Latest News 2022
27th – 30th December
A visit to the coast of North Norfolk based out of Cromer. During our trip, we visited Blakeney, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Hunstanton and Kings Lynn, as well as the Snettisham and Titchwell RSPB Reserves (sightings included Curlew, Whopper Swan, Redshank, Pink Footed Geese, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ring Necked Plover and Water Rail).
En route home, travelled cross country via Swaffham, Ely and Cambridge.
24th December
A Christmas Eve wild swim at Studland. Amanda raised circa £200 for Cancer Research.
11th December
A drive down Studland through ice and snow for a wild swim. A big shiver!
10th – 11th December
Completing my “Motorbutter Cyclefly” extended feature about tracking down all the UK species of butterfly with my mate Fuzz, using my motorcycle as the means of transport.
10th December
Attending free improvisation jam session, hosted by Al Summers.
5th – 6th December
A business trip to the French capital of Paris, and nearby Versailles.
4th December
More work on completing “Motorbutter Cyclefly.” A final draft now exists!
Evening at Bournemouth seeing the Ozric Tentacles and Gong.
3rd December
Wild swimming at Studland in Dorset. Got cold!
29th November
A bit more work on completing “Motorbutter Cyclefly.” Closing in on a final version.
28th November
More work on completing “Motorbutter Cyclefly.” Getting there now.
27th November
Wild swimming at Studland in Dorset, with brunch afterwards at Wareham.
25th – 27th November
More work on completing “Motorbutter Cyclefly.”
21st November
The Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia display three of Jeremy’s images on the big digital screen at the “Longhouse”. Thanks to Chris Gloor for inviting me to contribute these.
20th November
Working on completing my “Motorbutter Cyclefly” story
19th November
A “wild swim” visit to Studland in Dorset, with breakfast afterwards at Swanage. The temperature’s dropping!
18th November
Our new calendars have arrived – Diving Dreams 2023, The Butterfly Effect 2023 and The Butterfly Effect Infinity. They all look good.
11th – 12th November
Following our return from Indonesia, we saw the excellent Porcupine Tree perform at Wembley Arena, and on the following morning, drove to Buckmore Park to see Zac race in the Club100 Series. After that, it was home and several days of jet-lag!
21st October – 11th November
An excellent and long-awaited diving trip (postponed 2 years due to Covid) to Wakatobi off South East Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Our journey took us via Singapore to Bali where we stayed two nights, then the flight out to Tomia Island to join the excellent Pelagian liveaboard for a week, and then a further week of diving at the Wakatobi Dive Resort.
The Pelagian visited remote sites unvisited by any other dive operator, including off Buton Island. Back at the resort, we dived some of the excellent sites within easy reach of our enjoyable home for the week. It was a chance to get back into our underwater and travel photography after the Covid -enforced break.
After returning to Bali, we finished our trip with three nights in the artistic hub of Ubud, staying at the incredibly relaxing Goya Boutique Resort.
18th October
Completing the design and content of three new Calendars – our 2023 Diving Dreams Calendars, the 2023 Butterfly Effect Calendar and a new Butterfly Effect Infinity Calendar.
15th October
A ”wild” swim at Studland in Dorset.
11th – 12th October
An overnighter in London to catch Gretchen Parlato at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
10th – 12th October
Working on completing the image choice and captions for three new calendars.
9th October
Another “wild” swim at Studland in Dorset.
7th – 8th October
An overnighter at Weedon, close to the Whilton Mill Kart Circuit, for Zac’s Club 100 Series.
7th October
Return home from London, taking a detour to Stockbridge.
6th October
Down the M1 from Loughborough to central London, for Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots performing at Ronnie Scotts.
3rd October
A ride up to Loughborough University for a business conference, taking in Devizes, Marlborough, the edges of Oxford and Towcester, Weedon, then a diversion via Market Harborough and Leicester.
2nd October
A “wild” swim at Studland.
23rd – 25th September
The last piece of the jigsaw for riding the coast roads of England – from Penzance to Plymouth, even though I’d done bits of it previously.
Firstly, a ride down to Penzance the quickest way for an overnight stay ahead of two days of “proper riding”.
The route included Marazion, Porthleven, Helston, Mullion, Mullion Cove, The Lizard, Ruan Minor, Coverack, St. Keverne, Porthkerris, Porthallow, Gillan, Helford, Gweek, Constanine, Mawnan, Falmouth, Penryn, King Harry Ferry, St. Mawes, Veryan, Portholland, Portluney Beach, Gorran Haven, Mevagissey, St.Austell, Charlestown, St.Blazey, Par and Fowey for an overnight stay.
