Martin's out and about blog

Martin's out and about blog http://martinrstone.posterous.com Most recent posts at Martin's out and about blog posterous.com Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:03:00 -0800 The 2012 Welford Park Snowdrops http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/Pzk-2zGiwUc/the-2012-welford-park-snowdrops http://martinrstone.posterous.com/the-2012-welford-park-snowdrops <p> <p>Visiting <a href="http://www.welfordpark.co.uk" target="_blank">Welford Park</a> at this time of year is becoming habit, but their display of snow drops is just magnificent. This year it wasn't cold or windy. It was a bright sunny late afterrnoon with very little wind. Great weather for taking photos with soft light and long shadows.</p> <p>First of all some photos of those magnificent snowdrops. Note the subtle lighting of the sun through the trees and the long shadows.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6923744961"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6923744961_cfe998b9d1.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6923742537"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6923742537_9225bbd05b.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6923740305"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6923740305_eb834660de.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>However there are more than snowdrops at Welford Park.</p> <p>This is a carpet of aconite</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6777636324"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6777636324_89a02428c5.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a> </p> <p>This is a tranquil scene of the river Lambourn gently flowing through the estate.  The sun was softly illuminating the bark of the tree in the centre and the emerald green water plants (not sure what they were). As there was only a light breeze the water was still enough for me to capture the reflection of the tree in the water.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6923749549"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6923749549_446e552ffa.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Nearly all the trees on the estate are festooned with mistletoe. The sun gently illuminated the light green of the mistletoe and contrasted well against the clear blue sky.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6777631812"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6777631812_bf3f992d35.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p>We weren't the only ones enjoying our visit to Welford Park. This buff tailed bumblebee was making a meel of it. His head and shoulders were covered in yellow pollen.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6923639717"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6923639717_c1850dc4dd.jpg" border="0" height="365" width="500" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>If you want to compare this year's snowdrops with those from my previous visits then follow this link to my Flckr photostream tag <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/tags/welfordpark/" target="_blank">Welford Park</a></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/the-2012-welford-park-snowdrops">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/the-2012-welford-park-snowdrops#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/Pzk-2zGiwUc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/the-2012-welford-park-snowdrops Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:52:00 -0800 Out and About with the Sky at Night http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/T1k3cdzlEWo/out-and-about-with-the-sky-at-night http://martinrstone.posterous.com/out-and-about-with-the-sky-at-night <p> <p>  <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Orion_3008_huge.jpg/250px-Orion_3008_huge.jpg" alt="click on to see large image" />  <img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhaw59sVO_ptQT_uuStvXpeUfRpdF0cBTFZ4cqA_YV_E9chdgE5Q" alt="" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Orion</strong>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">January is the best time to view it</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">TV Programmes</span></strong></p> <p>Star gazing is a bug that is easily caught.  Scanning the heavens with just a pair of binos reveals enough for you to want to know more. Combine this with TV programmes like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_Solar_System" target="_blank">Wonders of the Solar System</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_Universe" target="_blank">Wonders of the Universe</a> with cute <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Cox_(physicist)" target="_blank">Prof Brian Cox</a> is enough to provoke you into getting serious with books, Star Maps and maybe more sophisticated equipment. </p> <p>There's more fun to be had with Prof Brian Cox and comedian Dara O'Brian on <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/programme/cwdd6/stargazing-live" target="_blank">Star Gazing Live</a> on the 16th, 17th and 18th January 2012 </p> <p><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Brian_Cox.jpg/200px-Brian_Cox.jpg" alt="" />   </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Books</span></strong></p> <p>I was given the book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonders-Solar-System-Professor-Brian/dp/0007386907/" target="_blank">Wonders of the Solar System</a> as a christmas present and was surprised at how captivating it was to read. I have just finished it.  