The 'Brum Franks' Famine Cruise

At 06-00 this morning the rain was hammering against the bedroom window, so what better excuse to roll over for another hour. Things got progressively worse as the morning wore on, so much so that by 10-30 I was reaching for the archive photos but soon after a text arrived.Wheatear at the windmills, Portland was sufficient to send me scurrying across the beach road where at Top Hill things were even worse. Hardly able to see a hand in front of you I persevered for about 2 hours, meeting both John Lucas and Martin Cade in the process but even between us we had no luck.

Wheatear wouldn't normally provoke such a response being both common and plentiful during the migration, but to record one in the month of February would be a first for me. So, now you know what they look like give me a ring if you see one before the month is out!

Otherwise, we once again resort to the archive and a few more mammal photographs from around the world. The Gemsbok were nervous, to say the least, not allowing Jim and I within a mile of them.

African Elephant - Swaziland

Chinese Squirrel

Eastern Bamboo Lemur - Madagascar

Golden Bamboo Lemur - Madagascar

African Lion - Lesotho

Wild Boar - Estonia

Yakushima Macaque - China

Galapagos Sealion

Muskrat - Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Gemsbok - Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa

It was with huge sadness that I learnt this week of the death of Ian Prophet long time fellow birder and friend. Always welcome in my company, Ian was a quiet, gentle man who I never heard mutter a bad word about anyone, you will be greatly missed Ian!

Last week my youngest daughter Lisa sent me a set of CD's of my dad's memoirs she had copied from his original audio tapes. Given the weather, I listened to the first of these this morning which brought a tear to my eye particularly as I had followed, more or less in his footsteps, when he tells of first joining the Royal Navy. Having joined as a HO (Hostilities Only) he was given the option of leaving as he had lost the tops of his left thumb and fore-finger to a mangle at the age of 18 months. He decided to stay in and during his first few weeks was stationed at HMS's St Vincent, Vernon and Dolphin all of which would become very familiar to me in later years. At the latter he encountered Submariners whose attitude to life and the service particularly changed his own attitude and stimulating him to join that service. Unfortunately, after training and his first 'dive' in HM S/M Cachalot he was found to have a perforated eardrum and was sent back to General Service. Which brings me neatly on to

The 'Brum Franks' Famine Cruise

In 1968 HM S/M Alcide was deployed to within the Arctic Circle to investigate certain unusual shipping movements. On such detachments a Submarine would be required to 'store for war', taking to sea far more supplies and equipment than on a 'normal' patrol including such things as inflatable dingies, diving gear etc. With no idea of a date of return, we were required to carry as much food stuffs as the stowage would allow this being the sole responsibility of our Coxswain (the Senior Senior Rate, Doctor, Policeman and any other job not covered by others) Brum Franks. It was only after a number of weeks at sea, where the order was 'silent running' that it started to become apparent that for whatever reason, Brum had failed to carry out this order. As time passed and the victuals depleted the best meal of what became our last week of the voyage was Curried Herrings in Tomato Sauce - yum yum!

It should be mentioned that on such journeys the usual discomforts of being submerged in a 'tin can' were doubled as all gangways were over-stowed with supplies making it impossible to stand upright, talking had to be kept to a minimum and even walking from one end of the boat to the other was strictly regulated as it would be detrimental to the trim of the vessel. Worst than all of these was the stoppage of 'Ukers', the Royal Navy version of Ludo which was an integral part of any day at sea. The rattle of dice within a Bakelite beaker could be just the thing to alert a potential enemy, as would be the flushing of the 'heads' which was also under the strict control of the Officer of the Watch.

Gash (rubbish) is another important consideration as jetsam would also alert interested parties to the presence of the 'boat'. To this end a Gash Ejector was fitter in the After Ends of the boat with all rubbish being placed into chemically treated bags before being 'fired', via the Ejector, into the sea. There was nothing haphazard about this operation as each bag had to be weighed down by tins and other heavy objects, allowing the bag to sink to the seabed, the chemicals do their work over several days allowing the rubbish to remain sunk.

Nearing the end of the cruise, the Captain had decided that the little frozen vegetables and meat remaining should be saved for our final Sunday at sea and everyone would enjoy a roast dinner before returning to base. As was usual the night before the Baby Chef (the junior of the 2 onboard) would repair to the freezer, collect the provisions for the next day, using some of the afore mentioned bags for ease of carriage , and leave them to thaw in the bathroom which was sited opposite the galley. This area was always known as 'the bathroom' despite there being no bath, or shower for that matter, just 2 sinks as a Submariner never got any part of his body wet except face and hands.

