29 September. 2013. 

It's windy and fresh today but the sun is still out.  There are no rainbows because it is not raining.

Last week we were driving home in the dark and a bat flew into our windscreen and got stuck under the bonnet.  The next day, in the morning, it was still there so we got it out and put it in a tub.  Sadly, it was dead, probably from the impact and it had a damaged wing.  It had a very cute face and it was very fluffy.  We looked it up on the Internet and discovered that it is a Long Eared Brown Bat.    
Facts about them.
1.They eat moths, beetles and flies on the wing.
2.They fly close to the ground which makes them vulnerable.
3.In the winter they hibernate, usually on their own, in caves, cellars and tunnels.
4.They live for an average of 4-5 years but have been known to reach an amazing 22 years old.


It is blackberry season.

Blackberries are also known as brambles.  If you mix them with raspberries they are called loganberries. You are not supposed to pick them after Michaelmas, which is today, because the Devil is supposed to have claimed them.  You can use the stems for making strong string.  Things you can make from blackberries: 
1. Jam
2. Blackberry and apple pie
3. Wine

Caspar's Camera Trap:  Experiencing technical difficulties

20 September 2013
I took these photos yesterday afternoon.  It was quite sunny with a warm breeze, it had rained in the morning, so everything was nice, clean, dry and fresh.  It almost still feels like summer.

I just found out that ferns
are one of the oldest plants in the world.  I think this is a Male Fern, there is another sort of fern called Polypody, but it doesn't look like one of them.  This one is about a foot tall, they can grow to 3 or 4 feet tall.  This is a small one because it was growing on a south facing bank, they prefer the shade.
Ferns reproduce by growing spores on the backs of their leaves.
My book tells me that they used to be used for treating tapeworms, but do not try this yourself because they are poisonous and will give nasty side effects.

I found this ivy while I was walking with my brother.  It can be found growing up things from big grand houses to walls and trees.  When they are older the three pronged leaves blend into one single lobe.
It has many medicinal uses. The Collins book of Herbs and Healing Plants says it can be used to treat coughs, wooping cough and bronchitis, fever and worms.  It says it can also be used homeopathically for over-active thyroid, gallbladder complaints and bronchitis and as a poultice for rheumatism and sciatica.  This is very remarkable because I thought it was very poisonous and know one ever used it.

I always notice this horse which lives in our village and I decided to share a picture of him with you because he is so beautiful.  He is called Ianto and he is 40 years old.  Which is quite amazing because I think he looks quite young.







Caspar's Camera Trap:  Experiencing technical difficulties