I shall have to move onto <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonders-Universe-Brian-Cox/dp/0007395825/" target="_blank">Wonders of the Universe</a> next and then maybe I will be able to go back to Stephen Hawkings books <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brief-History-Time-Black-Holes/dp/0857501003/" target="_blank">A Brief History of Time</a>  and the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universe-Nutshell-Stephen-William-Hawking/dp/0593048156" target="_blank">Universe in a Nutshell</a>. I was given these some time ago and have struggled to digest them but maybe now I will understand more of them.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Planetarium</span></strong></p> <p>As a sign of my increasing captivation with the subject I have downloaded the planetarium <a href="http://www.stellarium.org/" target="_blank">Stellarium</a> on to my laptop.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">"<span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: #313439; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope".</span></strong></span></p> <p>This is such fun and so informative I am in danger of spending more time watching it than watching the skies.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Monthly Star Guides</span></strong></p> <p>I like to know what I should be looking out for in the skies so that I can plan my stargazing. I'm too mean to buy a magazine each month so I find online monthly star guides are a great help in letting you know what is important and significant to look out for in the month and helping you navigate the skies to find it. The guides I find most useful are:</p> <ol> <li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/nightsky/" target="_blank">Telegraph Star Guides</a> these appear on the first monday of each month  </li> <li><a href="http://www.universetoday.com/92212/night-sky-guide-january-2012/" target="_blank">The Universe Today Star Guide</a> the January 2012 guide</li> </ol> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Alerts</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Finally I also like to know if I am about  to miss something important so I follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/VirtualAstro" target="_blank">@VirtualAstro</a> on Twitter who is very informative and amusing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/out-and-about-with-the-sky-at-night">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/out-and-about-with-the-sky-at-night#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/T1k3cdzlEWo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/out-and-about-with-the-sky-at-night Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:43:00 -0700 A sunny afternoon stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/WwB4qgtSeX0/an-sunny-afternoon-stroll-along-the-kennett-a http://martinrstone.posterous.com/an-sunny-afternoon-stroll-along-the-kennett-a <p> <p>Whenever my wife and I go out for a walk we always seem to find something interesting or unusual. Today was a gloriously sunny day so we went to to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermaston_Wharf" target="_blank">Aldermarston Wharf </a>to walk along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennet_and_Avon_Canal" target="_blank">Kennet & Avon Canal</a> starting from the <a href="http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_photo/190101/" target="_blank">Visitor Centre</a> </p> <p>We first went east and came across this wonderful example of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracket_fungus" target="_blank">bracket fungus</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6175634038"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6175634038_02a0878ca1.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Then we returned to the centre and walked west to the bridge across the canal just as it was being lifted to let a barge through</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/6175109301"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6175109301_505c4a71b5.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I wonder what surprises our next walk will bring</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/an-sunny-afternoon-stroll-along-the-kennett-a">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/an-sunny-afternoon-stroll-along-the-kennett-a#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/WwB4qgtSeX0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/an-sunny-afternoon-stroll-along-the-kennett-a Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:04:00 -0700 Exploring Cambridge Botanic Gardens http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/VBkEt2iutAw/exploring-cambridge-botanic-gardens http://martinrstone.posterous.com/exploring-cambridge-botanic-gardens <p> <p>A business trip to Cambridge led to an opportunity to explore <a href="http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Cambridge Botanic Gardens</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5937211731"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5937211731_95f1834d02.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The Olive Trees in the courtyard bounded by the new Sainsbury's Lab and Restaurant</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5937770492"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5937770492_6c9b2621c1.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The fountain</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5937212547"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5937212547_a5eeabbe3a.