#best fishing spots hampshire

[house-of-galathynius]

The Long Road Home

Chapter Nine

Chapter Eight - Chapter Ten

Word Count: 2.5k 

~

Cornwall, Early Spring 1779

Aelin had been in Cornwall two months now. Winter had given way to spring and she welcomed the new season warmly— basking in the early spring sunshine, letting it’s rays soak into her skin, rejuvenating her.

Arobynn had not let her go back to London. Not even to collect her belongings in their townhouse, nor to say goodbye to anyone she knew there. He had herded her into the carriage and despite the late hour, he had ordered the driver to take them straight to his house in Cornwall. Aelin had wanted to fight, had wanted to scream and shout at Arobynn to let her go, to let her make sure Rowan was fine; but she knew that it would be no use and that whatever wonderful thing had been happening between the two of them was over— she would likely never see him again.

The estate where Arobynn had sent her was settled just outside of a small fishing village, it’s grounds surrounded by rolling green hills and forests. The house itself was a large stone building with tall pillars and large windows that overlooked the perfectly kept gardens. Inside Arobynn had clearly spent a lot of money on decorating it with the finest furniture and fabrics that he could get his hands on. Although it occurred to Aelin that it may have been one of his ex-wives that had done the decorating. She shook that thought off pretty quickly.

She had slowly become accustomed to the way of life down here. It was vastly different to that of London or even Hampshire. There were no bustling streets full of people shouting, there weren’t constant parties to attend or dinners to be had. It was quiet in a way Aelin had never really experienced before. Though the quietness should have been soothing, not even the sound of the birds chirping, or the soft rush of water from the nearby river, or the long undisturbed walks she would go on, could dull the aching in her chest. None of it could quiet the torment inside her.

There had been no word on Rowan— no one knew what had happened to him and it was slowly killing her. Arobynn had only told her that he would remain alive for the time being— but it was never enough to contain her anxiousness about him. She desperately wanted news, but she could not ask anyone in the house. Phillipa had not been allowed to join her in Cornwall and her parents could certainly never know what had transpired either.

So Aelin spent the days that weren’t too cold or rainy, walking in the hills surrounding the house and village. Sometimes she would take a book with her and find a spot under a tree or by some rocks and sit there until the wind had frozen her fingers and she could barely turn the pages anymore. Sometimes she would just watch the waves as they crashed against the shore, she would focus on the seabirds that would glide and swoop in the breeze, disappearing into caves or perching on ledges. Aelin wished she could join them; she wished she could soar amongst them and feel the freedom in flying. But the best she could do was let the wind whip around her as she stood at the edge of the cliffs.

This morning was no different from her usual routine. She had risen with the sun and had bathed and dressed quickly before eating her breakfast alone in the dining room and then left through the back entrance, finding the worn path up to the hills.

The sun was shining today— the first proper warmth of spring was starting to appear and she welcomed it gladly. Crocus’ and the green shoots of daffodils were peeking through the grass and soil, bringing colour back into the countryside after what had felt like such a long winter. She breathed in the fresh air and let the sun warm her skin as she walked, stopping occasionally to pick a flower.

She halted when she came to a fork in the trail. She had usually taken the path to the right, it led down to her favourite spot; but today for some reason she felt the left calling her. It was strange, the pull she felt towards it. But the weather was good and she was happy to wander further. So she took the first step and began her climb.

The trail took her higher than before, fields of dirt or grass were the only things that she would pass by. Sometimes she would spot a sheep or horse and stop to try and stroke them; but mostly she just walked. She stopped to rest on a stone, her hand cradling her slightly swollen belly and she caught her breath slightly before continuing on.

The trail meandered the outskirts of a small woods and when Aelin finally reached the top she paused. There in front of her stood a small stone cottage, the stone was crumbling in places and the chimney was leaning to one side. Veins of ivy trailed up the sides of the walls and a large vegetable patch sat just in front. Aelin could see the flickering of a fire through the front window and then movement. She darted out of sight and watched on as an elderly woman crept out of her front door and surveyed the space around her.

“Come out, child. I know you’re there.” Her voice was gravelly and deep. But it held a soft element to it, a kindness that Aelin could not explain. She hesitated a moment behind the trees. She did not know this woman— and she had been essentially banned from talking to people other than those who lived or worked in the house— but still, that warm hand from before seemed to offer gentle encouragement. So Aelin stepped forward and smiled tentatively.

“Come child. It is cold outside, I have warm soup and fresh bread.”

“Thank you for the kind offer, but I must be going.” Aelin bowed her head respectively and started to walk away.

“We have much to talk about Aelin.”

She twirled around. “How do you know my name?”

“I know the names of everyone in this village. Even those long dead.” The woman smiled, beckoning Aelin inside.

If it wasn’t for that strange warmth Aelin could feel, she would have turned right around and walked back to her house as quickly as possible. But she couldn’t feel a threat here, and her curiosity was stronger than her will to leave.

She eventually took the steps towards the woman and the enticing smell of soup. The cottage was simple inside. Consisting of only one room; there was a bed tucked into one corner and then a large fireplace which had black soot covering it from years of use. On the other side of the room was a large worn wooden table, on top of it a simple cloth and an array of fabrics and books. The woman pulled out a chair for Aelin and she took it gratefully, her hands resting on her stomach again.

“A pregnant woman should not be out alone.”

Aelin shrugged, “I enjoy walking. The fresh air is nice.”

The old woman huffed and then placed a steaming mug of tea down beside Aelin. She took a sip and almost groaned at the delicious flavour. The woman gave her a knowing smirk and took a seat opposite Aelin.

“You look tired, child.”

“I suppose I am.” She studied the woman, noticing the lines across her forehead and the scars on her hands from what must have been years of hard work. “I did not realise being pregnant would drain me so much.”

The woman smiled, “the tea will help.”

Aelin took another sip and let the liquid warm her. The old woman sipped her own and they comfortably sat for a few minutes before Aelin set her cup on the table. “I never got your name.”

There was a slight hesitation before it seemed she could answer. “I have had many names, but you may call me Elena.”

Aelin thought it suited her.

“How did you really know my name?” Aelin asked. The village was small, but she found it hard to believe that one woman would know every single person. Especially with the constant comings and goings of seamen and businessmen from faraway lands.

Elena shook her head and took a sip of her drink before placing it back on the table. “I told you, I know everyone in this village. It is also hard to ignore the fact that someone had moved into that gigantic house again,” Elena glanced out the window, “it has been a long time since anyone has been there.”

Aelin followed Elena’s gaze, then looked to the woman. “So you know the man who owns it?”

Elena shook her head. “I know of him. I do not really converse with the townspeople… not anymore at least.”

Aelin was intrigued. The woman lived up here all by herself and she clearly didn’t have visitors often— if the state of the cottage was anything to go by.

“More tea?” Elena offered.

Aelin shook her head. “Why do you not talk with the people in the village?” She couldn’t help but ask it. Her mother would be outraged at the questioning, and would probably have scolded Aelin later. But her mother wasn’t here to scold her, so she asked anyway.

“They think I am a witch.” Elena cackled.

Aelin sat up straighter in her chair, her eyes widening. She had never heard of anyone being so blasé about being accused of being a witch. She had only heard rumours of witches— of women who had peculiar senses, who’s husbands would die mysterious deaths, children being cured of sicknesses. But Aelin had never encountered one… until now she supposed. Despite the revelation, she did not feel afraid. Unlike the stories that circulated in the cities; where the women were ugly and terrifying to look at, their eyes devoid of emotion and humanity— Elena did not look like that, her features were softer and kind.

“You do not have to worry, child.”

Aelin managed a half smile, pushing her tea away regardless of Elena’s kind nature. But there was that warmth again; as if it was telling Aelin it was fine, that Elena was good. So she sat there, letting any fear she might have had simmer away until she was relaxing back into the chair.

“I chose to leave the village after my husband died. I was not welcome anymore and I found that the isolation here was beneficial. I liked to be with the animals and wind.” Elena mused.

“How did your husband…” Aelin trailed off.

“He was lost at sea. He was a fisherman, you see. He would spend weeks out on the ocean, only coming back long enough to sell his catch and then he would be off again. It was a cold autumn day when he left and I could sense the storm brewing, but none listened to me. They never returned.”

Aelin shuddered. “But why did they think you were a witch?”

Elena mulled over her answer. “I had a way about me apparently. I was able to predict a famine, I cured a child of their sickness and I was fascinated with growing things and making concoctions from whatever I could grow. People did not like that I had no explanations for things, only trust in the earth and the elements around us.”

“You cured a child?”

Elena nodded. “It is not the miracle you may think it is, though. The child was living in squalor with his mother and all he truly needed was a hot meal and a good nights rest. I offered them my home as I had too much space for just me. After a few weeks the boy recovered.”

Aelin didn’t think it was witchcraft. She believed that Elena was just good at using what she was given from the earth to provide solutions to problems. Aelin said as much.

“There are two things the Gods provide us with Aelin,” Elena gestured to the dried herbs and flowers hanging on the wall, “they provide us with the means to create, to nurture and heal. They give us trees and plants so that we can use them for good, for our health, to live long lives and survive.”

“And the second thing?”

Elena smiled. “Love.”

Aelin’s heart skipped a beat. She thought of Rowan, then. Of the man who had so easily taken her heart; the man who had cherished her and cared for her even though it was wrong and they could both be killed for it. She ached for him— longed for his sweet kisses and tender touches.

“Love is nothing if not strong. It perseveres. Hate can only survive so long, but love will continue until the end of time— even then it shall remain. It is what brings us together, it is what keeps our hearts beating and our souls pure. Love is more than just feeling, it is power.”

Aelin swallowed. “But love cannot always overcome.”

“How do you know?” Elena replied coyly.

Aelin glanced at her belly and thought of the moment Arobynn found them. She thought of Rowan kneeling on the floor beside her, protecting her even though he knew the cost would be his life. She remembered his figure getting further and further away, the sounds of his pain as Tern beat him.

“Because if it did I would not be here.”

Elena’s face softened. “Love will never give up on you, Aelin. Your story with him is not finished.”

Aelin wiped the stray tear from her cheek, “you don’t know what happened, Elena. There is no hope left in me, our love may have been true… but it was forbidden. Rowan is gone and I shall never see him again.”

Elena rose from her chair and came to kneel before Aelin. “The moment you give up, darkness has won. There is no universe, no world or place where your love with him will be gone. You breathe and live his love everyday. The words from your mouth, the tears from your eyes, the thoughts in your mind are all pieces of it and you will have those forever. The truest love will prosper even in the darkest of times and will survive even the harshest storms.” Elena put a hand on Aelin’s knee, “your story has not finished, I can feel it.”

Aelin cried. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she let the words settle in her. She could feel it too, could feel the love that she had shared with Rowan. And even if death separated them, she would find him.

“I can help you.’ Elena whispered.

Aelin sniffed and looked at Elena confused. “Help me? Get back to Rowan?” She asked hopefully.

Elena nodded. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”

“How?”

“You will see, Aelin. In time.”

~

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[dansnaturepictures]

My amazing year of White-tailed Eagles and Ospreys

Whilst I don't officially pick a bird of the year I tend to have one that is the key bird I think of when looking back on a year and this year White-tailed Eagle as the figurehead bird species of the brilliant Scotland trip a key part of the year is the most likely candidate for it. But I've joked in recent weeks how Osprey, one of my 2022 standout species too, is making it a tough competition with the amount of times I've seen them.

I had seen White-tailed Eagles three times prior to 2023; a Hampshire rarity at Old Basing in 2011, one in the Highlands in our first Scotland trip in 2018 and finally catching sight of one of the Isle of Wight reintroduction project birds in Poole Harbour last September. The trip we did taking in Mull gave me the chance to do something brilliant, visit the magical island where these majestic birds were first brought back into the UK. But our first sighting of one this year came on the way to Mull at the picturesque and wild Loch Eil. The group spotted Grey Herons flying and behind it my Mum exclaimed that there was an eagle, I looked up to make out the distinctive features of the White-tailed including that pointy tail and said what it was. This was a sub-adult bird that had a spectacular soar. It was my moment on the trip being able to identify it, and it became one of the defining moments of that sensational time in Scotland not only because of me identifying it but in that moment, in that setting after the highs and lows of recent years I found myself so calm and invigorated by being ensconced in wilderness watching this species that truly optimizes wilderness which was a big thing I wanted from the Scotland trip.

Mesmerising White-tailed Eagle moments followed on Mull with one seen soon after arrival really well such a gigantic bird, another on the full day on Mull early on at Croggan after seeing another wilderness bird Golden Eagle, three in the air seen circling off of Ben More a sensational scene and one more with exhilarating close view that day also seen at the same time of a Golden Eagle. These experiences defined my year somewhat and really stayed with me. I didn't manage any photos of them in Scotland so when we did the Birds of Poole Harbour autumn safari boat trip the week before last I was hoping a view of the two in the harbour may allow this and it did. It was another truly breathtaking experience as we saw these birds stationery standing like giants and flying low over the water. As these enormous raptors circled and swerved flashing their white tails above a gulp of Cormorants looking for the weakest to potentially pick off, this was a dramatic and rousing piece of nature watching. Another of my best moments of this extraordinary year I've had, and in the year White-tailed Eagles have bred on the south coast at a secret location it felt fitting I was extremely lucky to be stunned by seeing these exceptional birds in Scotland and England.

White-tailed Eagles in Poole Harbour

I've been lucky to see Ospreys every year since 2008 thanks mostly to Rutland Water as well as migrating birds down south, Poole Harbour and local reserve for us Fishlake Meadows having a bird there. In the Scotland trip in April they were just arriving back on migration and it was another runaway star of that trip as the day we arrived back from Mull we had the exceptional experience of seeing our first of the year in the Highlands including seeing them mate something I never had before. Then at Spey Bay in Moray seeing this species hover and catch a fish was a dream. I didn't necessarily think beforehand how much I needed to see this one of my very favourite birds captivating me since I was a kid in Scotland, but it brought me a whole other dimension of wonder for the species seeing them in ways I never had before a key theme of the trip but also as likewise with Mull and the Eagles; thanks to the amazing work of the RSPB and others at Loch Garten to protect the nest Scotland is the place where Ospreys first returned to the UK and what happened there is a key reason why I've been able to see so many. So it was extremely powerful seeing them in Scotland, and as we left the Cairngorms on the final day seeing one from the car almost waved us goodbye.

Ospreys from the Scotland trip

The rest of the year became an Osprey fest, as we as we have done every year bar one since 2008 really enjoyed watching the adults and chicks of Rutland Water on the Friday of the Bird Fair in July at Lyndon Nature Reserve, Manton Bay in the rain from the hide. Such precious moments with this astonishing bird. After attending the fair on the Saturday we visited Egleton reserve on the Sunday where Osprey and Hobby had their own impressive raptor view competition with many seen well and the mini trip culminated so well in more exciting views of one hunting and emerging with a fish. I got exceptional views of one back in Hampshire at Fishlake Meadows on August bank holiday Monday spotting one other that day too, and saw one from Farlington Marshes in Langstone Harbour as we have done a few times over the years this is a very important place in my love of them too not long after. In September it was a surprise to see a migrating bird flying over on a walk at Spring Bushes in the New Forest, joyful moments. And late in the season now what's perhaps gonna go down as a wonderful climax was the splendid views we got of three on the Poole Harbour boat trip, including exquisite views of a fine bird right over us on the boat one of my greatest and closest ever Osprey views allowing for photos. The stories of these two species for me this year have been linked and seeing them both so well together in Dorset the week before last was fitting. After that I had an unprecedented nine occasions I'd seen an Osprey on this year, but I just had a sense I might be able to make it a neat ten. And when back in the harbour at Brownsea Island two days later I was over the moon to spot one.

Rutland Ospreys

Two large and alluring birds of prey, multiple excellent encounters, one incredible year.

Osprey and White-tailed Eagle in Poole Harbour

[hobbitsnapes]

the elf in the café chapter 3

A corpse husband story

(I do not own this photo, nor do I know where it originated from. All credit goes to the artist.)

Summary: Never in his life, did he think going to a cafe and meeting a Harry Potter nerd could change his life. (I’m shit at summaries)

A/N: H/N means his name, being that we don’t know what his actual name is currently.

