With the family I had a beautiful day out in the Lake District yesterday. We parked up at Glenridding at the top of Ullswater and the lads went over Hellvelyn and down to Thirlmere on the other side whilst Fiona and I did a 6 mile walk around the lake. What a walk. I didn't prepare any notes for the walk I just took it as it came but all the geology and ornithology reading came through with understanding the rocks and identifying the birds but my knowledge of the smaller birds wasn't good and there were several species nesting in the Juniper and Gorse bushes . The top of Ullswater has a mini delta and when we scanned the reeds with the binoculars , we saw a diving duck that we couldn't recognize at the distance , around 300m, but we did identify it later. The weather was crystal clear and the low lying pastures rich with vegetation. Trotting along we saw out first buzzard just taking off and going into its circling routine to get height to allow it to find food . Looking up at it 50m away against the backdrop of the crags behind it was thrilling! At our turnback point we were munching the sarneys and spied the same diving duck we saw at the head of Ullswater but it was still to far off to see the details but I did briefly glimpse a hook at the end of the beak so it must have been a Sawbill , which got us very excited but which one ? When we got back to the car we went around to Thirlmere via Ambleside and just as we were coming up to the Thirlmere car park the boys had just come onto the road having descended Hellelyn . Good timing and I knew they would take no more than 4 hours ! Good fit doggies and they were as fresh as collies and keen to go to our next adventure . This was rowing there lazy parents around Derwent Water at Keswick and they grabbed the oars and off we went . A very nice surprise awaited us at the first island because we could see the diving duck we saw at Ullswater but very close and it was a Sawbill and I claimed it was a Goosander in summer plumage . Wrong as I found out when I got home . The pair of Sawbills we were looking at were feeding very close to the bank and speeding underwater in the shallows , you could see their wake on the surface and completely oblivious to our presence . Magic . I knew we would see something interesting further up on the opposite side of the lake so we drove the lads to row us over there as quickly as possible ! In a mini delta area where a stream entered the lake there were two Sawbills roosting on the water and as we approached they went into their feeding routine and we guided the boys to slowly and carefully turn the boat so we got the best view of them with the binoculars . Total magic. Best view of a diving duck I've ever had: about 20 feet away . So. we were running out of time and it was a mile back over the lake so we got the lads really pulling on those oars to get us back and hopefully see some more Sawbills . We did : not feeding but 4 male and 1 female were doing a mating dance the males crooking their necks back and thrusting their beaks in the air and rushing at other males to barge them out of the way. Sort of feathered slam dancing ! Magic! We ate at the Loose Box , the same meal as a week before then home and Star Trek . A wonderful day with my lovely family . We have now established a pattern for the lads to walk together at young mens pace, nice and brisk, and Fo and I doing the geology and nature bit . The Sawbills that we saw were Red Breasted Mergansers. Lovely duck!