Then across on the Bodinnick Ferru to Polruan, Polperro, Looe, St.Martin, Plaidy, Downderry, Portwrinkle, Freathy, Tregonhawke, Rame, Cawsand, Cremyll, Millbrook, Torpoint and across the ferry to Devonport and Plymouth.
From Plymouth, to Plymstock, Modbury, Kingsbridge, Torcross, Slapton Sands, Dartmouth, Totnes and Ashburton.
19th September
A ride down to Fuzz’s place at Payhembury near Honiton to discuss our 2024 motorcycle trip to Iceland. Afterwards, we rode to Lyme Regis, finding a few places open despite the Bank Holiday for Queen Elizabeth’s State Funeral.
18th September
A morning “cold-water swim” at Studland, followed by a stop in Wareham.
16th – 17th September
A visit to the Llandow Circuit in South Wales for a round of Zac’s Club 100 kart series. A promising, but frustrating day. We stayed just outside Bridgend.
11th September
A morning “cold-water swim” at Studland.
10th September
A ride down the “303” and across the Blackdown Hills to see an old friend at Tiverton. The ride back was up and across to Bampton, Wiveliscombe and Taunton, then across the Somerset Levels to Glastonbury, Frome and home to Warminster.
1st – 5th September
– A visit to the “beery” Dutch Grand Prix at the unique Zandvoort Circuit, staying in nearby Amsterdam.
29th – 30th August
An overnight stop in London, to catch the unique jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan perform at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho
26th – 29th August
Bank holiday weekend with Amanda in Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast. Our trip included a visit to the Minsmere Reserve and Dunwich Heath Nature Reserves.
19th – 20th August
An overnight in Harlow, ahead of Zac’s Club100 Karting series meeting – a good day at the office for him.
13th – 14th August
An overnighter in a heatwave drenched London, to see harpist Brandee Younger perform with her band at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho.
9th August
Completing Pt.2 of “Zen & The Art of Seeking Out The UK’s Butterfly Species by Motorcycle” for Butterfly Conservation Cumbria’s twice yearly newsletter.
6th – 7th August
Writing Pt.2 of “Zen & The Art of Seeking Out The UK’s Butterfly Species by Motorcycle” for Butterfly Conservation Cumbria’s twice yearly newsletter. Content used for this is also planned for a wider project.
4th – 5th August
An overnighter in London to catch guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Caipi project at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho.
31st July
A ride out to Salisbury Plain with Fuzz to the Bustard area near Larkhill in search of the Essex Skipper. Our mission was successful and we completed our project of seeing/identifying all species of UK butterfly. I captured some decent images.
Later, we visited Battlesbury Hill to finish off our season.
29th – 30th July
An overnighter in Rye, and an enjoyable day at the Lydd Kart Circuit for Zac’s Club 100 series.
29th July
A ride to Bahnstormer at Alton. I made tentative steps towards a new R1200 GS Adventure.
Also, working on Part.2 of a feature for Cumbria Butterfly Conservation.
28th July
Working on Part.2 of a feature for Cumbria Butterfly Conservation.
24th July
A late afternoon walk up and around Battlesbury Hill in search of the Essex Skipper.
As they’re virtually indistinguishable from Small Skippers, I looked for any Skipper and photographed it, ideally from a “head on” perspective. Afterwards, I would check the images, paying attention to the antennae.
All except one were definitely Small Skippers, the other being provisionally identified by myself as an Essex Skipper, but for confirmation I emailed the Wiltshire County Butterfly Recorder for his view on it. I also sent it to Fuzz for his thoughts.
The verdict was…an Essex Skipper! Yay!
23rd July
A successful and enjoyable solo visit to the Alners Gorse Butterfly Conservation Reserve in Dorset, where I was able to see and photograph both the White Letter Hairstreak and the Brown Hairstreak.
I met some interesting characters as well, who were doing the same thing; it was shame that Fuzz wasn’t there, but when I called him whilst packing up to leave in the Alner Gorse car park and told him of the sightings, he unbeknownst to me abandoned whatever he was doing and headed there from Devon with Tonya in tow. During the afternoon, he also got the sightings.
