Pop goes the ouzel

Remember the blackbird that sang “Bring on Rooney, Bring on Rooney.” He’s back! He made a guest appearance at the dawn gig this morning.

This year he’s singing a bit faster (his producer must have told him to up the tempo for a contemporary audience). It also sound a bit more like “Bring on Ronny” – or am I just being ridiculous now?. I will try again to get a recording and post it up on the blog so you can judge for yourselves.

At the risk of sounding like a lollipop stick, did you kow that the blackbird was once called an ouzel? It’s cousin, which always wears a white bib, is called a ring ouzel. (I still think it should be called a bib ouzel). It doesn’t do any singing but has a distinctive three-note call. I’ve never actually seen one myself but… er… they’re easily confused with a blackbird.

I really must get out more.

Nourishment for the soul

The amount of raw, creative talent out there never ceases to amaze me.

Had a brilliant evening at the folk club last night, being entertained for hours by people who just turn up off the street and play incredible songs for nothing.

There’s a bloke called Pete who pitches up every month with a fresh piece of hilarious satire. His song ‘Solihull Sid from Midlands-Mid’ had me howling. We were also treated to a ditty to the tune of ‘Starry, starry night’ …called ‘Wheelie, wheelie bin’.

Bill was, of course, blinding on the banjo but also sang a fantastic 16th Century song about the confusions that arise when propping up the bar – could have been written yesterday.

Maybe it’s my age again, but I’m becoming increasingly aware of the chasm between the twisted, vacuous hogwash of the televisual offerings and the fantastic quality of the honest endeavours of the few who pour their time into interesting projects just for the love of it. And it’s not just me. That pub was packed to the rafters last night – and on a Tuesday.

What dy’all think?

Thanks for all your comments about the pictures. I enjoy perservering but sadly there isn’t a single sharp one there. Must try harder.

Just one to offer today – a crocus which has finally emerged in the hanging gardens of Headington.

See soon.

Delusions of grandeur

I was so impressed with the wetlands centre in Gloucestershire that I went back with my camera.

The male goldeneyes amused me with their courtship display. They throw their head back and do this cranky wee hiccough. I thought I might have got one lucky shot of it …but when I returned home I found something better – a blue tit that thinks it’s a sparrowhawk. Have a look through the pictures when I’ve uploaded them all and you’ll see what I mean.

At the other end of the scale I spotted a grey heron which had arrived for some free food in the flamingos’ pen but then sort of quietly skulked off, obviously feeling a little upstaged.

You can find all the wetland pictures by clicking on this link

Thanks for all your comments – sounds like David and Ian are basking in sunshine while we shiver. But it’s starting to feel like the sun is returning. Roll on April.

…stop press…snowy headlines

I’ve been waiting years for a decent fall of snow so I could photograph the stone heads outside the Sheldonian…so here they are on my Flickr page.

And I wanted to post a picture of Matt’s new ship. He’s acquiring the craft this weekend I believe. Anyway, here it isn’t in all it’s glory. (looks like a soap dish with wings…but I bet it shifts). Er, had to remove the snap to keep the legal team from the aformentioned Dunlin and Snipe coming after me.

Crazy climate

Enjoyed a fantastic walk on the Sugar Loaf at the weekend with Matt and his friends Richard and Sue. It felt like a late-March day and I have the pictures of the crocuses (or should that be croci) to prove it.

Then this morning there’s about six inches of snow – will post the photos later.

Also went twitching on the Severn estuary with my Pa and had a blinding day out. I know this stuff leaves most of you cold so I won’t labour the point but there was this wonderful ethereal light shining off the reed beds with the haunting sounds of the wildflowl echoing across the flats.

My fancy Canon is still misbehaving and I decided I didn’t have the right gear for long-distance wildlife shots. Mistake! Had brilliant close-up views from the hides of a reed bunting, great-spotted woodpecker, wigeon, goldeneye, teal, eider and, star of the show, the pintail. (I could go on about dunlin and snipe – which sound like a firm of solicitors – but I’m sure you’d prefer that I didn’t).

Another classic England performance last night. It would be better to get slaughtered 6-0 and it might bring some root and branch changes.

Braving the blizzards to go back to work tomorrow. Hope the rest of you have a fun weekend … I expect Ian is still basking in southern hemisphere sunshine.

Over and out.

And for my next trick

I must be the only person in the world who has managed to flush the cistern handle down the pan. Came off in my hands guv. So that’s a new toilet to add to the growing nuisance list.

Reallly enjoyed the get-together …and I’m still chuckling at the 10p, 50p a £1 joke. I’ve posted a mug shot if you want it for the archives. The only down-side is that I missed And’s exhibition, wrestling as I was with MR2 niggles. But apparently I have time to catch it – it’s on at Hereford Museum til March. I’m hoping And will send me some stills from the movie for you to see. I will be in the Shire again next week if anyone facies a day out walking or a pub rendezvous.

Nige, what the blazes is your new e-mail? Our good pal Vice-admiral Sir Matt Butler DSO with Bar has furnished me with a comprehensive set of instructions on how to construct a fleet, naval engagement strategies, applying epoxy resin, jibbing the fo’csle etc etc. I will happily forward though my advice is stick to dry land mate – I did a bit of that sailing milarkey with Matt and I’m still sporting the scars. Good fun tho, and I believe Matt and Marissa are currently reigning champs at Llangorse.

And, I’ve had the details of the York battle so we can discuss if you still want to come along – it’s Feb 17.

See soon