The visit has also whetted the appetite to see how the gardens change through the seasons so you can follow the changes here later in the spring and summer.

The gallery can be opened by clicking on the photograph. As ever any feedback would be appreciated.

The first few photos were taken close by at Winwick Warren.

A great mix of loco’s and an intense service provided something for most enthusiasts of classic diesels from the British Railways era and I hope this gallery captures some of the diversity of traction on offer and great countryside that the railway passes through.

Clicking on the photo will open the gallery.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and any feedback would be appreciated.

The Owls are partly diurnal and this with a seemingly plentiful food supply has left hundreds of visitors in awe at the sight. The draw has been a great one and whilst I am happy enough with my selection of pictures there have been some really impressive shots taken over the past few months which are an excellent record. The bank of photographers some weekends has been vast and the impressive line up of photographic hardware has bemused some onlookers even more than the Owls.

Clicking on the picture will take you to the gallery. I hope you enjoy the gallery and any feedback would be appreciated, to further my perception of what people like to see.

The fair is visited by anywhere between 500,000 and 1,000,000 visitors and it is a much-anticipated and revered event both locally and nationally. Its footfall attracts the cream of the current attractions although date clashes with the Nottingham Goose Fair and other back-end fairs can impact on what attends.

Either way it is a great day out and a photographic opportunity not to be missed.  The gorgeous sunshine was enjoyable but both adds and detracts from the photographic possibilities. Hope you enjoy the photos and any feedback is much appreciated.

On September 25th 2011 the MAG organised a series of runs to heighten awareness to proposed law changes to motorcycling in the EU. The draconian measures would change the face of motorcycling and the regulations would restrict the right of bikers to modify their machines, and it is also thought as a result they would single out motorcycles for regular roadside checks.

Campaigners are also concerned at French legislation which would ban motorbikes more than seven years old from urban areas and would require all motorcyclists to wear high visibility clothing.

The runs across the country were all coordinated to leave at 1.00PM and travel at 40mph. The effect on traffic was there but minimal and most passed without incident.

This small gallery of photos were taken at the run leaving the Warwick Services on the M40.

The gallery can be found by clicking the thumbnail photo.

Today would have seen Marco Simoncelli celebrating his 25th birthday and I am sure his legion of fans around the world will be taking a moment to honour his memory.

I didn’t know Marco, I was just a fan but I still can t believe the effect his sad loss had on me. I am only grateful that I had got up late that morning and missed the start of the race. Why should it have had such a profound impact on my emotions is something I am sure for all the psychologists. To me we lost a future World Champion that day and someone who gave us a tremendous out of pleasure with his racing skills and effervescent enthusiasm.

Marco was not your average racer he had that little something extra so lacking in many of todays racers, charisma. He was not afraid to speak his mind or ruffle a few feathers and his on track fortunes were also coming to fruition with his best ever result, 2nd in the MotoGP class at Phillips Island the week before.

I am not to proud to say i shed a few tears both that day and over the next few weeks, in fact I am proud to say i did.

Happy Birthday Marco wherever you are………I will celebrate with my own minute of “casino” later

#58SuperSic

Oggi avrebbe visto Marco Simoncelli festeggia il suo 25esimo compleanno e sono sicuro che la sua legione di fans in tutto il mondo sarà prendere un momento per onorare la sua memoria.

Non sapevo Marco, ero solo un fan, ma posso ancora credere t l’effetto suo triste perdita avuto su di me. Io sono solo grato che avevo alzato tardi la mattina e perso l’inizio della gara. Perché dovrebbe avere avuto un impatto profondo sulle mie emozioni è qualcosa che sono sicuro che per tutti gli psicologi. Per me abbiamo perso un futuro campione del mondo che giorno e qualcuno che ci ha dato un tremendo fuori di piacere con la sua abilità di guida e l’entusiasmo effervescente.

Marco non era il tuo pilota media che aveva qualcosa in più così privo di molti dei piloti di oggi, carisma. Lui non aveva paura di parlare la sua mente o arruffare qualche piuma e la sua fortuna sulla pista sono stati anche giunta a buon fine con il suo miglior risultato in assoluto, 2 ° nella classe MotoGP a Phillips Island la settimana prima.

Io non sono orgoglioso di dire che ho versato qualche lacrima, sia quel giorno, e oltre le prossime settimane, in realtà io sono orgoglioso di dire che ho fatto.

Buon compleanno Marco ovunque tu sia ……… io festeggiare con i miei stessi minuti di “casino” più avanti

Clicking on the thumbnail will open a larger copy.

Gary suffered a massive engine explosion at about 170MPH according to the timing date for the event and as can be seen the force of the blast has left the injector hat at a rather funny angle and lifted the front of the car off the ground. Ten minutes later Gary was enjoying a cigarette in the pits and the crew set about replacing the engine for the next days racing.

Unfortunately I didn’t take the top honour but the worthy winner was my favourite of the other four finalists and hopefully there is always next year to go that one step higher. Thanks to Haymarket and LAT for great day at the show and the chance to see the wide variety of diverse vehicle from the junior go-kart to Top Fuel dragsters. Santa Pod had a very impressive area and a good mix of cars. Chris Andrews new dragster looked resplendent in its new Lucas Oils colours but pipping it for me was the 65 GTO debuting at the show, what a stunner and one I will look forward to seeing on the strip.

Other highlights were meeting one of my Great British heroes Richard Noble and another chance to see the Bloodhund SSC mock-up. The displays were eclectic and whilst the show seemed to lack something from previous times I have visited all in all it was enjoyable.

Mute Swan

Whooper Swan

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Barnacle Goose

Shelduck

Wigeon

Gadwall

Teal

Mallard

Shoveler

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Goldeneye

Smew

Goosander

Pheasant

Cormorant

Grey Heron

Great Crested Grebe

Red Kite

Buzzard

Kestrel

Moorhen

Coot

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Glaucous Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon

Stock Dove

Woodpigeon

Collared Dove

Short-eared Owl

Magpie

Jay

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Marsh Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Nuthatch

Wren

Starling

Blackbird

Fieldfare

Redwing

Robin

Dunnock

House Sparrow

Pied Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Bullfinch

Yellowhammer

Reed Bunting

Not to a bad a start for the year and already more than last January.

I will start to add some galleries over the next few days and weeks and hopefully you will help me spread the word.

Tim