The Bagsy Blog

Saturday, 4 February 2012

Look Through Any Window - The Hollies

Welcome back to the Home of Spelling Mistakes, where yesterday's, which was more of a Typo, has now been amended. For once I discovered this myself (Sheila & Janet will soon be redundant) perusing the post this morning the culprit being Lecher Dogs that had brought down the hapless Roe Deer, I did of course mean Lurcher Dogs.
So, ever onward, and all too quickly my visit to Parley Court was over but full of lovely memories. Yesterday afternoon Janet and I stood in the kitchen chatting while a whole host of more common birds were visiting the feeders. Sometimes a little overlooked I fancy, this was a great opportunity to watch in wonder and take some close-up shots. These images of 14 different species were all taken through the kitchen window within the space of just one hour.

Robin

Dunnock

Mistle Thrush

Pied Wagtail

Great Spotted Woodpecker

male Blackbird

female Blackbird

Great Tit

Kestrel

Collared Dove

male House Sparrow

male Pheasant

female Pheasant

Song Thrush

Wood Pigeon

Blue Tit

In addition to these Black-headed & Herring Gulls, Little Egret, Green, Gold & Chaffinch, Wren, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mallard, Lapwing, Starling, Redwing, Fieldfare, Meadow Pipit and Stock Dove were all recorded from the same spot. Not a bad tally for just staying at home!

Not that I'm really any sort of 'sports' fan, but on a cold afternoon of continuous rain there are worse things to do than watch the Scotland v England Rugby Match. Already, with the game just 4 minutes old, I've had my monies worth raising a giggle as the band playing the Scottish National Anthem go under the pun title of The Red Hot Chili Pipers.

Along with that, I do enjoy the description some attach to the game:-

"Rugby is a game for Hooligans played by Gentlemen"
while "Football is a Gentleman's game played by Hooligans"

Friday, 3 February 2012

I Get Too Hungry For Dinner At 8

Weymouth Seafront yesterday morning as once again I boarded the X53 service to Poole, then onward to Christchurch and a short notice dinner with the family Dampney. With little more than 18 hours notice, here's one invitation wild horses wouldn't be able to keep me away from. Unfortunately (only as far as the Blog is concerned), it's the 'social whirl' that puts me yet another day behind, but really who's counting.

Arriving at Parley Court there was time to take a wander around to seek out any changes that have come about since my last visit, and in this ever changing environment it wasn't long before I came across the latest acquisition.

Best described by the immortal Michael Flanders and Donald Swann "a London transport diesel-engined 97-horsepower omnibus."

As usual there was the never ending transit of aviation transport with this flight of a squadron of attack aircraft used by the MoD for training purposes, and

the odd private aircraft.

Daryl had decided to cook for the evening meal, the main reason for my attendance, seen here with his Commis Chef mum Janet,

turning out a fine Tomato Tarte Tatin which was gently assisted down by a Lebanese Chateau Musar.

Thee poachers had been active on the estate complete with Lercher Dogs, and already brought down a Roe Deer, The Police had been informed but due to "inconsistency of evidence" no charges were forthcoming. However, it being an ill wind that doesn't blow someone some good, there was a lump of venison or so to be had. Hugh called on the services of his Game Keeper who deftly butchered the hapless beast which we were all about to enjoy with

a drop of Charley Herring and a Southern Right 2009 Pinotage ( highly recommended).

Sauteed medallions with braised vegetables made for a fine plate,

but better was to come.

To end the gastronomic delight a White Chocolate Tower with a Raspberry Liqueur and a novel

Canadian Riesling 'Ice Wine'.

Janet, Hugh, Daryl and Cath happy for me to do all the work taking the photographs.

No promises, because the social activities continue, but it is hoped to catch up tomorrow with a few bird photographs from the kitchen window, here's a 'taster'.

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Sri Lanka - The Teardrop of India

The intent had been to get some chores such as shopping, dhobying, cleaning etc done then have a couple of days at a steady pace before getting back to the 'rat race'. That has not been the case as feeling rather like Ringo Starr there has been a succession of invitations to lunch, dinner etc which quite simply cannot be resisted.

First of these comes from my dear friends at Parley Court, who used the 'bait' of son Daryl cooking dinner this evening which they know full well will lure me to their place. The Dampney's and I met quite by chance on a trip to Sri Lanka in 2006 since when our friendship has grown and grown and now includes all members of their wider family.