beingyonder

Sat 17th October: Reservoir climb

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 22:19:19 +0100

We scraped ice off the car and drove to Brecon to get some sandwiches for lunch from the Co Op. Then to the Taf Fechan Forest car park. We walked up the lane to the drained Upper Neuadd Reservoir, emptied of water in 2016. We went up to what would have been the wet side … Read more “Sat 17th October: Reservoir climb”

Fri 16th Oct: Mynydd Illtud

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:30:21 +0100

We went up a narrow lane to the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre. We walked across the moorland to the old hill fort at Twyn y Gaer (trig point at the top). Bales of bracken, Red Kites, Mistle Thrushes, Skylarks. Then back round the nature reserve and lunch at the visitor centre cafe. After lunch we … Read more “Fri 16th Oct: Mynydd Illtud”

Thur 15th Oct: Peterstone Court

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:08:38 +0100

Scrabble. R won.

Mon May 18: Grime’s Graves, Stone-Curlews, Water Voles

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:28:29 +0100

We departed The Old Blacksmith’s around 9am and drove an hour to Grime’s Graves. We hadn’t planned this, but it was on the way so we stopped and had a look at the 4500-year old flint mines. There are around 430 filled-in mine shafts, making hollows in the landscape. We went down Mine Shaft Number … Read more “Mon May 18: Grime’s Graves, Stone-Curlews, Water Voles”

Sun May 17: Burnham walk, Titchwell

Sun, 17 May 2026 21:34:43 +0100

We walked from the accommodation through lanes and fields to the coast, then through marshes to Burnham Overy Staithe, where we had lunch in The Hero pub. Saw: Hares, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers plus the usual wetland birds on the marshes. Heard Tawny Owls calling in the trees. When we got back we went to Titchwell again. … Read more “Sun May 17: Burnham walk, Titchwell”

Sat May 16: Titchwell, Holkham, Seals

Sat, 16 May 2026 21:40:39 +0100

At Titchwell at 8am. An RSPB guide pointed out a distant Cuckoo in a dead tree. He told us that small numbers of Brent Geese typically stay here until late May. There were Southern Marsh Orchids. We got a sandwich in the cafe and then drove to Holkham. We walked through the Oak trees in … Read more “Sat May 16: Titchwell, Holkham, Seals”

Fri May 15: Birds, etc

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:48:25 +0100

First thing, walked the few paces into Burnham Market and bought some fish and shrimps from the fishmonger and some lamb chops from the butcher, then got a coffee. Then we went to Titchwell and saw lots of birds. Then to the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe for lunch: oysters, crab, salad, nice. There were … Read more “Fri May 15: Birds, etc”

Thu May 14: to Norfolk

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:08:42 +0100

R went to Minsmere early: in the Island Mere hide shortly after 6am. It was cold: 3.5 degrees C on arrival. Bitterns, Terns, Harriers, Sedge Warblers. Water Rails calling. We checked out of the Eel’s Foot (great location, nice beer, friendly people, food a bit dodgy this time) and drove two hours to Cley Marshes … Read more “Thu May 14: to Norfolk”

Wed May 13: Minsmere 2

Wed, 13 May 2026 20:23:46 +0100

Total bird species seen at Minsmere in two days: 66. Heard not seen: 4. Today, most of the Terns, including Roseate. Also, among other things, Bitterns. Marsh Harriers passing food, Tree Creeper nest.

Tue May 12: Walberswick

Tue, 12 May 2026 23:00:29 +0100

We checked out of the Brudenell and drove half an hour up to Walberswick. We parked over the narrow bridge by the beach. We walked alongside the River Blyth, and then back inland past the derelict cottage called Tinker’s House on the map. We had lunch at the Anchor in Walberswick. Oysters and ploughman’s. Then … Read more “Tue May 12: Walberswick”

Mon May 11: Minsmere

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:00:23 +0100

Bearded Reedling (male)

Bearded Reedling (female)

Sedge Warbler

Avocet

Avocets

Mediterranean Gull

Bittern

Hobby

Sun May 10: to Aldeburgh

Sun, 10 May 2026 19:24:09 +0100

We checked out of the Miller’s Arms and took about three hours to drive to Aldeburgh with a stop for coffee. At Aldeburgh there was a cold North-East wind whistling down the seafront and high street and we couldn’t find anything we fancied for lunch, so we drove 10 minutes to Snape Maltings. Lunch in … Read more “Sun May 10: to Aldeburgh”

Sat May 9: Whitstable, boat trip, Beaver

Sat, 09 May 2026 21:01:32 +0100

We drove 20 minutes and parked on the road verge just west of Seasalter. We walked a few miles along the coast path and back, alongside the sea wall. Inland was Cleve Marshes and a bit further on, a solar farm. Lots of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings, plus Corn Buntings, Pipits, Stonechats, … Read more “Sat May 9: Whitstable, boat trip, Beaver”

Fri May 8: Canterbury

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:47:51 +0100

Opposite the pub was once a large flour mill, long since burnt down. We walked across the sluice and alongside the old mill race on the crystal clear River Stour and into Canterbury centre. Got a coffee, and then had a look round the cathedral. Then we had a look around the Beaney House museum, … Read more “Fri May 8: Canterbury”

Thu May 7: Dungeness

Thu, 07 May 2026 21:50:16 +0100

A few hours to Dungeness, where we drove a mile down a shingle track to the RSPB nature reserve visitor centre. We walked around some of the reserve. It was full of birds, insects and interesting plants. Warblers, Reed Buntings, Little Terns, Egrets, Ducks, Geese, Gulls, Lizards, etc. Then down the road a bit to … Read more “Thu May 7: Dungeness”

Wed May 6: Set off

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:06 +0100

We arrived at Yattendon around 5pm and checked into the Royal Oak. We walked along to the church and then followed a footpath through some trees. Lots of birds singing.

Avebury walk

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:08:52 +0000

We drove to Yatesbury, down a dead-end road and parked at the very small village hall. We walked up a track through some trees and then across fields. Kites, Buzzards and Corn Buntings. We went up to Windmill Hill Neolithic camp. There were two mounds on the top of the hill. It rained a bit … Read more “Avebury walk”

Silbury Hill etc

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:08:26 +0000

On the way to Silbury Hill we stopped at Avebury Trusloe to see the house where J’s mum lived during the war. We had a look at 4000-year-old Silbury Hill. It was surrounded with water, with ducks swimming. We were going to walk around the hill to West Kennet Long Barrow but the track was … Read more “Silbury Hill etc”

Saturday: the locals are ace

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:25:07 +0000

[J wrote this] Local awesomeness trumped the food today. 30 cranes, no less. (That’s 15% of the UK population I reckon.) I said ‘ooh look at those geese.’ R said ‘they’re cranes’. They were squarking away to each other and landing in a field with flocks of starlings swirling all around, and roe deer ambling … Read more “Saturday: the locals are ace”

Friday: food, food, rain (and hornets)

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:29:39 +0000

[J wrote this] OK so let’s get to the important bit first. Food. Luscious lunch at the Sheppey Inn in Godney. Big diner of a pub with a performance stage. They’re looking for musicians to perform apparently – hmmm – do we know any? Dinner at the Devonshire Arms in Long Sutton. Venison to die … Read more “Friday: food, food, rain (and hornets)”

