pictures of March

Some photos taken during the past month, which have not previously been posted. Click on the 'photos' label to see older posts containing pictures.

beyond

the fence

hillside

shining through

trees

funky fungi

from below

magnolia blossom


"kiss me"
(anenome de caen in bud)

Was cleaning out rabbit hutch this morning, quite a time consuming task now Charlie has such a large hutch, and was very aware of being quietly observed. Well, not so quietly at all in fact. The blue tits scolding from the bushes, great tits hollering from the roof, and the goldfinches flying round and round, landing in the tree, considering me, and then flying back and forth again. So delightful to have them as regulars - something that has happened just in the past month, since the new Niger feeder was introduced. Two long tailed tits also passed through. Everything pairing up. Great tits are gathering nest materials...

Today: 4/10, medium - high

memory lane: the Phantom

When I turned 18 we organised something special to do as a family. So my parents, my sisters, one of my brothers and I were booked to go and see The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End.

I had never been to see any kind of show so this was very exciting. My siblings have all lived in the London area at some point in their lives, but at this time I had not often been to the busy centre of London with all the tourist sights, the atmosphere and the glamour of the West End.

There was a change to our plans however - circumstances taking the dramatic turn they did, it ended up that the evening we had booked to go was the day of Princess Diana's funeral. It was unprecedented, and for the first time, the theatres closed and all performances were cancelled. We had to reschedule.

Sadly only one of my sisters and her then boyfriend could attend the performance with my parents and me - none the less it was a lovely evening. This was the first time of two that I have seen Phantom in London, the second being in 2000 when my Brazilian penpal came over to England to meet me. (The original production of The Phantom of the Opera opened on October 9th 1986 - so 2009 is its 23rd year!) I had never been to anything like it and the excitement was palpable. I am a country girl, so it was an unusual occurrence to be in the hub of the capital city.

From the opening of the first act, I was utterly transfixed. It is difficult to explain the impact to those who have merely seen the film version, because so much of it, it seems to me, is designed for the stage. The great chandelier rising up above our heads and the thrilling crashing down at the end of Act 1 - this is for the theatre (I should add here that I say 'cinema' where Americans would say 'movie theatre', so when I talk of 'going to the theatre' I'm talking about stage plays, not films!)

The atmosphere was wonderful. The little shrieks that suddenly bubbled up from the audience as we realised the Phantom was sneaking about on top of the chandelier trembling above us, and later on in the show where the Phantom is taking Christine by boat to his lair - the stage was covered in low lying mist, and candles rose up out of it as the boat moved past, utterly convincing. Because the show is such a long running fixture, the effects show all the signs of a theatre made for the performance. I like that fact I have only ever seen it in its 'home' theatre. It adds a certain specialness to it.

The dramatic songs and energetic performances were equally as gripping. I loved the entire thing. Although, I have to say, nothing can quite beat that chandelier falling from the ceiling...

My sister had been given complimentary tickets to the restaurant at the top of the OXO tower so after leaving the theatre we went to eat there (a bit of a shock to my stomach at having a main meal after 11pm!) . I had a rack of lamb, if I remember rightly, which was delicious but so rich I was full after four mouthfuls!! I can still visualise the gleaming dome of St Paul's rising up in the skyscape that was all around us. Actually, looking it up now I realise how recently the restaurant had been opened when we went there.

We didn't stay overly long in the restaurant, and it worked out perfectly. As we drove back through Westminster Square, Big Ben struck twelve. (Big Ben is actually the name of the bell, not the clock face or tower, although often people refer to it as such.) As I looked up from the car window at the glowing dial and listened to the great, deep ring of midnight, I felt a huge ripple of contentment. It could not have ended better.

whitebait

Last night we went out for a meal with my parents. I had battered (or was it breaded?) whitebait to start. My dad was making helpful comments such as 'do their eyes pop out when you bite into them?' (Ug)
Anyway two had been battered together to form the perfect...smile.
Gleefully I put it on my fork, held it up to my face and 'grinned' at everyone. I waved at the waitress too, although thankfully she was looking the other way. Am rather tired, and it brings out my silly side.
You can't take me anywhere....