20th – 21st July
An overnighter in London, catching legendary bassist Marcus Miller with his excellent band at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
17th July
A visit to Alner Gorse Butterfly Reserve with Fuzz, looking predominantly for Hairstreaks (White Letter, Purple and perhaps an early Brown) – we saw all three, plus other species such as White Admiral and Silver Washed Fritillary.
16th July
A visit with Fuzz to Portland, visiting Tout Quarry and Church Ope Cove. Our target was the Lulworth Skipper, which we saw and photographed.
There were plenty of other species as well.
13th July
An image of a Mountain Ringlet taken on Irton Fell was chosen for display in the Cumbria branch sightings gallery for June 2022. Submitted images were judged by the branch as the most appealing for the preceding month.
Here’s the link; https://www.cumbria-butterflies.org.uk/gallery/
10th July
A “heatwave visit” to Bentley Wood in search of the Purple Emperor. I got sightings, though no photographic opportunities. Got a confirmed Essex Skipper sighting, which are almost identical to the Small Skipper.
Back at home, I photographed a pair of mating Skippers on one of our flower beds – at the time of writing I’m unsure if they were Small or Essex. Met some interesting fellow enthusiasts during the day.
8th – 9th July
Overnight at Sittingbourne in Kent for Zac’s Club100 Kart Series round at the Bayford Meadows circuit
30th June – 4th July
At Silverstone for our annual pilgrimage to the Formula 1 Grand Prix
25th – 26th June
– A morning at the Clay Pigeon Kart Circuit near Yeovil for Zac’s Club100 racing, followed by a dash to Stratford in East London (difficult due to no trains) for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
24th June
From Shrewsbury, a solo visit to Fermyn Wood in Northamptonshire for early (and grounded) Purple Emperor. I followed Fuzz’s suggestion, and got my encounter and images, surpassing the fleeting “grounding” at Knepp the previous week.
Weirdly, I had the place to myself.
22nd – 24th June
A visit to North Shropshire with Fuzz, staying at Shrewsbury.
The purpose of our visit was to find the Large Heath at the Whixall Moss site which was successful, and the culmination of our 3-year effort to find all UK species of butterfly (all bar a bit of “tidying up” as Fuzz described it).
We also visited the Prees Heath Common Butterfly Conservation Reserve, which was in the middle of a huge emergence of Silver Studded Blue for which the site is renowned.
18th June
A solo visit (i.e. without Fuzz) to the Knepp Wildlands in Sussex in search of the Purple Emperor, which was successful, including a brief “grounding”. I managed a few images before it took flight, but the purple sheen wasn’t evident from the angle of shooting.
Nice early morning ride through the South Downs to Knepp, less enjoyable on the return thanks to more traffic and worsening weather. A good but tiring day.
1st – 5th June
A visit to Cumbria and Lancashire with Fuzz in search of the Mountain Ringlet and Northern Brown Argus, with an outside chance of an early Large Heath. We based ourselves at Kendal
Though the weather was originally forecast to be excellent for the entire visit, it became a bit mixed by the time we were due to travel up.
Nonetheless, we had a great visit, finding the first Mountain Ringlets of the 2022 season on Irton Fell on the 2nd, with opportunities to capture images. Later that day, we visited the Latterbarrow Reserve near Witherslack for the Northern Brown Argus, which we were unable to find, though it was nice to see several Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillaries.
On the 3rd, we changed our focus to “birding” thanks to unsuitable weather for butterflies, so we visited the excellent RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, with the highlight being four (yes 4!) Bitterns flying together across the reserve. Later, as the weather began to clear, we tried the Warton Crag reserve nearby, hoping for a Northern Brown Argus in the clearing weather, but still no sighting.
On the 4th, the weather had improved again, with light winds and blue skies. We decided on an early visit to Latterbarrow, and bingo, we got our Northern Brown Argus, a single newly emerged specimen that we able to follow and photograph, along with the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries.
Afterwards, we visited Irton Fell again, seeing some more Mountain Ringlets before finishing our day at Foulshaw Moss, hoping for an unlikely (but possible) early Large Heath. That wasn’t to be but we were able to see the Osprey nest in a distant tree deep in the “mosses”.
Like the ride up, the return ride back down the M6 and M5 was long and tedious with the added hazard of rain.
A great long weekend and two more species “ticked off” and photographed,
26th – 28th May
A return trip up to the East Midlands, this time with Fuzz, again staying on the outskirts of Corby.
We had a successful visit to Fineshade Wood, getting sightings and photographs of the Chequered Skipper, our target species.