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The Rock Garden</p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/exploring-cambridge-botanic-gardens">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/exploring-cambridge-botanic-gardens#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/VBkEt2iutAw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/exploring-cambridge-botanic-gardens Tue, 03 May 2011 00:35:00 -0700 New Arrivals at our Local Wildlife Haven http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/oBhRtEBSoGE/new-arrivals-at-our-local-wildlife-haven http://martinrstone.posterous.com/new-arrivals-at-our-local-wildlife-haven <p> <p>May day bank holiday was a beautiful blue sky day even if the wind was a little cool.  We have some <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/oSCi" target="_blank">gravel pits</a> nearby and they are usually good for wildlife spotting. We ventured out to see what had arrived recently as we had received information that some <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blacktern/index.aspx" target="_blank">black terns</a> were stopping over on their passage to their breeding grounds.</p> <p>We get our notifications via <a href="http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/birdnews.asp" target="_blank">Berks Birds</a> and their twitter feed <a href="http://twitter.com/berksbirds" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/berksbirds</a> It is good to see that Berks Birds is expanding using a new site <a href="http://www.goingbirding.co.uk" target="_blank">Going Birding</a> to include Oxfordshire, Buckinghampshire and Hampshire. They also have a mobile site <a href="http://m.berksbirds.co.uk" target="_blank">http://m.berksbirds.co.uk</a> which I should have checked before venturing out because of course by the time we had got going the black terns had moved on.</p> <p>However we did see our first swifts of the year and our first <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/h/hobby/index.aspx" target="_blank">hobby</a> of the year so we still had an enjoyable trip out.</p> <p>Catching such fast moving aerial performances from swifts and hobbies on cameras is nearly impossible (for me) but I did take a picture of a carpet of speedwell blue reflecting the sun.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5680394863"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5680394863_1610337d2b.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/new-arrivals-at-our-local-wildlife-haven">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/new-arrivals-at-our-local-wildlife-haven#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/oBhRtEBSoGE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/new-arrivals-at-our-local-wildlife-haven Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:55:00 -0800 Delightful views from our daily walk http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/U-Vl9JaAgtU/delightful-views-from-our-daily-walk http://martinrstone.posterous.com/delightful-views-from-our-daily-walk <p> <p>We have a favourite walk which we attempt everyday that we can.  Because we walk it nearly everyday you get to see the changing fauna and flora throughout the seasons. This time we have a photo of a carpet of crocus and an unusual fungus.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5476272279/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5476272279_a3bc4d9303.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5476872818/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5476872818_16f847e2b5.jpg" border="0" height="299" width="500" /></a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/delightful-views-from-our-daily-walk">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/delightful-views-from-our-daily-walk#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/U-Vl9JaAgtU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/delightful-views-from-our-daily-walk Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:40:00 -0800 Snowdrops at Welford Park http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/_Ydl4N12dAM/snowdrops-at-welford-park http://martinrstone.posterous.com/snowdrops-at-welford-park <p> <p>It was a lovely day, sunny but not too bright, cool but not freezing. A good day for our annual trip to see the snowdrops at <a href="http://welfordpark.co.uk/" target="_blank">Welford Park</a>.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm6static_ufcba" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/ifsEpjyhdzhBhiDyDdDCchGwhEDuadHFarpdAiyHwDJqujIaBHBjvcqpzFil/media_httpfarm6static_uFcBA.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm6static_irdcf" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/xaBCBHCnpbdDtumgbBoogsusaoxpnyntvpIxjaiBjbwnggfkFpDxzwlfmxCc/media_httpfarm6static_IrDCF.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm5static_hyhjw" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/yGHwCdIFcBlvAyvEumhCyBchFcIgDBlauEckeBAsdyttlFcFEaBGIemzttGa/media_httpfarm5static_hyhjw.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm5static_fzhoc" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/cfavfBABsHxelEHAJFdImjzhGDfqpuegeuzuAxcxEhyBzjuitsDoogbpeehu/media_httpfarm5static_fzhoC.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm6static_bxjff" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/xAwCueDvDffyDfEvdbyrnexvmEpnsCCjsvsBeDrgdIsejBGpDHtkJoBbFjdB/media_httpfarm6static_bxjfF.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpfarm6static_ihemb" height="161" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martinrstone/zcaCdlCBvmwCesvJuJEiDwdnvcHdaCpCGleaefbbzctqpsEswobHbsrtrIbh/media_httpfarm6static_IHEmb.