Saturday: Totnes, Aveton Gifford, Bantham

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:05:31 +0100

Drove to Totnes. The satnav took us down some windy lanes, in the middle of one of which was a Buzzard eating a rabbit. At Totnes, we had a look around. Got a paper and a coffee. On the high street, we bumped into friend Nick J from Bristol who had been doing sound for … Read more “Saturday: Totnes, Aveton Gifford, Bantham”

Friday: Tor Tour

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 22:06:55 +0100

We went for a walk. Up to Hay Tor, then along the old granite tramway for a bit and through the remains of a 14th Century village. Lots of Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears. Buzzard, Kestrel, Ravens. Up to Hound Tor, then along the road to the grave of Kitty Jay, guarded today by cows. Up … Read more “Friday: Tor Tour”

Thursday: Topsham, Exminster Marshes

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:41:13 +0100

Stopped at Topsham for a wander around and a coffee, then on then to the RSPB Exminster Marshes car park. We walked a mile and crossed the Exeter canal at the lock at the Turf Hotel and had a nice lunch there, sandwiched between the canal and the Exe estuary. Walked back along the canal. … Read more “Thursday: Topsham, Exminster Marshes”

Tuesday: Talybont walk, etc

Tue, 20 May 2025 21:21:32 +0100

We drove 10 minutes to Talybont-on-Usk and from there did a nice walk. Along the river – saw a pair of Mandarin Ducks – then climbed up through fields and old Oak woods. Up on the hill we found a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest hole with chicks in it. We couldn’t see the chicks, but … Read more “Tuesday: Talybont walk, etc”

Monday: waterfall

Mon, 19 May 2025 21:50:59 +0100

We checked out of the cottage. It was a nice place to stay. A part of some old farm buildings, set in a square around a central yard. Very thick walls. There were a few apartments of various sizes in the block but all were empty so we had the place to ourselves. The owners, … Read more “Monday: waterfall”

Sunday: Ramsey Island

Sun, 18 May 2025 22:02:29 +0100

We went to St Davids and bought some pasties for lunch, had a coffee and then drove down the lane and parked at St Justinians. We got on the 12pm boat. It was a fast rib, with 10 other passengers, and it only took a few minutes to cross the sound to Ramsey Island. We … Read more “Sunday: Ramsey Island”

Saturday: Preseli Hills

Sat, 17 May 2025 21:23:50 +0100

We drove 45 mins to a layby and parked and then did a walk. We climbed up to the top of the Preseli Hills then followed the ridge along and went up to Foel Cwmcerwyn, the highest point in Pembrokeshire, stunning views all round. We descended through a timber plantation and passed a disused slate … Read more “Saturday: Preseli Hills”

Friday: boat trip, snorkel, nice meal

Fri, 16 May 2025 21:05:03 +0100

We got the boat from St Martins Haven at 09:45 and did a tour around Skomer and Skokholm islands and out to the Gannet colony at Grassholm. We had lunch at Runwayskiln cafe, just 5 minutes away from the St Martins Haven car park – very nice. After lunch we drove 15 minutes to St … Read more “Friday: boat trip, snorkel, nice meal”

Thursday: a very nice walk

Thu, 15 May 2025 21:06:24 +0100

We walked from the cottage through fields to Abereiddy Bay and then took the coast path west. Great views of Choughs and Ravens. There was an old hill fort. Just before Castell Coch we turned inland and went back to Abereiddy. There we heard and briefly glimpsed a Cuckoo. Then we took the coast path … Read more “Thursday: a very nice walk”

Wednesday: St Davids, Solva

Wed, 14 May 2025 21:40:55 +0100

We checked out of Twr Y Felin and parked in the car park in St Davids. We looked round the Cathedral. The floor is sloping and the columns are on the slant – though you don’t notice it in the photo. Had a coffee in the Cathedral cafe. We bought sandwiches for lunch in a … Read more “Wednesday: St Davids, Solva”

Tuesday: Cemaes Head, Cardigan, Teifi Marshes

Tue, 13 May 2025 21:31:24 +0100

We checked out of the St Davids Cross Hotel and drove for an hour up to Poppit Sands and then took a narrow lane that turned into a gravel track and parked next to an unoccupied Yurt campsite. We walked around Cemaes Head: blue skies, dramatic cliffs, wild flowers, butterflies (inc Painted Ladies), Choughs. Hardly … Read more “Tuesday: Cemaes Head, Cardigan, Teifi Marshes”

Monday: a good walk

Mon, 12 May 2025 22:28:06 +0100

We walked from the hotel down past the cathedral and ruined Bishop’s Palace. Then down quiet lanes to the headland at Tregennis. At the headland we joined the coast path. There were the remains of an old copper mine. We followed the coast path round to the lifeboat station at St Justinian’s, then headed inland … Read more “Monday: a good walk”

Sunday: St Davids via WWT Llanelli

Sun, 11 May 2025 22:00:05 +0100

We stopped at the WWT Llanelli reserve on the way. Got there about 10:30. Nice sunny day, lots of ducks and warblers (Whitethroat, Blackcap, Cetti’s, Reed, Sedge, Chiffchaff, Garden). Found the rear end of a snake (probably an Adder) under a corrugated iron section. At St Davids we checked into the St Davids Cross hotel. … Read more “Sunday: St Davids via WWT Llanelli”

Saturday: walking with Buzzards

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 19:43:55 +0000

We walked down the road out of the village and took a footpath past the sewage works. A road bridge crosses the Dulas Brook and the River Dore just where the two rivers meet. There, when we stopped to watch a Dipper, a Mink swam across the River Dore below us and away upstream along … Read more “Saturday: walking with Buzzards”

Friday: Abergavenny

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:23:11 +0000

Bristol to Abergavenny took 2 hours due to Friday traffic and roadworks on the Severn Bridge. At Abergavenny we had a quick look round the castle and a quicker look round the museum on account of arriving at ten to four and the museum closing at four. We had a wander around the town and … Read more “Friday: Abergavenny”

Boxing Day: walk

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 18:21:44 +0000

We did a 10-mile circular walk from the hotel. Up the combe to the top of the Quantocks, then past Halsway Post and Bicknoller Post and down to Kilve where we had lunch in the Hood Arms. Back up the lane and across the damp and foggy fields to the hotel. After dinner, scrabble. J … Read more “Boxing Day: walk”

Christmas Day: walk, meal, walk

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 18:15:20 +0000

We drove to Kilve and parked. Walked down to the beach and then turned left along the coast path for a bit before looping back inland to the car. Nice bright sunny day, despite the murky weather forecast. Stopped at the Hood Arms on the way back for a pint (on the house). Lunch at … Read more “Christmas Day: walk, meal, walk”

Tuesday 24th: Shapwick, Ham Wall, Steart, Holford, Scrabble

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 23:32:06 +0000

Went to Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall. Whooper Swans, Egrets, Herons, male and female Marsh Harriers, lots of ducks including Pintails. Good views of Lapwings and a Snipe just as we were about to leave. Then lunch at the pub in Cannington and on to Steart Marshes. Lots more ducks and Golden Plovers. No Spoonbills. … Read more “Tuesday 24th: Shapwick, Ham Wall, Steart, Holford, Scrabble”

Monday 23rd: Odcombe

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 23:24:44 +0000

Checked into the thatched and thick-walled Mason’s Arms at 5pm, quickly ate some food we’d brought with us, and then headed off down the lanes to the village hall at Upper Odcombe. We were due to meet the other Odcombe carollers there at 5:45pm. R had met one of them, Steve C, at Sidmouth festival … Read more “Monday 23rd: Odcombe”

