Whiskey Galore - Compton MacKenzie

Over the past few weeks, I have been embarked on a minimization programme with a view to getting rid of all the 'trappings' I don't either want or need. The final goal will be to become a Tramp or at the very least 'Of No Fixed Abode', in a nutshell I'm tired of this society of filth (litter, dog shit, graffiti et al) and those putting least IN getting most OUT, so I will at some stage 'drop out'! My music collection has already been transposed to i-Pod, photographs removed from albums ready for scanning and these 2 bottles of whiskey drained.

As a member of the Welfare Committee aboard the Floating Production Oil Rig 'Buchan Alpha', I was, in part, instrumental in arranging an award to celebrate our production of 100,000,000 barrels of oil by way of a specially commissioned bottle of 'Single Malt' with our self designed label. When the moment was right, I lovingly removed the cork an poured a tot into one of my best glasses and took a sip. "Oh my gawd", whatever this was it was not 'single malt', but persevering I added a shot of water - no improvement! You won't hear me say this very often, in fact the thought has never before been in my head but the lot went down the drain - Yuck!

The same could not be said for the second bottle, presented over a decade later, as we reached the 25th year of holding station at this acreage. That slipped down like an oyster over the next few evenings.

After a night of gale force wind, the morning broke to a fresh breeze and continuing mild conditions and almost throughout a sunny day. Once again conducive with growth of Fungi

there was plenty to see as I approached the cemetery. Once inside the graveyard, all of note was the continuous song of at least one Coal Tit and an unknown number of Goldcrest, so quickly on to Radipole.

Before arrival there were several blooms of White Campion to be seen along the roadside, perhaps again witness to the mild whether we have enjoyed of late. The book tells me this plant flowers between May and October, so not all that late!

The 'mud' has reappeared on the reserve once again to the liking of a party of Common Snipe but distantly across the lagoon a Water Rail was giving them some grief. There were also good numbers of mixed Gulls such as

second winter Common Gull,

first winter Mediterranean Gull,

first winter Black-headed Gull plus

an adult still showing a black hood

and a first winter Herring Gull.

My old mate, the Hooded Merganser, was still feeding close to the Westham Bridge sluice gates

and seemed to be doing well with a couple of small crabs and a Silver Eel. At Ferry Bridge the 'hundreds' strong gaggle of Brent Geese were still present, but that was all while at the Bill

Goldfinch were again numerous as were Gannets out to sea, but little else meant an early walk home. Whether dependant, it maybe a little further afield tomorrow as I rather fancy another trip to the 'near east' of Dorset.

NOW YOU'D PROBABLY CALL HIM A TRAMP
BUT YA KNOW IT GOES A LITTLE DEEPER THAN THAT
HE'S A HIGHWAY CHILE

Highway Chile - Jimi Hendrix