Journal Entries
I'm off then
Posted Jun 14, 2008
Just in case anyone wonders. I'm off to the caravan for a few days, so there won't be any postings for a while.
Have fun all
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Latest reply: Jun 14, 2008
I could not sleep
Posted Jun 7, 2008
The sun is not shining. I am neither bright eyed nor bushy tailed; but the dickie birds are singing; at least, the blackbird is 
We are talking 3:40 am. All is black as pitch! Dawn chorus? Blackbird is now joined by another, as well as a robin and there is absolutely no sign of dawn!!
It is now 4:12am and they're all at it! chaffinch, robin, blackbirds various, blue tits - there's a greenfinch somewhere; and I've even got Captain Claw in on the act - "shout him home WS for heaven's sake".
Why can't the little 
have a lie in?
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Latest reply: Jun 7, 2008
Goodbye dear friend
Posted Jun 1, 2008
My beloved Brother in Law; who has been so ill for so long, has finally lost the fight.
Hence I have been rather lax here of late - the funeral is tomorrow, so I will doubtless be a few days before I post again.
He was an inspiration to me and I have loved him to bits since I was about 8 years old.
Please bear with me as I am so unbelievably sad.
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Latest reply: Jun 1, 2008
Dorset Micro-Meet
Posted May 18, 2008
SPECIAL THANKS TO GB FOR ARRANGING THE WEATHER.
I Arrived as Bluesue said, to a scorching Dorset on Sunday afternoon. Bluesue (bless her heart) had already arranged accommodation for me in a lovely little hotel. My room was the only one with its own balcony and table; so I could pollute the atmosphere to my heart’s content without breaking any rules; and I could see the sea.
We arranged to meet and Bluesue arrived at around 3:30. You usually find someone totally unlike what you have pictured. Bluesue was exactly as I had imagined and I felt instantly at home in her company.
She suggested we go out for a chat and took me through Christchurch (where we saw the priory) and on to Mudeford Quay; where we repaired to the local hostelry for a pint, before going a walk around the quay. I was treated to a nice commentary of all sorts of interesting bits and bobs as we went along and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
We returned to the hotel in the evening; and decided that as I could not register at the caravan site until 4:00pm on the following day, we would make arrangements to go somewhere on the Tuesday instead.
Monday morning dawned bright, clear and hot. I drove from Bournemouth to Poole in around 20 minutes and parked by the reception area of the site. I was a little concerned about leaving all my camera equipment in the car for the day; but there seemed little option. As I had hours to kill, I waved my free bus pass at a local bus driver and travelled into Poole. Had a lovely walk around the old town and then went onto the quayside. I had wanted to visit Brownsea Island; where Bluesue had said there were red squirrels; but with not enough time, I spotted the Brownsea Island Ferry Co; who were doing a cruise around the islands in the bay. I had just the right amount of time and as a ‘pensioner’ I got a discounted price. 
The trip was really interesting. The ferry called at Brownsea on the way, to put down some passengers and pick up others. Here I saw my first oystercatcher, on some rocks near the mooring station. There were also numerous cormorants and other sea birds.
After a tiring five hour journey and a first night, you would think that a lie-in was in order wouldn’t you? 
no! Bluesue arrived to collect me at …wait for it … 07:15am. We were off to Arne to see if we could spot the (elusive in Spring) sika deer. We arrived at the appointed place and walked through some wonderful woodland and heathland. Before too long we actually got to see these beautiful creatures, peeping at us with curiosity, through the trees. As Bluesue has already remarked elsewhere, some idiot forgot the battery for her DSLR; but Bluesue managed some lovely shots. (as she told me, she picks up her camera as other women pick up a handbag).
After this, she took me to Corfe Castle and then on to Lulworth Cove (a wonderful place) we walked to the cliff-top and I managed some fairly nice shots with my compact. After which, we went on to Wareham and sat for some time on the harbourside. It was a magnificent day. Just what I would have wanted to do; but without Bluesue, I wouldn’t have had a clue that these places existed.
