It did us both good

After six months of, first, non-stop rain and then, second, the dreaded shingles for the next four months, I was ready for a break from the house and village. We had intended to travel to the far north of Scotland and visit friends that live so far away from us here in the south-west. Jen thought it unwise for me to drive and tow the 'van such a distance that we cancelled those ideas and opted for a short, four-hour trip to windy Penwith, instead.

The cat was returned to the cattery for love and affection from Eileen and we set off for Sennen and a farm campsite with a sea view. As the tank was almost empty when we arrived, once we had set up the 'van, we hotfooted it to Morrisons for diesel and a few supplies. That evening we ate on site; reasonable both in quality and price - but it did lack a bit of atmosphere. It rained - heavy - and very windy.

Trevedra Farm camp site (club field)

Day one and we wandered off to Sennen Cove. We took it easy, looking round the lifeboat station, walking from one end to the other, taking a snack lunch with the obligatory ice cream afterwards and watching the antics of the surfers in what was posted as 'princely' conditions. The sun was hot!

Sennen Cove Harbour (looking north)
[We were camped on the skyline above the gent's head]

Next day dawned warm and sunny, too. Off to St Michael's Mount, where I'd not been before, taking the dogs with us. NT membership meant Jen didn't pay to view the gardens, while I sat with the dogs and a coffee, admiring the view. Terry Smith (Falmouth) hadn't put the flags out! Jen took herself off for an exploratory walk in the afternoon; I had a local drive around.

St. Michael's Mount at low tide

The following day we were invited to John and Eva's to witness the opening of the overnight moth trappings. I admired his new 2.0 litre VW Ecos with a swish sun-roof - trust the old "car salesman" in him to re-appear! 

J. Swann (right) - well in with the neighbours!

We then went for a walk round the Botallack-Pendeen  area, where there are many old disused mines and a few that are being resurrected, going by the tailings' dumps. We saw the 'Poldark' house but not the film crew, who are doing a re-make at the moment. I had to take the following picture of "The Crowns" which appears on many a calendar - at JS's insistence. We didn't see any Choughs (just watchers) but lots of other things that are local to the area ... and two 'lost' German men. 

An old mine being re-activated

"The Crowns"

In the afternoon, we went to Cape Cornwall - just for an ice cream, really. I did bump into an old couple from Knaphill, (near Woking), though, and had a natter.

Cape Cornwall (from NT car park)

The next day the heat must have gotten to me as I had a gippy tummy.We decided to make it a day of rest and relaxation. After all, it was the ninth anniversary of our first meeting at Knights' Hill! (that's above Castle Rising, Norfolk, at 51m a.s.l)

The Germans have arrived
(under the moon of love?)

Erin's tenth birthday. We drove to The Lizard and walked the unconventional route  to the most southerly point in the kingdom. We did see four Choughs feeding in a field, which pleased Jen. By gum, it was hot and sultry. Needs must for another ice cream. For an evening meal we decided that the Red Star Chinese in St. Just could fulfil our needs (it was only four miles away) and at £18 was magnificent. Top marks. 

The centre of St. Just.
(Oldest UK pasty shop (Warrens') on corner behind lamp column)

The weather was still glorious and the moon was full. In fact, at five o'clock in the morning you could see both the sun and the moon above the horizon at 180 degrees to each other!

The following day was somewhat cloudier than we had got used to. We made the short journey to Porthcurno, one, to visit this lovely beach with its steep, fine sands (unfortunately one is not allowed to take the dogs down there), and, second, to see the hut (not open 'til later in the day) where the telegraph lines came ashore and then to visit the newly opened museum in the old Cable and Wireless building. Pricey but well worth it, we felt.  (Entrance fee £7.50 for concessions)

The Telegraph Museum

Entrance to underground tunnels

On the way back, we popped into Treave Pottery but were disappointed that the stained glass people opposite were away for the week - just like us!.

Next day we packed up, gave my dog her pill and set off for one last walk around the local paths and lanes before driving northwards in lovely weather, back up the A30 and A38 to Somerset once more. We were home by 2 pm. With a couple of hours left before I could retrieve the cat, I went and re-filled all the half a dozen or so bird-feeders which were all empty, despite having been filled full before we left for Cornwall.