After a fairly long period of meager rations everyone was looking forward to what was now being billed 'The Sunday Party' but that was before realisation that overnight the order to 'ditch gash' had been given. Yes, you've got it, the night watchmen seeing the bags in the bathroom simply tied a knot in the neck, tested it for weight and fired it into Davy Jones' Locker. The rest of the story is unprintable save to say that Brum (one of the most amiable characters I ever came across) lost 2 years seniority and 6 month Submarine pay.

Submariner's Trivia

All surface ships, and their crews are known to the Submariner as 'Skimmers' as they only ever 'skim the surface'.

To the Submariner there are only 2 types of vessel afloat 'Submarines' and 'Targets'.

Submariners were paid an extra £1.00 a day in 1968, and Divers 4 shillings equivalent of 20 pence now. I received both in those days.

Part of a Submariner's training includes, 3 'free (just in swimming trunks) escapes' from 40 feet, 2 'free' from 60 feet, one 'free' from 100 feet and one 'suited' from 100 feet in the high tank at HMS Dolphin.

Communication Breakdown

A problem with my laptop is preventing me from publishing all today's activities. Despite yet another dreary looking day the weather was still and mild making for a pleasant wander around the borough. In the cemetery the afore mentioned fruit tree is still attracting northern Thrushes hosting c5 Redwings while elsewhere Goldcrest (singing), Greenfinch and plenty of Wood Pigeon were also present. Over at Radipole there was a Bittern on the wing briefly, c18 Common Snipe, half a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a mardy Warden who having 'LOST' our recent disagreement couldn't even be man enough to return my 'Good Morning' greeting. Oh don't you just wish you could have had this kind of invertebrate on a ship with you?

Anyway, that aside Portland was no more productive bird wise but given the beautiful weather and surroundings this obliging

Skylark was worth the walk alone.

c6 Long-tailed Tits were seen at Southwell and my second vocal 'migrant',

a Chiffchaff, was seen in the Obs garden. This, coupled with c2 Bumble Bees collecting pollen from the Winter Flowering Honeysuckle made the morning very spring like.

Fast forward to returning to Weymouth, I met up with Sheila Edwards and our two friends Carly and Teah and enjoyed a couple of drinks together in The Swan. I also met up with

Recording Artist Danny Adams who, as luck might have it, could well be in the USA later in the year, the same time as my visit. I'm hoping to have the snags sorted by tomorrow, when I'll talk to you again! CHEERS!

Not A Lot Doing Today

On yet another dank and dreary day the prospect of rain seemed high so an early start was thought best, but passing through an equally dreary cemetery the drizzle was already starting. At Radipole things were little better and even these single

Great Crested Grebe and

Black-tailed Godwit looked bedraggled.

Through the gloom that was Weymouth Bay this morning, the former Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures vessel HMS Dulverton could be seen approaching Portland Harbour. Having recently undergone a refurbishment and refit she is now ready for transfer to the Lithuanian Navy under the name of M54 Kurvis.

Further on at Greenhill

c20 Turnstones were seen in the beach

but there was little, or no chance of seeing anything further afield as that is when the rain started in earnest.

On the first pass I had to ignore these Sweet Violets for fear of getting the camera wet, but at the Lodmoor shelter at least the

Long-billed Dowitcher, recently returned from Poole Park, was showing albeit head under wing. With a lull in the precipitation, it was time to head for Ferrybridge where the only change from Saturday was the arrival of

130+ Dunlin

which were perpetually flighty, and the absence of any Black Brant or Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

The only contenders in the Goose department were about 100 Dark-bellied Brent which were either nervy and mobile or distant. There were also the same combination of Gulls including Great Black-backed, Herring, Common, Mediterranean plus

these 2 Black-headed Gulls which were posing so well

it would have been a shame not to 'click' away!


Just an hour after the tide turned there were a few common birds to see, but on the way home

this male Red-breasted Merganser seemed content perched on the sea wall.

That was before it saw me showing interest, after which it quickly took to the sea

and then to flight, and was then gone.

Leaving the bus for the short walk home, I lingered to view the progress of the new road system which now seems to be close to being finished????

This shot shows the Boot Hill roundabout as it was on 6th June last year, since when

a lot of work has been undertaken to get it looking like this. If it all works then Weymouth will have benefited from some of the Olympic cash 'swilling around' at the moment.

finally today I can end on a real 'high' by copying this note from the Portland Bird Observatory web-site:-

We understand that planning application for helicopter pleasure flights over the Bill area has now been withdrawn by the applicant. Many thanks to the considerable number of Obs members and others who've taken the trouble to object to this proposal in recent days.

