Badgers North Fife

What a shame, this poor badger is the second I've come across this year. Lying at the roadside dead, I was taken by the fantastic hair and how many shaving brushes they might make. Occasionally I come across Roe deer that have suffered the same fate, a different story, we enjoy to eat venison. Och well, maybe the next time I'll have some clippers and even try the meat.

Coincidentally, This publication,

Badgerlands: The Twilight World of Britain's Most Enigmatic Animal 

is to be published on October 3rd

Britain is the home of the badger - there are more badgers per square kilometre in this country than in any other. And yet many of us have never seen one. They are nocturnal creatures, who vanish into their labyrinthine underground setts at the first hint of a human. Accompanied by the eccentrics and scientists who feed and study badgers, Barkham explores Badgerland; a nocturnal world in which sounds and scents are amplified, and Britain seems a much stranger place, one in which these low slung, snuffling, distinctively striped creatures gambol and dig, and live out their complex social lives. Patrick Barkham's grandmother won their trust enough to feed and nurse them, and was responsible for a Parliamentary bill that prohibited their slaughter. Today, over 40 years later, the badger is once again set to be culled. Barkham delves into the fascinating natural and rich cultural history of the animal - from their prehistoric arrival in Britain, to their savage persecution over the centuries, to their change of fortunes in the 20th century, when Kenneth Grahame's Badger spurred a growing fondness for them. Barkham's affection for the stubborn, striped-nose creatures is infectious and Badgerlands will cement his reputation as one of our most vivid, witty and curious nature writers.
Badgers both loved and hated according to temperament are now being thrust back into public awareness.
Click below for the best price.
Badgerlands: The Twilight World of Britain's Most Enigmatic Animal

Newburgh Walking the Marches 2013

The throng gathers at what was the George Hotel corner of Tay Street  for 1-00 pm start. The walking of the marches is now a tri-annual event asserting rights of way and marking the boundary of the Burgh of Newburgh. White paint is reapplied on marker posts along the way, typical of Newburgh the person assigned the task was called Picasso. The walk is about 8 miles, up and down, across fields,undergrowth, twice under the railway and this year because of the state of the tide, for the piper and Picasso a gurgle and swim in the River Tay.

Away down Tay Street at just past 1-00pm.

 

Onwards down Coach Road to the river and turning East passing the Yacht Club then inland emerging at Parkhill Steadings skirting Lindores Abbey Ruins.

Approaching the A913 at 1-29 pm.

Skittish Jacobs Sheep unused to such intrusion.

 

What's going on?

 Emerging onto the A913 at 1-34pm

Rounding Cemetery corner....

Another gate to climb.

All over it by 13-41pm

This was 1-43pm and for me it was out of site until 5-13 pm when the more spread out walkers began to arrive for the welcome foods and beverages.in a barn off Woodriffe Road. Only another mile to the end.

After all those fences, gates, ups and downs, the assortment of pies, filled rolls, drinks beckoned.

 

The last being piped in for a wee bevy.

 

In line for that welcome replenishment.

Of the walkers were these three year youngsters, Lewis Roper 3 & 10 months and Blair Hain with Sam Green.

Traditionally the youngest and oldest receive a reward,

 

Jim Davidson aged 79 with the wee ones. A half bottle for Jim and a large box of sweeties for the boys.

 

Refreshed and off again.

 It was all down hill to the railway tunnel and onto the A913.... thence the top park skirting Mugdrum Estate.

A steady line.

A slow descent to the river Tay.

It's amazing how overgrowth can develop in 3 years. The majority bypassed this obstacle.

At this stage of marking of the boundary the wall is marked and a white stick is thrown into the River Tay as far as possible. The tide happened to be high and the piper readied himself for the plunge. Up to his neck he piped away. I did video it in HD, all is needed is the right software for me to publish when done. It has the makings of being  classic. lol.

In the middle "Picasso" shakes the water off.

It's 6-27pm and a stroll back to Coach Road completing the circuit.

The River Tay 18th Sept 2013

Another dramatic and glorious sunset over the River Tay yesterday.

The River Tay September 15th 2013

The River Tay September 15th, 6pm. at BlackEarnside by Newburgh North Fife with a powerful silvery glint. Photographing into the light, a condition that digital cameras are lacking compared to film.

Moving away from direct sunlight the image has less contrast and records the sunlit rainfall to better atmospheric effect. Both of these pics were within a few seconds.

Newburgh Orchard Fruit Sale

I arrived late at the sale, earlier queues had formed in anticipation and excitement and why not, although the harvest is late and plentiful it could be a vintage year. On sale too are apple tree saplings.

Apart from fresh fruit, jams and preserves are on sale.

 

Sweet succulent  instantly edible plums, mmmmm yes, very delicious. Cooking plums also on sale for jams and preserves.

Newburgh Orchard Group have sales over the next few Saturdays. Apples and other fruits will be available.

Mugdrum Island River Tay.

Mugdrum Island and sandbanks today at Newburgh North Fife. Calm cooler weather as the Summer seems to be at an end. Within a few days one of the bottom fields has been harvested of its grain, ploughed and ready for sowing.

Later, the same day.