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 A weekend at Globe Cottage in Weymouth, working on website content, and writing. Glad of the new tyres on the R1200 GS

A night in Bristol’s 02 venue, to catch quirky indie legends The Wedding Present. A good night.

 A ride along the A272, to stay overnight at Maresfield. Originally, I was supposed to be seeing guitarist Jan Akkerman perform with his band at the Trading Boundaries venue at Fletchling, but it was postponed again, this time due to a Covid outbreak amongst the band. It was a pleasant ride up and back nonetheless,… Continue reading 20th – 21st November

A ride up to Bahnstormer at Alton, for desperately needed new tyres.

Attending the Cheese & Grain at Frome to see Fish (former singer/writer) for the prog rock band Marillion (now a long established solo artist).

Our new “Diving Dreams” and “The Butterfly Effect” Calendars arrive from Doveton press. They look good, I think.

A visit to London for a performance from guitarist Ralph Towner at Pizza Express Jazz Club as part of the London Jazz Festival. Very glad to have caught this show.

An overnight stay in Southampton.

An overnighter in Sittingbourne (Kent) ahead of Zac’s final Club100 round of the season at the Bayford Meadows circuit. A decent day “at the office” for Zac.

A day of writing, choosing to sit in Coffee One in Shaftesbury to get things done. In the evening, a visit to the Wiltshire Music Centre at Bradford-on-Avon to see Afro/dub/electronica group Fofoulah.

A day of “admin” and planning for the end of the year and into 2023.

An overnight stay at Rye, ahead of our son Zac’s Club100 Kart race at Lydd.

An overnighter on the R1200 GSA in London, to see Linda Oh’s band perform at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

Working on writings and website content.

A ride down to Plymouth (saying in a nice apartment by the Barbican) for few days of writing and planning. Although I was productive, more time would have been good!

Signed off the proofs for our new 2022 Diving Dreams and Butterfly Effect Calendars

A visit to Bournemouth and Sandbanks, before heading to adjoining Boscombe for the Manic Street Preachers – good gig, good sound.

The circuitous ride home from Weedon that took me via Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Stamford (stopped for a break), Peterborough, Oundle, Corby, Fermyn Woods (where I briefly stopped), Wellingborough, Olney, Milton Keynes, bypassed Buckingham, Bicester and Oxford, then Wantage (final stop of the day), Burbage, Pewsey, Upavon, Larkhill and Tilshead – a pleasant day in the… Continue reading 9th October

 A ride up to Weedon, near Northampton – Zac was originally supposed to be racing at the nearby Whilton Mill circuit, but it wasn’t to be. I couldn’t get out of the motel booking, so decided to ride up and make a day and a half’s riding out of it. The ride up took me… Continue reading 8th October

 A night out in Frome’s Cheese & Grain venue to catch the “punk poet” Dr. John Cooper Clarke.

Working on our new 2022 Diving Dreams Calendar, and our new 2022 The Butterfly Effect Calendar. Later, we went to Bath, to see the iconic Patti Smith perform.

At Ronnie Scott’s again, this time to catch Soweto Kinch.

An overnighter in London to catch Rick Simpsons jazz interpretations of Radiohead’s “Kid A” album, and Jamie Murray’s Beat Replacement at Ronnie Scotts.

A visit to Studland for a swim in the sea, after which we headed to Swanage and then Wareham in search of an early tea.

A visit to South Wales, to the Llandow Kart Circuit for Zac’s Club 100 series. A chance for a few action shots.

Checking the next working proof of our 2022 Diving Dreams Calendar

Working on writing the captions for our “Diving Dreams” and “The Butterfly Effect” 2022 Calendars

A visit to Bournemouth and Sandbanks, to scout out a beach hut to hire for the winter, and to have a swim in the sea.

 An overnight stay in Sittingbourne in Kent with Zac, ahead of his Club 100 Kart event at the nearby Bayford Meadows circuit. A decent day’s racing, and a chance for a few photos.

A visit to the Cheese & Grain in Frome to see Beth Orton perform, at times with her husband Sam Amidon. An enjoyable and quirky gig.

An overnight London visit to see the excellent Shez Raja perform with (excellent) his band at Ronnie Scott’s. The following morning we visited Ocean Leisure on the Embankment to buy some “open/cold water swimming” items. In the afternoon, starting to write the captions for our new Calenders (Diving Dreams 2022 and The Butterfly Effect 2022).

A last minute visit to the Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival to see the Chris Corcoran Band and Get The Blessing at the Lakota Gardens venue.

From Brighton, we travelled up to the Knepp Wildlands, meeting Fuzz and Tonya. Sadly, the weather remained overcast and cool for our visit, but we saw some of the White Stork, as well as a (possible) few Brown Hairstreak.

