Back to an old favourite for the weekend, a trip to the Eels Foot in Suffolk to meet up with Helen & Nik. Met up first with Helen & Nick at Grimes Graves and the former employed some emotional blackmail to get the other Helen down a long, steep ladder into the bowels of a prehistoric flint mine. Then on to Eastbridge via Southwold. A good dinner, some beer and an early night in anticipation of our 9.30 am bird walk at Minsmere RSPB. The stars at the Eels Foot had once again stocked up on the vegetarian sausages for us, for a hearty pre walk breakfast. Then an excellent walk courtesy of our guide, Derek. He took us out to Island Mere hide where we saw marsh harriers, a Great White Egret and then…to the astonishment of Helen who had, due to their previous non-appearance, instisted that the bittern was a mythical creature, we saw in the space of five minutes, four appearances by bitterns. Three of these were flypasts, one right in front of the hide. Headed up to Dunwich heath afterwards and saw some deer. Walked back through the woods and saw lots of mushrooms, but not brave enough to harvest any. We had met a lady earlier though with a basket of huge ceps. Back to the Eels Foot for dinner and many jugs of Adnams. Another early night was required, then up to a greyer, blustery morning. Paid up (& once again we manage to exceed the food bill with the drinks bill!). Drove to Minsmere and braved a walk out to East Hide. En route, the prophesied strong winds and lashing rain arrived, and we were soaked when we reached the hide. However it did turn out to be nice weather for ducks and there were lots of teal and some snipe being very animated in the rain. Then its was a quick march back to the visitor centre for a change out of soaked trousers and a much needed hot chocolate.
Author: neil.baldwin
FW: Why Dogs Don’t Like Halloween
Walk from the Alford Arms
Out with C&A table booked for 1pm. Tit flock in the garden , with a couple of Redwimg in the apple trees, then Helen spotted a Snipe flying over head. Seems Snipe were the order of the day as we saw another later on.
Then it is the return leg through Asheridge golf club and back to the Alford Arms for a lovely lunch. I had roast garlic and bread starter, followed by a grilled mullet boulliabaise (not sure about the spelling), all washed down with a pint of Flowers.
After the meal during which Helen had a glass (or was it two) of the local Frithsden white wine. So we walked back up the hill to have a look at the the vineyard and buy a couple of bottles.
Pub dog
We met this dog on our walk last week.
UP 3D (****)
The latest Pixar offering, never sure whether to go to an animated film as you have to trawl through quite a few before you get one that is work while. The Independent cored the film 5 out of 5 so I had to take a look.
The film starts with the story of two childhood sweet hearts, Ellie and Carl Fredricksen who have a dream to live by Angel Falls in South America. Sadly this never happens and Ellie passes away. Then Carl teams up with a wilderness explorer (scout), and ends up in South America. The film has some great moments and is well made.
We saw the film in 3D which these days is getting better as the film happens to be in 3D rather than being made specifically in 3D.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Rising Sun Little Hampden
Bought Helen some boots at Foxes of Amersham then off for a walk round Little Hampden. Red Kite, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Rook, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Goldcrest, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Jay, Wren. Big loop of a walk from the pub. Got a bit lost after hampden house, but got back on track and founds the pub again, for a pint of Adnams shock horror it was shut, we were half an hour late.
Jumped in the car and went on down to the Black Horse in Great Missenden for a spicy bean burger and chips. Lovely burger with thin chips and a side salad, washed down with a pint of Black Sheep.
Google wave
Google wave touted by some to be the next big thing on the internet. I applied for an account but sadly in the latest round of invites I missed out, guess I’ll have to wait for the public launch. But if any of you blog readers have an account if you could send me one of you invites I would be very appreciative. What is wave you ask? Well it is a collaborative document editor that allows users to share and create documents in real time. From the demo videos I have seen you see the participants cursors as the documents develop. I guess in that respect it is also an instant messenger. I imagine that you could use it to organise events with friends, so rather than emails flying around we just create a shared space and start contributing. After the event you could post pictures etc. So also has features currently fulfilled by facebook. Please if you have a spare invite send it to me.
Forgive me lord because I have not posted in some time
I have not been to good recently at adding posts to the old blog. Today however an email arrived which has compelled me to blog something.
I applied to be a windows 7 launch party host, was successful, and today I got confirmation that DHL have shipped the Windows 7 Signature Edition with free upgrade to 64bit version.
The goodies are actually very nice, Windows 7 tote bags, Windows 7 branded napkins, a puzzle pack, Windows 7 playing cards, a colour poster and of course the piece de resistance, a FULL copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (Steve Ballmer Signature Edition), and an anytime Upgrade to Ultimate Signature 64 bit edition. A nice bonus!
Thanks to all those who accepted the party invites.
Beer with a view
Half way round a way in the Gower. The Britannia Inn.
Antique suitcase
My colleague Pete has been over working on a server transfer project. Not very interesting you say! However his suitcase is interesting. He bought it on ebay it is an antique suit case with straps and everything. It also has some old stickers from various hotels, resorts and airlines. See the picture.