1 Dec 2016

Aberystwyth sunset

posted in: Countryside, Nature, Wales |

We caught sunset and the spectacular Starling roosting event at Aberystwyth last night. Boatmen traversing this bay of petrol in a Neptunian sea. Truly mesmeric
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14 Jun 2016

Yellow Rattle

posted in: Countryside, Nature |

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Non-descript this tiny yellow flower may be but after years of waiting this little indicator plant finally emerged from our wild-flower meadow this month. Yellow Rattle; aka Cockscomb; aka the meadow maker (Rhinanthus minor) will suck the life out of the choking grasses and give the flowers the headstart they need.

 

11 Feb 2016

Post Gwyn

posted in: Flying, Nature |

We had the entire Berwyn mountain range to ourselves yesterday. Bread-knife winds and shot-blasting sleet as we tussock stomped the last mile of wilderness to claim the range’s loneliest sentinel – Post Gwyn.

Atop Post Gwyn in the Berwyn MountainsAtop Post Gwyn in the Berwyn MountainsAtop Post Gwyn in the Berwyn Mountains

1 Feb 2016

Doggy bags

posted in: Bollocks, Countryside, Nature |

Special thanks to the dog walkers of Meifod this morning. The joyful site of a dog turd swinging in a tree fair warms the heart on a feisty mid-winter morning. And as the low sun glinted off the primrose yellow bag, I was put in mind of fragrant forest walks and the promise of the year to come.

Oh doggy bag, what treasures lie within thee?

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13 Nov 2015

The Fences of Berwyn County

posted in: Nature |

Walking Wednesday again. So we headed back to the Berwyns. We started off at the flesh pot of Pistyll Rhaeadr (Pistol Rider FFS!). We climbed up via Moel Sych and down Moel Ewig along the lonely heather and bog-stompy ridge to the lonely outpost of Godor.
I was trying out a new anorak, and so, armed with my copy of “The Observer’s book of British Fences” we spent the day taking photos of the miles of rusted sheep-netting to be found out there. These melancholic works of art are as much the landscape as the rocks, peat hags and endless folds of heather.

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21 Oct 2015

Walking Wednesday

posted in: Nature |

A wonderful Wednesday in the Berwyn mountains. Followed the ridge up above Ty'n y Ffridd over Mynydd Tarw, Foel Wen, Tomle and finally the twin peaks of Cadair Berwyn. 
We counted 30 ravens twisting and cavorting in an aerial lek above Mynydd Tarw. Some amazing old fences, a micro-cairn on Tomle, and all round magnificence.
We ran out of daylight to take in the final peak of Godor on the way down. 7 hours walking and we didn't see a soul. I am alive once more.

 

21 Oct 2015

Offroading

posted in: Nature |

Bloody off-roaders! Not content with trashing the Berwyn mountains and Llantysilio. Now they’re driving their 4x4s all over Pluto too.

Close up of the surface of PlutoPic courtesy of NASA via BBC pages.

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