Gheluvelt Park Cygnet Update: Sunday, 29th September, 2018.

Just a fairly short walk this afternoon along the river 

and back to the park to feed the ducks…….

……and to see if the cygnet's parents are here 

as we haven't seen them since Tuesday.

It would seem that the parents have had enough of parenting 

unless they come back to the park every evening to check up on their offspring.

It's all a bit strange as all the swans on the river still have their cygnets with them.

If we were experts, we'd have all the answers.

VSCC Hill Climb, Prescott, Glos.: Saturday, 29th September, 2018.

It's 11-ish and guess where this olde-fella has just been.

Fun-guys lurking in plain sight.

Always good to start with a wander around the paddock 

as competitors queue up for their practice runs.

He's a lovely mover.

Olde-fella unsuccessfully tries to dodge out of Vicky's way.

Vicky, an old car, and glorious Gloucestershire.

Obedient drivers and she who must be obeyed.

We need a cuppa tea now, and some lunch, so we head for the restaurant.

Lunch is over and then the Timed Runs are about to start at 1:00pm.

Sarah Foster lines up her 1934 747cc Austin 7 Nippy………

…..and then nips past on her way to Orchard Corner.

Vicky is armed and dangerous and on her way to Ettore's Bend.

Peter Johnson and his 1933 1496cc Frazer Nash Colmore 

is also heading for Ettore's Bend, but at a slightly faster rate.

Photo of an olde-fella taking a photo………

……..of Graham Beckett in his 747cc Austin 7 Simplicity

braking for Ettore's Bend.

We've now walked up to the outside of Pardon Hairpin for the traditional shot across 

glorious Gloucestershire to wonderful Worcestershire and The Malvern Hills.

The Worcestershire Beacon is the second hill from the right (see yesterdays blog).

Great car, shame about the camper vans.

Robert Britcher - 1930 2148cc Alvis SA 16.95 Special - rounds Pardon Hairpin.

Simon Skelding - 1939 1911cc AC 16/80 Special - with his eyes on the Esses.

Andrew Cheyne - 1934 4453cc Lagonda 3 1/2 4 1/2 Litre - at the exit of The Esses.

There's something about a red racing car.

Andrew Wilson - 1925/28 1482cc S Frazer Nash Norris Special - powers out of The Esses.

Almost at the top of the hill now.

Michael New - 1928 4939cc Amilcar G Type Montlhery - rounds Semi-Circle…….

……..and then crosses the finishing line.

Selfie to prove we made it to the very top.

At this point the day goes eerily quiet.

Bird song can be heard coming from the woods.

15 minutes passes with just the sound of two commentators 'filling'.

We decide to start the walk back down the hill.

No cars are on the hill, but there are red flags and rescue vehicles at Pardon Hairpin.

We arrive at Pardon Hairpin just as the crashed 1933/34 3377cc 

Talbot 95/105 S/S is about to be transported back to the paddock.

A quick chat with spectators reveal that the driver, Cecil Schumacher, 

was able to walk away and seemed to be OK.

Relieved to hear this we continue onward and back down to the car.

Off back to Worcester now and this week's Big Shop.

Malvern and back on the bus with Roger: Friday, 28th September, 2018.

On the way into town and the Bus Station via a walk along 

the River Severn where 3 swans and 3 cygnets are making their way downstream.

Looks effortless, doesn't it. But you can't see their feet.

With Roger at the Bus Station.

Pensioner Bus Passes armed and ready but sadly just out of shot.

We have arrived in Malvern.

The bus has taken 50 mins to get here.

It takes 25 mins in Roger's Astra Estate diesel on a bad day.

Just saying.

Halfway up the 99 steps that take us towards The Worcestershire Beacon.

You would think that 99 steps would get you most of the way to 

the Beacon but it only gets us about a 5th of the way up.

Still a long way to go yet.

When you are running out of breath it's always a good idea to stop and take a photo of the view.

This one is looking to the north-west and where the…..ahem…..cool breeze is coming from.

At the top and Roger balances The Beacon on the top of his bonce.

Skill.

Two proper walkers, with sticks and everything.

Dave and Roger sipping tea and scoffing biccies sadly just out of shot.

The way back down to Malvern.

The Malvern Priory looms below.

We catch the 44 back to Worcester at 12:55.

It takes even longer to get back than to get here.

Over 90 mins 'cos the traffic in Worcester is jammed solid 

due, I think, to there being a race meeting on.

I get home at 2:45. Normally I get home at 12:45.

Kinda sums up public transport.

Just for the record, here are my Fit Bit stats today (so far):
18,256 steps.
8.61 miles.
2,985 calories burnt.
96 stairs.
Good job the weather was nice.

Interacting with the locals, Worcester: Tuesday, 25th September, 2018.

12:15-ish.

Always nice to meet a friendly local.

But which one of them is saying this?

Someone who's sussed out how to be popular with the locals.

Swan family keeping the tradition of eating at the same time and place alive.

Not sure that there was much conversation tho'.

NB: We saw a kingfisher today. That's our fourth sighting in 5 days.

Haven't seen one since the end of February, so it's nice to know they are back.

Where have they been? Dunno.

Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Sunday, 23rd September, 2018.

5:00-ish.

Father and 'son' (it could be a daughter) 

getting some swan food down their necks.

Another feeding frenzy, Gheluvelt Park: Monday, 17th September, 2018.

3:15-ish.

Mallards gorge themselves on yet another bag of the finest swan food from The Pumphouse.

Ironically, the swans and their ever-growing cygnet are not in the park this afternoon.

They were this morning but we didn't have any food then.

Are you sure it's all gone?

We're tired now.

An hour's Forever (In)Active session at Perdiswell Leisure Centre this morning, 

then a walk into town and back.

15,516 steps.

7.32 miles.

2,511 calories burnt.

5 stairs.

So far.

Feeding frenzy, Gheluvelt Park: Sunday, 16th September, 2018.

5:00-ish.

That person's here with the food again.

Chaaarrrge!

Getcha feet outerit!

I'm trying to eat this grub.

Getcha foot outerit!

We're trying to eat this grub.

Wood Duck still going strong and seems 

to have been accepted by the mallards.

Up The Malverns (with Roger): Friday, 14th September, 2018.

11:15-ish.

Looking south-east-ish from the top (or as near as damn-it)

of The Worcestershire Beacon.

Olde fella is neither Roger or David.

We are sadly just out of shot busy drinking tea and scoffing biscuits

(and taking a photo).

Looking north.

Looking west towards Wales, Ireland and…..um…America.

They're all over that way somewhere.

Looking south and it's all downhill from here.

With the naked eye we can see the northern end of the Severn Estuary but, of course,

it hasn't come out in the photo so you'll have to take our word for it.

Funghi, Pitchcroft, Worcester: Thursday, 13th September, 2018.

11:00-ish.

It's that time of year.

There's been some rain, autumn is approaching, 

and the alien invaders are emerging.

This is just a scouting party.

There'll be millions of them in due course.