Tim Hall

Well, you've tempted me! Just ordered three from you

We have friends who live in Chandler's Ford, near the Chalkhill site. Had cracking views of them on our way down a few years ago, Stocksbridge Down is also v good.

I've just checked online that I DID order a 30064. Yes, April 2012. Also noticed that today is 5 years to the day since my Y3 Sentinel was dispatched, which bizarrely had a rare outing yesterday.

Read my comment above

Which is what I said to my cousin in 1990, whilst Interrailing into Austria from Budapest, after some smelly Swedish people vacated our compartment.

Think that's a juv male Great spotted. Look at the hint of red under the base of the tail, Lessers don't have that. beak looks too sturdy as well. I would also expect a lesser to be streaked on the chest.

Not this time, hairstreaks too high, frits too fast! Have in previous years. Since then, Small and Essex skippers at the Purple Hairstreak site, a White Admiral and Silver Washed frits in east Gwent (Slade woodlands). This AM, a few Grayling, loads of Marbled Whites, Gatekeeper at the disused Blaenserchan colliery (north of Pontypool) which is a cracking site for wildlife, Redpoll, Redstart, Bullfinch and Green Woodpeckers very obvious as well. 38 sp so far. Only local additions likely are Wall Brown (Kenfig NNR or certain hilltops) or White letter hairstreak, which allegedly breed at several sites along the Taff just N of Cardiff, but I've spent ages looking without success in previous years, though I did find some in Monmouthshire a few years ago. https://www.facebook.com/tim.hall.146/media_set?set=a.842648269172756.1073741983.100002827718071&type=3&pnref=story

I'd better find something to sell on ebay to fund some then

Whilst using the gentleman's facilities at a castle in the Ardennes a few years ago, I was in full flow when it occurred to me that I was able to see out though a large, full length window, onto a children's playground.....arghh The cleaning ladies mopping round your feet seems a bit tame after that....

And Beresford Road closes in a couple of days for a similar length of time....deep joy.....

A bit of my footage of "Mech Navvies" on a miserable day in May: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJOTUPKJ2H8

Managed to added a few decent ones last weekend. 2 Purple Hairstreak on the sheltered side of their favoured oaks at Hendre Lake on the East side of Cardiff on Saturday late pm. At their only South Wales site on Sunday PM, good numbers of High Brown Frits, plus a few Dark Greens and a Small Pearl Bordered. Loads of Ringlet as well. 32 species so far this year, not too bad, as haven't been further from Cardiff than Stroud.

I know, I was there earlier today giving a driving lesson. The pupil asked the question why are they there. The "logic" used apparently is that people would cross there anywhere, so they should be protected by the crossings. However, to see oncoming traffic adequately in several directions there, it is necessary to wait on a crossing, because otherwise you could easily drive into a collision. The roundabout next to Whitchurch Library, also in the Cardiff area is very similar, and again, I go there most days as an instructor. The crossing at the north end was actually moved closer to the roundabout in the interests of pedestrian safety a few years ago.

Arrived safely today, with a reassuring "tested" slip from Dan. Surprisingly good courier experience from Interlink. Cracking model, had an hour trundling round l/e at first, then v slowly and smoothly with a rake of 16T minerals.

Mine is on order from young Dan in Coleford Unfeasibly excited Need to swap stuff round on the layout, it'll look odd amongst copper capped stuff and hydraulics that are currently clogging the layout up

Well even if you value the loco at a relatively high £120, that makes the coaches over £45 each http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-locomotive-with-6-coaches-City-Class-City-of-Truro-/121968261876?hash=item1c65dffaf4:g:aFEAAOSwPc9W0hW8

Isn't the driver on the wrong side and sitting on a non existent seat?

Indeed, 2 common blues and about 5 holly blues seen on a walk along the sea wall at Peterstone Wentlooge between Cardiff and Newport late yesterday pm. A small copper on daisies and surprisingly a CLOUDED YELLOW flew past me about 10 ft away at head height in full sun, lovely, heading rapidly west. I see them there in small numbers most July/ Augusts and once in a very mild April.

Yes, we've got them in the park over the road from us at present, and around the roses in our v small front garden. Dingy and grizzled skippers at Merthyr Mawr on Saturday, but no common blue or brown argus, which I've seen there in April in milder springs. Will this be the year I finish my resident British butterflies? I eventually found Chequered Skippers, my penultimate species, at Glasdrum between Ballachuilish and Connel Ferry last May, 4 years after a previous attempt........just Mountain Ringlet to find now........

£74.00.

Indeed.

Which is one reason why I never intend to visit that particular republic.

Yes, they do, in Widnes....