The allotments during the December cold snap

Strange that in the past it would have been labelled as "The Big Freeze" but now only ranks as "a cold snap". Everything looked lovely though.

 

Madeira November - December 2022

 My first time back since you know what.

The first half of my stay in Machico near the eastern end of the island then the second half further west above Ponta do Sol. Quite a lot of rain and mist which restricted visits to the high ridges but new sights to see in some familiar places.

Here's a link to the photo album 

 

Lev. Canical east of the tunnel

North Coast looking south to Sao Lourenco

Looking north to Ponta do Clerigo near Santana

Central mountains above San Roque do Faial

Machico Bay

The English well Santo da Serra

Back garden of the fishermans cottage,Machico

Funchal Farmers Market

Post floods park and seafront,Funchal

SE cliffs from the Faro , Ponta do Pargo

Lev. Nova above Calheta

Banana scene from my roof balcony

Ponta do Sol flowers

Villa from the bridge

Local art

Repairs to landslip above E222 completed during my stay

Lev Norte above the Rib Brava valley

Misty Fontes

Lev.Nova above Canhas

Looking across to lower Levs. Nova and Moinhos

Monte church above Ponta do Sol

Sturminster Marshall and East Dorset - September 2022

A great week based at Sturminster Marshall , East Dorset where I managed to rent a bijou two bedroom cottage and invited my pal Ernie along. I did three varied bike rides and also joined Ernie on his Stour Valley journey and a coastal walk.It's a fabulous place for off road cycling with so many bridleways and tracks to explore. 

Here's a link to the photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ya4XJcGKytnjZvyE7  with text description.

Bulbarrow Hill,Wessex Ridgeway

River Stour near Sturminster Marshall

Wareham

View west from Woolsbarrow fort

Purbeck coastline

Near Pentridge Hill, Cranborne Chase

Hod's Hill , SVW

Clun YHA September 2022

 A brief trip to Clun YHA near the Shrophire/Powys border where my friend Andrew was volunteer warden for the week. I rode on one day and walked with pals on the other.

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/zZnM3jF1rb9XaGwQ6

 

Up near Offa's Dyke

Clun Castle

Trinity Hospital Gardens

Offa's Dyke Path above Newcastle

Early August on the plot

Some photos of the plot taken in this morning's rain. We've had wet and dry weather on and off during the spring and summer, and since the mini heatwave copious amounts of rain with the IPC tanks and water butts now full to overflowing.

I've removed some of the fruits to ripen at home to avoid the trusses breaking under their weight

PSB plantlets transferred from seedbed to replace potatoes lifted a few days before.

I'm having to hack back the squash plants to give other things a chance.

 

Quick overnight stay at Gameshope Bothy

A quick sortie into the Southern Uplands. I'd planned to stay another night here at Gameshope or move to Brattleburn further west but the rain set in for the rest of the day.

Photo album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/GgqXSwVPqYGthBei9