Yesterday, Fo was doing schoolwork, Miles was doing maths and Clifford said he was tired and didn't want to go out . So I went out on my own down to York where there were some very nice surprises for me . For some compelling reason I wanted to have a look around York Minister so I was really enjoying the atmosphere and the stained glass although the magnificent East Window was out being repaired this window being an amazing pictorial description of the Christian Creation and the Apocalypse. But then came an announcement that shot me bolt upright , not quite a Saint Paul on the road to Damascus moment , not even close , but electrifying anyway: three guys , a Trio were going to sing at 11am in the North Transept and I was pretty sure there would be a real live professional countertenor. Wandering around to the Transept I couldn't run , it was a Church after all , there were the magnificent three, in my mind anyway , a bass , tenor and a countertenor . Now which one was which ? You'd think that one of the two small dapper young men would have the high male alto voice but not so . It was mister beefy at the end a big jovial chap who sang like a lark . Magic . In fact they all sounded together like a dream . Three years training at Trinity College of music had certainly paid off as I found out later after their performance when talking to the suave dapper tenor chappie who as I looked at him thought "I wish my lads had that dapper pose " but there's no chance : to big to many muscles ! Anyway I had a great chat with him after all he had 6 hours to fill before his Trio was performing at the Evensong at 5.15pm and I conveyed my admiration for his light high tenor voice and how beatiful it sounded and he came out with the self deprecating comment " Yes that's right I've no bottom!" Now believe it or that is an interesting subject for singers. The countertenor chappie he sang beautifully but for male altos developing the low notes is a challenge one that he had mostly overcome but not quite . It take years as I'm finding out myself and whilst I could sing the music he was singing there is no way I could match that soaring level of vocal projection that seemed to fill up the North Transept. Lovely. You're a great Trio guys and I hope to hear more of you . A magical moment. Onward with my walk I met my friend Dave a great fiddle player busking near Parliament Street and caught up on what various musicians are doing . I've known Dave since 1984. A very good man who has seen all of my changes and approved of every one of them ! Taking a circuitous route to the University Lake in the hope of seeing something interesting , I did see lots of semi naked students out in the sun, zero interest there , but joy of joys I saw a Lesser Snow Goose several of them . Brilliant , a brown bodied Goose with a white neck and head that look like its just taken its head out of a snow drift. Strode back to the car , had my tail right up what with all the excitement in York Minster and did the three miles back to the car very quickly . I could of stayed to see the Trio at Evensong but Star Trek , tea and my family was calling " Daddeeeeeee where are youuuuuuuuuuu!"

Yesterday afternoon Fo Clifford and I had a great 4 mile walk around Durham . Miles didn't come because he had to good a skateboard session . Good doggie! The water in the River Wear looked stagnant because of the dry spell but the riverside plants and tree leaves have really got going so it looks quite fecund. Great word that. We went into the center from Shincliffe but doing a different route : we walked alongside the road! Who needs the countryside ! The good thing about that is the different views but when we got to Saint Oswalds Church we could cut down onto the riverside path which was all in the shade and very cool. Hardly a bird to be seen on the walk . Where have they all gone ?! When we got back after tea and Star Trek I went up to Butterknowle to have a play with the Button Hole Jam at their Open Mike Night . It was quiet but still a good night. Its a privilege to play with such good and very nice musicians . The sound problems are now cured and Klara Whileys fine alto is on top where it should be given a nice female melodic focus to the band . Whilst I can harmonize using my countertenor straight off I didn't sing last night because I was using the right harmonica amplification setup for the first time and it made a real difference so I was exploring that . I noticed that I need to practice again because on one song I could hear the solo I wanted to do but could not do it because I have got out of practice and cannot play that fast anymore . This will be put right for the next gig so I hope Butterknowle Village hall has plenty of fire extinguishers! I could hear myself properly for the first time ever with a band . I still have to make sure that it is loud enough at the PA end but I will sort that out next time. A very nice end to a great weekend !

Yesterday was a magical day. With Fo in the morning I went to Saltholme RSPB Reserve to look at birds and not only saw some great birds but they were doing interesting things as well . In Saltholme Hide the Little Egrets were hunting darting there heads into the water and so were the Herons . Because it was Saturday there were lots of RSPB Wardens around and they found a Turnstone and joy of joys a pair of Shovelers a duck with a huge fat bill. Onto Paddies Hide and we saw the Crested Grebes nesting and a pair of Avocets feeding which was great because they put there heads down , wade through the water and sieve out food with their long curved beaks . Coffee and cake followed with my lovely lady and then we nipped down to Greatham Creek a mile down the road because the Wardens had told us there was a flock of Avocets there and we found them and they were amazing and very active feeding away . Shot back home to get the lads out for a 4 mile sprint around Durham in the very sultry cloudy weather and then back home for tea and Star Trek . To round off the day I rehearsed for the first time with Button Hole Jam and really enjoyed it because I miked up my harmonica correctly for the first time and I could hear myself properly . It was great singing with them as well and my countertenor voice which I have been sorting out for the last year is strong enough for a public showing at last . When harmonizing with Klara Whiley the lead female singer it worked very well and I'd like to develop that with her . A great end to a brilliant day! Couldn't sleep when I got back because I was to excited !

