Return of the Giant Hogweed - Genesis

A long outstanding visit to Lyme Regis to check out the breeding status of the

DIPPERs there was undertaken today in blustery but mostly sunny conditions. With no restrictions on the bus pass at weekends it was the early X53 service west, but a day when none of the birds were encountered. Fortunate then that a few 'shots' were taken of the series of villages en-route through the bus window.

First of these is PORTESHAM

quickly followed by the world renowned ABBOTSBURY with its quaint cottages,

the SWAN PUBLIC HOUSE, one of 2 in the village,

and views along the main street where building date back to at least 1785.

The second of the Pubs is the ILCHESTER ARMS, as ever bedecked in flowers and bunting, before reaching

the continuation of the road west.

St CATHERINE'S CHAPEL can be seen distantly from here as we approached

the steep incline of ABBOTSBURY HILL where not surprisingly the visibility started to decrease. The FLEET and CHESIL BEACH can just be seen in the middle distance.

Only moments later and just a little higher the whole valley was blanked from view, but conditions

rapidly improved as we reached SWYRE and its own public house THE BULL.

The tiny harbour at WEST BAY is haven for dozens of small fishing and pleasure boats and within 15 minutes we reached

the quaintly named CHIDEOCK with a whole host of

THATCHED COTTAGES

with their beautifully attended gardens. Dahlias, Begonias, Cart Wheels, Water Pump and Statue.

Good views across the MARSHWOOD VALE are afforded before reaching

CHARMOUTH followed by our destination Lyme Regis.

 

Reaching the LEPER'S WELL, perched on the left bank of the RIVER LYM, and its surrounding flora brought to mind the Genesis classic magnum opus The Return of the Giant Hogweed!

Turn and run! Nothing can stop them,
Around every river and canal their power is growing.
Stamp them out! We must destroy them,
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour.
They are invincible,
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering.

 Long ago in the Russian hills,
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh,
He captured it and brought it home.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
He came home to London,
And made a present of the Hogweed to the Royal Gardens at Kew.

 Waste no time! They are approaching.
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night! They are defenceless.
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom.
Still they're invincible,
Still they're immune to all our herbicidal battering.

 Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens,
In which they innocently planted the GIANT HOGWEED throughout the land.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed,
Preparing for an onslaught, threatening the human race.

The Dance Of The Giant Hogweed
Mighty Hogweed is avenged.
Human bodies soon will know our anger.
Kill them with your Hogweed hairs
HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANI Giant Hogweed lives! 
Please Listen, CAREFULLY!

As the clear waters of the LYM continue to flow

under this tiny 'Gothic' bridge,

there was just time to take a look at the SEAFRON, Lyme Regis

and across the bay to THE COB.
When you finally visit our part of the wold, which surely ALL of you will do, please do not miss this fantastic bus ride along the Jurassic Coast, I can promise an unforgettable experience.

My Father Was The Captain of the Eddystone Light, Encountered a Mermaid One Fine Night. Yo Ho Ho Let the Wind Blow Free, Oh For the Life on the Rolling Sea!

It would be foolish to even attempt a commentary on Team GB medal success but what I would like to do, on an occasional basis, is simply highlight the happenings and events that turn me on!

 Peter Robert Russell Wilson Double Trap Sport Shooter  Gold Medallist

is from Dorchester, Dorset not more than 7 miles from my home, so to all intents and purposes a 'neighbour'. What a performance he put in yesterday.

However, without trying to outshine Peter's efforts, it is rare to see the TOTAL sportswomanship combined with passion and emotion as was my privilege to watch on the Idiot's Lantern late yesterday afternoon. Silver medallist Gemma Jeanette Gibbons had overcome the odds to get to the semi-final and face the World Champion who she defeated in extra time. Broken by pure emotion she not only had the time to salute her French opponent but later looked to the heavens and mouthed the words "thank you Mum". Magnanimous in defeat, against a better player on the day, she stood proud on the rostrum to receive a silver medal which looked every bit like a GOLD to me. I'm going to nickname her Midas!!!!

A beautiful morning weather wise I was early down to the sea-front stopping to chat to the Olympic Ambassadors on the way

and taking time to thank the POLICE for keeping us all safe during this fantastic moment in history. These 2 Officers had been drafted in from Bournemouth and were also very much enjoying their day. Next it was down to Weymouth Harbourside to look for the yacht Collective Spirit as reported on yesterday's post. This was the second search with the same outcome, I simply couldn't find it......but tomorrow I am not coming home until I have found her and touched Jimi's Guitar!! The town, a little devoid of people thus far, seemed to be topping up and that was also true of the harbour.

 SWAN VALHALLA reminded me of Zeppelin's Immigrant Song

We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.
Hammer of the Gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!

while  We skipped a light

 Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor. I was feeling kind of seasick,  

But the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder,  

As the ceiling flew away. When we called out for another drink,  

The waiter brought a tray. And so it was later,  

As the miller told his tale, That her face at first just ghostly,  

Turned a Whiter Shade of Pale.

Stopping for a brief chat with The Captain of the GALLIANO and his lovely Lady, I then moved on to find

a real Ocean Greyhound in the Bristol registered VELACARINA (inboard with mast to high to get in shot).