Each day passes by, and neither couldn’t stop texting one another. They’d text at least once a day, whether it be how their day had been, or trying to plan a day to see one another again. Their sleeping schedule was quite similar, but with her waking up early each morning for class. But he’d still get texts from her in the middle of the night, how she managed to do her schoolwork on such little sleep was beyond him.

She chalked it up to having done this for so many years, that she grew used to staying up late at night only to wake early in the morning.

They had finally set a day for the date, the coming Saturday. Nerves wracked him each day it grew closer, but excitement filled him further. He hadn’t felt this excited to have someone over, honestly since David had come by. Since then, he’s had little to nobody come over. Let alone having a date come. Each day that grew closer, the happier he became to seeing her again.

Panic filled him as he scrambled to get the rest of the ingredients ready to throw in the pot. He had decided on trying to make menestra de verduras, a soup he remembered having as a child. He however completely forgot how difficult the dish was to make, when you had never made it and have little to no culinary skills.

A knock was heard at the door, causing him to drop the spoon he had in his hand, splattering sauce all over the floor. “Fuck!” He exclaimed, grabbing his apron and hastily taking it off, wiping away the mess. He ran over to the door, stopping and checking in the mirror to make sure he hadn’t got any on himself. Once he saw there was none, he ran to open the door.

She waited at the door of the apartment, slightly fidgeting with her jacket. She heard a muffled yell,her heart rate increasing.

She waited for about a minute,growing concerned she had red the text wrong and got the wrong apartment.

That was until the door was hastily opened, spotting him in the doorway. He had a smile on his face, his hair slightly pushed back out of his face. Her breath hitched when she saw him, taking notice of his attire. Black pants that were pulled over a dark grey dress shirt, with the sleeves cuffed to about his mid arm. It was a slightly fitted top, showing his toned torso and arms nicely. “Hi.” He chuckled out, sounding slightly out of breath.

He pulled her into a hug,inhaling his smell almost instantly. The smell of pine hitting her nose, making her smile. His warm arms envelope her so comfortably, masking the chill of the night air from her.

They pulled away slightly, arms still around one another. Their faces were close, berry feeling each other’s breathing fan across their faces. They both smiled, growing warmth in the face from the close proximity.

He let her inside, telling her to have a seat on his couch.

He ran back over to the kitchen, ready to chop up a few more of the vegetables. He kept stealing glances at her, his breath catching each time.

He knew from the second he saw her she was beautiful, but tonight, she was breathtaking.

A soft tan floral top was tucked into a black pleated skirt, that hit right above her knee. It sit right at her waist, giving her a very romantic vintage feel. Her legs were covered by flesh colored nylons, black ballet flats covered her feet. Her hair was slightly curled, framing her face perfectly. Her face looked almost bare, but her eyes sparkled as if she had gems in them. Her cheeks were dusted with a soft flush, with the rest of her skin glowing, as if she was being lit with candle light. The only truly noticeable makeup was her lips, painted in a soft, rose red color. Making them look like a freshly budded flower.

Panic sets in him as he rushes to cut the rest of the remaining vegetables, anxiety growing with the sound of the soup boiling. “Fuuckk.” He whispers to himself, seeing the soup burning. He scrambled to shut the burner off, trying his hardest to try and figure out how to salvage the dinner. He should’ve chose something easier, something that he wouldn’t fuck up and ruin the entire night. God why did he even bother trying to-“Hey what’s going on? Everything alright?” She asks, making his heart plummet into his chest. He feels her hand on his shoulder, knowing she can feel him shaking. “Uh-m. Yeah yeah it’s fine, I just kinda burnt the entire thing.” He stammers, giving up on trying to steady his voice. His hands tangle into his hair, pulling the long strands. He wishes he could just disappear, get away from the sheer embarrassment of the situation. “Here let me see.” She says, slightly moving beside him to look at the now ruined soup. Her face slightly falling, dread filling him. She looks up at him, no trace of anger or annoyance in her face. “Here, why don’t I make something tonight? Is that okay?” She asks, her voice smooth and calming. “Uh, sure. I’m so sorry.” “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, now, I have an idea of something I can whip up.” His heart slightly calms down at her words, no longer worrying about ruining the entire night. “Alright, I’m gonna need milk, flour, pees and some kind of fish. Salmon is best for this.” She says, walking over and opening some of the food cupboards. He runs to grab the supplies, knowing he has all of those.

In less than 30 minutes, dinner was plated and ready. He watched her in amazement as she whizzed around the room, effortlessly making the entire dinner like it was second nature. Not once did he see any panic, or rush in her. It’s like she had done this for forever, knowing exactly what to do so easily.

They both sat on the couch, pulling the table closer for them. He let out a small moan at the taste, a smile on his face as he ate. It was shockingly amazing, way better than the disaster he was gonna make for them both. “This is amazing.” He says, causing a smile on her face. “Thanks, it’s an old recipe that I’ve made countless times over the years.” She chuckled, watching as he eats smiling. “Where'd you learn it?” He asks. “It’s a really common recipe in New England, that’s actually where I’m from. I grew up primarily in both New Hampshire and Vermont.” “Wow, so then what made you come to San Diego?” He asks,watching as she let out a small sigh. “School mostly, and to get away from, some people.” He can hear the sadness in her voice, his heart panging slightly.

“That was so amazing, thank you.” He says, watching as she chuckles as she dried the bowls. “You’ve said that like 4 times tonight.” “And I’m gonna keep saying it cause it was amazing.” He laughs, causing her to throw her head back in laughter.

They both settle in on the couch, sitting beside one another. “Uh, I don’t really watch TV, so we’ve really only got my laptop to watch stuff. Is that okay?” He asks, looking over at her. “That’s perfectly fine cause I don’t watch TV either.” She laughs.

“Alright so I’ve got Netflix, Hulu, and prime. What’s something you’d like?” He asks, setting his laptop up in front of them. “Uh, are you into horror movies?” She asks. “I like them.” He chuckles. “Okay so do you wanna watch a classic, hack and slash, paranormal, or psychological?” Age asks, a smile on her face. “Whatever you like, I’m fine with anything you’d want.” He asks, a smirk on his face. He watched as she flushed, smiling at her. “Psychological it is then.”

“That was, what?” He asks, watching as the credits roll. They had gotten closer throughout the movie, no longer with a small bit of space between them like they started. Their legs and sides touched, facing the laptop. His arm later behind her, after a while of toying with the idea and barely moving his arm, he finally built up the courage and placed his hand over her shoulder, letting out a breath when she smiled and scooted closer to him. Letting him put his arm over her. Both of their faces flushed.

“Did you not like it?” She asks, looking up at him. “No i did, it just was kinda weird. What was the name of it again?” “The school. It’s one of my favorites because of how different it is. And you gotta remember, I’m in school to become a Behavioral psychologist. It’s in my nature to like these kinda movies.” “Hm, at least there’s one smart one here.” He chuckles, pulling her in closer. “You’re a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for.” She chuckles. “Oh yeah, how can you tell?” He asks, looking down at her. She looks at him with her eyebrows raised, a small smirk on her face. “Oh yeah.” He laughs, realization setting in. Causing both of them to laugh.

“So now, do you need a PHD to become a psychologist?” “In the state of California, yes. You also need 3,000 hours of supervised experience, 1,500 which can be pre-doctoral. I started college when I was 17, completing my bachelors when I was 20. Now I’ve only got about 5 more years until I’m finished with my PhD which is another word for a Doctorate.” “Well damn, miss smarty pants. Got everything don’t ya.” He says, making her look at him in question. “Got not only brains but beauty.” He says, making her flush and shove her head into his chest, causing him to laugh as he pulls her in further.

They both sat on the couch with another movie playing, neither one paying any attention to it. They both had opened a bottle of wine he had for some time, deciding to have a glass. He had it for years, always saying he’ll leave it for a special occasion. Well tonight seemed like the perfect night for it.

Neither were drunk or even tipsy, maybe a slight buzz. But it did help to wash away any small ounce of awkwardness between them. He slightly opened up more, cracking jokes with ease and making her laugh so hard she had to use the bathroom 3 times.

“And the movies over. I can’t even remember what it was.” He laughs, watching as the credits finish. “I honestly don’t even think we picked anything. I think we just clicked on it and used it for background noise.” She laughed. “Well then, what do you wanna do?” He asks, arms folded comfortably over himself, the same smirk planted on his face. “Well, there is something I love doing.” She says, a smile on her face.

Both laughed out loudly as they moved around the room, arms around one another as they tried keeping up with the song. They tried keeping in beat with the song playing in the beginning, but giving up halfway through.

He has been leading it for the most part, having loved dancing for years. But not doing it in years, and having a good buzz on him, made his moves a little worse than he remembered. But neither cared as they moved around the room, laughing as they sang along to the song. The song came to an end, both stoping with their movements momentarily. “Wait, I know the perfect one.” He says, running over to the laptop. He types in something, then runs down the hall out of the living room. She wondered if he’s lost his mind and ran off. That is until she hears the beginning of the song, letting out a laugh. “Just take those old records off the shelf!” He sings, sliding across the floor in his socks, making her clutch her stomach in laughter as he recreates the scene perfectly. Using a hairbrush as the makeshift microphone. He breaks after a few lines, falling over laughing. She runs over to him, bending down to see if he’s okay. She can’t help but fall over laughing with him, him pulling her in closer as they both wheeze out laughing on the floor.

“That was, oh my god.” He laughs, barely able to catch his breath from his laughter as they sit down. They danced for another hour, barely able to contain their laughter as tears fell down their faces. “God I haven’t had that much fun in, I can’t even remember.” She laughs, her head resting on his shoulder.

She lets out a small yawn, trying to cover it with her hand. “It’s getting pretty late.” He says, his voice hoarse due to laughter. “Yeah it is, but, there’s something I’ve been waiting for all week.” She says, making him look at her in question. Until he remembers, a smile breaking on his face. “Oh yeah I forgot, you still want me to say batman or snape lines.” He chuckles. She sits up, her eyes wide as she smiles. He can’t help but smile at the excitement on her face. “Alright fine. But you better feel lucky, I’ve had so many people ask me this and I’ve refused for forever.” “Well that’s not the only reason why I’m lucky.” She says, making him flush. “Alright, I’m guessing you want me to say the obvious one.” He says, making her nod her head in excitement. He lets out a small cough, taking in a breath. “I’m Batman.” He says in his most serious voice. Making both throw their heads back in laughter. “That was, that was perfect hun.” She laughs, her face falling in realization when she realized what she said. Her heart plummets to the bottom of her stomach. “Hey it’s okay, I kinda like it.” He chuckles.

“Okay what’s another one you want?” “Hm, how about your best snape you can.” She asks. He coughs again, reading his voice. “Mister Potter.” He says, trying his best to try and emulate the potion Professor. Making her laugh at his struggle to match the accent. “That one was really bad.” He chuckles. “No it wasn’t, tire doing such a good job.” She laughs. “You’ve got the perfect voice for both, although I do prefer your own voice over each of them.” She says, a flush to her face. “Oh yeah?” He asks, changing his voice slightly to have a more flirty tone. He watched as she flushed harder, trying to cover her face in her hands. “So you like when I talk like this?” He asks, the same tone but with a smirk on his face. He chuckles as she completely covers her face in her palms, shaking her head yes. “Then I’ve got one that you’ll really like. Come here.” He says, pulling her into his side. He looks down at her, watching as she removes her face from her hands. He has a smile on his face as he looks at her. “What up baby?” He says, making her slightly squeal out and bury her face in his chest. Making him laugh as she burrows her head into him. Wrapping his arms around her as he shakes from laughter.

“Tonight was amazing, thank you so much.” She says. Both of their arms around one another as they stand at the door.

It was extremely late at night, neither realizing how late it was until they checked the time. Neither wanted to leave, wishing they could stay in the small bubble they created that night. “Are you sure you can drive home? I can call a cab or an Uber-“ “I’m fine hun, it’s been hours and I only had a glass and a half of wine. I’ll make it home safely. Trust me, I’m really careful.” She says, a hand resting on his cheek. He can’t help but smile at her, wishing so bad to pull her back inside and having her stay. “Alright, text me or even call me when you can.” “I’ll call you when I get home okay? Now get some sleep, I can tell this past week it’s a habit of yours not to get much.” “How did you, oh wait I forgot again. Damnit.” He laughs, making her chuckle. “Yeah, can’t fool someone like me.” She teases. “Alright fine, but I’ll be waiting for that call before I even lay down.” He says, making her smile. He pulls her in for another hug, his heart beating out of his chest when he feels her soft lips press a kiss into the side of his jaw.

She pulls away with a smile, watching as his face flushes a deep red with a dumbfounded smile on his face. “Bye hun.” She says, walking away from the door, his eyes watching her until she’s out of sight. His fingers lightly touching the spot from her lips, pulling them back and seeing the small bit of red on his fingers. He runs over to his bathroom, looking in the mirror and seeing the mark of her lips on his jaw, a smile grows on his face.

He sits in his bed with his phone in his hands, checking the time every few seconds. Anxiety builds in him the longer the time goes by, only growing stronger the longer he waits. What if she didn’t make it back? Is she okay? Oh god he should’ve just asked her to stay, what if something hap-his thoughts were interrupted when his phone rings, her contact shining on the screen. Relief fills him as he answers the phone, a large breath leaving him. “Hey I’m sorry it took so long. It usually doesn’t take more than 20 minutes but there was a good amount of traffic in my way.” She says, he can hear her as she exits her car and walk up to her door. He can hear as she unlocks her door, hearing as she walks in. Her flats tap lightly against her hard floor, the sound comforting him. “Hey it’s alright, I’m just glad you made it home safely.” “You don’t have to worry about that, I’m a really, careful driver.” He lays his head down on his pillows, his eyes growing heavy. “Good, thank you for calling me. You really didn’t have to.” “But I wanted to, I knew that you’d be worrying if I made it back home safely.” He chuckles at this. “God you can really read me.” “Well I mean you do let me.” She chuckles, making him smile. “I guess I do.” He says, his voice lowering in volume due to his tiredness. “Why don’t you sleep? I can hear how tired you are.” She says, her voice calming hun further. “Alright, I’ll get some sleep. Thank you again.” “It’s no problem hun, why don’t you call me when you’re up okay? I don’t have classes tomorrow.” “Alright, I’ll call you in the morning, I hope you had a good night tonight.” He says, hearing her chuckle. “I did, have a good night hun, sweet dreams.”

[ei-properties]

Eternal Investments , we provide different services like phone services and house rentals. Phone Services that will costs you no changes for your monthly bill but will be able to help in our 4 major group of beneficiaries. Also, House Rentals in a place where you can spend time with your loved ones, friends or colleagues to have the most relaxation you needed or longed for.

Most part of this, we direct sponsorship for an orphanage ministry (orphanages located in Mexico, India and Philippines). We love to care for orphans who are neglected. We like hosting people and getting to know them. In addition to that, included in our sponsorships are the Pastors and missionaries, Widows and the poor and needy. Our Values Faith- Believing God for the impossible and guiding people on global mission trips that strengthen their trust in Him. Hope- Sharing the life-giving message of Jesus Christ to men, women, and children through faithful, vibrant communication. Hope- Sharing the life-giving message of Jesus Christ to men, women, and children through faithful, vibrant communication. Love- Meeting the physical and educational needs of orphaned and disadvantaged young boys and girls. Relationship- Partnering with resourced Christians to care for under-resourced children of developing nations.

