Although I initially put this blog together for my own amusement (and that of my family and friends) it's great to see that I've had visitors from Europe, USA, Middle East, South America, Australia and New Zealand. See the world map to the right of this post.
If you've stumbled on this blog from afar please leave a comment. It'd be nice to hear your views.
Monday, 28 August 2006
Saturday, 26 August 2006
Staveley Gravel Pits and Nature Reserve
We visited this place on the recommendation of Andy Jowett from BOG. The lakes (actually reclaimed gravel pits) directly to the north of Staveley (close to Knaresborough in North Yorkshire) are a reserve of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
At the gravel pits between the church and Model Farm we saw good numbers of various dragonflies as well as Canada and Greylag geese, Greenshank (I think), Common sandpiper, Snipe and Lapwing.
I think this is a female Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) because shortly after this shot was taken it was leapt upon and appeared to mate with a bright red partner. Either that or the bright red one was trying to eat it. It did look a bit rough!
Later, at the Nature Reserve proper, the main spectacle was provided by a Great Crested Grebe feeding three chicks and by four Roe deer which walked by on the far side of the lagoon.
Two well-grown GC Grebe chicks wait expectantly for another fish.
As dusk approached, large numbers of starlings began to congregate prior to roosting in the reeds. As they settled, two Sparrowhawks made their presence known.
"Common or garden" starlings make a spectacular sight as they gather in huge pre-roost flocks.
We waited in the hide until after sunset in the hope of seeing Barn owls. They were a no show but the wait was worth it.
Staveley sunset.
Thursday, 24 August 2006
Love Leeds?
Not very often as it happens but the recent rain and clear skies seemed to have freshened the place up as I left work tonight. Even the railway station roof caught my eye.
Monday, 21 August 2006
More TransWales shots
My team-mate contemplates the descent towards lunch midway through the event. 
Lunch is at the quarry complex in the valley bottom. Our route takes the fire-road to the right of the shot.
Me fording a stream on day six. Some of the fords were almost knee deep even when sat on the bike. This shot's by Jon Brooke.
TransWales 06
On Saturday I finished the inaugural TransWales mountainbike endurance event. 543km (338miles) of riding with 15,990m (52,460ft) of climbing in seven days. All completed in what turned out to be challenging weather conditions as the rain began towards the end of day three and never really let up.
What I'd believed would be a fun, challenging event turned into one of those experiences where the motivation to continue becomes as important as anything as first I began to get a cold and then a variously sharp/throbbing knee pain developed over day three. On day six, my teammate had a more catastrophic mishap in dislocating his finger along with a simultaneous soaking by falling off his bike while fording a stream. He bravely reduced the dislocation and continued, his stiff upper lip only slightly quivery.
Nevertheless the camaraderie among the riders (pro racers and punters alike) was fantastic, the scenery atmospherically spectacular and the organisers encouraging and working hard to make sure the event ran as smoothly as possible. It also helped that the food was good and there was plenty of it.
Here're some snaps of the event:
Team 83's transport for the seven days - Orange Five and Litespeed Niota.
What I'd believed would be a fun, challenging event turned into one of those experiences where the motivation to continue becomes as important as anything as first I began to get a cold and then a variously sharp/throbbing knee pain developed over day three. On day six, my teammate had a more catastrophic mishap in dislocating his finger along with a simultaneous soaking by falling off his bike while fording a stream. He bravely reduced the dislocation and continued, his stiff upper lip only slightly quivery.
Nevertheless the camaraderie among the riders (pro racers and punters alike) was fantastic, the scenery atmospherically spectacular and the organisers encouraging and working hard to make sure the event ran as smoothly as possible. It also helped that the food was good and there was plenty of it.
Here're some snaps of the event:
Team 83's transport for the seven days - Orange Five and Litespeed Niota.
The RAF Cycling Team relax in camp at the end of day two in Machynlleth.
By the end of day three the weather had deteriorated. This is the damp camp at Coed y Brenin.
Tuesday, 8 August 2006
Ilkley Moor Fire
At the end of July an extensive fire took hold on Ilkley Moor attracting a great deal of local media coverage and anxiety about the destruction of habitat. A week after the fire had been extinguished I visited the site to find the peat still smouldering in places but life beginning to re-establish in others.
Smouldering peat
New shoots sprouting on a charred tussock.
Local drystone wall.
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