Honey - Free Download

It is still unseasonably warm although it has become somewhat cloudy.  The cloud rolled in towards the end of yesterday afternoon and even brought some rain with it last night.  The temperature however has remained in the 20s. 

Determined to make the most of the good weather I spent most of the afternoon over Solihull Nature Reserve.  Bird wise it was quiet but it was nice just to be out in the sunshine. 

The temperature is due to plummet this week but I'm determined to eek out every last ounce of summer.

One of my favourite songs of the last few months is a song called Summertone by a Scottish band called Honey.   The EP from which it is taken is available to download for free.  Follow the link below.

http://lifetastesbetter.bandcamp.com/album/taste-it-and-see

The Phoenix Foundation - Free Download

It seems that we are in for a bit of a hot spell.  It's warmer now than it has been for a large part of the summer!  Apparently it is set to last until the weekend and so whatever I end up doing it will definitely be outdoors!

This evening it was nice to sit outside in a pub garden and enjoy a gin and tonic.  This spell will more than likely be the last chance we get before Autumn takes hold and the frosts arrive.

As it's been a good evening I thought it would be nice to share some music with you.  I've mentioned this band before and I think there is a link to another free download somewhere on here.

Click on the link below and it will take you to Pop Matters where you can download the track Bright Grey by The Phoenix Foundation.

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/148632-the-phoenix-foundation-bright-grey-mp3-popmatters-premiere/

Solar Eclipse and Meteor Shower

There was a partial solar eclipse this morning but just like the lunar eclipse last month cloud cover prevented me from seeing it.  I could see the orange glow of the sun between the clouds but could not see the sun itself. 

There is also a meteor shower. The Quadrantid meteor shower is an annual vent that is active during January 1st through January 10th every year. The maximum peak of this year's shower is expected to be tonight with 30 to 50 meteors per hour!  I've just been outside and again there is cloud cover.  When it comes to looking at the skies I don't seem to have much luck.

Lunar Eclipse

I missed the Lunar Eclipse, I thought it was tonight!  To be honest I wouldn't have seen it anyway as the sky is a blanket of white and looks full of snow (forecast for later today).

The total eclipse was at 7.40am this morning coinciding with the winter solstice for the first time in 372 years.  Had there not been cloud cover, then apparently the morning sky would have turned a dark shade of red.

Snow Business

The snow finally arrived in the Midlands yesterday and what was expected to be a light shower turned into snow falling or the majority of the day.  We had planned to go to Blakesley Hall for their Tudor Christmas but having made it half way we called to find out it was shutting early, giving us no chance of getting there in time. Disappointed we turned around and headed home, walking from Olton into Solihull and then out the other side.

Things look great in the snow and I took a few photos.  Although the day didn't go to plan it wasn't a bad day and the highlight was watching two foxes playing in the snow last night.  The snow had been untouched and the foxes leaped, dug and ran around in it for ages.  It was great to watch.

Where's The Snow?

We were promised snow overnight.  There was a flurry and a thin layer on the ground when I awoke this morning.  We were warned of wide spread disruption and chaos on the roads but it hasn't materialised yet.

Don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily want the chaos the snow brings but it does come with some perks.  Snowball fights, sledging and so on.  As it stands we have the cold and ice but as yet no real snow fall.

I must mention England's performance in The Ashes.  The first Test in Brisbane is over and ended in a draw.  England trailing Australia by 221 runs after the first innings managed a total of 517-1 in the second!! 

Alastair Cook made 235 not out and broke the previous highest Test score at the Gabba set by Don Bradman (226). Andrew Strauss made 110 before being stumped and Jonathan Trott managed 135 not out before England declared.

The second Test starts on Friday I might stay up for it!

Freezing!

Winter has arrived earlier than usual.  Temperatures are already in minus figures. A lot of the country has had a fair amount of snow.  Here in central England though we had a small flurry which has quickly turned to ice and stayed put.  We are due some snow later this week.

Due to the weather the weekend was a quiet one.  A couple of unsuccessful geo caching attempts on Saturday and a day at home yesterday.

I'm already longing for the summer and we haven't even got to winter proper yet!!