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/snowdrops-at-welford-park">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/snowdrops-at-welford-park#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/_Ydl4N12dAM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/snowdrops-at-welford-park Sun, 06 Feb 2011 04:33:00 -0800 Spring Has Arrived in Our Garden http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/adYKM2LFFlg/spring-has-arrived-in-our-garden http://martinrstone.posterous.com/spring-has-arrived-in-our-garden <p> <p>The weather has been warm this week. The catkins are out as are the crocus. The snow drops are just breaking cover but not yet fully open. But the favourite in our garden are the dwarf Iris - Iris Reticulata. Such a fantastic shade of blue with a bright yellow tongue.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5420863461/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5420863461_239cb81dcb.jpg" border="0" height="334" width="500" /></a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/spring-has-arrived-in-our-garden">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/spring-has-arrived-in-our-garden#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/adYKM2LFFlg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/spring-has-arrived-in-our-garden Sun, 23 Jan 2011 04:25:00 -0800 Hunting Waxwings in Reading http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/YwZakm1l-_4/hunting-waxwings-in-reading http://martinrstone.posterous.com/hunting-waxwings-in-reading <p> <p>There have been a number of sitings of Waxwings in the Reading area. I keep an eye on <a href="http://twitter.com/berksbirdnews">http://twitter.com/berksbirdnews</a> for reports of sitings.</p> <p>This morning there was a report of Waxwings locally.  So off we went with all our gear to the Porsche garage at Calcot Reading.  In front of the garage is a group of trees still with berries and sure enough there was a group of Waxwings - about 7 or 8 - along with some Redwings feasting on the berries then flying off before drifting back again.</p> <p>The light wasn't very good light and unfortunately my battery died before I could set up the telescope for digiscoping. So it was back home to recharge and hope they are still around later.</p> <p>This is the only half decent picture I was able to capture</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinrstone/5380742060/"><img class="posterous_download_image" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5380742060_db1b333303.jpg" border="0" height="383" width="500" /></a></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/hunting-waxwings-in-reading">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/hunting-waxwings-in-reading#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/YwZakm1l-_4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/hunting-waxwings-in-reading Fri, 24 Dec 2010 07:12:00 -0800 Views from Rock Walk in Torquay http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/zNIjGGjqTqc/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay http://martinrstone.posterous.com/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay <p> <p>There might be snow on the ground everywhere else but here in Torquay there isn't a sign of any and its a glorious sunny day. So we had to try out the rebuilt Rock Walk. These are views from Rock Walk and one showing the view up to Rock Walk from the seafront</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/ndvjjehndgFfmhGHsjuHAnyxIemuwjsbGfDfpGacvDGDpbblBjCyrrwqpgsB/IMAG0257.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0257" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/ndvjjehndgFfmhGHsjuHAnyxIemuwjsbGfDfpGacvDGDpbblBjCyrrwqpgsB/IMAG0257.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/HaztGubqEjxjwjsxIudvjvlDFzmEsepJtAmjujeoIkenuwCiGdoApFvuHCwx/IMAG0261.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0261" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/HaztGubqEjxjwjsxIudvjvlDFzmEsepJtAmjujeoIkenuwCiGdoApFvuHCwx/IMAG0261.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/EjDwuHnHijHHiqvkBmjijukJwxxgmGnkDhrpnjwhddduadxbBcJCIbgbpvox/IMAG0263.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0263" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/EjDwuHnHijHHiqvkBmjijukJwxxgmGnkDhrpnjwhddduadxbBcJCIbgbpvox/IMAG0263.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/sEdfzaBanCdgiGAAjgkgFbdGnhxFHxlycHHgAvnissetqtymqbpwvjmckmew/IMAG0265.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0265" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/sEdfzaBanCdgiGAAjgkgFbdGnhxFHxlycHHgAvnissetqtymqbpwvjmckmew/IMAG0265.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/zNIjGGjqTqc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/views-from-rock-walk-in-torquay Fri, 24 Dec 2010 02:07:49 -0800 Our Hotel Redwings and Blackcaps http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/87DXmgagEvM/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps <p> <p>We're staying at the Premier Inn in Torquay just by the seafront. We have a room on the second floor just by a tree favoured by a group of Redwings and Blackcaps (male and female)</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/dFcymEqsBqEhEzxcxBEhwClAGbhJAulqAdhwaBnyfFpcuzzmlynoFcogeamC/DSC_0487.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0487" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/dFcymEqsBqEhEzxcxBEhwClAGbhJAulqAdhwaBnyfFpcuzzmlynoFcogeamC/DSC_0487.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/thmaDBCrHnHmaoGosilviszralIafJppjmafnBlrvsmhkhlBwqcgAarpjDsk/DSC_0530_2.