Wild Orchids

We've be jaunting over the border in Surrey once again....this time I've been sticky beaking around the North Downs. I will be a bit more specific over the next couple of postlets but due to a shortage of time I'll start with the easiest one to write up. One of our main reasons for this most recent foray was to go wild flower hunting. It's a spot known to both of us from when we both used to be conservation volunteers for the National Trust [indeed that's how we met] and this was one of the sites that we worked at. We were so lucky to see some glorious examples but we are still going through the photos trying to identify them! However, how about these showstoppers for starters!

Firstly the Common Spotted Orchid- there are masses in this area.

The Fragrant Orchid

The Pyramidal orchid. These are a later orchid so are only just beginning to flower.

The Man Orchid. This is very rare and easy to miss being not very spectacular and green. However, the photo shows much more detail than I could see with the naked eye and now I understand how it got its name...look at the bits hanging down! Mr GBT informs me that the proper term might be lip.

And saving the best for last a Bee Orchid. I was so excited that I randomly stopped a poor couple that were walking by and minding their business to show it to them!

Arilx

Merrie Monday

I know not why this sort of thing puts a smile on my face but it does so eat yer heart out Cheryl Cole! Seen yesterday.

Arilx

Special Touch

This little film is a delight and the ending a lovely surprise.

http://themetapicture.com/seems-like-a-guy-in-a-bear-costume-giving-hugs/

Arilx

Blog Birthday

I am rather flabbergasted to realise that I've been talking at people for a whole year and yet I still have more to witter on about. Originally I set the blog up as a space for me to put all the things that catch my eye during the week but it's become more than that. I've rediscovered why I used to enjoy scribbling although I have to say the way my brain puts things together is a tad bizarre sometimes and it's been good for me to give myself the time to do that.

This bloglet acts partly as my diary and I rather like the fact that the only rules are my rules. It's all rather liberating but I would be lying if I wasn't also secretly flattered that people take time out of their days to read here aswell. For me blogs satiate my previous need for glossy magazines....they open up windows for me, give me new avenues to explore and allow me to be legitimately snouty!

Thank you dear chums! The choice of a ferret is completely random by the way. It's just a photo of ours that makes me smile.

Arilx

And speaking of a day without laughter....

This might put a snigger in your Saturday!

http://sfglobe.com/?id=985&src=fbfan_985

Arilx

Charlie's Wisdom

Courtesy of Mr Chaplin-

" A day without laughter is a day wasted"

Arilx

Full Moon

Over the last few weeks I've been working my way through a pile of back issues of  "The Countryman" magazines that a chum gave me. I find it a fascinating tome and am picking up all sorts of different snippets on a wide range of subjects. Yesterday's yielded a list of the more common names given to the full moons in Britain. You might know by now where I am going with this...why the need to share has overwhelmed me once again so here goes:

January - Wolf Moon
February - Ice Moon
March - Storm Moon
April - Growing Moon
May - Hare Moon
June - Mead Moon
July - Hay Moon
August - Corn Moon
September - Harvest Moon
October - Hunter's Moon
November - Snow Moon
December - Winter Moon

Today we have a fairly unusual combination of a full moon falling on Friday 13th. As well as the Mead Moon I've also seen it called the Honey Moon. Either way it gives me the perfect excuse to inflict my recipe for Non alcoholic mead upon you

4 cups spring water
1 cup honey
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 orange and I lemon sliced

Bring water, honey and spices to the boil in a non metallic pan. Stir until the honey dissolves. Use wooden spoon to skim off any scum. Add lemon and orange slices squeezing them as they are placed in the pan. Cool completely. Strain and bottle. Store in the fridge.

Arilx