Saturday, December 29, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
MAIDENCOMBE COVE CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM: The Main Event looms
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Becbla the blind vixen - A Christmas Story
Christmas Day began early for myself and So Cruise as we set off for our Night Patrol around Maidencombe just after midnight. There was an extra present in my back pack - a generous slice off So Cruise's Christmas dinner - a leg of lamb. In a fairytale world, its recipient was to be Becbla, my totally blind vixen who depended on me for food. She had gradually lost sight over a period of months, but fortunately had known me when sighted and had taken food at quite close quarters.
I was only hopeful that she would be able to take this prize as many factors conspired against her on a nightly basis. She no longer came close, preferring to wait some way off and relying on me to throw her food from anything up to 25 yards. If other foxes were in the vicinity, they would dash up and snatch the food from her jaws as she was unable to defend herself. Her only advantage was her sex - a blind dog fox would have little chance of survival and would be attacked and killed. I had seen her running alongside younger foxes and was fairly sure she had been an 'auntie' in the upbringing of these younger foxes.
We arrived at the designated field system just before 1 am and So Cruise, my faithful collie cross, sat and waited as I set off down the side of the hill to see if Becbla was in the vicinity.
A quick sweep with a high intensity beam revealed her lying down some 60 yards away and she retreated into a hedgerow as soon as the beam illuminated her - being sensitive to light.
Turning my head torch off, I advanced slowly towards the spot where she had been. About 30 yards away, I stopped and waited, knowing from experience that she would probably emerge in a few minutes time - though perhaps in a different area.
I was aware of another fox watching me from higher up the field which didn't help matters. If it saw me throw the meat, it would be on it in an instant.
Several minutes passed and I was on the point of giving up when the clouds cleared and the area was lit up by a 90% waxing gibbous moon overhead. Then suddenly, I spotted a movement in the hedge about 30 yards off - at the extreme range for throwing accurately.
It was now or never, and I threw the meat with a whispered prayer. As the meat was still arcing in the air I whirled and shone my head torch straight at the other watching fox. Dazzled, it turned and fled.
Wheeling, I could just make out Becbla searching for the meat which she had heard hit the ground a few feet away. She probed the ground for a few seconds and then I saw her lift her head with the meat in her mouth and she then immediately turned and disappeared with her Christmas meal.
The whole episode had seemed to be only a matter of a few minutes, but when I looked at my watch I was surprised to see that it had lasted all of twenty minutes. I hastened up the hill to find So Cruise still waiting patiently for me.
As we continued our journey, I reflected on the magical quality of the night and the oh so real Christmas Day story of Becbla, the blind vixen. Her taking of the lamb treat the best Christmas present of them all ...
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Maidencombe Carol Singing
A great night of carol singing in the combe last night. I have 28 video clips and quite a few stills to process. Hope to start getting them posted later today.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Maidencombe's Three Ships of Christmas
Our header photo shows the three Maltese flagged cargo vessels presently moored off Maidencombe. Perhaps it is the romantic in me, but from afar they seemed like crowns - as in the Christmas carol of Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. 'We Three Kings'. Will they still be there for Christmas? That I do not know, but they are somehow symbolic moored as they are at this time of the year ...
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Christmas in Maidencombe
Upcoming this Saturday December 22nd, a Carol Singing Extravaganza commencing from the Orestone Manor Hotel. You are invited to join in, whoever you are, wherever you reside. We will be meeting up at the Orestone at around 7 pm for the first stage of the Maidencombe Journey. Mince pies and mulled wine will fortify the pioneers as they sing their first carols afore they merrily continue down aways the Rocky House Lane, always a singing as they go. The intrepid souls will give a final outdoor rendition on the Green and then proceed a short way into the final destination of Ye Old Thatched Taverne to warm their spirits - and indeed imbibe of a little of the same in preparation for the next batch of family favourite carol singing.
