Tuesday 18th October comments: We were talking about it yesterday, but wasn't expecting it for another week, but Brownsman has its first Grey Seal pup. Born mid-afternoon, the new born is doing well with mother in attendance and its a cracking start to the Seal season. Where asking people to name it, so any suggestions would be most welcome. However for the time being, the first pup of Brownsman will be spending its first night on the island - welcome to the Farnes.
It wasn't just Brownsman getting in on the act, as Staple Island now has four (the first was born only yesterday) so the Seal season is well and truly upon us. Where hoping for the wind to ease by Thursday and then we'll be on our first mission to all the colonies and will bring you even further news. A great day with many more to follow.
Monday 17th October comments: You can tell Seal season is upon us. The team are living on Brownsman, there are a scattering of Seal pups across the colonies and we've got storms, raging westerly storms battering us. Business as usual then.
The westerly gales have cranked up a notch today and as darkness fell over the islands, the wind was battering Brownsman and the tiles on the 18th century cottage are rattling tonight. On the bird front it was quiet (as expected) as the Bluethroat has moved on although a Merlin kept us entertained mid-afternoon.
On the Grey Seal front, Staple Island welcomed its first pup of the autumn (we've now got them on three islands) and next week we should welcome our first on Brownsman. However that's where you all step in - we would like to name it, so any suggestions would be great! We'll keep you informed of the first pups progress as well as the entire colony throughout November, so don't go anywhere. Keep reading.
Sunday 16th October comments: Its been a stunning day on the Farnes as unseasonal weather brought mild, warm conditions. The mild weather encouraged birds to depart the islands as the number of common migrants declined. Even the lingering Richard's Pipit was noted flying west towards the mainland early in the day although the Bluethroat remained resident on Brownsman.
The most noticeable highlight of day was in the form of a Speckled Wood butterfly, a rarity for the Farnes. The weather encouraged other butterflies to the wing as we also recorded small numbers of 'White's', Red Admiral's and Small Tortoiseshell's. It almost felt like summer but without Arctic Terns attacking our heads...oh how I don't miss that!
Monday 17th October - just a quick midday update - another storm due and wasn't expecting it! However the Shipping Forecast has just crackled across the airwaves...
South-west; force 8 imminent increasing to Storm force 10 soon.
Legendary musician Sir Paul MCCartney is reported to have taken his new wife Nancy Shevell to the exclusive private island of mustique.
It is believed that the former Beatle borrowed Mck Jaggers luxury villa on the exclusive West Indies Island.
The Japanese inspired beachfront mansion called Stargroves, is reported to cost $10,000 a week.
McCartney reportedly loves the island and feels there is not better place to spend a honeymoon. The sprawling villa which overlooks L’Ansecoy Bay, has stunning views of nearby islands, a hot tub in the master befdroom with its own sea view, plus a butler and private chef.
There was a fury of excitement when Rat Island went on the market. The small, rocky island with an unfortunate name had one big advantage…it was just a stones throw away from New York City. The island is located off city island in the Bronx and is approximately 2.5 acres in size at low tide.
The island reportedly sold at auction at the beginning of the month for $160,000. Real estate agent Ozzie Crisalli says he does not know what the buyer (who remains unnamed) has planned for the island
But the island sold at auction Sunday for $160,000. Real estate agent Ozzie Crisalli says he doesn’t know what the buyer has planned for it.