Left My Soul There, Down By The Sea!

Dipper - today's target bird

Having recorded Dipper already this year is no reason to write them off until 2012, on the contrary this extraordinary family are always worth a look. The River Hooke at Maiden Newton was my last sighting, but since then there have been reports from Lyme Regis just a few miles to the west which was my destination today. With no time restriction on the 'bus pass' at week-ends the X53 service at 07-30 just filled the bill and by 09-20 I was there.

Unfortunately, no Dipper was seen but it was felt worth while to post these photos from the archive of a most remarkable little bird. On size and shape, more like that of a small Thrush, this bird was not created to dwell in trees or bushes no, it is more at home walking 'under water'! As the picture above shows, they survey the riverbed for likely prey

before plunging in, often from a rocky perch, and walk fully submerged to catch aquatic invertebrates.

The River Lym is also the home of Dippers which flows into the sea more or less in the centre of the town,

from where there is an adequate footpath to Uplyme a couple of miles inland to the north.

Picturesque throughout, the walk alone is worth the journey here and within 10 minutes of my start this morning

the first of c7 Grey Wagtails was seen.

It wasn't long after this the first of the 'characters' hove into view, and while I didn't get this gentleman's name I sure as hell enjoyed his company. During our conversation, it transpired that we both enjoyed singing (he Country, me anything I can lay my hands on), and Young Girl by Gary Puckett & the Union Gap neatly served as catalyst. Yes, some will guess what's coming, as we both stood on a bridge singing this at the top of our voices, and rumour has it that Simon & Garfunkel are sh*t*ing themselves!

All along the way are things of interest (like this mini canal running close to these cottages)

plus beautiful scenery, and

one or two more familiar 'waterbirds'. Mallard male.

Mallard female.

As you near the village of Uplyme there is this

beautiful, now defunct, mill and further on

I did rather like this bridge parapet covered in moss.

There were also a few Snowdrops in bloom

and this fungi which along with most others that appear herein remains unidentified.

Giving this nifty little cottage, tucked away in a woody glade, more than a once over I heard a familiar but long time absent birdsong from the bushes further along, and felt sure my ears were not deceiving me

as a male Blackcap reveled itself whilst continuing to sing from within the thicket.

I bought a snippet back for you!

It was now time to return to Lyme Regis which is probably most famous for its fossils,

and the harbour wall, known as "The Cobb",

which features in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, and in the film & novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman, by local writer John Fowles.

The town was also home to Admiral Sir George Somers, its one time mayor and parliamentarian, who founded the Somers Isles, better known as Bermuda.

In conjunction with the above it was interesting to note this plaque on the wall of a solicitors office on the High Street.

The Marine Theatre probably qualifies as the least attractive architectural feature in the town, but for me was journey of nostalgia. I have lost count of the British Blues Legends it has been my privilege to hear perform here over the years, along with dozens of local bands. Some of these include (Mick Abrahms) Blodwyn Pig, Jon Hiseman's Colosseum, The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation plus many more.

Ain't Ya Coming Home Babe?

The theatre doors were open so I just bowled in to find the Lyme Regis Theatrical Group setting stage for their latest production, and by way of thanks for allowing me an uninterrupted 'memory jerker' here are the details.

Be there, or be Square!

A walk along the promenade is always great value here to note some of the unusual, but not displeasing, houses on the way.

This one still complete with lead drainage pipes and accompanying water trough dated 1768,
and the Volunteer Public House at the top of the High Street.

and a day at the 'Sea Side' would not be complete without and attendant

Herring Gull

plus close-up.

'The Sea'

Flocking to the sea
Crowds of people wait for me
Sea gulls scavenge
Steal ice cream
Worries vanish
Within my dream

I left my soul there,
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free

Fishing boats sail past the shore
No singing may-day any more
The sun is shining
The water's clear
Just you and I walk along the pier

Chorus

A cool breeze flows but mind the wasp
Some get stung it's worth the cost
I'd love to stay
The city calls me home
More hassles fuss and lies on the phone

from the album 'Big Calm' by 'Morcheeba

I would like to thank Scott (South African exile) for his company, my singing Partner, the gentleman and his son from The Gambia and the lovely lady from Bridport who held me spellbound with her conversation on the bus back. You all added to a very special day!