Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The woolly bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) is also known as the garden tiger moth caterpillar. Its name is because it sports a dense coat of long hairs.
From a distance, they appear soft and fuzzy, but up close, you’ll notice their stiff black and brown bristles.
Woolly bears are the larval stage of the Isabella tiger moth.
Despite their appearance, they are hardy creatures, capable of surviving freezing temperatures.
Shropshire,s 25th Annual Vintage Tractor Road Run Sunday 17th March 2024
Great to see so many taking part today, over 100 tractors and for the amazing Midlands Air Ambulance Charity 👏
A change of transport for the move north-west to Poznań, the PKP Intercity Train. Much cheaper, quicker and comfier than the bus. £13.50 first class fare for the 5-hour trip through mainly countryside.
And then, it was off to the footy to watch Lech Poznań FC in Poland’s top flight – another first, football in Poland. They have the nickname of the Railway Men.
You may recognise the term ‘The Poznań’ as Manchester City supporters have adopted the tradition. “The Poznan" is a goal celebration, also known as "Le Grecque,". Fans link arms, turn their backs to the pitch, and synchronise jumping up and down whilst loudly and enthusiastically singing songs and chants. I was glad I was watching from another stand as it could have gone horrible wrong if taking part!
It is said to taunt opposition to suggest that the Lech Poznań team is so superior that they don't even need to watch the goals. The roots of "The Poznan" can be traced back the club where it is ingrained in culture as early as 1961.
Their main theme song is sung to The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ tune which plays with your mind lol!
A great stadium, 7kms out of town, and bargain at £14 entry. And what a game and atmosphere, 4-1 home win with two goals in the first four minutes!
Norfolk’s Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway steams between Norfolk’s Wells-next-the-Sea and the intriguing Abbey village of Walsingham – more on that in a future post. Trains run daily from April to October and the trip takes around 30 minutes each way. This year, they celebrate their 40th anniversary. The unique Garratt locomotives "Norfolk Hero" and "Norfolk Heroine" were built specially for this line.
For any train buffs, it is a 10.25-inch (260 mm) gauge (longest in the world), and a 4-mile (6.4 km) section of the track of the former Wymondham to Wells line which was closed to passengers in stages from 1964 to 1969. It is also quoted as the world's smallest public railway under Light Railway Orders and Acts of Parliament.
I was lucky enough to be staying near the Wells station and wandered over at closing time. This turned out to be very opportune. Had a lovely chat with Mr Train Driver who had worked on the line for 25 years! It also gave me a chance to video the Norfolk Heroine being put to bed for the night.
Atlantic Waves from Inch Marlowe
Next stop on the Barbados tour - this beach is at least a 150 metre from my verandah to this stunning beach!
The Falks of Lora at Connel
The Falls of Lora is a tidal rapid at the seaward end of Loch Etive near Connel.
This naturally occurring phenomenon is generated when the tidal level in the Firth of Lorn drops below the level of the water in Loch Etive. The Falls of Lora are a narrow sea exit to the loch, where there is a specific feature called a sill. This is a rocky reef which acts as a barrier holding up the tide going in and out.
During big tides, the volume of water being squeezed through the narrows creates a torrent of water. Circa 66 million cubic metres of water try to squeeze through the falls during each ebbing and flooding tide. The current on a big ebb tide runs at up to 12 knots – that’s 46,000 tonnes per second!
The falls are a popular destination for kayakers, divers and rescue services to undertaken training exercises which you can see in the video. They are also a spectacular sight for visitors and photographers. One of the best views of the falls is from the car park viewpoint in Connel village.
Hore Parade on Avenida 9 de Julio Buenos Aires
Digbeth Street Art in the Creative Quarter