Saturday 22nd June 2012

An ok sort of day! Very warm and sunny all morning but much colder and dull during the afternoon.
Good to see the Hedgehog is back at the house, hopefully the Rodents will move out now?

Thursday 21st June 2012

Can you believe this, wet all day. Sun was a two day wonder!
Margaret and Paul departed after a good week visiting parts of Reading and the South Coast they had never seen.
Look forward now to our visit to Yorkshire in September.
Picture 1 - Last look round the Garden before leaving.
     "     2 - And I thought I had a Hedgehog in the Hog Hotel? Little did I know that I had been feeding Mice! Before now the Trail Camera had in fact picked up the Hedgehog at the Hotel so have now placed the TC back there.
Sadly the 6 camera system I have in place has packed up, appears to be the Monitor that is at fault. Although frustrating I will leave now for expert advice from Bird Fair as how I can upgrade the system. Birdfair not until August so will now rely on my TC.

Tuesday 19th / Wednesday 20th June 2012

Two hot days, after all the recent cold, wet weather it was very welcome.
Tuesday was spent in Portsmouth and the evening on Hayling Island. Toiured both the Warrior and Victory and a boat trip round the Harbour. The Mary Rose Nuseum will not be open now until early 2013.
Margaret and Paul had never visited Portsmouth so was an exciting day for them. In the evening drove round Hayling showing M & P our old haunts, brought back many memories. Finished the evening with a meal at the Langstone where we have stayed on many occasions.
Wednesday we spent the day at the Arundel Wetland Centre. How can we complain, but it was rather hot for walking!
Walked the complete Wetland to include a 30 minute ride through the Reed Beds on an electric boat. Good time of year to visit as so many Ducks, Gulls etc are nesting or have had their young. Even at our age it is always good to see!
The most amazing happening for me was the Mole running along the path like a giant Caterpillar. After finding a patch of grass it then proceded to dig making the customory Mole Hill. What on earth was it doing above ground, never normally seen above ground.
Finished the day with a good meal at the New Inn.
Pictures 1 - 5 - Portsmouth and Hayling Island.
      "      6 - 11 - Arundel Wetland Centre.
      "     11 & 12 - Mole.

Monday 18th June 2012

A brilliant day, all day Sun.
Spent all afternoon at Hosehill Nature Reserve in Theale. It was a quality afternoon, a blue haze of Damsel Flies, Mice under the corrugation, Wild Orchid and all manner of other Wild Flowers. Pictured a Lapwing in the Meadow and a beautiful Moth. Love days like this.
All pictures taken at Hosehill.

Sunday 17th June 2012

A warm and sunny day, bring it on!
Enjoyed a good early morning walk round Green Park. Not seen water levels so high meaning some of the paths were closed due to flooding.
Spent a good 5 minutes watching a Common Tern ducking and diving, spectacular.
                     Paul and Margaret arrived mid-day, staying now for a few days. After lunch we enjoyed an afternoon at Caversham Court. The recent restoration has much improved this gem of a place in the heart of Caversham.
Were lucky to see two very young Coot Chicks being fed, the nest on a run of a ladder leading to a pontoon on the Thames.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Common Tern.
      "      3  & 4 - Flooded area of Green Park.
      "      5 - 8 -    Caversham Court.
      "      9 & 10 - Coot Family.

Saturday 16th June 2012

Mild day - no rain!!
Enjoyed the afternoon Tea Party at the Highwayman Pub to celebrate Jean and Doug's Diamond. Good to meet up with the Family again. A few words was said by Jenny with a Toast proposed by Katherine. Highlight of the day was receiving a Card from the Queen!
After the celebration a few of us went back to the Cottage for a Cuppa and to share some memories of days gone bye.
Picture 1 - Jenny saying a few words acknowledging Jean & Doug's 60 years together!
     "     2 - Katherine proposing a toast.
     "     3 - Save some for me!
     "     4 - Blackbird rather ruffled, has been for some while.

Friday 15th June 2012

In between heavy showers it was a pretty good day with a fair amount of sun.
                 Enjoyed an early morning walk between Fobney and Southcote Locks. Canal between Fobney and County Lock closed to Barge/Boat Traffic due to flooding. First time in it's 20 year history this weekends Water Fest is closed to Barge Mooring.
Shopping at Henry Street for Plant Pot Saucers. Every Pot now has a saucer, all part of saving water.
More amusing moments with the young Woody who is spending most of the day in the garden. Thought I had a young Thrush feeding today but pretty sure now it is a young Blackbird.
               Good to see Jamie this afternoon over a pint in the Leaping Frog.
Pictures 1 - 5 - Between Fobney and Southcote Locks.
      "           6 - Young Woody asleep on the Robinia Tree.
      "           7 -      "          "     with Monkey Nut in a hole in the Bark of the Robinia Tree.
      "           8 - Young Blackbird ground feeding.