 

 

Beautifully fitted out, I just stood there agog looking at all that 'brightwork' (brass) a Matelot's Dream. Wishing I had brought along my can of 'Bluebell' (metal polish) I would have happily ripped the sleeve from my shirt and worn my fingers to the bone. Further along there was the sad sight of a 

dead Gull in the sea. 

but just a minute, signs of life

as it struggled to lift its head above the surface, Time for swift action and luckily finding an old broomstick among the wealth of fishing gear on the catamarans, I was able to get it alongside and onto the jetty.

The result of carelessly discarded fishing tackle, it had a triple hook embedded in one foot while a bight of nylon line was caught around its neck.

The more it fought to raise its head the tighter the line become, which also took a fair bit of untangling.

Freed from the 'spinner' and 'handline'

it happily flew off down harbour. It is my prediction that it will be the same bird that drops a little 'thank you present' on my head tomorrow.

All of this was being watched by one of the Police Water Jet Patrols before I headed for Portland Bill.

There I was met by one of the

Helicopter Flight from HMS Bulwark guarding us all against intruders,

while there was also the most impressive sight of the 

WEYMOUTH LIFEBOAT out on 'showing the flag' duties.

A hour or so with The Secret Lemonade Drinker, sat astride a bollard and spinning sea stories brought my day to an end during which I had met people from California USA, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Cambodia, Poland and Germany - life does get a bit boring doesn't it - Ha, Ha!

Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young to Die - Jethro Tull

My friend Pat Shearing paid a whirlwind overnight visit to view properties in Weymouth in the hope of settling here in the future. Coinciding with her arrival, was an e-mail from Janet Read informing me of the information below.

Olympic Boat Arrives in Weymouth for Sailing Event

 

Collective Spirit took a year to build and is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 20 knots. A boat made from donated timber to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad has arrived in Weymouth, Dorset, after its maiden voyage. The 9m (30ft) vessel, built at Thornham Marina in Emsworth, Hampshire, is made from about 1,200 pieces of wood. One of Jimi Hendrix's guitars makes up the tiller while a leftover plank from the London 2012 velodrome was also utilised. Collective Spirit is on display at the Sand Jetty until 11 August. The craft was built by Mark Covell, a Portsmouth boat builder and Sydney 2000 silver medallist, and Lymington yacht designer Simon Rogers. Professional skipper, Captain Mike Barham has lead the two-month voyage along with a crew picked from people nominated by the public. The project was run by performance artists Gregg Whelan and Gary Winters, who work under the name Lone Twin. The artists visited 20 locations across the region seeking wooden donations to be used in the building of the craft. Members of the public where also invited to bring wooden pieces to their boatyard at Thornham Marina, Emsworth, from where it was launched. The only criteria were that the items were made from wood and had a story behind them. They plan to gift the boat back to the region as a permanent resource for the public. Thank You Janet!

After a convivial evening of Bonamassa and wine we were both keen to view this novel craft which may afford me the opportunity to touch the guitar that was once in the hands of my all time hero. The sky looked bright but the rain bearing clouds to the west were not too far away, but search as we may there was no sign of the Collective Spirit so we decided on breakfast. Each of us had our own plans for the day ahead, but before we had even finished the Eggs Benedict and Pancakes the heavens opened forcing me for one to return to base! I found myself on the bus with an old 'sparring partner, none other than Weymouth Rock Legend

JUMPIN' JIMMY THUNDER 'Rocker Supreme'

Mr Thunder has brought much joy to untold numbers of people across this Borough and many others. Great to see you today Jimmy!

The old Rocker wore his hair too long,

wore his trouser cuffs too tight.

Unfashionable to the end --- drank his ale too light.

Death's Head belt buckle --- yesterday's dreams ---

the transport caf' prophet of doom.

Ringing no change in his double-sewn seams

in his post-war-babe gloom. Now he's too old etc....

Listen With Tull

Otherwise it has been a quiet day on the ranch working on my next adventure, trying to get Elizium - Fields of the Nephilim onto my i-Pod and catching up with a few mates. To that end I'll need once again to visit the archive to bring you 'half a dozen' Birds of the World:-

 ADELIE PENGUIN - Antarctica

KITLITZ PLOVER - Madagascar

KNOB-BILLED and  WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK - Sri Lanka

KORI'S BUSTARD - Australia

LACRIMOSE MOUNTAIN TANAGER - Colombia

LEMON-BELLIED FLYCATCHER - Australia

and finally from Dave Harris, via brother Paul, perched in a Grandstand position during yesterday's most memorable OLYMPIC ROAD TIME TRIAL CYCLING EVENT these astonishing 'close-ups' of not only

Bradley Wiggins - Team GB, Gold Medallist, Olympic Champion and UK Sports Personality of the Year in Waiting?

 

Tony Martin, Silver Medal - Germany

Bronze Medalist Chris Froome - Team GB, but also a few lower placed competitors such as

Republic of Ireland's Dave McCann (27)

Fabian Cancellara - Switzerland (7)

Spaniard - Jonathan Castoviejo (9) and

 

Alexandr Vinokurov - Kazakhstan (23)

Congratulations to all Competitors and a big Thank You to Dave Harris