The Terrible weather continues.

What a terrible night last night. Several trees blew down in the garden, and a very large, old tree was blown over in one of the fields. I suspect there will be some blown over in  the woods as well. We were very lucky not to have any structural damage or flooding. My sympathy goes to all the many people that have been flooded so badly.

 

I planted the trees in the garden over 20 years ago. It is sad to see them now disappear from my garden.

Having said that, the garden was beginning to get a bit crowded and overgrown in places, so this could be natures way of sorting the garden planning out.

The ground is absolutely waterlogged. I have never known the garden to be so wet! Gardening at the moment is a no-no.

There must be some better weather coming soon! Please!

Nice to see the snowdrops.

 

 

Because of the weather conditions today, I spent some time in one of my hides. I am not as patient as I should be, but got a few acceptable shots.

 

 

A male Blackbird 

 

 

My favourite - the Blue tit

 

 

Our regular visitor - the Cock Pheasant

A day in Sri Lanka. Dolphin watching at Kalpitiya.

The day started at 5.00am. Ravi took Charlie and me in his Taxi to the nearby railway station to catch the 5.35am train to Puttalam.

 

 

The train was on time. Fare was 85 rupees  -  about 45 pence!  The train journey was an experience in itself! There seems to be only one railway track, and when another train is coming from the other direction, one of the trains has to reverse back from the station and shunt onto a siding to allow the other train to pass. Hence the journey rumbles on to Puttalam for about 2 hours 30 minutes.  There are no doors on the train carriages, but no one disappeared on the journey. Health and safety isn't as strict as in England. Some might say that   'we have gone over the top!'

 

 

 

On arrival at Puttalam  station, we were greeted by several Tuktuk drivers wanting to take us to where ever!

We chose the most persistant Sri Lankan I think, who took us past the salt lakes to an Eco friendly hotel , where the owner had boats for the dolphin trips. The time was approximately 9.30 am and we were told that we would see dolphins - 100% sure  There was only 4 of us on the boat. Charlie, me, the tuktuk driver and the boatman. We didn't  see a dolphin, got wet through - and  returned after 3 hours of looking for them on a very rough sea. My fear of sea sickness was severely tested, but - we were all  fine!

 

Back to the Hotel!  We were offered accommodation, and the chance of another boat trip the next day! 100%  guaranteed to see Dolphins.  B & B was 12,500 rupees each  -  £62.50  When anyone goes on the dolphin trips you also have to pay 1250 R  (£6.25)  to the government. Any way, we stayed the night in our eco friendly huts. Charlie in the Yellow house and me in the Green house, and after a cup of tea, the boat left the shore at 7.30 am. Sea again quite rough, and after about 2 hours of searching, and phone calls to fellow boatmen, we discovered 100's of dolphins following the tuna fishing boats. It is quite difficult to take a good photo. What with a rocking boat, the sunshine, and the dolphins didn't seem to realise that we had arrived to take their photos!  

 

 

My 'eco friendly' room in the Green House. Toilet and shower out in the fresh air!

 

 

Breakfast was served at 11.00am. I had a good English breakfast  2 fried eggs, sausages,  toast etc.

Charlie chose the Sri Lankan breakfast. He wished he hadn't! He didn't appear to enjoy his 'Hoppers'

I have to admit - the curried fish, curried some-thing else and something else, didn't look appetising at all. My advice to anyone travelling to Sri Lanka is -  'don't have Hoppers for breakfast!'

 

The next plan was how to get back to our Dreamhouse. The choice was either train, taxi or tuktuk.

We chose the latter. The cost to be 4500 SLR  -  £22.50   for both of us.  The tuktuk driver was very good. When we saw a place that we thought would be interesting to see, he  pulled in and waited while we took photos, and looked around. The journey took us 6 hours, and sometimes a little scary with regards the traffic on the roads!  -  but I must say that it was a very, very interesting couple of days!

 

 

 

Bee eater

Frog time

It's breeding time for the frogs again. The pond is very active with them, and it is very interesting to see and hear them in the evenings.

  The frogs emerge from hibernation usually in  late January / February. Since we made the pond about 10 years ago  the frogs have appeared in our pond each year and spawning has always started  this month.

Frogs are often mistaken for toads. The toad is larger than a frog which  prefers to hop, whereas the toad generally walks. The toad  has a warty skin and does not have the distinctive dark patch behind the eye. The under side of the frog when peeping out of the water is white. This is a lovely sight when viewed by torch light when it is dark and when the most activity starts in the pond.

