Busy Along the River

So, it was much colder today and with my brother in law to be paying a visit, I had less time to go running than I thought. But I still got myself out there, and did 5km along the River Trent and Devon.

It was all go. A Transit van involved in some sort of crime or other was abandoned on the Mill Llane, by the weir, and the police were busy loading it up to be towed to the station. To go with the youths killing squirrels with a catapult by Balderton Lake, there's been a bit of nastiness going on in town today.

The idea of going out without doing a crime or killing something seems to be a bit beyond a fair few people in this town

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 30.09.18

On not Visiting Southwell Ploughing Match

I was getting set to go for an afternoon run, when a quick look on my Instagram feed revealed that Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust had a stall at Southwell Ploughing Match, and seeing as I'd never been to a ploughing match before, I thought it might be fun to bike out there and visit them.

It was a lovely day for a ride too, bright and crisp, not too cold and windy.

Southwell Ploughing Match was of course, no where near Southwell. The wildlife trust said it was at South Muskham, so I headed out there. No ploughing match. I rode on to North Muskham, and a quick visit to the nature reserve there, but there was no ploughing going on there either.

A quick look at my phone then revealed that the match, which I thought would be a couple of hundred people and a tea van watching some blokes trundling around a field. It actually turned out that it was at  Little Carlton, was the largest one day agricultural show in the county, and cost ten quid to get into. I did see it away in the distance though. That's the only picture you get.

Having "Scottish blood" - OK I'm a bit tight! - that was a bit much for a couple of  hours, so I cycled back into town and went to the park for a cup of tea. In no sense a wasted afternoon!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 29.09.18

Crepuscular Spectacular

Well, the  temperature has continued to rise today, resulting in a surprisingly sweaty ride home.

However, it was a beautiful one, because some curiously swiss cheese like cloud formations led to some incredible crepuscular rays as I rode home, bike lights shining for the first time this autumn.

Random alignments of sun and water vapour creating such beauty.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 26.09.18

The Fleur de Lys Spider

A very nice autumnal day today, so found myself doing a 7.2km run out to the Grange Road fields and back into town through Sconce Park, happily listening to Radio 6 as I trundled along the empty harvested fields lined with berry laden hedgerows.

Soon the birds returning for the winter will be feasting on these.

A few butterflies were on the wing today, all white butterflies of various kinds. Big migrant hawkers still patrol the park in their angular flight patterns; mallards are coming back out of eclipse and unbelievably will soon be starting their pre-breeding fights.

And then there was this orb spider, a spider musketeer with a fleur de lys upon its back.

The earth begins to go to sleep for 3 months, but I won't.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 24.09.18

The Pink Footed Goose is Back

I got out running very early by my standards today, meaning I was able to be infuriated by Gyles Brandreth on "Just a Minute" while I was pounding the pavement. I was hoping to beat the torrential rain that was forecast but in the event never came.

It was actually a lovely bright, if chilly, day, and I rather enjoyed my rather steady 9km jog around the park and  the two lakes. There were interesting birds to be seen on The Blue Lake as well - I reckon I might have come across a couple of common scoter on there, the only black duck. Certainly they were far more spooky than the typical resident birds.

Another unusual bird was seen, but this one more of a regular visitor. The random pink footed goose that arrived last winter has returned, and it was in the company of its massive greylag friend once again.

I wonder where they have been on holiday?

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 23.09.18

Tarty Grapes

Remember the post I made a few weeks ago about the grapes on the vine out back?

Well they have now ripened to the extent that I was able to taste a few; the nip at night hasn't been sufficient to kill off their development, they have darkened to a deep purple - red.

But how would they taste?

Well, I think it's safe to say that we aren't going to be calling up the juice man from Del Monte, assuming he isn't dead. They were distinctly sharp. But we've never had them grow to any kind of edible condition before.

