Bon Appetit With the Moxom's

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Another quiet bird day in our locale, but Goldfinch and Wren were predominant in the cemetery where Blackbird, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow are busying themselves nest building. A / the Great Spotted Woodpecker was still in the area, albeit on the Radipole Reserve today, but there is still hope that they may set up home this side of the bye-pass. In addition to the GSW a Sparrowhawk was hunting over the reed beds, where a lone Swallow and c7 Sand Martin looked likely new arrivals. A couple of Chiffchaff and a single were the only other migrants found, but it is always good value to watch the likes of Moorhen, fanning their white tails, trying to attract the ladies. Arriving at the Westham sluices we were glad to see the underpass as the heavens opened and heavy rain persisted for 20 minutes, then seizing the moment we made a brisk walk for home.

Moorhen

Great Black-backed Gull, 2 adults and a juvenile left.

Ille looking delighted after her look inside the Visitor's Centre.

Having collected a hire car up at 17-00 we were able to pick Nick up and together drive to Don & Liz's house for dinner. Only having taken over the house in the last year their hard and determined work has converted the old village shop into what must be the archetypal Dorset Bed & Breakfast, advert to follow. We sat down to a delicious antipasti, followed by quiche, home grown potatoes, coleslaw and salad. To finish there was creme brulee with Calvados and a fine French Brie plus some great conversation and anecdotes.

Nick & Caroline Tomlinson, left Liz and Don Moxom, Ille, Toby (the white dog) and I've forgotten the name of the black one. I of course am taking the photograph.

Being the only non-dog lover in the company, as is usual this is where Toby spent the full extent of the dinner, right between my feet.

'Dippers' is a large and spacious family home, standing in the picturesque West Dorset village of Uploaders, catering for the Bed & Breakfast trade. With a **** rating it has obviously impressed the inspection team, and this being my first visit I would happily become a customer despite Don & Liz being long standing, firm friends.

With limited facilities, this was the best I could do for a photograph of one of the 3 bedrooms, but go and see for yourself I feel sure you'll be both impressed and well care for!

Contact can be made at Liz and Don Moxom
'Dippers'
42 Uploaders
Bridport
Dorset - DT6 4PE
e-mail: liz@dipperswestdorset.co.uk
Tele: 01308 485504 Mob 07855344121

A Little Short On the Music Scene

The sky was overcast and the wind light this morning with a chorus of bird song coming from the cemetery. Above it all we could hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker very likely prospecting a nest site, or attempting to attract a mate and having bred here in the past there's every chance they will do so again. Grey Squirrels were also active and in good numbers, otherwise it was the usual fare. Over at Radipole the only sign of migration were a few Chiffchaff and a lone Willow Warbler singing, as c3 Common Buzzard soared overhead. The bonus came by way of another, much closer, look at the Alpine Swift which was still flying over the Jubilee Sidings but never close enough for a photograph.

Grey Squirrel

male Teal and Common Snipe

After that we decided to switch to Grockle mode allowing Ille a chance to look around the shops and visit some of the sights of Weymouth. We ended the morning with a pint in The Swan before heading home for lunch.

Ille at the statue of King George III

Ille on KGIII's Bathing Machine

At 19-00 we made our way to No6 on King's Street hoping to catch the back end of Peter Smith's first venture into 'Live Jazz', but were just a little too late. We did however get chance to chat to a few of the musicians before we left for what was advertised as a 19-00 gig by Mockingbird at the Park Hotel, but this had been delayed until 20-30 inspiring us to return home.

and a few more shots from last nights Christmas Party

Ille

The Grandfather

Lee the Senior Grandson

A Scarce Bird By the Skin of Our Teeth

We have been trying to get to Portland, and more particularly the Bird Observatory, since Ille's arrival but each time failing at the final hurdle. On the first 2 occasions it was the rain that put paid to our visit, but today it was something far more important. As our bus pulled away from Debenham's in Weymouth, I received a text which read "Alpine Swift flying over Aldi / Radipole", so, with a little quick thinking we got off, walked to the other side of the road and caught the next bus back. During that short journey, I wracked my brain as to where Aldi (a supermarket I think) and came to the conclusion it was half way along Dorchester Road. Knowing how wide ranging any Swift can be it was not beyond possibility that it had been seen at both sites, so we set of to catch the Dorchester bus. Re-checking the location on the way, it was confirmed the said shop is at Jubilee Sidings, so back we walked. At the railway Station I scanned the sky only to find a circling Sparrowhawk which certainly wasn't going to help matters. As we reached the suggested spot I was lucky to pick it up immediately, but unlike the photograph below, it was about 10 miles high.

An excellent photograph of Alpine Swift 'borrowed' from the Internet.

After all that excitement, there was only time to visit Ferry Bridge where we recorded just 2 species, Carrion Crow and Sandwich Tern, the latter being our second 'year tick' of the day, after which we had to return home to get ready for this evenings dinner party.

