Easter

My Easter break began early on Good Friday with a trip to see the Bonaparte's Gull at Radipole Lake. Andy picked me up just after 7am and we were in Weymouth just under an hour later.
We had to wait for around an hour before the bird turned up but it was well worth the effort to watch this dainty North American gull flit across the water with its Tern like feeding style.

 Whilst there we got a message to say that there was a Black-Winged Stilt at Abbotsbury so as we were only birding for the morning we headed that way home. We scoped from the car park and soon had views as it fed on the pond.
Then it was back home for the rest of the days entertainment, namely the 4th Tatworth Playing Fields Beer Festival.

 At 4pm I walked the 50 yards from the house to the field for the 'fest. Little surprise that I was one of the first there. I've had a hand in the organisation this year as I designed the beer racking and together with a friend had it fabricated and painted ( in the Football Club colours).

 There were eight ales on offer this year including two from Chard's new brewery Tapstone. I started with a Wild Woods, an IPA at 4.5% from Tapstone. Made with American hops it was crisp with grapefruit overtones. Next up was Yeovil Brewery's Hop 129, a one off brew using a prototype hop (129) which was a single hopped bitter, but I didn't really get the flavour of pepper or red berries that it was supposed to have.
During the evening I tried 7 of the eight ales on offer, I would have to wait until the next evening to try the Tapstone 'Sea Monster' which was a late replacement for Voodoo Juice and wasn't quite ready.
Favourite of the new beers I tried was Dawkins, Bristol Blonde at 3.8% and was refreshing and zesty with a great lemon citrus flavour. Spectacular !
During the evening my daughter and her fiance arrived and we all enjoyed a great night.
Next day during lunch at a local pub I received a text message to say that a Gargany had arrived 'on patch'. Needless to say I was quite keen to get lunch over with and head there to see it. Luckily by the time I got there it was still showing, a patch and Dorset tick.

Later in the evening it was back to the 'fest and this time my first beer was the Tapstone, Sea Monster which was now ready, It was a nice ale but not as tasty as the Wild Woods.
The rest of the evening  was just about sampling the ales that were still available, including the wonderful Wills Neck from Quantock, a multi award winning ale which is a 3.9% glass of hoppyness and Happy Days a classic wheat beer from Gyle 59.
Entertainment was provided by Rocket Science, a duo playing classic songs by REM, Travis, Del Amtrie amongst others.

 This evening (Easter Sunday)  I made another trip to my local patch. The Gargany was still there busily feeding on the lake. A very pleasant evening walk produced several singing Chiffchaffs, a pair of Bullfinches and this Green Woodpecker

 As well a a pair of Roe Deer.