Got back to Weymouth safely last night at 20-00, but disaster struck as both Weatherspoon's were packed to capacity, so had to pass on the lamb shank. However, on the upside I did bump into Norman and Diane Petty in company with Graham Lewis on his annual visit to Weymouth from his adopted home in Vancouver, Canada. Norman became a distantly related 'in-law' some years ago, and was also a longstanding team member on Buchan Alpha a long time before I went there. Under such circumstances Vinny Johnson at the Marlborough is always a guaranteed standby, so I settled for cod, chips and mushy peas, and got Baz (he sends his love Lisa) to taxi me home. Despite the date of my return, between London, Victoria and home I didn't notice a single bonfire, but there was the odd firework lighting up the sky. However, there was a blaze on the way back. As we approached the slip road , off the M27, to the old Cadnam roundabout the traffic ground to a halt, and up ahead we could see the flames of what turned out to be a car on fire. Two appliances arrive simultaneously, and it was extinguished in super quick time, but I don't remember seeing a car produce so much flame!
A very small part of the mass migration of Wood Pigeons above the coastal fringe of the county
Black-headed GullMy arrival at Radipole this morning coincided with the opening of North Hide, but the walk was in vain as there were only 8 Canada Geese there so I continued a walk around the rest of the reserve. Once again Wood Pigeons were predominant, with several 'thousands' passing overhead, while what appeared to be a 'few' Song Thrush and Meadow Pipits were also on the move. On the ground 7 Chiffchaff were present, with one in full song, a group of 10 Bearded Tit showed particularly well and a Great Spotted Woodpecker traversed the 'loop'. A single Kingfisher seemed content flying backwards and forwards beneath the span of the road bridge, and a reasonable number (52) of Mediterranean Gulls were either bathing close to the Visitor's Center or preening on the car park. It had been, I thought, a particularly mild morning but by mid-day the rain started to set in, and as I had to get a flu jab it was time to end the birding.
Great Crested Grebe now sporting 'winter plumage'
Two views of Mediterranean Gull
At home a parcel from Amazon awaited, which could only have been 'Seven Moons Live' a collaboration between Jack Bruce (Graham Bond Organisation, John Mayall, Manfred Mann, Cream et al), erstwhile Procol Harum axeman Robin Trower and the much understated Gary Husband on drums. The later was initially trained as a classical pianist, but is something of a revered multi-instrumentalist, especially in the world of jazz fusion, with a CV too extensive to contemplate. This DVD was another 'punt' as recommended by Andy Lindsay but not exactly a 'shot in the dark' as Mr Bruce has long been my world No1 bassist, while Trower hovers just outside of my top ten favorite guitarists. I have been privileged to seen Jack playing live with both Bond and Mayall, while Trower was one of the highlights of the '79 Reading Festival. bringing back memories of one of the most exciting moments in Rock that I have witnessed. In a word the album is 'superb', including some hint of jazz fusion (doubtless inspired by Bruce and Husband) on a bedrock of blues. In the main original compositions by one or other of the band members, but also featured are Sunshine of Your Love, White Room and Politician from the Cream era. Jack's voice stands up to the years, while Robin still undoubtedly thinks he's Jimi and has lost none of the trademark facial expressions. Gary I assimilate with Bonzo's nipper, Jason Bonham, a steady, competent work-a-day drummer, so together this trio really hit the spot. Just for information the gig was recorded at De Vereeniging, Nijmegen, Holland on the last day of February this year. So, without further ado I'll get back to another listen.