The first thing I've ever eaten from that garden.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.09.18

A Silver Y

Turned the light on in what I laughably refer to as "The Study" and all hell broke loose, in a small sense of the word, as a fluttering object erupted out from a corner of a bookshelf and started battering itself against a lightshade.

I had a good idea of what it was, but only after it eventually settled back into its little corner and allowed me to get a camera shot. A lovely silver y moth, in great condition.

They do seem to last late on into the season, I've seen them in October in Scotland.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 18.09.18

A Comma in the Sunshine

I got in another run today, a little quicker but also a little shorter - 7.3km.

I wasn't in time to get to Rumbles for a cup of tea, so I had to go into town for a different treat - a can of Rubicon guava drink, quite simply the best single canned drink there is in my view. Bloody zingy and refreshing.

Of the run itself, one little highlight presented  itself. I'd gone along the cycle path along the railway line to see if the various still flowering budleia bushes were attracting anything in the sun.

And indeed they were, for on one of the larger bushes just by the bridge where the older drinkers go at night; the teenage dope smokers use the bridges nearer the pond. It was a lovely comma, wings with those peculiar leafy points, the grammatical symbol that gives the butterfly its name clear on the underwing.

There's been so few of these late season second flighters this year - barely a peacock or red admiral to be seen either. This strange year seems to have done for them, while others like meadow brown, small copper and holly blue have done well.

2018. Crazy.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 17.09.18

Back on the Running Game

So, no cricket, a nice day, and feeling a bit more energetic.

It must be time to go running.

So, off I went to get into my too tight running leggings and gilet with the  pocket with the broken zip, and out I went, through the cemetery, past the new sports village where the running track is springing up at incredible speed, and then across the fields to Hawton church.

I felt like I was going  quite well, but Strava later told me otherwise. Sodding gadget! Nevertheless, it felt good, running along the bit of the middle beck they haven't yet started building boxy little houses on. Common darters and migrant hawkers were on patrol, and a solitary green veined white was feeding off occasional bramble flowers.

There is still a bit of valerian at the house at Valerian Corner, and carder bumbles fed on whatever they could in Hawton churchyard. And then there was woman's football on the park, before I drank a well earned tea at Rumbles.

9.2km in all, and who cares if it was very slow.

Si

All text and images copyright 16.09.18

A Small Copper in the Park

No cricket, but boy did I waste the day with a four hour afternoon sleep.

Yes cricket or not it was another of those exhausted days  - well I did do 4 work outs Tuesday to Friday so I probably am that knackered. But it is disappointing to miss free time likethat.

I did go to the  park again this morning  for a cup of tea, and was lucky enough  to spot this slightly ragged but still lovely small copper, not massively active on a dull and  breezy day.

I've seen a few this year, more than the last couple. As for peacocks and commas, forget it.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 15.09.18

They Destroyed the Passion!

I noticed yesterday evening that there was a magnificent passion flower bush just up the road from here and resolved to wander up tonight and take some photographs of it.

When I did so, I found that they had cropped the bloody thing right back and hacked off virtually every flower on it. So rather than have another blank posting day, I'd just snap a few of the gardens around it.

Don't blame me, blame the aesthetically challenged folk from up the road.

So my Tourette's has been a bit less problematic the last few days but I'm still quite hyper and restless. I have an entire free weekend upcoming and I intend to be a bit more productive than I am now - I am currently watching "Moonraker" on ITV4.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.09.18

Nothing but Flowers

So, I've done very little today, apart from have a short wander around to the garden that's always full of flowers just down  the  road, and other gardens too, and South Parade Park, and Ewalina's garden next door.

That's too many "ands" I know.

The ivy down my drive is just coming into flower and the wasps are starting to investigate. Normally at its peak, there aren't any bees around to feed off it and  it is left to grumpy wasps and flies.

I've been to the doctor's today for a meds related check-up. Doctor thinks a higher dose may help me but I will hang fire for now. My blood pressure is good, my heart rate of 64 indicating I'm in good shape for my age. Tourettes aside, lol.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.09.18