Tag Archives: Kingswood

Starling being fed in old Rayburn solid fuel cooker

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Picture of a Starling chick being fed in an old, disused Rayburn solid fuel cooker which a pair of Starlings were using as a nest.  This was the second time Starlings have done this, the previous time being two years ago.  I managed to grab a few pictures of the chick being fed.  The next day it had fledged and gone.  The pictures were taken through an open window on a Canon EOS7D Mk2.  The lens was a 100 – 400 Canon.

Both parents were feeding one chick.  At least, I believe there was only one chick.  This was the same as the previous nesting two years before.

 

 

Mars, Venus and Jupiter

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I have been meaning to see Mars, Venus and Jupiter for the last few days, but been thwarted by not waking up and the clouds.  First saw them at 2.00am on Saturday morning, saw two bright objects in the sky, low to the horizon.  I thought the other object must still be below the  horizon.  So went back to sleep, to wake at 4.45 am to find cloud.

After the Kingswood fireworks, I set the alarm for 4.45, prepared the camera and went to bed.  Woke and it was misty, but the stars were still visible.  This time I saw the two bright objects high in the sky?  Where was the third.  Puzzled, fired up google Night Sky and searched for Mars, Venus and Jupiter.  Duh, of course Mars was not as bright as Venus and Jupiter. The red planet was easily spotted with binoculars.  Here is a photograph of the planets, from left to right they are Mars (red), Venus (the brightest) and Jupiter.

Mars, Venus and Jupiter on 1st November 2015 a 5.42 EDT, Kingswood, Bucks, UK

Mars, Venus and Jupiter on 1st November 2015 a 5.42 EDT, Kingswood, Bucks, UK

Kingswood Firework Display

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Saturday we went to our local firework display at Kingswood organised by Ian and Julie and kindly hosted by George and Annie. Ian put on the display. Burgers and sausages cooked and serverd by Duncan, Keith, Karin and Charlotte.  Good time as we get to meet and chat with others from the village we might not meet every day.  Selina, Phil and Julian came over as well.  Selina caught up with  Julie and Smeg.

Lovely still evening, no wind and remarkably warm for the end of October.  The bonfire included some of the stuff we had been collecting for years, including old doors and our “thermometer” which was placed on the crossways years ago when we were trying to get people to sign up for broadband.

 

 

 

Kingswood Bonfire 2015

Kingswood Bonfire

The Kingswood Gun Club and Saint Brides Major shoot

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Steve at Kingswood Gun ClubThis Sunday we had the second leg of the Welsh shoot at Kingswood Gun Club.  The shoot was on Pete’s farm and had already been set up by Mark and Graham, all we had to do was load the traps, and erect the cages.  Saint Brides Major arrived at around 11.00 in their coach, we all had a coffee while we were squadded.  We then had an enjoyable clay shoot of 70 birds, some quite demanding birds, some that should have been easy, but for some reason I missed.  Unfortunately the predicted rain came before the end of the shoot.  It was very noticeable the Welsh were well prepared for the rain, while most of us from Buckinghamshire expected the rain not to arrive before the end.  By the time I had picked up clays, and help clear up I was definitely a drowned rat.

Quick stop at home to change, and pick up the chauffeur and we were off for the shoot lunch at the Crown in Tyford.  Sunday Roast, pudding, cheese and biscuits along with some beer.

Unfortunately it seems we did not do enough to beat Saint Brides Major, and Kingswood Gun Club had to hand over the cup for a year.  There was not much in the scores, we were beaten by only a few shots.  Next year we will have our revenge,

Birds who use our bird feeders

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A few pictures taken around our birdfeeders, not birds who feed on our food, but rather birds who feed on the birds feeding on the feeders.  So there is a Kestrel, and a regular visitor, a Sparrowhawk.  Last year we were sitting in the garden when the Sparrowhawk struck and removed one feeding bird.  There was silence for a few minutes when all others disappeared.  They soon forgot and were back out.  This Sparrowhawk regularly comes and sits on the bird feeders, but had been rather camera shy.

The Redwing and Fieldfare were photographed in out field.  There can be flocks of 40 – 50 at a time.

I have rejoined the The Kingswood Gun Club

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Its been a very long time since my shot gun has seen daylight. After 4 years of nagging by Jennifer on a Friday night at the P&A I rejoined the Kingswood Gun Club and shot for the first time since, I have no idea when.  Amazingly the gun had no rust marks. The skeet jacket appears to have shrunk by a few sizes, looks like I will be needing a new one of those.  I  impressed myself on the first stand, 7 out of 8.  Went downhill after that though.  I have re-joined. Alas will be missing the Welsh trip next Sunday.  Prior engagement, the daughter is coming for lunch.

Some changes since I was last shot.  All automatic traps, and a tea break half way through the shoot.  Nice to see some old regulars and lots of new faces. The club also has a smashing website and forum.

Pictures have been added for the Kingswood 2013 BBQ in the village circle

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The second Bank Holiday in May treated us to so some nice weather. The tug of war has been delayed to August, so instead a BBQ was organised in the circle. Well attended and fun with the usual suspects, drinking and feasting.

 

Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day

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Christmas is over, with the real Boxing Day nearing the end. Family has left and Rosemary and I are left alone to eat our turkey and bread sauce sandwiches. This Christmas has been a white one with snow on the fields, and -10C frosts and hot wood burners toasting our toes. Friends in the pub to share a pint or two, Selina and Phil to share a turkey with. Alas did not manage to persuade Selina to run to the village shop. Yes, an evil plan hatched by her parents, the shop does not open on Boxing Day.

Here are a few pictures for you, I have even take a departure from the norm and condescended to include some people in one or two shots.

There’s a chill in the air, nobody could care.

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It was a tad nippy last night. The mercury fell to -11C or in old money 12.2F. That temperature is also 471.87 Rankine, -8.8 Reaumur and 262.15 Kelvin.

The Plough and Anchor pub almost caught fire last night.  They had installed a wood burner, but placed the flue against the wood lintel. This was smouldering quite fiercely when I entered the pub. The chef was spraying water inbetween the stonework and the wood. Pub talk was all about the Crooked Billet and the planned New Year rave. Let’s hope it goes ahead without any trouble.

Today it has started to snow and has been doing so for the past 3 hours. The traffic on the main road is now quite limited.