End of an era...

It's official! Linda and I have closed our 'Spacerocks UK' website: after nearly twenty five years as the number one return on Google, it's time to retire from meteorite dealing (although I'm still intending to carry on lecturing!)

We've had great fun, met some fabulous astronomers, astronauts and celebrity collectors, (I wonder how many you recognize) but we've both had enough of long hours on congested motorways and claustrophobic hotel rooms! With the amount of phony or misrepresented material online and the increasing challenge to find genuine meteorites at affordable prices, it's time to call it a day!

Five Red-footed Falcons at Carlton Marshes

Despite a late night with the band, Linda and I rose early, initially to visit the Beccles Antiques Fair and then to drive the short distance to Carlton Marshes Reserve. After a brisk walk out to the river bank, we found the reported five Red-footed Falcons roosting together in some dead trees. Just occasionally one would stir and pop its head up!

Terrific gig for 'Synergy'

The venue was a private function (30th anniversary bash) in a social club in the Broads: great audience, great hosts, great gig!

Incredible sunspots!

More aurorae on their way?

Interesting night sky...

The beautiful crescent Moon revealed some fascinating features last night, in particular a long rille across the 'Sea of Nectar'. Before dawn I caught the tail end of an auroral display, while Venus was incredibly bright in the eastern sky...

Kites and garden year-ticks!

While I was getting ready to 'do' my talk yesterday, we were visited by a beautifully-marked Red Kite that circled over the garden for several minutes. Later on, while enjoying strawberries and fizz with Peter and Sue, we were entertained by newly-arrived Swifts and House Martins.

Black Terns at Ranworth

Linda and I were out most of the day, lecturing at a U3A meeting in Wymondham: our friends Peter & Sue e-mailed us to say they'd found a flock of Black Terns at Ranworth NNT reserve, so as soon as we'd returned home we grabbed bins and camera and drove the short distance to the reserve: the terns were instantly on show, on posts in front of the centre...

The Moon, Jupiter and Elnath

As we drove home from Sussex last night, the Moon was close to Jupiter and Elnath, the star marking the tip of one of the 'horns' of Taurus, the Bull.

Pulborough Brooks

(Photos tomorrow)
Last day of our brief visit to Sussex: we decided to spend half of it at Pulborough Brooks so Mary could listen to the Nightingales and Cuckoos. Once we'd arrived and checked in, I set off on my own to look for the Green-winged Teal that's been present for ages: needless to say there was no sign today! Lots of Nightingales and Cuckoos, but no photos of the former:  Hobby and Wood Sandpiper were good to see, as were Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. Coffee and a sandwich on the terrace gave us more Nightingale song, as well  as perched and flight views of several Cuckoos. Back to  the cottage via a spot of merchandising at a Garden Centre near Findon...