Letzte Woche Sonntag waren Torben und ich in Rota. Uns ging es zwar beiden nicht so gut aber wir wollten auch nicht unseren letzten gemeinsamen Tag hustend und schniefend im Bett verbringen. Eigentlich war es geplant dass wir mit dem Katamaran dort hinfahren aber aus irgendwelchen Grnden sind die an dem Tag nicht gefahren und wir mussten den Bus nehmen. Auf dem Weg dorthin haben wir in Cdiz
Wenn man einen Andalusier fragt welche Stdte Andalusiens man sich angucken sollte bekommt man fast immer die Antwort Sevilla Crdoba und Granada. In Sevilla war ich ja schon 2 Mal und gestern bin ich mit Mama und Papa nach Crdoba gefahren. Die Fahrt hat 35 Stunden mit dem Reisebus gedauert. Als wir ankamen war es mittags und da der Magen etwas geknurrt hat haben wir uns in einer Tapasbar
Narbonne 24 Sep SatWe had an uneventful journey to Narbonne. After the first 2 hours there were many stops until after 4.5 hours we arrived at Narbonne. The train wasnt quite as modern as from Paris but it was fine.We couldnt reach Helen Rob so we read the Plan de Narbonne at the station and decided to walk to Quai dlsace on the Canal de la Robine despite our previous bag toting episo
Beijing Tea Market. After a month of searching for tea it was only fitting that we found ourselves wandering the labyrinth of shops composing the Beijing Tea market. Over 1000 tea shops. Which to choose We have already explored so many shops in so many places that Kit has begun producing an imaginary movie called Kunming. The first line is Of all the tea shops on all the streets
Evening greetings from fabulous Cambodia What a dayAs many of you know Siem Riep is one of my MOST favorite places for so many reasons. And it has not disappointed. Anyone in the hospitality industry needs to come here for some training because they know about customer service especially at the Angkor Century Resort Spa. They are 1The whole atmosphere here in Siem Riep is 39zenl
Another later start to the morning but I knew I would have a later night so I planned accordingly. Though I sure will miss just sleeping until my body is ready to get upAnother hot day in Malaysia but I first headed out for some soup for lunch. Another delicious serving of Nasam Curry Laska. Hot a bit spit spicy and happily slurped. I then took a train over towards the museum area. A few th
So the last few days have been spent travelling by various means from Hanoi to Hue. The first stop on the way was Mai Chau where we stayed in a quiet and friendly little homestay right in the mountains and jungle of VietnamMalaria tablets are now being taken. Several days later we arrived in Phong Nha which was our first tourist stop along the way to Hue. Phong Nha is home to the biggest caves i
Today was a lazy day...Matt went to work and Bill and I walked to the 100 yen store to pick up some cheap sunglasses since we had left ours in Matt39s car and didn39t realize that we had the keys to get them out....It was a partly sunny day here humid and in the mid 70s....After the 100 yen store we headed for the Tama River but got sidetracked by a Halloween celebration where a long s
Our time in Darwin has come to an end tomorrow we leave for Kakadu before continuing our journey west. We have had a lovely two weeks here despite the heat and this is largely thanks to Patrina for allowing us to stay on her property. Complete with pool and a cool deck area Patrina and Summers home has been a very welcome and relaxing respite from our travels and we feel we are now up t
Photos to follow.We stayed on a campsite near Potes on Monday night long hot shower ......bliss Yesterday we drove up to Fuente De where we took the cable car up 750 metres. We then walked up another 500 metres to the nearest col. A long slog through rocky barren terrrain to the top. On a clear day we would have been able to see the sea however there was a big inversion and the clouds were r
SUZUKI HEAVEN or HELL I suppose it depends if you are a SUZUKI or its driver Here at Mt Vernon station WA the little 413 Suzuki plays an important part of the station operations from bore runs to mustering they get hellThe main use is as a bull chaser during mustering these little 4WDs take the place of horses or quads as they are one of the few means of transport that are nimble and strong
My classroom 201112 Take twoThought I would update you with some pics of my new classroom. As some of you are aware I got bumped out of the all girls school I was at Khadeeji Al Kubra Grade 4. There was too many teachers and not enough students for 3 grade 4 teachers. Sothey increased the class sizes to 28 and moved me to another school.Well one word of advice be careful what
the thing is.Im having some resistance from the universe that is in my numerous attempts to get my camera going. I found a place that sells memory chips but luckily I tried it out before I left the store and lo and behold it didnt work. My friend Brittany was there so we tried the chip in her camera and no dice. So I still dont have a chip. But I had the forethought to grab a han
20th OctoberToday we walked up the Cares gorge from Poncebos to Cain a 22km round trip. It was a brilliant walk with sheer drops little tunnels and lots of goats. We also saw a wall creeper the first I have ever seen. The path follows an amazing canal built in the early 190039s high up the gorge which flows through 70 tunnels and still takes water to the hydroelectric plant today.21st Octob
Brownsman's first Seal pup (Ciaran Hatsell) 
Saying hello (Jamie Coleman)
Doing well; pup and mother (Ciaran Hatsell)