Sorry for the radio silence, as it were. Do you miss me? :)

Brownsea Island

We took a trip to Brownsea Island yesterday as that was what I wanted to do as my birthday outing with Andy...we took a boat from Poole Harbour. Poole Harbour is the second biggest natural harbour in the world...second to Sydney. But where Sydney is deep, Poole is shallow.

'We have to stay between the posts so we don't run aground,' our jovial guide informed us, adding, 'like yesterday.'
There were many comments like this.
'There are still pirates in Poole today. One of them is our boss.'
You get the picture.

I was desperate to see one of our native red squirrels, especially after failing to in Northumberland, and Brownsea Island, apart from the Isle of Wight, is the only remaining place in the South of England where you can find them. Basically the grey squirrels haven't managed to run them out of there because it's an island... Although apparently up North the Pine Marten, traditionally the red squirrel's arch enemy, is now helping them - the non-native grey squirrels are heavier so can't get out to the tips of the finest branches, and thus they are helping to control the grey squirrel population a little...can't remember how I know that. It was probably on Springwatch.

Anyway, we ended up seeing five, which was delightful, none close enough to take a good photo, but still we had a good view through binoculars - delightful. Here are my two 'spot the red squirrel' pictures:



Can you make it out??

They move very fast....

There is a nature reserve on Brownsea Island, which includes a lagoon with lots of birds...I wrote them down but can't find the piece of paper right now so will have to list from memory...kingfisher, avocet (dozens), black tailed godwits, bar tailed godwit, 3 greenshanks, redshanks, oystercatchers, cormorants, shoveler ducks, common sandpiper, grey plover, teal, moorhen, little egret, black headed gull, greater black backed gull, terns.

A lovely day, although I was exhausted last night (& dopey today). Yesterday was actually sunny in places, which is frankly astonishing at the moment. It was very well timed.

Wednesday: 5/10, medium low

Today: 4/10, medium

weekend away

We have just come back from a weekend away...we stayed with Andy's parents, went to Greenbelt on Saturday, went to a family gathering of my Dad's side on Sunday (an annual event), and saw some friends today. So a bit of a mixture! Charlie came with us and is now glad to be back in his roomy hutch after being consigned to his old hutch for the bank holiday weekend. I'm going to unpack my bag...back to normal tomorrow - mixed feelings about that! Can't be bothered with ratings now. Will try and remember tomorrow.

the water garden

On Sunday afternoon we took a trip out to Longstock Park Water Garden, which is only open a few times a year. I didn't immediately get round to uploading the photos, but thought I would post them here:

It's only open a few times a year, and was quite crowded, so I had to be quite creative with my shots as I don't like lots of people in them unless I want them to be!

Today: 4-5/10, high

Yesterday: 4/10, high

Tuesday: 5/10, medium high

Pagham Harbour

Yesterday was Andy's day off, so we took a trip to Pagham Harbour. The weather was a little wild - the wind very high. We stopped at one place and walked a little way, then decided to go a little further down the harbour as the tide was out and this was not the best place to see birds in that instance. So we headed back to the car, where we were hit with a short sharp squall of rain. It took half a minute, with the wind blowing it straight towards us, and the front of my jeans were drenched from top to bottom, utterly soaked. The back was completely dry, which was a somewhat surreal sensation. It was as if the rain had said 'aha! Look what I can do in a mere 30 seconds!'
Well, whoop-de-doo for you mate. Trudged soggily back to the car.

Drove down to another vantage point. Got out of the car where the wind hit my soggy legs. Ugh. Trooped down a short path to the water side, where there was lots to see. Kept saying things like 'why isn't there a hide here? It's such a good vantage point!' Were standing there sometime gazing at the water and the birds on the mud flats when I glanced round and coughed sheepishly and pointed. There was a hide, hidden back in the bushes. 'They're probably watching us.' I said.So we got into the hide out of the rain and Andy went back to fetch his spotterscope - it would have been no good without shelter since we were afraid the rain would blow the tripod over.

