University Challenge

As suggested yesterday, most of my time is now being taken up sussing out the next trip and/or thinking out a 'new direction'. Thus far the options for travel have been whittled down to 3, but in any of these events the direction will be 'WEST'! Already the Field Guides to Northern South America, West Indies and Where to Watch Birds in South America have been employed, with the latter causing a great deal of excitement. So, the plan for today's post was to delve into the archive once again but, coincidentally, I received an e-mail from my friend

ROBERT WHITE
(Son of Secret) challenge

giving me a written and photographic account of his first 3 weeks at Bristol University. He had said in leaving that the intent would be to discover the city between bouts of lectures, tutorials etc, but didn't imagine he would have got round to doing so much in such a short space of time. The images that follow are just some of those sent along with the narrative which is also his, for which I thank Bert and look forward to seeing you soon - CHEERS!

There's so much to see and do here! I think you'd love it - especially the history behind everything! 

For example, The Matthew, is a replica of the ship sailed by John Cabot in 1497 in the discovery of America, making him, and not therefore, Columbus the original discoverer of America.

In his honour there is Cabot Circus, a large shopping development, but also other things like Cabot Tower:

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Goldney Hall, which forms part of the University Hall of Residence, front and

rear elevations plus

The Orangery and includes

 its own Folly.   

Old Port Steam Train

Blue Jays - Justin Hayward & John Lodge (Moody Blues)

With yet another glitch on the lap-top, this time of 4 days duration, it has been a labour of love to get photos uploaded on an unfamiliar machine let alone post the Blog. Yesterday's effort was a 'post by proxy' for which I thank my dear friend Secret for his patience as I described how to 'post' down the telephone. Add to that my return home and a mass of stuff to do it is unlikely that, if there is a post at all over the next few days, the content may well be limited. We will however do our best! Unfortunately, since we got back 'on line' there has been no time to catch up on e-mails etc so apologies to all of those awaiting a reply which hopefully will follow shortly.

As announced I am now back to the homestead after what can only be described as a fantastic break while helping out my friends at Parley Court. The last evening there was in the company of Cath, fiancee and eldest son Daryl, Janet, Hugh along with Janet's Dad and Mum John and Joyce to enjoy a sumptuous 'Last Supper'. Haunch of venison and fruit sponge pudding with real custard was much enjoyed along with excellent conversation including Joyce relating how Jay's often visit their bird table. I had said that the 2 outstanding birds that I would love to photograph in Dorset were Barn Owl and Jay with a request to 'stake out the feeding station at my next visit. There are always a number of Jays around the farm and close to the house but no one has ever seen one at the feeders, so

 

what a surprise when this little beauty turned up, just before I left for home, right outside the kitchen window.

I was upstairs at the time and thought Janet had hurt herself when she alerted me to the bird, which had flown off by the time I got to the kitchen.

No need to worry as it returned time and time again and between visits

a handful of peanuts were transferred to the top of the feeder

allowing for a much better pose. Must hurry away now to 'tick' the appropriate box -sad eh??

Goodbyeee - Peter Cook and Dudley Moore

Well, after 29 days away it is time to say farewell to the Parley Court Farm Family and return to Weymouth. Not that leaving will be easy, but there is much to be done once I am back home. Most of the frosty morning was spent wandering around what was once My Manor

looking across the Harbins Garden,

as misty and swollen River Stour

most of which was inaccessible today due to the flooded footpath and meadows.

However, the sunrise more than made up for that and I was soon on my way to

the Stable where Janet (lady of the house) and riding companion Jenny were ready for their daily canter.

Not far down the path the Goats were awaiting breakfast

by which time the riders had caught up with me.





Expect the CHOOKS will be pleased to see the back of me as when I arrived there were 12, which has now reduced to 10 and I 'pinched' all their eggs.

The Parley Pond has produced some excitement during my stay, best of which was the discovery of the 2 Mandarins. Unfortunately, one of the 5 juvenile Mute Swans has also 'popped its clogs', cause of death unknown.

One Hugh's many 'side-lines' is the Car Boot Sale which we visited before I left and enjoyed a cup of coffee and cake, before the final duty saying

goodbye to the Dogs. They, unlike everything else under my care have increased by one as Harold the Greyhound/Whippet?? is on temporary loan. Cheerio chaps, see you again soon I hope!



Farmer John - The Searchers

Both today's sunshine and dramatic cloud formations were best enjoyed somewhere such as Cranbourne Chase, the rolling downlands in north east Dorset adjoining the Wiltshire border. Hugh had some business to attend to in the area and was once again kind enough to take me along for the ride.

HORTON FOLLY was seen from the road, designed by British architect Humphrey Sturt and built in 1750. He was the Lord of Horton Manor and was five times returned to parliament as the MP for the county of Dorset 1745-86. He owed his wealth to his grandfather, Sir Anthony Sturt, who had been a successful business man and City of London alderman and Victualler to the Navy.

Beautiful views are afforded across the rolling farmland, where Hugh is contracted to spread manure

and what a moment to go check all was going well

with the operation!

A great opportunity also to look at one of Lord Cranbourne's properties

and the Beech Tree Avenue that leads to his front door.

One of the Gate Houses of this vast property, while further on we visited



The STOCKS INN at the village of Furzehill near Wimborne, gets its name from the old village stocks that were situated just outside the building and remain to this day. It is rumoured they were installed next to the pub in order for the bar maids to provide water for the people being incarcerated in the stocks, sometimes for days at a time. Additionally, the local smuggler Isaac Gulliver was believed to have stashed his illegal contraband in the cellar beneath the pub.



Back on the farm, the Maize Harvesting was well underway with the whole plant being chopped up for animal feed

then stored in these bays.

STRAW and

HAY are already safely gathered in,, but like crops right across the country the yield has not been as good as it might have been!

A look around the neighbouring farm at the Old Barn,



tractors continue to deliver trailer loads of Maize





while Hugh drives across the (very wet) land in the Range Rover

as if it too were a tractor. Another GREAT day.