You cant beat cracker jokes for making you go oooohhhh can you.Mind some are good well I think so anyway but then thats me.
Was helping to sort out some old christmas stuff the other day and came across some tree crackers that could have been 40 odd years old, they had lead charms in them as well as mottos that were a bit different to what we see now.
A couple of examples;
All is not beer that is bitter.
People who live in public houses, shouldnt throw glasses.
Finally a longer piece. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.
Bit different to those we see now eh.
The best I saw this christmas was;
Where does Tarzan buy his clothes...... A jungle sale, almost fit for Basil Brush that one.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Sunday, 30 December 2012
A great to be alive day. Out walking today in the sunshine and breeze. Histon to longstanton on the buswayish then back via rampton about seven miles i think. Some lovely flat views typical for cambridgeshire. Not that many birds but did see red kite and golden plover again as well as a couple of smallish flocks of stock dove. A bit sticky underfoot in places but a lovely walk.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
bit of a different story
I told a story to a group Friday evening. The local bird club a group I have belonged to for a while and supported for longer. It was there Christmas Social and I was asked to tell a story.
Well I had one I have been working on for some time, a written by me story of all things not that I write many at all, I have to be moved too. But this one sort of fitted to me well almost anyway.
The story is a sort of landscape history of an area I know well, since childhood in fact anbd it contains lot of descriptions/mentions of natural habitats and birds and animals as well as the historical detail. I cut it to fit the time available and told it.
Wasnt too sure how it would go down, but pleasantly surprised by the feedback afterwards, folk knew where it was set and could see the images I was describing. It needs mor work but I am happy with it almost.
Well I had one I have been working on for some time, a written by me story of all things not that I write many at all, I have to be moved too. But this one sort of fitted to me well almost anyway.
The story is a sort of landscape history of an area I know well, since childhood in fact anbd it contains lot of descriptions/mentions of natural habitats and birds and animals as well as the historical detail. I cut it to fit the time available and told it.
Wasnt too sure how it would go down, but pleasantly surprised by the feedback afterwards, folk knew where it was set and could see the images I was describing. It needs mor work but I am happy with it almost.
A different Saturday
Definately a different Saturday for me yesterday. A couple of weeks ago, good friends Stewart and Maureen said do you want to be in our Mummers Play. I had a think and said yes send me over the script.
So there I was in March yesterday ( I know its December) where I was playing the part of The Fool, not hard to play for me really. We performed in three pubs; Georges, The Acre and The Ship.
I wont say I delivered my lines perfectly but it worked in the end and I had a bit of fun.
So there I was in March yesterday ( I know its December) where I was playing the part of The Fool, not hard to play for me really. We performed in three pubs; Georges, The Acre and The Ship.
I wont say I delivered my lines perfectly but it worked in the end and I had a bit of fun.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Democracy yes a boring Malcolm post
Been bumbling around ranting since last Thursday and its getting worse.
We live in a democracy in this country so I am told. Little sign of it since and including last Thursday as far as I can see.
Police Commisioner voting, yes that, I voted so I can moan and will do so there.
Turnout appalling, information delivered to your door about each candidate appalling, comments from our government the next day when the laughably low turn out was announced included; We expected a low turnout for the first one, its the media they didnt publicise the candidates as much as they should.
A farce sums it up especially when the first announced commisioner a conservative magistrate made comments like, lessons need to be learnt.
People were going into polling stations saying I only got material from one candidate so I will vote for him. and does anyone know who the candidates are and who I should be voting for.
How is it democratic that a commissioner is apointed after getting 50 percent of the votes which in themselves represented only 10 percent of eligable voters.
And now we hear that surprise surprise big business could be corrupting government. We also hear that we should not resist developments because we need to do all we can to rebuild the country out of the recession. Doesnt that just prove the first sentence of this paragraph. So HS2 sounds like a done deal.
We live in a democracy in this country so I am told. Little sign of it since and including last Thursday as far as I can see.
Police Commisioner voting, yes that, I voted so I can moan and will do so there.
Turnout appalling, information delivered to your door about each candidate appalling, comments from our government the next day when the laughably low turn out was announced included; We expected a low turnout for the first one, its the media they didnt publicise the candidates as much as they should.
A farce sums it up especially when the first announced commisioner a conservative magistrate made comments like, lessons need to be learnt.
People were going into polling stations saying I only got material from one candidate so I will vote for him. and does anyone know who the candidates are and who I should be voting for.
How is it democratic that a commissioner is apointed after getting 50 percent of the votes which in themselves represented only 10 percent of eligable voters.
And now we hear that surprise surprise big business could be corrupting government. We also hear that we should not resist developments because we need to do all we can to rebuild the country out of the recession. Doesnt that just prove the first sentence of this paragraph. So HS2 sounds like a done deal.
that nice mr o'leary
Well I am speechless, I never ever ever thought I would agree with anything that Michael O'leary of Ryanair said.
So what did he say, well a paragraph from The Gaurdian 19/11/2012 is coming up below;
Asked what he thought of proposals for a new hub, which the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has backed in the Thames estuary, O'Leary replied: "In parliamentary language it would be unprintable. Insane, stupid, harebrained." He said the need for new surrounding infrastructure alone made it all but unworkable.
So what did he say, well a paragraph from The Gaurdian 19/11/2012 is coming up below;
Asked what he thought of proposals for a new hub, which the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has backed in the Thames estuary, O'Leary replied: "In parliamentary language it would be unprintable. Insane, stupid, harebrained." He said the need for new surrounding infrastructure alone made it all but unworkable.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Sunday, 7 October 2012
eight cranes and thirteen storks over cambridge
So there I was on the hill at Coton and then I see them all over Cambridge, eight cranes and storks how many, yep thirteen.
Blimey what a sight and you can see them too if you want, eight tower cranes on building sites scattered across the town and the storks or should that be the stalks of the thirteen new wind turbines away to the east out six mile bottom way.
Blimey what a sight and you can see them too if you want, eight tower cranes on building sites scattered across the town and the storks or should that be the stalks of the thirteen new wind turbines away to the east out six mile bottom way.
lovely day for a walk or two
Lovely sunday with glorious autumn weather so went for a walk or two, well strolls some folk would say as neither was that long but I have been working too hard lately so thought take it easy today.
Had a bit of a stroll beside the River Cam in the morning Clayhithe way. Surprised by the number of people about but all friendly. Saw some nice wildlife as well such as these two.
Not a brilliant picture I know but I was even more surprised when another Roe Deer joined them. A mother and two young who calmly grazed just the other side of the river about 200 yards away.
On the way back to my car I heard a squeaking and thought cygnets, sure enough a male Mute Swan appeared closely followed by five cygnets, nothing special there you might say well two were what are called Polish cygnets, and I was transported back to Milton Country Park where for years we always had Polish cygnets from the only pair of swans we had on the site. The Polish ones are the white ones, the grey colour is switched off in there genes. They are not too common either so there I was wondering if they were descended from that pair all those years ago.
Then this afternoon it was onto the Coton Countryside Reserve where if you go to the top of the hil you get the best view over Cambridge from anywhere I think. The sun was shining and the Buzzards were squabbling overhead when I got there, 3 of them for a while. A lovely relaxing day.
Had a bit of a stroll beside the River Cam in the morning Clayhithe way. Surprised by the number of people about but all friendly. Saw some nice wildlife as well such as these two.
Not a brilliant picture I know but I was even more surprised when another Roe Deer joined them. A mother and two young who calmly grazed just the other side of the river about 200 yards away.