Saturday: a very good walk

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 20:39:09 +0100

We set off from the hotel and had to scramble up a hill through brambles and holly and cross some barbed-wire fences to get to the path proper. Then down to Three Cliffs Bay. From there along the cliff path to Oxwich Bay and then inland a bit through Nicholaston Woods. It was hard-going for … Read more “Saturday: a very good walk”

Friday: WWT Llanelli and Oxwich Bay

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 21:52:35 +0100

Welsh breakfast of oatcake with laver bread and leeks, bacon, cockles. WWT LLanelli: walked around the trails and saw lots of ducks, Heron, Spoonbills, etc. While we were having lunch in the WWT cafe it started raining, and continued to rain until we got to the car park at Oxwich Bay. We went down to … Read more “Friday: WWT Llanelli and Oxwich Bay”

Thursday: drive to Gower

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:24:39 +0100

Lots of traffic up to Cardiff, but clear after. Through Swansea and then, at the Gower Heritage Centre, we took a narrow lane for a mile up through the woods. At the top of the hill was park land and Parc le Breos country house hotel. We pushed open the heavy oak door and dinged … Read more “Thursday: drive to Gower”

Sunday: nice day, much nicer hotel

Sun, 12 May 2024 21:05:05 +0100

Nant Ddu Lodge was disappointing, so last night we booked one night at Peterstone Court, 20 minutes drive away, where we’ve stayed before. We checked out of Nant Ddu and as there was no duty manager present we’d have to contact them separately to get a refund for our second night. Never mind, it was … Read more “Sunday: nice day, much nicer hotel”

Saturday: drive to Brecon Beacons

Sat, 11 May 2024 18:59:49 +0100

We left the cottage and went to Plas Glyn y Weddw (where we’d been on Wednesday and had had a coffee and seen the tin man sculpture). We had a look round the gallery and had a coffee. Then we drove through picturesque sunlit Snowdonia and Cambrian Mountains to Llanidloes, where we had Welsh Rarebit … Read more “Saturday: drive to Brecon Beacons”

Friday: a nice walk

Fri, 10 May 2024 20:30:55 +0100

We set off from the cottage following the first section of the “Mariners’ Trail” which connects Nefyn with Abersoch. We walked through fields and quiet lanes. In one place, alongside a stream, it was very muddy. We saw a Sparrowhawk. We stopped to watch and listen to a Sedge Warbler singing. We joined the coast … Read more “Friday: a nice walk”

Thursday: a snorkel, a walk, a climb

Thu, 09 May 2024 21:23:30 +0100

First thing, we drove 20 minutes to Porth Ysgaden. A rough bumpy track for half a km then space to park at the top of the bay. R went snorkelling. Not great visibility but fun, and one big spider crab. Then we walked along the coast path. Lots of sheep. We watched some Sandwich Terns … Read more “Thursday: a snorkel, a walk, a climb”

Wednesday: Aberdaron to Nefyn

Wed, 08 May 2024 20:18:11 +0100

We were a bit sad to leave the Ship at Aberdaron. Proprietor Alun was an excellent chap. He’s 52 and having taken over running the hotel from his mother in 1992 he’s the last of the line. A small, uncomfortable bed and a toilet cistern that leaked continuously, but still, a great place to stay … Read more “Wednesday: Aberdaron to Nefyn”

Tuesday: Bardsey Island, Corncrake

Tue, 07 May 2024 21:37:31 +0100

Last night we messaged Colin via Whatsapp to book the 12:30 ferry crossing to Bardsey Island. After breakfast, we went to the Spar and bought lunch (pork pie, crisps, apple). The we drove ten minutes to the Whistling Sands at Porthor, on the north coast. The bay was deserted apart from a lone fisherman on … Read more “Tuesday: Bardsey Island, Corncrake”

Monday: a good walk with Choughs

Mon, 06 May 2024 21:01:16 +0100

At the car, putting our boots on, a man came over for a chat. He was doing the coast path and had done our planned route yesterday, said it was very nice, but he hadn’t seen any Choughs. He hadn’t seen any for years, he said. He went off to catch his bus to Llanengan, … Read more “Monday: a good walk with Choughs”

Sunday: trains

Sun, 05 May 2024 21:27:03 +0100

We checked out at 9am. A bright morning, the lake like a mirror from the balcony. We drove to the northern edge of Lake Vyrnwy and then took a tiny road north through woods and valleys and spectacular mountain scenery. The sky was clear blue and had white woolly clouds and the surroundings were green … Read more “Sunday: trains”

Saturday: Lake Vyrnwy

Sat, 04 May 2024 21:34:06 +0100

We drove the mile to the car park at the southern end of Lake Vyrnwy. There was a hide with feeders and flocks of Siskins and assorted other small birds. We walked the ‘blue’ trail through mixed woodland and only got slightly lost. We saw a Tree Pipit for the first time. Back at the … Read more “Saturday: Lake Vyrnwy”

Friday: drive to Lake Vyrnwy

Sat, 04 May 2024 07:39:10 +0100

Up the M5 to Gloucester then along winding A- and B- roads through the scenic Shropshire hills to Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. We explored the grounds and walked down a track to a chapel. Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush. Heard woodpeckers laughing and a distant cuckoo. Our comfortable room has a balcony overlooking the woods and lake.

Saturday: haunted castle walk

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 19:51:29 +0000

We set off up Holford Combe, crossing the stream several times. At the top of the combe we climbed up to Dowsborough Fort. The woods were damp. Birds were singing. Oak trees were packed together, trunks cork-screwing up towards the daylight. According to local oddball folklorist and song “collector” Ruth Tongue, Dowsborough was a lookout … Read more “Saturday: haunted castle walk”

Friday: the usual ducks

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 22:49:22 +0000

We stopped at Steart Marshes on the way to Holford. No Spoonbills this time, just the usual ducks, etc. We went in a couple of the hides and then did the 4km loop. It was windy on the bank of the Parrett river. The wind made the pylons hum. The note they hummed was B-flat. … Read more “Friday: the usual ducks”

Christmas 2023

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 18:46:38 +0000

On Christmas Eve (Sunday) we stopped at Stroud, en route to the Malverns, to experience the carols at the Prince Albert pub. For 23 years they’ve been singing traditional carols in the pub on every Sunday in December. It was quiet when we arrived at about 12pm, but it soon got very busy. We were … Read more “Christmas 2023”

Saturday: Starlings

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 00:13:36 +0000

In the morning, rain being forecast, we went to the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. It was quite interesting. We drove to the Avalon Marshes centre and got lunch from the cafe there, then spent the afternoon at Shapwick Heath reserve. Lots of Marsh Harriers. A Kingfisher. Swans and ducks. Then we went across … Read more “Saturday: Starlings”

Friday: waterblog

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 19:33:19 +0000

We drove to Shapwick Heath reserve car park. The plan was to do a circular route including lunch at Glastonbury and back through Ham Wall reserve, but the fields alongside the road were so flooded we decided to change the plan. We walked through Ham Wall reserve along the raised path. Some of the reserve … Read more “Friday: waterblog”

Thursday: drove to The Lion at West Pennard

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:49:00 +0000

Nice pub, great food.

