I did though manage to do something I've been trying for weeks to do and get a couple of half decent pictures of my resident Blackcaps.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Garden Birds 2
I woke on the Sunday with a bit of a hangover, not surprising as I'd got through nine beers. I didn't manage to achieve much as I felt a bit tired and useless for most of the day.
I did though manage to do something I've been trying for weeks to do and get a couple of half decent pictures of my resident Blackcaps.
I did though manage to do something I've been trying for weeks to do and get a couple of half decent pictures of my resident Blackcaps.
Easter Part 2
Saturday dawned and with no hangover I asked Mir if she wanted a trip out. Its only recently that I've been able to get her into the car but its easier now that her collar bone has healed.
We headed down to Seaton and took a walk out the Black Hole Marsh hide. We were the only occupants which wasn't surprising given the freezing conditions. I was hoping for a few migrants but apart from another Green Sandpiper and the usual ducks it was pretty quiet.
A Kestral with a 'kill' on one of the islands took my interest for a while.
We soon had enough though and after a brief trip to Tesco's made our way home again.
In the evening it was back over to the Beer Fest, but this time Mir came with me. I missed out on the Sign of Spring as it had run out but I did get to try the seventh beer which was the Dorset entry. It should have been Beach Blonde Pacific Pale Ale but a mix up by the Sunny Republic Brewery had resulted in us getting Dolphin Amber instead. I didn't mind too much though as this was a very drinkable amber ale with a zesty finish. I managed to go round all the beers again including a couple from the 'back-up' Posh IPA from Yeovil.
The entertainment tonight was provided by none other than the Stocklinch Brewery owner Kevin Jones with one other member of his band. We were treated to a great set of old rock standards and a few of his own compositions.
After a few beers we were all singing along. Another great night and the end of a very successful festival. Roll on next year.
We headed down to Seaton and took a walk out the Black Hole Marsh hide. We were the only occupants which wasn't surprising given the freezing conditions. I was hoping for a few migrants but apart from another Green Sandpiper and the usual ducks it was pretty quiet.
A Kestral with a 'kill' on one of the islands took my interest for a while.
In the evening it was back over to the Beer Fest, but this time Mir came with me. I missed out on the Sign of Spring as it had run out but I did get to try the seventh beer which was the Dorset entry. It should have been Beach Blonde Pacific Pale Ale but a mix up by the Sunny Republic Brewery had resulted in us getting Dolphin Amber instead. I didn't mind too much though as this was a very drinkable amber ale with a zesty finish. I managed to go round all the beers again including a couple from the 'back-up' Posh IPA from Yeovil.
Easter Part 1
My first Blog Post for a few weeks as since Miriam was discharged from hospital she has needed 24/7 care and my opportunities for doing anything have been nil.
It took a week to get a decent care package in place and for me to get help at home but things have settled down now and Mir continues to improve.
On Good Friday I'd forgotten to cancel the carer that usually comes in to sit with Mir when I go into work so I had an hour to pop down to the Gravel Pits. It was pretty quiet but I did manage to see my first Green Sandpiper of the year.
Friday night and due to the generosity of a friend who came and sat with Mir, I was able to visit the 2nd Tatworth Beer Festival. This takes place about 100 yards from my back door and so ranks, of course as my nearest 'fest'.
Andy J the organiser had put together a great selection of seven beers from seven counties.
I started with Cornwall, and the Coastal Breweries - Merry Maiden Mild at 4.0%, this was the bronze winner at the Champion Beer of Britain contest in 2011 and was a delicious dark mild beer.
Next up was a beer that I'd wanted to try for a long time and had missed at festivals in the past. It was the Wiltshire entry and Stonehenge Ales, Sign of Spring at 4.6%. Its a light green beer, with supposedly the hint of Rowntrees fruit gums in the flavour, didn't get that but it was a very drinkable ale and the first to run out over the weekend.
Number three was the Bristol Beer Factory No.7 , a great beer with toffee/caramel overtones.
It was around now that the quiz started and our table did quite well and ran out the eventual winners.
Back to the beers and number four was from Devon and Hunters Half Bore at 4.0% , I'd tried Full Bore at 8.0% before but this was a good 'hoppy' ale with nice malty flavours.
Fifth beer was from Hampshire and the Longdog Brewery with Brindle Bitter at 4.0%. Its a proper best bitter with malty chocolaty sweetness.
Last of the night was an old favourite from Somerset and the Stocklinch Breweries Black Smock at 5.0%. Stocklinch is our nearest brewery and this is a lovely dark stout with hints of chocolate, licorice, coffee and blackcurrant. A great beer.
A fantastic night and I had tried six of the seven on offer and won the quiz. Many congratulations must go to Andy Jones who put together a cracking selection of beers.
It took a week to get a decent care package in place and for me to get help at home but things have settled down now and Mir continues to improve.
On Good Friday I'd forgotten to cancel the carer that usually comes in to sit with Mir when I go into work so I had an hour to pop down to the Gravel Pits. It was pretty quiet but I did manage to see my first Green Sandpiper of the year.
Andy J the organiser had put together a great selection of seven beers from seven counties.
I started with Cornwall, and the Coastal Breweries - Merry Maiden Mild at 4.0%, this was the bronze winner at the Champion Beer of Britain contest in 2011 and was a delicious dark mild beer.
Next up was a beer that I'd wanted to try for a long time and had missed at festivals in the past. It was the Wiltshire entry and Stonehenge Ales, Sign of Spring at 4.6%. Its a light green beer, with supposedly the hint of Rowntrees fruit gums in the flavour, didn't get that but it was a very drinkable ale and the first to run out over the weekend.
Number three was the Bristol Beer Factory No.7 , a great beer with toffee/caramel overtones.
It was around now that the quiz started and our table did quite well and ran out the eventual winners.
Back to the beers and number four was from Devon and Hunters Half Bore at 4.0% , I'd tried Full Bore at 8.0% before but this was a good 'hoppy' ale with nice malty flavours.
Fifth beer was from Hampshire and the Longdog Brewery with Brindle Bitter at 4.0%. Its a proper best bitter with malty chocolaty sweetness.
Last of the night was an old favourite from Somerset and the Stocklinch Breweries Black Smock at 5.0%. Stocklinch is our nearest brewery and this is a lovely dark stout with hints of chocolate, licorice, coffee and blackcurrant. A great beer.
A fantastic night and I had tried six of the seven on offer and won the quiz. Many congratulations must go to Andy Jones who put together a cracking selection of beers.
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