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0530_2" height="327" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/thmaDBCrHnHmaoGosilviszralIafJppjmafnBlrvsmhkhlBwqcgAarpjDsk/DSC_0530_2.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/CqgFksiIfyxiGyxqfDmvqkGEhwwrhhcIxJAqoCGkEDtvAIgzvCroJCglrHEw/DSC_0534.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0534" height="334" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/CqgFksiIfyxiGyxqfDmvqkGEhwwrhhcIxJAqoCGkEDtvAIgzvCroJCglrHEw/DSC_0534.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/toyjbAebtdutIIBizlkdJCtmADeeFxgcqeEwjEmiuhFiefBaasHxbeqbyspA/DSC_0490.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0490" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/toyjbAebtdutIIBizlkdJCtmADeeFxgcqeEwjEmiuhFiefBaasHxbeqbyspA/DSC_0490.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p> </p> <p>Then as a real treat the blackcaps flew into the guttering just outside our window to feed on the vegetation in our guttering. Unfortunately I had to take the picture at an angle through the glass. Hence the not so clear pictures but delightful all the same. We have here a pair of males and then a pair of females</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/rqyEpdJrovuImzgDjqkxFwxyrArrqpIzqioeEAlxkfeixpbdquzoBIHofyJf/DSC_0506.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0506" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/rqyEpdJrovuImzgDjqkxFwxyrArrqpIzqioeEAlxkfeixpbdquzoBIHofyJf/DSC_0506.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/EewFGpqwcqIvGdrxtcJFwkxIdBtyehvwwuFucsGnqJdarFwudzrDcGtHJrkE/DSC_0511.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0511" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-24/EewFGpqwcqIvGdrxtcJFwkxIdBtyehvwwuFucsGnqJdarFwudzrDcGtHJrkE/DSC_0511.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/87DXmgagEvM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/our-hotel-redwings-and-blackcaps Sun, 12 Dec 2010 03:31:00 -0800 Red Kites over our home http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/S6wVotgUVy0/red-kites-over-our-home http://martinrstone.posterous.com/red-kites-over-our-home <p> <p>We have had great pleasure from watching the Red Kites drift down from the Chilterns to the Calcot Reading area. It's been very difficult though to get a good picture of them.</p> <p>But today it's a glorious sunny day and my daughter was ready with a zoom camera to snap this Red Kite from our window as it flew overhead.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-12/nJiscEIcFsnuweiqrmabefIkpEzhCbsxrzqersBiaEyzscuosaJIzszxEvFH/Red_Kite.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Red_kite" height="288" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-12-12/nJiscEIcFsnuweiqrmabefIkpEzhCbsxrzqersBiaEyzscuosaJIzszxEvFH/Red_Kite.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/red-kites-over-our-home">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/red-kites-over-our-home#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/S6wVotgUVy0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/red-kites-over-our-home Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:29:32 -0800 Dark Bellied Brent Geese at Baiter, Poole http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/PwENiv5_kvE/darke-bellied-brent-geese-at-baiter-poole http://martinrstone.posterous.com/darke-bellied-brent-geese-at-baiter-poole <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-28/awhIFCiyiJqxdqptwscimygwhGHuaADJazJFfDrCBDyolAvcnmbwwcCAynEz/DSC_0460.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0460" height="314" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-28/awhIFCiyiJqxdqptwscimygwhGHuaADJazJFfDrCBDyolAvcnmbwwcCAynEz/DSC_0460.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> It was a very cold morning with not much wildlife around except for these Dark Bellied Brent Geese at Baiter (just round the bay from Poole Quay).</p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/darke-bellied-brent-geese-at-baiter-poole">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/darke-bellied-brent-geese-at-baiter-poole#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/PwENiv5_kvE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/darke-bellied-brent-geese-at-baiter-poole Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:22:00 -0700 Meeting Whoopers & Pink Foots at WWT Martin Mere http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/UJlyDXFExxc/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m <p> <p>This the time of year when the Winter visitors arrive at our wetlands.  At Martin Mere the main visitors are the Whooper swans and the Pink Footed geese.  <a href="http://foursquare.com/venue/1818050" target="_blank">Martin Mere on Foursqare</a>  <a href="http://wwt.org.uk/visit-us/martin-mere" target="_blank">Martin Mere on WWT</a></p> <p>Also this year they have added a new attraction - a family of Asian Otters.</p> <p>I have tried to capture our visit with these pictures </p> <p>First of all the <a href="http://wwt.org.uk/visit-us/martin-mere/meet-the-beavers-and-otters" target="_blank">otters</a></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/noDJGqaIfnqEknEkzhyAokDtqyqyqshHlnradoaDexIadBmuwdpbafayhFHA/DSC_0231.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0231" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/noDJGqaIfnqEknEkzhyAokDtqyqyqshHlnradoaDexIadBmuwdpbafayhFHA/DSC_0231.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/mrolumcnjhjHcirakcAltpGBdshJJtusoiCjuoliCAnIIlhrIeEtAgDEhnqB/DSC_0243.