Missing pictures from British Wildlife Centre 25th August

Otter at feeding time

Scottish Wildcat (we thought he might just have been an ordinary moggie they sneaked in from the RSPCA centre as he didn't look very fierce!)

Eric the red deer - and his massive antlers!
Above: Ladies in Lavender - and above left 10 mins later when the sun finally shone!

Badgers asleep in their set -more aaahh

Well, sorry about this guys - this particular blogging virgin managed to post today's visit with only one photo on it - so have finally worked out how to upload more than one photo. . .so here are the rest, with my apologies! xx

Aaahh - aren't they cute!

British Wildlife Centre 25 August 2009

Start Point: British Wildlife Centre, A22 10m mins north

of East Grinstead

Walkers: (well, visitors!) Farty Fallover, Windy Nohills, Mrs Provincial

Weather: Typical English summer's day - sun and rain!

Time taken: around centre, 2 1/2 hours, pub, 2hrs, RSPCA Centre at South Godstone, about 45 mins

Distance: Not very far!

Pluses: Red squirrels, foxes, otters, deer, moles, owls including a beautiful European eagle owl, Scottish wildcat, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, small furries of all sorts, adders, grass snakes (just as well Token Bloke couldn't make it!), etc etc. The lovely cats at the RSPCA.

Minuses: The rain and water skiers on the lake in front of us at the pub - and children at the Wildlife centre as it's only open during school holidays and weekends during term time. However, they were fortunately not too brat like!

Pub: The Wiremill (http://www.thewiremill.co.uk/) Good food, average pub prices, lovely old building with garden overlooking lake with water skiers - rather annoyingly noisy!

Special notes and links: http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/ £9 entry. A great day out!

Quintessentially English Day Out 13th August

Start Point: Ightham Mote, National Trust Property in Kent. 700 years of history in one House!

Walkers: Windy Nohills, Mrs Provincial, Farty Fallover & Token Bloke

Weather: perfect by late afternoon

Time Taken: 3 hours for House & Garden then to the Pub for a 1 1/2 hr lunch followed by a 2 hr walk. Partly on the Greensand Way

Distance: 5 miles

Pluses: 2-for-1 entry with NT vouchers

Minuses: distance to start quite a long way (venue a bit remote)

Pub: The Chaser, Shipbourne, extensive varied menu but a little pricy. Food was very good though

Special Notes & Links:
Ightham Mote,

Tuesday 11th August Walk Report

Start point: :TQ336593

Walkers: Farty Fallover & Token Bloke

Weather: Cloudy to start; got hotter & sunnier as day progressed

Time taken: 4hrs (started at 11.15) but on top of this there were visits to 2 pubs, plenty of hills & a long chat with a glider pilot trying to persuade us to have a trial flight! (finished 17.15)

Distance: 7.5 miles

Pluses: Varied landscape with views to London & trre-filled vistas. Very pleasant day altogether.

Minuses: a little noisy from road, rail & quarry at the start

Pub: The Fox, Coulsdon Common. Fab fish & chips & good service

Special Notes & links:

This walk covers 3 of the 6 City of London Open Spaces:

West Wickham, Kenley and Coulsdon Commons, Farthing Downs & New Hill, Riddlesdown and Spring Park

The Kenley Oservatory at the edge of the airfield in front of some smallholdings.

walk Tuesday 11th August?

Rahras,
Who wants to walk this coming Tuesday the 11th? Morning or afternoon? Text Mon

Tuesday 4th August Walk Report

Start point: Jolly Farmer Pub car park, Whitewood Lane,Horne:TQ346450
Walkers: Farty, Windy Nohills, Sally & Token Bloke:
Weather: on & off drizzle
Time taken 3hrs 10 mins
Distance: 8.3 miles
Pluses: No cows, no stiles, easy going, good views & broad beans!
Minuses: care not to get lost after outwood turnoff
Pub: Good food reasonably priced & very pleasant service
Special Notes & links:

St Mark's Foundation

A private chapel at South Park Farm, listed grade II and occasionally used for public services.
Osney Lodge Farm Shop
Foraging recipes: Broad Bean & Goat's Cheese Salad

Try anything once

If this appears it will be a miracle but here goes.
As texted to Mon the next date is bit dodgy but hope to make it .Only due to everyone elses appointments etc. and difficult to change at short notice. Will still need backup with text or email until got the hang of this and also don't always use computer everyday!!!!
Will post this and see whether it appears from the ether..
TATA RAHRA 4 NOW.

emails

You should all get an email now of the blog whenever there is a new posting!