On the way back to my car I heard a squeaking and thought cygnets, sure enough a male Mute Swan appeared closely followed by five cygnets, nothing special there you might say well two were what are called Polish cygnets, and I was transported back to Milton Country Park where for years we always had Polish cygnets from the only pair of swans we had on the site. The Polish ones are the white ones, the grey colour is switched off in there genes. They are not too common either so there I was wondering if they were descended from that pair all those years ago.
Then this afternoon it was onto the Coton Countryside Reserve where if you go to the top of the hil you get the best view over Cambridge from anywhere I think. The sun was shining and the Buzzards were squabbling overhead when I got there, 3 of them for a while. A lovely relaxing day.
when is a primula not a primula
Now this will sound a bit like a rant but theres a point.
I popped into a local garden centre Saturday to buy some bedding plants for a client, got home and then noticed that I had been charged too much for one pack, it had a reduced label on and they had not chraged the reduced price.
Anything else, well yes. I bought a pack of Primulas and looking at the the till receipt it said Bellis perenis, faffed about Daisies in other words.
Now hang on says I and looks at the pack which says by the bar code, general bedding, which was more understandable and true.
So I calls the centre and yes if I call in they will reimburse the overcharge so I did. I then asked about the wrong name on the till receipt and got the answer, we will look into it.
Does it matter, it would if you had to take them back me thinks. And then again surely it should be right under consumer law. But then what do I know.
I popped into a local garden centre Saturday to buy some bedding plants for a client, got home and then noticed that I had been charged too much for one pack, it had a reduced label on and they had not chraged the reduced price.
Anything else, well yes. I bought a pack of Primulas and looking at the the till receipt it said Bellis perenis, faffed about Daisies in other words.
Now hang on says I and looks at the pack which says by the bar code, general bedding, which was more understandable and true.
So I calls the centre and yes if I call in they will reimburse the overcharge so I did. I then asked about the wrong name on the till receipt and got the answer, we will look into it.
Does it matter, it would if you had to take them back me thinks. And then again surely it should be right under consumer law. But then what do I know.
It said to let just Friday
So there I was driving down Histon Road in Cambridge just last Friday and I see this sign on some railings and had to laugh.
I mean who puts a up a To Let sign on the railings of a cemetary. Have the council evicted someone for causing trouble I wondered, anti social behaviour perhaps or not paying there rent.
It tickled my terrible sense of humour, so I thought go back and take a picture, its funny, so back today Sunday and what do I see its now Let.
So what can we draw from this, wait for it.....
They are dying to get into this place.
I mean who puts a up a To Let sign on the railings of a cemetary. Have the council evicted someone for causing trouble I wondered, anti social behaviour perhaps or not paying there rent.
It tickled my terrible sense of humour, so I thought go back and take a picture, its funny, so back today Sunday and what do I see its now Let.
They are dying to get into this place.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
beware the devil squirrel
Wait a minute thats three I's. Yet more inbreeding !
oh dear
Had a walk at Calke Abbey the other day, and nice it was, the trees are fantastic. There are old oaks that are at least 900 years old there still alive and still looking great like the one below at least a thousand years old.
But there was more some great closeups of birds on feeders so close you could almost touch them and then, some Red and Fallow Deer hence the title of this post. Really close up as well some of them and a not a Bambi in site.
But there was more some great closeups of birds on feeders so close you could almost touch them and then, some Red and Fallow Deer hence the title of this post. Really close up as well some of them and a not a Bambi in site.
rights and responsibilities
Whats this you might say if you are still reading. More ranting from the geezer.
Lets start with a picture.
So there I was last wednesday morning after a bit of ecology work having a walk along part of the Trent and Mersey Canal in the Fradley area near Lichfield. Lovely it was, quiet relaxed walking some nice birds, Hobby for starters. Then beside the towpath the clothes drier in the picture above. I am hundreds of yards from any house or road and there it lies, so it must have been thrown out as broken, which it was, by a boat owner/hirer/user.
The question is WHY. And now we go to the title Rights and Responsibilities.What was wrong with taking this broken item to the nearest litter bin, it just wasnt close enough I suppose or they didnt give a ............
Then we have the infamous pictures of a certain blokes wife, and no I dont subscribe to the view that they are fair game. Everyone deserves some privacy especially if they were in a private place. Then we have a certain film that is causing upset all over the world.
Rights and responsibilities. Yes people have rights, won over many years often through much death and suffering. We also have responsibilities, and that includes the people who take pictures and make films. Is it too much to ask that people think about what the implications of what they are doing. We dont live in little bubbles where no one sees what we do, we live in a very connected world.
Lets start with a picture.
So there I was last wednesday morning after a bit of ecology work having a walk along part of the Trent and Mersey Canal in the Fradley area near Lichfield. Lovely it was, quiet relaxed walking some nice birds, Hobby for starters. Then beside the towpath the clothes drier in the picture above. I am hundreds of yards from any house or road and there it lies, so it must have been thrown out as broken, which it was, by a boat owner/hirer/user.
The question is WHY. And now we go to the title Rights and Responsibilities.What was wrong with taking this broken item to the nearest litter bin, it just wasnt close enough I suppose or they didnt give a ............
Then we have the infamous pictures of a certain blokes wife, and no I dont subscribe to the view that they are fair game. Everyone deserves some privacy especially if they were in a private place. Then we have a certain film that is causing upset all over the world.
Rights and responsibilities. Yes people have rights, won over many years often through much death and suffering. We also have responsibilities, and that includes the people who take pictures and make films. Is it too much to ask that people think about what the implications of what they are doing. We dont live in little bubbles where no one sees what we do, we live in a very connected world.
Monday, 10 September 2012
primate smugglers
I was driving today with radio 2 on for the traffic reports, did you hear the story about two animals smugglers caught in India I think it was with strange bulges in their trousers, yep thats right.
It gets better,they were searched and found to each have a slender loris, a small primate, in a specially made pouch inside their pants, you would need it as they have sharp claws.
What can I say, nothing really but I have been sniggering away for hours at the many and various twists and inuendos encapsulated within it.
It gets better,they were searched and found to each have a slender loris, a small primate, in a specially made pouch inside their pants, you would need it as they have sharp claws.
What can I say, nothing really but I have been sniggering away for hours at the many and various twists and inuendos encapsulated within it.
honest a14 article in local paper, what do we do with transport infrastructure
My local paper just carried an interesting letter on the upgrade of the A14. The thing is folk who usually write say an upgrade will solve all the problems cos its the road thats the problem. The difference in this letter was the view that no matter how much upgrading there is its the drivers who are the problem and accidents could still block it, see M1 M25 for evidence of closures on major roads.
The writer has a point a good one and its the truth. Why do we assume better roads will be safer, why do we assume new transport infrastructure whatever it is will be a great improvement. This leads me onto Boris Island the suggested ideal place for a new hub airport for London.
Its a daft idea, why if we need it and the word is if, does it need to go in the Thames estuary. Do we even need it whatever folk say. In my view if we need new transport infrastructure road rail or air,, A14 HS2 or Boris Island we should accept it in our midst and beside existing infrastructure not try and stick it away from us in an estuary or across open country. But then that means upsetting many voters doesnt it.
The writer has a point a good one and its the truth. Why do we assume better roads will be safer, why do we assume new transport infrastructure whatever it is will be a great improvement. This leads me onto Boris Island the suggested ideal place for a new hub airport for London.
Its a daft idea, why if we need it and the word is if, does it need to go in the Thames estuary. Do we even need it whatever folk say. In my view if we need new transport infrastructure road rail or air,, A14 HS2 or Boris Island we should accept it in our midst and beside existing infrastructure not try and stick it away from us in an estuary or across open country. But then that means upsetting many voters doesnt it.
and they say the olympics are over
So they say that the olympics are over tell that to the competitors I saw today while driving.