Really good place for sightings. We saw: turnstones, curlews, little egrets, a common sandpiper, little ringed plovers (hilarious - running around getting all bolshy with the other birds despite their diminutive size), redshanks, oystercatchers, cormorants (& juveniles), a Great Crested Grebe further out in the water, a wheatear(pointed out by a fellow birdwatcher, although too far to identify with mere binoculars), swallows, house martins, grey heron sweeping in majestically, terns, black headed gulls, lesser black backed gulls, herring gulls. It was great watching them all so intent on finding food in the sand and mud. The little egrets were having some trouble in the wind with their long legs and kept stumbling about in the wind - on young one nearly toppled over completely. Another was practically blown along the shore, side stepping hurriedly as if to say 'I intend to do this, really.' I drank earl grey from my flask and felt content. My legs were drying out.

We were just packing up when a flock of redshanks took off. 'Lovely,' I said, gazing at them. 'Look to the sky!' Said Andy quickly, and I saw what he meant. All the smaller birds had taken off.'There! Flying low and fast!' he said, just as one of the others said 'there's a bird of prey.'Fastened my binoculars on it and we all identified it simultaneously. 'Peregrine..'So we watched the peregrine falcon zipping over the sands before walking back to the car.There was a little chapel next to the car park so we decided to take a peek. Quite a small, simple building but with amazing stained glass windows.

There were the more traditional sort, then one depicting nurses of World War II, and then one gorgeous one displaying the wildlife of the area (this was the most recent).

and closer up...

We drove on to Selsey and went up to park near the Bill. Hilarious as we parked facing out to see. The wind was coming straight off the sea towards and the car wobbled back and forth as we sat on it. In the end we braved it, but as we neared the edge we began to stagger with the force of the wind. Our coats and jeans inflated with the force of it. Trying to take photographs and remain upright was something of a challenge. You can't really tell how windy it was from the photo. Ohh... an inflatable man! Or is it Andy battling the wind??

On way home we were listening to Classic FM and the weather came on. 'Sunny spells with heavy showers,' they reported. 'Gales on the South Coast'.
'No kidding,' I commented, just as Andy said 'Really?!'

Today: 4-5/10, medium high

day out

Today we went up to visit Andy's parents. Nice to be out for the day, though we were tired when we got back home. Found a rather nice craft shop and picked up some bits - got very excited over scrapbook papers and chipboard letters! I gave a copy of 'Fragile World' to Andy's parents. They are now ready when people want them - I have some 'on order' already.

Today: 4-5/10, medium

the Vyne

Here are some pictures from Wednesday's outing (Andy's day off). We went to a National Trust place called the Vyne. We didn't go in the house as Andy got something on his shoe and didn't want to tread it into the carpet, but we had a nice time wandering round the garden and some of the woodland (and there was plenty we didn't explore).

Special thanks to the swan who agreed to pose so beautifully...

It's that time of year again....

At one point I spotted a field of calves and simply had to go and say hello - they were equally fascinated by me...

Soon attracting quite a crowd...

I loved their curious expressions!

Energy rating: 3-4/10
Headache: high/medium

Bernard and the mystery rabbit

Went to the CRE (Christian Resources Exhibition) on Wednesday. Was quite nice to go somewhere different for the day. Didn't come back with loads of things (probably to the relief of our bank account). I was somewhat grumpy because there is a company which sells beads which was originally supposed to be there and I couldn't find it anywhere. Had to buy a guide for £3 which listed the stalls by theme, but it wasn't listed. Then I promptly lost the guide (found it later at home in Andy's rucksack - neither of us can remember putting it there!) I went to a Saltmine play in the afternoon, which was over rest stop 2, but I figured that since I was missing rest stop 2 anyway I may as well be sitting and watching something than wandering around tiring myself. Had to try and stop myself sinking underneath my chair with exhaustion in the middle. Began to perk up towards the end and enjoy myself. But being towards the end, it then ended. Duh.

Just before we left we randomly decided to purchase two rabbit glove puppets. One each - Andy has called his Bernard but I'm still trying to think of a name for the female counterpart...any ideas?!

Bernard and .....??

It's quite interesting taking photos of two glove puppets with no one else on hand. Tried propping them up on a chair but they slumped. In the end, Bernard had to hold Insert Name Here while I took the photo.

