Steve & Rosemary Blasdale

Outer Hebrides – Barra

Posted on May 10, 2024 by SteveJune 23, 2024

10th May 2024

Today was predicted to be sunny, and it was. Started off with clouds around the hills, these eventually evaporated. In the morning, we went for a walk towards the North, visiting the cemetery and the beach across the Machair. There was a standing stone in the Machair, which we rudely thought rather small, and insignificant. On the walk we spotted birds, and for the record I have posted sample pictures of them. birds. The Northern Gannets were too far out for good photos, but I do have one with its beak almost touching the water. Seaside cemeteries are very much a feature of the islands, which have no crematorium.

We walked further North to a beach which had warnings of quicksand. This probably was caused by a river and lake on the land side of the beach

Back to the campsite (Borve Camping & Caravan Site), and R was talking with an Irish lad, who told us about the Corncrake, a noisy, highly unmelodious bird which calls for a mate all day and all night. During the day it makes a few croaks every 10 minutes. It is a master of disguise, and though you hear it, you don’t see it. We tried to find the Corncrake. We could hear it but could not see it.

The owner of the campsite, who is also the postman, gave us the option of moving the van, so we took this up and positioned the van overlooking the sea. This move came about because a group of three were arriving on today’s boat and they would prefer to be together. We now have a prime position overlooking the sea.

I mentioned the owner was the island postman, and he would turn up at the campsite in the post van or his own white van, depending on what he was doing.

We then went for a drive to the north east coast. Saw a plane take off from the beach. The beach is absolutely huge and flat. It supports three runways, used depending on the wind direction. We stalked a few birds. Drove to a jetty recommended for pictures and photographed some lobster pots. There were many sheep and lambs walking along the roads, they did have road sense and would amble to the side as you approached in the van.

We also drove to the port at Ardmhòr where we will be leaving the island, just to check out where it was. Very small with a carpark for waiting. A very small jetty for loading cars.

We tried to find a shop in Castlebay. I forgot there was a Co-op and a distillery off the main road. We didn’t find anywhere to purchase food. We will be back tomorrow to get milk and other provisions.

Back at the campsite we tried again to find the Corncrake. This time we encouraged it with a recording of its call. Out it came, coming towards us, to fend off a competitor male. Yes, we saw it, pictures taken. Not a very glamorous creature.

Sunset was not as good as it should have been.

Birds Photographed:

Oyster Catcher
Common Gull
Northern Gannet
Pied Wagtail
Arctic Tern
Common Sandpiper
Black-headed Gull
Pied Wheatear
Great Northern Diver (aka Loon)
Corncrake

Track

Outer Hebrides – Oban to Barra

Posted on May 9, 2024 by SteveJune 22, 2024

9th May 2024

We packed up the van and headed to Oban. Stopped at Tesco to fill up with diesel. Most of the pumps were devoid of diesel. Only two operating. After filling we drove to the port and parked in the waiting lanes. Left the van and went for a coffee at Costa. The sea food hut was already doing great business, well before lunch time.

[As an aside, I bought diesel on the mainland believing the island diesel would be expensive. This is not the case, the price of fuel on the islands is generally cheaper than on the mainland. There is some subsidy from the Scottish Government, or rather a reduced tax rate.]

We waited in the van for quite a long time. We seemed to be late boarding the ship. There was another ferry, bound for Mull, which arrived and then left before us.

We eventually left late but arrived pretty much on time. More than five hours on the ship. We ate a Stornoway Black pudding pizza for lunch on the boat. The journey is spectacular, after leaving Oban, and the Isle of Kerrera, you head towards the channel, (Sound of Mull) between mainland Scotland on the North, and the Isle of Mull on the South. There are islands and reefs, with lighthouses guarding the entry. The entry to the channel is also guarded by the spectacular Duart Castle. The image of the castle was very foreboding with the hills in the clouds.

Leaving the Sound of Mull you pass the Ardnamurchan lighthouse into open waters, making your way towards Barra and the port of Castlebay. Coming into Castlebay, you could see sandy white beaches on the port side. The heights of the island were obscured by clouds.

We disembarked and drove straight to the Borve Camping and Caravan Site, and set up the van for our evening meal. The campsite is right on the sea edge. You either parked your van on the edge looking out towards America, or if unlucky you parked one row back. We were unlucky the first night and did not have the sea view. The pitches had all been allocated, and a board with our name and the number of nights was at the entrance to the site and on the pitch. This was in case the owner was not about.

Our camping neighbour stopped to apologise in advance for having to leave at 04:30 the next morning to catch a ferry. The time had been changed dramatically. Interesting chap who we chatted to over drinks and cheese with a Hi-Top VW he’d managed to buy second-hand.

As you can see from the pictures, the weather was not good, there was low lying cloud everywhere, making for some scenic pictures. Who wants boring blue skies!

Track

Outer Hebrides – Oban

Posted on May 8, 2024 by SteveJune 22, 2024

8th May 2024

Today, the day started cloudy, but with the sun peeking through. We drove into Oban and parked on the quay. We walked over to the ferry terminal and checked on departure times and also checked the sea food shack we’d read about. Rosemary and I then visited Costa for a coffee, before walking up the hill to take a look over the harbour from McCaig’s Tower & Battery Hill. It was a sharp walk up the hill. Could have parked up here.

Some interesting plants growing in the gardens around here.

Walking down, we stopped at the Oban distillery. Very crowded, did not do the distillery tour. Did not buy any whisky, nothing under £60. R saw a man ask the price of a bottle, he even had his credit card in his hand, was told it was £220, so he quickly put it down.

Went for lunch at the Oban Seafood Hut. (Green Shack). Busy, but we were soon served. I went for langoustine, told they were off, but I did see them being served with the sea food platter, so I went for mussels in garlic sauce, Rosemary chose the scallops. Across the table from us one of the guys was from Australia, complaining about the fact you can’t purchase kippers and smoked goods in Australia. They ate the sea food platter which looked excellent.

Afterwards we headed back, but I decided to go to a tearoom opposite Castle Stalker. Ended up going down a no through road, no turning around and a big f*** off sign.

So back to the campsite.

Went for a walk behind the site. Lovely forest for Douglas Firs. Some huge trees. Many bat boxes were installed on the trees. Unfortunately, part of the pathway was closed because of fallen trees.

Back at the campsite, the rain started as we were having a drink. We sat there under our new sun awning, drinking our pre-prandial drinks, and being very British about the weather. This rain was predicted, and unfortunately the next few days will be like this. We ate a crab sandwich and prawn sandwich for supper, purchased at the Oban Seafood Hut. Quite filling and a nice supper.

Track

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.

Blasdale Home

The web home of Steve and Rosemary

Outer Hebrides – Barra

Birds Photographed:

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Outer Hebrides – Oban to Barra

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Outer Hebrides – Oban

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Outer Hebrides – Ardkinglas, Dunchraigaig Cairn and Oban

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Outer Hebrides – Sizergh and Tebay

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Edmund Gonville Society

Weekend in Norfolk

Looking for Foxes 6

Hughenden and Bird Mugging

Warning – Bird Mugging

Greatmoor Incinerator