Difficult times on the river

Three Cygnets

Only four cygnets turn up to be fed these days and we presume that the fifth one is already independent. Sadly, the sixth one died two weeks ago, possibly hit by a boat or by rowers. The mother lingered beside the body for a while, distressed, nudging the dead cygnet and calling to it. It's a very sad sight. I've seen ducks and coots 'mourn' beside their dead partners or young, and there's a part of me that cries inside and mourns with them. After all these years I still haven't managed to distance myself emotionally.

The two fat ladies, the large white ducks I wrote about last time, are also in mourning at the moment. Grey Job, their male escort who's been in this area for at least 10 years, must have died. I hand fed him on Wednesday and he seemed fine, but he failed to appear on Thursday. Only one of the fat ladies turned up and she seemed very distressed and disorientated. She hardly quacked and didn't feed. Later in the day both fat ladies turned up without Grey Job and they were very subdued and wouldn't eat. On Friday, they re-located to our neighbour's garden but still didn't eat and were almost silent. In the evening we thought that the older one was dying, she kept wobbling and falling over and she slumped forward on the ground with her wings spread. To our surprise they were both around on Saturday but neither came to feed though they both seemed a little more active. Today, however, they are recovering and both hand fed from me this morning so I think the worst might be over.

Deer in the Woodland Garden

I went for a walk in Bushy Park to my favourite woodland garden and came across a deer, grazing on the greenery. Deer aren't supposed to be inside the fenced garden because of the damage they do but I've seen at least five or six on occasions. I don't suppose the park rangers are too happy about their presence within the gardens!

Frog in pond

I went with a friend to Garson's Farm in Esher and wandered around the garden centre. There's a lovely pond there with plenty of frogs and this one posed for the camera.

Josie and Otter

Near neighbour, Josie, whose baby is due any time now, still manages to look decidedly glamourous. She looked so cool here, making the most of the fine weather, that Dave had to take a photo. Otter, her lovely dog, agreed to pose with her!

Astoria at sundown

It has been a glorious week or so and we've managed to go out in the boat most evenings before the sun loses all its warmth. On Friday, when the skies were clear the whole day, Astoria reflected the dying rays of the sun after a wonderfully warm day.

Clear blue skies over Hampton

It might be late September but the temperatures here have been higher than in parts of southern Europe. We've been fortunate to have had bright sunny weather with temperatures as high as 30 C - it's 25 C in the shade at the moment! The view is of Hampton Church, with the sailing club in the foreground, late in the afternoon.

Safe sanctuary for birds on Duck Ait

As evening approaches Duck Ait begins to get crowded as herons, swans, geese, mallards, cormorants, coots, moorhens, tufted ducks, grebes and hybrid ducks seek out a safe haven for the night. Even the occasional gull stops off there for a rest. This is where the two fat ladies and Grey Job chose to roost at night but, since Grey Job's demise, the girls have taken to hauling out on my neighbour's landing stage.

The final flower

The last water lily of the year graced our pond with its beauty for a few days this week. I'm so pleased that we've had a number of flowers after three abortive attempts.

A special anniversary

My husband was surprised to see two strangers sitting in deck chairs in the island's sunken garden sipping champagne. He was delighted to learn that they'd met each other 50 years previously at The Karsino on Taggs Island and were celebrating the anniversary of their meeting. The gentleman has on his lap a copy of the programme/invitation from the event at the Karsino, which was a famous hotel on Taggs Island originally owned by Fred Karno (whose boat Astoria was featured earlier in this blog.

Contrails in the evening sky

One of the 'down' sides of living close to Heathrow Airport is the noise and pollution we have to endure. Concorde was the only plane to pollute our skies in her glory days and none of us minded her because she was such a magnificent sight, in spite of the noise. I remember seeing her one evening, flying over our house, and the last rays of the sun turned her to liquid gold. Nowadays the air and noise pollution from Heathrow and Gatwick are appalling, in spite of what the government and the authorities would have us believe, but at least the vapour trails are picturesque at times.