We did both feel better for this break and I almost forgot about my shingles. [Still getting the odd twinge and sore spot]. We both agreed it was nice to come home - we've both become a pair of old farts!

Missing it already.

2014 (1)

My ill health during the first four months of this year has meant this blog coming to a standstill. Firstly it was a lingering cold that I picked up at the annual BTO conference at Swanwick, which decided it rather liked me and refused to be shaken off (bit like my dog), followed closely by shingles around my right chest and arm, which also didn't want to leave me in peace (just pieces and pain).

It was May before I had sufficient energy to get out and about, having confined myself to the daily walk with the dog, all of half an hour, and catching birds for ringing in the garden. I also managed a few Speed-Watch sessions from April, once the new system for our police division became up and running once more. [It had become unreliable due to "operational difficulties" and we were stood down.]

The railway is up and running full-time once more. The spring gala was a moderate success with over 5,000 people visiting. Below is a picture I took on a "dog walk" [we usually time our walks to coincide with a train].

West Somerset Railway - Ravingham Hall @ Williton (2014)

We lost one of the kittens, Twix, to a motorist - she was run over by a neighbour. She was the more adventurous of the two. The other one was also in the wars, but has since recovered. She prefers to watch the birds in the garden, presumably with an eye to snacking on one; she is also fond of wood mice.

"Liquorice", the cat, with her poorly leg strapped up.

The corroded water main has been renewed and the system flushed of iron debris. This in turn has increased the water pressure at the tap and reduced the time taken to fill the cisterns, etc. by several minutes! There were three leaks on the old pipe where quick fix repairs had been made. We now have a neat, copper, internal rising main and stopcock. Note - high level lever, out of the reach of mischievous hands.

New rising main grouted in + high level stop-cock
(out of little childrens' reach) 

We've had two large loads through on their way to the paper mill in Watchet. Smiths are replacing the boilers, which travelled by road. They left the Sedgemoor services on the M5 at 8 am on a Sunday morning. The first passed at 12:10, the second, a couple of months later, at 11:10. What a difference a gloomy week end makes! Lack of grockles/emmets on the road (A39) to Minehead and all points west.

Boiler being transported to the Wansbrough paper factory (Washford)

We were to go on holiday for a fortnight to the north of Scotland but me having the shingles put the kibosh on that, as Jen thought I was not ready just yet for such a long drive. Instead, she has booked us in for a week near Land's End.

The garden is in full bloom at present. We have had a wonderful show of bluebells and primulas; now it's the turn of the fuchsias and aquilegia. The powerful winds of late have taken off the remaining daffodil and tulip heads, exposing the 'weeds'. Madam is out there as I speak! This spring has been renamed "the year of the slug". My, how has the grass grown this year following one of the wettest winters on record. We had 548 mm of rain between the 15th December last and 14th February this year alone. We missed being flooded though, unlike some other inhabitants of Somerset.

Adam Gray / SWNS

Must leave it now as there's too much work to be done about the house and garden now that I have regained a little bit of energy.

To and from Bedford

Jenny arrived home from Germany on Sunday 4th at a fairly respectable hour. There are no photos of her trip as she didn't take any, but I did see some at a "cream tea" fund-raising do for the twinning association last weekend.

A couple of days after arriving home, she was off to Sidmouth, belly-dancing "through the night". Well not quite, actually, but it was well into darkness.

Tribal belly-dancers @ Sidmouth

As night falls, the dancing goes on ... and on

We've had to change our holiday dates as the cattery couldn't take the kittens for a couple of days right in the middle of when we wanted to go. This also means that now I won't be able to go to the Severn Valley Railway on a coach with all the other lads/volunteers down at the station.

'Speed Watch' continues to occupy some of our time. Eventually, people will begin to recognise that they can't speed through the village without getting caught. They have to be doing 36 mph or more to get reported and, currently, we're picking one up every 5 minutes on average. We caught a neighbour once and a couple of other villagers twice. Not happy bunnies. Top speed so far = 48 mph! No excuse if they can't see a crowd of high-vis jackets on the pavement!