Friday: drive home and Compton Verney exhibition

Fri, 26 May 2023 22:02:46 +0100

We set off unusually early, having got into a habit of rising late. It was just after 8am when we left Goathland. We got to Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park around 12:30 and had lunch in the cafe and then had a look around the “Making Mischief Folk Costume in Britain” exhibition. It was … Read more “Friday: drive home and Compton Verney exhibition”

Thursday: walk with waterfall and pies, also Tree-creepers

Thu, 25 May 2023 22:23:14 +0100

We parked near the old railway station at Cloughton and walked along the disused railway line for a bit, then went along the coast path. Some birds: Yellowhammer. Then down through the woods to the waterfall at Hayburn Wyke. Had lunch on the beach, nice left-over pie from Tuesday. That’s pies for lunch three days … Read more “Thursday: walk with waterfall and pies, also Tree-creepers”

Wednesday: walking with Curlews

Wed, 24 May 2023 22:01:36 +0100

We set off from here and stopped at the Mallyan Spout hotel for coffee, then went down the steep path to the waterfall. We walked alongside the river until we came to a sign which directed us up onto the moor, as the path we intended to follow was suffering from erosion. The moor gave … Read more “Wednesday: walking with Curlews”

Tuesday: moors, sea, Lizards

Tue, 23 May 2023 21:41:07 +0100

We drove to Jugger Howe on Fylingdales Moor, the walk we’d aborted a couple of days ago. We followed the path up across the moor following a track laid down by the military in WW2 – they used this area for practice – and down into a valley where there was small tree-lined stream. Over … Read more “Tuesday: moors, sea, Lizards”

Monday: Whitby

Tue, 23 May 2023 00:13:27 +0100

On the way out we startled a deer in the herb garden. It scampered around for a bit and then jumped over the gate. We went to Whitby. Parked at the Abbey car park. It was £14 (each) to get in to see a building which didn’t even have a roof so we had a … Read more “Monday: Whitby”

Sunday: Barn Owl

Mon, 22 May 2023 10:09:25 +0100

We made sandwiches and drove to the raptor viewpoint at Highwood Brow at the south end of the North York Moors. A 5 minute walk from the car park through the trees brought us to a ridge with two wooden benches. There were a couple of birders set up for the day there with scopes … Read more “Sunday: Barn Owl”

Saturday: nice walk

Sat, 20 May 2023 22:55:23 +0100

We walked into Goathland village and across the railway line. Our route followed the railway line pretty closely and we heard steam trains chuffing and hooting while we walked. On the moor we saw a Common Lizard. Curlews were calling and flying about. At Grosmont there was a bustle of activity with lots of people … Read more “Saturday: nice walk”

Friday: seaside towns and villages

Fri, 19 May 2023 21:11:56 +0100

We went to Scarborough and climbed up to the castle walls. Then came across Anne Bronte’s grave (d. 1849, aged 29) in the churchyard. We looked around the town, Victorian grandeur and a lot of tat, but not too shabby, had a coffee, spent a while in a labyrinthine second-hand bookshop and then wandered along … Read more “Friday: seaside towns and villages”

Thursday: birds birds birds birds

Fri, 19 May 2023 10:28:58 +0100

Breakfast took ages, but eventually we made it to Flamborough Head Light House car park. We walked along the cliffs and looked at the teeming hordes of Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes. Dolphins were jumping about out at sea., We drove to the Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve. It was busy, we had to park in the second … Read more “Thursday: birds birds birds birds”

Wednesday: driving with Dolphins

Wed, 17 May 2023 22:21:49 +0100

Mostly driving today. We left The Eel’s Foot a bit after 9am. Stopped for lunch at Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre cafe, just north of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Looked around Caistor after lunch. That took about 5 minutes. Around 4:30pm we arrived at Bridlington, thinking to have a walk along the sea front before carrying … Read more “Wednesday: driving with Dolphins”

Tuesday: mostly Minsmere

Tue, 16 May 2023 21:33:32 +0100

In lieu of today’s breakfast we’d opted last night for a packed lunch, which was delivered to our door in a cool box. Consequently, we were at Minsmere at 8am. We saw Red Deer from the Bittern hide, plus the usual Marsh Harriers and so on. We did the route to the Island Mere hide … Read more “Tuesday: mostly Minsmere”

Monday: walk

Mon, 15 May 2023 21:56:34 +0100

We did a good walk. Blustery north winds, very occasional light rain, sunny spells. We followed an overgrown path alongside a drainage channel, lots of nettles and sedge and reed warblers all the way. Then across Westleton Heath. Good lunch in the Ship Inn at Dunwich, a ploughman’s sharing platter that would have served … Read more “Monday: walk”

Sunday: Minsmere

Sun, 14 May 2023 21:57:12 +0100

Kippers for breakfast, then spent the day at Minsmere. Lots of birds: Cuckoo, Bitterns, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, Garden Warblers, Hobbys, etc. Checked into the Eel’s Foot Inn. After dinner we walked down the lane. Bitterns booming, midges, bats.

Saturday: Orford Ness

Sat, 13 May 2023 21:28:10 +0100

We bought some food for lunch in Aldeburgh and then drove to Orford Quay and caught the 10am ferry, which we’d pre-booked, to Orford Ness. Orford Ness is an approximately 7-mile by 1-mile shingle spit, one of the largest in the world. It’s now owned by the National Trust, but for many years was used … Read more “Saturday: Orford Ness”

Friday: Stone Curlews 2

Fri, 12 May 2023 21:40:40 +0100

We went back to Weeting Heath nature reserve first thing and watched the Stone Curlews and chicks again. Lapwings, normal Curlews, lots of Rabbits and Hares. A couple came into the hide with a telescope (“Birdwatching for 50 years, been coming here every year since before they built the hide, there’s a Cuckoo likes to … Read more “Friday: Stone Curlews 2”

Thursday: Stone Curlews 1

Fri, 12 May 2023 19:24:38 +0100

We set off at 1pm and drove for 4 hours to Weeting Heath nature reserve in Norfolk, near the Suffolk border. We watched a distant pair of Stone Curlews with two chicks. We walked through the woods for a bit, then checked in to the Crown and Mundford, a few miles down the road. Nice … Read more “Thursday: Stone Curlews 1”

Walk to Blue Anchor

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 19:54:22 +0000

We did a similar walk to the walk we did when we last stayed here four years ago almost to the day. Up Gallox hill behind Dunster, but by a different route this time, through mixed woodland with birdsong, Squirrels, Roe Deer, Exmoor Ponies. On the top of the hill was Bat’s Castle, the remnants … Read more “Walk to Blue Anchor”

Steart Spoonbills

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 19:43:52 +0000

We stopped at Steart Marshes WWT reserve on the way to Dunster. Lots of birds, including Spoonbills. At Dunster we checked into the Luttrell Arms hotel (our third visit). Dinner was nice.

Monday, Boxing Day, Cley Marshes

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 19:06:30 +0000

At Cley we parked at the visitor centre and went over the boardwalks to the hides. Lots of ducks, waders, Avocets, Marsh Harriers. It was cold and bright and windy. On the beach, breakers were crashing into the shore. We had corn chouder for lunch in the busy visitor centre cafe. After lunch we went … Read more “Monday, Boxing Day, Cley Marshes”

Sunday, Christmas Day, Titchwell

Sun, 25 Dec 2022 23:33:45 +0000

After breakfast we went to Titchwell RSPB reserve. Lots of Marsh Harriers, most of the Plovers (Green, Grey, Golden, Ringed), waders, ducks (Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Pintail, Shoveler, Shelduck, etc), Avocets. 40+ bird species seen. Lunch at the hotel at 2:45. In the evening we played scrabble.

