Saturday, May 21, 2011

Chiswick House

A pictorial visit to Chiswick House in Chiswick Gardens.

On Thursday I joined the Mayor and Mayoress plus the Deputy Mayor on a tour of Chiswick House. There were lots of other mayors from around London Boroughs there as well.(as well as a couple of local cllrs - two of whom had been Mayors!).

After the welcome speeches about Colin's two charities we were given a guided tour of Chiswick House by a guide from English Heritage.

I am not going to repeat any of that as it was brimful of exciting information and historical context. If you want to visit CH then there is a superb website - google Chiswick House and gardens.

I am very familiar with the gardens as I have wakledseveral dogs there - who are very welcome!

The House nope not before!
There will be a series of pics taken inside the House.If you wish to learn more go to the website.

(the tour then had tea and cake (I had another meeting to get too so missed that!) and they then went to hogarth's House - I have been a long time ago - but I think I would have preferred that as I have a bit more in commopn with Hogarth's politics than the builder of CH.
I will upload the pics later as they seem to be reluctant to appear at the mo!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Nightingale s at Pulborough Brooks


Once again - especially for Tommy!
These are all Pat's photo's taken on a good Canon camera and 100-400 telephoto lens!
Sedge Warbler is the other bird shown!
April 29th was a great day to hear and see Nightingales at PB!











Sunday, May 15, 2011

Catch up after problems with Blogger and my pc!

Long time no post!

Today - Forest of Dean - Nagshead RSPB and to Symonds Yat.

New birds for the year
Pied Flycatchers! At least 5 males and 2 females seen and we think at least twomore heard!
A pair of Wood Warblers!
The male was very loud and demented! Fliting from branch to branch and it was only when we also spotted the female we understood his behaviour!

We missed any Spotted Flycatchers but meet a guy leading a group who told us about a pair at SY.....we let him know about some laces we had seen Pied Flies and Wood Warblers- fair does!

off to S Yat - first time for me.....and lo we heard a Spotted Flycatcher as we crossed the bridge!
Yes we were told by the helpful RSPB workers where the SF perched - and yes he was about!
Peregrine male out hunting!

After 15 mins up popped the boy! Bob had gone off to see if he could see it from beyond the bridge so there was a suspense - would Bob have seen the target bird?
Yes he had and was coming to check I had seen same!
great - so for me 3 new year ticks and 2 for Bob!

no Furry pigs seen tho....

I will update later (maybe tomorrow) on birds seen since the last post - Nightingale photos from Pat and Sedge Warbler!

I think I am on 245 now for the year - need to update Bubolisting for defo numbers!