'Leaning' On A Lampost - George Formby

Breakfast was of the 'continental' style but plenty of it and good variety, enough certainly to set me on my way for a day in Pisa.

Beyond the small Market Place and the City Walls is the

is the Basilica Rotunda

enclosed by even more City Walls.

Another, much larger Market

lines this part of the town

with what was considered a rether interesting and ornate door.

On closer inspection, the Rotunda was seen to suport a good number of Feral Pigeons, and not suprisingly breeding Peregrine. Maybe needless to say the 'trip bird list' had already been started with Robin, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit, Jackdaw & Little Egret while the distant Gulls flying overhead were considered to be Yellow-legged bringing the total to 8 species.

While I didn't or haven't researched all of the buildings, I did discover the 3 photographs above are of the Santissimo Sacramento looking resplendent in the bright sunlight.

Having seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa many times on the TV and in films, I had never had a burning desire to get closer, but had I not it would have been a great loss to say the least. Not only the 'tilt', built this way by design and not resulting from subsidence etc, but the architecture are of great interest and seen in this light (compare to yesterday) looked at what must have been its best.

In addition, I somehow had the idea that it was also coloured (shows how much attention I pay to the tele) not this beautiful natural (presumed) lime stone. Top of Tower in close-up.

Bet no one's ever thought of posing like this before?

Some of the gardens hereabouts, very well cared for.

I never did find out what this building was, looked every bit ecclesiastical, but a fine edifice all the same.

A great day and a wonderful city to wander around. Even the Local Polizia were friendly and very helpful. Strangely, I thought, these 2 officer were wearing the insignia of Paratroopers and told me that's exactly what they are - 15 jumps each, and counting.

Finally, Starling, Magpie, House Sparrow plus Carrion & Hooded Crow joined the Trip Bird List bringing the first 'full' day total to 13 - it will be time to hit the road again tomorrow!

Down By The Riverside - Louis Armstrong

Having to play catch-up again' it's back to late afternoon yesterday and although the flight was some minutes early there was the 1+ hour in Pisa from BST. 1.5 Eoro from the airport to the centre of town was a steel as it must have been a full 5Km, and as it stopped I could already see some of the fine architecture beyond the old city walls. No time for that at present, even though the day was getting long, with hotel to find and stow the kit. The Roma Hotel fitted the bill in as much as it was just a matter of yards from the Old City and time now was becoming something of a premium.

Enter Nello Bruno, a man who certainly knows his business and although the tarrif was more than I'd hoped to pay it was worth it to be in his company. Helpful really isn't the word, as he immediately answered all by pressing and immediate questions and I was booked in, sent to my room and back on the street in a blink of the eye.

I have to say of Bruno, that if all the Italians I meet are just half his worth then the trip is going to be more than memorable. First he advised I head for the banks of the River Arno, where looking to the west the sun was already well below the horizon leaving a lovely afterglow.

This is the veiw east, from the other side of the bridge, while along the banks were an array

of interesting buildings such as this tiny church

and an even larger version.

A statue of Garibaldi was the last thing I noted here a timely reminder of how much I like his biscuits - hee hee!

Arriving at the world famous Leaning Tower there was little enough light to see it let alone allow a decent photograph,

which was the same with all the other buildings which doubtless have prospect. I will do my best to bring you better immages of them

tomorrow, but being 'puffed out' it was most certainly time for

a Beer & a Bite to Eat - Pizza, what else.

Finally, I should say that this trip started with a 'one way' flight ticket so there is no rush to get back. In so doing, I am hoping to visit the last 5 countries not yet seen by myself which logistically may present a few interesting moments. Don't forget Rome wasn't built in a day - so I'll go there when it's finished!

& now the Bloody Spell Check isn't working - so over to you Sheila!

The Italian Job - Not Many People Knew That!

On the very cusp of Bournemouth's Hern Airport, Parley Court is perfectly placed for my flight later this morning. However, before that there was time to visit an area of Dorset that has only in recent times appeared on the 'birding radar'. Now seemingly well watched and producing its fair share of scarce species

Longham Lake, once a productive Gravel Pit, has now been turned over to nature, the Angling fraternity and a domestic water supply.

