Fruit and Vegetables -Egyptian Style

Nile Sunset Luxor

For 20 years I owned a town centre fruit and veg shop. The hours were endless and the work extremely hard. It was a 7 day week and most days at least 14 hours of hard graft. Most customers didn’t appreciate the work needed prior to 0830hrs and after 1800hrs. I am sure they believed the stock mysteriously appeared on the shelves overnight.

Despite all of this, I really enjoyed it.I loved the banter with the customers. Over the years we saw young children (and babies) with their parents  grow up to become adults and eventually regular clients themselves.

It was whilst we had our business that I found and fell in love with Egypt. Even though it was a 52 week year we still needed a holiday. The best time was immediately after Christmas as this was extremely quiet and the business was slow. We were confident that our staff could continue for a couple of weeks without us.

Now the question was- “where can we go during January with guaranteed sunshine, warm weather and not to far to travel ?” After searching through the holiday brochures we decided on Egypt. Only 5 hours away and temperatures of above 75 F.  Our friend were saying “why the hell do you want to go to a dusty arab country”.

However we boarded the plane still a little concerned about our friends words and also worrying whether we should have had malaria tablets and injections. The plane landed at Hurghada at 1800hr local time and the stewardess opened the door. The  hot air hit us like a bullet and we realised we were in for a lovely warm holiday.

We loved our holiday but I am not going to detail it right now. Following this enjoyable break we have  vacated in Egypt every year since. We have found the people great and welcoming  and the weather is excellent for people especially those  who are suffering from any arthritic problem. After several years holidaying at the Red Sea resorts in Egypt (we have been to most of them ), we went to Luxor.

WE LOVE IT.

Being a greengrocer for so long I longed to see my counterparts in other countries.

Fruit shop near Karnak Temple

Vegetable Shop Medina Street Luxor

 The size of some of their vegetables are enormous. The produce is displayed directly on the dirt roads and it is normal for carts to run over it or provide a tree substitute for the many feral dogs.

A large quantity of the fresh fruit & veg is grown by local farmers, many of which sell direct to the public from a variety of vehicles. Below is a couple of snaps of locals selling from  donkey carts or Korean trikes.

  

Orange seller with donkey and cart

 Beautiful juicy plums.

Beautiful plums

Watermelon seller. Look at the size of trailer that poor donkey has to draw.

Watermelon seller

On my walkabouts I saw a wonderful delivery tricycle.

Delivery tricycle

Check out the tyres and seat.

Needs a service !!

Finally I thought I would include picture of the local butcher. Hygeine regulations not up to our standards.

"would sir like sirloin or rump ?"

I really love this country and hope, one day, to relocate there. Despite the recent problems the people are warm and most grateful for all tourists. A very high percentage of the population are dependent on foreign currency. Unfortunately after the troubles in January the number of visitors dropped dramatically. This resuled in the number of locals becoming unemployed. Egypt is very safe.

GO – YOU WILL LOVE IT.

Winter’s Here !! what a shame

Despite the fact that the temperature of late has been above average for November. The other night showed us that winter is nigh.

I got up fairly early to a bright and sunny morning. The frost was down and when I checked my thermometer I saw that the overnight temperature had dropped down to -3 C. The sun was shining bright making the frost on the grass lawn sparkle like gems. The frost on the fence was evaporating giving the impression of a smouldering fire.

frost evaporating from fence

 The photo below shows natures wonder. The frost on the grass converts to dewdrops and then shimmers and shines as the sun rays both heat them up and then they evaporate.

gems in the grass

 I love the early morning. The freshness of air, the sun’s rays and the morning chorus from the garden birds. I glanced over to the fuscias in the flower beds. Last week they were in full bloom, the pink and reds were brilliant. Now they were drab and the cold night had turned them grey.

fuscia in full colour

fuscia following cold night

fuscia looking drab

 Thankfully these fuscias are hardy and will hopefully be back next year. They have been there for at least 10 years and give a lovely show for at least 3 months. They survived last winters with temperatures going down to -17*C.

