every christmas thing comes to he who waits

That shop loved and hated by all and saturday had Tunis Cake in before Christmas with a shocking sell/use by date on it and at quite a price. Now its half price and with a much better sell/use by date. Yippee love Tunis Cake first had it at my paternal grandmothers many many years ago.

Might have to find another.........

I found another cracker joke...ho ho ho

Why did no one bid for Rudolph and Blitzen at the auction.








Have you got it yet







Well all right






Because they were two deer!

What a difference a day makes..........

Went back down to Burwell Fen yesterday for another walk to try and get to know it more. Lovely weather again but a lot more of the shallow water frozen and Reach Lode or that bit against the fen.

Still some nice birds about and the Roe Deer scattered all over. But no Short Eared Owl to be seen in the few hours we were there, mind you Little Owl and Barn Owl sort of made up for that. Saw a lovely female Hen Harrier and three Marsh Harrier and up to five Stonechat which was nice.

So thats two nice walks in lately, suppose I better get on with some work...............

lovely afternoon for a walk in the fen and then.............

Nice walk this afternoon down to Burwell Fen, lovely bit of sun and just a tad of cold but not too cold. Amongst the sightings were a dozen or so Roe Deer and a nice Hare, then at least 200 Golden Plover a 100 or so Lapwing, 3 Kestrel and to round it off  3 Short Eared Owl. Very nice.

A piccie of 4 of the Roe Deer, a buck and three does all be it a tad out of focus.

Also saw something that sent a shiver down my spine and reminded me of the James Wentworth Day comments about being in the Five Miles from Anywhere at Upware one night and asking who wanted to walk back along the footpaths to Wicken....... Non one did , why....

He still lives and is obviously still following people.

ho ho ho

Crackers and not me well almost perhaps...

Why do fish live in salt water.........................because pepper makes them sneeze

Why did the man keep doing the backstroke....................because he didn't want to swim on a full stomach

What do you get when you cross a computer with an elephant................ a computer with lots of memory

And finally

What makes pirates such good singers...............they can hit the high C's

Do they get better or worse, does it depend how much you pay, are they really made up by MP's sitting on the benches bored by speeches!!!!!!!!!

This made me laugh

Just bought some new lights for me bike, a rear one that is shall we say bright and a front one that is brighter.

I was reading through the pamphlet that came with the front lamp and there's a section titled Precautions.

(1) Please dont irradiate the light at human eyes directly to avoid harm to eye, especially children but except enemies.

Can/could I use this as an excuse if I shone this in one of my enemies eyes I wonder, it was in the instructions Judge.........

little and large or how not to drive perhaps

I was driving north on the M11 this afternoon close to Cambridge and saw a wonderful piece of driving.

One HGV passing another HGV and then giving right amount of room when past it before pulling in.

Behind the overtaking lorry there was a white Ford Fiesta, quite a new one, it does that usual rush up behind the overtaking lorry and braking hard as if the lorry has no right to overtake which it started to do well before the Fiesta appeared. Then I couldn't believe my eyes as the Fiesta then flashed the lorry as it wasn't pulling over quick enough for it, and it was that close at the time they must have blinded themselves with the reflection.

Did the lorry pull over immediately, what do you think, he was making sure he was past the lorry he was overtaking then he pulled in and the Fiesta was off like a shot. Bless em.

so whats this then eh..............

Its stone or is it, that's a penny next to it to give an idea of size and I found it among some gravel. There is a good half of it there and looking at the shape all my silly mind can come up with is a fossilized hazelnut shell but then I am silly.......

lovely old trees

I went along to along to a training workshop last Sunday out Wisbech way on Restorative Pruning of fruit trees, well apples and pears. After a bit of a chat it was off to look at some Bramley apple trees well over 100 years old and they were spectacular. Looked like wood pasture.

And what image came to mind straight off, Staverton Thicks. And if you dont know where they are or what is there it will mean more if you find out for yourself.

