Africa - Toto

Doesn't look like the bad weather is going to clear any time soon, so once again we have to rely on the photo archive. The recent receipt of a post card from South Africa inspired me to visit that country Bird File, so here is a selection which we hope you enjoy.

The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti

JACKASS PENGUIN

AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER

PLUM COLOURED STARLING

 These lower 2 images have been borrowed from Wiki to
highlight the true beauty of what was my favourite bird on that trip.

 AFRICAN FISH EAGLE

ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRD

WATER DIKKOP

 OSTRICH

AFRICAN HOOPOE

LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA

 WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER

 BLACKSMITH PLOVER

AFRICAN JACANA

WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK

BOKMAKIERIE

MARABOU

 AFRICAN SPOONBILL

 CAPE FRANCOLIN

ORANGE-BREASTED SUNBIRD

 BLUE WAXBILL

 AFRICAN STONECHAT

NORTHERN BLACK KORAN

 ANT-EATING CHAT

 SPECKLED PIGEON

CAPE SUGARBIRD

on PROTEA South Africa's National Flower

 BLACK CRAKE

 YELLOW=BILLED DUCK

BLUE-BILLED FIREFINCH

CROWNED PLOVER

GREY-HEADED BUSH-SHRIKE

CAPE SPARROW
easy to identify given the 'white capital C' on face/head.

and finally the countries National Bird
BLUE CRANE

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	939
United States	820
Poland	204
Germany	71
Russia	63
Estonia	34
China	29
Canada	22
India	19
Malaysia    It's been a while! Good to see you.	8

It's My Party - Lesley Gore

Another full day of foul weather, despite the forecasters prediction of "dry by noon", on which I didn't leave the house even to feed the birds. However, that was all there was in the way of bad news as my 'long overdue'

 POST CARD from SOUTH AFRICA arrived,
thank you Lesley I remember this fantastic bird well from my travels there.

 So, a return to yesterday and it was Party Night here.
JANET, DARYL and

 HUGH put up the 'provisional' decorations, there are sure to be
more in the coming days.
Along with Hugh I took on the responsibilities of
Bar-Steward making sure everyone had a charged glass.

 First on scene was Tracey and family as the house quickly filled.

 MOUSEY the GAMEKEEPER (second left)
holds court, and VIC (checked shirt) who I met for the first time
very much enjoying the company.

 IAN (Golf Green Keeper) and wife.

 Plenty going on.

 Nephew TRISTAN who kindly arranged my ticket to see
Southampton play Manchester City recently

 Janet's dad JOHN, son GAVIN, horse riding friend JEN, JANET,
mum JOYCE and Gavin's partner SAM.

 DEBBIE and FRIEND

 New Zealander KIRK and new bride Olympian ZARA.

 Rouges Gallery
MICHAEL and NORMAN

 The 'head count' at this point was 58

and then soon to be wed RACHEL and JUSTIN arrived making
a round 60. A GREAT evening was had by all.

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	833
United States	767
Poland	188
Germany	67
Russia	62
Estonia	33
China	25
Canada	22
India	19
France	6

Fourth Time Lucky

A pleasantly sunny day with little in the way of wind and remaining mild for the time of year. Unfortunately, the only thing to mar this were a few chores, bank, shopping etc, in Weymouth but on the up-side a chance to visit a few friends with a little Christmas cheer. However, on the way there was yet another chance to see the

 c2 COMMON CRANE

 that remain in the County close to the village of Chesilbourne.

 This was my 4th visit to the site, the other 3 all drawing a 'blank'

and while today's views were far from ideal at least they were seen!

A slightly better impression to give the reader a better idea of
what this elegant bird looks like, a single
COMMON CRANE
on The Fleet at Langton Herring in 2011.
With no hurry to my visit a little time was spent in the area producing

 COMMON BUZZARD

 GREY WAGTAIL

 lots of ROOK and Carrion Crow,

 KESTREL

 a very lucky
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE

 another shot at ROOK

 SKYLARK

 STONECHAT

and YELLOWHAMMER
The rest of my day was as described above so little use for the camera.

 What is still known as the 'New' Weymouth Relief Road

 VICTORIAN SHELTER
Weymouth Sea Front

and WEYMOUTH SANDS and ESPLANADE
looking a little forlorn now the holiday makers are gone.

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	878 returns to pole position
United States	750
Poland	182
Germany	67
Russia	58
Estonia	35
China	29
Canada	24
India	20
Philippines	9

To the Thames - Heroic Cuplet

O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream

My great example, as it is my theme!

Though deep yet clear, though gentle yet not dull;

Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full.

Another day of heavy rain and high wind, not ideal for driving back from London, but the 'gain' would be worth any amount of 'pain'!

 Yesterday evening we did find a bit of a break in the weather

and took a stroll along the bank of the River Thames.
The 'cuplet' (set to music) is a song remembered from my school days.

We found our way to the
CHRISTMAS FAIR
which despite the weather and lack of people was fantastic.
We managed to squeeze in a Bratwurst Dog

before heading home for a bedtime story

and FRED collecting a few friends

The 'theme card' in the Advent Calendar was to
"dress like the 3 Wise Men".
There are 3 Wise Men if ever I saw them, and then it was time for
me to head south.

All else was the view from the bedroom window

of a rapidly swelling River Stour.
More tomorrow I hope!

Entry	Pageviews
United States	888
United Kingdom	862
Poland	188
Germany	75
Russia	63
Estonia	35
China	32
Canada	25
France	12
Philippines	9