One of many Little Ships making its way upstream

Each year we watch a flotilla of Little Ships, the boats that rescued brave men from Dunkirk, make their way upstream carrying veterans from the war. Twenty boats left from Kingston to Weybridge on this year's Annual Veterans Cruise. Two Chelsea Pensioners enjoy the ride on this one.

Islanders' worst nightmare

Thank heavens everyone escaped before the boat sank. Almost a month ago now a near tragedy unfolded as one of the island's houseboats sank. Family and friends managed to escape just in time but the event has shocked many of us. The family has been incredibly strong and brave following this event and we hope that their salvaged home, once it has dried out and been repaired, will soon be habitable. It would seem that a lump of concrete campshedding was responsible for eventually 'holing' the boat. If the accident had happened in winter in the dark who knows what might have happened.

The boat leaves it's mooring

Heading for the dry dock

Safety in sight

Flying lessons for swans

Parents have been showing their kids the ropes when it comes to the art of flight. Not every take off has been successful but at last the cygnets are getting the hang of it. Soon they will be driven off by their parents.

It's a good life

Breakfast over, this cygnet has spent time preening and is now loafing around in the quiet of the early morning enjoying the sunshine. It's too much of an effort to paddle with both feet!

Two Fat Ladies join a rather old grey male hybrid duck on Duck Ait

One of two newcomers to the river

Two very noisy white female ducks have been befriended by gentle old Grey Job and spend their time either on Duck Ait or its vicinity clamouring for food. One of them looks quite old, judging by her beak. We don't know where they've come from but guess they must have been abandoned by someone and set free nearby. They are incredibly noisy when they come round to be fed but there is something endearing about them. They also have huge appetites! We know they spend a lot of time at Sue and Peter's mooring too, so they're not likely to go hungry!

Cormorant with an eel

I spotted this cormorant fighting with an eel quite early one grey, dull morning. It was amazing to watch its attempts to swallow breakfast but the eel fought (or wriggled) back and eventually escaped, in spite of the fact that it looks here as though the cormorant has half swallowed it.
As I grabbed the camera to see if I could get a clear image I noticed that my neighbour, Barney, two doors down, had also spotted the cormorant. Unfortunately for both of us, the battle took place just a little too far away to get a close-up image but if you click on the picture you can increase the magnification.

Blue Hibiscus in garden

A friend on the island gave me a Hibiscus shrub some years ago that has both blue and pink flowers. It is doing really well this year and brightens up the garden. The bees love the blue flowers in particular.

Young heron making itself at home next door

One morning as I went out to feed the garden birds I noticed this young heron. At the time it was standing on my neighbour, Patrick's, front doormat (left) as if waiting to be invited inside! It was a little nervous when it saw me and moved to the edge of the gang plank, facing Ted and Corinne's mooring stage. The coot family, however, were in the river beneath, and the parents took fright at seeing a heron gazing down at their youngsters. In typical coot fashion, they shrieked in alarm and stamped their feet in the water to frighten the heron. Coots are very fierce when defending their young and the heron decided it was safer to fly off rather than face their combined wrath.

Bee on a Bergamot flower in my herb garden

The bees are always buzzing round the Bergamot flowers and if you click on this image you'll see one of the delicate wings as the bee flies off to another flower.

One of the more lovely party boats in this area

The New Southern Belle is one of the more attractive party boats on this stretch and the guests enjoyed a lovely sunny day yesterday. It's great to see people having fun on the river.

Water Lily in my pond

At last, a Water Lily finally survives the voracious coots and ducks! Yesterday the flower finally half opened and today it is fully open and really pretty. For three years I've tried to grow Water Lilies in the pond but they've either been eaten or haven't flowered, so I'm thrilled with this one. It probably helps that Thunder Thighs isn't around to eat all the leaves as they form! I think another flower is on the way, too. I put a deep red Water Lily in the shallow water by our houseboat but the coots, swans, geese and ducks never let a leaf make it to the surface, so I'll have to find a new home for it.

Nightlife, not wildlife - it's festival time again!

