There and Back

Wicken Fen was the very first nature reserve owned by the National Trust and has been in their care since 1899. To quote the National Trust :  `For more than 100 years we've worked hard to protect the rare species that live at Wicken through intensive management of the fen habitats. This has become increasingly difficult and by the late 20th Century it had become clear we could not protect this unique place because the nature reserve was just too small & too isolated.  The Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious project to create a landscape scale nature reserve stretching from Wicken Fen to the edge of Cambridge, creating new habitats for both wildlife and humans. In 1999, we launched the Wicken Fen Vision, a 100 year plan to extend the reserve from Wicken to the outskirts of Cambridge, covering an area of 5300 sq hectares.  Our aim is to buy land as and when it comes up for sale, and restore it to fen and wetland habitat. We gradually raise water levels and use herds of f

Another drive along the Sound of Mull to Tobermory today, but a slower pace with time to explore. The locals decided that this would be a leisurely drive! That one in the front is coming straight for us Rosey! This time we have a better day and the colours of the house stand out better. Lunch and a good stroll around was the order of the day. These old vessels on the Sound of Mull looked great against the dark sky. The village next to where were staying was called Inverlussa. So next morning we thought to take a stroll down the road and explore as we had a trip to Duart Castle planned for the afternoon. Keeping an eye on the hedgerow as we walked, we spotted these Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsia Then we found a grasshopper - not sure of the variety. ... and then my favourite of the morning, a Fritillary butterfly Quickly followed by a Cinnabar moth. Then we came across a monument to Dugald MacPha