Joe was on the first weekday of his summer vacation from school. I’m still at work for another three weeks, however, before I get my summer break. Didn’t get out much today: the best photo opportunity was this visitor, who came in one a lettuce that – against all the odds – has managed to grow into an edible state (for more than one species). Slugs grow up into unpleasant, irritating creatures, but this baby was cute enough in its way.
On no other day so far have I wanted more to put two photos up here instead of just one, because I had two quite distinct but equally memorable events to document today. However, I took the decision that the Running of the Bulls event, while funny and highly photogenic, just repeated the general ‘portrait’ theme that has so far dominated this visit to New Orleans – which I have decided is definitely the best place I have been to in the USA. Those who want to see pictures from it (and it’s worth seeing) could visit my Facebook album.
This, on the other hand, was an almost unrepeatable encounter, out in the Honey Island swamp (tour courtesy of Cajun Encounters, who did a good job). This beast was at least 11 feet (3.5m) long, and was quite awesome to behold: particularly this close. Quite amazing. You suddenly feel you are a member of a quite ephemeral species, really.
Sorry to go on about the bloody weather but today was the first day in two weeks which really deserved the adjectives ‘warm’ and ‘sunny’ – and even then it still rained quite severely in the evening, with two heavy thunderstorms. It may flood again tomorrow. Meanwhile, here are some flowers, proving that given enough water (ha ha) life can flourish everywhere, including in the centre of this thirty-feet-high retaining wall at the side of the Keighley Road.
Man did I have to get out on a walk at some point or I was going to go mad. I made it, it wasn’t totally dry, but it will do. More details are on my other blog.
Clare likes me to take a picture of a sheep on every trip: and as it is our 13th wedding anniversary today, this one’s for you babe.
Last full day in Moscow, for this trip at least. (I’ll be back, never fear.) One thing that has been nice this time is that I have been staying outside the city, in a relatively rural spot. It’s very pleasant to wander through the woods and down to the river before dinner. Well, unless you’re particularly bothered by midges, anyway.
Astronomically, today was the first day of summer. Ha ha. It’s throwing it down here. Even the ducks look depressed.
Incidentally, what you see here is the original bridge, dating from around 1510, for which the town of Hebden Bridge is named. It’ll have seen drier 21st Junes in its time.
You were warned. But I think this is a beautiful creature; currently living in the shed outside our front door. Rarely have I seen a bigger one, and certainly not in England. I won’t get a better photo today so I’m posting this now. (I haven’t been able to identify the species, not for certain: if anyone can help, leave a comment…)
Postscript: Thanks to Gary, a nice man at UKsafari.com, I’ve been told it’s a Cave Spider: see this page. Species either Meta menardi or Meta bourneti, but it’s impossible to tell which one exactly without capturing it and using a magnifying glass…which I am not going to do.
Phew! What a Scorcher, blah blah… actually it was rather cooler today than it has been. I bet this pigeon frequently takes a dip in the fountain, either way. It was certainly quite civilised about it, going about it like some old geezer who still insists on swimming in the Serpentine every morning.
You have to admire robins. Handsome creatures for a start. And people call them ‘tame’, except they’re not – do you know anyone who has one as a pet? Better to see them as fearless, ballsy – they’ve got us sussed, I think. Yes, they’re a species you feel will do just fine.
I’ve totally discovered this plant (also known as ramsons) this year, thanks to Joe, as it happens. I sort of always knew it was there but he was shown it on a school trip and the fact that you can just pick it up and eat the leaves from the ground – and they taste delicious – appealed to him; and to me, too. And it’s lovely in salads. Or the stems gently fried. And free. And it grows everywhere.
Just imagine if you could actually subsist on this stuff. They’d find someway to privatise it, for sure. I always think the same about blackberries, another lovely free food.
