Steve & Rosemary Blasdale

Outer Hebrides – Ardkinglas, Dunchraigaig Cairn and Oban

Posted on May 7, 2024 by SteveJune 21, 2024

7th May 2024

We set off from Tebay a little after 8.00. Weather was lovely at Tebay, sunny. As we drove North towards Glasgow the skies clouded over. Thankfully this was for a brief time, and by the time we reached our first stop, the sky was lovely and blue. So much better taking pictures of flowers in the sunlight at Ardkinglas.

Our first stop was the Ardkinglas Arboretum which includes Champion Trees and a renowned collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas – particularly suitable for visiting in May and June when in full flower but worth a visit at any time of year. Dramatic views over Loch Fyne, Old Mill on banks of River Fyne which runs through the gardens, Scriptorium and many other unique features. The garden is on several levels with various terrains to suit a variety of physical abilities and preferences.

The flowers at Ardkinglas were fabulous. There is scheduled walk of about an hour through woods there and back. The bluebells were spectacular. The site was so enjoyable, we were there for well over two hours. We even saw a red squirrel. climbing up a tree, when, of course, amera was not ready 🙁

To make it interesting for the younger folk, and young at heart, there was a sculpture-type trail.

There was a Poetry Gazebo (the scriptorium) where you could rest, the sign said:

This gazebo is made of Argyll oak and was originally built for the Glasgow Garden festival in 1988. Take a seat and enjoy the view and the sayings included in this scriptorium. They are all centred around trees and are from such diverse poets and authors as Voltaire, Spike Milligan and local author Robin Jenkins.

Some magnificent trees filled the wood, including a rare species (Tsuga mertensania var. jeffreyi) from the US. Discovered in 1851 amongst seedlings of Hemlock being propagated in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. The seed had come from British Columbia, but no trace of the variety could be found. One hundred years later, trees of the same species were discovered in Washington state.

We also saw what used to be the tallest known tree in Britain, alas overtaken now, There was also ‘Europes Mightiest Tree’, a European silver fir.

On advice from the reception, we headed off to the local ‘Fyne’ Brewery and Tap. Had a pint, and bought a slab of cans for our trip, and then headed onwards.

We dropped the next scheduled garden stop on the shores of Loch Fynn but stopped at some stones, Dunchraigaig Cairn. This stop was short, there was a burial cairn amongst some trees, and a short distance away a number of standing stones surrounded by cows and calves.

We then headed on over to the campsite. at Barcaldine. Unfortunately got stuck behind a truck and trailer, on narrow roads. So instead of going through Oban, we took a short cut over the hill, which was alas on single track roads. A bit of a slow route, but a learning experience for the oncoming weeks.

At the campsite, R tried to get a pitch with electricity, I had booked no hookup. This failed, despite the manager’s best efforts. So, no problem, and it was not cold at night. Charming site in the walled garden of a once large house.

Walked down to the shore, not friendly because a huge salmon breeding factory was there, complete with “Private Keep Out” notices. We eventually ended up ignoring the warning signs and made it to the beach.

Track

Outer Hebrides – Sizergh and Tebay

Posted on May 6, 2024 by SteveJune 21, 2024

6th May 2024

Rosemary and I were off to the Outer Hebrides in the campervan, and were going away for over three weeks.

We set off from home at 9.15, driving up the M40 and across Birmingham. Decided not to go on the M6Toll because the M6 appeared free flowing. That was correct. The journey was stress free to start with, few cars on the road and no trucks as it was a Bank Holiday. After Birmingham, the traffic increased, and driving was still mainly fast, but a little more concentration required. We started off in sunshine, but the further North we went the cloudier it became.

We stopped off at the National Trust house of Sizergh. We ate our pasties in the outside garden area at the NT reception. Here we viewed the house. Very castle like and quite austere in parts. The initial feeling was the house was a bit dark, claustrophobic and not nice. But at the top of the house, we found a lovely medieval-looking dining room with a balcony.

After the house, we walked around the surrounding gardens. These were excellent. Stump garden with the stumps being overgrown with plants. A lovely rocky hollow with plants and trees. An excellent pond (Mirror Pond) with ducklings and Moorhens. No baby Moorhens yet. For those with more time, there are long walks around the enormous grounds.

We managed the house and garden before the rain set in. Back at the reception area and restaurant we drank a cup of tea, supplemented with a Magnum (me) and a cake (R). Back to Morrison for the last 30-minute drive to Tebay.