Then another reminder of veteran trees which these Bramleys have to be. First a Pheonix tree, in this case an old apple tree that fell over but stayed rooted and has regrown from the top of the laying down trunk. Then an apple tree that doesn't want to die and its not a willow. Another apple tree with most it well rotted away and gone, all there is is a thin tube or a small part of it and a branch coming of and its still solid and I hope it goes on for a few years yet.

All in all a great few hours in the fens on a cold day looking at some lovely old apple trees and finding out how to care for them, yes I know sad git, and doing a bit of pruning to try and help a few live longer.

frosty morning 9th december

A crisp one this morning and while working in one of my regular gardens I found this old friend a bit frosted.

A confusing week so far

Oh yes it is and taking a turn for the cold as well. Blimey might be time for me thermals at this rate.

So there I was working in this garden in Cambridge yesterday 8th December 2014 and as I clear up the last of this years leaves I see this lovely mix of colours, Gingko and variegated Lamium, nice contrast.

Still clearing leaves I carry on and I get a surprise, Snowdrops, on the 8th December. No doubt someone will say they have loads out.

Lovely none the less.

Internet shopping is fine but.........

Is this a story or the truth you make your own mind up, oh what the ............. its true.

Its great isn't it you push a button on your keyboard and then you get an email telling you when your delivery will arrive, this time it was bait blocks for rats.

So you wait and you wait and then you contact the seller who says its not my fault its the delivery company. We will resend it and you happen to be in when the postman arrives and gives you this gray plastic wrapped package that feels like it contains square sweets.

You have an idea whats in it and open the package carefully, inside is a black plastic package, you open that carefully and its the bait blocks, well it could be them but there is no label telling you what they are, there are no usage instructions, there is nothing about what chemicals the blocks contain or what precautions you should take when using them.

You contact the seller again who says if you can use them we will give you some money off. Sent them back they were no use, not even sure if the supplier is abiding by UK sales law.

Yes I got my money back but what about the time it took when in the first place I could have done what I did next which was........................go to a local shop, Mackays in Cambridge, and bought the product in a sealed bag with all the info on for a few quid more.

Should I have done that in the first place.

And you know what I dont think I have had so many problems with goods ordered that way than I have had this year. I'm also hearing of other folk having problems and guess what the delivery companies get blamed a lot for those problems with the sellers saying its nothing to do with us.

But you use them and surely the goods are the sellers until delivered, so how are the delivery problems not your fault.

Worryingly a friend has told me they ordered something a week before Black Friday which was not delivered when it should have been, on querying why no delivery they were told that the new scheduled delivery might now be held up because of orders received on Black Friday.

Perhaps there should be less internet shopping and more buying local, or perhaps internet sellers should treat the buying public with a bit of respect and use good delivery providers.

I have to admit this, for once I agree with my MP

I wont say it happens often but I do agree with James Paice on this. What on, solar farms thats what.

Yes I do broadly agree with them and other forms of renewable energy but solar farms are springing up all over this area like mushrooms or it seems like it.

Whats wrong with that for him and me, well land locked up for 25 years for starters unable to be used for anything else.

Locally we had a scheme announced where they said they might be able to allow grazing under the panels and cited examples where sheep graze and free range chickens roam. Surely this could be the norm. Why then do most I see not seem to have this double usage of the land.

The local scheme didn't even have any indication of the amount of land they wanted to use, something others have noticed elsewhere.

You can lay odds its all to do with money somewhere or another.

minsmere and ooh what a big boy he is

Went to RSPB Minsmere reserve last Friday for a look round, first time for over a year, nice day well it was down there anyway, brightish and breezy shall we say.

The views were stunning.

Saw some lovely birds, Stonechat, Great White Egret, Bewicks Swan and Snow Bunting. Nice views of Otter as well and the tamest of Red Deer this one about twenty feet away at most from a group of people.

Really impressed though by this fella.

a week has passed and oh how i miss them

Fisah and Chips at Aldeburgh last Friday evening on my way to a storytelling job. Almost a story in themselves, fish and chips in a thick paper shopping bag, well almost, and very nice they were too.