There were the following events;
The how late can I leave it to get in the filter lane to go from the A14 to the A14 at Girton event, if you know where I mean. The winner drove a silver estate car and managed to squeeze in right on the end of the filter lane. A truly worthy medal winner.
Then we have the, I am late for something so can undertake if I want too event. I was in the inside lane and saw this one happen in front of me, another big car with a large tie wearing gent in it got fed up waiting for the cars in the outside lane to get out of his way. After waiting for at least ten seconds a really long time I know he just undertook the lot of them in the middle lane. Again a really worthy winner.
Finally we have a new event. The how fast can I get too and through the M6 tollbooth event. Lots of competitors for this event a real spectacle as cars scream up and juggle for a booth to pay at quickly before they race away. The winner was a white volkswagon golf that might need new tyres with the amount of rubber he burnt off but another truly worthy winner.
I am sure the olympic committee would highly approve of the events but in the meantime if they dont I am sure they could all win the complete and total ***hole award.
There were the following events;
The how late can I leave it to get in the filter lane to go from the A14 to the A14 at Girton event, if you know where I mean. The winner drove a silver estate car and managed to squeeze in right on the end of the filter lane. A truly worthy medal winner.
Then we have the, I am late for something so can undertake if I want too event. I was in the inside lane and saw this one happen in front of me, another big car with a large tie wearing gent in it got fed up waiting for the cars in the outside lane to get out of his way. After waiting for at least ten seconds a really long time I know he just undertook the lot of them in the middle lane. Again a really worthy winner.
Finally we have a new event. The how fast can I get too and through the M6 tollbooth event. Lots of competitors for this event a real spectacle as cars scream up and juggle for a booth to pay at quickly before they race away. The winner was a white volkswagon golf that might need new tyres with the amount of rubber he burnt off but another truly worthy winner.
I am sure the olympic committee would highly approve of the events but in the meantime if they dont I am sure they could all win the complete and total ***hole award.
where were the thrips then eh
Driving around of late its been good to see that the harvest has happened and is now almost all in, the thing is where were the thrips this year. You know the thunder flies where were they this year. Who knows eh.
Sunday, 29 July 2012
there has to be a caption to go with this
a funny think happened on the way to the newt fence
Well I was there anyway but needed a title so there it is. I mentioned the other week I found a metal plate on what was left of an old tractor trailer.
Found something else today another relic from the past, a door hinge, is that all well yes but the quality and pride that went into was obvious, even cast there name in it to make sure everyone knew who made it.
Charles Collinge of Lambeth made it and wanted the word to know.
Found something else today another relic from the past, a door hinge, is that all well yes but the quality and pride that went into was obvious, even cast there name in it to make sure everyone knew who made it.
gis a sarnie
Went on a course this week advanced bird ID it was. Anyway half way through the first morning I sees a movement out of the window and there well you can see below,
A fox cub well grown but still a cub, turned up often around the place where the course was running. Got too friendly if you ask me and then I hear they all do that down here.
Do they I thinks I know what would happen elsewhere, much as it was interesting you have to wonder where it will end.
Do they I thinks I know what would happen elsewhere, much as it was interesting you have to wonder where it will end.
last weekend twas FATE
Oh yes it was Festival at the Edge FATE and a good time twas had by many folk.
Lots of stories in a fantastic setting, I needed a break so off to Much Wenlock for the weekend. The 21st FATE the real reason Much Wenlock is famous none of that OilyPixies stuff.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
next time you are watching a wildlife programme
July 31st is World Ranger Day, whats that about you might ask, well as a former ranger who is still involved in a small way with caring for our countryside I belong to an international organisation that believes we should honour those who have given their lives to protect the wildlife and world around us.
Most of the people who have died will have left wives and families who dont get any of the luxuries we take for granted such as insurance, death benefits or pensions. So please remember them on the 31st July and think of them the next time you watch a wildlife programme. You could also go to the Thin Green Line and make a donation.
WORLD RANGER DAY 31st July 2012
RANGER ROLL OF HONOUR IN MEMORIAM 31/07/2011 to 31/07/2011
ZOMEDEL PIERRE ACHILLE · Cameroon · homicide •
JAIRO ANTONIO VARELA ARBOLEDA · Colombia · homicide •
MICHEL IMANIRAFASHA · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
PARIS PALUKU · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
PHILIPPE NZABONIMPA · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
ELOY VARGAS MEDRANO · Dominican Republic · homicide •
CHRISTIAN BOAKYE · Ghana · homicide •
AMRIT SARMA · India · killed by elephant •
ARUMUGAM · India · homicide •
AVNISH · India · homicide •
BABULAL · India · vehicle accident •
BAKUL NATH · India · killed by elephant •
CHAKRAMONI BORGOYARY · India · homicide •
GOVINDA RAJ · India · vehicle accident •
JITENDRA MAHTO · India · homicide •
JOGESWAR PAHARI · India · homicide •
KAITHAN · India · killed by elephant •
M SRINIVASULU · India · homicide •
MADAN H NAYAK · India · homicide •
MAJJI MADHAVA RAO · India · homicide •
MAN SINGH · India · malaria •
MARSHAL KHARSYNTENG · India · killed by elephant •
MURUGAN · India · killed by dam collapse •
MUSHTAQ AHMAD SOFI · India · homicide •
NARAYAN DUAN · India · homicide •
NATERAJAN · India · killed by elephant •
PHANIN MUSHAHARY · India · homicide •
PRAKASH NAIK · India · suffocation fighting forest fire •
RAJEESH · India · dengue fever •
RAMABAI NAGAR R K GANGWAR · India ·vehicle accident•
RAMBABU · India · vehicle accident •
RAMADAS · India · killed by elephant •
RAMPHUL SHARMA · India · homicide •
SANTOSH KUMAR YADAV · India · killed by tiger •
SHIVRAM · India · vehicle accident •
SITARAM M WADYE · India · killed by tiger •
SONAULLAH ZARGAR · India · homicide •
SUSANTA MAHANTA · India · killed by wild buffalo •
VASU · India · killed by elephant •
VEERESH SIDDAIAH HIREMATH · India · homicide •
VISHAL PRABHAKAR · India · homicide •
RUSLAN KIM · Kazakhstan · homicide •
ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED · Kenya · homicide •
NOORDIN ABDI GURREH · Kenya · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Kenya · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Kenya · homicide •
SARKIN DAJI · Nigeria · homicide •
LAWAL NAGWAGGWO · Nigeria · homicide •
MUHAMMAD HASSAN · Nigeria · homicide •
MELANIA DIRAIN · Philippines · homicide •
ENOCK SIBUYI · South Africa · homicide •
MBAZWANI MHLONGO · South Africa · drowned •
PHUMLANI MTHEMBU · South Africa · drowned •
ZEPHANIA MBUSO MYENI · South Africa · homicide •
CARLOS VOZMEDIANO DEL BURGO · Spain · killed in avalanche •
DANA BRUCE · United States · vehicle accident •
DAVID CALDWELL · United States · collapsed at work •
MARGARET ANDERSON · United States · homicide •
MICHAEL BOEHM · United States · collapsed at work •
NICK HALL · United States · killed during search and rescue operation •
ROBERT J THORNTON · United States · collapsed at work •
HORACIO PEREZ RIBAS · Venezuela · homicide •
LIBAKENGI CHIBENGE · Zambia · homicide •
SITALI MUSOLOLE · Zambia · homicide
Lets hope the list gets no longer in whats left of July.
Malcolm Busby
Most of the people who have died will have left wives and families who dont get any of the luxuries we take for granted such as insurance, death benefits or pensions. So please remember them on the 31st July and think of them the next time you watch a wildlife programme. You could also go to the Thin Green Line and make a donation.