One of the Dele Sosimi dancers at the World Music Festival in Sines

It's that time of year again and we're back in Portugal enjoying the sights, sounds and scenic backdrops of Porto Covo and Sines to enjoy an eclectic mix of musical talent from around the globe. The first three nights of the festival (Festival Musicas do Mundo 2009) were held at the lovely coastal resort of Porto Covo.

Dele Sosimi from Nigeria

Typically there are three very different acts per night at Porto Covo. This year the selection included O'QUESTRADA from Portugal, RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES from USA and CIRCO ABUSIVO from Italy on the first night. VICTOR DÉMÉ (Burkina Faso), THE UKRANIANS (UK) and DELE SOSIMI AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA (Nigeria/UK) worked their magic on the second night at Porto Covo. The third night showcased WYZA (Angola), ORQUESTA TIPICA FERNANDEZ FIERRO (Argentina) and DAARA J FAMILY (Senegal).

Below are images from the various acts at Porto Covo.

Dele Sosimi brass section

Dele Sosimi

Steff Trymruk - The Ukrainians

Len Liggins

All the above - The Ukrainians

Back stage at Porto Covo

Trinca Espinhas, a lovely beach restaurant between Sines and Porto Covo

Families of all ages come to eat at the beach side food stalls in Sines

Sines beach at dusk

Vasco Da Gama was a native of Sines. His statue dominates the area close to the castle

The concert arena in Porto Covo only yards from the sea (above) and one of the delightful sandy coves a short walk from the arena (below)

This is an example of the first three days and we're here for ten. More to follow . . .

Farewell to Goldeneye and several other female ducks

The last picture I took of Goldeneye before she disappeared

Sadly, I have to presume the worst as regards my old friend Goldeneye. I haven't seen her for weeks since the night her nest was disturbed and she normally returns to visit after a few days away if she's been frightened. What Dave probably saw in the early hours of the morning when we were woken by her alarm calls, was a fox carrying her off. She's been with us for a good few years now and I shall miss having her and Gobi around. Mrs. Speckles has also vanished, presumed dead but, at least I was able to save Lonely from drowning, when she was being attacked by seven males at once. She still visits regularly but times her arrival carefully when there are no males about.

The Cygnets are growing up

Last week the swans turned up with only six cygnets and I thought it odd that one might have disappeared, considering the size they now are. However, all seven arrived for supper and they are all now showing signs of independence from Mum and Dad. In a few months they'll be driven away if they don't drift off of their own accord!

Female Mandarin duck dozing on our railing

This female, who's leg is tagged, spends much of her time with us at the moment. She's very tame and stays close to the front door when she wants to be fed. This is the first year that we've had a Mandarin duck spending so much time with us.

Four of seven baby coots

Coots are great parents, generally speaking, though we have seen some peck their own youngsters to death, presumably because they recognize that the young one isn't going to survive. These parents are fearless in their defense of their young, seeing off Canada geese as well as ducks of all kinds. Only the swans seem to stop them in their tracks. Last week a cat managed to reach their nest and carried off one of the babies, much to the distress of both parents. There are still six youngsters and they are growing rapidly. They look so funny with their ridiculous 'punk' red and yellow heads.

Young Great Tit asking to be fed

This youngster made quite a racket in the garden as it followed its parents around demanding regular food. It's almost as big as its parents but appears so helpless when it opens its beak and flutters its wings.

Sunset on the homeward stretch of river

We've been out in the boat most evenings as the weather has been lovely and the sky looked so attractive as we turned the corner of Taggs Island and headed for home the other night. We love our evening trips as the river is quiet and peaceful.

Sunset on Taggs at the upstream end

Hampton Church with the sailing club in the foreground

A view of our garden last month

The garden deck looking towards Hurst Park

Astoria being towed past Taggs Island

The houseboat, Astoria, originally belonged to Fred Karno who owned the Karsino on Taggs Island. This elegant Edwardian houseboat is now owned by David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) and is normally moored upstream of Taggs Island on an attractive stretch of river beyond Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare.

Astoria on the move

Astoria on its way back from Huck's Boatyard