Collecting spiders….

…. Spider Crabs, that is.  Conditions are such that these scary-looking creatures have been coming into the shallows to shed their shells, only to find that they have been seized upon by eager anglers for bait.  A quick search with Wighteye Jr resulted in a bucketful which were returned unharmed.

A step in the dark

A night time trip to the kitchen in search of something to eat was a rather gruesome experience last week.  Not wanting to wake Mrs Wighteye, this foray in the dark took a nightmare turn when I trod on something unexpected; on turning on the kitchen light I found a headless rabbit on Littlecat’s killing mat.  My resultant shout woke Mrs Wighteye anyway and so I returned to bed, my appetite had somehow dissipated!

Curtains for Crow

The countryside is not just pretty cottages and tea rooms, though they are important of course!  No, the countryside is fields; in those fields grow valuable crops and Mr Crow was certainly not welcome in this particular area of farmland.  I’d class this as barbaric, reminiscent of moles that I saw strung up in the Pennines some years ago.  Do the other crows get the message?  Well, they were still flying over the land, but I didn’t see any dilly-dallying!

Country Ways

With Littlecat’s mum and dad away, we were treated to a week’s break in deepest Shorwell yet again, a time that was much cherished, with bike rides and skinny dipping jostling with tea rooms and short walks for our attention.  On our first evening there we spotted a barn owl on it’s evening rounds and were able to return at the same time for further sightings.

Mrs W ventures to disclosed Picnic Location in Town Centre

Hello, this is Mrs Wighteye reporting back (as promised) on the Big Green Picnic. Without knowing exactly what to expect my immediate impression was of marquees in rows divided by the pseudo-green of the carpet which was ofcourse pivotal to the whole event. There was a relaxed, light-hearted atmosphere, particularly when the music started, with the chance to indulge in something vegetarian maybe from the local fayre of producers. ‘But did you get the green message’? insisted Wighteye. But I’m already Green I retorted! However, there is always more to learn about new projects and initiatives. The bamboo t-shirts for instance were a first as well as visiting the more familiar territory of the eco-challenger. I have to say the water play and building of solar-powered boats had captured the lion’s share of the younger audience. Here is Helen, the challenger warrior attending to the boats, together with the box of goodies from which to construct your own craft. Long may the Medina Valley Centre fly the flag of environmental education and the wonder of the natural world. If you would like to know more, simply visit www.medinavalleycentre.org.uk.

Delving into the Rockpool

Having previously attended ‘Shopping Trolley’ events showcasing the creativity of Ventnor based artists/musicians etc, I didn’t need much persuasion to attend ‘Rockpool’ at Ventnor Winter Gardens.  The venue is sadly lacking in good lighting, but this was made up for by several engaging ‘happenings’, including the hugely entertaining interactive music in the teepee ; I just loved making a fool of myself uttering sounds into the mike alongside others using keyboards and mixers, the sound phasing in and out and all seemingly choreographed in some way that even my vocals sounded good! Also of note was the opportunity to sample street art by picking up a black marker and having a go at graffiti. I was very interested in the experimental use of video, allowing visitors to interact with visual feedback.  More conventional artwork was also on show and a particular favourite of mine is the work of Hannah Ray who paints the human form so well.  Examples of Hannah’s work can be viewed at   www.hannahray.com

Big Green Beano

Family and work commitments unfortunately conspired to prevent me attending the Big Green Picnic, so Wighteye has been quizzing both Mrs Wighteye and Wighteye Jr who attended the event separately.  Jr thought it was “great fun” and his favourite activity was at the Medina Valley Centre’s Eco Challenger, where solar energy was being harvested to provide power for boats created by visitors.  Alas, both Jr and Mrs W replied in the negative when asked whether they knew any more about green issues having attended the event.

I have asked Mrs Wighteye to provide a more in depth review in due course ….watch this space!

Big Green Car Park this weekend

Preparations are well underway for the ‘picnic’ in the Council car park, fences are up bordering the motorway and a variety of marquees have been erected, I’m looking forward to visiting myself.  Doubt whether I’ll be sitting on the grass though, despite promises of a reused ex bowling green artificial turf.  May even dig out my “wind power….yes please” t shirt for the occasion.

Vics vanquished 2-1

Cowes Sports won a thrilling IW Gold Cup Final tonight at Westwood Park.  East Cowes Vics went ahead towards the end of the first half, only for Cowes Sports to equalise 10 minutes from the end of normal time.  Tiredness and lapses in concentration led to Vics conceding again in the second period of extra time, just when it looked as though a penalty shoot out could be on the cards.  The game was played at a good pace and was end to end entertainment for the sizeable crowd.  This was my first visit to Westwood Park and I thought the facilities were good, although the main stand has a host of supports that can obscure the view.  Well done both teams, they did themselves proud.

Big Yellow Taxi coming to Newport

Never mind the Big Green Picnic, Wighteye believes the occasion should be renamed in honour of Joni Mitchell and her assertion that “They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot”.  For any of you that have not yet heard, the ego-island event for plebs (we don’t seem to deserve a conference) will not take place on the grassy plains of Church Litten, but on the Council Car Park, right next to the ‘Motorway’.  Should be a nightmare for any families with small kids and hardly conducive to that picnic ambience.