WORLD RANGER DAY 31st July 2012
RANGER ROLL OF HONOUR IN MEMORIAM 31/07/2011 to 31/07/2011
ZOMEDEL PIERRE ACHILLE · Cameroon · homicide •
JAIRO ANTONIO VARELA ARBOLEDA · Colombia · homicide •
MICHEL IMANIRAFASHA · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
PARIS PALUKU · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
PHILIPPE NZABONIMPA · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Democratic Republic of Congo · homicide •
ELOY VARGAS MEDRANO · Dominican Republic · homicide •
CHRISTIAN BOAKYE · Ghana · homicide •
AMRIT SARMA · India · killed by elephant •
ARUMUGAM · India · homicide •
AVNISH · India · homicide •
BABULAL · India · vehicle accident •
BAKUL NATH · India · killed by elephant •
CHAKRAMONI BORGOYARY · India · homicide •
GOVINDA RAJ · India · vehicle accident •
JITENDRA MAHTO · India · homicide •
JOGESWAR PAHARI · India · homicide •
KAITHAN · India · killed by elephant •
M SRINIVASULU · India · homicide •
MADAN H NAYAK · India · homicide •
MAJJI MADHAVA RAO · India · homicide •
MAN SINGH · India · malaria •
MARSHAL KHARSYNTENG · India · killed by elephant •
MURUGAN · India · killed by dam collapse •
MUSHTAQ AHMAD SOFI · India · homicide •
NARAYAN DUAN · India · homicide •
NATERAJAN · India · killed by elephant •
PHANIN MUSHAHARY · India · homicide •
PRAKASH NAIK · India · suffocation fighting forest fire •
RAJEESH · India · dengue fever •
RAMABAI NAGAR R K GANGWAR · India ·vehicle accident•
RAMBABU · India · vehicle accident •
RAMADAS · India · killed by elephant •
RAMPHUL SHARMA · India · homicide •
SANTOSH KUMAR YADAV · India · killed by tiger •
SHIVRAM · India · vehicle accident •
SITARAM M WADYE · India · killed by tiger •
SONAULLAH ZARGAR · India · homicide •
SUSANTA MAHANTA · India · killed by wild buffalo •
VASU · India · killed by elephant •
VEERESH SIDDAIAH HIREMATH · India · homicide •
VISHAL PRABHAKAR · India · homicide •
RUSLAN KIM · Kazakhstan · homicide •
ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED · Kenya · homicide •
NOORDIN ABDI GURREH · Kenya · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Kenya · homicide •
NAME NOT KNOWN · Kenya · homicide •
SARKIN DAJI · Nigeria · homicide •
LAWAL NAGWAGGWO · Nigeria · homicide •
MUHAMMAD HASSAN · Nigeria · homicide •
MELANIA DIRAIN · Philippines · homicide •
ENOCK SIBUYI · South Africa · homicide •
MBAZWANI MHLONGO · South Africa · drowned •
PHUMLANI MTHEMBU · South Africa · drowned •
ZEPHANIA MBUSO MYENI · South Africa · homicide •
CARLOS VOZMEDIANO DEL BURGO · Spain · killed in avalanche •
DANA BRUCE · United States · vehicle accident •
DAVID CALDWELL · United States · collapsed at work •
MARGARET ANDERSON · United States · homicide •
MICHAEL BOEHM · United States · collapsed at work •
NICK HALL · United States · killed during search and rescue operation •
ROBERT J THORNTON · United States · collapsed at work •
HORACIO PEREZ RIBAS · Venezuela · homicide •
LIBAKENGI CHIBENGE · Zambia · homicide •
SITALI MUSOLOLE · Zambia · homicide
Lets hope the list gets no longer in whats left of July.
Malcolm Busby
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
have you seen one of these before then
Was out doing some ecological work last weekend and had a chance to look at a ruined old farm trailer. Hang on I says whats that there then.
A metal labal which as luck would have it came of really easily. Its quite heavy and I suspect WW2 vintage as it mentions the Min of Ag but I could be wrong. No idea what sort of alloy it is made of, probably what they used to call monkey metal in the days of yore when I worked in general engineering.
See picture below of wording cast onto it. I have searched for the company ont tinterweb but no luck.
A metal labal which as luck would have it came of really easily. Its quite heavy and I suspect WW2 vintage as it mentions the Min of Ag but I could be wrong. No idea what sort of alloy it is made of, probably what they used to call monkey metal in the days of yore when I worked in general engineering.
See picture below of wording cast onto it. I have searched for the company ont tinterweb but no luck.
what do the frogs know
Worked ina garden today with a box hedge in it, while looking at said hedge could not help but notice well it was pointed out to me actually that there sitting on top was a frog, and a big one at that, most handsome it was, dont believe me look at the picture.
The thing is later on I looked and yes there was still a frog but it was now a lot smaller.
This of course has got me thinking, was the frog a banker and it is now less over inflated by its own importance. Could be completely wrong of course. Looks a bit like a bank manager i used to know looking at it again, hmmn.
This of course has got me thinking, was the frog a banker and it is now less over inflated by its own importance. Could be completely wrong of course. Looks a bit like a bank manager i used to know looking at it again, hmmn.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
have you ever had a hard day at work
We all do it moan about the hard day we have had at work every now and then. Nothing comes close to this though;
It has been
a tragic week for the conservation world with
9
rangers
killed in the line of duty in Africa and
Kazakhstan
Mbazawani
Mhlongo, 57 and Phumlani Mthembu, 34
are
missing presumed
drowned after they confiscated a canoe
used by
commercial wildlife poachers in South
Africa’s
Enseleni Nature
Reserve on Friday 23 June.
In a separate
incident at least five rangers were killed
and
one other is
missing presumed dead in an attack by Mai Mai
rebels on the
Okapi Conservation Project in the Democratic
Republic of
Congo (DRC) late last week. A further
incident,
just reported,
has one Ranger reported killed in a
massacre
in
Kazakhstan.
Source Sean Wilmore, Thin Green Line.
Friday, 22 June 2012
spaghetti gardening!
So there I was in this garden this afternoon the breeze blowing strongly bringing the next sharp shower rolling towards me as I cut and clipped, weeded and gathered.
Then it dawned on me a couple of gardens away they have got some wind chimes and the breeze was making them clang and clank in a very unpeaceful manner.
But it was the noise they were making that made me smile, I expected to get a whiff of a cheap little cigar or hear the sound of clanking spurs. It was definately a case of A Fistful of Dollars and I bet you can guess the tune they were making.
Then it dawned on me a couple of gardens away they have got some wind chimes and the breeze was making them clang and clank in a very unpeaceful manner.
But it was the noise they were making that made me smile, I expected to get a whiff of a cheap little cigar or hear the sound of clanking spurs. It was definately a case of A Fistful of Dollars and I bet you can guess the tune they were making.
buy with confidence trumpet blow
So there I was a few months ago thinking how can I join some sort of scheme and perhaps get some more work in. Bit difficult as I work as a gardener, storyteller and carry out wildlife surveys of one sort or another.
Then I hear about this scheme run by Trading Standards in Cambridgeshire part of a national scheme called Buy With Confidence. Its going to cost but should I give it a go, so I did. Now lo and behold after all the forms have been filled in, proved I am self employed and have insurance, references from clients sought and a CRB obtained I am registered with the scheme.
So the car now has a buy with confidence logo on it and a new sign that is bigger and brighter proclaiming what I am listed by the scheme as providing; Gardening, Storytelling and Wildlife Surveys.
Time for a pretty picture.
