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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.

Feeling “a bit cranky” with the second lockdown, I took a ride down to Weymouth to stay at Globe Cottage. I enjoyed the ride down, took my time, but didn’t know what to do when I got there! I got a takeaway (all that was open), had a bath and then discovered that there was… Continue reading 6th – 7th November

A trip down to Essex, staying at Harlow. Zac was racing in the Club 100 karting series at Rye House, near Hoddesdon.

A ride (in the wet) across to Alton, get the sat nav looked at, and also one of the pannier locks. A lunch stop in Stockbridge afterwards.

A weekend of doing nothing much in Portsmouth (well, Southsea actually). The plan was to “not have to do anything, be anywhere” – that kind of thing. A chill out break. We were supposed to be in Bali/Wakatobi, but Covid saw to that. En route home we went to Hayling Island, then up into the… Continue reading 23rd – 25th October

A visit to Globe Cottage in Weymouth by motorcycle. Nice to have a longer ride, and also a change of scene in the Covid-restricted times. Used the time to do a bit of thinking, planning and sorting. Rode home via the Giant’s Head, above Cerne Abbas.

Our new 2021 Diving Dreams Calendars arrive. They look good, we think!

Catching up on various admin, writing the “Diving Dreams Calendars” press releases, motorcycling notes and website news.

Catching up on various admin, motorcycle notes and website news.

A visit with Amanda to Weston Super Mare, stopping at Cheddar en-route. We went for a walk, had lunch and planned for some photography but the torrential rain meant the camera stayed safely in the waterproof rucksack.

A visit to Darren at Impact Design – collected some items related to the new 2021 Diving Dreams Calendar.

Approved the print ready proof of the new 2021 Diving Dreams Calendar from Gavin at Doveton Press.

The new 2021 Diving Dreams Calendar is approved and sent to print by Darren at Impact Design.

A stay in the historic town of Rye (on the edge of Romney Marsh), with a visit to the Lydd karting circuit for Zac’s Club 100 racing. A good day, and a chance of a few pictures.

Great weather and a chance to have a walk up Battlesbury Hill – a few butterflies on the wing, but not many. The highlight was two Small Coppers – should have brought the camera.

A visit to the Landford Bog Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve, and then a drive through the New Forest to Fordingbridge.

Various “lockdown potterings” on the R1200 GS Adventure. Hit 21,000 miles late in the month – that’s 7,000 a year, so happy with that.

A visit to Wareham Forest. A few Grayling on the wing, and spotted a couple of lizards.

A stay in Harlow (Essex) and a kart race for Zac at the Rye House circuit. A good event for Zac, and a few photographs shot.

A website content writing retreat, to a tucked away place in North Dorset called Woolland, staying in a self catering unit at Ellwood Cottages – basically, a converted set of former farm outbuildings – perfect for what I needed to do. I travelled there on the R1200 GS. On the Saturday evening, I took a… Continue reading 20th – 23rd August

Various “potterings” on the R1200GS including visits to the gym, making some plans going forwards and a ride out to Alton and back to fix a lock buckle on a pannier – returned home via Winchester, Romsey and Salisbury.

A ride down to Weymouth to meet Fuzz, including the A350 from Shaftesbury to Blandford. From Weymouth, we headed over to Portland to visit the Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Conservation Reserve and later, a ride up to Sturminster Newton before an afternoon visit to the Alner’s Gorse Butterfly Conservation Reserve. We “might” have seen the Brown… Continue reading 9th August

A trip with Zac up to Chatham in Kent, for his Club100 kart race at Buckmore Park. A chance to shoot a few “action shots”.

A ride to Shaftesbury to meet Fuzz, then a visit to nearby Fontmell Down to seek out Dorset’s only population of Silver Spotted Skipper. After much searching, we found a single newly emerged specimen. I captured some images.

An impromptu walk to Salisbury from home along the Wylye Valley “back roads”. It was more than 20 miles, and I was very aware of that fact for 2 or 3 days afterwards.

A ride up to Alton on the R1200GS for a service and first MOT (3 Years already!). Went up via Stockbridge, and returned via the Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve, Petersfield and onto the A272 for a stop at Loomies Moto Café, then Winchester, Andover and a detour via Fyfield, Perham Down, Tidworth and Larkhill… Continue reading 31st July

A rainy visit to the Clay Pigeon Kart Track for Zac to race in the Club100 Kartying Series. Shot a few images of him competing.

Various “potterings” on the R1200 GS Adventure in the local area, bits and bobs of website work and insect rearing.

Our first overnighter away since lockdown, staying at Banbury. The reason was Zac racing at Shenington in Club100 Karting the following day. A chance for some photos.

A great visit on the motorcycles with Fuzzy to the West Wood and Pitt Down sections of the Farley Mount Country Park complex. Our aim was to see a Purple Emperor (ideally several), and we weren’t the only ones trying. It proved to be an excellent place to visit and we saw pretty much everything… Continue reading 10th July

An impromptu evening ride-out on the R1200GS – Warminster, Corsley, East Woodlands, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe, Wells (had a ride around the centre), Glastonbury, Street, Somerton, Castle Cary, Bruton, Zeals, Mere and back to Warminster over Mere Down.

Going out for breakfast together and then a coffee afterwards shouldn’t be news, but post lockdown, it is “news”.

A visit to Rye House (near Harlow in Essex), for Zac to have a Club100 test day/practice day. He drove well and I took of images of him in action.

A successful visit to Picket & Clanger Wood, and nearby Green Lane Wood on the motorcycles with Fuzzy. A successful day with plenty of White Admiral sightings, Silver Washed Fritillary and some Purple Hairstreaks among the highlights. We later went to Battlesbury Hill, seeing a few Dark Green Fritillary and abundant Marbled Whites.

More “mixed bags” of activity – actually writing this in Warminster’s Coffee One – the first time since lockdown. More bits of website content, zipping around locally on the R1200 GS Adventure, continuing to rear the Comma and Eyed Hawkmoth larvae, a bit of moth trapping and a trip to Picket & Clanger Wood and… Continue reading 22nd June – 4th July

A first visit to Clanger & Picket Wood, between Westbury and Trowbridge. I must have driven past it a thousand or more times.