Ireland - Anglers Paradise

Walter Till (1930's)

19 miles high

Anglers Prefer Shell

Clifford & Rosemary Ellis (1934)  

Stay in the warm!

On a freezing cold day this little chap was found basking in the lukewarm rays of the sun - very young by the looks of things, but the copper tinge to this slow worm is superb. The local cats sometimes pick them off, but I have seen this one a few times since, so all must be well. 

Happy Birthday BV!

Bernard Venables would have been 109 today - raise a glass of something special on this most special day. Happy birthday Bernard!

FA Book For Boys (1950) - Bernard Venables

Orient Line Cruises - Bernard Venables (1933) 

Orient Line Cruises - Bernard Venables (1930's)

Shell Guide to Freshwater Fish in Ireland Poster - Bernard Venables 

Zambia in the Sun - Bernard Venables (date unknown)

Friday Ditty Pt 20

Pallant Delight

A day jolly by train to Chichester with friends Ferney and Demus was just what the Doctor ordered. Just the ticket to keep ones pecker up during these dark days. A visit to the delightful Pallant House Gallery was the order of the day and this gallery is fast becoming a favourite. It is such a warm and welcoming building. The collection of British Modern art is second to none. 

As ever our day does involve a spot of lunch, afternoon tea and general over indulgence. I couldn't resist taking a picture of my lunch at the ever reliable Cathedral Cloisters Cafe - superb stuff or as Demus put it "trencherman tucker" - steak pie if you are interested and trimmings galore.

The main purpose of our visit was to see two exhibitions. Demus and Ferney were excited by the David Jones exhibition (which was excellent), but for me it was the Evelyn Dunbar exhibition as I have long been an admirer of her work. This focused on her lost works which have recently been found - both did not disappoint and you will need to get your skates on if you wish to visit - they are both on for another week or two. 

The day was rounded off in front of a gentle fire in the St Martins tea rooms, which again is becoming a firm favourite. Another slice of cake?

Mock Turtle

There have been a run of turtles found on our Dorset beaches of late - some alive and the one here unfortunately dead. This is a Kemp's Ridley Turtle, the world's most endangered sea turtle, found the other day at West Bay. We didn't expect to find it on our foraging expedition looking for treasure after the storms, but find it we did and a sorry sight it was too. The recent storms have brought them to our shores from the Gulf of Mexico. A long way from home.

Friday Ditty Pt 19

The light of hope

I know it is hard to believe that the days are becoming longer and lighter, but they are......slowly. Today marks the midpoint of winter - halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox.

Today the sun shines in all its glory. I really welcome the comfort of light especially today as it has been such a torrid few weeks - as ever, during difficult times I head for the one place that gives me comfort, especially when I need to be alone - Eggardon Hill. I have posted before about this place - I see it every day. Most of our windows look upon it and whenever possible I like to tread the path around, in and over it.

  
The view, smell and sounds just manage to give me the lift that I need to carry on.....plod on and my one place, favourite place on earth usually succeeds in helping me through what life has to throw at me.

Today is Candlemas - I am later in posting today as I have been up on the hill or Eggy as we call it. The ravens were dancing and calling in the cold westerly wind and a lone skylark provided a welcome soundtrack as I trudged back to the car just before a gigantic hailstorm. 

If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter will have another fight, If Candlemas brings cloud and rain, Winter will not come again.