Summer Weather has returned, warm but with showers most of the day.
Day spent (between showers) shredding the branches from the Yew and Willow Trees. Probably another two days to finish the job.
With working at the bottom end of the garden I have missed any Bird action elsewhere in the garden.
Did notice Fox Tunel activity under the decking at the side of the Studio. This lines up now with the hole dug under the fence.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Foxy leaving the hole under the fence, seen sniffing lumps of spoil.
" 3 - Shredding.
A good warm day spent dealing with the aftermath of the Fence and Yew Tree being removed at the very bottom of the garden.
No one likes to see a Tree felled, in this case however it was causing problems for my Neighbour as so close to his house. Once Paul has replace the fence it will give me the opportunity to grow some Bird Loving Shrubs.
A very warm weekend, just a couple of showers late Sunday afternoon.
Neighbour at the back part of the garden who I have not spoken to for probably ten years called across to let me know he was cutting down the Yew Tree and replacing the fence. As most of the Tree was in our garden it posed a problem for removal. Thankfully the root was in Neighbs garden! Agreed with him (Paul) to use our garden to remove fence and tree. It was my fence but what Paul is replacing it with is 100% an improvement.
I did actually make a start in removing the old fence as still in perfect condition for re-use at sometime in the future.
Picture 1 -
" 2 - Smooth Newt from the Pond.
" 3 - Dragonfly Larvae from the Pond.
" 4 - Baby Rat after the Bird Food.
Another very warm day, still trying to bring back the Hanging Baskets and Pots back to life after a week of hot weather and not being watered.
Bought a new Mower and Strimmer from B & Q this morning. How do they pack such large machines in such small boxes?!
Difficult to believe but these pictures is all that was found on the Trail Camera which was left on during the holiday.
Five hot days spent on holiday visiting the Isles of Scilly. An incredible part of the UK which is a must do place to visit.
After a 20 minute Chopper Trip from Penzance we were met at the Heliport by the General Manager of the Atlantic Hotel which was going to be home fort 5 days. Neil arranged for the cases to be collected and drove us personaly to the Hotel. The Hotel sitting on the Harbour Frontage with our room overlooking the Harbour with a Terrace to enjoy an evening or early morning cuppa! There was a welcome drink and an introduction to the Staff. Top Man Neil.
Saturday 21st - Chaz (resident guide) gave a briefing before joining a Boatman for a trip over to the Island of Tresco. The morning was spent with Chaz walking round the famous Tresco Gardens. No words can describe this area of amazing beauty, trees and flowers I have never seen before.
The afternoon spent again with Chaz this time walking round the rest of the Island taking in some of the most amazing scenery.
After a boat trip back to the Hotel it was evening dinner before a walk back to the Harbour to see the most amazing Sunset which by Scillian Standards was the best they had experianced.
Sunday 22nd - A whole day spent again with Chaz walking the length and breadth of the Island of St. Mary's. Chaz spent time explaining the history of the Island which added interest to the walk. Have travelled a fair bit in my time but never have I experianced scenery as seen today.
In the evening it was to the local community hall for a talk backed up by slides of Scillian Bird life. No animals on Scilly except for a few Cows, Cats and Dogs. The talk was by Will Wagstaff a local Wildlife expert.
Monday 23rd - this was our free day to do as we please. Walked to Harold Wilson's very modest Bungalow which Mary Wilson still lives in. We also walked to the Church and grave of HW, reflecting a little on his time as Prime Minister in the Sixties and Seventies.
Back to the Hotel for morning cream tea before setting of walking to Juliet's a local eatery set in the most beautiful part of the Island overlooking the Bay of St.Mary's. Enjoyed dinner here meeting a couple who I noticed was using a camera as mine. During the conversation it transpired they were from Southcote and enjoyed the walk to Fobney on a regular basis!
In the evening we joined Will Wagstaff on a boat to see the Puffins and Manx Shearwater. A truly memorable trip which did not dissapoint.
Tuesday 26th - Day spent on St. Agnes and Gugh with Neil. Walked right round the Island stopping at a Farm that produced Ice Cream and all things Dairy. Enjoyed a Lemon Cornet before taking in more sights of the Island. St.Agnes boasts of a Church, Post Office and Store and a School with one Teacher and seven pupils. Truly an amazing Island. In high season there is also a Pub open (Turks Head) selling real ale from all over the UK.
