Still recovering from my five hour excursion from Maidencombe to the Ness via the coastal rock route, Monday afternoon. Much information was gleaned but a further expedition is necessary to complete the field study. This time I will be fully equipped with scaling gear and full length machete, as I will have to climb to the Southwest Coastal Path a number of times.
Had I been so equipped on Monday, I would have managed the ascent of Red Bag Cove, instead of having to abort only twenty feet from the summit. The lacerations and multiple scratches sustained are a reminder of the abortive attempt.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
A TIRING DAY
NESS COVE BEACH |
Monday, July 29, 2013
PROJECT COVES
MACKEREL COVE |
The first three weeks in July with virtual unbroken sunshine would have been ideal for such a project. Well, lackaday, I'll make do with what is on offer, starting this afternoon. The forecast is (hopefully) dry with sunny intervals.
To coin but two phrases by Douggie and Arnie - 'I shall return' and 'I'll be back' ....
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
CLIP COURTESY OF PRECONDEROTOUS
An adventurous 'action' hour in the life and times of Bluebird as the tiny Titanic 2 is launched from Maidencombe cove and fearlessly sets course for the Bell Rock, some 400 metres distant. A tiny voyage for a tiny Titanic 2 - but fraught with danger as we shall see ...
MAIDEN VOYAGE OF 'TITANIC 2' - CLOSING WITH THE BELL ROCK
Such a tiny craft that I thought that the name Titanic 2 would be a hoot - little did I know how close to disaster I was sailing to - just like her namesake. Videos being prepared.
WE HAVE DELIVERY
The redelivered FedEx package arrived an hour ago. See the video clip 'Yippee kay ak' over on our sister site at:
www.preconderotous.com
www.preconderotous.com
HEAVY RAIN
Heavy rain has now delayed our scheduled Night Patrol. It could also interfere with my planned 'Action' seafaring adventures. Not a drop of water has fallen in the combe for all of July and just when I get a boat, the heavens open. FedEx called this morning with the boat but failed to act on instructions to sound their horn and duly took it away. Now being redelivered today, fingers crossed. It all goes to show that if it can go wrong, it usually does ...
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
MAIDENCOMBE ESCAPES THE FORECAST RAIN
Out and about last night and there was a short, sharp heavy shower out at Galmpton near Churston. Maidencombe, however, seems to have missed out and we may have to wait until later in the week for our share.
On the boating front, the spray deck has arrived but the kayak is scheduled for delivery Wednesday morning. I had a try on Bobbiball's kayak last night, footage can be seen over on our sister site www.preconderotous.com
On the boating front, the spray deck has arrived but the kayak is scheduled for delivery Wednesday morning. I had a try on Bobbiball's kayak last night, footage can be seen over on our sister site www.preconderotous.com
Monday, July 22, 2013
FIRST RAIN IN THE COMBE
As forecast in an earlier post, the first welcome drops of rain fell in the combe about 10:30 pm Sunday night. The gentle shower came shortly after a series of sheet lightning with accompanying thunder roughly 30 miles distant to the south. A gorgeous freshness in the air lingered in the combe several hours later as if Nature herself approved. More widespread showers are forecast for this evening.
HAVE BOAT WILL TRAVEL PART 2
Delivery Tuesday/Wednesday - ordered the spray deck, vital if I don't want to be swamped and sink - also due for delivery same time window. Confidence is high here at Cruisedog Towers and excitement is mounting...
Sunday, July 21, 2013
HAVE BOAT WILL TRAVEL
The advertised 'action' in a previous post is bang on schedule as I've just won an Ebay auction for a sea-going craft. Don't get too excited as it's tiny but ideally suited to my needs. No roof rack on the car so length a major factor as is weight.
The last time I took to the waves was many a year ago when I launched my surf canoe from Maidencombe cove late one afternoon. I paddled with ease out towards Babbacome beach some two kilometres away but then had a nasty shock when I turned for home.
The wind and tidal current were against me and it was an exhausting paddle to get back in fading light. When I did beach there was the fearsome climb up the steep steps carrying the heavy canoe.
Good adventure though it was, I never attempted 'putting to sea' again.
Stay tuned for 'Bluebird Sails Again' - coming to a blog near you shortly ... sigh
The last time I took to the waves was many a year ago when I launched my surf canoe from Maidencombe cove late one afternoon. I paddled with ease out towards Babbacome beach some two kilometres away but then had a nasty shock when I turned for home.
The wind and tidal current were against me and it was an exhausting paddle to get back in fading light. When I did beach there was the fearsome climb up the steep steps carrying the heavy canoe.
Good adventure though it was, I never attempted 'putting to sea' again.
Stay tuned for 'Bluebird Sails Again' - coming to a blog near you shortly ... sigh
BLESSED RAIN COMING TO THE COMBE
A remarkable header given the soggy summers of the past two or three years but now the situation has changed dramatically. Not a drop of rain has fallen in July thus far and only one day has seen cloud cover. For three weeks the sun has blazed down on the combe, bleaching the fields and lawns as grass has died away.
Inevitably, now cometh the thunderstorms and accompanying heavy rain and they could appear anytime from Monday - but more likely later in the week.
The rain will also be an absolute blessing for wildlife in the combe - particularly badgers who have been having a really rough time.
Inevitably, now cometh the thunderstorms and accompanying heavy rain and they could appear anytime from Monday - but more likely later in the week.
