Wednesday 30 June 2021

Llanfendigaid Day 4. Car Exchange.

After a lazy breakfast (aren't they all!) it was time to empty the Kia ready for the car change over.  We were expecting the replacement to be delivered between 11.00 and 1.00 but were delighted and surprised when the very pleasant and helpful driver arrived at 11.15. Hyundai unloaded and Kia loaded up and away we put all of our Kit into the new car and then had lunch.  Rather than go out we enjoyed another walk down to the estuary collecting some specimens for pressing and listing all.
It was soon time to start cooking: leg of lamb and all the trimmings, part of our 70th birthday present for Pappa John.

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Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea
Broad-Leaved Everlasting Pea
Looking towards Tywyn
Looking towards Tywyn
Sea Holly
Sea Holly
Rest Harrow
Looking Towards Tywyn
Sea Campion
The Dysynni  Meets the Sea at Tonfanau
The Dysynni  Meets the Sea at Tonfanau
Birdsfoot Trefoil and the Dysynni .
Common Mallow and the Lane Leading to Lanfendigaid

Llanfendigaid Day 3.

An insurance morning this morning.  We had to drive to Bryn Crug where we could get a phone signal to complete all the car negotiations with the insurance.  Tomorrow we are to take delivery of a Hyundai Tuscon and the Kia taken away to be repaired.  Returning  to the house it was time for coffee and lunch.
Later in the afternoon I opted for another walk down to the estuary but this time to cross the bridge and walk along to the steeply sloping shingle beach leading up to Tywyn.  Despite the dull conditions one or two butterflies were on the wing: meadow brown, small heath and tortoiseshell, and on the water were a pair of mergansers.  Cormorants were hanging their wings out to dry on the tide line and a pair of oystercatchers were noisily displaying.  An excellent spot.
I wandered back and later we enjoyed Helen's excellent meat and potato pie.

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Wall Pennywort
Wall Pennywort
Foxglove
Foxglove
Foxglove
Broad-leaved everlasting Pea
Broad-leaved everlasting Pea
Broad-leaved everlasting Pea
Sea Holly
Sea Holly
Sea Holly
Sea Holly and Sea Campion
Sea Holly and Restharrow
Sea Holly

Monday 28 June 2021

Llanfendigaid Day 2. Chance to Relax.

A beautiful morning today.  After a leisurely breakfast Heather and I drove to the coop in Tywyn for some shopping.  We returned by the very narrow picturesque back road via Tonfanau with superb views back to the Dysyni Valley, Bird Rock and Cadair Idris.  The verges along the sunken lanes are delightful, verdant and full of foxgloves.  Waters in the Broadwater Estuary and sea sparkled turquoise.  Back at the 'billet' it was time for a relaxing lunch in the sun.  After we had all recovered it was time for a walk down to the beach at Tonfanau and then round to the footbridge over the estuary where there were superb views across the saltmarsh to the mountains beyond.

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Sunday 27 June 2021

Llanfendigaid Day 1. Disaster on the Journey.

There was suddenly a sickening crunch and a lurch: another car had run into the back of our car at the roundabout at Mottram while waited to get on to the M67!  The journey thus far had gone well.  Fortunately the car was still driveable and we were soon at my brother's in Lymm.  Lunch and negotiations with the insurance company later we were on our way again and soon enjoying the beautiful scenery as we drove through Wales  to Llanfendigaid.  We have been coming to Llanfendigaid, a property on the Welsh Coast near Tywyn and Aberdovey, on an off for 30 years.  Nowadays we wrinklies stay in the converted cowshed across the  road from the big house.  It was a delight to arrive and we were soon relaxing with our friends.

Wednesday 23 June 2021

First for Year Dragons and Butterflies

 For a birthday treat I took myself off to the quiet reserve of Watts/Monks Wood in Lincolnshire yesterday.  I was fortunate with the weather which was by and large cloudless and 22C.  I headed straight to the regular spot for broad bodied chasers but apart from a couple of four spotted chasers none were in evidence.  The pink water lily in the pond, though was looking magnificent.  I was pleased to see new for the year butterflies: meadow brown, ringlet and large skipper.  I was suprised to find ringlet as they usually appear after the other two but maybe things are well behind on my regular Horsefield patch. Also unlike the Horsefield, there were plenty of common blues but all very worn so they have obviously been out for some time.

On the large pond there were large numbers of bright turquoise emperor dragonflies but they were constantly moving and gave no chance for photography.  I think that they must have been perching up in the cover of surrounding undergrowth.  As I was leaving the Co-op pond I heard and then had good views of a juvenile greater spotted woodpecker.

Back at the smaller pond I was delighted to find broad bodied chaser and, as usual were a delight to photograph.  Having secured some images I moved on to Beatles Pond where there were more 4 spots and a retiring male banded demoiselle damselfly as well as a white water lily.  From here I headed back to the car via the Watts Wood path, picked up my lunch and returned to the broad body pond for a last session.  Just as I was preparing to leave another pair of males appeared and a three way territorial dog fight took place.  An amazing sight.

Altogether an excellent day topped off with a BBQ in the evening.

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Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Common Blue
Dog Rose
Four Spotted Chaser
Four Spotted Chaser
Four Spotted Chaser
Four Spotted Chaser
Four Spotted Chaser
Four Spotted Chaser
Juvenile Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Large Skipper
Large Skipper
Large Skipper
Large Skipper
Meadow Brown
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Water Lily
Water Lily