Our arrival in Mull

This was a holiday we had looked forward to for a long time, having spoken several times of visiting the isles of Scotland. So here we were about to spend a week on Mull. Having spent the night in an hotel on the banks of Lock Lomond, we set of today for the Oban ferry.
We sailed from Oban (above) on the mainland to Craignure on our Mull adventure. The weather looking rather gloomy and misty but the 45 min. passed quickly before we arrived in Craignure in like style - misty and murky!

After a short drive, we arrived at our holiday destination, Ardura Cottage. We were just a short drive south of Craignure, with rolling hills behind us, and set for the week. Only a few mosquitoes in sight - thankfully!

Next morning , more of the same mist, but not downhearted, we set off for ...

You guessed - Tobermory!

On the way we had to stop and photograph these old hulks of fishing vessels.

And arrived in the now famous town with it`s wonderfully coloured waterfront houses. Despite the unhelpful dull weather, it still looked as I had envisioned it. 

Tobermory owes its origins to the British Fisheries Society and their search for likely sites for fishing communities in western Scotland in the 1700s. The Society's agent, John Knox, visited Mull in 1786 and proposed making use of the superb natural harbour for such a community. The name comes from the Gaelic tobar-mhoire which translates as "Mary's Well", after an ancient holy well dedicated to the Virgin Mary in what is now the upper part of the village. 

Today Tobermory, the undisputed island capital of Mull, has a population of just over 1,000 people. These days it is perhaps best known for its connections with children's TV. First it had a Womble named after it, while a little more recently it was used as the setting for the BBC children's series Balamory. 

This turned Tobermory into a place of pilgrimage for many young fans and their parents. Although filming stopped in 2005, the appearance of the series on DVD means it still pays to book your accommodation and ferry tickets ahead if you intend to visit. 

Tobermory wraps around the bay that led to its construction. It faces south east into the Sound of Mull, and is additionally protected by Calve Island which half encloses the bay. Main Street hugs the harbour, with additional development on the hillside behind. 

Tobermory's most distinctive feature lies in the brightly painted frontages of many of its buildings. The pink, yellow and blue run of the three buildings centered on the Mishnish Hotel near the south east end of the harbour was for many years the most striking segment. In 2006 the palette changed, with the Mishnish being painted a more traditional black and its previously bright pink neighbour being toned down. The Mishnish Hotel has been returned to its earlier yellow since our most recent visit, and Tobermory has returned to being the brightest and one of the most attractive harboursides in Scotland. 

Rusty chains on the waterfront

The ever present gull watches over proceedings, no doubt anticipating some lunch.

I just loved the patterns of these 

Later in the day, when we were back at our cottage, we decided to have a stroll along the nearby lanes. The butterfly above took our attention and a reasonable image taken. It is in fact a Small Argent & Sable (Epirrhoe tristate)

This was the beautiful scene behind our cottage as the sunlight slid across the hills.

We were later treated to a display, as a local farmer rounded up his sheep in the field opposite the cottage.

Next morning we set off to explore, and headed for Carsaig, having enjoyed views over Loch Scridain on the way, before turning at Pennyghael, for our destination. 

And then onto Carsaig Bay a cove on the Ross of Mull in the south of the island of Mull. It is situated along a "narrow unclassified road". The bay is small and is surrounded by high, precipitous hills - the approach was so steep that Rosey preferred to walk down while I brought the car! It is unsafe for water craft, except in the part sheltered by the island of Gamhnach Mhòr, where small vessels can obtain anchorage.

Unsure sheep on the way!

Masses of sea weed on side of Loch Scridain

The reader - seen in a remote corner of Carsaig bay, taking in the peace and quiet - until we arrived. There are some interesting rock features nearby, but the very rough terrain and high tide made walking to them, out of the question. Anyway, a great place for lunch.

The Maclean coat of arms on a run down and isolated building near Carsaig.

Clan MacLean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in clan skirmishes with the Mackinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds and Campbells, as well as all of the Jacobite risings.

Although the usual fanciful pedigrees locates the clan originally 150 miles north east at Glen Urquhart in Moray, the Macleans are from the west coast island of Mull. 

I was pleased to find this old coat of arms in this deserted spot.

Boat reflections - Carsaig Bay 

A bridge near Pennyghael, visited on the way back home.

And last for the day - a view along Glen More



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The wedding of Naomi and Daniel

Naomi and Daniel married in Peterborough today with the reception held in the town center. We stayed the night, before `seeing them off` the next morning. As is usual with these occasions, it was a good time to catch up with all the relatives who we had lost contact with. So, onto the day.