Last Wednesday with the family I went to the Lake District for walking , geology and birdwatching . We dropped the boys off at Scales a few miles outside Keswick so the lads could go up and over Blencathra and we met them 3 hours later at the Blencathra Center . Fo and I parked up at the Center and walked into the Glenderaterra Valley so I could have a good look at the geology . I had an excellent guide book and it really brought the place alive . As we started out seeing the huge side of Lonscale Fell sweeping up on our left it just made my heart soar. Decoding the landscape to understand the rocks was challenging ! I really could have done with a small scale one inch map but I got there . We rounded a bluff and joy of joys I found the outcrop of chiastolite I was after and loads of it had eroded into the stream so I got a good sample with lots of crystals . The Chiastolite had formed from the baking of the rock (metamorphosis) and further up the valley there is a stream which wends its way up the hill but neatly cutting through the rock which shows different rocks all ending with -ite indicating the heat going from hotter to cooler as it goes up. Very interesting . There were three female geography students doing a project standing in the stream where my samples were and we had a nice chat with them . Pity the lads weren't with us they would have enjoyed there company! They found it hard to believe that where we were stood was 18000 feet under the sea 440 million years ago but then again they were geography students ! Aw : do geology ladies! Further up the valley there were more of them doing project work and it was great to see youngsters out like me and Fo trying to understand the place . We met up with the lads, who'd hardly broken a sweat , and went to Keswick to get them to row us around the lake but it was mega busy so we went to Dodd Wood where there is an RSPB viewing point and had a good look at an Osprey nest but no Osprey . The lads still had some energy to burn so they strode up to the top of Dodd Wood adding another 5 miles to there walking for the day . Good doggies. Nice meal at the Loose Box followed and back home for Star Trek . A spot on day in the company of my fine fellow sons and the lovely Fiona who found the Glebderaterra Valley beautiful. When Fo is happy I'm happy !

This morning when the rest of the gang were tucked up in bed I went to Saltholme RSPB reserve on Teeside to see what was around. Not a lot of birds it turned out but the ones that were there were real gems. First off was a Little Ringed Plover snuck in amongst a pair of Herons as well as , joy of joys a pair of Little Egrets . Very nice . Moving on to Paddies Hide where I was sure there would be a breeding pair of Greater Crested Grebes because they were there last year and sure enough there they were there still at the stage of affectionately handing bits of weed to each other . That was good but it got better because I noticed two patchy looking black and white birds roosting in the gravel patch on the island in the lagoon and I was just about to ask the RSPB chappie what they were when he said the magic words "There are a pair of Avocets at the end of this scope if you want to have a look " . Did I. Amazing, coupled with a bit of disappointment because it didn't look like they were going to stand up so I could see that kids slide beak they have and the long graceful legs and body . But they did stand up for a while . I seem to have luck when birding as one RSPB bloke said to me a few months ago . He also found a Pink Footed Goose on the scope as well and that just made my morning . RSPB Brill! The whole place was a bit steamy and hot in the haze and I could see the mega industry around the site about a mile away but I couldn't hear much of it and with the Skylarks singing away , dozens of them , it felt just like Upper Teesdale ! On the way back to the Information Center best of all really was a lovely old lady bouncing along brandishing her RSPB sweatshirt and waving her arms around like some frisky Grebe to loosen up a bit ! You really are as old as you feel and if I wasn't an accounted for man I would have liked to have given her a hug just to see how young she really did feel. People who get into nature seem to have a zest about them that I really like ! Of course the lovely Fo is also really into nature and I do get to hug her ! When I'm not in the doghouse that is !