And the flowers smelt lovely.
Then I hear about this scheme run by Trading Standards in Cambridgeshire part of a national scheme called Buy With Confidence. Its going to cost but should I give it a go, so I did. Now lo and behold after all the forms have been filled in, proved I am self employed and have insurance, references from clients sought and a CRB obtained I am registered with the scheme.
So the car now has a buy with confidence logo on it and a new sign that is bigger and brighter proclaiming what I am listed by the scheme as providing; Gardening, Storytelling and Wildlife Surveys.
Time for a pretty picture.
Friday, 11 May 2012
not enough blogs and town criers
I keep meaning to post a blog but cant find my roundtoit, dont know where I left it.
Anyway last Saturday I helped out with the procession for Eel Day at Ely by volunteering as a steward, standing there waiting for it to start it became obvious that there was quite a hussle of Town Criers also in the parade. Naturally enough I started to wonder what the collective noun or words would be for such a gathering, see picture below, and that was less than half of them.
So I voiced this thought to the other stewards waiting to help with the procession. After some thought the words suggested by a thoughtful Mark were "a disturbance of Town Criers".
What can I say, it fits, might not be too popular with the aforementioned Town Criers but!
Anyway last Saturday I helped out with the procession for Eel Day at Ely by volunteering as a steward, standing there waiting for it to start it became obvious that there was quite a hussle of Town Criers also in the parade. Naturally enough I started to wonder what the collective noun or words would be for such a gathering, see picture below, and that was less than half of them.
So I voiced this thought to the other stewards waiting to help with the procession. After some thought the words suggested by a thoughtful Mark were "a disturbance of Town Criers".
What can I say, it fits, might not be too popular with the aforementioned Town Criers but!
Saturday, 21 April 2012
glorious morning
Just got back from a 3 hour slowish walk from Histon to Westwick and back. A tad chilly to start but warmed up towards the end, a shower building as you can see in the picture below.
But a glorious morning none the less. Skylarks in full song across the fields when the sun got out, a real pleasure to be alive and there taking it in. Quite a few blackcap about as well, some giving wonderful views both male and female. Did get one surprise, a nice male Redstart in a gappy piece of sunlit hedge lovely and bright red front and chest with his black mask, a passage bird no doubt and me in the right place at the right time.
But a glorious morning none the less. Skylarks in full song across the fields when the sun got out, a real pleasure to be alive and there taking it in. Quite a few blackcap about as well, some giving wonderful views both male and female. Did get one surprise, a nice male Redstart in a gappy piece of sunlit hedge lovely and bright red front and chest with his black mask, a passage bird no doubt and me in the right place at the right time.
Monday, 2 April 2012
bee news
We should all be interested in the article below, apologies if its a bit technical.
Pesticides linked to honeybee decline
Damien Carrington, guardian head of environment 29th March, 2012
The first study conducted in a natural environment has shown that systemic pesticides damage bees' ability to navigate
Common crop pesticides have been shown for the first time to seriously harm bees by damaging their renowned ability to navigate home.The new research strongly links the pesticides to the serious decline in honey bee numbers in the US and UK – a drop of around 50 per cent in the last 25 years. The losses pose a threat to food supplies as bees pollinate a third of the food we eat such as tomatoes, beans, apples and strawberries.
Scientists found that bees consuming one pesticide suffered an 85 per cent loss in the number of queens their nests produced, while another study showed a doubling in "disappeared" bees – those that failed to return from food foraging trips. The significance of the new work, published Science, is that it is the first carried out in realistic, open-air conditions.
'People had found pretty trivial effects in lab and greenhouse experiments, but we have shown they can translate into really big effects in the field. This has transformed our understanding,'said Prof David Goulson, at the University of Stirling and leader of one of the research teams. 'If it's only one metre from where they forage in a lab to their nest, even an unwell bee can manage that.'
Prof Mickaël Henry, at INRA in Avignon, France, who led a separate research team, said: 'Under the effects we saw from the pesticides, the population size would decline disastrously, and make them even more sensitive to parasites or a lack of food.
Decline blamed on disease, loss of forage and pesticides
The reason for the huge decline in bee numbers has remained uncertain, but pesticides, the varroa mite and other parasites, and destruction of the flower-rich habitats in which bees feed are believed to be the key reasons. Pesticide manufacturers and the UK government deny a class of the chemicals called neonicotinoids cause significant problems for bees, but Germany, Italy and France have suspended key insecticides over such fears.
A spokesperson from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the new research did not change the government's position. 'The UK has a robust system for assessing risks from pesticides and all the evidence shows neonicotinoids do not pose an unacceptable risk to honeybees when products are used correctly. However, we will not hesitate to act if presented with any new evidence.'
Henry said the new research showed current approval processes for the pesticides are inadequate: 'We now have enough data to say authorisation processes must take into account not only the lethal effects, but also the effects of non-lethal doses.'
The pesticides investigated in the new studies - insect neurotoxins called neonicotinoids - are applied to seeds and flow through the plants' whole system. The environmental advantage of this is it reduces pesticide spraying but chemicals end up in the nectar and pollen on which bees feed. Goulson's group studied an extremely widely used type called imidacloprid, primarily manufactured by Bayer CropScience, and registered for use on over 140 crops in 120 countries.
Bumblebees were fed the toxin at the same level found in treated rape plants and found that these colonies were about 10 per cent smaller than those not exposed to the insecticide. Most strikingly, the exposed colonies lost almost all of their ability to produce queens, which are the only bee to survive the winter and establish new colonies. 'There was a staggering magnitude of effect,' said Goulson. 'This is likely to have a substantial population-level impact.'
The French team analysed the effect on honey bees of a new generation neonicotinoid, called thiamethoxam and manufactured by Syngenta. They fitted tiny electronic tags to over 650 bees and monitored their activity around the hive. Those exposed to "commonly encountered" levels of thiamethoxam suffered high mortality, with up to a third of the bees failing to return. 'They disappeared in much higher numbers than expected,' said Henry. Previous scientific work has shown insect neurotoxins may cause memory, learning, and navigation problems in bees.
A spokesman for Syngenta said: 'Although we take good research very seriously, over the last four years,independent authorities in France have closely monitored the use of Cruiser – the product containing thiamethoxam – on more than 1.9m hectares. When properly used no cases of bee mortality have been recorded.'
Julian Little, spokesman for Bayer Cropscience, criticised Goulson's study because the bees were exposed to imidacloprid in the labaratory, before being placed outside in a natural field environment to feed. 'All studies looking at the interaction of bees and pesticides must be done in a full field situation,' he said. 'This study does not demonstrate that current agricultural practices damage bee colonies.'
Goulson dismissed as "nonsense" Little's suggestion that the doses given to the bees were higher than in reality. Both Bayer and Defra suggested other field studies had shown no harmful effects to bees. Goulson said: 'If they have done these studies, where are they? They are not in the public domain and therefore cannot be scrutinised. That raises the question of just how good they are.'
This article came from ENN and before that from the Guardian Environment Network
Saturday, 24 March 2012
digging andrena
I was working in a garden Thursday afternoon planting some shrubs. Got a hole dug and started noticing these rich reddy brown blobs starting to move about.
They were Tawny Mining Bees Andrena fulva and there was muggins digging a load up. They are a solitary bee which hopefully with the weather we are having will survive having come out of hibernation a bit sooner perhaps than they would have liked. I had no idea that last year some females had all found that bit of garden and then used it for their brood tunnels. I was finding then up to 150mm deep in little chambers.
Thinking back afterwards about May/June I had seen a very tame female blackbird sitting in that area catching and eating some insects but did not go too close to her.
Heres hoping some survive they are lovely little bees and should be about soon.