Parked at Tebay in the rain. Sat in the van and drunk a couple of beers waiting for the rain to finish. The sun came out a little and we walked up to the service station café. The shop and café were not busy at this time, (after 7.00). I had lasagne, while R had cottage pie. OK, but not something to write home about. Back at the campsite we read the papers and I wrote up the draft of the blog.

Despite being close to the M6, the campsite is quite quiet from vehicle noise. More noise from the birds and rookery. Quite a few large mobile homes and a few campers set up for the night. The loo block looked reasonable clean, but fairly basic. Unusually, if you showered, you had to press a button outside the shower to start the water flow. Naturally R, minus glasses, initially pressed the wrong button, so starting the shower in an empty cubicle.

Tomorrow hopefully we will set off quite early and make a few stops on route to Oban.

On one negative side, the exhaust pipe from the diesel heater was broken. It still protrudes from the underside of the van. I was anticipating using the diesel heater, as we do not have electricity at all the campsites. It was broken because R thought it was Morrison’s sink wastewater pipe and pulled it down hard. She pulled and broke it, wondering why it was in a different place, and why it was not extending out. Damn will have to get it fixed before Download, can’t have me and Selina getting cold overnight.

[Footnote: Much later, back at home, It turns out the broken pipe was the air intake to the heater. There is another pipe in the centre of the van, out of reach of prying hands, which is the exhaust. So, Selina and I will be comfortably warm, which proved true when we used it later again at Download.]

Track

Edmund Gonville Society

Posted on May 2, 2024 by SteveMay 2, 2024

18th April 2024

Our first outing this year in Campervan Morrison was to Cambridge. I am excluding the visit to the local VW car meet which takes place once a month on a Sunday morning at the Akeman Inn.

The reason for visiting Cambridge was for a Saturday lunch appointment at Gonville and Caius for the Edmund Gonville Society Lunch. This does make for some strange packing, taking a suit and smart rags in the van is Not The Done Thing.

We arrived on the Thursday, entering the site as the gates opened for new arrivals. Parked the van, set up the awning, and headed into Cambridge for an appointment with the Caius Archivist, James. Rosemary had acquired a Caius Scratch Fours rowing cup on Ebay, which included the name of the Caian EA Wilson, the explorer who had died with Scott in Antarctica. We wanted to give it to the college.

We arrived at Caius and met James who first showed us the Caius flag which had been take to Antarctica on the Terra Nova expedition by Wilson for use as a sledge pennant. Embroidered by, or at least at her request, his mother. It is displayed in wall mounted oak box on the wall next to the Senior Members dining table. It has always been there in all my years at college, but this was the first time I had seen it.

We next visited the library where the archivist showed us various artefacts, paintings & photos concerning Edward Adrian Wilson, including his obituary in the Caian. R described him as heartbreakingly handsome in a photo taking of him in 1894. James had also found some records of my own time in Cambridge, my matriculation record, my attendance record and my Tripos record (luckily nothing incriminating; he knew my wife was with me).

Next day, Friday, we visited the Cambridge University Library for an exhibition of crime novels “Murder by the Book”. Many of the books on display were first editions, as they should be, because the library is one of the six UK legal deposit libraries. Rosemary was amazed at the number of crime books on display which she had read, and she coo-ed over the dustcovers, Agatha Christie’s typewriter and the typescript for Curtain. Who wrote the first detective novel? Edgar Allan Poe, you say? No, no, no, go, to the exhibition! It was The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix, published 1862/1863.

Leaving the library, we headed to Harvey Court where now there is a public coffee shop in what was once the JCR. So us two oldies sat there drinking our coffees amongst the young students.

Afterwards, we headed back to Cambridge passing through Kings College (free entry to us, as I flashed my Camcard). We marvelled at the masses of cowslips growing in the wild portion of Kings College.

Stopped off for a beer and lunch at The Pint Shop, famed for serving lots of different Craft Beers. I plumbed for a dark stout, while Rosemary dithered so was presented with five different beers to try. She selected a beer that, she thought, most closed matched Adnams Ghost Ship. Good Scotch eggs.

We then headed on down to the Lensfield road and the Scot Polar Museum. R was a little disappointed in that there were no paintings by Wilson on display. She was sure the last time we were there, during an alumni event, possible in the last millennium, that these had been on display. From here went back to the campsite.

Saturday was the day of the Caius meal. So duly smartly dressed, we headed for the bus, and walked the last distance to college. We were shown the way through the college by a student from Newcastle. She had been here the previous year. After registration and a coffee, we went and listened to a talk on AI, AI being the topic we all must hear about.