So, firstly, the bride`s car arrives at the church gates.

Naomi is helped from the car and dress re-arranged to look at her best. She looked stunning anyway.

  

Bridesmaids and Maids of Honour arrive in a stretch limo.

  

.... and then pose at the gate together.

The bride joins the group to complete the picture.

 .... before dad takes charge prior to leading her into church and up to the altar

Ceremony over, and the happy couple emerge from the church.

Giving each other the customary kiss for the photographer.

 

Then a few more photos.

A brief glimpse of the general melee around the porch door as the photographer arranges everyone.

Proud father Danny with his friend Catherine

..... and then with Rosey, his sister.

Couldn`t resist this piece of symmetry in the car wheels.

And so into the car, for the journey to the reception

What intricate work in the dress!. Shame you wear them only once!

The wedding cake, but another one appeared as well [below] signifying the work they both do as paramedics. What a great idea.

A general view of the reception meal.

  Melody, the bride's sister, who looks happy for her young sibling

And lastly the father of the bride making his speech. Well done Danny, it was a great day and we all wish them every happiness in the future. Sure, it will have its ups and down. That`s how life is.

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New life in early summer

May/ June time is a beautiful time of year. New life, be it plant or insect, is all around us. Just a brief look in hedgerow and garden will show you this everywhere. 

Over a few days I pointed my camera at all manner of things, guided by eagle eyed Rosey, and here are a few images taken during this period, with a brief detail.

Drinker Moth caterpillar

Caterpillars from August to June. Britain and Ireland. Large hairy dark grey caterpillar found mainly in damp habitats.

Fully grown caterpillars are up to 7 cm in length. They are dark grey with golden speckling and have brown hair tufts along the body. A line of white hair tufts is present on either side of the body. The caterpillars hibernate when part grown and continue feeding in the spring, becoming fully grown by June. In winter they can sometimes be found at rest on grass stems and on the twigs of bushes. In the spring they feed mainly at night, but during the day can be found resting low down on vegetation.

Tree bumble bee

The Tree bumblebee only arrived in the UK in 2001 and then rapidly spreading north, with it being recorded for the first time in Scotland in 2013. This bumblebee does really well in the UK. It is a generalist species which means it feeds on a wide range of flowers though it is particularly fond of raspberries and blackberries, making gardens and allotments great places to see them.

This adaptable bee is the most arboreal of all bumblebees and will nest in abandoned bird boxes or empty roof cavities. However some can be found nesting low down in old mouse nests or even in the fluff of tumble drier vent pipes. 

Tree bumblebees aren’t particularly aggressive, although they are likely to defend their nest if they feel threatened. But don’t panic! - they swarm, which is scary, but is is is actually something called ‘Nest surveillance’ and it’s the frisky males hanging around. Male bumblebees cannot sting as they don’t have a stinger (the stingers are modified egg laying tubes called ovipositors which obviously only females will have). The males are just waiting for the virgin queens to emerge and once they do, the males will attempt to mate with them, very often falling to ground during the process. Once the queens have mated they feed themselves up and find a hibernation spot, ready to start a new colony next year. These fantastic pollinators don’t appear to be harming our native wildlife and they are truly wonderful to watch in flight. 

Small Grass Emerald - Pseudoterpna pruinata

A nationally scarce moth restricted to counties in southern England.The wings are a dull green colour with a gold leading forewing edge and two fairly straight, white cross-lines.The adults fly at night from dusk and are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be found from July to August before overwintering as pupae suspended by threads from the foodplant or in leaf litter.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)

The large red damselfly is a medium-sized damselfly which lives around the edge of ponds, lakes, ditches and canals and can also be found away from breeding sites in grassland and woodland. The earliest damselfly to emerge in the UK, it is on the wing from the end of April through to August. It is a regular visitor to gardens.

Sawfly (Rhogogaster viridis)

Sawflies are part of the insect order, Hymenoptera, together with bees, wasps and ants. However they are considered to be the most primitive group and form the sub-order - Symphyta. They differ from the bees, wasps and ants in not having a 'waist' and in their wing venation. Most female sawflies possess 'saw-like' genitalia which they use to cut through plant tissue in order to lay their eggs. All sawflies are harmless and cannot sting. In Britain there are around 107 different genera and about 500 species. The actual numbers constantly change as new species are added and others are lost. It is unclear how many can be found in Leicestershire and Rutland as it is a very under-recorded group.

