Return to Bempton

Last week Jo and I finished work at lunchtime and decided to drive to Bempton Cliffs on the East Coast.  Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB reserve and has miles of footpaths along the cliff tops which is a reserve for all sorts of seabirds but most commonly Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Gannets and for three months of the year, Puffins.  As the Puffins were due to leave Bempton late July we decided to take the trip as one last chance to spot them before they departed.

However, Bempton isn't all about the Puffins, it's also a fantastic place to get the sea air, let the wind blow over from the sea and stroll along the cliff top enjoying the sea views..

Bempton Cliffs...a wonderful place 

Enjoying some late afternoon sun at Bempton

The reason for our visit..the Puffins..

Two of them in this shot.  There were hundreds on the surface of the sea but
also lots of them still on the cliffs.

"Should I stay or should I go.."

Bempton has a wide variety of birdlife..here two Herring gulls take a nap

and here a Kestrel hovers over the cliffs looking for a meal ..photo taken by Jo
We watched as first two then three Kestrels playfully attacked each other, rolling and soaring in the sky over Bempton

A typical Bempton view, Gannets on the cliffs whilst more soar and sweep over head
The wide expansive East coast beaches stretch in the far view

A Gannet soaring over the cliffs..

A Gannet on the nest still..keeping an eye on me as the wind gently ruffles it's feathers
and the sea rolls gently in the background

Gannet inbound!

Another Gannet looking for it's spot on the cliffside

Your author working at getting the shots!

Bempton atop the cliffs...looking towards Flamborough

A Gannet 'Big Wing' inbound

Another Gannet 'wing' with the expansive North sea behind them...

Carefully looking for the right nest..

Going for speed...

The Bempton cornfields, home to Corn Buntings and Skylarks..the weather is just changing..

Jo, at one of the many brilliant viewing platforms looking for that perfect shot
but just enjoying the view too..

The Gannet stack...no inch given or taken..

A typical Bempton view, the cliffs, soaring sea birds and the old WW2 Bempton Radar station in the background

Jo, enjoyng Bempton

Time to leave, for us and the last remaining Puffins..

Just looking for that last shot...

Bempton Cliffs, a truly remarkable place

Not at bempton this but at St Ives estate Bingley.
A bird I'd not captured before.  It's late dusk and the light is bad but I managed to capture this Jay

Erika's Paaaarty

On Saturday I went back to my old haunt of Rugby to see my friends at Erika's birthday party.  We all had a 'great do' and for once this summer the weather was kind allowing us to enjoy a traditional british afternoon in the garden...

Our host's , Steve and Erika

Relaxing in the garden..

Erika, making her birthday wish....hope it comes true Erika!

There's a song about 'Lazy summer afternoons'...it was written for days like these

Steve getting a bit giddy..."look at me look at me I can do a funny dance.."

"Well if you're not going to watch I'm off!"

Ed and Jo finding something high amusing...was it Steve's dance I wonder lol?

Young Alex..proving he can count to ten..

Late evening and time to get the fire going...

Arrived home at midnight, a couple of hours sleep and then off to Leyburn!

Leyburn 1940's Weekend

Click Me

This Sunday Jo, Ollie, Ben and myself took ourselves off up to Leyburn in North Yorkshire to attend the 1940's weekend.  We had all decided to get involved and dress up to enjoy it a bit more.  The whole village, shops, pubs and Restaurants all joined in and it had that authentic 1940's feel to it.  The shop windows even had tape on them to stop bomb blast!

There were hundreds of people in period costumes with live singers singing the 40's wartime classics, dancing in the streets, a parade and wreath laying event at the village war memorial.  There were many military vehicles on show and to cap it all the sun shone!

Before we set off it was decided Ollie and Ben would be London evacuees and dressed accordingly but as soon as we got to Leyburn they wangled a gun a piece out of us as only kids can "Dad, can i have that gun, I really really like it!" etc etc! and they transformed into French Resistence Fighters!

First point of call was popping into 'Rene's Cafe' on the corner of the square.  It was done up to look like the cafe from 'Allo Allo'.  When we went in we were greeted by the cafe owner who had done himself up to look like Rene complete with big bushy moustache and the waitresses had red and white stripey tops on - very Ohh la la!  I walked in and did my Red Butler impression from the film the Longest Day "Bonjour, Je sues American", and Rene replied with "Ah come on in Monsieur, and I see you have the French Resistance with you..quick..follow me to the back room before you are spotted" playing his part to the full!  We were off course led to the back dining room where we had a round of Coffee, Coke, Bacon sandwiches and a Croque Monsieur, and very nice it was too!

After that, Ben and ollie took up position at the road junction after I had given them orders to patrol it and they took great pleasure in shooting every German car (BMW's, Golfs, Mercedes) that happen to pass them by, much to the bemusement of some of the occupants lol.  They really did'bt take any prisoners.

Anyway - here's a few shots from the day..

Two London schoolchildren evacuees being driven to the relatively safety
of a peaceful and tranquil Leyburn...

Said children transformed into French Resistance!
I love the mean and moody looks lol  ollie looks like he could play
a leading part in Bugsy Malone!!

"Ollie...put gun down son.."

"Ben, if I can't shoot you, let's box!"

This Yank found himself a Limey floozie..
they'll do anything for some silks!

Taking it easy from defending the town..Ollie enjoying a coke (Dad, a Beer!)

"I like your hat Dad"

Rest over and Ollies decided to join the RAF!
"Smoke me a Kipper I'll be back for breakfast!"

"Follow me chaps, make Angels 1-5, bandits at 11 O'clock, ...chocs away!

"Now if i turn this left ..i can't see the ground anymore ..hmmm"

dadadadadadadadadada!
note the vintage cars in the background

My Limey floozie..

A Mexican stand off with the French Resistance..

Ollie protecting the entry to the village

The 'boys' manning the road block at the crossroads
those BMW's stood no chance!

On the steam train and my Floozie has a guard of honour!

"How am I doing Dad?"  Just fine son, just fine.

And a fine day was had by all....