A good Waterways Survey along the River Irwell in Ramsbottom last night. Plenty of Daubenton’s passes and loads of Common Pipistrelle activity. A concentration of Pips were illuminated by the lights from a factory over the river at one point, mesmerising to watch.
August 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
A good Waterways Survey along the River Irwell in Ramsbottom last night. Plenty of Daubenton’s passes and loads of Common Pipistrelle activity. A concentration of Pips were illuminated by the lights from a factory over the river at one point, mesmerising to watch.
A couple of impressive critters recently on our allotment site in Hindley - the hulk of wood boring wasps Uroceras gigas and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth
June 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
A couple of impressive critters recently on our allotment site in Hindley - the hulk of wood boring wasps Uroceras gigas and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth
Baltic-bound Common Scoter heard over home last night around 8:25pm, heading generally eastwards along the Tyldesley Banks at Mosley Common. A Common Pipistrelle was active, roving up and down the hedgerow.
March 27, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Baltic-bound Common Scoter heard over home last night around 8:25pm, heading generally eastwards along the Tyldesley Banks at Mosley Common. A Common Pipistrelle was active, roving up and down the hedgerow.
Manchester city centre skyline in the distance, from edge of the moors at Turton Heights, Egerton, below Cheetham Close stone circle
March 8, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Manchester city centre skyline in the distance, from edge of the moors at Turton Heights, Egerton, below Cheetham Close stone circle
Mark E Smith mural Prestwich maps.app.goo.gl/DuAtE5fwqbVC...
March 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Mark E Smith mural Prestwich maps.app.goo.gl/DuAtE5fwqbVC...
A worthwhile trip last night to the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room for LYR. Mesmerising music & words as always from the talented trio of Simon Armitage, Richard Walters & Patrick Pearson. The driest Yorkshire banter between songs never fails to disappoint…
Support from the talented Vraell
Support from the talented Vraell
January 24, 2025 at 9:47 AM
A worthwhile trip last night to the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room for LYR. Mesmerising music & words as always from the talented trio of Simon Armitage, Richard Walters & Patrick Pearson. The driest Yorkshire banter between songs never fails to disappoint…
Support from the talented Vraell
Support from the talented Vraell
The final tea of Pukka Herbs advent is here, Night Time, a blend of Oat flowering tops, Chamomile, Liquorice root, Lavender, Limeflower, Tulsi & Valerian root. A great run of top class brews, look forward to many more in 2025. All the best for Christmas, from Neil and the final tea, atop the tree 🫖🎄
December 24, 2024 at 9:11 PM
The final tea of Pukka Herbs advent is here, Night Time, a blend of Oat flowering tops, Chamomile, Liquorice root, Lavender, Limeflower, Tulsi & Valerian root. A great run of top class brews, look forward to many more in 2025. All the best for Christmas, from Neil and the final tea, atop the tree 🫖🎄
Day 23 of the Pukka Herbs tea trail involved a welcome return by the tea from 1st December, a Winter Warmer, with a wonderful aroma and taste.
December 24, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Day 23 of the Pukka Herbs tea trail involved a welcome return by the tea from 1st December, a Winter Warmer, with a wonderful aroma and taste.
Day 22 of Pukka Herbs teas, with a Clean Matcha Green today..a great drink for a break in doing bits in the garden, between rain on what was an incredibly windy day..good to be outside and with a few layers on it was time well spent
December 22, 2024 at 10:21 PM
Day 22 of Pukka Herbs teas, with a Clean Matcha Green today..a great drink for a break in doing bits in the garden, between rain on what was an incredibly windy day..good to be outside and with a few layers on it was time well spent
Pukka Herbs teas day 21, Winter Solstice. Indoors on this dark evening, listening to the wind & rain outside. Chilling with a ‘Relax’ blend of sweet fennel seed, chamomile, oat flower tops, liquorice root, cardamom pod, ginger root & marshmallow root. Tasted awesome and Neil took the name to heart
December 21, 2024 at 9:18 PM
Pukka Herbs teas day 21, Winter Solstice. Indoors on this dark evening, listening to the wind & rain outside. Chilling with a ‘Relax’ blend of sweet fennel seed, chamomile, oat flower tops, liquorice root, cardamom pod, ginger root & marshmallow root. Tasted awesome and Neil took the name to heart
Days 18-20 of Pukka Herbs advent - a blur of work - tying up loose ends/inspecting trees and other vegetation on winter mornings; Christmas meet-ups with folk while trying to avoid niggling cold symptoms. The teas helping with this were Three Fennel, Elderberry & Echinacea + Wild Apple & Cinnamon
December 21, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Days 18-20 of Pukka Herbs advent - a blur of work - tying up loose ends/inspecting trees and other vegetation on winter mornings; Christmas meet-ups with folk while trying to avoid niggling cold symptoms. The teas helping with this were Three Fennel, Elderberry & Echinacea + Wild Apple & Cinnamon
Day 17 on the advent trail through Pukka teas. A stalwart of brews today in an Earl Grey, Pukka’s blend being spot-on. Drank from the naff old porcelain mug that lives in my office locker
December 17, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Day 17 on the advent trail through Pukka teas. A stalwart of brews today in an Earl Grey, Pukka’s blend being spot-on. Drank from the naff old porcelain mug that lives in my office locker
Day 16 of the Pukka teas advent produced Radiance - a blend of nettle, peppermint and aloe vera leaves, sweet fennel seeds and roots of liquorice and dandelion. The minty smoothness went perfectly with the pre-sunset glow of an otherwise grey, muted winter afternoon
December 16, 2024 at 10:27 PM
Day 16 of the Pukka teas advent produced Radiance - a blend of nettle, peppermint and aloe vera leaves, sweet fennel seeds and roots of liquorice and dandelion. The minty smoothness went perfectly with the pre-sunset glow of an otherwise grey, muted winter afternoon
Throwback to Saturday, when I caught up with both Pukka teas 13 & 14. I had the fantastic Liquorice & Cinnamon, while I made the Love blend (rose, chamomile & lavender) for Tracey ❤️
December 16, 2024 at 10:23 PM
Throwback to Saturday, when I caught up with both Pukka teas 13 & 14. I had the fantastic Liquorice & Cinnamon, while I made the Love blend (rose, chamomile & lavender) for Tracey ❤️
A day spent mostly chilling at home, after watching an awesome gig by The Chameleons last night, supported magnificentlyby the Membranes & Vision Video. Next up on Pukka Herbs advent of teas was a Lemongrass & Ginger, which matched the sunset in warmth and beauty. Paul McCartney this evening!
