Caledonia - Paolo Nutini

What about this then for a start to the day? After the addition of Haiti just a couple of days ago, we travel to the opposite end of the world to welcome

 

our 171st addition to the country/region readership list, the remote archipelago of NEW CALEDONIA!

New Caledonia (French Nouvelle-Calédonie) is a special collective of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from Australia and about 20,000Km (12,000mi) from Metropolitan France. The island group, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre (which locals refer to as "Le Caillou", the rock), the Loyalty Islands, Belep and Isle of Pines. The Chesterfield Islands in the Coral Sea are also part of the group which has a total land area of 18,576 square Km (7,127 Sq Mi), a population of 256,275 (2011 estimate) with the territory capital being Noumea. Thanks to Wikipedia for this insight.

With the Summer Solstice now behind us, we break into the first day of summer proper and what a dull start it has been. The heavy and sometimes prolonged showers of overnight rain had left a leaden sky at daybreak coupled with a light but chilly breeze and drizzle the feel was little short of autumnal. Certainly not enough to keep me indoors, I was soon about my business and admiring the wayside spikes of PURPLE TOADFLAX along the path to Radipole.  

 

There, all of note was this single LINNET and although this very common bird has featured a couple of time in recent days, it was thought worthy as a none to frequent visitor to the reserve.

 

Walking the eastern edge of Weymouth Inner Harbour, this GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL had found fortune indeed.

 

A decent size BALLAN WRASSE but not a resident of the harbour. This fish was most likely caught in open water by an angler who, as so often happens, decided not to take it home so discarded it.

 

Most fishermen know that this is not the best fish to eat, being full of tiny bones, so why do they feel the need to kill them? In my days as a spear-fisherman these sea-going clowns had a 'no points' value so were never shot, easy targets as unlike other 'round' fish they would not swim away.

During a wander along Weymouth promenade to catch the bus, the progress on the Sand Model Amphitheatre was noted,

and further along I met up with PROFESSOR MARK POULTON the Weymouth Punch and Judy man. Mark tells me that his next project is a larger 'fold down' kiosk where, when he has completed making them, he will introduce String Puppets. (Holding your nose and reading out loud) Punch - That's the way to do it, Juuuudy, Juuudy my beauuuuuty come upstairs. Judy - no I won't etc, etc.

To learn more visit Weymouth_Punch_Homepage

At Portland Bill, the weather conditions got even worse and by the time I reached the Obelisk the rain had returned, the wind increased and the sky got darker.

Maybe the same KESTREL as yesterday, but looking a little more bedraggled met me at the Admiralty Compound fence

while all I could find among the Gannets and other Gulls was this lone KITTIWAKE

flying west and some way out to sea.

It seemed even the Commercial Bass Fishermen had called it a day but this may well have been coincidence as they would have fished the last couple of hours of the flood tide at least. Only ever using rod and line for specific species (BASS) and regulated as to catch size, this is a most Eco Friendly way of fishing there being no 'by-catch' to throw overboard dead!

Back to the Lobster conundrum of yesterday, and a 'comment' from my learned and long time birding friend Bob Ford.

Paul, that stuff on the lobster is a Colonial Sea Squirt, so you were quite close when you said it might be a sea urchin.

and as promised the erecting and inaugural ringing of the

MONO PROJECT BELL

Still haven't found out a lot more about this and really cannot imagine where the design came from.

My own thought strayed to Tibetan/Medieval/Nazca Indians, but do know the surface of the bell is finished to represent Roach Stone. This is the layer above the Cap Stone and Whitbed (the world famous Portland Stone St Paul's Cathedral, York Minster et al) and contains a multitude of tiny fossils giving a jagged unfinished sort of look.

Here my friend Jane White of the Portland Court Leet (part of the Island's Governing Body) and wife of the Secret Lemonade Drinker, officially strikes the bell for the first time. The photos are courtesy of their son Robert (keep it in the family guys and Thank You Very Much).

	2	0.00%	Cameroon
	2	0.00%	Sudan
	2	0.00%	Fiji
	2	0.00%	New Caledonia
	2	0.00%	Macao
	2	0.00%	Andorra
	2	0.00%	Gabon
	2	0.00%	Faroe Islands
	2	0.00%	Uganda
	2	0.00%	Grenada
	2	0.00%	Ghana
	2	0.00%	Iran, Islamic Republic Of
	1	0.00%	Martinique
	1	0.00%	Malawi
	1	0.00%	Suriname
	1	0.00%	Afghanistan
	1	0.00%	Haiti
	1	0.00%	Seychelles
	1	0.00%	Cote D'ivoire
	1	0.00%	French Polynesia
	1	0.00%	Uzbekistan
	1	0.00%	Botswana
	1	0.00%	Saint Lucia
	1	0.00%	Guam
	1	0.00%	Bolivia
	1	0.00%	Turks And Caicos Islands
	1	0.00%	Cayman Islands
	1	0.00%	Kazakhstan

People (who need People) - Barbra Streisand

Given recent weather condition, the time of year (between migrations) and other difficulties I have for a full 7 days now been going to suggest the Ted Heath solution - A 3 Day Week. However, each time I sally forth there seems to be an endless supply of interesting things all around me, so maybe we can put the idea on hold!