The leaves on the hydrangas look absolutely awful.

hydranga leaves after frost

 My back was not too good this morning so I was unable to go out, but I attached zoom lens on camera and photographed my runner beans. I normally leave some beans on after harvesting for the freezer. These mature and provide me with the bean seed for next year. The photograph show the effect the cold night had on the green leaves.

runner beans not looking very healthy

 The only vegetable left in garden now is leeks. These survive the cold weather and will be used over the next couple of months.

The weather has destroyed my garden once again but its changing seasons provide the soil with full nutrients. The small insects and below surface creatures (worms etc.) will do their job and make the garden ready for next spring.

Despite the initial views in my garden I am blessed that I live in a wonderful part of Wales and despite my frequent immobility I can still enjoy the sights and sounds I can experience from my house.

Below is a photo from my front window showing a couple of riders joining the local hunt.

a couple of riders on hunt

 The next photo (magnified within pc.) show the hounds returning from the hunt in the trailer. You may have to magnify picture more to see the dogs faces looking out.

hounds in cattle trailer

 Winter may be on it’s way but life goes on. I (despite personal problems) can still enjoy the area I live in and can look forward to next spring and summer.

Take care and always live for today, tomorrow for some never comes.

Blue Tit -ringed and R.S.P.B

blue tits on feeder

On my previous blog I included a photo of a ringed blue tit found in my garden. Please excuse quality.

ringed blue tit

 

I magnified image on my pc to achieve the picture below.

blue tit showing identity ring

 I had only previously seen tags/rings on homing pigeons which came into my garden to feed on my newly seeded lawn.

I decided to write to the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) for information.

Hi early yesterday morning I spotted a blue tit perched on one of my
garden shrubs. The weather was extremely cold and the mist was still
down. I took a photograph of it and loaded it on my pc.
When examined (although the photo is ‘frosty’) I noticed that the blue tit had a identifying ring on its leg. I cannot determine the markings but wondered when, where and why was this tit ringed.
I have retained photo and will certainly submit if requested.
Many Thanks David

I didn’t expect to get a reply but was delighted when the answered m e-mail the following day.

Hello David,

Thank you for your email. In the UK, wild birds are ringed as a part of a long-term research and monitoring programme run by the British Trust for Ornithology in conjunction with the British Museum. This scheme is part-funded by JNCC. Many other countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world also have their own ringing schemes. RSPB research and monitoring projects often use bird ringing as a research method. Bird ringing allows individual birds to be followed throughout their life. This allows information on bird age and movements to be gained from finding a ringed bird (either alive or dead). Without the ability to ring birds we would know much less about the migration routes and destinations of the millions of migratory birds that spend some of the year in the UK.
Finding ringed birds also allows us to tell how long birds live for, both in terms of average life-span (usually very short for a small
song-bird with a high mortality rate) and maximum known life-span.
Knowledge of survival rates can help work out why some species are declining – as RSPB has successfully done in house sparrows in rural areas and in seabird research.

Wild bird rings are silver coloured metal split rings, with a letter and number combination inscribed on them. British ones have either British Museum or BTO written on them, but we often get foreign rings reported, with either a country or a town written on them. These details allow the BTO to establish where and when the bird was ringed.

Kind Regards,

Claire Thomas (Mrs)
Wildlife Adviser
RSPB UK Headquarters
The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL
Tel: 01767 693299 01767 693299

THE RSPB a million voices for nature

Want to find out more? View blogs, forums and groups specific to your
interest. Join a million voices for nature – enthuse and discuss current
topics about the natural world and wildlife. Join the RSPB Community-
www.rspb.org/community

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that
threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.
Click here to join today www.rspb.org.uk/join

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered
charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC0376

I WAS SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED THAT NOT ONLY DID A GET A REPLY BUT THEIR  RESPONSE WAS SO QUICK.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM PUBLICLY. NOW I HAVE MORE TIME AVAILABLE I WILL HOPEFULLY GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THEM AND BECAUSE OF MY LOVE OF ORNITHOLOGY BECOME A MEMBER.  

 

collared doves

 

pair of goldfinches on feeder

 

greenfinch with a mouthful

This blog reminds me of when I was in primary school (50 years ago) and we were encouraged to go on nature trails with our teacher. He was a keen birdwatcher and I became a member of  Y.O.C. This was the young ornithologists club. It was run by the RSPB and was designed for children under the age of 16. I still have my certificate of membership but no longer have the info pack.

