There and Back

When I saw this advertised on Facebook, I was immediately taken by the idea - and so was Rosey. As it required 4 persons we asked our friends, Andrew and Deb. So, on the 6th October we arrived at Minsmere in chilly damp conditions for our safari! The resulting pictures are not brilliant as weather and distance were against us. Our guide/driver had a 600 mm lens which was probably a better option. Never mind- here are mine for the day. Some of the hinds on the move when we approached. No stag here. Two of the stags that we encountered. The stag bellows for attention A young stag- not competing yet! Pictures not brilliant, but an enjoyable day and one I am glad we experienced.  Index of posts

One of the most eye catching things about Hunstanton in Norfolk, are the cliffs. The best time to see them is in a late evening summer evening - and we had just such conditions for these images. The famous red and white striped cliffs are an eye-catching attraction. Why are the cliffs striped? The stripes in the cliffs are caused by layers of different coloured rock. The main layers are Carrstone and also Chalk.  Carrstone is the brown layer and consists of sandstone - sand cemented together by iron oxide (rust). In places where the cement is stronger, the rock is darker and less crumbly. There are no fossils in this layer apart from a little fossilised wood.  The red and white chalk is made of limestone. Limestone forms in warm tropical climates, which suggests that Hunstanton climate was once warmer than it is today. The colour of the red chalk is due to iron staining. Patterns in the sand, made as the sea retreated. On the f...

We thought we would explore the North West corner of Mull today and pinpointed Calgary as our destination. Calgary is a hamlet on the north west coast of Mull, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was the origin of the name of Fort Calgary in Canada, which became the city of Calgary, Alberta. The route we decided on was along the east coast past Craignure and up to Salen. Then across country to Killiechronan and on up the coast , skirting Loch na Keal, until we reached Calgary. As we drove up the east coast alongside the Sound Of Mull, the mist was hanging over the water making a great image of this boat. Now this sign amused me a lot! Maybe 20mph or 30mph but 21!! The fog disperses on the Sound Of Mull. The first impression we had of Calgary, as we parked our car. Just a huge almost deserted beach with mist still lingering on the hills in the background. Calgary Art In Nature was set up in 1999. Its aim was to site pieces of sculpture within t...

The New Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heath-land and forest in Southern England, covering southwest Hampshire and southeast Wiltshire. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror, featuring in the Domesday Book. Pre-existing rights of common pasture are still recognised today, being enforced by official verderers. In the 18th century, the New Forest became a source of timber for the Royal Navy. It was here that we were to spend a week, exploring the forest itself, and some places not too far away. What we needed was good weather! Being Autumn, the forest floor was, in many places, covered in a colourful carpet of fallen leaves. ... such as this area. I had this tree down as the oldest in the forest. It was fenced off from the path, so may be it was! Another view of the colourful forest floor. Pigs foraging (or resting) in the forest. During the autumn months, it’s not an uncommon sight to see...