Erin, son Chris & Tom

I went to see my brother, Bev, in his sheltered accommodation in Bedford and stayed with my grandchildren in Biggleswade. I also called in on one-time trainee, Dave Short, in Aylesbury, who is currently still off work following a none too successful operation. On the way, I popped in to my old haunt at Priory Country Park; as you can see the grass is beginning to take a pounding. 

Priory CP - near Visitor Centre

Entrance to Waterloo Thorns CES

Church Street, Gamlingay

Next stop was the "Secret Airfield" where we have run a Constant Effort Ringing Survey (CES) since 1988 when I first started it. I also went back to my old village of Gamlingay to see how it has changed. Lots more houses, I'm afraid. Picked up some bird food from G&M Growers and next year's diary in town.

Visitors from Bedford

On arriving back home, we entertained three visitors from Bedfordshire who insisted on camping in our orchard. One was a veggie and the other two, vegans. Jen fed them, nevertheless. We think they were grateful. We didn't hear them come back at 12:30/1 o'clock at night after their evening "walk". They stayed three days and were excellent company. 

Today, we had surprise visitors on their way to the South Devon coast. It was Jenny's nephew and his partner, Victoria, together with her son, who had travelled down from Peterborough. Of course, all they really wanted was a wad and a wet and the bathroom but they did the honourable thing and stayed and chatted and cased the joint - for next time. Oh, yeah? No. It was lovely to see them after a year [last time at twin sister's wedding]

Vicky, Gerry & Jen

Josh & Amber

Our next visitor will be Bex, my step-daughter. She is due in Taunton as part of her work and I am looking forward to seeing her after quite a while. She leads a busy life and I'm not complaining; it's a long way from Essex.    

As you may know, the 'Badger Cull' has started in West Somerset and there are lots of anti-cull supporters in the area with others coming in from outside the county. Feelings locally are very mixed with impassioned feelings on both sides. Fortunately most people are protesting peacefully within the law as it currently stands. Perhaps the NFU syndicate won't be able to achieve their target of over 400 shot badgers each week for six weeks in the 99 square mile zone. Who knows? And what then?

The departed

It's been a German speaking fortnight. First Anne & Rolf stayed for a few days; Anne & Jenny are old school pals from Northampton days. At the same time we had a 13-year old, Paul, and a 14-year old, Lukas (Luggi) from Sankt Johann, Austria staying for two weeks while they were at the summer language school in Watchet. Their parents are all (four) professionals, which is just as well since it can't be cheap sending them over for three weeks. They were well behaved and little trouble.

They left on Sunday morning straight after an early breakfast to take the coach to London.

Jenny, Paul, Luggi - the last breakfast!

Jenny is off to Germany tomorrow for an exchange visit and leaving at 5.30 am. She is staying with Nils' mother, Kristina. He and I got on well last year during that exchange visit when he shared with two French boys. She's trying to get me to go next time - if we take the car and get the dogs passports.

Bit of a bugger

It's been a week since I had any "safe" computing power. For some inexplicable reason, Windows 7 decided it would pack up and take everything along with it overnight (during an update). 100% system failure and complete loss of backup data. We tried to recover the system and data but to no avail and have had to re-install everything from scratch (OS, updates, updates of updates, update all drivers, programs, etc) and begin to input all the lost data from CD, memory stick or paper files, or transfer from my old computer.

I will have to re-enter ca. 5,500 ringing records just to cover what I have done since moving house. The first job is to get 2013 ringing data on. I do have some 'saved' backup  for previous years but, at the moment, I can't seem to merge the data/files. This looks like a fortnight of evenings, at least, are spoken for.

While I'm trying to sort this mess out, the carpets are being shampooed, the kitchen is being painted and the gutters replaced. The lawns and the hedges need cutting but the weather forecast is not in our favour (i.e. wet and windy). I'll need to make an effort to return to "normal".

The external hard drive will stay plugged in from now on! 

May 2013 Holiday - Days 7 & 8

We didn't feel like doing much on day 7, except find somewhere to walk the dogs. We thought we'd do a bit of 'sight-seeing' instead.