Fri-Sat: Romsey, Ely, Roydon, Titchwell

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 23:22:08 +0000

On Friday we went to Romsey and went for lunch at the Olive Tree with Vera. Wendy came round in the afternoon. We left at 3:30 and drove to the Fox and Hounds at Whittlebury, near Towcester. Nice meal in the pub. Just down the road the house where J’s uncle and aunt had lived, … Read more “Fri-Sat: Romsey, Ely, Roydon, Titchwell”

Saturday: down in the gorge

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:19:15 +0100

We went to Lydford gorge, a few minutes down the road from the hotel. Paid our National Trust entrance fees and had a coffee in the cafe then went down the gorge to the Devil’s Cauldron. Steep paths and steps down to the river. We stopped to watch a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on … Read more “Saturday: down in the gorge”

Friday: on Dartmoor

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 22:11:36 +0100

We left Hope Cove House (very nice food, great spot with views, friendly, smart and relaxed place, bed a bit uncomfortable, no tea and coffee in the room so had to make an expedition downstairs to get it in the morning, 7/10) and went to the New Bridge (16th Century). We parked at the side … Read more “Friday: on Dartmoor”

Thursday: Buntings

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 21:11:31 +0100

We set off for Prawle Point to look for Cirl Buntings. There was a sign saying the Prawle Point car park was closed for maintenance so we parked in the village of East Prawle, next to the green. We walked down the lane a bit and saw our first Cirl Bunting sat high up on … Read more “Thursday: Buntings”

Wednesday: walk

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:11:27 +0100

Yesterday we arrived at Hope Cove House hotel at Inner Hope around 7pm. Dinner was oysters, scallops, soup and a large brill to share. Today we walked along the coast path a bit. We watched two seals bobbing in the bay and saw ravens mobbed by lesser corvids off the cliffs above us. We turned … Read more “Wednesday: walk”

Friday: coming home

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:17:05 +0100

We took a scenic route along meandering B-roads out of Snowdonia and stopped at the Elan Valley visitor centre. We walked along the road through the village and crossed a cattle grid up into the Carn Gafallt woods, an area of ancient Oak woods managed by the RSPB. We saw lots of Pied Flycatchers, Spotted … Read more “Friday: coming home”

Thursday: Cadair Idris

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 21:21:08 +0100

The cooker was broken, so we couldn’t have a fry-up, but they did manage an egg bap and scrambled eggs with cockles and laver bread (very nice). We drove down the road to a petrol station and filled the car up and bought some sandwiches and crisps for lunch, then on to the Dol Idris … Read more “Thursday: Cadair Idris”

Wednesday: birds and stuff

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:17:15 +0100

We checked out of Lastra Farm hotel: very nice and friendly, decent food, very good breakfasts, good coffee, good location, 8/10. Scenic drive south through Snowdonia on a clear and sunny day. We stopped at Glaslyn where there are a couple of Osprey nests. One is 2km away and has webcams on it with a … Read more “Wednesday: birds and stuff”

Tuesday: brickworks and copper mine

Tue, 31 May 2022 21:37:27 +0100

On Sunday a local birdwatcher at Cemlyn Bay had recommended the Porth Wen brickworks for Choughs, so we headed there. We parked on a narrow lane between Bull Bay and Cemaes and walked down a footpath and track to Porth Llanlleiana where the were some reed beds with Sedge Warblers and some ruined buildings. We … Read more “Tuesday: brickworks and copper mine”

Monday: Newborough

Mon, 30 May 2022 21:12:34 +0100

We stopped at Llyn Parc Mawr at the northern edge of Newborough Forest. Just next to the car park there were Red Squirrels around a feeder, and high up in the Corsican Pines. We walked round a trail through the woods for an hour or so. We sheltered in a hide during a heavy rain … Read more “Monday: Newborough”

Sunday: Holy Island, Cemlyn Bay

Mon, 30 May 2022 08:06:05 +0100

We picked up a packed lunch from the hotel and went to the RSPB reserve at South Stack on Holy Island. There was a Chough on the roof of the visitor centre when we arrived. Lots of Guillemots and Razorbills on the cliffs. We walked along the cost and over the heather moorland to North … Read more “Sunday: Holy Island, Cemlyn Bay”

Saturday: to Anglesey

Sat, 28 May 2022 21:31:18 +0100

We left The Raven in Much Wenlock and drove for a couple of hours north to Conwy. On the quay there was The Smallest House in Great Britain! It was £1.50 to get in. That didn’t seem expensive, but not good value for money either, given that it’s The Smallest House in Great Britain. We … Read more “Saturday: to Anglesey”

Friday: Shropshire

Fri, 27 May 2022 21:58:07 +0100

Last night we wandered around Much Wenlock after dinner and stopped for a while in the churchyard while bats flew around our heads. Today was a glorious day for a walk. We went from The Raven to Ironbridge and back. Quiet footpaths and lanes and gently rolling hills. In the woods the smell of the … Read more “Friday: Shropshire”

2022 Babcary, Somerset

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 22:10:29 +0000

On Friday storm “Eunice” happened, so we left a bit later in the afternoon than originally planned, and drove directly to the Red Lion at Babcary. Nice room, nice pub, low ceilings, dim lights, lots of horse pictures, very nice beer, pretty good food. Saturday morning at breakfast J predicted we’d see Bullfinches as the … Read more “2022 Babcary, Somerset”

2021 Christmas

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:51:52 +0000

Thursday 23rd December We drove to Romsey in the morning to see J’s mum. Wendy came round for a coffee, then we went out to lunch at the Olive Tree. Around 4pm we set off for Lyme Regis where we stayed the night n the Alexandra Hotel. After dinner we walked down through the town … Read more “2021 Christmas”

Tuesday: Pen y Fan, Snow Bunting, Bramblings, Bullfinches

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 21:52:01 +0000

Thick mist first thing this morning, but the weather forecast was good. We grabbed some sandwiches at the Brecon Morrisons and then drove to the car park at the Storey Arms Centre. There were quite a few cars and a couple of Army lorries in the car park. We took the so-called ‘Motorway’ route, following … Read more “Tuesday: Pen y Fan, Snow Bunting, Bramblings, Bullfinches”

Monday: Brecon

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 19:28:18 +0000

We walked to Brecon from the hotel. As we left the hotel and turned the corner we had distant views of Pen-y-Fan. There was a flock of Redwings in amongst the trees by the church. We took a footpath along the River Usk. The river was fast-flowing and brown from the recent rain. Sections had … Read more “Monday: Brecon”

Sunday: Red Kites

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 22:11:11 +0000

Third Welsh breakfast in a row for R and first for J (nice lava bread and cockles), then we checked out of the King’s Head and drove an hour towards Llandeilo. We parked in the Coed Tregib nature reserve car park and waited for the rain to stop while watching two Red Kites flying about. … Read more “Sunday: Red Kites”

Saturday: Choughs

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 19:19:25 +0100

We did a very good walk from the pub. Just under 11 miles around Broughton Bay, Whiteford Sands Bay, Whiteford Nature Reserve and back over Llanmadoc Hill. It was a bit rainy to start with but cleared up and the day was bright and sunny with the occasional heavy rain shower. The beach at Broughton … Read more “Saturday: Choughs”

Friday: Spoonbills

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 22:10:14 +0100

Cockles and lava bread for breakfast. Then we went to WWT Llanelli. Saw: spoonbills, mute swans, whooper swan, shelduck, wigeon, teal, gadwall, shoveller, mallard, tufted duck, little grebe, cormorant, little egret, heron, coot, lapwing, black tailed godwit, goldcrest, goldfinch, jay, etc. Had the last two pasties in the cafe for lunch, sat opposite the bird … Read more “Friday: Spoonbills”

Thursday

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 21:44:10 +0100

Rain, wind, traffic, slow tedious journey. Arrived at the King’s Head Inn, Llangennith at 19:45. Friendly but a bit chaotic. Nice beer, wine, venison haunch for dinner.

