Trip on the Edith May

Hi folks,

As a treat I was offered a trip by my wife on the Edith May, information on this lovely Barge to follow.

Tied up at Chatham Marina.

Our Granddaughter Daisy was there to see me off, our friend Charles and my wife Sue who also took some pictures of our departure.

We had a lovely breakfast below before finally casting off on our adventure.

We first went upwards towards Sun Pier before turning around to start our voyage down the river.

As I am very tired I will continue this adventure tomorrow, please forgive this short blog. loads more to follow.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, bed calls, luv Mike XX

Bluebells and a Solitary Daisy

Hi folks,

Well I think today was a bit more like March than May.

As it was Tuesday after lunch we thought we would explore Cobham so off we went with little legs to the park.
When we arrived the sun was shining so we picked up a map and started walking.

It wasn't long before Daisy wanted to sit down but at least she was happy.

By the entrance were some sculptures, this one of a Spider eating a Worm, please use your imagination.

This wood carving was a bit strange as well.

On we went with the sun trying to warm us up but as you can see, coats were firmly done up.

Past an old fallen tree that had been there for a while.

Time to look at the map at least we had a pretty guide.

Then we found them.

Daisy amongst the Bluebells

We thought it would be a good idea to climb to the view point before returning to the car, I wish we had not. Down came the rain and sleet and we had to shelter under a tree that had only a few leaves on it so we got wet and poor Daisy started to cry. I was going to the viewing area but alas that was it, with the sleet and rain coming down it was tine to call it a day, I did get this sculpture as we returned of a hand holding a flint?

To finish a wild Rhododendron, this was on the path back to the Swings as the rain/ sleet had stopped and would you believe the sun came out again. The swings were wet so poor Daisy came home a bit sad to say the least.

Home we all went  a bit damp but happy we went out..

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Birds of a Feather

Hi folks,

Continuing on the names theme

Great Crested Grebe, this little blighter popped up whilst I was photographing the Cygnets, and boy was he quick one second he was still on the water, the next whoosh he was gone, diving down to the bottom. I then had to wait about 30 seconds for him to pop up again but it could be anywhere on the lake.

Scene across the lake which had loads of fishermen hard at work.

Moorhen, just having a paddle about. I think according to my book this is a female as the distinctive red beak and white under the tail.

There was a load of blossom about in the park, another sign that spring has finally sprung and summer is around the corner?

Sue said that I was so interested in the Cygnets yesterday that I didn't put one of both parents up so here they are with a few Cygnets thrown in for good measure.

I thought this was a bit early, maybe I'm wrong.

Finally a look across the other lake which had sailing dingies on it, not so interesting as the first.
I think that this was due to a large road bridge adjacent to the lake with lots of noisy traffic keeping the wildlife in the first lake.

I thought Trev would like the clouds, I did.

Hope I got all the birds names right, I am getting into this and find I am looking for more species as I go about. Thanks to Steve for the links.

Well that's it from this location, hope you enjoyed the visit to the lakes.

Thanks again for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

This will be confusing!

Hi folks,

Lets see if I can get this right, front one is a Canada Goose, yes?

Followed by a Greylag Goose.

Greylags and their goslings

Beached goslings, these were slightly older.

Canada Goose and her Goslings.

Where's my dinner?

Got a bit now, dinner that is.

Everything changed about midday, all the parents gathered up their offspring and swam for the Islands in the centre of the lake to have a siesta.

Suddenly there were no young for a couple of hours and the parents were able to fly around without worrying about the "kids".

Just to confuse you even more.

Me # red/black Fleece, really confused no wonder I'm going grey.

So endeth the lesson.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Swanning Around !

Hi folks,

Well the sun did have its' hat on so we went to the big lake where we had been before and Stone the Crows there were loads of babies about. This is the first family.................

Now before we start I am going to try, and I mean try to get these ere birds names right. The first is a male swan. I know that by the black bump on the top his bill. His name is George and Sally, Fred, Billy. Annie, Gerty, Jimmy and silly Berty bringing up the rear. Of course I jest and these are all Cygnets well seven of them are.

Now Ladies all say AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Water baby

These three kept close to Mum  (top left), I got this through a five bar gate after a lot of waiting about.

They kept swimming about but we knew where they settled at night due to the amount of feathers laying about, so after a long time BINGO I got them.

Tomorrow I will introduce you to a different family so watch this space.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX

Mote Park, these STOLE the show!!!

Hi folks,

Well by popular demand after out trip to mote Park and all the building works.....

here are my shots of the offspring from the Greylags on Wednesday with Trev. What I thought was funny was the size of their feet in relation to there bodies, they were so BIG.

Mum keeping her eye on the youngsters and Dad keeping guard.

View across the lake with the Conference centre under heavy laden sky.

Weeping Willow

Right, that's it off we go, come on kids

Caught these very small flowers on the bank, cant find there name so will through it open to suggestions.

With all the rain I cant believe  the colours of the trees in the avenue leading up to the main gate as the sun broke through isn't nature wonderful.

Thanks for looking.

nite nite,luv Mike XX

Eynsford Weir

Hi folks,

To finish off yesterdays story......

We were getting towards the end of our fantastic day out. This is the weir in which Mrs Mallard had all the trouble yesterday.

Walking up into the town to this Church, now a little test,................. spot the Daisy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Mrs Mallard after her ordeal, her ducklings are just out of shot, safe and sound.

Back along the river bank I spotted these.

To end with a Teal on the move, this time of year they have fantastic colours around the head.

We had a lovely day at Eynesford and the weather was kind to us.

Well thanks for looking.

nite nite, luv Mike XX