They were Tawny Mining Bees Andrena fulva and there was muggins digging a load up. They are a solitary bee which hopefully with the weather we are having will survive having come out of hibernation a bit sooner perhaps than they would have liked. I had no idea that last year some females had all found that bit of garden and then used it for their brood tunnels. I was finding then up to 150mm deep in little chambers.
Thinking back afterwards about May/June I had seen a very tame female blackbird sitting in that area catching and eating some insects but did not go too close to her.
Heres hoping some survive they are lovely little bees and should be about soon.
Saturday, 17 March 2012
baby boomers to blame
I have heard this suggestion a
few times of late and find it laughable to blame the consumer, in this
case baby boomers, for all the ills of society at this time.
In
the first place none of us of who fit that description asked to be born
then, our parents were even encouraged to have children to help rebuild
the country after WW2 I seem to recall. What did that increasing
population then see, an explosion of consumer products and services
which we were all encouraged to enjoy and own to support the economy.
The same goes for the health service we were led to expect more. Then we
come to housing and the decision to allow tenents to buy council houses
and not replace those sold with new ones. Could the problems have been
foreseen, who knows but as we all know hindsight is a marvellous
thing.
Monday, 12 March 2012
I am not worthy or am I
I apologise for existing, getting in your way and holding you up this evening, to the driver of the metallic goldish large Ford saloon, it was a bit mucky so cant be precise about the colour or the registration number.
What did he do, he overtook me this evening in Histon at about ten past five as I had just about stopped in the middle of the road and was about to turn right.
I had given my usual plenty of notice via my indicators that I was turning right as well and had seen the car wanting to turn right out of the road I turn into, I was going to let it go before I turned right.
For some reason I looked in my mirror again at the last moment after making sure nothing was coming towards me to see the Ford saloon coming up behind me deliberately swerve out, overtake me and just carry on. No flashing lights, no siren, no nothing.
What can you say.
I am just glad I stopped still and watched him go past. I am still here and uninjured. Those who look after me were obviously doing just that.
What did he do, he overtook me this evening in Histon at about ten past five as I had just about stopped in the middle of the road and was about to turn right.
I had given my usual plenty of notice via my indicators that I was turning right as well and had seen the car wanting to turn right out of the road I turn into, I was going to let it go before I turned right.
For some reason I looked in my mirror again at the last moment after making sure nothing was coming towards me to see the Ford saloon coming up behind me deliberately swerve out, overtake me and just carry on. No flashing lights, no siren, no nothing.
What can you say.
I am just glad I stopped still and watched him go past. I am still here and uninjured. Those who look after me were obviously doing just that.
Take a look at this petition please
Now lots of folk watched the recent adaptation I am sure of Sherlock. An interesting set of adaptations.
Well Conan Doyles house needs saving which is where the link below will take you. Go on sign up a fuss needs to be caused and someone needs to be found to buy it.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31207
Well Conan Doyles house needs saving which is where the link below will take you. Go on sign up a fuss needs to be caused and someone needs to be found to buy it.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31207
Sunday, 11 March 2012
observations on life
Mothers Day coming up so in T**** the other day I found a card and of I toddled to pay and go home. Back home of course I look for the envelope and yes you might have guessed it there was none. Why is it that some shops these days have cards and envelopes seperate and you have to rememebr to pick one of each up.
Talking about the T shop for weeks if you wanted a member of staff in my local one at Milton you have had to look for someone in their own clothes packing shelves and hoping they had a name badge on.
Am I becoming a grumpy old man, dont say yes.
Talking about the T shop for weeks if you wanted a member of staff in my local one at Milton you have had to look for someone in their own clothes packing shelves and hoping they had a name badge on.
Am I becoming a grumpy old man, dont say yes.
Monday, 27 February 2012
of mice and men
Finally the proof was in my hands yes a wood mouse plucked alive if only just, plucked from under the nose of my cat. A new wildlife record for the house and its garden. The cat was wondering where it had gone mind but the mouse survived to tell the tale of getting played with by a cat and then this great big pink thing with five tentacles plucked it from under the cats nose.
And onto men, there I was at this media training day and I got talking to this chap, where do you live I said , Colne he said, blimey I says my Mum used to pick fruit there for so and so, oh yes he said whats you name so I tells him, he looks then says I knew a Busby years ago used to work for the chemist in Somersham he put our cat down he did it in the bath. My turn to look stunned. That was my grandad putting down dogs and cats was something he did to earn money for the chemist, he also charmed warts and repaired dentures and spectacles.
And onto men, there I was at this media training day and I got talking to this chap, where do you live I said , Colne he said, blimey I says my Mum used to pick fruit there for so and so, oh yes he said whats you name so I tells him, he looks then says I knew a Busby years ago used to work for the chemist in Somersham he put our cat down he did it in the bath. My turn to look stunned. That was my grandad putting down dogs and cats was something he did to earn money for the chemist, he also charmed warts and repaired dentures and spectacles.
whether lovely init
Do we know what season it is, do we, blimey does the world.
It was only a couple of weeks ago we had the snow and the cold weather, had a lovely morning of freezing fog and went for a walk, everywhere so quiet all senses heightened, you could smell the creosote coming from a newly installed telegraph pole and hear the wing beats from pigeons as they flew above.
It was good to see it didnt stop the guide bus running, and what can you say about the service track beside it its great a surfaced path for walking and cycling kept almost completely clear for miles great for walking.
It was only a couple of weeks ago we had the snow and the cold weather, had a lovely morning of freezing fog and went for a walk, everywhere so quiet all senses heightened, you could smell the creosote coming from a newly installed telegraph pole and hear the wing beats from pigeons as they flew above.
It was good to see it didnt stop the guide bus running, and what can you say about the service track beside it its great a surfaced path for walking and cycling kept almost completely clear for miles great for walking.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
the memories that come back to you
During the snowy weather I couldnt do any gardening really and to stop myself sitting and eating I went a wandering hither and thither around the village.
Found myself on the safety track beside the guided busway which was great, snow and ice free for the most part. I was looking at a nice flock of goldfinches when I first heard the unmistakable sound of reversing forklifts at Chivers. Yes the jamworks, well jam and all sorts really.
Anyway there was one forklift and then another and then another and as I was in bord mode I started to have these daft thoughts, was I listening to a pair of forklifts a breeding pair perhaps, having got that far a memory came flooding back.
I worked for the UK arm of a german company that made specialist vehicles once upon a time, in the UK it was streetsweepers. A senior manager left and set up his own company making yes youve guessed it streetsweepers. Well the banter started and before you knew it a cartoon was circulating, it showed one of our sweepers mounting one of there's with the wording "******* always on top" shame I darnt use the company name think its lost something but you get the drift hopefully.
Aarrgghh memories..........
Found myself on the safety track beside the guided busway which was great, snow and ice free for the most part. I was looking at a nice flock of goldfinches when I first heard the unmistakable sound of reversing forklifts at Chivers. Yes the jamworks, well jam and all sorts really.
Anyway there was one forklift and then another and then another and as I was in bord mode I started to have these daft thoughts, was I listening to a pair of forklifts a breeding pair perhaps, having got that far a memory came flooding back.
I worked for the UK arm of a german company that made specialist vehicles once upon a time, in the UK it was streetsweepers. A senior manager left and set up his own company making yes youve guessed it streetsweepers. Well the banter started and before you knew it a cartoon was circulating, it showed one of our sweepers mounting one of there's with the wording "******* always on top" shame I darnt use the company name think its lost something but you get the drift hopefully.
Aarrgghh memories..........
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
dabchick avenue
Now who wrote that song?
