I got the job!

For a while now I've been looking to redirect my "career" to involve more work in the outdoors.

This began last March with some voluntary outdoor activities work (climbing, canoeing, hillwalking) based in Otley. Unfortunately, the organisation delivering this went bust and it was no longer so easy to pursue this avenue. I did however, pick up some useful experience along the way and actually got paid for some of it. Increasing my experience and qualification in this area remains, "on the back burner" for now.

In September this year, I began a Foundation Degree course in Wildlife and Countryside Conservation at Bishop Burton College and this is now absorbing much of my time and thoughts. So much so, that I've decided to go part-time in my real job to give more attention and also to undertake the work-based learning component of the course.

I thought that since work experience was a necessary part of my course and also important for my future employment in the sector, I might as well get paid for it and ...

... as from the new year I will be a:

Field teacher for the RSPB at their Fairburn Ings reserve.

Click the image (above) to support the RSPB.

Back from France

I've just got back from a trip to France with my partner to visit her folks. They live near Tarbes, in the Hautes Pyrenees département of the South West. Aside from the usual festivities, we got out for some walks; once to some local oak woods, once into the mountains near the Col d'Aspin and again by the side of the river Adour close to Caro's mum's house. Here are some photos.

My partner's sister made "flowers" out of wire and beads for each of the female guests. Christmas lunch featured Kir Royale aperitifs, foie gras starters and lamb with haricots Tarbais (a local speciality, carrying an appellation of origin).

Two views of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre taken from the Col d'Aspin. The trees in the foreground of the lower shot are hollies, browsed into "lollipop" shape by grazing izards.

Plane trees are a common feature of many French towns. This is the one outside the house.

The odd, flaky bark reminds me of military camouflage.

The birdwatching haul from the trip was also quite respectable with notable species including:

• Blackcap
• Willow/Marsh Tit (I'm not sure I can tell the difference)
  
• Little Egret
• Red Kite
• Redstart

Not just tomato salad

Another go at still-life photography.

This is not just a tomato; it's a vine-ripened tomato, out of my fridge, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and scattered with freshly ground black pepper ...

... and will be eaten tonight with rocket, water cress and balsamic vinegar. Mmmm.

Stick it in your pipe and smoke it Marks & Spencer!

Barden and Strid Woods

After Christamas shopping today we went into the Dales around Bolton Abbey for a walk and to take these shots.

This stone commemorates the repair of Barden Bridge in 1676

Barden Bridge

Swirling waters of the River Wharfe

During our walk we were fortunate to get good views of Dipper and Red Kite.

Sunlit Oak tree

The Strid in high water condition. Here the Wharfe is only about 2 metres wide. A friendly chap lent me his tripod so I could try this long exposure shot.

Many people have drowned trying to jump over the Strid. It seems tantalisingly possible. Local legend has it that the land at Bolton Abbey was granted to the monks by Lady Alice de Rumilly in 1154 in memory of her son, the "Boy of Egremont", who drowned in the Strid. However, this seems unlikely as his signature appears on the deeds.

Accordion to my sources...

...Leeds is filling up with street entertainers as we enter the festive period.


This dapper chap is a particularly well turned out example.

Case closed

This was all that was left of the Woodpigeon this morning. No sign at all of a body, just these scattered feathers.

I took these shots too...