David_B

A good Waterways Survey along the River Irwell in Ramsbottom last night. Plenty of Daubenton’s passes and loads of Common Pipistrelle activity. A concentration of Pips were illuminated by the lights from a factory over the river at one point, mesmerising to watch.

A couple of impressive critters recently on our allotment site in Hindley - the hulk of wood boring wasps Uroceras gigas and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth

There was! Mid to late 1980s

Many thanks for that, worked perfectly! No idea why the link didn’t arrive and was trawling through how to contact AEG

I didn’t do the add to safe sender thing which they recommend when signing up a few days ago, couldn’t find out how to do that

I do, not arrived yet - inbox or junk, will keep checking

Did AEG send out the pre-sale info yet? Haven’t received anything

Baltic-bound Common Scoter heard over home last night around 8:25pm, heading generally eastwards along the Tyldesley Banks at Mosley Common. A Common Pipistrelle was active, roving up and down the hedgerow.

I wonder whether the location at the foot of Snowdon has any significance? Just maybe in whatever weather system led it our way, the top of Snowdon could have been the only land visible, above the cloud level?

Manchester city centre skyline in the distance, from edge of the moors at Turton Heights, Egerton, below Cheetham Close stone circle

Mural of Mark E Smith of The Fall, on the side of Chips @ No.8, Prestwich, Greater Manchester

Mark E Smith mural Prestwich maps.app.goo.gl/DuAtE5fwqbVC...

A worthwhile trip last night to the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room for LYR. Mesmerising music & words as always from the talented trio of Simon Armitage, Richard Walters & Patrick Pearson. The driest Yorkshire banter between songs never fails to disappoint…
Support from the talented Vraell

Stunning and he looks to be enjoying it. Who knows what a dog actually sees when they gaze upon the Northern Lights? When I take ours on a hill walk I always wonder if they appreciate a good view 😁

The final tea of Pukka Herbs advent is here, Night Time, a blend of Oat flowering tops, Chamomile, Liquorice root, Lavender, Limeflower, Tulsi & Valerian root. A great run of top class brews, look forward to many more in 2025. All the best for Christmas, from Neil and the final tea, atop the tree 🫖🎄

Day 23 of the Pukka Herbs tea trail involved a welcome return by the tea from 1st December, a Winter Warmer, with a wonderful aroma and taste.

Day 22 of Pukka Herbs teas, with a Clean Matcha Green today..a great drink for a break in doing bits in the garden, between rain on what was an incredibly windy day..good to be outside and with a few layers on it was time well spent

Pukka Herbs teas day 21, Winter Solstice. Indoors on this dark evening, listening to the wind & rain outside. Chilling with a ‘Relax’ blend of sweet fennel seed, chamomile, oat flower tops, liquorice root, cardamom pod, ginger root & marshmallow root. Tasted awesome and Neil took the name to heart

Days 18-20 of Pukka Herbs advent - a blur of work - tying up loose ends/inspecting trees and other vegetation on winter mornings; Christmas meet-ups with folk while trying to avoid niggling cold symptoms. The teas helping with this were Three Fennel, Elderberry & Echinacea + Wild Apple & Cinnamon

Day 17 on the advent trail through Pukka teas. A stalwart of brews today in an Earl Grey, Pukka’s blend being spot-on. Drank from the naff old porcelain mug that lives in my office locker

Day 16 of the Pukka teas advent produced Radiance - a blend of nettle, peppermint and aloe vera leaves, sweet fennel seeds and roots of liquorice and dandelion. The minty smoothness went perfectly with the pre-sunset glow of an otherwise grey, muted winter afternoon

Throwback to Saturday, when I caught up with both Pukka teas 13 & 14. I had the fantastic Liquorice & Cinnamon, while I made the Love blend (rose, chamomile & lavender) for Tracey ❤️

Pukka Herbs lemongrass and ginger tea

The Chameleons in concert at Albert Hall, Manchester

The Membranes in concert at Albert Hall, Manchester

A day spent mostly chilling at home, after watching an awesome gig by The Chameleons last night, supported magnificentlyby the Membranes & Vision Video. Next up on Pukka Herbs advent of teas was a Lemongrass & Ginger, which matched the sunset in warmth and beauty. Paul McCartney this evening!

Pukka Herbs day 12 and a Three Chamomile. Blended from African, Egyptian & European Chamomile flowers, the taste was gorgeous. Neil didn’t appear to be impressed, but once it had cooled down and I saved him a bit he agreed 😊

Pukka Herbs advent number 11 was an English Breakfast tea. Made in the darkness of a December morning and taken out for a site meeting, it was definitely welcome

Day 10 of Pukka Herbs….the winter curse of an annoying scratchy throat, but a Morning Berry comes to the rescue 👊🏼

Day 9, Monday out of the way….next in line from Pukka was an Aniseed & Liquorice. Just the thing on a winter evening

Sunday was Day 8 of Pukka Herbs tea and produced a gem in the form of a Three Ginger. Hit the spot post-Saturday/pre-Monday ✊🫖

A hectic Friday at work then out to watch The Damned, so a rollover and today’s a double Pukka tea day during Storm Darragh 🫖🫖💨☔️ starting with a smooth Supreme Matcha Green

Day 5 of the Pukka tea advent involved a Turmeric Active blend, which I took on the road with me. It has to be said, it was rather wonderful

The Birmingham show was my first Cure gig 🖤