Another swan watch and short walk, Worcester: Monday, 9th July, 2018.

4:30-ish.

Swans aren't daft.

Why waddle out onto the bank when the pond is so nice and cool?

Vicky tempts them over with our fresh supply of swan food.

Anything Mum can do I can do too.

It's too hot Mum, I'm sitting down for a bit.

A flower.

Not many left now.

No bees and even fewer birds.

Where have they all gone in this hot weather?

Swan Watch and short walk, Worcester: Sunday, 8th July, 2018.

7:00pm-ish.

We've waited 'til the evening to venture out in the hope that it'd be cooler.

Of course, it isn't.

Still, always a relief to see that the Park's swan family are all doing well.

We have swan food but they are not hungry.

Must have been fed food and bread all day.

Yes, I'm 36 days old, me.

Bigger than the ducks now.

7:30-ish.

A selfie taken in the shade along the River Severn on a sweltering evening.

Funny how a little bit of swan food can soon attract a crowd.

Off home now. Slowly.

River Severn & Swan watch (of course), Gheluvelt Park, Worcester: Thursday, 5th July, 2018.

12:10-ish.

Luddite by name, luddite by nature and all the better for it.

33 days old, me.

The cygnet is all long neck, legs and feet yet its wings remain tiny.

When are they going to start growing?

Swan Watching, Croome Park (and Gheluvelt Park), Worcestershire: Wednesday, 4th July, 2018.

10:30-ish.

Looking to the west and The Malverns from just outside the boundary of Croome Park.

11:00-ish.

Proud parent with 3 cygnets, still doing well.

Where's the fourth one?

All 4 cygnets in the reeds of Croome River.

(The cygnet in Gheluvelt Park is also doing well today).

11:30-ish.

Roger, looking intrepid, and Croome House as we wend our way back to the car park.

Swan Watch (usual place) & Post Housework Reward: Tuesday, 3rd July, 2018.

10:15-ish.

Vicky's up the Leisure centre doing 40 lengths of the pool 

so it's up to the olde man to monitor the swans and their cygnet.

They all seem to be doing fine.

The cygnet is 31 days old now (as far as we know).

4:00-ish.

Just finished over an hours worth of housework in the cowin' heat of the summer of '18

and the old bloke needs a reward.

Only one of Vicky's Summer Berries and Yoghurt lollies will do.

Mmmmm, yummy.

Swan Watch, Gheluvelt Park & River Severn, Worcester: Monday, 2nd July, 2018.

9:30-ish.

I haven't seen the cygnet for 3 days and Vicky hasn't seen it for 6.

It's getting big now. On a par with the ducks.

It's wings are still tiny tho'.

Vicky is not hap.

David hasn't told her we'd run out of swan food.

We'll have to get some from The Pumphouse on the way into town.

10:00-ish.

Family with 2 cygnets along the River Severn.

Is this the family we saw opposite The Cathedral a few days or so ago?

They're enjoying our fresh supplies of swan food anyway.

11:15-ish.

Enjoying a well deserved cuppa tea in town.

12:30-ish.

On the way back home and enjoying the welcome shade under the trees along Pitchcroft.

Remember the Summer of '76?

The summer of '18 hasn't been as hot, humid, or as long yet but it has been every bit as dry.

NHCA Championship/The Reg Phillips Trophy Meeting, Shelsley Walsh: Saturday, 30th June, 2018.

11:00-ish.

Eddie Williams - Richard Bolster Special 1318S - at Kennel Bend.

We've arrived just as the final batch of cars are about to finish.

No time to go to the paddock.

We've gorra get up the hill for the 'bikes.

View of the first section of the hill from The Crossing.

Vicky is pleased with getting up the hill nice and early in the proceedings.

It's hot, but there's shade and a lovely cooling breeze.

She's also announced that she's gonna try taking some action shots.

Gulp.

Not one of Vicky's.

Stuart Barnes - Honda 450 - just up a bit from The Crossing.

Vicky captures Mark Christian - 998cc Suzuki SVR1000 - at The Bottom Ess…………

………and then threading the eye of the needle at The Top Ess.

More sidecars than usual today we think.

Terry Truman/Rachael Calvert - 900cc Christie Honda - pass The Members Grandstand.

It's 12 o'clock and time for lunch. Dum-de-dum-dee-dum.

We've enjoyed a really pleasant lunch hour in the shade of the trees 

drinking tea and indulging in an ice cream each.

Vicky's gonna try some head-on shots now.

Not bad, Vic.

You need to zoom in a bit more.

Um, yes, like that.

Michael Tregoning - 1998cc Pilbeam MP88 - just slightly misses the Bottom Ess apex…..

…….and then goes like the clappers thru' The Top Ess.

It's gone quiet all of a sudden. Except for a single loud voice using 'industrial language'.

It's John Goodreds having hurtled straight on into the bank 

at The Bottom Ess in his 2 Litre Caterham Supersport.

First timed run for the 'biles now and Vicky doesn't shoot 'til she can see the whites of his eyes.

Mark Christian (again) - at The Bottom Ess - on his Suzuki.

Dave Norris - 675cc Triumph - hurtles into the sunshine from the shade of The Top Ess.

Methinks there's a role reversal looming.

Vicky usually gets the teas in, carries bags, and wot-not.

But if she's now taking action photos will it mean that I have to do all that from now on?

Life's so unfair.

Approaching 4:00pm.

We've made our way back down to the boiling hot paddock and the 

500 Owners Association drivers are about to do their final timed runs.

A hill climb with both cars and 'bikes.

You can't beat it.

Vicky decides not to take any shots of the 'bikes at the start of their final timed run.

This is my chance to come up with a winner.

Daniel Hurley - 500 Honda CR - does the honours.

I've been trying to get a shot of this fast-b*gg*r all day and this is the best I've done.

Tommy Hodges - 613cc Team GV KTM.

Conclusion? We've had a fantastic day and The Photo Jury's still out.

As Tommy heads for the top of the hill we head for Droitwich and this weeks 'big shop'.