December 15, 2024 at 4:33 PM
A day spent mostly chilling at home, after watching an awesome gig by The Chameleons last night, supported magnificentlyby the Membranes & Vision Video. Next up on Pukka Herbs advent of teas was a Lemongrass & Ginger, which matched the sunset in warmth and beauty. Paul McCartney this evening!
Pukka Herbs day 12 and a Three Chamomile. Blended from African, Egyptian & European Chamomile flowers, the taste was gorgeous. Neil didn’t appear to be impressed, but once it had cooled down and I saved him a bit he agreed 😊
December 13, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Pukka Herbs day 12 and a Three Chamomile. Blended from African, Egyptian & European Chamomile flowers, the taste was gorgeous. Neil didn’t appear to be impressed, but once it had cooled down and I saved him a bit he agreed 😊
Pukka Herbs advent number 11 was an English Breakfast tea. Made in the darkness of a December morning and taken out for a site meeting, it was definitely welcome
December 13, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Pukka Herbs advent number 11 was an English Breakfast tea. Made in the darkness of a December morning and taken out for a site meeting, it was definitely welcome
Day 10 of Pukka Herbs….the winter curse of an annoying scratchy throat, but a Morning Berry comes to the rescue 👊🏼
December 11, 2024 at 12:36 AM
Day 10 of Pukka Herbs….the winter curse of an annoying scratchy throat, but a Morning Berry comes to the rescue 👊🏼
Day 9, Monday out of the way….next in line from Pukka was an Aniseed & Liquorice. Just the thing on a winter evening
December 9, 2024 at 10:08 PM
Day 9, Monday out of the way….next in line from Pukka was an Aniseed & Liquorice. Just the thing on a winter evening
Sunday was Day 8 of Pukka Herbs tea and produced a gem in the form of a Three Ginger. Hit the spot post-Saturday/pre-Monday ✊🫖
December 9, 2024 at 7:53 AM
Sunday was Day 8 of Pukka Herbs tea and produced a gem in the form of a Three Ginger. Hit the spot post-Saturday/pre-Monday ✊🫖
A hectic Friday at work then out to watch The Damned, so a rollover and today’s a double Pukka tea day during Storm Darragh 🫖🫖💨☔️ starting with a smooth Supreme Matcha Green
December 7, 2024 at 11:01 AM
A hectic Friday at work then out to watch The Damned, so a rollover and today’s a double Pukka tea day during Storm Darragh 🫖🫖💨☔️ starting with a smooth Supreme Matcha Green
Day 5 of the Pukka tea advent involved a Turmeric Active blend, which I took on the road with me. It has to be said, it was rather wonderful
December 5, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Day 5 of the Pukka tea advent involved a Turmeric Active blend, which I took on the road with me. It has to be said, it was rather wonderful
Tuesday & Wednesday #PukkaHerbs tea offerings were left until the evening and enjoyed at home - Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey being an old favourite, then tonight a new one on me, Fennel, Aniseed & Cardomom. Awesome taste and Neil felt the love for the aniseed smell
December 4, 2024 at 10:33 PM
Tuesday & Wednesday #PukkaHerbs tea offerings were left until the evening and enjoyed at home - Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey being an old favourite, then tonight a new one on me, Fennel, Aniseed & Cardomom. Awesome taste and Neil felt the love for the aniseed smell
Monday and more rain. Work: busy. Inspecting trees. Yes, it’s a tree and it’s wet just like me. Today’s Pukka tea is a Chamomile, Vanilla & Manuka Honey. Taken on the road today. Rain? Not to worry, it will please the ducks 🦆
December 2, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Monday and more rain. Work: busy. Inspecting trees. Yes, it’s a tree and it’s wet just like me. Today’s Pukka tea is a Chamomile, Vanilla & Manuka Honey. Taken on the road today. Rain? Not to worry, it will please the ducks 🦆