The rain will also be an absolute blessing for wildlife in the combe - particularly badgers who have been having a really rough time.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
STILL ALIVE
A yawning chasm since I last posted. Internet speed has been virtually non-existent and pages take forever to load. Uploading video has been impossible. Fingers crossed, we're back in action now.
'Action' is the keyword as I am planning some sea operations and adventures next week. A veritable visual video feast is in the pipeline for regular visitors to the Maidencombers.
'Action' is the keyword as I am planning some sea operations and adventures next week. A veritable visual video feast is in the pipeline for regular visitors to the Maidencombers.
Monday, July 15, 2013
A BEAUTIFUL STUDY
Taken early hours today - fox cub 18 - 20 weeks old. A really beautiful study of such a young fox taken at close quarters.
Friday, July 12, 2013
DEER SIGHTED AGAIN
Managed to capture a short video clip of one of our deer again, this time briefly out in the open.
So sharp was her hearing that she looked towards my location immediately I projected the zoom (quite audible) on my Canon Powershot SX40. This one of many beautiful stills extrapolated from the clip. Of course, the Holy Grail of combe wildlife snappers is the magnificent stag. I have encountered him at very close quarters when he leapt across the road in front of me and literally ran up the side of an eight foot wall and disappeared leaving me gasping in amazement.
So sharp was her hearing that she looked towards my location immediately I projected the zoom (quite audible) on my Canon Powershot SX40. This one of many beautiful stills extrapolated from the clip. Of course, the Holy Grail of combe wildlife snappers is the magnificent stag. I have encountered him at very close quarters when he leapt across the road in front of me and literally ran up the side of an eight foot wall and disappeared leaving me gasping in amazement.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
A TIRING DAY AND NIGHT
Quite a day Monday was. I arose at 1 pm (bear in mind I am a creature of the night and usually retire around 4 am) made a cuppa and reclined by my pond with the dulcet tones of the fountain to relax by. I somehow had it in my mind that it was Sunday and decided that I would have that rarest of things - a day off.
Imagine my surprise an hour or so later to discover that it was Monday and I had many chores on my rota. Cancel the day off.
Gardening, household cleaning, cooking and making a buck or two on the sports trading ensued and then off to the hash at 6 pm.
A ninety minute run with adventures completed the evening and then it was back home to prepare for our Night Patrol around the combe. All in all, a tiring 24 hours.
Imagine my surprise an hour or so later to discover that it was Monday and I had many chores on my rota. Cancel the day off.
Gardening, household cleaning, cooking and making a buck or two on the sports trading ensued and then off to the hash at 6 pm.
A ninety minute run with adventures completed the evening and then it was back home to prepare for our Night Patrol around the combe. All in all, a tiring 24 hours.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
HIGH SUMMER IN THE COMBE
There's been a glorious start to July with clear skies and temperatures more in keeping with the image of the English Riviera down here in Torbay. More of the same is forecast for the coming week. After previous dismal summers it's fingers crossed that we have a change of luck.
The fine spell has greatly assisted my push for fitness and Saturday saw my eleventh consecutive day of gentle running.
The fine spell has greatly assisted my push for fitness and Saturday saw my eleventh consecutive day of gentle running.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Friday, July 05, 2013
SCENT OF LIFE - BREAKOUT
Left: as found April 21 2012. Right: Today tiny sprouts emerging from the narrow aperture. |
Thursday, July 04, 2013
VIEWS FROM MAIDENCOMBE ON A SUNNY DAY
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
I FEARED THE WORST
After not sighting Limper (injured front paw) for several nights, I was beginning to fear that something dread had overtaken her in the night. I was going to post her suspected demise after returning from our Night Patrol.
In the melee of feeding, I saw a vixen approach from a certain position at my side and suddenly it struck me that this vixen was indeed Limper but - remarkably - with virtually no limp! As she made off with some food I noticed a very slight limp every few strides, it was certainly her!
There had never been any swelling on the affected paw necessitating my administering antibiotics and I was curious what had caused the injury.
It occurred to me that she had probably been present for several nights without my noticing her presence.
In the melee of feeding, I saw a vixen approach from a certain position at my side and suddenly it struck me that this vixen was indeed Limper but - remarkably - with virtually no limp! As she made off with some food I noticed a very slight limp every few strides, it was certainly her!
There had never been any swelling on the affected paw necessitating my administering antibiotics and I was curious what had caused the injury.
It occurred to me that she had probably been present for several nights without my noticing her presence.
Monday, July 01, 2013
PRECONDEROTOUS RIDES AGAIN!
THE BIG PRECONDEROTOUS SITE IS ROLLING AGAIN! SEE RIGHT HAND SIDE PANEL FOR CLICKABLE LINK
The adventures of BLUEBIRD & CRUISEDOG continue ..
The adventures of BLUEBIRD & CRUISEDOG continue ..
ONE-EYE APPEARS EARLY HOURS TODAY
Once a dominant fox, One-eye has now got quite old and waits for the other foxes to retire before he moves in for his treat. Unsure how he got the injury to his left eye about three years ago, but think it may well have been fighting.
A NASTY END
So Cruise and I came across this macabre corpse at the end of our afternoon walk. What was it? Make up your own mind and I'll post the answer later today. One thing's for sure, this fellow had a nasty end ..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)