A stay in a lively Brighton with Amanda, to have a bit of time together and make a few plans. Bank Holiday/Amanda/Brighton/Knepp

A solo visit on the R1200GS to the Alners Gorse butterfly reserve in Dorset in search of the Brown Hairstreak (Fuzz wasn’t able to come). I was pleased to get a positive ID on as many as 4 specimens atop an “assembly tree”. Later, I found a male specimen nectaring on bramble blossom. I managed… Continue reading 22nd August

Decided on creating an inaugural UK butterflies calendar (which I called “The Butterfly Effect”) featuring images taken during 2020 and 2021. In addition, another “Diving Dreams” calendar as well. Met with Darren at Impact in Frome to hand over the images and requests.

Working on the next “Diving Dreams” Calendar, and considering a 2022 UK Butterflies Calendar after the pleasing photographic captures of this summer and last summer.

A few days away “up North” on the R1200GS. On the 11th, I travelled up to Birmingham (near Walsall), detouring through the Cotswolds, taking in Stroud, Tewkesbury, Pershore, then Redditch before jumping on the motorway to reach my accommodation at Walsall, just off the M6. On the Thursday, it was a convoluted ride up to… Continue reading 11th – 15th August

A visit to London with Amanda, visiting the Borough Market area of London’s Southbank, and taking in an afternoon performance of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” with live band and acrobats.

A ride down to Devon, to meet Fuzz for a trip to the Bystock Ponds (and neighbouring heath) Nature Reserve near Exmouth. The aim was for me to catch the Silver Studded Blue (very late in the flight season), and Grayling. Though the weather was “iffy”, we managed both species, as well as Small Copper,… Continue reading 1st August

A trip to the Suffolk Ellough Park kart circuit near Lowestoft, for Zac’s Club 100 Series – we stayed a Lowestoft the evening before the race. I fired off a few pictures of the racing action. A mixed day’s results.

A morning ride to Bahnstormer near Alton for an MOT and service on the R1200GS. Stopped at Kudos Coffee in Stockbridge on the way back for lunch and “admin” on the laptop.

A visit with Fuzz on the motorcycles to Bentley Wood in search of the Purple Emperor, with most time spent around Donkey Copse area. Our mission was successful with several Emperors seen, though none on the ground (it was possibly we were nearing the end of the “grounding” part of the flight season), and photography… Continue reading 23rd July

A nice return to attending events, at the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. Though I took the camera, I ended up taking no pictures whatsoever – just enjoyed the event.

A visit to Bentley Wood with Amanda, hoping for a Purple Emperor, but it was too overcast and cool. Others had the same idea, including a Butterfly Conservation (Wiltshire) group that we met.

A visit to the Rye House Karting Circuit for Zac’s Club100 Series – a decent day and a chance for a few images.

A return (day) visit to Knepp, saw perhaps 8-10 Purple Emperor, but all were high up in the trees. I captured a few photos. A good, but tiring day – hot, humid and wet underfoot.

A visit to the astonishing Knepp Estate “Wildlands” in Sussex with Fuzz, in search of the Purple Emperor, and other wildlife. We rode to Knepp along the A272, stopping at Midhurst on the way up, and Petersfield on the return journey. The weather wasn’t great by any stretch, but we sighted the very first Purple… Continue reading 2nd – 4th July

A visit to Bentley Wood and the Farley Mount Country Park (Pitt Down and West Wood areas) in search of early Purple Emperor emergences, from which we came back empty handed. Our planned visit to the Knepp Wildland next weekend may be more productive, we hoped. A decent day nonetheless.

A visit to London by train for a show at Ronnie Scott’s to see Elina Duni & Rob Luft perform their “Lost Ships” – a very interesting gig, very original and skilled. The following day, we visited the Southbank Centre to see Matthew Barney’s “Redoubt” film and related art pieces. Also shared with this exhibition… Continue reading June 22nd – 23rd

A visit to Buckmore Park (near Chatham in Kent) for the next round of Zac’s Club100 Kart series. It’s difficult to concentrate on photography when your son’s racing – basically, I fired off a few images

Another visit to Ronnie Scott’s in London on the R1200GS to catch Binker Golding with his band. Enjoyed the show.

 An afternoon visit to Collard Hill for another attempt at finding the Large Blues with Fuzz. Having asked a couple of fellow visitors (who’d seen very little – one possible Large Blue sighting perhaps?), we had time to re-locate and visit the Green Down reserve, a few miles away. This proved to be a good… Continue reading 14th June

 After returning back home from Lydd, I had to get on the R1200 GS and ride all the way to Stalham in the Norfolk Broads to meet Fuzz. Our challenge for the following day was to see and photograph the British sub-species of the Swallowtail. We decided to visit Hickling Broad, run by the Norfolk… Continue reading 12th – 13th June

An overnight stay in Rye ahead of Zac’s Club100 Kart race the following day. A good evening followed by a decent raceday. No photographs, as the camera was packed ready for my next trip with Fuzz, up to the Norfolk Broads.

