Arctic Tern – The Farne Islands

Arctic Tern – The Farne Islands
Originally uploaded by tansy_whitebytts

The Arctic Terns were nesting right on the paths on Inner Farne. When people walked by one of the pair would launch into the air and attack like a missile! A hat was a real necessity!
The Major and I both got pecked on the head!  [...]

Puffin on the Move – Farne Islands

Puffin on the Move – Farne Islands
Originally uploaded by tansy_whitebytts

So yesterday we finally succeeded in getting out to the Farne Islands! We saw enough Puffins, Razorbills, Terns, Kittiwake, Guillemots to last a lifetime! Not to mention the odd Shag!
We spent about 6 hours either on the Islands or bobbing about on a boat. [...]

Eurovision – The Final Solution!

The solution is to put Alan Sugar in charge of the semi-final rounds with unlimited powers to Fire as many acts as he feels necessary! The Final would then consist of any remaining acts plus those countries allowed straight through to the Final.
This would have the merit of
a) Ridding us of all the rubbish [...]

The Farne Islands or not!

Inspired by the intrepid Bill Oddie and the ever delicious Kate Humble, Major Dickie has brought me to Seahouses with a view to zipping over to The Farne Islands to see the pretty little Puffins.
Well!  You may think the weather in the North was great over the Bank Holiday but the wind here is blowing “Dogs [...]

Weekend Voting – Eurovision

Broadcast
Oh dear! I think I made a complete hash of the voting last weekend.
I voted for Sweden to cook at The Gherkin -
Chef Tom Kitchin to be the next Nancy -
And Andrew Lloyd Webber as the best Eurovision song.
Sorry! I’ll try and concentrate this weekend and do better
Can we have a few reruns until [...]

Eurovision

Was the Russian entry sponsored by British Gas? All that blue lighting looked as if they’d had a hand in it!
You’d think we’d do well given most countries seemed to be singing in English this year! After all it WAS our language first!

Red Kites

One pair of our Roller Pigeons recently had the bright idea of nesting on the ledge of the dovecot instead of in one of the nesting boxes. All was well until the baby was big enough to move – which must have been yesterday! It then fell over the edge and died. End of parenthood [...]

The Farne Islands

So we are off tomorrow morning on the long drive north to Seahouses. Another attempt to see Puffins “in the feather” so to speak! This will be the 4th attempt at trying to achieve this. We have given up on Skomer – the site of the last 3 attempts!
This time I intend [...]

The Artemis Transat Race

I see Miranda Merron is still doing well – now in 4th position. It must be exhausting.  How you manage to get any sleep is a mystery to me. Personally I would be terrified!

The Artemis Transat 2008 Race

First of all I wish to state that I have no desire, whatsoever, to cross the Atlantic in a yacht! I am NOT a sailor! Major Dickie has still to persuade me to try Camping On Water as a holiday adventure option! The idea of being faced with massive waves and being [...]