Very addictive!

GeoGuessr - Let's explore the world!

Just been introduced to this on Facebook. Its all guesswork but seems most are in the US so you can't go too wrong!

Have a go.

I will be off to Scotland tomorrow for a couple of weeks so will report back with some pics on my return. I hope the storm predicted isn't too bad, we have a lot of driving ahead....

See you all in a couple of weeks :)

What is a Fieldfare??

After comments regarding Fieldfares on my post re Rowan Trees, thought you might be interested in reading more. The RSPB website is so informative on all British birds, take a look (or 'have a gander at this', sorry couldn't resist ;))

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/fieldfare/index.aspx

Thanks to Nick and Bald Eagle

The Rowan Tree

One of my favourite trees is the Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia. Also known as Mountain Ash, Quickbeam, Witchwood, Cairtheand (old Irish) and Dogberry in Canada. They can be found in abundance here, on the north edge of Dartmoor, though also found across much of the UK as well as many countries in the Northern Hemisphere.

They really stand out at this time, with their bright orangey red berries and colourful foliage. A great tree for the small garden, they tolerate most soil, sun or some shade. You can even use the berries to make jelly, which I have done in the past, mixed with some wild crab apples. The berries are also a great food source for many birds.

There are many species of Sorbus, some of which you can find at garden centres, other more unusual varieties can be sourced from specialist nurseries.

Sorbus vilmorinii

Sorbus vilmorinii or Vilmorins Rowan, is a very pretty, rounded small tree with gorgeous pink blushed berries that slowly turn white and hang on well into Winter. A word of caution though, the flowers smell horrible, so dont plant too close to your patio!

Sorbus Joseph Rock

A very popular variety is Joseph Rock, upright in habit with soft yellow berries, and lovely red colour to the leaves in the Autumn.

Sorbus cashmiriana

Sorbus cashmiriana has pretty white berries that last well through the Winter , another great choice for a smaller garden.Also known as the Kashmir Rowan.

Well, that is a few to choose from and if you do fancy one get deciding, it will be planting time soon.

Cloudscapes

I have always been fascinated by clouds and have taken so many pictures of them over the years, yet  am still unable to remember what the different shapes are called. This blog is a great opportunity to solve this problem, my own guide to clouds.....

High Level Clouds

Cirrocumulus cloud, often referred to as a mackerel sky, due to the resemblance to fish scales

Cirrus clouds, also called mares tails, they are made of ice and suggest fair weather.

There are also Cirrostratus clouds in this group but haven't yet found a pic!

Medium Level Clouds

Altostratus, made up of water droplets and ice crystals, a typical English sky! Castle Drogo is on the right, all wrapped up while the roof is being fixed.

Altocumulus have shading to the side away from the sun which helps tell the difference between them and Cirrocumulus clouds.

Nimbostratus, well I think so anyway, its all about rain with Nimbos, and it certainly looks like it here!

Low Level Clouds

Stratus, the lowest clouds, all foggy and drizzly

Cumulonimbus,  usually the bearer of heavy rain and thunder

Cumulus clouds, often spotted during fair weather. If they become larger they may form rain.

Sometimes you see some other, more unusual clouds, I spotted these lenticular clouds a couple of days ago, not something I've seen very often. They have been mistaken for UFOs before!

Well, thats a very unscientific guide, if I am wrong about any of these let me know! Will create a page for more cloud pics when I get round to it.

Slight Change

I have decided to change the font on my blog, much as I loved the old one, it isn't the easiest to read and reading is the whole point! Hope it still looks ok!

Am dedicating this change to Uncle Col, so now he has no excuses not to read my blurb!

Beetroot

My beetroot have been a great success this year, a bountiful crop! Last year was a different matter, having none at all. In fact last year was a total waste of time for veg, due to the awful weather.

Anyway, I popped up to the veg garden the other day and pulled out the remaining beetroot, weighing in at around 1kg, enough for some warming soup.

I used a recipe by Hugh Fearnley Watsit...Whittingstall, crikey, thats one long name! Wouldn't ask him for an autograph, haven't got the time!

Give the beets a scrub, put in a roasting tin with a few garlic cloves (give them a smack with something heavy to release the flavour), add a few sprigs of thyme, a glug of olive oil, then add a small glass of water and cover tightly with foil. In the oven at 180C for 30/45 min til beets have softened. Leave to cool then rub off skin and chop roughly. Blitz in blender, adding veg stock til you get the consistancy you want then heat up and serve with some crusty bread. I added some Cheshire cheese on top. A tasty colourful meal!

I inadvertently created the Swiss flag while dishing up!!

Winter Squash Time

There are two types of squash, the Summer and the Winter.  Summer squash include courgettes, Patty Pan, and Yellow Crookneck, but its the Winter vareties I'm talking about.

I love winter squash, though not been too lucky with them this year, poor crop. We used to have an allotment years ago and grew lots of varieties one year. We cured them for a week or so and they kept us fed til the following April!

 

Uchiki Kuri

There are many varietes to chose from, Butternuts, Acorns, Pumpkins, I could list them but it would make for dull reading! If you want to know the difference between Squash and Pumpkins heres a short description http://voices.yahoo.com/the-difference-between-pumpkins-gourds-squash-6691116.html?cat=22

Squash have trailing and bushy habits, depending on variety, so make sure you chose carefully, especially if you have limited space to grow. I start mine off in pots in the greenhouse and plant out once frosts have gone. Give them a soil rich in manure in a sunny spot for best results. Once ready pick them and leave outside to cure for 10 days or so before storing (keep an eye out for frosts and protect if necessary)

I tend to get my seeds from Tuckers, I happen to live near one of their stores but you can buy online. They have a great choice of all kinds of veg. Take a look http://www.tuckers-seeds.com/

They are fairly easy to grow, great for kids as the seeds are large so easy to handle and once they get going, they don't half move fast! Get them growing Sweet Lightening, a tiny fruit measuring 11-13cm, perfect for little hands to harvest and eat.

Soup is a favourite way of cooking squash, I like to add toasted cumin seeds before blitzing, it gives a lovely spicy flavour. I also like to roast pieces in the oven along with beetroot. Add some cooked green lentils and some feta cheese, yum! Theres so many recipes out there, sweet as well as savoury, what a versatile vegetable. Will try and put some on my recipe page...when I get around to it!