Home

It seems hard to believe we have lived in our current home for almost 5 years. We lived in our previous home for 37.5 years. At first, we thought we'd be very homesick and miss the "old place". Actually we haven't. I guess we still have the familiar things all around us like furniture and photos. Our bungalow has our stamp on it.

Where I came from in Devon

This photo appeared as one of my FaceBook memories earlier. We have lived hereabouts for a very long time.

We had a part share in some land near here in the early 1400s.

It is entirely possible one (or several) of my ancestors manned the promontory fort at Bolt Tail in the distance thousands of years ago.

Painted rocks

This seems to be a nationwide craze, especially with young people. Yesterday we were visiting friends with young children and they had loads to re-hide. I saw one in Devon a few weeks ago. You find yourself looking all the time!

Storm Gazing

Our grandchildren were interested to see if a storm was coming over their house on the day they went home.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

Abortion in Eire

The people of Eire have voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to overturn the law so abortion in the early weeks of pregnancy will become legal. To me this seems sensible and returns the rights to the mother. The people voted almost 2 to 1 in favour of the change. It is likely to become law later this year.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44256152.

Lupins

We planted some lupins a few years ago. Last year they got nibbled by muntjac deer. They have just come out. I hope we have better luck this year!

GDPR Rubbish

It seems that every other email is about GDPR and even some of these are "dodgy". Yes, we all know data privacy is important, but this is taking political correctness to new heights, or is it depths?

Surely we want just a simple rule that says each person has to give express, clear, permission for any data held about them to be passed on. If data is currently held people cannot pass it on. Simple. No doubt some Brussels bureaucrats have to translate this into 27 languages at our expense too. Jobs for the boys.

GDPR = Great Deal of PRoper crap!

Begonias

In the warm May sunshine, we planted begonias this afternoon. These last all summer and need very little attention. They give lots of colour.

There are a few more to do tomorrow.

Last year my wife bought busy lizzies by mistake. They also looked good.

Local museum

Our granddaughter earlier today at our local museum playing with a hoola hoop. Years ago, these were all the rage.

We are blessed with having probably the best local UK museum (complete with windmill) just over the garden wall.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk .

Cheese

As we were going to a funeral in Nottingham we stayed in Southwell (just to the east) at the "Saracen's Head". Everyone we met in Southwell was kind, helpful and welcoming. The photo shows my cheese course on Wednesday evening.

Dandelions

These are considered weeds, but the flowers (yellow) and dandelion clocks (seeds) are actually quite beautiful.

Bowcombe Creek

We did a short walk here last week. It is in S.Devon, not far from Kingsbridge. Even with the tide out and the mud showing it is a beautiful area. As we walked, the tide started to come in.

Little Egrets

Until the late 1980s little egrets were rare in England. With climate change (please tell Mr Chump) their range has extended further north and they are now quite common here.

My guess is cattle egrets will be next.

Devon Sunset

Tonight it was wet and windy. Last night it was sunny when the sun set in the west.

Hand Feeding

Pheasants feeding from my hand a few nights ago. Magical.

Bots?

Suddenly this blog is of great interest to Russia. Now, I very much doubt they are suddenly interested in what I have to share. The more probable explanation is bots looking for vulnerabilities.