The Bagsy Blog

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Dream Weaver - REO Speedwagon

With nothing of significance to report on the Blog today, unless you include a lunchtime pint with Ted King & Vera Powell at The Swan, I'll get straight on to one I made earlier!

The following 2 photographs were taken in a private garden in Portland in early July this year. A strange occurrence, to say the least, but no one has any delusions about it being a wild bird, it has obvious escaped from somewhere. This is the second 'Weaver' to have been seen on Portland (see below) but regardless of provenance a beautiful bird to see.

Village Weaver - Portland, Dorset published by kind permission of the finder/photographer.

Same bird, different angle.

This Village Weaver was photographed in The Gambia where, along with most other African countries, it is common, and is a popular cage-bird.

Cape Weaver - of Southern Africa taken near Cape Town.

Southern Masked Weaver - common throughout Southern Africa, this photograph was taken in Botswana.

Vitteline Masked Weaver - widespread throughout much of Africa, and a popular cage-bird. This individual was seen in the Portland Bird Observatory Garden - Martin Cade.

Baya Weaver - Swaziland

Streaked Weaver - United Arab Emirates - Martin Cade

Lesser Weaver (tee hee its not a bird)

The family Ploceidae, or Weavers, are small passerine birds related to the Finches. Seed-eating with rounded conical bills, most of which breed in sub-Saharan Africa, with fewer species in tropical Asia and also in Australia. The Weaver group is divided into the Buffalo, Sparrow, Typical and Widow Weavers. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, and are often alone in construction of their 'woven' grass nests from which the name was derived. On the subject of nests, each species weaves a separately identifiably shaped nest which can aid the identification of the bird.

One of the best days we've had so far as 'readership' is concerned, thanks for all your support.
Bagsy

Country | State/Region | City | ISP

Num	Perc.	Country Name
3139	83.86%	United Kingdom
167	4.46%	Estonia
106	2.83%	Netherlands
72	1.92%	United States
50	1.34%	Canada
30	0.80%	Romania
24	0.64%
24	0.64%	Australia
23	0.61%	Japan
12	0.32%	Argentina
11	0.29%	Spain
8	0.21%	Denmark
6	0.16%	New Zealand
5	0.13%	Colombia
5	0.13%	Venezuela
5	0.13%	Ireland
5	0.13%	Brazil
4	0.11%	Norway
4	0.11%	Belgium
4	0.11%	India
3	0.08%	Germany
3	0.08%	France
2	0.05%	Moldova, Republic Of
2	0.05%	United Arab Emirates
2	0.05%	Portugal
2	0.05%	Vietnam
2	0.05%	Finland
2	0.05%	Russian Federation
1	0.03%	Croatia
1	0.03%	Mexico
1	0.03%	Thailand
1	0.03%	Poland
1	0.03%	Cyprus
1	0.03%	Ecuador
1	0.03%	Italy
1	0.03%	Singapore
1	0.03%	Europe
1	0.03%	Czech Republic
1	0.03%	Asia/pacific Region
1	0.03%	Bosnia And Herzegovina
1	0.03%	Turkey
1	0.03%	Costa Rica
1	0.03%	Taiwan
1	0.03%	Paraguay
1	0.03%	Indonesia
1	0.03%	Sweden
1	0.03%	Pakistan
1	0.03%	Belarus
1	0.03%	Philippines

and finally, on my way home today I received an invitation to attend the ceremony of 'Splice the Mainbrace' at the Corner House, Straights, Portland on Saturday 31st July 2010. There was nothing in the Royal Navy that was surrounded by so much attention to detail and formality than the daily 'rum ration'. I have often promised myself that I would one day write down the full traditions of what ceased to exist on 16th June 1970, the reason I tell people for my leaving the Navy? More will be reveled closer to the time.

D'ya Hear There!

Let it be known by this proclamation that all Seafarers, members and ex-members of Her Britannic Majesty’s Royal Navy including members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Naval Reserve, Women’s Royal Naval Service, and other diverse organisations, together with members and ex-members of the other Armed Forces, the Royal British Legion, and the Royal Naval Association, and also any other interested civilians who may wish to attend, take part in, and imbibe of the ancient and revered occasion of Splice the Mainbrace which will be ceremoniously conducted together with various historical lectures and competitions in aid of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institute on Saturday 31st July 2010 at 14.30 or 5 bells of the afternoon watch at The Corner House Inn, in The Straits on Portland, to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the stopping of the daily issue of 1/8 of an Imperial pint of Rum to the Royal Navy.

Precedence will be given to the more senior attendees who drew a daily tot during their Naval career. Most especially welcome are holders of crossing the line and/or blue nose certificates, three-badgemen, ratings whose Service Certificates have no corner, anyone who has, or has had, a blue station card, members of the Fleet Air Arm whether or not their front line time has included a Warship, members of the Submarine Service as long as they are in date for a proper (ie non-birdbath) dhobi, Royal Marines, no matter which instrument they play, Blazer owning Field Gunners, with or without all appendages, Regulars and Irregulars of the Corner House Inn, Gentlemen (or Ladies) with more than 12 tattoos which are spelt correctly, Uckers (Ludo Navy Rules) Grand Masters, Scurry faced B*****ds, and in fact pretty much anybody.

Monday, 12 July 2010

You Don't Have to Win to Be A Winner

The victorious Spanish team and head coach.

I think this morning we all need to shout Viva España after last nights tussle to beat the Dutch by that single goal. The Italians have that wonderful (Latin) saying veni vidi vici the Spanish certainly came, saw and conquered the rest of the world. However, I think there was an even bigger winner overall who only won one match and exited in the first round. South Africa showed themselves to be up and coming Giants on the world stage in every direction, and if my own experiences are anything to go by this is a MUST visit country.

In 2006 I took a flight to Johannesburg and then backpacked through Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and back into South Africa. All 4 countries were equally friendly despite there being some difference in development, but throughout the infrastructure made for a pleasant and smooth trip.

Crossing the border from Swaziland back into SA in the mountains of Lebombo, I journeyed to Lesotho then to Bloemfontein before undertaking the extremely long coach journey to Cape Town.

The first views of Table Mountain were impressive to say the least,

but closer you were able to take the cable car to the summit via one hell of a queue.

There I met up with my mate Jim the Medic, spending a few days in the Lord Nelson at Simonstown (notice the notice),

giving us time to view the Jackass Penguins before heading east along the magnificent Coastal Highway.

A short stop at the Toe of Africa before moving on to the

Cape Agalhas Lighthouse built in 1849. (This photo is dedicated to the Lifton's of Lighthouse spotting fame).

Me and the Skinny Kid at the point where the force of 2 mighty Oceans meet, the Indian and Atlantic. It is possible to see the contraflow of tidal movement here. From there we toured the vast expanse of the Little Karoo for a few days, before coming to the picturesque village of Tulbagh. In the Cape Dutch Quarter the area is famed for its wine production, and I can tell you we took no time at all to prove this for ourselves - fan-blooming-tastic.

Each evening we dined under blossoming Jacaranda trees, serenaded by mine host who's forte was opera, and not to be outdone I fired in a few 60's songs for good measure. However, this is not all that the hamlet is famous for, as one of the residents is none other than Blues drummer extraordinaire, Peter (Ginger) Baker. We had no trouble locating him on our last day, as he is predictably at the same cafe each day at 13-00. Not what you would call an affable man, but we did sit next to the legend for all of our meal.

The next day we started to head south, and as we passed a stud and huge house we pulled up quickly to photograph this sign. No need to say who lived there?