Thursday: travel home

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 00:03:21 +0100

Yesterday J injured her left big toe stumbling when coming from the snorkelling boat, and this morning the toe had swollen up and turned purple and walking was uncomfortable. J phoned 111 and spoke to a medic who advised, based on the fact that the toe shade was more inclined to purple than blue, that … Read more “Thursday: travel home”

Wednesday: Snorkelling with seals

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 23:22:12 +0100

Thick fog this morning. We got tickets for the 10:15 boat to St Martin’s. We’d booked a 1pm seal snorkelling trip from St Martin’s. While drinking a coffee on the quay waiting to board the ferry R received a text message from Viv at Scilly Seal Snorkelling saying they may not be able to run … Read more “Wednesday: Snorkelling with seals”

Tuesday: Bryher

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 20:41:00 +0100

We walked down to the quay for 9:30 to see where today’s wildlife guided tour would be. Turned out there wasn’t one today, so we booked onto a boat trip around the Norrad (Northward) islands to look at seabirds, as the boat would drop us at Bryher afterwards. The boat didn’t leave until 11:15, so … Read more “Tuesday: Bryher”

Monday: St Agnes and Gugh

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:01:02 +0100

We took sandwiches and R’s snorkelling gear and got on the 10:15 ferry to St Agnes. It was almost full. We landed at St Agnes. St Agnes is connected to Gugh by a sand bar that is exposed at low tide. The ferryman told us that the tide would cover it at 14:30, so we … Read more “Monday: St Agnes and Gugh”

Sunday: Tresco

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 21:36:36 +0100

We caught the 10:15 ferry to Tresco from the Quay in Hugh Town. The ferry dropped us at Carn Near at the southern point of Tresco. We walked up past the famous Abbey Gardens around the Great Pool (shelduck, coots, little grebes, Canada geese, heron, a confiding song thrush) to New Grimsby. Then across to … Read more “Sunday: Tresco”

Saturday: St Mary’s

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:00:32 +0100

The weather forecast predicted rain all day, so our initial plan of circumnavigating St Mary’s was aborted in favour of a shorter walk up the west coast. We climbed up to Harry’s Walls Battery, some kind of defensive rampart against the French, the construction of which was never completed. Further on we got to the … Read more “Saturday: St Mary’s”

Friday: fly to Isles of Scilly

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 20:19:36 +0100

We got on the 10:45 flight from Exeter airport to St Mary’s. The flight took about an hour. The weather was good so we had good views all the way. At one point we could see most of Dartmoor: On arrival a shuttle bus took us from the airport to our accommodation. We couldn’t get … Read more “Friday: fly to Isles of Scilly”

Thursday: Dartmoor walk

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:37:10 +0100

Yesterday evening we arrived at the NoBody Inn at Doddiscombsleigh. A poky room but nice pub and garden with good beer, good food and an interesting wine list. Today, Thursday, we drove 10 minutes to Steps Bridge and parked in the car park there. We walked along the side of the River Teign for the … Read more “Thursday: Dartmoor walk”

Thursday: Cley Marshes, Wells walk

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:27:48 +0100

We went to Cley Marshes Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve. A bright but windy day. We heard pinging calls and watched bearded tits for a while, flitting about above the reeds. We walked down to the shingle beach. In the distance the wind turbines showed the curvature of the earth, the distant turbines being much shorter … Read more “Thursday: Cley Marshes, Wells walk”

Wednesday: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Wells

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 21:00:59 +0100

Rain forecast all day. Last breakfast at the White Horse, looking out over the rainy saltmarsh. We drove half an hour through rural Norfolk, listening to Harry Cox in the car, to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, near Dereham. We spent a couple of hours looking around the workhouse, where there were exhibits detailing workhouse life. … Read more “Wednesday: Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Wells”

Tuesday: Bearded Titchwell

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 21:32:40 +0100

After breakfast R went to Titchwell and J stayed at the Inn and played fiddle and went for a walk. At Titchwell there were lots of waders on the shore: sanderlings, knot, turnstones, oystercatchers. A male hen harrier appeared, flying low over the fields in the distance. Pinging calls from some reeds, and then good … Read more “Tuesday: Bearded Titchwell”

Monday: Snettisham, Holme Next the Sea

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 21:39:01 +0100

We spent the morning at Titchwell reserve. Lots of people the by the time we left, many with spotting scopes and long lens cameras. Overheard some talk of the rare rufous bush chat that has been causing some excitement down the road in Stiffkey. On the beach there were lots of shells washed up in … Read more “Monday: Snettisham, Holme Next the Sea”

Sunday: Skegness, Frampton Marshes, Snettisham, Brancaster

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 22:23:48 +0100

Checked out of the Black Horse at Donington on Bain (8/10, excellent value for money and very friendly) and headed straight for Skegness. Huge sandy beach, wind turbines (132kV from the off-shore substation to land via an undersea cable). Went on the pier. Quiet. Back towards town the vendors were starting to open their souvenir … Read more “Sunday: Skegness, Frampton Marshes, Snettisham, Brancaster”

Saturday: Wolds Walk

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 21:51:52 +0100

Good walk in the Wolds. Rolling hills and farmland, woods, chalk streams. Lunch at the Green Man in Scamblesby. A bit damp and misty when we set off, but it brightened up as the day went on, and the last few miles were in warm bright sunshine. On the high ground, lots of skylarks, and … Read more “Saturday: Wolds Walk”

Friday: to Lincolnshire

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 21:39:35 +0100

Drove northeast to Lincoln, past Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Coventry, Leicester, Melton Mowbray, Newark-on-Trent. In Lincoln we parked at the top of the steep hill near the castle and had a look around the castle grounds and the cathedral. We walked down the steep hill called ‘Steep Hill’, where some of the roadside shops from … Read more “Friday: to Lincolnshire”

Thursday: Northleach

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 21:31:12 +0100

After work we drove to the Wheatsheaf in Northleach, near Cheltenham. The evening sun cast long shadows and made the fields and autumn trees shades of orange and gold. The pub was expensive. The room was big and the bed comfortable, but all in all more style than substance. Food (steak tartare, partridge, beetroot, calves … Read more “Thursday: Northleach”

Saturday: world’s wettest walk

Sat, 15 Feb 2020 17:30:15 +0000

Overnight the storm called “Dennis” arrived properly. The wind howled round the hotel, rattling the wood in the old building. After breakfast the hotel owner fixed the WiFi by rebooting the router, so we could check the weather forecast. Didn’t look too bad, so we went for a walk. We did a 9-mile trip through … Read more “Saturday: world’s wettest walk”

Friday

Sat, 15 Feb 2020 17:12:07 +0000

Friday afternoon, 14th February, we drove down to Combe House hotel in Holford, Somerset. Stopped on the way, a few miles from the hotel, for a short walk through the woods. It was wet underfoot, windy and raining off and on. Back near the car we startled two roe deer, they bounced up and down … Read more “Friday”

Kitty Jay

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 18:51:10 +0000

Such a contrast to yesterday’s weather. Bright sunshine, deep blue skies, the air cold and clear so we could see for miles from the high points on the moor. After checking out we drove to the car park at Hound Tor. On the way, there was an uphill cycle speed trial going on up the … Read more “Kitty Jay”