Set me up a treat for the work later on.

would you look at that

Now this is what you call a classy door knocker, some lovely styling, shame the door is looking a bit tired but the knocker lovely.

a change is as good as a thingy

Well its simple really the gloves are proving harder to find, obviously better camouflaged these days or they see me coming soooooooo.

Socks especially as these two just leapt up in front of me demanding to be seen by all and sundry, hows it going sundry, alright.........

 The one above is obviously getting itself into camo mode and is almost concealed, but

Well this one has just not go it yet well quite yet anyway.

you know youve missed them, its the first glove for ages and ages bless its cotton socks

Hang on Malcolm calm down its got no socks cotton or otherwise its a glove, blimey boy have you been taking the medication.

Anyway he said, trying to be calm after finding a glove again, look how this one is trying hard to blend into the background, cunning eh, is that why I haven't seen many lately now there's a thought there could be loads of them out there cunningly concealed and waiting there chance to take over the world.

Ents in the land of Story

And there it stands, it and a few more in a shelter belt planted up to a hundred and fifty years ago. This one is an Alder it stands there looking older than its age. I think its roots have gone down into the clay beneath, as the peat soil has eroded away and dropped the roots have been exposed and have developed a bark covering. Look carefully and you can see through at ground level. I might be wrong but thats my guess. Do you know a better answer???

There be giants in the land of story

I cant keep away from the land of story it draws me time after time, and today was especially tough with the rain lashing down while I was on site. Mind I could and did leave after a short while which is more than the veg pickers could do. All day in waterproofs picking celery and cabbage  in the rain and cold a lovely way to earn not a lot.

Then on the way home and thinking about what stories to tell a group of carers over their lunch, I saw these three golf balls, yes look close they are there, and giants had to feature in the stories somewhere and they did.

The Essex Tiger

Had a look round Beth Chattos gardens a few days ago, looking round I came across this character asleep in the cover afforded by some grass at the base of a Swamp Cypress.

It didn't move a muscle while I got closer and took a photo, talk about carefree. A nicely marked Tabby without a doubt.

a bit of a wandering history moment

You know what its like, you go sightseeing and taking in the story and all of a sudden you're there. You dont!

I was standing on the bridge over the A11 where Fleam Dyke is cut through by it.

I was thinking of Anglo Saxon England and the role of Fleam Dyke and Devils Dyke and the others in this area when this idea that this is a modern representation of the invasion of East Anglia by the Mercians leapt into my mind. Then I woke up!

A bit James Stewart in the Rare Breed

Came across this scene beside the Little Ouse and couldn't help thinking of that film with James Stewart The Rare Breed.

A good herd of young Herefords grazing , further upstream I suspect I saw the father or at least the father of some of them, a lovely beast he was really dark red in colour and exuding power without even trying.

Cambridge Witches 2

Now I know I have posted about these before.

Those grand ladies who stand east of Cambridge on the hills, yes hills this is Cambridgeshire after all.

But once again it is a case of how many are there 12 or 13. Spooky stuff.

apparently i'm cool

That's what this bloke said, mind he was standing outside a pub in Cambridge having a smoke after having a drink and trying to chat this lady up. So perhaps it does'nt count?

He had seen the signs on my car about the work I do and was saying tha'ts really cool man (nufsaid?) do you like do it in libraries, I humoured him with a reply and got back, that's really cool and the gang. I was speechless. Shame he wasn't.

now I know my english usage and grammar is poor but......

I was walking through ramsey t'other day and saw this pub with a well known name.

The question is horse shoes or horseshoes, or can it be either

is it local......

Now dont get me wrong I totally support the whole local food and cutting food miles campaign, but and yes there is one I have to laugh at a certain advert faced by a famous chef where he asks where the beef comes from and the veg stressing the localness and then goes onto say the stock pots he uses are the best you can get.