Maine is the state you will never forget. Maine is famous for its rocky coastline ,Maine’s long rocky Atlantic Coast is known for its frigid waters and an ample fishery. Maine also has got a Nickname “Pine Tree State”, is name is given because of the extensive pine forests that have covered the state. Some more interesting facts about Maine is , it the Only one State that shares its borders with only one other US state -New Hampshire, And ranked third, for the coolest state in USA. Most of all the country’s lobster supply comes from here because of its delicious taste The people of Maine take lobsters so seriously, the University of Maine even has its own Lobster Institute. 90% of the country’s toothpick supply also from here. Also largest producer of wild blueberries in the world , Maine. The Wabanaki tribes of Maine and Canada were among the first humans to use Wild Blueberries, both fresh and dried, for their flavor, nutrition, and healing qualities. One more interesting fact about this state is , There are 65 lighthouses all along Maine’s coast, inlets, and islands. “Boon Island Light” is the tallest lighthouse and Portland Head Light” is Acknowledged as Maine’s most photographed lighthouse. Wildlife, Wildlife Artistry – taxidermy, we have a shop (Antler Artistry of Maine Portage Lake) for the taxidermist specializing in everything from birds to life size mounts. Moose, deer, bears are taken for hunting if you are a Hunter, If not variety of pelts available in stock for purchase. (207)435-7908 , HOURS OF OPERATION:7 to 5 weekdays Maine is the incredible destination for Fishing With many rivers and streams , more than hundreds of clear lakes and allows us to greater experience fishing. You will find Many kinds of Fishes available here depending on the season. The best fishing times are summer months, late June through September. In the winter you may be expected to pull out the drill to dig into the frozen lakes for ice fishing. But as the ice thaws, you can head out for beautiful fly fishing and bass fishing on the state’s many lakes, rivers, and streams. Maine may not be known for saltwater fishing, but there are quite a few spots for catching striped bass. The best fishing times in Maine vary from fish to fish and region to region. Striped Bass, The best fishing times of striped bass are early June through September. Atlantic Blue fin Tuna, These giants of the sea are a favorite for sport fishermen in Maine. The best fishing times for blue fin tuna in Maine are June through October. There are catch limits so check the local regulations. Maine Halibut, Open season for these fish is May 1 through July 31 in Maine. Anytime during this open season you are likely to catch a halibut or two in Maine. Mackerel, These are a no-fail fish in Maine. They are very common and quite easy to catch. They only grow to 2 pounds, but they can be found almost anywhere. The best fishing times for mackerel are May through October. Bluefish, Bluefish aren’t as common as striped bass, but if you catch one they’ll put up a good fight. The best fishing times for them are summer months, late June through September. Why lobsters are famous in Maine ? – Maine lobster is the best lobster ,Here’s the difference that makes Maine lobster the best: Cold Water = Better Lobster. The meat is much sweeter that lobsters grown in warm conditions. This is because the cold water keeps the meat from absorbing the salt in the water. Best Winter Games include, Skiing , Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Snowboarding , Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling. Jalbert Program, will start in the month of January on skis. Maine is the 4th largest trail system in the United States! because of the 14,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails throughout the state. Where can you snowmobile in Maine? Prime snowmobiling can be found throughout the state, no matter what region you visit. Some of the more popular regions include Jackman & the Moose River region, Moosehead Lake, Rangeley Lakes, Millinocket, the Katahdin region, and Aroostook County. Where can you ice fishing in Maine? In the Moosehead Lake region of Maine you can fish for a variety of cold water and warm water species About Cape Elizabeth is the home of Portland Head Lighthouse, was built it 1791, Maine’s oldest lighthouse and one of the Top most photographed lighthouse in the US , 101 feet tall To Visit the tower , only open on September 12, 2020 (Open Lighthouse Day). The lighthouse may be easily photographed from many areas. There is no admission fee although donations are appreciated. 207-799-2661 About Mount Katahdin, Katahdin’s means “The Greatest Mountain”, one of the highest mountains in Maine. Baxter peak-5,269 feet above sea level. The easiest trail up at Katahdin is The Saddle Trail and the easiest for beginners first outlook on chimney pond trail and you will find Mount Katahdin behind the chimney pond. The average round trip time for a Katahdin hike is 8-12 hours Visiting Hours: 7 days a week; Winter 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday. Boothbay botanical gardens, Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, The biggest and brightest light display in Maine! Trees are wrapped in LED lights, this year entire Gardens Aglow will be a drive-thru experience for all to enjoy! Over 650,000 Christmas lights are used will provide a mesmerizing and festive experience from the comfort of your own vehicle. Please visit the Gardens Aglow website for more information regarding tickets, the route, and other FAQ. Acadia National Park, Many things to explore in Acadia national park Thunder Hole: One of the most recognized names associated with Acadia National Park is “Thunder Hole.” Natural rock inlet where waves crash with a thunderous boom & high-flying foam when seas are up, Water may spout as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar! Visitors can find it on the East side of the Park, and there is no Hike required. Gorham mountain: Trail, located right next to the Thunder Hole It offers incredible view of the Coastline including Thunder Hole and many other spots on the Cost. Bass harbor light house: Bass Harbor head light which is built in 1858. Lighthouse with a tower that is 37-feet tall including the lightening rod. The lantern is a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The light is occulting red for four seconds and eclipsed for one second. The range is 13 miles. Jordan Pond: The crystal-clear waters of Jordan Pond lie in the heart of Acadia National Park on the east side of Mount Desert Island. The pond is framed by the steep walls of Penobscot Mountain to the west and Pemetic Mountain to the east, and with the delightfully curved profile of The Bubbles to the north, it is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the entire park. One of the most photographed places in Acadia national park

Beautiful St John Valley!

The St. John Valley The crown of Maine , begins from Saint John Ponds and Little Saint John Lake. The Saint John Ponds are a chain of shallow lakes at the headwaters of the Baker Branch Saint John River in the North Maine Woods. The Baker Stream originates in Upper First Saint John Pond the stream then flows through Lower First Saint John Pond then to Second Saint John Pond, and Third Saint John Pond before entering into Fourth Saint John Pond then The outflow of Fourth St. John Pond flows into the Fifth St John Pond. The fifth pond is the largest of the chain ,Fifth St John Pond east to the North Branch of the Penobscot River The dam on the outlet of Fifth St John Pond raised the pond’s water level to an elevation which allowes the water to flow into the Penobscot River drainage. Little St. John Lake is a large, shallow body of,water located on the border separating Maine and Canada. This lake is 89 acres in size. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Yellow Perch. Most of the lake is less than two feet deep, with over one-half of the water surface area covered with emergent and floating aquatic vegetation. A thick layer of mud and organic material covers the bottom. The St. John River is known for its variety, and has terrific fishing for several great sport fish. Anglers will find bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, musky, sturgeon and brook trout. The St. John Valley Cultural Byway it stretches roughly 92 miles along Maine’s shared border with the Canadian provinces Quebec and New Brunswick. It starts in Allagash and runs along the St. John River to the town of Van Buren. St. John Valley is the tiny community of Allagash,There is one road leading in and out of the town, which is 30 miles west of Fort Kent. Allagash is one of the prettiest in the state and Heading out of Fort Kent, you will get you have the St. John River on your right the entire way on drive . For the first 20 Miles you will get to see potato fields that butt up against the rolling, tree-covered hills beyond. The closer you get to Allagash passing through the even smaller communities of St. John Plantation and St. Francis farmland gives way to forestland, with evergreens and maples bordering the road. one the best thing to explore here is , There is no right or wrong way to explore the St. John Valley. You can go east to west, west to east or start dead center and pick a direction. Arstrook , Maine by Bike This allows the Visitor to experience hiking trails, historical landmarks,wildlife. You will ride by rural farms, fields, and water views with many opportunities to see wildlife. Even you can Watch for moose! Fort Kent Blockhouse It is the only surviving American fortification built during border tensions with neighboring New Brunswick known as the Aroostook War.he fort was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.Interesting spot for those who are history buffs especially of early colonial American history. One only needs 30 – 45 minutes for a visit. The blockhouse consists of two-story structure. Its walls are built of square-hewn cedar logs, measure over 19 inches in width. It is an excellent example of early 19th-century military architecture. The blockhouse serves as a museum Maine. The Heritage Trail This trail is about 16.9-mile, that links the towns of Fort Kent and St. Francis in far northern Maine. This allows the visitors to explores the St. John Valley in addition ,St. John River into New Brunswick, Canada. The trail is shared by pedestrians and recreational motorists alike, as snowmobiles and AT vehicles are allowed on the trail, with speed limitations. It is a rail-to-trail system, In olden days this rail line was used to transport goods and passengers across northern Maine. Irving Nature Park Irving Nature Park has been recognized as one of the top attractions in Saint John .One of our newest additions to the Irving Nature Park is the Children’s Forest. The two mazes, which took nearly 20 years to make, can be enjoyed by those young and old. Whether you’re interested in family fun or spotting water fowl, the Forest has something for everyone. Eight walking trails of various lengths access the various features, and the park staff often leads free guided tours. More than 250 species of migratory and marine birds have been sighted here. Also allows the visitors to watch the harbor seals from the Seal Observation Deck. Reversing Falls Rapids The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River located in Saint John , a Natural Wonder. The flow of which regularly reverses itself owing to the force an incoming tide ..New Brunswick Museum.It is one of the Canada’s oldest continuing museum . The New Brunswick Museum is filled with engaging exhibits that explore the province’s natural history, culture, art, and history.There is something for all ages—kids love the Great Hall of Whales and the excellent exhibits on the province’s unique geology in Our Changing Earth, as well as the bright interactive area for younger children New Brunswick Museum It is one of the Canada’s oldest continuing museum .The New Brunswick Museum is filled with engaging exhibits that explore the province’s natural history, culture, art, and history.There is something for all ages—kids here to explore . The kids will love the Great Hall of Whales and the excellent exhibits on the province’s unique geology in Our Changing Earth, as well as the bright interactive area for younger children.

Introducing Colebrook and the beauty of Connecticut

Meaning of Colebrook,It comes from when a family lived near a cool stream. The surname Colebrook is derived from the Old English words col, which means cool, and broc, which means brook. Thus, Colebrook is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Barkhamsted Reservoir “BARKHAMSTED RESERVOIR" one of the most photographed destinations in the Litchfield Hills also named as “Saville Dam” an attractive stone pump house, was completed in 1940. Although the Saville Dam was completed in 1940, it took 8 years to fill to its capacity. It supplies clean drinking Water to the city of Hartford and its surrounding area . It almost extends north 8 miles from central Barkhamsted, almost reaching the Massachusetts border.” Mystic Seaport Lighthouse “Connecticut has many small Harbors , Mystic MYSTIC SEAPORT LIGHTHOUSE The small wooden lighthouse at the westernmost point of the Seaport . Its only about 3 miles to visit Mystic Lighthouse from museum. Mystic Seaport lighthouse was built in 1966 , also replica of 1901 Brant Point Light, Because the lighthouse lantern enclosed with glass and structure of the lighthouse in white same like 1901 Brant Point Light. Mystic Lighthouse from museum ,its one of the nation’s leading maritime museum. It is a beautiful outdoor museum, rich with maritime history, sailing vessels, historical videos, artifacts and presentations. variety of ships and buildings set up for visitors to experience history. It has a large outdoor space with numerous buildings and floating ships which can be boarded also boats available for the visitors that they can take out on the water. Large boat ride with captains explain some history of some ships docked in the harbor.Visitors need not to worry about the food there is restaurant nearby.” Rail-Bike Adventures “Essex Steam Train and River Boat 1 Railroad Ave. Essex, CT 06426” Pedal a Rail-Bike for a round trip adventure over easy terrain with stunning scenery along the Connecticut River all while enjoying the stunning New England “All passengers are required to fill out a rail bike participant release of liability and assumption of risk agreement prior to receiving their boarding passes. Riders should be capable of bicycling recumbently for 30 minutes at low exertion and at least one rider per Rail Bike must be 18 years of age Railbikes run rain or shine. Company reserves the right to delay, postpone or cancel due to extreme weather forecasts/situations.” last day of rail bike operation this year is November 01 “Reservations & Customer Service 800-377-3987×0 info@essexsteamtrain.com” The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Sleep with the fishes – and the sharks, sea turtles, jellies and other creatures at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. We cap capacity at 100 participants, and those 100 people have the whole Aquarium to themselves.” 10 North Water Street Norwalk, CT 06854 The availability of this experience is subject to safety guidelines due to COVID-19. Please call our Reservations Department at (203) 852-0700, extension 2206, to inquire about current availability and procedures. Imagine falling asleep as jellies float next to you and sharks prowl just on the other side of the glass! That’s what you’ll experience during your group sleepover at The Maritime Aquarium. We host both family sleepovers and scout sleepovers, see below for more information! one of the other feature is , Propose at The Maritime Aquarium! Allows the Visitors to Propose at the Maritime aquarium , Proposals must be booked through our Reservations Department at least a week in advance Brownstone exploration and discovery park, They are open for Scenic Chairlift Rides, rock climbing, Mountain Biking, Disc Golf, Zip lining. They offer Zip lining, Scenic Lift Rides, Disc Golf, Biking, Hiking, and outdoor dining! Great place for the whole family to go. An amazing park for ALL ages! It is definitely an Adventure that we are looking forward to do. There are bunch of different zip lines that take you in the water and there are cliffs to jump off. SuperCharged Indoor Karting and Trampoline The world’s largest indoor go-kart racetrack is hiding in Connecticut, With 19 horsepower, its “supercharged” karts, introduced in January 2018, allow you to accelerate through the speedway’s straightaways, steep ramps, uphill climbs, and hairpin turns at a top speed of 45 mph.Note: Sunglasses, reactive lenses and tinted lenses are not recommended as the tracks are indoors and may affect your visibility. Silverman’s Farm Silverman’s Farm was founded by Ben Silverman in the early 1920’s.Silverman’s Farm is now a popular destination with a sweeping Pick Your Own orchard, scenic tractor rides, and petting farm. Apple picking is open Monday-Friday! We are allowing visitors inside the market, preferably one customer per family, also facilitate pre order ahead by phone (Monday – Friday Only). Products available will be fruits, vegetables, butter, eggs, milk, and ice cream. Also jams, jellies, and other condiments we normally provide. Pies, donuts, and other baked goods will be available. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo “Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut has a proud history of over 90 years as Connecticut’s only Zoo. Animal exhibits, plantings, graphics, and Zoo programs are to be represented in such a manner as to give the visitor a sense of awareness and concern for the intricate beauty and fragility of our planet. General admission $15, seniors (62+) $11, and children (3-11) $12, children under 3 free. Members free One extra feature added for the Visitors, they can have birthday parties at the Zoo! General admission $15, seniors (62+) $11, and children (3-11) $12, children under 3 free. “ Nomads outdoor adventure An amazing park for ALL ages!Outdoor adventure perfect for ages 7+ , five treetop climbing trails of varying difficulty allows the kids to experience zip lines! Allows visitors to experience adventure in the tree tops! with different trails available ,Here you can traverse multiple adventure trails crafted through 9 acres of beautiful woodland. Trails can be selected based on skill level. The trees used here are not drilled,everything is constructed with a state of the art strapping and locking system to ensure the health of the woodlands for years to come. Many corn mazes in the Connecticut allows you and your family to experience the real fun! Let’s Get Lost: Wander into a Maze . Best place to have fun time with family and friends. few Mazes listed, Ellsworth Hill Orchard and Berry Farm Castle Hill Farm Inc The Farm Woodbury CT All the Mazes are open until our closing for the season in late November. Ski Sundown is a ski area located in New Hartford, Connecticut. Great place to explore winter games , different games based based on age and ability level. Best trained Instructors to provide on-snow learning through fun, play and adventure! 2020 Connecticut Special Olympics Winter Games Starts from February.

[tonyspep]

my sweet tooth got the best of me

a/n: this is a companion piece to my dad!richard madden and dad!kit harrington fic home sweet home (a couple kids running in the yard). again, this is all @rocketrhap4229's fault because she talked about writing a fic where richard's kids in her stories are older and he and his wife end up babysitting a baby and he longs for a baby again. i told her she should write it, and it made me think of doing the same thing for kit, so here we are.

~*~my sweet tooth got the best of me~*~

pairing: kit harington/you (sadie)

summary: the last thing you expected was kit to develop a case of baby fever when your baby sister asks you to take care of your six month old niece

rating: k+

You knew all too well the intense need for a respite that came for new mothers and fathers, just a night – just one – where you weren't woken up by a piercing cry at three am and the like, so you didn't hesitate when your sister pleaded with you to watch your niece, Savannah who had just turned six months old a few weeks prior. You were out at your favorite cafe` and you recognized the bags under your baby sister's eyes, the way she could barely keep her head up and how her normally perfectly done up hair was twisted into a messy top knot.

Easily you lifted the baby out of her stroller and the blue eyes both you and your sister inherited from your father blinked up at you. You laughed and lightly tossed her in the air, catching her without fail and she giggled as your fingers lightly pressed into the softness of her baby-round tummy to tickle her.