During my working years I found little time to continue my interest but now following my injury I hope to re-ignite this hobby.

I now live in a wonderful rural part of Wales and I am blessed that it is also home to some lovely wild resident and migratory birds.

THANKS FOR VIEWING.

 

 

 

Bad day ! – just got better

view towards hill

Today started of bitterly cold. Ground frost was everywhere, it has been a very cold night – down to minus 2 C.

Today was the day when I began to sell some of my tools. My pride and joy for many years.

Following my back injury I was advised not to attempt to lift anything weighing more than 2.5kg. Here I was in possession of some power tools which had hardly been used. All men are proud of their tools. It is like a female with her collection of handbags and shoes. After saying my goodbyes and with a heavy heart I wrote the advert and listed them on the internet auction site.

After breakfast I loooked out of the patio and saw a blue tit on one of our garden bushes. I quickly grabbed my camera and took a snap.

blue tit on garden shrub

After viewing the result on my pc I was delighted with the ‘frosted’ quality of the print. I was also amazed to see that the beautiful blue tit was carrying a monitoring tag on its leg. The first time I have seen this on a small wild bird.

A short time later, after the early mist had lifted my friendly robin came and began shouting at me for his mealworms.

my friendly robin

He was followed by some of my other friends.

goldfinch on feeder

first starling in garden

 Another blue tit visited feeder

another blue tit

 

At  4 o clock  I checked on the internet and found that my heavy rotary/breaker drill had reached the desired price and had therefore sold.

I was pleased and gutted at the same time. Part of my past life was coming to an end.

At 4.20 pm I looked up and saw flock after flock of starlings returning to their nightime nesting areas.

flock of starling against moon

I realised that nature is wonderful and forever changing. My past can never be forgotten, my old tools are merely material objects but the sights I have seen today are precious and will continue to provide pleasure for many years to come.

I went back and wrapped the drill and arranged a courier collection for tomorrow.

Woodlice -porcellio scaber

woodlice on wall

 

Please click on any photo to enlarge

For many years, prior to my back injury, I was a keen gardener. My days of digging have unfortunately gone.

However the interest in the garden has not faltered. Natures ability to produce wonderful blooms, plants and even weeds continues to fascinate me. The numerous non- human visitors that come into and live in my garden keeps me going and provide me with the best free entertainment available.

Today I was not feeling too good (sometimes the tablets I have to take, knock me for six). Winter is on its way so it was time to tidy around the patio.

I lifted a small plastic plant tray and found a family of woodlice. My wife calls them ‘guinea pigs’.

It is amazing the number of names given to such a small animal.

 Latin -porcellio scaber , tiggy-hogs, coffin cutters, bible bugs & sink-lice.

Two other names interested me -’pillbug. This came about apparently in the 1800′s when the woodlice were prescribed by the doctors/quacks as a cure for indigestion. Their ability to curl into a ball made them look like a pill. They were eaten alive.

The other poular name was ‘cud-bug’. Many farmers collected lots of the woodlice and fed them to their cattle. Hence the name cudbug. I am told this diet is still used today on some smallholdings.

mature woodlice tending young

  Above photo shows young, sometimes white and about the size of a rain of rice.

Originally they were thought of as a garden pest but they mostly feed on rotting foliage, helping to return goodness to the soil. The increase in the use of wood bark and chippings as ground cover has provided a perfect habitat. They prefer a dark and damp environment.     

Young female with young

Above photo shows the head end and antennae.

Their colour changes with maturity with the majority of british being grey/black.

They prefer to live near soil with a high lime content as this encourages the growth of their calcium shells. This makes them an ideal addition to the diet of frogs, newts and hedgehogs. Often a treat for overwintering birds.

rear end of woodlice showing 'horns'

 Please note I am NOT an entomologist. My interest is purely personal and info supplied is correct to the best of my knowledge.

Hopefully the next time you lift a plantpot and see woodlice you will not immediately tread on them but appreciate their use in the garden and as a food source.

 

Thanks for visiting. Many more garden friends in future blogs.

Autumn Colours

I used to dream of the holidays to North America and Canada to see the bright colours during their ‘fall’.

The wonderful array of browns, oranges and reds displayed on the trees prior to the leaves falling attracts many thousands of visitors.

