July 2017






Warm and sunny all day.
Starting to prepare for our impending Cornwall holiday. Decided to leave on Sunday now due to a forecast of heavy traffic on the Saturday.
Good day in the garden, southern hawkers still emerging from the pond. An emperor also flew into the observatory this afternoon. 
Three fox cubs still about of an evening along with two hedgehogs. 
Despite the moth trap not being used (flooded out in the storm) there are numerous moths flying about the garden.
          Enjoyed an evening at the New Inn with Brian and Carol, sad however to say goodbye to June and Tim (landlords) who are retiring. Have known them for 15 years now, New Inn will not be the same now.

Image 1 - Southern Hawker this morning.
    "     2 - Mint moth on a herb this afternoon.
    "     3 - A moth on the side of the hide this afternoon.
    "     4 - Fox poo + friends.
    "     5 - Emperor dragonfly safe in my butterfly net.

Thursday 20th July 2017






A complete contrast to last night, rain stopped but warm and overcast.
Morning spent still drying out the observatory. Doors open all day to allow what sun there is to help with the drying out.
Carpet and rug still sopping wet. Think will scrap and buy new. Not worth messing about.
                Success in the pond again with more southern hawkers emerging this morning despite little sun and wet conditions. Two were seen, one hanging from the lily plant and one on the decking which I thought was vulnerable so moved to a safe place.

Image 1 - A cricket on the shed door.
     "    2 - A moth on the front door frame.
     "    3 - Southern hawker being led to safety.
     "    4 - Shield beetle.
     "    5 - Drying out.

Wednesday 19 July 2017

Wednesday 19th July 2017






What a storm that was last night. Sat in the observatory watching the storm in my reclining chair not appreciating water was lapping at my feet. 
Today all about drying out, warm, overcast but at least dry.
Despite the conditions southern hawker dragonflies still emerging from the pond early this morning. Also a moth in the flooded out moth trap!

Managed to clear up and lay temporary floor covering to the observatory before Nigel and Lyn arrived this afternoon for lunch.
Another enjoyable afternoon with them discussing final details for our impending cruise celebrating ones birthday. Roll on August.

Pleased to announce the arrival of a baby boy this morning by Sarah and Neil our next door neighbours. 

Image 1 - Moth.
    "     2 - Southern hawker dragonfly.
    "     3 - Shield beetle.
    "     4 - Storm as it developed from the observatory.
    "     5 - hedgehog bowl and lawn under water last night.
    "     6 - Carpet and rugs drying out.

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Tuesday 18th July 2017









Another very warm and sunny day. Temp' close to 30c today.
A bit hot to work so just pottered about today. Some good wildlife activity to watch.
Ragwort still doing well in my wild flower patch. Southern hawkers emerging again, two today. Takes me over 30 now I have seen, how many in total I wonder?
Comma butterflies and speckled wood all over the garden today. I spot many more, whites, blues, yellows, wish I could catch and identify.
Swifts were very busy today, a group of six about most of the day. In fact just heard them again now at 8.30pm.

Image 1 - Gull and magpie video.
     "    2 - Moth on the front door.
     "    3 - Moth on the back door frame.
     "    4 - Unsure on this one, flew into the observatory last night.
     "    5 - Southern hawker early this morning.
     "    6 - Comma butterfly on back door frame.
     "    7 - Hoverfly in a petunia flower.
     "    8 - Cinnabar caterpillar on a ragwort plant.

Monday 17 July 2017

Monday 17th July 2017

Again a very warm and sunny day.
This morning decided to water some of the larger shrubs that are clearly suffering.
Transplanted 20 hydrangea cuttings I started back in the early Spring. Amazed at the root ball that had formed so hopefully some good plants to plant out in the garden next year.
This afternoon relaxed hoping to get a glimpse of the goldcrest, sadly no show.
Butterflies, moths and bees were busy again today making the most of the sun. A most unusual moth on the front door this morning and a moth or butterfly (not sure which) flew into the observatory this afternoon that I had not seen before. Very small, looked like a mini skipper.
Trouble with the desk top tonight, updates. Hopefully images tomorrow.

Sunday 16th July 2017





Warm and sunny all day.
Day spent doing nothing, just taking in what was flying around me. One amazing day.
Seen - Hummingbird hawk moth, goldcrest and a small blue butterfly.
Seen and photographed - Mint moth, gatekeeper, speckled wood and a 6 spot burnett moth.
Days do not get much better than that.

Image 1 - Speckled wood butterfly on ones leg.
     "    2 - Six spot burnett moth.
     "    3 - Gatekeeper butterfly.
     "    4 - Mint moth.

Saturday 15th July 2017








Very warm, showers this morning but a lovely afternoon and evening.
This morning attended the Whitley Wood fire stations 25th anniversary. Hard to believe as would have guessed more recent.
There is always a serious side to these events which I wonder if visitors appreciate.
I took part in one of the training room sessions and I can honestly say it was one of the most frightening situations I have ever been in. This was under controlled conditions as well, imagine real life. Very interesting morning.
This afternoon it was a bbq at the Mullens to celebrate Celie's 18th birthday. I remember the night she was born, funnily enough we were having a bbq!

Images 1 - 5 - Fire Station open day.
            6 & 7 - Celie cutting the birthday cake and her boyfriend Luke.

Friday 14th July 2017






Very warm and sunny, nice.
Morning wasted staying in for the ADT engineer. Never turned up.
Did manage to conserve two more garden seats, a job I meant to carry out 30 years ago. Recently found them at the bottom of the garden.
               As you can imagine the bees and butterflies were in ample supply with such sunny weather. Not so many birds about however in this heat.
Second day now without sighting of dragonflies so think that's me lot for this year?
So many speckled wood butterflies about this year, love the pond and wildflower patch.
More gatekeepers this year than in previous years. All good stuff.

Image 1 & 2 - Sunset.
    "             3 - Fox family.
    "             4 - Fox cub trying to wake up spike the hedgehog.

Hope I have titled the images correctly, photographs not shown up yet. Problems with internet again.