Storm Petrel: A Magical Night on Dream Island
Storm Petrel.
Many of the day visitors to Skomer Island will one day consider staying overnight. They hear about one of wildlife’s true spectacles and want to come back and see it for themselves. I am, of course, talking about the world’s largest colony of Manx Shearwaters that only come to the island after dark. And what a spectacle it is! One that you can read about in our blog (September).
The same spectacle takes place on nearby Skokholm Island and we all stay up late to watch it.
But there is another iconic seabird nesting on both islands. Far harder to see or hear. Much smaller and equally breathtaking in its chosen lifestyle. That bird is the Storm Petrel and the best chance of seeing it is to stay overnight on Skokholm island.
Eamonn goes to Skokholm Island.
Eamonn goes to Skokholm Island.
Dear Friends
This is the second of two stories I asked Eamonn to write for us in recognition of him taking my place in paradise. The island was so memorable for him that the story is in two parts. The second a magical night time adventure will be posted next week. As you will remember, Eamonn asked if we could include some Irish music. Since Skokholm is less than eighty miles from the Emerald Isle, this seems a very appropriate Celtic connection.
Bertie
Eamonn goes to Skomer.
Eamonn goes to Skomer.
Looking across St Brides Bay to the Island.
Bertie: “Corrrr- I dunno. Just before we came to Wales, a friend of Bobby’s asked what has happened to the Irish bear. Well, we had to admit, not much.”
Trevor has found his niche. Betty Boop is a little inflexible, but will get her chance. But Eamonn? Dunno. “Tell you what”, said Bobby. “How about me taking him to Skomer and Skokholm instead of you? He’s much smaller, and you keep moaning about being shoved in the rucksack”. (more…)
I Feel Quite DiscomBOBulated!
DiscomBOBulated.
Bertie: “I feel quite discomBOBulated. It’s very nice down here in Whitchurch. Just above Solva, near St David’s in West Wales. Rosemary is lovely. It’s very quiet. Peaceful. But I miss being part of everything that is happening in Laurel Cottage. Bobby will ‘rescue’ me when he is allowed to go on a long train journey. No idea when. DON’T mention Parcel Force!”
Together at Rosemary’s in Whitchurch.
Bobby: “I feel quite discomBOBulated. Living each day as it comes. Content to believe that what has happened has been ‘lucky’ in its outcome. But discomBOBulated by my acceptance of that. Finding solace in Bobby 2; the 93 bus; Waitrose. And months of twice weekly travel to St George’s in Tooting.”
The 93 and Bobby 2.
Eamonn: “I feel quite discomBOBulated. The euphoria of seeing Skomer and Skokholm for the first time tempered by being witness to everything that happened. Even in the back of an ambulance. As agreed with Bertie, three stories were written. The last, in particular, really good, being filmed after dark on Dream Island (Skokholm).”
Diary of a Heart Attack week 2, with Eamonn and Bobby 2.
Trevor: “I feel quite discomBOBulated having no idea what is going on. But I did get a ride on the 93 and a cruise round Waitrose!”
Diary of a Heart Attack week 3, with Trevor and Bobby 2.
Bobby 2: “I am a shopping basket extraordinaire. With freshly ‘3-in-1’d’ wheels and nice new stitching on my damaged lid. I may only come out when the car cannot be used, but then I get the admiration I deserve. Bobby is talking about using me even when the car comes back.”
The Car. Last seen in deepest West Wales. Rumoured to be in Guildford now seeking repair.
The Car. Middle one. West Hook Farm, Pembrokeshire.
September.
September is Bobby’s favourite month. Two blogs have been written before (September, September 1954). Holidays and Airshows for this September are cancelled for now. So here is a set from Duxford earlier this year of the Breitling Wingwalkers. Girls doing things on top of pre war biplanes, looping the loop, they wouldn’t do in their own front room.
Breitling Wingwalkers:
Diddley flew at Duxford on her 50th birthday. In a vintage Tiger Moth.
Diddley in a Tiger Moth:
September celebrates the Battle of Britain:
Spitfire!
William Walton “Spitfire Prelude”:
(Be sure not to miss the second half of this film starting at 4.04 in depicting a modern day film of a lone Spitfire caressing the sky as only a Spitfire can do.)
And finally. It really is a lovely day tomorrow:
At Newgale, Pembrokeshire.
Vera Lynn “It’s a lovely day tomorrow.”
Lighting a Candle for Diddley at Whitchurch.
In the Church of St David:
– – – – – – – – – –
A Letter from Skomer.
A Letter from Skomer.
When we wrote “Belonging“, we told you of Bobby’s love of the two islands off the west coast of Pembrokeshire. A love affair that started at quite a difficult time in Bobby’s life. (more…)
Memories on the Bedside Table.
The Bedside Table.
Mindfully Bertie started as a kind of bereavement therapy for Bobby. As you know, I had been best man at their wedding and chief mourner at Diddley’s Funeral. It’s now over three years since the blog started and we have covered every subject imaginable. Never forgetting that each week we would end by Lighting a Candle for Diddley. At certain times, of course, the original reason for the blog becomes the main reason for writing that week’s story. And this is one such.
On 19 August 2019, Diddley, (Diane Jane) would have been 69 and very rude about it. On 23rd August 2015 we said goodbye to her forever.
This year we pay our homage through The Bedside Table.
Diary of a Heart Attack.
A Very Serious Event: Diary of a Heart Attack.
Bertie: “Can you see over there across the bay, Eamonn? That’s Skomer Island.”
Eamonn: “Ahh, Bertie. Oi would love to go tere.”
Bertie: “Well, Eamonn. When you came to us from Alice’s Bear Hospital, we did promise you adventures. How would like to take my place this Saturday on a trip to Skomer Island and on Monday for a week on Skokholm Island?” (more…)
A Heatwave in Worthing.
A Heatwave in Worthing.
Bertie: “You must be bleeding joking, Bobby. ‘We’ are going to the seaside in a heatwave? You can count me out. It’s nice and cool here in Laurel Cottage. It’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow and I am definitely staying put.”
Bobby: “Look, Bertie, it’s the only day I can see Jasmine before we head for Wales on holiday. It’s only the morning, but if you don’t want to come suits me!” (more…)
A Morning with the National Trust Volunteers.
A Morning with the National Trust Volunteers.
Landbarn Farm. NT Headquarters for Denbies Hillside. Set at the foot of the Hillside. Once the farm for the Victorian estate of Denbies. Now where the volunteers are based.
Believe in Tomorrow Garden, Hampton Court Flower Festival.
Believe in Tomorrow
Seonaid Royall’s garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Festival.
Bertie: “Bobby, I thought you ‘bleedin’ ‘ated’ the Hampton Court Flower Show!”
Bobby: “I do!”
Bertie: “So why are we going then?”
Bobby: “You’re not!”
Bertie: “Oh! Thanks.” (more…)