A visit to Glastonbury for breakfast, followed by a visit to the Collard Hill nature reserve just outside nearby Street with Fuzz for a Large Blue search. The weather was overcast but still and warm. We sighted some “blues” but they were Coon Blues rather than Large Blues. The late spring had perhaps delayed their… Continue reading 6th June

A walk up to nearby Battlesbury Hill, with the idea of photographing Marsh Fritillary whilst they’re still around. Judging by what I found, the peak of the season had passed, with a few specimens looking worn, whilst some individuals were still fairly pristine. I managed to capture good images of a Marsh Fritillary mating, so… Continue reading 5th June

Another visit to Lydford Old Railway Butterfly Conservation Reserve, to try for more images of the Heath Fritillary and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, as I’d not captured many that I was pleased with a few days previous. I set off early, at 7.30am and rode straight to Lydford, getting in before any of the National… Continue reading 4th June

A welcome return to live music following all the lockdown stuff, with a visit to Ronnie Scott’s in London, to see (and hear) Tim Garland lead an excellent band playing the music of (and music influenced by) the recently passed jazz great Chick Corea. Good to do this again, I thought. Stopped off at Stockbridge… Continue reading 2nd – 3rd June

A visit to Devon, meeting up with Fuzz to visit the Butterfly Conservation reserve at Lydford (Old Railway) – we saw and attempted to photograph the Heath Fritillary and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary. A good visit, but frustrating for photography. Later, we would ride to Southampton for an overnight stay prior to travelling across to… Continue reading 30th – 31st May

Fuzz paid a visit from Devon to visit Battlesbury Hill – we saw and photographed a number of butterfly species including Duke of Burgundy Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper.

Summer still hasn’t arrived. A weekend of sorting this and that, including the beginnings of a feature about motorcycling on Salisbury Plain.

A visit to Northamptonshire, to the Whilton Mill Kart Circuit for Zac’s second Club 100 race of the season. An “OK day” in wet conditions. Fired off a few images, but was too engrossed in watching to concentrate on any photography.

A quick check for Marsh Fritillary on Battlesbury Hill, but still no early sightings. The Duke of Burgundy were out again, in the usual little sheltered sun spot.

Fuzz paid us a visit this time; with the aim of Duke of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillaries encounters at Battlesbury Hill. We had great Duke encounters including the chance to witness and photograph a mating (some really nice images captured). Despite the success of the Dukes, no Marsh Fritillary emergences as yet.

A “post-lockdown” visit to the Kent coast with Amanda, basing ourselves at Ramsgate. Whilst there, we took a trip to nearby Broadstairs, Margate, Herne Bay and Whitstable. I took a camera, but barely used it.

Pt.2 of our search for Wood Whites proved successful at Branscombe – within ten minutes of searching we found our first specimen, and then later on one of the coast path sections, we enjoyed a prolonged encounter which included a “near-mating” – I captured some nice images. Other sightings included more Peregrine falcons, plus Holly… Continue reading 25th April

A (frustrating) visit to the Clay Pigeon Kart Circuit for Zac’s start to the Club100 season – he ended up being taken out on the very last lap of the first race much to his annoyance and anger. Nonetheless, a chance for a few photos.

Another ride to Honiton to pick up Fuzz, prior to a visit to Axmouth and the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliff NNR in search of the Wood White (we’d had news of an early emergence).

A ride down to Fuzzy’s at Payhembury near Honiton, from where we decided to try Aish Tor for the first Pearl Bordered Fritillaries. Our choice was the right one, and we watched several freshly emerged specimens on the warm microclimates of the bracken slope. I managed to capture some images

Assisting scientist Dr.Sue Clarke (contracted to Butterfly Conservation Wiltshire) with survey work of the (local to me) Marsh Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy Fritillary populations.

The release from lockdown – feeling the world expand a bit.

Digging up and potting some nettles, ready for the delivery of Spring “livestock” of Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma larvae for rearing. After the Large Tortoiseshell sightings at Portland, I also ordered some of those to release and to help what seems to be a recolonisation of the southern counties. Other livestock expected are Garden… Continue reading 9th April

An image of a Duke of Burgundy Fritillary taken by Jeremy at Battlesbury Hill is used on the inside cover of Wiltshire Butterfly Conservation’s 2020 Report.

 Shooting some biking images on Salisbury Plain with Amanda, followed by some solo explorations of the Plain, taking in the north side from Upton Scudamore to the Westbury White Horse, then to Bratton, Imber, Market Lavington, Easterton (on Easter Sunday), Urchfont and up Redburn Hill. Whether it was permitted or not, I wasn’t sure, but… Continue reading 4th April

A trip to the Bayford Meadows kart circuit at Sittingbourne in Kent with our son Zac who was competing in a Club100 team event and season warm-up. A chance to shoot a few images of the action.

