2nd Anniversary of blog. Hard to believe 22nd June 2019

Yes folks, I have been subjecting you to photos of the restoration efforts on the Eversley quarry for two years now.  Actually, it was the 18th June 2017 when I first took a photo of the conveyor on Manor farm and Fleet hill farm.  Back then I thought the restoration was nearing its end.  Two years on and...we're still going strong.  Perhaps, just perhaps the latest schedule will be adhered to: Manor farm completed at the end of this year, Chandlers farm building razed as well, with hand over at the end of June 2020.

Will Inert/Cemex complete Manor farm this year? Well, as I have said on numerous occasions, it will be touch and go. Manor farm is still out of bounds. Our faithful pump was off when I wandered round on Thursday and Friday; though it had reduced water levels considerably.  This means that there will only be roughly five months for Inert to complete the infill of Cormorant lakes north and south, and to merge it with Manor lake. Completing footpaths and bridlepaths, along with any fencing (which desperately needs fixing) can be done in parallel with the infill, and sub-contracted to other companies.

It looks as if your intrepid recorded will have numerous early Saturday morning stomps for at least another year.

I know it may come as a shock to many readers, but I got my first mobile (smart) phone this last Wednesday.  Yep, I have been doggedly doing without a mobile phone. All the more remarkable seeing as I have worked in hi-tech industries for decades; well able to program computers from assembler/board level all the way up to using sophisticated data analysis platforms.  I still have the phone turned off more times than on.

One reason for buying a smart phone was the thought I could dispense with carrying two cameras around with me. A DSLR for wildlife photos and a bridge camera for wide angle shots. Well, it was a qualified success.

With its 27mm equivalent lens, the smart phone took quite good scenic photos. All went to pot, however, when I 'zoomed' in. Said mobile has a maximum zoom of 8x.  Only it turns out it is digital zoom. There is no optical zoom. The results are pretty poor.

The good news is that the smart phone has a very good macro facility. I was most impressed. Unfortunately this facility does require docile subjects as you have to get right up close and personal with them; like within 5cm.  That being said, you get stunning results when you can do so.

Thus, I carry three cameras around with me. My DSLR/Sigma lens combo (for long range wildlife), a Lumix bridge camera (for wide angle shots) and the smart phone (for macro). How barmy is that?

These first set of photos are of Chandlers farm as seen from the Bailey bridge. This whole area is definitely getting flatter, and you may notice that the banking along the south side of the site has been eaten into.

I notice mud on the Bailey bridge. This indicates vehicle traffic has occurred over the week. I'm not sure what has taken place on Manor farm or where, as I have been staying off it due to the breeding season.

Moving swiftly on to some bug shots. Insects are in crisis. This only came home to me when some of us of a certain age will remember the bug splats we got on our windscreens and bonnets when travelling in spring and summer months. Some younger people will never have experienced this. There simply aren't the numbers of bugs any more.

Reserves like Manor farm, Fleet hill farm and Moor Green lakes are even more critical.

Anyway, here are some bugs spotted around Manor farm and Moor Green lakes. Some taken with my smart phone, others with my DSLR.

Now the birdie shots.  All but one were on Colebrook lake, near the hide.