Dartmoor prison, Baring-Gould Folk Festival

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 23:54:18 +0100

Yesterday afternoon, Friday, we drove down to the Rock Inn at Haytor Vale. Heavy rain and heavy traffic pretty much all of the way. Great pub, good dinner. This morning we went to Princetown to visit the prison museum. Wind and driving rain all the way up over the moors, car splashing through pools of … Read more “Dartmoor prison, Baring-Gould Folk Festival”

Wednesday 10th July: hen harriers

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 20:52:31 +0100

J went to Ceolas and learned more Cape Breton stepping, Gaelic language and Scottish fiddle. After the classes ended she went to look at the neolithic roundhouses at Daliburgh with Jethro. R headed back to North Uist to try to find the hen harrier nest spotted the day before yesterday. Stopped on the way to … Read more “Wednesday 10th July: hen harriers”

Tuesday 9th July: snorkelling 2

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 23:28:54 +0100

Rainy morning. J went to Ceolas to learn Cape Breton step dancing, Gaelic language and Scottish fiddle. R stayed in and did work emails until it stopped raining, about midday. Then went to Loch Eynart. Foggy all day. Drove round the north side, looking for snorkelling sites, didn’t find anything promising so went to the … Read more “Tuesday 9th July: snorkelling 2”

Monday 8th July: eagle

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 22:54:37 +0100

J went to Cape Breton step dancing class, then beginners’ Gaelic class then fiddle class at Ceolas, followed by more step dancing in the afternoon. R set off at 8:15 to explore. Drove to north side of Loch Sgioport and parked at the end of the road at Caolas Liubharsaigh. Walked along faint paths and … Read more “Monday 8th July: eagle”

Sunday 7th July: Eriskay

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 22:32:12 +0100

Went to Jethro’s cottage for coffee, then the three of us drove to Eriskay. Parked by the ferry terminal and walked along the beach and dunes to the Am Politician pub, where we had lunch. Glorious sunshine all day, white sandy beach and turquoise sea. Walked back along the road and moor. Stopped off at … Read more “Sunday 7th July: Eriskay”

Saturday 6th July: snorkelling

Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:01:40 +0100

Checked out of Oransay and drove short distance through Loch Druidibeg RSPB reserve to Loch Sgioport with the aim of snorkelling and bothering the wildlife. Tarmac road ended and we drove the car down a steep bumpy track, parked, and walked down to the water’s edge. There were the remnant posts of a ruined pier … Read more “Saturday 6th July: snorkelling”

Friday 5th July: South Uist 1

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 22:36:39 +0100

Went to Bornais and walked out to the headland past Viking remains that were not evident and a Pictish broch which was. Saw a short-eared owl hunting over the machair. Lots of lapwings, including young. Saw seals hauled out. Got mobbed by terns. Saw the world’s longest earthworm. Drizzle, on and off throughout. Drove to … Read more “Friday 5th July: South Uist 1”

Thursday 4th July: rain

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 22:16:38 +0100

Rained all day. Lie in and late breakfast. Went to Lochmaddy museum. Very interesting exhibition on local geology – learnt about Gneiss pseudotachlyte: a rare igneous formation formed by intense metamorphic pressure. Found here along the Hebridean fault, and in meteor craters. Also a the museum was an exhibition of photos of the dull celtic … Read more “Thursday 4th July: rain”

Wednesday 3rd July: Berneray

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 21:43:07 +0100

Needed to swap rooms today because the lodge only had two nights available in the good room, so checked out after breakfast. Followed a path up the hill behind the lodge, to a stone circle, then climbed to the top and back round the other side to look at a 5000-year old chambered cairn, Barpa … Read more “Wednesday 3rd July: Berneray”

Tuesday 2nd July: guided tour with Steve

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 22:18:37 +0100

We met local wildlife guide Steve Duffield (http://www.western-isles-wildlife.com) in the Lodge car park at 9am. A few minutes after we set off, we had a good view of a short-eared owl flying about. Apparently they’re common here. We drove to an old pier near Lochmadday and spent an hour and a half watching a mother … Read more “Tuesday 2nd July: guided tour with Steve”

Monday 1st July: Balranald

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 22:12:07 +0100

Got the 9:30am ferry from Uig. Sunny crossing with views of gannets, arctic skua, puffins, guillemots. Porridge for breakfast on the boat. From Lochmaddy we drove around the northern edge of Uist. An uneven low-lying marshy landscape with lots of pools (lochans). At RSPB Balranald we had bread and cheese for lunch in the car. … Read more “Monday 1st July: Balranald”

Sunday 30th June: driving to Uig

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:56:04 +0100

Porridge for breakfast, then left hotel at 9am for drive north. Out of Glasgow we followed the edge of Loch Lomond. Sky and loch and road were uniform pewter-grey, everything else was verdant green with purple foxgloves all the way. Coffee stop at Tyndrum, then through low cloud and rain up over the great undulating … Read more “Sunday 30th June: driving to Uig”

Saturday 29th June: Glasgow

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 20:42:10 +0100

Looked in the one-room piping museum, attached to the hotel. Had a go on the bagpipes. Harder than it looks. A group of Japanese schoolchildren arrived, and they all had a go too. Lovely. Got the subway train to Hillhead, and walked in a pleasant neighbourhood past red sandstone university buildings to the Kelvingrove Art … Read more “Saturday 29th June: Glasgow”

Friday 28th June: drive to Glasgow

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 20:38:08 +0100

Google redirected us through rural Shropshire to avoid a motorway accident, so we drove for an hour through green lanes passing fields of crimson poppies iridescent in the morning sunlight. M6 was slow, as always. At Glasgow piping centre hotel we were met with a complementary glass of Glenfiddich, and have a poky room with … Read more “Friday 28th June: drive to Glasgow”

Thursday 27th June: Much Wenlock

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 22:03:15 +0100

Through sunshine to our usual Shropshire stop-over, The Raven hotel in Much Wenlock. Pint, meal, wander around the village.

Saturday 16th February

Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:46:35 +0000

Crab Kedgeree, French toast for breakfast, then a good 12.4 mile walk. Blue is the planned route, red is where we actually went. Through the church yard and out of Dunster past the cemetery. Climbed up onto Exmoor through a deer park, good views back of the castle, Exmoor ponies, no deer. At the top … Read more “Saturday 16th February”

Friday 15th February

Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:25:16 +0000

Drove to Dunster stopping at WWT Steart Marshes on the way. Walked around the reserve for a bit. Birds seen: Kestrel Raven Lapwing Golden plover Linnets Stonechat Reed bunting Cetti’s warbler Wren Wigeon Teal Shoveller Mallard Shelduck Cormorant Pheasant Skylark Pied wagtail Brown hare (not a bird) Staying at Luttrell Arms hotel.