How many international companies do you think make stock at a local level from local ingredients, I am going to guess very few.

aint that the truth

Just got home from telling ghostly stories to a group of folk from over the county boundary. After I had done scaring them and making them laugh I got to chatting to an elderly lady and it comes out that she grew up in the Newnham Cambridge area. I asks her a few questions about growing up in Cambridge as a young girl, she was 6 when it started and at Newnham Croft School.

She tells me about a bomb that was dropped and fell on Newnham and killed her teacher Miss Barton her mother and there dog. She then talks about not liking Cambridge much, she moved out to a vilalge when she married before moving further out later on where she likes the town and the whole area.

Its not the university itself she says about Cambridge, its the wannabees. And I sit here thinking I think I know what you mean.

Another Jones van what.........

Oh yes indeedy there is another Jones the Butcher van, this one is at the Bressingham collection in there Dads Army area. If you are into Dads Army and want a bit of nostalgia get yourself there its great, old scripts, where the scenes were shot and episodes running through the day.

Onto the van this one was used in the film version or so the blurb says.

This Dads Army link takes us onto a story I was told last weekend about the last person to be executed at the Tower of London the german spy Joseph Jacobs. He landed near Ramsey in Cambridgeshire breaking an ankle in the process, attracted the attention of two farm workers who got in touch with the Home Guard and was taken into custody by a Private Godfrey, or so the story goes anyway.

The things you see eh

Wandering in Lakenheath Fen a few days ago I came across this discarded finger, I did have a look.........

Frisky little devil it was when I touched it to move it off the track it reared back its head and pushed my finger.

What is it, its a Goat Moth caterpillar and yes they are that colour but as they live inside trees chomping wood for years on end you dont see them.

What do we do

Shocking bit of film this evening on Channel 4 News about illegal immigrants crossing to Italy, all those taken off ships now are given face masks and medical checks for various things including Ebola. 

With wars in Syria and Iraq and elsewhere as well as the Ebola trouble in West Africa, what on earth can anyone do. We have Tony Blair and others advocating active involvement in a battle against ISIL, didnt quite hear him say he would be leading from the front mind.

Dear David

Dear David,

You will not be surprised to hear that my belief in you as a prime minister has not increased after your schoolboy boasting of the Queens reaction to hearing about the Scottish Independence vote. A stupid move really that I am sure would have seen you up before the head at your nice school but of course now the head you will see is the Queen herself.

I hear you are embarrassed, perhaps you should have reigned in your smug boasting comments the other day while speaking about it.

Somehow I doubt the Queen purred, for starters she is not a cat. Methinks she might be well riled and although I am sure she is too polite to say much I hope Prince Phillip is in the room.

are drivers getting worse or what!

So is it just me or what, some of the driving I have seen this week is beyond belief, why are people behaving like this.

Example 1; the road beside Mildenhall airfield, I am the third car behind a lorry driving at speed limit along road. First car wiggles and jiggles can it overtake no, so stays behind. Second car a big black Audi hangs back a bit coming upto traffic lights with straight on lane and a left filter lane then takes left filter lane when lights go green and undercuts first car and lorry.

Example 2; driving along Soham bypass three or four cars back from a tractor and trailer. Come up to one of the turn offs the one by the big common a crossroads with a big turnoff marked with road markings, the tractor indicates to turn right and before he can move into the marked area a Ford Focus light blue estate goes wide and overtakes him.

Example 3; Flitcham the road going north, roadworks marked on road ahead from middle of village. I drive along go round the sharpish corner and there is a red light so I stop. Next thing I see in the mirror is a large van going so fast I think its going to drive through my car. Next he drives past me and the red light, then stops and reverses back to the red light which of course he cannot see and waits for me to start going when the light turns green, at which point he is off like a shot again. I got his private registration number and passed it on to a police officer parked up a couple of miles further along.