However today I was sent ((by my dear wife) to take our bottles, cans and paper to the recycle skips in the village.

After posting a full bootfull I was reversing the car when I saw a picture I had to take.

autumn colours

 I looked over and saw a beautiful japanese acer on the edge of carpark.

 

View across road towards the cenotaph. What a lovely colour mix.

view towards cenotaph

 On arriving home I photographed the last few leaves on our Virginia Creeper.

virginia creeper

 

rain drops on creeper

 

While having my well deserved cuppa I realised that my dreams of seeing the mystical sites of N.America in the fall was equally met within half a mile of my house.

I sat back and dunked a Rich Tea with satisfaction.

Tree Moss and more

moss on bent tree

Whilst walking by the dam (see yesterday) I was fascinated by the number of trees that were covered by moss.

I had seen this many times before but the volume, depth and variety of cover was enlightening.

tree moss

 

tree growing out of bank

The next 2 photos are of a tree with the deepest moss I have seen on any tree. The moss normally grows on the north facing side of trunk and the growth probably accelerated by the high moisture content near the dam overflow.

 

beautiful moss on north face

Close up of soft to the touch green moss.

moss soft to the touch and beatiful colour

As I was walking back to the car I spotted a fallen tree covered with moss. It appeared to take the shape of a dragon or unicorn’s head.

fallen tree with moss

 

 

 I took a second photo of this tree and when I look at it wth magnification it appeared to have a shiney eye looking back.

Please click on photo below to enlarge and check for the ‘eye’ towards the right hand. You can also see the ‘horn’ of the unicorn.

fallen tree with 'eye' and 'horn'

 

When I got back to the car I glanced across the road and saw a very unusual moss growing on the rock face.

rock face overlooking dam

It was ‘Reindeer Moss’

Reindeer Moss (Cladonia rangiferina)

Reindeer lichen (also known as reindeer moss or caribou moss) is a member of the familiy Cladoniaceae. It grows in both hot and cold climates, where it is found primarily in well-drained, open environments of alpine tundra. The lichen is an important food source for reindeer and it can be used in the making of aquavit (a Scandinavian alcoholic drink). In certain parts of its range, for instance in Cornwall, it is a threatened species and protected under the UK

 

It reminded me of all the years my wife and I had sold florist sundries. Reindeer moss in various colours was extremely popular in floral arrangements. The moss we sold came from Iceland and here I was staring at pure moss/lichen growing in abundance.

 

reindeer moss on rock face

 

moss/lichen

 

reindeer moss on rock face

 

 

 

Trip to Clywedog Dam

Feeling quite good today so got up and decided to drive to Llanidloes. A small town approx. 6 miles from Llandinam. Went up to the dam, a place I hadn’t been for quite some time. Wind was blowing strong and the thin jacket I had on was of little use.

Not surprising I was the only person there. The wet, fallen autumn leaves made the walk down somewhat precarious. I was disappointed as the last time here there was rabbits and squirrels running amok. The water in the reservoir was being released to lower the level. Today the dam was holding all back and I only saw 1 rabbit who, on seeing me, disappeared into one of the 100′s of holes.

The construction of the dam and lake throw up a number of interesting statistics. The structure is the tallest mass concrete dam in Britain, standing fully 236 ft (72m) high. It is 750 ft long, and holds back some 11,000 million gallons of water. This apparently equates to some 550 million baths, or 264 billion glasses of water. The weight of concrete used in the construction of the dam is equal to 7 times the tonnage of the QE2 cruise liner, in all some 200,000 cubic metres; enough to build 28 miles of six lane motorway.

At the base of the dam is the ruins of an old lead mine and mill. Part of which can be seen on top photo. I will include further details on a later blog hopefully on a warmer day.

                                                                                Partial view of lead mine and dam from wooden access bridge.

Lead mine at base of dam

Overflow stream from dam

I let the base of the dam and went up to the viewing area above the top of the dam.

Useful info. there is a cafe which is open during summer months and public toilets.

The view is very impressive.

 

Clywedog dam with reservoir (Llyn Clywedog)

Llyn Clywedog

 

 

After my visit I travelled towards home and spotted some beautiful live and dead trees smothered with moss.

I will show some of these in my next blog.

Thanks for viewing