Yesterday Fo and I had a nice 8 mile walk around York, a warm up really for when we go into the Lake District this week. The lads were wasted with colds so looking half dead and making minor protests we let them stay at home for the day . I say let them stay it was nice to be out and about with my wife without the doggies for once! Monday morning York was quiet, sleepy and the early morning haze added to the ambience . Fo enjoyed having a good look at the flowers and plants as we walked around and we had a good birdwatching session at the Uni lake, Derwent College end , where a young heron was trying to feed in the reeds but kept on being chased off by the Greylag and Barnacle geese. Still , it allowed us to have a good look very close up at a magnificent animal . It was interesting how it kept looking down trying to find a spot but when we left 20 minutes later it was still high in the tree and eventually flew off . A nice day out but I got back to late to get to the rehearsal / gig at Butterknowle! I will bare my back for getting whipped this Sunday! Bad dog!

Well you can't always get it right . Fo and I had our tails firmly up for the walk today but the lads were drooping ! If you are into birds and botany today's walk is a gem but for the lads who could see where we were going , no surprises they were just not that riveted ! We went to Moorhouse Natural Nature Reserve with Cronkley Scar looming down over us just across the River Tees . There was a coldish wind and it was dull and there were not many birds around , but quite a few lapwings busy as usual catching everyone's attention particularly each others all no little eggs will be laid in a couple of weeks time and no cutey Lapwing chicks . So all was well in there expansive world but the doggy end of the Saunders-Priem family was flagging . The best part of the walk was taking a short cut back and stumbling across some Alpine and Arctic species of Violets and Pansies that got Fo very exited ( it doesn't take much) but because our doggies were a little poe faced , even the biscuit break didn't revive them, we didn't stay as long as we would have liked to have a look at these beauties. And to think I'd planned a 8 miler up and down and around Cronkley Scar ! To be fair to the lads , Clifford is still get over a minor nasty cold and Miles felt duff after a totally over the top skate skateboard session at RKade in Redcar last Thursday and they have both worked like little trojans at there maths for the last 2 months so I wasn't to displeased. However the fact is that without our under-performing children this afternoon Fo and I would have done the whole 8 miles . Oh well they are going up Blencathra in the Lake District next week and I hope their spirits and energy have revived by then . It will!

Yesterday with the family I had a nice 4 mile walk around Durham under a milky white spring sky . For once walking down the road from the car there weren't bird sounds coming out of what we call the singing hedge because we can hear the birds but not see them . Maybe they'd all gone off to sit on nests. The spring was errr springing out and the Himalaya Balsam was popping out of the ground but no competition to the Blackthorn Blossom! Fiona was still a bit woozy from her cold so biscuit break was just a mile and a half down the path . Nice walk.

In the evening I was playing at the Butterknowle Village Hall Fundraiser and it was quite a wild night . The music was good but basically the PA was to small for that size venue and that amount of people so feedback was a problem . I'm taking my own rig next time so I can get heard because as Fiona said " I could hardly hear you ". Still quality music was not necessary for a good night and a fun time was had by all. I amused a few when Bryan Whiley announced that the Pie and Peas were being served so I just ran to the serving hatch to the accompaniment of a few cheers ! A nice night but we have have to get the sound problems sorted out !

Yesterday it was to good to stay in so I went down to York for an 8 miles walk . Parked up at Homestead Park and the Gardens were lovely particularly the rhododendrons and the azaleas. Moving down to Museum Gardens the River Ouse was low and there has been a spell of dry weather in the Dales so little water decants into the Ouse. Over at the Uni Lake again there were few ducks around but there were a few moorhen and coot nests so at least they are going strong . They tend to survive any weather . Back up to Parliament Square I got a super pasty from the Pasty Company and sat down on a bench and got talking to a nice old Canadian man where we sort of put the world to rights . He was on a mini tour and then off up to Edinburgh to visit his son doing a Phd up there and I said that if my lads go to Canada, which we are encouraging them to do we will be doing the same sort of thing but the other way around . Gorgeous drive back because there were miles of Blackthorn hedging blossoming away and it look like a line of snow between the fields . A great time of the year and a nice few hours in Ye Olde Yorke . I like going there because as Niel Young said about a town that meant a lot to him " all my changes were there " .

