Little Children - Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas

 Let's start with a little mirth, click link to open..
 PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 'THRASHED' BY PART-TIMERS!

 Thanks go to one our dedicated readers.

 We re-visit yesterday's 'cracking' Micro Moth as Paul Harris

has identified it for us, it is

Pyrausta aurata

Once again the day was spent with Hugh as he went about yet another of the facets of his extensive business. An 05:00 departure for a trip to Avonmouth would give a chance of seeing some of the English countryside I am not at all familiar with and who knows what else.

Early Morning Flight

'VIRGIN' Hot-Air Balloon over Lechlade Village.

Already in GLOUCESTERSHIRE we passed

Sometimes referred to as the

AIRLINERS GRAVEYARD

with plenty of redundant aircraft to be viewed at a distance and

through the perimeter fence.

There were a number of farms to be visited during the day, and I

only wish there had been time to photograph this one more fully.

It qualifies as the cleanest I have ever seen.

A snap-shot of just a tiny speck of

Gloucestershire Countryside before stopping for a

Coffee and Egg and Bacon Sandwich

in the picturesque village of

GUITING POWER

in the COTSWOLD HILLS

The Village Post Office

doubling as the Sarnie Factory.

With the business completed and being so near to Bristol there was

time to pay a short visit to my youngest daughter Lisa

and Grandsons Frederick, Alexander and Benjamin.

Although they had met before, the boys took to Hugh like Ducks to Water which is hardly surprising as he and Janet have 2 strapping grown-up sons of their own. There was so much 'rough and tumble' that when I did eventually remember the camera this was the only shot found to be in focus.

HUGH with FRED (standing) and ALEX

Here are a couple I made earlier.

Alex, Moi, Benny, Lisa and Fred.

Me, Alex, Fred and Benny

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Watcher of the Skies - Genesis

Another fairly quiet day at the farm with a mix of cloudy sky with patches of blue, still a fresh breeze and another drop in temperature, however there was a bonus before daybreak -

 a short burst of the predicted

PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER

Photo NG not mine.

 A large HORNET? in the trap this morning,

 or is it a HOVERFLY?

 In fact it's a bit of both, a

HORNET MIMIC HOVERFLY.

 MAGPIE MOTH

 and a rather attractive MICRO.

Having travelled to every country of South and Central America it is probably not surprising that I have eaten Llama, Vicuna, Guanacos and Alpaca (my favourite), and am well aware of the value of their 'wool', I have never seen one ;sheared' until today. All part of the 'taking it easy' campaign, I was taken by my new found friend Adrian (Mr Invaluable on the Farm) to witness his 3 Alpaca being shorn. The rest is simply a pictorial!

Not a job for the faint-hearted.

Stand advised, if you are a carnivore and get the chance to eat Alpaca
meat - go for it - you won't be disappointed!

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Cut to the 'Chase' - Rush

Just what was needed a restful day under a cloudy sky, a stiff breeze and at least a 50 - 50 chance of rain. Hugh was set to coduct some business in one of Dorset's most beautiful corners today and all I had to do was sit in the Range Rover and soak up the view.

First stop were the rolling fields just north of the picturesque village of Cranborne, with Martin Down in the far distance, to check on what can only be described as the

MUCK SPREADERS

Lorries bring in the compost from local farms

which is then transfered and spread on the recently harvested fields.
This a Barley Field

and this Oil Seed Rape.
Horton Tower,
a well know Dorset landmark, can be seen in the distance.

Don't worry we will get a little closer.

Just time to find a species of Convolulous

and HAZELNUT (also called Cob or Filbert according to species)
which I have not seen in many a day.

Onward to CRANBORNE CHASE where we found Paul

hauling another load this time from Wessex Water.
Human waste is also used on the land after special treatment.

Just driving around this beautiful countryside is a tonic.

As a huge bonus Hugh spotted a field of Barley being reaped in the
traditional fashion. no 'cuboid or 'round' bales here just good
Old Fashioned 'STOOKS'

The old baling machine does bind the stooks together which are

otherwise gathered by hand. This was great to see!

A final and slightly closer view of
HORTON TOWER
before heading home after a quiet and restful day.

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