Example 4; The straight from Chatteris to Manea, a tractor and trailer again and cars itching to pass. We get to the marked area by Mepal Outdoor Centre and A big black Mercedes comes storming up the outside as it gets to me a small black Mini in front of me just pulls out in front of the Mercedes. They go past and the tractor driver then indicates right and starts to move right in another hatched area as another car behind me starts to overtake me leaving me and him to brake hard.

What is it please, selfishness, no regard for self or others, cant wait a minute, want everything now or what.

I dont care how safe these people think there cars are or how good they think they are as drivers, they are pillocks of the highest order. Unlike cars human bodies are soft and damage very easily.

human rights and wrongs

In the late 1930's British people went to fight in the Spanish Civil War, a different sort of war I know but people on both sides lived and died the same. They were not trying to create a new country just change the way a country was run.The British people who left to fight if they were lucky returned, what happened to them?

There is a school of thought at the moment which says if you go to fight for the Islamic State then you should lose any British citizenship you have. As we all know there is also a school of thought which says no you cannot do this because it might breach there human rights.

So who is right?

We have people who have left this country to join various groups in Syria and Iraq where they are fighting to create an Islamic State and no one who does not conform to the organisations ideas appears to be safe, we have seen these actions before.

If you have left this country to help with the creation of this state and support its aims, its objectives and its means of operation have you given up citizenship of this country for citizenship of that state?  Especially when from what we are told and what we see this organisation has no respect for the human rights of others.

We are told that some of the people who have fought in Syria and Iraq have already returned, some broken and disillusioned, others biding there time for what? Are those who say take away there citizenship right?  Should we not because it breaches there human rights? How do you know if someone has gone to fight and come back?

So who is right?

Malcolms message to Vladimir Putin

Dear Mr Putin,

As a simple and ordinary working man and lifelong resident of England a country I dont think you hold in much esteem, I would like to apologise for the upset you look to be feeling because the west looks to have encouraged the former communist countries to join the European Union and NATO. Did they realise you might get a tad upset by this, I suspect so but its all a bit of a game isn't it politics at an international level. The only problem is its the residents of the countries involved who have to put up with the ramifications of political decisions.

You are undoubtedly aware of the global situation at the moment Ukraine being one news item at the moment and I can almost understand why you wanted to have Crimea back in the fold as it were, the Ukrainians dont like it of course. You only have to look at Google Maps to see the important access it gives you to the Baltic Sea. I can imagine that's why you would also like to see more of Ukraine back in the fold as well, especially that coastal strip running to the Crimea. Not that you would admit that of course and who could blame you.

However I would like to ask you to look at the bigger picture at the moment. The two biggest threats as I see it to "normal" life in the world at the moment look to be Ebola and the Islamic State. Surely you can see the sense in joining with countries in the west and elsewhere to help combat both of these threats.  Russia has enormous scientific as well as military capabilities.

Please help to calm things down as soon as you can in the Ukraine not by any military means, that needs to stop. The world needs Russia to stand with western countries and those in the near east to combat the Islamic State. If Iran can get involved surely Russia can as well. Russia is an important country and can also undoubtedly help with Ebola research and aid.

Show the world that Vladimir Putin and Russia care and are prepared to work together with other countries. It could change the world for the better.

But then that's only a dream isn't it! The dream of a simple and ordinary English working man.

harrassment

I heard this week that a lovely lady I know who is a very good storyteller has been getting racially based harassment for some time because of her religion but that it has increased lately. Makes me feel very sad.

Then yesterday I go to one of my regular gardens where there is a live in carer looking after someone elderly. There have been problems in the past at this house with cold callers and other neerdowells. Then a month or so ago the phone calls start from withheld phone numbers, then a man appears in the yard from nowhere. Not surprising the carer is concerned to put it mildly. Yes the police have been informed and yes they are more obvious in the area where the house is but. The latest is that someone is turning up and knocking on the front door from 1 to 4 am every few days. How do you imagine the carer feels now. This really upsets me.

What on earth is up with some people, words almost fail me, polite ones anyway.

less and people expect more

I made the mistake today of eating me lunch listening to Radio 2 and Jeremy Vine. Amongst the topics for people to have a good old moan about was the Police. Re todays report saying they cannot deal with all crimes.