The c2 Sandwich Terns at Ferry Bridge today, a poor shot at quite a distance.

An image from the archive showing a better representation.

Back at base we found my neighbour, recently returned from a short holiday, brandishing a bottle of wine and a few tab-nabs which we were happy to help her polish off. With a few stories of the Cotswolds and getting her up to speed with our exploits.

Me, Anne & Bob Clark, Ille, Julie, Lee and Nigel

One thing about having grown up children and being a traveller is, when you go away for the festive season they do you a Christmas dinner when you get back. This evening, Ille and I plus a couple of friends all met up at Nigel, Julie and Lee's house for that dinner. It was a traditional affair, very much liked by Ille, who was able to compare with the Estonian version, including turkey, crackers, silly hats and even a Christmas pudding. So, I'll leave you with a traditional greeting - Merry Christmas!

Oh Such A Perfect Day, I'm Glad I Spent It With You!

It was an early bath for both of us this morning as we caught the 08-50 to one of Great Britain real jewels, the city of Bath. I don't remember the last time I saw a child let loose in a sweet shop, but to watch Ille as we started down the High Street was just what you would expect. She took to the town right away, admiring both the modern shop, restaurants etc and the history stretching back well before the Romans were even thought of.

Our first stop was The Pump house, which was thought of by the Romans, which probably brought domestic bathing to the populous of Great Britain. The adjoining King's and Queen's Baths have been patronised by a succession of British monarchs, and today overborne by an endless stream of visitors from all points of the globe.

Next, Bath Abbey which i always consider pivotal for all of the cities magnificent architecture.

After the Abbey we walked around The Circus, which brought back a few memories of my antique collecting days. This was always the place I stayed when in search of a bargain piece of Imari or Satsuma porcelain.

One of many Aladdin's Caves for Ille.

The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses, laid out in a magnificent arc, which I consider the centre and highlight of the city. Designed by the architect (namesake of my childhood friend in Melton Mowbrey) John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I listed building. The houses have been home to various notable people for over 200 years, and while changes have been made to the interiors, the facade remains much as it was when it was built.

At 13-00 we arrived at the 'Loch Fyne' restaurant which I have visited on a number of occasions, and know to be reliable for an excellent meal. Much of the produce is sourced from the Loch, and today we were not to be disappointed. Both deciding on the same, we started with Loch 'rope grown' Mussels, followed by Hake from the same area. These we ate with an Argentinian (Mendoza) Pinot Grig (that's how they spell it), while the Chocolate Orange Tort was adequately complimented with a lartge Jamison's Irish Whisky.

While we haven't succumbed to the temptations of advertising on this Blog, I do fully recommend anyone planing a visit to give this establishment a try.

After lunch, just 100 yards down the road we came across 'King Porter Stomp' a Scar cum Blue Beat band from Brighton. If there's one thing to guarantee perfect digestion, it's a little dancing in the street, we took no second asking!

No visit to Bath would be complete without a visit to Pulteney Bridge spanning the River Avon. Completed in 1773 from a design by Robert Adam, it is one of only 4 such bridges in the world with shops on both sides of its full span. The structure was named after Frances Pulteney heiress of 1767.

The forecasters had promised some rain for all areas but the weather stayed kind to us throughout with the only downpour occurring around Yeovil while we were in the sanctuary of the train. I'm told this is a day Ille will never forget. I could tell by her overall reaction and the number of postcards she bought that a note had been struck.

A Quiet Day in Weymouth

So, before anyone else gets on the 'let's get Bagsy bandwagon' best I hold my hand up and admit my culinary skills should be confined to the galley and not mixed with my incompetent literary prowess. I had never heard of the French term/word Jus (pronounced dew) before my last dinner party attended by Don Moxham who complimented me on 'the jus', hence my poor attempt at spelling the word yesterday. Djew my ass! And while we're at it it didn't have anything to do with my electrical supply even though it contained Red Currents, which I hope will put that one to bed as well?

This morning, I guess not surprisingly, was a late start, followed by an early finish. With just a single Blackcap singing in the cemetery and the sky looking more threatening by the minute, Ille and I hurried on to Radipole. There we found just c3 singing Chiffchaff and only just made it to the Visitor's Centre before the heavens opened where we took shelter for half an hour. That was the end of the 'birding' for the day, but we had received news of an Osprey seen catching a 'huge' fish, a couple of Avocet and a Green Sandpiper so maybe that was the direction we should have gone.

After a light lunch we dropped in to see Bowie and Sheila and disregarding the earliness of the hour we had a cider and glass of wine. Having met Ille before , there was an exchanging of gifts then agreed to have dinner together sometime next week before Ille returns to Tallinn.

Sheila & Bowie (doing what they do best, studying Orchids) Bagsy & Ille

This evening Ille and I enjoyed a cold plate evening meal as I introduced her to Joe Bonamassa, and suitably impressed I have decided to take her to the Bournemouth International Centre to see the man as a birthday present.