Wednesday 26th December

Sat, 05 Jan 2019 14:25:42 +0000

We drove 40 minutes to the car park next to Bel Tor. From there we did a 9.5 mile circular walk that took in wooded river valleys and high moorland. We walked to Ponsworthy, and a few miles further on we passed a farm and a number of dogs of various shapes and sizes ran … Read more “Wednesday 26th December”

Tuesday 25th December

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 18:21:26 +0000

We planned a walk to a pub in Chagford. It started out drizzly and misty. We walked along the side of the River Teign and watched dippers. We passed an open air swimming pool, closed now and with dark brown dead leaves on the bottom. After a steep climb up a muddy field followed by … Read more “Tuesday 25th December”

Monday 24th December

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 18:18:34 +0000

We left the hotel and walked along the seafront to the west, hoping to get to onto the beach to look for fossils, but at the end of the concrete walkway the tide was too high, so we turned back. We drove to Charmouth, and walked back along the beach there towards Lyme Regis. There … Read more “Monday 24th December”

Sunday 23rd December

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 18:15:32 +0000

We drove to Romsey, arriving at 11am. We had a coffee and then went for lunch with Vera at Prezzos. Wendy came round in the afternoon, followed by Ian and Nicky. We had a chat with tea and mince pies, but the pastry on the pies was too thick. We left at 5pm to drive … Read more “Sunday 23rd December”

Saturday, Greylake, Swell Wood

Sat, 10 Nov 2018 18:17:40 +0000

We parked in front of a feeder in the Greylake RSPB reserve car park and watched the birds until it stopped raining. Then we walked on the trail through the reedbeds and sat in the hide. The sun came out. There were lots of ducks, some buzzards perched on fence posts drying out their wings, … Read more “Saturday, Greylake, Swell Wood”

Friday, Ham Wall

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 18:34:27 +0000

We were not expecting to see much when we arrived late afternoon at Ham Wall. It was overcast, windy, and starting to rain. However, small flocks of starlings were arriving at the same time as we were. A great egret flew past, and a young heron came very close, seemingly oblivious to our presence on … Read more “Friday, Ham Wall”

Thursday: Spiggie bus incident

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:25:31 +0100

Lazy morning. Packed lunch and drove to Loch Spiggie. On the single-track road around Bigton we had to pull in to let a large German tour bus pass in the other direction. At Loch Spiggie we walked a short way along the loch to the beach in howling gales with few breaks in the rain. … Read more “Thursday: Spiggie bus incident”

Wednesday: two boat trips

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 17:13:18 +0100

R dropped J off at Clickimmin Broch in Lerwick in the morning. J spent the morning looking round the broch and Lerwick library, museum, and arts centre. R drove up to the Vidlin in the north-west mainland to look for otters. R spent an hour at Swining Voe. A tern colony was aggressive when passed, … Read more “Wednesday: two boat trips”

Tuesday: Scalloway

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 10:03:06 +0100

In the morning we drove across East Burra and parked at Houss. We walked out on Houss Ness for a bit, hoping to spot for otters. We didn’t see any. We went to Scalloway and had Cullen Skink at Da Haaf, a nice canteen attached to the University of the Highlands and Islands marine centre … Read more “Tuesday: Scalloway”

Monday: Fetlar Phalarope Expedition

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 20:21:29 +0100

We had an email notification that tonight’s 22:30 trip to Mousa to see the storm petrels was cancelled due to bad weather – i.e. high winds. We decided to go to Fetlar, to look for red-necked phalaropes. We set off at 7:30am. We drove up to the north of the mainland and took three ferries … Read more “Monday: Fetlar Phalarope Expedition”

Sunday: Sumburgh, St Ninian’s Isle

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:51:36 +0100

We went to Sumburgh Head in the morning. We parked at the hotel and went to look at Jarlshof. On the way, we stopped to look at some Shetland ponies in a field. A man came down with his young daughter to check on the ponies. He offered to sell us one for £1500. He … Read more “Sunday: Sumburgh, St Ninian’s Isle”

Saturday: Lerwick

Sat, 16 Jun 2018 20:08:28 +0100

In Lerwick R bought a replacement camera, from the choice of one available in the only camera shop in Shetland. Not as good as the broken one, but will have to do. We had a coffee in the Peerie Shop cafe and mooched around Lerwick for a bit. It’s the carnival tonight, and during the … Read more “Saturday: Lerwick”

Friday: Ness of Hillswick

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 21:54:24 +0100

Decent breakfast – good kippers. R’s camera is playing up: it won’t power on. Google reveals a camera shop in Lerwick which we’ll visit in the morning. We went to Hillswick and parked opposite the St Magnus Bay hotel. We walked around the Ness of Hillswick. Five miles in total, spectacular scenery all round. The … Read more “Friday: Ness of Hillswick”

Thursday: Yell

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 21:33:28 +0100

We checked out and drove a few minutes up the road to the Keen of Hamar, but it was cold, wet and windy so we didn’t bother to walk up the hill to look at the wild flowers. Instead, we drove down to Belmont and caught the ferry back to Yell. We drove north to … Read more “Thursday: Yell”

Wednesday: Unst, walking, gannet, dance

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:19:48 +0100

After a greasy fry-up we drove south west and then west towards Westing. At Lund the road turned into a track, and then was blocked by a gate. An old morris minor approached from behind and a woman got out to open the gate ahead of us. We carried on and parked by the ruined … Read more “Wednesday: Unst, walking, gannet, dance”

Tuesday: Unst

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 22:27:34 +0100

After breakfast we picked up our packed lunch from the bar and drove to Hermaness. On the way we stopped to look at about 100 great skuas bathing at the end of the freshwater Loch of Cliff. We drove down a bumpy track to get a better view. At Hermaness we parked and followed the … Read more “Tuesday: Unst”

Monday: Lerwick to Unst

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:06:10 +0100

We disembarked when the ferry docked at 7:30, and had a good breakfast in the Peerie Shop Cafe in Lerwick. Before that, we stopped to look at a bearded seal that was lying on the jetty next to the town centre car park. After breakfast we stopped at the co-op to buy bread and cheese … Read more “Monday: Lerwick to Unst”

Sunday: driving to Aberdeen

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 17:03:34 +0100

We set off at 8:30 and arrived at the Aberdeen ferry terminal at 15:30. The ferry left at 17:00. We saw bottlenose dolphins as we were leaving the harbour. We watched a fulmar follow the boat for a bit, skimming very low over the water. Also puffins, gannets and lots of guillemots. Nightcap, watching the … Read more “Sunday: driving to Aberdeen”

Friday Saturday

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 19:59:06 +0100

On Friday we progressed northwards on the M5 much like a snail would, on account of a succession of roadworks and heavy traffic. After 7 hours we arrived at the Plough Inn at Lupton, not far from Morecambe Bay. On Saturday we went to Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. The reed beds were bright green. We … Read more “Friday Saturday”

Driving home via Dartmeet

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 18:25:12 +0100

Outside our room there was a guest book from the early 20th century. We drove to Dartmeet via Ponsworthy. We passed Uphill Farm, where R worked for 7 days in 2005. At Dartmeet we walked about a bit. We went down to where the East and West Dart rivers combine, and we watched the birds … Read more “Driving home via Dartmeet”

Walk from Haytor

Sat, 07 Apr 2018 20:50:14 +0100

After a good breakfast, we walked from the pub up to Haytor. It had just stopped raining and the air was damp and still, and the peaty ground wet underfoot. Glassy pools of water reflected shapes of the granite outcrops. We passed the old mine workings on the way up to the tor, and followed … Read more “Walk from Haytor”

Driving to Dartmoor

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 20:31:42 +0100

We set off after lunch for the Rock Inn in Haytor Vale, on the north-eastern edge of Dartmoor. We stopped at Yarner wood, a mile or so from the inn, on the way. We walked some trails in the wood and stopped in a hide for a bit. While we were there a warden came … Read more “Driving to Dartmoor”

About

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:49:47 +0000

Started in 2018, this site is a record of our trips.

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