Well to be honest are you really surprised. If you take away funding you cannot expect the same amount of work to be done. Can you!

After all how much work can anyone do in an hour, answer an hours worth and no more whatever anyone says about increased efficiency.

And while we are talking about the police in the weeks that have seen the revelation about Rochdale, what was wrong with the initial action taken by Hampshire Police based on information given to them by the Southampton Hospital to issue an arrest warrant. In my view nothing. Hindsight is a marvellous thing but think about the fuss there would have been if they had done nothing.

Captain Mainwaring Captian Mainwaring shall I bring the van Sir

Took Mum to the Ramsey 40's do over the weekend, loads and loads of folk all dressed up as servicemen and civvies as well as vehicles. But one really stood out and brought back many happy memories of time spent watching the telly with family.

Yes its the real one and it now belongs to a Dads Army Museum in Thetford, which for those who dont know is where most of it was filmed.

HHMMNN I have a feeling the seasons might be changing

Why.

Starlings on the fantail

its all about perception part 2

A wet Ely, very wet, how wet well look at this picture.

Hammering down might be an appropriate statement. Most people were sheltering somewhere or another, in shops, the cathedral, under trees, under umbrellas, inside waterproofs.

But if you look closely at the right hand bench you can see something that is actually revelling in the rain. Seen it yet, okay a closer view.

The ducks were loving it.

Perceptions eh!

its all about perception part 1

Yesterday, 14th August 2014, in the Cambridge area we had a mix of fine dry spells and some heavy showers and I do mean heavy, Ely railway underpass on the A142 was flooded yet again causing lots of joyous scenes and comments!

Anyway with roads wet and slippery the majority of road users had lots to entertain them in the shape of the usual small minority of other road users driving like well what words can you use to describe them, brainless, selfish, ignorant, full of self importance.

But then my view might not be the same that they have which might be along the lines of, slow drivers who abide by the law and drive within the limits of the weather, their vehicles and abilities are obnoxious and should all be taken of the road so I can drive my lovely car (pile of crap, expensive toy, rust bucket, excuse for a small p**** you get my drift) at full speed in a totally controlled manner.

Perceptions eh!

Look at this ice cream van swish or what

Was in Ely yesterday afternoon and saw this shiny Ice cream van, blimey alloy wheels disc brakes and chrome, does it make the ice cream taste any better I wonder.........

Now I know I can sometimes spin a yarn but...........

I was walking along this canal at a festival and there amongst the barges I came across this strange caterpiller the like of which I have never seen before.

A real rarity I was thinking but then well words almost failed me because there on the towpath was a Mermaid, that's right a Mermaid, see for yourself.

She was very talkative and quite happy to be basking in the sun talking to people, I said I will try and make you famous as I took her picture. Well I might not be able to make her famous but she will be better known at least eh.

Thorn Apple Devils Snare

That's two names for it or you could have Datura stramonium if you prefer.

What is it well surprise surprise its an invasive plant given half a chance and three of em have popped up in the middle of nowhere on the route of a bat survey I do annually.

Whats it look like,

Interesting plant aint it eh. I was wondering when I first got a glimpse what it was, it sort of reminded me of something else, then I saw the seed pods and apart from hhpphhmming and hhuumming had no idea.

So good old interweb put in spiky seed pods on non native plants and kerpow up it comes. Oh and yes its poisonous and should be treated with respect and kid gloves and its a member of the Solanaceae family which includes, Potato and Tomato which should give you a good idea of what the flowers look like when open.

As for the names well you can add two more;  Hell's Bells, Devil’s Trumpet.

Why and Who

Two important questions most of us are always asking especially in this world at the moment. So closer to home I ask the questions again.

I was walking on the edge of a field earlier this week while working and saw this old fallen branch.