Before lunch in hall, we had a reception drink. At the meal, R and I were seated on the top table, I was sitting opposite the Master, Pippa. Spent most of the time speaking to someone older than me, who still lives in Cambridge so had walked over from his home near Parkers Piece.

I did eventually speak with Pippa and heard about how they were going to decarbonize with air source heat pumps. Ground source deemed not possible because they don’t have the ground area, and the heat extracted from the boreholes needs to be replaced. Also heard about the area the other side of Rose Crescent they had purchased. They planned to keep the retail, but convert the upper floors to student accommodation.

The lunch time meal was nice, but nowhere near the standards of the November Commemoration Feast.

After our meal, we headed over to the Zoology Department where we found some volunteers and avid Naturalists were running various sessions encouraging the public to take an interest in Natural History. There were some weird ideas on display, including wellness surveys based around growing plants from specific seeds, which the project/survey provided. There was a display of amber, picked up on the beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Sunday, we caught the bus, very crowded, into Cambridge and went for Sunday lunch at the Millworks. Not booked, but they could give us a table at 12, so long as we were out by 1.30. While were were there it was getting busier all the time. Food was good and we did eat a Sunday lunch, I opted for the Pork Belly, R a spring veg risotto.

Weekend in Norfolk

Posted on April 13, 2024 by SteveAugust 19, 2024

13th April 2024

We headed to Norfolk for a weekend with my stepmother Anne, Lizzie, and her husband. The weather was excellent, as was the food. Lizzie was going to work at Martham Ferry Day Boat Hire, so she took us both there. She was cleaning and checking the boats as they returned. We had coffee at their new coffee shop and then went for a walk. We headed toward the next boat hire and then inland. Along the way, we passed a farm where seven cats were sitting on the road. In another field, we spotted twenty swans resting in the grass.

When we returned to the boat hire, Lizzie was waiting for us, and we headed back to Norwich in her new Tesla.

The next day, we took a walk around Eaton Park, where the miniature train was taking people on a ride around the park. That evening we left for home. We had charged our Polestar courtsey of the Lizzie’s Telsa charger

Looking for Foxes 6

Posted on April 6, 2024 by SteveApril 7, 2024

6th April 2024

It has been a full month since I shared the video documenting our foxes. However, the passing days have ushered in a sense of stagnation. The adult foxes continue their routine traverse across the field, perhaps eyeing the neighbouring chickens with intent, yet showing no signs of ousting the resident rabbits. Occasionally, a male pheasant makes fleeting appearances in the vicinity, though we now observe just one solitary bird frequenting our feeder. Gone are the days of jumping up and knocking the feeder to get some seeds. This pheasant, leaps up & down, squawks and flaps his wings. It doesn’t appear to cause any food to drop, but he’s working on it.

A pair of Moorhens briefly graced us with their presence as they crossed the mound, prompting me to redirect one of our cameras towards the tranquil pond. Despite the addition of rabbits to the scene, there seems to be a palpable absence of avian activity this month. However, a solitary Eurasian Jay did make a rare appearance, briefly breaking the monotony with its presence.

Hughenden and Bird Mugging

Posted on April 2, 2024 by SteveApril 6, 2024

2nd April 2024

Our day out started under clearish skies, offering respite from the persistent rain. Our primary objective was to Briants Of Risborough Ltd, where Steve sought a replacement chain for his chainsaw. While the process initially proved intricate, he eventually acquired a 16-inch chain, fitting the required length. However, on trying to install it, it became evident that the chainsaw’s slot size, at 1.6mm, was incompatible. Consequently, Steve returned on Thursday to exchange it for a chain for a 1.3mm slot, only to discover that the pitch size also needed consideration. With Rosemary’s assistance in identifying the model, the correct chain was eventually procured. The juxtaposition of metric and imperial measurements throughout the ordeal struck an odd note. Nonetheless, the day concluded on a positive note as the chainsaw was eventually fitted with the correct chain.

On this first outing, our journey led us to Hughenden Manor, where upon arrival, we parked and strolled towards the house. Being half term, the grounds were abuzz with children engaged in Easter activities. The pathway was adorned with themed drawings from the local schools.

Inside the house, we found a degree of quiet, allowing us to explore the rooms in relative tranquillity. Each room was adorned with informative displays, shedding light on both the architecture and the lives of its former inhabitants. Of particular intrigue were the tales of romantic entanglements amongst the aristocracy, notably the affair involving Count D’Orsay and Lord and Lady Blessington, and their daughter.