“We'll have a good time, won't we, Savvy girl?” You murmured, reaching for your keys to dangle in front of her, laughing when her chubby hands reached for them. “Yes, we will. Yes, we will.” She wriggled and squealed as you peppered her face with kisses.

“Kit won't mind?” Faye questioned, her voice wary, but you brushed her off with a wave of your hand.

“Has it been a tick since we've had a little one around? Sure, it has, but he adores Savvy, you know that. It's not as if you're leaving her with us for months, it's just a few nights so you and Cam can get the sleep you desperately need. He'll understand. It wasn't that long ago that Jax and Jade were in nappies.”

“She can be a handful....”

“Stooooooop,” You insisted, drawing out the word as you shook your head. “We've got nothing to worry about, do we, sweetheart? You're going to be an angel for Auntie Sadie and Uncle Kit aren't you?” More tickling of her tummy and she unleashed another stream of giggles, slapping her hands together as she flashed a gummy smile that made your heart melt.

“See?” You shot back, sticking out your tongue. “She'll be perfect. Now, you go on home, shoo. My angel of a niece and I will take a walk round the park, get some fresh air and then we'll have a nice little nap, a spot of tea and soon it will be time for supper. Does that sound fun, Savvy? Does it? Awwww, it does, doesn't it?” You babbled in a baby voice you hadn't used in so long.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say Faye looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from her slim shoulders and you laughed as she flung herself at you, nearly knocking your chair backwards. You remembered that feeling of relief washing over you like a summer rain, all too well, after Kit's parents graciously offered to take their grandchild off your hands for a few nights just so you could breathe.

.

.

.

Though, you loathed to call it such out loud, about an hour and a half later after doing everything you had told Faye you would do with Sadie, you had arrived at your summer cottage in Hambeldon just outside of Hampshire. You didn't like thinking of yourself as part of the bougies set who jetted from this home to that home with a turn of the weather, but you missed the country terribly as you and your sister had been raised on your family's farm in Yorkshire. And while you understood Kit's need to be based in London, you couldn't stop yourself from missing the fresh air and the rolling hills and such.

It felt strange entering the door with a baby on your hip and a bursting Burberry bag hanging perilously off your shoulder, as you hadn't done so in quite some time, but everything about caring for Savannah came naturally to you.

You bounced her as you carefully shut the door with your heel, as your hands were quite full, and just as you set the baby bag onto the floor and propped the stroller against the wall, you heard the familiar rhythm of Kit's footfalls against the stairs.

You bit your lip, twisting the flesh between your teeth, as you took in the sight of your husband.

Nearly twenty years and two children later, he still had your pulse racing and butterflies flitting about your stomach. You didn't know how, but he had only gotten better with age, his black velvet curls becoming streaked with grey here and there but still as unruly and thick as ever just as his facial hair was sporting silvery tones as well. He was as fit as he'd ever been, something you couldn't help but appreciate as he gave a hearty yawn, the tee he was wearing slipping upward to reveal a sliver of his still toned stomach.

“Surprise,” You cooed, reaching him in four quick strides, your mouth pressed against his ear.

“Surprise?” His voice dipped low, like a caress against your skin. “Is this surprise,” There was a rough edge creeping in and you had to try hard to stifle the giggle bubbling in your throat, he had no idea Savannah was in your arms as he was too focused on you. “Something lacy or something silky? Or perhaps,” He stroked at your cheek and you nearly reached for him to steady yourself as your legs turned to jelly from his voice. “Tonight I'll find you the way I like you best, bare and waiting for me after we've wrangled our rascals off to bed?”

“I'm afraid that will have to wait for some other night,” You murmured, shaking your head.

You couldn't hold back your giggles at the way he outright pouted. His lower lip thrust forward the way your daughter's would when she didn't get her way. “You said...” He sputtered, his eyes blinking rapidly while his brows became pinched together and that only made you laugh harder.

“I said surprise,” Your reply was tart. “I never specified what the surprise would be. You assumed,” You poked him in the chest and he clutched at the spot, falling backward slightly, as if he had been struck.

“What's this suddenly not very interesting surprise then, love?”

“It's not a what...” Your voice trailed away as you transferred Savannah from her perch at your hip to your front and nearly thrust her at your unsuspecting husband. “Faye and Cam are in desperate need of a proper night's rest,” You explained. “So I said we'd watch Savvy for the next few nights. You remember what it was like having a baby round in those early days? How there were times we could barely keep our eyes open for more than five seconds, how we were run ragged and the lot? They need that same break your parents afforded us. Plus,” You batted your lashes in the same way Jade would when she was trying to get him to give her what she wanted, and you knew he wouldn't be able to resist. “I've missed having a little one around,” You brushed your lips along Savannah's hairline, breathing in her baby smell.

“You know I can't say no when you do that,” He groused, but you knew he didn't mean it, not really, anyway. “But as soon as Savvy goes home,” You gasped at the sudden and insistent press of his body against yours. “I want the surprise I thought I was getting,” He breathed the words, husky and low, against the elegant glide of your neck while his large hands roamed along your body, giving your breasts a barely there squeeze before he pulled back.

.

.

.

“Savvy!” Your daughter Jade squealed excitedly as she and her older brother came through the door at the back of the cottage. Each toed off their muddy shoes, having spent the day roaming round and playing. You couldn't help but smile as she plucked her chubby cousin out of the same high chair she and Jax sat in so long ago. The baby gave a squeal of her own before she giggled at the way Jade babbled on about her day.

“Are Aunt Faye and Uncle Cam here, too?” Jax questioned as he reached into the fridge.

“No, they're not. We're watching Savvy so they can get a proper night's rest. And you, young man, better not be fishing round for food,” You warned. “Supper's going to be done in about twenty minutes.”

“Muuuuuuuuuummmmmm,” He groaned and you found yourself longing for the days before he became a teenager and was absorbed in his phone or computer except on the rare occasions where you or Kit basically ordered him to go out and play, whether you were here or back in London.

“Don't give me that and I definitely don't want to here any of that I'm a growing boy business. I'll not have you eating us out of house and home, Mister. You've already had breakfast and lunch, plus what you and Jade took with you as a snack while you were running round, that's enough.”

“Yeah, Jax,” Jade piped up from her spot on the kitchen floor where she was bouncing Savannah in her lap. “Mummy and Daddy won't have you eating us out of house and home.”

“Shut...” Before he could finish, you knew Kit had come into the kitchen, effectively stopping him from telling his sister to shut up. “I didn't think you wanted to finish that sentence,” Your husband said smoothly. “And what do you know? I was right. You know the proper way to talk to your sister. Go wash up and then set the table, and don't even think about turning on your phone. There's nothing Earth shattering that's going to happen between you washing up, setting the table and supper being over.”

“Yes, Dad,” Jax droned as he sprinted up the stairs, the familiar refrain of no running in the house was on the tip of your tongue, but you let it go.

You couldn't help but sigh as Kit's hands found purchase at your hips while you were at the stove, keeping watch over the pasta bake you had in the oven, ready with your mitts on to retrieve it. He placed a soft kiss against your temple and murmured, “I know. It seems so long ago when we were his whole world, doesn't it?”

You leaned backwards so your back was pressed against his front and you gave him a fond smile, pushing the bridge of his glasses onto the bridge of his nose. “Because it was so long ago,” You laughed. “Keep the specs till we retire to our chambers, Lord Harington,” Your tone was teasing as you slipped into the easy rapport you had created with him nearly two decades before.

“As you wish,” Came his familiar reply as he bet to press a dainty kiss to your freckled nose.

.

.

.

Kit felt something stir inside him that he never expected as he watched you help Jade feed Savannah her mushy peas throughout supper. He adored the tiny thing from the moment Cameron had placed her in his arms as a new born. As he inhaled her familiar baby smell, there was a brief flicker of want inside of him and he thought of pulling you aside and whispering about how he would like another, but it was quickly extinguished after she had become fussy and let out a wailing cry about being passed about and not being near her mother.

After Jax had been born, there wasn't a need in him for another baby like he had heard his mates go on and on about. Neither of you were from terribly large families and hadn't discussed having even more than one baby when you discussed about whether you would even have children at all.

He meant every word when he said he would have been happy with just you, but you wanted at least one, and he believed as he watched Jax grow that his son was enough. Then after his fifth birthday party was over and you had put him to bed, you came to him – in a lace slip he thought about every now and again, even now – and murmured against his lips, “surprise,” and then, seven and a half months later, Jade Marie was in his arms.

A girl...

Nearly all his life, girls had been quite the mystery to him, having been more used to the rough housing and ruggedness brought on by boys and suddenly he was going to have one calling him, “Daddy,” and from the moment, he cut the umbilical cord and she was nothing but a squalling mess as she wriggled about in distress at having lost her comfortable resting place within you, she captured him in a way even her own brother hadn't.

If Jax was his spitting image, Jade was yours, and it only made him love her more.

You both had the same smattering of freckles along the bridge of your nose and cheeks, only coming more alive in the summer months as your skin would darken under the sun, but it was her eyes – the same pure crystal blue as yours – that would get him to do whatever she asked, without hesitation.

She knew all of your tricks, too. Such as making the already round shape of her eyes rounder by widening them ever so slightly while her velvet lashes batted furtively. A plaintive and sweet, “Daaaaaady” just like the way you pronounced his full name “Chrisssstopher,” whenever you wanted something. Rocking back and forth on her little feet. Her pout thrust forward and quivering slightly.

There was a want coursing through his veins as he remembered Jade being as tiny as Savannah. She had been quite the clingy thing, the opposite of her brother. Jax, as a baby, couldn't wait to explore everything around him, hating to be confined and always wanting to move, even when he could barely keep his head up. But his little gem – as he was fond of calling her – never wanted to part with him, coming close to bursting both of your eardrums with her nearly inconsolable wails when you would lay her down in her bassinet or crib.

It was a struggle, once she was older, to even get her to sleep in her own room. He winced at the thought, knowing he hadn't been much of a help in that area, as all she would have to do is cling at his leg and bat her lashes and he had been turned to mush and would sneak her into the bed he shared with you after he was sure you'd fallen asleep, thinking you were none the wiser as long as she ended up in her own bed before you woke.

“Someone,” Your voice cut through his thoughts. “Needs a change.”

Kit laughed under his breath and without a second thought, rose from his chair. “I'll take care of it. Jade, help your Mum clear the table. Jax, you're going to wash and your sister will dry. Don't put up a fuss. If you do, we'll keep that computer of yours back home next time we go on holiday. And I don't just mean when we're summering here at the cottage, either.”

Jax gave a heavy sigh, but no remarks were made, which Kit knew – like him – you considered as a win.

.

.

.

Baby talk had never been his forte, but he slipped into it like a well worn pair of trainers, laughing and making faces at a wriggling Savannah as he powdered her bum and placed a new diaper on after disposing of her previous one. She laughed – high-pitched and with abandon – the same way Jade had at this age and there was a twinge in his heart. Snapping the buttons of her onsie in place, a soft white number with light purple stripes going across, he scooped her up easily and when she yawned and her head came to rest against his shoulder, the want that had been coursing through his veins during supper, was only growing stronger.

Her sweet baby smell surrounding him, he rocked her gently and walked around your bedroom, humming the familiar refrain of The Beatles “Obladi-Oblada,” which had been Jade's favorite lullaby.

Something bittersweet swept over him, wishing she could be this small again.

Though, she had yet to take on Jax's defiance and sullen moods, she was growing up, too.

She no longer had him putting on tiaras and feather boas while they sipped at imaginary tea with her teddies and dolls. She was going to you for her braids and ponys, saying his were sloppy and they needed to be neat for school. She didn't need him to tie her laces on her saddle shoes or trainers anymore and suddenly she didn't want the crust cut off her sandwiches.

She played soccer now and was going to be going to camp next summer, meaning for the first time, she'd be away from home for a long stretch of time and she wasn't even batting an eye.

To the contrary, it was all she could talk about.

So different from the tiny thing whose bottom lip would quiver while her body shook with the fear that when he was filming and wouldn't see her every day, that he would forget her.

“Your cousins are practically grown,” He murmured to Savannah who was sleeping soundly in his arms. “Soon Jax is going to be chauffering you and Jade about town, he'll have his learner's permit any day now while Jade's going to camp next summer. She's not at all apprehensive about being away from home. Or me,” There was a sad tinge to his voice. “Your parents don't want you to right now cause you're runnin' them ragged, but you should stay this way forever. Tiny and needy. Don't be like your cousins and grow up. They won't want you to.”

Kit sighed as he pressed a loving kiss to the sleeping baby's forehead before placing her in the bassinet that he pulled from the attic that had once housed both his children. He gave another soft kiss, this time to her cheek, before he turned on the baby monitor, something he never thought he'd do again and found himself wishing instead of a strawberry blonde – taking after Cameron's auburn tinged hair – there was a dark haired little girl, the perfect mix of you and him, swaddled inside.

.

.

.

“A little one runnin' round again wouldn't be so bad, would it?” Your husband's voice in your ear, sounding hopeful as he snuggled next to you on the couch, the cushions dipping with his weight, nearly had you spitting out the sip of wine you had just taken.

“Kit...” You drew out the three letters of his name, as if to say you can't be serious. Though, neither of you were old, you weren't young anymore, either.

“Think of it...” He brought you into his arms, your head falling perfectly against his shoulder. “Another little girl... Not a mini you or me, but a mini us,” His voice was soft and warm, sounding like he did when he asked you to marry him, and your heart rose and fell at the same time.

“Christopher,” You sighed as you put your glass on the coffee table before turning so you were face to face. Those brown eyes boring into yours and head tilted just so, almost like an expectant puppy waiting for a bone or a table scrap had you shaking your head. If you stared at him for even a fraction of a second longer, his bottom lip now thrust forward, you'd cave in for sure.

“Getting there,” His voice husky along the soft skin of your neck, his lips nipping and sucking here and there until his are hovering just above yours. “Would be fun, wouldn't it? All of the trying? Then guessing,” His hands are no longer still, they're roaming – your body now in his lap – over your back, under your top, squeezing a breast and then a cheek. “Where they were conceived? Perhaps when you're bent over on the stairs, my favorite dress – you know the one, the little black one that barely covers your delectable arse – all rucked up about your waist because I can't wait to have you, because I need you. Just like I needed you the night I took you on the dining room table and nine months later Jax was born. Or since we'll be trying for another girl, I could put candles everywhere in our bathroom again, draw you a bath and then take you slow and sweet, just like the way you like until you're begging and there's water everywhere and you're aching and then Jade will have herself a little sister.”

If you were standing, you're legs would have completely given out. The combination of his sinful words – spoken so low and warm against your skin, his teeth grazing along your pulse point and then his lips soothing your skin after every few words – his woodsy scent with that hint of something musky and manly underneath and his roaming hands, had your head swimming and your pussy throbbing.

It all sounded so wonderful, so delicious that you couldn't stop the heady moan that fell from your lips as your nipples came alive against your lacy bra.

Somehow, though, you didn't understand how you fought through the intense haze of lust he wove around you with his sinful words. A soft smile cupped the sharp edge of his jaw, your fingers gently scratching at the bristles of his beard as you drew his forehead against yours.

You bit playfully at his plump bottom lip before kissing him soundly. You pulled back before things could get too out of hand, a sharp hiss escaping your lips as he ground his hardness against your center while your tongue slipped away from his. Through your velvet lashes you peered up at him, struck – yet again – by how handsome he was, even with the streaks of grey among his curls and the flecks of grey in his still thick beard.

You were nearly overwhelmed by the love you had for him, by how much the two of you had shared for as long as you had been together and the family you made.

Another addition, of course, would be lovely but your foursome – you, Kit, Jax and Jade – were everything. Another while welcome wasn't necessary. You just hoped he felt the same way.

“It's far too early for empty nest syndrome and such. Another would be lovely and the trying,” You giggle. “Would be fun as would the guessing,” Another giggle. “But Jax and Jade still need us.” You assured, able to understand where his want was truly coming from. “Jax is terrified about practicing for his driver's test. He'll be coming to you for help any day. I told him he has to because I'm more terrified about him behind the wheel. My baby driving round London with all of the crazy drivers is not something I want to think about. I'll have him strapped in like Richard Hammond in Top Gear or something ridiculous.”

