Storm Ciara

Well, as I'm sure a few of you have noticed, it's been a wit windy in the UK over the last 24 hours.

It started getting really blowy here about 10pm last night, before the rain started. It peaked overnight, and was still going strong at lunchtime today, making it sound like Asda was being pelted with marbles when I went shopping.

All my garden pot plants were all over the place, but no damage.

A lot of old tall trees have been brought down overnight here; near my family home someone was probably woken up by a load of thickset boughs crashing into their windows, but luckily no-one here has been hurt. I took a couple of photos as I walked home from cricket practice, where I was all a bit average tonight.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 09.02.20

Cricket in the Rookery

I've been fretting all week about how the weather was going to be for the cricketing this weekend, and indeed, it did look very grim at one point today.

That was about 8 overs into to our batting against Calverton at the their ground I believe is called The Rookery, a very attractive if awfully slopey ground up the hill from the village, where the horses live in danger of being smacked on the fetlock by a big hit.

I started off umpiring at both ends, thanks to the Calverton player who said I was a very good and fair umpire, and watched our good early batting while doing my arms waving and sounding officious shtick. I also watched as very dark and grey clouds began to block out the sun and hem us in like Dracula's cloak. Sure enough, after those 8 overs, it turned black overhead and it absolutely hammered down on us and we ran off like the proverbial drowned rats.

But local knowledge from the very friendly opponents meant that we were able to get back on after only 20 minutes, while so many other clubs had to abandon their games when that torrential downpour came.

It was very squelchy underfoot, and the bowler sounded like the Creature from the Black Lagoon as he ran in behind me but we GOT THE GAME ON as the slogan goes. We batted for the full 40 overs for only 3 down, and everyone who batted scored good runs, and yes the horses were bothered by some big hits, but none got their manes dented. I umpired for 20 overs, both ends, which I've never done before.

I believe I therefore be what is known as a Good Clubman.

We got to 161, had a good tea, and then it was time to bowl. I was told that I was opening the bowling this week, which was good of the skipper, and myself and my much more accurate opening partner started well. He got one opener, and I got the other with a beautiful yorker after he had smacked me for 4.

Sadly, for me that was as good as it got, as their number three bat, after a shakey start where I beat him a few times, decided he liked the look of my bowling and took me for 15 in one over. It wasn't even bad bowling, just gave him a fraction enough width for him to free his arms and disappear the ball into a bramble bush while the flying swallows admired him.

He went on to score 98 without really any problems at all, although our other bowlers were a bit better at restricting him than I was. Won them the game, as they took the victory by 8 wickets in 30 overs. I ran around like mad in the field and made no mistakes, but my weirdly crappy throw was noted, and twos were taken to me, which was annoying.

We did take points out of the game, and as Calverton are near the top of the league and we are near the bottom, this is still a decent result for us. And it was an enjoyable day.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 20.07.19

Threatening Skies Again

This is actually from a few days ago, we've had rather more settled weather the last few days and I've been too busy at work to get out at lunch for a look around. Few queen red tailed bumbles have been about, but not many other insects in the cooler weather.

Around the streets, the bird song is  incredibly loud, with great tits and chaffinches now piercing above the more melodic songs of the robins and blackbirds. Over at Rumbles Cafe, their bird box has had blue tits checking it out.

It is the season of love, evidently.

Me I'm keeping as busy as I can to stave off the usual troubles, but feel very bloated and overweight. I've been trying to make some dietary changes and cut out carbs, and it helps, but there's other stuff going on.

But, fun visits upcoming.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCRackeredNature 05.04.19

Cycling on the Edge of my Nerves

Yesterday wasn't particularly a problem here, but by heaven, today was. There wasn't much snow around first thing, but the moment I got to the end of my drive, a blizzard started that was full in my face and making it impossible for me to see all the way into work. But at least the roads and tracks weren't too bad.

However, after a morning of near continuous snow and falling temperatures going home was even more fun. I could barely ride for a large chunk of the journey, although some of my European colleagues were happy enough to go barrelling down a snowy hill, and when I finally found some clear road, a bunch of rough kids tried to chuck snowballs at me as I rode along with buses, lorries and all the white van men in Christendom driving along behind me.

My displeasure was very vocal.

Still, I've made it home, and another day looms. Hopefully I'll be able to find some kind of reasonable route.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 28.02.18

Death by Pie

Have really not felt well today, poleaxed by a pie, a chicken pie that looked like slurry with pastry on top. I shouldn't have eaten it really, but I struggle not to eat food - lol - and down it went.

Suffice to say, if it looks bad, it probably won't do your body any good, and so it proved. I'm still not 100% now, but I've still done 45 minutes on the exercise bike, if feeling a bit weak.

Yesterday I was lucky. I got to work a few minutes before Storm Georgina or whatever her name is passed through. 15 minutes later, the most powerful wind and rain burst slashed through our campus, and the poor people still cycling to work in it. My colleague Kat came in like she'd been through a car wash, and had to borrow a load of gentleman clothes for the rest of the day. The wind just howled and wouldn't let up, driving huge raindrops sideways.

Never seen anything like it.

However, the rain did eventually stop so I could get out and about on our campus, and I found myself having a lovely 5 minute close encounter with a goldcrest. The little bird approached me to about a metre, "seeeeeping" about as it combed the lichen with its beak, totally unafraid, as they always are, of my human presence.

Ah well, one always has to pay for a joyful moment. Bleurgh.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 25.01.18