Wednesday 22nd October 2014

Warm, sunny and dry day. Good day to be out in the garden.
Two projects today, leaf clearing and cable laying. After yesterdays heavy wind a fair few leaves fell so thought best to clear as they fall. Five large bags filled from the front garden and emptied over the Hedgehog House to add insulation for the cold days ahead.
In preparing for a split screen monitor for the hide I thought be ahead of myself and lay the camera cables to the hide. Will wait until the monitor arrives before I deal with the pond camera cable.
Picture 1 - Swept leaves.
     "      2 - Hedgehog House before leaves.
     "      3 -         "             "     with leaves.
  " 4 & 5 - Cable laying.
  "        6 - Bumbler looking for somewhere to hide.

Tuesday 21st October 2014

After early morning rain the day was dry, sunny and warm. However gale force wind most of the day. Enjoyed a session in the Hide until 2am, nothing to report other than the Fox wandering about.
While enjoying my breakfast a Red Legged Partridge flew down to the lawn then walked to the Patio and stayed there for a good 5 minutes. Pretty tame as not bothered by me. Was so fascinated by his reflection in the patio door.
The afternoon saw another what I thought was an unusual Pigeon type bird. Almost for sure a juvenile Pigeon as no markings. Thanks for the info' Boyo.
                My project today was converting the unused Dog Kennel into a Hedgehog Hotel. Half a bale of straw later and the Hotel is ready for its first visitor? Trail camera set to record the event.
                Ratty appeared again at 5.30pm, can set your watch by his timekeeping at the moment. Slug also emerged at 5.30pm, so wish for a Mouse. 
Picture 1 - Through the hide at 1am.
      "     2 - Hello, who are you in there?(Red Legged Partridge).
      "     3 - Red Legged Partridge.
      "     4 - Juvenile Pigeon.
      "     5 - Hedgehog Hotel.
      "     6 - Ratty.
      "     7 - Slug on manoeuvres.

Monday 20th October 2014

A welcome warm and sunny day. Temp' reached a high of 17c this afternoon.
Sadly had to cancel trip to London. Get well soon Mrs.T.
               Lawn cut and a few leaves swept up. Also pruned the Wild Flower plants, last pruned 2 years ago hence looking rather untidy. Dead or dying stems were packed with tiny Snails and Woodlice. Piled these up in a corner of the garden.
Disappointed it was Slugs sleeping in the Mouse house. Two Slugs now sleeping together so will be interesting to watch their behaviour. Would prefer a Mouse however.
Picture 1 - Slug cam.
      "     2 - Rat & Spider cam.

Sunday 19th October 2014

A beautiful warm and sunny day with temp' reaching a high of 22c this afternoon.
Lorna not good, sneezing etc. Think the London trip tomorrow will be cancelled.
            Day spent clearing summer border then planting with Wallflowers and Spring Bulbs. Good to also spend time relaxing in the afternoon sun taking in the Garden colours of Autumn.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Garden in Autumn.
      "            5 - Wallflower border.

Saturday 18th October 2014

Another warm and sunny day, windy at times but thankfully no rain.
Poor Mrs.T suffering. Overnight developed a cold, sore throat, cough and nose issues. Amazing how quickly this came on as was perfect yesterday. Cancelled the evening out with Nigel and Lyn.
               Day spent insulating and installing a camera in my latest Hog Home. Sited down next to the Bee Hive where the TC has picked up a Hedgehog of a night recently.
Good to see a Mouse (I think) has appeared in Mouse House. Unable to see for sure but something is curled up under the straw.
Pictures 1 - 3 - Progress of the Hog House.
       "           4 - Mouse in bottom right of screen?
       "           5 - Starlings roosting after a few swoops of the house.

Friday 17th October 2014

Lucky to experience another warm and sunny day spoilt by heavy rain late evening.

Was pleased to help with driving Colin and Janet to Oxford for an appointment at the JRH. Parked at the park & ride and bussed in. Amazed at the park & ride parking technology. How on earth within seconds can a parking meter have a photograph of my car? Enjoyed a day in Oxford, can't believe not visited before now. The architecture around the City was simply stunning. Will visit again to spend more time looking around the Museums. Was of course very interested in the Swift History at the Natural History Museum. Arrived home at 17.30 after a most enlightening day and of course Colin feeling good after his treatment.

Picture 1 - Venice? No, Oxford.

Picture 2 - The Radcliffe Camera.

Picture 3 - The Bodleian Library.

Picture 4 - Natural History Museum.

Picture 5 - Natural History Museum.

Picture 6 - Ashmolean Museum.

Thursday 16th October 2014

What a fantastic day after all that rain this week, there is a 'but' however. For the day trip to Ely it was as warm and sunny as you could get. On arriving at Reading Station at 10.30pm it was raining like I have never seen rain before. Crazy weather.
                A day in Ely today travelling by the Oliver Cromwell Steam Train Pullman Style. Enjoyed a champers breakfast as we travelled on through London to the open countryside the Fens have to offer. On such a beautiful day it was just stunning. Farmers gathering in the vegetables of the season, Gulls on freshly ploughed fields, oh my. My kind of day.
Arriving at Ely at 2pm this gave us three hours to explore. First on the agenda was the Cathedral. This building is the most impressive of any building I have ever seen when you consider it was built in the 11th century. While Lorna wandered around on ground floor I was lucky to find a guide to take me to the top of the Octagon Tower. Explained  the construction even taking me outside the tower to see the lead covering at a weight of 200 tons. This was scary. Was so grateful to him.
This took over an hour so not much time left. Opted for a coffee then a walk along the canal before arriving at the station for the trip back to Reading on the Oliver Cromwell. Arrived in Reading at 10.30pm after an enjoyable 5 course meal on board ending a fabulous day out.
Picture 1 - Arriving at Reading Station.
     "      2 - The Oliver Cromwell waiting to welcome us.
     "      3 - Waiting for breakfast.
   "  4 - 8 - Ely Cathedral.
    "      9 - Canal Side, Ely.