Kit laughs and you relish in the familiar sound washing over you, his brown eyes alight with warmth.

“I'm not supposed to say,” You're whispering now. “But Jade has picked out very special stationary and paper to send you hand written letters from camp. She practices her cursive every night so it's perfect. They don't teach that in school any more. She had to ask me how to write her letters all over again.”

“What?” He blinks, clearly stunned by your revelation. “She...”

“Uh-uh,” You assure. “She wants you to do her braids before we send her off. She said she wants to make the smiley pancakes with you. Just you, by the way. No Jax,” A heavy sigh as you shake your head. “And no me. Just her and Daddy.”

“No....”

“Yes,” You emphasize the word, rolling your eyes at his disbelief. “I know it gets to me, too. Thinking they don't need us any more, that we're not their whole world like we were, but we have more than we ever thought. At one point, it was just going to be you and me, remember?”

Kit takes your hand in his, linking your fingers together and he brings your knuckles to his lips. He pushes a wayward strand from your top knot behind your ear. “It would have been enough, you know that don't you? If it was just you and me?”

You nod a soft smile blooming across your lips. “Of course I know. I hope you think this is enough; you and me and Jax and Jade. We are aren't we?”

“Don't ever say that,” His tone is fierce, his jaw ticking slightly. “The three of you will always be enough. I'll never want for anything at all as long as you three are with me. Even if our son has his face buried in his phone for the rest of our days and our daughter starts slamming her bedroom door and complaining about having nothing to wear.”

“What about when she gets her first crush?” You tease and Kit's nose instantly wrinkles. “You will not speak of such things,” He declares making you laugh. “Jade's not going to notice boys until she's graduated from uni.”

“Suuuuuure,” You murmur as you click your tongue. You retrieve your wine glass and take a healthy gulp before you pat your husband's cheek and say, “It's so cute you think she hasn't already noticed boys.”

“What?” He sputters, his eyes going comically wide. “C'mon, Kit,” You chide. “You can't tell me you haven't noticed the way she fawns over Finn? She's been doing it since they were in nappies.” You roll your eyes. “You and Richard are completely oblivious, I swear.”

“Wait... What? Finn? Finneas Oliver Madden?” More sputtering and you simply slid off his lap and glide into the kitchen, your wine glass in hand, intending to pour yourself another. “That Finn?”

“No,” You snark. “The other Finn she's been friends with since she was in nappies.”

“She's ten!” He practically shrieks and right on cue, a high-pitched wail echoes through the house, signaling Sadie is either wet, hungry or has woken up and realized she's in a completely new place than she's used to.

You can't help but scowl knowing Kit's shriek most likely didn't help matters. “Well done, Christopher,” You remark, shaking your head. “Yes, let's have another. I have quite missed the high-pitched wails of distress from a baby.”

Kit looks appropriately sheepish as he follows behind you as you make the journey from the living room to your bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time.

[dansnaturepictures]

17th April 2021-Part 2 of 2: Glossy Ibis and more at Stanpit Marsh: The 10 pictures I took in this photoset are different to those I tweeted tonight 

As we have seemed to do often on my Mum’s birthday over the years today we delved into Dorset going slightly into it at the brilliant Stanpit Marsh in Christchurch. What had drawn us here was the long staying Glossy Ibis which we caught sight of here in November after a couple of times of trying. We looked over the marsh looking into the harbour towards Hengistbury Head and Mudeford past the car park and scout hut and my Mum thought she saw it flying. The area I mean shown in the first two pictures in this photoset. We then walked around on the path and to our delight we did see the Glossy Ibis stood there. This was a brilliant moment to see this exotic jet black curved beak beauty. It was very mobile and no sooner had we fixed binoculars on it and limbered for a picture - at this distance a bridge camera zoom in - had it gone behind a tuft of grass but we still managed a decent handful of sightings of it at the start of the walk. One of my best birds this year, a rarity we saw our first of these in Dorset at RSPB Radipole Lake in Weymouth in 2012, we have now seen it three years running both of the sightings here of it and one at Fishlake Meadows near Romsey back in Hampshire in 2019 a good little indicator that this is a bird becoming more common to see right now.

As we walked on we loved taking in ideal conditions of bright sunshine flowing through and sky and sea a divine shade of blue. I took the fourth-eighth pictures in this photoset of views here today. There was also a photo I took I tweeted tonight on Dans_Pictures looking down a channel in a reedbed towards the prominent church in Christchurch which featured in a lot of my landscapes like Hengistbury Head in the distance did as they so often do here today. I had wanted to take that picture and it be one of my proudest sort of in November and I think I did take a version in the end but the angle wasn’t there or the light wasn’t good or something if I remember rightly. So it was great being able to take this shot in gorgeous sunshine today. We had a great walk for seeing birds such as Little Egret, Shelduck and Curlew quite a few times, with many Mute Swans about in the harbour too as can be seen in the sixth picture. It was nice to see ponies with a foal too which I tweeted a picture showing. We got close and special views of a nice bronzed Black-tailed Godwit up close and saw lots in a group in the sea of the harbour too which was so lovely to see again. 

Also in this area we loved seeing a few Sandwich Terns, two of them with one flying then they settled for ages on the shallow water with a godwit I took the third picture in this photoset showing this. It was lovely to make our their neat plumage. We saw a couple or maybe it was the same one fishing over the harbour later on in the walk and at one point it had a battle with a gull which was spectacular to watch, we saw a good range of gulls today too. Sandwich Terns are very much the bird of weeks off work for me these days it seems with one seen at Farlington Marshes to start the similar to this one June week off last year and we saw our first of the year during my week off in January during the bird year list foundation building an overwinterting one in Hampshire which was a key moment of that week and my yea so far. We saw one well at Pennington on Easter Sunday too as I said.

We did also see two great different flowers at Stanpit today, some bright white scurvygrass adorning the marsh floor and some bright yellow marsh marigold emanating also from the grassy areas which looked stunning I had seen neither before. Daffodil and bluebell were around here too like Winchester this morning.

We doubled back along the tree line, where we got a brilliant view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying across and into a tree and came to the area where the Glossy Ibis had been. With no clear decent photo taken of the bird at that point I put my big lens on my DSLR as I was covering the same area I had already taken landscapes with my normal lens in so I knew I might not do so much again. We were then so happy to see the Glossy Ibis again in the air and as I snapped away with the appropriate tool my big lens on my DSLR camera it looked as though like last November my chance for a photo to remember the ibis by would be in the air. We just wondered where it would settle and as we watched it get lower after a great flying session where Lapwing and other birds were also in the air I anticipated something extraordinary. I thought it may well fly right over our heads, and that it did! It was an amazing few moments to both of our delight as I seemed to get the balance right between binocular views, trying for photos and simply watching it in aw of how close this quite rare bird truly was to us. Spectacular. I managed the ninth picture in this photoset of it flying among others. 

It flew on over towards another marshy area by a boat sculpture where it had been reported a lot last year. We wandered back through the wooded area to there in case we could see it again. On the way through we got a quick view of my first Redstart of the year a female, always a crucial bird to see every spring especially in or close to the New Forest a huge part of the year seeing this bird on my B list of favourites for another year. My year list reached 133, the joint sixth highest amount of birds I had ever seen on a year on this date alongside my 2014. Redstart and Glossy Ibis were year ticks in the same weekend for me in 2019 Redstart came first the day before the Fishlake Meadows Glossy Ibis sighting the Redstart at a strong area for them Pig Bush in the New Forest. 

We reached a little pool where we thought it might have gone and I was so happy to see the Glossy Ibis was there. We then spent a divine few minutes getting the honour to watch this bird move side to side across the pool mostly with its beak down hunting but it gave us flashes of brilliance as it looked up now and again. The soft early evening sunlight caressed the feathers of its back and head. It was one of the most beautiful and captivating natural moments I’d had this year, perhaps the greatest moment of wildlife for me since seeing the Tawny Owl and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the woods on one walk and so much more four weeks ago today. Such is this bird’s exotic nature that for a minute I could have been in an African swamp rather than a Dorset marsh. The greatest respect to the fantastic Dorset obviously I have always loved this county. What a way to celebrate that British wildlife is phenomenal and it’s been lovely day all round for discussing wildlife with lots of people at both Winchester and Stanpit Marsh. Everything was happening at once as when we arrived at this bit to look over the pool the ibis was on a Kestrel flew right in front of us a stunning view of a special bird.

On the way in and out we took in some beautiful New Forest vistas as you can do on journeys to Dorset and this included some nice bright red tulips with some daffodils which I took a picture of and tweeted and liked admiring on the way back. The perfect birthday for my Mum to kick off our time off, what a day for wildlife and photos! I hope you all had a good one.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first Glossy Ibis and Redstart of the year, three of my favourite birds the Shelduck, Little Egret and Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Mallard, a straggling Wigeon, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, what’s not so usual for us in a day both Lesser Black-backed Gull and Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Cormorant, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Kestrel, House Sparrow, Wren, Dunnock, Great Tit, Linnet and Greenfinch in another nice day of finches, Robin, Blackbird, Rock Pipit and I heard Cetti’s Warbler and also Reed Warbler faintly I believe.

[sohannabarberaesque]

Underwater America with Peter Potamus (episode 24: Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire)

Soooo ... another episode of this contrived 1970-71 first-run syndiucated series awaits following a journey which, for one, involved the Port Jefferson-Bridgeport ferry over Long Island Sound to save much traffic through New York heading out of Long Island ... as well as bypassing Boston via the I-495 ring heading towards the Spalding Turnpike in New Hampshire, and heading to--well, let’s leave it to Your Kindly Host:

PETER POTAMUS, in narration as the approach to Lake Winnipesaukee comes into sight aerially: Not quite the change between night and day as between salt water and fresh water ... but it turns out we were heading for the New Hampshire Lakes Region out near Laconia, and more specifically Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake ... close to the White Mountains in its own way, and long a popular weekend retreat from across New England ... home to no less than 265 islands of varying size and remarkably clear waters!

MILDEW WOLF, trying to add some levity: Is it just me, or do things seem a little too laconic down in Laconia?

BREEZLY BRUIN: So what exactly is the dive routine going to be like?

PETER POTAMUS: It took awhile to look up some old diving buddies of ours out by Weirs Beach--what you might call a “suburb” of Laconia, perhaps the most important town in the Lakes Region; his is the sort of diver’s rendezvous as requires close acquaintenance to access--and he was one to suggest a few interesting dive spots more to the north of “the Great Spirit’s smile,” as the Indian name of Winnipesaukee translates. (More on those later.)

In any case, the scene shifts to the excursion boat M/S Mount Washington, the better to get acquainted with that particular lake; we can find the inevitable double takes among unacquainted tourists on a day’s excursion, as well as the views to be had and snippets of the narration. Not to mention “candid” shots of some of our divers otherwise enjoying a day’s sightseeing.

So, to get acquainted somewhat with the lake itself, we took a boat excursion aboard that grand old lady, the M/S Mount Washington ... and can you believe just how many among the tourists gave us rather dumb looks, as if we were--well, you wouldn’t be interested ... [Shifting now to a boater’s bar in Weirs Beach for some New England boiled dinner with a view unto Lake Winnipesaukee itself, with the diving buddies along as well ...] And following the boat tour, wouldn’t you believe some classic New England boiled dinner over some discussion over the dive spots that were recommended....

Shifting now to the scene off Center Harbor, on the northwestern part of Winnipesaukee, especially focusing on the dive boat chugging its way merrily along ... and Peter continues with the narrative:

The first of the spots as was recommended was at a spot called Becky’s Garden, which is situated between Two Mile Island (as in distance from Center Harbor, I presume) and Blackcat Island on the northern side essentially....

MIDEW WOLF: Whoever this Becky was, I just have to wonder how she was able to keep her garden growing underwater all this time....

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY, ever stoked up at what to expect: But I’m sure the discovery is bound to be more fascinating than what explains the name!

Meanwhile, approaching the location of Becky’s Garden, we move back unto the dive boat, fitting on wetsuits as much as the gear; Lake Winnipesaukee’s waters can get into the mid-50′s even in the heighth of summer, hence the precaution. We can also listen in on what are essentially the basics of the dive, the safety precautions to be experienced ... followed by a “ballet in black” as the wetsuit-clad crew makes their entry into “The Smile of the Great Spirit”, as captured by the ever-incomparable Squiddly Diddly from the underwater perspective. And as the inevitably cheesy music starts in the background, the greenish-blue waters of Winnipesaukee are evidently highlighting the black neoprene wetsuits. At least two have brought along underwater flashlights to enhance the sense of discovery in Becky’s Garden....

LIPPY THE LION, narrating over some rather crazy footage showing him and Hardy Har-Har close to the bottom: Trying to avoid a letdown big time based on what a name suggested isn’t easy to come by underwater, especially when the name suggests some sort of magical underwater garden....

LOOPY De LOOP, filling in somewhat: Still, you can’t help but wonder what can be found ... especially some lake eels and bass, some mislaid fishing tackle--

WALLY GATOR, narrating off camera: --and a fresh sense of curiosity, as if the feel of foam rubber against by alligator skin wasn’t giving me headaches, don’t you know! And you thought ice cream headaches were awful enough!

HOKEY WOLF, likewise: And you wonder why it was called “Becky’s Garden” in the first place, to begin with, even when most of the time was spent shining a flashlight on a mostly grass-strewn bottom!

Otherwise, the scene at Becky’s Garden could be considered almost serendipitious in its own way....

PETER POTAMUS, changing back from wetsuit to trademark safari jacket: And if you thought Becky’s Garden was interesting enough a place just because of the name ... wait till you see what we found off Wolfeboro, to the west along the north shore!

We shift the scene after the inevitable break to the harbour area of Wolfeboro, another important community on Lake Winnipesaukee--and more specifically, the area around Clark’s Point Beach and its shallows. Again, considering the cool waters, wetsuits are more or less the norm even as our divers gather in knee-deep waters in the shallows.

Off Wolfeboro, on the northern side of Winnipesaukee, comes a couple of particularly interesting dive spots ... the first such comes off Clark’s Point, at a park along the lakeshore. Which, for the somewhat rock-strewn shallows to be had, is a gateway into a rather surprising underwater world. And what makes it especially amazing is that such can be entered from shore....

And what a sight ensues, with a fascinating time to be had by all, especially starting at around 50 feet down, whence a “wall” starts descending down into the lake featuring some unlikely formations and at least a shallow underwater cavern into which some light is shone into same. You can pretty much let some carefully-scored-to-match-the-setting background music speak for itself with this scene as much as the curiosity factor seeing such a sharp underwater wall as this ...

But at any rate, we “saved the best for last,” as it were.

Aerials of a dive boat approaching Parker Island, off Wolfeboro, eventually moving to a briefing explaining what was to hand in the dive: A sort of “giant’s staircase” in granite underwater off the island, at a depth of between 20 and 40 feet under the surface, replete with jokes about the possibility of some Lost Underwater Civilisation perhaps having made its acquaintenance with Lake Winnipesaukee being shot down by Peter’s explaining such was the product of glacial action during the Ice Age as created the New Hampshire Lakes Region as much as the White Mountains. And following the safety briefing and check of equipment ... off into the water, scored to equally incredible stock music. Which also features the camera work of Squiddly Diddly capturing a wide shot of the underwater “giant’s staircase”, followed by bemusing scenes of the divers themselves trying to “climb” same as if they were rockclimbing.

SQUIDDLY DIDDLY, narrating the scene to hand: Setting things up beforehand, I must admit, almost seemed like a piece of cake ... though on seeing such an unlikely staircase as this underwater, I had to admit to being rather stunned and yet amazed at just how stunning an underwater stairway could look. Especially considering its glacial origins, by and large, belieing the almost symmetrical shape of such a staircase!

HOKEY WOLF, narrating the experience off camera: And just imagine sensing yourself a kid again, imagining crawling on all fours on the ground--only you’re doing so underwater against something as unlikely as this!

PETER POTAMUS, getting narrative himself at the experience: Ahhhh, feeling almost like a kid again! Imagining myself climbing such a staircase as this underwater!!