I mentioned the other day that I had a stroll down the river just before the snow, not enough work to do strolling around I dont know.
Anyway apart from the cormorants in the trees and a couple of kingfishers it ws great to see and hear Little Grebes or Dabchicks as we used to call them and some still do.
As I walked the stretch from Fen Road Milton to Clayhithe bridge there was over a dozen, a couple near the start which was nice they are lovely little birds all squat and you wonder how they can dive then they do it. Further on by the willows in the picture there were 8 more and these were great, as I got closer they moved closer to the bank where the willows grew but kept on diving and coming back up and when on the surface keeping an eye on me. With all 8 bobbing up and down there were always a couple on the surface and it was like watching mice popping up and down. Moving on past this group I came to the last group a little gang of 4 again all bobbing up and down this time using a thin strip of reeds to peep at me from. On the way back after passing them again there came the quietish braying laugh that is there call which again made me smile.
So that stretch of river will live in my mind for today at least as Dabchick Avenue, sad git eh.
I mentioned the other day that I had a stroll down the river just before the snow, not enough work to do strolling around I dont know.
Anyway apart from the cormorants in the trees and a couple of kingfishers it ws great to see and hear Little Grebes or Dabchicks as we used to call them and some still do.
As I walked the stretch from Fen Road Milton to Clayhithe bridge there was over a dozen, a couple near the start which was nice they are lovely little birds all squat and you wonder how they can dive then they do it. Further on by the willows in the picture there were 8 more and these were great, as I got closer they moved closer to the bank where the willows grew but kept on diving and coming back up and when on the surface keeping an eye on me. With all 8 bobbing up and down there were always a couple on the surface and it was like watching mice popping up and down. Moving on past this group I came to the last group a little gang of 4 again all bobbing up and down this time using a thin strip of reeds to peep at me from. On the way back after passing them again there came the quietish braying laugh that is there call which again made me smile.
So that stretch of river will live in my mind for today at least as Dabchick Avenue, sad git eh.
Monday, 6 February 2012
wicken vision and wider countryside
These days I can openly write letters to the local paper and put things on Blogger about topics that interest me.
One of those topics is the Wicken Vision, a long term National Trust landscape scale project similar to many others across the country being developed by a range of organisations such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and even the Environment Agency. The need for them has come about after a realisation that smaller reserve areas for wildlife do not offer enough scope or space for wildlife. Why not, well it has become obvious that wildlife in all its forms needs more space to exist and cope with things such as climate change and the loss of habitats outside smaller reserve areas. Larger areas will offer space for wildlife to live and people to visit causing less disturbance.
The Wicken Vision scheme has been underway since the late 90's and almost as soon as the project was launched a campaign against it also sprung up. At one time I wondered if the campaign against the Wicken Vision was just a difference of opinion or a reaction against change, now in this case I am not so sure.
I know that there are voices against some of the other schemes as you might expect and I can understand why. Lets face it for such schemes to take place land needs to be bought and often its use changed from say arable farmland to nature reserve. So people might resent that change, they might lose livlihoods or see any reversion as a waste of hard work and food production space. In this case the campaign appears to be led by one man supported by a number of others who regularly write letters to the local paper.
After the campaigns latest letter in my local paper the Cambridge News in early January, in which the sacking of staff was openly called for and there actions queried yet again I decided finally to write a letter in defence of the project. There has since been an exchange of letters with a recent admission that those against the Wicken Vision are engaged in a "demolition job" against it.
To see such an admission shows comittment to a cause which in its own way is admirable I know but you have to ask, why has it come to this level of bitterness and hostility. I know that the National Trust carried out a lot of consultation from the start and has tried to listen to peoples concerns. Surely though there is a bigger picture here. The countryside in all its forms is valuable, it is also for the most part by farmers and farmed to produce food for which we are all grateful. At the same time it is also used by many other different groups of other people; walkers, countryside sportsmen, naturalists and the general public as a whole. All use it, all enjoy and value it there has to be beter communication and cooperation between the groups and an end to constant bickering and name calling, the countryside as a whole will be a winner and surely that is what we should all be after.
One of those topics is the Wicken Vision, a long term National Trust landscape scale project similar to many others across the country being developed by a range of organisations such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and even the Environment Agency. The need for them has come about after a realisation that smaller reserve areas for wildlife do not offer enough scope or space for wildlife. Why not, well it has become obvious that wildlife in all its forms needs more space to exist and cope with things such as climate change and the loss of habitats outside smaller reserve areas. Larger areas will offer space for wildlife to live and people to visit causing less disturbance.
The Wicken Vision scheme has been underway since the late 90's and almost as soon as the project was launched a campaign against it also sprung up. At one time I wondered if the campaign against the Wicken Vision was just a difference of opinion or a reaction against change, now in this case I am not so sure.
I know that there are voices against some of the other schemes as you might expect and I can understand why. Lets face it for such schemes to take place land needs to be bought and often its use changed from say arable farmland to nature reserve. So people might resent that change, they might lose livlihoods or see any reversion as a waste of hard work and food production space. In this case the campaign appears to be led by one man supported by a number of others who regularly write letters to the local paper.
After the campaigns latest letter in my local paper the Cambridge News in early January, in which the sacking of staff was openly called for and there actions queried yet again I decided finally to write a letter in defence of the project. There has since been an exchange of letters with a recent admission that those against the Wicken Vision are engaged in a "demolition job" against it.
To see such an admission shows comittment to a cause which in its own way is admirable I know but you have to ask, why has it come to this level of bitterness and hostility. I know that the National Trust carried out a lot of consultation from the start and has tried to listen to peoples concerns. Surely though there is a bigger picture here. The countryside in all its forms is valuable, it is also for the most part by farmers and farmed to produce food for which we are all grateful. At the same time it is also used by many other different groups of other people; walkers, countryside sportsmen, naturalists and the general public as a whole. All use it, all enjoy and value it there has to be beter communication and cooperation between the groups and an end to constant bickering and name calling, the countryside as a whole will be a winner and surely that is what we should all be after.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
some winter at last
Well I reckon most of us in jolly old england got some snow last night and about time too this winter. Dont know what its doing elsewhere but here in Cambridge its gone a bit mushy around the bottom and thats just the snow.
Glad I got a walk down the river in the other day but perhaps I should have read the omens differently.
Theres an old saying " when the fenland vultures perch on a dead tree dont stand underneath it cos you might get snowed on".
Glad I got a walk down the river in the other day but perhaps I should have read the omens differently.
Theres an old saying " when the fenland vultures perch on a dead tree dont stand underneath it cos you might get snowed on".
Friday, 3 February 2012
words and memories
Well its been a slow week workwise but plenty of time to think and come across memories and words.
Listening to the radio the other day and up comes the overture to the Theiving Magpie by Rossini. Many years ago and I mean many I worked in a family general engineering company as a machinist. I started there from secondary school and was one of many trainees, I say many because what we used to get up to was disastrous at times especially on a friday afternoon after a liquid lunch. Moving machinery and a group of lads full of ales, not a good mix. Anyway the shop foreman as such was almost as bad as we were and had this old reel to reel tape deck in the shop all open gathering oil and dust with the one tape, which was the full Rossini opera score. If he ever felt really fed up on it would go and off we would go.
While meandering about in my youth I came across a small tin in someones utility room that I have to share, its one for the childish, well blokes perhaps. Its the words that are used that get me, have a look and a read.
They were made by Boots as something for speakers with sore throats, now where me Meloids.
