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.