Afternoon spent on the uninhabited Island of Gugh, again walked round the Island which is rich in Birdlife. Did spot a Seal sunning itself on a rock out at sea. A truly memorable day and what a day to end the holiday.
A boat ride back, evening meal and a last walk to the harbour for the Sunset.
It really has been the best holiday ever with thanks to Truemans for the organising, to Little Neil, Big Neil, Chaz and Kitchen Staff at the Atlantic Hotel for the brilliant way the holiday was organised.
Many thanks.
Over the next few days I will add a few more photographs.
Considering the weather of late this was a pretty good day, that is until 7pm tonight when yes, it rained. Wet day forecast tomorrow then sun for rest of the week. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!
Good start to the day, just started the mower, got going for a couple of metres then smoke and flames brought the mower to an abrubt stop! Cable to the motor was wrapped round the blades, unbelievable how this could happen as cable is encased within the mower casing. Lawn now will be pretty long by the time I get a chance to cut. New Mower beckons.
The end of the day saw the Cooker Door fall to the floor, on inspection it was found the bottom hinge was actually broken. Will be an expensive August in putting all this right!
Rest of the day spent packing and making sure my Camera equipment was ready for action tomorrow at the start of the Isles of Scilly Holiday. Bring it on!
Picture 1 - Burnt out Mower.
" 2 - Sick Cooker.
" 3 - Pigeon having a balance problem!
Last blog for a week now although I will be updating each day on FB and Twitter on holiday news.
Pretty good morning, pretty good afternoon until 3pm when yes, the heavy rain started for the rest of the afternoon and evening. My Weatherman has promised me good weather for the holiday next week, hope he is right!
A right lazy day just sitting, reading and watching, always something to see and photograph. I do see things sometimes which are difficult to record, for instance in recent days I have noticed one of my bug boxes is being emptied on a regular basis. The culprit was a Bluetit looking for the Bugs. What nature is about I guess.
No sighting of Woody, Jays or the Crows today. Bit strange that as up to now have been very busy. Having said that the Starlings were als missing today hence pictures of Goldfinches and Great Tits.
Pictures 1 - 3 - Wood Boring Beetle leaving his pile of wood dust. I was watching this happen at 8.30pm last night. I did in the end destroy the Beetle as could have caused a lot of damage. I was amazed at how rapid he worked.
Picture 4 - Pair of Doves keeping balance on the Sunflower Feeder.
" 5 - A Moth not seen in my Moth Trap before. The Moth Trap was the busiest I had experienced to date. Really crammed in the egg boxes.
Picture 6 - Goldfinches Tea Party!
" 7 - Lonesome Starling, had the box to him self today, not sure where his mates were today?
Pictures 8 & 9 - Despite the wet this Damsel Fly flew into the Useful Room this afternoon, shelter from the Rain no doubt?
Pictures 10 & 11 - The rope is already harbouring insects which the Great Tit is finding yummy. When I researched for the rope I was told this would happen as a warning but to me it was an added bonus.
What is wrong with this weather, lovely day today!
Restful day, saving my energy now for the walking holiday to the Isles of Scilly on Friday for a few days.
Went into Town in the afternoon to see the Living in Reading 1945 - 2012 Exhibition at Reading Museum. Not able to see all of it as told to leave at 3.30pm for security issues? Will have to wait until after the holiday now.
The you Crows are facinating me, such large birds to see on the lawn. Never seen this before, appear to like the Monkey Nuts. Have two young Jays still feeding and just one young Woody. Starlings and Woody spend a good part of the day fighting over the large nest box, hopefully next year it will be used for nesting?!
9.30pm last night I was just locking up after an evening of Bat watching when I was aware the seatrch light was activated, there sat a beautiful Fox Cub. Walked over to the new decking area, cleared up dropped bird feed before walking back up the garden.
8.30pm tonight I was again out Bat Watching when I was aware of movement in an old table made from Branches. It was grains of wood falling from a hole that was being bored by a Beetle. Must have been a Bettle as hole was 2mm diam. Photographs tomorrow but sadly of course no pictures of the Beetle as well hidden inside the table!
Pictures 1 & 2 - One of the three Crows waiting the arrival of more Monkey Nuts.
" 3 & 4 - Woody, Starling and Sparrow on friendly eating terms!
" 5 - Fox Cub on walkabout.
