A Day by the pond

Me and the girls enjoying the morning sunshine by the pond in the garden.

Out on the Solway Firth September 2015

Alec concentrating hard on Sundance

Watching the tell-tales heading out to sea

Chilling on the back wishing he brought a rod and line.

The Scottish coast up ahead.

The Lake District hills form a smashing backdrop when out off Maryport, especially when they are not covered in cloud or rain.

Insect visitors 20 August

Whilst feeding the fish this morning this little Dragonfly visited and sat on the side of the pond for ages, I think it is a Common Sympetrum sitting next to a Peacock Butterfly one of many visiting the Budlia. The other day we had Red Admiral, Small Tortoishell, Meadow Brown, Comma, Peacock, Small and Large White butterflies.

Whilst watching the fish and the little dragonfly another bigger one joined us, not quite sure what sort it is yet though.
I spent a while trying to get a picture of it and eventually got this one of it hovering next to me then had to break off for a while to get my binos to watch a Raven flying over, first time I've seen one from the garden.

A little later the dragonfly obliged by landing on a Galdiolo.

The site for next year's wedding reception.

Gareth and Vicky have asked to use the garden next year for a reception after their wedding so I had to take a few pictures so they can plan the catering and accommodation. Looking out onto the garden across the patio.

Looking across the garden towards Viv's pottery studio and the camper van hard-standing

Far side of the garden looking back towards the patio and house

Looking out onto the garden across the patio from the bedroom window

Looking across the garden from the camper van hard-standing

Plan with measurements

Maryport first sail with Alec

After wandering slowly up the west coast of Cumbria we arrived in Maryport and the weather slowly improved getting warmer so chance to go Common Lizard spotting on the fence posts. One afternoon there were eight enjoying a brief sunny spell and the next day seven.

This couple seem very friendly and fat but it is probably due to them flattening their bodies to maximise the sun.

At long last Alec and I reaching back and forth in Sundance.

This day was smashing a nice gentle force three and calm sea so I took the opportunity to practice heaving to, tacking and gybing single handed and rolling the genoa away to see how easy it will be for when I eventually start going out single handed. The boat handled beautifully. Ulluva the boat in the foreground is actually moored alongside us in the marina.

The previous day Alec and I went out with another chap from the marina George, it was a lot windier blowing a good force 3-4 with a lumpy sea so we only had the genoa up. We were the only boat out as it was a bit rough but not bad for a crew with a combined age of 152 years and 211 including the skipper!

Early August 2015

It looked like the weather might be fine and co-inside with the right tides at Maryport to sail and Viv was needing a break from home as still not able to drive and shoulder slowly getting better. So we set off Monday and made our way up to Clithero and then onto the Forest of Bowland where we found a little pull in to stop for the night.

Whilst we were eating tea I could hear grouse calling on the hillside behind the van so I grabbed my binos and hiked up over the heather and was rewarded with sightings of Black and Red Grouse and a Short Eared Owl quartering the hill around me for over half and hour. At times so close I had to take the binos off it, a beautiful bird and one of my favourites.

Tuesday we moved on to Walnsey Isalnd by Barrow in Furness and explored the nature reserve there and spent the night in the car park of the Queen's Arms, Biggar where the landlady and I serenaded the locals for a few hours. She on vocals singing a selection of some cracking songs she had written and me on guitar and vocals. We have a standing invite to return.
The west coast of Cumbria is a forgotten gem with lovely deserted beaches and roads and plenty of places to explore and camp over for the night.

Riverside Festival Nottingham

We met up with Leah who had moored up opposite the Riverside Festival In Nottingham, a lovely way to enjoy the music, rides and stalls as the boat offers a quiet retreat when it all gets a bit too much.

Gypsy getting into the festive mood!

Cleared out a bit of weed from the garden pond and topped it up, found this handsome chap in the weed a Smooth Newt, still quite a few of them present but all the tadpoles have long gone.

I was looking up at the neighbours who have nested above the bedroom window only to see the last two from the brood fly the nest, although this one later returned for a while. I will miss their chattering at night and early morning when they go south in a few weeks time.

The parents are a great guide to when a Sparrow Hawk is about calling constantly, one flew into the bush next to the garage this evening and then across the lawn to the Chestnut tree before heading off over the field pursued by a gaggle of Housed Martins.

Weed cutting over the sailing lake July 2015

The warm weather and the fact we have a lot of geese and gulls roosting on the lake we sail on has resulted in a lot of weed growth this year that has needed cutting. So last week I went on a half day course with a few others from the club to learn to drive a weed cutting and raking boat. It is a bit like driving a fork lift truck that floats.

We spent the first day and half cutting then changed over to raking. This is me with a load I've scooped up and about to drop in the boat to be taken back to the bank.

Precision work as to far and you miss the boat, not far enough and it lands on the driver!

It can be a bit hairy when you first lift the weed up, if there is a big heavy load it makes the boat rock side to side, no chance it will tip but with the front down and rocking it does give a bit of a scare the first few times it happens.

I've done my stint over 3 days so off now for the weekend back home looking after Viv who is improving by the day but still not able to drive yet.

Mrs Queen Bee

When I went out to the pond this afternoon to feed the fish I found this beauty swimming about among the lillies. On closer examination she has a passenger on her back that I think is a male bee mating with her, I've never seen them actually mating before.

Needless to say after fishing them out the pond and drying them off they flew off somewhere to start another colony of happy bumble bees.

Monday 20th July

Gareth and Vicky bought me a long hedge trimmer for Christmas, much better for getting at the top of the hedge than the smaller hand held one I've been using but still a major job to cut all the hedge after the spring growth spurt.

Sonia enjoying a slice of over-ripe water melon whilst Ginger the newest pig looks on with a bit of envy, Susan is under the box.

Leah invited me along for a sail up river today as she has got a couple of weeks off and wanted to explore in her boat. We set off in nice warm sunshine.

A mile up river and the rain arrived but didn't stop for too long but did cool things down a bit and brought Gypsy up on deck.

Leah managed to squeeze the boat into a gap about four feet longer than the boat, probably the lure of the pub just across the grass helped her concentrate.

I walked home back along the river to pick up the car and just arrived back before it threw it down with rain. We had a good day out though seeing Kingfisher, Grey and Pied Wagtails a Hobby being chased by a flock of martins and swifts and a close up view of a Sedge Warbler.

A few more from Sunday on the river

Leah and Gypsy enjoying the sun

The lad and I battling the current and wind

Hiawatha and Minnie Haha returning to base after exploring.

Viv and Vicky

Sunday 19th July - A day on the river

Gareth and Vicky were up for the weekend, Sunday was a beautiful sunny day so we met up with Leah at her boat and took the canoe out for a spin on the river.

Viv still not up for paddling with her shoulder yet so she sat on the pontoon and watched over us.

The last of the great explorers took to the water a little later.

A shot of the great explorers coming ashore at a watering hole in the mangroves.

Vicky, Gypsey and Leah in the sun.