The main purpose of the bankside storage resevoirs is to improve the security of the water supply for local customers by providing stored river water to be used when existing resources are unavailable, such as after a pollution incident. The northern most lake is fed from the River Avon while to the south the River Stour is the source.

I have had the pleasure of visiting the area on 3 previous occassions, first to see a Hoopoe, then Ortolan Bunting and finally with Hugh when we met Ian the Water Bailiff. It was my pleasure to meet him again this morning when he enlightened me about the surrounds and fishing.

There is a small exhibition of photographs highlighting some of the monsters caught from the lake, recorded and then returned unharmed.

Of these the record weight for Carp thus far is 37lb 4oz,

Breem over 10lb, Pike 31+lb, Tench 8lb 4oz and Chubb 4lb.

Unsurprisingly, Cormorants present a problem for the Fishery so young fish particularly are given some protection by deployment of a number of Fish Refuges. These allow the fish to shelter among the trailing ropes while detering the birds.

The Lake, viewed here from the south perimeter path, is alive with waterfowl including both Little & Great Creast Grebe, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal and Coot but surprisingly there wasn't a single Moorhen on show.

There also appears to be a healthy population of Mute Swan while

there are also a couple of good looking pools that may easily attract a rare Wader in the future?

Trees abound, such as Beech, Birch, Ash, Alder and Oak, like this relatively young specimen sheltering just one of several new plantations.

The new Office Complex is impressive also with my borrowed Freelander in the background,

and one of a couple of unidentified Fungi to be seen around the shores.

Just before noon, Janet took me to Hern Airport where already the gate was open and right on time we took to the air.




The pilot indicated that both the Matahorn & Mont Blanc could be seen from the port side, and I was lucky to be there in a window seat. 25 minutes later we landed (10 minutes ahead of shedual) at Pisa, Italy.

There have been a few snags with today's post, so please bare with us.

Maggies Farm - Bob Dylan

A note for any readers visiting this site via the links on the
Portland Bird Observatory website.
As 'birders' you may find interest in the posts of Tuesday 4th October and 14th July 2011
(via the Search Engine) ref
'dark phase' Long-tailed Skua!

It's always a great treat to visit Parley Court Manor & Farm and even though rain was falling for part of the day, the temptation for a wander around was irresistible. Apart from an abundance of birds, and other wildlife, there is much to see here and always something new,

and perched on the banks of the River Stour is a huge bonus with Kingfishers flitting back and forth, Grey Heron feeding in the shallows and both Great Spotted & Green Woodpecker calling from nearby trees.

The latest innovation, of many dozens I have witness since my visits to the Dampneys started some years ago, is the Comfey Bed (animal bedding) project which stemmed from someones brainchild at their Recycling Centre. Instead of sending all scrap wood to the chipping mill and onward to Sweden for 'power generation', it is now separated on site and the 'clean' used in this process. While I know precious little (aka NOTHING) about machinery, there is always a great fascination watching it work not least in the Baling Plant.

Between bouts of topping up the hopper that feeds the conveyor to the bagging section, this multi-function fork lift loads

this lorry shortly to leave for Bristol.

Horses also play an important part in the Parley Business Ethic, with a most successful Equestrian Centre, a whole host of other equine activities

and this excellent range of Stable Blocks.

By late afternoon the rain had set in with little else to do but await an early dinner.

It is usual on such occasions for son Daryl to take care of 'starters', but this evening Hugh took charge of the Moules Marinière complimented by Janet's 'home made bread' and a 2008 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. While Cath and I were happy to rest on our laurels it was Janet again who came up trumps with a delicious Steak & Mushroom Pie followed by Raspberry Pavlova and not to forget a bottle or twa of 2001 Beaumes-de-Venis, Cotes-du-Rhone Villages.

There was a slight downturn to the evening, manifesting itself in a degree of envy as Daryl showed me his latest acquisition - say no more!