Afterwards, we turned our attention to finding the Black Hairstreak, visiting Glapthorn Cow Pasture a few miles from Fineshade. Despite a good look around, we concluded that this species was yet to emerge, at least at that site. Following helpful news posted of first Black Hairstreak sightings of the year at Monks Wood near Huntingdon, we decided to concentrate our efforts there and were successful in observing several freshly emerged specimens, though we had no opportunities of capturing “good” images. Nonetheless we were happy.
20th – 22nd May
A ride to Southbourne in Bournemouth for a quick family get together (Joan, Amanda’s mum had rented a house for the week), then from there, a ride up to Corby for an overnight stay ahead of a visit to Fineshade Wood, part of the Rockingham Forest, for the Chequered Skipper.
On the first day it was interesting, but frustrating, missing one probable sighting on one of the “Skipper walks” offered by Butterfly Conservation. Met some interesting people, and great to hear some Cuckoos in the woods. Managed photos of Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue and Small Copper.
On the second day, I got on site early, in better weather than forecast, spotting my first Chequered Skipper just before 9am; I would see at least three, and probably four specimens, and captured decent images.
Afterwards, I paid a visit to the Glapthorn Cow Pasture reserve, a few miles away from Fineshade. No Black Hairstreak action, but likely to happen over coming days.
Before riding all the way back home, I stopped for a snack and beverage at the pleasant town of Oundle.
11th – 16th May
A visit to Northern Ireland on the R1200 GS Adventure in search of sightings and photographs of the Cryptic Wood White (I’d rescheduled this trip due to poor weather).
The trip involved a ride up to Liverpool and an overnight stay, followed by a ferry crossing to Belfast. From there, I headed to Portadown for three nights, to visit the Craigavon Lakes site, a known hotspot for the target species. I spent a day and a half at the site, and was able to capture some pleasing images.
Whilst in the area, I also took the opportunity to have two rides and explorations including forays into the republic, visiting Lough Neagh at the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, then Armagh, Monaghan, Clones, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen and Dungannon, and on the final day, a ride through Armagh then Kady, Castlebleyney, Lough Egish, Crossmaglen, Dundalk, Carlingford, Newry, the Mourne Mountains, and Newcastle before Belfast for an overnight stay, followed by the ferry crossing back to Liverpool and the long ride south to home. On the sea crossings, I had good amounts of time to work on writings, planning and various admin.
11th May
An update call with Ryan from Elevate, progressing work on the new website.
9th May
An overnighter in London, to catch the band Tool perform at the 02. Awesome performance.
8th May
A walk up to nearby Battlesbury Hill, guiding an interested friend, to see and photograph the Spring butterflies. A good day for photography, capturing Duke of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillary action, plus a few other species.
Also, I met an interesting enthusiast called Mark who’d travelled down from Chesire for a couple of days in the area. I helped him out with areas for sightings and in return he offered to guide Fuzz and I to the Whixall Moss site for Large Heath, and also suggested a site I’d not heard of for Black Hairstreak (Glapthorn Cow Pasture).
7th May
A solo visit on the R1200 GS Adventure to Bentley Wood to the East of Salisbury, aiming predominantly for the Pearl Bordered Fritillary.
I had good sightings, but not good photography, as like Aish Tor back in April, they were hyperactive and skittish. I probably saw 10 or more specimens.
On a related note, I met some interesting enthusiasts out looking for the same thing, Melanie and Wayne, and a man called Wurzel (otherwise known as Rich) who maintains a butterfly and wildlife blog.
1st – 2nd May
A last minute overnighter with Amanda, staying in Clevedon, overlooking the Bristol Channel. The weather was cool and either overcast or raining. Our drive to and from took us via the Mendips, the highlight being Cheddar Gorge.
30th April
A ride to Devon to collect Fuzz for a visit to the Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve in North Devon. Had a good day, and further chance to capture Wood White images.
24th April
Photographing early season butterflies at Battlesbury Hill – captured a few Green Hairstreak and a freshly emerged Duke of Burgundy Fritillary.
23rd April
Catching up on various notes and admin following the Branscombe visit.
15th – 22nd April
A stay at the fantastically located Sea Shanty accommodation on the undercliff of Branscombe in East Devon.
On the ride down, I visited Fuzz at Payhembury, and then met Amanda at Branscombe.
Amanda and I visited nearby Beer, Seaton, Sidmouth and Exmouth, and on the 17th Fuzz and I travelled down to Aish Tor near Ashburton for early Pearl Bordered Fritillary; we were successful, though efforts to photograph them weren’t successful thanks to them being incredibly skittish.
