Nigel's Photo Blog

 Introduction  This morning, I was delighted at long last to have an encounter with a dipper, a bird species which can "fly" under water.   Information on the dipper species . From past experience I would assign a 1000:1 chance of spotting a dipper whilst out in the countryside.Even then there is usually insufficient time to position the camera before the bird flies away. This morning I hit the jackpot whilst at Rouken Glen Country Park near Glasgow , I had an unrestricted view of the bird whilst standing on the river bank during which the bird seemed indifferent to my presence. Upshot was a good video clip of the bird's modus operandi .     Information sourced from Wikipedia The white-throated dipper is closely associated with swiftly running rivers and streams or the lakes into which they fall. It often perches bobbing spasmodically with its short tail lifted up on the rocks around which the water swirls and tumbles. It acquired its name from these sudde...

Introduction This evening, I am posting information on a walk through the English countryside undertaken during early summer time. Information on the walk. Start and finish was the village of Swalcliffe (pop 218) near Banbury which in turn is about 100 miles north of London .  Unbeknown to most visitors Swalcliffe and it's immediate environs provide tangible links with the past 2000-3000 years of English history. This covers the Iron Age, Roman period, Saxon, Norman and on to the present day. The walking route was semi -circular starting Swalcliffe to Swalcliffe Lea and on to the village of Shutford covering 3 miles. Most of this route traversed pleasant rolling countryside. Outer edge of Iron Age fort (800 BC to commencement of Roman period) defences.  This would have been a defended civilian settlement as opposed to the modern concept of a military fort.   Plan of the Iron Age fort.   Information on the Roman period can be found in this post . This includes...

Introduction  Yesterday, I reported on the pleasant Fife coastal village of Aberdour in the east of Scotland . Today, I am posting information on Aberdour Castle which enjoys a commanding view over the Firth of Forth .In medieval times castles were primarily built and located for 'command and control' of the local landscape.  View of Castle's eastward facing aspect.   Parts of the castle date from around AD1200 ranking it as one of the oldest such edifices in Scotland.It was abandoned in 1725. In the interregnum it was closely associated with the aristocratic Douglas Earls of Morton.  Another view of the eastward facing aspect.  Westward facing aspect     Site of eastward facing gardens, probably dating to the Renaissance period.In the top left of the image can be seen a small niche of blue indicating the Firth of Forth. If the tree cover was eliminated (as it may well have been in the past) then a panorama of the Firth of Forth would be displayed. Ap...

 Introduction This afternoon, I availed of the opportunity to visit local allotments ( Glasgow Southside). This was consequent on the holders inviting in the public by way of an 'open day'.  Tea Break    Information on the allotment visit For benefit of readers outside the U.K. allotments are, typically, about one acre plots of land subdivided into into strip/blocks. These subdivisions are allocated to local interested persons for the purpose of growing vegetables and other crops such as flowers. Allotments are usually found in or near urban areas. This is where residents of houses and flats (with minimal or no back yard) can connect with nature by growing their own vegetables. As a function of this set-up social networking opportunities arise.  In the case illustrated, the entire block of land was once (in the 19th century) the kitchen garden of a local mansion.. About ten years ago, members of the local community, in conjunction with the local Counc...

 Introduction This evening, I am reporting on a recent tour of the Hook Norton Brewery in the English Cotswolds. Preparing Shire Horse for local deliveries  Information on Hook Norton Brewery. This is the oldest independent brewery on Oxfordshire and has been brewing since 1849. The current premises date from 1900.They use gravity feed and still house much of the original machinery. This includes a 25hp steam engine.   Brewery Plant Basic Beer Manufacturing Process  Milling cracks malted grains to expose starches. Mashing mixes this with hot water, activating enzymes to convert starches into fermentable sugars. Lautering separates the resulting sweet liquid (wort) from the spent grain. Boiling sterilizes the wort and extracts flavors from hops. Finally, yeast is added during fermentation to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. Images Still working 1899 steam engine. Now used as a back-up  Malted Barley      4000 Gallon Mash Tun   Gr...

Introduction  This evening, I am reporting on the very popular Cotswolds village of Bibury (pop 600). Location is about 10 miles N.E. of Cirencester and 85 miles N.W.of London .   Information on Bibury The village is situated around the River Colne. It is this river which acted as a catalyst to establishment of the Bibury Trout Farm which today forms the central attraction for visitors.Secondary attraction is the honey coloured architecture comprising classic Cotswolds buildings. Latter includes Arlington Row (immediately below). Meals and refreshments are available at the Trout farm.  Arlington Row   Similar to nearby (15 miles distant) Bourton-on-the-Water , Bibury is suffering from over-tourism. This is manifested in 'lava flows' of people from all over the world resulting in inadequate toilet facilities, and very challenging parking arrangements. On the plus side the site offers excellent photographic opportunities and connection with history dating bac...