Listening to the radio the other day and up comes the overture to the Theiving Magpie by Rossini. Many years ago and I mean many I worked in a family general engineering company as a machinist. I started there from secondary school and was one of many trainees, I say many because what we used to get up to was disastrous at times especially on a friday afternoon after a liquid lunch. Moving machinery and a group of lads full of ales, not a good mix. Anyway the shop foreman as such was almost as bad as we were and had this old reel to reel tape deck in the shop all open gathering oil and dust with the one tape, which was the full Rossini opera score. If he ever felt really fed up on it would go and off we would go.
While meandering about in my youth I came across a small tin in someones utility room that I have to share, its one for the childish, well blokes perhaps. Its the words that are used that get me, have a look and a read.
They were made by Boots as something for speakers with sore throats, now where me Meloids.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
telling to children again
Did a bit of telling the other day in Cambridge at a school, greek myths, a smattering of the legacy told with another teller. Enjoyable and good to be telling to children again. They really liked the tales of Heracles and the gory and messy labours everything from the hydra to the apples.
Thursday, 19 January 2012
tempting fate good times and sad news
Well it had to happen didnt it. I talk about mild weather and we get frost for a few days. About time too it looked seasonal and winterish which makes a change.
Been out and about again, another trip to the coast to mark someones birthday. Frost on the sand and some nice mammals and birds and lovely Norfolk scenery. A stoat in full ermine was lovely to see as it dashed about on a roadside verge. A small group of Grey Partridges in a field beside a car parking area with beyond them pinkfooted geese and a quartering barn owl. Pictures in the mind for other days.
Then onto more sad news I am afraid, I posted about the number of Rangers lost in 2011 working in and gaurding the wildlife and special places around the world. 2012 has not started well in this respect at all. Four Rangers in four different countries have been killed be poachers and other folk who dont like what they do to protect the natural world in all its forms that we see and perhaps take for granted on TV screens. For most of the families of those lost life will be very hard now without a breadwinner. For one where the Ranger lost was a woman her husband is also a Ranger in the same park, going to work will never be the same again I am sure.
We must never lose our love of special places but we also never forget that people work hard to maintain them, in some cases risking their lived to do it on a daily basis.
Been out and about again, another trip to the coast to mark someones birthday. Frost on the sand and some nice mammals and birds and lovely Norfolk scenery. A stoat in full ermine was lovely to see as it dashed about on a roadside verge. A small group of Grey Partridges in a field beside a car parking area with beyond them pinkfooted geese and a quartering barn owl. Pictures in the mind for other days.
Then onto more sad news I am afraid, I posted about the number of Rangers lost in 2011 working in and gaurding the wildlife and special places around the world. 2012 has not started well in this respect at all. Four Rangers in four different countries have been killed be poachers and other folk who dont like what they do to protect the natural world in all its forms that we see and perhaps take for granted on TV screens. For most of the families of those lost life will be very hard now without a breadwinner. For one where the Ranger lost was a woman her husband is also a Ranger in the same park, going to work will never be the same again I am sure.
We must never lose our love of special places but we also never forget that people work hard to maintain them, in some cases risking their lived to do it on a daily basis.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
This not cold winter
Well I know that we do still have plenty of time for it to get cold, and yes I am hoping it will despite the long range weather suggesting its only a possibility.
I was working in a garden this morning that I have been to for a month, there I was clearing away some rubbish and I came across this flower which is going over but is still a tender Abutilon.
Thought I would also include this picture that really goes with the blog for yesterday the 11th Janaury but I had not transferred the picture then. This is the early evening of the 7th January taken with my mobile phone camera, it shows Trevor one of my brothers and his wife Jane after we had seen all those marvellous geese. The light was fantastic on the beach.
I was working in a garden this morning that I have been to for a month, there I was clearing away some rubbish and I came across this flower which is going over but is still a tender Abutilon.
Thought I would also include this picture that really goes with the blog for yesterday the 11th Janaury but I had not transferred the picture then. This is the early evening of the 7th January taken with my mobile phone camera, it shows Trevor one of my brothers and his wife Jane after we had seen all those marvellous geese. The light was fantastic on the beach.
Bard of Suffolk 2012
You might remember that I won the Bard of Suffolk competition in 2011 a title that lasts until the competition this year.
The date for the 2012 competition has just been announced its July 8th and again at West Stow Country Park. The organisers are making a big change this year, there will be a seperate competition for storytellers and poets, up to now its been combined.
This years theme is Love and I am not allowed to enter this year, I am instead a judge for the storytelling.
So if you know a storyteller or poet who wants to have a go, have a look at the Suffolk Eisteddford website, the rules are on there and get in touch with Robin Herne the main man.
The date for the 2012 competition has just been announced its July 8th and again at West Stow Country Park. The organisers are making a big change this year, there will be a seperate competition for storytellers and poets, up to now its been combined.
This years theme is Love and I am not allowed to enter this year, I am instead a judge for the storytelling.
So if you know a storyteller or poet who wants to have a go, have a look at the Suffolk Eisteddford website, the rules are on there and get in touch with Robin Herne the main man.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Winter will it get here???
Will it or not is the question. We all know its been a mild winter and they are saying that it might get colder yet but when. Try looking at a long range weather forecast and you will see what I mean.
The winter birds are here I know, I had the chance and took it to see thousands of wintering geese last saturday on the Norfolk coast. It was marvellous there were Pink footed, White fronted , Brent and Barnacle on top of the usual Greylag and Egyptian.
But back to the mildness, I was looking at a new garden this afternoon and already in flower way too early are Periwinkle, Bellflower and Hebe, not to mention a Passionfruit that looks like it has never stopped growing and is covered in buds waiting to break.
The winter birds are here I know, I had the chance and took it to see thousands of wintering geese last saturday on the Norfolk coast. It was marvellous there were Pink footed, White fronted , Brent and Barnacle on top of the usual Greylag and Egyptian.
But back to the mildness, I was looking at a new garden this afternoon and already in flower way too early are Periwinkle, Bellflower and Hebe, not to mention a Passionfruit that looks like it has never stopped growing and is covered in buds waiting to break.
Friday, 6 January 2012
words and what they say
I am often accused of taking the written too literally, whether in a paper or even on the side of a lorry.
But why not I ask, if its written its there to be read and interpreted, I am a storyteller after all, well at times anyway. I was looking at the local paper when out fell a sales booklet for a local DIY shop.
If you are still reading you might be wondering where I am going, well turning the pages I came across some elctrical power tools and suddenly stopped dead, no surely not, yes there it clearly says; ***** & ****** Mouse Sander + 15 accessories only £15.98.
Now hang on a minute this could be a cruellty case I says and who asked mice if they wanted to be sanded in the first place and if they said yes why? Then there are these 15 accessories I darnt think what they are, are they restraints to tie the poor little things down while sander happy folk carve intricate designs in their fur. Is it something to do with no body hair and these folk darnt have a go at the dog or cat and think mice are fair game.
Needless to say all I got was a smile after I finished rambling on and moved on to the next power tool; A Scorpion Saw.
But why not I ask, if its written its there to be read and interpreted, I am a storyteller after all, well at times anyway. I was looking at the local paper when out fell a sales booklet for a local DIY shop.
If you are still reading you might be wondering where I am going, well turning the pages I came across some elctrical power tools and suddenly stopped dead, no surely not, yes there it clearly says; ***** & ****** Mouse Sander + 15 accessories only £15.98.
Now hang on a minute this could be a cruellty case I says and who asked mice if they wanted to be sanded in the first place and if they said yes why? Then there are these 15 accessories I darnt think what they are, are they restraints to tie the poor little things down while sander happy folk carve intricate designs in their fur. Is it something to do with no body hair and these folk darnt have a go at the dog or cat and think mice are fair game.
Needless to say all I got was a smile after I finished rambling on and moved on to the next power tool; A Scorpion Saw.
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