A bit of a wet start to the morning. Waiting upon the antibiotics to kick in prior to the final round of extractions. Went for a brief walk about the harbour before retreating back to my car as the rain picked up. The ship is apparently the Seawell www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/deta...

Work neglected to let me know I had been given a late shift at a satellite lab when I had come in early for a regular one. On the plus side it means I can continue making friends (via the medium of peanuts and mealworms) with the Corvids, they are getting bolder.

Covering a last minute work absence offered a chance to go to the park and feed the corvids. Sat on the edge of a stump next to a fallen tree they were soon bold enough to get close. After watching them and taking photos I backed off to let the more cautious ones get some food too.

A short train ride from Swansea to Neath. Hired a Brompton G line electric. I'm probably going to be commuting by train so a folding bike would be handy. Testing it out to see what it's like to take a Brompton by train and more importantly how it (and me) handle a steep hill on the way home.

Moorhen drama. While one adult and a rather cute chick watch from the safety of a large leaf/nest, the other adult valiantly pursues a diving tufted duck that is mostly interested diving down to the silt of the pond to find a late snack.

I used to feed the bird in a small wooded area of the park, but it's been closed off for a while while they do some maintenance work. After having lunch nearby I was walking across the field only for a crow to land a few feet away. Dried mealworms provided for an old friend.

To work on drainage and create a new gravel path, Singleton park closed off the wooded area I used to go to have lunch and feed the birds. Recently found another nearby out of the way spot to reacquaint myself with them.

I should start bringing mealworms and so forth again as I end up giving half my lunch away to jackdaws, magpies and random squirrels.

Meeting the relatives. I'm not sure if they are some (not very accurate) models Swansea council have bought or they're on loan from a car place that's locally famous for it's Dino's, but a small local park near the hospital has gained a few old visitors.

Another shift at the lab near the park. What things being slow currently (it will pick up later when it's just me around), I took the opportunity for an early break and the chance to feed the birds (and inevitable squirrels) while it's still light.

Between the umbrella and that it's been a couple of months, the carrion crows were a little cautious at first, but after watching everyone tuck into the mealworms they eventually braved an appearance on the log too. Working at this site all next week so I should get to see them regularly.

The military do use Dartmoor as a firing range, but you can check when and where they are active. Camping isnt permitted everywhere (especially with the legal challenge to that right by one of the major landowners), however there is a map on the Dartmoor National Park website showing where its ok.

Winter is especially harsh, manual dexterity goes in the cold, everything is harder. People underestimate the mountains in Britain as they are small, that costs hikers their lives and puts pressure on mountain rescue volunteers. But there's a beauty to the bleakness, even if the weather isnt great.

Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping is allowed. The standard leave no trace caveats apply, no open fires, no sign that you've been there etc. The weather is changeable, that video shows pretty exceptional weather even for summer, you need to be prepared, especially in winter.

Some photos from my short #Hiking and #WildCamping trip on Dartmoor. #Dartmoor reminds my of the Preseli Mountains with the addition of deeper valleys that are farmed. The Tors are stacks of granite left over from last ice age, plus there's lots ancient and more modern history to explore.

Hopefully a little over the top, though it's good that the system works: I just got a government general emergency warning on my mobile.

Currently camped on top of this mountain. Been wanting to hike and camp for a long time and thought it was high time to actually do it. Rather foggy so pics will be limited/poor. Apart from the blisters, rather enjoyed it. Leave only footprints, take only memories.