On other days, after Amanda had to return home, I walked the coast path sections from Sidmouth to Branscombe, and from Branscombe to Beer and back, with other time spent in the general after of the undercliff around Branscombe shooting images of (mostly) Holly Blue and early Wood White. I captured some pleasing images.
The return ride home was via Beer, Seaton, Lyme Regis and cross country to the “303” passing through Marshwood, Crewkerne and a quick detour into Martock.
5th – 6th April
An overnighter in London, staying at Kensington. Time spent included a re-visit to the Natural History Museum, and a first time visit to the V & A Museum. The evening was spent at the Albert Hall for the Psychedelic Furs, supported by Jah Wobble’s Invader’s of the Heart.
28th March
Butterfly Conservation Cumbria publishes Jeremy’s story about selected trips out to seek and photograph the UK’s butterfly species.
27th March
A day of riding around the Isle of Wight, which was a missing part of my UK and Ireland coastline motorcycling project. In England, my final section following this day would be from Penzance to Plymouth. Then there’s Scotland…including the islands!
The day consisted of a ride from Burley to Lymington, then catching the Isle of Wight ferry across to Yarmouth where my island trip would begin and end.
During the day, I took in Freshwater, Compton Bay, Blackgang, Niton, Ventnor, Shanklin (where I stopped for lunch), then Sandown, Bembridge, Ryde, East Cowes, Newport, Cowes, Gurnard and back to Yarmouth. I captured a few images during the day.
Once back onto the mainland, it was the quickest route home, through Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Salisbury – the extra hour of sunlight meaning I got home in daylight.
26th March
Up early-ish for ride down in great weather to Portland, to meet Fuzz.
Or aim for the day was to repeat our 2021c sighting of the Large Tortoiseshell, which had been seen a few days previously.
It wasn’t to be, but we had a decent day, and I shot a few images.
Afterwards, I headed to Burley in the New Forest for an overnighter before heading across to the Isle of Wight from Lymington the following morning.
19th – 20th March
An overnighter in Weymouth with Amanda, and being joined by Fuzz and Tonya – our last weekend of owning Globe Cottage after our decision to sell.
On the Sunday, Fuzz and I visited Church Ope Cove at Portland in search of an early Large Tortoiseshell, if any had survived. We didn’t have any luck, but we heard that two specimens had been seen there on the previous day.
18th – 19th March
A trip to Northamptonshire with Zac, staying at Weedon, close to the Whilton Mill Kar Circuit where Zac’s 2nd round of the Club100 series was hosted.
12th – 13th March
A ride from Fletching into London via Forest Row, East Grinstead, Croydon, Norbury, Streatham and Brixton to meet Amanda, and to catch Robben Ford and Bill Evans perform at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho.
The following day, a ride back west to home.
11th March
A wet ride through the South Downs to the unique Trading Boundaries venue, to see stunning guitarist Jan Akkerman perform with his band.
25th- 26th February
A visit to Chatham for Zac’s Club100 first round. A decent day for him.
18th – 20th February
A visit to Portland (experiencing Storm Eunice), then some planning for the year ahead with Fuzz, and a visit to the RSPB’s Radipole Reserve.
11th – 13th February
Another visit to Globe Cottage in Weymouth, continuing on with various writing projects.
4th – 6th February
A visit to Globe Cottage in Weymouth, working on various writings, taking in a visit to the RSPB’s Radipole Lake reserve.
30th January
A visit to Stockbridge to visit Kudos Coffee (great cheese toasties, tea and coffee) followed by a walk in the meadows behind the town.
28th – 29th January
Overnight at Chatham ahead of Zac’s first karting event of 2022 at Buckmore Park consisting of a test session and team event. Zac raced well, but the team’s result was hampered by black flags. I shot a few images of the action.
27th January
A visit to see Darren at Elevate to discuss the new website project. In principle, we agreed to proceed
21st – 23rd January
A visit to Worcester, for the purposes of writing (mostly website content).
14th – 16th January
A return trip to Plymouth, riding south west with sun in my eyes on the way down. The objective was website content writing and some other writing based work.
7 – 8th January
A train journey to London for an overnighter, to Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart perform at Ronnie Scott’s.
3rd January
A “blow the cobwebs” walk at the RSPB’s Ham Wall Reserve on the Somerset Levels near Glastonbury.
2nd January
A stint at Coffee One in Warminster, sketching out my plans for 2022.