After Porthmadog, we turned left, down towards the Lleyn peninsula. After 13 miles, you come to Pwllheli, home of another Butlins. This stretch of coast has numerous holiday homes (chalets and caravans) all sandwiched between the A499 and the sea.The centre of Pwllheli, I think, is a dump, and a traffic nightmare in summer.

We drove on, past the Afon Penrhos, which looks as if it would make a good ringing site, past the old fortress 'town' of Llanbedrog and on to Abersoch. We didn't fancy the expensive beach car parks there, so drove on to the other side of the bay and parked at Machroes. The beach was virtually empty at this end and the dogs got to wet their toes.

Private slipway at Morfa Gors, Machroes
(looking east)

Having stretched our legs, we drove back to Criccieth. We were looking for some Welsh silver and came across an antiques shop, run by two friendly sisters, on the main street up above the station. Didn't get what we were looking for but did make a purchase each. Would recommend the business any time. Very helpful.

Next stop - Tecos in Portmadog. Needed to buy a few bits and pieces for the body's processing plant, naturally. They also have a handy cash machine. As mentioned in yesterday's blog, we went and visited the RSPB's Glaslyn Osprey watch point where we looked at the live video stream and chatted to the staff.

From here it was but a short drive to Tan-y-Bwlch station to meet the afternoon down train and get some pictures. It's an interesting place with many buildings. A private cottage even fronts the loop line. The cafe was a bit of a let down.

0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Fairlie "Merddin Emrys"

Tan-y-Bwlch station, looking west
The building on the right is the new signal box that automatically controls the line

The line here is virtually on top of a cliff or hanger. A beautiful National Nature Reserve runs down away from the line to the B-road and a lake called Llyn Mair (Coed means wood). Pied Flycatcher country, no less! Beyond the lake there is a study centre called Plas Tan-y-Bwlch (obviously). Much of the local area is private forestry, except for the area designated as an NNR, and, despite the steep climbs, is very popular with walkers. 

CSW dual language info board for the NNR Coed Llyn Mair

The next day was our last day in North Wales. We had arranged long ago to visit one of Jen's old work colleagues from High Wycombe. She, Irmie, had arrived back from Germany the night before. However, the dogs needed a beach run, so we went to Treath Lligwy. Another beautiful beach with hardly any souls around. Those that were, the dogs shot off to investigate. It was so quiet you could easily hear the Sandwich Terns passing offshore. Merveilleuse.

At Lligwy Bay

Having taken the fresh air, we returned to Moelfre. Irmie had sent us a map with a pin-hole in it, denoting her bungalow. We ate cake and drank coffee, chatted, viewed the garden and bird feeders (as you do) before taking our leave with a present. This was ironical as Jen had left the freesias she had bought for Irmie back at the caravan in the loo!

Irmie & Jenny

Lunch was had at the busy pub, the Kinmel Arms, sitting outside in the lovely sunshine, plus an ice cream from the shack over the road. Good value at just £2.00, the ice cream that is. I took a stroll out to the lifeboat station along the cliff path. The building is up for modernisation and re-construction later this year, another project led by my good friend Howard, the RNLI 's chief engineer.

Moelfre Lifeboat station (2013)

On our way back, we filled up with diesel at Morrisons in Cearnafon before proceeding along the A4086  to Llanberis. We didn't have time for a trip on either of the railways and there was a decent queue for the Snowdon tram anyway. My last climbing experience was in the Llanberis Pass, which is where my vertigo started. Such a bugger!

The bottom of the climb over the Pass.

And so it was "Home, James" via the A 498, meeting some fast and furious bikers on the way. From Beddgelert, it was  the A4085 to Garreg and over the top on the B4410 again, more twits, this time on push bikes, and so to Gellilydan.

Day 9: We were on the road before 09.45 and arrived home safely before 15.30 after the 230+ mile journey. After unhitching and a bit of unloading of things we would need immediately, I took off to pick up the kittens and pay the bill for their stay. Finished (sigh). Wallet empty!

May 2013 Holiday - Day 6

We'd been on the Talyllyn,  the first narrow gauge railway in Britain authorized by an Act of Parliament to carry passengers using steam. We'd been on the Ffestiniog, the first steam powered narrow guage railway in Britain. Now Jen was treating me (us) to a trip on the Welsh Highland, the newest and longest narrow gauge railway (in Wales).