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0243" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/mrolumcnjhjHcirakcAltpGBdshJJtusoiCjuoliCAnIIlhrIeEtAgDEhnqB/DSC_0243.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p>The the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/whooperswan/index.aspx" target="_blank">Whoopper Swans</a>.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/hAxDxEDwHohfrqEayCkgAnunEzJJumqIotaDyIwDmcgyCwonucFchwcvfzBd/DSC_0326.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0326" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/hAxDxEDwHohfrqEayCkgAnunEzJJumqIotaDyIwDmcgyCwonucFchwcvfzBd/DSC_0326.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/sjtqlhpIsjewqlomtvlHBnBalBkgbJmuIwisAHbyfnjhyvjkqfrElinvtmAj/DSC_0338.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0338" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/sjtqlhpIsjewqlomtvlHBnBalBkgbJmuIwisAHbyfnjhyvjkqfrElinvtmAj/DSC_0338.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/ddgytubHijwdglDFkhceluvwGAsgldDcnyxfywbmJmIvJtHctyJsHiuxEFhw/DSC_0295.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0295" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/ddgytubHijwdglDFkhceluvwGAsgldDcnyxfywbmJmIvJtHctyJsHiuxEFhw/DSC_0295.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p>They are magical in flight.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/xwpojojmcBmruoEeIcbzznfvyrofHhlHjuzIpHdwoGlpezzjkEgjjqDfFInk/DSC_0301.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0301" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/xwpojojmcBmruoEeIcbzznfvyrofHhlHjuzIpHdwoGlpezzjkEgjjqDfFInk/DSC_0301.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/AGiklwrIqydlmxsEBHlhktwelcBFlcxuJflouoGyivtlEGtyqFsdiwCBohAq/DSC_0411.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0411" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/AGiklwrIqydlmxsEBHlhktwelcBFlcxuJflouoGyivtlEGtyqFsdiwCBohAq/DSC_0411.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/FzoBvnEjhBHtsdtcbnChnBGfgithBwhIBqGyqaeygFAnjxcHuyEBmjaHjFsh/DSC_0415.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0415" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/FzoBvnEjhBHtsdtcbnChnBGfgithBwhIBqGyqaeygFAnjxcHuyEBmjaHjFsh/DSC_0415.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> And Finally the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/pinkfootedgoose/index.aspx" target="_blank">Pink Footed Geese</a>.  </p> <p>It was difficult to get close to these so I had to resort to a bit of digiscoping. For details of my digiscoping setup see my blog entry <a href="http://martinrstone.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/digiscoping-at-martin-mere/" target="_blank">Digiscoping at Martin Mere</a></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/jDHHiauqxbjskglJJEkuhtpaxozmHsxDuwtJDDmAHqjnEIvrfFIcerADpGye/DSC_0385.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0385" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-11-01/jDHHiauqxbjskglJJEkuhtpaxozmHsxDuwtJDDmAHqjnEIvrfFIcerADpGye/DSC_0385.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/UJlyDXFExxc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/a-day-to-observe-the-winter-visitors-at-wwt-m Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:44:00 -0700 Visiting the Gilberts at Compton Castle http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/AwOnVB0E5g4/visiting-the-gilberts-at-compton-castle http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-the-gilberts-at-compton-castle <p> <p>It was such a fantastic sunny day that we decided to visit the medieval fortified manor of <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-comptoncastle.htm" title="Compton Castle" target="_blank">Compton Castle</a>, a National Trust property in which the donors, The Gilberts, still live there. It was Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539-83) who claimed Newfoundland for Queen Elizabeth.</p> <p>The building has been beautifully restored and you can still visit those rooms not occupied by the Gilberts. </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/rbDelAwroegtaCxHCjBgjecExxkwgfCcfhwzDxckFcxsDubbiIcHvIGBunyI/DSC_0133.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0133" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/rbDelAwroegtaCxHCjBgjecExxkwgfCcfhwzDxckFcxsDubbiIcHvIGBunyI/DSC_0133.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>The castle has some wonderful spiral staircases</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/BvClaemBtlHHBuyxFsCdfpDpmJoHblgnvrirAtbGbbJkamtzIdAmIBcAxkAi/DSC_0139.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0139" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/BvClaemBtlHHBuyxFsCdfpDpmJoHblgnvrirAtbGbbJkamtzIdAmIBcAxkAi/DSC_0139.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>ans some impressive fortifications</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/vzJgvbeaoDheIEhHAgBfEzdmfbJcHEzDgqyErpkiICHtqvwkqAvemixBJsCB/DSC_0146.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0146" height="747" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/vzJgvbeaoDheIEhHAgBfEzdmfbJcHEzDgqyErpkiICHtqvwkqAvemixBJsCB/DSC_0146.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> As is the case with most National Trust properties it is not just the building which is of interest, it is also the gardens and farming activities. Compton has all three.</p> <p>The Gilberts raise rare breed Jacob sheep - They're the ones with spots and look like pigs<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/hrDaBmBzfCqusJdFdchqmazrcdBIFrJwGIqbHDwwyIrFsutCtssitzvakFlG/DSC_0128.