Last Saturday with the family we headed up to Upper Teesdale under a blue sky with clusters of candy floss clouds and arrived at Cow Green reservoir car park 45 minutes later. This was the day to finally investigate Falcon Clints a 1 mile long gorge like feature with the River Tees running smack in the middle of it! Walking down to the reservoir dam we saw many skylarks larking about attempting to mate and many of them were running around the ground as well. Just before the dam we saw the top part of the Whin Sill and we knew this because the limestone was all sugary looking and white due to it being melted 295 million years ago when the Whin Sill squeezed and inserted its way between the level limestone layers. The force needed to do this is pretty unimaginable. Around the Cow Green Reservoir area the Whin Sill is 75 m thick. The lower part of it is at the bottom of Cauldron Snout a massively stepped waterfall which is completely made up of the Whin Sill all nicely eroded into angular platforms. It was great watching Fiona clambering down the rocks and thank goodness it was dry or else I'm pretty sure she would have done one of her falling down routines! One day this is going to go bad but so far she has survived! At the bottom of the waterfall we followed the River Tees to Falcon Clints which is just a couple of hundred metres downstream. In the cliff just up from the path you can see the bottom contact point of the Whin Sill with the limestone which is all melted, sugary and almost powdery looking. We were actually stood underneath the Whin Sill because there was a huge outcrop and looking at some of the 2 m square boulders that were near the River I sincerely wondered when this outcrop was going to fall and hoped not when we were underneath it! Seeing the contact point was very exciting. When we turned round to look back upstream we could see the old route of the River Tees in other words the pre-glaciation route and for once I could see how the geologists had worked this out quite simply because there was a V-shaped rock outline with a lot of clay and turf between it which was obviously an old waterfall that had been plugged up by the glacier. Moving further down the Pennine Way clambering around the rocks which were right next to the River I suddenly saw a blackbird sized bird with a white collar around its neck which I immediately recognized as a Ring Ouzel. Unfortunately, I did not have my binoculars out so I was scrambling around my rucksack to get them and in that time the flaming thing shot off up and over the cliff and I could not see it any more. Grrrrrrrr! Very frustrating because the Ring Ouzel is one of the birds I really want to spend some time looking at having never seen it before other than in my bird book. The good news is we are going back up there again next week and they nest in the cliffs so there is a good chance I will see this bird again. There were also lots of Kestrels and Curlews gliding around very close to each other obviously going through mating behaviours. One pair of curlews flew almost touching each other for about half a mile. Very beautiful because Cronkley Scar Fell was behind them which made a very nice backdrop. After a mile and a half of clambering around the rocks moving very slowly and with Cronkley Scar on our right across the river we came to the Moorhouse National Nature Reserve headquarters the cutely named Widdy Bank Farm looking over a huge meadow which is actually full of birds like lapwings, oystercatchers, curlews and believe it or not Redshanks the only time I have ever seen Redshanks have been on the coast but they come inland to the Moors to breed. As we just got to the road we saw a pair of Redshanks which was totally amazing because they look really out of context on moorlands turf particularly as I have only ever seen them sticking their beaks into sand and mud flats. These two were perched on a fence and were not bothered that we were there unlike the Ring Ouzel which shot off as soon as it saw us. From this point there was a nice continuously uphill 2 1/2 mile walk back to the car which we did in 40 minutes which was proof positive that both Miles and Fiona have got over their illnesses and are in good fettle. A supremely geologically and ornothologically interesting walk variations of which we will be doing many of over the next few months right through to August when the hay meadows are in their prime as well as lots of the plants and ground nesting birds that Fiona and I want to see. Next week we are going to the same place but starting from the Moorhouse National Nature Reserve headquarters and then walking up and over Cronkley Scar. Can't wait!