Soldier beetle- Dichelotarsus

The Common Red Soldier Beetle is a medium-sized, narrow beetle commonly found on open-structured flowers, such as daises, Cow Parsley and Hogweed, during the summer. It can be spotted in grassland, woodland, along hedgerows and in parks and gardens. Adults feed on aphids, and also eat pollen and nectar. Larvae prey on ground-dwelling invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, and live at the base of long grasses. The adults spend much of their short, summer lives mating and can often be seen in pairs.

Green Shield bug - -Palomena viridissima

This flat, shield-shaped bug is common throughout England and Wales, but less so in Scotland.

It is bright green and stippled with tiny black dots in spring and summer, but changes to greeny-bronze in autumn. Its wing tips are dark brown.

Adult shield bugs hibernate in grass tussocks or leaf litter and emerge in May.

Females lay clusters of small, barrel-shaped eggs on the undersides of leaves. These hatch into wingless nymphs, which crawl between plants to feed, and become the new generation of adults in September. These bugs can often be seen basking in the sun during late summer before they hibernate. Both adults and nymphs suck plant sap.

It is sometimes called a green stink bug as it produces a pungent odour from special glands if handled or disturbed. 

Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)

Recorded all year but mainly May to October. Common and resident to Great Britain but also a common migrant seen in large numbers at coastal locations.

An unmistakable and distinctive moth with pinkish-brown markings. The wings are folded along the body at rest which gives the impression of a withered autumn leaf.

The adults are attracted to light and feed on flowers of Common Reed and other grasses. They are frequently seen during the day, resting in the open, on walls, fences or vegetation. They overwinter as larvae so the caterpillars can be seen all year round, feeding in mild weather. They usually pupate in a cocoon just under the soil.

In a row - Oxeye Daisy

In bloom around the solstice, this large daisy is a sure sign that summer has arrived. It is similar to the daisy but with larger flowerheads, which can be 6 cm across. The base leaves are spoon-shaped and about 10 cm long. The stem leaves are toothed and more oblong.

It grows in a variety of habitats including meadows and fields, under open-canopy forests and scrub and in disturbed areas. Best time to see is June to August.

The Mullein - (Cucullia verbasci)

The yellow, black and white caterpillars of Mullein moths are one of the most distinctive caterpillars found in the British Isles. When fully grown they are almost 50 mm in length with a mixture of black and yellow markings on a pale bluey grey/whitish body.

Drinker Moth caterpillar

Caterpillars from August to June. Britain and Ireland. Large hairy dark grey caterpillar found mainly in damp habitats.

Fully grown caterpillars are up to 7cm in length. They are dark grey with golden speckling and have brown hair tufts along the body. A line of white hair tufts is present on either side of the body. The caterpillars hibernate when part grown and continue feeding in the spring, becoming fully grown by June. In winter they can sometimes be found at rest on grass stems and on the twigs of bushes. In the spring they feed mainly at night, but during the day can be found resting low down on vegetation.

Blackberry blossom - what more can one say?

Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria

Occurs in woodland, gardens and hedgerows. Butterflies often perch in sunny spots, spiralling into the air to chase each other.

The aptly named Speckled Wood flies in partially shaded woodland with dappled sunlight. The male usually perches in a small pool of sunlight, from where it rises rapidly to intercept any intruder. Both sexes feed on honeydew in the tree tops and are rarely seen feeding on flowers, except early and late in the year when aphid activity is low.

Thick-legged flower beetle Oedemera nobilis – (family Oedemeridae)

Often known as the False Oil Beetle. This spectacular metallic-green beetle is usually seen on flowers. Only the male – seen here – has the characteristic thickened hind ‘thighs' (femora). This species is common in gardens and grassland, and in open spaces in woods, in the south, but is more often found in coastal areas in the north of the country. The larvae feed and develop within plant stems.

Wild Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

The charismatic, pink flower spikes of Foxgloves are famous as both a reminder of the hazy days of summer and of their deadly poisonous nature. The high flower stems are only produced in the plant's second year and can be seen between June and September. Foxgloves can be found in woodlands and gardens, and on moorlands, coastal cliffs, roadside verges and waste ground.

A snail - have not identified the name as yet.

Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the Opium Poppy?



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Womens Round Britain Cycle Race in Layham

This weekend we were treated to the sight of a stage of the Women's Round Britain Cycle Race passing through our village. With great anticipation, people gathered at the roadside to witness this prestigious event.

To start, many police and marshalls motorcycles came through to stop traffic and block side roads.

Then the odd team car

The leading four at this point then appeared

.... followed by a large group

... then team cars galore!

... followed by the main group

.... and at the back, numerous other team cars. All in all, a great spectacle, and worth watching.

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