Swans update, Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Monday, 29th April, 2019.

10:15-ish.

On the way into town and a chance to quickly 

check up on the swans in the park.

Mum and four cygnets. 

Let's hope the fifth cygnet is under her wing.

Five cygnets. Good.

We don't need any BBC wildlife programme-type 

 constant trepidation in our park.

We can do without all that thank you.

12:15-ish.

On the way back home now and we can spend a bit 

longer watching the swans enjoying the warm sunshine.

Dad stretching and washing.

The two oldest (we presume) cygnets venture onto the water.

This is proper trepidation.

Gulls are circling overhead and they don't only eat chips.

We are much relieved to see the cygnets 

scrabbling back up the bank onto dry land.

Mallards safely sat just out of range.
They're learning.

With all five cygnets safe and sound under her wings 

Mum grabs a hard-earned moment of shut-eye.
It's time for us to wander home…….

…..for some of Vicky's freshly baked malted loaf with seeds……

…..washed down with Vicky's Root Vegetable and Red Lentil Soup.

4:30-ish.
Vicky's just-out-of-the-oven Chocolate and
Peanut Flapjack awaiting its chocolate coating.
We'll try some of that this evening.

6:30-ish:
Chicken and vegetable souvlaki…….

……followed by a Chocolate and Peanut Flapjack at 8-ish.
Very moorish.
Another day done and dusted.

Swans update (plus), Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Sunday, 28th April, 2019.

Everything you need to create St Clements cakes.

The finished items.

They wont last long.

The River Severn 'beach' is dry enough to stand on today.

Just stand there Dave and smile.

Mum and four cygnets.

Mum, five cygnets and two eggs.

Under cover.

The proud father.

A sea of petals.

Swans update, Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Friday, 26th April, 2019.

Not a swan.

This is a thrush that's about to take off having 

been spotted by someone with a camera.

Mum and two cygnets.

Mum, three cygnets, two eggs 

(one with a hole in the shell), and Dad.

Comfy cosy.

Swans update, Gheluvelt Park: Thursday, 25th April, 2019.

We guess you'll have to take our word for it but the 

grey feathery smudge under Mum's bottom is a cygnet.

We think that she has got at least 3 with four eggs as yet unhatched.

But it's all guesswork, of course.

We'll keep 'em peeled.

Red Marley Hill Climb, Great Witley, Worcs: Easter Monday, 22nd April, 2019.

11:30-ish.

We have arrived and parked up.

It is warm but not as warm as yesterday, thank goodness.

The farm has a herd of Long Horn cattle of the 

sort featured on Country File last night.

Olde fella and the view over Great Witley.

Great 'bikes, friendly competitors and their dogs.

This one is an American Bulldog.

It's 12 o'clock and the first heat 

of four riders race up the hill.

Only the first two finishers qualify for the next round.

George Newman (129) - 600cc BSA - and Greg Speed - 

520cc Cheney Triumph - attack the hill's lower reaches.

Vicky catching up with former work colleague Mandy 

whose husband and various family members are competing.

Nick Payton (468) - 400cc Maico - and Chris Collins (192) - 

600cc BSA - with their eyes firmly fixed on the first of the hill's jumps.

The gate drops and another heat sets off.

12:45-ish:

Time for some tea and cake (first since the end of Lent).

The best tea and cake at any motorsport venue, Vicky announces.

Vicky in the posh seats and enjoying her tea and cake.

Riders gathering for the start of the next set of heats.

Steve Hand (54) - 500cc Triumph Metisse - and Mike Latham (217) - 

also on a 500 Triumph Metisse - in close company off the start line.

Getting ready to take a shot of somebody taking off over the first jump.

Ricky Pedder - 650cc Triumph - obliges.

On the way back to the car and it's time to take 

one last shot of the Long Horn cattle.

Fit Bit stats:

5,995 steps.

2.83 miles.

2,226 cals burnt.

15 stairs.

Not so much distance as altitude over the last 2 days.

The Jim Pickering Red Marley Classic Trial, Great Witley, Worcs: Sunday, 21st April, 2019.

11:30-ish:

We have arrived and it's warm.

Very warm.

Bargains galore.

Everything is ready for tomorrow's Hill Climb.

It's not exactly Silverstone, Vic.

Keen amateur photographer immerses himself in the undergrowth.

Neil Williams - 225cc James (1958).

Bluebell wood.

A gathering of old friends and rivals.

Janice Proctor - 175cc BSA Bantam (1964).

Splashdown:

Jack Hibberd - 225cc Villiers (1964).

The centre of attention:

Paul Munslow - 185cc BSA Bantam (1969).

A steady walk up the hill to the highest sections.

A tricky turn:

Gary Hawkins - BSA (1962).

Another Bluebell Wood.

Mind the gap:

Gary Hawkins (again).

It's harder on foot!

Steve Leyshone - Drayton Bantam (1968)

and an intrepid spectator.

Yet more bluebells.

Worcestershire.

2:30-ish:

It's all downhill from here Vic!

Fit Bit stats (so far):

6,929 steps

3.27 miles

2,370 cals burnt

29 stairs.