It'll All Come Out In The Wash

Not the bests of starts aboard the Voyager as we enter the Bay of Biscay, a multitude of computer snags. So far I have been unable to connect my laptop to the system, needing to enter all passwords before gaining access to any of the files via the ships own machines. These are nor computers but simply a means of accessing the Internet so no way of cutting and pasting notes form my own gadget as I go. Add to that all means of 'uploading' photographs have been disabled there are no pretties for you tonight! However, there is an upside, the Telecoms Tech has been to see me and explained that to reinstate the system the 'administrator' has to give the go ahead and he/she/it is in London, but he is working on it.

In the meantime, a quick update on the last 2 days.

Check in at Portsmouth Port was as smooth as silk, with all passengers embarked by just after 17:00 and the ship got underway soon after with the aid of the CIRCO Tug Bountiful in attendance. Passing down the main harbour HM Ships included Carriers Ark Royal and Illustrious, along with St Albans, Daring and Dauntless. There were excellent views of The Spinnaker and one of my old local pubs The Still and Westcountry and very soon we were past the Nab Tower and clear of The Solent. By mid-morning we had rounded Finistere and started our passage across the Bay of Biscay where we are at present having experienced some 'heavy weather' earlier but now a good deal calmer. Speed had been reduced during the day to a paltry 11 knots but we are now back to 20, economical cruising speed.

Wildlife thus far includes, 150+ Northern Gannet, 250+ Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Great Skua, 2 Fulmar, 3 Herring and 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull. In addition there was a brief showing of what were considered to be 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphin. Good numbers of Marine Traffic were also encountered including the Queen Mary 2 at fairly close quarters.

It is hoped we can sort out a reliable system by tomorrow, to be able to bring you some pictures. In the meantime it's off to dinner and to bid you farewell.

Birding West Sussex

For my last 2 days in England this year I have moved to Emsworth, a small village just north of Portsmouth, Hampshire to say my last goodbyes to my Sea Captain friend Paul Lifton and his wife Tess. Both rapidly becoming keen and capable 'birders' there was little thought needed in deciding how to spend our day.

Our first port of call was the vast mud flats of Nutbourne Marshes being one of the best vantage points for observing birds at reasonably close quarters. We had of course adopted our usual practise of each estimating how many species we might see, with me falling at the first hurdle with a puny guess of 45.

Many of the more common species were logged before arrival, so we considered it lucky to spot this MERLIN chasing a SKYLARK which appeared to escape unhurt.

This small party of AVOCET were in company of Pintail, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Snipe, Stonechat, Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank among several others. Moving on to Pagham the rain started in earnest sending us scurrying for the

hide overlooking the

flooded Lagoon. Here we added Fieldfare, Common Buzzard, Moorhen

while at the sluice Little Grebe was added.

This male PHEASANT was seen at one of the bird-feeders before we continued, still in rain, on to

where CURLEW was in evidence along with

LITTLE EGRET, Meadow Pipit and Linnet, things were going well (at least for the other 2). Next was

where once stood a Norman Castle protected by this MOAT in which the Lifton's had never seen a drop of water let alone this much.

A stroll along the Shingle Beach proved most rewarding as TURNSTONE, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe (both 'year ticks for Paul and Tess), Red-breasted Merganser and Gannet were added to the list in quick time,

with REDSHANK simply everywhere.

With such a vast expanse of habitat there was little chance of re-locating the Snow Bunting, despite consulting other searchers, so we moved on to

 

hopeful of yesterday's Waxwings, drawing yet another blank. After a much deserved snack, we drove down to the East and West Witterings to view the new Nature Reserve under construction there as a result of the construction of sea defences.

Lots of OYSTERCATCHERs were feeding the grass verges, while this

LITTLE EGRET was far more obliging than the first.

BRENT GEESE were also whirring around all over the place,

along with hundreds of GOLDEN PLOVER

and LAPWING.

The Brent only remained on the sea for a short while before

feeding in the nearby fields. Having been left well behind, the contest was now only open to P&T with the Winger taking a stab at 79 and the Wingette 76. With a respectable 81 species in the log it was Paul by a short head who 'retained' the title leaving us all awaiting the next time - whenever that may be!

Granddad, Granddad You're Lovely - Clive Dunn

With the days getting fewer and the Gods seemingly against us it seemed unlikely that I was going to see my Australian leg of the family before I left. Commander Bernard York of the Royal Australian Navy has been given a 3 years 'draft chit' to Bristol, England and with my trip already unchangeable we were destined not to get together before departure. However there's more than one way to skin a cat and as looked out of the farm-house window

an unfamiliar car was approaching. Who could it be? It wouldn't be too long before I was to find out that it was none other than

BERNARD and my youngest daughter LISA freshly arrived from Sydney, Australia,

complete with my latest Grandson BENJAMIN, who I had not met before,

along with brothers ALEXANDER and FREDERICK who I saw for just a short time on my second visit to the continent.

The eldest of these, Fred, seems to be following in Grandpa Bagsy's footsteps as he is an Atlas addict,

who without prompting and at the age of 3 can point out most of the countries of the world when asked. He in turn is passing this skill on to middle grandson Alex who I guess will 'do the honours' as Ben gets older.

Not always easy to make contact with young children who you hardly know, my favourite book proved to be the common denominator in this instance.

Having thought our paths were only going to cross, it was something of an emotional moment as I was able to make contact with these fine lads and what better place than Parley Court Farm.

Having had little contact with farm animals they, plus Mummy and Daddy, seemed overjoyed to

to get 'hands on' with CHICKENs, Goats

and HORSEs but were reluctant to climb onboard.

ALEX with the local SWANs.

 Come on lads, keep up with Grandpa.

 BENJAMIN and DADDY.

Alex taking a roll in the wet grass just before dinner.

Hugh, Janet, Daryl and Cath had invited us all to stay for dinner

giving them all chance to experience the very best of Farm House Cooking

It would seem that Alexander and 

Frederick loved Janet's Chocolate Pudding and Cream almost as much as Grandpa Bagsy - hope it won't be too long before I see you all again, and GOOD LUCK with your new adventure in life.

THANKS also to the Dampney Family for once again being 'True Friends'