Hungry Caterpillars

These tiny green caterpillars have virtually stripped the leaves from the gooseberry bush :-( Unfortunately I haven't been able to identify them. Any ideas?

Securing the Perimeter

The derelict buildings of a local airbase are used for urban combat games. In this skirmish the blue team are defending an abandoned police station.

Thistledown

Thistledown is the soft silky material attached to thistle seeds to enable them to float on the breeze. We used to call them thistle fairies and try to catch one to make a wish :-)

Caterpillar Hunt

This morning I went on a caterpillar hunt, looking specifically for caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth. I found plenty of ragwort where the moth lays her eggs, but had to search for a while before I discovered a few caterpillars :-)

The Ruins of Whitby Abbey

Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes, and which is the scene of part of "Marmion," where the girl was built up in the wall. It is a most noble ruin, of immense size, and full of beautiful and romantic bits. There is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

As the cloud passed I could see the ruins of the abbey coming into view, and as the edge of a narrow band of light as sharp as a sword-cut moved along, the church and churchyard became gradually visible. Whatever my expectation was, it was not disappointed, for there, on our favourite seat, the silver light of the moon struck a half-reclining figure, snowy white.

Dracula - Bram Stoker

Inspired by a visit to Whitby, I read Bram Stoker's Dracula closely followed by The Lair of the White Worm. It's easy to see how Stoker found inspiration in the crumbling ruins and the old town legends. :-)