Category: Nature

Snakes

Here’s an interesting article from this morning’s weekend read…

Puff adder

AN INCREASE in snake sightings around Port Elizabeth has prompted experts to issue a warning as summer heats up, with residents cautioned against confronting the reptiles when they come across them.

Snake catcher and Sandula Conservation director Mark Marshall said he had received about 150 calls this month, averaging about five calls a day.

Snakes that have been caught in recent months include puff adders, cobras and boomslangs.

“Boomslangs have been reported in Pari Park and Bushy Park, puff adders in Sardinia Bay, Summerstrand and Walmer, while both cobras and puff adders are in Westering and surrounding areas,” Marshall said.

“There are very various contributing factors. Developments in residential areas have seen snakes seek refuge in other gardens and areas. Another major problem is illegal dumping of rubble and garbage which is where snakes hide and seek refuge.

“This is what keeps snakes in the area,” he said. Continue reading “Snakes”

Memories of Greece 1963, pt. 3

Rhodes was, and still is, a very pretty island, with wooded hills in the ‘interior’ and well-preserved old towns within ancient fortifications – including of course the two arms of Rhodos harbour where Colossus once bestrode the entrance. The three of us found a quiet corner on top of the city wall to make camp, conveniently situated for a water tap and even public toilets, a rarity in 1963; while below us the narrow streets were teeming with stall-holders and buyers of everything from local produce to car tyres, with fresh fish aplenty. Although it was of little use to us, with no means of cooking it!

A highlight of our visit was a bus-ride across the island which dropped us off at a valley called ‘Petaloudes’. Continue reading “Memories of Greece 1963, pt. 3”

Cheats always prosper

Human nature stinks so often, especially in so-called sport.

I always think of Dean Richards, the Leicester, England and Lions no. 8 who starred in the Bloodgate Incident; and Luis Suarez, the mercurial Uraguayan footballer who has an outstanding record of crossing the line. (Don’t even mention the countless cyclists.)

Both of my named cheats are now ‘reinstated’ and prospering. Does that mean we are expected to forget their transgressions? Is it OK to ‘put your hands up’ when you’re caught and go back to ‘normality’?

I don’t think so.

Just call me Sir

My headline is a quote from the ever charming PoW, addressed to his first wife; but it is also my own reply to this delicious BBC piece about French waiters.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20130918-is-this-the-end-of-the-rude-parisian-waiter

Are the Froggies finally seeing the error of their ways? I doubt it but it’s fun to watch them squirm.

Dontchya just love ’em?

A newly discovered painting by the peerless (and earless) Vincent Van Gogh has been dubbed ‘clogged and clumsy’, an ‘uncharismatic daub’ by a Grauniad hack. So judge for yourself.

File:Sunset at Montmajour 1888 Van Gogh.jpg

Backside reckons he would like it on his half of the wall, even if he had to excuse his affrontery whenever a self-acclaimed art journalist dropped in. Luckily, being mere punters, we are brave enough to say we like it.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2013/sep/10/van-gogh-sunset-at-montmajour

Backyard Invaded by Aliens.

I was poking around the property yesterday and listing all the jobs to be done, trim this, cut that wash this, oil that.  All the result of long absence and hired lawn care, when I came upon two giants in the side yard. Image

Trees, or at least large bushes, about five feet tall and five or six across.  They were definitely not there when I left.

Continue reading “Backyard Invaded by Aliens.”

Home – August 16 – (Day 73)

Planned to start from Cape May Harbor at low tide (9:30 am) and let the incoming flood wash us swiftly up Delaware Bay.   When I checked the depth at 7:30 we had 3.6 feet of water (just enough to float)  rather than wait for LOW tide we decided to get going while we could.

 Out of the harbor, through the Cape May Canal (about four miles, no locks), past the ferry terminal, always wise to be cautious here, the ferries are big, and when they back out you get one sharp blast of the horn and they are moving, this one was still pushing in against the ramp..

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Continue reading “Home – August 16 – (Day 73)”