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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.

Various activities – commuting locally on the R1200GS Adventure, ordered some more “livestock” to rear for the “semi-lockdown” phase – Comma, Eyed Hawkmoth, Privet Hawkmoth and Death’s Head Hawkmoth. A successful bit of moth trapping with two consecutive nights with a Privet Moth specimen, and the last of the previous batch of Comma was set… Continue reading 15th – 21st June

In “semi-lockdown” now. Various “bits and pieces” of moth trapping, pottering around locally on the R1200 GS Adventure, adding items of content for the website and so on.

Another motorcycle trip down the “303” to Devon, again to Honiton to collect Fuzzy. From there, a visit to Ashclyst Forest and Haldon Forest Park – a pleasant day, but none of the target species of butterfly were seen (White Admiral & Purple Hairstreak). We at least had “staked out” these areas for future visits.

A few small-scale meanderings on the R1200 GS Adventure. At home, some butterfly releasing and moth trapping.

A trip on the bike to Honiton (to collect Fuzzy). From there, we both rode to the southern flank of Dartmoor, to the High Brown Fritillary hotspot of Aish Tor. Great sightings of this species (perhaps 30 or 40 specimens) and a chance to see them up close. A “bucket list” species for me and… Continue reading 31st May

A tangle of more bits & pieces; reading, website content, moth trapping and releasing the caged reared Small Tortoiseshells. The Peacocks and Commas are not far behind. Also, a bit of “pottering about” on the bike, mostly into the business, but sometimes with convoluted routes home in the local area including a few “memory lane”… Continue reading 26th – 30th May

More “mixed bags” of lockdown activities. A “survey walks” at Battlesbury Hill and also Middle Hill resulting in more submission of data to Butterfly Conservation. Carried on rearing Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma and began releasing the Small Tortoiseshells as they hatched. More work on image sorting and website content. Also, a bit of riding… Continue reading 17th – 25th May

A mixed bag of “lockdown” activities. Some “survey walks” at Battlesbury Hill and also Middle Hill, where I discovered an (unknown to me) colony of Marsh Fritillary, the results of which I submitted to Butterfly Conservation. Still in terms of “walks”, I’ve continued to discover new areas to visit in the immediate vicinity of home.… Continue reading 1st – 17th May

A quick “survey walk” at Battlesbury Hill, a few Duke of Burgundy on the wing, plus Marsh Fritillary. I then submitted sightings to Butterfly Conservation.

Ordered 10 Comma larvae from Worldwide Butterflies, to rear until adults alongside the Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks. The aim is to release them to compliment local populations.

Peacock larvae arrived from Worldwide Butterflies, now settled on potted nettle.

Working on and completing the Cuba feature for Scuba Diver Magazine.

The “lockdown” continues, but finding things to do. Started assisting Butterfly Conservation with some recording/surveying on Battlesbury Hill – especially the Duke of Burgundy Fritillaries which first emerged around the 20th April – been shooting images of them also. The Marsh Fritillary have also emerged very early. Small Tortoiseshell “livestock” arrived from Worldwide Butterflies, so… Continue reading 17th – 26th April

More “lockdown”. Continued work sorting the terrible mess of the “image pc” – getting there slowly, and also progress on website content including a couple of new ideas. Plenty of walking around the local environs, especially to Battlesbury Hill where I was able to photograph freshly emerged Green Hairstreak and Grizzled Skipper. Hopefully Butterfly Conservation… Continue reading 13h – 17th April

Working speculatively on a Cuba “Gardens of the Queens” feature for Scuba Diver magazine.