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0128" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/hrDaBmBzfCqusJdFdchqmazrcdBIFrJwGIqbHDwwyIrFsutCtssitzvakFlG/DSC_0128.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> They also have an orchard with heritage apple varieties. This the Lord Lambourne  a crisp sweet aromatic variety</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/tuhHyjDdjnGlHfbaotHihHtJiAxmGhuudgfwkEAbdIypHlfCHxhHzunDgeyD/DSC_0168.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0168" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/tuhHyjDdjnGlHfbaotHihHtJiAxmGhuudgfwkEAbdIypHlfCHxhHzunDgeyD/DSC_0168.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> and some beautiful gardens. I particularly liked the way the blue sky is reflected in this lily pond</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/brmyeGzFwwdtmjGiwEDsoEcmjFGmAosublgBolEoofwcpsasrzmpzqDcaBbn/DSC_0159.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Dsc_0159" height="335" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-10-04/brmyeGzFwwdtmjGiwEDsoEcmjFGmAosublgBolEoofwcpsasrzmpzqDcaBbn/DSC_0159.JPG.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-the-gilberts-at-compton-castle">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-the-gilberts-at-compton-castle#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/AwOnVB0E5g4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-the-gilberts-at-compton-castle Sun, 19 Sep 2010 08:03:00 -0700 Lunch with the Elizabethans at Montacute House http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/2MHDUG7g1X0/lunch-with-the-elizabethans-at-montacute-hous http://martinrstone.posterous.com/lunch-with-the-elizabethans-at-montacute-hous <p> <p>We had sunday lunch at Montacute House (National Trust) and learnt a thing or two about the Elizabethans.</p> <p>They were good at spinning a yarn</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/zECaEDJofyqhgwbtgidwvughorFenfkaGxipdzCEhzspsDirFHwsdglJowxG/IMAG0154.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0154" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/zECaEDJofyqhgwbtgidwvughorFenfkaGxipdzCEhzspsDirFHwsdglJowxG/IMAG0154.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>They liked dressing up</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/wdBvcwFuysvmAyAreIiAvjehyCxvwmzyqqFuAGIIpigtttouuImeCJeilvql/IMAG0162.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0162" height="835" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/wdBvcwFuysvmAyAreIiAvjehyCxvwmzyqqFuAGIIpigtttouuImeCJeilvql/IMAG0162.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Some were gnarled and twisted</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/wpdgFJrfgbnprctFqlfkdoJFpkzmbfxgJqmzDJsEodsymbpzJDgiAmDGibBe/IMAG0155.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0155" height="835" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/wpdgFJrfgbnprctFqlfkdoJFpkzmbfxgJqmzDJsEodsymbpzJDgiAmDGibBe/IMAG0155.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>Some were hopeless at cutting a hedge</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/bAsCaAhnHFeDpmIzzziEErdxesrbEsfssjHlarqovzqebnbypGiHxbsoucnz/IMAG0151.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0151" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/bAsCaAhnHFeDpmIzzziEErdxesrbEsfssjHlarqovzqebnbypGiHxbsoucnz/IMAG0151.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>And some were fantastic at cutting hedges</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/FyrwndevydkqIoFcypibxnGirFjnwtmnonxFedDkrspkjHtsGCsojkzACyia/IMAG0170.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0170" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-09-19/FyrwndevydkqIoFcypibxnGirFjnwtmnonxFedDkrspkjHtsGCsojkzACyia/IMAG0170.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/lunch-with-the-elizabethans-at-montacute-hous">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/lunch-with-the-elizabethans-at-montacute-hous#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/2MHDUG7g1X0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/lunch-with-the-elizabethans-at-montacute-hous Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:43:00 -0700 Visiting Abbottsbury but not to see the swans http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/_p8nPkUUwGA/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans <p> <div style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 8px;"> <p>We took the opportunity of free tickets courtesy of my daughter to visit the Abbottsbury Sub Tropical Gardens.  The gardens were wonderful and the restaurant superb but the highlight of the visit was the view from the high point in the gardens.  This gave us an unrivalled view East (1st photo) and West (2nd photo)  along the Jurassic Coast.<div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-27/wspADolbgjaajfeEAxsyEFjFpdoaAbblAEJhBwADmFFvvuGFExyEdlhdheEb/IMAG0133.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0133" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-27/wspADolbgjaajfeEAxsyEFjFpdoaAbblAEJhBwADmFFvvuGFExyEdlhdheEb/IMAG0133.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-27/DatBxfkHzuJFmrauCufzcJJEpJIuwHzjjApdjrdscpnrJdwscdGqptceIJAz/IMAG0134.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0134" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-27/DatBxfkHzuJFmrauCufzcJJEpJIuwHzjjApdjrdscpnrJdwscdGqptceIJAz/IMAG0134.