And we also get an interesting group shot of the wetsuited crew seated on the “stairs” of this underwater marvel ... and to wrap things up, here’s Peter one last time:

The things you can’t help but picture or imagine underwater ... especially with a crew like us ... and next week, we start to wind things down in the north country of Maine, as in around Moosehead Lake and Moxie Pond, as in that popular New England concoction of refreshment. In the meantime ... enjoy the dive!

@warnerarchive​ @hanna-barbera-land​ @warnerbrosentertainment​ @hanna-barbera-blog​ @hanna-barberians​ @joey-gatorman​

[discolemonaaade]

2021

1. What do you like daydreaming about?

J: I don’t really daydream.

M: my happy place

D: going home and going to bed.

2. Tell me something about you that you think I might not know.

J: That I’m actually a crazy lunatic

M: My index finger is longer than my middle finger

D: I like musicals.

3. What have your friends been up to?

J: playing fortnite

M: the two of them have mostly just been working.

D: pregnancy or marriage

4. What’s a memory that makes you happy?

J: Tyler’s birthday party

M: camping in New Hampshire with my aunt and her friend and Rachel

D: adopting Artemis

5. What do you look forward to when you wake up?

J: On a school day, I like forward to nothing. On a non-school day, I look forward to playing video games.

M: snuggling with Artemis

D: 7 PM

6. You’re at the beach. What’s the first thing you do?

J: jump in the water.

M: Set everything up

D: If I’m at Smith’s Point, I’m going to shout in the tunnel. If not, obviously you have to find a spot to lay your stuff down on, and then jump in the water. You can’t just jump in the water.

7. What makes you feel brave?

J: thinking about what Undyne would do

M: Comforting Shamus when he’s scared

D: I don’t know

8. What makes you feel loved?

J: Artemis licking my face and trying to get into my nose and mouth and ears.

M: When people tell me they love me

D: Artemis greeting me at the door.

9. How do you show people you care?

J: Listening to them and staring at them directly

M: Calling them to say hello.

D: warm, friendly hugs

10. If you could give $100 to a charity, which would you choose?

J: St. Jude’s, I guess.

M: The Humane Society of the United States

D: Ronald McDonald house

11. How would you design a treehouse?

J: Floor, walls, roof, and a ladder leading up to it obviously, and that’s it. I would say a 7 by 7 feet. And it’s like a square. Actually let’s just have it be a cube.

M: A multi-floor structure with a winding staircase

D: I’d make one with indoor plumbing.

12. If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

J: A fictional book where the main character dies and the good guys win, and he doesn’t come back in any way, and he’s not a ghost. He’s just dead.

M: mental illness

D: A cookbook

13. If you designed clothes, what would they look like?

J: it would have a viking symbol on it

M: very bright colors and spikes and chains

D: business casual pajamas

14. How do you best like helping others?

J: picking up stuff when it falls

M: appreciating nature with them

D: I don’t know, give them money?

15. What makes you feel thankful?

J: That I have food and water and shelter. Also that I have a family. And a dog. A dog a dog a dog a doga. A dog a doga doga doga

M: Seeing other people’s struggles that I don’t have.

D: not getting covid

16. If you made a cave in the woods, what would be inside it?

J: I’m gonna have a bed and a whole bucket load of salt and a whole ton of food IN that bucket of salt, and water in a cooler, and that’s it.

M: A nice comfy bed with a soft, warm blanket, and a pool to hang out with all my bat friends.

D: indoor plumbing

17. What makes you feel energized?

J: sugaaaar

M: tea

D: caffeine

18. If you were in a play, what would your character be like?

J: a person who causes chaos

M: very dramatic

D: background actor

19. What makes your friends so awesome?

J: He’s funny! And he also has my back.

M: They’re bad biotches who work hard and take control.

D: they’re fun to be around

20. What makes you so awesome?

J: I’m unique? I don’t know.

M: Everything

D: nothing.

21. What are three things you want to do this summer?

J: go to Florida, go to Splish Splash, go to Italy

M: go to the beach a lot, go camping, go to Splish Splash

D: go fishing, go to the beach, go to Las Vegas 

22. If you had friends all over the world, how would you keep in touch?

J: I wouldn’t keep in touch! But if I had to, I would keep in touch with my xbox.

M: facebook and whatsapp

D: internet

23. If you joined the circus, what would your circus act be?

J: I would never join the circus. I’m not even answering that question, never in a million years would I join the circus.

 I would never join the circus, because circuses suck. I guess I have to say something. My act would be destroying the circus. Because circuses suck.

M: human cannonball

D: Hammering a nail into my face

24. If you were a teacher and could teach your students anything at all, what would you teach them?

J: I’d teach them what schools should actually teach, taxes and how being an adult sucks 

M: environmental activism

D: How to FIGHT!

25. If a friend asks you to keep a secret that you don’t feel comfortable keeping, what would you do?

J: Depends on the secret- if it’s a secret that puts somebody’s life in danger, then I’m going to tell somebody- but if it’s not threatening anybody, I can keep a secret.

M: I probably would not keep that secret.

D: I’d probably keep it.

[travelonlinetipsofficial]

10 of the best things to do outdoors in New England this fall

New Post has been published on https://www.travelonlinetips.com/10-of-the-best-things-to-do-outdoors-in-new-england-this-fall/

10 of the best things to do outdoors in New England this fall

The pandemic has invited us to embrace the joys of nature. And in New England, autumn is a special time to enjoy the great outdoors. Leaves turn vibrant shades of crimson, gold and pumpkin.

Summertime heat and humidity are a memory, replaced by bluebird days and comfortably crisp nights. Fresh air enthusiasts are attracted to the spectacular scenery and variety of activities, from the adrenaline rush of zip-lining to a peaceful mountain hike. Aquatic adventures like fly fishing and kayaking are a good way to get acquainted with the region’s clear streams, pristine lakes and gorgeous seacoast.

Meet 10 of New England’s best outdoor activities to try this fall.

Mountain biking in Gorham, New Hampshire

Mountain biking is an invigorating fall activity — Photo courtesy of White Mountains New Hampshire

Mountain biking on a bright autumn day is invigorating, and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is a perfect car-free spot to pedal. Trails and carriage roads traverse meadows and rivers, with a carpet of crunchy leaves in suggestive shades of red, yellow and orange. Purchase a trail pass, rent a bike and required helmet, and away you’ll go.

Stay: At the base of towering Mount Washington, The Glen House is adjacent to Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. Discounted trail passes, panoramic views, comfortable rooms and a restaurant with a fine selection of local beer sweeten the deal.

Falconry in Manchester, Vermont

Experience the majesty of a bird of prey on your gloved fist — Photo courtesy of The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa

A bird of prey on a gloved fist is a majestic sensation. Falconry is an ancient field sport involving trained but still wild hawks. At Green Mountain Falconry School, a master falconer teaches fundamentals of hawk handling, allowing participants to get personal with a regal Harris hawk within minutes.

Stay: The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa is an ideal spot to savor Vermont’s technicolor foliage, conveniently located near Green Mountain Falconry School.

Kayaking in Kennebunkport, Maine

Crescent Beach is serene spot for a fall paddle — Photo courtesy of Douglas Merriam

For an immersion in Maine’s stunning seascapes, a kayak is a winning perch. Kennebunkport has a wealth of beaches tailor-made for kayaking.

Goose Rocks Beach is a pristine stretch of white sand bordered by dune grass. Surf is usually gentle thanks to the buffer its crescent shape provides. When tides are favorable, paddle to secluded islands sprinkled with colorful changing leaves as migratory birds fly overhead. Kennebunkport Marina rents single and double kayaks with life jackets provided.

Stay: Tides Beach Club is an upscale hotel directly across from Goose Rocks Beach, with complimentary kayaks for guests. Relax on its old-fashioned porch with ocean views. Open through October.

Zip-lining in Jeffersonville, Vermont

Swing from the trees on a zip-line — Photo courtesy of ArborTrek Canopy Adventures at Smugglers’ Notch/Stowe, VT

Zipping across a series of suspended cables from treetop to treetop is an adrenaline-pumping aerial adventure. ArborTrek offers an autumn zip-line canopy tour that’s a vertigo-inducing sashay across eight cables surrounded by a rainbow of colorful leaves. As you glide, friendly guides inject tidbits of information on local flora and fauna.

Stay: ArborTrek is located at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. Roomy condo-style lodging and rambling grounds are perks.

Hiking at Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough, Massachusetts

Mount Greylock present’s a painter’s palette of fall color — Photo courtesy of Ogden Gigli

Hiking to Mount Greylock’s summit, the highest point in Massachusetts, is a low-tech way to leaf peep. Trails lined with balsam fir and spruce evergreen trees present a verdant backdrop for vivid splashes of amber, orange and scarlet leaves from a wide variety of deciduous trees. Auto roads to the mountaintop usually stay open until early November.

Stay: Tourists is a riverside hotel situated in a forest that’s walking distance from Mount Greylock. Open Wednesday-Sunday in fall.

Surfing in Newport, Rhode Island

Surf’s up in Newport, Rhode Island — Photo courtesy of Corey Favino for Discover Newport

Newport may be known for its Gilded Age mansions, but for those who dream of surfing, it’s a coastal plunge straight out of a Beach Boys song. Autumn is a fine time to catch a wave, as seasonal Atlantic storms often bring swells.

Sachuest Beach, locally known as Surfer’s End, is a popular spot to hang ten. Easton’s Beach, with its gently sloping sandy bed, is a good bet for novices.

Rent a board and wetsuit at Island Surf & Sport, open all year.

Stay: The Wayfinder is a boutique property with a casual vibe and a collection of surfboards. The onsite restaurant is top-notch.

Boating in Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic’s maritime history makes it a perfect place to get out on the water — Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism

With a seaport museum and world-class aquarium, maritime gem Mystic is a fitting place to go boating. The schooner Argia offers two-hour public sailing cruises in protected waters until mid-October. For late season boaters, Mystic River Cruises charters an antique picnic boat until mid-November.

Stay: Whaler’s Inn is a charming 45-room hotel in downtown Mystic near popular attractions.

Lobstering in Portland, Maine

Get up-close with a lobster on a Lucky Catch cruise — Photo courtesy of Maine Tourism

Maine and lobster go together like milk and cookies. For experiential travelers, a ride with a professional lobsterman on Lucky Catch Cruises is a deep-dive into this delectable crustacean. Haul traps and chat with lobstermen as you soak in Casco Bay’s picturesque lighthouses and historic Civil War forts. Cruises run through October.

Stay: Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront is walking distance from many of Portland’s delectable dining options and top attractions.

Fly fishing in Woodstock, Vermont

Fly fishing in Vermont’s cold, clean streams and rivers — Photo courtesy of Woodstock Inn & Resort

Part mental and part physical, fly fishing is a nuanced angling technique that hooks many who give it a try. Learn or perfect it in Vermont’s clean streams and ponds with Orvis-endorsed guides at the Woodstock Inn. Postcard-pretty foliage is a seasonal bonus.

Stay: Book an Angler Collection Room at the Woodstock Inn, decorated with antique fly rods and maps of nearby fishing locations.

Horseback riding in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Horseback riding at Bretton Woods — Photo courtesy of Omni Mount Washington

At Bretton Woods Stables, equestrians ride along bridle paths lined with tall pines, with pops of saturated saffron, burnt orange and bold burgundy leaves mixed in for good measure. Group tours and private rides allow both novices and seasoned riders to saddle up, while pony rides should satisfy tiny travelers.

Stay: Omni Mount Washington Resort provides guests with striking White Mountain views and warm hospitality.

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[wildinbritain-blog]

How Well Do You Know British Wildlife?

Surprisingly, three out of 10 Britons do not know there is wildlife in Britain. But the larger British Isles are teeming with wildlife including land mammals, birdlife, and marine life. There is also a wonderful variety of small animals and insects including the lovable bumblebee.        The good thing is that you can travel to any of the popular wildlife viewing sites in a short time seeing as it is that the UK is not a large country. The diverse landscape is a bonus attraction for the avid tourist. There are marshes, moor, cliffs and beaches to explore while looking for wildlife. All of it here in the UK.

What is some popular wildlife to see in the UK?

•    Scottish wildcat

This feline is to be found in Northern England, Wales and Scotland. It is almost indistinguishable from the domestic cat and can crossbreed with it. The numbers are declining because of this diminishing breeding line.

•    Pine Marten

This is a kin to weasel, and native to the Lake District. It is a nocturnal hunter and prefers to sleep in underground burrows.

•    Red squirrels

This squirrel has ginger fur and taller years than the grey squirrel. The ginger fur changes to a grey shade in winter. These cute furry animals are declining in numbers as they are decimated by squirrel pox from their larger and more numerous kin, the grey squirrel. They number less than 200,000 of them.

•    Skomer vole

This rodent is only found on Skomer Island in Wales. It is popular prey for the numerous predator birds on the island.

•    Hedgehogs

These rodents are also on the decline due to habitat destruction and changing climates. They numbered over 30 million 50 years ago but now number about a million.

•    Turtledoves

These beautiful birds have become very rare to see in the UK have declined in numbers by over 90%. The best time to see them is in the summer.

•    Natterjack Toad

It has become very rare to hear this noisy amphibian, remaining only in small numbers in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

•    Slow Worm

This is a legless lizard that closely resembles a snake. It can be found in all parts of the UK.

•    Bumblebees

These hairy black and yellow striped bees can be found hovering over flowering plants all over the UK. Unlike the aggressive honey bees, bumblebees make are generally harmless and their gentle buzzing will be heard in many fields, gardens and parks.

Bees in general are a particular passion of mine. I recently became a beekeeper and regularly purchase products from The Humble Bumble as they donate to various bee charities and organizations. I just received a new bee charm from them for my sister which i’m over the moon with!

What are the best places to see wildlife in the UK?

Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

The Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands is a land of rare beauty with a variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes. The varied landscape consists of forests, moorlands, mountain, and grass fields. The wildlife to be found here includes pine martens, red squirrels, Scottish wildcats, and golden eagles. There is also a variety of small mammals, rodents and innumerable insects including wasps, ants and bumblebees. Tourists can walk this place on foot in guided tours.

Blakeney Point, Norfolk

This is area is world famous for its attraction as a site to see marine bird life. It is a breeding ground for grey seals with over 2,000 grey seal pups coming to life each year from October to January. This area is part of Blakeney National Nature Reserve. An organized boat trip is the only way to get here during the breeding season.

The Isle of Mull, Scotland

The white-tailed eagle has been re-introduced in the UK on this isle. This is the biggest bird of prey native to the UK. It can be spotted swooping down on fish in the sea or soaring over the forests in search of small prey. Buzzards and golden eagles can also be sighted here. Marine attractions include porpoises and dolphins.

Falmouth, Cornwall

Pendennis point is on this location. This is one of the best spots in the UK to view marine wildlife, with breathtaking sea views as the background. There are also good views of Falmouth Bay and River Mal. It is a good spot for viewing bottlenose and common dolphins.  Other marine attractions include shallow swimming sharks, grey seals and a variety of marine birds.

New Forest, Hampshire

This ancient woodland and heath is home to a herd of over 3,000 wild ponies that roam this area. Tourists can also spot all the deer species that are native to the UK. Other attractions include birds and snakes as well as insects including butterflies, dragonflies and bumblebees.

Kielder Forest, Northumberland

This is the home of the photogenic red squirrel whose numbers have dwindled dramatically. This forest is also home to bats, badgers, pipistrelle bats and other small mammals. Tourists can also see an osprey swooping down on these small prey from time to time.

Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

This rugged coast landscape is a challenge to navigate but offers plenty to see in terms of wildlife. The cliffs are home to agile mountain hares and birds including peregrine falcons, and puffins. There are sharks, Atlantic grey seals and porpoises to be found in the sea.  Bird watchers will find an interesting variety of marine birds including razorbills, auks and guillemot heading off to fish in the sea, homing in and heading to breeding grounds.

Shetland and Orkney Islands

These isles in the northernmost point of the UK offer plenty for the tourist if you can get there. The waters off the coast hold killer whales, minke whales, humpback whales, white-sided and white-beaked dolphins. There are also sea otters and a variety of marine birds. Bird watchers will especially find Skara Brae, Noss and Sumburgh areas rich with different bird species. These isles are also interesting archaeological sites.

