Brief Encounter (from Bitter Suite) - Marillion

A clear and star-filled overnight sky combined with little in the way of wind predictably saw the first frost of the season this morning. At 06:00 the 'kitchen weather station' showed a temperature of just +1°C

and as the sun rose
The mist crawled from the canal
Like some primordial phantom of romance
To curl, under a cascade of neon pollen.
While I sit tied to the phone like an expectant father.
Your carnation will rot in a vase.
Bitter Suite 
 Not surprisingly there was little in the way of life in the 3 Moth Traps,
with this

 ANGLE SHADES
clinging to the outside of one and

 a NOVEMBER MOTH (type) in another.

Just c13 Moths in total with the other species being Beaded Chestnut, Blair's Shoulder-knot, Red-line Quaker and Large Yellow Underwing. While monitoring the traps, bird 'calls' from above indicated some movement which included both

 REDWING and

BRAMBLING.

While the latter has undoubtedly occurred on or over the property at 'some time', this was the first positive sighting on record. While there was plenty more going on both overhead and on the ground, the intent, weather permitting, is to complete a more comprehensive 'rounds' tomorrow. In the meantime a quick look back to Sunday when I had a 'brief encounter' with my family in Bristol. Things might have been more prolonged had it not been for the impending storm which hastened my return to Parley. A gentle tap on the front door soon had those 3 Little Scamps running (I thought) for Grandpa Bagsy but they had another agenda. On my last visit they had discovered the charms of my

new car which seemed to be their only interest that day!

While ALEXANDER was totally occupied by the automatic sun roof,

FREDERICK was besotted with the visual volume control for
the sounds system. Seems like his Dad he is going to be a 'numbers' man!

Who's that reflected in the window?
A very nice Sunday Roast Dinner

was followed by a short visit to a park in the heart of the city.

BENJAMIN was first in the sand-pit

followed in quick time by the other two.

Noticing just 3 ships masts above the houses and just across the road

I was happy to discover they were connected to the

SS GREAT BRITAIN
Some very interesting facts via this link.

Tower in the Park,

more fun on the swings,

Bristol University (Good Wishes to my friend Robert
who is studying Law there)

and a Bristol Church on the way home.
FOOTNOTE
Did you see on BBC TV last night
Imagine: Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'
The most detailed and revealing Hendrix documentary I've ever seen!

Guitar Sacrifice - Wild Thing
"The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, 
the story of love is hello and goodbye....
until we meet again"  
James Marshall Hendrix

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The Geese and the Ghost - Anthony Phillips (ex Genesis)

After yesterday's mini disaster the Moth Traps were once again deployed in far more favourable conditions. Definitely cooler but dry and only a light breeze which continued throughout today along with a good coating of sunshine.

 LARGER WAINSCOT
has been caught here before but not

 BRICK

 which is common and has been expected.
Given the conditions it was thought worthwhile to take the 20
minutes drive to Mudeford Quay and try for a look at the

ROSEATE TERN (archive)
which must have been there for all of 3 weeks now.
 Afterwards and on the way back a very quick look at a swollen

 RIVER AVON
where it could be seen immediately that all the Geese had once
again departed. There were a few Canada Geese along with c8

GREYLAG GEESE

Singles of LITTLE EGRET and

KINGFISHER were welcome additions, while continuing the
journey a short stop at Sopley Common paid dividends with what
might be considered a late migrating Hobby (small falcon).

The church, of no known dedication, dates from the 12th century,
the chancel and tower are from the 15th and 16th centuries.

17th Century TITHE BARN

SECRET taking a wander.

No idea what secrets this most interesting grave holds.

NAVE

NORMAN FONT

and MASONRY

It would have been of interest to know the
original function of these steps?

Between 1847-85, the poet William Barnes held the living,
and he preached his first and last sermons in the church.

'Fine' 13th century Wall Paintings of
St Christopher carrying Christ (?)

and Frieze.

and what could easily be Medieval Graffiti?

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Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed

There was more than one way to take a 'Walk on the Wild Side' here today, you could either simply step outside and get blown off your feet or sit indoors and pay tribute to Lou Reed (Velvet Underground) who passed away yesterday. Of the latter, I was never a great fan but to sing Perfect Day after a 'perfect day' was always a 'perfect' way to end a day! As for the weather, the predicted gale arrived right on time with maximum wind and rain being recorded here at 04:30 this morning. At about that time a gust of 99 Miles Per Hour was recorded at The Needles Lighthouse, Isle of Wight which is just 14 miles from here as the crow flies! Anything else WILD were a few remaining shots from my short stay on Portland, all involving Birds at their ablutions!

In the moderately rough seas off Portland Bill

RAZORBILL - Splish, Splash - Bobby Darin

On the nearby 'Ledges' a

ROCK PIPIT
first took a drink, then a paddle before getting

fully immersed in a

Bath and Dhoby

Little bit of Foo-Foo under the wing coverts
and off ashore - I know the feeling!

Just a little further along one of two

TURNSTONEs

was also making a meal of it.

Finally, and harking back to the gale, who was the mug who decided to risk one of the Moth Traps in the storm, I feel the fingers pointing! Despite placing it under the sheltered part of the house it was blown across the lawn, all parts cast asunder and all egg trays wet as a Shag, otherwise nothing broken. that's what happens in the name of 'passion'.

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