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p> </p> <p>I managed to get a Google fix on my location:</p> <p><a href="http://www.google.com/buzz/martinrstone/9rbpvxVpPUN/A-lovely-stroll-up-to-Abbotysbury-tropical-gardens">http://www.google.com/buzz/martinrstone/9rbpvxVpPUN/A-lovely-stroll-up-to-Abbotysbury-tropical-gardens</a></p> <p /> </div> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/_p8nPkUUwGA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/visiting-abbottsbury-but-not-to-see-the-swans Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:23:00 -0700 Straw Logs for my Log Fire http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/ntjFTg1luPo/straw-logs-for-my-log-fire http://martinrstone.posterous.com/straw-logs-for-my-log-fire <p> <p>I really enjoy my real log fire and have been pleased that I am burning wood which is carbon neutral. But I may have found and even greener material - Straw !!!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://twitpic.com/jjxb" title="Share photos on twitter with Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/jjxb.jpg" height="150" alt="Share photos on twitter with Twitpic" width="150" /></a></p> <p>I have just taken delivery of Straw Logs to experiment with.  They seem a good sustainable source of green energy which is renewed each year rather than waiting for a tree to grow.  It is also a good option for farmers wanting to diversify.</p> <p><img src="http://www.strawlogs.co.uk/images/advert2.jpg" alt="Straw Logs: 5 log pack" /> You can order these logs from <a href="http://www.strawlogs.co.uk" target="_blank">Fuel Britannia</a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/straw-logs-for-my-log-fire">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/straw-logs-for-my-log-fire#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/ntjFTg1luPo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/straw-logs-for-my-log-fire Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:56:00 -0700 Great Craftmanship on the Holy Brook http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/gVkbbH9tevo/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook http://martinrstone.posterous.com/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook <p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Brook" title="Holy Brook" target="_blank">Holy Brook</a> is a channel of the River Kennet as it approaches Reading. One set of sluice gates has been deteriorating and it has been fascinating watching it being replaced. We now have a magnificent piece of craftmanship to manage the water level.</p> <p>The first photo is the original sluice gate the next shows the sluice gate in mid repair and then two photos of the final result.</p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/ppzDwGjdvaqcibmdgmtrrygbAvagJJkHuJcqAsicwtCHylDuEspigucnjozt/The_original.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="The_original" height="334" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/ppzDwGjdvaqcibmdgmtrrygbAvagJJkHuJcqAsicwtCHylDuEspigucnjozt/The_original.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/lIuqbuGfwdtrAqDrujGtkrbxoDCwtkAyvoJqxtmtsJtvwtjbwJEpcHlyjtdd/IMAG0110.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0110" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/lIuqbuGfwdtrAqDrujGtkrbxoDCwtkAyvoJqxtmtsJtvwtjbwJEpcHlyjtdd/IMAG0110.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/JfJzBFblfdpJugmItBCoEGdtIpJgDzvaIyIFkAqHiobzAcCJgnviJqFszCCk/IMAG0112.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0112" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/JfJzBFblfdpJugmItBCoEGdtIpJgDzvaIyIFkAqHiobzAcCJgnviJqFszCCk/IMAG0112.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/kriIvEdnueIjgnDhDiColbvlundwBDtrkjEezwcIzHlgJnjsBlbBpjGCvAjh/IMAG0113.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0113" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2010-08-17/kriIvEdnueIjgnDhDiColbvlundwBDtrkjEezwcIzHlgJnjsBlbBpjGCvAjh/IMAG0113.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/gVkbbH9tevo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/great-craftmanship-on-the-holy-brook Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:56:00 -0700 Chilling out at Goring lock http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~3/bmrvanyCqrU/chilling-out-at-goring-lock http://martinrstone.posterous.com/chilling-out-at-goring-lock <p> <p>It was such a lovely day we decided to have a pub lunch at the Bull Inn, Streatley <a href="http://4sq.com/aEE3YM" target="_blank">http://4sq.com/aEE3YM</a> and then go for a walk along the Thames at Goring.</p> <p>We went for a meander along the River Thames with Google Tracks running on my Android phone.  You can see this meander at <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/FS0k" target="_blank">http://goo.gl/maps/FS0k</a></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martin-spb7e/MMOydOjs5wNiKu3NUp6VqQATaXdsMiZlfHg1WBEszE4DXe1OOCCto0hsWSBG/IMAG0124.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Imag0124" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/martin-spb7e/DEq7X5ZYS16ltHmKNw3XC30wwf9uRYOeHfSZVjcVlkb1uHVO1VhCZYTuo2HV/IMAG0124.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> This is a picture taken whilst enjoying an ice cream at Goring Lock</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/chilling-out-at-goring-lock">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://martinrstone.posterous.com/chilling-out-at-goring-lock#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MartinsOutAndAboutBlog/~4/bmrvanyCqrU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/692561/DSC_0021__2_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wekPvbz31Wp Martin Stone martinrstone Martin Stone http://martinrstone.posterous.com/chilling-out-at-goring-lock