Penny is here for the weekend so we visited Petworth House for the first time. Wonderful gardens, excellent talk about the history of the house and its owners – the Percys and the Egremonts. The walk around the lake built by Capability Brown was very enjoyable, geese, ducks, coots, Fallow deer, damselflies, dragonflies and a snake swimming from shore, the first time I have seen this. Plenty of wild pasture with Common Spotted Orchids and butterflies – Small Coppers, Large Whites, Painted Ladies and a Peacock. We will return to see the renowned art collection. On our return Penny and Sue plunged into the icy (so they assured me) Channel waters.
Saturday 30 May 2009
Snake in a Lake
Friday 29 May 2009
Jacqui the Voice
We saw Jacqui Dankworth this evening at the Worthing Pavilion Theatre. Saw her at
Ladies rule in Rustington
Thursday 28 May 2009
Beer, Brian & Boats
A lovely day started with Jackie bring young Brian over so he could review his Monkey World pics, his first photos I think. After a delicious Oscars fish’n’chips lunch over Bargain Hunt I finished some bathroom decorating then bottled the latest batch of beer (Woodforde’s Admiral’s Reserve - Strong with Great Norfolk Character it says - £19 kit made 22 litres or 50p/pint). Then a walk along the seafront to the mouth of the Arun where the tide was just going out.
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Walter Sickert brings back memories of Venice
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Tuan, star of Monkey World
We trusted the forecasts, left in a downpour with Jackie and young Brian, and by the time we arrived at Monkey World it had become a perfect day. Everything was well organised, seats and refreshments everywhere and plenty of kids play areas to get rid of young energy! Wonderful facilities for the ‘guests’ and beautifully laid out, with keeper talks at the different pens well advertised. And diesel at 101p on the way back! We are off to a pub meal treat by Jackie now, the end to a perfect day.
Monday 25 May 2009
High fliers and Roe Deer between showers
Sunday 24 May 2009
Battle of the Blues at Mill Hill
Mill Hill is reknowned for its Blues, Currently there are Small Blues and Adonis Blues, in June there should be Chalkhill Blues. I witnessed an Adonis beat up a Small Blue on the ground – the Small Blue escaped into the bushes after a while. A Yellow Hammer appeared near me, surprising us both, no time for a shot. Painted Ladies abounded. Wonderful view of
Saturday 23 May 2009
Adonis, Man orchids and a mysterious Earthwork
Friday 22 May 2009
A Duke, an Admiral and a Feather
Thursday 21 May 2009
Sun, Brimstones and Pud
A sunny day again so back to Kithurst Hill for more butterflies. Common Blues were a new feature, with another appearance of the wonderful scarlet Cinnabar Moth, but it didn’t hang around long enough for a decent shot. Brimstones were fluttering high and low and one actually obliged for a few minutes in one place in a great pose. Some new moths appeared – Silver Y, Burnett companion, Grass rivulet. Met Pud, a young collie with owner who gave me some orchid news.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Reds, blues, peacocks and a lady
Nothing Small about Heather
We saw Heather Small at Croydon last night – wow, wow and wow again! She performed many of her old favourites and others such as Fernando and Summertime to demonstrate her versatility. First time we have seen her live, she gets the audience going, the stalls were dancing in front of the stage. Supporting act Lucy Noble, a flautist, was great with her band. “Don't Change a Thing” Heather!
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Rape, Ups and Downs
Kithurst Hill is designated as an area of outstanding beauty with butterflies, so I eagerly departed after a few days cooped up in the flat due to rain and wind. The views were typical