All Around the World - The Jam

It has been a FABULOUS few days (even for the 'oddity' {Bah Humbug} who does't do Christmas) in the company of my Dear Friends the Dampney's and the Wickham's. Xmas Eve began at the home of John (Gramps) and Joyce (Nannie), with Tea consisting of home cooked Ham sandwiches, home made Mince Pies and the most scrumptious Christmas Cake imaginable. There followed something of a  Ladies Night, back at Harbins, where the 3 Equestrian Freinds exchanged presents. Hugh and I were the exceptions to the rule as we joined them for a few glasses of Bubbly and present opening. Most interesting were Jen's 'high-leg' knickers and T-Bear's fold-around riding coat but for pure novelty value

 Janet's 'Personalised' POO-PICKING WHEELBARROW, with
registration plate to match that of her Range Rover CHI2CKS.

 Now what more could a girl ask for?
Christmas Day and we were to be Royally entertained by Janet's brother
Martin and his wife Lisa at their Farm House close to Hurn Village.

 Janet, younger son Gavin and Nanny

 with Gramps and Hugh await the feast, they didn't have to wait long.

 A full roast Turkey dinner was followed by a novel
Apricot and Orange Christmas Pud with a variety of Cream etc,
a rich Hazelnut based Chocolate Trat and a Winter Fruits Gateaux.

 Anyone for
MOOSE?
Boxing Day? Well, Boxing Day is traditionally for wlking it all off
before starting again, so while Hugh, Janet, Jen, Flipper and Spot the Dog
went 'walkies', I headed north to find some birds.
While quoted as saying

 HERRING GULL
hardley ever linger in the vacinity of Parley Pond

 the fairly 'hard' overnight Frost, painting pretty patterns on the puddles,

 seemed to have driven them here in search of breakfast?
What were apparent was the largish increase in the number of

 REDWING

 around the Solar Panel and elsewhere.

 An estimated 300+ were in company with a quarter of that number of Fieldfare,
an untold number of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Starling
and other usual fare.

 At the Fishing Lakes a Woodcock was flushed, while not altogether unusual
the best haul was to be found on the wastelands behide the Eco Recycling Works.
There, first to spring from the large puddle, uneffected by the freeze, a male

 SHOVELER
in company with c2 female

SHOVELER
which, as far as is known, is a new species here at Parley Court Farm.
In addition there were c4 Mallard, c72 Teal (a record number for the year),
a pair of Raven, c9 Common Snipe and a disappointing c6 Linnet.
As for Boxing Day?
well, I have savoured some fine, fine food at Harbins
over the years but yesterday just nudged into a new dimention.
After the Guest of Honour

 LORD BORIS of the CHOPS
had settled down, the other 16 of us

 took our seats.

 Wot, No Starter!

 The Burning of the Midnight Pud

Jimi Hendrix
What a Feast - Many Thanks to Hugh and Janet.
Despite my Ebenezer'al tendencies (not 'mean' but simply a 'none believer')
there have been 'sent' and 'received' a number of very much welcomed
and appreciated messages and photographs.

Firstly (and it has to be said Foremost - no disrespect to others)
those 4 Little Munchkins from Down-Under

Benny, Alex, Elizabeth and Fred
Go On Fred let 'em have it!

Ille from Estonia

Roong and Jean Francois
in Thailand

Vicky Cheng
my Birding Pal and now Dear Friend in Taiwan
about to embark on a Mountaineering course in Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
Best of Luck Vicky.

TUAMOTU SANDPIPER

 Sent by my Birding Mate Steve Smith currently roughing it in the

Pacific Ocean.

You will already find a good number of his images from this trip @

birding poole harbour and beyond

with PLENTY more to follow around the turn of the year!

Take care Matey!

ERNZO JEAN LOUIS and FAMILY

in Port au Prince, Haiti

Captain
You make my joy complete , when I receive this little note from you at the end of this year. You are truly an amazing person and our meeting with you was not a hazard. Here in Haiti, Christmas is just a season to reminds us the birth of our savior not a season of celebration as it shows in other nation. The multiple political situation make it almost impossible to celebrate like others. Among everything we are hopeful for the future as keep our eyes unto The Lord . I know this coming year is going to be first class for all of us In Haiti.
Gina and I wish you and your family
A happy new year 2015
Love always

and me Ol' Muckers

EX Boss (emphasised just in case he gets any bright ideas)

MIKE HUGHES

(known to the South American Police as Myqueues or Shaver Lane)

LAKE TITICACA 2003

The Skinny Kid (right) along with the FFB (Jim the Medic)

Southern SOUTH AFRICA 2006

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Oh Carol - Neil Sedaka

We take the opportunity to wish all our

LOYAL READERS

a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

a Fine Christmas Present might be to pass

THE BAGSY BLOG (LINK)

on to your Friends and Families

The traditional Carols at the Manor was the order of the day for Sunday, with a throng of 50 or more lovely people gathered for a drop of Mulled Wine and nibbles. The only message from Lord Lawnie was "if I can't hear you singing, you won't be back next year" - In the deep mid-winter frosty winds may moan -who'd want to miss that?

Parley Court Manor
lit up like a Christmas Tree

and the Choir braving the elements to welcome us all onboard.

The rest is down to the people who attended

who, unfortunately I only got to meet a few of.

Hugh (centre) talking to nephew Justin and Danny (right).

2 fine new acquaintances
JJ
and

ex Tornado and Buccaneer pilot and now flying 'long haul' for British Airways
Noel.

Lawnie (adjusting specs) and wife Gwen face the music

with Lawnie taking up his imaginary baton.

and that was about it.
A GREAT evening was had by all!
A slow puncture sent me scurrying down to Weymouth and Portland
yesterday, a trip I could have done without as there was much else to
do here. A case of 'needs must', the self tapping screw was quickly removed
and the hole filled by the ever competent Steve and James at
South Coast Autos on the Granby Industrial Estate
(advert) Highly Recommended.

A quick stop at Ferrybridge, where the tide was high forcing the

BRENT GEESE
close up to the car park.
The opportunity was then taken to carry a few Christmas Greetings to the
Portland Bird Observatory
were the

BARRED WARBLER

something of a 'rarity'

was just starting its

Forth Week in residence there - good value bird which I am told
'hundreds of people have visited.

Having seen a few in the past this is not totally new to me but is an
addition to the (shorter than usual) Year List and the first ever seen
by me in the month of December.

In company with the above and very much enjoying the apples as well a
female BLACKCAP.

At extreme distance and only intermittently viewable via the Warden's telescope
GREAT SKUA
was also added to the Year List (archive photo).

Otherwise, just a couple of images of a couple of

BAT BOXES

4 in total financed, like the 4 Bard Owl Boxes, by the Solar Panel Contractors

GOLDBECK

and put in place by Chris Sugden.

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