 Another ride to Portland in search of the Large Tortoiseshell. This time the weather was more favourable and we got an excellent sighting at Church Ope Cove, as well as other species such as Comma, Peacock, Large White, Wall Lizard and Blackcap. A very good day.

A ride to Portland to meet with my old mate (and fellow enthusiast of the natural world) Fuzzy. The aim of the day was to find the Large Tortoiseshell, a species that appears to be re-establishing itself in the UK. Portland has had sightings over recent years, especially centred around the Church Ope Cove area.… Continue reading 31st March

Working sporadically on content for this website, and looking forward to the partial ending of some lockdown restrictions next month (all being well

A visit to Globe Cottage in Weymouth on the R1200 GS to check on work that had been carried out, and also a chance to catch up on some website content. It was windy and gusty in both directions, including hail as I headed through Longbridge Deverill just outside Warminster.

When possible, I’ll be submitting (Wiltshire) butterfly sightings to the Wiltshire branch of Buttefly Conservation

Various “lockdown potterings” around home and locally on the R1200 GS. Nothing standout to report, but enjoying the first sensations of Spring – it’s started.

 Various jobs, and also work on a potential feature for one of the Motorcycling magazines on Salisbury Plain, and a “mission” of re-wilding and regeneration in the local area to Warminster.

Ordered some Painted Lady larvae to rear in the spring, as part of some local butterfly and moth releases that I plan to do.

Not much going on due to the ongoing lockdown, but a couple of walks on the edge of Salisbury Plain, and ongoing bits of organising. Had my first proper look at my new Nikon R1C1 Close Up photography flash set up.

Various bits of organising, sorting, tidying, reading, writing and planning at home.

Assembling a couple of extra “pyjama cages” supplied by Worldwide Butterflies. As foreign travel is unlikely due to the ongoing Covid situation, I’m planning on rearing some butterflies and moths – Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Privet Hawkmoth, Deaths Head Hawkmoth, Broad Bordered Bee Hawkmoth, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and Eyed Hawkmoth. I might try a few other… Continue reading 13th January

A cold weekends ride to Weymouth, to sort out a few things at Globe Cottage.

A ride out on the Imber Ranges, with Amanda following in the car. I felt rather phoney, somewhat like a model, as I carried out various “ride-pasts” as she took photos. The reason for all this was my idea of creating a feature for a motorcycle magazine about this (normally restricted) area

Generally trying to plan and think about 2021, and build in some positivity to whatever aspects of life I could think of.

A ride down to Devon to see my old mate Fuzzy (Simon). The route took me via the Somerset Levels to Taunton, then past the Quantocks towards Minehead, but turning due south west at Dunster to skirt along Exmoor to Tiverton, then the edge of Exeter, back up to Cullompton and across to Payhembury. We… Continue reading 19th December

Outdoors again, but this time local to the house. Our walk included the area beneath Battlesbury Hill (where we sighted the first Greenfinch I’ve seen in the area for several years) and the Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve.

A morning visit to the Bolderwood and Blashford Lakes areas of the New Forest armed with binoculars, on a quest for the elusive and rare Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. No luck, but other avian sightings included Goldcrest, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Long Tailed Tit.

A day out to Devizes, then Avebury for a walk around the stone circles, then Marlborough and home.

A decent “circular ride” starting out via Westbury to Erlestoke, Market Lavington, Urchfont, Upavon, Ludgershall, Andover, Whitchurch, Overton, Basingstoke and Alton. After a short stop, on to Selborne, Petersfield, South Harting, Emsworth, Southsea, Portsmouth, Portchester, Gosport, Stokes Bay, Lee On Solent, Hill Head, Titchwell, Warsash, Lower Swanswick, Hamble, Netley, Woolston, Southampton, Romsey, Salisbury. Filled in… Continue reading 21st November

A ride around the southern and eastern fringes of Salisbury Plain, through Tilshead, Larkhill, Cholderton, Shipton Bellinger, Tidworth and up to Marlborough. After a tea stop, a ride back via Avebury, Devizes and Trowbridge.

A visit to Bahnstormer at Alton to get the pannier fixed in heavy rain and gusting winds. The outward route was by the quickest way possible, to get there on time. The return journey took in Winchester and Stockbridge.

A day off. Not sure if we were allowed to do it (lockdown rules unclear), but we had a (socially distanced) visit to Sandbanks for a walk along the sea front. It was a nice sunny day, unlike many days during the period of time.

Catching up on some “admin type” tasks, including updating my motorcycle travel notes, and also putting a few things (in pencil) into my new 2021 diary.