The train was due to leave Porthmadog at 10.50, arriving in Caernafon at 13.15. Tickets were discounted to £24.50 plus £3.00 for a dog [Full adult return fare was £34.00 and another £20.00 if you wished to travel in the 'First Class' coach]. We were early enough to see the 10.15 Ffestiniog train depart.

The Double Fairlie drawn train ready to depart Porthmadog

Our coaches were shunted out and back into the single platform by a dinky diesel. This would also draw our train down The Cob, and un-hook by the new WH boarding platform that is under construction. The Garratt locomotive, meanwhile, had come from the Boston Lodge sheds at the other end of The Cob and run around so that it could draw our coaches back out through the town.

Shunting engine, Criccieth Castle

Our Garratt steaming into position

Leaving the town, the line stays on 'the flat' through the Afon Glaslyn valley, first one side and then crossing over to the other at Pont Croesor. The line rises to pass over the A4085 just before Nantmor (request stop), and keeps rising, passing through several tunnels. It clings to the side of the Aberglaslyn Pass, before crossing the river again and then under the road before reaching Beddgelert station, where we were due to pass the 10.00 train from Caernafon.

Our train is a tourist draw - Aberglaslyn Pass

Pulling hard

... and into Beddgelert.

The line passes through forestry and moorland to reach the summit at Rhyd Ddu (650 ft aod), where there is another passing platform, before a less steep descent to Waunfawr (400 ft asl). We arrived here with 15 minutes to spare and had to wait for the signal. It was a bit parky by now as the sun had gone in. The line has all the latest electronic signalling, although the signals themselves conform to the old, round, long established, Welsh, narrow gauge set up with eight "lights", giving four (paired) positions.

Hanging about at Waunfawr

The next station was Dinas, where there was a beer festival weekend about to start. We took coal on board here, loaded by a JCB.
We reached Caernafon in good time, alighted and went towards the castle across the road. Not knowing the place, we searched around for somewhere to eat, the proviso being that the proprietors must have a water bowl for dogs outside. Hooray, we found one down a back street. A Dutch pancake and ice cream parlour. 

Caernafon Castle

The train was due to depart at 14.30 and we arrived in time to talk to the engine crew. Our engine, NG143, was the last Garrett 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 to be built by the Beyer- Peacock company in Manchester and it served South African Railways for most of its previous life. The WHR also has the first Garrett to be built, called K1, in a shed at Dinas awaiting restoration.

Time for a chat about the engine

On our return journey, the weather was a little more "Welsh", but it didn't rain. I had a chance to have a good look at the 'back side' of Snowdon, the non- touristy bit and more for serious walkers. You could just make out the new summit cafe and a diesel engine with its single carriage starting the descent to Llanberis.

Snowdon (1085m) - with its hat off for a moment.

Until fairly recently the line stopped south of the Aberglaslyn tunnels and the remains of the yard can be seen beside the current track. It was also the base for extending the line into the Harbour Station, Porthmadog.

The "old" southern temporary terminus

A new bridge had to be constructed over the river to carry both the road and the railway. This is where you will now find the RSPB Osprey watch-point, adjacent to Pont Creosor station. Parking is available.

The RSPB "collection of huts" (and video cameras)

We visited the following day, having already spotted the nest tree and watchers' caravan en route. The first chick had hatched on the Monday and the second on the Wednesday. Mother and babies doing fine. This has been a traditional site for a decade or so.
At last we came into town, with a short stop between the supermarket and the river. With much sounding of bells and whistles, we proceeded down the road, across onto The Cob and then reversed into the platform. We finished the day with fish and chips from 
Penrhynddeudraeth, where Jen was addressed in Welsh. Taken aback, or what.

Postscript. It's a small world.
Jen was sat on a bench at Porthmadog station. The couple next to her were taking about Cambridge. To cut a long story short, I mentioned a road and a house in his home village of Waterbeach and it turned out he was a Tory district councillor  and friends with two of mine, both of whom are LibDem councillors. Can't go anywhere these days without the past catching up on you!