Deborah - T Rex

Sheila, I think Bowie's had too much to drink (but I'm alright).

Last nights party would have been fine had it been contained in my house, but being invited to return to Bowie and Sheila's for a Gin & Tonic (or 2!) as a nightcap it degenerated into a 'great evening'. The film, Master and Commander, is an epic and would have been totally enjoyable had Howard not preempted every scene having seen it before, but then everyone needs a hobby?

So, up at the 'crack' of half past 10, I bye-passed the cemetery and Radipole to catch the last of the ebb at Ferry Bridge and was not disappointed to find a few

Turnstone,

an Arctic Tern, 5 Sanderling, a few Dunlin & Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel plus the presumed same 2

Bar-tailed Godwit.

When you receive an e-Mail with no fewer than 3 PLEASES it would be difficult not to comply with the request. Obviously my friends Deborah Tessier and Simon Earwicker are missing Portland very much, asking if I can give them an update of the happenings at the Observatory and surrounds, which will be a great pleasure.

Unfortunately for you Deb there was not a single sole at the Obs, but I did see Curtis Gould on my way past the Barns, always a great pleasure and laugh.

Looking back on myself.

The Higher Light and the 'oldest' of the 3 Portland Lighthouses.

Portland Bill (the latest and active lighthouse) from above Culverwell.

Bet you know where this is Deborah? Portland Bird Observatory housed in the second oldest of our lighthouses.

Across the wind swept Portland Race.

Towards Cheyne House.

The Eight Kings public house, Southwell.

Fortuneswell from the Chesil Beach sea wall.

Chesil Cove the southern most end of Chesil Beach. There have been 2 Grey Phalarope here for the past few days which, not through lack of trying, I had not seen until today. Only one was seen, too distant even to raise the camera, but one is enough!

Winter plumage Grey Phalarope Norfolk, England 2005.

A couple of shots from the archive of this most unusual Wader. Unlike the rest of the family the 3 Phalaropes are happy feeding in open water, both fresh and salt, by swirling in small circles bringing invertebrates to the surface.

Summer plumage Grey Phalarope Barrow, Alaska, USA 2007.

and finally, in answer to your last question Deborah

Happy and I'm smiling,
walk a mile to drink your water.
You know I'd love to love you,
and above you there's no other.
We'll go walking out
while others shout of war's disaster.
Oh, we won't give in,
let's go Living in the Past.

Once I used to join in
every boy and girl was my friend.
Now there's revolution, but they don't know
what they're fighting.
Let us close out eyes;
outside their lives go on much faster.
Oh, we won't give in,
we'll keep Living in the Past.