Wednesday: 5/10, medium
Thursday: 5/10, medium - low
Friday: 6/10, low
Today: 5/10 medium - low

visiting friends, and rabbit tunnels

Had a nice time visiting Emma & Ed today. Ewan is a very cheerful little chap and insisted Andy played with him most of the time. Evie is a sweet and peaceful little baby at that gazing-around-wiggle-my-legs-a-little stage. We had lunch there and chatted in general. We married a week apart and Andy and Ed both went into ministry at the same time so we have quite a bit in common. It's nice to see good friends. Had Rest Stops 1 & 3 in the car while we were driving (it took about two hours each way) and curled up on the spare sofa at Emma & Ed's for Rest Stop 2. Am rather weary with the travelling but it was still a nice time.

Stopped at a pet store on the way home to stock up and bought Charlie this tunnel thing while we were there. You can get extra ones and attach them with velcro. It's only about a metre long. He had a good look when we showed it to him, tested to see if it was edible, but only went inside when I coaxed him with some food. He may take a while to get used to it. I tried sitting at one end and calling him but he just hopped round the outside to see what I was doing. 'You're supposed to be a natural at this,' I told him. 'In the wild you live in a warren.' He just sniffed my chin.

Energy Rating: 5/10 and decreasing
Headache: Medium

a new attitude

Last night I led the bible study at our housegroup - it's been a long time since I have, and to be honest I found it very hard. I felt quite tense and awkward, although Andy assures me it went well. I love discussing the bible and always enjoy studies, but leading of course is very different. I think because I was straining against the underlying tiredness all the time that it was harder for me - normally I join in at certain points and then sit restfully listening the rest, but of course leading requires a lot more energy. Discussion certainly picked up as we went a long, but I'm not sure if I managed to put things across well. I felt frustrated at my own foggy headedness.


Still, on a similar topic, I am getting a lot more into bible study again. I'm rediscovering that eagerness, even desperateness, to learn about my faith, part of what led me to study theology in the first place. I've been doing some study on Wednesday and Saturday mornings - with my 'programme' I have to get up the same time every day regardless, whereas Andy's day off is Wednesdays and he doesn't get up quite so early on a Saturday either. 


So I've been going through the first chapters of Genesis. In real detail - I've only just reached the end of the flood narrative. I read a chapter or section, write down my thoughts in a journal, read various commentaries, again jot down any new thoughts, before moving on to the next chapter. Sometimes this takes more than one session, so I can be looking at the same chapter for two weeks. I started it as a kind of discipline, but unwittingly have been doing something that has needed doing for too long - feeding my faith, which has been rather flabby around the edges for some time. 


Suddenly I realise I have a totally different attitude than I did a few months ago. I'm really enjoying it - seeking to learn more about the God of the bible from the bible, putting my cultural and historical influences aside and looking at it fresh, seeing it in its own context, and seeing more of the true meaning and motive of the text. I can feel an enthusiasm - no, a hunger, inside me, something I'd forgotten, that got lost somewhere but now is found. I find, with delight, that my soul does indeed yearn to meet with God, that I am sincerely seeking him not out of duty but need. At one point I was simply overwhelmed and sat there and prayed fiercely that I would know God for who he is not what we would have him be, or think he should be. I want God, not my idea of God. I may not be able to comprehend him, to get my head around his ways, but I love him and want him and that underpins everything.


Went for a lovely walk today, in a scrubby common, which doesn't sound that great but it was gorgeous. Everything was reddish tinged, with spikes of white grass, swaying silver birches surrounding, with gnarly little trees dotted about, and bright yellow gorse to give an extra punch. Oh, and the blue sparkling water nearby, of course.

Was struck by how many different landscapes there are, even on this one island, with so many types of beauty hidden away, or right before our eyes - be it in rural, suburban, urban or even industrial areas.

Gorgeous time of year for it. The branches were bare so all the birds could be seen, and we saw a lovely pair of bramblings among (you guessed it) the red-hued brambles.

Was sitting on the edge of the seat in the car, changing my shoes, when I glanced over at the marina opposite the car park, and saw a boat with her name printed in demure, neat lettering. It said 'Optimist'.
I smiled.