Thursday 22 August 2013

Lovely mornings and electronic cigarettes.

What to comment on today. I do like this blogging lark, gives someone like me a chance to ramble on.

The weather for the next few days is improving. Saturday looks like a wash out however if you live in the High Peak you'll be used to a few downpours.

Buxton has its own microclimate I'm sure.

Noticed a new shop the other day. One of those electronic cigarette shops. I understand the correct term is vaping. As I understand it, there is no smoke. Just a vapour that is breathed out. So it is in theory healthier. Effectively the person vaping is hydrating the nearby atmosphere. It does sound better, I know that there isn't as much research, medical wise, into it as there is smoking. Which we all know is very bad for you. The electronic cigarettes lack the additional chemicals that you find in tobacco based ones. I think I'll look into this a little further and let you know what I find out.

It is a lovely morning so I guess I'll leave cyberspace and go and enjoy the great outdoors. In other words get the outside job that Mrs Sea Duck will no doubt as me to do.

Have a great day everyone.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

General Ramblings....................

We I haven't blogged for a while, the Sea Duck mobile is not feeling very well so me and my faithful Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound have been going elsewhere like Grin Low, Cunning Dale, Woo Dale and Lightwood Reservoir as our daily walkies to the Goyt Valley can't happen cause the car's kaput!

Chrome Hill from Parkhouse Hill

Oh well, c'est la vie.

Various things have happened, the Chief from East Midland Ambulance Service has gone to greener pastures. The common thought is he'll reappear in the East of England Ambulance service or Kings Mill Hospital. After EMAS's disastrous 'Being the Best' consultation where Mr Milligan promised to keep an ambulance station in the High Peak, does this mean that his going from the service will mean the promise will disappear with him?  I hope not, however, the acting chief a Mr Jon Sargeant is sticking with the 'Being the Best' proposals. You know where they can do more with less and was the subject of much jaw dropping from MP's, Councillors, GP's, Staff, Unions and general public, and much asking of the questions 'How?' I could and maybe one day I will write pages on this but for now I wish Mr Milligan all the best in his new position where ever it may be and hope Mr Sargeant is on the appointment list for the common sense fairy.

The sun behind some trees on the shoreline of Fernilee Reservoir.
New job figures show the unemployment is falling. Is it? Mrs Sea Duck is actively seeking work, but she's doesn't get Job Seekers Allowance, this is because you can only claim for a certain number of weeks. She had her JSA cancelled as she had overrun this time period and is now actively seeking work, but sadly at the moment unemployed. So she's not claiming JSA which appears to be how the figures are worked out, but she's not employed either. So I'm not sure I believe the figures given out by the government today.  Not claiming JSA doesn't mean employed.
Sunset over the Goyt Valley

Someone threw an egg at Labour Party leader Mr Milliband today. He took it rather well and made a joke about how good the market was for the availability of eggs. Not sure that was the way to re-act. I mean if he and other politicians make jokes about having eggs thrown at them maybe more people will throw then to hear a good jest. Okay unlikely that would be a reason, let's face it, it is common assault really and I don't want to seem like I'm egging (sorry) anyone on here. But would the 'not bothered' reaction be really the right one? When an egg was thrown at Mr Prescott he turned round and gave the thrower a very nice right hand jab, right on the chin. Did anyone throw eggs at him again? No they did not.

Did Mr Milliband's response show him to be a good egg, who knows? Okay I'm going to stop now.

Rather serious things are going on at New Mills town hall, you can read about it at fellow blogger's site High Peak Transparency

I'm enjoying the cooler weather, not one for the baking heat me, the weeds on my allotment are loving the warm wet weather. I can see Mrs Sea Duck sticking dealing with those on my to-do list. It would be nice to blog a bit more but duty calls.

Until then be happy everyone.

Saturday 3 August 2013

CRoW act 2000 in Goyt Valley ends

Well the CRoW act 2000 that was enforce until the 31st July has now passed.

This morning I went down around 6 am to the dismantled railway path to see if there was any improvement in the ground nesting birds there.

The act was in place mainly to help curlew and lapwings restore their numbers. As I previously noted I had seen curlew down there but not lapwings. Lapwings are found on the pasture land nearer Buxton town and towards Fernilee.

One thing of note was a brown hare that I saw. I've never seen one in that area of the Goyt Valley before. There was also a mallard with ducklings on the pond near the car park. One very noticeable bird present was the red grouse. I saw and heard quite a few of them. I came across a flock of around 12 very near the car parks. Possibly looking forward to the glorious 12th. There was also a kestrel as well as meadow pipits in some number. An unrecognised type of finch was also seen. Pheasant was also heard. A cormorant was spotted on Errwood Reservoir.

No sign of any curlew or lapwings.

 A few people were out walking their dogs. I counted five in total, all on their leads and walked by friendly middle aged ladies. Who were quite happy to exchange the time of day with old Sea Duck. One noted that the act was a 'bit of a pain' but had just changed location for the exercising of their pet. Another noted about the increase in legislation on dog owners. An interesting point.

Another thing I noted was an increase in flowers. There was a very delicate white one that particularly caught my eye. Has the lack of canines running over the ground encouraged them?

Anyway the act has passed and while I saw no increase in either curlew or lapwing, other wildlife does seem to have benefited from the act being in force.