Looking across Radipole Lake to the north from Pottery Lane at 07:30.

Yet another day that started with a good deal of sunshine, little in the way of cloud and the wind down to a mere zephyr but still bringing a little chill early morning. Despite a gloomy forecast there seemed to be many more people at the Bill than of late, so as usual I was hoping to meet some of them.

It is often said "leave the best 'till last" but that doesn't take into account fate as arriving at the Obelisk the best came first. This group of special needs children and their carers were already enjoying the seascapes and next thing you know I'm right amongst them - one of the gang. I don't quite know what defines 'special needs' but I can tell you each of these youngsters had something to say and were a great interest to me. Time doesn't allow all the anecdotes, but for one the little girl (centre pink skirt) told me how, at only 12 years, she had already visited 3 places including Newcastle, Birmingham and Portland. Well, at that rate and pro rata she should catch me up very soon. Bless her, her friends and the real SPECIAL people who take care of them. What a pleasure!

As we stood there a small party of COMMON SCOTER passed by

so along with a few Gannets there were birds to see as well.

At the Lobster Pot Restaurant another lady approached and simply said, "you're Bagsy", Fay then when on to tell me that she and her family are avid readers which I have to say is a fillip indeed.

Talking of Lobsters, there was soon to be another encounter, but first a sight I had not beheld for many a day, a boat being hoisted on the sheer-legs. Immediately seeing this my thoughts turned to 2 other friends Micheal Munro and Ricky Lambert who were sure to be in attendance if this sort of activity was in progress.

Portlanders by birth both have had a life long affinity with the sea, Ricky having held a number of 'shore caught' record fish (mainly Conger Eel) and Mick a fine boatman. Today he had taken a couple of spear-fishermen of to the edge of the ledges where they had taken these 3 fine COD,

4 LOBSTERS and a large EDIBLE CRAB which must have recently shed its shell so (commendably) was returned to the sea.

Two most interesting things about the Lobsters were this individual which had shed or lost its claws, was in the process of growing a new pair which were still tiny and in the soft 'jelly' state.

The other was seen to have a type of fungus on its right side which could be parasitic, marine growth or who knows what, which we all found most interesting.

On closer inspection the pattern would have been worth an award if devised by man,

 like tiny sea urchins or jellyfish??

 

Not a lot of avian activity at the Bird Observatory today, except for a few young Blue and Great Tits being caught, but the CREAM SPOT TIGER MOTH found in the trap this morning bought a little colour to the day.

Portland in general doesn't support very many trees or bushes, with this the southern end of the Island being particularly sparse. Worrying then that the recent high winds have already turned the leafs brown which look like they could fall at any time.

Heading towards the bus, a Common Buzzard put in a brief appearance while this KESTREL was far more obliging,

as were a small flock of juvenile STARLINGs. At this time of year these feeding parties are always worth more than a second look as they are occasionally joined by the much rarer Rose-coloured Starling from Asia, always a good find.

 SKYLARKs also continue to be very vocal and as this one decided to land directly in front of me, showing front, back and sides it was time to snap away again.

It was only this very afternoon that I got to hear of the MEMO 2012 PROJECT and so will not be able to enlighten you in full. Suffice to say there is a web-site, but like the documents published here there has not yet been time to read it all. There are also some photographs in existence, which it is hoped will reach the 'in tray' in time for tomorrows post, of today's Striking of the Bell Ceremony.

It is also hoped that you will be able to devise a way to make this page readable.Some interesting info, again from Janet Read

I cannot identify your latest boat but have 2 comments.

1) The London to Portland Small Ships race took place from 9th June (now finished). These boats are on the following web site (including TSK 645).

http://www.asto.org.uk/images/stories/documents/race%20guide%20final.pdf

2) They were meant to continue on 15th June racing round Weymouth Bay but this was cancelled cos of the weather.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9765535.Weymouth_s_tall_and_small_ships_race_cancelled/?ref=nt

I can only think they are now sailing home or to other places - ie dispersing.

The next small ships race is at Cowes on 6th Oct.

and finally, an e-mail from Brad and Karen Mear

Hi Bagsy,My wife Karen came across this photo of what maybe a impostor of your fine self on Tresco, Isles of Scilly(minus your bins) hope you don't mind.We are both big readers of your blog and can't wait to read it each evening.Keep up the good work and hope to bump into you very soon.Best wishes Brad and Karen Mear,Yeovil.

While we have never met, surely you can see Brad and Karen that I am far better looking than that. Personally, I think it world renown guitarist Peter Green who at every gig tries to convince people he is ME!