Thine gracious hosts, Mick & Fiona will regale the assemblage with food and drink aplenty. All in all, a merry and traditional evening awaits ...
Thine gracious hosts, Mick & Fiona will regale the assemblage with food and drink aplenty. All in all, a merry and traditional evening awaits ...
Thursday, December 13, 2012
NEW DESIGNATION OF MAIDENCOMBE CROSS LAYBY
It took many months and a fair bit of effort by Maidencombe residents, but finally the new waiting restrictions are now in place at the Maidencombe Cross layby, as seen above.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A tiring day
What with laying the trail for the Ashburton Hash House Harriers late afternoon and running it later in the evening, it was a pretty tiring day. Some twenty hardy souls braved the sharp conditions out Labrador side and beyond the shelter of the combe.
Monday, December 10, 2012
THE HASH IS COMING
Those strange people known world-wide as 'hashers' are coming to Maidencombe this Tuesday December 11th. The Ashburton Hash House Harriers will 'circle up' outside the Thatched Tavern pub at 7:30 pm to get their instructions from the 'hare' who, hopefully, will have laid a trail for the hash to follow. After the trail, the hash will repair to the bar for sustenance - as after all - hashing clubs throughout the world share the same ideal: 'Drinkers with a running problem' ...
Thursday, December 06, 2012
TORQUAY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN & FEEDBACK FORM
This informative brochure plus the feedback form is available from both the Thatched Tavern and the Orestone Manor. Maidencombe has now achieved recognition and is highlighted in the section 'ST MARYCHURCH, MAIDENCOMBE & DISTRICT'. Maidencombe is part of the St Marychurch Community Partnership which comprises St Marychurch itself, Plainmoor, Babbacombe and Maidencombe.
There are nine Community Partnerships within Torquay and submissions from all the components make-up have been registered with the Neighbourhood Forum. Maidencombe's submission is a concise and strong document placing safeguards on particular areas for protection. The submission can be read on the Maidencombe Residents Association website: www.maidencombe.org
Now is your opportunity to register your feedback on Maidencombe in the enclosed form. I will be posting a link to the form in the right hand panel.
There are nine Community Partnerships within Torquay and submissions from all the components make-up have been registered with the Neighbourhood Forum. Maidencombe's submission is a concise and strong document placing safeguards on particular areas for protection. The submission can be read on the Maidencombe Residents Association website: www.maidencombe.org
Now is your opportunity to register your feedback on Maidencombe in the enclosed form. I will be posting a link to the form in the right hand panel.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
CATTLE NOW IN THE BARN
The sound of lowing could be heard all around the combe Tuesday afternoon as the Rock House Lane barn was occupied by cattle going into winter quarters. Conditions regarding surface water down in the village are improving slowly.
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
CLEAR SINCE NOVEMBER 27TH
I can report that the Maidencombe Cross layby has now been clear since this photo was taken on November 27th.
Monday, December 03, 2012
COMBE GETS OFF LIGHTLY
The ominous forecast of up to an inch of rain to fall on Sunday happily proved to be inaccurate as barely a quarter of an inch was recorded by my weather station (wheelbarrow on the lawn). No appreciable increase in surface water noted Sunday night. The combe remains saturated, however, and it will still take weeks for the watercourses to clear.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
A MAIDENCOMBE SPECIAL - Equisetum arvense
Or you may know it by the more common name of Horsetail. Very unkindly classed as a weed, this marvellously attractive and hardy perennial plant grows in profusion on the slopes around the cove and reputedly has legendary healing qualities for numerous ailments.
MORE RAIN INCOMING
Just as the combe was starting very slowly to drain from the floods a week ago, yet another band of rain is sweeping in from the west which inevitably will bring more flooding. Up to an inch of rain will fall from midday today for roughly an eighteen hour interval. Some of this rain will be very heavy so batten down the hatches and ensure the gutters outside your properties are clear.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE COMBE
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