Frog spawn is always laid in clumps, whilst toads spawn comes in long chains like strings of  pearls.Usually draped over pond weeds.

What has confused me this year has been to find quite a lot of spawn on one of the open bird feeding tables near the pond. What has scooped it up and placed it there? I suspect either herons, buzzards, possibly even ducks.
 

                                  Many frogs in the pond

Sri Lanka Holiday

I went to Sri Lanka with my friend Charles Fleming. We flew with Sri Lankan airlines - 7th January  and returned 21st January 2014.
I love to visit Sri Lanka. The temperature was a constant 30 degrees centigrade. I swam in the sea daily. We travelled miles on various modes of transport. I don't recommend the buses, but the trains were excellent value as were the tuktuks. Food is very cheap as well. One lesson you quickly learn is that there is a big difference in the cost of any thing, between the local people and the Tourists.  Haggling is a must!

The main reason for Charlies visit to Sri Lanka was to take photos of  the local  birds. His knowledge of  photography is extremely good, and hence I feel that my photography improved immensely with his helpful advice.

We had both been to Sri Lanka before, and the last time that Charlie stayed, he rented a house from a shopkeeper / landlord called Ravi. So we rented the same 'Dreamhouse' at a very reasonable  rent for the 2 weeks. The house is structurally very sound, but the facilities could be improved. Hot water in the bathroom would have been nice! The kitchen could also be improved, but having said that, we were more than happy with both the cost and the attention we received from Ravi and his lovely , courteous family. We were supplied with bed, breakfast and evening meal. We were given endless cups of tea or coffee, cake and fruit during the daytime  that we were at the house. We couldn't have asked for better service from them.

 

We always had our meals on the verandah.

 

If any one would like more details on how to rent this house, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I can put you in touch with Ravi and you can book direct. He also picks you up at the airport on arrival and takes you back for your return flight.

A better day weather wise.

This morning I took the park and ride bus into Exeter. What a good free service this is for the over 60's. Excellent.

 I have had some Travellers cheques for about 5 years, and wanted to make sure that they were still valid to use in Sri Lanka. Although they were still valid and can still be cashed, after taking my travel and accommodation into consideration, I was advised to cash them in at the bank, and take Sterling. I will also take my debit and credit cards.

I had a good welcome from Charlie when I got home, and took him for his second morning walk. 

                                                                    Charlie

•   Charlie is fearless!

After the gales.

 This dead tree had been standing for over 20 years that I know of, but the latest winds have proved to be too much! There will be plenty of good firewood available now though. 

                                    

Last year I dug out many plants that were mostly self seeded

geraniums in this part of the garden. I moved a large metal container, and a few large stones. Covered the soil with chippings, and I have to say 'what an improvement'

 I am planning to start thinking    'More is Less' 

Dreadful weather

Today has been a dreadful day - weather wise!  I walked around the garden with camera. The ground is absolutely sodden, or perhaps waterlogged is a better word to use.
When I take photos, I realise how much tidying up there is to do.  Fallen leaves everywhere. Weeds everywhere. Apples and long grass to clear away. Oh dear, maybe I shouldn't have walked around the garden today! It is a bit depressing.

 

Golden delicious windfalls. I made about 10 gallons of cider last year, and just didn't want to make any more. I offered apples to several people to be able to make wine, cider, or to eat,  but there were no takers. However the birds seem to enjoy them!

 

  

A lone pheasant in the garden. There are regular shoots near to our land. Hence we get regular visits from pheasants. I do feed them as well as providing them with some safety.

 

More pheasants!

 

 

My pond is in an awful state. Covered in green algae. How do I get rid of it?

   

2nd January 2014

This squirrel is a regular visitor to the bird table. We have named him Jimmy! I used to shoo him away, but now have decided to accept him.

There are a lot of birds coming to the bird table, even though  there are still a lot of windfall apples on the ground.  When the windfalls are gone I expect to have a lot more blackbirds and thrushes feeding . We have yet to see the blackcaps.

 

 

 

Jimmy

 
 

           Male and female blackcaps from last year.

 

 

 

Jimmy with some sweetcorn

 

Took the Christmas outdoor lights down today. Boxed them all, stored them all away ready for next Christmas.

Another job today was to replace the fire cement around a    woodburner flue. It is a job that needs doing now and again. With the extreme rain and windy weather that we have had recently, the rain seems to find its way down the chimneys.