Hughenden Manor holds historical significance as a key hub for mapping bomber flights to Germany during World War II, a fact we were reminded of from a past visit dating back to 2015.

Warning – Bird Mugging

Following our tour and obligatory perusal of the second-hand bookshop, we retreated to the garden for a leisurely lunch sitting on a garden bench in the warm sunshine. As we indulged in our Ginsters Cornish Pasties, a sudden interruption occurred when a Red Kite swooped from behind and between Rosemary and me, snatching my pasty mid-bite and leaving the remnants scattered on the ground, with no intention of returning to tidy up the mess. Superb flying skills, but no manners.

After our unexpected avian encounter, we meandered through the gardens before making our way back to the car park to bid farewell to Hughenden Manor, and conclude our day’s excursion.

Greatmoor Incinerator

Posted on March 23, 2024 by SteveAugust 19, 2024

23rd March 2024

Our local incinerator, which we can see across the fields from our home, was doing open days. We had visited before in I think 2016. It was operational, but not complete, car parks, fencing, internal walls and conference rooms had not been finished. This was our chance to see it working in its completed form.

We met in the carpark, went to the conference room and got dressed in bright protective equipment. We were introduced to recycling; the burning of the rubbish was the last resort. We should be reusing, selling, recycling and finally when all options are gone, sending it to the incinerator to generate power.

We visited the control room where the systems were monitored, and the rubbish was loaded into the furnace. Next was a look into the furnace and then onto the generator. Power was sent to the national grid.

Finally, we stood under the condenser where the steam was turned back into water to be fed into the boiler.

Charlecote Park

Posted on March 12, 2024 by SteveApril 5, 2024

12th March 2024

Deciding to risk the ominous forecast weather, our destination for this Tuesday was the NT’s Charlecote Park, in Warwickshire. Departing amidst a downpour, the journey along the M40 proved challenging, with waterlogged roads and poor visibility. However, as we neared our destination, the weather forecast showed its accuracy, the rain ceased, and we arrived at the park under cloudy skies, but importantly no rain. Rosemary, ever sceptical, brought her jacket, while Steve opted to leave his in the car—both wagering on the fickle forecast. Boarding the National Trust passenger vehicle to the house, we heeded the driver’s warning of muddy paths. Recent winter rains had left their mark, with the River Avon flooding the grounds, giving the box hedges a wash.

Charlecote Park stands as a testament to centuries of history, its roots extending back to the Tudor era. Built in the 16th century, the original house was constructed by Sir Thomas Lucy, a prominent figure in Warwickshire society. The Lucy family’s influence and wealth were reflected in the grandeur of Charlecote, which evolved over the centuries through various renovations and expansions.

Throughout its history, Charlecote House has played host to various notable figures, including Queen Elizabeth I, who visited the estate during her reign. The house witnessed periods of prosperity and decline, surviving the ravages of time and the challenges of changing fortunes.

Inside the house, our time was well-spent. Engaging with the National Trust volunteers, we learned about the history behind the grand Pietre Dure table in the hall—a masterpiece of intricately veneered stone, a testament to the wealth of its original owner who, in today’s currency, would have paid a staggering £17 million for it. It was bought at auction by the Victorian George Hammond Lucy, who is said to have outbid the king for it.

We also learned a little of the history. One notable episode in Charlecote’s history involves a young William Shakespeare, who, according to local legend, found himself in trouble with Sir Thomas Lucy for poaching deer on the estate. This purported incident is thought to have inspired Shakespeare’s later satirical depiction of Sir Thomas Lucy in his plays as Justice Shallow.

Exploring further, we found the Dining Room undergoing repairs, a casualty of water damage from a leaking roof. Despite this, the highlight remained the serving buffet, albeit a challenge for Rosemary to navigate due to her & its relative heights.

The library, complete with countless books, piqued our interest, yet we couldn’t help but notice the absence of river-facing windows— a curious feature of the Victorian extension. Surely, the original house, with its Capability Brown-designed landscape, must have embraced the riverside view In the 18th century?

Charlecote underwent significant renovations under the ownership of Mary Elizabeth Lucy, Welsh wife of George Hammond Lucy, who worked tirelessly to restore and enhance the estate. The addition of Victorian extensions, including the library and billiard room, added to the house’s architectural splendour while preserving its historic charm. She obviously didn’t like looking at the river or, perhaps, its potential flooding capabilities.

In the Billiard Room, Japanese artefacts caught our attention, rumoured to be earthquake detectors—an intriguing blend of function and ornamentation.

We moved on to the Drawing Room, a space tailored for relaxation.