Gilfach Nature Reserve, Wales

This is a great spot to see otters on the hunt for salmon. They come here every year from October to December to catch easy salmon prey at the waterfalls as the salmon swim upstream. These elusive water predators can also be spotted at other times of the year although it is a bit harder to do so. Early morning and sunset hours are the best for viewing.

Skomer Island

The hugely popular Atlantic Puffin is to be found in good numbers on this island off the coast of Pembrokeshire in western Wales. This is a popular destination with birders who come here for the rich bird life and photo opportunities. Seeing about 70,000 Manx Shearwaters make a landing in the dusk is a phenomenon that is one of the rarest in the world. There are also the photogenic Atlantic puffins who are happy enough to pose for photos as they are well-used to human presence.

Dorset

This is one of the most beautiful inhabited places in the UK. The meadows of Kingcombe are perfectly kept and preserved, with over 200 years of well-maintained fields, hay meadows and hedgerows. All of it is done naturally without pesticides which makes it highly attractive to insects and other small wildlife.

There is plenty to see if you take the time to stroll leisurely through the meadows. There are buzzing bumblebees, numerous scurrying insects and different birds that make a living of these small prey. The soothing landscape holds plenty to see and photograph.

[orbemnews]

Owner sells tackle shop, but still can't spit the hook BELMONT — For years, Alan Nute heard about the best fishing spots in the region. He passed that information along to whoever asked, but he didn’t get to use it himself as much as he would have liked, because he was busy running A.J.’s Bait and Tackle in Meredith. He sold the retail shop in November of last year, but he’s still just as invested in the fishing business – but in a capacity that ought to take him out on the water instead of just talking about it. Nute has reinvented himself as a part-time lure manufacturer, and part-time fishing guide, continuing an unlikely but continuous career path that started with his teenage years, when he took a job as a runner for an auction house. Nute grew up in Merrimack, and got his first job as one of the dozens of runners for Zyla’s Auction House. When one of the family members left the auction business to start a retail operation, Nute went with him to learn about merchandising. It was through the retail store that Nute, who learned to fish at a family camp on Bear Island, got into the craft of making fishing lures. “I was taught my first fly in Franklin,” Nute said. He was in his later 20s, maybe even 30 years old, when a Zyla’s customer offered to show him how to tie bits of feather onto a hook in such a way as to fool a trout. By then, he was an avid fisherman, spending most mornings before work with a rod in his hand. In 1997, it made sense that someone like him should buy Waldron’s, a family-run fishing supply store in business on Meredith’s Main Street since the 1950s. He found his fishing lifestyle “reversed,” he said, spending more of his time at work so that other people could go fishing. That situation changed last year, when he accepted an offer to sell his business to The Tackle Shack, which moved his stock to a storefront in the Hannaford shopping plaza. Nute, in turn, bought out a couple of other small New England lure manufacturers and set up operations in his basement. Over the winter, he has manufactured more than 1,000 lures, and has promoted his guide service, A.J.’s Great Spirit Fishing Charters. His new plan is intended to get him back to his old ways. “I hope to be on the water every morning,” he said. Fishing beckons for Nute, as it has for every angler who will dust off their tackle box this weekend, if they haven’t already, as the open water fishing season is now underway in New Hampshire. What keeps Nute going back isn’t so much the excitement of the big catches, he said, as what happens in between. “The relaxation, being out on the water, it’s peaceful most of the time,” he said. And then there’s the enduring challenge of learning more about fish and the world they live in; the dance of the animal and the environment. “Nobody knows it all,” said Nute, adding that he has learned a lot from talking with his more experienced customers over the years. A fish’s behavior can differ based on the time of day, time of year, phase of the moon, whether it’s sunny or rainy, or the barometric pressure. “You pay attention,” and learn, he said. How does that knowledge translate to fishing lures? Nute said a lure will tempt a fish if it looks, to the fish, like the bait they’re feeding on at the time. Along with the manufacturing equipment he acquired from the lure companies he bought, Nute has a stock of old lure components for designs that date back to the 1930s. Fish haven’t changed much, he said, though these lures look different from what’s currently on shelves. He’s thinking of bringing some of those designs back, he said. “Everything cycles, clothing, you name it,” Nute said. Lures aren’t any different. Old styles get left behind, for no good reason other than they’re familiar. “New things come out and people go crazy about it.” He’s also working on some of his own designs, and he knows from his experiences as a tackle shop owner that a good lure has to work on more than one species. “You’ve got to catch the customer’s eye to catch the customer, but you’ve got to catch the fish to have repeat customers,” he said. Source link Orbem News #alannute #auctionhouse #commerce #company #economics #fishing #Hook #lure #manufacturer #owner #sells #shop #Spit #tackle

[dansnaturepictures]

Rutland Water blog 1: 20/08/2021-Lyndon Nature Reserve Part 1 of 2: Ospreys, dragonflies, Muntjac and more 

As mentioned in my post about 19th August on 20th August we headed to Rutland Water, where we came every summer between 2008-2019 to visit the Bird Fair, rightly not going ahead this or last year due to the pandemic. But our wild year aligned for a trip to the nature reserves around this enormous reservoir to be very useful so me and my Mum came away staying Friday night and returning Saturday night to visit the Lyndon and Eglton Rutland Water nature reserves. I didn’t take my laptop on a one night stopover so the blogs about the time away are retrospectively posted so will read in the present tense of the date at the top. I have four blogs about the two days away, two each day and the part two of the days carry straight on from part one and its both part twos that have my Wildlife Sightings Summary for each day. Writing this bit at the time of posting: I shall aim to have part two up for each as soon as I can after. 

So going back to Friday now; today on a pleasant journey from Hampshire to the East Midlands I knew we were approaching this area that means so much to us when I saw the picturesque agricultural landscape of Leicestershire which is the heart of England. The landscape was painted well with an interesting summery shade of brown as it was all journey and so often is at this time of year. There were nice well grown and vegetated road verges too. Today we started this trip as we do every one here by coming to Lyndon nature reserve at the south of Rutland Water. As we came down the steep winding road towards the visitor centre which was adorned by pink great willowherb, it was great to see the stunning scenery and get tremendous views down into Rutland Water. I took the first, third and fourth pictures in this photoset here today. 

It was so brilliant to be back, and not much had really changed in the initial glances here. There were dragonflies, for me a key wild attraction of this reserve flying around from the off. I did wonder, with dragonflies being something I have focused on a lot more the past few years, whether me associating the Bird Fair with being a strong point in my year for dragonflies was because it stood out against the rest of the year where maybe I didn’t look for dragonflies a lot. But being so focused on them now particularly with the Lakeside walks working from home seeing some I can say once more as I address below this is an extraordinary and special site for dragonflies. And I was reminded how brilliant it was for them today.

Something that is new since I last came here as I said when I went to Blashford Lakes for the first time since early last year recently is the depth of my interest in and more knowledge of flowers. Today I saw so many lovely flowers, including the sweet great willowherb that was widespread today as well as purple loosestrife and water mint fitting for beside the water, with ragwort too, bee nettles, nice pink marsh woundwort in front of hide and some bright red fruited cuckoo pint looking stunning and red near the visitor centre both new for me, the similar to the woundwort hedge nettle, self-heal, Herb-Robert, red campion still going strong, rosebay willowherb, yarrow, cow parsnip, hemp acrimony, a tiny forget-me-not, scabious by the visitor centre and some nice yellow flowers by there too. It was also great to see some sloes whilst walking around a key image of this time of year.

Such a key part of our Lyndon and Bird Fair visits are going in the huge selection of varied bird hides with different habitats. In the first we went into, the first going west from the visitor centre it was great to notice a bright Great White Egret lurking at the end of the water. This has became a really key bird for Rutland Water but I believe this is the first we saw at Lyndon.

On the way to the next hide we got an early key moment of the trip when I was stunned to see a deer skulking out of vegetation, running across a field over the fence and back into the thick vegetation at the base of the water. I was amazed to get a clear view of it to be able to see it was a glorious Muntjac Deer. It was a stunning view of this sweet little mammal. I was so happy and thrilled to see this exceptional species. And there is a big history with this mammal and our Rutland trips as it’s my fourth ever sighting of one, and three of them were at Rutland Water. The first ever one we saw at our first ever Bird Fair at Egleton the part of the reserve the fair is held. And then we didn’t see one again until one at Lyndon in 2019 when we were last here. This is the third year running I have seen a Muntjac Deer now after seeing one at Blackwater in the New Forest in 2020 which is really smashing for a species I saw early on in my wildlife interest and then not again for a few years. This sighting made me feel very happy.

And then it turned into a brilliant few minutes as first of all typically for the species on the wood of a bench outside the second hide along was an excitingly red male darter dragonfly. And after photographing and examining it I was thrilled to see the jet black with no yellow on the side legs to show it was a Ruddy Darter and not Common Darter that I have enjoyed a lot this year. This was a very precious sighting for me as a year tick and I didn’t see one last year at all so this felt really good. I initially tried for photos with my normal lens which I had on at the time. I tend to use zoom lenses for dragonflies whilst my macro lens and all its closeup detail would maybe be the preferred option like all other insects. But the dragonflies land less frequently than butterflies say and after faster so I don’t normally have time to get my macro lens out or bend down to get the picture. Rare macro dragonfly pictures I’ve got in recent years have been down to luck at having my macro lens on my DSLR camera at the time. But this one was landed so frequently, always returning and settling again on the wood so I had time to get the macro lens out and take pictures possibly the extra bit of details I needed to get the ID over the line which I got the second picture in this photoset of. A brilliant view of a fine dragonfly and flipping back to the time of posting for a second I didn’t realise until I got home that Friday was ten years to the day that I saw my first ever Ruddy Darter dragonfly also at Rutland Water one I am fond of so this was special. 

Then in the hide we spotted a blue beauty of a big dragonfly parading in front of the hide over vegetation, it was the smashing species a Migrant Hawker one I see as a very notable species. I have seen these three years running now too with sightings of one on different days at Lakeside last year sandwiched by today and last time here in 2019. It was fantastic to see a couple of these together. And with that the two dragonfly targets I had for this trip big parts of it for me had been seen which I was thrilled with almost straight away. It took my year list to sixteen making my year list my joint second highest ever levelling my 2018 total and behind only my 2019 total now, with my mammal year list on the same amount and riding high when comparing to past years too and I know today will be a big dragonfly focal point in another very successful dragonfly and damselfly year for me. 

In the hide too I liked seeing a Little Grebe pair on a nest which was very interesting as I’d not seen them on a nest before unlike their cousins the Great Crested both grebe species on nests a very notable thing around the reserve lately it seems. There was a bare tree covered in Cormorants which was great to see with another one further up too as well and a Grey Heron flying over was nice.

A big event of the day occurred afterwards as we made it to the hide at the end, one of the two you can see the Ospreys within. It’s always a big moment whenever we come here and I was so thrilled today to see one as soon as we got into the hide a possible juvenile we think and it stayed sat on the Osprey pole for the whole time we were in this hide. And it was fascinating to see it had a fish in its talons. It was such a precious view of a bird that has been one of my very favourites for so long and such a key part of this usually annual trip for us. I was so delighted to see three more Ospreys join it as the time in this hide went on sitting on posts, the nest the one that has a webcam on it which I quite often watch and going through the big and prominent trees. It was wonderful to see and there was a very key moment of the whole trip when one Osprey flew out over the water in pursuit of a Grey Heron for a bit of heavy duty aerial tussle which put a lot of the ducks up unsurprisingly. This gave me some of best flying Osprey views for a few years it really was spectacular. I loved watching this and taking in the pure joy and pleasure of seeing it and taking photos as I did the whole time with the Ospreys. I took the fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth pictures in this photoset of the Ospreys still and flying today.  After being so lucky to see the Rutland Water originated bird at a local reserve for us Fishlake Meadows to keep Ospreys in our lives this year and last I was so grateful to get to see these here today.

Also from this hide it was great to see the quirky scene of some cattle in the water which is a strong memory. A Pied Wagtail made a great sighting here too and it was delightful to see a charm of Goldfinches fly down onto the shore of the water with their splash of colour a few times. Lapwings were all over the place here which was brilliant too and it was entertaining to see them together. I reflected on how I’d probably not seen the two of them together before. Common Terns sat on posts and hovering made a great sight here too as it so often does and I liked seeing lots of Sand Martins with later on seeing them at the third hide along landed in vegetation which was very interesting to see. It was a splendid day of egrets and herons with Great White Egret, Little Egret and Grey Heron all present which was very interesting to see and is always brilliant to see. On a good run I am on for them and a great year I’ve had for them Stock Doves were a highlight this afternoon too with one flying over and one by a nest box type area. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of one of a few Greylag Geese about flying in to land on the water too.

I also had a great moment with my macro lens again when I saw two sweet orbweaver spiders very intimately on webs over the hide windows. It was interesting taking one spider picture and seeing the shadow of a prominent clump of trees which I always enjoy when coming to Lyndon across the lake behind it and this was the tenth and final picture in this photoset that I took today.

[whieldonflyfishing]

DISCOVERING CHALK STREAMS

  What are chalk streams? The flows of water that rise from springs in terrains with chalk bedrock are called chalk streams. The water passed through easily to the surface because the chalk is absorbent; hence the chalk streams get little surface runoff.

  This outcome is that water in the surges comes with a small amount of organic substance and residue, which is, in general, very clear. There is so much clarity in the beds of water, compressed rock and flints that are good generating areas for the fishes, especially Salmonidae.

  They are up to the aquifers, the flow timings, mineral capacity and range of heat show a little less seasonal variation than the other streams.  This river water is slightly acidic and has a more increased level of alkaline, high range of nitrate, phosphate, potassium, and silicate. Other than that the streams are more likely of the habitat of algae and diatoms and many macrophytes. ( including water crowfoot). The oxygen level is also suitable for much of the fish population.

  Geology and hydrology

The nature of the chalk is more passable and spongy rock. The raindrops falling from it go directly into the earth because the chalk stine acts like an aquifer.

The water from the earth trickles through the chalk bedrock, emerging again lower down the hill in spring seasons. The role of chalk is like a momentary puddle by regulating the amount of water in the springs.

  In England, if you're wondering how to fly fish chalk streams, many chalk streams have much stable flow rivers that vary only slightly over time. The temperature of the emerging water is very stable and rarely differs from 10° C (50°F). On the mornings of chilled winters, water vapour from the relatively warmer streams and condenses in the cold air above to form fog.

  Chalk is more likely to soluble in rainwater because the rainwater is generally a little acidic. The products of chalk are experienced and mixed with rainwater and are then moved to streamflow. Chalk streams fly fishing that is transported a bit rescinded material in the river streams. These dissolved items are considered as mineral-rich due to the mixed calcium and carbonated items.

  The surface water of the streams of chalks is commonly called as gin clear. The channel bed is made up of angular flint gravel comes from the natural deposits of flints found beneath the land of chalks that contain a comparatively low amount of clay and residues of slits.

  The different specification of chalk stream ecology is because of the stability of heat and the regimes of flow combined with highly transparent water and very low sediments of sand.

  Ecology

The streams of chalk have been amazingly managed from the ancestors, in the administration that has been aimed at creating the best atmosphere for fly fishing technique and most importantly dry fly fishing in the ear of the 20th and 21st century.

  There are several wild salmonid fish such as brown trout (Salmo trutta), Atlantic salmon (Salmo Salar), grayling ( thymallus thymallus). There are many stocks of rainbow trout. (Oncorhynchus, mykiss). The rich life of invertebrate and the characteristic of clear and shallow water that will make chalk rivers and stream extremely to fly fishing.

   Because of the constant heat, maintained temperature, and pure alkaline-rich mineral spring water, there is the production of watercress in many stream rivers. There is a local chalk stream in Hampshire that is named under the local chalk stream because the hand watercress Railway because then made hand watercress railway is transferring water to London from local chalk stream.

  We got this evil reality that the mayfly fly fishing on the streams of chalk comes to an end for the season and we got to know it from the initial scythe start to harvest the spring weed growth.

   Because ( it is raining again) so it may mark the end of any kind of particular moment but not the end of a season because we are here to enter the summer fly Creek fishing time.