Getting closer the graffiti sprayed on it became more obvious although what it says I have no idea and the only thing I can think is Why.
Suitably nonplussed I wander off muttering and thanking my lucky stars I dont have to deal with things like this any more. Still cant fathom though why anyone would want to spray graffiti in a farmers field, whos it for, whats it for?

Eventually I come across this ditch and start having a nose round. There were some lovely old Field Maple growing away all stunted in the hedgerow and then I saw this and smiled as the other question came into my mind, not only Who, but, Who would live in a house like this.

Thankfully daft won the day.

Noticed this sign and got to wondering

As you do?

Now I am not a great one for Opera I will admit, never seen one to be honest. But its a story so I read a bit. Thing is no where does it say anything about a grain store.

Question; Am I being too literal again.

Looking for Corn Buntings

As you do, dont you!!! There's a survey this year in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire trying to find out more about one our farmland birds the Corn Bunting, its like a pumped up Skylark but dont let them hear you say that. Lovely birds they are and like so many not as many about as there used to be. So the survey is looking at selected map squares.

 I got in late on this but got a square, I know a few places in this area where I can see them but another might be nice. The square lies Southish of the River Kennett where it forms part of the border between Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Did I see or hear any Corn Bunting, no. But I did get lovely views of a Grey Wagtail family feeding and foraging under a road bridge.

A bit of a mixed up square really, farmland, major roads, large farm reservoir and a commercial tip. Still did hear Nightingale, and see as well Yellowhammer, Skylark, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Little Owl amongst other birds.

The tip reminded me once again that nature cannot stand empty space and sure enough in all the areas where disturbance of the soil was negligible plants were growing, flowering away amid the foreloaders, bulldozers and lorries.

Family

A couple of weekends ago I met up with my brothers and their respective partners for a trip on the Wherry Albion, the reason one was celebrating their silver wedding not that it seems that long.

Albion is a lovely old wooden Wherry that can be hired for a party of 12 to sail for a day on part of the Norfolk Broads.

She is gorgeous, the trip is slow and you have a chance to sit and watch the world go by sharing time with family and friends, as a family we have done this twice now and I would go back tomorrow.

You can sprawl on deck, relax in the hold, stop off here and there and watch the wildlife.

Perhaps a nice male Marsh Harrier like this one or  a Four Banded Longhorn Beetle like this one we saw feeding on the flowers of Hemp Agrimony.

Got me to thinking about all sorts of things including what it must have been like for the crews of the Wherries, the Lighters, the Keels and the Essex Sailing Barges as well as the river Barges all those years ago. So to add to my dreams we even had a bit of real rain on the way back to help me with my imagining.

But it passed and clothes dry and anyway nothing dampens good times with those close to you.

Do you remember the Ribena berries advert

You know the one where there's the load in a trailer and one escapes.

Well they are as usual growing fields of Beetroot in the nearby fen for your salads. I was driving through there a week or so ago and noticed a few laying here and there that had thrown themselves out of the trailers, Ribena berry like, and were laid stunned unable to move for a while beside the road. (What is he on !)

Just thinking should I stop and offer assistance (Eh!) by taking them home washing them and keeping them warm, a shocking sight meets my eyes. (Oh that sort of assistance)

Beside the road there is a large frontloader in a wheat field scooping up what looked like half a load that had made a break for it all at once. I did think about stopping and taking a picture but thankfully common sense kicked in, a sure way to get the camera inserted into ones body I suspect.

Went past the spot yesterday and not a sign they were ever there, is there a beetroot heaven I wonder!

So there I was eating my sandwich

So there I was sitting in my car and eating me sandwich a week or so ago when there's this wwhhhzz past me earhole. What was that oh its a wasp, where did it come from, oohh look there a nest just outside the car window.

It was about or perhaps a bit bigger than the size of a yellow melon and very much home to a small group of wasps intent on setting up home in the Ivy growing there.

What did I do, shut the window and move the car. Useful creatures that they are I have painful memories of them while managing a park, on my head for starters while inspecting a tree which caused immense hilarity for those working with me at the time.