Wednesday: this was the time for the promised visit to Blashford Lakes – oh such a wonderful experience! I saw birds there that I have never seen before. Within ten minutes I had seen my first great spotted woodpecker. There were loads of hides – unfortunately, the first (and in my view) the best, was already commandeered by three others, who ‘hogged’ the appropriate window. There were large numbers of greenfinches/blue-tits etc. We decided to take a long walk and before many minutes a green woodpecker came into view. We subsequently saw several more of these (another first for me). I spotted a black-cap too, another first. On various days; including Wednesday we also saw several buzzards. It was truly amazing.
After Blashford Lakes, Bluesue took me through the New Forest; where we saw ponies and several foals; not to mention the Portuguese fireplace and on to a place called Bolderwood; where Bluesue had already got a good photo of the white stag. Unfortunately, he was playing hidey bodey today; although we were told that he had been at the viewing platform only minutes before our arrival (typical)
. We saw a quite large herd of roe deer; some of them a creamy white colour.
We then went into the village of Burley – where there is a New Forest cider farm – I bought a flagon of the stuff to take back for SS. Here we also saw what I thought were similar structures to Romany caravans. However, Bluesue told me they were shepherds vans. Something else I had never seen.
I found Bluesue excellent company; with a wicked sense of humour. There were silences; but they were comfortable silences; and we laughed a lot. I hope she enjoyed my visit as much as I did.
Thursday was spent packing and clearing up. I had an evening snack and then sat outside the caravan reading my book for a few hours (with the requisite bottle of rose). At some point, I went inside for a refill. Imagine my surprise when I had this vision of a black cat. Said black cat was curled up, fast a bye-byes on a chair. He/she awoke with a meow and proceeded to demolish a sampling of brie and a saucer of milk; before disappearing with a leisurely gait, out into the big wide world (inclusive of collar and bell).
I thought no more about it and continued to read for a while before locking up and going to bed. I had kicked the covers off at some point in the night (as you do) and awoke at around 07:00am feeling a bit chilly. I got hold of the covers to pull them over me; but they didn’t seem to want to move. Then I thought “why can’t I move my legs” Got it in one Raising up, I found myself buried beneath aforementioned black cat; who was purring peacefully and deeply asleep. “Oy
You’ve got all the covers”
Unless I think of anything else, I think that about covers it. As I am famous for my abysmal memory, I shall leave it to Bluesue to fill in any gaps. I shan’t mention anything incriminating that we may have done; but we did visit several hostelries during the course of my stay. If Bluesue wants to divulge anything untoward, she has my permission to do so – I doubt she will though.
There is just one more subject that I feel duty bound to mention; and that is the subject of GROCKLES:
As anyone who reads Bluesue’s journal will confirm, there have been several references to the ‘greater spotted grockle’ - Skankyrich will be particularly familiar with the species.
As I understand it, a grockle is a furriner; a tourist, a holidaymaker, who descends upon the locality from late Spring; taking up the available parking spaces, getting underfoot and in the way of the locals going about their daily (hurried) business. In short, a pest!
I wonder how long it will take Bluesue to realise that she has been actively encouraging one by escorting me around the secret beauty spots of Dorset for the past week.
Bluesue hates grockles with a vengeance – she actually told me that “they are a nuisance”
Ah well! I’ve really enjoyed my holiday – hang on a minute! Holiday? I’m a holidaymaker?
Oh Dear!! Repeat after me:
Scorp's a holidaymaker, a tourist, a grockle, a pest, a nuisance – perhaps she was glad to see the back of me after all.
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Latest reply: May 18, 2008
It's nearly arrived
Posted May 10, 2008
Tomorrow's the day of the micro meet!
I'm off to (hopefully sunny) Dorset to meet up with Bluesue!
I shall be back either Friday or Saturday in case anyone wonders where I've got to.
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Latest reply: May 10, 2008
scorp
Researcher U810554
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