  There are many more new challenges on summer fly fishing on the chalk streams along with hatches and some great fishing experience. As angry, we have to change our approach because the fly life changes to reflect the changing climate.

  Summer fly hatches

During the hot months, the peak dry fly fishing and fly fishing tie works very commonly in the mid-morning and later in the afternoon and beginning of the evening when the sun is low and about to set, and the air temperature is not very harsh.

   The morning time is reserved for the olives and roughly sized small (16-18) upcoming insects because they have to hatch in an array of size and colour no matter how small they are, but they can be interested even in the largest fish to take a look at the surface of the water of Stream Fly fishing.

  When the middle of the day is very hot in the scorching sun, this is the ideal situation for Terrestrial insects; heat on a day of the very bright sun. You will find many insects blown toward water and driving among these insects there are grasshopper ants, aphids, Beetles and Daddy long legs. You may find any kind of fish tucked in near the surface just sitting in these ratings as they loot round. The special mailroom near you where you are standing so be careful.

   You will see everything very alive starting from evenings coming from the hatches of midges the fish will mostly strike on the edge of Sunbeam and Shadow eating these little dark and brown giving when we see the shadow elongating there is a coming of the caddis fly.

  These fly the fishes unpredictable close to the shore, mostly with the smaller trout coming clear and clean of the water in pursuit. The day comes to an end when the trees and the over meadows and lays their eggs before returning to the water. As they become a stick in the surface, they become an important and easy food for any trout.

  Sight Fly Fishing with Nymph.

Make a show to check the rules before you go because the extreme rivers seem very subtle to the rulebook of fishing. They move from dry fly only to allow upstream nymph fishing.  There are a very wonderful skill and experience in name fly-fishing, but some of the people also considered this as a dirty phrase.

  By the Gem Skues from the original days of nymph fishing and some unwanted flies. From Frank Sawyer the development of heavier flies and onto our modern understanding, this is a very great skill to spot the fish, make the caste and then identify the movement of the fish having your fly Subsurfaces.

  The comeback of Grayling

Some people also wait for the start of grayling time. Similar to nymph fishing, there is very little desire, and it comes with a new challenge. The fish are like grey ghost patches on the skin as they sometimes lurk on the gravel purchase in between weed patches and softly paddle their fins to have the required stance.

  They can be identified by their folk tale and large flowing dorsal fin with fiery Orange-tip. It is very much possible to have them on the surface to study a dry fly, but the pattern may be slightly and correct. They will study eight for a required time before sending back down to their station.

  Chalk Stream Rainbow Trout

The test and kitchen rivers of Ham fire are very much famous for giving the finest English Rainbow Trout, which is also a birthplace of fly fishing. With the very similar fast-paced pure chalk stream water stream to the farm results in narrow and athletic fish weather unique and clean flavour.

  The Fish

The highest lower rates of the farmer and the quality of water are directly proportional to the quality of fish production. A unique fresh, clean test is required and has pure chalk stream water.

  A very narrowed and athletic fish is produced with a high flow design of the farm. Slow-paced grown in more than two years in the same atmosphere as the wild trout from the test and itchen, they formed a strong fish.

  The company of stream has been working with their feed providers for so many years to make a specially made high trait microbalance diet.  The marine content has been reduced to 60% in the last decade and is sourced from durable fisheries certified to IFFO RS. The conversion of feed rate (FCR) is from 1.2- 1.3 and the ratio of fish in and fish out ratio (FIFO) that is less than 1.

  A true rainbow trout comes from exclusive freshwater. The Chalk stream fishes are red-fleshed and are planted at the robust and appropriate size of 2.5-3 kgs. Chalk stream Rainbow Trout have a beautiful Ruby red meat well-balanced fat and very clear flavour. It is very suitable for raw and cooking applications.

  The Farm

The actual chalk stream water is fed exclusively in spring emerging from chalk download. Rainfall filters from the chalk bedrock to rise in clear and mineral and nutrients rich and many verdant and unique habitats.

The farms are located on the sites of old water mills giving a big volume of water splash (about 36 million gallons per day) for the fish to grow in the same currency that resembles the natural river environment. Trout make their development in hard-sided and gravel bottomed tanks and raceways and are kept at a tight density of 35-40 kgs of fish per cubic meter of water.

  The design of farms passes from the specially formulated settling channels to remove waste and make sure that the river goes back to the river in high-class condition. The rivers like test and itchen are among highly inspected rivers in the UK. Their farm outflows are subject to constant testing by the agency of the environment to check the water quality.

  Chalk stream Fly Fishing techniques

As we said earlier that there could be very strict rules and some places of Chalk streams. In most of the cases, nymphs and other subsurface flies can be banned, which means that there is the only allowance for dry fly fishing.

  You have to check the rules of the water because there are only a few clubs that allow fishing, which will give you another option. Some are saying that names can be used but only from months normally from July or August.

  There is an advantage in wading and if you have a presentation option available, but you have to see if waiting is allowed from the bank only. If it's not allowed, there is a good reason behind so stick to the rules.

  Dry Fly Fishing

Whenever you think about fishing in a chalk stream upstream dry fly fishing is the first thing that will pop in your mind first because of the very rich invertible invertebrate life, fly hatches and very phenomenal dry fly sport.

  Sitting by the Shore of the river and sea in the activities is never a time waste. So in every river, matching the hatch is a good start. It is worth to note that this is not a very detailed list and all-flash species may not be present on all the streams. As a quick guide and fly fishing tip, it is proved to be very useful.

  Nymphing

The fishing of names on chalk streams has been started from the beginning of the 20th century when G.E.M skies were about to promote the benefits of its upstream name fishing style of fish in a chalk stream. On the Northside, wet flies have been used for many generations, but for the south chalk stream, the dry fly was the only method that was accepted. At that time Frederick Halford was the only man saying in favour of Grey fly and two men seriously defended their chosen methods in the Sporting Press.

  Conclusion

The flies who seem good are the ones that imitate natural flies the fish take as the feed. Use the information to have the starting point. If you're up to having the fly box that you can use in every season when these flies serve you from their core variation can give you more options of size and colours. These are some methods of small stream fly fishing.

from Whieldon Fly Fishing - The Fly Fishing Diaries https://ift.tt/3oKNAvv via IFTTT

[boston-pads]

The Future Is Brighton - Boston Pads

New Balance has nearly single-handedly changed the face of Brighton. Now, if only others would follow in its footsteps.

Head west on the Mass. Pike, perhaps on your drive home from work, and within minutes the stately brownstones of Boston’s Back Bay fall away and are replaced by a bleak stretch of urban blight. Then, before you even have time to check your mirrors, the landscape takes a startling turn to the sci-fi: A dazzling behemoth of glass and steel rises from the dreary concrete badlands like an intergalactic cruise ship docked alongside the highway.

You’d be forgiven if your first thought was, What the hell is that?

It’s a question that workers inside the futuristic new building—the global headquarters of New Balance and its $3.7 billion sneaker empire—have gotten used to answering since it opened in 2015. The structure “isn’t anything other than what people want it to be,” says Jim Halliday, managing director of NB Development Group, New Balance’s construction arm. “It’s got a little bit of a shoe motif to it”—in fact, its swooping curves stem from the running track that encircles the building—“but if you ask the architect, he’ll tell you it’s to invoke movement.” It also so happens to be a striking symbol of change for the area.

Brighton has long amounted to Boston’s take on flyover country. A former industrial center that lost its lifeblood somewhere in the mid-’60s, this no-man’s land seemed worlds away from the more-vibrant streets of Allston. Before the Mass. Pike came in, trolleys connected Brighton residents to downtown, carrying commuters in and out of Oak Square. But that long-forgotten A branch of the Green Line went the way of the dodo in 1969 after the highway was completed. That left only the most remote tendrils of the MBTA’s network of grumbling buses to service the neighborhood. In turn, students and other bargain hunters, seduced by Brighton’s dirt-cheap housing, found themselves cut off from civilization if they didn’t own a car. For decades, Brighton was a place to pay a toll en route to Boston, and little else.

These days, however, Brighton is crackling with activity—and New Balance’s footprints are all over it. In “Boston Landing,” CEO Jim Davis’s 1.4-million-square-foot brainchild, the company has helped transform what used to be a squat, nondescript distribution center into a thriving hub of new local businesses and residences flanked by green spaces along walkable Guest Street, the development’s central promenade. Nearby at the Lincoln Bar & Grill, you can order the New Balance burger—a veggie patty topped with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, as to befit the so-called health district. Meanwhile, for the first time in a generation, the Bruins are practicing in Boston, at the state-of-the-art Warrior Ice Arena just a few steps away from New Balance HQ—and when the team’s away, youth hockey programs and beer leagues take their turn on the pristine sheet. Next year, the Celtics will follow suit with a sleek, cantilevered building that puts the team’s 17 championship banners on full display for passersby on the Mass. Pike. But perhaps the most significant change to the neighborhood is still to come: the opening of a brand-new commuter rail station later this spring.

Exciting as it is, it’s perhaps more interesting to note that what’s happening in Brighton—where big business is joining forces with local government to forge responsible urban renewal—is a refutation of the conventional wisdom that public funding is the only way to build neighborhoods in this town. You want public transit? Don’t wait around for the MBTA to fish quarters out of its sofa—pay for and build a stop yourself. Ditto for sidewalks and streets. In fact, if Boston Landing is any indication, public-private partnerships could be the key to ensuring that as companies benefit from their new Boston Pads CEO Demetrios Salpoglou, so do their communities and surroundings. Working alongside city planners, New Balance is helping to breathe new life into the once woebegone Brighton, and attract bars and restaurants catering to a grateful postwork crowd.

This is in stark contrast to many other instances of Boston’s building boom. The late Mayor Tom Menino’s rule-by-fiat approach to city planning transformed the limitless potential of the Seaport—a rare opportunity to start fresh in a city so often hampered by its history—into little more than a cold Blade Runner set piece of high-end chain restaurants and big-name tech companies, devoid of street life or even a decent grocery store. Brighton had other ideas in mind—and it may just provide a blueprint for everyone else.

Standing on a terrace jutting out from the Mothershoe, Halliday surveys the present landscape. Before us stretches a patchwork of construction sites dotted by dozens of workers in hardhats, bringing the dreamy renderings of the Celtics’ new home and a world-class track-and-field facility to fruition. But Halliday also sees the past. New Balance, he points out, is by no means a newcomer to Brighton. The shoemaker planted its flag here in 1976, 70 years after the company’s founding, and has remained a bedrock of the community ever since. Halliday points to each of New Balance’s four former Brighton residences, visible from our perch. “It was an industrial area that was dying,” he tells me. “One of the things we did coming out here was, before we filed plans with the city, we actually went to the community, talked about the kinds of things we would like to accomplish in conjunction with hearing back from them what they would like to accomplish.”

This fusion of past and future is part of the headquarters itself. Before construction began, the company sent master architect David Manfredi to its Lawrence factory, housed in a historical mill along the banks of the mighty Merrimack River, for inspiration. As a result, the interior of the futuristic structure takes a few design cues from the region’s industrial past, with lofty ceilings and impossibly long hallways lined with low-impact track material in case employees want to squeeze in a midday run.

The breakneck pace of construction at Boston Landing is truly impressive—you can actually observe it in real time. Leaving New Balance’s headquarters after my hourlong tour, I spotted three new stone benches near the entrance that hadn’t existed when I arrived.

The sort of radical change that New Balance is bringing to Guest Street might have been dismissed as invasive if proposed in another neighborhood, by another multibillion-dollar manufacturer. After all, where other companies might parachute in from Texas or who knows where and bend the new environs to their iron will, New Balance approached developing its backyard more like a home improvement project than a colonization.

Of course, it’s not strictly altruism—it’s shrewd business strategy. “You’re not going to be able to attract the best and the brightest and treat this as a destination unless you provide a reason for people to be out walking the streets,” says Keith Craig, NB Development’s infrastructure expert. “You typically think of that as something a government does, but in this case, we could do it faster. We wanted to do it our way.”

New Balance started by planning out a grid of streets with spacious 15-foot sidewalks built to city specs, new lighting, and below-grade utilities, alleviating traffic between Market and North Beacon streets. Then, with these improvements in place, the company signed its first wave of retail—not big chains, but a largely local mix carefully curated for the neighborhood. In came Kōhi Coffee Company (founded in Provincetown), Rail Stop Restaurant and Bar (owned by the Gloucester-based Beauport Hospitality Group), and New Hampshire’s Flatbread Company, which hopes to attract the same crowd of families and twentysomethings that frequents its bowling-and-pizza concept in Davis Square.

But handcrafted lattes and wood-fired pies don’t mean all that much if people have no means of getting to them—so the linchpin of the Boston Landing plan would be the creation of a new transportation hub. Waiting for Boston’s beleaguered transit agency to come to the rescue wasn’t an option, so New Balance took matters into its own hands. “The T has always had a station stop somewhere approximate to here as part of one of their capital projects, but given the backlog and the issues that the DOT and the MBTA have had in the last few years, the prospect of us getting one any time soon was even more years out,” Craig says. “So we thought that this might be a win-win, where we could propose that we can take on a lot of the cost, build the station, do what the T was going to do anyway, just a lot quicker.”

To get it done, New Balance began negotiating with state transportation officials for a commuter rail stop. Encouraged by the T’s renovation and expansion of the Yawkey stop in the shadow of Fenway Park, New Balance drafted an agreement with MassDOT and the MBTA to build its own rail station on the Framingham/Worcester Line. In October 2015, construction crews broke ground. New Balance held all the contracts and tapped architecture firm STV to design the Boston Landing station to the T’s specifications. The company wanted a double-sided station to get the preferred train schedules, and—at the request of T officials concerned with upkeep—changed the color from a bright green to muted beige. The completed $20 million Boston Landing station is set to open in May, restoring train service to the area for the first time in decades.

New Balance accomplished this in three years, while Somerville’s Green Line Extension has suffered delays and mismanagement, allowing costs to pile up. Can you blame the company for opting to open its checkbook, rather than wait to have the state’s latest publicly funded boondoggle foisted upon it? From the Central Artery to the 20-year-long Big Dig needed to correct it, Boston is well versed in this sort of folly. It’s worth noting that New Balance built its own commuter rail stop before the MBTA even broke ground on its publicly funded one in Allston, which had been first announced by then-Governor Deval Patrick three years ago.

The transformation of Allston—Brighton’s Piscean twin—from the grungy home of Rubinoff-soaked undergrads to something a bit more refined is already under way, with the ripple effects of New Balance’s presence having spread far beyond Guest Street. “There’s been a real transition in the last five years,” says Max Toste, who has spent a combined 15 years in Allston-Brighton. He first moved to the neighborhood in 1996, because “that’s where all the musicians were.” Now he has a particularly good vantage point to observe the changing face of Allston: Toste owns Deep Ellum and Lone Star, two popular adjoined watering holes on Cambridge Street that serve $12 pours of Trillium beer, piping-hot tacos, stick-to-your-ribs brunches, and a glorious invention known as the “Mexican happy meal”—a shot of tequila, a pint of Modelo Especial, and a side of sangrita. Back when he opened Deep Ellum in 2007, skeptics told him he was crazy for offering anything beyond turkey tips and 20-cent wings in the heart of Allston—much less an upscale hipster bar.

Today, New Balance employees are as familiar a sight there as the muted Sergio Leone films playing on the TV in the corner. “There’s been this interesting demographic shift. I’ve noticed the neighborhood is majorly in flux,” Toste says. “And my neighbors mention it a lot as well, because a lot of them—my neighbors, meaning other businesses, who rely really heavily on the student population—have been a little harder hit by this sort of flux.”

Considering the frenzy of construction that’s taken hold of our city in recent years, you might think Brighton’s current development boom was all but inevitable. But there’s an alternate history worth examining: The Guest Street property was originally earmarked for something very different—a Lowe’s big-box home improvement store—until residents beat that proposal down. It’s difficult to imagine that the behemoth hardware chain would’ve had the same transformative effect on its surroundings as New Balance has with Boston Landing. Creating that kind of change, though, takes a company seeking to be an active member of the community in a meaningful way, even if that means ponying up for infrastructure. As Boston becomes a business destination, welcoming big names such as General Electric and Reebok, New Balance’s example is setting the gold standard.