After the house tour, we indulged in a hearty lunch at the café, where a predominantly vegan menu awaited—a nod, perhaps, to changing dietary preferences, or simplicity for the limited number of visitors in winter.

Strolling through the gardens, we marvelled at the resident deer, stags and does leisurely occupying the estate. A visit to the kitchens, laundry, and brewery offered insights into daily life on the estate in centuries past. We were told the estate was open last Christmas. We made a mental note.

Looking for Foxes 5

Posted on March 9, 2024 by SteveMarch 9, 2024

9th March 2024

It has been a month since I last shared any updates from the wildlife cameras. I’ve been diligently moving them around the garden, but unfortunately, sightings of foxes have been almost non-existent. However, I’ve come across some remarkable footage of foxes on other YouTube channels. I highly recommend checking out the ‘Nature Live Camera’ hosted by Morten Hilmer on his land in Denmark. There are a couple of clips from the live video feed capturing foxes in action: here and here.

So, what can I report from our own observations?

A grey squirrel, though thankfully it doesn’t frequent the bird feeders too often.
Rabbits, included this month just to prove their presence in our area.
A pair of Moorhens, intriguingly investigating a rabbit hole. Could they possibly be considering nesting there? We typically have a pair of Moorhens that visit and breed around our pond, so I’ll be setting up a camera to monitor the area closely.
A male pheasant, a familiar sight as he wanders our field, enjoys the bird feeder, and pays visits to our neighbours.
Foxes, with a couple of rare sightings captured. The last sighting revealed a pair of foxes; one can be seen crossing from left to right, and behind a fallen tree, there appears to be the reflection of another animal, presumably another fox.

Here’s hoping for more exciting sightings in the days to come!

The MAD Museum, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Posted on March 5, 2024 by SteveMarch 10, 2024

5th March 2024

We travelled to Stratford-Upon-Avon, parked in the P&R, and took the bus into the centre. This was our first time to Stratford since 1982. The company I worked for back in those days, Altergo Software, used to hold its Christmas party in the Hilton Hotel there. The hotel is now a Crowne Plaza. We had two Christmas parties there. The first time, Rosemary and I went to see a Shakespeare play. Most of which I missed because I fell asleep. The second time was in 1982. That was the last Altergo Christmas party because in March 1983 they had run out of money, and we were not paid that month. Did they pay for the Christmas party? During both visits we never saw anything of Stratford, other than the brief visit and sleep in the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.

So, 41+ years later we decided to visit again, and not drive past on our way to somewhere else. What had changed? Well, there was nothing much to compare, only the hotel and the theatre. No idea what had changed in the theatre, I can’t remember much about it. The hotel looked the same, outside and in. It even still had the gas fired, coal effect fire in the foyer. Yes one of the Altergo employees, thought it was a real fire and had used a poker to enhance the blaze. Yes, there was one small change, a glass screen to stop unprovoked poking and no pokers to be seen.

The MAD Museum

Today we started off at the MAD museum, the museum of Mechanical Art and Design. A small museum above the shops, entry is up some stairs.

As the name suggests, the MAD Museum showcases a collection of kinetic art, automata, and robotics from around the world. These exhibits are not just for looking at; they are designed to be interacted with, making the museum a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

The museum features more than 60 exhibits, including:

Rolling ball machines
Automata (moving machines)
Robots
Witty design pieces
Mind-blowing intricate moving contraptions

Many of the displays were interactive, so an excellent place to take the children. Unfortunately, there was a large group there when we entered. Thankfully their happy chatter disappeared and they left us in peace. We had even delayed visiting, ensuring we were not going there during the school holidays.

The video below, shows most of the exhibits that were working and on display.

Dirty Duck for lunch

We left the museum after nearly two hours and headed for lunch. Rosemary had elected to visit the Dirty Duck, a famous 18th Century pub, formerly known as the Black Swan and apparently popular with actors. Well, it did have an actor’s bar. We ate lunch there and I sampled a pint of Greene King Ale. The pub was not crowded, the food turned up quickly. It was Ok, but not particularly memorable.

After lunch we walked along the river, listening to the buskers in the background. Paid a quick visit to the hotel to see what had changed in 41+ years. Then it was into town and a look around the shops. Plenty of charity shops and odd curiosity shops. There was a Cat Cafe which took Rosemary’s fancy. It had a cat in the window. Thankfully, it was closed on Tuesdays.

Back at the bus stop we waited for the bus. Not a particularly frequent bus service, so quite a long wait, but R managed to dash into a nearby charity shop to emerge with four books from a series she loves.