Me & My Girl

A champagne picnic on the train, combined with a later than expected arrival at Weymouth made for a late emergence this morning. A text announcing the arrival of a Sedge Warbler at Radipole was enough to inspire a quick breakfast and an even quicker walk to the reserve. On the way there was nothing of note, except Ille was glad to retrace her steps of 5 months ago, and no sign of the Warbler. Just a few Chiffchaff were singing away while c5 sand Martin flew overhead, but rain soon put paid to the whole project so we headed home, me prepare dinner and Ille to relax and enjoy her English holiday.

An afternoon of music, Ille continues the enjoyment,

while I take a well earned rest from peeling all those spuds.

Was that the 'dinner gong'?

Portland crab on a Mediterranean salad, complimented by a '97 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne as a starter, to the strains of Wind and Wuthering, Genesis. Followed by braised Red-legged Partridge, boiled Jersey potatoes, steamed baby parsnips, carrots julienne, petits pois with a red current djew and The Fields of the Nephalim album Elizium. This required 'pushing the boat out' with an '88 Haut Brion (pictured). Sticky toffee pudding with Lexia raisins seemed appropriate, and what better to finish the whole gig than a half bottle of 1990 Climens (Barsac) and what better than the Kate bush classic The Kick Inside. Afterwards we settled down to ELO at Wembley circa 1979 plus the seminal George Harrison Tribute Concert from the Royal Albert Hall and the Macallan!

A Return, Weymouth to Stansted Please

The whole of today was taken up meeting Ille from Stansted, with a train to London Waterloo, Underground to Victoria and the Easy-Bus to the airport, so with just a little time to spare maybe I should address a query received from more than one of our overseas readers.

Remarkably, this Blog now reaches readers in at least 17 countries, making it increasingly difficult to write so that everyone will understand what I'm on about. In recent Posts there has been mentioned of both 'Twitching' & 'Twitcher' which has resulted in a number of requests to explain. While no lines or demarcations are draw, you can belong to either one of these groups or be part of both. The 2 are usually defined as 'Birders' and 'Twitchers', with most having been part of both during some part of their 'birding' life. In essence, a 'Birder' is one who, when time allows, will enjoy the general search for birds both common and rare, while on the other hand an 'ardent Twitcher' will simply stay in the comfort of their home, armed with a 'bird alert pager', telephone etc and simply await news of the arrival of a rare bird they need for their 'list'. On receipt of such information, they'll jump into their BMW, set the Tom-Tom with coordinates supplied by the 'alert company', zoom off at high speed hoping to gaining even the briefest glimpse of the target bird. This latter description is something of an exaggeration, as I doubt there is anyone who does this exclusively, but hope this gives the reader an idea of what it's all about? The word 'Twitch/er' was devised to describe the feeling of euphoria, anticipation and prospect of disappointment once information has been received and the chase begun. I for one have been on both sides of the track, and doubt there is a serious 'birder' who has never experienced this condition. These days I like to be known as a 'Birder' so you can imaging my reaction when, interviewed for our local newspaper, emphasising both this and spelling out my name as BAGSY to the reporter, to find next day the caption reading "BUGSY the TWITCHER said".

Probably an insignificant bit of local history, but something I found of great interest when I visited a mates house in the week which in part involved Royal Navy hero Jack Mantel.
23 year old Leading Seaman Jack Mantel was posthumously awarded a VC in Portland Harbour at the beginning of the serious Blitz on 4 July 1940. He was a member of a gun crew aboard the auxiliary anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank, a converted merchantman taken up from trade, when at 08-35 hours, radar spotted twenty enemy aircraft approaching from the south. Minutes later, the Stuka dive-bombers swept around the Verne Heights of Portland and attacked the dangerous anti-aircraft ship. The first bombs knocked out the ship's electrical system and the gun crews were forced to work their eight 4-inch guns and a pair of four barrel pom-poms manually. They continued to fight, despite twenty-two bomb hits on the ship.

Leading Seaman Jack Mantel was grievously wounded during the enemy attacks and several others members of his gun crew had been killed but he continued to operate his pom-pom 'until, as the last enemy plane departed, he fell from his post'. The ship was on fire and eventually sank the following day. This was the first Royal Navy VC of the war and the only award for valour in Home Waters, in addition to this Leading Seaman Mantel had already been awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star plus the 1939-45 War Medal.

While enjoying a cup of coffee I noticed this telephone on the wall and asked of its origin. Now the working household telephone, it was once affixed in one of the many tunnels under the Verne Citadel and opening up in the Naval Dockyard below. While L/S Jack was giving his life in defence of our country, 2 unknown Dockyard workers were just inside the tunnel door, when caught by one of the bomb blasts, also loosing their lives. The instrument lay in a box for many years but the story had been passed from father to son, allowing it to be past on to you today.

23-00 and we're home, with a large Macallan single malt, Pink Floyd's Pulse on the DVD and no need to get up early for work Paradise! - Good Night.